“When you’ve done with that pack-saddle, I want to ‘inergate’ a scheme with you.”
“Yes, sir?”
“This stunt is going to be a tough one, so I want you to see that all your pack-sets are in good-going order, and that those pack-saddles are fitted properly. Where are you putting the aerial load, Hook?”
“Everything is ready now; I’m fixing this saddle for the masts.”
“Right-o! And see that the farrier gets to work on those mules straight away.”
“Yes, sir. Have you any idea when we move out?”
“I’ve no idea; in about a week, possibly.”
Hook busied himself with the pack-saddle, fixing gadgets here and knocking bits off there, until he had it to his satisfaction. All the technical equipment—wireless sets, cable gear, etc.—had to be converted for use on pack-saddles in this Amman business during March, ’18.
Six days later the Squadron moved out in the rain, wound its way through the Judean Hills, travelled over the Jordan Valley, crossed the river, and passed up into the hills of Moab.