Catharines Peril, or The Little Russian Girl Lost in a Forest | Page 3

savage
bear was preparing to attack her, a shot was fired, and the bear fell dead
at the feet of the astonished child.
The stranger, when he came to the spot where Catharine was still
cowering, trembling with fright, looked with an eye of pity on the
lonely little creature whose safety had been so wonderfully entrusted to
him.
He proved to be a Polish lord named Barezewski, and taking some
bread, cold meat, and wine out of his hunting-pouch, he gave them to
Catharine, who soon felt better for the refreshment she so much needed,
and cheered by the unexpected kindness of the gentleman, who now
took her hand to lead her to his castle, at some little distance.
The countess received the poor outcast with much tenderness, and in a
short time the young Muscovite was able to relate all she knew of her
interesting and eventful history. The noble Pole and his lady were
moved to tears by Catharine's recital of her sufferings and the horrors

she had witnessed on the road; but, thanks to their compassionate
sympathy and kindness, she soon ceased to think of what she had
undergone, and was capable of appreciating the comforts and blessings
now surrounding her.
Several years passed, bringing no intelligence of Catharine's parents;
meanwhile, she grew in wisdom and in loveliness of mind and person,
and no expense was spared to make her an elegant and accomplished
young lady. She had attained her sixteenth year when an important
event took place.
On the anniversary of the Russian child's wonderful and providential
deliverance from a frightful death, it was customary each year to have a
grand feast at the Castle, when the gentle and beloved Catharine
Somoff would relate anew her thrilling history, and review the kindness
shown her by her generous protectors, who looked upon her in every
respect as their own child.
The season had come round once again, and she was in the middle of
her tale, when a gun was heard at a short distance from the Castle. The
weather was very stormy; the wind blew violently, the snow fell in
large flakes, darkening the sky; it was almost impossible to see a yard
before one.
'Doubtless it is some lost traveller imploring assistance, or perhaps
being attacked by wild beasts, so numerous in the forest. It is
impossible to be hunting or shooting merely for pleasure in this
dreadful weather,' exclaimed Count Barezewski, giving orders for his
men to provide torches and other needful apparatus, and come with him
to find out what was amiss. They set off in the direction of the forest
whence the report of the gun had proceeded--the identical spot where
Catharine Somoff had been threatened by the bear some years ago.
Great anxiety was felt at the Castle during the hour that passed before
the brave Barezewski appeared, followed by his men, who bore the
body of a bleeding Russian on a litter.
Catharine hastened to look at her fellow-countryman, and then
expressed a wish to dress his wound. The stranger was soon restored to

consciousness by the humane attentions of his hosts, and able to
express his gratitude, as well as mention a few particulars of his
adventures on this wintry day.
He said: 'I am a Muscovite merchant on my way to Warsaw. Before
leaving this part, I wished to go and see a friend living at some little
distance. I took my gun, and walked to his castle, where I was belated.
The snow fell in large flakes; I lost my path. In vain I sought the proper
road, when, noticing two men coming in my direction, I hastened to ask
them to put me in the right way. I did not mistrust them the least in the
world, and was patiently awaiting their reply, when suddenly both these
rascals rushed upon me, throwing me to the ground, and robbed me of
the small sum of money I had in my purse. I uttered a cry; then one of
them, evidently intending to kill me, pointed his gun at my heart, and
fired.'
All this time Catharine had kept her eyes intently fixed upon the
stranger's countenance; she seemed to recall some well-known features,
without being able to remember where she had seen them. Her heart
beat violently, and her interest in the new-comer became greater every
moment; indeed, her feelings appeared to be excited in an
unaccountable manner. Count Barezewski begged his guest to give him
a few details of the terrible fire at Moscow, which had caused so much
misery and distress to both Russians and French. The Russian seemed
to feel a very great disinclination to comply with his host's request;
however, when he reflected upon the hospitality and kindness he was
receiving, he knew not