Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-08-13

ternities, under the guidance OF some noble,
and from the mountains made sallies 10 at
tack their oppressors, and even to surprise
them in their fortresses, filling their hearts
with terror at the sight of their usually
victorious standards.
In such iraternitips, the father brought
up his son to be warrior, and when dy-
ing delivered up 10 him his arms, which
whilst living he never dared to put aside.
The gallant deeds thus performed are even
now celebrated by the people 10 ancient
songs, one OF which in particular deserves
10 be mentioned in detail from its boldness,
as well as its brilliant results.
Among the fortressps that remained
nearly century in possession Of The Turks,
was the strong and important one OF Erlau.
1t capitulaed after heightened siege.
But the Turks, as was their custom, broke
their oath, putting the garrison to the
sword after its evacuation. A small troop
alone succeeded in cutting its way through
the army Of the enemy, and escaped to the
wild Mara mountains IT soon formed one
Of the most daring aud successful bands,
emblttering during three generations the
dominion of the Mahometans in Erau.
AT that time, when the crescent, over.
thrown under the walls of Vienna, began
to grow pale in Hungary, the chief of the
Erlau gueriIlas was young and fiery pa
trOt, named Lplkem. He constantly har-
rassed the garrison Of Hatvan, Szolnok, and
Other places, capturing their conveys and
defeating their troops. On one occasion
he carried ou very successful expedition
he unexpectedly fell upon, and seized
treasure convoy in Gyongyos,* on its way
from Erlau to Buda, and cut down the
whole escort
AT the beginning Of the engagement, as
Lplkem attacked the Turks IN the streets Of
the town, he heard cry Tor help from one
OF the houses; he leaped off his horse,
pressed into the house, and there found a
Turkish soldier il-treating an Hungarian
girl with stroke Of his flashing sword
he split the coward'S head, and liberated
her from his grasp. Exhausted and subdued
by terror, the girl lay senspless on the
ground. Lelkem soon restored her TO con-
sclousness she was the very type OF Hun
garlan beauty, with black eyes and hair
the charming expression of her face height
ened by a gleam of gratitude. To the
young man she seemed the fairest of all the
maidenS he had ever brheld. The girl, too,
on recovering, found her deliverer Just as
she in her lively fancy had painted true
Hungarian hero tall, stately, with spark
ling eyes, the terror of the enemy and the
friend and willing protector Of the helpless
and unhappy.
/ In Hungary love soon takes root, in
creasing with a rapid and marvellous
growth. The young man remained but
short time with the maiden, still it sufiiced
to ill their hearts with feeling not easily
to be ehaced. Lrlkem left the girl, whose
name was Irma, with promise of S on re-
turning, but that promise was more easily
made than fulfilled, for scarcely had the
news Of the loss Of the costly convoy reach
ed Erlau, :han the infuriated Pasha sent a
strong garrison to Gyonayos, and ordered
hot pursuit after the bold Guerilla Chief
so that Lrlkem, for time, had no favora-
bic opportunity Of quitting his inaccessible
lurking place.
As a punishment for the loss Of he con-
voy, heavy contribution was levied on
the town Of Gyongyos, and at the same
time, to insult the inhabitants in their most
sacred feelings, the Pasha commanded the
delivery of twelve of their most beautiful
daughters for the harpm of the Pasha OF
Buda. The CONSERVATION and the wrath
OF the poor towns people at this twoioId
outrage knew no bounds but, conscious
f OF their week.-mrs., they submitted 10 the
sentence, and as neither enireaties moi
promises could soften the in6exible Turkish
commander, presented their girls for selec-
, ton to the officer sent for that purpose
, from Erlau. Amongst the number chosen
was the unhappy lrma.
. Lelkem speedily received this dreadful
Intelligence. With the quickness o
thought he d1termintd TO preven, the maid
ems from being carried off; but at the frs
moment he was quite al loss to devise ;
, plan likely 10 prove successful against the
, numerous garrison of Gyonyos. In th'
, midst of this dilemma he was interrupted
by the arrival OF messenger from his un
: Gle, the Superior Of Monastery of Car
meIites in that nrighborhood, summonine
the chief to an immediate conference
which Lelkem did not delay attending to
knowing his uncle, who had already offer
assisted him with good advice during hi
expeditions, TO be wise and patriotic man
c He found him in great trouble as 10 tn
fate of the unfortunate town. The monl
= conjured Lelkem, by his Christian iai,l
: and his love for his country, now to prov
= what enthusiasm the Hungarian was capa
f bic OF, in defending his rights and his coun
= trywomen. He then proposed TO him L
e go 10 the town dressed as a monk, an,
there to agree upon scheme with the in
habltants. The first part Of this propose
h was easily affected, as few hours befor
e Oulo, the father ot Irma, had sent TO tn
= monastery Tor priest to pray by his daugh
Is ter, who was then dangerously i'll. Le
ID ken was at first quite overcome at this sa
ID information, but, commanding his feeling
le he declared his readiness TO comply wit
p, the wish Of his uncle. He hastily put O
p cowl, and left the monastery, mounte
es upon mule. He had the good fortune |
pass the Turkish outposts unremarked, ar
d, arrived, at the dusk Of the evening, accou
r. panied by Dulo's messenger, 10 Gyongyc
n, With the capuchin drawn over his hea
IS. Lelkem entered Irma's room. She W
a. much changed during the few weeks III
ad had elapsed since he saw her. She was
n Al A