power been as extensive as the
view from it, it would have amply sufficed. The day was now most
beautiful and spring-like, and various flowers, with sportive
butterflies and other insects, enlivened the mountain side. The broad
blue lake lay beneath, and in the extreme distance the position of
Scutari itself could be distinguished. Three ranges of mountains were
visible, rising one above the other, till the snowy chains of Bosnia
bounded the horizon. The cannonade, as there was little to be
apprehended, added to the beauty and interest. The wreathing of the
white smoke on the Turkish tower, and the report borne along in the
calm air, and echoed a dozen times by the distant mountains--the
gradual approach and whizzing of the balls, and the shot from our
guns, as it hit the buildings, or occasionally bounded along the
water, were all interesting novelties. I made a sketch, to the best of
my ability, of every object of interest in the vicinity of this lovely
spot. As regards matters purely military, we had three guns in
operation--short twelves, as I have already mentioned; a rampart was
before them, formed of earth, bound with stakes, and about three feet
thick. I was told this had only been struck four times. Few people
were about. Nor could gunners of fame have been in plenty, for I soon
discovered Petrarca pointing the cannon. The shot also was of
different sizes--any that could be got, as Austria does not favour
the importation of warlike materials into Montenegro; and to this
disparity of metal may be ascribed the constant difficulty which the
Montenegrian gunners experienced in hitting even the island. Still
they kept the game alive, the Turks not giving one shot for three.
They appeared to have four guns, but their biggest was on the platform
of the chief tower, a screen of masonry protecting it from lying
entirely open to our position on the hill. They fired also several
shells, but they did no damage, exploding high in the air. At length
the Vladika approached the best cannon, anxious to display his skill.
He took a long aim, and then fired, exulting greatly when the ball
struck the stone screenwork at top of the tower. This was just where
he aimed, and it was the best shot by far that I had seen. A little
dust seemed to fly, but no further damage. The reply of the Turks came
promptly, but his highness did not honour their skill by even ducking
below the rampart. It lodged in the side of the hill several feet
be