He spat out of the window and replaced the mill-stone.
Maurice had understood only a part of what had been said. The old man explained to him that the summoner was a swordsmith of Elbasan, a Moslem, and an ill-conditioned fellow. And from the clanking of horses’ bits that he had heard at a little distance he believed that the swordsmith was accompanied by a considerable party. But no matter who they were, or how numerous, he would never defile his honour by betraying his guests.
Begging old Giulika to excuse him, Maurice turned to consult with George, who was looking puzzled and anxious.
“It’s very unfortunate that we are here,” said the elder brother. “The old fellow refuses to give us up, but I’m afraid he’ll suffer for it. The man who summoned him is a Moslem; he’s a Christian himself; and though the Christians and Moslems live peacefully enough as a rule, they fight like tiger-cats if they’re set by the ears. I’ve no doubt that Slavianski has hired a lot of ruffians who’ll commit any sort of outrage for pay, and if he works up the anti-English feeling, we may have a whole tribe attacking us. We’ve no right to involve the old man and his family in our difficulties.”
“Couldn’t we slip away in the darkness? One of the family might guide us.”
“I’ll ask him. My good friend,” he said to the old man, “we thank you for your hospitality, but we know what trouble we may bring upon you. We wish to go to Monastir; could one of your sons or grandsons guide us, if we slip out of the house by-and-by?”
Giulika reflected, and spoke to his sons.
“It is not wise, stranger,” he said at length. “My honour is engaged, by the law of Lek, to protect you for a day after you leave my house. By night, it is true, you could go up into the hills, and be safe: but when it is light, you would be seen, and your presence would be shouted from hill to hill, until the whole country was roused. That is certain if you proceed to Monastir by Ochrida.”
“Could we not go some other way?” suggested Maurice. “I wish ultimately to reach Sofia.”
“Yes, there is a long and difficult road to the north. It would be safe, perhaps, to travel by way of Prizren. The people of the north do not love the Austrians: it is only they of the south that are flattered and deluded by them. They do not love the Serbs nor the Montenegrins, but they have no wish to change bad neighbours for worse masters. Do they not remember what has befallen the Bosnians?”