“That’s all very well,” responded the captain, “but I don’t care to overburden myself with danger and risk of confiscation, without I’m handsomely recompensed for it.”

“Hush!” said his friend, nervously; “I think I hear voices.  If we are overheard by any one, we may be betrayed and pounced upon at any moment.”

After listening, he was reassured, and intimated that the worthy skipper would be well rewarded.

“That entirely alters the question,” said the captain.  “How much am I to have, and what is it you wish me to do?”

“You are to have two hundred and fifty pounds if you succeed in getting a distinguished Turkish pasha and his suite from here, and land them at Scutari.”

“What!” exclaimed the commander.  “Do you expect me to run the gauntlet with a Turkish pasha for two hundred and fifty pounds?  Why, his head is worth thousands, to say nothing about the danger I run of having my ship confiscated, and myself sent to Siberia.  Do not let us waste time.  I will risk it for a thousand pounds, and put my state-room at his disposal.”

The agent demurred, but the captain was for some time obdurate.  However, seven hundred and fifty for the owners with two hundred for the captain was, after keen negotiation, agreed upon.  It was further arranged that the steamer was not to sail until after midnight, so that the risk of stoppage would be lessened, and in rowing off as soon as it came dark, the oars were to be muffled.

“Leave these matters to me,” said the captain.  “How many passengers are there?”

“Six,” said the agent.  “They are in hiding.  I will undertake to bring them aboard, with their baggage, in good time.  Extreme care must be used in getting them away, as we may be watched.  I have had to use ‘palm oil’ liberally, but even that may not prevent their betrayal and arrest.”

“Well, then,” said the shrewd commander, “under these circumstances I must have my freight before the risk actually begins.”

It took some time for the agent to make up his mind to part with the money in advance, but the captain intimated that unless it was paid at once he would throw the business up.  This promptly settled the matter, and a pledge was given by the enterprising captain to relax no effort or dash—­“Combined with caution,” said the agent—­to fulfil his important mission.  At 10 p.m., he was rowed alongside the steamer without having been interrupted or spoken to from the guardship or the sentries at the forts.  After the gig was hoisted to the davits, the chief officer and chief engineer were asked to go to the saloon, where specific instructions were given as to the mode of procedure.  The anchor was to be hove short at once very quietly.  All lights had to be put out or blinded, and a full head of steam up at the hour of sailing.  The officers were made aware of the job that had been undertaken, and relished the excitement of it.  At 11.30 the