s loved the bayonet as much as the
Montenegrin loved the handjar.

"But what can you do when the other side won't wait for it?" I asked.

"Then they are cowards," he answered judicially. "Are thy countrymen
all as big as thou art?" he continued thoughtfully, feeling my biceps
and scrutinising me closely.

"Some of them are bigger," I said.

"Then the Boers will have no chance," he said emphatically, and at
this moment the Prince emerged from the church. This personal allusion
to my size I took as a great compliment, for in a land where physical
strength is an all-important factor candid appreciation of this kind
is not meted out to one and all alike.

Extremely fatigued after our early start and long ride, it was an
effort to keep from falling asleep, and noticing this the priest left.
We were both comfortably asleep in corners when the wretched landlord
appeared with armfuls of sheets and pillows at the order of the
priest. He cruelly woke us up and proceeded to make beds. After that
all thought of sleep was gone. Furthermore, in dirty and dusty
riding-clothes one has not the heart to lie down on spotlessly clean
sheets.

Soon afterwards the horses were ready, and we cantered up to the
monastery to take our leave. But leave-taking was no such easy matter.
Our pockets were filled with dried fruits, and after we were already
in the saddle the Abbot presented us with packets of incense which he
hurriedly fetched from the church. Waving him and the other fathers a
last farewell, we started on our long ride back to Kolasin.

During our rambles in Kolasin the doctor took us to a peasant's house
whom he knew very well. This acquaintance proved one of our most
pleasant recollections of the country. The head of the house was a
fine-looking man, lean and active, and possessed many decorations for
past acts of bravery in the field. His son was in prison at the time
for some political offence, but his daughter-in-law and two little
babies, besides two or three unmarried daughters and sons, were living
with him. The whole family outdid themselves in courtesy to us, and we
were, as usual, considerably embarrassed by the behaviour of the
women-folk. Though we went several times to the house, they would
rarely seat themselves while we were present, and invariably kissed
our hands in coming and going.

The doctor played games of cards with our host, but the united efforts
of P. and myself failed to discover any method or syst