The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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withdrawn, and addressing its inmates, said:
"For the present, I trust you are safe, but I cannot answer for how longa time you may remain so, as the police will yet keep a watch on thisplace. I should advise, you, Sir, who are strong and able to seeksafety elsewhere, to retire from hence as soon as I can ascertain thatthe road be clear; I am even confident, that they will return here againbefore long. Are you ready to depart?"
"Yes, yes," replied the conspirator, "I would rather trust myself to thedangers of the open streets, than run the risk of being taken here, likea fox in his hole; but it will be a perilous undertaking to run thegauntlet through the bands of the lynx-eyed police. Can I serve myfriend, Galetzoff? and shall I not leave him in greater danger?"
"Fear not for him, leave him to my charge," answered Azila, "and now, beready to fly hence on my return. I will learn from those on the watchif all be safe."
The maiden departed, the old man closing the door with the utmostcaution, while the conspirator pressed Ivan's hand, bidding himfarewell, and stood ready to sally forth on her return. She soon cameback, assuring him that none of the police were to be seen in theneighbourhood; with hurried and anxious look, he then rushed forth toreach a safer refuge.
The door was now again secured with bar and bolt. Assuming the samebashful and retiring manner as before, when in Ivan's presence, sodifferent from her usual free and independent bearing, when in discoursewith others, Azila addressed the wounded youth--
"I must now leave you for a while," she said, "for I go to seek means toenable you to escape hence, in safety, to the tents of my people, whereyour wound will be quickly healed, and you may dwell until you gainstrength to fly from the country. Until my return, I confide you to thecare of an old and tried friend, and a trusty guard watches outside, whowill give immediate notice of the slightest danger." Then making herusual oriental obeisance, she withdrew towards the door, lingering tocast one look on her patient; and before he had time to express histhanks, she had quitted the vault.
Ivan was left in the recess, the entrance being open, while his agedhost prepared himself for slumber on a pallet in a corner of the vault;he followed the latter's example, although every passing sound arousedhim.
The remainder of the night waned, no fresh event occurring to disturbthe occupants of the dreary vault. No sooner had a few streaks ofmorning found ingress through the crevices of the walls, than the oldman arose from his uneasy couch, and after tendering his services toIvan, proceeded to prepare a morning meal. This considerably revivedhis wounded guest, though the pain he suffered had not diminished.Still the very recollection of his narrow escape gave him hopes for thefuture, and he looked forward with eagerness to the time when hispresent confinement would cease, and he should again breathe the pureair of Heaven in unrestrained liberty. Occupied with these thoughts, hepassed the remainder of the day, anxiously awaiting Azila's return.
Volume 1, Chapter XVI.
The principal place of resort of that singular race of people, theZingani, or Gipsies, or as they universally call themselves the Rommany;of whom there are several thousands in and about Moscow; is the MarinaRochte, lying about two versts distant from the city.
Most of these people obtain their livelihood in Moscow, either bykeeping taverns, or by dealing in horses and by various other like kindsof traffic, bearing in general but an indifferently good character. Theclass, however, to which we now allude, are of the lowest order; whosefemales sing at the taverns and different public gardens in theneighbourhood, and are not of the best repute, as to modesty ofbehaviour. Here they congregate in great numbers, their countenancesresembling those of their race who are to be met with in England; ofbrown complexions, and for the most part having beautiful and regularfeatures; their eyes fiery and intelligent; their hair, somewhat coarse,of coal black hue; and all having the same free and independent bearing.
There is, however, another class of Zingani, whose very existence willsurprise those who have been accustomed to consider these people as merewandering barbarians, incapable of civilisation, and unable toappreciate the blessings of a quiet and settled life; for many of theminhabit large and handsome houses in Moscow, appear abroad in elegantequipages, and are scarcely to be distinguished from the upper classesof the Russians, unless, indeed by possessing superior personaladvantages and mental accomplishments. Of this singular socialphenomenon at Moscow, the female Gipsies are the principal cause, havingfrom time immemorial cultivated their vocal powers, with such effect,that although in the heart of a country in which the vocal art hasarrived at a greater perfection than perhaps in any other part of theworld, the principal gipsy choirs in that city are, by universalconsent, allowed to be unrivalled.
The sums obtained by these singers, are very large, enabling them tolive in luxury of every description, and to maintain their husbands inalmost princely magnificence. Many are married to Russian gentlemen ofconsideration. The lovely, talented, and domestic wife of a Count,well-known in the highest, circles of Moscow, is by birth a Gipsy, andwas formerly the chief pride of a Rommany choir at Moscow, as she is nowone of the principal ornaments of refined society.
In no other part of the world do the gipsies flourish as they do inRussia, affording a great contrast to the wretched hordes steeped inpenury and vice, who infest the Peninsula; and to the low thievingtrampers of England and Scotland, existing by petty pillage; such bandsoften being indeed but a collection of the lowest vagabonds of everydescription intermingled with the original race.
There are many opinions as to the land from whence the Zingani havesprung; it is generally supposed, that they originally came fromHindostan, being of the lowest class of Indians, called Suders, or thosewho have lost caste; that they migrated from thence in great numbers in1409, when Timour Beg ravaged India, to spread with fire and sword thetenets of the Mahomedan religion. It seems probable that in their waytowards Egypt, where we first hear of them, that they resided for a timein the country called Zinganen, at the mouth of the Indus, from whencethey may perhaps have gained the name of Zingani. By what route theyreached Egypt from thence, is not known, but they had fixed themselvesthere in great numbers in 1517, when Sultan Selim conquered the country.They revolted from his rule, under a leader who has assumed the name ofZinganeus, probably from being chosen chief of that people; but werecompletely worsted, being again compelled to seek safety in flight, andmade their appearance in Europe in large bands about the year 1520.Some of their leaders, who with their followers found their way to thenorthern parts of Europe, called themselves dukes and lords of LowerEgypt, endeavouring to impose on the people, among whom they came, withpretentions of rank and dignity; in this, however, they were not verysuccessful, soon sinking into a class considered no better than roguesand vagabonds.
In Russia, on the contrary, among an ignorant and barbarous population,their various talents and acuteness enabled them to sustain a superiorstation; nor have they, at any time, been there subject to thepersecutions and indignities which they have had to endure in othercountries of Europe. Though some, as we have said, have taken up theirabode in cities, others still retain their primitive and wanderinghabits, living in tents; and roving from place to place, as may suittheir fancy; or as they find it convenient to carry on the pursuits bywhich they exist.
The tribe or family to which Azila belonged, was under the guidance of asagacious leader, and was compelled by him to refrain from all maraudinghabits. Though the Zingani chief was possessed of considerable wealth,he was of too free and independent a disposition to confine himself tothe trammels and restraint of the social life of a city, preferring themore varied and roving existence enjoyed in a camp. He had, however,numerous connexions of every rank in the city; among the most superiorof whom, his daughter Azila, had in truth been educated, and when herown inclinations led her to return to her father's camp, she was stillregarded by them with the greatest affection; and it was by their aid,assisted by her own talent and penetration, that she was able to collectthe varied in
formation, which as we have seen, was of so much importanceto the conspirators.
It is towards the close of one of the few bright and balmy days whichcheer the hearts of the Russians in their short-lived summer, that wemust again introduce our readers to the camp of our friend, the Zinganichief. It had lately been pitched on the confines of a wood, at a shortdistance from Marina Rochte; and it was evident, from fewer people thanusual being seen about the encampments, that many had joined theirbrethren in the village, to enjoy their constant amusements of dancing,singing, and other sports.
At a short distance from the tented circle, the Zingani chief was slowlypacing the grass, with his arms crossed on his bosom, and lost inthought. At length he soliloquised aloud:
"This is the baneful effect of departing from our ancient laws andcustoms, by taking part in the affairs of the people with whom we dwell;losing our freedom and independence, by becoming