As the feast lasted for several days, the dinner did not really come to an end at once. The eating and drinking were, however, interrupted for a short time by the Kolo, which took place in the yard, festively decorated with lanterns, flags and greenery. The ball, of course, was opened by Ivanka and Milenko. The Kolo they danced this time was the graceful skocci-gorri, or the jumping step, which is something like a Varsovienne, only that the couples, instead of clasping hands, dance it holding the ends of a twisted kerchief.
As the newly-married couple danced, the bariactar, or flag-bearer, followed every step they made, waving his banner, holding a decanter of wine upon his head, and performing behind them various antics to amuse the crowd.
When the Kolo had lasted long enough—for, as the proverb says, "Even a fine dance wearies"—the bride and bridegroom retired into the house, and eating and drinking began again with renewed mirth. At last, when the merriment had become uproarious, the young couple rose and left the table. They went and knelt down before Janko Markovic, who blessed them, holding a small loaf of bread over their heads; then, having given it to them, he bade them begone, in the name of God.
They were then accompanied to their bridal chamber by Uros and Milena, who helped them to undress, though, according to the traditional custom, this office belonged to the voivoda, the bariactar, and several of the other svati.
The dolibasa thereupon uttered a loud "Zivio!" which was echoed by everyone in the room, and bumpers were again quaffed down.
The bariactar thereupon made some appropriate and spicy jokes, the svati did their best to outwit him, the youths winked at the girls, who tried to blush and look demure.
The music played, the guzlars sang an epithalamium, to which everyone present joined in chorus. At last the voivoda and the principal svati went and knocked at the door of the bridal chamber, and asked the hunter to relate his adventures and his success. Then the proofs of the consummatum est having been brought forth, pistols, blunderbusses, and guns were fired, to announce the happy event to the whole town, and the drinking began again.
Eight days of festivities ensued, during which time—although the eating and drinking continued in the same way—the scene varied from one house to the other.
At last, the new ship being christened and launched, it was soon rigged out, all decked with flags and streamers. Then Milenko and Uros embarked with their wives, delighted at the prospect of seeing something of the world. On a beautiful May morning the white sails were unfurled, the anchor was heaved, and the beautiful vessel began to glide slowly on the smooth, glassy waters, like a snowy swan. The crowd gathered on the beach fired off their pistols and shouted with joy. The women waved their handkerchiefs.
Soon, nothing more was seen but a dim speck in the grey distance. Then the crowd wended their way homewards, for they had seen the last of the pobratim.