Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-13
NUMBER 2O4.
A story OF Coles Revolver.

owing 10 the dilapidated fortunes Of his ancient
family, expatriated himself some few years since,
and entered the Turkish army wrote a letter. ar
rather Journal addressed to friend, about
year since, Of which the following IS an extract. lt
may suffice 70 state chat he was Engaged in q q
Turkish campaign in Asia, and, during severe
engagement, was wounded on the heights If
Basch,KadikIar. After having described II
horrors of the field and his narrow escapes in Two
or three skrmshes, he gave the details Of his su-
ferngs for day and two nights, during which lie
lay exposed among the slain and wounded on tie
field of battle. The story Of the manner of is
escape from two plundereIs or camp-followers, Nv
means OF revolving pistol, is so curious that we
make no apology for extracting somewh,
lengthy passage. We commence the narrative
about the middle Of tho Journal
All had been long silent, save occasionally a
groan from some poor creature wounded like me-,
perhaps dying, and the howling Of the wolves fir m
the forest skirtmg the field of battle--a pre- ty
sort Of wake for n descent Christian Turk, ind
worse, by distances, can tell you, my dear ---,
than Pat Houagan's grandmother's screeches the
night we entered her cabin on the moor after
that famous days snpe-shooting, when they l. i'd
him out, as they said, $50 dacent, wild the oil to
on his chest the spalpeen." Well, to return frem
this DEPRESSION, felt how fortunate it was that
lay so near the middle of the plain--a sort of cen
tire dish, you see--snce otherwise would have
been torn by some snyage beast or other before
any one would have been likely to inquire into the
precise geological nature Of my disease. knew
very well the next morning would be rescued.
as could see that the Russians were retiring,
their fires being all out this night and had lust
said to myself, Jack Ii il all right you vii be
easy and comfortable with your limb elegantly ban.
daged tomorrow" and actually tried to whistle
"The Bells of -Shandon," and Rory O'More,'
and one or two other tunes to keep up my spirits
1t was rather failure, both in execution and in
tention, will own
And now for description which our old friend
Charley Lever might do justice to.
On leafless tree near me sat six or seven huge
birds of prey, gorged with their horrible repast
knew they were not likely to touch me whilst re-
manned lying--l cannot add, lively butl sudden.
ly saw figure fitting to and fro, like the ghost
OF my aunt ------, and occasionally STOPPING as if
engaged in some office Of mercy and thereby now
and then lost among the broken groups of men,
horses, &C., heaped upon the plain, and now and
then emerging into the bright light Of the noon as
it came forth from behind the dark masses Of clouds
that occasionally obscured the terrible landscape
What is itg" says /. Presently became aware
Of the existence of four or five other Il nues SINH
larly employed. AT one time thought they were
women, and then priests, administering consolation
and aid. | thought Of the Spanish stories poor
Major Atkins used to tell us. knew there were
monks in Asia, though could not tell where these
came from. Then all kinds Of strange thoughts Of
ghosts and vampires the very creations Of the
country was in, suggested themselves to my inn
aginaton. gazed until could gaze no longer at
their FORMS which seemed hardly to approach
nearer, and at length fell back contemplating
silvery halo around the moon, which PVT me In
mind of the Cove of Cork and Lucy NJ, the
darling.
might have continued thus about half an hour,
when sound caused me to turn around, and be-
held a sight that filed me with horror. A figure
like one Of the witches in Macbeth was STOPPING
ovar and graphing with the wounded Russian Gen
ersd, who lay some ten PAGES distant from me-
could hear every breath and movement of the pair
as the veteran struggled with his fendish assail-
ant. There was fearful stiffness about the deed;
for the victim uttered not word, probably in dis.
dain of his fate. At length he succeeded IN hold
ing of her skinny and ensanguined arms and while
doing so uttered a few words in Russian which
could not understand. Finding her task difficult
she gave hiss like serpent, and presently male
confederate, looking like Burke or Hare, clothed
for an Adelphi melodmma such as have seen in
London, stole 10 her assistance and deliberately
passed long knfe.into the bosom OF the hapess
Russian. heard the sound Of il, and the low
deep groan that followed. Vainly had | endeay.
ored TO shout in order TO scare these fends from
their prey; but my tongue Glove to the roof Of
my mouth. ! was like one under nightmare
Suddenly the moon dived beneath cloud. Wher,
t came out again, the spoilers of the field ofdeath
had finished plundering the Russian general whose
white hair, liyid features and starting eye.bals
could plainly see and were engaged 10 dividing or
securing the booty. w
The glittering eyes Of the wriDkled Zingara, for
such she was, then turned upon me. II was eyi.
dent, from their expression that my turn was at
hand. A turnult Of thoughts ngitated my breast
To die thus, after escaping with lie from tho
events Of the weekl II was horrible. Already
felt the clutsh Of those bird-lkc fingers at my
throat. Already | lancied that butcher-liko knife
red, from a hundred murders, and warm from the
old generals side, slowly passing into my breast.
| could offer no resistance. Ny left arm was bro
kenny aricle twisted--my strength utterly gone.
raised myself partly up, as with hdeous deliber-
siion the pair cautiously spproached, one on each
side What would have given at that moment TO
be heading forlorn hope !" TO be struggling
with the breakers a. whon lately wrecked on the
stormy Caspian; to be standing opposite the best
saw.handle shot ia the county Galway TO be hob
nobbing over my fathers claret, in my grandfa.
thers house. with the blackguard attorney who
ruined us all 10 be listening to the unmistakable
refusal to marry me Of the only girl ever loved,
Or to be arrested by dirty tailor on the eve ofa
steeple chase. in which ! was the favorite gentle.
nan rider. Don't fancy that ] thought Of all these
things at that tune, though never thought so
much in year as | did in those few moments
The ugly jewish features Of the man approached
me with the fascination Of serpent. ] twisted
myself round TO meet the still more fiendish
glance Of the woman. They neared me. The
clutch Of the hag is already at my throat The
knife Of the man Is upraised. Suddenly the cords
Of speech we're loosened, and / screamed--scream.
ed like a horse in the agony Of the battlefield.
shall never forget the sound Of my own voice Ii
that unearthly cry. The monsters drew back, bn.
it was only to look az each other and indulge IN
chuckle of ghastly merrimeut. At that instant
thought Of something--with my right band drew
forth my Colts revolver. | remember distinctly.
during the instant IL took 10 pluck L forth all the
incidents Of the two days preyious-each time I
had fired II, and that there were two charges len
when was shot down from nv horse. To snatch
It forth-to cock ito level ito pull the tr1c.
ger--wss the work Of second Down went the
man, a filthy corpse upon the ground. / remen.
Der seeing the shadowy forms OF the obscene birds
grouped cropfa III the solitary tree near me lazily
extend their wings as the sharp report rang ont
The hsg fed a half a dozen paees like startled
ghoul; but she was burdened with spoil, and her
foot caught against tho very corpse OF him whom