Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-08

In Daghertan, young Lesghian chief, be-
ing severely wounded during one of the fire.
quent razzias of the Russians, took refuge in
a ruined salk,* in order to apply bandages
to his wounds. While thus employed, he was
discovered by party of twelve dimounted
dragons, who Immediately gave chase, on his
taking fight. Being feet of foot, for short
while he outran them, during which time, such
of them as had their carbines loaded, fired at
him Intellectually. Having crossed one of the
flexible bridges, common in that country, and
which was over rapid torrent at the foot Of
mountain, the fugitive, finding himself una
BILE to proceed much father, and having
time to put his arms in order, stood ct bay
under projecting rock.
With yells of delight, and uplifted sabers
the Russians approached the bridge. Th'
foremost nearing him, cried,
"Yield dog"
"Not whilst have twelve lives ct my CIR
de-" cried the undaunted mountaineer.
The Russians in the rear laughed loudly a
the boast; but he in advance fell dead pierce
through and through by bullet, nearly at tn
feet of the Lesghian. The second soldie
stumbled over his dead comrade, and, as h
rose, received shot which caused him to fal
severely wounded. The next, seeing the sam
weapon, which had twice been discharged
still pointed, rushed on; but, to the surpris
of the Russians, third shot was fred at him
untouched however, he was about to cut dow
the Lesghian, when fourth discharge scat
tered his brains ON the rocky parapet, and BIZ
lifeless body tumbled into the torrent beneath
Three of the Russians had now fallen.
"What devil of pistol is this, that speaks
80 often ?" cried the survivors to each other
The Lesghian still stood firm, merely fold
ing the pelisse of sheep's-skin round his lef
arm, ready to receive blow, precaution no
unneeded since now two Russians, abreas
were on the point of assailing him.
Certain Of their prey, these advanced NOR
cautiously than their predecessors. This time
two deliberate shots brought them down RICH
and left; each fell pierced near the region o
the heart The remaining soldiers wer
amazed.
The Lesghian, faint with loss Of blood, an
feeling his strength fast ebbing, now dre'
forth another pistol-a movement unobserve
by the enemy-and rapidly fred three shot
at the group of Russians, some fifty yard
distant at the other end Of the bridge. Ow
ing to his sight being now dim, only one she
took effect, wounding one Of the dragons i
the shoulder.
"Let us fly" they cried it is the Ev
Spirit of the mountains; he would kill gu
whole army
Accordingly, they precipitatelJ fled, just a
the Lesghian sank down exhausted at the foe
of the rock. At distance, they ventured
look back.
at hath vanished in the mist" cried th
superstitious Muscovites.
The Lesghian chief was succored by som
Of his own people, and ere long recovere
from his hurt, as did the wounded Russian
At his bridal feast, some four months afte
the pistols, which were pair Of Colts h
volvers, and were gift from an America
traveller, Captain K, to the youthful HI
70 of the Caucasus, were handed round ami
the general benedictions of the party. II
bride is said even to have kissed them, sa,
ing,
"Ah !! my Dehemit, we're all the brave CT
cassans armed like thee, there would not |
SO many fearful maidens and bereaved wi,
ows in Daghestian."
The Russian prisoner, soon reconclled
kind treatment to this position, has had Il
cruel horse-hairt removed from his heel, ar
has often cleansed and loaded those identities
specimens of the fatal weapons, destined
effect such revolution in the warfare Of tt
world. ....
The story of the +" DEVILS pistol" was to
among the simple Russian soldery,t when co
versing on their weary march, as the windi1
column assembled some interminable mountai
or when the grateful samove (kettle) ga
promise of tea at the close Of their days jou
) ney. Now, the partial introduction Of i
/ arm among the officers has in some degr
dissipated the telling effect of the story, b
/, many still devoutly believe that the you
3 Lesg hian chief was no other than the Prin
/ of Darkness himself out on sporting exI
S dition for the express purpose Of bagging RI
5 sian soldiers.-Portsm,onth Eng.) Times
*The salk is the habtation Of the eastern Cauca.
1t constructed of unhcwn stoue eemented with clay inst
q Of mortar
4 uft of horsehair is commonly inserted by the Giro
slams in the heels their prisoners in order to create
degree Of lameness as to prevent their escape.
tThe simplicity Of many Of the Russian soldiers is ain
touching its chldshness 1t against the Gar that
making war, not against these unfortunate beings
savish instruments Of his ambition What we should all
should not be victory aone but the destruction Of that
tyranny which drags these poor sers from their homes
carry on the wars Of injustice.