A brother officer and myself crossed one day by the steamer which plied from Scutari to Galata, and there hired a caique. We were bound for the sweet waters of Europe. We were taken up the Golden Horn, and then floated past green hills and picturesque-looking cottages. All round us were hundreds of gilded caiques laden with handsome women in glittering attire, and boats whose Greek crews sang in wild chorus. As we proceeded onward the river became narrow, and we arrived at the sweet waters of Europe. It was a fairy scene. Graceful forms in lovely dresses were dotted here and there on the green grass under the shade of the trees, very transparent veils concealing their faces, their long fringed eyes beaming upon us, for the unbelievers were in high favour at that time. We passed also stately Turks, gay Frenchmen, steady-looking Britons, and wonderful Cinderella coaches. A gilded carriage approached, drawn by four black horses, covered with silver trappings; this was followed by a line of other gilded coaches surrounded by armed blacks. A lovely woman glittering with diamonds, her face barely concealed by the thin gauze she wore, was in the stately equipage. This was the Sultan’s wife. In the third carriage following hers was seated a most beautiful girl, by whose charms my brother officer was quite struck. Though he was jostled by the armed blacks, pushed by the escort, knocked by the Turks, he still kept as close as possible to No. 3 carriage. There are many old women at the valley of sweet waters who sell bouquets. One came near and offered some flowers to my brother-officer, who took them, and, watching his opportunity, presented them to this Nourmahal. She smiled and placed them in her bosom, and, taking a rose from the bouquet, held it towards my friend, and then pressed the flower to her lips, on perceiving which the armed blacks began to swagger offensively. The escort of lancers closed up, and, as the carriages were moving away, she rolled her handkerchief up and threw it at my bewildered friend. She then held a looking-glass towards him and pressed it in her arms, thus ending the romance as far as I know, for the gilded coaches and prancing escort all moved on and gradually faded from our sight. CHAPTER IV. IN TURKEY AND THE CRIMEA. ENCHANTING SCENE--LOSS OF BAGGAGE HORSES--SIR GEORGE BROWN’S ORDER--IDENTIFICATION OF LOST HORSES--DEALINGS WITH THE PEASANTRY--FORAGING--CHOLERA IN BULGARIA--DISAGREEABLE MISTAKE--DR. SHEGOG--DEVOTION TO HIS WORK AND SUDDEN DEATH--DEATH OF AN OFFICER--EMBARKATION AT VARNA--THE BLACK SEA FLEET--KIND SOLDIERS--OUR FIRST SCARE IN THE CRIMEA--KINDNESS OF LORD RAGLAN--AN OUTLYING PICQUET--STORY OF A CONNAUGHT RANGER--CAPTURE OF BALACLAVA--A SERIOUS MISTAKE. CHAPTER IV.