,H[ ,MU* ,L& ,DOES A ,MAN ,NE$8 

#ahhf 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,TEXT 3 

,AN ELD] SI/] CAME TO VISIT H] Y\NG] SI/] 9 ! C\NTRY4 ,! ELD] WAS M>RI$ TO A TRADESMAN 9 T[N1 ! Y\NG] TO A PEASANT 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,AS ! SI/]S SAT OV] !IR TEA TALK+1 ! ELD] BEGAN TO BOA/ ( ! ADVANTAGES ( T[N LIFE3 SAY+ H[ COM=TABLY !Y LIV$ !RE1 H[ WELL !Y DRESS$1 :AT F9E CLO!S H] *ILDR5 WORE1 :AT GOOD ?+S !Y ATE & DRANK1 & H[ %E W5T TO ! !AT]1 PROM5ADES1 & 5T]TA9M5TS4 

,! Y\NG] SI/] WAS PIQU$1 & 9 TURN DISP>AG$ ! LIFE ( A TRADESMAN1 & /OOD UP = ?AT ( A PEASANT4 

',I W\LD NOT *ANGE MY WAY ( LIFE = Y\RS1' SAID %E4 ',WE MAY LIVE R\<LY1 BUT AT LEA/ WE >E FREE FROM ANXIETY4 ,Y\ LIVE 9 BETT] /YLE ?AN WE DO1 BUT ?\< Y\ (T5 E>N MORE ?AN Y\ NE$1 Y\ >E V]Y LIKELY TO LOSE ALL Y\ HAVE4 ,Y\ KN[ ! PROV]B1 0,LOSS & GA9 >E BRO!RS TWA940 ,IT (T5 HAPP5S ?AT PEOPLE :O >E WEAL?Y ONE DAY >E BEGG+ !IR BREAD ! NEXT4 ,\R WAY IS SAF]4 ,?\< A PEASANT'S LIFE IS NOT A FAT ONE1 IT IS A LONG ONE4 ,WE %ALL NEV] GR[ RI*1 BUT WE %ALL ALWAYS HAVE 5\< TO EAT4' 

,! ELD] SI/] SAID SNE]+LY3 

',5\<8 ,YES1 IF Y\ LIKE TO %>E ) ! PIGS & ! CALVES6 ,:AT DO Y\ KN[ ( ELEGANCE OR MANN]S6 ,H[EV] MU* Y\R GOOD MAN MAY SLAVE1 Y\ WILL DIE AS Y\ >E LIV+--ON A DUNG HEAP--& Y\R *ILDR5 ! SAME4' 

',WELL1 :AT ( ?AT8' REPLI$ ! Y\NG]4 ',( C\RSE \R WORK IS R\< & CO>SE4 ,BUT1 ON ! O!R H&1 IT IS SURE2 & WE NE$ NOT B[ TO ANY ONE4 ,BUT Y\1 9 Y\R T[NS1 >E SURR\ND$ BY TEMPTATIONS2 TO-DAY ALL MAY BE RI<T1 BUT TO-MORR[ ! ,EVIL ,ONE MAY TEMPT Y\R HUSB& ) C>DS1 W9E1 OR WOM51 & ALL WILL GO TO RU94 ,DON'T SU* ?+S HAPP5 (T5 5\<8' 

,PAHOM1 ! MA/] ( ! H\SE1 WAS LY+ ON ! TOP ( ! OV51 & HE LI/5$ TO ! WOM5'S *ATT]4 

',IT IS P]FECTLY TRUE1' ?\<T HE4 ',BUSY AS WE >E FROM *ILDHOOD TILL+ MO!R E>?1 WE PEASANTS HAVE NO TIME TO LET ANY NONS5SE SETTLE 9 \R HEADS4 ,\R ONLY TR\BLE IS ?AT WE HAV5'T L& 5\<4 ,IF ,I HAD PL5TY ( L&1 ,I %\LDN'T FE> ! ,DEVIL HIMSELF6' 

,! WOM5 F9I%$ !IR TEA1 *ATT$ A :ILE AB\T DRESS1 & !N CLE>$ AWAY ! TEA-?+S & LAY D[N TO SLEEP4 

,BUT ! ,DEVIL HAD BE5 SITT+ BEH9D ! OV51 & HAD HE>D ALL ?AT WAS SAID4 ,HE WAS PLEAS$ ?AT ! PEASANT'S WIFE HAD L$ H] HUSB& 9TO BOA/+1 & ?AT HE HAD SAID ?AT IF HE HAD PL5TY ( L& HE W\LD NOT FE> ! ,DEVIL HIMSELF4 

',ALL RI<T1' ?\<T ! ,DEVIL4 ',WE WILL HAVE A TUSSLE4 ,I'LL GIVE Y\ L& 5\<2 & BY MEANS ( ?AT L& ,I WILL GET Y\ 9TO MY P[]4' 

,CLOSE TO ! VILLAGE !RE LIV$ A LADY1 A SMALL L&[N]1 :O HAD AN E/ATE ( AB\T ?REE HUNDR$ ACRES.<#a.>4 ,%E HAD ALWAYS LIV$ ON GOOD T]MS ) ! PEASANTS1 UNTIL %E 5GAG$ AS H] /EW>D AN OLD SOLDI]1 :O TOOK TO BURD5+ ! PEOPLE ) F9ES4 ,H[EV] C>EFUL ,PAHOM TRI$ TO BE1 IT HAPP5$ AGA9 & AGA9 ?AT N[ A HORSE ( HIS GOT AMONG ! LADY'S OATS1 N[ A C[ /RAY$ 9TO H] G>D51 N[ HIS CALVES F\ND !IR WAY 9TO H] MEAD[S--& HE ALWAYS HAD TO PAY A F9E4 

,PAHOM PAID1 BUT GRUMBL$1 &1 GO+ HOME 9 A TEMP]1 WAS R\< ) HIS FAMILY4 ,ALL ?R\< ?AT SUMM]1 ,PAHOM HAD MU* TR\BLE BECAUSE ( ?IS /EW>D2 & HE WAS EV5 GLAD :5 W9T] CAME & ! CATTLE HAD TO BE /ABL$4 ,?\< HE GRUDG$ ! FODD] :5 !Y C\LD NO LONG] GRAZE ON ! PA/URE-L&1 AT LEA/ HE WAS FREE FROM ANXIETY AB\T !M4 

,9 ! W9T] ! NEWS GOT AB\T ?AT ! LADY WAS GO+ TO SELL H] L&1 & ?AT ! KEEP] ( ! 9N ON ! HI< ROAD WAS B>GA9+ = IT4 ,:5 ! PEASANTS HE>D ?IS !Y W]E V]Y MU* AL>M$4 

',WELL1' ?\<T !Y1 'IF ! 9NKEEP] GETS ! L&1 HE WILL WORRY US ) F9ES WORSE ?AN ! LADY'S /EW>D4 ,WE ALL DEP5D ON ?AT E/ATE4' 

,SO ! PEASANTS W5T ON BEHALF ( !IR ,COMMUNE1 & ASK$ ! LADY NOT TO SELL ! L& TO ! 9NKEEP]2 (F]+ H] A BETT] PRICE = IT !MSELVES4 ,! LADY AGRE$ TO LET !M HAVE IT4 ,!N ! PEASANTS TRI$ TO >RANGE = ! ,COMMUNE TO BUY ! :OLE E/ATE1 SO ?AT IT MI<T BE HELD BY ALL 9 COMMON4 ,!Y MET TWICE TO DISCUSS IT1 BUT C\LD NOT SETTLE ! MATT]2 ! ,EVIL ,ONE S[$ DISCORD AMONG !M1 & !Y C\LD NOT AGREE4 ,SO !Y DECID$ TO BUY ! L& 9DIVIDUALLY1 EA* ACCORD+ TO HIS MEANS2 & ! LADY AGRE$ TO ?IS PLAN AS %E HAD TO ! O!R4 

,PRES5TLY ,PAHOM HE>D ?AT A NEI<BOR ( HIS WAS BUY+ FIFTY ACRES1 & ?AT ! LADY HAD CONS5T$ TO ACCEPT ONE HALF 9 CA% & TO WAIT A YE> = ! O!R HALF4 ,PAHOM FELT 5VI\S4 

',LOOK AT ?AT1' ?\<T HE1 '! L& IS ALL BE+ SOLD1 & ,I %ALL GET NONE ( IT4' ,SO HE SPOKE TO HIS WIFE4 

',O!R PEOPLE >E BUY+1' SAID HE1 '& WE MU/ ALSO BUY TW5TY ACRES OR SO4 ,LIFE IS BECOM+ IMPOSSIBLE4 ,?AT /EW>D IS SIMPLY CRU%+ US ) HIS F9ES4' 

,SO !Y PUT !IR HEADS TOGE!R & CONSID]$ H[ !Y C\LD MANAGE TO BUY IT4 ,!Y HAD ONE HUNDR$ RUBLES LAID BY4 ,!Y SOLD A COLT1 & ONE HALF ( !IR BEES2 HIR$ \T ONE ( !IR SONS AS A LABOR]1 & TOOK HIS WAGES 9 ADVANCE2 BORR[$ ! RE/ FROM A BRO!R-9-LAW1 & SO SCRAP$ TOGE!R HALF ! PUR*ASE MONEY4 

,HAV+ DONE ?IS1 ,PAHOM *OSE \T A F>M ( =TY ACRES1 SOME ( IT WOOD$1 & W5T TO ! LADY TO B>GA9 = IT4 ,!Y CAME TO AN AGREEM5T1 & HE %OOK H&S ) H] UPON IT1 & PAID H] A DEPOSIT 9 ADVANCE4 ,!N !Y W5T TO T[N & SIGN$ ! DE$S2 HE PAY+ HALF ! PRICE D[N1 & UND]TAK+ TO PAY ! REMA9D] )9 TWO YE>S4 

,SO N[ ,PAHOM HAD L& ( HIS [N4 ,HE BORR[$ SE$1 & S[$ IT ON ! L& HE HAD B\<T4 ,! H>VE/ WAS A GOOD ONE1 & )9 A YE> HE HAD MANAG$ TO PAY (F HIS DEBTS BO? TO ! LADY & TO HIS BRO!R-9-LAW4 ,SO HE BECAME A L&[N]1 PL[+ & S[+ HIS [N L&1 MAK+ HAY ON HIS [N L&1 CUTT+ HIS [N TREES1 & FE$+ HIS CATTLE ON HIS [N PA/URE4 ,:5 HE W5T \T TO PL[ HIS FIELDS1 OR TO LOOK AT HIS GR[+ CORN1 OR AT HIS GRASS-MEAD[S1 HIS HE>T W\LD FILL ) JOY4 ,! GRASS ?AT GREW & ! FL[]S ?AT BLOOM$ !RE1 SEEM$ TO HIM UNLIKE ANY ?AT GREW ELSE:]E4 ,=M]LY1 :5 HE HAD PASS$ BY ?AT L&1 IT HAD APPE>$ ! SAME AS ANY O!R L&1 BUT N[ IT SEEM$ QUITE DIFF]5T4 

,SO ,PAHOM WAS WELL CONT5T$1 & EV]Y?+ W\LD HAVE BE5 RI<T IF ! NEI<BOR+ PEASANTS W\LD ONLY NOT HAVE TRESPASS$ ON HIS CORN-FIELDS & MEAD[S4 ,HE APPEAL$ TO !M MO/ CIVILLY1 BUT !Y /ILL W5T ON3 N[ ! ,COMMUNAL H]DSM5 W\LD LET ! VILLAGE C[S /RAY 9TO HIS MEAD[S2 !N HORSES FROM ! NI<T PA/URE W\LD GET AMONG HIS CORN4 ,PAHOM TURN$ !M \T AGA9 & AGA91 & =GAVE !IR [N]S1 & = A LONG TIME HE =BORE FROM PROSECUT+ ANY ONE4 ,BUT AT LA/ HE LO/ PATI5CE & COMPLA9$ TO ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT4 ,HE KNEW IT WAS ! PEASANTS' WANT ( L&1 & NO EVIL 9T5T ON !IR P>T1 ?AT CAUS$ ! TR\BLE2 BUT HE ?\<T3 

',I CANNOT GO ON OV]LOOK+ IT1 OR !Y WILL DE/ROY ALL ,I HAVE4 ,!Y MU/ BE TAU<T A LESSON4' 

,SO HE HAD !M UP1 GAVE !M ONE LESSON1 & !N ANO!R1 & TWO OR ?REE ( ! PEASANTS W]E F9$4 ,AFT] A TIME ,PAHOM'S NEI<BORS BEGAN TO BE> HIM A GRUDGE = ?IS1 & W\LD N[ & !N LET !IR CATTLE ON TO HIS L& ON PURPOSE4 ,ONE PEASANT EV5 GOT 9TO ,PAHOM'S WOOD AT NI<T & CUT D[N FIVE Y\NG LIME TREES = !IR B>K4 ,PAHOM PASS+ ?R\< ! WOOD ONE DAY NOTIC$ SOME?+ :ITE4 ,HE CAME NE>]1 & SAW ! /RIPP$ TRUNKS LY+ ON ! GR\ND1 & CLOSE BY /OOD ! /UMPS1 :]E ! TREE HAD BE54 ,PAHOM WAS FURI\S4 

',IF HE HAD ONLY CUT ONE H]E & !RE IT W\LD HAVE BE5 BAD 5\<1' ?\<T ,PAHOM1 'BUT ! RASCAL HAS ACTUALLY CUT D[N A :OLE CLUMP4 ,IF ,I C\LD ONLY F9D \T :O DID ?IS1 ,I W\LD PAY HIM \T4' 

,HE RACK$ HIS BRA9S AS TO :O IT C\LD BE4 ,F9ALLY HE DECID$3 ',IT MU/ BE ,SIMON-NO ONE ELSE C\LD HAVE DONE IT4' ,SO HE W5T TO ,SIMON'S HOME/EAD TO HAVE A LOOK R\ND1 BUT HE F\ND NO?+1 & ONLY HAD AN ANGRY SC5E4 ,H[EV]1 HE N[ FELT MORE C]TA9 ?AN EV] ?AT ,SIMON HAD DONE IT1 & HE LODG$ A COMPLA9T4 ,SIMON WAS SUMMON$4 ,! CASE WAS TRI$1 & RE-TRI$1 & AT ! 5D ( IT ALL ,SIMON WAS ACQUITT$1 !RE BE+ NO EVID5CE AGA9/ HIM4 ,PAHOM FELT /ILL MORE AGGRIEV$1 & LET HIS ANG] LOOSE UPON ! ,ELD] & ! ,JUDGES4 

',Y\ LET ?IEVES GREASE Y\R PALMS1' SAID HE4 ',IF Y\ W]E HONE/ FOLK Y\RSELVES1 Y\ W\LD NOT LET A ?IEF GO FREE4' 

,SO ,PAHOM QU>REL$ ) ! ,JUDGES & ) HIS NEI<BORS4 ,?REATS TO BURN HIS BUILD+ BEGAN TO BE UTT]$4 ,SO ?\< ,PAHOM HAD MORE L&1 HIS PLACE 9 ! ,COMMUNE WAS MU* WORSE ?AN BE=E4 

,AB\T ?IS TIME A RUMOR GOT AB\T ?AT MANY PEOPLE W]E MOV+ TO NEW P>TS4 

 ',!RE'S NO NE$ = ME TO LEAVE MY L&1' ?\<T ,PAHOM4 ',BUT SOME ( ! O!RS MI<T LEAVE \R VILLAGE1 & !N !RE W\LD BE MORE ROOM = US4 ,I W\LD TAKE OV] !IR L& MYSELF1 & MAKE MY E/ATE A BIT BIGG]4 ,I C\LD !N LIVE MORE AT EASE4 ,AS IT IS1 ,I AM /ILL TOO CRAMP$ TO BE COM=TABLE4' 

,ONE DAY ,PAHOM WAS SITT+ AT HOME1 :5 A PEASANT PASS+ ?R\< ! VILLAGE1 HAPP5$ TO CALL 94 ,HE WAS ALL[$ TO /AY ! NI<T1 & SUPP] WAS GIV5 HIM4 ,PAHOM HAD A TALK ) ?IS PEASANT & ASK$ HIM :]E HE CAME FROM4 ,! /RANG] ANSW]$ ?AT HE CAME FROM BEYOND ! ,VOLGA1 :]E HE HAD BE5 WORK+4 ,ONE WORD L$ TO ANO!R1 & ! MAN W5T ON TO SAY ?AT MANY PEOPLE W]E SETTL+ 9 ?OSE P>TS4 ,HE TOLD H[ SOME PEOPLE FROM HIS VILLAGE HAD SETTL$ !RE4 ,!Y HAD JO9$ ! ,COMMUNE1 & HAD HAD TW5TY-FIVE ACRES P] MAN GRANT$ !M4 ,! L& WAS SO GOOD1 HE SAID1 ?AT ! RYE S[N ON IT GREW AS HI< AS A HORSE1 & SO ?ICK ?AT FIVE CUTS ( A SICKLE MADE A %EAF4 ,ONE PEASANT1 HE SAID1 HAD BR\<T NO?+ ) HIM BUT HIS B>E H&S1 & N[ HE HAD SIX HORSES & TWO C[S ( HIS [N4 

,PAHOM'S HE>T K9DL$ ) DESIRE4 ,HE ?\<T3 

',:Y %\LD ,I SUFF] 9 ?IS N>R[ HOLE1 IF ONE CAN LIVE SO WELL ELSE:]E8 ,I WILL SELL MY L& & MY HOME/EAD H]E1 & ) ! MONEY ,I WILL />T AFRE% OV] !RE & GET EV]Y?+ NEW4 ,9 ?IS CR[D$ PLACE ONE IS ALWAYS HAV+ TR\BLE4 ,BUT ,I MU/ FIR/ GO & F9D \T ALL AB\T IT MYSELF4' 

,T[>DS SUMM] HE GOT READY & />T$4 ,HE W5T D[N ! ,VOLGA ON A /EAM] TO ,SAM>A1 !N WALK$ ANO!R ?REE HUNDR$ MILES ON FOOT1 & AT LA/ REA*$ ! PLACE4 ,IT WAS JU/ AS ! /RANG] HAD SAID4 ,! PEASANTS HAD PL5TY ( L&3 EV]Y MAN HAD TW5TY-FIVE ACRES ( ,COMMUNAL L& GIV5 HIM = HIS USE1 & ANY ONE :O HAD MONEY C\LD BUY1 BESIDES1 AT TWO %ILL+S AN ACRE.<#b.> AS MU* GOOD FREEHOLD L& AS HE WANT$4 

 ,HAV+ F\ND \T ALL HE WI%$ TO KN[1 ,PAHOM RETURN$ HOME AS AUTUMN CAME ON1 & BEGAN SELL+ (F HIS BELONG+S4 ,HE SOLD HIS L& AT A PR(IT1 SOLD HIS HOME/EAD & ALL HIS CATTLE1 & )DREW FROM MEMB]%IP ( ! ,COMMUNE4 ,HE ONLY WAIT$ TILL ! SPR+1 & !N />T$ ) HIS FAMILY = ! NEW SETTLEM5T4 

,AS SOON AS ,PAHOM & HIS FAMILY >RIV$ AT !IR NEW ABODE1 HE APPLI$ = ADMISSION 9TO ! ,COMMUNE ( A L>GE VILLAGE4 ,HE /OOD TREAT TO ! ,ELD]S1 & OBTA9$ ! NECESS>Y DOCUM5TS4 ,FIVE %>ES ( ,COMMUNAL L& W]E GIV5 HIM = HIS [N & HIS SONS' USE3 ?AT IS TO SAY--#a#b#e ACRES 7NOT ALL TOGE!R1 BUT 9 DIFF]5T FIELDS7 BESIDES ! USE ( ! ,COMMUNAL PA/URE4 ,PAHOM PUT UP ! BUILD+S HE NE$$1 & B\<T CATTLE4 ,( ! ,COMMUNAL L& ALONE HE HAD ?REE TIMES AS MU* AS AT HIS =M] HOME1 & ! L& WAS GOOD CORN-L&4 ,HE WAS T5 TIMES BETT] (F ?AN HE HAD BE54 ,HE HAD PL5TY ( >ABLE L& & PA/URAGE1 & C\LD KEEP AS MANY HEAD ( CATTLE AS HE LIK$4 

,AT FIR/1 9 ! BU/LE ( BUILD+ & SETTL+ D[N1 ,PAHOM WAS PLEAS$ ) IT ALL1 BUT :5 HE GOT US$ TO IT HE BEGAN TO ?9K ?AT EV5 H]E HE HAD NOT 5\< L&4 ,! FIR/ YE>1 HE S[$ :EAT ON HIS %>E ( ! ,COMMUNAL L&1 & HAD A GOOD CROP4 ,HE WANT$ TO GO ON S[+ :EAT1 BUT HAD NOT 5\< ,COMMUNAL L& = ! PURPOSE1 & :AT HE HAD ALREADY US$ WAS NOT AVAILABLE2 = 9 ?OSE P>TS :EAT IS ONLY S[N ON VIRG9 SOIL OR ON FALL[ L&4 ,IT IS S[N = ONE OR TWO YE>S1 & !N ! L& LIES FALL[ TILL IT IS AGA9 OV]GR[N ) PRAIRIE GRASS4 ,!RE W]E MANY :O WANT$ SU* L&1 & !RE WAS NOT 5\< = ALL2 SO ?AT PEOPLE QU>REL$ AB\T IT4 ,?OSE :O W]E BETT] (F1 WANT$ IT = GR[+ :EAT1 & ?OSE :O W]E POOR1 WANT$ IT TO LET TO DEAL]S1 SO ?AT !Y MI<T RAISE MONEY TO PAY !IR TAXES4 ,PAHOM WANT$ TO S[ MORE :EAT2 SO HE R5T$ L& FROM A DEAL] = A YE>4 ,HE S[$ MU* :EAT & HAD A F9E CROP1 BUT ! L& WAS TOO F> FROM ! VILLAGE--! :EAT HAD TO BE C>T$ MORE ?AN T5 MILES4 ,AFT] A TIME ,PAHOM NOTIC$ ?AT SOME PEASANT-DEAL]S W]E LIV+ ON SEP>ATE F>MS1 & W]E GR[+ WEAL?Y2 & HE ?\<T3 

',IF ,I W]E TO BUY SOME FREEHOLD L&1 & HAVE A HOME/EAD ON IT1 IT W\LD BE A DIFF]5T ?+1 ALTOGE!R4 ,!N IT W\LD ALL BE NICE & COMPACT4' 

,! QUE/ION ( BUY+ FREEHOLD L& RECURR$ TO HIM AGA9 & AGA94 

,HE W5T ON 9 ! SAME WAY = ?REE YE>S2 R5T+ L& & S[+ :EAT4 ,! SEASONS TURN$ \T WELL & ! CROPS W]E GOOD1 SO ?AT HE BEGAN TO LAY MONEY BY4 ,HE MI<T HAVE GONE ON LIV+ CONT5T$LY1 BUT HE GREW TIR$ ( HAV+ TO R5T O!R PEOPLE'S L& EV]Y YE>1 & HAV+ TO SCRAMBLE = IT4 ,:]EV] !RE WAS GOOD L& TO BE HAD1 ! PEASANTS W\LD RU% = IT & IT WAS TAK5 UP AT ONCE1 SO ?AT UNLESS Y\ W]E %>P AB\T IT Y\ GOT NONE4 ,IT HAPP5$ 9 ! ?IRD YE> ?AT HE & A DEAL] TOGE!R R5T$ A PIECE ( PA/URE L& FROM SOME PEASANTS2 & !Y HAD ALREADY PL[$ IT UP1 :5 !RE WAS SOME DISPUTE1 & ! PEASANTS W5T TO LAW AB\T IT1 & ?+S FELL \T SO ?AT ! LABOR WAS ALL LO/4 

',IF IT W]E MY [N L&1' ?\<T ,PAHOM1 ',I %\LD BE 9DEP5D5T1 & !RE W\LD NOT BE ALL ?IS UNPLEASANTNESS4' 

,SO ,PAHOM BEGAN LOOK+ \T = L& :I* HE C\LD BUY2 & HE CAME ACROSS A PEASANT :O HAD B\<T ?IRTE5 HUNDR$ ACRES1 BUT HAV+ GOT 9TO DIFFICULTIES WAS WILL+ TO SELL AGA9 *EAP4 ,PAHOM B>GA9$ & HAGGL$ ) HIM1 & AT LA/ !Y SETTL$ ! PRICE AT #a1#e RUBLES1 P>T 9 CA% & P>T TO BE PAID LAT]4 ,!Y HAD ALL BUT CL9*$ ! MATT]1 :5 A PASS+ DEAL] HAPP5$ TO /OP AT ,PAHOM'S ONE DAY TO GET A FE$ = HIS HORSE4 ,HE DRANK TEA ) ,PAHOM1 & !Y HAD A TALK4 ,! DEAL] SAID ?AT HE WAS JU/ RETURN+ FROM ! L& ( ! ,BA%KIRS1 F> AWAY1 :]E HE HAD B\<T ?IRTE5 ?\S& ACRES ( L& ALL = #a1 RUBLES4 ,PAHOM QUE/ION$ HIM FUR!R1 & ! TRADESMAN SAID3 

',ALL ONE NE$ DO IS TO MAKE FRI5DS ) ! *IEFS4 ,I GAVE AWAY AB\T ONE HUNDR$ RUBLES' WOR? ( DRESS+-G[NS & C>PETS1 BESIDES A CASE ( TEA1 & ,I GAVE W9E TO ?OSE :O W\LD DR9K IT2 & ,I GOT ! L& = LESS ?AN TWOP5CE AN ACRE.<#c.>4 ,& HE %[$ ,PAHOM ! TITLE-DE$S1 SAY+3 

',! L& LIES NE> A RIV]1 & ! :OLE PRAIRIE IS VIRG9 SOIL4' 

,PAHOM PLI$ HIM ) QUE/IONS1 & ! TRADESMAN SAID3 

',!RE IS MORE L& !RE ?AN Y\ C\LD COV] IF Y\ WALK$ A YE>1 & IT ALL BELONGS TO ! ,BA%KIRS4 ,!Y >E AS SIMPLE AS %EEP1 & L& CAN BE GOT ALMO/ = NO?+4' 

',!RE N[1' ?\<T ,PAHOM1 ') MY ONE ?\S& RUBLES1 :Y %\LD ,I GET ONLY ?IRTE5 HUNDR$ ACRES1 & SADDLE MYSELF ) A DEBT BESIDES8 ,IF ,I TAKE IT \T !RE1 ,I CAN GET MORE ?AN T5 TIMES AS MU* = ! MONEY4' 

,PAHOM 9QUIR$ H[ TO GET TO ! PLACE1 & AS SOON AS ! TRADESMAN HAD LEFT HIM1 HE PREP>$ TO GO !RE HIMSELF4 ,HE LEFT HIS WIFE TO LOOK AFT] ! HOME/EAD1 & />T$ ON HIS J\RNEY TAK+ HIS MAN ) HIM4 ,!Y /OPP$ AT A T[N ON !IR WAY1 & B\<T A CASE ( TEA1 SOME W9E1 & O!R PRES5TS1 AS ! TRADESMAN HAD ADVIS$4 ,ON & ON !Y W5T UNTIL !Y HAD GONE MORE ?AN ?REE HUNDR$ MILES1 & ON ! SEV5? DAY !Y CAME TO A PLACE :]E ! ,BA%KIRS HAD PIT*$ !IR T5TS4 ,IT WAS ALL JU/ AS ! TRADESMAN HAD SAID4 ,! PEOPLE LIV$ ON ! /EPPES1 BY A RIV]1 9 FELT-COV]$ T5TS.<#d.>4 ,!Y NEI!R TILL$ ! GR\ND1 NOR ATE BREAD4 ,!IR CATTLE & HORSES GRAZ$ 9 H]DS ON ! /EPPE4 ,! COLTS W]E TE!R$ BEH9D ! T5TS1 & ! M>ES W]E DRIV5 TO !M TWICE A DAY4 ,! M>ES W]E MILK$1 & FROM ! MILK KUMISS WAS MADE4 ,IT WAS ! WOM5 :O PREP>$ KUMISS1 & !Y ALSO MADE *EESE4 ,AS F> AS ! M5 W]E CONC]N$1 DR9K+ KUMISS & TEA1 EAT+ MUTTON1 & PLAY+ ON !IR PIPES1 WAS ALL !Y C>$ AB\T4 ,!Y W]E ALL /\T & M]RY1 & ALL ! SUMM] LONG !Y NEV] ?\<T ( DO+ ANY WORK4 ,!Y W]E QUITE IGNORANT1 & KNEW NO ,RUSSIAN1 BUT W]E GOOD-NATUR$ 5\<4 

,AS SOON AS !Y SAW ,PAHOM1 !Y CAME \T ( !IR T5TS & GA!R$ R\ND !IR VISITOR4 ,AN 9T]PRET] WAS F\ND1 & ,PAHOM TOLD !M HE HAD COME AB\T SOME L&4 ,! ,BA%KIRS SEEM$ V]Y GLAD2 !Y TOOK ,PAHOM & L$ HIM 9TO ONE ( ! BE/ T5TS1 :]E !Y MADE HIM SIT ON SOME D[N CU%IONS PLAC$ ON A C>PET1 :ILE !Y SAT R\ND HIM4 ,!Y GAVE HIM TEA & KUMISS1 & HAD A %EEP KILL$1 & GAVE HIM MUTTON TO EAT4 ,PAHOM TOOK PRES5TS \T ( HIS C>T & DI/RIBUT$ !M AMONG ! ,BA%KIRS1 & DIVID$ AMONG !M ! TEA4 ,! ,BA%KIRS W]E DELI<T$4 ,!Y TALK$ A GREAT DEAL AMONG !MSELVES1 & !N TOLD ! 9T]PRET] TO TRANSLATE4 

',!Y WI% TO TELL Y\1' SAID ! 9T]PRET]1 '?AT !Y LIKE Y\1 & ?AT IT IS \R CU/OM TO DO ALL WE CAN TO PLEASE A GUE/ & TO REPAY HIM = HIS GIFTS4 ,Y\ HAVE GIV5 US PRES5TS1 N[ TELL US :I* ( ! ?+S WE POSSESS PLEASE Y\ BE/1 ?AT WE MAY PRES5T !M TO Y\4' 

',:AT PLEASES ME BE/ H]E1' ANSW]$ ,PAHOM1 'IS Y\R L&4 ,\R L& IS CR[D$1 & ! SOIL IS EXHAU/$2 BUT Y\ HAVE PL5TY ( L& & IT IS GOOD L&4 ,I NEV] SAW ! LIKE ( IT4' 

,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$4 ,! ,BA%KIRS TALK$ AMONG !MSELVES = A :ILE4 ,PAHOM C\LD NOT UND]/& :AT !Y W]E SAY+1 BUT SAW ?AT !Y W]E MU* AMUS$1 & ?AT !Y %\T$ & LAU<$4 ,!N !Y W]E SIL5T & LOOK$ AT ,PAHOM :ILE ! 9T]PRET] SAID3 

',!Y WI% ME TO TELL Y\ ?AT 9 RETURN = Y\R PRES5TS !Y WILL GLADLY GIVE Y\ AS MU* L& AS Y\ WANT4 ,Y\ HAVE ONLY TO PO9T IT \T ) Y\R H& & IT IS Y\RS4' 

,! ,BA%KIRS TALK$ AGA9 = A :ILE & BEGAN TO DISPUTE4 ,PAHOM ASK$ :AT !Y W]E DISPUT+ AB\T1 & ! 9T]PRET] TOLD HIM ?AT SOME ( !M ?\<T !Y \<T TO ASK !IR ,*IEF AB\T ! L& & NOT ACT 9 HIS ABS5CE1 :ILE O!RS ?\<T !RE WAS NO NE$ TO WAIT = HIS RETURN4 

,:ILE ! ,BA%KIRS W]E DISPUT+1 A MAN 9 A L>GE FOX-FUR CAP APPE>$ ON ! SC5E4 ,!Y ALL BECAME SIL5T & ROSE TO !IR FEET4 ,! 9T]PRET] SAID1 ',?IS IS \R ,*IEF HIMSELF4' 

,PAHOM IMM$IATELY FET*$ ! BE/ DRESS+-G[N & FIVE P\NDS ( TEA1 & (F]$ !SE TO ! ,*IEF4 ,! ,*IEF ACCEPT$ !M1 & SEAT$ HIMSELF 9 ! PLACE ( HONOR4 ,! ,BA%KIRS AT ONCE BEGAN TELL+ HIM SOME?+4 ,! ,*IEF LI/5$ = A :ILE1 !N MADE A SIGN ) HIS HEAD = !M TO BE SIL5T1 & ADDRESS+ HIMSELF TO ,PAHOM1 SAID 9 ,RUSSIAN3 

',WELL1 LET IT BE SO4 ,*OOSE :ATEV] PIECE ( L& Y\ LIKE2 WE HAVE PL5TY ( IT4' 

',H[ CAN ,I TAKE AS MU* AS ,I LIKE8' ?\<T ,PAHOM4 ',I MU/ GET A DE$ TO MAKE IT SECURE1 OR ELSE !Y MAY SAY1 0,IT IS Y\RS10 & AFT]W>DS MAY TAKE IT AWAY AGA94' 

',?ANK Y\ = Y\R K9D WORDS1' HE SAID AL\D4 ',Y\ HAVE MU* L&1 & ,I ONLY WANT A LITTLE4 ,BUT ,I %\LD LIKE TO BE SURE :I* BIT IS M9E4 ,C\LD IT NOT BE MEASUR$ & MADE OV] TO ME8 ,LIFE & DEA? >E 9 ,GOD'S H&S4 ,Y\ GOOD PEOPLE GIVE IT TO ME1 BUT Y\R *ILDR5 MI<T WI% TO TAKE IT AWAY AGA94' 

',Y\ >E QUITE RI<T1' SAID ! ,*IEF4 ',WE WILL MAKE IT OV] TO Y\4' 

',I HE>D ?AT A DEAL] HAD BE5 H]E1' CONT9U$ ,PAHOM1 '& ?AT Y\ GAVE HIM A LITTLE L&1 TOO1 & SIGN$ TITLE-DE$S TO ?AT EFFECT4 ,I %\LD LIKE TO HAVE IT DONE 9 ! SAME WAY4' 

,! ,*IEF UND]/OOD4 

',YES1' REPLI$ HE1 '?AT CAN BE DONE QUITE EASILY4 ,WE HAVE A SCRIBE1 & WE WILL GO TO T[N ) Y\ & HAVE ! DE$ PROP]LY SEAL$4' 

',& :AT WILL BE ! PRICE8' ASK$ ,PAHOM4 

',\R PRICE IS ALWAYS ! SAME3 ONE ?\S& RUBLES A DAY4' 

,PAHOM DID NOT UND]/&4 

',A DAY8 ,:AT MEASURE IS ?AT8 ,H[ MANY ACRES W\LD ?AT BE8' 

',WE DO NOT KN[ H[ TO RECKON IT \T1' SAID ! ,*IEF4 ',WE SELL IT BY ! DAY4 ,AS MU* AS Y\ CAN GO R\ND ON Y\R FEET 9 A DAY IS Y\RS1 & ! PRICE IS ONE ?\S& RUBLES A DAY4' 

,PAHOM WAS SURPRIS$4 

',BUT 9 A DAY Y\ CAN GET R\ND A L>GE TRACT ( L&1' HE SAID4 

,! ,*IEF LAU<$4 

',IT WILL ALL BE Y\RS6' SAID HE4 ',BUT !RE IS ONE CONDITION3 ,IF Y\ DON'T RETURN ON ! SAME DAY TO ! SPOT :5CE Y\ />T$1 Y\R MONEY IS LO/4' 

',BUT H[ AM ,I TO M>K ! WAY ?AT ,I HAVE GONE8' 

',:Y1 WE %ALL GO TO ANY SPOT Y\ LIKE1 & /AY !RE4 ,Y\ MU/ />T FROM ?AT SPOT & MAKE Y\R R\ND1 TAK+ A SPADE ) Y\4 ,:]EV] Y\ ?9K NECESS>Y1 MAKE A M>K4 ,AT EV]Y TURN+1 DIG A HOLE & PILE UP ! TURF2 !N AFT]W>DS WE WILL GO R\ND ) A PL[ FROM HOLE TO HOLE4 ,Y\ MAY MAKE AS L>GE A CIRCUIT AS Y\ PLEASE1 BUT BE=E ! SUN SETS Y\ MU/ RETURN TO ! PLACE Y\ />T$ FROM4 ,ALL ! L& Y\ COV] WILL BE Y\RS4' 

,PAHOM WAS DELI<T$4 ,IT WAS DECID$ TO />T E>LY NEXT MORN+4 ,!Y TALK$ A :ILE1 & AFT] DR9K+ SOME MORE KUMISS & EAT+ SOME MORE MUTTON1 !Y HAD TEA AGA91 & !N ! NI<T CAME ON4 ,!Y GAVE ,PAHOM A FEA!R-B$ TO SLEEP ON1 & ! ,BA%KIRS DISP]S$ = ! NI<T1 PROMIS+ TO ASSEMBLE ! NEXT MORN+ AT DAYBREAK & RIDE \T BE=E SUNRISE TO ! APPO9T$ SPOT4 

,PAHOM LAY ON ! FEA!R-B$1 BUT C\LD NOT SLEEP4 ,HE KEPT ?9K+ AB\T ! L&4 

',:AT A L>GE TRACT ,I WILL M>K (F6' ?\<T HE4 ',I CAN EASILY DO ?IRTY-FIVE MILES 9 A DAY4 ,! DAYS >E LONG N[1 & )9 A CIRCUIT ( ?IRTY-FIVE MILES :AT A LOT ( L& !RE WILL BE6 ,I WILL SELL ! POOR] L&1 OR LET IT TO PEASANTS1 BUT ,I'LL PICK \T ! BE/ & F>M IT4 ,I WILL BUY TWO OX-TEAMS1 & HIRE TWO MORE LABOR]S4 ,AB\T A HUNDR$ & FIFTY ACRES %ALL BE PL[-L&1 & ,I WILL PA/URE CATTLE ON ! RE/4' 

,PAHOM LAY AWAKE ALL NI<T1 & DOZ$ (F ONLY JU/ BE=E DAWN4 ,H>DLY W]E HIS EYES CLOS$ :5 HE HAD A DREAM4 ,HE ?\<T HE WAS LY+ 9 ?AT SAME T5T1 & HE>D SOMEBODY *UCKL+ \TSIDE4 ,HE WOND]$ :O IT C\LD BE1 & ROSE & W5T \T1 & HE SAW ! ,BA%KIR ,*IEF SITT+ 9 FRONT ( ! T5T HOLD+ HIS SIDE & ROLL+ AB\T ) LAU<T]4 ,GO+ NE>] TO ! ,*IEF1 ,PAHOM ASK$3 ',:AT >E Y\ LAU<+ AT8' ,BUT HE SAW ?AT IT WAS NO LONG] ! ,*IEF1 BUT ! DEAL] :O HAD REC5TLY /OPP$ AT HIS H\SE & HAD TOLD HIM AB\T ! L&4 ,JU/ AS ,PAHOM WAS GO+ TO ASK1 ',HAVE Y\ BE5 H]E LONG8' HE SAW ?AT IT WAS NOT ! DEAL]1 BUT ! PEASANT :O HAD COME UP FROM ! ,VOLGA1 LONG AGO1 TO ,PAHOM'S OLD HOME4 ,!N HE SAW ?AT IT WAS NOT ! PEASANT EI!R1 BUT ! ,DEVIL HIMSELF ) HO(S & HORNS1 SITT+ !RE & *UCKL+1 & BE=E HIM LAY A MAN B>EFOOT1 PRO/RATE ON ! GR\ND1 ) ONLY TR\S]S & A %IRT ON4 ,& ,PAHOM DREAM$ ?AT HE LOOK$ MORE ATT5TIVELY TO SEE :AT SORT ( A MAN IT WAS LY+ !RE1 & HE SAW ?AT ! MAN WAS DEAD1 & ?AT IT WAS HIMSELF6 ,HE AWOKE HORROR-/RUCK4 

',:AT ?+S ONE DOES DREAM1' ?\<T HE4 

,LOOK+ R\ND HE SAW ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR ?AT ! DAWN WAS BREAK+4 

 ',IT'S TIME TO WAKE !M UP1' ?\<T HE4 ',WE \<T TO BE />T+4' 

,HE GOT UP1 R\S$ HIS MAN 7:O WAS SLEEP+ 9 HIS C>T71 BADE HIM H>NESS2 & W5T TO CALL ! ,BA%KIRS4 

',IT'S TIME TO GO TO ! /EPPE TO MEASURE ! L&1' HE SAID4 

,! ,BA%KIRS ROSE & ASSEMBL$1 & ! ,*IEF CAME1 TOO4 ,!N !Y BEGAN DR9K+ KUMISS AGA91 & (F]$ ,PAHOM SOME TEA1 BUT HE W\LD NOT WAIT4 

',IF WE >E TO GO1 LET US GO4 ,IT IS HI< TIME1' SAID HE4 

,! ,BA%KIRS GOT READY & !Y ALL />T$3 SOME M\NT$ ON HORSES1 & SOME 9 C>TS4 ,PAHOM DROVE 9 HIS [N SMALL C>T ) HIS S]VANT1 & TOOK A SPADE ) HIM4 ,:5 !Y REA*$ ! /EPPE1 ! MORN+ R$ WAS BEG9N+ TO K9DLE4 ,!Y ASC5D$ A HILLOCK 7CALL$ BY ! ,BA%KIRS A %IKHAN7 & DISM\NT+ FROM !IR C>TS & !IR HORSES1 GA!R$ 9 ONE SPOT4 ,! ,*IEF CAME UP TO ,PAHOM & /RET*$ \T HIS >M T[>DS ! PLA93 

',SEE1' SAID HE1 'ALL ?IS1 AS F> AS Y\R EYE CAN REA*1 IS \RS4 ,Y\ MAY HAVE ANY P>T ( IT Y\ LIKE4' 

,PAHOM'S EYES GLI/5$3 IT WAS ALL VIRG9 SOIL1 AS FLAT AS ! PALM ( Y\R H&1 AS BLACK AS ! SE$ ( A POPPY1 & 9 ! HOLL[S DIFF]5T K9DS ( GRASSES GREW BREA/ HI<4 

,! ,*IEF TOOK (F HIS FOX-FUR CAP1 PLAC$ IT ON ! GR\ND & SAID3 

',?IS WILL BE ! M>K4 ,/>T FROM H]E1 & RETURN H]E AGA94 ,ALL ! L& Y\ GO R\ND %ALL BE Y\RS4' 

,PAHOM TOOK \T HIS MONEY & PUT IT ON ! CAP4 ,!N HE TOOK (F HIS \T] COAT1 REMA9+ 9 HIS SLEEVELESS UND] COAT4 ,HE UNFA/5$ HIS GIRDLE & TI$ IT TI<T BEL[ HIS /OMA*1 PUT A LITTLE BAG ( BREAD 9TO ! BREA/ ( HIS COAT1 & TY+ A FLASK ( WAT] TO HIS GIRDLE1 HE DREW UP ! TOPS ( HIS BOOTS1 TOOK ! SPADE FROM HIS MAN1 & /OOD READY TO />T4 ,HE CONSID]$ = SOME MOM5TS :I* WAY HE HAD BETT] GO--IT WAS TEMPT+ EV]Y:]E4 

',NO MATT]1' HE CONCLUD$1 ',I WILL GO T[>DS ! RIS+ SUN4' 

,HE TURN$ HIS FACE TO ! EA/1 /RET*$ HIMSELF1 & WAIT$ = ! SUN TO APPE> ABOVE ! RIM4 

',I MU/ LOSE NO TIME1' HE ?\<T1 '& IT IS EASI] WALK+ :ILE IT IS /ILL COOL4' 

,! SUN'S RAYS HAD H>DLY FLA%$ ABOVE ! HORIZON1 BE=E ,PAHOM1 C>RY+ ! SPADE OV] HIS %\LD]1 W5T D[N 9TO ! /EPPE4 

,PAHOM />T$ WALK+ NEI!R SL[LY NOR QUICKLY4 ,AFT] HAV+ GONE A ?\S& Y>DS HE /OPP$1 DUG A HOLE1 & PLAC$ PIECES ( TURF ONE ON ANO!R TO MAKE IT MORE VISIBLE4 ,!N HE W5T ON2 & N[ ?AT HE HAD WALK$ (F HIS /IFFNESS HE QUICK5$ HIS PACE4 ,AFT] A :ILE HE DUG ANO!R HOLE4 

,PAHOM LOOK$ BACK4 ,! HILLOCK C\LD BE DI/9CTLY SE5 9 ! SUNLI<T1 ) ! PEOPLE ON IT1 & ! GLITT]+ TIRES ( ! C>T:EELS4 ,AT A R\< GUESS ,PAHOM CONCLUD$ ?AT HE HAD WALK$ ?REE MILES4 ,IT WAS GR[+ W>M]2 HE TOOK (F HIS UND]-COAT1 FLUNG IT ACROSS HIS %\LD]1 & W5T ON AGA94 ,IT HAD GR[N QUITE W>M N[2 HE LOOK$ AT ! SUN1 IT WAS TIME TO ?9K ( BREAKFA/4 

',! FIR/ %IFT IS DONE1 BUT !RE >E F\R 9 A DAY1 & IT IS TOO SOON YET TO TURN4 ,BUT ,I WILL JU/ TAKE (F MY BOOTS1' SAID HE TO HIMSELF4 

,HE SAT D[N1 TOOK (F HIS BOOTS1 /UCK !M 9TO HIS GIRDLE1 & W5T ON4 ,IT WAS EASY WALK+ N[4 

',I WILL GO ON = ANO!R ?REE MILES1' ?\<T HE1 '& !N TURN TO ! LEFT4 ,! SPOT IS SO F9E1 ?AT IT W\LD BE A PITY TO LOSE IT4 ,! FUR!R ONE GOES1 ! BETT] ! L& SEEMS4' 

,HE W5T /RAI<T ON = A :ILE1 & :5 HE LOOK$ R\ND1 ! HILLOCK WAS SC>CELY VISIBLE & ! PEOPLE ON IT LOOK$ LIKE BLACK ANTS1 & HE C\LD JU/ SEE SOME?+ GLI/5+ !RE 9 ! SUN4 

',AH1' ?\<T ,PAHOM1 ',I HAVE GONE F> 5\< 9 ?IS DIRECTION1 IT IS TIME TO TURN4 ,BESIDES ,I AM 9 A REGUL> SWEAT1 & V]Y ?IR/Y4' 

,HE /OPP$1 DUG A L>GE HOLE1 & HEAP$ UP PIECES ( TURF4 ,NEXT HE UNTI$ HIS FLASK1 HAD A DR9K1 & !N TURN$ %>PLY TO ! LEFT4 ,HE W5T ON & ON2 ! GRASS WAS HI<1 & IT WAS V]Y HOT4 

,PAHOM BEGAN TO GR[ TIR$3 HE LOOK$ AT ! SUN & SAW ?AT IT WAS NOON4 

',WELL1' HE ?\<T1 ',I MU/ HAVE A RE/4' 

,HE SAT D[N1 & ATE SOME BREAD & DRANK SOME WAT]2 BUT HE DID NOT LIE D[N1 ?9K+ ?AT IF HE DID HE MI<T FALL ASLEEP4 ,AFT] SITT+ A LITTLE :ILE1 HE W5T ON AGA94 ,AT FIR/ HE WALK$ EASILY3 ! FOOD HAD /R5G!N$ HIM2 BUT IT HAD BECOME T]RIBLY HOT1 & HE FELT SLEEPY2 /ILL HE W5T ON1 ?9K+3 ',AN H\R TO SUFF]1 A LIFE-TIME TO LIVE4' 

,HE W5T A LONG WAY 9 ?IS DIRECTION ALSO1 & WAS AB\T TO TURN TO ! LEFT AGA91 :5 HE P]CEIV$ A DAMP HOLL[3 ',IT W\LD BE A PITY TO LEAVE ?AT \T1' HE ?\<T4 ',FLAX W\LD DO WELL !RE4' ,SO HE W5T ON PA/ ! HOLL[1 & DUG A HOLE ON ! O!R SIDE ( IT BE=E HE TURN$ ! CORN]4 ,PAHOM LOOK$ T[>DS ! HILLOCK4 ,! HEAT MADE ! AIR HAZY3 IT SEEM$ TO BE QUIV]+1 & ?R\< ! HAZE ! PEOPLE ON ! HILLOCK C\LD SC>CELY BE SE54 

',AH6' ?\<T ,PAHOM1 ',I HAVE MADE ! SIDES TOO LONG2 ,I MU/ MAKE ?IS ONE %ORT]4' ,& HE W5T ALONG ! ?IRD SIDE1 /EPP+ FA/]4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ! SUN3 IT WAS NE>LY HALF WAY TO ! HORIZON1 & HE HAD NOT YET DONE TWO MILES ( ! ?IRD SIDE ( ! SQU>E4 ,HE WAS /ILL T5 MILES FROM ! GOAL4 

',NO1' HE ?\<T1 '?\< IT WILL MAKE MY L& LOP-SID$1 ,I MU/ HURRY BACK 9 A /RAI<T L9E N[4 ,I MI<T GO TOO F>1 & AS IT IS ,I HAVE A GREAT DEAL ( L&4' 

,SO ,PAHOM HURRI$LY DUG A HOLE1 & TURN$ /RAI<T T[>DS ! HILLOCK4 

  

,PAHOM W5T /RAI<T T[>DS ! HILLOCK1 BUT HE N[ WALK$ ) DIFFICULTY4 ,HE WAS DONE UP ) ! HEAT1 HIS B>E FEET W]E CUT & BRUIS$1 & HIS LEGS BEGAN TO FAIL4 ,HE LONG$ TO RE/1 BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE IF HE MEANT TO GET BACK BE=E SUNSET4 ,! SUN WAITS = NO MAN1 & IT WAS S9K+ L[] & L[]4 

',OH DE>1' HE ?\<T1 'IF ONLY ,I HAVE NOT BLUND]$ TRY+ = TOO MU*6 ,:AT IF ,I AM TOO LATE8' 

,HE LOOK$ T[>DS ! HILLOCK & AT ! SUN4 ,HE WAS /ILL F> FROM HIS GOAL1 & ! SUN WAS ALREADY NE> ! RIM4 

,PAHOM WALK$ ON & ON2 IT WAS V]Y H>D WALK+1 BUT HE W5T QUICK] & QUICK]4 ,HE PRESS$ ON1 BUT WAS /ILL F> FROM ! PLACE4 ,HE BEGAN RUNN+1 ?REW AWAY HIS COAT1 HIS BOOTS1 HIS FLASK1 & HIS CAP1 & KEPT ONLY ! SPADE :I* HE US$ AS A SUPPORT4 

',:AT %ALL ,I DO1' HE ?\<T AGA91 ',I HAVE GRASP$ TOO MU*1 & RU9$ ! :OLE AFFAIR4 ,I CAN'T GET !RE BE=E ! SUN SETS4' 

,& ?IS FE> MADE HIM /ILL MORE BREA?LESS4 ,PAHOM W5T ON RUNN+1 HIS SOAK+ %IRT & TR\S]S /UCK TO HIM1 & HIS M\? WAS P>*$4 ,HIS BREA/ WAS WORK+ LIKE A BLACKSMI?'S BELL[S1 HIS HE>T WAS BEAT+ LIKE A HAMM]1 & HIS LEGS W]E GIV+ WAY AS IF !Y DID NOT BELONG TO HIM4 ,PAHOM WAS SEIZ$ ) T]ROR LE/ HE %\LD DIE ( ! /RA94 

,?\< AFRAID ( DEA?1 HE C\LD NOT /OP4 ',AFT] HAV+ RUN ALL ?AT WAY !Y WILL CALL ME A FOOL IF ,I /OP N[1' ?\<T HE4 ,& HE RAN ON & ON1 & DREW NE> & HE>D ! ,BA%KIRS YELL+ & %\T+ TO HIM1 & !IR CRIES 9FLAM$ HIS HE>T /ILL MORE4 ,HE GA!R$ HIS LA/ /R5G? & RAN ON4 

,! SUN WAS CLOSE TO ! RIM1 & CLOAK$ 9 MI/ LOOK$ L>GE1 & R$ AS BLOOD4 ,N[1 YES N[1 IT WAS AB\T TO SET6 ,! SUN WAS QUITE L[1 BUT HE WAS ALSO QUITE NE> HIS AIM4 ,PAHOM C\LD ALREADY SEE ! PEOPLE ON ! HILLOCK WAV+ !IR >MS TO HURRY HIM UP4 ,HE C\LD SEE ! FOX-FUR CAP ON ! GR\ND1 & ! MONEY ON IT1 & ! ,*IEF SITT+ ON ! GR\ND HOLD+ HIS SIDES4 ,& ,PAHOM REMEMB]$ HIS DREAM4 

',!RE IS PL5TY ( L&1' ?\<T HE1 'BUT WILL ,GOD LET ME LIVE ON IT8 ,I HAVE LO/ MY LIFE1 ,I HAVE LO/ MY LIFE6 ,I %ALL NEV] REA* ?AT SPOT6' 

,PAHOM LOOK$ AT ! SUN1 :I* HAD REA*$ ! E>?3 ONE SIDE ( IT HAD ALREADY DISAPPE>$4 ,) ALL HIS REMA9+ /R5G? HE RU%$ ON1 B5D+ HIS BODY =W>D SO ?AT HIS LEGS C\LD H>DLY FOLL[ FA/ 5\< TO KEEP HIM FROM FALL+4 ,JU/ AS HE REA*$ ! HILLOCK IT SUDD5LY GREW D>K4 ,HE LOOK$ UP--! SUN HAD ALREADY SET4 ,HE GAVE A CRY3 ',ALL MY LABOR HAS BE5 9 VA91' ?\<T HE1 & WAS AB\T TO /OP1 BUT HE HE>D ! ,BA%KIRS /ILL %\T+1 & REMEMB]$ ?AT ?\< TO HIM1 FROM BEL[1 ! SUN SEEM$ TO HAVE SET1 !Y ON ! HILLOCK C\LD /ILL SEE IT4 ,HE TOOK A LONG BREA? & RAN UP ! HILLOCK4 ,IT WAS /ILL LI<T !RE4 ,HE REA*$ ! TOP & SAW ! CAP4 ,BE=E IT SAT ! ,*IEF LAU<+ & HOLD+ HIS SIDES4 ,AGA9 ,PAHOM REMEMB]$ HIS DREAM1 & HE UTT]$ A CRY3 HIS LEGS GAVE WAY B5EA? HIM1 HE FELL =W>D & REA*$ ! CAP ) HIS H&S4 

',AH1 :AT A F9E FELL[6' EXCLAIM$ ! ,*IEF4 ',HE HAS GA9$ MU* L&6' 

,PAHOM'S S]VANT CAME RUNN+ UP & TRI$ TO RAISE HIM1 BUT HE SAW ?AT BLOOD WAS FL[+ FROM HIS M\?4 ,PAHOM WAS DEAD6 

,! ,BA%KIRS CLICK$ !IR TONGUES TO %[ !IR PITY4 

,HIS S]VANT PICK$ UP ! SPADE & DUG A GRAVE LONG 5\< = ,PAHOM TO LIE 91 & BURI$ HIM 9 IT4 ,SIX FEET FROM HIS HEAD TO HIS HEELS WAS ALL HE NE$$4 

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