leg and arm bones. Some of these were
ranged on shelves, whilst others were tied up in cloths, like bundles
for the laundry. The general impression was that these were the remains
of victims of Turkish massacres, but close inquiry revealed the fact
that they were the relics of the priests of the church--the custom being
to disinter the bones from the cemetery three years after the burial of
the body.

But the excursion most in favour with the Australian was to the hot
springs, on the slope of Mt. Therma. Round these had been built a rest
house. The springs fed into two marble baths about three feet deep and
six feet long. The water left the rocks at a temperature of 100 degrees
Fahrenheit, and to the man who had not had a decent wash for nearly four
months, the opportunity was revelled in. They used the baths in twos and
threes, covered themselves in soap and washed it off, and repeated the
process until the proprietor of the establishment knocked loudly at the
door to announce that other customers were waiting.

The harbour and bay at this time presented a spectacle not likely to be
again seen by many Australians. In addition to portions of the Allied
navies, and smaller vessels such as trawlers, there were assembled some
13 hospital ships and at least 70 transports of 4,000 tons and over.
Besides these, during the stay of the Battalion on the island, there
arrived the "Aquitania" (45,600 tons), "Mauretania" (31,900 tons), and
"Britannic" (50,000 tons), the latter vessel seeming to almost fill the
entrance to the harbour as she steamed slowly in.

Christmas Day was now approaching, and preparations for making the
season as enjoyable as possible were taken in hand. Tents were decorated
and the ground around laid out in designs formed with the aid of the
stones from the sea beach. A competition had been arranged and prizes
were given for the parties securing the best results. One man
constructed from the soil some models of kangaroos and swans. A supply
of beer was ordered from the Canteen, and a consignment of Swallow &
Ariell's tinned plum puddings having been received were issued in the
proportion of one tin to every two men.

On the afternoon of the 24th December arrived the "Christmas Billies."
These were two-quart cans which had been filled with comforts by the
people of Australia and despatched for the use of the troops. Each can
contained a card whereon the sender had written a seasonable greeting.
By a touch