Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/77

 THE ROBBER STURMWIND. 73

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but the day faintly glimmered through an opening above. The sight of this entrance to the free air rejoiced her, and hastily she stepped towards it. Coming into the chamber where it shone, she looked wistfully at the high opening, which now seemed perfectly unattainable, when she suddenly heard the rattling of keys near her, and a voice said: “Lady, why are you come hither? Go to your own apartment, I beg of you; if the Captain should return suddenly, it would go hard with me for leaving your door open. “Susanna turned towards the speaker, and by the faint light in the cave, she recognised in him the servant who had brought her meals and trimmed her lamp. “Good man, “she replied, “suffer me to be a few instants here, it is so dull and lonely in the dark vaulted room: and here the air is so fresh, I cannot bear to leave it. “You will soon be used to the air of the chambers, like me and others; go now, I beg of you. “The entreating tone of the man gave Susanna more fear than reverence for the Captain, and she ventured, instead of obeying immediately, to continue the conversation. “Another minute, and I will; but tell me, do you expect your Captain soon? “Who can tell when he comes? probably not till night; perhaps not then: for he is at break neck work to day. “Friend, “said Susanna, “you seem not to find it so merry a life as your Captain; you are a discontented robber. “A poor one, at least; and he is rich. But go now, lady; I must close the doors. “One word yet, “said. Susanna, “let me out through that opening, and I will give you what will make you rich, “and she showed him the jewelled ornament. “Then were I a fool to be kept here longer like a dog yet hold, “and he took the ornament, examined it, and went farther into the cave. Susanna looked on, doubting and fearing; she heard him close the inner door and lock it: he returned with rapid steps to the trembling girl, and said: “I have long wished to leave this cursed hole: twice the Captain has mortified me, and done me injustice in dividing the plunder, and I have sworn to be revenged.You give me the opportunity and the means.— This jewel, however, should have been mine; it fell to my share, and he shamefully deprived me of it. “He then took from a dark corner, a ladder, laid it against the opening, and desired Susanna to ascend. “You need not fear, “said he, “I have shut the door, and caged the two birds that you saw asleep: there is another entrance, but the Captain has the key of it. “When the fugitives had clambered out of the subterranean dungeon, the robber accompanied Susanna some way into the forest, and then said: “I dare not go farther with you, for I must follow my own road, and keep out of the way of my late companions. You must go in this direction, and will soon come to the frontiers of Courland, where you will find a road; and, not far on, a village.— Farewell, lady. “He turned aside, and she soon lost sight of him amongst the underwood.

Susanna found herself, for the first time in her life, alone: she was far from human help, in the midst of a thick wood, though all was desolate and strange to her. She, however, thanked God for her deliverance, and hastened forward, though not without trouble and fatigue. After some time, she reached a broad road, which intercepted the forest; but timid and prudent, Susanna kept close to the trees, fearful of being seen.— Suddenly she perceived a party of men riding towards her. Her first movement was to conceal herself behind the trunk of a large tree, whence she observed them. They were all armed; and two who rode before the rest, were engaged in loud conversation; and, listening attentively, she found that they spoke German. Their language, and indeed the style of their dress and behaviour, soon convinced her that they could not belong to Opalinsky's troop; and compelled by her miserable situation to seek the nearest protection, she quitted her hiding place and threw herself on her kness before them, exclaiming “Save me! save me! "

The beautiful form and features of the fugitive, her long hair which had escaped from its fastenings, and hung down over her rich fur pelisse, gave her the air of some persecuted princess of a fairy tale. “By heavens, Herman! “cried one of the gentlemen, “if your forest afford such game as this, I marvel not at your fondness for the chase. “Stay your speech yet, Firks, “replied the other, “and let us assist this poor damsel; something strange seems to have happened here. “Saying this, he alighted, took Susanna by the hand, raised her, and after promising her all the assistance in his power, requested to know how she came there, and whom she feared? Susanna told him of her mother's name and residence in Wildau (so the Germans in Wilna call the city) of her acquaintance with Opalinsky, his shameful deceit, and concluded by entreating him to take her to the nearest village, that she might be secure from again falling into his power.

“This Opalinsky, “said Herman, turning to his companion, “must be the famous robber captain, who is known in this neighborhood by the name of Sturmwind * a name which he has received from the astonishing rapidity and boldness with which he achieves his exploits. I have often heard of him, but knew not till now, that we were such near neighbours. "

“I hope, “returned Firks, “that your neighbourly feeling towards this celebrated person will not induce you to leave this forlorn maiden in the forest. "

“God forbid! “said he; “I propose returning with her as far as the inn, and leaving some of our people with her; and when we have had a little more sporting, to conduct her to the castle, where my wife will take care of her till we can provide her with some conveyance to Wilna. “Good! “said Firks, “tis most chivalrously planned; but who is to be the knight errant which shall take the fair Angelica on his steed? “The house is not far distant, “said Herman,


 * Sturm wind, or hurricane.