File 756/1917 Pt 1 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 1 to 65’ [‎428r] (860/1240)

them in fair order, and some of the men know how to shoot.
They are becoming separate but coherent units under their
sheikhs, and attendance is more regular than it was, as their
distance from home increases. Further, they are becoming
tempered to the idea of leaving their own diras, and Feisal hopes
to take nearly all to Wejh with him. As a mass they are not
formidable, since they have no corporate spirit or discipline, or
mutual confidence. Man by man they are good : I would
suggest that the smaller the unit that is acting, the better will
be its performance. A thousand of them in a mob would be
ineffective against one fourth their number of trained troops :
but three or four of them, in their own valleys and hills, would
account for a dozen Turkish soldiers. When they sit still they
get nervous, and anxious to return home. Feisal himself goes
rather to pieces in the same conditions. When, however, they
have plenty to do, and are riding about in small parties tapping
the Turks here and there, retiring always when the Turks
advance, to appear in another direction immediately after, then
they are in their element, and must cause the enemy not only
anxiety, but bewilderment. The mule mounted infantry
company is very promising. They have got Mulud, an
ex-cavalry officer, training them, and already make a creditable
appearance. The machine-gun sections were disappointing.
They say that the Egyptian volunteers are improving these and
the artillery details.
Gamp Life.
The camp routine at H.Q., is much as follows—At 5 a.m.
the Army “ Imam ” gets on to the best hill-top and calls to
grayer 'He has an astonishing voice, and wakes up every man
and animal in the camp. Immediately alter him Feisal s private
Imam calls gently and musically by his tent A few minutes
later a cup of sweet coffee turns up, for each ol us (Feisal has
five slaves), and at 6 a.m. or a little later we go to breakfast with
Feisal in his tent, where he has two modern, but not bad carpets,
and a delightful old Baluch prayer rug. Breakfast in favourable
moments may include Mecca cakes and cooked dhurra besides
dates: after breakfast two little glasses of sweet tea are produced
for each of us. From after breakfast till 8 a.m Fe.sal works
with his secretary, or discusses things private y in his tent with
imoortant people At 8 a.m. he gives audience in Ins diwan
te, t which P is furnished with two bad kdvms. Hie routine is tor
him’ to sit at the end of it, on one side, and callers or
petitioners sit in front of the tent in a half circle, until he calls
Them up to him. All questions are settled very summarily, and
nothing is left over till later. At 11.30 a.m. he rises, and walks
back to his living tent, where a little later we e^lect u h.
1 unch acain, on fortunate days, consists of several disnes.
stewed thorn-buds, beans or lentils, with bread, and afterwards
rice or honey cakes. They eat with fingers or spoons, as pleases
them After lunch comes short delay of talk, while coffee and
sweet tea turn up. Then till 2 p.m. Feisal writes, or dictates