The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-18

All through Bulgaria we were arrested
for spies.
Our journey IN that inhospitabls country
was very disagreeable.
But worse was yet to come.
At STEAMBOAT. Just outside Of Constantine
pie. I secured the necessary passport to
take us through the capital OF the Sick
Man of Europe.
/ did not then know the fanaticlsm Of the
Turk, and was all unsuspecting OF the re-
ception I was to receive when I presented
myself to the Chief Of Police OF CONSTANT
nople.
/ had been told that It was my duty TO
20 to him and show my papers from the
Consul were all right. and II was with this
in view that 1 called on the official.
AMERICAN FLAG ANGERED
CHIEF OF POLICE. ,
The first thing the naughty Turk noted
when I presented myself and held out my
passport. was a small American flag that
I always wore pinned on my coat lapel as
q tribute to my adopted country.
snatching this away. he threw It on the
floor of his ONCE and in a fash I struck
him full In the face with my fist. At that
he called his guard and grappled with me.
During the struggle my wife cried for
help.
I was arrested and thrown into one Of the
vilest dungeons in Europe.
80 does the Sultan hate America.
! eaanot tell the half Of the ~indixnfties
that I was subjected to there by not only
my gaolers, but BY fellow prisoners.
II 20 happens that Germany Il ono Of the
nations that Turkey fears and bows down
to. and but for the fact that my wife was
recognised As German. and secured the aid
OF ths German Ambassador in my behalf,
I would perhaps W. lost my life.
Consul Dickinson was also notified. and he
issued an uiimatum to the authorities that
! must BE- RELEASED within twenty-four
hours.
The American nag had been insultsd, and
It was his fight as well ~ mins.
After considerable delay I was set free.
Here I advised giving up the trip. but my
wife would not have II.
We were glad to get out OF the place.
We crossed the Bosphorus, and on the
other side received from the Turkish au-
thorites the weapons and baggage that
nople.
We had about 40 pounds OF luggage which
We carried on a frame on the rear Of our
wheel. and this added to the agony of the
trip along the Dardanelles.
I have ridden upon all kinds Of roads un-'
der all kinds OF difficulties. but never ex-
perienced anything quito like the rock road
here.
For four days We toiled. most Of the time
pushing the tandem, or lifting Il over the
powders that obstructed our way.
The hcat was intense.
the end.
Al Smyrna we received a welcome from
American residents, Including the represent
atives of the American Singer Company,
which. in a measure, compensated US.
The next important city was Density.
We then went to Konia, on the edge Of
the great Salt Desert.
QUENCHED THEIR THIRST
WITH SUGAR CANE
We took a stock Of sugar cane to quench
our thirst. and after leaving ~Insouyon, the
last camel station. plunged into the vast
waste Of salt and sand.
We had hoped to be able to ride. even
though laboriously. but this was impossible.
The wheels OF our machine sank several
inches into tho sand.
We made very slow progress. pushing our
inanimate steed until nightfall.
We constructed n rude tent by bracinE
the wheel upright and stretching n canvas
from one side OF It to the sand.
We took turns sleeping every four hours.
as It was necessary for one of US to stand
guard, revolver In hand. to watch for wild
animals or the approach OF bloodthirsty
Berbers. who infest the desert.
That long night on the sands was one of
busy thought to me. for I slept bat little.
I pondered over the freak OF fancy that had
brought US from a land OF plenty and civ
ilixation. to this spot in the burning desert.
thousands OF miles away.
I thanked God that he had given me q
wife Of such courage and strength OF char
acter as mine had proven to be.
When I looked upon her girlish face under
the tentcloth. my heart smote me. but I
was proud to think that she had chosen TO
60 with me wherever my adventurous spirit
led. and that she had cheered me many a
q time when I was about to give UP.
/ knew that the eyes of the world were
upon Us, and hat to give up would mean
to b relegated to the ranks Of those who
had undertaken great deeds. and had failed.
AZ dawn We arose somewhat refreshed
tiny cloud against the horizon. r
We halted. and the cloud gradually de-
ve!oped Into four men mounted on eameIs,
who were approaching rapidly. asi
They were ARABIA n when within 100
yards Of uA one Of them slid from his
camel
A blsa Of sand shot up at our feet. he
had fired at us.
1 knew they were tho terrible Berber rob
bers.
The framework Of our machine was pro-
tected by bullet-proof sheets Of steel.
Crouched behind this I opened fire with
revolvers containing poisoned bullets.
RoBBERS SECOND yOLLEY
WOUNDED MRS. HETZEL
They fired another volley at N and my
wife fell