Part 22 (1/2)
”You are right, leader.”
”And you really killed all the women in the castle?” turning to a third.
”With my own hand.”
”And one and all of you can boast of having ma.s.sacred, and plundered, and set on fire?”
”All! all!” they cried, striking their b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
”Do not lie before Heaven. See! your wives are listening at the window to what you say, and will betray you if you do not speak the truth.”
”We speak truth!”
”It is well!” said the leader, as he calmly approached the bed; and, seating himself on it, uncovered the two heads and placed them on his knees. ”Where did you put their bodies?” he asked.
”We cut them in pieces, and strewed them on the highroad.”
There was a short silence. Numa's breathing became more and more oppressed, and his large chest heaved convulsively. ”Have you prayed yet?” he asked, in an altered voice.
”Not yet, leader. What should we pray for?” said Lupuj.
”Fall down on your knees and pray, for this is the last morning which will dawn on any of you again.”
”Are you in your senses, leader? What are you going to do?”
”I am going to purge the Roumin nation of a set of ruthless murderers and brigands. Miserable wretches! instead of glory, you have brought dishonour and disgrace upon our arms wherever you have appeared. While the brave fought on the field of battle, you slaughtered their wives and children; while they risked their lives before the cannon's mouth, you attacked the houses of the sleepers, and robbed and ma.s.sacred the helpless and the innocent. Fall down on your knees and pray for your souls, for the angel of death stands over you, to blot out your memory from among the Roumin people!”
The last words were p.r.o.nounced in a fearful tone. Numa was no longer the cold, unmoved statue he had hitherto appeared; he was like a fiery genius of wrath, whose very breath was destruction.
The Wallachians fell upon their knees in silent awe, while the women, who had been standing outside, rushed shrieking down the rocks.
The Decurio drew a pistol from his breast, and approached the cask of gunpowder.
With a fearful howl, they rushed upon him--the shriek of despair was heard for an instant, then a terrible explosion, which caused the rocks to tremble, while the flame rose with a momentary flash amidst clouds of smoke and dust, scaring the beasts of the forest, and scattering stones and beams, and hundreds of dismembered limbs, far through the valley, and over the houses of the terrified inhabitants!
When the smoke had dissipated, a heap of ruins stood in the place of Numa's dwelling!
The sun arose and smiled upon the earth, which was strewed with the last leaves of autumn, but where were those who had a.s.sembled at the spring-time of the year?
The evening breeze whispered mournfully through the ruined walls, and strewed the faded leaves upon eleven gra.s.sy mounds!
The pen trembles in my hand--my heart sickens at the recital of such misery.
Would that I could believe it an imagination--the ghastly horror of a fevered brain!
Would that I could bid my gentle readers check the falling tear, or tell them: ”Start not with horror, it is but romance--the creation of some fearful dream--let us awake, and see it no more!”