ink that I should be
justified in allowing you to undertake it."

"I really do not think that there will be any great danger, sir. If
there were no great object to be gained, it would be different; but in
view of the great importance, as you said this evening, of learning
Mahmud's intentions, the risk of one life being lost, even were it
great, is nothing. As you say, the Sirdar's plans might be greatly
affected by the course Mahmud adopts; and in such a case, the life of a
subaltern like myself is a matter scarcely to be considered.

"From childhood I have been preparing to go among the Dervishes, and
this is what I propose doing, as soon as Khartoum is recaptured.
Therefore sir if, by anticipating my work by a few months, or possibly
a year, I can render a service to the army, I would gladly undertake
it, if you will give me permission to do so."

The General was, for a minute or two, silent.

"Well, Hilliard," he said at last, "on thinking it over as you put it,
I do not know that I should be justified in refusing your offer. It is
a very gallant one, and may possibly meet with success."

"Thank you, sir! I shall be really glad to enter upon the work I have
looked forward to. Although it may have no direct bearing upon the
discovery of my father's fate, it will be a start in that direction. Do
you think that I had better go mounted, or on foot?"

"I should say certainly on horseback, but there is no occasion for any
hasty determination. Every step should be carefully considered, and we
should, as far as possible, foresee and provide for every emergency
that may arise. Think it over well, yourself. Some time tomorrow I will
discuss it again with you."

Gregory went straight back to his hut.

"Come in, Zaki, I want to speak to you.

"Light the lamp, and shut the door. Now sit down there. Do you know the
country between this and Metemmeh?"

"Yes, master; I travelled there with my father, six years ago."

"Is it difficult to find the way?"

"It is not difficult. There are many signs of the passage of caravans.
There are skeletons of the camels of the English expedition; there are
very many of them. It would not be difficult, even for one who has
never passed them, to find the way."

"And there are wells?"

"There are wells at Howeyat and Abu Halfa, at Gakdul and Abu Klea, also
at Gubat."

"That is to say, water will be found nearly every day?"

"Quite every day, to one on horseback. The longest distan