, 1876-08-12

N"O kHNO
enactments. Count Valerian Krasinski
relates that in 1886 two malefactors were
sentenced to death OF Cettigne, and the
manner in which the sentence was carried
into effect is truly Montenegrin. Several
hundred persons belonging to different
districts were assembled, and they all fred
their rifles together on the culprits, in
order that their relations might not says
"Such a one has killed our kinsman."
Although the Monteneg;ins are Justly
celebrated as marksmen, and were present
in great numbers, and fired from o short
distance, only one of the culprits was kill
ed and the other wounded ; the sentence,
however, being considered executed, the
latter was cured of his wounds and set free.
Montenegro formed part of the Slavoniau
Empire of SerVia overthrown by the Turks
in 1899, when the Servian monarch Las
carus persisted at the battle of Kossowa.
The Turks could not appropriate these
mountains as they did the rest of Servia,
and Montenegro was governed by the
descendants OF o son-in-Iaw of Lascarus,
until in 1916 its Prince, who was childless,
transferred his authority to the Vladika.
The people have always been at wal with
Turkey, accepting for that purpose any
allies they could find. In 1912 they de.
clared themselves the subjects of Peter the
Great who accepted their oath of allie
glance. This protection was only nominal,
but it continued to be acknowledged, and
the Emperors have kept up the habit Of
sending presents of money, but especially
of religious books and episcopal vestments.
The Montenegrin method of making war is
very primitive. A Russian officer, who
visited their country and studied it, tells
us that a Montenegrln never sues for
mercy and whenever one of them is
severely wounded, and it is impossible to
save him from the enemy, his own COM
rades cut off his head. When at the at
tack Of Clobuck, O small detachment Of
Russian troops was obliged to retreat, an
officer Of stout make, and no longer young,
fell on the ground from exhaustion. A
Montenegrin, perceiving it, ran Immediate
" to him, and, having drawn his yatagan,
said, " You are very brave, and must
wish that | should cut off your head. Say
a prayer, and make a sign of the Cross.''
The officer, Mortified at the proposition,
made ON effort to rise, and reioined his
CuIuIdueS Will Tue dSSISLuuC6 VI GuO ITI6uQ"
ly Montenegrin. They consider oil those
who have been taken by the enemy as
killed. They carry out Of the battle their
wounded comrades on their shoulders.
Arms, a small loaf Of bread, o cheese,
some garlic, o little brandy, an old garment,
and two pair Of sandals made Of raw hide,
form all the equipage OF the Montenegrins.
On their march they do not seek any shell
ter from rain or cold. In rainy weather
the Montenegriu wraps around his head
the Strooka "a shawl Of course clothJ, lies
down on the ground, and, putting his rifle
under him, sleeps very comfortably.
Three or four hours of repose are quite
sufficient for his rest, and the remainder of
his time is occupied in constant exertion.
It is impossible to retain them in the re.
serve, and it seems that they cannot calmly
bear the view Of the enemy. The tactics
of the Montenegrins are confined to being
skilful marksmen. A stone, a hole, a tree,
offer them a cover from the enemy. Firing
usually in a PROSTATE position on the
ground, they are not easily hit, whilst
their rapid and sure shots carry destruction
into the closed ranks Of a regular army.
They have besides q well-practised eye for
judging of distance, and thoroughly under
stand how to take advantage of the ground.
O~fcourse it will ALWAYS be difficult TO en-.