It is unnecessary to say that the brave Ipsariot fully avenged the cruel wrong done to his native isle. A few months later he fell upon an Egyptian fleet of forty sail, laden with provisions and munitions of war, and destroyed almost half their number. What remained of the Turco-Egyptian men-of-war after all these reverses was burned or sent to the bottom in February, 1827, by the allied fleets of England, France, and Russia at the memorable battle of Navarino. Canaris not only experienced the satisfaction of witnessing this event, but he also lived to see his country free and independent.
MARCO BOTZARIS AND HIS GAUDY WARRIORS.
Marco Botzaris, the most picturesque military hero of the Greek war of independence, was a native of Souli, a famous mountain stronghold in Epirus, which for centuries has produced a race of fighting-men. The Souliotes indeed were justly considered the flower of the Greek revolutionary army. Attired in a costume resplendent with gold lace, gilt buttons, snow-white linen of superior quality, and other finery, they made an imposing array on dress parade or on the march. An American traveller named Emerson, who visited the theatre of the war in 1821, says of them, "I have seen the noble grenadiers of Napoleon, and I have known the superb English guards, but the Souliotes appear to me to surpass both." He describes their method of fighting to be somewhat theatrical, and to resemble that of the Scotch Highlander. Every man chooses his post, and like the ancients who covered themselves with shields, they seek cover behind a rock or stone, and from there shoot down the foe. In order to deceive the latter, the Souliote sometimes places his red cap on a pole at some distance away. He seldom makes more than three discharges, preferring to finish the fight with the cold steel. His weapon is a curved sword, called a yataghan, and he wields it with terrible effect.
One can imagine that with such material at his command Botzaris was able to lead the Mussulman a lively dance, as the saying is. His wild dashes on convoys, his surprises by day and night, and his ability to check the advance of large bodies of the enemy under all conditions of time and place, soon made his name a terror among the followers of the prophet. Neither Maurocordatos nor Kolokotronis, with all their science and their military training, was able to inspire the same fear in the enemy's ranks. Botzaris's name will ever be linked with the story of Missolonghi, its vicissitudes and its victories. With 400 men Botzaris defended this stronghold against an army of many thousands under Omar Vrione, and in repelling six assaults killed 12,000 of the enemy. This was but one of many triumphs. It was near this same stronghold of Missolonghi that the great hero met his death on August 20, 1823. He had received information that a large column of Turks was on its way to that place, and he decided to intercept it with his small force of 1200 Souliotes. It was late at night when the patriots came across the enemy, and by superhuman efforts succeeded in crushing him. For the time being Missolonghi was saved, but the brave Botzaris received his death-wound in the very moment of victory. He died with the words. "Zito Hellas!" on his lips.
The eighth annual interscholastic in-door athletic meeting of the New England I.S.A.A., a week ago Saturday, was a remarkable one for several reasons. First of all was the surprise at the outcome, which was entirely unlooked for; not that the winning school was not thought well of and was not a candidate for the honors it reaped, but that the victory was so very one-sided.