steam navigation were on
one side, and a very primitive mode of life with nudity, or getting on
to it, on the other. True, that there is the question of the slave
trade, and that iniquitous business is kept up entirely by the Arabs,
but that very important matter had no weight at that time with Harry,
who merely knew that the slaves he had met were almost as free and much
better off than the Fellaheen or peasantry of Egypt.

"You must now come and make the acquaintance of my particular chief,"
said Howard, as they left. "You must know that I am an irregular
volunteer like yourself; at least, my appointment as surgeon requires
confirmation."

And so they went to the medical quarters, and Harry was introduced to
the head of that department, who took a professional view of the advent
of the new-comer, and observing that he was very young for the work
before him, asked if he was acclimatised.

But when he learned that he had got through the hot season without any
serious illness, he concluded that he had as good a chance of standing
the campaign as any one. That same evening, Harry made acquaintance
with the other English officers, to the company of one of whom he was
next day posted in orders. And then came the matter of getting uniform,
a horse, and a sword, which was accomplished at once, without much
difficulty in the shops of Khartoum; and he found himself once more
Europeanised.

There was no time for delay, as the expedition was to set out in a few
days. The seniors received Harry kindly and cordially enough, but they
were extremely hard-worked, every man having to do the duty of ten.
They were full of high spirits and confidence, however, sure of
defeating the Mahdi, recapturing El Obeid, and conducting the campaign
to a satisfactory conclusion, and the men caught a great deal of their
spirit.

The mass of them had fought under Arabi at Tel-el-Kebir, and had there
conceived a great idea of the prowess of their conquerors. English
officers they imagined could not be defeated, and led by them they felt
certain of victory. They were also much inspirited by the martial music
with which the air was always filled. The bugle bands were really good,
and some of the native airs lively and harmonious, but the constant
beating of their tam-tams would have been somewhat trying to a nervous
person, to whom quiet was the first condition of happiness.

Plenty was found for Harry to do, and as he showed zeal, alacrit