The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-24
An Englishman's Experience with Span
ish Brigands.


The following details from Mr.. John
Lester, of Lowestoft, of his capture and
escape from Spanish brigands near San
Sebastian have been received. Mr.. Les
ter writes: . had walked about sixty
miles through some of the grandest
scenery in the north of Spain, and,
wishing to cross the French frontier
that night, was pushing on rather late,
when, about nine O'clock, and in a
lonely part of the road, bordered with
woods, midway between San Sebastian
and Irun, was accosted by Spaniard
who asked few simple questions, walk
ing along by my side at the time. Some
others had been either following or had
stepped out from among the trees.
was suddenly felled to the ground from
behind, and on recovering conscious
ness, some hours aftcrward, found N.Y.
self in dilapidated house or howell,
tied by the leg to a fastening in a cor
ner of the smaller of its two divisions,
stripped of all but my trousers and
shirt, and with a bundle of straw for
my bed. / will not attempt to describe
my feelings on finding myself in such a
position alone with and at the mercy of
gang of bloodthirsty robbers, perhaps
Infatuated at not gaining as much as
they expected.
"Day succeeded day without anything
OF note being said. | was supplied peri.
odically with bread and water. and |
found the gang to consist of five men.
three of whom were but indifferently
armed. My capture had been effected
on the night of Friday, July 8. On
what l found afterward to have been
the night of Friday, July 10, having lost
count of the days during my monoto-
nous incarceration, thinking l had had
sufficient of that place, and, more
over, being tormented with feelings of
hunger, not having had anything given
me since the previous evening.
and having an idea that their neglect
was preliminary to my death in some
shape or other, | resolved to strive for
liberty. Having worked out stone
which found rather loose in the wall
near me, and having taken advantage
of the darkness of my corner, gnawed
asunder the cord that bound me.
made to the door which openedinto the
other apartment, and there being but
one guard left over me-the others be-
ing off on some expedition-I watched
for an opportunity. Presently it was
afforded me. AS the fellow sat with
his back toward me, resting his head
upon his hands, stole forward, hold
ing my stone in readiness, and with one
blow laid him on the floor. Then,
snatching up q knife from the table, l
ran out, and after wandering among
the mountains most of the night found
myself at daybreak on the highway with
my feet cut with the stones and my
strength gone.
Il tainted. On coming round at
tempted in vain to rise, when two men,
coming along with bullock cart,
asked for help. All they did was to
prod me with their goads and march on.
The laborers, now turning to their
work in the field, and seeing my at
tempt to regain my feet, several of them
pelted me with clods. | had little
strength left, but at last managed to
get on my feet, and, having rested
awhile to regain my strength, l stag
gered along to the town and waited
upon the Vice Consul, who kindly pro-
vided me with food and clothes, after
which | accompanied him before the
Governor of the province to make my
statement. Being then weak and ill |
found it necessary to enter the hospital
for few days, and am now gaining
strength among the mountains of Bis.
cay. The Spanish Government have
the matter under consideration; but, as
they do not undertake to indemnify
persons from any injury perpetrated by
their subjects, | am told on good au-
thority that shall be lucky if they but
allow me for what have lost. "-London
telegram.