Bandirma Port

The wind dropped and it started to rain when they were approaching Bandirma Harbour.

Captain Temel Reis was from Kapidagi. He had an eighty ton boat carrying wood. The boat slowed down and came to a stop. Ship hands wrapped the old sails and brought the small boat to the front and started to row. They did all this without waiting for the orders from the Captain of the boat.

Temel Reis was the same throughout the journey. His expression didn’t change. He had a big nose like a bird’s beak and had blond knitted eyebrows. He had a whitish moustache and stiff lips that turned blue. He was controlling the rudder tiller with his bare foot. He was looking straight ahead. He had a red scarf on and he looked like a Pirate who was about to attack the enemy ship. Jamil didn’t want him to see his smile. He covered his mouth with his hand. “Where are the Greek Flags that you were talking about Captain?”

“It was raining so hard they put the flags away so they won’t get wet. Idiots!”

They heard the cargo train whistle, it was going in the tunnel. There were lots of small boats on the harbor that were either being loaded or unloaded. On the hills there were windmills, houses, and white minarets. Bandirma looked like a place with no worries in the world. It was a nice spring evening. Jamil adjusted his colpack. He had a hunter jacket and pants. His Parabellum was in his belt. He checked if it was showing under his jacket. He checked his commercial documents that Lieutenant Rajab had prepared for him. “They said there was a Veterans Association in Bandirma.”

Bandirma

“Maybe there is.  I don’t know; ask the locals.”

“Who checks the travelling documents? Is it our police?”

“Yes, the Turkish Police check them.”

“Do you know them?”

“Yes, I know a couple of them. Dursun and Ali are from my hometown.  Husnu is from Amasra. They are all from the Black Sea region.”

“I wonder what news they have from Izmir.”

“Yes, we will hear when we get there.”

The clouds were approaching the town, piling up to the north. They reached the harbour in half an hour.     Jamil picked up his small bag and jumped to the shore. “Temel, thank you. Will you see Lieutenant Temel on the way back?

“Yes, of course.”

“Tell him I reached Bandirma safely. He was going to send word to my home.”

“Sure. He will let your family know.”

“Who is going to check my papers?”

“No one is around! There is no need to wait! Go on your way. The Greeks invaded Izmir. Damn the papers!”

Jamil felt like everyone from the stores and the houses were looking at him. He picked up speed. He knew if he turned a couple of corners, he would be on Anatolian soil and he would be a member of the Anatolian community. He wondered if the people on the street were paying attention to him or not. Everyone looked tired and sleepy. He didn’t need any more cigarettes but he stopped by a store and bought a package anyway. He thought about asking the tobacco man if he knew the Veterans Association.

The man was looking at him while counting money, “Are you with Bekir Sami?”

Jamil hesitated, he didn’t answer right away, and he took his time getting his change back over the counter. Then he said, “Yes.”

“God Bless you. We are so happy that you came. When your friends came here it was like new blood to our town. I never cry but last week the Greeks invaded Izmir and I cried. The local Greeks hung Greek flags all over in Bandirma. Then your friends came and took the flags down from the posts. I cried again. You will be saved because of the prayers of the women of my household. God Bless you!”He dried his eyes. He had a white beard and he looked desperate. He had a Roumeli accent.

Jamil put his hand on the shopkeeper’s shoulder and said, “Thank you.” He started to walk then he turned back and asked, “Is there an association for the Retired Officers around here?”

“Yes, go to Hasan’s coffee shop. He is one of your guys here. He is a retired Naval Officer.”

Jamil went out quickly.  The Shopkeeper said, “Turn left from that fountain, and go down the hill. You will see the sign on the window. Good Luck! If you like I can come with you in case you can’t find the coffee shop.”

“No, I will find it myself. You have things to do.”

“It is OK. Let me carry your bag.”

“No, please don’t. I have to go there alone. Thank you.”

The man insisted. Jamil understood the importance of this. He was happy. He realized that the people were supporting them. His heart filled with joy.

When he was in the boat earlier he didn’t know what to expect. He felt hopeless because of the chaos of Istanbul. “We thought it was the end of the world!”

When he left Istanbul at Ahirkapi harbour, he was so confused he didn’t even have time to think about Neriman. When they passed through the Prince islands there was light coming from the islands; however, they sailed into deep darkness as the journey progressed. Jamil felt desperate. He felt that this journey would never end safely. Even if he was to reach his destination, he would never return back safely. He feared he wouldn’t be able to find anyone when he reached his destination and he feared he wouldn’t find anyone if and when he would ever return safely back to his home. Christopher Columbus must have felt the same way when he lost hope of finding India.

When he turned left from the corner where the fountain was, he tripped over something and remembered Ismail.  He smiled. He talked to him as if he was there with him. “Long Live Ismail!” Major Ismail Uskup gave him the idea of going to Bandirma and joining the Circassian Rashid Brothers. Ismail gave him a hunter’s jacket, boots and the colpack.

Ahirkapi, Istanbul

Ismail had also given Jamil his Parabellum in exchange for his Mouser. He was the one who thought about finding a boat from Ahirkapi to take him to Bandirma. He said, “Go to Anatolia, straight to Kuschu Bashi ranch. If you want action get a horse, put the bandolier across your chest. Find our friend Mad Circassian Rashid. You know how Chakircali was a warlord in the area for fifteen years. You can do it for hundred years with the Circassian Brothers! Don’t show mercy to the evil people, fire your gun, shoot the bad guys, Muslim or Christian, it’s all the same. See what happens. If I hadn’t lost my leg I wouldn’t stay here for a minute. Go for it Jamil. Don’t lose time here!”

Jamil realized Ismail was right when he considered the shopkeeper’s welcome. He saw the coffee-house with the sign ‘Retired Officers Association’ and went in.“Hello! I am here to see Hasan.”Three men were playing cards in the corner. There were two lithographs on the wall; the Reshadiye and the Sultan Osman Dreadnoughts that the Ottoman Government ordered but couldn’t get possession of. They were confiscated by Britain.

“Hello. What can I do for you?”

Jamil was almost going to mention Bekir Sami, but then he thought better of it. “Yes, I came here from Istanbul. They said you can help me. I want to buy wheat, barley, onions, beans and chick peas for selling.”

Hasan showed him a place by the desk to sit. He didn’t seem to care about what Jamil had just said. He was thinking about something else.

“Please, have a seat first. Would you like tea or coffee?”

“Coffee please, with a little sugar.”

Hasan made the coffee and brought it to him. As he approached, he asked in a low voice, “You said you came from Istanbul. It is not ship day today.”

“Yes, it is not. My friend had a sail boat. I came by a sail boat. I was informed that it was not easy to find a boat these days.”

“Yes that’s right.”Hasan thought for a while then asked, “Do you know any dealers here?”

“No.”

“Who gave you my address?”

“A friend.” He drank his coffee.  “He had worked in the Military Depots here.” Jamil hesitated then said, “Major Ismail!”

“Major Ismail! He is a tall handsome blond guy.” He scratched his chin, “deep voice.”

“Yes. That’s the man!”

His expression changed; he wasn’t nervous anymore, he looked at Jamil friendlier. “Where is he now? Is he at Istanbul?”

“Yes!”

“Good,” Hasan offered him a cigarette, “Tomorrow we will go to a couple of places with you. Get what you need and leave Bandirma quickly. Don’t be too picky with the prices.”

“Why? I thought I’d visit farms and villages so that I can find the produce for a better price.”

“That’s right. But it is not a good time for that!” His voice changed again. He sounded less confident now. “Things are complicated but it is your decision.”He went away with the empty cup. He was taking his time, keeping himself occupied in the kitchen. The card players looked at Jamil. When their eyes met, they turned their heads away quickly. Hasan and his customers seemed not so happy about Bekir Sami’s coming to their town and ordering the Greek Flags off the posts. Jamil thought, “This guy must be a paranoid type, he is nervous. Those kinds of people won’t be happy even if they go to the Heaven.”

Hasan came and sat by the cash register. “Where are you staying?”

“I don’t know yet. Maybe I will go to a village instead of staying here.”

“To where?”

“To Emre village, it must be situated halfway between Bandirma and Mihailich.”

“I know that village; it is a Circassian village that belongs to Ali Bey.”

“Is that right?”

“Who are you going to see at Emre Village?”

“I will see Rashid.”

Hasan was interested, “Rashid, Ethem’s older brother.”

“I haven’t met Ethem but I know his other brother Tewfik.”

“Yes, all three of them are Ali’s sons. Do you know Rashid personally?”

“Yes.”

“From where?”

“He is my friend from the Army days.”

“Are you an Officer as well?”

“Yes, I was an Officer.”

“A reserve Officer?”

“No.”

“Rank?”

“Captain.”

“Cavalry or Artillery?”

Jamil laughed, “Why not the Infantry?”

“’Cause I know it is not Infantry.”

“You are right. I was an Artillery Captain.”

Avni Arbas

From the book
The Reluctant Warrior
By Kemal Tahir
Translated by Elif Mat