and is to
take command of the Egyptian army, and to have the rank of pasha.
Several officers have received appointments on his staff. He will
shortly be going up to Khartoum. I was speaking to him yesterday, and
as I was doing so, two of the officers of Wolseley's staff came in. A
question of supplies came up, and I mentioned your name, and said that
I thought that you were the very man for him, that you were master of
Arabic, and an excellent organizer; and, a very important matter where
there were so few English officers together, a gentleman.

"One of the officers, who knew the work that you had done, at once
confirmed what I had said, and declared that Wolseley's quartermaster
general would speak as warmly in your favour. Hicks told me that, until
he got up to Khartoum, he could not say what arrangements would be made
for the supplies; but that he would, at any rate, be very glad to have
you with him, in the capacity of a first-class interpreter, and for
general service with the staff, with the temporary rank of captain;
with the special view of your services in organizing a supply train,
when he moved forward. I said that I should speak to you, and ascertain
your views."

"I am very much obliged to you, indeed. I must take twenty-four hours
to think it over. Of course I shall be guided, to some extent, by the
question whether the appointment would be likely to be a permanent
one."

"That I have no doubt. Indeed, Hicks said as much. I asked him the
question, and he replied, 'I can hardly make a permanent appointment
now, as I am not quite in the saddle; but I have no doubt, from what
you say, that Mr. Hilliard will make a valuable officer; and after our
first campaign I shall, without difficulty, be able to obtain him a
permanent appointment in the Egyptian army.'"

"I thank you, most heartily, Mr. Ross. It seems to me a grand opening.
There is no doubt that, as our troops leave, the Egyptian army will be
thoroughly reorganized; and there will be many openings for a man who
knows the language, and is ready to work hard; and, no doubt, the
regiments will be largely officered by Englishmen."

That evening, Gregory had a long talk with his wife.

"I don't like the thought of leaving you, even for a time; but no
doubt, when the Mahdi is settled with, you will be able to join me at
Khartoum; which, I believe, is by no means an unpleasant place to live
in. Of course, I shall come down and take you up. It is a splen