The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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histhoughts; while she has alone the remembrance of her loss. If sheapplies herself to her domestic duties, still the thought of herbereavement will intrude; and oft will she stop amid her occupations, aconvulsive sob bursting from her heart, as the image of the lost oneappears to her mind, and she thinks of that which was, but which now nolonger exists.
Volume 3, Chapter XV.
Our life is full of sunshine and clouds, smiles and tears; and it is asfoolish to expect at all times to possess the one, as it is to repinethat our lot in life must be sprinkled with the other. Thus, how greata contrast did the reception awaiting the warriors in the valley ofAbran Bashi form to that which they had experienced in the vale ofGazlan; when Ina, blooming as the roses of Gul, flew across the lawn, asshe caught sight of her father's gallant train winding down the vale.She was now followed by all the wives and maidens of the hamlet, eagerto welcome the return of their husbands, their fathers, and brothers,and to recompense them for the toils of war, and the dangers they hadincurred for their sakes.
Throwing himself from his horse, Arslan Gherrei folded his daughter inhis arms, as she flew to meet him; tears, how precious, of pure joyfilling her bright eyes, that he was again restored to her in safety.We will not attempt to describe the meeting of Thaddeus and his fairmistress; but well did he feel himself recompensed for having espousedthe cause of her country.
Death had not been idle in the valley since their absence. Theforebodings of the venerable Prince, Aitek Tcherei, had been fulfilled;full of years and honour, he had been gathered to his fathers the dayafter their departure. He had been buried with all the ceremoniesprescribed by custom; and his clansmen were now about to select one as asuccessor worthy to lead them to war, or to preside at their councils intime of peace. By the aged chieftain's dying will, delivered to theelders of his tribe, Alp was to succeed to his possessions; or, failinghim, they were to descend to Selem, so that, by the sad death of hisfriend, our hero found himself possessed of considerable wealth.
The elders and principal men of the tribe assembled to discuss theimportant subject, when the eyes of all were turned on Selem. Hisbravery in the field and his courteous manners had won even theirhearts; and by choosing him, they would not only have a gallant andsagacious chief to command them, but it would prevent any of thosejealous feelings which would too probably spring up, should they electany one of those actually living among them. Without a dissentientvoice, therefore, Selem Gherrei was elected to command their brave andnumerous tribe. Our hero was now, in every sense of the word, aCircassian Chief; and a truly brave and noble one did he prove himself.
We must now draw rapidly to the conclusion of our story.
The trees once again put forth their leaves; the fields were enamelledwith flowers; the birds sang in the groves; and all nature wore an airof renewed life and activity. The winter had passed away. TheCircassian husbandmen on the borders, girded on their swords, and slungtheir rifles on their backs, as they toiled in their fields--prepared ata moment's notice to resist any inroad of their foes--to sow corn,although 'twas doubtful whether they might ever reap the harvest. Bandsof warriors were moving; towards the frontiers, to be in readiness torepulse the Russians, at whatever quarter they should make their firstattack: and in every direction, messengers were galloping across thecountry, to carry information from one chief to another of their ownplans, or of the enemy's movements. Great stir had been observed amongthe troops on the Kouban, and the number of all the Russian garrisonswas increased; but it was impossible to say what were their intentions.
The early spring also saw the happiness of Ina and Thaddeus completed;the chieftain no longer withholding his consent, on Selem's making overto his friend sufficient property to maintain his bride as became herrank. A Polish priest also was found to perform the ceremony, accordingto the rules of the Christian church; this exile with many of hiscountrymen had lately made their way to Circassia, where they werecertain of a friendly welcome from those who could so well appreciatetheir wrongs and sufferings.
Selem therefore had the satisfaction of seeing his sister marriedaccording to the forms he considered essential, when he committed herinto the hands of his friend. The religion of Arslan Gherrei was tootolerant to object to his daughter embracing that of her husband,particularly when Selem undertook to explain to him the sacred bonds itenforced, and in how superior a state it placed her, than would havebeen her lot had she become the wife of one of the native chiefs. Thechieftain much admired this in theory, though he confessed it was whathis countrymen in general would not approve; for it gave far too muchpower into the hands of those whom they looked upon in the light ofproperty, and which their lords and masters would lose, should the fairsex once learn to consider themselves as having equal liberty andrights.
The youthful couple enjoyed, for a short time, the utmost felicity whichis allowed to the most fortunate on earth. They were truly happy inthemselves, and their present lot; for they did not--they would not--think of what change the future might bring forth. Each day theythought that they had discovered some new charm in each other, somethingmore to love. On their marriage, they had returned to the house nearthe sea, where we first introduced Ina to our readers; and often wouldthey wander together down the valley, to the very edge of the deep bluemain, which lay calm and lovely at their feet. As they gazed on itstranslucent wave, they little thought that its treacherous surface mightbring whole hordes of their foes upon them.
Selem, whenever he could tear himself away from his importantoccupations, came to be witness of their happiness; but he was mostlyoccupied in accompanying his father in excursions through every part ofthe country to rouse the lagging, to animate the weak-hearted, and toinduce all to take the oath of amity to the patriots, and eternal enmityto their foes. Where ever they moved, they were accompanied by otherinfluential chiefs and elders, and were received with respect by all.
Those, who formerly thought themselves free from the danger of attacksby the Russians, were roused to join their country men in more exposeddistricts; and others, who might have been induced by despair to sue forpeace with their overwhelming foes, were excited to renewed exertions,to defend their country to the last. Many made voluntary promises tomuster under the standard of Arslan Gherrei, the moment it should beraised for whatever expedition he should think advisable.
Hadji Guz Beg constantly accompanied his friends in these expeditions;his enthusiastic exhortations adding considerably to the excitement ofthe people. At his own home, he scarcely ever remained, for he couldnot bear to hear the loud and constant repinings of his wife for herlost son; nor to look on the grief stricken Zara.
She, poor girl, continued incapable of exertion, and unexcited by aughtaround her; her thoughts dwelling alone on her lost Alp. It was atlength thought, that change of scene, the novelty of the sea, near whichshe had never been, and the affectionate embraces of her early friend,might arouse her from her stupor. Ina received the youthful widow withan affectionate greeting, but could not refrain from tears as shecontrasted the time they parted, when she was borne away from her ajoyous bride, with the melancholy of the present; her young hopesblighted, and he, whom she loved, lying in his early and ensanguinedgrave.
The tender endeavours of Ina, could scarcely rouse her from herapathetic indifference to all terrestrial affairs; Zara could onlyreturn her kindness with a faint smile of thanks.
Arslan Gherrei was now less reluctant to be absent from home, knowingthat he left his daughter with one able to protect her; and, at thistime, Selem had just arrived to pay his sister and friend a visit,before they moved to a habitation further inland; for, as the springadvanced, it was feared the Russians might attempt a landing on thecoast. The numerical strength of the tribe beneath the sway of ArslanGherrei had been dreadfully reduced by war and plague, so that when heled forth his warriors to battle, scarcely enough remained to protecthis territory; on which account, the preceding year, he had removed hisdaughter to the house of his kinsman, the late Prince Aite
k Tcherei.
Volume 3, Chapter XVI.
A lovely and bright spring morning had induced Selem and his friend toseize their guns and sally forth at dawn of day, in search of game.They had wandered long over the sweet scented heathery hills, fresh andpure with the sparkling dew; when they heard loud shouts behind them,and saw Karl running to overtake them.
With a face of consternation, he said that he had just seen from thehighest mountain in the neighbourhood, where he had been to cut wood, alarge fleet standing, towards the coast, which his fears told him, mustbe that of his much dreaded countrymen.
"It will be a day of fighting, my friends," exclaimed Selem, as withThaddeus he flew rapidly towards the house. "We must die, rather thanlet our foes set foot upon our strand, where, if they once get footing,it will cost us dear to drive them off."
They did not even venture to enter the anderoon; but, seizing theirarms, and summoning as many warriors as they could collect on