Campbell informed me, in a casual sort of way, that there were always
some hundreds of the enemy's infantry on the lookout for a passenger at
this point, and that we were sure to draw a volley. Now, I had no really
pressing business to persuade me onward, and I had no special liking for
the prospect; but Campbell scoffed at the very thought of danger. Even
if the enemy were expecting us, he urged, a man could clear that space
in quicker time than a bullet would take to travel from the opposite
side of the pass, and it was just as likely as not that by nipping
across quickly we might fail to draw Are at all. This had an air
of reason about it, but I was not nearly so curious to see the
fortifications as I had been. I represented that the two journals for
which I was working at that time had no other representative on the
ground, that big events were probably imminent, and that it was my duty
to preserve a whole skin in the interests of my employers. Upon this
Campbell assured me of his belief that I was funking, and I immediately
concurred with him. It was a mere matter of fact, and I saw no ground
on which I could dispute it. I have never run away from anybody or
anything--though I have wanted to do so upon occasion--but I am not
fond of unnecessary danger. My guide declined to waste time on me, and,
leaving me in the shelter of the wall, he ran swiftly across the open
space, and turned crouching on the other side. It has turned me cold
a thousand times to think about it since; but I was just in the act
of nerving myself for a run when he impetuously waved me back, and a
perfect tempest of lead fell shrieking on the face of the rock. Had I
obeyed my own impulse, I should have been riddled like any colander.
The grey face of the rock seemed to flash white under the impact of the
volley. One splashed bullet struck the rock some yards above me,
and fell to the ground flattened to something like the form of a
five-shilling piece, with irregularly starred edges. I stooped to pick
it up, but it was at almost a melting-heat. I dropped it quickly, and
then, in answer to Campbell's call, I cleared the open space in safety,
and was followed by a belated random shot or two. But, to be quite
honest, I had no pleasure in the adventure, and I was careful not to
return until the shades of night had fallen.

The gentleman from Chicago, at whose instigation I had gone out to
Turkey, had supplied me with a sum of forty pounds, and had