The Circassian Chief: A Romance of RussiaKingston, William Henry Giles
History
The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Caucasus -- History -- Juvenile fiction
"Noble youth, whence come you? can a blessed spirit rise from the dead?
Speak, ere my heart burst with impatience; say who gave you that name?"
"My mother," answered our hero. "When a child, I was carried away with
her by a Russian commander; she continued to watch over my youth till
death tore her from me."
"It is enough; you are--you are my son, my long mourned son. I need no
more to convince me," cried the chieftain, clasping the youth in his
arms, while manly tears of joy burst from the long dried up fountains of
his eagle eye.
"Am I! am I, noble chief, your son?" cried the youth, no less overcome,
and falling on his knees while returning his new-found father's embrace.
"Has heaven, indeed, granted me so proud a blessing? See, I have borne
this amulet from childhood, and have ever religiously guarded it. This
may prove my birth."
"I need no mark to convince me that you are my son. Nature speaks
loudly for you, though well do I remember that amulet," cried the
chieftain. "You are, indeed, my son, and Allah be praised for his
bounty. I felt it when first I saw you, like a guardian angel, fighting
by my side, and rescuing me from death; I felt it when first I heard the
rich manly tones of your voice inciting your followers to the fight.
Yes, my heart beat with joy that another warrior should be added to the
cause of the Atteghei; and now how proud and grateful I am, let Heaven
witness. See, chiefs, I here present to you my son. Great Heaven has
granted me the only boon I craved," he added, lifting up his son.
"After the witness you have borne of his bravery you all must know how
proud I am of him."
"Have I not a sister, too, my father? Let her also participate in our
joy," cried his son, hastening to embrace Ina, who, trembling with
agitation, had advanced to the spot. "My sister, my sweet sister!"
"Oh, my brother! Allah be praised that I may pronounce that dear name.
Now can my father's heart rejoice that he has found his long-wished-for
son. Already does my heart give some of the love our father once
claimed, to you, my brother," she said with a sweet smile beaming
through her fast falling tears of joy.
The chieftains had courteously retired to some distance, so as not to
restrain the indulgence of Arslan Gherrei's feelings of happiness; but
they gazed with deep interest, as the once stern and gloomy champion of
their country melted into softness, as he looked on his newly-found
gallant son.
The Hadji also was delighted. "I knew, my friend," he cried, "that none
but a noble father could have owned a son brave as my young friend,
Selem Gherrei. Say, warriors, are they not worthy of each other?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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