bled
somewhat an approach to Mt. Eliza on a dark night by boat from Perth
Water. Lights shone out from dugouts constructed in the steep slopes,
moving lights were discerned on the beach beneath, and the crest line
was in darkness except when now and then illuminated by the flash of a
bomb, shell, or gun. The simile could be pursued no further, for to
those who had not yet been in action the noise going on seemed to
indicate that some fierce fighting must be in progress. The dull but
powerful thud of exploding hand bombs, the sharper crashing explosion of
shell, the report of a discharging gun and the roar of its projectile,
echoed and re-echoed, in its flight along one of the numerous ravines,
induced belief that very little time must elapse before the 28th would
be "in it." It turned out otherwise, however, and subsequent experience
showed that these signs and sounds were the mere accompaniment of a
"quiet night."

[Illustration: WILLIAMS' PIER.
Where the 28th landed. Stores in the foreground. The vessel on the left
was sunk to act as a breakwater and afterwards used as a reservoir for
drinking water. Trawlers in the distance.
_Photo. lent by Mr. T. Pritchard._]

The "Sarnia" stopped her engines when about a mile from the shore.
Almost at once one or two flat craft, black in colour and without funnel
or rigging, were observed approaching. As they drew alongside a staff
officer came up the transport's gangway and delivered the orders for
landing the troops. The disembarkation commenced at once--the officers
and men filing down the gangway on to the waiting barges. These barges
had been given the name of "beetles." They were constructed of
bullet-proof iron plates, were propelled by motor engines set astern,
could attain a racing speed of five knots, and were designed to carry 50
horses or 500 men with stores, ammunition and water. Built for the
Suvla landing, the "beetles" had fully proved their usefulness, but
certainly they lacked every element of comfort.

During the disembarkation it was noted that a destroyer had moved in on
the right and was directing her searchlight on Gaba Tepe and vicinity.
This prevented any observation of the landing process from the direction
of the Turkish lines in that quarter. Occasionally she fired her guns
and generally gave the impression of intense watchfulness.

By midnight everybody was free of the ship, and the Battalion, leaving
Williams' Pier and guided by a staff officer, s