The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-04-30

Some of these brisands or Llefts. as
they are called. are men of p:odigious
strength. small in waist, but 1.-the, wiry.
and muscular to degree | heard of
one kleft. a chieftain, who when seated
on the ground by the campfire would
stretch out lis arm and order
one of his mel to step on the open
aim. Thus he would hold him few
seconds at arms-length. and then grad
naliy lift and tos, him forward like an
oralge. The kleits are almost invari-
bly, Greeks: occasionally a Maltese or
ar Italian i, found among them. But
they are all Christians, aud good Chris
tIans at that. Thev fast with the ut
most stric'ness i'll Lent ard on fast
day. \ drop Of human hlool from
victim squirting on their lips on q fast
day would g.>c them severe twinge, OF
conscience. From time to ne they go
carefully disgui~ ed to church and con-
Tess wi h the solemnity of CT lSaders en-
gagged in fighting for the holy sepul-
cher. Toward MoAammedans they ex-
h.bi; especial horror. They do not even
contlesceAd to take paramou:s from the
hated followers of the prophet.
But viii we are discussing the
virtues and habits of the Leyentine
brlga. d our captive in the mountain has
been smoking iunun.erab G cigarettes of
Stambouled tobacco in order TO soothe
his growing imra'ience. As the time
apI reached when the messenger
with the ransom was ex exoected great
re>t!e,sne and intense watcnfuiness
was exhibited By the troops. The chief
detail ed two brawny fellows to guard
the prisoner, knife in hand, with orders
to stab him to the heart on the first
sign of an attempt at rescue. At vari-
Gus rreconcerted points other brigands
We're distributed to guide the messenger
with the money to then hiding place.
When lie arrived with hi, well-aden
donkey at the first point he made
signal "a directed; his was answered
by return signal from behind rcck
AID an order to proceed in a certain
direction until he should Lear a sheep
biate three tin es. On hearing that
signal the mes eHger stopped, made
pl earranged reply, and was directed to
go on until he should hear the cawing
of crow, thrice rel eated; he would
then receive further directions. In this
mysterious manner the messenger
finally arrived in the pre- 'euce of the
! robber cliieftain himself, who was hold
! ing cooked revolver in his hand.
| a!ertne in his men. I'd quick fierce,
i yet anxiou-, look in his eye. as if Sis
| icinus cf treachcry. The messenger
! was at once conducted into the cave !;
on his stating that lie had brought the
/ full amount of the ransom demanded
! was handed flask, Or rather a gourd
containing spirits. After saying, with
I your permission, the messen took Il
somewhat corioUs draught of strong
waters, and then the money was care
fully counted; the amount being found
correct the chief TUNED to his prisoner
and respectfully said:
Sir, you are at liberty to go when
! You pleae Two Of my palikans will
after you have solennly pledged your
| word As gentleman that you will never
: give any one >ing.e clew to the where
+. abouts of our cave | need not warn
you that if you fail to keep your word
life will be forfeited wherever vou may
hap; en- to be. 1on can bear witness
that while yol; have been our guest we
have endeavored to make YOU comforta-
bile to the best of our limited means.
1t may he of Importance for you to re-
member, in case you shonld ever have 4
| similar adventure, tLat we are men of
our word. When we s'ipuiate fer a
certain time We sarcedIy keep to onr
side Of the contract. But if there is
any dea ny we a:e equally strict and
scrupnlous in carrying ont the rules of
onr profession, any neglect Of which
would make il impossible to continue
have cost You al ear. On the fifth day
We should have been under the painful
necessity of reducing vonr length by a
head. Happily the faithful punctnaI,ty
Of yonr fliends enables me to wish yon
a pleasant journey home, with the hope
that yonr health may long continue as
good as it now il, thanks to our brisk
mountain air.
One of the most romantic phases o1
the brigand'a venturesome career in
Turkey, and a'so, although more rarely
In Persia, Is The capture of the mails.
Excepting OH one or two miniature rail
ways in Turkey, the postal service in
the interior OF these countries IS sti
! largely dependent on post-carriers, who
! dash across the lone,v roads on hnrse
back. The men employed in this a,du
} ous service must he hardy, intelligent
and brave.
J Often these post-carriers are intrnstet
with money, generally gold. He i:
) heavily armed and sometimes has Al
J armed attendant He is not to be as
sailed with impunity. Such attacks ar,
, generally made during the winter sea
, son when oiher prey is more scarce, anf
} when the nights arc dark aud storm,
and the roads bad. Stationed on eithe
side Of tie road the brigands lay in wal
to hear the foot-beats of the carrier
galloping horses. Their guns are care
: fully loaded and cooked for there is II.
question now of simple .eizure ant
: ransom. The attack means death O,
one side CT the other, or both. n,
, quarter is given. Tie postmen ar
|, known 20 be desperate fell. VS. and faith
full to their trust to the last gasp.
THEliE are peop'e who would grea
3 deal rather be the whistle or the be-