had no foundation in fact. The idea may have originated in consequence
of the lethargic attitude of the officials whose duty it was to see
that they were captured. At this time lawlessness was rampant in those
parts, and it would have been beyond the capacity of even a more alert
and energetic officialism to subdue its ferocious and determined
attacks. In addition to the open brigandage that was carried on,
several captains who for some reason were detained ashore until after
dark were obliged to engage caiques to take them off to their vessels,
and when in mid-stream the boat's crew, consisting as a rule of two
Turks (or Greeks in Turks' clothing), would lay their oars in and
demand them to give up all their money and valuables, or they would be
thrown into the Bosphorus. And if they had the good fortune to have as
their passenger a timid man they demanded that every article of dress
should be given up so that they might be assured that nothing was
concealed. Some of the more courageous and defiant, instead of
complying with this peremptory request, took a revolver from a pocket,
pointed it at the gentlemen at the oars, and suggested that as soon as
they ceased to row they would have a lump of lead put into their heads.
Whereupon they usually did as they were told. In cases of this kind the
oars were taken from them as soon as the captain was put aboard and
they were then set adrift. It was believed that several captains who
never turned up were overpowered, robbed, and then thrown overboard.

The weather from the middle of October had been fitful and treacherous.
On November 14, 1854, a terrible hurricane burst on the Crimean coast
and wrecked nearly the whole of the British transports which lay at
anchor in the roadsteads. Several warships and transports belonging to
the French were wrecked. The British war vessels suffered severely, but
none were said to have been lost. The loss of property was estimated at
over a million, and the loss of life between 1,500 and 2,000. The
devastation and suffering ashore was also very terrible. The news of
the frightful disaster came to Constantinople on the night that the
_Seaflower_ was pillaged. Instructions were given to send on supplies;
the captain of the _Boadicea_ was among those who received orders to
proceed off Sevastopol without delay. Wilkins was in great distress at
having to part from the man whom he regarded as his friend and faithful
adviser. Tugs were sent to tow t