The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-05-05

heed the lnterrogative signs which
made to them. When l was able to
walk about my prison | experienced
some relief by looking out of the win
dow. an employment to which my
guards had no reason to object. for
q tall tower. The view from my pri-
son was extremely beautiful. Nest
ling among the groves OF plane and cy-
press which crown the apex of the tri-
angular figure presented by COnStan-
tinople. | could discern what appeared
to he 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. 1 was sure ir
could be no other than the superb pal
ace city called the Seraglio. the home
of the Grand Turk himself. Every
day l would stand for hours at my
window feasting my eyes on the
wealth of natural beauty before me.
Occasionally there would he large
assemblage of persons within the gar
dens enclosed by the outer walls Of
the Seraglio. the gates would be
opened and a procession of grandees,
blazing with jewels and brightly col
ored silks. come forth. accompanied
by the music of strange Instruments.
the strains of which would sometimes
family reach my ear. but was at too
great a height to make out the princi-
pal figures in the procession. and
though I guessed that on such occa-
sions the Sultan was about to ride
through the streets of his city I did
not know so positively.
At last all trace of my bodily inju-
ries was gone. and enjoyed as good
health as is possible in a young and
vigorous man denied outdoor exercise
and oppressed with anxiety. I knew
not how long had been in my prison.
but observed that the days appeared
somewhat shorter than when 1 was
first brought there. and that the heat
of noon was less oppressive. 1 was
about to assert that these facts led
me to reconsider my position. but that
would not be accurate, for its consid-
Grafton was never for a moment alb
sent from my mind. yet could / In no
way account for the treatment meted
out to me, which must be, l thought.
at once useless and expensive to my
captors. One morning my brow was
feverish from prolonged thinking Of
these things. and l was more than usu-
ally oppressed with a sense Of my pow
erlessness to help myself, when l was
startled by the sound Of my door being
unbarred. l did not know the hour.
but from the appearance of the city
below knew it was too early for the
arrival of my guards, and the regular
ity Of their attendance was promi
nent feature in tine maddening monot
ony of my life. Soon my curioslt!
was turned to ipeXpressible delight as
n middle-aged gentleman in European
dress entered my room and extended
his right hand toward me, saying in
excellent English, Good morning. sir
Is your name Trueman"
could not restrain my JOY at near
ing my native tongue spoken once
more. more especially as the words
employed were of a kindly sort. and
the question such as caused my heart
to beat fast in anticipation of release
from my bonds. 1 stepped forward to
seize the proffered hand of the Eng
lishman (for such conceived he was)
with so much eagerness that he re-
treated q few PAGES to where my
guards were now standing. and invol
unfairly held up his arm to keep me
off. Softly. my friend said the
stranger, Il intend you no mischief
Be seated, pray you. and tell inc
truly and briefly how it is you come to
he here" and to inspire me with conh-
dence he patted me gently on the
shoulder and sat himself down on
cushion. Seating myself by his side.
and suppressing as we'll as | was able
the great excitement under which /
labored. I narrated the whole of my
story just as have recorded 1t in this
volume. The stranger gave careful al
tention to my recital, at no point in
terrupting me with question or com
ment, but sitting quietly stroking his
long brown beard. When l had
finished my story he still remained 81
lent for a minute or so. and then. look
ing up at me. said:
To be continued.
Checkmated.