dvance on the part of
Mahmud from Metemmeh; which will leave him free to carry out the plans
he has formed. I shall of course, in my written despatch, give him full
particulars of the manner in which I have obtained that information."

"It was a very fine action," Macdonald agreed. "The lad has shown that
he has a good head, as well as great courage.

"You will make your way, Mr. Hilliard--that is, if you don't try this
sort of thing again. A man may get through it once, but it would be
just tempting providence to try it a second time."

"Now, Mr. Hilliard," the General said, "you had best go to your
quarters. I will ask the surgeon to attend to you, at once. You must
keep quiet, and do no more duty until you are discharged from the sick
list."

Ten days later, orders were issued that the brigade under Macdonald;
consisting of the 3rd Egyptians, and the 9th, 10th, and 11th Soudanese,
together with a mule battery; were to move forward the next day to
Kassinger, the advanced post some ten miles higher up the river. This
seemed only a preliminary step, and the general opinion was that
another fortnight would elapse before there would be a general
movement.

A reconnaissance with friendly Arabs had, however, been made ahead
towards Abu Hamed, and had obtained certain information that the
garrison at that place was by no means a strong one. The information
Gregory had gathered had shown that Mahmud had no intention of
advancing against Merawi; and that no reinforcements had, as yet,
started to join the force at Abu Hamed; the Dervish leader being
convinced that the Nile was not yet high enough to admit of boats going
up the cataract.

Thus, everything favoured the Sirdar's plan to capture Abu Hamed, and
enable the railway to be constructed to that place before Mahmud could
receive the news that the troops were in motion. He therefore directed
General Hunter to push forward, with only one brigade, leaving the rest
to hold Merawi; and ordered the camel corps, and the friendly Arabs, to
advance across the desert as far as the Gakdul wells, where their
appearance would lead Mahmud to believe that they were the advance
guard of the coming army.

Two days later Gregory, on going to the headquarters tent, was told
that General Hunter and his staff would start, in an hour's time, to
inspect the camp at Kassinger.

"Do you think you are fit to ride?" the chief of the staff asked him.

"Perfectly, sir. The doctor discharge