"Escape" to the Arabs
299
him, and stuck to through all the subsequent interrogations:
"I used to live in Deir Aboutor with the Egyptian and
Syrian volunteers. Since I am an American citizen by accident
—not by choice I assure you—I crossed to the Jewish side
where the consulate and the other American journalists were
located. For almost two weeks I have been starving. The Jews
are desperate for food and water (which was no secret). I decided to run away at night by crossing through the Deir
Aboutor quarter, which I knew extremely well. I eluded Jewish guards by going from house to house, yard to yard. They
could not see me at night. I am well known to Captain
Moustafa, Captain Zaki, and other Egyptian volunteers. They
are all my friends."
"You know Captain Zaki?" the Arab asked. He had turned
sympathetic.
"Very well. He will clear me immediately. And where is
Captain Moustafa?"
"I do not know him."
"We will go see Captain Zaki," said the Arab, and together
we plunged into the darkness outside. The road assumed a
familiar aspect as we reached the spot where the sentry had
stopped me. The Arab, who was obviously an Intelligence
officer, and I proceeded to climb the steep zigzagging road.
Carrying my bag—whose weight by this time had become unbearable, adding to my weakness induced by anxiety, fear,
and insufficient food (in truth I hadn't had a sound meal in
three days)—we reached the house with the candle still burning in its niche. In feigned alarm, I turned to the Intelligence
officer:
"You are not taking me