Part 34 (1/2)

”He well deserves punishment; but I must not speak of him; and now, farewell. I know not when we may meet again; but believe me, my friends.h.i.+p will ever remain unchanged.”

Saying which, Thaddeus warmly clasped his friend's hand, and hastened back to resume the post he had quitted.

Javis and the guide, who had retired to a short distance during the conference, now approached; and on their way back to the village, Javis related to his master his adventures in the fort. As Ivan entered the guest-house, the Hadji started up from his couch, eager to hear an account of his adventures, laughing heartily at the success of Javis's disguise, and of the defeat of the plan to entrap him.

”So the General of the Urus thinks we are prepared to attack him, does he?” he exclaimed. ”Bismillah! we will make his fears come true. I shall not sleep all night for thinking of some plan to surprise him.”

Volume 2, Chapter XV.

How often in our lives have we been obliged to quit some delightful abode, or some enchanting scene of pleasure, to visit places and persons we dislike, or to mix in the coa.r.s.e bustle of the vulgar world! and thus must we once again lead our readers from the beautiful and romantic scenery of Circa.s.sia, and from its gallant inhabitants, to the detested castle of Ghelendjik, and into the presence of its fierce governor.

The Baron Galetzoff had just returned from riding round the fortifications, and was about to throw himself on his couch for the night, when his servant entered the room to announce Count Erintoff.

Throwing his cloak around him, he angrily arose to receive his guest.

”You come at an unseasonable hour, Count,” he said, with a harsh tone.

”Am I to have no rest either from friends or foes? What brings you here?”

”I come with news which may interest you; but for your private ear, General,” returned the Count, looking at the servant who remained.

”Why stay you here? Begone, sirrah,” exclaimed the Baron to the man, who hastily disappeared. ”Now, Count, your news,” he continued, turning to his guest, and relaxing his features a little. ”It is late, and I would try to seek some rest; so pray no delay.”

”My news is not of much general importance,” returned the Count; ”but to you, Baron, it may afford some satisfaction. At length I have found that immaculate officer, Lieutenant Stanisloff, tripping, if indeed I do not succeed in proving him a traitor. As he was to mount one of the outer guards to-night, it occurred to me that he might perhaps communicate with that arch-traitor, your once adopted son, whom, as I told you, I recognised among the horde of the mountain barbarians we were engaged with yesterday. I, therefore, having gone my rounds, waited for some time, and returned to his post; but when summoned, he did not answer: he was nowhere to be found. I, therefore, left my orderly to watch him, enjoining secrecy, and called others to witness that he was absent from his post, in the face of the enemy. My orderly has just come in to say, that after a long absence, he returned from the direction of the mountains. He is, therefore, entirely in your power; but I would not seize him without first consulting your wishes.”

”Then haste, seize him, and bring him here at once,” said the Baron.

”To-morrow he shall die.”

The Count hurried off to obey, and during his absence, which lasted some time, the Baron strode up and down the room in an angry mood.

At length the Count returned with Thaddeus Stanisloff, his prisoner, strongly guarded.

”So, Lieutenant Stanisloff,” said the Baron, glaring fiercely at him, ”you have been absent from your post when before the enemy. You have held conversation with an arch-traitor to the Emperor, and you are suspected of an intention to desert your colours.”

”Whoever accuses me,” exclaimed Thaddeus, returning the Baron's look firmly, ”speaks a foul and slanderous falsehood, if he says that I am, or ever have been wanting, in my allegiance to the Emperor.”

”I accuse you,” cried the Count stepping forward. ”I myself discovered that you were absent from your post.”

”I grant it,” replied Thaddeus firmly; ”and I await my punishment; but, beyond that, whoever was your informer is a vile slanderer.”

”Know you not that even for what you acknowledge to have done, your punishment is death?” said the Baron. ”Confess therefore where you went, or expect no mercy.”

”I expect no mercy at your hands,” answered Thaddeus. ”If I deserve death, I am prepared to meet it.”

”Hear me, obstinate youth,” cried the Baron, ”you have held some communication with my once reputed son. You may do so again, but in the company of some trusty guards; and if I can see him safe within the walls of this fort, not only shall you go free, and your crime be overlooked, but your rise shall be rapid in the army, and honours and distinctions shall await you.”

At these words the prisoner seemed to gasp for breath. ”Baron Galetzoff, I am in your power,” he exclaimed, ”or you should pay dear for such an insult as you have now offered me. Think you that a son of my unhappy and enslaved country can be sunk so low as to hear calmly such vile propositions? No! you have torn us from our homes, you have taken from us our lands, you have ravaged our fields, you have overthrown our kingdom, and ruined our once proud families; but you cannot take from us our honour. I have ever been faithful to your Emperor, our conqueror. I defy your malice. I will speak no more.”

The Baron's own stern eye sunk before the n.o.ble indignation of the prisoner, as standing before him without trembling, he folded his arms on his breast. ”Madman,” cried the Baron furiously, ”you bring your doom on your own head. No power in heaven or earth shall save you.”

Thaddeus spoke not, but looking towards heaven seemed to implore its aid.