The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
Page 64
picked off by their rifles. Then there is no booty to be gained, noramusement 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 mendesert to the enemy, where they are sure to be well treated, and havelittle work to do. Sometimes, too, they marry the beautiful women ofthe country; and, as there are plenty of warriors in the land, they arenot obliged to fight against their countrymen. For my part, I wonderthe General can keep any of his soldiers around him; but I would notbreathe such an idea in the camp. Now, my friend, do you knowLieutenant 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 histurn for picquet duty, so that he will be in his quarters, if he has notyet started."
"Will you then, my friend, hasten and call him hither," said Javis, asthey arrived near a row of wretched huts appropriated to the juniorofficers. "Whisper to him that some one has something of importance tocommunicate. Remember to tell no one about the happy lives thedeserters lead among the Circassians. It might be said that I waspersuading you to go over to them, and that would not be acting the partof 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 fortthe scene was one of bustle and animation. Groups of soldiers wereseated round their fires, cooking their suppers; others gambling on adrum head for their scanty allowance of pay. Numbers surrounded thesuttlers' booths and huts where spirits were sold, quaffing, as theironly resource from misery, huge bickers of quass and glasses of vodka.Here parties were marching and countermarching to relieve guard, theirfirm regular tread heard above the din and clatter of the camp.
In a few minutes Thaddeus appeared, wrapped in his cloak, prepared forhis night guard. On seeing Javis he seemed annoyed, as with a tone ofcontempt he addressed him.
"What want you with me, Armenian? If you have any of your worthycommunications to make, I should have thought that the governor was thefittest person to whom a spy should make his report."
"Hist, Sir," said Javis; "draw nearer--you mistake me. I bring amessage from one who loves you, and who will not be happy till he hasseen you again. Do you not remember the night you passed in the Gipsy'scamp near Tver? There you last saw me."
"Do my senses deceive me?" exclaimed Thaddeus; "are you not the Armenianspy 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 bewhere his now is. But to my message. Your friend, Ivan Galetzoff, isnow 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 Ican assure you that no attack will be made on the fort to-night."
Thaddeus scarcely hesitated a moment before he answered, "Yes, yes, saythat 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 topoverhung by a large tree? Close to that rock I will wait for you, andconduct you to him."
"Go then, my friend; I will trust to you. But how can you leave thefort? Are you not afraid the governor will discover you?" saidThaddeus.
"I have no fear, and may easily deceive him."
"Fortune favour your hazardous adventure, my friend! I must hasten tomy post," said Thaddeus.
Directing his servant to accompany the pretended Armenian to the Baron'squarters, 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, noble General,"replied Javis undauntedly, "and have begun to disperse to their severalhomes."
"That is well," replied the General. "And tell me, what plan have youformed to entrap the young renegade who bears my name? I must have himin 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 alreadysuspected by the barbarians, and I should not have ventured to returnto-night but that you seemed to wish it. I would not be away longerthan 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 hehastened from the hut, at the door of which he found his friend thesoldier waiting to conduct him to the gates.
"If a Russian escapes from the fort to the Circassians, you are certainthat 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, andpassing the picquets, he hastened to the spot he had indicated toThaddeus, where, sheltered beneath an overhanging rock, he waited hiscoming for some time, till he began to fear that something might haveoccurred to prevent his leaving his post. At length his quick earcaught 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 thedark shade of which he had left his master. Ivan was anxiously waitingthe coming of his friend, and as he caught sight of him he dashedforward, and the two friends were in each others arms.
"You knew not," said Ivan, "that I was a Circassian; but I am prouder tobear that name than to be the highest rank the Emperor of Russia canbestow. But, Thaddeus, my tried, my earliest friend, it takes away fromthe happiness I feel at meeting you again, to see you in the garb of theenemies of my country, armed against her liberty and her rights."
"Oh do not taunt me thus, my friend," replied Thaddeus, "for, believeme, I do not now willingly follow the standard of your enemies. But howcould I do otherwise? My father remains an hostage in their hands, andshould I desert from their ranks, they would visit their vengeance uponhim."
"But why draw your sword at all, when against the cause of liberty?"exclaimed Ivan. "Surely your father himself would rather see you followany other pursuit."
"Can you speak thus, Ivan, who are a soldier as well as I am? Would youpersuade me to lead a life of indolent peace?"
"Then, my dear Thaddeus, quit that hated standard, under which you nowserve, and you will be welcomed, by the noble warriors of this country,with open arms," exclaimed Ivan. "They love the Poles, for they haveheard of the wrongs of Poland, and feel for her children the affectionof brothers."
"Ivan, my friend, you wring my heart," cried Thaddeus passionately. "Ifeel the justice of your cause; but I have become a soldier of theEmperor. And would you have me, like a traitor, desert my colours? Iwas wrong to enter his service; but I sought for military glory,regardless of the cause for which I fought. Doubly did I feel how wrongI had been, when yesterday I saw the desperate bravery of yourcountrymen driving thrice the numbers of the slavish soldiery of Russiabefore them. To you, Ivan, I owe my life; for had not your sword beenraised to shield my head, I should at once have finished my career; andit was at that moment only I first recognised you. Yet do not think meungrateful if I still remain on the side of your enemies."
"Speak not of gratitude, Thaddeus," answered Ivan; "but let me draw youfrom the ranks of my foes, and from certain destruction."
"No, Ivan; deeply as I mourn the fate which divides us, I cannot changeit while the Emperor claims the services I once tendered to him. That Ilove you, my coming here stealthily and alone shews; for I have alreadybeen guilty of deserting my post; but I did so in the assurance that nosurprise woul
d be attempted on the fort, and that I risked not the livesof my companions in arms. That a love of quiet does not prompt myrefusal to join you, will be evident from the life we all lead in thefort; and I in particular am subject to every annoyance which the hatredand 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 wouldnot expose my father to persecution on my account."
"Thaddeus, my friend, you have convinced me against my wish," exclaimedIvan. "I see your just and disinterested reasons, and have but to mournthe hard fate which thus places us