CH. XLIX FIRST SIGHT OF OLD WALL 543
conclusion as to how they had got into the wall just where a fortunate chance had made me first examine it. Either the little objects dated from a working party encamped here at the first construction of the tower and wall, and had been accidentally mixed up with the materials for the latter ; or else, perhaps, they were relics from a small post once maintained near the watch-tower, and had found their way into the wall adjoining on occasion of some later repairs.
But of far more importance than any such details was the view of the line of wall revealed to the east, and of the succession of watch-towers which we could sight in the distance. Luck had favoured me in this respect, too. The tower we had struck, T. III., in my subsequent close survey, proved an excellent station for the plane-table owing to its commanding position. It stood, apparently, close to a bend of the line defended by the watch-towers. Only about two miles to the west, on a small spur of the identical gravel ridge or terrace, rose another tower. To the south-west at least two more could be made out at greater distances. Eastwards at the end of the visible line of wall a tower showed quite clearly, and beyond it another seemed to indicate a turn of the line to the north-east.
It was too late in the day to attempt a reconnaissance south-westwards. Instead, I decided to follow the line of wall and towers as far as I could to the east. I had not to regret it. The remnants of the wall cropped out higher and higher as we descended over steep gravel slopes to the southern extension of the scrub-covered Nullah already noticed. For over a mile here the extant wall portion was continuous, and showed a height of five to six feet above ground. Its base seemed to be buried for several feet more under drift sand which the winds had heaped up against it.
The peculiar method of construction could be examined with ease, and not even scraping was needed. Except for the horizontal fascine revetting which wind erosion had removed in most places, the alternate layers of stamped clay and reed bundles were here in perfect preservation. The former, about seven inches in thickness, showed much
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