The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-15
COROLlNN: Persian Tale.
CHAPTER ~.

~
COROLlNN A Persian Tale.
CHAPTER ~.
CONTINUED
The next day was spent by Everington in making the
necessary preparations for flight. Horses We're procured
and every thing was arranged long before the evening
came on. 1t was the intention Of Everington to gain, if
possible, the passes of the Hetzerdera before morning
with his prize, and then secrete themselves or proceed as
circumstances should dictate. Among the rude but hos
pitable natives of these mountains, he knew he could
have time to d determine on his future course. He was
the more confirmed in his plan, because Hamors had
spent some years in that region when young, and was
well acquainted, not only with the Kurdistan dialect
spoken there, but was familiar with the localities Of that
mountain region and because from that point he could,
with equal ease, pursue his route to Bagdad or fetish.
Evening came and found every thing prepared for
flight. As the last rays of the setting sun gilded the
peaks of the Hetzerdera, Everington and Hamors placed
their steeds in a thick grove of mangoes, at Il consider
able distance from the city, and but a short space from
the river-down which, should they succeed in escaping
from the gardens, they knew it would be necessary to
float. They procured the little skitf which they had
used the evening previous, and as the moon began to
decline and mark the hour appointed, Everington and
his servant found themselves at the place Of ascent
The boat was again secured, and again they successfully
assembled the wall. Every thing around them bore the
same appearance of festivity and ioyousness which it
nau uOne the evening before. Inc palace was llIunlna-
ted-lamps glittered in every recess to which the moon
beams could not penetrate-gay and beautiful forms,
the tenants of the harem, were gliding about their
steps followed at a distance by the black enuchs, who
had them in charge-music lent its witchery and
while the adventurer carefully threaded his way through
the most unfrequented walks, and at intervals caught
glimpses of the majestic domes of the palace-while he
listened to the sweet notes Of music, the air f~reighted
with the fragrance of a thousand flowers, he felt that
the splendid scenes of oriental romance were not alto
gether fabulous.
Silently they approached the bower, and Everington
breathed more freely, when he saw two female forms,
the airy gracefulness of one of which he could not mis-
take, enter beneath the shadows of the orange and AGA
cias, whose branches met and mingled over the opposite
entrance. He was not mistaken, for in a moment the
beautiful Corolinn was in his arms and clasped to his
bosom.
"Thank Heaven. we have met, | trust, never again
to separate" said Everington, as he affectionately kissed
the blushing girl.
awe have met" said the lovely maiden in a voice
which trembled with deep feeling " We have met, but
tits that | may warn you of your danger, bid you farewell
and be miserable"
"Corolinn, said Everington, g if you love me, think
not that any danger threatens me ; think of the fate
that awaits you, if you remain where you are"
Gracious Allah protect me :" exclaimed the beautiful
girl, as a sense of her hopeless situation flashed over
her mind, and instinctively clung to the arm of the per-
son she loved and from whom-she scarcely knew how
-oAC IOONCu vi plOUCCllOu III SAFETY.
owe are losing the precious time" said Everington,
taking the fearful and half-reluctant Corolinn in his
arms with his lovely burden he led the way to the
wall, followed by their two attendants. Without diff
Guilty they assembled the summit, whence, without delay,
Everington descended to the boat, into which Hamors
lowered the girls, and having witnessed their safety, fol-
lowed himself.
LooNng the boat from It's grapevine tastenings, they
foated down the river, passing numbers both on the
waters and on the shores, who were enjoying the beauti-
full evening and Hamors, to prevent notice, mingled
the music of his flute with that, which from the shores
echoed over the waters, on which the last rays of the
moonbeams were lingering. Gradually the music died
away the sweet song of the nightingale from the rose
bordered margin of the river, seemed to swell higher
and clearer and when the moon sunk behind the western
mountains, and the stars began to glitter in the deep
blue sky, the boats sought the shores and though manv
spent the night in the gardens that bordered the river,
yet that was soon deserted, and Everington and his
fair Corolinn, with their attendants were soon floating
on in silence and alone.
Corolinn reclined on the bosom of Everington !; her
trembling in her dark eye.
"My dear girl" said he, " come, cheer up your
spirits, the danger is past, heaven will bless us, and we
shall be happy"
"Allah grant that the danger may be passed" replied
Corolinn but | tremble when | think what awaits us
if we are overtaken in our Fighter myself I care not
| can die, and will die sooner than submit to the fate tc
which | am destined by the prince-but for you-"
40 think not OF me" replied Everington, interrupt
ing her; I" l do not intend to be overtaken ; and if we
are, do not think that [ shall forsake YOU; I can al
least die for you"
This morning" said the b~lushing maiden, =" the
prince came to Inc, took my hand, and requested me te
walk with him in the garden. | could not do other
wise than comply. why so detected p said he, as
we turned into a walk that led us from the obser
walton OF the attendants why so detected on the eve
of an event which had reason to believe would have
filed you with pleasure ? Gracious prince, | answered
am unworthy of the honor YOU design me forgive
me when I say that splender and royalty have no charms
for me. Let me entreat you to forget me, and in some
of these noble Persian families, seek a bride worthy OF
yourself, and your destiny The prince looked at me
sternly and fxedly for a moment, and | trembled be
meath his glance. By the sword of Ali, I see how il
Isl he exclaimed fercely that rascalIy Frank, tlat
accursed infdel, has been beforehand with me in the
winning Of your affection ; but know that Abbas Mirzs
is not thus to be thwarted in his wishes, and were It not
that I have promised to delay until tomorrow, the cere
mony that makes you mine, should take place Within an
hour AS he pronounced these words, he laid his hanc
on his cimetar, and swore by the prophet, should he dis
cover anything on your part to justify the act, no pun
'shment should be to severe for the presumption Of an
accursed infdel. [ threw myself on my knees before
him, and with tears begged him not to drive me to des
peration-told him that | could never give him my
heart, could never love him, and entreated him to forgei
me. 'Sweet girl said he, talk not to me of forget
fitness. shall not try to forget you; these feelings o
yours, you must forget TINS reluctance you must over
come, and consent in the splendor of my court to shine
the brightest star in the heaven of India, the mos
brilliant gem in the diadem of Persia's prince | per
celved that it was in vain to demonstrate and as at tina
moment he was called by a slave, / was left to reflect OF
the ominous manner in which he repeated, as he left me
the words-remember tomorrow p"
The boat had now foated down the current to tn,
place where the horses were secreted and running thu
little bark on the shore, they assembled the bank anc
soon found themselves seated on spirited chargers, ant
while Hamors led the way across the plain ST Schiras
Everington rode by the side of the fair Circassian, who
had, as the distance between them and the city increased
gradually, recovered her spirits. With the Aeetness o.
the wind, they were lessening the distance that separated
them from the mountains and as they approached the
long sweeping range which bounded the plain on the
west, the hope, that in its almost inaccessible gorges
and de6les, they would be able to elude the pursuit.
which they feared, filled them with JOY.
They had reached the mountains and assembled the