Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/259

Rh ATTICA. Opposite Váry (Βάρη) is a little islet called Phlebas (Φλεβαις). This islet is still under exorcism on account of the following circumstances. About three or four hundred years since, twelve Klephts, being pursued by Turks, fled thither in a little boat. After they were landed the boatman finds means to slip away, and leave them there. They consequently had no means of subsistence. After supporting themselves for some days upon the herbage they found, one of them died, and his starving companions devoured his dead body. By little and little this occurrence was repeated until there only survived the captain of the Klephts, Old Metros, who had fed by turns on all his Pallikars. From that time the islet has been under exorcism. No ship or boat can approach it. If by chance any vessel should cast anchor within a certain distance, a rushing noise and a strong wind would instantaneously occur, the cables would be snapped asunder, and stones hurled without any personage being seen to hurl them, plates and every thing else on board being thrown down and dashed into fragments. Unto this islet, however, as it produced fresh and tender grass, some sheep went, but they never increased. The sheep would suddenly at night-time be attacked with a fearful disease, and by morning would be dead, and parts of their bodies so black and discoloured that even the dogs refused to eat of them. Many shepherds have often kept watch through the entire night, but have never seen aught to account for it. But, nevertheless, it did so happen that one shepherd kept his flocks uninjured by disease and death, for he, as he was sitting one night alone in his hut, saw Old Metros enter, and come and sit down near him, whereupon he accosted him with the greeting, "Good evening, Old Metros." Metros answered nothing, but nodded his head, in token of being gratified. The shepherd consequently went on discoursing, and, although Old Metros did not join in the conversation, he showed his acquiescence by signs and nods. When the shepherd made the fire blaze up, Old Metros