The men got some more shots at their enemies in the confusion caused by the explosion. It was a useful measure, this, however; for six men with water-cans, and six with rifles, who were waiting close to the gap, rushed out to the well the moment they heard the explosion, and in the confusion into which the enemy were thrown by an event which seemed to them supernatural, in the dust and in the smoke they accomplished their task of filling the cans and retiring without being observed, much less attacked. It was not until they were safely back in the zereba that the Arabs began firing harmless volleys, in evident anger at having been out- manoeuvred. The water gained was not so much in quantity, but was a great boon nevertheless, for it had been absolutely necessary to water the camels, and that had absorbed every drop of their own springs for the last twelve hours, and was very insufficient for the poor animals then. Strachan loosened his horse's girths and rubbed him down with a palm-leaf or two, doing what he could for him after his gallant efforts. It was pitiful to hear him whinny as he smelt the water in the distance, and not to be able to get him any. But perhaps a little could be spared from what trickled out by-and-by. Presently Captain Reece came back to his visitor. "Well, now I have time to ask, how on earth did you come to choose this desert for a steeple-chase course, and our little zereba for a goal?" he asked. "I am acting on the staff," said Strachan; "only galloping, you know. And I was sent out to find you if I could, and tell you to make for Shebacat, and, if you could, to get on to Abu Klea at once. If I found any of the enemy out in this direction, and could not get on, I was to return at once, and a force was to be sent to relieve you; but it was important to avoid this if possible, I was given to understand. However, I had no chance of returning, for the first glimpse I got of the enemy consisted of a small body of mounted Arabs, who cut off my retreat, and chased me all the way here." "We are not to make back to Gubat, then?" asked Reece in surprise. "No," said Strachan. "Matammeh has not been carried?" "Not yet; I suppose it may be soon; everybody seems to expect it. But I don't see the use now." "Why not?" "Well," said Strachan, "one hates to be the bearer of bad news, but it must come. The expedition has been too late: Khartoum has fallen." The two other officers had come up and heard this, and their faces showed the blank dismay which had fallen upon their hearts, as the words fell upon their ears. Khartoum fallen! Why, then, what were they fighting for? What was to happen next? All seemed chaos. "And Gordon?" was the first question which rose to all lips. "There is no certain news, yet," said Strachan; "but the rumours of his death are only too probable. He was not the sort of man to be taken alive, I think, was he?" "No, no!" "But when did you hear this?" asked Reece.