The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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who may still beof service."
"Thanks, fair girl," said Ivan, raising himself with their assistance,"I will exert myself; but first, persuade my friend to save himself byflight, for his stay here can but subject him to great peril, withoutaffording me further aid."
"He speaks but too truly," said Azila, turning to Thaddeus. "It were,indeed, madness to remain, and so offer another sacrifice to the Count'srevenge; for believe me, your friend has been betrayed by that dastard,Count Erintoff, and has incurred the rigour of the most tyrannical laws.Fly, therefore, while you have time, before the police are upon us,when your uniform alone would betray you; fear not for your friend, hissafety will be cared for."
Thaddeus still refused to desert his friend, in spite of the latter'spersuasions; when, as she spoke, lights were seen to glimmer in thedistance.
"Fly, fly, Thaddeus! my dear friend!" cried Ivan: "see, the police areapproaching, and you will but involve yourself in my misfortunes. Andyou, lady, leave me to my fate; your safety is also perilled if you arediscovered."
"I will not quit you, Sir; I have nothing to fear," answered Azila."Ah!" she exclaimed, "the Great Spirit is merciful!" as, at that moment,two dark forms emerged from the opposite direction to that in which thelights had appeared, and towards which she had constantly been directingan inquiring glance. "These are my friends, and may yet be in time tosave you."
Two men then approached, to whom she spoke in her own language, andinstantly they raised Ivan gently from the ground, and bore him rapidlyin the direction whence they had come.
Azila led the way in silence. Thaddeus followed, and he was happy tofind that their distance, from the lights carried by the police,evidently increased.
The fugitives continued their way for some time, along the dark andnarrow lanes, amid the ruined buildings we have already described, andwith which Azila seemed perfectly acquainted; never for a momenthesitating which path to take, among the numerous turnings. They atlength paused in front of a huge pile of buildings equally dilapidated,looming still larger and darker in the gloom through which they wereseen. Their guide passing beneath a low covered way, followed by therest of the party, struck a sharp blow on a small door, scarcelydistinguishable from the masonry which surrounded it. It was openedwithout a moment's delay; the party entered, and after descending a fewsteps, Thaddeus found himself in a small vaulted chamber.
The door was carefully closed behind them, and a decrepit old man madehis appearance, bearing a lamp in his hand, with which he scrutinisedeach individual on entering. The two athletic gipsies now placed theirwounded burthen on a low pallet which stood at one end of the vault,when Azila thus addressed the old man:
"Father! I am come to entreat your succour for one in distress, who hasescaped from the police now in full search of him. While here, hewould, you know, be in safety."
"Daughter," answered the old man, "I would refuse you nothing. I willdo my utmost for the youth's safety; but who is this other? An officertoo! what does he here?"
"He is a friend of the Wounded man, and would not quit him, though atgreat danger to himself," answered Azila. "Ere the morn dawns, he mustbe from hence. But now that you have granted us your hospitality,father, we must attend to your wounded guest."
It was indeed time, as from the exertion Ivan had undergone, his woundbled afresh; the old man, however, produced salves and linen to apply toit; but his hands trembled with the feebleness of age as he performedthe operation, assisted by Thaddeus.
"Ay, ay, I have bound up many wounds in my day, and thought to have longago departed for that place where there will be none to cure. God'swill be done!"
Ivan had just strength to express his thanks, and fell back exhausted.In the mean time, Azila had dispatched the two men to watch thedirection taken by the police, and to bring back word, as soon as itwould be safe for Thaddeus to venture on his return to the city. Shethen took her seat by the side of Ivan's humble couch, watching eachmovement of his pallid face, while Thaddeus was seated opposite, andtheir old host busied himself in producing various articles ofrefreshment, including a flask of wine; a small quantity of whichconsiderably revived Ivan. The old man kept moving about, and mutteringto himself, but bestowing few words on the strangers.
After a considerable time, the scouts came back to report that the roadwas clear; the police having returned to their posts in despair thattheir prey had escaped.
"It is now time for you to depart, Sir," said Azila, addressingThaddeus, "for longer delay here would be hazardous, while your friend,trust me, will be carefully attended to. One of these men will be yourguide, till you reach a part of the city known to you."
As at these words Thaddeus rose to depart, Ivan exclaimed:
"Adieu, my generous friend! I know not when we may next meet, for allaround me looks dark, and lowering; but something within tells me, thatI shall yet surmount all difficulties. Our courses, I fear, however,must be widely different; yours is clear before you, though I sincerelywish that you would follow mine. You shake your head. Well, well, Icannot now urge you to do as I wish; but I will take care to apprise youof my movements, and perchance we may some day again meet in happiercircumstances."
After expressing his thanks to Azila, Thaddeus followed one of theGipsies, who conducted him at a rapid place, till they arrived at a partof the city with which he was familiar; when the man pointing to thedirection he was to take, disappeared without waiting for an answer; andthe young Pole soon after reached his lodgings in safety.
Volume 1, Chapter XV.
A gentle and refreshing slumber stole over Ivan's senses, banishing fromhis mind all remembrance of the cares and dangers surrounding him, as helay on his couch, watched over by the vigilant care of Azila.
He had been undisturbed in his place of refuge for several hours, whenhe suddenly started in his sleep, aroused by a singular and hurriedknocking at the door. Azila hastened towards it, as the old man, slowlyrising from his seat, had begun, with muttered grumblings, to undo thefastenings.
"In mercy, father, let him not in," said Azila, "whoever it may be! Hemay bring ruin on your guest. Oh! bid him seek shelter, or whatever hemay want, elsewhere."
"Ay, that I would, with a pestilence on mankind, who are for everworrying me," muttered the old man; "but my oath--my oath compels me. Imay refuse admittance to none who make the sign."
Again the knocking was repeated, as the old man, having finished histask of unbarring, opened the door, and a man pale as death, his dresstorn and disordered, sword in hand, rushed into the vault.
"Hide me--hide me, father!" he exclaimed. "All is lost; many are taken,some slain, and all dispersed; and even now the police are in pursuit ofme."
The old man peered into the face of the new comer to identify him, andas if to ask for an explanation of what had happened; while thestranger, on his part, looked with surprise at seeing Azila and Ivanalready occupants of the vault. He was, however, recognised as one ofthe conspirators, as he threw himself exhausted on a stone bench.
"What means this agitation?" said Ivan, as the person recognised him;"what means this alarm? for I scarcely heard the words you spoke as youentered."
"Alas!" answered the conspirator, "our noble enterprise has beendiscovered before all was fully prepared, and is now utterly and forever overthrown. No sooner had the meeting broke up, than, as we wereseparating, we found the police gathering in strong force round all theentrances to the garden. No time was to be lost, many of our friendshad already been seized, when I, with others, made a desperate rushthrough one of the avenues, less strongly guarded than the others; someof us escaping, favoured by the darkness, and our knowledge of thesituation; and fear giving swiftness to my feet, I distanced allpursuers, and hastened hither. Yet, at one time, I heard my enemiesfollowing close behind me; but they lost sight of me among the laneswhich lead to this spot. Had the assembly broken up sooner, we shouldhave escaped for this night, as the police had but just begun to arriveat the place, to which some of
the party must have been traced by spies,or some foul treachery has been at work. I had a narrow escape; but Ihad no fear when once I got outside, for I knew that you, father, wouldshelter me."
"Ay, ay," muttered the old man, "at the risk of suffering the knoutagain, and being sent back in chains to Siberia, if they discovered whoI was. I have had enough of that already; but fear not, I will notbetray you, and it will be long before the knaves find out my den; orshould the worst happen, here is a place they would find it difficult todiscover:--therefore, should the police come here, you must concealyourself within."
At those words, he removed what appeared a large ill-shapen slab, orrather block of stone, in the wall, but which turned on well-madehinges, and disclosed within, a recess or