sample of the heroism of the modern
Greeks.

On the 5th of August, about noon, our sailors discovered a two-
masted ship in the distance, which altered her course immediately on
perceiving our vessel, and came sailing towards us. It was at once
concluded by all that this ship must be a pirate, else why did she
alter her course and give chase to us? The circumstance was indeed
singular; yet these maritime heroes ought to have been used to all
kinds of adventures, and not at once to have feared the worst,
particularly as, so far as I am aware, the pirate's trade is very
nearly broken up, and attempts of this kind are unprecedented--at
least in these regions.

A painter like Hogarth should have been on board our ship, to mark
the expression of fear and cowardice depicted on the several
countenances. It was wonderful to behold how the poor captains ran
from one end of the ship to the other, and huddled us travellers
together into a heap, recommending us to sit still and keep silence;
how they then hurried away and ran to and fro, making signs and
gestures, while the pale sailors tumbled after them with scared
faces, wringing their hands. Any one who had not witnessed the
scene would think this description exaggerated. What would the
Grecian heroes of antiquity say if they could throw a glance upon
their gallant descendants! Instead of arming themselves and making
preparations, the men ran about in the greatest confusion. We were
in this enviable state when the dreaded pirate came within gunshot;
and the reason of her approach turned out to be that her compass was
broken. The whole scene at once changed, as though a beneficent
fairy had waved her wand. The captains instantly recovered their
dignity, the sailors embraced and jumped about like children, and we
poor travellers were released from durance and permitted to take
part in the friendly interview between the two heroic crews.

The captain who had spoken us asked our gallant leader in what
latitude we were, and hearing that we were sailing to Alexandria,
requested that a lantern should be hung at the mainmast-head, at
which he might look as at a guiding-star.

With the exception of Cyprus, we had seen no land during all our
weary journey. We could only judge when we arrived in the
neighbourhood of Damietta by the altered colour of the sea; as far
as the eye could reach, the beautiful dark-blue wave had turned to
the colour of the yellow Nile. From thes