,HADJI ,MURAD 

#aid 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,SECTIONS 7,T,O,C7 3 
     

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,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

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,I WAS RETURN+ HOME BY ! FIELDS4  ,IT WAS MIDSUMM]1 ! HAY H>VE/ WAS OV] & !Y W]E JU/ BEG9N+ TO REAP ! RYE4  ,AT ?AT SEASON ( ! YE> !RE IS A DELI<TFUL V>IETY ( FL[]S -- R$1 :ITE1 & P9K SC5T$ TUFTY CLOV]2 MILK-:ITE OX-EYE DAISIES ) !IR BRI<T YELL[ C5T]S & PLEASANT SPICY SMELL2 YELL[ HONEY-SC5T$ RAPE BLOSSOMS2 TALL CAMPANULAS ) :ITE & LILAC BELLS1 TULIP-%AP$2 CREEP+ VET*2 YELL[1 R$1 & P9K SCABI\S2 FA9TLY SC5T$1 NEATLY >RANG$ PURPLE PLA9TA9S ) BLOSSOMS SLI<TLY T+$ ) P9K2 CORNFL[]S1 ! NEWLY OP5$ BLOSSOMS BRI<T BLUE 9 ! SUN%9E BUT GR[+ PAL] & R$D] T[>DS EV5+ OR :5 GR[+ OLD2 & DELICATE ALMOND-SC5T$ DODD] FL[]S ?AT WI!R$ QUICKLY4  ,I GA!R$ MYSELF A L>GE NOSEGAY & WAS GO+ HOME :5 ,I NOTIC$ 9 A DIT*1 9 FULL BLOOM1 A BEAUTIFUL ?I/LE PLANT ( ! CRIMSON V>IETY1 :I* 9 \R NEI<BORHOOD !Y CALL 0,T>T>0 & C>EFULLY AVOID :5 M[+ -- OR1 IF !Y DO HAPP5 TO CUT IT D[N1 ?R[ \T FROM AMONG ! GRASS = FE> ( PRICK+ !IR H&S4  ,?9K+ TO PICK ?IS ?I/LE & PUT IT 9 ! C5T] ( MY NOSEGAY1 ,I CLIMB$ D[N 9TO ! DIT*1 & AFT] DRIV+ AWAY A VELVETY BUMBLE-BEE ?AT HAD P5ETRAT$ DEEP 9TO ONE ( ! FL[]S & HAD !RE FALL5 SWEETLY ASLEEP1 ,I SET TO WORK TO PLUCK ! FL[]4 ,BUT ?IS PROV$ A V]Y DIFFICULT TASK4  ,NOT ONLY DID ! /ALK PRICK ON EV]Y SIDE -- EV5 ?R\< ! H&K]*IEF ,I WRAPP$ R\ND MY H& -- BUT IT WAS SO T\< ?AT ,I HAD TO /RUGGLE ) IT = NE>LY FIVE M9UTES1 BREAK+ ! FIB]S ONE BY ONE2 & :5 ,I HAD AT LA/ PLUCK$ IT1 ! /ALK WAS ALL FRAY$ & ! FL[] ITSELF NO LONG] SEEM$ SO FRE% & BEAUTIFUL4  ,MOREOV]1 [+ TO A CO>S5ESS & /IFFNESS1 IT DID NOT SEEM 9 PLACE AMONG ! DELICATE BLOSSOMS ( MY NOSEGAY4  ,I ?REW IT AWAY FEEL+ SORRY TO HAVE VA9LY DE/ROY$ A FL[] ?AT LOOK$ BEAUTIFUL 9 ITS PROP] PLACE4 

0,BUT :AT 5]GY & T5ACITY6  ,) :AT DET]M9ATION IT DEF5D$ ITSELF1 & H[ DE>LY IT SOLD ITS LIFE60 ?\<T ,I1 REMEMB]+ ! EF=T IT HAD CO/ ME TO PLUCK ! FL[]4  ,! WAY HOME L$ ACROSS BLACK-E>? FIELDS ?AT HAD JU/ BE5 PL[$ UP4  ,I ASC5D$ ! DU/Y PA?4  ,! PL[$ FIELD BELONG$ TO A L&$ PROPRIETOR & WAS SO L>GE ?AT ON BO? SIDES & BE=E ME TO ! TOP ( ! HILL NO?+ WAS VISIBLE BUT EV5LY FURR[$ & MOI/ E>?4  ,! L& WAS WELL TILL$ & NO:]E WAS !RE A BLADE ( GRASS OR ANY K9D ( PLANT TO BE SE51 IT WAS ALL BLACK4  0,AH1 :AT A DE/RUCTIVE CREATURE IS MAN4444,H[ MANY DIFF]5T PLANT-LIVES HE DE/ROYS TO SUPPORT HIS [N EXI/5CE60 ?\<T ,I1 9VOLUNT>ILY LOOK+ >\ND = SOME LIV+ ?+ 9 ?IS LIFELESS BLACK FIELD4  ,9 FRONT ( ME TO ! RI<T ( ! ROAD ,I SAW SOME K9D ( LITTLE CLUMP1 & DRAW+ NE>] ,I F\ND IT WAS ! SAME K9D ( ?I/LE AS ?AT :I* ,I HAD VA9LY PLUCK$ & ?R[N AWAY4  ,?IS 0,T>T>0 PLANT HAD ?REE BRAN*ES4  ,ONE WAS BROK5 & /UCK \T LIKE ! /UMP ( A MUTILAT$ >M4  ,EA* ( ! O!R TWO BORE A FL[]1 ONCE R$ BUT N[ BLACK5$4 ,ONE /ALK WAS BROK51 & HALF ( IT HUNG D[N ) A SOIL$ FL[] AT ITS TIP4  ,! O!R1 ?\< ALSO SOIL$ ) BLACK MUD1 /ILL /OOD ]ECT4  ,EVID5TLY A C>T:EEL HAD PASS$ OV] ! PLANT BUT IT HAD RIS5 AGA91 & ?AT WAS :Y1 ?\< ]ECT1 IT /OOD TWI/$ TO ONE SIDE1 AS IF A PIECE ( ITS BODY HAD BE5 TORN FROM IT1 ITS B[ELS DRAWN \T1 AN >M TORN (F1 & ONE ( ITS EYES PLUCK$ \T4  ,YET IT /OOD FIRM & DID NOT SURR5D] TO MAN :O HAD DE/ROY$ ALL ITS BRO!RS >\ND IT4444 

0,:AT VITALITY60 ,I ?\<T4  0,MAN HAS CONQU]$ EV]Y?+ & DE/ROY$ MILLIONS ( PLANTS1 YET ?IS ONE WON'T SUBMIT40  ,& ,I REMEMB]$ A ,CAUCASIAN EPISODE ( YE>S AGO1 :I* ,I HAD P>TLY SE5 MYSELF1 P>TLY HE>D ( FROM EYE-WITNESSES1 & 9 P>T IMAG9$4 

,! EPISODE1 AS IT HAS TAK5 %APE 9 MY MEMORY & IMAG9ATION1 WAS AS FOLL[S4 

"9  "9  "9 

,IT HAPP5$ T[>DS ! 5D ( #a#h#e#a4 

,ON A COLD ,NOVEMB] EV5+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD RODE 9TO ,MAKHMET1 A HO/ILE ,*E*5 A\L ?AT LAY SOME FIFTE5 MILES FROM ,RUSSIAN T]RITORY & WAS FILL$ ) ! SC5T$ SMOKE ( BURN+ ,KIZYAK4  ,! /RA9$ *ANT ( ! MUEZZ9 HAD JU/ CEAS$1 & ?\< ! CLE> M\NTA9 AIR1 IMPREGNAT$ ) KIZYAK SMOKE1 ABOVE ! L[+ ( ! CATTLE & ! BLEAT+ ( ! %EEP ?AT W]E DISP]S+ AMONG ! SAKLYAS 7:I* W]E CR[D$ TOGE!R LIKE ! CELLS ( HONEYCOMB71 C\LD BE CLE>LY HE>D ! GUTTURAL VOICES ( DISPUT+ M51 & S\NDS ( WOM5'S & *ILDR5'S VOICES RIS+ FROM NE> ! F\NTA9 BEL[4 

,?IS ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS ,%AMIL'S NAIB1 FAM\S = HIS EXPLOITS1 :O US$ NEV] TO RIDE \T )\T HIS BANN] & SOME DOZ5S ( MURIDS1 :O C>ACOL$ & %[$ (F BE=E HIM4  ,N[ WRAPP$ 9 A HOOD & BURKA1 FROM UND] :I* PROTRUD$ A RIFLE1 HE RODE1 A FUGITIVE ) ONE MURID ONLY1 TRY+ TO ATTRACT AS LITTLE ATT5TION AS POSSIBLE & PE]+ ) HIS QUICK BLACK EYES 9TO ! FACES ( ?OSE HE MET ON HIS WAY4 

,:5 HE 5T]$ ! A\L1 9/EAD ( RID+ UP ! ROAD LEAD+ TO ! OP5 SQU>E1 HE TURN$ TO ! LEFT 9TO A N>R[ SIDE /REET1 & ON REA*+ ! SECOND SAKLYA1 :I* WAS CUT 9TO ! HILL SIDE1 HE /OPP$ & LOOK$ R\ND4  ,!RE WAS NO ONE UND] ! P5?\SE 9 FRONT1 BUT ON ! RO( ( ! SAKLYA ITSELF1 BEH9D ! FRE%LY PLA/]$ CLAY *IMNEY1 LAY A MAN COV]$ ) A %EEPSK94  ,HAJJI ,MURAD T\*$ HIM ) ! H&LE ( HIS LEA!R-PLAIT$ :IP & CLICK$ HIS TONGUE1 & AN OLD MAN1 WE>+ A GREASY OLD BE%MET & A NI<TCAP1 ROSE FROM UND] ! %EEPSK94  ,HIS MOI/ R$ EYELIDS HAD NO LA%ES1 & HE BL9K$ TO GET !M UN/UCK4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 REPEAT+ ! CU/OM>Y 0,SELAAM ALEIKUM60 UNCOV]$ HIS FACE4  0ALEIKUM1 SELAAM60 SAID ! OLD MAN1 RECOGNIZ+ HIM1 & SMIL+ ) HIS TOO?LESS M\?4  ,& RAIS+ HIMSELF ON HIS ?9 LEGS HE BEGAN ?RU/+ HIS FEET 9TO ! WOOD5-HEEL$ SLIPP]S ?AT /OOD BY ! *IMNEY4  ,!N HE LEISURELY SLIPP$ HIS >MS 9TO ! SLEEVES ( HIS CRUMPL$ %EEPSK91 & GO+ TO ! LADD] ?AT LEANT AGA9/ ! RO( HE DESC5D$ BACKW>DS1 :ILE HE DRESS$ & AS HE CLIMB$ D[N HE KEPT %AK+ HIS HEAD ON ITS ?91 %RIVEL$ SUNBURNT NECK & MUMBL+ SOME?+ ) HIS TOO?LESS M\?4  ,AS SOON AS HE REA*$ ! GR\ND HE HOSPITABLY SEIZ$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S BRIDLE & RI<T /IRRUP2 BUT ! /RONG ACTIVE MURID HAD QUICKLY DISM\NT$ & MOTION+ ! OLD MAN ASIDE1 TOOK HIS PLACE4 ,HAJJI ,MURAD ALSO DISM\NT$1 & WALK+ ) A SLI<T LIMP1 5T]$ UND] ! P5?\SE4  ,A BOY ( FIFTE51 COM+ QUICKLY \T ( ! DOOR1 MET HIM & WOND]+LY FIX$ HIS SP>KL+ EYES1 BLACK AS RIPE SLOES1 ON ! NEW >RIVALS4 

0RUN TO ! MOSQUE & CALL Y\R FA!R10 ORD]$ ! OLD MAN AS HE HURRI$ =W>D TO OP5 ! ?91 CREAK+ DOOR 9TO ! SAKLYA4 

,AS ,HAJJI ,MURAD 5T]$ ! \T] DOOR1 A SLI<T1 SP>E1 MIDDLE-AG$ WOMAN 9 A YELL[ SMOCK1 R$ BE%MET1 & WIDE BLUE TR\S]S CAME ?R\< AN 9N] DOOR C>RY+ CU%IONS4 

0,MAY ?Y COM+ BR+ HAPP9ESS60 SAID %E1 & B5D+ NE>LY D\BLE BEGAN >RANG+ ! CU%IONS ALONG ! FRONT WALL = ! GUE/ TO SIT ON4 

0,MAY ?Y SONS LIVE60 ANSW]$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 TAK+ (F HIS BURKA1 HIS RIFLE1 & HIS SWORD1 & H&+ !M TO ! OLD MAN :O C>EFULLY HUNG ! RIFLE & SWORD ON A NAIL BESIDE ! WEAPONS ( ! MA/] ( ! H\SE1 :I* W]E SUSP5D$ BETWE5 TWO L>GE BAS9S ?AT GLITT]$ AGA9/ ! CLEAN CLAY-PLA/]$ & C>EFULLY :ITEWA%$ WALL4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD ADJU/$ ! PI/OL AT HIS BACK1 CAME UP TO ! CU%IONS1 & WRAPP+ HIS ,CIRCASSIAN COAT CLOS] R\ND HIM1 SAT D[N4  ,! OLD MAN SQUATT$ ON HIS B>E HEELS BESIDE HIM1 CLOS$ HIS EYES1 & LIFT$ HIS H&S PALMS UPW>DS4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD DID ! SAME2 !N AFT] REPEAT+ A PRAY] !Y BO? /ROK$ !IR FACES1 PASS+ !IR H&S D[NW>D TILL ! PALMS JO9$ AT ! 5D ( !IR BE>DS4 

0,NE HAB>80 70,IS !RE ANY?+ NEW807 ASK$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 ADDRESS+ ! OLD MAN4 

0,HAB> YOK0 70,NO?+ NEW071 REPLI$ ! OLD MAN1 LOOK+ ) HIS LIFELESS R$ EYES NOT AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S FACE BUT AT HIS BREA/4  0,I LIVE AT ! API>Y & HAVE ONLY TODAY COME TO SEE MY SON4444,HE KN[S40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD1 UND]/&+ ?AT ! OLD MAN DID NOT WI% TO SAY :AT HE KNEW & :AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD WANT$ TO KN[1 SLI<TLY NODD$ HIS HEAD & ASK$ NO MORE QUE/IONS4 

0,!RE IS NO GOOD NEWS10 SAID ! OLD MAN4  0,! ONLY NEWS IS ?AT ! H>ES KEEP DISCUSS+ H[ TO DRIVE AWAY ! EAGLES1 & ! EAGLES TE> FIR/ ONE & !N ANO!R ( !M4 ,! O!R DAY ! ,RUSSIAN DOGS BURNT ! HAY 9 ! ,MIT*IT A\L4444,MAY !IR FACES BE TORN60 HE ADD$ HO>SELY & ANGRILY4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S MURID 5T]$ ! ROOM1 HIS /RONG LEGS /RID+ S(TLY OV] ! E>!N FLOOR4  ,RETA9+ ONLY HIS DAGG] & PI/OL1 HE TOOK (F HIS BURKA1 RIFLE1 & SWORD AS ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD DONE1 & HUNG !M UP ON ! SAME NAILS AS HIS LEAD]'S WEAPONS4 

0,:O IS HE80 ASK$ ! OLD MAN1 PO9T+ TO ! NEWCOM]4 

0,MY MURID4  ,ELD> IS HIS NAME10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,?AT IS WELL10 SAID ! OLD MAN1 & MOTION$ ,ELD> TO A PLACE ON A PIECE ( FELT BESIDE ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,ELD> SAT D[N1 CROSS+ HIS LEGS & FIX+ HIS F9E RAM-LIKE EYES ON ! OLD MAN :O1 HAV+ N[ />T$ TALK+1 WAS TELL+ H[ !IR BRAVE FELL[S HAD CAU<T TWO ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S ! WEEK BE=E & HAD KILL$ ONE & S5T ! O!R TO ,%AMIL 9 ,V$54 

,HAJJI ,MURAD HE>D HIM ABS5TLY1 LOOK+ AT ! DOOR & LI/5+ TO ! S\NDS \TSIDE4  ,UND] ! P5?\SE /EPS W]E HE>D1 ! DOOR CREAK$1 & ,SADO1 ! MA/] ( ! H\SE1 CAME 94  ,HE WAS A MAN ( AB\T =TY1 ) A SMALL BE>D1 LONG NOSE1 & EYES AS BLACK1 ?\< NOT AS GLITT]+1 AS ?OSE ( HIS FIFTE5-YE>-OLD SON :O HAD RUN TO CALL HIM HOME & :O N[ 5T]$ ) HIS FA!R & SAT D[N BY ! DOOR4  ,! MA/] ( ! H\SE TOOK (F HIS WOOD5 SLIPP]S AT ! DOOR1 & PU%+ HIS OLD & MU*-WORN CAP TO ! BACK ( HIS HEAD 7:I* HAD REMA9$ UN%AV$ SO LONG ?AT IT WAS BEG9N+ TO BE OV]GR[N ) BLACK HAIR71 AT ONCE SQUATT$ D[N 9 FRONT ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,HE TOO LIFT$ HIS PALMS UPW>DS1 AS ! OLD MAN HAD DONE1 REPEAT$ A PRAY]1 & !N /ROK$ HIS FACE D[NW>D4  ,ONLY AFT] ?AT DID HE BEG9 TO SPEAK4  ,HE TOLD H[ AN ORD] HAD COME FROM ,%AMIL TO SEIZE ,HAJJI ,MURAD ALIVE OR DEAD1 ?AT ,%AMIL'S 5VOYS HAD LEFT ONLY ! DAY BE=E1 ?AT ! PEOPLE W]E AFRAID TO DISOBEY ,%AMIL'S ORD]S1 & ?AT !RE=E IT WAS NECESS>Y TO BE C>EFUL4 

0,9 MY H\SE10 SAID ,SADO1 0NO ONE %ALL 9JURE MY KUNAK :ILE ,I LIVE1 BUT H[ WILL IT BE 9 ! OP5 FIELDS8444,WE MU/ ?9K IT OV]40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD LI/5$ ) ATT5TION & NODD$ APPROV+LY4  ,:5 ,SADO HAD F9I%$ HE SAID3 

0,V]Y WELL4  ,N[ WE MU/ S5D A MAN ) A LETT] TO ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,MY MURID WILL GO BUT HE WILL NE$ A GUIDE40 

0,I WILL S5D BRO!R ,BATA10 SAID ,SADO4  0,GO & CALL ,BATA10 HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO HIS SON4 

,! BOY 9/ANTLY B\ND$ TO HIS NIMBLE FEET AS IF HE W]E ON SPR+S1 & SW++ HIS >MS1 RAPIDLY LEFT ! SAKLYA4  ,SOME T5 M9UTES LAT] HE RETURN$ ) A S9EWY1 %ORT-LEGG$ ,*E*51 BURNT ALMO/ BLACK BY ! SUN1 WE>+ A WORN & TATT]$ YELL[ ,CIRCASSIAN COAT ) FRAY$ SLEEVES1 & CRUMPL$ BLACK LEGG+S4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD GREET$ ! NEWCOM]1 & AGA9 )\T WA/+ A S+LE WORD1 IMM$IATELY ASK$3 

0,CAN/ ?\ CONDUCT MY MURID TO ! ,RUSSIANS80 

0,I CAN10 GAILY REPLI$ ,BATA4  0,I CAN C]TA9LY DO IT4  ,!RE IS NOT ANO!R ,*E*5 :O W\LD PASS AS ,I CAN4  ,ANO!R MI<T AGREE TO GO & MI<T PROMISE ANY?+1 BUT W\LD DO NO?+2 BUT ,I CAN DO IT60 

0,ALL RI<T10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  0,?\ %ALT RECEIVE ?REE = ?Y TR\BLE10 & HE HELD UP ?REE F+]S4 

,BATA NODD$ TO %[ ?AT HE UND]/OOD1 & ADD$ ?AT IT WAS NOT MONEY HE PRIZ$1 BUT ?AT HE WAS READY TO S]VE ,HAJJI ,MURAD = ! HONOR ALONE4 ,EV]Y ONE 9 ! M\NTA9S KNEW ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & H[ HE SLEW ! ,RUSSIAN SW9E4 

0,V]Y WELL4444,A ROPE %\LD BE LONG BUT A SPEE* %ORT10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,WELL !N ,I'LL HOLD MY TONGUE10 SAID ,BATA4 

0,:]E ! RIV] ,>GUN B5DS BY ! CLIFF10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 0!RE >E TWO /ACKS 9 A GLADE 9 ! =E/ -- ?\ KN[E/80 

0,I KN[40 

0,!RE MY F\R HORSEM5 >E WAIT+ = ME10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,AYE10 ANSW]$ ,BATA1 NODD+4 

0,ASK = ,KHAN ,MAHOMA4  ,HE KN[S :AT TO DO & :AT TO SAY4  ,CAN/ ?\ LEAD HIM TO ! ,RUSSIAN ,COMM&]1 ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV80 

0,YES1 ,I'LL TAKE HIM40 

0,CAN/ ?\ TAKE HIM & BR+ HIM BACK AGA980 

0,I CAN40 

0!N TAKE HIM !RE & RETURN TO ! WOOD4  ,I %ALL BE !RE TOO40 

0,I WILL DO IT ALL10 SAID ,BATA1 RIS+1 & PUTT+ HIS H&S ON HIS HE>T HE W5T \T4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD TURN$ TO HIS HO/4 

0,A MAN MU/ ALSO BE S5T TO ,*EKHI10 HE BEGAN1 & TOOK HOLD ( ONE ( ! C>TRIDGE P\*ES ( HIS ,CIRCASSIAN COAT1 BUT LET HIS H& DROP IMM$IATELY & BECAME SIL5T ON SEE+ TWO WOM5 5T] ! SAKLYA4 

,ONE WAS ,SADO'S WIFE -- ! ?9 MIDDLE-AG$ WOMAN :O HAD >RANG$ ! CU%IONS4  ,! O!R WAS QUITE A Y\NG GIRL1 WE>+ R$ TR\S]S & A GRE5 BE%MET4  ,A NECKLACE ( SILV] CO9S COV]$ ! :OLE FRONT ( H] DRESS1 & AT ! 5D ( ! %ORT BUT ?ICK PLAIT ( H>D BLACK HAIR ?AT HUNG BETWE5 H] ?9 %\LD]-BLADES A SILV] RUBLE WAS SUSP5D$4  ,H] EYES1 AS SLOE- BLACK AS ?OSE ( H] FA!R & BRO!R1 SP>KL$ BRI<TLY 9 H] Y\NG FACE :I* TRI$ TO BE /]N4  ,%E DID NOT LOOK AT ! VISITORS1 BUT EVID5TLY FELT !IR PRES5CE4 

,SADO'S WIFE BR\<T 9 A L[ R\ND TABLE ON :I* /OOD TEA1 PANCAKES 9 BUTT]1 *EESE1 *UREK 7?AT IS1 ?9LY ROLL$ \T BREAD71 & HONEY4  ,! GIRL C>RI$ A BAS91 A EW]1 & A T[EL4 

,SADO & ,HAJJI ,MURAD KEPT SIL5T AS LONG AS ! WOM51 ) !IR CO9 ORNAM5TS T9KL+1 MOV$ S(TLY AB\T 9 !IR R$ S(T-SOL$ SLIPP]S1 SETT+ \T BE=E ! VISITORS ! ?+S !Y HAD BR\<T4  ,ELD> SAT MOTIONLESS AS A /ATUE1 HIS RAM-LIKE EYES FIX$ ON HIS CROSS$ LEGS1 ALL ! TIME ! WOM5 W]E 9 ! SAKLYA4  ,ONLY AFT] !Y HAD GONE & !IR S(T FOOT/EPS C\LD NO LONG] BE HE>D BEH9D ! DOOR1 DID HE GIVE A SI< ( RELIEF4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD HAV+ PULL$ \T A BULLET FROM ONE ( ! C>TRIDGE-P\*ES ( HIS ,CIRCASSIAN COAT1 & HAV+ TAK5 \T A ROLL$-UP NOTE ?AT LAY B5EA? IT1 HELD IT \T1 SAY+3 

0,TO BE H&$ TO MY SON40 

0,:]E MU/ ! ANSW] BE S5T80 

0,TO !E2 & ?\ MU/ =W>D IT TO ME40 

0,IT %ALL BE DONE10 SAID ,SADO1 & PLAC$ ! NOTE 9 ! C>TRIDGE-POCKET ( HIS [N COAT4  ,!N HE TOOK UP ! METAL EW] & MOV$ ! BAS9 T[>DS ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD TURN$ UP ! SLEEVES ( HIS BE%MET ON HIS :ITE MUSCUL> >MS1 HELD \T HIS H&S UND] ! CLE> COLD WAT] :I* ,SADO P\R$ FROM ! EW]1 & HAV+ WIP$ !M ON A CLEAN UNBLEA*$ T[EL1 TURN$ TO ! TABLE4  ,ELD> DID ! SAME4  ,:ILE ! VISITORS ATE1 ,SADO SAT OPPOSITE & ?ANK$ !M SEV]AL TIMES = !IR VISIT4  ,! BOY SAT BY ! DOOR NEV] TAK+ HIS SP>KL+ EYES (F ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S FACE1 & SMIL$ AS IF 9 CONFIRMATION ( HIS FA!R'S WORDS4 

,?\< HE HAD EAT5 NO?+ = MORE ?AN TW5TY-F\R H\RS ,HAJJI ,MURAD ATE ONLY A LITTLE BREAD & *EESE2 !N1 DRAW+ \T A SMALL KNIFE FROM UND] HIS DAGG]1 HE SPREAD SOME HONEY ON A PIECE ( BREAD4 

0,\R HONEY IS GOOD10 SAID ! OLD MAN1 EVID5TLY PLEAS$ TO SEE ,HAJJI ,MURAD EAT+ HIS HONEY4  0,?IS YE>1 ABOVE ALL O!R YE>S1 IT IS PL5TIFUL & GOOD40 

0,I ?ANK !E10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD & TURN$ FROM ! TABLE4  ,ELD> W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO GO ON EAT+ BUT HE FOLL[$ HIS LEAD]'S EXAMPLE1 & HAV+ MOV$ AWAY FROM ! TABLE1 H&$ HIM ! EW] & BAS94 

,SADO KNEW ?AT HE WAS RISK+ HIS LIFE BY RECEIV+ SU* A GUE/ 9 HIS H\SE1 = AFT] HIS QU>REL ) ,%AMIL ! LATT] HAD ISSU$ A PROCLAMATION TO ALL ! 9HABITANTS ( ,*E*NYA =BIDD+ !M TO RECEIVE ,HAJJI ,MURAD ON PA9 ( DEA?4  ,HE KNEW ?AT ! 9HABITANTS ( ! A\L MI<T AT ANY MOM5T BECOME AW>E ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S PRES5CE 9 HIS H\SE & MI<T DEM& HIS SURR5D]4  ,BUT ?IS NOT ONLY DID NOT FRI<T5 ,SADO1 IT EV5 GAVE HIM PLEASURE ) HIMSELF BECAUSE HE WAS DO+ HIS DUTY4 

0,:IL/ ?\ >E 9 MY H\SE & MY HEAD IS ON MY %\LD]S NO ONE %ALL H>M !E10 HE REPEAT$ TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD LOOK$ 9TO HIS GLITT]+ EYES & UND]/&+ ?AT ?IS WAS TRUE1 SAID ) SOME SOLEMNITY -- 

0,MAY/ ?\ RECEIVE JOY & LIFE60 

,SADO SIL5TLY LAID HIS H& ON HIS HE>T 9 TOK5 ( ?ANKS = !SE K9D WORDS4 

,HAV+ CLOS$ ! %UTT]S ( ! SAKLYA & LAID SOME /ICKS 9 ! FIREPLACE1 ,SADO1 9 AN EXCEPTIONALLY BRI<T & ANIMAT$ MOOD1 LEFT ! ROOM & W5T 9TO ?AT P>T ( HIS SAKLYA :]E HIS FAMILY ALL LIV$4  ,! WOM5 HAD NOT YET GONE TO SLEEP1 & W]E TALK+ AB\T ! DANG]\S VISITORS :O W]E SP5D+ ! NI<T 9 !IR GUE/ *AMB]S4 

O ,*APT] #b 

,AT ,VOZVIZH5SK1 ! ADVANC$ =T SITUAT$ SOME T5 MILES FROM ! A\L 9 :I* ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS SP5D+ ! NI<T1 ?REE SOLDI]S & A NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC] LEFT ! =T & W5T BEYOND ! ,%AHGIR9SK ,GATE4  ,! SOLDI]S1 DRESS$ AS ,CAUCASIAN SOLDI]S US$ TO BE 9 ?OSE DAYS1 WORE %EEPSK9 COATS & CAPS1 & BOOTS ?AT REA*$ ABOVE !IR KNEES1 & !Y C>RI$ !IR CLOAKS TI<TLY ROLL$ UP & FA/5$ ACROSS !IR %\LD]S4  ,%\LD]+ >MS1 !Y FIR/ W5T SOME FIVE HUNDR$ PACES ALONG ! ROAD & !N TURN$ (F IT & W5T SOME TW5TY PACES TO ! RI<T -- ! DEAD LEAVES RU/L+ UND] !IR BOOTS -- TILL !Y REA*$ ! BLACK5$ TRUNK ( A BROK5 PLANE TREE JU/ VISIBLE ?R\< ! D>KNESS4  ,!RE !Y /OPP$4  ,IT WAS AT ?IS PLANE TREE ?AT AN AMBU% P>TY WAS USUALLY PLAC$4 

,! BRI<T />S1 ?AT HAD SEEM$ TO BE RUNN+ ALONG ! TREE TOPS :ILE ! SOLDI]S W]E WALK+ ?R\< ! =E/1 N[ /OOD /ILL1 %9+ BRI<TLY BETWE5 ! B>E BRAN*ES ( ! TREES4 

0,A GOOD JOB IT'S DRY10 SAID ! NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC] ,PANOV1 BR++ D[N HIS LONG GUN & BAYONET ) A CLANG FROM HIS %\LD] & PLAC+ IT AGA9/ ! PLANE TREE4 

,! ?REE SOLDI]S DID ! SAME4 

0,SURE 5\< ,I'VE LO/ IT60 MUTT]$ ,PANOV CROSSLY4  0,MU/ HAVE LEFT IT BEH9D OR ,I'VE DROPP$ IT ON ! WAY40 

0,:AT >E Y\ LOOK+ =80 ASK$ ONE ( ! SOLDI]S 9 A BRI<T1 *E]FUL VOICE4 

0,! B[L ( MY PIPE4  ,:]E ! DEVIL HAS IT GOT TO80 

0,HAVE Y\ GOT ! /EM80 ASK$ ! *E]FUL VOICE4 

0,H]E IT IS40 

0,!N :Y NOT /ICK IT /RAI<T 9TO ! GR\ND80 

0,NOT WOR? BO!R+60 

0,WE'LL MANAGE ?AT 9 A M9UTE40 

SMOK+ 9 AMBU% WAS =BIDD51 BUT ?IS AMBU% H>DLY DES]V$ ! NAME4  ,IT WAS RA!R AN \TPO/ TO PREV5T ! M\NTA9E]S FROM BR++ UP A CANNON UNOBS]V$ & FIR+ AT ! =T AS !Y US$ TO4  ,PANOV DID NOT CONSID] IT NECESS>Y TO =EGO ! PLEASURE ( SMOK+1 & !RE=E ACCEPT$ ! *E]FUL SOLDI]'S (F]4  ! LATT] TOOK A KNIFE FROM HIS POCKET & MADE A SMALL R\ND HOLE 9 ! GR\ND4  ,HAV+ SMOO!D IT1 HE ADJU/$ ! PIPE /EM TO IT1 !N FILL$ ! HOLE ) TOBACCO & PRESS$ IT D[N1 & ! PIPE WAS READY4  ,A SULFUR MAT* FL>$ & = A MOM5T LIT UP ! BROAD*EEK$ FACE ( ! SOLDI] :O LAY ON HIS /OMA*1 ! AIR :I/L$ 9 ! /EM1 & ,PANOV SMELT ! PLEASANT ODOR ( BURN+ TOBACCO4 

0,FIX$ UT UP80 SAID HE1 RIS+ TO HIS FEET4 

0,:Y1 ( C\RSE60 

0,:AT A SM>T *AP Y\ >E1 ,AVDEEV6444,AS WISE AS A JUDGE6  ,N[ !N1 LAD40 

,AVDEEV ROLL$ OV] ON HIS SIDE TO MAKE ROOM = ,PANOV1 LETT+ SMOKE ESCAPE FROM HIS M\?4 

,PANOV LAY D[N PRONE1 & AFT] WIP+ ! M\?PIECE ) HIS SLEEVE1 BEGAN TO 9HALE4 

,:5 !Y HAD HAD !IR SMOKE ! SOLDI]S BEGAN TO TALK4 

0,!Y SAY ! COMM&] HAS HAD HIS F+]S 9 ! CA%BOX AGA910 REM>K$ ONE ( !M 9 A LAZY VOICE4  0,HE LO/ AT C>DS1 Y\ SEE40 

0,HE'LL PAY IT BACK AGA910 SAID ,PANOV4 

0,( C\RSE HE WILL6  ,HE'S A GOOD (FIC]10 ASS5T$ ,AVDEEV4 

0,GOOD6 GOOD60 GLOOMILY REPEAT$ ! MAN :O HAD />T$ ! CONV]SATION4  0,9 MY OP9ION ! COMPANY \<T TO SPEAK TO HIM4  ',IF Y\'VE TAK5 ! MONEY1 TELL US H[ MU* & :5 Y\'LL REPAY IT4'0 

0,?AT WILL BE AS ! COMPANY DECIDES10 SAID ,PANOV1 TE>+ HIMSELF AWAY FROM ! PIPE4 

0,( C\RSE4  ',! COMMUNITY IS A /RONG MAN1'0 ASS5T$ ,AVDEEV1 QUOT+ A PROV]B4 

0,!RE WILL BE OATS TO BUY & BOOTS TO GET T[>DS SPR+4  ! MONEY WILL BE WANT$1 & :AT %ALL WE DO IF HE'S POCKET$ IT80 9SI/$ ! DISSATISFI$ ONE4 

0,I TELL Y\ IT WILL BE AS ! COMPANY WI%ES10 REPEAT$ ,PANOV4 0,IT'S NOT ! FIR/ TIME2 HE TAKES IT & GIVES IT BACK40 

,9 ! ,CAUCASUS 9 ?OSE DAYS EA* COMPANY *OSE M5 TO MANAGE ITS [N COMMISS>IAT4  !Y RECEIV$ #f RUBLES #e KOPECKS A MON? P] MAN FROM ! TREASURY1 & CAT]$ = ! COMPANY4  ,!Y PLANT$ CABBAGES1 MADE HAY1 HAD !IR [N C>TS1 & PRID$ !MSELVES ON !IR WELL-F$ HORSES4  ,! COMPANY'S MONEY WAS KEPT 9 A *E/ ( :I* ! COMM&] HAD ! KEY1 & IT (T5 HAPP5$ ?AT HE BORR[$ FROM ! *E/4  ,?IS HAD JU/ HAPP5$ AGA91 & ! SOLDI]S W]E TALK+ AB\T IT4 ,! MOROSE SOLDI]1 ,NIKIT91 WI%$ TO DEM& AN ACC\NT FROM ! COMM&]1 :ILE ,PANOV & ,AVDEEV CONSID]$ ?AT UNNECESS>Y4 

,AFT] ,PANOV1 ,NIKIT9 HAD A SMOKE1 & !N SPREAD+ HIS CLOAK ON ! GR\ND SAT D[N ON IT LEAN+ AGA9/ ! TRUNK ( ! PLANE TREE4  ,! SOLDI]S W]E SIL5T4  ,F> ABOVE !IR HEADS ! CR[NS ( ! TREES RU/L$ 9 ! W9D & SUDD5LY1 ABOVE ?IS 9CESSANT L[ RU/L+1 ROSE ! H[L+1 :9+1 WEEP+ & *UCKL+ ( JACKALS4 

0,JU/ LI/5 TO ?OSE ACCURS$ CREATURES -- H[ !Y CAT]WAUL60 

0,!Y'RE LAU<+ AT Y\ BECAUSE Y\R M\?'S ALL ON ONE SIDE10 REM>K$ ! HI< VOICE ( ! ?IRD SOLDI]1 AN ,UKRA9IAN4 

,ALL WAS SIL5T AGA91 EXCEPT = ! W9D ?AT SWAY$ ! BRAN*ES1 N[ REVEAL+ & N[ HID+ ! />S4 

0,I SAY1 ,PANOV10 SUDD5LY ASK$ ! *E]FUL ,AVDEEV1 0DO Y\ EV] FEEL DULL80 

0,DULL1 :Y80 REPLI$ ,PANOV RELUCTANTLY4 

0,WELL1 ,I DO4444,I FEEL SO DULL SOMETIMES ?AT ,I DON'T KN[ :AT ,I MI<T NOT BE READY TO DO TO MYSELF40 

0,!RE N[60 WAS ALL ,PANOV REPLI$4 

0,?AT TIME :5 ,I DRANK ALL ! MONEY IT WAS FROM DULLNESS4  ,IT TOOK HOLD ( ME444TOOK HOLD ( ME TILL ,I ?\<T TO MYSELF1 ',I'LL JU/ GET BL9D DRUNK6'0 

0,BUT SOMETIMES DR9K+ MAKES IT /ILL WORSE40 

0,YES1 ?AT'S HAPP5$ TO ME TOO4  ,BUT :AT IS A MAN TO DO ) HIMSELF80 

0,BUT :AT MAKES Y\ FEEL SO DULL80 

0,:AT1 ME8 444 ,:Y1 IT'S ! LONG+ = HOME40 

0,IS Y\RS A WEAL?Y HOME !N80 

0,NO2 WE W]5'T WEAL?Y1 BUT ?+S W5T PROP]LY -- WE LIV$ WELL40  ,& ,AVDEEV BEGAN TO RELATE :AT HE HAD ALREADY TOLD ,PANOV MANY TIMES4 

0,Y\ SEE1 ,I W5T AS A SOLDI] ( MY [N FREE WILL1 9/EAD ( MY BRO!R10 HE SAID4  0,HE HAS *ILDR54  ,!Y W]E FIVE 9 FAMILY & ,I HAD ONLY JU/ M>RI$4  ,MO!R BEGAN BEGG+ ME TO GO4  ,SO ,I ?\<T1 ',WELL1 MAYBE !Y WILL REMEMB] :AT ,I'VE DONE4'  ,SO ,I W5T TO \R PROPRIETOR 444  HE WAS A GOOD MA/] & HE SAID1 ',Y\'RE A F9E FELL[1 GO6'  ,SO ,I W5T 9/EAD ( MY BRO!R40 

0,WELL1 ?AT WAS RI<T10 SAID ,PANOV4 

0,& YET1 WILL Y\ BELIEVE ME1 ,PANOV1 IT'S *IEFLY BECAUSE ( ?AT ?AT ,I FEEL SO DULL N[8  ',:Y DID Y\ GO 9/EAD ( Y\R BRO!R8' ,I SAY TO MYSELF4  ',HE'S LIV+ LIKE A K+ N[ OV] !RE1 :ILE Y\ HAVE TO SUFF] H]E2' & ! MORE ,I ?9K ( IT ! WORSE ,I FEEL4 444 ,IT SEEMS JU/ A PIECE ( ILL-LUCK60 

,AVDEEV WAS SIL5T4 

0,P]HAPS WE'D BETT] HAVE ANO!R SMOKE10 SAID HE AFT] A PAUSE4 

0,WELL !N1 FIX IT UP60 

,BUT ! SOLDI]S W]E NOT TO HAVE !IR SMOKE4  ,H>DLY HAD ,AVDEEV RIS5 TO FIX ! PIPE /EM 9 ITS PLACE :5 ABOVE ! RU/L+ ( ! TREES !Y HE>D FOOT/EPS ALONG ! ROAD4 ,PANOV TOOK HIS GUN & PU%$ ,NIKIT9 ) HIS FOOT4 

,NIKIT9 ROSE & PICK$ UP HIS CLOAK4 

,! ?IRD SOLDI]1 ,BOND>5KO1 ROSE ALSO1 & SAID3 

0,& ,I HAVE DREAM$ SU* A DREAM1 MATES44440 

0,%60 SAID ,AVDEEV1 & ! SOLDI]S HELD !IR BREA?1 LI/5+4  ,! FOOT/EPS ( M5 9 S(T-SOL$ BOOTS W]E HE>D APPROA*+4  ,! FALL5 LEAVES & DRY TWIGS C\LD BE HE>D RU/L+ CLE>] & CLE>] ?R\< ! D>KNESS4  ,!N CAME ! PECULI> GUTTURAL TONES ( ,*E*5 VOICES4  ,! SOLDI]S C\LD N[ NOT ONLY HE> M5 APPROA*+1 BUT C\LD SEE TWO %AD[S PASS+ ?R\< A CLE> SPACE BETWE5 ! TREES2 ONE %AD[ TALL] ?AN ! O!R4  ,:5 !SE %AD[S HAD COME 9 L9E ) ! SOLDI]S1 ,PANOV1 GUN 9 H&1 /EPP$ \T ON TO ! ROAD1 FOLL[$ BY HIS COMRADES4 

0,:O GOES !RE80 CRI$ HE4 

0,ME1 FRI5DLY ,*E*510 SAID ! %ORT] ONE4  ,?IS WAS ,BATA4  0,GUN1 YOK6444SWORD1 YOK60 SAID HE1 PO9T+ TO HIMSELF4  0,PR9CE1 WANT60 

,! TALL] ONE /OOD SIL5T BESIDE HIS COMRADE4  ,HE TOO WAS UN>M$4 

0,HE MEANS HE'S A SC\T1 & WANTS ! ,COLONEL10 EXPLA9$ ,PANOV TO HIS COMRADES4 

0,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV444MU* WANT6  ,BIG BUS9ESS60 SAID ,BATA4 

0,ALL RI<T1 ALL RI<T6  ,WE'LL TAKE Y\ TO HIM10 SAID ,PANOV4  0,I SAY1 Y\'D BETT] TAKE !M10 SAID HE TO ,AVDEEV1 0Y\ & ,BOND>5KO2 & :5 Y\'VE GIV5 !M UP TO ! (FIC] ON DUTY COME BACK AGA94  ,M9D10 HE ADD$1 0BE C>EFUL TO MAKE !M KEEP 9 FRONT ( Y\60 

0& :AT ( ?IS80 SAID ,AVDEEV1 MOV+ HIS GUN & BAYONET AS ?\< /ABB+ SOMEONE4  0,I'S JU/ GIVE A DIG1 & LET ! /EAM \T ( HIM60 

0,:AT'LL HE BE WOR? :5 Y\'VE /UCK HIM80 REM>K$ ,BOND>5KO4 

0,N[1 M>*60 

,:5 ! /EPS ( ! TWO SOLDI]S CONDUCT+ ! SC\TS C\LD NO LONG] BE HE>D1 ,PANOV & ,NIKIT9 RETURN$ TO !IR PO/4 

0,:AT ! DEVIL BR+S !M H]E AT NI<T80 SAID ,NIKIT94 

0,SEEMS IT'S NECESS>Y10 SAID PANOV4  0,BUT IT'S GETT+ *ILLY10 HE ADD$1 & UNROLL+ HIS CLOAK HE PUT IT ON & SAT D[N BY ! TREE4 

,AB\T TWO H\RS LAT] ,AVDEEV & ,BOND>5KO RETURN$4 

0,WELL1 HAVE Y\ H&$ !M OV]80 

0,YES4  ,!Y W]5'T YET ASLEEP AT ! ,COLONEL'S -- !Y W]E TAK5 /RAI<T 9 TO HIM4  ,& DO Y\ KN[1 MATES1 ?OSE %AV5- HEAD$ LADS >E F9E60 CONT9U$ ,AVDEEV4  0,YES1 REALLY4  ,:AT A TALK ,I HAD ) !M60 

0,( C\RSE Y\'D TALK10 REM>K$ ,NIKIT9 DISAPPROV+LY4  

0,REALLY !Y'RE JU/ LIKE ,RUSSIANS4  ,ONE ( !M IS M>RI$4  ',MOLLY1' SAYS ,I1 'B>8'  ',B>1' HE SAYS4  ,BOND>5KO1 DIDN'T ,I SAY 'B>'8  ',MANY B>8'  ',A C\PLE1' SAYS HE4  ,A C\PLE6  ,SU* A GOOD TALK WE HAD6  ,SU* NICE FELL[S60 

0,NICE1 9DE$60 SAID ,NIKIT94  0,IF Y\ MET HIM ALONE HE'D SOON LET ! GUTS \T ( Y\40 

0,IT WILL BE GETT+ LI<T BE=E LONG40 SAID PANOV4 

0,YES1 ! />S >E BEG9N+ TO GO \T10 SAID ,AVDEEV1 SITT+ D[N & MAK+ HIMSELF COM=TABLE4 

,& ! SOLDI]S W]E SIL5T AGA94 

O ,*APT] #c 

,! W9D[S ( ! B>RACKS & ! SOLDI]S' H\SES HAD LONG BE5 D>K 9 ! =T2 BUT !RE W]E /ILL LI<TS 9 ! W9D[S ( ! BE/ H\SE4 

,9 IT LIV$ ,PR9CE ,SIMON ,MIKHAILOVI* ,VORONTSOV1 ,COMM&] ( ! ,KUR9 ,REGIM5T1 AN ,IMP]IAL ,AIDE-DE-,CAMP & SON ( ! ,COMM&]-9-,*IEF4  ,VORONTSOV'S WIFE1 ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 A FAM\S ,PET]SBURG BEAUTY1 WAS ) HIM & !Y LIV$ 9 ?IS LITTLE ,CAUCASIAN =T MORE LUXURI\SLY ?AN ANY ONE HAD EV] LIV$ !RE BE=E4  ,TO ,VORONTSOV1 & EV5 MORE TO HIS WIFE1 IT SEEM$ ?AT !Y W]E NOT ONLY LIV+ A V]Y MODE/ LIFE1 BUT ONE FULL ( PRIVATIONS1 :ILE TO ! 9HABITANTS ( ! PLACE !IR LUXURY WAS SURPRIS+ & EXTRAORD9>Y4 

,JU/ N[1 AT MIDNI<T1 ! HO/ & HO/ESS SAT PLAY+ C>DS ) !IR VISITORS1 AT A C>D TABLE LIT BY F\R C&LES1 9 ! SPACI\S DRAW+ ROOM ) ITS C>PET$ FLOOR & RI* CURTA9S DRAWN ACROSS ! W9D[S4  ,VORONTSOV1 :O HAD A LONG FACE & WORE ! 9SIGNIA & GOLD CORDS ( AN AIDE-DE-CAMP1 WAS P>TN]$ BY A %AGGY Y\NG MAN ( GLOOMY APPE>ANCE1 A GRADUATE ( ,PET]SBURG ,UNIV]SITY :OM ,PR9CESS ,VORONTSOV HAD LATELY HAD S5T TO ! ,CAUCASUS TO BE TUTOR TO H] LITTLE SON 7BORN ( H] FIR/ M>RIAGE74  ,AGA9/ !M PLAY$ TWO (FIC]S3  ONE A BROAD1 R$- FAC$ MAN1 ,POLTORATSKY1 A COMPANY COMM&] :O HAD EX*ANG$ \T ( ! ,GU>DS2 & ! O!R ! REGIM5TAL ADJUTANT1 :O SAT V]Y /RAI<T ON HIS *AIR ) A COLD EXPRESSION ON HIS H&SOME FACE4 

,PR9CESS ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 A L>GE-BUILT1 L>GE-EY$1 BLACK- BR[$ BEAUTY1 SAT BESIDE ,POLTORATSKY -- H] CR9OL9E T\*+ HIS LETS -- & LOOK$ OV] HIS C>DS4  ,9 H] WORDS1 H] LOOKS1 H] SMILE1 H] P]FUME1 & 9 EV]Y MOVEM5T ( H] BODY1 !RE WAS SOME?+ ?AT R$UC$ ,POLTORATSKY TO OBLIVI\SNESS ( EV]Y?+ EXCEPT ! CONSCI\SNESS ( H] NE>NESS1 & HE MADE BLUND] AFT] BLUND]1 TRY+ HIS P>TN]'S TEMP] MORE & MORE4 

0,NO 444 ?AT'S TOO BAD6  ,Y\'VE WA/$ AN ACE AGA910 SAID ! REGIM5TAL ADJUTANT1 FLU%+ ALL OV] AS ,POLTORATSKY ?REW \T AN ACE4 

,POLTORATSKY TURN$ HIS K9DLY1 WIDE-SET BLACK EYES T[>DS ! DISSATISFI$ ADJUTANT UNCOMPREH5D+LY1 AS ?\< JU/ >\S$ FROM SLEEP4 

0,DO =GIVE HIM60 SAID ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 SMIL+4  0,!RE1 Y\ SEE6  ,DIDN'T ,I TELL Y\ SO80 %E W5T ON1 TURN+ TO ,POLTORATSKY4 

0,BUT ?AT'S NOT AT ALL :AT Y\ SAID10 REPLI$ ,POLTORATSKY1 SMIL+4 

0,WASN'T IT80 %E QU]I$1 ) AN ANSW]+ SMILE1 :I* EXCIT$ & DELI<T$ ,POLTORATSKY TO SU* A DEGREE ?AT HE BLU%$ CRIMSON & SEE+ ! C>DS BEGAN TO %UFFLE4 

0,IT ISN'T Y\R TURN TO DEAL10 SAID ! ADJUTANT /]NLY1 & ) HIS :ITE R+$ H& HE BEGAN TO DEAL HIMSELF1 AS ?\< HE WI%$ TO GET RID ( ! C>DS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE4 

,! PR9CE'S VALET 5T]$ ! DRAW+ ROOM & ANN\NC$ ?AT ! (FIC] ON DUTY WANT$ TO SPEAK TO HIM4 

0,EXCUSE ME1 G5TLEM510 SAID ! PR9CE SPEAK+ ,RUSSIAN ) AN ,5GLI% ACC5T4  0,WILL Y\ TAKE MY PLACE1 M>YA80 

0,DO Y\ ALL AGREE80 ASK$ ! PR9CESS1 RIS+ QUICKLY & LI<TLY TO H] FULL HEI<T1 RU/L+ H] SILKS1 & SMIL+ ! RADIANT SMILE ( A HAPPY WOMAN4 

0,I ALWAYS AGREE TO EV]Y?+10 REPLI$ ! ADJUTANT1 V]Y PLEAS$ ?AT ! PR9CESS -- :O C\LD NOT PLAY AT ALL -- WAS N[ GO+ TO PLAY AGA9/ HIM4 

,POLTORATSKY ONLY SPREAD \T HIS H&S & SMIL$4 

,! RUBB] WAS NE>LY F9I%$ :5 ! PR9CE RETURN$ TO ! DRAW+ ROOM1 ANIMAT$ & OBVI\SLY V]Y PLEAS$4 

0,DO Y\ KN[ :AT ,I PROPOSE80 

0,:AT80 

0,?AT WE HAVE SOME *AMPAGNE40 

0,I AM ALWAYS READY = ?AT10 SAID ,POLTORATSKY4 

0,:Y NOT8  ,WE %ALL BE DELI<T$60 SAID ! ADJUTANT4 

0,BR+ SOME1 ,VASILI60 SAID ! PR9CE4 

0,:AT DID !Y WANT Y\ =80 ASK$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA4 

0,IT WAS ! (FIC] ON DUTY & ANO!R MAN40 

0,:O8   ,:AT AB\T80 ASK$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA QUICKLY4 

0,I MU/N'T SAY10 SAID ,VORONTSOV1 %RUGG+ HIS %\LD]S4 

0,Y\ MU/N'T SAY60 REPEAT$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA4  0,WE'LL SEE AB\T ?AT40 

,:5 ! *AMPAGNE WAS BR\<T EA* ( ! VISITORS DRANK A GLASS1 & HAV+ F9I%$ ! GAME & SETTL$ ! SCORES !Y BEGAN TO TAKE !IR LEAVE4 

0,IS IT Y\R COMPANY ?AT'S ORD]$ TO ! =E/ TOMORR[80 ! PR9CE ASK$ ,POLTORATSKY AS !Y SAID GOODBYE4 

0,YES1 M9E444:Y80 

0,!N WE %ALL MEET TOMORR[10 SAID ! PR9CE1 SMIL+ SLI<TLY4 

0,V]Y PLEAS$10 REPLI$ ,POLTORATSKY1 NOT QUITE UND]/&+ :AT ,VORONTSOV WAS SAY+ TO HIM & PREOCCUPI$ ONLY BY ! ?\<T ?AT HE W\LD 9 A M9UTE BE PRESS+ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA'S H&4 

,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 ACCORD+ TO H] WONT1 NOT ONLY PRESS$ HIS H& FIRMLY BUT %OOK IT VIGOR\SLY1 & AGA9 REM9D+ HIM ( HIS MI/AKE 9 PLAY+ DIAMONDS1 %E GAVE HIM :AT HE TOOK TO BE A DELI<TFUL1 AFFECTIONATE1 & MEAN+ SMILE4 

,POLTORATSKY W5T HOME 9 AN EC/ATIC CONDITION ONLY TO BE UND]/OOD BY PEOPLE LIKE HIMSELF :O1 HAV+ GR[N UP & BE5 $UCAT$ 9 SOCIETY1 MEET A WOMAN BELONG+ TO !IR [N CIRCLE AFT] MON?S ( ISOLAT$ MILIT>Y LIFE1 & MOREOV] A WOMAN LIKE ,PR9CESS ,VORONTSOV4 

,:5 HE REA*$ ! LITTLE H\SE 9 :I* HE & HIS COMRADE LIV$ HE PU%$ ! DOOR1 BUT IT WAS LOCK$4  ,HE KNOCK$1 ) NO RESULT4  ,HE FELT VEX$1 & BEGAN KICK+ ! DOOR & BANG+ IT ) HIS SWORD4  ,!N HE HE>D A S\ND ( FOOT/EPS & ,VOVILO -- A DOME/IC S]F ( HIS -- UNDID ! CAB9 HOOK :I* FA/5$ ! DOOR4 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN BY LOCK+ Y\RSELF 91 BLOCKHEAD80 

0,BUT H[ IS IT POSSIBLE1 SIR44480 

0,Y\'RE TIPSY AGA96  ,I'LL %[ Y\ 'H[ IT IS POSSIBLE6'0 & ,POLTORATSKY WAS AB\T TO /RIKE ,VOVILO BUT *ANG$ HIS M9D4  0,OH1 GO TO ! DEVIL6 444 ,LI<T A C&LE40 

0,9 A M9UTE40 

,VOVILO WAS REALLY TIPSY4  ,HE HAD BE5 DR9K+ AT ! NAME DAY P>TY ( ! ORDNANCE S]GEANT1 ,IVAN ,PETROVI*4  ,ON RETURN+ HOME HE BEGAN COMP>+ HIS LIFE ) ?AT ( ! LATT]4  ,IVAN ,PETROVI* HAD A SAL>Y1 WAS M>RI$1 & HOP$ 9 A YE>'S TIME TO GET HIS DIS*>GE4 

,VOVILO HAD BE5 TAK5 0UP0 :5 A BOY -- ?AT IS1 HE HAD BE5 TAK5 9TO HIS [N]'S H\SEHOLD S]VICE -- & N[ AL?\< HE WAS ALREADY OV] =TY HE WAS NOT M>RI$1 BUT LIV$ A CAMPAIGN+ LIFE ) HIS H>UM-SC>UM Y\NG MA/]4  ,HE WAS A GOOD MA/]1 :O SELDOM /RUCK HIM1 BUT :AT K9D ( A LIFE WAS IT8  0,HE PROMIS$ TO FREE ME :5 WE RETURN FROM ! ,CAUCASUS1 BUT :]E AM ,I TO ) MY FRE$OM8 444 ,IT'S A DOG'S LIFE60 ?\<T ,VOVILO1 & HE FELT SO SLEEPY ?AT1 AFRAID LE/ SOMEONE %\LD COME 9 & /EAL SOME?+1 HE FA/5$ ! HOOK ( ! DOOR & FELL ASLEEP4 

   "9 "9 "9 

,POLTORATSKY 5T]$ ! B$ROOM :I* HE %>$ ) HIS COMRADE ,TIKHONOV4 

0,WELL1 HAVE Y\ LO/80 ASK$ ,TIKHONOV1 WAK+ UP4 

0,NO1 AS IT HAPP5S1 ,I HAV5'T4  ,I'VE WON SEV5TE5 RUBLES1 & WE DRANK A BOTTLE ( ,CLIQUOT60 

0,& Y\'VE LOOK$ AT ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA80 

0,YES1 & ,I HAVE LOOK$ AT ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA10 REPEAT$ ,POLTORATSKY4 

0,IT WILL SOON BE TIME TO GET UP10 SAID ,TIKHONOV4  0,WE >E TO />T AT SIX40 

0,VOVILO60 %\T$ ,POLTORATSKY1 0SEE ?AT Y\ WAKE ME UP PROP]LY TOMORR[ AT FIVE60 

0,H[ CAN ,I WAKE Y\ IF Y\ FI<T80 

0,I TELL Y\ Y\'RE TO WAKE ME6  ,DO Y\ HE>80 

0,ALL RI<T40  ,VOVILO W5T \T1 TAK+ ,POLTORATSKY'S BOOTS & CLO!S ) HIM4  ,POLTORATSKY GOT 9TO B$ & SMOK$ A CIG>ETTE & PUT \T HIS C&LE SMIL+ ! :ILE4  ,9 ! D>K HE SAW BE=E HIM ! SMIL+ FACE ( ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA4 

   "9 "9 "9 

,! ,VORONTSOVS DID NOT GO TO B$ AT ONCE4  ,:5 ! VISITORS HAD LEFT1 ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA W5T UP TO H] HUSB& & /&+ 9 FRONT ( HIM1 SAID SEV]ELY -- 

0,EH BI56  V\S ALLEZ ME DIRE CE QUE C'E/40 

0,MAIS1 MA *]E4440 

0,PAS DE 'MA *]E'6  ,C'ETAIT UN EMISSAIRE1 N'E/-CE PAS80 

0,QU& MEME1 JE NE PUIS PAS V\S LE DIRE40 

0,V\S NE P\VEZ PAS8  ,ALORS1 C'E/ MOI QUI VAIS V\S LE DIRE60 

0,V\S80 

0,IT WAS ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 WASN'T IT80 SAID ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 :O HAD = SOME DAYS PA/ HE>D ( ! NEGOTIATIONS & ?\<T ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HIMSELF HAD BE5 TO SEE H] HUSB&4  ,VORONTSOV C\LD NOT ALTOGE!R D5Y ?IS1 BUT DISAPPO9T$ H] BY SAY+ ?AT IT WAS NOT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HIMSELF BUT ONLY AN EMISS>Y TO ANN\NCE ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD W\LD COME TO MEET HIM NEXT DAY AT ! SPOT :]E A WOOD- CUTT+ EXP$ITION HAD BE5 >RANG$4 

,9 ! MONOTON\S LIFE ( ! =TRESS ! Y\NG ,VORONTSOVS -- BO? HUSB& & WIFE -- W]E GLAD ( ?IS OCCURR5CE1 & IT WAS ALREADY PA/ TWO O'CLOCK :51 AFT] SPEAK+ ( ! PLEASURE ! NEWS W\LD GIVE HIS FA!R1 !Y W5T TO B$4 

O ,*APT] #d 

,AFT] ! ?REE SLEEPLESS NI<TS HE HAD PASS$ FLY+ FROM ! MURIDS ,%AMIL HAD S5T TO CAPTURE HIM1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD FELL ASLEEP AS SOON AS ,SADO1 HAV+ BID HIM GOODNI<T1 HAD GONE \T ( ! SAKLYA4 

,HE SLEPT FULLY DRESS$ ) HIS HEAD ON HIS H&1 HIS ELB[ S9K+ DEEP 9TO ! R$ D[N-CU%IONS HIS HO/ HAD >RANG$ = HIM4 

,AT A LITTLE DI/ANCE1 BY ! WALL1 SLEPT ,ELD>4 ,HE LAY ON HIS BACK1 HIS /RONG Y\NG LIMBS /RET*$ \T SO ?AT HIS HI< *E/1 ) ! BLACK C>TRIDGE-P\*ES SEWN 9TO ! FRONT ( HIS :ITE ,CIRCASSIAN COAT1 WAS HI<] ?AN HIS FRE%LY %AV51 BLUE-GLEAM+ HEAD1 :I* HAD ROLL$ (F ! PILL[ & WAS ?R[N BACK4  ,HIS UPP] LIP1 ON :I* A LITTLE S(T D[N WAS JU/ APPE>+1 P\T$ LIKE A *ILD'S1 N[ CONTRACT+ & N[ EXP&+1 AS ?\< HE W]E SIPP+ SOME?+4  ,LIKE ,HAJJI ,MURAD HE SLEPT ) PI/OL & DAGG] 9 HIS BELT4  ! /ICKS 9 ! GRATE BURNT L[1 & A NI<T LI<T 9 A NI*E 9 ! WALL GLEAM$ FA9TLY4 

,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T ! FLOOR ( ! GUE/-*AMB] CREAK$1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD IMM$IATELY ROSE1 PUTT+ HIS H& TO HIS PI/OL4  ,SADO 5T]$1 TREAD+ S(TLY ON ! E>!N FLOOR4 

0,:AT IS IT80 ASK$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 AS IF HE HAD NOT BE5 ASLEEP AT ALL4 

0,WE MU/ ?9K10 REPLI$ ,SADO1 SQUATT+ D[N 9 FRONT ( HIM4 

0,A WOMAN FROM H] RO( SAW Y\ >RIVE & TOLD H] HUSB&1 & N[ ! :OLE A\L KN[S4  ,A NEI<BOR HAS JU/ BE5 TO TELL MY WIFE ?AT ! ,ELD]S HAVE ASSEMBL$ 9 ! MOSQUE & WANT TO DETA9 Y\40 

0,I MU/ BE (F60 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,! HORSES >E SADDL$10 SAID ,SADO1 QUICKLY LEAV+ ! SAKLYA4 

0,ELD>60 :ISP]$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,& ,ELD>1 HE>+ HIS NAME1 & ABOVE ALL HIS MA/]'S VOICE1 LEAP$ TO HIS FEET1 SETT+ HIS CAP /RAI<T AS HE DID SO4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD PUT ON HIS WEAPONS & !N HIS BURKA4  ,ELD> DID ! SAME1 & !Y BO? W5T SIL5TLY \T ( ! SAKLYA 9TO ! P5?\SE4  ,! BLACK-EY$ BOY BR\<T !IR HORSES4  ,HE>+ ! CLATT] ( HO(S ON ! H>D-BEAT5 ROAD1 SOMEONE /UCK HIS HEAD \T ( ! DOOR ( A NEI<BOR+ SAKLYA & A MAN RAN UP ! HILL T[>DS ! MOSQUE1 CLATT]+ ) HIS WOOD5 %OES4  ,!RE WAS NO MOON1 BUT ! />S %ONE BRI<TLY 9 ! BLACK SKY SO ?AT ! \TL9ES ( ! SAKLYA RO(S C\LD BE SE5 9 ! D>KNESS1 ! MOSQUE ) ITS M9>ETS 9 ! UPP] P>T ( ! VILLAGE RIS+ ABOVE ! O!R BUILD+S4  ,FROM ! MOSQUE CAME A HUM ( VOICES4 

QUICKLY SEIZ+ HIS GUN1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD PLAC$ HIS FOOT 9 ! N>R[ /IRRUP1 & SIL5TLY & EASILY ?R[+ HIS BODY ACROSS1 SWUNG HIMSELF ONTO ! HI< CU%ION ( ! SADDLE4 

0,MAY ,GOD REW>D Y\60 HE SAID1 ADDRESS+ HIS HO/ :ILE HIS RI<T FOOT FELT 9/9CTIVELY = ! /IRRUP1 & ) HIS :IP HE LI<TLY T\*$ ! LAD :O HELD HIS HORSE1 AS A SIGN ?AT HE %\LD LET GO4  ,! BOY /EPP$ ASIDE1 & ! HORSE1 AS IF IT KNEW :AT IT HAD TO DO1 />T$ AT A BRISK PACE D[N ! LANE T[>DS ! PR9CIPAL /REET4  ,ELD> RODE BEH9D HIM4  ,SADO 9 HIS %EEPSK9 FOLL[$1 ALMO/ RUNN+1 SW++ HIS >MS & CROSS+ N[ TO ONE SIDE & N[ TO ! O!R ( ! N>R[ SIDE/REET4  ,AT ! PLACE :]E ! /REETS MET1 FIR/ ONE MOV+ %AD[ & !N ANO!R APPE>$ 9 ! ROAD4 

0,/OP444:O'S ?AT8  ,/OP60 %\T$ A VOICE1 & SEV]AL M5 BLOCK$ ! PA?4 

,9/EAD ( /OPP+1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD DREW HIS PI/OL FROM HIS BELT & 9CREAS+ HIS SPE$ RODE /RAI<T AT ?OSE :O BLOCK$ ! WAY4  ,!Y SEP>AT$1 & )\T LOOK+ R\ND HE />T$ D[N ! ROAD AT A SWIFT CANT]4  ,ELD> FOLL[$ HIM AT A %>P TROT4  ,TWO %OTS CRACK$ BEH9D !M & TWO BULLETS :I/L$ PA/ )\T HITT+ EI!R ,HAJJI ,MURAD OR ,ELD>4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD CONT9U$ RID+ AT ! SAME PACE1 BUT HAV+ GONE SOME ?REE HUNDR$ Y>DS HE /OPP$ HIS SLI<TLY PANT+ HORSE & LI/5$4 

,9 FRONT ( HIM1 L[] D[N1 GURGL$ RAPIDLY RUNN+ WAT]4  ,BEH9D HIM 9 ! A\L COCKS CR[$1 ANSW]+ ONE ANO!R4  ,ABOVE !SE S\NDS HE HE>D BEH9D HIM ! APPROA*+ TRAMP ( HORSES & ! VOICES ( SEV]AL M54  ,HAJJI ,MURAD T\*$ HIS HORSE & RODE ON AT AN EV5 PACE4  ,?OSE BEH9D HIM GALLOP$ & SOON OV]TOOK HIM4  ,!Y W]E SOME TW5TY M\NT$ M51 9HABITANTS ( ! A\L1 :O HAD DECID$ TO DETA9 ,HAJJI ,MURAD OR A LEA/ TO MAKE A %[ ( DETA9+ HIM 9 ORD] TO JU/IFY !MSELVES 9 ,%AMIL'S EYES4  ,:5 !Y CAME NE> 5\< TO BE SE5 9 ! D>KNESS1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD /OPP$1 LET GO HIS BRIDLE1 & ) AN ACCU/OM$ MOVEM5T ( HIS BRIDLE1 & ) AN ACCU/OM$ MOVEM5T ( HIS LEFT H& UNBUTTON$ ! COV] ( HIS RIFLE1 :I* HE DREW =? ) HIS RI<T4  ,ELD> DID ! SAME4 

0,:AT DO Y\ WANT80 CRI$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  0,DO Y\ WI% TO TAKE ME8444,TAKE ME1 !N60 & HE RAIS$ HIS RIFLE4  ,! M5 =M ! A\L /OPP$1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 RIFLE 9 H&1 RODE D[N 9TO ! RAV9E4  ! M\NT$ M5 FOLL[$ HIM BUT DID NOT DRAW ANY NE>]4  ,:5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD CROSS$ TO ! O!R SIDE ( ! RAV9E ! M5 %\T$ TO HIM ?AT HE %\LD HE> :AT !Y HAD TO SAY4  ,9 REPLY HE FIR$ HIS RIFLE & PUT HIS HORSE TO A GALLOP4  ,:5 HE RE9$ IT 9 HIS PURSU]S W]E NO LONG] )9 HE>+ & ! CR[+ ( ! COCKS C\LD ALSO NO LONG] BE HE>D2 ONLY ! MURMUR ( ! WAT] 9 ! =E/ S\ND$ MORE DI/9CTLY & N[ & !N CAME ! CRY ( AN [L4  ,! BLACK WALL ( ! =E/ APPE>$ QUITE CLOSE4  ,IT WAS 9 ! =E/ ?AT HIS MURIDS AWAIT$ HIM4 

,ON REA*+ IT ,HAJJI ,MURAD PAUS$1 & DRAW+ MU* AIR 9TO HIS LUNGS HE :I/L$ & !N LI/5$ SIL5TLY4  ! NEXT M9UTE HE WAS ANSW]$ BY A SIMIL> :I/LE FROM ! =E/4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD TURN$ FROM ! ROAD & 5T]$ IT4  ,:5 HE HAD GONE AB\T A HUNDR$ PACES HE SAW AMONG ! TRUNKS ( ! TREES A BONFIRE1 ! %AD[S ( SOME M5 SITT+ R\ND IT1 &1 HALF LIT-UP BY ! FIRELI<T1 A HOBBL$ HORSE :I* WAS SADDL$4  ,F\R M5 W]E SITT+ BY ! FIRE4 

,ONE ( !M ROSE QUICKLY1 & COM+ UP TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD TOOK HOLD ( HIS BRIDLE & /IRRUP4  ,?IS WAS ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SWORN BRO!R :O MANAG$ HIS H\SEHOLD AFFAIRS = HIM4 

0,PUT \T ! FIRE10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 DISM\NT+4 

,! M5 BEGAN SCATT]+ ! PILE & TRAMPL+ ON ! BURN+ BRAN*ES4 

0,HAS ,BATA BE5 H]E80 ASK$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 MOV+ T[>DS A BURKA ?AT WAS SPREAD ON ! GR\ND4 

0,YES1 HE W5T AWAY LONG AGO ) ,KHAN ,MAHOMA40 

0,:I* WAY DID !Y GO80 

0,?AT WAY10 ANSW]$ ,KHANEFI PO9T+ 9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO ?AT FROM :I* ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD COME4 

0,ALL RI<T10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & UNSL++ HIS RIFLE HE BEGAN TO LOAD IT4 

0,WE MU/ TAKE C>E -- ,I HAVE BE5 PURSU$10 HE SAID TO A MAN :O WAS PUTT+ \T ! FIRE4 

,?IS WAS ,GAMZALO1 A ,*E*54  ,GAMZALO APPROA*$ ! B>KA1 TOOK UP A RIFLE ?AT LAY ON IT WRAPP$ 9 ITS COV]1 & )\T A WORD W5T TO ?AT SIDE ( ! GLADE FROM :I* ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD COME4 

,:5 ,ELD> HAD DISM\NT$ HE TOOK ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S HORSE1 & HAV+ RE9$ UP BO? HORSES'S HEADS HI<1 TI$ !M TO TWO TREES4  ,!N HE %\LD]$ HIS RIFLE AS ,GAMZALO HAD DONE & W5T TO ! O!R SIDE ( ! GLADE4  ,! BONFIRE WAS EXT+UI%$1 ! =E/ NO LONG] LOOK$ AS BLACK AS BE=E1 BUT 9 ! SKY ! />S /ILL %ONE1 ?\<T FA9TLY4 

,LIFT+ HIS EYES TO ! />S & SEE+ ?AT ! ,PLEIADES HAD ALREADY RIS5 HALF-WAY UP 9 ! SKY1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD CALCULAT$ ?AT IT MU/ BE LONG PA/ MIDNI<T & ?AT HIS NI<TLY PRAY] WAS LONG OV]DUE4  ,HE ASK$ ,KHANEFI = A EW] 7!Y ALWAYS C>RI$ ONE 9 !IR PACKS71 & PUTT+ ON HIS B>KA W5T TO ! WAT]4 

,HAV+ TAK5 (F HIS %OES & P]=M$ HIS ABLUTIONS1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD /EPP$ ONTO ! BURKA ) B>E FEET & !N SQUATT$ D[N ON HIS CALVES1 & HAV+ FIR/ PLAC$ HIS F+]S 9 HIS E>S & CLOS$ HIS EYES1 HE TURN$ TO ! S\? & RECIT$ ! USUAL PRAY]4 

,:5 HE HAD F9I%$ HE RETURN$ TO ! PLACE :]E ! SADDLE BAGS LAY1 & SITT+ D[N ON ! BURKA HE LEANT HIS ELB[S ON HIS KNEES & B[$ HIS HEAD & FELL 9TO DEEP ?\<T4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD ALWAYS HAD GREAT FAI? 9 HIS [N =TUNE4  ,:5 PLANN+ ANY?+ HE ALWAYS FELT 9 ADVANCE FIRMLY CONV9C$ ( SUCCESS1 & FATE SMIL$ ON HIM4  ,IT HAD BE5 SO1 ) A FEW R>E EXCEPTIONS1 DUR+ ! :OLE C\RSE ( HIS /ORMY MILITRAY LIFE2 & SO HE HOP$ IT W\LD BE N[4  ,HE PICTUR$ TO HIMSELF H[ -- ) ! >MY VORONTSOV W\LD PLACE AT HIS DISPOSAL -- HE W\LD M>* AGA9/ ,%AMIL & TAKE HIM PRISON]1 & REV5GE HIMSELF ON HIM2 & H[ ! RUSSIAN ,CZ> W\LD REW>D HIM & H[ HE W\LD AGA9 RULE NOT ONLY OV] ,AV>IA1 BUT OV] ! :OLE ( ,*E*NYA1 :I* W\LD SUBMIT TO HIM4  ,) !SE ?\<TS HE UNWITT+LY FELL ASLEEP4 

,HE DREAM$ H[ HE & HIS BRAVE FOLL[]S RU%$ AT ,%AMIL ) SONGS & ) ! CRY1 0,HAJJI ,MURAD IS COM+60 & H[ !Y SEIZ$ HIM & HIS WIFES & H[ HE HE>D ! WIVES CRY+ & SOBB+4  ,HE WOKE UP4  ,! SONG1 ,LYA-IL-ALLY%A1 & ! CRY 0,HAJJI ,MURAD IS COM+60 & ! WEEP+ ( %AMIL'S WIVES1 WAS ! H[L+1 WEEP+ & LAU<T] ( JACKALS ?AT AWOKE HIM4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD LIFT$ HIS HEAD1 GLANC$ AT ! SKY :I*1 SE5 BETWE5 ! TRUNKS ( ! TREES1 WAS ALREADY GR[+ LI<T 9 ! EA/ & 9QUIR$ AFT] ,KHAN ,MAHOMA ( A MURID :O SAT AT SOME DI/ANCE FROM HIM4  ,ON HE>+ ?AT ,KHAN ,MAHOMA HAD NOT YET RETURN$1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD AGA9 B[$ HIS HEAD & AT ONCE FELL ASLEEP4 

,HE WAS AWAK5$ BY ! M]RY VOICE ( ,KHAN ,MAHOMA RETURN+ FROM HIS MISSION ) ,BATA4  ,KHAN ,MAHOMA AT ONCE SAT D[N BESIDE ,HAJJI ,MURAD & TOLD HIM H[ ! SOLDI]S HAD MET !M & HAD L$ !M TO ! PR9CE HIMSELF1 & H[ PLEAS$ ! PR9CE WAS & H[ HE PROMIS$ TO MEET !M 9 ! MORN+ :]E ! ,RUSSIANS W\LD BE FELL+ TREES BEYOND ! ,MIT*IK 9 ! ,%AL9 GLADE4  ,BATA 9T]RUPT$ HIS FELL[-5VOY TO ADD DETAILS ( HIS [N4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD ASK$ P>TICUL>LY = ! WORDS ) :I* ,VORONTSOV HAD ANSW]$ HIS (F] TO GO OV] TO ! RUSSIANS1 & ,KHAN ,MAHOMA & ,BATA REPLI$ ) ONE VOICE ?AT ! PR9CE PROMIS$ TO RECEIVE ,HAJJI ,MURAD AS A GUE/1 & TO ACT SO ?AT IT %\LD BE WELL = HIM4 

,!N ,HAJJI ,MURAD QUE/ION$ !M AB\T ! ROAD1 & :5 ,KHAN ,MAHOMA ASSUR$ HIM ?AT HE KNEW ! WAY WELL & W\LD CONDUCT HIM /RAI<T TO ! SPOT1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD TOOK \T SOME MONEY & GAVE ,BATA ! PROMIS$ ?REE RUBLES4  ,!N HE ORD]$ HIS M5 TO TAKE \T ( ! SADDLE BAGS HIS GOLD-ORNAM5T$ WEAPONS & HIS TURBAN1 & TO CLEAN !MSELVES UP SO AS TO LOOK WELL :5 !Y >RIV$ AMONG ! ,RUSSIANS4 

,:ILE !Y CLEAN$ !IR WEAPONS1 H>NESS1 & HORSES1 ! />S FAD$ AWAY1 IT BECAME QUITE LI<T1 & AN E>LY MORN+ BREEZE SPRANG UP4 

O ,*APT] #e 

,E>LY 9 ! MORN+1 :ILE IT WAS /ILL D>K1 TWO COMPANIES C>RY+ AXES & COMM&$ BY ,POLTORATSKY M>*$ SIX MILES BEYOND ! ,%AGIR9SK ,GATE1 & HAV+ ?R[N \T A L9E ( %>P%OOT]S SET TO WORK TO FELL TREES AS SOON AS ! DAY BROKE4  ,T[>DS EI<T O'CLOCK ! MI/ :I* HAD M+L$ ) ! P]FUM$ SMOKE ( ! HISS+ & CRACKL+ DAMP GRE5 BRAN*ES ON ! BONFIRES BEGAN TO RISE & ! WOOD-FELL]S -- :O TILL !N HAD NOT SE5 FIVE PACES (F BUT HAD ONLY HE>D ONE ANO!R -- BEGAN TO SEE BO? ! BONFIRES & ! ROAD ?R\< ! =E/1 BLOCK$ ) FALL$ TREES4  ,! SUN N[ APPE>$ LIKE A BRI<T SPOT 9 ! FOG & N[ AGA9 WAS HIDD54 

,9 ! GLADE1 SOME WAY FROM ! ROAD1 ,POLTORATSKY1 HIS SUBALT]N ,TIKHONOV1 TWO (FIC]S ( ! ,?IRD ,COMPANY1 & ,B>ON ,FREZE1 AN EX-(FIC] ( ! ,GU>DS & A FELL[ /UD5T ( ,POLTORATSKY AT ! ,CADET ,COLLEGE1 :O HAD BE5 R$UC$ TO ! RANKS = FI<T+ A DUEL1 W]E SITT+ ON DRUMS4  ,BITS ( PAP] ?AT HAD CONTA9$ FOOD1 CIG>ETTE /UMPS1 & EMPTY BOTTLES1 LAT SCATT]$ >\ND !M4  ,! (FIC]S HAD HAD SOME VODKA & W]E N[ EAT+1 & DR9K+ PORT]4  ,A DRUMM] WAS UNCORK+ !IR ?IRD BOTTLE4 

,POLTORATSKY1 AL?\< HE HAD NOT HAD 5\< SLEEP1 WAS 9 ?AT PECULI> /ATE ( ELATION & K9DLY C>ELESS GAIETY :I* HE ALWAYS FELT :5 HE F\ND HIMSELF AMONG HIS SOLDI]S & ) HIS COMRADES :]E !RE WAS A POSSIBILITY ( DANG]4 

,! (FIC]S W]E C>RY+ ON AN ANIMAT$ CONV]SATION1 ! SUBJECT ( :I* WAS ! LATE/ NEWS3  ! DEA? ( ,G5]AL ,SLETPSOV4  ,NONE ( !M SAW 9 ?IS DEA? ?AT MO/ IMPORTANT MOM5T ( A LIFE1 ITS T]M9ATION & RETURN TO ! S\RCE :5 IT SPRANG -- !Y SAW 9 IT ONLY ! VALOR ( A GALLANT (FIC] :O RU%$ AT ! M\NTA9E]S SWORD 9 H& & HACK$ !M DESP]ATELY4 

,?\< ALL ( !M -- & ESPECIALLY ?OSE :O HAD BE5 9 ACTION -- KNEW & C\LD NOT HELP  KN[+ ?AT 9 ?OSE DAYS 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 & 9 FACT ANY:]E & AT ANY TIME1 SU* H&-TO- H& HACK+ AS IS ALWAYS IMAG9$ & DESCRIB$ NEV] OCCURS 7OR IF HACK+ ) SWORDS & BAYONETS EV] DOES OCCUR1 IT IS ONLY ?OSE :O >E RUNN+ AWAY ?AT GET HACK$71 ?AT FICTION ( H&- TO-H& FI<T+ 5D[$ !M ) ! CALM PRIDE & *E]FULNESS ) :I* !Y SAY ON ! DRUMS -- SOME ) A JAUNTY AIR1 O!RS ON ! CONTR>Y 9 A V]Y MODE/ POSE1 & DRANK & JOK$ )\T TR\BL+ AB\T DEA?1 :I* MI<T OV]TAKE !M AT ANY MOM5T AS IT HAD OV]TAK5 ,SLEPTSOV4  ,& 9 ! MID/ ( !IR TALK1 AS IF TO CONFIRM !IR EXPECTATIONS1 !Y HE>D TO ! LEFT ( ! ROAD ! PLEASANT /IRR+ S\ND ( A RIFLE %OT2 & A BULLET1 M]RILY :I/L+ SOME:]E 9 ! MI/Y AIR1 FLEW PA/ & CRA%$ 9TO A TREE4 

0,HULLO60 EXCLAIM$ ,POLTORATSKY 9 A M]RY VOICE2 0,:Y ?AT'S AT \R L9E4 444 ,!RE N[1 ,KO/YA10 & HE TURN$ TO ,FREZE1 0N['S Y\R *ANCE4  ,GO BACK TO ! COMPANY4  ,I WILL LEAD ! :OLE COMPANY TO SUPPORT ! CORDON & WE'LL >RANGE A BATTLE ?AT WILL BE SIMPLY DELI<TFUL 444 & !N WE'LL MAKE A REPORT40 

,FREZE JUMP$ TO HIS FEET & W5T AT A QUICK PACE T[>DS ! SMOKE-5VELOP$ SPOT :]E HE HAD LEFT HIS COMPANY4 

,POLTORATSKY'S LITTLE ,KAB>DA DAPPLE-BAY WAS BR\<T TO HIM1 & HE M\NT$ & DREW UP HIS COMPANY & L$ IT 9 ! DIRECTION :5CE ! %OTS W]E FIR$4  ,! \TPO/S /OOD ON ! SKIRTS ( ! =E/ 9 FRONT ( ! B>E DESC5D+ SLOPE ( A RAV9E4  ,! W9D WAS BL[+ 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! =E/1 & NOT ONLY WAS IT POSSIBLE TO SEE ! SLOPE ( ! RAV9E1 BUT ! OPPOSITE SIDE ( IT WAS ALSO DI/9CTLY VISIBLE4  ,:5 ,POLTORATSKY RODE UP TO ! L9E ! SUN CAME \T FROM BEH9D ! MI/1 & ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! RAV9E1 BY ! \TSKIRTS ( A Y\NG =E/1 A FEW HORSEM5 C\LD BE SE5 AT A DI/ANCE ( A QU>T] ( A MILE4  ,!SE W]E ! ,*E*5S :O HAD PURSU$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD & WANT$ TO SEE HIM MEET ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,ONE ( !M FIR$ AT ! L9E4  ,SEV]AL SOLDI]S FIR$ BACK4  ,! ,*E*5S RETREAT$ & ! FIR+ CEAS$4 

,BUT :5 ,POLTORATSKY & HIS COMPANY CAME UP HE NEV]!LES GAVE ORD]S TO FIRE1 & SC>CELY HAD ! WORD BE5 PASS$ ?AN ALONG ! :OLE L9E ( %>P%OOT]S ! 9CESSANT1 M]RY1 /IRR+ RATTLE ( \R RIFLES BEGAN1 ACOMPANI$ BY PRETTY DISSOLV+ CL\DLETS ( SMOKE4  ,! SOLDI]S1 PLEAS$ TO HAVE SOME DI/RACTION1 HA/5$ TO LOAD & FIR$ %OT AFT] %OT4 ,! ,*E*5S EVID5TLY CAU<T ! FEEL+ ( EXCITEM5T1 & LEAP+ =W>D ONE AFT] ANO!R FIR$ A FEW %OTS AT \R M54  ,ONE ( !SE %OTS W\ND$ A SOLDI]4  ,IT WAS ! SAME ,AVDEEV :O HAD LA9 9 AMBU% ! NI<T BE=E4 

,:5 HIS COMRADES APPROA*$ HIM HE WAS LY+ PRONE1 HOLD+ HIS W\ND$ /OMA* ) BO? H&S1 & ROCK+ HIMSELF ) A RHY?MIC MOTION MOAN$ S(TLY4  ,HE BELONG$ TO ,POLTORATSKY'S COMPANY1 & ,POLTORATSKY1 SEE+ A GR\P ( SOLDI]S COLLECT$1 RODE UP TO !M4 

0,:AT IS IT1 LAD8  ,BE5 HIT80 SAID ,POLTORATSKY4  0,:]E80 

,AVDEEV DID NOT ANSW]4 

0,I WAS JU/ GO+ TO LOAD1 Y\R HONOR1 :5 ,I HE>D A CLICK10 SAID A SOLDI] :O HAD BE5 ) ,AVDEEF2 0& ,I LOOK & SEE HE'S DROPP$ HIS GUN40 

0,TUT1 TUT1 TUT60 ,POLTORATSKY CLICK$ HIS TONGUE4  0,DOES IT HURT MU*1 ,AVDEEV80 

0,IT DOESN'T HURT BUT IT /OPS ME WALK+4  ,A DROPU ( VODKA N[1 Y\R HONOR60 

,SOME VODKA 7OR RA!R ! SPIRIT DRUNK BY ! SOLDI]S 9 ! ,CAUCASUS7 WAS F\ND1 & ,PANOV1 SEV]ELY FR[N+1 BR\<T ,AVDEEV A CAN-LID FULL4  ,AVDEEV TRI$ TO DR9K IT BUT IMM$IATELY H&$ BACK ! LID4 

0,MY S\L TRUNS AGA9/ IT10 HE SAID4  0,DR9K IT Y\RSELF40 

,PANOV DRANK UP ! SPIRIT4 

,AVDEEV RAIS$ HIMSELF BUT SANK BACK AT ONCE4  ,!Y SPREAD \T A CLOAK & LAID HIM ON IT4 

0,Y\R HONOR1 ! COLONEL IS COM+10 SAID ! S]GEANT-MAJOR TO ,POLTORATSKY4 

0,ALL RI<T4  !N WILL Y\ SEE TO HIM80 SAID ,POLTORATSKY1 & FL\RI%+ HIS :IP HE RODE AT A FA/ TROT TO MEET ,VORONTSOV4 

,VORONTSOV WAS RID+ HIS ?OR\<BR$ ,5GLI% *E/NUT GELD+1 & WAS ACCOMPANI$ BY ! ADJUTANT1 A ,COSSACK1 & A ,*E*5 9T]PRET]4 

0,:AT'S HAPP5+ H]E80 ASK$ ,VORONTSOV4 

0,:Y1 A SKIRMI%+ P>TY ATTACK$ \R ADVANC$ L9E10 ,POLTORATSKY ANSW]$4 

0,COME1 COME -- Y\ >RANG$ ! :OLE ?+ Y\RSELF60 

0,OH NO1 ,PR9CE1 NOT ,I10 SAID ,POLTORATSKY ) A SMILE2 0!Y PU%$ =W>D ( !IR [N ACCORD40 

0,I HE> A SOLDI] HAS BE5 W\ND$80 

0,YES1 IT'S A GREAT PITY4  ,HE'S A GOOD SOLDI]40 

0,S]I\SLY80 

0,S]I\SLY1 ,I BELIEVE 444 9 ! /OMA*40 

0,& DO Y\ KN[ :]E ,I AM GO+80 VORONTSOV ASK$4 

0,I DON'T40 

0,CAN'T Y\ GUESS80 

0,NO40 

0,HAJJI ,MURAD HAS SURR5D]$ & WE >E N[ GO+ TO MEET HIM40 

0,Y\ DON'T MEAN TO SAY SO80 

0,HIS 5VOY CAME TO ME YE/]DAY10 SAID ,VORONTSOV1 ) DIFFICULTY REPRESS+ A SMILE ( PLEASURE4  0,HE WILL BE WAIT+ = ME AT ! ,%AL9 GLADE 9 A FEW M9UTES4  ,PLACE %>P%OOT]S AS F> AS ! GLADE1 & !N COME & JO9 ME40 

0,I UND]/&10 SAID ,POLTORATSKY1 LIFT+ HIS H& TO HIS CAP1 & RODE BACK TO HIS COMPANY4  ,HE L$ ! %>P %OOT]S TO ! RI<T HIMSELF1 & ORD]$ ! SE>GEANT-MAJOR TO DO ! SAME ON ! LEFT SIDE4 

,! W\ND$ ,AVDEEV HAD MEAN:ILE BE5 TAK5 BACK TO ! =T BY SOME ( ! SOLDI]S4 

,ON HIS WAY BACK TO REJO9 VORONTSOV1 ,POLTORATSKY NOTIC$ BEH9D HIM SEV]AL HORSEM5 :O W]E OV]TAK+ HIM4  ,9 FRONT ON A :ITE-MAN$ HORSE RODE A MAN ( IMPOS+ APPE>ANCE4 ,HE WORE A TURBAN & C>RI$ WEAPONS ) GOLD ORNAM5TS4  ,?IS MAN WAS ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,HE APPROA*$ ,POLTORATSKY & SAID SOME?+ TO HIM 9 ,T>T>4  ,RAIS+ HIS EYEBR[S1 ,POLTORATSKY MADE A GE/URE ) HIS >MS TO %[ ?AT HE DID NOT UND]/&1 & SMIL$4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD GAVE HIM SMILE = SMILE1 & ?AT SMILE /RUCK ,POLTORATSKY BY ITS *ILDLIKE K9DL9ESS4  ,POLTORATSKY HAD NEV] EXPECT$ TO SEE ! T]RIBLE M\NTA9 *IEF LOOK LIKE ?AT4  ,HE HAD EXPECT$ TO SEE A MOROSE1 H>D-FEATUR$ MAN1 & H]E WAS A VIVACI\S P]SON :OSE SMILE WAS SO K9DLY ?AT ,POLTORATSKY FELT AS IF HE W]E AN OLD ACQUA9TANCE4  ,HE HAD ONLY ONE PECULI>ITY3  HIS EYES1 SET WIDE AP>T1 :I* GAZ$ FROM UND] !IR BLACK BR[S CALMLY1 ATT5TIVELY1 & P5ETRAT+LY 9TO ! EYES ( O!RS4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SUIT CONSI/$ ( FIVE M51 AMONG !M WAS ,KHAN ,MAHOMA1 :O HAD BE5 TO SEE ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV ?AT NI<T4  ,HE WAS A ROSY1 R\ND-FAC$ FELL[ ) BLACK LA%LESS EYES & A BEAM+ EXPRESSION1 FULL ( ! JOY ( LIFE4  ,!N !RE WAS ! ,AV> ,KHANEFI1 A ?ICK-SET1 HAIRY MAN1 :OSE EYEBR[S MET4  ,HE WAS 9 *>GE ( ALL ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S PROP]TY & L$ A /UD-BR$ HORSE :I* C>RI$ TI<TLY PACK$ SADDLE BAGS4  ,TWO M5 ( ! SUITE W]E P>TICUL>LY /RIK+4  ,! FIR/ WAS A ,LES<IAN3  A Y\?1 BROAD-%\LD]$ BUT ) A WAI/ AS SLIM AS A WOMAN'S1 BEAUTIFUL RAM-LIKE EYES1 & ! BEG9N+S ( A BR[N BE>D4  ,?IS WAS ,ELD>4  ,! O!R1 ,GAMZALO1 WAS A ,*E*5 ) A %ORT R$ BE>D & NO EYEBR[S OR EYELA%ES2 HE WAS BL9D 9 ONE EYE & HAD A SC> ACROSS HIS NOSE & FACE4  ,POLTORATSKY PO9T$ \T ,VORONTSOV1 :O HAD JU/ APPE>$ ON ! ROAD4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD RODE TO MEET HIM1 & PUTT+ HIS RI<T H& ON HIS HE>T SAID SOME?+ 9 ,T>T> & /OPP$4  ,! ,*E*5 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$4 

0,HE SAYS1 ',I SURR5D] MYSELF TO ! WILL ( ! ,RUSSIAN ,CZ>4 

,I WI% TO S]VE HIM1' HE SAYS4  ',I WI%$ TO SO DO LONG AGO BUT ,%AMIL W\LD NOT LET ME4'0 

,HAV+ HE>D :AT ! 9T]PRET] SAID1 ,VORONTSOV /RET*$ \T HIS H& 9 ITS WA%-LEA!R GLOVE TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD LOOK$ AT IT HE/ITAT+LY = A MOM5T & !N PRESS$ IT FIRMLY1 AGA9 SAY+ SOME?+ & LOOK+ FIR/ AT ! 9T]PRET] & !N AT ,VORONTSOV4 

0,HE SAYS HE DID NOT WI% TO SURR5D] TO ANY ONE BUT Y\1 AS Y\ >E ! SON ( ! ,SIRD> & HE RESPECTS Y\ MU*40 

,VORONTSOV NODD$ TO EXPRESS HIS ?ANKS4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD AGA9 SAID SOME?+1 PO9T+ TO HIS SUITE4 

0,HE SAYS ?AT !SE M51 HIS H5*M51 WILL S]VE ! ,RUSSIANS AS WELL AS HE40 

,VORONTSOV TURN$ T[>DS !N & NODD$ TO !M TOO4  ,! M]RY1 BLACK-EY$1 LA%LESS ,*E*51 ,KHAN ,MAHOMA1 ALSO NODD$ & SAID SOME?+ :I* WAS PROBABLY AMUS+1 = ! HAIRY ,AV> DREW HIS LIPS 9TO A SMILE1 %[+ HIS IVORY-:ITE TEE?4  ,BUT ! R$- HAIR$ ,GAMZALO'S ONE R$ EYE JU/ GLANC$ AT ,VORONTSOV & !N WAS AGA9 FIX$ ON ! E>S ( HIS HORSE4 

,:5 ,VORONTSOV & ,HAJJI ,MURAD ) !IR RET9UES RODE BACK TO ! =T ! SOLDI]S RELEAS$ =M ! L9ES GA!R$ 9 GR\PS & MADE !IR [N COMM5TS4 

0,:AT A LOT ( M5 ?AT DAMN$ FELL[ HAS DE/ROY$6  ,& N[ SEE :AT A FUSS !Y WILL MAKE ( HIM60 

0,NATURALLY4  ,HE WAS ,%AMIL'S RI<T H&1 & N[ -- NO FE>60 

0,/ILL !RE'S NO D5Y+ IT6 HE'S A F9E FELL[ -- A REGUL> DZHIGIT60 

0,& ! R$ ONE6  ,HE SQU9TS AT Y\ LIKE A BEA/60 

0,U<6  ,HE MU/ BE A H\ND60 

,!Y HAD ALL SPECIALLY NOTIC$ ! R$ ONE4  ,:]E ! WOOD- FELL+ WAS GO+ ON ! SOLDI]S NE>E/ TO ! ROAD RAN \T TO LOOK4  ,!IR (FIC] %\T$ TO !M1 BUT ,VORONTSOV /OPP$ HIM4 

0,LET !M HAVE A LOOK AT !IR OLD FRI5D40 

0,Y\ KN[ :O ?AT IS80 HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO ! NE>E/ SOLDI]1 & SPEAK+ ! WORDS SL[LY ) HIS ,5GLI% ACC5T4 

0,NO1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY40 

0,HAJJI ,MURAD4 444 ,HE>D ( HIM80 

0,H[ C\LD WE HELP IT1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY8  ,WE'VE BEAT5 HIM MANY A TIME60 

0,YES1 & WE'VE HAD IT HOT FROM HIM TOO40 

0,YES1 ?AT'S TRUE1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY10 ANSW]$ ! SOLDI]1 PLEAS$ TO BE TALK+ ) HIS *IEF4  

,HAJJI ,MURAD UND]/OOD ?AT !Y W]E SPEAK+ AB\T HIM1 & SMIL$ BRI<TLY ) HIS EYES4 

,VORNOTSOV RETURN$ TO ! =T 9 A V]Y *E]FUL MOOD4 

O ,*APT] #f 

,Y\NG ,VORONTSOV WAS MU* PLEAS$ ?AT IT WAS HE1 & NO ONE ELSE1 :O HAD SUCCE$$ 9 W9N+ OV] & RECEIV+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD -- NEXT TO ,%AMIL ,RUSSIA'S *IEF & MO/ ACTIVE 5EMY4  ,!RE WAS ONLY ONE UNPLEASANT ?+ AB\T IT3  ,G5]AL ,MELL]- ,ZAKOMELSKY WAS 9 COMM& ( ! >MY AT ,VOZDVIZH5SKI1 & ! :OLE AFFAIR \<T TO HAVE BE5 C>RI$ \T ?R\< HIM4  ,AS ,VORONTSOV HAD DONE EV]Y?+ HIMSELF )\T REPORT+ IT !RE MI<T BE SOME UNPLEASANTNESS1 & ?IS ?\<T RA!R 9T]F]$ ) HIS SATISFACTION4  ,ON REA*+ HIS H\SE HE 5TRU/$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S H5*M5 TO ! REGIM5TAL ADJUTANT & HIMSELF %[$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9TO ! H\SE4 

,PR9CESS ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 ELEGANTLY DRESS$ & SMIL+1 & H] LITTLE SON1 A H&SOME CURLY-HEAD$ *ILD ( SIX1 MET ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 ! DRAW+ ROOM4  ,! LATT] PLAC$ HIS H&S ON HIS HE>T1 & ?R\< ! 9T]PRET] -- :O HAD 5T]$ ) HIM -- SAID ) SOLEMNITY ?AT HE REG>D$ HIMSELF AS ! PR9CE'S KUNAK1 S9CE ! PR9CE HAD BR\<T HIM 9TO HIS [N H\SE2 & ?AT A KUNAK'S :OLE FAMILY WAS AS SACR$ AS ! KUNAK HIMSELF4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S APPE>ANCE & MANN]S PLEAS$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 & ! FACT ?AT HE FLU%$ :5 %E HELD \T H] L>GE :ITE H& TO HIM 9CL9$ H] /ILL MORE 9 HIS FAVOR4  ,%E 9VIT$ HIM TO SIT D[N1 & HAV+ ASK$ HIM :E!R HE DRANK C(FEE1 HAD SOME S]V$4  ,HE1 H[EV]1 DECL9$ IT :5 IT CAME4  ,HE UND]/OOD A LITTLE ,RUSSIAN BUT C\LD NOT SPEAK IT4  ,:5 SOME?+ WAS SAID :I* HE C\LD NOT UND]/& HE SMIL$1 & HIS SMILE PLEAS$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA JU/ AS IT HAD PLEAS$ ,POLTORATSKY4  ,! CURLY-HAIR$1 KE5-EY$ LITTLE BOY 7:OM HIS MO!R CALL$ ,BULKA7 /&+ BESIDE H] DID NOT TAKE HIS EYES (F ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 :OM HE HAD ALWAYS HE>D SPOK5 ( AS A GREAT W>RIOR4 

,LEAV+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD ) HIS WIFE1 ,VORONTSOV W5T TO HIS (FICE TO DO :AT WAS NECESS>Y AB\T REPORT+ ! FACT ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S HAV+ COVE OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,:5 HE HAD WRITT5 A REPORT TO ! G5]AL 9 COMM& ( ! LEFT FLANK -- ,G5]AL ,KOZLOVSKY -- AT ,GROZNY1 & A LETT] TO HIS FA!R1 ,VORONTSOV HURRI$ HOME1 AFRAID ?AT HIS WIFE MI<T BE VEX$ ) HIM = =C+ ON H] ?IS T]RIBLE /RANG]1 :O HAD TO BE TREAT$ 9 SU* A WAY ?AT HE %\LD NOT TAKE (F5SE1 & YET NOT TOO K9DLY4  ,BUT HIS FE>S W]E NE$LESS4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS SITT+ 9 AN >M*AIR ) LITTLE ,BULKA1 ,VORONTSOV'S /EPSON1 ON HIS KNEE1 & ) B5T HEAD WAS LI/5+ ATT5TIVELY TO ! 9T]PRET] :O WAS TRANSLAT+ TO HIM ! WORDS ( ! LAU<+ M>YA ,VASILEVNA4  ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA WAS TELL+ HIM ?AT IF EV]Y TIME A KUNAK ADMIR$ ANY?+ ( HIS HE MADE HIM A PRES5T ( IT1 HE W\LD SOON HAVE TO GO AB\T LIKE ,ADAM4 444 

,:5 ! PR9CE 5T]$1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD ROSE AT ONCE &1 SURPRIS+ & (F5D+ ,BULKA BY PUTT+ HIM (F HIS KNEE1 *ANG$ ! PLAYFUL EXPRESSION ( HIS FACE TO A /]N & S]I\S ONE4  ,HE ONLY SAT D[N AGA9 :5 ,VORONTSOV HAD HIMSELF TAK5 A SEAT4 

,CONT9U+ ! CONV]SATION HE ANSW]$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA BY TELL+ H] ?AT IT WAS A LAW AMONG HIS PEOPLE ?AT ANY?+ Y\R KUNAK ADMIR$ MU/ BE PRES5T$ TO HIM4 

0,?Y SON1 KUNAK80 HE SAID 9 ,RUSSIAN1 PATT+ ! CURLY HEAD ( ! BOY :O HAD AGA9 CLIMB$ ON HIS KNEE4 

0,HE IS DELI<TFUL1 Y\R BRIG&60 SAID ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA TO H] HUSB& 9 FR5*4  0,BULKA HAS BE5 ADMIR+ HIS DAGG]1 & HE HAS GIV5 IT TO HIM40 

,BULKA %[$ ! DAGG] TO HIS FA!R4  0,C'E/ UN OBJET DE PRIX60 ADD$ %E4 

0,IL FAUDRA TR\V] L'OCCASION DE LUI FAIRE CADEAU10 SAID ,VORONTSOV4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD1 HIS EYES TURN$ D[N1 SAT /ROK+ ! BOY'S CURLY HAIR & SAY+3  0,DZHIGIT1 DZHIGIT60 

0,A BEAUTIFUL1 BEAUTIFUL DAGG]10 SAID ,VORONTSOV1 HALF DRAW+ \T ! %>P5$ BLADE :I* HAD A RIDGE D[N ! C5T]4  0,I ?ANK !E60 

0,ASK HIM :AT ,I CAN DO = HIM10 HE SAID TO ! 9T]PRET]4 

,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD AT ONCE REPLI$ ?AT HE WANT$ NO?+ BUT ?AT HE BEGG$ TO BE TAK5 TO A PLACE :]E HE C\LD SAY HIS PRAY]S4 

,VORONTSOV CALL$ HIS VALET & TOLD HIM TO DO :AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD DESIR$4 

,AS SOON AS ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS ALONE 9 ! ROOM ALLOTT$ TO HIM HIS FACE ALT]$4  ,! PLEAS$ EXPRESSION1 N[ K9DLY & N[ /ATELY1 VANI%$1 & A LOOK ( ANXIETY %[$ ITSELF4  ,VORONTSOV HAD RECEIV$ HIM F> BETT] ?AN ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD EXPECT$4  ,BUT ! BETT] ! RECEPTION ! LESS DID ,HAJJI ,MURAD TRU/ ,VORONTSOV & HIS (FIC]S4  ,HE FE>$ EV]Y?+3  ?AT HE MI<T BE SEIZ$1 *A9$1 & S5T TO ,SIB]IA1 OR SIMPLY KILL$2 & !RE=E HE WAS ON HIS GU>D4  ,HE ASK$ ,ELD>1 :5 ! LATT] 5T]$ HIS ROOM1 :]E HIS MURIDS HAD BE5 PUT & :E!R !IR >MS HAD BE5 TAK5 FROM !M1 & :]E ! HORSES W]E4  ,ELD> REPORT$ ?AT ! HORSES W]E 9 ! PR9CE'S /ABLES2 ?AT ! M5 HAD BE5 PLAC$ 9 A B>N2 ?AT !Y RETA9$ !IR >MS1 & ?AT ! 9T]PRET] WAS GIV+ !M FOOD & TEA4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD %OOK HIS HEAD 9 D\BT1 & AFT] UNDRESS+ SAID HIS PRAY]S & TOLD ,ELD> TO BR+ HIM HIS SILV] DAGG]4  ,HE !N DRESS$1 & HAV+ FA/5$ HIS BELT1 SAT D[N ON ! DIVAN ) HIS LEGS TUCK$ UND] HIM1 TO AWAIT :AT MI<T BEFALL HIM4 

,AT F\R 9 ! AFT]NOON ! 9T]PRET] CAME TO CALL HIM TO D9E ) ! PR9CE4 

,AT D9N] HE H>DLY ATE ANY?+ EXCEPT SOME PILAF1 TO :I* HE HELP$ HIMSELF FROM ! V]Y P>T ( ! DI% FROM :I* ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA HAD HELP$ H]SELF4 

0,HE IS AFRAID WE %ALL POISON HIM10 ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA REM>K$ TO H] HUSB&4  0,HE HAS HELP$ HIMSELF FROM ! PLACE :]E ,I TOOK MY HELP+40  ,!N 9/ANTLY TURN+ TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD %E ASK$ HIM ?R\< ! 9T]PRET] :5 HE W\LD PRAY AGA94  ,HAJJI ,MURAD LIFT$ FIVE F+]S & PO9T$ TO ! SUN4  0,!N IT WILL SOON BE TIME10 & ,VORONTSOV DREW \T HIS WAT* & PRESS$ A SPR+4  ,! WAT* /RUCK F\R & ONE QU>T]4  ,?IS EVID5TLY SURPRIS$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & HE ASK$ TO HE> IT AGA9 & TO BE ALL[$ TO LOOK AT ! WAT*4 

0,VOILA L'OCCASION6  ,DONNEZ-LUI LA MONTRE10 SAID ! PR9CESS TO H] HUSB&4 

,VORONTSOV AT ONCE (F]$ ! WAT* TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,! LATT] PLAC$ HIS H& ON HIS BREA/ & TOOK ! WAT*4 ,HE T\*$ ! SPR+ SEV]AL TIMES1 LI/5$1 & NODD$ HIS HEAD APPROV+LY4 

,AFT] D9N]1 ,MELL]-,ZAKOMELSKY'S AIDE-DE-CAMP WAS ANN\NC$4 

,! AIDE-DE-CAMP 9=M$ ! PR9CE ?AT ! G5]AL1 HAV+ HE>D ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S >RIVAL1 WAS HI<LY DISPLEAS$ ?AT ?IS HAD NOT BE5 REPORT$ TO HIM1 & REQUIR$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO BE BR\<T TO HIM )\T DELAY4  ,VORONTSOV REPLI$ ?AT ! G5]AL'S COMM& %\LD BE OBEY$1 & ?R\< ! 9T]PRET] 9=M$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD ( !SE ORD]S & ASK$ HIM TO GO TO ,MELL] ) HIM4 

,:5 ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA HE>D :AT ! AIDE-DE-CAMP HAD COME AB\T1 %E AT ONCE UND]/OOD ?AT UNPLEASANTNESS MI<T >ISE BETWE5 H] HUSB& & ! G5]AL1 & 9 SPITE ( ALL H] HUSB&'S ATTEMPTS TO DISSUADE H]1 DECID$ TO GO ) HIM & ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,V\S F]IEZ BL5 MIEUX DE RE/] -- C'E/ MON AFFAIRE1 NON PAS LA VOTRE4 4440 

0,V\S NE P\VEZ PAS M'EMPE*] D'ALL] VOIR MADAME LA G5]ALE60 

0,Y\ C\LD GO SOME O!R TIME40 

0,BUT ,I WI% TO GO N[60 

,!RE WAS NO HELP = IT1 SO ,VORONTSOV AGRE$1 & !Y ALL ?REE W5T4 

,:5 !Y 5T]$1 ,MELL] ) SOMB] POLIT5ESS CONDUCT$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA TO HIS WIFE & TOLD HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP TO %[ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO ! WAIT+ ROOM & NOT LET HIM \T TILL FUR!R ORD]S4 

0,PLEASE4440 HE SAID TO ,VORONTSOV1 OP5+ ! DOOR ( HIS /UDY & LETT+ ! PR9CE 5T] BE=E HIM4 

,HAV+ 5T]$ ! /UDY HE /OPP$ 9 FRONT ( ,VORONTSOV &1 )\T (F]+ HIM A SEAT1 SAID3 

0,I AM 9 COMM& H]E & !RE=E ALL NEGOTIATIONS ) ! 5EMY HAVE TO BE C>RI$ ON ?R\< ME6  ,:Y DID Y\ NOT REPORT TO ME ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD COME OV]80 

0,AN EMISS>Y CAME TO ME & ANN\NC$ HIS WI% TO CAPITULATE ONLY TO ME10 REPLI$ ,VORONTSOV GR[+ PALE ) EXCITEM5T1 EXPECT+ SOME RUDE EXPRESSION FROM ! ANGRY G5]AL & AT ! SAME TIME BECOM+ 9FECT$ ) HIS ANG]4 

0,I ASK Y\ :Y WAS ,I NOT 9=M$80 

0,I 9T5D$ TO 9=M Y\1 ,B>ON1 BUT4440 

0,Y\ >E NOT TO ADDRESS ME AS ',B>ON1' BUT AS ',Y\R ,EXCELL5CY'60  ,& H]E ! B>ON'S P5T-UP IRRITATION SUDD5LY BROKE \T & HE UTT]$ ALL ?AT HAD LONG BE5 BOIL+ 9 HIS S\L4 

0,I HAVE NOT S]V$ MY SOV]EIGN TW5TY-SEV5 YE>S 9 ORD] ?AT M5 :O BEGAN !IR S]VICE YE/]DAY1 RELY+ ON FAMILY CONNECTIONS1 %\LD GIVE ORD]S UND] MY V]Y NOSE AB\T MATT]S ?AT DO NOT CONC]N !M60 

0,Y\R ,EXCELL5CY1 ,I REQUE/ Y\ NOT TO SAY ?+S ?AT >E 9CORRECT60 9T]RUPT$ ,VORONTSOV4 

0,I AM SAY+ :AT IS CORRECT1 & ,I WON'T ALL[4440 SAID ! G5]AL1 /ILL MORE IRRITABLY4 

,BUT AT ?AT MOM5T ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA 5T]$1 RU/L+ ) H] SKIRTS & FOLL[$ BY A MODEL-LOOK+ LITTLE LADY1 ,MELL]- ,ZAKOMELSKY'S WIFE4 

0,COME1 COME1 ,B>ON6  ,SIMON DID NOT WI% TO DISPLEASE Y\10 BEGAN ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA4 

0,I AM NOT SPEAK+ AB\T ?AT1 ,PR9CESS4 4440 

0,WELL1 WELL1 LET'S =GET IT ALL6444 ,Y\ KN[1 ',A BAD PEACE IS BETT] ?AN A GOOD QU>REL6' 444 ,OH DE>1 :AT AM ,I SAY+80 & %E LAU<$4 

,! ANGRY G5]AL CAPITULAT$ TO ! 5*ANT+ LAU< ( ! BEAUTY4  ,A SMILE HOV]$ UND] HIS MU/A*E4 

0,I CONFESS ,I WAS WRONG10 SAID ,VORONTSOV1 0BUT--0 

0,& ,I TOO GOT RA!R C>RI$ AWAY10 SAID ,MELL]1 & HELD \T HIS H& TO ! PR9CE4 

,PEACE WAS REE/ABLI%$1 & IT WAS DECID$ TO LEAVE ,HAJJI ,MURAD ) ! G5]AL = ! PRES5T1 & !N TO S5D HIM TO ! COMM&] ( ! LEFT FLANK4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD SAT 9 ! NEXT ROOM & ?\< HE DID NOT UND]/& :AT WAS SAID1 HE UND]/OOD :AT IT WAS NECESS>Y = HIM TO UND]/& -- NAMELY1 ?AT !Y W]E QU>REL+ AB\T HIM1 ?AT HIS DES]TION ( ,%AMIL WAS A MATT] ( IMM5SE IMPORTANCE TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 & ?AT !RE=E NOT ONLY W\LD !Y NOT EXILE OR KILL HIM1 BUT ?AT HE W\LD BE ABLE TO DEM& MU* FROM !M4  ,HE ALSO UND]/OOD ?AT ?\< ,MELL]-,ZAKOMELSKY WAS ! COMM&+ (FIC]1 HE HAD NOT AS MU* 9FLU5CE AS HIS SUBORD9ATE ,VORONTSOV1 & ?AT ,VORONTSOV WAS IMPORTANT & ,MELL]-,ZAKOMELSKY UNIMPORTANT2 & !RE=E :5 ,MELL]- ,ZAKOMELSKY S5T = HIM & BEGAN TO QUE/ION HIM1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD BORE HIMSELF PR\DLY & C]EMONI\SLY1 SAY+ ?AT HE HAD COME FROM ! M\NTA9S TO S]VE ! ,:ITE ,CZ> & W\LD GIVE ACC\NT ONLY TO HIS ,SIRD>1 MEAN+ ! COMM&]-9-*IEF1 ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV S5IOR1 9 ,TIFLIS4 

O ,*APT] #g 

,! W\ND$ ,AVDEEV WAS TAK5 TO ! HOSPITAL -- A SMALL WOOD5 BUILD+ RO($ ) BO>DS AT ! 5TRANCE ( ! =T -- & WAS PLAC$ ON ONE ( ! EMPTY B$S 9 ! COMMON W>D4  ,!RE W]E F\R PATI5TS 9 ! W>D3  ONE ILL ) TYPHUS & 9 HI< FEV]2 ANO!R1 PALE1 ) D>K %AD[S UND] HIS EYES1 :O HAD AGUE1 WAS JU/ EXPECT+ ATTACK & YAWN$ CONT9UALLY2 & TWO MORE :O HAD BE5 W\ND$ 9 A RAID ?REE WEEKS BE=E3  ONE 9 ! H& -- HE WAS UP -- & ! O!R 9 ! %\LD]4  ,! LATT] WAS SITT+ ON A B$4  ,ALL ( !M EXCEPT ! TYPHUS PATI5T SURR\ND$ & QUE/ION$ ! NEWCOM] & ?OSE :O HAD BR\<T HIM4 

0,SOMETIMES !Y FIRE AS IF !Y W]E SPILL+ PEAS OV] Y\1 & NO?+ HAPP5S 444 & ?IS TIME ONLY AB\T FIVE %OTS W]E FIR$10 RELAT$ ONE ( ! BE>]S4 

0,EA* MAN GET :AT FATE S5DS60 

0,OH60 GROAN$ ,AVDEEV L\DLY1 TRY+ TO MA/] HIS PA9 :5 !Y BEGAN TO PLACE HIM ON ! B$2 BUT HE /OPP$ GROAN+ :5 HE WAS ON IT1 & ONLY FR[N$ & MOV$ HIS FEET CONT9UALLY4  ,HE HELD HIS H&S OV] HIS W\ND & LOOK$ FIX$LY BE=E HIM4 

,! DOCTOR CAME1 & GAVE ORD]S TO TURN ! W\ND$ MAN OV] TO SEE :E!R ! BULLET HAD PASS$ \T BEH9D4 

0,:AT'S ?IS80 ! DOCTOR ASK$1 PO9T+ TO ! L>GE :ITE SC>S ?AT CROSS$ ONE ANO!R ON ! PATI5T'S BACK & LO9S4 

0,?AT WAS DONE LONG AGO1 Y\R HONOR60 REPLI$ ,AVDEEV ) A GROAN4 

,!Y W]E SC>S LEFT BY ! FLOGG+ ,AVDEEV HAD RECEIV$ = ! MONEY HE DRANK4 

,AVDEEV WAS AGA9 TURN$ OV]1 & ! DOCTOR PROB$ 9 HIS /OMA* = A LONG TIME & F\ND ! BULLET1 BUT FAIL$ TO EXTRACT IT4  ,HE PUT A DRESS+ ON ! W\ND1 & HAV+ /UCK PLA/] OV] IT W5T AWAY4  ,DUR+ ! :OLE TIME ! DOCTOR WAS PROB+ & B&AG+ ! W\ND ,AVDEEV LAY ) CL5*$ TEE? & CLOS$ EYES1 BUT :5 ! DOCTOR HAD GONE HE OP5$ !M & LOOK$ >\ND AS ?\< AMAZ$4  ,HIS EYES W]E TURN$ ON ! O!R PATI5TS & ON ! SURGEON'S ORD]LY1 ?\< HE SEEM$ TO SEE NOT !M BUT SOME?+ ELSE ?AT SURPRIS$ HIM4 

,HIS FRI5DS ,PANOV & ,S]OG9 CAME 91 BUT ,AVDEEV CONT9U$ TO LIE 9 ! SAME POSITION LOOK+ BE=E HIM ) SURPRISE4  ,IT WAS LONG BE=E HE RECOGNIZ$ HIS COMRADES1 ?\< HIS EYES GAZ$ /RAI<T AT !M4 

0,I SAY1 ,PET]1 HAVE Y\ NO MESSAGE TO S5D HOME80 SAID ,PANOV4 

,AVDEEV DID NOT ANSW]1 ?\< HE WAS LOOK+ ,PANOV 9 ! FACE4 

0,I SAY1 HAV5'T Y\ ANY ORD]S TO S5D HOME80 AGA9 REPEAT$ ,PANOV1 T\*+ ,AVDEEV'S COLD1 L>GE-BON$ H&4 

,AVDEEV SEEM$ TO COME TO4 

0,AH6 444 ,PANOV60 

0,YES1 ,I'M H]E4 444 ,I'VE COME6  ,HAVE Y\ NO?+ = HOME8  ,S]OG9 W\LD WRITE A LETT]40 

0,S]OG9 444 0 SAID ,AVDEEV MOV+ HIS EYES ) DIFFICULTY T[>DS ,S]OG91 0WILL Y\ WRITE8 444 ,WELL !N1 WROTE SO3  ',Y\R SON1' SAY ',PET]1 HAS GIV5 ORD]S ?AT Y\ %\LD LIVE LONG4  ,HE 5VI$ HIS BRO!R' 444 ,I TOLD Y\ AB\T ?AT TODAY 444 ' & N[ HE IS HIMSELF GLAD4  ,DON'T WORRY HIM4 444 ,LET HIM LIVE4  ,GOD GRANT IT HIM4  ,I AM GLAD6' ,WRITE ?AT40 

,HAV+ SAID ?IS HE WAS SIL5T = SOME TIME ) HIS EYES FIX$ ON ,PANOV4 

0,& DID Y\ F9D Y\R PIPE80 HE SUDD5LY ASK$4 

,PANOV DID NOT REPLY4 

0,Y\R PIPE 444 Y\R PIPE6  ,I MEAN1 HAVE Y\ F\ND IT80 ,AVDEEV REPEAT$4 

0,IT WAS 9 MY GAG40 

0,?AT'S RI<T6 444 ,WELL1 & N[ GIVE ME A C&LE TO HOLD 444 ,I AM GO+ TO DIE10 SAID ,AVDEEV4 

,JU/ !N ,POLTORATSKY CAME 9 TO 9QUIRE AFT] HIS SOLDI]4 

0,H[ GOES IT1 MY LAD6  ,BADLY80 SAID HE4 

,AVDEEV CLOS$ HIS EYES & %OOK HIS HEAD NEGATIVELY4  ,HIS BROAD-*EEK$ FACE WAS PALE & /]N4  ,HE DID NOT REPLY1 BUT AGA9 SAID TO ,PANOV3 

0,BR+ A C&LE4 444 ,I AM GO+ TO DIE40 

,A WAX TAP] WAS PLAC$ 9 HIS H& BUT HIS F+]S W\LD NOT B5D1 SO IT WAS PLAC$ BETWE5 !M & HELD UP = HIM4 

,POLTORATSKY W5T AWAY1 & FIVE M9UTES LAT] ! ORD]LY PUT HIS E> TO ,AVDEEV'S HE>T & SAID ?AT ALL WAS OV]4 

,AVDEEV'S DEA? WAS DESCRIB$ 9 ! FOLL[+ MANN] 9 ! REPORT S5T TO ,TIFLIS3 

0#b#cRD ,NOV4 -- ,TWO COMPANIES ( ! ,KUR9 REGIM5T ADVANC$ FROM ! =T ON A WOOD-FELL+ EXP$ITION4  ,AT MID-DAY A CONSID]ABLE NUMB] ( M\NTA9E]S SUDD5LY ATTACK$ ! WOOD- FELL]S4  ,! %>P%OOT]S BEGAN TO RETREAT1 BUT ! #bND ,COMPANY *>G$ ) ! BAYONET & OV]?REW ! M\NTA9E]S4  ,9 ?IS AFFAIR TWO PRIVATES W]E SLI<TLY W\ND$ & ONE KILL$4  ,! M\NTA9E]S LO/ AB\T A HUNDR$ M5 KILL$ & W\ND$40 

O ,*APT] #h 

,ON ! DAY ,PET] ,AVDEEV DI$ 9 ! HOSPITAL AT ,VOZDVIZH5SK1 HIS OLD FA!R ) ! WIFE ( ! BRO!R 9 :OSE /EAD HE HAD 5LI/$1 & ?AT BRO!R'S DAU<T] -- :O WAS ALREADY APPROA*+ WOMANHOOD & ALMO/ ( AGE TO GET M>RI$ -- W]E ?RE%+ OATS ON ! H>D-FROZ5 ?RE%+ FLOOR4 

,!RE HAD BE5 A HEAVY FALL ( SN[ ! PREVI\S NI<T FOLL[$ T[>DS MORN+ BY A SEV]E FRONT4  ,! OLD MAN WOKE :5 ! COCKS W]E CR[+ = ! ?IRD TIME1 & SEE+ ! BRI<T MOONLI<T ?R\< ! FROZ5 W9D[PANES GOT D[N FROM ! /OVE1 PUT ON HIS BOOTS1 HIS %EEPSK9 COAT & CAP1 & W5T \T TO ! ?RE%+ FLOOR4  ,HAV+ WORK$ !RE = A C\PLE ( H\RS HE RETURN$ TO ! HUT & AWOKE HIS SON & ! WOM54  ,:5 ! WOMAN & GIRL CAME TO ! ?RE%+ FLOOR !Y F\ND IT READY SWEPT1 ) A WOOD5 %OVEL /ICK+ 9 ! DRY :ITE SN[1 BESIDE :I* W]E BIR* BROOMS ) ! TWIGS UPW>DS & TWO R[S ( OAT %EAVES LAID E>S TO E>S 9 A LONG L9E ! :OLE L5G? ( ! CLEAN ?RE%+ FLOOR4  ,!Y *OSE !IR FLAILS & />T$ ?RE%+1 KEEP+ TIME ) !IR TRIPLE BL[S4  ,! OLD MAN /RUCK P[]FULLY ) HIS HEAVY FLAIL1 BREAK+ ! /RAW1 ! GIRL /RUCK ! E>S FROM ABOVE ) MEASUR$ BL[S1 & ! DAU<T]-9-LAW TURN$ ! OATS OV] ) H] FLAIL4 

,! MOON HAD SET1 DAWN WAS BREAK+1 & !Y W]E F9I%+ ! L9E ( %EAVES :5 ,AKIM1 ! ELDE/ SON1 9 HIS %EEPSK9 & CAP1 JO9$ ! ?RE%]S4 

0,:AT >E Y\ LAZ+ AB\T =80 %\T$ HIS FA!R TO HIM1 PAUS+ 9 HIS WORK & LEAN+ ON HIS FLAIL4 

0,! HORSES HAD TO BE SE5 TO40 

0',HORSES SE5 TO6'0 ! FA!R REPEAT$1 MIMICK+ HIM4  0,! OLD WOMAN WILL LOOK AFT] !M4 444 ,TAKE Y\R FLAIL6  ,Y\'RE GETT+ TOO FAT1 Y\ DRUNK>D60 

0,HAVE Y\ BE5 /&+ ME TREAT80 MUTT]$ ! SON4 

0,:AT80 SAID ! OLD MAN1 FR[N+ /]NLY & MISS+ A /ROKE4 

,! SON SIL5TLY TOOK A FLAIL & !Y BEGAN ?RE%+ ) F\R FLAILS4 

0,TRAK1 TAPATAM444TRAK1 TAPATAM444TRAK 4440 CAME D[N ! OLD MAN'S HEAVY FLAIL AFT] ! ?REE O!RS4 

0,:Y1 Y\'VE GOT A NAPE LIKE A GOODLY G5TLEMAN6 444 ,LOOK H]E1 MY TR\S]S HAVE H>DLY ANY?+ TO H& ON60 SAID ! OLD MAN1 OMITT+ HIS /ROKE & ONLY SW++ HIS FLAIL 9 ! AIR SO AS NOT TO GET \T ( TIME4 

,!Y HAD F9I%$ ! R[1 & ! WOM5 BEGAN REMOV+ ! /RAW ) RAKES4 

0,PET] WAS A FOOL TO GO 9 Y\R /EAD4  ,!Y'D HAVE KNOCK$ ! NONS5SE \T ( Y\ 9 ! >MY1 & HE WAS WOR? FIVE ( SU* AS Y\ AT HOME60 

0,?AT'S 5\<1 FA!R10 SAID ! DAU<T]-9-LAW1 AS %E ?REW ASIDE ! B9D]S ?AT HAD COME (F ! %EAVES4 

0,YES1 FE$ ! SIX ( Y\ & GET NO WORK \T ( A S+LE ONE6  ,PET] US$ TO WORK = TWO4  ,HE WAS NOT LIKE 4440 

,ALONG ! TRODD5 PA? FROM ! H\SE CAME ! OLD MAN'S WIFE1 ! FROZ5 SN[ CREAK+ UND] ! NEW B>K %OES %E WORE OV] H] TI<TLY W\ND WOOL5 LEG-B&S4  ,! M5 W]E %OVEL+ ! UNW9N[$ GRA9 9TO HEAPS1 ! WOMAN & ! GIRL SWEEP+ UP :AT REMA9$4 

,! ,ELD] HAS BE5 & ORD]S EV]YBODY TO GO & WORK = ! MA/]1 C>T+ BRICKS10 SAID ! OLD WOMAN4  0,I'VE GOT BREAKFA/ READY4 444 ,COME ALONG1 WON'T Y\80 

0,ALL RI<T4 444 ,H>NESS ! ROAN & GO10 SAID ! OLD MAN TO ,AKIM1 0& Y\'D BETT] LOOK \T ?AT Y\ DON'T GET ME 9TO TR\BLE AS Y\ DID ! O!R DAY6 444 ,I CAN'T HELP REGRETT+ ,PET]60 

0,:5 HE WAS AT HOME Y\ US$ TO SCOLD HIM10 RETORT$ ,AKIM4  0,N[ HE'S AWAY Y\ KEEP NAGG+ AT ME40 

0,?AT %[S Y\ DES]VE IT10 SAID HIS MO!R 9 ! SAME ANGRY TONES4  0,Y\'LL NEV] BE ,PET]'S EQUAL40 

0,OH1 ALL RI<T10 SAID ! SON4 

0',ALL RI<T1' 9DE$6  ,Y\'VE DRUNK ! MEAL1 & N[ Y\ SAY 'ALL RI<T6'0 

0,LET BYGONES BE BYGONES60 SAID ! DAU<T]-9-LAW4 

,! DISAGREEM5TS BETWE5 FA!R & SON HAD BEGUN LONG AGO -- ALMO/ FROM ! TIME ,PET] W5T AS A SOLDI]4  ,EV5 !N ! OLD MAN FELT ?AT HE HAD P>T$ ) AN EAGLE = A CUCKOO4  ,IT IS TRUE ?AT IT WAS RI<T -- AS ! OLD MAN UND]/OOD IT -- = A *ILDLESS MAN TO GO 9 PLACE ( A FAMILY MAN4  ,AK9 HAD F\R *ILDR5 & ,PET] HAD NONE2 BUT ,PET] WAS A WORK] LIKE HIS FA!R1 SKILLFUL1 OBS]VANT1 /RONG1 5DUR+1 & ABOVE ALL 9DU/RI\S4  ,HE WAS ALWAYS AT WORK4  ,IF HE HAPP5$ TO PASS BY :]E PEOPLE W]E WORK+ HE L5T A HELP+ H& AS HIS FA!R W\LD HAVE DONE1 & TOOK A TURN OR TWO ) ! SCY!1 OR LOAD$ A C>T1 OR FELL$ A TREE1 OR *OPP$ SOME WOOD4  ,! OLD MAN REGRETT$ HIS GO+ AWAY1 BUT !RE WAS NO HELP = IT4  ,CONSCRIPTION 9 ?OSE DAYS WAS LIKE DEA?4  ,A SOLDI] WAS A SEV]$ BRAN*1 & TO ?9K AB\T HIM AT HOME WAS TO TE> ONE'S HE>T USELESSLY4  ,ONLY OCCASIONALLY1 TO PRICK HIS ELD] SON1 DID ! FA!R M5TION HIM1 AS HE HAD DONE ?AT DAY4  ,BUT HIS MO!R (T5 ?\<T ( H] Y\NG] SON1 & = A LONG TIME -- MORE ?AN A YE> N[ -- %E HAD BE5 ASK+ H] HUSB& TO S5D ,PET] A LITTLE MONEY1 BUT ! OLD MAN HAD MADE NO RESPONSE4 

,! ,KUR5KOVS W]E A WELL-TO-DO FAMILY & ! OLD MAN HAD SOME SAV+S HIDD5 AWAY1 BUT HE W\LD ON NO ACC\NT HAVE CONS5T$ TO T\* :AT HE HAD LAID BY4  ,N[ H[EV] ! OLD WOMAN HAV+ HE>D HIM M5TION !IR Y\NG] SON1 MADE UP H] M9D TO ASK HIM AGA9 TO S5D HIM AT LEA/ A RUBLE AFT] SELL+ ! OATS4  ,?IS %E DID4  ,AS SOON AS ! Y\NG PEOPLE HAD GONE TO WORK = ! PROPRIETOR & ! OLD FOLKS W]E LEFT ALONE TOGE!R1 %E P]SUAD$ HIM TO S5D ,PET] A RUBLE \T ( ! OATS-MONEY4  

,SO :5 N9ETY-SIX BU%ELS ( ! W9N[$ OATS HAD BE5 PACK$ ONTO ?REE SL$GES L9$ ) SACK+ C>EFULLY P9N$ TOGE!R AT ! TOP ) WOOD5 SKEW]S1 %E GAVE H] HUSB& A LETT] ! *UR* CL]K HAD WRITT5 AT H] DICTATION1 & ! OLD MAN PROMIS$ :5 HE GOT TO T[N TO 5CLOSE A RUBLE & S5D IT (F TO ! RI<T ADDRESS4 

,! OLD MAN1 DRESS$ 9 A NEW %EEPSK9 ) HOMESPUN CLOAK OV] IT1 HIS LEGS WRAPP$ R\ND ) W>M :ITE WOOL5 LEG- B&S1 TOOK ! LETT]1 PLAC$ IT 9 HIS WALLET1 SAID A PRAY]1 GOT 9TO ! FRONT SL$GE1 & DROVE TO T[N4  ,HIS GR&SON DROVE 9 ! LA/ SL$GE4  ,:5 HE REA*$ T[N ! OLD MAN ASK$ ! 9NKEEP] TO READ ! LETT] TO HIM1 & LI/5$ TO IT ATT5TIVELY & APPROV+LY4 

,9 H] LETT] ,PET]'S MO!R FIR/ S5T HIM H] BLESS+1 !N GREET+S FROM EV]YBODY & ! NEWS ( HIS GODFA!R'S DEA?1 & AT ! 5D %E ADD$ ?AT ,AKS9YA 7,PET]'S WIFE7 HAD NOT WI%$ TO /AY ) !M BUT HAD GONE 9TO S]VICE1 :]E !Y HE>D %E WAS LIV+ HONE/LY & WELL4  ,!N CAME A REF]5CE TO ! PRES5T ( A RUBLE1 & F9ALLY A MESSAGE :I* ! OLD WOMAN1 YIELD+ TO H] SORR[S1 HAD DICTAT$ ) TE>S 9 H] EYES & ! *UR* CL]K HAD TAK5 D[N EXACTLY1 WORD = WORD3 

0,ONE ?+ MORE1 MY D>L+ *ILD1 MY SWEET DOVE1 MY [N ,PET]K96  ,I HAVE WEPT MY EYES \T LAM5T+ = !E1 ?\ LI<T ( MY EYES4  ,TO :OM HAS ?\ LEFT ME84440  ,AT ?IS PO9T ! OLD WOMAN HAD SOBB$ & WEPT1 & SAID3  0,?AT WILL DO60  ,SO ! WORDS /OOD 9 ! LETT]2 BUT IT WAS NOT FAT$ ?AT ,PET] %\LD RECEIVE ! NEWS ( HIS WIFE'S HAV+ LEFT HOME1 NOR ! PRES5T ( ! RUBLE1 NOR HIS MO!R'S LA/ WORDS4  ,! LETT] ) ! MONEY 9 IT CAME BACK ) ! ANN\NCEM5T ?AT ,PET] HAD BE5 KILL$ 9 ! W>1 0DEF5D+ HIS ,CZ>1 HIS ,FA!RL&1 & ! ,OR?ODOX ,FAI?40  ,?AT IS H[ ! >MY CL]K EXPRESS$ IT4 

,! OLD WOMAN1 :5 ?IS NEWS REA*$ H]1 WEPT = AS LONG AS %E C\LD SP>E TIME1 & !N SET TO WORK AGA94  ,! V]Y NEXT ,SUNDAY %E W5T TO *UR* & HAD A REQUIEM *ANT$ & ,PET]'S NAME 5T]$ AMONG ?OSE = :OSE S\LS PRAY]S W]E TO BE SAID1 & %E DI/RIBUT$ BITS ( HOLY BREAD TO ALL ! GOOD PEOPLE 9 MEMORY ( ,PET]1 ! S]VANT ( ,GOD4 

,AKS9YA1 HIS WID[1 ALSO LAM5T$ L\DLY :5 %E HE>D ( ! DEA? ( H] BELOV$ HUSB& ) :OM %E HAD LIV$ BUT ONE %ORT YE>4  ,%E REGRETT$ H] HUSB& & H] [N RU9$ LIFE1 & 9 H] LAM5TATIONS M5TION$ ,PET]'S BR[N LOCKS & HIS LOVE1 & ! SADNESS ( H] LIFE ) H] LITTLE ORPHAN$ ,VANKA1 & BITT]LY REPROA*$ ,PET] = HAV+ HAD PITY ON HIS BRO!R BUT NONE ON H] -- OBLIG$ TO W&] AMONG /RANG]S6 

,BUT 9 ! DEP? ( H] S\L ,AKS9YA WAS GLAD ( H] HUSB&'S DEA?4  ,%E WAS PREGNANT A SECOND TIME BY ! %OPMAN ) :OM %E WAS LIV+1 & NO ONE W\LD N[ HAVE A RI<T TO SCOLD H]1 & ! %OPMAN C\LD M>RY H] AS HE HAD SAID HE W\LD :5 HE WAS P]SUAD+ H] TO YIELD4 

O ,*APT] #i 

,MI*AEL ,SEM5OVI* ,VORONTSOV1 BE+ ! SON ( ! ,RUSSIAN ,AMBASSADOR1 HAD BE5 $UCAT$ 9 ,5GL& & POSSESS$ A ,EUROPEAN $UCATION QUITE EXCEPTIONAL AMONG ! HI<] ,RUSSIAN (FICIALS ( HIS DAY4  ,HE WAS AMBITI\S1 G5TLE & K9D 9 HIS MANN] ) 9F]IORS1 & A F9I%$ C\RTI] ) SUP]IORS4  ,HE DID NOT UND]/& LIFE )\T P[] & SUBMISSION4  ,HE HAD OBTA9$ ALL ! HI<E/ RANKS & DECORATIONS & WAS LOOK$ UPON AS A CLEV] COMM&]1 & EV5 AS ! CONQU]OR ( ,NAPOLEON AT ,KRASNOE4 

,9 #aheb HE WAS OV] SEV5TY1 BUT Y\NG = HIS AGE1 HE MOV$ BRISKLY1 & ABOVE ALL WAS 9 FULL POSSESSION ( A FACILE1 REF9$1 & AGREEABLE 9TELLECT :I* HE US$ TO MA9TA9 HIS P[] & /R5G!N & 9CREASE HIS POPUL>ITY4  ,HE POSSESS$ L>GE MEANS -- HIS [N & HIS WIFE'S 7:O HAD BE5 A C\NTESS ,BRANITSKI7 -- & RECEIV$ AN 5ORM\S SAL>Y AS ,VIC]OY1 & HE SP5T A GREAT P>T ( HIS MEANS ON BUILD+ A PALACE & LAY+ \T A G>D5 ON ! S\? COA/ ( ! ,CRIMEA4 

,ON ! EV5+ ( ,DECEMB] ! #d?1 #a#h#e#b1 A C\RI]'S TROIKA DREW UP BE=E HIS PALACE 9 ,TIFLIS4 AN (FIC]1 TIR$ & BLACK ) DU/1 S5T BY ,G5]AL ,KOZLOVSKI ) ! NEWS ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 5T]$ ! WIDE POR*1 /RET*+ ! /IFF5$ MUSCLES ( HIS LEGS AS HE PASS$ ! S5T9EL4  ,IT WAS SIX O'CLOCK1 & ,VORONTSOV WAS JU/ GO+ 9 TO D9N] :5 HE WAS 9=M$ ( ! C\RI]'S >RIVAL4  ,HE RECEIV$ HIM AT ONCE1 & WAS !RE=E A FEW M9UTES LATE = D9N]4 

,:5 HE 5T]$ ! DRAW+ ROOM ! ?IRTY P]SONS 9VIT$ TO D9E1 :O W]E SITT+ BESIDE ,PR9CESS ,ELIZABE? ,KSAV]EVNA ,VORONTSOVA1 OR /&+ 9 GR\PS BY ! W9D[S1 TURN$ !IR FACES T[>DS HIM4  ,VORONTSOV WAS DRESS$ 9 HIS USUAL BLACK MILIT>Y COAT1 ) %\LD]/RAPS BUT NO EPAULETS1 & WORE ! ,:ITE ,CROSS ( ! ,ORD] ( ,/4 ,GEORGE AT HIS NECK4 

,HIS CLEAN %AV51 FOXLIKE FACE WORE A PLEASANT SMILE AS1 SCREW+ UP HIS EYES1 HE SURVEY$ ! ASSEMBLY4  ,5T]+ ) QUICK S(T /EPS HE APOLOGIZ$ TO ! LADIES = BE+ LATE1 GREET$ ! M51 & APPROA*+ ,PR9CESS ,MANANA ,ORBELYANI -- A TALL1 F9E1 H&SOME WOMAN ( ,ORI5TAL TYPE AB\T =TY-FIVE YE>S ( AGE -- HE (F]$ H] HIS >M TO TAKE H] 9 TO D9N]4  ,PR9CESS ,ELIZABE? ,KSAV]EVNA ,VORONTSOVA GAVE H] >M TO A R$- HAIR$ G5]AL ) BRI/LY MU/A*ES :O WAS VISIT+ ,TIFLIS4  ,A ,GEORGIAN PR9CE (F]$ HIS >M TO ,PR9CESS ,VORONTSOVA'S FRI5D1 ,C\NTESS ,*OISEUIL4  ,DOCTOR ,&REEVSKY1 ! AIDE-DE-CAMP1 & O!RS1 ) LADIES OR )\T1 FOLL[$ !SE FIR/ C\PLES4  ,FOOTM5 9 LIV]Y & KNEE-BREE*ES DREW BACK & REPLAC$ ! GUE/S' *AIRS :5 !Y SAT D[N1  :ILE ! MAJOR-DOMO C]EMONI\SLY LADL$ \T /EAM+ S\P FROM A SILV] TURE54 

,VORONTSOV TOOK HIS PLACE 9 ! C5T] ( ONE SIDE ( ! LONG TABLE1 & WIFE SAT OPPOSITE1 ) ! G5]AL ON H] RI<T4  ,ON ! PR9CE'S RI<T SAT HIS LADY1 ! BEAUTIFUL ,ORBELYANI2 & ON HIS LEFT WAS A GRACEFUL1 D>K1 R$-*EEK$ ,GEORGIAN WOMAN1 GLITT]+ ) JEWELS & 9CESSANTLY SMIL+4 

0,EXCELL5TES1 *]E AMIE60 REPLI$ ,VORONTSOV TO HIS WIFE'S 9QUIRY AB\T :AT NEWS ! C\RI] HAD BR\<T HIM4  0,SIMON A EU DE LA *ANCE60  ,& HE BEGAN TO TELL AL\D1 SO ?AT EV]YONE C\LD HE>1 ! /RIK+ NEWS 7= HIM ALONE NOT QUITE UNEXPECT$1 BECAUSE NEGOTIATIONS HAD LONG BE5 GO+ ON7 ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 ! BRAVE/ & MO/ FAM\S ( ,%AMIL'S (FIC]S1 HAD COME OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS & W\LD 9 A DAY OR TWO BE BR\<T TO ,TIFLIS4 

,EV]YBODY -- EV5 ! Y\NG AIDES-DE-CAMP & (FICIALS :O SAT AT ! F> 5DS ( ! TABLE & :O HAD BE5 QUIETLY LAU<+ AT SOME?+ AMONG !MSELVES -- BECAME SIL5T & LI/5$4 

0,& Y\1 ,G5]AL1 HAVE Y\ EV] MET ?IS ,HAJJI ,MURAD80 ASK$ ! PR9CESS ( H] NEI<BOR1 ! C>ROTY G5]AL ) ! BRI/LY MU/A*ES1 :5 ! PR9CE HAD F9I%$ SPEAK+4 

0,MORE ?AN ONCE1 ,PR9CESS40 

,& ! G5]AL W5T ON TO TELL H[ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 AFT] ! M\NTA9E]S HAD CAPTUR$ ,G]GEBEL 9 #a#h#d#c1 HAD FALL5 UPON ,G5]AL ,PAHL5'S DETA*M5T & KILL$ ,COLONES ,ZOLOTUKH9 ALMO/ BE=E !IR V]Y EYES4 

,VORONTSOV LI/5$ TO ! G5]AL & SMIL$ AMIABLY1 EVID5TLY PLEAS$ ?AT ! LATT] HAD JO9$ 9 ! CONV]SATION4  ,BUT SUDD5LY HIS FACE ASSUM$ AN ABS5T-M9D$ & DEPRESS$ EXPRESSION4 

,! G5]AL1 HAV+ />T$ TALK+1 HAD BEGUN TO TELL ( HIS SECOND 5C\NT] ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,:Y1 IT WAS HE1 IF Y\R ,EXCELL5CY WILL PLEASE REMEMB]10 SAID ! G5]AL1 0:O >RANG$ ! AMBU% ?AT ATTACK$ ! RESCUE P>TY 9 ! ',BISCUIT' EXP$ITION40 

0,:]E80 ASK$ ,VORONTSOV1 SCREW+ UP HIS EYES4 

,:AT ! BRAVE G5]AL SPOKE ( AS ! 0RESCUE0 WAS ! AFFAIR 9 ! UN=TUNATE ,D>GO CAMPAIGN 9 :I* A :OLE DETA*M5T1 9CLUD+ ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV :O COMM&$ IT1 W\LD C]TA9LY HAVE P]I%$ HAD IT NOT BE5 RESCU$ BY ! >RIVAL ( FRE% TROOPS4  ,EV]Y ONE KNEW ?AT ! :OLE ,D>GO CAMPAIGN UND] ,VORONTSOV'S COMM& -- 9 :I* ! ,RUSSIANS LO/ MANY KILL$ & W\ND$ & SEV]AL CANNON -- HAD BE5 A %AMEFUL AFFAIR1 & !RE=E IF ANY ONE M5TION$ IT 9 ,VORONTSOV'S PRES5CE !Y DID SO ONLY 9 ! ASPECT 9 :I* ,VORONTSOV HAD REPORT$ IT TO ! ,CZ> -- AS A BRILLIANT A*IEVEM5T ( ! ,RUSSIAN >MY4  ,BUT ! WORD 0RESCUE0 PLA9LY 9DICAT$ ?AT IT WAS NOT A BRILLIANT VICTORY BUT A BLUND] CO/+ MANY LIVES4  ,EV]YBODY UND]/OOD ?IS & SOME PRET5D$ NOT TO NOTICE ! MEAN+ ( ! G5]AL'S WORDS1 O!RS N]V\SLY WAIT$ TO SEE :AT W\LD FOLL[1 :ILE A FEW EX*ANG$ GLANCES1 & SMIL$4  ,ONLY ! C>ROTY G5]AL ) ! BRI/LY MU/A*ES NOTIC$ NO?+1 & C>RI$ AWAY BY HIS N>RATIVE QUIETLY REPLI$3 

0,AT ! RESCUE1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY40 

,HAV+ />T$ ON HIS FAVORITE !ME1 ! G5]AL REC\NT$ CIRCUM/ANTIALLY H[ ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD SO CLEV]LY CUT ! DETA*M5T 9 TWO ?AT IF ! RESCUE P>TY HAD NOT >RIV$ 7HE SEEM$ TO BE P>TICUL>LY FOND ( REPEAT+ ! WORD 0RESCUE07 NOT A MAN 9 ! DIVISION W\LD HAVE ESCAP$1 BECAUSE444,HE DID NOT F9I% HIS /ORY1 = ,MANANA ,ORBELYANI1 HAV+ UND]/OOD :AT WAS HAPP5+1 9T]RUPT$ HIM BY ASK+ IF HE HAD F\ND COM=TABLE QU>T]S 9 ,TIFLIS4  ,! G5]AL1 SURPRIS$1 GLANC$ AT EV]YBODY ALL R\ND & SAW HIS AIDES-DE-CAMP FROM ! 5D ( ! TABLE LOOK+ FIX$LY & SIGNIFICANTLY AT HIM1 & HE SUDD5LY UND]/OOD6  ,)\T REPLY+ TO ! PR9CESS'S QUE/ION1 HE FR[N$1 BECAME SIL5T1 & BEGAN HURRI$LY SWALL[+ ! DELICACY ?AT LAY ON HIS PLATE1 ! APPE>ANCE & TA/E ( :I* BO? COMPLETELY MY/IFI$ HIM4 

,EV]YBODY FELT UNCOM=TABLE1 BUT ! AWKW>DNESS ( ! SITUATION WAS RELIEV$ BY ! ,GEORGIAN PR9CE -- A V]Y /UPID MAN BUT AN EXTRAORD9>ILY REF9$ & >TFUL FLATT]] & C\RTI] -- :O SAT ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,PR9CESS ,VORONTSOVA4  ,)\T SEEM+ TO HAVE NOTIC$ ANY?+ HE BEGAN TO RELATE H[ ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD C>RI$ (F ! WID[ ( ,AKHMET ,KHAN ( ,MEKHTULI4 

0,HE CAME 9TO ! VILLAGE AT NI<T1 SEIZ$ :AT HE WANT$1 & GALLOP$ (F AGA9 ) ! :OLE P>TY40 

0,:Y DID HE WANT ?AT P>TICUL> WOMAN80 ASK$ ! PR9CESS4 

0,OH1 HE WAS H] HUSB&'S 5EMY1 & PURSU$ HIM BUT C\LD NEV] ONCE SUCCE$ 9 MEET+ HIM RI<T UP TO ! TIME ( HIS DEA?1 SO HE REV5G$ HIMSELF ON ! WID[40 

,! PR9CESS TRANSLAT$ ?IS 9TO ,FR5* = H] OLD FRI5D ,C\NTESS ,*OISEUIL1 :O SAT NEXT TO ! ,GEORGIAN PR9CE4 

0,QUELLE HORREUR60 SAID ! C\NTESS1 CLOS+ H] EYES & %AK+ H] HEAD4 

0,OH NO60 SAID ,VORONTSOV1 SMIL+4  0,I HAVE BE5 TOLD ?AT HE TREAT$ HIS CAPTIVE ) *IVALR\S RESPECT & AFT]W>DS RELEAS$ H]40 

0,YES1 = A RANSOM60 

0,WELL1 ( C\RSE4  ,BUT ALL ! SAME HE ACT$ HONORABLY40  

,!SE WORDS ( ,VORONTSOV'S SET ! TONE = ! FUR!R CONV]SATION4  ,! C\RTI]S UND]/OOD ?AT ! MORE IMPORTANCE WAS ATTRIBUT$ TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD ! BETT] ! PR9CE W\LD BE PLEAS$4 

0,! MAN'S AUDACITY IS AMAZ+4  ,A REM>KABLE MAN60 

0,:Y1 9 #ahdi HE DA%$ 9TO ,TEMIR ,KHAN ,%URA & PLUND]$ ! %OPS 9 BROAD DAYLI<T40 

,AN ,>M5IAN SITT+ AT ! 5D ( ! TABLE1 :O HAD BE5 9 ,TEMIR ,KHAN ,%URA AT ! TIME1 RELAT$ ! P>TICUL>S ( ?AT EXPLOIT ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S4 

,9 FACT1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS ! SOLE TOPIC ( CONV]SATION DUR+ ! :OLE D9N]4 

,EV]YBODY 9 SUCCESSION PRAIS$ HIS C\RAGE1 HIS ABILITY1 & HIS MAGNANIMITY4  ,SOMEONE M5TION$ HIS HAV+ ORD]$ TW5TY SIX PRISON]S TO BE KILL$1 BUT ?AT TOO WAS MET BY ! USUAL REJO9D]1 0,:AT'S TO BE DONE8  ,A LA GU]RE1 COMME AL LA GU]RE60 

0,HE IS A GREAT MAN40 

0,HAD HE BE5 BORN 9 ,EUROPE HE MI<T HAVE BE5 ANO!R ,NAPOLEON10 SAID ! /UPID ,GEORGIAN PR9CE ) A GIFT ( FLATT]Y4 

,HE KNEW ?AT EV]Y M5TION ( ,NAPOLEON WAS PLEASANT TO ,VORONTSOV1 :O WORE ! ,:ITE ,CROSS AT HIS NECK AS A REW>D = HAV+ DEFEAT$ HIM4 

0,WELL1 NOT ,NAPOLEON P]HAPS1 BUT A GALLANT CAVALRY G5]AL IF Y\ LIKE10 SAID ,VORONTSOV4 

0,IF NOT ,NAPOLEON1 !N ,MURAT40 

0,& HIS NAME IS ,HAJJI ,MURAD60 

0,HAJJI ,MURAD HAS SURR5D]$ & N[ !RE'LL BE AN 5D TO ,%AMIL TOO10 SOMEONE REM>K$4 

0,!Y FEEL ?AT N[0 7?IS 0N[0 MEANT UND] ,VORONTSOV7 0!Y CAN'T HOLD \T10 REM>K$ ANO!R4 

0,T\T CELA E/ GRACE A V\S60 SAID ,MANANA ,ORBELYANI4 

,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV TRI$ TO MOD]ATE ! WAVES ( FLATT]Y :I* BEGAN TO FL[ OV] HIM4  ,/ILL1 IT WAS PLEASANT1 & 9 ! BE/ ( SPIRITS HE L$ HIS LADY BACK 9TO ! DRAW+ ROOM4 

,AFT] D9N]1 :5 C(FEE WAS BE+ S]V$ 9 ! DRAW+ ROOM1 ! PR9CE WAS P>TICUL>LY AMIABLE TO EV]YBODY1 & GO+ UP TO ! G5]AL ) ! R$ BRI/LY MU/A*ES HE TRI$ TO APPE> NOT TO HAVE NOTIC$ HIS BLUND]4 

,HAV+ MADE A R\ND ( ! VISITORS HE SAT D[N TO ! C>D TABLE4  ,HE ONLY PLAY$ ! OLD-FA%ION$ GAME ( OMB]4  ,HIS P>TN]S W]E ! ,GEORGIAN PR9CE1 AN ,>M5IA G5]AL 7:O HAD LE>N$ ! GAME ( OMB] FROM ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV'S VALET71 & ,DOCTOR ,&REEVSKY1 A MAN REM>KABLE = ! GREAT 9FLU5CE HE EX]CIS$4 

,PLAC+ BESIDE HIM HIS GOLD SNUFF-BOX ) A PORTRAIT ( ,ALEKS&R ,I ON ! LID1 ! PR9CE TORE OP5 A PACK ( HI<LY GLAZ$ C>DS & WAS GO+ TO SPREAD !M \T1 :5 HIS ,ITALIAN VALET BR\<T HIM A LETT] ON A SILV] TRAY4 

0,ANO!R C\RI]1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY40 

,VORONTSOV LAID D[N ! C>DS1 EXCUS$ HIMSELF1 OP5$ ! LETT]1 & BEGAN TO READ4 

,! LETT] WAS FROM HIS SON1 :O DESCRIB$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] & HIS [N 5C\NT] ) ,MELL]-,ZAKOMELSKY4 

,! PR9CESS CAME UP & 9QUIR$ :AT !IR SON HAD WRITT54 

0,IT'S ALL AB\T ! SAME MATT]4 444 ,IL A EU QUELQUES DESAGREM5TS AVEC LE COMM&ANT DE LA PLACE4  ,SIMON A EU TORT4 444 ,BUT ',ALL'S WELL ?AT 5DS WELL1'0 HE ADD$ 9 ,5GLI%1 H&+ ! LETT] TO HIS WIFE2 & TURN+ TO HIS RESPECTFULLY WAIT+ P>TN]S HE ASK$ !M TO DRAW C>DS4 

,:5 ! FIR/ R\ND HAD BE5 DEALT ,VORONTSOV DID :AT HE WAS 9 ! HABIT ( DO+ :5 9 A P>TICUL>LY PLEASANT MOOD3  ) HIS :ITE1 WR9KL$ OLD H& HE TOOK \T A P9* ( ,FR5* SNUFF1 C>RI$ IT TO HIS NOSE1 & RELEAS$ IT4 

O ,*APT] #a 

,:5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD APPE>$ AT ! PR9CE'S PALACE NEXT DAY1 ! WAIT+ ROOM WAS ALREADY FULL ( PEOPLE4  ,YE/]DAY'S G5]AL ) ! BRI/LY MU/A*ES WAS !RE 9 FULL UNI=M ) ALL HIS DECORATIONS1 HAV+ COME TO TAKE LEAVE4  ,!RE WAS ! COMM&] ( A REGIM5T :O WAS 9 DANG] ( BE+ C\RT M>TIAL$ = MISAPPROPRIAT+ COMMIS>RIAT MONEY1 & !RE WAS A RI* ,>M5IAN 7PATRONIZ$ BY ,DOCTOR ,&REEVSKY7 :O WANT$ TO OBTA9 FROM ! ,GOV]NM5T A R5EWAL ( HIS MONOPOLY = ! SALE ( VODKA4  ,!RE1 DRESS$ 9 BLACK1 WAS ! WID[ ( AN (FIC] :O HAD BE5 KILL$ 9 ACTION4  ,%E HAD COME TO ASK = A P5SION1 OR = FREE $UCATION = H] *ILDR54  ,!RE WAS A RU9$ ,GEORGIAN PR9CE 9 A MAGNIFIC5T ,GEORGIAN CO/UME :O WAS TRY+ TO OBTA9 = HIMSELF SOME CONFISCAT$ ,*UR* PROP]TY4  ,!RE WAS AN (FICIAL ) A L>GE ROLL ( PAP] CONTA9+ A NEW PLAN = SUBJUGAT+ ! ,CAUCASUS4  ,!RE WAS ALSO A ,KHAN :O HAD COME SOLELY TO BE ABLE TO TELL HIS PEOPLE AT HOME ?AT HE HAD CALL$ ON ! PR9CE4 

,!Y ALL WAIT$ !IR TURN & W]E ONE BY ONE %[N 9TO ! PR9CE'S CAB9ET & \T AGA9 BY ! AIDE-DE-CAMP1 A H&SOME1 FAIR-HAIR$ Y\?4 

,:5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD 5T]$ ! WAIT+ ROOM ) HIS BRISK ?\< LIMP+ /EP ALL EYES W]E TURN$ T[>DS HIM & HE HE>D HIS NAME :ISP]$ FROM V>I\S P>TS ( ! ROOM4 

,HE WAS DRESS$ 9 A LONG :ITE ,CIRCASSIAN COAT OV] A BR[N BE%MET TRIMM$ R\ND ! COLL> ) F9E SILV] LACE4  ,HE WORE BLACK LEGG+S & S(T %OES ( ! SAME COLOR :I* W]E /RET*$ OV] HIS 9/EP AS TI<T AS GLOVES4  ,ON HIS HEAD HE WORE A HI< CAP DRAP$ TURBAN-FA%ION -- ?AT SAME TURBAN = :I*1 ON ! D5UNCIATION ( ,AKHMET ,KHAN1 HE HAD BE5 >RE/$ BY ,G5]AL ,KLUG5AU & :I* HAD BE5 ! CAUSE ( HIS GO+ OV] TO ,%AMIL4 

,HE /EPP$ BRISKLY ACROSS ! P>QUET FLOOR ( ! WAIT+ ROOM1 HIS :OLE SL5D] FIGURE SWAY+ SLI<TLY 9 CONSEQU5CE ( HIS LAM5ESS 9 ONE LEG :I* WAS %ORT] ?AN ! O!R4  ,HIS EYES1 SET F> AP>T1 LOOK$ CALMLY BE=E HIM & SEEM$ TO SEE NO ONE4 

,! H&SOME AIDE-DE-CAMP1 HAV+ GREET$ HIM1 ASK$ HIM TO TAKE A SEAT :ILE HE W5T TO ANN\NCE HIM TO ! PR9CE1 BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD DECL9$ TO SIT D[N &1 PUTT+ HIS H& ON HIS DAGG]1 /OOD ) ONE FOOT ADVANC$1 LOOK+ R\ND CONTEMPTU\SLY AT ALL ?OSE PRES5T4 

,! PR9CE'S 9T]PRET]1 ,PR9CE ,T>KHANOV1 APPROA*$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD & SPOKE TO HIM4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD ANSW]$ ABRUPTLY & UNWILL+LY4  ,A ,KUMYK PR9CE1 :O WAS !RE TO LODGE A COMPLA9T AGA9/ A POLICE (FICIAL1 CAME \T ( ! PR9CE'S ROOM1 & !N ! AIDE-DE-CAMP CALL$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 L$ HIM TO ! DOOR ( ! CAB9ET1 & %[$ HIM 94 

,! ,COMM&]-9-,*IEF RECEIV$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD /&+ BESIDE HIS TABLE1 & HIS OLD :ITE FACE DID NOT WE> YE/]DAY'S SMILE BUT WAS RA!R /]N & SOLEMN4 

,ON 5T]+ ! L>GE ROOM ) ITS 5ORM\S TABLE & GREAT W9D[S ) GRE5 V5ETIAN BL9DS1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD PLAC$ HIS SMALL SUNBURNT H&S ON HIS *E/ JU/ :]E ! FRONT ( HIS :ITE COAT OV]LAPP$1 & L[]+ HIS EYES BEGAN1 )\T HURRY+1 TO SPEAK DI/9CTLY & RESPECTFULLY1 US+ ! ,KUMYK DIALECT :I* HE SPOKE WELL4 

0,I PLACE MYSELF UND] ! P[]FUL PROTECTION ( ! GREAT ,CZ> & ( Y\RSELF10 SAID HE1 0& PROMISE TO S]VE ! ,:ITE ,CZ> 9 FAI? & TRU? TO ! LA/ DROP ( MY BLOOD1 & ,I HOPE TO BE USEFUL TO Y\ 9 ! W> ) ,%AMIL :O IS MY 5EMY & Y\RS40 

,HAV+ ! 9T]PRET] \T1 ,VORONTSOV GLANC$ AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD & ,HAJJI ,MURAD GLANC$ AT ,VORONTSOV4 

,! EYES ( ! TWO M5 MET1 & EXPRESS$ TO EA* O!R MU* ?AT C\LD NOT HAVE BE5 PUT 9TO WORDS & ?AT WAS NOT AT ALL :AT ! 9T]PRET] SAID4  ,)\T WORDS !Y TOLD EA* O!R ! :OLE TRU?4  ,VORONTSOV'S EYES SAID ?AT HE DID NOT BELIEVE A S+LE WORD ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS SAY+1 & ?AT HE KNEW HE WAS & ALWAYS W\LD BE AN 5EMY TO EV]Y?+ ,RUSSIAN & HAD SURR5D]$ ONLY BECAUSE HE WAS OBLIG$ TO4 ,HAJJI ,MURAD UND]/OOD ?IS & YET CONT9U$ TO GIVE ASSURANCES ( HIS FIDELITY4  ,HIS EYES SAID1 0,?AT OLD MAN \<T TO BE ?9K+ ( HIS DEA? & NOT ( W>1 BUT ?\< HE IS OLD HE IS CUNN+1 & ,I MU/ BE C>EFUL40  ,VORONTSOV UND]/OOD ?IS ALSO1 BUT NEV]!LESS SPOKE TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 ! WAY HE CONSID]$ NECESS>Y = ! SUCCESS ( ! W>4 

0,TELL HIM10 SAID ,VORONTSOV1 0?AT \R SOV]EIGN IS AS M]CIFUL AS HE IS MI<TY & WILL PROBABLY AT MY REQUE/ P>DON HIM & TAKE HIM 9TO HIS S]VICE4 444 ,HAVE Y\ TOLD HIM80 HE ASK$ LOOK+ AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 444 0,UNTIL ,I RECEIVE MY MA/]'S GRACI\S DECISION1 TELL HIM ,I TAKE IT ON MYSELF TO RECEIVE HIM & MAKE HIS SOJ\RN AMONG US PLEASANT40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD AGA9 PRESS$ HIS H&S TO ! C5T] ( HIS *E/ & BEGAN TO SAY SOME?+ ) ANIMATION4 

0,HE SAYS10 ! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$1 0?AT =M]LY1 :5 HE GOV]N$ ,AV>IA 9 #a#h#c#i1 HE S]V$ ! ,RUSSIANS FAI?FULLY & W\LD NEV] HAVE DES]T$ !M HAD NOT HIS 5EMY1 ,AKHMET ,KHAN1 WI%+ TO RU9 HIM1 CALUMNIAT$ HIM TO ,G5]AL ,KLUG5AU40 

0,I KN[1 ,I KN[10 SAID ,VORONTSOV 7?\< IF HE HAD EV] KN[N HE HAD LONG =GOTT5 IT74  0,I KN[10 HE REPEAT$1 SITT+ D[N & MOTION+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO ! DIVAN ?AT /OOD BESIDE ! WALL4  ,BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD DID NOT SIT D[N4  ,%RUGG+ HIS P[]FUL %\LD]S AS A SIGN ?AT HE C\LD NOT BR+ HIMSELF TO SIT 9 ! PRES5CE ( SO IMPORTANT A MAN1 HE W5T ON1 ADDRESS+ ! 9T]PRET]3 

0,AKHMET ,KHAN & ,%AMIL >E BO? MY 5EMIES4  ,TELL ! PR9CE ?AT ,AKHMET ,KHAN IS DEAD & ,I CANNOT REV5GE MYSELF ON HIM1 BUT ,%AMIL LIVES & ,I WILL NOT DIE )\T TAK+ V5GEANCE ON HIM10 SAID HE1 KNITT+ HIS BR[S & TI<TLY CLOS+ HIS M\?4 

0,YES1 YES2 BUT H[ DOES HE WANT TO REV5GE HIMSELF ON ,%AMIL80 SAID ,VORONTSOV QUIETLY TO ! 9T]PRET]4  0,& TELL HIM HE MAY SIT D[N40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD AGA9 DECL9$ TO SIT D[N1 & 9 ANSW] TO ! QUE/ION REPLI$ ?AT HIS OBJECT 9 COM+ OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS WAS TO HELP !M TO DE/ROY ,%AMIL4 

0,V]Y WELL1 V]Y WELL10 SAID ,VORONTSOV2 0BUT :AT EXACTLY DOES HE WI% TO DO8 444 ,SIT D[N1 SIT D[N60 

,HAJJI ,MURAD SAT D[N1 & SAID ?AT IF ONLY !Y W\LD S5D HIM TO ! ,LES<IAN L9E & W\LD GIVE HIM AN >MY1 HE W\LD GU>ANTEE TO RAISE ! :OLE ( ,DA<E/AN & ,%AMIL W\LD !N BE UNABLE TO HOLD \T4 

0,?AT W\LD BE EXCELL5T4 444  ,I'LL ?9K IT OV]10 SAID ,VORONTSOV4 

,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ ,VORONTSOV'S WORDS TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD POND]$4 

0,TELL ! ,SIRD> ONE ?+ MORE10 ,HAJJI ,MURAD BEGAN AGA91 0?AT MY FAMILY >E 9 ! H&S ( MY 5EMY1 & ?AT AS LONG AS !Y >E 9 ! M\NTA9S ,I AM B\ND & CANNOT S]VE HIM4  ,%AMIL W\LD KILL MY WIFE & MY MO!R & MY *ILDR5 IF ,I W5T OP5LY AGA9/ HIM4  ,LET ! PR9CE FIR/ EX*ANGE MY FAMILY = ! PRISON]S HE HAS1 & !N ,I WILL DE/ROY ,%AMIL OR DIE60 

0,ALL RI<T1 ALL RI<T10 SAID ,VORONTSOV4    0,I WILL ?9K IT OV]4 444  ,N[ LET HIM GO TO ! *IEF ( ! /AFF & EXPLA9 TO HIM 9 DETAIL HIS POSITION1 9T5TIONS1 & WI%ES40 

,?US 5D$ ! FIR/ 9T]VIEW BETWE5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD & ,VORONTSOV4 

,?AT EV5 AN ,ITALIAN OP]A WAS P]=M$ AT ! NEW !AT]1 :I* WAS DECORAT$ 9 ,ORI5TAL /YLE4  ,VORONTSOV WAS 9 HIS BOX :5 ! /RIK+ FIGURE ( ! LIMP+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD WE>+ A TURBAN APPE>$ 9 ! /ALLS4  ,HE CAME 9 ) ,LORIS-,MELIKOV1 ,VORONTSOV'S AIDE-DE-CAM21 9 :OSE *>GE HE WAS PLAC$1 & TOOK A SEAT 9 ! FRONT R[4  ,HAV+ SAT ?R\< ! FIR/ ACT ) ,ORI5TAL ,MOHAMM$AN DIGNITY1 EXPRESS+ NO PLEASURE BUT ONLY OBVI\S 9DIFF]5CE1 HE ROSE & LOOK+ CALMLY R\ND AT ! AUDI5CE W5T \T1 DRAW+ TO HIMSELF EV]YBODY'S ATT5TION4 

,! NEXT DAY WAS ,MONDAY & !RE WAS ! USUAL EV5+ P>TY AT ! ,VORONTSOVS'4  ,9 ! L>GE BRI<TLY LI<T$ HALL A B& WAS PLAY+1 HIDD5 AMONG TREES4  ,Y\NG WOM5 & WOM5 NOT V]Y Y\NG WE>+ DRESSES ?AT DISPLAY$ !IR B>E NECKS1 >MS1 & BREA/S1 TURN$ R\ND & R\ND 9 ! EMBRACE ( M5 9 BRI<T UNI=MS4  ,AT ! BUFFET1 FOOTM5 9 R$ SWALL[-TAIL COATS & WE>+ %OES & KNEE-BREE*ES1 P\R$ \T *AMPAGNE & S]V$ SWEETMEATS TO ! LADIES4  ,! 0,SIRD>'S0 WIFE ALSO1 9 SPITE ( H] AGE1 W5T AB\T HALF-DRESS$ AMONG ! VISITORS SMIL+ AFFABLY1 & ?R\< ! 9T]PRET] SAID A FEW AMIABLE WORDS TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD :O GLANC$ AT ! VISITORS ) ! SAME 9DIFF]5CE HE HAD %[N YE/]DAY 9 ! !AT]4  ,AFT] ! HO/ESS1 O!R HALF-NAK$ WOM5 CAME UP TO HIM & ALL ( !M /OOD %AMELESSLY BE=E HIM & SMIL+LY ASK$ HIM ! SAME QUE/ION3  ,H[ HE LIK$ :AT HE SAW8  ,VORONTSOV HIMSELF1 WE>+ GOLD EPAULETS & GOLD %\LD]-KNOTS ) HIS :ITE CROSS & RIBBON AT HIS NECK1 CAME UP & ASK$ HIM ! SAME QUE/ION1 EVID5TLY FEEL+ SURE1 LIKE ALL ! O!RS1 ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD C\LD NOT HELP BE+ PLEAS$ AT :AT HE SAW4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD REPLI$ TO ,VORONTSOV AS HE HAD REPLI$ TO !M ALL1 ?AT AMONG HIS PEOPLE NO?+ ( ! K9D WAS DONE1 )\T EXPRESS+ AN OP9ION AS TO :E!R IT WAS GOOD OR BAD ?AT IT WAS SO4 

,H]E AT ! BALL ,HAJJI ,MURAD TRI$ TO SPEAK TO ,VORONTSOV AB\T BUY+ \T HIS FAMILY1 BUT ,VORONTSOV1 PRET5D+ ?AT HE HAD NOT HE>D HIM1 WALK$ AWAY1 & ,LORIS-,MELIKOV AFT]W>DS TOLD ,HAJJI ,MURAD ?AT ?IS WAS ! PLACE TO TALK AB\T BUS9ESS4 

,:5 IT /RUCK ELEV5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 HAV+ MADE SURE ( ! TIME BY ! WAT* ! ,VORONTSOVS HAD GIV5 HIM1 ASK$ ,LORIS- ,MELIKOV :E!R HE MI<T N[ LEAVE4  ,LORIS-,MELIKOV SAID HE MI<T1 ?\< IT W\LD BE BETT] TO /AY4  ,9 SPITE ( ?IS ,HAJJI ,MURAD DID NOT /AY1 BUT DROVE 9 ! PHAETON PLAC$ AT HIS DISPOSAL TO ! QU>T]S ?AT HAD BE5 ASSIGN$ TO HIM4 

O ,*APT] #aa 

,ON ! FIF? DAY ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S /AY 9 ,TIFLIS ,LORIS- ,MELIKOV1 ! ,VIC]OY'S AIDE-DE-CAMP1 CAME TO SEE HIM AT ! LATT]'S COMM&4 

0,MY HEAD & MY H&S >E GLAD TO S]VE ! ,SIRD>10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD ) HIS USUAL DIPLOMATIC EXPRESSION1 B[+ HIS HEAD & PUTT+ HIS H&S TO HIS *E/4  0,COMM& ME60 SAID HE1 LOOK+ AMIABLY 9TO ,LORIS-,MELIKOV'S FACE4 

,LORIS-,MELIKOV SAT D[N 9 AN >M *AIR PLAC$ BY ! TABLE & ,HAJJI ,MURAD SANK ONTO A L[ DIVAN OPPOSITE &1 RE/+ HIS H&S ON HIS KNEES1 B[$ HIS HEAD & LI/5$ ATT5TIVELY TO :AT ! O!R SAID TO HIM4 

,LORIS-,MELIKOV1 :O SPOKE ,T>T> FLU5TLY1 TOLD HIM ?AT ?\< ! PR9CE KNEW AB\T HIS PA/ LIFE1 HE YET WANT$ TO HE> ! :OLE /ORY FROM HIMSELF4 

,TELL IT ME1 & ,I WILL WRITE IT D[N & TRANSLATE IT 9TO ,RUSSIAN & ! PR9CE WILL S5D IT TO ! ,EMP]OR40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD REMA9$ SIL5T = A :ILE 7HE NEV] 9T]RUPT$ ANYONE BUT ALWAYS WAIT$ TO SEE :E!R HIS 9T]LOCUTOR HAD NOT SOME?+ MORE TO SAY71 !N HE RAIS$ HIS HEAD1 %OOK BACK HIS CAP1 & SMIL$ ! PECULI> *ILDLIKE SMILE ?AT HAD CAPTIVAT$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA4 

0,I CAN DO ?AT10 SAID HE1 EVID5TLY FLATT]$ BY ! ?\<T ?AT HIS /ORY W\LD BE READ BY ! ,EMP]OR4 

0,?\ MU/ TELL ME0 79 ,T>T> NOBODY IS ADDRESS$ AS 0Y\07 0EV]Y?+1 DELIB]ATELY FROM ! BEG9N+10 SAID ,LORIS ,MELIKOV DRAW+ A NOTEBOOK FROM HIS POCKET4 

0,I CAN DO ?AT1 ONLY !RE IS MU* -- V]Y MU* -- TO TELL6  ,MANY EV5TS HAVE HAPP5$60 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,IF ?\ CAN/ NOT DO IT ALL 9 ONE DAY ?\ WILT F9I% IT ANO!R TIME10 SAID ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

0,%ALL ,I BEG9 AT ! BEG9N+80 

0,YES1 AT ! V]Y BEG9N+ 444 :]E ?\ WA/ BORN & :]E ?\ DID/ LIVE40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S HEAD SANK & HE SAT 9 ?AT POSITION = A LONG TIME4  ,!N HE TOOK A /ICK ?AT LAY BESIDE ! DIVAN1 DREW A LITTLE KNIFE ) AN IVORY GOLD-9LAID H&LE1 %>P AS A RAZOR1 FROM UND] HIS DAGG]1 & />T$ :ITTL+ ! /ICK ) IT & SPEAK+ AT ! SAME TIME4 

0,WRITE3  ,BORN 9 ,TSELMESS1 A SMALL A\L1 '! SIZE ( AN ASS'S HEAD1' AS WE 9 ! M\NTA9S SAY10 HE BEGAN4  0NOT F> FROM IT1 AB\T TWO CANNON-%OTS1 LIES ,KHUNZAKH :]E ! ,KHANS LIV$4  ,\R FAMILY WAS CLOSELY CONNECT$ ) !M4 

0,MY MO!R1 :5 MY ELDE/ BRO!R ,OSMAN WAS BORN1 NURS$ ! ELDE/ ,KHAN1 ,ABU ,NUTSAL ,KHAN4  ,!N %E NURS$ ! SECOND SON ( ! ,KHAN1 ,UMMA ,KHAN1 & RE>$ HIM2 BUT ,AKHMET MY SECOND BRO!R DI$1 & :5 ,I WAS BORN & ! ,KHAN%A BORE ,BULA* ,KHAN1 MY MO!R W\LD NOT GO AS WET-NURSE AGA94  ,MY FA!R ORD]$ H] TO1 BUT %E W\LD NOT4  ,%E SAID3  ',I %\LD AGA9 KILL MY [N SON1 & ,I WILL NOT GO4'  ,!N MY FA!R1 :O WAS PASSIONATE1 /RUCK H] ) A DAGG] & W\LD HAVE KILL$ H] HAD !Y NOT RESCU$ H] FROM HIM4  ,SO %E DID NOT GIVE ME UP1 & LAT] ON %E COMPOS$ A SONG 444 BUT ,I NE$ NOT TELL ?AT40 

0,YES1 Y\ MU/ TELL EV]Y?+4  ,IT IS NECESS>Y10 SAID ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD GREW ?\<TFUL4  ,HE REMEMB]$ H[ HIS MO!R HAD LAID HIM TO SLEEP BESIDE H] UND] A FUR COAT ON ! RO( ( ! SAKLYA1 & HE HAD ASK$ H] TO %[ HIM ! PLACE 9 H] SIDE :]E ! SC> ( H] W\ND WAS /ILL VISIBLE4 

,HE REPEAT$ ! SONG1 :I* HE REMEMB]$3 

0,MY :ITE BOSOM WAS PI]C$ BY ! BLADE ( BRI<T /EEL1 

,BUT ,I LAID MY BRI<T SUN1 MY DE> BOY1 CLOSE UPON IT 

,TILL HIS BODY WAS BA!D 9 ! /REAM ( MY BLOOD4 

,& ! W\ND HEAL$ )\T AID ( H]BS OR ( GRASS4 

,AS ,I FE>$ NOT DEA?1 SO MY BOY WILL NE'] FE> IT40 

0,MY MO!R IS N[ 9 ,%AMIL'S H&S10 HE ADD$1 0& %E MU/ BE RESCU$40 

,HE REMEMB]$ ! F\NTA9 BEL[ ! HILL1 :5 HOLD+ ON TO HIS MO!R'S S>OV>Y 7LOOSE ,TURKI% TR\S]S7 HE HAD GONE ) H] = WAT]4  ,HE REMEMB]$ H[ %E HAD %AV$ HIS HEAD = ! FIR/ TIME1 & H[ ! REFLECTION ( HIS R\ND BLUI% HEAD 9 ! %9+ BRASS VESSEL ?AT HUNG ON ! WALL HAD A/ONI%$ HIM4  ,HE REMEMB]$ A LEAN DOG ?AT HAD LICK$ HIS FACE4  ,HE REMEMB]$ ! /RANGE SMELL ( ! LEPE%KI 7A K9D ( FLAT CAKE7 HIS MO!R HAD GIV5 HIM -- A SMELL ( SMOKE & ( S\R MILK4  ,HE REMEMB]$ H[ HIS MO!R HAD C>RI$ HIM 9 A BASKET ON H] BACK TO VISIT HIS GR&FA!R AT ! F>M/EAD4  ,HE REMEMB]$ HIS WR9KL$ GR&FA!R ) HIS GRAY HAIRS1 & H[ HE HAD HAMM]$ SILV] ) HIS S9EWY H&S4 

0,WELL1 SO MY MO!R DID NOT GO AS NURSE10 HE SAID ) A J]K ( HIS HEAD1 0& ! ,KHAN%A TOOK ANO!R NURSE BUT /ILL REMA9$ FOND ( MY MO!R1 & MY MO!R US$ TO TAKE US *ILDR5 TO ! ,KHAN%A'S PALACE1 & WE PLAY$ ) H] *ILDR5 & %E WAS FOND ( US4 

0,!RE W]E ?REE Y\NG ,KHANS3  ,ABU ,NUTSAL ,KHAN MY BRO!R ,OSMAN'S FO/]-BRO!R2 ,UMMA ,KHAN MY [N SWORN BRO!R2 & ,BULA* ,KHAN ! Y\NGE/ -- :OM ,%AMIL ?REW OV] ! PRECIPICE4 ,BUT ?AT HAPP5$ LAT]4  

0,I WAS AB\T SIXTE5 :5 MURIDS BEGAN TO VISIT ! A\LS4  ,!Y BEAT ! /ONES ) WOOD5 SCIMIT>S & CRI$ ',MUSSULMANS1 ,<AZAVAT6'  ,! ,*E*5S ALL W5T OV] TO ,MURIDISM & ! ,AV>S BEGAN TO GO OV] TOO4  ,I WAS !N LIV+ 9 ! PALACE LIKE A BRO!R ( ! ,KHANS4  ,I C\LD DO AS ,I LIK$1 & ,I BECAME RI*4  ,I HAD HORSES & WEAPONS & MONEY4  ,I LIV$ = PLEASURE & HAD NO C>E1 & W5T ON LIKE ?AT TILL ! TIME :5 ,KAZI-,MULLA1 ! ,IMAM1 WAS KILL$ & ,HAMZAD SUCCE$$ HIM4  ,HAMZAD S5T 5VOYS TO ! ,KHANS TO SAY ?AT IF !Y DID NOT JO9 ! ,<AZAVAT HE W\LD DE/ROY ,KHUNZAKH4 

0,?IS NE$$ CONSID]ATION4  ,! ,KHANS FE>$ ! ,RUSSIANS1 BUT W]E ALSO AFRAID TO JO9 9 ! ,HOLY ,W>4  ,! OLD ,KHAN%A S5T ME ) H] SECOND SON1 ,UMMA ,KHAN1 TO ,TIFLIS TO ASK ! ,RUSSIAN ,COMM&]-9-,*IEF = HELP AGA9/ ,HAMZAD4  ,! ,COMM&]-9-,*IEF AT ,TIFLIS WAS ,B>ON ,ROS54  ,HE DID NOT RECEIVE EI!R ME OR ,UMMA ,KHAN4  ,HE S5T WORD ?AT HE W\LD HELP US1 BUT DID NO?+4  ,ONLY HIS (FIC]S CAME RID+ TO US & PLAY$ C>DS ) ,UMMA ,KHAN4  ,!Y MADE HIM DRUNK ) W9E & TOOK HIM TO BAD PLACES1 & HE LO/ ALL HE HAD TO !M AT C>DS4  ,HIS BODY WAS AS /RONG AS A BULL'S & HE WAS AS BRAVE AS A LION1 BUT HIS S\L WAS WEAK AS WAT]4  ,HE W\LD HAVE GAMBL$ AWAY HIS LA/ HORSES & WEAPONS IF ,I HAD NOT MADE HIM COME AWAY4 

0,AFT] VISIT+ ,TIFLIS MY IDEAS *ANG$ & ,I ADVIS$ ! OLD ,KHAN%A & ! ,KHANS TO JO9 ! ,<AZAVAT44440 

,:AT MADE Y\ *ANGE Y\R M9D80 ASK$ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  0,W]E Y\ NOT PLEAS$ ) ! ,RUSSIANS80 

,HAJJI ,MURAD PAUS$4 

0,NO1 ,I WAS NOT PLEAS$10 HE ANSW]$ DECID$LY1 CLOS+ HIS EYES4  0& !RE WAS ALSO ANO!R REASON :Y ,I WI%$ TO JO9 ! ,<AZAVAT40 

0,:AT WAS ?AT80 

0,:Y1 NE> ,TSELMESS ! ,KHAN & ,I 5C\NT]$ ?REE MURIDS1 TWO ( :OM ESCAP$ BUT ! ?IRD ONE ,I %OT ) MY PI/OL4 

0,HE WAS /ILL ALIVE :5 ,I APPROA*$ TO TAKE HIS WEAPONS4  ,HE LOOK$ UP AT ME1 & SAID1 ',?\ HAS KILL$ ME444,I AM HAPPY2 BUT ?\ >E A ,MUSSULMAN1 Y\NG & /RONG4  ,JO9 ! ,<AZAVAT6 ,GOD WILLS IT6'0 

0,& DID Y\ JO9 IT80 

0,I DID NOT1 BUT IT MADE ME ?9K10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & HE W5T ON ) HIS TALE4 

0,:5 ,HAMZAD APPROA*$ ,KUNZAKH WE S5T \R ,ELD]S TO HIM TO SAY ?AT WE W\LD AGREE TO JO9 ! ,<AZAVAT IF ! ,IMAM W\LD S5T A LE>N$ MAN TO EXPLA9 IT TO US4  ,HAMZAD HAD \R ,ELD]S' MU/A*ES %AV$ (F1 !IR NO/RILS PI]C$1 & CAKES HUNG TO !IR NOSES1 & 9 ?AT CONDITION HE S5T !M BACK TO US4 

0,! ,ELD]S BR\<T WORD ?AT ,HAMZAD WAS READY TO S5D A %EIKH TO TEA* US ! ,<AZAVAT1 BUT ONLY IF ! ,KHAN%A S5T HIM H] Y\NGE/ SON AS A HO/AGE4  ,%E TOOK HIM AT HIS WORD & S5T H] Y\NGE/ SON1 ,BULA* ,KHAN4  ,HAMZAD RECEIV$ HIM WELL & S5T TO 9VITE ! TWO ELD] BRO!RS ALSO4  ,HE S5T WORD ?AT HE WI%$ TO S]VE ! ,KHANS AS HIS FA!R HAD S]V$ !IR FA!R4 444 ,! ,KHAN%A WAS A WEAK1 /UPID1 & CONCEIT$ WOMAN1 AS ALL WOM5 >E :5 !Y >E NOT UND] CONTROL4  ,%E WAS AFRAID TO S5D AWAY BO? SONS & S5T ONLY ,UMMA ,KHAN4  ,I W5T ) HIM4  ,WE W]E MET BY MURIDS AB\T A MILE BE=E WE >RIV$ & !Y SANG & %OT & C>ACOL$ >\ND US1 & :5 WE DREW NE>1 ,HAMZAD CAME \T ( HIS T5T & W5T UP TO ,UMMA ,KHAN'S /IRRUP & RECEIV$ HIM AS A ,KHAN4  ,HE SAID1 ',I HAVE NOT DONE ANY H>M TO ?Y FAMILY & DO NOT WI% TO DO ANY4  ,ONLY DO NOT KILL ME & DO NOT PREV5T MY BR++ ! PEOPLE OV] TO ! ,<AZAVAT1 & ,I WILL S]VE Y\ ) MY :OLE >MY AS MY FA!R S]V$ Y\R FA!R6  ,LET ME LIVE 9 Y\R H\SE & ,I WILL HELP Y\ ) MY ADVICE1 & Y\ %ALL DO AS Y\ LIKE6' 

0,UMMA ,KHAN WAS SL[ ( SPEE*4  ,HE DID NOT KN[ H[ TO REPLY & REMA9$ SIL5T4  ,!N ,I SAID ?AT IF ?IS WAS SO1 ,LET ,HAMZAD COME TO ,KHUNZAKH & ! ,KHAN%A & ! ,KHANS W\LD RECEIVE HIM ) HONOR4 444 BUT ,I WAS NOT ALL[$ TO F9I% -- & H]E ,I FIR/ 5C\NT]$ ,%AMIL1 :O WAS BESIDE ! ,IMAM4  ,HE SAID TO ME1 ',?\ HAS NOT BE5 ASK$4 444 ,IT WAS ! ,KHAN6' 

0,I WAS SIL5T1 & ,HAMZAD L$ ,UMMA ,KHAN 9TO HIS T5T4  ,AFT]W>DS ,HAMZAD CALL$ ME & ORD]$ ME TO GO TO ,KUNZAKH ) HIS 5VOYS4  ,I W5T4  ,! 5VOYS BEGAN P]SUAD+ ! ,KHAN%A TO S5D H] ELDE/ SON ALSO TO ,HAMZAD4  ,I SAW !RE WAS TREA*]Y & TOLD H] NOT TO S5D HIM2 BUT A WOMAN HAS AS MU* S5SE 9 H] HEAD AS AN EGG HAS HAIR4  ,%E ORD]$ H] SON TO GO4  ,ABU ,NUTSAL ,KHAN DID NOT WI% TO4  ,!N %E SAID1 ',I SEE ?\ >E AFRAID6'  ,LIKE A BEE %E KNEW :]E TO /+ HIM MO/ PA9FULLY4 ,ABU ,NUTSAL ,KHAN FLU%$ & DID NOT SPEAK TO H] ANY MORE1 BUT ORD]$ HIS HORSE TO BE SADDL$4  ,I W5T ) HIM4 

0,HAMZAD MET US ) EV5 GREAT] HONOR ?AN HE HAD %[N ,UMMA ,KHAN4  ,HE HIMSELF RODE \T TWO RIFLE-%OT L5G?S D[N ! HILL TO MEET US4  ,A L>GE P>TY ( HORSEM5 ) !IR BANN]S FOLL[$ HIM1 & !Y TOO SANG1 %OT1 & C>ACOL$4 

0,:5 WE REA*$ ! CAMP1 ,HAMZAD L$ ! ,KHAN 9TO HIS T5T & ,I REMA9$ ) ! HORSES4444 

0,I WAS SOME WAY D[N ! HISS :5 ,I HE>D %OTS FIR$ 9 ,HAMZAD'S T5T4  ,I RAN !RE & SAW ,UMMA ,KHAN LY+ PRONE 9 A POOL ( BLOOD1 & ,ABU ,NUTSAL WAS FI<T+ ! MURIDS4  ,ONE ( HIS *EEKS HAD BE5 HACK$ (F & HUNG D[N4  ,HE SUPPORT$ IT ) ONE H& & ) ! O!R /ABB$ ) HIS DAGG] AT ALL :O CAME NE> HIM4  ,I SAW HIM /RIKE D[N ,HAMZAD'S BRO!R & AIM A BL[ AT ANO!R MAN1 BUT !N ! MURIDS FIR$ AT HIM & HE FELL40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD /OPP$ & HIS SUNBURNT FACE FLU%$ A D>K R$ & HIS EYES BECAME BLOOD%OT4 

0,I WAS SEIZ$ ) FE> & RAN AWAY40 

0,REALLY8 444  ,I ?\<T ?\ NEV] WA/ AFRAID10 SAID ,LORIS- ,MELIKOV4 

0,NEV] AFT] ?AT4 444 ,S9CE !N ,I HAVE ALWAYS REMEMB]$ ?AT %AME1 & :5 ,I RECALL$ IT ,I FE>$ NO?+60 

O ,*APT] #ab 

0,BUT 5\<6  ,IT IS TIME = ME TO PRAY10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD DRAW+ FROM AN 9N] BREA/-POCKET ( HIS ,CIRCASSIAN COAT ,VORONTSOV'S REPEAT] WAT* & C>EFULLY PRESS+ ! SPR+4  ,! REPEAT] /RUCK TWELVE & A QU>T]4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD LI/5$ ) HIS HEAD ON ONE SIDE1 REPRESS+ A *ILDLIKE SMILE4 

0,KUNAK ,VORONTSOV'S PRES5T10 HE SAID1 SMIL+4 

0,IT IS A GOOD WAT*10 SAID ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  0,WELL !N1 TO ?\ & PRAY1 & ,I WILL WAIT40 

0,YAK%I4  ,V]Y WELL10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD & W5T TO HIS B$ROOM4 

,LEFT BY HIMSELF1 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV WROTE D[N 9 HIS NOTEBOOK ! *IEF ?+S ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD RELAT$1 & !N LI<T+ A CIG>ETTE BEGAN TO PACE UP & D[N ! ROOM4  ,ON REA*+ ! DOOR OPPOSITE ! B$ROOM HE HE>D ANIMAT$ VOICES SPEAK+ RAPIDLY 9 ,T>T>4  ,HE GUESS$ ?AT ! SPEAK]S W]E ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S MURIDS1 & OP5+ ! DOOR HE W5T TO !M4 

,! ROOM WAS IMPREGNAT$ ) ?AT SPECIAL LEA!RY ACID SMELL PECULI> TO ! M\NTA9E]S4  ,ON A BURKA SPREAD \T ON ! FLOOR SAT ! ONE-EY$1 R$-HAIR$ ,GAMZALO1 9 A TATT]$ GREASY BE%MET1 PLAIT+ A BRIDLE4  ,HE WAS SAY+ SOME?+ EXCIT$LY1 SPEAK+ 9 A HO>SE VOICE1 BUT :5 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV 5T]$ HE IMM$IATELY BECAME SIL5T & CONT9U$ HIS WORK )\T PAY+ ANY ATT5TION TO HIM4 

,9 FRONT ( ,GAMZALO /OOD ! M]RY ,KHAN ,MAHOMA %[+ HIS :ITE TEE?1 HIS BLACK LA%LESS EYES GLITT]+1 & SAY+ SOME?+ OV] & OV] AGA94  ,! H&SOME ,ELD>1 HIS SLEEVES TURN$ UP ON HIS /RONG >MS1 WAS POLI%+ ! GIR?S ( A SADDLE SUSP5D$ FROM A NAIL4  ,KHANEFI1 ! PR9CIPAL WORK] & MANAG] ( ! H\SEHOLD1 WAS NOT !RE1 HE WAS COOK+ !IR D9N] 9 ! KIT*54 

0,:AT W]E Y\ DISPUT+ AB\T80 ASK$ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV AFT] GREET+ !M4 

0,:Y1 HE KEEPS ON PRAIS+ ,%AMIL10 SAID ,KHAN ,MAHOMA GIV+ HIS H& TO ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  0,HE SAYS ,%AMIL IS A GREAT MAN1 LE>N$1 HOLY1 & A DZHIGIT40 

0,H[ IS IT ?AT HE HAS LEFT HIM & /ILL PRAISES HIM80 

0,HE HAS LEFT HIM & /ILL PRAISES HIM10 REPEAT$ ,KHAN ,MAHOMA1 HIS TEE? %[+ & HIS EYES GLITT]+4 

0,& DOES HE REALLY CONSID] HIM A SA9T80 ASK$ ,LORIS- ,MELIKOV4 

0,IF HE W]E NOT A SA9T ! PEOPLE W\LD NOT LI/5 TO HIM10 SAID ,GAMZALO RAPIDLY4 

0,%AMIL IS NO SA9T1 BUT ,MANSUR WAS60 REPLI$ ,KHAN ,MAHOMA4  0,HE WAS A REAL SA9T4  ,:5 HE WAS ,IMAM ! PEOPLE W]E QUITE DIFF]5T4  ,HE US$ TO RIDE ?R\< ! A\LS & ! PEOPLE US$ TO COME \T & KISS ! HIM ( HIS COAT & CONFESS !IR S9S & V[ TO DO NO EVIL4  ,!N ALL ! PEOPLE -- SO ! OLD M5 SAY -- LIV$ LIKE SA9TS3  NOT DR9K+1 NOR SMOK+1 NOR NEGLECT+ !IR PRAY]S1 & =GIV+ ONE ANO!R !IR S9S EV5 :5 BLOOD HAD BE5 SPILL$4  ,IF ANYONE !N F\ND MONEY OR ANY?+1 HE TI$ IT TO A /AKE & SET IT UP BY ! ROADSIDE4  ,9 ?OSE DAYS ,GOD GAVE ! PEOPLE SUCCESS 9 EV]Y?+ -- NOT AS N[40 

0,9 ! M\NTA9S !Y DON'S SMOKE OR DR9K N[10 SAID ,GAMZALO4 

0,Y\R ,%AMIL IS A LAMOREY10 SAID ,KHAN ,MAHOMA1 W9K+ AT ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  7,LAMOREY WAS A CONTEMPTU\S T]M = A M\NTA9E]47 

0,YES1 LAMOREY MEANS M\NTA9E]10 REPLI$ ,GAMZALO4  0,IT IS 9 ! M\NTA9S ?AT ! EAGLES DWELL40 

0,SM>T FELL[6  ,WELL HIT60 SAID ,KHAN ,MAHOMA ) A GR91 PLEAS$ AT HIS ADV]S>Y'S APT RETORT4 

,SEE+ ! SILV] CIG>ETTE-CASE 9 ,LORIS ,MELIKOV'S H&1 ,KHAN ,MAHOMA ASK$ = A CIG>ETTE1 & :5 ,LORIS"7,MELIKOV REM>K$ ?AT !Y W]E =BIDD5 TO SMOKE1 HE W9D$ ) ONE EYE & J]K+ HIS HEAD 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S B$ROOM REPLI$ ?AT !Y C\LD DO IT AS LONG AS !Y W]E NOT SE54  ,HE AT ONCE BEGAN SMOK+ -- NOT 9HAL+ -- & P\T+ HIS R$ LIPS AWKW>DLY AS HE BLEW \T ! SMOKE4 

0,?AT IS WRONG60 SAID ,GAMZALO SEV]ELY1 & LEFT ! ROOM4  ,KHAN ,MAHOMA W9K$ 9 HIS DIRECTION1 & :ILE SMOK+ ASK$ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV :]E HE C\LD BE/ BUY A SILK BE%MET & A :ITE CAP4 

0,:Y1 HAS ?\ SO MU* MONEY80 

0,I HAVE 5\<10 REPLI$ ,KHAN ,MAHOMA ) A W9K4 

0,ASK HIM :]E HE GOT ! MONEY10 SAID ,ELD>1 TURN+ HIS H&SOME SMIL+ FACE T[>DS ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

0,OH1 ,I WON IT60 SAID ,KHAN ,MAHOMA QUICKLY1 & RELAT$ H[ :ILE WALK+ 9 ,TIFLIS ! DAY BE=E HE HAD COME UPON A GR\P ( M5 -- ,RUSSIANS & ,>M5IANS -- PLAY+ AT ORLYANKA 7A K9D ( HEADS-&-TAILS74  ! /AKE WAS A L>GE ONE3 ?REE GOLD 2PIECES & MU* SILV]4  ,KHAN ,MAHOMA AT ONCE SAW :AT ! GAME CONSI/$ 91 & J+L+ ! COPP]S HE HAD 9 HIS POCKET HE W5T UP TO ! PLAY]S & SAID HE W\LD /AKE ! :OLE AM\NT4 

0,H[ C\LD/ ?\ DO IT8  ,HAD/ ?\ SO MU*80 ASK$ ,LORIS- ,MELIKOV4 

0,I HAD ONLY TWELVE KOPECKS10 SAID ,KHAN ,MAHOMA1 GR9N+4 

0,BUT IF ?\ HAD/ LO/80 

0,:Y1 ?IS60 SAID ,KHAN ,MAHOMA PO9T+ TO HIS PI/OL4 

0,W\LD/ ?\ HAVE GIV5 ?AT80 

0,GIVE IT 9DE$6  ,I %\LD HAVE RUN AWAY1 & IF ANYONE HAD TRI$ TO /OP ME ,I %\LD HAVE KILL$ HIM -- ?AT'S ALL60 

0,WELL1 & DID/ ?\ W980 

0,AYE1 ,I WON IT ALL & W5T AWAY60 

,LORIS-,MELIKOV QUITE UND]/OOD :AT SORT ( M5 ,KHAN ,MAHOMA & ,ELD> W]E4  ,KHAN ,MAHOMA WAS A M]RY FELL[1 C>ELESS & READY = ANY SPREE4  ,HE DID NOT KN[ :AT TO DO ) HIS SUP]FLU\S VITALITY4  ,HE WAS ALWAYS GAY & RECKLESS1 & PLAY$ ) HIS [N & O!R PEOPLE'S LIVES4  ,= ! SAKE ( ?AT SPORT ) LIFE HE HAD N[ COME OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 & = ! SAME SPORT HE MI<T GO BACK TO ,%AMIL TOMORR[4 

,ELD> WAS ALSO QUITE EASY TO UND]/&4  ,HE WAS A MAN 5TIRELY DEVOT$ TO HIS ,MUR%ID2 CALM1 /RONG1 & FIRM4 

,! R$-HAIR$ ,GAMZALO WAS ! ONLY ONE ,LORIS-,MELIKOV DID NOT UND]/&4  ,HE SAW ?AT ?AT MAN WAS NOT ONLY LOYAL TO ,%AMIL BUT FELT AN 9SUP]ABLE AV]SION1 CONTEMPT1 REPUGNANCE1 & HATR$ = ALL ,RUSSIANS1 & ,LORIS-,MELIKOV C\LD !RE=E NOT UND]/& :Y HE HAD COME OV] TO !M4  ,IT OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT1 AS SOME ( ! HI<] (FICIALS SUSPECT$1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] & HIS TALES ( HATR$ ( ,%AMIL MI<T BE FALSE1 & ?AT P]HAPS HE HAD SURR5D]$ ONLY TO SPY \T ! ,RUSSIANS' WEAK SPOTS ?AT1 AFT] ESCAP+ BACK TO ! M\NTA9S1 HE MI<T BE ABLE TO DIRECT HIS =CES ACCORD+LY4  ,GAMZALO'S :OLE P]SON /R5G!N$ ?IS SUSPICION4 

0,! O!RS1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD HIMSELF1 KN[ H[ TO HID !IR 9T5TIONS1 BUT ?IS ONE BETRAYS !M BY HIS OP5 HATR$10 ?\<T HE4 

,LORIS-,MELIKOV TRI$ TO SPEAK TO HIM4  ,HE ASK$ :E!R HE DID NOT FEEL DULL4  0,NO1 ,I DON'T60 HE GR[L$ HO>SELY )\T /OPP+ HIS WORK1 & GLANC+ AT HIS QUE/ION] \T ( ! CORN] ( HIS ONE EYE4  ,HE REPLI$ TO ALL ,LORIS-,MELIKOV'S O!R QUE/IONS 9 A SIMIL> MANN]4 

,:ILE ,LORIS-,MELIKOV WAS 9 ! ROOM ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S F\R? MURID CAME 91 ! ,AV> ,KHANEFI2 A MAN ) A HAIRY FACE & NECK & AN >*$ *E/ AS R\< AS IF IT W]E OV]GR[N ) MOSS4  ,HE WAS /RONG & A H>D WORK]1 ALWAYS 5GROSS$ 9 HIS DUTIES1 & LIKE ,ELD> UNQUE/ION+LY OB$I5T TO HIS MA/]4 

,:5 HE 5T]$ ! ROOM TO FET* SOME RICE1 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV /OPP$ HIM & ASK$ :]E HE CAME FROM & H[ LONG HE HAD BE5 ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,FIVE YE>S10 REPLI$ ,KHANEFI4  0,I COME FROM ! SAME A\L AS HE4  ,MY FA!R KILL$ HIS UNCLE & !Y WI%$ TO KILL ME40 HE SAID CALMLY1 LOOK+ FROM UND] HIS JO9$ EYEBR[S /RAI<T 9TO ,LORIS-,MELIKOV'S FACE4  0,!N ,I ASK$ !M TO ADOPT ME AS A BRO!R40 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN BY 'ADOPT AS A BRO!R'80 

0,I DID NOT %AVE MY HEAD NOR CUT MY NAILS = TWO MON?S1 & !N ,I CAME TO !M4  ,!Y LET ME 9 TO ,PATIMAT1 HIS MO!R1 & %E GAVE ME ! BREA/ & ,I BECAME HIS BRO!R40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S VOICE C\LD BE HE>D FROM ! NEXT ROOM & ,ELD>1 IMM$IATELY ANSW]+ HIS CALL1 PROMPTLY WIP$ HIS H&S & W5T ) L>GE /RIDES 9TO ! DRAW+ ROOM4 

0,HE ASKS !E TO COME10 SAID HE1 COM+ BACK4 

,LORIS-,MELIKOV GAVE ANO!R CIG>ETTE TO ! M]RY ,KHAN ,MAHOMA & W5T 9TO ! DRAW+ ROOM4 

O ,*APT] #ac 

,:5 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV 5T]$ ! DRAW+ ROOM ,HAJJI ,MURAD RECEIV$ HIM ) A BRI<T FACE4 

0,WELL1 %ALL ,I CONT9UE80 HE ASK$1 SITT+ D[N COM=TABLY ON ! DIVAN4 

0,YES1 C]TA9LY10 SAID ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  0,I HAVE BE5 9 TO HAVE A TALK ) ?Y H5*M54 444 ,ONE IS A JOLLY FELL[60 HE ADD$4 

0,YES1 ,KHAN ,MAHOMA IS A FRIVOL\S FELL[10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,I LIK$ ! Y\NG H&SOME ONE40 

0,AH1 ?AT'S ,ELD>4  ,HE'S Y\NG BUT FIRM -- MADE ( IRON60 

,!Y W]E SIL5T = A :ILE4 

0,SO ,I AM TO ON80 

0,YES1 YES60 

0,I TOLD ! H[ ! ,KHANS W]E KILL$4 444 ,WELL1 HAV+ KILL$ !M ,HAMZAD RODE 9TO ,KHUNZAKH & TOOK UP HIS QU>T]S 9 !IR PALACE4  ,! ,KHAN%A WAS ! ONLY ONE ( ! FAMILY LEFT ALIVE4  ,HAMZAD S5T = H]4  ,%E REPROA*$ HIM1 SO HE W9K$ TO HIS MURID ,ASELD>1 :O /RUCK H] FROM BEH9D & KILL$ H]40 

0,:Y DID HE KILL H]80 ASK$ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

0,:AT C\LD HE DO8 444 ,:]E ! =ELEGS HAVE GONE ! H9D LEGS MU/ FOLL[6  ,HE KILL$ (F ! :OLE FAMILY4  ,%AMIL KILL$ ! Y\NGE/ SON -- ?REW HIM OV] A PRECIPICE4 444 

0,!N ! :OLE ( ,AV>IA SURR5D]$ TO ,HAMZAD4  ,BUT MY BRO!R & ,I W\LD NOT SURR5D]4  ,WE WANT$ HIS BLOOD = ! BLOOD ( ! ,KHANS4  ,WE PRET5D$ TO YIELD1 BUT \R ONLY ?\<T WAS H[ TO GET HIS BLOOD4  ,WE CONSULT$ \R GR&FA!R & DECID$ TO AWAIT ! TIME :5 HE W\LD COME \T ( HIS PALACE1 & !N TO KILL HIM FROM AN AMBU%4  ,SOMEONE OV]HE>D US & TOLD ,HAMZAD1 :O S5T = GR&FA!R & SAID1 ',M9D1 IF IT BE TRUE ?AT ?Y GR&SONS >E PLANN+ EVIL AGA9/ ME1 ?\ & !Y %ALL HANG FROM ONE RAFT]4  ,I DO ,GOD'S WORK & CANNOT BE H9D]$4 444 ,TO1 & REMEMB] :AT ,I HAVE SAID6' 

0,\R GR&FA!R CAME HOME & TOLD US4 

0,!N WE DECID$ NOT TO WAIT BUT TO DO ! DE$ ON ! FIR/ DAY ( ! FEA/ 9 ! MOSQUE4  ,\R COMRADES W\LD NOT TAKE P>T 9 IT BUT MY BRO!R & ,I REMA9$ FIRM4 

0,WE TOOK TWO PI/OLS EA*1 PUT ON \R BURKAS1 & W5T TO ! MOSQUE4  ,HAMZAD 5T]$ ! MOSQUE ) ?IRTY MURIDS4  ,!Y ALL HAD DRAWN SWORDS 9 !IR H&S4  ,ASELD>1 HIS FAVORITE MURID 7! ONE :O HAD CUT (F ,KHAN%A'S HEAD71 SAW US1 %\T$ TO US TO TAKE (F \R BURKAS1 & CAME T[>DS ME4  ,I HAD MY DAGG] 9 MY H& & ,I KILL$ HIM ) IT & RU%$ AT ,HAMZAD2 BUT MY BRO!R ,OSMAN HAD ALREADY %OT HIM4  ,HE WAS /ILL ALIVE & RU%$ AT MY BRO!R DAGG] 9 H&1 BUT ,I HAVE HIM A F9I%+ BL[ ON ! HEAD4  ,!RE W]E ?IRTY MURIDS & WE W]E ONLY TWO4  ,!Y KILL$ MY BRO!R ,OSMAN1 BUT ,I KEPT !M AT BAY1 LEAP$ ?R\< ! W9D[1 & ESCAP$4 

0,:5 IT WAS KN[N ?AT ,HAMZAD HAD BE5 KILL$ ALL ! PEOPLE ROSE4  ,! MURIDS FL$ & ?OSE ( !M :O DID NOT FLEE W]E KILL$40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD PAUS$1 & BREA!D HEAVILY4 

0,?AT WAS V]Y GOOD10 HE CONT9U$1 0BUT AFT]W>DS EV]Y?+ WAS SPOIL$4 

0,%AMIL SUCCE$$ ,HAMZAD4  ,HE S5T 5VOYS TO ME TO SAY ?AT ,I %\LD JO9 HIM 9 ATTACK+ ! ,RUSSIANS1 & ?AT IF ,I REFUS$ HE W\LD DE/ROY ,KUNZAKH & KILL ME4 

0,I ANSW]$ ?AT ,I W\LD NOT JO9 HIM & W\LD NOT LET HIM COME TO ME4 4440 

0,:Y DID/ ?\ NOT GO ) HIM80 ASK$ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD FR[N$ & DID NOT REPLY AT ONCE4 

0,I C\LD NOT4  ,! BLOOD ( MY BRO!R ,OSMAN & ( ,ABU ,NUTSAL ,KHAN WAS ON HIS H&S4  ,I DID NOT GO TO HIM4  ,G5]AL ,ROS5 S5T ME AN (FIC]'S COMMISSION & ORD]$ ME TO GOV]N ,AV>IA4  ,ALL ?IS W\LD HAVE BE5 WELL1 BUT ?AT ,ROS5 APPO9T$ AS ,KHAN ( ,KAZI-,KUMUKH1 FIR/ ,MAHOMET-,MURZA1 & AFT]W>DS ,AKHMET ,KHAN1 :O HAT$ ME4  ,HE HAD BE5 TRY+ TO GET ! ,KHAN%A'S DAU<T]1 ,SULTANETTA1 9 M>RIAGE = HIS SON1 BUT %E W\LD NOT GIV] H] TO HIM1 & HE BELIEV$ ME TO BE ! CAUSE ( ?IS4 444 ,YES1 ,AKHMET ,KHAN HAT$ ME & S5T HIS H5*M5 TO KILL ME1 BUT ,I ESCAP$ FROM !M4  ,!N HE SPOKE ILL ( ME TO ,G5]AL ,KLUG5AU4  ,HE SAID ?AT ,I TOLD ! ,AV>S NOT TO SUPPLY WOOD TO ! ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S1 & HE ALSO SAID ?AT ,I HAD DONN$ A TURBAN -- ?IS ONE0 7,HAJJI ,MURAD T\*$ HIS TURBAN7 0& ?AT ?IS MEANT ?AT ,I HAD GONE OV] TO ,%AMIL4  ,! G5]AL DID NOT BELIEVE HIM & GAVE ORD]S ?AT ,I %\LD NOT BE T\*$4  ,BUT :5 ! G5]AL W5T TO ,TIFLIS1 ,AKHMET ,KHAN DID AS HE PLEAS$4  ,HE S5T A COMPANY ( SOLDI]S TO SEIZE ME1 PUT ME 9 *A9S1 & TI$ ME TO A CANNON4 

0,SO !Y KEPT ME SIX DAYS10 HE CONT9U$4  0,ON ! SEV5? DAY !Y UNTI$ ME & />T$ TO TAKE ME TO ,TEMIR-,KHAN-,%URA4  ,=TY SOLDI]S ) LOAD$ GUNS HAD ME 9 *>GE4  ,MY H&S W]E TI$ & ,I KNEW ?AT !Y HAD ORD]S TO KILL ME IF ,I TRI$ TO ESCAPE4 

0,AS WE APPROA*$ ,MANSOKHA ! PA? BECAME N>R[1 & ON ! RI<T WAS AN ABYSS AB\T A HUNDR$ & TW5TY Y>DS DEEP4  ,I W5T TO ! RI<T -- TO ! V]Y $GE4  ,A SOLDI] WANT$ TO /OP ME1 BUT ,I JUMP$ D[N & PULL$ HIM ) ME4  ,HE WAS KILL$ \TRI<T BUT ,I1 AS Y\ SEE1 REMA9$ ALIVE4 

0,RIBS1 HEAD1 >MS1 & LEG -- ALL W]E BROK56  ,I TRI$ TO CRAWL BUT GREW GIDDY & FELL ASLEEP4  ,I AWOKE WET ) BLOOD4  ,A %EPH]D SAW ME & CALL$ SOME PEOPLE :O C>RI$ ME TO AN A\L4  ,MY RIBS & HEAD HEAL$1 & MY LEG TOO1 ONLY IT HAS REMA9$ %ORT10 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD /RET*$ \T HIS CROOK$ LEG4  0,IT /ILL S]VES ME1 H[EV]1 & ?AT IS WELL10 SAID HE4 

0,! PEOPLE HE>D ! NEWS & BEGAN COM+ TO ME4  ,I RECOV]$ & W5T TO ,TSELMESS4  ,! ,AV>S AGA9 CALL$ ON ME TO RULE OV] !M10 HE W5T ON1 ) TRANQUIL1 CONFID5T PRIDE1 0& ,I AGRE$40 

,HE ROSE QUICKLY & TAK+ A PORTFOLIO \T ( A SADDLEBAG1 DREW \T TWO DISCOLOR$ LETT]S & H&$ ONE ( !M TO ,LORIS- ,MELIKOV4  ,!Y W]E FROM ,G5]AL ,KLUG5AU4  ,LORIS-,MELIKOV READ ! FIR/ LETT]1 :I* WAS AS FOLL[S3 

0,LIEUT5ANT ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 ?\ HAS S]V$ UND] ME & ,I WAS SATISFI$ ) !E & CONSID]$ !E A GOOD MAN4 

0,REC5TLY ,AKHMET ,KHAN 9=M$ ME ?AT ?\ >E A TRAITOR1 ?AT ?\ HAS DONN$ A TURBAN & HAS 9T]C\RSE ) ,%AMIL1 & ?AT ?\ HAS TAU<T ! PEOPLE TO DISOBEY ! ,RUSSIAN ,GOV]NM5T4  ,I ORD]$ !E TO BE >RE/$ & BR\<T BE=E ME BUT ?\ FL$/4  ,I DO NOT KN[ :E!R ?IS IS = ?Y GOOD OR NOT1 AS ,I DO NOT KN[ :E!R ?\ >T GUILTY OR NOT4 

0,N[ HE> ME4  ,IF ?Y CONSCI5CE IS PURE1 IF ?\ >E NOT GUILTY 9 ANY?+ T[>DS ! GREAT ,CZ>1 COME TO ME1 FE> NO ONE4  ,I AM ?Y DEF5D]4  ,! ,KHAN CAN DO NO?+ TO !E1 HE IS HIMSELF UND] MY COMM&1 SO ?\ HAS NO?+ TO FE>40 

,KLUG5AU ADD$ ?AT HE ALWAYS KEPT HIS WORD & WAS JU/1 & HE AGA9 EXHORT$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO APPE> BE=E HIM4 

,:5 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV HAD READ ?IS LETT] ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 BE=E H&+ HIM ! SECOND ONE1 TOLD HIM :AT HE HAD WRITT5 9 REPLY TO ! FIR/4 

0,I WROTE ?AT ,I WORE A TURBAN NOT = ,%AMIL'S SAKE BUT = MY S\L'S SALVATION2 ?AT ,I NEI!R WI%$ NOR C\LD GO OV] TO ,%AMIL1 BECAUSE HE HAD CAUSE ! DEA? ( MY FA!R1 MY BRO!RS1 & MY RELATIONS2 BUT ?AT ,I C\LD NOT JO9 ! ,RUSSIANS BECAUSE ,I HAD BE5 DI%ONOR$ BY !M4  7,9 ,KHUNZAKH1 A SC\NDREL HAD SPAT ON ME :ILE ,I WAS B\ND1 & ,I C\LD NOT JO9 Y\R PEOPLE UNTIL ?AT MAN WAS KILL$47  ,BUT ABOVE ALL ,I FE>$ ?AT LI>1 ,AKHMET ,KHAN4 

0,!N ! G5]AL S5T ME ?IS LETT]10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 H&+ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV ! O!R DISCOLOR$ PAP]4 

0,?\ HAS ANSW]$ MY FIR/ LETT] & ,I ?ANK !E10 READ ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  0,?\ WRITE/ ?AT ?\ >E NOT AFRAID TO RETURN BUT ?AT ! 9SULT DONE !E BY A C]TA9 GI>\ PREV5TS IT1 BUT ,I ASSURE !E ?AT ! ,RUSSIAN LAW IS JU/ & ?AT ?\ %ALT SEE HIM :O D>$ TO (F5D !E PUNI%$ BE=E ?9E EYES4  ,I HAVE ALREADY GIV5 ORD]S TO 9VE/IGATE ! MATT]4 

0,HE> ME1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD6  ,I HAVE A RI<T TO BE DISPLEAS$ ) !E = NOT TRU/+ ME & MY HONOR1 BUT ,I =GIVE !E1 = ,I KN[ H[ SUSPICI\S M\NTA9E]S >E 9 G5]AL4  ,IF ?Y CONSCI5CE IS PURE1 IF ?\ HA/ PUT ON A TURBAN ONLY = !Y S\L'S SALVATION1 !N ?\ >T RI<T & MAY/ LOOK ME & ! ,RUSSIAN ,GOV]NM5T BOLDLY 9 ! EYE4  ,HE :O DI%ONOR$ !E %ALL1 ,I ASSURE !E1 BE PUNI%$ & ?Y PROP]TY %ALL BE RE/OR$ TO !E1 & ?\ %ALT SEE & KN[ :AT ,RUSSIAN LAW IS4  ,MOREOV] WE ,RUSSIANS LOOK AT ?+S DIFF]5TLY1 & ?\ HA/ NOT SUNK 9 \R EYES BECAUSE SOME SC\NDREL HAS DI%ONOR$ !E4 

0,I MYSELF HAVE CONS5T$ TO ! ,*IMR9TS WE>+ TURBANS1 & ,I REG>D !IR ACTIONS 9 ! RI<T LI<T1 & !RE=E ,I REPEAT ?AT ?\ HA/ NO?+ TO FE>4  ,COME TO ME ) ! MAN BY :OM ,I AM S5D+ !E ?IS LETT]4  ,HE IS FAI?FUL TO ME & IS NOT ! SLAVE ( ?Y 5EMIES1 BUT IS ! FRI5D ( A MAN :O 5JOYS ! SPECIAL FAVOR ( ! ,GOV]NM5T40 

,FUR!R ON ,KLUG5AU AGA9 TRI$ TO P]SUADE ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO COME OV] TO HIM4 

0,I DID NOT BELIEVE HIM10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD :5 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV HAD F9I%$ READ+1 0& DID NOT GO TO ,KLUG5AU4  ,! *IEF ?+ = ME WAS TO REV5GE MYSELF ON ,AKHMET ,KHAN1 & ?AT ,I C\LD NOT DO ?R\< ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,!N ,AKHMET ,KHAN SURR\ND$ ,TSELMESS & WANT$ TO TAKE ME OR KILL ME4  ,I HAD TOO FEW M5 & C\LD NOT DRIVE HIM (F1 & JU/ !N CAME AN 5VOY ) A LETT] FROM ,%AMIL PROMIS+ TO HELP ME TO DEFEAT & KILL ,AKHMET ,KHAN & MAK+ ME RUL] OV] ! :OLE ( ,AV>IA4  ,I CONSID]$ ! MATT] = A LONG TIME & !N W5T OV] TO ,%AMIL1 & FROM ?AT TIME ,I HAVE F\<T ! ,RUSSIANS CONT9UALLY40 

,H]E ,HAJJI ,MURAD RELAT$ ALL HIS MILIT>Y EXPLOITS1 ( :I* !RE W]E V]Y MANY & SOME ( :I* W]E ALREADY FAMILI> TO ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4  ALL HIS CAMPAIGNS & RAIDS HAD BE5 REM>KABLE = ! EXTRAORD9>Y RAPIDITY ( HIS MOVEM5TS & ! BOLDNESS ( HIS ATTACKS1 :I* W]E ALWAYS CR[N$ ) SUCCESS4 

0,!RE NEV] WAS ANY FRI5D%IP BETWE5 ME & ,%AMIL10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD AT ! 5D ( HIS /ORY1 0BUT HE FE>$ ME & NE$$ ME4  ,BUT IT SO HAPP5$ ?AT ,I WAS ASK$ :O %\LD BE ,IMAM AFT] ,%AMIL1 & ,I REPLI$3  ',HE WILL BE ,IMAM :OSE SWORD IS %>PE/6' 

0,?IS WAS TOLD TO ,%AMIL & HE WANT$ TO GET RID ( ME4  ,HE S5T ME 9TO ,TABAS>AN4  ,I W5T1 & CAPTUR$ A ?\S& %EEP & ?REE HUNDR$ HORSES1 BUT HE SAID ,I HAD NOT DONE ! RI<T ?+ & DISMISS$ ME FROM BE+ ,NAIB1 & ORD]$ ME TO S5D HIM ALL ! MONEY4  ,I S5T HIM A ?\S& GOLD PIECES4  ,HE S5T HIS MURIDS & !Y TOOK FROM ME ALL MY PROP]TY4  ,HE DEM&$ ?AT ,I %\LD GO TO HIM1 BUT ,I KNEW HE WANT$ TO KILL ME & ,I DID NOT GO4  ,!N HE S5T TO TAKE ME4  ,I RESI/$ & W5T OV] TO ,VORONTSOV4  ,ONLY ,I DID NOT TAKE MY FAMILY4  ,MY MO!R1 MY WIVES1 & MY SON >E 9 HIS H&S4  ,TELL ! ,SIRD> ?AT AS LONG AS MY FAMILY IS 9 ,%AMIL'S P[] ,I CAN DO NO?+40 

0,I WILL TELL HIM10 SAID ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

0,TAKE PA9S1 TRY H>D64 444 ,:AT IS M9E IS ?9E1 ONLY HELP ME ) ! ,PR9CE4  ,I AM TI$ UP & ! 5D ( ! ROPE IS 9 ,%AMIL'S H&S10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD CONCLUD+ HIS /ORY4 

O ,*APT] #ad 

,ON ! #b? ( ,DECEMB] ,VORONTSOV WROTE TO ,*]NY%OV1 ! ,M9I/] ( ,W>4  ,! LETT] WAS 9 ,FR5*3 

0,I DID NOT WRITE TO Y\ BY ! LA/ PO/1 DE> ,PR9CE1 AS ,I WI%$ FIR/ TO DECIDE :AT WE %\LD DO ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & = ! LA/ TWO OR ?REE DAYS ,I HAVE NOT BE5 FEEL+ QUITE WELL4 

0,9 MY LA/ LETT] ,I 9=M$ Y\ ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S >RIVAL H]E4  ,HE REA*$ ,TIFLIS ON ! #h?1 & NEXT DAY ,I MADE HIS ACQUA9TANCE1 & DUR+ ! FOLL[+ SEV5 OR EI<T DAYS HAVE SPOK5 TO HIM & CONSID]$ :AT USE WE CAN MAKE ( HIM 9 ! FUTURE1 & ESPECIALLY :AT WE >E TO DO ) HIM AT PRES5T1 = HE IS MU* CONC]N$ AB\T ! FATE ( HIS FAMILY1 & ) EV]Y APPE>ANCE ( P]FECT FRANKNESS SAYS ?AT :ILE !Y >E 9 ,%AMIL'S H&S HE IS P>ALYZ$ & CANNOT R5D] US ANY S]VICE OR %[ HIS GRATITUDE = ! FRI5DLY RECEPTION & =GIV5ESS WE HAVE EXT5D$ TO HIM4 

0,HIS UNC]TA9TY AB\T ?OSE DE> TO HIM MAKES HIM RE/LESS1 & ! P]SONS ,I HAVE APPO9T$ TO LIVE ) HIM ASSURE ME ?AT HE DOES NOT SLEEP AT NI<T1 EATS H>DLY ANY?+1 PRAYS CONT9UALLY1 & ASKS ONLY TO BE ALL[$ TO RIDE \T ACCOMPANI$ BY SEV]AL ,COSSACKS -- ! SOLE RECREATION & EX]CISE POSSIBLE = HIM & MADE NECESS>Y TO HIM BY LIFE-LONG HABIT4   ,EV]Y DAY HE COMES TO ME TO KN[ :E!R ,I HAVE ANY NEWS ( HIS FAMILY1 & TO ASK ME TO HAVE ALL ! PRISON]S 9 \R H&S COLLECT$ & (F]$ TO ,%AMIL 9 EX*ANGE = !M4  ,HE W\LD ALSO GIVE A LITTLE MONEY4  ,!RE >E PEOPLE :O W\LD LET HIM HAVE SOME = ! PURPOSE4 ,HE KEEPS REPEAT+ TO ME3  ',SAVE MY FAMILY & !N GIVE ME A *ANCE TO S]VE !E' 7PREF]ABLY1 9 HIS OP9ION1 ON ! ,LES<IAN L9E71 '& IF )9 A MON? ,I DO NOT R5D] Y\ GREAT S]VICE1 PUNI% ME AS Y\ ?9K FIT4'  ,I REPLY ?AT TO ME ALL ?IS APPE>S V]Y JU/1 & ?AT MANY AMONG US W\LD EV5 NOT TRU/ HIM SO LONG AS HIS FAMILY REMA9 9 ! M\NTA9S & >E NOT 9 \R H&S AS HO/AGES1 & ?AT ,I WILL DO EV]Y?+ POSSIBLE TO COLLECT ! PRISON]S ON \R FRONTI]1 ?AT ,I HAVE NO P[] UND] \R LAWS TO GIVE HIM MONEY = ! RANSOM ( HIS FAMILY 9 ADDITION TO ! SUM HE MAY HIMSELF BE ABLE TO RAISE1 BUT ?AT ,I MAY P]HAPS F9D SOME O!R MEANS ( HELP+ HIM4  ,AFT] ?AT ,I TOLD HIM FRANKLY ?AT 9 MY OP9ION ,%AMIL W\LD NOT 9 ANY CASE GIVE UP ! FAMILY1 & ?AT ,%AMIL MI<T TELL HIM SO /RAI<T \T & PROMISE HIM A FULL P>DON & HIS =M] PO/S1 & MI<T ?REAT5 IF ,HAJJI ,MURAD DID NOT RETURN1 TO KILL HIS MO!R1 HIS WIVES1 & HIS SIX *ILDR54  ,I ASK$ HIM :E!R HE C\LD SAY FRANKLY :AT HE W\LD DO IF HE RECEIV$ SU* AN ANN\NCEM5T FROM ,%AMIL4  ,HE LIFT$ HIS EYES & >MS TO HEAV51 & SAID ?AT EV]Y?+ IS 9 ,GOD'S H&S1 BUT ?AT HE W\LD NEV] SURR5D] TO HIS FOE1 = HE IS C]TA9 ,%AMIL W\LD NOT =GIVE HIM & HE W\LD !RE=E NOT HAVE LONG TO LIVE4  ,AS TO ! DE/RUCTION ( HIS FAMILY1 HE DID NOT ?9K ,%AMIL W\LD ACT SO RA%LY3  FIR/LY1 TO AVOID MAK+ HIM A YET MORE DESP]ATE & DANG]\S FOE1 & SECONDLY1 BECAUSE !RE W]E MANY PEOPLE1 & EV5 V]Y 9FLU5TIAL PEOPLE1 9 ,DA<E/AN1 :O W\LD DISSUADE ,%AMIL FROM SU* A C\RSE4  ,F9ALLY1 HE REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES ?AT :ATEV] ,GOD MI<T DECREE = HIM 9 ! FUTURE1 HE WAS AT PRES5T 9T]E/$ 9 NO?+ BUT HIS FAMILY'S RANSOM1 & HE IMPLOR$ ME 9 ,GOD'S NAME TO HELP HIM & ALL[ HIM TO RETURN TO ! NEI<BORHOOD ( ! ,*E*NYA1 :]E HE C\LD1 ) ! HELP & CONS5T ( \R COMM&]S1 HAVE SOME 9T]C\RSE ) HIS FAMILY & REGUL> NEWS ( !IR CONDITION & ( ! BE/ MEANS TO LIB]ATE !M4  ,HE SAID ?AT MANY PEOPLE1 & EV5 SOME ,NAIBS 9 ?AT P>T ( ! 5EMY'S T]RITORY1 W]E MORE OR LESS ATTA*$ TO HIM & ?AT AMONG ! :OLE ( ! POPULATION ALREADY SUBJUGAT$ BY ,RUSSIA OR NEUTRAL IT W\LD BE EASY ) \R HELP TO E/ABLI% RELATIONS V]Y USEFUL = ! ATTA9M5T ( ! AIM :I* GIVES HIM NO PEACE DAY OR NI<T1 & ! ATTA9M5T ( :I* W\LD SET HIM AT EASE & MAKE IT POSSIBLE = HIM TO ACT = \R GOOD & W9 \R CONFID5CE4  

0,HE ASKS TO BE S5T BACK TO ,GROZNY ) A CONVOY ( TW5TY OR ?IRTY PICK$ ,COSSACKS :O W\LD S]VE HIM AS A PROTECTION AGA9/ FOES & US AS A GU>ANTEE ( HIS GOOD FAI?4 

0,Y\ WILL UND]/&1 DE> ,PR9CE1 ?AT ,I HAVE BE5 MU* P]PLEX$ BY ALL ?IS1 = DO :AT ,I WILL A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY RE/S ON ME4  ,IT W\LD BE 9 ! HI<E/ DEGREE RA% TO TRU/ HIM 5TIRELY1 YET 9 ORD] TO DEPRIVE HIM ( ALL MEANS ( ESCAPE WE %\LD HAVE TO LOCK HIM UP1 & 9 MY OP9ION ?AT W\LD BE BO? UNJU/ & IMPOLITIC4 ,A MEASURE ( ?AT K9D1 ! NEWS ( :I* W\LD SOON SPREAD OV] ! :OLE ( ,DA<E/AN1 W\LD DO US GREAT H>M BY KEEP+ BACK ?OSE :O >E N[ 9CL9$ MORE OR LESS OP5LY TO OPPOSE ,%AMIL 7& !RE >E MANY SU*71 & :O >E KE5LY WAT*+ TO SEE H[ WE TREAT ! ,IMAM'S BRAVE/ & MO/ ADV5TUR\S (FIC] N[ ?AT HE HAS F\ND HIMSELF OBLIG$ TO PLACE HIMSELF 9 \R H&S4  ,IF WE TREAT ,HAJJI ,MURAD AS A PRISON] ALL ! GOOD EFFECT ( ! SITUATION WILL BE LO/4  ,!RE=E ,I ?9K ?AT ,I C\LD NOT ACT O!RWISE ?AN AS ,I HAVE DONE1 ?\< AT ! SAME TIME ,I FEEL ?AT ,I MAY BE ACCUS$ ( HAV+ MADE A GREAT MI/AKE IF ,HAJJI ,MURAD %\LD TAKE IT 9TO HIS HEAD TO ESCAPE AGA94  ,9 ! S]VICE1 & ESPECIALLY 9 A COMPLICAT$ SITUATION SU* AS ?IS1 IT IS DIFFICULT1 NOT TO SAY IMPOSSIBLE1 TO FOLL[ ANY ONE /RAI<T PA? )\T RISK+ MI/AKES & )\T ACCEPT+ RESPONSIBILITY1 BUT ONCE A PA? SEEMS TO BE ! RI<T ONE ,I MU/ FOLL[ IT1 HAPP5 :AT MAY4 

0,I BEG ( Y\1 DE> ,PR9CE1 TO SUBMIT ?IS TO HIS ,MAJE/Y ! ,EMP]OR = HIS CONSID]ATION2 & ,I %ALL BE HAPPY IF IT PLEASES \R MO/ AUGU/ MON>* TO APPROVE MY ACTION4 

0,ALL ?AT ,I HAVE WRITT5 ABOVE ,I HAVE ALSO WRITT5 TO ,G5]ALS ,ZAVODOVSKY & ,KOZLOVSKY1 TO GUIDE ! LATT] :5 COMMUNICAT+ DIRECT ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD :OM ,I HAVE W>N$ NOT TO ACT OR GO ANY:]E )\T ,KOZLOVSKY'S CONS5T4  ,I ALSO TOLD HIM ?AT IT W\LD BE ALL ! BETT] ( US IF HE RODE \T ) \R CONVOY1 AS O!RWISE ,%AMIL MI<T SPREAD A RUMOR ?AT WE W]E KEEP+ HIM PRISON]1 BUT AT ! SAME TIME ,I MADE HIM PROMISE NEV] TO GO TO ,VOZDVIZH5SK1 BECAUSE MY SON1 TO :OM HE FIR/ SURR5D]$ & :OM HE LOOKS UPON AS HIS KUNAK 7FRI5D71 IS NOT ! COMM&] ( ?AT PLACE & SOME UNPLEASANT MISUND]/&+ MI<T EASILY >ISE4 ,9 ANY CASE ,VOZDVIZH5SK LIES TOO NE> A ?ICKLY POPULAT$ HO/ILE SETTLEM5T1 :I* = ! 9T]C\RSE ) HIS FRI5DS :I* HE DESIRES1 ,GROZNY IS 9 ALL RESPECTS SUITABLE4 

0,BESIDES ! TW5TY *OS5 ,COSSACKS :O AT HIS [N REQUE/ >E TO KEEP CLOSE TO HIM1 ,I AM ALSO S5D+ ,CAPTA9 ,LORIS-,MELIKOV -- A WOR?Y1 EXCELL5T1 & HI<LY 9TELLIG5CE (FIC] :O SPEAKS ,T>T>1 & KN[S ,HAJJI ,MURAD WELL & APP>5TLY 5JOYS HIS FULL CONFID5CE4  ,DUR+ ! T5 DAYS ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAS SP5T H]E1 HE HAS1 H[EV]1 LIV$ 9 ! SAME H\SE ) ,LIEUT5ANT-,COLONEL ,PR9CE ,T>KHANOV1 :O IS 9 COMM& ( ! %\%9 ,DI/RICT & IS H]E ON BUS9ESS CONNECT$ ) ! S]VICE4  ,HE IS A TRULY WOR?Y MAN :OM ,I TRU/ 5TIRELY4  ,HE ALSO HAS WON ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S CONFID5CE1 & ?R\< HIM ALONE -- AS HE SPEAKS ,T>T> P]FECTLY -- WE HAVE DISCUSS$ ! MO/ DELICATE & SECRET MATT]S4  ,I HAVE CONSULT$ ,T>KHANOV AB\T ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & HE FULLY AGREES ) ME ?AT IT WAS NECESS>Y EI!R TO ACT AS ,I HAVE DONE1 OR TO PUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 PRISON & GU>D HIM 9 ! /RICTE/ MANN] 7= IF WE ONCE TREAT HIM BADLY HE WILL NOT BE EASY TO HOLD71 OR ELSE TO REMOVE HIM FROM ! C\NTRY ALTOGE!R4  ,BUT !SE TWO LA/ MEASURES W\LD NOT ONLY DE/ROY ALL ! ADVANTAGE ACCRU+ TO US FROM ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S QU>REL ) ,%AMIL1 BUT W\LD 9EVITABLY *ECK ANY GR[? ( ! PRES5T 9SUBORD9ATION1 & POSSIBLE FUTURE REVOLT1 ( ! PEOPLE AGA9/ ,%AMIL'S P[]4  ,PR9CE ,T>KHANOV TELLS ME HE HIMSELF HAS NO D\BT ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S TRU?FULNESS1 & ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD IS CONV9C$ ?AT ,%AMIL WILL NEV] =GIVE HIM BUT W\LD HAVE HIM EXECUT$ 9 SPITE ( ANY PROMISE ( =GIV5ESS4  ,! ONLY ?+ ,T>KHANOV HAS NOTIC$ 9 HIS 9T]C\RSE ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD ?AT MI<T CAUSE ANY ANXIETY1 IS HIS ATTA*M5T TO HIS RELIGION4  ,T>KHANOV DOES NOT D5Y ?AT ,%AMIL MI<T 9FLU5CE ,HAJJI ,MURAD FROM ?AT SIDE4  ,BUT AS ,I HAVE ALREADY SAID1 HE WILL NEV] P]SUADE ,HAJJI ,MURAD ?AT HE WILL NOT TAKE HIS LIFE SOON] OR LAT] %\LD ! LATT] RETURN TO HIM4 

0,?IS1 DE> ,PR9CE1 IS ALL ,I HAVE TO TELL Y\ AB\T ?IS EPISODE 9 \R AFFAIRS H]E40 

O ,*APT] #ae 

,! REPORT WAS DISPAT*$ FROM ,TIFLIS ON ! #b#d? ( ,DECEMB] #a#h#e#a1 & ON ,NEW ,YE>'S ,EVE A C\RI]1 HAV+ OV]DRIV5 A DOZ5 HORSES & BEAT5 A DOZ5 DRIV]S TILL !Y BL$1 DELIV]$ IT TO ,PR9CE ,*]NY%OV :O AT ?AT TIME WAS ,M9I/] ( ,W>2 & ON ! #a/ ( ,JANU>Y #aheb ,*]NY%OV TOOK ,VORONTSOV'S REPORT1 AMONG O!R PAP]S1 TO ! ,EMP]OR ,NI*OLAS4 

,*]NY%OV DISLIK$ ,VORONTSOV BECAUSE ( ! G5]AL RESPECT 9 :I* ! LATT] WAS HELD & BECAUSE ( HIS IMM5SE WEAL?1 & ALSO BECAUSE ,VORONTSOV WAS A REAL >I/OCRAT :ILE ,*]NY%OV1 AFT] ALL1 WAS A P>V5U1 BUT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ! ,EMP]OR WAS P>TICUL>LY WELL DISPOS$ T[>DS ,VORONTSOV4  ,!RE=E AT EV]Y OPPORTUNITY ,*]NY%OV TRI$ TO 9JURE ,VORONTSOV4 

,:5 HE HAD LA/ PRES5T$ ! REPORT AB\T ,CAUCASIAN AFFAIRS HE HAD SUCCE$$ 9 >\S+ ,NI*OLAS'S DISPLEASURE AGA9/ ,VORONTSOV BECAUSE -- ?R\< ! C>ELESSNESS ( ?OSE 9 COMM& -- ALMO/ ! :OLE ( A SMALL ,CAUCASIAN DETA*M5T HAD BE5 DE/ROY$ BY ! M\NTA9E]S4  ,HE N[ 9T5D$ TO PRES5T ! /EPS TAK5 BY ,VORONTSOV 9 RELATION TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 AN UNFAVORABLE LI<T4  ,HE WI%$ TO SUGGE/ TO ! ,EMP]OR ?AT ,VORONTSOV ALWAYS PROTECT$ & EV5 9DULG$ ! NATIVES TO ! DETRIM5T ( ! ,RUSSIANS1 & ?AT HE HAD ACT$ UNWISELY 9 ALL[+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO REMA9 9 ! ,CAUCASUS = !RE WAS EV]Y REASON TO SUSPECT ?AT HE HAD ONLY COME OV] TO SPY ON \R MEANS ( DEF5SE1 & ?AT IT W\LD !RE=E BE BETT] TO TRANSPORT HIM TO ,C5TRAL ,RUSSIA & MAKE USE ( HIM ONLY AFT] HIS FAMILY HAD BE5 RESCU$ FROM ! M\NTA9E]S & IT HAD BECOME POSSIBLE TO CONV9CE \RSELVES ( HIS LOYALTY4 

,*]NY%OV'S PLAN DID NOT SUCCE$ M]ELY BECAUSE ON ?AT ,NEW ,YE>'S ,DAY ,NI*OLAS WAS 9 P>TICUL>LY BAD SPIRITS1 & \T ( P]V]SITY W\LD NOT HAVE ACCEPT$ ANY SUGGE/ION :ATEV] FROM ANYONE1 LEA/ ( ALL FROM ,*]NY%OV :OM HE ONLY TOL]AT$ -- REG>D+ HIM AS 9DISP5SABLE = ! TIME BE+ BUT LOOK+ UPON HIM AS A BLACKGU>D1 = ,NI*OLAS KNEW ( HIS 5DEAVORS AT ! TRIAL ( ! ,DECEMBRI/S TO SECURE ! CONVICTION ( ,ZA*>Y ,*]NY%OV1 & ( HIS ATTEMPT TO OBTA9 ,ZA*>Y'S PROP]TY = HIMSELF4  ,SO ?ANKS TO ,NI*OLAS'S ILL TEMP] ,HAJJI ,MURAD REMA9$ 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 & HIS CIRCUM/ANCES W]E NOT *ANG$ AS !Y MI<T HAVE BE5 HAD ,*]NY%OV PRES5T$ HIS REPORT AT ANO!R TIME4 

,IT WAS HALF-PA/ N9E O'CLOCK :5 ?R\< ! MI/ ( ! COLD MORN+ 7! !RMOMET] %[$ #ac DEGREES BEL[ Z]O ,FAHR5HEIT7 ,*]NY%OV'S FAT1 BE>D$ COA*MAN1 SITT+ ON ! BOX ( A SMALL SL$GE 7LIKE ! ONE ,NI*OLAS DROVE AB\T 97 ) A %>P-ANGL$1 CU%ION-%AP$ AZURE VELVET CAP ON HIS HEAD1 DREW UP AT ! 5TRANCE ( ! ,W9T] ,PALACE & GAVE A FRI5DLY NOD TO HIS *UM1 ,PR9CE ,DOLGORUKY'S COA*MAN -- :O HAV+ BR\<T HIS MA/] TO ! PALACE HAD HIMSELF LONG BE5 WAIT+ \TSIDE1 9 HIS BIG COAT ) ! ?ICKLY WADD$ SKIRTS1 SITT+ ON ! RE9S & RUBB+ HIS NUMB$ H&S TOGE!R4  ,*]NY%OV HAD ON A LONG CLOAK ) A L>GE CAP & A FLUFFY COLL> ( SILV] BEAV]1 & A REGULATION ?REE-CORN]$ HAD ) COCKS' FEA!RS4  ,HE ?REW BACK ! BE>SK9 APRON ( ! SL$GE & C>EFULLY DIS5GAG$ HIS *ILL$ FEET1 ON :I* HE HAD NO OV]-%OES 7HE PRID$ HIMSELF ON NEV] WE>+ ANY74  ,CLANK+ HIS SPURS ) AN AIR ( BRAVADO HE ASC5D$ ! C>PET$ /EPS & PASS$ ?R\< ! HALL DOOR :I* WAS RESPECTFULLY OP5$ = HIM BY ! PORT]1 & 5T]$ ! HALL4  ,HAV+ ?R[N (F HIS CLOAK :I* AN OLD ,C\RT LACKEY HURRI$ =W>D TO TAKE1 HE W5T TO A MIRROR & C>EFULLY REMOV$ ! HAT FROM HIS CURL$ WIG4  ,LOOK+ AT HIMSELF 9 ! MIRROR1 HE >RANG$ ! HAIR ON HIS TEMPLES & ! TUFT ABOVE HIS =EHEAD ) AN ACCU/OM$ MOVEM5T ( HIS OLD H&S1 & ADJU/$ HIS CROSS1 ! %\LD]-KNOTS ( HIS UNI=M1 & HIS L>GE-9ITIAL$ EPAULETS1 & !N W5T UP ! G5TLY ASC5D+ C>PET$ /AIRS1 HIS NOT V]Y RELIABLE OLD LEGS FEEBLY M\NT+ ! %ALL[ /EPS4  ,PASS+ ! ,C\RT LACKEYS 9 GALA LIV]Y :O /OOD OBSEQUI\SLY B[+1 ,*]NY%OV 5T]$ ! WAIT+-ROOM4  ,HE WAS RESPECTFULLY MET BY A NEWLY APPO9T$ AIDE- DE-CAMP ( ! ,EMP]OR'S 9 A %9+ NEW UNI=M ) EPAULETS & %\LD]-KNOTS1 :OSE FACE WAS /ILL FRE% & ROSY & :O HAD A SMALL BLACK MU/A*E1 & ! HAIR ON HIS TEMPLES BRU%$ T[>DS HIS EYES 9 ! SAME WAY AS ! ,EMP]OR4 

,PR9CE ,VASILI ,DOLGORUKY1 ,ASSI/ANT-,M9I/] ( ,W>1 ) AN EXPRESSION ( 5NUI ON HIS DULL FACE -- :I* WAS ORNAM5T$ ) SIMIL> :ISK]S1 MU/A*ES1 & TEMPLE TUFTS BRU%$ =W>D LIKE ,NI*OLAS'S -- GREET$ HIM4 

0,L'EMP]EUR80 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 ADDRESS+ ! AIDE-DE-CAMP & LOOK+ 9QUIR+LY T[>DS ! DOOR LEAD+ TO ! CAB9ET4 

0,SA MAJE/E VI5T DE R5TR]10 REPLI$ ! AIDE-DE-CAMP1 EVID5TLY 5JOY+ ! S\ND ( HIS [N VOICE1 & /EPP+ SO S(TLY & /EADILY ?AT HAD A TUMBL] ( WAT] BE5 PLAC$ ON HIS HEAD NONE ( IT W\LD HAVE BE5 SPILL$1 HE APPROA*$ ! DOOR & DISAPPE>$1 HIS :OLE BODY EV9C+ REV]5CE = ! SPOT HE WAS AB\T TO VISIT4 

,DOLGORUKY MEAN:ILE OP5$ HIS PORTFOLIO TO SEE ?AT IT CONTA9$ ! NECESS>Y PAP]S1 :ILE ,*]NY%OV1 FR[N+1 PAC$ UP & D[N TO RE/ORE ! CIRCULATION 9 HIS NUMB$ FEET1 & ?\<T OV] :AT HE WAS AB\T TO REPORT TO ! ,EMP]OR4  ,HE WAS NE> ! DOOR ( ! CAB9ET :5 IT OP5$ AGA9 & ! AIDE- DE-CAMP1 EV5 MORE RADIANT & RESPECTFUL ?AN BE=E1 CAME \T & ) A GE/URE 9VIT$ ! M9I/] & HIS ASSI/ANT TO 5T]4 

,! ,W9T] ,PALACE HAD BE5 REBUILT AFT] A FIRE SOME CONSID]ABLE TIME BE=E ?IS1 BUT ,NI*OLAS WAS /ILL OCCUPY+ ROOMS 9 ! UPP] /ORY4  ,! CAB9ET 9 :I* HE RECEIV$ ! REPORTS ( HIS M9I/]S & O!R HI< (FICIALS WAS A V]Y L(TY AP>TM5T ) F\R L>GE W9D[S4  ,A BIG PORTRAIT ( ! ,EMP]OR ,ALEX&] ,I HUNG ON ! FRONT SIDE ( ! ROOM4  ,TWO BUREAUX /OOD BETWE5 ! W9D[S1 & SEV]AL *AIRS W]E RANG$ ALONG ! WALLS4  ,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM WAS AN 5ORM\S WRIT+ TABLE & AN >M *AIR BE=E IT = ,NI*OLAS1 & O!R *AIRS = ?OSE TO :OM HE GAVE AUDI5CE4 

,NI*OLAS SAT AT ! TABLE 9 A BLACK COAT ) %\LD]- /RAPS BUT NO EPAULETS1 HIS 5ORM\S BODY -- ) HIS OV]GR[N /OMA* TI<TLY LAC$ 9 -- WAS ?R[N BACK1 & HE GAZ$ AT ! NEWCOM]S ) FIX$1 LIFELESS EYES4  ,HIS LONG PALE FACE1 ) ITS 5ORM\S REC$+ =EHEAD BETWE5 ! TUFTS ( HAIR :I* W]E BRU%$ =W>D & SKILLFULLY JO9$ TO ! WIG ?AT COV]$ HIS BALD PAT*1 WAS SPECIALLY COLD & /ONY ?AT DAY4  ,HIS EYES1 ALWAYS DIM1 LOOK$ DULL] ?AN USUAL1 ! COMPRESS$ LIPS UND] HIS UPTURN$ MU/A*ES1 ! HI< COLL> :I* SUPPORT$ HIS *91 & HIS FAT FRE%LY %AV5 *EEKS ON :I* SYMMETRICAL SAUSAGE-%AP$ BITS ( :ISK]S HAD BE5 LEFT1 GAVE HIS FACE A DISSATISFI$ & EV5 IRATE EXPRESSION4  ,HIS BAD MOOD WAS CAUS$ BY FATIGUE1 DUE TO ! FACT ?AT HE HAD BE5 TO A MASQU]ADE ! NI<T BE=E1 & :ILE WALK+ AB\T AS WAS HIS WONT 9 HIS ,HORSE ,GU>DS' UNI=M ) A BIRD ON ! HELMET1 AMONG ! PUBLIC :I* CR[D$ R\ND & TIMIDLY MADE WAY = HIS 5ORM\S1 SELF-ASSUR$ FIGURE1 HE HAD AGA9 MET ! MASK :O AT ! PREVI\S MASQU]ADE HAD >\S$ HIS S5ILE S5SUALITY BY H] :IT5ESS1 H] BEAUTIFUL FIGURE1 & H] T5D] VOICE4  ,AT ?AT =M] MASQU]ADE %E HAD DISAPPE>$ AFT] PROMIS+ TO MEET HIM AT ! NEXT ONE4 

,AT YE/]DAY'S MASQU]ADE %E HAD COME UP TO HIM1 & ?IS TIME HE HAD NOT LET H] GO1 BUT HAD L$ H] TO ! BOX SPECIALLY KEPT READY = ?AT PURPOSE1 :]E HE C\LD BE ALONE ) H]4  ,HAV+ >RIV$ 9 SIL5CE AT ! DOOR ( ! BOX ,NI*OLAS LOOK$ R\ND TO F9D ! ATT5DANT1 BUT HE WAS NOT !RE4  ,HE FR[N$ & PU%$ ! DOOR OP5 HIMSELF1 LETT+ ! LADY 5T] FIR/4 

0,IL Y A QUELQ'UN60 SAID ! MASK1 /OPP+ %ORT4 

,& ! BOX ACTUALLY WAS OCCUPI$4  ,ON ! SMALL VELVET- COV]$ S(A1 CLOSE TOGE!R1 SAT AN ,UHLAN (FIC] & A PRETTY1 FAIR CURLY-HAIR$ Y\NG WOMAN 9 A DOM9O1 :O HAD REMOV$ H] MASK4  ,ON CAT*+ SI<T ( ! ANGRY FIGURE ( ,NI*OLAS DRAWN UP TO ITS FULL HEI<T1 %E QUICKLY REPLAC$ H] MASK1 BUT ! ,UHLAN (FIC]1 RIGID ) FE>1 GAZ$ AT ,NI*OLAS ) FIX$ EYES )\T RIS+ FROM ! S(A4 

,US$ AS HE WAS TO ! T]ROR HE 9SPIR$ 9 O!RS1 ?AT T]ROR ALWAYS PLEAS$ ,NI*OLAS1 & BY WAY ( CONTRA/ HE SOMETIMES LIK$ TO A/\ND ?OSE PLUNG$ 9 T]ROR BY ADDRESS+ K9DLY WORDS TO !M4  ,HE DID SO ON ?IS OCCASION4 

0,WELL1 FRI5D60 SAID HE TO ! (FIC]1 0,Y\ >E Y\NG] ?AN ,I & MI<T GIVE UP Y\R PLACE TO ME40 

,! (FIC] JUMP$ TO HIS FEET1 & GR[+ FIR/ PALE & !N R$ & B5D+ ALMO/ D\BLE1 HE FOLL[$ HIS P>TN] SIL5TLY \T ( ! BOX1 LEAV+ ,NI*OLAS ALONE ) HIS LADY4 

,%E PROV$ TO BE A PRETTY1 TW5TY-YE>-OLD VIRG91 ! DAU<T] ( A ,SW$I% GOV]NESS4  ,%E TOLD ,NI*OLAS H[ :5 QUITE A *ILD %E HAD FALL5 9 LOVE ) HIM FROM HIS PORTRAITS2 H[ %E ADOR$ HIM & HAD MADE UP H] M9D TO ATTRACT HIS ATT5TION AT ANY CO/4  ,N[ %E HAD SUCCE$$ & WANT$ NO?+ MORE -- SO %E SAID4 

,! GIRL WAS TAK5 TO ! PLACE :]E ,NI*OLAS USUALLY HAD R5DEZV\S ) WOM51 & !RE HE SP5T MORE ?AN AN H\R ) H]4 

,:5 HE RETURN$ TO HIS ROOM ?AT NI<T & LAY ON ! H>D N>R[ B$ AB\T :I* HE PRID$ HIMSELF1 & COV]$ HIMSELF ) ! CLOAK :I* HE CONSID]$ TO BE 7& SPOKE ( AS BE+7 AS FAM\S AS ,NAPOLEON'S HAT1 IT WAS A LONG TIME BE=E HE C\LD FALL ASLEEP4  ,HE ?\<T N[ ( ! FRI<T5$ & ELAT$ EXPRESSION ON ?AT GIRL'S FAIR FACE1 & N[ ( ! FULL1 P[]FUL %\LD]S ( HIS E/ABLI%$ MI/RESS1 ,NELIDOVA1 & HE COMP>$ ! TWO4  ,?AT PR(LIGACY 9 A M>RI$ MAN WAS A BAD ?+ DID NOT ONCE 5T] HIS HEAD1 & HE W\LD HAVE BE5 GREATLY SURPRIS$ HAD ANYONE C5SUR$ HIM = IT4  ,YET ?\< CONV9C$ ?AT HE HAD ACT$ RI<TLY1 SOME K9D ( UNPLEASANT AFT]-TA/E REMA9$1 & TO /IFLE ?AT FEEL+ HE DWELT ON A ?\<T ?AT ALWAYS TRANQUILIZ$ HIM -- ! ?\<T ( HIS [N GREATNESS4 

,?\< HE HAD FALL5 ASLEEP SO LATE1 HE ROSE BE=E EI<T1 & AFT] ATT5D+ TO HIS TOILET 9 ! USUAL WAY -- RUBB+ HIS BIG WELL-F$ BODY ALL OV] ) ICE -- & SAY+ HIS PRAY]S 7REPEAT+ ?OSE HE HAD BE5 US$ TO FROM *ILDHOOD -- ! PRAY] TO ! ,VIRG91 ! APO/LES' ,CRE$1 & ! ,LORD'S ,PRAY]1 )\T ATTA*+ ANY K9D ( MEAN+ TO ! WORDS HE UTT]$71 HE W5T \T ?R\< ! SMALL] PORTICO ( ! PALACE ONTO ! EMBANKM5T 9 HIS MILIT>Y CLOAK & CAP4 

,ON ! EMBANKM5T HE MET A /UD5T 9 ! UNI=M ( ! ,S*OOL ( ,JURISPRUD5CE1 :O WAS AS 5ORM\S AS HIMSELF4  ,ON RECOGNIZ+ ! UNI=M ( ?AT S*OOL1 :I* HE DISLIK$ = ITS FRE$OM ( ?\<T1 ,NI*OLAS FR[N$1 BUT ! /ATURE ( ! /UD5T & ! PA9/AK+ MANN] 9 :I* HE DREW HIMSELF UP & SALUT$1 O/5TATI\SLY /ICK+ \T HIS ELB[1 MOLLIFI$ HIS DISPLEASURE4 

0,Y\R NAME80 SAID HE4 

0,POLOSATOV1 Y\R ,IMP]IAL ,MAJE/Y40 

0444F9E FELL[60 

,! /UD5T CONT9U$ TO /& ) HIS H& LIFT$ TO HIS HAT4 

,NI*OLAS /OPP$4 

0,DO Y\ WI% TO 5T] ! >MY80 

0,NOT AT ALL1 Y\R ,IMP]IAL ,MAJE/Y40 

0,BLOCKHEAD60  ,& ,NI*OLAS TURN$ AWAY & CONT9U$ HIS WALK1 & BEGAN UTT]+ AL\D ! FIR/ WORDS ?AT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD4 

0,KOP]V9E444,KOP]V9E -- 0 HE REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES 7IT WAS ! NAME ( YE/]DAY'S GIRL74  0,HORRID 444 HORRID -- 0 ,HE DID NOT ?9K ( :AT HE WAS SAY+1 BUT /IFL$ HIS FEEL+S BY LI/5+ TO ! WORDS4 

0,YES1 :AT W\LD ,RUSSIA BE )\T ME80 SAID HE1 FEEL+ HIS =M] DISSATISFACTION RETURN+4  0,:AT W\LD -- NOT ,RUSSIA ALONE BUT ,EUROPE BE1 )\T ME80 & CALL+ TO M9D ! WEAKNESS & /UPIDITY ( HIS BRO!R-9-LAW ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA1 HE %OOK HIS HEAD4 

,AS HE WAS RETURN+ TO ! SMALL PORTICO1 HE SAW ! C>RIAGE ( ,HEL5A ,PAVLOVNA1 ) A R$-LIV]I$ FOOTMAN1 APPROA*+ ! ,SALTYKOV 5TRANCE ( ! PALACE4 

,HEL5A ,PAVLOVNA WAS TO HIM ! P]SONIFICATION ( ?AT FUTILE CLASS ( PEOPLE :O DISCUSS$ NOT M]ELY SCI5CE & POETRY1 BUT EV5 ! WAYS ( GOV]N+ M53  IMAG9+ ?AT !Y C\LD GOV]N !MSELVES BETT] ?AN HE1 ,NI*OLAS1 GOV]N$ !M6  ,HE KNEW ?AT H[EV] MU* HE CRU%$ SU* PEOPLE !Y REAPPE>$ AGA9 & AGA91 & HE RECALL$ HIS BRO!R1 ,MI*AEL ,PAVLOVI*1 :O HAD DI$ NOT LONG BE=E4  ,A FEEL+ ( SADNESS & VEXATION CAME OV] HIM & ) A D>K FR[N HE AGA9 BEGAN :ISP]+ ! FIR/ WORDS ?AT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD1 :I* HE ONLY CEAS$ DO+ :5 HE RE5T]$ ! PALACE4 

,ON REA*+ HIS AP>TM5TS HE SMOO!D HIS :ISK]S & ! HAIR ON HIS TEMPLES & ! WIG ON HIS BALD PAT*1 & TWI/$ HIS MU/A*ES UPW>DS 9 FRONT ( ! MIRROR1 & !N W5T /RAI<T TO ! CAB9ET 9 :I* HE RECEIV$ REPORTS4 

,HE FIR/ RECEIV$ ,*]NY%OV1 :O AT ONCE SAW BY HIS FACE1 & ESPECIALLY BY HIS EYES1 ?AT ,NI*OLAS WAS 9 A P>TICUL>LY BAD HUMOR ?AT DAY1 & KN[+ AB\T ! ADV5TURE ( ! NI<T BE=E HE UND]/OOD ! CAUSE4  ,HAV+ COLDLY GREET$ HIM & 9VIT$ HIM TO SIT D[N1 ,NI*OLAS FIX$ ON HIM A LIFELESS GAZE4  ,! FIR/ MATT] ,*]NY%OV REPORT$ UPON WAS A CASE ( EMBEZZLEM5T BY COMMISS>IAT (FICIALS :I* HAD JU/ BE5 DISCOV]$2 ! NEXT WAS ! MOVEM5T ( TROOPS ON ! ,PRUSSIAN FRONTI]2 !N CAME A LI/ ( REW>DS TO BE GIV5 AT ! ,NEW ,YE> TO SOME PEOPLE OMITT$ FROM A =M] LI/2 !N ,VORONTSOV'S REPORT AB\T ,HAJJI ,MURAD2 & LA/LY SOME UNPLEASANT BUS9ESS CONC]N+ AN ATTEMPT BY A /UD5T ( ! ,ACADEMY ( ,M$IC9E ON ! LIFE ( A PR(ESSOR4 

,NI*OLAS HE>D ! REPORT ( ! EMBEZZLEM5T SIL5TLY ) COMPRESS$ LIPS1 HIS L>GE :ITE H& -- ) ONE R+ ON ! F\R? F+] -- /ROK+ SOME %EETS ( PAP]1 & HIS EYES /EADILY FIX$ ON ,*]NY%OV'S =EHEAD & ON ! TUFT ( HAIR ABOVE IT4 

,NI*OLAS WAS CONV9C$ ?AT EV]YBODY /OLE4  ,HE KNEW HE W\LD HAVE TO PUNI% ! COMMISS>IAT (FICIALS N[1 & DECID$ TO S5D !M ALL TO S]VE 9 ! RANKS1 BUT HE ALSO KNEW ?AT ?IS W\LD NOT PREV5T ?OSE :O SUCCE$$ !M FROM ACT+ 9 ! SAME WAY4  ,IT WAS A *>ACT]I/IC ( (FICIALS TO /EAL1 BUT IT WAS HIS DUTY TO PUNI% !M = DO+ SO1 & TIR$ AS HE WAS ( ?AT DUTY HE CONSCI5TI\SLY P]=M$ IT4 

0,IT SEEMS !RE IS ONLY ONE HONE/ MAN 9 ,RUSSIA60 SAID HE4 

,*]NY%OV AT ONCE UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS ONE HONE/ MAN WAS ,NI*OLAS HIMSELF1 & SMIL$ APPROV+LY4 

0,IT LOOKS LIKE IT1 Y\R ,IMP]IAL ,MAJE/Y10 SAID HE4 

0,LEAVE IT -- ,I WILL GIVE A DECISION10 SAID ,NI*OLAS1 TAK+ ! DOCUM5T & PUTT+ IT ON ! LEFT SIDE ( ! TABLE4  

,!N ,*]NY%OV  REPORT$ ! REW>DS TO BE GIV5 & AB\T MOV+ ! >MY ON ! ,PRUSSIAN FRONTI]4 

,NI*OLAS LOOK$ OV] ! LI/ & /RUCK \T SOME NAMES1 & !N BRIEFLY & FIRMLY GAVE ORD]S TO MOVE TWO DIVISIONS TO ! ,PRUSSIAN FRONTI]4  ,HE C\LD NOT =GIVE ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA = GRANT+ A ,CON/ITUTION TO HIS PEOPLE AFT] ! EV5TS ( #a#h#d#h1 & !RE=E :ILE EXPRESS+ MO/ FRI5DLY FEEL+S TO HIS BRO!R-9-LAW 9 LETT]S & CONV]SATION1 HE CONSID]$ IT NECESS>Y TO KEEP AN >MY NE> ! FRONTI] 9 CASE ( NE$4  ,HE MI<T WANT TO USE !SE TROOPS TO DEF5D HIS BRO!R-9-LAW'S ?RONE IF ! PEOPLE ( ,PRUSSIA REBELL$ 7,NI*OLAS SAW A READ9ESS = REBELLION EV]Y:]E7 AS HE HAD US$ TROOPS TO SUPPRESS ! RIS+ 9 ,HUNG>Y A FEW YE>S PREVI\SLY4  !Y W]E ALSO ( USE TO GIVE MORE WEI<T & 9FLU5CE TO SU* ADVICE AS HE GAVE TO ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA4 

0,YES -- :AT W\LD ,RUSSIA BE LIKE N[ IF IT W]E NOT = ME80 HE AGA9 ?\<T4 

0,WELL1 :AT ELSE IS !RE80 SAID HE4 

0,A C\RI] FROM ! ,CAUCASUS10 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 & HE REPORT$ :AT ,VORONTSOV HAD WRITT5 AB\T ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D]4 

0,WELL1 WELL60 SAID ,NI*OLAS4  0,IT'S A GOOD BEG9N+60 

0,EVID5TLY ! PLAN DEVIS$ BY Y\R ,MAJE/Y BEG9S TO BE> FRUIT10 SAID ,*]NY%OV4 

?IS APPROVAL ( HIS /RATEGIC TAL5TS WAS P>TICUL>LY PLEASANT TO ,NI*OLAS BECAUSE1 ?\< HE PRID$ HIMSELF UPON !M1 AT ! BOTTOM ( HIS HE>T HE KNEW ?AT !Y DID NOT REALLY EXI/1 & HE N[ DESIR$ TO HE> MORE DETAIL$ PRAISE ( HIMSELF4 

0,H[ DO Y\ MEAN80 HE ASK$4 

0,I MEAN ?AT IF Y\R ,MAJE/Y'S PLANS HAD BE5 ADOPT$ BE=E1 & WE HAD MOV$ =W>D SL[LY & /EADILY1 CUTT+ D[N =E/S & DE/ROY+ ! SUPPLIES ( FOOD1 ! ,CAUCASUS W\LD HAVE BE5 SUBJUGAT$ LONG AGO4  ,I ATTRIBUTE ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] 5TIRELY TO HIS HAV+ COME TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT !Y CAN HOLD \T NO LONG]40 

0,TRUE10 SAID ,NI*OLAS4 

,AL?\< ! PLAN ( A GRADUAL ADVANCE 9TO ! 5EMY'S T]RITORY BY MEANS ( FELL+ =E/S & DE/ROY+ ! FOOD SUPPLIES WAS ,]MOLOV'S & ,VELYAM9OV'S PLAN1 & WAS QUITE CONTR>Y TO ,NI*OLAS'S [N PLAN ( SEIZ+ ,%AMIL'S PLACE ( RESID5CE & DE/ROY+ ?AT NE/ ( ROBB]S -- :I* WAS ! PLAN ON :I* ! D>GO EXP$ITION 9 #ahde 7?AT CO/ SO MANY LIVES7 HAD BE5 UND]TAK5 -- ,NI*OLAS NEV]!LESS ATTRIBUT$ TO HIMSELF ALSO ! PLAN ( A SL[ ADVANCE & A SY/EMATIC FELL+ ( =E/S & DEVA/ATION ( ! C\NTRY4  ,IT W\LD SEEM ?AT TO BELIEVE ! PLAN ( A SL[ MOVEM5T BY FELL+ =E/S & DE/ROY+ FOOD SUPPLIES TO HAVE BE5 HIS [N W\LD HAVE NECESSITAT$ HID+ ! FACT ?AT HE HAD 9SI/$ ON QUITE CONTR>Y OP]ATIONS 9 #a#h#d#e4  ,BUT HE DID NOT HIDE IT & WAS PR\D ( ! PLAN ( ! #ahde EXP$ITION AS WELL AS ( ! PLAN  ( A SL[ ADVANCE -- ?\< ! TWO W]E OBVI\SLY CONTR>Y TO ONE ANO!R4  ,CONT9UAL BRAZ5 FLATT]Y FROM EV]YBODY R\ND HIM 9 ! TEE? ( OBVI\S FACTS HAD BR\<T HIM TO SU* A /ATE ?AT HE NO LONG] SAW HIS [N 9CONSI/5CIES OR MEASUR$ HIS ACTIONS & WORDS BY REALITY1 LOGIC1 OR EV5 SIMPLE COMMON S5SE2 BUT WAS QUITE CONV9C$ ?AT ALL HIS ORD]S1 H[EV] S5SELESS1 UNJU/1 & MUTUALLY CONTRADICTORY !Y MI<T BE1 BECAME REASONABLE1 JU/1 & MUTUALLY ACCORDANT SIMPLY BECAUSE HE GAVE !M4  ,HIS DECISION 9 ! CASE NEXT REPORT$ TO HIM -- ?AT ( ! /UD5T ( ! ,ACADEMY ( ,M$IC9E -- WAS ( ! ?AT S5SELESS K9D4 

,! CASE WAS AS FOLL[S3  ,A Y\NG MAN :O HAD TWICE FAIL$ 9 HIS EXAM9ATIONS WAS BE+ EXAM9$ A ?IRD TIME1 & :5 ! EXAM9] AGA9 W\LD NOT PASS HIM1 ! Y\NG MAN :OSE N]VES W]E D]ANG$1 CONSID]+ ?IS TO BE AN 9JU/ICE1 SEIZ$ A P5- KNIFE FROM ! TABLE 9 A P>OXYSM ( FURY1 & RU%+ AT ! PR(ESSOR 9FLICT$ ON HIM SEV]AL TRIFL+ W\NDS4 

0,:AT'S HIS NAME80 ASK$ ,NI*OLAS4 

0,BZHEZOVSKI40 

0,A ,POLE80 

0,( ,POLI% DESC5T & A ROMAN ,CA?OLIC10 ANSW]$ ,*]NY%OV4 

,NI*OLAS FR[N$4  ,HE HAD DONE MU* EVIL TO ! ,POLES4  ,TO JU/IFY ?AT EVIL HE HAD TO FEEL C]TA9 ?AT ALL ,POLES W]E RASCALS1 & HE CONSID]$ !M TO BE SU* & HAT$ !M 9 PROPORTION TO ! EVIL HE HAD DONE !M4 

0,WAIT A LITTLE10 HE SAID1 CLOS+ HIS EYES & B[+ HIS HEAD4 

,*]NY%OV1 HAV+ MORE ?AN ONCE HE>D ,NI*OLAS SAY SO1 KNEW ?AT :5 ! ,EMP]OR HAD TO TAKE A DECISION IT WAS ONLY NECESS>Y = HIM TO CONC5TRATE HIS ATT5TION = A FEW MOM5TS & ! SPIRIT MOV$ HIM1 & ! BE/ POSSIBLE DECISION PRES5T$ ITSELF AS ?\< AN 9N] VOICE HAD TOLD HIM :AT TO DO4  ,HE WAS N[ ?9K+ H[ MO/ FULLY TO SATISFY ! FEEL+ ( HATR$ AGA9/ ! ,POLES :I* ?IS 9CID5T HAD /IRR$ UP )9 HIM1 & ! 9N] VOICE SUGGE/$ ! FOLL[+ DECISION4  ,HE TOOK ! REPORT & 9 HIS L>GE H&WRIT+ WROTE ON ITS M>G9 ) ?REE OR?OGRAPHICAL MI/AKES3 

0,DIS]VES DE?1 BUT1 ?ANK ,GOD1 WE HAVE NO CAPITLE PUNI%M5T1 & IT IS NOT = ME TO 9TRODUCE IT4  ,MAKE HIM FUN ! GANTLET ( A ?\S& M5 TWELVE TIMES4 -- ,NI*OLAS40 

,HE SIGN$1 ADD+ HIS UNNATURALLY HUGE FL\RI%4 

,NI*OLAS KNEW ?AT TWELVE ?\S& /ROKES ) ! REGULATION RODS W]E NOT ONLY C]TA9 DEA? ) TORTURE1 BUT W]E A SUP]FLU\S CRUELTY1 = FIVE ?\S& /ROKES W]E SUFFICI5T TO KILL ! /RONGE/ MAN4  ,BUT IT PLEAS$ HIM TO BE RU?LESSLY CRUEL & IT ALSO PLEAS$ HIM TO ?9K ?AT WE HAVE ABOLI%$ CAPITAL PUNI%M5T 9 ,RUSSIA4 

,HAV+ WRITT5 HIS DECISION AB\T ! /UD5T1 HE PU%$ IT ACROSS TO ,*]NY%OV4 

0,!RE10 HE SAID1 0READ IT40 

,*]NY%OV READ IT1 & B[$ HIS HEAD AS A SIGN ( RESPECTFUL AMAZEM5T AT ! WISDOM ( ! DECISION4 

0,YES1 & LET ALL ! /UD5TS BE PRES5T ON ! DRILL- GR\ND AT ! PUNI%M5T10 ADD$ ,NI*OLAS4 

0,IT WILL DO !M GOOD6  ,I WILL ABOLI% ?IS REVOLUTION>Y SPIRIT & WILL TE> IT UP BY ! ROOTS60 HE ?\<T4 

0,IT %ALL BE DONE10 REPLI$ ,*]NY%OV2 & AFT] A %ORT PAUSE HE /RAI<T5$ ! TUFT ON HIS =EHEAD & RETURN$ TO ! ,CAUCASIAN REPORT4 

0,:AT DO Y\ COMM& ME TO WRITE 9 REPLY TO ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV'S DISPAT*80 

0,TO KEEP FIRMLY TO MY SY/EM ( DE/ROY+ ! DWELL+S & FOOD SUPPLIES 9 ,*E*NYA & TO H>ASS !M BY RAIDS40 ANSW]$ ,NI*OLAS4 

0,& :AT >E Y\R ,MAJE/Y'S COMM&S ) REF]5CE TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD80 ASK$ ,*]NY%OV4 

0,WELL1 ,VORONTSOV WRITES ?AT HE WANTS TO MAKE USE ( HIM 9 ! ,CAUCASUS40 

0,IS IT NOT DANG]\S80 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 AVOID+ ,NI*OLAS'S GAZE4  0,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV IS TOO CONFID+1 ,I AM AFRAID40 

0,& Y\ -- :AT DO Y\ ?9K80 ASK$ ,NI*OLAS %>PLY1 DETECT+ ,*]NY%OV'S 9T5TION ( PRES5T+ ,VORONTSOV'S DECISION 9 AN UNFAVORABLE LI<T4 

0,WELL1 ,I %\LD HAVE ?\<T IT W\LD BE SAF] TO DEPORT HIM TO ,C5TRAL ,RUSSIA40 

0,Y\ W\LD HAVE ?\<T60 SAID ,NI*OLAS IRONICALLY4  0,BUT ,I DON'T ?9K SO1 & AGREE ) ,VORONTSOV4  ,WRITE TO HIM ACCORD+LY40 

0,IT %ALL BE DONE10 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 RIS+ & B[+ HIMSELF \T4 

,DOLGORUKY ALSO B[$ HIMSELF \T1 HAV+ DUR+ ! :OLE AUDI5CE ONLY UTT]$ A FEW WORDS 79 REPLY TO A QUE/ION FROM ,NI*OLAS7 AB\T ! MOVEM5T ( ! >MY4 

,AFT] ,*]NY%OV1 ,NI*OLAS RECEIV$ ,BIBIKOV1 ,G5]AL- ,GOV]NOR ( ! ,WE/]N ,PROV9CES4  ,HAV+ EXPRESS$ HIS APPROVAL ( ! MEASURES TAK5 BY ,BIBIKOV AGA9/ ! MUT9\S PEASANTS :O DID NOT WI% TO ACCEPT ! OR?ODOX ,FAI?1 HE ORD]$ HIM TO HAVE ALL ?OSE :O DID NOT SUBMIT TRI$ BY C\RT-M>TIAL4  ?AT WAS EQUIVAL5T TO S5T5C+ !M TO RUN ! GANTLET4  ,HE ALSO ORD]$ ! $ITOR ( A NEWSPAP] TO BE S5T TO S]VE 9 ! RANKS ( ! >MY = PUBLI%+ 9=MATION AB\T ! TRANSF] ( SEV]AL ?\S& ,/ATE PEASANTS TO ! IMP]IAL E/ATES4 

0,I DO ?IS BECAUSE ,I CONSID] IT NECESS>Y10 SAID ,NI*OLAS1 0& ,I WILL NOT ALL[ IT TO BE DISCUSS$40 

,BIBIKOV SAW ! CRUELTY ( ! ORD] CONC]N+ ! ,UNIATE PEASANTS & ! 9JU/ICE ( TRANSF]R+ ,/ATE PEASANTS 7! ONLY FREE PEASANTS 9 ,RUSSIA 9 ?OSE DAYS7 TO ! ,CR[N1 :I* MEANT MAK+ !M S]FS ( ! ,IMP]IAL FAMILY4  ,BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPRESS DISS5T4  ,NOT TO AGREE ) ,NI*OLAS'S DECISIONS W\LD HAVE MEANT ! LOSS ( ?AT BRILLIANT POSITION :I* IT HAD CO/ ,BIBIKOV =TY YE>S TO ATTA9 & :I* HE N[ 5JOY$2 & HE !RE=E SUBMISSIVELY B[$ HIS D>K HEAD 7ALREADY T\*$ ) GRAY7 TO 9DICATE HIS SUBMISSION & HIS READ9ESS TO FULFILL ! CRUEL1 9S5SATE1 & DI%ONE/ SUPREME WILL4 

,HAV+ DISMISS$ ,BIBIKOV1 ,NI*OLAS /RET*$ HIMSELF1 ) A S5SE ( DUTY WELL FULFILL$1 GLANC$ AT ! CLOCK1 & W5T TO GET READY TO GO \T4  ,HAV+ PUT ON A UNI=M ) EPAULETS1 ORD]S1 & A RIBBON1 HE W5T \T 9TO ! RECEPTION HALL :]E MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ P]SONS -- M5 9 UNI=MS & WOM5 9 ELEGANT L[-NECK$ DRESSES1 ALL /&+ 9 ! PLACES ASSIGN$ TO !M -- AWAIT$ HIS >RIVAL ) AGITATION4 

,HE CAME \T TO !M ) A LIFELESS LOOK 9 HIS EYES1 HIS *E/ EXP&$1 HIS /OMA* BULG+ \T ABOVE & BEL[ ITS B&AGES1 & FEEL+ EV]YBODY'S GAZE TREMUL\SLY & OBSEQUI\SLY FIX$ UPON HIM HE ASSUM$ AN EV5 MORE TRIUMPHANT AIR4  ,:5 HIS EYES MET ?OSE ( PEOPLE HE KNEW1 REMEMB]+ :O WAS :O1 HE /OPP$ & ADDRESS$ A FEW WORDS TO !M SOMETIMES 9 ,RUSSIAN & SOMETIMES 9 ,FR5*1 & TRANSFIX+ !M ) HIS COLD GLASSY EYE LI/5$ TO :AT !Y SAID4 

,HAV+ RECEIV$ ALL ! ,NEW YE> CONGRATULATIONS HE PASS$ ON TO *UR*1 :]E ,GOD1 ?R\< ,HIS S]VANTS ! PRIE/S1 GREET$ & PRAIS$ ,NI*OLAS JU/ AS WORLDLY PEOPLE DID2 & WE>Y AS HE WAS ( !SE GREET+S & PRAISES ,NI*OLAS DULY ACCEPT$ !M4  ,ALL ?IS WAS AS IT %\LD BE1 BECAUSE ! WELF>E & HAPP9ESS ( ! :OLE WORLD DEP5D$ ON HIM1 & WE>I$ ?\< HE WAS HE W\LD /ILL NOT REFUSE ! UNIV]SE HIS ASSI/ANCE4 

,:5 AT ! 5D ( ! S]VICE ! MAGNIFIC5TLY >RAY$ DEACON1 HIS LONG HAIR CRIMP$ & C>EFULLY COMB$1 BEGAN ! *ANT 0,MANY ,YE>S10 :I* WAS HE>TILY CAU<T UP BY ! SPL5DID *OIR1 ,NI*OLAS LOOK$ R\ND & NOTIC$ ,NELIDOVA1 ) H] F9E %\LD]S1 /&+ BY A W9D[1 & HE DECID$ ! COMP>ISON ) YE/]DAY'S GIRL 9 H] FAVOR4 

,AFT] ,MASS HE W5T TO ! EMPRESS & SP5T A FEW M9UTES 9 ! BOSOM ( HIS FAMILY1 JOK+ ) ! *ILDR5 & HIS WIFE4  !N PASS+ ?R\< ! ,H]MITAGE1 HE VISIT$ ! ,M9I/] ( ! ,C\RT1 ,VOLKONSKI1 & AMONG O!R ?+S ORD]$ HIM TO PAY \T ( A SPECIAL FUND A YE>LY P5SION TO ! MO!R ( YE/]DAY'S GIRL4  ,FROM !RE HE W5T = HIS CU/OM>Y DRIVE4 

,D9N] ?AT DAY WAS S]V$ 9 ! ,POMPEIAN ,HALL4  ,BESIDES ! Y\NG] SONS ( ,NI*OLAS & ,MI*AEL !RE W]E ALSO 9VIT$ ,B>ON ,LIEV51 ,C\NT ,RZHEVSKI1 ,DOLGORUKY1 ! ,PRUSSIAN ,AMBASSADOR1 & ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA'S AIDE-DE-CAMP4 

,:ILE WAIT+ = ! APPE>ANCE ( ! ,EMP]OR & ,EMPRESS AN 9T]E/+ CONV]SATION TOOK PLACE BETWE5 ,B>ON ,LIEV5 & ! ,PRUSSIAN ,AMBASSADOR CONC]N+ ! DISQUIET+ NEWS FROM ,POL&4 

0,LA ,POLOGNE ET LE ,CAUCASES1 CE SONT LES DEUX CAUT]ES DE LA ,RUSSIE10 SAID ,LIEV54  0,IL N\S FAUT D5T MILLE HOMMES A PEU PRES1 DANS *CUN DE CES DEUX PAYS40 

,! ,AMBASSADOR EXPRESS$ A FICTITI\S SURPRISE ?AT IT %\LD BE SO4 

0,V\S DITES1 LA ,POLOGNE -- 0 BEGAN ! ,AMBASSADOR4 

0,OH1 \I1 C'ETAIT UN C\P DE MAITRE DE ,METT]NI* DE N\S 5 AVOIR LAISSE L'EMB>RAS4 444 0 

,AT ?IS PO9T ! ,EMPRESS1 ) H] TREMBL+ HEAD & FIX$ SMILE1 5T]$ FOLL[$ BY ,NI*OLAS4 

,AT D9N] ,NI*OLAS SPOKE ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] & SAID ?AT ! W> 9 ! ,CAUCASUS MU/ N[ SOON COME TO AN 5D 9 CONSEQU5CE ( ! MEASURES HE WAS TAK+ TO LIMIT ! SCOPE ( ! M\NTA9E]S BY FELL+ !IR =E/S & BY HIS SY/EM ( ]ECT+ A S]IES ( SMALL =TS4 

,! ,AMBASSADOR1 HAV+ EX*ANG$ A RAPID GLANCE ) ! AIDE-DE-CAMP -- TO :OM HE HAD ONLY ?AT MORN+ SPOK5 AB\T ,NI*OLAS'S UN=TUNATE WEAKNESS = CONSID]+ HIMSELF A GREAT /RATEGI/ -- W>MLY PRAIS$ ?IS PLAN :I* ONCE MORE DEMON/RAT$ ,NI*OLAS'S GREAT /RATEGIC ABILITY4 

,AFT] D9N] ,NI*OLAS DROVE TO ! BALLET :]E HUNDR$S ( WOM5 M>*$ R\ND 9 TI<TS & SCANTY CLO?+4  ,ONE ( ! SPECIALLY ATTRACT$ HIM1 & HE HAD ! ,G]MAN BALLET-MA/] S5T = & GAVE ORD]S ?AT A DIAMOND R+ %\LD BE PRES5T$ TO H]4 

,! NEXT DAY :5 ,*]NY%OV CAME ) HIS REPORT1 ,NI*OLAS AGA9 CONFIRM$ HIS ORD] TO ,VORONTSOV -- ?AT N[ ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD SURR5D]$1 ! ,*E*5S %\LD BE MORE ACTIVELY H>ASS$ ?AN EV] & ! CORDON R\ND !M TI<T5$4 

,*]NY%OV WROTE 9 ?AT S5SE TO ,VORONTSOV2 & ANO!R C\RI]1 OV]DRIV+ MORE HORSES & BRUIS+ ! FACES ( MORE DRIV]S1 GALLOP$ TO ,TIFLIS4 

O ,*APT] #af 

,9 OB$I5CE TO ?IS COMM& ( ,NI*OLAS A RAID WAS IMM$IATELY MADE 9 ,*E*NYA ?AT SAME MON?1 ,JANU>Y #a#h#e#b4 

,! DETA*M5T ORD]$ = ! RAID CONSI/$ ( F\R 9FANTRY BATTALIONS1 TWO COMPANIES ( ,COSSACKS1 & EI<T GUNS4  ,! COLUMN M>*$ ALONG ! ROAD2 & ON BO? SIDES ( IT 9 A CONT9U\S L9E1 N[ M\NT+1 N[ DESC5D+1 M>*$ ,FAG]S 9 HI< BOOTS1 %EEPSK9 COATS1 & TALL CAPS1 ) RIFLES ON !IR %\LD]S & C>TRIDGES 9 !IR BELTS4 

,AS USUAL :5 M>*+ ?R\< A HO/ILE C\NTRY1 SIL5CE WAS OBS]V$ AS F> AS POSSIBLE4  ,ONLY OCCASIONALLY ! GUNS J+L$ JOLT+ ACROSS A DIT*1 OR AN >TILL]Y HORSE SNORT$ OR NEI<$1 NOT UND]/&+ ?AT SIL5CE WAS ORD]$1 OR AN ANGRY COMM&] %\T$ 9 A HO>SE SUBDU$ VOICE TO HIS SUBORD9ATES ?AT ! L9E WAS SPREAD+ \T TOO MU* OR M>*+ TOO NE> OR TOO F> FROM ! COLUMN4  ,ONLY ONCE WAS ! SIL5CE BROK51 :5 FROM A BRAMBLE PAT* BETWE5 ! L9E & ! COLUMN A GAZELLE ) A :ITE BREA/ & GRAY BACK JUMP$ \T FOLL[$ BY A BUCK ( ! SAME COLOR ) SMALL BACKW>D-CURV+ HORNS4  ,D\BL+ UP !IR =ELEGS AT EA* BIG B\ND !Y TOOK1 ! BEAUTIFUL TIMID CREATURES CAME SO CLOSE TO ! COLUMN ?AT SOME ( ! SOLDI]S RU%$ AFT] !M LAU<+ & %\T+1 9T5D+ TO BAYONET !M1 BUT ! GAZELLES TURN$ BACK1 SLIPP$ ?R\< ! L9E ( ,FAG]S1 & PURSU$ BY A FEW HORSEM5 & ! COMPANY'S DOGS1 FL$ LIKE BIRDS TO ! M\NTA9S4 

,IT WAS /ILL W9T]1 BUT T[>DS NOON1 :5 ! COLUMN 7:I* HAD />T$ E>LY 9 ! MORN+7 HAD GONE ?REE MILES1 ! SUN HAD RIS5 HI< 5\< & WAS P[]FUL 5\< TO MAKE ! M5 QUITE HOT1 & ITS RAYS W]E SO BRI<T ?AT IT WAS PA9FUL TO LOOK AT ! %9+ /EEL ( ! BAYONETS OR AT ! REFLECTIONS - - LIKE LITTLE SUNS -- ON ! BRASS ( ! CANNONS4 

,! CLE> & RAPID /REAM ! DETA*M5T HAD JU/ CROSS$ LAY BEH9D1 & 9 FRONT W]E TILL$ FIELDS & MEAD[S 9 %ALL[ VALLEYS4  ,F>!R 9 FRONT W]E ! D>K MY/]I\S =E/-CLAD HILLS ) CRAIGS RIS+ BEYOND !M1 & F>!R /ILL ON ! L(TY HORIZON W]E ! EV]-BEAUTIFUL EV]-*ANG+ SN[Y PEAKS ?AT PLAY$ ) ! LI<T LIKE DIAMONDS4 

,AT ! HEAD ( ! #e? ,COMPANY1 ,BUTL]1 A TALL H&SOME (FIC] :O HAD REC5TLY EX*ANG$ FROM ! ,GU>DS1 M>*$ ALONG 9 A BLACK COAT & TALL CAP1 %\LD]+ HIS SWORD4  ,HE WAS FILL$ ) A BUOYANT S5SE ( ! JOY ( LIV+1 ! DANG] ( DEA?1 A WI% = ACTION1 & ! CONSCI\SNESS ( BE+ P>T ( AN IMM5SE :OLE DIRECT$ BY A S+LE WILL4  ,?IS WAS HIS SECOND TIME ( GO+ 9TO ACTION & HE ?\<T H[ 9 A MOM5T !Y W\LD BE FIR$ AT1 & HE W\LD NOT ONLY NOT /OOP :5 ! %ELLS FLEW OV]HEAD1 OR HE$ ! :I/LE ( ! BULLETS1 BUT W\LD C>RY HIS HEAD EV5 MORE ]ECT ?AN BE=E & W\LD LOOK R\ND AT HIS COMRADES & ! SOLDI]S ) SMIL+ EYES1 & BEG9 TO TALK 9 A P]FECTLY CALM VOICE AB\T QUITE O!R MATT]S4 

,! DETA*M5T TURN$ (F ! GOOD ROAD ONTO A LITTLE-US$ ONE ?AT CROSS$ A /UBBLY MAIZE FIELD1 ANT !Y W]E DRAW+ NE> ! =E/ :51 ) AN OM9\S :I/LE1 A %ELL FLEW PA/ AMID ! BAGGAGE WAGONS -- !Y C\LD NOT SEE :5CE -- & TORE UP ! GR\ND 9 ! FIELD BY ! ROADSIDE4 

0,IT'S BEG9N+10 SAID ,BUTL] ) A BRI<T SMILE TO A COMRADE :O WAS WALK+ BESIDE HIM4 

,& SO IT WAS4  ,AFT] ! %ELL A ?ICK CR[D ( M\NT$ ,*E*5S APPE>$ ) !IR BANN]S FROM UND] ! %ELT] ( ! =E/4  ,9 ! MID/ ( ! CR[D C\LD BE SE5 A L>GE GRE5 BANN]1 & AN OLD & V]Y F>-SI<T$ S]GEANT-MAJOR 9=M$ ! %ORT-SI<T$ ,BUTL] ?AT ,%AMIL HIMSELF MU/ BE !RE4  ,! HORSEM5 CAME D[N ! HISS & APPE>$ TO ! RI<T1 AT ! HI<E/ P>T ( ! VALLEY NE>E/ ! DETA*M5T1 & BEGAN TO DESC5D4  ,A LITTLE G5]AL 9 A ?ICK BLACK COAT & TALL CAP RODE UP TO ,BUTL]'S COMPANY ON HIS AMBL]1 & ORD]$ HIM TO ! RI<T TO 5C\NT] ! DESC5D+ HORSEM54  ,BUTL] QUICKLY L$ HIS COMPANY 9 ! DIRECTION 9DICAT$1 BUT BE=E HE REA*$ ! VALLEY HE HE>D TWO CANNON %OTS BEH9D HIM4  ,HE LOOK$ R\ND3  TWO CL\DS ( GRAY SMOKE HAD RIS5 ABOVE TWO CANNON & W]E SPREAD+ ALONG ! VALLEY4  ,! M\NTA9E]S' HORSEM5 -- :O HAD EVID5TLY NOT EXPECT$ TO MEET >TILL]Y -- RETIR$4  ,BUTL]'S COMPANY BEGAN FIR+ AT !M & ! :OLE RAV9E WAS FILL$ ) ! SMOKE ( P[D]4  ,ONLY HI<] UP ABOVE ! RAV9E C\LD ! M\NTA9E]S BE SE5 HURRI$LY RETREAT+1 ?\< /ILL FIR+ BACK AT ! ,COSSACKS :O PURSU$ !M4  ,! COMPANY FOLL[$ ! M\NTA9E]S F>!R1 & ON ! SLOPE ( A SECOND RAV9E CAME 9 VIEW ( AN A\L4 

,FOLL[+ ! ,COSSACKS1 ,BUTL] & HIS COMPANY 5T]$ ! A\L AT A RUN1 TO F9D IT DES]T$4  ,! SOLDI]S W]E ORD]$ TO BURN ! CORN & ! HAY AS WELL AS ! SAKLYAS1 & ! :OLE A\L WAS SOON FILL$ ) PUNG5T SMOKE AMID :I* ! SOLDI]S RU%$ AB\T DRAGG+ \T ( ! SAKLYAS :AT !Y C\LD F9D1 & ABOVE ALL CAT*+ & %OOT+ ! F[LS ! M\NTA9E]S HAD NOT BE5 ABLE TO TAKE AWAY ) !M4 

,! (FIC]S SAT D[N AT SOME DI/ANCE BEYOND ! SMOKE1 & LUN*$ & DRANK4  ,! S]GEANT-MAJOR BR\<T !M SOME HONEYCOMBS ON A BO>D4  ,!RE WAS NO SI< ( ANY ,*E*5S & E>LY 9 ! AFT]NOON ! ORD] WAS GIV5 TO RETREAT4  ,! COMPANIES =M$ 9TO A COLUMN BEH9D ! A\L & ,BUTL] HAPP5$ TO BE 9 ! RE>GU>D4  ,AS SOON AS !Y />T$ ,*E*5S APPE>$1 FOLL[+ & FIR+ AT ! DETA*M5T1 BUT !Y CEAS$ ?IS PURSUIT AS SOON AS !Y CAME \T 9TO AN OP5 SPACE4 

,NOT ONE ( ,BUTL]'S COMPANY HAD BE5 W\ND$1 & HE RETURN$ 9 A MO/ HAPPY & 5]GETIC MOOD4  ,:5 AFT] =D+ ! SAME /REAM IT HAD CROSS$ 9 ! MORN+1 ! DETA*M5T SPREAD OV] ! MAIZE FIELDS & ! MEAD[S1 ! S+]S ( EA* COMPANY CAME =W>D & SONGS FILL$ ! AIR4 

0,V]RY DIFF'R5T1 V]Y DIFF'R5T1 ,FAG]S >E1 ,FAG]S >E60 SANG ,BUTL]'S S+]S1 & HIS HORSE /EPP$ M]RILY TO ! MUSIC4  ,TREZORKA1 ! %AGGY GRAY DOG BELONG+ TO ! COMPANY1 RAN 9 FRONT1 ) HIS TAIL CURL$ UP ) AN AIR ( RESPONSIBILITY LIKE A COMM&]4  ,BUTL] FELT BUOYANT1 CALM1 & JOYFUL4  ,W> PRES5T$ ITSELF TO HIM AS CONSI/+ ONLY 9 HIS EXPOS+ HIMSELF TO DANG] & TO POSSIBLE DEA?1 !REBY GA9+ REW>DS & ! RESPECT ( HIS COMRADES H]E1 AS WELL AS ( HIS FRI5DS 9 ,RUSSIA4  ,/RANGE TO SAY1 HIS IMAG9ATION NEV] PICTUR$ ! O!R ASPECT ( W>3  ! DEA? & W\NDS ( ! SOLDI]S1 (FIC]S1 & M\NTA9E]S4  ,TO RETA9 HIS POETIC CONCEPTION HE EV5 UNCONSCI\SLY AVOID$ LOOK+ AT ! DEAD & W\ND$4 ,SO ?AT DAY :5 WE HAD ?REE DEAD & TWELVE W\ND$1 HE PASS$ BY A CORPSE LY+ ON ITS BACK & DID NOT /OP TO LOOK1 SEE+ ONLY ) ONE EYE ! /RANGE POSITION ( ! WAX5 H& & A D>K R$ SPOT ON ! HEAD4  ,! HOSSLM5 APPE>$ TO HIM ONLY A M\NT$ DZHIGITS FROM :OM HE HAD TO DEF5D HIMSELF4 

0,Y\ SEE1 MY DE> SIR10 SAID HIS MAJOR 9 AN 9T]VAL BETWE5 TWO SONGS1 0IT'S NOT AS IT IS ) Y\ 9 ,PET]SBURG -- ',EYES RI<T6  ,EYES LEFT6'  ,H]E WE HAVE DONE \R JOB1 & N[ WE GO HOME & ,MA%A WILL SET A PIE & SOME NICE CABBAGE S\P BE=E US4  ,?AT'S LIFE -- DON'T Y\ ?9K SO8  -- ,N[ !N6  ,AS ! ,DAWN ,WAS ,BREAK+60  ,HE CALL$ = HIS FAVORITE SONG4 

,!RE WAS NO W9D1 ! AIR WAS FRE% & CLE> & SO TRANSP>5T ?AT ! SN[ HILLS NE>LY A HUNDR$ MILES AWAY SEEM$ QUITE NE>1 & 9 ! 9T]VALS BETWE5 ! SONGS ! REGUL> S\ND ( ! FOOT/EPS & ! J+LE ( ! GUNS WAS HE>D AS A BACKGR\ND ON :I* EA* SONG BEGAN & 5D$4  ,! SONG ?AT WAS BE+ SUNG 9 ,BUTL]'S COMPANY WAS COMPOS$ BY A CADET 9 HONOR ( ! REGIM5T1 & W5T TO A DANCE TUNE4  ,! *ORUS WAS3  0,V]RY DIFF'R5T1 V]Y DIFF'R5T1 ,FAG]S >E1 ,FAG]S >E60 

,BUTL] RODE BESIDE ! (FIC] NEXT 9 RANK ABOVE HIM1 ,MAJOR ,PETROV1 ) :OM HE LIV$1 & HE FELT HE C\LD NOT BE ?ANKFUL 5\< TO HAVE EX*ANG$ FROM ! ,GU>DS & COME TO ! ,CAUCASUS4  ,HIS *IEF REASON = EX*ANG+ WAS ?AT HE HAD LO/ ALL HE HAD AT C>DS & WAS AFRAID ?AT IF HE REMA9$ !RE HE W\LD BE UNABLE TO RESI/ PLAY+ ?\< HE HAD NO?+ MORE TO LOSE4  ,N[ ALL ?AT WAS OV]1 HIS LIFE WAS QUITE *ANG$ & WAS SU* A PLEASANT & BRAVE ONE6  ,HE =GOT ?AT HE WAS RU9$1 & =GOT HIS UNPAID DEBTS4 ,! ,CAUCASUS1 ! W>1 ! SOLDI]S1 ! (FIC]S -- ?OSE TIPSY1 BRAVE1 GOOD-NATUR$ FELL[S -- & ,MAJOR ,PETROV HIMSELF1 ALL SEEM$ SO DELI<TFUL ?AT SOMETIMES IT APPE>$ TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE ?AT HE WAS NOT 9 ,PET]SBURG -- 9 A ROOM FILL$ ) TOBACCO SMOKE1 TURN+ D[N ! CORN]S ( C>DS & GAMBL+1 HAT+ ! HOLD] ( ! BANK & FEEL+ A DULL PA9 9 HIS HEAD -- BUT WAS REALLY H]E 9 ?IS GLORI\S REGION AMONG !SE BRAVE ,CAUCASIANS4 

,! MAJOR & ! DAU<T] ( A SURGEON'S ORD]LY1 =M]LY KN[N AS ,MA%A1 BUT N[ G5]ALLY CALL$ BY ! MORE RESPECTFUL NAME ( ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 LIV$ TOGE!R AS MAN & WIFE4  ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA WAS A H&SOME1 FAIR-HAIR$1 V]Y FRECKL$1 *ILDLESS WOMAN ( ?IRTY4  ,:ATEV] H] PA/ MAY HAVE BE5 %E WAS N[ ! MAJOR'S FAI?FUL COMPANION & LOOK$ AFT] HIM LIKE A NURSE -- A V]Y NECESS>Y MATT]1 S9CE HE (T5 DRANK HIMSELF 9TO OBLIVION4 

,:5 !Y REA*$ ! =T EV]Y?+ HAPP5$ AS ! MAJOR HAD =ESE54  ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA GAVE HIM & ,BUTL]1 & TWO O!R (FIC]S ( ! DETA*M5T :O HAD BE5 9VIT$1 A N\RI%+ & TA/Y D9N]1 & ! MAJOR ATE & DRANK TILL HE WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK1 & !N W5T (F TO HIS ROOM TO SLEEP4 

,BUTL]1 HAV+ DRUNK RA!R MORE *IKHIR W9E ?AN WAS GOOD = HIM1 W5T TO HIS B$ROOM1 TIR$ BUT CONT5T$1 & H>DLY HAD TIME TO UNDRESS BE=E HE FELL 9TO A S\ND1 DREAMLESS1 & UNBROK5 SLEEP ) HIS H& UND] HIS H&SOME CURLY HEAD4 

O ,*APT] #ag 

,! S\L :I* HAD BE5 DE/ROY$ WAS ?AT 9 :I* ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD SP5T ! NI<T BE=E HE W5T OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,SADO & HIS FAMILY HAD LEFT ! A\L ON ! APPROA* ( ! ,RUSSIAN DETA*M5T1 & :5 HE RETURN$ HE F\ND HIS SAKLYA 9 RU9S -- ! RO( FALL5 91 ! DOOR & ! PO/S SUPPORT+ ! P5?\SE BURN$1 & ! 9T]IOR FIL?Y4  ,HIS SON1 ! H&SOME BRI<T-EY$ BOY :O HAD GAZ$ ) SU* EC/ASY AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 WAS BR\<T DEAD TO ! MOSQUE ON A HORSE COV]$ ) A B>KA2 HE HAD BE5 /ABB$ 9 ! BACK ) A BAYONET4  ! DIGNIFI$ WOMAN :O HAD S]V$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD :5 HE WAS AT ! H\SE N[ /OOD OV] H] SON'S BODY1 H] SMOCK TORN 9 FRONT1 H] WI!R$ OLD BREA/S EXPOS$1 H] HAIR D[N1 & %E DUG H] HAILS 9TO H] FACE TILL IT BL$1 & WAIL$ 9CESSANTLY4  ,SADO1 TAK+ A PICK-AX & SPADE1 HAD GONE ) HIS RELATIVES TO DIG A GRAVE = HIS SON4  ,! OLD GR&FA!R SAT BY ! WALL ( ! RU9$ SAKLYA CUTT+ A /ICK & GAZ+ /OLIDLY 9 FRONT ( HIM4  ,HE HAD ONLY JU/ RETURN$ FROM ! API>Y4  ,! TWO /ACKS ( HAY !RE HAD BE5 BURNT1 ! APRICOT & *]RY TREES HE HAD PLANT$ & RE>$ W]E BROK5 & SCOR*$1 & WORSE /ILL ALL ! BEEHIVES & BEES HAD BE5 BURNT4  ,! WAIL+ ( ! WOM5 & ! LITTLE *ILDR51 :O CRI$ ) !IR MO!RS1 M+L$ ) ! L[+ ( ! HUNGRY CATTLE = :OM !RE WAS NO FOOD4  ,! BIGG] *ILDR51 9/EAD ( PLAY+1 FOLL[$ !IR ELD]S ) FRI<T5$ EYES4  ,! F\NTA9 WAS POLLUT$1 EVID5TLY ON PURPOSE1 SO ?AT ! WAT] C\LD NOT BE US$4  ,! MOSQUE WAS POLLUT$ 9 ! SAME WAY1 & ! ,MULLAH & HIS ASSI/ANTS W]E CLEAN+ IT \T4  ,NO ONE SPOKE ( HATR$ ( ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,! FEEL+ EXP]I5C$ BY ALL ! ,*E*5S1 FROM ! Y\NGE/ TO ! OLDE/1 WAS /RONG] ?AN HATE4  ,IT WAS NOT HATR$1 = !Y DID NOT REG>D ?OSE ,RUSSIAN DOGS AS HUMAN BE+S1 BUT IT WAS SU* REPULSION1 DISGU/1 & P]PLEXITY AT ! S5SELESS CRUELTY ( !SE CREATURES1 ?AT ! DESIRE TO EXT]M9ATE !M -- LIKE ! DESIRE TO EXT]M9ATE RATS1 POISON\S SPID]S1 OR WOLVES -- WAS AS NATURAL AN 9/9CT AS ?AT ( SELF-PRES]VATION4 

,! 9HABITANTS ( ! A\L W]E CONFRONT$ BY ! *OICE ( REMA9+ !RE & RE/OR+ ) FRI<TFUL EF=T :AT HAD BE5 PRODUC$ ) SU* LABOR & HAD BE5 SO LI<TLY & S5SELESSLY DE/ROY$1 FAC+ EV]Y MOM5T ! POSSIBILITY ( A REPETITION ( :AT HAD HAPP5$2 OR TO SUBMIT TO ! ,RUSSIANS -- CONTR>Y TO !IR RELIGION & DESPITE ! REPULSION & CONTEMPT !Y FELT = !M4  ,! OLD M5 PRAY$1 & UNANIM\SLY DECID$ TO S5D 5VOYS TO ,%AMIL ASK+ HIM = HELP4  ,!N !Y IMM$IATELY SET TO WORK TO RE/ORE :AT HAD BE5 DE/ROY$4 

O ,*APT] #ah 

,ON ! MORN+ AFT] ! RAID1 NOT V]Y E>LY1 ,BUTL] LEFT ! H\SE BY ! BACK POR* MEAN+ TO TAKE A /ROLL & A BREA? ( FRE% AIR BE=E BREAKFA/1 :I* HE USUALLY HAD ) ,PETROV4  ,! SUN HAD ALREADY RIS5 ABOVE ! HILLS & IT WAS PA9FUL TO LOOK AT ! BRI<TLY LIT-UP :ITE WALLS ( ! H\SES ON ! RI<T SIDE ( ! /REET4  ,BUT !N AS ALWAYS IT WAS *E]FUL & SOO?+ TO LOOK TO ! LEFT1 AT ! D>K REC$+ & ASC5D+ =E/-CLAD HILLS & AT ! DIM L9E ( SN[ PEAKS1 :I* AS USUAL PRET5D$ TO BE CL\DS4  ,BUTL] LOOK$ AT !SE M\NTA9S1 9HAL+ DEEP BREA?S & REJOIC+ ?AT HE WAS ALIVE1 ?AT IT WAS JU/ HE ?AT WAS ALIVE1 & ?AT HE LIV$ 9 ?IS BEAUTIFUL PLACE4 

,HE WAS ALSO RA!R PLEAS$ ?AT HE HAD BEHAV$ SO WELL 9 YE/]DAY'S AFFAIR BO? DUR+ ! ADVANCE & ESPECIALLY DUR+ ! RETREAT :5 ?+S W]E PRETTY HOT2 HE WAS ALSO PLEAS$ TO REMEMB] H[ ,MA%A 7OR ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA71 ,PETROV'S MI/RESS1 HAD TREAT$ !M AT D9N] ON !IR RETURN AFT] ! RAID1 & H[ %E HAD BE5 P>TICUL>LY NICE & SIMPLE ) EV]YBODY1 BUT SPECIALLY K9D -- AS HE ?\<T -- TO HIM4 

,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA ) H] ?ICK PLAIT ( HAIR1 H] BROAD %\LD]S1 H] HI< BOSOM1 & ! RADIANT SMILE ON H] K9DLY FRECKL$ FACE1 9VOLUNT>ILY ATTRACT$ ,BUTL]1 :O WAS A HEAL?Y Y\NG BA*ELOR4  ,IT SOMETIMES EV5 SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT %E WANT$ HIM1 BUT HE CONSID]$ ?AT ?AT W\LD BE DO+ HIS GOOD-NATUR$ SIMPLE-HE>T$ COMRADE A WRONG1 & HE MA9TA9$ A SIMPLE1 RESPECTFUL ATTITUDE T[>DS H] & WAS PLEAS$ ) HIMSELF = DO+ SO4 

,HE WAS ?9K+ ( ?IS :5 HIS M$ITATIONS W]E DI/URB$ BY ! TRAMP ( MANY HORSES' HO(S ALONG ! DU/Y ROAD 9 FRONT ( HIM1 AS IF SEV]AL M5 W]E RID+ ?AT WAY4  ,HE LOOK$ UP & SAW AT ! 5D ( ! /REET A GR\P ( HORSEM5 COM+ T[>DS HIM AT A WALK4  ,9 FRONT ( A SCORE ( ,COSSACKS RODE TWO M53  ONE 9 A :ITE ,CIRCASSIAN COAT ) A TALL TURBAN ON HIS HEAD1 ! O!R AN (FIC] 9 ! ,RUSSIAN S]VICE1 D>K1 ) AN AQUIL9E NOSE1 & MU* SILV] ON HIS UNI=M & WEAPONS4  ,! MAN ) ! TURBAN RODE A F9E *E/NUT HORSE ) MANE & TAIL ( A LI<T] %ADE1 A SMALL HEAD1 & BEAUTIFUL EYES4  ,! (FIC]'S WAS A L>GE1 H&SOME ,K>ABAKH HORSE4  ,BUTL]1 A LOV] ( HORSES1 IMM$IATELY RECOGNIZ$ ! GREAT /R5G? ( ! FIR/ HORSE & /OPP$ TO LE>N :O !SE PEOPLE W]E4 

,! (FIC] ADDRESS$ HIM4  0?IS ! H\SE ( COMM&+ (FIC]80 HE ASK$1 HIS =EIGN ACC5T & HIS WORDS BETRAY+ HIS =EIGN ORIG94 

,BUTL] REPLI$ ?AT IT WAS4  0,& :O IS ?AT80 HE ADD$1 COM+ NE>] TO ! (FIC] & 9DICAT+ ! MAN ) ! TURBAN4 

0,?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,HE COME H]E TO /AY ) ! COMM&]10 SAID ! (FIC]4 

,BUTL] KNEW AB\T ,HAJJI ,MURAD & AB\T HIS HAV+ COME OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 BUT HE HAD NOT AT ALL EXPECT$ TO SEE HIM H]E 9 ?IS LITTLE =T4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD GAVE HIM A FRI5DLY LOOK4 

0,GOOD DAY1 ,KOTKILDY10 SAID ,BUTL]1 REPEAT+ ! ,T>T> GREET+ HE HAD LE>N$4 

0,SAUBUL60 70,BE WELL607 REPLI$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 NODD+4  ,HE RODE UP TO ,BUTL] & HELD \T HIS H&1 FROM TWO F+]S ( :I* HUNG HIS :IP4 

0,>E Y\ ! *IEF80 HE ASK$4 

0,NO1 ! *IEF IS 9 H]E4  ,I WILL GO & CALL HIM10 SAID ,BUTL] ADDRESS+ ! (FIC]1 & HE W5T UP ! /EPS & PU%$ ! DOOR4  ,BUT ! DOOR ( ! VISITORS' 5TRANCE1 AS ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA CALL$ IT1 WAS LOCK$1 & AS IT /ILL REMA9$ CLOS$ AFT] HE HAD KNOCK$1 ,BUTL] W5T R\ND TO ! BACK DOOR4  ,HE CALL$ HIS ORD]LY BUT RECEIV$ NO REPLY1 & F9D+ NEI!R ( ! TWO ORD]LIES HE W5T 9TO ! KIT*51 :]E ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA -- FLU%$ ) A K]*IEF TI$ R\ND H] HEAD & H] SLEEVES ROLL$ UP ON H] PLUMP :ITE >MS -- WAS ROLL+ PA/RY1 :ITE AS H] H&S1 & CUTT+ IT 9TO SMALL PIECES TO MAKE PIES (4 

0,:]E HAVE ! ORD]LIES GONE TO80 ASK$ ,BUTL]4 

0,GONE TO DR9K10 REPLI$ ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA4  0,:AT DO Y\ WANT80 

0,TO HAVE ! FRONT DOOR OP5$4  ,Y\ HAVE A :OLE HORDE ( M\NTA9E]S 9 FRONT ( Y\R H\SE4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAS COME60 

0,9V5T SOME?+ ELSE60 SAID ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 SMIL+4 

0,I AM NOT JOK+1 HE IS REALLY WAIT+ BY ! POR*60 

0,IS IT REALLY TRUE80 SAID %E4 

0,:Y %\LD ,I WI% TO DECEIVE Y\8  ,GO & SEE1 HE'S JU/ AT ! POR*60 

0,DE> ME1 H]E'S A GO60 SAID ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA PULL+ D[N H] SLEEVES & PUTT+ UP H] H& TO FEEL :E!R ! HAIRP9S 9 H] ?ICK PLAIT W]E ALL 9 ORD]4  0,!N ,I WILL GO & WAKE ,IVAN ,MATVEI*40 

0,NO1 ,I'LL GO MYSELF4  & Y\ ,BOND>5KO1 GO & OP5 ! DOOR10 SAID HE TO ,PETROV'S ORD]LY :O HAD JU/ APPE>$4 

0,WELL1 SO MU* ! BETT]60 SAID ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA & RETURN$ TO H] WORK4 

,:5 HE HE>D ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD COME TO HIS H\SE1 ,IVAN ,MATVEI* ,PETROV1 ! MAJOR1 :O HAD ALREADY HE>D ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS 9 ,GROZNY1 WAS NOT AT ALL SURPRIS$4  ,SITT+ UP 9 B$ HE ROLL$ A CIG>ETTE1 LIT IT1 & BEGAN TO DRESS1 L\DLY CLE>+ HIS ?ROAT & GRUMBL+ AT ! AU?ORITIES :O HAD S5T 0?AT DEVIL0 TO HIM4 

,:5 HE WAS READY HE TOLD HIS ORD]LY TO BR+ HIM SOME M$IC9E4  ,! ORD]LY KNEW ?AT 0M$IC9E0 MEANT VODKA1 & BR\<T SOME4 

0,!RE IS NO?+ SO BAD AS MIX+10 MUTT]$ ! MAJOR :5 HE HAD DRUNK ! VODKA & TAK5 A BITE ( RYE BREAD4  0,YE/]DAY ,I DRANK A LITTLE *IKHIR & N[ ,I HAVE A HEADA*E4 444 ,WELL1 ,I'M READY10 HE ADD$1 & W5T TO ! P>LOR1 9TO :I* ,BUTL] HAD ALREADY %[N ,HAJJI ,MURAD & ! (FIC] :O ACCOMPANI$ HIM4 

,! (FIC] H&$ ! MAJOR ORD]S FROM ! COMM&] ( ! LEFT FLANK TO ! EFFECT ?AT HE %\LD RECEIVE ,HAJJI ,MURAD & %\LD ALL[ HIM TO HAVE 9T]C\RSE ) ! M\NTA9E]S ?R\< SPIES1 BUT WAS ON NO ACC\NT TO ALL[ HIM TO LEAVE ! =T )\T A CONVOY ( ,COSSACKS4 

,HAV+ READ ! ORD] ! MAJOR LOOK$ 9T5TLY AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD & AGA9 SCRUT9IZ$ ! PAP]4  ,AFT] PASS+ HIS EYES SEV]AL TIMES FROM ONE TO ! O!R 9 ?IS MANN]1 HE AT LA/ FIX$ !M ON ,HAJJI ,MURAD & SAID3 

0,YAK%I1 ,BEK2 YAK%I6  70V]Y WELL1 SIR1 V]Y WELL607  ,LET HIM /AY H]E1 & TELL HIM ,I HAVE ORD]S NOT TO LET HIM \T -- & :AT IS COMM&$ IS SACR$6  ,WELL1 ,BUTL]1 :]E DO Y\ ?9K WE'D BETT] LODGE HIM8  ,%ALL WE PUT HIM 9 ! (FICE80 

,BUTL] HAD NOT TIME TO ANSW] BE=E ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA -- :O HAD COME FROM ! KIT*5 & WAS /&+ 9 ! DOORWAY -- SAID TO ! MAJOR3 

0,:Y8  ,KEEP HIM H]E6  ,WE WILL GIVE HIM ! GUE/ *AMB] & ! /OR]OOM4  ,!N AT ANY RATE HE WILL BE )9 SI<T10 SAID %E1 GLANC+ AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD2 BUT MEET+ HIS EYES %E TURN$ QUICKLY AWAY4 

0DO Y\ KN[1 ,I ?9K M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA IS RI<T10 SAID ,BUTL]4 

0,N[ !N1 N[ !N1 GET AWAY6  ,WOM5 HAVE NO BUS9ESS H]E10 SAID ! MAJOR FR[N+4 

,DUR+ ! :OLE ( ?IS DISCUSSION ,HAJJI ,MURAD SAT ) HIS H& ON ! HILT ( HIS DAGG] & A FA9T SMILE ( CONTEMPT ON HIS LIPS4  ,HE SAID IT WAS ALL ! SAME TO HIM :]E HE LODG$1 & ?AT HE WANT$ NO?+ BUT :AT ! ,SIRD> HAD P]MITT$ -- NAMELY1 TO HAVE COMMUNICATION ) ! M\NTA9E]S1 & ?AT HE !RE=E WI%$ !Y %\LD BE ALL[$ TO COME TO HIM4 

,! MAJOR SAID ?IS %\LD BE DONE1 & ASK$ ,BUTL] TO 5T]TA9 ! VISITORS TILL SOME?+ C\LD BE GOT = !M TO EAT & !IR ROOMS PREP>$4  ,MEAN:ILE HE HIMSELF W\LD GO ACROSS TO ! (FICE TO WRITE :AT WAS NECESS>Y & TO GIVE SOME ORD]S4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S RELATIONS ) HIS NEW ACQUA9TANCES W]E AT ONCE V]Y CLE>LY DEF9$4  ,FROM ! FIR/ HE WAS REPELL$ BY & CONTEMPTU\S ( ! MAJOR1 TO :OM HE ALWAYS BEHAV$ V]Y HAU<TILY4  ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 :O PREP>$ & S]V$ UP HIS FOOD1 PLEAS$ HIM P>TICUL>LY4  ,HE LIK$ H] SIMPLICITY & ESPECIALLY ! -- TO HIM -- =EIGN TYPE ( H] BEAUTY1 & HE WAS 9FLU5C$ BY ! ATTRACTION %E FELT T[>DS HIM & UNCONSCI\SLY CONVEY$4  ,HE TRI$ NOT TO LOOK AT H] OR SPEAK TO H]1 BUT HIS EYES 9VOLUNT>ILY TURN$ T[>DS H] & FOLL[$ H] MOVEM5TS4  ,) BUTL]1 FROM !IR FIR/ ACQUA9TANCE1 HE IMM$IATELY MADE FRI5DS & TALK$ MU* & WILL+LY ) HIM1 QUE/ION+ HIM AB\T HIS LIFE1 TELL+ HIM ( HIS [N1 COMMUNICAT+ TO HIM ! NEWS ! SPIES BR\<T HIM ( HIS FAMILY'S CONDITION1 & EV5 CONSULT+ HIM AS TO H[ HE \<T TO ACT4 

,! NEWS HE RECEIV$ ?R\< ! SPIES WAS NOT GOOD4  ,DUR+ ! FIR/ F\R DAYS ( HIS /AY 9 ! =T !Y CAME TO SEE HIM TWICE & BO? TIMES BR\<T BAD NEWS4 

O ,*APT] #ai 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S FAMILY HAD BE5 REMOV$ TO ,V$5O SOON AFT] HIS DES]TION TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 & W]E !RE KEPT UND] GU>D AWAIT+ ,%AMIL'S DECISION4  ,! WOM5 -- HIS OLD MO!R ,PATIMAT & HIS TWO WIVES ) !IR FIVE LITTLE *ILDR5 -- W]E KEPT UND] GU>D 9 ! SAKLYA ( ! (FIC] ,IBRAHIM ,RAS*ID1 :ILE ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SON ,YUSUF1 A Y\? ( EI<TE51 WAS PUT 9 PRISON - - ?AT IS1 9TO A PIT MORE ?AN SEV5 FEET DEEP1 TOGE!R ) SEV5 CRIM9ALS1 :O LIKE HIMSELF W]E AWAIT+ A DECISION AS TO !IR FATE4 

,! DECISION WAS DELAY$ BECAUSE ,%AMIL WAS AWAY ON A CAMPAIGN AGA9/ ! ,RUSSIANS4 

,ON ,JANU>Y #f1 #a#h#e#b1 HE RETURN$ TO ,V$5O AFT] A BATTLE1 9 :I* ACCORD+ TO ! ,RUSSIANS HE HAD BE5 VANQUI%$ & HAD FL$ TO ,V$5O2 BUT 9 :I* ACCORD+ TO HIM & ALL ! MURIDS HE HAD BE5 VICTORI\S & HAD REPULS$ ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,9 ?IS BATTLE HE HIMSELF FIR$ HIS RIFLE -- A ?+ HE SELDOM DID -- & DRAW+ HIS SWORD W\LD HAVE *>G$ /RAI<T AT ! ,RUSSIANS HAD NOT ! MURIDS :O ACCOMPANI$ HIM HELD HIM BACK4  ,TWO ( !M W]E KILL$ ON ! SPOT AT HIS SIDE4 

,IT WAS NOON :5 ,%AMIL1 SURR\ND$ BY A P>TY ( MURIDS :O C>ACOL$ >\ND HIM FIR+ !IR RIFLES & PI/OLS & CONT9UALLY S++ ,LYA ILLYA IL ,ALLAH6 RODE UP TO HIS PLACE ( RESID5CE4 

,ALL ! 9HABITANTS ( ! L>GE A\L W]E 9 ! /REET OR ON !IR RO(S TO MEET !IR RUL]1 & AS A SIGN ( TRIUMPH !Y ALSO FIR$ (F RIFLES & PI/OLS4  ,%AMIL RODE A :ITE ,>AB /E$ :I* PULL$ AT ITS BIT AS IT APPROA*$ ! H\SE4  ,! HORSE HAD NO GOLD OR SILV] ORNAM5TS1 ITS EQUIPM5T WAS ( ! SIMPLE/ -- A DELICATELY WORK$ R$ LEA!R BRIDLE ) A /RIPE D[N ! MIDDLE1 METAL CUP-%AP$ /IRRUPS1 & A R$ SADDLECLO? %[+ A LITTLE FROM UND] ! SADDLE4  ,! ,IMAM WORE A BR[N CLO? CLOAK LIK$ ) BLACK FUR %[+ AT ! NECK & SLEEVES1 & WAS TI<TLY GIRD$ R\ND HIS LONG ?9 WAI/ ) A BLACK /RAP :I* HELD A DAGG]4  ,ON HIS HEAD HE WORE A TALL CAP ) FLAT CR[N & BLACK TASSEL1 & R\ND IT WAS W\ND A :ITE TURBAN1 ONE 5D ( :I* HUNG D[N ON HIS NECK4  ,HE WORE GRE5 SLIPP]S1 & BLACK LEGG+S TRIMM$ ) PLA9 BRAID4 

,HE WORE NO?+ BRI<T -- NO GOLD OR SILV] -- & HIS TALL1 ]ECT1 P[]FUL FIGURE1 CLO!D 9 G>M5TS )\T ANY ORNAM5TS1 SURR\ND$ BY MURIDS ) GOLD & SILV] ON !IR CLO!S & WEAPONS PRODUC$ ON ! PEOPLE JU/ ! IMPRESSION & 9FLU5CE HE DESIR$ & KNEW H[ TO PRODUCE4  ,HIS PALE FACE FRAM$ BY A CLOSELY TRIMM$ R$DI% BE>D1 ) HIS SMALL EYES ALWAYS SCREW$ UP1 WAS AS IMMOVABLE AS ?\< HEWN \T ( /ONE4  ,AS HE RODE ?R\< ! A\L HE FELT ! GAZE ( A ?\S& EYES TURN$ EAG]LY ON HIM1 BUT HE HIMSELF LOOK$ AT NO ONE4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD'S WIVES HAD COME \T 9TO ! P5?\SE ) ! RE/ ( ! 9MATES ( ! SAKLYA TO SEE ! ,IMAM'S 5TRY4  ,ONLY ,PATIMAT1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S OLD MO!R1 DID NOT GO \T BUT REMA9$ SITT+ ON ! FLOOR ( ! SAKLYA ) H] GRAY HAIR D[N1 H] LONG >MS 5CIRCL+ H] ?9 KNEES1 BL9K+ ) H] FI]Y BLACK EYES AS %E WAT*$ ! DY+ EMB]S 9 ! FIREPLACE4  ,LIKE H] SON %E HAD ALWAYS HAT$ ,%AMIL1 & N[ %E HAT$ HIM MORE ?AN EV] & HAD NO WI% TO SEE HIM4  ,NEI!R DID ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SON SEE ,%AMIL'S TRIUMPHAL 5TRY4  ,SITT+ 9 ! D>K & FETID PIT HE HE>D ! FIR+ & S++ & 5DUR$ TORTURES SU* AS CAN ONLY BE FELT BY ! Y\NG :O >E FULL ( VITALITY & DEPRIV$ ( FRE$OM4  ,HE ONLY SAW HIS UN=TUNATE1 DIRTY1 & EXHAU/$ FELL[-PRISON]S -- EMBITT]$ & = ! MO/ P>T FILL$ ) HATR$ ( ONE ANO!R4  ,HE N[ PASSIONATELY 5VI$ ?OSE :O1 5JOY+ FRE% AIR & LI<T & FRE$OM1 C>ACOL$ ON FI]Y /E$S >\ND !IR *IEF1 %OOT+ & HE>TILY S++3  ,LYA ILLYAH IL ,ALLAH6 

,:5 HE HAD CROSS$ ! A\L ,%AMIL RODE 9TO ! L>GE C\RTY>D ADJO9+ ! 9N] C\RT :]E HIS S]AGLIO WAS4  ,TWO >M$ ,LES<IANS MET HIM AT ! OP5 GATES ( ?IS \T] C\RT1 :I* WAS CR[D$ ) PEOPLE4  ,SOME HAD COME FROM DI/ANT P>TS AB\T !IR [N AFFAIRS1 SOME HAD COME ) PETITIONS1 & SOME HAD BE5 SUMMON$ BY ,%AMIL TO BE TRI$ & S5T5C$4  ,AS ! ,IMAM RODE 91 !Y ALL RESPECTFULLY SALUT$ HIM ) !IR H&S ON !IR BREA/S1 SOME ( !M KNEEL+ D[N & REMA9+ ON !IR KNEES :ILE HE RODE ACROSS ! C\RT FROM ! \T] TO ! 9N] GATES4  ,?\< HE RECOGNIZ$ AMONG ! PEOPLE :O WAIT$ 9 ! C\RT MANY :OM HE DISLIK$1 & MANY T$I\S PETITION]S :O WANT$ HIS ATT5TION1 ,%AMIL PASS$ !M ALL ) ! SAME IMMOVABLE1 /ONY EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE1 & HAV+ 5T]$ ! 9N] C\RT DISM\NT$ AT ! P5?\SE 9 FRONT ( HIS AP>TM5T1 TO ! LEFT ( ! GATE4  ,HE WAS WORN \T1 M5TALLY RA!R ?AN PHYSICALLY1 BY ! /RA9 ( ! CAMPAIGN1 = 9 SPITE ( ! PUBLIC DECL>ATION ?AT HE HAD BE5 VICTORI\S HE KNEW V]Y WELL ?AT HIS CAMPAIGN HAD BE5 UNSUCCESSFUL1 ?AT MANY ,*E*5 A\LS HAD BE5 BURNT D[N & RU9$1 & ?AT ! UN/ABLE & FICKLE ,*E*5S W]E WAV]+ & ?OSE NE>E/ ! BORD] L9E W]E READY TO GO OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS4 

,ALL ?IS HAD TO BE DEALT )1 & IT OPPRESS$ HIM1 = AT ?AT MOM5T HE DID NOT WI% TO ?9K AT ALL4   ,HE ONLY DESIR$ ONE ?+3  RE/ & ! DELI<TS ( FAMILY LIFE1 & ! C>ESSES ( HIS FAVORITE WIFE1 ! BLACK-EY$ QUICK-FOOT$ EI<TE5-YE>-OLD ,AM9AL1 :O AT ?AT V]Y MOM5T WAS CLOSE AT H& BEH9D ! F5CE ?AT DIVID$ ! 9N] C\RT & SEP>AT$ ! M5'S FROM ! WOM5'S QU>T]S 7,%AMIL FELT SURE %E WAS !RE ) HIS O!R WIVES1 LOOK+ ?R\< A *9K 9 ! F5CE :ILE HE DISM\NT$74  BUT NOT ONLY WAS IT IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO GO TO H]1 HE C\LD NOT EV5 LIE D[N ON HIS FEA!R CU%IONS & RE/ FROM HIS FATIGUE2 HE HAD FIR/ ( ALL TO P]=M ! MIDDAY RITES = :I* HE HAD JU/ !N NOT ! LEA/ 9CL9ATION1 BUT :I* AS ! RELIGI\S LEAD] ( ! PEOPLE HE C\LD NOT OMIT1 & :I* MOREOV] W]E AS NECESS>Y TO HIM HIMSELF AS HIS DAILY FOOD4  ,SO HE P]=M$ HIS ABLUTIONS & SAID HIS PRAY]S & SUMMON$ ?OSE :O W]E WAIT+ = HIM4 

,! FIR/ TO 5T] WAS ,JEMAL ,$D91 HIS FA!R-9-LAW & TEA*]1 A TALL GRAY-HAIR$ GOOD-LOOK+ OLD MAN ) A BE>D :ITE AS SN[ & A ROSY R$ FACE4  ,HE SAID A PRAY] & BEGAN QUE/ION+ ,%AMIL AB\T ! 9CID5TS ( ! CAMPAIGN & TELL+ HIM :AT HAD HAPP5$ 9 ! M\NTA9S DUR+ HIS ABS5CE4 

,AMONG EV5TS ( MANY K9DS -- MURD]S CONNECT$ ) BLOOD- FEUDS1 CATTLE /EAL+1 PEOPLE ACCUS$ ( DISOBEY+ ! ,T>IKAT 7SMOK+ & DR9K+ W9E7 -- ,JEMAL ,$D9 RELAT$ H[ ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD S5T M5 TO BR+ HIS FAMILY OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 BUT ?AT ?IS HAD BE5 DETECT$ & ! FAMILY HAD BE5 BR\<T TO ,V$5O :]E !Y W]E KEPT UND] GU>D & AWAIT$ ! ,IMAM'S DECISION4  ,9 ! NEXT ROOM1 ! GUE/-*AMB]1 ! ,ELD]S W]E ASSEMBL$ TO DISCUSS ALL !SE AFFAIRS1 & ,JEMAL ,$D9 ADVIS$ ,%AMIL TO F9I% ) !M & LET !M GO ?AT SAME DAY1 AS !Y HAD ALREADY BE5 WAIT+ ?REE DAYS = HIM4 

,AFT] EAT+ HIS D9N] -- S]V$ TO HIM 9 HIS ROOM BY ,ZEIDAT1 A D>K1 %>P-NOS$1 DISAGREEABLE-LOOK+ WOMAN :OM HE DID NOT LOVE BUT :O WAS HIS ELDE/ WIFE -- ,%AMIL PASS$ 9TO ! GUE/ *AMB]4 

,! SIX OLD M5 :O MADE UP HIS C\NCIL -- :ITE1 GRAY1 OR R$-BE>D$1 ) TALL CAPS ON !IR HEADS1 SOME ) TURBANS & SOME )\T1 WE>+ NEW BE%METS & ,CIRCASSIAN COATS GIRDL$ ) /RAPS ON :I* !IR DAGG]S W]E SUSP5D$ -- ROSE TO GREET HIM ON HIS 5TRANCE4  ,%AMIL T[]$ A HEAD ABOVE !M ALL4  ,ON 5T]+ ! ROOM HE1 AS WELL AS ALL ! O!RS1 LIFT$ HIS H&S1 PALMS UPW>DS1 CLOS$ HIS EYES & RECIT$ A PRAY]1 & !N /ROK$ HIS FACE D[NW>D ) BO? H&S1 UNIT+ !M AT ! 5D ( HIS BE>D4  ,HAV+ DONE ?IS !Y ALL SAT D[N1 ,%AMIL ON A L>G] CU%ION ?AN ! O!RS1 & DISCUSS$ ! V>I\S CASES BE=E !M4 

,9 ! CASE ( ! CRIM9ALS ! DECISIONS W]E GIV5 ACCORD+ TO ! ,%>IAT3  TWO W]E S5T5C$ TO HAVE A H& CUT (F = /EAL+1 ONE MAN TO BE BEHEAD$ = MURD]1 & ?REE W]E P>DON$4  ,!N !Y CAME TO ! PR9CIPAL BUS9ESS3  H[ TO /OP ! ,*E*5S FROM GO+ OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,TO C\NT]ACT ?AT T5D5CY ,JEMAL ,$D9 DREW UP ! FOLL[+ PROCLAMATION3 

0,I WI% Y\ ET]NAL PEACE ) ,GOD ! ,ALMI<TY6 

0,I HE> ?AT ! ,RUSSIANS FLATT] Y\ & 9VITE Y\ TO SURR5D] TO !M4  ,DO NOT BELIEVE :AT !Y SAY1 & DO NOT SURR5D] BUT 5DURE4  ,IF YE BE NOT REW>D$ = IT 9 ?IS LIFE YE %ALL RECEIVE Y\R REW>D 9 ! LIFE TO COME4  ,REMEMB] :AT HAPP5$ BE=E :5 !Y TOOK Y\R >MS FROM Y\6  ,IF ,GOD HAD NOT BR\<T Y\ TO REASON !N1 9 #a#h#d1 YE W\LD N[ BE SOLDI]S1 & Y\R WIVES W\LD BE DI%ONOR$ & W\LD NO LONG] WE> TR\S]S4  

0,JUDGE ( ! FUTURE BY ! PA/4  ,IT IS BETT] TO DIE 9 5MITY ) ! ,RUSSIANS ?AN TO LIVE ) ! ,UNBELIEV]S4  ,5DURE = A LITTLE :ILE & ,I WILL COME ) ! ,KORAN & ! SWORD & WILL LEAD Y\ AGA9/ ! 5EMY4  ,BUT N[ ,I /RICTLY COMM& Y\ NOT ONLY TO 5T]TA9 NO 9T5TION1 BUT NOT EV5 A ?\<T1 ( SUBMITT+ TO ! ,RUSSIANS60 

,%AMIL APPROV$ ?IS PROCLAMATION1 SIGN$ IT1 & HAD IT S5T \T4 

,AFT] ?IS BUS9ESS !Y CONSID]$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S CASE4  ,?IS WAS ( ! UTMO/ IMPORTANCE TO ,%AMIL4  ,AL?\< HE DID NOT WI% TO ADMIT IT1 HE KNEW ?AT IF ,HAJJI ,MURAD ) HIS AGILITY1 BOLDNESS1 & C\RAGE1 HAD BE5 ) HIM1 :AT HAD N[ HAPP5$ 9 ,*E*NYA W\LD NOT HAVE OCCURR$4  ,IT W\LD !RE=E BE WELL TO MAKE IT UP ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD & HAVE ! B5EFIT ( HIS S]VICES AGA94  ,BUT AS ?IS WAS POSSIBLE IT W\LD NEV] DO TO ALL[ HIM TO HELP ! ,RUSSIANS1 & !RE=E HE MU/ 5TIC$ BACK & KILL$4  ,!Y MI<T ACCOMPLI% ?IS EI!R BY S5D+ A MAN TO ,TIFLIS :O W\LD KILL HIM !RE1 OR BY 9DUC+ HIM TO COME BACK & !N KILL+ HIM4  ,! ONLY MEANS ( DO+ ! LATT] WAS BY MAK+ USE ( HIS FAMILY & ESPECIALLY HIS SON1 :OM ,%AMIL KNEW HE LOV$ PASSIONATELY4  ,!RE=E !Y MU/ ACT ?R\< ! SON4 

,:5 ! C\NCILORS HAD TALK$ ALL ?IS OV]1 ,%AMIL CLOS$ HIS EYES & SAT SIL5T4 

,! C\NCILORS KNEW ?AT ?IS MEANT ?AT HE WAS LI/5+ TO ! VOICE ( ! ,PROPHET1 :O SPOKE TO HIM & TOLD HIM :AT TO DO4 

,AFT] FIVE M9UTES ( SOLEMN SIL5CE ,%AMIL OP5$ HIS EYES1 & N>R[+ !M MORE ?AN USUAL1 SAID3 

0,BR+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SON TO ME40 

0,HE IS H]E10 REPLI$ ,JEMAL ,$D91 & 9 FACT ,YUSUF1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SON1 ?91 PALE1 TATT]$1 & EVIL-SMELL+1 BUT /ILL H&SOME 9 FACE & FIGURE1 ) BLACK EYES ?AT BURNT LIKE HIS GR&MO!R ,PATIMAT'S1 WAS ALREADY /&+ BY ! GATE ( ! \TSIDE C\RT WAIT+ TO BE CALL$ 94 

,YUSUF DID NOT %>E HIS FA!R'S FEEL+S T[>DS ,%AMIL4  ,HE DID NOT KN[ ALL ?AT HAD HAPP5$ 9 ! PA/1 OR IF HE KNEW IT1 NOT HAV+ LIV$ ?R\< IT HE /ILL DID NOT UND]/& :Y HIS FA!R WAS SO OB/9ATELY HO/ILE TO ,%AMIL4  ,TO HIM :O WANT$ ONLY ONE ?+ -- TO CONT9UE LIV+ ! EASY LIFE ?AT1 AS ! NAIB'S SON1 HE HAD L$ 9 ,KUHZAKH -- IT SEEM$ QUITE UNNECESS>Y TO BE AT 5MITY ) ,%AMIL4  ,\T ( DEFIANCE & A SPIRIT ( CONTRADICTION TO HIS FA!R HE P>TICUL>LY ADMIR$ ,%AMIL1 & %>$ ! EC/ATIC ADORATION ) :I* HE WAS REG>D$ 9 ! M\NTA9S4  ,) A PECULI> FEEL+ ( TREMUL\S V5]ATION = ! ,IMAM HE N[ 5T]$ ! GUE/ *AMB]4  ,AS HE /OPP$ BY ! DOOR HE MET ! /EADY GAZE ( ,%AMIL'S HALF- CLOS$ EYES4  ,HE PAUS$ = A MOM5T1 & !N APPROA*$ ,%AMIL & KISS$ HIS L>GE1 LONG-F+]$ H&4 

0,?\ >E ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SON80 

0,I AM1 ,IMAM40 

0,?\ KN[E/ :AT HE HAS DONE80 

0,I KN[1 ,IMAM1 & DEPLORE IT40 

0,CAN/ ?\ WRITE80 

0,I WAS PREP>+ MYSELF TO BE A ,MULLAH -- 0 

0!N WRITE TO ?Y FA!R ?AT IF HE WILL RETURN TO ME N[1 BE=E ! ,FEA/ ( ,BAIRAM1 ,I WILL =GIVE HIM & EV]Y?+ %ALL BE AS IT WAS BE=E2 BUT IF NOT1 & IF HE REMA9S ) ! ,RUSSIANS0 -- & ,%AMIL FR[N$ /]NLY -- 0,I WILL GIVE ?Y GR&MO!R1 ?Y MO!R1 & ! RE/ TO ! DIFF]5T A\LS1 & !E ,I WILL BEHEAD60 

,NOT A MUSCLE ( ,YUSUF'S FACE /IRR$1 & HE B[$ HIS HEAD TO %[ ?AT HE UND]/OOD ,%AMIL'S WORDS4 

0,WRITE ?AT & GIVE IT TO MY MESS5G]40 

,%AMIL CEAS$ SPEAK+1 & LOOK$ AT ,YUSUF = A LONG TIME 9 SIL5CE4 

0,WRITE ?AT ,I HAVE HAD PITY ON !E & WILL NOT KILL !E1 BUT WILL PUT \T ?9E EYES AS ,I DO TO ALL TRAITORS6 444 ,GO60 

,:ILE 9 ,%AMIL'S PRES5CE ,YUSUF APPE>$ CALM1 BUT :5 HE HAD BE5 L$ \T ( ! GUE/ *AMB] HE RU%$ AT HIS ATT5DANT1 SNAT*$ ! MAN'S DAGG] FROM ITS %EA? & TRI$ TO /AB HIMSELF1 BUT HE WAS SEIZ$ BY ! >MS1 B\ND1 & L$ BACK TO ! PIT4 

,?AT EV5+ AT DUSK AFT] HE HAD F9I%$ HIS EV5+ PRAY]S1 ,%AMIL PUT ON A :ITE FUR-L9$ CLOAK & PASS$ \T TO ! O!R SIDE ( ! F5CE :]E HIS WIVES LIV$1 & W5T /RAI<T TO ,AM9AL'S ROOM1 BUT HE DID NOT F9D H] !RE4  ,%E WAS ) ! OLD] WIVES4  ,!N ,%AMIL1 TRY+ TO REMA9 UNSE51 HID BEH9D ! DOOR & /OOD WAIT+ = H]4  ,BUT ,AM9AL WAS ANGRY ) HIM BECAUSE HE HAD GIV5 SOME SILK /UFF TO ,ZEIDAT & NOT TO H]4  ,%E SAW HIM COME \T & GO 9TO H] ROOM LOOK+ = H]1 & %E PURPOSELY KEPT AWAY4  ,%E /OOD A LONG TIME AT ! DOOR ( ,ZEIDAT'S ROOM1 LAU<+ S(TLY AT ,%AMIL'S :ITE FIGURE ?AT KEPT GO+ 9 & \T ( H] ROOM4 

,HAV+ WAIT$ = H] 9 VA91 ,%AMIL RETURN$ TO HIS [N AP>TM5TS :5 IT WAS ALREADY TIME = ! MIDNI<T PRAY]S4 

O ,*APT] #b 

,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD BE5 A WEEK 9 ! MAJOR'S H\SE AT ! =T4  ,AL?\< ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA QU>REL$ ) ! %AGGY ,KHANEFI 7,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD ONLY BR\<T TWO ( HIS MURIDS1 ,KHANEFI & ,ELD>1 ) HIM7 & HAD TURN$ HIM \T ( H] KIT*5 -- = :I* HE NE>LY KILL$ H] -- %E EVID5TLY FELT A P>TICUL> RESPECT & SYMPA?Y = ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,%E N[ NO LONG] S]V$ HIM HIS D9N]1 HAV+ H&$ ?AT DUTY OV] TO ,ELD>1 BUT %E SEIZ$ EV]Y OPPORTUNITY ( SEE+ HIM & R5D]+ HIM S]VICE4  ,%E ALWAYS TOOK ! LIVELIE/ 9T]E/ 9 ! NEGOTIATIONS AB\T HIS FAMILY1 KNEW H[ MANY WIVES & *ILDR5 HE HAD1 & !IR AGES1 & EA* TIME A SPY CAME TO SEE HIM %E 9QUIR$ AS BE/ %E C\LD 9TO ! RESULTS ( ! NEGOTIATIONS4 

,BUTL] DUR+ ?AT WEEK HAD BECOME QUITE FRI5DLY ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,SOMETIMES ! LATT] CAME TO ,BUTL]'S ROOM1 SOMETIMES ,BUTL] W5T TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S3  SOMETIMES !Y CONV]S$ BY ! HELP ( ! 9T]PRET]1 & SOMETIMES !Y GOT ON AS BE/ !Y C\LD ) SIGNS & ESPECIALLY ) SMILES4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD EVID5TLY TAK5 A FANCY TO ,BUTL]1 AS C\LD BE GA!R$ FROM ,ELD>'S RELATIONS ) ! LATT]4  ,:5 ,BUTL] 5T]$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S ROOM ,ELD> MET HIM ) A PLEAS$ SMILE %[+ HIS GLITT]+ TEE?1 & HURRI$ TO PUT D[N A CU%ION = HIM TO SIT ON & TO RELIEVE HIM ( HIS SWORD IF HE WAS WE>+ ONE4 

,BUTL] ALSO GOT TO KN[1 & BECAME FRI5DLY )1 ! %AGGY ,KHANEFI1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SWORN BRO!R4  ,KHANEFI KNEW MANY M\NTA9 SONGS & SANG !M WELL1 & TO PLEASE ,BUTL]1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD (T5 MADE ,KHANEFI S+1 *OOS+ ! SONGS HE CONSID]$ BE/4  ,KHANEFI HAD A HI< T5OR VOICE & SANG ) EXTRAORD9>Y CLE>NESS & EXPRESSION4  ,ONE ( ! SONGS ,HAJJI ,MURAD SPECIALLY LIK$ IMPRESS$ ,BUTL] BY ITS SOLEMNLY M\RNFUL TONE & HE ASK$ ! 9T]PRET] TO TRANSLATE IT4 

,! SUBJECT ( ! SONG WAS ! V]Y BLOOD-FEUD ?AT HAD EXI/$ BETWE5 ,KHANEFI & ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,IT RAN AS FOLL[S3 

,! E>? WILL DRY ON MY GRAVE1 

,MO!R1 MY ,MO!R6 

,& ?\ WILT =GET ME6 

,& OV] ME RANK GRASS WILL WAVE1 

,FA!R1 MY ,FA!R6 

,NOR WILT ?\ REGRET ME 

,:5 TE>S CEASE ?Y D>K EYES TO LAVE1 

,SI/]1 DE> ,SI/] 

 ,NO MORE WILL GRIEF FRET !E6 

,BUT ?\1 MY ,BRO!R ! ELD]1 WILT NEV] =GET1 

,) V5GEANCE D5I$ ME6 

,& ?\1 MY ,BRO!R ! Y\NG]1 WILT EV] REGRET1 

,TILL ?\ LIE/ BESIDE ME6 

,HOTLY ?\ CAME/1 ,O DEA?-BE>+ BALL ?AT ,I SPURN$1 

,= ?\ WA/ MY SLAVE6 

,& ?\1 BLACK E>?1 ?AT BATTLE-/E$ TRAMPL$ &   *URN$ 

,WILT COV] MY GRAVE6 

,COLD >T ,?\1 ,O ,DEA?1 YET ,I WAS ?Y ,LORD & ?Y ,MA/]6 

,MY BODY S9KS FA/ TO ! E>?1 MY S\L TO ,HEAV5 FLIES 

FA/]4   

,HAJJI ,MURAD ALWAYS LI/5$ TO ?IS SONG ) CLOS$ EYES & :5 IT 5D$ ON A LONG GRADUALLY DY+ NOTE HE ALWAYS REM>K$ 9 ,RUSSIAN -- 

0,GOOD SONG6  ,WISE SONG60 

,AFT] ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S >RIVAL & HIS 9TIMACY ) HIM & HIS MURIDS1 ! POETRY ( ! /IRR+ M\NTA9 LIFE TOOK A /ILL /RONG] HOLD ON ,BUTL]4  ,HE PROCUR$ = HIMSELF A BE%MET & A ,CIRCASSIAN COAT & LEGG+S1 & IMAG9$ HIMSELF A M\NTA9E] LIV+ ! LIFE ?OSE PEOPLE LIV$4 

,ON ! DAY ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S DEP>TURE ! MAJOR 9VIT$ SEV]AL (FIC]S TO SEE HIM (F4  ,!Y W]E SITT+1 SOME AT ! TABLE :]E ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA WAS P\R+ \T TEA1 SOME AT ANO!R TABLE ON :I* /OOD VODKA1 *EKHIR1 & LI<T REFRE%M5TS1 :5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD DRESS$ = ! J\RNEY CAME LIMP+ 9TO ! ROOM ) S(T1 RAPID FOOT/EPS4 

,!Y ALL ROSE & %OOK H&S ) HIM4  ! MAJOR (F]$ HIM A SEAT ON ! DIVAN1 BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD ?ANK$ HIM & SAT D[N ON A *AIR BY ! W9D[4 

,! SIL5CE ?AT FOLL[$ HIS 5TRANCE DID NOT AT ALL ABA% HIM4  ,HE LOOK$ ATT5TIVELY AT ALL ! FACES & FIX$ AN 9DIFF]5T GAZE ON ! TEA-TABLE ) ! SAMOV> & REFRE%M5TS4  ,PETROVSKY1 A LIVELY (FIC] :O N[ MET ,HAJJI ,MURAD = ! FIR/ TIME1 ASK$ HIM ?R\< ! 9T]PRET] :E!R HE LIK$ ,TIFLIS4 

0,ALYA60 HE REPLI$4 

0,HE SAYS ',YES'10 TRANSLAT$ ! 9T]PRET]4 

0,:AT DID HE LIKE !RE80 

,HAJJI ,MURAD SAID SOME?+ 9 REPLY4 

0,HE LIK$ ! !AT] BE/ ( ALL40 

0,& H[ DID HE LIKE ! BALL AT ! H\SE ( ! COMM&]- 9-*IEF80 

,HAJJI ,MURAD FR[N$4  0,EV]Y NATION HAS ITS [N CU/OMS6  ,\R WOM5 DO NOT DRESS 9 SU* A WAY10 SAID HE1 GLANC+ AT ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA4 

0,WELL1 DIDN'T HE LIKE IT80 

0,WE HAVE A PROV]B10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO ! 9T]PRET]1 0',! DOG GAVE MEAT TO ! ASS & ! ASS GAVE HAY TO ! DOG1 & BO? W5T HUNGRY1'0 & HE SMIL$4  0,ITS [N CU/OMS SEEM GOOD TO EA* NATION40 

! CONV]SATION W5T NO F>!R4  ,SOME ( ! (FIC]S TOOK TEA1 SOME O!R REFRE%M5TS4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD ACCEPT$ ! TUMBL] ( TEA (F]$ HIM & PUT IT D[N BE=E HIM4 

0,WON'T Y\ HAVE CREAM & A BUN80 ASK$ ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 (F]+ !M TO HIM4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD B[$ HIS HEAD4 

0,WELL1 ,I SUPPOSE IT IS GOOD-BYE60 SAID ,BUTL]1 T\*+ HIS KNEE4  0,:5 %ALL WE MEET AGA980 

0,GOOD-BYE1 GOOD-BYE60 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 9 ,RUSSIAN1 ) A SMILE4  0,KUNAK BULUG4  ,/RONG KUNAK TO !E6  ,TIME -- AYDA -- GO60 & HE J]K$ HIS HEAD 9 ! DIRECTION 9 :I* HE HAD TO GO4 

,ELD> APPE>$ 9 ! DOORWAY C>RY+ SOME?+ L>GE & :ITE ACROSS HIS %\LD] & A SWORD 9 HIS H&4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD BECKON$ TO HIM & HE CROSS$ ! ROOM ) BIG /RIDES & H&$ HIM A :ITE BURKA & ! SWORD4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD ROSE1 TOOK ! BURKA1 ?REW IT OV] HIS >M1 & SAY+ SOME?+ TO ! 9T]PRET] H&$ IT TO ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA4 

0,HE SAYS ?\ HAS PRAIS$ ! BURKA1 SO ACCEPT IT10 SAID ! 9T]PRET]4 

0,OH1 :Y80 SAID ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA BLU%+4 

0,IT IS NECESS>Y4  ,LIKE ,ADAM10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,WELL1 ?ANK Y\10 SAID ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 TAK+ ! BURKA4  0,GOD GRANT ?AT Y\ RESCUE Y\R SON10 %E ADD$4  0,ULAN YAK%I4  ,TELL HIM ?AT ,I WI% HIM SUCCESS 9 RELEAS+ HIS SON40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD GLANC$ AT ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA & NODD$ HIS HEAD APPROV+LY4  ,!N HE TOOK ! SWORD FROM ,ELD> & H&$ IT TO ! MAJOR4  ,! MAJOR TOOK IT & SAID TO ! 9T]PRET]1  0,TELL HIM TO TAKE MY *E/NUT GELD+4  ,I HAVE NO?+ ELSE TO GIVE HIM40 

,HAJJI ,MURAD WAV$ HIS H& 9 FRONT ( HIS FACE TO %[ ?AT HE DID NOT WANT ANY?+ & W\LD NOT ACCEPT IT4  ,!N1 PO9T+ FIR/ TO ! M\NTA9S & !N TO HIS HE>T1 HE W5T \T4 

,ALL ! H\SEHOLD FOLL[$ HIM AS F> AS ! DOOR1 :ILE ! (FIC]S :O REMA9$ 9SIDE ! ROOM DREW ! SWORD FROM ITS SCABB>D1 EXAM9$ ITS BLADE1 & DECID$ ?AT IT WAS A REAL ,GURDA4 

,BUTL] ACCOMPANI$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO ! POR*1 & !N CAME A V]Y UNEXPECT$ 9CID5T :I* MI<T HAVE 5D$ FATALLY = ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD IT NOT BE5 = HIS QUICK OBS]VATION1 DET]M9ATION1 & AGILITY4 

! 9HABITANTS ( ! ,KUMUKH A\L1 ,TA%-,KI*U1 :I* WAS FRI5DLY TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 RESPECT$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD GREATLY & HAD (T5 COME TO ! =T M]ELY TO LOOK AT ! FAM\S NAIB4  ,!Y HAD S5T MESS5G]S TO HIM ?REE DAYS PREVI\SLY TO ASK HIM TO VISIT !IR MOSQUE ON ! ,FRIDAY4  ,BUT ! ,KUMUKH PR9CES :O LIV$ 9 ,TA%-,KI*U HAT$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD BECAUSE !RE WAS A BLOOD- FEUD BETWE5 !M1 & ON HE>+ ( ?IS 9VITATION !Y ANN\NC$ TO ! PEOPLE ?AT !Y W\LD NOT ALL[ HIM TO 5T] ! MOSQUE4  ,! PEOPLE BECAME EXCIT$ & A FI<T OCCURR$ BETWE5 !M & ! PR9CES' SUPPORT]S4  ,! ,RUSSIAN AU?ORITIES PACIFI$ ! M\NTA9E]S & S5T WORD TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD NOT TO GO TO ! MOSQUE4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD DID NOT GO & EV]YONE SUPPOS$ ?AT ! MATT] WAS SETTL$4 

,BUT AT ! V]Y MOM5T ( HIS DEP>TURE1 :5 HE CAME \T 9TO ! POR* BE=E :I* ! HORSES /OOD WAIT+1 ,>SLAN ,KHAN1 ONE ( ! ,KUMUKH PR9CES & AN ACQUA9TANCE ( ,BUTL] & ! MAJOR1 RODE UP TO ! H\SE4 

,:5 HE SAW ,HAJJI ,MURAD HE SNAT*$ A PI/OL FROM HIS BELT & TOOK AIM1 BUT BE=E HE C\LD FIRE1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 SPITE ( HIS LAM5ESS RU%$ D[N FROM ! POR* LIKE A CAT T[>DS ,>SLAN ,KHAN :O MISS$ HIM4 

,SEIZ+ ,>SLAN ,KHAN'S HORSE BY ! BRIDLE ) ONE H&1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD DREW HIS DAGG] ) ! O!R & %\T$ SOME?+ TO HIM 9 ,T>T>4 

,BUTL] & ,ELD> BO? RAN AT ONCE T[>DS ! 5EMIES & CAU<T !M BY ! >MS4  ,! MAJOR1 :O HAD HE>D ! %OT1 ALSO CAME \T4 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN BY IT1 ,>SLAN -- />T+ SU* A NA/Y BUS9ESS ON MY PREMISES80 SAID HE1 :5 HE HE>D :AT HAD HAPP5$4  0,IT'S NOT RI<T1 FRI5D6  ',TO ! FOE 9 ! FIELD Y\ NE$ NOT YIELD6' -- BUT TO />T ?IS K9D ( SLAU<T] 9 FRONT ( MY H\SE -- ' 

,>SLAN ,KHAN1 A LITTLE MAN ) BLACK MU/A*ES1 GOT (F HIS HORSE PALE & TREMBL+1 LOOK$ ANGRILY AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 & W5T 9TO ! H\SE ) ! MAJOR4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 BREA?+ HEAVILY & SMIL+1 RETURN$ TO ! HORSES4 

0,:Y DID HE WANT TO KILL HIM80 ,BUTL] ASK$ ! 9T]PRET]4 

0,HE SAYS IT IS A LAW ( !IRS10 ! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S REPLY4  0,>SLAN MU/ AV5GE A RELATION'S BLOOD & SO HE TRI$ TO KILL HIM40 

0& SUPPOS+ HE OV]TAKES HIM ON ! ROAD80 ASK$ ,BUTL]4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD SMIL$4 

0,WELL1 IF HE KILLS ME IT WILL PROVE ?AT SU* IS ,ALLAH'S WILL4 444 ,GOOD-BYE10 HE SAID AGA9 9 ,RUSSIAN1 TAK+ HIS HORSE BY ! WI!RS4  ,GLANC+ R\ND AT EV]YBODY :O HAD COME \T TO SEE HIM (F1 HIS EYES RE/$ K9DLY ON ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA4 

0,GOOD-BYE1 MY LASS10 SAID HE TO H]4  0,I ?ANK Y\40 

0,GOD HELP Y\ -- ,GOLD HELP Y\ TO RESCUE Y\R FAMILY60 REPEAT$ ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA4 

,HE DID NOT UND]/& H] WORDS1 BUT FELT H] SYMPA?Y = HIM & NODD$ TO H]4 

0,M9D1 DON'T =GET Y\R KUNAK10 SAID ,BUTL]4 

0,TELL HIM ,I AM HIS TRUE FRI5D & WILL NEV] =GET HIM10 ANSW]$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO ! 9T]PRET]1 & 9 SPITE ( HIS %ORT LEG HE SWUNG HIMSELF LI<TLY & QUICKLY 9TO ! HI< SADDLE1 B>ELY T\*+ ! /IRRUP1 & AUTOMATICALLY FEEL+ = HIS DAGG] & ADJU/+ HIS SWORD4  ,!N1 ) ?AT PECULI>LY PR\D LOOK ) :I* ONLY A ,CAUCASIAN HILL-MAN SITS HIS HORSE -- AS ?\< HE W]E ONE ) IT -- HE RODE AWAY FROM ! MAJOR'S H\SE4  ,KHANEFI & ,ELD> ALSO M\NT$ & HAV+ TAK5 A FRI5DLY LEAVE ( !IR HO/S & ( ! (FIC]S1 RODE (F AT A TROT1 FOLL[+ !IR MUR%ID4 

,AS USUAL AFT] A DEP>TURE1 ?OSE :O REMA9$ BEH9D BEGAN TO DISCUSS ?OSE :O HAD LEFT4 

0,PLUCKY FELL[6  ,HE RU%$ AT ,>SLAN ,KHAN LIKE A WOLF6  ,HIS FACE QUITE *ANG$60 

0,BUT HE'LL BE UP TO TRICKS -- HE'S A T]RIBLE ROGUE1 ,I %\LD SAY10 REM>K$ ,PETROVSKY4 

0,IT'S A PITY !RE >5'T MORE ,RUSSIAN ROGUES ( SU* A K9D60 SUDD5LY PUT 9 ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA ) VEXATION4  0,HE HAS LIV$ A WEEK ) US & WE HAVE SE5 NO?+ BUT GOOD FROM HIM4  ,HE IS C\RTE\S1 WISE1 & JU/10 %E ADD$4 

0,H[ DID Y\ F9D ?AT \T80 

0,NO MATT]1 ,I DID F9D IT \T60 

0,%E'S QUITE SMITT51 & ?AT'S A FACT60 SAID ! MAJOR1 :O HAD JU/ 5T]$ ! ROOM4 

0,WELL1 & IF ,I AM SMITT58  ,:AT'S ?AT TO Y\8  ,:Y RUN HIM D[N IF HE'S A GOOD MAN8  ,?\< HE'S A ,T>T> HE'S /ILL A GOOD MAN60 

0,QUITE TRUE1 ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA10 SAID ,BUTL]1 0& Y\'RE QUITE RI<T TO TAKE HIS P>T60 

O ,*APT] #ba 

,LIFE 9 \R ADVANC$ =TS 9 ! ,*E*5 L9ES W5T ON AS USUAL4  ,S9CE ! EV5TS LA/ N>RAT$ !RE HAD BE5 TWO AL>MS :5 ! COMPANIES W]E CALL$ \T & MILITIAM5 GALLOP$ AB\T2 BUT BO? TIMES ! M\NTA9E]S :O HAD CAUS$ ! EXCITEM5T GOT AWAY1 & ONCE AT ,VOZDVIZH5SK !Y KILL$ A ,COSSACK & SUCCE$$ 9 C>RY+ (F EI<T ,COSSACK HORSES ?AT W]E BE+ WAT]$4  !RE HAD BE5 NO FUR!R RAIDS S9CE ! ONE 9 :I* ! A\L WAS DE/ROY$1 BUT AN EXP$ITION ON A L>GE SCALE WAS EXPECT$ 9 CONSEQU5CE ( ! APPO9TM5T ( A NEW COMM&] ( ! LEFT FLANK1 ,PR9CE ,B>YAT9SKY4  ,HE WAS AN OLD FRI5D ( ! ,VIC]OY'S & HAD BE5 9 COMM& ( ! ,KAB>DA ,REGIM5T4  ,ON HIS >RIVAL AT ,GROZNY AS COMM&] ( ! :OLE LEFT FLANK HE AT ONCE MU/]$ A DETA*M5T TO CONT9UE TO C>RY \T ! ,CZ>'S COMM&S AS COMMUNICAT$ BY ,*]NY%OV TO ,VORONTSOV4 ,! DETA*M5T MU/]$ AT ,VOZDVIZH5SK LEFT ! =T & TOOK UP A POSITION T[>DS ,KUR91 :]E ! TROOPS W]E 5CAMP$ & W]E FELL+ ! =E/4  ,Y\NG ,VORONTSOV LIV$ 9 A SPL5DID CLO? T5T1 & HIS WIFE1 ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA1 (T5 CAME TO ! CAMP & /AY$ ! NI<T4  ,B>YAT9SKY'S RELATIONS ) ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA W]E NO SECRET TO ANYONE1 & ! (FIC]S :O W]E NOT 9 ! >I/OCRATIC SET & ! SOLDI]S ABUS$ H] 9 CO>SE T]MS -- = H] PRES5CE 9 CAMP CAUS$ !M TO BE TOLD (F TO LIE 9 AMBU% AT NI<T4  ,! M\NTA9E]S W]E 9 ! HABIT ( BR++ GUNS ) RANGE & FIR+ %ELLS AT ! CAMP4  ,! %ELLS G5]ALLY MISS$ !IR AIM & !RE=E AT ORD9>Y TIMES NO SPECIAL MEASURES W]E TAK5 TO PREV5T SU* FIR+1 BUT N[ M5 W]E PLAC$ 9 AMBU% TO H9D] ! M\NTA9E]S FROM 9JUR+ OR FRI<T5+ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA ) !IR CANNON4  ,TO HAVE TO BE ALWAYS LY+ 9 AMBU% AT NI<T TO SAVE A LADY FROM BE+ FRI<T5$1 (F5D$ & ANNOY$ !M1 & !RE=E ! SOLDI]S1 AS WELL AS ! (FIC]S NOT ADMITT$ TO ! HI<] SOCIETY1 CALL$ ,M>YA ,VASILEVNA BAD NAMES4 

,HAV+ OBTA9$ LEAVE ( ABS5CE FROM HIS =T1 ,BUTL] CAME TO ! CAMP TO VISIT SOME OLD MESS-MATES FROM ! CADET CORPS & FELL[ (FIC]S ( ! ,KUR9 REGIM5T :O W]E S]V+ AS ADJUTANTS & ORD]LY (FIC]S4  ,:5 HE FIR/ >RIV$ HE HAD A V]Y GOOD TIME4  ,HE PUT UP 9 ,POLTORATSKY'S T5T & !RE MET MANY ACQUA9TANCES :O GAVE HIM A HE>TY WELCOME4  ,HE ALSO CALL$ ON ,VORONTSOV1 :OM HE KNEW SLI<TLY1 HAV+ ONCE S]V$ 9 ! SAME REGIM5T ) HIM4  ,VORONTSOV RECEIV$ HIM V]Y K9DLY1 9TRODUC$ HIM TO ,PR9CE ,B>YAT9SKY1 & 9VIT$ HIM TO ! F>EWELL D9N] HE WAS GIV+ 9 HONOR ( ,G5]AL ,KOZLOVSKY1 :O UNTIL ,B>YAT9SKY'S >RIVAL HAD BE5 9 COMM& ( ! LEFT FLANK4 

,! D9N] WAS MAGNIFIC5T4  ,SPECIAL T5TS W]E ]ECT$ 9 A L9E1 & ALONG ! :OLE L5G? ( !M A TABLE WAS SPREAD AS = A D9N]-P>TY1 ) D9N] S]VICES & BOTTLES4  ,EV]Y?+ RECALL$ LIFE 9 ! ,GU>DS 9 ,PET]SBURG4  ,D9N] WAS S]V$ AT TWO O-CLOCK4  ,KOZLOVSKY SAT 9 ! MIDDLE ON ONE SIDE4  ,B>YAT9SKY ON ! O!R4  ,AT ,KOZLOVSKY'S RI<T & LEFT H& SAT ! ,VORONTSOVS1 HUSB& & WIFE4  ,ALL ALONG ! TABLE ON BO? SIDES SAT ! (FIC]S ( ! ,KAB>DA & ,KUR9 REGIM5TS4  ,BUTL] SAT NEXT TO ,POLTORATSKY & !Y BO? *ATT$ M]RILY & DRANK ) ! (FIC]S >\ND !M4  ,:5 ! ROA/ WAS S]V$ & ! ORD]LIES HAD GONE R\ND & FILL$ ! *AMPAGNE GLASSES1 ,POLTORATSKY SAID TO ,BUTL]1 ) REAL ANXIETY3 

0,\R ,KOZLOVSKY WILL DISGRACE HIMSELF60 

0,:Y80 

0,:Y1 HE'LL HAVE TO MAKE A SPEE*1 & :AT GOOD IS HE AT ?AT8 444 4,IT'S NOT AS EASY AS CAPTUR+ 5TR5*M5TS UND] FIRE6  ,& ) A LADY BESIDE HIM TOO1 & !SE >I/OCRATS60 

0,REALLY IT'S PA9FUL TO LOOK AT HIM10 SAID ! (FIC]S TO ONE ANO!R4  ,& N[ ! SOLEMN MOM5T HAD >RIV$4  ,B>YAT9SKY ROSE & LIFT+ HIS GLASS1 ADDRESS$ A %ORT SPEE* TO ,KOZLOVSKY4  ,:5 HE HAD F9I%$1 ,KOZLOVSKY -- :O ALWAYS HAD A TRICK ( US+ ! WORD 0H[0  SUP]FLU\SLY -- ROSE & /AMM]+LY BEGAN3 

0,9 COMPLIANCE ) ! AUGU/ WILL ( HIS ,MAJE/Y ,I AM LEAV+ Y\ -- P>T+ FROM Y\1 G5TLEM510 SAID HE4  0,BUT CONSID] ME AS ALWAYS REMA9+ AMONG Y\4  ,! TRU? ( ! PROV]B1 H[ ',ONE MAN 9 ! FIELD IS NO W>RIOR'1 IS WELL KN[N TO Y\1 G5TLEM54 444 ,!RE=E1 H[ EV]Y REW>D ,I HAVE RECEIV$444H[ ALL ! B5EFITS %[]$ ON ME BY ! GREAT G5]OSITY ( \R SOV]EIGN ! ,EMP]OR444H[ ALL MY POSITION -- H[ MY GOOD NAME444H[ EV]Y?+ DECID$LY 444 H[ 444 0 7H]E HIS VOICE TREMBL$7 0444 H[ ,I AM 9DEBT$ TO Y\ = IT1 TO Y\ ALONE1 MY FRI5DS60  ,! WR9KL$ FACE PUCK]$ UP /ILL MORE1 HE GAVE A SOB & TE>S CAME 9TO HIS EYES4  0,H[ FROM MY HE>T ,I (F] Y\ MY S9C]E/1 HE>TFELT GRATITUDE60 

,KOZLOVSKY C\LD NOT GO ON BUT TURN$ R\ND & BEGAN TO EMBRACE ! (FIC]S4  ,! PR9CESS HID H] FACE 9 H] H&K]*IEF4  ,! PR9CE BL9K$1 ) HIS M\? DRAWN AWRY4  ,MANY ( ! (FIC]S' EYES GREW MOI/ & ,BUTL]1 :O HAD H>DLY KN[N ,KOZLOVSKY1 C\LD ALSO NOT RE/RA9 HIS TE>S4  ,HE LIK$ ALL ?IS V]Y MU*4 

,!N FOLL[$ O!R TOA/S4  ,HEAL?S W]E DRUNK TO ,B>YAT9SKY1 ,VORONTSOV1 ! (FIC]S1 & ! SOLDI]S1 & ! VISITORS LEFT ! TABLE 9TOXICAT$ ) W9E & ) ! MILIT>Y ELATION TO :I* !Y W]E ALWAYS SO PRONE4  ,! WEA!R WAS WOND]FUL1 SUNNY & CALM1 & ! AIR FRE% & BRAC+4  ,BONFIRES CRACKL$ & SONGS RES\ND$ ON ALL SIDES4  ,IT MI<T HAVE BE5 ?\<T ?AT EV]YBODY WAS CELEBRAT+ SOME JOYFUL EV5T4  ,BUTL] W5T TO ,POLTORATSKY'S 9 ! HAPPIE/1 MO/ EMOTIONAL MOOD4  ,SEV]AL (FIC]S HAD GA!R$ !RE & A C>D TABLE WAS SET4  ,AN ADJUTANT />T$ A BANK ) A HUNDR$ RUBLES4  ,TWO OR ?REE TIMES ,BUTL] LEFT ! T5T ) HIS H& GRIPP+ ! PURSE 9 HIS TR\S]S-POCKET1 BUT AT LA/ HE C\LD RESI/ ! TEMPTATION NO LONG]1 & DESPITE ! PROMISE HE HAD GIV5 TO HIS BRO!R & TO HIMSELF NOT TO PLAY1 HE BEGAN TO DO SO4  ,BE=E AN H\R WAS PA/1 V]Y R$1 P]SPIR+1 & SOIL$ ) *ALK1 HE WAS SITT+ ) BO? ELB[S ON ! TABLE & WRIT+ ON IT -- UND] C>DS B5T = 0CORN]S0 & 0TRANSPORTS -- ! FIGURES ( HIS /AKES4  ,HE HAD ALREADY LO/ SO MU* ?AT HE WAS AFRAID TO C\NT UP :AT WAS SCOR$ AGA9/ HIM4  ,BUT HE KNEW )\T C\NT+ ?AT ALL ! PAY HE C\LD DRAW 9 ADVANCE1 ADD$ TO ! VALUE ( HIS HORSE1 W\LD NOT SUFFICE TO PAY :AT ! ADJUTANT1 A /RANG] TO HIM1 HAD WRITT5 D[N AGA9/ HIM4  ,HE W\LD /ILL HAVE GONE ON PLAY+1 BUT ! ADJUTANT /]NLY LAID D[N ! C>DS HE HELD 9 HIS L>GE CLEAN H&S & ADD$ UP ! *ALK$ FIGURES ( ! SCORE ( ,BUTL]'S LOSSES4  ,BUTL]1 9 CONFUSION BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSES = BE+ UNABLE TO PAY ! :OLE ( HIS DEBT AT ONCE1 & SAID HE W\LD S5D IT FROM HOME4  ,:5 HE SAID ?IS HE NOTIC$ ?AT EV]YBODY PITI$ HIM & ?AT !Y ALL -- EV5 ,POLTORATSKY -- AVOID$ MEET+ HIS EYE4  ,?AT WAS HIS LA/ EV5+ !RE4  ,HE REFLECT$ ?AT HE NE$ ONLY HAVE REFRA9$ FROM PLAY+ & GONE TO ! ,VORONTSOVS :O HAD 9VIT$ HIM1 & ALL W\LD HAVE BE5 WELL1 BUT N[ IT WAS NOT ONLY NOT WELL -- IT WAS T]RIBLE4 

,HAV+ TAK5 LEAVE ( HIS COMRADES & ACQUA9TANCES HE RODE HOME & W5T TO B$1 & SLEPT = EI<TE5 H\RS AS PEOPLE USUALLY SLEEP AFT] LOS+ HEAVILY4  ,FROM ! FACT ?AT HE ASK$ H] TO L5D HIM FIFTY KOPECKS TO TIP ! ,COSSACK :O HAD ESCORT$ HIM1 & FROM HIS SORR[FUL LOOKS & %ORT ANSW]S1 ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA GUESS$ ?AT HE HAD LO/ AT C>DS & %E REPROA*$ ! MAJOR = HAV+ GIV5 HIM LEAVE ( ABS5CE4 

,:5 HE WOKE UP AT NOON NEXT DAY & REMEMB]$ ! SITUATION HE WAS 9 HE LONG$ AGA9 TO PLUNGE 9TO ! OBLIVION FROM :I* HE HAD JU/ EM]G$1 BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE4  ,/EPS HAD TO BE TAK5 TO REPAY ! F\R HUNDR$ & SEV5TY RUBLES HE [$ TO ! /RANG]4  ,! FIR/ /EP HE TOOK WAS TO WRITE TO HIS BRO!R1 CONFESS+ HIS S9 & IMPLOR+ HIM = ! LA/ TIME1 TO L5D HIM FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES ON ! SECURITY ( ! MILL !Y /ILL [N$ 9 COMMON4  ,!N HE WROTE TO A /+Y RELATIVE ASK+ H] TO L5D HIM FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES AT :ATEV] RATE ( 9T]E/ %E LIK$4  ,F9ALLY HE W5T TO ! MAJOR1 KN[+ ?AT HE -- OR RA!R ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA -- HAD SOME MONEY1 & ASK$ HIM TO L5D HIM FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4 

0,I'D LET Y\ HAVE !M AT ONCE10 SAID ! MAJOR1 0BUT ,MA%A WON'T6  ,!SE WOM5 >E SO CLOSE-FI/$ -- :O ! DEVIL CAN UND]/& !M8 444 ,& YET Y\ MU/ GET \T ( IT SOMEH[1 DEVIL TAKE HIM6 444 ,HASN'T ?AT BRUTE ! CANTE5-KEEP] GOT SOME?+80 

,BUT IT WAS NO USE TRY+ TO BORR[ FROM ! CANTE5-KEEP]1 SO ,BUTL]'S SALVATION C\LD ONLY COME FROM HIS BRO!R OR HIS /+Y RELATIVE4 

O ,*APT] #bb 

,NOT HAV+ ATTA9$ HIS AIM 9 ,*E*NYA1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD RETURN$ TO ,TIFLIS & W5T EV]Y DAY TO ,VORONTSOV'S1 & :5EV] HE C\LD OBTA9 AUDI5CE HE IMPLOR$ ! ,VIC]OY TO GA!R TOGE!R ! M\NTA9E] PRISON]S & EX*ANGE !M = HIS FAMILY4  ,HE SAID ?AT UNLESS ?AT W]E DONE HIS H&S W]E TI$ & HE C\LD NOT S]VE ! ,RUSSIANS & DE/ROY ,%AMIL AS HE DESIR$ TO DO4  ,VORONTSOV VAGUELY PROMIS$ TO DO :AT HE C\LD1 BUT PUT IT (F1 SAY+ ?AT HE W\LD DECIDE :5 ,G5]AL ,>GUT9SKI REA*$ ,TIFLIS & HE C\LD TALK ! MATT] OV] ) HIM4 

,!N ,HAJJI ,MURAD ASK$ ,VORONTSOV TO ALL[ HIM TO GO TO LIVE = A :ILE 9 ,NUKHA1 A SMALL T[N 9 ,TRANSCAUCASIA :]E HE ?\<T HE C\LD BETT] C>RY ON NEGOTIATIONS AB\T HIS FAMILY ) ,%AMIL & ) ! PEOPLE :O W]E ATTA*$ TO HIMSELF4  ,MOREOV] ,NUKHA1 BE+ A ,MOHAMM$AN T[N1 HAD A MOSQUE :]E HE C\LD MORE CONV5I5TLY P]=M ! RITES ( PRAY] DEM&$ BY ! ,MOHAMM$AN LAW4  ,VORONTSOV WROTE TO ,PET]SBURG AB\T IT BUT MEAN:ILE GAVE ,HAJJI ,MURAD P]MISSION TO GO TO ,NUKHA4 

,= ,VORONTSOV & ! AU?ORITIES 9 ,PET]SBURG1 AS WELL AS = MO/ ,RUSSIANS ACQUA9T$ ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S HI/ORY1 ! :OLE EPISODE PRES5T$ ITSELF AS A LUCKY TURN 9 ! ,CAUCASIAN W>1 OR SIMPLY AS AN 9T]E/+ EV5T4  ,= ,HAJJI ,MURAD IT WAS A T]RIBLE CRISIS 9 HIS LIFE -- ESPECIALLY LAT]ALLY4  ,HE HAD ESCAP$ FROM ! M\NTA9S P>TLY TO SAVE HIMSELF & P>TLY \T ( HATR$ ( ,%AMIL1 & DIFFICULT AS ?IS FLI<T HAD BE5 HE HAD ATTA9$ HIS OBJECT1 & = A TIME WAS GLAD ( HIS SUCCESS & REALLY DEVIS$ A PLAN TO ATTACK ,%AMIL1 BUT ! RESCUE ( HIS FAMILY -- :I* HE HAD ?\<T W\LD BE EASY TO >RANGE -- HAD PROV$ MORE DIFFICULT ?AN HE EXPECT$4 

,%AMIL HAD SEIZ$ ! FAMILY & KEPT !M PRISON]S1 ?REAT5+ TO H& ! WOM5 OV] TO ! DIFF]5T A\LS & TO BL9D OR KILL ! SON4  ,N[ ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD GONE TO ,NUKHA 9T5D+ TO TRY BY ! AID ( HIS ADH]5TS 9 ,DA<E/AN TO RESCUE HIS FAMILY FROM ,%AMIL BY =CE OR BY CUNN+4  ,! LA/ SPY :O HAD COME TO SEE HIM 9 ,NUKHA 9=M$ HIM ?AT ! ,AV>S1 :O W]E DEVOT$ TO HIM1 W]E PREP>+ TO CAPTURE HIS FAMILY & !MSELVES BR+ !M OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS1 BUT ?AT !RE W]E NOT 5\< ( !M & !Y C\LD NOT RISK MAK+ ! ATTEMPT 9 ,V$5O1 :]E ! FAMILY WAS AT PRES5T IMPRISON$1 BUT C\LD DO SO ONLY IF ! FAMILY W]E MOV$ FROM ,V$5O TO SOME O!R PLACE -- 9 :I* CASE !Y PROMIS$ TO RESCUE !M ON ! WAY4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD S5T WORD TO HIS FRI5DS ?AT HE W\LD GIVE ?REE ?\S& RUBLES = ! LIB]ATION ( HIS FAMILY4 

,AT ,NUKHA A SMALL H\SE ( FIVE ROOMS WAS ASSIGN$ TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD NE> ! MOSQUE & ! ,KHAN'S PALACE4  ,! (FIC]S 9 *>GE ( HIM1 HIS 9T]PRET]1 & HIS H5*M51 /AY$ 9 ! SAME H\SE4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S LIFE WAS SP5T 9 ! EXPECTATION & RECEPTION ( MESS5G]S FROM ! M\NTA9S & 9 RIDES HE WAS ALL[$ TO TAKE 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 

,ON #b#d? ,APRIL1 RETURN+ FROM ONE ( !SE RIDES1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD LE>N$ ?AT DUR+ HIS ABS5CE AN (FICIAL S5T BY ,VORONTSOV HAD >RIV$ FROM ,TIFLIS4  ,9 SPITE ( HIS LONG+ TO KN[ :AT MESSAGE ! (FICIAL HAD BR\<T HIM HE W5T TO HIS B$ROOM & REPEAT$ HIS NOONDAY PRAY] BE=E GO+ 9TO ! ROOM :]E ! (FIC] 9 *>GE & ! (FICIAL W]E WAIT+4  ,?IS ROOM S]V$ HIM BO? AS DRAW+ ROOM & RECEPTION ROOM4  ,! (FICIAL :O HAD COME FROM ,TIFLIS1 ,C\NCILOR ,KIRILLOV1 9=M$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD ( ,VORONTSOV'S WI% ?AT HE %\LD COME TO ,TIFLIS ON ! #a#b? TO MEET ,G5]AL ,>GUT9SKI4 

0,YAK%I60 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD ANGRILY4  ,! C\NCILOR DID NOT PLEASE HIM4  0,HAVE Y\ BR\<T MONEY80 

0,I HAVE10 ANSW]$ ,KIRILLOV4 

0,= TWO WEEKS N[10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 HOLD+ UP FIR/ BO? H&S & !N F\R F+]S4  0,GIVE H]E60 

0,WE'LL GIVE IT Y\ AT ONCE10 SAID ! (FICIAL1 GETT+ HIS PURSE \T ( HIS TRAVEL+ BAG4  0,:AT DOES HE WANT ) ! MONEY80 HE S5T ON 9 ,RUSSIAN1 ?9K+ ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD W\LD NOT UND]/&4  ,BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD UND]/OOD1 & GLANC$ ANGRILY AT HIM4  ,:ILE GETT+ \T ! MONEY ! C\NCILOR1 WI%+ TO BEG9 A CONV]SATION ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 ORD] TO HAVE SOME?+ TO TELL ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV ON HIS RETURN1 ASK$ ?R\< ! 9T]PRET] :E!R HE WAS NOT FEEL+ DULL !RE4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD GLANC$ CONTEMPTU\SLY \T ( ! CORN] ( HIS EYE AT ! FAT1 UN>M$ LITTLE MAN DRESS$ AS A CIVILIAN1 & DID NOT REPLY4  ,! 9T]PRET] REPEAT$ ! QUE/ION4 

0,TELL HIM ?AT ,I CANNOT TALK ) HIM6  ,LET HIM GIVE ME ! MONEY60 & HAV+ SAID ?IS1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD SAT D[N AT ! TABLE READY TO C\NT IT4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD AN ALL[ANCE ( FIVE GOLD PIEC$ A DAY1 & :5 ,KIRILLOV HAD GOT \T ! MONEY & >RANG$ IT 9 SEV5 PILES ( T5 GOLD PIECES EA* & PU%$ !M T[>DS ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 ! LATT] P\R$ ! GOLD 9TO ! SLEEVE ( HIS ,CIRCASSIAN COAT1 ROSE1 QUITE UNEXPECT$LY SMACK$ ,C\NCILOR ,KIRILLOV ON HIS BALD PATE1 & TURN$ TO GO4 

,! C\NCILOR JUMP$ UP & ORD]$ ! 9T]PRET] TO TELL ,HAJJI ,MURAD ?AT HE MU/ NOT D>E TO BEHAVE LIKE ?AT TO HIM :O HELD A RANK EQUAL TO ?AT ( COLONEL6  ,! (FIC] 9 *>GE CONFIRM$ ?IS1 BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD ONLY NODD$ TO SIGNIFY ?AT HE KNEW1 & LEFT ! ROOM4 

0,:AT IS ONE TO DO ) HIM80 SAID ! (FIC] 9 *>GE4  0,HE'LL /ICK HIS DAGG] 9TO Y\1 ?AT'S ALL6  ,ONE CANNOT TALK ) ?OSE DEVILS6 ,I SEE ?AT HE IS GETT+ EXASP]AT$40 

,AS SOON AS IT BEGAN TO GR[ DUSK TWO SPIES ) HOODS COV]+ !IR FACES UP TO !IR EYES1 CAME TO HIM FROM ! HILLS4  ,! (FIC] 9 *>GE L$ !M TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S ROOM4  ,ONE ( !M WAS A FLE%Y1 SW>?Y ,TAVL9IAN1 ! O!R A ?9 OLD MAN4  ,! NEWS !Y BR\<T WAS NOT *E]+4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S FRI5DS :O HAD UND]TAK5 TO RESCUE HIS FAMILY N[ DEF9ITELY REFUS$ TO DO SO1 BE+ AFRAID ( ,%AMIL1 :O ?REAT5$ TO PUNI% ) MO/ T]RIBLE TORTURES ANYONE :O HELP$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,HAV+ HE>D ! MESS5G]S HE SAT ) HIS ELB[S ON HIS CROSS$ LEGS1 & B[+ HIS TURBAN$ HEAD REMA9$ SIL5T A LONG TIME4  

,HE WAS ?9K+ & ?9K+ RESOLUTELY4  ,HE KNEW ?AT HE WAS N[ CONSID]+ ! MATT] = ! LA/ TIME & ?AT IT WAS NECESS>Y TO COME TO A DECISION4  ,AT LA/ HE RAIS$ HIS HEAD1 GAVE EA* ( ! MESS5G]S A GOLD PIECE1 & SAID3  0,GO60 

0,:AT ANSW] WILL !RE BE80 

0,! ANSW] WILL BE AS ,GOD PLEASES4 444 ,GO60 

,! MESS5G]S ROSE & W5T AWAY1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD CONT9U$ TO SIT ON ! C>PET LEAN+ HIS ELB[S ON HIS KNEES4  ,HE SAT ?US A LONG TIME & POND]$4 

0,:AT AM ,I TO DO8  ,TO TAKE ,%AMIL AT HIS WORD & RETURN TO HIM80 HE ?\<T4  0,HE IS A FOX & WILL DECEIVE ME4  ,EV5 IF HE DID NOT DECEIVE ME IT W\LD /ILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SUBMIT TO ?AT R$ LI>4  ,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE 444 BECAUSE N[ ?AT ,I HAVE BE5 ) ! ,RUSSIANS HE WILL NOT TRU/ ME10 ?\<T ,HAJJI ,MURAD2 & HE REMEMB]$ A ,TAVL9IAN FABLE AB\T A FALCON :O HAD BE5 CAU<T & LIV$ AMONG M5 & AFT]W>DS RETURN$ TO HIS [N K9D 9 ! HILLS4  ,HE RETURN$1 WE>+ JESSES ) BELLS1 & ! O!R FALCONS W\LD NOT RECEIVE HIM4  0,FLY BACK TO :]E !Y HUNG ?OSE SILV] BELLS ON !E60 SAID !Y4  0,WE HAVE NO BELLS & NO JESSES40  ,! FALCON DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE HIS HOME & REMA9$1 BUT ! O!R FALCONS DID NOT WI% TO LET HIM /AY !RE & PECK$ HIM TO DEA?4 

0,& !Y W\LD PECK ME TO DEA? 9 ! SAME WAY10 ?\<T ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  0,%ALL ,I REMA9 H]E & CONQU] ,CAUCASIA = ! ,RUSSIAN ,CZ> & E>N R5[N1 TITLES1 RI*ES80 

0,?AT C\LD BE DONE10 ?\<T HE1 RECALL+ HIS 9T]VIEWS ) ,VORONTSOV & ! FLATT]+ ?+S ! PR9CE HAD SAID2 0BUT ,I MU/ DECIDE AT ONCE1 OR ,%AMIL WILL DE/ROY MY FAMILY40 

,?AT NI<T HE REMA9$ AWAKE ?9K+4 

O ,*APT] #bc 

,BY MIDNI<T HIS DECISION HAD BE5 =M$4  ,HE HAD DECID$ ?AT HE MU/ FLY TO ! M\NTA9S1 & BREAK 9TO ,V$5O ) ! ,AV>S /ILL DEVOT$ TO HIM1 & EI!R DIE OR RESCUE HIS FAMILY4  ,:E!R AFT] RESCU+ !M HE W\LD RETURN TO ! ,RUSSIANS OR ESCAPE TO ,KHUNZAKH & FI<T ,%AMIL1 HE HAD NOT MADE UP HIS M9D4  ,ALL HE KNEW WAS ?AT FIR/ ( ALL HE MU/ ESCAPE FROM ! ,RUSSIANS 9TO ! M\NTA9S1 & HE AT ONCE BEGAN TO C>RY \T HIS PLAN4 

,HE DREW HIS BLACK WADD$ BE%MET FROM UND] HIS PILL[ & W5T 9TO HIS H5*M5'S ROOM4  ,!Y LIV$ ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! HALL4  ,AS SOON AS HE 5T]$ ! HALL1 ! \T] DOOR ( :I* /OOD OP51 HE WAS AT ONCE 5VELOP$ BY ! DEWY FRE%NESS ( ! MOONLIT NI<T & HIS E>S W]E FILL$ BY ! :I/L+ & TRILL+ ( SEV]AL NI<T+ALES 9 ! G>D5 BY ! H\SE4 

,HAV+ CROSS$ ! HALL HE OP5$ ! DOOR ( HIS H5*M5'S ROOM4  ,!RE WAS NO LI<T !RE1 BUT ! MOON 9 ITS FIR/ QU>T] %ONE 9 AT ! W9D[4  ,A TABLE & TWO *AIRS W]E /&+ ON ONE SIDE ( ! ROOM1 & F\R ( HIS H5*M5 W]E LY+ ON C>PETS OR ON BURKAS ON ! FLOOR4  ,KHANEFI SLEPT \TSIDE ) ! HORSES4  ,GAMZALO HE>D ! DOOR CREAK1 ROSE1 TURN$ R\ND1 & SAW HIM4  ,ON RECOGNIZ+ HIM HE LAY D[N AGA91 BUT ,ELD>1 :O LAY BESIDE HIM1 JUMP$ UP & BEGAN PUTT+ ON HIS BE%MET1 EXPECT+ HIS MA/]'S ORD]S4  ,KHAN ,MAHOMA & ,BATA SLEPT ON4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD PUT D[N ! BE%MET HE HAD BR\<T ON ! TABLE1 :I* IT HIT ) A DULL S\ND1 CAUS$ BY ! BOLD SEWN UP 9 IT4 

0,SEW !SE 9 TOO10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 H&+ ,ELD> ! GOLD PIECES HE HAD RECEIV$ ?AT DAY4  ,ELD> TOOK !M & AT ONCE W5T 9TO ! MOONLI<T1 DREW A SMALL KNIFE FROM UND] HIS DAGG] & />T$ UN/IT*+ ! L9+ ( ! BE%MET4  ,GAMZALO RAIS$ HIMSELF & SAT UP ) HIS LEGS CROSS$4 

0,& Y\1 ,GAMZALO1 TELL ! M5 TO EXAM9E ! RIFLES & PI/OLS & GET ! AMMUNITION READY4  ,TOMORR[ WE %ALL GO F>10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

0,WE HAVE BULLETS & P[D]1 EV]Y?+ %ALL BE READY10 REPLI$ ,GAMZALO1 & RO>$ \T SOME?+ 9COMPREH5SIBLE4  ,HE UND]/OOD :Y ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD ORD]$ ! RIFLES TO BE LOAD$4  ,FROM ! FIR/ HE HAD DESIR$ ONLY ONE ?+ -- TO SLAY & /AB AS MANY ,RUSSIANS AS POSSIBLE & TO ESCAPE TO ! HILLS -- & ?IS DESIRE HAD 9CREAS$ DAY BY DAY4  ,N[ AT LA/ HE SAW ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD ALSO WANT$ ?IS & HE WAS SATISFI$4 

,:5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD W5T AWAY ,GAMZALO R\S$ HIS COMRADES1 & ALL F\R SP5T ! RE/ ( ! NI<T EXAM9+ !IR RIFLES1 PI/OLS1 FL9TS1 & ACC\T]M5TS2 REPLAC+ :AT WAS DAMAG$1 SPR9KL+ FRE% P[D] ONTO ! PANS1 & /OPP]+ ) BULLETS WRAPP$ 9 OIL$ RAGS1 PACKETS FILL$ ) ! RI<T AM\NT ( P[D] = EA* *>GE1 %>P5+ !IR SWORDS & DAGG]S & GREAS+ ! BLADES ) TALL[4 

,BE=E DAYBREAK ,HAJJI ,MURAD AGA9 CAME \T 9TO ! HALL TO GET WAT] = HIS ABLUTIONS4  ,! SONGS ( ! NI<T+ALES ?AT HAD BUR/ 9TO EC/ASY AT DAWN W]E N[ EV5 L\D] & MORE 9CESSANT1 :ILE FROM HIS H5*M5'S ROOM1 :]E ! DAGG]S W]E BE+ %>P5$1 CAME ! REGUL> SCREE* & RASP ( IRON AGA9/ /ONE4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD GOT HIMSELF SOME WAT] FROM A TUB1 & WAS ALREADY AT HIS [N DOOR :5 ABOVE ! S\ND ( ! GR9D+ HE HE>D FROM HIS MURIDS' ROOM ! HI< TONES ( ,KHANEFI'S VOICE S++ A FAMILI> SONG4  ,HE /OPP$ TO LI/54  ,! SONG TOLD ( H[ A DZHIGIT1 ,HAMZAD1 ) HIS BRAVE FOLL[]S CAPTUR$ A H]D ( :ITE HORSES FROM ! ,RUSSIANS1 & H[ A ,RUSSIAN PR9CE FOLL[$ HIM BEYOND ! ,T]EK & SURR\ND$ HIM ) AN >MY AS L>GE AS A =E/2 & !N ! SONG W5T ON TO TELL H[ ,HAMZAD KILL$ ! HORSES1 5TR5*$ HIS M5 BEH9D ?IS GORY BULW>K1 & F\<T ! ,RUSSIANS AS LONG AS !Y HAD BULLETS 9 !IR RIFLES1 DAGG]S 9 !IR BELTS1 & BLOOD 9 !IR VE9S4  ,BUT BE=E HE DI$ ,HAMZAD SAW SOME BIRDS FLY+ 9 ! SKY & CRI$ TO !M3  

,FLY ON1 YE W+$ ONES1 FLY TO \R HOMES6 

,TELL YE \R MO!RS1 TELL YE \R SI/]S1 

,TELL ! :ITE MAID5S1 ?AT FI<T+ WE DI$ 

,= ,<AZAVAT6  ,TELL !M \R BODIES 

,NEV] WILL LIE & RE/ 9 A TOMB6 

,WOLVES WILL DEV\R & TE> !M TO PIECES1 

,RAV5S & VULTURES WILL PLUCK \T \R EYES4 

,) ?AT ! SONG 5D$1 & AT ! LA/ WORDS1 SUNG TO A M\RNFUL AIR1 ! M]RY ,BATA'S VIGOR\S VOICE JO9$ 9 ) A L\D %\T ( 0,LYA-IL-LYAKHA-IL ,ALLAKH60 F9I%+ ) %RILL %RIEK4  ,!N ALL WAS QUIET AGA91 EXCEPT = ! T*UK1 T*UK1 T*UK1 T*UK & :I/L+ ( ! NI<T+ALES FROM ! G>D5 & FROM BEH9D ! DOOR ! EV5 GR9D+1 & N[ & !N ! :IZ1 ( IRON SLID+ QUICKLY ALONG ! :ET/ONE4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS SO FULL ( ?\<T ?AT HE DID NOT NOTICE H[ HE TILT$ HIS JUG TILL ! WAT] BEGAN TO P\R \T4  ,HE %OOK HIS HEAD AT HIMSELF & RE5T]$ HIS ROOM4  ,AFT] P]=M+ HIS MORN+ ABLUTIONS HE EXAM9$ HIS WEAPONS & SAT D[N ON HIS B$4  ,!RE WAS NO?+ MORE = HIM TO DO4  ,TO BE ALL[$ TO RIDE \T HE W\LD HAVE TO GET P]MISSION FROM ! (FIC] 9 *>GE1 BUT IT WAS NOT YET DAYLI<T & ! (FIC] WAS /ILL ASLEEP4 

,KHANEFI'S SONG REM9D$ HIM ( ! SONG HIS MO!R HAD COMPOS$ JU/ AFT] HE WAS BORN -- ! SONG ADDRESS$ TO HIS FA!R ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD REPEAT$ TO ,LORIS-,MELIKOV4 

,& HE SEEM$ TO SEE HIS MO!R BE=E HIM -- NOT WR9KL$ & GRAY-HAIR$1 ) GAPS BETWE5 H] TEE?1 AS HE HAD LATELY LEFT H]1 BUT Y\NG & H&SOME1 & /RONG 5\< TO C>RY HIM 9 A BASKET ON H] BACK ACROSS ! M\NTA9S TO H] FA!R'S :5 HE WAS A HEAVY FIVE-YE>-OLD BOY4 

,& ! RECOLLECTION ( HIMSELF AS A LITTLE *ILD REM9D$ HIM ( HIS BELOV$ SON1 ,YUSUF1 :OSE HEAD HE HIMSELF HAD %AV$ = ! FIR/ TIME2 & N[ ?IS ,YUSUF WAS A H&SOME Y\NG DZHIGIT4  ,HE PICTUR$ HIM AS HE WAS :5 LA/ HE SAW HIM ON ! DAY HE LEFT ,TSELMESS4  ,YUSUF HAD BR\<T HIM HIS HORSE & ASK$ TO BE ALL[$ TO ACCOMPANY HIM4  ,HE WAS READY DRESS$ & >M$1 & L$ HIS [N HORSE BY ! BRIDLE1 & HIS ROSY H&SOME Y\NG FACE & ! :OLE ( HIS TALL SL5D] FIGURE 7HE WAS TALL] ?AN HIS FA!R7 BREA!D ( D>+1 Y\?1 & ! JOY ( LIFE4  ,! BREAD? ( HIS %\LD]S1 ?\< HE WAS SO Y\NG1 ! V]Y SIDE Y\?FUL HIPS1 ! LONG SL5D] WAI/1 ! /R5G? ( HIS LONG >MS1 & ! P[]1 FLEXIBILITY1 & AGILITY ( ALL HIS MOVEM5TS HAD ALWAYS REJOIC$ ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 :O ADMIR$ HIS SON4 

0,?\ HAD/ BETT] /AY4  ,?\ WILT E ALONE AT HOME N[4  ,TAKE C>E ( ?Y MO!R & ?Y GR&MO!R10 SAID ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,& HE REMEMB]$ ! SPIRIT$ & PR\D LOOK & ! FLU% ( PLEASURE ) :I* ,YUSUF HAD REPLI$ ?AT AS LONG AS HE LIV$ NO ONE %\LD 9JURE HIS MO!R OR GR&MO!R4  ,ALL ! SAME1 ,YUSUF HAD M\NT$ & ACCOMPANI$ HIS FA!R AS F> AS ! /REAM4  ,!RE HE TURN$ BACK1 & S9CE !N ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD NOT SE5 HIS WIFE1 HIS MO!R1 OR HIS SON4  ,& IT WAS ?IS SON :OSE EYES ,%AMIL ?REAT5$ TO PUT \T6  ,( :AT W\LD BE DONE TO HIS WIFE ,HAJJI ,MURAD DID NOT WI% TO ?9K4 

,!SE ?\<TS SO EXCIT$ HIM ?AT HE C\LD NOT SIT /ILL ANY LONG]4  ,HE JUMP$ UP & W5T LIMP+ QUICKLY TO ! DOOR1 OP5$ IT1 & CALL$ ,ELD>4  ,! SUN HAD NOT YET RIS51 BUT IT WAS ALREADY QUITE LI<T4  ,! NI<T+ALES W]E /ILL S++4 

0,GO & TELL ! (FIC] ?AT ,I WANT TO GO \T RID+1 & SADDLE ! HORSES10 SAID HE4 

O ,*APT] #bd 

,BUTL]'S ONLY CONSOLATION ALL ?IS TIME WAS ! POETRY ( W>F>E1 TO :I* HE GAVE HIMSELF UP NOT ONLY DUR+ HIS H\RS ( S]VICE BUT ALSO 9 PRIVATE LIFE4 ,DRESS$ 9 HIS ,CIRCASSIAN CO/UME1 HE RODE & SWAGG]$ AB\T1 & TWICE W5T 9TO AMBU% ) ,BOGDANOVI*1 ?\< NEI!R TIME DID !Y DISCOV] OR KILL ANYONE4  ,?IS CLOS5ESS TO & FRI5D%IP ) ,BOGDANOVI*1 FAM$ = HIS C\RAGE1 SEEM$ PLEASANT & W>LIKE TO ,BUTL]4  ,HE HAD PAID HIS DEBT1 HAV+ BORR[$ ! MONEY ( A ,JEW AT AN 5ORM\S RATE ( 9T]E/ -- ?AT IS TO SAY1 HE HAD PO/PON$ HIS DIFFICULTIES BUT HAD NOT SOLV$ !M4  ,HE TRI$ NOT TO ?9K ( HIS POSITION1 & TO F9D OBLIVION NOT ONLY 9 ! POETRY ( W>F>E BUT ALSO 9 W9E4  ,HE DRANK MORE & MORE EV]Y DAY1 & DAY BY DAY GREW MORALLY WEAK]4  ,HE WAS N[ NO LONG] ! *A/E ,JOSEPH HE HAD BE5 T[>DS M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 BUT ON ! CONTR>Y BEGAN C\RT+ H] GROSSLY1 MEET+ TO HIS SURPRISE ) A /RONG & DECID$ REPULSE :I* PUT HIM TO %AME4 

,AT ! 5D ( ,APRIL !RE >RIV$ AT ! =T A DETA*M5T ) :I* ,B>YAT9SKY 9T5D$ TO EFFECT AN ADVANCE RI<T ?R\< ,*E*NYA1 :I* HAD TILL !N BE5 CONSID]$ IMPASSABLE4  ,9 ?AT DETA*M5T W]E TWO COMPANIES ( ! ,KAB>DA REGIM5T1 & ACCORD+ TO ,CAUCASIAN CU/OM !SE W]E TREAT$ AS GUE/S BY ! ,KUR9 COMPANIES4  ,! SOLDI]S W]E LODG$ 9 ! B>RACKS1 & W]E TREAT$ NOT ONLY TO SUPP]1 CONSI/+ ( BUCK:EAT PORRIDGE & BEEF1 BUT ALSO TO VODKA4  ,! (FIC]S %>$ ! QU>T]S ( ! ,KUR9 (FIC]S1 & AS USUAL ?OSE 9 RESID5CE GAVE ! NEW-COM]S A D9N] AT :I* ! REGIM5TAL S+]S P]=M$ & :I* 5D$ UP ) A DR9K+ B\T4  ,MAJOR ,PETROV1 V]Y DRUNK & NO LONG] R$ BUT A% PALE1 SAT A/RIDE A *AIR &1 DRAW+ HIS SWORD1 HACK$ AT IMAG9>Y FOES1 ALT]NATELY SWE>+ & LAU<+1 N[ EMBRAC+ SOMEONE & N[ DANC+ TO ! TUNE ( HIS FAVORITE SONG4 

,%AMIL1 HE BEGAN TO RIOT 

,9 ! DAYS GONE BY2 

,TRY1 RY1 RATATY1 

,9 ! YE>S GONE BY6 

,BUTL] WAS !RE TOO4  ,HE TRI$ TO SEE ! POETRY ( W>F>E 9 ?IS ALSO1 BUT 9 ! DEP? ( HIS S\L HE WAS SORRY = ! MAJOR4  ,TO /OP HIM1 H[EV]1 WAS QUITE IMPOSSIBLE2 & ,BUTL]1 FEEL+ ?AT ! FUMES W]E M\NT+ TO HIS [N HEAD1 QUIETLY LEFT ! ROOM & W5T HOME4 

,! MOON LIT UP ! :ITE H\SES & ! /ONES ON ! ROAD4  ,IT WAS SO LI<T ?AT EV]Y PEBBLE1 EV]Y /RAW1 EV]Y LITTLE HEAP ( DU/ WAS VISIBLE4  ,AS HE APPROA*$ ! H\SE HE MET ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA ) A %AWL OV] H] HEAD & NECK4  ,AFT] ! REBUFF %E HAD GIV5 HIM ,BUTL] HAD AVOID$ H]1 FEEL+ RA!R A%AM$1 BUT N[ 9 ! MOONLI<T & AFT] ! W9E HE HAD DRUNK HE WAS PLEAS$ TO MEET H] & WI%$ TO MAKE UP TO H] AGA94 

0,:]E >E Y\ (F TO80 HE ASK$4 

0,:Y1 TO SEE AFT] MY OLD MAN10 %E ANSW]$ PLEASANTLY4  ,H] REJECTION ( ,BUTL]'S ADVANCES WAS QUITE S9C]E & DECID$1 BUT %E DID NOT LIKE HIS AVOID+ H] AS HE HAD DONE LATELY4 

0,:Y BO!R AB\T HIM8  ,HE'LL SOON COME BACK40 

0,BUT WILL HE80 

0,IF HE DOESN'T !Y'LL BR+ HIM40 

0,JU/ SO4 444 ,?AT'S NOT RI<T1 Y\ KN[6 444 ,BUT Y\ ?9K ,I'D BETT] NOT GO80 

0,YES1 ,I DO4  ,WE'D BETT] GO HOME40 

,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA TURN$ BACK & WALK$ BESIDE HIM4  ,! MOON %ONE SO BRI<TLY ?AT A HALO SEEM$ TO MOVE ALONG ! ROAD R\ND ! %AD[S ( !IR HEADS4  ,BUTL] WAS LOOK+ AT ?IS HALO & MAK+ UP HIS M9D TO TELL H] ?AT HE LIK$ H] AS MU* AS EV]1 BUT HE DID NOT KN[ H[ TO BEG94  ,%E WAIT$ = HIM TO SPEAK1 & !Y WALK$ ON 9 SIL5CE ALMO/ TO ! H\SE1 :5 SOME HORSEM5 APPE>$ FROM R\ND ! CORN]4  ,!SE W]E AN (FIC] ) AN ESCORT4 

0,:O'S ?AT COM+ N[80 SAID M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA1 /EPP+ ASIDE4  ,! MOON WAS BEH9D ! RID] SO ?AT %E DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM UNTIL HE HAD ALMO/ COME UP TO !M4  ,IT WAS ,PET] ,NIKOLAEVI* ,KAM5EV1 AN (FIC] :O HAD =M]LY S]V$ ) ! MAJOR & :OM ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA !RE=E KNEW4 

0,IS IT Y\1 ,PET] ,NIKOLAEVI*80 SAID %E1 ADDRESS+ HIM4 

0,IT'S ME10 SAID ,KAM5EV4  0AH1 ,BUTL]1 H[ D'Y\ DO8 444 ,NOT ASLEEP YET8  ,HAV+ A WALK ) ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA6  ,Y\'D BETT] LOOK \T OR ! MAJOR WILL GIVE IT Y\4 444 ,:]E IS HE80 

0:Y1 !RE4 444 ,LI/560 REPLI$ ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA PO9T+ 9 ! DIRECTION :5CE CAME ! S\NDS ( A TULUMBAS & SONGS4  0,!Y'RE ON ! SPREE40 

0,:Y8  ,>E Y\R PEOPLE HAV+ A SPREE ON !IR [N80 

0,NO2 SOME (FIC]S HAVE COME FROM ,HASAV-,YURT1 & !Y >E BE+ 5T]TA9$40 

0,AH1 ?AT'S GOOD6  ,I %ALL BE 9 TIME4 444 ,I JU/ WANT ! MAJOR = A MOM5T40 

0,ON BUS9ESS80 ASK$ ,BUTL]4 

0,YES1 JU/ A LITTLE BUS9ESS MATT]40 

0,GOOD OR BAD80 

0,IT ALL DEP5DS4 444 ,GOOD = US BUT BAD = SOME PEOPLE10 & ,KAM5EV LAU<$4 

,BY ?IS TIME !Y HAD REA*$ ! MAJOR'S H\SE4 

0,*IKHIREV10 %\T$ ,KAM5EV TO ONE ( HIS ,COSSACKS1 0COME H]E60 

,A ,DON ,COSSACK RODE UP FROM AMONG ! O!RS4  ,HE WAS DRESS$ 9 ! ORD9>Y ,DON ,COSSACK UNI=M ) HI< BOOTS & A MANTLE1 & C>RI$ SADDLE-BAGS BEH9D4 

0,WELL1 TAKE ! ?+ \T10 SAID ,KAM5EV1 DISM\NT+4 

,! ,COSSACK ALSO DISM\NT$1 & TOOK A SACK \T ( HIS SADDLE BAG4  ,KAM5EV TOOK ! SACK FROM HIM & 9S]T$ HIS H&4 

0,WELL1 %ALL ,I %[ Y\ A NOVELTY8  ,Y\ WON'T BE FRI<T5$1 ,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA80 

0,:Y %\LD ,I BE FRI<T5$80 %E REPLI$4 

0,H]E IT IS60 SAID ,KAM5EV TAK+ \T A MAN'S HEAD & HOLD+ IT UP 9 ! LI<T ( ! MOON4  0,DO Y\ RECOGNIZE IT80 

,IT WAS A %AV5 HEAD ) SALI5T BR[S1 BLACK %ORT-CUT BE>D & MU/A*ES1 ONE EYE OP5 & ! O!R HALF-CLOS$4  ,! %AV5 SKULL WAS CLEFT1 BUT NOT RI<T ?R\<1 & !RE WAS CONGEAL$ BLOOD 9 ! NOSE4  ,! NECK WAS WRAPP$ 9 A BLOOD- /A9$ T[EL4  ,NOT)/&+ ! MANY W\NDS ON ! HEAD1 ! BLUE LIPS /ILL BORE A K9DLY *ILDLIKE EXPRESSION4 

,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA LOOK$ AT IT1 & )\T A WORD TURN$ AWAY & W5T QUICKLY 9TO ! H\SE4 

BUTL] C\LD NOT TE> HIS EYES FROM ! T]RIBLE HEAD4  ,IT WAS ! HEAD ( ?AT V]Y ,HAJJI ,MURAD ) :OM HE HAD SO REC5TLY SP5T HIS EV5+S 9 SU* FRI5DLY 9T]C\RSE4 

0,:AT DOES ?IS MEAN8  ,:O HAS KILL$ HIM80 HE ASK$4 

0,HE WANT$ TO GIVE US ! SLIP1 BUT WAS CAU<T10 SAID ,KAM5EV1 & HE GAVE ! HEAD BACK TO ! ,COSSACK & W5T 9TO ! H\SE ) BUTL]4 

0,HE DI$ LIKE A H]O10 HE ADD$4 

0,BUT H[EV] DID IT ALL HAPP580 

0,JU/ WAIT A BIT4  ,:5 ! MAJOR COMES ,I'LL TELL Y\ ALL AB\T IT4  ,?AT'S :AT ,I AM S5T =4  ,I TAKE IT R\ND TO ALL ! =TS & A\LS & %[ IT40 

,! MAJOR WAS S5T =1 & CAME BACK ACCOMPANI$ BY TWO O!R (FIC]S AS DRUNK AS HIMSELF1 & BEGAN EMBRAC+ ,KAM5EV4 

0,& ,I HAVE BR\<T Y\ ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S HEAD10 SAID ,KAM5EV4 

0,NO8 444 ,KILL$80 

0,YES2 WANT$ TO ESCAPE40 

0,I ALWAYS SAID HE W\LD BAMBOOZLE !M6 444 & :]E IS IT8  ,! HEAD1 ,I MEAN4 444 ,LET'S SEE IT40 

,! ,COSSACK WAS CALL$1 & BR\<T 9 ! BAG ) ! HEAD4  ,IT WAS TAK5 \T & ! MAJOR LOOK$ LONG AT IT ) DRUNK5 EYES4 

0,ALL ! SAME1 HE WAS A F9E FELL[10 SAID HE4  0,LET ME KISS HIM60 

0,YES1 IT'S TRUE4  ,IT WAS A VALIANT HEAD10 SAID ONE ( ! (FIC]S4 

,:5 !Y HAD ALL LOOK$ AT IT1 IT WAS RETURN$ TO ! ,COSSACK :O PUT IT 9 HIS BAG1 TRY+ TO LET IT BUMP AGA9/ ! FLOOR AS G5TLY AS POSSIBLE4 

0,I SAY1 ,KAM5EV1 :AT SPEE* DO Y\ MAKE :5 Y\ %[ ! HEAD80 ASK$ AN (FIC]4 

0,NO6 444 ,LET ME KISS HIM4  ,HE GAVE ME A SWORD60 %\T$ ! MAJOR4 

,BUTL] W5T \T 9TO ! POR*4 

,M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA WAS SITT+ ON ! SECOND /EP4  ,%E LOOK$ R\ND AT ,BUTL] & AT ONCE TURN$ ANGRILY AWAY AGA94 

0,:AT'S ! MATT]1 M>YA ,DMITRIEVNA80 ASK$ HE4 

0,Y\'RE ALL CUT-?ROATS6 444 ,I HATE IT6  ,Y\'RE CUT-?ROATS1 REALLY10 & %E GOT UP4 

0,IT MI<T HAPP5 TO ANYONE10 REM>K$ ,BUTL]1 NOT KN[+ :AT TO SAY4  0,?AT'S W>40 

0,W>8  ,W>1 9DE$6 444 ,CUT-?ROATS & NO?+ ELSE4  ,A DEAD BODY %\LD BE GIV5 BACK TO ! E>?1 & !Y'RE GR9N+ AT IT !RE6 444 ,CUT-?ROATS1 REALLY10 %E REPEAT$1 AS %E DESC5D$ ! /EPS & 5T]$ ! H\SE BY ! BACK DOOR4 

,BUTL] RETURN$ TO ! ROOM & ASK$ ,KAM5EV TO TELL !M 9 DETAIL H[ ! ?+ HAD HAPP5$4 

,& ,KAM5EV TOLD !M 

,?IS IS :AT HAD HAPP5$4 

O ,*APT] #be 

,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS ALL[$ TO GO \T RID+ 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD ( ! T[N1 BUT NEV] )\T A CONVOY ( ,COSSACKS4  ,!RE WAS ONLY HALF A TROOP ( !M ALTOGE!R 9 ,NUKHA1 T5 ( :OM W]E EMPLOY$ BY ! (FIC]S1 SO ?AT IF T5 W]E S5T \T ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD 7ACCORD+ TO ! ORD]S RECEIV$7 ! SAME M5 W\LD HAVE HAD TO GO EV]Y O!R DAY4  ,!RE=E AFT] T5 HAD BE5 S5T \T ! FIR/ DAY1 IT WAS DECID$ TO S5D ONLY FIVE 9 FUTURE & ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS ASK$ NOT TAKE ALL HIS H5*M5 ) HIM4  ,BUT ON ,APRIL ! #b#e? HE RODE \T ) ALL FIVE4  ,:5 HE M\NT$1 ! COMM&]1 NOTIC+ ?AT ALL FIVE H5*M5 W]E GO+ ) HIM1 TOLD HIM ?AT HE WAS =BIDD5 TO TAKE !M ALL1 BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD PRET5D$ NOT TO HE>1 T\*$ HIS HORSE1 & ! COMM&] DID NOT 9SI/4 

,) ! ,COSSACKS RODE A NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC]1 ,NAZ>OV1 :O HAD RECEIV$ ! ,CROSS ( ,/4 ,GEORGE = BRAV]Y4  ,HE WAS A Y\NG1 HEAL?Y1 BR[N-HAIR$ LAD1 AS FRE% AS A ROSE4  ,HE WAS ! ELDE/ ( A POOR FAMILY BELONG+ TO ! SECT ( ,OLD ,BELIEV]S1 HAD GR[N UP )\T A FA!R1 & HAD MA9TA9$ HIS OLD MO!R1 ?REE SI/]S1 & TWO BRO!RS4 

0,M9D1 ,NAZ>OV1 KEEP CLOSE TO HIM60 %\T$ ! COMM&]4 

0,ALL RI<T1 Y\R HONOR60 ANSW]$ ,NAZ>OV1 & RIS+ 9 HIS /IRRUPS & ADJU/+ ! RIFLE ?AT HUNG AT HIS BACK HE />T$ HIS F9E L>GE ROAN GELD+ AT A TROT4  ,F\R ,COSSACKS FOLL[$ HIM3  ,F]APONTOV1 TALL & ?91 A REGUL> ?IEF & PLUND]] 7IT WAS HE :O HAD SOLD GUNP[D] TO ,GAMZALO72 ,IGNATOV1 A /URDY PEASANT :O BOA/$ ( HIS /R5G?1 ?\< HE WAS NO LONG] Y\NG & HAD NE>LY COMPLET$ HIS S]VICE2 ,MI%K91 A WEAKLY LAD AT :OM EV]YBODY LAU<$2 & ! Y\NG FAIR-HAIR$ ,PETRAKOV1 HIS MO!R'S ONLY SON1 ALWAYS AMIABLE & JOLLY4 

,! MORN+ HAD BE5 MI/Y1 BUT IT CLE>$ UP LAT] ON & ! OP5+ FOLIAGE1 ! Y\NG VIRG9 GRASS1 ! SPR\T+ CORN1 & ! RIPPLES ( ! RAPID RIV] JU/ VISIBLE TO ! LEFT ( ! ROAD1 ALL GLITT]$ 9 ! SUN%9E4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD RODE SL[LY ALONG FOLL[$ BY ! ,COSSACKS & BY HIS H5*M54  ,!Y RODE \T ALONG ! ROAD BEYOND ! =T AT A WALK4  ,!Y MET WOM5 C>RY+ BASKETS ON !IR HEADS1 SOLDI]S DRIV+ C>TS1 & CREAK+ WAGONS DRAWN BY BUFFALOES4  ,:5 HE HAD GONE AB\T A MILE & A HALF ,HAJJI ,MURAD T\*$ UP HIS :ITE ,KAB>DA HORSE1 :I* />T$ AT AN AMBLE ?AT OBLIG$ ! H5*M5 & ,COSSACKS TO RIDE AT A QUICK TROT TO KEEP UP ) HIM4 

0,AH1 HE'S GOT A F9E HORSE UND] HIM10 SAID ,F]APONTOV4  0,IF ONLY HE W]E /ILL AN 5EMY ,I'D SOON BR+ HIM D[N40 

0,YES1 MATE4  ,?REE HUNDR$ RUBLES W]E (F]$ = ?AT HORSE 9 ,TIFLIS40 

0,BUT ,I CAN GET AHEAD ( HIM ON M9E10 SAID ,NAZ>OV4 

0,Y\ GET AHEAD8  ,A LIKELY ?+60 

,HAJJI KEPT 9CREAS+ HIS PACE4 

0,HEY1 KUNAK1 Y\ MU/N'T DO ?AT4  ,/EADY60 CRI$ ,NAZ>OV1 />T+ TO OV]TAKE ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD LOOK$ R\ND1 SAID NO?+1 & CONT9U$ TO RIDE AT ! SAME PACE4 

0,M9D1 !Y'RE UP TO SOME?+1 ! DEVILS60 SAID ,IGNATOV4  0,SEE H[ !Y >E TE>+ ALONG40 

,SO !Y RODE = ! BE/ P>T ( A MILE 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! M\NTA9S4 

0,I TELL Y\ IT WON'T DO60 %\T$ ,NAZ>OV4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD DID NOT ANSW] OR LOOK R\ND1 BUT ONLY 9CREAS$ HIS PACE TO A GALLOP4 

0,HUMBUG6  ,Y\ WON'T GET AWAY60 %\T$ ,NAZ>OV1 /UNG TO ! QUICK4  ,HE GAVE HIS BIG ROAN GELD+ A CUT ) HIS :IP &1 RIS+ 9 HIS /IRRUPS & B5D+ =W>D1 FLEW FULL SPE$ 9 PURSUIT ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,! SKY WAS SO BRI<T1 ! AIR SO CLE>1 & LIFE PLAY$ SO JOY\SLY 9 ,NAZ>OV'S S\L AS1 BECOM+ ONE ) HIS F9E /RONG HORSE1 HE FLEW ALONG ! SMOO? ROAD BEH9D ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 ?AT ! POSSIBILITY ( ANY ?+ SAD OR DREADFUL HAPP5+ NEV] OCCURR$ TO HIM4  ,HE REJOIC$ ?AT ) EV]Y /EP HE WAS GA9+ ON ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD JUDG$ BY ! APPROA*+ TRAMP ( ! BIG HORSE BEH9D HIM ?AT HE W\LD SOON BE OV]TAK51 & SEIZ+ HIS PI/OL ) HIS RI<T H&1 ) HIS LEFT HE BEGAN SLI<TLY TO RE9 9 HIS ,KAB>DA HORSE :I* WAS EXCIT$ BY HE>+ ! TRAMP ( HO(S BEH9D IT4 

0,Y\ MU/N'T1 ,I TELL Y\60 %\T$ ,NAZ>OV1 ALMO/ LEVEL ) ,HAJJI ,MURAD & /RET*+ \T HIS H& TO SEIZE ! LATT]'S BRIDLE4  ,BUT BE=E HE REA*$ IT A %OT WAS FIR$4  0,:AT >E Y\ DO+80 HE SCREAM$1 CLUT*+ AT HIS BREA/4  0,AT !M1 LADS60 & HE REEL$ & FELL =W>D ON HIS SADDLE B[4 

BUT ! M\NTA9E]S W]E BE=EH& 9 TAK+ TO !IR WEAPONS1 & FIR$ !IR PI/OLS AT ! ,COSSACKS & HEW$ AT !M ) !IR SWORDS4 

,NAZ>OV HUNG ON ! NECK ( HIS HORSE1 :I* C>E]$ R\ND HIS COMRADES4  ! HORSE UND] ,IGNATOV ELL1 CRU%+ HIS LEG1 & TWO ( ! M\NTA9E]S1 )\T DISM\NT+1 DREW !IR SWORDS & HACK$ AT HIS HEAD & >MS4  ,PETRAKOV WAS AB\T TO RU% TO HIS COMRADE'S RESCUE :5 TWO %OTS -- ONE 9 HIS BACK & ! O!R 9 HIS SIDE -- /UNG HIM1 & HE FELL FROM HIS HORSE LIKE A SACK4 

,MI%K9 TURN$ R\ND & GALLOP$ (F T[>DS ! =TRESS4  ,KHANEFI & ,BATA RU%$ AFT] HIM1 BUT HE WAS ALREADY TOO F> AWAY & !Y C\LD NOT CAT* HIM4  ,:5 !Y SAW ?AT !Y C\LD NOT OV]TAKE HIM !Y RETURN$ TO ! O!RS4 

,PETRAKOV LAY ON HIS BACK1 HIS /OMA* RIPP$ OP51 HIS Y\NG FACE TURN$ TO ! SKY1 & :ILE DY+ HE GASP$ = BREA? LIKE A FI%4 

,GAMZALO HAV+ F9I%$ (F ,IGNATOV ) HIS SWORD1 GAVE A CUT TO ,NAZ>OV TOO & ?REW HIM FROM HIS HORSE4  ,BATA TOOK !IR C>TRIDGE-P\*ES FROM ! SLA94  ,KHANEFI WI%$ TO TAKE ,NAZ>OV'S HORSE1 BUT ,HAJJI ,MURAD CALL$ \T TO HIM TO LEAVE IT1 & DA%$ =W>D ALONG ! ROAD4  ,HIS MURIDS GALLOP$ AFT] HIM1 DRIV+ AWAY ,NAZ>OV'S HORSE ?AT TRI$ TO FOLL[ !M4  !Y W]E ALREADY AMONG RICE-FIELDS MORE ?AN SIX MILES FROM ,NUKHA :5 A %OT WAS FIR$ FROM ! T[] ( ?AT PLACE TO GIVE ! AL>M4 

"9 "9 

0,O GOOD ,LORD6  ,O ,GOD6 MY ,GOD6  ,:AT HAVE !Y DONE80 CRI$ ! COMM&] ( ! =T SEIZ+ HIS HEAD ) HIS H&S :5 HE HE>D ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S ESCAPE4  0,!Y'VE DONE = ME6  ,!Y'VE LET HIM ESCAPE1 ! VILLA9S60 CRI$ HE1 LI/5+ TO ,MI%K9'S ACC\NT4 

,AN AL>M WAS RAIS$ EV]Y:]E & NOT ONLY ! ,COSSACKS ( ! PLACE W]E S5T AFT] ! FUGITIVES BUT ALSO ALL ! MILITIA ?AT C\LD BE MU/]$ FROM ! PRO-,RUSSIAN A\LS4  ,A ?\S& RUBLES REW>D WAS (F]$ = ! CAPTURE ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD ALIVE OR DEAD1 & TWO H\RS AFT] HE & HIS FOLL[]S HAD ESCAP$ FROM ! ,COSSACKS MORE ?AN TWO HUNDR$ M\NT$ M5 W]E FOLL[+ ! (FIC] 9 *>GE AT A GALLOP TO F9D & CAPTURE ! RUNAWAYS4 

,AFT] RID+ SOME MILES ALONG ! HI< ROAD ,HAJJI ,MURAD *ECK$ HIS PANT+ HORSE1 :I*1 WET ) SWEAT1 HAD TURN$ FROM :ITE TO GRAY4 

,TO ! RI<T ( ! ROAD C\LD BE SE5 ! SAKLYAS & M9>ETS ( ! A\L ,B5]DZHIK1 ON ! LEFT LAY SOME FIELDS1 & BEYOND !M ! RIV]4  ,AL?\< ! WAY TO ! M\NTA9S LAY TO ! RI<T1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD TURN$ TO ! LEFT1 9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION1 ASSUM+ ?AT HIS PURSU]S W\LD BE SURE TO GO TO ! RI<T1 :ILE HE1 AB&ON+ ! ROAD1 W\LD CROSS ! ,ALAZAN & COME \T ONTO ! HI< ROAD ON ! O!R SIDE1 :]E NO ONE W\LD EXPECT HIM -- RIDE ALONG IT TO ! =E/1 & !N AFT] RECROSS+ ! RIV] MAKE HIS WAY TO ! M\NTA9S4 

,HAV+ COME TO ?IS CONCLUSION HE TURN$ TO ! LEFT2 BUT IT PROV$ IMPOSSIBLE TO REA* ! RIV]4  ,! RICE-FIELD :I* HAD TO BE CROSS$ HAD JU/ BE5 FLOOD$1 AS IS ALWAYS DONE 9 SPR+1 & HAD BECOME A BOG 9 :I* ! HORSES'S LEGS SANK ABOVE !IR PA/]NS4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD & HIS H5*M5 RODE N[ TO ! LEFT1 N[ TO ! RI<T1 HOP+ TO F9D DRI] GR\ND2 BUT ! FIELD !Y W]E 9 HAD BE5 EQUALLY FLOOD$ ALL OV] & WAS N[ SATURAT$ ) WAT]4  ,! HORSES DREW !IR FEET \T ( ! /ICKY MUD 9TO :I* !Y SANK1 ) A POP LIKE ?AT ( A CORK DRAWN FROM A BOTTLE1 & /OPP$1 PANT+1 AFT] EV]Y FEW /EPS4  ,!Y /RUGGL$ 9 ?IS WAY SO LONG ?AT IT BEGAN TO GR[ DUSK & !Y HAD /ILL NOT REA*$ ! RIV]4  ,TO !IR LEFT LAY A PAT* ( HI<] GR\ND OV]GR[N ) %RUBS & ,HAJJI ,MURAD DECID$ TO RIDE 9 AMONG !SE CLUMPS & REMA9 !RE TILL NI<T TO RE/ !IR EXHAU/$ HORSES & LET !M GRAZE4  ,! M5 !MSELVES AT SOME BREAD & *EESE !Y HAD BR\<T ) !M4  ,AT LA/ NI<T CAME ON & ! MOON ?AT HAD BE5 %9+ AT FIR/1 HID BEH9D ! HILL & IT BECAME D>K4  ,!RE W]E A GREAT MANY NI<T+ALES 9 ?AT NEI<BORHOOD & !RE W]E TWO ( !M 9 !SE %RUBS4  ,AS LONG AS ,HAJJI ,MURAD & HIS M5 W]E MAK+ A NOISE AMONG ! BU%ES ! NI<T+ALES HAD BE5 SIL5T1 BUT :5 !Y BECAME /ILL ! BIRDS AGA9 BEGAN TO CALL TO ONE ANO!R & TO S+4 

,HAJJI ,MURAD1 AWAKE TO ALL ! S\NDS ( NI<T1 LI/5$ TO !M 9VOLUNT>ILY1 & !IR TRILLS REM9D$ HIM ( ! SONG AB\T ,HAMZAD :I* HE HAD HE>D ! NI<T BE=E :5 HE W5T TO  GET WAT]4  ,HE MI<T N[ AT ANY MOM5T F9D HIMSELF 9 ! POSITION 9 :I* ,HAMZAD HAD BE54  ,HE FANCI$ ?AT IT W\LD BE SO1 & SUDD5LY HIS S\L BECAME S]I\S4  ,HE SPREAD \T HIS BURKA & P]=M$ HIS ABLUTIONS1 & SC>CELY HAD HE F9I%$ BE=E A S\ND WAS HE>D APPROA*+ !IR %ELT]4  ,IT WAS ! S\ND ( MANY HORSES' FEET SPLA%+ ?R\< ! BOG4 

,! KE5-SI<T$ ,BATA RAN \T TO ONE $GE ( ! CLUMP1 & PE]+ ?R\< ! D>KNESS SAW BLACK %AD[S1 :I* W]E M5 ON FOOT & ON HORSEBACK4  ,KHANEFI DISC]N$ A SIMIL> CR[D ON ! O!R SIDE4  ,IT WAS ,K>GANOV1 ! MILIT>Y COMM&] ( ! DI/RICT1 ) HIS MILITIA4 

0,WELL1 !N1 WE %ALL FI<T LIKE ,HAMZAD10 ?\<T ,HAJJI ,MURAD4 

,:5 ! AL>M WAS GIV51 ,K>GANOV ) A TROOP ( MILITIAM5 & ,COSSACKS HAD RU%$ (F 9 PURSUIT ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 BUT HAD BE5 UNABLE TO F9D ANY TRACE ( HIM4  ,HE HAD ALREADY LO/ HOPE & WAS RETURN+ HOME :51 T[>DS EV5+1 HE MET AN OLD MAN & ASK$ HIM IF HE HAD SE5 ANY HORSEM5 AB\T4  ,! OLD MAN REPLI$ ?AT HE HAD4  ,HE HAD SE5 SIX HORSEM5 FL\ND]+ 9 ! RICE-FIELD1 & !N HAD SE5 !M 5T] ! CLUMP :]E HE HIMSELF WAS GETT+ WOOD4  ,K>GANOV TURN$ BACK1 TAK+ ! OLD MAN ) HIM1 & SEE+ ! HOBBL$ HORSES HE MADE SURE ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS !RE4  ,9 ! NI<T HE SURR\ND$ ! CLUMP & WAIT$ TILL MORN+ TO TAKE ,HAJJI ,MURAD ALIVE OR DEAD4 

,HAV+ UND]/OOD ?AT HE WAS SURR\ND$1 & HAV+ DISCOV]$ AN OLD DIT* AMONG ! %RUBS1 ,HAJJI ,MURAD DECID$ TO 5TR5* HIMSELF 9 IT & TO RESI/ AS LONG AS /R5G? & AMMUNITION LA/$4  ,HE TOLD HIS COMRADES ?IS1 & ORD]$ !M TO ?R[ UP A BANK 9 FRONT ( ! DIT*1 & HIS H5*M5 AT ONCE SE TO WORK TO CUT D[N BRAN*ES1 DIG UP ! E>? ) !IR DAGG]S1 & MAKE AN 5TR5*M5T4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD HIMSELF WORK$ ) !M4 

,AS SOON AS IT BEGAN TO GR[ LI<T ! COMM&] ( ! MILITIA TROOP RODE UP TO A CLUMP & %\T$3 

0,HEY6  ,HAJJI ,MURAD1 SURR5D]6  ,WE >E MANY & Y\ >E FEW60 

,9 REPLY CAME ! REPORT ( A RIFLE1 A CL\DLET ( SMOKE ROSE FROM ! DIT* & A BULLET HIT ! MILITIAMAN'S HORSE1 :I* /AGG]$ UND] HIM & BEGAN TO FALL4  ,! RIFLES ( ! MILITIAM5 :O /OOD AT ! \TSKIRTS ( ! CLUMP ( %RUBS BEGAN CRACK+ 9 !IR TURN1 & !IR BULLETS :I/L$ & HUMM$1 CUTT+ (F LEAVES & TWIGS & /RIK+ ! EMBANKM5T1 BUT NOT ! M5 5TR5*$ BEH9D IT4  ,ONLY ,GAMZALO'S HORSE1 ?AT HAD /RAY$ FROM ! O!RS1 WAS HIT 9 ! HEAD BY A BULLET4  ,IT DID NOT FALL1 BUT BREAK+ ITS HOBBLES & RU%+ AMONG ! BU%ES IT RAN TO ! O!R HORSES1 PRESS+ CLOSE TO !M & WAT]+ ! Y\NG GRASS ) ITS BLOOD4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD & HIS M5 FIR$ ONLY :5 ANY ( ! MILITIAM5 CAME =W>D1 & R>ELY MISS$ !IR AIM4  ,?REE MILITIAM5 W]E W\ND$1 & ! O!RS1 F> FROM MAK+ UP !IR M9DS TO RU% ! 5TR5*M5T1 RETREAT$ F>!R & F>!R BACK1 ONLY FIR+ FROM A DI/ANCE & AT R&OM4 

,SO IT CONT9U$ = MORE ?AN AN H\R4  ,! SUN HAD RIS5 TO AB\T HALF ! HEI<T ( ! TREES1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS ALREADY ?9K+ ( LEAP+ ON HIS HORSE & TRY+ TO MAKE HIS WAY TO ! RIV]1 :5 ! %\TS W]E HE>D ( MANY M5 :O HAD JU/ >RIV$4  ,!SE W]E ,HAJJI ,AGA ( ,MEKHTULI ) HIS FOLL[]S4  ,!RE W]E AB\T TWO HUNDR$ ( !M4  ,HAJJI ,AGA HAD ONCE BE5 ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S KUNAK & HAD LIV$ ) HIM 9 ! M\NTA9S1 BUT HE HAD AFT]W>DS GONE OV] TO ! ,RUSSIANS4  ,) HIM WAS ,AKHMET ,KHAN1 ! SON ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S OLD 5EMY4 

,LIKE ,K>GANOV1 ,HAJJI ,AGA BEGAN BY CALL+ TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO SURR5D]1 & ,HAJJI ,MURAD ANSW]$ AS BE=E ) A %OT4 

0,SWORDS \T1 MY M560 CRI$ ,HAJJI ,AGA1 DRAW+ HIS [N2 & A HUNDR$ VOICES W]E RAIS$ BY M5 :O RU%$ %RIEK+ 9 AMONG ! %RUBS4 

,! MILITIAM5 RAN 9 AMONG ! %RUBS1 BUT FROM BEH9D ! 5TR5*M5T CAME ! CRACK ( ONE %OT AFT] ANO!R4  ,SOME ?REE M5 FELL1 & ! ATTACK]S /OPP$ AT ! \TSKIRTS TO ! CLUMP & ALSO BEGAN FIR+4  ,AS !Y FIR$ !Y GRADUALLY APPROA*$ ! 5TR5*M5T1 RUNN+ ACROSS FROM BEH9D ONE %RUB TO ANO!R4  ,SOME SUCCE$$ 9 GETT+ ACROSS1 O!RS FELL UND] ! BULLETS ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD OR ( HIS M54  ,HAJJI ,MURAD FIR$ )\T MISS+2 ,GAMZALO TOO R>ELY WA/$ A %OT1 & %RIEK$ ) JOY EV]Y TIME HE SAW ?AT HIS BULLET HAD HIT ITS AIM4  ,KHAN ,MAHOMA SAT AT ! $GE ( ! DIT* S++ 0,IL LYAKHA IL ,ALLAKH60 & FIR$ LEISURELY1 BUT (T5 MISS$4  ,ELD>'S :OLE BODY TREMBL$ ) IMPATI5CE TO RU% DAGG] 9 H& AT ! 5EMY1 & HE FIR$ (T5 & AT R&OM1 CON/ANTLY LOOK+ R\ND AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD & /RET*+ \T BEYOND ! 5TR5*M5T4  ,! %AGGY ,KHANEFI1 ) HIS SLEEVES ROLL$ UP1 DID ! DUTY ( A S]VANT EV5 H]E4  ,HE LOAD$ ! GUNS :I* ,HAJJI ,MURAD & ,KHAN ,MAHOMA PASS$ TO HIM1 C>EFULLY DRIV+ HOME ) A RAMROD ! BULLETS WRAPP$ 9 GREASY RAGS1 & P\R+ DRY P[D] \T ( ! P[D] FLASK ONTO ! PANS4  ,BATA DID NOT REMA9 9 ! DIT* AS ! O!RS DID1 BUT KEPT RUNN+ TO ! HORSES1 DRIV+ !M AWAY TO A SAF] PLACE & %RIEK+ 9CESSANTLY1 FIR$ )\T US+ A PROP = HIS GUN4  ,HE WAS ! FIR/ TO BE W\ND$4  ,A BULLET 5T]$ HIS NECK & HE SAT D[N SPITT+ BLOOD & SWE>+4  ,!N ,HAJJI ,MURAD WAS W\ND$1 ! BULLET PI]C+ HIS %\LD]4  ,HE TORE SOME COTTON WOOL FROM ! L9+ ( HIS BE%MET1 PLUGG$ ! W\ND ) IT1 & W5T ON FIR+4 

0,LET US FLY AT !M ) \R SWORDS60 SAID ,ELD> = ! ?IRD TIME1 & HE LOOK$ \T FROM BEH9D ! BANK ( E>? READY TO RU% AT ! 5EMY2 BUT AT ?AT 9/ANT A BULLET /RUCK HIM & HE REEL$ & FELL BACKW>DS ONTO ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S LEG4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD GLANC$ AT HIM4  ,HIS EYES1 BEAUTIFUL LIKE ?OSE ( A RAM1 GAZ$ 9T5TLY & S]I\SLY AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD4  ,HIS M\?1 ! UPP] LIP P\T+ LIKE A *ILD'S1 TWIT*$ )\T OP5+4  ,HAJJI ,MURAD DREW HIS LEG AWAY FROM UND] HIM & CONT9U$ FIR+4 

,KHANEFI B5T OV] ! DEAD ,ELD> & BEGAN TAK+ ! UNUS$ AMMUNITION \T ( ! C>TRIDGE CASES ( HIS COAT4 

,KHAN ,MAHOMA MEAN:ILE CONT9U$ TO S+1 LOAD+ LEISURELY & FIR+4  ,! 5EMY RAN FROM %RUB TO %RUB1 HALLOO+ & %RIEK+ & DRAW+ EV] NE>] & NE>]4 

,ANO!R BULLET HIT ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 ! LEFT SIDE4  ,HE LAY D[N 9 ! DIT* & AGA9 PULL$ SOME COTTON WOOL \T ( HIS BE%MET & PLUGG$ ! W\ND4  ,?IS W\ND 9 ! SIDE WAS FATAL & HE FELT ?AT HE WAS DY+4  ,MEMORIES & PICTURES SUCCE$$ ONE ANO!R ) EXTRAORD9>Y RAPIDITY 9 HIS IMAG9ATION4  N[ HE SAW ! P[]FUL ,ABU ,NUTSAL ,KHAN1 DAGG] 9 H& & HOLD+ UP HIS SEV]$ *EEK AS HE RU%$ AT HIS FOE2 !N HE SAW ! WEAK1 BLOODLESS OLD ,VORONTSOV ) HIS CUNN+ :ITE FACE1 & HE>D HIS S(T VOICE2 !N HE SAW HIS SON ,YUSUF1 HIS WIFE ,S(IAT1 & !N ! PALE1 R$-BE>D$ FACE ( HIS 5EMY ,%AMIL ) ITS HALF-CLOS$ EYES4  ,ALL !SE IMAGES PASS$ ?R\< HIS M9D )\T EVOK+ ANY FEEL+ )9 HIM -- NEI!R PITY NOR ANG] NOR ANY K9D ( DESIRE3  EV]Y?+ SEEM$ SO 9SIGNIFICANT 9 COMP>ISON ) :AT WAS BEG9N+1 OR HAD ALREADY BEGUN1 )9 HIM4 

,YET HIS /RONG BODY CONT9U$ ! ?+ ?AT HE HAD COMM5C$4  ,GA!R+ TOGE!R HIS LA/ /R5G? HE ROSE FROM BEH9D ! BANK1 FIR$ HIS PI/OL AT A MAN :O WAS JU/ RUNN+ T[>DS HIM1 & HIT HIM4  ,! MAN FELL4  ,!N ,HAJJI ,MURAD GOT QUITE \T ( ! DIT*1 & LIMP+ HEAVILY W5T DAGG] 9 H& /RAI<T AT ! FOE4 

,SOME %OTS CRACK$ & HE REEL$ & FELL4  ,SEV]AL MILITIAM5 ) TRIUMPHANT %RIEKS RU%$ T[>DS ! FALL5 BODY4  ,BUT ! BODY ?AT SEEM$ TO BE DEAD SUDD5LY MOV$4  ,FIR/ ! UNCOV]$1 BLE$+1 %AV5 HEAD ROSE2 !N ! BODY ) H&S HOLD+ TO ! TRUNK ( A TREE4  ,HE SEEM$ SO T]RIBLE1 ?AT ?OSE :O W]E RUNN+ T[>DS HIM /OPP$ %ORT4  ,BUT SUDD5LY A %UDD] PASS$ ?R\< HIM1 HE /AGG]$ AWAY FROM ! TREE & FELL ON HIS FACE1 /RET*$ \T AT FULL L5G? LIKE A ?I/LE ?AT HAD BE5 M[N D[N1 & HE MOV$ NO MORE4 

,HE DID NOT MOVE1 BUT /ILL HE FELT4 

,:5 ,HAJJI ,AGA1 :O WAS ! FIR/ TO REA* HIM1 /RUCK HIM ON ! HEAD ) A L>GE DAGG]1 IT SEEM$ TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD ?AT SOMEONE WAS /RIK+ HIM ) A HAMM] & HE C\LD NOT UND]/& :O WAS DO+ IT OR :Y4  ,?AT WAS HIS LA/ CONSCI\SNESS ( ANY CONNECTION ) HIS BODY4  ,HE FELT NO?+ MORE & HIS 5EMIES KICK$ & HACK$ AT :AT HAD NO LONG] ANY?+ 9 COMMON ) HIM4 

,HAJJI ,AGA PLAC$ HIS FOOT ON ! BACK ( ! CORPSE & ) TWO BL[S CUT (F ! HEAD1 & C>EFULLY -- NOT TO SOIL HIS %OES ) BLOOD -- ROLL$ IT AWAY ) HIS FOOT4  ,CRIMSON BLOOD SPURT$ FROM ! >T]IES ( ! NECK1 & BLACK BLOOD FL[$ FROM ! HEAD1 SOAK+ ! GRASS4 

,K>GANOV & ,HAJJI ,AGA & ,AKHMET ,KHAN & ALL ! MILITIAM5 GA!R$ TOGE!R -- LIKE SPORTSM5 R\ND A SLAU<T]$ ANIMAL -- NE> ! BODIES ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD & HIS M5 7,KHANEFI1 ,KHAN ,MAHOMA1 & ,GAMZALO !Y B\ND71 & AMID ! P[D]-SMOKE :I* HUNG OV] ! BU%ES !Y TRIUMPH$ 9 !IR VICTORY4 

! NI<T+ALES1 ?AT HAD HU%$ !IR SONGS :ILE ! FIR+ LA/$1 N[ />T$ !IR TRILLS ONCE MORE3  FIR/ ONE QUITE CLOSE1 !N O!RS 9 ! DI/ANCE4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aic 3 ,HADJI ,MURAD -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #e1 #bba 3 ,HADJI ,MURAD -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,HADJI ,MURAD -- ,UPDAT$4 

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