Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

436 EXPLORATIONS IN BIBLE LANDS
whole campaign. Hajji Tarfa proved the same staunch
supporter of our plans as he always had been. Though less
elastic in his movements than when we met him the first
time, and slightly bent bv the burden of years, the " Moltke
of the 'Afej," as he was styled very appropriately by the
wali of Baghdad, had understood how to retain and even to
increase his
influence among his shittless but refractory subjects,
and hold the younger shaikhs in discipline, who often
were eager to win their own laurels and to strengthen their
position at the expense of the venerable patriarch. The
Turkish government, realizing how valuable his services
were in controlling the most troublesome province of the
whole vilayet, was ready to assist him in his efforts to keep
peace, and repeatedlv gave him visible proofs of the high
esteem in which he was held throughout the country. At
Hajji Tarfa's Garden and Reception Room (^Mudhif)
his earliest opportunity Havnes hurried over to the great
chieftain's meftul, about six miles distant, to pay him an