The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-05-21
WHOLE NO. a7s

betake ourselves TO the Ioniun shore, pur-
chase a boat, go to Corfu, aud live as fisher
men,
i "Be it So"
In an hour from that time the friends were
on their way 10 the coast, and Giayella toll
ing along the sinuous path leading up the
Kiafa. He had advanced about half way 10
its summit, when he heard the tramp Of u
body Of men descending moment aftor
they were in sight, and Cheitho, who wasat
their head, rushed down the declivity aud
sank on her husbands bosom. She was
accompanied by about two hundred armed
Sulotes, commanded by an old priest named.
Samuel, who, with the exception Of tho
smallround hat common TO the Greek clergy,
had nothing clerical in bis costume. A ya!-
Afghan and pistols stuck in the red leather
belt which confined bis WOODEN camisa to-
getherw with his curved sabre, and ornamenied
gun, rendering him rather formidable rep
resentative Of the church militant.
"Cheitho, my beloved!n said the chiefiain,
as she unclasped her arms from his neck,
81 need not ask thee whittier thou and these
brave men we're bound: doubtless twas 70
attempt my rescue"
at was indeed, she replied, gazing lem
. derly in his face, e,-"but hank God thou
art here. Weshould probably have failed,
and it had been hard 10 die, without once
more beholding thee.'
"Come," said Giavella, turning away to
hide the tear Of love and gratitude which
Iglittered in his manly eye,--alet US to our
homes. Our homes! Perchance ere To-
morow's dawn they will bo blazing beacons
TO guide the footsteps of our conquerors.---
And thou, my beloved wife," added he, his
strong frame quivering with suppressed ENG
ton, "should to-moTroH's sun see the last
hope Of Sui quenched in the bleod Of its
last defenders, God help thee! where wilt
thou fnd refuge and protoction?n "In
death!'' returned Cheitho, proudly. "let
those who love life more than honor, be the
slaves of Ali or his minons: Twill die, as |
have lived, a free Greek nation"
81 know thon wilt" said the chief--.I
know thy spirit is TOO proud, too pure, TO
brook degradation. But what news hast
thou? What say our chiefs and elders?--
Are they prepared to resist to the death"
"Alas!" replied Cheiho, mournfully, "the
gold of Ali, and the treachery Of Coral have
undone us. Since thou vert taken, nearly
all our leaders, with more than half our best
troops, have accepted the Pasha's bribes,
and secretly withdrawn"
"God Of Heavenn exclaimed GiavelIa,
fercely, "may thy speeiel curse accompany,
:. Inc u n; .ha purchase of their infamyg'
I" Amen!' responded ti,v-r-:-.-I --i-.-.sI,
"Ah!" cried the Capitano, grasping the
old mans hand, "my old and faithful friend,
thy pardon that did not greet thee sooner.
Thou must chide Cheitho for making me SO
uncourieous. And you, my kind comrades,
who would have rushed upon destruction for
my sake, accept my thanks. Tomorrow,
we'll TO the conflict together. If we cannot
drive back the invaders, we will atleast show
them how Christian men can ightfor all they
hold dear, when they stand at bay round the
homes of their fathers" So saying, the
chief, accompanied by his friend and wife,
pursued his way toward the village, which
was just visible in the moonlight, perched
| like an eagles nest on the apex of the ac-
clivlty His intended rescuers, who brought
up the rear, testified, by loud shouts, their
Joy at his return. Dawn found Giayella,
with his gallant companions, occupying
commanding position, half way down the
Kiafa. AT sun rise, the artillery of the
enemy opened upon the village, but the
Pasha, finding it was unoccupied, command
ed one Of his sons at the head Of two thou
sand picked troops, to force the ascent if
defended, and take possession of the heights
in the interior. Coral volunteered his SER
vices in the assault, with the hope Of once
more securing his rival, or at least carrying
off Cheitho. The assailanis descended from
their position uRopPosed, and met with no
obstruction to their progress, till, at a sud-
den turn of the upward path, they beheld
the forlorn hope of Suli drawn upin compact
order Immediately intheir route. The Su-
liotes gave them little time TO reconnoitre
With loud shout, and the impetus Of
loosened avalanche, they dashed down op
the van of the, advancing host The keen
sabres ofthe Greeks, (for their loaded guns
still swung at their backs) made fighiful
chasms in the files of the enemy But the
multitude from behind pressed over their fall
len comrades, 10 renew the broken ranks,
and the arms of the mountaineers waxed
. weary with incessant slaughter, +" Unsling
your fusils!" shouted 'he chief, as he per-
ceived their vigor relax. The order was
promptly obeyed "Take sure aim!' The
eye of every Suliote was glancing along the
polished barrel of his weapon in line with
the body ofa foe. Fire" and the echoes
Eofa hundred death-shtieks mingled with tho
Ereverberation of the discharge. But all was
in vain: the numbers were too unequal
The muskets of the Albanesc were not idle;