the baggage; therest of the tribe proceeded on foot, assisting in guiding the carts andbaggage horses.
The men were in general tall, strong limbed, and dark looking, theireyes sparkling with animation and intelligence while the wildnessprevailing in their dress and manner, with the look of carelessconfidence in their countenances, shewed they were but little oppressedwith care. The women were dressed in apparel of the most gaudy andfantastic colours, their free and independent gait and air, being verydifferent from that of the inhabitants of crowded cities; their darkcomplexions set off by their flashing eyes, were handsome andexpressive; and their light elastic laugh resounded through the woods,as jest succeeded jest amongst the party. Some beguiled the way bysinging wild and plaintive melodies, with rich and harmonious voices,while others accompanied the singers on various instruments, which theytouched with considerable taste and execution.
The Gipsies have indeed full scope for the exercise of their musicaltalents in the east of Europe, where they are invariably the chiefmusicians at all feasts and festivals; whenever a fair or merry-meetingtakes place there, a number of them are to be found, and are always welltreated by the people.
As Ivan and Thaddeus rode past the several groups, the latter testifiedthe utmost respect for their leader's guests.
The party travelled on for several hours, halting only for a short timeto rest, till the fast-flowing stream of the majestic Volga first mettheir view, rushing onward in its unimpeded course towards the east,until it empties its mighty volume of waters into the far distantCaspian. Here the order was given to encamp, and a fitting spot beingselected at a short distance from the river, the whole party were soonactively engaged in unloading the waggons, and in erecting their frailtenements.
"My worthy friend," said Ivan, addressing their host, "time urges us topursue our journey, and with many thanks for your hospitality, we mustbid you farewell."
"Well, Sirs," he replied, "since it is your wish to depart from us, Imust needs yield, though I would fain have persuaded you to remainlonger among us, to have seen more of the independent wild life we lead;yet, ere you go, there is one here, who would again assure you of hergratitude for your timely assistance in her rescue; and, for my part,although it may seem presumptuous in me to make the offer, yet shouldyou ever be in difficulty or danger, let me know of it, and I may beperhaps able to afford you more aid, than other friends in a higherstation may be willing to effect."
Her father summoned Azila, when the maiden advanced with timid andbashful steps, followed at a short distance by the aged Hagar, whotottered in her walk as she came forward.
Already had the strangers paid their adieus to the Gipsy's wife, whenturning round they perceived Azila standing near them, with her armscrossed on her bosom, and her eyes cast on the ground.
"Adieu, noble Sirs," she exclaimed in faltering tones, while tearsglistened in her eyes, which shone more brightly than before, undimmedby those eloquent vouchers of her feelings, "the remembrance of yourgallant bearing will ever dwell in the mind of the humble Gipsy girl,and though she may never be able to shew any other mark of hergratitude, receive all she has to give--her deep and sincere thanks."
She bowed her head to conceal her embarrassment and agitation, and theold Sibyl then advancing, thus addressed the strangers: "May the mightyspirit who watches over the people of the Zingani protect you from alldangers, for well do I foresee that you will require his all potent aid.The strong wind bloweth on a sudden, and none can tell whence itariseth; so will dangers come thickly around you, nor can you foreseefrom what quarters they will spring, but like the bold mariner whosteers his storm-driven bark amid rocks and quicksands to a safe port,be prepared to meet and escape them, and you have nought to fear. Andthou, noble youth with the dark eye," she said, turning towards Ivan,"the cold suns of Russia shone not upon thy birth. Thou earnest from afar distant land, and thither thou must return, where a high andglorious destiny awaits thee; the way will be stormy and dangerous, buthesitate not to follow it; for last night did I read thy fate in thestarry firmament above, and it leads to what thou most desirest. Andthou, gallant Sir," she said, addressing Thaddeus, "with the joyous eye,and light laugh, the stars smiled when I read thy destiny, and it willbe happy. Fare ye well! ye may never see the aged Hagar more, butremember her words. Farewell!"
While the Sibyl was uttering this prophetical rhapsody, with all thefervour of action and tone, which her supposed inspiration gave her, thetribe stood round in attentive and respectful silence; and even theyoung men were so struck by her impressive manner, that they could notresist paying more attention to her words than, perhaps, their judgmentwould have allowed them to bestow at other times.
"Thanks for your predictions, good mother, and may they prove true,"exclaimed Thaddeus, who was always ready to give a light turn toanything which appeared more serious than suited his humour; "and now,our worthy host, we must in truth delay no longer, and bid our lastadieu."
"Not yet, by your leave, Sirs," answered the Gipsy, "I will, at least,shew you the road which will lead you more directly, and in less timeacross the forest; which, without my aid, you would scarcely find."
"The longer we keep your company, the better shall we be pleased,"replied Thaddeus; "and therefore we again most willingly accept of youroffer."
Ivan had remained absorbed in thought, at the conclusion of the Sibyl'spredictions; but suddenly rousing himself, he joined the Gipsy and hisfriend; and as the young travellers rode off, they received the partingsalutations of the whole tribe, and paid their more marked adieus toAzila.
Ere they lost sight of the encampment, Ivan descried the maiden's lightform, watching their departing steps, and, for many a day after, did hergraceful figure, and lovely countenance dwell in his recollection.
Volume 1, Chapter IV.
tention, which the noble mind of the generous Russian could conceive,was lavished on his unfortunate prisoner, with the benevolent view ofbanishing the recollection that he was an exile and a captive.
Although he expressed his gratitude for these courtesies, they proved oflittle avail in overcoming his wretchedness; and, for some time, herefused to give his parole to his captor, that he would not attempt toescape. At length, the patriotic old noble ceased to entertain hopesthat his beloved country could ever regain her liberty, after the finaland complete discomfiture of her heroic sons under the walls of Warsaw.With a heavy heart, he gave the required promise; and bowed down withgrief at his country's loss of freedom, he abandoned all wish of everregaining his own. He thus lived on a hopeless exile from that land,where his forefathers had dwelt in honour and power for so many ages,and where all the affections of his heart were concentrated, save hislove for his only son, now, the sole link which held the chain of hisexistence. On him he lavished all his care, and the boy returned hisfather's affection with all the ardour of youth.
Although the Russian noble had rescued his friend from the rigoroussentence of banishment to Siberia, the whole of his interest andinfluence could not save from confiscation the property of one who hadtaken so prominent a part in every attempt of his countrymen to throwoff the Russian yoke; so that, with the exception of a small pittanceallowed him, he was entirely dependant on his generous host.
The old Polish noble, broken-spirited, and humbled as he was, hoardedhis slender means to the utmost, that, although dependant himself on hisfriend, his son Thaddeus might never owe aught to any one but himself.During his son's boyhood, he devoted his entire attention to hiseducation, and it was a solace to the old man to find him so well worthyof his care; and when he had attained a proper age, he sent him to themilitary college at St. Petersburg, where he gave him a sufficientallowance from his accumulated savings, to enable him to support thatstanding in society which he considered his birth demanded.
He would willingly indeed have sent him to any other country for hiseducation, in preference to that of the oppressors of Poland; but hefound, on application, that his son could not be allowed to quit Russia;and
disdaining any other than a military life for him, he was compelledto take advantage of the best which the country afforded.
With a father's doting fondness, he hoped that his son might, with histalents and his sword, some day carve out a way to distinction; andperhaps, too, a latent hope existed in his breast that he might aid inthe restoration of his native land.
From the time since Thaddeus resided under the roof of his father'sRussian friend, he became a favourite with every member of the family;and when he mixed more in the world, his pleasing manners and generousdisposition caused his society to be much sought after by all of his ownage and rank. No one, however, appeared to have gained so much of hisregard as the young Ivan Galetzoff, who had won his affection withoutthe slightest effort; but there was something in the bold, independent,and almost haughty manners of Ivan, which made