Page:The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926).djvu/21

 BOOK VI.

THE FAILURE OF THE BRIDGES.

By November, 1917, Allenby was ready to open a general attack against the Turks along his whole front. The Arabs should have done the same in their sector: but I was afraid to put everything on a throw, and designed instead the specious operation of cutting the Yarmuk Valley Railway, to throw into disorder the expected Turkish retreat. This half-measure met with its due failure.

Chapter 70.—Allenby takes the stage (365) his staff (365) our proper role (367) my private hesitation and its reasons (368). Chapter 71.—An unworthy choice (369) Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein (370) Abd el Kadir (371) a questionable adherent (372). Chapter 72.—New retainers (373) old retainers (374) Lloyd and Wood (375) our caravan gets off, but offers lamely (376). Chapter 73.—A Sherari finds a job and finds himself (377) a night march (379) the railway (380) Auda (381) a false alarm (382). Chapter 74.—Tribal politics (383) our march (384) desert manners which nearly put an end to us (385) willing help (388). Chapter 75.—On the road (389) Turks and English (390) we get two great volunteers (391) more accidents (392) a scratchy night in tents (393) denouncing a fear (394) calmness (395). Chapter 76.—Azrak (396) check (397) hiding (399) ready (400). Chapter 77.—Apprehension (401) a forced march (403) we attain the bridge at last (404) a panic (405) and a failure (406). Chapter 78.—A new idea (407) mine-laying (408) hunger, drizzle and the cold sap our patience (409) a long moment (410). Chapter 79.—Distractions, wise and foolish (412) the mine goes off embarrassingly well (413) a rescue (415) we get away (416). Chapter 80.—Reconditioning Azrak (417) provisions (418) visitors (419) our leader (420) Azrak nights (421) a digression (422). Chapter 81.—A Turkish garrison (423) in detention (424) an argument (425) persuasions (426) which go too far (427) the earned wages of rebellion (428) gentling a broken will (429). Chapter 82.—The rake's progress (430) I want to get away (431) in my own despite (432) riding non-stop right to Akaba (433) another break-down (434) I find healing in Jerusalem (435).

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