one place of exile to another. I was sent to Isparta.

In Isparta I took up my duties once again. After twenty days, a number of cowardly people said by way of a warning: "Perhaps the government won't look favourably on this situation. It would be better if you go a bit cautiously." Again I began to think only of myself and I said: "Don't let the people come!" And again I was taken from that place of exile and sent to a third, to Barla.

And in Barla whenever I have felt a slackness and the idea of thinking of myself only has gained strength, one of these serpents and two-faced hypocrites from among those concerned only with this world has been set to pester me. [^34]

[^34]:Nursi, Lem'alar, 40 (Eng. tr.: Flashes, 70-1).

Thus, after his short stay in his second place of exile, Isparta, Bediuzzaman was sent to the village of Barla. At that time the easiest way to travel there through that mountainous country was by way of Lake Eğridir. The gendarme who accompanied him from the village of Eğridir to Barla, Şevket Demiray, described their journey as follows:

The morning after market day in Eğridir, they called me to the Town Hall. I went, and the head official of the district, the gendarme commander, members of the Town Council, and an imposing-looking man of around forty years [^35] of age wearing turban and gown were there. The gendarme commander said to me: "Look here, son, you've got to take this Hoja Efendi to Barla. He is the famous Bediuzzaman Said Efendi. It is a very important task for you. When you hand him over to the police station there, get these documents signed and then report back here." I said: "Right away, Sir!", and undertook the duty. I went out from there with the Hoja Efendi, and said to him on the way: "You are my superior, forgive me, but what can I do, it is my duty." We arrived at the jetty and there agreed on a price with a boatman. He accepted to take us for fifty kuruş". Bediuzzaman Efendi got out the money for the boat and paid him. Then he gave a further ten kuruş and got them to buy a kilo of seedless raisins. When boarding the boat he had in his hand a basket containing his belongings: a teapot and kettle, a few glasses, and a prayer-rug. In his other hand was a Qur'an. With the two boatmen, a friend of the boatmen's, and the two of us, we were five in the boat. It was afternoon, The weather was cold. It was round about the time when the first signs of spring were appearing. The lake was iced over in places. The front boatman broke the ice with a long pole he had in his hand opening a way for the sailing boat. Bediuzzaman offered each of us raisins and pieces of dried pressed fruit from the East on the way. I was

[^35]:Bediuzzaman was actually nearly fifty years old.