ee; so that a man living on the top of
a high mountain has a longer day than one on a flat, since the sun rises
earlier and sets later for him.

But it was neither high ground nor the dip of the horizon which bounded
the view of those quitting the zereba, but a thick, grey, British haze,
which swallowed up everything a thousand yards in front, and out of
which the Arab hosts might pour at any moment. The order of advance was
different on this occasion, two squares instead of one being formed, the
right under General Buller, and the left being commanded by General
Davis. The guns were dragged with ropes by men of the Naval Brigade--a
tug of war with a vengeance. The haze being so thick would have made it
difficult to go straight for the enemy's position had the information
been as uncertain as was sometimes the case, but happily it had been
ascertained that if they took a south-west course they could not go far
wrong, and the compass came to their aid.

The cavalry marched in rear of the square, with the exception of the
scouts, who with the Mounted Infantry explored the ground in front,
preventing the possibility of a surprise. Tramp, tramp, mile after
mile, hour after hour, plodded the two brigades, with many a halt to
enable the man-drawn guns to keep with them. But tedium and fatigue
were thought nothing of. The man who would consider a five-mile walk
without an object a frightful infliction would think nothing of ten with
a gun in his hand, and the chance of game getting up every minute. It
is the same with all sports. How far across country could you run alone
for the mere sake of exercise? And how far in a paper-chase, with the
hare to run down and other hounds to compete with? Think how this
stimulating excitement must be intensified when there is an enemy in
front of you certain to fight well, and make you do all you know to beat
him. After awhile the haze grew thinner, and a range of hills loomed
through it in the distance.

As the atmosphere grew clearer these became distinct, and were seen to
be low, while a higher range rose above them beyond. On towards the
higher ground slowly moved the two brigades, with a total front of from
400 to 500 yards, the scouts spread in a cloud before them, and these
were now amongst the spurs of the lower hills.

Presently a couple of them came galloping back with the report that
these were clear of the enemy, who were massed further behind, and were
watching t