The Russian Soldier's Story. 275 at Silistria a man was shot just where I had been standing a moment before; and I thanked God for having let me live longer to fight for the Emperor. 'Then after a time the English and French came against us, and fought us at the Alma, and shut us up in Sevastopol; and dreary work we had that winter, watching all night beside our guns, with flakes of ice on our eyelashes, and snow all round us, and the wind cutting our faces like the stroke of a whip; and although we could see that the redcoats and the bluecoats suffered too, yet we were very tired of it. My brother was so strong that he didn't seem to mind; and many a time, when we were shivering together under a gun carriage, watching the flashes of the enemy's cannon, he would clap me on the shoulder, and say cheerily, "Never mind, Vânia; God sees what we're doing, and won't forget us." And I would take courage, and make as if I didn't feel it. 66 'And so the spring wore on, and then the summer; and the enemy, though we beat them once or twice, kept getting nearer and nearer; till one morning there was a great bustle in the French and English lines, and word came that we were to be attacked again. As we went to our post, my brother whispered to me, Vânia, I think I shall be killed to-day; for last night I dreamed that God came and took away my musket, and gave me a crown instead." I said nothing, though I felt cold all over at the thought of losing him; but just then there came a great shout, and we saw a long sheet of red, with a row of bright points along it, come rolling over the plain toward the Redan, where we stood; and this was the English charging us. And after that I only remember hearing a great noise of firing, and seeing the clouds of smoke go up, and the redcoated men fall over each other like fish out of a net, till all at once I saw my brother turn half round and fall backwards; and as I was running to help him, something hit me on the arm, and I fell too, and fainted away. 276 The Russian Soldier's Story. 'I don't know how long I lay so, but when I awoke all was quiet; and the first thing I saw was an English officer stooping over my brother, and pouring something from a flask into his mouth. My brother looked up and said to him, "God bless you, Englishman, but it's too late to help me; and all I can give you in return is this." And he pulled out from under his coat a little white kitten, just like Vaska1 here, which he had found in the town two days before, and taken care of. It was covered with his blood, but not a bit hurt, and fast asleep after all the roar of the battle. Then I knew that he must die, for he would never have given it away while he lived; and I fainted away again. But I'd give a good deal to know what became of that cat, and whether the good Englishman was as kind to it as to him!' 'You may be easy on that point, interrupted I; 'I can finish your story for you, my old friend. Ilmet that officer in London five years ago, and he told me this very same tale; and the kitten had grown into a fine cat, and was well taken care of." arb and bos 'Thank you, Barin,' says the old man, with glistening eyes; 'you've made me very glad. I always hoped it would be so; but I like to be sure of it. I must go in now, for it's getting cold; but if you pass this way tomorrow, you'll find me and Vaska here again?' to g619st And away hobbles old Ivan, as happy as a king, vat having heard, even after so long a time, of the welfare of his brother's favourite. 对 1 A contraction of Vasîli or Basil, always applied to a cat by the common people. } dailon THE GOLDEN GATES: gaidismo- all f bas qu bodoo A STORY FOR CHILDREN, 26V sail tau E have said that Fortis loved his sister very much, and he was pleased I to see her happy. Something within told him she would not like his new companions; so he was careful to say nothing about them, neither did he tell her how he spent tomuch of his time. The watchful eye of Lenis soon discovered that a change had dt taken place, and after a time Metis wonJdered why his ground looked so neglected, and his dress was certainly losing its brightgninetails mess ; but she did not like to ask him the reason, and so many weeks passed by. Late in the autumn, it chanced one day that Fortis, having worked in his garden harder than usual-for a feeling of shame at its neglected appearance had come over him fell asleep on a bench near. Vulpes, who never left him very long without a visit, soon afterwards came by. He had been much provoked at the failure of all his attempts to get the playthings, and now he thought the right time had come; no one else was near. He had discovered that Fortis always carried them about with him. One day, as he watched him at work, he had seen a picture peeping out of his coat: so now, going up to him very quietly, he carefully lifted up the dress which covered his breast; and there, sure enough, underneath, completely hidden, were the long-sought treasures. After assuring himself that he had them all, Vulpes quickly walked away, leaving Fortis quite ignorant of 278 The Golden Gates. his loss. Not long after, he awoke with a feeling of greater satisfaction than he had known for many weeks. A large heap of weeds, which had grown to a goodly size, testified to his industry; and Benignus, who just then came up, congratulated him on the improved appearance of his ground. Together they walked into the house to spend a little time with their sisters: they were not in their usual place, and Benignus suggested that they should follow them to their favourite spot, where no doubt they would be found. Fortis would rather not have gone there: for, since his neglect of duty, and companionship with those who did not love the Good Shepherd, he had lost his interest in Him too; and the beautiful dress, which at first he had so much admired, had lost all beauty in his eyes; but he did not like to say so, and followed Benignus in silence. Sitting on a seat near the beautiful dress were the two girls. Lenis, with a book open on her lap, was reading aloud; Metis, with her arms fondly encircling her friend, was in an attitude of the deepest attention. They gladly welcomed their brothers, making room for them to sit beside them. Lenis had often wished she could see Fortis there, as she felt sure he would not long be satisfied with his own dress, if he could be brought to examine the beauty of the one before them. Benignus then asked Lenis to go on reading he could understand it so much better than when he read to himself, he said. Certainly her soft, clear voice was very pleasant to listen to, as she told them of the Shepherd's love, and how they must walk so as to please Him. For some time Fortis listened with great attention: then it happened that something which occurred in the reading brought his hidden playthings to his mind; and mechanically he slipped his hand under his dress to feel if they were safe, when, lo and behold, they were all gone! Fortis was a sharp boy, and the fact that Vulpes had been trying to get possession of them had not escaped him; so, directly he discovered they were gone, he felt The Golden Gates. 279 sure Vulpes had taken them while he slept. Uttering a passionate exclamation of anger and vengeance, he darted away, leaving his companions startled and amazed. They could imagine no reason for such strange behaviour, Thinking it most likely that he had gone into the garden, they followed him there; but as it was now quite dusk, it was some time before they could discover any trace of him. After looking in vain near his own ground, they turned to a part of the garden seldom visited by them, from the fact of its belonging to a bad set of boys, whose company they did not like. From this quarter loud voices were heard, and a confused sound of scuffling, Turning a corner which had before concealed the view, they came suddenly upon a group of boys who were hooting and cheering, whilst two boys in the centre were fighting desperately. Little Metis was too much frightened to look up, but Lenis and Benignus soon discovered that one of the fighters was Fortis. Calling loudly to him to leave off, Benignus tried to force his way to Fortis, but was held back by the other boys, who seemed to enjoy the sight. Lenis, too, called to them to stop; but her voice was lost in the general clamour. Fortis was in a sad plight; his clothes torn, his face scratched and bleeding. Vulpes, who was his antagonist, was much stronger and taller than he; and had not Fortis possessed far more spirit and courage, he could have been no match for him. As it was, Fortis had much difficulty in keeping his ground so long. Superior bodily strength must get the upper hand at last; and a well-aimed blow from Vulpes had just sent the unfortunate boy down on his back, when Ductor was seen making his way towards him from the other side. With an air of authority to which his office entitled him, he dispersed the boys right and left; and, with a few words of stern reproof to Vulpes, he lifted Fortis from the ground. No sooner did Fortis find himself on his legs again, than he made a desperate effort to get free, that he might rush after his enemy, who was sneaking off as fast as he could; but Ductor held him fast. |