ELD 111 — Filling the water skins at Band

• Owen, Charles (1884-86): Transcript of diary and letters, p. 88: “[…] Camp Band was reached about 12.30 am on the 1st October [1884]. It was bitterly cold. Most of the last march was over Put, part of which had evidently been cultivated. I should say the distance was quite 17 miles. There is a curious thing about the soil here; viz. if you pour water on it, it actually fizzes. Ones blankets and flannel shirts are full of electricity and flash and crackle at night.”
• Holdich, T.H. (1885): Afghan Boundary Commission; Geographical Notes, p. 41: “At Band (as the name implies) a band or dam has been constructed across the bed of a nullah in which a very considerable quantity of water is retained. In quantity indeed there was no lack, but the quality of standing water when it is a desert focus for all the living creatures on earth and air for many a mile round, always leaves much to be desired. Careful straining got rid of some of the worms and larger animalcula, but neither boiling, filtering, nor even alum, would render it entirely palatable.”
• Yate, A.C. (1887): Travels with the Afghan Boundary Commission, pp. 53-54: “Here at Band is a hugh tank – length and contents unknown, enough water to supply the fabulous host of Xerxes. We had heard beforehand of the sand-grouse here, so we started off (three guns) about 8 o’clock (the mornings now are chilly – and moreover, a severe sandstorm has been blowing since daybreak) along the banks of the tank. […] However, by the time we ventured to put our noses outside the chicks of our tents, this morning, our relay alone represented civilised man on the plains of Band. […]”

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