Note 45 — Chapter XXII
Reading edition
This was founded on fact. The Turkish officials who were unpacking my parcel said waterproof sheets were “yessack” (forbidden), and seized it for their own use. A tug-of-war developed between me and the Cook for possession of the sheet, and when the officer in charge ordered me to surrender it, and showed signs of joining in the struggle, I cut it into ribbons to render it valueless to our enemies. This was in the early days, before the treasure-hunt began.