The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-02-15
A EIffEE AND A Big HERO.
ny mo sTRANNIR.

we felt strong and mischievous.
The day was hot and suffocating.
The air seemed to be laden with some
thing more than the scent OF new
mown hay and pine-a flavor go COM
mon on o July day in Northern Russia.
The grown people said: "The at
mosphere is impregnated with cleo
tricity," and although we boys of
twelve and thirteen years did not
know what that really meant, we were
sure that, sooner or later, storm
would come, for the old shepherd had
said so, and he always told the truth.
In the afternoon black cloud rose
over the horizon in the northeast.
An hour later q dark bank covered
half the sky, and we heard the far
away rumbling of thunder.
Rain began to fall in large drops
and we, standing on the grass-cov-
cred porch, amused ourselves in
watching the chickens run, the ducks
dive in the pond, the workmen hurry
home aud the cattle rush for the
stables.
An unexpected clap OF thunder made
usjump, and we quickly obeyed the call
of my aunt to come into the house, as
we had no desire to stay outside any
longer.
1t grew darker and darker. The
fiery zigzags of the lightning threw
yellow tint upon the people and fur
niture in the room, and the thunder
. following quickly on the flashes made
the old mansion culver to its founda-
tions.
"A binding flash, with deafening
crash almost at the same instant,
seemed to make the old castle sway.
''Surely that struck somewhere
near" said my uncle, jumping to his
feet land stepping to the window.
Eyes, it is Michael Kubarkin's hut
just across the river" he exclaimed.
II must 60 at once and see that the
fire is put out" He turned ito us,
"Boys, you had better come along. L
mey need you"
No need to ask us twice. We felt
overhonored to be allowed to be Of
use at such an important moment. In
an instant we were in our high boots
and rubber coats, and started for the
fire.
About twenty peasants stood around
the burning house, lamenting and
praying, but not one offering to lend
helping hand.
"Quick," called my uncle.E take
some buckets; form chain; try to
put out the fire."
"Your LoEiship," said one of the
men, lightning struck this house.
Only milk will put out the fame"
"Obey me-" Numbered my uncle,
''aud get to work, or I'll put you on
bread and water until you forget how
milk tastes"
Reluctantly the man started. M,
younger cousin, Alexey, was sta
toned to watch the superstition
crowd, with orders to report at one,
il any one refused to work or tried t.
steal away.
Now, boys" shouted my uncle
''let us see if there are any people il
the house."
Bravely we followed him into tn
smoke and heat Of the slowly burning
hut. We soon discovered the dea
body of Michael Kubarkin and car
ried it out. Again and again 9 facet
the danger. We rescued two wome
and baby. They had been ne erel
stunned by the shock. While bring
ing the child out I had notice
a: form lying near the door. 1
the darkness and smoke I could nc
distinguish whether it was huma
being or dog
L hurried back. My uncle calle
me, but rushed in, dropped on m
knees and .crawled toward the spc
where / had seen the form lying.
was boy. He had been on his wa
home in the next village and ha
sought shelter in the house from til
storm
j dragged him out, and was abor
fifteen yards from the house whe
there was an explosion. Kubarki
had bought ten pounds OF powder
the last fair and had kept it in til
large brick stove.
The hut collapsed. Some of I'll
bricks whizzed by my head, uncor
fortably close, but the boy was save
and with the aid of fresh air he SOC
came out of his stupor.
Ten years had passed. I was lie
tenant in the body guard OF the GA
Before Plevna we were forced in
active service.
One morning I was ordered to tai
private dispatch from the Emper
to General Todleben. A guard
twelve men escorted me when L start
from headquarters. 1t was brig
morning after several days of drizzli
rain. The 70. \ through the fore
was very soft, and we could make b
very little progress. At about t
o'clock we reached an open valley.
ordered halt to decide if I shou
cross the open space or turn to I
left and keep in the woods until h
got out of sight and reach of
enemy. 1t would have been j,
twenty miles more of muddy rot
The dispatch was important a
haste necessary, so / decided to INC
straight on.
We had hardly reached the or
valley when small cloud of smc
from the northern fort of Plevna {,
me that we had been seen and w
now target for the Turkish guns.
A short command from me brou,
my men into line, so that the enc
had only one man to aim at.
were moving at full speed toward
protecting timber on the other side
The first shell fell short; the secc
burst fully thousand yards beh
MS; the third was "dead," and pass
fifty feet in front of US.
We were almost IN the shade Of
tall pines when Iheard terrific or,
aud lost my senses. L awoke "
soon, with singing pain in my he
A man lay right over me. He ,
unbuttoning my uniform.
thought OF "war hyena fasl
through my mind. Cautiously
--x,~J 10o $50 npouoI Ia