cked at 14.45 on a nice piece of ground on the banks of the Orontes,
against the village of Deir Mati.

FOOTNOTES:

[38] _There are ruins of three temples at Baalbek--The Great Temple of
the Sun, Temple of Bacchus, and the Circular Temple, built about A.D.
220._

[39] _The Crusaders captured Homs in A.D. 1099. It is the ancient
Zobah, see II Sam. viii, 3, 5. The population is estimated at 65,000._

PART VI.

THE MARCH TO ALEPPO.

Would we stay here at Homs, or go still further? was the question uppermost
in the minds of all. The nearest troops were at Damascus 100 miles behind
us, and Aleppo, the next town of any importance, 100 miles ahead. We had
now covered 325 miles in 28 days, and a rest was much needed. The question
was soon decided for us! Three days were occupied in washing (men, clothes
and horses), grazing and cleaning saddlery. Then, at 07.00 on October 21st
we set out on our long journey, the 15th Brigade (it being their turn to
lead), having left the day previously. Marching was carried on in
accordance with the following table:--

Twenty minutes' trot, one hour's walk, 10 minutes' halt; and the following
were the day's marches:--

October 21st--To Er Rastan.

October 22nd.--To Hama.[40] Through the town and over the River Orontes
past the huge water wheels for which it is famous. (These wheels make a
loud humming noise and can be heard for miles. They are used for lifting
the water from the river, which is between high cliffs at this point, to
irrigate the surrounding country).

October 23rd.--To Khan Shaikhun.

October 24th.--To Ma'arit en Na'aman, camping east of the town. In the
afternoon rain came on and continued overnight. It was the first rain of
the season.

October 25th.--To Seraikin, camping against some groves south-east of town.

October 26th.--At 05.00 to Khan Tuman. The ground being suitable, the 14th
Brigade marched with its Squadrons in line of troop column on the right of
the road, and the 13th Brigade in the same formation on the left, while the
transport was in the centre, on the road itself.

Early in the afternoon, arriving at the banks of the Kuwaik-Su, the stream
that flows through Aleppo from the north, the 20TH MACHINE-GUN SQUADRON
off-saddled and settled down, the latest information being that they would
not be required till morning. However, orders were shortly received to
continue the advance to Aleppo! The guns were also to be wi