On October 18, 1827, at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, a ship from the east coast of the Mediterranean was sailing with the wind, and it seemed that it wanted to enter the Port Verdeiro in the Gulf of Coron before dark. This is the port of Odysseus mentioned in the ancient Homer.It sits in one of three jagged gaps in the Ionian and Aegean seas.These three gaps make southern Greece into the shape of a plane tree leaf.It was on this leafy land that the ancient Peloponnese developed.Modern geography calls it the Morea.The first prong on the west is the Coron Bay, which sinks the steep Laconic coast, and the third is the Nopley Bay, a bay of sea water that separates Laconic from Algolides.

Verdelo is in the first of these three bays.The edge of its east bank was washed and broken by sea water, and in the depth of an irregular small bay is the first group of mountain ridge branches along the coast of Taijiat Mountain Range, which stretches across and constitutes the shape and direction of the mountains in the Mane area.Here the sea bottom is firm and well trended, and the high mountain barrier makes it a good safe haven. The ship was coming towards the shore with a cool north-northwest wind, but it was not visible from the pier at the moment, it was about 6,000 to 7,000 meters away, although the sky was clear, and the strong light on the distant horizon highlighted it. The trim of the top of the sail, but still nothing to see on the shore.

However, if you climb the mountain overlooking the village, you can see it from a distance.Built on a cliff, it looks like an ancient Roman amphitheatre. It was originally an ancient Greek fortress, and Kailafa once defended it.Today, there are still several ruins of ancient towers standing on the top of the mountain, which are later than those strange temples of Serapis.The church of Verdelo is also decorated with these Ionic columns.Near these ancient pagodas, there are 2 or 3 small churches with few fireworks, which are looked after by a few monks. Here, we have to understand what "care" means, and even the word "monk," which is only applied to monks on the coast of Messenia.And lo, one of them was leaving the chapel, and he was seen from a distance.

Religion in Greece at the time was a bizarre amalgam of Christianity and pagan legend.Many believers see the ancient goddess as a Protestant saint.As Mr. Henry Bell said: "They confuse demigods with saints, enchanted goblins of the valley with angels of heaven, and pray to the water monster as well as to the Virgin." Therefore they often have some strange behaviors. And acts that make people laugh, sometimes, even the clergymen can't figure it out themselves. Especially in the first quarter of this century, about 50 years ago, when the story happened, the priests of the Greek peninsula were especially ignorant, they were carefree, innocent and kind, like "obedient children", who would not go to Discipline the native superstitious inhabitants of the area.

But are these priests more than ignorant?In some parts of Greece, especially in the desolate region of Mane, they simply begged for a living, either by instinct or necessity.Some well-meaning tourists will also throw a few coins to them.All day long they carry suspicious icons around to be kissed by faithful men and women, or to add oil to the ever-burning lamps before shrines.The church has to collect a little tithe, and the priests can earn a little money for people’s confession, burial or baptism, but this income is really meager. These poor people have fallen into the lowest class of society, so they are willing to do some coastal watch. It's the job of a watcher, but what kind of watchman is this!It's nothing more than earning a few coppers from the local residents.

Now the sailors of Verdeiro learned the trick of the lazy Neapolitans, laying down and resting for hours after a few minutes of work.Now, when they saw a priest striding forward with arms swinging, they lazily stood up. The priest is about 50 to 55 years old. He is fat and thick. It seems to be the fat accumulated by laziness. "Hey, Father, what's the matter? What's the matter?" asked a sailor, coming up to him. The Verdeiro speak with a strong nasal voice, which makes people think that the nazon fish were their ancestors.In the native language of the Mane people, Greek, Turkish, Italian and Albanian are mixed together, making people think that they are still living in the time of Babel.

"Is it Ibrahim's army attacking Tajat Heights?" asked another sailor, making a gesture of indifference and no patriotism. "What does it matter to us unless it's French?" cried the first sailor. This answer shows that, although the Greek war is at its most brutal stage at present, it has not aroused much interest among these indigenous peoples living on the edge of the Peloponnese, which is very different from the people in the northern Mane region, who live in Greece. Made great contributions in the War of Independence. But the fat priest couldn't answer anyone's questions, because he was running down the steep slope so fast that he was out of breath, and his asthmatic chest heaved and heaved, and he couldn't make a sound when he wanted to talk.At least one of their ancestors, the Marathon warrior, was able to report the victory of Miltiades before dying.But now it was neither Miltiades nor the war between the Athenians and the Persians, but these wild mountain people at the end of the Magne, who could barely be called Greeks.

"Oh, Father, speak, speak!" cried an old sailor named Gozo.He was more impatient than the others, and seemed to have guessed what the priest was going to say. The priest finally caught his breath, and he pointed to the horizon: "A boat!" he said. At this, all the people stood up, clapped their hands, and climbed up a rock high above the harbor.From there, they had an unobstructed view of the entire sea. Outsiders may think that it is because the ships on the voyage evoke the sailors' yearning and various memories of the sea.No, it is not.It is better to say that the interest aroused their enthusiasm, and the reason for saying this is for a relatively special reason.

In fact, at the time I wrote the story—not when it happened—Magne was a special region of Greece.The Treaty of Andrinobol, signed in 1829, made it an independent kingdom due to the claims of the European powers.The Manie, or the people called the Mane who live at the end of this narrow bay, are still in a semi-barbarous state, caring more about individual liberty than the survival of the state.Similarly, the radical language of the residents of the inner region of Morea has never been eased by the changes of the times. Neither the Turkish Guards nor the Greek Gendarmerie can overwhelm them.Like the Corsicans, they are quarrelsome and vindictive, with feuds between families that can only be settled with blood.Born robbers, but also hospitable, if they need to kill when stealing, they are also willing to be killers.These rough, tough mountain people are worthy of the descendants of the Spartans.But they were shut up in the spurs of Mount Tejat, where there are thousands of small castles, and the inaccessible Fort Pyrgos, so they voluntarily played the vague role of guides in the Middle Ages, when feudal privileges always Exercised by dagger and musket.

If the Mane people at that time were still in a semi-barbaric state, then you can imagine what they were like 50 years ago.In the first third of this century, before steamships regularly patrolled the seas to stop atrocities at sea, merchant ships sailed between ports on the eastern Mediterranean coast and feared nothing more than these pirates. In particular, Port Verdeiro is located at the end of the Peloponnese, just at the entrance of the two seas, very close to Serrigordo Island. Raiding along the Mediterranean coast, that's why these bad guys are very fond of it.The place where the residents of the Mane area is concentrated has a special name called Kakowani.The Kakowani haunt the end of this Matabong headland proudly, doing their crimes with complete ease, robbing merchant ships at sea, deceiving ships with false signals on land, looting the ships, and Set fire to it.Whether it was the Turks, or the Maltese, Egyptians, and Greeks, they all killed or sold them as slaves to the coastal areas of North Africa without mercy.As a result, the number of ships sailing along Coron Bay, Marathon Bay, and Cape Garro and the surrounding waters became less and less, and their opportunities for doing it gradually became less and less, so they often prayed loudly that God would blow up a storm and send some large ships full of cargo.In the immediate interest of the faithful, the clergy never prevent such prayers.

Haven't gotten a boat for weeks.Not a single ship passed along the coast of Magne.So when the panting priest uttered "There's a boat," there was immediate cheering. Almost at the same time, the sound of the wooden clock struck.Because the Turks are not allowed to use metal bells, several nearby provinces use metal hammers to strike wooden bells.The muffled sound of the wooden bell was enough to gather the greedy crowd. Men, women, old, young, and vicious dogs all came out, and all people were useful in the massacre. All the Verdeiros gathered on the high rock and talked loudly.What kind of ship had the priest found? On the cool evening wind blowing from the north-northwest, the ship was going fast.It appeared to be tacking in Cape Matabon, and judging from its direction, seemed to be coming from the coast of Crete.The hull of the ship appeared and disappeared in the rolling white spray, and the sail was still a blur, so it was difficult to tell what kind of ship it was.All kinds of diametrically opposite views appeared in the crowd. "It's a schooner!" said a sailor. "I just saw those square sails on the fore-mast." "No, it's a barque. Look, isn't that the cocked stern and splayed bow?" said another sailor. "Whether it is a square sailboat or a stern boat, can you tell the difference at such a distance?" "Probably a square-sail three-masted ship?" The other man made an awning with his hands and looked around. "God help," said old Gozo, "whatever it is, a three-masted ship is better than a two-masted ship, and I hope it sends us plenty of candi and mesna cloth." After making such a noise for a while, everyone paid more attention to observe.As we got closer, we could see more clearly. Perhaps because of the wind, we could hardly see the side of the ship, so it was difficult to determine how many masts it was and how much cargo it was carrying. "Well, it looks like we're pretty poor, and I always feel that something's wrong!" Gozo swore in his mixed language, "It's just a sled schooner!" "Perhaps a long boat!" exclaimed the priest, also despondent. It appears that all these claims brought them was laments of disappointment.It can now be estimated that there are about 100 to 120 tons of cargo on board, although it is not too much, as long as it is valuable.Sometimes such simple boats or long boats also carry valuable wine, fine oil, or valuable cloth.It's also worth doing a guy, and it doesn't take much effort to make a fortune, so don't be discouraged at the moment.Besides, some experienced veterans had already seen that the ship was in good shape and would not be dry. The sun was fading over the western Ionian sea level, but there was still a glimmer of light left in the October twilight, which would be dark for an hour, so there was time to see the ship.Besides, after rounding the Matabong headland, the ship had to turn two compass points toward the port, which was just enough for the man on the rock to see clearly. After a while, Old Gozo shouted: "It's a small boat!" "It's a boat!" cried the others, too.A barrage of expletives indicated their disappointment. This point is very certain, everyone can't be mistaken, the boat that sailed into Kelong Bay is indeed a small boat.Perhaps, however, there was no reason to be so annoyed, as such boats often carried large quantities of valuable cargo. The small-tonnage ships from the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, which are called small boats by the locals, generally look like this: the deck ridge is slightly turned back, and each of the three single masts has a vertical sail.The mainmast was in the middle, with jib sailing sharply forward, and the ship had additional foresails, toppers, topsails, and traveling sails.There are two small triangular sails at the bow, and two different masts with two pointed sails at the stern, which make it look a little different.It is brightly colored, with a high bow, complex rigging, and unique sails, which make it different from those ships that sail round the islands. It is gorgeous and noble, and no one has ever seen a more beautiful than this light boat. , It undulates with the waves, the waves are flying over the side, prancing lightly, like the wings of a big bird skimming the sea, flickering in the afterglow of the setting sun. Although the sea wind was picking up, and the sky was full of "clouds" - the name that the East Coast residents gave to a certain cloud in the sky here - the small sailboat did not lower the sail at all, and even the moving sail did not move. No drop.It seems that the sailor is an old hand, and anyone who was timid would have lowered the sails long ago.Obviously the ship wanted to dock, and the captain didn't seem to worry about navigating the complicated channel at night when the tide was high. For Verdelo's sailors, it was no longer a matter of doubting whether the ship was coming to port, but of entering their port. "Hey!" cried one of the sailors, "it's always running with the wind, and it doesn't look like it's going to land!" "May the devil hold him!" said the other. "Will it land at some other wharf?" "Shouldn't you go to Kelong Bay?" "Probably to Kalamata Bay!" Both speculations are reasonable. Coron Bay is the most frequent port for merchant ships on the east coast along the coast of Mane, and it is the export port of a large amount of oil in southern Greece.Kalamata Bay is located at the end of the bay, and its open-air shopping malls are rich in goods, all of which are industrial products, cloth, pottery, etc., shipped from various countries in Western Europe. It is very likely that the boats transported goods for one of these two ports.In this way, the robbing plan of the Verdeiro people will fail. The people on the land were concentrating on their calculations, and the small boat on the sea was moving at high speed, and it would soon approach Verdelo.It was a matter of life and death, and if it continued to sail further into the bay, Gozo and his men would lose their chance, for even if they jumped into the fastest boats, they could not catch it, and the boat was full of huge sails. Its speed can be imagined. "It's coming!" As soon as the words came out of the old sailor's mouth, his arms with their hooked fingers stretched out towards the skiff like a four-claw anchor cast as the ship draws in. Gozo was right.The rudder had been turned to the wind, and the boat was coming straight for the port of Verdelo, at the same time as it lowered the moving sail on the topmast and the second jib; and then the third sail was furled.Now, the ship with its sails furled is entirely in the helmsman's hands. It was getting dark, and the boat had a little time, just enough time to get up to Verdeiro's wharf before it was completely dark.The underwater is full of hidden reefs, and if you don't pay attention, you will be smashed to pieces.The boat did not hoist a signal flag on the mainmast for pilotage.It seems that the captain is well aware of the dangers in these waters, because he dared not ask for help, and it is also possible that he did not believe what the Verdeiros were doing. How many ships have fallen into their hands. At that time, there was no lighthouse in the Magne region, and only an ordinary small lamp was lit on the narrow channel. The boat approached, and was only half a mile from Port Verdeiro, and she was determined to go ashore.Those on shore already felt that it was not so simple a figure at the helm. These non-believers were very dissatisfied with this, and they wished that the ship that they had been coveting for a long time hit the rocks.Unknowingly, Reef has become their accomplice, Reef strikes first and they complete the heist.To create an accident first, they take advantage of the fire, this is their usual way of action, so as to avoid hand-to-hand confrontation, lest some of them die, and you must know that there are some brave sailors on board, and there must be a price for attacking. Gozo and his gang left the observation site and descended to the port.It doesn't matter which direction the ship comes from, just be ready to do it. Now it is necessary to use a false signal to lead the ship to the narrowest part of the channel and force it to run aground.It's just that it's not dark yet, and it's not convenient to move. "Go to the signal light!" Gozo's order was simple and clear, and his men were accustomed to obey without thinking. The old sailor's orders were carried out to the letter.Two minutes later, the little lamp hanging from the top of one of the masts suddenly went out. At the same time, another light was lit in the same direction.It turned out that the light was hung in the port to indicate a fixed direction for the ship, but now this light is constantly moving, the purpose is to lead the ship out of the channel and hit the reef.The lamp itself was the same, but the newly lit lamp was hung on the horns of a goat. People drove the goat slowly on the steep slope, and the lamp moved with the animals, leading the boat astray. It wasn't the first time the Verdeiros had done something like this, and they had never missed one. At this time, the boat had just entered the channel, and it had furled its mainsail, but the jib was still stretched at the stern.With these sails removed, it can reach the mooring place completely.To the amazement of those on shore, the boat sailed through the twists and turns with unbelievable smoothness, ignoring the moving light, and couldn't have sailed more steadily in broad daylight.It seems that the captain must have often sailed in this area and is familiar with everything here, even if he sails late at night, he can advance and retreat freely, with ease. Already the daring sailor is in sight!His figure is clearly reflected in the bow.He was wrapped in a wide woolen cloak, with a hood on his head.To be honest, the captain's dress and manner were not like those captains that people are used to in the waters between the archipelagos. They usually twirl large rosary beads while driving, and they all have a shabby look.He is nothing like it.In a deep voice he gave various orders to the helmsman at the stern. At this time, the moving lamp on the cliff went out.The boat went on unmoved, and for a moment one thought it would be heard hitting the rocks, which were barely perceptible above the water.But with a slight turn of the rudder, the boat passed by the reef.It still passed the second dangerous shoal lightly. This shoal has only a narrow channel, and the accomplices of the Verdeiros have overturned many boats. Ships without resistance.Now the ship is going to drop anchor, and if you want to grab it, you have to hurry before it docks. The robbers had already discussed in advance that it would be most beneficial to attack in the dark. "Get on board!" Old Gozo gave an order, and they responded very quickly to the order, especially the order to rob. More than thirty stout men, some with pistols, most of them carrying knives and axes, rushed into many small boats moored to the shore. The number obviously exceeded the number of people on board. At this moment, the ship issued a hasty order, and the boat stopped in the middle of the port as soon as it sailed out of the channel, let go of the rope, dropped the anchor, and after shaking for a while, it remained motionless. Those small boats swarmed up, and although the crew on board were very calm, because of the bad reputation of the Verdeiro, they were still fully armed so that they could defend themselves if the situation was unfavorable. The captain walked from the bow to the stern, and the crew didn't show any special concern for the small boat passing by. They calmly packed the sails and cleaned the deck.It's just that the sail is not rolled up tightly, it is just pressed under the rope, and the sail can be pulled up and set sail at any time. The first small boat leaned up from the ship's side, and the rest followed almost immediately. The side of the ship was not high, and they rushed forward with wild screams, stepping onto the deck in one step. Some frantically rushed towards the stern, and one of them grabbed a lighted lantern and held it up to the captain's face. The captain looked up and took off his hood, his face illuminated. "Why," said he, "don't the Verdeiros know their fellow Nicolas Scotta?" Saying this, the captain put his arms across his chest calmly.After a while, those small boats quickly left the side of the ship and disappeared into the depths of the port.