The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-09
BAGGED BE- BRIGANDS.
The Story of Colonel Synge's CaptiYity-A
Horrible Threat
Pail Mall Gazette1

Horrible Threat
Pail Mall Gazette.l
Colonel Synge has furnished sn account of
his captivity among the brigands of Thessaly
He had been absent from home for a month.
and returned 10 his farm on Tuesday, Feb
ruary IL, portion of his baggage, including
his rid s-cartrIdgee, not having yet reached
him. On the - b the house was surrounded
by brigands, and what followed is thus de-
scr bed by Colonel Synge: ''On Thursday
night between 10 and IL o'clock, sitting in
my armchair, l was startled by shots
rattling in at the windows and blows st the
gransry door Fellow. My house is a solid
brick building, the ground door forming the
granary, which had no interior communica-
ton with the rest of the house. The front
is occupied by large yeranda. 1 had moth
ing ready. Ny guns had been packed away
when went up the country and L had not
got them out. There we're no cartridges for
my rifle. broke open gun case. put gun
together, got out some cartridges, went up to
the top of the house and opened fire with
small shot where saw the flashes of the
rifles. They were oil around, banging away,
and the bullets smashing up everything. My
AlbsniaDs, who occupy house across the
farm yard, about Ice ards off, also opened
fire, but the brigands we're all under cover
Getting through the granary door, they col
lscted some planks and straw, and setting
ire 10 L0e Iedp, the mousse was Soon IUll
smoke and untenable, and had TO give up.
AS they afterward told nae, they left the
forest, situate about half mile off, shortly
after dark, sent two of the band in advance
with meat, with which they silenced the
watch dogs, and then the remainder ad-
vanced to reconnOItre. First they looked
after the Albanians. Going up into the
veranda of their house they saw them through
the window and took note of their arms.
Leaving some of their band to hold them
In check, they next proceeded TO recon-
noitre the house. First they conte IN plated
making ladder ana ass4ultiDg from the YER
ands, put, fearing TO expose themselves,
they considered that setting fire to the build
ing from the outside would entail lees loss.
After trying unsuccessfully they determined
to burst in the granary door and set ire
inside. Two guns were told off to each win
dow on that side of the house. with orders TO
keep up a constant fire. Four men were
sent to the door, two with axes, and two
with rifles, and the signal was given. On
my surrendering they took two of my sad
die horses from the stable / was mounted
on one, and Nike, the chief of the band. on
the other. The workmen we're called &c
look after the fire, and l was told to send
word that If any troops we're sent in pursuit
/ should be murdered i was then march ed
off toward Mount Olympia. The night was
pitch dark, with sleet and snow.
About hour and q balfs journey
south there is the River Vlstritza (Hsleac-
mon to cross. Arrived at the ferry Niko,
with one companion. went to the ferry hut
a which were three Albanians and a Chris
tian bostmsn. One of the Albsnians vas an
OLD friend OF Niko's. and he counted on his
passing him over the river without 0oposi-
ton. Knocking at the door, he said, Don't
you know me? / have come from Venea
and must pass over tonight The Alban.
ian said, Wait until / blow up the fire q
Bit then opened the door. Whether Nike
was not recognized, or whether, seeing he
had only one man with him, the Albsniaus
thought he would be On easy capture. can
not say, but one Of them-Niko's friend
calling upon his companion to shut the door,
drew q revolver from under his pillow and
fired three shots, wounding Niko's compan-
ion in the shoulder, bat missing himself.
Nike drew his yataghsn and cut down the
man with the revolver, breaking his yata-
CHAN with q thrust witch disabled the
second Albanian. The third was shot by
one of the band through the window, and,
some Of them rushing in, the bottman was
also wounded, but was made &C work the
ferry across. The wounded Albanian was
brought down to the boat, and. though