Chapter I: Preface: My Dear Lads,

The story of the Nile Expedition is so recent that no word of introduction is necessary to the historical portion of the tale. The moral, such as it is, of the story of the two lads brought up as brothers is--Never act in haste, for repentance is sure to follow. In this case great anxiety and unhappiness were caused through a lad acting as he believed for the best, but without consulting those who had every right to a voice in the matter. That all came right in the end in no way affects this excellent rule, for all might have gone wrong. We are often misled by a generous impulse, more often perhaps than by an evil one, but the consequences may be just as serious in the one case as the other. When in trouble you should always go freely to your best friends and natural advisers, and lay the case fully before them. It may be that, if the trouble has arisen from your own fault, you will have to bear their temporary displeasure, but this is a small thing in comparison with the permanent injury that may arise from acting on your own impulse. In most cases, cowardice lies at the bottom of concealment, and cowardice is of all vices the most contemptible; while the fear of the displeasure of a parent has ruined many a boy's life. Therefore, when you are in serious trouble always go to your best friend, your father, and lay the case frankly and honestly before him; for you may be sure that present displeasure and even punishment are but small things in comparison with the trouble that may arise from trying to get out of the difficulty in other ways.

Yours sincerely,

G. A. HENTY

CONTENTS.

CHAP. Page

I. MIXED! 11

II. AT CHELTENHAM, 27

III. GONE, 47

IV. BACK AT SCHOOL, 65

V. ENLISTED, 84

VI. EGYPT, 97

VII. EL-TEB, 116

VIII. TAMANIEB, 134

IX. THE CAMEL CORPS, 144

X. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, 165

XI. ABU KLEA, 183

XII. METEMMEH, 201

XIII. ABU KRU, 218

XIV. A SLAVE, 235

XV. BAD NEWS, 253

XVI. IN DISGUISE, 270

XVII. A RUNAWAY SLAVE, 288

XVIII. THE ZAREBA, 306

XIX. A LONG SEARCH, 325

XX. FOUND! 340

XXI. HOME! 359

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

"THE WOMAN PLACED HERSELF IN HIS WAY," 50

"EDGAR STRUCK HIM WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH," 102

"WITH A DESPERATE RUSH THEY REACHED THE SAILORS," 123

TOWING THE BOATS UP THE NILE, 163

AT THE WELLS OF GAKDUL, 184

"THE ARABS WITH WILD YELLS CHARGED UPON THE SQUARE," 196

"GOOD-BYE, LAD, AND GOD BLESS YOU!" 210

"A SHOT HAD PASSED THROUGH HER BOILER," 263

THE ARMY OF HICKS PASHA ON THE MARCH, 342

"IT IS RUPERT'S VOICE, BUT IT CANNOT BE RUPERT!" 357

* * * * *

Plan--Port of Suakim, 122

" Battle of El-teb, 29th Feb. 1884, "

" Battle of Abu Klea, 17th Jan. 1885, 138

" Battle of Tamai, 13th Mar. 1884, "

THE DASH FOR KHARTOUM: A TALE OF THE NILE EXPEDITION.