This, then, was the land "more fertile than Lombardy," which was the goal of their wanderings.

"See, there are the six acres of land which you are promised," exclaimed a waggish soldier to his comrade as they first gazed from ship-board on the desert east of Alexandria; and all the sense of discipline failed to keep this and other gibes from the ears of staff officers even before they reached that city.

Far worse was their position now in the shifting sand of the desert, beset by hovering Bedouins, stung by scorpions, and afflicted by intolerable thirst.

The Arabs had filled the scanty wells with stones, and only after long toil could the sappers reach the precious fluid beneath.
Then the troops rushed and fought for the privilege of drinking a few drops of muddy liquor.

Thus they struggled on, the succeeding divisions faring worst of all.