476 
EXECUTION OF A FREE-BOOTER. 
little distance, we saw a great concourse of people issuing forth, and 
planting themselves on the side of the road. My young Courdish 
friend having previously ridden forward to announce my coming 
to the chief, I naturally imagined these people were getting to¬ 
gether to satisfy their curiosity. But the spectacle soon received 
another, and not an agreeable explanation ; for, on reaching the 
spot, I beheld not only a crowd, but a man suspended by the neck 
from the arm of a tree, and writhing in the agonies of death. I 
learnt, from inquiries, that the miserable wretch was a noted Bil- 
bossi thief; who, together with his brother, had been prowling about 
for several weeks past, and committing the most horrible acts of 
robbery and murder, even in the vicinity of the town. His last 
exploit was to carry off a married woman. The husband caught 
him in the fact, and after a running fight, the ruffian was so 
severely wounded as to be taken prisoner and brought to the 
town. The circumstance had occurred only that very morning, 
and death was immediately pronounced on him by the governor. 
I was also informed, that my sudden approach had hastened the 
wretched man’s fate, he being instantly ordered to execution, to 
prevent the possibility of my intercession in his behalf. From 
this I learnt, that it is a custom of the country to grant to the 
demands of any stranger whom the chief receives as his guest, 
a pardon to even the worst criminal, should the visitor think 
fit to desire it. 
This prologue to my first interview with his Courdish ex¬ 
cellency, was certainly not couched in the most civilized terms ; 
but when he came himself on the stage, I met a reception in 
every way similar to the warrior welcome of my frank-hearted 
host of Baytoush, though with something more of the rough 
mountain-chief in his courtesies. He lodged me in his house, 
