ttle donkeys get about with a fat chap perched on the top of a saddle
two feet above them. Never saw such mokes in my life. They ain't bigger
than good-sized dogs some of them, and yet they go along with fifteen
or sixteen stone on their backs as if they did not feel it. Those and
the camels pleased me most. Rum beasts those camels. I can't think what
it must feel like to be stuck up on top of them, and if one does fall
off it must be like coming off a church. Have you tried one?"

"No. I have never been on a camel. Of course we always have had our
horses."

"Why didn't they get us horses?"

"I don't know. They could have bought a couple of thousand, no doubt, if
they had tried; besides, they could have got some from the Egyptian
cavalry. But if they had they would never have sent out you and the
Guards; though the horses would have done very well to carry light
cavalry. I fancy the idea is that in the first place we have to go long
distances without water. Camels can stand thirst for three or four days
together, and each camel can carry water for its rider. Then, too, we
may perhaps march sometimes, and the camels could carry water and food.
So, you see, they will be useful both ways."

"Well, I suppose it is all right," Willcox said; "and as you say, if
they had gone in for horses they could not have carried us heavies. I am
precious glad to come. So are we all; though why they wanted to bring us
and the Guards--the biggest and heaviest men they could pick out in the
army--on a job like this, is more than I can say."

"It is more than anyone can say, I should think," Edgar said; and indeed
no reason has ever been assigned for the singular choice of the heaviest
men that could be collected in the service for duty on a campaign such
as this was to be, and for which light, active, wiry men were especially
suitable.

"There is the dinner call."

"What troop are we in?" Edgar asked, seizing his trumpet, and on
learning at once gave the troop call.

"We are in messes of eight," Willcox replied. "We and the three tents to
the right have one mess. It is our turn to go over and get the grub."

Accordingly Willcox and Edgar went across to the field-kitchen and
received the rations for their mess, consisting of beef and
vegetables--the bread for the day had been served out early. Returning
to the tents the rations were divided between the party of eight, and
Edgar was introduced by Willcox to his new messmates.

"You