The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-02
Sabbath Stiffness Suddenly Disturbed by
Russian Shells.
A TERRIBLE COMMANDMENT.
Determined Attack on the Anglo
American Consulate.
HOSPITALS DEVASTATE ED

Nothing could have been moro peaceful looking and
reposo inviting than tho riverside terrace OF Rustchuk
this morning. The unclouded and gave prom
Use Of Gne. bright day. The bells OF the churches In
the Christian quarter rang chcerfuliy calling the hear
to morning prayer and the divine service of the
Protestant Episcopal Church road, usual by our
amiable and duty loving consul the sitting OF
his house, before o small-vory small-cong alton
The midday meal was enjoyed in peace, and, as the
afternoon warm, the favoritc promenade overlook
ing The river, was crowded with men, and chill
dren. The flags Of the consuates 1uttered gayly
the heights; English French Germans, Italians could
gather II they elt SO disposed beneath their respcc-
tive banners and congratulate themselves upon
the emblems which reminded them OF their
homes In a foreign land. Down below, under tho
bluffs, naked little brown-sk'nned urchns riding
barebacked horses into the river some OF the bolder
pues even making thor stecds swim out few
strokes amid peels OF merry laughter when ono
Tenuresomc young Turk lost his slippery seat and slid
over the tail OF his horse after vany cuching at the
manc. The horses seemed TO enjoy tho and
frcshng water much their riders, and plunged
and snorted they breasted tho current regalncd
tho shore. The whole strongly suggestive
Of the ricze OF the Parthenon IN the Elgn Room of
tho British Museum.
INNOCENT FISHERMEN
Further up the shore two or three TURKS stand
Ing al the edge oil the river, gravely fishing with
curious triangular, long handled nets, which
they necessarily passed through the water
with slow, regular motion and the ira
aitional patience Of followers OF the gentle craft
For want of better occupation l amused myself by
counting the number Of dips which grand old white
bearded fellow made before catching fish. 1t was as
scep-nviting process the counting OF the imagi
nary sheep jumping tenco with which We were
soothed to slumber in restless childhood l
mi mn t,v,N No
and lose my reckoning, when more violent nod
than usual made me open my eyes with start Tho
Did man had caught fish ut least four inches Iong
Running cord through its Rls he shouldcred his net
ma marched OF apparently perfectly satisfied with
mis- days sport Probably the little fish, with piece
Of black bread, was twenty-iour hours sustcnance
for him.
SABBATH STIFFNESS.
Reused by the jerk Of my own sleepy head and bv
the sight OF the old nshermans triumph, left tho
long line of my fellow oilers who were leaning on the
railing The perspective of backs and legs reminded
mo VI Mr.. Marks comic Royal Academy picture en-.
Titled "What is lts"-a of with their backs to
the spectator looking intenly bridge at some
'ning-the capture OF q mInnow, perhaps Just as in
our case. Rejecting, as strolled along, upon the
amount OF expression there in back-espcciay an
Eastern backt suddenly occurred to inc that SURELY
this was an unusually silent and tranquil Sunday An
unnatural stiffness reigned over the town and the
river. went up to higher OF the esplant de IN
order 10 get good view Of the opposite
shore. All was as quiet there as on this side On
The right the cupolas Of the churches OF Giurgeyo
gttered In the sun; the river barges, which had SO
much exercised the artillerymeh OF the Turkish bat
teries Immediately opposite Giurgevo lay, IDLE I'M
manned, In the channel between the island OF Ginroy
ana the town. The only sign of life gwen by the
smoking Chimney Of the flour mill, which has been
hard ut work for many days past. no doubt grinding
corn for invaders Across the low plain which lies
between Giurgevo and the village OF Slobosia, i'm
medately opposite the river front of Rustchuk soil
tary OK cart was moving Iazly along the dusty road
Tho long, embrasured parapet OF tho old teted pont
Of Rustchuk was silent aud tenantess like grnning
mouth without teeth, Tor not gun could be seen
in its whole length On the left Sobosia, EN-.
bosomed in trees gave no signs Of human habtation
Beyond up the stream, the great presented the
appearance Of vast lake, on which not sal boat
OF any kind could be seen. The landscape was vast
but monotonous; tho Roumanan shore had aspect
Of desolaton aud loneliness which made tho scene I'M
pressive, but in the whole sweep Of the glass there
was nothing which told of war.
AN 'UNoANSY'' SPOT.
Stay. What is that iresh-looking bank of earth
close beneath the village OF Slooosia? II is not a
natural formation, and It has an "uncanny' look.
seen men in the early morning carrying logs and
planks toward and behind the bank and then came
10 the conclusion that gun platforms were being laid.
We knew we'll that since the Wallachan troops
had left Gurgevo to mako place for their
powerful allies, the Russians had been busy
ON the river side making preparations OF some kind
or other which BODIED good ior Rustchuk, though
for the LIE OF could make out exactly what
the preparations were. But were not destined to
remain long IN ignorance.
THE COMMANDMENT BEGUN
1t about three O'Clock In the afternoon and
had shut up my glass and turned away, when, sud-
denly. there burst forth, seemingly from the very
ground, from eleven different spots. between Giurgevo
and sobosa bright flashes of fire and thick clouds of
smoke followed by tremendous roar which startled
the whole town. Ihen came the whistling shrek OF
shells and the numbering smash Of their explosions,
away to our LETT in the direction OF the shipping
the river. Some EXPLANATIONS of surprise and
sternaton burst from the terrace ut this
utterly unexpected saivo; probably not person in
hundred had the slightest idea that there
wero guns capable OF reaching the town IRON
the opposite shore already IN position, aud
even had the fact been known tho guns could not
DO Tho secret now revealed; the Russians
had sent down siege tram TO Gurgevo and had placed
the guns position opposite Rastchuk sunk bat.
teries which had been constructed dead OF night
Tho work had been silently, secretly and quickly;
and happened that this calm Sunday afternoon
tho Inhabitants and garrison OF Rustchuk suddenly
found themselves face to face with grave danger.
FEARFUL SCENES RusrcnUK.
Completely taken by surprise, tue Turks did not for
little reply the ire Of the Russian guns;
but, after WHILE orders having been sent for and
seved nothing dono 10 Turkey without orders She
batteries on the LON opened. Tho Russian nrc was
IT'LL directed the southwest part OF tho fortcatons
some OF tic shells wore falling intentionally close to
the tent oil the Muchir, oommaudant Of the gar
risou which pitched the lower slopes OF the
hill called Levcnt T6pe, from whose summit irowns
ono Of tho most powerful Of the outlying doienccs
Of tho town. The crowd tho terracc diminished in
numbers; but, still UNCONSCIOUS Of impending danger
watched the artillery duel with eager curiosity and
with an excltamnnt TINT aeomad 10 rrnW ncrccr with