Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-26

explained 10 MN that the Duke OF Lithuani;
: was al that moment in open rebellion acains
his majesty, and placed in his hands a war.
rant for his execution. "The law capno
reach him through its usual servants" h,
said; "it is bold enterprise propose ,c
yon-to decapilate general at the head Of
his troops"
II this was a measure which hardly anotl.
cr than Laski would have contaminated. i
was one also which he would have hardl,
found another than Hakem to undertake and
accomplish. Tie brewery of tins man was
all but miraculous, and was only rescued from
madnessby the extreme skill ,s address BY which
1t was supported. In battle, e rushed on dinuer
as bold and delighted swimmer plunges in the
waves which to him are as innocuuus as the
breeze that is IrcsLening them. Yet, when the
excitement was passed. he relapsed into state
ot apparent apathy. He had been taken captive
IN one OF those engagements, at this time no,
unirequent, between the Poles and the Turks.
with the latter of whom he had served as a
solder of fortune. To say that he was taken
prisoner, is hardly correct; for he was found
lying half dead on the field of battle, and was
brought bone by the Poles, by some caprice of
compassion, with their own sick and DIVING
Neither was it constraint that he i'd him beneath
/
a slave, tor at all times escape would have been
easy to him. 1t was either attachment to
those who lived beneath that roof, or an
equal indifference to everything without or
beyond it, that retained him there.
To propose to llakem some bold and
perIlous enterprise, was to offer to him one
of the few pleasures to which he was open.
lie accepted, therefore of the strange
commission now entrusted to him without
hesitation; STIMULATING, only, that he might
take from the stables of the king, horse
which was mucl, celebrated for It's amazing
power and hee,ness.
Mounted upon this incompatible steed,
he pursued lis way to the camp of the Duke
of Lihnania. Ga his journey he had made
trial of its speed, and yet had hnsbanded its
strength. Arrived at the plain where the
lnsul gent army was encamped, he there
lay in ambush for some time, till he saw
where the duke. passing his troops in review,
rode somewhat in advance of what, in the
language Of modern warfare, we should call
his staff. llakem set spurs TO his horse "A nd
rushed upon HIM with the velocity of light
nIng, his drawn scimatir flashing in the sun,
and his loud cry of defiance calling the duke
TO his defence. Thus challenged he put his
lance in rest, to meet lis furious assailent.
But the thrust Of the lance was avoided, and
the next moment the head of the duke was
seen to roll upon the field. The Arab
wheeled round. and without quitting his
steed, picked up the severed head, placed it
on mis- saddle bows, and dartcd off neeter
than the wind. A cry of horror and shout
OF pursuit arose from the whole army, who
were spectators of this scene. Every horse
was in motion. But where the contest is one
of speed, Of what avail are numbers! In
the whole camp there was not steed which
could compete with that on which the soIita.
ry fugitive was mounted, and was already
seen securing the plain at a distance. As
he fled paper was observed to fall from his
hands. which the wind bore amongst his in
Vulnerable pursuers it was the judicial war
rant tl,at had been thus strangely executed.
Meanwhile, at the palace, the royal mind
of Sgismund was not a little disquieted and
alarmed by this sudden rebellion of the pow :
erful Duke of Litluania. That alarm would
not have been diminished had he been i
ware that this open rebellion was to be aid
ed by secret domestic treason, which in his
own palace, was lying in ambush for his
life. The queen, whilst watching her OPP
portnnity to perform her part in this crimi-
nal enterprise, affected to throw all the
blame of this formidable rebellion on the un.
popularity of the minister Laski, whose
measures, indeed, the duke proclaimed as
the main motive of his conduct.
Matters were in this condition when
Count Laski, attended by his slave, enter
ed the royal apartmen,.-There were pres
ent besides the queen, several of The nob-
ty-al prepared by the insinuaions and
address of the queen, to give but a cold
greeting to the minister.
In good time" said the queen, Count
Laski makes his appearance. We wish to
know how you will extrcate his Majesty
from the peril in which your unpopular coun
sells have thrust him. With what force will
you meet the Duke of Lithuania =! Now
when there is need Of the brave chivalry OF
Poland to defend the king from rebellion,
we find the nobility aienated from the crown
by your unwise, and arrogant, and plebian
policy. But let us hear what is the excel
lent advice, what is the good intelligence
you now bring us ?"
The Duke of Lilhuanis, madam" said
the chancellor, slightly raising his voice, but
preserving the same calm dignity as if he
mad been presiding in high court Of Justice
-" The Duke Of Lithuania is in open re-
beion. manifest rebellion; and rebellion is,
in the laws of all nations, punished by
DEATH"
punished !" said the queen scoilingly !:
"are YOU speaking Of some trembling caitill
who holds mp his naked hand al your bar of
justice Punished You must conquer
| him.
Your Majesty will be pleased to hear"
continued the chancellor, with look full of
significance, that Albert Glnski, Duke of
Llthuania, whose treason was open and pro-
claimed, has been by the royal warrant,
sentenced"
Count Laski paused.
Sentenced !" exclaimed Bona and re-
peated her scorntul laugh, which this time
but ILL., concealed certain vague terror that
was rising in her mind. is our chancellor
mad or does he sport with us This rebel
whom you talk Of senlencing-of condemn
ing, we presume, 10 the hlock-stands at the
head oil greater army than his Majesty can
at this moment assemble"
/ "And the sentence" pursued the minis
ter has been executed !"