This he purchased from some fugitives, who had come down from Kordofan.

It was a good animal, though in poor condition, and would soon pick up flesh, when well attended and fed.

To accustom himself to riding, Gregory went out on it for a couple of hours every morning; getting up before daybreak, so as to take exercise before the work of the day began.

He also followed the example of the officers of the Egyptian regiments, and purchased a camel for the conveyance of his own baggage.
"You will find it a great advantage," one of them said to him.

"Of course, times may arrive when you will have to leave it behind; but, as a rule, there is no trouble about it at all.