GOVERNMENT AND TRADE
77
some seventeen thousand only. The diminution has been due to two causes. The rising of 1878 seriously injured the Vlachs as the principal shepherds, and the people of Samarina amongst them. Then the division of the Vlach country by the cession of Thessaly to Greece erected a customs barrier
between the summer and winter pastures of the Samarina shepherds. Further the proximity of the Samarina country to the Greek frontier till 1912 rendered it easily liable to raids from brigands who would have their base in Greek territory where they were careful to keep within the law. Owing to the difficulty of the country they could after an exploit committed in Turkish territory escape to Greece and immunity and vice versa. This brigandage naturally concerned the shepherds more than other people because the shepherd from his trade is obliged to live out on the hills with his flocks far away from gendarmes. Brigands would come to a sheepfold and demand milk, bread and a roast lamb for supper. The shepherd could not refuse, or the brigands would revenge themselves by robbing him and perhaps by killing two or three hundred ewes. Similarly should a patrol of gendarmerie appear in pursuit of brigands the shepherd would have to feed them, and to give information as to brigands anywhere near. Should he refuse he would be beaten within an inch of his life and perhaps cast into prison. If the brigands were to hear that he had betrayed their whereabouts, they would return at the or his flocks.
opportunity, and either
first
In this state of affairs
it
the shepherd be seen that it
kill
will
needs a bold and determined man to take up the peaceful and Arcadian existence of shepherd, and it is small cause for
wonder
if
many
shepherds have sold their flocks and adopted much choice live hand
other pursuits, while others not having in glove with brigands.
About St George's Day which O.S., the shepherds
who
falls
on the 23rd of April
winter in the Thessalian plains round and Tirnavos or in the Potamia
Trikkala, or between Larissa district
near Elassona prepare for moving to the mountains
for the
summer.
The lambs which have been born during by this time weaned
the winter in December or January are