The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-07-06
BEE RBHGAEDSs
Susarsssalon and EHeareIesness OF the
Band OF ArfsGfdeg.

The band of Greek brigands by whom
br. Suter was recently captured were Christ
ians, that is, they belonged to the Greek
church, and 10 less than seven had been In
the Greek army in different grades, and had
deserted therefrom. Notwithstanding that
every day of their lives is passed in perpetrat-
ing the most heinous crimes, yet these men
never begin a meal without crossing them
selves, and saying their prayers at night. On
the Greek Easter day MIR. Suter was sur
prised to find that each had his candle light
Cd, and after presenting one to the prisoner
they would not begin to eat till they mad
crossed themselves three times, each time the
chief saying, "Christ is risen, and the re-
mainder answering, Truly he is risen, con-
GLIDING the ceremony by kissing each other
all around, including Mr.. Suter. This Is an
ancient custom.
Every brigand wears a charm, consisting
Of either d bit Of blue glass or red silk, TO
preserve his flesh from being penetrated with
bullets, and the faith they all put in these
things surpasses belief. One anecdote is told
of @ mernber Of Aristides' band, who, during
the Cretan Instruction, was exposed on the
top Of a rock to the fire Of the Turkish
troops. Presently he gave q shout and then
fell back, saying he was shot, but when eX-
aD,ined nothing could be seen but q slight
black mark where the bullet struck him.
This was all accounted for by a blue marble
charm he wore, and several men sWore ear
nestiy 10 the truth Of the above remarkable
story.
One or two stories as related by Mr.. Suter
by the band as they sat grouped around their
evening meal, show their brutality. The
r. t.A - 49,, l&-l ~, ~- 1rr n r~n
across al old Turk out shooting, who had
with him his piece Of forked stick, which is
used in order to obtain a better aim by rest.
ing the gun on it. Simply for amusement
the brigand strangled the man, afterWard
placing him in d kneeliDg position, putting
his iowling piece to his shoulder, and resting
the barrel on the crutch in the most natural
position. 50 that any passer-by would never
suspect but it WAS a peasant sportsman in
stead Of g. corpse.
Another anecdote was told with great gus
r.. Nike, the chief Of the band that took
Col. Syngt, caught a.man near a saWmlIl
whom be thought he recognized. The con-
versation commenced thus: odd you not
spy for me2' Yes" did I not pay five
lire for 50 doing?' "Yes." did you not
TIL the soldiers in such and such a.yillage
that you had seen me- Yes" Then said
Nike, stake q bit Of paper and pencil and
write as I tell you; this is the way Nike
treats traitors" After this was done he first
saved off the mans right hand SO that he
should never write anything against him,
then be deprived him Of his ears SO that he
should hear no more questions about the
band, and finally, he cut his tongue out to
prevent him from telling lies. Then. wrap
ping all these fragments in q handkerchief,
sn hofa him y,aTy IN tho puorncf ui1Iar n tn
present them with the note to the Pasha.
The poor man, not daring to refuse, strug-
gied on till he dropped dead from the loss Of
hfnGd-