discerned the white lighthouse on the starboard bow. There was no
doubt now that these were the Bosphorus lighthouses, and the vessel
was heading right for the centre. The captain asked if they could see
anything from the deck. The chief mate replied that he could scarcely
see the forecastle head, so dense was the fog. The master shouted that
he would navigate the steamer from the topgallant-yard, and gave
instructions to go slow ahead, and to keep a vigilant look-out for
passing vessels. Half an hour's steaming brought them abreast of the
lighthouses, when suddenly they glided into beautiful, clear weather.
The scene was phenomenal. Not a speck of fog was to be seen ahead of
the vessel, while astern there stood a great black pall, as though one
had drawn a curtain across the harbour entrance.

After the papers had been landed at Kavak, the pasha and interpreter
came to the bridge and asked for a few minutes' talk with the captain,
who was in excellent temper at having cut through the fog and saved
daylight through the narrow waters. The pasha was dressed gorgeously,
and many decorations adorned his uniform. He shook the proud commander
warmly by the hand, and through his interpreter gratefully thanked him
for carrying himself and his suite safely to their destination. He did
not undervalue the great danger of having them aboard in the event of
being chased and captured, nor did he under-estimate the risk that had
been run in steaming into dangerous waters during a dense fog; and in
order that the captain might be assured of his grateful appreciation,
he begged to hand him two hundred Turkish pounds for himself. After
suitably offering his thanks for so generous a gift, the captain again
asked the interpreter the name of the distinguished general he had had
the honour of carrying as a passenger, and was again told that such
questions could not be answered.

Before the sun had sunk beneath the horizon, they had reached Scutari;
and in order that the passengers might be disembarked comfortably, the
anchor was dropped. Caiques came alongside for them and for their
baggage. The captain went to the gangway to see the pasha safely into
the boat, and to say his _adieux_ to him. After he had got safely
seated in the caique, and the interpreter was about to follow, the
commander held out his hand to him and said--

"Before bidding good-bye, may I again venture to ask if I have had the
honour of conveying Osman Pasha to Constan