. The next four months
were spent at Cephalonia, at first on board the "Hercules," in the harbour
of Argostoli and afterwards at Metaxata. The object of this delay was to
ascertain the real state of affairs in Greece. The revolutionary Greeks
were split up into parties, not to say factions, and there were several
leaders. It was a question to which leader he would attach himself. At
length a message reached him which inspired him with confidence. He
received a summons from Prince Alexander Mavrocordato, a man of birth and
education, urging him to come at once to Missolonghi, and enclosing a
request from the legislative body "to co-operate with Mavrocordato in the
organization of western Greece." Byron felt that he could act with a "clear
conscience" in putting himself at the disposal of a man whom he regarded as
the authorized leader and champion of the Greeks. He sailed from Argostoli
on the 29th of December 1823, and after an adventurous voyage landed at
Missolonghi on the 5th of January 1824. He met with a royal reception.
Byron may have sought, but he did not find, "a soldier's grave." During his
three months' residence at Missolonghi he accomplished little and he
endured much. He advanced large sums of money for the payment of the
troops, for repair and construction of fortifications, for the provision of
medical appliances. He brought opposing parties into line, and served as a
link between Odysseus, the democratic leader of the insurgents, and the
"prince" Mavrocordato. He was eager to take the field, but he never got the
chance. A revolt in the Morea, and the repeated disaffection of his Suliote
guard prevented him from undertaking the capture of Epacto, an exploit
which he had reserved for his own leadership. He was beset with
difficulties, but at length events began to move. On the 18th of March he
received an invitation from Odysseus and other chiefs to attend a
conference at Salona, and by the same messenger an offer from the
government to appoint him "governor-general of the enfranchised parts of
Greece." He promised to attend the conference but did not pledge himself to
the immediate acceptance of office. But to Salona he never came. "Roads and
rivers were impassable," and the conference was inevitably postponed.

His health had given way, but he does not seem to have realized that his
life was in danger. On the 15th of February he was struck down by an
epileptic fit, which left him speechless though not mot