Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-05-31
CAUGHT BY BANDITS.
THE INCONVENIENCE OF BEING MIS-
TAKEN FOR A LORD.
With Two Pairs of Ears and POSSE
bly, Two Lives at stake and No
Ransom In Sight, the Cnptives De-
cided 1t Was Time For business.

on a cash capital OF 500, there Is no
law 10 prevent, even if he is n news
paper man who has saved and econo-
Elized for six or seven years to get that
much wealth together. When l started
out with my friend Gillian. who was
an artist instead OF u journalist, and
had $50 less capital as we'll, we took
steerage passage ON a steamer and
planned to do Europe on foot and avoid
all eXtravaganccs. As TO how we got
along until we struck Greece and Il
certain event happened is of no great
consequence. We tramped here and
there, ate, slept and had fairly good
time.
From Athens we went on n tramp up
tie country, viewing tombs and ruins
by the way, and after putting in two
days at Marathon we started out one
morning for n hamlet called Histro-
Dhus. We were first met by about Il
dozen dogs of all sizes. ages and cOlors,
and each one IL worse looking dog than
the one who came after. After we had
dubbed the pack off we were charged
down upon by nine children of various
sizes and ages. all of whom needed
soap and water. They rallied around
Us for small coin. and not getting any
they fell back and gave four women
chance. We got rid of the latter TO
encounter three men. one of whom
could speak little English. They
were dirty, ragged villains. who did not
hesitate 10 threaten rs. and not Il word
could we get out of them about the
ruins until we had come down with
backshccsh. Gillian started out after
. bit TO do some slIctchin%. while L
found n place to take Il nap. and the
Inhabitants of IIistrophus finally got
out of breath begging for coins and
trying to get us to buy skeleton old
goat for 50 and went back to their flea
infested huts.
At the end OF two hours l was awal-
encd by some one giving me Il smart
kick on the hip. and reused up to see
that we had been taken prisoners by
four brigauds. The fellows had come
down Oft the mountains. about four
miles away. having probably been no.
titled 10y Il messenger from the village.
l have many times read of the pictur-
csquc Greek brigands, but the four
who gobbled us up that day must have
gone out of the picturesque business
some weeks previous. They were n
men Of the village. and we were far
more Disguised with their breaths than
afraid of their knives. The leader spoke
English fairly well, and | have always
felt grateful to him on that account
All leaders of Greek brigands should
learn three or four languages before
proceeding to business, as it * Il great
help toward an understanding about
identity, money matters and 50 forth.
1t was the leader who had kicked me,
which l have always taken as COM
plimcnt. and as sat up he saluted me
and said:
my lord, you will please consider
yourself a prisoner and come along
without resistance"
But don't make any mistake on
me-" 1 replied. 'As near as l can
make out from this short range you
are brigands."
81 am Bobctto." he said as he laid
his hand on his heart and bowed low.
Excuse me that 1 never heard of |
you before. You are i brigand and in |
it for money, and this is your band?'
My lord is correct"
Now, about this lord business. Let |
us have an understanding. Who do |
you take me for?"
':An English lord, my lord. 1 have |
been expecting you for several days. |
The name l cannot pronounce, but L |
know you to bc the gentleman. Have |
no fears for your safety, as it Will be
n case Of ransom"
This is kind of you. If you take
me for an English lord, who do you
make this other chap to be:'
Your companion, sir. His name L
heard. but cannot give it. lie will also
be held for ransom"
Then we started off 10 the west. The
particular retreat of this band WAS
half way up Il mountain. and consisted
Of two brush hutS and n fire in front
II them We were in no manner i'll
used. They could have robbed us Of
our few dollars and personal property,
but they did not even search us for
weapons. As soon as we had arrived
II the hutS, however. Bobetto brought |
lut stationery and commanded me to
write TO the English minister at |
Athens and obtain the sum of $4,000
Both Gillian and burst out laughing
II this demand. and after n little 1
said to the leader:
"Of what use to play the fool in this
natter: As / told you before, we are
and poor men at that. We
AN raise about 500 apiece. but not
another cent, and If you take that we
hall have to turn briCauds and com
Jete with you in business"
You may be Americans, but you are
ny lord just the same" replied Bo-
Detto.
..Hut there are no titles in America
/ should write to the American min
Ster. he would take il Us n joke. You
haven't got n soft snap in this thing.
Id fellow. Had you got hold of Rock
Teller. Gould or Vanderbilt you might /
ave made n raise and bought a garlic
actOry, but we are almost down TO
lardpan. Sorry for you. but you can't
lways hit IL, even in the brigand bust