reatened destruction on either beam, and quantities of small
Greek sailing vessels were in imminent danger.

The Captain seized the little fellow by the shoulder and shook him.

"Damn it, man!" he shouted. "What in hell----!"

The woebegone figure spread his hands in innocent protestation. Then
the light of a bright idea suffused his countenance. He went to one
side and craned over the rail, gazing first forward and then aft. He
did the same on the other side. He repeated the action on both sides.
Then a wild yell announced a discovery, and, following his gaze, Mac
saw a launch which had appeared from behind one of the vessels ahead.
Shrill shrieks from the figure at length drew its attention and a
fortissimo of jabbering and arm-waving welcomed its nearer approach. A
more business-like person came aboard, who took the vessel in charge,
the while its late pilot muttered unhappily in the background.

The rest of the manoeuvres went smoothly enough. The only particular
incident which amused Mac was watching a trio of Greek sailors
tormenting a terrified Egyptian by holding him by the legs upside down
over a ship's side, as if intending to drop him into the water.

It was not Mac's luck to disembark immediately on berthing, for his
squadron were detailed to clean up the ship after all the men and
horses had gone ashore. They stripped themselves of their shore kit,
and with hoses and brooms scrubbed decks for hour after hour. In the
afternoon Mac did a watch by himself on the bridge for any signals
which might be sent. Few came, and it was a sad and lonely bridge
deserted after what seemed years at sea. The evening brought unloading
of the holds and by the light of great arc lamps stores of all sorts
were piled high. It was past midnight before the winches were silent.

Before four in the morning the few remaining troops were again astir,
and by daybreak were all on the quay with their equipment. The ship on
which were the squadron's horses lay about two miles away, and they set
out for her. Mac was very sick, probably for unwisely sampling Turkish
delight sold him yesterday by an Egyptian at the ship's side.
Unaccustomed boots, a cobbled street and a heavy load did not add to
the pleasures of the march. They reached the other quay, and shivered
for two hours in the chilly Mediterranean breeze until they were sent
on board to unload stores. Hard work set Mac to rights, and the piles
of oats, chaff and h