THROUGH WILD EUROPE 275 



across and thirty or more long, so that we had 

 plenty of room. About half-way over, a small boat 

 was seen under sail on the farther side, and as for 

 some reason the inspector fancied she was carrying 

 a cargo of contraband fish, we altered our course 

 to cut it off. Observing this she also altered her 

 course somewhat, and made for the shore. After an 

 exciting chase of seven or eight miles, during which 

 we gained on her fast, we watched her closely 

 through my glass to see if they were throwing any 

 cargo overboard, and on nearing her fired repeatedly 

 over her with revolvers until they took in the sail, 

 and lay to right in our track. Instead of shortening 

 sail or bearing away a trifle our steersman kept our 

 boat straight for her, crashing into her amidships with 

 terrific force, until her timbers cracked, and she 

 heeled over so much that I thought she was sinking. 

 There were no fish visible, only two Bulgars, looking 

 rather aggrieved, as well they might. 



With no word of explanation, as soon as we could 

 get our boat free and under weigh again, we sheered 

 off and left them to make their way as best they 

 could, while we continued our voyage towards a 

 distant village. This we did not reach until long 

 after dark, and by the time we had landed and 

 entered a restaurant for some supper, I was quite 

 ready for bed. By a restaurant I do not mean the 

 comfortable room with marble-topped tables and 



