PREPARATIONS FOR THE NIGHT MARCH. 117 



light ; others, more removed and less distinct in the 

 gloom, like dim unearthly spectres. Boxes and 

 packages of various shapes and sizes, fallen tents, 

 beds, baskets with fowls cackling in them, horses, 

 and, among all, many people flitting to and fro, 

 completed the picture of the little camp in course 

 of removal. 



By nine o'clock the last package had been stowed, 

 and the last pull given at the ropes which bound 

 the various articles to the pack-saddles of the 

 camels. The latter were standing in irregular 

 fashion, but in two bodies, with the nose of one 

 tied to the tail of its immediate predecessor on the 

 line of march a man in charge of each party- 

 waiting for the signal to move off. The led-horses 

 were ready, and old Sheik Hussein's pony was tied 

 to a tree, prepared to receive, on its bone-protruding 

 frame, the well-cased carcase of the portly Mussul- 

 man. Terry and Boxer too, in charge of a very 

 dirty attendant, were duly paraded with chains 

 attached to their collars. 



The word was given, and the little procession, 

 soon dropping into order, moved off into the dark- 

 ness. But its position could l>e distinguished for 

 some distance from the blazing oil -fed torch carried 

 by the guide. 



Sheik Hussein was the last to leave, as he lin- 



