There has been a dry spell but. it began to rain slightly on the morning of our departure. The result was that almost from the outset the road was in a slippery condition. As one proceeded one came to muddy stretches that required skilful negotiation or one would be badly splashed to say the least. So bad was the walking that the coolie could only go hall-speed. By evening, in addition to a short distance by boat on a laks, it was found that only 40 li had been done and the last 10 of these had been in the dark.
The next day 45 li was the distance set and we were warned (truthfully enough as_ it proved) that the walking would be worse than the day before. By 9.30 we were on the road. Yet again although we only rested once for a meal we had over an hour by lantern light before reaching our destination.
Even Trencx Boots VaNiQvisHED.
We rested the following day which was Sunday. This gave time for drying stockings and boots. The boots had been bought at the British Ordnance and were the best pair I ever had. They had been well tested in the mud France during the war and had never leaked. The continuous soaking of two days had at last proved them not as_ impermeable as I had boasted. Worse was to follow.
Monday's march was towards home along the third side of a triangle. We set off at 7.30. For about half a mile there were rough paving-stones to walk on. When they came to an end it was the old
floundering, falling. Over the lace-experience of slipping, sprawling, holes the liquid mud ebbed and flowed. It was no use thinking of ary feet any more before getting home.. The water oozed in and out. One might as well be without stockings as have these soggy things clinging to one. The suction
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.