ners begged to be
allowed to buy their food for themselves. During the first few days the
children were crying continually, and sleep was almost impossible.
Malaria, dysentery and other diseases soon broke out, and everyone in the
company fell sick, with the exception of two. Three succumbed to their
sickness, and the sufferings of the survivors were indescribable.(17)

This rigorous imprisonment lasted for over two years, during which time
none of the Baha'is were allowed outside the prison door, except four men,
carefully guarded, who went out daily to buy food.

During the imprisonment in the barracks, visitors were rigidly excluded.
Several of the Baha'is of Persia came all the way on foot for the purpose
of seeing their beloved leader, but were refused admittance within the
city walls. They used to got to a place on the plain outside the third
moat, from which they could see the windows of Baha'u'llah's quarters. He
would show Himself to them at one of the windows and after gazing on Him
from afar, they would weep and return to their homes, fired with new zeal
for sacrifice and service.

Restrictions Relaxed

At last the imprisonment was mitigated. A mobilization of Turkish troops
occurred and the barracks were required for soldiers. Baha'u'llah and His
family were transferred to a house by themselves and the rest of the party
were accommodated in a caravanserai in the town. Baha'u'llah was confined
for seven more years in this house. In a small room near that in which He
was imprisoned, thirteen of His household, including both sexes, had to
accommodate themselves as best they could! In the earlier part of their
stay in this house they suffered greatly from insufficiency of
accommodation, inadequate food supply and lack of the ordinary
conveniences of life. After a time, however, a few additional rooms were
placed at their disposal and they were able to live in comparative
comfort. From the time Baha'u'llah and His companions left the barracks,
visitors were allowed to see them, and gradually the severe restrictions
imposed by the Imperial firmans were more and more left in abeyance,
although now and then reimposed for a time.

Prison Gates Opened

Even when the imprisonment was at its worst, the Baha'is were not
dismayed, and their serene confidence was never shaken. While in the
barracks at Akka, Baha'u'llah wrote to some friends, "Fear not. These
doors shall be opened. My tent shall be pit