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Show SOME OF THE CHILDREN AT THE PORT SAID CAMP Meanwhile at my suggestion our women had been making two immense flags, on one of which I printed in large, clear English, 'CHRISTIANS IN DISTRESS ; RESCUE.' This was a white flag with colored lettering, hastily embroidered by the women. The other, made by my sister Iskouhee, was also white, with a large red cross at the center. We fastened these flags to tall saplings and set a watch at the foot to scan the horizon continually from dawn to dark. "One Sunday morning, the thirty-sixth day of our defense, I was startled by hearing a man shouting at the top of his voice. He came racing through our encampment, straight for my hut. 'Pastor, pastor,' he exclaimed, 'a battleship is coming and has answered our waving! Thank God! our prayers are heard. When we wave the Red Cross flag the battleship answers by waving signal flags. They see us and are coming in nearer shore!' "This proved to be the French cruiser Guichen, a four-funnel ship. While one of its boats was being lowered, some of our young men raced down to the shore and were soon swimming out to the stately vessel, which seemed to have been sent to us from God. We hurried down to the beach and soon an invitation came from the captain for a delegation to come on board and narrate the situation. He sent a wireless to the admiral of the fleet, and before a great while the flagship Ste. Jeanne d'Arc appeared on the horizon, followed by other French battleships. The admiral spoke words of comfort and cheer to us, and gave an order that every soul of our community should be taken on board the ships. The embarkation took some time and was exceedingly difficult on account of the roughness of the coast. We had to climb out over improvised rafts to get through the roaring surf to the ships' boats. We were taken on board four French cruisers and one English, and were very kindly cared for. In two days we arrived at Port Said, Egypt, and are now settled in a permanent camp which has been provided for us by the British authorities. "The total number of souls rescued was 4,058. After the Turks' first challenge, July 30, we defended ourselves on Mousa Dagh forty-four days; and a two days' voyage brought us to Port Said on September 14. We do not forget that our Saviour was brought in his infancy to Egypt for safety and shelter. And the brethren of Joseph could not have been more grateful than we are for the corn and wheat provided." |
