Yanni, who was lying on a straw mat near Mitsos, refilled his pipe and grinned. "Me among them, Mitsos," he said, glancing up at his big cousin. "You will please to remember that." But Mitsos did not answer, and only looked gravely at Petrobey. "We shall no longer be cursed by these devils," continued he, "for the Turks will vanish out of our land like snow in summer. What you and Yanni have to do is to go through a certain district, calling at certain villages, and speaking to certain men. This first journey, on which you will set out to-morrow, will take you a fortnight or so--ah, but the victuals will be poor, little ones, but perhaps you don't mind that--and then you will come back here. And remember, Mitsos, that you will be doing what none of us could do; for two boys, dressed as peasants dress, driving a couple of seedy mules laden with oranges, can pass where Nicholas and I could not. On this first journey Yanni will go with you, for he knows the country, but after that there will probably be other work for him to do, and also for you--plenty. You will go to the houses of these men and ask this question, 'Are you grinding corn?' and they will answer, 'Corn for the hungry, or corn for the Turk?' And you will say, 'Black corn for the Turk. If you have not begun grinding, begin, and grind quickly.'" Mitsos was listening breathlessly. "What does it all mean?" he asked. Petrobey smiled, and unslinging his powder-flask from his belt, shook out a little into his hand, and tossed it into the air. "Pouf!" he said; "black corn for the Turk." Mitsos' eyes flashed. "I understand," he said; "black corn, and good for Turks." "For the first journey that will be all," went on Petrobey. "Yanni will be with you, and it will be simple enough. After that you may have to go here, there, anywhere. You will certainly have to go to Nauplia, where you will find Nicholas; and Yanni will, I am afraid, have to go to Tripoli for a little while." "The black devil take Tripoli," muttered Yanni. "And why does Yanni go to Tripoli?" asked Mitsos. "Perhaps he will not, but if he goes it will be as a hostage for my good conduct. But there is no need to be so round-eyed, Mitsos; we are not going to have him murdered. I shall not behave badly till he is safe again. Dear me, yes, I wish I could go instead. Mehemet Salik has a cook of a thousand. But--who knows?--idle words may reach the Turks at Tripoli, and if so I shall send Yanni as a hostage. But about this journey you must be as quick and quiet as you can. Never answer any questions about Nicholas or me or yourselves--you cannot be too careful. Never sleep in a village when you have given a message. Sleep mostly by day out in the woods and travel at night, though you must be careful to arrive at the village where you give these messages by day in the manner of ordinary peasants. Finally, be ready to run, if running is possible; if not, to fight. Which would you prefer?"