He then opened that from the chief of the staff.

This was the more bulky of the two, and contained several enclosures.
"Ah! this relates to you," the General said as, after glancing over the two official despatches, he read through the letter of Captain Ewart, who was a personal friend of his.
The latter had given a full account of Gregory's history, and said that the Sirdar had especially asked him to put him in the way of things; that he had seen a great deal of him on the journey up, and was very greatly pleased with him.
"The lad is a perfect gentleman," he said, "which is certainly astonishing, he being a product of Cairo.

I consider him in all respects--except, of course, a classical education--fully equal to the average young officer, on first joining.

He is very modest and unassuming; and will, I feel sure, perform with credit any work that you may give him to do." "I see," he said, laying it down, "you have only joined the army temporarily, and with a special purpose, and I am told to utilize your services as I think best.

You have a perfect knowledge of Arabic, and of the Negro dialect.