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diff --git a/42276-8.txt b/42276-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ffb344c..0000000 --- a/42276-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,15480 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of In Greek Waters, by G. A. Henty - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: In Greek Waters - A Story of The Grecian War of Independence - -Author: G. A. Henty - -Illustrator: W. S. Stacey - -Release Date: March 8, 2013 [EBook #42276] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN GREEK WATERS *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -[Illustration: CAPTURED BY ALBANIAN BRIGANDS] - - - - - IN GREEK WATERS - - A STORY OF - - THE GRECIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - - (1821-1827) - - BY - - G. A. HENTY - - Author of "Beric the Briton," "Condemned as a Nihilist," etc. - - - _WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. S. STACEY, AND - A MAP OF THE GRECIAN ARCHIPELAGO_ - - NEW YORK - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS - 1902 - - - COPYRIGHT, 1892, BY - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS. - - THE CAXTON PRESS - NEW YORK. - - - - - -PREFACE - - -MY DEAR LADS, - -The struggle known as the Greek War of Independence lasted for six -years (1821-27), and had I attempted to give even an outline of the -events this would have been a history and not a story. Moreover, six -years is altogether beyond the length of time that can be included in -a book for boys. For these reasons I have confined the story to the -principal incidents of the first two years of the war; those of my -readers who may wish to learn the whole history of the struggle I -refer to Finlay's well-known _History of Greece_, which I have -followed closely in my narration. - -As a rule in the stories of wars, especially of wars waged for -national independence, the dark side of the struggle is brightened by -examples of patriotism and devotion, of heroic bravery, of humanity to -the wounded, of disinterestedness and self-sacrifice. The war of Greek -independence is an exception. The story is a dark one with scarcely a -gleam of light. Never during modern times has a struggle been -disgraced by such deeds of cruelty and massacre as those which -prevailed on both sides. Such being the case, I have devoted less -space than usual to the historical portion of my tale, and this plays -but a subordinate part in the adventures of the _Misericordia_ and her -crew. - - Yours sincerely, - - G. A. HENTY. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. A GREEK STUDENT 11 - II. A YACHT 29 - III. THE WRECK 47 - IV. A STARTLING PROPOSAL 66 - V. FITTING OUT 85 - VI. UNDER WEIGH 107 - VII. A CHANGE OF NAME 127 - VIII. A BESIEGED VILLAGE 145 - IX. RESCUED 162 - X. A DARING EXPLOIT 180 - XI. IN THE HANDS OF THE TURKS 197 - XII. PLANNING A RESCUE 213 - XIII. THE PASHA OF ADALIA 225 - XIV. CHIOS 243 - XV. A WHITE SQUALL 259 - XVI. FIRE-SHIPS 277 - XVII. RESCUING THE GARRISON OF ATHENS 295 - XVIII. A TURKISH DEFEAT 312 - XIX. PRISONERS 330 - XX. AT CONSTANTINOPLE 348 - XXI. THE "MISERICORDIA" AGAIN 365 - XXII. ALL ENDS WELL 385 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - CAPTURED BY ALBANIAN BRIGANDS _Frontispiece_ - "WELL, YOUNGSTER, WHAT IS IT?" 20 - HORACE SUGGESTS A RESCUE 52 - THEIR FIRST SIGHT OF THE SCHOONER 82 - A DISCUSSION ABOUT CLOTHES 110 - "GIVE THEM A ROUND," SAID CAPTAIN MARTYN 148 - THE CAPTAIN IS WOUNDED 177 - THE GREEK CAPTIVES ARE BROUGHT ON DECK 198 - THE CAPTURE OF THE PASHA 228 - REPELLING THE TURKISH BOARDERS 279 - THE GOVERNOR COMES ON BOARD 306 - THE DOCTOR TELLS THE STORY 379 - - * * * * * - - MAP OF GRECIAN ARCHIPELAGO 10 - - - - -IN GREEK WATERS - - - - -CHAPTER I - -A GREEK STUDENT - - -The people of the little fishing village of Seaport were agreed on one -subject, however much they might differ on others, namely, that Mr. -Beveridge was "a wonderful learned man." In this respect they were -proud of him: learned men came to visit him, and his name was widely -known as the author of various treatises and books which were precious -to deep scholars, and were held in high respect at the universities. -Most of the villagers were, however, of opinion that it would have -been better for Seaport had Mr. Beveridge been a trifle less learned -and a good deal more practical. Naturally he would have been spoken of -as the squire, for he was the owner of the whole parish, and his house -was one of the finest in the county, which some of his ancestors had -represented in parliament; but for all that it would have been -ridiculous to call a man squire who had never been seen on horseback, -and who, as was popularly believed, could not distinguish a field of -potatoes from one of turnips. - -It was very seldom that Mr. Beveridge ventured outside the -boundary-wall of his grounds, except, indeed, when he posted up to -London to investigate some rare manuscript, or to pore over ancient -books in the reading-room of the British Museum. He was never seen at -the meetings of magistrates, or at social gatherings of any kind, and -when his name was mentioned at these, many shrugged their shoulders -and said what a pity it was that one of the finest properties in the -county should be in the hands of a man who was, to say the least of -it, a little cracked. - -Mr. Beveridge's father, when on a tour in the East as a young man, had -fallen in love with and, to the intense indignation of his family, -married a Greek lady. Upon coming into possession of the property, two -years later, John Beveridge settled down with his beautiful wife at -the Hall, and lived in perfect happiness with her until her death. - -She had had but one child, a boy, the present owner of the Hall, who -was twelve years old when she died. Happy as she was with her husband, -Mrs. Beveridge had never ceased to regret the sunny skies of her -native land. She seldom spoke of it to her husband, who hunted and -shot, was a regular attendant at the board of magistrates, and -attended personally to the management of his estate. He was a man of -little sentiment, and had but a poor opinion of the Greeks in general. -But to Herbert she often talked of the days of her childhood, and -imbued him with her own passionate love of her native country. This -led him at school to devote himself to the study of Greek with such -energy and ardour that he came to be considered as a prodigy, and -going up to Oxford he neglected all other branches of study, mixed but -little with other undergraduates, made no friends, but lived the life -of a recluse, and was rewarded by being the only first-class man of -his year, the examiners declaring that no such papers had ever before -been sent in. - -Unfortunately for Herbert his father died a few months before he took -his degree. He had neither understood nor appreciated his son's -devotion to study, and when others congratulated him upon the -reputation he was already gaining at the university, he used to shrug -his shoulders and say, "What is the good of it? He has not got to -work for his living. I would rather see him back a horse over a -five-barred gate than write Greek like Homer." He had frequently -declared that directly Herbert took his degree he would go with him -first for a few months up to London, and they would then travel -together for a year or two so as to make him, as he said, a bit like -other people. - -Left to his own devices at the death of his father Herbert Beveridge -did not even go home after taking his degree, but, writing to the -steward to shut up the house, started a week later for Greece, where -he remained for three years, by the end of which time he was as -perfectly acquainted with modern as with ancient Greek. Then he -returned home, bringing with him two Greek attendants, turned the -drawing-room into a library, and devoted himself to his favourite -study. Three years later he married, or rather his aunt, Mrs. Fordyce, -married him. That lady, who was the wife of a neighbouring squire, -came over and, as she said, took him in hand. - -"This cannot go on, Herbert," she said; "it is plainly your duty to -marry." - -"I have never thought of marrying, aunt." - -"I daresay not, Herbert, but that is no reason why you shouldn't -marry. You don't intend, I suppose, that this place, after being in -the hands of our family for hundreds of years, is to be sold to -strangers at your death. It is clearly your duty to marry and have -children." - -"But I don't know anyone to marry." - -"I will find you a wife, Herbert. I know half a dozen nice girls, any -one of whom would suit you. You want a thoroughly good, sensible wife, -and then, perhaps, there would be some chance of your becoming like -other people." - -"I don't want to become like other people, I only want to be let -alone." - -"Well, you see that is out of the question, Herbert. You shirk all -your duties as a large land-owner; but this duty, at least, you cannot -shirk. Let me see, to-day is Monday; on Wednesday our gig shall be -over here at half-past twelve, and you shall come over and lunch with -me. I will have Miss Hendon there; she is in all respects suitable for -you. She is fairly pretty, and very bright and domesticated, with -plenty of common sense. She won't have any money; for although her -father's estate is a nice one, she has four or five brothers, and I -don't suppose Mr. Hendon lays by a penny of his income. However, that -matters very little. Now you must rouse yourself for a bit. This is an -important business, you know, and has to be done. After it is over you -will find it a great comfort, and your wife will take all sorts of -little worries off your hand. Of course if you don't like Mary Hendon -when you see her, I will find somebody else." - -Herbert Beveridge resigned himself quietly, and became almost passive -in this matter of his own marriage. He liked Mary Hendon when he had -got over the shyness and discomfort of the first visit, and three -months later they were married. He then went back to his library -again, and his wife took the management of the estate and house into -her capable hands. During her lifetime Herbert Beveridge emerged to a -certain extent from his shell. He became really fond of her, and -occasionally accompanied her on her drives, went sometimes into -society, and was generally considered to be improving fast. - -Ten years after marriage she died, and her husband fell back into his -old ways. His life, however, was no longer quite solitary, for she had -left him a boy eight years of age. He had been christened Horace, -which was a sort of compromise. Mr. Beveridge had wished that he -should have the name of some Greek worthy--his favourites being either -Themistocles or Aristides. His mother had called in Mrs. Fordyce to -her assistance, and the two ladies together had succeeded in carrying -their point. Mrs. Fordyce had urged that it would be a misfortune for -the boy to bear either of these names. - -"He will have to go to school, Herbert, of course, and the boys would -make his life a burden to him if he had either of the names you -mention. I know what boys are; we have plenty of them in our family. -If he were Aristides he would get the nickname of Tidy, which would be -hideous. The other name is worse still; they would probably shorten it -into Cockles, and I am sure you would not want the boy to be spoken of -as Cockles Beveridge." - -"I hate common names," Mr. Beveridge said, "such as Jack, Bob, and -Bill." - -"Well, I think they are quite good enough for ordinary life, Herbert, -but if you must have something classical why not take the name of -Horace? One of Mary's brothers is Horace, you know, and he would no -doubt take it as a compliment if you gave the boy that name." - -And so it was fixed for Horace. As soon as the child was old enough to -go out without a nurse, Mr. Beveridge appointed one of his Greek -servants to accompany him, in order that the child should pick up a -knowledge of Greek; while he himself interested himself so far in him -as to set aside his books and have him into the library for an hour a -day, when he always talked to him in Greek. Thus at his mother's death -the boy was able to talk the language as fluently as English. In other -respects he showed no signs whatever of taking after his father's -tastes. He was a sturdy boy, and evinced even greater antipathy than -usual to learning the alphabet, and was never so happy as when he -could persuade Marco to take him down to the beach to play with the -fisher children. At his mother's death he was carried off by Mrs. -Fordyce, and spent the next six months with her and in the houses of -his mother's brothers, where there were children about his own age. At -the end of that time a sort of family council was held, and Mrs. -Fordyce went over to Seaport to see her nephew. - -"What were you thinking about doing with the boy, Herbert?" - -"The boy?" he asked vaguely, being engaged on a paper throwing new -light on the Greek particles when she entered. - -"Naturally, Herbert, the boy, your boy; it is high time he went to -school." - -"I was thinking the other day about getting a tutor for him." - -"Getting fiddlesticks!" Mrs. Fordyce said sharply; "the boy wants -companionship. What do you suppose he would become, moping about this -big house alone? He wants to play, if he is ever to grow up an active -healthy man. No harm has been done yet, for dear Mary kept the house -bright, and had the sense to let him pass most of his time in the open -air, and not to want him always at her apron-string. If when he gets -to the age of twenty he develops a taste for Greek--which Heaven -forbid!--or for Chinese, or for any other heathen and out-of-the-way -study, it will be quite time enough for him to take it up. The -Beveridges have always been men of action. It is all very well, -Herbert, to have one great scholar in the family; we all admit that it -is a great credit to us; but two of them would ruin it. Happily I -believe there is no record of a great scholar producing an equally -great son. At any rate I do hope the boy will have a fair chance of -growing into an active energetic man, and taking his place in the -county." - -"I have no wish it should be otherwise, aunt," Herbert Beveridge said. -"I quite acknowledge that in some respects it would be better if I had -not devoted myself so entirely to study, though my work has not been -without fruit, I hope, for it is acknowledged that my book on the use -of the digamma threw an entirely new light upon the subject. Still I -cannot expect, nor do I wish, that Horace should follow in my -footsteps. Indeed, I trust, that when I have finished my work, there -will be little for a fresh labourer to glean in that direction. At any -rate he is far too young to develop a bent in any direction whatever, -and I think therefore that your proposal is a good one." - -"Then in that case, Herbert, I think you cannot do better than send -him with Horace Hendon's two boys to school. One is about his own age -and one is a little older. The elder boy has been there a year, and -his father is well satisfied with the school." - -"Very well, aunt. If you will ask Horace to make arrangements for the -boy to go with his sons I am quite content it should be so." - -So Horace Beveridge went, a week later, by coach with his cousins to a -school at Exeter, some forty miles from Seaport, and there remained -until he was fourteen. He passed his holidays at home, never seeing -his father until dinnertime, after which he spent two hours with him, -a period of the day to which the boy always looked forward with some -dread. Sometimes his father would chat cheerfully to him, always in -modern Greek; at others he would sit silent and abstracted, waking up -occasionally and making some abrupt remark to the boy, and then again -lapsing into silence. When about the house and grounds Marco was his -constant companion. The Greek, who was a mere lad when he had come to -England, was fond of Horace, and having been a fisherman as a boy, he -enjoyed almost as much as his charge did the boating and fishing -expeditions upon which he accompanied him. - -At this time Horace had a strong desire to go to sea, but even his -Aunt Fordyce, when he broached the subject to her, would give him no -hope or encouragement. - -"If it had been ten years ago, Horace, it would have been another -matter. The sea was a stirring life, then; and even had you only gone -into the navy for a few years you would have seen lots of service, and -might have distinguished yourself. As to staying in it, it would have -been ridiculous for you as an only son. But now nothing could be more -wretched than the position of a naval officer. All the world is at -peace, and there does not appear to be the slightest chance of war -anywhere for many years. Hundreds and hundreds of ships have been paid -off and laid up, and there are thousands of officers on half-pay, and -without the smallest chance of ever getting employment again. You -have arrived too late in the world for sailoring. Besides, I do not -think in any case your father would consent to such a thing. I am -happy to say that I do not think he has any idea, or even desire, that -you should turn out a famous scholar as he is. But to a man like him -it would seem terrible that your education should cease altogether at -the age at which boys go into the navy, and that you should grow up -knowing nothing of what he considers the essentials of a gentleman's -education. No, no, Horace, the sea is out of the question. You must go -up to Eton, as arranged, at the end of these holidays, and from Eton -you must go through one of the universities. After that you can wander -about for a bit and see the world, and you will see as much of it in -six months that way as in twice as many years were you in the navy in -these times of peace." - -Horace looked a little downcast. - -"There is another thing, Horace," his aunt said; "it would not be fair -for you to go into the navy, even if there was nothing else against -it." - -"How is that, aunt?" - -"Well, Horace, when there are hundreds of officers on half-pay, who -can scarcely keep life together on the few pounds a year they get, it -would be hard indeed for young fellows with money and influence to -step into the places and keep them out." - -"Yes, aunt, I did not think of that," Horace said, brightening up. "It -certainly would be a beastly shame for a fellow who can do anything -with himself to take the place of a man who can do nothing else." - -"Besides, Horace," his aunt went on, "if you like the sea so much as -you do now when you have done with college, there is no reason why you -should not get your father to let you either hire or buy a yacht and -go where you like in her, instead of travelling about by land." - -"That would be very jolly!" Horace exclaimed. "Yes, that would be -really better than going to sea, because one could go where one -liked." - -And so at the end of the holidays Horace went up to Eton. On his -return home in the summer his father said: "Your aunt was over here -the other day, Horace, and she was telling me about that foolish idea -you have of going to sea. I was glad to hear that you gave it up at -once when she pointed out to you the absurdity of it. Her opinion is -that as you are so fond of the water, and as Marco can manage a boat -well, it would be a good thing for you to have one of your own, -instead of going out always with the fishermen; the idea seemed to me -a good one, so I got her to write to some one she knows at Exmouth, -and he has spoken to the revenue officer there. They have been -bothering me about what size it should be, and as I could not tell -them whether it should be ten feet long or fifty, I said the matter -must remain till you came home, and then Marco could go over with you -to Exmouth and see the officer." - -"Oh, thank you very much, father!" - -"It is only right that you should be indulged in a matter like this, -Horace. I know that you don't care about riding alone, and I am sorry -I can't be more of a companion to you, but I have always my hands full -of important work, and I know that for a boy of your age it must be -very dull here. Choose any boat you like. I have been talking to -Marco, and he says that she can be hauled up on the beach and lie -there perfectly safe when you are away. Of course if necessary he can -have a young fellow or two from the village to help while you are at -home. He seems to think that in that way you could have a boat of more -comfortable size. I don't know anything about it, so I have left the -matter entirely to him and you. The difference of cost between a small -boat and a large one is of no consequence one way or the other." - -Accordingly, the next morning Marco and Horace started directly after -breakfast in the carriage to catch the coach, which passed along the -main road four miles from Seaport, and arrived at Exmouth at two. They -had no difficulty in finding the house of Captain Martyn, whose title -was an honorary one, he being a lieutenant of many years' service. - -"Is Captain Martyn in?" Horace asked the servant who opened the door. - -"No, sir; he is away in the cutter." Horace stood aghast. It had never -struck him that the officer might not be at home. - -"His son is in, Mr. William Martyn, if that will do," the servant -said, seeing the boy's look of dismay. - -"I don't know," he said; "but at any rate I should like to see him." - -"I will tell him, sir, if you will stay here." - -A minute later a tall powerfully-built young fellow of two or -three-and-twenty came to the door. - -"Well, youngster, what is it?" he asked. - -"I have come about buying a boat, sir. My name is Beveridge. I believe -Captain Martyn was kind enough to say that he would look out for a -boat for us." - -"Oh, yes, I have heard about it; but whether it was a dinghy or a -man-of-war that was wanted we couldn't find out. Do you intend to -manage her single-handed?" - -"Oh, no, sir! I have done a lot of sailing with the fishermen at -Seaport, but I could not manage a boat by myself, not if there was any -wind. But Marco was a sailor among the Greek isles before he entered -my father's service." - -"Want a comfortable craft," the Greek, who had learned to speak a -certain amount of English, said. "Can have two or three hands." - -"Oh, you want a regular cruiser! Well, you are a lucky young chap, I -must say. The idea of a young cub like you having a boat with two or -three hands to knock about in! Do you want a captain, because I am to -let?" - -"No, sir, we don't want a captain, and we don't want a great big -craft. Something about the size of a fishing-boat, I should say. Are -you a sailor?" - -"Yes, worse luck, I am a master's mate, if you know what that is. It -means a passed midshipman. I have been a master's mate for four years, -and am likely to be one all my life, for I have no more chance of -getting a berth than I have of being appointed a post-captain -to-morrow. Well, I will put on my cap and go with you. I have been -looking about since my father heard about a boat being wanted. The -letter said nothing about your age, or what size of boat was wanted; -it gave in fact no useful information whatever. It was about as much -to the point as if they had said you wanted to have a house and did -not say whether it was a two-roomed cottage or a country mansion. But -I think I know of a little craft that would about suit you. Does your -father sail himself?" - -[Illustration: "WELL, YOUNGSTER, WHAT IS IT?"] - -Horace could not help smiling at the idea. "No," he said. "My father -cares for nothing but studying Greek. I am at Eton, but it is very -slow in the holidays, and as I generally go out with the fishermen the -best part of the time I am at home, he thought it would be a good -thing for me to have a boat of my own." - -William Martyn looked quietly down at the lad, then went in and got -his cap, rejoined them, and sauntered down towards the river. He led -the way along the wharfs, passed above the town, and then pointed to a -boat lying on the mud. - -"That is the craft I should choose if I were in your place," he said. -"She is as sound as a bell, and I wouldn't mind crossing the Bay of -Biscay in her." - -"But she is very large," Horace said, looking at her with some doubt -in his face. - -"She is about fifteen tons burthen," he said, "built of oak, and is -only eight years old, though she looks battered about and rusty as she -lies there. She was built from his own designs by Captain Burrows, as -good a sailor as ever stepped. She is forty feet long and fifteen feet -beam. She is fast, and a splendid sea-boat, with four foot draft of -water. He died three years after he built her, and she has been lying -there ever since. Her gear has been all stowed away in a dry place, -and the old sailor in charge of it says it is in perfect order. The -old captain used to knock about on board of her with only a man and a -boy, and she is as easy to handle as a cock-boat. I was out in her -more than once when I was at home on leave, and she is a beauty. Of -course you can't judge of her as she lies there; but she has -wonderfully easy lines, and sits the water like a duck. She is a -dandy, you see; that is, she carries a small mizzen mast. She was -rigged so because a craft like that is a good deal easier to work -short-handed than a cutter." - -She seemed as she lay there so much larger than anything Horace had -had the idea of possessing that he looked doubtfully at Marco. - -"I think she will do," the Greek said; "just the sort of boat for us. -See her when tide comes up, and can go on board. How much cost?" - -"They only want eighty pounds for her," William Martyn said. "They -asked a hundred and fifty at first; but everything is so dull, and -there have been such a lot of small craft sold off from the dockyards, -that she has not found a purchaser. If I had two or three hundred a -year of my own there is nothing I should like better than to own that -craft and knock about in her. Her only fault is she wants head-room. -There is only five foot under her beams, for she has a low freeboard. -That prevents her from being sold as a yacht. But as one does not want -to walk about much below I don't see that that matters. She has got a -roomy cabin and a nice little stateroom for the owner, and a fo'castle -big enough for six hands." - -"It would be splendid," Horace said. "But do you think, Marco, my -father meant me to have such a large boat as this?" - -The Greek nodded. "Master said buy a good big safe boat. No use -getting a little thing Mr. Horace tire of in a year or two. Can always -get a man or two in the holidays. I think that is just the boat." - -"Tide has nearly reached her," William Martyn said. "We shall be able -to get off to her in an hour. We will go and overhaul the gear now. I -will get the key of the cabins." - -It took them a good hour to get out the sails and inspect them, and -examine the ropes and gear. All were pronounced in good order. - -"The sails are as good for all practical purposes as the day they were -turned out," Martyn said. "They may not be quite as white as the -fresh-water sailors about here think necessary for their pleasure -craft, but they are sound and strong, and were well scrubbed before -they were put away. And you may be sure Burrows used none but the best -rope money could buy. Now we will go on board. She will look a -different craft when her decks are holy-stoned, and she gets two or -three coats of paint," the young officer went on as they stepped on -board. "A landsman can never judge of a boat when she is dismantled, -and he can't judge much at any time. He thinks more of paint and -polish than he does of a ship's lines." - -But Horace had seen enough of boats to be able to appreciate to some -extent the easy lines of her bow and her fine run, and the Greek was -delighted with her. Below she was in good order, except that she -wanted a coat of paint. The cabins were of course entirely dismantled, -but Horace was surprised at their roominess, accustomed as he was to -the close little fo'castles of the fishing-boats. - -"She was fitted up in a regular man-of-war fashion," Martyn said. -"This was just a captain's cabin on board a frigate, but on a small -scale, and so was the state-room. We did not see the furniture, but it -is all upstairs in an attic of the cottage we went to." - -"How long would it take to get her ready?" Horace asked. - -"About ten days. Most of her ballast is out of her, but the rest ought -to come out so as to give her a regular clean down, and a coat of -whitewash below, before it is all put in again. If you like, young -'un, I will look after that. I have got nothing to do, and it will be -an amusement to me. I am looking for a berth at present in a -merchantman, but there are such a number of men out of harness that it -isn't easy to get a job. Look here, if you really want to learn some -day to be fit to take charge of this craft yourself, you could not do -better than persuade your father to let you come over here and see her -fitted up, then you will know where every rope goes, and learn more -than you would sitting about on deck in the course of a year. There -will be no difficulty in getting a couple of rooms ready for you and -your man in the town." - -"Can we get home to-night, sir?" - -"Yes, the coach goes through here at six o'clock." - -"My father will write to-morrow, at least I expect he will," Horace -said. "It isn't very easy to get him to do things, but I expect I -shall manage." - -"He will write," Marco said confidently; and as the boy knew that the -Greek had far more opportunities of getting at his father than he had, -he felt sure that he would manage it. - -"We are very much obliged to you, Mr. Martyn," he said. - -"All right, young sir. If your father decides to take the boat get him -to write to me; or if he is bad at writing, write to me yourself after -settling it with him, and I will put on men and see that she is ready -for sea in a fortnight." - -"Do you feel sure father will let me have the boat, Marco?" Horace -said as soon as they were alone. - -"It is done," the Greek said with a wave of his hand. "He said to me, -'Go and buy a proper boat, see that everything is right about it, but -don't worry me.' So when I say, 'I have bought the boat; it is just -the thing we want; it will cost a hundred pounds by the time it is -ready for sea,' he will say he is glad to hear it, and there will be -an end of it. Mr. Beveridge never troubles." - -"And will you tell him that it would be a good thing for me to go over -and see her fitted up?" - -"I will tell him. He will be glad to know that you have got something -to do." - -It was half-past ten o'clock when they got home. The other Greek -opened the door. - -"Is the master in bed yet, Zaimes?" - -"He went upstairs ten minutes ago. I think he had forgotten all about -Horace not being at home. He did not mention his name to me." - -"What a nuisance!" Horace said. "Now I shall have to wait till -morning before I know about it, and I am so anxious to hear what he -says." - -"It will be all the pleasanter when you hear," Zaimes said quietly. - -The two men were brothers, Zaimes being ten years senior. He was Mr. -Beveridge's valet, his brother being a sort of general assistant, -waiting at meals except when Horace was at home, when he was -considered specially told off to him. They lived apart from the other -servants, having a room of their own where they cooked their meals in -their own fashion. Both were extremely attached to their master, and -would have given their lives for him. - -"Marco will tell me all about it, and I will talk to the master while -I am dressing him. You are making Marco again a boy like yourself, -Horace. He is as eager about this boat as you are"; and he smiled -indulgently at his brother, whom he still regarded as a boy, although -he was now nearly forty. - -"That will be the best plan, Zaimes. I shall be glad for him to know -all about it before breakfast time, for I am sure I should not like to -tell him that we had fixed on a boat like that." - -Horace was a long time before he got to sleep. He had never dreamt of -anything bigger than an open boat, and the thought of having a craft -that he could sail anywhere along the coast, and even sleep on board, -seemed almost too good to be true. He woke an hour before his time, -dressed hastily, went out into the garden, and stood there looking -over the sea. The fishing-boats were going out, and he pictured to -himself the boat he had seen, gliding along among them, bigger and -ever so much handsomer than any of them; and how he would be able to -take out his cousins, and perhaps some day have a school friend to -spend the holidays with him and cruise about. So deep was he in his -thoughts that he was surprised when he heard the bell ring for -breakfast. - -"Now, then," he said to himself as he walked back to the house, "I -shall know. Of course it will be a horrible disappointment if he says -no, but I sha'n't show it, because it is too much to expect him to do -this. I should never have dreamt of such a thing if it had not been -for Marco. Well, here goes"; and he walked into the parlour. - -"Good morning, father!" - -"Good morning, Horace. I am glad to hear that Marco has found just the -boat that he thinks will suit the place. He tells me you want to go -over and see her fitted out. I think that that will be a very good -plan. When you do a thing, Horace, do it well if it is worth doing at -all. Marco will go back with you by the coach this morning." - -"Oh, thank you, father; it is awfully kind of you!" - -"I wish you to enjoy yourself," his father said; "it is no more than -the price of another horse. It is a fine sport and a healthy one, and -I don't know that it is more dangerous than galloping about the -country on horseback. I have told Marco to make all arrangements, and -not to worry me about things. At the beginning of each holiday he will -say how much he will require for provisions on board, and the payment -of the wages of a man and a boy. I shall give him a cheque, and there -will be an end of it as far as I am concerned. I shall be much more at -my ease knowing that you are enjoying yourself on board than wondering -what you will do to amuse yourself from day to day." - -Thinking that all that was necessary had been said, Mr. Beveridge then -opened a Greek book that lay as usual beside his plate, and speedily -became absorbed in it. When he himself had finished, Horace slipped -away. He knew that his father would be at least two hours over the -meal, which he only turned to when Zaimes made a movement to attract -his attention, everything being kept down by the fire, which was lit -specially for that purpose, even in summer. - -"It is all settled, Marco; think of that! Won't it be glorious?" - -"It will be very good, Horace. I shall like it almost as much as you -will. I love the sea, even this gray ugly sea of yours, which is so -different from the blue of the Ęgean. I too mope a little sometimes -when you are not at home, for though I have the kindest and best of -masters, one longs sometimes for change. I told you your father would -agree. It is just what I told him we should want. An open boat is no -use except when the weather is fine, and then one must always keep -close to port in case the wind should drop, and when it comes calm you -have to break your back with rowing. Oh, we will have fine sails -together, and as you grow older we can go farther away, for she should -be safe anywhere. When you become a man I daresay he will get for you -something bigger, and then perhaps we can sail together to Greece, and -perhaps the master will go with you, for he loves Greece as much as we -do." - -There was a fortnight of hard work. William Martyn was in command, and -kept Horace at work as if he had been a young midshipman under his -orders; while Marco turned his hand to everything, singing snatches of -sailor songs he had sung as he fished when a boy, chattering in Greek -to Horace, and in broken English to the two men. - -"You are going to be skipper, I hear," William Martyn said to him one -day. - -"Going to skip!" Marco repeated vaguely. "I know not what you mean." - -"Going to be captain--padrone." - -Marco shook his head. "No, sir. Can sail open boat good, but not fit -to take charge of boat like this. Going to have man at Seaport, a good -fisherman. He sailed a long time in big ships. Man-of-war's man. When -war over, came back to fish. I shall look after young master, cook -food for him, pull at rope, steer sometimes; but other man be captain -and sail boat." - -William Martyn nodded. "Quite right, Marco; these fishermen know the -coast, and the weather, and the ports and creeks to run into. It is -all very well in fine weather, but when you get a blow, a craft like -this wants a man who can handle her well." - -Horace's pride in the craft increased every day. As she lay -weather-beaten and dismantled on the mud she had seemed to him larger -but not superior in appearance to the fishing craft of Seaport, which -were most of them boats of ten or twelve tons; but each day her -appearance changed, and at the end of ten days--with all her rigging -in place, her masts and spars scraped, her deck fairly white, and her -sides glossy with black paint--she seemed to him a thing of perfect -beauty. It was just the fortnight when the paint and varnish of the -cabins were dry, the furniture in its place, and everything ready for -sea. Horace's delight culminated when the anchor was got up, sail set -on her, and William Martyn took the helm, as with a light wind she ran -down through the craft in the harbour for a trial trip. - -"She is a wonderfully handy little craft," the mate said approvingly, -as she began to rise and fall on the swell outside; "the old captain -knew what he was doing when he laid down her lines. She is like a duck -on the water. I have been out in her when big ships were putting their -noses into it, and she never shipped a pailful of water. I can tell -you you are in luck, youngster. How are you going to take her round?" - -"I was going to write to-night for Tom Burdett--that is the man Marco -spoke about--to come over by coach." - -"I will tell you what I will do, youngster; I will take her over for -you. I shall enjoy the trip. If you like we will start to-morrow -morning." - -"I should like that immensely," Horace said; "we shall astonish them -when we sail into the port." - -"Very well, then, that is agreed; you had better get some stores on -board; I mean provisions. Of course if the weather holds like this we -should be there in the evening; but it is a good rule at sea never to -trust the weather. Always have enough grub and water for a week on -board; then, if you happen to be blown off shore, or anything of that -sort, it is of no consequence." - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A YACHT - - -Marco, who acted as banker and appeared to Horace to be provided with -an unlimited amount of money, was busy all the evening getting -crockery, cooking-utensils, knives and forks, table-cloths, towels, -and other necessaries. - -"Why, it is like fitting out a house, Marco." - -"Well, it is a little floating house," the Greek said; "it is much -better to have your own things, and not to have to borrow from the -house every time. Now we will get some provisions, two or three -bottles of rum for bad weather, or when we have visitors on board, and -then we shall be complete. Mr. Martyn said he would see to the water. -Now, we will go to bed soon, for we are to be down at the wharf at six -o'clock; and if we are not there in time you may be sure that you will -get a rating." - -"There is no fear of my being late, Marco. I don't think I shall sleep -all night." - -"Ah! we shall see. You have been on your feet since seven this -morning. I shall have to pull you by your ear to wake you in the -morning." - -This, however, was not necessary. The boy was fast asleep in five -minutes after he had laid his head on the pillow; he woke soon after -daylight, dropped off to sleep several times, but turned out at five, -opened the door of the Greek's room, and shouted: - -"Now, then, Marco, time to get up: if you do not, it is I who will do -the ear-pulling." - -They were down at the wharf at a quarter to six. As the clock struck -the hour William Martyn came down. - -"Good-morning, youngster! you are before your time, I see. You -wouldn't be so ready to turn out after you had had a year or two on -board ship. Well, it looks as if we are going to have a grand day. -There is a nice little breeze, and I fancy it will freshen a good bit -later on. Now, then, tumble into the dinghy, I will take the sculls; -the tide is running out strong, and you might run her into the yacht -and damage the paint; that would be a nice beginning." - -As soon as they were on board, the mate said: - -"Now, off with those shoes, youngster. You can go barefoot if you -like, or you can put on those slippers you bought; we have got the -deck fairly white, and we must not spoil it. You should make that a -rule: everyone who comes on board takes off his boots at once." - -The Greek made the dinghy fast, and then took off his shoes and -stockings. Horace put on the slippers, and the mate a pair of light -shoes he had brought on board with him. - -"Now, then, off with the sail-covers; fold them up and put them down -under the seat of the cockpit. Knot up the tyers loosely together, and -put them there also. Never begin to hoist your sails till you have got -the covers and tyers snugly packed away. Now, Marco, get number two -jib out of the sail-locker. I don't think we shall want number one -to-day. Now, hook on the halliards. No; don't hoist yet, run it out -first by the outhaul to the end of the bowsprit. We won't hoist it -till we have got the mainmast and mizzen up. Now, Marco, you take the -peak halliards, and I will take the main. Now, then, up she goes; ease -off the sheet a bit. Horace, we must top the boom a bit; that is high -enough. Marco, make fast; now up with the mizzen; that is right. Now, -Horace, before you do anything else always look round, see that -everything is right, the halliards properly coiled up and turned over -so as to run freely, in case you want to lower or reef sail, the -sheets ready to slacken out, the foresail and jib sheets brought aft -on their proper sides. There is nothing in our way now; but when there -are craft in the way, you want to have everything in perfect order, -and ready to draw the moment the anchor is off the ground. Otherwise -you might run foul of something before you got fairly off, and -nothing can look more lubberly than that. Now you take the helm, and -Marco and I will get up the anchor. The wind is nearly dead down the -river; don't touch the tiller till I tell you." - -Horace stood by the helm till the mate said: - -"The chain is nearly up and down; now put the tiller gently to -starboard." - -As he spoke he ran up the jib, and as the boat's head payed off, -fastened the sheet to windward. - -"Now, Marco, round with the windlass; that is right, the anchor is -clear now; up with it." - -As he spoke he ran up the foresail. "Slack off the main sheets, lad, -handsomely; that is right, let them go free; slack off the mizzen -sheets." - -The wind had caught the jib now, and, aided by the tide, brought the -boat's head sharply round. The jib and foresheets were hauled to -leeward, and in less than a minute from the time the anchor had left -the ground the boat was running down the river with her sheets well -off before the wind. - -"Helm a-port a little, Horace, so as to give us plenty of room in -passing that brig at anchor. That is enough. Steady! Now keep as you -are. Marco, I will help you get the anchor on board, and then we will -get up the topsail and set it." - -In ten minutes the anchor was stowed, topsail set, and the ropes -coiled down. Then a small triangular blue flag with the word "Surf" -was run up to the masthead. - -"Properly speaking, Horace, flags are not shown till eight o'clock in -the morning; but we will make an exception this time. Gently with the -tiller, lad; you are not steering a fishing-boat now; a touch is -sufficient for this craft. Keep your eye on the flag, and see that it -flies out straight ahead. That is the easiest thing to steer by when -you are dead before the wind. There is more care required for that -than for steering close-hauled, for a moment's carelessness might -bring the sail across with a jerk that would pretty well take the mast -out of her. It is easy enough now in smooth water; but with a -following sea it needs a careful helmsman to keep a craft from yawing -about." - -Marco had disappeared down the forecastle hatch as soon as he had -finished coiling down the topsail halliard, and a wreath of smoke now -came up through the stove-pipe. - -"That is good," the mate said. "We shall have breakfast before long." - -They ran three miles straight out, so as to get well clear of the -land; then the sheets were hauled in, and the _Surf's_ head pointed -east, and lying down to her gunwale she sped along parallel with the -shore. - -"We are going along a good seven knots through the water," the mate -said. "She has got just as much sail as she wants, though she would -stand a good deal more wind, if there were any occasion to press her; -but as a rule, Horace, always err on the right side; there is never -any good in carrying too much sail. You can always make more sail if -the wind drops, while if it rises it is not always easy to get it in. -Give me the helm. Now go down to Marco and tell him to come up a few -minutes before breakfast is ready. We will get the topsail off her -before we sit down, and eat our breakfast comfortably. There is no fun -in having your plate in your lap." - -By half-past seven the topsail was stowed and breakfast on the table. -Marco took the helm, while the mate and Horace went down to breakfast. -Horace thought that it was the most delightful meal he had ever taken; -and the mate said: - -"That Greek of yours is a first-rate cook, Horace. An admiral could -not want to sit down to a better breakfast than this. There is not -much here to remind me of a midshipman's mess. You would have had very -different food from this, youngster, if you had had your wish and gone -to sea. That father of yours must be a trump; I drink his health in -coffee. If he ever gets a bigger craft, and wants a captain, I am his -man if he will send your Greek on board as cook. Does he care for the -sea himself?" - -"I think he used to like it. I have heard him talk about sailing among -the Greek islands; but as long as I have known him he has never been -away from home except for short runs up to London. He is always in his -library." - -"Fancy a man who could afford to keep a big craft and sail about as he -likes wasting his life over musty old books. It is a rum taste, -youngster. I think I would rather row in a galley." - -"There are no such things as galleys now, are there?" - -"Oh, yes, there are in Italy; they have them still rowed by convicts, -and I fancy the Spanish gun-boats are rowed by prisoners too. It is -worse than a dog's life, but for all that I would rather do it than be -shut up all my life in a library. You seem to talk Greek well, -youngster." - -"Yes; Marco has always been with me since I was a child, and we have -another Greek servant, his brother; and father generally talks Greek -to me. His mother was a Greek lady, and that is what made him so fond -of it at first. They say he is the best Greek scholar in England." - -"I suppose it differs a lot from the Greek you learn at school?" - -"Yes, a lot. Still, of course, my knowing it helps me tremendously -with my old Greek. I get on first-rate at that, but I am very bad at -everything else." - -"Well, now we will go up and give Marco a spell," the mate said. Marco -was relieved and went below. Horace took the helm; the mate lit a pipe -and seated himself on the weather bulwark. "We shall be at Seaport -before eleven if we go on like this," he said. - -"Oh, do let us take a run out to sea, Mr. Martyn; it is no use our -going in until four or five o'clock." - -"Just as you like, lad; I am in no hurry, and it is really a glorious -day for a sail. Put up the helm, I will see to the sheets." - -As they got farther from the protection of the land the sea got up a -bit, but the _Surf_ went over it lightly, and except that an -occasional splash of spray flew over her bow, her decks were perfectly -dry. - -"Have you heard of a ship yet, Mr. Martyn?" - -"Yes, I heard only yesterday of a berth as first-mate in a craft at -Plymouth. The first-mate got hurt coming down channel, and a friend of -my father's, learning there was a vacancy, spoke to the owners. She -belongs there, and I am to join the day after to-morrow. She is bound -up the Mediterranean. I shall be very glad to be off; I have had a -dull time of it for the last four months except for this little job." - -"I am afraid you won't get any vehicle to take you back to-night," -Horace said. - -"No, I didn't expect that; the coach in the morning will do very well. -I have nothing to do but just to pack my kit, and shall go on by coach -next morning. I was thinking of sleeping on board here, if you have no -objection." - -"I am sure my father will be very glad to see you up at the house," -Horace said eagerly. - -"Thank you, lad, but I shall be much more comfortable on board. Marco -said he would get dinner at two, and there is sure to be plenty for me -to make a cold supper of, and as there is rum in the locker I shall be -as happy as a king. I can smoke my pipe as I like. If I were to go up -with you I should be uncomfortable, for I have nothing but my -sea-going togs. I should put your father out of his way, and he would -put me out of mine. So I think, on all accounts, I had much better -remain in good quarters now I have got them. How far is it to the -place where I catch the coach?" - -"About four miles. We will send the carriage to take you there." - -"Thank you, I would much rather walk. I have nothing to carry but -myself, and a four miles' walk across the hills will be just the thing -for me." - -At four o'clock the _Surf_ entered the little harbour of Seaport; -Horace was delighted with the surprise of the fishermen at the arrival -of the pretty craft. - -"You are sure you won't change your mind and come up with me to the -house?" - -"Quite certain, thank you, lad. Marco has put out everything I can -possibly require. He offered to come down to get breakfast for me, but -I prefer to manage that for myself, then I can have it at any time I -fancy. I will lock up the cabin before I land. He will be there to -take the key." - -"I shall come down with him, of course, Mr. Martyn. I can't tell you -how much I am obliged to you for what you have done for me, and I hope -that some day we may have another sail together." - -"If I am at home any time when you may happen to put in at Exmouth I -shall be glad to take a cruise with you, Horace." - -As the lad and Marco went up the hill to the house, Horace, to his -surprise, met his father coming down with Zaimes. - -"Well, Horace, so you have brought your yacht home. Zaimes routed me -out from my work to come and look at her, and she really looks a very -pretty little vessel." - -"She is not little at all, father." - -"Perhaps not in comparison, Horace; but did you and Marco bring her -back by yourselves?" - -"No, father; William Martyn, the officer who has seen to her fitting -up, and who recommended her, you know, said he would come with us. So, -of course, he has been in command, and Marco and I have been the crew. -He has been teaching me lots of things, just the same, he says, as if -I had been a newly joined midshipman." - -"But where is he now, Horace?" - -"He is on board. He is going home by the coach to-morrow. I said that -I was sure you would be glad if he would come up to the house; but he -said he should feel more comfortable on board. Were you coming down to -look at her, father?" - -"Yes, Horace, I was. It is quite a wonderful event my being outside -the grounds, isn't it?" - -"It is indeed, father. I am so glad you are coming down. I am sure you -will like her, and then, perhaps, you will come sailing sometimes; I -do think, father, that you would enjoy such a sail as we had to-day, -it was splendid." - -"Well, we will see about it, Horace. Now I have once come out I may do -so again; I am not sure that a good blow might not clear my brain -sometimes." - -There was quite an excitement in the village when Mr. Beveridge was -seen coming down. Occasionally during his wife's lifetime he had come -down with her to look into questions of repairs or erection of new -cottages in lieu of old ones, but since that time he had never entered -the village. Personally his tenants did not suffer from the cessation -of his visits, for his steward had the strictest injunctions to deal -in all respects liberally with them, to execute all necessary repairs, -to accede to any reasonable request; while in case of illness or -misfortune, such as the loss of a boat or nets, the rent was always -remitted. That Mr. Beveridge was to a certain extent mad to shut -himself up as he did the villagers firmly believed, but they admitted -that no better landlord was to be found in all that part of the -country. - -Mrs. Beveridge had been greatly liked, and the people were pleased at -Horace being down so much among them; but it was rather a sore subject -that their landlord himself held so entirely aloof from them. Men -touched their hats, the women curtsied as he came down the street, -looking almost with pity at the man who, in their opinion, so terribly -wasted his life and cut himself off from the enjoyments of his -position. - -Mr. Beveridge returned their salutes kindly. He was scarce conscious -of the time that had passed since he was last in the village; the -years had gone by altogether unmarked save by the growth of Horace, -and by the completion of so many works. - -"I suppose you know most of their names, Horace?" - -"All of them, I think, father." - -"That is right, boy. A landlord ought to know all his tenants. I wish -I could find time to go about among them a little more, but I think -they have everything they want as far as I can do for them; still, I -ought to come. In your mother's time I did come sometimes. I must try -to do it in future. Zaimes, you must see that I do this once a -fortnight. I authorize you to bring me my hat and coat after lunch and -say to me firmly, 'This is your afternoon for going out.'" - -"Very well, sir," the Greek said. "I will tell you; and I hope you -will not say, as you always do to me when I beg you to go out: 'I must -put it off for another day, Zaimes, I have some work that must be -done.'" - -"I will try not to, Zaimes, I will indeed. I think this is a duty. You -remind me of that, will you?" - -By this time they had reached the little port, where a number of the -fishermen were still lounging discussing the _Surf_, which was lying -the picture of neatness and good order among the fishing-boats, with -every rope in its place, the sails in their snow-white covers, and -presenting the strongest contrast to the craft around her. - -"She is really a very pretty little yacht," Mr. Beveridge said with -more animation than Horace ever remembered to have heard him speak -with. "She does great credit to your choice, Marco, and I should think -she is a good sea-boat. Why, Zaimes, this almost seems to take one -back to the old time. She is about the size of the felucca we used to -cruise about in; it is a long time back, nearly eighteen years, and -yet it seems but yesterday." - -"There is no reason why you should not sail again, master; even I long -to have my foot on the planks. One never loses one's love of the sea." - -"I am getting to be an old man now, Zaimes." - -"No one would say so but yourself, master; you are but forty-three. -Sometimes, after being shut up for days, you look old--who would not -when the sun never shines on them--but now you look young, much -younger than you are." - -A stranger indeed would have had difficulty in guessing Mr. -Beveridge's age. His forehead was broad, his skin delicate and almost -colourless, his light-brown hair was already of a silvery shade, his -face clean shaven, his hands white and thin. His eyes were generally -soft and dreamy, but at the present moment they were bright and -alert. His figure was scarcely that of a student, for the frame was -large, and there was at present none of the stoop habitual to those -who spend their lives over books; and now that he was roused, he -carried himself exceptionally upright, and a close observer might have -taken him for a vigorous man who had but lately recovered from an -attack of severe illness. - -"We shall see, Zaimes, we shall see," he said; "let us go on board. -You had better hail her, Horace." - -"_Surf_ ahoy!" Horace shouted, imitating as well as he could William -Martyn's usual hail. A minute later the mate's head appeared above the -companion. "My father is coming on board, Mr. Martyn. Will you please -bring the dinghy ashore." The mate hauled up the dinghy, got into it, -and in a few strokes was alongside the quay. - -Mr. Beveridge descended the steps first. "I am glad to meet you, Mr. -Martyn, and to thank you for the kindness you have shown my son in -finding this craft for him and seeing to its being fitted out." - -"It has been an amusement, sir," the mate said. "I was knocking about -Exmouth with nothing to do, and it was pleasant to be at work on -something." - -"Get in, Horace," Mr. Beveridge said, "the dinghy won't carry us all. -You can bring it back again for the others." - -The party stayed for half an hour on board. Mr. Beveridge was warm in -his approval of the arrangements. - -"This is a snug cabin indeed," he said. "I had no idea that such a -small craft could have had such good accommodation. One could wish for -nothing better except for a little more head-room, but after all that -is of no great consequence, one does not want to walk about below. It -is a place to eat and to sleep in, or, if it is wet, to read in. I -really wonder I never thought of having a sailing-boat before. I shall -certainly take a sail with you sometimes, Horace." - -"I am very glad of that, father, it would be very jolly having you -out. I don't see much of you, you know, and I do think it would do you -good." - -William Martyn was not allowed to carry out his intention of staying -on board, nor did he resist very earnestly Mr. Beveridge's pressing -invitation. His host differed widely from his preconceived notions of -him, and he saw that he need not be afraid of ceremony. - -"You can smoke your pipe, you know, in the library after dinner, Mr. -Martyn. I have no objection whatever to smoke; indeed, I used to smoke -myself when I was in Greece as a young man--everyone did so there, and -I got to like it, though I gave it up afterwards. Why did I give it -up, Zaimes?" - -"I think you gave it up, master, because you always let your cigar out -after smoking two or three whiffs, and never thought of it again for -the rest of the day." - -"Perhaps that was it; at any rate your smoking will in no way -incommode me, so I will take no denial." - -Accordingly the cabins were locked up, and William Martyn went up with -the others to the house and there spent a very pleasant evening. He -had in the course of his service sailed for some time in Greek waters, -and there was consequently much to talk about which interested both -himself and his host. - -"I love Greece," Mr. Beveridge said. "Had it not been that she lies -dead under the tyranny of the Turks I doubt if I should not have -settled there altogether." - -"I think you would have got tired of it, sir," the mate said. "There -is nothing to be said against the country or the islands, except that -there are precious few good harbours among them; but I can't say I -took to the people." - -"They have their faults," Mr. Beveridge admitted, "but I think they -are the faults of their position more than of their natural character. -Slaves are seldom trustworthy, and I own that they are not as a rule -to be relied upon. Having no honourable career open to them, the upper -classes think of nothing but money; they are selfish, greedy, and -corrupt; but I believe in the bulk of the people." - -As William Martyn had no belief whatever in any section of the Greeks -he held his tongue. - -"Greece will rise one of these days," Mr. Beveridge went on, "and when -she does she will astonish Europe. The old spirit still lives among -the descendants of Leonidas and Miltiades." - -"I should be sorry to be one of the Turks who fell into their hands," -William Martyn said gravely as he thought of the many instances in his -own experiences of the murders of sailors on leave ashore. - -"It is probable that there will be sad scenes of bloodshed," Mr. -Beveridge agreed; "that is only to be expected when you have a race of -men of a naturally impetuous and passionate character enslaved by a -people alien in race and in religion. Yes, I fear it will be so at the -commencement, but that will be all altered when they become -disciplined soldiers. Do you not think so?" he asked, as the sailor -remained silent. - -"I have great doubts whether they will ever submit to discipline," he -said bluntly. "Their idea of fighting for centuries has been simply to -shoot down an enemy from behind the shelter of rocks. I would as lief -undertake to discipline an army of Malays, who, in a good many -respects, especially in the handiness with which they use their -knives, are a good deal like the Greeks." - -"There is one broad distinction," Mr. Beveridge said: "the Malays have -no past, the Greeks have never lost the remembrance of their ancient -glory. They have a high standard to act up to; they reverence the -names of the great men of old as if they had died but yesterday. With -them it would be a resurrection, accomplished, no doubt, after vast -pains and many troubles, the more so since the Greeks are a composite -people among whom the descendants of the veritable Greek of old are in -a great minority. The majority are of Albanian and Suliot blood, races -which even the Romans found untamable. When the struggle begins I fear -that this section of the race will display the savagery of their -nature; but the fighting over, the intellectual portion will, I doubt -not, regain their proper ascendency, and Greece will become the Greece -of old." - -William Martyn was wise enough not to pursue the subject. He had a -deep scar from the shoulder to the elbow of his right arm, and another -on the left shoulder, both reminiscences of an attack that had been -made upon him by half a dozen ruffians one night in the streets of -Athens, and in his private opinion the entire extirpation of the Greek -race would be no loss to the world in general. - -"I am very sorry you have to leave to-morrow morning," Mr. Beveridge -said presently. "I should have been very glad if you could have stayed -with us for a few days. It is some years since I had a visitor here, -and I can assure you that I am surprised at the pleasure it gives me. -However, I hope that whenever you happen to be at Exmouth you will run -over and see us, and if at any time I can be of the slightest service -to you I shall be really pleased." - -The next morning William Martyn, still refusing the offer of a -conveyance, walked across the hills to meet the coach, and as soon as -he had started Horace went down to the yacht. Marco had gone down into -the village early, had seen Tom Burdett, and in his master's name -arranged for him to take charge of the _Surf_, and to engage a lad to -sail with him. When Horace reached the wharf Tom was already on board -with his nephew, Dick, a lad of seventeen or eighteen, who at once -brought the dinghy ashore at Horace's hail. - -"Well, Dick, so you are going with us?" - -"Ay, Master Horace, I am shipped as crew. She be a beauty. That cabin -is a wonderful lot better than the fo'castle of a fishing-lugger. She -is something like a craft to go a sailing in." - -"Good morning, Tom Burdett," Horace said as the boat came alongside -the yacht; "or I ought to say Captain Burdett." - -"No, no," the sailor laughed; "I have been too long aboard big craft -to go a captaining. I don't so much mind being called a skipper, cos a -master of any sort of craft may be called skipper; but I ain't going -to be called captain. Now, Dick, run that flag up to the mast-head. -That is yachting fashion, you know, Master Horace, to run the burgee -up when the owner comes on board. We ain't got a burgee, seeing as we -don't belong to a yacht-club; but the flag with the name does service -for it at present." - -"But I am not the owner, Tom, that is nonsense. My father got it to -please me, and very good of him it was; but it is nonsense to call the -boat mine." - -"Them's the orders I got from your Greek chap down below, Mr. Horace. -Says he, 'Master says as how Mr. Horace is to be regarded as owner of -this 'ere craft whenever he is aboard;' so there you are, you see. -There ain't nothing to be said against that." - -"Well, it is very jolly, isn't it, Tom?" - -"It suits me first-rate, sir. I feel for all the world as if we had -just captured a little prize, and they had put a young midshipmite in -command and sent me along with him just to keep him straight; that is -how I feel about it." - -"What sort of weather do you think we are going to have to-day, Tom?" - -"I think the wind is going to shift, sir, and perhaps there will be -more of it. It has gone round four points to the east since I turned -out before sunrise." - -"And where do you think we had better go to-day, Tom?" - -"Well, as the wind is now it would be first-rate for a run to -Dartmouth." - -"Yes, but we should have a dead-beat back, Tom; we should never get -back before dark." - -"No sir, but that Greek chap tells me as your father said as how there -were no occasion to be back to-night, if so be as you liked to make a -cruise of it." - -"Did he say that? That is capital. Then let us go to Dartmouth; -to-morrow we can start as early as we like so as to get back here." - -"I don't reckon we shall have to beat back. According to my notion the -wind will be somewhere round to the south by to-morrow morning; that -will suit us nicely. Now then, sir, we will see about getting sail on -her." - -As soon as they began to throw the sail-covers off, Marco came on deck -and lent a hand, and in the course of three minutes the sails were up, -the mooring slipped, and the _Surf_ was gliding past the end of the -jetty. - -"That was done in pretty good style, sir," Tom Burdett said as he took -up his station by the side of Horace, who was at the tiller. "I reckon -when we have had a week's practice together we shall get up sail as -smartly as a man-of-war captain would want to see. I do like to see -things done smart if it is only on a little craft like this, and with -three of us we ought to get all her lower sail on her in no time. That -Greek chap knows what he is about. Of course he has often been out -with you in the fishing-boats, but there has never been any call for -him to lend a hand there, and I was quite surprised just now when he -turned to at it. I only reckoned on Dick and myself, and put the Greek -down as steward and cook." - -"He used to work in a fishing-boat when he was a boy, Tom." - -"Ah, that accounts for it! They are smart sailors, some of them -Greeks, in their own craft, though I never reckoned they were any good -in a square-rigged ship; but in those feluccas of theirs they ain't -easy to be beaten in anything like fine weather. But they ain't -dependable, none of those Mediterranean chaps are, whether they are -Greeks or Italians or Spaniards, when it comes on to blow really hard, -and there is land under your lee, and no port to run to. When it comes -to a squeak like that they lose their nerve and begin to pray to the -saints, and wring their hands, and jabber like a lot of children. They -don't seem to have no sort of backbone about them. But in fine weather -I allow they handle their craft as well as they could be handled. Mind -your helm, sir; you must always keep your attention to that, no matter -what is being said." - -"Are you going to get up the topsail, Tom?" - -"Not at present, sir; with this wind there will be more sea on as we -get further out, and I don't know the craft yet; I want to see what -her ways are afore we try her. She looks to me as if she would be -stiff under canvas; but running as we are we can't judge much about -that, and you have always got to be careful with these light-draft -craft. When we get to know her we shall be able to calculate what she -will carry in all weathers; but there is no hurry about that. I have -seen spars carried away afore now, from young commanders cracking on -sail on craft they knew nothing about. This boat can run, there is no -mistake about that. Look at that fishing-boat ahead of us; that is -Jasper Hill's _Kitty_; she went out ten minutes afore you came down. -We are overhauling her hand over hand, and she is reckoned one of the -fastest craft in Seaport. But then, this craft is bound to run fast -with her fine lines and shallow draft; we must wait to see how she -will do when there is lots of wind." - -In a couple of hours Horace was glad to hand over the tiller to the -skipper as the sea had got up a good deal, and the _Surf_ yawed so -much before the following waves that it needed more skill than he -possessed to keep her straight. - -"Fetch the compass up, Dick," the skipper said; "we are dropping the -land fast. Now get the mizzen off her, she will steer easier without -it, and it isn't doing her much good. Do you begin to feel queer at -all, Mr. Horace?" - -"Not a bit," the boy laughed. "Why, you don't suppose, after rolling -about in those fishing-boats when they are hanging to their nets, that -one would feel this easy motion." - -"No; you would think not, but it don't always follow. I have seen a -man, who had been accustomed to knock about all his life in small -craft, as sick as a dog on board a frigate, and I have seen the first -lieutenant of a man-of-war knocked right over while lying off a bar on -boat service. One gets accustomed to one sort of motion, and when you -get another quite different it seems to take your innards all aback." - -The run to Dartmouth was quickly made, and to Horace's delight they -passed several large ships on their way. - -"Yes, she is going well," Tom Burdett said when he expressed his -satisfaction; "but if the wind was to get up a bit more it would be -just the other way. We have got quite as much as we want, while they -could stand a good bit more. A small craft will generally hold her own -in a light wind, because why, she carries more sail in proportion to -her tonnage. When the big ship has got as much as she can do with, the -little one has to reef down and half her sails are taken off her. -Another thing is, the waves knock the way out of a small craft, while -the weight of a big one takes her through them without feeling it. -Still I don't say the boat ain't doing well, for she is first-rate, -and we shall make a very quick passage to port." - -Running up the pretty river, they rounded to, head to wind, dropped -the anchor a short distance from a ship of war, and lowered and stowed -their sails smartly. Then Horace went below to dinner. It had been -ready for some little time, but he had not liked leaving the deck, for -rolling, as she sometimes did, it would have been impossible to eat -comfortably. As soon as he dined, the others took their meal in the -fo'castle, Marco having insisted on waiting on him while at his -dinner. When they had finished, Marco and Dick rowed Horace ashore. -The lad took the boat back to the yacht, while the other two strolled -about the town for a couple of hours, and then went off again. - -The next day the _Surf_ fully satisfied her skipper as to her -weatherly qualities. The wind was, as he had predicted, nearly -south-east, and there was a good deal of sea on. Before getting up -anchor, the topmast was lowered, two reefs put in the main-sail and -one in the mizzen, and a small jib substituted for that carried on the -previous day. Showers of spray fell on the deck as they put out from -the mouth of the river; but once fairly away she took the waves -easily, and though sometimes a few buckets of water tumbled over her -bows and swashed along the lee channels, nothing like a green sea came -on board. Tom Burdett was delighted with her. - -"She is a beauty and no mistake," he said enthusiastically. "There is -many a big ship will be making bad weather of it to-day; she goes over -it like a duck. After this, Mr. Horace, I sha'n't mind what weather I -am out in her. I would not have believed a craft her size would have -behaved so well in a tumble like this. You see this is more trying for -her than a big sea would be. She would take it easier if the waves -were longer, and she had more time to take them one after the other. -That is why you hear of boats living in a sea that has beaten the life -out of a ship. A long craft does not feel a short choppy sea that a -small one would be putting her head into every wave: but in a long sea -the little one has the advantage. What do you think of her, sir?" - -"She seems to me to heel over a long way, Tom." - -"Yes, she is well over; but you see, even in the puffs she doesn't go -any further. Every vessel has got what you may call her bearing. It -mayn't take much to get her over to that; but when she is there it -takes a wonderful lot to bring her any further. You see there is a lot -of sail we could take off her yet, if the wind were to freshen. We -could get in another reef in the main-sail, and stow her mizzen and -foresail altogether. She would stand pretty nigh a hurricane with that -canvas." - -It was four o'clock in the afternoon before the _Surf_ entered the -harbour. Horace was drenched with spray, and felt almost worn out -after the struggle with the wind and waves; when he landed his knees -were strangely weak, but he felt an immense satisfaction with the -trip, and believed implicitly Tom Burdett's assertion that the yacht -could stand any weather. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE WRECK - - -Those were glorious holidays for Horace Beveridge. He was seldom at -home; sometimes two of his cousins, the Hendons, accompanied him in -his trips, and they were away for three or four days at a time. Three -times Mr. Beveridge with Zaimes went out for a day's sail, and Horace -was pleased to see that his father really enjoyed it, talking but -little, but sitting among some cushions Zaimes arranged for him -astern, and basking in the bright sun and fresh air. That he did enjoy -it was evident from the fact that, instead of having the yacht laid up -at the end of the holidays, Mr. Beveridge decided to keep her afloat, -and retained Tom Burdett's services permanently. - -"Do you think, Tom, we shall get any sailing in the winter holidays?" - -"We are sure to, sir, if your father has not laid her up by that time. -There are plenty of days on this coast when the sailing is as pleasant -in winter as it is in summer. The harbour is a safe one though it is -so small, and I don't see any reason why she shouldn't be kept afloat. -Of course we shall have to put a stove in the cabin to make it snug; -but with that, a good thick pea-jacket, warm gloves, and high boots, -you would be as right as a nail." - -And so at Christmas and through the next summer holidays Horace -enjoyed almost constant sailing. He was now thoroughly at home in the -boat, could steer without the supervision of the skipper, and was as -handy with the ropes as Dick himself. - -"This is the best job I ever fell into, Mr. Horace," Tom Burdett said -at the end of the second summer. "Your father pays liberal; and as for -grub, when that Greek is on board a post-captain could not want -better. It is wonderful how that chap does cook, and he seems -downright to like it. Then you see I have got a first-rate crew. Dick -is as good as a man now; I will say for the Greek, he is a good sailor -as well as a good cook; and then you see you have got a deal bigger -and stronger than you were a year ago, and are just as handy either at -the tiller or the sheets as a man would be, so we are regular -strong-handed, and that makes a wonderful difference in the comfort on -a craft." - -That summer they sailed up to Portsmouth, and cruised for a week -inside the Isle of Wight, and as Horace had one of his school-fellows -spending the holidays with him, he enjoyed himself to the fullest of -his capacity. During the holidays Horace did not see much of his -father, who, quite content that the boy was enjoying himself, and -gaining health and strength, went on in his own way, and only once -went out with him during his stay at home, although, as Marco told -him, he generally went out once a week at other times. - -The first morning after his return, at the following Christmas, Horace -did not as usual get up as soon as it was light. The rattle of the -window and the howl of the wind outside sufficed to tell him that -there would be no sailing that day. Being in no hurry to move, he sat -over breakfast longer than usual, talking to Zaimes of what had -happened at home and in the village since he last went away. His -father was absent, having gone up to town a week before, and Horace -had, on his arrival, found a letter from him, saying that he was sorry -not to be there for his return, but that he found he could not get -through the work on which he was engaged for another two days; he -should, however, be down at any rate by Christmas-eve. - -After breakfast Horace went out and looked over the sea. The wind was -almost dead on shore, blowing in such violent gusts that he could -scarce keep his feet. The sky was a dull lead colour, the low clouds -hurrying past overhead. The sea was covered with white breakers, and -the roar of the surf, as it broke on the shore, could be heard even -above the noise of the wind. Putting on his pea-jacket and high -boots, he went down to the port. As it had been specially constructed -as a shelter against south-westerly winds, with the western pier -overlapping the other, the sea did not make a direct sweep into it; -but the craft inside were all rolling heavily in the swell. - -"How are you, Tom? It is a wild day, isn't it?" - -"Don't want to see a worse, sir. Glad to see you back again, Mr. -Horace. Quite well, I hope?" - -"First-rate, Tom. It is a nuisance this gale the first day of coming -home. I have been looking forward to a sail. I am afraid there is no -chance of one to-day?" - -"Well, sir, I should say they would take us and send us all to the -loonatic asylum at Exeter if they saw us getting ready to go out. Just -look at the sea coming over the west pier. It has carried away a bit -of that stone wall at the end." - -"Yes. I didn't really think of going out, Tom, though I suppose if we -had been caught out in it we should have managed somehow." - -"We should have done our best, in course," the sailor said, "and I -have that belief in the boat that I think she might weather it; but I -would not take six months' pay to be out a quarter of an hour." - -"What would you do, Tom, if you were caught in a gale like this?" - -"If there weren't land under our lee I should lay to, sir, under the -storm-jib and a try-sail. Maybe I would unship the main-sail with the -boom and gaff, get the top-mast on deck and lash that to them; then -make a bridle with a strong rope, launch it overboard, lower all sail, -and ride to that; that would keep us nearer head on to the sea than we -could lie under any sail. That is what they call a floating anchor. I -never heard of a ship being hove-to that way; but I was out on boat -service in the Indian Ocean when we were caught in a heavy blow, and -the lieutenant who was in charge made us lash the mast and sails and -oars together and heave them overboard, and we rode to them right -through the gale. We had to bale a bit occasionally, but there was -never any danger, and I don't think we should have lived through it -any other way. I made a note of it at the time, and if ever I am -caught in the same way again that is what I shall do, and what would -be good for a boat would be good for a craft like the _Surf_." - -This conversation was carried on with some difficulty, although they -were standing under the lee of the wall of a cottage. - -"She rolls about heavily, Tom." - -"She does that, sir. It is lucky we have got our moorings in the -middle of the harbour, and none of the fishing-boats are near enough -to interfere with her. You see most of them have got their sails and -nets rolled up as fenders, but in spite of that they have been ripping -and tearing each other shocking. There will be jobs for the carpenter -for some time to come. Five or six of them have torn away their -bulwarks already." - -After waiting down by the port for an hour Horace returned to the -house. When luncheon was over he was just about to start again for the -port, when Marco said to him: - -"Dick has just been in, sir. There is going to be a wreck. There are a -lot of fishermen gathered on the cliff half a mile away to the right. -They say there is a ship that will come ashore somewhere along there." - -"Come on, then, Marco. Did you hear whether they thought that anything -could be done?" - -"I did not hear anything about it. I don't think they know where she -will go ashore yet." - -In a few minutes they reached the group of fishermen standing on the -cliff. It was a headland beyond which the land fell away, forming a -bay some three miles across. A large barque was to be seen some two -miles off shore. She was wallowing heavily in the seas, and each wave -seemed to smother her in spray. Tom Burdett was among the group, and -Horace went up to him at once. - -"What's to prevent her from beating off, Tom? She ought to be able to -work out without difficulty." - -"So she would at ordinary times," the skipper said; "but she is -evidently a heavy sailer and deep laden. She could do it now if they -could put more sail on her, but I expect her canvas is all old. You -see her topsails are all in ribbons. Each of them seas heaves her -bodily to leeward. She is a doomed ship, sir, there ain't no sort of -doubt about that; the question is, Where is she coming ashore?" - -"Will it make much difference, Tom?" - -"Well, it might make a difference if her master knew the coast. The -best thing he could do would be to get her round and run straight in -for this point. The water is deeper here than it is in the bay, and -she would get nearer ashore before she struck, and we might save a few -of them if they lashed themselves to spars and her coops and such -like. Deep as she is she would strike half a mile out if she went -straight up the bay. The tide is nearly dead low, and in that case not -a man will get ashore through that line of breakers. Then, again, she -might strike near Ram's Head over there, which is like enough if she -holds on as she is doing at present. The Head runs a long way out -under water, and it is shallower half a mile out than it is nearer the -point. There is a clump of rocks there." - -"I don't remember anything about them, Tom, and we have sailed along -there a score of times." - -"No, sir, we don't take no account of them in small craft, and there -is a fathom and a half of water over them even in spring-tides. -Springs are on now, and there ain't much above nine foot just now; and -that craft draws two fathom and a half or thereabouts, over twelve -foot anyhow. But it don't make much difference; wherever she strikes -she will go to pieces in this sea in a few minutes." - -"Surely there is something to be done, Tom?" - -"Some of us are just going down to get ropes and go along the shore, -Mr. Horace; but Lor' bless you, one just does it for the sake of doing -something. One knows well enough that it ain't likely we shall get a -chance of saving a soul." - -"But couldn't some of the boats go out, Tom? There would be plenty of -water for them where she strikes." - -"The fishermen have been talking about it, sir; but they are all of -one opinion; the sea is altogether too heavy for them." - -"But the _Surf_ could go, couldn't she, Tom? You have always said she -could stand any sea." - -"Any reasonable sort of sea, Mr. Horace, but this is a downright -onreasonable sort of sea for a craft of her size, and it is a deal -worse near shore where the water begins to shallow than it would be -out in the channel." - -But though Tom Burdett spoke strongly, Horace noticed that his tone -was not so decided as when he said that the fishing-boats could not go -out. - -"Look here, Tom," he said, "I suppose there must be thirty hands on -board that ship. We can't see them drowned without making a try to -save them. We have got the best boat here on the coast. We have been -out in some bad weather in her, and she has always behaved splendidly. -I vote we try. She can fetch out between the piers all right from -where she is moored; and if, when we get fairly out, we find it is -altogether too much for her, we could put back again." - -Tom made no answer. He was standing looking at the ship. He had been -already turning it over in his mind whether it would not be possible -for the _Surf_ to put out. He had himself an immense faith in her -sea-going qualities, and believed that she might be able to stand even -this sea. - -"But you wouldn't be thinking of going in her, Mr. Horace?" he said -doubtfully at last. - -"Of course I should," the lad said indignantly. "You don't suppose -that I would let the _Surf_ go out if I were afraid to go in her -myself." - -"Your father would never agree to that if he were at home, sir." - -"Yes, he would," Horace said. "I am sure my father would say that -if the _Surf_ went out I ought to go in her, and that it would be -cowardly to let other people do what one is afraid to do one's self. -Besides, I can swim better than either you or Dick, and should have -more chance of getting ashore if she went down; but I don't think she -would go down. I am nearly sixteen now; and as my father isn't here I -shall have my own way. If you say that you think there is no chance of -the _Surf_ getting out to her there is an end of it; but if you say -that you think she could live through it, we will go." - -[Illustration: HORACE SUGGESTS A RESCUE] - -"I think she might do it, Mr. Horace; I have been a saying so to the -others. They all say that it would be just madness, but then they -don't know the craft as I do." - -"Well, look here, Tom, I will put it this way: if the storm had been -yesterday, and my father and I had both been away, wouldn't you have -taken her out?" - -"Well, sir, I should; I can't say the contrary. I have always said -that the boat could go anywhere, and I believe she could, and I ain't -going to back down now from my opinion; but I say as it ain't right -for you to go." - -"That is my business," Horace said. "Marco, I am going out in the -_Surf_ to try to save some of the men on board that ship. Are you -disposed to come too?" - -"I will go if you go," the Greek said slowly; "but I don't know what -your father would say." - -"He would say, if there was a chance of saving life it ought to be -tried, Marco. Of course there is some danger in it, but Tom thinks she -can do it, and so do I. We can't stand here and see thirty men drowned -without making an effort to save them. I have quite made up my mind to -go." - -"Very well, sir, then I will go." - -Horace went back to Tom Burdett, who was talking with Dick apart from -the rest. - -"We will take a couple of extra hands if we can get them," the skipper -said. "We shall want to be strong-handed." - -He went to the group of fishermen and said: - -"We are going out in the _Surf_ to see if we can lend a hand to bring -some of those poor fellows ashore. Young Mr. Beveridge is coming, but -we want a couple more hands. Who will go with us?" - -There was silence for a minute, and then a young fisherman said: - -"I will go, Tom. My brother Nat is big enough to take my place in the -boat if I don't come back again. I am willing to try it with you, -though I doubt if the yacht will get twice her own length beyond the -pier." - -"And I will go with you, Tom," an older man said. "If my son Dick is -going, I don't see why I should hang back." - -"That will do, then, that makes up our crew. Now we had best be -starting at once. That barque will be ashore in another hour, and she -will go to pieces pretty near as soon as she strikes. So if we are -going to do anything, there ain't no time to be lost. The rest of you -had better go along with stout ropes as you was talking of just now; -that will give us a bit of a chance if things go wrong." - -The six hurried along the cliff and then down to the port, followed by -the whole of the fishermen. A couple of trips with the dinghy took -them on board. - -"Now, then," Tom Burdett said to Dick's father, "we will get the -fore-sail out and rig it as a try-sail. Dick, you cut the lashings and -get the main-sail off the hoops. We will leave it and the spars here; -do you lend him a hand, Jack Thompson." - -In five minutes the main-sail with its boom and gaff was taken off the -mast and tied together. A rope was attached to them and the end flung -ashore, where they were at once hauled in by the fishermen, who -crowded the wharf, every soul in the village having come down at the -news that the _Surf_ was going out. By this time holes had been made -along the leach of the sail, and by these it was lashed to the -mast-hoops. The top-mast was sent down to the deck, launched -overboard, and hauled ashore; the mizzen was closely reefed, but not -hoisted. - -"We will see how she does without it," Tom said; "she may like it and -she may not. Now, up with the try-sail and jib, and stand by to cast -off the moorings as she gets weigh on her; I will take the tiller. -Marco, do you and Mr. Horace stand by the mizzen-halliards ready to -hoist if I tell you." - -As the _Surf_ began to move through the water a loud cheer broke from -the crowd on shore, followed by a dead silence. She moved but slowly -as she was under the lee of the west pier. - -"Ben, do you and the other two kick out the lower plank of the -bulwark," Tom Burdett said; "we shall want to get rid of the water as -fast as it comes on board." - -The three men with their heavy sea-boots knocked out the plank with a -few kicks. - -"Now, the one on the other side," Tom said; and this was done just as -they reached the entrance between the piers. She was gathering way -fast now. - -"Ease off that jib-sheet, Dick," the skipper cried. "Stand by to haul -it in as soon as the wind catches the try-sail." - -Tom put down the helm as he reached the end of the pier, but a great -wave caught her head and swept her half round. A moment later the wind -in its full force struck the try-sail and she heeled far over with the -blow. - -"Up with the mizzen!" Tom shouted. "Give her more sheet, Dick!" As the -mizzen drew, its action and that of the helm told, and the _Surf_ -swept up into the wind. "Haul in the jib-sheet, Dick. That is enough; -make it fast. Ease off the mizzen-sheet a little, Marco! That will do. -Now lash yourselves with lines to the bulwark." - -For the first minute or two it seemed to Horace that the _Surf_, good -boat as she was, could not live through those tremendous waves, each -of which seemed as if it must overwhelm her; but although the water -poured in torrents across her deck it went off as quickly through the -hole in the lee bulwark, and but little came over her bow. - -"She will do, sir!" Tom, close to whom he had lashed himself, -shouted. "It will be better when we get a bit farther out. She is a -beauty, she is, and she answers to her helm well." - -Gradually the _Surf_ drew out from the shore. - -"Are you going to come about, Tom?" - -"Not yet, sir; we must get more sea-room before we try. Like enough -she may miss stays in this sea. If she does we must wear her round." - -"Now we will try," he said five minutes later. "Get those lashings -off. Mr. Horace, you will have to go up to the other side when she is -round. Get ready to go about!" he shouted. "I will put the helm down -at the first lull. Now!" - -The _Surf_ came round like a top, and had gathered way on the other -tack before the next big wave struck her. - -"Well done!" Tom Burdett shouted joyously, and the others echoed the -shout. In ten minutes they were far enough out to get a sight of the -ship as they rose on the waves. - -"Just as I thought," Ben muttered; "he thinks he will weather Ram's -Head, and he will go ashore somewhere on that reef of rocks to a -certainty." - -In another five minutes the course was again changed, and the _Surf_ -bore directly for the barque. In spite of the small sail she carried -the water was two feet up the lee planks of her deck, and she was -deluged every time by the seas, which struck her now almost abeam. But -everything was battened down, and they heeded the water but little. - -"What do you think of her now?" Tom shouted to his brother-in-law. -"Didn't I tell you she would stand a sea when your fishing-boats dare -not show their noses out of the port?" - -"She is a good 'un and no mistake, Tom. I did not think a craft her -size could have lived in such a sea as this. You may brag about her as -you like in future, and there ain't a man in Seaport as will -contradict you." - -They were going through the water four feet to the barque's one, and -they were but a quarter of a mile astern of her when Horace -exclaimed, "She has struck!" and at the same moment her main and -foremast went over the side. - -"She is just about on the shallowest point of the reef," Ben Harper -said. "Now, how are you going to manage this job, Tom?" - -"There is only one way to do it," the skipper said. "There is water -enough for us. Tide has flowed an hour and a half, and there must be -two fathoms where she is lying. We must run up under her lee close -enough to chuck a rope on board. Get a light rope bent on to the -hawser. They must pull that on board, and we will hang to it as near -as we dare." - -"You must go near her stern, Tom, or we shall get stove in with the -masts and spars." - -"Yes, it is lucky the mizzen is standing, else we could not have gone -alongside till they got rid of them all, and they would never do that -afore she broke up." - -Horace, as he watched the ship, expected to see her go to pieces every -moment. Each wave struck her with tremendous force, sending cataracts -of water over her weather gunwale and across her deck. Many of the -seas broke before they reached her, and the line of the reef could be -traced far beyond her by the white and broken water. - -"Now, then," the skipper shouted, "I shall keep the _Surf_ about twice -her own length from the wreck, and then put the helm hard down and -shoot right up to her." - -"That will be the safest plan, Tom. There are two men with ropes -standing ready in the mizzen-shrouds." - -"I shall bring her in a little beyond that, Ben, if the wreck of the -mainmast isn't in the way; the mizzen may come out of her any moment, -and if it fell on our decks it would be good-bye to us all." - -A cheer broke from the men huddled up under shelter of the weather -bulwark as the little craft swept past her stern. - -"Mind the wreck!" a voice shouted. - -Tom held up his hand, and a moment later put the helm down hard. The -_Surf_ swept round towards the ship, and her way carried her on until -the end of the bowsprit was but five or six yards distant. Then Tom -shouted: - -"Now is your time, Dick;" and the rope was thrown right across the -barque, where it was grasped by half a dozen hands. - -"Haul in till you get the hawser," Dick shouted; "then make it fast." -At the same moment two ropes from the ship were thrown, and caught by -Marco and Ben. Tom left the tiller now and lowered the try-sail. By -the time the hawser was fast on board, the _Surf_ had drifted twice -her own length from the ship. "That will do, Ben; make the hawser fast -there." Two strong hawsers were hauled in from the ship and also made -fast. - -"Now you can come as soon as you like," Tom shouted. As the hawsers -were fastened to the weather-side of the vessel, which was now heeled -far over, it was a sharp incline down to the deck of the _Surf_, and -the crew, throwing their arms and legs round the hawsers, slid down -without difficulty, the pressure of the wind on the yacht keeping the -ropes perfectly taut. As the men came within reach, Tom Burdett and -Ben seized them by the collars and hauled them on board. - -"Any woman on board?" he asked the first. - -"No, we have no passengers." - -"That is a comfort. How many of a crew?" - -"There were thirty-three all told, but four were killed by the falling -mast, and three were washed overboard before we struck, so there are -twenty-six now." - -In five minutes from the ropes being thrown the captain, who was last -man, was on board the yacht. The _Surf's_ own hawser had been thrown -off by him before he left, drawn in, and coiled down, and as soon as -he was safe on board the other two hawsers were thrown off. - -"Haul the jib a-weather, Dick," Tom Burdett shouted as he took the -helm again. "Slack the mizzen-sheet off altogether, Marco; up with the -try-sail again." - -For a short distance the yacht drifted astern, and then, as the -pressure of the jib began to make itself felt, her head gradually -payed off. "Haul in the try-sail and jib-sheets. Let go the -weather-sheet, Dick, and haul in the other. That is it, now she begins -to move again." - -"You are only just in time," the captain said to Tom; "she was just -beginning to part in the middle when I left. You have saved all our -lives, and I thank you heartily." - -"This is the owner of the yacht, sir," Tom said, motioning to Horace. -"It is his doing that we came out." - -"Oh, that is all nonsense, Tom! You would have come just the same if I -hadn't been there." - -"Well, sir, it has been a gallant rescue," the captain said. "I could -hardly believe my eyes when I saw your sail coming after us, and I -expected every moment to see it disappear." - -"Now, captain," Tom said, "make all your men sit down as close as they -can pack under the weather bulwark; we ain't in yet." - -It was an anxious time as they struggled through the heavy sea on the -way back, but the _Surf_ stood it bravely, and the weight to windward -enabled her to stand up more stiffly to her canvas. When they were -abreast of the port half the men went over to the other side, the helm -was put up, and she rushed towards the shore dead before the wind. The -extra weight on deck told on her now, and it needed the most careful -steering on Tom's part to keep her straight before the waves, several -of which broke over her taffrail and swept along the deck, one of them -bursting out her bulwarks at the bow. - -"Get ready to haul in the sheets smartly," Tom shouted as they neared -the pier. - -He kept her course close to the pier-head, and as the _Surf_ came -abreast of it jammed down the tiller, while Ben and Dick hauled in the -mizzen-sheet. A moment later she was shooting along under the shelter -of the wall, while a loud shout of welcome rose above the howling of -the wind from those on shore. - -"Now, sir, I will see about getting her moored," Tom said, "if you -will run down and get some rum bottles out of the locker; I am pretty -well frozen and these poor fellows must be nigh perished, but it would -never have done to open the hatchway in that sea." - -"Come down, men," Horace cried, as he dived below. "We had no time to -light the fire before starting, but a glass of spirits will do you -good all round." - -Two or three of the fishermen rowed out as soon as the yacht was -moored, and in a few minutes all were ashore. - -"Now you had better run up to the house and change, Mr. Horace," Tom -Burdett said. "We will look after the men here and get them some dry -things, and put them up amongst us. We have done a big thing, sir, and -the _Surf_ has been tried as I hope she will never be tried again as -long as we have anything to do with her." - -"All right, Tom! Will you come up with me, captain? There is no one at -home but myself, and we will manage to rig you up somehow." - -The captain, however, declined the invitation, saying that he would -rather see after his men and put up himself at the public-house on the -beach. - -"I will come up later, sir, when I have seen everything all snug -here." - -Horace had some difficulty in making his way up through the crowd, for -both men and women wished to shake hands with him. At last he got -through, and, followed by Marco, ran up through the village to the -house. Zaimes had been among the crowd assembled to see the _Surf_ -re-enter the port; and when Horace changed his things and came down -stairs he found a bowl of hot soup ready for him. - -"You have given me a nice fright, Mr. Horace," the Greek said as he -entered the room. "I have been scolding Marco, I can tell you." - -"It was not his fault, Zaimes. I made up my mind to go, and told him -so, and he had the choice whether he would go or stay behind, and he -went." - -"Of course he went," Zaimes said; "but he ought to have come and told -me. Then I should have gone too. How could I have met your father, do -you think, if you had been drowned?" - -"Well, you would not have been to blame, Zaimes, as you knew nothing -about it until after we had started." - -"No, you had been gone half an hour before someone from the village -came up and told them in the kitchen. Then one of the servants brought -me the news, and I ran down like a madman, without even stopping to -get a hat. Then I found that most of the men had gone up to the cliff -to keep you in sight, and I went up there and waited with them until -you were nearly back again. Once or twice, as you were running in to -the pier, I thought the yacht was gone." - -"That was the worst bit, Zaimes. The sea came tumbling over her stern, -and I was washed off my feet two or three times. I almost thought that -she was going down head-foremost. Well, I am glad I was at home this -morning. I would not have missed it for anything." - -"No, it is a good thing, now it is done, and something to be proud of. -I am told very few of the fishermen thought that you would ever come -back again." - -"They didn't know the boat as we did, Zaimes. I felt sure she would go -through anything; and, besides, Tom kicked out the lower plank of the -bulwarks on each side, so as to help her to free herself from water as -it came on board, and flush-decked as she is, there was nothing to -carry away; but she hasn't taken a cupful of water down below." - -In the evening the captain of the barque came up, and Horace learned -from him that she was on her way from New Orleans laden with cotton. - -"The ship and cargo are insured," the captain said; "and, as far as -that goes, it is a good thing she is knocked into match-wood. She was -a dull sailer at the best of times, and when laden you could not get -her to lay anywhere near the wind. She would have done better than she -did, though, hadn't her rudder got damaged somehow in the night. She -ought to have clawed off the shore easy enough; but, as you saw, she -sagged to leeward a foot for every foot she went for'ard. I was -part-owner in her, and I am not sorry she has gone. We tried to sell -her last year, but they have been selling so many ships out of the -navy that we could not get anything of a price for her; but as she was -well insured, I shall get a handier craft next time. I was well off -shore when the storm began to get heavy last night, and felt no -anxiety about our position till the rudder went wrong. But when I saw -the coast this morning, I felt sure that unless there was a change in -the weather nothing could save her. Well, if it hadn't been for the -loss of those seven hands, I should, thanks to you, have nothing to -complain of." - -Fires had been lit on the shore as night came on; but except fragments -of the wreck and a number of bales of cotton nothing was recovered. In -the morning the captain and crew left Seaport, two hands remaining -behind to look after the cotton and recover as much as they could. Two -days later Mr. Beveridge returned home. - -"I saw in the paper before I left town, Horace, an account of your -going out to the wreck and saving the lives of those, on board. I am -very glad I was not here, my lad. I don't think I should have let you -go; but as I knew nothing about it until it was all over, I had no -anxiety about it, and felt quite proud of you when I read the account. -The money was well laid out on that yacht, my boy. I don't say that I -didn't think so before, but I certainly think so now. However, -directly I read it I wrote to the Lifeboat Society and told them that -I would pay for a boat to be placed here. Then there will be no -occasion to tempt Providence the next time a vessel comes ashore on -this part of the coast. You succeeded once, Horace, but you might not -succeed another time; and knowing what a sea sets in here in a -south-westerly gale, I quite tremble now at the thought of your being -out in it in that little craft." - -The news that Mr. Beveridge had ordered a lifeboat for the port gave -great satisfaction among the fishermen, not so much perhaps because it -would enable them to go out to wrecks, as because any of their own -craft approaching the harbour in bad weather, and needing assistance, -could then receive it. - -Horace became very popular in Seaport after the rescue, and was spoken -of affectionately as the young squire, although they were unable to -associate the term with his father; but the latter's interest in the -sea, and his occasionally going out in the yacht, seemed to have -brought him nearer to the fishing people. There had before been -absolutely nothing in common between them and the studious recluse, -and even the Greeks, who had before been held in marked disfavour in -the village as outlandish followers, were now regarded with different -eyes when it was learned that Marco had been a fisherman too in his -time, and his share in the adventure of the _Surf_ dissipated the last -shadow of prejudice against them. - -The weather continued more or less broken through the whole of the -holidays, and Horace had but little sailing. He spent a good deal of -his time over at his cousins', rode occasionally after the hounds with -them, and did some shooting. A week after coming home his father had -again gone up to town, and remained there until after Horace had -returned to Eton. He was, the lad observed, more abstracted even than -usual, but was at the same time restless and unsettled. He looked -eagerly for the post, and received and despatched a large number of -letters. Horace supposed that he must be engaged in some very sharp -and interesting controversy as to a disputed reading, or the meaning -of some obscure passage, until the evening before he went away his -father said: - -"I suppose, Horace, you are following with interest the course of -events in Thessaly?" - -"Well, father, we see the papers of course. There seems to be a row -going on there; they are always fighting about something. From what I -could understand of it, Ali Pasha of Janina has revolted against the -Sultan, and the Turks are besieging him. What sort of a chap is he? He -is an Albanian, isn't he?" - -"Yes, with all the virtues and vices of his race--ambitious, -avaricious, revengeful, and cruel, but brave and astute. He has been -the instrument of the Porte in breaking down the last remnants of -independence in the wide districts he rules. As you know, very many of -the Christian and Mussulman villages possessed armed guards called -armatoli, who are responsible not only for the safety of the village, -but for the security of the roads; the defence of the passes was -committed to them, and they were able to keep the numerous bands of -brigands within moderate bounds. This organization Ali Pasha set -himself to work to weaken as soon as he came into power. He played off -one party against the other--the Mussulmans against the Christians, -the brigands against the armatoli, one powerful chief against another. -He crushed the Suliots, who possessed a greater amount of -independence, perhaps, than any of the other tribes, and who, it must -be owned, were a scourge to all their neighbours. He took away all -real power from the armatoli, crippled the Mussulman communities as -well as weakened the Christian villages; inspired terror in the whole -population by the massacre of such as resisted his will, and those -whom he could not crush by force he removed by poison; finally, he -became so strong that it was evident his design was to become -altogether independent of the Sultan. But he miscalculated his power, -his armies fled almost without striking a blow; his sons, who -commanded them, are either fugitives or prisoners; and now we hear -that he is besieged in his fortress, which is capable of withstanding -a very long siege." - -"He must be a thorough old scoundrel, I should say, father." - -"Yes," Mr. Beveridge assented somewhat unwillingly. "No doubt he is a -bad man, Horace; but he might have been--he may even yet be, useful to -Greece. When it first became evident that matters would come to a -struggle between him and the Porte he issued proclamations calling -upon the Christians to assist him and make common cause against the -Turks, and specially invited Greece to declare her independence of -Turkey, and to join him." - -"But I should say, father, the Albanians would be even worse masters -than the Turks." - -"No doubt, Horace, no doubt. The Turks, I may own, have not on the -whole been hard masters to the Christians. They are much harder upon -the Mussulman population than upon the Christian, as the latter can -complain to the Russians, who, as their co-religionists, claim to -exercise a special protection over them. But, indeed, all the -Christian powers give protection, more or less, to the Christian -Greeks, who, especially in the Morea, have something approaching -municipal institutions, and are governed largely by men chosen by -themselves. Therefore the pashas take good care not to bring trouble -on themselves or the Porte by interfering with them so long as they -pay their taxes, which are by no means excessive; while the Mussulman -part of the population, having no protectors, are exposed to all sorts -of exactions, which are limited only by the fear of driving them into -insurrection. Still this rebellion of Ali Pasha has naturally excited -hopes in the minds of the Greeks and their friends that some results -may arise from it, and no better opportunity is likely to occur for -them to make an effort to shake off the yoke of the Turks. You may -imagine, Horace, how exciting all this is to one who, like myself, is -the son of a Greek mother, and to whom, therefore, the glorious -traditions of Greece are the story of his own people. As yet my hopes -are faint, but there is a greater prospect now than there has been for -the last two hundred years, and I would give all I am worth in the -world to live to see Greece recover her independence." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A STARTLING PROPOSAL - - -After Horace returned to Eton, remembering the intense interest of his -father in the affairs of Greece, he read up as far as he could -everything relating to late events there. That he should obtain a -really fair view of the situation was impossible. The Greeks had -countrymen in every commercial city in the world; they were active and -intelligent, and passionately desirous of interesting Europe in their -cause. Upon the other hand the Turks were voiceless. Hence Europe only -heard the Greek version of the state of affairs; their wrongs were -exaggerated and events distorted with an utter disregard for truth, -while no whisper of the other side of the question was ever heard. - -At that time the term Greek was applied to persons of Greek religion -rather than of Greek nationality. The population of European Turkey, -of pure Greek blood, was extremely small, while those who held the -Greek form of religion were very numerous, and the influence possessed -by them was even greater. The Christians were in point of -intelligence, activity, and wealth superior to the Turks. They were -subservient and cringing when it suited their purpose, and were as a -rule utterly unscrupulous. The consequence was that they worked their -way into posts of responsibility and emolument in great numbers, being -selected by the Porte in preference to the duller and less pushing -Turks. In some portions of European Turkey they were all-powerful: in -the Transylvanian provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia every post was -held by Greeks, and there were but a few small and scattered Turkish -garrisons. Yet here the population were incomparably more cruelly -fleeced and ground down by their Greek masters than were the -Christians in the more Turkish provinces. - -In Servia and parts of Bulgaria the numbers were more even, but here -also the Greeks held most of the responsible posts. In Greece proper -the Christians vastly predominated, while in Northern Thessaly the -numbers of the Christians and Mussulmans were about the same. - -The Greek metropolitan of Constantinople and his council exercised a -large authority by means of the bishops and priests over the whole -Christian population, while for some time a secret society named the -Philike Hetaireia had been at work preparing them for a rising. It was -started originally among the Greeks at Odessa, and was secretly -patronized by Russia, which then, as since, had designs upon -Constantinople. - -The first outbreak had occurred in March, 1821, when Prince Alexander -Hypsilantes, who had been an officer in the Russian service, crossed -the Pruth, and was joined by the Greek officials and tax-gatherers of -the Transylvanian provinces. He was a vain, empty-headed, and utterly -incompetent adventurer. A small band of youths belonging to good -families enrolled themselves under the title of the Sacred Band, and -the army also joined him, but beyond the cold-blooded massacre of a -considerable number of Turks and their families he did absolutely -nothing. The main body of the population, who bitterly hated their -Greek oppressors, remained quiescent. Russia, seeing his utter -incapacity, repudiated him, and after keeping alive the hopes of his -followers by lying proclamations Hypsilantes secured his own safety by -flight across the Austrian frontier when the Turkish army approached. -The five hundred young men of the Sacred Battalion fought nobly and -were killed almost to a man; but with the exception of a band of -officers who refused to surrender, and shut themselves up in Skulani -and in the monastery of Seko and there defended themselves bravely -until the last, no resistance was offered to the Turks, and the -insurrection was stamped out by the beginning of June. But in the -meantime Greece proper was rising, and though the news came but slowly -Horace saw that his father's hopes were likely to be gratified, and -that the Greeks would probably strike a blow at least for national -independence, and he more than shared the general excitement that the -news caused among educated men throughout Europe. - -The summer holidays passed uneventfully. Horace took long cruises in -the _Surf_. He saw but little of his father, who was constantly absent -in London. August came, and Horace returned from his last trip and was -feeling rather depressed at the thought of going back to school in two -days' time. He met Zaimes as he entered the house. - -"Is my father back from town, Zaimes?" - -"Yes, Mr. Horace, and he told me to tell you as soon as you returned -that he wished you to go to him at once in the library." - -It was so unlike his father to want to see him particularly about -anything, that Horace went in in some wonder as to what could be the -matter. Mr. Beveridge was walking up and down the room. - -"Is your mind very much set on going back to Eton, Horace?" he asked -abruptly. - -"I don't know, father," Horace said, taken somewhat aback at the -question. "Well, I would very much rather go back, father, than be -doing nothing here. I am very fond of sailing as an amusement, but one -would not want to be at it always. Of course if there is anything -really to do it would be different." - -"Well, I think there is something else to do, Horace. You know my -feeling with regard to this insurrection in Greece." - -"Yes, father," Horace, who was indeed rather tired of the subject, -replied. - -"Well, you see, my boy, they have now resisted the Turks for some five -months and have gained rather than lost ground. That seems to show -decisively that this is no mere hasty rising, but that the people are -in earnest in the determination to win their liberty. Now that I am -thoroughly convinced of this my course is clear, and I have determined -upon going out to give such assistance as I can." - -Horace was astounded. "Going out to fight, father?" - -"Yes, if necessary to fight, but I can be of more use than in merely -fighting. I have never, since I came into the property some -twenty-four years ago, spent anything like a third of my income. -Indeed, since my return from Greece my expenses here have been but a -few hundreds a year. I have always hoped that I should have the -opportunity of devoting the savings to help Greece to regain her -independence. That moment has come. At first I feared that the -movement would speedily die out; but the letters that I receive show -that it is increasing daily, and indeed that the Greeks have placed -themselves beyond the hope of forgiveness by, I am sorry to say, the -massacre of large numbers of Turks. It is, of course, to be regretted -that so glorious a cause should have been sullied by such conduct; but -one cannot be surprised. Slaves are always cruel, and after the wrongs -they have suffered, it could hardly be expected that they would forego -their revenge when the opportunity at last came. However, the -important point of the matter is, that there can be no drawing back -now. - -"For better or for worse the revolution has begun. Now, Horace, you -are but sixteen, but you are a sensible lad, and I have stood so much -apart from other men from my boyhood that I am what you might call -unpractical; while I take it that you from your temperament, and from -being at a great public school, are eminently practical, therefore, I -shall be glad to hear your opinion as to how this thing had best be -set about. I take it, of course, that you are as interested in the -struggle as I am." - -"Well, not so interested perhaps, father. I feel, of course, that it -is a horrible thing that a people like the Greeks, to whom we all owe -so much, should be kept in slavery by the Turks, who have never done -any good to mankind that I know of, and I should certainly be glad to -do everything in my power to help; but of course it all comes so -suddenly upon me that just at present I don't see what had best be -done." - -"I heard from my friends in London that many young men are already -starting to assist the Greeks. What they will need most is not men, -but arms and money, so at least my Greek friends write me." - -"Well, father," Horace said bluntly; "I should say you had much better -give them arms than money. I have been reading the thing up as much as -I could since it began, and as far as I can see the upper class -Greeks, the men who, I suppose, will be the leaders, are a pretty bad -lot--quite as bad, I should say, as the Turkish pashas." - -"Yes, I quite agree with you there, Horace. You see in a country that -is enslaved, political and other careers are closed, and the young men -devote themselves to making money. You see that in the history of the -Jews. All through the middle ages they were everywhere persecuted, -every avenue to honourable employment was closed to them, consequently -they devoted themselves to making money, and have been the bankers of -kings for hundreds of years. No doubt it is the same thing with the -Greeks; but the mass of the people are uncorrupted, and with the deeds -of their great forefathers always before them they will, I am sure, -show themselves worthy of their name." - -"No doubt, father; I think so too." - -"You don't mind my spending this money on the Cause, Horace," his -father asked anxiously, "because, though it is my savings, it would in -the natural course of things come to you some day." - -"Not at all, father; it is, as you say, your savings, and having at -heart, as you have, the independence of Greece, I think it cannot be -better laid out than assisting it. But I should certainly like it to -be laid out for that, and not to go into the pockets of a lot of -fellows who think more of feathering their own nests than of the -freedom of Greece. So I should say the best thing would be to send out -a cargo of arms and ammunition, as a beginning; other cargoes can go -out as they are required. And you might, of course, take a certain -amount of money to distribute yourself as you see it is required. I -hope you mean to take me with you." - -"I think so, Horace. You are young to do any fighting at present, but -you will be a great support and comfort to me." - -Horace could scarcely resist a smile, for he thought that if there was -any fighting to be done he would be of considerably more use than his -father. - -"Well, I suppose the next thing, Horace, will be to go up to town to -inquire about arms. My Greek friends there will advise me as to their -purchase, and so on." - -"Yes, father," Horace said a little doubtfully; "but as it is late now -I think, if you don't mind, I will get some supper and turn in. I will -think it over. I think we had better talk it over quietly and quite -make up our minds what is best to be done before we set about -anything; a few hours won't make any difference." - -"Quite so, Horace; it is no use our beginning by making mistakes. It -is a great comfort to me, my boy, to have you with me. At any rate I -will write to-night to your headmaster and say that circumstances will -prevent your return to Eton this term." - -Horace went into the next room, had some supper, and then went -thoughtfully up to bed. The idea of going out to fight for the -independence of Greece was one which at any other time he would have -regarded with enthusiasm, but under the present circumstances he felt -depressed rather than excited. He admired his father for his great -learning, and loved him for the kindness of his intentions towards -him; but he had during the last two or three years been more and more -impressed with the fact that in everything unconnected with his -favourite subject his father was, as he said himself, utterly -unpractical. He left the management of his estate to the steward, the -management of the house to Zaimes, both happily, as it chanced, honest -and capable men; but had they been rogues they could have victimized -him to any extent. That his father, who lived in his library and who -was absorbed in the past, should plunge into the turmoil of an -insurrection was an almost bewildering idea. He would be plundered -right and left, and would believe every story told him; while as for -his fighting, the thing seemed absolutely absurd. Horace felt that the -whole responsibility would be on his shoulders, and this seemed -altogether too much for him. Then the admission of his father that -abominable massacres had been perpetrated by the Greeks shook his -enthusiasm in the Cause. - -"I should be glad to see them free and independent, and all that," he -said, "but I don't want to be fighting side by side with murderers. -Among such fellows as these, my father, who is a great deal more Greek -than any Greek of the present day, I should say, would be made utterly -miserable. He admits that the upper class are untrustworthy and -avaricious. Now he says that the lower class have massacred people in -cold blood. It does not affect him much in the distance, but if he -were in the middle of it all it would be such a shock to him that I -believe it would kill him. Besides, fancy his going long marches in -the mountains, sleeping in the wet, and all that sort of thing, when -he has never walked half a mile as far back as I can remember." - -He lay tossing about for a couple of hours, and then sat suddenly up -in bed. "That's it," he exclaimed, "that is a splendid idea. What a -fool I was not to think of it before! If William Martyn is but at home -that would be the thing above all." - -Then he lay down, thought the matter over for another half-hour, and -then went quietly off to sleep. - -"Well, Horace, have you been turning the matter over in your mind?" -his father asked as soon as they sat down to breakfast. - -"I have, father, and I have hit upon a plan that seems to me the very -best thing possible in all ways." - -"What is it, Horace?" - -"Well, father, it seems to me that if we take out war material to -Athens it will very likely get into wrong hands altogether, and when -arms are really wanted by the people of the mountains, and I expect -that it is they who will do the fighting and not the people of the -towns, there won't be any to give them. The next thing is, if we go to -Athens, and people know that you are a rich Englishman, you will get -surrounded by sharks, and before you have time to know who is to be -trusted, or anything about it, all your money will be gone. Then I am -sure that you could not in that way take any active part in helping to -free Greece, you never could stand marches in the mountains and -sleeping in the open air, bad food, and all that sort of thing, after -living the quiet indoor life you have for so many years. I know you -would stick to it, father, as long as you could, but it seems to me -you would be sure to get knocked up." - -"Yes, I ought to have prepared for this, Horace. It would have been -better for me to have taken regular exercise every day, even if I did -get through a little less work. Still I am stronger than you think. I -am only forty-four, and a man at forty-four ought to be able to do -nearly as much as he ever could do." - -"Yes, father, if he had lived an active life and exercised his -muscles. I have no doubt you are just as strong in many things as -other men; I never remember your being ill for a day; but I am sure -you are not fit for knocking about among the mountains. What I have -been thinking of is this. If you approve of it I will go over to -Exmouth this morning and see if William Martyn is there. He is likely -to be at home if his vessel is in port. If he is not, I will get his -father to recommend some one. There must be lots of young lieutenants -on half-pay who would jump at the idea. First I should engage with -Martyn if he is there, or go to the man whom his father recommended to -me at Plymouth, and get him to buy for you a fast schooner or -brig--one that had either been an English privateer or a captured -Frenchman would be about the thing--arrange with him to be the captain -and engage officers and crew, and get him to arm her with as many guns -as she will carry. He would be able probably to put us into the best -way of buying muskets. As such immense numbers of soldiers have been -paid off, no doubt there have been great sales of muskets by -government, and we might get them at a quarter the price we should -have to pay for new ones. Of course we should take in ammunition in -large quantities. All these mountaineers have no doubt got guns, and -ammunition will be the thing most wanted of all. We could also pick up -some cannon. No doubt they are to be bought for scrap iron. The Greeks -will want them to arm their ships and batteries. In that way you see, -father, you would have everything under your own hands. Nobody would -know how many muskets you have got on board, and you could serve them -out when or how they were required. - -"The same with money. We could cruise about and pop into quiet places, -and send arms and ammunition up into the hills. Of course directly you -got out there you would put the ship under the Greek flag, and by -harassing the Turks at sea we might do a hundred times more good than -we could by land. There would be no fatigue and no discomfort. You -would always be comfortable on board, and could take Zaimes and Marco -with you. We would take Tom Burdett as boatswain. He was boatswain in -the navy, you know. If he goes I daresay Dick will also go with us." - -"That is an excellent plan, Horace. It seems to meet all the -difficulties, and I was really feeling uncomfortable at the thought of -being mixed up in all the confusion and excitement there will, no -doubt, be at Athens. It is a most happy idea. We will not lose a -moment about it. I like that young fellow Martyn, and I hope you will -be able to get hold of him. Let him name his own terms. I have not the -least idea whether the captain of a vessel of that sort is paid five -pounds a week or twenty-five. Of course it will be dangerous service, -and should be liberally paid for. Well, you had better pack up your -bag directly we have finished breakfast. You may be away for a week or -ten days." - -"I can't start to-day, father, surely." - -"No! why not, Horace?" - -"Because, you know, you arranged we should both go over to dine at -aunt's." - -"Of course, Horace; I quite forgot that. It is very annoying, but I -suppose it can't be helped." - -Horace laughed. "A day won't make much difference, father. I am sure -aunt would be very vexed if we did not turn up. Do you mean to tell -her anything about it?" - -Mr. Beveridge was silent for a minute. "I don't think there is any -occasion; do you, Horace?" he said doubtfully. "She might raise -objections, you know; though that, of course, would make no -difference; arguments are always to be avoided, and your aunt was -always a very positive woman." - -"I think it is just as well to say nothing about it," Horace said with -a slight smile, for he felt sure that his aunt would oppose the -project tooth and nail if she were aware of it, and that she would be -backed by the whole strength of his mother's family. He did not say -this, but went on, "It is a nuisance being asked a tremendous lot of -questions about things, especially when you don't know much about them -yourself. No, I think, father, we had better keep it quite quiet. It -will be time enough to write a line to aunt and tell her that we are -off, the last thing before we get up anchor." - -"I agree with you, Horace, so we will say nothing about this trip of -ours. Well, as it seems you can't go to-day, you had better make your -arrangements to catch the coach to-morrow morning. I will sign a dozen -blank cheques, which you can fill up as required. Of course whoever -accepts the post of captain will know all that will be wanted for the -ship, and if he doesn't know himself about the arms and ammunition he -may be able to introduce you to some officer who does. Will you take -Marco with you?" - -"No, I don't think so, father. I don't see that he would be any use, -and having a man going about with you looks as if one was being taken -care of." - -Horace caught the coach and alighted at Exmouth, and hurried to the -revenue officer's house. - -"Is Mr. William Martyn in?" he asked the servant who opened the door. - -"He is not in just at present, sir; I think he went down to the -river." - -"How long has he been home?" Horace asked, delighted at the news. - -"He only got in last week, sir; his ship got wrecked, and Mr. William -turned up without any clothes, or anything except just what he stood -up in." - -"Hurrah!" Horace exclaimed, to the astonishment of the woman, and then -without another word ran down to the wharfs. He soon saw the figure he -was in search of talking to two or three old sailors. - -"Hullo, youngster!" Martyn said in surprise, as Horace came up, "where -have you sprung from?" - -"Off the top of the coach." - -"I suppose so. I have been having a bit of bad luck and lost my ship. -We were wrecked off St. Catharine's Point, at the back of the Isle of -Wight, and there were only seven of us saved among a crew of -thirty-five all told." - -"Yes, I heard from your servant you had been wrecked," Horace said. -"She didn't say that any lives had been lost; but I must have -astonished her, now I think of it, for I said 'Hurrah!' when she told -me." - -"What did you say hurrah for?" the mate asked gruffly. - -"Because I wanted to find you here, and was so pleased that you were -not going to sail away again directly." - -"No," Will Martyn said gloomily, "it is bad enough to have lost one's -kit and everything, and now I shall have to look about for another -berth, for I think the vessel was only partly insured, and as the -owners only have one or two ships I expect it will hit them rather -hard, and that they won't have another craft ready for some time, so -it will be no use my waiting for that." - -The sailors had moved away when Horace came up, so that he was able at -once to open the subject of his visit to the mate. - -"Well, that was just what I was hoping when I heard that you were -wrecked, Will, for I had come over on purpose to see if you were -disengaged and disposed to take a new berth." - -"What! is your father going in for a big yacht instead of the _Surf_, -Horace?" - -"Well, not exactly, but something of that sort. You know I told you -how enthusiastic he was about Greece and everything connected with it. -Of course he is tremendously excited about this rising out there, and -he is going to send out a lot of arms and ammunition. So we have -talked it over and agreed that the best thing to do would be to buy a -fast schooner or brig, fit her up as a privateer, fill her with arms -and ammunition, and go out, hoist the Greek flag, and do what we can -to help them against the Turks. Of course we thought at once of you to -carry out the thing, and to act as captain. What do you say to it?" - -"The very thing I should like, Horace; nothing could suit me better. -Mind I am not giving any opinion as to whether it is a wise thing on -the part of your father; that is his business. But as far as I am -concerned I am your man." - -"My father said you were to name your own terms. He didn't know -anything about what the pay should be, but he particularly said that -as it would be a service of danger it ought to be paid for liberally." - -"Of course there will be danger," the mate said, "but that adds to the -pleasure of it. If I were a married man of course I should have to -look at it in a different light; but as I ain't, and have no idea of -getting spliced, the danger does not trouble me. I have been getting -eight pounds a month as third mate, and I should have got ten next -voyage, as I was going second. As I shall be skipper on board this -craft of yours, suppose we say twelve pounds a month." - -"My father expected to pay more than that a good deal," Horace said; -"and as everything will depend upon you it would not be at all fair to -pay the same sort of pay as if you were merely sailing in a merchant's -ship. However, he will write to you about it. There will be a -tremendous lot to do before we start, and we want to be off as soon as -possible. There is a ship to buy and fit out, and officers to get, and -a crew. Then we want to find out where we can buy muskets. It seemed -to me that as government must have been selling great quantities, we -should be able to get them pretty cheap." - -"I could find out all about that at the port where we fit out," Will -Martyn said. "As for cannon, they can be had almost for taking away. -There are thousands and thousands of them to be had at every port. -Five years ago every vessel went to sea armed. Now even the biggest -craft only carry a gun or two for firing signals with, unless, of -course, they are going to sail in Eastern waters. Well, this is a big -job--a different sort of order altogether to buying the _Surf_ for -you. I hope it will turn out as well." - -"Of course Plymouth will be the best port to go to." - -"I don't know. During the war certainly either that or Portsmouth -would have been the best. Vessels were constantly coming in with -prizes; but now, I should say either London or Liverpool would be the -best for picking up the sort of craft we want. Still, as Plymouth is -so much the nearest here, I should say we had best try there first. -Then if we can't find what we want we will take a passage by coaster -to Portsmouth, if the wind is favourable; if not, go by coach. But how -are you off for money, because I am at dead low-water? I have got a -few pounds owing to me, but I can't handle that till I get to London." - -"I have twenty pounds," Horace said. "We didn't think, when I started, -of going farther than Plymouth; but I have some blank cheques for -paying for things." - -"Twenty pounds ought to be ample; but if we find at Plymouth we want -more I can easily get one cashed for you. I know plenty of people -there." - -"Well, when can you start, Will? My father is anxious not to lose a -moment." - -"I can start in ten minutes if my father is at home. I should want to -have just a short chat with him; but I can do that while they are -getting the chaise ready. Our best plan would be to drive to Exeter -and take the evening coach going through there. There is one comes -through about six o'clock. I have come down by it several times. It -will take us into Plymouth by twelve o'clock; so we should gain -nothing if we started earlier." - -"Well, I will go to the inn," Horace said. - -"No; that you won't, Horace. You come round with me. I expect dinner -is ready by this time. We generally dine at one. My father went out in -the cutter to look after a wreck four or five miles along the coast, -and he said he did not expect to be back till between two and three; -so we settled to dine at three. There is the cutter coming up the -river now." - -"But you would rather be with your father alone," Horace said. - -"Not a bit of it. I have got nothing private to say to him, except to -get him to let me draw twenty pounds from his agent to get a fresh -rig-out with. He would like to see you again, especially as I am going -to sail with you, and he maybe able to put us up to a few wrinkles as -to getting our powder on board, and so on. Of course I have been -accustomed to seeing it got in from government powder hulks. We will -just walk up to the house now if you don't mind, to tell the girl to -put an extra knife and fork on the table, then we will go down and -meet my father when he lands." - -The servant looked with such strong disapprobation upon Horace when -she opened the door that he burst into a fit of laughter. "You are -thinking about my saying hurrah when I heard Mr. Martyn was wrecked?" -he said. "Well, I did not exactly mean that, only I was very glad, -because I thought if he had not been wrecked he could not have shipped -just at present, and I wanted him very badly." - -"Yes, I am off again, Hesba," the mate said. "Going right away this -afternoon. That is a bit of luck, isn't it? I have just come back to -tell you to put another knife and fork upon the table, as Mr. -Beveridge is going to dine with us; and if you have time to kill a -fatted calf, or anything of that sort, do so." - -"Lor', Mr. William, you know very well there ain't no fatted calf, and -if there was it would take ever so long to kill it and get some meat -cooked, if it was only cutlets." - -"Well," Martyn laughed, "never mind the calf, Hesba; but if dinner is -short run straight down to the butcher's and get a good big tender -steak, and look sharp about it, for my father will be here in a -quarter of an hour." - -As Horace had seen Captain Martyn (as he was by courtesy called, being -in command of a revenue cutter, although only in fact a lieutenant) -several times while fitting out the _Surf_ the officer knew him as he -saw him standing at the top of the stairs with his son. - -"Well, Master Beveridge," he said as he climbed up the stairs, "I -haven't seen you since you sailed away in that little craft. I hear -you did a brave deed in her, going out in that gale to rescue the crew -of the _Caledon_. It is lucky you caught Will in." He was by this time -ashore and shaking hands heartily with Horace. - -"He has come to take me away, father," Will said. "Mr. Beveridge is -going to get a fast craft to carry out arms and ammunition to the -Greeks, and he has offered me the command." - -"I should not mind going myself, Will. I am sorry you are off so soon; -but you are likely to see some stirring scenes over there. When are -you going?" - -"We are going to start directly we have had some dinner, father. We -will order a chaise as we go along. We intend to catch the six-o'clock -coach at Exeter, so as to get to Plymouth to-night. I am going to see -if we can pick up a likely craft there. If not, I shall try Portsmouth -and Southampton, and if they won't do, London." - -"Well, that is sharp work, Will. But you have no kit to pack, so there -is no difficulty about it. However, there is no time to be lost." - -At a quarter to four the post-chaise was at the door, and Will Martyn -and Horace started. The horses were good, and they were in plenty of -time for the coach, and arrived duly in Plymouth. As soon as they had -breakfasted next morning they started out and went first to the -shipping office of a firm known to Will Martyn, and there got a list -of ships lying for sale in the port. - -"What sort of craft are you looking for, Martyn?" the shipping agent -said. "We have a dozen at least on our own books, and you may as well -give us a turn before you look at any others." - -"I want a schooner or a brig--I don't much care which it is--of about -a couple of hundred tons. She must be very fast and weatherly; the -sort of craft that was used as a privateer in the war; or as a slaver; -or something of that kind." - -"I have only one craft that answers to that description," the agent -said; "but I should say that she was what you want. She was sent home -from the west coast of Africa six months ago, as a prize. Of course -she was sold, and was bought by a man I know. After he had got her he -found she had not enough carrying power for his business. She never -was built for cargo, and would be an expensive vessel to work, for she -has a large sail spread, and would want so strong a crew to work her -that she would never pay. He bought her cheap for that reason, and -will be glad to get the price he gave for her, or if the point were -pressed even to make some loss to get her off his hands. They call her -a hundred and fifty, and she looks a big vessel for that size. But if -she had eighty tons in her hold it would be as much as she could carry -with comfort." - -"That sounds promising," Martyn said. "At any rate we will begin by -having a look at her. Where is she lying?" - -"About three miles up the river. Tide is making; so we could run up -there in a sailing boat in half an hour. I will go with you myself. -There is a care-taker on board. Are you buying her for yourself, -Martyn?" - -The mate laughed. - -"As I have not captured an heiress I am not likely to become a ship -owner. No; Mr. Beveridge's father is fond of the sea, and has -commissioned me to buy a comfortable craft that shall be at once fast -and seaworthy, and I am going to command her." - -"Well, I don't think you would find anything that would suit your -purpose better than the _Creole_. She would make a splendid yacht for -a gentleman who had a fancy for long cruises." - -"What is her age?" the mate asked. - -"Well, of course we can't tell exactly; but the dockyard people -thought she couldn't be above four or five years old. That is what -they put her down as when they sold her. At any rate she is sound, and -in as good condition as if she had just come off the stocks. She had -been hulled in two or three places in the fight when she was captured, -but she was made all right in the dockyard before she was put up for -sale. All her gear, sails, and so on are in excellent condition." - -"Where are they?" - -"They are on board. As we had a care-taker it was cheaper to leave -them there and have good fires going occasionally to keep them dry -than it would have been to stow them away on shore." - -There was a brisk breeze blowing, and in less than the half hour -mentioned by the agent he said: "That's her lying over on the farther -side." - -"She looks like a slaver all over," Martyn said as he stood up to -examine the long low craft. "I suppose they caught her coming out of a -river, for she would show her heels, I should guess, to any cruiser -that was ever built, at any rate in light winds. If she is as good as -she looks she is just the thing for us." - -When they reached the vessel they rowed round her before going on -board. - -"She is like a big _Surf_," Will said to Horace; "finer in her -lines, and lighter. She ought to sail like a witch. I see she carried -four guns on each side." - -[Illustration: THEIR FIRST SIGHT OF THE SCHOONER] - -"Yes, and a long pivot-gun. They are down in the hold now. She was -sold just as she stood; but I suppose they will be of no use to you." - -"Some of them may be," Martyn said carelessly. "If we go cruising up -the Mediterranean it is just as well to have a gun or two on board. -Now let us look at her accommodation. - -"Yes, she is a very roomy craft on deck," he went on as he stepped on -board. "She has a wonderful lot of beam, much more than she looks to -have when you see her on the water, owing to her lines being so fine." - -"She has lots of head-room here," Horace said as they went below. "I -thought that slavers had very low decks." - -"So they have," the mate said. "I expect when she took a cargo on -board they rigged up a deck of planks here so as to have two tiers for -the slaves; that would give them about three foot three to each tier." - -They spent over two hours on board. Will Martyn examined everything -most carefully, prodding the planks and timbers with his knife, going -down into the hold and prying into the state of the timbers there, -getting into the boat, to examine the stern-post and rudder, and -afterwards overhauling a good deal of the gear. The inspection was in -all respects satisfactory. - -"She will do if the price will do," he said. "How much do they want -for her?" - -"He paid fifteen hundred at the dockyard sale," the agent said; "that -is ten pound a ton, with all her gear, fittings, and so on, thrown in. -As you see, there is the cabin furniture, and so on, all complete, -except the paint. There needn't be a penny laid out on her." - -"Well, how much will he take off?" Martyn said. "Fifteen hundred was -anyone's price, and as she don't suit him, she won't suit many people. -If he is likely to have her on his hands any time, eating her head -off and losing value, he ought to be glad to take anything near what -he gave for her. Well, frankly, how much will he take off? Business is -business. I have admitted the boat will suit me; now what is the limit -you are authorized to take?" - -"He will take two hundred less. It is a ridiculously low price." - -"Of course it is," Will agreed. "But shipping at present is a drug in -the market, and this ship is practically fit for nothing but a yacht -or the Levant trade. I expect I could get her a couple of hundred -pounds cheaper if I held off. What do you think, Horace?" - -"I don't think it would be fair to knock down the price lower than -that," Horace said. - -"It is fair to get a thing as cheap as you can. If you try to get it -for less than he will sell it for you don't get it, that is all. He is -not obliged to sell, and you are not obliged to buy. Still, the price -is a very reasonable one, and we will take her at that. You have full -authority to sell, I suppose, without reference to your principal?" - -"Yes." - -"Very well, then, we will go to your office. Mr. Beveridge will give -you a cheque for thirteen hundred pounds, and you shall hand over -possession." - -"Good. It is eleven o'clock now, Johnson," he said to the care-taker. -"Here is your money up to to-night, but from twelve o'clock to-day Mr. -Martyn takes possession as agent for the owners, so you will take your -orders from him." - -"You can go on as usual," Will said. "We will pay you from twelve -o'clock, so you will make a half-day's pay by the change." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -FITTING OUT - - -The cheque for the payment of the _Creole_ was filled up and handed -over, the agent giving a formal receipt and possession of the vessel, -and undertaking to sign the necessary papers as soon as they could be -drawn out. - -"You are evidently lucky about ships," William Martyn said as he left -the agent's office with Horace. "You have got a little wonder in the -_Surf_, and there is no doubt about the _Creole_ being a bargain. When -the war was going on she would have been snapped up at double the -price, and would have been cheap at that. Now the first thing to do is -to get first and second mates. Directly I have got them I can put a -gang of riggers on board. I will go to the Naval Club, and see the -list of the officers on board the ships here. I am pretty sure to know -some of them, and shall find out from them whether there are any of my -old messmates down here. If they don't know of any, we might hear of -men to suit at the Club. There are always plenty of men here and at -Portsmouth waiting about on the chance of meeting some officer they -have served under and getting him to put in a word for them at the -Admiralty." - -"I will walk down with you to the Club, but I won't go in with you; -one is only in the way when people who know each other are talking. -And besides, Martyn, don't you think before you do anything you ought -to see about your clothes?" - -"Of course I ought; I never gave the matter a thought before. But I -certainly could not put my foot on the quarter-deck of one of His -Majesty's ships in this turn-out. No. The first thing to do is to drop -into my father's agent to draw some money. Then I will go into a -slop-shop and get a suit. I know a place where they keep really decent -togs. A man often has to join in a hurry, and wants a fit-out at half -an hour's notice. Then I can order the rest of the things at the -tailor's I used to get my clothes from. 'Pon my word, now you speak of -it, I am ashamed to be going out in these things. They were an old -suit that I put on when bad weather set in, and they have shrunk so -that the sleeves don't come half-way down to the wrists, and the -trousers are up to the ankles. As a master's mate it didn't matter so -very much, for masters' mates are very often out at elbows, but as -commander of the _Creole_ it is a different thing altogether." - -Martyn was lucky in picking up the undress uniform of a lieutenant -that just fitted him. - -"I can let you have it at that price, because I got it a bargain," the -man said. "The owner came in here a few weeks ago with a man beside -him. He had just come down to join his ship, which was to sail in a -few hours, and as he stepped off the coach was served with a writ by a -Jew he had borrowed money of two or three years before. It was only a -few pounds, but to make up the sum he had to sell some of his things, -and this suit was among them." - -"And nicely you ground him down in the price, I have no doubt," Martyn -growled. "However, I have got the benefit of it. Now, Horace, I can -show at the Club. Just take your knife out and cut this strap off the -shoulder. I can't go about as a full-fledged lieutenant, though I have -passed." - -They were walking up the main street when a voice exclaimed: - -"Hullo, Martyn! is that you?" and a young officer shook him warmly by -the hand. - -"Why, Dacent, this is luck. I am glad to see you indeed. It is three -years since we ran against each other last; five since we served -together in the _Nonpareil_. What are you doing?" - -"I am third in the flagship here. What are you doing? I met O'Connor -the other day; he told me he had run across you at Malta, and that you -had gone into the merchant service like so many other of our old -friends." - -"That was so, Dacent. It was of no use kicking my heels on shore when -I hadn't the ghost of a chance of getting appointed to a ship. So I -had to swallow my pride and ship in a merchantman. We were wrecked at -the back of the Wight in the storm last week, and I have had the luck -to get a fresh appointment, and that is what I am here for. I was just -on my way to the Club to see if I could find any of my old chums. You -are just the fellow to help me. But first let me introduce Mr. -Beveridge. He is the son of my owner. Half an hour ago he completed -the purchase of the craft that I am to command. She is a beauty. I -don't know whether you know her. She is called the _Creole_, a -schooner of a hundred and fifty tons. She is lying up the river." - -"I know her well enough," Dacent said, as he shook hands with Horace. -"She was brought in here the week after I joined. I thought she was as -pretty a looking craft as I ever set eyes on. I congratulate you, old -fellow. There are not many things that you won't be able to show your -heels to. But what line is she going to be in? She would make a fine -craft for the Levant trade." - -"That is just where we are going, Dacent, but not to trade. I will -tell you what we are going to do, but it must be kept dark. I don't -know whether they might not look upon it as a breach of the neutrality -laws. Mr. Beveridge is an enthusiast for the cause of Greece, and we -are going to take out a cargo of guns and ammunition, and then we -shall hoist the Greek flag, and do a little fighting on our own -account with the Turks as a Greek privateer." - -"By Jove, I envy you, Martyn. That is a thousand times better than -sticking in Plymouth Sound with nothing to do but to see the men -holy-stone the deck, and fetching and carrying messages. Now, what is -it I can do for you?" - -"Well, in the first place, I want a couple of officers; for choice, I -would have one who has passed, and could take the command in case -anything happened to me. I don't care whether the second is a mate or -a midshipman who has pretty nearly served his time." - -"I know just the man for you, for your first. There is Miller--you -remember him?" - -"Of course; I was with him in the _Minerva_ frigate in the West -Indies. He was a capital fellow. Is he to be had?" - -"Yes; I saw him only yesterday. He has been two years out of a berth, -and no chance of getting a ship, and he was looking out for a berth on -board a merchantman, but he had not heard of one when I saw him. He -gave me his address; here it is--the Anchor Inn; it is a little place -not far from the dock gates. I expect Jim has no money to spare. His -father is a clergyman near Falmouth. I asked him why he didn't look -for a ship there. He laughed, and said he didn't mind shipping into -the merchant service anywhere else; but he shouldn't like to do it so -near home, after swaggering about there in the king's uniform." - -"I will go down at once. It is just one o'clock, and we are likely to -catch him in." - -"Well, will you and your friend dine with me at the Club at six -o'clock, Martyn? We can chat there better than we can on board, and we -have lots to tell each other since we last parted." - -The invitation was accepted, and then Martyn and Horace set off to -find the Anchor. - -"There is one thing I have not asked you," the former said, as they -went along. "How about prize-money, because you know that makes a good -deal of difference. I don't suppose there will be much to be got, -because there are not many craft flying the Turkish flag, and the seas -will be swarming with Greek craft who are half-pirates even in time of -peace. Still we may capture a Turkish man-of-war brig or something of -that sort, and she may have treasure on board such as pay for the -troops. I suppose we should share according to the ordinary privateer -scale." - -"Certainly," Horace said. "My father has no idea of making money by -the thing, and I can certainly promise that he will agree to the usual -scale whatever it is." - -"That is right. I thought that it would be so, and, indeed, although -officers might go without, you would hardly get men to risk their -lives unless there was a chance of prize-money." - -"It would not be fair to ask them to do so," Horace said. "Of course -that would be understood. All these sort of arrangements are in your -hands. My father particularly said so; he really knows nothing about -these matters. You must make all these arrangements just as if you -were the owner, and please arrange what you consider liberal terms to -everyone. My father has made up his mind to spend a certain sum of -money which he has long laid by for the purpose, and I am sure we are -more likely to succeed in helping the Greeks if everyone on board is -quite contented and happy. Oh, there is the Inn; I won't go in with -you. You had much better talk it over with him by yourself." - -Ten minutes later Martyn came out with a short square-built young -fellow of about his own age, with a good-humoured merry face, which -was at present beaming with satisfaction. - -"That is all settled," Martyn said. "Mr. Beveridge, let me introduce -to you Mr. James Miller, first lieutenant of your father's schooner, -the _Creole_." - -"It is a perfect godsend," Miller said, as he shook hands with Horace. -"I began to despair of getting a ship here, and I am precious glad now -I didn't, for I should have been mad if I had met Martyn, and found I -had missed this chance. It will be glorious fun, and it looked as if -one were never going to have a chance of that sort of thing again." - -"And he knows of a young fellow who will suit us for our second," -Martyn said, "Jack Tarleton. He was with us in the _Minerva_. I -remember him only as a jolly little mid. I had just passed then, and -he was the youngest; but he lives close to Miller, and he says he has -grown up into a fine young fellow. He is about nineteen now. He has -not passed yet, for he was laid on the shelf four months before his -time was up, and not having passed, of course he is even worse off -than either of us. Not that it matters so much to him, for his father -has an estate; but as Jack is the second son, and loves his -profession, he is so anxious to be afloat again that he told Miller -the other day he would ship before the mast if he could not get a -berth before long. Miller will write to him this afternoon, and he -will be here to-morrow night or next morning. I have asked him to come -round and have lunch with us at the Falcon. Mr. Beveridge and his -father sail with us, Miller, in the double capacity, as I understand, -of owners and fighting men." - -Horace laughed. "In the first place, I am not going to be called Mr. -Beveridge or Mr. Anything," he said. "I shall be regarded as a sort of -third officer, and do my work regularly while we are at sea. I know a -little about sailing already," he said to Miller, "so I sha'n't be -quite a green hand." - -"No, indeed," Martyn said. "Horace, if I am to call him so, has got a -fifteen-ton yacht I picked up for him, and a first-rate little craft -she is. He went out in a big gale last winter, and rescued the crew of -a wreck, the _Celadon_." - -"I saw it in the paper," Miller said warmly, "and thought what a -plucky thing it was. That is capital. Then you will be like one of -ourselves. Well, what are you going to do first, Martyn?" - -"First we are going to lunch. Then you will write your letter to -Tarleton and post it. After that we will charter a boat and go up and -look at the _Creole_ again. You haven't seen her yet, and we haven't -seen her since the purchase was concluded, and a craft always looks -different when you know she is yours. After making an overhaul we will -go ashore to the nearest yard and arrange for her to be docked, and -her bottom cleaned and scrubbed; I expect it wants it pretty badly. -That will be enough for to-day. As soon as she is in the water again -we will set a gang of riggers at work. I shall take charge of that -part of the business, and I will leave it to you to hunt up a crew. We -have got a boatswain. At least I have no doubt we have." - -"How many men are you going to take, Martyn?" - -"She mounts four guns each side and a long Tom--I don't know what the -metal is yet--and she is heavily sparred. Of course she hasn't got her -topmasts in place, but her masts are very long, and I have no doubt -she shows a good spread of sail; those craft always do. We shall want -a strong crew, for, if we fight at all, it will be against craft a -good deal bigger than ourselves. There is any amount of room on the -main deck, where they carried the slaves. Of course we needn't settle -at present, but I should say we ought to carry from forty to fifty -men." - -"I think we ought certainly to have a strong crew," Horace said, "so -as to be able to land a strong party if we wanted to; the extra -expense would be of no consequence." - -"We must pick our men, Miller--smart active fellows, and, of course, -men-of-war's for choice. If we can't get enough here, we will sail her -round to Portsmouth and fill up there. There ought to be plenty of -prime seamen to be had. They would jump at the chance of sailing in -such a craft as ours." - -Miller was delighted with the ship, and they now especially examined -the cabin arrangements. The saloon ran across the stern of the ship. -It was handsomely fitted up in mahogany. Leading off this, on the port -side, was a large cabin that had evidently been the captain's. This, -of course, would be Mr. Beveridge's. On the starboard side were three -cabins. Next to these was the steward's pantry and cabin; and facing -this, on the port side, two other state-rooms. - -"It could not have been better if it had been built for us," Miller -said. "There are three cabins on the starboard side. Horace will take -one of the three, I suppose, and that will leave a spare cabin in case -we take a passenger we are likely to want." - -"What are you thinking of, Miller?" - -"I was thinking that as we are going to fight, it is not by any means -impossible that some of us or the men may be wounded." - -"I should certainly say it was quite possible," Martyn laughed. - -"Well, you see as long as it is only a clip from a cutlass or a flesh -wound through the arm, I fancy we might patch it up between us with a -bit of plaster and a bandage; but if it comes to an amputation or -getting a bullet out of the body, or anything of that sort, who is -going to do it?" - -"By Jove! you are right, Miller. I had not thought of that. I am -afraid we shall have to take a surgeon with us. It would never do to -go into action in the Levant, where there is no chance of finding an -English doctor, without having at least a surgeon's-mate on board." - -"Of course not," Horace agreed; "that is an absolute necessity. Will -you see about it at once, please." - -"There is no difficulty in getting surgeons," Martyn said. "Of course -young fellows who have just done walking hospitals are as plentiful as -peas; but we had better get hold of a man who has been knocking about -for a few years in the navy, and who has had some experience in -gunshot wounds. There must be plenty of good men about, for they have -suffered just as we have by the reduction. I will speak to Dacent -about it this evening, and get him to ask one of the naval surgeons -here if he knows a man. One or other of them is almost sure to do so. -Well, the spare cabin will be for him. So now we are fixed -completely." - -"We shall have to take off a little bit from the main deck, because my -father's two Greeks will certainly come with us. Only one can sleep in -the steward's cabin, so we shall want a small cabin for the other and -a place for cooking. They are first-rate cooks, both of them; and I -expect they will undertake the cooking altogether for us." - -"That can very easily be managed," Martyn said. "We can knock a door -through this bulkhead, and run another bulkhead up across the deck, -seven or eight feet farther forward. I have not forgotten that Greek's -cooking; and if we live on board this craft as you did on the _Surf_, -I can tell you, Miller, we needn't envy an admiral." - -"Well, I like a good dinner, I must own, Martyn, though I can do with -salt-horse if necessary." - -"But are you sure, Horace," Martyn said, "that your father wouldn't -prefer having the cabin astern all to yourselves? When we are about it -we could put the bulkhead farther forward, and make a ward-room for -us." - -"No, I am sure he would not wish that," Horace said. "I will write to -him when we get ashore and ask him; but I am sure he would find it -more pleasant our being all together, and it would be much better for -him than being by himself. My father is a great scholar," he explained -to Miller, "and is always poring over books. I am sure it will do him -a lot of good getting away from them altogether and being with people. -Besides, that private cabin of his is a good size, and there will be -plenty of room for him to have a table and an easy-chair in it -whenever he is disposed to shut himself up. However, I will hear what -he says." - -After leaving the ship a visit was paid to one of the shipbuilding -yards, and arrangements made for the _Creole_ to be brought into dock -at high-tide. On getting back to the inn Horace wrote to his father on -the various questions that had arisen, and then to Marco, telling him -to come over by coach, and to bring Tom Burdett with him. They then -went to dine at the club with Dacent, who entered with great zest into -their arrangements. - -"I can't tell you what is your best way of setting about getting the -arms; but I should say go to Durncombe's. They are by far the largest -ship-chandlers here, and I should say that they could supply anything -from an anchor to a tallow-dip. They must have fitted out innumerable -privateers, and bought up the stores of as many prizes. They may not -be able to supply you with as many small-arms as you want; but if you -give them an order for a thousand cannon, I have not a doubt they -could execute it in twenty-four hours, and that at the price of old -iron. As to the muskets, they could no doubt collect a big lot here, -and get more still from Portsmouth. Those of course would be -principally ship's muskets, no longer wanted or taken from prizes. I -don't suppose they would get enough, and of course you would want -them in fair condition; but they would put advertisements for them in -the Birmingham papers, or, likely enough, would know firms in -Birmingham who had bought up muskets sold out of the army." - -"What do they buy them for?" Horace asked. - -"Oh, they contract for the supply of those South American States, for -trade in Africa and the East, or for the supply of the armies of -native princes in India. I think, if I were you, I would not go to him -direct, but would get the agent you got the _Creole_ from to undertake -it, and get the terms settled. He would get them a good bit cheaper -than you could." - -"No doubt he would," Martyn agreed, "especially if we agreed to pay -him so much for getting it, instead of so much commission. When a man -gets a commission he has no interest in keeping the price down; just -the contrary. I will ask him casually, to begin with, what is the cost -of muskets in fair condition, and at what price we could pick up -guns--say six, eight, and twelve pounders--complete, with carriages." - -"I don't know about the carriages, Martyn; but I know the guns fetch -less by a good bit than their weight of old iron. They cost more to -break up, in fact, than they are worth; and they are using them for -posts, and things of that sort, for the sake of getting rid of them. I -should say that you could get a couple of hundred guns of those sizes -to-morrow for a pound apiece, and I believe that you might almost get -them for the trouble of carting away, for they are simply so much -lumber. Powder is a glut in the market too. I should say hundreds of -tons have been emptied into the sea in this port alone, for when the -merchant skippers found they no longer required to carry it, it was -cheaper for them to throw it overboard than to get rid of it in any -other way." - -When they returned to the Falcon that evening they found Miller had -shifted his quarters there from the little inn in which he had been -staying, and two days later Jack Tarleton also arrived there. He was a -good-looking young fellow, nearly six feet in height, slight at -present, but likely to fill out, with a somewhat quiet manner, but, as -Horace soon found, a quick appreciation of the humorous side of things -and a good deal of quiet fun. On the same day Marco arrived with Tom -Burdett, who was delighted when Horace disclosed the project to him. - -"I should think I would like to go, Mr. Horace. Why, bless you, I have -been feeling almost as if I was rusting out at Seaport, except when -you were at home. Why, it will be like giving one a fresh lease of -life to get at one's own work again." - -He was at once installed on board the _Creole_, which on that day had -been let out of the dock again with her copper scrubbed until it shone -like gold. Miller had as yet had no time to see about the men, and Tom -at once undertook this part of the business. - -"I know every tavern down by the waterside and the places where men -are likely to be found. I will soon pick you up some prime hands. If I -can't get enough of them here, I will take a run to Bristol. There is -a big trade there, and there will be plenty of men-of-war's-men to be -had for the asking for such a job as this." - -"How about Seaport, Tom?" Horace asked. - -"Well, we will take Dick; but there are not many I would care about -having from there. They are good enough in their fishing-boats, but I -would rather have men who are accustomed to bigger craft. Besides, -though fishermen are good sailors in some ways, they are not -accustomed to discipline, and are always slovenly in their way of -doing things. Besides, if I persuaded young fellows to come from -there, and any of them got killed, their fathers and mothers would -look black at me when I got back. No, I don't think I will have anyone -but Dick." - -By this time a letter had come from Mr. Beveridge in answer to -Horace's letter. - -"I quite agree with you," he said, "that the officers should be paid -fairly. I see that, as you say, it is not a thing that you could very -well arrange with them. Will you tell Mr. Martyn, from me, that the -terms I propose are twenty guineas a month for him, eighteen for the -second officer, and fifteen for the third; and that, in case of any of -them losing a limb or being disabled, I shall settle upon them a -pension the same as that to which they would have been entitled at -their rank in the navy in the same case. The ship appears to me to be -wonderfully cheap. I knew nothing about it, but quite expected that it -would cost three times as much. Certainly I should not wish for them -to have a separate cabin. It will be much more pleasant for me, if not -disagreeable to them, for us to live together. As for what you say -about prize-money, tell Mr. Martyn to arrange as he proposes, -according to the ordinary usage in privateers. It is a matter to which -I have given no thought, but he shall give me the particulars when we -meet. As you know, I have no intention of making profit out of the -enterprise." - -Two days later Martyn told Horace that Dacent had introduced him to -one of the surgeons, who knew a young doctor who would, he thought, -suit. "His name is Macfarlane; he is, of course, a Scotchman--most of -the naval doctors are either Irish or Scotch. He sailed with him as -surgeon's-mate in a large frigate, where they had a good deal of -experience in wounds, and he has a high idea of his skill. He is a -very quiet sort of fellow, but a pleasant messmate. He has been full -surgeon for some time now. His ship was paid off a fortnight ago, and -the man who told me of him had a letter from him a few days since, -saying that, as he had no interest he thought that he had but little -chance of getting afloat again, and asking him to let him know if he -heard of any opening, either ashore or in an Indiaman. He thought he -would suit us very well, so I said that I would speak to you about -it." - -"I should think that will be just the thing, Martyn." - -"Very well, then, I will see the surgeon to-morrow, and get him to -write and offer him the berth at the regular naval rate of pay. Of -course we sha'n't want him to join till we are ready to sail." - -Some days later a reply was received, accepting the berth. - -For the next fortnight work proceeded rapidly. Stores of all kinds for -the voyage were brought on board and stowed away. Sixty cannon were -stowed down in the hold, with thirty carriages for them, the latter -taking up too much room to be carried for the whole of the guns. Eight -twelve-pounders, in place of the eight-pounders before carried by her, -and a long eighteen-pounder were placed in the hold in readiness to -mount on deck when they reached the Levant. The riggers and painters -had finished their work, the decks had been planed and holy-stoned -until they were spotlessly white, and the tall spars and gear were all -in their place. The guns had cost only about as much as Miller had -said, and they could have obtained any number at the same price. The -agent had made a contract with the ship's chandlers for five thousand -muskets complete with bayonets, in good order, and delivered on board, -at ten shillings each. Some five hundred of these had been collected, -and--after passing muster, by an armourer sergeant Martyn engaged for -the purpose--put on board. The rest were to be sent by canal from -Birmingham to Liverpool, and thence shipped round to Plymouth. Five -tons of gunpowder in barrels, twenty tons of shot for the cannon, and -two hundred thousand rounds of ammunition for the muskets were also -arranged for. These were to be shipped at the last moment from -magazines at the mouth of the Sound. - -Below, everything had been done to make the cabins as comfortable as -possible, and Dacent declared that she was altogether too neat and -comfortable for anything but an admiral's yacht. Tom Burdett had -picked up at Plymouth twenty-five smart sailors, all of whom had -served in king's ships; and then, going to Bristol, had brought as -many more from there. Uniforms, closely resembling those of men-of-war -sailors, had been served out to them, but instead of the straw hat -they wore red woollen caps. The officers had only to exchange their -navy buttons for others with an anchor to be complete; Horace had -donned similar attire. - -It was just three weeks after Horace left home that he wrote to his -father saying that all was now in readiness, and that they could sail -within an hour of his arrival. They were at once going out to take -their powder on board, and would remain at anchor off the magazines, -and that he himself should be at the Falcon when it was time for the -first coach to arrive after the receipt of his letter, and should -remain there until his father came. Mr. Macfarlane, the surgeon, -arrived by the coach that evening, and was put down at the Falcon. -Martyn and Horace went out when they heard the coach stop. - -"That is the doctor, for a guinea," Martyn said, as a tall bony man -climbed down from the roof, and began very carefully to look after his -luggage. - -"I think you must be Doctor Macfarlane?" he said, going up to him. "My -name is Martyn." - -"I am very glad to see you, Captain Martyn," the doctor said; "I take -it as a sign that I shall have a pleasant time that my commander -should meet me as I get off the coach." - -"I am captain only by courtesy, and shall hardly consider that I have -got my brevet rank till we hoist the flag to-morrow. This is Mr. -Beveridge, the owner's son, he will sail with us as third officer. I -have ordered a room for you, doctor. Boots will carry your things up." - -"Thank you; I will see to them myself, and join you in the -coffee-room. I am not fond of trusting to other folk;" and he followed -the servant upstairs with his baggage. - -Martyn laughed as he went into the coffee-room with Horace. "Cautious -you see, Horace, and right enough to be so; I think we shall like him. -There is a pleasant tone in his voice, and I have no doubt he will -turn out a good fellow, though, perhaps, rather a character." - -The doctor soon came down. - -"Eh, man," he said, "but it is weary work sitting with your legs -doubled up all those hours on a coach. Four-and-twenty hours it is -since I got up at Salisbury. And so, Mr. Beveridge, we are going out -to fight for the Greeks. I misdoubt, sir, if they will do much -fighting for themselves. I was three years east of Malta. There is -good in them, we may take it that there is good in them, but it is -very difficult to get at; at least that was my experience." - -"They have not had much chance, I think, doctor, so far." - -"And how large is your ship, Captain Martyn?" the doctor said, -changing the subject suddenly. - -"They call her a hundred and fifty, but she has a light draft of water -and would not carry that, yet she has excellent accommodation below, -as you will say when you see her to-morrow." - -The conversation then turned on naval matters, and the stations and -ships that both Martyn and the doctor knew; and when they separated -for the evening Martyn and Horace agreed that the doctor was likely to -be a pleasant acquisition to their party. - -Marco had been intrusted with the entire charge of laying in stores -for the cabin, and these had arrived in such profusion that Will -Martyn had demanded whether he was victualling the ship with cabin -stores for a voyage round the world. - -It had been given out that the ship was bound for Lisbon, but the news -of her destination had gradually leaked out, although pains had been -taken to get the military stores on board as quietly as possible. -Sympathy with Greece was general, however, and although the young -officers were quietly joked by their naval acquaintances as to their -cargo for Portugal, no official inquiries were made on the subject. - -"I sha'n't be sorry, Horace," Will Martyn said, as they were rowed off -in the gig for the last time before getting up anchor, "when we get -some of our heavy stuff out of her. One way or another she will have a -hundred and twenty tons of stuff on board when we have taken in our -powder, and though I don't at all say that she will be overladen she -will be a foot too low in the water to please me, and she wouldn't be -able to do her best if she were chased in her present trim." - -"The little difference in speed won't matter much on our way out," -Horace said. - -"No, not as to time, of course, a day more or less is no matter; -still, one always likes to get all one can out of one's ship, Horace, -and it is a triumph to slip past other craft. If you have a slow craft -you don't mind whether other things leave you behind in an hour or two -hours; you jog along and you don't worry about it; you are like a man -driving a heavy cart. But when you are in a crack schooner you are -like a man on the road with a fast horse and a light gig, you expect -to go past other things, and you like to do it in good style." - -"Well, nothing will beat her in looks, I think, Will." - -"No, that is quite certain. She is a picture." - -Everything was done on board the _Creole_ in man-of-war fashion. -Tarleton stood at the top of the ladder to receive the captain as he -came on board. He touched his cap to Martyn, who touched his in -return. - -"Everything ready for getting under weigh, Mr. Tarleton?" - -"Everything quite ready, sir." - -"Then shorten the chain a bit; man the capstan." - -Jack Tarleton gave the order. Tom Burdett's boatswain's whistle rang -out loudly; the capstan-bars were already fixed, and a dozen men ran -merrily round with it till the whistle sounded again. - -"The anchor is short, sir," Tarleton sang out to Martyn. - -"Very well, leave her so, Mr. Tarleton. Will you make sail, Mr. -Miller?" - -The orders were given, the mainsail, foresail, and fore-staysail -hoisted, and the jibs run out on the bowsprit. As soon as the -halliards were belayed and coiled down, the capstan-bars were manned -again, and the anchor weighed. The tide had just turned to run out, -there was a gentle breeze blowing, and as the two jibs were run up the -_Creole_ began to steal through the water. - -"Port your helm!" Martyn said to the man at the wheel; "let her come -round easy. Slack off the main-sheet; that will do now. Get her -topsails on her, Mr. Miller." - -Horace looked up with a feeling of pride and delight at the cloud of -white sail and at the smart active crew, all in duck trousers, blue -shirts, and red caps. Once out of the river the sheets were hauled in, -the yards of the fore-topsail were braced as much fore and aft as they -would stand, and the _Creole_ turned her head seaward, looking, as -Martyn said, almost into the wind's eye. The red ensign was flying -from the peak of the mainsail, and from the mast-head a long pennant -bearing her name. - -"She is slipping through the water rarely, Miller," Will Martyn said, -as he looked over the side. - -"Yes, she is going six knots through it, and that, considering how -close-hauled she is and that the wind is light, is wonderful." - -"She would go a good knot faster," Martyn said, "if she had fifty tons -of that stuff out of her. Those slavers know how to build, and no -mistake, and I don't think they ever turned out a better craft than -this." - -It was not until late in the afternoon that the _Creole_ dropped -anchor off the magazine, where she was to take in her powder, as -Martyn ran her out twenty miles to sea and back again to stretch her -ropes and, as he said, let things shape down a bit. When the trip was -over there was not a man on board but was in the state of the highest -satisfaction with the craft. Both close-hauled on the way out and free -on her return they had passed several vessels almost as if these had -been standing still, going three feet to their two; and although there -was but little sea on, there was enough to satisfy them that she had -no lack of buoyancy, even in her present trim. - -As soon as the anchor was down and the sails stowed Marco announced -that dinner was ready, for all had been too much interested in the -behaviour of the schooner to think of going down for lunch. It was the -first meal that they had taken on board beyond a crust of bread and -cheese in the middle of the day, and as they sat down, Will Martyn -taking the head of the table, Horace, as his father's representative, -facing him, and the others at the sides, Miller said with a laugh, as -he looked at the appointments, all of which had been sent over from -the house two days before by Zaimes: "This is rather a contrast, -Martyn, to the cockpit of a man-of-war." - -"Rather. I never did dine with an admiral, but this is the sort of -thing that I have always fancied it would be if it had entered into -the head of one to invite me. What do you think, Tarleton?" - -"I feel shy at present, sir, and as if I oughtn't to speak till spoken -to." - -"You will be spoken to pretty sharply if you say 'sir' down below. On -deck, as we agreed, we would have things in man-of-war fashion; but we -are not going to have anything of that sort when we are below -together." - -The dinner was an excellent one, and though the expectations of Miller -and Tarleton had been raised by Martyn's encomiums of the Greek's -cooking they were far surpassed by the reality. "It is a dinner fit -for a king," Martyn said when the cloth was cleared away and a -decanter of port placed on the table. - -"There is one misfortune in it. If this sort of thing is going to last -we shall never be fit for service in an ordinary craft again, we shall -become Sybarites. Is this the sort of dinner you always have at home, -Horace?" - -"About the same, I think," Horace laughed. "My father takes no -exercise and has not much appetite, and I think he likes nice things; -and it is one of the Greek's great aims in life to tempt him to eat. -We always have a very good cook, but Zaimes insists on having a few -little things of his own cooking on the table, and as he is generally -at war with the cook, and they leave in consequence about every three -or four months, he often has the dinner altogether in his hands till a -fresh one arrives, and I am amused sometimes to see how Zaimes fidgets -when my father, which is often the case, is so occupied with his own -thoughts that he eats mechanically and does not notice what is before -him. Zaimes stands it for a minute or two and then asks some question -or makes some observation that calls my father's attention back to -what he is doing. They have both been with him for two-and-twenty -years and are devoted to him. They are hardly like English servants, -and talk to him in a way English servants would not think of doing. -They are always perfectly respectful, you know, but they regard -themselves, as he regards them, as friends as well as servants." - -"Well, gentlemen, we will drink the usual toast, 'The King, God bless -him;' that is duty. Now fill up again, here is 'Success to the -_Creole_.'" When the toast was drank Martyn went on: - -"How did your father pick them up, Horace?" - -"It was just after he went out to Greece, which was directly after he -left college. He was at Samos, and got leave from the Turkish governor -to visit the prison. In one of the cells were Zaimes and Marco, who -was then a boy about sixteen. They were condemned to death; they had -been smuggling, and a Turkish boat had overhauled them. They had -resisted. Four of the men with them had been killed in the fight, and -several of the Turks. These two had been both severely wounded and -made prisoners. My father was new to that sort of thing then. After he -had been a year or two in Greece he knew that it would take a king's -fortune to buy out all the prisoners in the Turkish jails, but being -only out there a month or two he was touched at the sight of the two -prisoners. They were both very handsome, though, of course, pale and -pulled down by their wounds and imprisonment, and Zaimes, who was the -spokesman, had that courteous gentle manner that my father says all -the Greeks have when they are not excited." - -"At any rate he was very much interested and went off to the governor -again, and the Turk was glad enough for a bribe of a hundred pounds to -give him an order for the release of the two prisoners, on condition -that they were to be let out after dark and at once put on board a -craft that was sailing at daybreak next morning. My father went with -them, and after that they absolutely refused to leave him, and -travelled with him in Greece for some time and fought very pluckily -when some Klepts once tried to carry him away into the mountains. Then -he bought a small craft and established his head-quarters at Mitylene, -and for a year lived there and cruised about the islands. When he came -home he offered the felucca to them, but they refused to take it, and -begged so hard for him to take them home with him that he agreed to do -so, and they have proved invaluable to him ever since." - -"Your father is lucky in having got hold of two such men," Martyn -said. "I believe the lower order of Greeks are fine fellows in their -way. They are quarrelsome and passionate, no doubt, and apt to whip -out their knives at the smallest provocation, and there is no trade -they take so kindly to as that of a bandit; otherwise I believe they -are honest hardworking fellows. But as for the upper class of Greeks, -the less I have to do with them the better. When they get a chance -they grind down their countrymen a deal worse than the Turks do. They -are slippery customers and no mistake. I would rather take a Turk's -simple word than a solemn oath from a Greek." - -"No; veracity is hardly one of their conspicuous virtues," the doctor -put in quietly. "I take it that the ancients were so accustomed to -swear by their gods, even after they had ceased to believe in them, -that they came to consider that an oath by them was not binding, and -so got into the way of lying generally, and their descendants have -never amended their ways in that particular since. On more than one -occasion, when there was trouble between our sailors and the Greeks, I -attended their courts, and for good downright hard swearing I never -heard them approached. I don't wonder that the Turks refuse to allow -Christians to give evidence in their courts. We shall see when we get -out, but I have grave doubts whether there has been any revolution at -all, and whether it is not a got-up thing altogether, just to see -what the rest of the world says to it." - -The others laughed. - -"There is one thing, doctor," Miller said; "we have heard from -Europeans who are out there of what has been done, it does not come -from the Greeks only." - -"That is a confirmation, certainly, but it is well known that -travellers' tales must always be received with caution. It has been so -since the days of Herodotus. When a man gets away from his own country -he is apt to get a certain looseness of the tongue. We will wait until -we get out there before we form any strong opinion about it." - -By this time they had finished their coffee, and Martyn, rising, said: -"Mr. Tarleton, I shall be glad if you will go along the main-deck and -see that the men are making themselves comfortable; to-morrow we will -divide them into watches and tell them off to their stations and get -things into working order." - -Accordingly, in the morning the crew were divided into two watches, -and the boat's crews told off, and then the work of getting the powder -and small ammunition on board began; the latter did not take long, as -it was already in a flat into which it had been discharged three days -before from the coaster that had brought it from Liverpool. The flat -had therefore only to be towed alongside and the cases swung on board -and lowered into a portion of the hold that had been divided off from -the rest by thick bulkheads to form a magazine. The ammunition and -powder were all on board and stowed away, the ship was washed down, -and the men piped to dinner by eight bells. The officers went down and -divided the men into messes, examined the food, and saw that -everything was comfortable. - -"More room here than there was on board the _Surf_, Dick," Horace said -as he stopped a moment on his rounds to speak to the young sailor. - -"Yes, sir, one can stand upright here. But the _Surf_ was a good boat -too." - -After dinner the men were told off to their various duties and divided -into crews for the guns, when these should be in place. The first -lieutenant (for it was agreed that they should be called lieutenants -and not mates) and Horace took the starboard watch, Tarleton and the -boatswain the port watch. The men were formed up, inspected, and put -through cutlass drill for an hour, after which the watches by turns -were exercised in setting sail, reefing, lowering, and furling, so -that each man should know his place and duty. Then they were -dismissed. - -"They will be a first-rate crew when they have worked together for a -few days," Martyn said. "I could not wish for a smarter set of men. If -we meet anything about our own size I shall have no fear of giving a -good account of her. I have no opinion whatever of the Turks as -sailors; they are good soldiers, and have always proved themselves so, -but more lubberly sailors never went to sea." - -"Well, we are not likely to meet anything else," Horace said. - -"I don't know, lad. The Greeks at the best of times are pirates at -heart, and just at present they are not at all likely to be particular -who they lay hands on. I saw in the paper only yesterday, they had -attacked and plundered an Austrian craft, and it is probable that they -may have done the same to a dozen others, only as a rule they scuttle -any ship they may seize and nothing is ever known about her. Ships -can't be too careful when they are in Greek waters, and a vessel -wrecked on any of the islands is looked upon as a lawful prize. There -is no fear of our being taken by surprise by the Turks, but I shall -take precious good care that we are never caught napping when we are -anchored anywhere in the Greek Archipelago. After dinner, Horace, I -will go ashore with you in the gig. I don't think it likely your -father will be down by the night coach, as he would only get your -letter this morning, but he may come; at any rate you have got to wait -now at the Falcon till he turns up." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -UNDER WEIGH - - -After seeing to a few matters that had been left till the last moment, -Will Martyn returned on board again. Horace dined at the club, of -which he had been made an honorary member, and then went back to the -Falcon. To his surprise Zaimes was standing at the door. - -"Why, Zaimes, how on earth did you get here? Why, the coach does not -get in till twelve o'clock." - -"No, Mr. Horace, but we had everything ready to start this morning. Of -course your letter did not come in time for us to get over to the -early coach, but we were expecting it after what you wrote yesterday, -and your father had concluded that it would be much more comfortable -to post. He does not like being crowded, and it was doubtful whether -there would be room for the two of us; and there was the luggage, so -we had arranged for a post-chaise to come for us anyhow, and we -started half an hour after your letter came in, and have posted -comfortably. Your father is in the coffee-room. He would not have a -private room, as he did not know whether you would be taking him on -board this evening." - -Mr. Beveridge was sitting at a table by himself, and had just finished -his dinner when Horace came in. He looked up more briskly than usual. - -"I am sorry I was not here to meet you, father," Horace said; "but I -did not think you could be here until the night coach." - -"No; I did not expect to find you here, Horace, so it was no -disappointment. Well, you look bronzed and well, my boy, you and your -friends seem to have done wonders in getting everything done so soon. -I am quite anxious to see the ship. Are we to go on board this -evening?" - -"If you don't mind, father, I would much rather you didn't go off -till morning. I said that if you came we would breakfast early and be -ready for the gig at half-past eight. They won't be expecting us -to-night, and I am sure Martyn and the others will like to have -everything in the best possible order when you go on board. We have -been expecting those boxes of books you wrote about a week ago, but -they haven't turned up. It will be a horrible nuisance if, after the -way we have been pushing everything forward, we should be kept waiting -two or three days for them." - -"Well, Horace, the fact is I changed my mind. The four boxes were -packed and in the hall. They really were very large boxes, and Zaimes -said: 'Well, master, what you are going to do with all those books I -can't imagine. Where are you going to put them? Why, they would fill -your cabin up solid. If I were you, sir, I would not take one of them. -Just give yourself a holiday. Don't take a pen in your hand while you -are away. You will have plenty to see about and to think about, and I -am sure it would do you a deal of good to give it up altogether for a -time, and you will take it up freshly afterwards. Besides, you will -have people coming on board, and your advice will be asked, and you -will have to decide all sorts of things, and you know you won't be -able to bring your mind out of your books if you have them on board.' -He said something like it when I first began to talk of packing, but -it seemed to me impossible that I could give up work altogether; but -the sight of those four great boxes staggered me. Then I said: -'Zaimes, this is not like that little cabin on board the yacht. This -is quite a large vessel in comparison.' 'Yes, sir,' he replied, 'but -your cabin won't be larger than the main cabin in the _Surf_, not so -large I should fancy.' This surprised me altogether, but he assured me -it was so, and pressed me so much on the matter that I at last agreed -to leave them all behind." - -"That is a capital thing, father. Zaimes was quite right. Your -state-room is a very nice cabin, but except that it is a good deal -more lofty, it is certainly not so large by a good deal as the main -cabin in the _Surf_; besides, if you had your books you would be -always shut up there, and what I thought of all along, from the time -you first spoke about coming out, was what a good thing it would be -for you to have a thorough holiday, and to put aside the old work -altogether." - -"You don't think it valuable, Horace?" Mr. Beveridge asked wistfully. - -"I do, father. I think it most valuable, and no one can be prouder -than I am of your reputation, and that all learned men should -acknowledge the immense value of your works to Greek students. But, -father, after all, the number of men who go into all that is very -small, and I can't see why your life should be entirely given up to -them. I think that at any rate it will be a first-rate thing for you, -and extremely pleasant for me, that you should be like the rest of us -while we are out on this expedition. As Zaimes says, you will have a -lot of things to decide upon, and we are going to lead an active, -stirring life, and it is new Greece we shall have to think about, and -not the Greece of two thousand years ago. It is your aim to raise, not -the Greeks of the time of Miltiades, but a people who in these two -thousand years have become a race, not only of slaves, but of ignorant -savages, for these massacres of unarmed people show that they are -nothing better; and not only to free them, but to make them worthy of -being a nation again. I think, father, there will be ample scope for -all your thoughts and attention in the present without giving a -thought to the niceties of the language spoken by Demosthenes, so I am -truly and heartily glad you decided to leave your books behind you." - -"I think you are right, Horace; I am sure you are right; but it is a -wrench to me to cut myself loose altogether from the habits of a -lifetime." - -"And now, father, what are you going to do about clothes?" Horace -said, looking at him closely. - -"About clothes!" his father repeated vaguely. "I have brought two -large boxes full with me." - -"Yes, father, no doubt you have clothes, but I am sure that on board -ship--and you will be always living there, you know--it will be much -more comfortable for you to have clothes fit for the sea. Frilled -shirts, and ruffles, and tight breeches, and high-heeled Hessian -boots, and short-waisted tail-coats are all very well on shore, but -the first time you are out in a good brisk gale, you would wish them -anywhere. What you want is a couple of suits, at least, of blue cloth -like mine, with brass buttons, and a low cloth cap like this that will -keep on your head whilst it is blowing, in fact the sort of suit that -the owner of a big yacht would naturally wear. Of course when you go -ashore to see any of the Greek leaders, you might like to go in your -ordinary dress; but really for sea you want comfortable clothes, and a -good thick pea-jacket for rough weather." - -"Perhaps you are right, Horace, and I did remark that my heels left -marks upon the deck of the _Surf_." - -"Certainly they did, father; and it would be agony to Will Martyn to -have the beautiful white deck of the _Creole_ spoiled." - -"But it is too late now, it is half-past eight o'clock." - -"Oh, I can take you to a shop where they keep this sort of thing. -Besides, there are twelve hours before we start, and by paying for it -one can get pretty nearly anything made in twelve hours." - -Mr. Beveridge suffered himself to be persuaded. Fortunately the -outfitter had a couple of suits ordered by one of the officers of a -ship of war in harbour nearly completed. These he agreed to alter to -fit Mr. Beveridge by the morning, and to put on extra hands to turn -out fresh suits for the person for whom they were intended. The gold -lace, white facings, and other distinguishing marks would be removed, -and plain brass buttons substituted for the royal buttons. Two or -three pairs of shoes with low heels were also obtained. The clothes -came home at seven in the morning, and Mr. Beveridge came down to -breakfast looking like the smart captain of a merchantman. - -"I feel as if I were dressed for a masquerade, Horace," he said with a -smile. - -[Illustration: A DISCUSSION ABOUT CLOTHES] - -"You look first-rate, father, and a lot more comfortable than usual, I -can tell you." - -It was at Martyn's suggestion that Horace had urged his father to make -a change in his attire. - -"It would be a good thing if you could get him to put on sea-going -togs," the sailor had said. "He is the owner of as smart a craft as -ever sailed out of British waters, and he will look a good deal more -at home on the deck of his own ship in regular yachtsman's dress than -he would rigged up in his ruffles and boots." - -With this Horace had agreed heartily, for his father's appearance on -occasions when he had gone out with him in the _Surf_ had struck him -as being wholly incongruous with the surroundings. - -At half-past eight they went down to the steps, two porters carrying -the luggage under the watchful eye of Zaimes. As they were seen, the -smart gig with its six rowers, which was lying a short distance off, -rowed in to the steps. Tarleton was steering. He stepped out to hand -Mr. Beveridge into the boat. - -"This is Mr. Tarleton, father, our second lieutenant." - -"I am glad to meet you, sir," Mr. Beveridge said, shaking hands with -the young officer. "I hope that we shall have a pleasant cruise -together." - -"I feel sure we shall, sir. If one couldn't be comfortable on board -the _Creole_, one couldn't be comfortable anywhere." - -Tarleton took his seat in the centre to steer, with Mr. Beveridge and -Horace on either side of him, Zaimes and the luggage were placed in -the bow. The bowman pushed the boat off with the boat-hook. The oars, -which had been tossed in man-of-war fashion, fell with a splash into -the water, and then with a long steady stroke the gig darted away from -the steps. - -"This is certainly very pleasant," Mr. Beveridge said as they threaded -through the anchored craft and made their way seaward. "I begin to -wish I had taken up yachting twenty years back." - -"Well, it is not too late, father. When we have done with Greece, you -can go in for amusement if you like." - -"I should never find time, Horace." - -"Oh, you could make time, father. You could spare three months in the -year and be all the better for it. When you have once had a break, you -will find how pleasant it is." - -Half an hour's row and Horace said: "That is the _Creole_, father, -lying in there near the farther point." - -"She doesn't look as large as I expected, Horace, though her masts -seem a great height." - -"She is heavily sparred for her length," Tarleton said, "but she has -great beam; besides she is rather low in the water now, and of course -that makes the spars look big in proportion. She will be a bit higher -by the time we get out. Fifty men consume a considerable weight of -stores and water every week. You will be pleased with her, sir, when -we get alongside. We all think she is as handsome a craft as we ever -set eyes on. She will astonish the Turks, I warrant, when it comes to -sailing." - -Another twenty minutes they were alongside. According to naval -etiquette Horace mounted the ladder first, then Tarleton, and Mr. -Beveridge followed. Martyn and Miller received him at the gangway, the -former introducing the first officer and the surgeon to him. - -"She is a fine-looking vessel," Mr. Beveridge said, "and you have -certainly done marvels with her, Captain Martyn, for my son wrote me -that she had nothing but her lower masts in her when you took -possession, and now she is wonderfully bright and clean, and these -decks look almost too white to walk on." - -"I hope that we shall always keep her in equal order, sir. We have a -capital crew, and no one could wish for a better craft under his -feet." - -Mr. Beveridge was now conducted round the ship, and expressed himself -highly gratified with everything. - -"Is it your wish that we should make sail at once, sir?" Martyn -asked. "We have been expecting some heavy luggage on board, but it has -not arrived." - -"I changed my mind about it, and there is nothing coming, Captain -Martyn. I am perfectly ready to start if you have everything on -board." - -"There is nothing to wait for, sir; we are perfectly ready." - -They returned to the quarter-deck, and as Martyn gave the orders there -was a general movement on the part of the crew. Some of the men -clustered round the capstan, while others prepared to make sail, and -Mr. Beveridge felt a keen sense of pleasure as he watched the active -fellows at their work. In five minutes the sails were set, the anchor -at the cat-head, and the _Creole_ moving through the water under the -light breeze off shore. - -They had favourable winds across the Bay and down the coast of -Portugal. Everything from the start had gone as smoothly as if the -_Creole_ had been six months in commission--officers and men were -alike pleased with the ship; the provisions for the sailors were of -the best quality; the duties were very light, for the sails had not -required altering from the time they had been set, although each day -the men practised for an hour at lowering and setting them, in order -to accustom them to work smartly together. - -There was half an hour's cutlass drill, and for the rest of the day, -beyond cleaning and polishing, there was nothing to be done. Mr. -Beveridge spent the greater part of his time in a comfortable -deck-chair on the quarter-deck, for there was no poop, the deck being -flush from end to end. Horace attended to his duties as third officer -regularly, and the nights were so warm and pleasant that the watches -did not appear long to him. There was no stiffness in the cabin when -they gathered to their meals, or in the evening, and Mr. Beveridge -proved in no way a wet blanket on their fun, as the three officers had -rather anticipated he would be. He talked but little, but was -thoroughly amused at their yarns and jests, all of which were as -strange to him as if he had lived in another world. - -"You will certainly have to cut off our rations a bit, Mr. Beveridge," -Will Martyn said one day as they finished dinner. "We shall be getting -as fat as porpoises if we go on like this. I can feel my togs filling -out daily; and as for Tarleton, he will have to have all his things -let out by the time we arrive in the Levant. For the credit of the -ship I shall have to give orders for us to be supplied with the same -rations as the men, and go in for luxuries only on Sundays. We are not -accustomed to be tempted in this way at every meal. It is all very -well for you who do not eat much more than a sparrow to have such nice -things always put before you; but to us who have been accustomed to a -steady diet of salt junk, except when we put into port and are able to -get fresh meat for a change, these things are beyond our power of -resistance." - -"I eat a great deal more than I did on shore," Mr. Beveridge said. "I -find, indeed, a wonderful improvement in my appetite. It was quite an -infliction to Zaimes that I cared so little for the good things he -provided me with. I can assure you I really begin to look for my meals -now, and it is a pleasure for me to see you all eat with good healthy -appetites, and I am sure that it must be a great gratification to the -Greeks to see their efforts appreciated at last." - -"It is Tarleton I am thinking of principally, sir; as for Miller, -nature made him square, and it would be no disadvantage if he became -round; while as to the doctor, food is simply wasted on him, he will -never do credit to your cooks. But Tarleton, with those dark eyes of -his and his gentle sort of way, was what the ladies would consider an -interesting youth, and he would, I am sure, forfeit the good opinion -of the ladies altogether if he were to return looking like a mildly -animated sausage." - -Tarleton joined in the laugh. "I do think I have gained a lot in -weight the last week," he said; "but we won't always go on in this -quiet sort of way. As for what Martyn says, I believe it is only -jealousy on his part at seeing that my angles are filling out." - -On arriving at the Straits they put in at Ceuta and obtained a supply -of fresh meat and vegetables. In the Mediterranean they fell in with -dead calms and were a fortnight in getting to Gozo, where they again -replenished their stock. They abstained from putting in either at -Gibraltar or Malta in order to avoid being questioned as to the cargo -and destination of the _Creole_. - -"Now, sir," Will Martyn said when they were within two days' sail of -Greece, "it is quite time to decide what port we shall make for, but -we can't decide that until we know how matters are going on. When we -left England there were very conflicting accounts of the progress of -the revolution, and whether Corinth, Patras, Nauplia, or Athens are in -the hands of the Greeks or Turks. Well, I should say, sir, that our -best plan would be to put in at Zante, where, as it is English, and -therefore neutral ground, we shall learn all about the state of -affairs, and may meet some of our own people or foreigners who have -been fighting by the side of the Greeks. Half an hour's talk with one -of them would give us a better idea how everything stands than a -week's talk with Greeks." - -"I think that will be a very good plan," Mr. Beveridge agreed. "Flying -the English flag we might go in or out of any of the harbours as -neutrals; but if by any chance it leaked out what our cargo is the -Turks would probably consider themselves justified in laying hands on -us." - -"At any rate it is well not to run the risk, Mr. Beveridge, as there -is no object to be served by it. I will take the bearings of Zante and -lay our course for it." - -There was, indeed, no spot where they were more likely to obtain -accurate news of what was going on than Zante, lying as the island -does at a short distance from the mouth of the Gulf of Corinth, upon -which were three of the most important towns in Greece--Patras, -Corinth, and Missolonghi. Here, too, the fugitives from the Morea, of -either party, would naturally make their way. - -It was the 8th of October when the _Creole_, flying the English flag -at her peak, dropped anchor in the port. As soon as she did so a -custom-house officer came on board. - -"What ship is this?" he asked the first officer, who was on deck. - -"This is the _Creole_, a private yacht belonging to Mr. Beveridge. The -owner is below if you wish to see him." - -"You have no merchandise on board?" - -"I tell you that it is a yacht," Miller said. "An English gentleman -doesn't bring out merchandise for sale in his yacht. The captain will -show you her papers." - -Will Martyn came on deck. - -"This is the captain," Miller said. "You had better address him." - -On hearing what was required Martyn took the officer below and showed -him the ship's papers. - -"I see it is mentioned here that you were bound from England to -Lisbon," the officer observed. - -"Yes. We did not put in there, as Mr. Beveridge was anxious to get -into a warmer climate." - -"I see you are strongly armed," the officer said when he came on to -deck again, for after leaving Malta the eight twelve-pounders and the -pivot-gun had been got up from the hold and mounted. - -"Yes, we are armed, as you see. I imagine you would hardly recommend -anyone to be cruising about in these waters without means of defence." - -"No, indeed," the officer laughed. "The Greeks are pirates to the -core. You would be all right with the Turks, although from your -appearance I should not think they would ever get near enough to -trouble you." - -Half an hour later Mr. Beveridge and Horace were rowed ashore. As, -except at Ceuta, Horace had never set foot ashore out of England, he -was much amused and interested by the varied population. Mingled with -the native population of the island were Greeks from the mainland; -Albanians in their white pleated petticoats, bristling with arms -mounted in gold and silver; a few English soldiers walking about as -unconcernedly as if in a garrison town at home; and sailors of several -nationalities from ships in harbour. - -"I should think, father, the proper thing would be to call upon the -English officer in command here and invite him to dinner. We shall get -a general idea of the state of things from him." - -Asking a soldier, they found that the small detachment there was under -the command of Captain O'Grady, whose house, at the entrance to the -barrack, was pointed out to them. The officer was in, and on Mr. -Beveridge sending in his card they were at once shown in. - -"I am the owner of a schooner-yacht, the _Creole_, that dropped anchor -an hour ago," Mr. Beveridge said. "I know very little about the -etiquette of these things, but it seemed to me the proper thing was to -call at once upon His Majesty's representative here." - -"A very right and proper thing to do, Mr. Beveridge. I have been -wondering what that craft could be, and where she had come from. If it -hadn't been for the flag and the tidiness of her I should have put her -down as a Greek pirate, though they don't often rig up their crafts as -schooners." - -"She has been something like a pirate in her time," Mr. Beveridge -said, "for she was a slaver, captured and sent home as a prize. I -bought her at Plymouth and fitted her out." - -"And a mighty nice way of spending money too, Mr. Beveridge. She is -the biggest thing in the way of yachts I ever saw. I don't at all see -why a gentleman shouldn't buy a big ship and cruise about the world in -her if he can afford it." - -"Well, Captain O'Grady, I won't occupy your time now, but shall be -glad if you will come off and dine with me at six o'clock to-day. I -have come straight from England, and have heard nothing as to how -matters stand out here. If you will bring any of your officers off -with you I shall be very glad to see them." - -"I have only two here. Mr. Lester, my lieutenant, will be on duty, -and I have no doubt that Plunket will be very glad to come off with me -if he has no special engagement, which is not likely, for it is a -mighty dull life here, I can tell you, and it is glad I shall be when -the order comes to rejoin the regiment at Corfu." - -Mr. Beveridge and Horace walked about for some time, and then returned -on board. They met their two Greeks in the town shopping, and told -them that there would be guests at dinner. They met also Will Martyn -and Tarleton, who had come ashore a short time after them, Miller -remaining on board in charge; a good many of the men were also ashore. - -"I have warned them solemnly," Martyn said, "against drink and -quarrels, but I am afraid that to-night and to-morrow night we shall -have a good many of them coming off noisy. Wine is cheap, and as they -haven't set foot ashore for five weeks it is not in the nature of an -English sailor to resist temptation. I don't care much as long as they -don't get into rows with the Greeks. I have told them the boats will -be ashore at nine o'clock to fetch them, and that any who are not down -there by that hour will have their allowance of grog stopped for a -fortnight." - -It had been arranged with Captain O'Grady that the boat should be at -the steps for him at a quarter to six. Horace went in charge of it, -and brought off the two officers. - -"You have comfortable quarters here, indeed," Captain O'Grady said -when Mr. Beveridge had introduced his officers to him and his -companion. "Sure I would like nothing better than to travel about in a -craft like this. It is like taking a floating palace about with you." -But if the officers were surprised at the fittings of the cabin they -were still more so at the excellence of the dinner. Up to the time the -dessert was placed on the table they chatted as to the incidents of -the voyage; but when the wine had gone round Mr. Beveridge began -questioning them. - -"Of course you hear everything that goes on on the mainland, Captain -O'Grady." - -"Everything, do you say? It is well content I would be if that was all -I heard; but the thundering lies that are told by those Greek -rapscallions are enough to take one's breath away. To hear them talk -you would not think that such valiant men had ever lived since the -days of Noah; and yet, with the exception of a little skirmish, all -that they have done is to starve out those unfortunate heathens the -Turks, and then after they have surrendered on promise of good -treatment, to murder them in cold blood with their women and -children." - -"I hope that there has not been much of that," Mr. Beveridge said -gravely. - -"It depends upon what you call much of it. At the very lowest estimate -there have been thirty thousand murdered in cold blood since the -troubles began; and some accounts put it much higher. There has not -been a single exception; nowhere have they spared a Mussulman. The -poor beggars of farmers and villagers were killed; man, woman, and -child, in hundreds of villages the whole of them were destroyed -without resistance; and it has been the same in all the large towns. -The Greeks began the work at Kalamata, which surrendered under a -solemn promise of their lives to the Turks; but every soul was slain. -And so it has been all along. In the district of Laconia there were -fifteen thousand Mussulmans, and of these two-thirds at least were -slain. At Missolonghi there are not twenty Turks alive. - -"At Navarino every soul was murdered. Tripolitza surrendered only a -week ago, and I saw by a letter from Colonel Raybonde, a French -officer, who commanded the Greek artillery during the siege, that -forty-eight hours after they entered the city they collected about two -thousand persons, principally women and children, and drove them up a -ravine and murdered them there; and altogether eight thousand -Mussulmans were killed during the sack. I have heard of massacres till -I am sick of listening to the stories; and though at the beginning I -hoped that the Greeks would drive the old Turks out, faith I have -come to think that if I were to hear that the whole race were utterly -exterminated I should feel more comfortable in my mind than I have -been for some time. Not content with murdering the poor creatures, in -many cases the villains tortured them first. I have heard fellows who -came over here boast of it. One Albanian ruffian who told me that he -had done this, told me, sir, as if it were a thing to be proud of. I -had the satisfaction of taking him by the scruff of his neck and the -tail of his white petticoat and chucking him off the pier into the -sea. When he scrambled out I offered him the satisfaction of a -gentleman, seeing that he was a chief who thought no small beer of -himself. There was a deal of difficulty in explaining to him how the -thing was managed in a civilized country, and I never felt more -satisfaction in my life than I did next morning when I put a bullet -into the scoundrel's body." - -A wet blanket seemed suddenly to fall over the party in the cabin as -Captain O'Grady was speaking. Horace saw that Miller, who was sitting -opposite to him, was undergoing an internal convulsion in restraining -himself from bursting into a laugh; and Will Martyn, who was facing -Mr. Beveridge at the bottom of the table, looked so preternaturally -grave that Horace felt that he too was struggling to repress a smile. -The doctor nodded, as if to signify that it was exactly what he had -expected. Mr. Beveridge looked deeply concerned. - -"I have heard something of this in England, Captain O'Grady, though of -course the Greek agents there suppress all news that would tell -against their countrymen, but I did not think it was as bad as this. -Yet although I do not for a moment attempt to defend such atrocities, -you must remember how long the Greeks have been oppressed by the -Turks. A people who have been in slavery for hundreds of years to -strangers, aliens in blood and in religion, and themselves in a very -primitive state of civilization, except in the cities, would be almost -certain in the first rising against their oppressors to commit -horrible excesses. The same thing happened, although, happily, on a -much smaller scale, in your own country, Captain O'Grady, in '98, and -that without a hundredth part of the excuse that the Greeks had." - -"True for you, Mr. Beveridge," Captain O'Grady admitted. "There's no -denying that you have turned the tables on me there. It is mighty -difficult, as you say, to hold a savage peasantry in hand." - -"It was the same thing in the French Revolution. That again was -practically a revolt of slaves, and they behaved like fiends; and the -number of persons murdered--men of their own race and religion, -remember--was at least as great as that of those who have been -massacred here. The revolt called the Jacquerie, in the middle ages, -was equally ferocious, and the number of victims would probably have -been as great had not the revolt been nipped in the bud. I regret -deeply the conduct of the Greeks; but I think it was only what was to -be expected from a people naturally fierce and revengeful under the -circumstances." - -"Maybe you are right, Mr. Beveridge, though I did not look at it in -that light before." - -"And who are their leaders now?" - -"Faith they are all leaders. One day one hears one man's name -mentioned, that is hard enough to crack one's jaw; the next day he is -upset and another has taken his place. Every dirty little chief of -brigands sets himself up as a leader, and as they are about the only -chaps who understand anything about fighting they come to the front. -If they only spent a twentieth part of the time in preparing for war -which they do in quarrelling among themselves as to their share of the -spoil, it seems to me they would make a much better fight than they -are likely to do. There is a fellow called Odysseus, which is their -way of pronouncing Ulysses; he used to command the Mohammedan -Albanians under Ali Pasha. Now he has turned round, and fights against -his old master. He is one of the chief of them. Then there are -Kolokotronis and Mavrocordatos. I should say they are the two -principal men just at present. Then there is a chap called Prince -Demetrius Hypsilantes. He is the brother of a fellow who got up the -rising up in the north of the Danube, and pretends to be the head of -all the Greeks. Demetrius says he is invested by his brother with a -sort of viceroyalty over Greece, and wants to have it all his own way. -Then there are the Greek bishops and priests. They are pretty well -against all the rest, and want to keep the peasantry under their -thumb. Then there are the primates; they have got a big lot of power." - -"Do you mean archbishops?" Captain Martyn asked. - -"Not a bit of it. The primates are a sort of half-and-half officers. -They are supposed to be chosen by the people of their own district, -and of course they are always the big-wigs; the chaps with most power -and influence. Once chosen they became Turkish officers, collected the -taxes, and were each accountable for the money and for the doings of -their district. Nicely they ground the people down and feathered their -own nests. Naturally, when the Turks went they became the local -leaders. The people had no one else to look to but them and the -priests. In the Morea these two classes have all the power in their -hands. North of that we don't hear much of the primates. I don't think -they had any of them there. It's the Albanians, and the Klephts, that -is the brigands, and some of the fighting clans, such as the Suliots -and the bands of armatoli, which are a sort of village militia, who -are the backbone of the rising. - -"All the chiefs are jealous of each other, and if one fellow proposes -a plan all the others differ from him; or if there is one of the big -leaders there, and his plan is adopted, the others either march away -to their homes or do what they can to prevent it from succeeding. The -great thing with all the chiefs is to get spoil. The people are -different; they really want to fight the Turks and to win their -freedom; and it is because they see that not one of their leaders is -honest, that their jealousies keep them from any common actions, and -that they will not unite to form any central government, that the -people have no confidence in them, but just follow one man until they -get disgusted with him, and then go off to join another. - -"Everything is wasted. The spoil they have taken has been enormous; -but the people are little the better for it; it is all divided among -the chiefs, and not a penny of it has gone to form a fund for defence. -They have captured enormous quantities of ammunition, but they have -fired it away like children, just to please themselves with the noise. -At one place I was told by an Englishman who was there that the two -million cartridges they captured were all wasted in what they called -rejoicings in the course of three days. What they want is a big man--a -fellow who will begin by hanging a hundred politicians, as many -chiefs, bishops, and primates; who would organize first a government -and then an army; and would insist that every halfpenny taken as spoil -from the Turks should be paid into the public treasury. Then, sir, I -believe that the Greeks would polish off these sleepy Turks in no -time, with the advantage they have in knowing every foot of the -mountains, in being as active as goats, and in possessing the idea -that they are fighting for freedom. Mind I don't say that the Turks -will beat them even as they are. The Turkish pashas are as incapable -as the Greek leaders. Their soldiers are good, but as the Greeks have -no regular army, and no idea of standing up to fight fair, the Turks -can't get at them, and the Greeks can move about quickly and fall upon -them at their own time; and besides they will bring them to a -standstill by starvation. They don't care about attacking the Turkish -troops, but they are down like a pack of wolves on a baggage train, -and if the Turks venture any distance from the sea-coast they will be -harassed out of their lives." - -"Have the Turks still the command of the sea? There the Greeks ought -to be their match anyhow." - -"Yes, the Turks still send their store-ships escorted by their -men-of-war frigates and corvettes. The Greeks hover round them and -among them, but they take care to keep pretty well out of range of -the Turkish guns, and their only idea of fighting seems to be to -launch fire-ships at them. A man-of-war was burnt while at anchor a -short time back by Knaris, who is the best sailor the Greeks have got. -Still, at present the Turks are so far masters of the sea that they -take their convoys where they like and can revictual their fortresses -whenever they have the energy to do so. On the other hand, the Greeks -scour the seas in all directions, and not a single merchant ship -flying the Turkish flag dare show her nose outside the Dardanelles." - -"Is the cruelty all on one side?" Horace asked. - -"Not a bit of it. Of course the Turks have not had much chance yet, -but when they have had they have naturally paid the Greeks in their -own coin. In Thessaly they have put down the rising ruthlessly. But -when the troops go into a place and find that the whole of their -people have been murdered it is not to be wondered at that they set to -to play the same game on those who began the work of massacre. The -Greeks hate the Turks, and their object is to root them out -altogether. The Turks despise the Greeks, but they don't want to root -them out by any means, because if they did there would be no longer -any revenue to collect. The Turks seem to strike more at the leaders. -They have strung up a lot of Greeks living in Constantinople, and as -the whole affair was got up there, and the Greeks were, most of them, -taking the Sultan's pay while they were plotting against him, it is -only just that if anyone was to suffer they should be the men. What I -am afraid of is that when the news of this horrible massacre of eight -thousand people at Tripolitza gets known, the Turks in Asia Minor will -everywhere retaliate upon the Greeks settled among them. - -"They can't do much in Greece, for most of the people can take to the -mountains; but there are almost as many of them settled in Asia Minor -as there are here, for they are the traders and shopkeepers in every -port, and I am afraid it will go mighty hard with them everywhere when -the Turks come to know the atrocities that have been perpetrated over -here. If the Greeks had thought for a moment when they began they -would have seen that it was a game two could play at, and for every -Turk they could murder the Turks had in their hands three Greeks at -least that they could put an end to. To my mind it is a bad business -altogether. Plunket will tell you that I have not put it a bit too -strongly." - -"Not in the least," the young officer said. "The tales these fellows -tell are ghastly. We have them over here by dozens. A man is a leader -one day and a fugitive the next; and they run over here till they see -a chance of landing again and getting together a fresh band, and they -actually make a boast of the horrible massacres they have taken a part -in. If the islanders here saw their way to it they would rise against -us, and as it is, it has been as much as we can do more than once to -prevent their going on board neutral vessels that put into harbour -with a few wretched Turkish fugitives, and murdering them. The fact -is, the Greeks believe that they are Christians, but they are just as -much pagans as they were two thousand years ago. My sympathies are -altogether with them in their struggle for liberty, and I try to make -every allowance for their actions; and I do believe that if what -O'Grady says could be carried out and all their leaders, and -politicians, and bishops, and primates hung, the people themselves -would carry on the struggle with ten times the chances of success they -have at present, for they would then be forced to form a strong -central government and might find some honest man to put at its head. -They regard it in the light of a religious war rather than one for -national freedom, and I suppose that at least half the Mussulmans who -have fallen are of Greek blood, for, especially in the north, nearly -half the tribes have changed their religion and become Mohammedans -since their conquest." - -"Are there many Europeans fighting with them? You mentioned a French -colonel commanding the Greek artillery in the siege of Tripolitza." - -"A good many. There are some Austrians, Frenchmen, Italians, and a few -of our own people. Among the last is a General Gordon and a naval -lieutenant; but although the Greeks know nothing whatever of military -matters, they are jealous in the extreme of any interference or even -advice from foreigners. I believe there are altogether thirty or forty -foreign officers who came over to fight for them, and only two or -three of these have got employment of any sort. As to any attempt to -introduce military discipline, or raise anything like a body of -regular soldiers, it seems impossible. They believe entirely in -fighting in their own way and dispersing when they choose, just as the -Spanish guerilla bands did during the Peninsular War. In fact it seems -to me that the Greek character resembles the Spanish very much, the -peasantry in both countries being brave and animated by a patriotic -hate of their enemies, while the upper class are equally vain, -cowardly, given to boasting, and absolutely faithless to their -promises. If we had the Duke of Wellington here with a couple of -hundred good officers he would make the Greeks into as good soldiers -as he did some of the Portuguese, and would as likely as not wind up -the war by driving the Turks out of Europe altogether." - -At half-past ten o'clock the officers went ashore. When they had left -the ship, the others returned to the cabin. - -"I should not take it to heart, Mr. Beveridge," Will Martyn said -cheerfully, seeing how depressed his employer looked at the news he -had heard. "Of course the Greeks have behaved badly--horribly badly; -but you see it is because the poor beggars are not much better than -savages, and never will be better as long as they are kept down by the -Turks. All these things will right themselves in time. As you said, -they are no worse than the French when they rose, or than the Spanish -peasantry whenever they got a chance, or the Irish peasantry, and we -must not look at it from our own standpoint; once they are free they -will get a settled government and become a nation again, and that is -what we have got to help them to do. We are not going to land and -take part in massacres. All we have got to do is to look out for a -Turkish ship of war, and pull down her colours whenever we get a -chance. But even more than that, what I want specially to do as soon -as we can is to get rid of some of that cargo in our hold. That is -what is bothering me at present." - -"Thank you, Martyn," Mr. Beveridge said, holding out his hand to him. -"It is trying to hear of a glorious cause being disgraced by such -horrible atrocities, but the cause remains the same, and the -atrocities are, as you say, such as have occurred among other peoples -when their blood has been heated to boiling point. This will not shake -my determination to aid Greece in her struggle for freedom." - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -A CHANGE OF NAME - - -The next two days Mr. Beveridge and Horace spent entirely on shore. -Speaking modern Greek fluently, they were able to converse with people -of all classes from the mainland, and they learned from their reports -that Captain O'Grady's account of the utter confusion existing from -end to end of the country was in no way exaggerated. As soon as the -Greeks perceived that Mr. Beveridge was a well-wisher to their cause, -and judging him from his possession of a large yacht to be a wealthy -man, innumerable schemes were proposed to him, all involving his -placing himself in the hands of the proposer and advancing him a -considerable sum of money. These projects Mr. Beveridge resolutely -turned a deaf ear to, his resolution being greatly strengthened by -Horace, who distrusted all these plausible adventurers profoundly. - -"We must wait, father," he said, "until we see something like a -stable government in power. When it has been at work a bit, and you -find that it makes its authority respected, restores order, and unites -the people in a common effort, it will be time enough for you to let -them have money. To give it now would simply be to waste it, and, -indeed, worse than waste it, for it would only add to the struggle for -power on which the Greeks are wasting their strength. From all we -learn the sailors of Hydra, Spetzas, and Psara are the only men who at -present are acting with any common object. As everything depends upon -crippling the Turks at sea, I should think we could not do better than -get rid of some of our guns and ammunition by giving them to them. If -we could get rid of twenty or thirty tons of our cargo it would put us -in first-rate sailing trim, and at any rate get something off our -minds. Then from there we could sail to Athens and get the papers we -require authorizing us to act as a Greek privateer. Of course that -would be no protection to us if we fell into the hands of the Turks; -but we could do nothing until we get them without acting as pirates -and rendering ourselves liable to be hung by any European man-of-war -that might overhaul us." - -This course was determined upon, to the great satisfaction of William -Martyn; and after a stay of three days at Zante sail was again set, -and the _Creole_ left the anchorage. It was well that she did so, for -the next day all their Greek sympathies would have been insufficient -to prevent their fighting on the other side. An Algerine barque that -had separated from the Turkish fleet, which had just captured -Galaxidhi and had taken possession of thirty-four Greek brigs, was -attacked by eighteen Hydriot ships. She refused to surrender, and made -such a gallant resistance that the Hydriots did not venture to run -alongside and carry her by boarding. The Algerines, knowing that if -their spars were shot away they would all be killed, ran her ashore -near the southern cape of Zante. - -The fight had been witnessed by thousands of refugee Moreots and -Zanteot peasants, who opened fire upon the Algerines when they -landed. Two English officers with twenty men had gone down from the -town to enforce obedience to the quarantine regulations, which were -very strict. They ordered the Greeks to retire, but these refused, and -continued to attack the Turks. The officer commanded his men to fire -over the heads of the crowd, when the Zanteots at once turned their -muskets against them. One soldier was killed, and the rest retired -into a house with the Turks and defended themselves until a stronger -body of English troops came down from the town and rescued them. For -firing upon the troops and killing one of them five Zanteots were -afterwards tried and executed, and the lord high-commissioner issued a -proclamation forbidding the entry of any Turk or Greek men-of-war into -any Ionian port. - -The Greek commercial navy, before the outbreak of the revolution, -consisted to a large extent of the shipping of the four little islands -Hydra, Spetzas, Psara, and Cazos. These islands, which were small and -barren, had sprung into importance by the wise policy of the sultans -at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Seeing that the exactions -of their own officials rendered it impossible for the Greek and -Mussulman sailors to compete with those of other nations, they had -exempted from all taxes and other burdens persons settling on these -islands, and had allowed to them perfect self-government. The result -had answered their expectations. Colonies of Albanian sailors had -established themselves at Hydra and Spetzas, while Greek seamen had -settled in Psara and Cazos, and all four islands became populous and -flourishing, owning among them nearly three hundred craft of from -sixty to four hundred tons. - -The contrast between the population and manners of the four islands -was very marked. The two Albanian islands were governed by twelve -primates, elected by the wealthy, while in the Greek islands the -government was purely democratic. The Albanians were by far the more -sincere and honest, while the people of the two Greek islands were the -more courteous. All had early thrown in their lot with the -revolution. The Peace of 1815 had caused a great reduction in the -price of grain on the Continent and a fall of freights. Consequently -many ships remained unemployed, the prosperity of the islands -diminished, and the sailors became discontented and clamorous for -employment. Spetzas had been the first to declare for the revolution, -and had at once sent off some ships, which had captured a Turkish -corvette of twenty-six guns and a brig of sixteen, which, with small -crews, were waiting at Milos to receive the contingent of sailors from -the Albanian islands. The Turks, expecting no attack, were taken by -surprise; but the first Greek naval success was dimmed by the -Mussulman prisoners being all carried to Spetzas, where some were at -once murdered and the rest put to death with horrible tortures. - -Psara quickly followed the example of Spetzas, but Hydra was some time -before it raised the Greek flag. The people were in favour of the -revolution, but the wealthy ship-owners, who possessed all the power, -were averse to fitting out their vessels for unprofitable service, and -opposed the revolution until a popular insurrection broke out and -their authority was set aside. The united fleet of the three islands, -instead of attacking the Turkish fleet, which was occupied in -conveying store-ships to the besieged garrisons, swept the seas of -merchantmen, and attacked and plundered an Austrian vessel. Two -Hydriot brigs captured a Turkish ship, with a very valuable cargo, -carrying, among other passengers, a recently-deposed sheikh El-Islam, -or Patriarch of the Mussulmans, and all his family. These and all on -board were murdered by their captors; but the affair in the end -benefited the Turks, for the captors refused to conform to the -regulation that had been laid down, that all booty should be the -common property of the fleet. Quarrels began between the sailors of -the different islands, so that the fleet broke up, and was for a long -time useless for any concerted action against the Turks. - -The _Creole_ visited the three islands in succession, handing over to -the authorities in each ten guns, with a considerable amount of -powder and shot, a thousand muskets, and ten thousand rounds of -ammunition. There was a large amount of shipping in each of the -harbours, and Will Martyn had the _Creole's_ guns all loaded and -double shotted before entering. - -"There is no saying what these fellows may be up to," he remarked to -Horace. "Seeing us giving away so large a quantity of valuables, they -may think that we have got a gold mine on board. I don't mean to close -an eye while we are in harbour, I can tell you." - -Mr. Beveridge, personally, was received with much honour at these -islands, and the guns, which Will Martyn had taken care should be the -largest of those in the hold, were dragged up by the people and placed -in the batteries. - -The _Creole_ then crossed to the Piręus. The Acropolis of Athens was -still held by the Turks, who were closely besieged there. Will Martyn -landed with Mr. Beveridge. Horace told his father that he would rather -not accompany him. - -"You will be going about and seeing people, father," he said, "and, as -you say, you may have to go to other places to find some of the -nominal authorities to sign documents, and so on, authorizing us to -hoist the Greek flag, and giving us the usual papers carried by -privateers. This may take time, for you and Martyn think that as the -Greeks themselves have no such formalities, but fight the Turks just -as they find them, it may be difficult for you to persuade them that -letters of marque are really required authorizing the vessel, as a -Greek ship, to capture, burn, and destroy all Turkish vessels she may -meet." - -"It is a mere formality, Horace." - -"Well, father, I don't think that Martyn or the others look at it at -all in that light, and I know they consider it absolutely necessary -that we should have papers of that sort. Even with such papers they -say they expect there will be a lot of difficulty, if they take any -prizes, in disposing of them, and that, unless they have papers signed -by the central government, the chances are that the moment a Turkish -prize is brought into port, the Greeks will seize it as public -property, and want to cut the throats of any Turks prisoners. -Certainly we should not stand that, and we should be in the position -of having to fight the Turks at sea and the Greeks in port. So I -should not be surprised at all if you are ten days, or a fortnight, -before you can get all the papers you want. Of course Martyn's -signature will be necessary to all sorts of things, and as there is no -humbugging him he will be wonderfully useful to you in all sorts of -ways." - -"But why should you not go with us too, Horace?" - -"I would very much rather not, father. Of course I am quite with you -in wishing to see Greece independent, but I am so disgusted with all -these stories of the horrible atrocities they have been guilty of, and -at the way in which, instead of joining together to fight the Turks, -they are all bent only on getting power or spoil, and of behaving more -like a collection of bands of brigands than a united people, that I -would rather not see any more of them at present, or I shall get -regularly to hate them. In a short time, I have no doubt, we shall -hear of a lot of things done by the other side. We may be sure that -the Turks will avenge the eight thousand Mussulmans who were murdered -at Tripolitza. We heard at Zante that they had begun it, and then one -thing will balance the other and I may get enthusiastic about the -Greeks again; but at present, father, what I should like to see is -this, that the _Creole_ should be employed as a rescue ship." - -"How do you mean, Horace?" - -"I mean, father, that we should try to save as many of these wretched -Turks, and their women and children, from massacre as we can; and on -the other hand, that we should try to save as many Greeks as possible -from the vengeance of the Turks. There ought to be lots of -opportunities both ways. If we are with the Greeks when they capture a -Turkish vessel we can buy off the prisoners. The Greeks are fonder of -money than even of blood, and the money will be a deal better spent -that way than if wasted among the politicians, the captains of -brigands, or primates, and would do good to the cause of Greece by -saving it from dishonour. When the Greeks make a descent upon a -Turkish island we could send our boats ashore and take off a lot of -the inhabitants, and we could do the same thing when the Turks attack -a Greek place or island; and if either Greeks or Turks interfere with -us at the work, I should say let us thrash them whoever they are. I -consider that would be a glorious mission, and would be a credit to -the flag we fly whether it is Greek or English; and if I were you I -should speak out to Kolokotronis, or any other leader you may meet, -and tell him frankly that you have come out to help the Greeks with -arms and money, but that these massacres will turn all Europe against -them; and that unless you are provided with an authority to take and -hold all Turkish prisoners, and to protect them both from the populace -and the sailors, you will withdraw altogether, and will do your best -to prevent such atrocities, even if it comes to firing upon Greek -vessels engaged in them." - -"I will do so, Horace," his father said in a tone of decision. "We are -a match, I fancy, for half a dozen of the Greek ships. They will find -us a very different vessel to deal with than those slow-sailing Turks. -I quite approve of what you say. For the first outburst of vengeance -when they rose I am willing to make every allowance; but the revenge -taken by the Turks at Kydonia should have reminded them that there are -at least a million of their fellow-countrymen in Asia Minor whose -lives have been endangered by their atrocities. Henceforth I will, as -you propose, devote myself to saving life, and part of the money that -I had intended for the Greeks shall go to make up to the crew for any -loss they may sustain by missing the chance of taking prizes. I will -hoist the Greek flag as I intended, and we, at least, will keep it -unsullied." - -Horace repeated the substance of the conversation to Will Martyn and -the other two officers, who cordially agreed; for although they had, -of course, heard less at Zante of the details of the massacres than -their employer and his son had done, they had heard enough to fill -them with indignation, and to disgust them with the cause that they -had come out to defend. - -"That will be first-rate," Martyn said, "and I can foresee we shall -have lots of fun, and are likely to end by fighting both parties. -There will be plenty for us to do. We will see if we can't cut off -some of the Turkish vessels laden with Greek captives for sale as -slaves in the markets of Alexandria; while, as for the Greeks, if we -slip in and save their captives they will be like a pack of wolves -after their prey. If I am to go with your father, Horace, you may be -sure I will take any opportunity I may get of speaking out, and I -reckon I will open the eyes of some of these Greek swells by the way I -will give it them. I tell you what, Miller: While I am away do you get -up eight of those eighteen-pounders from the hold and mount them -instead of the twelves. Now that she has got so much of her weight out -of her she can carry them well enough, and I fancy we are likely to -want as heavy metal as we can mount before we have done." - -At dinner that day Horace said: "Are you thinking of changing her -name, father, when you change your nationality?" - -"I wasn't thinking of changing her name at all, Horace," Mr. Beveridge -said in surprise. - -"Well, I thought, father, the Greeks wouldn't understand the name of -the _Creole_ at all. It was a good name for a slaver and did well -enough for a yacht, and if we ever take her back to England I should -like her to be the _Creole_; but I think it would be better to have -some name that the Greeks will understand." - -"What name would you propose, Horace?" - -"Well, father, I have been thinking of it, and if you have no -objection I should like to call her the _Misericordia_, 'the Pity.' We -came out here because we pitied the Greeks, and now we pity the -unfortunate people, both Turks and Greeks, and you have agreed that -our mission shall be to save both of them from slaughter." - -"I think it would be a very good name, Horace. The _Misericordia_ it -shall be. What do you say, Captain Martyn?" - -"I think it would be a capital name, Mr. Beveridge," Martyn said, "and -the crew will fight all the better when they know what the name means -and what we intend to do. Sailors have no particular love for the -Greeks--they always regard them as treacherous beggars; and they have -no particular hostility against the Turks, who fought pluckily enough -on our side in Egypt, and have always been friendly with us. I am sure -that when our fellows understand that what we are going in for is to -save women and children from being murdered, whether they happen to be -Greeks or Turks, you will find them ready to do anything." - -The next day Mr. Beveridge and Will Martyn landed, and Miller set the -crew at work to mount eighteen-pounders in place of the twelves, and -to get the ammunition for them into the fighting magazines in place of -that of lighter calibre. Zaimes had accompanied Mr. Beveridge. Marco -remained on board, but had leave every morning to go on shore the -first thing after breakfast, and to remain there until late in the -afternoon, when he came off in time for dinner. He brought news that -it was believed the Turks in the Acropolis could not hold out much -longer, as their provisions were running very short. After an absence -of ten days the party on shore returned, and an hour after they did so -the English flag was lowered and that of Greece was hoisted, while a -flag with the word _Misericordia_ replaced that of _Creole_ at the -masthead. Captain Martyn called the crew together. - -"My lads," he said, "you all knew that when we arrived here we were -going to hoist the Greek flag instead of our own, and that we were -going to act as a Greek privateer against the Turks. That, you see, is -done, and we are authorized by the Greek government to capture or -destroy any Turkish vessels we may meet. You see we have changed her -name, and I will tell you why Mr. Beveridge has done this. We are -going to fight for Greece, but at the same time, as British sailors, -we are not going to stand by and see men, women, and children murdered -in cold blood, whether they are Turks or anyone else. There has been -a great deal too much of this sort of thing done on both sides, and we -mean to stop it as much as we can. We are going to prevent the -massacre of Greeks by Turks, and I hope we shall manage to lay hands -on some of the Turkish vessels carrying Greek women and children -captive to sell them as slaves; but on the other hand we intend to -save as many Turks as we can from being massacred by the Greeks, and -that is the reason why Mr. Beveridge has renamed his craft the -_Misericordia_, which means 'the Pity.' I am sure, my lads, that there -is not a British sailor who would not risk his life to save those of -women and children, and that is what we mean to make our first object, -although we hope to lower some Turkish flags before we have done with -them; but in any case we mean to save life whether it is Greek or Turk -we have to fight in doing so. It is a work, my lads, in which we may -all be proud to take part, and in which, whether we fight under the -English flag or the Greek, we shall be doing a duty dear to every -British sailor. Now, my lads, we will give three cheers for the -_Misericordia_." - -Three hearty cheers rang out from the sailors. They had all been on -shore at Zante, and had heard enough from the soldiers they -fraternized with there to fill them with disgust and indignation at -the conduct of the Greeks, and this announcement that they would -henceforth put a stop to such cruelty, even if they had to fight for -it, filled them with satisfaction. - -"We had hard work of it," Martyn said to Horace, talking over his -visit ashore. "In the first place they wanted us to hand over all -prisoners we took, and half the plunder and value of the prizes, to -their miserable government. We told them that we would see them at the -bottom of the sea first. I was with your father at a meeting with the -fellows they call Kolokotronis and Odysseus, and half a dozen other of -their leaders, and you should have seen how your father spoke out. He -got upon his legs and he just poured it out. I did not know, of -course, what he was saying, but he told me a little about it -afterwards, and I could see by their faces that it was hot and strong. - -"He told them that their countrymen had disgraced their cause by -conduct worthy only of the lowest savages, and that if they did not -give him the authority he demanded, to interpose to save Turks from -massacre, he would sail on to Constantinople, hoist the Turkish flag, -and fight against the ships that behaved like bloodthirsty pirates -rather than Greek patriots, and that they would find his ship a very -different opponent to the Turks. I did not think your father had it in -him. It was splendid, I can tell you, and the faces of those fellows -were worth seeing. I don't expect they ever had such a straight -talking to before. I believe altogether he spent about a thousand -pounds in bribing a dozen of them; anyhow he got what he wanted. In -the first place we are authorized to hoist the Greek flag, and to -capture and destroy Turkish vessels; and in the second, to dispose as -we please of all prisoners. We may take on board Turkish fugitives and -dispose of them at our pleasure, free from all interference from any -Greek authorities or Greek ships. We are to pay a quarter of the value -of all prizes and booty into the treasury of the central government, -and are to send ashore to-morrow five thousand muskets and twenty -rounds of ammunition for each. - -"Your father has had a hard time of it. I don't believe there has been -a single Greek politician or leader who hasn't called upon him -privately, to what they call borrow money from him. At last I had to -regularly mount guard over him and set Zaimes at his door to tell all -comers that he was too unwell to see anyone, which was not far from -the truth, for he was regularly upset at the meanness and trickery of -the people he had come to spend his fortune to assist. However, thank -goodness it is all over. I am precious glad that I am back, I can tell -you, for I believe if I had stayed there much longer I should not have -been able to have prevented myself from walking into some of them. -Your father has been trying to find out whether they have got any -general plan of defence; but they have no more plan than a lot of -children would have if they got up a rebellion. Everyone wants to be a -leader; everyone complains of everyone else. They scarcely seem to -give the Turks a thought. All their energies are occupied by their own -miserable squabbles and rivalry. Well, I don't want to set foot on -shore again as long as we are out here, unless it is on some real -expedition." - -"What about the Turks in the Acropolis, Martyn?" - -"They are negotiating, but the poor beggars know there is no faith to -be placed in the Greeks, and that so far there is not a single -instance in which they have kept their promises for the safety of -garrisons who have surrendered. They want the guarantee of the -European consuls for their safety, but they can't give it, as they -have no force here to protect them. I told our consul that we would -lend him the whole of our crew if he liked, and that I thought we -could pretty well clear out the town; but he said that that would be -well enough if there was no one to protect. But that as there are -something like two thousand men, women, and children up in the -citadel, fifty men could never protect them against the mob. However, -I hope the Turks will be able to hold out for some time yet. The -Greeks only guess that their provisions are running short, and if a -man-of-war, French, or English, or Austrian, comes into the harbour -the consuls will ask its commander to protect the Turks, and will then -guarantee their safety." - -"When are we going to sail?" Horace asked. - -"To-morrow. The two Greeks will go ashore the first thing in the -morning to lay in a fresh stock of meat and vegetables. As soon as all -are on board we will get up anchor. I have heard lots of shocking -stories on shore from Greeks who have escaped from Asia Minor and the -Turkish islands. There have been massacres in almost every city where -there were Greeks; at Smyrna, Adrianople, Salonika, Cos, Rhodes, in -Crete and Cyprus, and as far as I can hear the Turks have altogether -massacred nearly as many men, women, and children as the Greeks have -done. I saw General Gordon, who is a warm friend of the Greeks, and -he said that it was impossible to justify the ferocity of the Greeks, -or to deny that a comparison between them and the Turks would give the -latter the palm of humanity; that is, if the term humanity could be -employed to either. - -"We went up and saw some of the troops, as they call them, active, -hardy-looking fellows. They seem in earnest enough, and are ready, as -a French officer said to me, to submit to anything but discipline. He -said that the Klephts and armatoli are as fine material for mountain -warfare as one could wish to see; one day honest, hard-working -peasants, the next engaged in partisan war, or in raids on their -neighbours; frugal, hardy, active, and in their way brave; men who -would never storm a position or stand against the attack of Turkish -infantry or cavalry, as the war has everywhere shown so far; but who -would defend a hillside or hold a ravine against good troops, and when -driven out, make another stand at the first position they came to. -Anyhow they are worth a lot more than the townspeople, who brag and -vapour and go about armed to the teeth, but who take precious good -care never to get within range of a Turkish musket." - -Early the next morning some large boats came off, and the muskets and -ammunition were transferred to them, and at noon the two Greeks -brought off a boat-load of fresh meat, vegetables, fowls, eggs, fruit, -and other stores. As soon as these were slung on board, the anchor was -got up, and the _Misericordia_, under a gentle breeze, stole out to -sea. - -"That is better, Miller," Will Martyn said as he looked over the side. -"She has not gone like that since we shook out our sails for the first -time. I should say she is just about in her right trim now, and is -ready to fight or sail anything of her size afloat. How easily she -goes through the water. There is scarcely a ripple in her wake. She is -a beauty." - -"Which port now, Martyn?" - -"I was talking it over last night with Mr. Beveridge, and as soon as -we get well off land I am going to shape a course that will take us -down between Cyprus and Alexandria. It is of no use cruising about -here. The Turks only move about under a convoy of their men-of-war, -and it would not be much better across on the other side, for the -Greek vessels are everywhere on the look-out. But they don't like -going far from home, and if we cruise well to the south we shall have -a good chance of falling in with craft bound for Alexandria from -Cyprus, Crete, and Syria, and any or all of them will be likely to be -carrying Greeks captives to the slave-markets at Alexandria, Tunis, or -Tripoli." - -"Those are the sort of craft to meet with," Miller said. "I suppose -they are sure to be armed. Of course one would be glad to rescue -captives and save them from their horrible fate. But there will be -much more satisfaction in doing it if we have a bit of a fight first." - -"Yes, I should say they were certain to be armed. No Turk would -venture to sea at present unless he thought himself strong enough to -beat off the attack of at least two or three of these Greek vessels. -After cruising about for a bit we intend to dodge about Cyprus and the -other Turkish islands, keeping near the coast so as to give Greek -fugitives a chance of coming on board. We know that there have been -massacres at all these islands, and may be again, and there must be -thousands of unfortunate creatures who would give anything for such a -chance of getting away. We can anchor in quiet bays, for we need have -no fear of any boat attack; and if the Turks come out in force we have -always the option of running away or fighting." - -"That is a very good programme, Martyn. We are not likely, as you say, -to find any Greek craft cruising about between Cyprus and Alexandria. -Turkish vessels going up towards the Dardanelles, or coming down from -there, are prizes worth taking, for they may have pashas and rich -officials on board; but down there they would be less likely to have -anything that would repay the Greeks for the risks of a fight. As for -risking anything to save their countrymen, Mr. Beveridge was saying -he heard that at the massacre of the Greeks at Kydonia, although the -Greek fleet, under Tombazes, was close at hand, and their launches -went on shore and rescued four thousand of their countrymen, they -compelled them all to purchase their passage to the nearest Greek -island by giving up the greater part of the property they had saved." - -"Brutes!" Martyn exclaimed with great emphasis. "How these fellows can -be descendants of the old Greeks beats me altogether." - -"The old Greeks were pretty cruel," Horace, who had just joined them, -said. "They used to slaughter their captives wholesale, and mercy -wasn't among their virtues. Besides, my father says that except in the -Morea very few indeed are descendants of the Greeks; the rest are -Bulgarian or Albanian, neither of whom the Greeks of old would have -recognized as kinsmen." - -"It is a case of distance lending enchantment to the view," Miller -laughed; "our illusions are gone." - -"Never mind, we must make the best of them, Miller; they are not -Greeks, but at any rate they are all that is left of the Greeks. Their -actions show that their Christianity is a sham, but at the same time -they are an intelligent race capable of some day becoming a great -people again, and they are struggling to throw off the yoke of a race -intellectually their inferiors and incapable of progress in any sort -of way. That is what my father said to me as we were walking up and -down the deck this morning. That is the light I mean to look at it in -the future. It is a capable people struggling with an incapable one, -and if they are savage and vindictive and debased it is the faults not -of themselves but of those who have so long been their masters." - -"Good," Martyn said; "that is the most satisfactory view of the thing, -and we will stick to it and shut our ears as much as possible in -future against all stories to the Greeks' disadvantage." - -In the afternoon a fleet of vessels were seen standing out from the -land. - -"There is one of the Greek fleets," Captain Martyn said. "Now we will -try her rate of sailing with them. Stand on for a little bit longer -and then haul her wind on the same tack they are sailing." - -The trial was perfectly satisfactory. By nightfall the Greek fleet -were far behind, and the _Misericordia_ again shaped her course for -Cyprus. For a week they cruised backwards and forwards under easy sail -about midway between Cyprus and Alexandria, without meeting with a -single craft flying the Turkish flag. Half a dozen vessels were -overhauled, but these were all Austrian, Italian, or British. The -appearance of the schooner evidently excited profound distrust in the -minds of the masters of all these vessels, for they all hoisted every -rag of sail they could set and did their best to escape from her, but -Captain Martyn had no difficulty in overhauling them and satisfying -himself of their nationality. The astonishment of the masters when the -smart gig manned by six English sailors rowed alongside was unbounded, -and was only equalled by their satisfaction. - -"You have given us a nice fright," the master of one of the English -ships said to Miller, who, accompanied by Horace, had boarded him. -"What on earth are you flying that Greek flag for? We took you for a -pirate, for half these fellows are no better when they get the -chance." - -"We are a Greek privateer." Miller said, "and carry letters of marque -issued by the Greek government. We only wanted to assure ourselves -that you were not Turks." - -"Turks be jiggered!" the master said angrily. "I should have thought -anyone with half an eye could have seen that we weren't one of those -lubberly Turks." - -"Quite so, captain, we made that out some time ago, and we have only -overhauled you to ask whether you know of a Turkish ship likely to be -sailing from any of the Eastern ports. Our object is to rescue Greek -women and children on their way to the slave-markets." - -"Then give us your flipper," the master said; "that is a business an -English sailor needn't be ashamed of, though, as for sailing under a -Greek flag, I would almost as lief sail under the skull and -cross-bones, for nine cases out of ten it means pretty nearly the same -thing. I have known many a ship sail in among those Greek islands and -never be heard of again when there had been no storm to account for -her disappearance. I would as lief anchor a ship near land in the -Malay Archipelago as among the Greek islands. Still the women and -children ain't to blame for that. I was at Broussa two months ago and -the slave-market was chock-full of Greek girls and children, and I -thought then what a burning shame it was that Europe didn't interfere -to put down such villainous doings. Well now, as to Turkish ships, I -don't think you are likely to meet with any hereabouts. The Greeks -have given them a bad scare, and I fancy that all the ships from -Cyprus and from Aleppo and the other Syrian ports will run down due -south till they sight land, and will hug that as near as they dare go -till they get within shelter of the batteries of Alexandria. If you -are after Turkish vessels you must stand south and anchor as close -inland as the water will let you. Get down those lofty spars of yours. -You don't want them. That craft of yours sails like a witch. We think -the _Scarborough_ is a fast brig. You went through the water three -feet to our two, so you can do without your topsails. I can tell you -the look of your craft is enough to frighten one fifteen miles away; a -more rascally-looking vessel I never saw, she looks like a pirate all -over." - -"She was a slaver at one time," Miller said. - -"Ah! that accounts for it. I thought that long low hull and those -lofty spars were never put together for an honest purpose. You seem to -carry mighty heavy metal," he went on, looking at the _Misericordia_, -which lay with her head sails aback a few hundred yards away. "Four -each side and a pivot; they look like eighteens." - -"They are eighteens," Miller said. "You see we have got to keep a -sharp eye on friends as well as foes." - -"I should think so. Well, I have just come out from Larnaca. I heard -from our consul that there were bad doings in the north of the island, -and that the Christians were having a very rough time of it all -through Cyprus. I have no doubt there are a lot of Christians hiding -there who would give every stiver they have got in the world to be on -board this craft." - -"And you say there were some massacres going on when you were there?" - -"Yes, and I heard that the Turks were attacking one of the Christian -villages on the north-western corner of the island. It was some way up -on Mount Olympus, a few miles from the coast. Morphou Bay is the -nearest point to it. I hear it is naturally a strong place, and -Christians from other villages round have gone in there. The people -attacking it are not troops, who I fancy have nothing to do with these -massacres, but the natives of the Mussulman villages. Some of the poor -devils may have got down to the coast, and you might pick some up if -you were to cruise along there." - -"Perhaps we might," Horace said; "at any rate it would be worth a try. -We will go on board again at once." - -"Will you have a glass of wine first? I got hold of some good stuff at -Larnaca. Good wine is cheap there now." - -"No, thank you, we will be off at once," Miller said. - -"Well, good-bye, gentlemen, and good luck to you! There is nothing I -would like better than to be going for a cruise with you for a few -months, for no vessel can do better work than that which you are -engaged on." - -Miller and Horace dropped down into their boat, and were rowed back to -the schooner. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A BESIEGED VILLAGE - - -As soon as they gained the deck of the _Misericordia_ Miller reported -the advice the skipper of the English brig had given as to their -taking their station near the southern coast, to pick up vessels -hugging the shore on their way to Alexandria and the west. - -"I have no doubt he is right," Will Martyn said; "that accounts for -our not having seen a single craft flying the Turkish flag. Well, Mr. -Beveridge, I think we can't do better than take his advice." - -"There is something else though," Horace broke in; and he then told -them what the captain had said about the fighting among the villagers -on Mount Olympus. - -"Don't you think, father, we might go there first? With this wind we -should not be much more than twenty-four hours getting there, and we -might pick up a lot of fugitives in hiding and possibly bring off the -people from that village. It would not be a great loss of time -anyhow." - -"I think we might, Horace; hearing of it in the way you did, it seems -almost like a call to help them. What do you say, Captain Martyn?" - -"Just as you like, sir. As Horace says, it is no great loss of time -anyhow, and we certainly may do some good." - -The order was given and the schooner was headed for Cyprus with a -brisk wind on her beam that heeled her well over and sent her through -the water at nine and a half knots an hour. The news was soon known -through the vessel that there were massacres going on in Cyprus, and -that there might be some work to be done, so there was an air of -increased activity and animation among the crew. The wind held -steadily, and next morning the mountains of Cyprus could be seen lying -like a cloud in the distance, and by eleven o'clock the -north-westerly point of the island was but five or six miles away. -Rounding the point they entered the great indentation known as Morphou -Bay. Martyn now ordered the topsails to be lowered. - -"We will run along about a mile off shore," he said; "they can make -out the flag then. We will go along as far as the other end of the bay -and then come back again. If there are any people in hiding in the -woods they will keep an eye on us, and as we come back will come off -in boats if they have got them, or will come down to the shore and -signal. We can send our boats in for them." - -As they were still going through the water faster than they wished the -foresail was also lowered, and they then went quietly along the coast, -keeping a sharp look-out with their glasses on the shore. They passed -several villages and could see that their appearance created much -excitement, and that the population at once deserted their houses and -made off. - -"They are evidently all Mussulman villages," Mr. Beveridge said. - -"They are Mussulman villages at present, Mr. Beveridge," Martyn -agreed, "but the chances are they were Christian a short time ago. You -see they have all got fishing boats either riding at anchor or hauled -up, and I fancy that most of the fishing is done by the Greek -inhabitants. I expect the Turks have cleared them out. What do you -say, Mr. Beveridge, to our firing a shot or two at each of the -villages as we pass? That will act as a warning to the Turks to keep -out of range. If there are any Christians left they may take the -opportunity of seizing the boats and coming off. We might lie-to for -half an hour opposite each village to give them a chance of doing so." - -"That would be a very good plan, I think, Captain Martyn." - -As they were passing a village at the moment the _Misericordia_ was at -once brought round. Two of the broadside guns were loaded, and two -shots were sent over the village. Then the craft was hove-to, and -waited for half an hour. As there were no signs of life, she again -proceeded on her way. Three more villages were fired at with the same -result. Half a mile beyond the furthest Tarleton exclaimed: "There is -someone swimming off, Captain Martyn; he has just put off from that -point! There, do you see that black spot a little way off the point?" - -Martyn turned his glass in that direction. "I see him," he said. -"Lower the small gig, Mr. Tarleton; take four hands, row off, and pick -him up. You had better go too, Horace. The chances are he won't speak -anything but Greek." - -In a couple of minutes the boat left the side of the schooner and -rowed in the direction of the swimmer, the vessel being again thrown -up into the wind. Horace stood up while Tarleton took the tiller -lines. - -"Can you see him, Horace?" he asked. - -"No, not yet. There is too much ripple on; but if you keep her head as -it is now I shall make him out before long." Three or four minutes -later he exclaimed: "I see him, he is dead ahead!" - -Five minutes later the swimmer was alongside. He was a lad of about -Horace's age. - -"Are you Greek?" he asked in surprise and in some alarm, as he looked -at the uniforms of the crew as Horace helped him on board. - -"We are fighting for Greece," Horace said, "although we are all -English. We heard that there was some trouble here, and came to see if -we could save any fugitives." - -"I saw the flag," the lad said, "and heard you fire twice at the -village. My mother and sisters, and twenty or thirty others, are -hidden in the wood there. The Mussulmans came down from the mountain -villages three days ago and killed all they could find; but we were -expecting it, for they had gone to the next village first, and a man -from there brought the news just before they arrived. We lived on the -outskirts and had time to get away, but I think my father and brothers -have been killed. Do go on shore and take them off." - -"We must go back to the ship first," Horace said. "This boat is too -small to be of any use; besides, we must send a stronger crew. No -doubt the Turks are watching us, and will come down if they see us -landing." - -The schooner had filled again and was following the boat, so that in -two or three minutes they were on board. Horace lent the young Greek -some of his clothes, and the schooner stood in towards the point, with -a man in the chains sounding as they went. - -"Ask him whereabouts they are, Horace." - -"Just on the other side of the point; but they will see us coming." - -"I see no signs of them yet," Tarleton said when, having got within -three hundred yards of shore, the anchor was let go. - -"It is likely enough," said Martyn, "that some of the Turks may have -been coming down through the wood, and if the poor beggars heard them -they would not dare show themselves. Now, Mr. Miller, you take charge -of the long-boat with ten men. We will cover your landing." - -The four broadside guns were loaded with grape, and their crews -mustered to quarters, while the rest, armed with muskets, lined the -side. - -"Take the boy with you, Mr. Miller, he can lead you to where his -friends are hiding. Don't stop to fire as you make for shore. We will -dispose of any Turks there may be about." - -The boat had not rowed more than fifty yards before five or six musket -shots were fired from the bushes near the edge of the water. - -"Give them a round with the aftermost gun," Captain Martyn said; and -in a moment the water near the bushes was torn up with a shower of -grape. "Give the next gun more elevation, boatswain. Send the shot -well into the wood. That's it. The same with the other two guns. That -will clear them all out." - -There was no further firing at the boat. As soon as it touched the -shore Miller jumped ashore with eight of the men, while the other -two pushed the boat off a few yards. Led by the Greek boy, the party -ran along the shore and were lost to view round the point. Two more -rounds were fired into the wood, but everything was quiet there, and -in five minutes Miller's party made their appearance round the point -with a number of fugitives. No time was lost in getting them into the -boat, which at once rowed off to the schooner. There were but three -men among them, the rest were women and children. Most of them were -completely exhausted. - -[Illustration: "GIVE THEM A ROUND," SAID CAPTAIN MARTYN] - -Horace, after asking them a question or two, said to Zaimes: "You had -better prepare some soup, Zaimes, as quickly as you can. They have had -nothing to eat for three days." - -While this was being done, a sip of wine and a mouthful of bread were -given to each. In the meantime some sailors were rigging up a -partition with sail-cloth across the main deck, and here hammocks were -slung for the use of the women and children. As soon as the poor -creatures had taken a basin of hot soup they revived a good deal and -poured out expressions of profuse gratitude to their rescuers. They -had passed a terrible three days crouching among the bushes, and -expecting every moment to be discovered. A few of the women had -snatched up their jewels before taking to flight, but most of them -were absolutely destitute. Mr. Beveridge and the two Greeks persuaded -them to go below and take the sleep they so much needed. As soon as -the deck was clear the anchor was got up, and the schooner proceeded -on her way. She reached the farthest headland of the bay just as night -began to fall, and Martyn decided to anchor there till morning. From -the Greek lad who had first swum off, they learned that the village -among the mountains still resisted. - -"They say there are two or three hundred there who have taken refuge -from the villages round. There are some rich men among them, and that -is the reason why the Mussulmans are so anxious to take the place." - -"How many men are besieging it?" - -"That I don't know," the boy replied. "I should think four or five -hundred." - -"But you have heard nothing for the last three days? The place may -have fallen since then." - -"No, I went last night to the village in hopes of finding bread in -some of the houses, but there were too many Turks about. I was near -enough to hear them talking. Some of them were going up to-day to join -in the siege." - -"How far is the place from the sea?" - -"It is ten miles from this north shore, but it is not more than four -or five from the western coast." - -"Is there any road?" - -"Not from that side. The roads from the mountain villages all lead -down to the bay." - -"Is it too steep to climb from the other side?" - -"Not too steep to climb on foot. Donkeys and mules could get up -there." - -The matter was talked over in the cabin that evening, and it was -agreed that if a guide could be obtained an attempt should be made to -carry off the occupants of the village. During the night a boat with -twelve fugitives came off from the shore and as the _Misericordia_ -sailed slowly along the coast on the following day several parties of -from three to ten people came out from the trees and waved white -handkerchiefs and scarfs. All these were brought off, and four or five -boats full of people were picked up during the day. Their occupants -had seen the schooner passing on the previous day, and had at night, -when the Mussulmans in the village were asleep, stolen down to the -beach, launched boats, and put out to sea in the hope that the -schooner would return next day. All were overwhelmed with joy at -finding themselves under the Greek flag, although the greater portion -of them had lost everything they possessed. The women and children -were, like the first batch, provided for below, while the men and boys -were told they must sleep on deck, which was no hardship in that balmy -climate. - -Among those in the last boat picked up near the west point of the bay -was a young man who was a native of a village lying a short distance -from the one that was besieged. He happened to be down in the coast -village when the Turks commenced hostilities there, and hearing that -the village to which he belonged had been destroyed, he had remained -in hiding near the coast. Marco and his brother, who mingled with the -fugitives, had learned this, and at once took the news to the cabin. -"He says he has been a goat-herd, and knows all the paths among the -mountains." - -"Then he is the very fellow we want to get hold of," Will Martyn said. -"We had better have him in here and question him." - -The young Greek was brought in. He knew of several paths from the -village down to the western shore. - -"Now what sort of place is this village?" Captain Martyn asked. - -"It stands at the top of rocky ground that slopes away all round it. -There are vineyards and gardens among the rocks. Since the trouble in -Greece began, the people have been frightened, and have built a wall -five or six feet high round the village, and the Christians in all the -villages round decided that if there was trouble from the Mussulmans -they would go there to help defend it." - -"Is there high ground round the village?" - -"Yes, the hills rise very high on three sides, but they are too far -away for guns to do much harm; besides, the houses stand thickly -together. My people will fight till the last, but I don't know how -long the provisions will last. I know they all made up their minds -that if they were besieged and saw no hope of succour, they would at -last kill all the women and children to prevent their being made -slaves by the Turks, and then they would march out to fight until the -last man was slain." - -"How long would it take us to get up from the shore to the village?" - -"One can come down in an hour, but it takes three hours' hard work to -get up." - -"Could you after dark take us close to the point where one of these -paths comes down to the shore?" - -"Oh, yes, I could do that easily." - -"Very well, that will do for the present. Now, Mr. Beveridge, it is -for you to decide," Martyn said. "Of course the affair is a risky one; -but it seems to me that forty well-armed English sailors ought to be -able to make their way into the village without very much difficulty, -for of course the Turks will be scattered about all round it. The -difficulty is not in getting in, but in getting out. We should have to -bring perhaps two or three hundred women and children, and cover their -retreat down to the water. Of course the men would help us, but still -it would be a stiff job in the face of four or five hundred of the -enemy. These Turks may know nothing of soldiering, but they are -mountaineers and are used to arms, and for irregular fighting like -this, would be quite as formidable as the best troops. If we knew -anything about the ground we should be able to give a more decided -opinion. What of course we should want, if possible, would be some -post, either a defile or a steep eminence that we could hold for half -an hour and keep the Turks back until the women and children are well -on their way down the mountain. After that we could make a bolt for -it, and might get down without much loss; but if there is no place -where we could make a stand anywhere along the road, we should be in -an awkward fix, especially if the path is a bad one, as I expect it -is. You see the whole party would have to go in single file, and if -there are four or five hundred of them, it would be next to impossible -to guard the flanks and keep the Turks off if they made a rush, while -every shot they fired would tell on such a long line. You understand, -Mr. Beveridge, I am putting the matter to you in the worst light so -that we should all understand the sort of business it is likely to -be." - -"I see that it is a very serious affair, Martyn; but at the same time, -when we know that there are so many lives at stake, I think that we -must run the risk, however great." - -"Very well, then, that is settled, Mr. Beveridge, and I am sure we are -all glad that you have decided so. The next question is, who shall go, -and who shall remain behind." - -"I shall certainly go," Mr. Beveridge said. "I am not going to allow -others to take risks that I do not share myself." - -"We ought to be as strong a party as possible," Martyn said. "At the -same time we must leave enough to sail the schooner, if not to fight -her. It is probable that yesterday morning, as soon as our flag was -seen, messengers were sent off at once to Limasol and Larnaca to tell -them that a Greek vessel was in the bay; and if there are any Turkish -vessels of war in either of these harbours, we shall be having them -coming round." - -"That is likely enough," Miller said. "We must certainly be ready to -get up our anchor and be off at a minute's notice." - -"Well, Miller, then you must remain on board with ten men. We will -load all the guns before we go. Ten men are enough to get up sail and -to fight the pivot-gun. You had better not waste any time in getting -up the anchor, but buoy and then slip the cable. We can recover it, if -we like, afterwards. If you should be driven off the coast while we -are away, lower a sail under her fore-foot so as to deaden her way and -encourage the Turks with the hope that they are going to catch you. -Lead them a dance for seven or eight hours, then cut the drag adrift, -set every stitch of sail, and run back again. You will be here in -plenty of time to get us all on board before they can come up again. -Of course if we see that you are gone we shall choose some position -where we can make a stout defence, and shall hold it until you come -back to the anchorage." - -"All right, sir. I will obey orders. Of course I would rather have -gone with the expedition ashore; but someone must stay on board, and -if you are going I must take the command in your absence. Ten men will -be quite enough for me. We can leave the main and foresail standing -when we anchor, so that will be plenty of strength." - -"Well, as that is all settled, we will bout ship and cruise east -again. It will be dark in an hour, and it is well they should think on -shore that we are off again to the east. I daresay they can make us -out from points on the mountains not far from the village. If they see -us sailing away, it will never enter their heads that we have any -intention of interfering in their little game up there." - -Accordingly the schooner was again put about, and retraced her course -along the shore until it became quite dark; then she stood out to sea -until well out of sight of land, when she was headed west again. The -news had already got about through the ship that there was to be a -landing party to rescue a number of Christians besieged by the Turks -among the mountains, and the sailors were in the highest spirits, -cutlasses were ground, pistols and muskets served out to those who -were to land, and the disappointment of those who were to remain -behind was mitigated by Horace mentioning to them that not improbably -they might have a brush with the Turks on their own account. - -Cartridges, muskets, and pistols were served out, and the arms -carefully examined. Each man was ordered to take with him a -water-bottle filled with weak grog, and two pounds of bread in his -haversack, and a hearty supper was served out. Once round the point of -the bay the schooner was kept close in shore. The Greek kept a sharp -look-out on the hills looming high above them, and about nine o'clock -announced that they were now near the place where a track from the -mountain came down to the shore. The anchor was at once dropped and -the headsails lowered. Then the sailors took their places in three -boats, two of the men who were to stop behind going in each to bring -them back to the schooner when the landing had been effected. Zaimes -was to accompany the party, while Marco remained with Mr. Miller on -board. - -Ten of the fugitives, active young men, had begged to be allowed to -accompany the expedition, but the offer had been declined, and they -were told that they might be more useful helping to work the guns of -the schooner should a Turkish ship-of-war come round. When the arms -had been purchased a dozen good rifles had been among them, and after -Mr. Beveridge, Zaimes, and the three officers had each armed -themselves with one of these, the rest were divided among the best -shots of the party. Tom Burdett, much to his disappointment, was left -on board to assist the first lieutenant. - -As soon as the boats reached the shore the men were formed up. -Tarleton was to lead the advance party of ten men, having with him the -guide. Close behind these were the main body, twenty strong, led by -Martyn; behind them Mr. Beveridge, with Zaimes and the surgeon, who -was also accompanying the party, had their place. Horace commanded the -rear-guard of ten men. Although this nominal division was made, the -whole party kept closely together, as the night was so dark that they -might otherwise have missed each other. None of the fire-arms were -loaded, lest an accident should occur by a gun being discharged by a -fall, by striking against a rock, or by the trigger catching in a -bush. - -After a few hundred yards' walk along the shore the Greek struck upon -the track and led the way up, the rest following in single file. The -climb seemed interminable to Horace. At times it was so steep it was -difficult to scramble up, and in the darkness there were many falls. -There were frequent stops, to enable the men to get their breath; but -after three hours' climbing they at last reached comparatively level -ground, and the guide told them they were within half a mile of the -ridge from which they could look down upon the village. - -"Well, we will move slowly forward until we come either to some bushes -or a bit of a hollow where we can get some shelter, for it is quite -sharp up here, and as soon as the men begin to cool down a bit they -will feel it. I wish we had brought blankets now, but it never struck -me that it would be cold. Mr. Tarleton, let your ten men scatter. -Don't let them wander too far, but let them search about for some -place where we can get shelter. We will remain here; and if any of -the men find a place, send one back to bring us up. We have got -another four hours to wait before daylight." - -In ten minutes one of the men came back with news that they had found -a patch of bush large enough for them to take shelter in. In a short -time they all arrived at the spot. The bushes were sweet smelling and -free from thorns, and the men soon crushed their way into them and lay -down. - -"You will remain in charge, Mr. Tarleton. I shall go on and take a -look down at the village. I don't suppose we shall see much, but we -may be able to make out whether they are still holding out. Will you -go on with me, Mr. Beveridge, or stay here?" - -"I will go on with you. I find it bitterly cold here; for not being -accustomed to hard work, as your men are, I found that climb almost -too much for me; and hot as I have been, I should not like to stop -still in this keen air, even with the shelter of the bushes." - -"Well, we will take it easy this last bit, Mr. Beveridge. Come along, -Horace." - -Again preceded by the guide, and followed by Zaimes, they ascended the -shoulder of the hill. It was a steep pull, but in a quarter of an hour -they reached the crest. Just as they did so they heard the report of a -gun, followed at once by several others. An exclamation of -satisfaction broke from them. Their climb had not been in vain; the -village was still holding out. Fifty yards farther the ground fell -away suddenly in front of them, and they stood at the edge of a deep -descent. Extending round the foot of the hills that formed the -amphitheatre in the centre of which the village lay, was a line of -fires; some blazing brightly, others dim red spots. Another chain of -fires, much closer together, extended across the mouth of the valley. -The village, lying in the black shadow of the hills, was invisible to -them, and not even a single light indicated its position. - -"That is where it is," the guide said, pointing down to the centre of -the hollow. - -As he spoke a flash of flame, followed a second or so later by a -report, shot out from the spot towards which he was pointing. - -"They are keeping a sharp look-out," Martyn said; "they are not to be -caught napping. Now the point is, which is our best side for going -down on the village without being seen?" - -"The best point," the guide said, "would be from the head of the -valley. Orchards extend from the village to the foot of the hill, and -a ravine runs some distance up there. If we could get into that, we -might get some distance through the orchards before we are noticed." - -"Could you lead us along the side of the hill to this ravine in the -dark?" - -"I think so. I am sure I could lead you. The danger would be from -setting stones in motion and so calling the attention of the enemy. -The hillside is very steep, and a stone set rolling would go right -down to their fires." - -"We must risk that," Martyn said. "It would be a great thing to be -able to take them by surprise. Don't you think so, Mr. Beveridge?" - -"I should say it was well worth trying. But it is the getting out, not -the getting in, that seems to me the difficult part of the business." - -"There is no doubt about that," Martyn agreed. "Will you ask him if -this part we are standing on goes straight down to the village? The -slope looks to me almost too steep." - -Mr. Beveridge put the question to the guide. - -"He says the road zigzags. Olive-trees grow up for some -distance--about a third of the distance, he says." - -"That is good," Martyn said, "because if we get the people with a -sudden rush across the open we can defend the lower edge of these -trees, and the women and children will be hidden from below till they -get up above the trees, where they would be pretty well out of danger -except from a chance shot. I think, Mr. Beveridge, it would be a good -thing to leave Tarleton with fifteen men here. If we can take them by -surprise five-and-twenty of us ought to be quite enough to make our -way in. Even if there are six hundred of them they must be scattered -pretty thinly round this circle, and are probably thickest down at the -mouth of the valley. The rear-guard here will of course be concealed -until we sally out. Then if the Turks from the other side and the end -of the valley try to climb the hill on either side of the path so as -to cut us off, our fellows here could open fire and prevent them doing -so, and as the enemy would not be able to see how many men there are, -it would stop them a bit." - -"I think that would be a very good plan, Captain Martyn." - -"Very well, then. Horace, do you go back to the bushes, bring Mr. -Tarleton and the men up. Tell them to move as quietly as they can when -they get near this point." - -The men got up willingly when Tarleton gave the word, for although the -bushes afforded some shelter, they were already feeling very chilled, -and were pleased to be in motion again. They met Martyn a short -distance from the spot where Horace had left him. The men were halted. - -"Now, Mr. Tarleton, you are to take the fourteen men who came ashore -with you in the gig. For the present you had best return with them to -the bushes and wait there till daylight. Then you will come back to -this point. Post the men where they cannot be seen from below. Be sure -that not a head is shown. Take your own post at a point whence you can -see down into the valley without being seen yourself. You will remain -in hiding while we fight our way into the village. As soon as you see -the sortie begun get your men ready for action, and let them lie down -without showing themselves more than they can help at the edge of the -brow from which they can fire down into the valley. Your duty is to -prevent any parties of the enemy working along the side of the hill to -take the fugitives and us in flank as we come up the path. As the -women and children arrive tell them to push on along the path as fast -as they can, without stopping or paying attention to any fire that -may be opened upon them. They will be told before they start that the -schooner is in readiness to take them off. Still, you may as well -hurry them along. You will remain here until the last and form the -rear-guard. But we shall all make a stand here as long as we can so as -to give the women and children plenty of a start. Do you quite -understand?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Shall I go with you or wait here?" Macfarlane asked. - -"I think you might as well stay here, doctor. There won't be any time -for you to be dressing wounds till we are back here again." - -Tarleton called out the men who had landed with him, and marched off -with them. - -"Now, my lads," Martyn said to the others, "we are going to work along -the side of the hill so as to come down behind them. But I fancy it -will be very steep in places. Sling your muskets behind you so as to -have both hands to hold on by. If you once begin to roll you go right -down to the bottom, and then there is an end to our chance of -surprising them. Be careful, above all things, how you walk, for if -you set a stone rolling it will put them on their guard. We have to go -as quietly as mice. Now follow me in single file, and keep as close as -you can to each other, yet so far off that if you stumble you won't -touch the man in front of you." - -The men fell in, and Horace took his place at the rear. A few steps -and they halted. The guide then went on in front of Martyn, and Mr. -Beveridge and Zaimes fell in behind him. The hill rose so abruptly on -the right that it was necessary to keep along on its slope, and very -cautiously the men made their way along the hillside. Each step had to -be felt before they put their weight down. Sometimes it was slippery -grass, and so steep that they were obliged to crawl on all-fours to -make their way along it. Sometimes they passed patches of bare rock -and sometimes slides of loose stones. They had gone but a short -distance when Martyn passed the word along in a whisper for them to -sit down, pull off their shoes, and fasten them round their necks. -Indeed, had it not been for this precaution, there were places across -which it would have been impossible to pass. As it was, it took them a -full hour to traverse the half-mile between the point from which they -had started and the head of the valley. At last a sharp fall told them -that they were at the edge of the ravine. As soon as they descended -into it there was a short halt to allow Mr. Beveridge to rest. - -"I am sorry I came," he said as he sat down faint and exhausted. "I -did not reckon on this sort of thing, Captain Martyn. If I had done so -I would have remained with Tarleton." - -"It is all right now, Mr. Beveridge. We have done our climbing, and it -is a marvel that we have done it without alarming those fellows below, -for some small stones rolled down once or twice. But if they noticed -them, no doubt they thought that it was some sheep or goats on the -hillside. Now, my lads, before you go any further, you had better take -a drink from your bottles. You will have to be careful in going down -the ravine, for there are sure to be loose stones lying about." - -After a halt of five minutes they proceeded cautiously down, and at -last, to their great satisfaction, stood on level ground, and soon -entered a grove of fruit-trees, where they halted and lay down. There -was a short consultation whether their guide should try and make his -way into the village to inform the besieged of the help that was near -in order that they might assist by opening a fire upon the besiegers -as soon as the sailors made their attack. The idea was, however, -abandoned, because, were he seen by the Turks, it would put them on -the alert; and because, in the second place, he might be shot by the -besieged as he approached the village. It did not seem to Martyn that -there could be any difficulty in their getting in. It was not likely -that more than fifty of the enemy at the outside could interpose -between them and the village, and these, taken by surprise, and -ignorant of the number of their assailants, could offer no effectual -resistance, and they would be up under shelter of the guns of the -defenders of the village before the Turks could rally from their first -surprise. - -Another two hours and daylight began to appear. Martyn waited until it -was light enough to make their way through the trees without -difficulty. Then the men, most of whom had fallen asleep as soon as -they lay down, were roused. - -"Now, my lads, you are to keep together. Keep your muskets slung, and -use cutlass and pistol. I don't expect there will be any serious -resistance, but, at any rate, don't straggle. Of course we don't want -any prisoners. Shoot or cut down any one who opposes you, and follow -me straight on. Now, load your pistols." - -As soon as this was done they proceeded through the wood. The guide, -as before, led the way. His instructions were that directly they were -through the Turks he was to run on at the top of his speed, shouting -to the villagers not to fire, as those approaching were friends. -Martyn, Mr. Beveridge, Horace, and Zaimes, followed close behind the -guide, the line of seamen extending behind them. They were nearly -through the orchard when a shout was given and they saw a dozen -figures leap up from the ground. - -"Come along, lads!" Martyn shouted. - -The sailors gave a cheer, and at a run the party rushed forward. The -Turks, astounded at the appearance of this body of sailors, snatched -up their muskets, one or two fired at random, and then the whole fled -when their assailants were still thirty yards away. A few pistols were -emptied at the fugitives, and then, paying no further attention to -them, the party kept straight on. When they emerged from the trees the -village was but some three hundred yards away. The Greek, waving his -red sash and shouting "Friends, friends, do not fire!" dashed forward -at full speed across the gardens that intervened between the orchard -and the rocky knoll upon which the village stood. A row of heads -appeared above the wall and a line of musket-barrels pointed outward. -As the Greek approached shouts of welcome and triumph broke from the -besieged, which swelled more and more loudly as the party of sailors -were seen running in a compact body towards the wall. - -A few straggling shots were fired by the Turks, but these passed -harmlessly overhead, and the party reached the wall without a single -casualty, and were soon helped over. The delight of the Greeks was -only equalled by their astonishment at the approach of this body of -foreign sailors. All hope of either escape or rescue had left them, -and they had thought only of fighting to the last. As soon as they -understood from the guide, Zaimes, Horace, and Mr. Beveridge that -there was a ship in readiness to take them off, and that there was a -chance of fighting their way through the besiegers, the village was -the scene of the wildest delight. The men shouted, screamed, danced, -laughed, and wept by turns. The women seized the sailors' hands and -kissed them, to the confusion of the tars, threw themselves on their -knees, and poured out passionate ejaculations of thanksgiving that a -hope of rescue should be afforded them, and it was some time before -anything like order was restored. By this time the alarm had spread -round the circle of the besiegers, and their anger was exhibited by -shots being fired into the place, many of them pressing forward so -threateningly that the defenders manned the walls, and opening fire -upon the Turks drove them back out of range of their guns. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -RESCUED - - -As soon as the excitement subsided a little, Mr. Beveridge assembled -the heads of the families in the village church. "You must prepare to -leave at once," he said. "Our landing will be shortly known, and it -will be guessed that we intend to take you off in our ship. The -consequence is, in addition to the enemies now round you others will -gather, and it will be no longer possible to cut our way through. What -we propose to do is to make a rush out, the women and children -following us. As soon as we have gained that wood and driven the -Mussulmans out the women and children will hurry up the path, while -all the fighting men will hold the wood and keep the Turks at a -distance. There are some more of my men at the top of the hill there; -these will keep off any parties of the enemy who try to scale the -hillside at other points. As soon as the women are fairly at the top -the men will fall back gradually. The sailors will cover the retreat. -We shall hold the top of the hill till we know that the women have got -nearly down to the sea-shore, and then fall back. We are risking our -lives here to save you, and we shall expect all the men to fight -valiantly and to obey our orders. It is only by working well together -that we can hope to beat off the Turks as we retreat, and to get -safely on board ship. You must not load yourselves with baggage; of -course each man can take anything he can carry wrapped in his sash, -and the women can take bundles such as they can carry on their heads, -but they must beware not to take too great weights. Anyone who lags -behind will have her bundle taken off and thrown away." - -"Would it not be better to wait till night?" one of the elders of the -village asked. - -"No. The captain of the ship says that in the dark we should not be -able to keep off the enemy nor to travel fast. We may lose rather more -in the first rush in daylight, but after that the light will be all in -our favour. How many men have you armed with muskets?" - -"There are a hundred and forty-six men, and all have guns." - -"How many women?" - -"There are about two hundred women and girls, and a hundred and eighty -children of all ages." - -"Very well, I leave it to you to make preparations. You must tell the -women that they are to keep together, and to follow about a hundred -yards behind the men as they advance. As soon as the wood is taken -they are to hurry through it, mount the hill by the path, and then -without stopping a minute go on at the top of their speed to the -sea-shore. It is just possible that some Turkish ships-of-war may have -driven our vessel away, but if that is so she will be back again this -evening. If they find she has gone they must sit down under shelter of -the rocks near the shore, and we will keep the Turks at bay till the -ship arrives. Make your preparations and get your valuables together, -for in an hour from the present time we shall sally out." - -While this was going on Martyn had formed up the villagers, for the -firing had now ceased. The besiegers had before shrunk from attacking -the wall, relying upon famine to compel the defenders to surrender, -and the addition, small as it was, to the garrison rendered any idea -of assault more formidable than before. Horace acted as Martyn's -interpreter. - -"Now," he said, "I expect we shall have no difficulty in carrying the -wood, for the enemy can have no idea that we intend to escape in that -direction, or that we mean to sally out at all; therefore it is not -likely that they will have more than fifty or sixty men at that point. -In the first place I want forty determined men who can be trusted to -obey orders." - -One of the leaders of the defence chose out that number of men. Martyn -divided them into two parties and told off five sailors to each. - -"Horace, you will take command of one of these bands, and you, Jones," -he said to the coxswain of his gig, "will take command of the other. -Your bands will fall in behind the main body, which I shall lead. We -shall go straight at the wood. You will follow us till you are -half-way across the open, and will then take post, one to the right -and the other to the left, fifty yards from the line we take. Your -work will be to check any of the Turks who may come running down from -the ends of the valley, and to cover the passage of the women. As -soon as they have all passed along you will both run in and join us in -the wood. Now, lads, I want the wall undermined for a width of ten -yards or so, so that when we push it it will all fall together and -leave a wide front for us to pour out. It is not above three hundred -and fifty yards or so to the wood, and we shall be half-way across -before the Turks can pull themselves together, and they won't have -time for much more than a shot each before we are upon them." - -In an hour the whole of the villagers were gathered. There were five -or six wounded men unable to walk. These were laid on doors, and four -Greeks were told off to each. The children were told off, one to each -woman. Twenty of the Greeks were to form a special escort for the -women, and Martyn's order to their leader was, "See that each woman -takes along the child told off to her. If she doesn't help it along, -take off her bundle and throw it away; force her to look after the -child. Not a single child shall be lost if we can help it. Life first, -property next." - -Martyn was well pleased with the bearing of the Greeks. The men looked -ready and eager for the fight; the women, stern and determined. All of -them had knives or daggers in their sashes. Some, in addition, had -their husbands' or fathers' pistols. Their bundles were poised on -their heads, and each, with the exception of a few of the old women, -had an infant in her arms or held a child by the hand. The twenty -English sailors formed the first line; behind these came the main body -of the Greeks. Horace's and Jones' parties were drawn up three or four -paces in their rear, and behind these were gathered the women. - -"Now," Martyn said to the Greek fighting men, "on one point my orders -are distinct. Not a shot is to be fired until we reach the trees. -Firing would be no good whatever; it would be a loss of time, and your -guns would be empty just when you want them; besides, you would be as -likely to shoot those in front of you as the enemy. All you have got -to do is to follow me closely until you get into the olive grove, -then scatter and clear it of the Turks; but don't go a foot beyond -them in pursuit. Directly it is clear let each man take up his station -behind a tree at its edge, and defend himself there until the order is -given to fall back." - -Zaimes translated the order, then the sailors advanced to the wall, -from which the lower stones had been removed as far as was safe. "Now -put your shoulders to it, my hearties, and heave all together. One, -two, three; now!" - -The walls shook as the sailors flung themselves against it. "It is -going. Now another try." There was a shout as the wall toppled over. -Then with a cheer the sailors sprang forward, led by Martyn, dashed -over the fragments of the wall and down the steep rock, the Greeks -pouring after them in a confused mass, and then the whole dashed -across the flat cultivated ground towards the olive grove. As Martyn -had foretold, not a shot was fired until they were nearly half-way -across, though loud shouts of alarm were heard, then a straggling fire -was opened; but the enemy were evidently too flurried and alarmed to -take aim. Without a check the sailors ran on, cutlass in hand, but the -Turks did not await the attack. Outnumbered and surprised they had no -sooner fired than they dashed away among the trees to join their -companions right and left, and the olive grove was deserted when the -sailors entered. - -"That will do, lads!" Martyn shouted. "Leave the Greeks to hold the -wood. Sheath your cutlasses and unsling your rifles. Come back with me -to help the others; keep back the enemy in the open." - -There was, however, no occasion for assistance. The women, instead of -waiting, had followed close behind the flanking parties, and were -already coming into the wood. By the time Martyn joined the flanking -parties the women had all passed, while Horace and Jones were just -beginning to fall back with their commands. By this time the valley -rang with shouts and cries, and guns were being aimlessly discharged, -but the sailors were back in the olive grove before the Turks had -mustered strongly enough to think of advancing. The sailors lay down -in the intervals between the trees, and as soon as the enemy began to -advance a heavy fire was opened upon them, the twelve rifles telling -with deadly effect. The Turks on the opposite side of the valley -instead of advancing at once to the assistance of their comrades, made -a rush at the village as soon as they perceived that it was no longer -defended, thinking for the moment much more of plunder than of -attacking the retiring Greeks, while the parties who had begun to -advance towards the wood rapidly retired again before the heavy fire -opened upon them. - -"Go round and stop those Greeks firing, Horace; the fools are simply -wasting their ammunition," Martyn said savagely as the Greeks -continued to blaze away when the enemy were already out of range of -their guns. Horace hurried off one way and Zaimes the other, and in a -minute or two the firing ceased. As it did so the report of guns could -be heard on the hill above them. - -"That is Tarleton's party at work," Martyn said to Mr. Beveridge. "Of -course the Turks have seen the women mounting the hill, and I suppose -some of them were beginning to climb up to cut them off. Tarleton's -fire will stagger them a bit." From the shouts in the valley it was -evident that the enemy were gathering for a serious attack. Horace had -returned to Martyn's side. - -"Now, Horace, do you take ten of the men and ascend the path half-way -up the hill. Post five of them on each side of it to act as flanking -parties. Zaimes, do you tell your countrymen it is time for us to be -off. We must get well up the hillside before these fellows make their -rush. Mr. Beveridge, will you make your way up the path at once. These -Greeks are as active as goats, and I should recommend you to be -pushing on to get a start of them." - -In a couple of minutes the entire party had left the wood and were -mounting the path, Martyn and his sailors forming the rear-guard. The -Greeks sprang up the path with such speed that the sailors, active as -they were, had hard work to keep near them. Mr. Beveridge was speedily -overtaken. - -"Jones, you take Mr. Beveridge's rifle; and do you, Hawkins and -Baldock, help him along. Make haste, lads! we shall have a storm of -bullets coming up after us in no time;" for as soon as the fugitives -appeared on the path above the level of the tree-tops a loud shout had -broken from the enemy, and it was certain they would soon be upon -them. So rapidly, however, was the ascent made that Martyn and the -sailors reached the spot where Horace with his party had taken up his -position before a shot rang out from below. There was a slight -shoulder on the hillside at this point, and lying down here the men -were sheltered from the fire below. - -"Wait here, my lads, until you get your wind. Their guns will hardly -carry this height, and there is no fear of their showing themselves -above the trees, at any rate for the present." - -Mr. Beveridge threw himself down on the grass, and even the sailors -were glad of a pause, for in the five minutes that had elapsed since -they left the wood they had climbed half-way up the hill and were -fully three hundred feet above the olive grove. A roar of musketry -broke out from below, and some of the Mussulmans dashed out from the -trees, waving their guns and calling upon the others to follow them; -but as soon as they showed themselves the sailors under Horace opened -fire. Some of the others would have joined them, but Martyn forbade -them. - -"It is no use trying to take aim, lads, just after such a run as that. -You must wait until your breath comes quietly, and your hands get -steady again. You would be only throwing away powder and ball, and we -shall probably want all we have got before we are on board the -schooner again." - -The firing above still continued, and looking along the hillside men -could be seen straggling up in considerable numbers on either side. - -"Forward, lads! we must move on again. Horace, you may as well bring -your men straight up. There is no fear of their venturing on an attack -up this path. Bring your father on with you. There is no occasion for -haste; we will push straight up now. Forward! Don't run, but go at a -steady pace that you can keep up till we reach the top." - -Horace followed with the rear-guard at a leisurely walk wherever the -inequalities of the ground sheltered the path from the bullets that -still came singing out from below, and stepping out briskly whenever -they were exposed to fire. The coxswain was waiting with orders when -they reached the top. - -"The captain's orders are, Mr. Beveridge," he said to Horace, "that -your party is to remain here for the present with these twenty Greeks. -You are to spread along the edge here for a bit and keep up a fire, if -the Turks try to climb the hill hereabouts. The captain is with a -party away there on that high ground back on the left, and Mr. -Tarleton with the rest back there on the right, so as to prevent the -varmint working round in front of us. You are to let them know if you -see any large bodies of men climbing the hill, either right or left of -you." - -Horace divided his party in two, telling Jones with five sailors and -ten Greeks to take post a hundred yards to the left of the path, while -he with the others went the same distance to the right. - -"Don't let them waste their ammunition, Jones. My father and Zaimes -will go with you, and as you three have rifles you may do something to -check those fellows from climbing up away to the left. It is no use -the others firing, their guns won't carry half the distance. Of course -if the Turks try to come straight up from the wood your party will all -open fire upon them." - -As soon as he got to his station Horace lay down, and with one of the -sailors with him who had a rifle, opened fire upon the stream of men -ascending the hillside near the head of the valley. After firing three -or four rounds he told the sailor to desist. - -"We are only wasting our ammunition, Frost," he said. "They are seven -or eight hundred yards away, and the rifles are of no real use at more -than half that distance." - -Ten minutes later he sent off sailors to Martyn and Tarleton, to tell -them that the Turks continued to climb the hill in large numbers, and -that he should think that at least two hundred men must have gone up -on each flank, that flames had broken out in the village, and numbers -of men were pouring out from there, and would probably join in the -attack. A few minutes later a message came from Martyn: - -"The captain says, sir, that now the women have got half an hour's -start we shall fall back. Your party are to retire by the path. He and -Mr. Tarleton will work down the hill on your flanks. You are to keep -your eye on them, and regulate your pace by theirs, keeping about a -hundred yards in their rear, unless you are pressed, when you can -double on till you are in line with them. He has sent orders to Mr. -Tarleton, sir." - -Horace was expecting the order. A sharp fire had broken out on either -side, and he knew that the Turks were trying to work round to cut them -off. - -"Run on," he said to the sailor, "and tell the other party over there -to join me in the path." - -In three minutes the united body was marching to the rear. The crackle -of musketry was now incessant, and Horace soon caught sight of the two -flanking parties making their way down the hill at a distance of a -hundred yards or so on either side of the path. They were in scattered -order, loading as they retired, crouching behind rocks to take a -steady aim, and then retiring again; going at a run when the ground -permitted it, hanging to the rocks and bushes when they afforded -shelter. On the higher ground, to the left of Martyn's party, were a -number of Mussulmans. They were pursuing similar tactics to those of -their opponents--at times crouching behind rocks, and then bounding -forward with loud yells. - -"Get ready to fire, lads," Horace said. "The next time those fellows -make a rush give them a volley. They are not thinking of us yet, and -we shall take them by surprise. Take steady aim; don't hurry. Halt; -drop on one knee. They will be crossing that open space in a minute." -He repeated the order to the Greeks. "There they come," he said a -moment later. "Get ready! Now fire!" - -Thirty guns rang out; several of the Turks fell, and the rest, with a -shout of surprise, bounded back into the bushes. - -"Now retire briskly for a bit, and load as you go." - -After a hundred yards' running they again fell into a walk. Horace -kept his eye upon Tarleton's party. They did not seem so severely -pressed, and had the advantage that their foes were on somewhat lower -ground than they were. Presently a sailor came in from the left. - -"Captain Martyn's orders are that the two flanking parties are to fall -back quickly to the path, then to double down the hill to that -shoulder a mile below. You are to act as rearguard, and to follow -close behind them." - -In two or three minutes the two flanking parties, taking advantage of -cover which concealed them from the enemy, made a rush to the path. -The body under Tarleton gained it first, and at once started down at -the top of their speed. Martyn's party were but a minute later. He -himself paused till Horace came up at a run. - -"We can go faster down this path," he said, "than they can follow over -the rough ground, and there are such a lot of them that they will -jostle each other on the path, and won't get along as fast as we -shall. How are you feeling, Mr. Beveridge?" - -"I am all right now we are going downhill, Martyn. It is only the -climbing I can't stand. This is really very exciting work, though I -don't like running away." - -"We will make another stand presently, but I wanted to be getting on. -They will get stronger every minute, and we shall have to fight hard -presently. Do you see that the schooner has gone?" - -An exclamation broke both from Mr. Beveridge and Horace. In the -excitement of the fight neither of them had thought of the schooner. - -"There she is, five-and-twenty miles away to the northwest, with two -Turkish frigates lumbering after her." - -The firing had ceased; the yells of the Turks rose loudly in the air, -but they were fully two or three hundred yards in the rear. - -"We are in plenty of time," Martyn said. "We will line the other side -of that flat step when we reach it. We can keep them back there for -some time." - -There was no attempt at keeping in order, the path was too steep and -broken; but they went down running and leaping, each as he best could. -Down the path, in front, was a long straggling line of Greeks, with -the sailors, keeping in two distinct bodies, among them. As soon as -the head of the line came down on to the flat step in the hill they -spread out right and left, and in less than ten minutes from the issue -of the order to retreat the hundred and eighty men were lying down -along the lower edge of the level ground, which was some forty yards -across, the centre of the position being left vacant for the last -party that arrived. The instant the rear-guard threw themselves down -they opened a heavy fire upon the Turks, who were crowding down the -path. Horace was lying next to his father. - -"Do keep your head lower, father," he said, as the Turks left the path -and bounded in among the rocks and shrubs and opened fire. - -"But I can't take aim if I don't see, Horace." - -"No, father, that is right enough; but you might move a foot or two -back, so as to be in shelter while you are loading. Then, if you push -your rifle up before you, you would only have to raise your head to -look along the barrel and fire. Some of these mountain fellows are -good shots." - -The firing in front of them increased every moment as the Turks poured -down and took up their positions, until puffs of smoke seemed to dart -out from every bush and rock. Martyn now went along the line posting -the men. Horace's party were left lying thickly opposite the path, in -case the Turks should attempt a rush. The rest were disposed two yards -apart, the sailors being placed at regular intervals among the Greeks. -Fortunately the ground fell sharp away from the flat, so that even -from the higher ground those lying behind it were completely -sheltered, except when raising their heads to fire. This, by Martyn's -orders, they did but seldom. - -"Let them blaze away as much as they like," he said, "they do us no -harm. The great thing is to have every musket loaded in case they make -up their minds to try a rush, and I don't think they will do that. The -more smoke they make the better, for it prevents them taking aim. We -can stop them here for hours, as long as they don't work round our -flanks." - -Satisfied that all was going on well, Martyn returned to Mr. -Beveridge. - -"We have stopped them for the time effectually, sir." - -"Yes, this is a capital position, Martyn." - -"Capital as far as it goes, sir. Of course if these fellows were -soldiers they would either gather and make a rush, or march away and -work round our flanks; but being only peasants, there is no one to -command, and every man fights for himself. Macfarlane is at work with -the wounded." - -"Did you lose many men in your retreat, Martyn?" - -"No; three of the Greeks were killed and half a dozen of them were -wounded, fortunately not severely. Two of our own fellows were hit, -but neither of them badly. I have sent them and the Greeks on ahead to -join the women on the shore. Tarleton lost two Greeks, killed, and had -about as many wounded as I had. One poor fellow was so badly hit that -he could not keep up with the others on the retreat. Two of our men -tried to carry him; but it hurt him so much that he begged them to put -him down; and as soon as they did he drew his pistol and shot himself. -So, altogether, we have lost six, which is little enough, considering -we are more than half-way down to the shore." - -"If they do try to outflank us, I suppose we must fall back again?" - -"Yes, if they succeed we must do so. Of course we shall try to prevent -it. Directly I see any signs of their trying it on, I shall make a -strong effort to drive them back; but I don't think they will try it -at present, the sole object of each man seems to be to fire away his -ammunition as quickly as he can. I have just been giving orders to the -Greeks and our fellows to shove their caps up in front of them on the -ends of their ramrods, so as to encourage the Turks to keep on firing, -and to push a musket up and fire occasionally, without raising their -heads to take aim. The smoke hanging about along the line will hide -the trick of the caps, and the shots will keep the Turks blazing -away." - -For two hours the firing continued; but towards the end of that time -it slackened considerably. - -"I expect a good many of them are running short of ammunition," Martyn -said. "Now they have done firing they will have time to talk a bit, -and may arrange to march off somewhere, and come down between us and -the shore; so I think it is time for us to be making a move. I will go -along and tell every third man to fall back at once. I think, Mr. -Beveridge, it would be as well that you should go with them. I shall -send Tarleton in command, and tell him to pick out a spot, from a -hundred to three hundred yards from the shore, and place the men in -position there. Five minutes later you shall pick out every second -man, Horace, and go down and join them. We will keep up a more rapid -fire now, so that they sha'n't have any idea we are falling back. Of -course, when you join Tarleton, you will take up your position with -him. I shall be down five minutes after you. When we are all there we -can form a semicircle, with the ends resting on the sea, and there -will be an end of this constant fear of being outflanked." - -Five minutes later Tarleton, with a third of the men, went off at the -double down the path. Those left behind renewed their fire, taking aim -among the rocks and bushes, and this at once provoked a fresh outburst -of firing on the part of the Turks. In a short time Martyn told Horace -to get his men together and be off, and in twenty minutes he joined -Tarleton, who had taken up his post at a little more than a hundred -yards from the shore. The men were slashing down bushes with their -cutlasses, and piling them and stones so as to make a low breastwork. -The party Horace had brought at once joined in the work. - -"It is a screen we want more than a defence," Tarleton said. "You see -we are commanded everywhere from the hill, but these bushes will hide -us, and they will only be able to fire into them at random; besides, -we want them cut down in front of us to be able to use our guns." - -They were soon joined by the rear-guard. - -"The Turks must be some distance behind," Martyn said. "We could hear -them blazing away when we were nearly half a mile on the road. That is -a good work, Mr. Tarleton; we shall get it finished by the time they -come." - -So strong a party made quick work of it, and in another quarter of an -hour the screen of bushes was completed down to the shore on either -side, the sweep being some three hundred yards in length, and the -breastwork in most places three feet high. - -"It won't keep out bullets," Martyn said; "but from the distance they -won't see how thin it is. At any rate it is a good screen." - -The whole of the Greeks and twenty of the sailors were placed at -intervals of about six feet apart behind the screen, and each man was -told to dig up the soil with a knife or cutlass in front of him, and -with that and a few rocks to make a protection for himself against -stray bullets. The other twenty sailors Martyn retained under his own -command to carry to the assistance of the defenders at any point -against which a serious attack might be made. Mr. Beveridge had gone -down at once to the women and children who were sitting under shelter -of the bank by the sea-shore, and cheered them by assurances that the -schooner would be sure to return some time during the night. It was -not until a quarter of an hour after the screen had been completed -that parties of Turks could be seen descending the side of the hill. -They did not seem to be hurrying. - -"They think they have got us in a trap, Horace," Tarleton said, "and -that they have only to wait a bit to starve us out. Perhaps it is just -as well the schooner made off, for it would have been hot work all -getting on board under their fire, whereas now we shall be able to -slip off in the dark almost without their knowing it." - -When the Turks approached to within a distance of three or four -hundred yards of the breastwork, the party with the rifles opened fire -upon them, and they at once fell back some little distance. For half -an hour nothing was done, and then a party of fifty or sixty men were -seen reascending the hill. - -"They are going to make a siege of it," Martyn said. "They don't like -the look of this breastwork." - -"But what are they sending the men away for, Martyn?" Horace asked. - -"Because it is just as necessary for them to eat and drink, Horace, as -it is for us. We have got our water-bottles and biscuits, and the -Greeks have all brought something with them; they were warned to do so -before they started. But those gentlemen all came off in a hurry. I -don't expect any of them had breakfast, and in the excitement not one -in twenty is likely to have caught up as much as a gourd of water, so -I have no doubt those men you see going up the hill are on their way -to their villages for a supply of food and water, and perhaps to get -some more ammunition if they can find any. I will warrant half those -fellows in front of us have fired away their last shot. You will see -they won't disturb us any more to-day." - -[Illustration: THE CAPTAIN IS WOUNDED] - -A few shots only were fired from either side during the course of the -day, this apparently being done on the part of the Turks from pure -bravado, as they generally showed themselves conspicuously, brandished -their long guns over their heads, and shouted defiantly before firing. -One of them, however, having been shot by a sailor armed with a rifle, -the amusement ceased, and during the afternoon all was quiet. An -anxious look-out was kept seaward all day. At five in the afternoon -one of the sailors sang out, "Sail, ho!" - -"Where away, Baldock?" - -"About west-north-west I should say, sir, though I ain't sure of my -bearings here." - -Martyn went up to where the man was standing on a rock that projected -eight or ten feet above the surrounding ground, a position which would -have been dangerous had not the Turks been almost out of range. - -"There, sir, do you see just under that streak of white cloud? it is a -little black patch." - -"I see it, Baldock." - -"I believe it is the schooner's gaff top-sail, sir; it is too narrow -for a square sail." - -"I think you are right, Baldock. It might be the peak of one of the -native lateen sails, but I think it is too far away for that. It is -about the direction we might expect the schooner to come from. She was -more to the north-west when we saw her last, but to get round the -Turks she would have to bear either one way or the other, and if she -ran to the south that is just about where she would be on her way -back. Hullo! that was a near shave; we had better get off this, -Baldock." - -"Are you hit, sir?" - -"Yes, but I don't think it is of any consequence; it is in the arm, -but as I can move it all right, it is only through the flesh." - -Half a dozen guns had flashed out in reply to the shot, which had been -fired from a distance of less than a hundred yards, the man having -crept through the bushes unseen. Martyn's coat was taken off and his -arm bandaged at once. - -"It is rather foolish to expose yourself like that, Captain Martyn," -Mr. Beveridge said as he came up. "Your life is too valuable to us all -to be risked in that way." - -"It was rather foolish," Martyn laughed; "but I thought the fellows -were out of range, and did not give them credit for enterprise. Anyhow -there is no great harm done. I think we have made out the schooner, -sir, and it is worth getting a ball through one's arm to know that she -is on her way back." - -"Do you feel sure it is her?" - -"Well, I can say that it is not a square top-sail; that is certain, -and it must either be her gaff top-sail or the peak of a lateen sail -of one of these native craft; but I think it is the schooner. If it -is, we sha'n't be long before we can make out her fore-top -gallant-sail. No native craft carries a lateen and anything like a -square sail." - -"If it is the schooner, how far is she off, do you think?" - -"Five-and-twenty miles, I should say. There is not much breeze, but -that is all the better, for she will be slipping along now at least -two knots to the Turks' one, while in a strong breeze she would not go -more than five to their four. It is five o'clock now, and though we -can't feel any wind here, I expect she is making five or six knots an -hour. Anyhow she ought to be here between ten and twelve." - -A quarter of an hour later Baldock said: "May I take another squint -from the look-out, sir?" - -"Yes, but don't stand there long, Baldock. I expect that fellow has -moved off again if he was not hit by any of our shots. Still it is as -well not to give him another chance." - -Baldock stood on the rock shading his eyes from the light of the -western sun, which was now getting near the horizon. For a minute or -two he stood uncertain, and then said: - -"It is the schooner, sir, sure enough. I can just make out a black -line below the sail; that must be her fore-top gallant-sail just -showing." - -A cheer broke from the sailors lying along the shelter of the screen -of bushes. - -"That is good news, Baldock," Martyn said. "Come down now; another -half-hour will settle it anyhow, and there will be light enough till -then." - -The next observation settled the question. It was certainly a square -sail underneath the sharp peak of a gaff top-sail. The joy of the -Greeks was extreme when they heard that the vessel that was to carry -them away was in sight. - -"The schooner will be in a nice mess," Martyn grumbled to Tarleton. -"With what there are on board now, and all these, there will be -something like six hundred of them; a nice cargo that." - -"There is one thing," Horace laughed, "I expect she has carried as -many before." - -"Yes, I daresay she has taken six hundred slaves, but we can't pack -these Greeks as they pack slaves. There will be no moving on board, -and as to fighting the guns if we fall in with a Turk, it will be -well-nigh impossible. Why, she will be as deep in the water as she was -when we sailed out of Plymouth. What is the weight of them all, -Horace, do you suppose?" - -"Not very great, Captain Martyn. I don't suppose there are a dozen of -the men weigh over ten stone. I suppose the women average seven, and -the children, counting babies, say four. As there are as many children -as there are men, that would make the average seven stone all round, -but even if you said eight stone, which is a hundredweight, and they -are certainly not that, or anything near it, that would make thirty -tons, and it won't be over that if you throw in all the bundles. You -calculated that you got fifty tons out of her hold." - -"Oh, well, that is not so bad. If it comes on to blow we will make -shifting ballast of them, and pack them all up to windward on both -decks; that ought to make her as stiff as a church. It will be a big -job getting them all on board tonight. There is one thing, I don't -suppose the Turks have made her out. Of course they don't know that we -are expecting a vessel, or anything about her rig. We must make a -fire down on the shore as soon as it gets dark, and keep a sharp -look-out for her, putting the fire out as soon as she is near enough -for the light to begin to show on her sails. Then we will open fire -all along the line as if we thought we heard them creeping up towards -us, and that will cover the rattling of the anchor chain. I will hail -Miller to muffle the oars, and in that way we may manage to get most -of them on board at any rate before the Turks have an idea of what is -going on. By firing an occasional shot we shall keep their attention -fixed, and gradually withdraw from the line as we did from that place -we held up there." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A DARING EXPLOIT - - -Soon after nine o'clock Will Martyn took his post on the shore at the -northern end of the position. A dropping fire was kept up all round -the semicircle, as if the defenders feared that the assailants might -be trying to crawl up towards them. Martyn continued to listen -intently for half an hour, then he thought he heard a sound on the -water. In another minute or two he could make out the sound of voices. - -"Miller has got his head screwed on the right way," he said to -himself. "He is showing no lights." Another five minutes and he could -dimly make out the outline of the schooner. - -"_Misericordia_ ahoy!" he shouted. - -"Ay, ay," came across the water. - -"I am going to put out the fire so that the light won't show on your -sails, and in a minute or two I am going to open fire heavily to cover -the rattle of the chains. Directly you hear us begin let go the -anchor; don't answer." - -Horace was standing by the fire, and he at once scattered the brands -and threw sand over them. Martyn ran up to the front of the position -and shouted, "Open fire!" and the rattle of musketry broke out all -round the screen. The Turks, surprised at the sudden din, and fearing -that a sortie was going to be made, replied briskly, and for four or -five minutes the fire was maintained. Horace down on the shore heard -the rattle of the anchor chain and the creaking of the blocks, -followed shortly by the sound of the tackle as the boats were lowered. - -"Please muffle the oars, Mr. Miller!" he shouted, and the answering -hail came across the water. Twelve of the sailors came down from their -posts to assist with the boats, and in three or four minutes there was -a slight splash of oars, and the four boats of the schooner ran gently -ashore. - -"All well, I hope?" Tom Burdett asked as he jumped out. - -"All well, Tom, with the exception of about half a dozen slightly -wounded." - -"Thank God!" the boatswain said. "I tell you we felt mighty sore at -having to run away and leave you just at daybreak this morning, and -you can't tell how glad we were when we caught sight of the fire first -and then made out the popping of the guns. Have you got the Greeks -out, Mr. Horace?" - -"Yes, there are over five hundred of them here." - -"My eye!" the sailor said, "that is something like a cargo." - -"I have got twelve men here, Tom. That will give you four and a -helmsman to each boat with what you have got. Has Marco come ashore -with you?" - -"Yes, Mr. Horace. I thought I might be useful if you had got the -Christians with you." - -"Yes, that is what I wanted you for, Marco. Now, then," he said to the -women who were clustered behind him, "take your places in the boats. -Help them in, lads; there are lots of children among them. You need -not be afraid of packing them closely so long as you leave yourselves -room to row, for there is not a ripple on the water. Father, would you -mind going off with the first lot?" he said as Mr. Beveridge came up. -"Marco has come ashore to help here, and Mr. Miller does not talk -their language. If you take Zaimes with you he can help settle them -down as they come on board. Mind, lads, you are to make as little -noise as you can. There are six hundred of those Turks lying round us, -and if they got a notion of what was going on they would be coming on -us like a pack of wolves, and in the dark they would be among us -before we knew that they were coming, and your first boatload would be -your last. Impress upon the Greeks, father, when they get on board, -that not a word must be spoken." - -"Mr. Miller will see to that, sir, no doubt," the boatswain said. "He -has got the whole lot of them down between decks, and he and Bill -Scoons have got the deck to themselves." - -The women and children were crowded into the boats, which were first -backed stern on shore to allow them to enter. The sailors lifted the -children, and wading into the water put them in. The smaller boats -pushed off as soon as they were filled, and they were back again just -after the two larger ones started. The schooner was but a hundred -yards away, and so quickly did the work go on that in little more than -a quarter of an hour the last batch of women and children left the -shore. Horace directed Marco to see that the wounded were carefully -lifted into the next boat, and to go on board with them; he then ran -up to Martyn. The continuous fire had ceased now, but dropping shots -were kept up all round the position. - -"The last batch has gone on board, Captain Martyn," he reported. - -"Thank God for that, Horace! That is a load off one's mind. It is a -smart piece of work to have got them on board so soon. I did not -expect you for some time yet. I have been listening sharply. Of course -I heard sounds, but even here they were faint, while the Turks, being -twice as far away, can hardly have heard them, and if they did would -not have made them out, knowing nothing of what is going on. Now do -you and Tarleton go off, one each way, and send every third man down -to the boats; but if the third man is a sailor send the next Greek to -him. When you get down to the shore go along to the boats and see the -men off. As soon as they are in the boats start back again, sending -the rest of the Greeks down to the shore. Then when you join me here I -shall know that there are only our own men to draw off. Tell them all -to keep up a pretty sharp fire when the Greeks have left." - -In a very few minutes they were beside him again. "The boats took the -first batch off in one trip, sir," Tarleton reported, "and they will -be back again by the time the last fellows we have sent down get to -the shore." - -"We will give them five minutes and then be off." - -"Mr. Miller sent word by the boatswain, sir, that he had got the guns -loaded with grape, and blue lights ready, so that if they should at -the last moment press you he will sweep the hillside as soon as you -bring the men down to the shore." - -"I hope we shall not want it," Martyn said; "but it is well to be on -the safe side. I am sure we don't want to kill any more of these poor -beggars than we can help. Of course they wanted to massacre the -Christians, but as they know their own people have been massacred in -tens of thousands by the Greeks, it is only human nature they should -take revenge. Anyhow I am glad there has not been much bloodshed. The -only time we got fairly at them was when they first gathered for a -charge at that olive grove, and again when they came down the path to -that place where we stopped them. Of course a few fell while we were -falling back, but I should say that from forty to fifty would be quite -the outside; and likely enough it may not have been half that. It has -been a much easier business than I expected. I must say, when we first -got into the village and I saw what a crowd of women and children -there were there I thought we were going to have a very tough job -before we got on board the schooner again. Now I think we can fall -back. Go down to the shore again, please, and start the men from that -end, so that we can keep on firing from here up to the last moment." - -In a very few minutes the last of the defenders stepped into the boats -and rowed off to the ship. - -"All safe, Captain Martyn?" Miller's voice asked as the boats came -alongside. - -"All safe, Mr. Miller." - -"Then we will give a hearty cheer, sir. They will know in a few -minutes that you have gone, and it will make no difference. Now, lads, -all together." - -And three hearty cheers broke from the English sailors, swelled by -shouts and yells from the Greeks clustered on deck. As they stepped on -to the deck Miller shook hands heartily with Martyn, Tarleton, and -Horace. - -"Thank Heaven you are all back safe again!" he said, "and, as I hear, -without the loss of a single life. We have had an anxious time of it, -as you may guess, since you have been away. I suppose we may as well -get the boats up, sir?" - -"Certainly. We sha'n't want to go ashore again, Miller." The -boatswain's whistle rang out, the falls were hooked on, and the boats -run up to the davits. - -"Don't swing them in at present," Martyn said. "We want all our room -on deck. What have you done about the Greeks, Miller?" - -"The cook had a big copper of soup ready, and they each had a basin as -they came on board. We have given up the whole of the lower deck to -the women and children. Our fellows and the men sleep on deck." - -"I thought that was how you would manage, Miller; indeed I don't see -any other way that it could be done." - -"I have got all the scuttles open down below," Miller said, "and the -hatchways off, so I think they will manage. It will be pretty close, -no doubt, but none of these people are particularly fond of fresh -air." - -"You have got supper ready for the men, I hope, Miller. They had -something to eat in the village at daybreak, and they have had the -biscuits they took with them; but I expect they are all ready for a -regular meal. Of course they will have a ration of grog all round." - -"I have seen to all that, sir, and Marco came up just before you came -alongside, to say that supper would be ready for us in five minutes. -How he managed it I don't know, for he, Mr. Beveridge, and Zaimes have -been busy settling the women below ever since they came on board. How -did the chief get through it?" - -"As well as anyone, except in the climbing. There is a lot more in him -than we thought, Miller. I watched him when he was loading and firing, -and he was just as cool and quiet as if he was sitting here on the -quarter-deck, and what was better, he always fell in with what I -suggested without any talk or argument, and if I were asked I should -say that he really enjoyed the whole business. I have never seen him -look so bright and animated. Well, I am quite ready for supper; at -least I shall be when I have had a wash." - -In a short time the party in the cabin was seated at supper. All were -in the highest spirits. Their enterprise had been a complete success -in every respect, and they were the more pleased that it had been -accomplished without the loss of a single life on the part of the -crew. The supper was not quite so varied as usual, and Marco -apologized for its shortcomings. - -"There is no occasion to say a word, Marco. It is excellent," Martyn -said. "I don't know how on earth you have managed it." - -"I had most of it ready before we dropped anchor, Captain Martyn," he -said, "but I went ashore with the boats and have been helping with the -women until a few minutes ago, so I have not had time to finish the -things properly; but I thought you would rather have them so than -wait." - -"Much rather, Marco. Now, Miller, let us hear your report. I have not -had time to ask you a single question since I came on board. We made -you out from the top of the hill twenty-five miles away, with two -Turkish frigates after you." - -"Yes," Miller said, "we were as near as possible caught in a trap. It -was lucky I had had the anchor buoyed and the chain ready to slip. Of -course we kept a sharp watch all night; I was on deck half an hour -before day began to break, for I knew that that was the dangerous -time. It was very dark then." - -"Yes, we know that," Martyn put in. "We pretty nearly broke our necks -scrambling along the face of a hill nearly as steep as a wall." - -"Just as the first gleam of daylight came," Miller went on, "I made -out two large craft coming along about a mile and a half from shore. -They were not quite abreast of us, perhaps half a mile south. You may -guess we lost no time in slipping the chain and getting up our head -sails. Fortunately there was enough breeze even in here to fill our -sails. I knew they could not make us out as yet, lying in here under -the shadow of the land, and, indeed, I was half inclined for a moment -to lower the sails and trust to their not making us out at all, but as -it would soon be light, and no doubt they would be keeping a sharp -look-out for us, I saw it wouldn't do. It was not long before I saw -that, though, of course, they had a good deal more wind than we had, -we were holding our own with them. - -"Ten minutes after we got under weigh they made us out and changed -their course, steering so as to cut us off before we were clear of the -northern point, while I stood a little more out so as to get farther -from the shelter of the land and catch a little more breeze. They -closed a bit with us, and one of them began to try the distance with -his bow-guns, but though we were not quite out of range, the shot went -altogether wide of us. I never saw such lubberly shooting. We were -better than a mile ahead when we came out beyond the point and got the -true wind. As soon as I felt her beginning to walk along I got a -couple of sails overboard to deaden her way and stood for the -north-west. The Turks got out stun-sails and did their best to come up -to us, and as the wind was pretty fresh they walked along faster than -I should have given them credit for, and I had to get one of the sails -on board again to keep my distance. They fired occasionally, but as I -kept them in line they could only bring a couple of bow-chasers to -bear. - -"I don't think we altered our distance by a ship's length for six -hours, by which time we were a good thirty miles away from the island, -and nearly dead to leeward; so I thought it was about time to begin to -have some amusement. Directly we had started I had got the cook to -make a tremendous fire in the galley, and had put six eighteen-pounder -shot in it. I kept coal heaped on, and stuck a couple of extra lengths -on to the chimney to make it draw, and by this time the balls were -red-hot. We did not begin with them at first, but having got the -second sail out of water we luffed a little so as to get the pivot to -bear, and Tom Burdett sent the first shot smack into the frigate's -fore-foot. She yawed a bit, and let us have four or five of her -forward guns on the starboard side, and this time a couple of shot -went through our sails. As I did not want to run any risks I held on -till I put another half-mile between us; then I began again with the -pivot. - -"The boatswain is a capital shot and hulled the leading frigate every -time. Evidently she did not like it. I expect she had no idea that a -craft of this size carried such heavy metal, and she came up into the -wind and gave us a broadside. I put the helm down at the same moment -as she did and returned the compliment. We trained the guns high, and -as good luck would have it one of the shots struck the maintop-mast -and down it came bringing the fore and mizzen-topgallant masts down -with it. We gave a cheer, and the Greeks yelled like fiends. I had -sent the women and children down into the hold, but the men were on -deck, and they danced about like lunatics when they saw the top hamper -of the Turk go over her side. We wore round and gave her the other -broadside, then I set the Greeks to work to load the broadside guns, -while our fellows went to the pivot again. - -"Now was the time to try the red-hot shot while she was lying -broadside on to us, and we plumped the whole six into her, one after -the other; then we stood off again, for the other frigate had come up -and was joining in the game. If we had had a spar knocked out of us it -would have been all up, for they each carried something like forty -guns. As soon as they got pretty well out of range I hauled my wind -and stood south. The first frigate was still in complete confusion. -With my glass I could make out the men trying to cut away the wreck, -but it was not long before I saw a thin wreath of smoke rising from -her forward hatchway, and presently I saw her ensign half hauled down -as a signal of distress to her consort, which at once gave up the -chase, which she must have already seen was useless, and bore down to -her. Thinking I had done enough, and being in such a stew about you -all, I left them to settle matters as best they could and began to -beat back to the island. When we were five miles away a pillar of -smoke was rising from the frigate, and with the glass I could make out -boats passing backwards and forwards between her and her consort, -which was lying-to near her; and the last we could make out of her was -that she was in flames from keel to truck." - -"Capital, Miller, that was splendidly done!" Martyn exclaimed. "Fancy -a schooner with ten men on board destroying a forty-gun frigate. That -was a capital idea of yours of heating the shot." - -"The cook is in a great way," Miller laughed, "for we pretty well -melted the galley, and we shall have to get a fresh one next time we -put into port. And now tell me about your share of the day's work." - -"Well, we have done very well," Martyn said; "but you have quite taken -down any conceit we may have felt. I quite envy you." - -"You need not do that, Martyn," Mr. Beveridge said; "one may be as -proud of saving five hundred lives as of destroying a frigate, -admirable as the action was. I will tell you about our doings. I have -no doubt Martyn will be too modest to do justice to himself. Ah! what -is that?" He broke off as he heard the report of a gun, followed by -several others. - -"The Turks venting their dissatisfaction," Martyn said. "I expected -it before this. Of course they heard our cheer, but at the distance -they were they may not have made out it came from the water, and I -expect they were some time before they crawled forward and found out -that our lines were deserted. We will fire a round of grape over their -heads as a hint to them that they had better clear off, and as there -is no hope of either plunder or blood they will not care about risking -their lives for nothing. Will you go up, Mr. Tarleton, and just touch -off one of the port guns. Don't fire in the direction they are -shooting from. We only want to frighten and not to hurt them." - -In a couple of minutes the vessel quivered as an eighteen-pounder sent -its contents rattling among the rocks. Tarleton soon rejoined the -party, and Mr. Beveridge proceeded to relate to Miller the events of -the day. - -"The next time I land, Mr. Miller," he concluded, "I shall take good -care to ascertain the nature of the ground we have to cross. I have -never been accustomed to active exercise, even as a boy I never cared -for it; but I could not have believed that human lungs could have -failed in their action so completely, or human heart bump as mine did -in going up that hill. As for the scramble along it in the dark, it -was a sort of nightmare. Martyn and Zaimes hauled me along like a -helpless bundle. I was only conscious of my feet continually slipping -from under me, of grasping at the grass, of having my knees bruised -against rocks, and of thinking every moment that my coat collar must -give way and that I must roll to the bottom of the hill. Zaimes had -hold of that, and Martyn of my arm, and I should say that my flesh -will be black and blue for weeks. I mentally registered a vow that -though I was ready to fight for the Greeks I was not ready, and never -would again undertake to climb among mountains for them. There is a -limit to the endurance of human nature, and the limit was very -distinctly passed upon that occasion. Moreover, my dignity as a man -suffered. I was humiliated at my own helplessness, and was deeply -impressed with the thought that my whole life had been a mistake when -it resulted in my being hauled along by Zaimes, who is a year or two -older than I am, I believe. I made a resolution to practise athletic -exercises, but I am afraid that, like many other good resolutions, it -will be dropped with the memory of that terrible hour." - -"Where are you thinking of landing all these people, Mr. Beveridge?" - -"I have not the least idea, Martyn. Where do you think?" - -"So that we get rid of them as quickly as possible, sir, it doesn't -matter in the slightest. There is one thing certain, it will be weeks -before we shall get the decks white again, and I should say that a -thorough fumigation of her from stem to stern will be advisable. I -don't suppose the British authorities would be grateful to us if we -were to dump them all down in Zante or Corfu, because it is certain -they would have to feed the greater portion of them for a considerable -time. On the other hand, if you land them at any Greek port there is a -very strong risk of their all dying of starvation; the new government -have other things to think about." - -"It is very awkward, Captain Martyn, very awkward," Mr. Beveridge said -seriously. "However, it is evident that now we have rescued them they -can't be allowed to starve." - -"There is one thing, father," Horace put in. "I think that money would -be much better laid out in feeding them than in enabling the -politicians and the Klephts to spend it in gaudy dresses and in -keeping bands of armed ruffians round them." - -"Certainly it would, Horace. As to where they had better be landed, I -should say that we might give them their choice of say four or five -places. It would be much better that they should be divided, as they -would in that way be more likely to get employment than if they were -all turned out at one place. Some might be landed at some of the Greek -islands, some in the Morea, others at Athens, and some, perhaps, in -the Ionian Islands, where they would be under the British flag." - -"I think they would be a deal better off there, father, than in Greece -or the Greek islands, where at present everyone is thinking of war, -and the fields are going out of cultivation. They certainly would do a -great deal better in Corfu, Cephalonia, and the other islands than -they would elsewhere; and if they were landed in small batches they -might find work. I expect most of them have got a little money, and as -living is very cheap, if you were to give them a couple of pounds a -head it would enable them to live a long time while they are looking -for work. Besides, there are committees on those islands for helping -refugees; so I do think it would be better to land all those who have -no friends in Greece, or any particular wish to go there, in our -islands. I should say Zaimes and Marco might go round among them in -the morning and ask if any of them have friends in the Greek islands -or the mainland, and to put it to the others, that though they can be -landed in Greece if they like, they will probably be better off and -certainly much more free from anxiety and danger, in the Ionian -Isles." - -"I think that that would be a very good plan," Mr. Beveridge said. -"When are you going to get under sail again, Captain Martyn?" - -"As soon as I have finished this cup of coffee, Mr. Beveridge, we will -get a boat lowered and find the buoy and pick up the anchor Miller -slipped this morning. I don't want to lose that, and the chain. As -soon as we have got it on board we will be off. There is not much -breeze here after dark, but we may as well get what benefit we can -from it. I have no fear of the other Turkish frigate looking in here -on her way back; and if she did, now that we have got all our crew on -board, I have no doubt we could give a good account of her. But I want -to be under weigh. There will be no comfort on board till we have got -rid of our passengers. Whereabout do you think the buoy is lying, -Miller?" - -"I fancy we were anchored a couple of hundred yards or so farther out, -and a quarter of a mile astern. You know where you landed last night. -You had to march along the beach some little distance before you came -to the path on the hills." - -"That is so, Miller. I am afraid we shall have some little trouble in -finding it. However, we will have a try. It is just eight bells now, -and it won't be light for another six hours. I don't want to waste -that time if I can help it." - -"Well, I will take one of the gigs, and Tarleton can take the other. -We will take some blue lights with us, and I expect we shall soon find -it." - -"Very well. Directly you do, hang on to the buoy-rope and get the end -of the chain into your gig. Hail me, and send Tarleton back. We will -get up her anchor at once, and the gig and the long-boat shall tow the -schooner up to you. Then you can pass the end of the chain on board, -and we will get it round the capstan and have the anchor up in no -time. Now, Mr. Beveridge, if you will take my advice you will turn in -at once. You only got a couple of hours' sleep last night in that -orchard, and have had twenty-four hours' really hard work." - -"I will take your advice, Martyn;" and Mr. Beveridge touched the -hand-bell beside him. "Marco, you must help me to my cabin, for I am -so stiff I don't think I could get out of my chair by myself." - -"We will help you in, sir," Martyn said; and he and Miller raised Mr. -Beveridge from his chair and almost carried him into his cabin. Then -they lit their pipes and went on deck. - -The buoy was found after a few minutes' search, and in another ten -minutes the schooner was under-weigh and stealing out from the land. - -"I will take the watch," Miller said. "You had better all turn in. I -will put a couple of the hands who remained with me at the wheel, and -let all the rest lie down. As they will be on deck one can rouse them -up in a minute if they are wanted." - -The next day the two Greeks went among the fugitives and questioned -the heads of each family as to the number of their party, the means -they possessed, and whether they had any friends in Greece. Most of -them possessed a little money, the proceeds of their last harvest and -vintage, and some eight or ten had sums varying from a hundred to four -hundred pounds, besides the jewels of their females, which, in their -cases, were of considerable value. Some of the poorer ones had -literally nothing beyond the clothes in which they stood and a few -almost worthless trinkets. There were not half a dozen of the whole -number who had friends or connections in Greece. Some thirty of the -unmarried men expressed their desire to join the Greek army and fight -against the Turks; the rest thankfully embraced the offer of being -landed on islands under the protection of the British flag. It took a -whole day to ascertain all these particulars, and on the following day -the exiles were asked to divide themselves into parties according to -the villages from which they came, in order that acquaintances and -relations should be landed together. - -When this had been done, Zaimes distributed, in the name of Mr. -Beveridge, to the head of each family a sum amounting to two pounds -for each of its members, except to those whose resources were -sufficient to maintain them for a considerable time. - -The wind was very light, and it was six days after they weighed anchor -before they entered the port of Zante. Another week was spent in -landing the fugitives among the Ionian Islands, each party being in -proportion to the size of the island and the facilities of obtaining -employment there. The gratitude of the poor people to Mr. Beveridge, -and indeed to all on board the schooner, was very great, but they were -all much depressed on landing. At first their delight at having -escaped with their lives was unbounded. But as the days went on, and -the feeling that they had lost all else, were separated for ever from -their birthplace and home, and were in future to live among strangers, -overwhelmed them. - -Mr. Beveridge went a great deal among them, and endeavoured to cheer -them with the assurance that the war could not last very long, and -that at its termination, whenever that might be, there would certainly -be a general amnesty, and that all fugitives would then be permitted -to return to their homes. He therefore advised them to keep this -always in mind, and to lay by every penny they could spare of their -earnings, so that they would eventually be able to return to Cyprus -and resume their former life. When the _Misericordia_ left Cyprus -there remained on board only some half a dozen families who had -friends in Greece, and the young men who intended to join the Greek -army. Never did a vessel undergo a more thorough washing and cleaning -up than the schooner on her voyage round to Athens. The deck was -scrubbed and holy-stoned twice a day; the lower deck was equally -cleaned, and, in addition, the woodwork received two coats of fresh -paint, after having been thoroughly fumigated. - -"The Greeks may have their virtues," Martyn remarked to Miller, "but -cleanliness on board ship is marked by its absence." - -"There is no doubt about that," Miller agreed. "I have always heard -that a cargo of Mohammedan pilgrims to Mecca was about the most -painful experience a sailor could have; but I back the Greeks against -them. I don't think the schooner herself liked it. She seemed to have -lost all her liveliness and to be depressed at being turned into a -human pig-stye. I don't believe it was worse between decks when she -had a cargo of slaves on board." - -"Mr. Beveridge has just told me," Martyn said, "that I am to tell the -crew that at the next pay he shall give three pounds a head to each -man as a reward for their work at Cyprus and the inconveniences they -have been since put to." - -"They will appreciate that," Miller said. "They certainly have been -put about a good deal, and they will be pleased at the recognition of -it as much as with the money. Besides, the same thing may happen -again, and it is a good thing to keep them all in a good humour, -especially as at present there hasn't been any chance whatever of -prize-money." - -"What are the next orders, sir?" Martyn asked Mr. Beveridge when they -had finished supper. - -"There will be nothing particular going on for some time, I should -imagine, Captain Martyn. The Turkish army does not seem to be ready to -advance, and the Greeks are not troubling themselves to get up an army -at all. After the last affair every man made off with the booty he had -gathered to his own village; and there, I am afraid, they are all -likely to stay till a Turkish army invades them. Athens and Nauplia -may hold out for some time longer--for weeks, perhaps, possibly for -months. Therefore, for the present I leave it entirely with you to -cruise where you think best." - -"Then, sir, we will go south. Since we have come out we have not taken -a prize worth having; and I think that as prize-money was certainly -one of the inducements held out to the sailors when they joined, we -might as well try to pick up a few Turkish merchantmen. There is no -doubt that the ships from Smyrna and all the Syrian ports, as well as -from the islands, keep near land, and that even those bound for -Alexandria and the African ports coast round there also. Some of these -no doubt carry rich cargoes, and many will be taking Greek slaves to -Alexandria and Tunis; so we shall be carrying out your object by -releasing them, as well as picking up some prize-money. I think the -men well deserve a little indulgence in this way. Their work has not -been altogether pleasant for some time. They have been turned out of -their quarters, and have had to sleep under the awning forward. I have -heard no grumbling among them, for I am sure they were glad to do all -they could to help the poor creatures we have had on board. Still, -they will be glad of a chance of what they would consider legitimate -business." - -"Very well, Captain Martyn, let it be so. I quite agree with you as to -the excellent conduct of the men. They have certainly had a good deal -of hardship to put up with, for everything has been very uncomfortable -since our visit to Cyprus." - -In a few minutes the boatswain's whistle was heard, followed by the -tramp of the men round the capstan and the stir of getting up sail. -Then the watch was set, and the schooner sped along under a gentle -breeze towards the south. - -For the next two months the _Misericordia_ cruised on the coast of -Syria. Scarce a day passed without some vessel being overhauled. Many -of these were small coasters laden only with grain or other cargoes of -small value. These were permitted to proceed on their way without -interference. Of the larger vessels some contained mixed cargoes. In -the cases where no Greek captives were on board, the valuable portion -of the cargo was transferred to the schooner, and the ship was then -permitted to proceed on her voyage. Where Greek slaves were found on -board, the captain was given the choice of having the vessel burned, -or giving a bond for an amount equal to half her estimated value and -that of the cargo, signed by himself, the representative of the -owners, if there was one on board, and the principal passengers. - -These bonds could not, perhaps, have been enforced in any court; but -Mr. Beveridge had confidence in the honesty of the Turks, and in every -case the amounts were duly forwarded to the agents he named. Seven -ships contained valuable cargoes of silks, tobacco, and wine. These -were all bound for Alexandria and Tunis, and carried a considerable -number of Greek women and children, the survivors of massacres in -towns in Asia Minor. In these cases the Turks were all placed in their -boats within two or three miles of land, and the vessels with prize -crews on board were consigned to Greeks at Corinth and Athens, who had -undertaken to act as Mr. Beveridge's agents, and who were to dispose -of them and their cargoes to Greek merchants. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -IN THE HANDS OF THE TURKS - - -Towards the end of the cruise the schooner had just returned to the -coast of Asia Minor after having run across to Athens and taken on -board the officers and men who had sailed the last prizes taken there. -On the day after they took up their place on their cruising ground -they fell in with a large polacca brig. The vessel mounted ten small -guns, and fought with some obstinacy, and it was not until Martyn -placed the schooner so that she could rake the brig's decks, which -were crowded with men, that she hauled down her flag. - -"Lower two boats, Miller. You take charge of one and Tarleton the -other. By the look of those fellows I don't believe they are Turks at -all. I believe they are from Algiers or Tunis; pirates at ordinary -times, but who have come here to pick up slaves cheap. They are -treacherous beggars, so be on your guard. There is a very strong crew. -Don't row alongside till I lay the schooner broadside on." - -In five minutes Miller hailed from the deck of the prize, "You are -right, sir, they are Algerines, and as cut-throat a looking lot as -ever I came across. She is crowded below with Greek women and girls, -and as far as I can see at present she has no cargo of any sort. I -have sent one of the boats for Marco. He can speak to the women, who -are making a fearful hubbub down below." - -"Have you disarmed the crew, Mr. Miller?" - -"Mr. Tarleton has just finished that. We have had to knock a good many -of the scoundrels down. They are as savage as wildcats." - -The schooner was brought alongside the polacca and lashed there. The -deck of the prize showed that the fire of the schooner had been -terribly destructive. Over twenty bodies lay scattered about, -principally round the guns. - -"Are they all dead?" Martyn asked as he stepped on board. - -"They are all dead now, but they were not when we boarded her. But as -they lay there they fired their pistols among us. Two or three -pretended to be dead, and then sprang up, knife in hand, and several -of the men have got nasty cuts; so that was soon put a stop to. Some -of the fellows below made quite a fight of it, and the men had to use -their cutlasses pretty freely. However, they are all disarmed and -bound now. I have no doubt they are Algerine pirates, and deserve to -be hung to the yard-arm every man-jack of them." - -"Have you overhauled the hold yet?" - -"Yes, sir. It is filled with these unhappy slaves. She evidently came -merely in ballast, with money to buy them." - -"Well, no doubt these fellows have been pirates, Mr. Miller, but as we -have no means to prove it we must let them go as we have the others, -though it is a nuisance, for they only warn the people at the ports -against us. We won't put them on the mainland this time, but land them -on one of the little islands. They may be some time in getting a craft -to take them to the mainland, and then they will find it rough work -making along the coast. However, we can settle upon that later. The -first thing to do is to get the decks roughly cleaned and the dead -bodies thrown overboard." - -A dozen men were set to work with mops and buckets, while others -fastened shot to the feet of the Algerines and dropped them overboard. -As soon as this was done Marco was sent below to tell the captives -that they could come on deck. - -As the women poured up, looking almost dazed at their sudden release, -and at the bright sunlight after the stifling atmosphere of the dark -hold in which they had been confined for six days, Horace saw one of -them, a woman of some five-and-thirty years of age, to whose side a -girl of fifteen was clinging, looking round with an air of excitement, -in strong contrast to the comparative apathy of the others. She -glanced round at him and the men engaged in tidying up the deck, -and then with a cry sank fainting on the deck. He hurried up to her, -and partly raised her, when he was struck by the cry of the girl, "Oh, -mother, mother!" He looked at her in astonishment. - -[Illustration: THE GREEK CAPTIVES ARE BROUGHT ON DECK] - -"Are you English?" he exclaimed. - -"Yes," she cried, "we are English; but we have been seized and carried -away by these horrid Turks. Mother said she fancied she heard some -shouts in English, but she thought she must have been mistaken, as -only a Greek came down and spoke to us in the hold, and she did not -think it possible that it could be English. And have you rescued us -out of the hands of the Turks, sir? Mother said they were taking us -away to sell us as slaves." - -"Yes, we have rescued you," Horace said. "You are free now. If you -will hold your mother's head for a moment I will fetch the doctor; we -have one on board." - -"If you would get a little water, sir, she will soon come round. She -has fainted several times since we were captured." - -Horace, however, caught sight of Macfarlane. - -"Doctor, here is an English lady among the captives. She has fainted. -Please see to her. I will run to get some water;" and he sprang over -the bulwark on to the deck of the schooner. - -"Bring some brandy with you too," Macfarlane said as he hurried to the -side of the fainting woman. - -Horace rushed down to the cabin, and returned with a jug of water, a -decanter of brandy, and a tumbler. The doctor sprinkled some water on -the lady's face, poured a few drops of spirits between her lips, and -in a minute or two she opened her eyes. - -"It is all right now, madam," he said as she looked round in a -confused way. "You are safe among friends and British sailors." - -"Thank God for His mercies!" she murmured, while tears fell down her -cheeks. "It seems almost too great happiness to be true." - -In a few minutes she was well enough to be assisted down to the cabin -of the schooner, where she was left to the care of her daughter for a -time. Half an hour later she was able to relate her story to Mr. -Beveridge. She was, she said, the wife of an English merchant at -Smyrna. They lived a short distance out of the town, and had, since -the troubles began, gone but little abroad, for although it was only -the Greeks who had been involved in the massacre that had taken place -there some months before, there was a good deal of hostility upon the -part of the lower class of the population against all Christians. One -evening she had been with her daughter in the garden, her husband -being engaged till late at his business in the town. It was just -getting dark, and she was about to re-enter the house, when five or -six ruffians of the lowest class rushed into the garden, seized her -and her daughter in spite of their shrieks, threw thick cloths over -their heads, and then carried them away. They were taken for some -distance, when they stopped, and she heard an animated conversation -and the clink of money. Then they were placed in a boat, and presently -carried up on to the deck of a ship and taken below. - -When their mufflings were removed they found they were in the hold of -a vessel with a large number of Greek captives. She endeavoured in -vain to make herself understood by the sailors who came below, and -who, she perceived at once, were not Turks. She told them that she was -English, and that her husband would pay a large sum if she and her -daughter were set on shore unharmed. No attention was paid to her -entreaties, but on her persisting she was brutally knocked down, and -in a short time a man, who was evidently an officer, came down and -forced them both to take off their European dresses and put on others -that some of the Greek women were ordered to hand over to them. It was -now evident to her that they had been seized by some of the ruffians -of the town and sold to the Algerines, who were in no way particular -as to the nationality of their slaves, and that they were destined to -be sold in the slave-market of either Tunis or Algiers. - -A few hours after they were taken on board they heard the anchor run -up, and could soon tell by the ripple of the water against the planks -that they were under weigh. All hope now left them, and they had -passed a terrible six days, overcome by despair, and half suffocated -by the foul air of the hold. Hope had again sprung up when a gun was -fired overhead, and it was soon evident that the vessel was engaged in -an encounter with an enemy. At last the firing ceased, then there was -a sound of shouting and the clashing of swords on the deck above their -heads. Presently the hatchways had been opened and a Greek had come -down and told them that the vessel had been captured from the Turks, -and that they were free. She fancied that she heard English voices, -but until she had reached the deck and saw the faces and uniforms of -the sailors, she thought that she must be mistaken. After that she -remembered no more until she heard the doctor's voice. - -"I am rejoiced indeed that I have been enabled to save you and your -daughter from the horrors of slavery," Mr. Beveridge said. "We have -had the pleasure of rescuing many hundreds of Greek women and children -from the hands of the Turks, but I never expected to find a -countrywoman among them. This cabin will be at your disposal, except -that we must, I fear, take our meals here. The cabin adjoining will be -wholly yours. In the course of a week I hope to land you at Corfu, -thence you will be able to write to your husband and arrange either -for joining him again at Smyrna, or taking a passage for England, -which would, I should think in the present state of things, be the -wisest course. My purse will be entirely at your disposal. I am the -owner of this schooner, which is called the _Misericordia_, and -although we fight under the Greek flag, and have come out to assist -them to obtain their independence, we are principally devoting -ourselves to saving the unhappy victims of this war." - -The lady, whose name was Mrs. Herbert, expressed her deep gratitude, -and Mr. Beveridge at once took possession of Miller's cabin, as the -lieutenant would, he had no doubt, remain in charge of the prize. When -the capture was made, the schooner was some eighty miles to the east -of Rhodes, and after talking the matter over with Miller, Martyn -decided to land the Algerines on Caxo, an islet lying some fifty miles -to the south-west of Rhodes. Miller and Tarleton were for the present -to continue on board the prize. The prisoners, forty-eight in number, -were transferred into the schooner. The next evening they arrived off -Caxo, where the Algerines were landed in boats. Martyn then went on -board the polacca. - -"I have been thinking, Miller, that as we seem to have frightened all -the Turks into remaining in port for the present, I will leave you and -Tarleton on board the polacca, and give you twenty men and let you -cruise on your own account, while we take these women and children -round to the Ionian Isles. We will shift two of the eighteen-pounders -on board this craft. No one will suspect you, and you will have a good -chance of picking up some more prizes, while the sight of our white -sails sends everything running into port as far off as they can be -seen. We can rendezvous here again this day fortnight." - -"I should like that very much," Miller said, "and I think it is a -capital plan. I must ask Mr. Beveridge to let me have Marco, or I -shall have no means of making myself understood either by Turk or -Greek." - -A fortnight later the schooner returned to the island. She had had -rough weather for the last three days of her voyage, but the sky had -now cleared again. - -"There is the island," Martyn said, as Horace came up at six o'clock -in the morning to take charge of the watch, for he had now command of -the starboard watch, and Tom Burdett had the port. "There is the -island, but there is no sign of the polacca yet. I wonder Miller is -not here first. If we had been having calms I should not have been the -least surprised at his not turning up, but with this strong southerly -wind there is no reason why he should not have been here. Go up to the -main-top, Horace, and take a look round." - -But Horace could see no sail in sight. - -"You are not uneasy about Miller surely," Mr. Beveridge said at -breakfast, seeing that Martyn was not in his usual spirits. - -"Well, I am rather uneasy, sir. Miller would be more likely to be a -day too soon than too late, and with the wind from the south he could -have calculated his time here from wherever he happened to be, within -an hour or two. The wind has been strong with us, and for aught I know -it may have been blowing a gale more to the east. We don't know much -about the sailing qualities of the polacca, certainly she was very -light in ballast, and if she has been caught off a lee shore in a -heavy gale she may not have been able to claw off, especially if she -happened to be embayed when it came on. Of course we must give him -twenty-four hours more, but if he does not come then we will shape our -course north-east and cruise along the coast; as we get eastward we -may pick up some fishing craft or small coaster and hear what the -weather has been there, possibly even get news of the polacca. If -Miller gets here after we have left, he will guess what course we have -taken. Very likely he will land a boat and learn that we have been -here, and the course we took when we sailed away, and would then be -guided by circumstances. At any rate, if nothing has happened to him, -we are sure to meet sooner or later." - -"Do just as you think best, Captain Martyn. I most sincerely trust -that there are no grounds for your uneasiness. Hitherto everything has -gone well with us, and it would be terrible indeed if anything should -have happened to our two friends and so many of our brave fellows." - -The day passed slowly. A look-out was kept in the top, but until the -sun went down no sail was seen above the horizon. The crew shared the -anxiety of their captain, and gathering in groups, discussed what -could have occurred to prevent their consort arriving at the -rendezvous. - -"I don't believe as the Turks have caught them," one of the sailors -said. "You won't never gammon me into taking in such a yarn as that. I -don't believe as there is a Turk living would get the weather gauge of -Lieutenant Miller. As to tempests, that is different. We don't care -for tempests one way or the other on board the schooner, but then she -is a craft such as you don't see twice in a v'yage round the world. If -they had been in her I shouldn't have felt noways uneasy; but seeing -as how they are in a outlandish brig whose ways they don't understand, -it may be that if they was caught off a lee shore by a heavy gale, -even the first lieutenant with our men at his back couldn't get her -out of the mess." - -"I said all along," another sailor put in, shaking his head, "as there -was bad luck coming. Three days ago I dreamed of a black cat, and -everyone as knows anything knows as there ain't nothin' more unlucky -to dream about than a black cat." - -"Surely, Bill," another said, shaking his head gravely. - -"Well, mates, it is my opinion," Tom Burdett said gruffly, "as there -is something in dreams, but in nine cases out of ten it is something -as has gone afore and not what comes after. I know once when I came -back from a v'yage I had written a letter to tell my old woman what -time I should arrive. I reckoned to be in to dinner. Well, the coach -broke down and I did not get in till nine o'clock. The old woman had -made a plum-duff pretty nigh as big as my head, knowing as I was fond -of it, and she was in such a taking at my not having been in to eat it -at dinner that I sat down and I finished that there pudding cold for -supper. Well, I dreamt of about ten million black cats and about as -many sharks mixed up together, but if you will believe me nothing came -of it; and ever since that I have held to the opinion that when you -have a bad dream, what you have got to think about when you wake ain't -what it means in the future, but what you have been having for supper. - -"Now, I expect if Bill there was to turn his mind back he would -remember that the night as he had that dream, he had been filling -hisself up with fruit or such like trash afore he turned in. I don't -say as nothing has happened to Lieutenant Miller and our mates, but I -am cocksure as that black cat Bill said he dreamt on hadn't nothing to -do with it either way. Why, bless me, in my village there is hundreds -of women as thinks of nothing but dreams and tokens. It is no matter -what you dream of, they have got a 'terpretation of it, and if the -'terpretation happens to be a bad one they bother their husbands and -brothers and sons, as the case may be, not to put to sea, and there is -many a good fisherman whose cupboard is bare half the year, through -listening to them. I may have my ideas as to whether harm are come to -that polacca or not, but if every seaman on board the ship was to -dream of a black tom-cat and his wife and family, it wouldn't make not -so much as a shade of difference, in my opinion." - -Martyn did not wait for daylight, but when the middle watch was -relieved sail was made, and the schooner bore away to the north-east. -Land was sighted about four o'clock, and by nightfall they were -coasting along at the distance of about a mile. When it became dark -they stood on and off the shore, as Martyn wished to examine every -inlet and bay as they went on. As soon as it was daylight the schooner -proceeded on her way. The sails of several craft were made out seaward -during the course of the day, but none of these resembled the canvas -of the polacca, and attention was concentrated upon the shore, every -rock being closely scanned with glasses, and a sharp look-out kept for -signals of any kind. - -In the evening a small fishing-boat was overhauled as it made its way -into a village. The fishermen were interrogated by Zaimes, who -understood a little Turkish. They had seen nothing of any craft -answering to a description of the polacca. Interrogated about the -weather, they replied that the storm four days before had been an -exceptionally severe one, coming on very suddenly and blowing with -tremendous force for some hours. - -The next morning they were at the mouth of the Gulf of Adalia. - -"If Miller has gone to grief anywhere," Martyn said to Horace, "it is -as likely as not to be somewhere in this bay. He might very well have -been cruising about in here to pick up anything coming out of Adalia, -which is the principal port along this part of the coast. It is a -large bay, you see, and if he happened to be well up it when he was -caught in that sudden gale it is probable enough that he would not be -able to beat out in that craft. I see on the map there are three or -four small towns between this Cape and Adalia. I don't want to show -ourselves inside the cape, for the probability is the schooner would -be recognized directly. What I think will be the best plan would be -for you and Zaimes to take one of the boats and coast along close in -to the cape. There is a place called Grambusa a mile or two around the -corner, and another place called Yanar a little farther on. I want you -either to board a fishing-boat and find out whether they have news of -a wreck between this and Adalia, or have heard of any Greek or -European prisoners being brought there from farther east. If you can't -succeed in getting hold of a fishing-boat, Zaimes might land and try -to pick up the news at some cottage in the outskirts of the village. -There are Greeks in all these sea-side villages, for most of the -fishing is in their hands, and though in the towns there were -massacres I don't suppose they would be disturbed in quiet villages -where they had been settled for generations." - -Zaimes was summoned, and agreed at once to land, as both Martyn and -Horace were of opinion that there was more probability of their -getting trustworthy information that way than from fishermen, who -would be scared at finding their boat suddenly overhauled. -Accordingly, taking a gig with six men Horace and Zaimes started for -the shore, while the schooner turned her head west. - -"I shall cruise backward and forward," Martyn said. "I sha'n't go more -than four miles from the cape; so when you come out again you will -only have to lie on your oars till I come back for you." - -They rowed direct to shore, crept along close to it till they saw the -village half a mile ahead, and then rowed in and landed Zaimes. He was -absent an hour, and his walk assured Horace that he had bad news even -before he reached the side of the boat. - -"I am afraid you have bad news, Zaimes." - -Zaimes shook his head. "Very bad; it could hardly be worse. There are -several Christians in the village, and I learned from them that four -days ago a brig that was caught in the storm was driven ashore close -to Adalia. It was found that she was a Turkish vessel which had been -captured by pirates. The people would have torn them to pieces, but -the pasha, who had come down to the shore with a body of troops to try -and save those on board the ship when she was seen to be driving -ashore, protected them from the mob and lodged them in prison. They -say that he has sent off to Smyrna, where the governor of Anatolia -resides, to ask for instructions, and it is expected that orders will -come for their execution in a day or two." - -"Stretch to your oars, men," Horace said. "The others have been -wrecked and captured by the Turks, and the sooner we are on board with -the news the better." - -The men bent to their oars and made the boat fly through the water, -and when they rounded Cape Khelidonia they saw the schooner a quarter -of a mile away in the act of going about. They were seen almost as -soon as they caught sight of her, and she remained thrown up in the -wind until they got alongside. Martyn and Mr. Beveridge were both on -deck, and as soon as Zaimes had told his story they went down into the -cabin for a consultation. - -"What on earth is to be done?" Martyn said; "Adalia is a large town. -Zaimes says there are troops there, likely enough a whole regiment. It -would be hopeless to try to attack it with thirty men. The only thing -I can see at present would be for us to sail right in, anchor off the -town, and threaten to bombard it with red-hot shot if they don't give -up the prisoners. The objection is that they are likely to have some -batteries there, and in that case we might get the worst of it. -Besides, it is likely enough that they might hang Miller and the rest -of them at the first shot we fired." - -"No, that is not to be thought of," Mr. Beveridge said. "It seems to -me that we might anchor within sight of the place, send a boat ashore -with a white flag, and offer to pay any ransom they might fix for the -prisoners. I would rather pay ten thousand pounds than that harm -should come to them. What do you think, Horace?" - -"If we could have got at the pasha before he sent off to Smyrna that -might have done, father; but having once referred the case to Smyrna, -I am afraid he might consider it too risky to let them go. But we -might try that if everything else fails." - -"But what else is there, Horace?" - -"Well, I should say, father, the best thing would be to land Zaimes -and myself again. He has already made some acquaintances in the -village here, and no doubt they could rig us both up in dresses like -their own. Then we could go boldly on to Adalia, find out exactly how -things stand, what sort of a place they are imprisoned in, how strong -is the guard, and how close the barrack of the troops is to the -prison. I should suggest that you sail away west, so that if, as it is -likely enough, the schooner has been noticed by any of the peasants in -the villages scattered about among the hills and word sent to Adalia, -the report may also go that it has sailed right away. Then you should -capture a small Turkish craft; a large fishing-boat would do. Leave -ten men on board the schooner, and sail in the prize nearly up to -Adalia. If you anchor, say a couple of miles this side of the town, -and hoist a little flag, say a red flag over a white, to your -mast-head we should recognize you and come down to the beach. - -"If it is in the daytime you will make us out with your glasses easily -enough, and send a boat ashore for us. If it is nighttime we will -empty out a little powder, moisten it, and flash it off; then you can -send ashore for us. I should order the schooner to come every night, -keeping three or four miles off shore, sailing up nearly to Adalia, -and then returning so as to be round the cape again before daylight. -In that way we could communicate with her and go on board again when -we liked. Till we examine the place there is no saying whether there -is a possibility of rescue or not. If we find that there is no -possibility of anything being done in that direction we can embark on -board the schooner again, and carry out the plan you suggested: anchor -off Adalia, and send in to offer a ransom, with the alternative that -if it is not accepted we will bombard the place about their ears. In -that way, you see, we shall anyhow lose nothing by this expedition of -Zaimes and myself ashore." - -"I think your plan is an excellent one, Horace," Martyn said, and Mr. -Beveridge equally approved of it. - -"I don't think there will be any great danger about it, Martyn. There -seems no reason why any suspicion should fall upon him and Zaimes if -they are dressed in the same way as the Greeks in these villages." - -"No, I don't see why there should. Of course they will only speak with -other Greeks. I certainly think the plan of our getting hold of a -small native craft and anchoring near the town is a capital one. It -will save a great deal of time, for it is somewhere about fifty miles -from the cape to the town, and it would, in fact, save a whole day, -as, if they come off to us in the evening we could do what there is to -do that night, whereas, if they had to walk all the way down the coast -to the cape and come on board there it would be too late to do -anything that night, and we should have to wait until the next." - -Zaimes was called in, and eagerly embraced the proposal when it was -explained to him. He was passionately fond of his brother, from whom -he had never been separated, and was ready to dare anything to attempt -his rescue. It was agreed they had better wait till dark before they -landed. Accordingly the schooner sailed west for some hours and did -not return to the cape until after darkness had fallen. Then Zaimes -and Horace were landed, and as soon as the boat returned the schooner -again sailed away. Before leaving the ship Horace had dressed himself -as a Greek, and on landing they walked to the village. - -"You had best remain outside for a few minutes, Mr. Horace," Zaimes -said, "while I see the man I conversed with this morning. I told him -then that my brother was on board the polacca that was wrecked, and -that I should endeavour to get the ear of some person of importance at -Adalia. He said that he was sure that I could do nothing, but anything -he could do to help me he would, for his people came years ago from -Naxos, which, as you know, is our native place. I will just go in -first to see if he is alone and to tell him that I have a friend with -me. As soon as I see that he is in the same mood I will call you in." - -In three or four minutes the door of the cottage opened again and -Horace was called in. - -"This is the young friend who accompanies me," Zaimes said to the man. -"He is not a relation, but he has been with my brother ever since he -was born, and is willing to join me in the effort to save him." - -"It is quite hopeless," the peasant said. "You are only risking your -lives. Still, that is your business. You are ready, you say, to buy of -me two suits of our clothes. I have one suit belonging to my son, who -is at present away in a coasting ship, and I have a suit of my own -that I can let you have." - -Zaimes and Horace had both brought on shore a considerable amount of -gold stowed in belts beneath their clothes, in case they should find -any opportunity of bribing a prison official, and had in their pockets -an ample sum for any ordinary expenditure. As the peasant only asked -about three times the amount which the clothes would cost new, they -paid for them without bargaining, and at once put them on. - -"I have a brother at Adalia," the man said, well pleased with the -bargain he had made; "and if you go to him and say that you come from -me, his brother Alexis, of this village, I am sure he will be glad to -lodge you, especially when you tell him that you too belong to Naxos." - -After receiving instructions as to how to find the man's brother in -Adalia they started at once upon their journey. They lay down for -three hours in the middle of the night in a wood, and entered Adalia -at eight o'clock in the morning. They went straight to the address the -peasant had given them. It was a small house with but two rooms, and -its master was a cobbler. As soon as Zaimes mentioned his brother's -name, and said that they were ready to pay for the accommodation, the -shoemaker agreed at once to receive them. He was a chatty fellow, and -was very anxious to hear news about affairs in Greece, when they told -him that they had but lately arrived from there. - -"Now," he said, "what is your business? Of course I can see that you -do not belong to us. You are from Naxos, as you say; I notice a few -turns of speech such as my father used to use. But what have you come -here for? and why have you bought my brother's clothes from him, for I -recognized them directly you came in? I like to know things, not -because I am inquisitive, but because I do not want to have the -pasha's executioner suddenly coming in at the door and taking off my -head, without even explaining the reason why." - -"I am what I told you, a Greek of Naxos," Zaimes said; "and as I -explained to your brother, I have a brother who is one of the crew of -that ship that was wrecked here six days ago; and I have come to see -whether, by greasing the palms of some of the officials, I can manage -to get him out." - -"That you can't," the man said decidedly. "If he were in the civil -prison it might be done; but the pasha, guessing perhaps that many of -us Christians would sympathize with them, or possibly having an idea -that the mob might rise, handed them over to the soldiers, and they -are confined in a room in the military prison in the centre of the -barracks, where there are lots of sentries. The gates have been -closed since they were taken there, and no civilian is allowed to -enter under any pretence. So you see there is no bribing to be done. -Of course the sentries are changed frequently. There is no knowing -what officer has the prisoners specially under his charge. And even if -he were bribed, there would be no getting them past the sentries. So -you can give up the idea altogether of getting your brother out." - -"How long does it take for a messenger to go from here to Smyrna?" -Zaimes asked, with a slight glance at Horace to show that he was -changing the conversation purposely. - -"By ordinary travelling some two weeks; but a mounted messenger, with -relays of horses, can do it in four days." - -"Then in another three days the answer may come from Smyrna?" - -"That is so. I wonder myself that the pasha took the trouble of -sending to the governor of Anatolia, instead of hanging the prisoners -at once." - -"I suppose he thought that the governor might like to have them sent -to him, so that he could forward them to Constantinople." - -"Are you thinking of delaying the messenger's return? That might be -done, you know." And the man drew his finger across his throat -significantly. - -"I don't see that the delay would be of any use," Zaimes replied. "If -there is no chance of getting my brother out, it matters not whether -the messenger arrives to-day or a fortnight hence. However, it is a -matter that may be worth thinking over later. At any rate we will go -out and have a look at the barracks. Will you go with us? I am not -without money, and can make it well worth your while to aid us by your -advice." - -"I am ready enough," the man said. "Trade is dull, and a man must -live; and besides, I would gladly save a Christian and a native of my -own island from the Turks." - -"I would not trust him too far," Zaimes said in an undertone to -Horace when the man went into the apartment behind to speak to his -wife. "He is now inclined to help us, especially if he thinks that he -will be well paid for it. But we had better not let him know anything -of our plans. When he saw there was danger, what with fear as to his -own safety and the hope of a bigger reward than he could expect to get -from us, he might decide to turn traitor. We had better let him -suppose that we have given up all hope." - -"I agree with you, Zaimes. His hint about the messenger may be a -useful one. I don't mean, of course, that we should cut the poor -beggar's throat; but we might bind him and fasten him up for a few -days if we find there is need of time to make our preparations." - -"I am afraid time will not help us," Zaimes said. "The fellow can have -no motive for lying; and if what he says is a fact, I don't see a -shadow of a chance of our getting them out, even if we had all the -crew of the schooner here." - -"We shall know more about it when we have seen the place, Zaimes. I -expected they would be securely locked up, and it is not much worse -than I looked for. It is hard if we can't hit on some plan for getting -them out." - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -PLANNING A RESCUE - - -"Even Horace was obliged to admit, when he with Zaimes and their guide -had walked round the barracks, that he saw no chance whatever of being -able to get the prisoners out by force. The barracks consisted of an -old castle, a portion of which was, as the shoemaker told them, now -used as a military prison; and round this at some distance ran a -strong wall some fifteen feet high, loopholed for musketry. The troops -were lodged in huts between this wall and the castle. - -"There you see," the guide said, "what I said was true. You could not -get a bird out of that place, much less a man." - -"That is so," Zaimes agreed. "Well, what cannot be done, cannot. -However, we will talk it over this evening at your house. Now let us -walk about and view the city. Truly it is a fine one." - -Few towns, indeed, have a finer situation than Adalia, standing as it -does at the head of a noble bay, a great portion of which is fringed -with lofty and precipitous cliffs. The town, which at that time -contained some ten thousand inhabitants, stands on ground sloping -upwards from the sea in terraces rising one above another. It was -surrounded by a ditch and a double wall of massive construction, with -square towers every fifty yards. Beyond the walls stretched gardens -and groves of orange, lemon, and mulberry trees. Ten mosques with -their domes and minarets reared themselves above the houses, and there -were several churches belonging to the Christian population, which -was, the guide told them, about two thousand in number, the great -proportion of whom spoke only the Turkish language. "I can talk -equally well in both, for it is but fifty years since my father -settled here, and we always talked Greek in the family as long as he -lived. Now I always speak Turkish; it is safer, and does not remind -the Turks continually that we are of Greek race." - -"Where does the pasha reside?" Horace asked presently. - -"I will show you his place; it is at the lower corner of the north -wall. His gardens stretch down to the wall by the water, and another -high wall on this side separates them from the town." - -Passing through several streets they arrived opposite the residence of -the pasha of the sanjak of Tekeh, of which Adalia is the chief town. -The residence itself stood at the angle of the two walls dividing the -garden from the town. It was a massive building. Some soldiers sat on -benches at either side of the gate that opened into the court-yard, -and townspeople and officials passed in and out. - -"The public offices are in the court-yard," the guide said. "The -pasha's private dwelling and his harem lie behind it." - -"I suppose we can walk in?" - -"Certainly," the guide said; and they passed through the gates into -the court-yard. On one side was a guard-room, stables, and other -offices; on the other were the rooms of the secretaries and officials -and that in which the pasha transacted business and received visitors. -The portion of the house facing the gates was blank on the basement -story, except that a door faced the gateway. Above were a line of -windows, all closed with jalousies. "That is the dwelling-house," -their guide said. "I believe all the apartments of the family face the -garden. Those windows you see there are only those of the apartments -of the servants and slaves." - -After leaving the pasha's they walked down to the bottom of the town, -where two gates with strong flanking powers opened upon the port, -which was smaller than Horace had expected to find it. However, he was -glad to see that there were several craft anchored in the roadstead, -some near the port, some at a distance, showing that vessels did not -come in unless for shelter in bad weather or to discharge heavy -cargoes. Whatever the craft, then, in which the crew of the schooner -might arrive, it would not attract attention by anchoring outside the -port, as arranged. They returned with their guide to his house and had -a meal there. Zaimes was profoundly discouraged. He saw no prospect -whatever of rescuing his brother or the other prisoners, and the -strength of the walls and the guns that were mounted upon them--a step -which, the host told him, had been taken a few months before to defend -the town against the Greek fleet, should it make its appearance -there--showed that there was no prospect of the Turks being alarmed by -the appearance or threats of a craft like the schooner. - -"It seems altogether hopeless," Zaimes said to the Greek. - -The latter shook his head, "I can see no possible way," he replied. -"If it had been an ordinary prisoner in the jail it could be managed -without difficulty. I could have got one of our countrymen of some -influence to have approached the prison officers, or I myself could -have worked with the warders; a small sum of money would have done it. -But now it seems to me hopeless, and even if we stop the messenger and -gain another eight days while the pasha sends again to Smyrna, we -should only run some risk and gain nothing." - -Zaimes assented mournfully. - -"You had better make the man a present, Zaimes," Horace said when they -were alone for a minute after the meal was finished. "Tell him that it -seems to us to be hopeless, and that we shall probably go right away; -but that if, thinking it over, we can hit upon any possible plan we -will be back again this evening and sleep here." - -Zaimes carried out the suggestion, gave their host a gold coin, and -said that they saw no use in staying longer, but would think it over -in every way and might return that evening. - -"If you go outside the town you must be back by sunset," the man said; -"the gates are closed at that hour." - -"We will not forget, but I do not think you will see us again." - -"Even if our people don't arrive this evening, Zaimes, I think it will -be just as well not to go back into the town," Horace said as they -issued out through the gates into the country. "I don't say for a -moment that the man is not honest, but it is just as well not to put -temptation in his way. He knows that we are friends of the prisoners, -and he, no doubt, guesses that we belong to the craft that captured -the polacca that was wrecked. No doubt he would not openly betray us; -that would bring him into discredit with all the Christians in the -town. But a few words whispered to some Turk, and an agreement to -share any reward that may be given for our capture, would answer the -purpose just as well. I don't say he would do it, you know, but it -would be just as well not to run the risk." - -On issuing from the gate, Horace saw that there was a narrow road -running between a deep dry ditch at the foot of the city walls and the -outlying gardens and orchards. - -"This will be our shortest way down to the water, Zaimes, let us -follow it." - -The Greek turned without question. When they had gone half-way down -between the gate and the bottom of the hill, Horace stopped. "Now, let -us have a good look at this place. On the other side of that wall is -the garden of the pasha's house. I counted the number of steps up from -the house to the cross-road leading to the gateway, and I have counted -them coming down again; we are about fifty yards below the upper wall -of the garden." - -"I daresay it is so," Zaimes replied listlessly. - -"This ditch is about ten feet deep, and from the bottom of the ditch -to the top of that first wall is from five-and-twenty to thirty; -between that wall and the higher one inside it is about fifteen feet; -and the inner wall is about fifteen feet higher than the outer one; -those square towers form junctions between the two walls. Now, we may -be quite sure that there are no sentries either on the wall or on the -square towers. I don't suppose there are sentries anywhere except in -the batteries on the water-face, but there certainly won't be here, -for they would command a view down into the pasha's garden; so we may -quite conclude that except for the trouble of scaling the walls there -is nothing to prevent our getting over. A couple of rope-ladders and -one or two twenty-foot planks with bits nailed across them to give a -foothold would take us on to the inner wall; then we should need -another long ladder to get down into the garden. That would be about -thirty-five feet, I should say." - -"Yes, I see all that," Zaimes, whose face had again become animated as -he listened, agreed; "but what would be the good of getting into the -pasha's garden?" - -"No good at all, if we were by ourselves, Zaimes, but with Martyn and -twenty men from the schooner a good deal of good, I should say. We -have only got to make a sudden rush into the house, which will, of -course, be open to the garden, seize the pasha, and carry him and some -of his wives and children off to the craft that our fellows come in, -and then on to the schooner. Then we can send ashore to say that -unless the prisoners are sent off in a boat to us by twelve o'clock in -the day we shall hang the pasha. Maybe when we get hold of the pasha -there will be no occasion to carry him and his women off; the mere -threat of it might be enough. We can tell him that it will be painful -to us to have to hoist them up to the top of the wall in sacks, but -that we shall be obliged to do it unless he signs an order for the -prisoners' release, and sends it off at once by an officer to the -jail. A handsome bribe that will enable him to make his peace with his -superior at Smyrna may help to quicken his perception." - -Zaimes seized Horace's hand with fervour, shook it wildly, clasped his -hands on his breast, raised them to heaven, and poured forth a stream -of exclamations of delight. The quiet habits of many years had been -thrown to the winds in a moment, and the excitable Greek nature burst -through all restraints. "You have given me new life," he exclaimed as -soon as he had calmed down a little. "Just now there did not seem even -a shadow of hope. Now there is a chance that once again I may clasp my -brother in my arms. Your plan is difficult, it is dangerous, and yet -we may succeed. It is a desperate undertaking, but what is that? I -would give my life for my brother, and your sailors would all risk -theirs for their comrades." - -"Let us sit down here quietly for a few minutes, Zaimes, and take a -good look at these walls. It is evident by the look of this road that -it is very little used, and even if anyone did come up they would only -think that we had been working in the orange groves behind us and were -taking a quiet smoke. It is lucky that there is a moon to-night; it -would be an awfully difficult job to get over those walls and into a -place we know nothing of if it were a dark night. There will be no -difficulty in throwing up a grapnel and getting on to the first wall. -The greatest difficulty will be in crossing from that one to the one -behind it. Of course with a regular gangway it would be easy enough, -but we should not be able to get materials for making one. However, -with a couple of stout spars put up a foot apart with ropes between -them a foot from each other so as to make ratlings, we could get up, -though it wouldn't be a very easy job passing women down. Still, I -hope it won't come to that. I should think if we capture the pasha and -his children, if he has any--and I suppose with half-a-dozen wives he -will be sure to have some--we might leave the women alone, though, of -course, we should threaten to take them. But I'll tell you what we -shall want, and that is a man who can speak Turkish well, so as to -explain exactly to the pasha the fix he is in." - -"Yes, we shall want such a man," Zaimes agreed. - -"Very well, Zaimes, then I think you had better go back to our friend -at once. Even if he did mean treachery, he would have taken no steps -yet, as he won't expect us back till the evening if we come at all. -Tell him that you want a service of him in which he will run no -personal danger--for you know we can dress him up in some of our -things, and put a bit of black cloth as a mask half over his face--and -that he will be paid twenty pieces of gold for a night's work. That -will be a fortune to him." - -"That will be the best plan," Zaimes said. "Where shall we meet you?" - -"I will go down the hill to the bottom to see what sort of a road -there is along the sea, and I will wait there for you. If the road is -exposed to the view of the sentries on the batteries at the sea wall -we must make our way through the orchards to this point; if not, we -will move along there." - -"Do you think that Captain Martyn is sure to be here this evening?" - -"He is quite certain to be. He knows that every hour is of importance, -and he will get hold of some craft or other early this morning even if -he has to go into a fishing port to get it." - -Zaimes retraced his steps up the hill, while Horace sauntered down -until he came out on to the road leading to the port along the shore. -A good many small houses were scattered along by its side, and some -fishing-boats drawn up on the beach. At the angle of the wall there -was a battery. Three guns pointed along the road and the Turkish -sentry was leaning against the parapet by the side of them. - -"We shall have to make our way through the orchards," he said to -himself. "There will be no getting along this road with the moon up. -The sentry would notice us a quarter of a mile away. Besides, the -tramp of so many feet would be certain to bring people to their doors. -And we must come early if we can, so as to catch the pasha before he -goes to bed." - -In half an hour Zaimes and the cobbler came up. - -"It is agreed," the former said in English; "twenty pounds will make -him what he considers rich, and he declares he is ready to run any -risk for a single night's work in order to gain it. I think he is an -honest fellow. I watched him closely when I went in, and if he had any -thought whatever of betraying us, I think I should have seen it in his -face." - -It was now four o'clock in the afternoon, and they soon made out a -small brigantine anchored a quarter of a mile out, and about a mile -and a half along the shore. - -"I expect that is her," Horace said. "She has only just come in, for -there are some men upon the yards stowing away the sails, and that is -just the position we agreed she should take up." - -When they had gone a mile farther they could see that she had small -red and white flags at her mast-head. When they got opposite to her -they went down to the water's edge. Horace waved a white handkerchief -for a moment and then sat down. A minute later the boat towing behind -the brigantine was hauled up. Two men got into her and rowed leisurely -to the shore. They were dressed as Turkish sailors, but Horace -recognized them as they came close as two of the crew. They stepped -in at once, and the boat rowed out again. - -"Have you any news of Mr. Miller and the others, Mr. Horace," one of -them said, "if I might make so bold as to ask?" - -"Certainly you may. They are in prison, and there is no possibility of -getting them out with the strength we have got; it would need three or -four hundred men at least. But we have another plan, which we hope -will be successful." - -"You will find the captain down in the cabin with your father, Mr. -Horace. Everyone is keeping below except three or four of our chaps, -who are got up, like us, in the clothes of the crew of the craft." - -"Come along, Zaimes," Horace said as he stepped on board. "You had -better come with me. This man is going to help us, Davidson, so make -him as comfortable as you can till Zaimes comes out again." - -Horace found his father, Martyn, and the doctor in the little cabin. -He was heartily welcomed back, and eagerly questioned as to his news. -He first told them of the impossibility of doing anything to effect -the rescue of the prisoners, guarded as they were; and then explained -the position of the pasha's house and garden, and his own plan. - -"Well, it is a bold scheme, Horace, but I should think it might -succeed," Martyn said when he concluded. "We ought certainly to be -able to get hold of the pasha before an alarm is given, and if we do -we might manage to make terms with him without the women knowing -anything about it. That would be a great point, if it could be -managed, for if they begin screaming they will bring the whole town -upon us. You say there is one door from that part of the house into -the court-yard on the other side, and of course there is a -communication from the public rooms into the house. The first thing to -do when we get in will be to post a couple of men at each of these -doors to prevent anyone from running out and giving them the alarm. -After that we can tackle the pasha quietly. As you say, though we may -threaten, there would be no getting women up over those walls; they -would have to be slung up like bales, and if the alarm were given we -should have the town upon us before we had half finished the job. We -could bundle the pasha off, tied up if he would not walk, and take a -dozen children if there are as many, for the sailors could carry them -if they were small; if not, they could be gagged and made to walk with -a pistol at their heads; but with women, and especially Turkish women, -it would be an awful business. Many of them are fat, and some of them -I suppose would faint. If we can get the pasha himself and some of his -children that will be enough; but as you say, I expect he will give in -when he finds himself in our hands, and we tell him that we are going -to carry him and his whole family off. Your idea of a bribe in -addition is a very good one. Of course, as you say, if we were sure -the men at Smyrna would send an order for them to be sent to him, we -should be all right, for we could attack their guard at some lonely -spot along the road; but the betting is ten to one that he orders them -to be hung at once, and if the pasha here writes in return describing -how he has been obliged to give them up, and sending a handsome -present, he will hear nothing more about it. What time do you think we -had better start, Horace?" - -"About nine o'clock, I should say. It will take us a good hour getting -from here and scaling the walls. It is not likely the pasha will be -turning in before eleven, but it is as well to give a good margin." - -"I should recommend you not to go, Mr. Beveridge," Martyn said. "You -are not accustomed to climb rope-ladders. It is a job that is only fit -for sailors." - -"I do not think I should be of much use," Mr. Beveridge replied. "If I -did, I would go gladly; but after the hindrance I was to you all at -Cyprus, I will take your advice and stay here." - -"I will leave a couple of men with you." - -"No, Captain Martyn, you may want every man. Zaimes will remain with -me. If you were going to attack the prison no doubt he would wish to -be there and help to rescue his brother; but as it is, someone must -stay here as we have eight prisoners down in the hold, and as he is no -more accustomed to climbing ropes than I am, it is better that he -should remain here." - -"Very well, sir, then I will see about getting the things we shall -want made." - -The crew were at once set to work to prepare the ladders. - -"We had better not make regular rope-ladders," Martyn said. "They are -well enough for us; but if we have to get people over the wall, we had -better put in wooden rungs." - -Accordingly some spare oars were sawn up into lengths, and with these -and four ropes, two ladders each forty feet long were manufactured. -Then two spars twenty-five feet long were chosen. Cross-pieces were -nailed to these a foot apart, and a long piece of canvas was nailed -under this gangway, so that, as Martyn said, if any of the captives -made a false step in going across it, they would not fall through. A -single block was fastened to a grapnel, and a long rope attached for -getting up the ladder to the top of the first wall. All this was but -an hour's work for twenty men. The doctor had been asked whether he -would prefer staying on board or going with the party. He decided upon -staying. - -"If you were going to fight I would certainly go with you, Martyn; but -I am no more accustomed to climbing up ropes than Mr. Beveridge is, -and I should only be in your way, so I will stay with him and Zaimes -and keep watch on board." - -"I think that is the best plan, doctor. It is sailors' work. We shall -have trouble as it is in hoisting that fellow Horace brought on board -over the walls." - -The cobbler had turned pale with fright when Zaimes explained to him -that they were going to take the pasha a prisoner, and that he would -be wanted to interpret to him, and he protested that nothing could -tempt him to undertake such a business. - -"Nonsense, man!" Zaimes said. "You will run no more risks than the -others. Look at them laughing and joking. They don't look like men who -are about to embark on a perilous expedition. However, I promised you -twenty pounds, but if you do your work well and speak out boldly and -firmly what you are told, you shall have another five." - -"It is a big sum for a poor man," the cobbler replied. "I will do it, -but I won't answer for speaking out loud and bold; my teeth chatter at -the very thought of it. If he should ever recognize me again, he would -chop me up into mince meat." - -"How can he recognize you? You can either fasten a piece of black -cloth over your face, or what will do just as well, get a cork and -burn it, and rub it over your face till you are as black as coal. Your -own brother wouldn't know you then, and the pasha will have enough to -think about without staring at you." - -"I like that better than the cloth," the man said. "If there is a -scuffle the black cloth may come off." - -"We will rig you up in the clothes of one of the sailors here. You can -put them on over your own if you like, and then you will have nothing -to do but to throw them away, wash your face, and walk boldly into the -town in the morning." - -The brigantine had two boats. These were, as soon as it became dark, -lowered, and a quarter before nine the landing party mustered. The men -had already torn up some blankets and old sail-cloth, and wrapped them -round their cutlasses and muskets so as to deaden the sound should -these strike against the wall. The guns were not loaded, but each man -carried thirty rounds of ammunition and a brace of pistols, which were -to be loaded as soon as they got down into the garden, Martyn, -however, giving the strictest orders that whatever happened not a shot -was to be fired without his permission. - -"I do not think it is likely that we shall meet with any resistance, -lads," he said before they stepped down into the boats. "If there is, -knock them down with your fists; or if there is anything serious, use -your cutlasses. Mr. Horace will place the four men told off for the -doors, at their posts. These will follow him through the house -regardless of anything that is going on around. Everything depends -upon our preventing anyone from leaving the house and giving the -alarm. I shall myself post men at all the lower windows before we -enter. Their duty will be to prevent anyone from coming out into the -garden. If there is yelling or shrieking in the garden it will alarm -the town. As long as they only shriek in the house there is no fear of -its being heard. Now you each know what you have got to do. As to -scaling the wall, this must be done as quietly as if you were making -sail on board a smart frigate." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE PASHA OF ADALIA - - -Packed closely in the two boats of the Turkish craft the landing -party rowed for the shore. As soon as they reached it the boats were -drawn up on the strand, and in silence Martyn led his men across the -road. Then he struck off into the orchard on the other side, so as to -escape the notice of any of the people in the houses by the road. The -cobbler and Horace went first, Martyn and the men followed a short -distance behind. Half an hour's walking took them to the edge of the -ditch, and after a short search they found a bough that Horace and -Zaimes had cut off and thrown down by the side of the path, to mark -the spot where they were to make the ascent. - -Two sailors were posted on the path, at fifty yards above and below -them, in case anyone should come along, although the risk of this was -exceedingly small. There was no difficulty in scrambling down into -the ditch. As soon as they did so the sailor who carried the grapnel -advanced to the foot of the wall, and at the second attempt succeeded -in getting it to hold on the parapet. Another, with one of the -rope-ladders, went forward, fastened the rope to it, and the two of -them hauled the ladder up to the block, and kept the rope taut while -Martyn mounted. He found, as he had expected, that there was a -platform behind the wall for men to stand on while firing. Taking his -place on it he took hold of the ladder rope and told the men below to -loosen their end. Holding it partly up he fastened it at the block. -Then two men joined him, hauled the wooden gangway up, and planted it -against the top of the inner wall. The rest of the men followed, and -Martyn led the way across. The others soon stood beside him, all -stooping down on the platform as soon as they had crossed, so that -their heads should not show above the skyline, should anyone happen to -be looking out from the windows of the house. - -Two sailors helped the cobbler across the gangway. Horace was the last -to mount, with the exception of the two sentries, whom he summoned -with a low whistle as soon as the others were up. When they reached -the top they hauled the rope-ladder after them, and laid it ready for -lowering again. By the time Horace crossed to the inner wall Martyn -and most of the men had already descended to the garden by the second -rope-ladder. - -"That has all been managed well," Martyn said when Horace joined him -below. "Now, you and I will go forward and reconnoitre a bit." - -The house was seventy or eighty yards away. There were lights in -several windows on the ground-floor, and at almost all the windows on -the flat above it. - -"We had better take off our shoes, Horace. It is no use running any -risks. Shove them in your sash beside your pistols." - -They stole noiselessly up to the house and looked in at the windows. -In one room were a group of servants sitting round a brazier, smoking; -another room was empty; but in the third, which was much the largest, -four Turkish officials were seated on a divan, and a Nubian slave was -handing them coffee. - -"That old chap is the pasha, no doubt," Martyn whispered. "He is -evidently master of the house. You see he is giving some order or -other to the slave. Here is the garden door into a hall; let us see if -it is open. Yes; that is all right. Well, I think now we will bring up -the men. Now, as soon as we are in, Horace, you take four men; go in -first and post them at the doors leading out of the house. I will take -six men and seize the pasha and his friends. Other four will pounce -upon the servants. Your cobbler fellow had better go with them to tell -the servants that if they make the least row they will have their -throats cut. The other men will scatter about in the passages and down -stairs, and pounce upon anybody who may come along. As soon as you -have posted your men, go to the room where the servants are, and bring -the interpreter in to me. Tell the sailors to bind the fellows and lay -them down, and put a couple of guards over them." - -They returned to the men and told them off to their several duties. -All were ordered to take their shoes off, and put them in their belts. - -"Now, you can draw your cutlasses, lads," Martyn said. "Have you all -loaded your pistols?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Well, mind they are not to be used; a pistol-shot might destroy all -our plans. I hope to manage it so that there shall not be any noise -whatever." - -They made their way quietly up to the house. Horace opened the door -and led the way in, followed by his four men. They passed through the -hall and a long passage, from which several rooms opened; and he was -sure, by the direction in which he was going, that this must lead to -the offices. At the end was a strong door; only one bolt was shot, as -doubtless the officers would be leaving by this way. He put up a -heavy bar that was standing beside it, stationed two of the sailors -there, and then retraced his steps with the others. Just as he reached -the hall again a sailor came up to him. - -"This is the way to the big door, your honour;" and turning down -another passage they arrived at a double door, which Horace had no -doubt was the one that he had seen in the court-yard. Posting the men -there he hurried back, and soon found the room where the servants had -been sitting. The work had already been done. The sailors had all been -provided with short lengths of rope, and the Turks were lying bound -upon the floor. Telling the cobbler to accompany him, he went into the -next room. Two sailors, with drawn cutlasses, were standing by the -side of the pasha. The three officers had been bound, and were lying -on the divan, with a sailor standing over each, while the other sailor -stood over the attendant, who cowered on the ground in an attitude of -abject terror. Martyn was standing facing the pasha. - -"Now, Horace," he said, "tell your man what to say to the pasha." - -This had been arranged between them, and Horace at once addressed the -pasha. - -"Do you speak Greek?" - -The pasha shook his head. - -"Tell him," Horace said in that language to the interpreter, "that we -belong to the ship to which the officers and sailors he has in his -prison also belong, and that we have come here to fetch them away. We -are fighting under the flag of Greece; but we are Englishmen by blood, -and we shall do no harm to him or his family. The prisoners, however, -we will have; and unless he sends at once, with an order for their -delivery from the prison, and hands them over to us, we shall be -obliged to carry him, the three officers here, and the ladies of his -family and his children, off on board our ship as hostages; and if a -hair of the prisoners' heads is touched, we shall be forced to hang -him and the whole of his family to the yard-arms of the ship." - -[Illustration: THE CAPTURE OF THE PASHA] - -The interpreter translated his words sentence by sentence. The Turk -had at first looked perfectly impassive; but at the threat to carry -off his women and children his expression changed, the veins stood out -of his forehead, and his face flushed with fury. - -"Tell him," Horace went on, "that we should deeply regret to have to -take such a step, and that we sincerely trust that he will see the -necessity for his yielding to our demands. There is no possibility of -assistance reaching him, we are a well-armed body of determined men, -his servants have been secured, and all the doors are guarded, as also -the windows outside--he is completely in our power. As we came in -noiselessly and unobserved, so we shall depart. If he refuses to -comply with our demands we shall, of course, be compelled to bind and -gag all our captives, and to carry the ladies and children." - -When the last sentence had been translated, Horace said to Martyn, "I -think, Captain Martyn, you had better get those officers carried into -the next room, so that we can touch upon the money side of the -question." - -Martyn gave the order, and the officers and the attendant were -removed. - -"Now, pasha," Horace went on, "let us look at this thing reasonably. -On the one side is the certainty that you and the ladies of the -household and your children will be carried away; and that unless the -prisoners are given up to us in exchange for you, you will be all put -to death. On the other hand, you have but to surrender prisoners whom -you did not even capture in war, but who were wrecked on your shore. -We know that you have sent to Smyrna for directions concerning them. -Were it not for that you would have handed them over to us without -difficulty; but as the pasha there, who is your superior, now knows of -it, you think that he will be angry when he hears of their escape, and -that you might fall into disgrace. But I don't think that the pasha of -Anatolia, if he were placed in the same position as you are, would -hesitate a moment in giving up a score of captives of no great -importance one way or the other; and that if the matter were placed -by you in the proper light before him, accompanied, perhaps, by a -present, nothing more would be heard about it. In any case we are -ready to pay you the sum of one thousand pounds as a ransom for them. -We have sent your officers out of the room that they should not hear -this offer, which will be entirely between ourselves. It is not meant -as a bribe to you, but as a ransom, which, if you choose to send it to -Smyrna, will doubtless assist the pasha there to perceive that being, -with your whole family, at our mercy, you had no resource but to -comply with our commands. We will give you five minutes to make up -your mind." - -When this was translated, the pasha asked: - -"How am I to know that, if the captives are restored to you, you will -not still carry me and my family away?" - -"You have simply the word of English gentlemen," Horace said when the -question was translated to him. "You see we are acting as -considerately as we can. Your ladies upstairs are still unaware that -anything unusual is going on. Our men have touched nothing belonging -to you. We are neither robbers nor kidnappers, but simply men who have -come to save their comrades from a cruel death." - -"I will write the order," the pasha said firmly. "Had I been in the -house by myself I would have died rather than do so. Being as it is, I -cannot resist." - -"Who will you send with the order?" Horace asked. - -"One of the officers you have taken away is the colonel of the -regiment. He will take it and bring the prisoners here. He is the -oldest of the three." - -Horace went into the next room and ordered the officer to be unbound -and brought in by two of the sailors. - -"You have heard, Colonel Osman, the terms that these strangers have -laid down, and that unless the prisoners are surrendered, you, the two -bimbaches, myself, and the members of my family, will be carried off -as hostages and hung if the prisoners are not delivered up." - -"I heard that, pasha." - -"What is your opinion, colonel?" - -"My opinion is that you have no course but to give up the prisoners. -No one would expect you to sacrifice the lives of the ladies of your -family and your children, to say nothing of your own and ours, merely -for the sake of twenty shipwrecked sailors. It seems to me that it -were madness to hesitate, pasha." - -"That is also my opinion," the pasha said. "Therefore, colonel, I will -now write you an order to fetch them from prison and bring them under -an escort here. You will understand that it will be better that -absolute silence should be observed about this affair. The less it is -talked of the better. If the officer in special charge of them asks -any questions you can intimate that, without knowing it, you believe -that the messenger may have arrived from Smyrna with instructions as -to their disposal. Dismiss the escort at the outer gate and bring the -prisoners yourself here." - -The pasha wrote the order, which he handed to the colonel, who at once -hurried off with it. - -"You are sure that he will faithfully obey the order, pasha?" Horace -asked through the interpreter. - -The pasha nodded. - -"One of the bimbaches here is his own brother, and he would be sure -that his life would be sacrificed were there any treachery." - -At this moment there was a little shriek heard. - -"I am afraid," Horace said, "that one of the ladies' attendants has -come downstairs and has been seized. Perhaps you will like to go -upstairs and assure them that there is no cause for alarm. In the -meantime I will hand you this bag, which contains the amount of the -ransom in gold." - -"You Englishmen act nobly," the pasha said as he took the bag. "You -had us in your power, and need have paid nothing, and you treat me as -a friend rather than as an enemy. It is a pity that you fight for the -Greeks. When I was a young man I fought in Egypt by the side of your -troops." - -Horace escorted him through the sailors in the passages to the foot of -the stairs and there left him. - -"Your scheme is turning out trumps and no mistake," Martyn said as he -returned to the room. "There is no fear, I hope, of that Turkish -colonel bringing all his men down on us." - -"I don't think so." And Horace then repeated what the pasha had said -as to one of the officers in his hands being the colonel's brother. - -"That is good, Horace. I don't think he would venture on it anyhow. -Evidently the pasha has no fear. If he had he would not have sent him, -because he must have known that his treachery jeopardized his own -safety and that of his family." - -"How long do you think they will be before they are back?" - -"Not much above half an hour, I should think. I don't think the -Turkish soldiers do much in the way of undressing, and certainly our -fellows won't. Now we will leave five men to look after the prisoners -here, and we will put all the others in the offices you say look into -the court-yard, so that if by any chance this fellow does bring troops -down with him we can give them a hot reception." - -"If he does, Horace, do you take the five men in the house, rush -upstairs, let one man put a pistol to the pasha's head, and let the -others snatch up any children they can find there and take them away -over the wall--pasha and all--and march them straight down to the boat -and get them on board ship. Let me know when you are off with them. We -will defend the place as long as we can, and then make a bolt through -the garden to the ladder and follow you." - -The men loaded their muskets and took their places at the windows of -the offices. Horace and Martyn stood at the door leading from the -house into the court-yard. The interpreter stood with them. Presently -they heard the tramp of feet approaching. Then they heard a word of -command, followed by silence, and the interpreter said: - -"He has ordered the soldiers to halt. The prisoners alone are to enter -the court-yard. When the gates close behind them the soldiers are to -march back to barracks." - -The gates that had been left ajar by the officer as he went out -opened, and in the moonlight they saw him enter, followed by Miller, -Tarleton, and the sailors. The officer himself closed and barred the -gate as the last entered. Then Martyn and Horace rushed forward and -grasped the hands of their friends. These were for a time speechless -with astonishment, but the men burst into exclamations and then began -to cheer. Martyn checked them at once. - -"Hush, lads! Come in silently and quietly. We will talk and cheer when -we get away. Pass the word inside, Horace. Tell the men to file out at -once. Form up in the garden. I will wait here till you have cleared -the house." - -The greetings were hearty indeed when the two parties met in the -garden. - -"March to the ladder, lads," Martyn said, "but don't begin to climb it -till we join you. Now, Horace, we will say good-bye to the old pasha. -Bring the interpreter in with you." - -The pasha had returned to his room again where he had been joined by -the three officers, the colonel having already liberated the other -two. - -"Tell the pasha that Captain Martyn wishes to thank him for the -promptness with which the arrangement has been carried out, and also -to express to him his very great pleasure that this incident should -have terminated without unpleasantness. Captain Martyn wishes also to -say, that although, in order to rescue his officers and men, he was -obliged to use threats, yet that, as far as the ladies of the pasha's -family were concerned, they were threats only; for that, even had he -refused, he should have respected the privacy of his apartments; and -although he would have been obliged to carry off the pasha himself, -his children, and these officers as hostages, he would have retaliated -for the murder of the prisoners only upon the adults. No English -officer would use disrespect to ladies, and no English officer would -avenge the murder even of his dearest friends upon children." - -When this was translated to the pasha, he replied: "The courtesy that -the captain and his sailors have exhibited since they entered the -house is in itself sufficient to show me that his words are true, and -that the ladies of my household would have been respected. I feel -myself humiliated by thus having my prisoners carried off from the -midst of the town, but I have no reason to complain. It is the will of -Allah, and I shall always remember these English officers as gallant -gentlemen. There are not many who would risk their lives to save a few -of their countrymen." - -A few more words were exchanged, and then Martyn and his companions -joined the sailors at the wall. Miller and Tarleton had by this time -gathered from the men a short account of how their rescue had come -about. - -"Now," Martyn said briskly when he reached them, "the sooner we are -off the better. Horace, do you lead the way with ten of the men who -came with us; let the last two of that party help your interpreter -over. Mr. Miller, you with your party will follow. I will bring up the -rear with the other ten men." - -In five minutes all were over the walls. The last party had pulled up -the ladder from the garden after them, then removed and lowered down -the gangway; and after Martyn, who came last, reached the ditch, the -grapnel was shaken from its hold on the wall. - -"It wouldn't do to leave these things here," he said to Horace. "There -is no saying what yarn the pasha may set afloat. It is quite on the -cards that if he gets an order from Smyrna to execute the prisoners, -he will have it given out that they were marched to the court-yard of -his house and there executed. At any rate our taking away the ladders -will leave it open to him to give his own account of the matter. Now, -my lads, you will all follow me. It is of no use forming up in order, -as we are going through orchards; but keep close together, don't -straggle and don't talk. You will have plenty of time to compare notes -when you are once on board. - -"Now, Miller," he said as he started, "we are fairly out of it. I am -delighted, indeed, to see you and Tarleton again. I thought at one -time it was all up with you." - -"So did we," Miller said, "and I can hardly believe we are free even -now." - -"It is due to Horace and Zaimes, Miller, though it is to Horace -entirely that the credit of hitting upon the plan by which we have got -you out belongs. However we will talk all about that when we get on -board. You will have to tell your yarn to the chief; besides, as I -have told the men not to talk, I don't want to set a bad example." - -Horace had greeted Marco warmly in the court-yard, and as soon as they -started he fell behind with him, chatting with him in low tones. - -"Zaimes couldn't come with us, Marco, for he and the doctor had to -stay on board with my father to look after some prisoners there, but -he was here with me this morning and made all the arrangements for the -escape. We landed at the mouth of the bay and walked here last night, -both disguised in peasants' dresses we got hold of. I know it was a -great privation to him not to be able to come himself and aid in your -rescue." - -Here Martyn, catching the murmur of voices, passed the word for -silence, and nothing more was said until they reached the boats which -they had drawn up on the shore. A few minutes later they were -alongside the brigantine. Mr. Beveridge hailed them as they -approached. - -"Is that you, Martyn?" - -"Yes, sir. Horace's plan has worked perfectly, and we have got them -all out. The boats can only carry half. He is waiting with the rest on -the beach." - -"Thank God for that, Martyn! No one hurt at all?" - -"No one, not even a Turk has been knocked down. The only scrimmage has -been with one of the pasha's wives' maids, who fought like a wild-cat -before two of our men could make her a prisoner." - -Directly the rest of the party came off the anchor was weighed and -sail made on the brigantine, and she was headed from the land. In half -an hour a look-out in the bow called out: "I think I can make out the -schooner away on our beam, sir." - -"I think it is her," Martyn said after going forward to have a look. -"Light that red flare-up we brought with us, Horace." - -As soon as the red flame broke out, a similar signal was shown by the -craft in the distance. The brigantine was headed for her, and the two -vessels rapidly approached each other. Presently a hail from Tom -Burdett came across the water. - -"Captain Martyn ahoy!" - -"Ay, ay, Tom! We have got them all. Everyone is safe and well." - -A cheer broke out from the schooner, which was answered by a louder -one from the brigantine. - -"Throw her up in the wind, Tom," Martyn shouted, "and we will bring -this craft alongside." - -In two or three minutes the vessels lay side by side. Before leaving -the brigantine its crew were released. Mr. Beveridge, in his delight -at the success of the plan, made them each a handsome present for the -inconvenience they had suffered. The cobbler of Adalia had not come -aboard with the boats, Horace having given him his reward of -twenty-five pounds before embarking. As soon as the crew of the -schooner were all on board the head-sails were filled, and she rapidly -drew away from the brig. The boatswain was ordered to serve out a -ration of grog all round, and the officers then assembled in the -cabin, where the Greeks placed some cold meat and wine on the table, -to which all, especially Miller and Tarleton, fell to with a good -appetite. When they had done, Martyn told the story of the steps that -had been taken for their rescue. - -"You see, Miller, it was entirely Horace's plan; he made the whole -arrangements, and we had only to carry them out, which was the -simplest thing in the world. Now let us have your account." - -"We were not very lucky," Miller said. "We overhauled five or six -craft, but for the most part they contained little of value. One or -two of them had some silk and other goods on board, and these were -transferred to the polacca. The weather kept fine, and thinking that -our rig would not alarm the Turks we sailed in within three miles of -Adalia. I was intending to go right into the roads and anchor there, -when we saw the clouds banking up to the south. I had no barometer on -board, but it looked so bad that we headed out again for the mouth of -the gulf. - -"We had not gone far when the gale struck us, blowing like fury right -into the bay. We did everything we could, but the old tub drifted to -leeward two feet for every one we worked out. The wind got higher and -higher till it was blowing a hurricane. As soon as the water shallowed -sufficiently to anchor, I let both anchors go; but the gear was all -rotten, and the cables snapped like packthread. Finally we drove -ashore about half a mile to the east of the town. - -"There was a mob there waiting us, and the pasha with a lot of troops. -We tied a line to a keg and it floated on shore. They hauled on it, -and then we sent a hawser and swarmed along it. The Turks behaved very -pluckily, joining hands and rushing into the breakers to get us -ashore. As soon as they saw by our uniform who we were there was a -regular hubbub, and I thought we should all have been killed then and -there. However the pasha made the troops form up round us, and marched -us into the town, and there we were stowed away in a room in that old -castle. The prospect didn't look good, for as we went in we saw that -the troops were in huts all round us, and that there was besides a -high wall outside them. The window of the place we were shut up in was -about eight feet from the ground and very strongly barred, and in -addition they kept four soldiers always on guard in the room. - -"Two or three fellows came to us and spoke in different lingoes, of -which we could neither make head nor tail. Then a chap came who spoke -Italian. I don't know much of it, but enough to make out what he -meant when he spoke very slowly. The upshot of it was that they had -sent to Smyrna for orders as to what was to be done, and that it would -take five or six days for the messenger to go there and back. It did -not seem to make much odds to us what the answer was. Knowing how they -go on on both sides it was a moral certainty that we should be hung -either here or at Smyrna, and it did not seem to us that there was -much choice between the two places. - -"Of course we often talked about you. We knew you would do everything -you could, and that when you found we did not turn up at the -rendezvous you would sail along the coast till you got news of us; but -it did not seem likely that you could do anything to help us. We knew -that you could not land more than twenty men, and with twenty men you -could do nothing at all against about a thousand Turks with that -strong wall in front of them. Besides, the old castle itself was -capable of defence, and there were lots of them stationed in it. -Things looked about as black as they could be. We were not starved; -the Turks gave us plenty of bread and a sort of thin broth. - -"This evening we stretched ourselves out as usual about nine o'clock. -We were all asleep when the outer gates of the castle were opened, -then there was a loud trampling of feet, then our door was unlocked. -When an officer came in, followed by a lot of soldiers, we thought -that it was all up with us. The officer made signs that we were to go -with him, and I made so certain that we were being taken out either to -be shot or hung that I said a few words to the men, telling them that -the end had evidently come, and that we must die as Christians and -British sailors. We were led out, and about a hundred Turkish soldiers -closed round us. We were surprised when they marched us out of the -place, but as we went on through the streets of the town we supposed -they were taking us to some quiet spot outside the walls. Then we -turned in through that gateway, and then you know the rest, Martyn. I -don't think that I am a coward, or that I felt afraid to die; but -when you and Horace rushed out to speak to us, you could have knocked -me over with a feather. It was not until I got out into the garden and -found your party formed up there that I was quite sure it was not all -a dream." - -When they had talked over the rescue Mr. Beveridge said: "Well, we -have had enough of cruising for the present; we will make for Athens -at once, Captain Martyn; by this time probably something will be going -on there." - -It was late in February when anchor was dropped in the harbour of the -Piręus. Mr. Beveridge at once went on shore with Martyn, and returned -the next morning. - -"Any news of importance, father?" Horace asked as they came on board. - -"Yes, Hypsilantes is likely to be succeeded by his rival -Mavrocordatos. A Samian adventurer named Lykourgos has got together a -fleet and has proposed a landing at Chios; there can be no doubt that -his intention is simply plunder, for even if he could drive the Turks -out of Chios he could not possibly hold the island, as a large Turkish -fleet will very shortly be ready to sail out of the Dardanelles. The -worst of it is that the Chiots are utterly opposed to any movement of -the kind. They are an agricultural people, and the island has always -been mildly governed and lightly taxed; their municipal administration -is already in their own hands, and their taxes collected by -themselves. When Admiral Tombazes appeared off Chios with the Greek -fleet during its first cruise, the inhabitants turned a deaf ear to -his invitation to them to rise. In fact there is no doubt that the -people of Chios have everything to lose and nothing to gain by -becoming a part of Greece. - -"They have sent urgent remonstrances against the landing of any Greek -troops on the island, pointing out that there is a strong body of -Turkish troops there; that the citadel could not be captured, and that -the attempt would only inflame the passions of the Mohammedan -population and end in ruin and disaster to the Christian inhabitants. -Hypsilantes has written a mild letter to Lykourgos suggesting that it -would at any rate be prudent to defer the enterprise. It is feared, -however, that, like Greek commanders in general, the fellow will pay -no attention to this, but will proceed on his own account. Martyn -agrees with me that it would be as well for us to cruise about the -island and see how matters go on, and endeavour to rescue some of the -Turks from the fury of the Greeks, or some of the Greeks from the fury -of the Turks." - -"I should say the best thing to do, father," Horace said indignantly, -"would be to attack the ship of this fellow Lykourgos and to hang him -at his own yard-arm." - -"It would be a good action, no doubt, Horace; but as he has with him a -fleet of seventy or eighty vessels it is probable that if we made the -attempt we should decorate the yard-arms and not Lykourgos. At any -rate we will stop here for two or three days, and give the men a run -on shore. Just at present, owing to the fact of our having destroyed -that Turkish frigate, they will be very popular characters, and are -not likely to get into any serious row. They have still got the money -I paid them for their conduct at Cyprus, and when sailors have got -money in their pockets they are never happy until they have got a -chance of spending it." - -Accordingly, the crew had twelve hours on shore, a third of their -number going each day. On the fourth day the vessel sailed for Chios. -They cruised round the island for a fortnight and frequently -overhauled fishing-boats and had conversations with the crews. They -learned that fresh troops had lately arrived at Chios, and that as -these bands were principally composed of volunteers, Vehid Pasha, the -governor, had great difficulty in maintaining order among them. He had -persuaded the Christians to raise a monthly contribution of -thirty-four thousand piastres to give regular pay and rations to the -troops and so keep them in a good temper. - -On the 22d of March the schooner made out a large fleet of vessels -approaching the island. They kept away until they saw them anchor, and -then themselves cast anchor at a short distance from them. A boat at -once put off from the ship flying the flag of Lykourgos, to demand who -they were and with what intentions they were there. - -"We fly, as you see, the flag of Greece," Mr. Beveridge replied to the -officer, "and we have the authority of the Greek government to fight -against its enemies. I do not, however, recognize any authority on the -part of your commander, unless he is acting at the present time under -the explicit orders of Prince Mavrocordatos, who is now President of -Greece, and shall therefore consult only my own feelings as to whether -or not I take any part in the proceedings on shore." - -"Our admiral will know how to make you obey orders," the officer said -angrily. - -"Is he an admiral?" Mr. Beveridge asked, as if for information. "I was -not aware that he had received any commission that would authorize him -to use that title either from the last president or from the present -one. When I am well assured that this is the case it will naturally -modify my views; as to compelling me, you can look round at the -armament of this craft. Three months ago we destroyed a Turkish -frigate, and I fancy that if we were interfered with we could give a -good account of many of those vessels anchored there. If, therefore, -Lykourgos is really bent upon the capture of Chios, I should advise -him to set about it without wasting his time in meddling with us. You -may mention to him that I am an English gentleman who has fitted up -this vessel for the purpose of aiding Greece to achieve her -independence, and that in all honourable warfare I am ready to take my -part. If I see that the object of your expedition is honourable -warfare I shall lend all assistance in my power. If I find that it is -merely plunder and destruction, I shall also do all in my power to -prevent the Greek flag from being disgraced by acts only worthy of -pirates; and, moreover, I will take care that my countrymen and the -various nations of Europe shall obtain a fair account of what has been -done here." - -The Greek was completely cowed by the calmness and confidence of the -owner of the schooner, and returned to his boat without any of the -swagger with which he had quitted it. Horace translated his father's -speech to Martyn and the other two officers as soon as Mr. Beveridge -had returned to his cabin. - -"The chief is a perfect brick," Martyn said enthusiastically. "Fancy -sending off such a message as that from this schooner to a fellow -commanding sixty or seventy sail. Sir Richard Grenville could hardly -have sent from the deck of the _Revenge_ a more defiant message to the -Spanish fleet." - -Miller rubbed his hands. "Shall I get the men in readiness for making -sail and casting off the guns, Captain Martyn?" - -"There will be time enough," Martyn said, "when we make out a movement -among them. We can get up sail in half the time they can. I should not -be surprised if this fellow Lykourgos knuckles down. Did you see how -his officer came down from his stilts? If this fellow had any pluck he -would be sailing to meet the Turkish fleet instead of landing to -pillage here, for, from what Mr. Beveridge said, that can be his only -motive. Still, we will keep a sharp look-out on them. If we see the -flag-ship signalling to the others, or her boats putting off to them, -we shall know what to expect. You may as well get a buoy on the -anchor-chain and have everything ready to slip. We are too near them -to be pleasant if they open fire. Once under way and out of close -range we can talk to them as we like." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -CHIOS - - -A quarter of an hour after the Greek officer left the schooner Miller -said: "They are lowering a large boat from the Greek flag-ship, sir." - -Martyn brought his glass to bear upon it. - -"There is a stir on board," he said. "It looks as if the commander -were going on shore." - -"Yes, there is some officer of importance being handed down the -ladder. Now she is putting off. By Jove! I believe she is coming here; -at any rate she is heading straight for us. Perhaps Lykourgos himself -is coming to blow us out of the water." - -"Quite as likely he is coming to pay his respects," Miller said. "The -betting is ten to one the fellow is a coward; and that if the officer -gave the message as he got it, he is impressed with the idea that the -chief is an Englishman of great importance, possessed, perhaps, of -unknown powers of destruction." - -"Horace," Martyn said, "you had better tell your father. I can make -out that the fellow in the stern is got up in gorgeous uniform. I -expect it is Lykourgos himself." - -Mr. Beveridge came up on to the quarter-deck just as the boat came -alongside. Martyn went to the gangway as a Greek officer came up and -announced that Admiral Lykourgos had come to pay a visit to the -English lord. Lykourgos mounted to the deck. - -"I am the commandant of this craft, sir," Martyn said. "This is Mr. -Beveridge, the owner." - -Lykourgos advanced with an air of great pleasure and with outstretched -hand. - -"I am delighted to make the acquaintance of an English friend of -Greece," he said. - -Mr. Beveridge bowed and shook hands with the Greek. - -"What a contrast there is between them!" Miller whispered to Horace. -"This theatrical-looking Greek with his oily manners, and your father -in his quiet blue serge! Ah! he is asking him to go down into the -cabin." - -The interview lasted about ten minutes, and then the two men returned -on deck. Lykourgos entered his boat and rowed away. - -"Well, sir, is it peace or war?" Martyn asked. - -"Peace, as far as we are concerned," Mr. Beveridge said. "The fellow -made no allusion to my message to him, paid me a large number of -absurd compliments, expressed boundless admiration at the result of -Miller's action with the frigate, of which he had heard, and hoped -that he would have our assistance against the Turks. I told him what I -thought of his enterprise, and that he was bringing destruction upon -the heads of the unfortunate Christians. He assured me that I had been -misinformed, that the Christians would join him to a man, and that he -should make short work of the Turks, and should at once besiege them -in their citadel. I said that I wished him success in that part of his -undertaking, and that there would be no time to waste, as the Turkish -fleet might, I understood, appear any day. But that, if he undertook -siege operations, and his own force proved inadequate, we would land a -party to assist him. He hinted that money might be required to support -the siege. I told him that I had arranged with the central government -that any assistance I had to give in that way should be given through -them; but that, if the people of the island really did rise, I should -be happy to furnish a thousand muskets and ammunition for their use. -Seeing that nothing was to be got out of me he took his leave. He said -the landing was to take place in half an hour." - -"Shall we send a party on shore with him, Mr. Beveridge?" Martyn -asked. - -"No, Martyn. He says he has got two thousand five hundred fighting men -ready to land, and that being the case we should be powerless to -interfere in any way. Besides, for the present I think it would be -best to keep the men on board. I don't trust the fellow in the -slightest; and if he thought the vessel was left weak-handed, he is -perfectly capable of making a sudden attack on her. No doubt he thinks -we have money untold below, and I should say a great proportion of his -vessels are no better than pirates, who have merely joined him in the -hope of booty. I know that he has none of the Psara ships with him, -for Chios lies so near their island that they would have no wish to -draw the vengeance of the Turks upon themselves; and I know that they, -as well as the Chiots, sent to Corinth to protest against the -expedition. I don't think he has any of the Hydriot ships with him -either. They only sail under their own admirals, and do, to a certain -extent, respect the orders of the central government. His ships, I -fancy, all belong to the smaller islands, and are the sort of craft -that are honest traders one day and pirates the next if they see a -chance--the riffraff of the islands, in fact. If they really do -besiege the Turks in the citadel, and I see that we can be of any -assistance, we will land a party; but at any rate we will take matters -quietly until we see how things go." - -"The vessels are all lowering their boats, Captain Martyn," Tarleton -reported. - -"Very well, Mr. Tarleton. Let the men go to their quarters, unloose -the guns and load with grape. It is quite upon the cards that these -fellows may make a sudden dash upon us, thinking to catch us napping." - -The boatswain's whistle was heard, and then Tom Burdett shouted out: -"All hands to quarters! Cast loose the guns and load with grape!" And -in a moment a scene of animated bustle succeeded the quiet that had -reigned on board the schooner since her anchor had been dropped. In a -few minutes, however, the crowded boats left the ships and rowed -towards shore. - -"That will do, boatswain; you can call the men away from the guns," -said Martyn. - -"Shall we take the cartridges out, sir?" - -"No, leave them as they are. Put a fold or two of sailcloth over the -touch-holes. It is just as well to be on guard as long as we are in -the neighbourhood of these slippery gentry. Horace, you take my glass -and go aloft, and see if you can make out any Turks in the -neighbourhood. It is four or five hours since the Greek fleet first -hove in sight, and there is ample time for the Turks to have come down -to oppose their landing if they thought themselves strong enough to -fight in the open." - -Horace ascended the shrouds, and sitting on the cap of the mainmast -examined the shore. - -"There are half a dozen horsemen riding about, a short distance from -the shore, sir," he called down, "but I can see no signs of troops -anywhere." - -"Then it is evident they don't mean to fight," Martyn said to the -first lieutenant. "Between ourselves, Miller, I am very glad they are -not here to oppose a landing; for if they had been, no doubt the chief -would have wanted to fire a few shots to help cover the operations, -and I should be sorry to lift even a finger to help in this wretched -business. It is like a landing from one of the old buccaneer fleets on -the Spanish Main. They used to pretend they went to attack the -Spaniards, while in reality they simply fought for plunder. Still, -those fellows had courage--plenty of it, which is more, I fancy, than -these Greeks are likely to exhibit when they once get in front of the -Turks." - -Lykourgos, with his twenty-five hundred men, marched without -opposition into the town of Chios, where they burnt the custom-houses, -destroyed two mosques, and plundered generally the houses of the -inhabitants. They occupied the houses nearest the citadel, and placing -riflemen in them opened fire, while a party began to throw up a -battery on a commanding position known as Turloti. - -The following morning Mr. Beveridge landed, and, accompanied by Miller -and Horace, and a party of twenty sailors armed with rifle, cutlass, -and pistol, proceeded to Chios. He found the streets of the town in -disorder, the troops--or rather the armed men, for they were under -neither discipline nor control--were wandering about, occasionally -going within sight of the citadel, and discharging their muskets two -or three times in that direction. They looked with surprise at the -orderly little party of British sailors; but as they supposed these -had come to help them, they received them with exclamations of -good-will. They visited Turloti, where a score or two of men were -working lazily, and then went down to the port, where another battery -had also been begun. - -"What on earth are they putting up a battery here for?" Miller said. -"At this distance they might as well fire potatoes at the citadel. Ask -that officer, Horace, what they are up to?" - -The Greek replied that they were going to run their trenches forward -against the citadel from this point. - -"Well, then, they are fonder of work than I gave them credit for," -Miller said when he understood the reply. "If the whole of them were -to set to work in earnest, it would take them a month to run their -trenches from here up to the citadel, and, at the rate at which they -are working now, it would take them a couple of years." - -Returning to the town Mr. Beveridge called upon Lykourgos, who had -taken up his quarters in the bishop's palace. The Greek received him -with an air of much greater pomposity than he had shown at their first -meeting. He evidently believed that the work was almost accomplished, -and that he was already the conqueror of the island. - -"I have been doing some good work this morning," he said. "I have -deposed the Demogeronts (the Municipal Council). You know they were -poor creatures and lukewarm, and I have appointed a Revolutionary -Committee." - -"Indeed!" Mr. Beveridge said gravely. "And what military work have you -in hand? It seems to me that the men would be much better employed in -working at the batteries than in idling about the streets." - -"The citadel will soon fall," Lykourgos said loftily. "Cut off from -all succour and surrounded by my army they must speedily surrender." - -"Undoubtedly they must, if they were so situated," Mr. Beveridge said; -"but, so far as I see, there is nothing whatever to prevent the Turks -from sending reinforcements from the mainland." - -"I am writing to ask the government at Corinth to order the fleet here -to blockade the island and oppose the Turkish fleet when they come in -sight." - -"That would be excellent," Mr. Beveridge said; "but the central -government are not famous for speed, nor are the ships of Hydra and -Psara very apt to obey orders unless these happen to suit their own -views. Could you not send a few of those vessels of yours to prevent -the Turks from sending reinforcements?" - -"That would be quite impossible," Lykourgos said decidedly. "In the -first place, they are mere transports, the greater proportion carrying -no guns, and those that do have guns of such light calibre that they -could not oppose the Turkish cruisers that would no doubt convoy any -vessels bringing Turkish troops across. In the second place, I could -not spare a ship, for, were the Turkish fleet to arrive before the -Greek fleet comes to my assistance, I should have to re-embark my army -at once. I shall soon be in a position to press the siege more -vigorously. I have already received messages saying the peasantry -among the hills are about to join me." - -Mr. Beveridge, seeing that there was no prospect of any vigorous -efforts to restore discipline among the Greeks, returned to the -schooner. Day after day passed and nothing whatever was done. A few -soldiers, when the fancy took them, worked for an hour or two at the -batteries, or fired away their ammunition in the direction of the -citadel. Neither Lykourgos nor his committee made any attempt to -introduce either discipline among the troops or order in the town. - -No news came from Corinth as to the movements of the Greek fleet, but -a vessel arrived with a few heavy guns for siege purposes, and also -brought several Philhellenes--as foreigners who had come to assist the -Greeks were called--to direct the service of the guns. - -In consequence of the disorder in the town the position of the better -class of Christians became intolerable. Mr. Beveridge landed but -seldom. He saw that nothing could be done, and that the expedition -must certainly end in disaster, and accordingly preferred to remain on -board and await events. - -Two of the officers generally landed every day. Some of the men were -also allowed to go on shore, but were forbidden to approach the -neighbourhood of the town lest they should become involved in quarrels -with the Greeks. One day, when Horace was ashore with Tarleton, he -spoke sharply to a drunken Greek soldier who ran against him. -Presently Tarleton said: - -"There has been a Greek following us since you spoke to that drunken -man, Horace. He looks a respectable old card. I fancy he wants to -speak to you, having heard you talking Greek." - -"Why doesn't he speak then?" Horace said. - -"Perhaps he wants to talk to you in quiet, Horace." - -"Very well. Let us turn down this narrow street. There is no one -about, and that will give him a chance of speaking if he wants to." - -The Greek, indeed, quickened his steps as soon as they turned down, -and was soon alongside of them. - -"You speak Greek, sir?" he said to Horace. "I have been wanting to -speak to some of you officers, but this is the first time I have heard -one of you speaking Greek." - -"Yes, I speak the language. Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" - -"Do you belong to an English ship-of-war, may I ask?" - -"No; I belong to an armed ship, which is the property of my father, -who is a Philhellene, and has fitted it out at his own expense for the -service of Greece, whose flag we now fly." - -"Your sailors are taking no part in the siege of the citadel?" - -"No, sir. My father does not think the expedition a useful one, and we -are only remaining here to see what takes place, and perhaps to give -assistance to any who may need it." - -"We all need it, sir," the man said eagerly. "We have been robbed and -plundered by these ruffians, who call themselves our friends, and when -they run away, which they will do directly the Turks come, we shall be -held responsible for all their misdeeds, and a terrible vengeance will -fall upon us. I was a wealthy man, sir, a fortnight ago; now I would -give all I possess to save the lives of my family and myself, and -there are eight or ten of my friends in the same position. We have -jewels and money, and are ready to pay any sum to be taken off the -island before the Turks come. You have but to name a price, and if it -is within our means we shall be happy to pay it." - -"We are not Greeks," Horace said angrily, "to make money out of the -miseries of others." And then, seeing the depressed look of the -merchant, he went on more mildly: "We do not wish to make money out of -your misfortune, sir; but I will speak to my father, and I think I can -answer for him that he will be ready to afford you and your friends -and families shelter on board his ship. We lately took five hundred -Christians off from Cyprus and landed them on the Ionian Isles. We -came out to fight, but my father has since named his ship the -_Misericordia_, and his desire is to help persons in distress, whether -they be Turks or Christians. I will speak to him when I return on -board, and if you will be here to-morrow at eleven o'clock in the -morning I will give you his answer." - -The merchant overwhelmed Horace with thanks. - -"What is the old chap so excited about, Horace?" Tarleton asked as -they resumed their walk. - -Horace repeated the conversation. - -"Poor beggars!" Tarleton said. "A nice position they are in! I wish -we had the crew of a man-of-war here; we would clear out the town -pretty sharply of these ruffians who call themselves soldiers, and -send these peasants who are swarming about the streets back to their -mountains. I see they have got the muskets your father sent on shore -yesterday. Much good will they do them! The men had far better be at -home looking after their vineyards and orchards." - -Mr. Beveridge agreed at once to afford shelter to the merchants and -their families. - -"I thought it would come to this," he said, "and expected some of them -would come off and ask to be taken on board before; but I suppose they -did not know our real character. We shall have plenty more applying -before this matter is concluded; but I doubt whether Lykourgos and his -crew will allow them to come on board so long as they have a penny -left to be wrung out of them. The scoundrel ought to be hung, if it -was only for being named as he is. It is downright profanation to hear -such names as Ulysses, Lycurgus, Leonidas, and Miltiades applied to -men who do not seem to possess one single good quality, not even that -of courage. Tell them, Horace, that we will carry out any arrangements -for getting them off that they may suggest, and that at any hour by -night or day the boats shall be at the spot they appoint, and that a -strong body of men shall be sent on shore to cover their embarkation." - -Martyn himself accompanied Horace the next morning to shore, as he -thought it would be better that he should hear what were the plans of -the merchant, and might be able to make suggestions as to their being -carried out. The Christian merchant was awaiting them. When they -approached he entered the house by the door of which he was standing, -and invited them also to enter. - -"I know the owner of this house," he said, "and arranged with him to -have a room where we could speak undisturbed. Did any of the officers -or soldiers happen to come down the lane when I was speaking to you, -suspicion would be at once roused that some plot or other was on -foot. Well, sir, what is your father's answer?" - -"He cordially invites you and your friends and their families to take -refuge on board his vessel, and he will land you at Athens, Corinth, -or in the Ionian Isles, as you may desire." - -The Greek clasped his hands in delight. "Oh, sir, you cannot tell what -a load you have taken off my mind, or what we have been suffering of -late, with the certainty that ere long the Turks will return." - -"This is Captain Martyn, who commands the vessel," Horace said; "he -has come ashore to concert measures for getting you on board, that is, -if you think that there will be any obstacle in the way of your coming -off openly." - -"Certainly there will. I am sure they would not allow us to leave. -Three of my friends went to Lykourgos yesterday and said they desired -to go with their families on board the Greek ships. He got into a fury -and threatened to have them thrown into prison as traitors, fined them -a thousand piastres each, and said that anyone leaving the island -would be deemed a traitor to the cause of Greece and all his property -confiscated." - -Horace translated this to Martyn. - -"Then they must get off quietly, Horace; ask him if they have formed -any plans. Tell him that I will land thirty men and bring them up -close to the town, if they can slip off and join us." - -Horace put the question. - -"We were talking it over last night," the merchant said; "it is not -easy, because we all have men who call themselves officers quartered -in our houses. We think that the best way will be for our daughters -and servants, with the exception of one or two, to slip off as soon as -it becomes dark, going in pairs and carrying with them all the -valuables they can. We ourselves and our wives will remain for two or -three hours, so that the men seeing us will suspect nothing. Some of -our servants, after escorting the ladies and children beyond the -town, can return and take with them another load. It would not do to -take large bundles, but the men can carry casks or barrels on their -shoulders filled with valuable clothes and stuffs, and as there would -be nothing unusual in a man carrying a cask of wine or a barrel of -flour, they might pass without exciting suspicion. Then, at the moment -agreed, we ourselves might slip away and join the rest." - -"That seems a likely plan," Martyn said when he understood the -details. "Now it is for them to name some spot where we can be -awaiting them." - -"We have arranged that," the Chiot said. "One of my friends has a -large farm-house where he and his family take up their residence in -summer; it stands half a mile from the town, on the brow looking down -upon the sea; it is a white house with two large store-houses for wine -and produce standing behind it." - -"I know the house," Horace said; "the road passes a hundred yards -behind it." - -"That is the house, sir. It will be dark by seven o'clock, and at that -hour our servants will begin to start. It is probable that most of the -children will be sent on there during the day. This could certainly be -done without exciting attention. We ourselves will leave our houses as -the clock strikes ten." - -"I should think, Martyn," Horace said when he had translated this, -"that we might manage to make things more easy for them if we send -Marco on shore with half a dozen men directly we get back to the ship. -We can tell him to hire a couple of carts and then to come to these -people's houses. At one they could take into the carts a dozen barrels -of wine, that is to say, wine barrels filled with valuables; at -another a dozen barrels of flour, at another a cask of currants or -olives, and so on. I will go round with them, and it will merely seem -as if we were buying stores for the ship. These rich merchants are -certain to have the best of everything, and it will be natural that we -should choose a time like the present to lay in a stock, and that -they would be glad to sell cheaply. Marco and half the men could go -with one cart and I could go with the rest with the other. That way we -should attract less attention than by both going about in a crowd." - -"I think that is a capital plan, Horace; explain it to him, and get -the names and addresses of the people who are going and the houses -that each cart should go to, so that they may not cross each other on -the way." - -Horace explained the matter to the merchant. - -"That is kind indeed," he exclaimed, "and will enable us to save all -our most precious goods without fear of detection. I will go round at -once to my friends and tell them to pack up their things. There are -ten of us who have agreed to make the attempt together, which will -make five houses for each cart to call at." And taking out his -pocket-book he wrote the addresses on two slips of paper. - -There was nothing more to arrange. - -"It will take us an hour and a half to get on board," Horace said. -"That will be one o'clock. At two we will start, and you may expect -the carts to be at the houses somewhere about four." - -He and Martyn walked briskly back to the landing-place, where a boat -met them, having put off as soon as they were seen approaching. Mr. -Beveridge warmly approved of the plan, and at two o'clock ten sailors -were landed. Zaimes as well as Marco accompanied them, and Miller also -went to take charge of one party, as it was thought that they were -less likely to be questioned if an officer went with them. They -stopped at a farm-house by the way and hired two carts. It was -arranged that the two Greeks should purchase in the town several -carcasses of sheep and a quantity of fruit and vegetables to place on -the carts with the other goods, so as to carry out more completely the -idea that they were laying in stores for consumption on board, and on -their way Zaimes suggested they should also get a small cask or two of -currants and a cask of wine for each cart. In packing the goods these -should be placed most conspicuously, so that if necessary they could -knock in the head of the cask with currants, or bore holes in that -with the wine, and show that the contents were what they seemed to be. - -The operation was carried out without difficulty. At each place they -visited, casks and barrels were at once rolled out from the warehouses -and placed in the carts. There had evidently been an arrangement -between the various families as to quantity, and by the time the last -houses were visited the carts were filled to their full capacity, and -the meat, vegetables, and fruit piled on the top of all. There was -some joking from the soldiers as the carts passed down the streets, -but the sight of the meat and vegetables dispelled any suspicions, and -the Greeks joked back in return. Neither party knew how the other was -getting on, as they had not caught sight of each other after -separating before entering the town. Horace was first to reach the -spot, a mile out, where they had agreed that whichever came first -should await the other. In ten minutes the second party was seen -coming in the distance, and when it arrived within a quarter of a mile -Horace moved forward again. - -Tarleton with the three largest boats was awaiting their coming on the -beach abreast of the schooner, and by the time the contents of the -first cart were transferred to the boats the second arrived. As soon -as everything was on board the drivers of the carts were paid the sum -agreed upon, and the boats rowed off to the schooner. - -"Have you had any difficulty?" Mr. Beveridge asked as they came -alongside. - -"Not the slightest, father," Horace replied. "We were chaffed a little -about our stores, but no one had the least suspicion that they were -not what they seemed." - -The casks were soon got on board and were slung down into the hold. - -"What do you suppose they contain, father?" Horace asked. - -"Well, of course all their jewels and money are in them, and no doubt -all their valuable dresses. I expect that the bulk is made up of silk -and brocades, most of which is extremely costly. Then there will be -embroidered stuffs, some of the more valuable of which are worth -almost a fortune in themselves. Chios is an extremely rich island and -its revenues are a special appanage of the Sultan and his harem, and -doubtless the merchants here supply the ladies of the court with many -of their most valued robes and embroideries." - -While the boats had been ashore the sailors had again rigged up the -screen across the main-deck for the use of the ladies and children, -and had also made a smaller compartment for the use of the merchants. -"There is one comfort," Miller said, "as these people are swells they -are not likely to turn the ship into such a pig-stye as that last lot -did. How many do you suppose there will be, Horace?" - -"I suppose they will run seven or eight to a family, that is -seventy-five, and likely enough they may bring five or six men and -women servants with each family; so I suppose you may calculate on a -hundred and fifty, Miller." - -"Ah! well, we can manage that. I should like to see the face of that -fellow Lykourgos to-morrow morning when he finds that some of the men -out of whom he had expected to make most money have slipped through -his fingers." - -As soon as it became dark thirty men were landed, armed to the teeth. -Miller took command, and Horace accompanied him with the two Greeks to -assist to look after the fugitives. When they reached the farm-house -they found about thirty young children with their nurses assembled -there with some eight or ten older girls. They were evidently in a -state of great alarm, but their spirits rose when Horace and the -Greeks entered and told them that a guard of English sailors were -without and that there was no longer a fear of their being discovered -by any straggling soldiers who might chance to visit the house. In a -short time the servants, accompanied by young women and boys, began to -arrive. Most of them carried bundles, and their bulky appearance -suggested that they had put on a large quantity of clothes under the -plain dresses they wore. The men all carried barrels or boxes. These -all returned to the town and came back by half-past nine with another -load. - -Some excellent wine was served out to the sailors by the man who was -in charge of the house, who told Horace that he had received orders -from his master that the sailors were to carry away as many barrels of -wine as they could take for the use of the schooner; and as it was -certain that its owner would never have an opportunity of drinking it, -Horace did not hesitate to accept the present, and thirty barrels of -wine, each containing about five gallons, were brought out and placed -in readiness for the sailors to take up. - -"What are you going to do about your loads?" Horace asked one of the -servants. - -"We have orders, sir, to carry one of them as we go with you, and then -when the others go off to the ship to return here for the second, if -you will consent to our doing so." - -"Certainly," Horace said. "There can be no possible objection to that, -providing we all get down to the beach without any alarm being given, -and of that I do not think there is any likelihood. The soldiers will -have all returned to their quarters before this. The only chance is of -our coming across parties of sailors returning to their ships. None of -these would be strong enough to interfere with us, and even if they -reported the matter when they got on board, I should say that none of -the captains would feel sufficient interest in the news to take any -steps about it." - -Soon after ten o'clock the merchants with their wives and grown-up -sons began to arrive, and by half-past the last of the party were in. -No further time was lost. Fifteen of the sailors, each with a barrel -of wine on his shoulder, led the way under Lieutenant Miller. The -merchants and their families followed, then came the servants with -Horace and the rest of the sailors as rear-guard. The road was -entirely deserted, and they reached the shore without encountering a -single person. As soon as they did so, Horace told the servant men to -set down their burdens and start back at once. The merchants with -their wives and families were first transferred to the schooner, the -sailors on shore taking charge of the rest of the fugitives and the -baggage. Another trip conveyed the remaining Chiots to the vessel. -When the boats returned the casks and barrels of wine were placed on -board, and the sailors then took their places and rowed off. Horace -found that the first party had already retired. Hammocks had been -slung for the women and children, the female attendants sleeping on -the deck. The merchants and their sons occupied a compartment screened -off for them. The men-servants coiled themselves away between the guns -on deck. - -The two Greeks had gone off in the first boat, and already prepared -some supper, to which Martyn and Horace sat down. - -"I did not wait for you," Mr. Beveridge said, "as I knew that it must -be half-past eleven by the time you reached the shore, and another -good half-hour before you were off. Poor people! their gratitude was -quite distressing; the men considered that it was certain they would -be massacred by the Turks, and their women carried off as slaves. I -was obliged at last in self-defence to pack them off to bed. The women -all wanted to kiss my hand, which would have been well enough for you -young fellows, for some of the girls are lovely. The Chiots are -celebrated for their good looks; but for a man my age it would have -been simply embarrassing." - -"Perhaps they will renew the demonstrations to-morrow," Miller -laughed. "If so, I shall get Horace to explain to them delicately that -our English custom is to salute on the face and not on the hand. I did -not see any of the girls. I left it to Horace to do the polite -indoors, while I kept a lookout with the men outside. I don't know -whether he came in for any kisses; if so, he kept it to himself." - -"No," Horace laughed. "They were all too anxious about their parents' -safety to think of doing the civil thing to me; but, as you say, -Martyn, there will be time enough to-morrow when we see what they are -like. I expect to-morrow we shall have Lykourgos or some of his -officers off here to protest." - -"That we sha'n't," Martyn said, "for we will get up the anchor at -daybreak and be off before anyone knows what has happened. Your father -agrees with me that the best plan will be to get rid of this cargo at -once, and then we can come back again for another." - -"I have asked them where they would like to be landed," Mr. Beveridge -said, "and they had already agreed among themselves to go to Corfu. In -the first place they have no love for the Greeks of the mainland, with -whom they are furious for bringing destruction upon the island by -coming here without a sufficient force to hold the citadel even if -they captured it, and they would vastly rather be landed under the -protection of the British flag. They will have time to settle -afterwards where they will make their homes." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -A WHITE SQUALL - - -All hands were called at five o'clock, when daylight was beginning to -break in the east; the anchor was got up, sail set, and the decks -washed down, the usual scrubbing being for once omitted in order to -avoid disturbing their passengers. - -"What are we going to do about feeding them, Miller?" Horace asked. -"It was all very well for the people we had on board before to get -their meals anyhow they could, but these have been accustomed to -wealth and luxury, and, as the leading merchants of Chios, were people -of importance." - -"Your father and the two Greeks were talking it over yesterday -evening before you landed, Horace. Of course it is out of the question -that they could all take their meals in the cabin, which your father -at first proposed to give up to them. Marco suggested that a table -should be rigged on the quarterdeck. We reckoned that there would be -about fifty grown up or nearly so, that was allowing five for each -family. Of course the children would have their meals with their -nurses below." - -"That would certainly be the pleasantest way, Miller. There is plenty -of room for two tables, and as far as length goes twelve or fourteen -could sit on each side easily enough without the tables extending -forward of the mainmast. I see Tarleton is getting the awning rigged -up already. But the tables will want to be cleared away after each -meal, or there will be no room for anything." - -"Oh, yes, five minutes will be enough for that. The men will bring up -all their mess tables, they can be rigged and unshipped in no time. -The order is that the men are all to get into their white ducks at -eight bells, as your father means to show these Greeks what an English -yacht is. Your men have rigged up another stove in their cooking -place, and have borrowed a couple of the sailors, I suppose to wash -and cut up vegetables, and to act as kitchen-maids." - -At seven o'clock the Chiots began to come up. Mr. Beveridge was -already on deck, and requested Horace to assist him to set them at -their ease. The men were all of the best Greek type, courtly and -gentle in manner, with refined faces. The older women were all more or -less inclined to corpulence, while some of the young ones fully -deserved the terms of praise in which Mr. Beveridge had spoken of them -the evening before. At first they looked timid at finding themselves -in scenes so strange to them, but they were soon chattering and -laughing with each other. They were immensely astonished at the -exquisite neatness and cleanliness of the vessel and her fittings. - -"Are all English ships as white and clean as this?" one of them -asked. - -"All ships of war and yachts. A yacht is a vessel kept by a gentleman -simply for his own amusement and not for trade. This is a yacht, -though we have mounted guns, and have come out prepared to fight." - -"It would be a great pity to fight and spoil everything," the girl -said. - -"Oh, we can fight without spoiling everything; though of course -sometimes a shot may knock things about a bit, the damage would soon -be repaired." - -"But you can't have been fighting yet," one of the younger men said, -looking round. - -"We have only had one fight, and that was when most of us were ashore. -That officer, whom you see there, was on board, and he only had ten -men with him; but for all that he engaged two Turkish frigates, and -destroyed one of them." - -There was an exclamation of astonishment, mingled with a little -incredulity, from the group round Horace, some of whom thought he was -trying to make fun of them. - -"I can assure you that it is a fact," Horace said. "He first crippled -her, and then set her on fire by firing red-hot balls into her." - -"Was that near Cyprus?" one of the young men asked. - -"Yes; the rest of us were on shore there, and we brought off five -hundred Christians from a village that was besieged by the Turks." - -"Yes, that is true," the young fellow said. "I was told about it by -one of the officers who lodged in our house. He said it was wonderful, -and so it was; and the men you have here all look so quiet too." - -"They are on their best behaviour now," Horace laughed; "but they are -all picked men, and have all served in British men-of-war." - -As eight bells rang out a party of sailors came along to the -quarter-deck, bringing with them half a dozen mess tables, which they -arranged together, according to the direction of Zaimes. - -"But these are nothing like enough, Zaimes," Horace said, going over -to him. - -"We are not going to sit down, Mr. Horace. We shall have two -meals--one at eleven and one at six. We shall put things on the table -now, and let them eat standing." - -The cloth was soon spread, and upon it were placed fruit, bread and -butter, and eggs, a great tureen filled with coffee, and another with -hot milk; the whole of the cabin tea and coffee cups, and a score of -the men's mugs. - -"Now, ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Beveridge said, "you must help -yourselves. I am sorry to say that our breakfast service is quite -insufficient for our needs, and that the gentlemen will have to put up -with the sailors' mugs." - -Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal; the women sat about on the deck in -little groups, and the men waited upon them, the three officers making -themselves very busy in this work. - -"It is disgusting, Horace," Miller said, "to hear you jabbering away -with these girls, while we poor beggars can't say a word to them." - -"But you speak a little Italian, don't you, Miller?" - -"Yes, I picked up a little when I was on the Mediterranean station." - -"Oh well, a little will go a long way sometimes, Miller, and some of -them are sure to know something of Italian. I will soon find out which -they are, and introduce them specially to you." - -Five or six of the girls knew a little Italian, and most of the young -men could speak it, Italian being the general language of commerce in -the Mediterranean, and Miller was soon engaged in conversation with -some of them. Martyn had broken the ice for himself with a mixture of -French and Italian; but Tarleton, who knew no language but his own, -kept away from the quarter-deck. - -"What's the odds," he said, when Horace tried to induce him to go aft. -"If they were going to be on board for a year, I would try to get hold -of a few Greek words, and do what I could; but as it is, it is not -worth while bothering one's self. It is no use my trying to make -myself agreeable to girls when I haven't a word to say to them. On the -whole I am rather glad I can't talk, to them. I never had any practice -at that sort of thing; and if I ever do fall in love, I hope it will -be with an Englishwoman. Look at Miller there," he laughed, "jawing -away with five or six girls at once, and I don't believe one of them -has the least idea of what he is saying, though they all try to look -interested." - -"They understand he is trying to make himself agreeable, Tarleton, and -I have no doubt they are grateful and pleased. I daresay some of them -don't understand any more Italian than he does. Still they are just as -much amused, if not more, as if they understood him perfectly." - -After the meal was over some chairs and benches were brought up, but -the ladies all preferred sitting on the deck, and were much pleased -when a number of the men's hammocks were brought up, unrolled, and -laid down for them to sit upon. Mr. Beveridge chatted with the -merchants, the younger men smoked and lounged about, Martyn and Miller -and Horace devoting themselves to the ladies, until eleven o'clock, -when two long tables were set. Zaimes arranged them tastefully with -flowers and silver, and a very excellent meal was served. After the -meal was finished, and the decks cleared, the men were exercised at -cutlass drill and in getting down and setting the sails, and the -Chiots were astonished at their discipline and activity. - -"I have seen vessels get up sail at Chios hundreds of times," one of -the young men said to Horace, "and everyone shouts and bustles about; -but with all the noise they take five or six times as long to get them -up as your men do, and, except when the officer gives orders, there is -no more sound than there would be if they were all dumb." - -"Captain Martyn says that he will have gun drill to-morrow," Horace -said, "and you will see that they are just as quiet at their work then -as now. You see the three officers have all served in our navy as -well as the men, and we have just the same discipline as there would -be in a king's ship." - -"One would scarcely think," Horace remarked to his father that evening -as they were standing together looking at the groups scattered about -the deck, "that these people were fugitives who have just left their -native land, probably for life." - -"I don't think they quite realize that at present, Horace. One or two -of the men have been telling me what anxiety they have suffered at -Chios since the revolution broke out. When the news came of some of -the massacres of the Greeks, they were in constant fear of a -retaliation upon them by the Mussulmans, and they made sure that -sooner or later, if the war went on, Chios would become involved in -it. Of course they did not suppose that such a mad-brained expedition -as that of Lykourgos would be undertaken, but supposed that a -sufficient force would be sent to ensure the capture of the island, -accompanied by a fleet that would protect it from that of the Turks; -but even that was greatly dreaded by them. - -"They knew that the Turkish provinces governed by Greek officials were -much more heavily taxed and oppressed than those in which the Turks -collected the taxation, and knew that the change would be, for them, -very much for the worse. Except that they have the same religion, they -have little in common with the Greeks in the mainland, and dreaded the -thought of the Albanians, who would be sure to send over armed bands, -who would harass and oppress them. Of course they have been for -centuries under Turkish rule, and the island has certainly flourished -exceedingly under it. Their trade has been almost entirely with -Constantinople, and all their connections are Turkish. I can quite -understand, therefore, their repugnance to a change which would ruin -their trade and vastly increase their burdens; while, as to masters, I -should imagine that no one in their senses could prefer Albanians to -Turks. - -"Seeing the storm coming, most of the wealthy Chiots have prepared in -some way for it by sending much of their available capital, for -safety, to correspondents abroad, or by investing in foreign -securities. I believe that all these merchants have done so; and as -the greater part of their money and valuables that remained are at -present down in the hold, they will be able to live, if not in as -great luxury as before, at any rate in comfort at Corfu, or wherever -they may settle themselves; while several of them have told me that -they intend again to embark in trade, and, if possible, under our -flag. They have been asking me a good many questions about ourselves, -and don't seem at all able to comprehend the interest that the Greek -revolution has created in Europe; still less that an Englishman like -myself, who could live comfortably at home, should come out here to -take part in a struggle that in no way concerns him." - -"What did you answer, father?" Horace asked with a slight smile. - -"I told them that I was but half an Englishman, and that my mother was -Greek, and that I was devoted to the study of the language and customs -of the ancients." - -"I suppose they knew nothing about the ancients, father?" - -"No," Mr. Beveridge admitted reluctantly. "They had heard of the name -of Homer, and had a vague sort of knowledge of the early history of -Greece--about as vague as the ordinary Englishman has of King Arthur -and the Knights of the Round Table. An English school-boy of twelve -knows more about ancient Greece than do nineteen Greeks out of twenty; -though, seeing the interest felt by civilized Europe in the matter, it -is the fashion among them now to pretend to feel great enthusiasm on -the subject. No; I am not surprised at these poor people being -cheerful, Horace. They have escaped the risk of a terrible fate; and -as to patriotism, it is a feeling of which people who have been under -foreign masters hundreds of years know absolutely nothing. They may -regret their easy, quiet life in Chios; but beyond that, I think they -have little feeling in the matter." - -The next morning, after breakfast, the sailors were exercised at the -guns, three rounds being fired from each piece. Scarcely were the men -dismissed from their quarters, and the guns secured, before the -boatswain went up to Martyn. - -"I beg your pardon, captain, but look over there. Do you see that -white cloud?--how quick it rises. I know these seas, sir; and that is -a white squall, or I am a Dutchman. We sha'n't have more than three or -four minutes before it is on us." - -"By Jove, you are right, Tom! All hands get off sail. Look smart, my -lads; there is a bit of a squall coming down on us. Down topsails; in -jibs. Miller, take six hands and get this awning off. Horace, get the -ladies below at once." - -As Martyn began to give his orders, Tarleton had run forward to see -them carried out; but Miller and Horace had continued their -conversation without paying much attention to them, believing that he -was only giving the orders as an exercise to the crew, and to show the -passengers how quickly they could get off sail. His sharp, decided -tone, however, soon showed them that he was in earnest. Horace looked -round almost bewildered, for there was scarcely a breath of wind; the -sky was a deep blue overhead. Miller's experience in the -Mediterranean, however, told him which way to look. - -"White squall, by Jove!" he muttered, as his eye fell on the cloud -that had attracted the boatswain's attention. Springing forward he -called six of the men, and ran aft with them again. Horace, still in -ignorance of the reason for the order given him, at once proceeded to -carry it out. - -Calling out in Greek, "Please go below at once, ladies;" and then to -the men, "Escort the ladies below as quickly as you can, please." -Then, running forward, he shouted to the Greek servants, "All below, -all below! Take the children with you; you are in the way here. Hurry -down." - -His orders on the quarter-deck were more quickly obeyed than he had -expected, for the Chiots, accustomed to these sudden and tremendous -squalls of the Ęgean, glancing round when they heard the order, -perceived the reason for it at once, and hurried the ladies below with -all speed. - -With so strong a crew it took but a minute to lower the gaff topsail -from the mainmast and to get the foretop gallant sail and topsail down -on the caps, and almost before the halliards had been let go a dozen -men were aloft furling the sails. The foresail came down with a run, -and the jibs flew in from the bowsprit. Martyn himself saw to the -lowering of the mainsail. - -"Belay there!" he called when it was half-way down. "Reef it down -fully, Mr. Tarleton," as the young officer, with twenty men, sprang to -the reef-points. "Now haul on the reef-earing. That is it. Well -together, lads. Harden it down; that will do. Now a pull on the main -halliards; that is enough. Belay. Lower the peak a bit more; that will -do. Now we are ready for it. Boatswain!" - -"Ay, ay, sir," came from forward. - -"Lower that fore-staysail down, and reef it fully." - -He looked to windward. A white bank of clouds extended half-way up the -sky, in front of which were white streamers blown out ahead of it. The -schooner had already been brought round with her head in the direction -of the wind, and an extra hand had been placed at the wheel. - -"Starboard a little," Martyn cried to the men at the wheel. "Slack off -the mainsheet a bit, Mr. Miller. I don't want to be taken aback." - -A minute later a white line was seen approaching them on the water -with the speed of a race-horse, and then with a shriek the squall was -upon them. Stripped as the vessel was of all her canvas, save the -diminished fore-staysail, the mainsail being too far over to draw, she -lay down until the water poured in over the lee gunwale from the -pressure of wind on her masts and rigging. Her head payed off. - -"Now haul on the mainsheet," Martyn shouted to a dozen sailors who had -hold of it, and dragged it in hand over hand. As the sail fluttered in -her head again came up into the wind. "That will do. Belay there! -keep her at that, lads," Martyn said, taking his place by the side of -the men at the helm. "Keep the staysail full, but nothing more." - -The schooner had now begun to move fast through the water as -close-hauled to the wind as her sails would stand. Though still -heeling over, her deck was now free of water, as that which she had -taken on board had rushed out through the port-holes. - -"She will do nicely now," Martyn said to his first lieutenant. "You -can get the peak up again, Mr. Miller; she will stand it now." - -The schooner was now retracing the course she had before been sailing -on. - -"It is lucky it came when it did, Miller. Another couple of hours and -we should have been in the thick of the islands. As it is now, we have -clear water, and at any rate, if we are obliged to change our course, -we can run down south comparatively clear of everything. It is lucky -we saw it coming in time. It was the boatswain warned me. If we had -not got the sail off her we should have lost our spars, and perhaps -been dismasted, and with all these islands down to leeward we should -have been in an awkward fix." - -"Yes, indeed;" Miller agreed. "We are all right now. Of course we -shall get some sea soon, but these squalls don't last many hours. It -is only the first blow that is to be feared." - -"Do you think, Miller, you could get that pivot-gun sent down below? -It is a big weight on deck, and when the sea gets up she will feel -it." - -"I think so, sir. There is no sea on yet to speak of." - -The gun was amidships, half-way between the fore and mainmasts, and -there was a hatchway just beyond the framework on which it travelled. -Calling the crew together, Miller got tackles on the mainmast, and -these with the blocks of the throat halliards of the foresail were -hooked on to strops round the gun. Ropes were attached to it and -manned to prevent it from swinging away to leeward when hoisted from -the carriage. - -"Now all ready," Miller said. "Hoist on the falls handsomely, inch by -inch. Stand fast to those stay-ropes; that is right. Now haul her aft. -Lower away a little forward and let her swing gradually aft; that does -it. Now she is over the hatchway. Lower away a little aft. Let her go -down, breech foremost; that will do. Now a dozen of you go down to the -main deck. You go down with them, Mr. Tarleton, and steer her clear -through the lower hatchway." - -Gradually the muzzle of the heavy gun sank below the deck, and in five -minutes it was safely stowed in the bottom of the hold. Then the -hatches were put on again and battened down securely, and Miller went -aft. - -"That is a good job, Miller," Martyn said. "The sea is getting up -fast, and in another five minutes it would not have been safe to do -it. It will make all the difference to us in such a short choppy sea -as we shall be having." - -For six hours the wind blew with unabated force. A heavy sea got up, -and, buoyant as she was, the schooner shipped water heavily over the -bow, the seas being too short to give her time to rise and fall -regularly over them. At the end of that time the wind fell almost as -suddenly as it had risen, and half an hour later the schooner was on -her course again, with all her lower sails set. It was not until -evening that the sea had gone down sufficiently for the passengers to -begin to make their appearance again on deck, looking worn out and -exhausted by sea-sickness. - -By this time the schooner was among the islands, and was passing -through the Mykonos Channel, between the island of that name and -Tenos. Syra rose above the water almost ahead, while Rhenea and Delos -lay on her beam to the south. Her topsails were set now, and she was -running fast through the water, her course being laid to pass between -Seriphos and Siphnos, beyond which it was a straight course to Cape -Malea, at the southern point of the Morea. A sharp look-out was kept -at night for Anti-Melos on the one hand, and Falconera on the other. -The former was made out, the land being high; but Falconera, a mere -rock, was passed unobserved. In the morning the schooner was running -through the Cervi Channel, between Cythera and Cervi, which island -almost touches the mainland. A quiet night's rest had completely -restored the passengers, who came on deck early, and watched with -interest the rocky shore of the Morea as they coasted along it. - -Three days later the _Misericordia_ dropped her anchor in the harbour -of Corfu. - -Mr. Beveridge was again overwhelmed with thanks by the grateful -Chiots. Upon the way they had inquired of him if he had a wife or -daughters, and were quite disappointed at hearing that he had no near -female relatives, as they had intended to send a consignment of choice -stuffs and embroideries to them in token of their gratitude. Before -landing they handed to Martyn a hundred pounds to be divided among the -crew, and on the day after landing sent off a very handsome case of -pistols to each of the officers. As their goods were being got up from -the hold they pointed out four barrels which were to remain behind. - -"We brought them off specially for you, Mr. Beveridge," they said. -"They are the very choicest vintage of Chios, and we do hope that -though you have refused to accept any substantial proof of our -gratitude, you will not refuse to take these." - -The decks of the _Misericordia_ seemed curiously still and deserted -after the departure of their guests. It had been a very pleasant week -while the Chiots had been on board, and Martyn and Miller both looked -out of spirits, having temporarily lost their hearts to two of the -Greek girls. - -"We have the best of it now," Tarleton laughed to the doctor. "What is -the use of a week's flirtation? Look at the parting at the end of it. -The girls were pretty enough, no doubt; but what good would it be to -take home a wife who did not speak your language, who was ignorant of -English ways, and would be miserable in our climate, besides being of -a different religion. I think it is just as well that the voyage was -not longer; as it is, they will soon get over it." - -The captain and first officer had indeed but little time to think over -it, for on the evening of the day after their arrival sail was again -set on the schooner, and she started on her return to Chios, where, as -Mr. Beveridge said, they were likely to find plenty more opportunities -for doing good. The wind held steady, and they made a quick passage. -Scarcely had they dropped anchor when a boat came off to them bearing -an angry message from Lykourgos. - -"You have assisted deserters to escape from the island," he said, "and -if any of you set foot on shore you will at once be arrested." - -They learned shortly afterwards from a boat that came alongside to -sell fish that many of the richer inhabitants had been arrested and -very heavily fined upon the accusation that they also intended to -desert, and that all who had property had been compelled to pay -considerable sums for protection against the excesses of the troops -who had come, as they pretended, to deliver them. The officers were -furious at the message from Lykourgos, and proposed going ashore with -a strong party of armed sailors. Mr. Beveridge, however, decided that -no steps should be taken for a day or two. - -"We don't want to become actually embroiled with these people unless -it is necessary," he said. "The Turkish fleet is expected here every -day now, and Lykourgos and his crew will, we may be sure, take flight -as soon as they appear, and we shall then have plenty of scope for our -work. At any rate we will wait two or three days and see how matters -turn up. If necessary we can then do as you propose, seize half a -dozen of the ships, and tell the rest we will sink them if they don't -put to sea; that will bring the fellow to his senses at once. I don't -want to do it if I can help it, because we should afterwards be liable -to attack at any of the islands we might happen to put into." - -A few hours later a fast Greek felucca came up and anchored between -the schooner and the other vessels. A boat was lowered and rowed at -once towards the transports. - -"I fancy that fellow must have brought some news," Martyn said. -"Horace, will you go on board of him and find out where he comes from, -and whether he has heard anything of the Turkish fleet?" - -In ten minutes Horace reported: - -"The Turks are only a few miles from the north of the island. The -felucca has been watching them for the last week. They have been -taking troops on board at all the ports on the mainland as they came -down." - -Already the fleet had diminished by at least two-thirds since -Lykourgos landed; but a small proportion of the plunder had fallen to -the sailors, and as it was for this alone that the craft had taken -part in the expedition, the greater portion soon became discontented -and sailed away. As the Turkish fleet approached the island, a Turkish -sloop, which had gone on ahead to ascertain the position of the -Greeks, ran ashore and fell into the hands of the Greeks, who at once -put to death every soul on board--the fate that had befallen every -prisoner they had taken. Having thus done their utmost to exasperate -the Turks, and to imperil the safety of the Christian inhabitants of -the island, the Greeks made no effort to oppose the landing of the -Mussulmans, but retired precipitately on their approach, and the Turks -entered Chios, plundering the town of everything that had escaped the -bands of Lykourgos, the irregulars who formed part of the army -murdering every Christian they met. - -Lykourgos had retreated to the village of St. George, whence, after a -feeble attempt at defence, he escaped with his followers on board some -Psarian ships that had, fortunately for him, arrived. These islanders -had strongly opposed the expedition to Chios, and had taken no part in -it, fearing to bring down the Turkish fleet upon themselves, as Psara -lay but a short distance north of Chios. They maintained their fleet -in port to aid in its defence should the Turks attack them. As soon, -however, as they saw the Turkish fleet sail past Psara on its way to -Chios they at once put to sea with the intention of harassing the -Turks and rendering some assistance to the Christians. - -The vengeance of the Turks now fell upon the unfortunate Chiots, who -had been perfectly innocent of all share in the proceedings of -Lykourgos, and who had already suffered so heavily at the hands of him -and his robber bands. In the city the wealthier class generally -succeeded in purchasing the protection of Turks in authority by paying -large sums of money, but the rest were either slaughtered or seized to -be sold into slavery. Three thousand Chiots, mostly the peasantry that -had come down from the hills, retired to the monastery of Aghios -Minas, five miles south of the city. The Turks surrounded them and -summoned them to surrender. They refused to surrender, and the -building was carried by storm, and all within it put to death. Two -thousand persons were similarly slain at the capture of the monastery -of Nea Mone; most of them were put to death by the sword, and the rest -perished in the conflagration of the monastery. - -Kara Ali, the capitan-pasha, did all in his power to save the island -from being laid waste, knowing that the loss of the revenue derived -from the island would greatly vex the sultan and his seraglio, to whom -this revenue was specially appropriated. The regular troops were kept -fairly in order, but the Bashi-Bazouks, that is the volunteers who had -flocked to his standard, scattered over the island, plundering and -slaying, but more especially carrying off women and children for sale -in the slave-markets. The sultan, determined to strike terror into the -hearts of the Greeks of the island, executed at Constantinople some -Chiot hostages that had been sent there, and ordered the archbishop -and seventy-five other Chiots to be executed by the capitan-pasha. -During the whole time Lykourgos had been there the vessels from Psara -they had been carrying off the Chiots from small ports and quiet bays -round the island, and it was estimated that some fifteen thousand had -been taken off in this way either before the arrival of the Turks or -during the continuance of the massacres by them. The work was carried -on with great vigour by the Psarians who reaped a rich harvest from -their operations, demanding and receiving all the valuables of the -unfortunate fugitives as the price for their passage to another -island. Thus large numbers of wealthy Chiots were reduced to the most -abject poverty by the avarice and extortion of those who professed to -save them. - -The _Misericordia_ was very busy during the three weeks that followed -the Turkish re-occupation of the island. Cruising round and round she -carried off large numbers of fugitives, conveying them across to the -nearest Greek islands. After making three such trips, and carrying -over some twelve hundred fugitives, she left the work of rescue to the -Psarians, and took up her station between the island and the mainland -to cut off the craft that were, as they learned, conveying the women -and children to the slave-markets of Smyrna. As speed was here of the -greatest utility, vessel after vessel was overhauled and compelled to -bring to by her guns. Then the boats went alongside, forced the -Turkish sailors and Bashi-Bazouks to take to their boats, and then -after transporting the rescued women and children to the schooner, set -fire to the ships. - -No less than eighteen were overhauled and destroyed in the course of a -week--fourteen hundred women and children being rescued, the first two -batches being landed at Psara as the nearest Greek island, while the -last batch was taken to Athens. On returning from that trip they found -that the destruction they caused had so alarmed the ship-owners of -Smyrna that the traffic by sea had almost entirely ceased, and that -the slaves were now carried across in boats or small vessels to the -mainland opposite the island, which was but six or seven miles away. -Here it was difficult to interrupt it, for the Turkish fleet lay off -the town of Chios, and the smaller ships cruised about in the -channel. - -Trusting to her superior sailing power, the _Misericordia_ entered by -the southern, which was the broader end of the straits, and kept -hovering about between the island and the mainland. She was frequently -chased by the Turks, and several times engaged their cruisers at a -distance, the superior rapidity of her fire, and the ease with which -she manoeuvred, giving her a great advantage over her clumsy -opponents. Two of the Turkish corvettes were so severely handled that -they had to retire under the shelter of the guns of the fleet. Over a -score of small craft were intercepted and destroyed, and two hundred -and fifty more slaves rescued. At night she generally ran across and -anchored in some indentation on the Turkish side, going in after -nightfall, knowing that the Turkish cruisers always retired before -dark to their anchorage off Chios. - -One night they were at anchor in a deep bay near the narrow and -northern mouth of the straits. At about three in the morning Horace -was on the watch with Miller, and was walking up and down the -quarter-deck with him, when one of the quarter-masters came aft. - -"It seems to me, sir," he said to the first lieutenant, "that I can -hear some sort of noise out seaward." - -Miller stopped in his walk and listened intently. "There is some sort -of noise, sure enough, quarter-master." - -It was a quiet night, not a breath of wind was stirring, but a -confused sound was audible like that of small waves breaking on a -stony beach. "What do you make it out to be?" he asked the -quarter-master. "It is too irregular and confused for oars." - -"I don't know, sir; it ain't the sound of the oars of one boat or of -two, but I should say that it might be the sound of a dozen." - -"I think you are right," Miller said after listening for a while. "I -don't see what else it can be. Go down and call Captain Martyn." - -In two or three minutes Martyn was on deck. "You make out oars, I -hear, Miller?" - -"I am not sure that it is the sound of oars, but it may be." - -Martyn listened attentively. - -"I have very little doubt it is that," he said. "It is possible some -boat may have gone over from this side with the news that we are here, -or they may have arranged some fire signal and given notice in that -way, and they have sent the boats of the fleet across to cut us out. -Well, if so, we have got to fight; there is not a breath of wind. Call -the other watch on deck, quarter-master." - -The men soon tumbled up. - -"Will you see to getting the boarding nettings up, Mr. Miller. Mr. -Tarleton, get a boat put in the water, ship a light anchor, and drop -it a cable length of her quarter. Get springs into both cables, so -that we can work her round and keep her broadside on to an attack. -Horace, will you call up your father in the first place, and go down -with the two Greeks to the lower deck and get all that mob of women -and children down into the hold. Call the men to quarters, boatswain; -open the magazine, get up canister and grape; let the men muster with -muskets and boarding-pikes." - -The guns were run in and loaded, and when everything was in readiness -a dead silence reigned fore and aft. The noise was now much louder, -and there could be no doubt any longer that it was caused by the -approach of a large number of boats; then Martyn spoke in a clear -voice that could be heard from end to end of the schooner. - -"As you can hear for yourselves, men, it is evident that we are about -to be attacked by a flotilla of boats. Well, we have got to beat them -off. You know, without my telling you, that there is no mercy to be -expected at the hands of the Turks if they become the masters of this -ship, so we have got to beat them off; and as it is a choice between -doing so and of being murdered afterwards, I am sure I need not tell -you that we must fight to the last, and I for one have very little -fear of what the result will be. We have done good work as British -sailors in saving life up to this point, and now we have got to show -them what British sailors can do when they are fighting for their own -lives. Don't cheer, lads, they might hear it across the water, and -they may as well think they are going to take us by surprise; we will -cheer when we have beaten them off." - -A hum of approval ran round the ship, and then the men stood to their -guns with their pistols in their belts, and their muskets and -boarding-pikes ready at hand. Mr. Beveridge with the two Greeks had -taken their positions, armed with rifles, near the wheel. - -"They must be coming very slowly, Tarleton," Miller muttered -impatiently. "They must be a mile away still." - -"I expect the boats are crowded with troops, Miller, and I daresay -they are rowing easily so as to keep well in a body." - -"I suppose that is it; but I wish the beggars would make haste. I hate -this waiting." - -"So do I," Tarleton agreed. "Well, we shall give them a hot reception -when they do come. If it were anyone but Turks, I should say we were -going to have very hot work of it. The Turks are good fellows to fight -on shore, but they are no good on the water, and I expect they will -attack us pell-mell without the least plan or order. Well, we shall -soon know; another ten minutes, and they will be near enough to -begin." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -FIRE-SHIPS - - -The time passed slowly as they were waiting for the attack by the -Turkish boats. The men muttered and growled to each other at the -delay. In order to give them something to do, Miller sent all those -who were not stationed at the guns down below to fetch up a number of -32-pound shot and place them in the racks, and some of the men were -told off to jump up on to the rail as soon as the boats came -alongside, and to throw the shot over the top of the boarding-netting -down into the boats. - -"I wish it was not so confoundedly dark, Miller, and that we could -make the fellows out," Martyn said. - -"I have got rockets and blue lights, sir. Shall I send a rocket up? -They are sure to find us, so we lose nothing by showing them where we -are." - -"Yes, they are sure to find us. I don't like their being such a long -time in getting to us." - -"They do come wonderfully slow," Miller agreed. - -"Do you know, Miller, I have been thinking for some time that there -must be some cause for it, and the only reason I can see is that they -may be towing." - -"By Jove, so they may! I did not think of that. It will be awkward if -we have got a ship to fight as well as the boats." - -"Very awkward. Send up a rocket, we may as well settle the question. -Pass the word round for the men to train their guns as nearly as they -can in the direction in which we can hear the oars, and to fire when -they get light." - -A minute later a rocket shot up in the air. As it burst a number of -boats were seen crowded together, towing behind them two large brigs. -There was a moment's pause while the men at the guns adjusted their -aim, then the pivot-gun roared out, and the four on the broadside -followed in quick succession. The distance was about six hundred -yards, and the crashing of wood, followed by a chorus of shouts and -cries, arose as the storm of grape swept down upon the boats. - -"Load again, lads, as quick as you can," Martyn shouted. "Show a -couple of blue lights, quarter-master. Boatswain, load the pivot with -ball, and fire as fast as you can at the brigs; never mind the boats, -we will attend to them." - -The blue lights were lit and a rocket sent up, so as to burst over the -enemy, and again a broadside of grape was poured in, while a shot from -the pivot-gun crashed into the bows of one of the brigs; these had -apparently been lashed together, so that the boats could tow them on a -broad front. A confused din came across the water; shouts, cries, and -orders mingled together. As far as could be seen everything was in -confusion. Some of the boats had sunk, and the occupants were being -pulled on board of the others. Some had thrown off their tow-ropes and -were heading for the schooner, others lay helpless in the water. - -[Illustration: REPELLING THE TURKISH BOARDERS] - -"Keep the rockets going, quarter-master," Martyn said; "the more light -we have the better. Horace, tell the men at the aft and forward guns -to aim at the boats rowing towards us; let the two midship guns keep -on at the crowd in front of the brigs. They have sent a pretty strong -force against us. There must have been fully twenty of these boats at -first; there are about sixteen of them now, and they are all large -ones. Depress the guns on the other broadside as far as they will go, -Mr. Tarleton, we shall have some of them round on that side presently. -Cant them down as much as you can." - -Two more of the boats towing were disabled by the next broadside, and -the rest, throwing off the ropes, rowed straight for the schooner. - -"Aim steadily, men!" Martyn shouted. "Pick out your boats before you -fire." - -Two of the boats were sunk as they approached, three others fell -behind crippled; but the others, with loud shouts, made straight at -the vessel. As they approached her they opened a fire of musketry, -which was answered by the rifles and muskets of the sailors. As they -swept up alongside shots were heaved down into them, and the crashing -of planks told that they had done their work. The guns on the -starboard side were silent at first, as the first boats came up so -close alongside that they could not reach them; but those that -followed were further out, and two were instantly sunk. - -As the Turks strove to climb up the side and cut their way through the -boarding-netting, they were shot down by pistols or run through by -boarding-pikes. A few managed to climb over or force their way -through the netting, but these were cut down before they could obtain -a footing on deck. For ten minutes the fight went on by the flare of -the blue lights, and then eight Turkish boats, which alone floated, -rowed away, crowded with the survivors from the others. A loud cheer -broke from the schooner. - -"Never mind them, my men," Martyn shouted; "load with ball now and aim -at the brigs." - -These had taken no part whatever in the fight. Left by the boats head -on to the schooner, and almost without steerage-way, they had in vain -endeavoured to get broadside on so as to bring their guns to bear. The -lashings had been cut, and the rudders been put in opposite -directions; they had drifted a little apart with their heads outwards, -and as the boats rowed away from the schooner they opened fire with -their bow-guns. The boatswain, with the men working the pivot-gun, had -from the first continued steadily at their work regardless of the din -around them, Horace taking his place beside them, in order to call -them off to aid in repelling the Turks should they gain a footing -anywhere on the deck. When the boarding-netting had been triced up, -a gap had been left opposite the gun, and the fire at the brigs had -been kept up without intermission, every shot raking one or other of -them fore and aft. - -As soon as the boats were fairly away, the guns from the starboard -side were run across, the spare ports being thrown open, and the eight -guns all brought into play to aid the pivot-gun. As soon as the boats -reached the brigs they took shelter behind them, and in a short time -both craft began to swing round, their guns firing as they were -brought to bear. - -"Eight guns a side," Miller said; "but it would not matter if there -were twenty, if they did not aim better than that;" for not a single -shot had struck the schooner. One or two passed overhead, but the rest -went wide. - -Instead of the brigs being left broadside on as they had expected, -their heads swept round until they were stern on to the schooner, then -they began slowly to glide away. - -"They have had enough of it," Miller exclaimed, and another cheer -broke from the schooner. - -"Cease firing!" Martyn said. "If they leave us alone we are content to -leave them alone; they must have suffered tremendously as it is." - -An examination was now made as to the casualties. Four men had been -killed, all were shot through the head, as they had fired over the -bulwark at the boats as they came alongside; six others were wounded -more or less seriously, by pistol shots that had been fired by the -Turks as they tried to climb on board--a small total indeed, -considering the nature of the attack. When morning dawned the brigs -could be made out near the opposite shore, they were still being towed -by the boats; but as they were looking at them, sail was made as a -light breeze sprang up. When the wind reached them, the mainmast of -one was seen to go over the side, having doubtless been wounded by the -raking fire, and carrying in its fall the fore top-gallant mast and -topmast. A quarter of an hour later the breeze reached the schooner. -The decks had been already washed down, and everything had resumed its -ordinary aspect, and before getting up the anchor the four men who had -fallen, and who had already been sewn up in hammocks, were committed -to the sea, Mr. Beveridge reading the funeral service over them. Mr. -Macfarlane reported that the wounded were all likely to do well. - -As soon as the fight was over the women and children, who had been -suffering agonies of terror while it had been going on, had been -brought out from the hold and allowed to sleep as usual on the lower -deck, which had been entirely given up to them; and when the schooner -got under weigh they were permitted to come up on deck. Although they -had been assured by Zaimes and his brother that all danger was over, -their first action on coming up was to look round timidly, and they -were evidently greatly relieved when they saw that the sea was clear -of enemies. They looked much surprised at seeing everything going on -as usual, and at the absence of any signs of the terrible conflict -they had heard raging round them the night before--the bullet marks in -the bulwarks being the only evidences of what had passed. It had -already been decided to sail for Greece in the course of a day or two, -as they had as many fugitives on board as they could carry, and it was -now determined to do so at once. As they sailed west they made out a -large number of ships approaching, and were soon running through the -Greek fleet. - -"I am sorry we left now," Miller said; "we shall miss a fight." - -"I expect we shall be back in time," Macfarlane remarked; "the Greeks -are in no great hurry to fight. It is two months since they were sent -for, when the landing was made at Chios; and after taking all this -time to make up their minds about it, they are likely to take a few -days before they make up their minds to have a tussle with the Turks. -The Greek mind, I observe, is full of contradictions; sometimes, -especially if there is plunder to be got, their eagerness is just -wonderful; but when it is a question of fighting, their caution is -very remarkable." - -Miller laughed. "I daresay you are right, doctor, and I don't feel at -all confident that there will be a fight. So far the Greek fleet has -done nothing, and their only idea of fighting a Turkish ship has been -to launch a fire-ship against it." - -"Fire-ships are no good against enemies who know what they are doing," -Martyn said. "A couple of boats can always tow a fire-ship clear; but -the Turks are lubberly sailors, and these fire-ships seem almost to -paralyse them." - -"I can't make it out," Miller put in, "why the Turks should -manoeuvre their vessels so badly, considering that their sailors are -for the most part Thessalians, drawn from the Mohammedan sea-side -villages, Albanians by blood, just as the Hydriots are." - -"They want British officers," the doctor said. "Officers are always -the weak point with the Turks. There are no braver soldiers in the -world when they are well led. But they never are well led now; their -pashas seem to be chosen for stupidity and obstinacy. It is a great -pity that we did not make up our minds to take Turkey instead of -India. Eh, man! we should have made a grand country of it when we had -once got it into order." - -"We shall make a grand country of India some day, doctor. I have never -been out there; but there is no doubt that just what you say about the -Turks is true of the natives there, and they make very good soldiers -when they have British officers to lead them." - -"So they say, Captain Martyn: but you must remember that they have -only fought against other natives without British officers to lead -them. We must wait till we see them fighting against European troops -of some other nation before we can say that they are fine soldiers." - -"If we wait till then, we are likely to wait a long time, doctor. -Besides, you must remember they did fight well against the French -troops under Dupleix." - -"So they did, but not till they got the idea that our soldiers were -better than the French. But, as you say, it will be a long time before -they get the chance again. The French are no longer a power in India; -nor are the Dutch; and the distance is too long for either ever to -send out an army big enough to wrest India from us; and as to marching -by land--well, it could not be done." - -"The next day they reached the port of Athens, and got rid of their -cargo of passengers, and then, with every sail set, hurried back to -Chios, touching at Psara on the way, as, from the direction in which -the Greeks were steering, they thought it probable they might have -made a stay there. A small Psariot vessel had just come in from the -fleet, and Horace, who had gone ashore with Marco, learned that -Miaoulis, the Greek admiral, had coasted along the north of Chios, and -that the Turks had at once weighed anchor and gone out to engage him. -The Greeks, not caring to fight in the narrow waters, where their -power of manoeuvring would be thrown away, had stood out, and an -engagement had taken place at the mouth of the Gulf of Smyrna." - -"We fought most valiantly," the Greek said, "and it was a drawn -battle." - -"But what was done?" Horace asked. "How many vessels were sunk on each -side?" - -"Oh, there were no vessels sunk. They fired at us, and we fired at -them." - -"Were there many killed and wounded?" - -"No; I don't think there were any killed and wounded. You see we -manoeuvred round the Turks. We could not go near, because their guns -were much heavier than ours. We sent down a fire-ship among them; but -unfortunately they evaded it, and some of our most daring captains -ventured so close that their ships were struck by the Turkish shot. -Yesterday the combat was renewed again. The cannonading was like -thunder, and this morning we again fought. Then we needed rest, and to -get fresh meat we sailed back." - -Horace had difficulty in restraining his expressions of disgust at the -conduct of the fleet that had, after two months' delay, at last sailed -to annihilate the Turks; and as they walked back to their boat Marco -poured out, in an undertone, volumes of execrations in choice Greek. - -As they reached the schooner the doctor looked over the side. "We are -not too late, Horace; there's the Greek fleet rounding the point. As -we can't make out with our glass a shot-hole in their sails or a -splinter on their bulwarks, it is evident that I was right, and that -we are in plenty of time to see the engagement." - -"You are mistaken, doctor," Horace said as he reached the deck. "There -has been a great naval battle, lasting three days. There are no killed -or wounded; but one or two ships, commanded by daring captains, -ventured within gun-shot of the Turks, and were struck. That is the -exact history of the affair, as I learned it from one of the heroes." - -"Is that really the story you have heard, Horace?" Mr. Beveridge -asked. - -"It is, father; almost in the words that it was told to me." - -"I really think," Martyn said, seeing how depressed Mr. Beveridge -looked at the news, "that much more could hardly be expected from the -Greeks. Their ships are for the most part small, and their metal very -light. They have not the slightest idea of discipline or of working in -concert. A Turkish broadside would sink half a dozen of them if they -ventured to close quarters; and of course their superior seamanship is -not of the slightest avail as long as they fight at a distance." - -"It would avail if they had pluck," Horace said bitterly. "The English -ships that went out to engage the great galleons of the Spanish Armada -were as inferior in tonnage and in weight of metal as the Greeks are; -but for all that they gave a good account of them." - -"Yes, Horace; but you must remember that the English sailors had been -fighting and thrashing the Spaniards for years before, and had come -almost to despise them; while the Greeks have never fought before, -have no confidence in themselves, and hold the Turks in high respect." - -"You can't expect," the doctor put in, "that bulldogs are going to be -manufactured out of mongrels in one generation, Horace. A fighting -race grows up little by little. The Greeks fought just as pluckily in -the old days, against big odds, as we ever did, and may do it again in -time; but they have got to be built up to it." - -"Thank you, doctor," Mr. Beveridge said. "We keep on forgetting that -the Greeks have been slaves, and that slaves lose all their military -virtues. It was just the same thing with the Britons. Their valour -excited the admiration of Cęsar; but after being under the domination -of the Romans for generations, they completely lost all their manhood, -and fell easy victims to the Saxons. We must not be too hard on the -Greeks, Horace, or expect them to behave as men whose fathers have -been free and independent." - -In the evening Miller went ashore with Mr. Beveridge and had a talk -with some Philhellenes who had joined the expedition. They all agreed -that Miaoulis had manoeuvred his ships well, always keeping the -weather-gauge of the Turks; but there was no shadow of discipline -among the ships, and their fire was as wild and inefficient as that of -the Turks, the men loading and firing as quickly as they could, quite -regardless of the direction or distance of their shot, the great part -of which entered the sea half-way between the combatants. - -"Kanaris is here," they said, "and you will see that he at least will -attempt something against the Turks before he is done." - -It was not, however, until fifteen days later that any move was made. -Kanaris had paid a visit to the _Misericordia_, and was greatly struck -by the order and discipline that prevailed. - -"Our men will not submit to it, Mr. Beveridge. It is in vain to assure -them that nothing can be done unless we can introduce discipline such -as prevails on ships of war of other nations. Unfortunately they have -been accustomed to another state of things. The sailors are always -paid by a share in the profits of our voyages, and everyone has a say -as to the ports to be visited and the course to be steered. Before any -change is made there is always a general council of all on board, and -the matter is decided by vote. Such being the habit, you can -understand the difficulty of getting these men to submit to anything -like discipline. Another thing is, that the ships belong to private -persons, and not to the state, although they may receive pay from -government. They are therefore very chary of exposing their vessels to -the risk of loss, for which, more likely than not, they would never -receive a penny from the central government, which has plenty of -objects of much greater interest to its members to spend its money -upon. Until some total change takes place in the organization and -manning of our fleet, I can see no hope of any improvement." - -On the 18th of June two ships got up anchor and sailed. On board the -schooner their progress was watched with interest. Kanaris had -confided to Mr. Beveridge that the ships were loaded with -combustibles, and that he was going to attempt to set fire to the -Turkish fleet. The wind was contrary, and the two craft tacked -backwards and forwards off the north of Chios as if intending to beat -up the Gulf of Smyrna. Four hours after they had started the schooner -also got under way, as all were anxious to see what would take place, -and Mr. Beveridge had told Kanaris that he would go within a short -distance of the Turkish fleet and burn a blue light, so that the boats -on leaving the fire-ships could row off to him and be taken back to -Psara. - -It was the last day of the Ramazan, and a number of the principal -officers of the Turkish fleet had been invited by the Capitan Pasha to -dine with him on board his flag-ship to celebrate the feast of Bairam. -The night was a dark one, but the whole of the Turkish vessels were -illuminated in honour of the festival, and their outlines were clearly -visible. The _Misericordia_ had entered the northern passage an hour -after nightfall; the two Greek ships being, when last seen, about -three miles ahead. The schooner lay to a couple of miles distant from -the anchorage. They had scarcely done so when they made out the sails -of two vessels between them and the lines of light on the Turkish -war-ships. - -"There they go," Martyn said, "steering straight in. One of them is -making straight for the Capitan Pasha's own ship. No doubt that is -Kanaris himself. The other is making for that seventy-four that -carries the flag of the Reala Bey. You can tell them by the variegated -lamps along their yards. The Turks evidently have not caught sight of -them yet or they would open fire. On such a dark night as this I don't -suppose they will make them out till they are close alongside." - -Kanaris, a man of the greatest calmness and courage, was himself at -the helm of his craft. Running straight before the wind, he steered -down upon the eighty-gun ship of the Capitan Pasha. Not until he was -within a ship's length was he observed, when a startled hail sounded -from the deck of the Turkish ship. Steering straight on he ran his -bowsprit through one of her port-holes. The sailors instantly threw -some grapnels to retain her in her position, and then jumped into -their boat lying alongside. As soon as they did so Kanaris fired his -pistol into the train. The fire flashed along the deck, there were a -series of sharp explosions, and then the flames ran aloft, the -riggings and sails being soaked with turpentine; and Kanaris had -scarcely stepped into his boat before the ship was in a mass of -flames. - -Lying to windward of the Turk the flames were blown on to her, and -pouring in at the open port-holes at once set fire to a quantity of -tents stowed on the lower deck, rushed up the hatches, and, mingling -with the flames from the sails which had ignited the awning extending -over the deck, ran up the rigging and spars of the man-of-war. The -most terrible confusion instantly prevailed throughout the ship. The -few boats alongside were sunk by the crowds who leapt into them. The -crews of the ships lying round at once began to haul them farther away -from the blazing vessel, and the boats that were lowered feared to -approach it because of the falling spars and the flames that poured -from the lower port-holes. - -In addition to her crew, the soldiers on board, and the Pasha's -guests, were a great number of prisoners who had been brought off from -the island to be taken to Constantinople, and the shrieks and cries as -they were caught by the flames, or sprang overboard to evade them, -were terrible. Kara Ali himself sprang from the ship into a boat that -approached near enough for the purpose of saving him; but before it -could put off a blazing spar fell on it, and the Capitan Pasha was so -severely wounded that he died shortly after being carried on shore. - -His loss was a severe one for the Turks, for he was their most skilful -naval officer. A few of those who leapt overboard were picked up by -boats, or swam to the other ships; but with these exceptions the whole -of those on board the vessel perished. The other fire-ship had been -less calmly and skilfully managed. In his haste and excitement the -commander, after running her alongside the ship of the Reala Bey, -fired the train and made off without attaching her to it, consequently -the fire-ship drifted away without the flames communicating to the -Turk, and burned out harmlessly. - -As soon as it was seen that Kanaris had succeeded, a blue light was -burned on board the schooner, and in twenty minutes the two boats -rowed alongside. Not a shot had been fired at either, the Turks being -too much occupied with the danger of fire to pay any attention to -them. Kanaris was heartily congratulated on his success when he -reached the schooner, which at once set sail and was back at Psara in -the morning, where the news of the destruction of the Turkish -man-of-war was received with the wildest enthusiasm. - -The Turkish vessels, leaving a strong garrison on the island, sailed -north a few days later. They were pursued by the Greek fleet, which, -however, did not venture to interfere with them, although they stopped -at two ports on the way, and finally anchored under the guns of the -forts of the Dardanelles. The _Misericordia_ took no part in harassing -the Turkish fleet. Martyn had asked Mr. Beveridge's opinion upon the -subject, he himself being in favour of doing so. - -"I think we could give the Greeks a lesson or two in this sort of -thing, sir, and show them what can be done, even against a fleet, by a -craft that means business." - -"I am sure you could do all that, Martyn, but I do not think we should -be justified in running the slightest risk of loss of life among the -men merely for that purpose. We could do no more than the Greeks do -unless we were willing to expose ourselves more. You could not hope -either to capture or sink one of the Turkish ships in the face of -their whole fleet. I know you would give them a great deal of trouble, -but more than that you could not do. When the Greeks show themselves -willing to fight we will fight by their side, but not before." - -They were indeed glad that they so decided, for on the evening before -the Greeks set sail a boat arrived at Psara with six fugitives from -Chios. They reported that the destruction of the Capitan Pasha's ship -with all on board had brought fresh misfortunes upon the Christians, -for that the Mussulmans, infuriated by the details of the disaster, -had fallen upon the Christians all over the island, even in the -villages where hitherto there had been no trouble. - -The second massacre was indeed far more fatal than the first, the -women and children being, as before, spared as slaves, many thousands -being carried away. Small craft from Psara hovered round the island -and succeeded in taking off numbers of fugitives, while the schooner -returned to her cruising grounds between the island and the mainland, -or up the Gulf of Smyrna, where she captured and burnt large numbers -of small craft laden with slaves. They had to make four trips to the -islands to clear her crowded decks of the hapless Chiots. - -The news of the massacres of Chios, which, unlike those committed by -themselves, the Greeks spread sedulously over Europe, excited deep and -general horror and indignation. The numbers of those killed or sold -into slavery were never known. The estimates varied considerably, some -putting them down at twenty thousand while others maintained that -those figures could be doubled without exaggeration. It is probable, -however, that they really exceeded thirty thousand. - -The details of the terrible massacres, which they learnt from the -women they rescued, aroused among the officers and crew of the -_Misericordia_ a far deeper feeling of enthusiasm for the cause of -Greece than they had hitherto felt. Since they came out their interest -in the cause had been steadily waning. The tales of wholesale and -brutal massacre, the constant violation of the terms of surrender, the -cowardice of the Greeks in action and their eagerness for plunder, the -incessant disputes between the various parties, and the absence of any -general attempt to concert measures for defence, had completely damped -their sympathy for them; but the sight of these hundreds of women and -children widowed and orphaned, and torn away from their native land -and sold into slavery, set their blood boiling with indignation. The -two Greeks took care to translate the narratives of the weeping women -to the sailors, and these excited among them a passionate desire to -punish the authors of these outrages; and had any of the craft they -overhauled made an active resistance little mercy would have been -shown to the Turks. As it was they were bundled headlong into their -boats with many a hearty kick and cuff from the sailors, and the -destruction of their vessels was effected with the alacrity and -satisfaction of men performing an act of righteous retribution. - -"The poor creatures seemed terribly cast down," Martyn said one day at -dinner as they sailed with the last batch of Chiots for Corfu. They -had transported the three previous cargoes to the Ionian Islands, as -the former ones had been most unwillingly received in the Greek ports, -the authorities saying that they had no means of affording subsistence -to the fugitives who were daily arriving. In the Ionian Islands -committees had been formed, and these distributed money sent out from -England for their support, while rations were issued to them by the -British authorities of the islands. - -"One can't wonder at that," Miller said. "Still, I must say that the -women even at first don't seem as delighted as one would expect at -getting out of the hands of the Turks." - -"I am not so very sure, Miller, that they are delighted at all," -Macfarlane said quietly. "You think you are doing them the greatest -service possible, but in my opinion it is more than doubtful whether -they see it in the same light." - -"What! not thankful at being rescued from being sold as slaves to the -Turks?" - -"That sounds very terrible, and no doubt it would not be a pleasant -lot for you, seeing that they would set you to work, and your life -would be worse than a dog's. But you have got to put yourself in the -position of these unfortunate women and girls, and then you would see -that you might think differently about it. To begin with, till now -there has been no animosity between them and the Turks. It is -admitted that the Turks have been gentle masters to Chios, and the -people have been happy, contented, and prosperous. Their misfortunes -have been brought upon them, not by the Turks, but by the Greeks, who -came to the island contrary to their entreaties, plundered and ill -used them, and then left them to the vengeance of the Turks. So if -they have any preference for either, it will certainly not be for the -Greeks. - -"As to their being sold as slaves, I do not suppose they view it at -all in the same way we do. They are not going to be sold to work in -the fields, or anything of that sort, and the Turks treat their -domestic slaves kindly. To one of these Chiot girls there is nothing -very terrible in being a slave in the household of a rich Turk. You -know that the Georgian and Circassian girls look forward to being sold -to the Turks. They know that the life at Constantinople is vastly -easier and more luxurious than that at home. I do not say for a moment -that these women would not prefer a life of ease among their own -people and friends. But what is the life before them now?--to have to -work for their own living in the fields, or to go as servants among -Greek and Italian families. A dark and uncertain future. I tell you, -man, we think we are doing them a mighty service, but I doubt whether -there is one of them that thinks so. The Chiots are celebrated for -their docility and intelligence, and these women and children would -fetch high prices in the market, and be purchased by wealthy Turks, -and their lot would be an enviable one in comparison to that which -awaits most of them. - -"The word slavery is hateful to us, but it is not so many years since -we were sending people out in hundreds to work as slaves in the -plantations of Virginia. The word slavery in the East has not the same -terror as it has with us, and I doubt if the feelings of a Chiot -peasant girl on her way to be sold are not a good deal like those of a -girl who goes up from a Scotch or English village to Edinburgh or -London, to go into service in a grand family. She thinks she is going -to better herself, to have fine clothes, and to live among fine -people; and, as it turns out, maybe she is better off than she was -before, maybe she is worse." - -"You are a most disagreeable man, Macfarlane," Martyn said after a -pause. "Here have we been thinking that we have been doing a good -action, and you put us altogether out of conceit with ourselves." - -"We have been doing a good action," the doctor said. "We have been -acting according to our lights. To us it is an abominable thing that a -Greek woman or child should be sold as a slave to the heathen Turk. I -am only pointing out to you that from their point of view there is -nothing so terrible in their lot, and that we have no reason to expect -any very lively gratitude from them; and that, looking at the matter -only from a material point of view, they are not likely to be -benefited by the change. I know that, if I were a Greek woman, I would -rather be a slave in the family of a rich Turk than working as a -drudge, say, in the family of a Maltese shopkeeper, though, if I were -a Scotch girl, I should certainly choose the other way." - -They all sat silent for a minute or two. The idea was a wholly new one -to them, and they could not deny that, according to the point of view -of these Chiot captives, it was a reasonable one. Mr. Beveridge was -the first to speak. - -"What you say has certainly given me a shock, doctor, but I cannot -deny that there is some truth in it. Still, you know there is -something beyond mere material advantages." - -"I do not deny it, sir, and, as I say, we, as Britons and Christians, -feel that we are doing a good work. Still, we can hardly be surprised -that these Chiots naturally view it differently. Their Christianity -is, like that of all Eastern Christians, of a very debased form; and -living so long among the Turks, they have no very great horror of -Mohammedanism. You know, on the mainland, tens of thousands of the -Albanians have become Mohammedans. We think that we are justified in -inflicting what one cannot but see is, from the material point of -view, a distinct injury to these people, because, as Christians, we -feel it is for their moral advantage; but then, that is just the same -feeling that caused the Spaniards to exterminate the natives of the -West Indian Islands who declined to become Christians." - -"Oh, I say, doctor, that is too strong altogether," Miller exclaimed -indignantly. - -"Well, prove it by argument," the doctor replied calmly. "I am not -saying that from our point of view we are not more than justified. I -am simply explaining why these Chiots do not feel any extraordinary -gratitude to us. We are benefiting them, if they did but know it. We -are saving them, body and soul; but that is not the light in which -they see it." - -"You are right, doctor," Mr. Beveridge said. "And now you put it -before us, I am really not surprised that these poor creatures do not -feel any very lively gratitude. They are fond of ease and comfort, and -have been accustomed to it, and to them the utter uncertainty of their -life among strangers is not unreasonably more terrible than the -prospects of an easy life as a favoured slave in a Turkish household. -It is sad that it should be so; but it is human nature. Still, the -consideration must not weigh with us in carrying out what we know to -be a good work. We have saved in all more than three thousand souls -from Turkish slavery, and can only trust that in the long run most of -them will recognize the inestimable service we have rendered them." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -RESCUING THE GARRISON OF ATHENS - - -"I tell you what it is, Mr. Beveridge," the governor said when the -latter went up to call as usual upon his arrival at Corfu, "I quite -begin to dread the appearance of that smart schooner of yours; during -the last five weeks you have added a thousand mouths to my anxieties. -What we are to do with all these poor creatures I have not the -slightest idea. We can't go on feeding them for ever; and what with -the voluntary fugitives and those brought over to us, there are at -present some forty or fifty thousand strangers in the islands, and of -these something like half are absolutely dependent on us for the means -of living." - -"It is a very difficult problem," Mr. Beveridge said. "Of course, when -the war is over the great proportion of them will return to their -homes in Greece; but the fugitives from the Turkish islands and -mainland are in a different position. Doubtless, when peace is made, -there will be some arrangement by which those families which have men -among them can also return to their homes without being molested; but -those consisting only of women and children could not do so. Some of -the women and girls can find employment in Greek families, and I -suppose the rest will finally become absorbed as servants in the towns -on the Adriatic." - -"I see nothing else for it, Mr. Beveridge; unless you choose to -continue your good work, and transport them in batches across the -Atlantic. I believe there is a great dearth of women in Canada and the -United States." - -"You will have to set up schools and teach them English first, sir," -Mr. Beveridge laughed, "or they would not be welcomed there. When they -can all speak our language I will think over your suggestion." - -"Do you think that Greece ever will be free, Mr. Beveridge?" - -"I think so. Certainly I think so. These terrible massacres on both -sides seem to render it absolutely impossible that they should return -to their former relations. The Turks have not yet made their great -effort, and I believe that when they do they will reconquer Greece. -But I do not think they will hold it. The hatred between the races is -now so bitter that they can never live together in peace; and I -believe that the Greeks will continue their resistance so long that -Europe at last will come to their assistance, and insist upon a -frontier line being drawn. This terrible affair of Chios, dreadful as -it is, will tend to that. The Christian feeling of Europe will become -more and more excited until, if the governments hold back, the people -will force them forward, and England and France at least will, if -necessary, intervene by force. I believe that they would do so now -were it not for jealousy of Russia. It is Russia who fomented this -revolution for her own purposes, and it is solely the fear that she -will reap the whole benefit of their action that causes England and -France to look on this struggle with folded arms." - -"I fancy you are right, and that that will be the end of it," the -governor said. "I need not say how earnestly I wish the time would -come. I can assure you I have a very anxious time of it. What with -providing for all these people, what with preventing breaches of -neutrality by the Greeks, and what with the calumnies and complaints -that the Greeks scatter broadcast against us, I can assure you that my -task is not an enviable one." - -"I can quite imagine that. The Greeks make it very hard for their -well-wishers to assist them; indeed, if they were bent upon bringing -obloquy upon their name they could hardly act otherwise than they are -doing. The one man they have hitherto produced who goes his way -regardless of intrigue and faction, fighting bravely for the country, -is Constantine Kanaris, who has destroyed two Turkish ships with his -own hand. A hundred of such men as he is, and Greece would have -achieved her independence without foreign assistance; and yet, even -in his own ship, he is unable to maintain even a shadow of what we -should consider discipline. He himself acknowledged as much to me at -Psara." - -"I hear you took him off after he had burned the Turkish war-vessel." - -"Yes; we were lying off the port and saw it. I am glad we were not -nearer, for it was a terrible business. It is a barbarous war -altogether." - -"Then why do you mix yourself up in it, Mr. Beveridge?" - -"My mother was a Greek, and I have always lived in Greek thought -rather than in English. I desire not only the independence but the -regeneration of the Greeks. They have lost all the virtues of their -ancestors save their intelligence; but once free they will, I hope and -trust, recover their lost virtues and become, if not a great -people--which they can hardly do, their numbers being comparatively so -few--at least a worthy one." - -"I hope they may. They certainly have enthusiastic friends. Only a -week or two since, a young fellow named Hastings, a lieutenant of our -navy, came out. He has a fortune of some seven or eight thousand -pounds, which he intends to devote to buying and fitting out a ship -for their service. There are scores of English and French officers -kicking their heels at Corinth, vainly asking for employment. And I -hear they are organizing a corps, composed entirely of foreign -officers, who will fight as private soldiers without pay, simply for -the purpose of endeavouring to shame the Greeks into a feeling of -patriotism. - -"Where are you thinking of sailing now? If you have no fixed plans, I -should advise you to go round to Athens. They say the Turkish garrison -is at the last extremity. I have had a message from the consulate -there, asking me to send a British ship of war round to insist upon -the conditions of surrender being observed; but unfortunately the -insane rage for retrenchment at home has so diminished the strength of -our fleet that we haven't a single ship in these waters at a time -like this. I hear that the French consul has also sent urgently asking -for ships of war. At any rate, your influence might do something." - -"I fear not," Mr. Beveridge said gravely. "However, my men and guns -might have some weight, and at any rate I will go round at once and do -my best. If possible, I am even more anxious to save Turks from -massacre by Greeks, than Greeks from massacre by Turks." - -"I can understand that," the governor said cordially. "Well, I wish -you every good fortune, Mr. Beveridge; but I say honestly that I do -not wish to see your saucy schooner again unless she comes in with -empty decks. Give them a turn at Malta next time, my dear sir, and I -shall feel really grateful towards you." - -Four days after leaving Corfu the schooner dropped anchor in the port -of Athens. Learning from the first boat that put off to them that the -capitulation of the Turks was to be signed on the following morning, -Mr. Beveridge determined to land at once, in order that he might see -as many of the leading officials as possible, and urge upon them the -necessity of preventing any repetition of the breaches of faith which -had brought such disgrace to the Greek name. - -"I shall take Zaimes with me," he said to Martyn, "and should I see -any signs of an intention upon the part of the populace to commence a -massacre of the Turks I will send him off instantly. In that case, -Captain Martyn, you will at once land the whole of the crew fully -armed, with the exception, say, of five men, and march them to the -British consulate in Athens. You know where it is. Take a Greek flag -with you, for two reasons; in the first place, if you were to go -without it the Greeks would spread the report that the crew of an -English ship of war had landed; and in the second place, it may -quieten and appease the mob if they see that we are in the service of -Greece." - -"Very well, sir, I will carry out your instructions. I don't think -that rascally mob will venture to interfere with us." - -"I hope not, Martyn; but at any rate we must risk that. Any other -message I may have to send off to you I shall send by an ordinary -messenger; but if you are wanted, I shall trust no one but Zaimes." - -Late in the evening a Greek came off with a letter. All would, Mr. -Beveridge hoped, be well. The Turks had agreed to surrender their -arms, and the Greeks had bound themselves to convey them to Asia Minor -in neutral ships. By the terms of capitulation the Turks were to be -allowed to retain one-half of their money and jewels, and one-half of -their movable property. - -"I have every hope that the treaty will be respected," Mr. Beveridge -wrote. "I am happy to say that the Bishop of Athens, who is a man of -high character, and President of the Areopagus, has insisted upon all -the civil and military authorities taking a most solemn oath to -observe strictly the terms of capitulation, and so far to redeem the -good faith of the nation, which has been so deeply stained by the -violation of so many previous treaties." - -The next morning the Mussulmans marched out from the Acropolis. Out of -the 1150 remaining only 180 were men capable of bearing arms, so -stoutly and obstinately had they defended the place, yielding only -when the last drop of water in the cisterns was exhausted. They were -housed in some extensive buildings in the town. Three days passed -quietly. Two ephors, who had been ordered by the Greek government to -hasten the embarkation of the Turks, took no steps whatever to do so. -On the morning of the fourth day, Horace, who had been twice on shore -to see his father, saw a boat rowing off to the ship. He turned a -glass upon it and exclaimed: - -"There is Zaimes on board that boat, Captain Martyn. I am sure my -father would not send him on board unless there is trouble in the -town." - -Martyn did not wait for the boat to arrive, but instantly mustered and -armed the crew, and the boats were in the water by the time Zaimes -arrived alongside. He handed a note to Martyn; it contained only the -words: - -"Land instantly, they are murdering the Turks." - -With a hearty execration upon the Greeks, Martyn ordered the men to -take their places in the boats, and gave his final orders to Tarleton, -who was to remain in charge. - -"Get all the guns loaded with ball, Mr. Tarleton. For aught I know we -may have to fight our way down to the beach. Fire the first shot over -their heads. If that does not frighten them, plump the others into -them." - -The three boats pushed off, the doctor taking his place by the side of -Horace, who was in command of one of them. - -"Have you got your instruments, doctor?" Horace asked smiling. - -"I have got these instruments," Macfarlane said, tapping the butts of -a heavy pair of pistols. "Just for once I am going as a combatant. I -thought there was a limit to everything, but there really doesn't seem -to be any limit to the faithlessness of the Greeks. I should like very -much to help to give them a little lesson as to the sanctity of an -oath." - -The sailors marched in a compact body from the port to the town. They -had been told the errand upon which they had come, and from the pace -at which they marched, and the expression of angry determination on -their faces, it was evident that they entered thoroughly into the -business. They were met at the entrance to the town by Mr. Beveridge. - -"It is of no use going to the British consulate," he said; "there are -no English officials there, the place is simply in charge of a Greek, -who dare not, if he would, move in the matter. The Turks are taking -refuge in the French, Austrian, and Dutch consulates. It is more than -doubtful whether the flags will be respected. You had better place say -eight men at each, with orders to defend the places till the last if -the mob attacks them; while with the rest of the men you can endeavour -to escort the fugitive Turks to the consulates. Don't let the men use -their arms till the last extremity, Martyn." - -"Very well, sir. Where will you be?" - -"I will go to the French consulate and aid them there in pacifying the -mob. My son had better go to one of the others. Harangue them from the -windows, Horace; point out to them that they are disgracing Greece in -the eyes of all Europe, and implore them not to bring Austria on their -backs by insulting her flag. At the same time see that all the lower -shutters are barred, and be ready to sally out with your men to bring -in any fugitives who may approach." - -"Mr. Miller, do you take eight men to the Dutch consulate," Martyn -said, "and follow the instructions Mr. Beveridge has given to his -son." - -"Zaimes shall go with you, Mr. Miller." - -"Thank you, Mr. Beveridge; if he will do the haranguing I will look -after the fighting if there is any to be done." - -The three parties, each of eight men, at once started for the -consulates. Martyn waited till they had gone, and then turned to the -remainder. "Boatswain, you take ten men and go one way, I will go -another way with the rest. You heard Mr. Beveridge's instructions, -that the men were not to use their arms unless absolutely attacked. At -the same time, if you come upon any of the Greeks engaged in murdering -women and children you will remember there are no orders against your -using your hands, and that there are windows as well as doors by which -a Greek can be made to leave a house." - -"Ay, ay, sir!" Tom Burdett replied with a grin; "we will be as gentle -with them as possible." - -Martyn had provided several small Greek flags which had been fastened -to boat-hooks, and each party, taking one of these, proceeded on its -way. They had gone but a little distance when shrieks and cries were -heard, and, bursting into the houses from which they proceeded, the -sailors came upon Greeks engaged in the diabolical work of torturing -women and children. With a cheer they fell upon them, striking right -and left with their fists, and levelling the astonished Greeks to the -ground. Then the Turks were placed safely in their midst, and with a -few hearty kicks at the prostrate ruffians they marched out. The scene -was repeated again and again; the punishment inflicted upon the Greeks -being more and more severe each time. - -When some twenty fugitives had been collected they were marched -through a yelling rabble to one or other of the consulates, to which a -large number of fugitives had made their way when the massacre began. -Several times the leaders of both bands had to call upon their men to -present arms, the mob falling back and flying the moment they did so. -After a time the two bands joined, Martyn considering it imprudent to -venture out among the enraged populace in smaller force. The aspect of -the crowd became more and more threatening, but it still confined -itself to execrations and curses, being overawed by the determined -attitude of the men with their muskets, cutlasses, and pistols, and -with the apparent fact that the sailors were only prevented from using -their arms by the exertions of the two officers, for the doctor kept -close by Martyn's side. At two o'clock the boom of a cannon was heard -from the port; again and again it sounded at regular intervals. - -"That is a ship of war saluting," Martyn said. - -The crowd fell away rapidly, many of them hurrying down to the port, -and Martyn, taking advantage of it, was able to bring in a good many -more fugitives to the consulates, the sailors from within rushing out -when they approached, and clearing the way through the crowd with the -vigorous use of their elbows and sometimes of their fists. - -"We shall have help up soon," Mr. Beveridge said, the first time -Martyn brought in a party of fugitives after the guns fired. - -An hour later a strong party of French sailors and marines with loaded -muskets and fixed bayonets marched up to the French consulate from two -French vessels, a corvette and a schooner, which had come from Syra in -response to the consul's earnest appeals for assistance. They placed -in their midst three hundred and twenty-five Turkish fugitives who -had found refuge there, escorted them down to the port, and placed -them on board their ships. On the way they were surrounded by a -menacing crowd of Greek soldiers and by a great mob, yelling, -shouting, and brandishing their arms; but their valour went no -further, and the fugitives were taken off in safety. The sailors of -the _Misericordia_ were now divided between the Austrian and Dutch -consulates, and their appearance at the windows with loaded muskets -intimidated the mob from making an attack. During the night the bishop -and some of the better class exerted themselves to the utmost in -calming the passions of the mob; and they themselves in the morning -accompanied the crew of the _Misericordia_, who, guarding the -fugitives, were allowed to proceed down to the port and embark on -board the schooner without molestation from the people. Some seven -hundred and fifty persons were saved by the French and the crew of the -schooner. Four hundred were massacred in cold blood by the Greeks. - -The French vessels had sailed away during the night, and the question -arose what was to be done with the rescued Turks. Of these there were -some forty soldiers, ten or twelve Turks of superior rank, military -and civil officials; the rest were women and children. Two or three of -the Turks spoke Italian, and four or five of them Greek. Mr. Beveridge -held a consultation with these, and it was finally agreed that they -should be landed at the Isle of Tenedos close to the mouth of the -Dardanelles, as from thence they would have no difficulty in making -their way to Constantinople. - -"If there are no ships of war in the port we will hoist the white flag -and sail straight in; but if there are, we must land you in the boats -somewhere on the island. We have been in action with your ships of war -and would at once be recognized, and the white flag would not be -respected." - -"We owe you our lives, sir, and the lives of all these women and -children," a bimbashi or major of the Turkish garrison, a fine -soldierly-looking man, said earnestly; "for had it not been for you -and your brave crew even the flags of the consulates would not have -sufficed to protect us. Assuredly my countrymen would never fire at -you when engaged in such a work of mercy." - -"They might not in cold blood," Mr. Beveridge said; "but we have just -been saving Chiot prisoners as cruelly treated, and for every Turk who -has been massacred in Athens, well-nigh a hundred Chiots have been -murdered. I do not defend them for breaking their pledged faith to -you, but one cannot be surprised at their savage thirst for -vengeance." - -Martyn had got up the anchor and set sail on the schooner directly the -fugitives were on board, and as soon as he learned that Tenedos was -their destination her course was laid north. Then came the work, to -which they were now becoming accustomed, of stowing away the -unfortunate passengers. The screened partition was allotted to the -women and children of the officers and officials, most of whose -husbands had fallen during the siege, and the rest of the women and -children were stowed down on the main-deck, while the male passengers -stayed on deck, where the women remained for the most part during the -day. Those who had been rescued from the hands of the Greeks had been -plundered of everything; but those who had at the first alarm fled to -the consulates had carried with them jewels and money. The women of -the upper class were all closely veiled, but the rest made but little -attempt to conceal their faces, and all evinced the deepest gratitude -to the crew of the schooner; murmuring their thanks whenever an -officer or sailor passed near them, and trying to seize their hands -and press them to their foreheads. - -The fugitives of the upper class, both men and women, were more -restrained, but there was no mistaking the expression with which their -eyes followed their protectors. Many of the women and children were -worn out with the sufferings they had sustained during the last days -of the siege, and some of the soldiers were so weak as to be scarce -able to stand. The doctor attended to many of the children, while the -Greeks and the ship's cook were kept busy all day in preparing -nourishing soups. The next day they were off Tenedos. No Turkish ship -of war was lying near the town. A boat was lowered, and Miller, -accompanied by Horace as interpreter, took his place in her with one -of the Turkish officers. A white flag was hoisted in her stern, and -six men rowed her ashore. - -Their movements had been watched, and a body of Turkish soldiers were -drawn up at the landing-place with several officials. The Turkish -officer mounted the steps and explained to the governor of the island, -who was among those at the landing-stage, the purpose for which the -_Misericordia_ had arrived at the port. There was a rapid conversation -as the officer, frequently interrupted by exclamations of indignation, -and questions from the Turks, narrated what had taken place. Then the -governor and his officers ran forward, seized Miller and Horace by the -hand, patted them on the shoulder with the liveliest demonstrations of -gratitude and friendship. The Turk who had come ashore with them -translated to Horace, in Greek, the governor's earnest request that -the owner of the ship and his officers would come ashore to visit him. - -"The governor says that he himself would at once come off to visit the -ship and return his thanks, but that, as she is flying the Greek flag, -he cannot do so, much as he desires it; but that if the flag were -lowered, and a white flag substituted, he would come off instantly. He -has heard of the fight between the Greek ship with an English crew and -the boats of the Turkish fleet, and of the many craft she has taken -and destroyed, always sparing the crews and sending them ashore, and -he has great esteem for so brave an enemy; now he cannot view them but -as friends after their noble rescue of so many of his countrymen and -women and children." - -Horace in reply said that he would give the governor's message to his -father, and that the fugitives should at once be landed. - -"Do you think that he really meant that he would come on board if we -hoisted the white flag, Horace?" - -"I think so, father. He and the officers with him certainly seemed -thoroughly in earnest. What do you think, Martyn? There can be no -objection to our lowering the Greek flag, I should think, while acting -as a neutral." - -"I should think not," Martyn said, "and I should not care a snap of -the fingers if there was. The Greek flag is all well enough, Mr. -Beveridge, when we see an armed Turk of superior size in sight, but at -other times I don't feel proud of it." - -"We will lower it down then, Martyn." - -The Greek flag was lowered from the peak and a white one run up. Then -the work of debarkation commenced, the Turks insisting upon shaking -hands with Mr. Beveridge and the officers, thanking them in the most -fervent way, and calling down the blessing of Allah upon them; while -the women, many of them weeping, threw themselves on their knees and -poured out their thanks, some of them holding up their infants to gaze -on the faces of those to whom they owed their lives. The sailors came -in for their share of thanks, and were quite embarrassed by the warmth -with which they were greeted. Just as the first batch left the ship, a -large boat flying the Turkish flag was seen putting out from the -shore, and in a few minutes the governor with seven or eight civil and -military officials came on board. - -They brought with them a merchant who spoke English to act as -interpreter. Martyn drew up the whole of the crew who were not engaged -in boat service as a guard of honour to receive them, while he, with -Mr. Beveridge, met the governor as he mounted the gangway. The -governor, who was a tall and dignified Turk, expressed to them his -warmest thanks in the name of the Sultan for the rescue of so many of -his subjects from the fury of the populace of Athens. Mr. Beveridge, -through the interpreter, explained to the pasha that, although an -Englishman he had Greek blood in his veins, and had therefore joined -them in their attempt to achieve independence, and was prepared to -fight on their side but that, as an Englishman, he revolted against -the barbarity with which the war was carried on by both combatants; -that his vessel was named the _Misericordia_, and that while he had -saved a great number of Christian fugitives on the one side, he was -equally ready and pleased at being able to render the same service to -Mussulman fugitives on the other side. - -[Illustration: THE GOVERNOR COMES ON BOARD] - -"Your errand is a noble and merciful one," the Turk said, "and must -have the approval of Allah as well as of the God of the Christians. We -have heard of your terrible vessel, how she destroyed a frigate off -Cyprus, beat off the boats of our fleet at Chios, and played havoc -among the shipping from Smyrna. We knew her when we saw her, for we -had heard of her white sails and tall masts; but we had heard too that -no prisoner was injured by you. I never thought to set foot on the -deck of the ship that had become the dread of the traders of Smyrna -and other ports, but I am glad to do so since those who sail her, -although our enemies in battle, have proved themselves indeed our -friends in the time of distress." - -When this had been translated, Mr. Beveridge invited the governor and -his companions into the cabin, where coffee and chibouks were served; -then they were conducted round the ship. The governor conversed for -some little time with two or three of the principal Turks from Athens, -and learned the full details of the surrender and the subsequent -events as he watched the debarkation of the fugitives; and then, after -obtaining a promise from Mr. Beveridge that he and his officers would -come on shore at sunset to dine with him, he entered his boat and was -rowed back. - -At sunset Mr. Beveridge and all the officers, with the exception of -Tarleton, who remained in charge of the ship, went ashore. They were -received at the landing-place by a guard of honour of Turkish soldiers -in charge of one of the principal officers of the governor, and were -conducted to his house through a crowd of people cheering and -shouting. - -The governor received them at his door. The dinner was served in -Turkish fashion, all sitting on cushions round a table raised about a -foot from the floor. A band of music played without, and a great -number of dishes, of most of which Horace could only guess at the -ingredients, were served; and after the meal, which was of great -length, was concluded, slaves brought round ewers of water, in which -all dipped their fingers, wiping them on embroidered towels. A variety -of sweetmeats were then handed round, followed by coffee. Three or -four interpreters had stood behind the guests, who were all placed -between Turks, and thus conversation was rendered possible. At ten -o'clock they took their leave with many cordial expressions on both -sides, and were again escorted by a party of soldiers to their boats. - -"There is no gainsaying," Macfarlane said as they rowed off, "that -there seems to be a good deal livelier feeling of gratitude among the -Turks than there is among the Greeks. We have come all the way out -from England to fight for the Greeks; we have sunk a Turkish ship, -beaten off their boats with very heavy loss, and rescued nearly three -thousand women and children from their hands, and yet there isn't a -Greek official who has said as much as thank you. They seem to -consider that it is quite sufficient reward for us to have been of -service to so great a people as they are. Upon the other hand, here -are these Turks, though we have done them a great deal of damage, -putting aside all enmity and treating us like gentlemen because we -have saved a ship-load of their people. He was a very fine old heathen -that governor." - -"The Turks, too, were a deal more grateful than any of the Greeks have -been, except that batch from Cyprus," Horace said. - -"They were in better heart for being thankful, Horace," Mr. Beveridge -replied. "We have taken them back to their native land, and they will -soon rejoin their friends and families; whereas the Chiots were going -into exile and had lost everything that was dear to them, and the lot -before them was, as the doctor pointed out, little if anything better -than that we had saved them from. Still, I will do them the justice to -say that the Turks were really grateful to us; and though we are not -working for the purpose of obtaining gratitude, it is pleasant to see -that people do feel that one has done something for them." - -"I suppose you won't get up sail until morning, Martyn?" Mr. Beveridge -said as they went down into the cabin. - -"Yes, sir, if you have no objections I shall get up the anchor as soon -as we are on board. You see we are not many miles from the mouth of -the Dardanelles, and with a good glass they could make out our colours -from the mainland; and if word were sent to their admiral that a Greek -craft is at anchor here, he might send two or three ships out to -capture us. I don't give the Turks credit for such enterprise, but it -is just as well not to run any risk. What is to be our course next, -Mr. Beveridge?" - -"There is likely to be a regular battle in a short time between the -Greek army and the Turks. Indeed the Greeks will have to fight if they -really mean to gain their independence. Dramali Pasha has some twenty -thousand men collected on the banks of the Spercheus. Of these they -say eight thousand are cavalry drawn from the Mussulman clans of -Macedonia and Thrace, and he may move forward any day to reconquer the -Morea and relieve Nauplia. If he is suffered to do this there is -virtually an end of the war. I have not a shadow of faith in any of -the Greek leaders, or in the Areopagus, but I still do believe in the -vast bulk of the people. The Morea consists almost wholly of hilly and -broken country, just the ground where an armed peasantry, knowing -every pass and place of advantage, ought to be able to render the -passage of a regular army with their wagons and baggage well-nigh -impossible. - -"In such a country the Turkish cavalry would be of little use, and -there are only the infantry to cope with. The artillery would probably -have to be left behind altogether. If ever an effort is to be made by -the Greeks it must be made now. I propose therefore, Martyn, to sail -down to Nauplia and to land there. The Turks, of course, still command -the harbour with their guns, but the Greek vessels land supplies and -ammunition for the besiegers, so there can be no difficulty about -that. We have still a good many thousand muskets in the hold, and -ammunition for them. I shall see what spirit prevails among the -peasantry, shall issue arms to all who need them, and help with money -if required. The peasantry will not want it, but the patriotism of -their primates and captains may be a good deal strengthened by a -little judicious expenditure of money. The Morea is the key of the -whole position, and the present will be the critical moment of the -revolution. If the Turks succeed, Greece is at their feet; if the -Turkish army is defeated, Greece may conquer. Now, therefore, is the -time for me to do my utmost to aid them." - -"Very well, sir; then I will lay her course to-morrow morning for the -south-eastern point of Euboea." - -On the voyage down Mr. Beveridge discussed with the others the course -that he intended to take. He had quite determined himself to leave the -coast and go into the interior, where, if the Turkish army was to be -checked, the decisive battle must be fought. It was decided that -Horace and the two Greeks should accompany him. The question most at -issue was whether he should take with him any portion of the crew of -the schooner; he himself was somewhat averse to this. - -"I need hardly say, Martyn, that I have no intention whatever of -mixing myself up in any fighting that may take place. I go simply to -rouse the enthusiasm as much as possible of the peasantry, and to get -the small local leaders to stir. If I can do nothing I shall simply -come back to the schooner again. If the Greeks dispute the passage of -the Turks I shall, if I can, take up my position where I can see what -takes place, and if the Greeks are beaten, retire across the hills. -What good then would it be for me to take any of the sailors with me? -You may want them all on board, for it is possible, indeed it is -probable, that the Turkish fleet will come round to Nauplia with -supplies for the Turkish army when it arrives there." - -"Well, sir, I shouldn't require the whole crew to get up sail and make -off if I see them coming, and I do think that it would be very much -better for you to have some men with you. In the first place, your -having a guard of that sort would add to your importance in the eyes -of the Greeks, and give more weight to your counsels. In the second -place, if you are going to take arms and money on shore you will -certainly require a guard for them, or run the risk of getting your -throat cut. And lastly, if there should be a fight, and the Greeks get -beaten, if you have fifteen or twenty men with you your chance of -getting off safely would be very largely increased, for they could -beat off any small party of horsemen that happened to overtake you. -What do you think, Horace?" - -"I certainly think so too. After what we have seen of the Greeks, -father, I do think it would be better in every way to have a party of -sailors with us. If it were known that you were going about the hills -with a considerable sum of money you might be safe enough among the -peasants, but I should say there were any number of these miserable -primates and captains who would think nothing of cutting our throats -to get it." - -Mr. Beveridge gave way at once, and it was arranged that a party of -fifteen men, under the command of Miller, should land from the -schooner and accompany him. - -"Don't you think, Mr. Beveridge," Macfarlane said, "that it would be -as well for you to take your medical attendant with you?" - -Mr. Beveridge smiled. "I have scarcely regarded you hitherto, doctor, -in the light of my medical attendant, but as the attendant of the -ship's company, and I don't think that Horace or I, or any of the -landing party, are likely to take any fever among the hills of the -Morea." - -"I hope not, sir, but you see there may be some preliminary skirmishes -before the regular battle you expect will take place, and I don't -suppose the Greeks will have any surgeons accustomed to gunshot wounds -or capable of amputations among them, and therefore, you see, I might -be of some service." - -"In addition to which, doctor," Martyn laughed, "you think you would -like a ramble on shore a bit." - -"Well, what do you think, Martyn?" Mr. Beveridge said; "it is for you -to decide. The doctor may be, as he says, useful on shore; but then -again his services may be required on board." - -"We are not likely to do any fighting, sir, and if he will mix up a -gallon or two of jalap, and such other medicines as he thinks might be -useful for ordinary ailments on board, I daresay Tarleton will see to -their being administered as required." - -"Oh, yes, I will see to that," Tarleton said. "Make them as nasty as -you can, doctor, so that I sha'n't have any unnecessary applications -for them." - -And so it was settled that Dr. Macfarlane should form one of the -landing party. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -A TURKISH DEFEAT - - -The town of Nauplia stood on a projecting point at the head of the -gulf which was in old times known as the Gulf of Argos, but was now -more generally known as the Gulf of Nauplia, that town being the most -important port in Greece, carrying on a large trade in sponges, silk, -oil, wax, wines, and acorns. It was the seat of government of the -Venetians at the time they were masters of the Morea, and had been -very strongly fortified by them. The Acropolis, or citadel, stood on a -craggy hill where the point on which the town stood joined the -mainland. The Venetians had taken the greatest pain in fortifying this -rock, which was well-nigh impregnable, and was considered the -strongest position in the Morea. - -The Turks had long been besieged here. Negotiations had at one time -been carried on with a view to its surrender, and had the Greeks acted -in good faith they could have gained possession of the place before -Dramali advanced to its relief. Six weeks before, the Turks, having -entirely consumed their provisions, signed the capitulation. The Turks -had little faith in the Greeks observing its conditions, but were of -opinion that it would be better to be massacred at once than to slowly -die of hunger. By the terms of capitulation the Turks were to deliver -up their arms and two-thirds of their movable property, while the -Greeks were to allow them to hire neutral vessels to transport them to -Asia Minor; and bound themselves to supply them with provisions until -the vessels arrived to take them away. - -The Greek government at once sent some of its members to Nauplia to -register the property of the Turks. These immediately pursued the -usual course of endeavouring to enrich themselves by secretly -purchasing the property of the Turks, and by selling them provisions. -The Greek ministers took no steps to charter neutral vessels, -professing that they were unable to raise money for the purpose, but -really delaying to enable their secretaries at Nauplia to make larger -gains by bargaining with the wealthy Turks there. The Turks having now -got provisions enough to enable them to hold on, were in no great -hurry to conclude the surrender, as they knew that Dramali was -advancing. Such was the state of things when the schooner arrived in -the Gulf of Argos, and landed the party on the opposite side of the -gulf. - -They at once proceeded into the interior, stopping at every village. -At each place they came to messengers were sent out to summon the -peasantry of the neighbourhood to come in. When they had assembled Mr. -Beveridge harangued them, pointing out that now or never was the time -to win their independence; that if the Turkish invasion were rolled -back now they might hope that the enemy would see that such a country -could not be conquered when the inhabitants were determined to be -free, for that if they thoroughly established their hold of it, and -occupied all the fortresses, there would be no chance of their ever -again shaking off the yoke. He said that he himself, an Englishman and -a stranger, had come to aid them as far as possible, and that all -unprovided with arms, or lacking ammunition, would receive them on -going down to the ship anchored in the bay. - -At each place, previous to addressing the assembly, he had distributed -money among the local leaders and priests. These seconded his -harangues, and numbers of the men went down to the coast and obtained -guns and ammunition. - -While Mr. Beveridge was travelling over the country the army of -Dramali was advancing unopposed. The troops which the central -government had placed to defend the passes fled without firing a shot, -and Dramali occupied Corinth without resistance. The Acropolis there -was impregnable, but the commander, a priest named Achilles -Theodorides, in spite of his Christian name and the fact that the -citadel was amply supplied with provisions, murdered the Turkish -prisoners in his hands, and fled with the garrison as soon as Dramali -approached the place. - -The ease with which the Turkish general had marched through Eastern -Greece and possessed himself of Corinth, raised his confidence to the -highest point. It had been arranged that the Turkish fleet should meet -him at Nauplia, and he therefore determined to march with his whole -army there, obtain possession of the stores brought by the fleet, -relieve the town, and then proceed to the conquest of the Morea. Two -of his officers alone disagreed with him. Yussuf Pasha and Ali Pasha, -the latter of whom was a large land-owner of Argos, and both of whom -knew the country well, proposed that Corinth should be made the -head-quarters of the army, and great magazines be formed there; that -the army should be divided into two divisions, one of which, under -Dramali, should march to Nauplia and then recover Tripolitza, while -the other should march along the Gulf of Corinth to Patras, recovering -possession of the fertile province of Achaia. Dramali, however, -confident in his power to overcome any opposition that might be made, -determined to carry out his own plan, and started with his own army -for Nauplia. - -Owing to the fact that Dramali had met with no opposition, and had -advanced with much greater rapidity than was expected, the -preparations for resistance were altogether incomplete at the time he -moved forward from Corinth, though the people were firmly determined -to resist his advance from Nauplia. Accordingly, to the great -disappointment of Mr. Beveridge, he moved without opposition through -the narrow defile of Dervenaki, where a few hundred men could have -successfully opposed the advance of an army, and arrived without -firing a shot at Argos, almost within sight of Nauplia, sending -forward Ali Pasha with five hundred cavalry to take the command at -Nauplia. - -Had the Turkish fleet now arrived with supplies, as had been arranged, -it is probable that Dramali would have overrun the Morea, and that the -revolution in Greece would have been stamped out; but instead of doing -this it passed round the Morea to Patras in order to take on board -Mehemet, who had just been appointed Capitan Pasha. Dramali therefore -found himself at Argos without provisions, as, relying upon obtaining -supplies from the fleet, he had not encumbered himself with a baggage -train. - -The members of the Greek government whose head-quarters had been at -Argos, had fled precipitately at the approach of Dramali. Argos had -been crowded with political leaders and military adventurers who had -gathered there in hopes of sharing in the plunder of Nauplia. All -these fled in such haste that the national archives and a large -quantity of plate that had just been collected from the churches and -monasteries for the public service, were abandoned. A wild panic had -seized the inhabitants, whose numbers had been vastly increased by -refugees from Smyrna, Chios, and other places, and thousands deserted -their houses and property, and fled in frantic terror. As soon as they -had left, the town was plundered by bands of Greek klephts, who seized -the horses, mules, working oxen, and carts of the peasantry round and -loaded them with the plunder collected in the city, and the Turks, -when they entered Argos, found that it had already been sacked. - -While, however, the ministers, senators, and generals of Greece were -flying in panic, the spirit of the people was rising, and a body of -volunteers took possession of the ruined castle where the ancient -Acropolis of Argos had stood, and defended the position successfully -against the first attack of the Turks. Of all the Greek leaders, -Prince Demetrius Hypsilantes alone showed courage and presence of -mind. Hastening through the country he addressed energetic harangues -to the people, who responded enthusiastically to his impassioned -words, and took up arms without waiting for the call of their nominal -leaders. The work of the little English party now bore fruit, and the -peasants, with arms in their hands, some without leaders, some -commanded by their captains and primates, flocked from all parts of -the Morea towards the scene of action. - -Having seen the work well begun, Hypsilantes hastened back to Argos, -and, accompanied by several young chiefs, threw himself with some -eight hundred men into the ruined castle, raising the force there to a -thousand men. The place was, however, badly supplied with provisions -and water, and the Turks closely invested it. The object with which -the first volunteers had occupied the place had been gained: the -advance of the Turks had been arrested, and time had been given to the -people of the Morea to rise. Hypsilantes and the greater portion of -the garrison accordingly withdrew during the night; but a small band -held it for three days longer, cutting their way out when their last -loaf was finished on the 1st of August, having occupied it on the 24th -of July. - -By this time the Greeks had five thousand men assembled at Lerna, the -port of Argos, where the cowardly leaders had embarked, and they held -a very strong position where the ground rendered it impossible for the -Turkish cavalry to act. Other large bodies of Greeks occupied all the -mountains surrounding the plain of Argos. Had Dramali, when he first -found that the fleet had gone past with the supplies, returned to -Corinth, he could have done so without a shot being fired; but it was -not until the 6th of August, after wasting a fortnight, that he -prepared to move. He had brought with him from Corinth ten thousand -men, of whom half were cavalry, and already much greater numbers of -Greeks were gathered round him. Kolokotronis was nominally in command, -but the villagers obeyed their local leaders, and there was no order -or system among them. Had there been, they could have occupied strong -positions on the various roads leading up to the hills, and compelled -the surrender of the whole Turkish army. Instead of doing this, each -of the local chiefs took up the position that seemed to him to be -best. - -The advance guard of the Turkish army consisted of a thousand -Albanians, trained and seasoned troops. These were allowed to go -through without even a skirmish. A body of cavalry were then sent -forward along the road by which they had come, and ordered to occupy -the Dervenaki defile, which Dramali had left unguarded behind him. -They found the Greeks intrenched there. The first Turkish division -therefore moved by another pass. Niketos, one of the bravest of the -Greek commanders, with two thousand men barred the valley and fell on -their left flank, while another body of Greeks, under Hypsilantes and -Dikaios, attacked them on the right. The Turkish cavalry charged -forward and tried to clear the valley, but a picked body of marksmen, -on a low hill overlooking a ravine, shot them down and blocked the -ravine with the bodies of the horses and their riders. - -The pressure from behind increased, and a body of well-mounted -horsemen managed to dash through and reach Corinth in safety. Behind -them the slaughter was terrible. The Turks were shot down in numbers, -and fled in every direction. Many were killed, but more succeeded in -escaping, for the Greeks directed their whole attention to plundering -the great baggage-trains, consisting of mules and camels laden with -the valuables of the pashas and the rich spoil that had been gathered -in their advance. The news of the destruction of the first division of -his army astounded Dramali; but it was impossible for him to remain at -Argos, and the following day he moved forward by another road up the -steep hill known as Kleisura. Dikaios opposed them in front; Niketos -and Hypsilantes fell on their left flank. - -As on the previous day, the baggage-train proved the salvation of the -Turkish soldiers. The Greeks directed their entire attention to it; -and while they were occupied in cutting it off, a brilliant charge by -a chosen band of Turkish horsemen cleared the road in front, and -Dramali, with the main body of his cavalry, was enabled to escape to -Corinth. His military chest, and the whole of the Turkish baggage, -fell into the hands of the Greeks. The troops under the immediate -command of Kolokotronis took no part whatever in either day's -fighting, the whole of which was done by the two thousand men under -the command of Niketos, under whom Dikaios and Hypsilantes acted. As -Kolokotronis, however, was the nominal commander, the credit of the -defeat of Dramali was generally ascribed to him. - -The Moriots returned to their native villages, enriched by the spoil -they had gathered. The party from the schooner had been spectators of -the fight. They had scarcely expected so good a result, for the -disorder, the want of plan, the neglect of any attempt to seize and -occupy the roads, and, above all, the utter incapacity of -Kolokotronis, seemed to render success almost hopeless; and, indeed, -out of the fourteen thousand Greeks assembled but two thousand fired a -shot. - -Fortunately the brunt of the Turkish attack fell upon the one little -division that was ably commanded. Had the main body aided them, not a -soldier of Dramali's army would have escaped. As it was, their loss in -men was comparatively small; but the total destruction of their -baggage-train, and, still more, the disorganization and depression -which followed the disaster, inflicted upon them by an enemy they -despised, completely paralyzed them, and no forward move was again -attempted. Dramali himself was utterly broken down by the humiliation, -and died at Corinth two months later. - -Mr. Beveridge was well contented with the success, which was due -partly to his efforts. He had expended upwards of five thousand -pounds, and eight thousand muskets and a large quantity of ammunition -had been distributed from the schooner to the peasants. The victory -ought, he felt, to have been much more conclusive; but the spirit -awakened among the Moriots, and the confidence that would be -engendered throughout Greece at this victory over an army that had -expected to overrun the whole country without difficulty, immensely -improved the chances that Greek independence would be finally -established. - -There was, however, one unfortunate consequence of the affair. The -success of these armed peasants at Argos confirmed the Greeks in their -idea that discipline was wholly unnecessary, that regular troops were -a mistake, and that all that was needed to conquer the Turks was for -the people to muster under their local leaders whenever danger -threatened. This absurd idea was the cause of many heavy disasters -which subsequently occurred. When the second day's fighting was over -the English party made their way back to the schooner. - -"I congratulate you heartily, sir, on the success the Greeks have -gained," Martyn said; for the news of the victory had already reached -him. - -"Thank you, Martyn. It might and ought to have been a great deal -better. Still, I am very thankful that it is as good as it is. I can -feel now that, come what may, my mission out here has not been -altogether a failure. We have done much good work in the cause of -humanity. My work during the last three weeks has been exactly what I -pictured it would be before I left home. By my personal efforts I did -a good deal to arouse the enthusiasm of the peasants. My money -increased my influence, and the arms we brought out contributed -largely to the success of the fight. I am pleased and gratified." - -"What sort of time have you had, Miller?" Martyn asked his comrade as -they walked up and down the quarter-deck together, as Mr. Beveridge -descended to his cabin. - -"It has been good enough, for we have done a lot of tramping up hill -and down. The chief bought a horse the day he landed, or I am sure he -never could have stood it; it was pretty hard work even for us. You -should have seen him, day after day, haranguing crowds of villagers. -Of course I could not understand a word he said; but I can tell you he -worked them up into a regular frenzy; and the way they shouted and -waved their hands, and, as I imagine, swore terrible oaths that they -would kill and eat every Turk they saw, was something tremendous. It -quite electrified our fellows, who have been accustomed, I suppose, to -consider the chief as a quiet, easy-going gentleman, and they cheered -and shouted as loudly as the Greeks. Zaimes and his brother went off -on expeditions, on their own account, to villages we could not spare -time to go to. We were all right as to quarters and grub. The primates -and captains, or whatever the leaders call themselves, naturally made -a lot of us--and no wonder, considering how the chief scattered his -money among them all. The mule that carried the money was pretty -heavily laden when he went up, but the boxes were emptied before we -returned. The food, of course, was pretty rough, though it was the -best they had; but one has been spoiled for roughing it by our living -here." - -"I found a difference, I can tell you, Miller, since you went, and I -am heartily glad that Marco is back again. How has the doctor got on?" - -"I think he has found it harder than he expected," Miller laughed. "He -confided to me to-day that he shall not volunteer for another -expedition. But I was very glad he was with us; for Horace, of course, -was always in the thick of it, with his father, jawing away with the -village notables, and I should have had a dull time of it if it had -not been for the doctor, whose remarks upon the real enthusiasm of the -peasantry and the bought enthusiasm of their leaders were very -amusing. The doctor does not say much when we are all together; but he -is not at all a bad companion, and there is a lot of dry humour about -him. And now I sha'n't be sorry when supper is ready, for we have been -on our legs since daybreak, and I have had nothing to eat but some -bread we carried with us and some wine with which we had all filled -our water-bottles." - -After this, for a time, the _Misericordia_ had a quiet time of it -cruising idly about among the Ionian Islands, and then crossing to -Venice, where they stayed for three weeks. Then they crossed the -Adriatic again, and put in at the port of Missolonghi. Mr. Beveridge -was very anxious to hear the result of the battle that was expected -between the Greek army, under Mavrocordatos, and the Turks advancing -south. He had himself strongly wished to go with the Greek army, but -had been dissuaded by Horace. - -"My dear father, if we do any fighting at sea, we assuredly do our -share without taking part in fighting on shore. When we have once seen -the Greeks make a successful stand it will surely be time enough for -us to take any share in the matter. The Philhellenes will fight, that -is quite certain; but I think the odds are all against the Greeks -doing so. Besides, as you have often said, Mavrocordatos is no more -fit to command an army than any old woman in the streets of Athens -would be. He knows nothing whatever of military matters, and will take -no advice from those who do. I think there would be a tremendous risk -in joining the Greek army, and no advantage to be gained from it. Of -course, if you wish to go I will go with you, and we can take some of -the men if you like; but I certainly think we had better keep away -from it altogether." - -And so, instead of joining the Greek army, they had sailed to Venice. -As soon as they dropped anchor off Missolonghi Horace was rowed ashore -to get the news. He returned in an hour. - -"It is lucky indeed, father, that we went to Venice instead of with -Mavrocordatos." - -"What, have the Greeks been beaten?" - -"Completely smashed up, father. I have been talking to two or three of -the Philhellenes who were lucky enough to escape. Mavrocordatos sent -the army on to Petta, and established himself some twenty miles in the -rear. His chief of the staff, General Normann, felt the position was a -very bad one, but could not fall back when the Turks advanced, as he -had no orders. The regular troops, that is, the one regular regiment, -the hundred Philhellenes, and a body of Ionian volunteers, were -stationed in a position in front. The Greek irregulars, two thousand -strong, were placed some distance in the rear, and were to cover the -regulars from any attack from that direction. Two leaders of the -irregulars were in communication with the Turks; when these advanced, -the eight hundred men in front, who had two guns with them, repulsed -them; but Reshid Pasha sent round six hundred Albanians, who advanced -against a strong position in the rear. The whole body of the Greek -irregulars bolted like rabbits, and then the Turks in front and the -Albanians from the rear attacked the front division on all sides. They -fought gallantly. Of the hundred Philhellenes, seventy-five were -killed, the other twenty-five broke their way through the Turkish -ranks. The Greek regiment and the Ionians were cut up by the Turkish -infantry fire, followed by charges of their cavalry. Half of them were -killed, the others broke their way through the Turks. So out of the -eight hundred men over four hundred were killed. They say that not one -surrendered. So I think, father, it is very well that we did not go up -to see the fight, for you would naturally have been somewhere near the -Philhellenes." - -"This is bad news indeed, Horace." - -"It is, father; but how the Greeks could suppose that it was any use -getting up a regular army, consisting of one regiment of six hundred -men, to fight the Turks, is more than I can imagine. As to their -irregulars, except for fighting among the mountains, I do not see that -they are of the slightest good. - -"I am awfully sorry for the foreign officers. After coming here, as -they did, to fight for Greece, and then forming themselves into a -corps to encourage the natives to fight, to be deserted and left to -fight a whole army is shameful. Those I spoke to are terribly cut up -at the loss of three-quarters of their comrades. The Turks are -advancing against Missolonghi. The Suliots have made terms, and are to -be transported to the Ionian Islands. The British consul at Prevesa -guarantees that the terms shall be honourably kept on both sides." - -Mr. Beveridge went ashore later, and returned completely disheartened -by his conversation with the leading inhabitants. He learned that, so -far from the defeat at Petta convincing the Greeks that it was only by -submitting to discipline and forming regular regiments that they could -hope to oppose the Turks, they had determined, on the contrary, that -there was no hope of fighting in that way, and that henceforward they -must depend entirely upon the irregulars. - -"Their blindness is extraordinary," he said. "They saw that, few as -the disciplined men were, they repulsed the attack of the Turkish -troops in front, and were only crushed when totally surrounded; while, -on the other hand, two thousand five hundred irregulars were unable -even to attempt to make a stand against six hundred Albanians, but -deserted their comrades and fled after scarcely firing a shot; and yet -in the future they intend to trust solely to these useless bands. - -"At present everyone is quarrelling with everyone else. While Reshid -Pasha is preparing to invade Greece the captains and primates, instead -of uniting to oppose them, are quarrelling and fighting among -themselves for their share of the national revenues. The district of -Agrapha is being laid waste by civil broils; the province of Vlochos -is being devastated by the bands of two rival leaders; Kravari is -pillaged alternately by the bands of two other scoundrels; Gogos and -half a dozen other captains have openly gone over to the Turks. There -is only one hope I can see," he added bitterly. - -"What is that, Mr. Beveridge?" Martyn asked. - -"It is, that the Greeks will continue their civil broils until they -make their country a complete desert; and that the Turks, finding that -they can obtain no food whatever, will be obliged by starvation to -quit the country. One thing I am resolved upon, and that is, that -until the Greeks fight for themselves I will do nothing further -whatever in the matter. I will still try to save women and children, -but I will do nothing else. I will neither interfere with Turkish -commerce nor fire a gun at a Turkish ship of war. We will lower our -long gun and four of the others down into the hold, Captain Martyn, -and we will cruise about and enjoy ourselves for a bit." - -"Very well, sir. It is just a year since we arrived out here, and a -little peace and quiet and amusement will do us no harm. I don't know -how it would be with our flag, and whether we can sail into Malta or -into the Italian ports with it, or whether we can hoist our own -again." - -"The papers are all right, I believe," Mr. Beveridge said. "You see, -she was nominally sold to the agent here of a Greek firm in London, -and is therefore registered as the property of a Greek subject. I have -papers signed by them selling the vessel again to me, with blanks for -the dates, which can be filled in at any time; but these, of course, I -could only fill in and use in the event of my deciding to leave Greece -altogether and return to England. So that, at present, we are simply a -Greek ship, owned by natives of that country, and holding letters of -marque from the Greek government to act as a privateer. I do not think -that the transaction would be recognized by any European power in the -case of two European belligerents; but this is an exceptional case, -as the sympathies of all the Christian powers are with the Greeks. As -far as the Turks are concerned, it makes no difference; whether Greek -or English, they would hang us if they caught us. But I don't think -any very close inquiries are likely to be made in any European port. -Our Greek papers are all correct, and as we know that the account of -our having saved large numbers of fugitives from Chios has been in the -English papers, and doubtless our interference to save the Turks at -Athens has also been published, I think that we should be received -well by the sympathizers of either party." - -The next morning they sailed to Corinth, where they remained a few -days. John Iskos, Mr. Beveridge's agent at Athens, came across to see -him. He informed him that he had sold but a very small portion of the -goods consigned to him in the prizes, but had shipped the great bulk -in neutral vessels and consigned them to the firm in London; the -vessels themselves he had disposed of to Hydriot merchants. He -recommended Mr. Beveridge to hand over to him the store of silks and -other valuables that had been retained on board the schooner, and he -would put them at once on board an Italian ship at present in the -port, and consign them to a Greek house in Genoa, as he certainly -would not obtain anything like fair prices for them in Greece. - -The operation occupied two days, but all the most valuable goods were -retained, as the prizes might have been recaptured by Turks on their -way to Athens. The prizes had been brought in by Miller and Tarleton -alternately, Marco or Zaimes accompanying them to interpret, the crews -being taken back in native boats to Naxos, to which island the -schooner had made several trips to pick them up. - -For the next two months the schooner cruised in Italian waters, from -Venice round to Genoa, putting in to many ports, making a circuit of -Sicily, and paying a short visit to Malta; then learning that the -Turks were about to besiege Missolonghi, and that the town was going -to resist until the last, they crossed over there in the second week -in November. They found that the port was blockaded by some Turkish -ships from Patras, but that some Hydriot vessels were expected to -arrive shortly. Mavrocordatos was himself in the town organizing the -defence, and taking really vigorous measures for holding out to the -last. - -A week later seven Hydriot brigs arrived; the _Misericordia_, which -had again mounted all her guns, joined them; but as they approached -the port the Turkish vessels got up all sail and made for Patras, and -the Greeks entered the port. Missolonghi was protected by a low mud -wall, with a ditch six feet deep by sixteen feet wide. It contained -but a foot of water, but at the bottom was a deep clay, rendering it -quite impassable. There were eight guns mounted on the ramparts, and -Mr. Beveridge landed at once six more of those still lying in the -hold, with a supply of ammunition for the whole. - -As soon as the port was open a thousand men crossed over from the -Morea under the command of partisan chiefs, and from time to time -others came in, until the garrison, originally but six hundred strong, -was increased to two thousand five hundred. For some weeks nothing was -done; but on the eve of the 6th of January, which was the Greek -Christmas-day, a Greek fisherman brought in news that the Turks were -preparing to assault the next morning at daylight, when they believed -the Christians would generally be in their churches. Forty men were -landed from the schooner to take part in the defence. At daybreak the -defenders were all in their places, hidden behind the rampart or -concealed in the houses near. - -The storming party was led by eight hundred Albanian volunteers. One -division was intended to scale the wall on its eastern flank, while -another was to endeavour to penetrate the town by wading through a -shallow lagoon at its eastern extremity. The whole Turkish army turned -out, and suddenly opened a tremendous fire of musketry against the -ramparts, while the storming parties moved forward. The defenders -remained in their concealment until the Albanians were close at hand, -and then, leaping up, poured their fire into them. Expecting to take -the defenders by surprise, the Albanians were astounded at the sudden -and heavy fire poured into them, and at once broke and fled in -confusion. For some hours the Turks kept up a heavy fire, but did not -renew their attack in earnest. Tons of ammunition were fired away on -both sides, and then the Turks fell back to their camps, and on the -following day raised the siege. - -The wildness of the fire was evidenced by the fact that only four -Greeks were killed. The blue-jackets from the schooner joined in the -fire upon the storming parties, but when it was evident that the Turks -had no idea of renewing the attack they returned on board ship. Their -remarks upon the combatants were the reverse of complimentary. - -"It is well-nigh enough to make a man sick, Tom," one man said to -another in Horace's hearing. "To see them both blazing away good -powder and lead like that, I reckon to be downright sinful." - -"You are right there, mate. It is a downright waste of the gifts of -Providence. Why, there was powder and ball enough to have killed a -good five thousand Englishmen and Frenchmen thrown away in accounting -for four or five of them yelling fellows. It is more like play-acting -than fighting. Why, if you was to arm a couple of gals' schools and -put 'em to fire at each other they would do ever so much better than -that. And to think them Greeks calls themselves Christians and don't -know how to aim a musket no better than that; they might just as well -be heathen." - -While Missolonghi had been resisting successfully, the Turkish -garrison of Nauplia had at last surrendered. After Dramali's army had -abandoned it the only hope that remained to them was that the fleet -might return. The Greeks retained possession of a small fort that had -been given up to them at the time that the first negotiations for -surrender were going on. From this fort combustible missiles were -fired into the town, and a brisk cannonade kept up with its defences, -but without much damage being done on either side. On the 20th of -September the Turkish fleet appeared off the entrance to the gulf, and -the Greek fleet from the islands of Hydra and Spetzas stood out to -meet them. - -Unfortunately Admiral Kanaris was not present. For four days the two -fleets remained in sight of each other, firing at such distances that -no harm was done on either side. There was nothing to have prevented -the Turkish admiral relieving Nauplia and landing the troops and -provisions in his transports; but he feared to enter the gulf, while -the Greeks shrank equally from an attack upon him. After thus -exhibiting for four days his cowardice and incapacity, the Turkish -capitan-pasha abandoned Nauplia to its fate. The resistance only -continued because the Turks could put no reliance upon the oaths of -the Greeks. Women and children dropped dead from hunger in the -streets; the soldiers were so weak from starvation that but few were -able to carry their arms. The citadel was at last abandoned simply -because the soldiers who went down into the town to fetch the scanty -rations for its defenders were too weak to climb the hill again; and -the Greeks, as soon as they learned that it was abandoned, occupied -the position. Kolokotronis and a number of other leaders, attracted by -the prospect of booty, hurried to the spot like vultures round a -carcass. - -Negotiations were again opened, and the Turks surrendered on the terms -of the Greeks engaging to transport them to Asia Minor, allowing each -to retain a single suit of clothes, a quilt for bedding, and a carpet -for prayer. As soon as the terms were signed, Kolokotronis and the -captains entered the town with their personal followers and prevented -all others from entering. The soldiers assembled before the gates, -declaring that they would not allow the chiefs to appropriate to -themselves everything valuable, threatening to storm the place, murder -the Turks, and sack the town. Greece was saved from fresh dishonour by -the timely arrival of the English frigate _Cambrian_, commanded by -Captain Hamilton. He was a strong friend of Greece, and was known to -many of the Greek leaders. - -He at once held a conference with them, and in the strongest language -urged upon them the necessity of taking measures for the execution of -the capitulation, for that another breach of faith, another foul -massacre, would render the name of Greece despicable in civilized -Europe and ruin the cause of the country. Hamilton's character was -greatly respected, and his words had their effect. He insisted upon -their chartering ships to embark the Turks. He himself took five -hundred of them on board the _Cambrian_, and nine hundred were -embarked in the Greek transports. This interference of Captain -Hamilton excited great anger in Greece. - -The Turkish fleet did not escape absolutely scathless after its -inglorious departure from Nauplia. Although unmolested by the Greeks, -it sailed north, and anchored inside the island of Tenedos. - -Kanaris persuaded the people of Psara to fit out two fire-ships. He -took the command of one, and both sailed for the Turkish fleet, which -they approached at daybreak. Two line-of-battle ships were anchored to -windward of the rest of the fleet. Kanaris undertook the destruction -of the ship to leeward, that being the most difficult operation. He -succeeded as well as he had done on two previous occasions. He ran the -enemy aboard to windward, lashed the fire-ship there, and fired the -train. The Turk was at once enveloped in flames, and the whole of the -crew, eight hundred in number, perished. - -But Kanaris seemed to be the only Greek naval officer who had the -necessary courage and coolness to manoeuvre successfully with -fire-ships. The other captain ran his fire-ship alongside the -man-of-war which carried the flag of the capitan-pasha. The position -of the fire-ship was, however, ill chosen, and after being set on fire -it drifted away without doing injury to the Turk. The rest of the -Turkish fleet cut their cables and made for the Dardanelles, while one -corvette ran ashore on Tenedos. Another was abandoned by her crew. -Kanaris and the crews of the two fire-ships returned safely to Psara -in their boats. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -PRISONERS - - -One day, after cruising along the coast inside the island of Euboea -or Negropont, the _Misericordia_ entered the Gulf of Zeitouni, the -Sinus Maliacus of the ancients. When they were nearly at the head of -the gulf Horace asked Captain Martyn to let him go ashore to a little -village at the water's edge to get some vegetables and fruit, of which -the supply had run out. - -"Just as you like, Horace. A boat-load of green stuff of some sort or -other would be very welcome, and if you can pick up half a dozen kids -so much the better." - -"I am thinking I will go with you, Horace," Macfarlane said; "it does -a man good to stretch his legs ashore once in a way." - -The gig was at once lowered, and on Horace and the doctor taking their -seats in the stern, four sailors rowed them ashore. - -"I sha'n't take the trouble to anchor," Martyn said as they left the -ship. "I expect you will be back in an hour, and I shall keep her -standing off and on till I see you put out." - -Leaving two of the men in charge of the boat, Horace told the other -two to take some of the baskets they had brought ashore and follow -him. Some women looked out timidly at the doors of the houses, but no -men were to be seen about. - -"We are friends," Horace said; "do you not see we are flying the Greek -flag? Where are all the men?" - -"They have gone away with Vriones. He came with an armed band and said -that every man must go with him to fight." - -"Who have they gone to fight?" - -"Ah! that we don't know. He talked about fighting the Turks, but we -think it more likely that he is going to fight Rhangos. They are at -war with each other. Oh, these are bad times! What with the war with -the Turks, and the war of one captain with another, and what with -bands of klephts who plunder everyone, there is no peace nor quiet. -They say Rhangos is going to join the Turks, as many other klepht -leaders have done. To us it makes little difference who are masters, -so that we know who they are. In the time of the Turks we had peace; -we had to pay taxes, but we knew what they were. Now everybody wants -taxes. These are evil days." - -"We want some vegetables and some fruit," Horace said. "We do not wish -to rob you, and are ready to pay a fair price for everything." - -"Those we can sell you," the woman said, "it is nearly all we have -left. There are vegetables everywhere, and they are not worth -stealing." - -The news soon spread, and the women and children of the village were -soon engaged in gathering and tying up vegetables. The sailors made -several trips backwards and forwards to the boats with laden baskets, -while the doctor and Horace, seated upon a low wall, watched the women -at work in the gardens, and paid the sum agreed upon for each -basketful that was carried off. Suddenly, without the slightest -warning, there was a rush of men behind them, and before they could -draw their pistols they were seized, thrown down, and bound. - -"What is the meaning of this?" Horace asked indignantly. "We are -officers of that ship there, which is in the service of Greece. As you -are Greeks, what do you mean by molesting us?" - -No reply was given. There was a sudden outburst of firing down by the -boat, and the screams of women rose in the air. The men who had bound -them moved away at the order of an officer, leaving two with muskets -standing over the prisoners. - -"This is a nice business, doctor; I expect we have fallen into the -hands of Rhangos, the fellow the women were speaking about, and the -men of this village have gone out with some other scoundrel to fight. -I suppose he had spies about, and came down to plunder the place in -their absence. She said she heard Rhangos was going to join the Turks; -his capturing us certainly looks as if at present he was hostile to -the Greeks. If he takes us away and hands us over to the Turks it is a -bad look-out." - -"He will have to be quick about it," the doctor said, "they are still -firing occasional shots down by the water. That looks as if the boat -has got away, and you may be sure Martyn won't be long before he sends -as many men as he can spare ashore to find us. There, do you hear?" -and as he spoke there was the deep boom of a gun, followed by the rush -of a shot overhead. - -Orders were shouted angrily directly afterwards. Some men ran up, cut -the cords that bound the prisoners' legs, and then, seizing them by -the arms, hurried them away, threatening them with instant death if -they did not keep up with them. As they mounted the high ground behind -the village Horace glanced round. Three boats were just leaving the -schooner. A blow from one of the Greeks that, bound as he was, nearly -threw him down, compelled him to turn his head and hurry forward -again. For hours they hastened along. When about a mile from the -village a sharp fire was heard to break out in that direction. As they -had only eight men with them, they doubted not that Rhangos was with -the main body opposing the landing. - -"Our fellows will soon clear them out of the village," Horace said to -the doctor. "I only hope that, as they retire, the Greeks will follow -us, for you may be sure that Martyn and Miller will press hard on -them, and may perhaps overtake us." - -Up to nightfall, however, none of the band came up. The country had -been getting more and more hilly, and at sunset they halted far up on -the side of a mountain. Here a fire was lit, and some portions of a -kid that had evidently been part of the plunder of the village were -put over it to roast. The fire was kept blazing, and the doctor and -Horace agreed that it was probably intended as a signal to their -comrades. A lump of meat was thrown to each of the captives, their -cords being loosed sufficiently to enable them to use their hands, -their legs being tightly bound again as soon as they had halted. At -eight o'clock a sound of voices was heard, and presently a party of -Greeks, fully a hundred strong, came up. They were evidently in an ill -temper, and replied sulkily to the questions of the guard of the -prisoners. Horace gathered from their answers that they had fired a -volley upon the boats as they approached; then, seeing they came on -without a pause, had at once run from the village and scattered, -reuniting some miles on. - -"We lost everything we had taken," one of the men said. "We had it all -packed and ready to carry away, when those confounded sailors came. -Some of us did start with our bundles, but they came so fast up to us -that we had to throw everything away, and even then we had a lot of -difficulty in keeping away from them. I expect they caught some. It -was lucky we started off when we did; if we had waited till they -landed very few would have got away." - -"Didn't they shoot?" one of the guards asked. - -"No, they never fired a shot. I don't know whether they came ashore -without powder, but from first to last they never fired." - -"They knew we had these two in our hands," the guards said, "and they -were afraid if they killed any of us we should take it out of our -prisoners, and I think they were about right. Ah! here comes Rhangos. -He had to take to a farmhouse before he had gone half a mile, and I -suppose if any of them looked in they would have seen him feeding pigs -or something of that sort, with his finery and arms hidden away." - -The klepht had now come up to the fire. He was a spare man, some fifty -years old, with a keen hungry face. - -"Are all here?" he asked briefly. - -"We are six short of our number," a man, who by his dress had -evidently the rank of an officer among them, replied. - -"Killed?" - -"No, there was no firing; I expect those sailors ran them down." - -"Then we must march in half-an-hour, they will make them lead them -here. Now, then, who are you?" he asked the doctor as the elder of the -prisoners. - -"My friend does not speak Greek," Horace replied. "As you must be well -aware we are officers of that schooner that was lying off the village. -This is the doctor, I am third lieutenant. We are friends of Greece, -we have been in action against the Turkish ships of war, we have saved -great numbers of Greek fugitives from the Turks, now this is the -treatment that we receive at the hands of the Greeks." - -Horace's reticence as to the fact that he was the son of the owner of -the schooner was the result of a conversation with the doctor. - -"These scoundrels have no doubt carried us off either for the purpose -of getting a ransom for us or of handing us over to the Turks as an -acceptable present. I expect the idea of ransom is at the bottom of -it. We have heard of this fellow Rhangos before. He is a noted klepht, -and more Albanian than Greek. Whatever you do, Horace, don't you let -out you are the owner's son. If you do there is no saying how much -ransom they might ask for you. They think that an Englishman who fits -out a ship at his own expense to come out here must be rolling in -money. As long as they think that they have only got hold of a doctor -and a third lieutenant they cannot ask a high price for them, but for -an owner's son there is no saying what figure they might put him at. -Have you got a second name?" - -"Yes, I am Horace Hendon Beveridge. Hendon was my mother's name." - -"That is lucky; you can give them Horace Hendon. It is likely they may -know your father's name, for the _Misericordia_ and her doings have -been a good deal talked about. I am not in favour of anyone telling a -lie, Horace, but as it is no lie to give your two first names without -giving your third, I cannot see that there is harm in it." - -"The ship belongs to the Lord Beveridge?" Rhangos asked next. - -"Yes, that is his name," Horace replied. - -"What is your name and that of your companion?" - -Horace gave his two Christian names and the name of his companion. - -"Have you paper?" the klepht said. - -"I have a note-book in my pocket." - -"That will do. Now write in Greek: My Lord Beveridge, This is to give -you notice that--now write the two names--'Donald Macfarlane and -Horace Hendon,'" Horace repeated as he wrote them, "surgeon and third -lieutenant of your ship, are captives in my hands, and that unless -three hundred pounds in gold are paid to me as ransom for them they -will be put to death. If there is any attempt to rescue the prisoners -they will at once be shot. The messenger will arrange with you how and -where the ransom is to be paid." - -The klepht added his own name in scrawling characters at the bottom of -the note, then called one of the men and gave him instructions as to -where and how the ransom was to be paid, and then sent him off. As -soon as the band had satisfied their hunger the march among the -mountains was continued for another two hours. Then they threw -themselves down by the side of a stream in a valley surrounded on all -sides with craggy hills, and two men with muskets were placed as -sentries over the prisoners. - -"Well, this is not so bad," Horace said. "It is certainly very lucky -you gave me that hint about my name. Three hundred is not very much to -pay to get out of such a scrape as this. I suppose there is no fear -about their giving us up when they get the money." - -"I think not," the doctor replied. "They would never get ransoms if -they did not keep their word. I only hope that no one may let out -before the messenger who you are. If they do, there will be a very -serious rise in prices." - -"Fortunately none of them speak Greek but my father, and probably he -would read the note before he would ask any questions." - -"Maybe yes, and maybe no," the doctor said. "He is as like as not to -say when he sees a messenger, 'Is my son alive and well?' and then the -cat would be out of the bag. Still, your father is a prudent man, and -may keep a still tongue in his head, especially when he sees that the -note is in your own handwriting. However, we will hope for the best." - -Morning had dawned some time before there was any movement among the -band. Then their fires were lighted and breakfast cooked. - -"Will the English lord pay the ransom for you, do you think?" Rhangos -asked, sauntering up to Horace. - -Horace shrugged his shoulders. - -"It is a large sum to pay for two officers," he said. - -"He is rich, it is nothing to him." - -"He is well off, no doubt," Horace said; "but it is not everyone who -is well off who is disposed to part with money for other people." - -"Well, it will be bad for you if he doesn't pay," the klepht said -significantly. - -Three hours later the messenger was seen coming up the valley. Horace -looked at him anxiously as he approached, and was pleased to see that, -as he spoke to Rhangos, there was no expression of surprise or -exultation in the latter's face. He nodded when the other had -finished, and then went to the fire where two or three of his -lieutenants were sitting, saying briefly to Horace as he passed him, -"He will pay." Horace could hear what he said to the others. - -"Demetri says the Englishman did not like paying the money. There was -a good deal of talk between him and his officers before he came back -to him and said, that though the demand was extortionate he would pay -it. He said he should complain to the central government, and should -expect them to refund it and settle with you." There was a general -laugh among his hearers. - -"I ought to have asked more," the klepht went on; "but I don't know -these English. Of course if any of you were taken, my dear friends, I -would give all I have to ransom you." The assertion was received with -mocking laughter, as he went on calmly: "But you see other people are -not animated by the same generous feeling as we Greeks, and I don't -suppose this milord sets any particular value on the lad, or on that -long-shanked doctor. He can hire more of them, and I expect he only -agreed to pay the money because his other officers insisted on it. -They are rolling in wealth these English, but they are mean; if not, -how is it that our pockets are not filled with English gold when we -are fighting for a sacred cause?" - -His hearers were highly tickled by this sentiment. - -"When are they to be delivered up, Rhangos?" - -"At mid-day to-morrow at Pales, the village halfway between the foot -of the hills and the sea. Four men are to take them down to within a -quarter of a mile of the village; then Demetri will go in and get the -gold; then when he returns with it to the others the prisoners will be -freed." - -"I should have thought the matter might have been arranged to-day," -one of the men said. - -"So it might have been," the klepht replied; "but I could not tell -that. I thought that Demetri would not be able to go off to the ship -this morning. He had six hours' walking, and would not be there until -two hours past midnight; then he would have to rest for an hour or two -after he had seen them, and then six hours to walk back. It would have -been too late to deliver them up before dark, and I should never think -of sending them in the dark--their guards might fall into an ambush. -As it was, Demetri found them in the village. They had not returned, -as I thought they would do, on board their ship. He walked in, -thinking the place was empty, when two of those sailors jumped out on -him with cutlasses. Thinking that they were going to cut his throat he -showed them the letter. They led him to the principal house in the -village, and one went in while another held him fast outside. He heard -a great talking and excitement in the house, and presently he was -taken in. Then, as I told you, there was a great talk, and at last -they agreed to pay the ransom. As soon as he got his answer he started -on his way back, lay down for an hour or two in an empty cottage, and -then came on here. We will stay where we are until to-morrow morning; -then, Kornalis, you shall start with four men, and Demetri and the -captives, and we will go on our way. We will deal another blow to -Vriones, and then we will be off. We will fix on some place where you -can join us after you have got the ransom." - -"It could not have happened better for us," Horace said to his -companion after he had translated the klepht's story. "As it turned -out, you see, my father got the note before he could say a word to the -messenger. That was a capital move their pretending to hesitate about -paying the ransom. If they had jumped at it this scoundrel is -perfectly capable of raising his terms. As it is, he thinks he was -clever enough to hit upon just the maximum sum that could be got for -us. Well, it is all right now." - -"It will be all right when we are among the others, Horace; there is -never any saying what may happen in this country. Some of the peasants -these fellows have been robbing may fall on us, seeing we are but a -small party. This Vriones with his bandits, who I daresay are just as -bad as these fellows, may happen to meet us. No, we won't calculate -too confidently. Things have gone on very well so far. We will just -hope they will go on to the end." - -Now that the affair was considered to be settled, but little attention -was paid to the prisoners. Their cords were taken off, and they were -permitted to move about, two men keeping an eye upon them, but not -following them closely. They congratulated themselves that the sailors -had withheld their fire, for undoubtedly their position would have -been very different had some of the brigands been killed. So far from -bearing any animosity now, the men chatted with them in a friendly -manner, asked questions about their ship, and their encounters with -the Turks. - -"We would rather fight for the Greeks than the Turks," one said: "but -we follow our captains. There is neither pay nor plunder to be -obtained with the Greeks; and as Odysseus and all the other chiefs -play their own game, and think only of making money, why should poor -devils like us be particular? All Albanian tribes have had their wars -against each other as long as we or our fathers can remember. We know -nothing about the Greece that they talk so much of now. There were the -Morea and other provinces, and so there have always been so far as we -know, and it is nothing to us whether they are ruled by Turks or by -their own captains. As to religion, many of our tribes are Mussulmans, -many are Christians. We do not see that it makes any difference. - -"Everyone plunders when he gets a chance. Why should I want to cut a -man's throat because he is a Mussulman? His father was a Christian -before him; my son may be a Mussulman after me. What does it matter? -Since the fight at Petta many chiefs have gone over to the Turks, and -if the Greeks win a battle most of them will go back again. The affair -is nothing to us. On the mountains we hunt where we are most likely to -get game. You like to hunt for amusement, and so you have come out -here on a matter which does not at all concern you. We hunt to live, -and don't much care whether we take a sheep out of one flock or -another." - -Horace smiled at the man's avowal of the want of any principle -whatever. - -"I was a schoolmaster," one of the lieutenants of the band, who was -stretched at full length smoking and listening to the conversation, -remarked. "I know about the old time, but I don't know anything of -this Greece you speak of. Where was it? What did it do? It was just -then as it is now. There were a number of little tribes under their -own captains. Athens, and Corinth, and Sparta, and Argos, and Thebes, -and the rest of them always fighting against each other just as our -Albanian clans do; not even ready to put aside their own quarrels to -fight against an invader. Pooh! There never was a Greece, and I -neither know nor care whether there ever will be. Why should we throw -away our lives for a dream?" - -"Yes; but at any rate the Greeks have a common language, which shows -they are one people." - -"Families fall out more than strangers," the man replied with a laugh. -"You English and the Americans have a common language, and yet you -have been fighting against each other, and they refuse to remain one -nation with you. These things signify no more than the smoke of my -pipe. A Christian's money, and a Christian's goods and cattle, are -worth just as much to me as a Turk's; and my captain, who pays me, is -more to me than either Mavrocordatos or the Sultan. I daresay that -English milord is a worthy man, though he must be a fool, and yet the -wine I shall buy out of my share of his money will be just as good as -if it had grown in my father's vineyard." - -Horace laughed. He was not skilled in argument, even had he any -inclination to indulge in it at the present time; and he sauntered off -and sat down by the doctor, who, not being able to talk with the -Greeks, found the time hang heavy on hand. Horace repeated to him his -conversation with the two brigands. - -"I own I did not know how to answer the last fellow, doctor." - -"There is no answer to be made, Horace. To argue, men must have a -common ground to start from. There is no common ground between you and -him. His argument is the argument of the materialist everywhere, -whether he is Briton, Frenchman, or Greek. To a man who has neither -religion nor principles there remains only self-interest, and from -that point of view there is no gainsaying the arguments of that -Albanian scamp any more than it would have been of use for a lowland -merchant carried off by Highland caterans to urge upon them that their -conduct was contrary to the laws both of morality and political -economy. They would have said that they knew nothing about either, and -cared less, and that unless his goodwife or fellow citizens put their -hands in their pockets and sent the ransom they demanded, his head -would be despatched to them in a hamper with small delay. He certainly -had you on the hip with what he said about ancient Greece, for a more -quarrelsome, cantankerous, waspish set of little communities the world -never saw, unless it were the cities of Italy in the middle ages, -which at any rate were of a respectable size, which was, by the way, -the only respectable thing about them. Religion and principle and -patriotism are the three things that keep men and nations straight, -and neither the Greek nor Italian communities had the least glimmering -of an idea of either of them, except a love for their own petty states -may be called patriotism." - -"A good deal like your Highland clansmen, I should say, doctor," -Horace laughed. "The head of the clan was a much greater man in the -eyes of his followers than the King of Scotland." - -"That is so, Horace; and the consequence was, that while there was -peace and order and prosperity in the lowlands, the Highlands scarcely -made a step forward until the clans were pretty well broken up after -Culloden. It was a sore business at the time, but no one can doubt -that it did good in the long run. And now, lad, I think that I will -just take a sleep. It was not many hours we got of it last night, and -you see most of these fellows have set us an example." - -The next morning they started at daybreak. The main body of the band -had moved off hours before, leaving the Lieutenant Kornalis, Demetri, -and four of the men. Three hours' walking took them out of the -mountains. There was little talking. The Greeks would have preferred -going with their leader to plunder another village, for although the -booty taken was supposed to be all handed over to the chief for fair -distribution, there were few who did not conceal some trinket or money -as their own special share of the plunder. They were but a mile or -two beyond the hills, when, from a wood skirting the road, four or -five shots rang out. - -Two of the Greeks fell; the rest, throwing away their guns, fled at -the top of their speed. Before the prisoners had time to recover from -their surprise a number of men rushed out, and with the butts of their -muskets and pistols struck them to the ground. When they recovered -their senses a group of men were standing round them, while at some -little distance they could hear the sound of firing, showing that the -pursuit of their late captors was being closely maintained. By this -time they had become sufficiently accustomed to the various costumes -to know that they had now fallen into the hands of men of one of the -Albanian tribes, probably Mussulmans acting as irregulars with the -Turkish army, engaged upon a raiding expedition. One of them asked -Horace a question, but the dialect was so different to that of the -Greeks of Athens and the Morea that he was unable to understand it. -Presently the men who had gone in pursuit returned, and the whole -party set off to the north, placing their prisoners in their midst, -and warning them by pointing significantly to their knives and pistols -that they had better keep up with them. - -"Eh! man," the doctor said; "but it is dreadful. Just as we thought -that everything was settled, and that in another couple of hours we -should be with our own people, here we are in the hands of a pack of -villains even worse than the others." - -"You said that we should not shout until we were out of the wood, -doctor, and you have turned out a true prophet; but at present I am -thinking more of my head than of anything else, I am sure I have got a -couple of lumps on it as big as eggs." - -"It shows the folly of man," the doctor said philosophically. "What -good could they expect to get from knocking us down? We were neither -fighting nor running away. We had not our wits about us, lad, or we -should have just taken to our heels." - -"I expect they would have caught us if we had. We have neither of us -had much walking lately, and those fellows are always climbing among -their mountains. Do you think it is of any use trying to make them -understand that if they will take us a few miles farther they will -find three hundred pounds waiting for them?" - -"You might try, Horace; but I don't think that it will be of any use. -I expect they are just skirting along at the foot of the hills to see -what they can pick up. There are not above thirty of them, and they -would not like to go far out upon the plains; besides, I don't know -that it would turn out well. If they were to go on in a body, Martyn -would as likely as not fire at them, and then they would think that we -had led them into an ambush, and shoot us without waiting to ask any -question. Still, you can try if you like; we might be sorry afterwards -if we didn't." - -But when Horace tried to speak to the men he was threatened roughly, -and he lapsed into silence. For three hours they ascended a great -range of hills running east and west. When they gained the crest they -could see stretched away far in front of them a flat and fertile -country. - -"The plains of Thessaly," the doctor said; "the fairest and richest -portion of the Greece of old. There is little chance of its forming -part of the Greece of the future, at least not until a complete -overthrow of the Turkish Empire. If Greece attains her independence -the frontier line will be somewhere along the crest of these hills, -for Thessaly, although there was some slight trouble there at first, -has not joined the movement. There are no mountains and fortresses -where they can take refuge, and a troop of Turkish cavalry could scour -the whole country. There is where we are bound for, I expect;" and he -pointed to a large clump of white tents far out on the plain. "I -expect that is the camp of the Pasha of the province. I suppose he is -going to operate on this side when the main force advances to the -west." - -It took them another four hours' walking before they approached the -camp. When within a short distance of it their captors turned off and -entered a village where numbers of their countrymen were sitting in -the shade smoking or dozing. The band went on until they reached the -principal house in the village, and four of them entering took their -prisoners into a room where a tall old chief was sitting on a divan. -They talked for some minutes, evidently explaining the circumstances -of their capture. When they had done, the chief asked the prisoners in -Greek who they were. - -"We are Englishmen," Horace replied; "we belong to a ship lying off a -village whose name I don't know. We had landed to buy fruit and -vegetables, and then we were suddenly seized and carried away to the -mountains by some Greek brigands led by a fellow named Rhangos. We had -arranged for a ransom and were on our way under a guard to the village -where the money was to be paid when your band put the Greeks to flight -and made us prisoners." - -"How much ransom was to be paid?" the Albanian asked. - -"Three hundred pounds, and if you will send us there now our friends -will be glad to pay it to your people. I tried to explain that to them -on the way, but they would not listen to me." - -"They are fools," the chief said decidedly; "and besides, they don't -speak Greek. It is too late now. I must take you to the Pasha, who -will deal with you as he chooses." Then rising, and followed by a -group of his officers and the prisoners in charge of four men, he -walked across to the Turkish camp. - -"They are a picturesque-looking set of cut-throats," Macfarlane said. - -"That they are. People at home would stare to see them with their -white kilted petticoats and gaudy sashes, with their pistols inlaid -with silver, and their embroidered jackets and white shirt sleeves. -Well, what are we to say if we are asked about the ship?" - -"We must tell the truth, lad; I doubt not they have had news before -now that the schooner is cruising about on the coast; and even if we -were disposed to tell a lie, which we are not, they would guess where -we had come from. No English merchantman would be likely to be -anchored off the coast here to buy vegetables; and, indeed, there are -very few British vessels of any sort in these waters now. You need not -just tell them that the schooner is the craft that has been playing -the mischief over on the other coast and robbed them of their Chiot -slaves; nor is it precisely necessary to enter into that affair near -Cyprus. We need simply say, if we are asked, that we are Englishmen in -the naval service of Greece; I don't expect they will ask many -questions after that, or that we shall have any occasion to do much -more talking." - -"You think they will hang us, doctor." - -"It may be hanging, Horace, or it may be shooting, and for my part I -am not very particular which it is. Shooting is the quickest, but then -hanging is more what I may call my family way of dying. I should say -that as many as a score of my ancestors were one way or another strung -up by the Stuarts on one miserable pretence or other, such as -cattle-lifting, settling a grudge without bothering the law-courts, -and trifles of that sort." - -Horace burst into a fit of laughter, which caused the Albanian chief -to look round sharply and inquiringly. - -"It is all right, old chap," Macfarlane muttered in English; "we are -just laughing while we can, and there is no contempt of court -intended." - -The Pasha was in a tent considerably larger than those that surrounded -it. The Albanian went in, leaving the prisoners in charge of their -guard. In five minutes he came out and signed to them to follow him -in. The Pasha was an elderly man with a snow-white beard. He looked at -the prisoners with some interest. - -"I hear that you are Englishmen," he said in Greek. - -"That is so, sir." - -"And that you are in the Greek service." - -"We were in the Greek service, but after being carried off by Greek -brigands I do not know that we shall have any inclination to remain in -it." - -"If you had been taken fighting against us I should have ordered you -to be shot," the Pasha said; "but as it is I do not know. Do you -belong to that schooner with white sails that has been cruising off -the coast some days?" - -"We do," Horace admitted. - -"I am told," the Pasha went on, "that she is the ship that did us much -harm at Chios." - -"We were attacked, and we beat off the boats," Horace said. "That is -fair warfare. Our principal object has been to rescue people in danger -or distress, whether Christian or Turk. We rescued numbers of Chiot -slaves. And on the other hand we saved numbers of Turks at the -surrender of the Acropolis at Athens, and conveyed them safely to -Tenedos, where we landed them; and the governor there recognized our -service to his countrymen, and came off to the ship and invited us on -shore to dine with him." - -"Yes, I have heard about that," the Pasha said. "We have all heard of -the white schooner. She has been a dangerous enemy to us, and has done -us more harm than the whole of the Greeks together; but after your -humanity at Athens I cannot feel animosity against you. It was a noble -deed and worthy of brave men. Thus it is that nations should fight, -but the Greeks began by massacre, and have been false to the oaths -they swore twenty times. How can you fight for men who have neither -courage nor faith, and who are as cruel as they are cowardly?" - -"There have been cruelties on both sides," Horace said, "though I own -that the Greeks began it; but in England we love freedom, and it is -not long since we drove the French out of Egypt and preserved it for -you. Our sympathies are with the Greeks, because they were oppressed. -We have never killed a Turk save in fair fight, and the crews of every -ship we have taken we have permitted to return to shore in their boats -without injuring one of them." - -"This also I have heard," the Pasha said, "and therefore I will do you -no harm. I will send you to Constantinople, where the Sultan will -decide upon your fate. He has given orders that all foreigners taken -in arms against us shall at once be put to death for interfering in a -matter in which they have no concern; but as you were not taken in -arms I do not feel that the order applies to you, and will therefore -take upon myself to send you to him." - -"I thank you, sir," Horace said, "though I fear it will only be a -reprieve." - -"I cannot say," the pasha replied gravely. "The Sultan strikes hard -when he wishes to give a lesson. You see, his people were massacred -wholesale by the Greeks, and at Chios he taught them that he could -retaliate; but he is not cruel by choice. He is unswerving when his -mind is made up. Whether he will make an exception in your case or not -is more than I can say. I can only send you to him, and hope that he -will be as merciful in your case as I would be had I the power." - -Then he ordered one of his officers to take charge of the prisoners, -to see that they had a comfortable tent and were well cared for, and -that none molested them. Four soldiers were to be always on guard at -the tent, and to answer for the safety of the prisoners with their -lives. In a short time they were placed in a tent among those allotted -to the officers, and four sentries were placed round it. After sunset -two soldiers brought large trays with meat, vegetables, and sweets -from the pasha's own table, and also a bottle of raki. - -"The Turk is a gentleman, Horace," the doctor said as, after having -finished dinner, he mixed himself some spirits and water. "I am not -saying, mind you, that I would not have mightily preferred a bottle of -good whisky; but I am bound to say that when one has once got -accustomed to it, raki has its virtues. It is an insinuating spirit, -cool and mild to the taste, and dangerous to one who is not accustomed -to it. What do you think of it, Horace?" - -"I don't care for it, but then I don't care for any spirits," Horace -said; "but I thoroughly agree with you that the pasha is a good -fellow, only I wish he could have seen his way to have let us go. The -Sultan is a terrible personage, and the way he has hung up hostages at -Constantinople has been awful. If he has made up his mind that he will -deter foreigners from entering the Greek service by showing no mercy -to those who fall into his hands, I have no very great hope that he -will make any exception in our case." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -AT CONSTANTINOPLE - - -Upon the following morning horses were brought round and they were -ordered to mount. An officer with twelve Turkish troopers took charge -of them. The pasha came out from his tent. - -"I am sending a letter to the Porte saying what I know of the doings -of your ship, and of the service you rendered by saving our countrymen -at Athens. I have also given directions that the vessel conveying you -shall touch at Tenedos, and have written to the governor there asking -him also to send on a letter in your favour." - -After an hour's riding they reached the town of Larissa, and then -followed the river on which it stands down to the sea. - -"What a lovely country!" Horace exclaimed as he looked at the -mountains to the right and left. - -"We are travelling on classical ground," the doctor replied. "This is -the vale of Tempe, that hill to the right is Mount Ossa, that to the -left is Mount Olympus." - -"They are grand," Horace said, "though I should certainly enjoy them -more under other circumstances. Fancy that being the hill that Jove -used to sit on. It would be a grand place to climb, wouldn't it?" - -"I should be quite content to look at it comfortably from the deck of -the schooner, Horace, and should have no desire whatever to scale it." - -"Where is the schooner now, do you think, doctor?" - -"Where we left her. They would wait at the village where they expected -us to be handed over to them till late in the afternoon, and then most -likely march back to the shore. This morning they will be trying to -get news of us. It is possible that one of the Greeks has taken down -the news of our capture by the Turks, in hopes of getting a reward. He -would not know whether we were killed or captured--they bolted too -fast for that; but if a fellow does take news of the fight he will -probably offer to show the spot. Martyn will take out a strong party, -and when he finds the bodies of the two Greeks and no signs of us, he -will arrive at the conclusion that we have been carried off. The -Greeks probably recognized the men who attacked them as being a band -of Albanians. The white petticoats alone would tell them that; and as -the Christian Albanians would certainly not be likely to be plundering -on this side at the present time, they will be sure they are -Mohammedans either raiding on their own account or acting with the -Turkish forces in Thessaly. - -"No doubt they will offer a reward for news of us, and will probably -learn from some peasant or other that a party of Albanians crossed the -range into Thessaly about mid-day. Then when they hear that the -pasha's force was lying in the plain, not far from the foot of the -hills, they will arrive at the truth that we were taken there. What -their next step will be I cannot say, but I should fancy they will -sail round the promontory and try and open communication with some -small village, and get someone to visit the camp and try and pick up -news of what has become of us. It must be days before they can do all -this, and by the time they find we have been put on board ship we -shall be at Constantinople. - -"At any rate, Horace, I regard the idea of there being a chance of -their rescuing us as out of the question. What they will do is, of -course, beyond guessing. It is vexing to think that if they did but -know at the present moment we were being put on board ship, they might -cut us off at the mouth of the Dardanelles. It is little farther from -the Gulf of Zeitouni than it is from the mouth of this river, and the -schooner would probably sail twice as fast as any craft we are likely -to be put on board. It is annoying, but it is of no use being annoyed. -They don't know we are going to be embarked, and they can't learn it -for four or five days at the very earliest, so don't let us worry -about that. We have reasonable cause for worry in knowing that we are -going to be taken to Constantinople, for not improbably we will be -executed when we get there." - -"You think that it is probable, doctor?" - -"I do, indeed. The Sultan is not the man to stand on niceties. He has -decided not to give quarter to foreigners who fight against him, and -as a matter of policy he is perfectly right. We knew all along what -our fate would be if we fell into the hands of the Turks. We have done -them an immense amount of mischief: we have destroyed a frigate and -beaten off their boats; we have taken a lot of prizes, and delivered -some two or three thousand valuable slaves from their hands. The only -set-off to this is that we assisted to save some three hundred Turkish -women and children, as to whose fate the Sultan was probably perfectly -indifferent. The balance is very heavy against us." - -Horace could not but admit that this was so, but in this beautiful -valley, and with Constantinople still in the distance, the idea that -ere long a violent death might befall him there was not sufficiently -vivid to depress his spirits greatly. - -After four hours' riding they came down upon the little port at the -mouth of the river. Two or three craft were lying there under the guns -of the battery. - -"That is our vessel, you will see, Horace. It is a man-of-war brig. I -expect she is placed here on purpose to enable the pasha to -communicate direct with Constantinople, instead of having to send up -through the passes to Salonika." - -Leaving the prisoners under charge of the guard, the officer took a -boat and rowed off to the brig. In a few minutes a large boat lying -beside her was manned by a dozen sailors and rowed ashore. The officer -was on board of her. Two of the men who had brought their valises -strapped behind their saddles had already removed them, and stepped -into the boat forward, while their comrades took charge of their -horses. The officer then signed to Horace and the doctor to step on -board, and they were rowed out to the brig. Half an hour later the -anchor was got up, the sail set, and the vessel left the port. - -There was no attempt at restraint of the prisoners. A young lieutenant -who spoke Greek informed them, in the name of the captain, that the -orders of the pasha were that they were to be treated as ordinary -passengers, and he requested them to take their meals with him in the -cabin. They would be entirely at liberty, except that they would not -be allowed to land at Tenedos, or at any other port at which the -vessel might touch. - -The brig proved a fairly fast sailer; the wind was favourable, and -late on the afternoon of the day after they had sailed they dropped -anchor off Tenedos, and the officer in charge of the captives at once -went ashore with the pasha's letter to the governor. He returned late -at night, after the prisoners had turned in in one of the officers' -cabins that had been vacated for their use. There was not a breath of -wind in the morning, and the captain accordingly did not attempt to -weigh anchor. - -"It would be a fine thing if this calm would last for a fortnight," -the doctor said as they came on deck in the morning. - -"Yes, but there is no chance of that, doctor. We have never had a dead -calm for more than three days since we came out." - -"Well, we might do equally well with a light breeze from the north. -That would help the schooner across the gulf, and at the same time -would not enable the brig to work up the Dardanelles; there is a -strongish current there. Still, I am not at all saying it is likely; -I only say that I wish it could be so." - -When the officer came on deck he informed them, through the -lieutenant, that the governor had given him a strong letter to the -Porte speaking in the highest terms of the humanity they had shown -towards the Turks they had rescued from Athens. An hour later two or -three boats came off. Among those on board them were several women. -When these saw the doctor and Horace leaning over the bulwark, they -broke into loud cries of greeting. - -"I expect they are some of those poor creatures we brought over," -Horace said. "I don't remember their faces, we have had too many on -board for that, and I don't understand what they are saying, but it is -evidently that." - -Some of the boatmen understood both Greek and Turkish, and these -translated the expressions of the women's gratitude, and their regret -at seeing him a prisoner. They were not allowed to set foot on the -brig, but they handed up baskets of fruit and sweetmeats. One of the -women stood up in the boat and in Greek said in low tones to Horace, -as he leant over the rail: - -"There are but few of us here, and we are poor. Our hearts melted this -morning when the news spread that you were prisoners on board a ship -on her way to Constantinople. We can do nothing but pray to Allah for -your safety. My husband was one of the soldiers you brought over, the -one who had lost his arm, and who was tended by the _hakim_. As he was -of no more use they have discharged him, and he has remained here, as -I am a native of the island and have many friends. He will start in an -hour with some fishermen, relations of mine. They will land him above -Gallipoli, and he will walk to Constantinople. Then he will see the -bimbashi and his former comrades, and find out Osman and Fazli Beys, -who were with us, and tell them of your being prisoners, so that they -may use their influence at the Porte, and tell how you risked your -lives for them, and all--May Allah protect you both, _effendis_!" - -Her story terminated abruptly, for the captain at this moment came up -and ordered the boat away from the side. - -"What is all that about, Horace?" Macfarlane asked as Horace returned -the woman's last salutation with two or three words of earnest thanks. -"Why, what is the matter, lad? there are tears in your eyes." - -"I am touched at that poor woman's gratitude, doctor. As you can see -by her dress she is poor. She is the wife of a discharged soldier, -that man who lost his arm. You dressed the stump, you may remember. I -know you said that it had been horribly neglected, and remarked what a -splendid constitution the Turk had; you thought that had he been an -Englishman the wound would probably have mortified long before." - -"Of course I remember, Horace. And has he got over it?" - -"He has." And Horace then told him what the woman had said. - -"It does one good to hear that," Macfarlane said when he had finished. -"Human nature is much the same whether it is in the wife of a Turkish -soldier or of a Scottish fisherman. The poor creature and her husband -are doing all they can. The bimbashi and the beys were great men in -their eyes, and they doubtless think that they are quite important -persons at Constantinople. Still, it is pleasant to think that the -poor fellow, whose arm must still be very far from healed, is -undertaking this journey to do what he can for us. It minds me of that -grand story of Effie Deans tramping all the way from Scotland to -London to ask for her sister's pardon. - -"I don't say that anything is like to come of it, but there is no -saying. If these Turks are as grateful as this soldier and his wife -they might possibly do something for us, if it were not that the -Sultan himself will settle the matter. An ordinary Turkish official -will do almost anything for money or favour, but the Sultan is not to -be got round; and they say he is a strong man, and goes his own way -without asking the advice of anyone. Still it is, as I said, pleasant -to know that there are people who have an interest in us, and who are -doing all in their power to help us." - -An hour later a small boat was seen to put out from the port and to -row away in the direction of the mainland. - -For three days the brig lay at her anchorage. Then a gentle breeze -sprang up from the south. Making all sail, the brig was headed to the -entrance of the Dardanelles. - -"Unless there is more wind than this," Horace said, "I should hardly -think she will be able to make her way up, doctor. She is not going -through the water more than two knots an hour." - -"No, she will have to anchor again as soon as she is inside the -straits unless the wind freshens, and I don't think it is likely to do -that. To my mind it looks as if it would die out again at sunset." - -This proved to be the case, and before it became dark the brig was -anchored in a bay on the Asiatic side a short distance from the -entrance. - -The next morning the breeze again blew, and somewhat fresher than -before. All day the captain strove to pass up the straits. Sometimes -by keeping over out of the force of the current he made two or three -miles, then when they came to some projecting point the current would -catch the vessel and drift her rapidly down, so that when the breeze -again sank at sunset they had gained only some four miles. Next day -they were more fortunate and passed the castle of Abydos, and the -third evening came to anchor off Gallipoli. On the following morning -the wind blew briskly from the east, and in the afternoon they dropped -anchor off Constantinople. - -"Eh, man, but it is a wonderful sight!" Macfarlane said, as they -looked at the city with the crenellated wall running along by the -water's edge, the dark groves of trees rising behind it, and the -mosques with their graceful minarets on the sky-line. Ahead of them -was Pera with its houses clustering thickly one above the other, and -the background of tall cypress. Across the water lay Scutari, with its -great barracks, its mosques, and the kiosks scattered along the -shore. Caiques were passing backwards and forwards across the water; -heavy boats with sailors or troops rowing between the ships of war and -the shore; native craft with broad sails coming up astern from Broussa -and other places on the Sea of Marmora; pleasure boats, with parties -of veiled women rowing idly here and there; and occasionally a long -caique, impelled by six sturdy rowers, would flash past with some -official of rank. - -"I have seen many places," the doctor went on, "but none like this. -Nature has done more for Rio, and as much perhaps for Bombay, but man -has done little for either. We may boast of our western civilization, -and no doubt we can rear stately buildings; but in point of beauty the -orientals are as far ahead of us as we are ahead of the South Sea -Islanders. Who would think that the Turks, with their sober ways, -could ever have even dreamed of designing a thing so beautiful as that -mosque with its graceful outlines. See how well those dark cypresses -grow with it; it would lose half its beauty were it to rise from the -round heads of an English wood. - -"Just compare the boats of light-coloured wood all carved and -ornamented with their graceful lines, and the boatmen in their -snow-white shirts, with their loose sleeves and bare arms, and their -scarlet sashes and fezzes with the black tub of an English or Scottish -river. Look at the dresses of the peasants in that heavy boat there, -and compare them with those of our own people. Why, man, we may be a -great nation, intelligent, and civilized, and all that; but when it -comes to an appreciation of the beautiful we are poor bodies, indeed, -by the side of the Turk, whom we in our mightiness are accustomed to -consider a barbarian. I know what you are going to say," he went on, -as Horace was going to speak. "There is tyranny and oppression, and -evil rule, and corruption, and other bad things in that beautiful -city. I grant you all that, but that has nothing to do with my -argument. He may be a heathen, he may be ignorant, he may be what we -call uncivilized; but the Turk has a grand soul or he never would have -imagined a dream of beauty like this." - -As the sun set half an hour after the anchor was dropped the officer -sent with them by the pasha did not think it necessary to land until -the following morning, as the offices would all be shut. At eight -o'clock he was rowed ashore and did not return until late in the -evening. Business was not conducted at a rapid rate in the offices of -the Porte. The lieutenant interpreted to the prisoners that the letter -of the governor of Tenedos had been laid before the grand vizier, who -would deliver it with that of the pasha to the Sultan at his audience -in the evening. - -"Did he see the grand vizier himself?" Horace asked. - -The answer was in the affirmative. - -"Did he gather from him whether it was likely that the Sultan would -regard the matter favourably?" - -The two Turks spoke together for some time. "I am sorry to say," the -lieutenant replied when they had done, "that the vizier was of opinion -that the Sultan would be immovable. He has sworn to spare none of -those who have stirred up his subjects to rebellion, and who, without -having any concern in the matter, have aided them against him. He -regards them as pirates, and has resolved by severity to deter others -from following their example. The vizier said that he would do his -best, but that when the Sultan's mind was once made up nothing could -move him; and that having himself received the reports of the -destruction of one of his war-ships, and the very heavy loss inflicted -on the boats of the fleet at Chios, and having, moreover, received -memorials from the merchants at Smyrna as to the damage inflicted on -their commerce by what was called the white schooner, he felt that he -would be deaf to any appeal for mercy to two of her officers." - -At eight o'clock next morning a boat with twelve soldiers and an -officer came off to the brig. The officer, mounting on the deck, -handed to the captain an order for the delivery to him of the two -prisoners sent from Thessaly. - -"Things look bad, I am afraid," Horace said as they stepped into the -boat. "I saw the officer exchange a word or two with the cavalry man -who brought us here and the captain, and I am sure, by the expression -of their faces, that the news was bad. I am sure, too, from the way -they shook hands with us at parting." - -"Some of these men's faces seem familiar to me," the doctor said as -they were being rowed towards a landing to the east of the palace -gardens. "I can't say that they were among the men we brought from -Athens, but I have a strong idea that two or three of them were. Do -you recognize them?" - -"I can't say that I do. You see they were only on board one day, and I -thought more of the women and children than of the soldiers and -sailors." - -"I am almost sure of them, Horace; yet it is curious, that if they are -the men we saved they did not make some sign of recognition when we -came down the ladder. Turkish discipline is not very strict. They did -not seem to look up much. They were all sitting forward of the six -oarsmen, and I noticed, that till we pushed off they seemed to be -talking about something together, and were so intent on it that they -did not look up until after we had pushed off. I did notice that the -oarsmen looked a little surprised when the officer, as we pushed off, -gave an order to the man steering, and they saw which way the boat's -head was turned. - -"I don't suppose they knew that we were prisoners, Horace, and were -expecting to go back to the place they came from. I suppose the -landing they are taking us to is the nearest one to the prison." - -There were no boats lying at the broad steps alongside which the boat -drew up. Six of the soldiers took their places in front of them, the -officer marched between them, and the other six soldiers followed -behind. The road, which was a narrow one, ran between two very high -walls, and rose steeply upward. - -"Evidently this landing-place is not much used," the doctor said. "I -suppose it leads to some quiet quarter." - -A hundred yards from the landing-place the officer gave the word to -halt, and then another order, upon which one of the men, who carried a -bag, began to open it. - -"Quick, gentlemen!" the officer said in Greek; "you must change here. -Quick! there is not a moment to lose." - -Astonished at the order, the doctor and Horace obeyed it. - -"I suppose," the former muttered, "they don't want it known they have -got two European prisoners. I don't see what else they can be up to." - -The change was quickly made. Two long baggy Turkish trousers were -pulled over their own, their jackets were thrown into the bag, and -they were enveloped in Turkish robes. Their caps were thrown beside -their jackets, and turbans placed on their heads, while their shoes -were pulled off and their feet thrust into Turkish slippers. The -officer and two of the soldiers aided in the work, and in a couple of -minutes the metamorphosis was complete. - -"Allah be praised!" the officer exclaimed fervently; and the words -were echoed by the soldiers. These for a moment, regardless of -discipline, gathered round the prisoners. One after another seized -their hands, and bending over them pressed them to their forehead; -then the officer gave an order, and one or two at a time--the soldiers -carried only their side-arms--left the group and hurried on ahead, -until the officer remained alone with the astonished Englishmen. - -"What does this all mean?" Horace asked the officer in Greek. - -"It means that you are free, my friends," he said, shaking each of -them cordially by the hand; "at least, so far free. Now let us follow -the others." - -Still, almost thinking they were dreaming, the doctor and Horace -accompanied their companion up the narrow lane, and emerged into a -quiet street behind a great mosque; skirting the wall of this, they -entered a wider street. - -"Be careful," the officer said in Greek; "walk along carelessly, and -seem to be conversing with me." - -Horace translated the remark to the doctor. - -There were not a great many people about, but as they went along the -number increased. They crossed a busy street, turned down a lane on -the other side, and then walked for upwards of half an hour, turning -frequently, and as far as Horace could guess, making a wide detour, -and again approaching the busy part of the town. Presently the officer -stopped near the corner of a lane in a quiet street, and began to talk -in an animated tone about the size of the town and other matters, -until he saw that the street was for a moment empty; then he turned -sharply down the lane, which ran between the backs of two sets of -houses, went for a hundred yards, and then stopped at a door in the -wall; opened it with the key, hurried them in, and locked the door -behind him. - -"Allah be praised!" he again said; "you are safe thus far. Now come -in, they are anxiously expecting us." - -He entered the house, which stood in a small inclosure, and led the -way into a room. They were received at the door by a Turk, whom both -recognized at once as Osman Bey, one of the principal Turks they had -carried from Athens. He repeated the officer's pious exclamation: - -"Allah be praised for his mercies!" and then in Greek he said, "Truly -I am rejoiced, my friends, that Allah has granted me an opportunity of -showing that I am not ungrateful, and that as you saved me and mine -from death, so have I been able to save you; and I am doubly glad in -seeing, what I knew not before, that one of you is the son of the -Englishman to whom principally we owed our escape." - -"We are grateful, indeed," Horace said; "but at present we understand -nothing. This officer has told us nothing whatever." - -"This officer is my son, and is only an officer for the occasion," -Osman Bey said. "But come into the next room; my wife and daughters -are eagerly expecting you." - -Three ladies rose from a divan on which they were sitting when the bey -entered the room. They were lightly veiled, but the bey said: - -"Lay aside your veils. These are as my sons, and you can unveil as if -they were members of the family." - -The ladies unveiled. Horace had not seen their faces before on board -ship, for the women of the upper class had remained closely veiled. -The mother was a stout, elderly woman, with a kindly face. Her -daughters were girls of fourteen or fifteen, with dark hair, somewhat -colourless faces, and lovely eyes. The bey's wife expressed her -pleasure at the arrival of the Englishmen. The girls shrank rather -timidly behind her, embarrassed at being thus unveiled before -strangers. - -"Now sit down," the bey said. "Zuleika, do you bring in coffee and -sweetmeats yourself. I do not wish your attendant to enter while these -gentlemen are here." - -"I have sent her down the town on a message," the bey's wife said, -while the younger girl rose and left the room. "She is faithful, but -girls will chatter. Mourad, we know, we can trust." - -The girl soon returned with a tray with coffee, cakes, and sweetmeats. -Then the bey said: - -"Now I will tell you all about this. Ahmed, the sooner you get rid of -that uniform the better. Give it to Mourad at once, and let him take -it back to its owner, he may want it." - -The young man left the room. - -"Now this is how it happened," the bey began. "Three days ago came the -messenger from Tenedos. Did you know of his being sent hither?" - -"Yes; his wife told us he was leaving--a soldier who had lost his -arm." - -"That was the man. He went to Hassan Bimbashi, who brought him first -to Fazli Bey, and then to me. We had a consultation. It was clear to -us all that it would be intolerable that men who had behaved with such -humanity to us should be put to death, if we could possibly save them. -It took us a long time to arrange the matter, and we three sat in the -next room there debating the matter all night. We took Ahmed into our -council at once, for he was, of course, as anxious to aid the men who -had saved his parents and sisters from massacre as we were. Naturally, -we at first thought of getting you out of prison by bribing the -guards; but though this would have been comparatively easy, it was -doubtful whether there would be time to carry it out. There are -several prisons here, and there was no saying which you might be sent -to, or who would be the men in charge of you; therefore, time would be -needed after you arrived here, and we saw that it was probable that no -time would be given us. The Sultan might, of course, view your case -favourably; but, on the other hand, if he ordered you to execution, -there would be no delay. - -"When a thing has to be done, especially when foreigners are in the -case, it is better to do it at once; otherwise, the Porte would be -pestered by the foreign representatives. It was agreed, therefore, -that if you were to be rescued, it must be done between the time of -your arrival and your being put in prison. We divided the work into -four parts. Fazli, who has most interest at the Porte, was to try all -in his power to influence the ministers, and to get the grand vizier -to represent the matter favourably to the Sultan. He was to give us -the earliest news of whatever decision might be arrived at, and above -all, he was to get some minor official there to follow the officer to -whom the order for bringing you ashore should be given. - -"The soldier who had brought the message from Tenedos was to find out -a dozen of those who had been rescued with us, and to enlist them in -the business. The bimbashi undertook the work of seizing the officer -bearing the order. He could not very well take the command of the -soldiers. Their faces would not be noticed by the sailors in the -dockyard boat, nor by those on board the ship; but Hassan's would be -fully seen by both. My son, therefore, volunteered to undertake this -part of the affair, dressed in Hassan's uniform. He was to meet the -twelve men at some spot agreed upon, near the dockyard gate; to march -in with them, produce the order, and go out in one of the dockyard -boats to the vessel; bring you ashore, and lead you here. My part of -the business was to conceal you as long as necessary, and to arrange -for your escape from Constantinople. Thus, you see, the risk was -slight in each case. Fazli would be suspected, because he had urged -your case at the Porte; but nothing could be proved against him. His -servants might be examined, and his house searched. He would be able -to prove that he spent the evening with several of his friends, to -whom he gave an entertainment; and this morning, at the time the boat -came for you, he was to be at the ministry again, trying what could be -done on your behalf. - -"None of the soldiers would know that the bimbashi was mixed up in the -affair at all. Their one-armed comrade was to be furnished with money -in case their gratitude required stimulating. My son ran no risk, -because it is among the officers of the garrison that the search will -be made for the man who commanded the party. As for myself, there is -nothing to connect me in any way with it. Ahmed will take you off this -evening to a small kiosk of mine ten miles away on the coast. The -bimbashi's share was the most dangerous. He was to take three men of -his regiment on whom he could thoroughly rely. They would be three of -those he had commanded at Athens and who had wives and children who -had been rescued by you. He was much loved by his soldiers, for he -lived and starved as they did, and did all in his power for their -comfort. - -"It is always dangerous to trust anyone, but in this case there was -the men's loyalty to him and their gratitude to you to bind them. He -would learn from Fazli the hour when the Sultan's decision would be -given, and he and the three soldiers were to be upon the spot and to -watch for the coming out of an officer followed by the man Fazli was -to appoint. The officer was sure to go to one or other of the barracks -for some soldiers to accompany him to the vessel. It would depend -upon the hour and the orders he received whether to go direct on board -or to do it in the morning. It was certain the hour would be late, for -the conferences with the Sultan are invariably in the evening. Whether -he went to one of the barracks or to his own lodging, he was to be -followed until he got to some quiet spot, then seized, bound, and -gagged, put into a large basket two of the soldiers were to carry, and -taken to some quiet spot outside the walls. To-night, after it is -dark, Hassan will go up and loose his bonds sufficiently to enable him -to work himself free after a time. - -"That was the arrangement at which we arrived after talking it over -for hours. It was the work of the bimbashi and Ahmed. I am sure that -Fazli and I would never have thought of it at all by ourselves. Ever -since then we have kept a sharp look-out for the vessel. Everything -had been got ready. The one-armed soldier had got the twelve men ready -to go off. Hassan said he had made his arrangements, and had found a -ruined hut half a mile out of the town beyond the walls, where there -was little chance of anyone looking in in the course of the day, and, -indeed, if anyone did so after eight o'clock, it would make little -matter, as you would be ashore by that hour. After the brig arrived I -had messages from Fazli every hour. He told us of the strong letters -that had been sent by Ali Pasha and the governor of Tenedos, and he -brought all his influence to bear to aid the representations made by -them and by the officer who brought you down. - -"The ministers and the grand vizier were all agreed that the kindness -shown by those on board the English ship should suffice to save your -lives, but the Sultan decides for himself, and he was known to be so -enraged at foreigners joining the Greeks in their rebellion against -him that they feared nothing would move him. Everything, therefore, -was prepared for the attempt. The twelve soldiers were directed to be -at a spot near the dockyard at seven in the morning; and the bimbashi, -with his three men, took up his post near the entrance to the -ministry. I had nothing to do. At twelve o'clock last night Hassan -came here, bringing the official letter and a suit of his uniform. -Everything had gone well. The messenger had been seized in a lonely -street leading to one of the barracks, and was overpowered and -silenced before he had time to utter a sound. Hassan accompanied the -men carrying the basket in case by any accident they should be -questioned, and saw the officer placed, securely bound, in the hut. As -he had been blindfolded the instant he had been seized he could not -have seen that his assailants were soldiers. Ahmed can tell you the -rest." - -"There is nothing to tell," the young man said. "I found the soldiers -waiting at the spot agreed upon, and gave them the arranged sign. We -went into the dockyard. I showed the order, and demanded a large boat, -which was at once given me. Then I went off to the vessel, where our -friends were handed over to me without a question; rowed to the wharf; -the clothes were changed in the lane; and here we are." - -"I cannot thank you sufficiently for your kindness, Osman Bey, on -behalf of myself and my friend here, and express our gratitude also to -your son, to Hassan Bimbashi, and to Fazli Bey. You have indeed nobly -repaid the service that my father and all of us were glad to have been -able to render you." - -"Do not talk about gratitude," the bey said. "You saved not only us, -but our wives and families, and that at the risk of your lives, for I -expected that the Greeks would fall upon you for interfering in their -butchery. What you did for us was done for strangers against whom you -were in arms. What we have done for you has been done for our -benefactors. Therefore let no more be said. My wife and daughters -would have despised me had I not done all in my power to rescue their -preservers. Now let us return to the next room, where we will have a -meal. I think it would be as well, Ahmed, to send Mourad at once down -to the bridge to hire a caique there, and tell him to take it to the -next landing to that at which you disembarked, and there wait for you. -What do you say?" - -"I think, father, it would be better to go boldly down to the bridge -and take the boat there. I am sure to see some of the men we generally -employ, and it will seem natural to them that I should be going with -two friends up to our kiosk; whereas the other way would be unusual, -and when inquiries are made, as there are sure to be, they might speak -of it. But I agree with you that it will be as well not to wait until -the evening. Directly the officer gets free there is sure to be a -great stir, and there may be janissaries placed at the various -landings, as it might be supposed the escaped prisoners would try to -get on board a neutral ship." - -"Perhaps that would be better, Ahmed. I think they might boldly go -through the crowd with a little more attention to their dress." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -THE "MISERICORDIA" AGAIN - - -Before starting, the disguises of Horace and the doctor were -perfected. They were so bronzed by the sun and air that their skin was -no fairer than that of many Turks of the better class; but it was -thought as well to apply a slight tinge of dye to them, and to darken -the doctor's eyelashes and eyebrows with henna. The hair was cut -closely off the nape of the neck, below the line to which the turban, -properly adjusted, came down, and the skin was stained to match that -of their faces. The garments they wore formed part of Ahmed's -wardrobe, and only needed somewhat more careful adjustment than they -had at first received. The ladies came up to bid them farewell; but, -as it had been arranged that in the course of a few days, when inquiry -should have ceased, the bey, with his wife and daughters, should also -proceed to their country residence, they would meet again ere long. -Mourad was to accompany them, and putting a large box on his -shoulders, filled with changes of clothes and other necessaries, he -followed them down the street. - -In a short time they were in a busy thoroughfare, the number of people -becoming larger and larger as they went down towards the water. -Janissaries in their showy uniform swaggered along, soldiers of the -line, merchants, and peasants, while _hamals_ staggering along under -enormous burdens swung from bamboo poles, made their way, keeping up a -constant shout to the crowd to clear the road. State functionaries -moved gravely along on their way to the offices of the Porte. Veiled -women, with children in their arms or clinging to them, stopped to -talk to each other in the streets or bargained with the traders at the -little shops. Military officers and Turks of the upper class rode -along on showy horses, prancing and curvetting and scattering the foot -passengers right and left. - -Ahmed and his companions kept straight on, paying apparently no -attention to what was going on around them, Ahmed occasionally making -a remark in Turkish, the others keeping silent. - -When they reached the water-side a number of boatmen surrounded Ahmed, -who soon found two men whom he had frequently employed. The caique was -brought alongside. Ahmed had already told Horace to step in without -hesitation with his companion, and to take their seats at the bottom -of the boat in the stern, while he and Mourad would sit between them -and the boatmen. The latter took their places, and each seized a pair -of the sculls. These, which were much lighter than the sculls of an -English boat, were round with a long broad blade. They were not in -rollocks, but in a strap of leather fastened to a single thole-pin; -inside this they thickened to a bulk of three or four inches in -diameter, narrowing at the extremity for the grip of the hand. This -thick bulge gave an excellent balance to the sculls, and was rendered -necessary by the fact that the boats were high out of water, and the -length of the sculls outboard disproportionately large to that -inboard. - -A few vigorous strokes by the rowers sent the boat out into the open -water. Then the forward oarsman let his sculls hang by their thongs -alongside, took out four long pipes from the bottom of the caique, -filled and lighted them, and passed them aft to the passengers, and -then again betook himself to his sculls. Bearing gradually across they -reached the other side below Scutari, and then kept along the shore at -a distance of a hundred yards from the land. Ahmed chatted to the -oarsman next to him, and to Mourad, occasionally making some remark to -the others in Turkish in reference to the pretty kiosks that fringed -the shore; enforcing what he said by pointing to the objects of which -he was speaking. They assumed an appearance of interest at what he was -saying, and occasionally Horace, who was next to him, talked to him in -low tones in Greek, so that the boatman should not catch the words, -Ahmed each time replying in Turkish in louder tones. - -No class of boatmen in the world row with the vigour and strength with -which those of the Bosphorus--who are for the most part Albanians--ply -their sculls, and both Horace and the doctor were struck with surprise -and admiration at the steady and unflagging way in which the men -rowed, their breath seeming to come no quicker, though the -perspiration stood in beads on their brown faces and muscular arms, -and streamed down their swarthy chests, which were left bare by the -open shirts of almost filmy material of snowy whiteness. Once only in -the two hours' journey did they cease rowing and indulge for five -minutes in a smoke; after which they renewed their labours with as -much vigour as when they first started. - -"That is the kiosk," Ahmed said at last, pointing to one standing by -itself near the water's edge on a projecting point of land, and in a -few minutes the caique swept in to the stairs. Ahmed had quietly -passed a few small silver coins into Horace's hand, whispering in -Greek: - -"Give them these as you land; an extra tip is always welcome." - -Then he paid the men as he got out, saying to them: - -"I expect the ladies in a few days. You had better go up each morning -to the house, and then you can secure the job." - -Horace dropped the coins into the boatman's hand, with a nod, as he -stepped out, and then they walked up to the house. The boatmen again -lighted their pipes for a smoke before starting back on their long -row. The kiosk was shut up. Mourad opened the door with a key, and -threw the shutters open. - -"I wonder you leave the place entirely shut up," Horace said. - -"There is nothing to steal," Ahmed laughed. "A few mats for the floors -and cushions for the divans. The cooking pots and crockery are locked -up in a big chest; there is little else. There are a few vases for -flowers and other ornaments stowed away in a cupboard somewhere, but -altogether there is little to tempt robbers; and, indeed, there are -very few of them about. The houses are always left so, and it is an -almost unknown thing for them to be disturbed. You see everything is -left clean and dusted, so the place is always ready when we like to -run down for a day or two. The house has not been used much lately, -for my parents and sisters have been two years at Athens, and I have -been frequently away at our estates, which lie some fifteen miles west -of Constantinople. Now we will take a turn round, while Mourad is -getting dinner ready." - -The latter had brought with him, in addition to the box, a large -basket containing charcoal, provisions, and several black bottles. - -"There is a village half a mile farther along the shore, where he will -do his marketing to-morrow," Ahmed had explained as he pointed to the -basket. - -The garden was a rough triangle, two sides being washed by the water, -while a high wall running across the little promontory formed the -third side. It was some sixty or seventy yards each way; the house -stood nearly in the middle; the ground sloped down on either side of -it to the water, and was here clear of shrubs, which covered the rest -of the garden, interspersed with a few shady trees. There were seats -placed under these, and a small summer-house, surrounded on three -sides by high shrubs but open to the water, stood at the end of the -point. - -"It is a little bit of a place, as you see," Ahmed said; "but my -mother and the girls are very fond of it, and generally stay here -during the hot season. It is quite secluded, and at the same time they -have a good view of everything going up and down the Sea of Marmora; -and if there is any breeze at all, it sweeps right through the house." - -"It is charming," Horace said. "With a boat here, one could not want -anything better." - -"We always have a boat, with two men, while we are here," Ahmed said. -"The two men who rowed us have been with us two or three seasons. My -father often wants to go into Constantinople, and I generally go when -he does. We usually sleep at our house there, and come back the next -evening. If the ladies want to go out while we are away, they can get -a caique at the village." - -After they had taken a turn round the garden they went into the house -again. The principal room on the ground-floor was at the end of the -house, and occupied its full width. The windows extended entirely -round three sides of it, a divan, four feet wide, running below them. - -"You see, on a hot day," Ahmed said, "and with all these windows open, -it is almost like being in the open air; and whichever way the wind -is, we can open or close those on one side, according to its -strength." - -The ceiling and the wall on the fourth side of the room were coloured -pink, with arabesques in white. The windows extended from the level of -the divan up to the ceiling, and were of unpainted wood varnished, as -was the wood-work of the divan. The floor was very carefully and -evenly laid, and the planks planed and varnished. Beyond two or three -little tables of green-painted wood, there was no furniture whatever -in the room. Outside the windows were jalousies or perforated -shutters, which could be closed during the heat of the day to keep the -room dark and cool. - -Mourad had already got out the cushions and pillows and spread them on -the divan; had placed a small iron bowl full of lighted charcoal in a -low box full of sand in the centre of the room, and a brass casket -full of tobacco on one of the tables. Half a dozen chibouks, with -amber mouthpieces and cherry or jasmine-wood stems, leant in a corner. - -Three of the pipes were soon filled, and a piece of glowing charcoal, -taken from the fire with a pair of small tongs lying beside it, was -placed on each bowl. A few puffs were taken to get the tobacco alight, -then the pieces of charcoal were dropped into the fire again, and -shaking off their slippers they took their seats on the cushions of -the divan. - -"It is very unfortunate that your friend does not speak Greek," Ahmed -began. - -"Yes, it is unfortunate for him," Horace said as he translated the -remark to Macfarlane. - -"If I had known that my lot was going to be cast out here," the doctor -said, "I would have insisted on learning modern Greek instead of -ancient at school--that is, if I could have got a dominie who could -have taught me. It is a very serious drawback, especially when you -know that people are talking of things that may or may not mean that -you are going to get your throat cut in an hour or so. For the last -two days I seem to have been just drifting in the dark." - -"But I always translate to you as much as I can, doctor." - -"You do all that, Horace, and I will say this that you do your best; -but it is unsatisfactory getting things at second hand. One likes to -know precisely how things are said. However, as matters have gone -there is nothing to grumble at, though where one's life is concerned -it is a natural weakness that one should like to have some sort of -say in the matter, instead of feeling that one is the helpless sport -of fate." - -Horace laughed, and Ahmed smiled gravely, when he translated the -doctor's complaint. - -"It comes all the harder to me," the doctor went on, "because I have -always liked to know the why and the wherefore of a matter before I -did it. I must confess that since I have been in the navy that wish -has been very seldom gratified. Captains are not in the habit of -giving their reasons to their surgeons, overlooking the fact -altogether that these are scientific men, and that their opinion on -most subjects is valuable. They have too much of the spirit of the -centurion of old. They say 'Do this,' and it has to be done, 'You will -accompany the boats, Dr. Macfarlane,' or 'You will not accompany the -boats.' I wonder sometimes that, after an action, they don't come down -into the cockpit and say, 'You will cut off this leg,' or 'This arm is -not to be amputated.' The highness-and-mightiness of a captain in His -Majesty's navy is something that borders on the omnipotent. There is a -maxim that the king can do no wrong; but a king is a poor fallible -body in comparison with a captain." - -"Well, I don't think you have anything to complain of with Martyn," -Horace laughed. - -"Martyn is only an acting-captain, Horace, and it is not till they get -the two swabs on their shoulders that the dignity of their position -makes itself felt. A first lieutenant begins, as a rule, to take the -disease badly, but it is not till he gets his step that it takes -entire possession of him. I have even known a first lieutenant listen -to argument. It's rare, lad, very rare, but I have known such a thing; -as for a captain, argument is as bad as downright open mutiny. Well, -this is a comfortable place that we have got into, at least in hot -weather, but I should say that an ice-house would be preferable in -winter. These windows don't fit anyhow, and there would be a draft -through them that would be calculated to establish acute rheumatism -in the system in the course of half an hour." - -"The house is not used at all in winter," Ahmed said, when he -understood the nature of the doctor's criticisms. "Almost all the -kiosks along here belong to people in the town, and are closed -entirely for four months of the year. We are fond of warmth, and when -the snow is on the ground, and there is a cold wind blowing, there -would be no living here in any comfort." - -Six days passed. Ahmed went once to Constantinople to learn what was -going on. He brought back news that the escape of the two English -prisoners had caused a great sensation at the Porte, that all the -officers in the regiments there had been paraded in order that the -boatmen and the officers of the brig might pick out the one who had -brought off the order, but that naturally no one had been identified. -The soldiers had also been inspected, but as none of these had been -particularly noticed by the boatmen, the search for those engaged had -been equally unsuccessful. Fazli Bey had been severely interrogated, -his servants questioned, and his house searched, but nothing had been -found to connect him in any way with the escape. A vigilant watch had -been set upon every European ship in port, and directions had been -sent that every vessel passing down the straits was to bring-to off -the castles, and to undergo a strict search. - -Ahmed said that his father had heard from Fazli Bey that while the -Sultan was furious at the manner in which the prisoners had been -released, it was against those who had taken part in it that his anger -was principally directed, and that it was thought he was at heart not -altogether sorry that the two men who had befriended the Turks at -Athens had got off, although he would not have wavered in his own -expressed determination to put to death without exception all -foreigners who had aided the Greeks. "My father has not at present -thought of any plan for getting you away," Ahmed said. "The search is -too rigorous, and no master of a vessel would dare to carry you off; -but in a short time the matter will be forgotten, and the search in -the port and in the Dardanelles will be slackened. It causes a great -deal of trouble and inconvenience, and the officials will soon begin -to relax their efforts. It is one of our national characteristics, you -know, to hate trouble. My father will be here with the others in a -couple of days, and then we will hold a council over it." - -The next day a boat arrived with carpets and hangings for the rooms -upstairs, which were entirely devoted to the females of the household; -and on the following evening Osman Bey, with his wife and daughters, -arrived in the same caique that Ahmed had come in, two female servants -with a quantity of luggage coming in another boat. The next few days -passed very pleasantly. The ladies took their meals apart upstairs, -but at other times sat in the room below, treating Horace and the -doctor as if they were members of the family. There were many -discussions as to the best method of effecting their escape, and Ahmed -went twice to Constantinople to ascertain whether the search for them -was being relaxed. - -At last he and his father agreed that it would be the best plan for -them to go to Izmid, and to take a passage from there if some small -craft could be found sailing for Chios, or one of the southern ports -or islands. Ahmed was to accompany them, and was first to go to Izmid -to make the necessary arrangements. He knew many merchants in the -port, and as some of these were intimate friends they would probably -be disposed to assist those who had rendered so great a service to -Osman Bey and his family, but at the same time Ahmed said: "You must -not be impatient. The news of your being carried off by sham soldiers, -as they say, after their having assaulted and robbed the officer who -was bearer of the order for your delivery, has made a great talk, and -I shall have to be very careful as to how I open the subject." - -"Pray run no risks," Horace said. "You have all done so already, and -we should be unhappy, indeed, were any ill-fortune to befall you or -your family for what you have done for us. We are very comfortable -here. I would much rather wait for some really favourable opportunity -than hazard your safety, to say nothing of our own, by impatience. It -is but a fortnight since we made our escape." - -"I am going up the Bosphorus to-morrow," Ahmed said. "I have to see -a bey whose property adjoins ours, and who has a kiosk some distance -above Scutari. It is only a question of business, and I shall not be -many minutes. I shall be glad if you will go with me; you can remain -in the boat. The rowers are so accustomed to see you that they can -have no curiosity about you; besides, now that they are regularly in -our service, and sleep and live here, there is no one for them to -gossip with, and, indeed, as we are good patrons of theirs I do not -think they would say anything about you, whatever they might suspect." - -"I suppose you can take us both, Ahmed?" - -"Certainly I meant that, of course. Your friend would find it dull -indeed alone here." - -Accordingly the next morning they started. When they neared Scutari -they saw on the other side of the water a brig making her way in from -the Dardanelles. - -"That is a slovenly-looking craft, doctor, with those dirty -ill-fitting sails; rather a contrast that to our schooner. I wonder -where she is and what she is doing. That brig is about her size too, -and the hull is not unlike hers, looking at it from here." - -The doctor gazed at the craft intently. "Eh, man," he said in low -tones, grasping his companion's arm tightly, "I believe that it is our -craft, Horace." - -"What, that dirty looking brig, doctor, with her sides looking as -rusty as if she had not had a coat of paint for the last year!" - -"It's the schooner disguised. It is easy enough, lad, to alter the -rig, and to get hold of dirty sails and to dirty the paint, but you -can't alter the shape. No Greek, or Turk either, ever turned out the -hull of that brig." - -"It is marvellously like the schooner," Horace said. "I should almost -have sworn that it was her." - -"It is the schooner, lad. How she got there, and what she is doing, I -don't know, but it is her." - -"What is it?" Ahmed asked. "What is there curious in that brig that -you are so interested in her?" - -"We both think it is our schooner, Ahmed; the one in which we took -your father and mother from Athens in." - -"That!" Ahmed exclaimed incredulously; "why, my sisters were always -saying what a beautiful vessel it was, with snow-white sails." - -"So she had, Ahmed; but if it is the schooner she is disguised -altogether. They have taken down her top-masts and put those stumpy -spars in instead; they have put up yards and turned her into a brig; -they have got sails from somewhere and slackened all her ropes, and -made her look dirty and untidy; still we both think that it is her. -Please tell the boatmen to cross to the vessel and row alongside." - -Ahmed gave the order, and as the caique shot away from the shore said: -"But how could it be your ship? Do you think that she has been -captured? If not, she could not have ventured up here." - -"She has not been captured," Horace said confidently, "and if she had -been her captors would not have taken the trouble to spoil her -appearance. If that is the schooner they have come up to make -inquiries about us, and to try to rescue us if possible." - -It was fully two miles across, and as they approached the brig the -doctor and Horace became more and more convinced that they were not -mistaken. - -"Please tell the men to pull in behind her," Horace said, "so that we -can see her better. There can be no mistake about her if we can catch -a sight of her fore and aft." - -When they fell into the brig's wake they were some three hundred yards -astern of her, and the last vestige of doubt disappeared as they saw -her great breadth and fine run. - -"That is my father's craft, Ahmed, I could swear to her now. Will you -tell the men to row up alongside." - -There were only four or five men visible on deck in the ordinary dress -of Turkish sailors. As the caique came alongside a man put his head -over the rail and asked in Turkish "what they wanted?" - -"We want to come on board," Ahmed said; "we have business with the -captain." - -"I am the captain," the man said; "are you one of the port officers?" - -"Drop astern to the chains," Ahmed said to the boatmen, who were -hanging on by a boat-hook. They let the caique fall aft her own -length, and then, seizing the shrouds, the doctor and Horace sprang up -on to the chains and then leapt on board, Ahmed following them more -slowly. There was no doubt that it was the schooner, though her decks -were covered with dirt and litter, and the paint of her bulwarks -discoloured as if they had been daubed with mud which had been allowed -to dry. The sailors looked up as if in surprise at the sudden -appearance of the strangers on their deck. Horace glanced at them. He -knew none of their faces. - -"Well, sir," the captain said, coming up, "may I again ask what you -want with us?" - -"You talk to him, Ahmed," Horace said in Greek. "We will run below;" -and at a bound he was at the top of the companion and sprang down into -the cabin. "Father," he shouted, "are you here?" - -The door of the main cabin opened, and a Turk with a flowing white -beard made his appearance. - -"My dear father, is it you?" - -"Why, Horace, Horace, my dear boy, where do you come from, what -miracle is this?" And in a moment they were clasped in each other's -arms. A moment later a tall Nubian rushed out and seized Horace's -hand. - -"Why, Martyn, you don't mean to say it is you in this disguise?" - -"It is indeed, Horace. I am delighted to see you, lad; and you too, -doctor. I had never thought to clap eyes on you again;" and he shook -hands heartily with Macfarlane, as also did Mr. Beveridge. - -"I seem to be in a dream," the latter said; "how do you come here, -what has happened?" - -"I may say the same, father; but first, where are Miller, Tarleton, -and the crew?" - -"They are all down in the hold," Martyn said; "they are all in -hiding." - -"I have a friend on deck, father; he is the son of one of the Turks we -saved at Athens. He and his friends saved our lives, and have been -concealing us since they got us away. I expect he is having some -difficulty with the man who calls himself captain." - -"Come up with me then, Horace, and we will fetch him down; and I will -tell Iskos that it is all right." - -As soon as they reached the deck Mr. Beveridge explained to the -supposed captain that these were the friends he had come to find, and -that all was well. - -Martyn had also come up. "What had we better do now, Martyn?" - -Martyn looked up at the sails, and at the water, "Fortunately the wind -is dying out fast," he said. "I don't think we are making way against -the current now, and we shall certainly not do so long. Hold on a few -minutes longer, Iskos, and then anchor. It will seem as if we could -not get up against the stream to the other shipping. If you see a boat -coming off, let us know. They will probably be sending off to look at -our papers; but perhaps they may not trouble about it till we get up -to the regular anchorage. Now, Mr. Beveridge, we will go down below -and gladden their hearts there." - -The main-deck was filled with casks, bales, and merchandise of all -sorts, and the hatchways of the hold covered with sacks of flour. -Macfarlane joined them, and aided Martyn and Horace in removing the -sacks. Horace saw as he did so that what appeared a solid pile was -really hollow, and that the hatchway was only partially closed so as -to allow a certain amount of air to pass down below. The bags were but -partly removed when there was a rush from below, Miller and Tarleton -with their cutlasses in hand, followed by the sailors with -boarding-pikes dashed through the opening. They paused in astonishment -upon seeing only Martyn, Mr. Beveridge, and three Turkish gentlemen, -but as they recognized Horace and the doctor, the officers threw down -their swords and with a shout of joy seized them by the hand. The -sailors close behind them broke into a cheer which swelled into a roar -as the men below gathered the news that their two officers had -returned. - -"The men can come up between decks, Miller," Martyn said. "Let them -have a stiff ration of grog all round. Boatswain, see that the sacks -are piled again as before, leaving two or three out of their place to -allow the men to go down again if necessary. If the word is passed -that a boat is coming off, let them hurry back again and replace the -sacks carefully after them as they go down." - -The sailors continued pouring up through the hatchway, and behind them -came the two Greeks, whose joy at seeing Horace was excessive. - -"Now," Mr. Beveridge said, "let us adjourn to the cabin and hear all -about this wonderful story." - -On entering the main cabin Horace found that its appearance, like that -of the rest of the ship, had been completely altered, all the handsome -fittings had been removed, and the whole of the woodwork painted with -what he thought must have been a mixture of white paint and mud, so -dirty and dingy did it appear. - -"Now, father, in the first place I must properly introduce my friend -Ahmed to you all. He is the son of Osman Bey, who was one of the -principal Turks of the party we took to Tenedos, as no doubt you -remember; it is to him and his father, aided by Fazli Bey, and the -bimbashi who was in command of the troops, and some of the -soldiers, that we owe our lives." - -[Illustration: THE DOCTOR TELLS THE STORY] - -This was said in Greek, and while Mr. Beveridge was expressing his -gratitude to Ahmed, Horace repeated the same in English to the three -officers, who warmly shook hands with the young Turk. Marco and his -brother placed refreshments of all kinds on the table. - -Ahmed partook of them sparingly, and then said to Horace: "Of course -you will not be returning with me now. I think I had better be going -on, it will be dark before I have done my business and get back again; -and besides, the boatmen will be wondering at my long stay here." - -"I am afraid your father will think us horribly ungrateful if we go -off without thanking him and your mother for all their kindness to -us," Horace said; "but of course we must be getting out of this as -soon as we can." - -"My father and mother will be delighted to hear that you have so -suddenly and unexpectedly got out of your difficulties," Ahmed said, -"and that in a manner from which no suspicion can possibly arise to -us. What we have done has been but a small return for the service you -rendered us." - -Mr. Beveridge added his warmest thanks to those of Horace, and Ahmed -then went up with the others on to the deck and took his place in the -caique; Horace making a present of a small gold piece to each of the -boatmen. Ahmed said good-bye to him and the doctor in Turkish, -expressing the hope that when they got back to Cyprus they would write -to him, a message that Iskos afterwards translated to Horace. As soon -as he had rowed away the rest of them returned to the cabin. - -"And now for the story," Mr. Beveridge said as they took their places -round the table. - -"The doctor shall tell it," Horace said. "He has had no chance of -talking for the last fortnight, and it is only fair he should have his -turn now." - -The doctor accordingly, in his slow and deliberate way, related the -whole story of their adventures from the time they landed from the -schooner until their return on board, a narration which lasted nearly -two hours. - -Then Martyn related what had happened on board since. "You know," he -said, "that directly we heard the firing on shore and saw the boat -rowing off we began to get ready to send a strong party off. You can -imagine how horrified we were when, on the boat coming alongside, we -found you were both missing. The beggars fired away at us as we rowed -ashore, but they bolted before we reached it, and when we made a rush -into the village, it was empty. We could find no one to ask questions -of, for, as we found afterwards, they had all made off while the -brigands were firing at us. However, as there were no signs of you it -was evident the only thing to do was to follow the ruffians, and off -we set. We chased them four miles, but they scattered directly they -left the village and we only came up with two of them. Unfortunately -they showed fight, and the sailors cut them down before we could come -up. - -"After searching about for some time we thought the best plan was to -go back to the village. There we quartered ourselves among the houses, -and, as you have been telling us, the man came with a letter. We -noticed how you had worded it and had underscored the names, and we -saw the fellows did not know that you were the son of the owner, so -your father pretended to hang back for a bit. As soon as the man had -gone off with the message we thought that it was all right, and -everyone was in the highest spirits. Of course there was nothing to do -next day, but the following morning Mr. Beveridge and Miller went off -with thirty men, as the time named for giving you up was one o'clock. - -"We began to expect them back at four, and as the hours went on I was -in a regular stew. I did not like to land, and as I had only twenty -men I was afraid of weakening her further, as we should have been in -an awkward fix if a Turkish man-of-war had come along; however, at -nine o'clock I sent Tarleton ashore with five men to see if he could -gather some news from the villagers, who had all come back again soon -after the brigands had left. It was not till after eleven o'clock that -he came off, with the news that the party had returned and had heard -nothing of you. - -"Next morning one of the boats came off with Mr. Beveridge. Half an -hour before a Greek had come in and stated that he was one of the -party bringing you down to the place agreed upon when they were -suddenly fired upon from a wood. Two of the party fell dead and the -rest ran and were hotly pursued for some distance. He was unable to -say what had become of you, nor did he know who the men were who had -attacked them, except that they were certainly Albanians. We held a -council, and then I started off with Tarleton and ten men and Marco. -Mr. Beveridge wanted to go, but I persuaded him not to, for it was -morally certain that we should not find you, and all we could hope for -was to get some sort of clue, and if the Albanians were still in the -neighbourhood Marco would have opened negotiations with them for a -ransom. The man who had brought the news acted as guide. We found the -bodies of his comrades who had been killed, but no signs of you, which -was a comfort in one way. It was pretty evident that you had both been -carried off. - -"We had taken with us a dozen men from the village to which you were -to have been sent, and we offered what to them must have been a big -reward for news as to these Albanians. So after finding the bodies we -sent them off in different directions, and went back to their village. -Late in the evening they straggled in. They had done their work well, -spreading all over the country and getting hold of shepherds and -charcoal-burners and wood-cutters; and they were able to tell us for -certain that the Albanians had come over the range of hills between us -and Thessaly. They had been doing a good deal of plundering and some -murdering, had destroyed two small villages at the foot of the -mountains, and had been seen soon after the hour at which you must -have been captured making their way back. They assured us that the -troops of Ali Pasha lay in the plain beyond the hills, and that, -doubtless, the Albanians had taken you to him. We had a good long rest -in the afternoon, and as I knew what a state of anxiety your father -was in we started at once and got on board at four o'clock in the -morning. We had a long talk over what was the best thing to be done, -and resolved at any rate to sail out of the bay and round the Cape, -and then keep along the coast until we were off Thessaly. - -"As soon as it was daylight we weighed anchor. The wind was so light -that it took us two days to get there, and half that time at least, I -should say, the men were in the boats towing. Marco had volunteered to -land and make his way to the Turkish camp to try to find out what had -become of you. We landed him at night; he bought from some of the -villagers a suit of their clothes, and in twenty-four hours came down -again to the boat we had sent ashore for him with the news that you -had been sent to Constantinople; that you had been taken by an escort -of cavalry down to the little port at the mouth of the river that -flows in between Ossa and Olympus; that he had seen some of the -soldiers who formed your escort, who told him that they had seen you -go on board a Turkish brig-of-war with their officer and two of their -comrades who had accompanied you. - -"This was horrible news, and as the brig had got four days' start -there was little chance of our catching her. For another three days we -were almost becalmed. We had every stitch of canvas set and yet most -of the time we had not even steerage-way. The men behaved splendidly, -and all the time, day and night, we had two boats out ahead towing; -and on the fourth day we arrived off Tenedos. Then we got a breeze -again, and soon afterwards picked up a fishing-boat. From them we -learned that the brig had lain becalmed two days off the town, that -some of the people that we brought from Athens had gone out with -little presents of fruit to you and had seen you. - -"We anchored that night a short distance from the town, for there -were no Turkish ships of war there. At night a boat came off with a -woman whom we had brought from Athens, and she told us that her -husband, a discharged soldier, had gone to Constantinople to tell some -of the people whom we brought from Athens that two of our officers had -been captured, and to ask them to do what they could to save your -lives. We did not think anything of it, though of course it was -pleasant to see that some of the people were grateful, and Mr. -Beveridge made her a handsome present, which I will do her the justice -to say she refused until he almost had to force it upon her. Knowing -how bitter the Sultan is against foreigners in the Greek service, and -that after the harm we had done he was not likely to be specially well -disposed towards us, the thing seemed almost hopeless. The two Greeks -volunteered if we would put them ashore to the west of the straits to -make their way to Constantinople, but as it did not seem to us that -they could do any good that idea was given up. - -"At last Tarleton proposed that we should disguise the schooner and go -up ourselves. He admitted that the betting was a hundred to one -against our being able to help you in any way, especially as it was -almost certain you would have been hung a few hours after you got -there. Still, if that had been put off, and you should be in a prison, -there was just the possibility we might land at night, make our way to -the prison, blow in the gate, get you out, and make our way across the -country to some place where the boats would be waiting for us, and be -on board before daylight. It was certainly a desperate undertaking, -but as none of us could think of any other plan, we agreed it would be -well to try it, so we sailed at once to Athens. - -"We had a great debate whether it would not be better to buy some -Turkish brig that had been brought in as a prize; but we finally -agreed to stick to the schooner, for if we were discovered on the way, -or if we did get you on board, we should have to sail, and we knew -that nothing the Turks have got could outsail the schooner. We worked -hard at Athens. We sent down the tall spars, got those clumsy poles -up in their place, got up yards, and turned her into a brig. Then we -bought a lot of old sails, and, as you see, turned her into as -lubberly-looking a craft as you will meet even in these seas. Then we -filled her up between decks with goods we bought out of some prizes -brought in by the Hydriots, dirtied her decks, threw acid down her -sides to take off the paint, took down the cabin fittings, as you see, -and daubed over the woodwork with dirty paint. It was enough to make -one cry to see the _Misericordia_ spoilt. It was like disguising a -girl of fashion as a dirty gipsy. - -"While we had been at this work the two Greeks had been on shore, and -had gathered up eight men who spoke Turkish as well as Greek. The most -intelligent we made captain, with two officers under him. We got the -papers from a Turkish prize, a brig about the same size which had been -captured by the Hydriots on her way from Rhodes to Constantinople. -Then it was agreed that your father should disguise himself as a Turk, -a respectable land-owner of Rhodes, going as a passenger to -Constantinople, with myself as his Nubian servant. That way we could -stay on deck. When all was ready we started. The crew kept on deck -till we got near the Dardanelles, and then stowed themselves away in -the hold as you saw. We were stopped at the castle, but as the papers -were all right there was no suspicion excited, and nothing happened -till Iskos came down and told us a caique was coming alongside, and -then a minute or two later we heard your voice." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -ALL ENDS WELL - - -The hours passed on. It was still a dead calm, and, as Martyn had -thought likely, no visit was paid by the Turkish port officials, as -the brig was lying a good mile below the usual anchorage, and would no -doubt move up to the wharves as soon as she got the wind. Horace went -to the main deck and gave a sketch of his adventures to Tom Burdett, -who he knew would retail them to the crew. - -"Well, Mr. Horace," the boatswain said, "you are certainly a good one -at getting out of scrapes." - -"I had nothing to do with getting out of it, Tom; it was all done -without any effort on my part." - -"It was mighty well done, sir, and I would not have given them Turks -credit for putting such a plan together. I always liked the chaps -myself when I served with them as a young fellow in that Egyptian -business under Abercrombie. Good-natured sort of coves they was, and -wonderful good-tempered considering what shocking bad grub they had; -but I never looked upon them as sharp. Still, there you are; you see, -one never knows what a chap can do till he is pushed. Well, there is -one thing, Mr. Horace, I don't care how many Turkish fugitives we may -take on board this ship in future, they will be heartily welcome by -every man Jack on board for the sake of what these fellows did for -you. I wish I had known it when you first came on board. I should have -liked to have given that young Turk a hearty shake of the hand, and -the men would have given him as good a cheer as ever you heard come -from fifty British sailors." - -"It is just as well you didn't know, Tom, for if they had given a -cheer together on deck it would have been heard from shore to shore, -and everyone who heard it would have known that it never came from -Turkish throats." - -As soon as it was dark the anchor was weighed, and the vessel drifted -down with the current, a boat towing ahead so as to give her -steerage-way, while the rest of the crew set to work to unbend her -sails. - -"You are not going to put up her own sails, are you, Captain Martyn?" -Horace asked, for as soon as it got dusk Martyn had removed the stain -from his skin, and exchanged the Nubian attire for his uniform. - -"No, Horace, the white sails would tell their tale at once. We got two -suits at Athens, one that miserable lot you saw on us to-day, the -other we had cut up to fit us as we are sparred now. They are not very -clean, but that won't affect her sailing, and though I don't mean to -say she will walk along as she would under her proper canvas, I fancy -she is likely to sail as fast as anything we shall meet. I shall only -get her foresail, a jib, and that square top-sail on her, as we want -to go along as slowly as possible. I want to manage to anchor below -Gallipoli after sunset; or if I can't manage that I shall anchor a -mile or two this side of the town, so as not to be visited by any of -the port officers. Then when it gets quite dark we will get up all -sail and run down the straits. It is against the rules to pass through -at night, and if the forts catch sight of us no doubt they will send a -few shots after us, but we must risk that. It is not easy to hit a -moving mark when it is so dark that you can scarcely see her outline. -There are half a dozen of their ships-of-war lying abreast of the -forts. We must keep as far as we dare over on the other shore. I am -not afraid of the ships. We shall be a mile away before the crews wake -up and load, but I expect they keep a pretty sharp look-out in the -forts, though most likely their attention is chiefly directed below -them." - -It took a couple of hours' work to unbend all the sails and bend on -fresh ones. Horace spent the evening in the cabin chatting with his -father, and when the others came down at ten o'clock for a glass of -grog he heard that the boat had been run up and housed, and that the -brig was now under easy sail. - -"There is very little wind," Martyn said, "but there is enough to give -steerage-way. I shall not count you in for duty until to-morrow." - -"Oh, I am ready to take my watch as usual. I have been living a very -lazy life for the last three weeks, and shall be very glad to be on -duty again." - -"I shall get the guns up the first thing in the morning, Miller. We -will throw a tarpaulin over them when we get into the narrow part of -the straits." - -"Will you have the pivot-gun up too?" - -"Yes, I think so; if we have to fight, we may as well fight as hard as -we can. When we get it mounted we can put a few barrels along each -side of it, cover the whole over with a sailcloth, and stow one of the -gigs at the top of all. No one would have a suspicion that there was a -gun there then, and if we wanted to use it we could clear it in a -minute." - -"The Turkish custom-house officers will stare in the morning when they -see the brig gone," Miller said, "and will wonder what has become of -her." - -"If they think of her at all, Miller, they will think she has got up -sail at daylight and gone up the Bosphorus on her way to Varna or one -of the Black Sea ports." - -"It would require a good deal more breeze than there is now." - -"Yes, I did not think of that. Well, then, perhaps they will suppose -that we made a try to go up to the anchorage as soon as the day began -to break, but simply drifted back. You see another half a mile astern -would take us round that point there and out of sight of them. -However, we don't care much what they think. They are not likely to be -interested enough in the matter to bother themselves about it one way -or the other, and certainly not likely to do the only thing that would -be of any consequence to us, I mean send down a messenger to Gallipoli -telling them to overhaul us if we came down the straits. Now, then, -the watch on deck; the others turn in. I am sure, Mr. Beveridge, you -will be all the better for a quiet night's rest. You have certainly -not slept much for the last month, and you have been getting thinner -and thinner daily, while you have also long arrears in the way of food -to make up. It has been quite pitiful to see the faces of the Greeks -as you sent away plate after plate untouched." - -"I shall soon be myself again, Martyn, and even one good night's rest -will, I am sure, do wonders for me." - -"We have been getting quite uneasy about your father," Miller said as -he and Horace went up on deck for the middle watch. - -"Yes, he looks sadly broken down, Miller. Directly he had taken off -that beard I was quite shocked; he looks years older." - -"We have been really anxious about him. He would turn up three or four -times during the night watches and walk the deck for an hour or two -talking to one or other of us as if he could not stop alone in his -cabin. Neither Martyn nor I ever had the slightest idea of finding you -were alive when we got here, and still less of getting you out. But -when Tarleton proposed disguising the schooner and coming up, he -caught at the idea so eagerly that we fell in with it at once. It -seemed to us both rather a mad sort of business, but we should not -have cared what it was so that it would but rouse him up; for from the -time when we first got word that you had been taken to the Turks, till -Tarleton made that proposal at Tenedos, he had scarcely spoken a word. -He cheered up for an hour or two when Marco brought news that at any -rate you had not been killed at Ali Pasha's camp, but had been sent on -to Constantinople; but that lasted for a very short time, for he soon -saw that so far from improving your chances, it had lessened them. Ali -might have taken a handsome sum for your ransom, or your guards might -have been bribed; anyhow, there would have been a much better chance -of getting you away from his camp than from a prison in -Constantinople. - -"Of course we did all we could to cheer him, and, I am afraid, told -some awful crammers as to the easy job it would be to get you out. -Still, the plan did do him good. It gave him something to think about, -as at Athens we were constantly thinking of something or other that he -could go ashore and see about. Since we sailed from there he has been -in a sort of fever, walking restlessly about the deck, going down to -the cabin and coming up again twenty times every hour, worrying about -the wind, and complaining at the boat's loss of speed. He took to -Tarleton most, because he was nearest your age, I think. He talked to -him several times about you as a child, and seemed specially unhappy -because he had seen so little of you up to the time when he bought you -that first craft you had. The two Greeks were terribly concerned about -him. They are two fine fellows those. They were as gentle as women. -Well, it has been an anxious time for us all. Even the men have felt -for him, and it was quite curious to see how silent the ship became -when he was on deck. They seemed to speak almost in whispers, and I -have not heard a laugh forward from the hour that you and the doctor -were missed. I was glad he was taken with you, for he is a good -fellow, and it was a comfort to know that you were together." - -"It was a great pull," Horace agreed. "He was just the same all the -time as he is on board, quiet and slow in his talk, but with an -occasional gleam of humour. It has been rather hard on him, too, -because, from the day we first landed, there has always been someone -with us who could speak Greek, and it is very slow for a man sitting -listening to talk that he can't understand, waiting for bits to be -translated to him. Still, he never showed that he minded." - -"Yes, that must have been very annoying," Miller agreed, "especially -when the talk was about matters that concerned his life. It makes you -feel so helpless and baby-like to have everything managed for you and -to be able to do nothing yourself. I don't think he took kindly to -that Turkish dress. He slipped away and changed it before he had been -on board five minutes, while you kept yours on till you turned in for -a nap two hours ago." - -"I was comfortable enough, and never gave the clothes a thought after -I had worn them an hour or two," Horace laughed. "Of course one felt -very baggy about the legs, and I certainly should not like to go aloft -in the things. No wonder the Turks are such clumsy sailors with their -legs in bags like that; but I did notice that the doctor never seemed -to move about naturally. I expect if he could have talked away as I -did he would not have thought of them so much. The wind is heading us -a bit." - -"Yes, it is;" and Miller gave the orders for the sheets and braces to -be hauled aft. - -"I should not be surprised if it is in the south by morning." - -"That would be all the better, for then we could choose our own time -for getting off Gallipoli. We must get up all our sail when it is -daylight and make a show of doing our best; but when one is tacking -backwards and forwards one can always manage either to keep a little -off the wind or so close into it as pretty well to deaden one's way -through the water." - -Horace turned in at four o'clock, and an hour and a half later heard a -trampling of feet on deck, and knew that the watch was making sail. -When he went up at eight o'clock the wind was blowing briskly from the -south-east, and the schooner was making a long leg out from the land. -He was now able to see the set of the sails that had been bent on the -evening before. The lower sails were of the same size as the -schooner's original suit, and fitted her well. The upper sails -contained less than half the canvas of her old ones, but her spread -was sufficient to lay her over well and to send her through the water -at an encouraging rate of speed. - -"She is not going along so badly, is she, Horace?" Martyn asked. - -"No, indeed. Of course in a light wind the loss of all that upper -canvas will tell, but at present she is doing well enough for -anything, quite well enough for anything we are likely to meet." - -"We have been holding our own for the last two hours with that -felucca on the other tack, and we have been purposely sailing her a -good bit off the wind. We could overhaul her soon enough if we liked, -and most of those boats are fast; but we don't want to get along too -quickly. If the wind freshens any more I shall tow a sail alongside to -deaden her way a bit. I want to arrive off Gallipoli about half an -hour after sunset." - -Two of the broadside guns had just been brought up and put in -position, and by midday the other six and the pivot-gun were in place, -and the latter hidden by a screen of barrels and one of the gigs, -bottom upwards, laid over it. The decks had been scrubbed, but, as -Martyn said mournfully, it would take weeks to get them back to their -former colour. The ropes still hung slackly, and although the schooner -looked a good deal more ship-shape than when Horace had first seen her -on the previous day, she was still as untidy as the average of vessels -in Eastern waters. Her course was timed well, and the sun had already -sunk some time, when she dropped anchor a short distance outside the -craft lying off Gallipoli. - -"I see some of their ships of war have come up from below since we -passed three days ago. However, there is no fear of their sending a -boat off to-night," Martyn said as they gathered in the cabin for -dinner, "and they will naturally suppose that we anchored so far out -because we were going on down the straits the first thing in the -morning." - -Mr. Beveridge had remained in his berth all day. The reaction after -the long excitement and anxiety told severely upon him. Although he -had got up the first thing, he had been obliged to lie down again, -being too weak to stand. The doctor, however, told Horace that this -was only to be expected. - -"He will want a week's quiet and plenty of nourishment to set him on -his legs again. He has been fairly worn out. But there is no fever -about him, and we can trust the Greeks to feed him up. It is just as -well that he should keep perfectly quiet to-day and sleep as much as -he can. To-morrow I hope I shall be able to get him up on deck. Then -chatting with you and taking an interest in things will rouse him." - -At nine o'clock sail was again made and the anchor weighed. The wind -had gone down very much, and had veered round to the south, which -enabled them to lay their course through the greater part of the -straits. Two men were placed in the chains with lead-lines. The lights -were all extinguished, with the exception of the binnacle. The -tarpaulins were removed from the guns and the barrels and gig from -around the pivot-gun. The watch off duty was sent below, and two of -the keenest-eyed men on board placed as look-outs at the bow. The -European shore, which was comparatively high, could be made out as a -dark bank, but the Asiatic shore, which was low, could scarcely be -seen. The chart was laid on the cabin table, the port-holes having all -been carefully covered with curtains, and a tarpaulin laid over the -skylight. - -The men in the chains kept on taking soundings, Horace going backwards -and forwards between them and the quarterdeck with the news as to the -depth of water. Miller was in charge of the deck, while Martyn paid -frequent visits to the cabin to determine their position on the chart -according to the depth of the soundings. There was no fear of their -meeting with any craft until they approached the forts; but in the -darkness it was necessary to be very careful, as the water was shallow -on the eastern side, and were they to run on to a shoal, going as they -were with the force of the current, there would be little chance of -getting off again, unless by lightening the ship. There was just wind -enough to give her steerage-way. Men were stationed in readiness to -let go the anchor instantly, should it be necessary; while ten men, in -the longboat, paddled gently ahead of her, just keeping a tow-rope -taut in readiness to tow her instantly in any direction that might be -required. None of them were acquainted with the set of the current, -and Martyn had only the depth of water and the dim outline of the -banks to direct his course by. Several times, when the water shoaled, -the crew of the boat were directed to row vigorously in the direction -of the right bank; and once or twice there were but a few feet under -the keel, and a keen feeling of anxiety was experienced on board -until the leads-man announced that the water was deepening. At last, -according to Martyn's calculations they could not be far away from the -formidable forts. - -The boat was directed to fall astern and hang on to the rope, in -readiness either to come on board or to carry out any orders that -might be given. The crew on deck were told to take axes and -capstan-bars, so that should they drive down against one of the -Turkish ships they could fend the schooner off as much as possible, or -cut away any rope that might catch. They were directed to stand -perfectly still, and not a word was to be spoken whatever happened. -The greatest danger lay in the fact that most of the ships of war were -lying above the forts, and that, consequently, should an alarm be -given by them, the gunners at the batteries would be in readiness to -pour in their fire upon her as she passed. - -"The ground to our right looks much higher than it did, Miller. I -think we must have been drifting a good deal over towards that side." - -"I think so too," Miller agreed. "I have been fancying that we were -getting over that way ever since we stopped sounding." - -"At any rate we must take our chance," Martyn said. "I daren't sound -again; the splash would attract attention half a mile away on a quiet -night like this. Besides, we could not tow her the other way now; we -must take our chance. It is not likely they are keeping much of a -look-out on board. We might pass within twenty yards of a vessel -without being noticed on such a night as this. I will stay at the -helm, Miller. Her sails are still full, and we have got steerage-way. -Do you go up into the bow. Let two of the men take their boots off, -and if they make out anything ahead, let one of them run to me like -lightning with orders whether to port or starboard the helm." - -The conversation was carried on in the lowest tone. Miller stole -lightly forward; Tarleton and Horace were already there, one on each -bow, straining their eyes into the darkness. - -"We are a long way over on this side, Miller, I don't believe that -high ground over there is more than two or three hundred yards away." - -"That is just what I have been saying, Tarleton. The current must have -set us across tremendously. Martyn is at the helm, and you see we are -heading off that shore, but I don't think we are going more than a -couple of knots through the water." - -In five minutes Tarleton whispered: - -"I think there is something dark just over the cathead." - -At the same moment Horace stepped from the other side. - -"There is a ship a short way ahead, Miller, unless I am mistaken." - -"By Jove, so there is!" Miller said, looking out. "We shall never be -able to clear her with the current taking us down." - -He had kicked off his own shoes when he reached the bow, thinking it -better himself to carry any message. - -"Port your helm, Martyn," he said as he ran up. "There are two craft -ahead, and we can never clear the outside one in this current. Our -only chance is to run between them." - -Martyn had jammed the helm down as Miller spoke. - -"Keep it there," Martyn said to the helmsman, and sprang to the -bulwark to look out himself. "That is enough," he said; "straighten -her now, just as she is. You con her from the other side, Miller." - -All on board saw the two vessels now. By their height and bulk they -were evidently large frigates or men-of-war. They were not fifty yards -away, and were about the same distance apart. Martyn pulled off his -jacket and threw it over the binnacle, as its light would have been at -once noticed by anyone looking down from the lofty hulls. Noiselessly -the schooner passed into the gap between the ships; not the slightest -sound was heard from her decks. The two officers looked anxiously up -at the sails, for had one of these flapped, or a block rattled, the -sleepiest look-out must have noticed it. The silence on the decks of -the Turkish ships was as profound as that on the schooner. Rapidly -the latter slid between them, the current taking her along faster than -the wind. A minute more and she was beyond them; still no hail was -heard. Another minute and they loomed dark and indistinct behind her. - -"Thank God for that!" Miller said in a whisper as he crossed the deck -to Martyn. - -"Yes, indeed; it was touch and go. I expect they have only an anchor -watch. Most likely they are asleep; they would know that nothing could -come up the straits with this light breeze. I think, Miller, those are -the two eighty-gun ships we noticed as we came up. They were moored a -good bit outside the others; in which case we have a clear course -before us." - -"Yes; I have no doubt those are the two," Miller agreed. - -"Now we have only the forts; they are about a quarter of a mile -further down. Go forward, please, and tell the men not to move till -they get orders." - -Another quarter of an hour passed, and Martyn felt sure that they were -now well beyond the forts. For a few minutes longer he held on, and -then passed the word along the deck that the danger was over. Now that -they knew their exact position there was no longer any occasion for -sounding. The men in the boat were called up, and the watch off duty -ordered below, and when morning broke the land was far behind them. A -brisk wind had sprung up from the south-east, and the vessel was just -able to lay her course for Athens. - -The doctor had remained below during their passage through the -straits. - -"I should only have been in the way if I had been on deck," he said -when Horace chaffed him for taking matters so easily. "When a man can -do no good, it is always better for him to get out of the way; and -after all there is no great pleasure in standing for hours afraid to -move, and without any duty to perform; so I just chatted for a bit -with your father, and directly I saw the sleeping draught I had given -him was beginning to take effect I turned in myself, and had as -comfortable a sleep as ever I had in my life. After sleeping on sofas -for three weeks, in that heathen sort of way, it was a comfort to get -between sheets again." - -"Well, but you went to bed the night before, doctor?" - -"That was so," the doctor agreed. "But a good thing is just as good -the second time as it is the first--better, perhaps. The first time -the novelty of a thing prevents you altogether enjoying it. I knew -very well that if we ran into any of the Turkish ships, or the forts -opened fire at us, I was like to hear it plainly enough." - -"And would you have lain there then, doctor?" - -"No, lad. I would have had my duties to perform; and I would have -dressed and gone into the main deck at once, with my instruments ready -to do anything I could for those that required it." - -"Have you seen my father this morning, doctor?" - -"Yes; and I am glad to say that he is all the better for his two -nights' sleep. His pulse is stronger, and I shall get him up here -after breakfast. The news that we were fairly out to sea, and that all -danger was over, was better for him than any medicine. Well, lad, we -did not think eight-and-forty hours ago that we would be racing down -the Ęgean again, on board the _Misericordia_, by this time. We have -had a wonderful escape of it altogether, and I would not like to go -through it again for enough money to set me up for life in Scotland. -When we were on board that Turkish brig, on our way to Constantinople, -I would not have given a bawbee for our chances." - -When they arrived at Athens the Greek sailors who had personated Turks -were landed. Mr. Beveridge was unequal to the exertion of going -ashore; but day after day he was visited by politicians, military -leaders, and others. After a fortnight spent there, Dr. Macfarlane -said to him: - -"It is no use, sir, my giving you medicines and trying to build you -up, if you are going on as you are now doing. You are losing -strength, man, instead of gaining it. Each morning you seem a little -better; each evening you are fagged and worn out by these importunate -beggars. I can see that it worries and dispirits you. It is all very -good to wish well to Greece, Mr. Beveridge; but unless you have a -desire to be buried in Greek soil, the sooner you are out of this the -better. It is not so much change of air as change of thought that you -require. Go anywhere, so that it is to some place where you will never -hear the name of Greece." - -"I think you are right, doctor. The worry and disappointment has, I -know, been telling on me for months. Yes, I will definitely decide to -go away, at any rate for a time. Will you ask Captain Martyn to come -down?" - -"Captain Martyn," he went on when the latter entered the cabin, "the -doctor tells me I must absolutely get away from here." - -"I am quite sure that he is right, sir. You have been gradually -wearing yourself out ever since you came here." - -"I think we will go back to England in the first place, Martyn. I have -no doubt more bracing air will do me good. Then we can see how events -go on here." - -"Very well, sir. I think we shall be all heartily glad to be on our -way back." - -"You had better go ashore at once, Martyn. Take Horace with you, and -go to my agents. You know they have always kept the papers in -readiness for a re-sale of the vessel back to me. Go with them to the -consulate and have the sale formally registered. I will write a note -for you to take to my agent." - -Ten minutes later the gig took Martyn and Horace ashore. They returned -four hours later. There was a little move of excitement among the crew -as they stepped on deck again, for through the Greeks, who had heard -the news from Mr. Beveridge, it had spread forward. On reaching the -deck Martyn went to the signal locker. "Now, Miller," he said, "down -with that flag." - -The Greek flag fluttered down from the peak, and as the British ensign -was run up in its place Martyn took off his cap and shouted: "Three -cheers for the old flag, lads!" and the shout, given with all the -strength of the lungs of officers and crew, showed how hearty was the -pleasure that was felt at the change. As soon as the cheers had -subsided orders were given to get down the awnings and prepare to make -sail. In a few minutes the clank of the anchor chain was heard, and by -the evening the schooner was running down past the shores of the -Morea. - -A month later they anchored in Portsmouth. Here half the crew were -paid off, and as during their absence from England they had had but -small opportunities of spending money, they had nearly two years' pay -coming to them, together with £30 a head, being their share of the -prize-money. The remainder of the crew also received their pay and -prize-money and two months' leave of absence. Mr. Beveridge and Horace -had had many discussions on the subject, and it had been agreed that -the _Misericordia_ (now again, since she re-hoisted the English flag, -the _Creole_) should for a time be kept up as a yacht, with a -complement of two officers and twenty men. Martyn, having been -consulted, had chatted the matter over with Miller and Tarleton. -Although both these had enjoyed their trip greatly, and had made a -comfortable sum in pay and prize-money, both preferred to return to -the Royal Navy, if they could do so, rather than remain in a yacht; -and Mr. Beveridge promised to use his influence as soon as he returned -to get them appointed to ships. This promise he was able to fulfil a -few weeks after his arrival at home. - -For home cruising as a yacht, Martyn considered that Tom Burdett would -be sufficient for him. If she again went out to Greece there would be -no difficulty in obtaining other officers and making up the crew to -its full strength. Portsmouth had been chosen instead of Plymouth as -their point of arrival, because from there Mr. Beveridge could much -more easily get up to town, Dr. Macfarlane insisting that he should go -up to obtain the best medical advice. - -"But there is nothing the matter with me," Mr. Beveridge had urged. - -"That is just it, sir. If you had anything the matter with you I might -have a chance of curing it. It is because I can't see any reason why -you do not gain strength that I want other opinion about you." - -The doctor had frequently talked it over with Horace during the -voyage. - -"I can see nothing bodily the matter with your father, Horace. I wish -I could. There is nothing to account for his being in this feeble -state. All that he says is that he feels tired. My opinion is that -really this is a sort of reaction after mental excitement, just as -there is reaction after great bodily fatigue. Your father has lived a -smooth, easy, tranquil life, and the change, the excitement, the -worry, and his utter disappointment with the Greeks themselves, have -had the same sort of effect upon him as a climb up to the top of Ben -Nevis might have on a man who did not stir out of his house for months -together. As for that being the cause I have no doubt whatever. It is -as to the cure that I want to consult with some big-wig. I don't know -whether quiet or movement would be the best for him. He could have had -no quiet more complete than that he has had on the way home, and yet -it has done him no good. If he were to go down home the inducement to -arouse himself would be still less. But what sort of change would -really suit him is more than I can say." - -Horace thoroughly agreed with the doctor. If even the cheerful society -on board the yacht did not rouse his father, he dreaded what it would -be when he was at home, with no one to stir him up in any way. There -were two or three consultations in town with some of the leaders of -the profession. After hearing the whole circumstances they were -unanimous in agreeing that there seemed no serious disease of any -kind, but at the same time his condition gave cause of anxiety. - -"Your patient is evidently a man of highly nervous organization, and -at present his nerves are a wreck. We quite agree with you that were -he to go down to a lonely house in the country he would probably sink -into the grave in a few months at the outside. If you could get him to -go in that yacht of his on some expedition in which he feels what I -may call a healthy interest, it might do him good. I should say a cold -climate would be better for him than a warm one. He has had more than -enough of that enervating work in Greek waters. Try and interest him -in Polar expeditions. There have been a great many of them just -lately. Ross and Parry and Franklin have all been trying their best to -find the North-west Passage, which is not likely to be of any good if -they do find it; but that is nothing to the point. Get him interested -in the matter, and let him go and poke about for a bit among the -icebergs. If you can get him to do that we see no reason why in time -his mind should not recover its tone." - -The matter had to be done cautiously. Horace professed a vast interest -in the recent expeditions; the doctor was full of interesting facts, -and little by little they kindled an interest on the subject in Mr. -Beveridge's mind; and when Horace broke out one day, as if the idea -had only just struck him, "My dear father, why shouldn't we go up -north in the yacht for a few months and become explorers? It would be -glorious to see the icebergs and to shoot bears and seals, and would -be a splendid change for us all. I am sure you would find it -frightfully dull going back to Seaport,"--he did not entirely -repudiate the idea, but said that he should not like to go away when -things were looking so dark for Greece. Fortunately, a week later the -news came that all the immense preparations the Sultan had been making -for an invasion of Greece with a great army had been arrested by a -tremendous fire, supposed to be the work of the janissaries, who did -not like the prospect of leaving Constantinople. The fire had -destroyed all the vast stores collected, the artillery, -baggage-trains, and munitions of war of all kinds, and it was probable -that at least a year would pass before a fresh effort could be made. - -This news evidently relieved Mr. Beveridge's mind, and when Horace, -backed by Macfarlane, returned to the charge, he at once consented. -Martyn was written to by Horace the same day. He at once came up to -town, and saw some of the officers who had been out with Franklin and -Parry. Returning to Plymouth, where the _Creole_ was lying, a body of -shipwrights were at once set to work to strengthen her by a network of -timber below, and to sheath her with thick planking outside. The -captain of a whaler was engaged as first officer. He was to come on -board at Dundee, and to bring with him twelve picked hands accustomed -to the Polar Seas. With great exertion the schooner was got ready in a -month. - -By this time the enthusiasm expressed by Horace and the doctor in the -matter had infected Mr. Beveridge, who read up everything that had -been written on the subject, and was visibly very much better by the -time they went down with him to Portsmouth to join the _Creole_ there. -They were away from England eighteen months. They made no discoveries -of the slightest importance, but they had numerous exciting -adventures, had many narrow escapes of being nipped by icebergs, and -passed a winter frozen up in Baffin's Bay. The voyage achieved the -object for which it was undertaken. The subject of Greece was a -forbidden one, and Mr. Beveridge came to take a lively interest in the -new scenes with which he was surrounded, joined in the hunting -parties, took a prominent part in all the amusements got up for -keeping the crew in good spirits and health through the winter, and -returned to England a more healthy and vigorous man than Horace had -ever before seen him. The _Creole_ had taken out with her barrels and -all other appurtenances for whaling, and having been fairly successful -in that way, returned with sufficient oil and seal-skins to pay the -greater part of her expenses. - -"I feel another man, Horace, to what I was when I started," Mr. -Beveridge said as he stepped ashore at Plymouth. - -"You look a different man, father--a different man altogether to what -you have been since I first remember you. I don't suppose you have -grown, but you are so much more upright that you look as if you had, -and you walk differently, and even your voice seems changed. Now, you -know, you must not go back again." - -"I don't mean to, my boy. It seems to me that I have thrown away -twenty years of my life, and what there is remaining to me shall be -spent differently. Now we have got a long arrear of news to get up." - -Horace felt at first uneasy when his father obtained a complete file -of the newspapers from the time they had left England, and read up the -history of affairs in Greece. There was, however, little to learn. Two -civil wars had taken place, some large loans had been raised in -England, but had been entirely frittered away and wasted; and when in -June, 1824, the Turkish fleet had at last sailed, the Greeks had been -as unprepared for resistance as they were when they first took up -arms. Kasos and Psara had both been captured and their inhabitants -either massacred or carried away into slavery, while the sailors of -Hydra and Spetzas had not moved a hand to succour their countrymen. - -Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt had sent an army to Greece, and had besieged -Navarino and Pylos. The Greek army had advanced to relieve them, but -being attacked by half their number of Egyptian troops were routed -without the least difficulty at Krommydi. They were beaten again at -Sphakteria, and Pylos and Navarino were forced to surrender; the -Egyptians observing faithfully the terms they granted, and allowing -the garrisons to depart in neutral ships. Dikaios was defeated and -killed at Maniaki, having been deserted by all his troops but fifteen -hundred. These fought splendidly although attacked by six thousand -men. A thousand of them died on the field after having killed four -hundred of their assailants. This was by far the most gallant affair -throughout the war. Kolokotronis assembled ten thousand men, but was -defeated with the greatest ease with the loss of over two hundred men, -most of whom were killed in their flight. - -When the _Creole_ returned to England the siege of Missolonghi had -begun. Reshid Pasha's army, ten thousand strong, sat down before it. -It was defended with extreme gallantry and resisted for many months, -while the rest of Greece did little to assist it. After six months' -siege Reshid retired, being straitened for provisions and suffering -from the vigorous sorties of the besieged; but in a short time Ibrahim -arrived with his army and again besieged the place; throwing up -formidable batteries and works against it. Several times terms were -offered to the garrison, but were contemptuously refused, and several -attacks were beaten off with great loss. At last the provisions were -absolutely exhausted. - -The brave defenders of the town resolved upon a step almost unexampled -in history, namely, that the whole of the men should sally out, -placing the women and children in their centre, and cut their way -through the enemy. There were still nine thousand persons in the town, -of whom only three thousand were men capable of bearing arms, two -thousand men, women, and children were too weak from starvation and -disease to join the movement; the rest were divided into three -divisions. Most of the women dressed themselves in men's clothing and -carried arms, and even the children had loaded pistols. Unfortunately -the Turks had been informed by a deserter that the attempt was about -to be made. - -The three divisions, in spite of the opposition of the Turks, attacked -with such fury that they made their way through the lines of the -enemy; but the people of Missolonghi itself, who were to form the -fourth division and follow the others, were seized with a panic and -fell back into the town. Had the Greeks outside fulfilled their -promise, and moved forward a body of troops stationed a short distance -away to receive the defenders of the place when they reached the open -country, all the rest would have been saved; but instead of the -fifteen hundred who were to have met them, but fifty were there. The -Turkish cavalry and the Albanians harassed and cut them up, and even -those who gained the shelter of the hills received no assistance from -the irregulars, and many perished from hunger and disease, and -finally only fifteen hundred escaped. The soldiers left behind in -Missolonghi either by wounds or sickness intrenched themselves in -stone buildings, and there defended themselves till the last, blowing -up the magazines and dying in the ruins when they could no longer hold -out. Four thousand Greeks were killed, three thousand were taken -prisoners, chiefly women and children, and two thousand altogether -escaped. The Acropolis of Athens resisted stoutly for a long time, but -at last fell. The Greeks were defeated in almost every action upon -which they entered, and affairs went from bad to worse, until the -European governments at last determined to interfere; and their united -fleets destroyed that of the Turks at the battle of Navarino, and -forced Turkey to grant the independence of Greece. - -As these events happened Mr. Beveridge followed their course with -interest, but it was only with the interest shown by Englishmen in -general. His personal feeling in the matter had entirely left him. -During the last four years of the struggle there was no sign whatever -that misfortune and disaster had had any effect in inducing the Greeks -to lay aside their personal jealousies and ambitions, or to make any -common effort against the enemy. The large sums they had received from -the loans raised for the most part in England were spent in the most -unworthy uses. They covered their uniforms with gold lace, and the -dress of the men on foot often cost fifty pounds; those of horsemen -ten times that amount. They affected all through to despise the Turks, -and yet, except the fifteen hundred men under Dikaios and the -defenders of Missolonghi, they never once opposed anything like an -obstinate resistance to them, and the last show of resistance was -almost crushed out when the intervention of Europe saved them. - -The _Creole_ had been laid up after her return from the Arctic Seas. -Mr. Beveridge had purchased a large share in a fine East Indiaman, -making the proviso that Martyn should be appointed to the command, he -himself buying a share in her with the money he had earned during the -four years' service on board the schooner. Mr. Beveridge had, to the -immense satisfaction of his aunt, Mrs. Fordyce, entirely abandoned the -study of Greek, devoted himself to the affairs of his estate, became -an active magistrate, and had, three years after his return, stood for -Parliament as member for the county, and had won the seat. Horace was -twenty when they returned from the north. He had a long talk with his -father as to his future prospects and career. He was too old now to -take up the thread of his studies again or to go to the university, -and he finally determined, at the advice of his father, to study for -the bar. - -"You will never have any occasion to practise, Horace, but a few -months every year in London will make a pleasant change for you; and -as you may look to be a county magistrate some day you will find a -knowledge of the law very useful to you. You will be in London five or -six months every year, then you will have your shooting and hunting in -the winter, and we will have two or three months' cruise together in -the _Creole_. I find that our expedition in Greece cost me, one way -and another, just fifteen thousand pounds, which is a good deal less -than I should have thrown away if it had not been for your advice. I -hear that it is likely that Sir James Hobhouse's estate will be in the -market before long, and I think, as it almost adjoins ours, I shall -buy it. I fancy that I shall get it for about thirty thousand pounds. -That I should settle on you at once. I am not fifty yet, and feel that -I have more life in me than I ever had, and I don't want you to be -waiting another twenty or thirty years to step into my shoes. Its -management will be an occupation for you, and then you can marry -whenever you feel inclined." - -This happened four years later; it arose out of a meeting at a dinner -party in London. Horace had taken down a very pretty girl to whom he -had just been introduced. He thought that she looked at him rather -curiously when his name was mentioned. They chatted on all sorts of -subjects during dinner, and when the ladies arose to go she said: -"Please find me out when you come upstairs. I have a question I -particularly want to ask you, but I could not very well do it here. -Please do not forget, for it is important." A good deal puzzled Horace -made his way upstairs as soon as he could and saw that the girl was -with another lady sitting in a quiet corner of the drawing-room. He -crossed to them at once. "Mother," the young lady said, "this is Mr. -Beveridge." - -"You are right, Ada," the lady said, rising and holding out her hand, -"I recognize him at once now I see him. Oh, Mr. Beveridge, you do not -know how we have longed to see you again, and you don't know us, do -you?" - -"No, I can't say that I do, madam," Horace replied, more and more -astonished. - -"I am the lady you saved from being sold as a slave at Algiers when -you captured the ship we were in off the coast of Asia Minor. This is -my daughter. No wonder you don't remember us for I was a -strange-looking creature in that Greek dress, and Ada was but a -child." - -"I remember you now, Mrs. Herbert," Horace exclaimed. "I ought to have -done so before, as we were four or five days on board together." - -"You must have thought us so ungrateful," Mrs. Herbert said; "but we -were not so; we never knew where to write to when you were out in -Greece. Then two or three years afterwards we heard from someone who -had been out there that you had returned, and my husband, who left -Smyrna and came back to England after we got back, made all sorts of -inquiries, and found out at last that you had gone away again on an -Arctic expedition. Then he went out to Malta, where we have been -living for the last three years, and only returned a month ago to -England. My husband had to return to Smyrna; he had large business -connections there that could not be broken off suddenly. Nothing could -induce me ever to return there, but it was an easy run for him to -Malta, and he was able to come and stay with us for a week or so every -two or three months. For the last year he was training the son of the -senior partner of the house to take his place at Smyrna, and he -himself has now come back altogether, as Mr. Hamblyn has now retired, -and he is the head of the firm. He is not here to-night, but will be -delighted to hear that we have found you." - -"We have been back three years," Horace said. - -"Of course we did not know that you were in England. It has been a -great grief to us. It seemed so extraordinary that after being saved -by you from the most awful of all fates you should have disappeared -out of our life as suddenly as you came into it. Of course it was not -much to you--you who saved so many hundreds, we heard afterwards -thousands of women and girls from slavery; but to us it was -everything. And your father, Mr. Beveridge, is he quite well?" - -"Yes, he is far better than I have ever known him to be. I am going -down next week to help him; he is going to stand for our part of the -county for Parliament. There is a vacancy there, and I fancy that he -has a very good chance." - -"Is he, indeed? He did not give me the idea of being a man who would -have cared for that sort of thing. Of course we only saw him just for -those four days." - -"I am happy to say that he has changed very much since then. He came -home very ill from Greece, but our eighteen months among the ice -entirely set him up and made a new man of him. I am sure he will be -very pleased when he hears that I have met you. And did you recognize -me at once, Miss Herbert?" - -"The name helped me," the girl said. "When I heard it I felt sure it -was you at once. It was very hard work sitting there talking to you as -if you were a stranger." - -"Why did you not tell me at once?" Horace asked smiling. - -She did not answer, but her mother said for her: "You can't tell how -we felt about you and your father, Mr. Beveridge, or you would not ask -the question. The chances are that if Ada had told you who she was she -would have burst out crying. She told me it was as much as she could -do to restrain herself; and I think we have both had a quiet cry in -this corner since we came upstairs. Now, please give me your address -in town?" - -"I have chambers in Mitre Court Temple, No. 3." - -"My husband will call to see you the first thing in the morning, I am -sure. Mr. Beveridge and you must dine with us quietly to-morrow, so -that we can talk it all over. You are not, I hope, engaged." - -Horace was not engaged, but if he had been he would probably have -thrown it over. - -Under these circumstances it was not very much to wonder at that a few -months later the _Morning Post_ contained this announcement:--"We -understand that a marriage has been arranged between Mr. Horace -Beveridge, the son of Mr. H. Beveridge, M. P., and Ada, only child of -Mr. Herbert, of Bedford Square, the head of the firm of Herbert & -Sandeson, the well-known firm of Levant merchants. We understand the -acquaintance of Mr. Beveridge with the young lady he is now about to -lead to the altar commenced under singularly romantic circumstances in -the Levant six years ago." - -On the day after their marriage Horace and his wife sailed to spend -their honeymoon among the fiords of Norway and in the Baltic on board -the _Creole_. She was commanded by Miller, whose ship had been paid -off a month previously, and Tarleton, whose frigate belonged to the -Channel squadron, obtained three months' leave to sail in her as first -officer. Macfarlane was with them for a fortnight, not being able to -get away for a longer time from the practice in which he had purchased -a partnership at Plymouth. Tom Burdett went, of course, in his old -capacity; but this was his last trip in her though he long remained -the commander of the _Surf_, which was always kept in commission at -Seaport, and in which Horace's boys and girls learned to love the sea -as much as did their father. - - -THE END - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In Greek Waters, by G. A. 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