Now he was to begin his duties, whatever they might be.
At the wharf were a large number of Soudanese soldiers.

A telegram, from the last station they touched at, had given notice of the hour at which the boat would arrive; and a battalion of native troops had marched down, to assist in unloading the stores.

A white officer had come down with them, to superintend the operation, and the other officers at once went on shore to speak to him.
Gregory had got all his traps together and, as the Soudanese poured on board, he thought it better to remain with them; as, if his belongings once got scattered, there would be little chance of his being able to collect them again.

After a short time, he went up to one of the native officers.
"This is my first visit here," he said in Arabic, "and as I have not brought up a servant with me, I do not like to leave my baggage here, while I go and report myself to General Hunter.

Will you kindly tell me what I had better do ?" "Certainly.