Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-04-07
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1860.

AluH, aln5 we were DON true Doth nc anu "
but when, minsling with the exulting shouts
of our enemies, came the cries and groans OF
the wounded prisoners, the old mans fury rose
to madness, and seeming fer one brief moment
to regain his youth and strength, he burst from
my grasp, and from the clinging arms OF Pho
TIM, who would have held him back. He rush
ed from the house; he flung himself amongst the
horsemen with his weak arms he dealt uncer-
tain blows. He fell; they tramplcd him be-
meath their feet but a strong passion wasalive
in his exhausted frame. lie rose and uttered
curses, which were terrible upon those withcred
| lips and then they laughed to scorn the aged
and powerless defender of his country!
81 had followed him. In the moment Of re-
action dragged him away. They would soon
| have forgotten so feeble an enemy but in that
very instant my gentle Photini, her long hair
floating in the wind, her sweet face pale with
terror, flew into the old mans arms. They had
| never seen so fair slave, those cruel tyrants
| They crowded round her; they would have
murdered as, and seized on her. knew then
that we were lost and not the less that their
chief, fierce and daring man, commanded that
we should return for the time in safety TO our
home, for that the vengeance and the prize alike
belonged to him alone dragged them to the
house, the old man now paralyzed, and the
sweet child fainting in terror aud when had
barricdded the door, and sat down for one mo-
ments breathing space, l felt that would save
| them or perish
"Happily it was evening, the swim coming
darkness would favor the last, the only chance
that remained to us--that Of fight. But how
desolste a prospect it was To seek place
of refuge among the haunts ofmen, was to rush
into the very jaws of the wolf for the foe who
was now more dangerous to us than the whole
host OF our enemies, was powerful enough to
hurt us out, go where we would. Iknewa cave
on the hillside, not far off, which was admi-
rably adapted both for concealment and de-
fence, and where, as boy, Lhad often hid In
play, and baffled the strictest search As night
came on could hear, from the wild shouts OF
reyelry, that the Turks were carousing in the
market-place with their base allies. such Of
the villagers as remained in the houses near
would, knew, rather aid than oppose our es-
cape The shock of that horrible struggle had
been too much for my fathers wasted frame
Life was not extinct, but there had passed a
darkness over his soul which was to he re-
moved no more. He had sunk into utter imbecili-
ty, and looked at me with vacant smile, when,
anxious TO seize so favorable n moment, urg-
ed him to mount the horse had made ready
The savgc warriors had inspired my little shud-
dering Photni with horror which oyerpow-
cred all other thoughts; she buried herself i'll
my arms, and half-shrieked out her prayer
that in mercy would save her from them
Oh, miserable, miserable man that for her
these arms should have been powerless at the
lastr' The old priest stopped, half-choked
with his emotion; and the listener would have
begged him to desist so painful narrative, but
he said, "No, daughter, you have heard thus
far; YOU must learn how, through the fire of
tribulation, was brought to this peace at last.
placed my father and sister, both so helpless,
twined in each others arms, on my horse. !
walked by their side; and so we took our
desolate way through the dark night. We eS-
capped unmolested, If not unobserved, just as
had hoped and in safety reached the cave. It
/ had been constructed in some ancient time for
the very purpose of concealment; and those
who did not know the secret of the entrance,
could not discover it, though they passed quite
close. turned the horse loose, and saw him
gallop in wild freedom far over the plain and
then returned to pass the dreary hours with
those whom would have died TO comfort or
console, crouchng together on the cold earth,
sad and silent. All, daughter, it was pite-
Gus sight on which looked that morning by
the first rays of the sun. Often does the re-
memberance of il come between me and the
light, and think see them yet again; the old
man, his white hairs, matted with the blood
which flowed from slight wound he had re-
ceived, falling over the face, where played that
bright unmeaning smile we see on the lips OF
an unconscious babe; at his feet his sweet
child, my sister, over whom had passed the
agony of years, bringing on old age in night
of time! Oh, how Ishuddered when Thought
on the evil passions that were now in arms
against both these hapless beings For wher
did Turk ever ferego his revenge
ain my terror for their safety had no
thought of bringing with us the means OF sub
sstence, and my heart died within me when
thought that must leave them alone, and re
turn to the village to procure it, where nigh
be detained, and their retreat discovered.
delayed going hour after hour; but when
last the miserable old man wept like chilli
for food, could endure no more, and fed.
was fortunate, before even entered the village
in meeting with friend, who supplied M
with all required; but he told me that our peri
was, if possible, greater than had supposed
for when our enemy found we had fled, hi
, rage knew NO bounds, and he swore to tract
us out, though we had buried ourselves in tn
heort of the earth. | returned to these dea
, Lones full of terrible forebodingsi but we drag
r ced on few miserable days, like so man
wears undisturbed. Again it became necessa
r nv that should go forth in quest of food
This time penetrated into Minidi with the iirs
Q dawn of light, whilst the villagers were a
asleep; and at the door of my own house, a
g though he had known by instinct was com
Z ino. was nv well-belovcd brother, my Stavro
q He flew to meet me; and in his warm embrac
: | experienced the first moment OF JOY ma
i known for long time; little dreaming, alas! ho'
n black traitor was holding to my heart h
@ told me, as the other had done, that our dar
a ger was most imminent, and expostulated wit
r. oif han al G