The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-06-02
CAUGHT BY BANDITS.
THE INCONVENIENCE OF BEING MIS-
TAKEN FOR A LORD.

With Two Pairs of Ears and Possi-
bly, Two Lives at stake and No
Ransom In Sight, the CaDtives De-
cided 1t Was Time For Business.
| copyright, 1900 by c. B. J.ewls.l
II an American wants to 60 abroad
on cash capital of $500, there is no
law to prevent, even II he is q news
paper man who has saved and econo-
mixed for six or seven years to get that
much wealth together. When started
out with my friend Gillian, who was
an artist instead sof 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 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 a
dozen dogs Of all sizes. ages and colors,
and each one 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 q
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 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 a skeleton old
goat for 81 and went back to their flea
infested huts.
At the end Of two hours I 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.
titled by a messenger from the village.
I 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
ragged, ugly lot, no better than the
meg 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 brlgands 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 a COM
pllment, and as sat up he saluted me
and said:
"My lord, you will please consider
yourself prisoner and come along
without resistance"
"But don't make any mistake on
me-" replied. "As near as can
make out from this short range you
Ire brlgands."
II am Bobetto," he said as he laid
lis hand on his heart and bowed low.
Excuse me that l never heard Of
you before. You are brlgand and in
t for money, and this is your bandr
"My lord is correct"
"Now, about this lord business. Let
is have an understanding. Who do
'ou take me for"
IAN English lord, my lord. I have
'een expecting you for several days.
The name l cannot pronounce, but I
now you to be the gentleman. Have
10 fears for your safety, as it will be
case Of ransom"
"Thls Is kind of you. If you take
ne for an English lord, who do you
Jake this other chap to beT'
"YOur companion, sir. His name
card, but cannot give it. He will also
e held for ransom"
Then we started Off to the west The
articular retreat Of this band was
alf way up mountain, and consisted
( two brush huts and fire In front
them. We were In no manner i'll
sed. They could have robbed us Of
ur few dollars and personal property,
ut they did not even search us for
'eapons. As soon as we had arrived
the huts, however, Bobetto brought
ut stationery and commanded me to
rite to the English minister at
thens and obtain the sum of $50, 1000.
9th Gillian and l burst out laughing
this demand, and after a little I
lid to the leader:
"Of what use to play the fool in this
after? As told you before, we are
mericans, and poor men at that. We
IN raise about 5000 apiece, but not
,other cent, and IL you take that we
lall have to turn brigands and com.
tie with you In business"
YOU may be Americans, but you are =
y lord just the same" replied Bo- !
tito. |
But there are no titles in America. =