Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-03-24

| 1N"''N' "ith Auurlut WuUhC
we are so anxiously asking for 2"
no" said the officer, "but let "a try
this man."
Leckinski understood all, for he was
acquainted with Spanish He was re.
moved and thrown into room worthy
to have been one Of the dungeons Of the
lnqnistion in its best days
When the Spauiards took him prisoner
he had eaten nothing since the previous
evening, and when his dungeon door
was closed on him he had tasted for
eighteen hours No wonder then what
with exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety. and
the agony of his dreadful situation. that
the unhappy prisoner fell almost sense
less on his hard couch. Night soon
closed in and left him 10 realize 10 its
gloom the full horror Of his hopeless
situation He was brave, Of course, but
to die at eghteen--'tis sudden. Bat
youth aud fatigue finally Yielded to the
approach of sleep aud he was soon buried
in profound slumber.
lie had slept perhaps two hours when
the door of his dungeon opened slowly
and some one entered with cautious
steps, hiding with his hand the light of
lamp The visitor bent over the pris-
oner's couch, the hand that shaded the
lamp touched him on the shoulder, and
sweet aud silvery voice. woman's
voice-'asked him, "Do you want eat ;"
The young Polo. awakened suddenly
by the glare of the lamp, by the touch
and words Of the female. rose up on his
couch and with eyes only half opened
said in German, "What do you want o.
Give the man something to eat at
once said Castanos, when he heard the
result OF the first experiment, "and let
him go, He is not u Frenchman. How
could he have been so far master Of him
self The thing is impossible "
But though Leckinski was supplied
with food he was detained prisoner.
The next morning he was taken TO a
spot where he could see the mutilated
corpse of the Frenchman, who had been
cruelty massacred by the peasantry of
Truxillo, and he was threatened with
the same death. But the nobls youth
had promised not to fail. and not
word, not an accent, not a gesture or
look betrayed him.
Lcckinski when taken back to his
prison, hailed it with a sort Of joy. For
twelve hours he had had nothing but
gibbets and death in it's most horrid
form before his eyes-exhibited to him
by men with the looks and the passions
of demons. He slept. however, after
the harrassing excitement Of the day.
and soundly, too, when In the midst Of
his deep and deathlike slumbers tho
door opened gently, some one drew near
bis couch, and the same voice whisper
cd 10 his ear;
Arise and come with me We wish
TO save your life. Your horse is ready"
And the brave young man. hastily
awakened by the words, "We wish to
save your life; come" answered still in
German what do you want?'
Castanos, when he heard of this ex-
pertinent aud its result, said the Russian
was noble young man be saw tho true
state Of the case.
The next morning early four men
came to take him before a sort Of court
martial, composed Of officers of Clstanos'
staff. During the walk they uttered the
most horrible threats against him, but
true TO his determination he pretended
not TO understand them
When he came before bis Judges he
seemed to gather what was going on
from the arrangements Of the tribunal
and not from what he heard said around
him, and he asked in German where bis
interpreter was2 IIe was sent for, and
the examination commenced.
II turned first upon the motive of his
journey from Madrid TO Lisbon. He
answered by showing his dispatches to
Admiral Siniavin and his passport
Spite Of the presence and the vehement
assertions OF the peasant, he persisted
in the same story and did not contradict
himself once
"Ask him." said the presiding off ser
at last. "f he loves the Spaniads. rs he
is not Fronchman ?"
Certainly" said I.eckinski. II like
the spanish nation, and esteem il for
its noble character. wish our two ma
tons were friends"
Colonel" said the interpreter to the
president. "tho prisoner says that he
hates US because we make war like ban
ditti; that be despises us, and that his
only regret is that be cannot unite the
whole nation in one man, to end this
odious war at a single blow"
While he was saying this, the eyes of
the whole tribunal we're attentiyely
watching the slightest movement Of tho
prisoners countenance, 10 order 10 sec
what effect the Interpreters treacherv
would have upon him. But Leckinski
had expected TO be put TO the test in
some way, and was determined 10 battle
all their attempts.
"GentlemeD," said Castanos, sit seems
70 mo that this young man cannot be
suspected the peasant must be deceive
The prisoner may pursue his journey.
and when he reflects on the hazard Of
our position he will find the severity We
have been obliged 10 use excusable."
Leckioski's arms and dispatches we're
returned, he received free pass, aud
a.. ali.