CHAPTER XVIII.. [1827.]

The Siege of Athens--The Defenders of the Acropolis.--The Efforts of Gordon and KaraÔskakes.--Lord Cochrane's Plan for Cutting off the Turkish Supplies.--The Arguments by which he was induced to proceed instead to the Phalerum.--His Arrival there.--His other Arrangements for Serving Greece.--His First Meeting with KaraÔskakes.--The Condition of the Greek Camp.--Lord Cochrane's Position.--His Efforts to give Immediate Relief to the Acropolis, and the Obstacles raised by the Greeks.--KaraÔskakes's Delays, and General Church's Difficulties.--The Convent of Saint Spiridion.--The Battle of Phalerum.--The Capture of Saint Spiridion.--The Massacre of the Turks, and its Consequences.--Lord Cochrane's renewed Efforts to Save the Acropolis.--The Death of KaraÔskakes.--The March to the Acropolis.--Its Failure through the Perversity of the Greeks.--The Battle of Athens.--The Fall of the Acropolis 31