The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-05-05
CHAPTER Mi.
ROGER TRUEMAN: HIS RECORD con.
CLUDED.

cLUDED.
November 22.-Though gradually re-
covering from the effects of the terri
BILE strain to which l had been SUBJ
jected in the recent fight. and the cruel
wounds inflicted by my captors on my
ankles and wrists, was still unable
to help myself in any way. The vessel
I was aboard being arrived alongside
the quay, it was found necessary to
carry me ashore. which was according
ly done by the same two young Turks
who had tended me since the day of
my capture. l was placed on a litter
and securely strapped to it; not. be-
lieve, because of any fear that should
attempt to escape, but to prevent my
falling off. 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 1 lay bound, and, slightly rails
ing my left hand, took 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 did not understand. but one of
the young Turks went away and re-
turned almost Immediately, carrying
piece of crimson silk. The silk was
placed over my face. so that l could
see nothing. and the litter upon which
I lay was lifted and carried / knew
not whittier.
It seemed a long time before my
face 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
was in a small square apartment. fur
nished 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 it
was set being Of great thickness it
seemed little more than slit. How
e-er, it Sufficed to admit the sunshine,
which streamed in upon me with so
much brilliance that it 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. I 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 l 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 1 had ar
rived was carried away. A bowl Of
sherbet and 4 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 on
which lay, the other Turks withdrew.
and a moment after sounds reached
me as of the door being barred on the
outer side.
In this small room. then. was kept
4 close prisoner for many days-how
many l know not for | had lost count
Of tine I was literally supplied with
food and my wounds were carefully
tended. so thai l made rapid progress
toward recovery. My sufferings were
now chiefly mental. l wearied my
brain IN the endeavor to think why
was thus incarcerated, and what was
intended to he done with me. 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
way. my attendants being faithful to