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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } - -</style> -<title>FRANK FORESTER</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Frank Forester" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Herbert Strang" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1915" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Cyrus Cuneo" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="42943" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-06-13" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Frank Forester A Story of the Dardanelles" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Frank Forester A Story of the Dardanelles" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="frank.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2013-06-14T03:00:55.322763+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42943" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Herbert Strang" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="Cyrus Cuneo" name="MARCREL.ill" /> -<meta content="2013-06-13" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a7 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="frank-forester"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">FRANK FORESTER</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Frank Forester -<br /> A Story of the Dardanelles -<br /> -<br />Author: Herbert Strang -<br /> -<br />Release Date: June 13, 2013 [EBook #42943] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>FRANK FORESTER</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 94%" id="figure-55"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 92%" id="figure-56"> -<span id="in-two-minds"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="IN TWO MINDS (*See page 40*)" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">IN TWO MINDS (</span><em class="italics">See page</em><span class="italics"> </span><a class="italics reference internal" href="#id1">40</a><span class="italics">)</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">FRANK FORESTER</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics large">A STORY OF THE DARDANELLES</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">HERBERT STRANG</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<!-- class: small --> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics">ILLUSTRATED BY CYRUS CUNEO</em></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LONDON -<br />HENRY FROWDE -<br />HODDER AND STOUGHTON</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">First printed in</em><span class="small"> 1915</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">CHAP.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>I </span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-meeting-in-the-hills">A MEETING IN THE HILLS</a><span> -<br />II </span><a class="reference internal" href="#concerning-a-carpet">CONCERNING A CARPET</a><span> -<br />III </span><a class="reference internal" href="#disturbers-of-traffic">DISTURBERS OF TRAFFIC</a><span> -<br />IV </span><a class="reference internal" href="#the-coming-storm">THE COMING STORM</a><span> -<br />V </span><a class="reference internal" href="#under-arrest">UNDER ARREST</a><span> -<br />VI </span><a class="reference internal" href="#rigour">RIGOUR</a><span> -<br />VII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#temptation">TEMPTATION</a><span> -<br />VIII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-leap-in-the-dark">A LEAP IN THE DARK</a><span> -<br />IX </span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-rehearsal">A REHEARSAL</a><span> -<br />X </span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-british-shell">A BRITISH SHELL</a><span> -<br />XI </span><a class="reference internal" href="#danger">DANGER</a><span> -<br />XII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-hills">IN THE HILLS</a><span> -<br />XIII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#sharing-a-sepulchre">SHARING A SEPULCHRE</a><span> -<br />XIV </span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-chiel-amang-them">'A CHIEL AMANG THEM'</a><span> -<br />XV </span><a class="reference internal" href="#out-of-action">OUT OF ACTION</a><span> -<br />XVI </span><a class="reference internal" href="#two-men-in-a-launch">TWO MEN IN A LAUNCH</a><span> -<br />XVII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#through-the-narrows">THROUGH THE NARROWS</a><span> -<br />XVIII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#the-landing-at-anzac">THE LANDING AT ANZAC</a><span> -<br />XIX </span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-tight-corner">A TIGHT CORNER</a><span> -<br />XX </span><a class="reference internal" href="#fishing">FISHING</a><span> -<br />XXI </span><a class="reference internal" href="#in-a-ring-fence">IN A RING FENCE</a><span> -<br />XXII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#the-holy-men">THE HOLY MEN</a><span> -<br />XXIII </span><a class="reference internal" href="#capturing-a-submarine">CAPTURING A SUBMARINE</a><span> -<br />XXIV </span><a class="reference internal" href="#v-c">V.C.</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-two-minds">IN TWO MINDS</a><span> . . . . . . . </span><em class="italics">Frontispiece</em><span> (</span><em class="italics">see page</em><span> </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id1">40</a><span>)</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#at-the-point-of-despair">AT THE POINT OF DESPAIR</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#map-of-the-southern-part-of-the-gallipoli-peninsula">MAP OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE GALLIPOLI PENINSULA</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-fight-in-the-gully">THE FIGHT IN THE GULLY</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-critical-moment">A CRITICAL MOMENT</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-meeting-in-the-hills"><span class="large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A MEETING IN THE HILLS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>One afternoon in July 1914, a party of -five men was making its way slowly through -a defile in the hills of Armenia. The -singular verb is strictly appropriate, for -the five men kept close together, always in -the same order, and, being mounted, might -have appeared to a distant observer almost -as one monstrous many-legged creature, -hideously shaped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At a nearer view, however, the spectator -would probably have been interested in the -various composition of the party, and in -certain picturesque elements pertaining to -its individual members. The foremost, -preceding the rest by three parts of the length -of his grey horse, was a study in colour. -A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured -face, the most striking feature of -which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at -the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, -and a deep dent between bushy brows out -of which gleamed sloe-black eyes. On either -side of his nose streamed a long, black, -fiercely twirled moustache, and his shaven -chin stuck out with a sort of aggressive -powerfulness. A blue tunic clothed him -from shoulders to waist, where he was girt -with a red sash bristling with a dagger, a -long knife, and several pistols. Baggy white -trousers were tucked into long red boots -fitted with large spurs. In his right hand -he held a long bamboo lance, from which -dangled a number of black balls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two men who rode behind him, the -necks of their horses level with the buttocks -of his, were not so picturesque. On the -right was a young Englishman of about -twenty years, whose clean-shaven face was -ruddy with health and exposure to the -weather, and whose grey-blue eyes were -shaded from the sun by the peak of a white -pith helmet. He wore white drill, with a -leather belt, and brown riding boots. His -companion, a slight, sallow-faced youth of -about the same age, was also dressed in -white, but there was something in the cut -of his garments that forbade his being -supposed an Englishman. Close behind these -two, mounted on mules which were laden -with bundles of odd shapes, rode two sturdy -bearded figures, whose dark features were -markedly oriental. They wore turbans and -tunics which had once been white, baggy -red trousers, and heavy boots of undressed -leather. Rifles were slung on their backs, -and long knives stuck out of their belts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The track was stony and tortuous, winding -through a jagged cleft in the hills. On either -side, at varying distances from the path, -rose pinnacles of rock, through fissures in -which the riders caught occasional glimpses -of fertile valleys below, or of solitary -fastnesses or monasteries perched high among -the crags. Now and then a bend in the -defile opened up a view of the distant peaks -of the Taurus mountains. It was wild and -desolate country, growing wilder as they -advanced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They rode almost in silence. The two -muleteers addressed each other sometimes -in murmurs, and it might have been gathered -from the expression of their countenances -that they did not relish their job and were -becoming increasingly uneasy. The sun was -hot, and the heat reflected from the rocks -struck up into the riders' faces and made -them shiny with sweat. But the uneasiness -of the muleteers was moral rather than -physical. They were Armenians, and their -journey was taking them deeper and deeper -into the wilds of Kurdistan, among the -strongholds of the immemorial oppressors -of their race. They were not without a -lingering suspicion of their leader, the -picturesque person of the hook nose. He was a -Kurd, and though he had guaranteed the -safety of the party, they had no great -confidence in the good faith of a Kurd.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No anxieties of this kind troubled the -Englishman. But as the afternoon waned -he became a little impatient. Ali the -Kurdish guide had assured him twenty times -that the end of the journey was near, yet -hour followed hour, and they had not yet -arrived. Since there was no doubt that Ali -knew the way thoroughly, it could only be -supposed that his notion of distance was -imperfect. There were camp gear and -provisions on the mules' backs; Frank Forester -had already spent one night in camp since -leaving Erzerum, and did not view with -any pleasure the prospect of a second -night; in these heights, 6000 feet above -sea-level, the nights, even after the hottest -days, were bitterly cold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come now, Ali, aren't we nearly there?" -Frank said at length, addressing the Kurd in -a mixture of Arabic and the local dialect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very near, very near," said the man, -extending his arm towards what appeared -to be a blank wall of rock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He's a man of two words," said Frank, -with a shrug, to his companion on the left. -"I hope we shall get there before dark."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, before dark," repeated the youth, -in a thin scrapy voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was silence again. The track became -rougher, the wall of rock on each side -steeper. At one spot Frank noticed a number -of boulders, large and small, piled on a ledge -almost overhanging the track.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's rather dangerous," he remarked. -"If they fell they would block the road."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is what they are there for, effendim," -said Ali, turning and flashing a glance at -the pile. He explained that expeditions led -by Turkish governors had more than once -come to grief in these hills. The Kurds -knew how to deal with the Osmanli.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few minutes afterwards Ali came to a -sudden halt, and hurriedly bade the other -members of the party draw in towards the -left, under cover of a projecting spur.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" asked Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Men coming towards us, ten or twelve," -replied the man. "We must wait until I -can see who they are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have they seen us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who can say? But I think I stopped -before they saw us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do they not call me Eagle Eye?" said -the man proudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank smiled. There was an amusing -simplicity about Ali's self-esteem.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what do you make of them?" -Frank asked after a minute or two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Kurd, peering round the edge of the -rock, had shown more and more interest as -the approaching party drew nearer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallaby! It is Abdi the cursed. I -know Abdi and his evil eye. A bad man, -truly, for he will sin against a true believer -as readily as he will kill a Giaour. He is -hated by all and feared by most. We must -not meet him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you don't fear him, Ali?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allah knows I fear him not; but I gave -my word for the safety of your nobleness and -these poor creatures, and it is not well we -run into danger from Abdi and his larger -party. Besides, there is with him, riding by -his side, the dog German----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What, Wonckhaus?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even so, effendim. That curdles your -cream, or call me a liar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has stolen a march on us, Joseph," -said Frank, turning to his companion. His -tone expressed deep annoyance. "He -wouldn't have come into these parts on any -other errand, and I shall be mad if he has -pulled off the deal.--I don't want to meet -Wonckhaus, Ali. Can we get out of the -way until he has passed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ali cast a keen look around. In a few -moments he discovered what he sought--a -gap in which the party might remain -concealed. He led them through the narrow -passage between two large masses of rock, -turned the corner, and instructed them to -cover the animals' heads with cloths. They -were now within twenty yards of the track, -but wholly out of sight from it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some ten minutes later they heard the -ringing clatter of hoofs on the stones, and -the voices of men. Peeping out, Frank and -Ali watched the party ride by. By the side -of a villainous-looking Kurd rode a big -German in loose grey clothes with a blue sash -about his ample waist. Behind came nine -or ten Kurds variously attired, all armed to -the teeth, mounted on horses laden with -packs. It was a wild fierce group, and the -Armenians, peering timorously round the -edges of the rock, heaved a sigh of relief -when the last of the party had disappeared. -The sounds died away. When all was silent -Ali chuckled a "Wallahy!" and led the -way back to the track.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very near now, effendim," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope we are," rejoined Frank. "Joseph, -I wonder whether Wonckhaus has got my -carpet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God forbid!" said Joseph solemnly.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="concerning-a-carpet"><span class="large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">CONCERNING A CARPET</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frank Forester was the son of the -owner of a large oriental carpet business, -whose headquarters was in Constantinople, -with branches in several parts of Asia Minor -and Persia. Except for his school years in -England, Frank had lived all his life in the -East. He spoke Turkish like a native, and -could make himself understood in Arabic -and in the various local dialects in which -Turkish, Arabic, and Persian all have component parts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For some months he had been in charge -of the small branch house at Erzerum, where -he conducted the business with the aid of -Joseph, his Armenian clerk. A few days -before the incident just related, a bazar -rumour had come to his ears which suggested -a promising stroke of business. It was to -the effect that an important Kurdish chief, -living about two days' journey to the south, -had been so heavily squeezed by the Turkish -governor of the province that he felt himself -forced to raise money by parting with a -very valuable old Persian carpet that had -long been an heirloom in his family. Tradition -said that it was part of the loot obtained -by an ancestor of the chief at the sack of -Shiraz during one of the civil wars that -ravaged Persia in the seventeenth century. -It held among his hereditary possessions the -same place as a precious jewel or an Old -Master among the treasures of a western -house. The rumour that it was coming -into the market caused as much excitement -among carpet dealers as the announcement -of the approaching sale of a Correggio -or a Rembrandt would cause among the -connoisseurs of New York.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank Forester was thrown into a flutter -when the first whispers reached him. He -had not hitherto taken an important part -in his father's business, and it was only -recently that he had been placed in charge -of a branch. The chance of signalizing -his stewardship by securing the carpet -appealed to his imagination as well as his -business instincts. But the problem was, -how to bring off a deal with the chief. -The old Kurd was not likely to condescend -to travel to the town. On the other hand -there would be some risk in making a -journey to his mountain fastness. The -country in which it lay bore the worst of -reputations. Even the Turkish authorities -never ventured into it without a strong -military escort, amounting in fact to an -expedition. The peaceful, timid Armenian -traders would have ventured into a den of -lions as soon as into the hill country where -for centuries no Armenian had ever -penetrated except as a captive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank's interest in the matter was -complicated and heightened by business rivalry. -A year or two before, a German named -Hermann Wonckhaus had come to Erzerum -and set up in business as a carpet dealer -next door to Mr. Forester. The Englishman, -who had been established there for -many years, felt too sure of his position to -regard the arrival of his competitor with any -alarm. He met him, indeed, in the friendliest -spirit, and at first did him some small -services in a business and a social way. But -it soon became clear that Wonckhaus was a -snake in the grass. There were signs that -his object in settling next door to -Mr. Forester was to keep a watch on him, -with a view to discovering with whom he -traded and endeavouring to cut into his -connection. Once or twice Mr. Forester -found himself forestalled in business -transactions by the German, and as soon as he -became aware of his rival's crooked methods -he put himself on his guard and maintained -only the coolest of relations with him. Still, -he was not greatly troubled. The Armenian, -shifty as he may be himself in business, -respects rectitude in others, and -Mr. Forester knew that if it ever came to -a straight pull between himself and the -German the result would be in his favour. -He lived very simply, without parade; -Wonckhaus, on the other hand, kept up a -considerable style, and aimed at a kind of -leadership in the small European colony. -He was a man of good presence, great -ability and certain social gifts, by means of -which he became a personage; but though -he had pushed himself into a position of -influence he was always regarded with some -distrust by the Europeans other than his -own countrymen; and the natives, very -shrewd in their silent estimate of western -strangers, had taken his measure pretty -thoroughly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Knowing that the bazar rumour would -certainly have reached Wonckhaus's ears, -Frank was anxious to lose no time in opening -negotiations with the Kurdish chief for the -purchase of the carpet. It was obvious that -his best course was to make a personal visit -to the owner. He sent for a Kurd whom -his father had sometimes employed and -found trustworthy, and enlisted his services -as guide to the distant stronghold. Ali -confessed that the journey would entail some -risk, but he promised that he would do his -utmost to ensure the safety of the party, -and in fact they had come without adventure -within a mile or two of their destination -when the appearance of Wonckhaus on the -track showed that he had again forestalled -his rival. The only question now was, had -he managed to strike a bargain with the -chief and brought away the carpet among -his packs?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Frank resumed his journey, he -discussed the chances rather anxiously with -Ali. The Kurd took a pessimistic view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Abdi is a nephew of the chief Mirza -Aga," he said. "Does he not always boast -of his relationship in the bazar? He is a -liar by nature, but in that he speaks the -truth. Therefore it is that the German has -taken him as guide. Without doubt Abdi -said to him: 'I am in high favour with my -uncle, Allah be good to him, and when I say -to him, this is the excellency that will give -a good price for the carpet, he will bless me, -and perhaps bestow upon me some poor -fraction of the money.' Without doubt we -have eaten the dust of our journey for -nothing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, we'll go on and prove it. Having -come so far I won't go back without knowing -the truth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A march of a little over an hour brought -the party to a narrow side track that wound -up into the hills. It was some time before -a turn in the toilsome ascent opened a view -of the chief's stronghold. Perched high up -on the mountain side, it resembled in the -distance a child's building of wooden bricks; -but its massive proportions and structure -became impressive as the travellers gradually -mounted towards it. In this country of -mean hovels its appearance was palatial. -The lower part consisted of solid masonry -broken by one large gate and two or three -small square windows, unglazed and shutterless. -Upon this stout pillars supported a -number of arches surrounding an open -chamber or arcade rectangular in shape -and covered with a flat roof. To the left -of the arches was a second storey whose -walls were as solid as those of the lower; -within these, as Frank knew, were the -women's apartments. The whole place was -silent; to all appearance it might have been -uninhabited.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ali went forward to the great gate and -shouted for admittance. After a while a -peep-hole was exposed by the sliding of a -small wooden hatch, and a man inquired his -errand, then slid the hatch to, and departed. -Frank had become accustomed to oriental -sluggishness and the need for patience. -Presently the gate-keeper returned and held -a lengthy conversation with Ali, after which -he retired again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are we waiting for?" asked Frank: -remaining in the background he had not -heard the colloquy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! Mirza Aga will not show the -light of his countenance to a German, and -required me to swear by the beard of the -Prophet that your nobility is not German -but English."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's promising," said Frank cheerfully. -"It looks as if nephew Abdi is not -quite such a favourite as he pretends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allah is wise!" said Ali.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few minutes the massive gate swung -open, giving admission to a large courtyard. -Here a handsome youth, the chief's -grandson, came forward with a smile of welcome. -Frank dismounted, gave his horse into the -care of an attendant, and followed the youth -up a stately stone staircase, ornamented on -either side with richly-carved oak balusters, -into the salamlik or presence chamber of -the old chief. It was a lofty and spacious -apartment, the walls and ceiling composed -of curiously carved cedar wood. The floor -was covered with thick Persian rugs; the -walls were embellished with texts from the -Koran, and blunderbusses, scimitars, curved -daggers and other weapons arranged in -tasteful patterns. At the further end a fire -of logs roared in a huge fireplace, the wall -above being decorated with arabesques and -scrolls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Near the fireplace, reclining among an -exuberance of silk pillows and cushions, was -the old, white-bearded, turbaned chief, -smoking a long chibouque. At the entrance of -his visitor he rose, bowed several times, -murmured "Salam aleikam," and clapped -his hands. An attendant immediately came -in, bearing a number of rugs and pillows -which he spread on the floor near the chief. -Luxurious as they appeared, Frank knew that -they were probably swarming with vermin, -for Kurdish magnificence takes no note of -such trifles, and he racked his brains for -an excuse to avoid the use of them. -Explaining that in his country such soft seats -were only proper to the ladies, which seemed -to amuse the chief, he squatted cross-legged -on the floor, and spent some minutes in -exchanging the flowery salutations usual -in oriental society. Then the chief, who -had already learnt the object of his visit -from Ali through the gate-keeper, invited -him to partake of supper, declaring that -there must be no talk of business that -night. Without waiting for an acceptance, -he clapped his hands again, and servants -brought in a profusion of dishes--meat, fish, -poultry, and various fruits--a pleasant meal -after the long day's journey, even though -Frank had to use his fingers instead of a knife -and fork. The meal was prolonged; fatigue -and the heat of the room made Frank sleepy; -and he was glad when the old man's grandson -came to conduct him to the guest chamber.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has honesty and benevolence written -all over him," thought Frank, as he stretched -himself, rolled in his greatcoat, on the bare -floor, after bundling the doubtful mattresses -and cushions provided for him into a corner. -"I rather think I may score off Wonckhaus -this time after all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next morning came the business interview.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must know, O welcome guest," said -the old man, "that yesterday there came to -me one from Erzerum, under the guidance -of a graceless nephew of mine, a man in -whom there is no truth or virtue at all. -The stranger, a man of the German race, -they told me, wished to buy my carpet, -and offered me a sum that would scarcely -have purchased the clothes on my back. -Wallahy! Did he wish to pull my beard? -I answered him shortly that I was no bazar -merchant to haggle and chaffer; whereupon -he made excuses, and perceiving that it was -truth I said, he offered a price that was fair, -and one that I was fain to accept. But -lo! when I asked him to pay over the money, -the infidel spoke of a written paper, for -which, he told me, they would pay me money -in Stamboul. Wallahy! His tongue was -smooth, but his eye was deceitful. I said -forthright that I would not trust him. -Little I know of the German race; they -are a new kind of Giaour to me; but so -much as I have heard of them did not tempt -me to part with my carpet against a German -promise. Whereupon our words waxed hot, -and Abdi my worthless nephew must needs -take part with the German--verily he hoped -to fill his pouch at my expense; and my -wrath was kindled, and I bade the German -depart. And Abdi my nephew flouted me -to my beard, and I spoke my mind freely -to him, a dog that slinks about the houses -of better men, snapping up what falls, and -licking what is cast out. And they departed, -he and the German.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now therefore come and look upon the carpet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He conducted Frank through the open -arcade into a lofty room on the other side -of the house. On the way Frank throbbed -with mingled hope and fear. Orientals were -prone to exaggeration: the much-talked-of -carpet might turn out to be a very ordinary -specimen, even a modern fabric cunningly -"faked," for he was aware of the tricks -practised by dishonest dealers to delude the -unwary. Once, indeed, he had himself -detected by the sense of smell the use of coffee -to give a new rug the mellow tones of age. -But hope was stronger within him than fear. -The old chief looked honest: he had -refrained from boasts and the flowery puffs of -the huckster, and Frank felt that the carpet -was probably genuine, though possibly not -quite so valuable as rumour declared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man opened the door, and stood -back with a courteous inclination of the -head to allow his visitor to pass in before -him. He did not speak a word. Frank -halted in the doorway, transfixed with -wonder and delight. Hanging on the wall -opposite was a beautiful rug, about eighteen -feet by twelve, in which his expert eye -discerned at once an antique product of the -looms of Khorassan. He had lived among -carpets from childhood, and knew the -characteristic features of all the many kinds -of eastern fabrics. On a deep blue ground -were woven floral patterns in magenta, red, -and blue, with spots of ivory here and -there; and on the wide border was the -unmistakeable palm-leaf design of -Khorassan, with details that proved it to be -the workmanship of a particular family -of weavers, renowned for its artistic -ornament and harmonious colouring. Age had -mellowed the tints, but their brilliance was -little diminished, for the ancient dyers had -secrets which are the despair of the chemists -of to-day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He crossed the room and touched the -surface of the rug. It was soft as velvet. -He examined the knots and the stitches, -felt the thickness of the pile, then turned -round.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is magnificent, chief," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is good work, effendim," replied the -chief. "My family has possessed it for two -hundred years."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well now, let me tell you my method -of business. We are not hucksters of the -bazar, you and I. Their custom is to ask -more than they expect to get, or to offer -less than they are prepared to pay. That -is not my way. I offer at once the sum -which I am ready to give, and I never make -a second offer. If it is acceptable, well and -good; if not, we part friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is well, effendim. My ears are open."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will pay you £500 Turkish for the carpet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old Kurd reflected a moment or -two. Then he said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a fair price, effendim. The -carpet is yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you. I have not brought the -money with me; it is dangerous country, -chief," he added with a smile. "But I will -either send it you when I return to Erzerum, -or----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is enough, effendim," interrupted the -chief. "You are an Englishman: your -word is good. Your countrymen, it is true, -are not the good friends of mine that they -used to be. It is told me, indeed, that the -German Emperor, and not your King, is -willing to help us to regain the lands we -lost in the late disastrous war. But I trust -the word of an Englishman. The Germans -I do not know: that one who came to me -came with my nephew Abdi, the master of -lies! Take the carpet: it is yours. You -may send the money when you will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you for your confidence, chief; -but such an arrangement would not be fair -to you. Something might happen to me; -you would have no security. I will ask you -to take a draft on the Ottoman Bank."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took out his cheque-book and fountain -pen, and wrote the draft, which the chief -accepted with a deprecating bow. Orders -were given for the carpet to be rolled up, -covered with sacking, and placed on the -back of one of the mules. The business -having been thus satisfactorily concluded, -the chief invited Frank to share his morning -meal, after which he accompanied him with -a small escort of horsemen for a few miles -on his return journey.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="disturbers-of-traffic"><span class="large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">DISTURBERS OF TRAFFIC</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>About noon on the following day, when -Frank and his party were proceeding slowly -northwards through the hills, they met a -Kurd on horseback. Ali exchanged salutations -with him; he was on his way, he said, -to the house of Mirza Aga.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some ten minutes afterwards, at a bend -in the track, they were met by a second -Kurd. The usual greetings again passed -between the fellow-countrymen, and this -traveller also explained that Mirza Aga's -house was his destination. But when the -party passed on, Ali, whose manner with -the stranger had been cold and curt, -glancing over his shoulder, noticed that the man -had ridden a few paces in the same direction, -then halted as if in irresolution, and was -at that moment apparently making up his -mind to continue his journey southward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! Effendim, here is a strange -thing," said Ali in a low tone. "I know -that man. Surely I saw him with Abdi the -Liar when he passed us the other day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Strange indeed! He cannot have been -to Erzerum and back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Abdi devises mischief, effendim. It is -well that we watch that man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Riding slowly on until the bend in the -track hid the Kurd from sight, Ali slipped -from his saddle, and, asking Frank to -accompany him, cautiously climbed the rear of a -rocky bluff a little way off the track. From -the top of this eminence, themselves -unseen, they were able to overlook a long -stretch of the track behind them, and in -the distance, something more than half a -mile away, they descried the stranger, no -longer proceeding towards the house of -Mirza Aga, but coming in their direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Verily it is some evil device of Abdi, -effendim," said Ali. "Let us go on our -way, and consider this matter. Abdi is -cunning as a serpent, but it will go hard -with me if I do not bring his tricks to nought."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They returned to the track, remounted, -and resumed the march, keeping a wary -look-out in all directions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Consider, effendim, why did that man -delay and turn when he met us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is nothing strange in this lawless -country," said Frank. "A man would naturally -be curious and suspicious of strangers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True; but having seen that we are a -party of peaceful travellers carrying -merchandise--for the Armenians and you -yourself, effendim, wear no pistols in your belts, -though I know you have revolvers -somewhere in your garments--having seen that, -I say, why does the dog march on a little -way, then turn about and follow us? Is it -not the work of one that spies on another?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks possible, certainly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of a truth it is so, and I swear that Abdi -and his crew are not far ahead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What of the first man, who preceded -him? Was he watching us too?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who can say, effendim? He has gone -quite out of sight. Who can sound the -depths of Abdi's craft? He is a liar and a -worker of mischief. May it not have been -told him by some gossip on the way that we -had gone to seek Mirza Aga? Well he knows -for what purpose, and would it not be an -easy thing, in these solitudes, to lie in wait -for us, and to fall upon us, they being the -greater number, and slay us, and rob us of -that we carry? Truly there is no bottom -to Abdi's wickedness, and I beseech you, -effendim, pardon me in that I have -unwittingly led you into a snare."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's nonsense, Ali. Whatever -happens, it's not your fault. If it is as you -say--and I shouldn't be surprised, for in -wild country like this they've endless -opportunities of surprising us--we must see if we -can't defeat their schemes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This conversation had been conducted in -low tones, in the hearing of Joseph only. -Ali had an inherited contempt for the -Armenian porters, who indeed would have -been paralysed with fright at a suspicion -of danger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was clear that to continue on their -present course would be to run straight into -the trap which Ali suspected was prepared -for them. Ali suggested that they should -halt, allow the man behind to overtake -them, and observe his bearing when he -encountered them again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Accordingly they drew rein at a secluded -spot, where the track broadened a little, -making a salient into the precipitous sides. -Ali climbed to a position whence he could -scan the track in both directions. Some -time passed, and when the supposed scout -did not appear, Ali crept back stealthily -along the track to discover what had -become of him. In about ten minutes he -returned. "Come with me, effendim," he -said mysteriously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After walking rather more than half a -mile, Ali raised his hand and pointed to a -spot high up in the hills on their left hand. -At first Frank failed to discover the object -indicated, but presently he noticed a whitish -speck moving along the greyish face of the rocks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that he?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the dog, as I live," replied Ali. -"He has gone up into the hills by a track -that I know not. See, effendim, he moves -fast; he comes this way. Is it not his intent -to outstrip us, and give tidings of our coming -to Abdi where he lurks beyond?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may be right, Ali. We can spoil -his game by not going on. Let us return -to our men, bring them back, find out where -he left this track, and follow him over the -hills."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is good, effendim. To watch the -watcher--yes, it is very good."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon the whole party was retracing its -course. The halt and the movements of -their employer had made the Armenians -uneasy; but there was only cheerful -assurance in the demeanour of Frank and the -Kurd; and the men, if not reassured, at least -gave no utterance to their fears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About a mile back they discovered a spot, -marked by a few stunted trees and bushes, -where a narrow mountain path branched -from the broader track. Into this they -struck. It wound up into the hills, at first -so steeply that the laden mules with -difficulty maintained their footing; but after -a time it became less arduous, and the party -pushed on with greater speed. It was nearly -two hours before they caught sight of the -man. From that moment they had to -combine speed with caution: to keep pace with -the Kurd so as not to lose him from sight, -but to take care that he should neither see -nor hear them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the mountain path took a -downward trend, suggesting that it would -ultimately rejoin the main track from which -they had diverged. Here they lost sight of -the scout through the frequent windings of -the path. Presently they came to a narrow -ledge dropping down very steeply. The -ground was rough, and crumbled under the -hoofs of their beasts. In spite of all their -caution, they suffered a misadventure when -still some distance above the junction of the -the tracks. The ground gave way beneath -the mule of one of the Armenians. It slid -over the edge, and rolled with its yelling -rider for nearly a hundred yards down a -steep incline, until the fall was checked by -a clump of prickly bushes. Neither man -nor animal appeared to be seriously hurt, -but the mule's load was scattered broadcast. -Consisting as it did partly of camp utensils, -to the clatter of displaced stones and the -cries of the muleteer was added the clink -and rattle of tins and iron pots as they -bumped on the rocky ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The din was a greater misfortune even -than the delay and the dispersal of the load. -Just as the Armenian picked himself up, -rubbing his elbows and shins, a head showed -above the rocks a little to the left of the -junction. In another moment Frank caught -sight of the Kurd they had been following, -riding at full speed back along the main -track. Apparently he had been resting for -a spell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy!" Ali ejaculated, cursing the -mule and its rider and the ancestors of both.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There could be little doubt that his -suspicion was well grounded. Abdi and his -party--if Abdi was in truth the plotter--could -not be far off, for the Kurd must -have reckoned on being able to warn them -before the expected prey reached the spot -where they were waiting. How far away -the ambush had been laid Frank could not -guess.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cursed be that howling son of a cat!" -cried Ali. "We must ride on with all -haste, effendim. Peradventure the rascal -Abdi is so far away that we shall have time -to reach a village of the plain before he can -overtake us. Wallahy! But our beasts -are laden, and he has many horsemen -without encumbrance. Yet there is no other -way. We must leave that shrieking jackal -and his load; there is no time to gather up -the many things that are scattered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, we can't leave him, but we'll leave -the things," said Frank. "Get on your -mule and ride with us," he called to the man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hastening down to the track, they pushed -on with all possible speed in the direction -of Erzerum. Laden as they were, the mules -could not go at any great pace over the -rough ground, and the carpet being the -heaviest part of the load, the speed of -the whole party was regulated by that of -the mule bearing it. Frank suggested that -Ali should ride ahead and bring back an -armed escort from Erzerum; but the Kurd -resolutely refused to divest himself of his -responsibility for the safety of his employer, -who for his part was determined not to lose -sight of the carpet. They made what -progress they could, then, Ali falling behind -to act as rearguard and give warning of -pursuit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had covered something less than -two miles and were entering a long, fairly -straight defile, when Ali closed up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are coming, effendim," he said, -"riding furiously, and the foremost of them -is Abdi the Liar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! And look at that," said Frank, -pointing ahead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Near the further end of the defile two -figures were seated on a loose pile of rocks -overhanging the track. Ali shot a glance -towards them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! the German!" he exclaimed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Almost at the same moment the two -figures rose. Clearly they had recognised -Frank. And then Wonckhaus and his Kurd -companion began with haste to roll rocks -from the pile down the slope, obviously -with the intention of blocking the track.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, Ali!" cried Frank. "Joseph, -look after the rest. Bring them along."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Urging their mounts to their best speed, -the two men dashed along the track, and -reined up only when they were in danger -of being crushed by the rocks crashing down -from above. The narrow path was already -almost impassable. Frank sprang from his -horse and began to clamber up the face of -the cliff, followed, after a moment's -hesitation, by Ali.</span></p> -<p class="pnext" id="id1"><span>Twenty feet above them Wonckhaus stood -irresolute. He held a jagged boulder, and -seemed to be in two minds about hurling -it straight upon the climbing Englishman. -Some prudential instinct--it may have been -a scruple--gave him pause, and his Kurd -companion, taking the cue from him, held a -large stone similarly poised.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a moment," said Frank coolly. -"I won't keep you long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus, somewhat taken aback by -Frank's calmness, and the absence of hostility -from his tone, watched him in silence -as he climbed to his side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Another stone or two would have completely -blocked the track," Frank went on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shooting a curious glance at him, Wonckhaus -replied:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was my intention, Mr. Forester."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exactly. I don't want to interrupt -your amusement, Herr Wonckhaus, but you -will wait until my party has passed. A -few moments will suffice. If you loose -another rock till then, I shall throw you -after it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank's nerves were tingling, but he spoke -as quietly as if he was announcing the -merest matter of fact. The German recognised -at a glance that it was no empty threat, -and his Kurd looked by no means comfortable -under the menacing attitude of Ali, -who had now joined them. Meanwhile, -Joseph had come up with the carriers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come straight through, Joseph," called -Frank, "and lead my horse and Ali's. Go -forward: we will overtake you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the mules were passing through the -narrow gap that remained between the -obstacles on the track, Abdi's party came -in sight at the southern end of the defile -half a mile distant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, my good sir," said Frank, as the -last of his mules emerged from the gap, "we -will help you to complete your amusing -work. Ali, shove these stones down as fast -as you can, and get your countryman to -assist you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ali grinned and hurled a threat at the -other Kurd; the two pushed the stones down -the slope one after another in quick -succession, while Frank, taking out his revolver, -stood guard over the German. In a few -seconds the track was wholly blocked up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have saved you the trouble, Herr -Wonckhaus," said Frank. "Good-day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With Ali he slipped down to the track, ran -after his party, sprang to the saddle, and -was already some distance ahead and -rounding a corner when Abdi and his cavalcade -rode up. The Kurd leapt from his horse, -scrambled up the barrier, and in his rage and -disappointment fired after the retreating -figures before Wonckhaus, uneasy about -future developments, could check him. The -shot flew wide, and Frank rode on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To clear a way for the pursuers' horses -would probably consume at least half an -hour, an interval long enough to allow the -party to reach the outskirts of a settled -district where an open attack upon them -would be dangerous. And Frank knew very -well that Wonckhaus could hardly afford to -be publicly associated with a manifest act of -brigandage. Thinking over the -circumstances of the trap from which he had -escaped, he surmised that the German had -intended the party to be intercepted by the -Kurds several miles behind, and that he had -gone ahead in order to arrive at Erzerum in -time to establish a clear alibi if there should -be any suggestion of his connection with the -contemplated attack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A lucky thing for us you discovered that -scout, Ali," said Frank. "I owe something -to your eagle eye."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Inshallah, effendim, I am not so named -for nothing," returned the man, beaming -with pride and satisfaction. "Of a truth I -am more than a match for Abdi the Liar."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-coming-storm"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE COMING STORM</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Two hours' hard riding brought Frank -and his party, in the dusk of evening, to a -large village on the edge of the plain of -Erzerum. There was little or no danger -of further molestation; in populous places -an attack on a well-known English merchant -might entail disagreeable consequences, since -the authorities would be almost forced to -take action; all the same, Frank wished -that he could have completed his journey -without pause. But that being impossible, -he put up at a respectable khan or inn, -where he persuaded the innkeeper, by means -of excess payment, to agree to keep his door -closed against any travellers who might -arrive subsequently. Frank preferred not -to have to spend the night under the same -roof as Wonckhaus, who could not be far -behind him on the road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His forethought bore fruit. Soon after -he had retired to rest, with his head pillowed -on his precious carpet, there was a loud -banging on the door, and a rough voice -bawled for the khanji. That amiable hosteller -at first feigned sleep, but the pretence -could not be long kept up through a din that -might have roused the fabled sleepers of -Ephesus. He got up, cursing, and moved -to the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remember our bargain," Frank called -through the partition dividing his select -guest-chamber from the common room of -the inn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man mumbled something in answer, -and Frank, wondering whether his promise -would hold out against the importunity of -the newcomers, listened anxiously to the -colloquy that ensued at the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O khanji!" bawled the voice outside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi!" was the sleepy response.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O khanji!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it I hear?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you Khanji Abdullah?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi!"--a sleepy drawl that meant nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A curse on the deaf one!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Am I deaf, or to be cursed, or do I hear -the ugly voice of a camel-driver?" asked -the innkeeper artlessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is Khanji Abdullah?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Khanji Abdullah-ah-ah!" yelled the -voice, prolonging the name.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why do you wake honest sleepers, you -dog of a dogson?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">I</em><span> wake folk? </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> wake folk? Have </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> -the voice of an old dromedary? Have </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> the -voice----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here the speaker's shrill tones were -drowned by a chorus of curses and expostulations -from the guests in the common room, -among whose voices Ali's was raised the -loudest. When the clamour had died down, -the voice of the man outside could be heard -again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! May Allah cast his blight -upon the khan and the khanji, upon your -religion and your affairs, upon your wife -and children and kinsmen and cattle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this outcry and cursing, O -son of a camel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Open your door for honest travellers in -the night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! My house is full; there is -not room for one honest man, much less a -rogue. Get you gone, and split the ears of -Khanji Muhammad yonder; his khan is -the place for rogues."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What say you, O vile khanji? Know -you that here is no rogue, but a noble -Alman effendi of great size and weight, -whose money-bags are brimming over like -a cup overfull! Open then, khanji, without -more display of ignorance and folly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is easy to lie in the dark. What -know I of an Alman effendi? Of his nobility -I say nothing; but if he be of great size and -weight as you say, mashallah! there is no -room for him here. Let him begone with -his money-bags to Khanji Muhammad; he -is very poor and needy, whereas I am in no -straits, praise to Allah! Get you gone, -you with the voice of a camel, and let me -return to my sleep. Ahi!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A stream of imprecations burst from the -lips of Abdi, dying down in the distance as -he departed with Wonckhaus and his party -towards the khan of Muhammad at the other -end of the village.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was it not well done, and worthy of -large bakshish?" said Abdullah, through -the door of Frank's room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was well done, khanji," replied -Prank, "and the morning will bring what it -will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alhamdolillah!" the innkeeper piously -ejaculated as he returned to his couch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His guests settled themselves to slumber -and were not disturbed for the rest of the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank's first act on reaching Erzerum in -the afternoon of the next day was to lock -up the carpet securely in his strong room. -The warehouse was an annexe at the back -of the dwelling-house. This was a -substantial building of stone, backing on a -hillside, with a flat roof covered, like the -most of the better houses in the town, with -green turf. It had a large arched door, -but small windows, hardly bigger than -portholes, filled, however, with glass, and not -with oiled paper, which the natives -commonly used. Mr. Forester had made the -interior comfortable in an English fashion. -The stone floors were strewn with Persian -rugs; on the white-washed walls hung -a few engravings, together with hunting -trophies. The furniture was of English make.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he passed through the office on his -way to the strong room, Frank noticed on -the desk a letter, in his father's handwriting. -The carpet having been safely stowed away, -he returned, put the letter in his pocket, -and hurried out into the street: there was -something to be done that brooked no delay, -for Wonckhaus had arrived before him. -He hastened down the street, which crossed -a valley between his house and the -Government buildings on the hill opposite, and -made his way to the quarters of the military -governor, with whom, after the long delay -usual in the East, he was accorded an -interview.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have come to lodge a complaint against -Herr Wonckhaus and the Kurd Abdi," he -said, when the preliminary courtesies had -been exchanged. He related the incidents -on the road. The Turkish governor listened -to him coldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I take a note of what you say, effendim," -he said; "but you must know that Wonckhaus -Effendi has already preferred a charge -against you--that you blocked up the road -with rocks, so that it was impassable. -That, you are aware, is a serious offence. -No one but a military officer in the exercise -of his duty is permitted to block a road."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As I have already explained, excellency," -said Frank patiently, "I merely -completed what Herr Wonckhaus had -begun. His design was obvious: the steps I -took were taken solely for the purpose of -safeguarding my merchandise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is told me that you threatened him -with violence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I said that if he threw down any -more stones--committing, as you remarked, -excellency, a serious offence--I would -throw him after them. That, I submit, was -perfectly justifiable in the circumstances."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will not argue with you, effendim. -You ought to have engaged zaptiehs for -your protection on your journey. The -matter cannot rest here. I must submit -it to the governor of the province; it may -have to be referred ultimately to Stamboul. -Meanwhile, I must order you to keep the -peace with Wonckhaus Effendi, who has felt -it necessary to ask for protection."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeing that no satisfaction would be -derived from further parley, Frank took his -leave and set off for home. He was -somewhat surprised at the coolness of his -reception. The military governor had only -recently taken up office in the town; his -predecessor had been a close personal friend -of Mr. Forester, and Frank had assumed, -almost as a matter of course, that the new -official would be a man of the same stamp -and equally well disposed. It was clear, -however, from this his first official interview, -that the governor was unwilling to hear -both sides of a case and come to a just -decision, or that he was ready to exercise -partiality on the side of Wonckhaus. Frank -was not troubled about the ultimate issue. -The reference of the matter to the provincial -governor, and possibly to the authorities at -Constantinople, would postpone any -decision for months, perhaps years. -Meanwhile he would put all the facts before his -father, who would know, better than he, -how to deal with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thinking of his father reminded him of -the letter in his pocket. He took it out, -tore open the envelope, and read:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>MY DEAR FRANK,</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A serious storm is brewing in Europe. -Austria has sent an ultimatum to Serbia that on -the face of it means war. Serbia can't accept its -terms without losing her independence, and Russia -will certainly support her. That will as certainly -cause Germany to move; then France is bound by -the terms of her alliance with Russia to come in. -Unless something very suddenly intervenes, all -Europe will be in a blaze, possibly before you -receive this. In the opinion of certain important -people here the whole thing is a put-up job on the -part of Germany, who is backing Austria with the -deliberate intention of forcing a war before Russia -has reorganized her army. There is great -excitement here. German agents have been active for -a long time, but the general opinion is that Turkey -will keep out of it. She had enough of war two -years ago, and her finances are now at the lowest -ebb. Still, one can never be sure how far the -Germans may succeed in duping or bribing the -Turks. In my belief, everything depends on -whether we shall be drawn in. Grey will work -hard for peace; he may succeed as he has done -before; but if he fails I can't see any possibility -of our keeping out of it. France will be knocked -out in a month if the German fleet gets to work; -and we can't stand by and look on at such a -catastrophe. Well, if we do come in, Germany -will move heaven and earth to induce the Turks -to make a bid for Egypt; and certain firebrands -here are silly enough in their self-conceit to play -Germany's game and ruin their country. I hope -for the best, but you must be ready to clear out -at a moment's notice. Unluckily I have an -urgent call to London; am starting at once, but -hope to return soon. Keep your eye closely on -events: our consul will have the latest or all but -the latest news; and if affairs look serious, I shall -come to Erzerum, close down and bring away the -stock. We should be all right here for a time, at -any rate; and if the worst does happen it will be -easier to shape our course here than in your wilds. -Meanwhile hold on, and be circumspect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>P.S. Just as well to keep your eye on H. W.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frank replaced the letter in his pocket. -Here was food for thought indeed. He -knew that, so complicated were the relations -of the European Powers, the outbreak of -war between any two of them might easily -involve the others, and bring about that -vast and universal struggle which had often -been talked about, and as often dismissed -as improbable if not impossible. To a -rational person it seemed sheer madness -that Europe should be plunged into strife -over the affairs of one little Balkan nation: -was it possible that the prophets who had -foretold just such a cataclysm would prove -to be right after all? And what of Britain? -Frank had unbounded faith in the British -navy, but would Britain be able to limit -herself to the exercise of sea-power? Yet -how could she take an effective part in land -warfare with her small army?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pondering these questions, Frank arrived -at his house almost unawares. He was -roused from his reverie by the sight of -Wonckhaus standing at his door, smoking -a big pipe. The German smiled and seemed -to be about to address him; but apparently -he changed his mind. Frank paid no -attention to him, but passed into his own house -and sat down to his evening meal with a -preoccupied air.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="under-arrest"><span class="large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">UNDER ARREST</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During the next few days, the town -seethed with ever-increasing excitement. -It became known that Germany had -declared war on Russia and France, and the -sole topic of conversation among the -Europeans was, what would Britain do? Rumour -flew apace; authentic news was slow in -coming in by telegraph; but at last it was -officially announced that Britain was at -war with Germany, and almost immediately -afterwards that the British Grand Fleet had -been shattered in the North Sea. Frank, in -common with the few other Englishmen in -the town, scoffed at this; but the story -found many believers, and it was noticed -that Wonckhaus ran up a large German -flag on his roof-top. Frank paid frequent -visits to the British consul, who depended -for his information on the Turkish telegraph -officials, and there was reason to suspect -that a strict censorship had already been established.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As usually happens in Asiatic Turkey -when Europe is disturbed, there was growing -racial excitement among the natives. The -Armenians, a timid unstable people, -incapable of effective combination, talked of -revolution, and the lower-class Moslems of -the town assumed a menacing attitude -towards them. The Kurds in the country -districts, it was rumoured, had already -recommenced their attacks on the Armenians, -and Frank was gravely apprehensive of -massacres on a large scale. He instructed his -Armenian employees to keep within doors -as much as possible, and to avoid collisions -with the Moslems. His chief clerk, Joseph, -while sharing his fears, was not alarmed for -his own safety. His father, a man of -considerable business astuteness and organizing -power, was a contractor to the 9th Army -Corps, whose headquarters were at Erzerum, -and in good relations with the military -authorities. They hated him as an -Armenian, but found him useful, indeed -indispensable, as a business man, and when -business is concerned, religion counts little -with the Turk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Public feeling was stirred to its depths -when news came of the arrival of the </span><em class="italics">Goeben</em><span> -and the </span><em class="italics">Breslau</em><span> at the Bosporus. There -was at once manifested a great deal of -military activity. New levies flocked into -Erzerum, and there were movements of -troops along the whole Black Sea coast. -Large supplies were needed for them, and -the contractor was busily employed. Frank -found it hard to believe that Turkey would -be so short-sighted as to take the field against -the Allied Powers; but he noticed that -Wonckhaus, whose air of self-importance -was growing day by day, was frequently in -communication with the military governor, -and the announcement of German victories -became a daily occurrence. Joseph -reported that these victories were the talk of -the town, and it was openly declared that -the Germans would soon be in possession of -Paris, that rebellions had broken out in -India, Ireland, and South Africa, and that -the Sultan was on the point of recovering -Egypt, the British garrison having been -withdrawn to fight in the West. Frank met -black looks in the streets; trade was at a -standstill: and in the absence of -trustworthy news he began to fidget and to wish -that his father would return.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One day a man ran into the office with a -message for Joseph. A low-class mob had -risen against the Armenians in the quarter -in which his father's house was situated, and -when the messenger left the rabble were -battering on the contractor's door. Joseph -at once rushed out, followed by Frank, who -snatched up a revolver which he had made -a practice of carrying in the streets during -the past few weeks. There were unmistakable -signs of commotion in the town. The -Armenian shopkeepers were hurriedly -shutting their booths; some were barricading -their doors, others already speeding away -with their portable goods to seek safety -in remote quarters of the town or in the -country without.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Frank arrived on the scene of the -disturbance the mob had broken through -the gate into the courtyard, and were -battering at the door of the storeroom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stand aside there!" called Frank impulsively, -elbowing his way through the throng.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He set his back against the door, and -drawing his revolver threatened to shoot -any man who ventured to renew the attack. -The ruffians, who were armed only with -sticks and clubs, fell back, overawed by the -Englishman's authoritative voice and mien. -Two elderly zaptiehs were looking on from -the opposite side of the street. Without -much faith in these official defenders of -order Frank called on them to disperse the -mob, or he would report them to the -Governor. The policemen lifted their rifles -and moved sluggishly towards him, pressing -the mob aside without much energy. But -the display of authority, such as it was, had -the effect of thinning the mob. One man -tried to work them up to resist, but finding -himself left with a diminishing number of -adherents, and perceiving a half company of -regular troops marching up at the end of the -street, he slunk away and disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the moment the danger was past. -Frank returned home with Joseph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That man, the ringleader, was one of -Abdi's gang," said Joseph as they went -along. "I noticed him among them that -day in the hills."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll have him arrested. You know -where he lives?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not know. Ali will know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then find out from Ali, and I will see -the Governor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But within an hour or two Frank was -himself summoned to the Governor's palace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is with grief and surprise I learn," -said the Governor, "that you, a foreigner, -have taken it upon yourself to give orders -to my constables. What have you to say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seeing that the zaptiehs were looking -on unconcerned at a set of ruffians assaulting -the premises of your army contractor, -excellency, I think that perhaps a foreigner's -intervention may have done you a service."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank took a higher tone than he would -have adopted had he not still felt the sting -left by his previous interview with the -Governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is inexcusable," was the reply. "You -will henceforth keep to your own house. -If you are seen in the streets you will be -arrested. You English take too much upon -yourselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was too much surprised to expostulate, -even if there had seemed any use in so -doing. It was clear that his crime was the -being an Englishman. Filled with a new -anxiety as to the future, he left the palace, -to find that he was to be escorted home by -a file of infantrymen. On reaching the -house he sent Joseph at once to ask the -British consul to visit him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you had better remain quiet -for the present," said that gentleman when -the matter had been explained to him. -"You are technically in the wrong, though -the late governor would have thanked you -for what you did. Wonckhaus is in the -ascendant here. The authorities won't take -any serious steps against you at present. -Until that affair of yours with Wonckhaus -is decided you need have no anxiety. Your -course is certainly to lie low and refrain -from the least appearance of provocation. -You are expecting your father?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I am surprised that I haven't heard -from him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, everything is more or less -disorganized. Probably he will turn up -unexpectedly one day and take you away -with him. All indications point to the -entrance of Turkey into the war. She has -closed the Dardanelles--an ominous sign. -Wonckhaus put it about to-day that Paris -had fallen. I don't believe it, but the -authorities are absolutely hypnotized by -the Germans, and Enver Pasha, their tool, -seems to be having it all his own way at -Constantinople. I hope to get trustworthy -information through a courier shortly; I -don't believe what they dole out here. If -Turkey does enter the war, I shall have to -go, of course; and if your father hasn't -arrived by that time, you must come away -under my safe-conduct."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On leaving the house the consul perceived -that the Governor's order to Frank was to be -enforced: a sentry was already posted at -the gate. He returned for a final word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It means that you are practically a -prisoner," he said to Frank, "and it will -probably be inadvisable that I should be -seen coming here. But we can communicate -through Joseph. I will make a formal -report to our ambassador at Constantinople, -who may possibly make a peremptory -demand for your release, though while that -unfortunate affair with Wonckhaus is still -</span><em class="italics">sub judice</em><span> it may be difficult to move. But -there's no need to be uneasy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all very well," replied Frank, -"but my business is at an end, and the -sooner I can get away the better. I don't -think I ought even to wait for my father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must be as patient as you can. In -the present state of affairs you would never -get your stock across country safely. I'll -do all I can, and keep you informed through -Joseph how things are shaping."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="rigour"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">RIGOUR</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was now the beginning of September. -Frank had received no letters from Europe -for two or three weeks, nor the parcel of -London newspapers which he was accustomed -to get by the weekly mail. He -suspected that this had been confiscated by -the officials. All the news he heard was -that given out by the authorities, together -with that which was brought him by Joseph, -who was in a position to learn more than was -common property. His father, Isaac Kopri, -the contractor, included in his business -organization a private intelligence -department. He got important news as a rule -long before the general public, and often -before the officials themselves. The value -of his information of course depended on -its source, and his agents could only pass -on what was officially given out in the -towns where they were stationed, and the -unofficial rumours that passed from mouth -to mouth. Thus it happened that, even -five weeks after the outbreak of war, Frank -knew next to nothing of the actual course -of events, and, if he had believed what was -reported, would have been wretched because -Paris and Warsaw were in the hands of the -Germans, the British navy was annihilated, -all the British colonies in revolt, and London -at the mercy of the enemy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One day, happily, Joseph brought in, -hidden in the folds of his garments, a -number of London newspapers which had -come into the hands of his father. From -these Frank learnt that though Belgium was -occupied by the Germans, their offensive -had been checked in all quarters, and their -hope of an easy and a speedy triumph was -shattered. What most deeply interested -him, however, was the news that Lord -Kitchener was creating an immense new -army, the ranks of which were being rapidly -filled by volunteers from every class and -section of the people. This did but increase -his eagerness to get away from Erzerum. -He longed for the day to come when he -might hurry back to England and enlist -in what promised to be the first national -army that Britain had put into the field -since the far-gone days when every citizen -was a soldier as a matter of course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Day by day it grew clearer from Joseph's -reports that Germany would drag Turkey -into the war. Wonckhaus was constantly -at the Governor's house; the Governor's -aides-de-camp were frequent visitors to -Wonckhaus. The 9th Army Corps was -being brought up to full strength, and -German officers were drilling the recruits. -It was even announced that the Governor -himself would shortly be replaced by a -German officer of high rank. One morning -Joseph announced that Wonckhaus had -appeared in the uniform of a major in the -Turkish army; it had become known that -in his own country he had been a captain -of Landwehr. The ostensible merchant had -been all along, it was clear, an agent of the -German Government.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Weeks passed, irksomely, drearily. No -letter came from Mr. Forester. Frank was -never allowed to leave his house. Night -and day a sentry stood on guard. Frank -could take exercise only in his yard and on -his roof. He did his best to keep himself -in condition by means of gymnastic practice, -but he was becoming low-spirited and sick -of his life. Ideas of attempting escape -often came to him, but were always checked -by the thought of his stock, worth several -thousands of pounds, which he felt he could -not leave to be confiscated. To sell it was -impossible. In the present situation no -one would buy it; if any one were so rash -as to purchase, he would probably be making -a present of his money and the goods to the -Turkish officials.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank's fears in this regard were confirmed -by the news brought him one day by Joseph. -The </span><em class="italics">Goeben</em><span> and the </span><em class="italics">Breslau</em><span> had been -attacking Russian vessels in the Black Sea. -War was certain. A matter that affected -Frank more closely was a conversation which -Kopri had partially overheard between the -new German Governor and Wonckhaus. -Frank's name had been mentioned, in what -connection Kopri, being ignorant of German, -did not know. But he suggested that the -authorities were only awaiting a formal -declaration of war to seize the Foresters' -stock, among other English property. -Wonckhaus was well aware of its value, and -apart from its usefulness in assisting the -Turkish finances, Wonckhaus had a personal -grudge to pay off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This news set Frank in a ferment. Every -other consideration was now subordinated -in his mind to the question of saving his -stock. He was at his wits' end. He -consulted with Joseph, but Joseph seemed -unable to suggest any likely means. It was -only at the end of a long conversation that -the Armenian sprang a surprise upon him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In Erzerum, owing to the constantly -recurring troubles, the Armenians have various -hiding-places in which they secrete their -valuables and occasionally themselves. The -whereabouts of these spots is jealously -guarded, and it was only when Frank had -given up his problem in despair that Joseph -divulged a secret locked up in his breast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why on earth didn't you tell me this -before?" demanded Frank with some indignation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Joseph begged for forgiveness on the plea -that the secret belonged to his community, -and he had his father's permission to reveal -it only in the last resort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, send the servants out of the house -on some errand or other, and then show me -the place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The house was an old one, which had -played a part in the troubled history of the -city. When the servants had been disposed -of, Joseph took Frank to one of the lower -rooms. The back wall was apparently built -against the solid hillside; but a sliding panel, -cunningly disguised, gave access to a narrow -passage which bent abruptly to the left. -Groping his way through this for some -distance at Joseph's heels, Frank found -himself in a small chamber about eight feet -square. He sniffed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this smell of smoke?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a narrow pipe running into the -chimney next door," Joseph replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does Wonckhaus know of it?" asked -Frank instantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not at all likely. Karamin, who -owns this house, probably does not know -of it. If he does, he would not tell Wonckhaus. -I should not have told you but----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes; I understand. But this is -capital. We can bring here the most -valuable part of our stock; it won't do to bring -it all, for Wonckhaus would suspect a hiding-place -if he found all our things gone. Come, -let us do it at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Together they worked for an hour or two -in transporting the most valuable rugs, -including Mirza Aga's, to the secret chamber. -When this was done, and the panel replaced, -Frank felt exultingly confident that the -inevitable search would completely baffle the -enemy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had not long to wait for confirmation -of his faith. October dragged away; on -November 2 the streets were filled with -excited people, cheering the news that the -British and Russian ambassadors had left -Constantinople. In anticipation of the -outbreak of hostilities troops had been for some -days marching eastward and north-eastward -towards the Russian frontier and the Caucasus, -deluded by their German officers into the -belief that Russia had withdrawn the greater -part of her forces from Transcaucasia to -withstand the German onslaught on Poland, -and that they would have an easy task in -recovering the ground lost in the war of 1878.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the same day, a Turkish officer with a -file of men came to Frank's house. Leaving -the men at the door, he entered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I regret, effendim," he said to Frank -politely, "that I have orders to arrest you -and convey you to the citadel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For what reason, and on what charge?" -asked Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your country and mine are now at war, -effendim. As an alien of military age, you -cannot remain at large. Besides, there is -that matter of blocking the road. The -higher authorities at Stamboul have not -yet given their decision; but in the -meantime the Governor deems it necessary to -imprison you. I assure you of my personal -regret, and on the Governor's part that your -treatment shall be as mild as possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank did not then know what mildness -meant, as interpreted by German military -officers. The Turkish lieutenant's politeness -and apologetic manner prevented him from -feeling any personal resentment at the moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he was gathering a few things -together, Wonckhaus came in. The German -was so impatient to secure his booty, and -possibly to enjoy the spectacle of his victim's -humiliation, that he had not waited for -Frank's departure. Accompanied by one of -his clerks, he hastened to the storeroom, -and taking from his pocket a list of the -stock, obtained Frank knew not how, began -to call over the items.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You take an inventory for the purpose -of safeguarding my property and returning -it at the end of the war, I presume," said -Frank to the Turk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That I know nothing about," was the -answer. "The Governor will no doubt -do everything in order. Are you ready, -effendim?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In a minute or two, if you don't mind -waiting until Major Wonckhaus has -completed his task."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus's voice could be heard from -the storeroom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The rug of Shiraz, 16 by 12. Where is -that? Not here? And the Khorassan rug -of Mirza Aga. Not here? But it must be -here. It has not been sold. It has not -been removed. Pull down that big Ispahan -carpet; it may be under that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few minutes passed. Wonckhaus was -growing furious. He uttered a resounding -German curse.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, we must search the house," he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He returned to the room where Frank -stood, glared at him savagely, glanced around, -and assuring himself that the rugs on the -floor were of no great value, proceeded to a -systematic search of the premises. He -ransacked every room, and went so far as to -strip the roof of its turf. But nowhere -could he find the Khorassan rug of Mirza -Aga, or several other rugs representing some -tens of thousands of German marks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank, in spite of his situation, was amused. -Wonckhaus, he thought, could hardly show -his hand so completely as to demand -information about property which was in no -way his concern, and his rage and air of -bafflement when he returned to the lower -room was certainly comical to witness. -Frank's amusement would have been less if -he could have foreseen what the discrepancy -between the actual stock and the list was to -cost him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Plunder was Wonckhaus's object, and, to -Frank's surprise--he did not yet know -German shamelessness---Wonckhaus now made -no secret of it. He went to the office desk, -wrenched it open--"He might at least have -asked for the key," thought Frank--and -examined the stock book. He wheeled round.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The stock is short," he cried. "What -have you done with the goods?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank looked at him with a smile, but said -nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you hear?" shouted Wonckhaus, the -charm of manner which had won him a -certain popularity among the Europeans -dropping from him like a loosened garment. -"What have you done with the goods?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank turned to the Turkish officer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major Wonckhaus is curious about my -business," he said. "I have no information -to give."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus blustered. He roared at -Joseph, who had been standing silent in -the background.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You fellow, where are the rugs? What -have you done with them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am my master's servant," said Joseph -quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And your father's son!" cried the -German. "You will tell me instantly what -I want to know, or you will find yourself -laid by the heels, and the army will have -another contractor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus had lost his temper, or he -would have reflected that a change of -contractors at this critical moment was out of -the question. Joseph was shrewd enough -to perceive the emptiness of his threat, and -merely replied that he could say nothing -without his master's orders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment, while Wonckhaus was -glaring with baffled rage at Frank and his -faithful clerk, a non-commissioned officer -came in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A message from the Governor, effendim," -he said to the lieutenant. "The Englishman -is to be kept a prisoner in the upper -storey of this house, the lower storey will be -occupied by his guards."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Frank this was very agreeable news. -He had felt unhappy at the prospect of -being shut up in the common prison, or -even in the soldiers' prison at the citadel: -Turkish jails are unsavoury places. In his -own house he would at least be able to keep -clean. Moreover, he would then be able, in -a sense, to watch over his carpets. The -hiding-place could hardly be discovered -without his hearing of it, and there would -be a certain satisfaction in knowing that his -property was still safe, or, if it were found, -in learning definitely what had become of -it. He afterwards discovered that the change -of plan was due to the British consul, who -had learnt of the order for his arrest when -he applied for a passport for him, and had -obtained this indulgence from the Governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank noticed that Wonckhaus also -appeared to get some satisfaction from the -change. The German made no further -attempt to obtain the information he desired, -and left the house. Frank was taken -upstairs and locked in his own bedroom. -Joseph, however, was marched off by a couple -of the soldiers, and it was some few days -before Frank learnt what had become of him.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="temptation"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">TEMPTATION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frank felt that while things might have -been worse, they were quite bad enough. -The ostensible reason of his imprisonment -being that he was of military age, he -foresaw the possibility of his remaining a -prisoner until the end of the war--perhaps -a year, for while he had a great respect for -Germany's military power, he did not think -it likely that she could withstand the forces -of the Triple Entente for more than twelve -months.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first he had no great hardship to -endure. His own servants had been -dismissed, but he had been given as personal -attendant an old Arab named Hussein who -combined the natural courtesy of his race -with another Eastern characteristic--a keen -appetite for bakshish. Frank had been -allowed to keep his ready money, and was -thus able to purchase many comforts to -supplement the prisoner's fare supplied him. -Hussein, of course, made a handsome profit -out of every transaction in which he was -thus employed, and Frank soon saw the -necessity of self-restraint, for money would -not last for ever, and there was no chance -of obtaining more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hussein was talkative and intelligent, -always polite, and, Frank suspected, sly. -It was from him that Frank learnt, after a -few days, that Joseph had been released -from the common jail and had left the -town. The Turks were straining every nerve -to collect supplies for their campaign in the -Caucasus, and Joseph's father the contractor -was too useful a man to be alienated. -It was not long before Frank had proof of -Hussein's slyness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The days are getting colder, effendim," -he said one day. "There was snow in the night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very uncomfortable for the army," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True. Our winter is very long, very bitter. -It is not so in your country, effendim?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so bitter, perhaps, but quite as long -as we like it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! This country is not a healthy -place for Englishmen in the winter. Hundreds -of them have left Turkey, so it is told -me. Of a truth Turkey is not a healthy place -for them now! A pity you are not gone too, -effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I am certainly not here by my own wish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A wish is the father of an action, effendim. -You have but to wish, and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you driving at?" said Frank -as the Arab paused.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There was a man of Trebizond who being -falsely accused and unjustly cast into prison, -nevertheless after taking thought confessed -with tears that he was guilty of that crime; -whereupon the heart of his jailer was softened -and his hand was opened to receive the slight -gifts that were the tokens of the prisoner's -repentance, and within a little that man was -free, and able to sin again or to lead a -virtuous life as so pleased him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A parable, Hussein?" said Frank with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For the ears of the wise, effendim. -Wallahy! what are a man's goods in -comparison with his freedom?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which being interpreted means that you -will let me go in exchange for what you call -a few slight gifts?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Truly such gifts, here a little, there a -little, will unlock prison doors and unbar -city gates. But there is first one small -matter, and that is that you breathe in my -ear the nook where those few paltry rugs lie -hid. Wallahy! what are a few threads of -wool against the open road and the boundless sky?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oho, friend Hussein! I must contrive -a double debt to pay, is that it? The pipe -sings sweetly when the fowler is snaring a -bird, but this particular bird, I assure you, -is not to be snared. You will waste your -breath, Hussein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allah is great!" said the Arab, as he -made the salam and left the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few days passed. Frank noticed that -there was a slight deterioration in the quality -of his food. Then one morning he had a -visit from Wonckhaus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good-morning, Mr. Forester," said the -German pleasantly. "What an unfortunate -thing this is!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank made no answer. After a pause the -German went on:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have been rivals in business, and -now, through an unfortunate misunderstanding -between our Governments, we are -enemies. But the enmity is official, not -personal, I assure you. We have crossed -each other in business, but business men do -not quarrel. And there is one circumstance -that should make us friends. After all, you -and I are Europeans among Orientals; that -is a bond between us; and you will not -take amiss advice honestly given by one -European to another. You may not credit -it" (Frank didn't), "but up to the present -I have stood between the Turks and you. -But for me your life would not have been -worth a snap. Now I am about to leave the -city for the front. The Turkish army, led -by German officers, is about to deal a -smashing blow to the barbarous Russians in the -Caucasus, and to occupy Batum. Before -I leave, it would give me great pleasure to -see you in a safer position. It merely needs -the exercise of your capital English principle -of give-and-take. Why not disclose the -whereabouts of your useless stock? In -return, I would contrive that you should -be sent to Constantinople and ultimately -released."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank did not speak. His fingers were -drumming on the table, his eyes fixed on the -German's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I merely drop you a friendly hint," -Wonckhaus resumed. "Things are looking -very serious. The Turks are making a -beginning with the Armenians: when the -appetite for blood is whetted, they may -easily fail to discriminate between Armenians -and other enemies. You will not forget that -you are in a very remote place. Erzerum -is not Constantinople. Take a friend's -advice and get back to civilisation. I will act -as a go-between. If you will confide in me, -I will make your peace with the Turks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What guarantee do you offer?" asked -Frank, opening his lips at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My word; you will not require more; -the word of a German and an officer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But surely, Herr Wonckhaus, unless I -am mistaken your word has not hitherto -been accepted even by your allies the Turks. -Pardon me for asking what has happened to -give it value."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You insult me!" snapped the German.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Really I don't think so; I merely state -a fact. You offer me something of no value -as security for something of considerable -value. That is not a business proposition."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus, stung as much by Frank's -scornful tone as by his words, flushed darkly, -and took a step forward, laying his hand on -his sword.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You English swine!" he cried. "You -dare to insult me--me, an officer of the -Kaiser?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had sprung up, and seized the -handiest weapon available--a small three-legged -stool. Keeping the table between -himself and the German, he grasped the stool -by one leg, and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep your distance!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus, whether daunted by Frank's -threatening attitude or for some reason of -policy, stood still, glaring venomously. -Then he banged his half-drawn sword into -its scabbard, and swung round. At the -door he turned suddenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Before your English carcase is flung to -the dogs of Erzerum," he sputtered, "you -will have time to--to repent your insolence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He swung round again, slammed the door -behind him, ordered Hussein outside to lock -it, and clattered down the steps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank dropped the stool and sat down, -smiling at the feeble end of the German's -explosive sentence. But the smile soon -passed. His English spirit would not allow -him to be cowed by Wonckhaus's threat, -but remembering his isolated situation he -could not help feeling uneasy. It was well -for his peace of mind that he was not aware -of what German frightfulness had already -accomplished in Belgium.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not long before he began to feel -the effects of Wonckhaus's malice. The -cold weather had set in, and the Armenian -winter is excessively cold. His apartment -had been warmed by a nargal or charcoal -stove. This was not replenished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fire has gone out," he said to the -Arab, when he brought his dinner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fuel is very dear, effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have still some money; I will pay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It cannot be bought, effendim. It is -all required for the troops, who are slaying -tens of thousands of Russians in the bleak -mountains."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Buy me some blankets, then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That also is impossible, effendim. Our -brave soldiers need all the blankets in the -frosty heights. Why does not your nobility -send for those wasted rugs?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man's sly look made Frank itch to -thrash him. It was clear from his manner -that he was acting under instructions. -Frank noticed, too, that his food was being -reduced in quantity as well as poorer in -quality, and suspected that this was directly -due to Wonckhaus; the Turks as a rule do -not treat their prisoners inhumanely. More -than once he had thought of trying to escape, -and with his increasing hardships his mind -recurred to it again and again. To get out -of the building might not be very difficult; -Orientals are notoriously slack in guard; -the lock of his room might be forced, and the -soldiers in the rooms below evaded. But -then the real difficulties would begin. He -would be recognised in the streets as a -European; even before he could reach the -walls discovery and arrest were certain. -Escape was impossible without assistance -from outside, and he had no means of -communicating with friends, nor was it probable -that any European friends remained in the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tortured by cold and hunger, Frank spent -the most wretched month of his life during -December. Strong though he was in -constitution, he felt that he was growing weaker. -For a time he tried to keep himself in -condition by daily physical exercises; but -insufficient food and lack of fresh air--he was -allowed to mount to the roof for an hour a -day--gradually reduced his energy. There -was nothing to alleviate the tedium of his -imprisonment: no newspapers, no books, -nothing to occupy his mind. He was often -tempted to purchase his freedom by -surrendering his secret; but his native -resolution and the mental picture of Wonckhaus's -triumph kept him steadfast. And it was no -ordinary will that could have withstood day -after day Hussein's sly reminders of how -easy it would be to command all the comforts -he lacked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One day early in January he heard -unusual sounds on the staircase--a series of -heavy clumping blows slowly ascending -towards his room. The door opened, and -Wonckhaus hobbled in on a crutch, assisted -by an orderly, who stood in the doorway as -if on guard, motionless, with expressionless -face. The German looked pale and worn. -He was swathed in heavy furs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had not thought to revisit you so soon, -Mr. Forester," he said, "but a Russian bullet -has enforced me to return to the city for a -short time, and I felt bound to see how you -were faring."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was silent; he was, in fact, amazed -that Wonckhaus should have cared to show -his face again after what had passed at their -last interview. "The Germans must have -uncommonly tough hides," he thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there anything I can do for your -comfort?" Wonckhaus continued. "You -are not looking very well. I have some -influence, a very little, with the Turks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German's manner was so subdued, his -tone so courteous, that Frank wondered -whether after all he had misjudged him. -Perhaps he had been over hasty; perhaps -there was some decent feeling in the man, -which his own uncompromising attitude had -prevented from showing itself before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want warmth and good food," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not warm enough?" exclaimed Wonckhaus. -"Yet it does not appear cold. Indeed, -I am too warm." He unloosed his fur -coat. "And food, too; why, what do they -give you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank saw that the German was playing -with him. In a revulsion of feeling he -flushed hotly, and was about to give utterance -to his thoughts, but he restrained himself -with an effort and remained silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Call Hussein," said Wonckhaus to the -orderly, whom Frank had seen without -observing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Arab entered. The orderly followed -him, and stood in the background. Frank -just glanced at him, and was surprised to see -him raise a finger to his lips, then drop his -hand quickly and stand motionless as before, -looking, however, hard at Frank. Wonckhaus -and the Arab had turned towards each -other, or they might have noticed the slight -start and the enquiring glance into which -Frank had been surprised by the orderly's -movement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The effendi complains of his food," said -Wonckhaus. "What does he get?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While Hussein, with a look of sly -enjoyment, was retailing the list of the meagre -rations supplied, the orderly drew from -his tunic a watch, apparently of cheap -European or American make. He did not -look at it, but held it up, then glanced at -the window in the wall above his head on the -left. Wonckhaus, following Frank's eyes, -turned round. The orderly was affecting -to look at the time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You surprise me, Hussein," said the -German. "The diet is more than liberal. -How often during the past month should -I and my brave men have been grateful for -such rations! Ah! these luxurious English! -They have lived on the fat of the land. And -what is the result? They are degenerate; -they have fed the body and starved the -mind. They are learning their mistake. -That will do, Hussein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Arab left the room. The orderly -returned the watch to his pocket, holding it -significantly suspended by the chain for a -moment. Then he stared straight in front of -him, unintelligent, impassive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well now, Mr. Forester," said Wonckhaus, -"the lot of a prisoner can never be -quite comfortable, though it is preferable to -the hard lot of the fighting man. If you feel -discomfort, the remedy is in your own -hands. I need not repeat the explanations -which you received so churlishly at our last -meeting. I will give you another week for -reflection. At the end of that time--well, -we shall see!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-leap-in-the-dark"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A LEAP IN THE DARK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"What does it mean?" thought Frank, -once more alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German's orderly, it was clear, had -signalled to him. Who was the man? -What message had he intended to convey? -From whom was the message?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had at first hardly noticed the man. -Even when his attention was attracted, he -had observed the man's actions rather than -the man himself. He did not recognise -him. The man was young; he wore the -ordinary uniform of the Turkish soldier; -whether he was a pure Turk, or an Armenian, -or an Anatolian, or a member of any other -of the races that are represented in the -Turkish army, Frank could not tell. -Whoever he was, the one plain fact was that -he was a friend, and it was remarkable -enough that a friend should have appeared -in company with Wonckhaus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What did he mean by his stealthy -manoeuvres with the watch? Frank remembered -how the man had glanced from the watch to -the window. Did he suggest a connection -between them? Almost unconsciously Frank -took out his own watch and noted the time; -then he replaced it in his pocket, looking -absent-mindedly at the window. And then -an explanation flashed upon him. The -messenger, or his employer, knew English. -He knew it well enough to play upon words. -"Watch the window!" That must be the -message.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank got up and paced the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's somebody working for me -outside," he thought. "Very likely Joseph. -Though I never knew Joseph to make a -pun. Still, he does know a little English. -But why should I watch the window?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stood beneath it, and looked at the -small square frame, scarcely larger than a -ship's porthole. It might be just possible -to squeeze through it. Did his friend, -whoever he was, intend that he should escape -that way? Would he find a ladder placed -against the wall? Such an escape would -be possible only on some dark night, and -what was the good of watching the window -in the dark? Besides, with soldiers in the -lower rooms, was it possible to place a ladder -so silently as not to arouse their attention? -If it were possible, would not his movements -be seen at least by some prowling dog, whose -barks would give the alarm?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was puzzled. As he walked up and -down, his head was constantly turned -towards the window; it seemed as though he -dared not take his eyes from it for a moment, -lest in that moment he should miss the chance -of release. When night came, he threw -himself on his bed, and lay for hours -wakeful, gazing in the one direction. No light -was allowed him. He looked up at the stars -until they appeared to dance, and his eyes -ached with following their fantastic -movements. That night he scarcely slept. If -he found himself dozing, he would rouse -himself with a start, and stare again at that -spot in the wall which was only distinguishable -from the blank spaces about it by the -winking stars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next day it was the same. Worn and -nervous, whether he sat or walked, even -when Hussein brought him his meals, he -stared at the window. The Arab noticed -the fixity of his gaze, and told the soldiers -downstairs that the Ingliz would soon go out -of his mind. And indeed, when two days -and a night had passed, and nothing had -appeared at the blank pane, Frank himself -felt that suspense and the strain of watching -would drive him mad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the night of the second day, just after -dark, when Frank for the sake of warmth -was lying beneath the bedclothes, wakeful -and hopeless, he was suddenly startled by an -unusual sound--a slight tapping, like the -flapping of a blind-cord against glass. His -heart was thumping as he sprang out of -bed and ran to the window. It was too -dark to see anything, but there was -unmistakably an object of some kind lightly -striking the glass at irregular intervals. -Excited with expectation, he mounted on -the stool and reaching up for the fastening -of the casement, slowly and cautiously, to -avoid noise, he undid the rusty latch, and -drew the casement inwards. The blast of -inrushing air was bitterly cold. He thrust -out his hand, moving it from side to side, -but felt nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment he heard heavy footsteps -clumping up the stairs that led past his -room to the roof. He closed the window, -though the sound had not surprised him: -it was only the men going up to fetch the -sheep which were taken up every morning to -graze on the turf-covered roof, and brought -down every night. He heard the footsteps -coming down: then all was silent again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shivering with cold, Frank had remained -at the window. Would the signal be -repeated? It seemed hours before he again -heard the flapping. Once more he opened -the window, and now his groping fingers -touched a thin cord hanging from above. He -caught it and pulled it in eagerly. Presently -he grasped a stout rope attached to the cord. -He drew in a few feet of it, and then could -draw no more. The rope was taut. On the -roof some ten feet above some one held or -had fastened this rope for his deliverance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was clear that the next move was with -him. He was expected to emerge through -the window and climb up the rope to the -roof. The window was so high in the wall -that he could only reach it by standing on -the table. Swiftly he moved this to the -spot, wondering whether after all the window -was wide enough for his body. And when -he stood on the table, preparing to make the -attempt, he paused with a sudden dread. -Who were these people outside? Were they -indeed friends? Was it a trick on the part -of Wonckhaus, who had laid this trap for -him, so that he might have an excuse for -removing an insecure prisoner to the -common jail? But on second thoughts he -dismissed the suspicion. Wonckhaus had no -need of trickery if he wished to increase the -rigour of Frank's imprisonment. "I'll risk -it," he murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And now his difficulties began. Inside, -the window had only a narrow ledge; outside, -it was flush with the wall: there was no -sill. When once he had got through, there -was no possibility of returning; but to get -through--that was the problem. There was -no secure foothold after he left the table; the -window was too low for him to stand upright -on the ledge, or even to sit on it. He would -have to haul himself out by main strength.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He placed his chair on the table, and -standing on that, found that his head was -now higher than the top of the window. -Then he stooped, put his head out, braced -himself for the effort, and taking a grip on -the rope as high above his head as he could, -he lifted his feet and threw his whole weight -on it. For a moment it yielded slightly, but -then became taut again. Then he got his -knees on the ledge, rested a few seconds, -grasped the rope a little higher, and managed -to drag his legs out so that he swung clear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this critical moment his energy was -almost paralysed by the fear of falling. -The roof was only ten or twelve feet above -him, and a few months before he would have -made light of swarming up a rope of double -that length. It was only now, when he -was committed to the enterprise beyond -recall, that he realised how his strength -had been reduced by privation and want of -exercise. But exerting his will to the -utmost, he began to haul himself up hand over -hand. Bits of earth struck him, and thudded -on the ground below. The fear that the -sound would bring the soldiers out made -him try to climb faster; but finding his -strength failing, he twisted his leg round the -rope and steadied himself for a further effort. -More material fell from above, and struck -the ground with a heavier thud. Sounds -from the lower floor warned him that the -men's attention had been aroused, and he -climbed on, ascending by slow and painful -inches. In spite of himself he was forced -to rest again, but the support his legs gained -from the rope was not sufficient to relieve -the strain on his arms, and he had almost -given himself up for lost when he felt the -rope being slowly drawn up. Too weak to -climb further, he could only grip the rope -and ascend passively, bumping against the -wall and scoring his knuckles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Below him there were voices, of which he -was hardly conscious, so intense was the -strain. Then there was a flash upward from -an electric torch, and a shout. He felt that -his grip was loosening; he was at the point -of despair when his wrist was grasped from -above. The touch braced him for a final -effort; his other wrist was gripped, and -next moment he was dragged by main force -over the low parapet on to the roof, just as -a shot rang out.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 88%" id="figure-57"> -<span id="at-the-point-of-despair"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="AT THE POINT OF DESPAIR" src="images/img-094.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">AT THE POINT OF DESPAIR</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half fainting, he was hauled to his feet, -and half carried, half dragged across the -turf towards the hillside sloping behind. -Up this his rescuers stumbled with him until -they reached a narrow track beyond -Wonckhaus's house. They heard shouts on the -roof they had just left, from the ground -below, dogs barking, sounds of growing -commotion. The darkness concealed them; -their flight was favoured by the clamour. -On and on they stumbled, the two rescuers -finding their way like cats in the darkness. -The shouts became fainter. They moderated -their pace, and in a few minutes came -to an open doorway. Into this they dived. -The door closed silently behind them, and -Frank sank in the swoon of exhaustion.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-rehearsal"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A REHEARSAL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was two days later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the slope of the hill, not a stone's -throw from the house where Hermann -Wonckhaus was nursing his wounded leg -and meditating on carpets, was a modest -dwelling, huddled among more pretentious -buildings, and so inconspicuous that a passer -would hardly have thought it worth while -to wonder who lived there. At the rear of -this house, hollowed out of the hillside, was -a small dark chamber with neither door nor -window. Any person who might have been -brought there in a state of unconsciousness -would have supposed, on waking, that he -was sealed up within four walls from which -he could not escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this particular day three men were in -the room, one elderly, the others young. -A small oil lamp placed on a wall bracket -gave a dim light, and the air was oppressive -with staleness and the flavour of smoke. -It was not a place where one would have -desired to remain long, but its three -occupants had chosen it as the scene of a -somewhat important rehearsal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The elderly man was Isaac Kopri, the -astute and capable Armenian contractor to -the Turkish army in Erzerum. One of the -youths was his son Joseph. The second -was to all appearance one of those humble -Armenians who are employed in driving -caravan horses from the Persian frontier to -Erzerum and thence to the Black Sea port of -Trebizond. He stood at one end of the room, -facing his companions at the wall opposite.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Kopri stepped forward, and, speaking in -Turkish, asked sharply:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am your servant, effendim," replied -the young man, "Reuben Donessa, the -son of Aaron of the Five Wells."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where do you come from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From Bashkala, effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How old are you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Truly I know not, effendim, but my -years may be nineteen or twenty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why are you not in the army?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because it is the will of Allah and the -noble governor that I should be dispensed -from the war service of the Illustrious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is your paper?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Behold it, effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took from the breast of his shaggy -tunic a dirty crumpled paper, which Kopri -took and read aloud. It set forth the style -and titles of the Sultan, then those of his -deputy the governor of Erzerum, and finally -declared: "Certifies that the bearer, Reuben -Donessa, is employed in the service of Isaac -Kopri, contractor to the army of the -Commander of the Faithful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Isaac Kopri should employ older men, -but your paper is in order. You may go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peace be with you, effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very good, very good," said Kopri, -handing back the paper. "But you must -pitch your voice a little higher. Joseph, say -'I am your humble servant, effendim.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Joseph repeated the words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the tone, mark you," said his -father. "Now we will go through it again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dialogue was repeated, the driver, -who seemed somewhat amused at the gravity -of the others, imitating Joseph's reedy -intonation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is better," said Kopri at its -conclusion. "But remember, effendim, tone -and accent are not everything. You must -bow, and stand humbly, and cast down your -eyes, not look forthright into the eyes of -your questioner when you answer him. We -Armenians have been oppressed for five -hundred years. We move meekly on the -face of the earth. You Englishmen bear -yourselves differently. You walk and stand -as if you were the lords of the world. If -you would pass for an Armenian you must -remember that in the eyes of the Turk you -are less than the smallest grain of dust. -Keep that in mind, and all will be well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank smiled as he made a humble salam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How will that do?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very good, very good--with a little more -crook in the knees. And now I will explain -my plan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had been rescued by Joseph with -the help of Ali, the faithful Kurd, and -brought to this secret chamber in the -obscure house, from which it was entered -by a passage beneath the floor. His escape -had raised a commotion in the town. Search -had been made for him in all directions until -Kopri started a rumour that he had bribed -Kurds to pass him through Kurdistan into -Persia. Wonckhaus was furious, and had -promised a high reward to any one who -captured the fugitive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Joseph was released, in the early -days of Frank's imprisonment, his father -thought it politic that he should leave the -town, and had taken him away on one of -his business journeys into the country. -Then, fearing that the Armenians were -about to suffer in one of the wholesale -massacres which break forth in times of -disturbance, Kopri had sent all his family -to Constantinople, where they would be for -a time, at least, safer than in Erzerum, and -whence they might in case of need slip -across the frontier into Bulgaria or Greece. -He himself had the protection of the military -authorities, but this might fail him at any -moment; indeed, he had already been forced -to part with some of his profits in the way -of war contributions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having thus disposed of his family, Kopri -was now intending to join them. The -Turkish army in the Caucasus was hard -pressed by the Russians, and in great need -of supplies. With the ostensible purpose of -fetching provisions, Kopri was arranging to -take a large number of mules to Trebizond, -to await his return from Constantinople. -Most of the mules were already on the road. -He would follow at the tail end of the -caravan, which was in charge of a few -specially trusty men, and his plan was that -Frank and Joseph should slip out of the -city by night, and join him at Ilija, a village -at the foot of the hills to the west.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Kopri was well aware of the risks he was -running in assisting the Englishman's escape. -But Mr. Forester was an old friend of -his, and learning in Constantinople that the -merchant, on his return there, had been -greatly distressed at being unable to -communicate with his son, he had willingly -yielded to Joseph's entreaty that they should -attempt to rescue Frank. He remembered -also how Frank had run risks in defending -his house from the mob. Mr. Forester had -of course left Constantinople with other -British residents at the outbreak of war, -but he had left word that he should not -travel farther than Malta, where he would -remain until he had news of Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The arrangements having been thoroughly -discussed, Kopri left the house, where his -son was to stay with Frank until nightfall. -As soon as it was dark, the two slipped out, -and crossing roofs, threading alley ways, -stealing over gardens, they came at length -to the ramparts of the city. The old walls, -defended by sixty-two towers, had long been -demolished and replaced by mounds of earth -with ditches. Guns were mounted at -intervals, and the four gates were closely -guarded by sentinels; but between them -there were many spots where discreet persons -might scale the ramparts, and at one of -these an Armenian servant of Kopri's was -awaiting the fugitives, with a rope by which -to let them down on the outer side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had taken the precaution to wear -white garments, so that dark figures should -not show against the snow that covered the -ground. Safely over the ramparts, they -hurried by a roundabout route across the -snow-clad plain, and near midnight arrived -at Ilija, where they found Kopri in a small -inn with five muleteers. Here they rested -for the night. Next morning they started -as soon as it was light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Few would have recognised Frank in the -rough garb of a muleteer. Nor was he so -pale as might have been expected after -months of confinement and privation. Joseph -had utilised the two days of hiding to effect -a transformation in his master's complexion. -He had lightly stained his face, hair, arms, -and the upper part of his body. There -must be no tell-tale patches to rouse -suspicion. And with his dark skin and rough -dirty clothes Frank bore little likeness to -the well-dressed fair Englishman for whom -Wonckhaus's emissaries had sought high and low.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For ten days the caravan marched over -plain and hill, on a road on which the snow -had been beaten down and hardened by the -passage of many travellers. The mules were -laden with articles of merchandise for -Constantinople, including a number of carpets -in rough bundles. Frank was in charge of -one of these bundles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Scarcely anything broke the slow monotony -of the journey. Here they would meet -a line of bullock-carts, groaning and creaking -under loads of uniforms and equipment for -the Caucasian army. Then would come a -long string of shaggy Bactrian camels, -padding noiselessly along with their drivers in -sheepskin caps marching at the side. Once -they met a family of turbaned Moslems on -horseback, sitting astride their overhanging -mattresses, from which hung a jangling -cluster of cooking-pots. Sturdy Armenian -peasants on foot, Kurdish horsemen, a -regiment of infantry for whose passage the mules -had to leave the beaten road for the soft -snow at the sides, formed part of the traffic -which the caravan encountered from time -to time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The journey imposed a considerable strain -on Frank, weakened by his imprisonment. -But he had a good constitution, and it was -gradually re-established by the keen air, and -the plentiful food which was obtained at the -khans en route. And when, on the afternoon -of the tenth day after leaving Erzerum, -the caravan defiled into the streets of -Trebizond, he was conscious of having -recovered something of his old vigour, and -refreshed by the sight of the sea on whose -waters he would soon be borne to -Constantinople. But, not having the gift of -second sight, he was far from imagining the -strange and perilous adventures into which -he was shortly to be plunged.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-british-shell"><span class="large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A BRITISH SHELL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The caravan jostled its way through the -crowded streets of Trebizond towards the -landing-place. The port was in a state of -exceeding liveliness. Ships were loading and -unloading in the harbour; caravans were -starting for the interior; and throngs of -people of various nationalities made -kaleidoscopic patterns as they moved about in -dresses of every hue, the Persians conspicuous -by their high black caps and long green -robes reaching to the ankles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Kopri's mule train was directed towards a -small coasting steamer, lying alongside the -quay, in which the contractor was a part -owner. She had arrived the previous day -with arms and ammunition from Constantinople, -and was to leave again that night on -her return voyage, which would be -interrupted only by a call at Sinope to take -in coal. Large crates of her recently -unshipped cargo lay on the quay, awaiting -transport, and though most of them were -covered with tarpaulins, Frank noticed that -many bore German marks. Having given -orders for the stowment of his cargo, Kopri -went to an inn overlooking the bay to pick -up what news was bruited. He left Joseph -in charge, and recommended that Frank -should go on board, ostensibly as shipping -clerk, so as to be out of harm's way. The -perishable merchandise was quickly stowed -away below; the bales of carpets strewed the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the contractor returned some hours -later, he said that Trebizond was greatly -excited by a report that British and French -warships had begun to bombard the forts -at the entrance of the Dardanelles. It was -said, too, that Russian torpedo boats had -been seen outside the harbour, and the -harbour-master had refused to allow the -vessel to leave that night. Frank wondered -whether he had escaped from the hands of -Turkish officers only to fall a victim to a -Russian gun. He remained on board all -night, looking forward with more interest -than uneasiness to what next day might bring forth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Early in the morning the skipper was -about to cast off when a messenger came up -from the military authorities ordering the -vessel to await the arrival of an important -passenger. Kopri was irked by the delay, -and had worked himself up into a state of -nervous agitation when, after the lapse of -nearly two hours, the passenger arrived. -And then his nervousness almost betrayed -him: the passenger was Hermann Wonckhaus. -He had discarded his crutch, but -walked stiffly over the gangway, and at -once demanded that the captain's cabin -should be given him. Frank was standing -by the forecastle when the German came -on board, and he instantly turned his back -on him. He felt that his disguise was not -so complete as that Wonckhaus would not -recognise him, and wished that he had aged -his appearance by the addition of a beard. -When the steamer put out to sea, he was -careful to keep out of the German's sight, -which was the less difficult because they -were naturally in different parts of the -vessel, and under the brisk north wind the -sea was sufficiently choppy to keep -Wonckhaus in his cabin, prostrate with sickness. -He did not reappear until they had left -Sinope with their cargo of coal, and then -he urged the skipper to hug the shore as -closely as possible and to make all speed -for Constantinople: seasickness and the dread -of a Russian attack had made him nervous. -The breeze had moderated, and Frank -from a safe coign of vantage watched -Wonckhaus pacing the deck in conversation -with Kopri. Presently the German -sat down to rest on one of the bales of -carpet, and Frank's heart leapt to his mouth: -the bale thus unwittingly chosen for a seat -was Mirza Aga's rug. Kopri moved away -to speak to the skipper, and Wonckhaus, -left alone, began by force of commercial -habit to peer at the bales by which he was -surrounded. He lifted the covering of one -at his right hand, and was stooping to -examine the one on which he was sitting, -when Joseph, hovering near, suddenly gave -a shout and pointed excitedly seaward. -Wonckhaus sprang up and went to the side, -with the skipper, Kopri, and some of the crew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A dark speck on the skyline," cried -Joseph, with outstretched finger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The group peered anxiously across the -watery expanse; the skipper raised his -telescope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where? Where?" cried Wonckhaus, -hastily unstrapping his field-glasses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Joseph only pointed. Nothing could be -seen. They continued to gaze for some -minutes, and then the skipper declared that -Joseph must have been mistaken. The false -alarm had effectually diverted Wonckhaus's -attention from the carpets. He remained -at the side, sweeping the horizon every now -and then with his glasses, and he even ordered -his meals to be brought him on deck, lest if -he went below the dreaded warships should -heave in sight. Joseph's quick wit had once -more served his master well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a sunny afternoon when the vessel -steamed between the well-wooded shores of -the entrance to the Bosporus. To Frank the -scene was too familiar to hold any fresh -charm; but his interest was quickened when -he noticed the long low shapes of the </span><em class="italics">Goeben</em><span> -and the </span><em class="italics">Breslau</em><span> at anchor in the strait. -There were signs of repairing work -proceeding on the former. Wonckhaus, who -had now recovered his courage, talked to -Kopri about the vessels with swelling pride, -while Joseph superintended the rolling of -the carpets to the side in preparation for -unloading. Frank was not quite easy in -mind until Wonckhaus had crossed the -gangway and disappeared among the crowd on -the quay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cargo was unloaded, Kopri undertaking -to convey the precious carpet to a -place of security. Frank remained on board -until the contractor should return with -information that might guide his future -course. That information was not -reassuring. The British residents who had not -been able to get away from Constantinople -in November were more or less under -arrest. For the present Frank must remain -an Armenian. And since Kopri had been -ordered, instead of returning to Trebizond, -to take on some heavy crates and proceed -at once to Panderma and Gallipoli, it seemed -better that he should remain on the vessel -until she reached the latter place, and then -seek an opportunity of getting into Greece -or Bulgaria.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The new cargo was brought on board -without delay. It consisted of heavy cases, -which Kopri surmised to contain ammunition, -and quantities of food stuffs for -Gallipoli, whither troops were being despatched -in all haste both by land and sea. Several -German and Turkish officers came aboard -when the cargo had been stowed, and Frank -was annoyed and somewhat alarmed to see -that Wonckhaus was among them. It was -irksome to him to be continually on the -watch, dodging the German.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The vessel ran down the Sea of Marmora -to Panderma, the terminus of the Smyrna -railway, where some of the officers -disembarked with the heavy cases. Frank was -on deck when these were swung out of the -hold. As one of them was in mid-air the -tackle broke, and the case fell heavily on -to the quay, striking its edge. In spite of -the iron bands that held it together it broke -open, and one of the Turkish officers ordered -Frank among others standing by to run over -and try to put it together. The break -disclosed the top of the periscope of a -submarine. Frank had time to notice the label -of the case: it was addressed "Adramyti." But -he saw no more, for a German captain -rushed up in a rage, drove off the crowd -that was gathering, peremptorily ordered -the crew to return to the ship, and hurled -volleys of abuse at the men in charge of -the crane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The vessel cast off the same evening and -arrived at Gallipoli soon after dawn. It -had hardly come to its moorings when the -air vibrated with a heavy boom. A big -gun had started work far away. Every -half-minute, as it seemed, during the unloading -of the vessel, the booming sound was -repeated, and Frank thrilled with excitement -at the bombardment neither the source -nor the effects of which he was able to see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the cargo had been removed, he -went on shore with Joseph, and wandered -about the beach, discussing the past and -the future. It was now noon, the sun was -bright, and Frank was debating whether to -go for a swim in spite of the cold breeze when -a slight buzzing in the air caused him to -look up. For some minutes he saw nothing -in the cloudless sky, though the sound -increased; but presently he caught sight -of a speck far aloft, moving in a line that -would soon bring it straight overhead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It enlarged, soaring on like some strange bird.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One of our aeroplanes," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where shall we run?" asked Joseph, alarmed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better not run at all. It may -be only scouting, not out for dropping bombs: -and if it does drop a bomb, it will be on -the wharves. We are safer here on the -open beach."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he might aim at the wharves and -hit us," Joseph protested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think better of our men," replied -Frank with a smile; "but to please you, -we'll get away into that pocket in the cliffs -yonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They hastened across the beach to the -left. At the same moment the aeroplane -slightly changed its course and seemed to -be following them. Joseph in a panic darted -to the right. Frank stood still, watching -the droning machine with a curious interest -devoid of fear. It passed overhead, at the -rate of an express train. Joseph was moving -back slowly when a long wail came down -the sky. Next moment there was a crash. -Joseph flung himself face downward on the -sand. Frank had jumped a little, but his -gaze had passed downward from the -aeroplane to the wharf. A huge column of -smoke, dust, splinters of wood had risen just -at the end of the landing-place. Men were -running about in all directions, horses and -mules were galloping, maddened oxen were -lumbering away with heavy-laden wagons; -and the humming bird soared on serenely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the agitation was stilled and order -restored, Kopri beckoned up the two young men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have now a little leisure, effendim," -he said to Frank. "I propose to take you -to the house of a good friend of mine, on -the cliff yonder overlooking the plain. He -is a man of my race, and with him you may -dwell in safety until such time as your -future course is made clear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He led the way up through the pleasant -little town. The streets were thronged with -Turkish soldiers in ill-fitting uniforms. The -town was the base of the army operating -farther down the peninsula, and accommodated -the headquarters staff. Among the -numerous officers Frank noticed several -Germans. From the heights he had a -good view of the bay, in which lay a dozen -transports, while caiques, with cases of -ammunition bulging over their high sides, -were passing to and fro between the European -and the Asiatic shores.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Kopri halted at a little house at almost -the highest point of the town. On being -admitted, he was met by a patriarchal -Armenian named Benidin, a merchant of -standing, to whom he introduced Frank -under his own name. The old man was -greatly perturbed on learning that his visitor -was an Englishman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My friend," he said to Kopri, "it is -not well, that which you have done. The -town is not safe, even for me. Already I -have sent my family away; at any moment -I may have to flee for my life, and if it is -discovered that an Englishman lodges with -me, my days are numbered. The town -swarms with spies. Every man is spying -on his neighbour. It will be far better for -your friend, and for me also, if he returns -in your vessel to Constantinople, and makes -his way thence to the Bulgarian frontier."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man's distress was so patent that -Frank at once assented to his suggestion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not fair to involve you in my -troubles," he said. "I will leave at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be two or three days before I -can take you back," said Kopri. "I am -ordered to go on to Chanak with ammunition -for the forts. Benidin will perhaps give -you shelter until I return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will do so much for you, Kopri, in the -name of our old friendship," said the -merchant after some hesitation. "If the English -gentleman will remain strictly within doors, -he shall be my honoured guest. That must -be the firm condition. And I pray that -your return be speedy, Kopri, for I know -not that I shall be safe even for two days. -There came yesterday from Stamboul a -large reinforcement of Kurds, who being -hillmen will be useful to the army in the -heights. You know them, my friend. At -any moment the blood passion may burst -forth; they may begin to hunt for men of -our unhappy race. Then I must flee, and -I dare not take the Englishman with me. -He will be left to his own devices."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I go to-night," said Kopri, "and in -two days I will return. It is but a little -while, and the Germans here will keep the -Kurds in order."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alas! I have no great confidence in -them," said Benidin. "Their emperor has -never stayed the massacres of our people, -and though his officers are stern with the -Turks for their own ends, they will, I fear, -show no sympathy for us. Then have I -the Englishman's promise?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Much against the grain, yet unable to -contest the wisdom of the old man's -condition, Frank gave his word not to leave -the house until Joseph returned to take him -on board. Kopri and his son remained with -Benidin until the evening, then went down -to the harbour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next day Frank mooned about, finding -nothing to occupy him, restive under this -new confinement, and uncomfortable -because of his host's nervousness. The old -man started at every sound, and twisted -his hands in panic fright if Frank approached -the window. There were sounds of great -activity in the bay--the snorting of tugs, -the clang of donkey engines, and the rattle -of chains, reverberated in a hundred echoes -from the hills. Frank longed to see what -was going on; but there was nothing for it -but to be patient; after all, another day -would see his release.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the following morning, just after the -weird notes of a Turkish trumpet had -announced the dawn, there came the rumble -of distant guns, which continued like a -remote prolonged thunderstorm for some -hours. In the afternoon, when Frank was -sitting with Benidin in an upper room, they -were startled by a tremendous boom close -at hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A shell from a big gun," cried Frank, -springing up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep away from the window," the -Armenian pleaded. "I do not fear your -English shells as much as I fear the Turks. -I will go out and see what is happening."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was left to himself. He wondered -whether an aeroplane had dropped another -bomb on the harbour. The fact was that -the British fleet had begun to bombard the -town by indirect fire from the Gulf of Saros. -When Benidin descended into the town, he -found the people fleeing in all directions. -Many were hurrying to the caves which cut -into the cliffs. The largest of these had -already been appropriated by the -headquarters staff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few minutes after Benidin had left the -house, a second bang shook the place, -shattering the glass. Frank's heart beat fast -as he looked out of the window: there was -no danger at this moment that any one -would notice him. Towards the harbour -he saw a geyser of black smoke spreading -its top in the air. Then he was conscious -of a rushing humming sound coming -towards him. He looked up with curiosity. -Nothing could be seen. Suddenly there was -a tremendous crash on the roof of the house. -The place collapsed like a house of cards, -and Frank, in the first conscious second of -his fall, heard an ear-splitting explosion, -accompanied by a blinding flash, and felt -sharp blows upon every part of his body. -Then he knew no more.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="danger"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">DANGER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The return to consciousness was a painful -experience. Frank's head ached violently; -his nostrils stung with dust and smoke and -foul gas; his ears rang with strange noises; -every part of him seemed bruised. For -some time he lay simply bewildered, trying -to recall how he came to be on the floor, -half smothered with dust and fragments of -wood and stone. Two splintered beams lay -criss-cross just above him: if they had not -fallen one upon the other they must -certainly have crushed the life out of him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A loud bang which set the place quivering -and the dust dancing about him recalled -the explosion he had heard at the moment -of falling. He stirred, shook off the litter -half burying him, and stretched his limbs. -To his joy they were sound. He took out -his handkerchief and wiped the dirt from -his face. It was streaked with blood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked around him. The house was -a mere mass of wreckage. Fragments of -furniture were embedded in extraordinary -positions among heaps of stone. The roof -was gone, the walls had fallen in and out, -forming a rampart in which here and there -were chinks through which light came. He -was on the level of the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shaken, bruised, half-deafened, he lay -staring up at the open sky. What was to -be done? The bombardment had apparently -ceased. He looked at his watch: it -had stopped. Where was Benidin? Was -the promise to stay in the house any longer -binding? But he felt disinclined to move: -the shock had left him listless and devoid -of energy. It would be no good adventuring -until he had recovered something of his -strength.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently he heard the hum of voices -outside. People were apparently moving -about now that the havoc-working shells -had ceased to fall. He distinguished a -question, evidently from a stranger to the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whose house is this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Benidin's."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A dog of an Armenian?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he inside?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who knows? If he is buried in the -ruins, so much the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A rich man? All these Armenian dogs -are rich. Let us see what we can find."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank heard scuffling footsteps approaching, -and was tempted to call for help. But -the recollection that he was dressed as an -Armenian checked the impulse. The men -outside began to poke at the rubbish; they -would discover him; he must try to evade -them. At this moment there was another -roar and crash close by, and the group of -would-be looters scattered with shrill cries. -Frank once more wiped from his face the -dust which the concussion had showered -upon him. A slight movement of one of -the cross-beams hinted that his position was -still dangerous. They protected him, -indeed, from falling rubbish; but another -shell, even if it spared the house, might -disturb them, and cause them to settle -down and crush him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must get out of this," he thought. -"It must be getting on towards evening, -and Kopri will be back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wriggling out of his narrow prison, he -climbed up one of the slanting beams, -wrenched away some shattered woodwork, -and scrambled over the jagged heaps of -masonry until he reached a gap in the -ruins overlooking the street. Through this -he clambered, and stood amid the wreckage -outside. The neighbourhood was deserted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bombardment had now apparently -ceased, though guns could still be heard -intermittently from the south. The -inhabitants were beginning to reappear. Dusk -was falling. Far down the hill Frank saw -troops engaged in extinguishing a fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was at a loss what to do. There was -no sign of Benidin. His neighbours would -soon be returning to their houses, and then -Frank must be discovered. Yet discovery -was equally certain if he made his way to -the harbour, and in spite of the rehearsal -in Erzerum, he felt in no condition to parry -successfully the questions of some inquisitive -officer who would certainly intercept him -before he reached the quay. On the whole -it seemed better to hang about the ruins -until Benidin returned. If he did not return, -Kopri would come as soon as his vessel was -moored.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank went round to the rear of the house, -where he was least likely to be seen and -questioned by the returning owners of the -adjacent dwellings. As he contemplated -the ruins, he marvelled at his good fortune -in escaping so lightly. No one who knew -that a human being was in the house at -the time of the explosion would suppose -that he had not met his death or at least -suffered hideous mutilation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he was standing thus, a figure came -round the corner of the ruins. Though it -was growing dark, Frank recognised the -uniform of a Kurdish officer. His first -impulse was to slip away and avoid a -meeting; but he realised instantly that any -sudden movement of departure might seem -suspicious. Keeping his back to the -newcomer, he continued to examine the wreckage, -at the same time edging slowly away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Kurd stopped, and appeared to be -interested in the scene. He came up to Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whose house was this?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The house of one Benidin, a merchant -of the town," Frank replied, humbly, in the -reedy falsetto learnt from Joseph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was he within when the shell fell?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are his servant?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, but a humble visitor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then make haste and search that -rubbish heap. Before the merchant returns, -it may be that you will find for me some few -precious things. Make haste, I say, before -it grows too dark."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank could not refuse compliance. The -Kurd was bristling with weapons, which he -would not hesitate for a moment to use on -a supposed Armenian. But Frank, while he -stooped and made a show of turning over -the rubbish, was determined not to find -anything of value. His object must be to -waste time in the hope of darkness putting -an end to the search.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Kurd walked up and down, a few -paces in each direction, watching alternately -Frank and the vicinity. Every now and -then he halted for a few seconds within a -few feet of Frank, who pretended to be -diligently sorting over the confused heaps -in the light of the sunset glow. The -prolongation of one of these pauses made Frank -uncomfortable. The Kurd, to whom his -back had been turned, had moved to a spot -where he could see his side face, and Frank -was uneasily conscious of being watched -with peculiar intentness. He was relieved -when the officer moved away again, but -next moment was filled with anxiety when -he noticed that the Kurd was edging round -so as to look at him from the front.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi! You find nothing? Try in this -place," said the Kurd.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank went forward, stooping, and -keeping his head downbent. He was pulling -aside a broken piece of furniture when, with -a suddenness that startled him, the officer -demanded:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am Reuben Donessa, son of Aaron -Donessa of the Five Wells, effendim," he -said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sentence came from his lips pat -enough, but there was a strange variation -of tone between the first words and the -last. In the first moment of surprise, Frank -had spoken in his natural voice; but -instantly remembering Kopri's instruction, he -raised its pitch to a passable imitation of -Joseph's voice, hoping that the Kurd had -not perceived the change.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi! And what is your town?" the -Kurd asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bashkala, effendim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mashallah! This is a marvel, surely. -Are there Five Wells in Bashkala, and does -one Aaron Donessa dwell there? Stand -upright, dog, so that I may behold you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank realised that the game was up. -For the first time he looked straight at the -Kurd's face, and recognised with a shock -that he was Mirza Aga's nephew, Abdi the -Liar, whom he had met on that one occasion -in the journey over the hills. It was clear -that Abdi had penetrated his disguise. -There was a look of malicious glee on the -man's face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mashallah! I have found you, dog of -an Englishman," cried the Kurd.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His hand was moving towards one of the -pistols in his belt. Frank had only the -fraction of a second in which to take action. He -shot out his right fist, struck the Kurd on -the point of the jaw, and hurled him -backward into the ruins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Abdi regained his senses it was -dark, and the so-called Reuben Donessa -had disappeared. And a revolver was -missing from Abdi's belt.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-hills"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE HILLS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the hills of Gallipoli, between Uzundere -and Biyuk Anafarta near the Salt Lake, a -platoon of Kurdish troops had just joined -a half-company of Anatolians. They were -taking their midday meal on a level stretch -of turf some seven hundred feet above -sea-level. It was the only clear space of -considerable size in a wilderness of scrub. Below -them ran the rough track from Biyuk -Anafarta to Boghali. The hill of Sari Bair, -nearly three hundred feet above them, -blocked the direct view to the nearest part -of the sea; but north and south of that -eminence the blue waters were clearly -visible. The horizon was dotted with dark -shapes, no doubt warships and transports -of the Allied fleet. To the south, over the -lower hills between them and Boghali, they -looked down upon the Narrows, with Kilid -Bahr on the European shore and Chanak -on the Asiatic. To the north-east stretched -the Dardanelles above the Narrows, and -here too vessels, but Turkish, were passing -up and down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It would have been apparent to the most -casual observer that the arrival of the Kurds -was not welcome to their Anatolian -brethren-in-arms. The Kurd has a habit of assuming -a swaggering air of superiority. The -Anatolians were in charge of a captain and a -lieutenant, the Kurds of a lieutenant only; -but this latter officer, seated with the others -a little apart from the men, was treating the -captain as though he were a subaltern. -Ignoring his inferiority in rank, he had -questioned and cross-questioned in a bumptious -way that raised the captain's gall. As -the captain remarked in an undertone to -his lieutenant, this barbarous Kurd could -not have been more insolent if he had been -a German. And as it was with the officers, -so with the men. They ate their simple -food together, but the Anatolians maintained -a sullen silence amid the loud talking -of the Kurds. When it was a question of -fetching water from the stream that flowed -through the rocky bottom below, it was two -of the Anatolians who were told off to the -job by the Kurdish sergeant, and went -sulkily to obey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Kurdish lieutenant was holding forth -to the other officers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy!" he said. "Here I am, but -it is not where I would wish to be. The -fight against odds is the breath of his nostrils -to a Kurd. If there had been a few squadrons -of Kurds in Egypt the other day we -should have been in Cairo by now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there were Kurds--many Kurds," -the captain ventured to remark. "It was -told me by my cousin in a letter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi! Are we in Cairo? In truth we -are not. I repeat, if there had been Kurds -we should have been in Cairo. Therefore -there were no Kurds. Mashallah! Did not -Liman Pasha whisper in my ear, the day -after we set foot in Gallipoli, 'With ten -thousand Kurds, noble Abdi, we could -conquer the world. Therefore take me now -twenty of your excellent men and catch -this Englishman. Have we not had for ten -days half a company of Anatolian asses on -the trail?'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was more than even an Anatolian -captain could stand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You wish to insult me?" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! What is this? Insult you? -I do but repeat the Alman Pasha's words. -Mayhap I understood him wrongly; but it -seemed to me that he spoke of Anatolian -asses. Who am I to correct him? But -come now, tell me what you have done and -where you have been; what caves you have -searched, what woods you have beaten."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Unwillingly, sulkily, the captain gave -particulars of his doings during the past few -days. He felt that though nominally in -command as senior officer, the Kurd was in -reality superseding him. And he resented -the implication that he had failed in what -was at best a thankless task.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some ten days before, his information -had been, an Englishman disguised as an -Armenian had been recognised in Gallipoli -as a fugitive from Erzerum. How he had -contrived to reach Gallipoli was a mystery. -Before he could be arrested by the person -who had discovered him, he had made a -violent attack on that person, and escaped -to the hills. When the alarm was given, -the Anatolian captain had been sent in -pursuit. About sunset a peasant had seen -an Armenian who answered to the description -of the fugitive crossing the Karaman -river near the Bergas road. Darkness -prevented his being followed up, but the hunt -was resumed at dawn next morning. It -had proved fruitless hitherto. The captain -complained that not a hundred, but ten -thousand men would be required to beat -thoroughly those rugged brush-covered hills.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Think of it!" he said. "Climbing up -and down these almost perpendicular -hill-faces; through dense scrub; down one side -of a valley, across a stream or a swamp and -up the other side; beating bushes; -exploring hill caves; searching secluded -farms--and all the time without proper food. We -were sent away in a hurry. 'Hunt till you -find him,' was the order. We had two days' -rations, and since then have had to depend -on what we could pick up at the farms, and -they, as you know, are in lonely places far -apart. And we have not so much as caught -sight of this elusive Englishman, though we -have heard of him often enough. Wallahy! a -farmer at Taifur Keui told me that a -young Armenian had walked uninvited into -his house and demanded food, holding a -revolver to his head. Stricken with -amazement and terror at this boldness on the part -of an Armenian dog--but in truth a famished -dog is bold as a lion--the farmer gave him -bread and honey, and having satisfied -himself, he paid for his entertainment and went -away composedly and without haste, threatening -to shoot any man that followed him. -This being told me, I hunted diligently for -two days through the Taifur district, and -behold, it was then related that the fugitive -had appeared at Kum Keui, ten miles away -on the high-road, and there he had waylaid -a supply wagon, and taken for himself a -great quantity of the good things it -contained, and forced the driver to unyoke the -mules, and when this was done in fear and -trembling because of the revolver, this bold -brigand caused the wagon to run down a -sloping place and over a precipice into the -Ak Bashi river."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mashallah! These are marvels indeed," -said the Kurd, "and there is no truth in -them. But say on, captain; let my ears -feast on these fairy tales."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I speak what I have heard; as for the -truth, Allah knows. It was told me also -that the dog was seen at Kachili and Kuchuk -Anafarta, but when I came to those places -and was searching every nook and cranny, -behold, one brought me word that he had -been seen elsewhere. Yesterday, as I live, -a major of artillery came wearily into Maidos, -sick with shame at the garments he wore, -which in very truth were the rags of an -Armenian. And he told me that when he -was riding without escort on the Gallipoli -road near Boghali yonder, a young giant -that was Armenian in dress but a very devil -in mien and bearing leapt forth suddenly -from the bushes of the wayside, and laying -a mighty hand upon him, dragged him from -his horse, and compelled him there and -then to exchange his uniform for those -filthy tatters the Armenian wore. Yet did -the major confess that his ravisher was not -without courtesy, for even as he put on the -major's heavy coat he prayed his pardon -for the robbery, saying that he would fain -have left him the coat, but that he could -not, because the nights in these hills are -bitter cold. And that this is truth I tell -is sure, for that same day--yesterday in the -afternoon--an officer of artillery was seen, -alone, above Baghche Keui, the hamlet you -see below us yonder. And I came last -night in haste to Biyuk Anafarta, and -rose with the dawn, and for six hours I -have been scouring these hills, and not a -glimpse of that bold Englishman have I seen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! Truly it was time I came," -said the Kurd. "Know you that it was I, -Abdi, that found the Englishman searching -for treasure in the ruins of a house in -Gallipoli which an English shell had smitten. -It was I, Abdi, whom the dog, taking me -unawares--who can contend against -deceitfulness?--hurled fainting to the ground. -To me should have been given the task of -hunting the dog; now to me it is given; -and by the beard of the Prophet I will -catch him and flay him; I, Abdi, say it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While the others were thus conversing, -some of the men, having finished their meal, -had got up and begun to stroll about the -hillside. Others had gone down to fill their -water-bottles at a spring that bubbled out -of the rock some two hundred yards from -the spot where the officers were sitting. -Abdi, lighting a cigarette, watched them -with a speculative eye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Anatolians may stray too far," -he said. "That will not my Kurds do. -Come now, let us make our plans. We -must beat these hills as we beat for bear in -Kurdistan. See, here and there below us -are clear spaces in the scrub. Into the scrub -between them I will send my own men; -them I can trust to let nothing pass, not a -rabbit nor a stoat nor any small creeping -thing; they are not plainsmen, blind and -deaf. Your Anatolians shall move six paces -apart towards the spot where my -mountaineers are posted: even they, surely, -cannot let anything through so small a -mesh. You will form them up in a crescent -line, the horns pointing to where my men -lurk in the scrub. So shall we beat a large -circle, and if our quarry is not started -there, we will go on and do likewise farther -afield."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They flung away the ends of their -cigarettes, rose to their feet, and blew their -whistles. From various directions the men -hurried back, the Anatolians lining up on -one side of the open space, the Kurds on -the other. When the ranks were formed -and numbered off, a Kurdish sergeant called out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a man short. Where is Yusuf?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men looked up and down the line, as -if seeking their missing comrade; then one -of them said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I saw him go down to fill his bottle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sergeant blew his whistle, and took a -few paces in the direction of the stream. A -few minutes passed. The absentee did not -appear. The sergeant reported his absence -to Abdi.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take a couple of men and look for him," -said the Kurd, twirling his moustache.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three men went off and disappeared -over the brow of the hill. Presently there -were shouts from below, and one of the men -came back at a run, saluted his officer, and -cried excitedly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have found Yusuf, effendim, lying -on his back, with his hands and feet tied -with his own straps, and his cap thrust -between his teeth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Abdi scowled, and would not meet -the Anatolian captain's eye. In another -moment the missing man appeared over -the crest, led between the sergeant and his -comrade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this, Yusuf?" demanded Abdi -roughly, going to meet the man, whose bare -head was streaming with water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! I have been most grievously -entreated. I was filling my bottle at the -stream there below when there came a step -behind me, which I heeded not, thinking -one of my comrades had come to fill his -bottle likewise. And then, behold, a strong -hand seized me, and thrust my head under -the water, and held it there until I well-nigh -burst for want of breath; and when all the -strength was gone out of me I was cast -upon the ground, and my wet cap was -thrust between my teeth, and my hands -and feet were tied, and I was left half dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who was it did this thing?" asked Abdi.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Truly I know not, but he had the form -of a major of our army, if in the confusion -of my senses I could see aright."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is your rifle?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was taken from me, together with my -pouch and the hundred cartridges therein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Abdi spat and cursed, twirling his -moustache more fiercely than ever. His fury -was increased by a look of amusement on -the faces of the Anatolian officers. Aggrieved -that a Kurd should have been sent to make -good their deficiencies, and enraged by his -insolent and overbearing manner, they took -no pains to conceal their delight in the -discomfiture of the boaster at the hands of -the man whose rumoured exploits he had -derided and whom he had declared his -intention of flaying. His chagrin almost -reconciled them to the escape of the fugitive -whom they had been vainly hunting for a week.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the incident spurred them to activity. -The fugitive could not be far away. Here -was an opportunity of proving whether -Kurd or Anatolian was the better man. -Abdi's deliberate dispositions were forgotten -or ignored. While Abdi led his men at a -furious pace in the direction of the stream, -the Anatolian captain ordered his party to -extend and advance methodically through -the scrub. The hunt was up.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Some two hours later a young man in the -uniform of a major of Turkish artillery, -but carrying a rifle, might have been seen -threading his way through the dense scrub -on the northern slopes of Sari Bair. -Reaching a point where it was possible to obtain -a good view to the north-east, he looked -cautiously around, halted and listened. -There was no sound but the whistling of -the wind through the bushes. After a -moment's hurried survey of his surroundings, -he discovered a spot where he could -see without being seen, unslung his -field-glasses, and swept the opposite slope of -Karsilar. For some little time the glasses -moved slowly from left to right, then the -watcher held them stationary and took a -long and steady gaze. A line of figures -was moving like ants across a clear space -and disappearing into the scrub beyond. A -little later they reappeared in another break -in the vegetation, working towards Baghche Keui.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Apparently satisfied, he shut up the -glasses, and returned them to their case. -The name of the maker caught his eye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good English glasses!" he murmured, -as men do who have lived for some time -alone. "I am uncommonly obliged to you, -my dear major. I needed something to -equalise the odds."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="sharing-a-sepulchre"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">SHARING A SEPULCHRE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Keeping well under cover, Frank worked -his way upwards through the scrub round -the north-east shoulder of Sari Bair. Every -now and then he stopped, as it were to -"sniff the air." He smiled to himself, -thinking how like his movements must be -to those of a fox that knows that the hounds -are out. "I can believe now," he thought, -"the huntsman's theory that the enjoyment -is not all on one side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the height to which he had now -ascended he had a bird's-eye view of the -pretty little village of Biyuk Anafarta, -surrounded by tall and stately cypresses, -lying below him in a gap in the hills to the -north. He paused for a moment to admire -the scene. Just above him was the head of -a nullah forming a ravine on the northern -face of Sari Bair, and joining as a tributary -a larger nullah running westward past the -village to the sea. A hundred yards up the -hill a large cedar jutted out from the side -of the nullah, here only a few feet deep, and -towered above the prevailing scrub. Six -or eight paces from the tree, near the bank -of the nullah, there appeared the stone -door of an ancient sepulchre, probably -dating back before the Christian era. The -stones were perfectly cut and squared, and -solidly cemented together. The weather of -twenty centuries had but lightly touched them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this point Frank redoubled his precautions. -The vegetation grew closely about -the sepulchre; this solitude was apparently -never visited by men; but he could not -afford to leave anything to chance. He -dropped into the nullah some eighty yards -below the tree, and carefully worked his -way up the bed of the ravine. Arriving at -the tree, he took a final look round, pulled -himself up by the roots, and climbed up on -the western side, having the massive trunk -between him and the men who were hunting -for him far away to the east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the first big fork the tree was hollow. -Letting himself down within the hollowed -trunk, he stood upon a litter of leaves, -brushwood, and soft detritus, which he -stooped in the semi-darkness to stir over. -After a while he uncovered a hole about -two feet across. Through this he wriggled, -into a narrow passage not high enough to -walk erect in, ending in a small square room -a little higher than the passage, but still too -low for the upright posture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The air was full of the sickly odour of -decay. A feeble light filtered through a -number of tube-like orifices bored in the -stone on one wall of the room. At the -further end, reaching almost from the floor -to the roof, stood two enormous earthen -jars. They were filled with human bones. -This little room was the interior of the -sepulchre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had discovered the place by -accident a day or two before. He had climbed -the tree to learn, if he could, the whereabouts -of his pursuers, and discovered the hollow -trunk. Thinking that this would afford a -secure hiding-place in case of need, though -the quarters would in truth be rather -cramped, he had dropped down and started -to clear a space for sleeping. It was then -that, in lifting a mass of brushwood, he had -discovered the passage and the chamber -beyond.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The discovery set his imagination at -work. The building was obviously so much -older than the tree that this strange -connection between them must be an -afterthought. Within the sepulchre he found -some articles of Greek pottery which -suggested an explanation. Back in the middle -ages the peninsula of Gallipoli, then a Greek -possession, was overrun by the conquering -Ottoman Turks. Was it not possible that -some Greek fugitive, fleeing before the -barbarians, had lighted upon this hollow tree -just as he himself had done, and cut a passage -through it into the ancient and forgotten -tomb? How many centuries had passed -before the Byzantine fugitive, if such he -was, had intruded upon the solitude of its -fleshless inhabitants?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stories which the Anatolian captain -had related to Abdi did not exaggerate the -truth. Frank had acted on the impulse of -the moment in hurling Abdi into the ruins -of Benidin's bomb-shelled house. He had -not taken a moment's thought for the -future, nor indeed, after his shattering -experiences, was he in a condition to think -collectedly. All that he was conscious of -was a desperate anxiety to get as far from -the Kurd as possible. He ran into the -gathering dusk, retaining just enough -presence of mind to direct his course away -from the lower town. Benidin's house was -on the outskirts, and in a few minutes he -came into open country. He had met no -one, but hearing the rumble of an -approaching wagon ahead, he left the road and -struck off into the rough ground at the side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now dark. He checked his pace, -to recover breath and self-possession. What -was he to do? Kopri had perhaps returned -by this time in the vessel which was to -convey him back to Constantinople, but to -retrace his steps and seek the harbour was -more than he dared. On regaining his -senses the Kurd would certainly raise the -hue and cry through the town: Gallipoli -would be too hot for the fugitive. What -then was left? It had been suggested that -he should seek safety in Bulgaria, but the -frontier was far away, he had no guide, -and he had been so shaken by the recent -explosion that he felt a nervous dread of -the encounters that were inevitable if he -attempted to find his way through strange -country. A better course, he thought, was -to hide among the hills for a few days, until -he had recovered his nerve and will-power. -With money in his pocket and a command -of the Turkish tongue he might purchase -food in some hill village or at some outlying -farm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Guiding himself, therefore, by the stars, -he struggled on for a while towards the -hilly district south-westwards, intending -presently to take refuge in some sheltered -spot where he might pass the night. As he -went he remembered that off the south-west -extremity of the peninsula lay the British -fleet; but at this moment the fleet seemed -as remote from him as the stars themselves. -After a time he heard noises below him--the -creaking of carts, the voices of men; at -short intervals he saw faint lights. Clearly -there was a road beneath, and a convoy -was on the road. He stood still; listened; -watched. The convoy was moving in the -opposite direction to his own course, and -from the sound of the wagons he inferred -that they were empty. Then they must be -returning from the forts at the further end -of the peninsula. He knew nothing about -the geography of the interior of this tongue -of land; but he was aware that a road ran -close to the shore of the Dardanelles. That -must be a shorter route to the forts than -this second road, which apparently traversed -the centre of the peninsula; and in a moment -or two it occurred to him that the -Turko-Germans employed the longer road in -returning their "empties" in order to avoid -congestion on the more direct route.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank waited until the convoy had passed, -then groped his way down to the road. It -was so dark now that he might trudge the -highway with little risk of discovery, and -with a greater chance of finding a hovel -where with good luck he might take shelter. -But fatigue overcame him before he had -gone more than a few miles, and he climbed -up the hillside again, threw himself down -under the lee of a rock upon a stretch -of moss, and wrapping his sheepskin garment -around him, slept until the verge of dawn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Resuming his way over the hills, within -sight of the road, he saw by and by in the -distance a village of considerable size. He -was hungry, but his heart failed him; he -felt that he could not face inquisitive -villagers, and endure their cross-questioning. -He passed above the village and went on. -From the distance came the rumble of guns. -Presently he caught sight of a farm in a -hollow of the hills, and turned his steps -towards it. As he drew nearer to it he -became more and more nervous. How was -he to account for himself? What story -could he invent that would pass muster -with people who probably seldom saw a -stranger, and would certainly be suspicious? -He could not think of anything that seemed -plausible; yet he must have food, and at -length, with the courage of desperation, he -resolved to throw off the mask. He obtained -food there at the point of his revolver, and -betook himself with it to a thicket on the -hill-top beyond, where having assuaged his -hunger he slept through the rest of the day -and the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next morning he finished his provisions -and set off again on his journey--no longer -aimless, for during the night the idea had -come to him of making his way to the coast -and swimming out to one of the British -vessels whose guns he had heard. The -project had seemed to him, in the hours of -darkness, wonderfully easy; but in the cold -light of morning it assumed, as such night -thoughts often do, a very different -complexion. "Silly ass!" he thought. "The -ships will be miles out. I'd never get to -them." And his mind was soon occupied -with more immediate concerns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking back from his elevated position -along the road, he perceived a number of -soldiers, not marching in orderly ranks on -the highway, but dotted here and there -on the heights on either side. In a moment -it flashed upon him that the troops were on -his trail. This conviction acted as a tonic. -There was a definite danger to contend with, -a problem on which to exercise his wits. -To proceed directly on his former course -would be fatal. His best chance of ultimate -escape was to worry the pursuers in the -difficult hill country and tire them out. -And so he had commenced that brief career -of semi-brigandage which had up to the -present supplied his needs and stimulated -his mental activity. Now and then, of -course, he was sunk deep in depression. He -was very much alone, surrounded by enemies, -often hungry, still more often very cold; -but the necessity for constant exertion -helped him to conquer despondency, and -prevented him from dwelling over long on -the darker side of things.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now, as he squatted on the couch of -leaves which he had made for himself on -the floor of the sepulchre, he pondered his -situation seriously and with anxiety. It -was clear that a determined effort was -being made to capture him, and he ruefully -acknowledged to himself that the very -successes he had had in obtaining food, clothes, -and arms would tell against him: they -furnished his pursuers with an additional -motive. The troops would certainly begin -a methodical search of Sari Bair. They -could not fail to discover the door of the -sepulchre, and though this was sealed, and -there was no entrance to the place from the -ground, the entrance through the tree might -be discovered by one of them in the same -accidental way as in his own case. -Fortunately, the surrounding rocks were too -hard to show tell-tale traces of his footsteps, -but if the pursuers should continue to haunt -the neighbourhood, he might find himself -compelled to remain in hiding, and the idea -of being cooped up in these narrow gloomy -quarters was far from inspiriting. The -tomb was in truth a dismal abode. The -sepulchral vases were not cheerful pieces of -furniture. On the previous night he had -had an attack of nerves, and climbed into -the fork of the tree to sleep. But the physical -discomfort due to the attentions of -innumerable insects was less endurable than the -intangible companionship of ghosts, and -ashamed of his weakness he had clambered -down again, and fallen asleep to the dull -boom of British guns bombarding the forts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I've got a rifle and ammunition -now," he thought, as he settled himself for -his second night's sleep in the tomb. "But -I dare not go game-shooting with them. -To-morrow I shall have to go foraging again. -I'm getting tired of this."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-chiel-amang-them"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">'A CHIEL AMANG THEM'</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Next morning he woke late. Climbing -into the tree, he saw that the sun was already -many degrees up the sky. He looked around, -up and down the nullah. No one was in -sight. He clambered to the ground and -made his way carefully to the hill-top, -taking cover of the scrub. From this post -he had a view, on the one side, of the upper -channel of the Dardanelles, above the -Narrows; on the other, of the waters of -the Ægean. Vessels were to-day, as on -previous days, moving up and down the -former. One small craft, apparently a -motor launch, which he had noticed before, -was again slipping across the channel towards -Chanak, the township which he could clearly -see on the opposite shore. No doubt it had -started from Maidos, which was tucked -away under the hills beneath him: he had -seen it many times from the deck of a -steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lucky beggars!" he thought, envying -the occupants of the launch as he watched -it through his borrowed field-glasses, and -recalling trips, among the most enjoyable -of his experiences, at home and in the Sea -of Marmora.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now to forage," he said to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was unlikely that the pursuers, after -the excitement of yesterday, had abandoned -the hunt, and in descending the hill he used -as much caution as though they were still -in sight. His destination was a small farm -which he had noticed standing by itself -some little distance westward of the village -of Biyuk Anafarta: the village itself, of -course, he durst not venture into. His -progress was slow, for in flitting prudently -from one patch of scrub to another, he had -to make considerable detours to avoid more -or less open spaces. Every now and again, -too, he stopped to listen, placing his ear to -the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Coming after some hours' difficult -wandering to the outskirts of the plantations -about the village, he was alarmed to see a -herd of cattle in the charge of several -herdsmen moving along the rough track that led -past the farm, the direction in which he had -himself intended to go. It was unsafe to -continue his journey at present. He took -a drink from a hill stream, and plunged into -a thicket, resolving, in spite of his hunger, -to wait there until late in the afternoon, -when movements along the road were likely -to have ceased.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was about four o'clock when he ventured -to leave his hiding-place. There was -no sign of movement in the hills. In the -distance smoke was rising from the village -chimneys. Stealing his way as carefully as -before, he struck off in the direction of the -farm. The husbandmen, as he had hoped, -were still at work in the fields. There would -not be many persons at the farm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking advantage of every inequality of -the ground he crept to the back of the -homestead--a small stone-built place with wooden -byres and barns attached. He was well -aware that the methods which had formerly -served him could not be employed now. -Without doubt his description had been -circulated throughout Gallipoli. Whether -he offered to buy food, or sought to extort -it, he would run equal risk. Even if he -escaped the hands of the country people, -eager to obtain the reward which had -probably been offered for his capture, he could -not show himself without their putting the -troops on his track. With every man's -hand against him he could not afford to -indulge the scruples that would be natural -to him in normal circumstances. He meant -to obtain food as quickly and as secretly as -possible. But he was not going to steal. -He would take what he could find, but leave -a fair price.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All was quiet around the farm. Gaining -the outbuildings undetected, he slipped along -under cover of them until he had nearly -reached what was apparently the kitchen: -a light smoke rose from the chimney above. -More than once during his excursions he -had realised how greatly his difficulties -would have been increased if the dog were -as popular in Turkey as in England. He -had not the watchful farmyard dog to fear. -The action which had cleared Constantinople -of the curs that used to infest its streets -seemed to have its counterpart in other -parts of the country: at any rate, he had -not hitherto been worried by dogs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But he found now, with as much surprise -as consternation, that he had another kind -of guardian to reckon with. He had almost -reached what he supposed to be the kitchen -when a small flock of geese advanced towards -him in a mass with much hissing and cackling. -There was no alternative but to beat a -prompt retreat. He slipped through the -open doorway of one of the outbuildings, -closed the door behind him, and seeing -another door ajar at the further end he -hastened towards it, took a cautious peep -outside and passed into the open. A glance -round the corner of the wall showed him a -middle-aged woman--dressed in the rusty -black which the male Turk, himself inclined -to bright colours, thinks appropriate to his -women folk--hurrying from the kitchen to -ascertain why the watchful geese were -protesting so noisily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here was his chance. He darted across -the open space between himself and the -kitchen, peeped in at the open door, and -seeing that the room was empty slipped -inside. From the upper floor came the -voices of children. There was no time to -waste. Frank knew nothing about the room -except that it was large, that a pot was on -the fire, and that some flat loaves of bread, -recently baked, stood in a row upon a slab of -stone beside the oven. Without a moment's -hesitation he began to cram these into the -capacious pockets of his military great-coat, -and was on the point of taking out some -money to replace them on the slab when -he heard the woman returning, grumbling -audibly at the geese for the needless -interruption of her cooking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To escape by the door was impossible -without being seen. The wooden steps in -the corner invited him to the upper floor, -but the children's voices repelled. There -was no other door. He was caged. He was -just making up his mind to brazen it out -and trust to his ready wit in explaining his -intrusion to the housewife when his eye -fell on the long wide board, set against one -wall and raised a few inches from the floor, -which serves the humble Turk as a -sleeping-place. On the impulse of the moment he -tiptoed across the room, dropped to the -floor, and was just able to wriggle under -the board before the woman entered. For -a moment he was doubtful whether, quick -as he had been, the woman had not caught -sight of the skirts of his coat, and he -pressed himself against the wall in a fever -of anxiety. But she clumped across the -floor straight to her cooking pot, the sizzling -of which mingled with her exclamations of -annoyance. She stirred the pot, made up -the fire, called to the children to go to -sleep--and noticed that some of the loaves were -gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You limbs of Shaitan!" she called up -the stairs. "Bring down those loaves. -Gluttons you are. Did I not give you a -supper fit for princes? Bring down the -loaves, I say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shrill voices answered her. A boy came -half-way down the steps and protested that -neither he nor his brothers or sisters had -left their room above.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! are there evil djinni -abroad?" exclaimed the woman. "Get -you to bed. Allah preserve us! What will -the man say when he returns?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She went to the door and looked out for -her husband; it was time for him to come for -his evening meal. Frank already regretted -his hasty action. If only the woman would -go out! If only she had not believed her -small son, but had gone upstairs to prove -him! Apparently he was a truth-teller. -Frank felt himself condemned to a long and -wearisome detention. The farmer would -return; he would eat his supper; then rugs -would be spread on the board, and the good -people would sleep there. How in the world -was he to get away without disturbing -them? Meanwhile he could at least eat -some of the bread which the woman -supposed had been spirited away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman came back to her cooking. -Frank's nose was tantalised by the savoury -smell of the ragout simmering in the pot. -It was growing dusk, and the woman lighted -a small oil-lamp, then sat down on the -board, muttering incantations against evil -spirits. Presently footsteps and voices were -heard from outside. The woman rose hastily -to her feet and went to the door. A man's -voice said a few words, which Frank could -not catch. The woman responded with -exclamations of surprise and annoyance. -Then they came into the room, followed by -several pairs of legs. Frank started and -shrank more closely against the wall. In -the dim light on the floor beyond his -hiding-place he saw military boots. There were -still loud voices outside. He heard the -farmer speaking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a humble place, effendim, but you -are welcome."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi! That stew has a savoury smell. -I have an appetite. Haste you, woman, -and set before us what you have in the pot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three pairs of legs moved towards the -board. Three heavy forms dropped upon -it, with clanking of accoutrements. The -wood groaned above Frank's head. A chill -perspiration broke out upon his skin. He -was in the midst of his pursuers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So narrow was the space between the -board and the floor that, lying flat, he could -not lift his head more than two or three -inches without striking it. To this -grovelling posture he saw himself condemned for -an indefinite period. He groaned in spirit. -What an ass he had been! He breathed -dust and smells; the air was stifling; how -long could he endure it? Suppose he -sneezed!--the very thought made his blood -run cold, and he pinched his nose in anticipation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the three officers above him -were conversing until their meal should be -ready. Frank's attention was distracted -from his woes to the conversation rumbling -on above his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mashallah! It is useless," he heard -one say: he thought it was Abdi.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the shells do enormous damage -when they hit," said the Anatolian captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True, but what do they hit? It is -marvellous, I grant you, that they hit -anything at all--anything of value--when the -guns are miles away and the gunners can -see no mark, and without their aeroplanes -they would have wrought less havoc even -than they have done. But what then? -They cease bombarding, and our engineers -repair the damage with exceeding swiftness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Taught by the Germans," remarked the lieutenant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahi, the Germans! Your masters!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, by the Beard! We Kurds will -never own them as masters. They are -great men of war, truly, great devisers of -machines; no soulless man, such as you -Anatolians and the English, can stand -against them. But if they think to crush -the free spirits of us Kurds in their -machinery--wallahy! I hate them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Think you the English have no souls?" -asked the captain. "That wily fellow we -are hunting has, methinks, a spirit free as -yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allah choke him!" growled the Kurd. -"It is a knife in my heart that I may not -stay to catch him. Yet to spit Armenians -is fitter work for a Kurd than to hunt an -Englishman, and be sure that few of those -dogs who are fleeing to the mountains near -Antioch will escape us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did I dream, or did my ears hear from -your lips the boast that you yourself would -flay this very Englishman?" asked the -captain gently: perhaps he could afford to -be ironical now that Abdi was recalled for -a more congenial task.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mashallah! would you taunt me, -you pale knock-kneed son of an Anatolian -cabbage?" shouted Abdi. "By the Beard, -I will carve your carcase into gobbets -before----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peace!" said the lieutenant soothingly. -"Here is supper. Let us comfort our souls -in all peaceableness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The storm blew over, and for a brief -space Frank heard nothing but gobbling -above him. Then the Kurd shouted for -more bread.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peace be with you, effendim," said the -woman, "but there is no more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No more!" roared the truculent Kurd. -"What are these few crumbs that you have -set before three illustrious officers, and me -the most illustrious, even me, Abdi the Kurd?"</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 92%" id="figure-58"> -<span id="map-of-the-southern-part-of-the-gallipoli-peninsula"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="MAP OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE GALLIPOLI PENINSULA." src="images/img-160.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">MAP OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE GALLIPOLI PENINSULA.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! noble effendim," the woman -faltered, "I was but even now telling my -man of the ill that befell this pious house this -very night. Behold, there was a fair array -of loaves fresh from the oven upon yonder -stone, and I went from the house but for -one moment to learn the meaning of a great -outcry among my geese, and when I came -in, lo! of all those fair loaves only two were -left, and those two you have even now -consumed, effendim. Surely an evil spirit has -flown in, and stolen the loaves, and departed -again secretly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this tale, woman? You were -absent but for a moment?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even so, effendim; and we know the -spirits move swifter than the wind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the Beard, it is that Englishman -again," cried the Kurd, thumping the board. -"Is it not his doing, like those other deeds -that we have heard of him? Of a truth -when the woman's back was turned he -crept into the house like a dog and departed -with our supper. Mashallah! to-morrow -I must go to Chanak, or I would surely -catch him and flay him alive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We cannot seek him to-night in the -darkness," said the captain. "Truly he -has more than a dog's cunning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us eat and drink," said the -lieutenant. "The stew is good, even without -bread. To-morrow we will run the fox to earth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They finished the meal, and lit cigarettes. -The lieutenant went to the barn where the -men were quartered, and posted a guard. -He remarked on his return that it was a -useless precaution, since there were no -enemies on land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Except one--the Englishman," remarked -his captain with a rueful laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will not return here unless we -ourselves bring him in bonds," returned the -other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Piecing together the scraps of conversation -he had already heard with those he -heard subsequently, Frank came to the -conclusion that Abdi had been recalled to take -part in a battue of Armenians in Asia -Minor, and was to leave next morning by -motor launch for Chanak in advance of his men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By and by the officers stamped about the -room while the housewife arranged rugs -and cushions on the board for their night's -repose. She then followed her husband -upstairs to the higher floor, and the officers, -after removing their boots and accoutrements, -arranged themselves on the simple -bed. The lamp was left alight, and, door -and window being closed, the room was -filled with a heavy, smoky air which soon -lulled the three men to sleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was by this time suffering painfully -from his cramped position and the foul air. -At first he had intended to remain in his -hiding-place until the officers departed in -the morning, and then to seize the first -opportunity of slipping away. But as time -went on he became convinced that he could -not endure his situation through the long -night. Before morning he would be asphyxiated, -or so racked with pain as to have lost -the use of his limbs. If he did not escape -during the hours of darkness he would be -unable to escape at all. And when the -heavy breathing and snores above him -showed that slumber had sealed the senses -of his enemies, he determined to make an -attempt to get away. To be caught gamely -at night was better than to be taken helpless -in the morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was fortunate that the farmer's -primitive bed was a flat board, and not a divan -with mattresses bulging below. Otherwise -he could hardly have moved without causing -some pressure beneath the sleepers that -would certainly have disturbed them. He -lay for a time trying to visualise the room. -The board ran along the whole length of -the wall opposite the door. There was not -space enough for him to creep out at either -the head or the foot: to reach the door he -must cross the whole width of the room. -Dim though the light was, it was sufficient -to reveal his form. But there was no other way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With infinite precaution he sidled his way -from beneath the board, then lay still to -listen. The three men were snoring in three -different tones. He inferred from the sounds -that two of the three had their faces towards -the door. To rise at once might cause them -to open their eyes; his best chance lay in -crawling a little way over the floor. Raising -himself on hands and knees, he drew himself -along inch by inch; then, gaining courage -from the uninterrupted regularity of the -snores, he rose to his feet and ventured to -glance round. The three men were curled -up under their rugs; only the tops of their -heads showed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the same glance he noticed their -accoutrements lying on the stone slab from -which he had taken the loaves. Prompted -by a dare-devil impulse that had also an -element of precaution, he stole on tiptoe to -the slab, and with slow careful movements, -though his hands were trembling a little, he -lifted the flaps of the revolver cases over -their buttons and abstracted the revolvers -one by one. If the men chanced to wake -before he was clear of the door, they should -at least have no weapons to fire at him. A -slight click as he slipped the last revolver -into his pocket caused a momentary pause -in the </span><em class="italics">moto continuo</em><span> of one of the men's -recitative, and Frank clutched his own -revolver, ready for emergency; but the -officer did not stir, and Frank, facing them, -crept backward towards the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He could not remember whether the door -had been locked or bolted, and felt an inward -quaking at the thought of having to turn a -possibly rusty key or draw a creaking bolt. -It was with immense relief that he perceived -that the door was fastened only by a wooden -catch. Just, however, as he was raising his -hand to release it he heard a step outside, -approaching the door. With instant presence -of mind he took two quick silent paces to -the shelf on which the lamp stood and -pinched out the flame.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a knock on the door. The -snoring abruptly ceased, but no answer was -given; the sleepers had not been fully -awakened. The knock was repeated. A sleepy -voice from the bed said "Enter." The -door opened, and Frank, being unluckily -almost behind it, could not slip out. There -was a little diffused light from the moon -below the horizon, just sufficient to reveal -Frank's form, in its long military great-coat, -to the newcomer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A runner with a despatch from headquarters, -effendim," said the man, taking -Frank for one of his own officers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At one and the same moment Frank -silently held out his hand for the despatch -and a voice from the other side of the room -murmured, "Bring it here. Light the lamp -first." Frank was conscious of surprise and -hesitancy in the attitude of the visitor. -The critical moment had come. Taking -the despatch and thrusting it into his pocket, -he bent suddenly, sprang at the man's knees, -lifted him from his feet and hurled him -across the room. A threefold shout followed -him as he dashed into the open. The sentry -hurried towards him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fire!" cried Frank. "Fetch water!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fire! Fire!" repeated the man, -turning about and running towards the well -in the yard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had already rushed in the opposite -direction to the dark side of the house. -The clamour grew in volume; men were -rushing hither and thither with the panic -of disturbed sleepers; shrill screams from -the startled housewife and her children -mingled with the deeper shouts of the -soldiers. And Frank dashed away into the -darkness. At first heedless of his direction, -he stopped when the sounds were faint in -the distance, and, panting, tried to take his -bearings. Somewhat more than an hour -later he clambered down the hollow trunk -to his sepulchral refuge, and threw himself -exhausted on its earthy floor.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="out-of-action"><span class="large">CHAPTER XV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">OUT OF ACTION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frank's first proceeding when he awoke -next morning was to start munching one of -his loaves; his next, to read the despatch -which chance had thrust upon him. It was -addressed to the Anatolian captain. A -battery of heavy guns was to be emplaced -on Sari Bair. The convoy, coming by way -of Kumkeni and Boghali, might be expected -at Kojadere on the following morning. The -captain was to abandon for the time the -pursuit of the Englishman and to place -himself at the disposition of the officer -commanding the battery, to assist in -transporting the guns up the hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank did not know Kojadere by name, -but he knew Boghali, and conjectured that -Kojadere must be the village at the -south-east foot of the hill. It was visible from a -spur about half a mile from his hiding-place. -A rough path left the main track between -Boghali and Kojadere at about the same -distance from the latter place, and joined a -similar path running direct from Kojadere -up the hill. These facts Frank had learnt -in the course of his wanderings, and he -determined, simply from motives of curiosity, -to make his way to a spot where he could -see a sight new to him, the placing of a -battery of guns. Abdi had gone, no doubt, -to Chanak; the others would not for the -present concern themselves with their elusive -quarry; for he assumed that the contents -of the despatch were known to the carrier; -so it was with an easy mind that he -betook himself to the elevated spot from -which he could view the Boghali road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was chilly in the morning air. The -valleys and the lower ground were blanketed -in mist. The heights were clear, and Frank -smiled as he saw in his mind's eye the scene -of his night's adventure, invisible to his -bodily eye, over the brow of the hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A light breeze was sweeping up through -the hills from the sea, causing the mist to -gyrate in swirling eddies, and here and there -cutting a path through it. Gradually more -and more of the Boghali road was exposed -to his view. There was nothing moving -upon it. He looked up in the direction of -Biyuk Anafarta, towards the quarter in -which the Anatolians should presently -appear, in pursuance of their instructions. -There was no sign of them yet; it was -possible that the contents of the despatch were -unknown to them after all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a time he caught sight of figures -beyond Boghali where the road wound -round a low hill to the north of that place. -Ere long he was able to recognise the -artillery train--long teams, whether of horses, -oxen, or mules he could not tell even through -his field-glasses, dragging heavy guns and -ammunition wagons. The escort numbered, -at a guess, some three hundred men. The -train passed through Boghali, and took the -right-hand road towards Sari Bair. A bridge -spanned a stream fed by a number of rivulets -rising on the eastern slope of the hill. Here -the train came to a halt. There was a long -delay; probably the bridge was not constructed -for heavy traffic. Then one of the -guns appeared on the western side; the -others slowly followed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By this time Frank felt pretty sure that -the Anatolians were ignorant of the orders -given in the despatch, otherwise they -should long ago have reached Boghali by -the direct road from Biyuk Anafarta. If -they had resumed their hunt for him, it -behoved him to be cautious. From the -troops below he had little to fear. They -were not looking for him, and in all -likelihood were unaware of his existence. -Keeping a careful look-out above, therefore, he -stole down under cover of the scrub, which -was very dense on this side of the hill, to -take a nearer view of the work of the -artillerymen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Several mounted officers had pushed ahead -to survey the ground and choose the easiest -route for the guns. Some had taken the -first track on the right of the road, others -were riding quickly forward to Kojadere to -examine the track from there. The two -parties met at the junction, and from -subsequent operations it appeared that the -longer but easier gradient from Kojadere -had been decided upon. Up this track, -then, the officers despatched strong working -parties, to clear away obstacles, and cut -down the scrub which here and there -encroached at the sides. Two officers, mounted -on mules, slowly rode up to the summit, to -select an emplacement for their battery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank watched all this from a sheltered -spot at some distance from the track. These -troops were not looking for him, it was -true; but in their course they must work -round his position, and he was careful not -to expose himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The way having been prepared, the men -in charge of the first gun whipped up their -team, which hauled the heavy weapon about -a third of the distance up the track. Then -there was a check. The slope was very -irregular. For some yards its angle was -low; then it would suddenly make a sharp -rise. It was at one of these abrupt acclivities -that the gun had now arrived. The ascent -seemed an impossible one, and the track, -with on one side the rocky hill and on the -other a steep incline, hazardous in the -extreme. The team attached to the second -gun was unhitched and brought up to assist -the first. Urged by vociferous shouts and -much cracking of whips, the united teams, -straining and hauling, managed to draw the -gun up a few feet at a time, large blocks of -wood being placed behind the wheels at -each stoppage to prevent it from slipping back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank looked on at all this with interest, -and a certain sympathy for man and beast, -which was increased when one of the officers, -a German, rode down the hill and vented -his irritation at the delays in foul abuse and -violent threats. "They are working jolly -hard," was his inward protest. The gun -moved on again, and a turn in the track -hid it from his view. He looked around to -make sure that he was in no danger of being -seen from the rear, then crept up through -the scrub to reach a spot where he could -again follow the operations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder what they are going to all -this trouble for?" he thought. "Those -guns aren't a match for our naval guns, and -in any case they are no good here as a defence -of the forts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A little way further up the hill he came -upon a gully scarcely three feet wide, much -overgrown with bushes. It appeared to -lead down towards the track, on which, to -judge by the renewed shouts of the men -and the cessation of the rumbling of the -wheels, the gun had again been brought to -a halt. Frank crept down this gully stealthily -foot by foot, and presently discovered the -cause of this new check. The gully -intersected the track and fell down the slope -beyond. Though it was now dry, at some -time it had evidently been a watercourse, -and the water had scored a deep channel -across the track, an effectual obstacle to -heavy traffic. At this moment the men -were toiling with pick and spade to fill up -the channel, a task that would clearly -occupy some time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank looked on for a few minutes. Then -his eyes strayed down the track. The mules -were stationary in a long line, quite -unattended. The team hauling the second -gun lower down was out of sight. "Pity I -can't spike the gun," Frank thought, "though -to be sure spiking is impossible in these days. -But a slip would send it crashing down the -track, or over the slope. I wish----" And -then an idea flashed into his mind. The -gun was hauled, not by leather traces, but -by heavy chains. Quickly raising his -field-glasses, he levelled them at the attachments -of the chains to the gun-carriage. Each -one ended in a massive iron ring, which was -looped over a long hook. Now that the -gun was halted, and the wheels stopped by -blocks of wood, the chains were hanging slack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Replacing his glasses, he crept down under -cover of the scrub until he came opposite -the gun. All the men were still engaged -above. He looked up, down, around. No -one was in sight, except the men working -with their backs towards him a hundred -yards up the hill. Inch by inch he stole -nearer to the track; paused a moment to -collect himself; then darted rapidly from -cover, lifted the ring from the hook on the -side nearest him, hitched the chain so that -it appeared to be in place, and slipped back -breathlessly into the scrub. It had taken -him no more than a quarter of a minute.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will it work?" he asked himself as he -lurked in his hiding-place a few yards above -the track. All depended on whether the -drivers examined the attachments before -they moved on again. There seemed no -reason why they should do so; hitherto the -drivers had walked at the head of their -teams; but there was a chance that when -they came down to lift the blocks of wood -one of them might happen to notice that -something was wrong.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He waited in feverish impatience. How -slowly the men were working! What a -bully that German officer was! If the trick -succeeded, these patient long-suffering Turks -would have had their labour for nothing: -the German would make them pay for it. -Well, they must pay for allowing themselves -to be fooled by the Germans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last came the word of command. The -drivers hastened to the heads of the mules; -two men hurried down to lift the blocks of -wood when the gun had started. There -were loud shouts and cracking of whips; -the mules strained at their collars; the -heavy gun lurched forward. And then -Frank thrilled with delight. Secured only -on one side, the gun skewed round with a -jerk. For a brief moment it hung over the -edge of the slope. The mules slipped -backward; the sudden slackening of the chains -released the second ring from its hook; and -to the sound of startled yells and frantic -invocations of Allah the gun hurtled down -the slope and crashed into a ravine two or -three hundred feet below.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="two-men-in-a-launch"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">TWO MEN IN A LAUNCH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the confusion ensuing upon the fall of -the gun Frank crept unseen up the gully. -He chuckled as he heard the infuriate curses -of the German officer. The cause of the -disaster would never be known. Whether -it were ascribed to the carelessness of the -men or to the accidental slipping of a ring -mattered nothing: the gun was lying at a -spot whence it would be almost impossible -to remove it; very likely it was damaged -beyond repair. Frank's satisfaction was only -alloyed by regret that to attempt the same -feat with the other guns of the battery was -out of the question.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now what's to be done?" he thought, -when, having put a considerable distance -between himself and any risk of danger, he -stopped to think over his position. One -result of the establishment of the battery -on the heights must be his abandonment -of the sepulchre. Whatever might be the -reason for placing the battery just there, if -the guns began to play they would draw -upon them the shells of the British fleet, -and the sepulchre was near enough to be -anything but a safe asylum. The troops -pursuing him were not far to the north. -With no permanent refuge he could not -hope to evade them much longer. Sari Bair -was becoming too hot to hold him. He -must move on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But in what direction? No part of the -peninsula was any longer safe. To go -southwards was mere folly: he would only come -to the forts, about which there was no doubt -a strong concentration of troops. And that -way there was no outlet but the sea. -Northwards, where the peninsula was wider, there -would be more room to move; but after -what had happened he would be watched -for at every little farm, on all the roads, -and if he were not actually captured, lack -of food would ultimately enforce his -surrender. "What an ass I was not to make -for the harbour at Gallipoli that night," he -thought, "and try to smuggle myself on -Kopri's vessel!" But repentance had come -too late. Here he was, caged; nothing -could now alter that; and if he were caught -in the end--well, these last few days had -given him an amount of joyous excitement -which he could never forget. Even the -reflection that he had now lost the privileges of -a civilian, and would probably be shot at -sight, did not much trouble him. "Kismet!" -he thought: "I must have breathed in the -fatalistic spirit of the country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I'm not done yet," he added to -himself. "It's Bulgaria now, I suppose. -I'd better get away first to the east, out of -the way of those fellows hunting me, and -then work round as quickly as I can to the -north-west. Lucky I stuffed my pockets -pretty full of loaves; but it's quarter rations. -I don't know when I'll be able to get more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The booming of guns to the south -reminded him that fellow-countrymen were -only a few miles away--a galling -remembrance. They could do nothing for him. -"Alone, alone, all, all alone!"--where had -he read those words, and how little he had -understood till now what they meant!--"Oh, -chuck it, Frank Forester!" he said -to himself. "It's no good grousing. Come on!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He struck off across the shoulder of the -hill, and made his way down the bed of a -stream skirting the western side of Kojadere, -and flowing almost due south until with a -sharp turn to the left it fell into the -Dardanelles a mile or so north of Maidos. For -the greater part of the distance it was close -to a road, and Frank had to keep a careful -look-out. But the country was rugged and -desolate: there were no villages and to all -appearance no houses; only once did he -catch sight of anything on the road--a -bullock wagon lumbering slowly in the -opposite direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ground was for the most part on a -low level, and in order to ascertain his -distance from the coast he turned off to the -left, where there were hills rising nearly two -hundred feet. After a long and tiring climb -he reached a cliff at the eastern extremity -of the Kalkmaz Dagh which, projecting a -little into the sea, gave him a direct view -downward into Maidos and the strait -beyond. A Turkish warship lay just above -the Narrows; torpedo boats and vessels -which, though he did not know it, were -mine-layers, were moored here and there; -and crossing the channel from Chanak was -the motor launch, with its awning over the -fore-deck, which he had noticed once or -twice before. "Abdi's on the other side -now," he thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He watched the launch through his glasses -as it threaded its way through the congestion -of lighters and small cargo vessels lying -off Maidos, to a jetty north of the town. A -number of passengers came ashore. The -launch was tied up and the crew also -landed--all but one man, who sat down in the stern -and appeared to be eating his dinner. Frank -almost unconsciously took out one of his -loaves. "Didn't know I was so hungry," -he muttered. He ate half the loaf, which -was little larger than a scone, put the -remainder back, then took it out again for a -final mouthful. The man on the launch was -still eating. Frank watched him enviously, -and almost hated him when he saw him -wrap up a portion of his meal and stow it -away. "He has too much and I too little," -he thought. "I daresay he'd sell what's -left. Wish I could get at him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This started a train of thought, or rather -a series of questions. Why not go down to -the launch? Why not make use of his -military uniform? What chance was there -that the man on the launch had heard that -an English fugitive was masquerading as a -Turkish officer of artillery? Indeed, why -not bluff it out, get command of the launch, -and run down the strait towards the open -sea? British warships were there. Was he -prepared to face a twofold risk--run the -gauntlet of Turkish vessels and batteries, -and also draw fire from a British ship?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a ticklish problem, that would not -wait long for a solution. At any moment -the launch might be ordered off. If the -attempt was to be made, it must be made -at once. "Too risky," he thought. "I -might be spotted before I reached it. It's -nearly a mile away: might be gone by the -time I could get down. It's absurd."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sunk in this pessimism he sat with his -chin on his hand, looking at the launch, on -which the man now lay stretched on his -back, gazing down the strait towards Kilid -Bahr, where the shore bent round to the -west, and beyond which there were British -vessels. It was only four or five miles to -Kilid Bahr; in the clear air the distance -seemed shorter. He thought of the -alternative--further hide-and-seek in the hills, long -wanderings, semi-starvation, cold. "Hanged -if I don't have a shot," he said to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Below him ran the road from Boghali -through Maidos, at the edge of the strait. -There was no other way of reaching the -launch unless he made a long detour round -the hills. The afternoon was already far -advanced. A detour would take much time, -and taking it he would lose sight of the -launch. On the road, so far as he could see -it, there was no traffic. He rose to his feet, -made his way down the hillside, gained the -road, and set off quickly southward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few minutes, rounding a corner, he -overtook a transport wagon drawn by two -oxen. It flashed upon him that he would -attract less attention if he got a lift on it. -Stepping up to the front of the wagon, he -hailed the driver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me a lift," he said. "I've walked -from Sari Bair, where we are placing a -battery. It's very tiring, walking over the -hills."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true, effendim," said the man. -"Your excellency may do as he pleases."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank got up beside the driver. The -wagon lumbered on. As it neared Maidos -it passed people here and there; they saluted -the supposed officer without suspicion. It -passed a house ruined by a shell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They said the English were our friends," -remarked the wagoner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Time will show who are our true friends," -answered Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were now entering the northern -outskirts of the town. Frank saw many -signs of the havoc wrought by indirect fire -from the British fleet. In the distance -soldiers were moving about. He thought -it time to get down. Tipping the driver, he -jumped to the ground, and turned off to -the left towards the jetty. The launch was -still tied up: he could just see its awning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he was still some little distance -from it he had a shock. From the opposite -direction, and nearer to the jetty than -himself, a Turkish officer was approaching it. -He was bound to get there first. For a -moment Frank thought of turning tail; he -had not yet been observed; but it occurred -to him that the officer might possibly come -back in a few minutes: it was worth while -waiting to see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Near at hand was a deep hole in the -ground, the work of a shell. Beside it was -a broken transport wagon. He sat on this, -took a cigarette from the case which, with -an automatic lighter, he had found in the -pocket of the great-coat, and began smoking -like any idler. A shed at the shore end of -the jetty partly hid him from view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer went on board the launch. -Frank had a second shock. It was the Kurd -Abdi. Apparently he had not been to -Chanak after all. Perhaps he had deferred -his departure for the sake of making one -more attempt to capture the fugitive. It -was plain that he was intending to cross the -strait now, for the man in charge of the -launch was making preparations to start.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was as it were paralysed for a few -moments. The game was up. But no: -while the man was pouring petrol into the -tank, Abdi had gone forward and was -making himself comfortable under the -awning forward. There was just a chance -for boldness. Making up his mind instantly, -Frank strolled unconcernedly down the jetty. -The launch man was bending over his -engine; beyond him Abdi was half -concealed by the awning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank halted a few yards from the launch, -where his face could not be seen by the -Kurd, and hailed the engine man in a low -tone. The man looked up, and Frank -beckoned him ashore. He hesitated a -moment; then the officer's uniform was -effective: he jumped on to the jetty and -came to Frank's side. With a show of -mystery Frank led him a few yards and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His excellency is crossing to Chanak."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Governor?" asked the man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes: you are ordered to wait. Not a -word to any one. Go at once to -headquarters and ask for Major Ahmed Talik. -There will be a valise to carry down. You -understand?--Major Ahmed Talik. It is -not to be talked about. Make haste!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But my passenger, effendim?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He must wait. I will explain to him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My orders! I am not to leave the launch."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you argue with me?" said Frank -sternly. "Go at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man hastened to excuse himself, and -set off, somewhat bewildered, towards the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why keep me waiting, dog of a dog-son?" -called Abdi from the launch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man turned, but Frank signed to him -imperatively to go on, then sauntered back -along the jetty, one hand holding the -cigarette, the other fingering the revolver in his -pocket. Abdi had raised himself from his -recumbent posture, and in a crouching -attitude was peering out from beneath the low -awning. The glow of the sun, setting over -the hills behind, struck full upon his eyes: -Frank's were shadowed. Frank half turned -as if watching the retreating launch man, all -the time slowly approaching the vessel, thus -gaining ground without revealing his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he suddenly swung round, and -jumped on board. The launch rocked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wallahy! Would you upset me?" cried Abdi.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank stood in front of him, pointing his -revolver, but in such a posture that the -weapon could not be seen by chance -observers on shore. Half under the awning -Abdi was at a disadvantage. He was so -much taken aback by Frank's sudden -movement, and so much overcome with amazement -when he at last recognised the features -of the newcomer, that he was incapable of -shouting an alarm, and the sight of the -revolver within a few feet of his head -disposed him to listen to what Frank was -saying.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Salam," said Frank quietly, "we are -going for a little trip together. No, no: -keep your hands down. Don't move any -further from under the awning. You -recognise me, I see. I am the Englishman you -have been hunting--and this is my revolver. -It is loaded.--Do you hear? Keep still.--You -have a revolver too, in that belt to -which I see your restless hand groping. -Well, I collect revolvers. I have two of -yours already; the other will be safer with -me. No: keep your hands up; if you hurry -me I may shoot too soon. On your life don't -make a movement!" he ended fiercely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With his right hand holding his revolver -at the Kurd's head, he stooped, and with a -quick movement of his left hand wrested -the revolver from the other's belt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now get back under the awning to the -comfortable place you have arranged for -yourself," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Kurd hesitated and flashed a -downward glance at the knives in his belt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will count three," Frank went on. "If -you are not comfortable when I come to -three ... one ... two----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a snarling curse Abdi crept backward -to the cushions at the further end of -the awning, and collapsed there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Transferring the revolver to his left hand, -Frank, also moving backward, came to the -engine. It was not his first trip in a motor -launch, and a rapid examination showed -him that the boatman had got everything -ready. Nothing remained but to switch on -the current, turn the crank and cast off the -hawser. These movements he made, his -eyes scarcely leaving the discomfited Kurd -for a moment. Then he threw the engine -into gear and seized the helm, and the little -craft sidled from the jetty, and shot away -over the dancing wavelets of the Dardanelles.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="through-the-narrows"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THROUGH THE NARROWS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frank felt himself go pale under the -reaction from the strain of the last few -minutes. But he had won the advantage -in the opening of the game: he must -maintain it to the end.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had so often watched the launch -crossing to and fro that he had a pretty -good idea of the course. Chanak was a -couple of miles down the strait on the -opposite shore: it would excite least remark -if he steered as for that town. The vessel -was too shallow in draught to run much -risk from possible mines, and it was so -frequently seen that no one on a Turkish ship -would pay any attention to it. No doubt -an alarm would be raised when the boatman -discovered that he had been tricked; but -Frank hoped to be several miles on his -voyage to safety by that time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he drew out from under the lee of -the hills he found that the wind was in his -favour, blowing directly down the Narrows. -This should mean at least a three-knot -current. The launch was small, and -probably incapable of more than seven or eight -knots: his utmost speed, then, might rise -to ten or eleven. But it was not wholly a -question of speed. If the alarm was given -before he reached the narrowest part of the -channel at Chanak escape would be unlikely -if not impossible. The fast-gathering -darkness would be no protection. He would be -under searchlights from both sides, and a -dozen batteries would have him under fire -at ranges ascertained to a yard. His nerves, -judgment, quickness of decision, would be -taxed to the uttermost in this adventurous -voyage of a few miles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the fall of night navigation practically -ceased on the strait; therefore he was -not very likely to be run down by accident. -But he must guard against collision with -vessels moored under either shore. Further, -there was always a chance that he would be -challenged from the deck of one of the -stationary vessels, and though he did not -doubt his ability to give a reassuring answer, -he had always the Kurd to reckon with. -It would have been prudent to gag him, -but the opportunity for that was past. -Shaping his course by the faint twilight, he -kept one eye on Abdi, ready to take action -instantly if the man showed any disposition -to be troublesome.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, in growing darkness, he ran down the -strait until he came opposite Chanak, which -was distinguishable by a few dim lights and -the sounds of bustle on the quays and -jetties. The place had suffered considerably -by bombardment from the ships of the -allied fleet, which had come up to within a -few miles of the Narrows; but it was clear -that extensive repairs were already in -progress. Observing two or three large vessels -moored out of the current in the little bay -north of the town, Frank as a measure of -precaution cut off the engine, and the -launch drifted into the neck between Chanak -and Kilid Bahr. His ear caught the faint -sound of a windlass working in the channel -at some unseen point ahead. Clearly a -vessel lay out there. He pitched his voice -to a low note, and gave Abdi a quiet warning -not to speak a word or make any movement -of alarm, on pain of receiving the full -contents of his revolver. The most dangerous -part of his voyage was evidently at hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few minutes he saw, some little -distance ahead on the starboard side, a -large dark shape moving towards him. -Putting the helm over, he crept in more -closely to the Asiatic shore, in the hope that -the launch, being small and low and travelling -silently, would escape observation. But -next moment he was startled by the sudden -beam of a searchlight playing over the -middle of the channel from some point -behind him. The darkness on either side was -intensified, so that the light, while it swept -mid-channel, favoured him; but if it should -bend its rays to the left, the launch would -be vividly illuminated, and could not fail -to be observed by the men on the approaching -vessel, who would certainly follow with -their eyes the path of light. He watched -the beam lengthening its giant stride. It -passed over the slowly approaching torpedo -boat and illuminated the water beyond. -Hugging the shore as closely as he dared, -Frank drifted on, resolved, if the light fell -on him, to start the engine and make a dash -at full speed down the strait.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The light took a sudden sweep upwards, -swung to the right over the hills and -disappeared. Then Frank realised that the current -had failed him. The launch was scarcely -moving. He steered for the open channel, -edging out very gradually. No sooner had -the launch come again into the current than -the light flashed out, just touching a point -of land on his port side, and passing beyond -it. It occurred to him that if he could -round the point during the interval of -darkness before the light again appeared, he -would no longer be in its direct path. It -was worth the risk of starting the engine -and making a dash over the short distance -between him and safety. Guided only by -the dark outline of the low wooded cliffs -on his left hand, he put the engine at full -speed while the light was still sweeping the -channel. To maintain an even distance -from the shore he soon found it necessary -to keep the helm well over. He must be -rounding the point. And when, a minute -or two later, the beam once more flashed -out, it passed almost directly over him, -leaving him in shadow. With a sense of -profound relief he stopped the engine and -floated down with the current, more than -satisfied for the moment, but wondering -how long his luck would hold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The launch was now in pitch darkness. -Frank knew that there were shoals along the -shore, and he was beset by a double anxiety: -he must steer so as to avoid at once the -path of the searchlight and the unknown -shoals. So fully was his attention occupied -that he had almost forgotten the Kurd -lying forward. The dark patch which -favoured him was favourable also to an -expedient which Abdi had been grimly -meditating. Suddenly, while Frank was -peering into the darkness ahead, he was -conscious that a black shape had intervened -between him and the scarcely perceptible -space of water. He knew instantly what -it was, but before he could brace himself -for the impending shock the steering-wheel -shivered under a sword-cut that missed him -by a hairsbreadth, and the Kurd flung -himself upon him, at the same time shouting -vociferously to attract the attention of any -watchers who might be on shore, or on some -vessel near by. Taking advantage of Frank's -preoccupation and the darkness, Abdi had -crawled from under the awning and along -the deck under the side of the little craft, -springing to his feet within a few inches of -Frank's seat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the fact of being seated that proved -to be Frank's salvation. Abdi lost the -advantage of surprise when his sword-cut -missed. He fell forward awkwardly. Frank's -right hand was pinned beneath the Kurd's -body, but his left, with which he had held -the wheel, was free. Instantly he gripped -Abdi's sword-arm above the wrist, and for -a few moments there was a fierce struggle -for position between the two men; Frank -striving to free his right hand, and when -he had done so, to prevent the Kurd from -strangling him with his left arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was soon aware that in mere power -of muscle he was no match for his assailant. -But he had the firmer position, Abdi being -inclined forward and swaying unsteadily -with the rocking of the launch. Suddenly -dropping his clutch on the Kurd's upper -right arm, he seized him by the throat, -braced himself against the seat, and pulled -his left arm towards him, exerting all his -strength to twist him over. With his free -right hand Abdi clutched at the thwart; -but Frank's leverage against the seat gave -him the mechanical advantage; moreover, -the Kurd was expending much energy in -trying to free himself from the pressure on -his windpipe. Inch by inch he was pressed -back against the side of the launch, every -moment struggling more feebly under Frank's -choking clutch. At last his shoulders were -hanging over the water, and his arms were -raised as a drowning man throws up his -hands. Then suddenly Frank released the -Kurd's throat, caught him beneath the -right knee, and, pressing heavily on the -seat, tilted him overboard. There was a -gurgling gasp as the man struck the water, -then a brief silence, broken soon by a long -yell. It was a cry for help, but not a cry of -despair, and Frank, panting from his recent -exertions, was aware that Abdi could swim. -His cries must be heard on shore and on -any vessels that might lie in the neighbourhood -or be patrolling the strait. At first -their meaning would not be known, but they -would give the alarm and put the enemy -on the alert, and as soon as Abdi reached -the shore the truth would be flashed from -fort to fort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The launch, left to itself during the -struggle, had drifted inshore and was -bumping against the rocks. Frank had just -switched on the engine and reversed the -screw when an agitated movement of the -searchlight and shouts from the cliffs above -him showed that an alarm of some sort had -been given. The white beam was sweeping -the whole breadth of the channel except -that black band which was shielded by the -cliffs and in which the launch was moving. -This band widened as the trend of the shore -became more south-westerly, and Frank had -good hope of running out of danger. His -confidence was rudely shaken when a second -searchlight began to play from a point -slightly ahead of him. For all he knew -there might be others at different points -down the channel. It was neck or nothing -now. He put the engine at full speed ahead, -and the launch throbbed and swished through -the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The coast-line here made a sudden bend -inwards. Frank steered accordingly, and -was relieved to find that by his change of -course he just escaped the searchlight, whose -beam flashed almost over his head. The -beating of his screw could hardly fail to be -heard on shore, no more than a hundred -yards away; but the light could evidently -not be depressed sufficiently to illuminate -this edge of the channel. The launch dashed -on; the light was left behind; and steering -almost due south Frank once more felt secure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But next moment he was startled by the -sudden flashing of a light from the opposite -shore. It swept directly across the channel -and moved slowly along, lighting up yard -after yard of the white cliffs on his left hand. -There was no avoiding it, and he felt a -strange tingling as he realised that in a few -seconds the light would find him, and he -would then become the target for the enemy's -guns. So it was. The beam suddenly -overtook him, the launch was vividly illuminated -from stem to stern, and the light kept pace -with it in its rush down the channel. Frank -tried by zigzag steering to wriggle out of -it, but it followed every movement, and he -resigned himself to the inevitable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a roar and flash from the -western shore. A shell splashed into the -water close astern, but failed to explode. -At that moment Frank felt neither dismay -nor fear, but only a strange exhilaration. -Shells began to fall fast, now ahead, now -astern, and on both sides, some exploding -with a terrific noise, others merely splashing -into the water. "They haven't had practice -on moving targets, like our naval gunners," -thought Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Since everything now depended on speed, -he steered out into the channel, in order to -take full advantage of the current. His -change of course seemed to baulk the gunners. -The light grew dimmer as he drew farther -from its source, and the gunners, slow in -shortening their range, sent their shells far -beyond him. But now a brilliant beam of -light struck the launch from the eastern -shore. The searchlight which the cliffs had -previously intercepted had free play over -the part of the channel on which he was -now racing. In a few moments shells began -to fall more thickly around him. The noise -was deafening. Huge waves dashed over -the launch, and Frank wondered whether it -was to escape a shot only to be swamped -and sunk by the water. But he clung -firmly to the wheel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then there was a stunning explosion. -The launch staggered as if smitten by a -mighty hammer; an immense volume of -silvery spray showered upon it. Frank saw -that a big gap had been made in the -starboard side, a foot or two from the stem. -But the engine still throbbed steadily, and -the little craft still thrashed her way at -full speed seaward. For a little the shelling -ceased. The spray had hidden the launch -from the view of the gunners, who probably -supposed that they had sunk her. But -they soon discovered their mistake, and -after a ranging shot they started their -continuous bombardment again. The brief -respite had enabled Frank to gain ground. -The launch was less brilliantly illuminated. -A light mist was gathering on the water. -The wind had changed and was blowing -in from the mouth of the channel. In a -few minutes the shells ceased to fall. The -batteries had given him up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But his satisfaction was short-lived. Above -the throbbing of his engine he became -aware of a new sound--the deeper-toned -throbbing of a much more powerful engine. -A new light began to grope through the -mist. Frank felt a sinking of heart. Beyond -doubt a war vessel of some kind was in -pursuit of him. Outmatched in speed, -what could he look for now but a sudden end?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The light found him. Instantly the -torpedo boat astern opened fire: Frank -heard the regular rap-rap of a machine gun. -The noise of the engines grew louder: the -vessel was bearing down upon him relentlessly -like a sleuthhound. Bullets whizzed, -whistled, splashed, thudded on the woodwork. -He felt a burning pang in his right -shoulder. Clenching his teeth he held on -his course. Despair seized him when another -light, this time ahead, mingled its misty -beam with that from behind. Between two -fires, what could this be but the end? "I'll -die game," he muttered, and steered straight -for the torpedo boat which was now visible -in the lifted light of the vessel behind. In -a few seconds his light craft would strike -that iron bow, and then----</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the shock against which Frank had -thus steeled himself never came. With his -hand still upon the steering-wheel he swooned -away.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When Frank opened his eyes again, they -lighted upon the ruddy clean-shaven face -of a man in a peaked cap and navy blue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where am I?" he murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In a ward of H.M.S.--no, I mustn't -tell you the name, bedad: 'tis against the -rules, or if it isn't, it might be, so I'll not -tell you. But it's a hospital ship, and you've -a nice little hole in your shoulder, and here's -the bullet that bored it: perhaps you'd -like to look at it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank took the bullet and looked at it -with an air of detachment. It seemed -hardly believable that that cone of lead had -been in his flesh and was now out of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But who the deuce are you, in an enemy -uniform and all?" the surgeon asked. "No, -you haven't it on now, to be sure; but -there 'tis, rolled up on the bunk there, and -you were in it when they brought you -aboard, and you speaking English as well -as the rest of us. You can't talk, to be -sure; but who are you? Don't try to talk, -but tell me that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank smiled at the rubicund Irishman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I feel rather groggy," he said faintly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, and who wouldn't? But 'tis -a clean wound, and you'll be up and -skylarking in a day or two, Mr.----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frank Forester."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah now, that's not a Turk's name, to -be sure. Well, don't talk. I can talk -enough for both. When Lieutenant-Commander -W----no, I won't name him--of -H.M.S.--won't name </span><em class="italics">her</em><span>--saw a Turkish -gunboat firing on a Turk in a neat little -cockleshell of a launch, 'Boys,' said -he--though I did not hear him, to be -sure--'Boys, drop one in the engine-room.' And -sure enough, one of her fore six-pounders -planted a shell amidships, and crippled -the Turk's engines, and a couple more sent -her to the bottom. Then they hunted for -you, and found your launch bumping on -the rocks below Erenkeui, and you as pale -as your shirt (where it wasn't red) hugging -your wheel as if you loved it. They took you -aboard and handed you over to me, and I'm -to send in a report when I've got from you -who you are, and who's your father, and the -way you come to be playing the fool in a -Turk's uniform. But there's no hurry for that. -You'll take a little food, and sleep, and by -and by I'll come and see you again, and then -you can give an account of yourself. Now -let me have a peep at your shoulder."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-landing-at-anzac"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE LANDING AT ANZAC</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>One bright morning in April, a group of -young officers sat smoking on the deck of a -British destroyer lying amid a crowd of -warships and transport vessels in Mudros -harbour, on the southern shore of the -Grecian island of Lemnos. They were clad -in khaki, with sun helmets, which marked -them out as military, not naval officers. -Seated in a rough half-circle, some on chairs, -some on the spotless deck, they appeared -to be specially interested in one of their -number, at whom they were throwing -questions one after another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the Turkish for 'Give me some -beer,' anyhow?" one had just asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Bana bira ver</em><span>," replied the young -subaltern. "But you won't easily get it, you -know. Moslems don't drink it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do they grow grapes?" asked another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes; </span><em class="italics">yuzum</em><span> 's the word."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't they make 'em into wine, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They're not supposed to, but I daresay -you might get some if you said </span><em class="italics">Bana sharab -ver</em><span> very politely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You won't want it, Ted," said a third. -"We've plenty of our own stuff. Our -Australian wine is as good as any."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Besides," said the man they were -questioning, "you won't get many opportunities -of making requisitions of that sort. There -aren't any inns in Gallipoli, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the Turkish for </span><em class="italics">inn</em><span>?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Khan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say 'keep up your pecker' in Turkish: -that'll stump you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all. If you fancy your Turk -is downhearted, say to him '</span><em class="italics">Gheiret ileh</em><span>.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A subaltern, who had furtively taken -from his pocket a booklet with a buff-coloured -paper cover, turned over the pages, -replaced the book, and bending forward said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here's a poser for you. What's the -Turkish for 'not to be able to be made to -love'?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a gust of laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tomlinson's thinking of the girl he left -behind him," said one of his comrades. -"</span><em class="italics">Gheiret ileh</em><span>, Tommy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stumped, Forester?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sorry for Tomlinson; he'll have a -mouthful to say. </span><em class="italics">Sevderilehmemek</em><span> meets -the case, I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By Jove!" gasped the last speaker. -"Sounds like a bird twittering."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tomlinson had taken out his book again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forester's right," he said, examining a -page. "What a language! How in the -world did you manage to learn it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What have you got there?" some one asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A remarkable production called 'Easy -Turkish,'" Tomlinson replied. "If that's -easy! ... It's supposed to be a word-book -for our chaps in Turkey; but while it gives -you the Turkish for 'not to be able to be -made to love'--as if any sane person would -want to say that!--it doesn't tell you how -to say you're hungry or thirsty. Poof!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He flung the book overboard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bang goes sixpence!" he remarked. -"You'd better compile something decent, -Forester."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's too late now," said Frank, smiling. -"Pity; I might have made a few honest -pennies if I had started in time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had been taken in the hospital ship -to Malta, where he found his father. As he -made a swift recovery from his wound, he -grew more and more eager to join the -fighting forces, and was on the point of -applying for a commission when news came -that a military expedition in Gallipoli had -been decided on, to retrieve the failure of -the naval operations which had been in -progress for several months. With his -father's approval he hastened to Alexandria -and applied for work in connection with the -expedition. His knowledge of Turkish and -his recent experiences in Gallipoli served -him well. Interpreters were much needed. -He was attached as interpreter to the -Australian contingent with the rank of -lieutenant, and accompanied the troops when -they sailed for the base in Mudros Bay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What sort of a place is this Gallipoli?" -asked one of the young Australians, who -had heard something of Frank's adventures.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A very hard nut to crack," Frank -replied. "I don't know much about the -coast, which is mainly cliffs with very -narrow beaches; but the interior is all -rocky hills and ravines, covered with scrub -and dwarf oaks. You couldn't imagine finer -country for defence, and the Turks are best -on the defensive. They've had time for -preparation, too. A couple of months ago -I saw them dragging a battery up the sides -of Sari Bair, a hill nearly 1000 feet high, -and since then no doubt they've planted -guns all over the place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're in for a hot time, then," remarked -Tomlinson. "Well, I was fed up with -Egypt. That attack on the canal was a -futile bit of stupidity, and I was afraid -they'd keep us there on the watch for -another attack which not even the Turks -would be asses enough to make. If we're -in for the real thing now--well, I for one -am delighted, I assure you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, -April 24, the flagship took up her position -at the head of the line, and the warships -passed down among the slowly moving -transports amid cheers from the men on -the crowded decks. Two hours later the -troops were lined up with the ships' -companies to hear the captains read Admiral de -Robeck's final order of the day, and to -join in the last solemn service conducted -by the chaplains. Then the vessels steamed -slowly northward, towards the scene of what -was to be the most heroic enterprise in the -long annals of our history.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All night the fleet made its slow way. -On Frank's destroyer the naval officers -entertained the troops with their traditional -hospitality, and then the men--such of them -as excitement did not keep awake--slept -through the remaining hours of darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At one in the morning of Sunday the -ships hove to, five miles from the fatal -shore. The men were aroused and served -with a hot meal. The stillness of night -brooded over the decks, and the young -soldiers, browned, stalwart, eager, chatted -in subdued tones. Twenty minutes later -came the signal from the flagship for lowering -the boats, which had been swinging all -night from the davits. Silently the men -moved to their appointed places; the boats -dropped gently to the water, and out of the -darkness glided the steam pinnaces that -were to take them in tow. Frank and his -new acquaintances were to remain on the -destroyer, which would go close inshore -and land them in boats after those towed -by the pinnaces had reached the beach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was still dark when the boats, each in -charge of a young midshipman, moved slowly -and silently shoreward. The group of -officers on the deck of the destroyer followed -them with their eyes until they were -swallowed up in the darkness. Their hearts -were beating fast with suppressed -excitement. What was to be the fate of this -great adventure? Could their approach -have been heard? Would the enemy be -taken by surprise? Had the shore at this -spot been fortified in anticipation of attack? -Nothing was known. The dawn would show.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three battleships had taken up position -in line abreast to cover the landing. The -boats stole past them. Through the gloom -the outline of the cliffs was just faintly -discernible. Frank gazed breathlessly ahead. -He could barely distinguish the foremost -boats creeping in towards the shore. All -was silent; the brooding hush seemed -ominous. Suddenly a searchlight flashed from -a point on the cliffs, showing up the boats -as it moved slowly over the water. Still -not a shot was fired. The destroyer, one of -seven, began to move. It had barely got -under way when there was a long line of -flashes at the level of the beach, followed in -a few seconds by a sharp crackle. The -Turks had opened rifle fire. Then came the -faint sounds of a British cheer. The first -boats had reached the beach: dark forms -could be seen leaping forwards into a blaze -of fire. Frank watched them with a -quivering impatience. His general instructions -were to go ashore when the landing had been -made good and to hold himself in readiness -to interpret so soon as the first prisoners -were brought in. But in his heart he -longed to be among the gallant fellows who -were braving the perils of the assault; why -should he be passive when they were daring -so much?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A light mist crept over the sea, almost -blotting out the cliffs. Presently the -destroyer moved slowly shorewards; it stopped -again, and at the moment when rifle fire -burst forth with greater intensity the boats -were lowered over the side. Frank sprang -into the first, throbbing with exultation as -it pulled in. The rosy dawn was just -creeping over the hill-tops, the mist was -dispersing, and he could now clearly see the -khaki figures swarming like cats up the -shrub-covered almost perpendicular face of -the cliffs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boat touched shoal water. Frank -leapt overboard with its company, and -rushed up the beach, strewn with prostrate -forms and discarded packs. Just as he -reached the first trench, from which the -Turks had been hurled at the point of the -bayonet, the man beside him reeled, gasped, -and fell against him. Frank laid him gently -down; then, losing all sense of his -non-combatant capacity, he seized the man's -rifle and bandolier and sprinted after the -others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a few moments he ran forward in a -blind confusion of the senses. The yellow -sandstone crumbled beneath his feet: in -front was what appeared to be a green -wall streaked with yellow. Bullets whistled -around. Here and there men lay huddled -in extraordinary attitudes on the slope; -now and then he caught sight of a figure -clambering up. On he went, through shrubs -that grew higher than his head, conscious -only of continuous flashes, until suddenly -he came face to face with a dark figure that -seemed to have sprung up out of the earth. -Instinctively he thrust forward his rifle with -a fierce lunge, and the next thing he knew -was that the Turk had sunk down before -him, and that he was leaping into a trench.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Close to his right he heard the murderous -rattle of a machine gun. He stumbled -along the trench for a few yards, shouting -he knew not what, tripped over a man -prone in the bottom of the trench, and before -he could pick himself up was kicked and -trodden by a number of Australians who -had followed him. Struggling to his feet, -he hurried on, to find himself in a furious -mêlée about the emplacement of the machine -gun. Two of the Australians were down, -a third was at deadly grips with three big -bearded Turks. Frank rushed at the nearest -of them, and disposed of him with his bayonet. -At the same moment the second fell to the -bayonet of the Australian, and the third -turned, scrambled out of the trench, and -plunging into the scrub disappeared up the hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Got the gun, sir," cried the Australian -with a happy grin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank, gasping, trembling, leant against -the side of the trench.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it down," he replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another boat's load of men came rushing -along the trench. There was no officer -among them. Gathering himself together, -Frank put himself at their head, and leapt -up the hill, in pursuit of the Turks who had -been driven from the trench. The ground -was broken by ridges, gullies, and sand-pits, -and the scrub grew so thickly that they -could scarcely see a yard in front of them. -To keep a regular alignment was impossible. -The men separated, each forcing his own -way. None of them had yet so much as -charged their magazines. The work had -all been done with the cold steel. Here one -plunged his bayonet into the back of a -fleeing Turk: there another shouted with -delight as he discovered that a swaying bush -was really a sniper who had tied branches -about his body for concealment. As they -mounted, friend and foe became hopelessly -intermingled. Frank caught sight occasionally -of a knot of Turks, then of a group -of Australians; next moment nothing was -to be seen but scrub and creeper -intermingled with bright flowers of varied hue -as in a rock garden. Foot by foot he -climbed up until presently he found himself -at the crest of the hill, and saw the -Australians busy with their trenching tools amid -a furious rifle fire from the Turks in their -main position. His eye marked a steep -gully which formed an almost perfect -natural trench. Shouting to the men nearest -him, he was joined by a score or so, who -leapt into the gully beside him. And as -the sun rose over the hills on that Sunday -morning, Frank, without being aware of it, -was within a few hundred yards of his old -hiding-place, the sepulchre on Sari Bair.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-tight-corner"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A TIGHT CORNER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Meanwhile, on the beach below, the -work of disembarking men and guns and -stores was proceeding steadily, still under -fire, though not so concentrated and so -deadly as it was before the first trenches -were rushed. Engineers were already cutting -paths upward through the scrub on which -supplies were being hurried to the top. -Ambulance men were carrying wounded on -stretchers down the steep face of the cliff. -The guns of the fleet were searching for the -Turkish positions on the summit, and -seaplanes were circling overhead to discover -the positions of the batteries which were -enfilading the ridges and the beach with -shrapnel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now that the excitement of the first rush -had subsided, Frank felt himself in a -difficulty. He was fortuitously in command of -nearly a half platoon of men: what was he -to do with them? He knew nothing of his -position relative to the rest of the force -which had established itself on the hill. -The din of rifle and machine-gun fire was -increasing; it seemed clear that the Turks -were rallying for a counter attack. Snipers' -bullets incessantly whistled overhead. After -a few minutes he felt sure that the head of -the gully above was occupied by a strong -force of the enemy, and he anxiously -considered whether he ought to try to hold on, -or to retire down the gully until he came in -touch with some one from whom he could -take orders. In the meantime he had -instructed the men to charge their magazines, -to keep their heads down, and to maintain -a careful look-out. Never had he felt so -glad of the long field-days he had spent as -a sergeant in his school corps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he was still in doubt, a second -lieutenant came up the gully. In the dirty, -dishevelled, tattered figure he hardly -recognised the Jack Tomlinson who had tried to -pose him in Turkish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You headstrong jackass!" cried Tomlinson -genially. "Do you know that you've -got at least five hundred yards ahead of -the rest? Looking for Turks not made to -be loved, but to be bayoneted, I suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No cackle! What are we to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came to withdraw you, and have had -a narrow squeak half a dozen times on the -way. The ground between you and our -first line, where we've got two or three -thousand men strung out anyhow, is frightfully -exposed, and the Turks are in strength -above. There are no end of snipers -concealed in the scrub on each side, and the -bottom of the gully is enfiladed; as I tell -you, I had the narrowest squeak in getting -here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must hold on then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Or risk being heavily cut up. I think -we had better stay, though for the life of -me I don't see how we can stick it if the -Turks locate us. Anyway, I hope it won't -be for long. The fellows have chucked -away their packs, I see; that means no -grub, and there's no water. I'm frightfully -dry, but I don't care to take a pull at -my water-bottle yet. Every drop may be -needed by and by."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, we couldn't have struck a better -place for a stand. This gully's a better -trench than we could have made in a hurry, -bar sandbags. Our handful ought to be -able to hold it against anything but artillery. -And we can improve it: we'd better -start at once before the Turks spot us: I -believe they're in pretty strong force above -there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Righto. Let's have a look round."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sides of the gully were covered with -bushes and small trees. Several of the men -had retained their entrenching tools, and -Frank set them to lop branches, and others -to pull up shrubs by the roots, which the -remainder began to weave into a sort of -abattis extending across the gully. Before -they had been engaged on the task more -than a quarter of an hour, the whiz of -bullets directly down the gully informed -them that the Turks had discovered their -position. One or two men were hit, and -Frank told off a few to post themselves in -the bushes and snipe in return. Their -flanks were protected against an attack in -force, on one side by a stretch of fairly open -ground commanded from the position of -the Australians below them, and on the -other by the tangled vegetation through -which to advance seemed impossible. It -gave cover for innumerable snipers, it is true; -but it served also as a screen to the occupants -of the gully on a much lower level. As an -additional defence against attack from up -the gully Frank ordered some of the men -to throw up a rampart behind the abattis, -a task which the soft nature of the rock -rendered comparatively easy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the traverse was only half finished -when there came a warning shout from a -man above--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here they come!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Round a bend in the gully some distance -higher up a compact mass of swarthy Turks -surged down towards them. At a word -from Frank the men dropped their tools and -posted themselves behind the obstruction, -taking all the cover its unfinished state -afforded, each man looking steadily over his -rifle sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait for the word," said Frank at one -end of the line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turks rushed down impetuously, -filling the whole width of the gully and -several ranks deep. They did not fire, their -intention evidently being to overwhelm the -little party in one headlong rush. Frank -waited tensely until the first rank was within -about a hundred yards; then he called out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now! Rapid!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A withering volley flashed from the rifles. -Then the men, each for himself, fired into -the approaching mass as steadily as if -practising at the butts. The first rank went -down under the pitiless hail of lead, but -the rush was scarcely checked. Carried on -by their own impetus, the Turks ran, jumped, -reeled down the hundred yards of rough -slope that intervened between them and the -abattis. They could not stop, even if they -would, for the close ranks behind pressed -relentlessly upon the foremost. Nor indeed -did they show any disposition to shirk the -issue. They were Turks, and therefore -brave; they were many, and the defenders -were few; and though the men at the head -of the column fell in their tracks, or -survived only to reel forward a few yards and -then collapse, those behind sprang over the -bodies of their fallen comrades, only to -fall themselves a pace or two further on. -Their places were taken in turn by others -from the throng pressing behind, and the -living stream dashed against the abattis like -waves upon a breakwater. Shouting the -name of Allah, some tried to wrench the -branches apart, others dug their feet into -the obstacle and began to clamber over. -But their courage was of no avail. With a -horde of the enemy within five or six feet -of them the Australians continued to fire -calmly, methodically, relentlessly, plying -their bayonets upon those few who came -within their reach.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 92%" id="figure-59"> -<span id="the-fight-in-the-gully"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE FIGHT IN THE GULLY" src="images/img-220.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE FIGHT IN THE GULLY</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>In two or three minutes from the time -when the torrent first broke upon the -barrier the oncoming Turks had to meet a -new and terrible obstacle in the piled bodies -of their comrades. And when finally the -survivors, stricken with sudden panic, broke -and fled back up the gully, it needed all the -authority of the two officers to prevent their -men from bursting out and chasing the -shattered mob. The Australian in action -has only one glorious failing: like a -thoroughbred courser, when his blood is up he is -hard to hold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank mopped his smoking brow. His -hand was shaking. His rifle was hot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You three men," he said, indicating -those nearest him, "get over and bring in -the wounded. The rest keep an eye up -the gully."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've got some iodine ampoules," said Tomlinson.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! We must do what we can for -the poor chaps. I'm glad it's over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it over? Look there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the further end of the gully the Turks -had already begun to collect material for a -breastwork similar to that against which -they had just spent themselves. They kept -out of sight, but masses of scrub and branches -of trees could be seen falling into the gully -from the sides.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must snipe them," said Tomlinson--"fire -into the bushes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Better save our ammunition," suggested -Frank. "We shall want it if they attack -again, and we can't get any more. They've -learnt a lesson, and will be warier now, and -therefore more formidable. We've all our -work cut out yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus at the one end the Turks went about -their task unmolested, and at the other the -Australians were allowed to carry the -wounded behind their rampart without -interference. Such of the men as had field -dressings employed them ungrudgingly on -their wounded prisoners. But hardly had -the last man who could be moved been -brought over when the Turks above -commenced a steady fire from behind their -barricade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep low, men," cried Frank. "Poke -your rifles through the bushes near the -bottom, and loose a shot every now and then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It soon became clear that the sharpshooting -from the barricade was intended -to distract the Australians while an attempt -was made to outflank them through the -scrub on the banks of the gully. Though -the Turks moved stealthily, and on the left -bank had almost perfect cover, a sudden -stirring of the bushes caught Tomlinson's -eye, and he guessed what it meant. The -party was all too small to meet an attack -on three fronts; for presently figures were -seen darting across the more open ground -on the right in twos and threes, risking -observation from the larger force of -Australians that was entrenched farther down the -hill. Fighting was general all over the -position, and even if the plight of the small -band in the gully had been known to their -comrades below, there was little or no -chance of their being reinforced. All that -the young officers could do was to tell off as -many of their men as could be spared from -the barricade to line the banks of the gully, -and do their best to daunt the enemy by the -accuracy of their fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a position to test the nerve and -resolution of a veteran, much more of -soldiers making their first essay in warfare. -Nothing in the experience of the Great War -has been more remarkable than the -extraordinary efficiency shown by the younger -officers--men who a few months before were -boys at school, with no more expectation -of serving their country in arms than of -undertaking any other unimagined form -of activity. They have shown quickness -of perception, promptness in decision, the -courage and tenacity which every Briton -glories in as his birthright, and a -cheerfulness in the most adverse and depressing -circumstances, which is not improvised, but -grows out of health and disciplined freedom. -When the full story of this world-struggle -comes to be written, it will be found that -a large proportion of the honours which -history will award will fall to the boys.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Through the heat of the day, and on till -the evening mist crept across the hills, -Frank and his Australian comrades -maintained the unequal fight. In the struggle -at the barricade they had received only -a few slight wounds; but as the day wore -on the effective strength of the little band -ebbed away. Parched with thirst, ruefully -regretful of the emergency rations in the -packs so lightly discarded on the beach -below, they had more than the persistent -sniping of the enemy to contend with. -They rarely caught sight of the Turks, but -every now and then one would fall to a -bullet from some unseen rifle in the scrub. -Exasperated by this furtive mode of attack, -the men asked to be allowed to charge the -enemy, and growled in the free-spoken -manner of Australians when their entreaty -was refused. At one time Tomlinson -suggested that they should make an attempt -to fall back upon the larger forces below, in -spite of its risks: but Frank replied quietly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We don't know how important every -yard may prove to be. I think we had -better hold on, Tommy. Perhaps the -fellows below will make another rush upward -by and by."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But darkness fell: the din of fighting -had not diminished; but none had come -to their relief. Tomlinson renewed his -proposal; but to the other dangers would be -added the risk of losing their way in this -unknown wilderness, and he agreed -ultimately with Frank that they had better -hold their ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men tried to relieve their thirst by -sucking the dew from their coats and shirts. -The day had been a long torture, but all -confessed that the night hours were worse. -In the daylight they could see their enemy -if they threatened an attack; in the -darkness they had to trust to their ears alone. -The Turks, knowing how small their -numbers were, would probably be tempted to -rush them, and the strain of guarding against -surprise told very heavily upon their nerves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About four hours after dark, Frank's -suspicion that some such move was intended -was aroused, first by the slackening of the -sniping fire, then by sounds of movement -on all sides. Frank had posted himself at -the upper end of his little force, by the -barricade: Tomlinson at the lower. From -this end Frank suddenly heard murmurs of -conversation, in tones which, though low, -had a note of excitement. In a few -moments a man came to him up the gully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm Sergeant Jukes, sir," he said--"crept -up the gully from below. Some one -told the major about you up here, and he -sent me to say, hold on as long as you can. -They're getting ready to advance down there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's good news! Tell the major we'll -stick it to the last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm to stay with you, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! The major doesn't know who -we are, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, sir. We heard firing, and he thought -perhaps some of our chaps had been cut -off and hadn't got an officer with them, so -he sent me to take charge in that case, but -to stay anyhow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're glad of your help--only wish -there were forty of you. Just go down a -few paces and keep your ears open. I'm -pretty sure the Turks are going to try a rush."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The minutes passed very slowly. It was -clear that the enemy, leaving nothing to -chance, were making their dispositions with -deliberate thoroughness. Officers and men -waited in a tenseness that was painful. -Would the blow from above fall before the -promised movement from below? Frank -dared not diminish his force by sending -out a listening patrol. He would need every -man if the attack came, and it would be -so easy to lose one's way in the scrub. But -in the darkness every man's hearing seemed -preternaturally sharpened, and they fingered -their rifles restlessly as they heard more -and more sounds of the forces gathering -about them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly there was a whistle on the right, -followed by an answering whistle on the -left. Guided by the sounds the defenders -opened fire. There was no reply. The -enemy were no doubt feeling their way -forward, in the hope of getting near enough -to sweep the position in one overwhelming -rush. From the directions in which the -whistles had come, Frank guessed that an -attack was to be made simultaneously on -two sides. There was another whistle, -nearer at hand and unmistakably at the -side; the answer came from below. An -idea flashed into his mind which he instantly -put into execution.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When, a few moments later, the Turks -swarmed down both sides of the gully some -distance below the barricade, they intended -to force the defenders back upon that useless -defence, expecting to have them then at -their mercy. But when they met, in the -darkness and confusion some of them threw -themselves upon their own friends before -they discovered that the men they had -come to attack had disappeared. In that -brief interval before the rush, Frank, divining -their purpose, had swiftly withdrawn all -his men to the barricade, and at the moment -when the Turks poured down the sides of -the gully, the defenders were all posted above -the barricade, facing towards them. As the -Turks, yelling and cursing, surged upwards -they were met by a withering fire, which -swept down the gully into their confused -and closely packed ranks. Trapped, -bewildered, they hesitated; then they in -turn opened fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But at this moment there was a ringing -cheer from below, repeated in ever-increasing -volume as a full company of Australians -charged up the gully. They could not be -seen; not a rifle flash revealed their position; -they meant to do their work with the cold -steel. The Turks, swept by the hail of -lead from above, ignorant of the number -of the enemy pouring upon their rear, began -in terror to scramble up the sides of the -gully, and broke away into the scrub on -either side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A hoarse shout rose from the parched -throats of the men above the barricade. -It warned their comrades of their position. -And now came the moment that rewarded -the little band for all the stress and labour -of the day. Exhausted though they were, -they sprang up the banks of the gully, and -side by side with the new arrivals, deaf to -the commands of Frank and Tomlinson, they -plunged into the scrub after the fleeing -Turks. A series of peremptory blasts from -a whistle brought this impetuous movement -to a stop. The men returned, disappointed -but happy, to the gully, and the newcomers -were ordered to line the banks with a -protective parapet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then an electric torch was seen moving -among the men, and a clear authoritative -voice was heard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is the officer who organized this position?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thoroughly worn out, Frank was sitting -at the foot of the bank, holding his head in -his hands, hardly conscious of what was -passing around him. He looked up as the -light flashed upon him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is he, eh?" a voice said. "Your -name, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He saw two keen eyes fixed upon him, -and stood up, mechanically saluting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My name?" He appeared to consider -for a moment. "Yes, I know: Frank Forester."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Regiment?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know; I don't believe I have -one. No, sir, of course; I'm attached as -interpreter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed! You've a queer way of interpreting -your duties. How long have you -held this gully?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Since early morning, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With what force?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had something over twenty to start -with: there aren't so many now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Less than a platoon! By George, -Mr. Forester, it's an uncommonly fine -performance: are you aware of that? I'll -send your name up to the General."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's Tomlinson, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll look after Tomlinson."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The men were splendid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I haven't a doubt of it.... Why, bless -my soul! water there, some one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had collapsed in his arms.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="fishing"><span class="large">CHAPTER XX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FISHING</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>With the morning light the men were -set to consolidate the position. Frank's -barricade was strengthened; the gully was -parapeted and wired; everything possible -was done to improve the defensive capacity -of the natural trench which marked the -summit of the Australian advance, and -which its occupants were to hold for a -month without being able to push farther.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the day after the fight, Frank was sent -down to the beach by the major to report -himself to the colonel, who at once employed -him in his proper duties of interpreting for -the Turkish prisoners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'd rather be doing something else, -I dare say, after that brilliant little defence -of yours," said the colonel; "but interpreters -are scarce, and you can't be spared."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the next few days Frank learnt -by degrees many details of the wonderful -feat accomplished by the allied army. In -the first place he discovered that the -landing-place of the Australians, a little north -of Gaba Tepe, was almost immediately -below his old haunt on Sari Bair, and the -guns he had heard firing above during that -unforgettable day were evidently the battery -which he had seen hauled up the hill. He -heard too how at Beach Y, to the south, -the King's Own Scottish Borderers and -part of the Naval Division had gained the -top of the cliffs with ease, covered by the -guns of three cruisers in the bay; and how, -still farther southward, the Royal Fusiliers, -landing from the </span><em class="italics">Implacable</em><span>, had made -good their footing without a single casualty. -On the broader sands at Beach W the -Lancashire Fusiliers had at first failed -against the wire entanglements almost at -the water's edge, and the innumerable -snipers and machine guns concealed in the -hollow between the cliffs. At Beach V, -the Dublin Fusiliers, almost annihilated -as they attempted to force three lines of -wire and a labyrinth of trenches, had taken -cover under a high sandbank that stretched -along the shore, where they were joined -by such of the Munster Fusiliers and the -Hampshires as survived the terrible fire -which burst on them when they rowed in -from the collier in whose side a door had -been cut for their exit. At Beach S the -South Wales Borderers had scaled the cliffs -without much difficulty; and the French -had successfully effected their diversion on -the opposite shore of the channel at Kum Kale.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These were the doings of the memorable -Sunday. On Monday the Australians, -supported by the guns of the fleet, withstood -a violent counter-attack that lasted two -hours, and finally drove off the Turks at -the point of the bayonet. Elsewhere along -the shore, except at Beach Y, which had -been abandoned, the invaders held their -own, and during the following days the -work of consolidation made rapid progress. -The sappers threw out piers on which stores -and ammunition were unloaded from lighters -under incessant shrapnel fire. Engineers -cut roads up the cliffs to facilitate the -transport and the passage of the ambulance -parties that were continually going up and -down. The wounded were conveyed to -the ships as rapidly as possible. Day and -night the work went on, amid the deafening -roar of big guns and the unceasing rain of -bullets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the month of May little further -progress was made. The way was blocked by -the hill of Achi Baba, crowned by a strong -redoubt, and seamed with trenches extending -on all sides in terraces one above another. -Against these strong fortifications no general -advance was possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile German submarines had -commenced their activity in the Dardanelles -and the Ægean Sea. They failed to -interfere with the supplies for the army, but -they torpedoed three large warships, the -</span><em class="italics">Goliath</em><span>, the </span><em class="italics">Triumph</em><span>, and the </span><em class="italics">Majestic</em><span>, and -put a temporary check on the close -co-operation of the fleet. Their successes -were in some measure balanced by the feats -of British submarines, which ran the -blockade of mines, penetrated as far as -Constantinople, and sent several Turkish transports -to the bottom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One evening, just after the </span><em class="italics">Majestic</em><span> had -been sunk, Frank was smoking an after-dinner -cigarette with his colonel outside the -mess-tent. The conversation turning on -submarines, Frank mentioned the incident of -the broken case on the quay at Panderma, -when he had noticed the periscope of a -submarine disclosed by the breach. He -did not dwell upon it, and the colonel only -remarked that the activity of the German -submarines had evidently been long premeditated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two mornings later, Frank was summoned -to the colonel, with whom he found -a naval captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good morning, Forester," said the -colonel. "I have been telling my friend -Captain Roberts some of your queer experiences -before you settled down as a humdrum -interpreter. He is rather interested."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am indeed," said the captain. "After -what you have gone through, interpreting -must be dull work--duller than mine, for -it's not very exciting to fire at long range -without much chance of getting one back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's not very exhilarating, certainly," -replied Frank. "The prisoners haven't -much to tell. They don't like their German -officers, and haven't an idea what they are -fighting for. Fighting is their job, and -</span><em class="italics">Kismet</em><span> covers it all.... You haven't been -hit from Sari Bair, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, though their shells drop pretty close -sometimes. Our sea-planes haven't managed -to locate that battery. I understand you -didn't actually see the guns emplaced."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, after I toppled one over I made -off. You see, things were getting pretty -hot just then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Naturally. Well, you seem to have been -able to take good care of yourself in very -ticklish situations; but perhaps after all -your present work is a relief after so much -excitement. A man can have his fill of -adventures, I suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I confess things weren't altogether pleasant, -sometimes, though they had their bright side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank smiled at his recollections of the -major of artillery whose clothes he had -commandeered, and of the boastful Abdi gurgling -in the sea. At the same time, struck by -a peculiar intentness in the captain's manner, -he asked himself, "What is he driving at, -I wonder?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course there are two sides to -everything," the captain went on. "Sometimes -the bright side is eclipsed by the -dark--according to the state of one's liver, -perhaps. Your liver doesn't trouble you -much, I fancy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank looked at the broad, jolly face -smiling enigmatically at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there anything you wish me to do?" -he asked bluntly but respectfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two elder officers exchanged a glance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, since you put it like that--yes, -there is," said the captain. "But it's a -matter entirely for yourself. If you feel -any hesitation, we shan't think any less -of you if you don't entertain the idea. I -may as well say at once it's a dangerous -job, not at all in the ordinary risk of -warfare; but the colonel had told me of your -work on the cliff yonder, and for a mere -interpreter, you know, you appear rather -to relish risks that are not quite ordinary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't think much of risks when -you've got anything going," said Frank. -"Anyhow, if I can be of use--what's the -nature of the job?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's just as I expected," interposed -the colonel, rising. "I'll leave you two to -talk it over. Come and tell me what you -arrange, Forester. You'll find me somewhere -in the neighbourhood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next morning Frank's absence evoked -enquiries among the junior officers. The -colonel was appealed to.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forester? Oh, he's off for a few days -on special service."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Interpreting, sir?" asked one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He'll have opportunities of airing his -Turkish," said the colonel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His manner discouraged further questioning. -The others saw that he meant to say -no more. One of them, however, presently -asked whether Forester was likely to be away long.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't say." He tugged his moustache -reflectively. "Our little job here is not -exactly a soft one, but I wouldn't be in -Forester's boots just now for a peerage."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-a-ring-fence"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN A RING FENCE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A Greek fishing vessel was beating up -against a gentle easterly wind into the Gulf -of Adramyti. Its course suggested that it -had sailed from the island of Mitylene. In -the distance, beyond the head of the gulf, -Mount Ida glowed in the rays of the setting -sun, and the shade was deepening on the -wooded hills of the Asiatic shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a peaceful, beautiful scene. But -if the eyes of any on board the vessel were -turned westward, they fell upon an image -of war. Far off on the horizon a long low -shape lay darkly silhouetted against the -orange sky. With a glass, perhaps without, -it might have been recognised as a destroyer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crew of the vessel were busy with their -nets. Their catches were not very great, -yet they showed no disappointment, such -as might have been expected in men whose -living depended on their takes. Some of -them, indeed, showed an almost boyish -interest and curiosity in the contents of -the nets when they were hauled up. One -might have thought that they were out for -a night's fishing for the first time in their -lives. And the remarks that fell from their -lips were not those that one would expect -to hear in a Greek vessel, or from native-born -fishermen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a plumper," said one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My aunt! don't you know a dogfish -when you see it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that a dogfish? All I know about -'em is that they make you squeamish. -Fact! My cousin told me: a chap always -running some craze or other. Once it was -science: thought he'd like to be a B.Sc. -Biology was in it. He bought a microscope -and a swagger set of dissecting instruments: -they have to cut up all sorts of strange -beasts, you know. First came a frog."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ugh! Slimy!" muttered one of his companions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, he liked it: fact! Said it was -a beautiful little creature inside. Then -came a mussel: he had no end of a job -finding its nervous system or whatever it -was. Then was the turn of the dogfish. I -don't know whether this fish had been too -long away from home, or whether it's -naturally offensive, like the skunk: but -whatever it was, my cousin told me that -when he put in the scalpel--well, he ran out of -the room and decided to go in for philosophy -instead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speakers, though clad in nondescript -garments that might have been taken, -at a distance, for Greek, were obviously -Englishmen. Four of their companions in -the boat were of the same nationality, and -anyone who had ever spent a few days in -a British naval port would have declared, -with the first glance at their keen bronzed -faces, that they were British seamen in -disguise. The remaining five men in the -vessel were as obviously genuine Greeks; -but a trained ear would have recognised -their speech as the Greek of Cyprus rather -than Mitylene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fishing, or shall we say the pretence -of fishing, was kept up until it was almost dark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Time to be off, old chap," said the man -who had recoiled at the mention of a frog.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I suppose so," said the other -without much enthusiasm. He took off -his outer garments, and replaced them by -the loose European costume which is affected -by the modern Greek merchant--wide trousers, -a jacket that looks as though it were -never meant to be buttoned, a shapeless -soft hat, and the inevitable touch of colour -in a blue cummerbund. Finally he stuck -upon his upper lip a long, soft, black -moustache.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By George, you look a regular Levantine--not -to say levanter," cried his companion. -"In that get-up you could persuade -any simple Turk that chalk's cheese. The -moustache is a master-stroke: wonderful -how it transforms a fellow. I'd like to -know the reason why army chaps are -encouraged to cultivate 'em, whereas they're -strictly forbidden in the King's navy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He continued talking, apparently with -the idea of keeping up his own and his -companion's spirits. Meanwhile the vessel, -which had put about just before darkness -fell, as if to run back to Mitylene, once -more beat up the gulf, edging gradually -into Turkish waters. In about an hour it -had arrived, according to the calculation -of the Greek skipper, within about two -miles of the coast. Under the starlit sky -the hills loomed black in the distance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The vessel was thrown into the wind. -Orders were given in a whisper. A small -dinghy towing astern was drawn up -alongside. One of the Greeks stepped into it, -and tied some bundles of matting to its -stern, letting them float on the water at -the end of the rope. Then Frank and the -naval officer got in, two of the British -sailors followed them, and the boat was -rowed with well-muffled oars silently shoreward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When it was within a few cables' length -of the shore the rowers ceased pulling, and -all the occupants of the boat stretched -their ears to catch any sounds that might -indicate the presence of persons on the beach. -They heard nothing but the slight ripple of -the almost tideless Ægean breaking on the sand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pull in," murmured the lieutenant-commander.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few silent strokes brought the boat to -the beach. Trees stretched down almost -to the water's brink. All was dark and -tranquil. A seaman stepped overboard upon -the wet sand and stood with his back towards -the boat. Frank rose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good luck, old man," said the naval -officer, gripping his hand hard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank mounted the seaman's back, and -was carried a few yards to the dry sand. -Meanwhile the other seaman had cut the -matting loose, and placed it carelessly on -the beach just above the waterline, as if -it had been cast up there by the sea. Frank -waved a farewell, plunged into the forest, -and disappeared. After a short interval the -boat was pulled out to sea, and its occupants -boarded the fishing vessel, anchored where -they had left it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank found himself among trees growing -thickly together, on ground that sloped -steeply from the beach. There was little -undergrowth to impede his progress. -Consulting a luminous compass, he directed -his course almost due northward, expecting -in a short time to reach the road that ran -parallel with the coast and at a short -distance from it, from Alexander Troas to -Edremit. The slope soon gave place to -more level ground, and the forest belt -presently ended abruptly at the edge of -cultivated land. Frank crossed the fields, and -in about forty minutes after he left the -beach he struck into the road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a bright starlit night, without -moon. The road was deserted. In -accordance with the plan made after close -consultation of the map with his friend the -lieutenant-commander, he turned to the -right, and stole cautiously along the road, -stopping at every few yards to listen. -Everything was quiet, and there was neither -light nor sound from the few farm buildings -which he passed at intervals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After walking about a mile he heard -footsteps. At first he thought they were -merely echoes of his own, but he took the -precaution to step aside into the shadow -of a clump of trees, and soon afterwards -saw a figure approaching along the road. -Before being discovered himself he wished -to learn what kind of person he had to do -with. The indistinct figure presently -resolved itself into the bent form of an old -peasant, whom he thought he might safely -question. Stepping out into the road, he -went on, and was not seen by the peasant, -who was apparently very tired and walked -with head downbent, until he had almost -reached him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Giving him the usual salutation, Frank stopped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is the nearest khan?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About an hour's walk along the road," -replied the man, looking curiously at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is the khanji?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hussan, the son of Ibrahim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it a good khan? I shall be glad to -get there. I have had a long walk. My -horse fell lame: I could not get another: -they are all taken for the army."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a good khan. Hussan is a good -man. You will rest well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>More salutations were exchanged, and -each went on his way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In less than an hour Frank arrived at -a building in which lights were burning. -He knocked at the door, and called for -Hussan the son of Ibrahim. A voice from -within asked who he was and what was his business.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A merchant of Corinth, O khanji, -compelled to go on foot by the loss of his -horse. I am weary and desire to rest, and -it has been told me along the road how -excellent is this khan, and how princely -the hospitality of the khanji."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Great is Truth," said the khanji, -opening the door. "Here, if you are a -respectable man and can pay, you shall find good -food and a couch to yourself, since I have -but few guests to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The innkeeper, a middle-aged man of -Arab type, stood in the doorway to inspect -his guest before admitting him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whither are you bound, stranger?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For Edremit, khanji. I have business -with the army: what it is I cannot say: -you understand that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The khanji looked knowing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am deaf and blind if need be," he -said. "You will want a horse. I think I -can find one for you--if you can pay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely I will pay well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enter, then, O honoured guest. I will -set before you what is left of a prime chicken, -and after, cakes and honey, and whatsoever -this khan will afford."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank went in. The single guest-chamber, -a large apartment, was lit by a couple -of saucer-lamps. Three men of the carrier -type were eating their supper. The host -laid rugs on a sleeping board at one end -of the room for Frank, and called to his -servant to bring the stranger a bowl of stew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What news of the war?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is little fresh," replied Frank. -"The Russians get no further, and the -English are beating their heads against -the rocks in Gallipoli. Your countrymen -the Turks----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so: I am an Arab," interrupted -the khanji. "My fathers ruled this country -before the Turks were heard of."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True. Perhaps it will be ruled again -by men of your race: who can tell? But -the Turks are stronger since the Almans -have come among them. There are many -Almans in Stamboul. You have not seen -any on this side of the water?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not; but it is said that there -are Almans along the coast. What they -do here I know not, for they are not fighting -men. It is told that they are holy men, -who keep themselves very strictly apart. -The Almans, it is said, are becoming true -sons of the faithful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know something of them," said one -of the guests. "I have taken goods to -them from Edremit--wheaten flour from -Tafid the corn factor. Truly the ways -of the Franks are past understanding, and -the chief of these Almans is the maddest -of all. He is a hermit; yet big and fierce, -and not lean and weak like our own holy -men. With him there are certain others -of less degree, who do what he bids them. -His dwelling is on the shore of the gulf, and -the ground around it is enclosed by a fence -of wire with many sharp spikes. In the -fence there is but one gate, and none is -allowed to enter except those bringing stores. -I myself, when I take the flour, have to -leave it at an inner fence far from the house, -and there it is received by the holy man's -servants. That he is a true son of Islam -is sure, for the Governor protects him, -and posts soldiers at his gate to defend -him from harm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mashallah! These Almans are different -from us," said another man. "Our holy -men eat pulse, and so little that their bodies -are but shadows. But these strangers have -large bodies, and surely in appetite they -are as elephants, for I have carried to them -the flesh of oxen and sheep sufficient for -fifty men that have no claim to holiness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And now, stranger, give me your name, -your business, and the number of your -years," said the khanji. "I ask pardon -for what seems impertinence, but I am bidden -to send every day to the Bey at Chatme a -list of my guests. It is a grievous task and -costs much time and the loss of my servants' -labour, but the command of the Bey must -be done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank invented the necessary particulars, -which the innkeeper laboriously wrote down -in Arabic characters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will send that to Chatme to-morrow, -khanji?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Truly: it is too late to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As I am going that way I will save -your servant's time. Let me be your -messenger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The khanji looked surprised at this offer: -but he was quite ready to accept it and -save himself trouble.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank was well satisfied with what he -had learnt, and went to sleep with an easy mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Very early next morning he accompanied -the khanji to his stables, where he found -an old broken-kneed horse for which he -haggled in the oriental manner, ultimately -paying for it a good deal more than it was -worth. On a shelf he saw a tool of the -nature of a trowel, which he slipped into his -pocket when the khanji's back was turned. -"It may come in handy," he thought, "and -the old rascal is more than paid for it by -what he has robbed me of over the horse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thanking his host for his hospitality, -Frank mounted and pushed along the road -as fast as his sorry nag could go. At this -early hour he met no travellers, and saw -nobody but the labourers trudging to their -work in the fields. After riding about nine -miles, as nearly as he could guess, he turned -off into a side track leading towards the -coast. The country all around was densely -wooded, and from marks on the track he -judged that it was used for dragging timber. -Now and then he heard the ring of axes -in the woods. At places the track drew -near to the edge of the cliff overlooking -the sea. Here he struck off inland, making -his way as best he could among the trees. -Once he caught sight of a man far away -on the cliff, looking out to sea. It appeared -that the coast was watched.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last, after what seemed to be hours -of slow progress, diversified by stumbles -and falls of his miserable steed, he came -suddenly to the barbed wire fence of which -he had heard at the inn. He saw at a -glance that it was not designed to keep -people out if they were determined to get -in. Like the notice, "Trespassers will be -prosecuted," in fields and woods at home, -it was intended to scare intruders away. -Frank dismounted, led his horse into a -thicket out of sight from the fence, -hitched the bridle to a tree and gave the -animal some food. Then he returned to -the fence, took the bearings of the thicket, -and prepared to get over. This he achieved -by climbing on the successive strands of -the wire as on the rungs of a ladder, -steadying himself by means of one of the posts to -which the wire was attached. One of the -barbs tore a rent in his baggy trousers, but -this was his only mishap. He was within -the enclosure of the mysterious hermitage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked about him. There were many -trees, though they were not so crowded as -in the woods he had just left. No house -was in sight. He had gathered from the -carrier's talk that the enclosure was of -large extent: exactly how large he did not -know, and it was necessary to go warily, to -avoid coming too suddenly upon the house. -He flitted from tree to tree with the caution -of a scout who knows that an enemy is in -front of him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently he came to a stream too wide -to leap: he crossed it by wading, the water -coming halfway up to his knees. The -current was swift, and a little to his left he -heard a continuous rustle, like the sound -of a waterfall. No doubt the stream fell -over the cliff into the sea. He went on, -and arrived at a rough track parallel with -the stream. Carefully scanning the -surroundings, he saw, down the track to his -right, a second wire fence, with a gate where -it crossed the path. He retraced his steps -for some little distance, in order to approach -the fence at a spot remote from the gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he reached it, he found that it -differed from the outer fence. It was -constructed, not of barbed wire, but of plain -iron wire about as thick as that used for -telegraph lines. There would be no difficulty -in creeping through. It seemed strange -that the inner defences of this hermit's -settlement should be so much less formidable -even than the paltry obstruction he had -recently crossed. He examined it closely, -and noticed what appeared to be an insulator -on one of the posts. Perhaps the fence -was not so harmless as it looked. Wetting -a finger, he lightly touched the wire for an -instant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lucky I wasn't too impetuous," he -thought. "That's a pretty strong charge."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Faced by this unexpected obstacle, he -withdrew among the trees to consider what -he should do. The trowel which he had -brought, with the idea of cutting the wire -if necessary, was useless against a wire -electrically charged. Possibly, however, -search might discover a weak spot. There -was no sign of the inhabitants of the -settlement. Returning within sight of the fence, -but keeping near to the trees so that he -might slip under cover in case of alarm, he -prowled along, but without reward until -he reached the stream he had waded. At -this spot it was crossed by the wire, attached -to a post on each bank. He saw at once -that by scooping away the soft earth at -the foot of one of the posts he could make -a hole large enough to enable him to wriggle -under the bottom strand of wire. The -trowel was coming in handy after all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few minutes he was safe on the other -side. Following the stream towards the -sea, he came presently to a clearing, and -what he saw within the clearing assured -him in a flash that his journey had not been -in vain.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-holy-men"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE HOLY MEN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As he scanned the scene, Frank smiled at -his thought of the wonderment of the -khanji and his humble guests could they -but see the habitat of the mysterious "holy -men." They, no doubt, had imagined a -cave in the cliff, or at best a stone grot, -with nothing to suggest modern civilization. -What he actually saw had no semblance of -luxury, indeed; but it was far from the -austerities of the anchorites of old.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the left of the clearing, as he looked -towards the sea, was a small wooden bungalow, -with a verandah about three sides of it, -pleasantly shaded by trees. Beyond it, at -the edge of the wood, was a smaller hut, -also of wood. To the right were three more -huts, one considerably larger than the others; -and by the side of this last was a crane, -worked by a donkey engine. Two men were -moving about the place, hauling packages -from the large hut to the crane. -Apparently they were to be let down--to what -destination below, Frank could not see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am getting warm," he thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was necessary to discover what lay -beneath the crane, and Frank glanced round -to find some safe and convenient path by -which he might secretly approach it. As -he did so, he caught sight of a short pole -on the roof of the bungalow, from which a -single telegraph wire passed over the -clearing to the left and disappeared into the -wood. Just below him, skirting the clearing -on the right, ran the stream with which he -was already acquainted. It was possible, -he thought, under cover of the shrubs on -the further bank, to gain a point where -he might satisfy his curiosity. Cautiously -making his way along, completely screened, -he came to a spot where the stream fell -sheer to the level of the beach between high -cliffs, through which it cut a channel to the -sea. Immediately beneath the cliff on which -the bungalow and the huts stood there was -a broad pool, bounded by a similar cliff on -the opposite side. And on this pool, just -beneath the crane, lay a lighter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank at once realised that the pool, like -the buildings, was out of sight from the -sea. If a ship were to pass the entrance -of the channel, those on board, seeing the -waterfall, would at once know that the -stream was not navigable, and would -probably not think it worth while to enter the -channel. No one would suspect that within, -indented in the cliffs to the right, there was -a small natural harbour, in which a vessel -might lie perfectly concealed. Its depth -Frank had no means of determining. -Immediately beneath him the water was churned -into foam by the falling stream. But it was -clearly deep enough to float a lighter, and -it was equally clear that the depth of the -channel must be sufficient for its passage in -and out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From his place of concealment Frank -watched. At the foot of the crane there -was now a pile of small packages. From -one of the huts came a stout bearded man -in grimy blue overalls. He sidled into his -seat at the donkey engine, jerked the -throttle, and addressed one of the labourers. -He spoke in Turkish, but in a harsh guttural -voice that could proceed from none but a -German throat. A moment later Frank -heard another voice from the direction of -the bungalow, which was hidden from him -by the intervening huts. He could not -distinguish the words, but immediately -afterwards a German sailor came out of the hut -on the seaward side of the bungalow, saluted, -and rolled off into the woods crowning -the cliff. Before he had quite disappeared, -Frank noticed a second sailor climbing down -the trunk of a tall tree, and lifting his glass -(the excellent article for which he was -indebted to the major of artillery with whom -he had made certain exchanges in Gallipoli) -he made out a rope ladder swinging from a -lofty branch. The two sailors met at the -foot of the tree. They exchanged a few -words; then the newcomer ascended the -ladder, and the look-out he had relieved -sauntered towards the hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Realising that his hiding-place was -commanded from the look-out post in the tree, -Frank slightly changed his position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am getting warmer," he said to himself. -Meanwhile the engine had begun to puff. -The crane extended its arm, and the chain -rattled as one of the men was let down into -the lighter. The packages were then lowered -one by one, and stowed on board. When -the last of them had been placed, the man -below caught hold of the chain, and the -engine-man began to lift him. But the -man's feet were only a few feet above -the vessel, and the arm of the crane had just -begun to swing round, when there came an -imperative call from the bungalow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Adolf!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ja, Herr Major," shouted the engine-man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He at once stopped the engine, and wiping -his hands on a mass of waste, hurried -towards the bungalow, leaving the Turk -swinging. Frank smiled at this illustration of -German discipline, and was still more amused -when he noticed that the Turk, instead of -dropping into the pool and clambering on -board the lighter as he might have done -safely, clung on to the hook at the end of -the chain and dangled there, apparently -too frightened to call out in a tone loud -enough to be heard by the martinet in the -bungalow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank's attention was withdrawn from -the Turk by the same loud voice bidding -the engine-man hurry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That sounds uncommonly like Wonckhaus," -he thought. "Why, of course! -That's not surprising. He was with the -party at Panderma when I caught sight of -that periscope. But perhaps it isn't he. A -lot of these Germans have the same sort of -voice. I'd like to make sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a careful look round he stole back -along the bank of the stream until he came -opposite the wood in the rear of the clearing, -crossed to the other side, crept through -the wood, darted across the road, then -turned to the right and in the course of a -few minutes reached the trees which had -been left standing to shade the bungalow -when the ground was cleared. Moving -among them cautiously, he came to the -rear of the building. It had evidently been -run up hurriedly. Piles of timber left over -from its construction were stacked close -behind it. After a little hesitation Frank -gained the shelter of one of these. There -were voices at his right, where the verandah -was closed at the end. The planks there, -being of unseasoned wood, had started, -leaving one or two gaping cracks. Frank -looked through one of these into the -verandah. Two men were lolling in deck chairs. -Between them was a table on which there -were tumblers, bottles, and the remains of -a meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The furthermost man, whose face was -towards Frank, was clearly a Turkish officer. -He was smoking a cigarette. The nearer -figure, broader, more massive, showed only -his side face. That belonged either to -Wonckhaus or to his double. He was -reclining at ease. His right hand held a big -cigar. Opposite him stood the engine-man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get everything ready for to-night, then," -Wonckhaus was saying.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jawohl, Herr Major."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment shouts came from the -direction of the pool. Frank smiled again: -the suspended Turk had at last mustered -the courage of despair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is that horrible noise?" demanded -Wonckhaus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is probably the hamal," replied the -engine-man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why does he shout? What is the -matter with him? Is he drowning?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, Herr Major, he is hanging."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lieber Himmel! What do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is half way up. I left him there -when the Herr Major summoned me. He -is getting tired. He will drop."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dummkopf! Go and haul him up -instantly. He is a useful man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus burst into loud laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is amusing, very funny."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took a long drink and resumed:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are occasions, lieutenant, when -our admirable German discipline recoils upon -us. But one cannot have it all ways. Take -a drink."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, major, but I will not drink -beer. Some Turks take it with a quiet -conscience, but not I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please yourself. When we have been -with you a little longer your scruples will -vanish. There are lemons; help yourself. -How you can drink lemonade passes my -understanding. Lemons set my teeth on -edge. The scent of them makes me shudder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk was in the act of squeezing a -lemon into a tumbler when a telegraph -instrument clicked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it, will you?" said Wonckhaus, -indolently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk sprang up and went through a -French window into the adjoining room. -The clicking continued for a while. Presently -he returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three torpedo boats, two believed to -be British, one French, sighted off Cape -Baba," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! our friends will scarcely get in -to-night, then, unless they have already -slipped past."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will not be easy to see them in the -darkness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These English have eyes everywhere. -They see in the dark like a cat. Yet -perhaps with luck and, what is better, German -watchfulness, all will be well. Hand me -the telephone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk obeyed silently, but in a manner -that suggested resentment at the German's -peremptory tone. Wonckhaus spoke into -the instrument in German.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep a sharp look-out. Torpedo boats -are reported off the coast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lieutenant got up and moved towards -the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall turn in," called Wonckhaus after -him. "You had better do the same. We -shall be up all night; probably to no -purpose. I am tired of this. It would suit -one of Von Tirpitz's men better than me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lay back in his chair, pulled at his -cigar, and finding that it had gone out, threw -it away, rose, stretched himself, yawned, and -walked slowly into the bungalow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank had heard and seen enough. He -knew what the "holy men" were engaged -in. It only remained to return on his -tracks and report his discoveries to the -lieutenant-commander, who would know how -to act on them. Slipping back into the -wood, he made his leisurely way to his former -observation post, where he sat down and ate -some food he had brought from the khan, -in the slow abstracted manner of one deep -in thought. Then he returned by the way -he had come, found his horse in the -thicket, and rode southward, without hurry, -for his friends would not expect him until dark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On approaching the road, he dismounted, -again tied up his horse to a tree, and threw -himself on his back. He was very tired, -but dared not indulge his longing for a -nap, and when he found slumber stealing -upon him, he sprang up and strolled about -in the woods. The afternoon seemed -particularly long. But he was prudent enough -not to take to the open road until the fall -of night. Then he rode rapidly, passed the -khan, turned his horse loose some distance -from it, and struck off towards the shore. -It was a matter of some ten minutes' walking -before he came to the matting, which now -lay dry on the beach where it had been left. -There he sat, looking over the sea, and -listening intently. About an hour later his -ears caught the faint sound of muffled oars. -He walked down to the brink of the water, -waited a few moments until assured that -he was not mistaken, then gave a low -whistle. The boat pulled in, and Frank, too -impatient to await its beaching, waded out -towards it and scrambled over the side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well?" whispered the lieutenant-commander.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O.K. Now it's up to you. I'll tell you -all about it when we get clear of the shore."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="capturing-a-submarine"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">CAPTURING A SUBMARINE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Nothing more was said until Frank and -the naval officer were once more aboard the -fishing vessel. Then, as the boat ran down -the coast, Frank related his experiences of -the past two days.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Holy men!" chuckled the lieutenant-commander. -"It'll be sacrilege, then. After -this war I shall cruise about the world in -search of a German with a sense of humour. -You say you know that fellow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, and I've a bone to pick with him. -He nearly did me out of a carpet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh! How was that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank told as much as he cared to of -the incident in Erzerum. The naval officer -laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was amusing, certainly, until the -ruffian had me locked up," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And then, bit by bit, his companion drew -from him the details upon which he had -kept silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish we had a Ruhleben in England," -growled the officer. "Our prisoners have -too easy a time. But this Wonckhaus shall -have an opportunity of cultivating holiness -in an English prison, and I hope he won't -like it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently he went forward, and sent a -few flashes seaward from a lantern -carefully screened from the shore. There were -answering flashes out at sea. In half an -hour a destroyer loomed up out of the -darkness. The lieutenant-commander went -aboard with Frank and the seamen, and the -fishing vessel was made fast to a hawser from -the stern. There was a brief conference on deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all right then," said the officer. -"Now, my dear chap, you must be dead tired. -Tumble below. I'll wake you when I want you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While Frank slept, the destroyer ran -slowly up the gulf. He awoke at a touch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sorry to disturb you so soon, but you -must come up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank rose sleepily and went on deck. -The destroyer was moving dead slow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're on a course parallel with the -shore," said the officer. "Just keep your -eye lifting over the port quarter, will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank did as he was instructed. In a -minute or two he saw two dim lights on -shore, which vanished almost immediately.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The question is, are they the lights of a -farmhouse, or somewhere in the channel?" -said the officer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's late for a farmhouse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exactly. Wait a little. Keep looking out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The vessel stopped, then moved slowly -backward. The lights appeared again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now I'll tell you my inference," the -officer went on. "From your description -of the place, lights in the bungalow or the -huts could not be seen from the sea. But -lights placed somewhere on the cliffs at the -end of the channel could be seen as we pass -across the mouth, and only then; a -movement of a few yards forward or astern will -shut them off. I take it, then, that the -lights are in fact at the inner end of the -channel--and we know why."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I haven't any doubt of it," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then go below and get into your own -toggery. You may then sleep another hour -or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About two hours after midnight Frank -was again awakened. With the lieutenant-commander, -a lieutenant, a warrant-officer, -and two sturdy seamen in addition to the -boat's crew, he got into the fishing vessel, -which cast off and stood in towards the -shore. The destroyer steamed away out to -sea. The officers were armed with revolvers, -the men with rifles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was about two hours before dawn when -the party landed from the dinghy at the -spot on the beach where the matting showed -up darkly against the sand. Placing -himself at the head, Frank led the way up -through the trees, the rest following about -a yard apart. They marched in perfect -silence; not a word was uttered. Every -now and then as they penetrated the dark -woodland Frank halted. The officer next to -him touched him on the shoulder, the next -touched him in turn, and so on along the line -until all were accounted for. The necessity -of caution made their progress slow, and they -took more than an hour to cover ground -which Frank alone had traversed in twenty -minutes. Then they stopped, and lay down -in the wood to await the dawn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>According to Frank's calculation it was -about seven miles from their landing-place -to the bungalow by the road, possibly a -little shorter distance along the cliffs. But -they would gain nothing in time by taking -the shorter way, owing to the denseness of -the woodland. To proceed along the road -would almost certainly be fatal, for -unfrequented though it was, no one could say -that some member of the Turko-German -party, or some messenger from a distance, -might not happen to pass on an errand, -and the sight of eight men in British uniform -would give the game away. As soon as a -glimmer of daylight filtered through the -foliage, therefore, Frank led them on as -close to the shore as possible. During their -pause they had taken the opportunity to eat -some bread and cheese they had brought -with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There won't be time for breakfast in -the bungalow," murmured Frank with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The way along the cliffs proved -unexpectedly arduous, and it was past midday -when they arrived at the outer fence, at a -spot not far distant from where Frank had -first encountered it. Here the warrant officer -went forward, cut the wire in two places, -and, when the party had passed through, -joined the severed ends in such a way that -they could be readily loosened, though only -a close examination would discover what -had been done. Once more Frank took the -lead, following his scarcely distinguishable -track of two days before. Leaving the rest -of the party among the trees, he went on -alone until he reached the live fence, and -having enlarged the small excavation through -which he had wriggled, he crept to his hiding-place -on the bank of the stream to observe -what was going on at the bungalow and -the pool.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Things were apparently very much as -when he left nearly twenty-four hours before. -There was one new feature in the scene. A -rough country cart stood in front of one of -the huts, and two Turks--one of them the -victim of German discipline--were unloading -it and carrying the stores into the hut. No -driver was visible, and Frank remembered -that the country people were not allowed -to come within the fence. At the gate, -then, must be at least one man on guard. -A man crossed between the bungalow and -the adjacent hut: probably he was cook -and servant to the officers. The -engine-man sat on an upturned tub, smoking, and -exercising his German wit on the labouring -Turks. A look-out was perched on his -platform in the tree, peering through a -telescope. No doubt the officers were in -the bungalow, possibly sleeping after a -wakeful night. The whole party appeared -to consist of eight men--a small force -considering the importance of their duties; but -Frank reflected that a larger force would -have endangered the precious secret they -were guarding.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To him, of course, it was a secret no -longer. This secluded pool had been chosen, -with admirable judgment, as the base of one -of the German submarines which had lately -been mischievous in the Ægean. It was -probably the very submarine whose periscope -he had caught a rapid glimpse of at -Panderma. Wonckhaus had been put in charge -of the base, no doubt because the injury to -his leg had temporarily unfitted him for the -heavy work required of the German infantry -officer. He had expected the vessel to run -in on the previous night, until the telegraph -wire brought news that enemy torpedo boats -were watching in the gulf. That it had not -arrived was clear at a glance. The only -vessel in the pool was the lighter, and -Frank suspected that the packages he had -seen lowered into it contained supplies for -the submarine crew, and had been removed -from the hut for greater facility in -transferring them to the war vessel. The "holy -men," to do them justice, did not consume -the whole of the immense consignments -which had amazed the Turkish carrier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The object with which the small British -party had come to this secret spot was -nothing less than the capture of the -submarine. As a preliminary to that they -must seize the settlement and its -inhabitants, a feat for which the seven British -seamen who had come under his guidance -should be amply competent. They had -four Germans, trained men, to deal with; -three Turks, of whom one was an officer, -the two others menials; and the servant, -whose nationality Frank did not know; he -might be a Levantine, and of no account. -With the advantage of surprise and of -British daring and discipline the task of the -adventurous eight should be easy enough. -The one essential condition of success was -that none of the German's party should -get away. The escape of a single man might -ruin the enterprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank waited some time at his post of -observation, to make sure that his estimate -of the number of the enemy was accurate. -He saw the last load carried from the cart -to the hut; it was a nine-gallon cask of -beer; then one of the Turks mounted, and -drove off down the road. As soon as he -no longer heard the rumbling of the wheels, -Frank hastened back to his friends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought you were never coming," said -the lieutenant-commander. "Is she there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. Evidently she couldn't get through."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't think she would, but I'm glad -to be sure of it, for we couldn't have tackled -the whole crew. Why were you so long?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank gave the result of his observations. -The officers smiled happily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then," said the lieutenant-commander, -"the first thing is to raid the -bungalow, and collar the officers. They -control the telegraph and telephone. You -know the place, Forester; I'll give you two -of the men to assist. They'll take their -instructions from you. I'll wait until I get -a signal from you that you have done the -trick, or until I hear a row in that direction. -They are sure to show fight. But I needn't -say that if you can manage it quietly, so -much the better for our ultimate success."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll do my best," said Frank. "It's a -good deal later than when I was here yesterday, -and I shouldn't be surprised if they're -taking their siesta."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. Now let me take my bearings. -How do I steer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You go straight on until you reach the -stream. You'll see the place where I have -scooped a passage for you at the foot of one -of the posts supporting the wire. The men -must be careful, or they'll be electrocuted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll see to that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You cross the stream, turn to the left, -cut along the bank--and there you are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perfectly clear sailing directions. But -what about the road?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cross that: you can slip along among -the trees. Better keep a look-out for the -Turk who went down with the cart. He'll -be coming back presently, with the German -seaman who I suspect was on guard at the gate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'll be a staff-officer some day, my -friend. Well, it's all clear. We'll arrange -our plans: you had better cut off. Here, -Moggs and Parker, you're under -Mr. Forester's orders."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two strapping seamen jumped up and -saluted. One of them hitched up his -breeches and spat on his hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good luck, then," said the lieutenant-commander.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank nodded, smiled, and led the men -along the route he had followed the previous -day to the timber stack at the rear of the -bungalow. On the way he halted for a -few minutes to explain in general terms -what his purpose was, and to impress on -them the need of absolute silence. When -he reached the trees, he left them there -under cover, to await his signal. Then he -stole forward alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no sound except the servant -moving about in the kitchen part of the -building. He peeped through a chink in -the wall of the verandah. No one was in -view, but he now heard a succession of -snores and grunts from somewhere in the -interior. Turning, he beckoned to the -seamen to join him. They came swiftly on -tiptoe, screened from the look-out in the -tree-top, not far away to their left, by the row -of trees that almost overhung the bungalow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank signed to them to stoop and follow -him. Bending low, he crept along below -the verandah, stopped for a moment to -peep into a room, and finding that it was -a bedroom and empty, led them on towards -the kitchen. This, too, a glance showed to -be unoccupied. But the servant must be -near at hand, for Frank heard the splashing -of water and the clatter of crockery. He -must be washing up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Moving still more cautiously, Frank came -to the corner of the building. He looked -round. Just outside the door a young -sallow-hued oriental was washing up in a -trough. Frank stole back to his men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Parker, you'll come with me," he -whispered. "I'll leave you here, Moggs, to -watch that fellow. If you hear a row -inside the building, collar him and keep him -quiet. But don't move otherwise unless I -call you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, ay, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Followed by Parker, he went to the French -window of the empty bedroom, gently forced -the catch with his clasp knife, and entered. -Tiptoeing across it, he passed out of the -open door, into a short passage. From the -left he heard the faint sounds of the cook's -movements: the kitchen was in that direction. -On the right, a few steps along, light -fell across the passage from an open door. -Frank stole up to this and peeped in. It -was another bedroom, like the first -unoccupied. Almost opposite this was a closed -door; there was no other door on either -side or at the end. This must be the -sitting-room, parlour or sanctum of the holy men. -Muffled by the timber, there came through -the door the sound of snoring he had heard -outside. He listened for a moment. The -snores were all in one tone: it appeared -likely that he had only one man to deal -with. Was it Wonckhaus or the Turk? -Or perhaps Wonckhaus was sleeping, and -the other man admiring him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He drew his revolver, very gently turned -the handle of the door, and looked in when -the crack was wide enough. The room had -only one occupant. Wonckhaus, big, -ungainly, lay stretched in a long cane chair, -his head lolling sideways, his mouth wide -open, one arm hanging limp, a long German -pipe held loosely in the other hand. On a -small round table beside him were a tobacco-jar, -a black bottle, and a glass. Beyond -this was another long chair, beside which -stood a stool, bearing a glass, a carafe of -water, and a few small pale lemons. And -the room rang with German snores.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank's eye, swiftly ranging the room, -passed from the lemons to the open mouth. -It was a happy chance. He turned to -Parker at his elbow and whispered a few -words. The man nodded. Then Frank -opened the door, and stole on his toes -round the back of Wonckhaus's chair to -the stool. From this he took up a lemon -about the size of a hen's egg, and with the -quickness of a conjurer slipped it into the -gaping mouth. The German awoke with a -convulsive start and shudder--and his eyes, -bleared with sleep, fell on a revolver pointed -within six inches of his temple, and above it -the face, a little grimmer than it had ever -appeared in a photograph, of the man whom -he had not seen for many weeks, even in -his dreams.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before he could collect his wits, Parker -stepped up to him on the other side and with -some ends of thin rope which he had taken -from his capacious blouse tied the German's -hands and feet, with a British seaman's -quickness and thoroughness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now for the cook," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went back into the passage. The -cook was still washing up. Entering the -kitchen noiselessly, they crept to the door. -Frank made a sign, Parker rushed out, -caught the unsuspicious servant by the -throat, and in two minutes had laid him, -gagged and trussed, just inside the kitchen -door. It was a credit to the discipline of -the British navy that Moggs, watching these -proceedings with amazement round the -corner, neither moved nor uttered a sound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now time to bring up the rest of -the party, who, he guessed, had by this -time reached a point from which he could -be seen if he moved a few yards from the -bungalow towards the hut opposite. But in -making this movement he would be seen -also from the tree-top. The look-out must -be prevented from giving the alarm. Frank -showed the seamen how they might -approach the tree from the rear unperceived, -and ordered them to make the man their -prisoner. When that was done he would -give the expected signal to the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The seamen had only just disappeared -among the trees when Frank was startled -by the sound of a horse cantering up the -road towards the bungalow. Running to -the window of the room facing the road, -he saw that the horseman was the Turkish -officer who had been with Wonckhaus two -days before. It seemed that the naval -party had not yet arrived, or they would -certainly have intercepted the Turk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank weighed the chances of tackling -this opponent alone, and quickly made up -his mind. With two of the enemy already -accounted for, and a third, the look-out, -soon to be helpless, the noise of a struggle -would bring up the rest of his party before -the remaining four men could interfere to -his harm. He waited within the room. The -Turk reined up and dismounted at the door, -and walked in unsuspiciously. At this -moment there was a shout from the direction -of the look-out tree, and the officer turned -quickly and ran out into the open. Frank -sprang after him. The Turk heard his -footsteps and faced round, not rapidly -enough to brace himself for the shock of -Frank's sudden onset. He was hurled to -the ground, shouting an alarmed call for -Wonckhaus.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 92%" id="figure-60"> -<span id="a-critical-moment"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A CRITICAL MOMENT" src="images/img-280.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A CRITICAL MOMENT</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Though taken by surprise, the Turk -proved to be a more formidable antagonist -than Frank had expected. His frame was -well-knit and sinewy, and he held Frank in -a fierce grapple. They heaved and rolled -on the ground, each struggling desperately -to throw off the grip of the other. In less -than a minute Frank was aware that the -contest, if fought out, must be a long one. -By a sudden convulsive twist, indeed, the -Turk had managed to reverse the positions -and get above him. There were shouts -near at hand, and the sound of running -feet. Frank feared that the Germans were -coming to the officer's help, and wrestled -vigorously to regain the upper hand. Just -as he felt that his opponent was weakening, -the Turk suddenly relaxed his grip wholly -and fell over. Springing up, Frank found -that one of the seamen from the -lieutenant-commander's party had run ahead of the -rest, and finished the struggle with the butt -of his rifle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the officers and the rest of the -men had been busy at the huts. The few -inmates, alarmed at the shouts, had started -to run towards the bungalow, but came to a -sudden stop when, on the other side of the -buildings, they saw five British naval men -charging in the same direction. They -hesitated, paralysed by surprise; and when the -lieutenant-commander rushed up with drawn -revolver and called on them to surrender, -they yielded without a show of resistance, -and were soon prisoners in their own huts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where's Wonckhaus?" were the -lieutenant-commander's first words as he joined -Frank at the bungalow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come and see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He led him into the room where Wonckhaus -lay bound in his chair, the lemon -still wedged between his teeth. The naval -officer concealed a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps the gentleman would prefer -some beer," he said. "Remove that plug, -Simpson," he added to the warrant officer, -indicating the lemon. "Give the major -some beer, and then lock him in his bedroom. -We shall want this room."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus glared at Frank with -unspeakable hate, but uttered no word. When -he had been removed, the warrant officer -went to see what had become of Moggs and -Parker, and met them returning in high -feather with their prisoner. The look-out -had caught sight of them just as they -reached the tree, and given the shout which -had alarmed the Turkish officer. But seeing -himself immediately covered by the sailor's -rifles he had surrendered at once. The place -was won, and all its personnel disposed of.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having ordered his men to prepare dinner -from the bungalow's abundant stores, the -lieutenant-commander with his second and -Frank sat down to discuss the more difficult -problem--the capture of the submarine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our only chance is if it comes in -to-night," said the lieutenant-commander. -"As it was expected last night, it is pretty -certain to come to-night, and our ships have -ostentatiously cleared off. If it doesn't -come, we are done, for we can't remain here -undiscovered for another day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?" asked the lieutenant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, apart from possible visits from -Germans or Turks, there's the telegraph. -A message is sure to come through, and it -will be in Turkish probably. It was the -Turk who took the message when you were -here before, Forester?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. You can work the telegraph, -Bickford, but you don't know Turkish. -Forester knows Turkish, but----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't work the telegraph," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then if we are called up we must simply -ignore the call. That will lead to investigation -and discovery. There's my proposition -proved. We must help the submarine to -come in to-night. Where are those lights worked?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let's go and see," said Frank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After no long search two electric lamps, -fed from the dynamo that charged the fence -wire, were discovered in the cliff opposite -the centre of the channel. They were so -placed as to give a straight course to any -vessel coming up from the sea. Another -lamp, invisible from the sea, marked the -entrance to the pool. It was decided to -switch on the current at dusk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To guard against trouble on the landward -side, two seamen were stationed in hiding -near the gate of the inner fence, which was -left open. If anyone should approach, he -was to be allowed to pass in; but the gate -was then to be closed, cutting off his retreat. -For safety's sake, the electric current -was switched off from the fence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now about four o'clock. The -lights would not need to be shown till -nearly seven. There were three hours for -rest and for recruiting their strength from -Wonckhaus's larder. The officers hastened -back to see what sort of a meal had been -provided for them. It beggared their most -hopeful expectation. There were pork -cutlets--"the place is all pig, sir," remarked -the extempore cook--several kinds of sausage, -many varieties of pickle and relish, pots of -caviare and pâté de foie gras, smoked -salmon, a mellow gruyère cheese, as well as -a very strong German cheese which the -lieutenant-commander ordered to be -removed immediately, tinned fruits, good white -bread--"none of your potato flour for -Wonckhaus"--and oceans of beer. Neither -officers nor men had had such a meal for months.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please, sir," said Moggs, coming to the -bungalow after the men had finished their -dinner in the hut opposite.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can we strafe some more beer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you've had enough. We've got -work to do to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Moggs looked disappointed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then it won't be done, sir," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What won't be done?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, sir, Parker said if we was allowed -to strafe another barrel he'd be screwed up -to concert pitch, and would be very happy -to sing the Hymn of Hate to the German -gentleman abaft yonder. He must want -cheering up, says he."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get out with you! Parker can sing -what he likes when we get back aboard. -Tell him he's to take first watch on the -cliff to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At dusk the men went to their appointed -stations. Parker was posted on the cliff -near the entrance to the channel. The -warrant officer took charge of the -donkey-engine, Moggs was entrusted with the -crane; the other men hauled from the -storehouse several cases of ammunition, -weighing in all three or four tons, piled them -near the crane, chained them together, and -covered them with a thick blanket taken -from the bungalow. The lieutenant's task -was to do what was necessary in the -powerhouse. Frank sat with the -lieutenant-commander in one of the huts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was about ten o'clock when Parker -came in hurriedly from his post on the cliff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Submarine coming in, sir," he reported. -"I heard her purring under water first; -then the engines stopped, and I saw her -come awash just outside the channel. She'll -be nearly here, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officers went to the door of the hut, -and listened anxiously. No sound was -audible above the dash of the waterfall. -Had the commander of the submarine -become suspicious and run out to sea again? -In a few minutes, however, the sound of -the engines came faintly on the breeze. -Looking through the darkness to the gap -in the cliffs where the pool and the channel -met, they at last saw the dark shape glide -in. The engines were stopped, but the -vessel's steerage way carried her into the -pool, and she was brought up deftly -alongside the lighter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From below came a hail in Turkish. -Frank, now standing beside the crane, replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why didn't you answer our signals?" -demanded the voice, huffily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frank, who was unaware of any signals, -answered at a venture:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is something wrong with our lamps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are you? Where is Talik?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is invalided. I am taking his place. -Are you coming up?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. Why isn't Major Wonckhaus here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He'll be here directly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, switch on the light: what are -you waiting for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The switch is broken." Frank referred -to the switch of an electric lamp at the top -of the crane. "You must come up in the -dark. Look out! The chain is running out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The engine had started, and the chain -was swinging down over the arm of the -crane. The commander of the submarine -caught it, set his foot in the loop provided, -and was hauled slowly up, and swung -inward towards the huts. Meanwhile the -men in waiting had removed the blanket -from the pile of cases, and the moment the -commander's feet touched the ground he -was muffled closely in the blanket, and -carried struggling into a hut, where his -captors had materials ready for securing him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good man!" murmured the lieutenant-commander, -clapping Frank on the back. -"With him out of the way all's well, I -think. Now, I'll take up the running.--Look -alive with those cases," he added, still in a -low tone, addressing the seamen who were -attaching the massed cases to the end of -the chain. The crane swung out, and the -weighty mass dangled directly over the -submarine, on whose deck the crew could -be dimly seen, gazing up in surprise: surely -they were not to take in ammunition at -this hour of the night. How much greater -was their astonishment when they heard -from above a ringing voice in English.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Below there! Any of you speak English?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a short interval a man replied in -the affirmative.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you," called the lieutenant-commander. -"I am in command of an English -landing-party. Your commander is a -prisoner. If your vessel attempts to move, -I'll cut away the weight you see above -you, and sink you. I give you three minutes -to surrender."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The terse sentences, the peremptory tone, -left no room for doubt. Before the three -minutes were up, the crew had come to a -unanimous decision. They would surrender.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you. Now every one of you go -aboard the lighter and leave your arms -behind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men went silently from one vessel -to the other. Then the crane switch was -suddenly found to be in order, and a light -flashed from the top. From the lighter the -men were hauled up by ropes, one by one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many are there of you?" asked -the lieutenant-commander of the first.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Twenty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The same question put to one or two -more received the same reply. As the men -passed him, the officer counted them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eighteen! Nineteen! No more?" He -turned to two British sailors. "Down you go!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They slid down the rope, boarded the -submarine, and dived below. In a few -moments they returned, hauling a man -between them. They made him fast to -the chain, and by the time he was hoisted -they had swarmed up the rope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just going to fire the magazine, sir," -said one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tie him up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour later the submarine was -heading out to sea, running on the surface. -On the deck, uncomfortably crowded, lay a -number of well-trussed figures--the -commander and crew, and Wonckhaus: his -subordinates at the station were left behind. -Beyond Mitylene, as morning dawned, -the lieutenant-commander exchanged signals -with a destroyer out at sea. The vessel -stood in, and in due time the submarine -came alongside her. Cheers broke from -the men on her deck. Willing hands hoisted -the prisoners on board and loosed them -from their bonds at the bidding of the commander.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I much regret it was necessary to bind -you, gentlemen," he said to the officers. -"The necessity was clear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They heard him in glum silence--all but -Wonckhaus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Necessity!" he blustered. "Is necessity -to override the laws of civilised warfare? -What sort of treatment is it to choke a -German officer with lemons, tie him up, -and sling him from a crane? It is unfair; -it is barbarous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The commander glanced at Frank, standing -in the background.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it wise to talk of civilised warfare, -Herr Wonckhaus?" he said quietly, stepping -forward. "Shall I refresh your -memory of what happened at Erzerum?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were in my power," snarled the -German, not a whit abashed, and sublimely -unconscious of inconsistency. The humour -of the situation tickled the British officers: -they laughed aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is unanswerable, sir," said the -commander, with ironical courtesy. "You -will no doubt do me the favour to go below. -Mr. Watson, please show Major Wonckhaus -the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The smallest midshipman on the ship -came forward, gravely saluted, and repressing -a smile with obvious effort, said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This way, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wonckhaus looked from the midshipman -to the commander. Something in the -expression of the latter helped him to make -up his mind. And a broad grin enwrapped -the whole ship's company as the big German -stalked away under convoy of the boy.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="v-c"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">V.C.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Two months later a little party were -lunching together in a hotel on one of the -Ægean islands. Mr. Forester was there; -Isaac Copri and his son; Tomlinson, -promoted lieutenant, and enjoying a week's -leave; and Frank. The last had his right -arm in a sling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," the elder Kopri was saying, -"Mirza Aga's carpet is now on its way to -London. I contrived to get it shipped at -Athens, and it is on the bill of lading of the -steamship </span><em class="italics">Eirene</em><span>, that left the Peiraeus a -week ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Splendid!" said Frank. "I must find -out where Wonckhaus is imprisoned, and -let him know. His fury will be my -revenge.... I hope you didn't wait long -for me at Gallipoli."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I waited until I gave up all hope of -seeing you again. We searched the ruins -of Benidin's house, Joseph and I, for traces -of you, and stayed in the port two or three -days in case you should appear. Then we -heard that the massacres had broken out, and -we escaped to Dedeagatch, just in time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you get your wounds, sir?" -asked Joseph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh! I was just potted in a gully."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tomlinson laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Strictly true, but hopelessly inadequate," -he said. "It was like this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dry up, Tommy; it's an old story now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All the better, like this port."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, bottle it up, then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should like to hear the full story, -Mr. Tomlinson," said Mr. Forester. "Frank has -told me little more than the bare fact."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There you are, Frank. You want -uncorking. Well, when Frank came back to -the peninsula I didn't see him for a while. -He was interpreting; a soft job, by all -accounts, for the Turkish prisoners are very -reticent. But the battery on Sari Bair -began to be very troublesome, and our -fliers couldn't locate it. Frank offered to -have a shot, and crept up the gully one -night, in rags borrowed from a prisoner; -you wouldn't have known him. He spotted -the guns overlaid with scrub near that -sepulchre of his, reported next morning, -and offered to go up again and set light to -the hollow tree, as a beacon for our gunners. -If that didn't deserve the D.S.O.--well, I -know what Anzac thinks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cut it short, man. I knew the place, -and if the Turks had seen me they'd have -taken me for a ghost and skedaddled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fellow who potted you didn't take -you for a ghost, anyway. He went up, sir, -with a lot of pills in his pocket--small -incendiary bombs, you know; fired the tree -and the brushwood round, and made a -fine old blaze, by the light of which -somebody gave him two bullets in the arm as -he was running down the gully. Our guns -got the range in a few minutes--and we've -had no more trouble from that particular -battery. I tell you, all Anzac was mad -with delight, and carried Frank round the -camp cheering like----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you seen this?" interrupted an -officer at the next table. "I couldn't help -overhearing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He handed Frank a copy of the </span><em class="italics">Times</em><span>, -pointing to a paragraph half-way down a -column headed "New V.C.'s." Frank -looked, flushed, and passed the paper silently -to his father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Read it out, sir," cried Tomlinson.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Forester rubbed his glasses, and had -some trouble in clearing his throat. He -mumbled a word or two, then, more -distinctly, read:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For signal bravery in volunteering twice -to locate an enemy battery, and enabling -our naval guns to destroy it ... had already -shown conspicuous proofs of courage and -resource."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that's all they say about it!" -Tomlinson exclaimed. "Is it D.S.O., sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It appears to be V.C.," said Mr. Forester.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hurray!" cried Tomlinson, flinging up -his cap. "That's news to carry back to Anzac."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment, from somewhere outside -came the strains of a band.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! It couldn't have come in more -pat," added Tomlinson.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officers stood at the salute as the band -played "God save the King."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>THE END</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., -<br />BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">HERBERT STRANG'S WAR STORIES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>FIGHTING WITH FRENCH: A TALE OF THE NEW ARMY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A HERO OF LIÉGE: A STORY OF THE GREAT WAR.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>SULTAN JIM: A STORY OF GERMAN AGGRESSION.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>THE AIR SCOUT: A STORY OF HOME DEFENCE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>THE AIR PATROL: A STORY OF THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>ROB THE RANGER: A STORY OF THE GREAT FIGHT FOR CANADA.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>ONE OF CLIVE'S HEROES: A STORY OF -THE GREAT FIGHT FOR INDIA.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>BARCLAY OF THE GUIDES: A STORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>THE ADVENTURES OF HARRY ROCHESTER: -A STORY OF MARLBOROUGH'S CAMPAIGNS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>BOYS OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE: A STORY -OF THE PENINSULAR WAR.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>KOBO: A STORY OF THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>BROWN OF MOUKDEN: A STORY OF THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>FRANK FORESTER</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42943"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42943</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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