Smyrna times., 1859-05-12
THRILLIN G NARRATIV
REPKINI, THE BRIGAND.

REPAIN1J IAE bh4GAWD.
From Unpublished Sketches Of Russia and
other LandS.
The Russian character, from the harsh and
difficult language with which it is invested, is
but little known, although that country occu-
pies so considerable portion in the policy of
governments; much, therefore, which is indi.
genNus to that soil, and which best portrays its
national character, is clouded in obscurty. 1t
is not from the actions of Cabinets, or the i'm
pressions received from diplomatic embassies,
that you can correctly judge of the internal
Character of any people. 1t is amongst the
middliDg classes of society-thc peasantry, and
the working portion of the community, that the
national traits of kingdom can be accurately
defined. The serfs Of Russia are, perhaps, the
most degraded, the most ignorant of any race
Of human beings that are under the surveil-
lance of IL christian government. A moral
spa:hy pervades their whole body natural
habit of bowing to oppression-a contented
feeling with their immediate condition, and,
Singular to say, love of country as fervent as
soy portio; of humanity. 1t is but rare that a
spirit Of resistance is manifested to the despotic
laws Of the Autocrat, knowing, too we'll, that
bis will is absolute, and that death, or worse,
eternal Punishment to Siberia, would be the
punishment awarded TO such resistance. Vast
as The uatry is, yet so completely organised
are its laws, so strictly administered in every
quarter of this tremendous region, that the
smallest act of rebellion, down to the pettiest
crime, is discovered and punished in the most
summary and merciless manner. One instance
Of master spirit, who, for considerable time
emded anG set at defiance the civil and mill
lary authorities, is worth recording. A young
Russian, of tue name of Repkin, with mind
alive to the degradation to which, as serf, he
was subjected, dared to oppose the mandate of
one of the noblemen who had treated his sister
10 the most cruel manner. Ths young man,
with hear. bursting with Indignation, remon-
sIraled upon his cruelty-ths was enough to
call down the wrath of his despotic master.-
lie was seized, and sentenced to perpetual con-
hnement in mine upon the nobeman's estate.
by some means, however, he contriyed to effect
bis escape, and take to the forests, raised and
Oganised considerable band of followers, who,
like himself, deemed it better to brave the
roWn of Justice, than live in the fetters oi
Tuelty and degradation. For many months
Ibis little but hardy band of peasants kept al
ay the party Of soldiers sent to secure them
halmost every encounter, they proved victo-
nous, and so famed did they become, that Rep
ilni was locked upon as the Mazzaroni of Rus.
an. His name was associated with all thai
vas romantic-his picture was blazoned in al
most every window, and his life and adventure
we're told ia prose, and sung in ballads. A
length the spirit of the Government wa
lroused to d more extended view of his char
'eter, and the position which he had assumed
Despatchine powerful force, they surrounded
the valley in which he and his little band wer
Stationed. 80 completely were they hemme'
Ia--so utteily deprived of every hope, tha
nothing but 10 surrender, or to be cut to pieces
was now their only resource. The latter, i
their opinion, was the most advisable, as sul
render was only preface to more cruel pur
ishment than immediate death. "The knou
and Siberia exclaimed Repkini, is all tha
now seft us What say you, comrades, dealt
or eternal slavery 90 Their response was or
universal shout of appreciation, and recklessl
flushing upoa the ranks OF the kalmonks, in
lew minutes they were cut to pieces. But Re
kInI was not doomed TO perish SO gloriously.-
The strIctest injunction had been given that |
should, at all hazards, and every sacrifice,
secured alive, 80 that he might be made
frightful example, TO the determent of futul
Offenders. On every hand he exposed himse
10 the fury Of the horsemen, but in vain, till
length despairing, and seeing no hope of e
cape. or chance of death, he endeayored to di
patch himsalf by falling upon his sword b
as design was frustrated, his person secure
and uader apowerful escort, he was convey
''petersburg.
Twas beautiful morning in the month
'a'y, Thai lwaH awoke al suarise, By lo'