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THE PRISONER OF THE CAUCASUS.
By COUNT LYOF TOLSTOI.
Translated from the Russian by Madame Mlndeleff and Miss Sara Carr Upton.
(This story of Tolstoi is among those
■which he writes for the Russian people
in the simplest words, and the simplest
■way. This special one is distributed by
the government among the Russian sol
diers for them to read.
Copyright, 1895.
There once served in the Caucasus a cer
tain officer whose name was Shelin. He
received a letter from home. It was from
his old mother. She wrote: “I am getting
old and I would like to see my beloved
son once more before I die. Come to tell
me goodbye, and lay me in my grave, and
then in tho name of God, you may go
back to your post. I have found a bride
for you. She is intelligent and good and
has some property as well. Should you
take a fancy to her, you might marry and
settle down.”
Shelin went to the colonel, got his leave,
said goodbye to his brother officers, dis
tributed four buckets of vodka as a part
ing gift to his soldiers and made himself
ready.
There was war at that time in the Cau
casus. The roads were impassable by
day or night. Any Russian who ventured
far from the fort was sure to be killed by
the Tartars or carried captive to the
mountains. So twice a week an escort of
soldiers went from one fort to another, the
soldiers marching in the front and rear
and the people in the middle.
It was summer. Wagon loads of people
gathered outside the fort at daybreak,
the escort sallied forth and they all started
on the road. Sheliri was In the front on
horseback, and his telega with his bag
gage went with the wagons.
They had twenty-five versts to go. The
caravan advanced slow’y. Sometimes a
wheel would come off, or a horse would
stumble, the soldiers would call a halt,
and the wholq party would come to a
standstill and wait.
Shelin rode on ahead, and then stopped,
waiting for the rest to come up. He heard
the bugle behind him and said to himself.
"There, they are halting again. Suppose
I go on alone without the soldiers? My
horse is good, and if the Tartars should
attack me I could outrun them. But per
haps I'd better not.” • * •
While he stood considering, Kostelln.
another officer, came riding up. He had a
gun.
"I say; let us go on alone, Shelin. I can
not stand this any longer. I am hungry
and this heat is unbearable. My shirt is
wringing wet.”
Kostelln was a tall, stout man, with a
. red face, from which the perspiration was
pouring. Shelin reflected a little and then
said: ■
"Is your gun loaded?”
"Yes, loaded.”
"Then let us go on. Only I make onio
condition, we must keep together.”
As soon as the steppe ended, the road
entered a mountain puss.
"Before we go on here,” Shelin said, we
must ride up the mountain to be sure there
Is no ambqeh”
So saying Shelin turned his horse to
the left and started up the mountain. The
horse Shelin rode was a hunter. He had
Mpald a hundred roubles for it, when it was
Ma oolt in pasture, and had broken it in
It carried him up the hill as
■ ■Mu«h on -wings. He had Ju?r reached
the top, when, behalf, a group of mounted.
tn front of him. They numbered
JPabout thirty. The instant he caught sight
of them he turned, but they had already
perceived him and made a dash for hlrn,
while drawing their guns from their hol
sters.
Shelin tore down the declivity at full
speed, calling out to,Kostelln;
‘•Have your gun ready,” and then
whispered in Ws horse's ear, "carry me
safely little one. dorft let your foot slip,
fop if you stumble I am lost.”
Kostelln, the .moment he set eyes on the
Tartars, instead of waiting, set oft at
full speed for the fort, lashing his horse
first on one side thep on the other, until
soon, all that could be seen through the
dust was the flying tall of the poor beast.
Shelin saw himself in a bad plight. The
gun had gone, and his own short sword
was no defuse.
Ho began galloping across the plain
, trusting to escepe to the guard in the rear,
but he saw st* Tartars tn pursuit to cut
off his retreat; His horse was good, but
theirs were better and besides they would
intercept him. He tried to turn and go
back, but there was no stopping his little
horse for the impetus at which they were
going, and there he was flying straight
to meet the Tartars. Nearer and nearer
catne a Tartar with a red beard on a gray
horse, ’ with gun raised over his head,
snarling and showing his teeth.
Though Shelin was not a big min, he
■was brave. Hi seized his sword and made
,a rush on the red Tartar, determined to
ride over him or cut him down with his
sword.
■But Shelin never reached the place.
They shot at him from behind. The
shot struck the horse. The horse fell
wj|h all his might and rolled on to Shelin’s
fchelin tried to rise, but two Tartars,
two dirty Tartai's, were already on top
of him, pinning hit arms back. He made
a'spring and got loose from the two Tar
tars, but three others had dismounted and
began to beat him over the head with the
butt of their guns. His sight failed and
ha reeled. The Tartars seized him and
pln'oried his arrts back in a Tartar knot
with one of their extra saddle girths and
dragged him off. They knocked oft bis
cap, tore off his boots, searched him, took
his money and tore his clothing.
The red beard mounted his horse and
the others handed Shelin up to him. who
bound him with a strap to the belt of the
Tartar, who then rode off toward the
mountains. Shelin ewayed from side to
side, hi? face elpse to the dirty back of
the Tartar. All he could see before him
was that enormous Tartar back, the big
muscles of tht neck “nd the bluish color
of his shaved head from under the Tartar
■cap. Shelin’# head was-bleeding, and the
blood had stiffened over his eyas. He
could neither change his position nor wipe
oft the blood. His arms were bound so tight
that his shoulders ached.
They traveled for some time up and
down the mountains, forded & river and
then game to a road along the mountain
aide. Shelin tried to see the read they
were taking him. but his eyes were clotted
with blood, and hs could not move.
It grew dark- Tney crossed another
river and began to go up a stony mountain
,-.ldv Befe- long there w. u smell of
smoke and a sound of dogs barking. They
had reached an Aoul. a high <d»eek-boned
Nogai Tartar, m’oupted. The Tartar chU
<ftx»n gathered around 3heltn, screaming,
mocking and throwing stones at him. The
red Tartar drove tne children away. an
lxiand Shelin. called a servant man, « high
cheek boned Noga.l Tartar, whose oue
garment wm a torn shirt, leaving hi*
, bruaat bare. The red Tarta
gave an onior end the servant brought
a pair of stock*. two thick boards mount
ed with iron ring*, staple and 'padlocks.
They UQtied «jb4:<r.’e a. ins. f <*ten*d h»«
legs in the sio.yis and led him to the
shed, w here they pushed him in and belted
THE WEEKLY NEWS (TWOTIMES-A-WEEK): THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1895.
the door. Shelin fell on a manure heap,
lay still a moment, and then feeling in
the dark for a soft place, turned over
and went to sleep.
•11.
Shelin did not sleep long. The nights
were short just then and soon the light
of dawn camo through the crack of the
door. He got up and began to peer through
the crack.
A tartar woman was coming up tho
mountain, dressed in a loose flowered
skirt, pantaloons and boots, and a caftan
on her head on which was balanced a. tin
pail of water. She led by the hand a lit
tle Tartar with shaven pate and clothed
with a shirt. The woman carried the
water into the tent, and the red Tartar
of yesterday came out. He wore a long
silk coat, a silver dagger in a strap, and
his bare feet were slipped into low shoes.
A high black astracan cap was on his
head. He sauntered forth, stretching him
self and stroking his long beard. He gave
an order to a servant and walked off.
Some one opened the shed. The red
Tartar and another man, smaller and dark,
came in. He had large bright black eyes,
a black beard cut close, and a bright face
that seemed to laugh. His dress wa?
handsomer than the red Tartar’s. His
blue silk coat was trimmed with silver
braid. At his belt was a large silver dag
ger. His red morocco shoes were also
trimmed with silver, and over these fine
shoes he wore thicker ones. His high cap
was white astracan. * ,
As the red Tartar entered he said some
thing in a scolding voice, and looked at
Shelin from under his brows, and leaned
on the door. The dark one, quick as if
walking on springs, went straight to
ward Shelin, squatted down in front of
hint, grinned, slapped him on the shoulder,
jabbered something in his language, wink
ed his eyes, clacked hts tongue, saying in
broken Russian, "Good Russ, good Russ.”
Shelin unierstooa nothin , but said,
“water, water, give me water.”
The dark Tartar kept on laughing and
jabbering. Shelin made signs with his
mouth that he wanted water. The dark
man understood, laughed again, went
to the door and called, “Dina.”
A girl ran up; slim, thin, about thir
teen years old, very like the dark man,
evidently his daughter, the same bright
eyes and handsome face. She wore a
long blue skirt, wide sleeves and no belt.
At the wrists and on the front it was
braided with red. Her legs were in
trousers and over morocco shoes she wore
heavier ones with high heels. Around
the neck was a necklace of Russian half
roubles. Her head was bare, and her
hair hung in long plaits tied with a
ribbon embroidered with silver roubles.
Her father spoke to her. She ran away
and returned with a little tin jug of
water, then squatter down so that her
head was lower than her knees. She re
mained sitting while Shelin drank the
water, staring at him with wide open
eyes as if he were some strange animal.
When Shelin handed her the jug, she
Jumped back like a startled goat, so that
her father laughed. He sent her away
again. She took the jug, went off and re
turned this time with bread on a round
tray, and squatted down as before, star
ing at Shelin, apparently not able to take
her eyes from his face. The Tartar then
left and bolted the door.
After a while the Nogai servant.came
and signed to Shelin that he was to go
somewhere with him.
Shelin set out limping in the stocks.
He could hardly step. He followed the
servant and found himself in a Tartar
village of about ten houses and a little
mosque with a tower. In front of one
of the houses stood three horses sad
dled, boys holding their bridles.
The dark Tartar came quickly out and
signed for Shelin to be brought there.
He laughed, jabbered and re-entered the
house. Shelin followed. The room was a
handsome one the walls smoothly
plastered with clay, and around the room
bright colored cushions. The walls were
hung with rugs, on which were arranged
all sorts of weapons mounted in sliver.
On one side was a small oven on a level
with the floor. The floor was earth and
one corner was covered with a felt carpet
spread with rugs and more cushions.
Sitting on the rugs were a group of Tar
tars, the dark one, the red one. and three
guests. Each had pillows at his bacK,
and in front on little round platters, mil
let cakes and melted butter In cups, to
gether with Tartar Booza (beer) in lit
tle pitchers. Their hands were greasy
from the buttered cakes they were eai
lu g.
Tho Tartars finished their cakes. A
Tartar woman, dressed In shirt and trous
ers. like the girl, came in. Her head was
covered with a handkerchief. She carried
off the remains of the butter and cakes,
and brought back a bowl and pitcher with
a long slender nose. The Tartars washed
their hands, then folded them together,
knelt down, blew a breath on four sides,
and recited some prayers. After that one
of the guests turned to Shelin and said In
Russian:
"You were captured by Kasl Mahomet.”
pointing to the red Tartar, “and you have
been given to Abdul Murad,” pointing to
tho dark one. “Abdul Murad is now your
master.”
Shelin was silent. Abdul Murad began
to talk, pointed to Shelin, laughed and
said:
“Russian soldier good Russian.”
Tho interpreter said: “Ho wishes you to
write a letter home for a ransom, and
when the money comes you shall go.”
Shelin reflected a while and then said:
“How much ransom does he want?”
Tho Tartars consulted and the interpre
ter said:
“Three thousand roubles.”
"No.” said Shelin, “I cannot pay so ;
much.”
•’How much will you give?” said the in
terpreter.
Shelin thought a little and then an
swered :
“Five hundred roubles.”
Hearing this all the Tartars, began to
talk at once. Abdul talked in a loud voice
to the red Tartar who only blinked hts
ayes and clacked his tongue. Finally they
quieted down and the interpreter said:
“The master declares that five hundred
roubles is not enough. He has himself
>aid two hundred roubles. Kusi Mahomet
swed him that aud he took you for. the
debt. Less than three thousand roubles he
annot take, and if you will not write for
it he will put you in the pit and beat you.”
“You may tell him that if he tries to
frighten me he will not get a ropee. for I
will not write at all. 1 was never afraid of
you and I am not now.”
The Interpreter translated Shelin’s
words, whereupon they all began to talk.
At last the dark Tartar sprang up and ap
proached Shelin. laughing and saying:
“Brave warrior the Russian,” and the
Interpreter translated for him.
“We will accept a thousand roubles."
"More than 300 I will not give, and if you
kill me you will have nothing.” said
Shelin.
The Tartars consulted again, sent the
servant off somewhere, and then began to
watch, first Shelin and then the door. The
servant returned, followed by a stout man,
bare-footed, in torn clothes and his feet
also in socks.
Shelin exclaimed with surprise. It w
<osteltn whom they had also captured.
Kostelln said that his horse stumbled,
gun missed Are and that this same
Abdul came up and made him prisoner.
Abdul sprang up, pointed to Kostelln
and Jabbered something, which the inter
preter eaid meant that they both belonged
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to one master, and that the one whose
ransom came lirst would be the first to
have hts liberty.’
“You see,” said Abdul, to Shelin. “you
are always getting angry, but your com
rade is peaceable. He has written home
for 5,000 roubles ransom. He shall be well
fed and well treated.”
Shelin answered: “My comrade must do
as he likes. He may be rich, but I am not.
I shall do as I have said, and so it shall be.
If you want to, you may kill me, but I
will not write for more than 500 roubles.”
They were silent a while, when suddenly
up jumped Abdul, got out a little chest,
from which he drew pen, paper and ink,
which he pushed towards Shelin, slapping
him on the back and saying:
"Write.”
He had agreed to take five hundred
roubles.
Abdul then jumped up, slapped Shelin
on the back, and said:—
“You good, 1 good.”
Shelin wrote the letter. He was led
with Kostelln into the shed, where they
laid some straw, left a jyg of water,
some bread, two old coats and some w orn
out soldier’s boots which had apparently
been stripped from some murdered sol
dier. Then they unfasten the stocks and
locked them up in the shed for the night.
11l ;
Shelin lived on in this way with his
friend for a whole month, the master
keeping up hls perpetual smile.
"You Ivaq good, I Abdul good.”
But he fed them miserably. All they
had was millet bread, baked in cakes
and sometimes it was nothing but dough.
Kostelln wrote home once more that
he was expecting the money and that
he was getting bored. For days he would
sit in the shade counting up the time
when he might expect an answer to his
letter, or else he slept.
But Shelin kept thinking. “How can
mother ever get so much to pay for me.
She hasn’t much except what I sent her.
If she has to raise 500 roubles it will ruin
her. With God’s help I will make my es
cape.” And he walked about the Aoul
whistling or doing some sort of work,
either shaping figures out of clay, or mak
ing baskets out of twigs. Shelin was skill
ful at all kinds of handicraft.
He fashioned a doll with nose, arms
and legs, dressed it in a Tartar shirt,
and set it up on the roof. When the
Tartar woman went for water, Dina, the
master’s daughter, saw the doll and called
the woman to look. They came around
set down their jugs, and stood looking
and laughing. Shelin took the doll down
and held it out to them. They laughed
but did not dare take it. He left the doll,
went into the shed and looked out to see
what would happen. Dina ran up to it,
looked around, snatched the doll and ran
away. In the morning at daybreak, he
saw Dina on the threshold of the door
with the doll. She had dressed it in red
rags like a baby, and wafs singing a lulla
by to it in her own tongue.
One day Dina brought a pitehei put it
down, squatted on the ground herself,
smiled and pointed to the pitcher. Shelin
took the pitcher and began to drink, think
ing it was water, but found that she had
brought him milk. He drank the inilk,
and said in Russian:
“Good Dina.”
Dina was delighted and repeated after
him:
“Good Ivan, good.”
Then she plopped her hands, seized the
jug and ran away.
After that time, she brought him milk
when no one knew it.
A severe storm came up one day, and it
poured buckets full for an hour. When
the storm was over little rivulets ran
through the village. Shelin asked the
master for a knife, cut a round piece out
of a board, fastened spokes to it like a
wheel, feathered them with his knife.
On the end of each spoke he fastened a
doll. The girls brought hls some bits
of stuff and he dressed the dolls alternate
ly. one as a man and one as a woman,
and fixing the wheel in a running stream,
the water set It going and the dolls to
dancing.
The whole village boys, girls, women
and Tartars gathered about, clacking
their tongues and calling out:
“Ah! Russian, ah Ivan.”
Abdul owned a Russian clock which
was broken. He called Shelin, showed
! him the clock, clacking his tongue. She
' Un said:
“Let me have it I’ll mend it.”
He took it to. pieces with a small knife,
put It together again and returned it.
The clock was going. The master was
delighted, and made him a present of an
old coat all in tatters.
Shelin began to understand their lan- '
guage a little, and some of the Tartars
grew familiar with him. and when they
wanted anything would call out:
“Ivan. Ivao.”
Othen still looked on him as a wild ani
mal. The red Tartar never liked Shelin. and
when he saw him would scowl and turn
away, or begin to scold.
IV.
Shelin lived on in this way for another
month, walking about in the day time
or occupying himself with some work,
but as soon as night came and all was
quiet in the house and he was alone he
began to dig under the shed. It was hard
work on account of the stones, but he
filed away until he had dug a hole big
enough to crawl through.
He chose the time one day when the
master was away to walk up the mountain
to see if he could discover from a bight
the place where they were. Whenever the
master went away he gave orders to his
son to keep a watch on Shelin and not let
him out of his sighe. This boy ran after
Shelin now. saying: "Do not go. Father
has forbidden it. I will call the others.”
Shelin began to coax him. “I’ll not go
far,” he said, “only up this mountain. Y'ou
come with me. Any way, I could not run
away with these stocks. Come along and
to-morrow I’ll make you a bow and some
arrows. ”
He persuaded the boy and they walked
to the mountain. The ascent was not long
but difficult, on account of the stocks. He
walked and walked, but could hardly reach
the top. Shelin sat down and observed the
country around. Toward the south, behind
the shed, was a mountain pass. Lower
down could be seen a herd of horses and
another Aoul. Beyond that lay another
mountain, still steeper, and behind that
rose another. Between the mountains lay
the blue color of some woods, and back
of all mountains rising higher and higher.
Highest of all, top as white as sugar,
was a snow-capped mountain. To the east
and west more mountains. Here and there
smoke from Aouls could be seen rising
from the passes.
“Well,” thought he, “this is all Tartar
country,” and looked about for the Rus
sian side. Under his feet lay his own Aoul
surrounded by little gardens and the river.
On the river the women washing looked
like birds. Beyond the Aoul lower down
was a mountain, and beyond that
were two wooded mountains. Beyond
these mountains a plateau could be seen,
from wdience far, far away a smoke spread
out. “There’s my way,” he thought, “be
tween those two mountains.”
He wanted to go that very night, the
nights were dark, for the moon .was on
the wane. But, as luck would have it, the
Tartars returned that very evening. Ordi
narily when they returned they brought
home plunder of some kind, and were in
a good humor. This time they brought
nothing of that sort, and in stead a dead
Tartar on a saddle, a brother of the red
Tartar. They arrived in bad spirits and
made ready for the burial. Shelin also
came out to see. They wrapped the dead
body in linen, but there was no coffin.
They laid him on the grass under the
trees. The muezzim came. The old men
came about' with linen towels bound
round about their caps, took off their
shoes and squatted down in a row in front
of the dead body. At the head was the
muezzim, the three Tartars who wore
the fez, and behind them, other Tartars.
They sat in, silence with bent heads. They
were silent for some time. Then the muez
zim raised his head and said: “Allah.”
After this one word, they all bowed down
again and were silent for a long time. They
sat motionless. Again the muezzim raised
his head and said “Allah,” and they all re
peated “Allah," and were again silent.
Then the muezzim read a prayer. They
rose, lifted the dead body and carried it to
a hole that had been dug out of the side of
a hill. They held the body under the arms
and by the legs and feet, doubled It up,
and carefully pushed it into the tomb in
a sitting posture, and crossed the hands
over the breast-
The Nogai servants brought green
rushes, with which they filled up the
mouth of the tomb, threw earth upon it,
smoothed it off and set a stone atthe
spot where the head was. Again they
sat down in. a row by the grave and were
silent a long time. “Allah, Allah, Allah.”
they sighed and all got up. The red Tar
tar gave the old men some money, took
his whip, and after striking himself with
it three times on the forehead, went
home.
In the morning Shelin saw the red Tar
tar lead a mare outside the village, three
Tartars following him. Just outside the
village the red Tartar took off his coat,
rolled up his sleeves over his brawny,
strong arms, took out a dagger and be
gan to sharpen it on a whetstone. The
Tartars held up the mare’s head. The red
Tartar came up and cut her throat. The
mare fell and he began at once to skin it.
Some women came up and washed the
entrails of the animals. After this they
proceeded to cut the creature into pieces
which they carried into the house. The
whole village gathered at the red Tar
tar’s house to eat the funeral feast.
They were three days eating the mare,
drinking booza and thinking of the dead
one. All the Tartars were at home.
On the fourth day they assembled about
noontime. The horses were brought up,
and about ten of them rode off. the red
-Tartar among them, but Abdul remained
at home. The naw moon had just ap
peared, so the nights were still dark.
“Well,” thought Shelin, "to-day we
must run away,” and said so to Koste
lin.
Kostelln was frightened, "How can we
run away? We do not know the road?’’
“I know the road.”
"Wo cannot do it in dne night.”
“We can spend a night in the woods
then. Here, I have saved some cakes. Do
you Intend to Just sit still here? All very
well if they send the money, but it may
not come, and the Tartars are angry now
because the Russians have killed one of
them. They talk of killing us.”
Kostelln thought a while and said;
“Well then, let us try it.”
V-
Shelin crawled into the hole and made
it bigger to let Kostelin through. Kostelin
caught his foot in a stone and it rolled
down with a loud noise. The master had
a very cross watch dog. a speckled beast
called Ulashin. Shelin had made a friend
of it by giving it bits to eat. Ulashin be
gan to bark and ran up with other dogs.
Shelin gave a low whistle and threw the
dog a cake. It stopped barking and wagged
its tail. The master heard the noise and
called the dog. Shelin scratched it behind
the ears and Ulashin rubbed against his
legs and wagged his tail. They waited
awhile around the corner, till all became
quiet except for a sheep bleating in the
pen, and a sound of water below trickling
over the stones.
Shelin got up and said to his comrade,
“Now, brother, come on.” They started.
They had gone but a few paces when the
muezzim began to sing from the roof;
“Allah! Bis millah! Ilrachman!” which
means people let us go to the mosque.”
They sat down again cloae to the wall until
all the people had passed. Again all was
quiet.
"Well, now on, in the name of God.”
They made the sign of the cross and set
off again. They crossed the yard, down
the steep to the river* crossed the river
and went down the mountain. The fog
was thick, but it hung low, and over their
heads the stars were bright. Shelin ob
served by the stars in what direction
they were going. It felt cold in the fog,
and easy to walk, only their worn out
boots were uncomfortable. Shelin took
his off, threw them away and went bare
footed. He sprang from rock to. rock,
keeping the stars in view. Kostelin lagged
behind.
"Not so fast.” said he, “these confound
ed boots blister my feet.”
“You must take them off. It will be
easier.”
Kostelin did so. but it only made things
worse. He cut his feet on the rocks and
still lagged behind.
“If you cut your feet,’ Shelin said to
him. “they will get well again, but It
they catch us we will be put to death.”
They reached the woods which they en
tered. They tore their clothes to shreds
on the briars. At last they struck a foot
path. The stars were setting, day light
was near, but whether they were going
in the right direction or not
they could not tell. Shelin thought
that he had come by this
road, and he thought that his friends
must be about teii versts away. But
there was nothing to make him sure, and
it was dark, he could not tell. They came
to a meadow, Kostelin sat down and said:
"You can do as you like, but as for
me. I cannot go any further, my feet
I will not carry me.”
| Shelin got angry and spat on the ground
; and scolded him soundly, and said:
“Very well. I’ll go on alone then. Good
bye.”
Kostelin got up and followed him. They
walked about four versts. The fog in
the woods got thicker, and they could
no longer see the stars.
Suddenly there was a sound of horses
hoofs in front of them. Shelin lay fiat
on the ground on bis face to listen.
“It Is so. a horseman Is coming toward
us.”
They hurried away from the road and
sat down in the bushes watting. Shelin
crept over to the road and saw a mount
ed Tartar coming along, driving a cow
and mumbling something tp himself. The
Tartar passed by. Shelin returned to Kos
telin.
"Well, we are safe this time. Come,
get up and let us go on.”
Kostelin began to rise and fell back
again.
“I cannot, really, I cannot. My strength
Is gone.” *
He was a heavy man, puffing and sweat
ing, and what with the cold fog in the
woods and his bleedin feet, was quite
broken down. Shelin tried to help him
to rise. Kostelin groaned out: “Oh! how
it hurts!” Shelin stood still as if petri
fied.
“Well,” he said, "get up. I’ll carry you
if you cannot walk.”
He put Kostelln on his back and caught
hold of him by the fat thighs, and en
tered the road dragging him along.
“For God’s sake, don’t put your arms
about my neck. Rest on my shoulders.”
It was a heavy load for Shelin. His feet
were bleeding, too, and he was tired.
Every now and then he had to stop to
lift Kostelin into place, when he slipped,
and then drag along again. The Tartar
had evidently heard Kostelin’s groan.
Some shouted from behind. They hid in
the bushes. The Tartar fired. The shot
missed, but he gave their whining call and
galloped down 'the road.
“We are lost this time,” said Shelin, “he
will gather the Tartars in pursuit. Unless
we can make three versts we are lost.”
He reflected. “What in the devil’s name
did I bring along this log for? I should
have gotten away long ago had I been
alone.” At last Kostelln said to him:
“You go on alone; why should you be
lost on my account?”
“No; I am not going to desert a com
rade. So he lifted him up again on to his
back and traveled about a verst. They
were still in the woods and could see no
end to it. Shelin was worn out. They saw
a little spring near the road. They stop
ped there and Kostelin got down.
He had just knelt to drink when there
was a noise of hoofs again from behind.
They hastened back into the bushes. Tar
tar voices could be heard and the men
stopped at the place w'here the fugitives
had turned from the road. The Tartars
set the dogs in pursuit. Shelin heard a
dog coming towards them. A strange dog
appeared barking. Tartars came ux>. They
were strangers. They seized the fugitives,
put .them on their horses and carried them
off. They had ridden about three versts
when they were met by Abdul and two
Tartars. The men exchanged words, the
prisoners were put on Abdul's horses and
carried back to the Aoul.
Abdul smiled no more and did not
speak to them. They got back at day
break and left the prisoners in the street.
The children ran up beating them with
whips and throwing stones at them. The
Tartars gathered around in a circle and
talked together. Shelin understood they
were consulting what should be done.
Some advised to send the prisoners fur
ther back into the mountains, others,
said, "Kill them!” Abdul said:
"I have paid money for them and I
must have my ransom.”
They separated. The master approached
Shelin and said:
“If I don’t get the money for you in two
weeks, I shall ibeat you, and if you try to
run away again. I shall kill you like a dog.
Write another letter and write it well.”
They brought paper and the prisoners
wrote the letters. The stocks were fas
tened on them again and they were led
behind the mosque. There was a pit there
some ten or* twelve feet deep into which
they were lowered.
VI.
Their life now was very bad. The
stocks were never taken off and they were
not allowed to come out in the air.
Baked dough for food was thrown them
as to dogs, and water was lowered to
them in jugs. The stench, the close air
and the dampness of the pit were terri
ble. Kostelin became ill. He was swollen
and his whole body was full of pains.
When he was not asleep he was groaning. .
Shelin was sitting down in the pit one
day dreaming of a free life and feeling
very hopeless, when suddenly there fell
on his knee a cake, then another and then
some ripe nuts came rolling after. He
looked up, there was Dina. She looked at
him, laughed, and ran away. Shelin
thought, "Perhaps Dina will help.”
He cleaned a little place in the pit, and
dug out some clay and began to make lit
tle images. He made same people, dogs
and horses. “When Dina comes I will
throw them to her,’ he said. But the next
day there was no Dina. Shelin heard the
stamping of horses. Some one had ar
rived and the Tartars had gathered about
the mosque. They were disputing in loud
tones and talking about the Russians. He
did not fully understand, but he guessed
that the Russians were near, and
that the Tartars feared they might en
ter the Aoul, and were hesitating what to
do with the prisoners. After talking
awhile they went off. Suddenly a noise
from above. He saw Dina bending over,
her little necklace hanging over the pit,
her eyes shining like stars. She took from
j her sleeve two cheeses which she threw
to him. Shelin caught them and said:
“Why have not you been here for so
long? I have made you some toys; here
they are.”
He began to throw them up one by one.
Dina shook her head and said, “Don’t do
it.” After a little silence;
“Ivan, they mean to kill you,” and drew
her hand across her throat like a knife.
“Who wants to kill me?”
“Father. They say he must, and I am
' sorry for you.”
Shelin said: “If you are sorry for me,
I you will bring me a very long pole.”
“I cannot,” she said. “They are all at
home.” Then she went away. That night
Shelin was sitting thinking, “What will
happen?” and looking up all the time.
The stars were out, but the moon had
’ not yet risen. The muezzim cried for
prayer and all was quiet. Shelin began to
doze, saying to himself, “The little girl
is afraid.”
Suddenly a lump of clay fell on his
head. He looked up and a long pole was
sticking in the other side of the pit. She
lin rejoiced. He caught hold of the pole
and pulled it down. It was a strong one.
He had seen it before on the roof of his
master’s house. He looked up and the
stars w’ere shining bright in the sky, and
over the pit Dina’s eifes were shining like
those of a cat. She lowered her face to
the edge of the pit and whispered:
“Ivan, Ivan, they have all gone, only
two are at home. Be very still.”
“Wesll, Kostelin,” said Shelin, “let us
try for the last time. I’ll help you up.”
But Kostelin would not hear of it. "It
is no use. I cannot get out of here. How
can I go when I haven’t the strength to
turn around?”
“Well then, goodby. Don’t think unkind
ly of me.” And he kissed Kostelin. Then
he seized the pole, asked Dina to hold it
fast and began to climb. Dina dragged
him out by the shirt with her little hands,
laughing softly. Shelin drew up the pole
and said:
“Take this back, Dina, or they may
miss it and beat you.”
She dragged the pole away, and Shelin
went down the mountain. When he had
climbed down a steep place, he picked up
a sharp stone and tried to break the lock
of the stock. But the lock was strong.
He could not break it, and could reach it
with difficulty. Some one sprang lightly
1 down the mountain. "Dina again,”
j thought he. It was Dina, and she picked
I up a stone, saying: "Let me do it.”
She knelt down and tried to pick the
lock. Her wfiite arms were thin as wires,
and without a bit of strength. She threw
away the stone ind began to cry. Round
the left of the mountain, the red light of
the rising moon began to appear. He saw
there was no time to lose, got up and
threw away the stone. He must go, even
; with the stocks on.
"Goodby. little Dina, 1 shall remember
' you ail my life.”
| Dina took hold of him and felt all over
MHDICAL.
•.' ■ •
What is
CASTORIA |
Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher’s prescription for Infants
and Children. It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor
other Narcotic substance. It is a harmless substitute
for Paregoric, Drops, Soothing Syrups, and Castor Oil.
It is Pleasant. Its guarantee is thirty years’ use by
Millions of Mothers. Castoria is the Children’s Panacea
—the Mother’s Friend.
Castoria. ” 4
“Castoria is so well adapted to children that
I recommend it as superior to any prescription
known to me.” H. A. Archer, M. D.,
11l So. Oxford St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
"The use of ‘Castoria’ is so universal and
its merits so well known that it seems a work
of supererogation to endorse it. Few are the
intelligent families who do not keep Castoria
within easy reach.”
Carlos Martyn, D. D.,
New York (Sty.
The Centaur Company, 77 Murray Street, New York Crrt.
him for a place to put some cakes. He
took the cakes.
"Thank you, my wise little one. Who
will make you toys when I am gone?”
and stroked her head, Dina burst out
crying, covered her face with her hands
and ran down the mountain springing
like a goat. Through the darkness he
could hear the tinkling of her silver
ornaments. Shelin made the sign of the
cross, held the padlock of the stocks
in his hand to prevent It from clanking
and dragged his feet along, still vratching
the light of the rising moon. All he
wanted was to reach the wood before the
moon arose. He crossed the river. The
light of the mountains grew white. He
went along the pass always watching
the moon. It got brighter and brighter.
The shadow crept down the mountain
nearer to him. Shelin kept in the shadow.
He hurried, but the moon seemed to
hurry more. On the right the tree tops
were getting bright. He neared the wood
and the moon had arisen from behind
the mountain and it was as bright as day
light. Every leaf on the trees could be
seen. It was still as death in the moon
light. All that could be heard was the
noise of the river below. He reached the
wood without being discovered. He
chose a very dark spot and sat down to
rest. After resting and eating a cake, he
found a stone and began at the lock
again. His hands were sore, but he could
not get the stocks off. He got up and
continued to hobble along the road.
“There is no help for it,” he thought, "I
must drag along w r hile I have strength,
for once I sit down I cannot get up again.
When the day comes I will sit down and
rest and go on again at night. He walked
all night. He saw' two Tartars on horse
back during the night, but he hid himseff
behind a tree and they passed on. The
moon grew pale. Dew had fallen and the
dawn was near, but Shelin had not reached
the edge of the woods.
"Well,” thought he, “I’ll go thirty paces (
more, then turn back into the woods and ;
sit dowm.” He went on thirty paces and .
found himself at the end of the wood.
There, stretched before him in the bright |
light as clear as though on the palm of
his hand, was the steppe and the fort, '
and to the left quite near* were the camp
fires and people sitting around them. He
looked longer. The guns glittered. Cos
sacks and soldiers were there.
Shelin rejoiced, gathered together all his
strength and began to descend the moun
tain.
"God forbid that a mountain Tartar
should spy me on the plain, for, near as I
am, I could not escape.”
This thought had just struck him when
behold! three Tartars on horseback on a
little rise about three hundred yards away.
His heart sank. He raised his arms in the
air and shouted all his might:
"Brothers, comrades, help!”
His own people heard him. The Cos
sacks jumped on their horses and came
galloping to head the Tartars off, but the
Cossacks were far and the Tartars near.
Shelin himself holding up the stocks, and
with strength almost spent, hastened
toward the Cossacks, making the sign of
the cross, and calling:
“Brothers, comrades.”
There were fifteen Cossacks. The Tar
tars got frightened and turned back be
fore reaching him. Shelin hurried on to
ward the Cossacks. They surrounded
him: questioned him; who was he? what
rank? Where from? Shelin, beside him
self, could only say: “Oh, comrades'”
The soldiers drew near and crowded
around Shelin. Some offered bread and
porridge and vodka~ Some covered him
with their overcoats and others took the
stocks off. The officers recognized him
and led him into the fort. The soldiers
made great rejoicings. His brother offi
cers gathered about Shelin while he re
lated all that had happened to him, and
told them: "This is the -way I went home
and got married.”
He continued to serve in the Caucasus.
Kostelin was ransomed after a month
for 5,000 roubles. They brought him in
half dead.
Not of the Four Hundred.
New York Letter in Pittsburg Dispatch.
Society, like all other fads, spreads
: here. From a society not published in an
.•veiling paper the following extract is
taken: "Prof. J. Staples Rowe, the well
known artist tor discolored eyes, and Airs.
Rowe gave a house warming reception
at their new rooms in the Hotel Jefferson,
this city, on Tuesday evening last. The
apartments were beautifully decora tea
with American beauties and violets, and
an orchestra of eight pieces furnished the
music. The supper was provided by
liimoldi, the famous caterer. A large
number of "well-known people were pres
ent, among whom were Mr. and Mrs.
Steve Brodie, Miss Madeline Shirley, Joe
Appo and a number of others.” Every
j class has its fling here, regardless of ex
pense.
The legislatures of Quebec and Ontario ’
have, on the recommendation of the So
ciety for the Protection of Women and i
Children, passed laws authorizing city I
officials to re-establish the use of the cur
few bell. It is to be rung at whatever
time may be determined on by the citv
councils, and the ringing of the curfew
is to be the signal for the children to get
off the streets and go to their homes.
Il found on the streets after the toll of
the bell any officer of the city may order
them home, and if they refuse to go-the
officer will then have the right to take
them home. The bell has been silent in
Canada for nearly 100 years.
J. H. Mustard is principal in the high
school at Minneapolis. A. W. Wagg holds
, a similar position at Auburn. Me.
Castoria.
Castoria cures Colic, Constipation,
Sour Stomach, Diarrhcea, Eructation,
Kills Worms, gives sleep, and promotes dl* . <
gestion,
Without injurious medication. y
z
“For several years I have recommended ;
1 your * Castoria,’ and shall always continue to
’ do so as it has invariably produced beneficial
results.”
Edwin F. Pardee, M. !>., '
125th Street and 7th Ave., New York City.
j railroads. x-vx
YJV'f Houston, Tex«
glO Galveston, Tex. 'J
lx v San Antonio, Tex*. 5
I Austin, Tex. .
j Dallas, Tex.
Ft. Worth, Tex. \ ?
Ulf XI If TA Little Rock, Ark.
JIM U, f V V Louisville, Ky. ' -
J Cincinnati, O.
j \ Detroit, Mich. /
. Indianapolis,/nd.’
Rnr' Chicago, in. -• •
II w I St. Louis, Mo. ' f
Kansas City, Mo<Y
i Omaha,Neb. ’
"" w St. Paul, Minn*
iTherel s=r ■
Minnesota. >
Dakota.
California. ■ - -3.
And all Points West*
BUY TICKETS OVER THE f’
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This line runs double daily trains and
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Ma Evansville.
Full information cheerfully fuml«he< upon ap»
plication to j
REDD. BUSH, Dlst.Patt.Agt, ~ ATLANTA, GA,
I P. ATMORE, Gen'l Pass. Agt., LOUISVILLE, KYJ
MEDICAL.
FOR EVERYMAiToNinir
SMB
W. H. PARKER, M. D., I *
the most eminent specialist in amesim!
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thousands of hoiieless case# have been per
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♦ <. Slocum, M. C.. 133 Pearl ht., Newkork.
7