fits. The youngest
son's name was down on the list to be sent to Gallipoli with the
English and French prisoners, whom the Turks were sending from
Constantinople, in the hope that this would prevent our troops from
bombarding Gallipoli. This poor mother was so distressed, and pleaded
so hard to the Turkish officials that they consented that her son
should be released. She then made another plea for her husband to be
allowed to leave the country, and he left for Malta. Then she procured
the release of her delicate son, and he also joined his father, and
now she herself is on her way to join them. The other two sons were
not allowed to leave; they are being kindly treated, but have come
down to breaking stones. I felt very sorry for her, but admired her
courage and cheerfulness in such distressing circumstances. All her
valuables from her lovely home she sent to the Turkish bank, but of
course has no hope of seeing them again; they are sure to be
confiscated. Fifty or more of our men were sent to Gallipoli from
Constantinople, so that should the place be bombarded they would be
the first to fall; but the English and French threatened the Turks
with other reprisals, and they were withdrawn. They left the ship and
spent five days in a mosque, where they had to rough it terribly,
though the officials were very kind to them, and on their return to
Constantinople gave them a good dinner. Everybody out here speaks so
well of the Turks, and all those we have met seem so very sorry that
they are fighting against the English, and they said it would be their
ruin joining the Germans, their great dread being the loss of
Constantinople. Three little birds are following our boat, often
coming on board; one is a robin, but the other two we do not know. We
had several cats on board and were much afraid for the safety of the
birds. Two sparrowhawks also pursued them.

Monday, _October 25, 1915._

We were allowed to land at Malta at 8 a.m. As we only had three hours
on land we took a carriage, only 1 fr.80 the hour, and drove all
round. The carriages are different from ours, so picturesque, and the
Maltese women, with their curious headgear, are very fascinating. We
went first to the gardens to see flowers and palms, which were looking
lovely, then to the Church of St. John's, where a service was taking
place, so we remained a little time. We saw the Governor's Palace,
then the Chapel of Bones, fo