THE ROMANCE OF SAVAGE LIFE

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 34, 25 January 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ROMANCE OF SAVAGE LIFE

(From the British Ensign). We doubt if there be a single boy who has thoroughly conned, the history of Robin Hood who did not envy Robin the pleasure of. his wild performances. There is so much daring and danger, so many head-long leaps and hair- breadth escapes, so to thrill the heart ofthe youthful reader, and inspire him with sympathy for his hero. The record of events now passing in Poland and in the States of America supply multitudes of examples. The following refers to the former, which is very characteristic : — " Under the guidance of these cavaliers, we penetrated still further into the gloomy recess ofthe forest, until at last the way became too intricate for the waggons, and we walked to what, by a figure of speech, might be called the camp, but which consisted merely of a number of horses tethered to the trees, and a number of men grouped round them. Tliyre was not a sign of a rent, or even of a ' leau-to' of branches and leaves to shelter the men from tho weather. One waggon, loaded with bundles and great-coats, formed the impedimenta of the band, which Was a very small one, but was composed of veteran guerillas, if men who had not been under a roof since the first day of the insurrection could be dignified by that title. Tne weather was now so warm and bright that they scorned the idea of sleeping under any kind of cover; and so used were tbe3* to the mode of life, that they ceased to feel its hardship. Both men and horses seemed in first-rate condition ; the horses were tue best which the estates cf tnen.ighboring proprietors could furnish ; -the men were nearly ali under twenty-five ; the leader of tlie band, who was away on a reconnaissance, being exactly that age. A few were the sons of country gentlemen ; one had beeu a railway official; two others employed in Government ofllces ; many were the sons of shopkeepers, some students, and o.hers, domestic servants; but they all lived together on terms of perfect friendship and equality, and seemed to enjoy the wiid adventurous life. C):ie of them, who sj.oke French admirably, told me that he was a student, only 10 years ol age ; he had left Warsaw on the famous 22nd of January, and had heen in the woods ever since. He considered tliat three months oi' incessant skii tuishitig had formed him into an experienced warrior. His arms consisted of a bran- new Dean and Adams' revolver, a very fair carbine, and a sword. ' I slept in a house the other night,' lie said, " and felt almost stifled ; ar.d I shall be quite sorry when the war- is over, and puts au end to this free life in the woods, i liave never been a dav ill except when I received a trifling wound. We sing and sleep in the tidy time, and gallop about the country at night. I have, moreover, killed six Russians, and expect to exchange my carbine for a new rifle, as I am getting such a goo I shot that I am to be al ; owed one.' When I contrasted the melancholy groups in the marketplaces in Warsaw and Cracow with this jol.y band of Robin Hoods, 1 did not doubt who had the best of it."