Page:The Russian Review Volume 1.djvu/137

Rh "Every one was silent What was to be done? War is war "

Cruelty, undisguised and unadorned, becomes the sole article of faith, the only rule of behavior. No one shuns it or relegates it to the category of evil. On the contrary, it is the highest good, for it forms the basis of bravery, which, in its turn, breeds heroism. Cruelty transformed into heroism! Men forget themselves, forget the most elementary principles of interhuman life. Human creatures in different uniforms are there to destroy and to be destroyed.

Gregory Petrov, one of the most brilliant of Russia's war correspondents, tells of such a little drama of heroism, that occurred during the siege of Novogeorgievsk. It may well be named "The brave ones' madness."

"Several forts pass through the last hours of their life. All the fortifications are swept away, most of the guns are silent, the men are nowhere in sight. German infantry floods the grounds. Columns of soldiers advance from the right and from the left. Their front seems impenetrable.

"In one of the forts there is still a handful of men. One corner, like a bare jaw, is still throbbing with life. Behind the fort there is a road of escape, which makes return to the fortress possible. But the 'brave ones' madness' asserts itself. The commanding officer gathers his men together and says:

" 'Boys, it's for you to say. If you speak the word, we'll all go back. But I'm for staying here. We still have a lot of machine guns, a couple of light pieces, and a good supply of ammunition. Let's wait here for our guests. But remember, if we stay the chances are that not one of us will escape. What do you say?'

" 'Of course, we'll stay. What difference does it make? It's just the same in the fortress. Death may come any moment. We'll stay and have our fun here.'

"They bared their heads, made the sign of the cross, and kissed each other like brothers. The officer informed the fortress through underground telephone, of the decision of his men.

" 'We'll stay here to the end. And maybe you'll come and get us out.'

"A few moments later, the struggle between this handful of men and several German columns began. For some hours these men sang their song to the 'brave ones' madness.' The Germans, encircling the silent fort, never expected to find amidst its ruins a handful of 'madmen.' The advancing columns were