with a firm and determined air, fearless of the presence inwhich he stood.
The poor page was wearied, and bruised with his rapid journey, andattempts at escape; but a fire glowed in his eyes, as he gazed at theBaron and the Count Erintoff, while a smile of scorn and defiance playedround his lips.
"Stand forward, boy," said the Baron, addressing him sternly. "Whatinduced you to leave your native land, and join the hordes of thesebarbarians?"
"My own good pleasure," answered Conrin.
"Know you not, mad boy, that, by so doing you have broken yourallegiance to the Emperor, and are guilty of treason?" said the Baron.
"I owe allegiance to no man," returned Conrin, firmly and proudly. "Ihave full right to go where I will."
"You are a subject of the Emperor, boy; and as such, I find you livingamong his enemies," said the Baron. "Know you not, that I have power totreat you as a traitor?"
"I am a subject of no ruler under Heaven," answered the page; "but fullwell do I know your power."
"You speak foolishly; but I pity your youth, and would be lenient withyou," answered the Baron.
"If you would be merciful, then," said Conrin, still with a curl on hislip, and in a slight tone of irony, "let me go free. I am but a youth,and what harm can I do to the mighty power of Russia?"
"What say you, Count, shall I let this innocent boy go free?" said theBaron, sneeringly. "Well you seem to agree with me! Now, listen, boy;you shall be at liberty to go where you will, even to return to themountains, if you wish; but on one condition. You follow a master, itseems, who led you among those barbarous hordes of savages, for whichyou need owe him but little gratitude, as he has been the means ofplacing you in your present danger. I will not conceal from you, thatyour master is an arch-villain and traitor to Russia; and that I amanxious to get him into my power. Now, boy, you may be instrumental inforwarding my views; and if you will undertake to obey my orders, youyourself shall not only be pardoned, but shall be richly rewarded. Whatsay you to my proposition? Do you consent?"
It was difficult at first to determine what emotions filled the boy'sheart, at hearing this proposition. The brightness of his eyesincreased, and a bitter smile played over his features. For a minute hestood confronting the General, and appearing to seek for words to giveexpression to his feelings.
"Man," said he, "Commander of thousands! go seek, among the slaves whoobey you, one who has betrayed his master, and send him to me, that Imay learn a lesson from him, and know, in future, how to mark thefeatures of a villain. Compare his with mine, and see if they arealike; and then say if I am likely to accept your noble offer, if suchis to be the price of my liberty. It is useless speaking more."
"Boy, you are foolish," said the Baron, endeavouring to soften his roughvoice to a tone of kindness, and to bend his features into a look ofbenignity. "What I ask of you, hundreds in like position would be foundto do for slight reward. It is not a difficult task that I wish you toperform; and if you do it not, others will be found who will, and yourmaster cannot escape me. All I desire of you is to entice this youngSelem Gherrei near the fort, where I will place an ambush to capturehim. Think you I would injure him? No!--it will be but for his ownbenefit, as it will rescue him from those barbarians, and restore him tocivilised life. And for yourself, I promise you a rich reward. You maystay and join the army, or I will find you a safe conveyance to your owncountry and home. Think well upon the offer which I make you."
Young Conrin threw a look of scorn at the General, turning his eyesslowly towards the Count, and with almost a laugh of derision, heanswered--
"A noble offer, truly; could you but read my heart, you would see howgreat is the chance that I should accept it. Think you that to gainwealth, all people would become villains? that all men have a price, tobe bought and sold? I pity the wretch with such philosophy. None butthose with bad hearts could think so. No, no; such base offers arethrown away if made to me. Give me but liberty, and I shall begrateful."
"Once again, boy, I make an offer such as is not my wont," said theBaron. "I know not how it is, but I feel compassion for your youth, andwould not harm you if you would obey my wishes. You shall go free, freeas the air we breathe; on this condition, you must persuade your masterto come, and I will promise you he shall receive no harm; for, in spiteof all his offences, I would wean him from the cause he advocates, andbring him over to the side of Russia."
"No!" answered the page firmly. "Were you to offer boundless riches,honours--such honours as you can bestow--were it even to place him on athrone propped up by tyranny, I would not draw him from the path ofglory he follows now, fighting for his country's cause, though his homeis but a humble cot on the mountain's side."
"But suppose, boy, I offer to gain for him rank and fortune, and torestore him to a civilised life far from these scenes of war andbloodshed. Will not that promise tempt you?"
The page seemed to penetrate to the inmost recess of the Baron's mind,so piercing a glance did he cast at him, as with scorn, still dwellingon his lip, he answered, "No; I have said before, my master values suchthings less, far less than honour. Did I think he would accept youroffer--and well I know he will not--I could not trust you, General! Youwould impose upon my youth and innocence; but you are mistaken."
The Baron's brow grew dark as night; his voice almost trembled with rageas he became convinced that his attempts to persuade the youth to obeyhis wishes would be fruitless. "Hear me, mad boy!" he exclaimed. "Youask for liberty. Do you hope to gain it? Never! Obey my orders, ordeath and torture alone await you. You talk of leading a peaceful life;Count Erintoff, before whom you stand, observed you at the Mezi,following your master in the strife. Twice were you seen to slay theEmperor's soldiers; you fought in the ranks of the rebels. That isenough alone to condemn you to death as a traitor to Russia. Think notto escape by a specious tale of innocence, nor hope for pardon onaccount of your youth. You were old enough to wield your weapons well.You will be condemned to die to-morrow."
"I have said before that I would not do the deed you ask; no, not forall the riches of the East," answered Conrin firmly. "And for my life,I do not value that so much but that I can laugh your threats to scorn.Then do your worst upon me; I am prepared to meet your vengeance."
"Mad obstinate boy!" cried the Baron furiously, "your doom is sealed. Iwill examine the other prisoner. Remove the youth."
At these words Javis, who had stood with a stern glance regarding theBaron, sprang forward in spite of his fettered hands. "Stay, General,"he cried earnestly; "you know not what you do. Be not thus cruel. Thisseeming page is--"
"Javis!" exclaimed Conrin, "speak not a word of me, I charge you. Swearto me that you will not, for I can soon escape their tyranny. I woulddie unknown to all, but to you, my true and faithful friend. As I havelived, I am prepared to die. Swear that you will not betray me tomortal soul;" he hesitated. "I command you swear, or, even now, as youwell know, I have the means; you shall see me this moment die at yourfeet."
"I swear to obey your wishes; but oh, save yourself. A word would doit," cried Javis.
"Never! I fear not death half, half as much as life within the power ofthese men," exclaimed Conrin.
"Boy, I give you still another chance. Let not sleep o'ercome you tillyou have weighed the offer I have made, or it may prove your last," saidthe Baron, as Conrin was led off.
As may be supposed, the General could not elicit a word of informationfrom Javis, who evaded every question which was asked of him, until theBaron grew furious. The same tempting offers were made to him as toConrin, but he repelled them indignantly.
"I will not turn a traitor to my master," he said; "but I will serve youfaithfully if you will save that boy's life; or if you will take mine, Iwill give it joyfully for his. You know not whom you kill."
"If you will obey my wishes," said the Baron, "not only will I pardonthe boy, but I will load you with wealth, such as you never thoughtbefore to have."
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sp; "Oh mighty spirit of my fathers, guard my heart!" ejaculated Javis."No, it cannot be; not all the offers that you make me can cause mypurpose to alter. Yet you cannot be so base, so cruel a tyrant, as toslay that young and harmless boy."
"Slave, do you speak thus to me?" exclaimed the Baron. "Think you thatyou have any hopes of escaping death? If so, you are deceived. You,too, shall die. Think well upon my words, and mark me. The boy diesfirst while you are standing by. To the last moment, his life shall bein your hands. If you would save him, consent to obey my wishes. Eremid-day comes to-morrow he shall die, and your death shall
The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia Page 89
