THROUGH WILD EUROPE 199 



just caught the direct steamer to Durazzo. At this 

 time of year there were no passengers, and I had 

 the whole passenger accommodation of the steamer 

 and the staff of stewards to myself. Even in the 

 summer, when the boats are full, the Austrian- Lloyd 

 service to the Dalmatian and Albanian ports does 

 not pay. They confess to a very heavy loss, but 

 are obliged to keep it up to earn the Government 

 subsidy. It is all a part of the Austrian policy to 

 keep up the Austrian influence, and to push Austrian 

 trade in the Adriatic. 



On February 10, in the morning, I found myself 

 once more in Durazzo harbour, and presently landed 

 on the rickety little wooden pier. Dreading the 

 custom-house after my experience last year, I sent 

 one of the boatmen with my card to the Baron, and 

 waited a short time with my luggage outside. Marco, 

 the kavass, soon appeared, the Baron being engaged, 

 and we had the things carried in. 



The photographic things were not noticed this 

 time, but they soon discovered a bandolier of car- 

 tridges which put them on the right scent, and the 

 gun and rifle were quickly unearthed, though I had 

 taken them to pieces, packing the stocks and barrels 

 separately. Then a box of revolver cartridges was 

 found, and I was asked for the revolver. As it 

 happened I had a revolver in my pocket and a single 

 Smith & Wesson in my luggage, both of the same 



