ies
appeared before Sebastopol, two or three of their ships having been sent
out of sight in order to make their forces equal, and to induce the
Russians to come out and fight them. The latter, however, knew too well
what would be the result to make the attempt. Admiral Lyons sailed away
with a small squadron to reconnoitre the shores of Georgia and
Circassia. During the trip, he endeavoured to persuade Schamyl, the
far-famed Circassian chief, to co-operate with him in taking the
fortresses of Soujak and Anapa, two of the only three fortresses still
held by the Russians; but the old warrior was not in a condition to
undertake the enterprise. Redoubt Kaleh was however attacked, and the
garrison, after setting fire to it, retreated. The number of prizes
captured by the squadron, which sailed throughout the Black Sea,
sweeping it of every vessel except those of the allies, was very great.
Jack was elsewhere, he having been employed in running several times to
Constantinople, and back to Cavarna.

He at length obtained the wished-for opportunity of visiting his brother
at Gevreckler. Taking Tom with him, they landed at the nearest village
on the shore, where they obtained horses. The scenery was picturesque,
and sometimes exceedingly beautiful. They passed through a Turkish
village at the base of some low hills. The village consisted of
mud-walled and thatched houses built on either side of green lanes
bordered by trees, with farmyards attached, and enormous whitewashed,
dome-shaped clay ovens. The streets all led to a common centre, like a
village green in England; here and there were wells, from which girls in
Oriental costume were drawing water. They were perfectly ready to chat
with the strangers had they understood each other's language, but, as
that was not the case, they laughed and smiled in friendly fashion. On
the level ground vast cornfields appeared spread out, already yellow
with ripeness, and here and there patches of tall guinea-grass of
deepest green, the fields being intersected by low copses, and
occasionally rows of trees of greater height, while to the west appeared
numerous hills of graceful form covered by waving woods. Far in the
south could be seen the blue outline of the Balkan range.

At length, mounting the last height, Jack and his companions reached the
plateau of Gevreckler, when the white tents of the Guards and
Highlanders appeared, extending far and wide before them. Here lay