"
He had indeed--if nothing more than the power of a thoroughly prepared
enemy against an unready land.
The next stage in Kitchener's career was picturesque but full of
hardship. It was in connection with an exploring expedition to the
Holy Land.
In 1865, a society called the Palestine Exploration Fund had been
founded, its object being to study the history and geography of the
country. Seven years later it had entered on the gigantic task of
surveying a tract of about 6,000 square miles, much of it desert or
mountainous country.
Kitchener was just graduating from the Military Academy, with the usual
rank of lieutenant, and was casting about for active service. He could
not brook the idea of settling down to garrison life. The post of
assistant to the leader of this Palestine Expedition was offered him,
and he accepted with alacrity. While a private enterprise, it had the
sanction of the War Department, and promised to provide thrills as well
as work. The fact that it was the Holy Land of Bible story also
appealed to Kitchener. Witness one of the first entries in his Journal:
"Looking down on the broad plain of Esdraelon . . . it is impossible
not to remember that this is the greatest battlefield of the world,
from the days of Joshua and the defeat of the mighty hosts of Sisera,
till, almost in our own days, Napoleon the Great fought the battle of
Mount Tabor; and here also is the ancient Megiddo, where the last great
battle of Armageddon is to be fought.
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