The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-02-25


lean of welth, who had abandoned the lunu-
ries and endearments of home to devote his
sword and fortune to the Greek cause. The
friend of Demetrius. he shared his opinions,
and defended them eloquently, the sortie was
decided on and the council of war broke up.
Within half an hour, small but resolute
band was collected in the shaow of the erunied
church that rose like vast bulwark against
the glorious Summer heaven, now beginning
to be lighted by the unclouded rays of the
| full and rising moon. The balmy breeze
breathed through groves ofqlive and myrtle,
and came laden with the sweet perfume of
flowers. 1t was night for lovers to wander
arm in arm-it was night for quiet con-
verse-for peaceful contemplation-tyran-
ny had willed it to be night ofdeadly strife.
Demetrius whispered tohis young friend:
! have sought my betrothed, my beloved Ida
but found her not. If should fall in the
skirmish tonight, and you survive me, seek
her out, Ipray you, and tell her that my
last thoughts were of her. More than this,
you are rich and independent, Ida is poor
orphan-her parents perishedin this struggle.
When / am gone she will have no one to
care for her. Promise me that you will re-
move her from this scene of strife and bear
her to your own happy land. There she
may cease to weep-happy she can never be
while she survives me.
Gerald grasped the hand of his friend and
gave him the required promise. DemetFius
thanked him and turned to his command.
"Forward, brethern," he said, "Eyery
moment is precious. Tread silently-and
keep in my footsteps-when the moment is
arrived, will give you the signal to
strike home! March!'
Silently and swiftly the little band of he
roes, led by Demetrius and Gerald, issued
from a crumbling breach, and keeping in the
shadow of the trees and the hollows of the
ground, approached the Turkish camp
Their attempt was SO daring that no provis
ion had been made against the surprise No
sentinel was there to challenge. They burst
upon their enemies as Unexpectedly as the
lightning sometimes streams from single
cloud upon a summers day.
At once all was uproar and confusion in
the camp. Horsemen sprang to the saddle
but half clad and armed-intantry collected
in confused gfqqps-artillerymen rushed to
their cumbrous cannon, half awake and be-
wildered--tambours, cymbals ndhorns sud-
denly broke the stiffness Of the night-and
smothered groans attested the fatal fury of
the onslaught of the Greeks. In The midst
of the battle, a rocket fired by the hand Of
Gerald mounted to the zenith like shoot
ing star, and then exploding scattered its
crimson sparkles all over the face Of heaven.
1t was a token to Missilonghi of the success
of the sortie, and warning the inhabitants to
follow the path of the victorious troops and
pass through the Turkish camp.
Stiking down man at every blow, Dcme-
trius cut his way to the tent of the Pacha
intending to surprise and siay him, but the
Turk had been to prompt. At the first sound
Of alarm, he had vaulted into the saddle of
his Arab steed, and summoning the faithful
by his powerful voice, rushed to the charge
and rolled back the tide of battle.
Forward, still forward,
Man followed on man,
While his horse tails were dashing
Afar in the van.
The shouts of "AllahP' and "Bismilly!"
rent the air. Before the devoted Greeks rose
a tumbling sea of white tprbans, lit by the
flashing blades and scimetars, while on their
fanks poured an irregular but deadly volley
from the Turkish infantry. The standard of
the cross was captured, and the little band
of patriots, after fighting till all hope was
lost, were driven back into Missolonghi
which the Turks almost succeeded in en-
tering. The old men, women and children,
who were preparing to fly, filled the air with
lamentations as their last hope vanished
Demetrius sought the patriarch, and throw
ing down before him the fragment of his shat.
tered blade, said, sadly:
"Father, have sought death, but have
not found it. When the standard was cap
tured, could fain have thrown away my life,
but was borne off in the tide of fugitives,
and saved against my will"
"My child" said the old man, "murmur
not against the decree of heaven. The best of
us can only do his sutmost--the result is with
higher power than mans will. Go to thy
betrothed-she needs thy presence doubtless
she, at least, will not grieye at the failure
of thy suicidal project
Meanwhile the Pacha was seated in his
tent upon pile of cushions. An alabaster
lamp lighted the rich interior of his military
dwelling. He had laved the blood stains
from his hands; his fatal scimetar had been
returned to its jeweled scabbard, and now
the amber mouth piece of his silver chibock
applied to his lips, he was quietly nhaling
and expelling wreaths Of fragrant smoke,
musing perhaps on the delights of that para
disc to which his fidelity to the cause of the
Prophet had given him such aincontestable
claim.
"Well, Hassar," he said, addressing an
officer, who was standing respectfully before
him. with his arms folded over his glittering
vest, "think'st thou the infdel dogs will re-
new the attack"
"No Pachal we have them Gagged now
their fate is now in your hands. But what
shall be done with the prisonersW
"They shall all die, by the beard of the
prophet At the hour of high noon to-mor-
row see that their heads are stricken from
their bodies. They will be an acceptable
present to the commander of the faithful.
Sc may all the foes of the Sultan perishp'
"All must die?"
"All!y yes. Why this question:"
"Because, there is one whose extreme
youth,
'@T said all, Hassan,'' replied the Pacha.
"But I confess should like to see the being
who could move your pity"
"Shall Ibring him before your highness?"