"Men have looked upon the desert as barren land, the free holding of whoever chose; but in fact each hill and valley in it had a man who was its acknowledged owner and would quickly assert the right of his family or clan to it, against aggression"

In this quote, T. E. Lawrence is highlighting the misunderstanding that the desert is a desolate and uninhabited location. He argues that while it may appear to be a vast and empty land, every hill and valley has a male who claims ownership over it. These men are fiercely protective of their land and will protect it against any outdoors threats. This challenges the idea that the desert is a lawless and unclaimed area, and rather emphasizes the strong sense of neighborhood and ownership within the desert. Lawrence's words clarified the complex and elaborate social structures that exist within relatively barren landscapes.