MARCHING THROUGH JUNGLE. 
561 
shop ” over night, the going was very deep; there were two rivers to 
ford and the temperature was high, reaching 92° in the tents that 
afternoon. The Rajkot march undoubtedly stood us in good stead and 
saved many horses from being knocked out of time. When we left Horses. 
Ahmedabad the infirmary had claimed no victims and over 110 horses 
were all on parade. Four remounts that had joined within the pre¬ 
vious ten days were doing half-time in the gun teams in a week. 
Though up to strength in horses we were 25% below the establish- Men. 
ment of men, a large number having been invalided. So short-handed 
were we, that at times corporals were driving in the teams, bombardiers 
seldom had a day off and all ex-drivers took their turn. 
On the 4th and 5th days the going was still heavy, along narrow 
winding lanes which we occasionally escaped from by cutting our way 
through cactus hedges across country. Open maidan was reached on 
5th February, but the soil was deep black-cotton and the ruts in the Cotton soil, 
track almost impassable. To avoid them we serpentined between the 
holes that broke up the surface of the country but were often pounded 
and had to make the best of the track. Twelve miles of this was an 
ample day’s work and we were glad to find a shady camp at Thasra. 
By making judicious use of the trees most of the horses were provided 
with shade; so far they had enjoyed little protection. 
We had now begun to rise from the few feet Ahmedabad is above 
sea level and the temperature had decreased; 55° to 82° were the 
limits that day. 
Here too the railway was first encountered and we were in touch of Railways, 
it for a week. Our connection with railroads was very symmetrical, 
five days without, a week within touch. Then two intervals of about 
ten days each separated by the M.R.R. at Mhow. Once more a week 
on and a week off. This tried the carrying powers of the canteen 
highly but English beer never failed. 
We left Thasra next day ( Sunday ) at 4.55 a.m. by the light of the Early 
moon. I believe this is not usually practised but we certainly found marching, 
it answer admirably. We moved off almost without exception before 
daylight or, when the path was very bad, at the first streaks of dawn. 
Sunrise was the coolest part of the day and by being on the move then 
man and beast avoided chills and utilized the most suitable tempera¬ 
ture for marching. After a few days we were able to move off within 
half-an-hour of reveille in spite of the large tents used. The new 
camping ground was generally reached long before the hottest part of 
the day and work was nearly done by the time the tents came in or 
were required. Breakfasts were eaten before stables and evening 
stable hour was moderately late. This seemed to suit all ranks and 
the horses certainly did not suffer either in condition or from galls. 
Marching order was carried, an observation which will appear super¬ 
fluous to many ; none will welcome the introduction of pole draught 
more heartily than the shaft horse with the nodding pile of blankets 
on his pad. 
The track to Timba and Godhra was mostly sandy and heavy. At 2nd week. 
48 
