supported. They had been met with a hot fire from the enemy, who were
posted in a large house surrounded by entrenchments, on which some guns
had been mounted. The guns on the train kept up a steady fire on this
position, and the marines pushing forward were soon hotly engaged by the
enemy's infantry, who were massing in great numbers on both of their
flanks.

As the marines were now far in advance of the other column, the order
was given them to fall back. To cover this movement, Major Donald with
fifty men advanced boldly close to the Egyptian position, and kept up so
hot a fire that the enemy's advance was checked, while the main bodies
of the marines retired steadily across the fields to the embankment,
keeping perfect order in spite of the tremendous fire that was poured
into them, and bringing off every wounded man as he fell. Major Donald's
party then fell back rapidly and joined them.

The enemy had now brought up several batteries of artillery, which
opened upon the marines, while the infantry pressed forward in heavy
masses. The marines, however, aided by the musketry fire of the sailors
in the train, as well as by their machine-guns and heavy pieces of
artillery, kept them at bay as they fell back along the embankment, and
as soon as the Egyptians came within range, the guns at Ramleh opened
upon them, and they fell back to their camps, while the British columns
returned to Ramleh.

The object of the reconnaissance had been served by the discovery of the
strength and position of the enemy's batteries, and it was evident that
it would need a large force to carry the formidable positions which
guarded the isthmus.

A week later the lads, on paying their usual morning visit to the
consulate, heard to their delight that the _Wild Wave_ had just been
signalled approaching the harbour, which was now crowded with shipping,
as steamers laden with troops were arriving every day from England. The
lads hurried down to the port, and as soon as the _Wild Wave_ dropped
her anchor they were alongside of her. They were very warmly greeted by
the captain and officers as they came on board ship.

"Well, you young scamps," Captain Murchison said after the first
greetings were over, "you have given us a nice fright. What has it all
been about? for at present we have heard nothing whatever beyond the
fact that you were safe; and we are prepared to put you in irons for
desertion unless you can give us a completely satisfactor