Part 19 (1/2)
”Russia turned traitor to France, England and America, signed the Brest-Litovsk Treaty and ushered in a reign of chaos. We then decided to mobilize Asia against Germany. Our envoys penetrated Mongolia, Tibet, Turkestan and China. At this time the Bolsheviki began to kill all the Russian officers and we were forced to open civil war against them, giving up our Pan-Asiatic plans; but we hope later to awake all Asia and with their help to bring peace and G.o.d back to earth. I want to feel that I have helped this idea by the liberation of Mongolia.”
He became silent and thought for a moment.
”But some of my a.s.sociates in the movement do not like me because of my atrocities and severity,” he remarked in a sad voice. ”They cannot understand as yet that we are not fighting a political party but a sect of murderers of all contemporary spiritual culture. Why do the Italians execute the 'Black Hand' gang? Why are the Americans electrocuting anarchistic bomb throwers? and I am not allowed to rid the world of those who would kill the soul of the people? I, a Teuton, descendant of crusaders and privateers, I recognize only death for murderers! . . .
Return!” he commanded the chauffeur.
An hour and a half later we saw the electric lights of Urga.
CHAPTER x.x.xVII
THE CAMP OF MARTYRS
Near the entrance to the town, a motor car stood before a small house.
”What does that mean?” exclaimed the Baron. ”Go over there!”
Our car drew up beside the other. The house door opened sharply, several officers rushed out and tried to hide.
”Stand!” commanded the General. ”Go back inside.” They obeyed and he entered after them, leaning on his tashur. As the door remained open, I could see and hear everything.
”Woe to them!” whispered the chauffeur. ”Our officers knew that the Baron had gone out of the town with me, which means always a long journey, and must have decided to have a good time. He will order them beaten to death with sticks.”
I could see the end of the table covered with bottles and tinned things.
At the side two young women were seated, who sprang up at the appearance of the General. I could hear the hoa.r.s.e voice of Baron Ungern p.r.o.nouncing sharp, short, stern phrases.
”Your native land is peris.h.i.+ng. . . . The shame of it is upon all you Russians . . . and you cannot understand it . . . nor feel it. . . . You need wine and women. . . . Scoundrels! Brutes! . . . One hundred fifty tashur for every man of you.”
The voice fell to a whisper.
”And you, Mesdames, do you not realize the ruin of your people? No? For you it is of no moment. And have you no feeling for your husbands at the front who may even now be killed? You are not women. . . . I honor woman, who feels more deeply and strongly than man; but you are not women! . . . Listen to me, Mesdames. Once more and I will hang you. . . .”
He came back to the car and himself sounded the horn several times.
Immediately Mongol hors.e.m.e.n galloped up.
”Take these men to the Commandant. I will send my orders later.”
On the way to the Baron's yurta we were silent. He was excited and breathed heavily, lighting cigarette after cigarette and throwing them aside after but a single puff or two.
”Take supper with me,” he proposed.
He also invited his Chief of Staff, a very retiring, oppressed but splendidly educated man. The servants spread a Chinese hot course for us followed by cold meat and fruit compote from California with the inevitable tea. We ate with chopsticks. The Baron was greatly distraught.
Very cautiously I began speaking of the offending officers and tried to justify their actions by the extremely trying circ.u.mstances under which they were living.
”They are rotten through and through, demoralized, sunk into the depths,” murmured the General.
The Chief of Staff helped me out and at last the Baron directed him to telephone the Commandant to release these gentlemen.