CHAPTER III.

THE IMMINENCE OF WAR.

Off to Widdin--Strong Fortifications--Osman Pasha in Command--The Kalafatians at Work--Dr. Black--A Discreditable Englishman--Shooting on Sight--An Arrest and a Release--"Life off Black"--Egyptian Troops arrive--Zara Dilber Effendi--Osman Pasha's Ball--A Memorable Function--I get Plenty of Partners--Military Wall-flowers--The Ladies of Widdin--The Dance before the Fight--Three Beautiful Roumanians--An Angry Grandfather--Lambro Redivivus--Preparing for the Campaign--Some Forcible Dentistry--Religion of the Turks--The Wrestlers--Visitors from Kalafat--I pay a Return Call--Across the Danube into Kalafat--Dinner with the Roumanians--Pumping the Guileless Stranger--A Futile Effort--Frank Power--Nicholas Leader--Edmund O'Donovan--Wild Duck Shooting 56