Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-12-04

barring my neck. continued to
supplicate his compassion, offering
him q great ransom.
my family is rich-make me
your prisoner and you shall have
a large ransom
"That would take too much time,'
he rejoined. keep thyself quiet
all will soon be over" and he had
now drawn the breast pin from my
shirt. Still held him embraced,
and whether he was proudly conf
dent 10 bis superior strength, and
the advantage of his arms, or that
feeting remnant of pity had for an
instant weighed On his heart, be, for
any moment did net seem to notice
my actions.
just as he took out the breast pin
| felt something heavy near his
waist. 1t was steel hammer, oc-
casionally used instead of the battle
axe in close combat.
Already he held up my head with
one hand, brandishing his enormous
sabre with the other, cody repeat.
ing, sKeep thysclf quiet, that l may
cut it off the more easily for thee"
Assuredly these would have been
the last words bad not nature revolt
ed'at such death. With au ire
sistable impulse, in the twinkling of
an eye, sprang from his grasp, tore
the hammer from his girdle, and
dashed it with my whole strength
full in his face.
The attack was uneypected-the
weapon was massive-the blow was
sure one, and it was repeated with
almost incredible celebrity. The
Turk reeled and fell, and his sabre
fell from his hand. l seized it and
plunged it repeatedly into his body.
On recovering my breath, | made
for the outposts, directed by the
glitter of their arms in the sun, but
all fed from me as a spectre, and |
was the same day seized with high
| fever.
At the expirationsof six weeks l
recovered both from my fever and
wounds, ard returned to the camp.
On my arrival the Gipsy brought
me the Tokay, and learnt from my
companions, that during my confine-
ment this extraordinary woman, by
her predictions, which were in al
| most every instance accomplished,
had acquired paramount influence,
obtained many legacies, and was
universally consulted as To the de-
crees of fate.
At length two deserters came over
from the enemy, and recognized our
| fortune teller as well-known in the
Turkish camp, to whom they said,
by nocturnal visits she had commu-
nicated all our movements and in
tentions.
This created much establishment,
as she had often been of important
service to us, and We had wondered
at the address and ability with
which she had executed the most
perilous commissions. The events
which had actually happened afford
ed strong evidence against her, and
a Turkish cipher, which served as
passport being found in her posses.
sion, rendered her punishment by
death indispensable.
then urged her to make a con-
fession as to her predictions and
duplicity. She avowed in general
that by acting as spy for each par
ty she had obtained double emolu-
ments, with complete personal safe
ty.
By this means she learned the Sc
cret plans of both, and she knew
precisely what was to be attempted
by either. Those who consulted her
on their destiny confded to her all
the dangers they were to encounter.
The most secret projects was thus
revealed to her in detail. Her calcu-
lation was almost always a demon
stration, and sometimes when she
did not possess these advantages,
chance befriended her.
/ was selected by her as strik
ing example of her skill, and by fix
ing my fate at a remote period, and
in utter disregard Of all ordinary
hazards, and trusted to obtain un-
bounded confidence. She possessed
the ingenuity and sagacity to shape
everything so as to fulfil her predic-
tions.
From her information our senti-
nels we're cut off and our pickets
overthrown. The attacks upon our
night guards we're arranged so as to
suit her predictions, and especially
that, on the near approach of the
twentieth of August the hussars OF
Czekler should be on duty.
From constant intercourse with
the officers she knew that two of
my comrades preceded me in COM
mand. To one she sold drugged
wine, and he was taken too i'll to
take the command /; and just as the
other had mounted, she contriyed to
thrust burning finder in the nostrils
of his charger.
Nevertheless she was foiled in her