“I see the smugglers.  Don’t look!”

But it came so suddenly upon her that she could not restrain the temptation of seeing them, and the impression of their malignant looks had a lasting effect on her.  When they reached the boat, the gentleman who had boarded her on arrival was there.  He drew the captain aside, and whispered that he was being shadowed, and urged that a double watch be kept at the entrance to the cabin.  As a matter of policy the captain assumed an air of defiance.  He promised a sanguinary reception for them if they attempted to come near his vessel, and he believes to this day that this alone was the means of preventing an attack.

Next morning orders were brought off, and no time was lost in weighing anchor and clearing out, and he has never visited the place since.

A Pasha before Plevna

The Eastern Question was ablaze.  Mr. Gladstone had published his “bag and baggage” pamphlet, and made his Blackheath speech in September 1876.  Both are memorable for the strong feelings they generated for and against the object of his attack.  Benjamin Disraeli had become the Earl of Beaconsfield, and had made his bellicose and Judaical speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet.  The fleet had been ordered to Besika Bay, and the metropolitan Press was busy backing Turkish saintliness for all it was worth.  The Black Sea ports were crowded with steamers, and a great rush was made to get them loaded before hostilities broke out.  In a few days there were but two vessels left in ——­ Harbour.  The last cart-loads of grain in bags were being shipped.  The vessel was held by a slip-rope at bow and stern, and as soon as she was loaded they let go, and the pilot took her to the outer harbour and anchored.  The captain went to the town to clear his ship and sign bills of lading, and great exertions were made by his agents and himself to have this smartly done so that he could sail before darkness set in.  After his business was done, he came to the landing and was about to get into his boat when a gentleman stepped up to him, and in an undertone said—­

“Come to my office; I have something important to communicate to you.  Don’t, for God’s sake, open your lips here.  The very stones feel as if they were spying at me.”

The captain hesitated, but his friend whispered—­

“You must come; it is urgent, and it will be made worth your while.”

Whereupon the cautious commander fell like a slaughtered lamb.  They were soon alone within the four walls of a sumptuously-furnished private office.

“What’s the game?” asked the impatient captain, uneasily.

“This is it,” said his friend, coming close up to him and speaking in a low voice:  “I have a secret job for you.”

“Is there danger attached to it?” asked the captain.

“Yes, a good deal,” replied his friend; “and I have chosen you to do it, because I know you will carry it out successfully if you’ll take the risk.”