The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-30
THE GREEK BRIGANDS.
of His Capture, imprisonment, and Escape.

An Escaped Cnptiye's Personal "Reminiscences
Of His Capture, imprisonment, and Escape.
Having lately had visit from young Greek just
escaped from the custody Of the brgands in the
mountains OF Thessaly, think IL will not be unn-
teresting to your readers to give short account OF
his capture, captivity, and escape. He is OF four
brothers, possessors OF coasting vessels and nhabi
tants OF Kariza, village situated at the foot OF
Mount Ossa IL appears that two OF his brothers and
another lnhabant Of Kariza returning to their
homes from the sea coast walk of about an hour.
They had got about half way, and had reached
spot romantic in its solitude and Astounding In rocks
and trees, when they were suddenly surrounded
by eight origands, who appeared as If by
magic from their hdinR-places, armed to the teeth
this we-known phrase In this case being literally
verified, as the brigands carried their swords be-
tween their teeth ready for action in case the guns
which they held In their hands leyelled at their
victims should miss fre or prove insufficient for
their deadly work should any resistance be made In
this case however, 1t was impossible, as only one of
the brothers had a revolver, which was loaded with
shot instead OF ball. The brigands forthwith de-
spoiled them OF 100 liras which they had in their
possession, and made prisoners OF two OF them-viz.,
the youngest brother, aged twenty-one years, as
they said he would be able to walk the best and the
companion OF the brother, aged about thirty years.
There seems to have been some fatality in the
femily OF the elder OF the captives in thus falling
into the hands OF brigands, about ten years ago
his father was in the church OF Kariza, with the
greater part OF the villagers when twas surrounded
by brgands. In trying to effect his escape 2s being
about the richest person In the village, he feared
being taken prisoner he fed to the roof Of the
church, and was there shot by the brigands, who,
nevertheless got good round sum from the brother
OF the VICTIM who was unaware at the time OF what
had occurred. Seven years after this event the
brother who had been thus duped and had been led
to pay so much money, and which had reduced the
family very much in circumstances was taken pri-
by the brigands, who, not being satisfied with
the f5OO given them as ransom, cut OIL half OF each
Of his ears.
The captors, with their two prisoners made their
escape to the mountains in the neighborhood, and
for two days continued their flight night and day,
and for two more days they did not rest except at
night. During this time they managed to reach the
rocky heights OF Mount Othrys, which form the
frontiers OF Greece and Turkey, where they re-
am informed there are other brigands who infest
this chain Of mountains in parties OF twelve and
twenty-five, amounting In all to about one hundred.
The brigands lived well in their mountainous re-
treat. Lamb and mutton which they roasted by
their tires figs and other fruit, milk, wines, etc
formed their daily fare and in the evening they sang
their robber songs, and seemed to eIioy theme
selves very much in their rocky abode. The two
prisoners were kept bound night and day, but not
so as to prevent their walking otherwise they
well treated with the exception OF the cruel threats
that the brgands them they would carry out
manded md 1000 o& each Of the fS' four
brothers-as ransom for the younger OF the prison.
ers but afterwards they reduced their demand to
1000 iras, of which they informed the brothers at
Karza by letter. threatening to cut Off the and
nose Of their prisoner If they did not fully comply
with the demand. Before the answer came, and
after the prisoners had been twenty-five days with
their inexorable captors, 1t appears one night
nyg tbeT b00SSs dTE wine
s Sot s&cepses @ @ The ycanger wsr on and TaoSe moTe
NIROIOub CdplNe, pretending dJ uToJ W Slebp
soundly, now seized upon this opportunity and made
his escape to Armyros, where friendly hand cut
his bonds, and whence he proceeded to Voo on
horseback. Having previously informed his brothers
by letter of his escape and of the unfortunate drow-
with his captors, and for whom they demanded 1000
lras ransom he left Yolo by steamer for Salonca,
arrived Friday, the LIST inst, visited
his relations there-the family with whom am at
present residing. The evening was spent in reoic-
ings, and among those present who were overjoyed
to see the return OF the one who was given up for
lost none was more merry than the escaped captive.
London Times.