His Mother’s Prowess and Death; Together with Some Instances of His Own Sagacity.
It would have been impossible for the mother of our adventurer, such as she hath been described, to sit quietly in her tent, while such an heroic scene was acting1. She was no sooner apprised2 of the general’s intention to attack the enemy, than she, as usual, packed up her moveables in a waggon3, which she committed to the care of a peasant in the neighbourhood, and put herself in motion with the troops; big with the expectation of re-acting that part in which she had formerly4 acquitted5 herself so much to her advantage.— Nay6, she by this time looked upon her own presence as a certain omen7 of success to the cause which she espoused8; and, in their march to battle, actually encouraged the ranks with repeated declarations, importing, that she had been eye-witness of ten decisive engagements, in all of which her friends had been victorious9, and imputing10 such uncommon11 good fortune to some supernatural quality inherent in her person.
Whether or not this confidence contributed to the fortune of the day, by inspiring the soldiers to an uncommon pitch of courage and resolution, I shall not pretend to determine. But, certain it is, the victory began from that quarter in which she had posted herself; and no corps12 in the army behaved with such intrepidity13 as that which was manifested by those who were favoured with her admonitions and example; for she not only exposed her person to the enemy’s fire, with the indifference14 and deliberation of a veteran, but she is said to have achieved a very conspicuous15 exploit by the prowess of her single arm. The extremity16 of the line to which she had attached herself, being assaulted in flank by a body of the spahis, wheeled about, in order to sustain the charge, and received them with such a seasonable fire, as brought a great number of turbans to the ground; among those who fell, was one of the chiefs or agas, who had advanced before the rest, with a view to signalise his valour.
Our English Penthesilea no sooner saw this Turkish leader drop, than, struck with the magnificence of his own and horse’s trappings, she sprung forward to seize them as her prize, and found the aga not dead, though in a good measure disabled by his misfortune, which was entirely17 owing to the weight of his horse, that, having been killed by a musket-ball, lay upon his leg, so that he could not disengage himself. Nevertheless, perceiving the virago18 approach with fell intent, he brandished19 his symitar, and tried to intimidate20 his assailant with a most horrible exclamation21; but it was not the dismal22 yell of a dismounted cavalier, though enforced with a hideous23 ferocity of countenance24, and the menacing gestures with which he waited her approach, that could intimidate such an undaunted she-campaigner; she saw him writhing25 in the agonies of a situation from which he could not move; and, running towards him with the nimbleness and intrepidity of a Camilla, described a semicircle in the progress of her assault, and attacking him on one side, plunged26 her well-tried dagger27 in his throat. The shades of death encompassed28 him, his life-blood issued at the wound, he fell prone29 upon the earth, he bit the dust, and having thrice invoked30 the name of Allah! straight expired.
While his destiny was thus fulfilled, his followers31 began to reel; they seemed dismayed at the fate of their chief, beheld32 their companions drop like the leaves in autumn, and suddenly halted in the midst of their career. The Imperialists, observing the confusion of the enemy, redoubled their fire; and, raising a dreadful shout, advanced in order to improve the advantage they had gained. The spahis durst not wait the shock of such an encounter; they wheeled to the right-about, and clapping spurs to their horses, fled in the utmost disorder33. This was actually the circumstance that turned the scale of battle. The Austrians pursued their good fortune with uncommon impetuosity, and in a few minutes left the field clear for the mother of our hero, who was such an adept34 in the art of stripping, that in the twinkling of an eye the bodies of the aga and his Arabian lay naked to the skin. It would have been happy for her, had she been contented35 with these first-fruits, reaped from the fortune of the day, and retired36 with her spoils, which were not inconsiderable; but, intoxicated37 with the glory she had won, enticed38 by the glittering caparisons that lay scattered39 on the plain, and without doubt prompted by the secret instinct of her fate, she resolved to seize opportunity by the forelock, and once for all indemnify herself for the many fatigues40, hazards, and sorrows she had undergone.
Thus determined41, she reconnoitred the field, and practised her address so successfully, that in less than half an hour she was loaded with ermine and embroidery42, and disposed to retreat with her burden, when her regards were solicited43 by a splendid bundle, which she descried44 at some distance lying on the ground. This was no other than an unhappy officer of hussars; who, after having the good fortune to take a Turkish standard, was desperately45 wounded in the thigh46, and obliged to quit his horse; finding himself in such a helpless condition, he had wrapped his acquisition round his body, that whatever might happen, he and his glory should not be parted; and thus shrouded47, among the dying and the dead, he had observed the progress of our heroine, who stalked about the field, like another Atropos, finishing, wherever she came, the work of death. He did not at all doubt, that he himself would be visited in the course of her peregrinations, and therefore provided for her reception, with a pistol ready cocked in his hand, while he lay perdue beneath his covert48, in all appearance bereft49 of life. He was not deceived in his prognostic; she no sooner eyed the golden crescent than, inflamed50 with curiosity or cupidity51, she directed thitherward her steps, and discerning the carcase of a man, from which, she thought, there would be a necessity for disengaging it, she lifted up her weapon, in order to make sure of her purchase; and in the very instant of discharging her blow, received a brace52 of bullets in her brain.
Thus ended the mortal pilgrimage of this modern Amazon; who, in point of courage, was not inferior to Semiramis, Tomyris, Zenobia, Thalestris, or any boasted heroine of ancient times. It cannot be supposed that this catastrophe53 made a very deep impression upon the mind of young Ferdinand, who had just then attained54 the ninth year of his age, and been for a considerable time weaned from her maternal55 caresses56; especially as he felt no wants nor grievances57 in the family of the Count, who favoured him with a particular share of indulgence, because he perceived in him a spirit of docility58, insinuation, and sagacity, far above his years. He did not, however, fail to lament59 the untimely fate of his mother, with such filial expressions of sorrow, as still more intimately recommended him to his patron; who, being himself a man of extraordinary benevolence60, looked upon the boy as a prodigy61 of natural affection, and foresaw in his future services a fund of gratitude62 and attachment63, that could not fail to render him a valuable acquisition to his family.
In his own country, he had often seen connexions of that sort, which having been planted in the infancy64 of the adherent65, had grown up to a surprising pitch of fidelity66 and friendship, that no temptation could bias67, and no danger dissolve. He therefore rejoiced in the hope of seeing his own son accommodated with such a faithful attendant, in the person of young Fathom68, on whom he resolved to bestow69 the same education he had planned for the other, though conveyed in such a manner as should be suitable to the sphere in which he was ordained70 to move. In consequence of these determinations, our young adventurer led a very easy life, in quality of page to the Count, in whose tent he lay upon a pallet, close to his field-bed, and often diverted him with his childish prattle71 in the English tongue, which the more seldom his master had occasion to speak, he the more delighted to hear. In the exercise of his function, the boy was incredibly assiduous and alert; far from neglecting the little particulars of his duty, and embarking72 in the mischievous73 amusements of the children belonging to the camp, he was always diligent74, sedate75, agreeably officious and anticipating; and in the whole of his behaviour seemed to express the most vigilant76 sense of his patron’s goodness and generosity77; nay, to such a degree had these sentiments, in all appearance, operated upon his reflection, that one morning, while he supposed the Count asleep, he crept softly to his bedside, and gently kissing his hand, which happened to be uncovered, pronounced, in a low voice, a most fervent78 prayer in his behalf, beseeching79 Heaven to shower down blessings80 upon him, as the widow’s friend and the orphan’s father. This benediction81 was not lost upon the Count, who chanced to be awake, and heard it with admiration82; but what riveted83 Ferdinand in his good graces, was a discovery that our youth made, while his master was upon duty in the trenches84 before Belgrade.
Two foot soldiers, standing85 sentry86 near the door of the tent, were captivated with the sight of some valuable moveables belonging to it; and supposing, in their great wisdom, that the city of Belgrade was too well fortified87 to be taken during that campaign, they came to a resolution of withdrawing themselves from the severe service of the trenches, by deserting to the enemy, after they should have rifled Count Melvil’s tent of the furniture by which they were so powerfully allured88. The particulars of this plan were concerted in the French language, which, they imagined, would screen them from all risk of being detected, in case they should be overheard, though, as there was no living creature in sight, they had no reason to believe that any person was privy89 to their conversation. Nevertheless, they were mistaken in both these conjectures90. The conference reached the ears of Fathom, who was at the other end of the tent, and had perceived the eager looks with which they considered some parts of the furniture. He had penetration91 enough to suspect their desire, and, alarmed by that suspicion, listened attentively92 to their discourse93; which, from a slender knowledge in the French tongue, he had the good fortune partly to understand.
This important piece of intelligence he communicated to the Count at his return, and measures were immediately taken to defeat the design, and make an example of the authors, who being permitted to load themselves with the booty, were apprehended94 in their retreat, and punished with death according to their demerits.
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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imputing
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的现在分词 ) | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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intrepidity
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| n.大胆，刚勇；大胆的行为 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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virago
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| n.悍妇 | |
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brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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intimidate
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| vt.恐吓，威胁 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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adept
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| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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41
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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42
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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43
solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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44
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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45
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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46
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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47
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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48
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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49
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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50
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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52
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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53
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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54
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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55
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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56
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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57
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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docility
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| n.容易教，易驾驶，驯服 | |
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59
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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61
prodigy
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| n.惊人的事物，奇迹，神童，天才，预兆 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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bias
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| n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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82
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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allured
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| 诱引，吸引( allure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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91
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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92
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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93
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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94
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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