DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9841#0192
XXXIV.]
STRAGGLERS CUT OFF.
173
bones of many of those who fell: memorials of mortal
strife, which, in these regions, are but too frequently
met with.
When the main body of the Mohammedans had at
length passed out, and found themselves on the open
barren mountains about Krapi, the rear continued to
be harassed by a steady pursuit, to avoid which nu-
merous parties made their escape to the mountains.
The Sfakians pursued the flying enemy as far as Armyrd,
near twelve miles from Askyfo, harassing his rear, and
cutting off every one who was not active enough to
keep up with the main body in their disorderly flight.
At Armyrd sunset and the shades of night gave the
Turks that protection which they might have found
in their own numbers, had their leaders been but once
able to rally them when they had reached the plain.
But, though the main body of the Turks was thus
unmolested by any further pursuit, their numerous
stragglers had other and greater horrors to endure.
Those of them who were wounded were unable long to
continue their flight; and, with no friend to aid them,
sunk down and died. Even the strongest and most
vigorous were scarcely better able to escape ; for most
of them lost their way in the mountains, or were inter-
cepted by parties of Sfakians, who, for the next two
or three days, according to their own accounts, hunted
these unhappy stragglers " like so many wild-goats."
Corpses not stript of their arms, when occasionally found
by Sfak ian shepherds for months afterwards, sufficiently
indicated that others had died from absolute want and
exhaustion. Some, after skulking under the trees in
the day-time, and vainly endeavouring to find their way
towards Rhithymnos by night, unable to withstand the
stern behests of those imperious tyrants, Hunger and
Thirst, at length, as their only chance of preserving life,
entered a village, and, throwing themselves at the feet
of the first Greek they found, implored mercy and a
draught of water. Perhaps the reader may suppose
VOL. II. if
STRAGGLERS CUT OFF.
173
bones of many of those who fell: memorials of mortal
strife, which, in these regions, are but too frequently
met with.
When the main body of the Mohammedans had at
length passed out, and found themselves on the open
barren mountains about Krapi, the rear continued to
be harassed by a steady pursuit, to avoid which nu-
merous parties made their escape to the mountains.
The Sfakians pursued the flying enemy as far as Armyrd,
near twelve miles from Askyfo, harassing his rear, and
cutting off every one who was not active enough to
keep up with the main body in their disorderly flight.
At Armyrd sunset and the shades of night gave the
Turks that protection which they might have found
in their own numbers, had their leaders been but once
able to rally them when they had reached the plain.
But, though the main body of the Turks was thus
unmolested by any further pursuit, their numerous
stragglers had other and greater horrors to endure.
Those of them who were wounded were unable long to
continue their flight; and, with no friend to aid them,
sunk down and died. Even the strongest and most
vigorous were scarcely better able to escape ; for most
of them lost their way in the mountains, or were inter-
cepted by parties of Sfakians, who, for the next two
or three days, according to their own accounts, hunted
these unhappy stragglers " like so many wild-goats."
Corpses not stript of their arms, when occasionally found
by Sfak ian shepherds for months afterwards, sufficiently
indicated that others had died from absolute want and
exhaustion. Some, after skulking under the trees in
the day-time, and vainly endeavouring to find their way
towards Rhithymnos by night, unable to withstand the
stern behests of those imperious tyrants, Hunger and
Thirst, at length, as their only chance of preserving life,
entered a village, and, throwing themselves at the feet
of the first Greek they found, implored mercy and a
draught of water. Perhaps the reader may suppose
VOL. II. if