Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-01-24
THE ALBANIAN.
A TALE OF TIE KosAKs.
ADAPTED FROM THE POLISH

AANe'a'
make way for soldiers aud steeds; alike the
flowers and the ripaning grain have been
trampled under foot, ana mingled with the
voice OF the rushing wafer comes the neigh
ing Of horses and the cank Of arms,
For many days past the country had been
alive with horses and men; from all direc-
tions. an sides, solitary riders had been seen
vending their way across the deSOate STEP
pes. now and then joining together in little
rrOups OF tirees and fOnrs as their practIced
ewes recognized a comTade in distant speck
on the horizon or distinguished lance
through the brushwood OF a copte-all con-
verglng toward one point, AN animated by
the same motive. Red kalp1chs were spot
ted over the country as thickly as peoples
among the rpeniug corn TIL all were drawn
together into one long garland and centre
army assembled on the blanks Of the river
II was the At.aman Kunich, the father Of
the Kosalls, who bad thus summoned togeth-
er his forces, and when all were collected,
entering the assembly Of chiefs, he spoke as
follows:
'NobIe chlefiainsi have received an or
der from our master the King, but without
your advice and concurrence / neither can
nor will decide anything, and have therefore
resolved 10 inform you Of H., and after the
reading of the message we can then dc.iber-
ate upon what answer Is TO be given. ct
the Secretary produce the royal letter and
read ID aloud"
The Atmuau. having finished speaking,
made way for the Secretary who taking
from his breast the letter wrapped In linen
cloth, unfoded the parchment and thus
read:
Sleur Attaman of UHanial
The dangers which threaten alike Chris
tianity and the safety OF our kingdom have
decided us upon conducting au expedition to
put barrier Nv the Ottoman powers. For
this reason ! have summoned You, Sieur At
taman, along with your brave kOsaks, 70 JON
us In war to which we have pledged our
selves, your fidelity. readiness, and Yal0r be-
Ing well known To us.
We therefore expect and desire that on re-
Ceiylng our letter you viii put yourself at
the head OF your troops, and trdyening all
the provinces which recognize the Sultans
authority, will cut of the passage of the in
hdcs should they attempt 10 send reinforce
ments tO headquarters.
You win divide your forces as you think
best, and inttuSt the subordinate commands
10 those you deem worthy OF confidence
Commenting You To the protection OF the
Almighty and counting on your prumptneSs
and fidelity your King and master
JOIN ILL.,
Dead silence followed the reading Of this
letter, but when the tongues are quiet the
minds are ali the more busy at work, and
every brow was drawn together in thought
ful perpcXity. Il was an ancient chiettain
who finally broke the silence, and stroking
his snow-whjtc beard thus spoke:
ttNfv kY.f hnr. 4yH t,,tf IyrI tt.tt,ap IL 40
now late IN the year, and this undertaking
isa difficult and Il perilous one; il had me
thinks, been more wise to await the coming
of Spring but when the King has spoken
1t is not for the Kosals TO hang back There
fore II it so please sou, lctus go forward In
the name of the Lord and seek to destroy the
infdel Turk
Noisy accIamatons greeted this speech
"Io war! TO war! Lead us forward, Faith
or Attaman against the enemy
My brothers said kuncN when silence
was again restored, iii is now full nine years
since you did me the honor 10 elect me as
your Atuman and until now il Inns pleased
the Almighty 10 bless my sword with sue
cess and Ga enable me to lead you victorious
ly in an encounters with the enemy. When
five years ago contrary 90 the usages of our
people took 10 mo wife, ! wished TO
resign my authority and hand over the
cranes feather tu SOME other man mteitelcd
by family ties. But you, my brothers, you
would not accept my dems-ion, and So re-
manned your AtiamVu as before ln which
position have AWAY, stJlvu TO do my duty
toward you and my country
Loud cries of "Thuu hast thou hast Faith
er Atanu" interrupt him then he pro-