Page:The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926).djvu/24

 BOOK IX.

MANŒUVERING FOR A FINAL STROKE.

Allenby, in rapid embodiment of reliefs from Mesopotamia and India, so surpassed hope that he was able to plan an Autumn offensive. The near balance of the forces on each side meant that victory would depend on his subtly deceiving the Turks that their entire danger yet lay beyond the Jordan. We might help, by lying quiet for six weeks, feigning a feebleness which should tempt the Turks to attack. The Arabs were then to lead off at the critical moment by cutting the railway communications of Palestine. Such bluff within bluff called for most accurate timing, since the balance would have been wrecked either by a premature Turkish retreat in Palestine, or by their premature attack against the Arabs beyond Jordan. We borrowed from Allenby some Imperial Camel Corps to lend extra colour to our supposed critical situation; their success glorified them and covered us, while preparations for Deraa went on with no more check than an untimely show of pique from King Hussein.

Chapter 99.—Allenby's ambitions (523) to fog the Turks (524) Imperial Camel Corps for our sector (525) a raid against Deraa (526) snatch-programme for the I.C.C. (526) supply problems become complicated (527) smoothing the road (528). Chapter 100.—Timing the scheme (529) Buxton (529) Nuri Shaalan (531) confirming the Rualla in their faith (532) Feisal preaching (533) the great gulf between him and me (535). Chapter 101.—Atonement, redemption, dint of consequence (537). Chapter 102.—Buxton's night attack (540) peace negotiations (541) British promises to France, Sherif, Arab and Jew (542). Chapter 103.—By car to Azrak (544) troops (547) Buxton (548). Chapter 104.—My birthday, by good fortune, is peaceful (549). Chapter 105.—A hostile raid (555) the I.C.C. on the road (556) Buxton becomes mobile, and my men camel-drivers (558). Chapter 106.—Seen (559) renunciation (560) in the lodge of Amruh (561) Azrak (562) with the armoured cars (563). Chapter 107.—King Hussein breaks out again (565) we begin to repair damages (566) stopping little short of forgery (568).

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