was
comparatively clean, and was sufficiently gradual in its rise to
prevent constant avalanches of earth from above. The sea lay at their
door, and the freshwater tanks were near enough to make certain a
regular water supply. Mac and his mates made merry with the provisions
he had secured at Lemnos, and the products of their culinary art knew
no bounds, either in variety or perfection. With an abundance of
firewood and water, with the sea always near to be bathed in, awninged
bivvies and a well-stocked larder, they lived in undreamed-of luxury.
They had hoped for the usual fortnight there; but it was not to be.

As the long, hot, dusty July days came to a close, the pulse of Anzac
seemed to quicken. Men went about their work with increased energy,
the Cove was busier than ever, and life altogether in that
sun-scorched, sordid spot seemed less burdensome. Staff officers
walked about with unaccustomed briskness, and made unnaturally long
visits to observation points, gazing absorbedly at Turkish terrain.
Visible signs there were that the dormant days of Anzac were drawing to
an end, and that at last the summer lethargy would give place to times
of action. Rumours filled the air. Wild they were, but there was
definite evidence that something was in the wind, and everybody
rejoiced accordingly. There would be a real ding-dong go; and then,
probably, Constantinople.

It was now obvious that the scheme of operations involved a flank
attack to the north, which, it seemed, from the extensive preparations,
might be the main thrust. Anzac positions were faced immediately by
the frowning outposts of Destroyer Ridge, Table Top, Old No. 3,
Rhododendron and Baeuchop's [Transcriber's note: Beauchop's?] Ridge,
beyond which stretched that maze of broken ridges, which rose sharply
to the main peaks of Sari Bair, Chanak Bair and Kojatemen Tepe, which
commanded the whole width of the Peninsula and the Turkish positions
and lines of communication. Gain them, and Gallipoli would be won.

On the dark, moonless nights of the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August
transports stole silently to anchor off the Cove, and many battalions
of Kitchener's Army and batteries of Field Artillery came ashore. When
the sun again lifted above the eastern hills, the anchorage was
deserted and the new arrivals hidden from aerial observation beneath
prepared covering. Anzac grew tense in anticipation of a battle royal.

For the five days spent in this bivo