id to be a fine interesting
country. Every one set about telling wild tales of Egypt; and
proceeded to walk more rapidly about the ship, collecting and putting
in order shore-going clothes--so that the quiet shipboard life was at
an end.

In the voyaging days of 1914 the New Zealand troops regarded their
chances of actually joining in the campaign as being regrettably small.
It was clear, they thought in their out-of-the-world way, that the
enemy would be speedily overrun; that the New Zealand troops were only
untrained, untried colonials; that they could therefore expect no more
than garrison duty; and that every available Imperial soldier would be
thrown into the field before the colonial troops were drawn upon.
Consequently there was an uneasy feeling abroad that, should they once
land in Egypt, they would be left there for the duration of the war.

The New Zealand transports, which had taken the lead, cast anchor in
Suez bay just as the sun was rising over the desert; and Mac gazed
appreciatively at the sweeping bay, the palms, the flat-topped houses,
and the open desert, clear cut in the early light. Suez was not
adapted for the disembarkation of large numbers of men and horses, and
Alexandria was the only harbour with sufficient accommodation. In the
early afternoon the _Tahiti_ entered the Canal; and there were no dull
moments for the next twelve hours. They were surprised to find, at
frequent intervals along the Canal bank, strongly wired entrenchments
occupied by Indian troops, with whom they exchanged cheers as they
passed. At night a moon lit the silent desert in greater beauty; and
Mac slept not a wink as the ship slid quietly past mile after mile of
the queer waterway. At three in the morning, with a clatter of chains
and a good deal of shouting, they moored in Port Said harbour.

Again there was a day full of interest--bartering with natives,
watching the coolies coaling, cheering Australian transports as they
entered the basin, and examining the mixture of shipping in the port.

CHAPTER V

ASHORE AGAIN

Late in the same afternoon the New Zealand ships put to sea, under
orders to steam individually at slow speed to meet off Alexandria at
dawn. There was not a great deal of settled sleep that night, for all
men were busy packing kit-bags and putting in order shore-going
clothes. The days of decks, bare feet and semi-nakedness were at an
end, and to-morrow would start again the life of b