Smyrna times., 1906-06-13

English lord you want to lay hands on.
I've been putting on side, but it's all
froth.'
The colonel was ordered into the hut
to pass the night. ana the brigands
went into caucus. They believed the
American to be lying. Once they had
captured a wealthy Frenchman who
had lied them out of a big ransom, and
they didn't mean to be caught again.
When morning came there was an
other slim breakfast. Then the leader
laid:
IF you wish to be free in two days,
then write to your bank in Corinth."
But told you l had none," replied
the colonel.
'Then to your country's consul"
''He could be of no use whatever"
Listen to me-" said the man as his
comrades fingered their knives menac-
ingly. 1--WE give you one week in
which TO raise the ransom. After that
you are a dead man. Don't trifie with
us. You cannot deceive us, and you
cannot hope for a rescue"
"Well, all I've got to say is that if
you fellers tried to do business on your
plan in Meriden you'd go stone broke
in two weeks. I've told you the truth,
| and if you are too thick headed to alb
sorb it it's your misfortune"
7 The brigands were in no hurry. Nei-
the were they in any danger of being
overhauled. They divided their ransom
money with the 1t, and the 1t saw that
they were not interfered with.
Nothing further was said to the colo
mel for two days. He made himself
| believe that he was out on huckleber-
ry excursion and tried to enjoy it. On
the third day he noticed that the bri-
gands began to exhibit signs of impa-
tience and feel the edges of their
knives. On the morning of the fifth
writing materials were placed before
him, and the leader said:
Perhaps YOU will write to your
banker today?"
"With the greatest of pleasure, if
you Will only tell me who he is"
"Oh, very well. There are two days
left to you.'
Colonel Muggs hadn't been taking
things as easy as appeared. He was in
a hole and couldn't see his way out.
He couldn't raise 5000 just then 60 save
his life, and he realized that he had put
himself into false position and that
the brigands would hold him to it. For
four days he had had an eye out for
any chance to make break, but he
had been under strict watch.
Soon after noon on that fifth day o
big thunder cloud came sweeping uT
from the south and brought a torrent
of rain and terrific thunder and light
ming. Every one crowded into the hut
for shelter, and the brigands were ours
ing and praying alternately wher
something occurred big enough to make
a sensation in America for Il few min
utes What it was the colonel didnt
know until half an hour later, when HI
woke up. Then he found himself ant
the brigands lying in the midst of tn,
ruins of the old hut. His fellow lodger!
seemed very quiet, and he decided no
to disturb them. He gathered up thei
knives and carbines, and, retaining on,
of the latter, he chucked the rest int
a ravine and then set out for Corinth
If the brigands woke up after he de
parted they did not pursue.
"A-h-h, colonel, but my heart wa
rent with sorrow when heard of you
capturew exclaimed the landlord a
Corinth as the colonel walked in ol
him.
well, 1 dunno" was the reply
you've got to get up pretty early t
beat a Yankee and an eight day cloc1
combined