The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-27
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
ROGER TRJEMAS: HIS RECORD con-
cLCpED.
November 22.-Though gradually re-
covering from the effects Of the terri
BILE strain to which I had been sub.
jected In the recent fight. and the cruel
wounds inflicted by my captors on my
ankles and wrists. I was still unable
to help myself in any way. The vessel
I was aboard being arrived alongside
the quay. 1t was found necessary to
carry me ashore. which was according
~ done by the same two young Turks
who had tended me since. the day CT
my capture. ! was placed on a litter
and securely strapped to It; not, l be-
lieve. because Of any fear that I should
attempt to escape, but to prevent my
falling OF. These preparations made.
there came to me Turk. Older and
more handsomely dressed than the
young Turks. my attendants. who re-
garded me with great attention for
several minutes. He then stopped to
where lay bound. and, slightly rails
ing my left hand. took a gold signet
ring from my third finger. and pro-
ceeded to examine It as one would ex-
anime anything rare and strange.
With an air Of great calmness and
satisfaction he placed my ring on the
corresponding finger Of his own hand.
and then gave an order, the purport Of
which I did not understand, but one Of
the young Turks went away and re-
turned almost Immediately, carrying q
piece Of crimson silk. The silk was
placed over my face. so that ! could
see nothing. and the litter upon which
lay was lifted and carried knew
not whittier.
It seemed q long time before my
fac was again uncovered. but ! have
since thought that It was perhaps not
more than ten or fifteen minutes.
When next I saw the light Of day I
was in a small square apartment. fur
ni5hed as simply as the cabin Of the
Turkish frigate had just vacated. 1t
had but one window. and that long
and narrow. and the wall wherein 1t
was set being Of great thickness IT
seemed little more than a slit. How
e-er. 1t sufiiced to admit the sunshine.
which streamed in upon me with co
much brilliance that 1t dispelled the
despair engendered by my unhappy
situation. The old Turk. still wearing
the ring which he had taken from me,
was present when my face was uncov-
cred and the straps Of my litter un.
loosed. addressed him in English.
French and Italian. but he returned
NO answer, busying himself In Issuing
orders to my attendants and some
other Turks there present - for my
benefit. as I afterward found, A car
pet Of exquisite workmanship and col.
or was brought In and laid upon the
floor. and afterward luxurious cush.
ions. covered with rich yellow SILL.
were placed around by the walls. On
some Of these latter was I carefully
laid. and the litter on which had ar.
rived was carried away. A bowl Of
sherbet and q dish Of delicious fruits
were set down within my reach. my
two young attendants took up positions
near to me with their legs crossed
upon cushions inferior to those en-
which lay, the other Turks withdrew.
and a moment after sounds reached
NE as Of the door being barred on the
outer side.
In this small room, then. was kept
a close prisoner for many days-how
many / know not. for l had lost count
Of time. ! was literally supplied with
food and my wounds were carefully
tended. so that made rapid progress
toward recovery. Ny sufferings were
now chiefly mental. l wearied my
brain in the endeavor to think why
was thus incarcerated. and what was
intended to be done with Ee. but
failed to satisfy myself. The uncer-
tain fate Of the unhappy Anita in
creased my anxiety. but l could learn
| nothing. neither could l act in any
their trust, and always refusing to
heed the interrogative signs which
made TO them. When was able TO
walk about my prison ! experienced
some relief by looking out Of the win
dow. A employment to which my
guards had no reason to object. for |
was confined On the ;opmcst story OF
a tail tower. Tie view from my pri-
SON wcs extremely beautiful. Nest
ling among the groves OF plane and cy.
press which crown the apex Of the tri.
angular figure presented by Ccnstan-
tinople. ! could discern what appeared
to be another but smaller city. very
jealousy immured. and from the ex.
traordinary splendor Of its marble
and gilded kiosques. Its pavilions. gar
dens and fountains, ! was sure II
could be no other than the superb pal.
ace city called the Seraglio. the home
OF the Grand Turk himself. Every
day I would stand for hours at my
window fensting my eyes on the
wealth Ct natural beauty before Inc.
Occasionally there would be large
assemhlase Of persons within the gar.
dens enclosed by tie outer walls OF
the Seragiio. the gates would be
opened. aud a procession OF srandees.
b!azing with jewels and brightly COL
ored silks. come forth. accompanied
by the muaic CT strange instruments,