It was not very good drinking water, but to us thirsty folks it was a blessing and we never passed it by on account of any little stagnant bitter taste.

Salt water we could not drink of course, though we sometimes used it to cook with.
We were as well prepared next morning as possible for a move, and the long walk before us, the last one between us and the fertile land.

They all talked of how delighted they would be to see once more a running brook, green grass and trees, and such signs of life as they had seen and been used to in the good land they had left behind.

The women said they could endure the march of four or five days, if when all over, they could sleep off the terrible fatigue and for once drink all the pure sweet water they could desire.

No more forced marches.