The soldiers, seeing his purpose, helped him, leaving the two other included natives to go on with other camels, and soon the goods carried by the fallen one were conveyed to a sounder place. The wallowing animal being beaten and prodded, emerged from the mud uttering unearthly cries, and was then reloaded, still objecting loudly, and on he went again. There was no difficulty in catching the others up; other mules and camels in front were in a similar plight. These were also unloaded, and then the men pulled and pushed and heaved them out, first taking off their shoes and stockings, and rolling their trousers up as far as they could. One man, finding that even so he got those garments sorely bemired, so deep was the slush, took them off altogether; others followed his example, hanging their trousers round their necks. But no one need have been shocked, their limbs were by no means bare, but decently clothed in long clay stockings. "I say, Tom," said Williams to Strachan, "fancy the regiment turning out like that for Commanding Officers' parade at Aldershot!" James Gubbins managed to distinguish himself as usual, for he let a floundering mule knock him over and roll upon him. Having to help the animal out, he seized one of his hind legs and hauled at it, with this result-- "Look at Gubbins!" cried one of his comrades; "blest if he hasn't been taking a cast of hisself in clay. Going to have a marble statty, old man?" "You ought to have a photo taken to send home to your sweetheart, Jim." "Pity it's the end of February, and not the beginning; what a lovely valentine he would make, surely." "It's easy to laugh at a chap," spluttered Gubbins, "but this stuff tastes awful; and however shall I clean myself for inspection?" "Never mind, old chap, you'll be confined to barracks, and then them Johnnies with the spears can't get at you." "If any chap had a drop of rum instead of jaw to give a chap with his mouth full of filth, there would be more sense in it," said the victim; and it was one of the wisest remarks he had made for a long time. Some good Samaritan _had_, and administered it, and Gubbins was consoled. "You have made these Egyptians work," said Tom to his captain. "Yes, I flatter myself I know how to treat those fellows." "Oh!" cried Tom. "What's the matter?" asked Fitzgerald. "Nothing; only if a poor sub had done it!" "Done what?" "Well, you know, it was one of the jokes which were tabooed by general consent." "Get out!" But it must be owned that though he meant nothing so atrocious as Tom Strachan implied, the captain did pronounce _fellow_ like Fellah!