The directing aeroplane falteredsuddenly, swerved
aside towards the line, and seemed to land.
Our single coming abashed them, in its assumption
ofsupreme security.
Hewould or would not, and there was no more to it.
After him went Peters, while the third pilot stood besidethe D.
Finally, near midnight, Sabin appearedwhere I lay
awake in the midst of the army on my carpet. An aeroplane came over, andcircled
round to help the gunners.
CHAPTER CXIIIHowever, it seemed that Nasir and I
were to lose the habit of sleeping.
A shiver of self-assertionand confidence ran across
the camp. Fortunately my guards were aching for redeeming service. Asusual when I
lay down I dropped asleep, and slept till afternoon. At Um el Surab we found that
Nasir wished to fixcamp once more at Umtaiye.
A dispute was reportedus, and we had to turn aside
to a local Serahin camp. Rashidwas an enemy of Nuri Shaalans, unreconciled,
chance-met. Nuri Shaalan gave his nod: Nasir andNuri Said.
Only last night had therailway been mended: and
this was the third train.
Nevertheless,Winterton had fired all his charges,
and withdrawn in good orderwithout loss. Nuri Shaalan reported four hundred
prisoners with mules and machine-guns. They had an unexpected ally, for our cars, on
their way toAzrak, had seen the enemy.
We staredback, in secret envy of their peasant
life.
At Um el Surab we found that Nasir wished to
fixcamp once more at Umtaiye. Later we captured theexperts and found they were a
German machine-gun unit. Fivemachine-guns directed their fire on the village.
However breakfast, our first for some while, was getting ready. CHAPTER CXIVBefore
dawn, on the Australian aerodrome, stood two Bristols and aD. However we reached
Umtaiyewell and reported success to Joyce. He had smashed and burst through
anddriven the Turks inconceivably.
He was that rarity in the desert, a man without
sense of argument.
Sabins stubborn resistant mind was not to be
convinced.
Fortunately my guards were aching for redeeming
service.
There were Feisal and Nuri Shaalan, eager to hear
our news. However, we reckoned that the attraction of their fellows inthe station
would draw them away.