there ensued a difficult negotiation with the Arabian coast
guards. For we did not even know whether Hodeida was in English or
French hands. We waved to them, laid aside our arms, and made signs to
them. The Arabs, gathering together, began to rub two fingers
together; that means 'We are friends.' We thought it meant 'We are
going to rub against you and are hostile.' I therefore said:
'Boom-boom' and pointed to the warship. At all events, I set up my
machine guns and made preparations for a skirmish. But, thank God, one
of the Arabs understood the word 'Germans'; that was good.

"Soon a hundred Arabs came and helped us and as we marched into
Hodeida the Turkish soldiers who had been called out against us
saluted us as Allies and friends. To be sure, there was not a trace of
a railway, but we were received very well and they assured us we could
get through by land. Therefore, I gave red-star signals at night,
telling the _Choising_ to sail away, since the enemy was near by.
Inquiries and deliberations concerning a safe journey by land
proceeded. I also heard that in the interior about six days' journey
away, there was healthy highland where our fever invalids could
recuperate. I therefore determined to journey next to Sana. On the
kaiser's birthday we held a great parade in common with the Turkish
troops--all this under the noses of the Frenchmen. On the same day we
marched away from Hodeida to the highland.

"Two months later we again put to sea. The time spent in the highland
of Sana passed in lengthy inquiries and discussions that finally
resulted in our foregoing the journey by land through Arabia, for
religious reasons. But the time was not altogether lost. The men who
were sick with malaria had, for most part, recuperated in the highland
air.

"The Turkish Government placed at our disposal two sambuks (sailing
ships), of about twenty-five tons, fifteen meters long and four wide.
But, in fear of English spies, we sailed from Jebaua, ten miles north
of Hodeida. That was on March 14, 1915. At first we sailed at a
considerable distance apart, so that we would not both be captured if
an English gunboat caught us. Therefore, we always had to sail in
coastal water. That is full of coral reefs, however."

Captain Muecke had charge of the first sambuk. Everything went well for
three days. On the third day the order was given for the sambuks to
keep near together because the pilot of the first one was sailing less
skill