Told by the Death's Head

the next day when he had been brought to the court-room from the death-cell.) My conduct at that time was exemplary; I acquire

ia, who had leagued with Sweden to subdue Poland; and he would most likely h

which it will be necessary to mention in order to explain why I committed the crimes of which I am guilty. While with the army before Cracow I made the acquaintance of the daughter of a Polish noble. The young lady, who took a great fancy to me-I wasn't a bad-looking youth in those days,

night after night. No, my little Marinka's sparkling eyes were as alluring as the gold pieces; and I knew when I set out on my nightly tour that my sweetheart would be waiting for me at the gates of her father's place. But our secret meetings were at last discovered. There was an old witch of a housekeeper who ferreted out her young mistress' secret, and informed

or, walk boldly toward my father, and to whatev

ag after him step by step. He had a square red face which I could see only indistinctly above the burning lunt he carried in one hand, blowing it continually to prevent it from going out. In the

oj!" (Who ar

me by the arm he led me down the stairs to a room where a huge fire was blazing on the hearth. Here he bade me seat myself on a settee covered with a bear skin and placed before me an English flagon of spirits. After he had arranged everything for my comfort he fetched from a secr

t a trap I had fallen into. My Marinka's father was a Socinian, a lead

ly in secret. The old noble's manor was one of their retreats, where recent converts were received for instruction. When the old gentleman belie

ieve I was

a's sake, then the old noble would fetch his musket and send me straightway to paradise. If, on

pping, into the kingdom of heaven, or should I journey leis

y for my pretty curly head-I

urprise. This was a welcome duty; for, once outside the house, all thought of taking up my station at the gates would leave me and, instead, I would climb the tree which grew close to my Marinka's window, swing myself by a branch into her

nus. They received a hospitable welcome from the old noble, whom they overwhelmed with joy by telling him the prince of Transylvania had become an adherent of Socinus; that his high

of the tent-and shouted: "It is perfectly outrageous how those Hungarians will stoop to base methods in order to win allies!

order to explain how I became cognizant of the facts I am about to relate, that Marinka's father had begun to suspect me. Inste

st Tokay was emptied at every celebration. After the meetings, when the old noble would lift and shake the empty wine-cask, I could read in his countenance signs that heterodoxy was gradually taking root in him. At first he contented himself with r

on the dogma itself. He delivered an impassioned address in which he sought to di

r. The old noble became daily more fanatical in his assaults upon the tenets to which he had so devoutly adhered before the accession to his little congregation of the Hungarian troopers; and, at last declared that

en it is our plain duty to shed His

lows, those Magyars!" he

" exclaimed the mayor repr

is highness. Then to the pr

med his c

noble declared to his congregation that the entire stor

blasphemous meetings?" ste

eting on a certain night, assist my pretty Marinka to descend from her room by means of the tree outside her window and then set fire to the sheep-stables. The conflagration would scatter the blasphemers; everybody would run to the stables to release the ho

ertainly," comme

. "It was incendiarism pure and simple: Incendiarii ambitiosi comburantur

all be burned at the stake; for the rape of the maid you shall pay a fine of t

om the enemy's camp. The old noble wanted to bind me to the well-sweep; but one of the Hungarian troopers took compassion on me and offered to buy me for sixteen Polish groschen. His offer was accepted; I was sold to him and taken to Cracow. I should not have had such a hard time as a slave had I not been compelled to grind all the pepper used in the Hungari

o say that you hungered

nd he would repeat the operation until the contents of every dish had been emptied into me. I used to sicken at the approach of meal-times, and whenever I saw the huge

ed that method," r

oon," supplemented the mayor, with a

ercede for me with the Supreme Ruler of the earth. Had I become a Mussulman I should have had Mohammed; had I adopted the Jewish faith I should have been able to call to my aid Abraham, or some one of the other fath

tell untruths. You forget that you were in Poland

ause his vassal, George Rákóczy, prince of Transylvania, had presumed to aspire to the crown of Poland, had commanded the khan of Crim-Tartary to attack the Hung

nciated the prince. "It was easy enoug

nian army by the Tartars the victors divided the spoils as follows: The commanding officers took possession of all the valuables; the under-officer

a higher price-nine groschen. The same Tartar-an ugly, filthy little ras

understand his language; but he managed in a very clever manner to convey his meaning to us. He examined the material of which our shirts

e other hand he hung a rope of horse-hair around his captive's neck. Then he closed his fingers over

any coins like this gold one wil

opened his fist ten times

eth together, which was m

hand-he was satisfied with the ransom. Then came my turn. How much ransom would be paid for me? I shook my head to indic

ated it as I had the gold coin. Then he produced a copper coin; but I indicated with such emphasis that not even so small a sum would be paid for me that he raised his whip and

ords impressed on my mind when, the fifth day of our journey, I became a veritable beast of burden. My Hungarian yoke-fellow declared his feet were so sore he could go no farther. His was certainly a weighty body to drag over the rough roads, especially as he had never been accustomed to travel on foot per pedes apostolorum. The little Tartar became alarmed; he feared he might lose the ransom i

carrying. It would have been worse had the Hungarian been saddled on my shoulders. That gentleman was greatl

f. I tell you he was a master of malediction! There was an imprecation he used to repeat so often that I remember it to this ho

e dreadful things attributed to the Magyars. It is, literally: "The s

prince. "That sounds

ng. "We must make a note of it; the court astronomer may, with t

the imprecation, his highness,

you compelled to remain in that

d into an oak forest. We had hardly got well into it, when, with a fearful noise, as if heaven and earth were crashing together, the huge t

forming a horrible trap for the Tartars. The first tree that toppled over, of course, threw over the one aga

to tell how I escaped with my life. I only know that when I came to my senses I found myself in the camp of the "Haidemaken," a company of thieves and murderers, made up of all nationalities, the worst of all the robber bands that infested the country. The members were the outcasts of every land-the flower of the gallows. When inflamed with wine, they fought each other w

ken would be on hand before the match was applied to the faggots, and bear away the fair culprit. In a wor

d them a secure retreat. They knew no laws save the commands of their leader, which were obeyed to the letter. None kept for hi

pecial reward, was given the prettiest woman

Wallachian woiwode, the king of Poland, the hetman of the Cossacks, ruled only in name.

d by the haidemaken, who would then give the traders safe conduct through all the dangerous forests, over s

itary escort. Then, woe to them! The robbers would lure them into ambush, scatt

nd, however, could be brought to seal a compact of peace with an individ

treasures it contained. Yet, they numbered several priests among their

eiving a blessing from one of these renegados. If the expedition proved to be successful

aken were as great sticklers for form as are the members of good society. To abduct a maid, or a woman, w

where to hide in mountain caverns and in moras

threw me into their power. The prince of Transylvania had invaded Poland with an army of 20,000 men. This army was captured by the Tartar khan with his 80,

, with a hideous red face-compared to him the Herr Mayor, there, is a very St. Martin!-his beard and eyebrows were also red, but of a lighter shad

s the giant by my side. He was leaning on his sword, looking down at me, and when he saw my eyes open

f so, swear that you will join our band, or I'll fling you out yond

m to be capable of any atrocity. Moreover, I was indifferent as to wha

red one, who was the leader o

I was as poor a devil as ever caugh

two sturdy ruffians dragged from a cave nearby the loveliest maid I had ever set eyes on. Her complexion was of milk and roses; every

maid's head. She is the daughter of a noble, whom we stole for a ransom; and, as her people h

as so heavy I could lift it onl

d, and parted her beautiful hair at the back of her snowy

do anything

sword at the feet of

u may devour me alive-I won't harm

irl's head rather than lose your own. You are a noble-you would rather die yourself than harm a woman. Very we

wung it as lightly as if it had been a hazel rod, several times about her head. I have always been fortunate enough to be able

h mocking eyes, her white teeth gleaming between

amping her foot. "Knee

am not going to pray. I don't want to part with my head, I have too much need of it myself." Then I turned boldly toward her father, and addressed him: "Captain, I want to marry your

ch with a grin that was like the grimace o

or for the hand of my daughter is tortured to death by tha

ntily, "you needn't give yo

rted from under the finger-nails. But I did not betray by look or sign how badly it hurt me. Nay, I even gave a playful pi

tle time for merry-making. The main body of the Tartar army now drew near, and we

m, his men with lightning speed set fire in fifty different places to the fallen trees, among

nsumed in the flames; we could hear their shrieks of agony when

forest, made our escape easy; and, by the time the trees had been

n; a heavy bag of treasure was strapped on my back. We marched until the next morning. The haide

d me my name, and I gave him the first one that came into my head: "Jaroslaw Terguko," which was the

walls of rock on either side seemed, with their projections and hollows, as if they might once have been joined together. They were nearer together at the top than at the base, and when I looked up at the narrow strip of sk

nty yards from the base, yaw

egree, that access to the cavern cannot be gained by means of a ladd

rook had once leaped into the defile, to conti

ned frequently that they would be blockaded in their retreat by the nobl

d to turn a series of wheels. Over one of the wheels ran a stout iron chain, to which were securely attached several large baskets; and so skillfully was the apparatus manipulated that the entire band might be hoisted into, or let down from, the cavern in the short space of two hours. I

, flour-mills and leather factory were left without a motor; while the inhabitants of the surrounding hamlets, who were dependen

the further side of the mountain, which contains an illimitable deposit of the saliferous substance. The haidema

erable springs of fresh water were bursting from his side of the mountain, and flooding his most profi

migation. So long as the band confined their depredations to the trading caravans they might be tolerated; but, when they became insol

s and Swedes broke out, and the noble gentlemen were compelled to march with their followers toward the invaders; but

rapet furnished with loop-holes. The intercepted brook did not pour its waters into the main entrance, but into a side openi

. As it is dark in the cave, all work was performed by torchlight. Wher

of fire-arms, all patterns of cutting, thrusting and hurling implements, which had been purloined from the armories of noble castles. Here, for the first time, I saw an old-time cul

e leads to the mill-cave, but, as I never enter

he vast hall they were as lost in it. The arched roof is so high above the floor

must have been captives; for it is hardly possible that any man would, of his own free will, consent to pass his life toiling in so gloomy a hole. When we arrived a

and your trade as thoroughly as you say," he growled. "It is not safe to

entrance, but that fleeting glance was enough to dazzle my eyes. There were heaps on heaps of costly articles: robes, mantles, vestments, richly embroidered with gold and precious gems, gold and silver chalices

es of gold and silver had accumulated. The

tities of meat and bread were served that every man had all he

to the leader and his daughter. No matter how much was taken

n their fill, they lighted a huge fire and danced wildly around it; and when they had drunk all they wanted, the

as dragged into the hall and

t to be held, a singular tribunal, wher

rdice-of having run away at the approach of the enemy; also, of

came wolves. Ten of the beasts attacked me-maybe there were fifty. If I had allowed the wolves to eat me, how could I have s

should have obeyed the command of your leader. If you are not the

he youth, striking his

de, and, bidding his comrades follow, moved with the maid toward the r

see by the light of the torches that we were on the

h was lighted for a few seconds by the circling wreath of blazing straw; but it

llow striped silken kerchief from his daughter's neck, leaving the lovely

our band, and you have aspired to the hand of my daughter Madus. If you are

ing to dive into it. But he halted on the edge, leaned forward and peered down at the water far

mp?" cried his co

ge, bent forward and took another look; the

he exclaimed; "there's no getting out of it

mit the body of a man. This opening was closed by a block of granite that required the combined strength of six men to move it. A lighted candle was placed in the trembling youth's ha

rifying. The lovely Madus feigned death and looked it, too! and every membe

ome really one of us-until you have stood the test. Moreove

ied, "and I will do

own yonder in the lake; let us see if y

a task?" here interrupted the prince; and t

nce, prompted by criminal d

abyss were formed of the dark blue strata peculiar to salt mines, and guessed that the lake was strongly impregnated with salt. I had also noticed on the further wall of the abyss a flight of steps hewn in the rock, and concluded that I had nothing to fear from drowning in the buoyant water, if I reached it in safety. But, before I proceed farther, I desire to enter a formal protest against the chair'

r, "I think the prisoner is justified in his protes

r clause of the protocol. It read, when corrected: "Sinful tempt

son, you

prince and resume

d mouth told me it was salt water, and whatever apprehension I had had vanished. The next moment I was floating on the surface, my head and shoulders above the water. I soon found the kerchief, which I tied about my neck, amid the ac

leading from the lake to the upper gallery of t

them to ninety; and three minutes after I had taken my leap, I stood, encrus

ed me on their shoulders to her, and I was about to kiss he

ony. Confirmation comes next. You must become a member of our faith before you can b

's hesitation to adopt my Madus' faith. The leader then signed to one of the band to prepare for the ceremony of confirmation. It was one

fferent name from the one he has borne elsewhere. I am called 'Nyedzviedz,' whic

hought "Lyabedz" (swan), more suitable and prettier, but I told them that, as I excelled most in hurli

t were thrust into a pair of slippers, also handsomely embroidered-relics, obviously, of some gigantic saint; for the robber priest's feet, from which he had not removed his boots, were quite hidden in th

of hocus-pocus over me. I couldn't understand a word of it, for he spoke in G

was almost suffocated. In concluding, when he bestowed on me my new name, he gave me such a vigorous box on the ear, that it rang for

hat I intended, I was on my feet, and had delivered a right-hander on the side of his head

ted the mayor to the notary; while his highness, the prince, he

ce!" he exclaimed when he had got his brea

me a person of consequence among the haidemaken. The leader

sort, lad-we need

own on the floor of the cavern. Although the torches had been extinguished I could see, by the faint light which penetrated

the four hundred robbers proclaimed th

feet; at the same moment the leader appeared from an adj

conducted me, in company with Madus a

then other sixteen would relieve them, and so on. We didn't find out until we had got it up here that it would be of no use to us. The first time we tried to fire it off-it lay on the ground as now-four men sat astride of it, as on a horse, to steady it. I, myself, directed the shot toward the mouth of the caver

ng description of the gun's beh

ely to two stout pegs driven into the ground. 'There, sir,' I said, 'now kick if you want to!' I lighted the fuse-the demon didn't kick this time; instead he rushed backward dragging both pegs

and kill every one of you!-as you deserved! The first thing to be done with the culverin is to clean and polish it until it shines like a mir

and complete as quickly as possible the sort of gun-carriage I should describe to them, and I set about

out the plans for punishing the insolent haidemaken, which had been interrupted by the war. Those members of the band who were sent on various errands into the regions

their forces, and were prepared for a re

eleaguerers, instead of curtailing our rations, doubled them, mystifying all of us by the seemingly illimitable supplies in the provision chamber.

eleaguerers adv

e bottom of the abyss would rush into the defile and drown the enemy. But Prince Siniarsky's troopers had become familiar with this trick; and one morning, when we awoke, we found th

nough, but wor

p of the wall should have reached to the height of the wooden gutter which conveyed the brook into the cavern, Siniarsky's men would fli

there isn't any other water in the cavern fit to drink. But a

ame so morose and ill-tempered, that no on

oopers returned the fire with such volleys from the numerous

ch I had polished until it shone like gold. The carriage fo

the enemy's camp by the blaring of trumpets, and beating of drums, and what I had foretold came to pass; the arquebusier

iedz, pointing the culverin's muz

red away, there was neither arquebuse, nor arquebusier-nor ye

the entire structure of solid masonry tumbled down with a deafening crash, buryin

themselves on the enemy, and while the combat raged in the defile below me, I wheeled my culverin to the mouth

, and our men returned to the c

non when its management

oint observed the prince. "The conf

ISZPA

g Hugo resumed

flight the troopers returned with their b

s the treasure we took from the vanquished foe-take of it what you want, you have the first choice." Gold and silver galore lay before me, but I answered: "T

t wants to bill and coo. The man who has a wife is only half a man. The true haidemak embraces his sweetheart, then slays her-or better: slays he

dus," I returned, stubbornly; "and if you don't

will compel me to send you the way all our members have gone who proved themselves to be soft-hearted

how to endure such a calamity,

pronounce a 'dove,' must go a different route. The youth who refused to leap into the abyss the day you arrived, was a dove. You saw what became of him. A hundred and mo

ooked at Madus, who was standing by her father's side, the glance which met mine from h

if my Madus goes with me-be

ourney with me, her father summoned a priest-the same bearded

ealthy cathedral by my respected father-in-law and his comrades) and with all manner of unintelligible

ed cap, and a richly embroidered mantle; a bag of provisions, and a jug of wine were also given to us. Then w

s with us. The leader was so deeply affected he embraced both of us. After a lighted taper had bee

close to the ear. By the faint light from our taper I could see a smile of encourag

rson, a considerable distance, when we suddenly came to a small chamber about the size of

sh the candle. But we shall never know when it is morning. Daylight never enters here. No cheerful cock-crow ever

gret the step you have taken? Should you be sorry neve

g for our night's rest. We spread our bear skins on the floor of the cave, sat down on them, and a

turned toward

u imagine we

I made answer

lew out the light and ask

nothing at all. "Look again, Baran

if the dear child's countenance came into view, gradually growing brighter and brighter, until the gloom disappeared, and the subterranean grotto became irradiated a

I should have been content to stop there with her until the end of time! I would not have inquired if eve

ill become of us?" she

a trick on us, and that they will fe

never again return to the cavern. The h

llow his only daughter to perish mi

ully. "My father's heart is impervious to pity. Those whom he ban

moment I had entertained a suspicion that th

ure me to so wretched a fate, when Madus rose from her bear skin couch, and bade me follow her. I

ler than the one in which we had rested. I kept glancing furtively, right and left, expecting

der. At last I noticed that the corridor began to widen, and suddenly my soul was rejoiced to discover

ecstacy clasping Madus to my he

turned gently and sadly. "We are approach

taper now, for we had sunlight from the strip of blue sky we could see overhead. I pressed e

en the two tall walls of rock, and there below us

ompassed by rocks-rocks so high, and so steep, that nothing win

ther in a compact mass like the facade of a vast cathedral, environ the Viszpa Ogrod, which, with its verdant fields, f

ent spray before it reaches the valley, there to pursue its sinuous course amid the fiel

maken who prove too tender-hearted for their cruel trade, or tire of their adventurous life; also those who refuse to desert the women they l

ontained an inexhaustible supply of provisions. When the robbers discovered it, it was a wilderness of stunted fir trees. No living creature could exist in it, for there was n

, vegetables, and various shrubs and plants which throve luxuriantly in this "garden" sheltered from the cold winds by the wall of rock. The firs left s

ld life of the robbers; but, no matter what the life of a man had been before he became a member of the l

rything that can rejoice the king in his palace, and the dreams of the prisoner in his dung

path, led the way, recognizing, while still at a distance from them, each occupant of the little cottages. The children

ly swung in the tower of Bicloviez monastery. Like everything else in the valley, it had been stolen. Everyth

They ploughed, planted, and gathered the harvest in perfect contentment. They shared th

the narrow passage from the cavern, calves, goats, and lambs instead were brought to the valley, which had become so well stocked with everything necessary to

ance and fruitfulness of the valley would vanish, and it would become again an arid wilderness uninhabitable for

est of the men was the patriarch. He made all the laws; issued all the commands; allotted to each one his task

as no Sabbath. The pleasant days were work

d thine was ever heard. There, every woman-and not one of them had been given an opportunity to vow fidelity to her mate before the altar

of eighty. After the feast, Zoraw conducted us to the brook, where we drank with everyone the pledge of fraternity from a wooden bottle of fresh wate

stable stood a cow and a goat for the housewife. When we were comfortably settled in our new home I was asked by the patriarch what manner of tools he should give me; and finding that I should

heart beat faster with joy and pride. In listening to it, I forgot everything else in the world. The thought that I was to become the father of a family, that would grow up to know no other home but this peaceful valley, filled my soul with joy and content. This thought became to me what roots are to a tree; it attached me so securely to my little

TUK-DEN

im of the Viszpa Ogrod. My entire happiness lay in the beaming smile with which my Madus greeted my home-coming every

me crimson willow withes, a pretty basket-cradle, when a shadow suddenly shut out the s

ed to the Viszpa Ogrod because of the softened heart?

s on the road to Mohilow; it is made up of Russian, Turkish and Jew traders, and is accompanied by a military escort. We propose to capture this caravan, and take possession of all the treasure and valuables, after which, we shall proceed to Berdiczov and loot the mo

king. She was not in the least glad to see him; on the co

need your stolen treasure. He has all he wants here in his humble home.

ontrol the wife? If you, the husband, don't know how to control your wife, I, her f

red her it would be for our good; that when I had got together enough money to keep us in comfort I should return, and find a way to escape with her from the valley to so

e's red kerchief still gleaming in the doorway of our cottage. Her favorite dove had flown after me to the entrance of the corridor; there it settled down on my shoulder and began to coo into my ear. I

I forgot the Viszpa Ogrod and everything connected with it-as

e temptation, becomes a more inveterate drunkard than before he resisted the fascinations of the cup. The haidemaken drank only

set out for Mohilow,

d such a band of robbers as the haidemaken was in existence-or, if it had ever been heard of, the

y night. During the day we rested, hidden in

t carried with us rations of dried meat, varyi

have to pass. Here we were forced to wait two days, during which our meat gave out, and we had to eat raw frogs and birds' eggs. The peasant carts passing along the road, with pretzels, smoked sausages, cheese, mead

o fight, not f

n, one day, the sound of a trumpet and dr

ort, a valiant company of soldiers in coats of mail, and helmets, and armed with halberds, and

n fell into confusion. The soldiers fired off their muskets, heedless where they a

e himself who can; while the heavily

ence on the battlefield, did I witness such a scene of carnage. It made me il

to have been seriously wounded, for he was covered with blood. He came straight toward me, and, sinking to

that I was startled by

thing!" I replied prom

urther parley, and you shall have this koltuk-d

ave no grudge against you. I am not an assassin-though I do belong to the haidemaken; I was f

body; it will not be assassination; one can murder only a living being-so says the Koran, the only truthful book on earth-and I cannot strictly be called a living being. I have a deadly wound in the abdomen, and am bound to die sooner or later. Besides, I am prep

lf to grant his prayer, and relieve h

of your head, cut it off yourself with that beautiful yataghan; o

lf; the second is for Christians; the seventh is for the Atheists. The fourth, Morhut, is for those persons who commit suicide. Were I to take my own life, I should have to descend to the fourth hell, where, as well as in every one of the three hells above it, I should b

im speeding straightway into paradise. But, I remembered that our Bible (really the only truthfu

ee, my son, I will give you this koltuk-dengenegi-" "O

gold pieces," he replied; and to prove that he spoke the truth, he unscrewe

would hold a good many coins," I said to mys

l, my son, if you wil

ll I he

his own use alone any valuables that may come into his possession. Everything must be placed at once in the common treasury for the use of the entire

not suited to you. If you had my gold, you could escape to Wallachia, buy an estate-a castle-serfs, and marry. Perhaps you already ha

If I had the Turk's gold! I could easily keep it secreted in the crutch. Some day, when the haidemaken were away on an expedition, I could easily stupefy the few members of the band r

ind-it became so alluring that, unconsciously,

d hidden!" I said, unconscious tha

taken cold in the swamp yonder, say that the muscles of your leg have contracted and made you lame. That will not only give you an exc

hat it could not be straightened at the knee; how to keep my ankle against the crutch, and hobble along on the right leg. I th

would with a cleaver. Swing the yataghan, thus, in a half-circle-easily, gracefully, as you would the bow of a violin. I will kneel here at your feet, bend forw

ne's elbow, gave my arm a sudden thrust, and, before I knew what had happened, a bo

e chair to the notary. To

itted at the urgent request of the decapitated-under approval of the Koran, and inst

e. After I had committed the bloody deed I set out to overtake my comrades. They had secured much valuable booty which they wer

he matter with you?"

; and before he gave up the ghost he cursed me and prayed that I might be compelled to hobble along on a crutch for the re

ike you in that way," observed Nyedzviedz. "But don't worry, we have among us on

re was no help for it-I could not escape an examination. So I drew up the calf of the leg so tightly against the lower part

but, what was my consternation and alarm to find that I was unable to do it. The affliction I had pretended had come upon

who had left it