,P>T #f1 ,*APT] #d 

#ahhgahhg 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,NA?AN ,HASKELL ,DOLE 

,TEXT 3 

,AT ! 5D ( A MON?1 OV] ! GRAVE ( ! DEAD A /ONE *APEL WAS ]ECT$4 ,OV] ! DRIV]'S !RE WAS AS YET NO /ONE1 & ONLY ! FRE% GRE5 GRASS SPR\T$ OV] ! M\ND ?AT S]V$ AS ! SOLE RECORD ( ! PA/ EXI/5CE ( A MAN4 

0,IT WILL BE A S9 & A %AME1 ,S]YOHA10 SAID ! COOK AT ! /ATION-H\SE ONE DAY1 0IF Y\ DON'T BUY A GRAVE/ONE = ,KHVEODOR4 ,Y\ KEPT SAY+1 ',IT'S W9T]1 W9T]1' BUT N[ :Y DON'T Y\ KEEP Y\R WORD8 ,I HE>D IT ALL4 ,HE HAS ALREADY COME BACK ONCE TO ASK :Y Y\ DON'T DO IT2 IF Y\ DON'T BUY HIM ONE1 HE WILL COME AGA91 HE WILL *OKE Y\40 

0,WELL1 N[1 HAVE ,I D5I$ IT80 URG$ ,S]YOHA4 0,I AM GO+ TO BUY HIM A /ONE1 AS ,I SAID ,I W\LD4 ,I CAN GET ONE = A RUBLE & A HALF4 ,I HAVE NOT =GOTT5 AB\T IT2 ,I'LL HAVE TO GET IT4 ,AS SOON AS ,I HAPP5 TO BE 9 T[N1 !N ,I'LL BUY HIM ONE40 

0,Y\ \<T AT LEA/ TO PUT UP A CROSS1 ?AT'S :AT Y\ \<T TO DO10 SAID AN OLD DRIV]4 0,IT ISN'T RI<T AT ALL4 ,Y\'RE WE>+ ?OSE BOOTS N[40 

0,YES4 ,BUT :]E C\LD ,I GET HIM A CROSS8 ,Y\ W\LDN'T WANT TO MAKE ONE \T ( AN OLD PIECE ( /ICK1 W\LD Y\80 

0,:AT IS ?AT Y\ SAY8 ,MAKE ONE \T ( AN OLD PIECE ( /ICK8 ,NO2 TAKE Y\R AX1 GO \T TO ! WOOD A LITTLE E>LI] ?AN USUAL1 & Y\ CAN HEW HIM \T ONE4 ,TAKE A LITTLE A%-TREE1 & Y\ CAN MAKE ONE4.<#c#f.> ,Y\ CAN HAVE A COV]$ CROSS4 ,IF Y\ GO !N1 Y\ WON'T HAVE TO GIVE ! WAT*MAN A LITTLE DR9K ( VODKA4 ,ONE DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE VODKA = EV]Y TRIFLE4 ,N[1 YE/]DAY ,I BROKE MY AXLETREE1 & ,I GO & HEW \T A NEW ONE ( GRE5 WOOD4 ,NO ONE SAID A WORD40 

,E>LY ! NEXT MORN+1 ALMO/ BE=E DAWN1 ,S]YOHA TOOK HIS AX1 & W5T TO ! WOOD4 

,OV] ALL ?+S HUNG A COLD1 DEAD VEIL ( FALL+ MI/1 AS YET UNT\*$ BY ! RAYS ( ! SUN4 

,! CA/ GRADUALLY GREW BRI<T]1 REFLECT+ ITS PALE LI<T OV] ! VAULT ( HEAV5 /ILL COV]$ BY LI<T CL\DS4 ,NOT A S+LE GRASS-BLADE BEL[1 NOT A S+LE LEAF ON ! TOPMO/ BRAN*ES ( ! TREE-TOP1 WAV$4 ,ONLY FROM TIME TO TIME C\LD BE HE>D ! S\NDS ( FLUTT]+ W+S 9 ! ?ICKET1 OR A RU/L+ ON ! GR\ND BROKE 9 UPON ! SIL5CE ( ! =E/4 

,SUDD5LY A /RANGE S\ND1 =EIGN TO ?IS NATURE1 RES\ND$ & DI$ AWAY AT ! $GE ( ! =E/4 ,AGA9 ! NOISE S\ND$1 & WAS MONOTON\SLY REPEAT$ AGA9 & AGA91 AT ! FOOT ( ONE ( ! ANCI5T1 IMMOVABLE TREES4 ,A TREE-TOP BEGAN TO %AKE 9 AN EXTRAORD9>Y MANN]2 ! JUICY LEAVES :ISP]$ SOME?+2 & ! W>BL]1 SITT+ ON ONE ( ! BRAN*ES1 FLEW (F A C\PLE ( TIMES ) A %RILL CRY1 &1 WAGG+ ITS TAIL1 F9ALLY P]*$ ON ANO!R TREE4 

,! AX RANG MORE & MORE FREQU5TLY2 ! :ITE *IPS1 FULL ( SAP1 W]E SCATT]$ UPON ! DEWY GRASS1 & A SLI<T CRACK+ WAS HE>D B5EA? ! BL[S4 

,! TREE TREMBL$ ) ALL ITS BODY1 LEAN$ OV]1 & QUICKLY /RAI<T5$ ITSELF ) A FE>FUL %UDD] ON ITS BASE4 

,= AN 9/ANT ALL WAS /ILL1 !N ONCE MORE ! TREE B5T OV]2 A CRA% WAS HE>D 9 ITS TRUNK2 &.<#c#g.> TE>+ ! ?ICKET1 & DRAGG+ D[N ! BRAN*ES1 IT PLUNG$ T[>D ! DAMP E>?4 

,! NOISE ( ! AX & ( FOOT/EPS CEAS$4 

,! W>BL] UTT]$ A CRY1 & FLEW HI<]4 ,! BRAN* :I* %E GRAZ$ ) H] W+S %OOK = AN 9/ANT1 & !N CAME TO RE/ LIKE ALL ! O!RS ) !IR FOLIAGE4 

,! TREES1 MORE JOY\SLY ?AN EV]1 EXT5D$ !IR BRAN*ES OV] ! NEW SPACE ?AT HAD BE5 MADE 9 !IR MID/4 

,! FIR/ SUNBEAMS1 BREAK+ ?R\< ! CL\D1 GLEAM$ 9 ! SKY1 & %ONE ALONG ! E>? & HEAV5S4 

,! MI/1 9 BILL[S1 BEGAN TO FLOAT ALONG ! HOLL[S2 ! DEW1 GLEAM+1 PLAY$ ON ! GRE5 FOLIAGE2 TRANSLUC5T :ITE CL\DS HURRI$ ALONG !IR AZURE PA?4 

,! BIRDS HOPP$ AB\T 9 ! ?ICKET1 &1 AS ?\< BESIDE !MSELVES1 VOIC$ !IR HAPP9ESS2 ! JUICY LEAVES JOYFULLY & CONT5T$LY :ISP]$ ON ! TREE-TOPS2 & ! BRAN*ES ( ! LIV+ TREES SL[LY & MAJE/ICALLY WAV$ OV] ! DEAD & FALL5 TREE4 

,F,O,O,T,N,O,T,E,S3 

  

.<#h#h.> YAM%*IK4 

.<#h#i.> IZBA4 

.<#i.> ,FY$KA & ,FY$YA >E DIM9UTIVES ( ,FEODOR1 ,!ODORE4 

.<#i#a.> ,CALL$ EPITRA*ILION 9 ! ,GREEK ,*UR*4 

.<#i#b.> BATIU%KA4 

.<#i#c.> ME%*AN94 

.<#i#d.> DIA*OK4 

.<#c#h.> 

,A ,P,R,I,S,O,N,] ,9 ,! ,C,A,U,C,A,S,U,S4 

  
,I4 

,A ,RUSSIAN ( RANK WAS S]V+ AS AN (FIC] 9 ! >MY ( ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,HIS NAME WAS ,ZHIL94 

,!RE CAME TO HIM ONE DAY A LETT] FROM HIS HOME4 ,HIS AG$ MO!R WROTE HIM3 0,I AM N[ GETT+ ALONG 9 YE>S1 & BE=E ,I DIE ,I %\LD LIKE TO SEE MY BELOV$ SON4 ,COME & BID ME F>EWELL1 LAY ME 9 ! GR\ND1 & !N ) MY BLESS+ RETURN AGA9 TO Y\R S]VICE4 ,& ,I HAVE BE5 F9D+ A BRIDE = Y\1 & %E IS 9TELLIG5T & H&SOME & HAS PROP]TY4 ,IF Y\ LIKE1 Y\ CAN M>RY & SETTLE D[N TOGE!R40 

,ZHIL9 COGITAT$1 0,IT IS V]Y TRUE3 ! OLD LADY HAS BE5 GR[+ FEEBLE2 MAYBE ,I %ALL NOT HAVE A *ANCE TO SEE H] AGA94 ,LET US GO1 & IF ! BRIDE IS PRETTY--!N ,I MI<T M>RY40 

,HE W5T TO HIS COLONEL1 GOT HIS LEAVE ( ABS5CE1 TOOK HIS F>EWELL ( HIS COMRADES1 GAVE ! SOLDI]S ( HIS COMM& N9E GALLONS.<#i#e.> ( VODKA AS A F>EWELL TREAT1 & MADE HIS >RANGEM5TS TO DEP>T4 

,!RE WAS W> AT ?AT TIME 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,! ROADS W]E NOT OP5 = TRAVEL EI!R BY DAY OR NI<T4 ,IF ANY ( ! ,RUSSIANS RODE OR WALK$ \TSIDE ( ! =TRESS1 ! ,TAT>S W]E LIKELY EI!R TO KILL HIM OR  
.<#c#i.>C>RY HIM (F TO ! M\NTA9S4 ,& IT WAS >RANG$ ?AT TWICE A WEEK AN ESCORT ( SOLDI]S %\LD GO FROM =TRESS TO =TRESS4 ,9 FRONT & BEH9D M>*$ ! SOLDI]S1 & ! TRAVEL]S RODE 9 ! MIDDLE4 

,IT WAS N[ SUMM]-TIME4 ,AT SUNRISE ! BAGGAGE-TRA9 WAS MADE UP BEH9D ! =TIFICATION2 ! GU>D ( SOLDI]Y M>*$ AHEAD1 & ! PROCESSION MOV$ ALONG ! ROAD4 

,ZHIL9 WAS ON HORSEBACK1 & HIS EFFECTS W]E ON A C>T ?AT =M$ P>T ( ! TRA94 

,!Y HAD TW5TY-FIVE V]/S.<#i#f.> TO TRAVEL4 ,! TRA9 M>*$ SL[LY2 SOMETIMES ! SOLDI]S HALT$2 SOMETIMES A WAGON-:EEL CAME (F1 OR A HORSE BALK$1 & ALL HAD TO /OP & WAIT4 

,! SUN WAS ALREADY PA/ ! Z5I?1 BUT ! TRA9 HAD ONLY GONE HALF WAY1 SO GREAT W]E ! DU/ & HEAT4 ,! SUN WAS BAK+ HOT1 & NO:]E WAS !RE %ELT]4 ,A BALD /EPPE2 NOT A TREE OR A %RUB ON ! ROAD4 

,ZHIL9 RODE ON AHEAD1 OCCASIONALLY /OPP+ & WAIT+ TILL ! TRA9 CAU<T UP ) HIM4 ,HE W\LD LI/51 & HE> ! SIGNAL ON ! HORN TO HALT AGA94 ,& ,ZHIL9 ?\<T1 0,W\LD ,I BETT] GO ON ALONE )\T ! SOLDI]S8 ,I HAVE A GOOD HORSE UND] ME2 IF ,I FALL 9 ) ! ,TAT>S1 ,I CAN ESCAPE4 ,OR %ALL ,I WAIT80 

,HE KEPT /OPP+ & POND]+4 ,& JU/ !N ANO!R (FIC]1 ALSO ON HORSEBACK1 RODE UP TO HIM2 HIS NAME WAS ,KO/UIL91 & HE HAD A MUSKET4 

,HE SAID1 0,ZHIL91 LET US RIDE ON AHEAD TOGE!R4 ,I AM SO HUNGRY ?AT ,I CANNOT /& IT ANY LONG]1 & ! HEAT TOO1--Y\ C\LD WR+ MY %IRT \T60 ,KO/UIL9 WAS A HEAVY1 /\T1 RUDDY MAN1 & ! SWEAT WAS DRIPP+ FROM HIM4 

.<#c#a.> 

,ZHIL9 REFLECT$1 & SAID1 0,& Y\R MUSKET IS LOAD$80 

0,IT IS40 

0,ALL RI<T1 LET US GO4 ,ONLY ONE CONDITION3 NOT TO SEP>ATE40 

,& !Y />T$ ON UP ! ROAD4 ,!Y RODE ALONG ! /EPPE1 TALK+ & LOOK+ ON EA* SIDE4 ,!RE WAS A WIDE SWEEP ( VIEW4 ,AS SOON AS ! /EPPE CAME TO AN 5D1 ! ROAD W5T 9TO A PASS BETWE5 TWO M\NTA9S4 

,& ,ZHIL9 SAID1 0,I MU/ RIDE UP ON ?AT M\NTA91 & RECONNOIT]1 O!RWISE Y\ SEE !Y MI<T COME D[N FROM ! M\NTA9 & SURPRISE US40 

,BUT ,KO/UIL9 SAID1 0,:AT IS !RE TO RECONNOIT]8 ,LET US GO AHEAD40 

,ZHIL9 DID NOT HE$ HIM4 

0,NO10 SAYS HE1 0Y\ WAIT = ME H]E BEL[4 ,I'LL JU/ GLANCE >\ND40 

,& HE SPURR$ HIS HORSE UP ! M\NTA9 TO ! LEFT4 

,! HORSE ?AT ,ZHIL9 RODE WAS A HUNT]2 HE HAD B\<T HIM \T ( A DROVE ( COLTS1 PAY+ A HUNDR$ RUBLES = HIM1 & HE HAD HIMSELF TRA9$ HIM4 ,HE BORE HIM UP ! /EEP SLOPE AS ON W+S4 ,HE HAD H>DLY REA*$ ! SUMMIT :5 BE=E HIM LESS ?AN SEV5 HUNDR$ FEET DI/ANT M\NT$ ,TAT>S W]E /&+1--?IRTY M54 

,HE SAW !M1 & />T$ TO TURN BACK1 BUT ! ,TAT>S HAD CAU<T SI<T ( HIM2 !Y SET \T 9 PURSUIT ( HIM1 UN/RAPP+ !IR WEAPONS AS !Y GALLOP4 ,ZHIL9 DA%ES D[N ! PRECIPICE ) ALL ! SPE$ ( HIS HORSE1 & CRIES TO ,KO/UIL91 0,FIRE Y\R GUN60 & TO HIS HORSE HE SAYS1 ?\< NOT AL\D1 0,LITTLE MO!R1 C>RY ME SAFELY1 DON'T /UMBLE2 IF Y\ TRIP1 ,I AM LO/4.<#c#a#a.> ,IF WE GET BACK TO ! GUN1 WE WON'T FALL 9TO !IR H&S40 

,BUT ,KO/UIL91 9/EAD ( WAIT+ = HIM1 AS SOON AS HE SAW ! ,TAT>S1 GALLOP$ ON ) ALL HIS MI<T T[>D ! =TRESS4 ,) HIS :IP HE BELABOR$ HIS HORSE1 FIR/ ON ONE SIDE1 !N ON ! O!R2 ALL ?AT C\LD BE SE5 ?R\< ! DU/1 WAS ! HORSE SWIT*+ H] TAIL4 

,ZHIL9 SAW ?AT HIS CASE WAS DESP]ATE4 ,! GUN WAS GONE2 NO?+ WAS TO BE DONE ) A SAB] ALONE4 ,HE TURN$ HIS HORSE BACK T[>D ! TRA92 HE ?\<T HE MI<T ESCAPE ?AT WAY4 

,BUT 9 FRONT ( HIM1 HE SEES ?AT SIX >E GALLOP+ D[N ! /EEP4 ,HIS HORSE IS GOOD1 BUT !IRS >E BETT]2 & BESIDES1 !Y HAVE GOT ! />T ( HIM4 ,HE />T$ TO :EEL AB\T1 & WAS GO+ TO DA% AHEAD AGA91 BUT HIS HORSE HAD GOT MOM5TUM1 & C\LD NOT BE HELD BACK2 HE FLEW /RAI<T D[N T[>D !M4 

,HE SEES A R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> APPROA*+ HIM ON A GRAY M>E4 ,HE IS GA9+ ON HIM2 HE GNA%ES HIS TEE?2 HE IS GETT+ HIS GUN READY4 

0,WELL10 ?9KS ,ZHIL91 0,I KN[ Y\ DEVILS2 IF Y\ %\LD TAKE ME PRISON]1 Y\ W\LD PUT ME 9 A HOLE1 & FLOG ME ) A :IP4 ,I WON'T GIVE MYSELF UP ALIVE40 

,N[1 ,ZHIL9 WAS NOT ( GREAT SIZE1 BUT HE WAS AN UHLAN4 ,HE DREW HIS SAB]1 SPURR$ HIS HORSE /RAI<T AT ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT>4 ,HE SAYS TO HIMSELF1 0,EI!R ,I WILL CRU% HIM ) MY HORSE1 OR ,I WILL HACK HIM D[N ) MY SAB]40 

,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 DID NOT REA* ! PLACE ON HORSEBACK2 SUDD5LY BEH9D HIM1 GUN-%OTS W]E FIR$ AT ! HORSE4 ,! HORSE FELL HEADLONG1 & P9N$ ,ZHIL9'S LEG TO ! GR\ND4.<#c#a#b.> 

,HE TRI$ TO >ISE2 BUT ALREADY ILL-SMELL+ ,TAT>S W]E SITT+ ON HIM1 & P9ION+ HIS H&S BEH9D HIS BACK4 

,HE BUR/ FROM !M1 KNOCK+ ! ,TAT>S OV]2 BUT ?REE O!RS HAD DISM\NT$ FROM !IR HORSES1 & BEGAN TO BEAT HIM ON ! HEAD ) !IR GUN-/OCKS4 

,HIS SI<T FAIL$ HIM1 & HE /AGG]$4 

,! ,TAT>S SEIZ$ HIM1 TOOK FROM !IR SADDLES EXTRA SADDLE-GIR?S1 B5T HIS >MS BEH9D HIS BACK1 FA/5$ !M ) A ,TAT> KNOT1 & LIFT$ HIM UP4 

,!Y TOOK HIS SAB] FROM HIM1 PULL$ (F HIS BOOTS1 MADE A ?OR\< SE>* ( HIM1 PULL$ \T HIS MONEY & HIS WAT*1 TORE HIS CLO!S ALL TO PIECES4 

,ZHIL9 GLANC$ AT HIS HORSE4 ,! POOR BEA/ LAY AS HE HAD FALL51 ON HIS SIDE1 & WAS KICK+1 VA9LY TRY+ TO RISE4 ,9 HIS HEAD WAS A HOLE1 & FROM ! HOLE ! BLACK BLOOD WAS P\R+2 ! DU/ = AN >%9 >\ND WAS WET ) IT4 

,A ,TAT> W5T TO ! HORSE TO REMOVE ! SADDLE4 ,HE WAS /ILL KICK+1 SO ! MAN TOOK \T HIS DAGG]1 & CUT HIS ?ROAT4 ,! ?ROAT GAVE A :I/L+ S\ND1 A TREMBL+ RAN OV] ! BODY1 & ALL WAS OV]4 

,! ,TAT>S TOOK (F ! SADDLE & ! O!R TRAPP+S4 ,! ONE ) ! R$ BE>D M\NT$ HIS HORSE1 & ! O!RS LIFT$ ,ZHIL9 BEH9D HIM TO KEEP HIM FROM FALL+2 !Y FA/5$ HIM ) ! RE9S TO ! ,TAT>'S BELT1 & ?US !Y C>RI$ HIM (F TO ! M\NTA9S4 

,ZHIL9 SAT BEH9D1 SWAY+ & BUMP+ HIS FACE AGA9/ ! /9K+ ,TAT>'S BACK4 

,ALL ?AT HE C\LD SEE BE=E HIM WAS ! HEAL?Y ,TAT> BACK1 & ! S9EWY NECK1 & A SMOO?-%AV5 NAPE1 %[+ BLUE B5EA? ! CAP4 

,ZHIL9'S HEAD A*$2 ! BLOOD TRICKL$ 9TO HIS.<#c#a#c.> EYES4 ,& IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO GET A MORE COM=TABLE POSITION ON ! HORSE1 OR WIPE AWAY ! BLOOD4 ,HIS >MS W]E SO TI<TLY B\ND ?AT HIS COLL>-BONES A*$4 ,!Y RODE LONG FROM M\NTA9 TO M\NTA92 !Y =D$ A RIV]2 !N !Y 5T]$ A HI<WAY1 & RODE ALONG A VALLEY4 ,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO FOLL[ ! R\TE ?AT !Y TOOK HIM2 BUT HIS EYES W]E GLU$ TOGE!R ) BLOOD1 & IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO TURN R\ND4 

,IT BEGAN TO GR[ D>K2 !Y CROSS$ /ILL ANO!R RIV]1 & BEGAN TO CLIMB A ROCKY M\NTA94 ,!RE WAS AN ODOR ( SMOKE4 ,! B>K+ ( DOGS WAS HE>D4 

,!Y HAD REA*$ AN AUL4.<#i#g.> 

,! ,TAT>S DISM\NT$4 ,! ,TAT> *ILDR5 CAME RUNN+ UP1 & SURR\ND$ ,ZHIL91 :I/L+ & EXULT+4 ,F9ALLY !Y BEGAN TO FL+ /ONES AT HIM4 

,! ,TAT> DROVE AWAY ! *ILDR51 LIFT$ ,ZHIL9 FROM ! HORSE1 & CALL$ A S]VANT4 

,A ,NOGAI1 ) PROM95T *EEK-BONES1 CAME AT ! CALL4 ,HE WORE ONLY A %IRT4 ,! %IRT WAS TORN2 HIS :OLE BREA/ WAS B>E4 ,! ,TAT> SAID SOME?+ TO HIM4 ,! S]VANT BR\<T A FOOT-/OCK4 ,IT CONSI/$ ( TWO OAK5 BLOCKS PROVID$ ) IRON R+S1 & 9 ONE ( ! R+S WAS A CLAMP ) A LOCK4 ,!Y UNFA/5$ ,ZHIL9'S >MS1 PUT ON ! /OCK1 & TOOK HIM TO A B>N1 PU%$ HIM 91 & %UT ! DOOR4 

,ZHIL9 FELL ON ! MANURE4 ,AS HE LAY !RE1 HE FELT R\ND 9 ! D>KNESS1 & :5 HE HAD F\ND A PLACE ?AT WAS LESS F\L1 HE /RET*$ HIMSELF \T4 

.<#c#a#d.> 

,I,I4 

,ZHIL9 SC>CELY SLEPT ?AT NI<T4 ,! NI<TS W]E %ORT4 ,HE SAW ?R\< A CRACK ?AT IT WAS GR[+ LI<T4 ,ZHIL9 GOT UP1 WID5$ ! CRACK1 & MANAG$ TO LOOK \T4 

,?R\< ! CRACK HE C\LD SEE A ROAD LEAD+ D[N FROM ! M\NTA92 AT ! RI<T1 A ,TAT> SAKLIA.<#i#h.> ) TWO TREES NE> IT4 ,A BLACK DOG WAS LY+ ON ! ROAD2 A %E-GOAT ) H] KIDS WAS WALK+ BY1 ALL ( !M %AK+ !IR TAILS4 

,HE SAW COM+ D[N ! M\NTA9 A Y\NG ,TAT> GIRL 9 A V>IEGAT$ %IRT1 UNGIRDL$1 9 PANTALETTES & BOOTS2 H] HEAD WAS COV]$ ) A CAFTAN1 & ON IT %E BORE A GREAT T9 WAT]-JUG4 

,%E WALK$ ALONG1 SWAY+ & B5D+ H] BACK1 & HOLD+ BY ! H& A LITTLE ,TAT> UR*91 ) %AV5 HEAD1 :O WORE A S+LE %IRT4 

,AFT] ! ,TAT> MAID5 HAD PASS$ ) H] WAT]-JUG1 ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> ( ! EV5+ BE=E CAME \T1 WE>+ A SILK BE%MET1 A SILV] DAGG] 9 HIS BELT1 & S&ALS ON HIS B>E FEET4 ,ON HIS HEAD WAS A HI< CAP ( %EEP-SK91 DY$ BLACK1 & ) ! PO9T HANG+ D[N4 ,HE CAME \T1 /RET*$ HIMSELF1 /ROK$ HIS R$ BE>D4 ,HE PAUS$1 GAVE SOME ORD] TO ! S]VANT1 & W5T (F SOME:]E4 

,!N TWO *ILDR5 ON HORSEBACK CAME ALONG ON !IR WAY TO ! WAT]+-TR\<4 ,! H9D-QU>T]S ( ! HORSES W]E WET4 

.<#c#a#e.> 

,O!R %AV5-HEAD$ Y\NG/]S1 ) NO?+ BUT %IRTS ON1 & NO?+ ON !IR LEGS1 =M$ A LITTLE B&1 & CAME TO ! B>N2 !Y GOT A DRY /ICK1 & /UCK IT ?R\< ! CRACK4 

,ZHIL9 GR[L$ 0UKH0 AT !M4 ,! *ILDR5 BEGAN TO CRY1 & SCATT] 9 EV]Y DIRECTION AS FA/ AS !IR LEGS W\LD C>RY !M2 ONLY !IR B>E KNEES GLI/5$4 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO BE ?IR/Y2 HIS ?ROAT WAS P>*$4 ,HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 0,I WOND] IF !Y WON'T COME TO LOOK AFT] ME80 

,SUDD5LY ! B>N-DOORS >E ?R[N OP54 

,! R$ ,TAT> CAME 91 & ) HIM ANO!R1 ( SLI<T] /ATURE & ( D>K COMPLEXION4 ,HIS EYES W]E BRI<T & BLACK1 HIS *EEKS RUDDY1 HIS LITTLE BE>D WELL TRIMM$1 HIS FACE JOLLY & ALWAYS 5LIV5$ ) A GR94 

,! D>K MAN'S CLO?+ WAS /ILL RI*]3 A SILK BE%MET ( BLUE SILK1 EMBROID]$ ) GOLD LACE4 ,9 HIS BELT1 A GREAT SILV] DAGG]2 H&SOME MOROCCO SLIPP]S EMBROID]$ ) SILV]1 & OV] ! F9E SLIPP]S HE WORE A L>G] PAIR ( /\T ONES4 ,HIS CAP WAS TALL1 ( :ITE LAMB'S WOOL4 

,! R$ ,TAT> CAME 91 MUTT]$ SOME?+1 GAVE V5T TO SOME ABUSIVE LANGUAGE1 & !N /OOD LEAN+ AGA9/ ! WALL1 F+]+ HIS DAGG]1 & SC[L+ UND] HIS BR[S AT ,ZHIL91 LIKE A WOLF4 

,BUT ! D>K ,TAT>1 N]V\S & ACTIVE1 & ALWAYS ON ! GO1 AS ?\< HE W]E MADE ( SPR+S1 CAME /RAI<T UP TO ,ZHIL91 SQUATT$ D[N ON HIS HEELS1 %[$ HIS TEE?1 TAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 BEGAN TO GABBLE SOME?+ 9 HIS [N LANGUAGE1 W9K$ HIS EYES1 &1 CLUCK+ HIS TONGUE1 KEPT SAY+1 0,A F9E ,RUSS1 A F9E ,RUSS60.<#i#i.> 

.<#c#a#f.> 

,ZHIL9 DID NOT UND]/& HIM1 & SAID1 0,DR9K2 GIVE ME SOME WAT]40 

,! D>K ONE GR9N$4 

0,A F9E ,RUSS60 & ALL ! TIME HE KEPT BABBL+4 

,ZHIL9 SIGNIFI$ BY HIS H&S & LIPS ?AT !Y %\LD GIVE HIM WAT]4 

,! D>K ONE UND]/OOD1 GR9N$1 PUT HIS HEAD \T ( ! DOOR1 & CRI$1 0,D9A60 

,A Y\NG GIRL CAME RUNN+ 91--A SL5D]1 LEAN CREATURE ( ?IRTE51 ) A FACE LIKE ! D>K MAN'S4 ,EVID5TLY %E WAS HIS DAU<T]4 

,%E WAS DRESS$ 9 A LONG BLUE %IRT ) WIDE SLEEVES & )\T A BELT4 ,ON ! BOTTOM1 ON ! BREA/1 & ON ! CUFFS IT WAS RELIEV$ ) R$ TRIMM+S4 ,%E WORE ON H] LEGS PANTALETTES & SLIPP]S1 & OV] ! SLIPP]S ANO!R PAIR ) HI< HEELS4 ,ON H] NECK WAS A NECKLACE :OLLY COMPOS$ ( HALF-RUBLE PIECES4 ,H] HEAD WAS UNCOV]$2 %E HAD H] HAIR 9 A BLACK BRAID1 & ON ! BRAID WAS A RIBBON1 & TO ! RIBBON W]E ATTA*$ V>I\S ORNAM5TS & A SILV] RUBLE4 

,H] FA!R GAVE H] SOME COMM&4 ,%E RAN \T1 & QUICKLY RETURN$1 BR++ A LITTLE T9 PIT*]4 ,AFT] %E HAD H&$ HIM ! WAT]1 %E ALSO SQUATT$ ON H] HEELS 9 SU* A WAY ?AT H] KNEES W]E HI<] ?AN H] %\LD]S4 

,%E SITS ?AT WAY1 & OP5S H] EYES1 & />ES AT ,ZHIL9 :ILE HE DR9KS1 AS ?\< HE W]E SOME WILD BEA/4 

,ZHIL9 (F]$ TO RETURN ! PIT*] TO H]4 ,%E D>T$ AWAY LIKE A WILD GOAT4 ,EV5 H] FA!R LAU<$4 

,HE S5T H] AFT] SOME?+ ELSE4 ,%E TOOK ! PIT*]1 RAN \T1 & BR\<T BACK SOME UNLEAV5$.<#c#a#g.> BREAD ON A SMALL R\ND BO>D1 & AGA9 SQUATT$ D[N1 & />$ )\T TAK+ H] EYES FROM HIM4 

,! ,TAT>S W5T \T1 & AGA9 BOLT$ ! DOOR4 

,AFT] A :ILE ! ,NOGAI ALSO COMES TO ,ZHIL91 & SAYS1 0,AI-DA1 KHOZYA91 AI-DA60 

,BUT HE DOES NOT KN[ ,RUSSIAN EI!R4 ,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 P]CEIV$ ?AT HE WI%$ HIM TO GO SOME:]E4 

,ZHIL9 HOBBL$ \T ) HIS CLOG2 IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK1 SO HE HAD TO DRAG ONE LEG4 ,! ,NOGAI L$ ! WAY = HIM4 

,HE SEES BE=E HIM A ,TAT> VILLAGE1 ( HALF A SCORE ( H\SES1 & ! NATIVE MOSQUE ) ITS M9>ET4 

,9 FRONT ( ONE H\SE /OOD ?REE HORSES SADDL$4 ,LADS HELD !M BY ! BRIDLE4 ,FROM ?IS H\SE CAME ! D>K ,TAT>1 & WAV$ HIS H&1 SIGNIFY+ ?AT ,ZHIL9 WAS TO COME TO HIM4 ,HE GR9N$1 & KEPT SAY+ SOME?+ 9 HIS [N TONGUE1 & W5T 9TO ! H\SE4 

,ZHIL9 FOLL[$ HIM4 

,! ROOM WAS DEC5T2 ! WALLS W]E SMOO?LY PLA/]$ ) CLAY4 ,AGA9/ ! FRONT WALL W]E PLAC$ FEA!R-B$S2 ON ! SIDES HUNG CO/LY RUGS2 ON ! RUGS W]E GUNS1 PI/OLS1 & SAB]S1 ALL SILV]-M\NT$4 

,ON ONE SIDE A LITTLE OV5 WAS SET 91 ON A LEVEL ) ! FLOOR4 

,! FLOOR WAS ( E>?1 CLEAN AS A ?RE%+-FLOOR1 & ! :OLE ( ! FRONT PORTION WAS COV]$ ) FELT2 RUGS W]E DI/RIBUT$ OV] ! FELT1 & ON ! RUGS W]E D[N PILL[S4 

,ON ! RUGS W]E SITT+ SOME ,TAT>S 9 SLIPP]S ONLY1--! D>K ,TAT>1 ! R$-BE>D$ ONE1 & ?REE GUE/S4 ,BEH9D !IR BACKS1 D[N CU%IONS W]E PLAC$2 & BE=E !M ON WOOD5 PLATES W]E PANCAKES ( MILLET-FL\R1 & MELT$ BUTT] 9 A CUP1 &.<#c#a#h.> ! ,TAT> BE]1 CALL$ BUZA1 9 A PIT*]4 ,!Y ATE ) !IR F+]S1 & ALL DIPP$ 9TO ! BUTT]4 

,! D>K MAN LEAP$ UP1 BADE ,ZHIL9 SIT ON ONE SIDE1 NOT ON A RUG BUT ON ! B>E FLOOR2 GO+ BACK AGA9 TO HIS RUG1 HE H&$ HIS GUE/S CAKES &  
BUZA4 

,! S]VANT %[$ ,ZHIL9 HIS PLACE2 HE HIMSELF TOOK (F HIS %OES1 PLAC$ !M BY ! DOOR 9 A R[ ) ! SLIPP]S ( ! O!R GUE/S1 & TOOK HIS SEAT ON ! FELT AS NE> AS POSSIBLE TO HIS MA/]S2 & :ILE !Y EAT HE LOOKS AT !M1 & HIS M\? WAT]S4 

,AFT] ! ,TAT>S HAD F9I%$ EAT+1 A ,TAT> WOMAN 5T]$1 DRESS$ 9 ! SAME SORT ( %IRT AS ! GIRL WORE1 & 9 PANTALETTES2 H] HEAD WAS COV]$ ) A H&K]*IEF4 ,%E C>RI$ \T ! BUTT] & ! CAKES1 & BR\<T A H&SOME F+]-B[L1 & A PIT*] ) A N>R[ NOSE4 

,! ,TAT>S F9I%$ WA%+ !IR H&S1 !N !Y FOLD$ !IR >MS1 KNELT D[N1 & PUFF$ ON ALL SIDES1 & SAID !IR PRAY]S4 ,!Y TALK$ 9 !IR [N TONGUE4 

,!N ONE ( ! GUE/S1 A ,TAT>1 APPROA*$ ,ZHIL91 & BEGAN TO SPEAK TO HIM 9 ,RUSSIAN4 0,KAZI ,MUHAMET MADE Y\ PRISON]10 SAID HE1 PO9T+ TO ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT>2 0& HE HAS GIV5 Y\ TO ,ABDUL ,MURAT10 9DICAT+ ! D>K ONE4 0,ABDUL ,MURAT IS N[ Y\R MA/]40.<#a.> 

,ZHIL9 SAID NO?+4 

,ABDUL ,MURAT BEGAN TO TALK1 ALL ! TIME PO9T+ T[>D ,ZHIL91 & GR9N$ AS HE TALK$-3 0SOLDAT ,URUS1 KORO%O ,URUS40 

,! 9T]PRET] W5T ON TO SAY1 0,HE COMM&S Y\ TO WRITE A LETT] HOME1 & HAVE !M S5D MONEY .<#c#a#i.>TO RANSOM Y\4 ,AS SOON AS MONEY IS S5T1 HE WILL SET Y\ FREE40 

,ZHIL9 POND]$ A LITTLE1 & !N SAID1 0,DOES HE WI% A L>GE RANSOM80 

,! ,TAT>S TOOK C\NSEL TOGE!R1 & !N ! 9T]PRET] SAID1-- 

0,?REE ?\S& SILV] RUBLES40 

0,NO10 REPLI$ ,ZHIL91 0,I CAN'T PAY ?AT40 

,ABDUL LEAP$ UP1 BEGAN TO GE/ICULATE & TALK TO ,ZHIL92 HE SEEM$ ALL ! TIME TO ?9K ?AT ,ZHIL9 UND]/OOD HIM4 

,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ HIS WORDS4 0,HE MEANS10 SAYS HE1 0H[ MU* WILL Y\ GIVE80 

,ZHIL9 AFT] POND]+ A LITTLE SAID1 0,FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES40 

,!N ! ,TAT>S ALL BEGAN TO TALK AT ONCE4 ,ABDUL BEGAN TO SCREAM AT ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT>4 ,HE GREW SO EXCIT$ AS HE TALK$1 ?AT ! SPITTLE FLEW FROM HIS M\?4 

,BUT ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> ONLY FR[N$1 & CLUCK$ ) HIS TONGUE4 

,:5 ALL BECAME SIL5T AGA91 ! 9T]PRET] SAID1 0,FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES IS NOT 5\< TO BUY Y\ ( Y\R MA/]4 ,HE HIMSELF HAS PAID TWO HUNDR$ = Y\4 ,KAZI ,MUHAMET WAS 9 DEBT TO HIM4 ,HE TOOK Y\ = ! DEBT4 ,?REE ?\S& RUBLES2 IT IS NO USE TO S5D LESS4 ,BUT IF Y\ DON'T WRITE1 !Y WILL PUT Y\ 9 A HOLE1 & FLOG Y\ ) A :IP40 

0,EKH60 ?9KS ,ZHIL91 0! MORE C[>DLY ONE IS1 ! WORSE IT IS = HIM40 ,HE LEAP$ TO HIS FEET1 & SAID1-- 

0,N[ Y\ TELL HIM1 DOG ?AT HE IS1 ?AT IF HE ?9KS HE IS GO+ TO FRI<T5 ME1 !N ,I WILL NOT GIVE HIM A S+LE KOPECK NOR WILL ,I WRITE4 ,I AM NOT AFRAID ( Y\1.<#c#b.> & Y\ WILL NEV] MAKE ME AFRAID ( Y\1 Y\ DOG60 ,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ ?IS1 & AGA9 !Y ALL BEGAN TO TALK AT ONCE4 

,!Y GABBL$ A LONG TIME1 !N ! D>K ONE GOT UP & CAME TO ,ZHIL94 

0,URUS10 SAYS HE1 0JIGIT1 JIGIT ,URUS60 

,! WORD JIGIT AMONG !M SIGNIFIES A BRAVE Y\NG MAN4 ,& HE GR9N$1 SAID SOME?+ TO ! 9T]PRET]1 & ! 9T]PRET] SAID1 0,GIVE A ?\S& RUBLES40 ,ZHIL9 W\LD NOT GIVE 94 0,I WILL NOT PAY MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$4 ,BUT IF Y\ KILL ME1 Y\ WILL GET NO?+ AT ALL40 

,! ,TAT>S CONSULT$ TOGE!R1 S5T \T ! S]VANT1 & !Y !MSELVES LOOK$ FIR/ AT ! DOOR1 !N AT ,ZHIL94 

,! S]VANT RETURN$1 FOLL[$ BY A RA!R /\T MAN 9 B>E FEET & ALMO/ /RIPP$4 ,HIS FEET ALSO W]E 9 /OCKS4 

,ZHIL9 MADE AN EXCLAMATION3 HE RECOGNIZ$ ,KO/UIL94 

,& !Y BR\<T HIM 91 & PLAC$ HIM NEXT HIS COMRADE2 ! TWO BEGAN TO TALK TOGE!R1 & ! ,TAT>S LOOK$ ON & LI/5$ 9 SIL5CE4 

,ZHIL9 TOLD H[ IT HAD GONE ) HIM2 ,KO/UIL9 TOLD H[ HIS HORSE HAD /OOD /OCK /ILL1 & HIS GUN HAD MISS$ FIRE1 & ?AT ?IS SAME ,ABDUL HAD OV]TAK5 HIM & CAPTUR$ HIM4 

,ABDUL LI/5$1 PO9T$ TO ,KO/UIL91 & MUTT]$ SOME?+4 ,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ HIS WORDS TO MEAN ?AT !Y N[ BO? BELONG$ TO ! SAME MA/]1 & ?AT ! ONE :O PAID ! RANSOM FIR/ W\LD BE FRE$ FIR/4 0,N[10 SAYS HE TO ,ZHIL91 0Y\ LOSE Y\R TEMP] SO EASILY1 BUT Y\R COMRADE IS CALM2 HE HAS WRITT5 A LETT] HOME2 !Y WILL S5D FIVE ?\S&.<#c#b#a.> SILV] RUBLES4 ,& SO HE WILL BE WELL F$1 & HE WON'T BE HURT40 

,& ,ZHIL9 SAID1 0,LET MY COMRADE DO AS HE PLEASES4 ,MAYBE HE IS RI*4 ,BUT ,I AM NOT RI*2 ,I WILL DO AS ,I HAVE ALREADY TOLD Y\4 ,KILL ME IF Y\ WI%1 BUT IT W\LD NOT DO Y\ ANY GOOD1 & ,I WILL NOT PAY Y\ MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES40 

,!Y W]E SIL5T4 

,SUDD5LY ,ABDUL LEAP$ UP1 BR\<T A LITTLE *E/1 TOOK \T A P51 A %EET ( PAP]1 & 9K1 & PU%$ !M 9TO ,ZHIL9'S H&S1 !N TAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 & SAID BY SIGNS1 0,WRITE40 ,HE HAD AGRE$ TO TAKE ! FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4 

0,WAIT A MOM5T10 SAID ,ZHIL9 TO ! 9T]PRET]4 0,TELL HIM ?AT HE MU/ FE$ US WELL1 CLO! US1 & GIVE US GOOD DEC5T FOOT-WE>1 & LET US /AY TOGE!R4 ,WE WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME4 ,& LA/LY1 ?AT HE TAKE (F !SE CLOGS40 

,HE LOOK$ AT HIS ,TAT> MA/]1 & SMIL$4 ,! MA/] ALSO SMIL$1 & :5 HE LE>N$ :AT WAS WANT$1 SAID1-- 

0,I WILL GIVE Y\ ! V]Y BE/ CLO!S3 A *]KESKA.<#a#a.> & BOOTS1 FIT = A W$D+4 ,& ,I WILL FE$ Y\ LIKE PR9CES4 ,& IF Y\ WANT TO LIVE TOGE!R1 :Y1 Y\ CAN LIVE 9 ! B>N4 ,BUT IT WON'T DO TO TAKE AWAY ! CLOGS3 Y\ W\LD RUN AWAY4 ,ONLY AT NI<T WILL ,I HAVE !M TAK5 (F40 ,!N HE JUMP$ UP1 TAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]3 0,Y\ GOOD1 ME GOOD40 

,ZHIL9 WROTE HIS LETT]1 BUT HE PUT ON IT ! WRONG ADDRESS SO ?AT IT MI<T NEV] REA* ITS DE/9ATION4 ,HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 0,I %ALL RUN AWAY40 

,!Y TOOK ,ZHIL9 & ,KO/UIL9 TO ! B>N1 /REW$ CORN-/ALKS1 GAVE !M WAT] 9 A PIT*]1 & BREAD1 .<#c#b#b.>TWO OLD *]KESKI1 & SOME WORN-\T MILIT>Y BOOTS4 ,IT WAS EVID5T ?AT !Y HAD BE5 /OL5 FROM SOME DEAD SOLDI]4 ,:5 NI<T CAME !Y TOOK (F !IR CLOGS1 & LOCK$ !M UP 9 ! B>N4.<#c#b#c.> 

,I,I,I4 

,?US ,ZHIL9 & HIS COMRADE LIV$ A :OLE MON?4 ,!IR MA/] WAS ALWAYS ON ! GR94 

0,Y\1 ,IVAN1 GOOD--ME1 ,ABDUL1 GOOD40 

,BUT HE GAVE !M WRET*$ FOOD2 UNLEAV5$ BREAD MADE ( MILLET-FL\R1 COOK$ 9 ! =M ( CAKES1 BUT (T5 NOT HEAT$ ?R\<4 

,KO/UIL9 WROTE HOME AGA91 & WAS ANXI\SLY AWAIT+ ! >RIVAL ( ! MONEY1 & LO/ HIS SPIRITS4 ,:OLE DAYS AT A TIME1 HE SAT 9 ! B>N1 & C\NT$ ! DAYS TILL HIS MONEY %\LD >RIVE1 OR ELSE HE SLEPT4 

,BUT ,ZHIL9 HAD NO EXPECTATION ?AT HIS LETT] W\LD REA* ITS DE/9ATION1 & HE DID NOT WRITE ANO!R4 

0,:]E10 HE ASK$ HIMSELF1--0:]E W\LD MY MO!R GET ! MONEY = MY RANSOM8 ,& BESIDES1 %E LIV$ = ! MO/ P>T ON :AT ,I US$ TO S5D H]4 ,IF %E MADE \T TO RAISE FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES1 %E W\LD BE 9 WANT TILL ! 5D ( H] DAYS4 ,IF ,GOD WILLS IT1 ,I MAY ESCAPE40 

,& ALL ! TIME HE KEPT HIS EYES OP51 & MADE PLANS TO ELUDE HIS CAPTORS4 

,HE WALK$ AB\T ! AUL2 HE AMUS$ HIMSELF BY :I/L+2 OR ELSE HE SAT D[N & FA%ION$ ?+S1 EI!R MODEL+ DOLLS \T ( CLAY OR PLAIT+ BASKETS ( OSI]S1 = ,ZHIL9 WAS A MA/] AT ALL SORTS ( H&IWORK4 

,ONE TIME HE HAD MADE A DOLL ) NOSE1 & H&S & FEET1 & DRESS$ 9 A ,TAT> %IRT1 & HE SET !.<#c#b#d.> DOLL ON ! RO(4 ,! ,TAT> WOM5 W]E GO+ = WAT]4 ,D9A1 ! MA/]'S DAU<T]1 CAU<T SI<T ( ! DOLL4 ,%E CALL$ ! ,TAT> GIRLS4 ,!Y SET D[N !IR JUGS1 & LOOK$ & LAU<$4 

,ZHIL9 TOOK ! DOLL1 & (F]$ IT TO !M4 ,!Y KEEP LAU<+1 BUT DON'T D>E TO TAKE IT4 

,HE LEFT ! DOLL1 W5T TO ! B>N1 & WAT*$ :AT W\LD TAKE PLACE4 

,D9A RAN UP TO ! DOLL1 LOOK$ >\ND1 SEIZ$ ! DOLL1 & FL$4 

,! NEXT MORN+ AT DAWN HE SEES ,D9A COME \T ON ! DOOR/EP ) ! DOLL4 ,& %E HAS ALREADY DRESS$ IT UP 9 R$ RAGS1 & WAS ROCK+ IT LIKE A LITTLE *ILD1 & S++ A LULLABY 9 H] [N LANGUAGE4 

,AN OLD WOMAN CAME \T1 GAVE H] A SCOLD+1 SNAT*$ ! DOLL AWAY1 BROKE IT 9 PIECES1 & S5T ,D9A TO H] WORK4 

,ZHIL9 MADE ANO!R DOLL1 A /ILL BETT] ONE1 & GAVE IT TO ,D9A4 

,ONE TIME ,D9A BR\<T A LITTLE JUG1 PUT IT D[N1 TOOK A SEAT1 & LOOK$ AT HIM4 ,!N %E LAU<$1 & PO9T$ TO ! JUG4 

0,:AT IS %E SO GAY AB\T80 ?9KS ,ZHIL94 

,HE TOOK ! JUG1 & BEGAN TO DR9K4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ?AT IT WAS WAT]1 BUT IT WAS MILK4 

,HE DRANK UP ! MILK4 

0,GOOD10 SAYS HE4 ,H[ DELI<T$ ,D9A WAS6 0,GOOD1 ,IVAN1 GOOD60 

,& %E JUMP$ UP1 CLAPP$ H] H&S1 SNAT*$ ! JUG1 & RAN AWAY4 ,& FROM ?AT TIME %E BEGAN TO BR+ HIM SECRETLY FRE% MILK EV]Y DAY4 

,N[1 SOMETIMES ! ,TAT>S W\LD MAKE *EESECAKES \T ( GOAT'S MILK1 & DRY !M ON !IR RO(S4 ,!N %E US$ TO C>RY SOME ( !SE CAKES SECRETLY TO HIM4.<#c#b#e.> ,& ANO!R TIME1 :5 H] FA!R HAD KILL$ A %EEP1 %E BR\<T HIM A PIECE ( MUTTON 9 H] SLEEVE4 ,%E ?REW IT D[N1 & RAN AWAY4 

,ONE TIME !RE WAS A TREM5D\S %[]1 & = A :OLE H\R ! RA9 P\R$ AS FROM BUCKETS2 & ALL ! BROOKS GREW ROILY4 ,:]EV] !RE HAD BE5 A =D1 ! DEP? ( ! WAT] 9CREAS$ TO SEV5 FEET1 & B\LD]S W]E ROLL$ ALONG BY IT4 ,EV]Y:]E TORR5TS W]E RU%+1 ! M\NTA9S W]E FULL ( ! RO>+4 

,N[1 :5 ! %[] WAS OV]1 /REAMS W]E P\R+ ALL ?R\< ! VILLAGE4 ,ZHIL9 ASK$ HIS MA/] = A KNIFE1 :ITTL$ \T A CYL9D] & SOME PADDLES1 & MADE A WAT]-:EEL1 & FA/5$ MANIK9S AT ! TWO 5DS4 

,! LITTLE GIRLS BR\<T HIM SOME RAGS1 & HE DRESS$ UP ! MANIK9S1 ONE LIKE A MAN1 ! O!R LIKE A WOMAN4 ,HE FA/5$ !M ON1 & PUT ! :EEL 9 A BROOK4 ,! :EEL REVOLV$1 & ! DOLLS DANC$4 

,! :OLE VILLAGE COLLECT$3 ! LITTLE BOYS & ! LITTLE GIRLS1 ! WOM51 & EV5 ! ,TAT>S1 CAME & CLUCK$ ) !IR TONGUES4 0,AI1 ,URUS6 AI1 ,IVAN60 

,ABDUL HAD A ,RUSSIAN WAT*1 :I* HAD BE5 BROK54 ,HE TOOK IT1 & %[$ IT TO ,ZHIL91 & CLUCK$ ) HIS TONGUE4 ,ZHIL9 SAID1-- 

0,LET ME HAVE IT1 ,I WILL FIX IT40 

,HE TOOK IT1 OP5$ ! P5KNIFE1 TOOK IT AP>T4 ,!N HE PUT IT TOGE!R AGA91 & GAVE IT BACK4 ,! WAT* RAN4 

,! ,TAT> WAS DELI<T$1 BR\<T HIM HIS OLD BE%MET :I* WAS ALL 9 RAGS1 & GAVE IT TO HIM4 ,NO?+ ELSE TO BE DONE1--HE TOOK IT1 & US$ IT AS A COV]+ AT NI<T4.<#c#b#f.> 

,FROM ?AT TIME1 ,ZHIL9'S FAME W5T ABROAD1 ?AT HE WAS A 0MA/]40 ,EV5 FROM DI/ANT VILLAGES1 !Y CAME TO HIM4 ,ONE BR\<T HIM A GUN-LOCK OR A PI/OL TO REPAIR1 ANO!R A WAT*4 

,HIS MA/] FURNI%$ HIM ) TOOLS1--A PAIR ( P9C]S & GIMLETS & A LITTLE FILE4 

,ONE TIME A ,TAT> FELL ILL2 !Y CAME TO ,ZHIL93 0,COME CURE HIM60 

,ZHIL9 KNEW NO?+ ( M$IC9E4 ,HE W5T1 LOOK$ AT ! SICK MAN1 SAID TO HIMSELF1 0,P]HAPS HE WILL GET WELL1 ANYWAY40 ,HE W5T 9TO ! B>N1 TOOK WAT] & S&1 & %OOK !M UP TOGE!R4 ,HE :ISP]$ A FEW WORDS TO ! WAT] 9 PRES5CE ( ! ,TAT>S1 & GAVE IT TO ! SICK MAN TO DR9K4 

,=TUNATELY = HIM1 ! ,TAT> GOT WELL4 

,ZHIL9 HAD BY ?IS TIME LE>N$ SOME?+ ( !IR LANGUAGE4 ,& SOME ( ! ,TAT>S BECAME ACCU/OM$ TO HIM2 :5 !Y WANT$ HIM1 !Y CALL$ HIM BY NAME1 0,IVAN1 ,IVAN20 BUT O!RS ALWAYS LOOK$ AT HIM AS ?\< HE WAS A WILD BEA/4 

,! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> DID NOT LIKE ,ZHIL92 :5 HE SAW HIM1 HE SC[L$ & TURN$ AWAY1 OR ELSE 9SULT$ HIM4 

,!RE WAS ANO!R OLD MAN AMONG !M2 HE DID NOT LIVE 9 ! AUL1 BUT CAME D[N FROM ! M\NTA94 ,ZHIL9 NEV] SAW HIM EXCEPT :5 HE CAME TO ! MOSQUE TO PRAY]4 ,HE WAS ( SMALL /ATURE2 ON HIS CAP1 HE WORE A :ITE H&K]*IEF AS AN ORNAM5T4 ,HIS BE>D & MU/A*ES W]E TRIMM$2 !Y W]E :ITE AS WOOL1 & HIS FACE WAS WR9KL$ & BRICK-R$4 ,HIS NOSE WAS HOOK$ LIKE A HAWK'S1 & HIS EYES W]E GRAY & CRUEL1 & HE HAD NO TEE? EXCEPT TWO TUSKS4 

,HE US$ TO COME 9 HIS TURBAN1 LEAN+ ON HIS /AFF1.<#c#b#g.> & GL>E LIKE A WOLF2 :5EV] HE SAW ,ZHIL91 HE W\LD SNORT1 & TURN HIS BACK4 

,ONE TIME ,ZHIL9 W5T TO ! M\NTA9 TO SEE :]E ! OLD MAN LIV$4 ,HE DESC5D$ A N>R[ PA?1 & SEES A LITTLE /ONE-WALL$ G>D54 ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! WALL >E *]RY-TREES1 PEA*-TREES1 & A LITTLE HUT ) A FLAT RO(4 

,HE W5T NE>]2 HE SEES BEE-HIVES MADE ( /RAW1 & BEES FLY+ & HUMM+ >\ND !M4 ,& ! OLD MAN IS ON HIS KNEES BE=E ! HIVES1 HAMM]+ SOME?+4 

,ZHIL9 RAIS$ HIMSELF UP1 SO AS TO GET A BETT] VIEW1 & HIS CLOG MADE A NOISE4 

,! OLD MAN LOOK$ UP1--SQUEAL$2 HE PULL$ HIS PI/OL FROM HIS BELT1 & FIR$ AT ,ZHIL91 :O HAD B>ELY TIME TO HIDE BEH9D ! WALL4 

,! OLD MAN CAME TO MAKE HIS COMPLA9T TO ,ZHIL9'S MA/]4 ,ABDUL CALL$ HIM 91 GR9N$1 & ASK$ HIM3 

0,:Y DID Y\ GO TO ! OLD MAN'S80 

0,I DIDN'T DO HIM ANY H>M4 ,I WANT$ TO SEE H[ HE LIV$40 

,ABDUL EXPLA9$ IT TO ! OLD MAN2 BUT HE WAS ANGRY1 HISS$1 MUMBL$ SOME?+1 %[$ HIS TUSKS1 & ?REAT5$ ,ZHIL9 ) HIS H&S4 

,ZHIL9 DID NOT UND]/& IT ALL2 BUT HE MADE \T ?AT ! OLD MAN WI%$ ,ABDUL TO KILL ! TWO ,RUSSIANS1 & NOT HAVE !M 9 ! AUL4 

,! OLD MAN W5T (F4 

,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO ASK HIS MA/]1 0,:O IS ?AT OLD MAN80 ,& ! MA/] REPLI$1-- 

0,HE IS A GREAT MAN4 ,HE US$ TO BE \R FIR/ JIGIT2 HE HAS KILL$ MANY ,RUSSIANS4 ,HE US$ TO BE RI*4 ,HE HAD ?REE WIVES & EI<T SONS4 ,ALL LIV$ 9 ONE VILLAGE4 ,! ,RUSSIANS CAME1 DE/ROY$ HIS VILLAGE1 &.<#c#b#h.> KILL$ SEV5 ( HIS SONS4 ,ONE SON WAS LEFT1 & SURR5D]$ TO ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,! OLD MAN W5T & GAVE HIMSELF UP TO ! ,RUSSIANS ALSO4 ,HE LIV$ AMONG !M ?REE MON?S1 F\ND HIS SON1 KILL$ HIM ) HIS [N H&1 & ESCAP$4 ,S9CE ?AT TIME HE HAS /OPP$ FI<T+4 ,HE W5T TO ,MECCA TO PRAY TO ,GOD1 & ?AT'S :Y HE WE>S A TURBAN4 ,:OEV] HAS BE5 TO ,MECCA IS CALL$ A  
HAJJI1 & WE>S A *ALMA4 ,BUT HE DOES NOT LOVE Y\ ,RUSSIANS4 ,HE HAS BADE ME KILL Y\1 BUT ,I DON'T 9T5D TO KILL Y\4 ,I HAVE PAID \T MONEY = Y\1 & BESIDES1 ,IVAN1 ,I HAVE COME TO LIKE Y\4 ,& SO F> FROM WI%+ TO KILL Y\1 ,I W\LD RA!R NOT LET Y\ GO FROM ME AT ALL1 IF ,I HAD NOT GIV5 MY WORD40 

,HE LAU<$1 & BEGAN TO REPEAT 9 ,RUSSIAN1 0,TVOYA ,IVAN1 KHORO%1 MOYA1 ,ABDUL1 KHORO%40.<#c#b#i.> 

,I,V4 

,?US ,ZHIL9 LIV$ A MON?4 ,9 ! DAYTIME HE WALK$ AB\T ! AUL OR DID SOME H&IWORK1 BUT :5 NI<T CAME1 & IT GREW QUIET 9 ! AUL1 HE BURR[$ 9 HIS B>N4 ,IT WAS H>D WORK DIGG+ BECAUSE ( ! /ONES1 & HE SOMETIMES HAD TO USE HIS FILE ON !M2 & ?US HE DUG A HOLE UND] ! WALL BIG 5\< TO CRAWL ?R\<4 

0,ONLY10 HE ?\<T1 0,I MU/ KN[ ! REGION A LITTLE FIR/1 SO AS TO ESCAPE 9 ! RI<T DIRECTION4 ,& ! ,TAT>S W\LDN'T TELL ME ANY ?+40 

,HE WAIT$ TILL ONE TIME :5 HIS MA/] WAS ABS5T1 !N HE W5T AFT] D9N] BEH9D ! AUL TO A M\NTA94 ,HIS IDEA WAS TO RECONNOIT] ! C\NTRY4 

,BUT :5 ,ABDUL RETURN$ HE COMM&$ A SMALL BOY TO FOLL[ ,ZHIL91 & NOT TAKE HIS EYES FROM HIM4 ,! LITTLE FELL[ TAGG$ AFT] ,ZHIL91 & KEPT CRY+1-- 

0,DON'T GO !RE4 ,FA!R WON'T ALL[ IT4 ,I WILL CALL ! M5 IF Y\ GO60 

,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO REASON ) HIM4 0,I AM NOT GO+ F>10 SAYS HE1--0ONLY TO ?AT HILL3 ,I MU/ GET SOME H]BS4 ,COME ) ME2 ,I CAN'T RUN AWAY ) ?IS CLOG4 ,TO-MORR[ ,I WILL MAKE Y\ A B[ & >R[S40 

,HE P]SUAD$ ! LAD1 !Y W5T TOGE!R4 ,TO LOOK AT1 ! M\NTA9 IS NOT F>1 BUT IT WAS H>D WORK ) ! CLOG2 HE W5T A LITTLE DI/ANCE AT A TIME1 PULL+ HIMSELF UP BY MA9 /R5G?4.<#c#c.> 

,ZHIL9 SAT D[N ON ! SUMMIT1 & BEGAN TO SURVEY ! GR\ND4 

,TO ! S\? BEH9D ! B>N LAY A VALLEY ?R\< :I* A H]D WAS GRAZ+1 & ANO!R AUL WAS 9 SI<T AT ! FOOT ( IT4 ,BACK ( ! VILLAGE WAS ANO!R HILL /ILL /EEP]1 & BACK ( ?AT /ILL ANO!R4 ,BETWE5 ! M\NTA9S LAY A FUR!R /RET* ( =E/1 & !N /ILL O!R M\NTA9S CON/ANTLY RIS+ HI<] & HI<]4 ,& HI<] ?AN ALL1 /OOD SN[-CAPP$ PEAKS :ITE AS SUG>1 & ONE SN[Y PEAK ROSE LIKE A DOME ABOVE !M ALL4 

,TO ! EA/ & WE/ ALSO W]E M\NTA9S4 ,9 EV]Y DIRECTION ! SMOKE ( AULS WAS TO BE SE5 9 ! RAV9ES4 

0,WELL10 HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 0?IS IS ALL !IR C\NTRY40 

,HE BEGAN TO LOOK 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! ,RUSSIAN POSSESSIONS4 ,AT HIS V]Y FEET WAS A LITTLE RIV]1 HIS VILLAGE SURR\ND$ BY G>D5S4 ,BY ! RIV] SOME WOM51 NO L>G] 9 APPE>ANCE ?AN LITTLE DOLLS1 W]E /&+ & WA%+4 ,BEH9D ! AUL WAS A L[] M\NTA91 & BEYOND IT TWO O!R M\NTA9S COV]$ ) =E/S4 ,& BETWE5 ! TWO M\NTA9S A PLA9 /RET*$ F>1 F> AWAY 9 ! BLUE DI/ANCE2 & ON ! PLA9 LAY :AT SEEM$ LIKE SMOKE4 

,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO REMEMB] 9 :AT DIRECTION1 :5 HE LIV$ AT HOME 9 ! =TRESS1 ! SUN US$ TO RISE1 & :]E IT SET4 ,HE LOOK$4 0,JU/ AB\T !RE10 SAYS HE1 09 ?AT VALLEY1 \R =TRESS \<T TO BE4 ,!RE1 BETWE5 ?OSE TWO M\NTA9S1 ,I MU/ MAKE MY ESCAPE40 

,! LITTLE SUN BEGAN TO SLOPE T[>D ! WE/4 ,! SN[Y M\NTA9S *ANG$ FROM :ITE TO PURPLE2 ! WOOD$ M\NTA9S GREW D>K2 A MI/ >OSE FROM.<#c#c#a.> ! VALLEY2 & ! VALLEY ITSELF1 :]E ! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS MU/ BE1 GL[$ 9 ! SUNSET AS ?\< IT W]E ON FIRE4 ,ZHIL9 /RA9$ HIS GAZE4 ,SOME?+ SEEM$ TO HANG WAV+ 9 ! AIR1 LIKE SMOKE >IS+ FROM *IMNEYS4 

,& SO IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT IT MU/ BE FROM ! =TRESS ITSELF1--! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS4 

,IT WAS ALREADY GR[+ LATE4 ,! VOICE ( ! MULLA CALL+ TO PRAY] WAS HE>D4 ,! H]DS BEGAN TO RETURN2 ! K9E W]E L[+4 ,! LITTLE LAD KEPT REPEAT+1 0,LET US GO60 BUT ,ZHIL9 C\LD NOT TE> HIMSELF AWAY4 

,!Y RETURN$ HOME4 

0,WELL10 ?9KS ,ZHIL91 0N[ ,I KN[ ! PLACE2 ,I MU/ MAKE MY ESCAPE40 

,HE PROPOS$ TO MAKE HIS ESCAPE ?AT V]Y NI<T4 ,! NI<TS W]E D>K2 IT WAS ! WANE ( ! MOON4 

,UN=TUNATELY ! ,TAT>S RETURN$ 9 ! EV5+4 ,USUALLY !Y CAME 9 DRIV+ ! CATTLE ) !M1 & CAME 9 HIL>I\S4 ,BUT ?IS TIME !Y HAD NO CATTLE2 BUT !Y BR\<T A ,TAT>1 DEAD ON HIS SADDLE4 ,IT WAS ,KAZI ,MUHAMET'S BRO!R4 ,!Y RODE 9 SOLEMNLY1 & COLLECT$ = ! BURIAL4 

,ZHIL9 ALSO W5T \T TO LOOK4 

,!Y DID NOT PUT ! DEAD BODY 9 A C(F91 BUT WRAPP$ IT 9 L951 & PLAC$ IT UND] A PLANE-TREE 9 ! VILLAGE1 :]E IT LAY ON ! SW>D4 

,! MULLA CAME2 ! OLD M5 GA!R$ TOGE!R1 !IR CAPS B\ND >\ND ) H&K]*IEFS4 ,!Y TOOK (F !IR %OES1 & SAT 9 R[S ON !IR HEELS BE=E ! DEAD4 

,9 FRONT WAS ! MULLA1 BEH9D HIM ?REE OLD M5 9 TURBANS1 & BEH9D !M ! RE/ ( ! ,TAT>S4 ,! MULLA LIFT$ ! DEAD MAN'S HEAD1 & SAID1.<#c#c#b.> 0,ALLAH60 7,?AT MEANS ,GOD47 ,HE SAID ?IS ONE WORD1 & LET ! HEAD FALL BACK4 ,ALL W]E SIL5T2 !Y SAT MOTIONLESS4 

,AGA9 ! MULLA LIFT$ ! HEAD1 SAY+1 0,ALLAH60 & ALL REPEAT$ IT AFT] HIM1-- 

0,ALLAH60 

,!N SIL5CE AGA94 

,! DEAD MAN LAY ON ! SW>D2 HE WAS MOTIONLESS1 & !Y SAT AS ?\< !Y W]E DEAD4 ,NOT ONE MADE A MOTION4 ,! ONLY S\ND WAS ! RU/L+ ( ! FOLIAGE ( ! PLANE-TREE1 /IRR$ BY ! BREEZE4 

,!N ! MULLA (F]$ A PRAY]4 ,ALL GOT TO !IR FEET2 !Y TOOK ! DEAD BODY 9 !IR >MS1 & C>RI$ IT AWAY4 

,!Y BR\<T IT TO A PIT4 ,! PIT WAS NOT A M]E HOLE1 BUT WAS HOLL[$ \T UND] ! E>? LIKE A CELL>4 

,!Y TOOK ! BODY UND] ! >MPITS & BY ! LEGS1 D\BL$ IT UP1 & LET IT D[N G5TLY1 %OV$ IT =CIBLY UND] ! GR\ND1 & LAID ! >MS ALONG ! BELLY4 ,! ,NOGAI BR\<T A GRE5 OSI]4 ,!Y LAID IT 9 ! PIT2 !N !Y QUICKLY FILL$ IT UP ) E>?1 & OV] ! DEAD MAN'S HEAD !Y PLAC$ A GRAVE/ONE4 ,!Y SMOO!D ! E>? OV]1 & AGA9 SAT >\ND ! GRAVE 9 R[S4 ,!RE WAS A LONG SIL5CE4 

0,ALLAH6 ,ALLAH6 ,ALLAH60 

,!Y SI<$ & GOT UP4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> GAVE MONEY TO ! OLD M51 !N HE GOT UP1 /RUCK HIS =EHEAD ?REE TIMES ) A :IP1 & W5T HOME4 

,! NEXT MORN+ ,ZHIL9 SEES ! R$-HAIR$ ,TAT> LEAD+ A M>E ?R\< ! VILLAGE1 & ?REE ,TAT>S FOLL[+ HIM4 ,!Y W5T BEH9D ! VILLAGE4 ,KAZI ,MUHAMET TOOK (F HIS BE%MET1 ROLL$ UP HIS SLEEVES1.<#c#c#c.>--HIS H&S W]E P[]FUL1--TOOK \T HIS DAGG]1 & %>P5$ IT ON A :ET/ONE4 ,! ,TAT>S HELD BACK ! M>E'S HEAD4 ,KAZI ,MUHAMET APPROA*$1 & CUT ! ?ROAT2 !N HE TURN$ ! ANIMAL OV]1 & BEGAN TO FLAY IT1 PULL+ AWAY ! HIDE ) HIS MI<TY FI/S4 

,! WOM5 & MAID5S CAME1 & BEGAN TO WA% ! 9TE/9ES & ! LI<TS4 ,!N !Y CUT UP ! M>E1 & C>RI$ ! MEAT TO ! HUT4 ,& ! :OLE VILLAGE COLLECT$ AT ! ,KAZI ,MUHAMET'S TO CELEBRATE ! DEAD4 

,= ?REE DAYS !Y FEA/$ ON ! M>E & DRANK BUZA4 ,?US !Y CELEBRAT$ ! DEAD4 ,ALL ! ,TAT>S W]E AT HOME4 

,ON ! F\R? DAY AB\T NOON1 ,ZHIL9 SEES ?AT !Y >E COLLECT+ = SOME EXP$ITION4 ,!IR HORSES >E BR\<T \T4 ,!Y PUT ON !IR GE>1 & />T$ (F1 T5 M5 ( !M1 UND] ! COMM& ( ! ,KAZI ,MUHAMET2 ONLY ,ABDUL /AID AT HOME4 ,!RE WAS A NEW MOON1 BUT ! NI<TS W]E /ILL D>K4 

0,N[10 ?9KS ,ZHIL91 0TO-DAY WE MU/ ESCAPE40 ,& HE TELLS ,KO/UIL94 

,BUT ,KO/UIL9 WAS AFRAID4 0,H[ CAN WE ESCAPE8 ,WE DON'T KN[ ! WAY40 

0,I KN[ ! WAY40 

0,BUT WE %\LD NOT GET !RE DUR+ ! NI<T40 

0,WELL1 IF WE DON'T GET !RE WE WILL SP5D ! NI<T 9 ! WOODS4 ,I HAVE SOME CAKES4 ,:AT >E Y\ GO+ TO DO8 ,IT WILL BE ALL RI<T IF !Y S5D Y\ ! MONEY1 BUT Y\ SEE1 Y\R FRI5DS MAY NOT COLLECT SO MU*4 ,& ! ,TAT>S >E N[ ANGRY BECAUSE ! ,RUSSIANS HAVE KILL$ ONE ( !IR M54 ,!Y SAY !Y >E ?9K+ ( KILL+ US40 

,KO/UIL9 ?\<T & ?\<T4 0,ALL RI<T1 LET US GO60.<#c#c#d.> 

7,S\RCE3 0,A ,RUSSIAN ,PROPRIETOR & ,O!R ,/ORIES10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,NA?AN ,HASKELL ,DOLE1 PUBLI%$ BY ,?OMAS ,Y4 ,CR[ELL @& ,CO41 ,NEW ,YORK1 #ac ,A/OR ,PLACE47 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
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,FEBRU>Y #a#h1 #bag 3 ,P>T #f1 ,*APT] #d -- ,ADD$4 

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