orking up to their necks
in water. On the 26th, having accomplished this work, a Naval Brigade,
consisting of all the marines and sailors who could be spared from the
men-of-war, was landed to take part in the expedition, taking with them
several gatlings and light ship guns; all of which were dragged by them
through the deep sand, no means of transport being available. Two or
three days now elapsed before the advance commenced, as some of the
troops had not yet arrived; but on the 65th Regiment coming into port in
the _Serapis_ transport, orders were given for the advance to commence.
As soon as the 65th landed, they crossed a lagoon, or shallow salt-water
lake, which lay behind Trinkatat, and joined the main body, who had
already taken post on the other side.

The column consisted roughly of 3000 infantry, 750 cavalry and mounted
infantry, 115 men of the Naval Brigade, and about 200 artillery and
engineers; of these 150 were left at Trinkatat, and 200 men at the
camping ground across the lagoon, which had been entrenched by General
Baker and bore his name. The troops advanced in a hollow square. The
Gordon Highlanders formed the front face, the Irish Fusiliers the right
face, the 65th the left, and the 42nd Highlanders formed the rear of the
square. The Rifles marched inside the square next to the Fusiliers, the
marines next to the Rifles, the sailors, with six gatling guns, were
stationed to the left of the Gordon Highlanders; while the eight
seven-pounder guns belonging to the fleet, which had been transferred to
the camel battery, were in the centre of the square in reserve. Two
squadrons of cavalry were to scout far out on the front and flanks, the
rest of the cavalry were to remain in readiness for action in the rear
of the square.

Soldiers and sailors were alike in good spirits, and longing to meet the
foe and to avenge the massacre of Baker's troops on the very ground
across which they were about to march; but they knew that the work would
be no child's play, and that the greatest steadiness would be needed to
resist the tremendous rush of the fanatics. The march began in the
morning, and the enemy's scouts were seen falling back as the cavalry
dashed out ahead. Their main position was in the neighbourhood of some
wells. It was marked by a number of banners floating in the light air
on a low ridge which was swarming with men; guns could be seen in
position at various points along the position, which