New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-26

| staff to one of the Naibs, or local governors.
| through whom Shamyl at 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 Shamyl
was carried on through his trusted secretary For
number 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 interior
ence OF one OF his bOod-enemies who bad long been
| seeking his life and who at last found, as he
thought, an opportunity to take vengeance. This
blood-enemy bad come to occupy at Shamyl's head
quarters q position similar to that which Ali Khan
held under the Nab; that is. he was private
secretary intrusted with the preparation OF
One day the Naib under whom Ali Khan was
serving summoned the latter hastily and handing
MN an open letter. the seal Of which he had Just
broken said: "A special courier brings me this
from Shamyl; read what he says" Ali Khan
opened the letter. and glancn2 over 1t before
beginning to read it, discovered to his amazement
that u was peremptory order from Shamyl direct
ing the Naib to behead his secretary Ali Khan at
once for traitorous communication with the
hnsslans. Ali Khan did not then know that he had
a blood-eDemy at Shamyl's headquarters; lie could
not imagine how Shamyl had come to believe the
false report of his unfathlulness but he did know
that under ShamyPs iron rule such orders as the
one which he held in his hand were always executed
without hesitation or delay. and that If the Nalb
did not thus execute this one he would answer to
Shamyl with his own head for his dsobedience. An
investigation Ali Khan knew. would establish his
innocence, but there was no time for an nvestiga-
ton in the words of the Persian proverb. Before
the antidote can be brought from lrak he who has
been bitten by the serpent will be dead
in tue face of this imminent peril Ali Khan main
tained mistaken his comp0sure and his self posses
sion, and when, after n moments silence the Nab
again asked impatiently what Shamyl said. Ali
Khan was ready with an lmproyised translation OF
an Imaginary letter directing the Naib to come at
once to ShamyPs headquarters for consultation.
"Very WELL" said the Nab, get ready to go with
me and order the horses"
Again Ali Khan 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 u
recent promise that he-Ali Khan-should be per-
mltted at the first opportunity to visit his family
who lived in a negbOrIng settlement, and suggested
that this would be a good time for him to CO. The
Naib, after moments reflection, consented, and
few hours later Ali Khan was galloping furiously
toward his native village while the Naib with an
armed escort made his way to ShamyPs head
quarters.
That night Ali Khan, after bidding hasty good
by to his wfe and children, lied to the Russian
of the nearest outpost. The Russians received ham
kindly and finding that he was man of courage
and ability, and that he was greatly embittered
against Shanyl in consequence of the latters
attempt upon his life, they persuaded hln To enter
tho Russian service in regiment OF native cavalry.
There he soon distinguished himself by galantry
in acton his knowledge OF the mountains and of
Shamyls plans was found to lie extremely useful,
and he was gradually promoted until he became
colonel and of the most trusted advisers OF the
General who was then directing the operations of
the Russian forces in Southern and Western
Daghestan. In the meantime his wife,, VINO
remained IN the mountains. had been compelled by
Shamyl to marry another mau ard his family had
been broken up Ali Khan was able, however, by
daring raid to recover and carry 10 one oil the
Cossack stations on the ferek his young son
Maksoot, whom he shortly aiterward sent to
Russian school in TinIs.
In 1859 Field Marshal Baratinsk brought the
o-Caucasian war TO a close BY defeating
Shamyl at Neden and then surrounding him on the
peak of GoOnib IN Central Daghestan. All Khan,
who had actively participated in the campaign,
was ordered by Prince Biratlnsk TO 20 TO Shamyl
with a dag of truce and demand his surrender.
Tie two men had not met since one issued Inc "rder
for the Others death, aud when they again Stood
face to face and ALI Khan demanded Shamyfs
surrender the great Caucasian leader looked at him
sternly and said Are you not ashamed, ALI Khan,
10 come % me in Russian uniform and upon sncn
u missions have fought 20 the last IN defence OF
the country which you betrayed. and now you have
the audaclty 10 come u 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 il It, Shamyl 7" inquired Al Khan.
II the fault of your raltorous heart :" retorted
Shamyl herccly.
directing hun TO cut off my head y persisted All
aNobody ever sent such an order" replied
Shamyl - remember perfectly well the circum-
stances under which you deserted TO the knssians
USi;9 S5 nor the Nab could ever conjecture why
All Khan took from his pocket the letter from
Shamyl u the Naib directing the latter % bchead
his secretary for tratorous communication with
tho russians. and hauding IL to Sharnyl SAID :
q Whose order is thatP
An expression Of astonishment came into
Shamyls face as he read the paper and then care
fully examined the seal which served rs sigma
ture 1t Is my seal" he finally said, but may
stand before God with blackened face If ever
directed such letter TO he w.itten. | have never
before seen 10 or heard of IT,"
Half an hour later Ali Khan returned to Prince
BaratinSk with ShamyTs answer TO the Russian
demand for surrender IL peremptory refusal,
couchcd in these words: will never surrender!
Goonib ia a high mountain and | am on IFS
summit and God is over all Your Russian soldiers
stand below-poosht shtOormooyoot-let them take
us 10y stormw
On the night of the Goth of August the heights
Of Goonib were taken by storm and Shamyl was
sent to Moscow as n prisoner of war. Ali khans
young son. Maksoot the present Colonel Alikhanoh.
was then n boy OF thirteen or fourteen and was n
student in the Government Gymnasium at Tiis.
Another article will continue the story OF his life.
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PARA LAKES as CESSPOOLS.