The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-08-03

count Often, in secret, he had longed to behold

ing IN her own matcnleSS perSoH al luo A0Ai0"HN~
beauties nor was the prospect of his own rein
stalment there at all ungrateful to his thoughts.
The victory would, in truth, be splendid one
for bim-a victory, not of day, but the fruit OF
wears Of silent and noble endurance as well as
open resistance by arms. He pondered upon IL
long. and in deep abstraction, while the herald
stood before him, awaiting his reply.
"What pledge he at last demanded, does
YOUR master propose to give me, of his good
faith?"
ssThat which has never yet been broken,
was the instant rejoinder-" the word of Ro-
manoff."
For short time longer PetroH hesitated ana
then he determined to comply with the request
of the emperor. Together with Seltzberg and
attended by slight escort, hesubmitted himself
to the guidance of the royal messenger, and was
conducted toward the camp. Alarmed by the
forebodings which she could not repress Leoia
anxiously watched their progress from the bat
Elements. She saw her father and lover as they
reached the hostile lines, drawn up to receive
them-she witnessed the friendly advance of the
emperor disarming, for the instant, her fears,
and
There are some scenes of human existence, to
describe the horrors of which, words seem una
vailing Leaning upon the battle marked stones
of the embrasure where she had placed herself
rigid and motionless with the terrible petrlfac-
ton of agony-the agony of a broken heart-the
maiden witnessed the treacherous massacre OF
the only beings she had ever loved. She beheld
the heroic defence of Petroff and Seltzberg, as
surrounded and hard pressed by an hundred
servile Russians, they fought until lie ltseh
ebbed away through innumerable wounds. In
the brutal rage of their mean victory the MUIR
derous crew next turned their weapons against
the escort, and the unhappy men composing II
were as inhumanly slaughtered. And then, al
the signal of the emperor, the whole force rushed
again. with yells of triumph, to the walls
The conflict which followed was obstinate and
and sanguinary The brave defenders, enraged
at the sight of the cruel massacre of their leaders
fought with almost demoniac energy but, fol
once they were doomed to struggle in valn-
They lacked the example of Seltzberg, Away
before present among them-they listened IL
vain to hear the trumpet.ring of his voice, anS
fa,tered when they could more see his lion
like form plunging into the thickest of the car
mage. They had been surprised, too; the draw
bridge was down, and as they were pressed back
ward the enemy gained easy foothold. II
end the disasters of the day, at the conclusion o
the FIGHT the latter were in possession OF hal
the interior defences. intoxicated with JOY
the prospect of victory which now lay With
his grasp, the emperor once more sent his neral
forth to demand instant surrender.
"Bear word to the Lady Leola," he con
manded "that ere twelve hours have passed
she must come within my poverty force
free will-which. it matters not. And tell he
too. that mayhap the love which has led me
battle for her full year, as l would i've TIM
one wear, could she not be otherwise gained-u
love of an emperor-tell her, vassal, that tn