Graham's Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 6, June 1842 — John Shaqi
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 6, June 1842Various
Science
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 6, June 1842
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
“Semenov entered the military service in 1830, in the regiment of the
Lancers of Archanguelk. He was appointed cornet of the said regiment in
1836. He commanded the second division of the third squadron, in which
Hortinja was quarter-master, and Tsaryna a common soldier. In 1836, the
division of Cornet Semenov was cantoned in the village of Trehmiria. In
1837, he handed in his resignation that he might return home to his
father. On the 12th of November, 1838, Hortinja and Tsaryna came to
Kostroma, to the house of Prokop Semenov. The former said he had left
the army, the latter that he had obtained a six months’ leave of
absence. The Cornet Semenov welcomed them as old comrades. He engaged
Hortinja in the service of his father, and gave Tsaryna a handsome
present to enable him to pass the six months amongst his relations.
Hortinja behaved so well that he gained the confidence of old Semenov,
who sent him twice in the spring to Rybinsk with linen. After having
sold the cargo and the boat, he brought back the money with the greatest
exactness. On the 15th of April, another cargo of linen was ready to go
to Rybinsk, and this time young Semenov was to go with him to that city,
and from there make a voyage to Astracan. On the evening before their
departure Tsaryna arrived, and as he had been a sailor before he entered
the army, he begged the Cornet Semenov to employ him instead of engaging
another sailor, telling him that it was time he was on his way to rejoin
his regiment, which he said was cantoned at Novogorod-la-Grande. Semenov
consented, and set out next day in the boat with Hortinja, Tsaryna, a
peasant sailor, and a servant. On the second day the sailor and servant
were both taken so violently ill with the cholic, that they were obliged
to leave the boat and remain behind at the village of Bahorka.
“On the 19th, Semenov remarked that Hortinja and Tsaryna had secret
conferences, and seemed to be concerting something. At night, after
having in vain tried to sleep, he left the cabin and took a seat on the
prow of the vessel. He had scarcely done so when he saw a light at some
distance, and said to his companions, “My friends, we are near
Trehmiria, and I bet that is old Yakov spreading his nets.” The two men
did not reply, and Semenov continued “By God, if the old fisherman’s
nets attracted fishes as well as the eyes of Nadiejda did the lancers of
Archanguelk, he would be rich in a short time.” Hardly had he spoken
these words when he was struck in the back with a knife. He tried to
turn round, but was knocked down by his assassins. He still struggled,
but was wounded repeatedly. He called for assistance, and thought he
heard a voice which replied. He was then thrown into the river. This was
all he remembered, he could not tell how he got into the bark of
Nadiejda. After the wounded man had given the above deposition, I put to
him the following questions:
Q. “Have you inflicted military punishment on Hortinja and Tsaryna?”
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