The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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threading her way through the intricatestreets, that he could scarcely keep up without running. She crossedthe river by one of the bridges, and passed through several desolatestreets, where many of the houses had not yet been raised from theirashes, hurrying on, till she arrived beneath the dark shadow of a broadarchway, and then paused.
Here she spoke to her companion, in a low earnest whisper: "I cannotlead you further, but you must consent to remain here patiently, tillyour assistance be called for, or until I return; as I now must hastento summon one of my tribe, who are in the neighbourhood, to aid in yourfriend's escape. Wrap yourself closely in your cloak, and remainconcealed within this arch; keep your sword drawn for a sudden rescue,for I have reason to suppose that your friend will be set upon byassassins, as he passes near this spot. At all events, be cautious andon the alert."
Gliding away noiselessly from the spot, she then left Thaddeus, whoforthwith retired into the darkest corner, effectually concealed fromany passer by, beneath the buttresses of the arch. He did not exactlycomprehend by what means his friend had exposed himself to the danger,but it was sufficient for him to know that his aid was required, nomatter at what risk to himself; and he determined to abide the result,whatever it might be.
He was doomed to keep a long watch; straining his eyes in endeavouringto pierce through the gloom, and intently listening, to catch the soundof any approaching footstep; when suddenly he heard the sound of voicesin muttered conference, apparently approaching the spot where he stoodconcealed.
The arch, in which Azila had placed Thaddeus, was not the same in whichGroff had concealed himself, ere he perpetrated the murder of the youngCount Flatoff, but at a short distance from it. The former would nothave answered the assassin's purpose, being too far removed from thelane Ivan usually passed by. This will account for Thaddeus nowremaining undisturbed in his concealment.
"Halt here, Kruntz," said one voice; "this is the spot, I know it well,where I have seen this cursed youth pass so often, and I recommended ournoble master to wait here for him. Something has enraged the Count morethan ever against him, and he vows that he will not be content, until hehas passed his own sword through him. He'll make sure of him, Iwarrant."
"More sure work than you did the other night, Groff," said Kruntz.
"What mean you?" replied Groff; "what work do you speak of?"
"What mean I! why the murder of Count Flatoff! Tush, tush! comrade,think not to hide that from me, or fear that I would betray you. Isuspected that you had been about some dirty work, when you came in, andI was not long in discovering the truth."
"If you know it, what's the use of speaking about it," hoarsely mutteredGroff. "I'll not make a mistake again, trust me. We will have ourrevenge this time, and gain a reward. A pretty work the youth has givenus, what with watching and hunting him about so long."
"We ought to know each other by this time, Groff, and need keep nolittle secrets of this sort from one another: so, no fear of mybetraying you. But say, how did you manage to find out that youngGaletzoff is likely to pass this way?"
"Why, the Count set me to watch all his haunts; and several times Ifollowed him in this direction, when I suddenly lost sight of him amongthe garden walls; but after waiting here, I found that he again passedby, and each night he has done the same. I felt certain that it was he,when I made the mistake the other night; but I will not fail a secondtime, trust me; and I know that he will come, for I am sure it was he,we saw pass at dusk. Ah! what is that object on the ground, Kruntz?see, it moves! It is too horrid to look at!" cried Groff, in a hollow,husky voice. "I see its mangled features. Do you believe in ghosts,Kruntz?"
"Ghosts--no!" answered Kruntz, jeeringly; "I never saw one yet. Why,what's the matter, man? you are not wont to tremble. Rouse yourself,Groff: be a man. Why, what is there to care for, if you did put a wrongman out of the way; you are not the first who has done so."
"It is well for you to laugh, Kruntz, who have no feelings; but if youhad seen the horrible sight that appeared to me just now, you would havetrembled."
"Nonsense, man," said his companion, "it was all your fancy; and now getrid of such ideas, for here comes some one. Be prepared!"
Thaddeus heard nearly every word of this conversation; and becoming muchalarmed for the safety of his friend, stood ready to rush out to hisassistance, for he fancied that through the gloom he saw himapproaching.
As the footsteps drew near, the voice of the Count Erintoff was heard:"Hist, hist! what, knaves, are you there? Kruntz, Groff, answer!"
The men who had been concealed by the arch, stepped forward as theyheard their master's voice.
"Has the person I told you to watch for appeared, or have you again lethim escape you, villains?"
"No, Count," answered Kruntz: "no fear of that. I owe him a brokenhead, and I don't forget my debts. I should like to catch his friend,the other young fellow; I would pay him off all old scores."
"Hush, knaves!" said the Count. "Listen, some one approaches: beprepared to rush out. It is he!"
A footstep was heard. Thaddeus grasped his sword more firmly--his heartbeat high, as he stood ready to spring from his hiding-place. Theperson had reached the spot. It was Ivan; for the Count and hisservants sprung out upon him, and attacked him furiously.
"Yield; you are my prisoner!" exclaimed the Count, making a pass withhis sword at Ivan's breast, though, fortunately, not so rapidly but thathe had time to spring aside, and draw his own weapon, with which he hadprovided himself since Azila's warning; this enabled him to parry asecond thrust made at him.
"Rescue! Ivan! here's rescue, my friend!" cried Thaddeus, dartingforward, most unexpectedly, and beating down the swords of the twoservants, who attempted to oppose him. "What means this assassin-likeattack?"
He was met by Groff and Kruntz, who had recovered from their surprise ina moment, and now turned upon him with their whole united strength,while their master pressed Ivan hard.
"Yield!" again exclaimed the Count, "you are a traitor to Russia, andhave joined in a dark conspiracy against her laws."
These words urged Ivan to defend himself with greater determination; andreturning the Count's attack with the utmost vigour, the latter wouldhave fallen a victim to his own nefarious plot, had he not called Kruntzto his aid.
Left to engage Thaddeus single-handed, Groff now attacked him with suchblind fury, that he left his own person exposed; while his opponent,anxious to lend his aid to Ivan, who was now so unequally beset, did hisutmost to disarm him. Failing in this attempt, he made a lunge toterminate the contest, and his sword passed through the body of hisadversary, who fell, with scarcely a groan, to the earth. In themeantime, Ivan had defended himself successfully from his determinedassailants; but just as his friend turned to his aid, his foot slipped,and the Count observing the movement, passed his sword through his side.Thaddeus soon succeeded in disarming Kruntz, whirling his sword, bysuperior fence, out of his hand, and over the adjoining wall, when theruffian, instead of assisting his master, turned and fled. Before thelatter had time to follow up his advantage, by a second and moreeffectual wound on Ivan, he was vigorously assailed by Thaddeus, who,pressing him back to relieve his friend, disarmed him likewise; but,retreating behind a projecting buttress, the Count baffled his pursuingadversary, and being well acquainted with the different intricatewindings, he succeeded in effecting his escape.
Retracing his steps, Thaddeus rejoined his friend, at the moment whenthe latter, returning to consciousness from the effects of his hurt,attempted to raise himself from the earth. Bending down by his side, heproceeded to bind up his wound, and as Ivan recognised him, heexclaimed:
"Fly, Thaddeus, fly! for treachery and danger surround us: there is nota moment for explanations; but I beseech you to fly instantly, or youwill be involved in my ruin."
"Never could I leave you thus," replied Thaddeus. "Lean on me forsupport, and perhaps we may yet have time to escape."
"Thanks for your generous aid," said Ivan
; "but I fear escape isimpossible; I feel too much hurt to walk, and you would inevitably beovertaken: for be assured, that the Count has but retreated to call thepolice, without whose aid he first trusted to satiate his revenge. Iknow too well, by the words he uttered, that I am completely in hispower, through secret information he has gained."
At that moment, a light footstep was heard approaching, and a femaleform appeared, whom Thaddeus recognised as Azila.
A cry escaped her as she beheld Ivan hurt and on the ground; when,throwing herself beside him, she assisted Thaddeus in supporting hiswounded friend.
"Alas!" she cried, "unhappy I am that I should have arrived too late toprevent this calamity; but I have friends on their way