Under the yoke, p.29
Under the Yoke, page 29
"
"
Yes, a miracle, if you like. He blinded the Turks.
166 UNDER THE YOKE
Instead of coming into my room, they entered the first room
by the courtyard . I found out afterwards that immediately
after me some cashier had arrived from Philippopolis, a
Greek, and they had given him the next room to mine.
He seems to have been very much Hke me in appearance, and
this confused the zaptie, who had seen me the day before."
Rada sighed with relief.
"
I heard them talking loudly, and understood that there
was some mistake and that they'd be upon me in another
minute. Only a minute divided me from them, from death.
I don't remember now how I pulled the window open and
flung myself into the road below — ^not the road, that is, but
the river, which was frozen. The ice broke and I plunged
into the cold water up to my knees. While I was struggling
to reach the dry land, I heard a deafening noise — five or six
guns were fired at me from the window. Then I turned to
flight, a mad unreasoning flight. How long I fled in the
dark — where I passed — I have no idea."
" Were they pursuing you ?
"
"
Yes, I heard them for some time, then all became
still. I was in the depth of the forest. It was night and
the wind was blowing hard. My clothes were frozen as
stiff as boards. I went on for two hours to the westward,
always through the thickets, and at length reached the
village of Ovcheri, more dead than alive. There some kind
people took me in and gave me food and shelter ; one of my
toes was frostbitten, but thank God ! .... I stayed there
for a fortnight, but I was afraid of bringing trouble on these
poor people — I seem to draw misfortune on every one — and
I made my way to Pirdop, where Mouratliski's brother was
employed as a schoolmaster. I stayed with him for three
months, during Avhich time I was dangerously ill."
" Pocr Boicho ! You've wandered over : he mountains and
in the flelds all the winter — you're a perfect martyr," said
Rada " compassionately. He's as true as steel, that brother of Mouratliski's — he
looked after me like a mother."
"
There's a noble-hearted Bulgarian !
"
said Rada, grateful"
ly.Yes ; and a great patriot ; he's repaid me threefold all
that I'd done for his brother."
" And did no one recognise you ? Oh, Boicho, do take
care, even here !
"
TOGETHER AGAIN 16T
Boicho had taken off his cap, and the bandage over his
eye. He went to the looking-glass, replaced them both, and
then turned towards her, greatly metamorphosed. " Do you recognise me now ?
"
"
I should recognise your face under a mask ! See how
he's looking at me ! How funny you are, Boicho !
" and
she"laughed merrily. You know me because you love me ; but how should
strangers ever find me out ?
"
"
Ah, hatred has sharp eyes — take care !
"
" For that kind of acquaintance I've always got this
ready," said Ognianoff, raising his cloak and showing the
butt-ends of two revolvers, and the handle of his knife fixed
in his belt.
" Man of blood ! The sister Hajji Rovoama was quite
right !
"
laughed Rada.
"
If I'm a man of blood you're the opposite extreme —
you're an angel !
"
" Don't make fun of a poor girl."
He sat down again. "
Well, go and tell me how you got here. And who are
these Mouratliskis ?
" asked Rada, who had now heard the
name mentioned twice.
"
Brzobegounek's brother."
"
What, the Austrian here ? the photographer ?
"
"
Yes, Rada, it's an assumed name ; his real name is
Dobri Mouratliski. He's as much an Austrian as he is a
photographer. He's escaped from the revolt at Stara
Zagora. I sheltered him here and concealed him under
that name. He's an old and thoroughly devoted friend of
mine. You can rely on him entirely in case of need."
Rada looked at him in dismay. " Why should I rely on strangers ? There's no necessity.
You know I've got my savings to live on."
" Yes ; but you needn't look on him as a stranger."
" But haven't I got you ?
"
"
I must be off again, Rada."
"
Going ? where are you going ? Are you going to leave
me again ?
"
" This very night, in two hours' time," said Ognianoff,
looking at his watch, and replacing it in his pocket.
Rada grew pale.
*' So soon — why, I've hardly seen you !
"
168 UNDER THE YOKE
"
I must be at K. before dawn. I've got a mission.
Besides, it's not safe for me to stay any longer at Bela Cherkva.
I'm sorry I couldn't even thank Marko for all his kindness
to you, and, for that matter, to me too. Ah! there's
some noble hearts among us, Rada, and that makes me love
Bulgaria still more. I love her so well because she produces
such charming creatures as " you."
Oh, Boicho ! why are you going, darling ? But no,
better go, and take me with you. You must go — you've
devoted yourself to Bulgaria. Take me away from this
black town ; put me in some village where I can see you
often — or, if you like, let me do something for the nation as
well. I'm a Bulgarian too, and your ideals are mine,
Boicho, and if you die for Bulgaria I'll die with you. But
don't let us be separated — it's terrible to remain alone,
to have a thousand terrors for you, to hear bad news of
you continually ! Oh, God ! how good it is now
we're together !
" And she placed her hands on his
shoulder.
"
Rada, I can see for myself how sad a position you're
in here," said Ognianoff, feelingly.
"
I can guess what
you don't tell me. My enemies persecute you still, don't
they, dear ? There's more than one Hajji Rovoama
here, I know. And you endure all silently — you suffer
heroically, for my sake. Poor dear angel ! The great
cause which has so entirely absorbed me does not leave
me a minute to take thought of your position. I'm
thoroughly selfish — it's my fault. Forgive me, darling !
"
" Ah ! Boicho, Boicho, if you leave me alone again something
tells me I shall lose you for ever ! I shall never see
you again," continued Rada, and her eyes grew moist. She
added in low, beseeching tones,
" Don't leave me here,
Boicho. Whether you live or die I want to be with you ; I
won't be in your way. I'll assist you, I'U do everything for
you ; only let me see you oftener."
"No, you can do nothing. The revolution demands a
man's strength, bloodthirstiness, merciless ferocity, and
you're a perfect angel. Besides, you've done your duty ;
the flag you've worked with the lion on it will inspire and
encourage us. That's quite enough for a Bulgarian girl."
Then, as a thought struck him, he added :
"
Listen to me, Rada, will you come to Klissoura and
stay with Mouratliski's wife ? I'U arrange it all. There
TOGETHER AGAIN 169
may be danger there, too ; but at least you'll be free from
the intrigues here."
"
I'U go wherever you like, if I can only see " you." I'm acting as agitator in the villages round, and I often
pass through. Next time I come to Bela Cherkva it mil
be to raise the rebelHon. We shall see one another till then,
Rada ; afterwards, God knows if I shall come out of the
struggle alive ; it will be a great and bloody struggle. If
God only blesses our cause ; if our country — ^this muchenduring
country of ours — only rises from the struggle
bloodstained but free, I shall die happy. My only regret
would be that I should be leaving you, dear. For my love
for you is boundless, my whole heart is yours ; but my hfe
belongs to Bulgaria. And I shall know that at least there's
one heart in the world that mil pity me and shed tears over
my unknown grave."
A cloud passed over Boicho's face.
Rada seized his hands with emotion.
"
Oh, Boicho, you mustn't die. God will preserve such
heroes as you for Bulgaria, and then you'll become famous.
And I — oh ! how happy I shall be then !
"
Boicho shook his head incredulously. "
Well, darling," he said,
"
we're in God's hands," and
taking her hands in his own he added :
"
Rada, whatever happens, I want to have a clear conscience.
I may perish ; indeed, I feel that I shall."
"
Oh, Boicho ! don't say that."
"
Listen, Rada ! I may perish, because I'm going to face
death ; but I want to have my mind at rest as regards you.
You have united your fate with mine — ^the convict, the outcast
: you've made me very happy with your love : you've
sacrificed for me something dearer than your life — your good
repute ; and you've been cruelly punished for it by the
world ; you've forgotten all for my sake. If I die I must
know that you're at least an honest woman before God and
the world, k not a happy one. I want you to bear my real
name, the name of Kralich. There's nothing dishonourable
attached to that name, Rada. When you come to Klissoura
I shall call in the Pope to give us the nuptial blessing, and
I shall try to provide for your future maintenance. My
father's a wealthy man ; he loves me and will carry out the
last wishes of his only son. I'd have done it here, only it's
not possible now. However, we can do it elsewhere. I've
170 UNDER THE YOKE
no ring to give you, Rada, neither of gold nor of iron — ^the
iron I carry is for the enemy. But there's no need of that :
above us is God, the great and just God of Bulgaria, the
God of crushed and broken hearts, of suffering humanity,
He sees and hears us."
And taking her by the hand he knelt down :
" Let us pledge ourselves before His presence, He will
bless our holy union." She knelt beside him.
Their lips uttered sounds heard only by the Almighty.
^ V ^ *1* H*
When Ognianoff left the house the street was quite dark.
In turning the comer he met and almost ran against a nun.
He recognised the sister Hajji Rovoama. She was going to
her brother's house. Some fatality had brought her to
Rada's door just as Ognianoff went out.
Hajji Rovoama fixed her eyes on the peasant, but did
not recognise him. However, she turned in to the Lilovitches*
house on some pretext to try and find out who the
stranger was.
The next day, Rada set out for Klissoura.
CHAPTER II : EXTREMES MEET
Chorbaji Yordan was growing older and weaker every day,
and the death of his daughter Lalka had been a heavy blow
to him. A gastric disorder, which had during "toiany weeks
confined him to his bed, had further affected his character
very much, and rendered him more impatient and exacting
than ever.
That morning the weather was delightful, and he had
ventured out as far as a garden he had at the outskirts of
the town. It was a good, broad piece of ground, surrounded
by high walls, and abundantly planted with fruittrees,
flowers, and vegetables. The walk, and the fresh air
and sunshine combined, invigorated the old man, who had
been compelled for so long to keep to the house. His step
was firmer as he walked home. But just as he reached the
house of Ghenko Ghinkin, his son-in-law, he felt a sudden
weakness, his legs seemed to be giving way under him. He
turned in to Ghenko's house to rest.
At the door stood Ghenko Ghinkin, still shyer, more
tipaid, and more of a nonentity than ever. He was carrying
a baby a few months old in his arms, which was screaming
EXTREMES MEET 171
lustily as he rocked and dandled it in approved nursefashion.
Yordan made for the garden seat, overhung with flowers,
and seated himself heavily, as he said with a frown :
" Confound you, have you become a wet-nurse ? What's
become of her ?
"
By
"
her
" Yordan meant his daughter.
Ghenko became confused — which was indeed his normal
condition — and muttered incoherently :
"
She's busy — she said I was to nurse Yordancho — she's
got plenty to do " to-day." She didn't tell you to wear a petticoat at the same time,
did she ?
" asked Yordan, contemptuously.
"
Ghina, get me
a cup of coffee, will you ?
" he cried, without looking for her.
"
She's busy baking — she's busy, father — ^that's why I'm
nursing the baby. Coffee ? I'll get you a cup of coffee in a
minute. I know where she keeps the coffee, and the sugar,
and all," stammered Ghenko, as he set the baby down on
the old man's knees and vanished.
The child began to scream louder than ever.
Yordan became furious. He put the child in a corner of
the seat, stood up, and shouted :
" What the devil do you mean ? Are you a perfect fool ?
Ghina, come here directly !
"
"
Why, father, good-morning ? How are you this
morning ? All right ? You're quite right in going out
such a fine morning," cried Ghina from the threshold,
smiling cheerfully.
She had on a large blue apron, her sleeves were tucked
up to her elbows, the green handkerchief on her head was
pushed back, and her face was powdered over with flour.
She looked very well, and reminded one of some of the
types so common in paintings of the Flemish school.
" What are you doing ? What does that wet-nurse of a
husband of yours mean ? Why are you as white as a
miller ? Isn't there any one here to give one a cup of
coffee ?
"
grumbled the old man in angry and authoritative
tones.
" I'm very sorry, father ; the fact is I've just set to work.
I'll get you a cup of coffee in a minute. Ghenko ! wherever
have you got to now ? Take Yordancho and put him in his
cradle this minute ; he ought to be asleep long ago."
'* What are you working at ; what's this you're baking ?
"
172 UNDER THE YOKE
"
I've got a lot to bake — every one must take their share —
we're Bulgarians and patriots too, aren't we ?
