steep slope, brought us to Jericho,[15] on the plain
of the Jordan Valley, and _820 feet below the level of the sea_. A halt was
made here for a short time, and then the Brigade marched north-east
(through clouds of dust), to its camping area in the Wadi Nueiame, arriving
at midnight. Here, on dismounting in the dark, _one seemed to be standing
in mud_, but, upon closer examination, this was found to be merely several
inches of fine dust! Sec.-Lieut. Cummer, whose turn it was to be with the
advance party that day, was waiting to show the Squadron its camping
ground, which turned out to be as good as could be expected, and alongside
a stream. A few bell-tents were already standing, which were appreciated.

FOOTNOTES:

[15] _The site of the present Jericho has only been occupied since
mediaeval times. The ancient Jericho lay near the spring Ain-es-Sultan
and the City of Roman times was more to the south-west. The Biblical
references to Jericho are as follows: Deut. xxxiv; Josh. vi, 26; I
Kings xvi, 34; II Kings ii, 4, 5, 11. Only a mound exists now, to mark
the position of the ancient city, but excavations here have brought to
light some interesting relics._

THE "BEAUTIFUL" VALLEY OF JORDAN.

The following are a few extracts from the notes of a member of the
Squadron, which gives a vivid description of his experiences on the road to
the Jordan. He says:--

"The sun was just setting as we approached Jerusalem, and the
ancient walls of the Holy City were bathed in orange light against
an opalescent sky. The long dusty column of the Brigade toiled its
way up the steep hill into the city, and passing close by the Jaffa
Gate 'turned left' and followed the main thoroughfare towards the
Damascus Gate. Outside of Fast's Hotel (a former German concern,
but now famous throughout the E.E.F.) stands a group of officers
and soldiers, watching our brigade pass, and cheering us on as we
move into the dusk.

"Over the Mount of Olives, past the Garden of Gethsemane (the black
points of its many cypress trees now silhouetted against the sky),
what thoughts are ours as we cross this hallowed ground amid
surroundings so deeply associated with our religion! Some of us may
never return, but yet we shall have followed to our fate along a
path that still holds memories of that greatest sacrifice the world
has ever known!