Chapter I: Preface: My Dear Lads,

The struggle known as the Greek War of Independence lasted for six years (1821-27), and had I attempted to give even an outline of the events this would have been a history and not a story. Moreover, six years is altogether beyond the length of time that can be included in a book for boys. For these reasons I have confined the story to the principal incidents of the first two years of the war; those of my readers who may wish to learn the whole history of the struggle I refer to Finlay’s well-known _History of Greece_, which I have followed closely in my narration.

As a rule in the stories of wars, especially of wars waged for national independence, the dark side of the struggle is brightened by examples of patriotism and devotion, of heroic bravery, of humanity to the wounded, of disinterestedness and self-sacrifice. The war of Greek independence is an exception. The story is a dark one with scarcely a gleam of light. Never during modern times has a struggle been disgraced by such deeds of cruelty and massacre as those which prevailed on both sides. Such being the case, I have devoted less space than usual to the historical portion of my tale, and this plays but a subordinate part in the adventures of the _Misericordia_ and her crew.

Yours sincerely,

G. A. HENTY.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. A GREEK STUDENT 11
II. A YACHT 29
III. THE WRECK 47
IV. A STARTLING PROPOSAL 66
V. FITTING OUT 85
VI. UNDER WEIGH 107
VII. A CHANGE OF NAME 127
VIII. A BESIEGED VILLAGE 145
IX. RESCUED 162
X. A DARING EXPLOIT 180
XI. IN THE HANDS OF THE TURKS 197
XII. PLANNING A RESCUE 213
XIII. THE PASHA OF ADALIA 225
XIV. CHIOS 243
XV. A WHITE SQUALL 259
XVI. FIRE-SHIPS 277
XVII. RESCUING THE GARRISON OF ATHENS 295
XVIII. A TURKISH DEFEAT 312
XIX. PRISONERS 330
XX. AT CONSTANTINOPLE 348
XXI. THE “MISERICORDIA” AGAIN 365
XXII. ALL ENDS WELL 385

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
CAPTURED BY ALBANIAN BRIGANDS _Frontispiece_
“WELL, YOUNGSTER, WHAT IS IT?” 20
HORACE SUGGESTS A RESCUE 52
THEIR FIRST SIGHT OF THE SCHOONER 82
A DISCUSSION ABOUT CLOTHES 110
“GIVE THEM A ROUND,” SAID CAPTAIN MARTYN 148
THE CAPTAIN IS WOUNDED 177
THE GREEK CAPTIVES ARE BROUGHT ON DECK 198
THE CAPTURE OF THE PASHA 228
REPELLING THE TURKISH BOARDERS 279
THE GOVERNOR COMES ON BOARD 306
THE DOCTOR TELLS THE STORY 379

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MAP OF GRECIAN ARCHIPELAGO 10

IN GREEK WATERS