Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26

The fifteenth century By the Cos
sacks of the Dnteper.
OF all the mad fighters in the Cos
sack horde that besieged the Polish
stronghold of DubnO, none was so gall
liant as were the two sons of Taras
Bulba, the famous leader of the
Ukraine. His great nostrils expanded
with pride when they darted against
the Polish cavalry, flashing their beau
tiful horses like devils.
They were CARRIED like birds of war.
Their multifold trousers, wide as the
Black sea and upheld with golden
girdles, were thrust into boots of GRIM
son leather with silver heels and
spurs. Magnificentiy wrought Turkish
J pistols and knives were stuck in en-
broidered saShes that belted the fam
ing red coats. Long, gaudy thongs
with tassels held the bags that con-
tanned their indispensable pipes and
smoking materials. Their crooked
swords were immense, and on their
handsome heads they wore tall, black
caps of lambs wool with ornaments
of scarlet and gold.
Taras Bulba almost wept into his
brandy as he boosted with tremendous
oaths of their deeds. Hardly he knew
which he loved the more-the fierce
but wise Ostap or the headlong,
thoughtless, wholly reckless Andreas.
Dubno held out desperately, though
the people were starving. Dawn came
to it with the silence of death, for
there was not a rooster left to crow
In all the land. The only animals alive
were the warehouses;. Even Dubno's
rats and mice had been devoured to
the last one.
One night Andreas learned from a
spy that the beautiful daughter of the
governor of Dubno was perishing in
her palace. He had met her once, and
since that meeting her picture had
been bright in his wild heart. With
out pausing to reflect, he gathered pro-
visions secretly and stole into the be-
leaguered city.
When he found her he forgot the
Ukraine. She was most beautiful
even in that land of beautiful Polish
women. In her black eyes burned the
flames of romance and intelligence
Over a ravishing white neck and noble
shoulders fell hair that king would
have begged to kiss.
Her fiery soul sprang to meet the
fiery soul of the Cossack. When she
swayed toward him and sobbed Of the
sorrows of her people, her low, sweet
voice shook the mans passionate spirit
as a wind shakes the reeds of a river
"What care l for father and father
land?' he cried, holding out his strong
arms. II will have none, none, none
except thee! Who says that the
Ukraine is my country? Thou, thor
art my country! For thee toss away
everything; for thee l will die"
A moment she stared at him, still
frozen, wondrous marble image
Then she fell into his waiting arm:
and her scented hair enwrapped hi:
head like a shining silken net.
The next day old Taras Bulba la,
: In the grass and tore at it while h,
, cried out on heaven and hell. mes
, senger had come to him with this wor,
! from his son:
, "My father no longer Is my father
my brother no more my brother, IN.
comrades no more my comrades! Be
tween them and me is war-war witt
them all, ALI"
1t was as IL the accession Of Al
droas had brought fortune to tn
Poles. A relief expedition brok
through the Cossack ring and reprovi
stoned the city. Thereafter tn
strengthened defenders made furiou
sortie after sortie and Cossacks an
Poles did each other to death dali
under the walls with cannon and lon
guns, swords and clubs, lassOs an
spears. Day after ray the indomitabl
Polish meu and women, even the chi
dren, cried defiance from their wall
and sped insults at their besieger
Day after day the Cossacks dashe
IlOSC dhO oul oNOihS III
not yet dull, our powder horns nc
yet emJty, and our hearts not "
weary
Thee came day of sortie an
battle most great and bitter. Tara
Bulta, roaring and slashing In tn
Thick of 1t, saw gallant band ,
Polish hussars break suddenly into I'll
strife. Mounted on glorious red Pc
q Eian horses. they drove forward fea
fully and hewed a road that was {
of death. Bravest and most murde
GUS Of all was their leader, ia
a youngster, who wore gorgeous scar
o plainly a woman's gift for battle.
Brood of the DEVIL" screamed tt
9 ras Bulba, recognizing his son A
It dreas. "Get me that one!" he cor
g handed his men. Lure him into yo
der woods and cut him off for me |"
The willy Cossacks detached the
widest riders. They attacked, pr
!" tended to give way and fled suddenl
i. Andreas followed desperately, dashe
u into n wood and fOun6 himaeIf aIon