ABSTRACT
THAT night we were once more in Metkovic, whel'e we found a brand-new bridge across the Narenta. I fancy the natives had hardly got used to it yet, for they brought our luggage across in a boat. Worthy descendants of the old Narentine pirates, they endeavoured to get half a sovereign out of me for this service, but failed signally. The little Cafe Europe had changed hands, greatly for theworse. Although it was very cold, the landlord. absolutely refused to heat the cafe, and I don't, think I ever felt the cold more in my life. However, next morning we started in a little steamerat five o'clock, and passed Fort Opus in the dark; but before we reached Trappano the sun rose, and we had a perfect day. From Trappano we turned back, and, calling at a couple of little ports on the Sabioncello Peninsula, we reaohed Stagno at balf-past ten. Ample time was given us to walk
across the narrow isthmus and survey the enormous walls which shut it off from the mainlandan old-time natural fortress. At Stagna Grande a rather larger steamer was waiting for us. Unfortunately, it was the eve of the testa of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Ragusa, and the boat was crowded with holiday-makers. At every port more joined us, till there was scarcely standing room, and the hold was crammed with live newly born lambs with their legs tied together, which were handled like parcels-a very cruel method of treatment.
