The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-15

Without him the Turk never could have
found the best path. Well. we, have men on
a mile, bark-O, like the devil, We stay high
up, most Of Us. where ravine Is narrow. 80 not
| 10 scatter out too much. We hide behind the
side the mountain We listen and listen, o,
how We listen, Nothing, The wind In the pine
trees. For hours We listen. My ears get very
The stars, Then. all at once. We sit M very
straight, holding our guns ready. Boo boo.
WOO il is old Spires dog down below. We
a mistake. Perhaps he bark at the moon
But no. Bang" goes old Spires gun, Then
we know. That was the signal-ah, Mother OF
No Greek can talk without violent gesticula-
tons. that frequently bring all the muscles Of
his body into play. Michali forgot the leg in
his excitement; and gave "A little jump that
Never, mind, old man, Don't talk any more
you d better lie quiet" said Curtis. You
drove EN- back. did you?"
Twenty men went down to the mouth OF the
pass. We. stayed back. the narrow part %
guard. high up. behind the rocks. Pretty soon
they commence shooting and Yelling, was
moonlight there. YOU see. but dark like-like-"
Like a packet" suggested Curtis.
Like a pocket in the ravine, where we were.
They keep shooting bin. bang. bin, bang
dred guns al once, That's the Turks said
Lindbohm. by damn, they must not get
through; Michali. twenty men must come
aSS% %' and % DOWN ,Se %s s stay and GeF Fide. F Rlss s sSs
women light the fire, whoof; the light jumps up
and slashes open the ravine, There they come,
there come the Turks, running. running. The
boys keep shooting from above. Ping. ping!
but they not hit much, straight down so. One,
two. three drop. but the rest keep coming. We
lay our rifles across the rocks and take aim
not vet. steady boys. steady
,Steady. boys. steady" cried Curtis; that's
old Iindbohm YES, yesy"
"Ny (.nl' I sht.k tha TlprkS ras rrubt m ton
Of us, when bang !indbohm shoot right, by
my ear and blow o hole through a Turk. Then
we all shoot, shoot, shoot, but every time one
Turk die. two new ones come around the cor
ner. And I think they get through. but the
women pry of big piece Of rock. oh, most rs
big "a this house, and II kill two Turks. The
the Turks turn and run
"Hurrah," ~obbed Curtis.
"Iigrrah!" echoed Michal;, -wekilled thirty
How many men did YOU lose?" asked Curtis.
and fall down into the ravine. Turks laugh
very loud, Another here, through the stomach.
He die pretty -oon he with rs. His name
Yanne. And me. | get this little wound in the
leg. How they hit my leg, | don't know,
As they were talking the church bell began
to ring.
CHAPTER NJ.
Hello What's that for?" asked Curtis,
Michali shrugged his shoulders. Who
knows" he replied
III 1l~ ~ wv WI ~ tll
looked out. The church stood across the road
on The top of a hir, fiat rock. Though small.
il boa ted q Byzantine dome. The hell huns
in n frame erected over the porch, and the rope
was tied about y wooden pillar, 10 prevent il
being blown out VI reach nv the wind
Why. it's Papas Malecko himself, cried
the American.
The priest gave the rope two or three more
decisive jerks. and then, leaving the end dam
Cling. started for the house, His stately black
robe was rent down the front. and tn" wind
blaur tho t,tA,as ont hpliuH a.nnSiuy hi. w
luminous Cretan brooches aud his yellow boots.
His long hair had writhed loose from its fast
enines and bad fallen. down his back. II was
beautiful. and reminded Curtis Of PanRy otB.
His tall hat was battered AT the side. 80 that
the roof looked a. though II were slipping. on
He spoke n few words to Michal, and then,
took ont and donned his Sacerdotal vestments,
n sleeveless cloak with q cross in the middle
Of the back and n richly embroidered stole.
Running his fingers through his long glossy
hair and shaking it out a. a lion shakes his
name, he strobe back to the little church. into
which the people were already excitedly pour
II looks bad" said Michali, he is about TO
ask for Gods help.
I'm going across. " said Curtis.
Can Won walk so far?" asked Michali.
on. YES; with this critch can get over there
all right"
Though the church was crowded there was
absolute. solemn silence. These simple l'eo-
pie believed that they were In the very presence
Of God Kindly hands seized Curtis and as
sisted him into ono Of the hi9h-backed, narrow
seats ranged along the walls Two tall candles
threw n Pickering light on a crude 81. George
and the Dragon, ~ mammoth size, painted
on the screen. Every newcomer kissed tho
face Of n rorid virgin that looked up out Of q
s 5 ,s1 s ipan", ra rrp" ,he door "n 'ns Sn I,aerins e lIp".
in gilded frames hung about the wall, and n
silent throng Of forgotten saints. painted on
the dome above, peered dimly down upon the
worshippers. Tho windows were narrow, but
enough sunlight struggled In To give a ghoStly
look TO the candles. lighted here and there.
Papas Malecko's voice was musical and tender.
He commenced chanting IN a low. plea ding
tone, but as the glorious words Of the lltany
gradually took possession Of his soul the me-
Iodious, full-voweled Greek syllahles rolled
moro and more confidently from his tongue,
The poor frightened mothers and children
Of his flock raised their faces and sniT-d the
wholesome incense that now psrvaded the
building. The spirit Of the scene carried Cur
lis away. lie was awed and mystnriously
refreshed. n one who, In n noisone cavern,
feels the cool, sweet. air blowing upon him
from the darkness He found himself beating
the arm, Of his seat and chanting inaudibly.
again and again the sublime words, Fin
feste Burg list unssr Colt"
"Ah, yes. God viii protect us, lie Is our
ever present help in time Of trouble
And, now, Papas Malecko Is blessing his
flock. one by. one. Down the aisle he passes.
holding n little cross To the eager lips. speak
ing words Of comfort
Courage, courage. my children" h. says;
when God is with rs who can be against ns7
Christ is fighting for us and the Holy Virgin
and all the saints. Courage, courage.
They seize his hand and kiss II. Women
sobbcd In an eyaltation Of faith, Mothers
pressed the cross to the lips and foreheads Of
their wondering babes,
The Virgin Is our helper they said
Christ and the Virgin be with You, " ~
so he stood. his left hand lifted in blessing.
his right extending the cross; stately in his flow
ing robes, calm in the dignity Of his exalted
message.
Have courage, my children" he repeated.
smiling beni9nly, II came 10 me in the noun
tains. like a voice from God We. are Christ
iaas why Do ye not call upon the God Of ho'ts'' "
In an instant the whole congregation had
turned and were looking toward the door. There
stood a tall shepherd with n rifle In his hand.
His face was blackencd with powder and he
seemed covered with blood
voices.
There is a terrible. fight going on. I.oukas
and Spiro are killed -"
The words Of the priest rang ont clear and
strong. like q trumpet
Orr God Is a very present help courage, M
children
NV left arm is broken. The Turks got on
top Of the hill, where the girls were. but the girls
all jumped off laughing All killed Paraskeve,
Elene Maria"
The speaker's voice was drowned in a pande-
monium Of shrieks and sobs
But again the priest was heard, reverently,
distinctly. firmly like the voice of Christ calm
ing the waters,
They are with Christ In Paradise. Still I say
unto YOU, courage, Since God is with us vino
shall stand against u.s.
'Panayota was with them, but her dress
caught in a thorn bush. and before she could
tear herself loose they had her"
Every eye in the church was riveted upon the