For both animals, although in poor condition from their journey from Kordofan, a fortnight's rest and good feeding did wonders.
Zaki had not much to do, but Gregory was well satisfied with the selection he had made.

He looked after and groomed the horse, saw that the native with the camel took care of it, and went down regularly to the river to water it every evening, while he himself did the same with the horse.

He always had a jug of cold tea ready for Gregory, whenever he came in, and the floor of the tent was kept scrupulously clean.
Zaki's only regret was that he could not do more for his master, but he was consoled by being told that the time would soon come when he would be more actively engaged.
From the first day of his arrival, Gregory was kept fully employed.
Sometimes he assisted the officer of the Intelligence Department, in interviewing fugitives who had arrived from Berber and other points on the river, from Kordofan, or from villages on the White Nile.

Sometimes he carried messages from the General to the officers in command of the two Egyptian brigades.

He had to listen to disputes between natives returning to their homes, from which they had been driven by the Dervishes, and those they found in possession of their land.