the few possessions still remaining to them.

When within thirty miles of Berber the Arabs had halted on the bank,
watching the gunboat as, with great difficulty, it made its way up a
cataract. Suddenly it was seen to stop, and a great bustle was observed
on board. An exclamation of grief burst from the Arabs.

"She has struck on a rock!" Ahmed Bey exclaimed.

"I am afraid she has," said Gregory; who had, all along, ridden by his
side at the head of the party. "I am afraid so. I hope she is not
injured."

Unfortunately, the damage was serious. A hole had been knocked through
her side, under water, and the water poured in, in volumes. A rush was
made by those on board; and beds, pillows, and blankets were stuffed
into the hole. This succeeded, to some extent, and she was brought
alongside the bank.

The sheik and Gregory went down to meet her. General Hunter came to the
side.

"A large hole has been knocked in her," he said, to the sheik. "We
shall have to get the guns and stores on shore, to lighten her; and
then heel her over, to get at the hole. It will certainly take two or
three days; by that time, I hope, the other gunboat will be up.

"In the meantime, you must go on to Berber. I think there can be no
doubt that the Dervishes have all left, but it is most important that
we should know it, for certain. You must push straight on, and as soon
as you arrive there, send word on to me by the fastest camel you have.
If you are attacked, you will, of course, defend yourselves. Take up a
position close to the river, and hold it until you are relieved. If you
can send off news to me by a camel, do so; if not, seize a boat--there
are some at every village--and send the news down by water. I will come
on at once, with everyone here, to assist you."

"I will do as you order," the sheik said; "and if you see us no more,
you will know that we died as brave men."

"I hope there is no fear of that," the General said, cheerfully. "You
will defend yourselves as brave men if you are attacked, I am sure; but
as I am convinced that the Dervishes have left Berber, I think there is
little fear of your falling in with them."

Then he went on, in English, to Gregory.

"Keep them moving, Mr. Hilliard. Let them go as fast as they can. They
are less likely to get nervous, if they are riding hard, than they
would be if they dawdled along. If they press their camels, they will
be in Berber this afternoon. See that a man starts at o