ng for
a long voyage; but the run down to Suakim was so short that she was
packed as full as she could hold, having in addition to the troops a
number of mules for the transport. Every one was in high spirits. The
change was a most welcome one after the monotony of barrack life in
Egypt, and moreover all were burning to avenge the destruction of
Baker's force and the massacre of the brave little garrison of Sinkat.

The voyage was a pleasant one. After passing out of the Gulf of Suez,
with the lofty and rugged mountain of Sinai with its red rocks and
patches of verdure rising almost from the water's edge, they entirely
lost sight of land on the left. On the right, however, ran a range of
steep hills, which became bolder and loftier as they made their way
south. When night again fell the engines were slowed down, for it was
not deemed advisable to arrive off Suakim before daylight, as the coast
of the neighbourhood abounded with reefs, and the entrance to the
harbour was intricate and difficult. As soon as day broke the engines
were again put at full speed, and in an hour the masts of the shipping
lying in the port could be made out. As they neared the port a small
launch was seen coming out. An officer soon came on board.

"You are to go down the coast to Trinkitat," he said to the captain.
"The transports have gone down there, that is to be the base of
operations."

The officers clustered round the new-comer to learn the news.

"You have been more lucky than the 19th," he said. "The _Neva_ ran
ashore on a shoal eighteen or nineteen miles away and has become a total
wreck. Several steamers went out at once to help her, and got out the
men and horses. A good deal of the baggage was lost, and fifty transport
mules, which there was no time to take out before she went to pieces. It
was a very close thing, and it was very lucky that aid came two or three
hours after she struck. There has been trouble with the black regiments.
The scoundrels mutinied as soon as they got on shore, and announced
their intention of joining the rebels; so the marines have been kept
here for the defence of the place, instead of going with the expedition.
I am sorry to say that Tokar has fallen."

A groan broke from his hearers.

"It is a bad business," he went on; "but happily there has been no
repetition of the Sinkat massacre. We heard the news yesterday morning.
It was brought by five soldiers who made their way down the coast. They
repo