The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-17

where the Cretes were in charge, but the
..noVersF' would not allow any sail boat
to leave the port that could not give an
absolutely satisfactory account Of itself
proceed, but decided to get through the
Turkish lines instead of trying to slip by
the higher disciplined marines in the
Farbor We engaged two horses for a
ride" and WITH considerable doubts
struck out, without a guide or chart Of
INV Kind. in the direction of the Greek
commanders (Col. VassOs) headquarters.
W. we're rer1lasa1abIy fortunate in keeD-
ing along the right route. although
were obliged to go back some twice For
about five or six miles out. the Turks
have fortified all the hills, and, after get
ting away from the town, we soon saw
that We were observed by the first for
/ believe our very cheek in riding along
on those four skinny ponies, with our
fore. psrched on donkey to carry my
traps, and who had no idea where We
slowly making our way along the paths
among the olive trees, removed all SuS-
picion, OF possibly iuSed lileLu Allo
thinking th;>t we We're some SpeGlaliY au-
thorized party with an official errand
from their allies, the powers, ANYWAY
had so much of the oriental spirit of
never mind that they let US through
with hardly word of objection.
Twice we We're hailed from the forts on
the noun tains, each time we stopped
promptly and motioned for them to come
down once an officer started down, but
evidently thought of the distance, and
what a climb it would be to get back,
and so waved US to go on. Sentinels along
the road followed US euriously a little
while. but were too lazy to keep up with
our horses and soon stopped. And at
length we had passed the last Turkish
fortress and were in g. long stretch of
level plain which lies between the first
range of hills and the higher foothills of
the snow-capped mountains that We're in
front of Tlis was about five miles
wide, sort of no-man's land at present.
The struggling houses had all been de-
strOyed and their ruins added to the ma
tural gloominess of the landscape, for
here the land is not fertile. and has only
pa tches. There were no trees. so We had
a distant view of the hills had just
left, and of the grander ones in front We
felt like outlaws, and We're not sure but
would strike another band of Turks,
nearly in our way, and not knowing but
it was occupied, as it did not appear to
be in ruins. We thought best to ride up
TO Il, 50 turned out, but round 1t a ruin
after all, not a human being in sight. end
all the other side had been caved in. This
as Wen as the other buildings one passes
outside of town. has long. narrow loop
holes piercing its thick walls, from which
a man could ire while under cover him
self. After reaching the commencement
of the hills we We're suddenly informed
that We were in the vicinity of others by
the firing of a gun from hill top to our
bunch of scrubby trees (Which here COM
menced to grow again came out six or
eight pretty wild looking fellows. They
were possibly 200 yeards ahead of U.s. but
soon made us understand we must stop,
which We were not slow in doing. They
came up to US "a savage set at first sight,
freedom Mr.. Naimon who speaks no
Greek but Turkish huently, soon made
them understand we were looking for
Col Vassos and they then surrounded US
and took us forward about a quarter of
from a distant hill, this time by a Greek
soldier. He insisted our stopping
where we We're, not even coming up near
every hill for miles around, sentinel
rose up. Some of our Crete friends now
Went on ahSad, ana after time squad
of Greek soldiers, headed by a young Off
Ger, came down on US. He spoke French.
so we soon convinced him by our letters
from Mrs. Vassos and Lieut. Kalinsi1i that
we We're all right. 50 he ptloted with
our Crete friends still with us, for about
a mile and half to the Platahos river.
Here he told US we must stop. until he
found out whether Col. VaSsos could meet
US or not, and we sent in our cards. We
waited there fully an hour on the fat
gravel bed of the river, but at last he
came back and asked US to follow him,
but requested me to leave my camera,
end would not allow our servant to come
He left a guard over the boy though We
walked through winding paths and crook
ed lanes across fields and olive groves
passing a every turn groups of Crete
and Greek soldiers This last stretch ~
nearly mile We did on foot At last we
came to an old stone fortress mansion.
very crude and simple. but showing in
its SOHdity and size that it had once been
the home of a wealthier man than usual
in that inland section. The courts We're
crowded with soldiers and we filed
through and up some steps into a plain
whiteWashed room. devoid of every COM
lori -@Iu were welcomed cordially bV Col.
Nassos. He IS a fine appearing man. High
and broad forehead, heavy, overhanging
brows, rather small deep-set eyes. but so
gentle and kindly in their glance that one
cannot help but like their owner. The
lower part of the face Is rather thin and
d little long. A man of, say so wears, iron
gray hair and beard; one of the kLndest
faces. vet serious, refined intelligent.
masterful thoroughly unassuminy and
genuine. liked his appearance much. I
never have seen 2 more soldierly soldier
He spoke in French and told his plans
and prospects. hopes and wishes that IS
as FAR as he chose to do, with a natural
quietness that was impressive. AS we
were nearly famished by this time, he
g2sve us soldiers repast of bread and
wine, and regretted his inability to DO
more l Will have to finish this in nv
next letter as it is nearly mail time. You
Know am back here in Athens safe and
Wen as can be. Athens is q pretty laoisv
little city these days, but not at ali p
dangerous place to be in. The most real
danger of our trip was from the awful
sea we had to endure in those little boats
and then from the fees and bugs everv-
where. Our living was pretty tough but
what 2pDetitesi / never knew how good
a piece of dirty bread. dry. was until 7
went on that trip There was a satisfac-
ton chewing il.