The Squadron started at
14.30 (units still moving at half-hour intervals), and proceeded along the
main Jerusalem road through the new town, past the Damascus Gate (at
17.30), to the eastern side of the town, where the transport was passed and
the Brigade concentrated, the highest point having now been reached (2,590
feet above sea level). A halt of two hours was made, and at 20.00 the
descent to the Jordan was commenced. Henceforth it was "down," "down," all
the way, with roads just as precipitous as before, but the mountains being
so high and steep on both sides, not a breath of air reached us. At 02.30
after a tiring march, and after passing the "Inn of the Good Samaritan," we
arrived at the water troughs at Talat-ed-Dumm (1,018 feet above sea level).
After watering, about half an hour later, the Squadron found its camping
ground, a space barely large enough for a section. In this cramped area the
whole of the Squadron was crammed "as tight as sardines in a tin," with,
literally, not an inch to spare!
Early next morning, when the sun began to rise, some idea was gained of
what might be expected in the Jordan Valley. Although Talat-ed-Dumm, as
already stated, is 1,018 feet above the level of the sea, shut in, as it
is, among the mountains away from any breeze, the heat there is almost
unbearable; the rays of the sun seem to take on a hundred times more power
than ever could be believed possible, blazing down from right overhead, and
leaving no shade, thus turning the place into a veritable furnace.
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