The military road from Cattaro to Ragusa and Spalatro encroaches upon Turkish territory, and the telegraphic wire which connects Cattaro with Trieste passes over both Suttorina and Klek.  The Austrian government would find it very inconvenient were the Porte to dispute the right of passage at these points.  Should Turkey ever be in a position to force the adoption of the frontier, as defined by herself, the value of Klek in a military point of view will be immeasurably increased; for, while the port itself would be protected by her guns, the approach to it is perfectly secure, although flanked on either side by Austrian territory.  The waters of the harbour open out into the bay of Sabioncello from seven to eight miles in width, so that a vessel in mid-channel might run the gauntlet with impunity.

Towards evening we entered the Narenta, the principal river of Dalmatia and Herzegovina, by one of the numerous mouths which combine to form its delta.  Its ancient name was the ‘Naro,’ and it is also called by Constantine Porphyrogenitus ‘Orontium.’  Later it acquired an unenviable notoriety, as being the haunt of the ‘Narentine Pirates,’ who issued thence to make forays upon the coast, and plundered or levied tribute on the trading vessels of the Adriatic.  At one time they became so powerful as to be able to carry on a regular system of warfare, and even gain victories over the Venetian Republic, and it was not till 997 A.D. that they were reduced to submission by the Doge Pietro Orseolo II., and compelled to desist from piracy.

The valley of the Narenta is but thinly populated, a circumstance easily accounted for by the noxious vapours which exhale from the alluvial and reed-covered banks of the stream.

The lowlands, moreover, which lie around the river’s bed are subject to frequent and rapid inundations.  Excepting one party of villagers, who appeared to be making merry around a large fire close to the bank, I saw no signs of human habitation.

The croaking of many frogs, and the whirr of the wild fowl, as they rose from their marshy bed at our approach, were the only signs of life to be perceived, though higher up we met a few rowing boats, and one of the small coasting vessels used for the transport of merchandise.  These boats are generally from twenty to thirty tons burden, and are employed for the conveyance of ordinary goods from Trieste, whence the imports of Dalmatia, Bosnia, and the Herzegovina are for the most part derived.  Their rates of freight are light, averaging from 10_d._ to 1_s._ per cwt., chargeable on the bulk.  The more valuable or fragile articles are brought to Macarsca, a port on the Dalmatian coast, near the mouth of the Narenta, in steamers belonging to the Austrian Lloyd’s Company, whence they are despatched by boat to Metcovich.  The expense attendant on this route prevents its being universally adopted.  Insurance can be effected as far as Metcovich at 1_s._ 4_d._ to 3_s._ 4_d._ per cwt. on the value declared, according to the season of the year.