,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #ab 

#ahhgahhg 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,NA?AN ,HASKELL ,DOLE 

,TEXT 3 

,IT WAS LATE :5 ! EXP$ITION1 DEPLOY+ 9 A BROAD COLUMN1 5T]$ 
! =TRESS ) SONGS4 ,! SUN HAD SET BEH9D ! SN[-COV]$ 
M\NTA9 CRE/1 & WAS ?R[+ ITS LA/ ROSY RAYS ON ! LONG 
DELICATE CL\DS :I* /RET*$ ACROSS ! BRI<T PELLUCID WE/]N SKY4 
,! SN[-CAPP$ M\NTA9S BEGAN TO CLO! !MSELVES 9 PURPLE MI/2 
ONLY !IR UPP] \TL9ES W]E M>K$ ) EXTRAORD9>Y DI/9CTNESS 
AGA9/ ! VIOLET LI<T ( ! SUNSET4 ,! CLE> MOON1 :I* HAD LONG 
BE5 UP1 BEGAN TO %$ ITS LI<T ?R\< ! D>K BLUE SKY4 ,! GRE5 
( ! GRASS & ( ! TREES *ANG$ TO BLACK1 & GREW WET ) 
DEW4 ,! D>K MASSES ( ! >MY1 ) GRADUALLY 9CREAS+ TUMULT1 
ADVANC$ ACROSS ! FIELD2 FROM DIFF]5T SIDES W]E HE>D ! S\NDS 
( CYMBALS1 DRUMS1 & M]RY SONGS4 ,! LEAD] ( ! SIX? COMPANY 
SANG \T ) FULL /R5G?1 & FULL ( FEEL+ & P[] ! CLE> 
*E/-NOTES ( ! T5OR W]E BORNE AF> ?R\< ! TRANSLUC5T 
EV5+ AIR4 

"9  

,! ,W,O,O,D-,C,U,T,T,+ ,E,X,P,$,I,T,I,O,N4 

7,RUBKA ,L'YESA47 

,! ,/,O,R,Y ,( ,A ,Y,U,N,K,]',S.<#a.> ,A,D,V,5,T,U,R,E4 

,I4 

,9 MIDW9T]1 9 ! YE> #a#h#e-1 A DIVISION ( \R BATT]IES WAS 5GAG$ 
9 AN EXP$ITION ON ! ,GREAT ,*ET*5 ,RIV]4 ,ON ! EV5+ ( ,FEB4 
#b#f1 HAV+ BE5 9=M$ ?AT ! PLATOON :I* ,I COMM&$ 9 ! 
ABS5CE ( ITS REGUL> (FIC] WAS DETAIL$ = ! FOLL[+ DAY TO 
HELP CUT D[N ! =E/1 & HAV+ ?AT EV5+ OBTA9$ & GIV5 
! NECESS>Y DIRECTIONS1 ,I BETOOK MYSELF TO MY T5T E>LI] ?AN 
USUAL2 & AS ,I HAD NOT GOT 9TO ! BAD HABIT ( W>M+ IT ) 
BURN+ COALS1 ,I ?REW MYSELF1 )\T UNDRESS+1 D[N ON MY B$ MADE 
( /ICKS1 &1 DRAW+ MY ,CIRCASSIAN CAP OV] MY EYES1 ,I ROLL$ MYSELF 
UP 9 MY %UBA1 & FELL 9TO ?AT PECULI>LY DEEP & HEAVY SLEEP 
:I* ONE OBTA9S AT ! MOM5T ( TUMULT & DISQUIETUDE ON ! EVE ( 
A GREAT P]IL4 ,! ANTICIPATION ( ! MORR['S ACTION BR\<T ME TO 
SU* A /ATE4 

,AT ?REE O'CLOCK 9 ! MORN+1 :ILE IT WAS /ILL P]FECTLY D>K1 MY 
W>M %EEP-SK9 WAS PULL$ (F"9  FROM ME1 & ! R$ LI<T ( A C&LE 
WAS UNPLEASANTLY FLA%$ UPON MY SLEEPY EYES4 

0,IT'S TIME TO GET UP10 SAID SOME ONE'S VOICE4 ,I %UT MY EYES 
9VOLUNT>ILY1 WRAPP$ MY %EEP-SK9 >\ND ME AGA91 & DROPP$ (F 
9TO SLUMB]4 

0,IT'S TIME TO GET UP10 REPEAT$ ,DMITRI REL5TLESSLY1 %AK+ ME BY ! 
%\LD]4 0,! 9FANTRY >E />T+40 ,I SUDD5LY CAME TO A S5SE ( 
! REALITY ( ?+S1 />T$ UP1 & SPRANG TO MY FEET4 

,HA/ILY SWALL[+ A GLASS ( TEA1 & TAK+ A BA? 9 ICE-WAT]1 
,I CREPT \T FROM MY T5T1 & W5T TO ! P>K 7:]E ! GUNS W]E 
PLAC$74 ,IT WAS D>K1 MI/Y1 & COLD4 ,! NI<T FIRES1 LI<T$ H]E 
& !RE ?R\<\T ! CAMP1 LI<T$ UP ! =MS ( DR[SY SOLDI]S 
SCATT]$ >\ND !M1 & SEEM$ TO MAKE ! D>KNESS DEEP] BY !IR 
RUDDY FLICK]+ FLAMES4 ,NE> AT H& ONE C\LD HE> MONOTON\S1 
TRANQUIL SNOR+2 9 ! DI/ANCE1 MOVEM5T1 ! BABBLE ( VOICES1 
& ! JANGLE ( >MS1 AS ! FOOT-SOLDI]S GOT 9 READ9ESS = ! 
EXP$ITION4 ,!RE WAS AN ODOR ( SMOKE1 MANURE1 WICKS1 & FOG4 ,! 
MORN+ FRO/ CREPT D[N MY BACK1 & MY TEE? *ATT]$ 9 SPITE ( 
ALL MY EF=TS TO PREV5T IT4 

,ONLY BY ! SNORT+ & OCCASIONAL /AMP+ ( HORSES C\LD ONE MAKE 
\T 9 ! IMP5ETRABLE D>KNESS :]E ! H>NESS$ LIMB]S & 
CAISSONS W]E DRAWN UP1 &1 BY ! FLA%+ PO9TS ( ! L9T/OCKS1 
:]E ! CANNON W]E4 ,) ! WORDS S ,BOGOM1-- ,GOD SPE$ IT1--! 
FIR/ GUN MOV$ (F ) A CLANG1 FOLL[$ BY ! RUMBL+ CAISSON1 & 
! PLATOON GOT UND] WAY4 

,WE ALL TOOK (F \R CAPS1 & MADE ! SIGN ( ! CROSS4 ,TAK+ ITS 
PLACE 9 ! 9T]VAL BETWE5 ! 9FANTRY1 \R PLATOON HALT$1 & 
WAIT$ FROM F\R"9  O'CLOCK UNTIL ! MU/] ( ! :OLE =CE WAS MADE1 
& ! COMM&] CAME4 

0,!RE'S ONE ( \R M5 MISS+1 ,NIKOLAI ,PETROVIT*10 SAID A BLACK 
=M COM+ TO ME4 ,I RECOGNIZ$ HIM BY HIS VOICE ONLY AS ! 
PLATOON->TILL]I/ ,MAKSIM(4 

0,:O80 

0,VEL5*UK IS MISS+4 ,:5 WE HIT*$ UP HE WAS H]E1 ,I SAW HIM2 BUT 
N[ HE'S GONE40 

,AS IT WAS 5TIRELY UNLIKELY ?AT ! COLUMN W\LD MOVE IMM$IATELY1 
WE RESOLV$ TO S5D ,CORPORAL ,ANTON( TO F9D ,VEL5*UK4 ,%ORTLY AFT] 
?IS1 ! S\ND ( SEV]AL HORSES RID+ BY US 9 ! D>KNESS WAS 
HE>D2 ?IS WAS ! COMM&] & HIS SUITE4 ,9 A FEW MOM5TS ! HEAD 
( ! COLUMN />T$ & TURN$1--F9ALLY WE ALSO MOV$1--BUT ,ANTON( 
& ,VEL5*UK HAD NOT APPE>$4 ,H[EV]1 WE HAD NOT GONE A HUNDR$ 
PACES :5 ! TWO SOLDI]S OV]TOOK US4 

0,:]E WAS HE80 ,I ASK$ ( ,ANTON(4 

0,HE WAS ASLEEP 9 ! P>K40 

0,:AT6 HE WAS DRUNK1 WASN'T HE80 

0,NO1 NOT AT ALL40 

0,:AT MADE HIM GO TO SLEEP1 !N80 

0,I DON'T KN[40 

,DUR+ ?REE H\RS ( D>KNESS WE SL[LY DEFIL$ 9 MONOTON\S SIL5CE 
ACROSS UNCULTIVAT$1 SN[LESS FIELDS & L[ BU%ES :I* CRACKL$ 
UND] ! :EELS ( ! ORDNANCE4 

,AT LA/1 AFT] WE HAD CROSS$ A %ALL[ BUT PH5OM5ALLY RAPID 
BROOK1 A HALT WAS CALL$1 & FROM ! VANGU>D W]E HE>D DESULTORY 
MUSKET-%OTS4 ,!SE S\NDS1 AS ALWAYS1 CREAT$ ! MO/ EXTRAORD9>Y 
EXCITEM5T 9 US ALL4 ,! DIVISION HAD BE5 ALMO/"9  ASLEEP2 N[ ! 
RANKS BECAME ALIVE ) CONV]SATION1 REP>TEES1 & LAU<T]4 ,SOME ( 
! SOLDI]S WRE/L$ ) !IR MATES2 O!RS PLAY$ HOP1 SKIP & 
JUMP2 O!RS *EW$ ON !IR H>D-TACK1 OR1 TO PASS AWAY ! TIME1 
5GAG$ 9 DRUMM+ ! DIFF]5T ROLL-CALLS4 ,MEANTIME ! FOG SL[LY 
BEGAN TO LIFT 9 ! EA/1 ! DAMPNESS BECAME MORE PALPABLE1 & ! 
SURR\ND+ OBJECTS GRADUALLY MADE !MSELVES MANIFE/ EM]G+ FROM 
! D>KNESS4 

,I ALREADY BEGAN TO MAKE \T ! GRE5 CAISSONS & GUN-C>RIAGES1 ! 
BRASS CANNON WET ) MI/1 ! FAMILI> =MS ( MY SOLDI]S :OM ,I 
KNEW EV5 TO ! LEA/ DETAILS1 ! SORREL HORSES1 & ! FILES ( 
9FANTRY1 ) !IR BRI<T BAYONETS1 !IR KNAPSACKS1 RAMRODS1 & 
CANTE5S ON !IR BACKS4 

,WE W]E QUICKLY 9 MOTION AGA91 &1 AFT] GO+ A FEW HUNDR$ PACES 
:]E !RE WAS NO ROAD1 W]E %[N ! APPO9T$ PLACE4 ,ON ! RI<T 
W]E SE5 ! /EEP BANKS ( A W9D+ RIV] & ! HI< PO/S ( A 
,TAT> BURY+-GR\ND4 ,AT ! LEFT & 9 FRONT ( US1 ?R\< ! FOG1 
APPE>$ ! BLACK BELT4 ,! PLATOON GOT UND] WAY ) ! LIMB]S4 
,! EI<? COMPANY1 :I* WAS PROTECT+ US1 /ACK$ !IR >MS1 & A 
BATTALION ( SOLDI]S ) MUSKETS & AXES />T$ = ! =E/4 

,NOT FIVE M9UTES HAD ELAPS$ :5 ON ALL SIDES PILES ( WOOD BEGAN TO 
CRACKLE & SMOKE2 ! SOLDI]S SW>M$ AB\T1 FANN+ ! FIRES ) 
!IR H&S & FEET1 LUGG+ BRU%-WOOD & LOGS2 & 9 ! =E/ 
W]E HE>D ! 9CESSANT /ROKES ( A HUNDR$ AXES & ! CRA% ( 
FALL+ TREES4 

,! >TILL]Y1 ) NOT A LITTLE SPIRIT ( RIVALRY ) ! 9FANTRY1 
HEAP$ UP !IR PILES2 & SOON ! FIRE WAS ALREADY SO WELL UND] WAY 
?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE"9  TO GET )9 A C\PLE ( PACES ( IT4 ,! 
D5SE BLACK SMOKE >OSE ?R\< ! ICY BRAN*ES1 FROM :I* ! WAT] 
DROPP$ HISS+ 9TO ! FLAMES1 AS ! SOLDI]S HEAP$ !M UPON ! 
FIRE2 & ! GL[+ COALS DROPP$ D[N UPON ! DEAD :ITE GRASS 
EXPOS$ BY ! HEAT4 ,IT WAS ALL M]E BOY'S PLAY TO ! SOLDI]S2 !Y 
DRAGG$ GREAT LOGS1 ?REW ON ! TALL /EPPE GRASS1 & FANN$ ! FIRE 
MORE & MORE4 

,AS ,I CAME NE> A BONFIRE TO LI<T A CIG>ETTE1 ,VEL5*UK1 ALWAYS 
(FICI\S1 BUT1 N[ ?AT HE HAD BE5 F\ND NAPP+1 %[+ HIMSELF 
MORE ACTIVELY 5GAG$ AB\T ! FIRE ?AN ANY ONE ELSE1 9 AN EXCESS 
( ZEAL SEIZ$ A COAL ) HIS NAK$ H& FROM ! V]Y MIDDLE ( 
! FIRE1 TOSS$ IT FROM ONE PALM TO ! O!R1 TWO OR ?REE TIMES1 
& FLUNG IT ON ! GR\ND4 0,LI<T A MAT* & GIVE IT TO HIM10 SAID 
ANO!R4 0,BR+ A L9T/OCK1 FELL[S10 SAID /ILL A ?IRD4 

,:5 ,I AT LA/ LI<T$ MY CIG>ETTE )\T ! AID ( ,VEL5*UK1 :O 
TRI$ TO BR+ ANO!R COAL FROM ! FIRE1 HE RUBB$ HIS BURNT F+]S 
ON ! BACK ( HIS %EEPSK9 COAT1 &1 D\BTLESS = ! SAKE ( 
EX]CIS+ HIMSELF1 SEIZ$ A GREAT PLANE-TREE /UMP1 & ) A MI<TY 
SW+ FLUNG IT ON ! FIRE4 ,:5 AT LA/ IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT HE MI<T 
RE/1 HE W5T CLOSE TO ! FIRE1 SPREAD \T HIS CLOAK1 :I* HE WORE 
LIKE A MANTLE FA/5$ AT ! BACK BY A S+LE BUTTON1 /RET*$ HIS 
LEGS1 FOLD$ HIS GREAT BLACK H&S 9 HIS LAP1 & OP5+ HIS M\? A 
LITTLE1 CLOS$ HIS EYES4 

0,ALAS6.<#b.> ,I =GOT MY PIPE6 ,:AT A %AME1 FELL[S60 HE SAID AFT] A 
%ORT SIL5CE1 & NOT ADDRESS+ ANYBODY 9 P>TICUL>4 

.<#a.> ,YUNK] 7,G]MAN ,JUNK]7 IS A NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC] 
BELONG+ TO ! NOBILITY4 ,C\NT ,TOL/OY HIMSELF BEGAN HIS MILIT>Y 
S]VICE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS AS A ,YUNK]4 

.<#b.> ,EKH-MA4 

"9  

,I,I4 

,9 ,RUSSIA !RE >E ?REE PR$OM9AT+ TYPES ( SOLDI]S1 :I* 
EMBRACE ! SOLDI]S ( ALL >MS1--?OSE ( ! ,CAUCASUS1 ( ! L9E1 
! GU>DS1 ! 9FANTRY1 ! CAVALRY1 ! >TILL]Y1 & ! O!RS4 

,!SE ?REE TYPES1 ) MANY SUBDIVISIONS & COMB9ATIONS1 >E AS 
FOLL[S3-- 

7#a7 ,! OB$I5T1 

7#b7 ,! DOM9E]+ OR DICTATORIAL1 & 

7#c7 ,! DESP]ATE4 

,! OB$I5T >E SUBDIVID$ 9TO ! APA!TIC OB$I5T & ! 
5]GETIC OB$I5T4 

,! DOM9E]+ >E SUBDIVID$ 9TO ! GRUFFLY DOM9E]+ & ! 
DIPLOMATICALLY DOM9E]+4 

,! DESP]ATE >E SUBDIVID$ 9TO ! DESP]ATE JE/]S & ! SIMPLY 
DESP]ATE4 

,! TYPE MORE FREQU5TLY 5C\NT]$ ?AN ! RE/--! TYPE MO/ 
G5TLE1 MO/ SYMPA!TIC1 & = ! MO/ P>T 5D[$ ) ! 
,*RI/IAN VIRTUES ( MEEKNESS1 DEVOTION1 PATI5CE1 & SUBMISSION TO 
! WILL ( ,GOD--IS ?AT ( ! OB$I5T4 

,! DI/9CTIVE *>ACT] ( ! APA!TIC OB$I5T IS A C]TA9 
9V9CIBLE 9DIFF]5CE & DISDA9 ( ALL ! TURNS ( =TUNE :I* 
MAY OV]TAKE HIM4 

,! *>ACT]I/IC TRAIT ( ! DRUNK5 OB$I5T IS A MILD POETICAL 
T5D5CY & S5SITIV5ESS4 

,! *>ACT]I/IC TRAIT ( ! 5]GETIC OB$I5T IS HIS LIMITATION 9 
9TELLECTUAL FACULTIES1 UNIT$ ) AN 5DLESS ASSIDUITY & F]VOR4 

"9  

,! TYPE ( ! DOM9E]+ IS TO BE F\ND MORE ESPECIALLY 9 ! 
HI<] SPH]ES ( ! >MY3 CORPORALS1 NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC]S1 
S]GEANTS & O!RS4 ,9 ! FIR/ DIVISION ( ! GRUFFLY DOM9E]+ 
>E ! HI<-BORN1 ! 5]GETIC1 & ESPECIALLY ! M>TIAL TYPE1 NOT 
EXCEPT+ ?OSE :O >E /]N 9 A L(TY POETIC WAY 7TO ?IS CATEGORY 
BELONG$ ,CORPORAL ,ANTON(1 ) :OM ,I 9T5D TO MAKE ! READ] 
ACQUA9T$74 

,! SECOND DIVISION IS COMPOS$ ( ! DIPLOMATICALLY DOM9E]+1 
& ?IS CLASS HAS = SOME TIME BE5 MAK+ RAPID ADVANCES4 ,! 
DIPLOMATICALLY DOM9E]+ IS ALWAYS ELOQU5T1 KN[S H[ TO READ1 GOES 
AB\T 9 A P9K %IRT1 DOES NOT EAT FROM ! COMMON KETTLE1 (T5 
SMOKES *EAP ,MUSCAT TOBACCO1 CONSID]S HIMSELF IMMEASURABLY HI<] ?AN 
! SIMPLE SOLDI]1 & IS HIMSELF R>ELY AS GOOD A SOLDI] AS ! 
GRUFFLY DOM9E]+ ( ! FIR/ CLASS4 

,! TYPE ( ! DESP]ATE IS ALMO/ ! SAME AS ?AT ( ! 
DOM9E]+1 ?AT IS1 IT IS GOOD 9 ! FIR/ DIVISION1--! DESP]ATE 
JE/]S1 ! *>ACT]I/IC FEATURES ( :OM >E 9V>IABLY JOLLITY1 
A HUGE UNCONC]N 9 REG>D TO EV]Y ?+1 A WEAL? ( NATURE & 
BOLDNESS4 

,! SECOND DIVISION IS 9 ! SAME WAY DETE/ABLE3 ! CRIM9ALLY 
DESP]ATE1 :O1 H[EV]1 IT MU/ BE SAID = ! HONOR ( ! ,RUSSIAN 
SOLDI]1 >E V]Y R>ELY MET )1 &1 IF !Y >E MET )1 !N !Y 
>E QUICKLY DRUMM$ \T ( COMRADE%IP ) ! TRUE SOLDI]4 ,A!ISM1 
& A C]TA9 AUDACITY 9 CRIME1 >E ! *IEF TRAITS ( ?IS *>ACT]4 

,VEL5*UK CAME UND] ! HEAD ( ! 5]GETICALLY OB$I5T4 ,HE WAS A 
,LITTLE ,RUSSIAN BY BIR?1 HAD BE5 FIFTE5 YE>S 9 ! S]VICE2 & 
:ILE HE WAS NOT A F9E-LOOK+ NOR A V]Y SKILLFUL SOLDI]1 /ILL HE 
WAS"9  SIMPLE-HE>T$1 K9D1 & EXTRAORD9>ILY FULL ( ZEAL1 ?\< 
= ! MO/ P>T MISDIRECT$ ZEAL1 & HE WAS EXTRAORD9>ILY HONE/4 
,I SAY EXTRAORD9>ILY HONE/1 BECAUSE ! YE> BE=E !RE HAD BE5 
AN OCCURR5CE 9 :I* HE HAD GIV5 A REM>KABLE EXHIBITION ( ?IS 
*>ACT]I/IC4 ,Y\ MU/ KN[ ?AT ALMO/ EV]Y SOLDI] HAS HIS [N 
TRADE4 ,! GREAT] NUMB] >E TAILORS & %OEMAK]S4 ,VEL5*UK 
HIMSELF PRACTIC$ ! TRADE ( TAILOR+2 &1 JUDG+ FROM ! FACT 
?AT ,S]GEANT ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT* GAVE HIM HIS CU/OM1 IT IS SAFE TO 
SAY ?AT HE HAD REA*$ A FAM\S DEGREE ( ACCOMPLI%M5T4 ,! YE> 
BE=E1 IT HAPP5$ ?AT :ILE 9 CAMP1 ,VEL5*UK TOOK A F9E CLOAK 
TO MAKE = ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT*4 ,BUT ?AT V]Y NI<T1 AFT] HE HAD CUT 
! CLO?1 & /IT*$ ON ! TRIMM+S1 & PUT IT UND] HIS PILL[ 
9 HIS T5T1 A MIS=TUNE BEFELL HIM3 ! CLO?1 :I* WAS WOR? SEV5 
RUBLES1 DISAPPE>$ DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,VEL5*UK ) TE>S 9 HIS EYES1 
) PALE QUIV]+ LIPS & ) /IFL$ LAM5TATIONS1 CONFESS$ ! 
CIRCUM/ANCE TO ! S]GEANT4 

,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT* FELL 9TO A PASSION4 ,9 ! FIR/ MOM5T ( HIS 
9DIGNATION HE ?REAT5$ ! TAILOR2 BUT AFT]W>DS1 LIKE A K9DLY 
MAN ) PL5TY ( MEANS1 HE WAV$ HIS H&1 & DID NOT EXACT FROM 
,VEL5*UK ! VALUE ( ! CLOAK4 ,9 SPITE ( ! FUSSY TAILOR'S 
5DEAVORS1 & ! TE>S ?AT HE %$ :ILE TELL+ AB\T HIS 
MIS=TUNE1 ! ?IEF WAS NOT DETECT$4 ,AL?\< /RONG SUSPICIONS 
W]E ATTA*$ TO A CORRUPTLY DESP]ATE SOLDI] NAM$ ,*]N(1 :O 
SLEPT 9 ! SAME T5T ) HIM1 /ILL !RE WAS NO DECISIVE PRO(4 
,! DIPLOMATICALLY DICTATORIAL ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT*1 AS A MAN ( MEANS1 
HAV+ V>I\S >RANGEM5TS ) ! 9SPECTOR ( >MS & /EW>D ( 
! MESS1 ! >I/OCRATS ( ! BATT]Y1 QUICKLY =GOT ALL"9  AB\T 
! LOSS ( ?IS P>TICUL> CLOAK4 ,VEL5*UK1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 DID NOT 
=GET HIS UNHAPP9ESS4 ,! SOLDI]S DECL>$ ?AT AT ?IS TIME !Y 
W]E APPREH5SIVE AB\T HIM1 LE/ HE %\LD MAKE WAY ) HIMSELF1 OR 
FLEE TO ! M\NTA9S1 SO HEAVILY DID HIS MIS=TUNE WEI< UPON HIM4 ,HE 
DID NOT EAT1 HE DID NOT DR9K1 WAS NOT ABLE TO WORK1 & WEPT ALL ! 
TIME4 ,AT ! 5D ( ?REE DAYS HE APPE>$ BE=E ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT*1 
& )\T ANY COLOR 9 HIS FACE1 & ) A TREMBL+ H&1 DREW \T 
( HIS SLEEVE A PIECE ( GOLD1 & GAVE IT TO HIM4 

0,FAI?1.<#c.> & H]E'S ALL ?AT ,I HAVE1 ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT*2 & ?IS ,I 
GOT FROM ,ZHDAN(10 HE SAID1 BEG9N+ TO SOB AGA94 0,I WILL GIVE Y\ 
TWO MORE RUBLES1 TRULY ,I WILL1 :5 ,I HAVE E>N$ !M4 ,HE 7:O ! 
HE WAS1 ,VEL5*UK HIMSELF DID NOT KN[7 MADE ME SEEM LIKE A RASCAL 9 
Y\R EYES4 ,HE1 ! BEA/LY VIP]1 /OLE FROM A BRO!R SOLDI] HIS H>D 
E>N+S2 & H]E ,I HAVE BE5 9 ! S]VICE FIFTE5 YE>S40 444 

,TO ! HONOR ( ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EIT*1 IT MU/ BE SAID ?AT HE DID NOT 
REQUIRE ( ,VEL5*UK ! LA/ TWO RUBLES1 ?\< ,VEL5*UK BR\<T !M 
TO HIM AT ! 5D ( TWO MON?S4 

.<#c.> YEI ,BOGU4 

"9  

,I,I,I4 

,FIVE O!R SOLDI]S ( MY PLATOON BESIDES ,VEL5*UK W]E W>M+ 
!MSELVES >\ND ! BONFIRE4 

,9 ! BE/ PLACE1 AWAY FROM ! W9D1 ON A CASK1 SAT ! PLATOON 
>TILL]I/.<#d.> ,MAKSIM(1 SMOK+ HIS PIPE4 ,9 ! PO/URE1 ! GAZE1 
& ALL ! MOTIONS ( ?IS MAN IT C\LD BE SE5 ?AT HE WAS ACCU/OM$ 
TO COMM&1 & WAS CONSCI\S ( HIS [N WOR?1 EV5 IF NO?+ W]E 
SAID AB\T ! CASK :]EON HE SAT1 :I* DUR+ ! HALT SEEM$ TO 
BECOME ! EMBLEM ( P[]1 OR ! NANKE5 %ORT-COAT :I* HE WORE4 

,:5 ,I APPROA*$1 HE TURN$ HIS HEAD R\ND T[>D ME2 BUT HIS EYES 
REMA9$ FIX$ UPON ! FIRE1 & ONLY AFT] SOME TIME DID !Y FOLL[ 
! DIRECTION ( HIS FACE1 & RE/ UPON ME4 ,MAKSIM( CAME FROM A 
SEMI-NOBLE FAMILY4.<#e.> ,HE HAD PROP]TY1 & 9 ! S*OOL BRIGADE HE 
OBTA9$ RANK1 & ACQUIR$ SOME LE>N+4 ,ACCORD+ TO ! REPORTS ( 
! SOLDI]S1 HE WAS FE>FULLY RI* & FE>FULLY LE>N$4 

,I REMEMB] H[ ONE TIME1 :5 !Y W]E MAK+ PRACTICAL EXP]IM5TS 
) ! QUADRANT1 HE EXPLA9$1 TO ! SOLDI]S GA!R$ >\ND HIM1 
?AT ! MOTIONS ( ! SPIRIT LEVEL >ISE FROM ! SAME CAUSES AS 
?OSE ( ! ATMOSPH]IC QUICKSILV]4 ,AT BOTTOM ,MAKSIM( WAS F> FROM 
/UPID1 & KNEW HIS BUS9ESS ADMIRABLY2 BUT HE HAD ! BAD HABIT ( 
SPEAK+1 SOMETIMES ON"9  PURPOSE1 9 SU* A WAY ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE 
TO UND]/& HIM1 & ,I ?9K HE DID NOT UND]/& HIS [N WORDS4 
,HE HAD AN ESPECIAL FONDNESS = ! WORDS 0>ISES0 & 0TO PROCE$20 
& :5EV] HE SAID 0IT >ISES10 OR 0N[ LET US PROCE$10 !N ,I 
KNEW 9 ADVANCE ?AT ,I %\LD NOT UND]/& :AT W\LD FOLL[4 ,! 
SOLDI]S1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 AS ,I HAD A *ANCE TO OBS]VE1 5JOY$ 
HE>+ HIS 0>ISES10 & SUSPECT$ IT ( CONTA9+ DEEP MEAN+1 
?\<1 LIKE MYSELF1 !Y C\LD NOT UND]/& HIS WORDS4 ,BUT ?IS 
9COMPREH5SIBILITY !Y ASCRIB$ TO HIS DEP?1 & !Y WOR%IP$ 
,FEODOR ,MAKSIMUIT* ACCORD+LY4 ,9 A WORD1 ,MAKSIM( WAS DIPLOMATICALLY 
DICTATORIAL4 

,! SECOND SOLDI] NE> ! FIRE1 5GAG$ 9 DRAW+ ON HIS S9EWY 
R$ LEGS A FRE% PAIR ( /OCK+S1 WAS ,ANTON(1 ! SAME BOMB>DI] 
,ANTON( :O AS E>LY AS #a#h#c#g1 TOGE!R ) TWO O!RS /ATION$ BY ONE 
GUN )\T %ELT]1 WAS RETURN+ ! %OT ( ! 5EMY1 & ) TWO 
BULLETS 9 HIS ?I< CONT9U$ /ILL TO S]VE HIS GUN & LOAD IT4 

0,HE W\LD HAVE BE5 >TILL]I/ LONG BE=E1 HAD IT NOT BE5 = HIS 
*>ACT]10 SAID ! SOLDI]S2 & IT WAS TRUE ?AT HIS *>ACT] WAS 
ODD4 ,:5 HE WAS SOB]1 !RE WAS NO MAN MORE CALM1 MORE PEACEFUL1 MORE 
CORRECT 9 HIS DEPORTM5T2 :5 HE WAS DRUNK HE BECAME AN 5TIRELY 
DIFF]5T MAN4 ,NOT RECOGNIZ+ AU?ORITY1 HE BECAME QU>RELSOME & 
TURBUL5T1 & WAS :OLLY VALUELESS AS A SOLDI]4 ,NOT MORE ?AN A 
WEEK BE=E ?IS TIME HE GOT DRUNK AT ,%ROVETIDE2 & 9 SPITE ( ALL 
?REATS & EXHORTATIONS1 & HIS ATTA*M5T TO HIS CANNON1 HE GOT 
TIPSY & QU>RELSOME ON ! FIR/ ,MONDAY 9 ,L5T4 ,?R\<\T ! FA/1 
NOT)/&+ ! ORD] = ALL 9 ! DIVISION TO EAT MEAT1 HE LIV$ 
ON H>D-TACK ALONE1 & 9 ! FIR/ WEEK"9  HE DID NOT EV5 TAKE ! 
PRESCRIB$ ALL[ANCE ( VODKA4 ,H[EV]1 IT WAS NECESS>Y TO SEE ?IS 
%ORT FIGURE1 T\< AS IRON1 ) HIS /UMPY1 CROOK$ LEGS1 HIS %9Y 
FACE ) ITS MU/A*E1 :5 HE1 = EXAMPLE1 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( 
LIQUOR1 TOOK ! BALALAIKA1 OR ?REE-/R+$ GUIT> ( ! ,UKRA9A1 
9TO HIS /RONG H&S1 &1 C>ELESSLY GLANC+ TO ?IS SIDE & ?AT1 
PLAY$ SOME LOVE-SONG1 OR ) HIS CLOAK ?R[N OV] HIS %\LD]S1 & 
! ORD]S DANGL+ FROM IT1 & HIS H&S ?RU/ 9TO ! POCKETS ( 
HIS BLUE NANKE5 TR\S]S1 HE ROLL$ ALONG ! /REET2 IT WAS NECESS>Y 
TO SEE HIS EXPRESSION ( M>TIAL PRIDE1 & HIS SCORN = ALL ?AT DID 
NOT P]TA9 TO ! MILIT>Y1--TO COMPREH5D H[ ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE 
IT WAS = HIM TO COMP>E HIMSELF AT SU* MOM5TS ) ! RUDE OR 
! SIMPLY 9S9UAT+ S]VANT1 ! ,COSSACK1 ! FOOT-SOLDI]1 OR ! 
VOLUNTE]1 ESPECIALLY ?OSE :O DID NOT BELONG TO ! >TILL]Y4 ,HE 
QU>REL$ & WAS TURBUL5T1 NOT SO MU* = HIS [N PLEASURE AS = 
! SAKE ( UPHOLD+ ! SPIRIT ( ALL SOLDI]HOOD1 ( :I* HE FELT 
HIMSELF TO BE ! PROTECTOR4 

,! ?IRD SOLDI]1 ) E>-R+S 9 HIS E>S1 ) BRI/L+ 
MU/A*ES1 GOOSE-FLE%1 & A PORCELA9 PIPE 9 HIS LIPS1 CR\*+ 
ON HIS HEELS 9 FRONT ( ! BONFIRE1 WAS ! >TILL]Y-RID] ,*IK94 
,! DE> MAN ,*IK91 AS ! SOLDI]S CALL$ HIM1 WAS A JE/]4 ,9 
BITT] COLD1 UP TO HIS KNEES 9 ! MUD1 GO+ )\T FOOD TWO DAYS 
AT A TIME1 ON ! M>*1 ON P>ADE1 UND]GO+ 9/RUCTION1 ! DE> 
MAN ALWAYS & EV]Y:]E SCREW$ HIS FACE 9TO GRIMACES1 EXECUT$ 
FL\RI%ES ) HIS LEGS1 & P\R$ \T SU* A FLOOD ( NONS5SE ?AT 
! :OLE PLATOON W\LD GO 9TO FITS ( LAU<T]4 ,DUR+ A HALT OR 9 
CAMP ,*IK9 HAD ALWAYS >\ND HIM A GR\P ( Y\NG SOLDI]S1 :OM HE 
EI!R PLAY$"9  C>DS )1 OR AMUS$ ) TALES AB\T SOME SLY SOLDI] 
OR ,5GLI% MILORD1 OR BY IMITAT+ ! ,TAT> & ! ,G]MAN1 OR SIMPLY 
BY MAK+ HIS JOKES1 AT :I* EV]YBODY NE>LY DI$ ) LAU<T]4 ,IT 
WAS A FACT1 ?AT HIS REPUTATION AS A JOK] WAS SO WIDESPREAD 9 ! 
BATT]Y1 ?AT HE HAD ONLY TO OP5 HIS M\? & W9K1 & HE W\LD BE 
REW>D$ ) A UNIV]SAL BUR/ ( GUFFAWS2 BUT HE REALLY HAD A GREAT 
GIFT = ! COMIC & UNEXPECT$4 ,9 EV]Y ?+ HE HAD ! WIT TO SEE 
SOME?+ REM>KABLE1 SU* AS NEV] CAME 9TO ANYBODY ELSE'S HEAD2 &1 
:AT IS MORE IMPORTANT1 ?IS TAL5T = SEE+ SOME?+ RIDICUL\S 
NEV] FAIL$ UND] ANY TRIAL4 

,! F\R? SOLDI] WAS AN AWKW>D Y\NG FELL[1 A RECRUIT ( ! LA/ 
YE>'S DRAFT1 & HE WAS N[ S]V+ 9 AN EXP$ITION = ! FIR/ 
TIME4 ,HE WAS /&+ 9 ! V]Y SMOKE1 & SO CLOSE TO ! FIRE ?AT 
IT SEEM$ AS IF HIS WELL-WORN %ORT-COAT.<#f.> W\LD CAT* ON FIRE2 BUT1 
NOT)/&+ ?IS1 BY ! WAY 9 :I* HE HAD FLUNG OP5 HIS COAT1 
BY HIS CALM1 SELF-SATISFI$ POSE1 ) HIS CALVES >*$ \T1 IT WAS 
EVID5T ?AT HE WAS 5JOY+ P]FECT HAPP9ESS4 

,& F9ALLY1 ! FIF? SOLDI]1 SITT+ SOME LITTLE DI/ANCE FROM ! 
FIRE1 & :ITTL+ A /ICK1 WAS ,UNCLE ,ZHDAN(4 ,ZHDAN( HAD BE5 9 
S]VICE ! LONGE/ ( ALL ! SOLDI]S 9 ! BATT]Y1--KNEW ALL ! 
RECRUITS2 & EV]YBODY1 FROM =CE ( HABIT1 CALL$ HIM DY'A-D5KA1 
OR LITTLE UNCLE4 ,IT WAS SAID ?AT HE NEV] DRANK1 NEV] SMOK$1 NEV] 
PLAY$ C>DS 7NOT EV5 ! SOLDI]'S PET GAME ( NOSKI71 & NEV] 
9DULG$ 9 BAD TALK4 ,ALL ! TIME :5 MILIT>Y DUTIES DID NOT 5GROSS 
HIM HE WORK$ AT HIS TRADE ( %OEMAK+2 ON HOLIDAYS HE W5T TO 
*UR* :]EV] IT WAS POSSIBLE1 OR PLAC$ A F>?+ C&LE BE=E 
! IMAGE1 & READ"9  ! PSALT]1 ! ONLY BOOK 9 :I* HE C>$ TO 
READ4 ,HE HAD LITTLE TO DO ) ! O!R SOLDI]S1--) ?OSE HI<] 
9 RANK1--?\< TO ! Y\NG] (FIC]S HE WAS COLDLY RESPECTFUL4 ,) 
HIS EQUALS1 S9CE HE DID NOT DR9K1 HE HAD LITTLE REASON = SOCIAL 
9T]C\RSE2 BUT HE WAS EXTREMELY FOND ( RECRUITS & Y\NG SOLDI]S3 
HE ALWAYS PROTECT$ !M1 READ !M !IR LESSONS1 & (T5 HELP$ 
!M4 ,ALL 9 ! BATT]Y CONSID]$ HIM A CAPITALI/1 BECAUSE HE HAD 
TW5TY-FIVE RUBLES1 :I* HE WILL+LY LOAN$ TO ANY SOLDI] :O REALLY 
NE$$ IT4 ,?AT SAME ,MAKSIM( :O WAS N[ >TILL]I/ US$ TO TELL ME 
?AT :51 T5 YE>S BE=E1 HE HAD COME AS A RECRUIT1 & ! OLD 
DRUNK5 SOLDI]S HELP$ HIM TO DR9K UP ! MONEY ?AT HE HAD1 ,ZHDAN(1 
PITY+ HIS UNHAPPY SITUATION1 TOOK HIM HOME ) HIM1 SEV]ELY 
UPBRAID$ HIM = HIS BEHAVIOR1 EV5 ADM9I/]$ A CA/IGATION1 READ 
HIM ! LESSON AB\T ! DUTIES ( A SOLDI]'S LIFE1 & S5T HIM AWAY 
AFT] PRES5T+ HIM ) A %IRT 7= ,MAKSIM( HADN'T ONE TO HIS BACK7 
& A HALF-RUBLE PIECE4 

0,HE MADE A MAN ( ME10 ,MAKSIM( US$ TO SAY1 ALWAYS ) RESPECT & 
GRATITUDE 9 HIS TONE4 ,HE HAD ALSO TAK5 ,VEL5*UK'S P>T ALWAYS1 
EV] S9CE HE CAME AS A RECRUIT1 & HAD HELP$ HIM AT ! TIME ( 
HIS MIS=TUNE AB\T ! LO/ CLOAK1 & HAD HELP$ MANY1 MANY O!RS 
DUR+ ! C\RSE ( HIS TW5TY-FIVE YE>S' S]VICE4 

,9 ! S]VICE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO F9D A SOLDI] :O KNEW HIS 
BUS9ESS BETT]1 :O WAS BRAV] OR MORE OB$I5T2 BUT HE WAS TOO MEEK 
& HOMELY TO BE *OS5 AS AN >TILL]I/1.<#g.> ?\< HE HAD BE5 
BOMB>DI] FIFTE5 YE>S4 ,ZHDAN('S ONE PLEASURE1 & EV5 PASSION1 WAS 
MUSIC4 ,HE WAS EXCE$+LY FOND ( SOME"9  SONGS1 & HE ALWAYS GA!R$ 
R\ND HIM A CIRCLE ( S+]S FROM AMONG ! Y\NG SOLDI]S2 & ?\< 
HE HIMSELF C\LD NOT S+1 HE /OOD ) !M1 & PUTT+ HIS H&S 
9TO ! POCKETS ( HIS %ORT-COAT1.<#h.> & %UTT+ HIS EYES1 EXPRESS$ 
HIS CONT5TM5T BY ! MOTIONS ( HIS HEAD & *EEKS4 ,I KN[ NOT :Y 
IT WAS1 ?AT 9 ?AT REGUL> MOTION ( ! *EEKS UND] ! MU/A*E1 
A PECULI>ITY :I* ,I NEV] SAW 9 ANY ONE ELSE1 ,I F\ND UNUSUAL 
EXPRESSION4 ,HIS HEAD :ITE AS SN[1 HIS MU/A*E DY$ BLACK1 & HIS 
BR[N1 WR9KL$ FACE1 GAVE HIM AT FIR/ SI<T A /]N & GLOOMY 
APPE>ANCE2 BUT AS Y\ LOOK$ MORE CLOSELY 9TO HIS GREAT R\ND EYES1 
ESPECIALLY :5 !Y SMIL$ 7HE NEV] SMIL$ ) HIS LIPS71 SOME?+ 
EXTRAORD9>ILY SWEET & ALMO/ *ILDLIKE SUDD5LY /RUCK Y\4 

.<#d.> FEI]V]K]2 ,G]MAN1 ,FEU]W]K]4 

.<#e.> ODNODVORTSUI1 ( ONE E/ATE2 FREEM51 :O 9 ! 
SEV5TE5? C5TURY W]E SETTL$ 9 ! ,UKRAFOA ) SPECIAL 
PRIVILEGES4 

.<#f.> POLU%UBO*EK1 LITTLE HALF %UBA4 

.<#g.> FEI]V]K]4 

.<#h.> POLU%UBKA4 

"9  

,I,V4 

0,ALAS6 ,I HAVE =GOTT5 MY PIPE2 ?AT'S A MIS=TUNE1 FELL[S10 
REPEAT$ ,VEL5*UK4 

0,BUT Y\ %\LD SMOKE CIK>ETTES1.<#i.> DE> MAN10 URG$ ,*IK91 
SCREW+ UP HIS M\?1 & W9K+4 0,I ALWAYS SMOKE CIK>ETTES AT 
HOME3 IT'S SWEET]40 

,( C\RSE1 ALL JO9$ 9 ! LAU<4 

0,SO Y\ =GOT Y\R PIPE80 9T]RUPT$ ,MAKSIM(1 PR\DLY KNOCK+ \T 
! A%ES FROM HIS PIPE 9TO ! PALM ( HIS LEFT H&1 & NOT PAY+ 
ANY ATT5TION TO ! UNIV]SAL LAU<T]1 9 :I* EV5 ! (FIC]S 
JO9$4 0,Y\ LO/ IT SOME:]E H]E1 DIDN'T Y\1 ,VEL5*UK80 

,VEL5*UK :EEL$ TO RI<T FACE AT HIM1 />T$ TO LIFT HIS H& TO HIS 
CAP1 & !N DROPP$ IT AGA94 

0,Y\ SEE1 Y\ HAV5'T WOKE UP FROM Y\R LA/ EV5+'S SPREE1 SO ?AT 
Y\ DIDN'T GET Y\R SLEEP \T4 ,= SU* WORK Y\ DES]VE A GOOD RAK+40 

0,MAY ,I DROP DEAD ON ?IS V]Y SPOT1 ,FEODOR ,MAKSIMOVIT*1 IF A S+LE 
DROP PASS$ MY LIPS4 ,I MYSELF DON'T KN[ :AT GOT 9TO ME10 REPLI$ 
,VEL5*UK4 0,H[ GLAD ,I %\LD HAVE BE5 TO GET DRUNK60 HE MUTT]$ TO 
HIMSELF4 

0,ALL RI<T4 ,BUT ONE IS RESPONSIBLE TO ! *IEF = HIS BRO!R'S 
CONDUCT1 & :5 Y\ BEHAVE ?IS WAY IT'S P]FECTLY ABOM9ABLE10 SAID 
! ELOQU5T ,MAKSIM( SAVAGELY1 BUT /ILL 9 A MORE G5TLE TONE4 

"9  

0,WELL1 H]E IS SOME?+ /RANGE1 FELL[S10 CONT9U$ ,VEL5*UK AFT] A 
MOM5T'S SIL5CE1 SCRAT*+ ! BACK ( HIS HEAD1 & NOT ADDRESS+ 
ANY ONE 9 P>TICUL>2 0FACT1 IT'S /RANGE1 FELL[S4 ,I HAVE BE5 
SIXTE5 YE>S 9 ! S]VICE1 & HAVE NOT HAD SU* A ?+ HAPP5 TO 
ME4 ,AS WE W]E TOLD TO GET READY = A M>*1 ,I GOT UP1 AS MY DUTY 
BEHOOV$4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ AT ALL1 :5 SUDD5LY 9 ! P>K IT 
CAME OV] ME--CAME OV] ME MORE & MORE2 LAID ME \T--LAID ME \T ON 
! GR\ND--& EV]Y?+4444 ,& :5 ,I GOT ASLEEP1 ,I DID NOT HE> 
A S\ND1 FELL[S4 ,IT MU/ HAVE BE5 ?AT ,I FA9T$ AWAY10 HE SAID 9 
CONCLUSION4 

0,AT ALL EV5TS1 IT TOOK ALL MY /R5G? TO WAKE Y\ UP10 SAID ,ANTON(1 
AS HE PULL$ ON HIS BOOT4 0,I PU%$ Y\1 & PU%$ Y\4 ,Y\ SLEPT LIKE 
A LOG40 

0,SEE H]E10 REM>K$ ,VEL5*UK1 0IF ,I HAD BE5 DRUNK0 444 

0,LIKE A PEASANT-WOMAN WE HAD AT HOME10 9T]RUPT$ ,*IK94 0,= ALMO/ 
TWO YE>S RUNN+ %E DID NOT GET D[N FROM ! BIG OV54 ,!Y TRI$ 
TO WAKE H] UP ONE TIME1 = !Y ?\<T %E WAS ASLEEP2 BUT !RE 
%E WAS1 LY+ JU/ AS ?\< %E WAS DEAD3 ! SAME K9D ( SLEEP Y\ 
HAD--ISN'T ?AT SO1 CLE> MAN80 

0,JU/ TELL US1 ,*IK91 H[ Y\ L$ ! FA%ION ! TIME :5 Y\ HAD 
LEAVE ( ABS5CE10 SAID ,MAKSIM(1 SMIL+1 & W9K+ AT ME AS MU* AS 
TO SAY1 0,DON'T Y\ LIKE TO HE> :AT ! FOOLI% FELL[ HAS TO SAY80 

0,H[ L$ ! FA%ION1 ,FEODOR ,MAKSIMUIT*80 ASK$ ,*IK91 CA/+ A 
QUICK SIDE GLANCE AT ME4 0,( C\RSE1 ,I M]ELY TOLD :AT K9D ( PEOPLE 
WE >E H]E 9 ! ,KAPKAS40.<#a.> 

"9  

0,WELL1 !N1 ?AT'S SO1 ?AT'S SO4 ,Y\ >E NOT A FA%ION LEAD] 444 BUT 
JU/ TELL US H[ Y\ MADE !M ?9K Y\ W]E COMM&]40 

0,Y\ KN[ H[ ,I BECAME COMM&] = !M4 ,I WAS ASK$ H[ WE LIVE10 
BEGAN ,*IK91 SPEAK+ RAPIDLY1 LIKE A MAN :O HAS (T5 TOLD ! 
SAME /ORY4 0,I SAID1 ',WE LIVE WELL1 DE> MAN3 WE HAVE PL5TY ( 
VICTUALS4 ,AT MORN+ & NI<T1 TO \R DELI<T ALL WE SOLDI]S GET 
\R *OCOLET2.<#a#a.> & !N AT D9N] EV]Y S9N] HAS HIS IMP]IAL 
S\P ( B>LEY GROATS1 & 9/EAD ( VODKA1 ,MODEIRA AT EA* PLATE1 
G5U9E OLD ,MODEIRA 9 ! CASK1 =TY-SECOND DEGREE6'04 

0,F9E ,MODEIRA60 REPLI$ ,VEL5*UK L\D] ?AN ! O!RS1 & ) A 
BUR/ ( LAU<T]4 0,LET'S HAVE SOME ( IT40 

0,WELL1 !N1 :AT DID Y\ HAVE TO TELL !M AB\T ! ,ESIATICS80 
SAID ,MAKSIM(1 C>RY+ HIS 9QUIRIES /ILL FUR!R1 AS ! G5]AL 
M]RIM5T SUBSID$4 

,*IK9 B5T D[N TO ! FIRE1 PICK$ UP A COAL ) HIS /ICK1 PUT IT 
ON HIS PIPE1 &1 AS ?\< NOT NOTIC+ ! DISCREET CURIOSITY >\S$ 
9 HIS HE>]S1 PUFF$ = A LONG TIME 9 SIL5CE4 

,:5 AT LA/ HE HAD RAIS$ A SUFFICI5T CL\D ( SMOKE1 HE ?REW AWAY 
! COAL1 PU%$ HIS CAP /ILL F>!R ON ! BACK ( HIS HEAD1 & 
MAK+ A GRIMACE1 & ) AN ALMO/ IMP]CEPTIBLE SMILE1 HE CONT9U$3 
0,!Y ASK$10 SAID HE1 0',:AT K9D ( A P]SON IS ! LITTLE ,*]KES 
YOND]8 OR IS IT ! ,TURK ?AT Y\ >E FI<T+ ) 9 ! ,KAPKAS 
C\NTRY8' ,I TELL 'EM1 ',! ,*]KES H]E ) US IS NOT ( ONE SORT1 
BUT ( DIFF]5T SORTS4 ,SOME >E LIKE ! M\NTA9E]S :O LIVE ON ! 
ROCKY M\NTA9-TOPS1 & EAT /ONES 9/EAD ( BREAD4 ,! BIGGE/ ( 
!M1' ,I SAY1 '>E EXACTLY LIKE"9  BIG LOGS1 ) ONE EYE 9 ! MIDDLE 
( ! =EHEAD1 & !Y WE> R$ CAPS2' !Y GL[ LIKE FIRE1 JU/ AS 
Y\ DO1 MY DE> FELL[10 HE ADD$1 ADDRESS+ A Y\NG RECRUIT1 :O1 9 
FACT1 WORE AN ODD LITTLE CAP ) A R$ CR[N4 

,! RECRUIT1 AT ?IS UNEXPECT$ SALLY1 SUDD5LY SAT D[N ON ! GR\ND1 
SLAPP$ HIS KNEES1 & BUR/ \T LAU<+ & C\<+ SO ?AT HE C\LD 
H>DLY COMM& HIS VOICE TO SAY1 0,?AT'S ! K9D ( M\NTA9E]S WE 
HAVE H]E40 

0',&1' SAYS ,I1 'BESIDES1 !RE >E ! MUMRI1'0 CONT9U$ ,*IK91 
J]K+ HIS HEAD SO ?AT HIS HAT FELL =W>D ON HIS =EHEAD2 0'!Y 
GO \T 9 PAIRS1 LIKE LITTLE TW9S1--!SE O!RS4 ,EV]Y ?+ COMES 
D\BLE ) !M1' SAYS ,I1' & !Y CL+ HOLD ( EA* O!R'S H&S1 
& RUN SO QUEEK ?AT ,I TELL Y\ Y\ C\LDN'T CAT* UP ) !M ON 
HORSEBACK4'--',WELL1' SAYS HE1 '!SE MUMRI :O >E SO SMALL AS Y\ 
SAY1 ,I SUPPOSE !Y >E BORN H& 9 H&8'0 SAID ,*IK91 5DEAVOR+ 
TO IMITATE ! DEEP ?ROATY VOICE ( ! PEASANT4 0',YES1' SAYS ,I1 'MY 
DE> MAN1 !Y >E SO BY NATURE4 ,Y\ TRY TO PULL !IR H&S AP>T1 
& IT MAKES 'EM BLE$1 JU/ AS ) ! ,*9ESE3 :5 Y\ PULL !IR 
CAPS (F1 ! BLOOD COMES4'--',BUT TELL US1' SAYS HE1 'H[ !Y KILL ANY 
ONE4'--',WELL1 ?IS IS ! WAY1' SAYS ,I3 '!Y TAKE Y\1 & !Y RIP 
Y\ ALL UP1 & !Y REEL \T Y\R B[ELS 9 !IR H&S4 ,!Y REEL 'EM 
\T1 & Y\ DEFY !M & DEFY !M--TILL Y\R S\L'0 444 

0,WELL1 N[1 DID !Y BELIEVE ANY ?+ Y\ SAID1 ,*IK980 ASK$ 
,MAKSIM( ) A SLI<T SMILE1 :5 ?OSE /&+ R\ND HAD /OPP$ 
LAU<+4 

0,& 9DE$ IT IS A /RANGE PEOPLE1 ,FEODOR ,MAKSIMUIT*3 !Y BELIEVE 
EV]Y ONE2 BE=E ,GOD1 !Y DO4"9  ,BUT /ILL1 :5 ,I BEGAN TO TELL !M 
AB\T ,M\NT ,KAZBEK1 & H[ ! SN[ DOES NOT MELT ALL SUMM] !RE1 
!Y ALL BUR/ \T LAU<+ AT ! ABSURDITY ( IT4 ',:AT A /ORY6' 
!Y SAID4 ',C\LD SU* A ?+ BE POSSIBLE1--A M\NTA9 SO BIG ?AT ! 
SN[ DOES NOT MELT ON IT8' ,& ,I SAY1 ',) US1 :5 ! ?AW COMES1 
!RE IS SU* A HEAP2 & EV5 AFT] IT BEG9S TO MELT1 ! SN[ LIES 
9 ! HOLL[S4'--',GO AWAY1'0 SAID ,*IK91 ) A CONCLUD+ W9K4 

.<#i.> SIKH>KI4 

.<#a.> ,KAPHAS = ,KAVKAS1 ,CAUCASUS4 

.<#a#a.> %*IKULATA ID'YOT NA SOLDATA4 

"9  

,V4 

,! BRI<T DISK ( ! SUN1 GLEAM+ ?R\< ! MILK-:ITE MI/1 HAD 
N[ GOT WELL UP2 ! PURPLE-GRAY HORIZON GRADUALLY WID5$3 BUT1 ?\< 
! VIEW BECAME MORE EXT5D$1 /ILL IT WAS %>PLY DEF9$ BY ! 
DELUSIVE :ITE WALL ( ! FOG4 

,9 FRONT ( US1 ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! =E/1 C\LD BE SE5 A 
GOOD-SIZ$ FIELD4 ,OV] ! FIELD !RE SPREAD FROM ALL SIDES ! SMOKE1 
H]E BLACK1 H]E MILK-:ITE1 H]E PURPLE2 & /RANGE =MS SWEPT 
?R\< ! :ITE FOLDS ( ! MI/4 ,F> 9 ! DI/ANCE1 FROM TIME TO 
TIME1 GR\PS ( M\NT$ ,TAT>S %[$ !MSELVES2 & ! OCCASIONAL 
REPORTS FROM \R RIFLES1 GUNS1 & CANNON W]E HE>D4 

0,?IS ISN'T ANY ?+ AT ALL ( AN ACTION--M]E BOYS' PLAY10 SAID ! 
GOOD ,CAPTA9 ,KHLOP(4 

,! COMM&] ( ! N9? COMPANY ( CAVALRY1.<#a#b.> :O WAS ) US AS 
ESCORT1 RODE UP TO \R CANNON1 & PO9T+ TO ?REE M\NT$ ,TAT>S :O 
W]E JU/ !N RID+ UND] COV] ( ! =E/1 MORE ?AN SIX HUNDR$ 
SAZH5S FROM US1 ASK$ ME TO GIVE !M A %OT OR A %ELL4 ,HIS REQUE/ 
WAS AN ILLU/RATION ( ! LOVE UNIV]SAL AMONG ALL 9FANTRY (FIC]S 
= >TILL]Y PRACTICE4 

0,Y\ SEE10 SAID HE1 ) A K9DLY & CONV9C+ SMILE1 LAY+ HIS H& 
ON MY %\LD]1 0:]E ?OSE TWO BIG TREES >E1 RI<T 9 FRONT ( US3 
ONE IS ON A :ITE"9  HORSE1 & DRESS$ 9 A BLACK ,CIRCASSIAN COAT2 & 
DIRECTLY BEH9D HIM >E TWO MORE4 ,DO Y\ SEE8 ,IF Y\ PLEASE1 WE MU/0 
444 

0,& !RE >E ?REE O!RS RID+ ALONG UND] ! LEE ( ! =E/10 
9T]RUPT$ ,ANTON(1 :O WAS DI/+UI%$ = HIS %>P EYES1 & HAD 
N[ JO9$ US ) ! PIPE ?AT HE HAD BE5 SMOK+ CONCEAL$ BEH9D 
HIS BACK4 0,! FRONT ONE HAS JU/ TAK5 HIS C>B9E FROM ITS CASE4 ,IT'S 
EASY TO SEE1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY40 

0,HA6 HE FIR$ !N1 FELL[S4 ,SEE ! :ITE PUFF ( SMOKE10 SAID 
,VEL5*UK TO A GR\P ( SOLDI]S A LITTLE BACK ( US4 

0,HE MU/ BE AIM+ AT US1 ! BLACKGU>D60 REPLI$ SOME ONE ELSE4 

0,SEE1 ?OSE FELL[S ONLY COME \T A LITTLE WAY FROM ! =E/4 ,WE SEE 
! PLACE3 WE WANT TO AIM A CANNON AT IT10 SUGGE/$ A ?IRD4 0,IF WE 
C\LD ONLY BLANT A KR5ADE 9TO ! MID/ ( 'EM1 IT W\LD SCATT] 
'EM40 444 

0,& :AT MAKES Y\ ?9K Y\ C\LD %OOT TO SU* A TI/ANCE1 DE> 
MAN80 ASK$ ,*IK94 

0,ONLY FIVE HUNDR$ OR FIVE HUNDR$ & TW5TY SAZH5S----IT CAN'T 
BE LESS ?AN ?AT10 SAID ,MAKSIM( COOLLY1 AS ?\< HE W]E SPEAK+ 
TO HIMSELF2 BUT IT WAS EVID5T ?AT HE1 LIKE ! O!RS1 WAS T]RIBLY 
ANXI\S TO BR+ ! GUNS 9TO PLAY4 0,IF ! H[ITZ] IS AIM$ UP AT 
AN ANGLE ( =TY-FIVE DEGREES1 !N IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO REA* ?AT 
SPOT2 ?AT IS P]FECTLY POSSIBLE40 

0,Y\ KN[1 N[1 ?AT IF Y\ AIM AT ?AT GR\P1 IT W\LD 9FALLIBLY HIT 
SOME ONE4 ,!RE1 !RE6 AS !Y >E RID+ ALONG N[1 PLEASE HURRY 
UP & ORD] ! GUN TO BE FIR$10 CONT9U$ ! CAVALRY COMM&]1 
BESEE*+ ME4 

"9  

0,WILL Y\ GIVE ! ORD] TO LIMB] ! GUN80 ASK$ ,ANTON( SUDD5LY1 9 
A J]KY BASE VOICE1 ) A SLI<T T\* ( SURL9ESS 9 HIS MANN]4 

,I CONFESS ?AT ,I MYSELF FELT A /RONG DESIRE = ?IS1 & ,I COMM&$ 
! SECOND CANNON TO BE UNLIMB]$4 

,! WORDS HAD H>DLY LEFT MY M\? ]E ! BOMB WAS P[D]$ & 
RAMM$ HOME2 & ,ANTON(1 CL++ TO ! GUN-*EEK1 & LEAN+ HIS 
TWO FAT F+]S ON ! C>RIAGE1 WAS ALREADY GETT+ ! GUN 9TO 
POSITION4 

0,LITTLE 444 LITTLE MORE TO ! LEFT--N[ A LITTLE TO ! RI<T--N[1 
N[ ! LEA/ BIT MORE--!RE1 ?AT'S RI<T10 SAID HE ) A PR\D 
FACE1 TURN+ FROM ! GUN4 

,! 9FANTRY (FIC]1 MYSELF1 & ,MAKSIM(1 9 TURN SI<T$ ALONG ! 
GUN1 & ALL GAVE EXPRESSION TO V>I\S OP9IONS4 

0,BY ,GOD6 IT WILL MISS10 SAID ,VEL5*UK1 CLICK+ ) HIS TONGUE1 
AL?\< HE C\LD ONLY SEE OV] ,ANTON('S %\LD]1 & !RE=E HAD 
NO BASIS = SU* A SURMISE4 

0,BY-Y-Y ,GOD6 IT WILL MISS3 IT WILL HIT ?AT TREE RI<T 9 FRONT1 
FELL[S40 

0,TWO60 ,I COMM&$4 

,! M5 AB\T ! GUN SCATT]$4 ,ANTON( RAN TO ONE SIDE1 SO AS TO 
FOLL[ ! FLI<T ( ! BALL4 ,!RE WAS A FLA% & A R+ ( BRASS4 
,AT ! SAME 9/ANT WE W]E 5VELOP$ 9 GUNP[D] SMOKE2 & AFT] 
! />TL+ REPORT1 WAS HE>D ! METALLIC1 :IZZ+ S\ND ( ! 
BALL RU%+ (F QUICK] ?AN LI<TN+1 AMID ! UNIV]SAL SIL5CE & 
DY+ AWAY 9 ! DI/ANCE4 

,JU/ A LITTLE BEH9D ! GR\P ( HORSEM5 A :ITE PUFF ( SMOKE 
APPE>$2 ! ,TAT>S SCATT]$ 9 ALL DIRECTIONS1 & !N ! S\ND ( 
A CRA% CAME TO US4 

"9  

0,CAPITALLY DONE60 0,AH6 !Y TAKE TO !IR HEELS20 0,SEE6 ! DEVILS 
DON'T LIKE IT10 W]E TYPES ( ! EXCLAMATIONS & JE/S HE>D AMONG 
! RANKS ( ! >TILL]Y & 9FANTRY4 

0,IF Y\ HAD AIM$ A TRIFLE L[]1 Y\'D HAVE HIT RI<T 9 ! MID/ ( 
HIM10 REM>K$ ,VEL5*UK4 0,I SAID IT W\LD /RIKE ! TREE3 IT DID2 IT 
TOOK ! ONE AT ! RI<T40 

.<#a#b.> JAG]S4 

"9  

,V,I4 

,LEAV+ ! SOLDI]S TO >GUE AB\T ! ,TAT>S TAK+ TO FLI<T :5 
!Y SAW ! %ELL1 & :Y IT WAS ?AT !Y CAME !RE1 & :E!R 
!RE W]E MANY 9 ! =E/1 ,I W5T ) ! CAVALRY COMM&] A FEW 
/EPS ASIDE1 & SAT D[N UND] A TREE1 EXPECT+ TO HAVE SOME W>M$ 
*OPS :I* HE HAD (F]$ ME4 ,! CAVALRY COMM&]1 ,BOLKH(1 WAS 
ONE ( ! (FIC]S :O >E CALL$ 9 ! REGIM5T BONJ\R-OLI4 ,HE 
HAD PROP]TY1 HAD S]V$ BE=E 9 ! GU>DS1 & SPOKE ,FR5*4 ,BUT1 
9 SPITE ( ?IS1 HIS COMRADES LIK$ HIM4 ,HE WAS RA!R 9TELLECTUAL1 
HAD TACT 5\< TO WE> HIS ,PET]SBURG OV]COAT1 TO EAT A GOOD D9N]1 
& TO SPEAK ,FR5* )\T TOO MU* (F5D+ ! S5SIBILITIES ( 
HIS BRO!R (FIC]S4 ,AS WE TALK$ AB\T ! WEA!R1 AB\T ! EV5TS 
( ! W>1 AB\T ! (FIC]S KN[N TO US BO?1 & AS WE BECAME 
CONV9C$1 BY \R QUE/IONS & ANSW]S1 BY \R VIEWS ( ?+S 9 
G5]AL1 ?AT WE W]E MUTUALLY SYMPA!TIC1 WE 9VOLUNT>ILY FELL 
9TO MORE 9TIMATE CONV]SATION4 ,MOREOV]1 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 AMONG M5 
:O MEET 9 ONE CIRCLE1 ! QUE/ION 9V>IABLY >ISES1 ?\< IT IS 
NOT ALWAYS EXPRESS$1 0,:Y >E Y\ H]E80 & IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT MY 
COMPANION WAS DESIR\S ( SATISFY+ ?IS 9>TICULATE QUE/ION4 

0,:5 WILL ?IS EXP$ITION 5D80 HE ASK$ LAZILY3 0IT'S TIRESOME40 

0,IT ISN'T TO ME10 ,I SAID3 0IT'S MU* MORE SO S]V+ ON ! /AFF40 

"9  

0,OH1 ON ! /AFF IT'S T5 ?\S& TIMES WORSE60 SAID HE FI]CELY4 
0,NO1 ,I MEAN :5 WILL ?IS SORT ( ?+ 5D ALTOGE!R80 

0,:AT6 DO Y\ WI% ?AT IT W\LD 5D80 ,I ASK$4 

0,YES1 ALL ( IT1 ALTOGE!R6444 ,WELL1 >E ! *OPS READY1 ,NIKOLAIEF80 
HE 9QUIR$ ( HIS S]VANT4 

0,:Y DO Y\ S]VE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 !N10 ,I ASK$1 0IF ! ,CAUCASUS 
DOES NOT PLEASE Y\80 

0,Y\ KN[ WIRY10 HE REPLI$ ) AN \TBUR/ ( FRANKNESS3 0ON ACC\NT 
( TRADITION4 ,9 ,RUSSIA1 Y\ SEE1 !RE EXI/S A /RANGE TRADITION 
AB\T ! ,CAUCASUS1 AS ?\< IT W]E ! PROMIS$ L& = ALL SORTS 
( UNHAPPY PEOPLE40 

0,WELL10 SAID ,I1 0IT'S ALMO/ TRUE3 ! MAJORITY ( US H]E 0444 

0,BUT :AT IS BETT] ?AN ALL10 SAID HE1 9T]RUPT+ ME1 0IS1 
?AT ALL ( US :O COME TO ! ,KAVKAS >E FE>FULLY DECEIV$ 9 
\R CALCULATIONS2 & REALLY1 ,I DON'T SEE :Y1 9 CONSEQU5CE ( 
DISAPPO9TM5T 9 LOVE OR DISORD] 9 ONE'S AFFAIRS1 ONE %\LD COME 
TO S]VE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS RA!R ?AN 9 ,KAZAN OR ,KALUGA4 ,Y\ SEE1 9 
,RUSSIA !Y IMAG9E ! ,KAVKAS AS SOME?+ IMM5SE1--EV]LA/+ 
VIRG9 ICE-FIELDS1 ) IMPETU\S /REAMS1 ) DAGG]S1 CLOAKS1 
,CIRCASSIAN GIRLS1--ALL ?AT IS /RANGE & WOND]FUL2 BUT 9 REALITY 
!RE IS NO?+ GAY 9 IT AT ALL4 ,IF !Y ONLY KNEW1 = EXAMPLE1 ?AT 
WE HAVE NEV] BE5 ON ! VIRG9 ICE-FIELDS1 & ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ 
GAY 9 IT AT ALL1 & ?AT ! ,CAUCASUS WAS DIVID$ 9TO ! DI/RICTS 
( ,/AVROPOL1 ,TIFLIS1 & SO =?0 444 

0,YES10 SAID ,I1 LAU<+1 0:5 WE >E 9 ,RUSSIA WE LOOK UPON ! 
,CAUCASUS 9 AN ABSOLUTELY DIFF]5T WAY FROM :AT WE DO H]E4 ,HAV5'T 
Y\ EV] NOTIC$ IT3 :5 Y\ READ POETRY 9 A LANGUAGE ?AT Y\ DON'T"9  
KN[ V]Y WELL1 Y\ IMAG9E IT MU* BETT] ?AN IT REALLY IS1 DON'T 
Y\80 

0,I DON'T KN[ H[ ?AT IS1 BUT ?IS ,CAUCASUS DOESN'T PLEASE ME10 HE 
SAID1 9T]RUPT+ ME4 

0,IT ISN'T SO ) ME10 ,I SAID3 0! ,CAUCASUS IS DELI<TFUL TO ME N[1 
BUT ONLY0 444 

0,MAYBE IT IS DELI<TFUL10 HE CONT9U$ ) A T\* ( ASP]ITY1 0BUT ,I 
KN[ ?AT IT IS NOT DELI<TFUL TO ME40 

0,:Y NOT80 ,I ASK$1 ) A VIEW ( SAY+ SOME?+4 

0,9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 IT HAS DECEIV$ ME--ALL ?AT :I* ,I EXPECT$1 
FROM TRADITION1 TO BE DELIV]$ ( 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 ,I F9D 9 ME JU/ 
! SAME H]E1 ONLY ) ?IS DI/9CTION1 ?AT BE=E1 IT WAS ALL ON 
A L>G] SCALE1 BUT N[ ON A SMALL & NA/Y SCALE1 AT EA* R\ND ( 
:I* ,I F9D A MILLION PETTY ANNOYANCES1 WORRIM5TS1 & MIS]IES2 9 
! SECOND PLACE1 BECAUSE ,I F9D ?AT EA* DAY ,I AM FALL+ MORALLY 
L[] & L[]2 & PR9CIPALLY BECAUSE ,I FEEL MYSELF 9CAPABLE ( 
S]VICE H]E--,I CANNOT 5DURE TO FACE ! DANG] 444 SIMPLY1 ,I AM A 
C[>D40 444 

,HE GOT UP & LOOK$ AT ME E>NE/LY4 

,?\< ?IS UNBECOM+ CONFESSION COMPLETELY TOOK1 ME BY SURPRISE1 ,I 
DID NOT CONTRADICT HIM1 AS MY MESSMATE EVID5TLY EXPECT$ ME TO DO2 BUT 
,I AWAIT$ FROM ! MAN HIMSELF ! REFUTATION ( HIS WORDS1 :I* IS 
ALWAYS READY 9 SU* CIRCUM/ANCES4 

0,Y\ KN[ TO-DAY'S EXP$ITION IS ! FIR/ TIME ?AT ,I HAVE TAK5 P>T 
9 ACTION10 HE CONT9U$1 0& Y\ CAN IMAG9E :AT MY EV5+ WAS4 
,:5 ! S]GEANT BR\<T ! ORD] = MY COMPANY TO JO9 ! COLUMN1 
,I BECAME AS PALE AS A %EET1 & C\LD NOT UTT] A WORD FROM EMOTION2 
& IF Y\ KNEW H[ ,I"9  SP5T ! NI<T6 ,IF IT IS TRUE ?AT PEOPLE TURN 
GRAY FROM FRI<T1 !N ,I \<T TO BE P]FECTLY :ITE-HEAD$ TO-DAY1 
BECAUSE NO MAN CONDEMN$ TO DEA? EV] SUFF]$ SO MU* FROM T]ROR 
9 A S+LE NI<T AS ,I DID3 EV5 N[1 ?\< ,I FEEL A LITTLE MORE AT 
MY EASE ?AN ,I DID LA/ NI<T1 /ILL IT GOES H]E 9 ME10 HE ADD$1 
PRESS+ HIS H& TO HIS HE>T4 0,& :AT IS ABSURD10 HE W5T ON TO 
SAY1 0:ILE ?IS FE>FUL DRAMA IS PLAY+ H]E1 ,I MYSELF AM EAT+ 
*OPS & ONIONS1 & TRY+ TO P]SUADE MYSELF ?AT ,I AM V]Y GAY4444 
,IS !RE ANY W9E1 ,NIKOLAIEF80 HE ADD$ ) A YAWN4 

0,!RE HE IS1 FELL[S60 %\T$ ONE ( ! SOLDI]S AT ?IS MOM5T 9 
A TONE ( AL>M1 & ALL EYES W]E FIX$ UPON ! $GE ( ! F>-(F 
=E/4 

,9 ! DI/ANCE A PUFF ( BLUI% SMOKE TOOK %APE1 &1 RIS+ UP1 
DRIFT$ AWAY ON ! W9D4 ,:5 ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ! 5EMY W]E FIR+ 
AT US1 EV]Y ?+ ?AT WAS 9 ! RANGE ( MY EYES AT ?AT MOM5T1 
EV]Y ?+ SUDD5LY ASSUM$ A NEW & MAJE/IC *>ACT]4 ,! /ACK$ 
MUSKETS1 & ! SMOKE ( ! BONFIRES1 & ! BLUE SKY1 & ! GRE5 
GUN-C>RIAGES1 & ,NIKOLAIEF'S SUNBURN$1 MU/A*IO$ FACE1--ALL ?IS 
SEEM$ TO TELL ME ?AT ! %OT :I* AT ?AT 9/ANT EM]G$ FROM ! 
SMOKE1 & WAS FLY+ ?R\< SPACE1 MI<T BE DIRECT$ /RAI<T AT MY 
BREA/4 

0,:]E DID Y\ GET ! W9E80 ,I MEAN:ILE ASK$ ,BOLKH( C>ELESSLY1 
:ILE 9 ! DEP?S ( MY S\L TWO VOICES W]E SPEAK+ ) EQUAL 
DI/9CTNESS2 ONE SAID1 0,LORD1 TAKE MY S\L 9 PEACE20 ! O!R1 0,I 
HOPE ,I %ALL NOT DUCK MY HEAD1 BUT SMILE :ILE ! BALL IS COM+40 ,& 
AT ?AT 9/ANT SOME?+ HORRIBLY UNPLEASANT :I/L$ ABOVE \R HEADS1 
& ! %OT CAME CRA%+ TO ! GR\ND NOT TWO PACES AWAY FROM US4 

0,N[1 IF ,I W]E ,NAPOLEON OR ,FR$]ICK ! ,GREAT10"9  SAID ,BOLKH( AT ?IS 
TIME1 ) P]FECT COMPOSURE1 TURN+ TO ME1 0,I %\LD C]TA9LY HAVE 
SAID SOME?+ GRACEFUL40 

0,BUT ?AT Y\ HAVE JU/ DONE10 ,I REPLI$1 HID+ ) SOME DIFFICULTY 
! PANIC :I* ,I FELT AT BE+ EXPOS$ TO SU* A DANG]4 

0,:Y1 :AT DID ,I SAY8 ,NO ONE WILL PUT IT ON RECORD40 

0,I'LL PUT IT ON RECORD40 

0,YES3 IF Y\ PUT IT ON RECORD1 IT WILL BE 9 ! WAY ( CRITICISM1 AS 
,MI%*5K( SAYS10 HE REPLI$ ) A SMILE4 

0,TFU6 Y\ DEVILS60 EXCLAIM$ ,ANTON( 9 VEXATION JU/ BEH9D US1 & 
SPITT+ TO ONE SIDE2 0IT JU/ MISS$ MY LEG40 

,ALL MY SOLICITUDE TO APPE> COOL1 & ALL \R REF9$ PHRASES1 SUDD5LY 
SEEM$ TO ME UN5DURABLY /UPID AFT] ?IS >TLESS EXCLAMATION4 

"9  

,V,I,I4 

,! 5EMY1 9 FACT1 HAD PO/$ TWO CANNON ON ! SPOT :]E ! ,TAT>S 
HAD BE5 SCATT]$1 & EV]Y TW5TY OR ?IRTY M9UTES S5T A %OT AT 
\R WOOD-*OPP]S4 ,MY DIVISION WAS S5T \T 9TO ! FIELD1 & ORD]$ 
TO REPLY TO HIM4 ,AT ! SKIRT ( ! =E/ A PUFF ( SMOKE W\LD %[ 
ITSELF1 ! REPORT W\LD BE HE>D1 !N ! :IZ ( ! BALL1 & ! 
%OT W\LD BURY ITSELF BEH9D US OR 9 FRONT ( US4 ,! 5EMY'S %OTS 
W]E PLAC$ =TUNATELY = US1 & NO LOSS WAS SU/A9$4 

,! >TILL]I/S1 AS ALWAYS1 BEHAV$ ADMIRABLY1 LOAD$ RAPIDLY1 AIM$ 
C>EFULLY :]EV] ! SMOKE APPE>$1 & JE/$ UNCONC]N$LY ) 
EA* O!R4 ,! 9FANTRY ESCORT1 9 SIL5T 9ACTIVITY1 W]E LY+ 
>\ND US1 AWAIT+ !IR TURN4 ,! WOOD-CUTT]S W]E BUSY AT !IR 
WORK2 !IR AXES RES\ND$ ?R\< ! =E/ MORE & MORE RAPIDLY1 
MORE & MORE EAG]LY1 SAVE :5 ! SVI/ ( A CANNON-%OT WAS 
HE>D1 !N SUDD5LY ! S\NDS CEAS$1 & AMID ! DEA?LIKE 
/ILLNESS A VOICE1 NOT ALTOGE!R CALM1 W\LD EXCLAIM1 0,/& ASIDE1 
BOYS60 & ALL EYES W\LD BE FA/5$ UPON ! %OT RICO*ET+ UPON 
! WOOD-PILES & ! BRU%4 

,! FOG WAS N[ COMPLETELY LIFT$1 &1 TAK+ ! =M ( CL\DS1 WAS 
DISAPPE>+ SL[LY 9 ! D>K-BLUE VAULT ( HEAV54 ,! UNCL\D$ ORB 
( ! SUN %ONE BRI<T1 & ?REW ITS *E]FUL RAYS ON ! /EEL ("9  
! BAYONETS1 ! BRASS ( ! CANNON1 ON ! ?AW+ GR\ND1 & ! 
GLITT]+ PO9TS ( ! ICICLES4 ,! ATMOSPH]E WAS BRISK ) ! 
MORN+ FRO/ & ! W>M? ( ! SPR+ SUN4 ,?\S&S ( DIFF]5T 
%ADES & T9TS M+L$ 9 ! DRY LEAVES ( ! =E/2 & ON ! 
H>D1 %9+ LEVEL ( ! ROAD C\LD BE SE5 ! REGUL> TRACKS ( 
:EEL-TIRES & HORSE-%OES4 

,! ACTION BETWE5 ! >MIES GREW MORE & MORE VIOL5T & MORE 
/RIK+4 ,9 ALL DIRECTIONS ! BLUI% PUFFS ( SMOKE FROM ! FIR+ 
BECAME MORE & MORE FREQU5T4 ,! DRAGOONS1 ) BANN]ETS WAV+ FROM 
!IR LANCES1 KEPT RID+ TO ! FRONT4 ,9 ! 9FANTRY COMPANIES SONGS 
RES\ND$1 & ! TRA9 LOAD$ ) WOOD BEGAN TO =M ITSELF AS ! 
RE>GU>D4 ,! G5]AL RODE UP TO \R DIVISION1 & ORD]$ US TO BE 
READY = ! RETURN4 ,! 5EMY GOT 9TO ! BU%ES OV] AGA9/ \R 
LEFT FLANK1 & BEGAN TO P\R A HEAVY MUSKETRY-FIRE 9TO US4 ,FROM ! 
LEFT-H& SIDE A BALL CAME :IZZ+ FROM ! =E/1 & BURI$ ITSELF 
9 A GUN-C>RIAGE2 !N--A SECOND1 A ?IRD4444 ,! 9FANTRY GU>D1 
SCATT]$ >\ND US1 JUMP$ UP ) A %\T1 SEIZ$ !IR MUSKETS1 & 
TOOK AIM4 ,! CRACK+ ( ! MUSKETRY WAS R$\BL$1 & ! BULLETS 
BEGAN TO FLY ?ICK] & FA/]4 ,! RETREAT HAD BEGUN1 & ! PRES5T 
ATTACK WAS ! RESULT1 AS IS ALWAYS ! CASE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 

,IT BECAME P]FECTLY MANIFE/ ?AT ! >TILL]I/S DID NOT LIKE ! 
BULLETS AS WELL AS ! 9FANTRY HAD LIK$ ! SOLID %OT4 ,ANTON( PUT 
ON A DEEP FR[N4 ,*IK9 IMITAT$ ! S\ND ( ! BULLETS1 & FIR$ 
HIS JOKES AT !M2 BUT IT WAS EVID5T ?AT HE DID NOT LIKE !M4 ,9 
REG>D TO ONE HE SAID1 0,:AT A HURRY IT'S 960 ANO!R HE CALL$ A 
0HONEY-BEE20 A ?IRD1 :I* FLEW OV] US ) A SORT ( SL[ & 
LUGUBRI\S DRONE1"9  HE CALL$ AN 0ORPHAN10--A T]M :I* RAIS$ G5]AL 
AMUSEM5T4 

,! RECRUIT1 :O HAD ! HABIT ( B5D+ HIS HEAD TO ONE SIDE1 & 
/RET*+ \T HIS NECK1 EV]Y TIME HE HE>D A BULLET1 WAS ALSO A 
S\RCE ( AMUSEM5T TO ! SOLDI]S1 :O SAID1 0,:O IS IT8 SOME 
ACQUA9TANCE ?AT Y\ >E B[+ TO80 ,& ,VEL5*UK1 :O ALWAYS %[$ 
P]FECT EQUANIMITY 9 TIME ( DANG]1 WAS N[ 9 AN AL>M+ /ATE ( 
M9D2 HE WAS MANIFE/LY VEX$ BECAUSE WE DID NOT S5D SOME CANI/] 9 
! DIRECTION FROM :I* ! BULLETS CAME4 ,HE MORE ?AN ONCE EXCLAIM$ 
9 A DISCONT5T$ TONE1 0,:AT IS HE ALL[$ TO %OOT AT US ) 
IMPUNITY =8 ,IF WE C\LD ONLY ANSW] ) SOME GRAPE1 ?AT W\LD 
SIL5CE HIM1 TAKE MY WORD = IT40 

,9 FACT1 IT WAS TIME TO DO ?IS4 ,I ORD]$ ! LA/ %ELL TO BE FIR$1 
& TO LOAD ) GRAPE4 

0,GRAPE60 %\T$ ,ANTON( BRAVELY 9 ! MID/ ( ! SMOKE1 COM+ UP 
TO ! GUN ) HIS SPONGE AS SOON AS ! DIS*>GE WAS MADE4 

,AT ?IS MOM5T1 NOT F>-BEH9D US1 ,I HE>D ! QUICK :IZ ( A BULLET 
SUDD5LY /RIK+ SOME?+ ) A DRY ?UD4 ,MY HE>T SANK )9 ME4 
0,SOME ONE ( \R M5 MU/ HAVE BE5 /RUCK10 ,I SAID TO MYSELF2 BUT AT 
! SAME TIME ,I DID NOT D>E TO TURN R\ND1 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( ?IS 
P[]FUL PRES5TIM5T4 ,TRUE 5\<1 IMM$IATELY AFT] ?IS S\ND ! 
HEAVY FALL ( A BODY WAS HE>D1 & ! 0O-O-O-OI10--! HE>T-R5D+ 
GROAN ( ! W\ND$ MAN4 0,I'M HIT1 FELL[S10 REM>K$ A VOICE :I* ,I 
KNEW4 ,IT WAS ,VEL5*UK4 ,HE WAS LY+ ON HIS BACK BETWE5 ! LIMB]S 
& ! GUN4 ,! C>TRIDGE-BOX :I* HE C>RI$ WAS FLUNG TO ONE SIDE4 
,HIS =EHEAD WAS ALL BLOODY1 & OV] HIS RI<T EYE & HIS NOSE FL[$ 
A"9  ?ICK R$ /REAM4 ,! W\ND WAS 9 HIS BODY1 BUT IT BL$ V]Y 
LITTLE2 HE HAD HIT HIS =EHEAD ON SOME?+ :5 HE FELL4 

,ALL ?IS ,I P]CEIV$ AFT] SOME LITTLE TIME4 ,AT ! FIR/ 9/ANT ,I SAW 
ONLY A SORT ( OBSCURE MASS1 & A T]RIBLE QUANTITY ( BLOOD AS IT 
SEEM$ TO ME4 

,NONE ( ! SOLDI]S :O W]E LOAD+ ! GUN SAID A WORD1--ONLY ! 
RECRUIT MUTT]$ BETWE5 HIS TEE?1 0,SEE1 H[ BLOODY60 & ,ANTON(1 
FR[N+ /ILL BLACK]1 SNORT$ ANGRILY2 BUT ALL ! TIME IT WAS 
EVID5T ?AT ! ?\<T ( DEA? PRES5T$ ITSELF TO ! M9D ( EA*4 
,ALL TOOK HOLD ( !IR WORK ) GREAT ACTIVITY4 ,! GUN WAS DIS*>G$ 
EV]Y 9/ANT2 & ! GUN-CAPTA91 9 GETT+ ! CANI/]1 W5T 
TWO /EPS >\ND ! PLACE :]E LAY ! W\ND$ MAN1 N[ GROAN+ 
CON/ANTLY4 

"9  

,V,I,I,I4 

,EV]T ONE :O HAS BE5 9 ACTION HAS D\BTLESS EXP]I5C$ ! /RANGE 
AL?\< ILLOGICAL BUT /ILL P[]FUL FEEL+ ( REPULSION = ! 
PLACE 9 :I* ANY ONE HAS BE5 KILL$ OR W\ND$4 ,MY SOLDI]S W]E 
NOTICEABLY AFFECT$ BY ?IS FEEL+ AT ! FIR/ MOM5T :5 IT BECAME 
NECESS>Y TO LIFT ,VEL5*UK & C>RY HIM TO ! WAGON :I* HAD DRIV5 
UP4 ,ZHDAN( ANGRILY W5T TO ! SUFF]]1 &1 NOT)/&+ HIS 
CRY ( ANGUI%1 TOOK HIM UND] HIS >MS & LIFT$ HIM4 0,:AT >E Y\ 
/&+ !RE =8 ,HELP LUG HIM60 HE %\T$2 & 9/ANTLY ! M5 
SPRANG TO HIS ASSI/ANCE1 SOME ( :OM C\LD NOT DO ANY GOOD AT ALL4 
,BUT !Y HAD SC>CELY />T$ TO MOVE HIM FROM ! PLACE :5 ,VEL5*UK 
BEGAN TO SCREAM FE>FULLY & TO /RUGGLE4 

0,:AT >E Y\ SCREE*+ =1 LIKE A RABBIT80 SAID ,ANTON(1 HOLD+ HIM 
R\<LY BY ! LEG4 0,IF Y\ DON'T /OP WE'LL DROP Y\40 

,& ! SUFF]] REALLY CALM$ D[N1 & ONLY OCCASIONALLY CRI$ \T1 
0,OKH6 ,I'M DEAD6 O-OKH1 FELL[S6.<#a#c.> ,I'M DEAD60 

,AS SOON AS !Y LAID HIM 9 ! WAGON1 HE CEAS$ TO GROAN1 & ,I 
HE>D ?AT HE SAID SOME?+ TO HIS COMRADES--IT MU/ HAVE BE5 A 
F>EWELL--9 A WEAK BUT AUDIBLE VOICE4 

,9DE$1 NO ONE LIKES TO LOOK AT A W\ND$ MAN2 &"9  ,I1 9/9CTIVELY 
HA/5+ TO GET AWAY FROM ?IS SPECTACLE1 ORD]$ ! M5 TO TAKE HIM 
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO A SUITABLE PLACE1 & !N RETURN TO ! GUNS4 
,BUT 9 A FEW M9UTES ,I WAS TOLD ?AT ,VEL5*UK WAS ASK+ = ME1 & ,I 
RETURN$ TO ! AMBULANCE4 

,! W\ND$ MAN LAY ON ! WAGON BOTTOM1 HOLD+ ! SIDES ) BO? 
H&S4 ,HIS HEAL?Y1 BROAD FACE HAD 9 A FEW SECONDS 5TIRELY *ANG$2 
HE HAD1 AS IT W]E1 GR[N GAUNT1 & OLD] BY SEV]AL YE>S4 ,HIS LIPS 
W]E P9*$ & :ITE1 & TI<TLY COMPRESS$1 ) EVID5T EF=T 
AT SELF-CONTROL2 HIS GLANCE HAD A QUICK & FEEBLE EXPRESSION2 BUT 
9 HIS EYES WAS A PECULI>LY CLE> & TRANQUIL GLEAM1 & ON HIS 
BLOOD-/A9$ =EHEAD & NOSE ALREADY LAY ! SEAL ( DEA?4 

,9 SPITE ( ! FACT ?AT ! LEA/ MOTION CAUS$ HIM UN5DURABLE 
ANGUI%1 HE WAS TRY+ TO TAKE FROM HIS LEFT LEG HIS PURSE1.<#a#d.> :I* 
CONTA9$ MONEY4 

,A FE>FULLY BURD5SOME ?\<T CAME 9TO MY M9D :5 ,I SAW HIS B>E1 
:ITE1 & HEAL?Y-LOOK+ LEG AS HE WAS TAK+ (F HIS BOOT & 
UNTY+ HIS PURSE4 

0,!RE >E ?REE SILV] RUBLES & A FIFTY-KOPECK PIECE10 HE SAID :5 
,I TOOK ! GIRDLE-PURSE4 0,Y\ KEEP !M40 

,! AMBULANCE HAD />T$ TO MOVE1 BUT HE /OPP$ IT4 

0,I WAS WORK+ ON A CLOAK = ,LIEUT5ANT ,SULIMOVSKY4 ,HE HAD PAID ME 
TWO-O-O SILV] RUBLES4 ,I SP5T ONE & A HALF ON BUTTONS1 BUT HALF A 
RUBLE LIES ) ! BUTTONS 9 MY BAG4 ,GIVE !M TO HIM40 

0,V]Y GOOD1 ,I WILL10 SAID ,I4 0,KEEP UP GOOD HOPES1 BRO!R40 

"9  

,HE DID NOT ANSW] ME2 ! WAGON MOV$ AWAY1 & HE BEGAN ONCE MORE 
TO GROAN1 & TO EXCLAIM 0,OKH60 9 ! SAME T]RIBLY HE>T-R5D+ 
TONE4 ,AS ?\< HE HAD DONE ) E>?LY ?+S1 HE FELT ?AT HE HAD 
NO LONG] ANY PRETEXT = SELF-RE/RA9T1 & HE N[ CONSID]$ ?IS 
ALLEVIATION P]MISSIBLE4 

.<#a#c.> BRATSUI MOI4 

.<#a#d.> *]ES2 DIM9UTIVE1 *]ESOK1--A LEA!R PURSE 9 ! 
=M ( A GIRDLE1 :I* SOLDI]S WE> USUALLY UND] ! KNEE4--,A,U,?,O,R',S 
,N,O,T,E4 

"9  

,I,X4 

0,:]E >E Y\ (F TO8 ,COME BACK6 ,:]E >E Y\ GO+80 ,I %\T$ TO 
! RECRUIT1 :O1 C>RY+ 9 HIS >MS HIS RES]VE L9/OCK1 & A SORT 
( CANE 9 HIS H&1 WAS CALMLY M>*+ (F T[>D ! AMBULANCE 9 
:I* ! W\ND$ MAN WAS C>RI$4 

,BUT ! RECRUIT LAZILY LOOK$ UP AT ME1 & KEPT ON HIS WAY1 & ,I WAS 
OBLIG$ TO S5D A SOLDI] TO BR+ HIM BACK4 ,HE TOOK (F HIS R$ CAP1 
& LOOK$ AT ME ) A /UPID SMILE4 

0,:]E W]E Y\ GO+80 ,I ASK$4 

0,TO CAMP40 

0,:Y80 

0,BECAUSE--!Y HAVE W\ND$ ,VEL5*UK10 HE REPLI$1 /ILL SMIL+4 

0,:AT HAS ?AT TO DO ) Y\8 ,IT'S Y\R BUS9ESS TO /AY H]E40 

,HE LOOK$ AT ME 9 AMAZEM5T1 !N COOLLY TURN$ R\ND1 PUT ON HIS CAP1 
& W5T TO HIS PLACE4 

,! RESULT ( ! ACTION HAD BE5 =TUNATE4 ,! ,COSSACKS1 IT WAS 
REPORT$1 HAD MADE A BRILLIANT ATTACK1 & HAD CAPTUR$ ?REE BODIES 
( ! ,TAT>S2 ! 9FANTRY HAD LAID 9 A /ORE ( FIREWOOD1 & HAD 
SUFF]$ 9 ALL A LOSS ( SIX M5 W\ND$4 ,9 ! >TILL]Y1 FROM ! 
:OLE >RAY ONLY ,VEL5*UK & TWO HORSES W]E PUT HORS DU COMBAT4 
,MOREOV]1 !Y HAD CUT ! =E/ = ?REE V]/S1 & CLE>$ A 
PLACE1 SO ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOGNIZE IT2 N[1"9  9/EAD ( A 
SEEM+LY IMP5ETRABLE =E/ GIRDLE1 A GREAT FIELD WAS OP5$ UP1 
COV]$ ) HEAPS ( SMOK+ BONFIRES1 & L9ES ( 9FANTRY & 
CAVALRY ON !IR WAY TO CAMP4 ,NOT)/&+ ! FACT ?AT ! 5EMY 
9CESSANTLY H>ASS$ US ) CANNONADE & MUSKETRY1 & FOLL[$ US 
D[N TO ! V]Y RIV] :]E ! CEMET]Y WAS1 ?AT WE HAD CROSS$ 9 
! MORN+1 ! RETREAT WAS SUCCESSFULLY MANAG$4 

,I WAS ALREADY BEG9N+ TO DREAM ( ! CABBAGE-S\P & RIB ( MUTTON 
) KA%A GRUEL ?AT W]E AWAIT+ ME AT ! CAMP1 :5 ! WORD 
CAME1 ?AT ! G5]AL HAD COMM&$ A R$\BT TO BE ?R[N UP ON 
! RIV]-BANK1 & ?AT ! ?IRD BATTALION ( REGIM5T ,K1 & A 
DIVISION ( ! F\R? BATT]Y1 %\LD /AY BEH9D TILL ! NEXT DAY 
= ?AT PURPOSE4 ,! WAGONS ) ! FIREWOOD & ! W\ND$1 ! 
,COSSACKS1 ! >TILL]Y1 ! 9FANTRY ) MUSKETS & FAGOTS ON !IR 
%\LD]S1--ALL ) NOISE & SONGS PASS$ BY US4 ,ON ! FACES ( ALL 
%ONE 5?USIASM & CONT5T1 CAUS$ BY ! RETURN FROM P]IL1 & HOPE 
( RE/2 ONLY WE & ! M5 ( ! ?IRD BATTALION W]E OBLIG$ TO 
PO/PONE !SE JOYFUL FEEL+S TILL ! MORR[4 

"9  

,X4 

,:ILE WE ( ! >TILL]Y W]E BUSY AB\T ! GUNS1 DISPOS+ ! 
LIMB]S & CAISSONS1 & PICKET+ ! HORSES1 ! FOOT-SOLDI]S HAD 
/ACK$ !IR >MS1 PIL$ UP BONFIRES1 MADE %ELT]S ( B\<S & 
CORN/ALKS1 & W]E COOK+ !IR GRITS4 

,IT BEGAN TO GR[ D>K4 ,ACROSS ! SKY SWEPT BLUI%-:ITE CL\DS4 ,! 
MI/1 *ANG+ 9TO F9E DRIZZL+ FOG1 BEGAN TO WET ! GR\ND & 
! SOLDI]S' CLOAKS4 ,! HORIZON BECAME CONTRACT$1 & ALL \R 
SURR\ND+S TOOK ON GLOOMY %AD[S4 ,! DAMPNESS :I* ,I FELT ?R\< 
MY BOOTS & ON MY NECK1 ! 9CESSANT MOTION & *ATT] 9 :I* ,I 
TOOK NO P>T1 ! /ICKY MUD ) :I* MY LEGS W]E COV]$1 & MY 
EMPTY /OMA*1 ALL COMB9$ TO >\SE 9 ME A MO/ UNCOM=TABLE & 
DISAGREEABLE FRAME ( M9D AFT] A DAY ( PHYSICAL & MORAL FATIGUE4 
,VEL5*UK DID NOT GO \T ( MY M9D4 ,! :OLE SIMPLE /ORY ( HIS 
SOLDI]'S LIFE KEPT REPEAT+ ITSELF BE=E MY IMAG9ATION4 

,HIS LA/ MOM5TS W]E AS UNCL\D$ & PEACEFUL AS ALL ! RE/ ( HIS 
LIFE4 ,HE HAD LIV$ TOO HONE/LY & SIMPLY = HIS >TLESS FAI? 9 ! 
HEAV5LY LIFE TO COME1 TO BE %AK5 AT ! DECISIVE MOM5T4 

0,Y\R HEAL?10 SAID ,NIKOLAIEF1 COM+ TO ME4 0,! CAPTA9 BEGS Y\ TO 
BE SO K9D AS TO COME & DR9K TEA ) HIM40 

,SOMEH[ MAK+ MY WAY BETWE5 /ACKS ( >MS"9  & ! CAMP-FIRES1 
,I FOLL[$ ,NIKOLAIEF TO :]E ,CAPTA9 ,BOLKH( WAS1 & FELT A GL[ 
( SATISFACTION 9 DREAM+ AB\T ! GLASS ( HOT TEA & ! GAY 
CONV]SE :I* %\LD DRIVE AWAY MY GLOOMY ?\<TS4 

0,WELL1 HAS HE COME80 SAID ,BOLKH('S VOICE FROM HIS CORN/ALK WIGWAM1 9 
:I* ! LI<T WAS GLEAM+4 

0,HE IS H]E1 Y\R HONOR10.<#a#e.> REPLI$ ,NIKOLAIEF 9 HIS DEEP BASS4 

,9 ! HUT1 ON A DRY BURKA1 OR ,COSSACK MANTLE1 SAT ! CAPTA9 9 
NEGLIGE1 & )\T HIS CAP4 ,NE> HIM ! SAMOV> WAS S++1 & A 
DRUM WAS /&+1 LOAD$ ) LUN*4 ,A BAYONET /UCK 9TO ! GR\ND 
HELD A C&LE4 

0,H[ IS ?IS80 HE SAID ) SOME PRIDE1 GLANC+ >\ND HIS COM=TABLE 
HABITATION4 ,9 FACT1 IT WAS SO PLEASANT 9 HIS WIGWAM1 ?AT1 :ILE WE 
W]E AT TEA ,I ABSOLUTELY =GOT AB\T ! DAMPNESS1 ! GLOOM1 & 
,VEL5*UK'S W\ND4 ,WE TALK$ AB\T ,MOSC[ & SUBJECTS ?AT HAD NO 
RELATION TO ! W> OR ! ,CAUCASUS4 

,AFT] ONE ( ! MOM5TS ( SIL5CE :I* SOMETIMES 9T]RUPT ! MO/ 
LIVELY CONV]SATIONS1 ,BOLKH( LOOK$ AT ME ) A SMILE4 

0,WELL1 ,I SUPPOSE \R TALK ?IS MORN+ MU/ HAVE SEEM$ V]Y /RANGE TO 
Y\80 SAID HE4 

0,NO4 ,:Y %\LD IT8 ,IT ONLY SEEM$ TO ME ?AT Y\ W]E V]Y FRANK2 BUT 
!RE >E ?+S :I* WE ALL KN[1 BUT :I* IT IS NOT NECESS>Y TO 
SPEAK AB\T40 

0,OH1 Y\ >E MI/AK56 ,IF !RE W]E ONLY SOME POSSIBILITY ( 
EX*ANG+ ?IS LIFE = ANY SORT ( LIFE1 NO MATT] H[ TAME & MEAN1 
BUT FREE FROM DANG] & S]VICE1 ,I W\LD NOT HESITATE A M9UTE40 

"9  

0,:Y1 !N1 DON'T Y\ GO BACK TO ,RUSSIA80 ,I ASK$4 

0,:Y80 HE REPEAT$4 0,OH1 ,I HAVE BE5 ?9K+ AB\T ?AT = A LONG 
TIME4 ,I CAN'T RETURN TO ,RUSSIA UNTIL ,I HAVE WON ! ,ANNA & ,VLADIMIR1 
WE> ! ,ANNA RIBBON >\ND MY NECK1 & AM MAJOR1 AS ,I EXPECT$ :5 ,I 
CAME H]E40 

0,:Y NOT1 PRAY1 IF Y\ FEEL ?AT Y\ >E SO UNFITT$ AS Y\ SAY = 
S]VICE H]E80 

0,SIMPLY BECAUSE ,I FEEL /ILL MORE UNFITT$ TO RETURN TO ,RUSSIA ! SAME 
AS ,I CAME4 ,?AT ALSO IS ONE ( ! TRADITIONS EXI/+ 9 ,RUSSIA :I* 
W]E H&$ D[N BY ,PASSEK1 ,SLEPTS(1 & O!RS1--?AT Y\ MU/ GO TO 
! ,CAUCASUS1 SO AS TO COME HOME LOAD$ ) REW>DS4 ,& ALL ( US >E 
EXPECT+ & WORK+ = ?IS2 BUT ,I HAVE BE5 H]E TWO YE>S1 HAVE 
TAK5 P>T 9 TWO EXP$ITIONS1 & HAV5'T WON ANY ?+4 ,BUT /ILL1 
,I HAVE SO MU* VANITY ?AT ,I %ALL NOT GO AWAY FROM H]E UNTIL ,I AM1 
MAJOR1 & HAVE ! ,VLADIMIR & ,ANNA >\ND MY NECK4 ,I AM ALREADY 
ACCU/OM$ TO HAV+ EV]Y ?+ AVOID ME1 :5 EV5 ,GNILOKI%K9 GETS 
PROMOT$1 & ,I DON'T4 ,& SO H[ C\LD ,I %[ MYSELF 9 ,RUSSIA BE=E 
! EYES ( MY ELD]1 ! M]*ANT ,KOTELNIK(1 TO :OM ,I SELL :EAT1 OR 
TO MY AUNTIE 9 ,MOSC[1 & ALL ?OSE PEOPLE1 IF ,I HAD S]V$ TWO YE>S 
9 ! ,CAUCASUS )\T GETT+ PROMOT$8 ,IT IS TRUE ?AT ,I DON'T WI% 
TO KN[ !SE PEOPLE1 &1 ( C\RSE1 !Y DON'T C>E V]Y MU* AB\T 
ME2 BUT A MAN IS SO CON/ITUT$1 ?AT ?\< ,I DON'T WI% TO KN[ !M1 
YET ON ACC\NT ( !M ,I AM WA/+ MY BE/ YE>S1 & DE/ROY+ ALL 
! HAPP9ESS ( MY LIFE1 & ALL MY FUTURE40 

.<#a#e.> VA%IE BLAGORODIE4 

"9  

,X,I4 

,AT ?IS MOM5T ! VOICE ( ! BATTALION COMM&] WAS HE>D ON ! 
\TSIDE1 SAY+1 0,:O IS IT ) Y\1 ,NIKOLAI ,FEODOROVIT*80 ,BOLKH( 
M5TION$ MY NAME1 & 9 A MOM5T ?REE (FIC]S CAME 9TO ! 
WIGWAM1--,MAJOR ,KIRSAN(1 ! ADJUTANT ( HIS BATTALION1 & COMPANY 
COMM&] ,TROS5KO4 

,KIRSAN( WAS A %ORT1 ?ICK-SET FELL[1 ) BLACK MU/A*ES1 RUDDY 
*EEKS1 & LITTLE OILY EYES4 ,HIS LITTLE EYES W]E ! MO/ NOTICEABLE 
FEATURES ( HIS PHYSIOGNOMY4 ,:5 HE LAU<$1 !RE REMA9$ ( !M 
ONLY TWO MOI/ LITTLE />S2 & !SE LITTLE />S1 TOGE!R ) HIS 
PURS$-UP LIPS & LONG NECK1 SOMETIMES GAVE HIM A PECULI> EXPRESSION 
( 9SIPIDITY4 ,KIRSAN( CONSID]$ HIMSELF BETT] ?AN ANY ONE ELSE 9 
! REGIM5T4 ,! UND] (FIC]S DID NOT DISPUTE ?IS2 & ! *IEFS 
E/EEM$ HIM1 AL?\< ! G5]AL IMPRESSION AB\T HIM WAS1 ?AT HE 
WAS V]Y DULL-WITT$4 ,HE KNEW HIS DUTIES1 WAS ACCURATE & ZEAL\S1 
KEPT A C>RIAGE & A COOK1 &1 NATURALLY 5\<1 MANAG$ TO PASS 
HIMSELF (F AS >ROGANT4 

0,:AT >E Y\ GOSSIP+ AB\T1 CAPTA980 HE ASK$ AS HE CAME 94 

0,OH1 AB\T ! DELI<TS ( ! S]VICE H]E40 

,BUT AT ?IS 9/ANT ,KIRSAN( CAU<T SI<T ( ME1 A M]E YUNK]2 & 
9 ORD] TO MAKE ME GA!R A HI< IMPRESSION ( HIS KN[L$GE1 AS 
?\< HE HAD NOT"9  HE>D ,BOLKH('S ANSW]1 & GLANC+ AT ! DRUM1 HE 
ASK$1-- 

0,:AT1 W]E Y\ TIR$1 CAPTA980 

0,NO4 ,Y\ SEE1 WE0 444 BEGAN ,BOLKH(4 

,BUT ONCE MORE1 & IT MU/ HAVE BE5 ! BATTALION COMM&]'S DIGNITY 
?AT CAUS$ HIM TO 9T]RUPT ! ANSW]1 HE PUT A NEW QUE/ION3-- 

0,WELL1 WE HAD A SPL5DID ACTION TO-DAY1 DIDN'T WE80 

,! ADJUTANT ( ! BATTALION WAS A Y\NG FELL[ :O BELONG$ TO ! 
F\RTE5? >MY-RANK1 & HAD ONLY LATELY BE5 PROMOT$ FROM ! YUNK] 
S]VICE4 ,HE WAS A MODE/ & G5TLE Y\NG FELL[1 ) A S5SITIVE & 
GOOD-NATUR$ FACE4 ,I HAD MET HIM BE=E AT ,BOLKH('S4 ,! Y\NG MAN 
W\LD COME TO SEE HIM (T51 MAKE HIM A B[1 SIT D[N 9 A CORN]1 
& = H\RS AT A TIME SAY NO?+1 & ONLY MAKE CIG>ETTES & 
SMOKE !M2 & !N HE W\LD GET UP1 MAKE ANO!R B[1 & GO AWAY4 
,HE WAS ! TYPE ( ! POOR SON ( ! ,RUSSIAN NOBLE FAMILY1 :O HAS 
*OS5 ! PR(ESSION ( >MS AS ! ONLY ONE OP5 TO HIM 9 HIS 
CIRCUM/ANCES1 & :O VALUES ABOVE EV]Y ?+ ELSE 9 ! WORLD HIS 
(FICIAL CALL+1--AN +5U\S & LOVABLE TYPE1 NOT)/&+ 
HIS ABSURD1 9DEFEASIBLE PECULI>ITIES3 HIS TOBACCO-P\*1 HIS 
DRESS+-G[N1 HIS GUIT>1 & HIS MU/A*E BRU%1 ) :I* WE US$ 
TO PICTURE HIM TO \RSELVES4 ,9 ! REGIM5T !Y US$ TO SAY ( HIM 
?AT HE BOA/$ ( BE+ JU/ BUT /]N ) HIS S]VANT1 & QUOT$ 
HIM AS SAY+1 0,I R>ELY PUNI%2 BUT :5 ,I AM DRIV5 TO IT1 !N 
LET 'EM BEW>E30 & ONCE1 :5 HIS S]VANT GOT DRUNK1 & PLUND]$ 
HIM1 & BEGAN TO RAIL AT HIS MA/]1 !Y SAY HE TOOK HIM TO ! 
GU>D-H\SE1 & COMM&$ !M TO HAVE EV]Y ?+ READY = ! 
*A/ISEM5T2"9  BUT :5 HE SAW ! PREP>ATIONS1 HE WAS SO CONFUS$1 
?AT HE C\LD ONLY /AMM] A FEW MEAN+LESS WORDS3 0,WELL1 N[ Y\ 
SEE--,I MI<T10 444 &1 ?OR\<LY UPSET1 HE SET (F HOME1 & FROM 
?AT TIME NEV] D>$ TO LOOK 9TO ! EYES ( HIS MAN4 ,HIS COMRADES 
GAVE HIM NO PEACE1 BUT W]E ALWAYS NAGG+ HIM AB\T ?IS2 & ,I (T5 
HE>D H[ ! +5U\S LAD TRI$ TO DEF5D HIMSELF1 &1 BLU%+ TO 
! ROOTS ( HIS HAIR1 AV[$ ?AT IT WAS NOT TRUE1 BUT ABSOLUTELY 
FALSE4 

,! ?IRD *>ACT]1 ,CAPTA9 ,TROS5KO1 WAS AN OLD ,CAUCASIAN.<#a#f.> 9 
! FULL ACCEPTATION ( ! WORD3 ?AT IS1 HE WAS A MAN = :OM ! 
COMPANY UND] HIS COMM& /OOD = HIS FAMILY2 ! =TRESS :]E ! 
/AFF WAS1 HIS HOME2 & ! SONG-S+]S HIS ONLY PLEASURE 9 LIFE1--A 
MAN = :OM EV]Y ?+ ?AT WAS NOT ,KAVKAS WAS WOR?Y ( SCORN1 YES1 
WAS ALMO/ UNWOR?Y ( BELIEF2 EV]Y ?+ ?AT WAS ,KAVKAS WAS DIVID$ 
9TO TWO HALVES1 \RS & NOT \RS4 ,HE LOV$ ! FIR/1 ! SECOND HE 
HAT$ ) ALL ! /R5G? ( HIS S\L4 ,&1 ABOVE ALL1 HE WAS A MAN 
( IRON N]VE1 ( S]5E BRAV]Y1 ( R>E GOODNESS & DEVOTION TO 
HIS COMRADES & SUBORD9ATES1 & ( DESP]ATE FRANKNESS1 & EV5 
9SOL5CE 9 HIS BE>+1 T[>D ?OSE :O DID NOT PLEASE HIM2 ?AT IS1 
ADJUTANTS & BON J\RI/S4 ,AS HE CAME 9TO ! WIGWAM1 HE ALMO/ 
BUMP$ HIS HEAD ON ! RO(1 !N SUDD5LY SANK D[N & SAT ON ! 
GR\ND4 

0,WELL1 H[ IS IT80.<#a#g.> SAID HE2 & SUDD5LY BECOM+ COGNIZANT ( MY 
PRES5CE1 & RECOGNIZ+ ME1 HE GOT UP1 TURN+ UPON ME A TR\BL$1 
S]I\S GAZE4 

0,WELL1 :Y W]E Y\ TALK+ AB\T ?AT80 ASK$ ! MAJOR1 TAK+ \T 
HIS WAT* & CONSULT+ IT1"9  ?\< ,I V]ILY BELIEVE !RE WAS NOT ! 
SLI<TE/ NECESSITY ( HIS DO+ SO4 

0,WELL1.<#a#h.> HE ASK$ ME :Y ,I S]V$ H]E40 

0,( C\RSE1 ,NIKOLAI ,FEODOROVIT* WANTS TO W9 DI/9CTION H]E1 & 
!N GO HOME40 

0,WELL1 N[1 Y\ TELL US1 ,ABRAM ,ILYIT*1 :Y Y\ S]VE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS40 

0,I8 ,BECAUSE1 AS Y\ KN[1 9 ! FIR/ PLACE WE >E ALL 9 DUTY B\ND 
TO S]VE4 ,:AT80 HE ADD$1 ?\< NO ONE SPOKE4 0,YE/]DAY EV5+ ,I 
RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM ,RUSSIA1 ,NIKOLAI ,FEODOROVIT*10 HE CONT9U$1 
EAG] TO *ANGE ! CONV]SATION4 0,!Y WRITE ME ?AT 444 :AT /RANGE 
QUE/IONS >E ASK$60 

0,:AT SORT ( QUE/IONS80 ASK$ ,BOLKH(4 

,HE BLU%$4 

0,REALLY1 N[1 /RANGE QUE/IONS 444 !Y WRITE ME1 ASK+1 ',CAN !RE 
BE JEAL\SY )\T LOVE8' 444 ,:AT80 HE ASK$1 LOOK+ AT US ALL4 

0,H[ SO80 SAID ,BOLKH(1 SMIL+4 

0,WELL1 Y\ KN[1 9 ,RUSSIA IT'S A GOOD ?+10 HE CONT9U$1 AS 
?\< HIS PHRASES FOLL[$ EA* O!R 9 P]FECTLY LOGICAL SEQU5CE4 
0,:5 ,I WAS AT ,TAMB( 9 '#e#b ,I WAS 9VIT$ EV]Y:]E1 AS ?\< ,I 
W]E ON ! EMP]OR'S SUITE4 ,W\LD Y\ BELIEVE ME1 AT A BALL AT ! 
GOV]NOR'S1 :5 ,I GOT !RE 444 WELL1 DON'T Y\ KN[1 ,I WAS RECEIV$ 
V]Y CORDIALLY4 ,! GOV]NOR'S WIFE.<#a#i.> H]SELF1 Y\ KN[1 TALK$ ) 
ME1 & ASK$ ME AB\T ! ,CAUCASUS2 & SO DID ALL ! RE/ 444 :Y1 
,I DON'T KN[ 444 !Y LOOK$ AT MY GOLD CAP AS ?\< IT W]E SOME 
SORT ( CURIOSITY1 & !Y ASK$ ME H[ ,I HAD WON IT1 & H[ AB\T 
! ,ANNA & ! ,VLADIMIR2 & ,I TOLD !M ALL AB\T IT4444 ,:AT8 
,?AT'S :Y ! ,CAUCASUS IS GOOD1"9  ,NIKOLAI ,FEODOROVIT*10 HE CONT9U$1 
NOT WAIT+ = A RESPONSE4 0,!RE !Y LOOK ON US ,CAUCASIANS V]Y 
K9DLY4 ,A Y\NG MAN1 Y\ KN[1 A /AFF-(FIC] ) ! ,ANNA & 
,VLADIMIR1--?AT MEANS A GREAT DEAL 9 ,RUSSIA4 ,:AT80 

0,Y\ BOA/$ A LITTLE1 ,I IMAG9E1 ,ABRAM ,ILYIT*10 SAID ,BOLKH(4 

0,HE-HE10 CAME HIS SILLY LITTLE LAU< 9 REPLY4 0,Y\ KN[1 Y\ HAVE TO4 
,YES1 & DIDN'T ,I FE$ ROYALLY ?OSE TWO MON?S60 

0,SO IT IS F9E 9 ,RUSSIA1 IS IT80 ASK$ ,TROS5KO1 ASK+ AB\T ,RUSSIA 
AS ?\< IT W]E ,*9A OR ,JAPAN4 

0,YES1 9DE$6.<#b.> ,WE DRANK SO MU* *AMPAGNE !RE 9 ?OSE TWO MON?S1 
?AT IT WAS A T]ROR60 

0,! IDEA6 Y\8.<#b#a.> ,Y\ DRANK LEMONADE PROBABLY4 ,I %\LD HAVE DI$ TO 
%[ !M H[ ! ,KAVKAZETS DR9KS4 ,! GLORY HAS NOT BE5 WON = 
NO?+4 ,I W\LD %[ !M H[ WE DR9K4444 ,HEY1 ,BOLKH(80 HE ADD$4 

0,YES1 Y\ SEE1 Y\ HAVE BE5 ALREADY T5 YE>S 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 UNCLE10 
SAID ,BOLKH(1 0& Y\ REMEMB] :AT ,Y]MOL( SAID2 BUT ,ABRAM ,ILYIT* 
HAS BE5 H]E ONLY SIX40 444 

0,T5 YE>S1 9DE$6 ALMO/ SIXTE540 

0,LET US HAVE SOME SALVIA1 ,BOLKH(3 IT'S RAW1 B-RR6 ,:AT80 HE ADD$1 
SMIL+1 0%ALL WE DR9K1 MAJOR80 

,BUT ! MAJOR WAS \T ( SORTS1 ON ACC\NT ( ! OLD CAPTA9'S 
BEHAVIOR TO HIM AT FIR/2 & N[ HE EVID5TLY RETIR$ 9TO HIMSELF1 
& TOOK REFUGE 9 HIS [N GREATNESS4 ,HE BEGAN TO HUM SOME SONG1 & 
AGA9 LOOK$ AT HIS WAT*4 

0,WELL1 ,I %ALL NEV] GO !RE AGA910 CONT9U$ ,TROS5KO1"9  PAY+ NO 
HE$ TO ! PEEVI% MAJOR4 0,I HAVE GOT \T ( ! HABIT ( GO+ AB\T 
& SPEAK+ ,RUSSIAN4 ,!Y'D ASK1 ',:AT IS ?IS WOND]FUL CREATURE8' 
& ! ANSW]'D BE1 ',ASIA4' ,ISN'T ?AT SO1 ,NIKOLAI ,FEODORUIT*8 ,& SO 
:AT IS !RE = ME 9 ,RUSSIA8 ,IT'S ALL ! SAME1 Y\'LL GET %OT H]E 
SOON] OR LAT]4 ,!Y ASK1 ',:]E IS ,TROS5KO8' ,& D[N Y\ GO6 ,:AT 
WILL Y\ DO !N 9 ! EI<? COMPANY--HEH80 HE ADD$1 CONT9U+ TO 
ADDRESS ! MAJOR4 

0,S5D ! (FIC] ( ! DAY TO ! BATTALION10 %\T$ ,KIRSAN(1 NOT 
ANSW]+ ! CAPTA91 ?\< ,I WAS AGA9 COMPELL$ TO BELIEVE ?AT 
!RE WAS NO NECESSITY UPON HIM ( GIV+ ANY ORD]S4 

0,BUT1 Y\NG MAN1 ,I ?9K ?AT Y\ >E GLAD N[ ?AT Y\ >E HAV+ 
D\BLE PAY80 SAID ! MAJOR AFT] A FEW MOM5TS' SIL5CE1 ADDRESS+ 
! ADJUTANT ( ! BATTALION4 

0,:Y1 YES1 V]Y40 

0,I ?9K ?AT \R SAL>Y IS N[ V]Y L>GE1 ,NIKOLAI ,FEODORUIT*10 HE 
W5T ON TO SAY4 0,A Y\NG MAN CAN LIVE V]Y COM=TABLY1 & EV5 ALL[ 
HIMSELF SOME LITTLE LUXURY40 

0,NO1 TRULY1 ,ABRAM ,ILYIT*10 SAID ! ADJUTANT TIMIDLY3 0EV5 ?\< WE 
GET D\BLE PAY1 IT'S ONLY SO MU*2 & Y\ SEE1 ONE MU/ KEEP A HORSE40 
444 

0,:AT IS ?AT Y\ SAY1 Y\NG MAN8 ,I MYSELF HAVE BE5 AN 5SIGN1 & 
,I KN[4 ,BELIEVE ME1 ) C>E1 ONE CAN LIVE V]Y WELL4 ,BUT Y\ MU/ 
CALCULATE10 HE ADD$1 TAPP+ HIS LEFT PALM ) HIS LITTLE F+]4 

0,WE PL$GE ALL \R SAL>Y BE=E IT'S DUE3 ?IS IS ! WAY Y\ 
ECONOMIZE10 SAID ,TROS5KO1 DR9K+ D[N A GLASS ( VODKA4 

"9  

0,WELL1 N[1 Y\ SEE ?AT'S ! V]Y ?+4444 ,:AT80 

,AT ?IS 9/ANT AT ! DOOR ( ! WIGWAM APPE>$ A :ITE HEAD ) A 
FLATT5$ NOSE2 & A %>P VOICE ) A ,G]MAN ACC5T SAID1-- 

0,Y\ !RE1 ,ABRAM ,ILYIT*8 ,! (FIC] ( ! DAY IS HUNT+ = Y\40 

0,COME 91 ,KRAFT10 SAID ,BOLKH(4 

,A TALL =M 9 ! COAT ( ! G5]AL'S /AFF 5T]$ ! DOOR1 & 
) REM>KABLE ZEAL 5DEAVOR$ TO %AKE H&S ) EV]Y ONE4 

0,AH1 MY DE> CAPTA91 Y\ H]E TOO80 SAID HE1 ADDRESS+ ,TROS5KO4 

,! NEW GUE/1 NOT)/&+ ! D>KNESS1 RU%$ UP TO ! 
CAPTA9 & KISS$ HIM ON ! LIPS1 TO HIS EXTREME A/ONI%M5T1 & 
DISPLEASURE AS IT SEEM$ TO ME4 

0,?IS IS A ,G]MAN :O WI%ES TO BE A HAIL FELL[ WELL MET10 ,I SAID TO 
MYSELF4 

.<#a#f.> ,KAVKAZETS4 

.<#a#g.> NU *TO8 

.<#a#h.> DA VOI4 

.<#a#i.> GUB]NATOR%A4 

.<#b.> DA S4 

.<#b#a.> DA *TO VUI4 

"9  

,X,I,I4 

,MY PRESUMPTION WAS IMM$IATELY CONFIRM$4 ,CAPTA9 ,KRAFT CALL$ = SOME 
VODKA1 :I* HE CALL$ CORN-BR&Y1.<#b#b.> & ?REW BACK HIS HEAD1 & 
MADE A T]RIBLE NOISE LIKE A DUCK1 9 DRA9+ ! GLASS4 

0,WELL1 G5TLEM51 WE ROLL$ AB\T WELL TO-DAY ON ! PLA9S ( ! 
,*ET*510 HE BEGAN2 BUT1 CAT*+ SI<T ( ! (FIC] ( ! DAY1 HE 
IMM$IATELY /OPP$1 TO ALL[ ! MAJOR TO GIVE HIS DIRECTIONS4 

0,WELL1 Y\ HAVE MADE ! T\R ( ! L9ES80 

0,I HAVE40 

0,>E ! PICKETS PO/$80 

0,!Y >E40 

0,!N Y\ MAY ORD] ! CAPTA9 ( ! GU>D TO BE AS AL]T AS 
POSSIBLE40 

0,I WILL40 

,! MAJOR BL9K$ HIS EYES1 & W5T 9TO A BR[N /UDY4 

0,WELL1 TELL ! BOYS TO GET !IR SUPP]40 

0,?AT'S :AT !Y'RE DO+ N[40 

0,GOOD6 !N Y\ MAY GO4 ,WELL10.<#b#c.> CONT9U$ ! MAJOR ) A 
CONCILIAT+ SMILE1 & TAK+ UP ! ?READ ( ! CONV]SATION ?AT 
WE HAD DROPP$1 0WE W]E RECKON+ :AT AN (FIC] NE$$3 LET US 
F9I% ! CALCULATION40 

0,WE NE$ ONE UNI=M & TR\S]S1 DON'T WE80.<#b#d.> 

0,YES4 ,?AT1 LET US SUPPOSE W\LD AM\NT TO FIFTY"9  RUBLES EV]Y TWO 
YE>S2 SAY1 TW5TY-FIVE RUBLES A YE> = DRESS4 ,!N = EAT+ WE 
NE$ EV]Y DAY AT LEA/ =TY KOPECKS1 DON'T WE8.<#b#e.>0 

0,YES1 C]TA9LY AS MU* AS ?AT40 

0,WELL1 ,I'LL CALL IT SO4 ,N[1 = A HORSE & SADDLE = REM\NT1 
?IRTY RUBLES2 ?AT'S ALL4 ,TW5TY-FIVE & A HUNDR$ & TW5TY & 
?IRTY MAKE A HUNDR$ & SEV5TY-FIVE RUBLES4 ,ALL ! RE/ /&S = 
LUXURIES1--= TEA & = SUG> & = TOBACCO1--TW5TY RUBLES4 ,WILL 
Y\ LOOK IT OV]8444 ,IT'S RI<T1 ISN'T IT1 ,NIKOLAI ,FEODORUIT*80 

0,NOT QUITE4 ,EXCUSE ME1 ,ABRAM ,ILYIT*10 SAID ! ADJUTANT TIMIDLY1 
0NO?+ IS LEFT = TEA & SUG>4 ,Y\ RECKON ONE SUIT = EV]Y TWO 
YE>S1 BUT H]E 9 FIELD-S]VICE Y\ CAN'T GET ALONG ) ONE PAIR ( 
PANTALOONS & BOOTS4 ,:Y1 ,I WE> \T A NEW PAIR ALMO/ EV]Y MON?4 
,& !N L951 %IRTS1 H&K]*IEFS1 & LEG-WRAPP]S3 ALL ?AT SORT 
( ?+ ONE HAS TO BUY4 ,& :5 Y\ HAVE ACC\NT$ = IT1 !RE 
ISN'T ANY ?+ LEFT AT ALL4 ,?AT'S TRUE1 BY ,GOD6.<#b#f.> ,ABRAM ,ILYIT*40 

0,YES1 IT'S SPL5DID TO WE> LEG-WRAPP]S10 SAID ,KRAFT SUDD5LY1 
AFT] A MOM5T'S SIL5CE1 ) A LOV+ EMPHASIS ON ! WORD 
0LEG-WRAPP]S20.<#b#g.> 0Y\ KN[ IT'S SIMPLY ,RUSSIAN FA%ION40 

0,I WILL TELL Y\10 REM>K$ ,TROS5KO1 0IT ALL AM\NTS TO ?IS1 ?AT \R 
BRO!R IMAG9ES ?AT WE HAVE NO?+ TO EAT2 BUT ! FACT IS1 ?AT WE 
ALL LIVE1 & HAVE TEA TO DR9K1 & TOBACCO TO SMOKE1 & \R VODKA 
TO DR9K4 ,IF Y\ S]V$ ) ME10 HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO ! 5SIGN1 
0Y\ W\LD SOON LE>N H[ TO LIVE4 ,I SUPPOSE Y\ G5TLEM5 KN[ H[ HE 
TREAT$ HIS D5%*IK40 

,& ,TROS5KO1 DY+ ) LAU<T]1 TOLD US !"9  :OLE /ORY ( ! 
5SIGN & HIS MAN1 ?\< WE HAD ALL HE>D IT A ?\S& TIMES4 

0,:AT MAKES Y\ LOOK SO ROSY1 BRO!R80 HE CONT9U$1 PO9T+ TO ! 
5SIGN1 :O TURN$ R$1 BROKE 9TO A P]SPIRATION1 & SMIL$ ) SU* 
CON/RA9T ?AT IT WAS PA9FUL TO LOOK AT HIM4 

0,IT'S ALL RI<T1 BRO!R4 ,I US$ TO BE JU/ LIKE Y\2 BUT N[1 Y\ 
SEE1 ,I HAVE BECOME H>D5$4 ,JU/ LET ANY Y\NG FELL[ COME H]E FROM 
,RUSSIA1--WE HAVE SE5 'EM1--& H]E !Y W\LD GET ALL SORTS ( 
RHEUMATISM & SPASMS2 BUT LOOK AT ME SITT+ H]E3 IT'S MY HOME1 & 
B$1 & ALL4 ,Y\ SEE0 444 ,H]E HE DRANK /ILL ANO!R GLASS ( VODKA4 
0,HA80 HE CONT9U$1 LOOK+ /RAI<T 9TO ,KRAFT'S EYES4 

0,?AT'S :AT ,I LIKE 9 Y\4 ,HE'S A G5U9E OLD ,KAVKAZETS4 ,KIVE US 
Y\R HANT40 

,& ,KRAFT PU%$ ?R\< \R MID/1 RU%$ UP TO ,TROS5KO1 &1 
GRASP+ HIS H&1 %OOK IT ) REM>KABLE FEEL+4 

0,YES1 WE CAN SAY ?AT WE HAVE HAD ALL SORTS ( EXP]I5CES H]E10 HE 
CONT9U$4 0,9 '#d#e Y\ MU/ HAVE BE5 !RE1 CAPTA98 ,DO Y\ REMEMB] 
! NI<T ( ! #b#d? & #b#e?1 :5 WE CAMP$ 9 MUD UP TO \R KNEES1 
& ! NEXT DAY W5T AGA9/ ! 5TR5*M5TS8 ,I WAS !N ) ! 
COMM&]-9-*IEF1 & 9 ONE DAY WE CAPTUR$ FIFTE5 5TR5*M5TS4 
,DO Y\ REMEMB]1 CAPTA980 

,TROS5KO NODD$ ASS5T1 &1 PU%+ \T HIS L[] LIP1 CLOS$ HIS EYES4 

0,Y\ \<T TO HAVE SE510 ,KRAFT BEGAN ) EXTRAORD9>Y ANIMATION1 
MAK+ AWKW>D GE/URES ) HIS >MS1 & ADDRESS+ ! MAJOR4 

,BUT ! MAJOR1 :O MU/ HAVE MORE ?AN ONCE HE>D ?IS TALE1 SUDD5LY 
?REW SU* AN EXPRESSION ( MUDDY"9  /UPIDITY 9TO HIS EYES1 AS HE 
LOOK$ AT HIS COMRADE1 ?AT ,KRAFT TURN$ FROM HIM1 & ADDRESS$ 
,BOLKH( & ME1 ALT]NATELY LOOK+ AT EA* ( US4 ,BUT HE DID NOT ONCE 
LOOK AT ,TROS5KO1 FROM ONE 5D ( HIS /ORY TO ! O!R4 

0,Y\ \<T TO HAVE SE5 H[ 9 ! MORN+ ! COMM&]-9-*IEF 
CAME TO ME1 & SAYS1 ',KRAFT1 TAKE ?OSE 5TR5*M5TS4' ,Y\ KN[ 
\R MILIT>Y DUTY1--NO >GU+1 H& TO VISOR4 ',IT %ALL BE DONE1 
Y\R ,EXCELL5CY1'.<#b#h.> & ,I />T$4 ,AS SOON AS WE CAME TO ! FIR/ 
5TR5*M5T1 ,I TURN R\ND1 & %\T TO ! SOLDI]S1 ',POYS1 %[ Y\R 
METTLE6 ,PE ON Y\R GU>D4 ,! ONE :O /OPS ,I %ALL CUT D[N ) MY 
[N H&4' ,) ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S Y\ KN[ Y\ HAVE TO BE PLA9-SPOK54 
,!N SUDD5LY COMES A %ELL--,I LOOK--ONE SOLDI]1 TWO SOLDI]S1 ?REE 
SOLDI]S1 !N ! BULLETS--VZ-ZH96 VZ-ZH96 VZ-ZH96 ,I %\T1 
',=W>D1 BOYS2 FOLL[ ME6' ,AS SOON AS WE REA* IT1 Y\ KN[1 ,I LOOK 
& SEE--H[ IT--Y\ KN[3 :AT DO Y\ CALL IT80 & ! N>RATOR WAV$ 
HIS H&S 9 HIS SE>* = ! WORD4 

0,RAMP>T10 SUGGE/$ ,BOLKH(4 

0,NO4444 ,A*6 :AT IS IT8 ,MY ,GOD1 N[1 :AT IS IT8444 ,YES1 RAMP>T10 
SAID HE QUICKLY4 0,!N CLUBB+ !IR GUNS6444 HURRAH6 TA-RA-TA-TA-TA6 
,! 5EMY--NOT A S\L WAS LEFT4 ,DO Y\ KN[1 !Y W]E AMAZ$4 ,ALL 
RI<T4 ,WE RU% ON--! SECOND 5TR5*M5T4 ,?IS WAS QUITE A DIFF]5T 
AFFAIR4 ,\R HE>TS POIL$ )9 US1 Y\ KN[4 ,AS SOON AS WE GOT !RE1 
,I LOOK & ,I SEE ! SECOND 5TR5*M5T--IMPOSSIBLE TO M\NT IT4 
,!RE--:AT WAS IT--:AT WAS IT WE JU/ CALL$ IT8 ,A*6 :AT WAS IT80 
444 

0,RAMP>T10 AGA9 ,I SUGGE/$4 

"9  

0,NOT AT ALL10 SAID HE ) SOME HEAT4 0,NOT RAMP>T4 ,AH1 N[1 :AT IS 
IT CALL$80 & HE MADE A SORT ( DESPAIR+ GE/URE ) HIS H&4 
0,A*6 MY ,GOD6 :AT IS IT80 444 

,HE WAS EVID5TLY SO CUT UP1 ?AT ONE C\LD NOT HELP (F]+ 
SUGGE/IONS4 

0,MOAT1 P]HAPS10 SAID ,BOLKH(4 

0,NO2 SIMPLY RAMP>T4 ,AS SOON AS WE REA*$ IT1 IF Y\ WILL BELIEVE ME1 
!RE WAS A FIRE P\R$ 9 UPON US--IT WAS HELL40 444 

,AT ! CRISIS1 SOME ONE BEH9D ! WIGWAM 9QUIR$ = ME4 ,IT WAS 
,MAKSIM(4 ,AS !RE /ILL REMA9$ ?IRTE5 ( ! 5TR5*M5TS TO BE 
TAK5 9 ! SAME MONOTON\S DETAIL1 ,I WAS GLAD TO HAVE AN EXCUSE TO GO 
TO MY DIVISION4 ,TROS5KO W5T ) ME4 

0,IT'S ALL A PACK ( LIES10 HE SAID TO ME :5 WE HAD GONE A FEW /EPS 
FROM ! WIGWAM4 0,HE WASN'T AT ! 5TR5*M5TS AT ALL20 & ,TROS5KO 
LAU<$ SO GOOD-NATUR$LY1 ?AT ,I C\LD NOT HELP JO9+ HIM4 

.<#b#b.> GORILKA 9 ! ,MALO-,RUSSIAN DIALECT4 

.<#b#c.> NU-S4 

.<#b#d.> TAK-S4 

.<#b#e.> TAK-S4 

.<#b#f.> ,YEI ,BOGU4 

.<#b#g.> PODVIORTKI4 

.<#b#h.> SLU%AIU1 VA%E ,SIYATEL/VO4 

7,S\RCE3 ,PUBLI%$ BY ,?OMAS ,Y4 ,CR[ELL @& ,CO41 ,NEW ,YORK1 #ac ,A/OR ,PLACE1 #a#h#h#g47 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahhf 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #ab -- ,PUBLICATION4 
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