also the second temple (Ezra iii, 7). Other references to Lebanon are
Josh. xi, 17, xiii, 2; Judges iii, 1; Deut. iii, 25; II Chron. ii, 2;
Psalms xxix, 5, xcii, 12; Isa. xiv, 8, xxxv, 17, xl, 16; Solomon's Song
iv, 8, 11, 15._

AN UNWELCOME WELCOME.

Upon our approaching Rayak, as if at a word of command, suddenly, a
tremendous burst of rifle fire broke out! This outburst, however, proved
to be merely a demonstration of the population's welcome! Rayak, and some
of the villages in this district, are Christian,[35] and it may well be
imagined that the population was simply delirious with joy at the arrival
of the British.

As the Brigade marched through the streets on each side there were crowds
of people occupied in competing with each other to keep up the most rapid
fire! They were none too particular where their shots went either!! It was
rather difficult for us to feel pleased to see our new friends, when they
were letting off their rifles under our very noses! Fortunately there were
no casualties from the spent bullets, but there were several very narrow
escapes! The Turk, it seemed, had fled two days previously, and left at the
aerodrome the remains of no fewer than 30 aeroplanes which he had burnt,
together with large quantities of stores and rolling stock.[36]

An outpost line was established at Hosh el Ghanin, and "No. 1" Section
returned to the Squadron, which had encamped to the east of the town south
of the village of Maazi. October 7th-12th were spent in grazing, cleaning
up and resting (not much of the last). On Oct. 10th, the 13th and 14th
Brigades had moved on four miles to Tel esh Sherif, the 15th Brigade being
at Zahle, a fair-sized town on the slopes of the hills on the western side
of the plain.[37]

At this time enemy aeroplanes began to arrive, and drop bombs, killing, on
one occasion, some Gloucesters. A few days afterwards they were chased to
their lair by the R.A.F. and--_finished off_!

FOOTNOTES:

[35] _After the massacre of 1860, Lebanon was made an independent
province, governed by a Christian Pasha, nominated by the Sultan of
Turkey and approved by the European Powers._

[36] _Rayak is the junction of the railway from Beirut to Damascus and
Aleppo to Damascus._

[37] _Zahle is the largest town in Lebanon, and has a population of
about 16,000, nearly all of whom are Christians. During the massacre of
1860, it suffered terribly, bei