I am sure you will soon feel at home." Gregory now strolled through the camp.

The troops were in little mud huts, of their own construction; as these, in the heat of the day, were much cooler than tents.

The sun was getting low, and the Soudanese troops were all occupied in cooking, mending their clothes, sweeping the streets between the rows of huts, and other light duties.

They seemed, to Gregory, as full of fun and life as a party of schoolboys--laughing, joking, and playing practical tricks on each other.
The physique of some of the regiments was splendid, the men averaging over six feet in height, and being splendidly built.

Other regiments, recruited among different tribes, were not so tall, but their sturdy figures showed them to be capable of any effort they might be called upon to make.
One of the officers came out of his tent, as he passed.
"You are a new arrival, I think, sir ?" he said.