In Greek Waters

ipper of the English brig had given as to their taking their station near the souther

r our not having seen a single craft flying the Turkish flag. Well

and he then told them what the captain had said abo

than twenty-four hours getting there, and we might pick up a lot of fugitives in hiding and p

he way you did, it seems almost like a call t

s, it is no great loss of time anyhow

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

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

ietly along the coast, keeping a sharp look-out with their glasses on the shore. They passed several villages and could

ll Mussulman villages

at 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 t

ry good plan, I thi

ft 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 beyon

small gig, Mr. Tarleton; take four hands, row off, and pick him up. You ha

wed in the direction of the swimmer, the vessel being again thrown u

him, Horace

head as it is now I shall make him out before long." Three or

mer was alongside. He was a

in some alarm, as he looked at the uniform

e are all English. We heard that there was some troubl

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 broug

all to be of any use; besides, we must send a stronger crew. No doubt

inutes they were on board. Horace lent the young Greek some of his clothes, and the

eabouts they

e of the point; but th

aid when, having got within three hundre

ough the wood, and if the poor beggars heard them they would not dare show themselves. No

e, and their crews mustered to quarters, whil

re his friends are hiding. Don't stop to fire as you make

s before five or six musket shots were fire

bushes was torn up with a shower of grape. "Give the next gun more elevation, boatswain. Send the

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

ROUND," SAID

es: "You had better prepare some soup, Zaimes, as quickly

pressions 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

from the villages round. There are some rich men among them, and th

men are be

boy replied. "I should th

r the last three days? The pla

f the houses, but there were too many Turks about. I was near enough to h

the place fr

shore, but it is not more than fo

ere an

ds from the mountain village

p to climb from

on foot. Donkeys and m

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

e 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. Mar

et hold of," Will Martyn said. "We had b

e knew of several paths from the

ce is this village?"

rouble in Greece began, the people have been frightened, and have built a wall five or six feet high round the village, and the C

h ground roun

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

e us to get up from th

our, but it takes three ho

se to the point where one of thes

could do t

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 wit

he same time, when we know that there are so many lives a

m sure we are all glad that you have decided so. The next

aid. "I am not going to allow others to

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 tha

e must certainly be ready to get up our

ke, 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

ne must stay on board, and if you are going I must take the command in your absence. Ten men will be quite en

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. I

y 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 mu

e 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 hea

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 office

veridge, 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

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

n 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 s

ugh for them to take shelter in. In a short time they all arrived at the spot. The bushes were

e village. I don't suppose we shall see much, but we may be able to make out wheth

ork, as your men are, I found that climb almost too much for me; and hot as I have been,

y this last bit, Mr. Bever

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 v

guide said, pointing down t

econd or so later by a report, shot out fr

not to be caught napping. Now the point is, which is our b

rom the village to the foot of the hill, and a ravine runs some distance up there. If we c

the side of the hill to

stones in motion and so calling the attention of the enemy. The hillside i

be a great thing to be able to take them by

is the getting out, not the getting in, that

ask him if this part we are standing on goes straight dow

put the questi

ees grow up for some distance-about

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 w

be a very good pla

, bring Mr. Tarleton and the men up. Tell them to move

shelter, they were already feeling very chilled, and were pleased to be in motion again. T

ght 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

s,

you or wait here?

r. There won't be any time for you to be dr

n who had landed with him,

h 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

. 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

usted. "I did not reckon on this sort of thing, Captain Ma

nes 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

ht 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

light enough to make their way through the trees without difficulty. Then t

pect there will be any serious resistance, but, at any rate, don't straggle. Of course we don't want any

un 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 behin

, lads!" Ma

ying 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 r

ide, 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 ejacul