revolvers, the latter receiving much encomium.  An old Turk, who had been summoned to take part in the morrow’s excursion, eyed one of those for some time, and at length delivered himself of the following sentiment:  ’They say there is a devil:  how can this be so, when men are so much more devilish?’ I am afraid the salvation of Sir William Armstrong, Mr. Whitworth, &c. &c., would be uncertain were they to be judged on the same grounds.  While waiting for our dinner of fowls made into soup and baked potatoes, the sons brought a book, which the priest, with more regard for preserving his reputation for learning than veracity, had told them was a bad book.  It proved to be a German Encyclopaedia.  On hearing this one remarked, ‘Oh, then it will do for cigarettes.’  While regaling ourselves on wine and grapes, which one of the hospitable creatures had walked twelve miles to procure, we received visits from the male population of the village, who, like all the people of the valley, are much addicted to chamois-hunting.  Their conversation, indeed, had reference exclusively to sport, varied by a few feats of skill, hardly coming under the former name.  One villager asserted positively that he had seen a man at Livno shoot an egg off another’s head.  This was instantly capped by another, who affirmed that he had witnessed a similar feat at the same place.  His story ran thus:  ’At the convent of Livno, all the Roman Catholic girls of the district are married.  On one occasion a young bride was receiving the congratulations of her friends, when a feather which had been fastened across her head became loosened, and waved around it.  A bystander remarked that he would be a good shot who could carry away the feather without injuring the head.  The girl upon hearing this looked round and said, “If you have the courage to fire, I will stand.”  Upon which the bystander drew a pistol and shot away the truant feather.’

The valley of Drechnitza is wild and rocky, but sufficiently wooded to present a pleasing aspect.  The timber is in many places of large girth, and might easily be transported to the sea.  It is invested also with more than common interest by the primitive character of its people, and the legends which associate it with the early history of the province.

At present only four villages remain in the valley; that where our hosts lived being the most ancient.  They indeed spoke with pride of having occupied their present position since before the conquest, paying only a nominal tribute of one piastre and a half until within the last thirty years, since which time their privileges have been rescinded.