30 SPORTING AND 



we arrived at our camp, all uncertainty was 

 at an end, for an official order was awaiting 

 the commanding officer, directing him to 

 hold the troops under his command in 

 readiness for immediate service in the 

 field, and desiring him to halt where he 

 was for a few days to allow detachments, 



which were on their way to join him, to 

 arrive. There was a field battery of 

 artillery to join us, and we also required 

 an officer to take charge of the commis- 

 sariat, as we should soon be in an enemy's 

 country, where it would be impossible to 

 procure even a goat, or a loaf of bread ; 

 therefore it was incumbent on us to be 

 fully prepared in every respect with 

 abundance of provisions, and also an 

 unlimited supply of ammunition to subdue 

 our swarthy enemies, who had the reputa- 

 tion of being extremely handy with their 



