THE LIVERPOOL JBUCCANKEKS. 259 



water gradually and silently rose towards their prison, and oozed 

 from beneath their feet. A cry of horror burst from Cornish, as 

 convulsively he seized his boy, and clasped him to his breast ; and 

 with one accord, the wretched men sunk upon their knees, and, in 

 tears, recommended their souls to God, in that their hour of ex- 

 tremity and death ! 

 * * * * * * * 



It was on the 25th of September, in the same year, or about six 

 weeks subsequently to the dreadful event, but now recorded, that a 

 small and handsome brig lay in the bay of Smyrna, evidently pre- 

 pared for an early departure. It was a vessel of admirable propor- 

 tions, and well adapted for sailing ; while the neat and orderly 

 state of her rigging and tackle, would have done honour to a ship of 

 war, and attested that it was worked by no ordinary crew. It was 

 one of those delicious eastern nights, so often witnessed on the 

 shores of Asia Minor; the moon shone in beauty, and all was calm 

 and still around, save when the shrill cry of the patrole on shore, 

 disturbed the silence of the evening. A man of middle height, of 

 dark, but handsome features, such as often distinguish the natives 

 of southern Italy, but with a sternness of expression approaching to 

 ferocity, slowly paced the vessel's deck, with folded arms, wrapped 

 in thought, and evidently insensible to the loveliness of the scene 

 around him. Carelessly leaning over the gangway, intently regard- 

 ing the calm surface of the water beneath, was a man many years 

 younger than the other, of a singularly mild and cheerful countenance ; 

 while at the forecastle, the greater part of the crew were extended sleep- 

 ing on the deck. Few of them had yet reached the middle age of life ; 

 they were all able-bodied seamen, and not many vessels in the mer- 

 chant service could haply boast a finer and more skilful crew. 



" Hark ! what noise is that ? Did you not hear it, Thompson ?" 

 exclaimed the captain, as he suddenly ceased his walk ; and an ex- 

 pression of terror sat on his features, as he listened to the prolonged 

 cry of the city guard. 



" Nonsense,'' replied the other, without turning his gaze from the 

 water ; " you are as nervous as a girl, Captain Delano : I suppose 

 we must soon forbear working the capstan, not to alarm you ; and 

 grease the tiller, lest its creaking shall affright you." 



" What a lovely night/' exclaimed Delano, abruptly, ashamed of 

 the fear he had displayed ; and what a land ! were it but in the pos- 

 session of Englishmen and Christians ." 



" All Englishmen, are not Christians, however, Delano," said 

 Thompson, raising himself from the gangway ; ' ' but were you lord 

 and master of the country, I warrant me, there would be no custom- 

 house officers, seizures, or exchequering allowed by your high- 

 ness ; ha ! " 



" Why revive that story, Thompson ? The hard-earned gains of 

 fifteen years gone in a moment, for a few sorry handkerchiefs. 

 Aye " and his countenance fell, and a heavy sigh was uttered, as, 

 violently striking his forehead with his clenched hand, he lowly 

 muttered, " aye ; and gains, I may say, honestly come by." 



" Never mind, caro Signore Capitano, as the fellows say here, 



