The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-10-03
WITH THE TURKS.

WITH THE TURKS.
What n War Correspondent Saw on I
Turkish Train-The Wild Zeibecks De
scribed.
A war correspondent travelling on (
train in Bulgaria describes some of hi
fellow-passengers in the following Wig
orous and graphic language:
Arrived at the station, I found the
Varna train already in and the platform
crowded with the usual picturesque
throng of soldiers, Bashi-Bazouks ano
Circassians, which make Turkish rail
way station in these warlike times 6
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 hos
resulted in their being shipped off as
far away as possible-to the banks OF
the Danube, at Rutschuk, where they
will have ample chance of exercising
their peculiar talents in the pillaging OF
deserted houses or in marauding expedi-
tions into Wallachia.
At Sheitanjik, the next station to
Shumla, where O halt of half an hour
enabled the passengers to get some
breakfast the Zeibecks poured out of
the carriages by hundreds, and I 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 a
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 coiffure in
which they seem to delight. 1t is COM
picated top hamper of turbans and
handkerch iefs wound round and twisted
in many cunning and rakish folds and
piled up in pyramid, on the apex of
which, quite clear Of the head, is placed
fez, with O 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
of-a red Indian chief. As to his legs,
the Zeibeck is also remarkable. He
wears short, baggy breeehes, ending
above the knee, which is left bare; from
below the knee to the ankle his sturdy
limbs are encased in greavcs of cloth,
embroidered and worked in fanciful
oolors; 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 hilts,
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 ct the back, and you haye o
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
hintlock firearms and short swords is not
adapted to modern European warfare, he
is, 80 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 a Winchester
rifle. But, whether armed with q
blunderbuss or repeater, the Zeibeck is
said to be 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 fhends,
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-
guiling time began another breakfast,
much to the astonishment of their
Oriental fellow travellers who gazed in
wonder through the window. Never
touching wine or strong drink, and SUBJ
sisting for days 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 and 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
q 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 picturesque
variety of Eastern costume, the long line
of pious warriors stood, knelt and was
prostrated. It was the strongest
''church parade" I had ever seen.
La Uah IL Allah Ue liohananaed reoul
Alah-" There is no God but God, and
Mohammed is the right Of Cod" Once
more we were translated into the Middle
Ages. Just as a robber baron of old
would burn his neighbor's castle, carry
off his wife and then found a chantrey,
so these Mussulman freebooters of to-
day will pillage a house, " find" a purse,
and then put off their shoes and pray.
Farming by Wholesale.
The Taopi farm in Mower county.
Mimi, is on the line of the O., NJ. and
st. P. r. r. It extends three miles one