200 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



Before starting for Mycenae, we had a most in- 

 teresting and amusing interview with the uncle and 

 mother of our host, the former of whom had fought 

 in the war of independence. He was a fine grizzled 

 old man, clad in Greek dress, and somewhat bowed 

 with age. He was quite delighted to be reminded 

 of the good old times, and at once began to " fight 

 his battles o'er again" for our benefit, illustrating 

 his narrative most graphically with the stick which 

 supported his tottering footsteps. The torrent of 

 eloquence and invective which poured forth as he 

 hobbled up and down the room in his excitement, 

 nearly convulsed \is with laughter. Though AVO could 

 not understand him thoroughly, we managed to catch 

 a word here and there, and Nicholas imparted to us 

 the gist of his meaning. The chief exploit he had 

 taken part in was an attack on some Turkish gun- 

 boats at Nauplia, which had been attended with 

 complete success. Turning to present politics, we 

 asked him if he would be willing to fight again should 

 occasion require it. I need hardly say that he ex- 

 pressed perfect readiness, and did not seem to mind 

 whether it were against Turks or Russians. His 

 sister, one of the most wonderful and energetic old 

 women I ever saw, seemed equally desirous to join 

 in the struggle, and to bury her nails in the face of 

 any foe that might come ! 



Bidding farewell at last to this heroic couple, we set 

 off to Mycenae. A drive of about an hour, through 



