Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-05-19
CAUGHT BY BANDITS.
The INCONVENIENCE OF BEING MIS-
TAKEN FOR A LORD.
with Two Pairs of Ears and Possi-
BIy Two Lives AT stake and No
Ransom In Sight, the Captives De-
cided IL was Time For Business.
[Convrlght. 80. bv q. 3.


IL an American wants to 20 abroad
On a cash capital OF $500, there is no
law to prevent, even If he is a news
paper man who has saved and econo-
mized for six or seven years TO get that
much wealth together. When | started
out with my friend Gillian. who was
nm artist instead Of a journalist, and
had $50 less capital as well, we took
steerage passage on steamer and
planned to do Europe on foot and avoid
all extravagances. As to how we got
along until we struck Greece and a
certain event happened is of no great
consequence. We tramped here and
there, ate, slept and had a fairly good
time.
From Athens we went on a tramp up
the country, viewing tombs and ruins
by the way, and after putting in two
days at Marathon we started out one
morning for hamlet called Histro-
plus. We were first met by about
dozen dogs of all sizes, ages and colors,
and each one n 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 a
chance. We got rid Of the latter to
encounter three men, one of whom
could speak a little English They
were dirty, ragged villains. who did not
hesitate to threaten us, and not word
could we get out Of them about the
ruins until we had come down with
backsheesh. Gillian started out after
bit to do some sketching, while l
found a place to take a nap, and the
inhabitants of Histrophus 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 was awak
ened by some one giving me smart
kick on the hip, and | reused up to see
that we had been taken prisoners by
four brigands. The fellows had come
down off the mountains. about four
miles away. having probably been no
tilted by a messenger from the village.
| have many times read of the pictur-
esque Greek brigands, but the four
who gobbled us UP that day must have
gone out of the picturesque business
some weeks previous. They were a
ragged, ugly lot, no better than the
men of the village, and we were far
more Disguised with their breaths than
afraid of their knives. The leader spoke
English fairly wen, 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 1t is a great
help toward an UNDERSTANDING about
identity. money matters and so forth.
1t was the leader who had kicked me,
which | have always taken as com
pliment, and as sat up he saluted me
ard said:
My lord, you will please consider
yourself a prisoner and come along
without resistance"
But don't make any mistake on
me-" | replied. CAS- near as | can
make out from this short range you
are brigands."
Il am Bobetto," he said rs he laid
his hand on his heart and bowed low.
Excuse me that | never heard OF
you before. You are a 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. l have
been expecting you for several days.
The name cannot pronounce, but
know you to be the gentleman. Have
no fears for your safety, as it will be
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
heard, bat cannot give it. He will also
be held for ransom"
Then we started off to the west. The
particular retreat OF this band was
half way up mountain and consisted
of two brush huts and a fire in front
of 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
at the huts. however Bobctto brought
ont stationery and commanded me to
write to the English minister at
Athens and obtain the sum of 100000.
Both Gillian and l burst out laughing
at this demand, and after a little |
said to the leader:
"Of what use to play the fool in this
matter; As | told you before, we are
Americans, and poor men at that. We
can raise about 5000 apiece, but not
another cent, and if you take that We
shall have to turn brigands and com-
pete with you in business"
You may be Americans, but you are
my lord just the same" replied Bo-
bette.
"But there are no titles in America.
If | should write to the American min
lister, he would take it as a joke. You