t only, and were on the tops of the cliffs near the camp, commanding
all the crossings of the river. Every evening just before dusk (sometimes
in a severe dust storm), the four guns were taken up on the pack-mules by
the gun-teams and brought back after light the next morning. "No. 3"
Section was in Divisional reserve, and liable to be called on at short
notice to proceed to any part of the line. It provided also all the camp
fatigues.

It was soon found that summer-life in the Jordan Valley was about the limit
of discomfort; only those who have been there at that season can have any
idea of what it is like. If only our turn had been in the winter, when
according to all accounts the weather _is_ bearable! Needless to say that
as much work as possible was done in the early morning and evening, but
even this was extremely trying for all. Fortunately, water was available
from a small stream just outside the camp. Rush-huts and bivouacs provided
the best protection against the sun. Material for these was obtained from
the banks of the Jordan, where, for a few yards on either side, there was
luxurious vegetation--in striking contrast with the rest of the country;
during the day men were allowed to bathe in the river.

All wheels had to be covered over during the day in order to prevent the
wood shrinking; if this had not been done, very little transport could have
been brought out of the valley at the end of the Brigade's tour of duty!

There is, a little over a mile east of the Jordan, a series of low isolated
hills; upon these was situated our line of defence. Each hill, fortified
with barbed-wire and trenches, constituted a "post". This line was held by
Indian Infantry, the regiments of the cavalry brigade providing the patrols
in "no man's land," which, _several miles wide_, was intersected by
thousands of wadis (providing excellent cover for a stealthy enemy), also a
certain amount of tall grass.

The enemy's position was on the mountains at the eastern side of the Jordan
Valley, completely overlooking ours. Earlier in the year they had crossed
the intervening ground, under cover of darkness, and attempted to send us
to "Jericho". They had found the posts too strong for them, however, and
had retired to the positions now mentioned.

"C" Sub-section was on the left, on the banks of the Wadi Nimrin[19]--a
broad wadi with a small stream running along its centre. This wadi ran
right from the Turkish positions to the Jord