Sarkis was born of a rich family of Marash. He suffered long and much, morally and physically without dying. His family was exiled to Deir-el-Zor.

            During a few day's rest his father was taken out of the caravan and was put into prison. Sarkis came with his mother, three sisters and two brothers to Meskene, where he lost the trace of his family and went haphazard in the desert until he met with an Arab, who took him to his village composed of a few tents. He lived among Arabs eleven years, working as a herdsman of camels and was fed little better then a dog.

            One day his tribe was retiring before the enemy, in the hurry of the moment Sarkis got time to conceal himself in a cavern, and in spite of all dangers he reached Ras-el-Ain naked and bare footed. Our agent sent him per auto to us.