The Pobratim: A Slav Novel Page 19

  CHAPTER XIX

  THE "KARVA TAJSTVO"

  The sun had already set as Mara and her friend left the convent gatesand slowly wended their way homewards. The mother's heart was heavilyladen with grief, for although the holy men had done their best tocomfort and encourage her, still doubt oppressed her, and she keptasking herself whether she would still find her son alive on themorrow. Now the darkness which slowly spread itself over the opencountry, and rendered the surrounding rocks of a gloomier hue, thebroad, blue sea of a dull, leaden tint, only made her sadness moreintense.

  Dusk softens the human heart; it opens it to those tender emotionsunfelt during the struggle of the day, whilst the raging sun pouringfrom above enkindles the fierce passions lurking in the heart. Thatdimness which spreads itself over the world at nightfall, wrapping itup as in a vaporous shroud, has a mystic power over our nature. Thatclear obscure mistiness seems to open to the mind's eye the distantdepths of borderland; we almost fancy we can see dim, shadowy figuresfloat past before us. The most sceptic man becomes religious,superstitious and spiritual at gloaming.

  The two women hardly spoke on their way; both of them prayed for thesufferer lying in the convent; but whilst they prayed their mindsoften wandered from Uros to Milena, who had been left at home ailing.When they arrived at the gates of the town night had already set in.Mara hastened home with her friend, but Milena was not there; theyboth went to Radonic's house to look for her. They were afraid lest,in her state of health, she might have heard of her husband's death.

  A dreary night awaited the women there. After the child had left her,Milena, who had fallen into a swoon, had been delivered of a son; butthe infant, uncared for, and finding the world bleak and desolate,had fled away, without even waiting for the holy water and the saltto speed it forth to more blessed regions.

  Milena had only been roused to life by the throes of childbirth, andno sooner had her deliverance taken place than she again faintedaway.

  Mara's neighbour having, in the meanwhile, been informed by herlittle boy of Milena's illness, hastened at once to her help.Moreover, on her way thither, she called the _babica_ (or midwife),but when she reached Radonic's house, she found the new-born infant acold corpse and the mother apparently dead. The two women did theirutmost to recall Milena to life, but all their skill was of no avail.At last, at their wits' end, a passer-by was hailed and begged to gofor the doctor at once.

  When Mara came, all hopes of rousing Milena to life had beendespaired of, but what the skill of the scientific practitioner andof the wise old woman could not bring about, was effected simply byMara's presence. After Uros' mother had stood some time by her side,stroking her hair, pressing her hand on the sufferer's clammyforehead, and whispering endearing words in her ear, Milena openedher eyes. Seeing Mara standing beside her, the sight of that womanwhom she loved, and whose son she doated on, slowly roused her tolife. Consciousness, little by little, crept back within her. Whenshe heard from the mother's lips that Uros was not dead, nay, thatthere was hope of his recovery, she whispered:

  "If I could only see him once more, then I should be but too happy todie."

  After this slight exertion she once more fainted, but she was soonafterwards brought back again to life, and Mara then was able to makeher take the cordial the doctor had prepared for her.

  A few hours later, when the physician took his leave for the night,prescribing to the women what they were to do, he and the midwifewarmly congratulated each other, not doubting that their skill hadsnatched the young woman out of the jaws of death.

  After a night of pain and restlessness, Milena, early on the nextmorning, exhausted as she was, fell into a quiet, death-like sleep.Mara then left her to return to the Convent of St. George to see ifUros were still alive and how he was getting on. Milenko's motherwent with her. They had not been away long when Milena, shuddering,uttered a loud cry of terror, sat up in her bed and looked straightin front of her.

  "What is the matter?" said the midwife, running up to the bedside.

  "Don't you see him standing there?" cried the awe-stricken woman.

  "There is nobody, my dear; nobody at all."

  "Yes! Radonic, my husband, all covered with wounds! He is dying--heis dead!" and Milena, appalled, stared wildly at the foot of the bed.

  "It is your imagination; your husband is with your father atCettinje."

  "No, no; I tell you he's there; help him, or he'll bleed to death!"and the poor woman, exhausted, fell back on her bed unconscious.

  The midwife shuddered, for, although she saw nobody, she was quitesure that the apparition seen by Milena was no fancy of an overheatedbrain, but Radonic's ghost, that had come to visit his wife, for thenews of the _heyduk_'s death had been carefully withheld from Milena.

  The midwife went to the fount of holy water, took the blessed sprigof olive which was over it, dipped it into the fount and sprinkledthe bed and the place where the ghost had stood, uttering all thewhile the appropriate prayer for the purpose. Then she sprinkledMilena, and made the sign of the Cross over her. After that she gaveher some drops of cordial, and little by little brought her back toher senses, vowing all the while not to remain alone again in thathaunted house.

  When Milena recovered, "My husband is dead, is he not?" she asked.

  "But--no," said the midwife, hesitatingly.

  "You know he is. Did you not see him standing there? He had one woundon the head and several in the breast."

  The elderly woman did not answer.

  "When did he die?" quoth Milena.

  "Some days ago; but----"

  "He was killed by the Turks, was he not?"

  "Yes."

  "Why did no one tell me?"

  "Because they were afraid to upset you."

  "He is dead," said Milena to herself, staring at the spot where shehad seen her husband, "dead!" Then she heaved a deep sigh of relief.

  The midwife tried to comfort her, but she did not seem to heed herwords.

  "My babe is dead, all are dead!"

  Presently the doctor came in to see how she was getting on.

  "Is Uros dead?" was Milena's first question.

  "No, he is still alive; a message came from the convent thismorning."

  "But is there any hope of recovery?"

  "If he has lasted on till to-day he may yet pull through; he is youngand healthy."

  "Can I get up to-day?" asked Milena, wistfully.

  "Get up?" asked the doctor, astonished.

  "Yes."

  "Did you hear her?" said the physician, turning towards the midwife."She asks if she can get up. Yes, you can get up if you wish to killyourself."

  A look of determination settled in the young woman's eyes; butneither the doctor nor the midwife noticed it.

  "Anyhow, it is a good sign when the patient asks if he can get up,except in consumption," added the physician, taking his leave. "Ifyou keep very quiet, and lie perfectly still, without tossing aboutand fretting, you'll be able to get up in a few days."

  Milena pressed her lips, but did not say anything in reply; only,after a little time:

  "Do I look very ill?"

  "No, not so very ill, either."

  "Give me that looking-glass," she added.

  The midwife hesitated.

  "Is that the way you are going to lie still and get well; you mustknow that yesterday you were very ill."

  "I know; but please hand me the looking-glass."

  The midwife did as she was bid. Milena took up the glass and lookedat herself scrutinisingly, just like an actor who has made up hisface.

  "I am very much altered, am I not?"

  "Oh, but it'll be all over in one or two days! Wait till to-morrow,and----"

  "But to-day I think people would hardly recognise me?"

  "Oh, it is not quite as bad as that! besides----"

  Milena opened her eyes questioningly, and looked at the midwife.

  "I care very little whether I am good-looking or not; whom have I tolive for
now?"

  "Come, you must not give up in that way. You are but a child, andhave seen but little happiness up to now; you are rich, free,handsome; you'll soon find a husband, only don't talk, take a cup ofthis good broth, and try to go to sleep."

  "Very well, but I know you are busy, so go home and send me yourdaughter; she can attend upon me; besides, _gospa_ Markovic will soonbe here."

  The midwife hesitated.

  "Go," said Milena; "I'll feel quieter if you go."

  "But you must promise me to keep very quiet, and not to attempt, onany account, to get up."

  "Certainly," said Milena; "the doctor said I was not to rise; whyshould I disobey him? Besides, where have I to go?"

  The midwife, after having tucked her patient carefully in bed andmade her as cosy as she could, went off, saying that her daughterwould soon come to her.

  Milena, with anxious eyes and a beating heart, watched the midwife,and, at last, saw her go away and close the door after her. Shewaited for some time to see that she did not return; then shegathered up all her strength, and tried to rise.

  It was, however, a far more difficult task than she had expected, forshe fancied that she had fallen from the top of a high mountain intoa chasm beneath, and that every bone in her body had been broken tosplinters. If she had been crushed under horses' hoofs, she could nothave felt a greater soreness all over her body. Still, rise shewould, and she managed to crawl slowly out of her bed.

  Her legs, at first, could hardly hold her up; the nerves and muscleshad lost all their strength, she fancied the bones had got limp; herback, especially, seemed to be gnawed by hungry dogs.

  Having managed to get over her first fit of faintness, she, holdingon to the bed and against the wall, succeeded in dragging herselftowards the table and dropped into a chair.

  She sat there for a while, making every effort to overcome herfaintness, but she felt so sick, so giddy, and in such pain, that herhead sank down on the table of its own weight, and she burst outcrying from sheer exhaustion.

  When she had somewhat recovered, she slowly undid her long tresses,and her luxuriant hair fell in waves down to the ground. She shookher head slightly, as if to disentangle the wavy mass, plunged herfingers through the locks to separate them, and felt them lovingly,uttering a deep sigh of regret as she did so; then after a moment'spause, she shrugged her shoulders, took up a pair of scissors, and,without more ado, she clipped the long tresses as close to her headas she possibly could, carefully placing each one on the table as shecut it off. Then she felt her head, which seemed so small, so cold,and so naked; she took up a mirror with a trembling hand andquivering lips pulled down at each corner. After she had seen her ownreflection in the glass, she burst into tears. She had hardly putdown the mirror, when Frana, the midwife's daughter, came in.

  The young girl, seeing Milena, whom she had expected to find in bed,sitting on the chair with all her hair clipped off, remained rootedto the spot where she was standing.

  "Milena, dear, is it you?"

  "Yes," replied Milena, mournfully.

  "But why did you get up? and why have you cut off your beautifulhair?" asked the midwife's daughter, scared.

  "My hair burdened my head; I could not bear the weight any more;besides----"

  The young girl looked at Milena, wondering whether she were in herright senses, or if the grief of having lost her husband and herchild had not driven her to distraction.

  "Besides what, Milena?"

  "Well, I am not for long in this world, you know!"

  "Do not say such foolish things; and let me help you back to bed."

  Milena shook her head, and fixing her large and luminous deep blueeyes on the young girl, she said, wistfully:

  "Listen, Frana. Uros is dying, perhaps he is dead! I must see himonce more. I must go to him, even if I have to die on the waythither!"

  "What! go to the Convent of St. George?"

  Milena nodded assent.

  "But what are you thinking about? How can you, in your state, thinkof going there?"

  "I must, even if I should have to crawl on all-fours!"

  "But if you got there, if I carried you there, they would never letyou go in; you know women----"

  "Yes, they will; that's why I've cut off my hair."

  "I don't understand."

  "I'll dress up as a boy; you'll come with me; you'll say I'm yourbrother, and Uros' friend. You'll do that for me, Frana?"

  And Milena lifted up her pleading eyes, which now seemed larger thanever and lighted up with an inward ethereal fire.

  The young girl seemed to be hypnotised by those entreating eyes.

  "But where will you find the clothes you want?"

  "If you can't get me your brother's, then borrow or buy a suit forme; but go at once. You must get me a cap, and all that is required,but go at once."

  "Very well; only, in the meantime, go to bed, take some broth, andwait till I return."

  "But you promise to come back as quickly as you can?"

  "Yes, if you are determined to put your life in danger, and----"

  "And what?"

  "If you don't care what people say."

  "Frana, if ever you love a man as I love Uros, you will see that youwill care very little for your own life, and still less for whatpeople might say about you."

  Frana helped Milena to go to bed again. She made her take a cup ofbroth, with the yolk of an egg beaten into it; placed, on a chair byher bed, a bowl of mulled wine, which she was to take so as to get upher strength; put away the long locks of hair lying on the table, andat last she went off.

  Presently, Milenko's mother came to see Milena, and stayed with hertill Frana returned, and then she was persuaded to go back home. Whenshe had gone, Frana undid the bundle she had brought, took out ajacket, a pair of wide breeches and leggings, the _opanke_; lastly,the small black cap with its gold-embroidered crimson crown.

  Frana helped Milena to dress, and, in her weak state, the operationalmost exhausted her. The broad sash, tightly wound round her waist,served to keep her up, and, leaning on Frana's arm, she left thehouse.

  "I have managed to find a cart for you, so we need not cross thetown, but go round the walls, in order that you may not be seen;besides, the cart will take us to the foot of the mountain, not farfrom the convent."

  "How shall I ever be able to thank you enough for what you have donefor me, Frana?"

  "By getting over your illness as quickly as possible, for if any harmshould come of it my mother 'll never forgive me, and I don't blameher."

  The sun was in the meridian when the cart arrived at the foot of themountain and the two friends alighted. As they climbed the rough anduneven path leading up to the convent, Milena, though leaning onFrana's strong arm, had more than once to stop and rest, for at everystep she made the pain in every joint, in every muscle, was mostacute. It seemed as if all the ligaments that bind the bones of theskeleton together had snapped asunder, and that her body was about tofall to pieces. Then she felt a smarting, a fire that was burningwithin her bowels, and which increased at every effort she made; infact, had it not been for the young girl, she would either have sunkby the roadside or crawled up--as she had said herself--on all-fours.

  Her head also was aching dreadfully, her temples were throbbing, andshe was parched with fever. Her limbs sank every now and then beneathher weight; still, her love and her courage kept her up, and shetrudged along without uttering a word of complaint. At last theyreached the convent. Then her strength gave way. Anxiety, pain andshame overpowered her, and she fell fainting on the threshold. Franasummoned help; but, before the monks came, Milena had recovered, andwas sitting down on a bench to rest.

  In the meanwhile Uros was lingering on--a kind of death in life; thevital flame was flickering, but not entirely extinguished; the tiesthat fastened the soul to life were still strong. Towards midnight hehad sat up in his bed, and--as the monks thought--the Virgin andChrist had appeared to him, then he had, for some time, not given anyfurther
signs of consciousness. Nay, the monks were so sure thesufferer was passing away, that they, in fact, began reciting theprayers for the dying. They did so with much fervour, regarding Urosalmost as a saint, for never had mortal man been so highly favouredby the Deity. Little by little, however, life, instead of ebbingaway, seemed to return; but the sufferer's mind was quite lost.

  In the morning, first his father had come, together with his friendJanko, and a little while afterwards Mara came.

  The monks related to the wondering parents how the Virgin hadappeared, bringing with her the infant Christ for him to kiss.Milenko, however, kept his peace, feeling sure that if he expressedan opinion as to the weird apparition, his words would be regarded asblasphemy.

  Coming to himself, Uros recognised his parents, and as Mara bent uponhim to kiss his brows:

  "Milena," whispered Uros, almost inaudibly.

  "Milenko," said the mother, "he wants you."

  "No," said Milenko, softly to Mara, "it is not me he wants; he hasbeen calling for Milena since he has been coming back to life. I amsure that her presence would quiet him, and, who knows? perhaps addto his recovery."

  The poor mother said nothing; she only patted her boy's brown hand,which seemed to have got whiter and thinner in this short space oftime.

  "I think it is so hard to refuse him a thing upon which he has sethis heart," said Milenko, pleadingly.

  Mara still gave no answer.

  "Perhaps I am wrong in mentioning it--but you do not know how dearlyhe loved this cousin of his."

  Mara's eyes filled with tears.

  "Could these priests not be persuaded to let her come in just for amoment?"

  "Milena is too ill to come here; in fact----"

  "Is she dead?" asked the young man.

  "No, not dead, but as ill as Uros himself is."

  "What is the matter with her?" asked Milenko.

  Mara whispered something in the young man's ear.

  Danilo Kvekvic had left the sufferer to attend to his own duties. Allthe monks of the convent had, one by one, come to recite an orison bythe bedside, as at some miraculous shrine; then Uros was left to thecare of his parents; even the old monk, after administering to theyoung man's wants, had gone to take some rest.

  For some time the room was perfectly quiet; Mara and Milenko werewhispering together in subdued tones; the _pobratim_'s fathers stoodoutside.

  After a little while Uros began to be delirious, and to speak aboutRadonic and Vranic, who were going to kill Milena.

  "There, you see, she is dying; let me go to her. Why do you hold mehere? Unhand me; you see she is alone--no one to attend upon her."(The remainder of his words were unintelligible.)

  The tears rolled down Mara's cheeks, for she thought that her son'swords were but too true; at that moment Milena was probably dying.

  "She came to me for help, and I----"

  "Milenko," added the delirious man, "get the ship ready; let us takeher away."

  "Yes," said Milenko; "we have only to heave the anchor and be off."

  Uros thereupon made an effort to get up, but the pain caused by hiswound was so great that he fell fainting on his bed with a deep moan.

  The two men standing at the door came to the sufferer's bedside. Maraherself bent over him to assist him. Just then Milenko was calledout--someone was asking for him.

  The fever-fit had subsided. The sufferer, falling back on his pillow,exhausted, seemed to be slowly breathing his last.

  The tears were falling fast from Mara's eyes. The two men by the bedwere twisting their bristling moustaches, looking helplessly forlorn.Just then Milenko appeared on the threshold, followed by a wan andcorpse-like boy. Bellacic frowned at the intruder. Mara, at thesight, started back, opening her eyes widely.

  "You?" said she.

  Milena's head drooped down. Milenko put his arm round her waist tokeep her up.

  "You here, my child?" added Mara, opening her arms and clasping theyoung woman within them.

  Milena began to sob in a low voice.

  "The blessed Virgin must have given you supernatural strength, mypoor child; still, you have been killing yourself."

  Milena did not utter a word. She pressed Mara's hand convulsively;her face twitched nervously as she looked upon her lover lyinglifelessly on his bed; then (Mara having made way for her) theexhausted woman sank down upon her chair.

  "I told you," said the old monk, coming in, "that in your weak,exhausted state it was not right for you to see your friend, butnowadays," added he, in a grumbling tone, "young people are soheadstrong that they will never do what is required of them for theirown good. Now that you have seen him, I hope that you are satisfiedand will come out."

  "Just let me stay a little longer, till he comes to himself again,only a very few minutes," said Milena, imploringly, and clasping herhands in supplication.

  "Please let him stay; Uros 'll be so glad to see him when he openshis eyes. He'll keep very quiet till then."

  "Be it so," said the monk; "only the room is getting too crowded. Thebest cure for a sick man is sympathy and fresh air."

  "You are right," said Milenko, "but I give up my place to him;besides, I have some business in town."

  As Bellacic accompanied the _pobratim_ out--

  "Where are you going?" said he.

  "To find out Vranic, and settle accounts with him."

  "No, no! Wait!" said the father.

  "Wait! for what?"

  "Let us not think of vengeance as long as Uros lives."

  Milenko did not seem persuaded; Bellacic insisted:

  "Don't let us provoke the wrath of the Almighty by more bloodshed."

  As they were thus discussing the matter, the doctor from Buduaarrived, having been sent by Danilo Kvekvic at the request of themonks.

  The old practitioner, the same one who had attended Milena, looked atUros, shook his head gravely, as if he would say: "There is no hopewhatever;" then he touched the sufferer's pulse and examined hiswound. He approved of the treatment he had received, and then, aftera few moments' brown study, and after taking a huge pinch of snuff, asif to clear his head, he said, slowly, that all human effort wasvain; the young man could not last more than a few hours--tilleventide, or, at the longest, during the night.

  "Umph!" grunted the old man, shrugging his shoulders; "he is in thehands of God."

  "Of course, of course. We are all in the hands of God."

  "I thought," added the caloyer, "he would not pass yesterday night,especially after the Most Blessed appeared to him, holding her Infantin her arms."

  "What!" said the doctor; "you mean to say that the Virgin appeared tohim?"

  "Of course, and I was not the only one who saw her, for, besides,Blagoslav, Danko Kvekvic, and this young man"--pointing to Milenko--"were also in the room."

  "Then God may perform another miracle in his favour," said thedoctor, incredulously, "for he is beyond all earthly skill."

  Uros, in fact, was sinking fast, and, although the old man clung tohope, still the doctor's words seemed but too true. After some timethe sufferer seemed to give signs of consciousness, and when Milenaplaced her thin white hand on his forehead, he felt the slightpressure of her fingers, and, with his eyes closed, said:

  "Milena, are _you_ here?" and a faint smile played over his lips.

  "Yes, my love," whispered Milena, "I am here."

  Uros opened his eyes, looked at her, and seemed bewildered at thechange which had come over her; still, he said nothing for a while,but was evidently lost in thought, after which he added:

  "Milena, have you been here all night?"

  "No, I only came here just now."

  "You look ill--very ill; I thought you were dying."

  Milena kissed his hand, bathing it with tears. Uros once more sankdown on his bed exhausted; still, after a few moments' rest, he againopened his eyes and looked round for his father. Bellacic understoodthe mute appeal, and bent down over him.

  "Father," said he, "I don't think I am
in this world for a long time.I feel that all my strength is gone; but before----"

  The father bent low over his son.

  "Before what?" he asked.

  "Before dying----"

  "Well, my son?"

  "Will you promise, father?"

  "Yes, I promise; but what is it you want, my darling?"

  "To be married to Milena," he said, with an effort.

  The tears trickled down the elderly man's sunburnt cheeks.

  "I promise to do my utmost," said he.

  He at once turned round and explained the whole affair to his wife.Milena, who seemed to have guessed Uros' request, had hid her face inher hands and was sobbing. Thereupon Bellacic left the room and wentto find the old monk, who had gone out with the doctor. Taking himaside, he explained the matter to him.

  "What!" said the old monk, "bring another woman into the convent, anda young woman besides?"

  "Oh, there is no need to bring her in!"

  "What do you mean?"

  "She is already in," replied Bellacic, unable to refrain fromsmiling.

  "How did she come in? When did she come in? And with whom did shecome in?" asked the caloyer, angrily.

  "She came in just before the doctor; you yourself accompanied her."

  The old man stared at Bellacic.

  "She is the one who came in dressed in boy's clothes; the midwife'sdaughter accompanied her as far as the----"

  "What! do you mean to say that there are three women, and that one ofthem is a midwife?" quoth the monk, shocked.

  Bellacic explained matters. The caloyer consented that Danilo Kvekvicshould be sent for to perform the wedding rites _in extremis_,provided Milena left the convent together with Mara that veryevening, and did not return again on the morrow. Bellacic, moreover,having promised to give the church a fine painting, representing theVirgin Mary as she had appeared to Uros the evening before, the wholeaffair was settled to everyone's perfect satisfaction.

  Mara, who had taken Milena into the adjoining room, said to her:

  "Uros has made his father a strange request, and Bellacic hasconsented; for who can gainsay a dying man's wish?"

  "I know," said Milena, whose lips were twitching nervously.

  "He wishes to be married to you."

  Milena fell into Mara's arms and began to sob.

  "But," said Milena, "I am so frightened."

  "Frightened of what?"

  "My husband."

  Mara, bewildered for a moment, remembered that Milena had never beentold of Radonic's death.

  "I know," continued the young woman, "that he was killed, for heappeared to me only a few hours ago; and I am so frightened lest heshould be recalled again and scare Uros to death."

  "Oh! if incense is burning the whole time, if many blessed candlesare lighted, and the whole room sprinkled with holy water, the ghostwill never be able to show itself in such a place; besides, my dear,you know that you were almost delirious, so that the ghost you sawmust have only been your fancy."

  "Still, I did not know that he was dead, and I saw him all coveredwith wounds, and as plainly as I see you now; he looked at me sofiercely----"

  Milena shuddered; her features grew distorted at the remembrance ofthe terrible apparition, and, in her weak state, the little strengthleft in her forsook her, and she fell fainting into Mara's arms.

  It was with great difficulty that she was brought back to life, andthen she consented to the marriage.

  A messenger was sent to Budua to ask Danilo Kvekvic to come andofficiate, and the midwife's daughter went with him to bring Milena adress, as it would have almost been a sacrilege for her to getmarried in a boy's clothes.

  Danilo Kvekvic came at once; the young girl brought the clothes andthe wreaths, and everything being ready, the lugubrious marriageservice was performed; still, it was to be gone through once more,when Uros should have recovered, if he ever did recover. The monkscrowded at the door, looking on wonderingly at the whole affair, forin their quiet, humdrum life, such a ceremony was an unheard ofthing, and an event affording them endless gossip.

  The emotion Uros had undergone weakened him in such a way that hefell back fainting. His pulse grew so feeble that it could not befelt any more; his breathing had evidently stopped, a coldperspiration gathered on his brow; his features acquired not only therigidity, but also the pinched look and livid tint of death.

  "I am afraid that it is the beginning of the end."

  He began once more reciting the prayers for the dying. Danilo Kvekvicsprinkled him with holy water. All the rest sank on their knees bythe bed. A convulsive sob was heard. Milenko, unable to bear thescene any longer, rushed out of the room.

  Whilst he was sobbing, and the friars outside were trying to comforthim, the old monk came out.

  "Well, father?" said the young man, with a terror-stricken face.

  "It is all over," said the old man, shaking his head gravely.

  Milenko uttered a deep groan; then he sank on his knees, kissing themonk's hand devoutly.

  "Thank you, father, for all that you have done for my brother. Ifearthly skill could have recalled him to life, yours would have doneso. Thank you for your kindness to me and to all of us. Now my taskbegins; nor do I rest until it is accomplished."

  Unable to keep back the tears that were blinding him, nor the sobsrising to his throat, he rose and ran out of the convent.

  Arriving at Budua, he went everywhere seeking for Vranic; but hecould not find him anywhere. Nothing positive was known about him;only, it was said that three children had seen him, or someonelooking like him, outside the city walls. Later on, a young sailorrelated that he had rowed a man answering to Vranic's description onboard of a ship bound for the coasts of Italy. The ship, a few hoursafterwards, had sailed off.

  Weary and disheartened, Milenko went home, where he found his fatherand mother, who had come back from the convent.

  "Well," said the father, "have you heard anything about Vranic?"

  "He has fled; my vengeance has, therefore, to be postponed. It mighttake weeks instead of days to accomplish it; months instead of weeks,and even years instead of months. But I shall not rest before Vranicpays with his own blood for his evil deed," said Milenko.

  "You would not be a Slav, nor my son, if you did not act in this way.Uros had certainly done as much for you."

  "And now," added Milenko, "as I might be called away from this worldbefore accomplishing this great deed of justice, we must gather,to-night, such of our friends and relations as will take with us theterrible oath of blood, the _karva tajstvo_."

  "Be it so," said Janko Markovic. "I, of course, will take the oathwith you, my son, and will help you to the utmost of my power."

  Milenko shook his father's hand, and added: "Danilo Kvekvic will bethe officiating priest. He, being a relation, will not refuse, willhe?"

  "No, certainly not. He may, of course, demur, but by his innuendoeshe led me to understand that he will be waiting for you."

  "He is a real Iugo Slav."

  Milenko and his father busied themselves at once about the greatceremony. They went to all the relations and friends of the twofamilies, begging them, now that Uros was dead, to join with them intaking the oath of revenge against Vranic, the murderer.

  Not a man that was asked refused. All shook hands, and promised to beat Markovic's house that night, and from there accompany him to thepriest's.

  Night came on. Milenko's mother had gone to sit up with Mara andMilena; Bellacic had remained to pray at his son's bedside, togetherwith the good monks. One by one the friends and relations of the_pobratim_, muffled up like conspirators, knocked at Markovic's door,and were stealthily allowed to enter. _Slivovitz_ and tobacco were atonce placed before the guests. When they were all gathered together,and the town was asleep, they crept out quietly and wended their waythrough the deserted streets to the priest's house.

  Milenko tapped at the door.

  "They are all asleep at this house," said one of the men; "you mu
stknock louder."

  Hardly had these words been uttered than a faint ray of light wasseen, and, contrary to their expectations, the door was opened byDanilo himself.

  "Milenko! You, at this hour of the night? I thought you were at theconvent, reciting prayers over my nephew, your _pobratim_."

  "A _pobratim_ has other duties than praying--the holy monks can dothat even better than myself."

  "But I am keeping you standing at the door; what can I do for you?"

  "We have a request to make, which you will not be surprised at. Youmust follow us to church."

  "To church, at this hour of the night?"

  "Yes. We wish--one and all here present--to take the oath of bloodagainst the murderer."

  "But, my children, think of what you are asking of me. Our religioncommands us to forgive our enemies. Christ----"

  "We are Slavs, Danilo Kvekvic," said one of the men.

  "But Christians, withal, I hope?"

  "Still, vengeance with us is a duty, a sacred duty."

  "I am the _pobratim_," quoth Milenko, "the brother of his choice. DidI not swear before you to avenge any injury done to Uros, yournephew? Do you wish me to forget my oath--to perjure myself?"

  "Mind, it is the priest, not the uncle, who speaks," said Danilo,sternly; "therefore, remember that the _karva tajstvo_ is illegal bythe laws of our country."

  "By the laws of Austria," cried out several of the men, "not by thelaws of our country. We are Slavs, not Austrians."

  "Come, Danilo, we are men, not children; trifling is useless, wordsare but lost breath in this matter," said Janko Markovic. "We arelosing time."

  "If you do not follow us with a good will----"

  "I see that you mean to carry out your intentions, and that preachingis useless; therefore, I am ready to follow you."

  Saying this, he put his cap on his head, and opened the door.

  "And the key?" asked Milenko.

  "What key?"

  "The key of the church."

  "Why, I happen to have it in my pocket."

  The church being opened, what was their surprise to see it draped inblack; but Danilo Kvekvic explained that there had been a funeralservice on that very day, and so the church had remained in itsmourning weeds.

  Thereupon he shut and locked the doors. Some tapers were lighted onthe altar, and the priest, putting on his robes, began to read theservice.

  The few candles shed but a glimmering light in the sacred edifice,and the small congregation, kneeling on the benches by the altar,were wrapt in a gloomy darkness which added a horror to the mysteryof the ceremony.

  The service for the dead having been read, Kvekvic knelt and partookof the Holy Communion; then, lighting two other tapers, he called thecongregation to him. All gathered at the foot of the altar, and kneltdown there. He then took up the chalice, where, according to theOrthodox rites of the Communion, bread and wine were kneadedtogether. Milenko, as the head of the avengers, went up to the altar,and, bowing before the sacred cup containing the flesh and blood ofJesus Christ, he made a slight cut in the forefinger of his lefthand, and then caused a few drops of his own blood to fall on theEucharist. He was followed by his father, and by all the otherpartakers of the oath. When the last man had offered up a few dropsof blood, the priest mixed it up with the consecrated bread and winealready in the cup.

  "Now," said he, with an inspired voice, "lift up your hands toheaven, and repeat after me the following oath."

  All the men lifted up their hands, each one holding a piece of Uros'blood-stained shirt, and then the priest began:

  "By this blessed bread representing the flesh of our Lord JesusChrist, by the wine that is His own blood, by the blood flowing fromour own bodies, for the sake of our beloved Uros Bellacic, heinouslymurdered, and now sitting amongst the martyrs in heaven, and fromthere addressing us his prayers, I, Milenko Markovic, his _pobratim_;I, Janko Markovic, his father of adoption; I, Marko Lillic, hiscousin" (and so on), "all related or connected to him by the ties ofblood, or of affection, solemnly swear, in the most absolute andirrevocable manner, not to give our souls any peace, or any rest toour bodies, until the wishes of the blessed martyr be accomplished bytaking a severe revenge upon his murderer, Josko Vranic, of thistown, on his children (if ever he has any), or, in default, on any ofhis relations, friends and acquaintances who might shelter, protect,or withhold him from our wrath; and never to cease in our intention,or flag in our pursuit, until we have obtained a complete and cruelsatisfaction, equal, at least, to this crime committed by this commonenemy of ours. We swear to God the Father, God the Son, and God theHoly Ghost, that not one of us will ever try to evade the dangers hisoath may put him to, or will allow himself to be corrupted by gold orbribes of the murderer or his family, or will listen with a pitifulear to the prayers, entreaties, or lamentations of the person orpersons destined to expiate the crime that has taken place; and,though his kith-and-kin be innocent of the foul deed perpetrated bytheir relation, Josko Vranic, we will turn a deaf ear to their words,and only feel for them the horror that the deed committed awakeswithin us.

  "We swear, moreover, by the blessed Virgin and by all the saints inheaven, that should any of us here present forget the oath he hastaken, or break the solemn pact of blood, the others will feelthemselves bound to take revenge upon him, even as upon the murdererof Uros Bellacic; and, moreover, the relations of the perjured man,justly put to death, will not be able to exact the rites of the_karvarina_."

  Thereupon, the men having taken the oath, the priest at the altarsank down on his knees, and, uplifting the chalice, continued asfollows:

  "We pray Thee, omnipotent God, to listen to our oaths, and, moreover,to help us in fulfilling them. We entreat Thee to punish the murdererin his own person, and in that of his sons for seven successivegenerations; to persecute them with Thy malediction, just as if theythemselves had committed the murder. We solemnly declare that we willnot consider Thee, O Lord, as just; Thee, O Lord, as saintly; Thee, OLord, as strong; nor shall we regard Thee, O Lord, as capable ofgoverning the world, if Thou dost not lend a listening ear to theeager wishes of our hearts; for our souls are tormented with thethirst for revenge."

  When they had all finished this prayer, if it can be called a prayer,they, one by one, went and partook of that loathsome communion ofblood with all the respect and devotion Christians usually have onapproaching the Lord's Table. After that Danilo Kvekvic knelt downonce more, and uplifting his hands in supplication:

  "O Lord, Protector of the oppressed," said he, "Thou punishest allthose who transgress Thy wise laws and offend Thee, for Thou art ajealous God. Help these parishioners of mine to fulfil an act ofterrestrial justice. Punish, with all Thy wrath, the perpetrator ofso abominable a crime; let him have no rest in this world, and lethis soul burn for ever in hell after his death; scatter his ashes tothe winds, and obliterate the very memory of his existence. Amen."

  "Amen," repeated every man after him.

  Thereupon he blessed them all; and coming down from the altar heshook hands with each one, no more as a priest, but as a relation ofthe murdered youth, and thanked them for the oath they had taken.

  The candles having been put out, the door of the church wasstealthily opened, and, one by one, all the men crept out andvanished in the darkness of the night.