The Circassian Chief, by W.H.G. Kingston.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
THE CIRCASSIAN CHIEF, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.
Volume 1, Chapter I.
Between the ancient and modern capitals of Russia, a fine broad road now
affords an easy communication, although, but a few years ago, the
traveller who would journey from one city to the other, was compelled to
proceed at a slow pace, along a wild track, over rough stony ground,
through swamps, under dark forests, and across bleak and unsheltered
plains.
The sun had already begun his downward course towards the more happy,
and free lands of the far West, shedding forth his summer rays on the
heads of two horsemen, who pursued their way in a southerly direction,
along the yet unimproved part of the road, to which we have alluded.
Their pace, as the nature of the ground over which they travelled
required, was slow--their attention being chiefly occupied in guiding
their steeds between the many deep ruts and cavities, which lay in their
path.
The tone of their voices, their noble bearing, and general appearance,
bespoke them at a glance, to belong to a station far above the common
rank of life. They were dressed alike, in a half military uniform;
their arms consisting solely of pistols, and heavy riding whips the
latter even no despicable weapon when wielded by a strong arm.
The travellers might have been taken for brothers, but that the dark
flashing eye, black hair, clear olive-complexion, and regular Grecian
features of the one, offered too great a contrast to the laughing blue
eye, light complexion and hair of the other, whose features, though
inferior to those of his companion, were not deficient in manly beauty.
There appeared to be scarcely any difference in their ages, both having
emerged from boyhood, into that joyous time of life, when the man has
completely shaken off what he then considers the irksome trammels of his
childish days; happily, unconscious how soon in their stead, advancing
years may too probably bring around him the many cares, and
disappointments that flesh is doomed to bear, from manhood to the grave.
The last mentioned of the two wayfarers, was in reality, however, the
elder; although the light laugh he occasionally indulged in, and his
debonair manner, gave him a younger look, than his more serious
companion. They were followed at a short distance by a most primitive
looking, low, square vehicle, containing their baggage; drawn by a
shaggy little pony, and driven by a man almost as rough looking and
unpolished as the animal itself. A low crowned, broad-brimmed hat of
felt, covered a head of sandy hair, while a huge long beard of the same
hue hung down upon his breast: the twinkle of his light grey eye, and a
smile on his lips, giving a good humoured expression to his flat, and
otherwise unmeaning features.
His dress consisted of a long coat of coarse cloth, buckled round the
waist by a leathern belt, and boots of the latter material, untanned,
reaching just above his ankles. He urged on his little animal, as fast
as it could travel, over the rugged road, whistling, as he lashed his
whip, and whirled it round his head--his thoughts evidently not
extending beyond his immediate occupation.
The scenery through which the road led, was probably as dreary and
uninteresting as any to be found in Russia; a country, which can boast
of but few natural beauties, throughout its widely extended territory.
It ranged over a landscape, as far as the eye could reach, consisting of
a dry uncultivated plain, with here and there, a few clumps of stunted
trees struggling into existence upon the arid and ungrateful soil--fit
emblems of the miserable, and enslaved peasantry of the country.
The travellers had continued on their course through scenery equally
unpicturesque for some distance, when gradually it began to improve,
exhibiting a greater number of trees, and a brighter verdure. A
proposal was then made by one of them, to which the other readily
assented; this was to urge forward the driver of their baggage-cart,
with his charge to Tver, a town they purposed resting at for the night,
while they followed at their leisure, through the forest they were
approaching. The servant was summoned by the name of Karl, and ordered
to proceed with as much speed as his weary beast was capable of, in
order to secure a lodging and to prepare supper, the materials for which
he carried, together with their bedding for the night--a necessary
precaution, the inns at the small towns in Russia, affording very
miserable accommodation.
Karl signified his comprehension of the order and willingness to obey
it, by a few guttural sounds, and several low bends of the neck; when
flourishing his long whip, he bestowed a few additional lashes on the
flanks of the pony, who reluctantly started into a trot, dragging the
rude little vehicle over ruts and stones after a most uncomfortable
fashion.
The cavaliers then followed quietly on, at the slow pace which the heat
of a warm spring day made most agreeable, each occupied with his own
thoughts; those of the younger of the two appearing to be rather of a
sombre hue, as occasionally a shade of melancholy would pass across his
expressive features; while, at other times, his bright eye would kindle
with animation, and his lip would curl, as if some strong feelings were
working within his bosom. His friend, however, endeavoured to amuse
himself, and to enliven the journey with snatches of gay French songs,
which he carolled forth in a rich, clear, and cheerful voice; and he now
and then broke into a merry laugh. At length, weary apparently of his
own thoughts, he exclaimed--
"Thank Heaven, Ivan, my friend, that we are for ever free from dull and
laborious studies, and those odious college drills. Bah! I have so
worn out my eyes and the small portion of brains I was ever endowed
with, by reading, I will not look into a book for a year to come. We
shall have no more of those sham fights, but henceforth may expect every
day to be called upon to engage in the honour and glory of real warfare.
What say you, Ivan, does not your pulse beat with quicker throbs in
anticipation of the glorious scenes of battle and conquest, which we may
soon find ourselves engaged in? What say you, shall we flesh our maiden
swords in the carcases of the turbaned infidels of Turkey? They are
said to be no despicable enemies to contend with; or if perchance our
regiment should be out of favour at head-quarters, we may be sent to try
our mettle against the mountain barbarians of the Caucasus. I hear that
there is enough of hard fighting with them; more perhaps than is at all
times agreeable. It is said, indeed, that the Emperor considers a
campaign in the Caucasus an excellent field for the display of the
military talents of those, whose ideas of that phantom called `Liberty'
do not exactly coincide with his own. If such be the case, I shall not
be much surprised if we some day receive an intimation that our valuable
services are required to strengthen his armies in that distant and
savage part of the globe. What say you, Ivan, to this notion? Do you
not eagerly long to be wielding your sword against the savage hordes of
those unchristianised barbarians of Circassia?"
The brow of Ivan had contracted during these observations, which were
uttered in a light, careless tone, and he had several times attempted to
interrupt his friend; now, that the latter had concluded, he indignantly
exclaimed:
"I thought you knew me better, Thaddeus, than to make a proposition of
that nature to me. Never will I unsheathe my sword to aid the cause of
tyranny and injustice--such vile work I leave to slaves and hirelings.
Should Russia herself be assailed, most willingly would I shed my blood
for her defence, as in such a glorious struggle as that when she so
gallantly beat back the aspiring conqueror of Europe from her
territories; but never will I lend my arm to assist in subjugating a
free and independent people, over whom she has not even the shadow of a
right to claim command. Rather would I break my weapon into fragments,
and forswear all hope of advancement in the world."
A smile was rising on the lips of Thaddeus at this sudden declaration of
principles, so unusual in Russia; but it was quickly checked on his
perceiving the stern expression of his friend's countenance.
"Can you yourself, Thaddeus, not feel for the oppressed?" Ivan went on
to say; "you, whose native land has so grievously suffered from the
power of Russia; you, who have such deep cause to rue the tyranny of her
iron sway! Then, as you love me, never again give utterance to the
subject you have so thoughtlessly touched upon, for it is one on which I
cannot trust my feelings."
"I spoke but in jest," answered the other, "and most sincerely do I
applaud your sentiments; but alas! I fear the principles you profess,
when put in practice, will answer but badly in this country, and are
such as it is more prudent to suppress. For my own part, I confess
that, though I have a high respect for the liberty of all men--
especially for my own, I have such an innate love of fighting, that,
provided an opportunity offer of exercising my propensity, I care little
in what cause I draw my sword."
"For shame, Thaddeus!" cried Ivan, indignantly. "I blush to hear one,
whom I call my friend, and who I trusted was formed for nobler purposes,
confess himself ready to become the willing tool of a despot; for to
this does your declaration amount."