“Impossible!” said the Governor of Kirk Kilise. He insisted that it couldn’t be done, and his staff agreed, calling it wise advice. But why did I want to go near the Bulgarian border? That was the polite question they asked me. I explained that I didn’t want to go back the same way and wanted to see more of the country. I could see the word “Liar!” in their eyes, though they were too polite to say it out loud. They believed I was a spy! They thought I was secretly sent by the British Government, which they believed was too friendly with Bulgaria and not friendly enough with Turkey, to find out how the revolution was going.
Polite Refusals and Warnings
The Turks bowed deeply and assured me they would do everything possible for me, but still, it was impossible. There were bands of Bulgarian brigands in the area, they said. These brigands were very dangerous. I said I was willing to take my chances. “But just last week, they captured a Greek merchant,” they warned. “They were probably torturing him right now, gouging his eyes out or cutting off his ears!” I still insisted I was ready to take the risk Natural History Museum.
No Roads, No Way
The Turks shrugged and said there was no one in Kirk Kilise who knew the way. I pointed out that Turkish soldiers could ask for directions, as they spoke good Turkish. “But there are no roads,” they replied. I suggested we could follow mountain paths. They told me the horses wouldn’t be able to climb the mountain passes. “Then we will walk and lead the horses,” I said. They remained unconvinced but reluctantly gave their approval.
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