The Brigade did not continue the march again until 19.00, when it moved
along the old Roman road. Still "down," "down," round sharp bends, and
still along the edges of precipices hundreds of feet deep! At length a
final, particularly steep slope, brought us to Jericho,[15] on the plain
of the Jordan Valley, and _820 feet below the level of the sea_. A halt was
made here for a short time, and then the Brigade marched north-east
(through clouds of dust), to its camping area in the Wadi Nueiame, arriving
at midnight. Here, on dismounting in the dark, _one seemed to be standing
in mud_, but, upon closer examination, this was found to be merely several
inches of fine dust! Sec.-Lieut. Cummer, whose turn it was to be with the
advance party that day, was waiting to show the Squadron its camping
ground, which turned out to be as good as could be expected, and alongside
a stream. A few bell-tents were already standing, which were appreciated.
FOOTNOTES:
[15] _The site of the present Jericho has only been occupied since
mediaeval times. The ancient Jericho lay near the spring Ain-es-Sultan
and the City of Roman times was more to the south-west. The Biblical
references to Jericho are as follows: Deut.
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