He remarked that in the event of war breaking out between Turkey and Russia he should go to the Caucasus.
"Will there be a great rising in that country?" I inquired.
"It is very doubtful," was the answer; "our people have risen several times;[17] no foreign power has assisted us, and the result is that we have been decimated by our enemy. My countrymen are afraid of doing anything, unless they feel certain that they will be aided in their attempt. If England were to help us," he continued, "and could only capture one Russian port on the Black Sea, the Circassians would have confidence, and there would be a rising throughout the length and breadth of our land."
On returning to my house I found the Zaptieh who had been defrauded by my late servant. He was awaiting me with a candidate for Osman's place.
"Effendi, I have brought you a wonderful fellow," said the gendarme; "if you send him with a message, he will fly; he will guard your purse more carefully than his own."
It appeared that the wonderful man's name was Mohammed; he was a redif soldier. His battalion would march in the course of a week or so to Erzeroum. To avoid going with the troops he proposed that he should engage himself as my servant until we reached that town, and then he could join his battalion.
"But will your commanding officer give you leave to accompany me?" I inquired.
"If the Effendi asks him," interrupted the Zaptieh.
Mohammed was apparently not above twenty-five years of age. He had a pleasant, frank expression, and I determined to engage him, that is, if I could obtain the sanction of his captain.
I now went to see this officer. He at once agreed to the proposal; that is, if I would pledge myself to give up Mohammed at Erzeroum.