WAR STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 61, 12 March 1915, Page 9

WAR STORIES.

HIS MASTER'S WIFE.

± TALE OF THE WARS IN POLAND.

(From the French of Sachor Masoch.)

For two hours the battle had been raging. It was an autumn afternoon, obscured by fog; Poles and Mussulmans had hurled themselves upon one another with furious shock, and now men and horses -were hid in clouds of mist, and dust, and smoke. The shrill neighing of the horses and the thunder of their hoofs mingled with the cries of the combatants, the rattling of the fusillade, and the ringing clash of lance and sword.

Vainly the general, stationed on a £reen hill, on which he had planted his standard, tried to follow the combat. All that could give him a clue to the state of affairs was the continued flashes of the batteries of guns.

Nothing was to oe seen in the whole expanse of the plain but one great blur, illuminating with its fires the murky heavens, with here and there a riderless horse or. a wounded man. The troops had scattered in isolated combats: friends "and enemies, Poles, Cossacks, Turks, and Tartars, were mingled, as if

.themselves blown about by the tempest ..■wind that sweeps down from the Ural [•cross the Sannatian Plain and makes *VTthe many-coloured leaves dance about in -■' a wad saraband.

*■ The fog favoured the resistance of the /. Poles; without its veil they would soou

. have seen that they were fighting ten I fo one; Savage cries of "Allah!" rose iow and then above the roar of the guns; Arrows fell thick as hail, lances clashed .'against other lances, yataghans were crossed with other menacing curved blades. -Often the adversaries went at it with their hands, knifing one another with short blows; even the horses bit pne another in the fury of the combat. Here a trunkless head bounded in the air, and the horse dashed away in the fog, still bearing a decapitated torso; there, a soldier, pinned to the ground hv a lance, clutched desperately at the empty air.

, All at once a savage hurrali sounded «n the flanks and rear of the Polish army. A horde of Turks burst at a mad gallop from tEe forest and threw themselves ••betwee"n :the Poles and the xiver. The general did not detect the danger until it was too late. On all sides rose the cry of "Treachery! Treachery!" and each turned to flee for his life, trying to gain the bridge across the river Before engaging in battle, the Staroste Tarnowski -had proposed in , the council of war not to attack.the Turks until they had crossed the river. The fate that the Poles had reserved for the enemy became their own portion by a sudden turn of fortune.

Almost stunned by this brusque Tererse, but in nowise losing his courage, the intrepid commander of the cavalryforced his scattered troops to turn back. He threw himself before the flying horsemen, stopping them with gestures and ■cries, and finally succeeded in rallying some hundreds of fugitives, with whom he fturlfcd.fcimaelf upon the. Turks. • It was in vain. The field-pieces' of the Toles had already been taken, and all at once an immense fire flamed up behind the conquered army. The camp-followers had set fire to the bridge. At sight of this the bravest gave up the struggle; each thooght only of saving himself and those who well into the hands of the enemy let, themselves be massacred without resistance. The general JSad perished is the - melee, and soon his skin, stretched and dried, covered the head of a dram .offered as a trophy to the Sultan . Thousands of men had been massacred and mangled by the hoofe of horsesthousand? of eaidiere,' made prisoners, were tied .to .the fails of horses and led «?ay.to slavery. ,XH those who succeeded in gaining the river, a greater part were drowned; some, a mere handful—comPC6< f A°L ih Z moet part of Coesacks— reached the further bank, thanke to the ■ngour of their horses, and found themeelves for the .time ibelng in safety. Two lance-thruste had wounded the BtH-oste Tarnowski. Just then a stray bullet struck him, and he sank down upon has horee'e neck like a marionette wnen the string that sustains it Iβ oroken. There wae nabody to aseist 'him except Godonrine, his young Cossack servant. The latter, who had many times given his master proof of hie fidelity and devotion, eought once more to save "him. A pasha in flowing robe of blood-red velvet, bordered with sable, bore down with flapping rein upon the wounded man. With incomparable skill he threw toward the Staroste the noose of hie lasso, which instantly enfolded the neck <>f the Pole. He was a/bout to choke mm, and wae already rejoicing in the conquest of co noble a slave, when the Cossack severed the cord with a stroke of his knife and disappeared with his master into the mists that rolled through the valley. All at once the Staroste'e horee staggered and fell. The Cossack caught his master, threw him across his own saddle and resumed hie wild dash for the river. They had already reached, in their headlong course, the edge of the willows that lined the river, when the Stajcete signified a desire to leave the horse. He could go no further; he felt that the end was approaching. The Cossack* dismounted, took his well-beloved master in his arms, and bore him to the nearest tree; there he Unfastened his tunic and tried to stanch the blood that trickled from his bared chest. "Do not take so much trouble," said Tarnowski; "God is calling mc." "May His will be doni;'." murmured the Cossack; "but if that is the case, I will accompany you, my master, to Paradise."

"No, no!" said the Staroste with an effort, for his voice was beginning to fail •him. "My wife—shall it be her fate to end her days in the seraglio of the Sultan? No. no!" He took breath, spat out the blood that choked him, and looked long at the Cossack, as if he would read his very Soul.

Two riderless horses passed in their neighbourhood; one of them approaelicd the dying man. neighed wistfully, and then, frightened, galloped away. "Save yourself," continued the Staroste; "you alone of all my servitors I can trust as I would myself. Hasten home to Horgg: there, with your own hands, strangle ray wife —'twere better jjo than that she become the prey of the Turks, 'twere better than to think that she will belong to another—so, no one enall have her." Godomine looked at his master in &»ed astonishment. "Do you comprehend?" The Cossack made an affirmative sign With his head. "You will carry mt ay command?"

sectd°S. I,(,dded *" head fOT *• "Swear it to mc." The Cossack raised his hand and took the required oath. ™" Godd " No I can die in peace, »nd you—go, and may God protect you!" The Staroste fell back, and from his nps came a last orison. Then his eyes turned toward the north,-like those of a Man who, as he embarks upon a long voyage, casts a last look up to his native land.

When the Pole had breathed his last, kodomine leaped into the saddle and urged his horse .fiercely across the stream. A troop of Turks, coming up at full gallop, sent after tne fleeing man a cloud of arrows, but none of them reached Godomine. He only turned his head disdainfully and spat towards them. When his horse had climbed the opposite bank, the aiiimal, as if sharing his master's sentiment, shook his waving mane and neighed joyfully. The Cossack threw his animal into a gallop, and presently the field of battle and the torrent of fiigitivei disappeared, lost in the violet shadows.

A sparsely wooded country, spread itself out before the Cossack. He made his way over the Carpet of velvety green moss that lay beneath the beeches, oaks, and birches, which, growing at generous intervale, were aligned in long avenues, spreading their branches in all directions. The tops of these forest giants were so bushy that they hid the sky from sight, and only a few isolated rays of the sun filtered furtively through their foliage.

After having journeyed long under the fluttering leaves in the midst of the thousand noises of the forest, he slackened the pace of his foam-flecked horse. In this solitude the clamour of conflict could no longer be heard; one might almost have thought that there were no men upon the earth. The dry taps of the woodpecker, drilling with its beak the bark of the oak, or the cry of the vulture, alone was heard in that realm of peace.

It was night when Godomine, leaving behind him the wooded country, found himself amid the great marshes and pools of water, in whose calm surface was mirrored the pale light of the stars —little seas and lakes bordered with waving reeds. The intelligent Cossack horse advanced with much caution, now and then sounding with his hoof the treacherous soil. A pale mist rose in light clouds from beneath the earth, and ahout the horseman began the dance of the false fires of the marsh lights. The Coseack almost thought himself flying, like the Czarowitch in the story, on the back of a winged wolf across the'heavenly vault; above him floated the clouds, and all .about twinkled the reflection of the stars.

II was not until the morning, on his arrival at a-miserable village, that Godomine resolved to take a little rest. A dog greeted -the unknown horseman with savage barking; a young girl in a short garment of sheepskin ran out, barefooted and with unbound hair, bearing upon her shoulders a yoke from which hung two buckets. '

The Coseack helped her draw the water, and in turn she let him drink, and his horse as well. After that the young girl pastured her goats, and as to appease his hunger he plucked and ate the berries that grew everywhere among the hedges, Godomine recounted to the frightened*:£e&&ite pened.

After a little he set out again, traversing fields and pastures, passing by villages arid manors, Saluted here by the peal of bells and there by the croaking of ravens that dotted the freshly harvested fields. And so he went on, hour after hour, across field and forest, moor and upland, never letting hie horse rest an instant except at a spring or at the edge of a grain-field.

Day was falling as he reached the sandy steeple on which was situated the estate of Horgg. -The green and eombre avenues of pines reached out to the horizon, monotonous and sad, in majestic silence. Suddenly a flight of ravens "rose behind him and passed silently over his head, advancing before him like a .black army bearing a lugubrious message, and was lost in the distance, among the ruddy mists of the morning.

Already the chateau, locked in ite belt of gray, moss-covered walls, rose before him on a gently inclined hill. At the eide of the road stood a cross, presenting to the passer-by the image of the dying Saviour. The windows of the castle gleamed in the first rays of the sun, and when Godomine arrived at the court the rooks greeted him from the height of the belfry with a discordant clamour.

The Coesack tied hie horee in the court, mounted the narrow servants' stair, passed unnoticed through the anteroom, and heaved a profound sigh as he stopped before the door of the bedchamber.

When he entered, a sort of rosy twilight flooded the great room. The sunlight came in, tempted by the curtains of the windows and of the bed that eto'od in the midst of the room; and on the Persian carpet which covered the floor, and on the bear-skine of the bed, it made shifting golden circles.

On the bed, haif hidden amid ite enowy pillows and soft furs, lay a golden-haired woman of marvellous beauty.

The Coasack stopped before her, gazing on her with dumb emotion. One of the great blonde tresses of the Staroetin flowed over her breast, uncoiled like a gorfden serpent guarding an enchanting treasure; her gracious head, with its crimson, ihalf-operad lips, rested upon one of her arms; ehe breathed tranquilly, regularly, like a sleeping ch'.ld, and th<> dazzling ermine on her gown, made of some soft stuff worked with gold, gently rose and fell m the even rhythm of 'her respiration. He felt pity for this beautiful young creature who slept co free from care, and it seemed to Godomine as if he felt the quickening of some new and unknown feeling, compassion or love, that had just been born within his breast.

But hie oath! —he had sworn to make the wife follow her husband into the other world. Should lie kill her in her sleep? Could Ire do it when ehe had opened her eyes? Ought ehe to paes away from life without a prayer?

Xo. He approached her elowly, nearer still, and pronounced h-er name aloud.

She sighed deeply and turned on her couch.

"Mv gracious lady." She .nade another movement, and, lying on her back, ehe slowly opened lver blue evfii wider and wider.

Godomine felt his heart beating like a drum.

"Oh, it ;e you," she murmured, and she quickly draw the coverings about her; "wha-t U it? What has happened? Whence come you?" "From the field of battle, madame." "Where its the Staroete, my hueband?" "Dead, madame, dead; but, God be praised, madame, he perished like a hero." The shocked Starostin stared fixedly at this bearer of evil tidings, but she did not weep. "Dead," ehe murmured, slowly.

"We lost the day," continued the Coseack, "and tire conquering infidels are pursuing ue—are at our heels now. You can not, you muet not, madame, be their Pfey." . . ... .

"Well, let ue fly!" cried the beautiful widow. "The last wish of my -iaeter," continued Godomine, "wae that leave you from shame, and he enjoined mc to-*—" "To Accompany mc." "No, madame, no -" "What, then?"

"To kiiryou." Th-e Starostin stared at Godomine with terror; then ehe set to rubbing her eyee. "No; I am not dreaming, I am awake. But you—you are mad!"

"No, madame.; but I must obey, ac becomes a faithful servant."

"You will -never execute eucb. * command!"

"I have eworn a sacred oath to the dying Staroste. Pray, madame, for you are abput to die."

"To die!" She drew herself" up, and proudly lifting her beautiful head, ehe said: "Am I then co powerloee? Go, miserable varlet, or I "

She wae about to pull the bell rope to summon help, -when Godomine ewiftly drew the poniard from his belt and severed the cord with a single stroke. 'Tray before it is too late," eaid the Coeeack. slowly. "But I do not w«h to die!" she moaned. "Pray!" "I do not wish to!" "Then may God pardon mc!" And Godomine took in his anne the beautiful widow, who shuddered through all her body and menaced him with her I eyes; in the right hand of the eervitor the steel of the poniard gleamed ominously. "Pity!" cried the Staroetin.

The Coseack stopped. "Pardon mc what 1 have said in thie mortal panic," he continued; " I wae mad! You are not cruel, your heart ie good, you will have pity on mc." "Pray!" "My God! my God! Must such a command be executed?"

She began to weep and pray. A burning tear fell upon the bronzed hand of the Ooasaek. He ehivered, and released his victim.

"Take all that I possess," said the Staroetin, suddenly; "take thie necklace "

"You are very generous, madame," responded Godomine; "but I will not betray my master for no matter what treasure. I come not of a race of traitors "

"What do you wish, then!" stammered the Starostin. "You wish my blood? Why? Rather take mc living,-body-and soul—take mc, I belong to you " "Fear God, madame!" cried the etartied peaeant.

"All, my soul, my treasure!" continued the beautiful siren, and she threw herself upon Godomine's breast, nuking pf her arms n laeeoo lite that which the Tartars throw in battle, the noose of which paralyses its victim and makes of him a slave. Godomine fell on hie knees and hid his face in the soft white billows of the fur that undulated about tire Starostin's divine form.

"You are co strong, so handsome!" ehe murmured; "I have always preferred you to my husband, and you—have not I in my turn pleased you|" She laughed softly. "Oh, I knew it, too—deny it if you dare."

" "Slowly, she dn»wi>to •htfr-th**'- GoesacEe tic* afia kiseedTfim full ips? "Have pity on mc!" murmured the unhappy man.

For all response the Staros'tin prwwpd him more cloeely to her and covered hie face with fiery kisses.

"Unloose mc, madame!" cried Godomine; "let mc go! T have not the blood of Judas in mv veins!"

"Life is just beginning for us,™ continued the-enarer of souls; "for Uβ the future ieall rose-colour—for the dead, ashes and eil-once. Lβ it not good to live and love?"

"I dp not wish to," eaid the Coesack; "I have givfen my oatlr." *~

"And what is an oath, what is fidelity?" replied the Staroetin, with a delicious laugh.-

Again ehe sought to draw the Cossack toward her. But her very abandon finally capped the climax of -Godomine'e indignation and gave him back hia strength.

"Unloose mc. woman!" he cried. "Demon, tempt mc no further!"

! And winding her golden treffcpe about his hand, he thrust hie poniard into the Starostin's heart. She gave one cry, a convulsive tremor ehook her beautiful form, and with a rattle in her throat ehe sank down. dead.

The Cossack knelt down by her bed and prayed in eilence.

When he had in.uk- the sign of the crocs he arose. The oath to hie master was accomplished, .his wife wan dead. Ah, but ehe "wae beautiful, Bven in death, stretched upon the billows of -blood-dyed ermine and half-covered by her heavy golden locks!

The Coseack made upon her tire sign of the cross. Then he .left the chamber oi death, .hastened down the narrow stair, and leaped into hie saddle, with a cry to those who gathered about him, "Our master is dead! The infidels are upon us. Save yourselves who can! ,.

Indescribable confusion followed th : .fi announcement.

But the Cossack had peeved the portals and wae off at a mad gallop, croee fields and prairies, ditches and streams, hie horse Clearing all obstacles with mighty leaps. To see hie wild career, one might have thought that the dtad beauty rode behind him on the horse, lashing both horse and ridev with 'her golden treseea.

Arrived on the efceppee, surrounded by a green and undulating isea of flowerdotted grasses on whose slender fronds the sunlight danced, the Cossack curbed his smoking horse to a walk.

Then lie cast a profound eigh, and,lifting his head, gazed long into the face of the heaveiw, like one who, fearless of reproach, looks straight into the eye of God himself.