nd consequent opportunity probably accounted for
this. At night time, when training was not in progress, numerous knots
of men could be observed between the rear of the camp and the railway
line gathered around two or three candles stuck in the ground. There
"House" and some of the unlawful games were played with relatively high
stakes. The military and regimental police broke up some of these
"schools," but this action had, apparently, no deterrent effect. After
the move to Ferry Post the craze became even greater. A favourite haunt
of the gamblers was on the ramparts of those parts of the defences which
were not occupied by posts. There after dark some hundreds of men would
assemble--the illuminations spreading for half a mile down towards Lake
Timsah. The authorities took action. Raids were made, plants
confiscated, and some of the offenders punished. At other times the
judiciously circulated rumour of an intended raid also had a desirable
effect and the ramparts that night would be deserted. On the whole the
spread of the evil was arrested but, as in civil communities, it was
never possible to completely eradicate it.

Despite the severer conditions, the health of the Battalion was not
materially affected during the month of February. There was a slight
increase in the number sent to hospital--the total reading one officer
and 73 other ranks. Unfortunately two deaths from disease occurred,
and with the loss of Company Sergt.-Major R. Wolstenholm and Private E.
M. Edwards, Australia was deprived of two very promising and popular
soldiers. Cerebro-spinal meningitis was reported to have broken out in
Australia and, despite the precautions taken, a few cases made their
appearance on the Canal. As a preventive against the threatened
epidemic, the Regimental Medical Officer caused each company to parade
daily and indulge in a little gargling exercise with a mouthful of
Condy's fluid.

[Illustration: THE CAMP OF THE 28TH AT FERRY POST.
Lake Timsah in the background.]

[Illustration: THE SUEZ CANAL.
A liner in the fairway and feluccas tied up to the banks.]

The proximity of Army Headquarters and Corps Headquarters (at Ismailia)
led to fairly frequent visits from Generals Murray, Birdwood, and
Godley, and their staffs. Other visitors were Sir Arthur Henry McMahon,
the High Commissioner for Egypt, accompanied by Lady McMahon and members
of the family. On one occasion the Commander-in-Chief was escorted by a
number of fr