ginal ten.

Up to the present time our losses are six killed (including one
officer), two died of disease, and either twenty-four or twenty-five
wounded (including two officers). (This is an under-estimate.)
Sickness has also been excessive, and we cannot have more than a third
of our original men. We have had four drafts, mostly Englishmen.

_October 19th._--Walked to our new dressing station this forenoon and
examined "well thirty," this being by order of the S.C. of the
Engineers of our Brigade. I was presented with a bottle of water thick
with blue mud. Being intensely thirsty I adopted the only test
available and drank it off, and promised to report if it had any bad
effects.

In the evening another draft of thirty men reached us, this time from
Swansea. Every man is turning up his nose at the thought of a Welsh
detachment.

Had a long interview on many subjects with the A.D.M.S. (Lt-Col. J.G.
Bell).

A large flock of geese crossed this morning, but I have seen none for
the last day or two.

_October 21st._--Preparations were made to meet a Turkish attack
yesterday, which was some great feast or fast day with them; however,
it did not come off. Dickie thinks such exertion on either a feast or
fast day would have been a mistake. Then at night when there was a
full moon we half expected this attack, and an Engineer officer at
present at H.Q., who called to see me yesterday, said he was always to
keep his boots on at night after this, as he said he had no faith in
the troops we now have in our front line being able to check any sort
of attack.

Another of our heroes, Nightingale of the Munsters, left for home
yesterday in bad health, but greatly against his will. He pleaded to
be allowed to go back to the trenches, but we were partly influenced
by a letter from his C.O., who requested that we should give him a
rest as he had been on the peninsula since the landing. Almost without
exception those who get a chance to go home go with the greatest
pleasure, and it is refreshing to come across one who is really not
suffering from "cold feet". All are more or less ill I admit.

_October 24th._--A particularly cold, wet and rough day. According to
an article which appeared in the "Westminster Gazette," and was
reprinted in our local "War Office Telegram," there is always a cold
rough snap from October 20 to October 25. The first date was correct,
and I trust the latter, which is to-morrow, will be as accurat