I was much upset by the dreadful dust, which was thick upon everything I touched.

We had to hasten our toilet, as they were striking tents and breaking camp early, in order to reach before noon the next place where there was water.

Sitting on camp-stools, around the mess-tables, in the open, before the break of day, we swallowed some black coffee and ate some rather thick slices of bacon and dry bread.

The Wilkins' tent was near ours, and I said to them, rather peevishly: "Isn't this dust something awful ?" Miss Wilkins looked up with her sweet smile and gentle manner and replied: "Why, yes, Mrs.Summerhayes, it is pretty bad, but you must not worry about such a little thing as dust." "How can I help it ?" I said; "my hair, my clothes, everything full of it, and no chance for a bath or a change: a miserable little basin of water and--" I suppose I was running on with all my grievances, but she stopped me and said again: "Soon, now, you will not mind it at all.

Ella and I are army girls, you know, and we do not mind anything.