The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

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Kingston William Henry Giles. The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

Volume One – Chapter One

Volume One – Chapter Two

Volume One – Chapter Three

Volume One – Chapter Four

Volume One – Chapter Five

Volume One – Chapter Six

Volume One – Chapter Seven

Volume One – Chapter Eight

Volume One – Chapter Nine

Volume One – Chapter Ten

Volume One – Chapter Eleven

Volume One – Chapter Twelve

Volume One – Chapter Thirteen

Volume One – Chapter Fourteen

Volume One – Chapter Fifteen

Volume One – Chapter Sixteen

Volume One – Chapter Seventeen

Volume One – Chapter Eighteen

Volume One – Chapter Nineteen

Volume Two – Chapter One

Volume Two – Chapter Two

Volume Two – Chapter Three

Volume Two – Chapter Four

Volume Two – Chapter Five

Volume Two – Chapter Six

Volume Two – Chapter Seven

Volume Two – Chapter Eight

Volume Two – Chapter Nine

Volume Two – Chapter Ten

Volume Two – Chapter Eleven

Volume Two – Chapter Twelve

Volume Two – Chapter Thirteen

Volume Two – Chapter Fourteen

Volume Two – Chapter Fifteen

Volume Two – Chapter Sixteen

Volume Two – Chapter Seventeen

Volume Three – Chapter One

Volume Three – Chapter Two

Volume Three – Chapter Three

Volume Three – Chapter Four

Volume Three – Chapter Five

Volume Three – Chapter Six

Volume Three – Chapter Seven

Volume Three – Chapter Eight

Volume Three – Chapter Nine

Volume Three – Chapter Ten

Volume Three – Chapter Eleven

Volume Three – Chapter Twelve

Volume Three – Chapter Thirteen

Volume Three – Chapter Fourteen

Volume Three – Chapter Fifteen

Volume Three – Chapter Sixteen

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The travellers had full reason to congratulate themselves on escaping the torrents of rain now rushing down from the thick-gathered clouds, as they followed the Gipsy chief into his tent, the interior of which seemed to afford better accommodation than its outward appearance had promised. About midway, a curtain stretching the whole width of the tent, now drawn up, exposed the whole of the interior at one view; but on being unfolded, formed two distinct apartments. The furniture was of the most simple description, consisting merely of several large chests, on which were piled various rolls of skins and blankets, and a few stools and benches. At one end, suspended against the sides of the tent, hung a variety of kitchen utensils in the highest state of polish; at the other, fire-arms of different sizes and workmanship, powder-flasks, and shot-belts, and hunting-knives, picturesquely mingled with the produce of the chase. There were also several planks intended for tables, beds, or for seats. The ground was hidden from view by a warm and soft carpet of skins; the selection of the spot was judicious, for, being raised slightly above the surrounding land, it remained perfectly dry, notwithstanding the flood of rain outside.

The only inmate of the tent, when the party entered, was a handsome woman, whom the Gipsy introduced to the strangers as his wife. She was busily employed in some housewifery occupation, which she quitted to receive the visitors, assuming an air which would not have disgraced a high-born lady, and then proceeded to prepare the evening repast.

.....

“If you allude to Azila,” replied Ivan, “she is both; but how happens it, that you are acquainted with these Gipsies?”

“Ha! ha! ha!” chuckled the dwarf, “that’s a long story, my dear boy, and I cannot tell it you now, though I may some day. You have much to learn – many deep secrets – of which my bosom is the depositary; ha! ha! those who despise me, little know the power I possess! There is one, who would give half he is worth, to know a secret which is safely locked up in my breast, and he would not scruple to tear it open, if he knew that it was there! Ha! ha! ha!” and the dwarf laughed shrilly, as he triumphed in this consciousness of his own power, and of the revenge he was taking on those by whom he considered himself injured.

.....