A BRIGAND'S CAPTURE.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13391, 12 February 1914, Page 3

A BRIGAND'S CAPTURE.

Kelim Khan, the notorious brigand of tho Caucasus, able, daring, and quite unscrupulous, had acquired a dangerous influence over the wild mountain tribes, and, with the countryside at his back, defied attempts at capture. In the middle of last year, a new method was tried; Zelim was to 'be captured by a Russian officer singlehanded. The task was given to Lieutenant Kibiroff, an officer of frontiei horse. Taking his life in _ his hands, the lieutenant went into Zelim's country in disguise. By pretending to .be a runaway Siberian conviet;_ anxious to find shelter and employment, he obtained access to Zelim. The brigand chief would have made»a fine centre-piece for a boy's book. He was a splendid figure, and the lieutenant found his look terrible. Zelim took his meals apart, being "served with many low obeisances by one of his immediate bodyguard, splendid men, all armed to the teeth." Having seen his man, and noted the number of his rifle, and tho lie of the land, the lieutenant slipped away, home, and waited his chance. It came in November, when an agent; brought news that Zelim would jpend the night at a certain isolat# cabin. Kibiroff caused a force of soldiers to be despatched to make a diversion at another place, and then, with half a dozen ruffians of the district, set out to capture Zelim. The men's orders were that no man in the cabin was to be allowed to escape. "If you, let a soitl escape, and I remain alive myself, I shall shoot every man of you, and then myself; so you see ■ what you have to do!" The house was surrounded, and Zelim came out and was badly wotinded. At dawn Zelim came on tout; again, and called to any ..of Kibiroff's men who were of the true faith to help him with his prayers before he .died. Feeling-sure that this was a ruse, Kibiroff, who had been severely wounded in the shoulder, called to "his men not to pay any attention, but to shoot. -So Zelim died. But Kibiroff may pay dearly for his daring. Before he was seat to St. Petersburg for treatment, lie was visited by all Zelim's family, who came, thoy^said, to thank him for their release, but really to give the boys a sight of him, !so that they could avenge their father.-. Even in the St. Petersburg hospital," Kibiroff has an armed bodyguard for his protection from the vendetta of Zelim's kinsmen and tribesmen.