TCD MS 10515 folio 60r
[April 29th 1916]
unfortunate mules that are detailed to carry off stretchers, but because the load is so abominable that one end of the stretcher bangs the animal on the head while the other hammers it in the quarter so that the beast is nearly driven out of its senses. Off at 6.30am on a course first towards to south. Shaiba, our destination, was marked by a mud hut/fort visible in the distance. It did not seem far, we reckoned it an easy march, but we did not then know of the strange illusion in estimating distance across the desert. By appearances we calculated our march as about four miles when in reality it was at least three times the distance. Our men started with ringing cheers, all quite happy at the prospect of a change and a chance of a brush with the enemy. Soon their