The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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should anyof their enemies attempt to land in order to destroy their vessels. Thezebeque ran boldly on towards the smooth yellow sand, almostovershadowed by the trees; and as she neared the shore, a man, whoseglittering armour and helmet, decked with an eagle's plume, betokenedhim a chieftain, approached the water, mounted on a coal-black steed,and urging the noble animal up to his girths into the sea, he waved hissword, and courteously beckoned to the strangers to land. Havingsaluted them, he again slowly and with dignity retired from the shore.
As the vessel's keel almost touched the sand, her anchor was let go, hersails being quickly furled by her eager crew, delighted at thus havingbrought their hazardous adventure to a successful issue. In a moment,she was surrounded by boats from the shore, to lighten her of her cargoere she was drawn up on the beach beneath the shelter of the trees.
Into the first the Hadji, our hero, and his two followers stepped; andas her bow touched the strand of Circassia, the natives flocked around,eager to welcome the strangers to their shores.
Ivan's heart leaped with joy as his foot touched his native land; and hewould have knelt down in gratitude to heaven, and kissed the soil he hadso eagerly longed to tread, but that the presence of the surroundingmultitude prevented his giving way to his feelings. For an instant,then, that sensation of blankness, of loneliness, that unsatisfiedfeeling, which sometimes comes over us, when we fancy that our desiresare accomplished, seized him, and oppressed his spirits, as accompaniedby his two retainers, he followed the Hadji towards the spot to whichthe chieftain had retired.
No sooner did the latter see the Hadji approaching, than he leaped fromhis steed, which his squire held while he hastened to meet him. The twoaged men, for the noble warrior seemed far advanced in years, rushedforward; their dignity thrown aside, and falling on each other's necks,they embraced and almost wept for joy.
"My brother!" exclaimed the aged chief; "hast thou, indeed, againreturned to me from thy long and perilous pilgrimage among strangepeople? Do I again see the noble pride of our race in life andstrength? Allah be praised for all his mercies!"
"Yes, my brother!" rejoined the Hadji, "yes, Allah is merciful. I haveescaped all dangers, and my heart rejoices to see you still able to beararms against our foes; but say, my brother, how fares my son Alp, mywell-loved young son? Does the boy live? Does he still follow up theearly promise of his youth?"
"Your son, my brother, is well worthy of your name. He still dwellswith his Attalick; but being well skilled in all martial exercises, heis now able to follow you to the field, and has already gained somehonour against the enemy. It will rejoice your heart to see him, andyou will seem to live your youth over again as you recognise yourself inhim."
"To Allah and his prophet be all praise," replied the Hadji, piously."Then am I content. But say, my brother, does my wife still live torejoice in the growing promise of our son?"
"Yes, yes, she still lives."
"Allah be praised!" again ejaculated the Hadji. "And say, does mysister still live; does she also rejoice in the noble deeds of yourgallant sons? Are they yet numbered among the stern bulwarks of ourcountry? Do their steeds yet carry them like thunder-bolts against thefoe?"
The old warrior shook his head.
"Alas! my brother, the leaden death of the hated Urus [the name theCircassians give to the Russians] have laid two in the graves of ourfathers, where they sleep the sleep of the brave; but the rest yetremain to avenge their fate."
"God is great," answered the Hadji, "and by his prophet's help we willyet take ample vengeance on their destroyers."
"Allah is merciful, and will give us blood for blood," replied theother. "But think not that they died ere they had made their foes paydearly for their death. No, hundreds of the slavish Urus fell beforetheir conquering sabres; and in that thought, I cease to mourn, but yetwhat are the lives of a thousand Urus to one true son of the Atteghei?"
"Bosh! as nothing. As chaff to corn, as dross to pure gold; but we willavenge them brother," said the Hadji, grasping his sword. "My heartwill beat with joy, when I find myself once more among their ranks."
"That may soon be; for their ships, but a short time ago, landed a largeforce on the coast to the north, who are yet shut up in their fort. Butsay, who are these strangers who accompany you? What do they here?"
"In the first joyful moment of meeting you I thought not of them, butwill now attend to the duties of hospitality," And introducing Ivan, theHadji added, "I bring with me, one who is our countryman, my adoptedson, next to Alp in my love; regard him as such, for my sake."
"To me he will always be welcome," replied the chief, taking Ivan by thehand. "And I will believe that he is worthy to be a true son of theAtteghei. But come, we will waste no further time here. He and hisattendants shall accompany us, while some of my followers shall stay tobring up your goods from the vessel. We will at once repair to thedwelling of the noble Prince of Pchad, whither I was bound, when I sawyour vessel approaching the land. He will welcome you with the arms offriendship. Away, my Deli Khans," he cried, addressing several youngmen who surrounded him. "Give notice to the noble Prince of our coming,and say, moreover, that some strangers accompany us."
The Chieftain, and his brother, the Hadji led the way from the seashore, accompanied by Ivan, and followed by a numerous band of activeyoung mountaineers, each completely armed, with a gun slung on his back,a sword by his side, and a dagger in his belt, to which several hadadded pistols. Their dress consisted of a coat, fitting close to thebody, of dark cloth trimmed with silver, without a collar, and open atthe neck, secured by loops in front, and having long hanging sleeves;the skirts reached completely round to the knees, wide trowsers of adarkish green colour, tightening at the calf, embroidered boots ofdressed leather, and belts round their waists of the same. Theirbonnets were of sheepskin or dark cloth. Altogether the costume waselegant and picturesque.
The party proceeded for a short distance through a thick grove, on agentle slope, which soon terminated in rough cliffs rising abruptly fromthe lower ground, under the shelter of wide-spreading beech trees ofvast height, and of venerable oaks, extending their leafy boughs, almostto the water's edge. They soon arrived at the entrance of a beautifulvalley, which extended in a winding course far inland. After passingsome way through it, they were entirely shut in by rocky cliffs, orsteep, almost precipitous hills, yet clothed with the graceful linden,the dark leaved mulberry, the magnificent chestnut, the dark and silveryolive, and many other trees; and as they wound their way up the steepsides of the hills, they passed beneath natural arbours of the highcreeping vine, and the graceful hop, which twined their slender tendrilsfrom tree to tree, and from peak to peak.
The distant scenery was still hidden by the leafy shelter, when asuccessive discharge of fire arms was heard, and as they emerged fromthe thickets into an open space on the summit of the hill, a party ofyoung cavaliers was seen galloping towards them at desperate speed,flourishing their swords, and firing off their pistols, and utteringshouts of congratulation and welcome; to which the old chief's partyanswered when the others rushing forward, joined their ranks.
A beautiful village of low cottages scattered among the trees nowappeared. Apart from the rest, and having greater pretentions toarchitectural grandeur, stood a dwelling, surrounded with several otherbuildings appertaining to it. From the principal gate-way in the fence,which enclosed it, was seen advancing towards the party, a personage,whose appearance struck Ivan with admiration. His long, flowing, andblanched beard, the deep lines which furrowed his expressivecountenance, and his attenuated figure, bespoke him a man far advancedin the vale of years, though his eye still glowed with some of the fireof youth. He walked erect and firm, clothed in complete armour, withhelmet on head, cuirass and cuisses of polished steel plates richlyembossed, as with a noble and dignified air, he advanced to meet hisguests, and to welcome them to his home.
He courteously pressed their hands. "Welcome, my noble friend," hesaid, addressing the c
hief, "and you, oh venerable Hadji, who by theblessing of Allah, have returned from your travels, to bring wisdom andknowledge to our country. Welcome also to these strangers, who, underthy protection, I will receive as my sons and friends. My house, andall whom Mahmood commands, are at your orders--"
"Most noble Prince," replied the Hadji, as spokesman of the party, "notthe least of my happiness in returning again to my loved country, is tosee you still alive, and ruling your people with wisdom and justice.Gladly will we partake of your well-known hospitality."
Saying which, the Hadji led the way to the guest-house, to which thePrince pointed, following himself in the rear of the party, whoentering, took their seats on broad cushions or ottomans, whichsurrounded the room; their arms being hung