The Circassian Chief Part 33

Every body was eager for information respecting the movements of the Russians, some spending the day in anxiously watching the fort, while others were occupied in deep deliberation as to their future proceedings. The Dehli Khans, or young men, employed themselves in those warlike exercises which inure their bodies to fatigue, and make them hardy warriors.

By the Hadji's direction, the dress of the Armenian was given up to Javis. When the evening drew on, and he appeared habited in it, the bystanders started with amazement, thinking that the pedlar had arisen from the dead, so completely had he disguised himself. As soon as it was dark, he set forward, led by his former guide, and accompanied by Ivan, whose anxiety for the safety of his follower, and desire to see his friend, made him wish to remain as near as possible until the adventure should be terminated.

As Javis arrived at the outer picquet, he gave the right answer to the sentry's challenge, and was allowed to pa.s.s on, while Ivan remained concealed among the rocks.

"Who goes there?" cried the sentinel, at the gates of the fort.

"A friend to Russia," he answered. "The word, 'The Eagle of Russia.'"

The drawbridge was lowered. The pretended Armenian entered the fort.

The officer of the guard, unsuspicious of any deceit, ordered a soldier to conduct the spy to the quarters of the governor.

As the adventurer and his guard got beyond hearing of the people at the gates--

"My friend," said the former, addressing the soldier in Russian, and slipping some coin into his hand, "I know my way to the governor's quarters well enough by this time; here, take this to carouse with. You have a hard life of it here, I suspect. Ah! you thought I could not speak in your own language. Why, man, I come from your part of the country, and would ask a favour of you. I am in no hurry to see the governor, so we will not hasten, as I am before the time appointed, and he loves not irregularity. Now say, how do you like the life you lead here?"

"Why, I do not like it at all," answered the man; "for we have nothing but hard blows, and get no rest from those infernal mountaineers, as we cannot tell from one moment to another when they may be upon us. If we wander but a few yards beyond the fort, some of our men are certain to be picked off by their rifles. Then there is no booty to be gained, nor amus.e.m.e.nt of any sort."

"You do not draw a very pleasant picture of your life here, my friend,"

said Javis, "and I suppose that is the reason why so many of your men desert to the enemy, where they are sure to be well treated, and have little work to do. Sometimes, too, they marry the beautiful women of the country; and, as there are plenty of warriors in the land, they are not obliged to fight against their countrymen. For my part, I wonder the General can keep any of his soldiers around him; but I would not breathe such an idea in the camp. Now, my friend, do you know Lieutenant Stanisloff of the 76th regiment?"

"Do I know Lieutenant Stanisloff? Yes, surely," answered the soldier, "I am his servant, and a kind master he is to me. This night it is his turn for picquet duty, so that he will be in his quarters, if he has not yet started."

"Will you then, my friend, hasten and call him hither," said Javis, as they arrived near a row of wretched huts appropriated to the junior officers. "Whisper to him that some one has something of importance to communicate. Remember to tell no one about the happy lives the deserters lead among the Circa.s.sians. It might be said that I was persuading you to go over to them, and that would not be acting the part of a friend to Russia."

Javis retired below the eaves of a storehouse, where, in the dark shade, he could remain free from observation, while in other parts of the fort the scene was one of bustle and animation. Groups of soldiers were seated round their fires, cooking their suppers; others gambling on a drum head for their scanty allowance of pay. Numbers surrounded the suttlers' booths and huts where spirits were sold, quaffing, as their only resource from misery, huge bickers of qua.s.s and gla.s.ses of vodka.

Here parties were marching and countermarching to relieve guard, their firm regular tread heard above the din and clatter of the camp.

In a few minutes Thaddeus appeared, wrapped in his cloak, prepared for his night guard. On seeing Javis he seemed annoyed, as with a tone of contempt he addressed him.

"What want you with me, Armenian? If you have any of your worthy communications to make, I should have thought that the governor was the fittest person to whom a spy should make his report."

"Hist, Sir," said Javis; "draw nearer--you mistake me. I bring a message from one who loves you, and who will not be happy till he has seen you again. Do you not remember the night you pa.s.sed in the Gipsy's camp near Tver? There you last saw me."

"Do my senses deceive me?" exclaimed Thaddeus; "are you not the Armenian spy who has for so long brought us information from the enemy?"

"Outwardly you see that I am; but I would not that my soul should be where his now is. But to my message. Your friend, Ivan Galetzoff, is now waiting for you close to the fort. He has much to say to you.

Shall I tell him that you will come; you can have no difficulty, as I can a.s.sure you that no attack will be made on the fort to-night."

Thaddeus scarcely hesitated a moment before he answered, "Yes, yes, say that I will go, at all hazards, to see him. Where shall I find him?"

"Do you remember a peculiar rock jutting out over the sands, its top overhung by a large tree? Close to that rock I will wait for you, and conduct you to him."

"Go then, my friend; I will trust to you. But how can you leave the fort? Are you not afraid the governor will discover you?" said Thaddeus.

"I have no fear, and may easily deceive him."

"Fortune favour your hazardous adventure, my friend! I must hasten to my post," said Thaddeus.

Directing his servant to accompany the pretended Armenian to the Baron's quarters, he hurried off, and Javis followed the soldier's steps.

It was a trying moment for Javis when he entered the Baron's presence; but his eye quailed not before his fierce imperious glance, as, imitating the Armenian's manner, he bowed before him.

"You have returned in good time, my faithful messenger," said the Baron.

"Have the barbarians yet formed their plans to attack the fort?"

"They have given up all hopes of doing so with success, n.o.ble General,"

replied Javis undauntedly, "and have begun to disperse to their several homes."

"That is well," replied the General. "And tell me, what plan have you formed to entrap the young renegade who bears my name? I must have him in my power by to-morrow night, at furthest."

"I have thought of several plans, General, which I think may succeed; but I have a difficult game to play, as I fear that I am already suspected by the barbarians, and I should not have ventured to return to-night but that you seemed to wish it. I would not be away longer than possible, so by your leave, General, I will return at once."

"You may go, man," said the Baron: "and let me hear from you to-morrow."

"I will obey your orders without fail," answered Javis, bowing as he hastened from the hut, at the door of which he found his friend the soldier waiting to conduct him to the gates.

"If a Russian escapes from the fort to the Circa.s.sians, you are certain that he is well treated by them?" asked the man.

"O yes, my friend, they receive him with open arms," answered Javis.

"But you must not now speak to me. We may meet again soon:--farewell!"

The adventurer was allowed to go through the gates without question, and pa.s.sing the picquets, he hastened to the spot he had indicated to Thaddeus, where, sheltered beneath an overhanging rock, he waited his coming for some time, till he began to fear that something might have occurred to prevent his leaving his post. At length his quick ear caught the sound of footsteps, and to his summons in a low voice, Thaddeus himself answered.

Javis then led the way up a small ravine overhung by trees, under the dark shade of which he had left his master. Ivan was anxiously waiting the coming of his friend, and as he caught sight of him he dashed forward, and the two friends were in each others arms.

"You knew not," said Ivan, "that I was a Circa.s.sian; but I am prouder to bear that name than to be the highest rank the Emperor of Russia can bestow. But, Thaddeus, my tried, my earliest friend, it takes away from the happiness I feel at meeting you again, to see you in the garb of the enemies of my country, armed against her liberty and her rights."

"Oh do not taunt me thus, my friend," replied Thaddeus, "for, believe me, I do not now willingly follow the standard of your enemies. But how could I do otherwise? My father remains an hostage in their hands, and should I desert from their ranks, they would visit their vengeance upon him."

"But why draw your sword at all, when against the cause of liberty?"

exclaimed Ivan. "Surely your father himself would rather see you follow any other pursuit."

"Can you speak thus, Ivan, who are a soldier as well as I am? Would you persuade me to lead a life of indolent peace?"

"Then, my dear Thaddeus, quit that hated standard, under which you now serve, and you will be welcomed, by the n.o.ble warriors of this country, with open arms," exclaimed Ivan. "They love the Poles, for they have heard of the wrongs of Poland, and feel for her children the affection of brothers."

"Ivan, my friend, you wring my heart," cried Thaddeus pa.s.sionately. "I feel the justice of your cause; but I have become a soldier of the Emperor. And would you have me, like a traitor, desert my colours? I was wrong to enter his service; but I sought for military glory, regardless of the cause for which I fought. Doubly did I feel how wrong I had been, when yesterday I saw the desperate bravery of your countrymen driving thrice the numbers of the slavish soldiery of Russia before them. To you, Ivan, I owe my life; for had not your sword been raised to s.h.i.+eld my head, I should at once have finished my career; and it was at that moment only I first recognised you. Yet do not think me ungrateful if I still remain on the side of your enemies."

"Speak not of grat.i.tude, Thaddeus," answered Ivan; "but let me draw you from the ranks of my foes, and from certain destruction."

"No, Ivan; deeply as I mourn the fate which divides us, I cannot change it while the Emperor claims the services I once tendered to him. That I love you, my coming here stealthily and alone shews; for I have already been guilty of deserting my post; but I did so in the a.s.surance that no surprise would be attempted on the fort, and that I risked not the lives of my companions in arms. That a love of quiet does not prompt my refusal to join you, will be evident from the life we all lead in the fort; and I in particular am subject to every annoyance which the hatred and tyranny of Baron Galetzoff can inflict. But I refuse, Ivan, because, as a soldier, my duty will not allow me to quit my standard, till I am absolved from my oath of allegiance; and also because I would not expose my father to persecution on my account."

"Thaddeus, my friend, you have convinced me against my wish," exclaimed Ivan. "I see your just and disinterested reasons, and have but to mourn the hard fate which thus places us on opposing sides. Still let us be joined in heart, and endeavour to mitigate the horrors of this war."

"That I will do as far as lies in my power," said Thaddeus. "But now, my friend, I must hasten back to my post, or I may be missed. I have many enemies who would make the utmost of any departure from duty. The Count Erintoff, who has lately arrived here, and who knows I am your friend, is my colonel, and would gladly find an excuse for ruining me."

"Ah!" exclaimed Ivan, "I long to meet that man in the field, to punish him for his atrocities."