r many weeks I went to the Law Court whenever I visited the market,
demanding the restitution of my cow by legal means, and each time was
I put off by answers and promises. And Achmet was always on the
market-place taunting me with tales of the cow and her calf. For she
had calved. But the law is strict, and I never dared shoot him whilst
in the town, and this the coward knew.

"When I saw that I should get no help from the law, I took two men
from this village. They are here in this room," he said, pointing to
two men seated near us. "And one morning I went across to Dinos. I did
not go at night, like the thief, but when the sun was highest, and
when all could see me. I left my comrades outside Achmet's house, and
went in alone. There I found my cow and her calf, but only the women
were present. So I drove the cow and the calf out of the door towards
my comrades. Then, lest any should think that I was afraid, I fired my
rifle into the air. Very soon the men came running from the fields,
and amongst them Achmet and his son. When they saw me and my cow, they
came towards me firing, but being unsteady from running, the bullets
flew wide. Then I took careful aim and shot Achmet dead, and then his
son. We then ran quickly, and though men pursued us, they were afraid
to come too near lest I should shoot them likewise, and so we came
back to Fundina in safety. Since then the men of Dinos wait for me,
and they will kill me soon, for the insult is very great that I have
put upon them, and the fame of my deed has travelled into all lands."
As he said this his eyes lit with fire, and the spirit of heroism
shone out in the seemingly timid-looking man.

"Must thou stay here, in Fundina?" I asked, "where thy enemies are so
near. Why not go to Cetinje or Niksic?"

"Men know me for a hero," he answered proudly. "What would they say if
I ran away and sought safety elsewhere? I should be a double coward,
for I should leave my brothers to inherit my fate. No, I shall wait
here till they come, and they shall not find me unprepared or
sleeping. See, every night I make my bed in a different place,
sometimes in one room of the house, sometimes in the bushes outside.
They never know where I shall sleep, for these dogs love to kill their
enemy in the night."

Silence fell upon us as Keco finished. The wood fire crackled and
flickered, lighting up fitfully the serious faces of the men sitting
round.

Half guessing our thoughts, Keco said-