I accidentally hinted to His Highness, Fuad Pasha, that I thought the blockade-running could be put a stop to without infringing any law, especially where laws were so elastic.  He seemed much struck with my remark, and asked me to call on him again in a few days.  Now I had merely mentioned casually what I thought.  I had no idea of anything serious resulting from our interview.  I was indeed surprised on my return to His Highness by his saying:  ’I have consulted His Majesty the Sultan, who desires me to tell you that if you would wish to take service with the Ottoman Government, arrangements can be made whereby you can do so, only you must take the risk and responsibility of offending your own people.’

I had to consider a little before replying.  I bore in mind that there were some two hundred and fifty post-captains in the English navy clamouring for employment, and that there were at the moment I speak of only about forty employed.  I remembered that for twenty-four years an English officer of the same rank as myself had held the post now offered to me, namely, that of Naval Adviser to the Turkish Government, that the post was just vacant through the retirement of Sir Adolphus Slade (who had served honourably for twenty years, and had retired from old age).  I calculated in those days of profound peace there was more probability of active service in the Eastern world than elsewhere.  So I answered:  ’Well, your Highness, I am ready if the terms offered me are satisfactory.’

I may say they proved most satisfactory; so, to make a long story short, I accepted and was booked as a Turkish employe for five years, always retaining my rank and position as an English naval officer, and my nationality as a British subject.

I found afterwards, as regards my position as an English naval officer, I had somewhat reckoned without my host.  It seems that this post was considered by the English Admiralty as one of their choice gifts, and many were the applicants for it on Sir A. Slade’s retirement, so much so that their lordships made great capital of this appointment, and were furious at my action in the matter.  They said I had ‘cut out’ a good old servant to whom they had intended to give it.  They suggested my coming home at once, &c. &c.  I didn’t see it in the same light as their lordships, and I signified my determination to remain where I was; for which, as will be seen, they paid me off in course of time.  Luckily, I could afford by the arrangement I had made with the Turkish Government to be in the Admiralty’s bad books, and even the frowns of the English Ambassador did not affect me a bit.  I believe they called me ‘adventurer,’ ‘artful dodger,’ &c., but it must be remembered that I was in every way as much entitled to this position as the Admiralty ‘pet,’ whoever he may have been.

From the day of signing my contract (which has been constantly renewed) to the time I write, some sixteen years, I never have had cause to regret the step I took.