The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

rest and food, ere on the next morning, theyshould commence paying their adorations at the numerous shrines, theyhad vowed to visit. So well had Ivan and Javis sustained theircharacters, that not one of the credulous people, among whom they hadfreely mixed, suspected that they were otherwise than as what theyappeared.

  Next morning Ivan and his companions set forward, to go through theusual routine of visiting the shrines. It is said, that in some years,more than fifty thousand pilgrims have visited the catacombs, and evennow the whole city was filled with them, many too encamping outside onthe unsheltered ground, thinking to gain more credit with heaven, bythus enduring greater hardship on earth. By early dawn, the whole ofthat vast concourse of strangers were on foot, hastening to thedifferent places of worship.

  The Church of the Catacombs is adorned with seven golden domes, andseven golden spires, which are connected with gilt chains, nowglittering with the first bright rays of the rising sun, seeming to sheda blaze of glory over the holy edifice, as the orisons of the morningworshippers rose towards heaven. Upwards of five hundred feet above theriver, rises the dome of the belfry, adorned with Ionic columns andCorinthian pilasters, to which all Russians accord the greatestadmiration and praise.

  As the doors of the church were thrown open, the eager pilgrims rushedin to throw themselves before the shrines of their favourite saints,whose pictures hung over their altars; though the least devout amongthem would have been scandalised had an image or figure stood thereinstead.

  As the first deep and solemn tones of the sacred harmony in the servicerose towards heaven, Ivan and his companions entered the cathedral, andfollowing the example of the multitude, knelt before one of the altars;but there was an almost imperceptible curl of contempt on the lip ofJavis as they did so, even the boy seemed scarcely so devout as the longpilgrimage he had undertaken would have led one to suppose he should be.

  When the service was concluded, the pilgrims bought tapers at the porchof the church, and forming a procession in a long line, descended awooden stair-case of many steps to the mouth of the catacombs, down eachside of which were arranged an uninterrupted line of kneeling devotees,of the most wretched appearance. The procession halted, as the firstpart reached the entrance of the excavated passages of the catacombs,the priest preceding them; they then slowly and reverently entered thesubterraneous vaults, the roof blackened with the smoke of thousands,and tens of thousands of the candles of the faithful, which had burntthere on previous years.

  On each side, in niches in the walls, were placed in open coffins, thebodies of those, who dying in the odour of sanctity, have been canonisedfor their pious acts and thoughts. There unburied they remain,enveloped in wrappers of cloth, and silk, highly ornamented with goldand silver embroidery, that their fellow mortals who come to them forintercession, seeing their honours after death, may study to imitatethem in the purity of their lives; while their spirits, having ascendedinto heaven, are devoutly believed to exercise an influence with theFather and Son. Their names are written on their breasts, and many havealso a history of their virtuous actions, while their stiffened handsplaced before them in the attitude of prayer, receive the kisses of thepilgrims, though few perchance could decypher even the names of thosethey worshipped.

  Further on, they reached a passage in which was a range of smallwindows, where men had, with their own hands, built themselves in withstones against the wall, leaving open only a small hole to receive theirfood; dying with the insane thought, that they were doing their Maker agood service. Before each of the windows of those fanatics' lastdwelling, now their tomb, knelt some bigoted and devoted worshipper,firmly believing that their self-immolation and unnatural death, hadpurchased for them everlasting life, and place, and power, among thespirits of the blessed.

  Though it may seem incredible, yet so it was, that perchance not evenone of that vast crowd had any just or clear notions of the tenets ofthe very religion they professed; for so ignorant are the Russianpeasants, that the most absurd and superstitious legends find fallcredit in their minds. Of the attributes of the Supreme Being, themajority have but the slightest conception, regarding him in the lightof one inferior to their Emperor, and neither respecting nor fearing himso much. So completely does the despotic influence of the Czar extendover the greater mass of the people, that they have been taught to lookupon him as one sent with divine authority, to rule over their lives andproperty, against whom it would be the most dreadful impiety to rebel;and for this end has their religion, and every feeling, and sentiment oftheir minds, been made subservient. Yet these are the people, whoserulers profess to extend the benign light of Christianity, and theblessings of civilisation, among the nations of the East!

  Leaving the church, as they walked through the crowds, Javis adroitlymade inquiries among the peasant pilgrims, as to when a party was likelyto start for the west confines of the Empire and gladly found that aband was about to return towards the frontier of Bessarabia the verynext morning. With his usual tact and cleverness, he soon discoveredwhere the party was lodging, introducing himself among the peasants, andgaining their good will. They therefore gladly received him and hisfriends among their company.

  The rest of the day was of necessity spent, in their character ofpilgrims, in visiting the churches and most interesting sights of thatgorgeous city, though gladly did they prepare to accompany the party ofself-satisfied pilgrims, who were returning the same way they wished topursue.

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  END OF VOLUME ONE.

  Volume 2, Chapter I.

  Thus far, Ivan had been successful in the accomplishment of his journey,though there still remained many difficulties to overcome. These,however, were lessened by the presence of mind and cleverness whichJavis at all times displayed. He seemed too to be possessed of nobleand generous sentiments, so that, notwithstanding their difference inrank, Ivan began to feel for him a sincere friendship, independently ofthe gratitude due to his assistance and attention.

  A change, however, had come over him, for though active and intelligentas ever, he was no longer the gay light hearted being, he had at firstappeared. It was in vain, that Ivan endeavoured to discover the cause:Javis would start at times, and walk on muttering to himself, as if someimportant subject occupied his thoughts: his laugh was hollow, and hissmile forced and painful. Young Conrin often turned an inquiring glancetowards him, but seemed also equally puzzled to account for thealteration. He too had won much upon Ivan's regard, by his gentle andunassuming behaviour, and by his evident desire to please hisself-constituted masters. It was with much regret, therefore, on themorning of their departure, and while Javis had gone out to make somenecessary purchases for their journey, that Ivan called the boy to him,to bid him farewell.

  "We must now part, Conrin. Believe me that I do so with regret; but wereturn not to the place whence we came, while you must go back to yourparents and friends. Here, take this small sum of money, it is all Ican spare, but you may require it on your journey."

  While he spoke, the tears fell fast from the boy's eyes. "Alas! why areyou so ready to dismiss me from your company, Sir?" he said, puttingaside the money. "Have I done aught to offend you? I have no home--nofriends to return to--I have quitted all, and for ever! Oh, let meaccompany you then as your servant, and I will serve you faithfully andtruly."

  "But we go far from hence, boy," said Ivan; "and perchance, you mightnever again see your own native Russia."

  "It matters not, Sir, to what part of the country, or to what part ofthe world you go. Whither you go, there I will follow you. But inpity, dismiss not an orphan child, who claims your protection."

  Seeing that Ivan still seemed to hesitate, he added, "Think not that Iam a serf, escaping from bondage: no, I am free-born, and free alonewill I live; for no proud master shall ever claim me as his slave." Theboy's eyes flashed with a look of proud independence as he spoke.

  "But, young Conrin," answered Ivan, "I am
as you see, but a poor oldman, without the means of supporting you, or of giving you employmentfit for your youth."

  "I seek not the wages of a servant," answered Conrin; "perchance too, Imay find the opportunity of serving you. Try me, at least, and if Iprove useless, you can but dismiss me at last."

  "But suppose, that though we are old men, we may lead you into far andstrange countries, where you may be exposed to hardships, under whichyour tender years may sink? You will then repent that you followed us,"said Ivan.

  "I fear no danger that you can lead me into," answered the boy; "and amtoo well accustomed to hardships to sink under them. Besides, I amolder than I appear, and understand full well the task I undertake."

  Ivan still hesitated to comply with young Conrin's extraordinary fancy,as it seemed, when Javis entered, and the boy instantly referred hiscause to him. Javis, without