50 



AT NYEMPS 



whicli woukl push on tliroiigli tliick and thin, as proved by 

 the shouts with which the Expedition got under way in the 

 afternoon. 



In capital spirits, though I was still a mere skeleton, I 

 mounted my grey steed to bring up the rear of the extended 

 column, the advance-guard of which had already long left the 

 camp. But very soon I saw there was a stoppage of some 



THE SUK ARE COMING ! 



kind, and the men presently began making for the camp again. 

 What was the matter ? At first no one could tell ; the order 

 to turn back having been passed from mouth to mouth, but it 

 turned out that Kharscho, who had been sent by Count Xeleki 

 to Greater Nyemps, had returned with the news that the Suk, 

 said to be a very rapacious tribe, were advancing upon the 

 village. An attack from them would, of course, endanger our 



