A PATROL ON THE ATBARA. 41 
by some 300 to 400 men only and Abu Delek was too far away to 
treat as a first objective. 
Now came the question of transport ! No caravan had been at 
Kassala for some days and none was expected for several days more. 
I had calculated that to take three days water and ten days flour for 
the force in question, together with reserve ammunition and to supply 
mounts for the sheikhs and my staff and two or three special scouts, 
eighty-five camels would be required. Of them, barely half could be 
supplied out of my slavery department camels. Therefore, on that night 
of the 11th, men were sent out in the direction of the Keren and Suakim 
caravan routes and to all private owners in Kassala to whip up every 
camel that could be found. With every exertion, however, the total 
number including forty-seven Government camels only reached seven¬ 
ty, several of the Government camels of which, 1 had to take with such 
sore backs that I am sure the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
Animals would have prosecuted me, had they had a representative 
on the spot. 
Having to cut my coat according to my cloth, the camel loads were 
arranged accordingly, and I gave up the idea of taking my servant 
or any personal baggage beyond what could be carried in my saddle 
bags. The 12th was a very busy day. There were ten days rations 
to be drawn from the nuzl for 400 men, reserve ammunition for the 
two kinds of rifles, Yetterli and Remington, fifty-two large water- 
tins (fantasses) and nearly as many water-skins (gerbas) to be filled 
from the wells. Camels were to be collected, saddled and apportion¬ 
ed to their respective duties in accordance with their respective 
physical characteristics. Stuffing and pads were to be adapted for 
easing the pressure on the sore backs. Add to these, the fact that 
the news of the Atbara victory had driven every native wild with joy 
and formed an excellent excuse for the irregulars to go and get 
drunk—for Mussulmans can get drunk as well as Christians—also 
the fact that an Arab never does to-day what he can possibly put off 
till to-morrow, and never does any work which he can get anyone 
else to do for him, and it will be understood that I and the few 
who helped me, had a pretty busy time. Fortunately, I was given 
a free hand by Colonel Parsons, who supplied me with everything 
I wanted, if he had it, without question. I felt and appreciated the 
advantage of having a superior officer who was helpful without being 
fussy. As I had previously called for and examined every weapon 
said to be defective, and had it exchanged for another from store if 
there was the least doubt about it, I had flattered myself that, at any 
rate the mens’ rifles were efficient. But far from that being the case, a 
large number were brought up for exchange at the last moment owing 
to some small but important defect, such as hair triggers, &c. Also 
the sheikhs wanted this, that, and the other, and expected me to 
supply it. However, at last all was ready, and at 5 p.m. we marched 
out of Kassala, in very straggling array it is true, but we were only 
going three miles out in order to spend the night and get everything 
into shape at Tucruf, an outpost of Kassala away from the distractions 
of the cantonments. 
