The Cruise of the Branwen

CHAPTER XIII RAGUSA AND SPALATO • • • non semel Ilios Vexata: non pugnavit ingens Idomeneus Sthenelusve solus Dicenda Musis prrelia.••• WE took about twenty hours of easy cruising from Corfu, to reach Gravosa by about half-past eight on Sunday morning. The entrance to the little bay is very lovely, for it, is ringed with wooded hills, the sea is dotted with limestone islands of light gold, and on one side of the harbour a broad strong stream gushes from the mountain's breast like Sorgue from the plateau of Vaucluse. As we landed at the little quay near the neat Custom House, I felt delightfully vague as to our geo– graphy; it was all very much like one of Anthony Hope's romances come to life for our amuse– ment. The Prisoner of Zenda might walk round the corner any minute. Furious and secret feuds were no doubt in progress between the little principalities with unknown names which dotted the fortified passes of the hills. The drive across the neck of land to Ragusa, which takes about twenty minutes, is one of the 1 57