The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-14
WITH BRIGANDS.
Z" Don't Think Any the Worse of Us for
Au Reyoir."

Don't Think Any the Worse of Us for 1t.
Au Revoir."
The tourists who have been released by
the brigands have given the following ac-
count of their adventures: Early on Satur-
day Freudiger set off with the ransom wi tn
four men of Kirkilisse, who had been found
willing to accompany him. All five were on
horseback. The captain of the robbers,
Athanasius, and some of his men were met
three hours journey from Midia, where
they suddenly emerged from the brushwood,
armed 10 the teeth and ready for a fight.
The prisoners were guarded by the other
robbers in the thick of the wood half an
hour distant from the road. Freudiger had
brought wine and brandy with him, and the
robbers, who were half intoxicated with
delight at the sight of the gold. drank
themselves dead drunk. 1t then occurred
to Freudiger that they might attack the rob-
bers. II would perhaps be possible to shoot
some of them suddenly and then over
come the others. He proposed this to
the prisoners, but they protested energeti-
cally against the intended breach of
faith. and so the plan was not carried out.
The ransom was in twenty small bags. each
containing 10000 francs, or 800 Turkish gold
pounds. Athanasius himself counted it out.
He found that the last bug contained 10
pounds too much, and these he handed
back to Frpudiger, saying that they wanted
adding: 1--WE are honest men," During
their eight days captivity the hostages were
well treated by the brigands, but they suf-
fered greatly from fatigue, and often nearly
broke down. At such times the robbers
gave them every attention and supplied
them with the best they could find to eat
and drink. From the spot where the raid
on the train took place they marched four
days, one behind the other, over the noun
tains. The robbers chose the most difficult
n q f,lOu ntai m iHra
now through deep ravines covered with
almost impenetrable undergrowth. They
marched only at night, and this, of course,
increased their fatigue. During the day
they were hiding in the brushwoOd. Smok-
ing and talking were forbidden. During the
four days march they had very little to eat.
Tho delicacieS which had been taken from
the train were quickly eaten up. and for two
days they had only bread and water. On
the fifth day one of the brigands brought a
lamb, evidently stolen from neghboriDg
pasture, and this was roasted in the wood
ON spit. The captlves received the best
pieces OF the meat the robbers satisfying
themselves with picking the bones. The
prisoners sometimes had to exert themselves
TO the utmost ln-order not to drop on the
way. Sometimes they were threatened. but
at others the chief would spread his mantle
on the ground for them and let them rest.
The last day they became verv nneasy and
their joy when they heard that Freudiger
was In sight may be imagined.
The leave-taking between the prisoners
and their capt0rs was in It's way quite
touching. The chief presented each cap
tive, as we'll as Freudiger, with five gold
pounds OF the ransom as memento of their
neyer-to- be-f0rgotten week with the rob-
bers. and locket which Herr Israel had
begged to be returned was handed over to
Freudiger most willingly. A bank-note of
LOGO marks, which Herr Groeger had al
ready offered to Athanasius, was refused.
nfy~aD hfc oh haa md
finally the robbers embraced the prisoners
and, shaking hands, said, ''DIn't think any
the worse of us for it. An revoir'' Ath-
anasius said, II am only afraid that on the
way back you will be attacked by the Ma
hadir." The whole band consisted only of
the captain and seven comrades. The for
mer is Greek. born at Aradschu, bear
Stamboul. where his blind father still lives,
The robber chief is very intelligent, and,
as late events have proved. very energetic