192 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



midst of a large crowd, upon whom we gazed, hardly 

 able to repress a smile at the absurd helplessness of 

 our position. After many vain inquiries, we found 

 a man who spoke some little French. To him we 

 told our tale, and through him we learnt from the 

 drivers that the missing party was close behind us. 

 Going back to test the truth of this statement, we 

 met the cavalcade in question just entering the town. 

 What was our surprise to find that the delay which 

 we, in our anxiety, had attributed to an onslaught of 

 brigands or a broken limb, was due to nothing more 

 serious than the loss of a greatcoat and rug ! These 

 had fallen from one of the horses as they clambered 

 down the crags ; and it was believed they had been 

 picked up by a party of peasants who had been pass- 

 ing at the time. At any rate, an hour's search had 

 failed to recover them. The incident gave us some 

 insight into the ways of Greek provincial justice. 

 Having given information to the police, we were 

 waited upon in our inn by an official who demanded 

 our full names, addresses, and occupations in life, 

 and an accurate description of the missing articles 

 and the circumstances of their loss. One of the 

 drivers further deposed to the names and dwelling- 

 places of the suspected peasants. So much for the 

 method of justice, which seemed intelligent enough. 

 The more the pity that it should have failed in its 

 end. But neither greatcoat nor rug was heard of 

 more. 



