The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-01-03
The JEWS LEAP.
| How a Russian Mountain Pass Received
| 70

FINALS can pass each other on. Below
| tlte trail there is a chasm seven hun.
drad feet deep, and this place within
the ast few years has come to be known
as {The Jews Leap" This is the rea-
SOM /,
Ip the spring of 1878 party of Jews.
teri In number, were on their way with
a nick of heavily-laden mules to the
D1h country, where they were to at
tend fair. 1t was ever the custom for
nArties coming over from the north to
send man ahead on foot to see if the
road was clear, parties from Circassia
having the right of way
If the road was all right the man
sent in front fred off bomb, the ex-
plosion of which told as it echoed along
the pass that all was well.
Capt Blatsky, who was going south
with small escort of mounted Cos
sacks, wholly ignoring this precaution,
isaid to his guide:
II There are no soldiers coming this
Way. The only party we can meet is
6ome Jewish peddlers, and if they get
IN my way | will hurl them over the
Gifts"
a,lere was nothing left for the sol
die ! but to obey SO they rode on, and at
= IN. sn9 e the r rsdf on the Noft"
The setting sun was pouring his leQge
rays through the detile, when the Rus
slams reached the highest and narrow
est point, and here they were brought
81, %. "a Iax,,ie1, +roI do
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 dogs! 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 stout staff.
''You have no rights" roared the
Russian.
mo rights in the valleys and towns, -
replied the Jew, resolutely, but ur
here, nearer to Goa, 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 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 on
the rocks below.
The second Russian sent the Jews
burdened mule after his master, and
then stood face to face with another
resolute man armed only with stout
ssselz-
The Russian lost a precious second OF
time in trying to draw his pistol, for
the staff whistled above his head, and
unconscious and never to be conscious
again, he tumbled into the depths.
Then the Jew sent the Russians horse
after him and came face to face with a
second man.
Seeing the fate of his companion, the
third Russian leaped forward, like an
enraged animal, and caught his oppo-
nent in his arms. The struggle was
brief and fierce. The issue would have
been doubtful had not the Cossack' s
horse plunged forward in its fright and
dashed against the men, hurting them
and itself into the awful abyss.
Both parties were now wrought up to
frenzy that blinded them of all con-
sideration of life.
The Russians were like bloodthirsty
savages who find their Slaves rising
against them in revolt.
The Jews lost their habitual prudence
and were stung to desperate resist
ance by the memory of generations OF
outrage and rapine.
In the dense settlements the Rus
slams might be masters; here they were
man to man, with all the advantage OF
arms on the side of the transgressors
The fourth Jew picked up a sword
that Russian had dropped before he
went over and down to death He was
young man, unskilled in the use Of
such weapon, but even if he had
been the wall of rock to the left would
have baked all sword play.
With the fury of tiger he hurled
over his opponent and sent his horse
after him. The Jew had lost a brothe,
and his gray-haired father was behind
him.
With such a war cry as never burst
from Jewish lips since the Maccabee.
!. led Israel to victory, the young mar
swept every living thing from his path
until he came face to face with the last
man, Capt. Blatzky.
The Russian fred his pistol straight
into the young mans face, making q
serious but not fatal wound. Certain
it is it did not stay the irresistible
onset.
The officers sword leaped up, but il
was too late. He felt the wet blade al
his throat, and the next instant he hac
! joined the men he had so ignominiously
led to death.
The surviving merchants hastily
made their way into Turkish territory
where they were safe, leaving behind
them name and memory that will
last as long as the mountains
THE Jews Leap."-N. Y. Mercury