ne camels of the 7th, who were
perpetually, though inevitably, getting in our way. When daylight had
actually failed it must be admitted the Brigade had become somewhat
disintegrated. The Argylls did not regain touch till next morning. The
Battalion, minus "A" Company, who had been cut off by some camels and
thus entered Abu Hamrah on their own, got up on the right of the 7th,
where the errant company eventually discovered it.

Immediately strings of camels now appeared on all sides marching and
counter-marching across everybody's front, holding up exasperated and
desperate platoon commanders, who finally ruthlessly cut them in two and
forged ahead to a chorus of blasphemy from weary escorts and
lamentations from terrified native drivers. The peaceful hod had become
an inferno. No one knew anything except that there were no Turks. After
superhuman efforts on the part of various exalted personages, things
were straightened out, pickets detailed and posted, and the men, too
tired even to swear, dropped where they were, and rapidly cooled down in
the chilly dew. It was now nearly eleven o'clock, and a half bottle of
water was issued, enough merely to whet the consuming thirst which
gripped everybody. Tunics were disentangled from the damp congeries on
our backs and we had a few hours' precious sleep.

At 3 a.m. we stood to and began to dig ourselves in, in positions sited
with extreme difficulty, in unknown country, in the dark. Soon, however,
orders were received to prepare to move, and in spite of every effort,
not more than half the men had had their bottles filled before we had to
continue the advance. It was a very hot steamy morning, and the coolness
of dawn soon disappeared. The advance was slow, and we grew thirstier
and thirstier whether we moved or halted. On reaching a ridge
overlooking Rabah and Katia it was found that the leading battalions
were too far to the left. We and the Argylls were therefore ordered to
turn right-handed and occupy Katia. The dark line of palms appeared
very enticing, if very far away, and the Battalion struggled manfully
on, shedding the weaker brethren as it went and, very nearly "all out,"
reached its objective about 10 a.m.

Our troubles were now nearly over. There were no enemy, and the trees
gave us a grateful shade, which only "B" Company, pushed forward to hold
an outpost line on the far bridge, had to forgo. A fine stone well was
found in the oasis with a good supply of cool,