The countenances of the men were every day more haggard; and it was clear that they must become victims of starvation if they attempted to hold out any longer. The applications were multiplied, and their ingenuity increased with the critical aspect of their situation. Sometimes a truce of a few hours was requested; sometimes their surrender was promised upon the receipt of certain articles of food, or what not. But all this dallying failed. Six days passed away, and the poor wretches appeared on the verge of a most miserable death, pale, sunken, and exhausted. On the morning of the seventh day, one who had officiated as their commander presented himself at the usual place of communication with a fresh demand. His name was Anastatio Ieramachos, well known not only as the first who had broken his allegiance to his superior officers, but as the subtle and resolute supporter of all the rebellious deeds which followed; a crafty, clever Greek, with boldness enough to execute a dangerous act, and skill enough to keep away as much danger as was by human means avoidable. He appeared on one side a small aperture, made for this especial purpose, and demanded an interview with some agent of the Governor. It was conceded to him. He said “that his followers were in the greatest imaginable state of want; that a new enemy had attacked them in the shape of unconquerable thirst; that they had long ago drained their bags and scanty reservoirs, and that they must soon perish or be driven to madness”. He and his party threw themselves upon the humanity of the Governor; a little water was all they asked. Such was their distress that they had resolved to endure it no longer, and had come to a determination of blowing themselves up that very evening, unless a previous supply were granted to them. He stated, as usual, that all they wished was to avoid the extreme cruelties of military law; that their death to them was far more to be desired; and that they had deliberately decided, that by exploding the fort, they should perish with less pain and infamy. At nine o’clock that night, unless some concessions were previously made to them, – at the first tolling of the bell of St. John’s Cathedral, they would set fire to the magazine; – a few drops of water would prevent that catastrophe.”
“Whether the other party discredited the declarations of Ieramachos, and conceived the threat held out only for the sake of gaining what they needed, or that General V____, having read certain maxims in the legislative works of the army, fancied no deviations in any case allowable, cannot in this case be decided. A negative was returned to the request of the Greek, and the day passed in a calm of horrible suspense. Again and again some one appeared on the same errand, re-stating their need, and deepening the picture of their misery, but always concluding with the same constant announcement, that a refusal would be heard more of at the hour of nine that night. And at the hour of nine it was heard of. A tremendous burst, as of a thousand riven rocks, startled every one from his security. A shock felt for miles around, and the blaze of a huge conflagration, told to the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns, and the vil-