The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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surrounding them, hauled their crews into thewater, cutting down the soldiers who offered further resistance; but thefoemen, at length when they found themselves left to their fate, ceasedfighting, and sued for mercy.
A great number of prisoners were taken, the Russians losing more thanhalf the number of troops they attempted to land. Many of their boatswere also left wrecked on the shore. No sooner did those from the shipssee that their troops were completely defeated, than they againcommenced a tremendous cannonade on the Circassians, who, collectingtheir dead and wounded, retired within shelter of the woods, where theycould watch the enemy with less exposure of their lives.
Selem looked round anxiously for Zara. She had escaped unscathed. Hersword--it had been Alp's--was grasped in her hands, yet reeking with theblood of the enemy, as slowly she retired, unheeding the shot thenfalling thick around and laying many low in the hour of victory.
The patriots watched their enemies with lynx eyed vigilance, lest theymight make a second attempt at landing. A constant firing was kept upfrom the wood, in all directions, at the retiring boats, and on thevessels, which they could reach with their rifles, making them glad toget beyond their deadly aim. The enemy had learned a sufficient lesson.In a short time, the boats were hoisted in, and that vast flotilla,which seemed capable of overwhelming the Circassian territories, stoodout to sea, defeated and discomfited, by a mere handful of determinedmountaineers. So truly will patriotic courage withstand tyranny andinjustice!
Loud shouts arose from the gallant victors as the dark eagles were seenflying far out to sea; and all that part of the country was, for thepresent, relieved from the baneful shadow of their wings. But, like thedestroying angel of the Egyptians, wherever they had passed, they leftgrief and mourning in their track, for many of the brave patriots hadfallen.
Selem, with a party of the most humane, as soon as the ships had gotunder weigh, repaired to the beach, where he found, mingled with thewounded Circassians, several of his late opponents still lingering.Deep was the gratitude of the poor fellows, when they heard themselvesaddressed in their own tongue; and when he ordered them to be conveyedto the hamlet, and tended with care.
None of our friends among the chiefs had fallen; but Thaddeus hadreceived a wound sufficiently severe to require the whole of Ina'sattention and fond care. Many months elapsed before he could again takethe field; and Ina might be excused if she scarcely regretted hisconfinement. He has since proved himself a true champion of his adoptedcountry; and we trust that his gallant sons may, in a few years, followhis noble example.
No sooner had the tumult of the fight ceased, than Zara's excitementalso vanished; and, overcome by the unnatural exertion she hadundergone, she sank to the ground, her hand relaxing the grasp of herweapon, which she would not before quit. In this state she was borne tothe house of Arslan Gherrei. She recovered; and sank no more into herapathetic state. But her nature, her very appearance had changed;though her eye was even brighter than ever. A hectic flush--one crimsonspot--grew on her thin and wan cheek: her lip was pale, and her voicelost its soft, sweet melody. Like the warlike brides of her ancestors,wherever the foe approached, there was the bereaved young widow to beseen amid the thickest of the fight, her heroic courage animating hercountrymen, and spreading terror among the ranks of the Urus. Where thecarnage has been most dreadful, blood flowing like water from thepent-up fountains of winter when let loose by the warmth of spring,there has oft the young Amazon been seen rushing on amid the slainunscathed, unhurt; bearing, it seems, a charmed life; and, if she wouldforget her griefs in death, she cannot; the leaden showers fall thick,the sharp steel flashes around her in vain.
Many follow her as an inspired being sent from heaven to lead them tovictory; and the foes, as they hear the war shout of her followers, andsee her approaching, fly, terror-stricken before her. The fire ofrevenge for her slaughtered love still burns unquenched within herbosom. Death--death alone can ever extinguish its consuming flame.
That noble champion of his country, Arslan Gherrei, still leads hisfollowers to war; and may he be spared to enjoy the blessings of peace,which he so well deserves, and the happiness of his country, for whichhis heart so yearns.
Even now also is the war shout of the fierce Hadji heard in the thickestof the battle; and though his tread has lost its elasticity, his armsomewhat of its nerve, still well does he deal his blows amid theenemies of his country. May just Heaven shield the good and brave oldman from the weapons of an invading enemy!
And Selem, our hero--yet does the image of the loving, the murderedAzila, dwell within his bosom. He has not forgotten his vow. Terriblydoes he fulfil it. But the end is not yet accomplished. His onlybride, his earthly love, is his country; and what more exalted or holyfeeling could possess his breast? Still does he energetically strivefor Circassia's welfare; and never for a moment, does he regret that heexchanged wealth, rank, and heartless dissipation, gilding the chains ofdespotism, for his humble cot, and liberty!
May every philanthropist join us in earnest hope and prayer, thatCircassia may not share the fate of Poland.
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THE END.