The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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courageto my heart; but I pray you, do not think any gratitude is due to me. Iwas but fulfilling a vow I have made to heaven, to strike our foeswherever I can meet them; and I am yet unworthy to be ranked among thewarriors of Atteghei."
"O yes, surely you are well worthy to be called one of the bravest,"answered Ina; "for who could have fought more nobly than you did?"
"No, lady, I cannot yet claim that honour; but your prayers will nervemy arm to gain it," answered our hero. "I must now away; for, see, theknights are mounting their steeds. Lady, farewell!"
"Farewell!" answered Ina. "And may heaven prosper you and shield youfrom danger."
"And may Allah, too, protect my child," added her father, rousinghimself from his trance. "I was thinking, my Ina, how great a blessingwould be such a son as yonder gallant youth; but Allah's will be done!I, too, must hasten to lead my followers. Farewell, my child."
Leaping on his charger, the chieftain galloped to join the cavalcade,while his daughter gazed on him with a fond and anxious glance.
As Ivan hastened to mount his steed, Conrin, who had been watching himanxiously at a distance while conversing with Ina, came forward. Ablush was on the boy's brow, as if he had been discovered in a fault;and there was an uneasy look in his eye.
"Ah, my faithful Conrin," said Ivan, "I must leave you here for a time;you are too young to go on so hazardous an expedition. I must not againexpose your life to the dangers of such fierce warfare."
"Oh! do not despise my services, Sir," said the boy, with an imploringlook. "Have I been backward at any time in obeying you? Have I doneanything to displease you, that you would now leave me among strangerswhile you are exposed to peril? Did I show fear when you attacked theCossack cavalry?"
"No, boy, you did not indeed," answered Ivan, with energy. "That day Iowed my life to you; and I should be ungrateful did I not endeavour toprotect your's; for that reason, I would leave you in safety here."
"But I care not for my life when your's is perilled," answered Conrin."Think you, Sir, that I would survive if you were slain?"
"You speak thus almost foolishly, boy," answered Ivan. "I am gratefulfor your attachment; but you would find all kind to you, and many tolove and follow. I know that Javis loves you, and would protect youwith his own life, till you grow strong enough to protect yourself."
"Javis loves me!" said the boy, gloomily; "but what is his love toyours? Let me implore you to allow me to accompany you."
"It cannot be," returned Ivan, soothingly. "I doubt not your courage,and that you will some day become a gallant warrior; but your arm hasnot yet gained sufficient strength to compete with men. If I amwounded, Javis will attend me; and if I fall, Heaven will find you someother protector."
"If you fall, I shall not need Heaven's protection in this world,"returned the page, with a despairing look.
"You speak strangely, boy," said Ivan. "I have thought of yourwelfare."
As he spoke, Arslan Gherrei rode up.
"Uzden," said Ivan, addressing him, (for, as it is customary to addressa person by his title alone, Ivan had not yet learned the name of thechieftain), "I have a faithful page who has followed me from far lands,and I would not lead him to the dangers of warfare, though he is urgentin his prayers to be allowed to accompany me. I would bestow him insafety; and if I fall, will you grant me a boon, and be his protector?"
"I would do all you ask me, my noble friend," answered the chief. "Iwill, if it is your pleasure, place him with my daughter."
"He could not have a fairer or kinder mistress," answered Ivan, who,desiring Conrin to follow, returned with the chieftain to the spot werethe women were still standing.
"I have returned, lady," said Ivan, addressing Ina, "to bring you anattendant, who would fain be employed in more warlike services. He is abrave youth, and I owe him much. I leave him, therefore, by yourfather's permission, to your gentle care, and he will serve you asfaithfully as he has done me."
"Gladly will I follow your wishes, noble stranger," replied Ina; "for heis a gallant boy, and I will treat him rather as a brother than as aservant."
"Thanks, lady, for your kindness," answered Ivan. "Here, Conrin," headded, calling to the boy, "I leave you, during my absence, to servethis lady; and you will find it a more pleasing task than following meto the field. Farewell! may you be as happy under her kind care as youdeserve."
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"Lynx. We will here leave our horses and our guns; and let us see ifCircassian steel is not better than Russian lead."
Another shout proclaimed the approbation of the band to this proposal.The most renowned and most active were then divided into four parties,of about one hundred and fifty men each, who, throwing aside allincumbrances, retained only their swords and long broad daggers. TheHadji put himself at the head of one band, and his son Alp led the mostdaring and active of the Dehli Khans, who willingly followed him inconsideration of his father's renown. Arslan Gherrei led a third partyof the bravest warriors, with whom Ivan was about to volunteer, when hewas unanimously elected to lead the fourth band. A few were destinedfor the less glorious, but necessary, service of guarding the horses andsuch arms as had been laid aside; and the remainder, under Achmet Beg,were to form a cordon round the fort, to cut off any stragglers of theenemy who should attempt to escape.
The scouts, who had been sent to watch the vessel, brought word that shehad just arrived in the bay, and that troops had been landing from her;but this did not damp the ardour of the mountaineers, though Ivanremained in a state of alarm, lest his friend might be ordered out forexecution before they could attack the fort.
The night had been far spent before all the arrangements were made; and,at a signal given by their leader, the army advanced cautiously and indeep silence towards the fort. A storm with terrific fury now brokeover their heads, when the Hadji proposed to delay no longer; but (theirfootsteps being unheard amid the tempest) to rush on at once to theassault. The plan was, however, over-ruled by the advice of Achmet Beg.
"Stay, my brother," he said; "though the foe hear not the sound of ourfootsteps, the flashes of lightning would betray our approach." And asthey arrived at the skirts of the forest nearest the sea, with the fortbelow them, he added: "See the lightning plays round the bayonets of thesentinels at their posts. Wait, till they grow weary of the storm, andthen perchance they may endeavour to seek shelter beneath their walls,and their eyes may not be turned this way."
"Your advice is good," answered the Hadji. "Let it be so."
Attentive to their chief leader, all the bands therefore halted;watching, in eager expectation, for the order to advance again.
While our hero was waiting for the command to proceed, he fancied thathe observed a small light figure, which now advanced, moving among thedark masses of human beings surrounding him. He looked earnestlythrough the obscurity to catch a glimpse of the object as the lightningflashed brightest. All was again obscure, when he heard a low sigh nearhim. He turned: his page Conrin stood by his side.
He spoke rather angrily. "How is this, boy? I left you under the LadyIna's care. Do you thus so soon disobey my orders?"
A low sob was the answer. At length the boy found words to speak. "Anddo you thus so soon forget your promise, Sir? Did you not say that Imight follow you through all dangers and hardships? and am I to be leftat home in safety, while you are thus exposed to peril? Let me nowaccompany you, and no harm can happen to me. My life is charmed whennear you."
Before Ivan had time to answer, the rain poured down in torrents fromthe dark clouds, and the lightning ceased.
"Now is our time to advance," cried the Hadji to the leaders assembledaround him. "To you, my son Alp, with your fiery Dehli Khans, shall begiven in charge to scale the steep rocks which form the side of the fortto the right. Do you, Uzden Arslan Gherrei, form your band on my left,and we will rush up the smooth ground in front. We have often foughtside by side, and can best face danger together, while our
armour willprotect us in the most exposed situation. You, stranger, with yourlight-clad followers, must storm on the left, and as far round towardsthe sea as they can reach over the rough and rocky ground; while do you,my brother, be ready to strengthen any of us who may require aid. Andnow, chiefs, in the name of Allah! lead on your followers."
The leaders hastened to the head of their bands, and, amidst the loudroaring of the tempest, and the dashing of the rain, they stole in deepdarkness close beneath the walls of the doomed fort.
The sentinels at their posts, with their heads muffled in their cloaks,did not suspect the danger that surrounded them; or,