The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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relating his romantic history andrecent exploits, loud shouts hailed him as a chief of Circassia. Hisheart beat with pride at having acquired that glorious appellation, ashis brother warriors came forward to grasp his hand in welcome.
Their followers assembled under a grove of lofty trees near the river; afew minutes only elapsed since their arrival at the spot, before theirtents were erected and every arrangement made for their accommodation.
Selem then accompanied his father through the encampment, to learn theproceedings and intentions of the leaders. Various plans of operationshad been discussed; but, unfortunately, unanimity did not reign in theircouncils as to the best mode of proceeding.--The most sagacious were,however, for preventing the large Russian army, which threatened them,from advancing into the interior, without expending their strength inminor exploits: but others were for making excursions into the countryof the Cossacks at unguarded posts, while the enemy were elsewhereengaged, and some were for at once storming the Russian forts. Selemsaw with grief and pain the sad want of organisation in an army capable,if well directed, of driving back their foes to their own bleak steppes.But they were destitute of artillery and ammunition; and he saw tooclearly that no great object could be attained beyond the strict defenceof their native mountains. Yet, without some object in view, that vastmultitude, unaccustomed to any combined movement, would soon be weary ofrestraint, and might, in a few hours, melt away like snow before therays of the sun, and return to their own homes. They required somechief of superior talents, whom all would acknowledge as theircommander, to lead them to war; and they would then become invincible.This want their invaders well knew, and reckoned on accordingly.
The next morning the sun rose with unclouded splendour over thebeautiful valley of the Ubin, cheering the hearts of the assembledwarriors with an omen of success. It was the day appointed for a solemnceremony to take place, namely, the administering an oath, which all theprinces, nobles, and leaders of Circassia had agreed to take, never tosheathe their swords, or make terms with the enemy, till he had retiredfrom the neighbourhood of their country; and to sink in oblivion allancient feuds and animosities among themselves. Many chiefs had alreadybound themselves by this agreement; but the majority had hitherto keptaloof from taking the oath, as it not only forbade them ever makingterms with their foes, but involved the necessity of restoring allproperty unjustly retained from their countrymen.
Contiguous to the camp was a quiet and sequestered dell, with greenhills rising close around it, and filled by a grove of lofty andvenerable trees: a spot looked upon as sacred from time immemorial. Inan open glade, in the centre of the grove, stood the mouldering remainsof a stone cross, near which, where the lofty trees threw their coolshadows, now assembled hundreds of noble warrior chiefs. One sentiment,one soul, animated the breasts of all--the most deadly hatred to theirfoes, and a determination to resist to the very last gasp. Every one ofthe various tribes and bands, which composed the patriot army, here senta representative to swear in their name, and to confer on measures forthe general advantage.
As the princes, nobles, and leaders arrived, they took their seats onthe green turf, when, all being assembled, a chief arose from thecircle, and advanced towards the centre. His white turban, his longrobes, his hoary locks and flowing beard, bespoke his sacred character.In his hands he held a book, which he raised aloft, as he knelt beforethe cross, and offered up to the all-potent and all-omniscient Being,whom every one present worshipped--whatever their other differences ofcreed might be--a prayer for the success of the sacred cause of liberty,and for the confusion of their tyrannical foes. Every warrior, bowinghis head, reverently responded "Amen!" as the venerable sage ceased hisprayer. Still holding the book before him, he rose, and, with a voice,yet deep and sonorous, though at times trembling with age, heexclaimed:--
"Noble warriors, chiefs of Circassia--we have this day assembled for agreat, for a righteous purpose. It is to bind ourselves, by a solemncompact, to exert all the energies of our souls and bodies to drivehence the fell invaders of our country. Never to sheathe our swordswhile a foe to Circassia exists near her borders; to sink all privatefeelings of animosity, and to offer the hand of love and fellowship toall who will join us in this sacred cause. I call on all present tocome forward, and to swear on the sacred book I hold, to conquer or diefor our country, and to shew the world, what a brave band of brothers,though few in numbers compared to the vast hordes of our opponents, cando for the cause of liberty."
As he finished his address, one of the most influential of the Princesof the Atteghei advanced, and, reverently kneeling, kissed the book, andtook the required oath. His example was followed by others, till theenthusiasm became general, and all rushed eagerly forward to sign thecompact. As they took the oath, they formed in circles, grasping eachother's hands, in token of their brotherhood. Those who had neverbefore met, except with their hands on the hilts of their swords, nowjoined them in the pressure of love and fellowship; and the ardent wishof all, was to be led at once against the common foe.
Many, who had arrived too late for the opening of the ceremony, hastenedforward from all directions to swear eternal enmity to the Russians.The aged judge again knelt, when all had subscribed the oath, to returnthanks to heaven for the concord which reigned throughout the band ofpatriots; and, as the sacred ceremony concluded, loud shouts rent theair, from the vast concourse of warriors who covered the sides of thehills, and every woodland glade. Had any Russian spy been present, hemight have warned his countrymen of the hopelessness of success, intheir nefarious attempt to subjugate so resolute a people.
Volume 3, Chapter IV.
Our hero and his friends had spent two days at the camp of the patriotarmy on the Ubin, without devising any plan of operation, or without anymovement taking place among the Russians, when three horsemen were seenriding at headlong speed down the sides of the mountains, towards thecamp. The energies of the horses seemed taxed beyond their power. Onenoble animal fell, throwing his rider stunned before him. The horse ofthe second came down with tremendous force, after giving three or fourbounds, and making fruitless efforts to continue his course; but thethird, not stopping to see what had become of his companions, rodefuriously on to the camp, whence many chieftains and warriors rushed outto hear the news he brought.
The messenger leaped from his steed as he came among them, the gallantbeast trembling in every limb, and scarcely able to continue on his legsas he panted with exertion.
"Noble chieftains!" cried the messenger, "I bring you dire news fromGhelendjik. Three days ago, a numerous fleet of Russian ships was seento approach our coasts, from which a mighty army disembarked. It ishoped they will remain some days within their fort to rest from theirvoyage; but, after that, there can be no doubt they will advance toravage the country, if a stronger force than is there collected, is notopposed to them. The men of Ghelendjik will do their utmost to stop theinvaders; but what can they hope to do against an overpowering force?Our Seraskier, therefore, sent us here with haste to summon some of hisfriends to join his army."
Among the foremost of the chiefs, who had hastened to meet themessenger, was the gallant Hadji. "Bismillah! not a moment is to belost then," he cried, seizing his standard from before his tent, wavingit aloft, and again plunging the staff into the ground. "I will hastenwith joy to your chieftain's aid, and we will stop these Urus on theirmarch. Gallant nobles and warriors, whoever among you will bear mecompany to the aid of our hard-pressed countrymen, let them assembleround this banner within three minutes, and we will away; for, perhaps,before this the Russians may have begun their march. Let those whowill, follow."
Saying which, the brave old chief hastened to don his helmet, his squireleading forth his steed; and in less time than he had indicated, he wason horseback by the side of his banner. Alp soon galloped up, followedby Selem, who directly volunteered to accompany his venerable friend,after taking leave of his father, who was obliged to remain. Before thetime for starting had arrive
d, numerous warriors came up from alldirections; the news, that an expedition was on foot, having flown likelightning through the camp; so that, within five minutes of the arrivalof the messenger, several hundred horsemen had assembled, fullyequipped, to follow the Hadji. Again seizing his standard, the Hadjiwaved it aloft as a signal to march; when giving a loud shout, the bandof warriors set off at a quick speed, many others promising to follow.
The Hadji led on his followers as fast as they could proceed withoutexhausting their horses, stopping only at night to rest for a few hours;and before sun-rise they were again in their saddles. Their anxiety tohear some news of the enemy was extreme, for they were now approachingthe neighbourhood of the Russian fort; though it was impossible to sayin what part of the country they might sally out to commit theirdepredations.
They drew rein on the summit of a mountain, from which they obtained afar-off view of the sea, in the