The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-04-19
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m@@a GONNA RAC0ARE. 4 RUMANlAN W0OlNGI
S
N SaGovealir. Translated by Louise Waring

! than alive. All that night he tosses
and means: Wretch that am! All
woe, ah, woe is me! Such woman
Such eyes! God have mercy Oh me-!
He calls VaSli. "Vasili, my faithful
one, I have come back covered with
shame and disgrace. Vasili, III give
thee three ducats if thou'lt counsel
me once more"
Yea, master, I know it all. A su
| perb creature, the Sultana; but I also
| know that my second counsel will be
| worth five-siX ducats."
{ Speak, Vasili, speak,"
when my master wins the Sultana
he shall want to give old Vasili six
times-yea, twenty times as many
ducats. 1 will bring Cosma Racoare;
he will do your work." At the name
of "Cosma Racoare" Nicola starts. "Be
it so," he mutters.
On the third day after the interview,
Cosma appeared. He was clad in a
a Russian cap we'll drawn over his
close-ftting fustian, heavy boots, and
head. His rifle slung across his back
and leading his horse, he leisurely and
sullenly approached Nicola, who sat
under the linden, smoking his pipe.
Vasili whispered into Nicolas ear:
"Look at him, master; that fellow
will fetch you the Devil himself"
Nicola stares at Cosma; then the lat.
ter says: "God be with you"
AS if waking from dream, Nicola
answers: "The same with thee"
Thou knowest what I ask Of thee;
we'll, then, what is thy price? viii
fifty ducats satisfy thee?'
YES" answers Cosma.
"Vasili, so fetch my money pouch"
"No, not yet; when 1 shall have ac-
complished my task you can pay me.
I bring you the woman, you pay me
the money"
So saying, Cosma walked into the
garden, wrapped his cloak about him
and threw himself on the grass:
HE seems the right man for my
work; a weight is lifted off my heart" ,"
murmurs Nicola.
AS night drew near Cosma tightened
his stirrups and mounted his horse.
Await my return in the meadow,
MASTER" and away he flew like an ar.
row.
The full moon f1ickered through the
fog, enveloping hills and forest in a
gossamer shroud. Only the clatter of
the horses feet broke the dead 81.
lence. On reaching Grasini, he found
the outer gates locked. After repeated
knockings, voice from within cried:
"Who is there:'
Then, impatient at the delay, he calls
out: 1T is I, Cosma Racoare."
A light is seen fitting by, then the
sound Of voices, and at last the bolts
are withdrawn. He finds the house
door open. "a woman without. fear
he mutters. His steps resound through
the long, dark corridor. A door is
thrown open, and there on its
threshold stands Sultana, radiant as
before, clad in white, and flowing hair
her hand clutching the scimitar.
"Who art thou? What seekest thou
here?' she cried.
II came to carry you off, and take
you to Nicola Zamfride," answered
Cosma.
$50 this is thy errandv she said
scornfully. Beware that the fate Of
Nicola do not befall thee"
Cosma draws nearer, gives slight
twist to her wrist, and the weapon
falls to the ground. She shrinks bacl
in dismay, and calls out: Gabriel
Nicolai, Foaeder, help" They came
no further than the entrance. Cosma
lays hold of her arm, but she frees
herself and snatches a dagger from &
table.
What are ye gaping at. ye COW
ards? Advance and bind him!'
you are wasting words, fair lady
I admire your courage, but it avail
you naught."
| 1uel tue SelNdAtS NeAe uSol0 ~
whisper terror-stricken:
How may we bind him? It i
Cosma Racoare, the invincible.'
"Ye wretches," she shrieks, and il
her fury attacks Cosma. He catche
her in his arms, takes both hands AM
pinions them with leather strap.
make roomw he cries, and all stel
back. Quietly, he lead her out; tn
while muttering to himself: "What ;
superb creature! Such eyes! Sucl
pride! Nicola has chosen WE'LL"
Sultana glares at her terrified vas
sails, and realizes her captivity; sh'
meets the lark gaze of her capror.
Who are you:' she asks.
II am Cosma Racoare."
She sees fear depicted on the faces o
her people. Now she understands all.
Cosma mounts his horse and place
Sultana in front of him. Away the.
speed. TO Cosma it seemed as if the,
were flying through infinite space on
phantom horse. Now and then b