t. W.L.
Buchanan sailed by another steamer. In addition to ourselves the
_Transylvania_ carried the 6th and 7th H.L.I. and about 100 unattached
officers. It was a tight fit.

The ship was detained from sailing until our pith helmets arrived on the
26th, when, at 10 o'clock on a clear moonlight night, we steamed away
escorted by two T.B.Ds. The Bay was crossed in calm weather. Gibraltar
passed on the 30th and Malta reached on the 2nd June. Our clothing,
consisting of the ordinary drab khaki, now began to prove unsuitable for
a hot climate.

At Malta parties were allowed ashore while the ship coaled. The Maltese
methods of coaling are worth seeing. A goodly proportion of the coal is
dropped intentionally into the sea, as it is being carried from the
lighters to the bunkers. After coaling is finished, a fleet of rowing
boats with dragnets collect the ill-gotten coal from the bottom of the
sea. It was our introduction to the oriental mind.

On the 5th June we entered the harbour of Alexandria, threading our way
through a fleet of transports and other vessels such as the place had
never known in peace time. Disembarking we entrained to Aboukir some ten
miles away on the Bay of that name. A camp was pitched near the sea,
where abounded scorpions, snakes, flies, beetles and mosquitos. Leave
was given to visit Alexandria, and this, to those visiting the East for
the first time, afforded endless interest. It was there we learned to
scatter the unfortunate natives with "imshi" or stronger, and what
"mafeesh" meant.

The officers were fortunate in securing for their mess the cool verandah
of a solitary house round which the camp was pitched. The house, which
was unoccupied, was said to be owned by a Frenchman in Cairo. He arrived
one day with a bride on his arm--he had just been married--not knowing
that the district was now crowded with troops. He had intended to spend
the honeymoon at his seaside residence. With all a French gentleman's
courtesy he made the officers welcome to his house and sought his
honeymoon elsewhere.

We found ourselves aboard the _Transylvania_ again on the 12th June, and
sailed at dusk. Our course was Northwards, so now, we thought, we were
in for the real thing. Gallipoli and the Turk would know us in a few
days time. To travel hopefully, reflected R.L. Stevenson, is better
than to arrive. Ere Crete was passed the ship put about and steamed for
Alexandria again. A wireless had been received recalli