The Sun. — 1866-05-18 (London, England)

CIRCASSIAN BRIGANDAGE IN THE  DOBILITDJA.  ARNA, May 4. A cowardly and murderous attack was recently made by a party of Circassian settlers on one of the sub contractors for the Varna and Rustchuk Railway. The victim, Mr. Martin, was returning from England, via the Danube, in company with another sub-contractor, named Fathers, and whilst crossing the country from Rustchuk in a country araba the party was attacked about three hours on the Varna side of Rasgrad, and shortly after leaving the main road, by a party of eight Circassians, who had been lying in wait near the junction, for the purpose of pillaging any unwary travellers who might fall into their hands. It was about 9 p.m. on a bright moonlight night, and at about two miles from their destination, that the men were stopped. At that time Martin was on foot, about 100 yards in front, looking for the track. Fathers remaining inside the araba, which was driven by a Turkish driver from Rasgrad. At first the Cireassians kept at a respectful distance, andcontented themselves with demanding money, until, finding that no firearms were presented; they took courage, and commenced plundering the araba, dragging the contents out into the road, to which Fathers from within offered all the resistance in his power by striking and kicking those who came within reach. Whilst thus engaged the robbers were disturbed by Martin, who, on hearing the row behind him, turned back, and rushing towards the araba called loudly on them to desist, whereupon they quitted the araba and rushed upon him in a body, the leader firing a pistol without effect as he approached. Martin turned to fly, but was immediately overtaken and cut down by a blow from a sword, which severed one ear and inflicted a frightful gash on his head. Despite this, being a man of great muscular power, he regained his feet, and was happily able to ward off with his left arm a second blow aimed at his head ; as it was, the elbow was cut off, and this was immediately followed up by a sweeping blow under the arm, penetrating through the muscles, and completely laying the chest open. Meanwhile the araba driver, taking advantage of the diversion, turned his horses short round, and flogging them into a gallop escaped down the hill in the direction of the nearest village, where he and Fathers took refuge, and whence they obtained assistance and protection in the search which they subsequently made for Martin. The Circassians, thus left alone with Martin—whom they believed to be dead, and who did all in his power to favour that belief—proceeded to cut out his pockets and rifle him, and collect the goods strewn in the path ; having done which they took themselves off, after their leader had bidden one of the gang to desist from trying to pull off their victim's lace-up boots. On their departure, fearing lest they should return, and, finding him alive, complete their work, Martin succeeded in crawling to a considerable distance from the spot, until, overcome by loss of blood, he became insensible, and in this state he was found next morning.  Information of the outrage having been communicated by the vice consuls to the Governor-General at Rustchuk, and the Governors of Varna and Schurnla, every effort was at once made to discover and arrest the offenders. The suspicions of the inhabitants of the village, Yeni-keui, in which Martin lived, pointed to the inhabitants of a Circassian hamlet about three miles off, whose predatory habits had already inflicted serious losses on the neighbourhood. On this hint the zapties acted ; and having first interrogated the chief, and received an earnest denial of any knowledge of the affair, proceeded to arrest him. This had the desired effect, and so led to the arrest on the following day of the majority of the gang, and the recovery of the whole of the goods stolen. These ruffians are now waiting their trial at Rustchuk, but have already confessed, without any reservation, their guilt. It is now said that the two men who actually inflicted the wounds are Russians. Poor Martin is now, it is hoped, out of danger. his sufferings, however, have been very great, and his life was long despaired of ; at the best he will be deprived of the use of one arm for life.  The consolatory feature connected with the affair is the prompt and energetic conduct of the local authorities, all of whom, from the Governor-General downwards, showed a most earnest desire to bring the offenders to justice, whilst the neighbouring villagers displayed much sympathy and good feeling.—Levant _Herald.  The Return from the Derby.