Smyrna times., 1900-08-08

Copyright. 1900, by C. B. Lewis.l
If an American wants to go abroad
on a cash capital of $500, there is no
law to prevent, even il he is a news
paper man who has saved and econo-
mized 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 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 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 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-
phus We were first met by about q
dozen dogs of all sizes, ages and colors,
and each one worse looking dog than
the one who came after. After we had
CluDDtu lnc DdCh Ol we were CDdf8eu
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 a little English. They
we're dirty, ragged villains, who did not
hesitate to threaten us, and not a word
could we get out of them about the
ruins until we had come down with
backsheesh. Gillian started out after
a 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 So and went back to their flea
infested huts.
At the end of two hours l was awak-
ened by some one giving me a smart
kick on the hip, and l 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.
titled by a messenger from the village.
1 have many times read of the plctur-
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 disgusted with their breaths than
L. l., H.,
English fairly we'll, and l 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 is a great
help toward an understanding about
identity, money matters and so forth
1t was the leader who had kicked me
which l have always taken as a com
pliment, and as l 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 OF
me-" l replied. "As near as l car
make out from this short range yor
are brigands."
"I am Bobetto," he said as he LAID
his hand on his heart and bowed low.
Excuse me that l never heard o.
you before. You are a brigand and IL
it for money, and this is your bandT
"My lord is correct"
"Now, about this lord business. LIE
us have an understanding. Who d.
you take me for"
"An English lord, my lord. hav
been expecting you for several days
The name l cannot pronounce, but
know you to be the gentleman. Hav
no fears for your safety, as 1t will b
case of ransom"
'This is kind of you. If you tax
me for an English lord, who do yo
make this other chap to beP'
Your companion, sir. His name
heard, but cannot give it. He Will ais
be held for ransom"
Then we started off to the west. Th
particular retreat of this band wa
half way up a mountain, and consiste
Of two brush huts and a fire In from
Of them. We were In no manner i
used. They could have robbed US Q
our few dollars and personal propert!
but they did not even search us fo
weapons. AS soon as we had arrive
at the huts, however. BOb?tto brougf
out stationery and commanded me I
write to the English minister 8
Athens and obtain the sum of $3OOO
Both Gillian and burst out laughin
at this demand. and after a little
said to the leader:
"Of what use to play the fool In Tn
matter? AS | told you before, we al
Americans, and poor men at that. W
can raise about 5000 apiece. but NJ
another cent. and il you take that
shall have to turn brigands and con
pete with you in business"
You may be Americans. but you al
my lord just the same" replied b
betto.
But there are no titles In Americ
Ii l should write to the American mi
lister. he would take 1t as joke. fC
haven't got a soft snap In this thin