Harold Lamb

Name: The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2
Author: Harold Lamb

The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

Summary

“The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2”, published in 1924, is a work by Harold Lamb. It explores elements such as Balaban, Siech and Levantine.

Quotes from The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (Harold Lamb)

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ II THE GALLOWS BIRDS WHEN the bells of the church ceased ringing the snow no longer fell, and it was seen that the center square of the Siech was filling rapidly with warriors from the barracks. Although the muster-drum had not been beaten, the orderly of the camp scribe had had a thrashing at the hands of the Don men, and his tongue was loosened.
The cooks were kicked up, grunting, and kindled fires under still warm caldrons wherein were quarters of sheep and sides of beef; as if they had been summoned by the drum, the older warriors appeared and headed for the casks, wiping their mustaches. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ Placing the hilt of his simitar against his chest, he moved forward until the point pricked the skin under the Levantine’s lower ribs, over the vitals.
Perforce Captain Balaban released the hilt of his weapon and stepped back against the log pen. With nearly an inch of steel in him he stood quietly, without making a plea for his life.
“Have you heart, Balaban,” asked the chief of the Don warriors in a low voice, “to go on a venture with me, over the black water? Will you go against the galleys of the Turks? Have you lust for the feel of gold and the light of jewels? We seek a treasure.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ Whether Levantine, or man from Barbary, no one knew or cared; it was known that he had once been aboard the Barbary corsairs, and had gone into the service of the Turks for a while, until he had fled the galleys, and, professing Christianity, had been received into the asylum of the Siech. He it was who had knifed a Cossack, and he had done it expertly.
“Aye,” his voice rang out shrilly for such a powerful man, “’tis Captain Balaban, at your service, my kunaks. Do you wish entertainment—then I will give it!” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ Torches flickered above the heads of the crowd and voices shouted for the gallows birds to come out.
Before a second summons could be uttered, a tall man walked through the gate. So singular was his appearance that for a moment it distracted the attention of the throng. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ THE chief of the Don men waited until a space had been cleared behind him—waited patiently, his gray eyes studying Balaban.
“Back you dogs,” muttered the non-coms within sight of the colonel. “Do not tread on his heels—see how his head steams! The sword-slayer has been licking up vodka, with the wounded in the Don barracks. See, he is going to play with Captain Balaban. Stand back, you sow’s ears!”
“Father,” Broad Breeches addressed his chief, “shall we drop lassos over their sconces, and truss them up? I have a rope.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ Give us the sword-slayer for a leader!”
“Aye, he is a sword-slayer,” admitted the sotnik, “the finest to be found in the frontier. But he was only weaned a few Winters ago; along the Dnieper he kept his feet, true enough, and his enemies were laid to rest on their backs. But where are his gray hairs, where his Cossack cunning?”
“May the dogs bite you!” Broad Breeches pushed through the throng. “You are brave enough when words are in the air; but as God is my witness no man can find you when swords are out. You drink the falcon’s vodka, and that gives you a little courage——”
“Death to you!” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ The pent-up passions of the throng sought an outlet and one offered in the prison pen. Two criminals had been confined there, awaiting execution: one for striking the priest some time since—the other for the lesser matter of knifing a Cossack. The men of the Siech were accustomed to fighting, but they used their fists. To draw a knife was held to be a shameful act, natural enough for a Greek or Syrian, but contrary to the ethics of Cossackdom.
Warriors were already beating down the gate when the party from the brandy-cask came up. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (1924)

“ The more inexperienced who came late were fain to gather the liquor in caps or cupped fists; and the youngest of them were sent to pull down the stalls of the Jews to throw on the flames. Soon a dense throng of warriors gathered around the balalaika players and the six-foot youngsters who were beginning to dance the Cosachka on the hard-packed snow. ”

Harold Lamb

Summary

Quotes from The Witch of Aleppo — Chapter 2 (Harold Lamb)

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