224
CAIRO TO DAMASCUS
cleaned their rifles. A rifle is supposed to be cleaned and oiled
periodically, if not after every battle. But in all the months I
was with the Arabs I never saw one cleaned or oiled. Nor did
I see any being repaired. If a rifle didn't work, it was usually
laid aside.
The Arabs were equally careless with hand-grenades. My
most anxious moments were spent when the volunteers began
toying with English- and French-made grenades, tossing them
from hand to hand, or taking them apart "to see what was
inside." I heard of many fatal accidents and met several horribly mutilated Arabs. Whenever I was about, a half dozen
would encircle me, unhook their grenades, jiggle the pull-ring,
and do other weird stunts threatening to blow us all up. I'd
dash behind the sandbags while they, the brave Arabs, played
with dynamite and laughed at the terrified Amrikani.
I observed that the fat-bellied Zaki paid increasing attention
to Ismail. At first Ismail slept at Osborne House, with the rest
of the volunteers. Then one day he removed his belongings
and went to a nearby house which Captain Zaki had appropriated for himself and other members of the defense staff. Every
morning after this Sabri would soft-boil four eggs, wrap them
in a towel, and take them over, together with oranges, bananas,
cheese, honey or jam, halvah, olives, white bread, and coffee.
We all envied this diet and grumbled to Sabri about it.
"These are my orders. I must do as the captain commands."
To cut into these regal breakfasts, I determined to get into
Ismail's good graces. This was not difficult. I suggested taking
his photograph. I decorated him with guns and cartridge
belts, told him he was handsome, and photographed him to
his heart's delight. When he offered to pay, I suggested settling
for a breakfast. Next morning Sabri asked me to come along
when he took breakfast over. Taking six soft-boiled eggs and
quantities of other food, he led me to a room which was bare
except for two beds, a chest of drawers, and a table. Zaki and
Ismail were in their pajamas. I pulled up a chair and joined
them at breakfast. Later, by photographing Zaki gratis and