and a consequent hush of the babble and brawl.

In determining to conclude the fete with a boat-race open to all Greek
comers from the capital to the Cyanian rocks, the Princess Irene did
more than secure a desirable climax; unconsciously, perhaps, she hit
upon the measure most certain to bring peace to the thirty villages.

She imposed but two conditions on the competitors--they should be
fishermen and Greeks.

The interval between the announcement of the race and the day set for it
had been filled with boasting, from which one would have supposed the
bay of Therapia at the hour of starting would be too contracted to hold
the adversaries. When the hour came there were six crews present actually
prepared to contest for the prize--a tall ebony crucifix, with a gilded
image, to be displayed of holidays on the winning prow. The shrinkage
told the usual tale of courage oozed out. There was of course no end of
explanation.

About three o'clock, the six boats, each with a crew of five men, were
held in front of the Princess' stand, representative of as many towns.
Their prows were decorated with banderoles large enough to be easily
distinguished at a distance--one yellow, chosen for Yenimahale; one
blue, for Buyukdere; one white, for Therapia; one red, for Stenia; one
green, for Balta-Liman; and one half white and half scarlet, for Bebek.
The crews were in their seats--fellows with knotted arms bare to the
shoulder; white shirts under jackets the color of the flags, trousers in
width like petticoats. The feet were uncovered that, while the pull was
in delivery, they might the better clinch the cleats across the bottom
of the boat.