222 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



one thousand four hundred and fifty miles. These vessels were 

 to convey the whole of the merchandise. 



Twenty-five vessels were ordered to be in readiness at Khar- 

 toum, together with three steamers. The governor-general 

 (Djiaffer Pasha) was to provide these vessels by a certain date, 

 together with the camels and horses necessary for the land 

 transport. 



Thus, when the fleet should arrive at Khartoum from Cairo, 

 the total force of vessels would be nine steamers and fifty-five 

 sailing vessels, the latter averaging about fifty tons each. 



The military arrangements comprised a force of one thousand 

 six hundred and forty-five troops, including a corps of two 

 hundred irregular cavalry and two batteries of artillery. The 

 infantry were two regiments, supposed to be well selected. The 

 black, or Soudani, regiment included many officers and men who 

 had served for some years in Mexico with the French army under 

 Marshal Bazaine. The Egyptian regiment turned out to be for 

 the most part convicted felons who had been transported for 

 various crimes from Egypt to the Soudan. 



The artillery were rifled mountain guns of bronze, the barrel 

 weighing two hundred and thirty pounds, and throwing shells of 

 eight and a quarter pounds. The authorities at Woolwich had 

 kindly supplied the expedition with two hundred Hale's rockets 

 three pounders and fifty Snider rifles, together with fifty 

 thousand rounds of Snider ammunition. The military force and 

 supplies were to be massed in Khartoum ready to meet Baker 

 upon his arrival. 



DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET. 



THIS imposing army and flotilla left Suez on August 29th, 

 1869, and proceeded on to Souakim, where, after a week's delay, 

 camels were obtained to carry the expedition across the desert, 

 two hundred and seventy-five miles, to Berber. Reaching this 

 place, another fleet of thirty-three vessels of fifty and sixty tons 

 burden was built, which carried the expedition to Gondokoro. 

 one thousand four hundred and fifty miles from Berber. 



The trip to Gondokoro was full of incidents. The start wa* 

 made in the latter part of February, with so many sail-boats that 



