THE EVE OF THE GATHERING
tion to the Turk, would see me, and many others besides, strung to the gallows."
Yanni, who was lying on a straw mat near Mitsos, refilled his pipe and grinned.
"Me among them, Mitsos," he said, glancing up at his big cousin. "You will please to remember that."
But Mitsos did not answer, and only looked gravely at Petrobey.
"We shall no longer be enrsed by these devils," continned he, "for the Turks will vanish out of our land like snow in summer, What you and Yanni have to do is to go through a certain district, calling at certain villages, and speaking to certain men. This first journey, on which you will set out to-morrow, will take you a fortnight or so—ah, but the victuals will be poor, little ones, but perhaps you don't mind that—and then you will come back here. And remember, Mitsos, that you will be doing what none of us could do; for two boys, dressed as peasants dress, driving a couple of seedy mules laden with oranges, can pass where Nicholas and I could not. On this first journey Yanni will go with you, for he knows the country, but after that there will probably be other work for him to do, and also for you—plenty. You will go to the houses of these men and ask this question, 'Are yon grinding corn?' and they will answer, 'Corn for the hungry, or corn for the Turk?' And you will say, 'Black corn for the Turk. If you have not begun grinding, begin, and grind quickly.'"
Mitsos was listening breathlessly.
"What does it all mean?" he asked.
Petrobey smiled, and unslinging his powder-flask from his belt, shook out a little into his hand, and tossed it into the air.
"Pouf!" he said; "black corn for the Turk."
151
