New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-08

IN danger OF being eonfscated. Robbers and thieves
hurled their booty into the Tiber. so TO avoid
being found with the plumber in their possession.
while the foreign invaders themselves. from
spirit OF wantOnness. preferred to throw into the
river all the loot which they could not carry
away with them. ana yet were unwilling TO leave
70 their conquered enemies. Thus, II Is that the
Tiber conceals in its bed untold treasures. Few
men have had the cunning Of the founder of the pa
trician and princely house of Chgi. who. after
entertaining the Pope at his villa the banks OF
the Tfber. cast into stream the golden service
Off which the Holy Father had eaten. declaring
that else should ever use the plates. cups.
etc, sanctifed by His Holiness's touch He had.
however, taken the precaution OF stretching net
beforehand beneath the surface OF the stream. so
that the Pope departed he able 10
recover his gold service.
RasuH the Moorish bandit who has achieved
such worldwide fame by kidnapping Mr.. Perdicaris
and his English son-in-law and holding them for
ransom is unusually clever ex-off1cial OF the
Moorish Sultan He spent some years in Algeria.
where he acquired q knowledge OF legerdemain
which has given him immense influence over his
followers, who regard him possessed OF super
natural powers. Dozens of stories could be told
showing how by tricks Of conjuring this man has
impressed his adherents with the conviction that
his life IS charmed and that he is under the special
protection OF Allah.
As instance OF his ceverness IN these tricks
I need merely relate the following we'll authenti-
Gated tale. 1t seems that some time ago he was
warned that the death of some OF his followers
was causing great dissatisfaction among his ad-
herents who believed that they should share his
immunity from harm. Accordingly. IN the privacy
OF his own praying tent. he dug deep grave, and
buried his only conf1dant and devoted confederate
with bamboo in his mouth communicating with
the outer air Then he received deputation OF the
dsaffected.
You complain that followers OF mine have been
slain' he exclaimed. That is your ignorance Of
their real state. Listen you shall speak with one
or them with Absalam Riff. whom you saw shot
but yesterday. Speak! Ho Absalam Rifir'
From out the earth a voice assured the half terri
fled and wholly reverent Moors that the speaker
then occupied most sumptuOus pavilion in Para
disc, the adored and petted OF legions OF houris a
position which. could his adherents but picture Il TO
themselves. they would forthwith strive to attain
by the simple means OF meeting death IN their
lords service.
When the voice ceased Raisuu exclaimed This
spot is sacred. he then placed his foot over
the bamboo through which his buried confed-
crate drew breath. We will straightway erect
shrine upon it." he said with that he instruct
ed every member Of the trebly devoted men
composing the deputatiOn to go and each fetch a
great stone. with which caIrn was raised pre-
paratory to building the shrine.
That was the end Of RaisuIrs faithful confeder-
ate and lieutenant. and also the end OF all risk OF
his ever betraying his master May Allah give
him peacei' MARQUIsE DE FONTENOY.