Gilpin observer., 1913-08-14
wv Americans have ever visited
the isolated parts of Albania,
but those who have. recall the
words.


the isolated parts of Albania.
but those who have, recall the
words:
"Duhan. rakia, pushke. dash
tina"
Meaning tobacco. brandy, guns and
love-" Guns are most in evidence. for
every man must shooter be shot.
This little land of blood feuds Is
tucked away in the group Of noun
tains that form Montenegro. Much of
1t Is a rocky. barren wilderness and
not culiivatable. The heat in mid
summer is overpowering: but cold.
shallow rivers run through valleys
rich with cherries. figs and almonds.
There are few Lridges. and those who
wish to cross usually wade. Market
gardens line the river banks. In them
small ponds are made and the water
dipped out with immense wooden
ladies' and showered on the crops
Albania Is inhabited by distinctly
different tribes. each led by heredi-
tary standard bearer-an honor
handed down from father to son. or
the nearest male heir. The chief or
leader Of each tribe Is absolute mas
! ter Of the others and their flocks and
worldly possessions are held in CON-
mon.
OF Strange Mixture.
They are a strange mixture Of emo
ton and unnatural insensibility. They
prefer to have hand chopped OF for
theft. instead OF serving a short prison
sentence. They are broken-hearted
Gnn-hnf fn
shoot They are proud of their high
death rate and spend more for guns
and ammunition than for food They
buy caps and powder and cast their
own bullets. Martini cartridges are
most popular because they are easily
filled and wound worse than the rapid
firing Mauser. For a severe wound at
close range nothing can compare with
their old-fashioned flint-lock, rammed
with dram Of powder. a big bullet,
spikes. glass plinters. etc Many Of
the weapons are silver mounted and
ornamented with initiation sapphires
or rubies.
The old idea of publication by blood
blood vengeance-is the ruling belief
In Albania. Blood only can wipe away
ing TO rule and not classed with muir
der. A blow. or even an insult, re-
quires blood. Blood only can cleanse
the sin Of marrying a girl who was
betrothed to another. Abduction or
adultery demands blood. This does
not necessarily mean the blood of the
offender himself-any male blood Of
his tribe answers the purpose.
1t Is against the rules to shoot
man when he 10 with a woman, q child,
or company of friends. Therefore.
many men never step out OF doors
alone. When on the march. men must
walk a gun barrel apart; for II gun
should strike someone accidentally.
the blow must be avenged Women
who always spin while marching. keep
the length Of q distaff apart.
A man who entertains a stranger for
one night, or even gives a flask Of
water. makes such a one his guest and
is In honor bound to avenge him.
should anything harm him before he Is
entertained by another. Death fol.
lows In the wake Of the most trivial
things. One evening a party of men
noticed an unusual number of stars
In the sky and argued as to which
was the biggest. It is said. The dis
pute was finally settled-after II lay
dead and II more were badly wound.
ed
Have No Prisons.
There are no prisons. Albania pun.
ishes by fines or fires. Death would
simply start new feuds. When q man
Stays. he finds a place OF safety and
then announces that his honor IL
clean. That he 10 then liable to be
shot by any member Of the other tribe.
troubles him not, but in q few dis.
tricts council has authority to burn
his house. demolish his crops, kill his
cattle and forbid him to work The