The Haj - Leon Uris [127]
Inside one of the larger houses, I was taken to the door of a room guarded by a soldier. The Irgun officer spoke to the guard and he let us into the room. A Haganah officer behind a table seemed more important than anyone. He spoke to me in Arabic and, after I told him the story, he took me down the hall. I was let into a room that was empty except for a couple of chairs and was ordered to sit down.
For a long time, the Haganah officer asked me many questions about the names of my family and questions about Tabah and Shemesh Kibbutz. He asked me over and over why my family had not fled through Bat Yam. He was very suspicious and I realized this was because I was so little and was an Arab peasant and could speak three languages. Finally he asked me if I could give a secret message that only Gideon Asch would know. I thought about it a long time, for this was the final key to our survival.
‘Tell Mr. Gideon Asch that I went to fetch him the night Ramiza’s baby died.’
‘I don’t know how long this will take,’ the Haganah officer said. ‘You stay put. Don’t try to leave.’
In a few moments a soldier came with a bedroll and some food. I did not realize it, but I had not eaten much since we had left Tabah and I ate so fast I became sick. Many times soldiers came into the room and looked at me. They were all very kind and soon I was not as suspicious as I had been. Even though heavy shooting started up, I was very tired. I did not want to sleep or lower my guard, but it was difficult to keep my eyes open.
‘Ishmael.’
I opened my eyes. Mr. Gideon Asch knelt beside me. I had never done such a thing before in my life, but I threw my arms about him and wept. I tried to speak in all three languages at one time between my weeping and choking on words. He helped me get control of myself and I told him my story.
We went to the commander’s office and the two of them spoke at length, then spread a map on the table.
‘Can you read a map, Ishmael?’
‘I think so.’
‘All right. Here is St. Peter’s, the Great Mosque, the Turkish Clock Tower.’
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘I understand.’
‘The post office, the wide boulevard, and Immanuel’s church.’
I nodded that I followed him.
‘Go another three hundred yards past the church along the Jaffa road to this position.’ He pointed to a place on the map. ‘Over the road there is a narrow alleyway. A truck will be parked there. Do you have a watch?’
‘No.’
He unstrapped his own and gave it to me. ‘Wait here on your side of the road until eight-thirty. I will bring a patrol over and fetch you. I will call out the word “Tabah” and you will answer by calling out “Shemesh Kibbutz.” ’
I repeated the instructions a half-dozen times.
‘Do you have any questions, Ishmael?’
‘Suppose there are Arab soldiers around?’
The Haganah commander broke in, speaking in Hebrew to Mr. Gideon Asch. I could pick up a few words here and there. He was apprehensive about giving out any further information. Mr. Gideon Asch told the officer that I could be trusted.
‘Our information is that so many Arab militia have deserted that the lines are full of holes. If they shoot, they will shoot at our patrol. We will lay down enough fire to drive them off.’
It took the rest of the day to gather my family and move them through the back ways to avoid the militias. When we crept to our position, my heart leaped with joy to see the truck over the road. The rest of it was easy.
The family huddled in the rear of the truck. I sat in front between Mr. Gideon Asch and my father. I was tired again and each time I dozed I saw the vision of my mother, stepmother, and sister-in-law being raped. This time I had the comfort of my father’s arm about me. Time and again he patted me and called me a brave soldier. I had won his honor. Between my dozings, I could hear him and Mr. Gideon Asch speak as the truck raced through Tel Aviv and continued north. I was so tired I could not even partake of the wonderment of the Jewish city.
‘You’ll cross near Tulkarm. A man named Said will be waiting.’
‘Once I get the family settled, I will walk through a thousand miles