The Van Buren press., 1895-01-19
rHE JEWS LEAP.
Rpv . Rnssian AlounteIn Pass heceivce
Its Nemo.


Row . Rnssian Mountain Pass heceivee
Its Name
There is . pass In the Caucasian
mountains along which runs . trah
that no animal can turn on and no two
animals can pass each other on. Below
the trail there Is q chasm seven hum
dred feet deep, and this place wisnin
the last few years has come to be known
as .sThe Jews Leap" This is the rea'
son:
In the spring OF 1878 party OF Jews,
ten in number, were on their way Win
a pack of heavily-laden mules 70 INC
Don country, where they were to az
tend fair. It was ever the custom Tor
parties coming over from the north 70
send man ahead on foot to see II tne
road was clear, parties from Circassia
having the right of way.
If the road was all right the man
sent in front fired off bomb, the ex-
blosiou of which told as 1t echoed along
the pass that all was well.
Capt. Blatsky, who was going souUh
with small escort Of mounted COS
sacks, wholly ignoring this precaution
said to his guide: 81
"There are no soldiers coming TINS
way. The only party we can meeo Is
some Jewish peddlers, and II they gec
in my way will hurl them over she
cliffs"
There was nothing left for the SOL
diers but to obey, SO they rode on. ana az
length entered the pass, Capt. Blatsky
bringing up the rear. ,,.l
The setting sun was pouring MS levei
rays through the defile, when the hus-
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:
Course the dogsl Hurl 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, as the Russians were their
horses
"We have the right Of way" replied
the foremost Jew, whose only weapon
was a stout staff.
"You have no rights" roared the
Russian.
mo rights in the valleys and towns, y
replied the Jew, resolutely, "but up
here, nearer to God, and man to man,
we are equal"
"Pitch him over and stop his talk
ing" yelled the officers.
.Try it and take the consequences!'
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 a few seconds the
Jews staff was cut in two, but. before
his assailant could strike him with the
sword he leaped forward, caught him
in his arms, and the two fell over the
cliff and dashed in bleeding mass or
the rocks below.
The second Russian sent the jew.
burdened mule after his master, ant
then stood face to face with another
resolute man armed only with stou
stick.
The Russian lost precious second O.
time in trying to draw his pistol, fol
the staff whis.led above his head, ant
unconscious and never to be conscious
ngain, he tumbled into the depths
Then the Jew sent the Russians hors'
| after him and came face to face with 9
second man.
Seeing the fate Of his companion, th'
third Russian leaped forward, like al
enraged animal, and caught his oppo
nent in his arms. The struggle wa
brief and fierce. The issue would hav'
been doubtful had not the Cossaclk'
horse plunged forward in its fright ant
dashed against the men, hurling then
and itself into the awful abyss.
Both parties were now wrought up t.
sideration OF life.
The Russians were like bloodthirst,
savages who find their slaves rising
against them in revolt.
The Jews lost their habitual prudenc
and were stung to desperate resist
ance by the memory Of generations o
outrage and rapine.
In the dense settlements the Rus
slams might be masters; here they wer
man to man, with all the advantage O
arms on the side of the transgressors
The fourth Jew picked up swor,
that Russian had dropped before h
went over and down to death. He wa
a young man, unskilled in the use O
such weapon, but even If he ha
been the wall Of rock to the left woul
have balked all sword play.
With the fury of tiger he hurle
over his opponent and sent his hors
after him. The Jew had lost brothe
and his gray-haired father was benin
him
With such a war cry as never burs
from Jewish lips since the Maccabee
led Israel to victory, the young ma
swept every living thing from his pat
until he came face to face with the las
man, Capt. Blatzky.
The Russian fired his pistol straigh
into the young mans face, making
serious but not fatal wound. Certni
it is it did not stay the irresistibl
onset.
The officers sword leaped up, but |
was too late. He felt the wet blade q
his throat, and the next instant he ha
Joined the men he had oignominiousl
led to death.
The surviving merchants hastil
made their way into Turkish territory
where they were safe, leaving benin
them name and memory that wi
last as long as the mountains
"The Jews Leap."-N. Y. Mercur,
An Obstruction.