It was about midnight when I left home, dressed in a soldier’s uniform and driving a donkey before me.  I traveled only by night and spent each day in hiding in some cave or narrow valley where I could sleep with some measure of security.  For food I had brought bread, dried figs, and chocolate, and water was always to be found in little springs and pools.  In these clear, warm nights I used to think of David, a fugitive and pursued by his enemies.  How well I could now understand his despairing cry:  “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?...  How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”

Five nights I journeyed, and at last one morning beautiful Beirut appeared in the distance and I found myself in the forest of pines that leads into the city.  The fresh dawn was filled with the balmy breath of the pines and all the odors of the Lebanon.  Driving my donkey before me, I boldly approached the first picket-house and saluted the non-commissioned officer in military fashion.  He stopped me and asked whence I came and where I was going.  I smiled sweetly and replied that I was the orderly of a German officer who was surveying the country a few hours to the south and that I was going to Beirut for provisions.  Then I lighted a cigarette and sat down for a chat.  After discussing politics and the war for a few minutes, I jumped up, exclaiming that if I didn’t hurry I should be late, and so took my departure.  It was all so simple, and it brought me safely to Beirut.  My donkey, having served the purpose for which I had brought him, was speedily abandoned, and I hurried to a friend’s house, where I exchanged my uniform for the garb of a civilian.

My sister was the most surprised person on earth when she saw me walking into her room, and, when I told her that I wanted her to go with me on the Chester, she thought me crazy, for she knew that hundreds of persons were trying in vain to find means of leaving the country and it seemed to her impossible that we, who were Turkish subjects, could succeed in outwitting the authorities.  Even when I had explained my plans and she was willing to admit the possibility of success, she still felt doubts as to whether it would be right for her to leave the country while her friends were left behind in danger.  I assured her, however, that our family would feel relieved to know that we were in safety and could come back fresh and strong after the war to help in rebuilding the country.

Having gained her consent, I still had the difficult problem of ways and means before me.  The Chester had orders to take citizens of neutral countries only.  Passports had to be examined by the Turkish authorities and by the American Consul-General, who gave the final permission to board the cruiser.  How was I to pass this double scrutiny?  After long and arduous search, with the assistance of several good friends, I at last discovered a man who was willing to sell me the passports of a young couple belonging to a