T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 428

To Hogarth. 27.12.1912 3 est out was when we dragced out our glorious lunch-bag, specially stuffed in honour of the day. We emptied it out on the banks of the river, an horrible brown soup, with muddy lumps of eatables in it. However we were not entirely destitute, with heaps of water to drink and a walnut apiece. I told Tagir I would pay all his actual losses, but if possible the Pake should give him a little more than this. We had an icy cold drive across, two days difficult work in Biredji. with the authorities, and then this sludge on the way back, with a most ghastly night to follow. We had no bedding of our own, left only a huge spongy lump, and what little we borrowed was alive with lice. I have been having baths all today, and probably Tagir also. I expect a lot of complaining, but he was quite cheerful all the time, and in Biredji. exceedingly diplomatic; it would have been quite hopeless for me to have gone across alone. I have to go down on the 29th. towards Beyrout for Petrie: to- morrow I hope to get some seals: those I saw today were very poor: everybody says they are getting scarce. Have had two days after seals, going to nine places. I found five, and bought two, leaving three unimportant ones of 4 legged horned animals (usual type) to cheapen. Those I got are a plain- rodged ovoid from Judea: really dear, though only 4 her first price;- but I don't know another of the shape), and a loured lated-stemmed cisoid from a goldsmith. Both were dear; Will you let me know (to Tripoli 4 days or to Aleppo if near early Feb) what you would have given for them yourself? Madame Roch had sent across to Jerahlus, and her man had brought back this foot only. I have of late, sir, seen the Marcopolts from Jerahlus, but all the antiks in Aleppo are said today to be from there: most awful rot some of it is. Mr.Fontana spoke to the Vali about the site: it seems Biredji. an and Trla are now in a Jendle different direct on Constantinople. So he can do nothing. Madame Koch sends regards. She loves you very dearly: Thank Heaven she had only one seal! ... That xxxdidnit-xxxxxx In, now living at my own expense; so Kenyon has no claim on the Koch-Greblew seal. He only gets half a case dozen Fottera: I have labelled each properly, and tied them all together in a string. I saw today one of the little cubical seals which you thought non-fititle it has ... a snake ... a got a 5 stroke man...: thin, and and in a rough Greek lettering on the four sides: .L.