Washington sentinel., 1854-01-04

vouchsafed no reply to this intelligence; but,
waving his hand impatiently to the horror
stricken messenger, again found himself alone.
His resolution was soon taken. For brief
moment the memory of the oath which he, In
common with his comrades in misfortune, had
voluntarily taken, came darkly across his spirit;
but the love Of life had again grown powerful
within him, and he silenced the reproaches OF
conscience at the impulse of his iron will.
That night he wrote letter to the pasha,
offering to surrender the tower, on condition
that himself his surviving officers, and the
remnant Of his illfated garrison should be per-
mitted to march out in all honor and safety
with their arms in their hands; and this done,
he attached the missive to an arrow, and shot
it from the narrow easement of his chamber
into the camp of the enemy.
Great was the astonishment OF the besieged
troops when the Hungarian captain related to
them the manner in which their leader had re-
ceived the important tidings he had communi-
Gated; but some of the veteran soldiers who
had served with Keretsenyi from boyhood at
once decided that he had resolved to perish
rather than yield; and this was conclusion 50
accordant with all their preconceived ideas OF
his character, that they esteemed it the most
fitting climax to his career, and prepared them
therefore was their surprise, when on the NOR
row herald appeared beneath the tower, and
demanded parley with the Christian leader.
In haste and wonder, several of the garrison
hurried in search of Keretsenyi who, having
approached the walls, and been recognized by
the herald, was greeted with compliment from
the Pasha, his master, and an intimatiOn that
in the course of the day he should receive an
answer to his dispatch.
His errand done, the Turkish envoy returned
to the camp and Keretsenyl without offering
a word of explanation to the astonished crowd
about him, re-ascended to his chamber. He
was not, however, long suffered to indulge in
solitude; for he had scarcely flung down his
mailed gloves, and lifted his morton from his
head, when the tramp of heavy footsteps upon
the stone stair was succeeded by the appear
ance Of group of his officers, headed by VIII
Janos, who hastily and imperatively demanded
the meaning Of the scene which they had just
witnessed, alleging that the troops murmured
loudly, and suspected treason.
"And they have cause to do So" said the
mpetuous Hungarian we are all comrades
here, alike in life and death; we have fought
together, hungered together, and struggled to-
gether. Destruction is before us, but we will
meet it like brave men. 1t is too late for mys-
terry ours is a common cause; and the deeds
of one must involve the fate of all. We desire,
therefore, to know what act Of yours brought
the Turkish herald to our walls; and why we
find you in secret correspondence with the en-
my; and--for upon this question is based a
reply to all the rest-whether you have forgot
ten your oath !"
Keretsenyi looked round ynpon the exited
group with calm brow and steady eye.
/" You are both premature and overbold," he
said in cold and indignant tone but in men
shrinking from threatened death, much must
be forgiven; and will even SO far indulge
you in your vehemence as to reply to ques-
ton rudely and idly put My kinsman, Rebek,
the brother of my wife, is in the besieging
army and knowing him SO near, and desiring
to learn some tidings which it behooyes me to
ascertain, / took this opportunity of asking
them. May now crave your absence? Should
| need attendance ! will summon you."
Overawed by his composure, and accustomed
to defer to his will, the baffled and bewildered
captains obeyed in silence; nor was it until
they communicated to the excited and impa-
tient soldiery the explanation Of their leader,
ahd learned, from some of his own retainers,
the domestic position of keretsenyi, that they
were able to comprehend the bearing of his
words. From these they ascertained that many
years previously the noble lady whom he had
espoused, and who was the mother of his son,
for reasons which had never been divulged fed
from her home, retaining so bitter remem.
brance of her lord, that she had since lost no
opportunity of injuring his interests while her
brother Rebek, who, thwarted in his ambition
in his own country, had become renegade,
participated in the hatred of his sister from the
fact that Keretseny had possessed himself Of
all his estates.
A few hours subsequently to his interview
with his captains, the magnate openly dis.
patched another letter to the Turkish camp,
bearing the name Of his brother-in-law upon its
superscription. This was however a mere feint,
the dispatch being in reality addressed to the
Pasha; and, in about two hours from its de-
livery, couple of the beys of his household
came and craved asprivate interview with Ke-
retsenyi. They were succeeded by Rebek, who
bore the rank of aga in the besieging army,
and who was closeted with his kinsman for q
considerable time.
Murmurs once more arose among the sol
diery, they suspected treachery, and deprecated
the mystery in which their general involved
his movements; but, long accustomed to sub
mission, they controlled themselves, and awaited
with what patience they could command, the
result Of the pending negotiations
One fact rendered them suspicious Of the
magnate's purposethe Turkish cannon were
silent, while deep stiffness had succeeded to
the continuation Of conflict; and when, in ad-
dition to this circumstance, they saw Keret-
senyi dispatch, by young and noble kinsman
Of his own, q suit of silver armour and gold
hilted sword, as present to Persaff Pasha,
dark forebodings took possession oftheir minds;
and visions of disgrace and dishonor fitted be-
fore them like spectres.
[To be CONTINUED.
STATIONERY AND BLANK BOOKS.