Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/121

112 tain. When we readied its summit we passed through a low archway which led to a small wicket gate, barred and locked. On knocking we were roughly challenged by a sentry, whom we had evidently aroused from his peaceful slumbers! When our guide explained that we were English officers, the door was quickly opened. We went up several marble steps, and found ourselves in the venerable ruins of the Acropolis. I never saw so magnificent a sight. The full moon was shining in pale splendour; high massive columns in good preservation, stood out in bold relief; whilst others, shattered by the Turkish cannon, during the last war, or mouldering from age, scarcely reared their heads above the marble pavement. But such a scene loses by description. I had brought my Testament, in the hope that we could read a quiet chapter together, on the spot when Paul once preached 'Jesus Christ, and Him crucified;" but the chattering guide and inquisitive guard who accompanied us, prevented our having this pleasure. From an old embrasure, about two hundred feet above the town, we had a beautiful view of Athens. I could have remained there for hours. Oh, how I wish you could have been with us!

"I enjoyed so much my first walk to Athens that the next night I went there again with another officer, and read Acts xvii., on "Mar's Hill," by moonlight. We did not reach the Piræus till half-past two in the morning! While we were away the Camp had a false alarm. One of the sentries observed what he thought to be a large body of armed men approaching; and, giving the alarm, the men were quickly out of the tents, and, amidst great confusion, began loading their muskets, &c. After they had formed in column—the French on each side being also under arms—a party was sent to reconnoitre, when the enemy was discovered to be a large drove of oxen with their drivers!