The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-19
sAvAGERY OF THE COssACKs.
How They Are Stimulated by Money Bonuses
for the Ears of Their Enemies

for the Ears of Their Enemies.
verestchagru's War.
Out Of ali the hunting detschment. the SER
geant-major pleases me the most. Unfortunate
ly, I have forgotten his name. He was q fine
young fellow, and desperately brave. He was
of medium stature, thin aud swarthy, with
lively black eyes,
remember once waking ND very early. step
ping out OF my felt tent and looking toward the
valley. The sun had just made it's appearance
in the direction of Bami, from behind the pre-
cipitous mountains.
I see the sereeant-maior Of the hunters CON-
maud and two hunters coming from the pass at
o rapid pace. Their coats were worn with the
sleeves on. their rifles were over their shoulders
which sienifed that they had been 70 some
place In the mountains. 1 call to the sergeant
major and question him.
Where have You been so early"
"Why, the boys ran in and reported that
the Tekintzi had shown themselves. 1 took all
the men who were at home aud rushed of.
There, yo-o-ndern be says, and points TO the
road on the summit. And on the left of the
road we caught sight OF three Tekintzi running
along q path. We dashed after them: l Was in
front, and did rot notice that the rest had
dropped behind. look. and, behold! they are
firing at me at quite short range, SO that the
bullets fell about my legs. And as soon as /
took aim at one OF them they didn't feel like
remaining. and they were utterly exhausted, so
that l overlook them and shot them"
At these words the sergeant major smiles Ia
a very satisfied way; thrusts his hand into the
right pocket of his great coat and draws out the
severed ear OF a Tekintzi. Ii was still quite
soft, but already psllid and cold. / had never
expected such a visible proof; Itook the ear in
my hand, examined it, gave it back. praised the
sergeant and promised to speak to the genera
about him on the occasion of our first meeting.
The sergeant, highly delighted, returned to his
earth hut
A few days later 1 ride to Bami, and, among
other things. l seek out a friend of mine. the
captaiu commander of the photographers, re-
Rarding the hunters command and the ears Of
the Tekintzi.
''Thats all nonsense said he, "this is what I
saw a few days ago; on the 4th OF Septern Der, 1
think it was, there arrived here in Bami O GER
tain commander Of q Cossack company, q tall,
healthy. light-haired man-you kow him! How
ever. that is not the point. Behind him rode
several Cossacks see sacks hanging to their
saddles. with something round in them ap-
proach nearer. and the Cossacks dismount and
shake out of their sacks the severed heads Of
Tekintzi. They had come into collision with the
Tekintzi somewhere or other, had conquered
them, cut off their heads and brought them TO
the staff as proof of their victory. And later
on they were allowed to cut of their ears only,
as being easier to carry"
'sBut. pray. tell me. what do they want with
these ears and hea6sP l inquire.
"Whatl Why, the staff pays money for them!
don't you know thatl / can't say exactly how
much; three roubles, l imagine. And then, not
long ago." the captain continued his tale. saw
several volunteers arrive from Bendeseni While
/ was looking at them one dived into the lee Of
his boot. pulled forth an ear wrapped in paper.
and set off for the staff headquarters to get the
money for it."
On hearing this l Compensated Why the SER
kintzi so perseverinely. and disregarding the
bullets that whizzed around bis legs and head,
had ovsrtaksn his man, shot him and cut off his
ears