the good cause, in good and lawful money of Great Britain, &c. &c. &c. May you live a thousand years! which is 999 longer than the Spanish Cortes' Constitution."

When the supplies were procured, and his other preparations made for departure, two Ionian vessels were hired, and embarking his horses and effects, his Lordship sailed from Argostoli on the 29th of December. Anchoring at Zante the same evening, the whole of the following day was occupied in making his pecuniary arrangements with Mr. and after receiving a

quantity of specie on board, he proceeded towards Messolonghi. Two accidents occurred on this short passage, which might have been attended with very serious consequences. Count Gamba, an intimate friend who had accompanied his Lordship from Leghorn, had been charged with the vessel in which the horses and part of the money were embarked: when off Chiarenza, a point which lies between Zante and the place of their destination, they were surprised at day-light on finding themselves under the bows of a Turkish frigate. Owing, however, to the activity displayed on board Lord Byron's vessel, and her superior sailing, she escaped, while the second was fired at, brought to, and carried into Patras. Gamba and his companions, being taken before Yusuff Pasha, fully expected to share the fate of the unfortunate men whom that sanguinary chief sacrificed last year at Prevesa, though also taken under the Ionian flag; and their fears would most probably have been realized, had it not been for the presence of mind displayed by the Count. Aware that nothing but

stratagem and effrontery could save him, he no sooner saw himself in the Pasha's power, than assuming an air of hauteur and indifference, he accused the captain of the frigate of a scandalous breach of neutrality, in firing at and detaining a vessel under English colours, and concluded by informing Yusuff, that he might expect the vengeance of the British Government in thus interrupting a nobleman who was merely on his travels, and bound to Calamos!* Whether the Turkish chief believed Gamba's story, or being aware of the real state of the case, did not wish to proceed to extremities, he not only consented to the vessel's release, but treated the whole party with the utmost attenion, and even urged them to take a day's shooting in the neighbourhood. Count Gamba gladly availed himself of these unexpected hospitalities, and sailing the next day, passed over to Messolonghi, where, to his great surprise, Lord Byron had not yet arrived.

* The treatment of Gamba and the crew, while on board the Turkish ship of war, was scarcely less courteous than that which they experienced on landing. This arose from a very singular coincidence. On their first mounting the frigate's deck, the captain gave orders to put them all in irons, and might have proceeded to further extremities, when the master of the vessel went up to him, and asked " whether he did not recollect Spiro, who had saved his life in the Black Sea fifteen years before?" Upon which the Turk, looking stedfastly at him for a few moments, exclaimed-"What! can it be Spiro?" and springing forward, embraced his former deliverer with the greatest transport. This unlooked-for reception was followed by a promise that every effort would be made to obtain his speedy liberation on their arrival at Patras.

Owing to the wind's becoming contrary, Lord Byron's vessel took shelter at the Scrofes, a cluster of rocks within a few miles of Messolonghi; but as this place afforded no means of defence in the event of an attack, it was thought adviseable to remove to Dagromestre, where every preparation in their power was made, should any of the enemy's ships pursue them.

Having remained three days at Dagromestre, the wind came round and allowed his Lordship once more to set sail. On hearing what had happened, Prince Mavrocordatos despatched a gun-boat to accompany his Lordship's vessel; while a portion of the Greek squadron, stationed at Messolonghi, were also ordered to cruize in the offing, and prevent the Turkish vessels from approaching the coast. One of these coming up, the captain sent a boat on board, inviting his Lordship to make the remainder of his voyage on board of his ship; this offer was, however, declined. As if the whole voyage was destined to be ominous of some future calamity, the vessel had not proceeded many miles before she grounded on a shoal near the Scrofes, and would probably have remained there, had it not been for the activity of his Lordship's attendants, who jumped into the water and assisted to push the vessel off; whilst their master urged the captain and crew to exert themselves, instead of invoking the Saints, as is customary with Greek sailors on such occasions.* As the

* His Lordship is described by his physician as conducting himself with admirable coolness. We will give the anecdote in his

coast.

wind continued to blow directly against their getting to Messolonghi, the vessel was again anchored between two of the numerous islets which line this part of the Several gun-boats having arrived early the following morning, despatched from Messolonghi to accompany his Lordship, and assist him if required; the vessel accordingly sailed, but was forced to anchor in the evening, nor did she reach the town before the following day.

We can, however, give Lord Byron's account of his situation on the Scrofes, which we find in a hasty letter written on board the Cephaloniote vessel in which he sailed from Argostoli.

"We are just arrived here (the letter is dated 31st Dec. 1823), that is, part of my people and I, with some things,

own words: "Ma nel di lui passaggio marittimo una fregata Turca insegui la di lui nave, obligandola di ricoverarsi dentro le Scrofes, dove per l'impeto dei venti fù gettata sopra i scogli: tutti i marinari e' l'equipaggio saltarono a terra per salvare la loro vita: Milord solo col di lui Medico Dottr. Bruno rimasero sulla nave che ognuno vedeva colare a fondo: ma dopo qualche tempo non essendosi visto che ciò avveniva, le persone fuggite a terra respinsero la nave nell' acque: ma il tempestoso mare la ribastò una secondo volta contro i scogli, ed allora si aveva per certo che la nave coll' illustre personaggio, una gran quantità di denari, e molti preziosi effetti per i Greci anderebbero a fondo: Tuttavia Lord Byron non si perturbò per nulla, anzi disse al di lui medico che voleva gettarsi al nuoto onde raggiongere la spiaggia: 'non abbandonate la nave finchè abbiamo forze per direggerla; allorchè saremo coperti dall' acque, allora gettatevi pure, che io vi salvo.””

&c., and which it may be as well not to specify in a letter (which has a risk of being intercepted): but Gamba, and my horses, negro, steward, and the press and all the committee things-also some eight thousand dollars of mine (but never mind, we have more left-do you understand?)* are taken by the Turkish frigate-and my party and myself in another boat, have had a narrow escape last night (being close under their stern and hailed, but we would not answer and hove away) as well as this morning. Here we are with snow and blowing weather, within a pretty little port enough; but whether our Turkish friends may not send in their boats and take us out (for we have no arms except two carbines and some pistols-and-I suspect-not more than four fighting people on board), is another question-especially if we remain long here-since we are blockaded out of Messolonghi by the direct entrance. You had better send my friend George Drako, and a body of Suliotes to escort us by land or by the canals, with all convenient speed. Gamba and all on board are taken into Patras, I suppose-and we must have a turn at the Turks to get them out; but where the devil is the fleet gone? the Greek I mean, leaving us to get in without the least intimation to take heed that the Moslems were out again. Make my respects to Mavrocordatos and say, that I am here at his disposal. I am uneasy at being here, not so much on my own account, as on that of the Greek boy with me-for you know what his fate would be--and I would sooner cut him in pieces and myself, than have him taken out by those barbarians."

* He wished to convey that he had these 8000 dollars with him in his present awkward situation.