detaining him until the breeze should die away, which was then favorable for an attack.
To put an end to this farce. Lieutenant Willoughby rose, ordered the dragoman to say that he would wait no longer, and that he was determined to return on board; upon which Ysak Bey replied he would conduct him to the Grand Vizier. After a short walk, Lieutenant Willoughby found himself at the entrance of a large building, and was speedily ushered into a superb saloon, where 6 or 7 persons of consequence were seated. In about a quarter of an hour after, the whole Divan assembled, and the Grand Vizier was made acquainted with the object of the Lieutenant’s visit; the contents of Mr. Arbuthnot’s letter, and Sir J. T. Duckworth’s message, being translated and communicated to him by the dragoman.
A conference, in whispers, now took place; during which pipes, sherbet, and cofifee were passed round, according to Oriental custom. Of the latter, Lieutenant Willoughby partook; as he had also done at the house of Ysak Bey.
Finding from the conversation, or rather the repeated questions addressed to him through the dragoman, that the Grand Vizier was still trying to gain time; and having been strictly enjoined only to allow a stated period to elapse after the delivery of the Admiral’s message. Lieutenant Willoughby rose to the very moment his orders permitted him to remain, and demanded with firmness, but in the most respectful manner, the answer he was to take back, and permission to depart; both of which were immediately given.
On his return to the Turkish gun-boat. Lieutenant Willoughby was again escorted by Ysak Bey, who took hold of his arm in a familiar manner, as if for support, although he had not betrayed the least symptom of indisposition while attending the Divan. In all probability, however, this ruse was of service to the British officer; for although Ysak gained time for his countrymen to complete their warlike preparations, by obliging his companion to walk at a very slow pace, he thereby led the immense mob to believe that the negociation was proceeding in a friendly manner: had the armed rabble, then collected at Constantinople, been
