The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1919-09-26
HAS A SUPERIOR CHARACTER
Morocco chleftaln, Who Now pIsturbe
Spain, More Like Patriot states-
man - PaIned to Hear
Child Cry.


litical crisis In Spain. has another side.
HE could not bear to hear child
cry, while on several occasions I no.
ticed his care even to avoid allowing
the bees collected on his cup to drown"
Is the surprising statement, not Of a
friend, but Of the wealthy American
who was held for ransom by Raisull In
1904, until President Roosevelt sent
fleet Of war ships and his famous ulti-
matum, "Perdicaris alive or Raisuli
dead" to Morocco.
Ion Perdicaris' own story Of his ad-
ventures as the prisoner Of the ''Moroc-
can Robin Hood" is told In a. communi-
cation sent by him to the National
Geographic society soon after his re-
lease.
In many respects the man inter-
ested md attracted me, In spite Of all
my natural motives for dislike" said
Mr.. Perdicarls. ''Raisuli was at once
SO gracious and dignifed, not to us
only, but to his own wild adherents,
who evidently idolized their chieftain,
whose position among them seemed
that Of the head Of Highland clan In
the olden times.
Has Superior Character.
He was quick to see the humorous
aspect Of situation. while his repartee
was as-immediate and to the point as
though he had been born in County
Galway itself. In fact. discovered to
my CONSERVATION that was beginning
to like the man, in spite of my natural
resentment. / found myself uncon-
sciously accepting his contention that
he was not mere brigand or cattle
LITTER but patriot struggling to res
cue his Berber followers from the tyr
nnny Of the corrupt shereefian officials.
His charm Of voice. the natural poise
and dignity Of his manner, his self
control under provocation, all be-
trayed superior character. He is, in
fact. a born leader, and with certain
statesmanlike quality He deplored the
condition of his country. the feuds
which separate the tribes. the many
deeds Of violence and the blood so use
lessly shed.
"While standing near Raisuli one
day on the village green, of which we
we're now allowed the freedom, one of
his followers came up from Tangier,
almost breathless from his haste, to
report the arrival of the two American
squadrons. The man described how
the eight frigates had entered the bay,
one after another. He told Of the anx-
ious deliberations Of the Moorish au-
thorities and of the alarm Of the ma
tive inhabitants, who feared the town
might be bombarded.
Il watched Raisuli with anxiety, lest
apprehending the landing Of marines,
with q view to our relief and his own
capture, he might endeavor to drag us
to some more distaat and inaccessible
retreat. Whst was then my surprise
when, looking up with a bright smile,
he said: Well, I think / can now con-
gratulate your
81 do not understand you I re.
piled.
III mean answered Raisuli, that
the presence Of these vessels will lead
! the authorities at Tangier to make
such representations to the sultan as
may result In his acceding to my de-
mands and then you will be able to re-
turn to your friends,
Part as Friends.
"The next morning 1t was still dark
when our men began loading the pack
mules, and we reached the crest of the
mountain, which lay between us and
Tangier, just as the sun rose.
"At last the mules, bearing the silver
dollars, carefully packed in boxes, ar
rived; but now luncheon was again
served in honor of Mulai Ahmed. and
must be partaken Of, after which the
bullion was counted in another room.
"The silver said Raisuli, address
Ing me. has been unted-S20,000, as
stipulated. In Spanish dollars, but
hese letters showing ME as he spoke
D check book containing certified
checks on the Compton d'Escompte,
the French bank at Tangier, 'of the
value Of these, which are supposed to
represent $4,000, know nothing.
However. I will accept them on your
personaI guarantee