The Portland daily press., 1882-06-09
Six Days with Brigsnds.
Signor Notarbartolo's Capture, Release
and Strange Experiences.

Naples Letter to the Londsn Daily News
1.-THE temperance Of brigandage in the distant
neighborhood OF Palermo 80 soon after the re-
itants. The particulars of the treatment OF OK
Syadic, Signor Notarbartolo, by the brigands
have become known since his return. AS soon
as his companions had been disarmed by the
pretended patrol the sx-Syndic perceived his
mistake His captors were dressed in new Bsr-
saglieri uniforms, spoke the jargon of the SOL
diers, and had thoroughly military appear
auce, rem dering it likely that they all once
served in the army. When Signor NotarbartoA
10 saw the state of affairs he at once told his
captors in decided manner that all threats or
bad language toward him would BE- OF no avail,
and such was the effect of his superiority Of char
acter that during the whole term OF his detsn-
ton the brigands treated him with Difference
and respect. His companions had boon sent
away with letter toihis family, apprising them
of what had occurred ,sand that a ransom Of rs,
OO0f. was demanded. The brigands first took
Slgnor Notarbartolo to the woods, and then to
a grotto, or rather deep ravine, in the noun
tains, where he was detained for six days. The
cavern was constantly guarded by two Of tho
brigands, who had changed their uniform for
theItorn, dress of peasants. Thelight penetrated
this ravine for only few hours Of the day, and
during that time the prisoner could road NUM-
Der OF the KeCue 0eS DeuT MOndeS, Wnlcn no
happened to have with him.
This was the only amusement. He was not
allowed to smoke during the day, lest in 50 do
ing he should betray the place of his conceal
ment. The brigands called the ravins their
best palace, saying they had others in places
more difficult of access, but they had chosen
this as it was more comfortable for 'nis Excel
lence." During the first evening they CONVEX
sed frankly about their affairs recounting
their exploits and then begged their prisoner
to excuse them if it annoyed him, but they did
not know how to talk about anything but their
own affairs. cat tho end OF six days, during
which, in accordance with tho petitions Of the
family and high functionary, the brigands
had, by order of the Minister Dspretis, been
left unmolested, the sum of 50,000f. was con-
yeyed to them, with which they expressed them-
selves content, telling their prisoner that he
would be Immediately released. The latter
then asked for his watch, saying that it was as
keepsake very dear to him. With character
istic courtesy it was Immediately restored to it
proper owner; not, however, before one Of tn
exclaiming that it was very tasteful and beau,
tiful. The e1-Syndic Immediately declared
with vivacity that all efforts to deprive him Of
it would be useless; on which the brigand who
had taken a fancy to it declared that his wish
to have it was quite disinterested, and that he
would gladly pay for it. At this time the band
had assumed. very good cloth clothes, had rings
on their fingers, and gold chains to their watch
es. Signor Notarbartolo was received in Paler-
mo with great demonstrations OF joy, the street
in which he lives being illuminated BY the in
habitants. Measures for arresting the maiofac-
tors were then Immediately taken, the district
around Termini, whore they are supposed to be
still hiding, being surrounded by military. No
news of their capture has yet arrived.