Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-09-22
WITH THE TURKS.


Turkish Train-The wild Zeibeeks De-
scribed.
A war correspondent travelling on
train in Bulgaria describes some of his
fellow-passengers in the following Wig
orous and graphic language:
Arrived at the station, found the
Varna train already in and the platform
crowded with the usual picturesque
throng of soldiers, Bashi- Bazouks and
Circassians, which make Turkish rail-
way station in these warlike times
study for a painter. The train, which
was of great length, and drawn by two
powerful engines, was crammed from
end to end with a regiment of Zeibecks,
or Asiatic irregulars, the same gentle
men whose very irregular conduct at
Constantinople and then at Varna has
resulted in their being shipped off as
far away as possible-to the banks of
the Danube, at Rutschuk, where they
their peculiar talents in the pillaging of
deserted houses or in marauding expedi-
tions into Wallachia.
At Sheitaniik, the next station to
Shumla, where a halt of half an hour
enabled the passengers to get some
breakfast the Zeibecks poured out of
the carriages by hundreds, and L was
able to study them at my ease Great,
strapping, muscular fellows they were,
clothed in all the colors of the rainbow,
and with compilations varying from
light brown, not deeper than auburn, to
a coal black. 1t is by his head and legs
that the Zeibeck is to be distinguished
from his Mussulman kinsmen in Europe.
Although since their arrival in the coun-
try many of them have adopted the fez
alone as headdress, large proportion
still retain the extraordinary couture in
which they seem to delight. 1t is COM
plicated top hamper of turbans and
handkerch iefs wound round and twisted
in many cunning and rakish folds and
piled up i'll a pyramid, on the apex of
which, quite clear of the head, is placed
q fez, with tassel reaching to the
shoulder. One huge dandy, man of
herculean proportions, in addition to the
flowing tassel of his fez, had suspended
from the pyramid fringe of gay colored
stuff, which dangled about his ears and
round his neck. 1t was a headdress
worthy of-and indeed very suggestive
ola red Indian chief. AS to his legs,
the Zeibeck is also remarkable. He
wears short, baggy brooches, ending
above the knee, which is left bare; from
below the knee to the ankle his sturdy
limbs are encased in greaves of cloth,
embroidered and worked in fanciful
colors; his feet, innocent of covering,
are protected by stout slippers.
In their broad sashes the Zeibecks
carry whole arsenal of weapons
swords, long and short, straight and
curved, with curious guardless hits,
sometimes beautifully inlaid or carved;
daggers and knives, with sheaths of en-
bossed silver quaint fintlock pistols,
with handles of ivory and damascened
locks and barrels. Add to these a long
gun, slung at the back, and you have a
Zeibeck in his war paint He has about
him the means of putting to death by
distinct and separate methods dozen
men; but as his range of smooth bore
fintlock firearms and short swords is not
adapted to modern European warfare, he
is, so they say, tx be armed and drilled
at Rustchuk like the rest of the army of
the Sultan, and instead of carrying the
lives of many "Muscovs in his sash
he is to carry them neatly packed away
under the spiral spring of Winchester
rifle. But, whether armed with q
blunderbuss or repeater, the Zeibeck is
said to be a desperate fighter, absolutely
Ignorant of the meaning of the word fear.
The words, "Biler pipe bust" shouted
from the engine, probably did not con-
vey much idea to our Asiatic friends,
but the explanation seems satisfactory,
for the heads went in as the train backed
rapidly down the incline and again drew
up at Sheitaujik, where we had to wait
two mortal hours while the damaged
pipe was replaced or mended. The train
was emptied again and the Zeibecks scat
tered over the fields around the station,
or squatted patiently about the platform.
The European passengers by way of be-
guiding time began another breakfast,
much to the establishment of theil
Oriental fellow travellers who gazed in
wonder through the window. Never
touching wine or strong drink, and sub.
sisting fordays and weeks together upon
bread and water, these absteminous, self
denying people might well marvel at the
capacity of the Giaours. Before the
damaged engine was ready for work
again the sun had set aud the hour OF
prayer had arrived. Along the entire
length of the platform, with one accord
the Zeibecks ranged themselves in line
Facing toward the Holy City (Mecca)
and devoutly putting off their shoes,
they made their evening prayer. 1t was
a most striking sight. A hundred pairs
OF hands were raised simultaneously in
alteration, hundred foreheads touched
the ground together. Bristling with
weapons and gay with all the picturesqu,
variety of Eastern costume, the long line
OF pious warriors stood, knelt and wa,
Frustrated. 1t was the stranges
" church parade" 1 had ever seen
La It0h u ALtah DC Mohononaed reou
AttGh-" There is no God but God. ant
Mohammed is the right of God" Ono,
more we were translated into the Middl,
Ages. Just as robber baron of ole
would burn his neighbours castle, carr,
off his wife and then found chantrey
so these Mussulman freebooters of to
day will pillage house, " find" purse
and then put off their shoes and pray.