low us. We remained, enjoying the interesting scene and beautiful
day, till about one o'clock, when the Montenegrian batteries suspended
operations from a temporary failure of ammunition. Being desirous of
passing the night in less crowded quarters than the previous one, we
now took our leave of the Vladika, and returned to the hamlet we had
left in the morning; and having with some difficulty procured a pony,
we set off to get as far on our road to Cattaro as we could, not
returning by Cettigna, which would have been round about, but entering
the Austrian territory above Budua and Castel Astua--Cattaro at
present lying to the north-west of us. The boy who conducted this same
pony, (a little mare, with a mule foal running beside her,) was the
most unmitigated savage I have met with on my travels, though not more
than ten years old. He was the ugliest little urchin I ever saw--his
only clothing was a piece of an old sack and ragged opunkas. After
galloping some distance to meet us, his mind misgave him as to his
pistol, and he returned and made his father, who was working in the
field, exchange with him. He then undertook to lead the pony, (the
animals here do not go pleasantly unless led, and also by some one
they are acquainted with,) which he did in the most desperate manner,
walking at about seven miles an hour. No concern of his what became of
the knees of the occupant, or with what stones or thorns they might be
brought into collision. When he came to a precipice in the road, and
there were many, down he jumped tugging the beast after him, and not
looking behind once. All this time the foal kept jamming up against
its mother. It was soon evident that the dismissal of this youth and
his cattle was a _sine qua non_, as cautions were vain. But on a sum
being offered which he considered less than his due, having come about
a mile, he took his own part in a manner most edifying in one so
young; and had the retainers of our party not been as well provided as
he, I believe he would have pistolled the whole of us. At length,
finding his efforts fruitless, he sprang on the pony, and putting her
to her best pace, was soon out of sight. About the same time we fell
in with two monks from the convent of Bercelli, who were on their way
to pay their respects to the Vladika. This was fortunate, as we had
intended to sleep there. These were the only inmates, and had the key
of the place with them. After treating the party to brandy,