of the four gunboats that steamed quietly up.

After a short march the force halted near the river, two miles north of
Kerreri. The place was convenient for camping, but the banks of the
river were steep, and there was much difficulty in watering the horses
and transport animals.

"We are in for another bad night," one of the General's staff said to
Gregory, as the evening approached.

"It looks like it. Clouds are banking up fast. If the rain would but
come in the daytime, instead of at night, one would not object to it
much. It would lay the dust and cool the air. Besides, on the march we
have other things to think of; and though, of course, we should be
drenched to the skin, we should not mind it. But it is very unpleasant
lying in a pool of water, with streams running in at one's neck."

"As to one's blanket, it is like a sponge, five minutes after the rain
begins," the officer said.

"I am better off in that respect," Gregory remarked; "for, when I left
my little tent behind, I kept a waterproof sheet instead of my second
blanket. I had intended to use it tent fashion, but it was blown down
in a minute, after the first storm burst. Now I stand up, wrap my
blanket tightly round me, while my boy does the same with the
waterproof sheet; and I keep moderately dry, except that the water will
trickle in at the end, near my neck. But, on the other hand, the
wrapping keeps me so hot that I might almost as well lie uncovered in
the rain."

The staff had intended taking a few tents with them, but these were
practically of no use at all, as all canvas had to be lowered by the
time that "lights out" sounded, and after that hour no loud talking was
permitted in the camp. This might have been a privation, had the
weather been fine, but even the most joyous spirit had little desire
for conversation, when the rain was falling in bucketfuls over him.

The officers of the white division lay down by their men, in the
position they would occupy if an attack by the enemy took place. The
officers of the Egyptian regiments lay together, just in rear of their
men. As soon as the "last post" sounded, absolute silence reigned. The
sentries, placed a very short distance out, kept their senses of sight
and hearing on the alert; and with eye and ear strove to detect the
approach of a lurking foe. Jaalin scouts were stationed outside the
zareba, so as to give an early warning of the approach of the enemy;
but no reliance could be placed