The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-02-10

tHe most trdgtc Chdpter IN G0g0t
great movel, "Taras Bulbd," Which
tells of the inuasion of Poland in
the fifteenth century by the Cos
sacks of the Dnieper.
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. Magnificently wrought Turkish
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 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 wind shakes the reeds of river
"What care I for father and father
landY' he cried, holding out his strong
arms. 81 will have none, none, none
except thee! Who says that the
Ukraine is my country? Thou, thou
art my country! For thee toss away
everything; for thee I will die!''
A moment she stared at him, still
frozen, a wondrous marble image
Then she fell into his waiting arms
and her scented hair enwrapped hi:
head like a shining silken net.
The next day old Taras Buiba la!
in the grass and tore at it while hs
cried out on heaven and hell. A mes
senger had come to him with this wore
from his son:
''My father no longer is my father
my brother no more my brother, m.
comrades no more my comrades! Be
tween them and me is war-war witt
them oil, ALL"
It was as If the accession Of An
dreas 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 Ion
guns, swords and clubs, lassos an
spears. Day after ray the indomitabl
Polish men and women, even the chi
dren, cried defiance from their wall
and sped insults at their besieger'
Day after day the Cossacks dashe
close and vaunted: sour swords ar
not yet dull, our powder horns nc
yet empty, and our hearts not ys
L wearyr
There came a day of sortie an
= battle most great and bitter. Tara
l Bulba, roaring and slashing in tn
thick of it, saw a gallant band {
Polish hussars break suddenly into til
strife. Mounted on glorious red Pc
sian horses, they drove forward fea
fully and hewed q road that was {
Of death. Bravest and most murde
Gus Of all was their leader, ia
youngster, who wore a gorgeous scar
plainly a woman's gift for battle.
: 'Brood of the devii!" screamed 7;
! ras Bulba, recognizing his son Al
dreas. "Get me that one" he cor
manded his men. "Lure him into vol
der woods and cut him of for me! :"
= The willy Cossacks detached the
widest riders. They attacked. pr
tended to give way and fed suddenl
: Andreas followed desperately, dashe
:, into O wood and found himself alon
y A great voice ordered him to stop. E
4 t,,~rnd opd cov. hsc father