Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-12
THE BALKAN MOUNTAINS.
A Picture Of . Region Now Resoundin,
With War.
From Outing for December.

FROM Outing Tor December.
We gradually approach the Balkan noun
tains. that tower well up towards cloudland i'm
mediately ahead The morning is warm and
muggy, indicating rain. and the long steer
trundle, kilometer after kilometer, up the
Balkan Slopes is anything but child's play
albeit the scenery is most lovely, one prospect
especially reminding me of q view in the Big
Horn mountains of northern Wyoming Terri
tory. On the lower slopes We come to a B,ehdHd,
springs OF most delightfully."- cool water gushing
out OF creviceS III the rocks, and II will be short
enough at the best: The Balkans are clothed
with green foliage tn the topmost crags, wild
pear trees being no incOnspicuous feature;
charming little valleys wind about between the
mountain spurs, and last nights downpour has
impaired a freshness to the whole scene that
perhaps it would not be ones good fortune To
see every day, even were he here.
This region OF intermingled wales and forest
clad mountains might be the natural home OF
brgandage, and those ferocious looking speci.
mems of humanity, with things like long guns
in hand, running with scrambling haste down
the mountainside towards our road ahead,
look like veritable brigands heading US of with
view To capturing us. But they are peace.
fully disposed goatherds, who, alpenstocks I'm
hand are endeavoFing to see "what i'm the world
those queer looking things are coming up the
road" Their tuneful noise. as they are playing
on some kind of an instrument greets our ears
from dozen mountain slopes round about us,
as we put our shoulders to the wheel, and grad.
ually approach the summit TOrtoses are oc-
casionally surprised basking in the sunbeams
In the middle of the road: when molested they
hiss quite audibly in protest, but il passed
peacefully by they are seen shuff1ing of
in the bushes, as though thankful to escape
Unhappy oxen are tOiling patiently upwards,
literally inch by inch, dragging heavy creak-
ing wagons. loaded with miscellaneous Inn
pOrtatiOns, prominent among which 1 notice
square cans of America npetrOleum. Men on
horseback are encountered, the long guns OF the
Orient slung at their backs, and knife and pis-
tolls in sash, looking altogether ferocious Not
only are these people perfectly harmless, but 1
N n To n nd don Ofa
walton to make them even think of fighting
The fellow whose horse we frightened down a
rock embankment, at the imminent risk OF
breaking the neck of both horse and rider had
gun, knife and pistols; yet, though he probably
sense dangerous character, his weapons being
merely gewgaws to adOrn his person. Finally
the summit of this range is gained, and the
long grateful descent into the valleys of the
descent, though averaging very good, Is not
always OF the smoothest: several dismounts
are found to be necessary, and many places rid
den over require quick hand and ready eye
point In fixing their new boundary line south
of this mountain range.
Mountaineers are said to be ALWAYS free
men, one can with equal truthfulness add
that the costumes of mountaineers' wives and
daughters are always more picturesque than
those of their sisters in the valleys. In these
Balkan mountains their costumes are q truly
wonderful blending OF colors, to say nothing Of
fantastic patterns. apparently medley ofideas
man we just passed is wearing the loose flowing
pantaloons of the Orient, Of q bright yellow
color, tight fitting jacket of equally bright
blue; around her waist is folded many times q
red and blue striped waistband, while both
head and feet are bare. This is no holiday at
tire 1t is plainly the ordinary every day COS
tune.