The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-02-24
Select gtorg,
Outwitting Brigands.
From Chambers' Journal.

From Chambers JOHFHdt.
II was on such morning as we fog
nurtured islanders seldom witness at home
that | stood upon the deck Of the good
steamer Coumoundouros watching the
nearing shores of the Piraus, which, as all
tbc world knows or should know, Is the
port of the classic city Of Athens. The
beautiful unclouded sky; the bright out
lines Of the sun-bathed coast the air, laden
with the scent of the distant Hymettus ;
tbc far eminence with the grand Old
Acropolis standing out, white and bold In
the clear atmosphere and close at hand
tho moIderino tomb of Themistocles-
combined to arouse such poetic fancles III
my mind that forgot for the moment the
prosaic business upon which L had come
The screaming engine of the busy little
railway which carries the traveller from the
Pirrus to Athens, soon reminded me,
however. that was accredited with mis-
sion from London Greek firm to their
friends in the Attic city and [ was soon
whirlin@ over the sacred ground
Where History gives to every rood a page!
We passed the monuments OF those
doughty champions of the War of lndepen-
dencn Karaiskakis and Miaulis, and many
other objects of interest; and after ride
Of three or four miles I found myself at
my destination.
After the first few days [ certainly had
a very pleasant time of it, the few hours
work each day acting only as stimulus to
INV varied pleasure; and having examined
the Acropolis, and mnched by the fallen
pillar of Jupiter, seated myself in the ruins
of the Pnyx-whence Demosthenes de-
claimed. and Pericles evolved his plans
looked around like Alexander, for more
worlds to conquer | thereupon consulted
nv Genial but unwashed host, kyne
Antonio Pericles Pappademetracopoulos-
who, although Plato was to him text
book. and the sayings Of Socrates as
familiar as the sayings of Tommy and
Harry to an English schoolboy, was always
as dirty as a sweep-upon the propriety OF
betaking myself to where
The mountains look on Marathon,
And Marathon looks on the sea-
For one might as well go to Egypt
without visiting the Pyramids, or to Rome
without entering St. Peter S, as to ''do
Greece and leave Marathon unexplored
And when my host tried to dissuade me by
assuring me that a Greek gentleman ea1
had been sent fortnight before by the
brigands to his obstinate relatives, to hurry
the negotiations for his ransom, 1t so rous,
ed my blood that | vowed [ would go If
returned as close cropped as an English
terrier So away we started-myself and
Themistocles, the son of my host, sallow
unshayen youth, dirtier than his father
mounted upon two high-spirited donkeys
our revolvers we'll primed and our commits.
sariat well stocked.
"Adios, Kyrie p shouted my long-named
host as we cantered off.
Never fear,' l replied, waving my re-
volver defantly, and feeling that l should
be greatly disappointed if the rascals die
not show themselves
On We went, enjoying the scenery and
holding a hybrid conversation-he in
broken English, and l in sadly mutiliated
Greek-until in the excitement of the ride
and the glorious panorama constantly un-
folding itself to our view, l entirely forgot
that there were such beings as brigands in
existence.
''Now," said [ to Themistocles, after a
ride of some hours, during which my ap-
petite became unpleasantly sharpened, ''let
US look about for spot where we can
bivOuac in comfort"
We soon found delightful place, shelf
cred all round, save where through small
opening we obtained view of a charming
landscape. Dismounting, and allowing our
animals to refresh themselves on the grass
we soon made havoc of the good things we
had brought. was laying upon my back
smoking cigarette after the meal, gazing
dreamily at the blue armament and being
too lazy to rise, had called upon Themisto-
cleS to pass me the water cup.
"Has the fellow gone to sleep ?" thought
|, still indisposed to turn my head. "The-
mistoclesw r.
But Themistocles heard me not; and
when raised myself upon my elbow, ]
saw him standing, as if struck dumb and
motionless with fear, staring upon the
opening. Instinetiyely / leaped up and
ciutched my revolver; but before I took
step the cause of Themistocles' fear be
came apparent; and three shaggy forms