Mustapha, finding it impossible to force his way into Sphakia from the west, ordered the fleet round, and transported the army entire to Franco Castelli on the southern shore, and bribed the chief of the district to allow him to pass to Askyph without resistance.

In this great plain, which is the stronghold of eastern Sphakia, as Omalos of western, he encamped to negotiate and try a last effort at conciliation.

The next day one of the captains of the section bordering on Askyph came to me for advice as to accepting Mustapha's propositions.

I told him I could not advise him to fight or make peace, but I translated Mr.Seward's dispatch, and assured him that when the ship arrived I would send it at once to the relief of the families.

On his return, resistance was decided on, and all the men of the vicinity gathered to attack the Turks.