The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-01-24
The Leyantine Robin Hood.

s Gen.5Df Gesnola relates, in bis work
ION CYPRUS, "a very ROMANTIC story of a
Cypriote robber who is imprisoned for
life in the Fortress of Famagosta. The
General was, once on time, inspecting
this castle, where the worst Turkish
criminals are confined, when one OF the
ladies of his party "pointed out some
trailing crimson flowers which overhung
a parapet, remarking on their. contrast
to the surroundings. To our astonish-
nlent," he says, 6 a short, broad-shoul-
dered man, who had remained always
near our party, and with whose com
manding presence, and fine, manly face
we had all been struck, sprang to the
parapet with the agility of cat, broke
off some of the blossoms, and, returns
ing, presented a spray to each Of the la
dies With all the grace of courtier. o.
their horror, as he did so, they observed
for the first time that he was shackled
with heavy iron links from the wrist to
the ankle. His large, sad blue eyes, and
hair prematurely streaked with gray,
seemed to plead in his favor, and, on
inquiring his crime, we learned that he
\ was no less a parsonage than the cele-
brated Kattirdji Janni, the Robin Hood
of the Levant."
This chivalrous knight of the road
4 had no stain of blood upon his hands
it being contrary to- his principles to
take the life ofthose- whom he robbed,
or to allow any of his band to commit
the crime. He simply relieved the trav-
elers whom he waylaid of whatever val
1uables they carried, or detained persons
in his mountain abode until their ran
som had been paid.
1t is said that, in his youth, Kattirdji
fell in love with the beautiful daughter
of a gentleman In Smyrna. She was
above him in rank. yet favored his suit,
and an elopement was planned. The
lovers were, betrayed, and the hero OF
- the adventure was thrown into prison.
He escaped, fled to the mountains, and
adopted the life of bandit. To COM
plete the ideal narrative, it is averred
that he bestowed great portion of his
ill-gotten gains in aims, and provided
nearly a Thousand Greek girls with
dowries.. s~HtEs
Every effort I'd Sapture Kattirdji PROV
ed fruitless, but finally, grown weary OF
!, LIS ISlulitclibISu lllC, IC foIuiltdllJ oC'
, livered himself to the Turkish authors
ties, on conditionvthat his punishment
, should betlimited tosexile in the Island
Of Cyprus. The TurksSlhight possibly
have held to their word had It not beer
for the interference of the French Am
) bassador, who insisted that KattirdJ
should suffer rigorous punishment
For seven years he was chained to the
! wall of a. narrowTce1Iip a Turkish pris-
j ION, and then removed to the Fort
ress of Famagosta. Intercession was
made in his behalf, which resulted in
his being at last allowed the freedom
given other prisoners confined in this
!, stronghold; but the heavy chain, with
,, links five inches long, three incheswide
!, and.one-half an inch thick, . was still
fastened to his wrist andaAkie.
1t is pleasant to be able to record
that, after the visit of the Gen the
castle, some mitigitatIon Of .Kaftirdji's
punishment was secured, as, by the en-.
, treaties of Mime. Cesnola,. his burden
some manacles Were exchanged !; fol-
much Lighter lhattE or eresl gs,,ss,as,W ''s'' h