y
would surrender to the foe, they must find a new Prince, for, as for
himself, he preferred death. So this little band of warriors, and they
could not have numbered more than eight thousand fighting men, swore
to resist this almighty foe to death--not to attack, but to resist. It
must have been an impressive scene, this compact between Prince and
people, and later history bears out fully how nobly the descendants of
these mountain warriors have kept to their oath. For they, alone, of
all the Balkan states, have successfully repulsed the Turk, who,
though often seemingly victorious, has returned home with shattered
armies and full of impotent rage.

[Illustration: SKETCH MAP OF MONTENEGRO.]

In their need they applied to Venice for help, quoting the great
assistance that they were rendering her in occupying the Turks; but
the Queen of Cities, who was at that moment occupied in patching up a
treaty with the Sultan, turned a deaf ear to their entreaties.
Montenegro found then, for the first time--and all through her history
she was destined to find the same--that she must fight her battles
alone. Allies have used her always for their own ends and then
shamefully deserted her. Yet all through the spirit of indomitable
courage has never deserted the children of Crnagora, for they could
never forget the oath which their forefathers had sworn for them.

Ivan, after several great victories, was left to end his days in
peace. He spent his years well in strengthening the land, both in the
arts of war and peace. In Obod, which is close to Rijeka, he erected a
printing press, some twenty years after Caxton had set up his in
Westminster, and though it was afterwards burnt by the Turks, still
the remembrance of it remains right glorious in Montenegrin memory.

The last Crnoievic relinquished his home for Venice. He had married a
Venetian wife, who, among the bleak mountains of the Katunska, was
pining for the sun and warmth of her native city. But before leaving
he laid down the lines for a powerful regime. A Prince-Bishop, or
Vladika, was placed at the head of affairs, but, to help him in his
difficult task, there was created a second office, that of Civil
Governor, who was to hold a subordinate position. This office was
abolished in 1832 by Peter II., on the treachery of the Civil Governor
Radonic, who was found to have intrigued with the Austrians.

From 1616 to 1696 the Vladikas were elective, and under their
quarrelsome r