All was quiet during the night, and at daybreak the patrols sent out,
reported "all clear"; the Turks had "Imshied" (i.e., cleared out). After
watering, under a certain amount of shell fire, the Sub-sections that had
been in the line re-joined the Squadron; the remainder had watered late the
previous night, and were not allowed the time to water again. Then
commenced an exciting race across country towards the coast, in an
endeavour to cut off the Turkish garrison at Gaza, which was stated at this
time to be in full retreat. The Brigade advanced 16 miles that day--"Point
375," Simsin-Bureir, Huliekht, Julis--right through the ancient land of the
Philistines.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
A different kind of country was being met with now, much of it being,
evidently, cultivated during certain times of the year. Many villages were
also passed, some of which looked quite pretty from a distance, clustering
among their cactus hedges and a few trees. But anything green would have
looked pleasant at that moment to the men who, for so long, had seen
nothing but the arid desert. It was a case, however, of "distance lending
enchantment to the view", as a close inspection proved disappointing.
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