The Dillon tribune., 1883-08-18
The Methods or Brfgands.

IL Is great mistake to think that
orlgands in-treat their captives during
negotlatlons it is just the reverse. All
snare and share alike, the preference
9elng always given to the prisoner when
1t comes to the last loaf of bread or The
last glass ct wine. At the same time Il
can hardly be called an env;ahIa a1ner !.
ence to pass night after night in fair
weather and foul With no bed but the
mountaln-side and no shelter but the
canopy OF heaven. The routine Of one
DAY is so much like that of another dur
ing the wandering in the mountains that
the description of one twenty-four hours
Will, l think, be sufficient. Soon after
dark the whole party start, the prisoner
having his arms tied loosely behind him
by single piece of small rope. leaving
the end trailing behind. This. NAV
here mention, is simply used as sign Of
captivity and not as precaution against
an attempt to escape, two of the band
being sentry over the captive at time,
the remainder dispensing slightly so as
to have the notice of any danger that
might be close by. After travelling sew
eral miles, through valleys and over
mountains, halt is made about sunrise
IN some well-wooded and secluded spot !:
the prisoner is then left in charge of
three or four men, and the remainder,
excepting, of course, the CHIEF, proceed
with their various duties, some lighting
fire, others preparing the morning
meal, which generally consists of bread,
coffee, and perhaps bit of lamb or goat,
and another party go off to get their next
days food from accomplices and spies
who have been warned two or three days
previously where to bring the provisions
So suspicious are they of treachery that
no member of the band is allowed to
eat any food brought by spy until the
bearer has tasted it to see if it contains
poison. The way in which the fire is
lighted is we'll worthy of notice. Hav-
ing collected some dry sticks, not large
in circumference, and about eighteen
inches in length, square heap is built
by laying them across each other at right
angles, and at the same time leaving
lots Of air-space in the center. The top
stick is then lighted, and the fire burns
downward; by this means very hot
but perfectly smokel~ss fire is obtained,
which of course prevents their locality
b. ing discovered from the smoke. When
all is prep red breakfast is heartily
welcome after the nights journey, but
no one thinks of partaking of any fc cd
until short prayer has been 8 i'd by
the chief and all have crossed them
selves three times. I have omitted to
mention that every band Vi or. Sands has
q tame ram which is used to lead any
sheep they steal from out-of-the-way
villages, thus saving one man having
the trouble doing duty as shepherd.
During meals every topic is discussed,
no distinction being made between cap
tor and captive, nor restriction placed
on the latter as long as he does not
breach the all-important subject of his
own release. On that subject they are
perfectly reticent and one never knows
from the day of ones captivity till
within few hours of ones release how
negotiations are proceeding, nor how
ones chances of life and death fluctuate
according to the temper of the brigands
and the communications brought by the
spies.-The Co,nhiH Magazine.