forbade youto accompany me on this expedition; and for my own sake also. For mygrief would have been, indeed, great, and I should never have ceasedblaming myself, had you fallen, or received any injury. Therefore, ifyou love me, venture not again into such danger."
The boy burst into tears. "It would be my greatest joy to die at yourfeet, if I thought you loved me as I would be loved!" exclaimed hepassionately. "And I am amply rewarded for all the horrors of thisscene, now that the moment has arrived in which I know that you aresafe."
"Boy, you will wear that gallant young spirit out, if you thus exert itbefore its time. For my sake, if not for your own, play me not thusfalse again," said Ivan. "And, now as a truant, I must return you toyour mistress."
"Am I then forgiven, Sir?" asked the boy.
"Yes, Conrin, yes, you are forgiven; and gladly, as you have notsuffered. But see, the chiefs are moving on, and I must join them."
The chiefs had been holding a consultation, in which it was agreed todestroy the fort completely. Achmet Beg volunteering to remain with aparty of his followers, to superintend its entire demolition. The restquitted the fort, the drawbridge being lowered for their exit. Theywere received with shouts of congratulation by the party outside thewalls, each man laden with the arms and other booty which they had foundin the fort, and carefully guarding the few prisoners they had taken.
A more mournful procession followed, conveying on quickly-formed biers,the bodies of their slain comrades, the bearers changing, at intervals,the triumphant songs of victory into cries of lamentation for theirearly fate. The victorious little army first repaired to the secludedvale where they had left their horses, their rifles, their cloaks, andprovisions, and where the last sad obsequies were to be performed to theslain. But it was a consolation to all the true believers in Mahomet,that, falling in defence of their country, their souls would find aquick passage to Paradise. Short, consequently, was the burial serviceof the brave warriors, though the grief of the survivors was not theless for the friends who had fallen.
The chieftains, therefore, leaving a party to commit the bodies to theirlast resting-place in that quiet spot, hastened back to defend thepasses of Ghelendjik, lest the garrison, taking advantage of the absenceof many of the inhabitants, should attempt to ravage the country.
Volume 2, Chapter XVII.
Scarce a whole day had passed since the band of gallant warriors hadleft the neighbourhood of Ghelendjik, when they returned crowned withvictory. One of the detested forts of the foe was levelled to theground, and thus one of the first links of the chain, the fana Moscovwere striving to throw around the land was burst asunder at a singleblow. This showed them what they might still do; it raised theircourage; it inflamed their ardour. Again and again they vowed never toyield while an arm remained to strike.
The noble Hadji was in high spirits at the success of this the firstenterprise he had engaged in since his return to his native land; northe less so at the gallantry which his son had displayed. He careeredalong, at the head of the party, gay as the most youthful warrior amongthem. The heroic Arslan Gherrei, on his magnificent black charger, hisplume towering above the others, rode sedately near him, his features,except when excited amid the combat, ever wearing the same grave sternexpression.
In each of the small secluded hamlets through which they passed, thewomen came forth to welcome them, throwing flowers in their path, andsinging triumphant hymns of praise for their victory. Some made eagerinquiries for husbands, and fathers, or brothers; and sad was the wailraised in lieu of songs of triumph, when the death of any loved one wasannounced to them.
By the side of our hero rode his friend Thaddeus, for whom he hadprocured a horse, and who now related the events which had latelyoccurred to him, and the attempted revenge of the Count Erintoff.
"You are now then, my dear Thaddeus, surely absolved from all allegianceto the Emperor?" said Ivan. "And you may join, without scruple ofconscience, the only cause for which a man is justified in fighting,when not for the protection of his own country, the defence of a gallantpeople's dearest liberties, their homes, their families, against thepower of tyrants who would enslave them."
"True, my friend," answered Thaddeus, "such I now feel is a righteouscause, sanctified by Heaven; such the true cause in which the purespirit of chivalry delights to engage; far different from the hirelingservice which would place a tyrant or an usurper on the throne, and aidhim in oppressing a people whom it is his office to govern."
"I am rejoiced to hear you speak sentiments so like my own," exclaimedIvan, "and of which you, of all men, have just reason to feel thetruth."
"Since we parted, I have thought much on the subject, even though deathwas hanging over me," returned the young Pole. "One of the causes,which then made me refuse to join your party, has been removed. Myfather is no more. The thraldom under which his noble spirit groaned,and grief for his country's overthrow, have at length brought his lifeto a close."
"Then, surely," said Ivan, "you can no longer, with reason, consideryourself bound to Russia."
"I do not; I consider myself justly absolved from my oath of service tothe Emperor," answered Thaddeus. "But can you blame me, when I hesitateto turn my sword against my former brothers in arms, many bound to me bythe ties of friendship?"
"That you need never do," answered Ivan; "and henceforth, I shall hailyou as my brother in arms; for Circassia has foes enough withoutnumbering the few you can claim as friends. The fierce and daringCossacks shall be your opponents, and along the banks of the Kouban,they will afford you abundance of opportunities of gaining credit andrenown among us."
"Press me not further on the subject, my friend," returned the Pole. "Ihave scarcely yet learned to consider myself as numbered among theliving, so rapid and stunning has been my delivery from death. I havemuch to give me serious reflection."
The two friends relapsed into silence for some time; for Ivan's thoughtswere also deeply occupied with conjectures, vague, uncertain, yet fullof hope, as to who was the brave chieftain, whose name he had heard, andwhose noble bearing, heroic valour, stern and melancholy, yet courteousdeportment had inspired him with feelings of love and admiration, suchas his heart was unaccustomed to accord to others; but he could not yetbring himself to address him.
As the party approached the beautiful village they had left the previousday, a group of bright and graceful forms was seen between the trees,waving garlands of flowers; their sweet voices singing songs of welcomeand congratulation to the victorious warriors. The chiefs, throwingtheir reins to the squires, leaped from their steeds, as they reachedthe woodland glade, already mentioned as the romantic hall of assemblyfor the neighbourhood.
The maidens advanced to meet the warriors, each anxious to welcome themost beloved of their gallant defenders; and still more lovely than all,came Ina, rushing with joy into the arms of her father. That oneaffectionate embrace of his child, was a full recompense to the heart ofthe noble hero, for all the risks and dangers of war. The wife anddaughters of the chief of the hamlet came forward also to welcome himand his sons; and many a bashful maiden betrayed her hitherto concealedlove for some gallant youth, in her joy at his safe return from battle.
It was a highly interesting scene. Diana-like forms of women, clothedin coloured and richly ornamented robes, with long white veils floatinggracefully from their heads; the shining and embossed armour, jewelledweapons, and tall plumes of the noble chiefs; the groups of high-mettledsteeds, and bands of retainers, assembled on the verdant lawn,surrounded by the bright foliage of lofty trees and canopied by the bluevault of heaven; formed a picture, such as Titian or Rubens might haveloved to paint. It reminded one of the romantic days of chivalry, nowlong since faded from all other lands but that of the heroic Atteghei.
Near Ivan stood Thaddeus, enraptured by the beautiful and noble scene;but, more than all, by the loveliness of Ina, as his glance first fellon her, clinging to her father's arm. His very soul became entranced ashe gazed, nor could he
withdraw his admiring eyes; never had he seen abeing more lovely, more graceful. It was to him, as if, after arrivingfrom the dark regions of death, he had entered a glorious paradise.
Scarcely were the first greetings over, when the Hadji advanced towardsIvan, and taking his hand, led him forward into the midst of theassembled chiefs, exclaiming, "To you, my noble friend Arslan Gherrei,and to you, chieftains all, I speak. I have this day a pleasing duty toperform. Here stands one whom I am proud to call my friend; with me hecame to these, our native shores; but to this moment, I know not hisname. He was under an oath, and none could disapprove it, not to tellhis name or lineage, until he had gained for himself a warlike and nobletitle, and proved himself worthy to belong to the pure race of theAtteghei. I call on you all, who have been spectators of his deeds ofarms;