Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-10
THE MEN OFilHE hills.


brlgands was announced a short tim
ago, has at length been released upo
the payment OF ransom to th
amount of fl,100. | had the pleasur,
Of meeting the gentleman yesterday a
he landed az kadikioi from the steam
launch which has brought him from
lsmid, and of gathering from bis OWE
lips the following interesting detail
OF the affAir;-He had lett CONSTANT.
nople on the first day OF July to ia
spect silk factory belonging to the
family at 1.-THE small village of Tepeki,
eni, near Caramoussal, on the southern
shore OF the Gulf of Ismid. There
was q piece of land in the vicinity
which he wanted to buy, and on the
Thursday afternoon he went out with
the "Tchorbajee" (headman) of the
village to take last look atthe ground
before closing the bargain. He never
ireamt of the slightest danger, for the
place was almost within q stone's
throw of the village and no one during
his three days residence at the fac
tory had mentioned the existence Of
brigands. He went perfectly un-
armed, secure as he thought, 10 the
company OF the Tchorbsjee. The in
spection was over and he was Just
lighting oigalet cite preparatory to res
turning when be suddenly found him
self surrounded by a lot of wild
looking fellows armed to the teeth.
He was not frightened in tue least, for
he knew what their game was and felt
sure that his ransom would be speed
lily arranged. Indeed, they we're not
bad fellows at all, these brigands, and
be should always look back with pleas
are to the few days he spent in their
company.
A GENTLE BAND.
Captain Evanghelino, the leader.
vas specially attentive. He regretted
exceedingly the necessity he was
under Of compelling his captive
TO march so much on foot,
but there could be no rest for any of
them until they had reached a place
frem which it would be safe to COM
municste with his friends. No won
der those who were searching for him
could gather no tidings. Their inqui
ries had all been prosecuted along the
southern side of the Gulf of Ismid.
while he tnd his party had worked
round the head Of the gulf and crossed
over to the Black Sea shore. Never
should he forget the fatigues of that
journey. Fortunately they allowed
him to lie down for a few hours at
night, smaking up for him as com.
Portable bed as they possibly could
With leaves and ferns, the Captain
covering him up with his own cloak.
On the third day they reached hill
overlooking small village called Nj
hori, always working through the brush
with scouts thrown out on all sides to
give timely warning of the approach of
any one. Here his troubles came to an
end. A pleasant bivouac was arranged
round hollow tree, An old oak, the
spacious interior Of which made a
famous resting place, and for the next
eight days he did nothing but eat and
sleep. He was kept we'll supplied with
good food, fresh bread, with roast
mutton and pilaff, the provisions being
brought every day from Nihori by one
of the band, who paid for them out ui
the money courteously borrowed Of
Mr.. OOrpi by the Captain. They we're
not very communicative either as to
their antecedants or their future
movements, but he gathered sufficient
from their conversation to know that
they were all Greeks from Macedonia
and the greater portion Of them es.
capped convicts-old hands at the pro.
fession. The band is not a large one.
as it is but newly formed-ouly eight
men besides the Captain. They were
all armed With Chassepot rifles and
French cavalry reYolvers.
A OHIvALRoUs CAPTAIN.
The Captain is fine, handsome
young felloW-"su beau Gree" He
treated his prisoner with uniform
kindness, and M.Corpi was SO touched
by his endeaVors to render his captiv-
ity comfortable that he has promised
to send him a gold watch and chain
as souvenir. The men were a merry
set OF fellows who sang and danced
Tor his amusement, and but for the
anxiety he knew his detention would
be causing his friends, he would not
have minded spending month with
them instead of the eleven days his
captivity lasted. No threats were
ever used with view of extorting
higher ransom. The negotiations
we're conducted entirely betW cen him.
self and the Captain. aud took place in
the presence OF the band. None of
them spoke on the subject, but when
the two principals had arrived at an
understanding it was put TO a vote
whether the amount should be &C
cepted or not. A very large sum was
demanded at first, the Captain, who
appeared to be well informed as to the
circumstances Of the Corpi family,
observing, with laugh, that each Of
the numerous brothers and cousins
who had shared in the inheritance Of
the two rich gncles, lately deceased,
ought to contribute $1,000,
THE RELEASE.
The moment the ransom had been
agreed upon one OF the band was sept
off 10 lsmid with a letter to NJ. Kahn
sdanoglow, a Greek resident of that
town, With whom the Corps have
commercial relations. In accordance
with the instruction contained therein
NJ. Bemetrius Corpi, one OF brothers
who had been vainly endeavoring to
communicate With tho hrigands, hur-