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The fighting here was desperate, lasting three days, the Turkish losses amounting to about 20,000 men. In Albania the Montenegrin siege of Scutari continued, though so far without success. Turkey had now enough of the war. On November 3d she had asked a mediation of the Powers, but these replied that she must treat directly with the Balkan nations.
From the Austrian trenches now poured thousands of men at the double poured in dense masses toward the Montenegrin center, the while the Austrian artillery shelled the Montenegrin center with greater energy than at any time since the battle began. Apparently the enemy had determined upon the Montenegrin center as the objective of its grand assault.
Apparently satisfied that there was no question that the center was to be the main objective of the enemy, the Montenegrin staff ordered the bulk of the Balkan army massed there to beat back the foe. Regiments and brigades were hurriedly drawn from the two flanks to reinforce the center. The left wing was weakened badly.
They were challenged several times by Montenegrin outposts, but were allowed to proceed after an explanation by Colonel Edwards. It was four o'clock by Hal's watch when Colonel Edwards at last drew rein in the far outskirts of a tiny mountain village. "We'll leave our horses here," said the colonel, dismounting. He led the way to a small barn near a smaller hut.
George, the Cross of Leopold, the Belgian war medal, Serbian and Montenegrin orders, etc.
In all but military abilities he had grown curiously to the measure of his place, and his diplomatic abilities more than compensated for the want of the military. And what was most singular was that his early education in Paris had not spoiled the Montenegrin in him.
It is not till he gets well off the beaten track that he sees the hospitable and courteous Montenegrin as he really is. [Illustration: NJEGU
The Montenegrin understood and replied in broken French: "How am I to know you are not of the enemy?" "Well, I don't know, to tell the truth," Hal replied with a pleasant smile. "I am afraid it does look a little bad for us, as we have nothing to prove our identities. But if you have a British or French officer about here, perhaps we can convince him." The Montenegrin nodded.
We made Podgorica our headquarters during our sojourn in the land of the Black Mountain mainly for its central position, but also for the opportunity afforded us there for studying Montenegrin life. It would be difficult to forget our first visit to the town.
But even in this breaking down of a barrier provided by nature he showed his shrewdness and tenacity, for the Austrians, in passing the frontier, had made the trace of the road pass over an elevation from which their artillery would command the difficult gorge that was the gate to the principality, and the Prince refused to bring his portion of the road to meet it but brought it up to the frontier by a safe route, and left the terminus there until the Austrians brought their road to meet it where the junction was in favor of the Montenegrin defense.
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