230 EXTRACTS FROM 
near them, shooting in this part of the world being a very 
uncertain amusement, for the Greeks, like the Italians, kull 
and devour everything. 
At last, after much trouble, I managed to bag a Pygmy 
Cormorant, and contenting ourselves with this we returned 
homewards somewhat consoled for the lack of sport by a 
beautiful view of the green coast of Benizza and the lofty 
Hagi Deka mountain. 
On the 13th we resumed our voyage, but a violent gale 
compelled us to put into Zante; and as the storm continued to 
rage, I utilized the unavoidable delay by spending the day on 
the island and ascending the high mountain of Skopos. 
It was a toilsome and uninteresting climb and the sun 
burned fiercely, while we might have saved ourselves the 
trouble of carrying our guns, for there was no game, 
even birds were scarce, and we saw nothing but a few 
Central-European forms, which were here in their winter- 
quarters. 
Even on the 15th the weather did not allow of our weighing 
anchor, so we set out early in the morning and made for the 
northern point of the island, and on reaching it had a splendid 
view. To the north lay beautiful Cephalonia, and just in front 
of us was a deep valley wooded with rustling oaks, in the 
midst of which stood a charmingly situated monastery almost 
hidden by the high hillsides. 
We inspected the chapel belonging to it, which seemed to 
be a great place of pilgrimage, for it was richly adorned 
with many gilded reliquaries and dusky pictures of saints. 
Some of the priests then kindly invited us to take luncheon 
in the monastery, and on our inquiring about the sporting 
resources of the island, the holy men at once proposed a hunt 
for hares; so, as soon as lunch was over, we set out under the 
guidance of the youngest priest, who was attired in a short 
frock, wide blue trousers, and slippers ; the priestly biretta 
