the time expired, he took Mr. M'Donell, the
consul, and walked with him towards the boat; but they were stopped at
the gate. After a communication had been made to the Dey, Lord Exmouth
was allowed to pass on, but the consul was detained, on the pretext that
money was due from Portugal, for which, as well as for England, Mr.
M'Donell was accredited. The whole party had been in the greatest
danger. The crowd who surrounded them discussed aloud the question of
putting them all to death; and the conduct of the captain of the port
was extremely suspicious. He was observed to cock his pistol, and Sir
Israel Pellew exclaiming, "At least we'll die with arms in our hands!"
attempted to draw his sword. Happily, the pressure of the throng
prevented him; for in the temper which then prevailed, the appearance of
a hostile movement would probably have been fatal. Lord Exmouth was much
irritated at this outrage; and when one of the principal officers of
state followed, and asked him, as he was just stepping into the boat, to
allow them two days to consider his proposal, he replied with warmth
"No, not two hours!" Hastening on board, he got the fleet under weigh to
attack the place immediately; but the wind was too strong to allow the
ships to take their stations, and they were obliged to anchor again.

Two British officers, Captains Pechell and Warde, had gone on shore, not
anticipating a hostile movement. They were seized by the people, who
dragged them off their horses, rifled their pockets, tied their hands
behind them, and in this state marched them through the town to the Dey.
But when they reached the palace they were immediately released; and
except some trifling articles, which could not be found, all their
property was restored. After two or three interviews with the Dey, the
object of which appeared to be to investigate the cause of a cut which
Captain Pechell had received in the hand, when he was taken off the
horse, they were allowed to go to their ships. Such conduct, at a moment
when Lord Exmouth was evidently preparing to attack the place, indicated
an irresolution which might enable him to gain his object without a
battle; and next morning, as a calm, with a heavy swell, prevented the
fleet from moving, he sent Captain Dundas, of the _Tagus_, with renewed
proposals. The result was, that Sir Israel Pellew, with Captains
Brisbane, Pechell, Dundas, Warde, and others, went on shore; and the Dey
agreed to appoint an ambassa