He started at once, accompanied by General Sir Frederic Adams, and landed at Parga by the light of the funeral pyre.

He was received with ill-concealed indignation, and with assurances that the sacrifice would be at once consummated unless Ali's troops were held back.

The general endeavoured to console and to reassure the unhappy people, and then proceeded to the outposts, traversing silent streets in which armed men stood at each door only waiting a signal before slaying their families, and then turning their weapons against the English and themselves.

He implored them to have patience, and they answered by pointing to the approaching Turkish army and bidding him hasten.

He arrived at last and commenced negotiations, and the Turkish officers, no less uneasy than the English garrison, promised to wait till the appointed hour.