A FORTUNATE ESCAPE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 542, 14 February 1870, Page 3

A FORTUNATE ESCAPE.

There is one bell in the tower which is the sacred bell of Nijni. It happened one day that I came up here with two English gentlemen to see the citadel, and after we had seen the other buildings we went into the church and up into the bell-tower. Now here was an ancient wooden clock of curious construction, and one of the gentlemen wishing to examine the works, the keeper of the tower set off down the turret to get the key of the clock. While he was gone one of the gentlemen began to move the clapper of the big bell — the sacred bell — saying, " I should like to hear the tone of the Nijni bell." By dint of swinging the great clapper, at last he struck the side with it, and one immense deep clang boomed out. Mr P had not been attending to what his friends were doing, but hearing the stroke he dashed at the rope just in time to prevent the counter swing of the clapper. But the mischief was done. In a minute the tower-keeper rushed up in haste and exclaimed — " Who rung the bell ?" Mr P told him how it happened. "It is a misfortune," said the man, "a great misfortune." Then suddenly the papa appeared breathless in the belfry, all pale and alarmed. " Who rung the bell ? — who dared to ring it ?" Mr P explained how it had occurred. " Get down quickly," he exclaimed, " all of you, as fast as you can. It is a great crime you have committed — the people will be here in a few minutes, and if they find you here, you will be in danger of your lives —quick 1 quick I " As they ran down he explained, " That bell is never rung — except to warn the town that the church is on fire, or that help is wanted in the citadel for something political or serious." So down they hurried; found the carriage at the door, and jumped in. At first there was no one in sight, and they drove down the hill rapidly ; but presently they saw people in twos and threes hurrying up ; and then they went slowly, to avoid suspicion. As they met the people they were all in a high state of excitement. " What has happened ?" — they demanded — ■" Who rung the bell ?" Mr P — and his companions pretended they had not heard it, and the people hurried on. As they descended they met crowds, all in a state of agitation, running, talking, men and women, all highly excited, all hastening up the hill. , . "Very lucky," said Mr P- — , "that we got away in time;" and I was uncommonly, glad when we we.re in the town, and could: rattle along without creating suspicion. We were soon over the bridge and out of harm's way; but I do believe if they had caught us they would have done us a mischief for daring to touch their holy bell. Thetfe people are made fanatic in their religion, and when they are roused are blind in their rage. — Around the Kremlin, or Pictures of Life in Moscow ; by G. T. Louth, Esq.