Evening star., 1900-07-14
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII
The peaceful village was transformed. -
1t We're. In the twinkling of an eye, into
scene of tumult An invisible thundercloud
seemed towering in the cleary sky The
frightened little children and the timid wo-
men, running about the streets, reminded
Curtis of the sudden motherward furry of
chickens at the shadow of the swooping
hawk He was left alone in the deserted
Inn. He dragged n bench to the open door
and sat down. Those rapid preparations
for defense Were going on which suggest
themselves instinctively to people bred and
reared in a land of strife. Despite the sink
ing of the Holy Mary and her precious
cargo. guns and ammunition existed. A
group of sturdy mountaineers soon collected
on the square. wearing well-flled cartridge
belts and carrying gras rifles. The throng
grew. and every arrival was greeted
aft ctionateIy by his first name. Bravo,
Kur Yanne,"' OF Bravo, Kur' George"
The demarch formed the nucleus of the
group, the red marks under his eyes blush
ing like new cut slashes.
\ rapid jingling of the bells. as of ami
mails running. heard. and a senti-
mel goat appeared the edge of
a distant rock. He cast an agitated
glance back over his wethers. and slid
down. his four hOofs together, his back
bumped into semiCircie, his bucolc beard
thrust outward. Others appeared and slid
over, as though borne on the crest of a tor
rent Then two tall shepherds were sketch
ed for an instant on a background of noun
tains and sky. swinging their crooked
slaves. But they, too, were caught by the
imaginary torrent and swept into the town.
Boys Were dispatched into the surrounding
hills. and within an hour the streets We're
hlled with bleating focks. The group of
armed men grew to fifty. Lindbohm and
MiChali had both been provided with guns
The Swede had been induced to discard the
straw hat as too conspicuous mark and
to bind Il dark handkerchief about his head
Curtis felt himself one of them, and vet
knew that he was not.
IF had gun, | might get up there
among the rocks and do something" he
muttered. 81 can shoot just as well if am
lame. If | could only get into position.
Pshaw, What's the matter with me? This
am
The priest came down. leading Panayota
by the hand and carrying a cross. The girl
was white, even to the lips but there was
proud smile on her face and her eyes were
shining. She wore a short Cretan knife in
her belt. Papas-Ma!echo held aloft the
cross and solemnly blessed the waiting war
riors. after which he presented the sacred
symbol to the lips of each in turn. Lind
BONN strobe over to PanayOta. and pulling
the handkerchief from his head. bowed low,
with his hand upon his heart.
Before they get YOU" he said ..they
must yust take us all
Curtis shouted That's right" and was
not aware of the fact until the little army
turned and looked at him induiringIy.
IN make fool of myself here vet he
said. sinking back onto the bench
Michai translated LindbOhm's speech
anu great shout of Bravo! bravo" went
I'D
Lindbohm was in his element
There was, he understood. no other way
Tor the enemy to get in from the land side
except through the pass. They might ap-
fr1rr ha -G,,re
but there was only one place where they
could land. Men Were watching that and
a smoke by day or fire by night would
warn the Villagers Very good Fifty men
might defend this pass against 30. but
they must lose men and must make ev-
cry shot count How much ammunition
had they2''
Not much Only their belts full. and
possibly as much again, curses on the Eng
Very well We must use 1t the more
carefully We must not get excited Kos
takes Enendi cannot possibly reach the ra-
vine before nightfall-can he get through
without guide
No" replied the demarch Impossible"
Panayota spoke. She said only two
words. and she said them quietly. though
distinctly; but they fell like thunderclap.
Peter Ampates,"
This was the name Of the cowarfly shep-
herd whom Lindbohm had driven from the
town.
rs there any way to build fires so as to.
Hight up narrow places in the ravine?'
Ihere We're two or three such places
where hontires could be located that would
make the pass as light as day People
standing behind the rocks in positions Of
comparative safety could feed the flames
by tossing wood into them.
Send out the boys and girls then to pre-
pare these fires and to pile up brushwood
enough behind the rocks to keep them
burning all night" commanded the Swede
Build one fire at the mouth of the pass"
but here he was interrupted by "a chorus of
protest Let the Turks get into the pass
and then We will kill them" cried his
listeners
Very well, but see that they don't get
through
PapasMalecko had suggestion to make
The Sphakiotes often got the Turks into