Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-10-17
VICTORIOUS
BULGAR
By F. A. Mitchell

Eight years ago 1, q SioDe Iroltef,
having visited every other known part
of the globe, concluded to have a look
at the Balkans. The Balkan peninsula
is seldom visited by tourists, so l found
it difficult to secure information how
to get there. but I ~persevered and final
ly reached Sofia, the capital of Bulga-
ria. From there | made excursions
through the country, familiarizing my
self with the people.
| found the feud between Moham-
medan and Christian the same as 1t
had been for so many generations. The
Bulgarians were then getting ready TO
rise against their masters. and the
spirit of resistance was rife.
l was one evening at a small inn.
where there were a number of Turks
and Bulgarians in the same room play
ing cards. though the two races did
not mingle In the same game. A con-
versation occurred in the Turkish Ian
guage between a Bulgarian and a Turk
sitting at different tables. which I did
not understand, though I could see by
their demeanor that they were at en-
nifty. When the Turk had finished his
game he left the inn accompanied by
the other Turks. The Bulgarian went
on playing for awhile: then he, too, left.
Curious to know what had beer GO
ing on between these two, each of
whom was a fine specimen of a man,
l asked the host in German, since he
spoke that language. He told me that
the Turk was at the head of a band
who had for some time made their
headquarters In the town, terrorizing
everybody in it and in the vicinity.
They would make raids and return
laden with plumber. Thus far no force
of Christians had dared TO drive them
out. 1t seems that the Bulgarian had
challenged the Turk to fight him sim
gle handed. The Turk had at first de-
clined. but the Bulgarian had so goad-
ed him that he had consented.
1t had been agreed between them
that they should meet the next morn
ing. There was one main street in
the place, running north and south.
The Bulgarian was to start at a GER
tain hour at one end of the street and
the Turk at the other end. Each was
to be armed with the short rife used
in the country. but which in this
try would be called a carbine. Either
could fire at the other on sight or
whenever he pleased.
There was a feature of the affair Of
which l was not informed at the time.
A number of Bulgarians had bound
themselves to expel the Turkish rob
bers. 1t would be a great advantage
to them to get rid of their leader be-
fore beginning the attack. The Bull
gafian who had< beer selected to at
tempt this was famous for his marks
manship. 1t was hoped that he would
succeed. and If he did there would be
little difficulty in annihilating his men.
In the morning l arose at daylight
and put my head out of the window.
So far as / could see. the houses on
either side of the street were lined
with heads at the windows to see the
fight. 1t was not long before ! saw
at either end. a distance of a mile
apart, a single man in the middle of
the street carrying his weapon. AS
soon as they saw each other they be-
gan to advance slowly. holding their
weapons so as to bring the butt to the
shoulder quickly. The Bulgarian wore
the costume of his country, while the
Turk wore the baggy trousers and
sleeveless jacket in which he is usual
ly pictured.
While the two men were drawing
within range of each other ! cast an
occasional glance into the faces of
those who were leaning ont of the
windows beside and opposite me
They were all Christians and on every
face was intense anxiety. 1t was plain
to see that their hope was in the man
who was about to do battle for them,
If he killed the other their oppressors
might be exterminated; If the other
killed him the yoke would be fastened
on them frmer than ever. The issue
might be decided by a single shot.
Before 1t seemed that they We're
within range the Bulgarian raised his
rifle to his shoulder. If 1t was a ruse~
to induce his enemy to waste a shot it
failed, for the Turk did not change
the position of his gun, which he held
close under his chin. The Christian,
however,, nelu us Tile ut Ills ShOul-
der, and as be now was much nearer
to me thar the Turk / could see by
his face that he was calculating dis
lance. But he was so far from his
enemy that no one supposed that a
bullet could be relied on to do its work
at such a distance.
But suddenly his rifle cracked and a
puff of smoke emanated from its muz-
zle. When | looked away from him to
his enemy 1 saw, him lying in the
street. A Turk was running toward
him. In a moment he or his lifeless
body flor he had been shot through the
head was encircled by every member
of his band. From up the street near
tho fallan Turk came n whistle. and