ISLAND OF PATMOS. 63 
engaged to send the remaining Manuscripts CHAP. 
purchased by the author from the Library. Mr. 
Riley had left Patmos for Constantinople; and we 
began to fear, as the evening approached, that 
his absence might become the pretext for a 
breach of contract on the part of the monks. 
Towards sun-set, being upon the deck of our 
caique, and looking towards the mountain, we 
discerned a person coming down the steep 
descent from the Monastery towards the port: 
presently, as he drew near, we perceived that 
he had a large basket upon his head, and that 
he was coming towards the quay, opposite to 
the spot where our vessel was at anchor. Upon 
his arrival, we saw him making signs for a 
boat ; and we sent to him the little skiff belong- 
ing to our ca'i'que. As he came alongside, he said, 
aloud, that he had brought the bread ordered ing the 
. Greek Ma- 
lor us in consequence ot our letter from the 
Capudan Pasha ; but coming upon deck, he gave 
a significant wink, and told us the Superior 
desired that we would " empty the basket 
ourselves, and count the loaves, to see that 
all was right." We took the hint, and hurried 
with the precious charge into our birth ; where, 
having turned the basket bottom upwards, we 
found, to our great joy, the Manuscript of 
PLATO, the POEMS OF GREGORY, the work of 
9 
