The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-09

chief OF stan to one OF the naib3 or
local governors, Through whom Schamyl Mt
that time ruled the whole eastern Caucasus.
This naib, although man OF character, power,
and influence, could neither read nor write, and
all his correspondence with Schamyl was carried
on through his trusted secretary. For num-
Der OF years Ali Khan occupied this position and
discharged all its duties with credit to himself
and advantage to his superiors; and he might
perhaps have continued to occupy it until the
close of the Russo Caucasian war but for the in
reference of one of his blood-enemies. who had
long been seeking his life, and who at last found,
as he thought an opportunity to take vengeance
This blood-enemy had come to occupy at
Schamyls headquarters position similar to that
which Ali Khan held under the naib; that's, he
was a private secretary, intrusted with the prep
aration of Schamyls letters
One day the naih, under whom Ali Khan was
serving, summoned the latter hastily, and, hand
ing him an open letter, the seal of which he had
just broken, said: "A special courier brings me
this from Schamyl; read what he says" Ali
Khan opened the letter, and, glancing over it be-
fore beginning to read it, discovered to his
amazement that it was peremptory order from
Schamyl directing the naib to behead his secre-
tary, Ali Khan, at once, for traitorous communi-
cation with the Russians. Ali Khan did not
then know that he had blood-enemy at Scha-
myl's headquarters; he could not imagine how
Schamyl had come to believe the false report of
his unfaithfulness, but he did know that I'M
der Schamyls iron rule such orders as the one
which he held in his hand were al
ways executed without hesitation or delay,
and that if the naib did not
thus execute this one he would answer to
Schamyl with his own head for his disobedience
An investigation, Ali Khan knew, would estab-
lish his innocence, but there was no time for an
investigation. In the words of the Persian
proverb Before the antidote can be brought
from Irak he who has been bitten by the SER
pent will be dead"
In the face of this imminent peril Ali Khan
maintained mistaken his composure and his
self-possession, and when, after moments
silence, the naib again asked impatiently what
Schamyl said, Ali Khan was ready with an inn
provsed translation of an imaginary letter di-
recting the naib to scome at once to Schamyls
headquarters for consultation. VERY WE'LL"
said the naib, get ready to 60 with me and or
der the horses"
Again Ali Kahn was brought face to face with
deadly peril; for he had intended, during the
naib's absence to make his escape. With perfect
self possession. however, he reminded the naib
OF recent promise that he-Ali Khan-should
be permitted at the first opportunity to visit his
and suggested that this would be a good time
for him to 60. The naib, after moments re-
Election, consented, and few hours later Ali
kahn was galloping furiously toward his native
village, while the naib, with armed escort,
made his way to Schamyls headquarters.
That night Ali Khan, after bidding hasta
goodbye to his wife and children, fed TO the Rus
sian lines and gave himself up to the officer in
command OF the nearest outpost The Russians
received him kindly, and finding that he was a
man OF courage and ability, and that he was
greatly embittered against Schamy in conse-
quence of the latters attempt upon his life, they
persuaded him to enter the Russian service in
regiment of native cavalry. There he soon dis
tingulshed himself by gallantry in action his
knowledge OF the mountains and of Schamyls
plans was found to be extremely useful, and he
was gradually promoted until he became colo
mel and one of the most trusted advisers of the
general then directing the operations of the
Russian forces fin southern and western Da-
ghestan In the mean time his wife, who remained
in the mountains, had been compelled by
Schamyl to marry another man, and his family
had been broken up. Ali Khan was able, how
ever, by daring raid to recover and carry to
one of the Cossack stations on the Terek his
young son, 'Maksoot, whom he shortly afterward
sent to Russian school in Tifiis
In 1889 Field Marshal Baratincki brought the
Russian Caucasian war to close by defeating
Schamyl at Veden and then surrounding him on
the peak OF Goonib in central Daghestan. Ali
Khan, who had actively participated in the cam
paign, was ordered by Prince Baratinski to 90 to
Schamyl with flag of truce and demand his sur
render. The two men had not met since one is
sued the order for the others death, and when
they again stood face to face, and Ali Kahn de-
manded Schamyls surrender, the great eau
casian leader looked at him sternly and said
"Are you not ashamed, Ali Kahn, to come to me
in Russian uniform and upon such mission?
l have fought to the last in defense of the coun-
try which you betrayed, and now you have the
audacity to come to me with Russian cross on
your breast and ask me to surrender to the men
who should be your enemies, as they are mine.'
Whose fault is it, Schamyll" inquired Ali
Khan.
"It is the fault of your traitorous heart - re-
torted Schamyl, iercely.
'Who sent an order to the naib of my district
directing him to cut off my head. persisted Ali
Khan.
Nobody ever sent such an order" replied
Schamyl; II remember perfectly well the cir
cumstances under which you deserted to the
Russians; neither nor the naib could ever con-
lecture why you did it."
Ali Khan took from his pocket the letter from
Schamylto the naib, directing the latter to be-
head his secretary for traitorous communication
with the Russians, and handing it to Schamyl,
said: Whose order is thati'
An expression of astonishment came into
Schamyls face as he read the paper, and then
carefully examined the seal which served as
signature. 1T is my seal, he finally said, "but
may stand before God with a blackened face if
/ ever directed such letter to be written. /
have never before seen it or heard of it."
Half an hour later, Ali Kahn returned to
Prince Baratinski with Schamyls answer to the
Russian demand for surrender. It was per-
emptory REFUSAL couched in these words: II
will never surrender Goonib is high mount
ain, and l am on its summit, and God is over
all. Your Russian soldiers stand below-poosht
shtoormooyoot-let them take US by storm"
On the night of the 10Th of August the heights
of Goonb were taken by storm, and Schamyl was
sent to Moscow as prisoner of war. Ali Khans
young son. Maksoot, the present Colonel Alik.
hanof, was then boy of thirteen or fourteen,
and was student in the government gymnasium
at Tlfis. Another article will continue the story
of his life.
A Heroine in q Fix.
All the Year Round.
As illustration of the care taken by some