SUPPER SCENE WITH COLOCOTKONI. 183 



. i& ' - 



complete eye comprehending, retina pigmentum, pupil iris, &c. 

 from the execrable point of his ataghan. As soon as the fragments 

 of the feast were cleared away, the board was spread with dried figs, 

 almonds, preserved grapes, dates, and a variety of sweetmeats. The 

 chitza was replenished, torches were lit, and the luxuries of clean 

 water, soap, and towels, presented by the hands of the maiden before 

 mentioned. One peculiarity of a Greek feast, I have omitted to men- 

 tion, which is, that every man at the conclusion loosens his sash, and 

 the more frequent eructations of flatus he can summon up, the more 

 honour is done to his entertainer, who never fails to receive it as 

 such, and in return for this very equivocal compliment, makes the 

 acustomed sign of salutation, and wishes his guest a good health. 

 It not unfrequently happens that a Frank is found fault with for 

 non-compliance with this disgusting custom. The Greek will say, 

 " You have not enjoyed your meat. You do not belch." 



" It is done," said the General, " does the Effendi drink smoke." 



"Verily." 



" Bring the Effendi a tchibouki, give the gentleman a pipe." 



A cherry-stick tchibouki, about four feet long, was brought me by 

 a fellow who smoked it till he got it into full fire, then passing the 

 amber mouth-piece through his hand to dry it he laid his hand upon 

 his heart and presented it to me, saying, " Oriste tchibouki Effendi,'' 

 (command the pipe, sir.) 



As the generous wine went merrily round, the scene became one 

 of uproarious jolity. We toasted all the powers of Europe that either 

 were or were supposed to be friendly to Greek independence, drank 

 deep perdition to the Austrians, and utter annihilation to the Turks ; 

 even old Sessini grew fierce, and wished himself a soldier, as he said, 

 " solamente per bevere del' sangue Austriaco." 



We had the Romaica, the remnant of the ancient Pyhrric dance, 

 and songs, heroic, pastoral, and errotic. Nothing happened to dis- 

 turb the general harmony, except a trifling dispute between two 

 vaunting Bobadils, which was to me a source of great amusement. 

 They called each other liars, thieves, knaves, cowards, every thing but 

 Keratades. Colocotroni, however, soon stopped the quarrel ; he 

 drew a pistol from his belt, cocked it, and swore he would send the 

 lead through the head of the first who dared to utter another word. 



It was far into the night before I bade adieu to the hospitality of 

 the " poor Klepht," and I believe I was more indebted to the guidance 

 of my friend, the Tchaous, for safe conduct on board the brig than for 

 any particular discretion of my own. 



