Page:The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926).djvu/19

 BOOK IV.

THE EXPEDITION AGAINST AKABA.

Sherif Nasir, Auda, and I set off together for Akaba. Hitherto Feisal had been the public leader; but his remaining in Wejh threw the ungrateful load of this northern expedition upon myself. I accepted it and its dishonest implication as our only means of victory. We tricked the Turks and entered Akaba with good fortune.

Chapter 40.—Our start (209) ourselves (209) Sherif Nasir and his great worthiness (211) a hill-garden (212) interlude (213). Chapter 41.—Arabic speech (214) our assumptions (215) a pause which relieves my weariness (217) two new men (218). Chapter 42.—Off again (219) Auda as guide (220) night (221) volcanoes, lava, dry mud and sand (222) camel sickness (224). Chapter 43.—Crossing the railway (225) into the real desert (227) a hot wind (228) the refreshment of night-fall, after (229). Chapter 44.—A new day (230) camels (232) ostrich and oryx (233). Chapter 45.—A man missing (234) alone (235) a joke overworked (237) we win across into Sirhan (238) the power of thirst (238). Chapter 46.—The new wells (239) an alarm (240) we arrive (244). Chapter 47.—We taste the full measure of Beduin hospitality (245). Chapter 48.—With the tribes (250) snakes (251) recruits (253). Chapter 49.—Over-vaulting ambition (254) true objective (255) false starts (256) my dilemma (257) a footnote to history (257) unwelcome power (258) the last feast (258) small-talk (259). Chapter 50.—On the road (262) dynamite (264) a poor job (265) Chapter 51.—A diversion to draw the Turks' notice (267) ambush (269) deserters (270) Zaal's power and my self-denial (271). Chapter 52.—A prisoner (273) the temptation of fresh meat proves fatal to a fat station-master (274) we surfeit ourselves (275). Chapter 53.—The King's well (276) action (278) calculation (279) many bridges taken and at once blown up (279) check (280). Chapter 54.—To the rescue (281) hot fighting (282) a gallop (283) camel-charging (284) prisoners (286) exploiting victory (287). Chapter 55.—After the battle (288) the dead (289) the crest (290) more victory (290) the last barrier (291) divided counsels (292) the enemy capitulate (293) we regain our familiar sea (293).

XI