Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-25

SuperStftiOn and HeArslessness OF che
Band Of Artsttdes.
London Daily News.l

superstition and HeArslessness OF the
Band Of ArfSatdes.
fLoudon Daily News.l
the whole Of the band Of Greek brigands By
whom MI. Suter was recently captured were
CHRISTIANS: that is. they belonged TO the Greek
church, and no less than seven had been In the
creek army In different grades, and had de-
serted tneTefrom. Notwithstanding that every
DAY OF tneir lives is passed In perpetratlng the
most neinous crimes, yet these men never be-
gin meal without crossing themselves. and
saying their prayers sc night. on the ,ireek
Easter Day. MI. Suter was surprised 70 find
that each had his candle lighted, and that
after presenting one to the prisoner they
would not begin TO eat till they had crossed
themselves three times, each time the chief
saying, "Cbrist Is riseD," and the remainder
answering, Truly he Is r.sen," concluding the
ceremony by kissing each other all round, In
Guiding MI Suter.
Every brigand wears a charm. consisting OF
either biz CT blue glass or red silk, 20 preserve
mis- flesh from being penetrated by bullets,
ara the faith they ali put In these things sur
passes belief. One aIecdote is told OF a mem
Der OF Arstides' band, who, during the Cretan
instruction, was exposed on the top of a rock
to the fire OF the Turkish troops Presently
he gave shout aud fell back, saying he was
saot out when examined nothing could oe
seen put slight olacK mark where the bullet
struck him. This was all accounted for by \
blue marble charm he were, and several men
swore 10 the truth OF the ABOVE story.
One or two stories. as related TO Mr. Sarer by
brutality. The chief OF the band Aristides.
one DAY came across an old Turk out saoof lag
VINO had with him his piece OF forked STICK
which is used In order TO obtain estter aim
oy resting on IL the barrel OF the gun. Simply
Tor amusement. the brigand chief strapgled The
nan, afterward placing him Ia a kueei!ag po-
loon, putting his fowling piece TO his
Sncuicer, and resting the barrel on the crut h
N the most natural position, so that any
passer-by would never suspect but that II was
pleasant sportsman instead OF q corpse.
Another anecdote was told with great gusto
Nfko, the Chief or the band that took Col
Synge, caught man near sawnill whom ne
thought he recognized The conversation CON-
menced thus: did not you once spy for me?''
Yes did not pay you five nras for 50
G0iDg?' yes" ibid you not tell the soldiers
In such and such village that you had seen
me?' Yes" Then said Niko. Take bit OF
paper and pencil and write as l tell you:
This Is the way Niko treats traiuors.'- Alter
this was done he first sawed of the mans
right hand so that he should never write any
thing against him: next he deprived him OF his
ears 80 that he should hear no more questions
about the band. and, fiaally, he cut his tongue
cut to prevent him from telling tales. Then,
wrapping all these fragments Ia han1ker-
chief, he babe aim walk TO the nearest village
to present them With the note TO the Pasai.
The poor man. not daring TO refuse struggled
on TIL he dropped down and died from loss OF
blood.