The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-10
| Thu Msn ef the HsIss'
N. ccRPI's PLEASANT s0JoukN AMONG GREEK
pscANps AND HIS RANSOM.

Jsmid, and OF gathering from ms own ups
the following interesting details OF tue
asr.;r. He had left Constantinople on
the LIST day Of july to inspect
satisfactory belonging TO the family
At a small village called Tepekieni, near
Caramoussal, on the southern shore OF the
Gulf OF Ismid. There was piece OF land
in the vicinity which he wanted to buy.
and on the Thursday afternoon he went
ont with the Tchorbajee" headman) OF
the village TO take last look at the ground
before closing. the bargain. He never
dreamed of the slightest danger, for the
place was almost within stones throw OF
the village. and no one during his three
DAYS residence at the factory had mention
ed the existence Of brigands. He went per-
iectly unarmed, secured, aS he thought. IN
the company OF the Tchorbajee. The inspec-
ton was over, and he was lust lighting
cigarette preparatory TO returning. when
ne suddenly found himself surrounded by
lot OF Withholding fellows, armed to the
teeth. He was not frightened in the least.
for he knew whae their game was. and felt
sure that his ransom would be speedily ar
ranged. Indeed, they were not bad fellows
at all, these brigands, ard he should always
look back with pleasure to the few days he
spent in their company.
AGENTLE BAND.
Captain Evanghelino, the leader, was
specially attentive. He regretted exceed
| inglv the necessity he was under OF CON-
peling his captive to march so much on
| foot. but there could be no rest for any OF
them until they had reached place from
which it would he safe TO communicate
IL. {.;A H., n
were searching for him could gather no
tidings. Their inquiries had all been
prosecuted along the southern side OF
the Gulf of Ismid, while he and his party
| had worked round the head OF the
gull and crossed over TO the Black
sea shore. Never should he forget the IA
tipues of that journey. Fortunately they
allowed him to lie down for few hours at
night. making up for him rs comfortable
| he'd rs they possibly could with leaves and
ferns, the Captain covering him up with
his own cloak. On the third day they
reached q hill overlooking a small village
they called Nihori, always working through
| the brush, with scouts thrown out on all
sides to give timely warning OF the APP
proach OF any one. Here his troubles
came TO an end. A pleasant biyouac was
arranged round hollow tree. an old oak,
the spacious interior Of which made IA
| nous resting-place, and for the next eight
DAYS he did nothing but eat and sleep. lie
was kept well supplied with good food,
fresh bread, with roast mutton and pillfi, the
provisions being brought every day from
| Nihori by one Of the band. who paid for
them out OF the money courteOusly borrow
ed OF Mr.. Corpi by the Captain. They
were not very communicative either as to
their antecedcnts or their future move
ments, but he gathered sufficient from their
conversation to know that they were all
Greeks from Macedonia and the greater
portion of them escaped conyicts--old hands
at the profession. The band is not a large
one, as il is but newly formcd-only eight
men besides the Captain. They were all
armed with Chassepot rifles and French
cavalry revolvers.
A CHIvALROUs CAPTAIN.
The Captain is Il fine, handsome young
fellow" un beau Gree" He treated his
prisoner with uniform kindness. and NJ.
COrpi was so touched by his endeavors TO
render his captivity comfortable that he
has promised to send him gold watch and
chain as souvenir. The men were mer-
r; set of fellows, who sang and danced for
his amusement, and but for the anxiety he
knew his detention would be causing his
friends he would not have minded spend
ing Il month among them instead of the
eleven days his captivity lasted. No threats
were ever used with the view of eXtorting
"a higher ransom. The negotiations were
conducted entirely between himself and the
Captain, and took place in the presence Of
the band. None OF them spoke on the
l.,,& tI.. ,,.,,N .f Il Il
arrived at an understanding it was put to
q vote whether the amount should be ac-
cepted or not. a very large sum was de-
handed at first, the Captain, who appeared
to be well informed as to the circumstances
Of the Corp family, observing, with 4
laugh, that each OF the numerous brothers
and cousins who had shared in the inheri-
lance OF the two rich uncles, lately deceased.
ought to contribute CT, 900.
THE RELEASE.
The moment the ransom had been agreed
upon one ofthe band was sent off to Ismid
with letter to NJ. Kainadanoglow, a Greek
resident of that town, with whom the
Corps have commercial relations. In ac-
cordance with the instructions contained
therein NJ. Bemetrius Corpi, one Of the
brothers who had been vainly endeavoring
|
off to Kadikioi to procure the sum demand
ed and the services OF three trusty Croats.
| THE TRUSTING PLACE.
| Quite an air OF the operate ezra
DiayolO" was thrown over the whole pro-
ceedings. Guided by the peasant. the
Croats marched for some four hours and
n half along the plain at the head OF the
Bay of Ismid, until at the foot of a noun
tain they came across the trunk of a newly
felled tree. The most perfect silence had
been enioined upon the men up to this mo-
ment, but the peasant now opening his
lungs to their fullest extent, gave utterance
to loud, shrill cry, evidently signal, as
la few minutes afterward an individual
whose multiplicity OF arms proclaimed him
at once to be one OF the band made his ap-
pcarance from the bush. With a brief
nod IN recognition OF their presence the
brigand asked the Croats ii they had
brought the money, and receiving their
assurance in respect to the same. immedi-
ately set to work to light a fire. Soon after
the smoke had commenced to curl inward
a similar signal was observed at no great
distance. Starting off with their new
guide the Croats came to another newly
{ felled tree, seated upon which were two
other brigands. Rising at once they start
ed oil, reckoning the others to follow, and
plunged into dark ravine so thickly
stocked with forest trees and underground
rs to be almost impenetrable. Reaching
the upper end OF the valley another fire was
lighted, and as soon as the answer TO this
signal was observed two OF the Croats were
ordered to remain, while the third. bearing
the ransom, started of with brigand No. /
Tor the top OF the mountain. Arriving at a
small hollow on the crest OF the heights. the
guide, taking one Of the long silyer-mount-
ed pistols from his belt, fired it in the air.
upon which, as II by magic, NJ. Corpi an
peared surrounded by his brigand friends.
The money WAS clslyelv conntad aaL -