precious supplies of dates, water, and scant crops of grain, had practically to support the Ottoman Army. Leaving El Arish we travelled north through more desert country until we came to Rafa, where the first really fertile land encountered since crossing the Canal spread out before us in richly grassed, rolling plains. Our indomitable old horses, who had not had a feed of grass for over two years, buried their muzzles in the rich crows foot, couch, arrowhead, and fox-tail. After they had grazed their fill the refreshed yarramans kicked up their heels and whinnied to each other, for such a glorious expanse of choice pastures, suddenly appearing after years of fearful hardship on the sterile desert, must have taken them back to happier days in Australia. Once summer is established, with its fierce heat and destructive winds, this rich grazing becomes withered, and the whole land is