Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-01-10
THE JEWS LEAP.


q the trail there Is chasm seven hun-
dred feet deep and this place within
the last few years has come to be known
as "The Jews Leap" This 10 the res
son:
In the spring Of 1878 party Of Jews,
ten in number, were on their way with
apack Of heavily-laden mules to the
/ Don country, where they were to It
tend fair. 1t was ever the custom for
parties coming over from the north to
send man ahead on foot to see II the
road was clear, parties from Circassis
having the right of way.
1.-THE road was all right the man
sent in front fired off bomb, the ex-
plos:on Of which told as it echoed along
the pass that all was we'll.
Capt Blatsky, who was going south
with small escort Of mounted Cos
sacks, wholly ignoring this precaution.
said to his guide:
There are no soldiers coming this
way. The only party we can meet Is
some Jewish pelllers, and II they get
in my way ! will hurl them over the
cliffs
There was nothing left for the SOL
diers but to obey, SO theyrole on anda
length entered the pass, Capt, lIlatsly
bringing up the rear.
The setting sun was pouring his level
rays through the defilc, when the Rus
slams reached the highest and narrow
est point, and here they were brought
face to face with the Jewish traders,
who, by the custom Of the place, had
the right Of way.
When Capt. Blatsky saw the party
that opposed him, he drew his sword
and shouted out
Curse the dogsl Ilurl them over the
cliffs and ride on"
The Jews heard the savage order and
held short consultation. TO go back
was impossible, for all were leading
their mules, us the Russians were their
horses
"We have the right Of way" replied
the foremost Jew. whose only weapon
was a s.oat stat,
"Yon have no rights" roared the
Russian.
mo rights in the valleys and towns"
replied the jew, r,solutely, but up
here nearer to God, AMI man to man,
we are equal"
"Pitch him over and stop his talk
ing yelled the officers.
"rry it and talk. tn, commencement
was the spirited response,
The guide leaped forward with drawn
sword, and the merchant, stalwart.
young man, raised his staff and stood
on the defensive.
After fencing for few seconds the
Jews staff was cut in two, but before
his as,ailant could strike him with the
sword lie leaped forward, caught him
in his arms, and the two fell over the
cliff and dashed in bleeding mass ON
the rocks below.
The second Russian sent tho laws
burdcned mule after his master and
then stood face to face with another
rcsolute man armed only with a stout
stick.
The Russian lost precious second Of
time in trying to draw his pistol, for
the staff whistled above his head. md
unconscious and never to be conscious
again, he tumblel into the depths
Then the jew sent the Russians horse
after him and came face to face with .
second man.
Seeing the fate of his companion the
third Russian leapeI forward, like an
animal and caught his oppo-
nent in lis arms The struggle was
brief aud fierce The issue would have
been doubtful hal not the Cossack's
horse plunged forward in its fright and
dashed against the men hurting them
md itself into the awful abyss.
Both parties were now wrought up to
| frenaf that blinded them of all con.
OF HE.
The Russians were like bloodthirsty
avages who find their slaves rising
lgainst them in revolt.
The Jews lost their habitual prudence
nd were stung to desperate resist
nee by the memory Of generations Of
u'rage and rapine.
In the dense settlements the Rus
ians might be masters here they were
nan to man. with nil tha ,dvortaroot
rms on the side of tba trorsr.assor.
,rho fourth Isw ,,;als.a -. .sao's
,,a. D.. NV, Ioo Up sworn
ias u ''''s,.a $50, , 'l''u dropped before no
'ent over ana down to death. lie was
young man, unsettled in the use Of
ach weapon, but even If he had
cen the wall of rock to the left would
ave ballsel all sword play.
WI, the furv ~ ,;nou h..
ast AL -. ""''c"
Ftor bi, Nh, law Ind Loaf h..L
nd hi, pray-haired father was bsbind
i'm.
With such war cry Ms neyer h,rs.
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