The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-10
A LEAP TO DEATH.

mountains along which runs n trail that
10 animal can turn on aud no two ami
mails can pass each other on. Below the
trail there is chasm 700 feet deep. and
this place within the Inst few wears has
como to be known rs tho Jews Lean.
This is the rcason:
In the spring of 1878 q party Of Jews.
ten III number were on their way with
pack of heavily laden mules to the
Don country, where they were to attend
II fair. 1t was ever the custom for par
ties coming over from tho north to send
man ahead on foot to see if tho road
was clear, parties from Circassia hay
ing the right of way.
If tho road was all right, tho man
sent i'll front fired OFF bomb, the cx-
plosion of which told as it echoed along
the pass that all was we'll
Captain Blatzky, who was going south
with small escort of mounted Cos
sacks, wholly ignoring this precaution,
said to his guido:
There are no soldiers coming this
way. The only party we can meet is
some Jewish peddlers, and if they get
i'll my way will hurl them over the
cliffs.
There was nothing left for the sol
diers but 10 obey, so they rode on and
ut length entered tho pass, CAPTAIN
Blatzky bringing up tho rear.
The setting sun was pouring his level
rays through the defile when the Rus
slams reached the highest and narrowcst
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 Captain Blatzky saw the party
that opposed him, he drew his sword
and shouted OUT
Curse the dogsl Hurl them over the
cliffs and ride on.
The Jews heard the savage order and
held short consultation TO 90 back
was impossible, for all were leading
their mules, us the Russians were their
horses.
I've have the right of way replied
the foremost jew. whose only weapon
was II stout staff
Russian.
mo rights i'll the valleys and towns,
replied the jew resolutcly, but up
here, nearer to God and man to man.
we are equal.
pitch him over and stop his talk
ing!" yelled the officer
TRY it and take the consequences. -
was the spirited response
The guide leaped forward with drawn
sword, and the merchant, "a stalwart
young man, raised his staff and stood
OH the defensive.
After fencing for few seconds the
Jews staff was cut in two. but before
his assailant could strike him with his
sword he lcapod forward and caught
him i'll his arms, and tho two fell over
the cliff and dashed i'll bleeding mass
on the rocks below. Tho second Rus.
sian sent the Jews burdened mule after
his master and then stood face to face
with another resolute man armed only
with u stout stick. The Russian lost a
precious second of time in trying TO
draw his pistol, for tho staff whistled
above his head, and unconscious and
never to bc conscious again no tumbled
into the depths. Then tho Jew sent the
Russians horse after him and came
face to face with Il second man.
Seeing the fate of his companion, the
third Russian caught his opponent in
his arms The struggle was brief and
fierce. The issue would have been
doubtful had not the Cossack's horse
plunged forward i'll its fright and
dashed against the men, hurting them
and itself into the awful abyss.
Both parties were now wrought up to
Il frenzy that blinded them to all con-
sidcrations of life
Tho Russians were like bloodthirsty
savagcs who find their slaves rising
against them in revolt
The Jews lost their habitual prudence
and were stung to desperate resist
ancc by the memory of generations of
outrage and rapino.
IN the dense settlements the Russians
might be masters. Zero they were man
to man, with all tn advantage of arms
on the side of the II ..nsgressors.
Tho fourth Jew picked up sword
that Russian had dropped before he
went over and down to death. He was a
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 III a tiger he hurled
over his opponent and sent his horse
after him. The Jew had lost a brother.
and his gray haired father was behind
him.
With such a warcry as never burst
from Jewish lips since the Maccabecs
led Israel to victory the young man
swept every living thing from his path
until he came face to face with the last
man, Captain Blatzky
The Russian fired his pistol straight