sty and dishevelled, in the
vicinity of Beit ur et Tahta, a desolate native village, about 12 miles
north-west of Jerusalem and situated at the end of a wadi along the centre
of which ran the road leading from Jimzu.[8]

FOOTNOTES:

[8] _Jimzu = Gimzo, see II Chron. xxviii, 18._

A TURKISH SURPRISE ATTACK.

Immediately upon arrival the horses were off-saddled and fed, the "dixies"
were unearthed from off the pack-saddles and everything pointed to an early
mug of tea and a much-needed rest. Unfortunately, the fates decreed
otherwise, for just as the water was "on the boil" a terrific fusillade of
rifle-fire broke out, seemingly from all sides. Previously to this, there
had been intermittent shelling just to the north of the village, and on the
commencement of the rifle-fire this increased in intensity until things
began to look extremely awkward. A quick glance up at the hills surrounding
the wadi gave no indication as to the source from which the firing
emanated, until, a few minutes later, when several men were seen "doubling
back" down the slope of the hill on the western side of the wadi. These
men were afterwards found to be those holding the outposts in that
particular point of the line. They came with the ominous news that the
outposts were driven in and the Turks were upon us! Almost at once this was
seen to be the case, as the enemy reached the top of the ridge and his fire
began to take its toll of men and animals.

To gain a proper appreciation of the serious predicament in which the
Brigade was placed at this moment, it will be necessary to understand the
nature of the ground thereabouts. On both sides of the wadi were high
banks, or hills, 60 to 80 feet high, the surface of these being strewn with
large rocks and boulders. The wadi itself was about 20 yards wide with the
road winding its tortuous way down the centre between rocks and boulders
worn smooth by the passage of water which, ages ago, had run its course
from the hills. Packed in this wadi was the Brigade, absolutely at the
mercy of the withering fire of the enemy, almost from overhead.

Immediately everything became an orderly bustle and excitement. Squadrons
of the two Yeomanry regiments were dispatched to take up defensive
positions. The Officer Commanding ordered "E" Sub-section to come into
action on the side of the hill, about 400 yards away to the left, against
a Mosque which was strongly held, and whence most of the fire appea