Two months passed thus, when at last we obtained a promise of Raymond's

release. Confinement and hardship had undermined his health; the Turks

feared an accomplishment of the threats of the English government, if he

died under their hands; they looked upon his recovery as impossible; they

delivered him up as a dying man, willingly making over to us the rites of

burial.

He came by sea from Constantinople to Athens. The wind, favourable to him,

blew so strongly in shore, that we were unable, as we had at first

intended, to meet him on his watery road. The watchtower of Athens was

besieged by inquirers, each sail eagerly looked out for; till on the first

of May the gallant frigate bore in sight, freighted with treasure more

invaluable than the wealth which, piloted from Mexico, the vexed Pacific

swallowed, or that was conveyed over its tranquil bosom to enrich the crown

of Spain. At early dawn the vessel was discovered bearing in shore; it was

conjectured that it would cast anchor about five miles from land. The news

spread through Athens, and the whole city poured out at the gate of the

Piraeus, down the roads, through the vineyards, the olive woods and

plantations of fig-trees, towards the harbour. The noisy joy of the

populace, the gaudy colours of their dress, the tumult of carriages and

horses, the march of soldiers intermixed, the waving of banners and sound

of martial music added to the high excitement of the scene; while round us

reposed in solemn majesty the relics of antient time. To our right the

Acropolis rose high, spectatress of a thousand changes, of ancient glory,

Turkish slavery, and the restoration of dear-bought liberty; tombs and

222

The Last Man