A BOLD RUSSIAN ROBBER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3021, 2 December 1882, Page 3

A BOLD RUSSIAN ROBBER.

The Eliasian newspapers are in an exultant mood just now at the capture of the celebrated “ Bobber of the South," This individual has long been

the terror of Southern Russia. His career of crime commenced 20 years aao» but bis principal laurels have been -/ained since he fled from Tomsk and turned, up afresh in the scene of his former triumphs two years ago. Organising a band of robbers, and arming them with Berdan rifles and revolvers, he roamed about the country, murdering in his course as many as 65 persons, caught at last through the treachery of a mistress, ho was conveyed to Nicolaieff in October, and locked up in prison there pending judicial examination. Although famous as a prison breaker, the authorities appear to have placed no special watch over him, and, in consequence, Mamai nearly escaped by digging a subterranean passage 100 ft long, from his cell to the outer wall. Prison excavations are so common in Russia that the only merit about this was the length of it, but it was an uncommon feature in his case that he should have been discovered at last through the treachery >of a fellow, prisoner, since honor prevails among thieves in Russia as elsewhere, ‘and the traitor would have had a chance of escape with the rest as soon as the passage was finished. Rebuffed in this attempt, Mamai waited a while, and then one afternoon, when a policeman came to his cell he threw him down, gagged him, and donned his uniform. The following day, having exchanged his uniform for a peasant’s dress, he went into the market, and choosing the best cart standing without its driver, drove away to Kherson. Here he was recognised outside a public-house by a police officer, who touched him on the shoulder and said, “ What, Mamai, you here ?” | “ Certainly,” replied the fugitive, ) knocked him flat on his backhand he- j fore the officer could recover his senses j Mamai was out of sight. After this j he organised another band, and perpe- j trated a host of villanies too numerous j to mention, culminating a few days ago in a fight in a farm house, during which Mamai got captured. At present he is again in his old cell in the Nicolaieff Gaol, awaiting, but he says he will not be there long, and the “ Golos ’’ significantly remarks that “ the Nicolaieff people believe him,"