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 THE RED RUGS OF TARSUS

employe who stepped over the dead to get to us. The telegram was from Adana, stating that the British cruiser Swiftsure had arrived at Mersina.

I felt like a condemned man reprieved at the gallows. But had Herbert started? A little while before he had sent a soldier up from the station with a message saying that he found his locomotive gone, and had been trying to get an- other out from Mersina by using the railway's private wire. He might still be there. He need not undertake the trip now. Broken viaducts in the dark rails torn up Kurds wildly prancing around and shooting from their horses. I said nothing to the others at the table. I slipped quietly out of the room, hur- ried up to our apartment, put on my riding- boots and Herbert's raincoat (I am glad I am pretty tall only the sleeves needed a tuck), and made my way to the gate. I had the barn lantern we use in the stable. I did not want to risk Socrates or any of the Armenian boys. [144]

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