The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-04
gHR TURKISH RRIaANps.
a Graphic tory of the Experiences Of
Cspt.ves CT Auastese.

From the Tendon STANDARD.
rather exciting story of the adventures
OF the passengers who we're recently seized
near Conssantinople by brigands has been
told at Constautinop,e by Herr Freudiger,
the engineer Of the train who was seat for
the ransom. On the raid being effected. he
says, the captives were hurried away from
The wrecked train, the whole party being in
charge OF seven brigands, armed with
Martipi-Henry rifles, excepting the cap
tam, who carried q chRssepot. They had
to walk all night toward a thick forest
After some hours Herr Israel and a servant
or the British embassy showed signs Of
great fatigue.
Angstase, the brigand captain, then talked
OF shooting them, but FTeudiger Temon>
strated against this course and urged she
captain TO send them TO Constantinople 70
raise the ransom, which proposal, as IS
known, was acted upon. Early in the morn
Ing the worn out and distressed captiVes
obtained some rest.
Beds. consisting of sheepskin jackets,
were spread on the ground in the open air,
and there was supplied TO them frugal re-
past, consulting of eggs, bread and little
wine, which Herr FTeudiger was allowed to
take with him, and then the party was on
the march again. In the afternoon two
zaptiehs we're esDied by the men, and the
unfortunate captives were made to kneel
down III deep ditch, with water up to the
waist, the brigands keeping watch and
threatening TO blow their brains out IL they
gave an alarm.
For some two hours they were made to
keep this position. What added to the dis
comfort Of the party was a terrific hail
storm. followed by rain, which wetted them
to the skin. In spite Of their misery, the
captlves were amused to see some of the
brlgands playing with tho watches they had
stolen from the travellers in the tram. The
captain alone appeared to have any knowl-
edge of their use, and in couple OF days all
the watches-and many among them were
valuaole-Were completely spoiled. On
more than one occasion the captlves planned
escape, but the brigands kept too good a
watch for this.
On the third day after a wretched nights
rest on the wet ground, the party had TO
walk at q quick pace from 10 in the morning
till in the afternoon. At the latter hour
zapUiehs, or soldiers were seen in the dis
lance, and, under threats Of instant death
II they moved or spoke, the whole OF the cap
tiyes had to lie down on their stomacns
until in the evening, The brigands kept
among themselves the seVerest discipline.
The captain never neglected to read prayers
both morning and night The unfortunate
prisoners, too, sent up fervent prayers to
heaven hahthey might regain their liberty.
All tbat night they had TO walk on beaten
traob, and twice had to cross a stream, the
brlgauds carrying their prisoners on their
backs. Supper consisted Of bread, but the
captlves were too fatigued and distressed 10
eat.
The fourth day was a wet one, making
matters even more wretohed. On that day,
In response TO an inquiry by the prisoners
as to the probable date OF their regaining
liberty, they were informed that it might
be in fortnight, or il might be ia two
months. All hope seemed TO have ahan-
doned them, when Herr Freudiger suggested
TO the captain that he should be sent TO
fetch the ransom. The captain hesitRted
for time, but eventually acquiesced,
swearing, however, that he would kill all
his prisoners IL Freudiger failed to return.
At $3.50 O'clock on the morning Of the 9Th
the captain showed Freudiger the road he
had to take, and after taking a most dis
tresslng farewell OF his companions in mis-
fortune. breudiger started off on his mis-
sion. For hours be walked until he reached
Visa, where the governor acc, rded him a
most cordial welcome, giving him food, q
change Of linen and boots, Ct all Of which
he stood greatly in need.
The return journey from Visa to Kinks
ls5e, on which be was accompanied by the
governor with the ransom, took nine hours,
the roads Oelng IN a bad state after the rain,
Leaving Kirkilisse at 3 O'clock in the mora
ing, accompanied by four Greeks, all
mounted. Herr Freudiger met with the
brigaads at o'clock in the evening. 1t had
been arranged that he was to ride white
horse and wear white handkerchief on his
head.
The joy Of the csptives know no bounds
when Freudlger was seen approaching.
They had given up ali hopes Of his return-
ing, and were convinced the brigauds would
carry out their threats and kill them.
Freudiger conceived the idea OF making the
brigands drunk with some wine ~ had
brought, and then effectlng bis escape with
the other prisoners, and thus save the ran
som, but these gentry were too wide-awake
for that.
Freudiger and the captain then counted
over the money. Freut iger found the
brigands some hours distant from the Black
sea. When the brigands caught sight of
him the captain came out to meet him, ex-
claiming Bravo Capt. Freudiger, you have
kept your word"
The prisoners and the brigands then in
dulged in regular feast, and healths were
drunk with enthusiasm. The brigauds made
each Of the captives, as we'll as four Greeks,
present Of five Turkish pounds each. The
captain then sept of his prisoners mounted
on horses previously ridden by Greeks, and
with as little delay as possible they made
for Acrianople. via Kirkilisse.