The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-12-30
TaE POLISH JEW.


part made that desperate attack upon
his faithless ally of Russia. the Saxon
General, s, had gathered his troops
IN deep and wooded defle, and over
the biyouac fire conyersed with the
guide who had offered to lead his
troops to the surprise of Russian ont
post.
The day, which was drawing to its
close had been gloomy and lowering, yet /
was treacherously warm for the season,
and little indicated the approaching
snswstorm, which was to overwhelm the
conqueror, and check his hitherto irresis-
tible course.
The form of General -, as revealed
by the lurid embers, broad and muscu-
lar, braced in the frightened uniform of
his nation, and decorated with innumer-
able crosses and orders, contrasted
forcibly with the appearance of his COM
Eanion, q Polish Jew, slight in figure,
and enveloped in the loose black gaber-
dine of his race; his cheeks van, sunken
aud sallow, and against each hung
spiral curl of sandy hair, depending
from an unright cap of black felt; his
eyes keen and gray, were restless and in
quisitive, not unlike those of famished
cat who expects injury, and is watchful
to avert or avenge. He bent instinct
lively, as the harsh tones of General
SIS voice smote upon his ear; and
his glances fell before the penetrating
regard of the military. commander.
The latter was, indeed, man to be ap-
preciated with awe by every one who
knew the sternness of his character.
Brave to desperation, vigilant and infex-
ible in discipline, the slightest breach of
military duty was punished with impla-
cable rigor. His men and officers re-
spected but loved not their commander;
yet no one dared provoke his anger, for
SO sure and fatal was his aim, that every
duel he fought cost the life of his antag-
onist.
"Jeww said the general in his severest
| tone, 'syou have promised to conduct
my troop, by secret path, to the sur
| prisal of the enemy. If you bring us in
safety through this labyrinth. name your
own reward; gold or lands shall be
yours for requital of the service. But
tremble, Hebrew, if you mean us falsely;
for by the bones of my ancestors, and the
honor of my sainted mother, the slightest
| suspicion of treachery on your part, in
sures your certain death-ay, death with
| all its horrors-Iong, lingering, fierce
and cruel
The guide made a low and shrinking
| oheisance. but without speaking, as
though fear denied the power of utter
| ance.
"Dogi' exclaimed the wrathful gen.
eral, s'dost hesitate? dost tamper with
my patience? By heavens, if you swear
not promptly to execute your mission
discreetly and faithfully, life is not yours
an instant"
The Jew looked up. aghast. His
ashen complexion seemed intermingled
with leaden hue. as if convulsed by
some internal agony of remorse or fear;
| but habitual command of his passions
| soon wrought it's effect-emotion passed
away, and his features resumed their
wonted expression of anxious endurance.
:sBy the beard of A,ron," was at
| length his answer, 81 have sworn to
bring you where your enemies are en-
camped; wherefore are you wroth with
your servant; who means most right
eously to keep his oath?"
The general regarded him with with
ering look. "No one trusts spy, even
when employing him." He whispered
to his aide-de-camp, 'Sternborg, keep
your eye on that fellow; like not his
! looks. If you but suspect him of be-
traying us, on the instant bring him
| before me-
The subaltern touched his hat in sign
of obedience, and orders were soon after
given for the troops to be in motion.
Their march was conducted with all
possible silence and preeaution, and for
upwards of an hour proceeded in security
and hope. By degrees the way became
more intricate and entangled with low
underwood, or uphill and miry, break
ing their ranks, and scattering the men
in confusion, whilst at intervals they
had to wade through patches of splashy
ground, into which foot and horse sunk
knee deep, and with difficulty toiled
through, only again to plunge deeper
into some marsh.
Still these difficulties might be only on
account of the nntrodden path it was
necessary for them to pursue, and might
forebode no sinister intentions on the
part of their guide On, therefore, they
were commanded to struggle their way,
encountering fresh obstacles at every
step. At length horses plunged in
swamps and fell exhausted; men groaned
and died. By the most stenuous iefforts,
General s., his staff, ond the re-
mainder of the troop attained an
eminence, overlooking wild and desert
plain. It was but the work of an instant
to dispatch scouts to reconnoitre, and
seize and bring before the general the
Polish Jew guide. suspicion was indeed
strong against the latter, not only for
bringing them through this morass. evi
IDENTIFY with view to dishearten and dis
comfort the soldiers, but twice during
the confusion had he endeavored to
escape; and now, whether overcome
with fright or guilt, would do nothing
but PROSTATE himself on the ground, and
exclaim, Mercy! mercy!" Vain were
assurances of safety, useless all inter-
rogatories as to his knowledge of the
road or the proximity of the Russians;
the same shrill prayer for mercy, the
same frantic cry of despair alone arose
upon the stiffness of the night.
During this parox ysm the scouts re-
turned, bringing with them peasant.
who by dint of threats and bribes, in.
formed them that the Russians, who
were at least double their number, were
encamped within mile of the place. and
expecting the arrival of the Saxon de-
tachment; that the road they had trav-
ersed conducted them through a slough
vived. they could be easily dispatched
being previously worn out with the
fatigues they must undergo in their
march.
''By which road can we escape the
snare into which we have been led?" de-