Now followed a period
even more difficult to put up with than actual war itself. A trek
of over 400 miles in a space of two months, following that
nightmare of a sojourn in the Jordan Valley, had reduced the
vitality of both man and horse to a very low ebb, and consequently
the sick roll in both cases was large. Malignant malaria contracted
in the valley took toll of many brave lives, and an outbreak of
anthrax, coupled with debility, caused havoc among the horses.
"LIFE AT MUSLIMIE.
"Railway communication not being completed, and roads rendered
unfit by heavy rains, delayed the passage of canteen stores, and
the rations had perforce to consist chiefly of mutton caught,
killed and eaten the same day. Shall we ever forget the taste of
it? Of course, we _did_ get goat sometimes as a variation. Xmas Day
was on the horizon and no hope of any puddings, but most units were
able to produce some kind of Xmas dinner, and a pudding concocted
from local ingredients. Followed special trains to the 'Palmtrees'
Concert Party in Aleppo, and a fox hunt on New Year's Day. Whist
drives and 'sing-songs' helped to break the deadly monotony of the
long winter evenings, and during the day there was plenty to occupy
one; roads to make in the mud, stones to be carted, buildings and
shelters erected, and more than all, the attempt to get a little of
the dirt off one's animal, and a little more flesh on his bones.
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