disembarkation was over. The time had now almost come for "the dissembling Turk" to throw off the mask.
In a spirit of plausible amiability Rejib Aga approached Middleton with a suggestion that he should allow himself to be invested in the name of the pasha with "the Grand Senior's Vest," to which such dignity attached that once clothed in it the wearer might go about without fear of harm. It was insinuated that if this offer was not accepted Middleton would be regarded with suspicion. The English commander distrusted this intense desire to thrust honour upon him, but on reflection it seemed to him that there was less danger in acceptance than in refusal, more especially as he would have to pass several months in the port, owing to the unsuitability of the season for the resumption of his voyage. He accordingly decided to go through the ceremony.
On the appointed day he landed and was met by the governor and principal men of the town, who accompanied him in great state to the oflicisl residence. Here with much ceremony he was clad in it rich vest of cloth of gold and was then conducted to a gorgeously-caparisoned horse, which he was invited to mount, while the governor held the stirrup. Afterwards solemn protestations of friendship were offered by Rejib Aga, who seemed overpowered with the desire to convince his guest of the warmth of his feelings. The glittering farce was not without its effect on the simple-minded Englishman. He could not conceive such a depth of infamy as that descended to by the wily Greek for the furtherance of his ends.
Without a shadow of distrust Middleton accepted the invitation offered him to make the fullest use of the port. His first thought was of a pinnace which had been brought
