422 ALEXANDRIA TO COS. 
CHAP, somewhat boisterous and the night very dark, a 
gun was suddenly heard close under the ship's 
bows, and the snorers were presently in uproar. 
What had happened, or what was to be done, 
no soul on board could tell. A message came 
speedily into the ward-room, ordering the two 
djowrs (infidels) and their interpreter to go with 
all haste to the Captain. We found him, with 
his long white beard and flowing dress, sur- 
rounded by all the paper lanterns that could be 
collected, extending his arms upon the deck, 
and scolding the buffoon. Before he could 
articulate a word of his business with us, the 
report of another gun came like a clap of thun- 
der, and, by the flash which accompanied it, 
this second discharge seemed to be pointed 
tow^ards the frigate. He then asked us, in great 
agitation, what those signals were ? and what 
would be the consequence of his not answering 
them ? We told him we knew not wdiat the 
signals w^ere ; but that if he delayed answering 
them, it was possible the next would be accom- 
panied with shot. He said he had been ordered 
to answer a friend by four stern lanterns, placed 
one above the other. We advised him by all 
means to answer as to a friend; and after a 
general " hue and cry," the old Captain him- 
self ascending the poop, the lanterns were 
