Читать книгу Ivan the Serf - Austin C. Burdick - Страница 6

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FEODOR RURIC found Captain Ludowitz to be a kind, generous-hearted man, and ready to do anything to serve his friends; but he could give little information concerning Ivan, the serf. The count had hoped to find out from the captain something more particular relating to his strange friend, but all he could learn was, that Ivan had once, about a year before, saved Ludowitz from the terrible knout. When day-light broke over the waters of the gulf, the little vessel was well on her way, and during the day she hugged the southern shore, at the same time keeping a good lookout astern. It was not until afternoon that Ruric thought of opening the packet he had received from Ivan. Then he went down into the small cabin and drew it from his bosom. It was contained in a small envelope, and having broken the seal he found a note addressed to himself. It was written with evident haste, but in the pure Sclavonic style, and ran as follows:

"FEODOR RURIC,—I have not had time, since I first learned of your sudden arrest and imprisonment, to write much for your future guidance. It may seem strange that I, who am no kin of yours, should thus assume your guidance, but you may rest assured that in so far as you follow my instructions will your after life be happy and peaceful. You must at once make up your mind to trust me, and the time shall assuredly come when you shall thank me for it. If we both live we shall meet again, but never in Russia. This land is not the place for the home of him who has yearnings above mere serfdom. I know the land of one's birth is sweet, but when one's kindred are all gone, then there must be some tie of soul to the land if we would find joy. But the very atmosphere of our empire is like the food of the Lotophagi.

"In Circassia, for the while, you must find a home. Find a passage as soon as possible for the Black Sea, and make your way at once to Mamai, on the Caucasian coast. There you will find a guide who will conduct you across the mountains to the little hamlet of Stamyl, and when there inquire for the home of Albec. You will find an old man and his daughter there, and they will receive you with open arms when you tell them who you are, and who sent you. In that retreat, upon the banks of the Karakouban, you will find a peaceful home. Live there in content until we meet again, for there I shall come to find you. Obey me in this, and all shall be well. Trust me, for I would serve you. God be with you to the end. IVAN."

Young Ruric pondered long upon the contents of this note. He had no earthly reason to doubt the sincerity of the writer, but he rather had an innate foreboding that the path thus marked out for him would result in good. Yet it was a ponderous question, and the young count considered upon it for a long while; but he finally made up his mind to follow out Ivan's instructions. The plan had novelty in it, and moreover, there was no other plan to oppose it. Had Ruric entertained any plan of his own forming, his determination might have been different, but as such was not the case, he gave himself up more readily to the guidance of one whom he feared not to trust as a friend.

It was quite dark when the little vessel arrived at the pier in Kolganp, and while she was being examined by the officers, Ruric passed for one of the regular crew, and Ludowitz obtained permission for himself and steward to go up into the town that evening. Accordingly, at about ten o'clock, the young count concealed his money about him, and with his extra clothing all arranged upon his person he followed the captain up from the dock.

"I sha'n't be able to conduct you to a very nice place," said Ludowitz, as they entered a narrow street.

"Never mind that, so long as it is a safe place," returned Feodor.

"It will be safe enough, never fear. You shall remain there to-night, and to-morrow I will come and tell you what chance there is to get away."

At length the guide stopped in front of a low wooden house, and having knocked at the door, he was answered by an old man whose garb showed him to be in humble circumstances. He had a lighted candle in his hand, and casting a shade upon his eyes, he peered out to see who it was that thus disturbed him.

"It's Ludowitz," said the captain, "so don't fear, Malsman."

"Ugh," uttered the host, with a sort of grunt that seemed to issue spontaneously from his great fat paunch. "Any liquors on hand this time?"

"No, no, not now. I've got a friend here who wants safety for the night. He's one of us, and you must shelter him. You shall be paid."

Old Malsman had not before noticed the presence of our hero, but at the representation of Ludowitz he looked kindly upon him, and motioned for them both to follow him into the house. The first apartment was a sort of store in which appeared almost everything for sale which was of no value to anybody but the poorest of the poor. But old Malsman did not expose all the goods he had for sale, for there were some things in his line of trade, that he chose not to be questioned about. He bolted the outer door as soon as his guests had passed in, and then led the way to a little back room where there was a coal fire burning in a small portable furnace which stood in a fire-place below the chimney; and, from the few tools which lay about, it was evident that the old man had been engaged in mending old pottery.

"You will bring us some wine," said Ludowitz, as soon as he had taken a seat.

Malsman gave an affirmative grunt, and started off.

"Now," resumed the captain, turning to the count, "you had better let yourself pass while here as a smuggler. Malsman owes much to that class of people, and he will do all in his power to protect one of them. On that point he is fixed. It will do you no harm, and it will help to preserve your real identity. I will tell him that you have escaped from Saint Petersburg, and you may be sure of his help and sympathy. But I am in hopes that you will not have to remain here long."

Ruric made no objections to this, for he felt bound to consult the wishes of those who were assisting him, and when Malsman returned, Ludowitz told him the story as he had planned it. The old huckster regarded the young man very favorably, and promised to do all in his power for him. In the course of half an hour the captain left, but before he went he promised once more to be on hand in good season on the following day. Ruric conversed awhile with his quaint host, and then he signified his desire to retire. The sleeping apartment to which he was shown, was a small attic with a little square gable window.

"Suppose you have your breakfast up here?" said Malsman, as he set the candle upon the table. "You'll be safer up here; and of course you know it's best to be on the safe side."

"Certainly," returned Ruric, rather liking the idea, for in truth he did not want to be exposed to the old man's questioning any more than he could help.

"You shall have breakfast in good season, and when Ludowitz comes, I'll show him up."

When Ruric was left alone he prepared at once to retire. The room was far from being clear, and, under ordinary circumstances, the man must have been weary indeed, to whom such a place of rest could have been inviting; but our hero found it better than one of the imperial dungeons, and he made himself quite contented as far as the accommodations were concerned. But he did not feel safe. He was a fugitive—not from justice, but from tyranny—and he knew that death awaited him if he were to be detected. He was yet in the realm of the cold-hearted emperor, and he expected not safety until he could reach some other land.

The young count did not sleep until long past midnight, and when he awoke he heard the grunting voice of his host at the door. He could see through his window that the sun was shining upon the tops of the neighboring houses, and leaping out of bed, he put on his clothes as quickly as possible, and then opened the door.

"Seems to me you are late this morning," growled Malsman, as he entered, with a tray in his hands.

"Yes, so I am," returned Ruric, gaping. "I did not sleep till very late, and I was much fatigued."

"But didn't you hear me call you?"

"Yes, and I dressed myself as quickly as possible."

"Dressed yourself? My soul! Why, what sort of a man are you? I should advise you hereafter to sleep with your clothes on. You aint out of danger yet."

"Nothing new, is there?" asked Ruric.

"Not that I know of, only I thought that a man of your profession would keep his eyes open a little wider."

"So I should, only I knew that I was safe so long as you were on the watch."

This bit of flattery had the effect of pleasing the old man, though he felt bound to inform his guest that he could not be entirely safe in Kolganp. He had brought a very decent breakfast upon the tray, and as soon as he had gone, the young man commenced to make way with it. He had hardly finished eating when Ludowitz unceremoniously entered the room. His face was flushed, and he seemed to be in great haste.

"By the saints, Count Ruric, there's danger after us!" the captain exclaimed, as he closed the door behind him and sat down upon the edge of the bed, for he seemed much fatigued.

"Danger?" uttered the youth, starting from his seat. "Have we been discovered?"

"One of the imperial yachts has arrived here from Saint Petersburg, and officers are after you. They traced my vessel here, but I don't think they'll find her, for I have sent her down to Balki Bay. She was off before daylight. The yacht came in about two o'clock this morning," answered Ludowitz.

"But they will not find me here?" said Ruric, exhibiting much alarm.

"I'm afraid they will," returned Ludowitz, speaking very quickly, and like a man who is used to emergencies. "There have half a dozen officers come down in the yacht, and half the soldiers in town will be on the search before noon."

"But they do not know that I came in your vessel?"

"Yes, I think they do. That diamond upon your finger betrayed you to the officer last night, and the emperor's messengers are on your track. We were seen to enter this street by the very officer who boarded us, and I overheard him giving the particulars to one of the guard. Of course they do not positively know that it was you, but they know that there was a man of your age, height, and complexion on board my vessel, and that he wore a diamond like yours. And they furthermore know that that man was seen in this very street; so of course this house, with all the others about here, will be thoroughly ransacked. You know what powers of penetration these fellows possess?"

"Yes, I know," said Ruric, in a troubled tone. "O, I cannot go back to my death now. I can die—die like a man, for I have faced death a thousand times without a thought of fear; but to die thus—like a criminal—I cannot—indeed I cannot."

"Say you will not," responded Ludowitz, with his teeth firmly closed. "I have brought you thus far, and I will not leave you now. I have sent my vessel down to the Balki, and if we can contrive to join her there, I will keep on to Stockholm. We can procure disguises here, and that done we will set out and make the trial."

Ruric stretched forth his hand and gave his companion a hearty grasp, for this was a friendship that had substance—a friendship that was palpable.

"I will not ask you to risk your life with me," he said, with much emotion, "but I will not reject your offer. I think I should do the same, under like circumstances."

"I told Ivan that I would do all for you that I could, and I will keep my promise. Come, let us go down to Malsman's back shop, and there we shall find any quantity of clothing. We must make all haste."

The captain led the way down the dark, narrow stairs, and Ruric followed. After descending the second flight they came to a small store-room which was literally crammed with all sorts of second-hand clothing. They had just reached this place, when the fat host came puffing in, in great trepidation.

"Good mercy!" he uttered, with a frightened countenance, "you must make all haste, for the soldiers are after you. You did not tell me that you were——"

"Never mind what he is now," quickly interrupted Ludowitz, "but tell us how near the danger is."

"It's right here—in the street—in the very block next above me," gasped Malsman. "The soldiers have gone in, and they'll be here before long, for there are more coming. You know how I am situated—you know——"

"Yes, I know all about it," said the captain, "but if you would have us gone you must make haste and help us off. You have a peasant's dress of the Luga—two of them."

"Yes, a score of them," answered the host, spinning around like a top.

"Then hand them over quickly, and while we put them on, do you find us two baskets. Come, hurry now."

Malsman pulled out the clothes that were wanted, and poor enough they were, but they answered every purpose. Ruric was somewhat nervous, for the situation was one entirely new to him—that of fleeing from Russian soldiers. Yet he was cool in his purpose, and ere many minutes both he and his companion were arrayed as the poor peasants of the Luga—sandals, shirts, caps, and all; and by the time they were dressed, Malsman had procured the baskets.

"Now," said Ludowitz, "we are almost ready. Take off that ring, and then brown your face and hands with this dirt.—So, that's it. These short swords we can conceal beneath our shirts, and also these pistols. We may need them. Now shoulder your basket—don't be awkward, and don't appear in a hurry. I will settle with you, Malsman, when we meet again," he added.

"If I see you again alive," groaned the host, with a shudder.

But the fugitives did not stop to reply. Ludowitz walked firmly to the outer door, and passed out into the street, followed closely by the count.

"See! there are the soldiers coming this way. Be firm, now, and follow me."

And so, with a quickly beating heart, the Count Ruric started forth. He did not dare to turn, for he could hear the voices of those who sought him, and one of them he recognized as that of an officer from the capital whom he knew.

"Ha," uttered Ludowitz, "they have gone into Malsman's. We escaped in time, from there, at least. How is your heart, Ruric?" he earnestly inquired.

"Firm," replied the count.

"Then keep it so, for we shall most assuredly be followed. Here comes a gang of soldiers to meet us. Bow your head and shade your face with your basket, and step slow and clumsily. We must be witty now, for strength of arm will not avail us."