The Circassian Chief Part 32

"Do you speak, barbarian, of your master?" said the governor. "Your traitorous master now is a rotting corpse among the bodies of my brave fellows whom he betrayed! Expect not help from him."

The traitor started at these words, and his courage seemed to give way.

"Russian, speak you the words of truth? Has my master indeed fallen?"

demanded the prisoner.

"I tell you the truth," replied the general. "Your master has received the reward of his treachery; and you shall soon follow his fate. I give you ten minutes to prepare; after that you die. Lead him away!" he cried to the guards who held the prisoner.

"Since my master has fallen, what have I more to do with life? I spit at you--I laugh at your threats. Do with me as you will, but I will yet be revenged." And with herculean strength, throwing aside the soldiers who held him, he had nearly reached the throat of the governor when he was felled to the ground. He was again manacled and led off, using every epithet of abuse, to shew his scorn of his executioners.

At the lapse of the specified time, he was led outside the ramparts of the fort, where he was again chained to a stake to prevent any chance of his escape. His shallow grave was dug beneath his feet. His courage was indeed worthy of a better fate and better cause, for he quailed not during the preparations.

A company of soldiers advanced; and as they presented their muskets he shook his manacled and clenched hands at them in an att.i.tude of defiance, and uttering, with a dreadful shriek, the war-cry of his tribe, his body was pierced with innumerable wounds. Ere the yet warm clay had ceased to vibrate with the pulse of life, the corpse was thrown into the shallow hole prepared for it, and instantly covered up; so that in a few minutes from the time a human being had stood there with all the energy and strength of life, he was for ever hidden from the sight of men, and a little new turned up earth alone marked the spot of the tragedy.

None can pity the fate of Kim, which he so richly deserved, though not at the hands of his executioners. But it would be fortunate for the Russian name if it were not stained with atrocities of a much darker hue. The garrison of the fort remained all the rest of the day in a state of watchfulness and alarm, in expectation of an attack from the mountaineers, whom they thought their weakened state might tempt to come down upon them, if a sufficient force could be a.s.sembled in the neighbourhood; their fears however were groundless, for the day pa.s.sed away without any further appearance of the enemy.

Some hours after dark, a figure was perceived by the outer picket stealing cautiously from beneath the shadow of the cliffs towards his post. The person, on being challenged, gave the sign and countersign, and was allowed to pa.s.s to the gate of the fort, where, the like caution being employed, he was admitted, and conducted to the quarters of the governor. The Baron looked up on seeing him enter, with an expression of satisfaction.

"Ah! my faithful Armenian," he exclaimed, "I rejoice to see you return here in safety. What news do you bring me from the enemy's country? Do the barbarians think of attacking us?"

"I bring you some news which may please you, n.o.ble General, though not much of general importance," replied the seeming Armenian, in very good Russian.

"Let me hear it quickly then; for I require some good news to put me in spirits after the disaster of the morning:" said the governor. "And how came you not to give me warning that so large a body of Circa.s.sians were on the move?"

"I knew not of it myself till the moment I saw the troops engaged,"

answered the spy.

"Well, well, I believe you: but your news now," said the General.

"In the first place the barbarians are meditating some exploit--though I yet know not what, but will discover to-morrow--under the guidance of that old rebel Guz Beg, who has just returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca, and has lost no time in inciting his countrymen to fresh outrages against you, their rightful masters. He nearly cut my throat when he heard me trying to persuade old Mahmood, the Prince of Pchad, to send in his allegiance to the Emperor. I was obliged to hold my tongue to save my neck. The Hadji, as he is now called, touched at some place in the north of Turkey, Varna I believe, and there picked up a young Russian, as he seems, though he speaks the Circa.s.sian language, and two followers, who act as his squire and page. They at all events are Russian, for I heard them conversing together, and I have my strong suspicions that their master is an officer of the Emperor who has deserted, for I heard him speaking to one of the prisoners, whom he took to-day, as an old acquaintance, calling the man Karl."

"It is he!" almost shouted the General. "I guessed it from the moment you spoke of him. May curses rest on the traitor's head! One whom I had adopted as my son! But I will punish him for his vile ingrat.i.tude.

That knave, who was taken prisoner, or rather deserted, was once in attendance on him, and a slave of mine. Now mark me. I will give a handsome reward to any who delivers them into my power. Are you ready to gain it?"

"I would do any thing to please you, General, much more to gain a reward," answered the spy. "But I know not how to manage it."

"It must be done," said the Baron. "Entice him near the fort, when he may be taken prisoner, or watch his movements, and perchance he may be found sleeping in the neighbourhood, when I will send a strong body to capture him. But mark me, I must have him brought before me a prisoner, and my orders are not to be disobeyed. Follow what plan you will; I would rather have his head than that of a thousand Circa.s.sians."

"Your orders shall be obeyed, General," answered the spy. "And I will set my wits to work for the purpose."

"Remember your reward shall be great if you succeed. You may now return, or you may be missed by the barbarians, and fail not to come to-morrow night with the report of your proceedings."

"I will obey your orders, Baron, without fail," replied the spy, as, bowing, he retired out of the fort, and returned to the village he had left, without the slightest suspicion that his movements had been observed.

We must now follow the steps of our hero's faithful squire, Javis, who was keeping a strict watch on the house in which the Armenian merchant had taken up his abode, in company with an active, clever youth, whom the Hadji had sent to act as his guide. They had not long to wait before they saw the Armenian issue from the house, telling his host that he must, before night was over, pay a visit to the chief of the village, to settle about some goods he had sold him, as he might be obliged to start early on his way. To deceive his host he first took the path to the chiefs house of whom he had spoken; then, turning abruptly, he hastened in the direction of the fort of Ghelendjik. Following him at the same speed, over hill and dale, through brake and stream, Javis and his guide traced him till he arrived in the neighbourhood of the fort.

Fortunately for their design, the moon was now obscured by some dark clouds; and, leaving the lad under shelter of some rocks, the Gipsy crept cautiously forward, till he arrived close to the picquet, where he heard the pa.s.sword given, and the Armenian, who addressed a few words to the guard in Russian, was instantly allowed to proceed. Remaining cautiously concealed, Javis waited till he again saw the spy pa.s.s from the fort, and heard the officer on guard give him the pa.s.sword for the following night--"The Eagle of Russia"--when the man set off rapidly towards the interior. Dodging his steps, Javis traced him to the house he had left.

Outside the house of the chief, Javis found the Hadji and Ivan anxiously waiting his return, to whom he related what he had seen.

"Let the knave rest to-night," said the former, "to-morrow we will give him a surprise he little dreams of. He can do us but little harm now."

"I have thought of a plan," said Javis, "by which you can communicate with Lieutenant Stanisloff, without danger either to him or to yourself.

I heard the pa.s.sword given for to-morrow night, and I propose to personate the treacherous Armenian, and gain admittance to the fort, where I will trust to my own wits to find out your friend, and give him your message, and to escape without seeing the governor, who would probably discover me. What say you, Sir, to my plan? Shall I attempt it?"

"Though I long to see my friend, I would not that you should run so great a risk; for were you discovered, your death would be certain,"

said Ivan.

"O fear not for me, Sir," replied Javis, "my life is of but little value to any one, and the danger is not so great as it appears; for those thick-headed Russians are not likely to distinguish me at night from the Armenian. I shall also, I have no doubt, be able to gain some further information from the man to-morrow."

The next morning the Armenian appeared with his packs on his horses'

backs, as if prepared for a journey. He smilingly saluted the chiefs who were a.s.sembled in front of the guest-house; but alarm took the place of his smiles, when he observed the stern looks which met him on every side; and more so when he found himself surrounded by a number of their armed followers.

"Whither go you so fast, Armenian?" said the Hadji, sternly. "Are you hastening to visit your friends the Urus? What, do you turn pale? Drag the treacherous spy from his horse," he added, turning to his attendants, "and bring him along. We will judge his case; and if he prove guilty, he knows the punishment of spies."

The unfortunate pedlar trembled violently as he was dragged along to an open glade surrounded by trees, at a short distance from the village.

Here the chiefs soon a.s.sembled, as well as several rich Tocavs or yeomen, and other influential men in the neighbourhood, who were summoned to give the criminal the fairest trial.

The judges seated themselves, with due formality and gravity, in a semi-circle, on a gra.s.sy bank, when the terror-stricken Armenian was brought before them. The witnesses against him, Javis and his guide, were also summoned into their presence. Javis first gave his evidence, which Ivan interpreted, as also did his guide.

"Said you not, Armenian, that you were a man of peace, and a friend to the Atteghei?" demanded the chief of the village, who acted as president. "See that you have not spoken lies, and proved that you are a friend of our enemies. Answer this one question: where went you last night?"

"Where went I?" tremblingly echoed the Armenian. "I went forth from the house of my good konag, to cool my brow after the heat of the day.

Surely I went no where beyond the hamlet."

"Oh thou son of the evil one! Think you to elude our vigilance? Answer truly, or you die on the spot. Why went you to the camp of our enemies?"

"Oh! spare my life, n.o.ble chiefs!" cried the Armenian, falling on his knees. "I am but a poor trader, and I went but to sell my goods. Oh slay me not, valiant n.o.bles!"

"Do you not know that it is prohibited to have any dealings with the enemy?" said the president. "And of what use are such goods as you carry to the Urus? But you are full of lies. You went without your goods, secretly, and by night. You know the enemy's pa.s.sword. You were seen to enter their fort, and shortly after to return. Your own words condemn you. What say you, Uzdens?" turning to the other judges, "has the Armenian proved himself to be innocent, or is he guilty?"

The chiefs, all standing up, p.r.o.nounced the solemn words of the wretch's doom--

"He is guilty: let him die the death of a spy."

The miserable being had not a word to plead in his own defence; but loudly crying for mercy, he lifted up his hands in an imploring att.i.tude; for well he knew the dreadful fate prepared for him. The stern warriors relaxed not their features as they motioned to the attendants to lead him away. His crime was of the greatest magnitude, and no mercy could be granted him; not a voice spoke in his favour; not an eye turned with pity towards him.

At some distance from the hamlet was a lofty and perpendicular cliff, at whose base, over a rough rocky bed, roared a foaming and rapid torrent.

The wretched Armenian, without any further delay, was dragged up a steep pathway to the summit of the cliff, where, by order of the Hadji, he was stripped of his high Astracan fur cap, his dark robe, and the appurtenances of his trade, and then led, shrieking, forward, to the edge of the precipice. As he thus saw his dreadful fate approaching, he screamed loudly for mercy and pardon; but his cries fell on the ears of those whom a fierce exterminating war had rendered deaf to pity for their cruel foes.

As he stood, s.h.i.+vering with terror, on the very edge of the frightful chasm, in a last fit of desperation, he seized hold of those who stood near, endeavouring to drag them down with him; but his hands were torn from their hold; and two powerful slaves, appointed as his executioners, lifting him from the ground, hurled him, with tremendous exertion, far over the edge of the cliff. A last shriek of despairing agony alone escaped him, as he fell headlong into the dark abyss, grasping at the empty air, and seeking to find some hold to prolong life, even for a few moments. So deep was the chasm, that not a sound was heard, as he struck the shallow and rocky bed of the stream; and its waters whirled the mangled frame far out of sight.

"Thus, let all spies and traitors die!" exclaimed the mult.i.tude, as they retired from the scene of execution.

Volume 2, Chapter XIV.

Reports were abroad in the neighbourhood of Ghelendjik, that the Russians intended to make some movement from their fortifications; so that, in the hopes of finding occupation for their swords, the Hadji and Achmet Beg determined to remain on the spot to a.s.sist their friends; and Ivan gladly availed himself of the opportunity of endeavouring to communicate with Thaddeus. Arslan Gherrei was also persuaded by the Hadji to remain, to lend his powerful aid in repelling their foes, and to give his daughter Ina a longer period to recover from her fatigue.

Ivan anxiously looked forward to the evening, when Javis was to make his attempt to enter the fort, and he determined to accompany him near the walls, in the hope of meeting Thaddeus.