Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/291

Rh After examining the various modes which had been suggested for ensuring a regular water-supply he announced the conclusion at which he had arrived that the army "must either trust to the puckallies, or find water in the desert, or re-embark."

The order then proceeded as follows: "To-day's march of the 88th will decide the first point, and if it is possible to carry water it should be done in this way.

"The 88th should take their bags on to Legeta, and after the next day's march thence, send them back to Legeta for the next corps.

"The 10th should take their bags to Moilah, and after the next day's march send their bags back to Moilah for the next division. The artillery, increased to 100 puckallie camels, should take their bags one day's march to the wells, and send them back. By these three divisions of bags the whole army could, in succession, be supplied. Careful, steady men should be appointed to each division, and the principle should be well explained to everybody. A European officer should also go with each division of puckallies.

"If the puckallies will not answer and the 88th get on to Moilah, a company should be sent to clear the wells, seven miles from Moilah, and two companies should be sent halfway from that towards Legeta to dig wells, and, as fast as they find water, more companies should follow.

"In the same manner the 10th should send two companies halfway to Moilah and endeavour to dig wells.

"If water is found at these stations, the 88th must