s from the garrison, are excellent, and extend to every
corner of the island, and must contribute much to its material
prosperity. At all events, British rule has been of great benefit to
the Ionian people. It might have been of greater. More might have been
done to educate and improve the people, both morally and religiously;
but had they been left to themselves, they would most probably be in a
far worse position than they now are.

Our inquiries here were as little satisfactory as at other places; and
we were just tripping our anchor, when a merchant-brig, coming up the
harbour, passed us. Mr Vernon hailed her, to learn where she came
from.

"Smyrna," was the reply.

She brought up near us, and he went on board. He returned shortly with
more animation in his countenance than I had long seen there.

"I have at last notice of the fellow," he said. "A vessel answering the
description of the _William_ was in Smyrna harbour when the brig came
out. The crew, by their conduct, seem to have excited some suspicion;
and my only fear is that they may find it not safe for them to remain,
and will, therefore, take their departure."

This information put us all in spirits, for we had begun almost to
despair of catching the pirate after all. Not a moment was lost in
getting under weigh, and in making all sail the schooner could carry.

We had a fair wind, and nothing worthy of note occurred on the passage,
till we made the entrance of Smyrna harbour, in the outer port of which
we dropped anchor. Mr Vernon then dressed himself like the mate of a
merchantman, and with one of our own people, and one of the crew of the
_Helen_, prepared to leave the schooner's side in the dinghy. Just at
the last moment I mustered courage to beg that he would let me accompany
him. I had rigged myself in plain clothes, and might, I fancied, have
been taken for a steward, or the captain's son. Mr Vernon considered
for a moment.

"Yes, come along, D'Arcy," said he. "You will not do us any harm in
that dress, and your eyes and judgment may be of service."

I was delighted at the permission I had gained, and eagerly jumped into
the boat. Away we then pulled up the harbour, in the lazy fashion of a
collier's crew. We scrutinised narrowly each vessel in our course, but
none answered the description of the _William_. At last John Norris,
the seaman from the _Helen_, exclaimed--

"There, sir, that's her; inside the barque there. See,