January 1926

Lawrence begins to abridge Seven Pillars for publication by Jonathan Cape.

March 1926

By 8 March Lawrence has finished his final corrections to the subscribers' Seven Pillars - just in time, for ten days later he breaks his arm while cranking a car. The accident leaves him without the full use of his right hand for the rest of his life. He makes a fair-copy of the Cape abridgement with the help of friends, and submits the text on 30 March.

May 1926

Lawrence learns that he is to be posted to India at the end of the year.

September 1926

The Daily Telegraph offers £2,000 for the serial rights to Revolt in the Desert (the Cape abridgement), which should substantially reduce Lawrence's Seven Pillars overdraft.

November 1926

Lawrence gets a month's leave before going to India. In this short time, he sends the Seven Pillars sheets off for binding, manages a brief visit to Clouds Hill and to the Hardys, sits for Eric Kennington, who produces a remarkable bust, and sells his motorbike. He also makes over the copyright of Revolt in the Desert to a charitable trust. After repaying his overdraft, much of the income will be donated to an RAF charity.

December 1926

On 8 December Lawrence sails for India on the troopship Derbyshire. He dislikes the voyage, which is cramped and uncomfortable. At Port Said he briefly visits Stewart Newcombe. He arrives in India early in January.