I was, of course, known as the organizer of the young men's union which for so long had put up a spirited resistance to Fewzi; I was still looked upon as a leader of the younger spirits, and I knew that sooner or later Fewzi would try to make good his threat, often repeated, that he would "shoot me like a dog." It was hardly likely that an open attempt on my life would be made.

When Ambassador Morgenthau visited Palestine, he had stayed in our village and given my family the evidence of his sincere friendship.

These things count in the East, and I soon got the reputation of having influential friends.

However, there were other ways of disposing of me.

One evening, about sunset, while I was riding through a valley near our village, my horse shied violently in passing a clump of bushes.