horses a drink and leave enough for tomorrow. There is grass
in abundance there.

"When the moon rises, we can make our way round to avoid Abu Klea, and
halt in the middle of the day for some hours. We could then ride on as
soon as the sun is low, halt when it becomes too dark to ride, and then
start again when the moon rises. In that way we shall reach the river,
before it is light."

"I think that would be a very good plan, Zaki. We should find it very
difficult to explain who we were, if we met any Dervishes at Abu Klea.
I will have a look at my sketch map; we have found it very good and
accurate, so far; and with that, and the compass the General gave me
before starting, we ought to have no difficulty in striking the river,
as the direction is only a little to the east of south."

He opened a tin of preserved meat, of which he had four with him, and
placed it to warm near the fire.

"We should have had to throw the other tins away, if we had gone on to
Abu Klea," he said. "It would never have done for them to be found upon
us, if we were searched."

When the meat was hot they ate it, using some biscuits as plates.
Afterwards they feasted on a melon they had brought with them, and were
glad to hear their horses munching the leaves of some shrubs near.

When the moon rose, they started. It was slow work at first, as they
had some difficulty in passing the rough country lying behind the hill.
Once past it, they came upon a level plain, and rode fast for some
hours. At ten o'clock they halted, and lay down under the shelter of
the shrubs; mounting again at four, and riding for another three hours.

"How far do you think we are from the river now? By the map, I should
think we cannot be much more than twenty miles from it."

"I don't know, my lord. I have never been along here before; but it
certainly ought not to be farther than that."

"We have ridden nine hours. We travelled slowly for the first four or
five, but we have come fast, since then. We must give the horses a good
rest, so we will not move on till the moon rises, which will be about a
quarter to two. It does not give a great deal of light, now, and we
shall have to make our way through the scrub; but, at any rate, we
ought to be close to the river, before morning."

When the sun was low they again lit a fire, and had another good meal,
giving the greater portion of their stock of biscuits to the horses,
and a good drink of water.

"We must use