Narrative of the Cretan War of Independence [Mainly an English paraphrase of the Apomnemoneumata of Kallinikos Critoboulides.] Edited by A. Ioannides

Preface

. The heroic contendings and direful sufferings of Cretan Patriots, both in Crete and elsewhere, during the Greek war of independence, as well as the social condition of that rich and interesting island at the present day, are very imps known even to those who take a lively interest in the general progress of Greece. The object of the following work, " Narrative of the Cretan War of Independence" is to present to the English reader such authentic information as might help to guide the statesman, the scholar, the philanthropist, and the Christian, in forming a correct estimate of the condition and capabilities of one of the most important sections of the Panhellenium. The> editor, while confessing that he is proud of bemg not only a Greek, but a Cretan, and while he is not ashamed to avow his fond sympathies for everything connected with his native isle, ventures to believe that his residence iTk.

Western Europe, his acquaintance with its literature, and his intercourse with many of its literary and professional men of distinction, as well as his deep devotion to the ger; interests of Greece, have preserved him from any unpardon able prejudice, or perceptible want of historical impartialitv in treating of the special affairs of Crete. To write a History, properly so called, of Greece during the iast fifty years, would be a work beyond the editor's powers or pretensions, and a work that can only be executed at some subsequent period, when some gifted individual, possessing the requisite leisure, fortune, and attainments, shall deduce, from the examination of original documents and personal memoirs, materials for a performance aspiring to the dignity of a standard and enduring History of Hellenic affairs since the commencement of the nineteenth century.

The title of the present work is intended to indicate, that it is merely a simple and truthful statement of facts, supplying authentic information to readers interested in the subject, and fitted to serve as materials to be weighed and turned to account in the composition of a History of Greece. Based on the excellent and conscientious "Apomne moneumata of C. Critovulides," and, in fact, mainly an English paraphrase of that contribution to Cretan History, it will, it is hoped, be found to possess, even for those who are perfectly acquainted with the language in which M. C. Critovulides has written, much greater perspicuity and precision than the original work of that patriot. A. IOANNIDES, M.D., F.A.S.L. Licentiate of the London Royal College of Physiciam. 8 Chepstow Place, Bayswater, W. London. NARRATIVE OF THE CRETAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.

Chapter I

Events in Crete from the beginning op May to the 15th op September, 1821. The Turks of Kydonia (Canea) selected as the first victims of their intended measures against the Christian inhabitants, the Bishop of Kisamos, Melchisedech, a native of Crete, and Kallinicos, teacher of a Lancastrian school in the town, and a native of Berea. They were exasperated against the Bishop on account of his resolute resistance to all their attempts to interfere with him in the faithful discharge of his duties ; and they were incensed at the schoolmaster, whom they nicknamed Nizamzetitle (soldier-trainer), on account of his new system of instruction. Accordingly, about the middle of May they dragged the Bishop from Kisamos, and, simultaneously seizing Kallinicos, at the country seat of Konstantine Geracakes, in the village of Perivolia, tumultuously threw them both into the dungeons of the fortress, in spite of the remonstrances of Latiphes, then Pasha of the district of Kydonia.

They, from the same motives, surrounded without loss of time the Greek Grammar School of Kydonia for the purpose of seizing its teacher, Nicholas Phurakes. He, however, having been apprised of their intentions, succeeded in concealing himself in the humble abode of a poor woman, where he soon afterwards expired from the effects of fear. Nearly on the same day the Turks of Rethymne, acting in concert with those of Kydonia, seized, in the environs, Georgios Baos, a native of Siphnos, who conducted a Lancastrian school recently established at Rethymne, and, in the same tumultuous manner, cast him into one of the dungeons of that town. The r Greeks of Rethymne succeeded in delivering Baos on paying a high ransom ; but Geracakes was unable to accomplish the same thing in behalf of Kallinicos, although he earnestly offered for his liberty a large sum of money.

After these brief but necessary statements, we return to what was now taking place at Kydonia. The Turks, having soon afterwards broken open the prison, dragged the Bishop and the Lancastrian teacher to the gallows on the day of our Saviour's Ascension. Kal linicos was half dead on reaching the place of execution ; but the Bishop continued to the last to say to his torturers, who were dragging him naked amid blows and outrage : " Devour, ye wild beasts, my flesh ; my soul, which I this day give back to my Maker, ye have no power to hurt. I die with the assurance that God will soon avenge the innocent Christian blood ye are now shedding !" After hanging these, their first victims, the Turks directed their fury indiscriminately against the whole Christian population, and no longer heeded the commands of the local authorities.

Melchisedech was a native of one of the eastern provinces of Crete. Going abroad, as a simple ecclesiastic , while still a youth, he had passed the greatest part of his life in Bulgaria, where he attained the rank of Protosyngelos. In 1818, while still residing in Bulgaria, he was raised to the Bishopric of Kisamos in Crete, then vacant. Distinguished for courage and decision, he fearlessly defied all the outrageous threats and iniquitous demands of even the most powerful Turks ; and employed the civil power, with which he was invested as a prelate of the church, to protect his flock from the cruel and brutal oppression, which at that time lay more heavily on the Christians of Crete than on any other Hellenic population. As, from his courageous bearing towards the Turks, he was exposed to the manifest danger of being murdered, it is to be regretted that he did not save himself by flight on the outbreak of the insurrection in Continental Greece, and reserve his valuable life for the service of his country during the war of independence.

The two Lancastrian teachers, mentioned above, had been trained at Tassy, in the school of Kleovulos, who first intro duced into Greece from Western Europe the Lancastrian system of instruction. Being members of the Hetæria, they had initiated some of the most prominent Cretans. The deacon Kallinicos was a native of Berea in Macedonia, and was, when put to death, about 30 years of age. Blameless and courteous in his deportment* he was respected and beloved by all with whom he had intercourse. Having solemnlv devoted himself to the service of his country, he was doomed to be offered up as one of the first victims on the altar of liberty. Nicolaos Phurakes also fell a sacrifice to his devoted patriotism. Having studied under Konstantine Kumas at the celebrated Greek Gymnasium of Smyrna, he returned to Crete in 1818, a period at which it frequently happened that even youthful students were made acquainted with the plan of Greek emancipation.

He was a native of the village of Alikianos in the province of Kydonia. Shortly after the tumultuous proceedings we have just recorded, a ferocious Turk of Suda, called Hassan Re'izes, the captain of a merchantman, happened to make a voyage from Kydonia (Canea)* to the island of Kimolos; and, having heard from some of the inhabitants the news of the Greek insurrection, suddenly left the place, alarmed for his own safety. On returning to Kydonia he related, with boundless indignation, what he had ascertained at Kimolos, and thus inflamed still more the exasperation of the Turkish mob, who continued, with increasing fanaticism, to wreak their fury on the unarmed Christian population. The consternation of the Christians on each successive outburst of Turkish barbarity, was universal and indescrib able.

Accordingly, they sought by every possible contrivance to escape the impending danger. Such of them as found the means, fled from the fortresses and their environs, leaving warehouses, shops and houses full of property, to the discretion of the mob. It is but fair, however, to state, that the more enlightened of the Turks evinced, at this crisis, great moderation, and even encouraged and assisted their Chris tian acquaintances to effect their escape. In fact, the Agas and the Pasha himself, desirous, it would appear, to control the fury of the mob, adopted for the pur- *Tf the word Khania be not a corruption ot Khthonia, an ancient de signation of Crete, it is probable that Khania received its name from Khani, one of its Saracen conquerors, during their temporary ascendancy in Crete. Such, at least, is the local tradition. pose of preventing or postponing a fresh outbreak, an expe dient which had proved of some use during the tumult raised by Captain Hassan, of Suda They apprehended that the mob, if left unrestrained, would ultimately direct its fury against them.

Accordingly, they represented the importance of sus pending acts of violence against the Christian population, till they should ascertain the state of matters in other parts. The insular situation of Crete contributed to the adoption of this decision. -All intercourse was m the mean time prohibited between Cretan and other Turkish ports, from the danger to which Turkish vessels were exposed from the Greek insurgent vessels, which almost every island of the Ægean had sent out to cruise in all parts of the Greek seas. In order to obtain the fullest information the Turkish authorities of Kydonia induced, by promises of ample recompense, Va lestra, an old Frenchman, who had long resided among them, to proceed to Kythera (Cerigo) and elsewhere, for the purpose of procuring authentic intelligence about passing events.

Valestra returned from Kythera on the 9th of June, and informed the crowd, which surrounded him the moment he landed, that there was a general insurrection of the Greeks against Ottoman domination, and stated the progress of the insurgents both by sea and land. One of the insurgent flags, which he held up to satisfy the curiosity of the multitude, was snatched from his hand, dashed on the ground, and trod upon with every possible insult. The crowd instantly com menced a massacre of the Christian population, and from that moment threw off all restraint. The fitst victim of their ferocity was the well-known head of a guild, the father of Misael, Archbishop of Achaia and Elis, in Peloponnesus. The infuriated mob killed many other persons whom they happened to meet in the streets. A large body of Turks, issuing from the fortress with displayed banners, commenced an indiscriminate slaughter of the inhabitants of the em irons, of such as, from ignorance of the state of affairs, were travel ling towards tho town, and of all others that came in their way.

On the 14th of June a cruel and ferocious Turk, called Tamburazes, putting himself at the head of sixty select followers, issued from the fortress, and proceeded to Kcrameia * * A division of the province of Kydonia, consisting of several villages with respective names, aud known collectively by the term Kerameia > for the purpose of committing similar atrocities there. But Joannes Halles, Papadandreas, and Mutsoyannes, happening to be there at the head of about forty armed followers, partly from Rhizae* and partly from Sphakia, attacked for the first time the oppressors, at a place called Lulos. The Turks, on meeting this unexpected resistance, took up a strong posi tion, and with threats of vengeance defended themselves at first courageously. Theii threats, however, and their resistance were equally vain.

Henceforth the oppressors were to encounter bold warriors breathing righteous vengeance for the wrongs and slaughter of their helpless Christian brethren. On this occasion the Greeks displayed great gallantry, and the Turks, assailed with impetuosity, took to flight. So great, in fact, was the consternation of the Turks that, in their flight, they threw away their arms. The Greeks, embold ened by this success, pursued then as far as the plain below Nerocuron, situated at less than an hour's distance from the fortress. Eight Turks, including the ferocious leader, Tam burazes, fell in this engagement. The Greeks, without the loss of a man, felt for the first time the delight of making booty of Turkish arms of great value, This victorious skirmish greatly encouraged the Greeks. and led to a series of more important victories.

The Christians, hitherto unarmed and cowed by oppression, now conceived the hope of being able, with God's aid, to vanquish their gigantic enemy. The Turks, on the contrary, were now struck with corresponding despondency and dismay. Con vinced that the subject population would, if once they got arms into their hands, no longer unresistingly submit to be slaughtered as their brethren had been when unarmed and unprepared, the Turks, as will by-and-by appear, now ener getically endeavoured to prevent the impending danger. All their efforts, however, proved ineffectual. Those who had been routed in the above-mentioned en counter were at great pains, in order to disguise the disgrace of defeat, to give out, on returning to the fortress, that they had seen the neighbouring hills covered with troops, con sisting partly of Muscovites in the dress of Western Europe, and partly of Peloponnesian Greeks with white kilts. * The designation iihizae has been given to the more mountainous par's sf Kydonia, situated at the foot of tho White Mountains (Madarae).

The inhabitants are called in Crete Khizitae. The exasperation of the Turks, in consequence of this occurrence, produced within the fortress, on the 15th of June, a fearful tragedy. Tumultuously closing the gates early in the morning, they first made an indiscriminate slaughter of all Christians found in the streets. Then rushing into the houses, inhabited by Christians, they killed or captured men, women, and children, and, at the same time, plundered the Christian houses, shops, and warehouses. A vast Turkish crowd surrounded with cries and uproar the residence of Kasimaga, a Mussulman of distinction, and dragged from it about 80 Christians, who had taken refuge there, All these were massacred before Kasimaga's door ; and that kind and generous Mussulman was unable, with all his efforts, to save even one of them.

After this, the leaders of the mob ad dressed Kasimaga himself with the greatest insolence, and outrageously demanded that Georgios Papadakes, Euthymios Psarudakes, and Joannes Kuvarites, persons who enjoyed his favour and confidence, and who had by his encouragement, a few days before, made their escape, should be delivered up to them. Two young men, belonging to the distinguished family of the Levtheraei, were slaughtered in their mother's arms. The Pasha's interpreter Apostolakes and Stavrakes Sumarupas, persons of influence, were murdered, and their dead bodies were dragged through the streets, with every conceivable outrage. Kallinicos Sarpakes, Bishop of Kydonia, the abbots of the monasteries of Gonia and of Guvernetos, and a great number of others, clergymen and laymen, were thrown into prison naked and barefooted, and every thing within reach of the mob was plundered and profaned, whether sacred or secular.

On that dreadful day about 300 persons perished within the fortress, in addition to the large number of Christians, who had been slaughtered on the preceding days in the environs. The Greeks now began to retaliate; and the inhabitants of the large village Therison and those of Prassia and Bamia of Apocoronos, respectively put to death the resident Turkish Authorities (Subases). The same thing occured also in many other places. This naturally made the Turks, residing in the country, repair for safety to the fortresses of Kydonia and Suda, abandoning their estates, houses, and most of their effects. The anticipation of such occurrences had induced the leading Greeks of the Western Provinces of Crete to assemble previously in the province of Sphakia. At this meeting had been present all the influential Greeks both of Sphakia and of the neighbouring province, who had been able to attend.

The object of the meeting had been to deliberate on the means of averting impending dangers, and preparing for the ensuing struggle, as it had now become manifest that the oppressors aimed at a general extermination of the Christian population. The names of the individuals present at this assemblage, as representatives of their respective towns and villages, were : — From Sphakia: Hadji Joannes Poludakes, Andeas Krearas, Anagnostes and Andreas Panayotes, brothers, Anagnostes Psarudakes, Nicolaos .Andrulakes, Manusos Papadakes, Andreas Phasules, Georgios Dascalakes, surnamed Tselepes, Georgios, Protopapas of Sphakia, Joseph Kavcalakes, Rusos Vurdumbas, Anagnostes Protopapadakes, Georgios Poloy annakes, Strates Pelivanes, Anagnostes aud Konstantinos Manusakes, Hadji Khionias, Petros Munuseles, Siphes Dasca lakes and the brothers Deliyannakes, Georgios, Joseph and Strates, the most influential inhabitants of the mountainous province of Sphakia.

From Kydonia : Vasilios and Joannes Halles of Therison ; the Proimidae, the Paraskevaei and the Plazii, from the town of Lakki; Papadandreas from Kerameia, Anthimos, Abbot of Chrysopege, Neophytos Œconomos, Konstantinos Geracakes*, Euthymios P.sarudakes, Joannes Kuvarites. * This person was, with his brother Euthymios, a minor, and two females, Anastasia and Elisabeth, a remaining descendant of the distinguished family of the Hadji Nicoliani, as they were called at Kydonia, and a son of the murdered Manolakes Geracakes. Hadji Nicolos, the father of Manolakes, had been the most opulent of the Cretans in landed and other property, about the end of the last century, and had shown himself in various ways a munificent benefactor of his country. He was the first who established at Kydonia a GreekGramniar School, and that in spite of the danger to which he was exposed, owing to the ruthless oppression which the Greeks of Crete then endured.

He erected an hospital for the sick, and bestowed large sums in aiding the poor. After bis death his Greek fellow-citizens, in token of gratitude, hung up his portrait in the school of which he was the founder. . His son Manolakes, a gentleman of elevated sentiments and dignified bearing, was his worthy successor as patron of these philanthropic insti tutions. He was at great pains to raise the efficiency of the school, by procuring for it the most learned teachers of the time. Manolakes, however, was, at the instigation of a prominent Turk, called Yaya Aphentakes, who From Apocoronos : Siphacas Koustantudakes, Joannes Sakires, of Kephaladae, Georgios Papadakes, Georgios Velicines of Halicampi, and the aged Yannares of Prosneron. From Lampe : Melchisedech, Abbot of Prevele, Georgios and Joannes Suderos, brothers, and Georgios Sakkorraphos.

From Rethymne : Joannes Druliskos, G. Kallerges, Hadji Joannes Damverges, Zorzes and Gregorios Sauna tsos, brothers, Stylianos and Michael Khionakes, brothers. The two distinguished brothers, Kurmulidae,* Michael and was envious of his commercial success, assassinated by a Turkish ruffian. The assassiu shot his victim on the 5th of August, 1804, in the crowded market-place of Kydonia, in open day. Manolakes' son, Konstantinos, mentioned in the text, took part in the insurrection, and rendered, in a variety of ways, most effective services, devoting nearly the whole of his large patrimony to the cause. He died in 1855, in abject poverty, in free Athens. Such has been the lot i luckless Cretans, who toiled and suffered to achieve national independence. We hear with great pleasure that some of the most prominent Ottoman inhabitants of the pretan towns, ashamed of their former ferocity, are exerting themselves for the moral improvement of the community, and that, besides exhibiting milder sentiments and a more social bearing to wards ths Christians, are causing their children to be instructed in Greek and French. * The house of the Kurmulidae was an ancient aud distinguished Christian family in Crete.

At the begirning of the Revolution it consisted of about 80 members. The seat of the heads of the family was Kusd, a village in the province of Gortyna, containing about a hundred families, all Christian. The ancestors of the Kurmulidae, like many other families, were under the necessity, during the fearful period of the capture of Crete by the Turks, of submitting to an outward change of religion. They inwardly, however, and with great fervency, adhered to the Christian and orthodox religion, which was with great care and caution transmitted to their descendants. They had their concealed chapels, and secretly, but punctually and earnestly, observed all its rites. This was the case with the two brothel's still alive at the commencement of the war of independence. The elder of these bore ostensibly the Turkish name of Husein, while his real and Christian name was Michael.

The younger, whose Christian name was Georgios, outwardly bore the Turkish name of Yusuphes. They were the most wealthy landed proprietors and owners of flocks and herds in Gortynia, and exercised in those parts very great influence. Michael was the more gifted and energetic of the two. Though from time to time subjected, through the machinations of the enemies of his family, to charges of heterodoxy and other offences, he succeded in evading them alt, partly through various expedients, and partly bv means of the friendly relations which he was at pains to cultivate with the Turkish authorities and the most powerful personages of the day. He was an undaunted adversary of the oppressors, and a fervid patron of his oppressed Christian brethren. When, in consequence of this, he was, in 1814, de nounced to Hadji Osman Pasha as guilty of putting various Turks to death and of heterodoxy, he dexterously and successfully defended himself in the following manner : "I caused such Turks," he said, "to be put to death as set at naught the life, honour and property of our might v Sultan's subjects, Georgios, who had made their escape from Gortyna, and other leaders from other parts of Crete, were also present. .

These assembled patriots, solemnly invoking the .Almighty, unanimously resolved to take up arms in order to avert the impending extermination of themselves, their Christian brethren and their children. On the suggestion of N. Œconomos, a general fund was established, to which each person present contributed according to his means, towards defraying the first expenses of the war. The assembly, at the same time, elected a deputation, consisting of G. Papadakes, A. Panaoytes, and Strates Peli vanakes, who immediately proceeded, with a portion of the money that had been collected, to Hydra, in order to procure ammunition and arms. Unfortunately there was a scarcity of these even there ; but all they could then obtain they forth with despatched to Crete. It was an obvious necessity to appoint military leaders and range their followers under their respective standards.

Ac cordingly the following arrangements were made. A. Panay otes, Georgios Dascalakes and A. Phasules were directed to take the command of the whole armed population of Anopolis,* and whom he sent yon to protect-" Instead of being punished on this occasion, he was rewarded by the Pasha with a commission, which gave him an extension of authority in the district of Gortyna. The Pasha, at the same time, bestowed on liini a mantle (binisi), the usual gift of honour conferred on Turkish functionaries. Jl iehael Kurmules had become a member . of the Hetaeria a fe w months before the outbreak of the war of independence. He had been initiated by the deacon Gregorios Kallonas, and had ardently hailed the great idea. Deliberately foregoing rank and influence among the Turks, he unhesita tingly quitted his splendid castle and vast property, avowing himself a fervid champion of his faith and country.

During the war of independence ho endured the greatest privations and hardships without a murmur. Having, as the war was just beginning, been invited as a faithful Mussulman by the Turkish inhabitants of Tympakion and Pompeion, villages of Gortynia, to aid them in slaughtering the Christians of those parts, he acted with so much presence of mind and judgment as to save from destruction about a thousand Christians, who, by his directions and aid, were, about the middle of May, safely conveyed to Sphakia in two Sphakian vessels. He, at the same time, effected his own escape from Zonari, a roadstead of Gortynia. We shall subsequently find Kurmules acting a prominent part as a gallant patriot warrior. * The province of Sphakia was divided into two sections, one of which was that of Anopolis, comprehending all the villages situate on the western part of the province, on the coast of the Lybian sea The modern name, Sphakia, is probably a corruption of Phœnix or Ph.enikia, an ancient city, some of the ruins of which are still to be seen near port Lutron, and are still called Phœnikias.

In ancient times it was a dependency of Lampe. Its forming a. junction with the corps under the Hallæ at Theri son, and that of Siphacas at Melidoni, to make head against the Turks of Kydonia. A. Protopapadakes, commanding the Skyphiots and A.Manusoyannakes, commanding the Imbriots, were directed to act against Alidakes, at Prosneron, and other Turkish Chiefs in the province of Apocoronos, and have the co-operation of Joannes Sakires from Kephaladæ, Georgios Velizines from Halicampi, and Yannares from Prosneron. Georgios Deliyannakes and Petros Manuseles, at the head of the armed population of their villages, and Georgios Suderos at the head of the Lampæi, were to operate simultaneously against the Turks of Rethymne, and to have the assistance of Joannes Druliskos at the head of all such Greeks of Rethymne as were in possession of arms.

Rusos Vurdumbas and Georgios Poloyannakes, who was afterwards surnamed Pologeorgakes, with the Prosyalitae,* the Komithiani and the Muriotae, and Michael Kurmules, with his followers, among whom was .Antonios Melidones, undertook to watch the movements of the Turks of Gortyna, and of those, who from their head quarters at HeracleionJ were making frequent incursions into the neighbouring districts. These last men tioned Greek leaders, however, were instructed to act, for some time, when necessary, in concert with those especially appointed to operate against the Rethymnian Turks. Such were the mutual arrangements adopted for the occasion by the com manders of the insurgents. Before commencing an account of the military operations, it is necessary to premise a few remarks regarding the preparations and resources of the Cretan Greeks, at the moment they took up arms against their Turkish oppressors, so numerous, powerful, possessing great resources, trained to citadel was, undoubtedly, what is now called Anopolis.

It is mentioned by St. Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, under the name of Phœnika, whence commenced the dangerous part of Paul's voyage to Borne. Under the By zantine emperors Phcenikia had, on account of its.ancient celebrity, a separate bishop * The town of Prosyalos, considered the chief town of the Sphakians, and of which Vurdumbas is a native, is situated on the coast opposite and to the east of port Lutron. X Heracleion was the ancient naval station of the great city of Knossos, Here was subsequently erected Khandax (whence the name Candia*), a place of great strength on account of its remarkable fortifications, built at vast expense by the Venetians. It is situated on the north coast, and is at the present day the ecclesiastical metropolis ot Crete. arms, and bent on the utter extermination of their Christian subjects.

To enter on so unequal a contest, the Greeks of Crete would have required a considerable supply of arms and warlike stores ; but their position under the Turks rendered such a supply impossible. The most rigorous measures had been employed to take from them any arms they happened to possess for the protection of their flocks, for killing game, or for any other lawful purpose. The Turks had especially used every means to disarm the mountaineers of Sphakia, as they were more apprehensive of them than of any other portion of the Greek population. The Sphakians, however, under various plausible pretexts, evaded compliance with all orders to deliver up their arms. The Cretans had previously applied on various occasions to the inhabitants of Hydra and Spezzia for a supply of arms and ammunition, as well as for the aid of a naval force.

M. Tricoupi is, therefore, mistaken in saying that the Cretans regarded with indifference the preparations made in other parts of Greece for the ensuing war of independence. In fact, the preparations for the national contest were common to every section of the Panhellenion ; and the songs of Fer raeos in praise of liberty — and these constituted the main preparationfe for an appeal to arms — were known and cherished all over Greece. Stephanos Halles, celebrated for his sweet voice and musical skill, had long been accustomed to sing these to his lyre at Therison, kindling thereby the patriotism and military ardour of his countrymen. The sagacious Hydriots, aware of the precarious position of the Christian population of Crete, had, in reply to all appli cations for assistance, judiciously urged on the Cretans the necessity of caution and patience til] the expected moment should arrive.

When at length the Turkish mob, regardless alike of the commands of the authorities and the entreaties of individuals, evinced their determination to exterminate the Christian sub jects, the Greeks felt there was no alternative, but either to submit unresistingly to destruction, or to take up arms in defence of themselves and their faTmilies, notwithstanding the meagreness of their resources. Unaided and alone, therefore, they entered on the contest, and the God of battles strength ened the feeble against the mighty. The whole amount of warlike stores, possessed by the insurgents at the moment of the outbreak, was insignificant in the extreme. They obtained from Andreas Phasules forty small barrels of powder (about 360 okas), being, part of a miscellaneous cargo, with which he was proceeding to Alexandria ; they further procured a small quantity of powder from ten Sphakian vessels, which happened at that time to have touched at Lutron.