,! ,CUTT+ ( ! ,=E/ 
,! ,/ORY ( A ,YUNK] 

#ahee 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,SECTIONS 7,T,O,C7 3 
     

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,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

O ,*APT] #a 

,9 MIDW9T] ( #ahe - ! DIVISION ( \R BATT]Y- WAS DO+ FRONTI] S]VICE 9 ! ,GREAT ,*E*NYA4 ,HAV+ LE>N$1 ON ! EV5+ ( ! #a#d? ( ,FEBRU>Y1 ?AT  
! PLATOON1 :I* ,I WAS TO COMM& 9 ! ABS5CE ( ! (FIC]1 WAS DETAIL$ = ! FOLL[+ DAY TO CUT  
TIMB]1 & HAV+ RECEIV$ & GIV5 ! PROP] ORD]S  
ON ?AT V]Y EV5+1 ,I REPAIR$ E>LI] ?AN USUAL TO MY  
T5T 2 AS ,I DID NOT HAVE ! BAD HABIT ( W>M+ IT UP  
) BURN+ COAL1 ,I LAY D[N 9 MY CLO!S ON MY B$1  
:I* WAS CON/RUCT$ ( PAL+1 DREW MY LAMBSK9 CAP  
D[N TO MY EYES1 WRAPP$ MYSELF 9 A FUR COAT1 & FELL  
9TO ?AT PECULI>1 PR(\ND1 & HEAVY SLEEP :I* ONE  
SLEEPS 9 MOM5TS ( AL>M & AGITATION BE=E AN IMM95T P]IL4 ,! EXPECTANCY ( ! 5GAGEM5T ( !  
FOLL[+ DAY HAD 9DUC$ ?AT CONDITION 9 ME4  

,AT ?REE O'CLOCK 9 ! MORN+1 :ILE IT WAS /ILL V]Y  
D>K1 SOMEBODY PULL$ ! W>M FUR COAT FROM ME1 &  
! PURPLE LI<T ( A C&LE DISAGREEABLY />TL$ MY  
SLEEPY EYES4  

0 ,PLEASE GET UP 6 0 SAID SOMEBODY'S VOICE4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 UNCONSCI\SLY PULL$ ! FUR COAT OV] ME1 & AGA9  
FELL ASLEEP4 0 ,PLEASE GET UP 6 0 REPEAT$ ,DMITRI1 PITILESSLY  
%AK+ ME BY ! %\LD]4 0 ,! 9FANTRY IS />T+40  
,I SUDD5LY RECALL$ ! ACTUALITY1 %UDD]$1 & SPRANG  
TO MY FEET4 ,HAV+ SWALL[$ 9 A HURRY A GLASS ( TEA  
& WA%$ MYSELF ) ICE-CRU/$ WAT]1 ,I W5T \T (  
! T5T & WALK$ OV] TO ! P>K 7! PLACE :]E  
! ORDNANCE IS /ATION$74  

,IT WAS D>K1 MI/Y1 & COLD4 ,! NI<T FIRES1 :I*  
GLIMM]$ H]E & !RE 9 ! CAMP1 LI<T+ UP !  
FIGURES ( ! DR[SY SOLDI]S :O W]E LY+ AB\T !M1  
ONLY 9T5SIFI$ ! D>KNESS BY !IR PURPLE GLAM\R4  
,NE> BY ONE C\LD HE> ! EV51 CALM SNOR+ ( M5 2 9  
! DI/ANCE !RE WAS ! MOTION1 TALK+1 & CLANK+  
( ! 9FANTRY'S WEAPONS1 GETT+ READY = ! M>* 2  
!RE WAS AN ODOR ( SMOKE1 DUNG1 SL[-MAT*ES1 &  
MI/ 2 A MORN+ *ILL RAN D[N ONE'S BACK1 & ONE'S  
TEE? 9VOLUNT>ILY CLATT]$ AGA9/ EA* O!R4  

,BY ! SNORT+ & OCCASIONAL /AMP+ ALONE C\LD  
ONE MAKE \T1 9 ?IS IMP5ETRABLE D>KNESS1 :]E !  
HIT*$-UP LIMB]S & CAISSONS W]E /&+1 & ONLY  
BY ! BURN+ DOTS ( ! L9/OCKS C\LD ONE TELL :]E  
! ORDNANCE WAS4 ,) ! WORDS1 0 ,GOD BE ) Y\ 6 0  
! FIR/ GUN BEGAN TO CLATT]1 !N ! CAISSON RATTL$1  
& ! PLATOON WAS ON ! MOVE4 ,WE TOOK (F \R  
HATS & MADE ! SIGN ( ! CROSS4 ,HAV+ TAK5 UP ITS  
POSITION AMONG ! 9FANTRY1 ! PLATOON /OPP$1 & =  
AB\T FIFTE5 M9UTES AWAIT$ ! DRAW+ UP ( ! :OLE  
COLUMN & ! >RIVAL ( ! COMM&]4  

0 ,WE LACK ONE SOLDI]1 ,NIKOLAY ,PETROVI* 6 0 SAID1  
APPROA*+ ME1 A BLACK FIGURE1 :I* ,I RECOGNIZ$ BY  
! VOICE ONLY AS BE+ ?AT ( ! PLATOON GUN-S]GEANT1  
,MAKSIM 8 V4  

0 ,:O IS IT 8 0  

0 ,VEL5*IIK IS NOT H]E4 ,AS WE W]E HIT*+ UP1 HE  
WAS H]E1 & ,I SAW HIM1 BUT N[ HE IS GONE40  

,AS !RE WAS NO REASON TO SUPPOSE ?AT ! COLUMN  
W\LD M>* AT ONCE1 WE DECID$ TO S5D ,LANCE ,CORPORAL  
,ANTONOV TO F9D ,VEL5*IIK4 ,SOON AFT]1 SEV]AL HORSEM5 GALLOP$ PA/ US 9 ! D>KNESS 3 ?AT WAS ! COMM&] ) HIS SUITE 2 IMM$IATELY !RE WAS A /IR1 !  
VAN ( ! COLUMN />T$1 & !N WE BEGAN TO M>*1  
-- BUT ,ANTONOV & ,VEL5*IIK W]E NOT ) US4 ,WE  
HAD SC>CELY TAK5 ONE HUNDR$ /EPS1 :5 BO? SOLDI]S  
CAU<T UP ) US4  

0 ,:]E WAS HE 8 0 ,I ASK$ ( ,ANTONOV4  

0 ,ASLEEP 9 ! P>K40  

0 ,IS HE DRUNK 8 0  

0 ,NO1 SIR40  

0 ,:Y1 !N1 DID HE GO TO SLEEP 8 0  

0 ,I CAN'T TELL Y\40  

,= SOME?+ LIKE ?REE H\RS WE MOV$ SL[LY 9 !  
SAME SIL5CE & D>KNESS OV] UNPL[$1 SN[LESS FIELDS  
& L[ BU%ES1 :I* CRACKL$ UND] ! :EELS ( !  
ORDNANCE4 ,F9ALLY1 AFT] =D+ A %ALL[1 BUT EXTREMELY  
RAPID TORR5T1 WE HALT$1 & 9 ! VAN C\LD BE HE>D  
9T]MITT5T VOLLEYS ( MUSKETRY4 ,!SE S\NDS1 AS ALWAYS1 HAD AN AWAK5+ EFFECT UPON ALL4 ,! DETA*M5T SEEM$ TO HAVE WAK5$ FROM SLUMB] 3 9 ! RANKS  
C\LD BE HE>D CONV]SATION1 ANIMATION1 & LAU<T]4  
,SOME SOLDI]S W]E WRE/L+ ) !IR COMRADES 2 O!RS  
LEAP$ N[ ON ONE FOOT1 N[ ON ANO!R2 O!RS AGA9  
W]E MUN*+ !IR H>DTACK1 OR1 TO PASS ! TIME1 PRET5D$ TO /& S5TRY OR KEEP TIME WALK+4 ,9 !  
MEANTIME ! MI/ WAS BECOM+ P]CEPTIBLY :ITE 9  
! EA/1 ! DAMPNESS GREW MORE P5ETRAT+1 & !  
SURR\ND+ OBJECTS EM]G$ MORE & MORE FROM !  
D>KNESS4 ,I C\LD DISC]N ! GRE5 GUN-C>RIAGES &  
CAISSONS1 ! BRASS ( ! ORDNANCE1 COV]$ BY A MI/Y  
DAMPNESS1 ! FAMILI> =MS ( MY SOLDI]S1 & ! BAY  
HORSES1 :I* ,I HAD 9VOLUNT>ILY LE>N$ TO KN[ D[N  
TO !IR M9UTE/ DETAILS1 & ! R[S ( ! 9FANTRY1 ) !IR SP>KL+ BAYONETS1 KNAPSACKS1 WAD-HOOKS1 &  
KETTLES OV] !IR BACKS4  

,%ORTLY AFT]W>DS WE W]E AGA9 PUT 9 MOTION1 TAK5  
A C\PLE ( HUNDR$ /EPS ACROSS ! FIELD1 & HAD A PLACE  
PO9T$ \T TO US4 ,ON ! RI<T C\LD BE SE5 ! /EEP  
BANK ( A W9D+ BROOK & TALL WOOD5 PO/S ( A  
,T>T> CEMET]Y 2 ON ! LEFT & 9 FRONT ( US %IMM]$ A BLACK /REAK1 ?R\< ! MI/4 ,! PLATOON  
CAME D[N FROM ! LIMB]S4 ,! EI<? COMPANY1  
:I* WAS FLANK+ US1 /ACK$ >MS1 & A BATTALION (  
SOLDI]S W5T 9TO ! WOODS ) GUNS & AXES4  

,LESS ?AN FIVE M9UTES HAD ELAPS$ :5 ON ALL SIDES  
CRACKL$ & BURN$ CAMP-FIRES 2 ! SOLDI]S SCATT]$  
AB\T !M1 FANN+ ! FIRE ) !IR H&S & FEET1  
C>RY+ B\<S & LOGS1 & 9 ! =E/ RES\ND$  
)\T 9T]RUPTION HUNDR$S ( AXES & FALL+ TREES4  

,! >TILL]I/S1 VY+ ) ! 9FANTRYM51 HAD MADE  
A FIRE ( !IR [N1 & ?\< IT WAS BURN+ SO WELL ?AT  
IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO COME )9 TWO PACES ( IT1 & A  
D5SE SMOKE WAS PASS+ ?R\< ! ICE-CRU/$ BRAN*ES1  
FROM :I* DROPS FELL SIZZL+ 9TO ! FIRE1 & :I* !  
SOLDI]S KEPT PRESS+ D[N ) !IR FEET1 & ?\<  
COAL HAD =M$ UND]NEA? ! FIRE1 & ! GRASS WAS  
BURNT :ITE ALL >\ND IT1 -- ! SOLDI]S W]E NOT YET SATISFI$ 2 !Y DRAGG$ UP :OLE LOGS1 ?REW /EPPE-GRASS  
UPON IT1 & FANN$ IT MORE & MORE4  

,AS ,I W5T UP TO ! CAMP-FIRE TO LI<T A CIG>ETTE1  
,VEL5*UK1 :O WAS ALWAYS (FICI\S1 BUT :O N[1  
HAV+ FAIL$ 9 HIS DUTY1 WAS UNDULY BUSY AB\T !  
FIRE1 9 AN ATTACK ( ZEAL PULL$ \T ) HIS NAK$ H&  
A BURN+ COAL FROM ! V]Y MIDDLE1 &1 VAULT+ IT A  
C\PLE ( TIMES FROM ONE H& TO ANO!R1 ?REW IT D[N  
ON ! GR\ND4  

0 ,Y\ HAD BETT] LI<T A /ICK & H& IT10 SAID SOME  
ONE4  

0 ,H& HIM ! L9/OCK1 BOYS 6 0 CRI$ ANO!R4  

,:5 ,I F9ALLY LI<T$ MY CIG>ETTE )\T ,VEL5*UK'S AID1 :O WAS AGA9 READY TO PICK UP ! COAL  
) HIS H&S1 HE WIP$ HIS S+$ F+]S AGA9/ !  
H9D SKIRTS ( HIS FUR COAT1 &1 EVID5TLY ANXI\S TO BE  
DO+ SOME?+1 LIFT$ A L>GE PLANE-TREE LOG & FLUNG IT  
9TO ! FIRE ) ALL HIS MI<T4 ,:51 AT LA/1 IT SEEM$  
TO HIM ?AT IT WAS TIME TO RE/ HIMSELF1 HE W5T UP AS  
NE> AS HE C\LD TO ! BURN+ WOOD1 SPREAD HIS OV]-  
COAT1 :I* HE WORE LIKE A MANTLE ON ! BACK BUTTON1  
EXT5D$ 9 FRONT ( HIM HIS L>GE BLACK H&S1 &1  
DI/ORT+ HIS M\? A LITTLE1 BL9K$ ) HIS EYES4  

0 ,AH1 ,I HAVE =GOTT5 MY PIPE4 ,?AT'S BAD1 BRO!RS 6 0  
HE SAID1 AFT] A MOM5T'S SIL5CE1 & ADDRESS+ NO ONE 9  
P>TICUL>4  

O ,*APT] #b 

,9 ,RUSSIA !RE >E ?REE PREVAIL+ TYPES ( SOLDI]S1  
AMONG :I* MAY BE CLASS$ ! SOLDI]S ( ALL ! >MIES 3  
( ! ,CAUCASUS1 ! 8881 ! GU>DS1 ! 9FANTRY1 !  
CAVALRY1 ! >TILL]Y1 & SO =?4  

,!SE ?REE TYPES1 CAPABLE ( MANY SUBDIVISIONS &  
BL5D+S1 >E ! FOLL[+ 3  

7#a7 ,! SUBMISSIVE4  

7#b7 ,! COMM&+4  

7#c7 ,! DESP]ATE4  

,! SUBMISSIVE SOLDI]S MAY BE SUBDIVID$ 9TO 7A7  
9DIFF]5TLY SUBMISSIVE & 7B7 BUSILY SUBMISSIVE4  

,! COMM&+ MAY BE SUBDIVID$ 9TO 7A7 AU/]ELY  
COMM&+ & 7B7 SAGACI\SLY COMM&+4  

,! DESP]ATE MAY BE SUBDIVID$ 9TO 7A7 DESP]ATE  
JOK]S & 7B7 DESP]ATE DEBAU*EES4  

,! COMMONE/ TYPE IS A G5TLE1 SYMPA!TIC TYPE1  
:I* UNITES ! BE/ ,*RI/IAN VIRTUES1 MEEKNESS1 PIETY1  
PATI5CE1 & SUBMISSION TO ! WILL ( ,GOD1 & IS ?AT  
( ! SUBMISSIVE 9 G5]AL4 ,! DI/9CTIVE FEATURES (  
AN 9DIFF]5TLY SUBMISSIVE SOLDI] >E AN IMP]TURBABLE  
CALM & CONTEMPT = ALL ! VICISSITUDES ( =TUNE TO  
:I* HE MAY BE SUBJECT$4 ,! DI/9CTIVE FEATURE (  
! SUBMISSIVE DRUNK>D IS A QUIET1 POETICAL 9CL9ATION  
& S5TIM5TAHTY4 ,! DI/9CTIVE FEATURE ( ! BUSILY  
SUBMISSIVE IS A LIMIT$ M5TAL CAPACITY1 UNIT$ ) AN  
AIMLESS 9DU/RY & ZEAL4  

,! COMM&+ TYPE IS F\ND PREPOND]ANTLY 9 !  
HI<] SPH]ES ( ! NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC]S1 AMONG CORPORALS1 UND]-(FIC]S1 S]GEANTS1 & SO =?4 ,AMONG  
!SE1 ! AU/]ELY COMM&+ TYPE IS NOBLE1 5]GETIC1  
PREEM95TLY M>TIAL1 & NOT DEVOID ( HI< POETICAL  
IMPULSES4 ,TO ?IS TYPE BELONG$ ,CORPORAL ,ANTONOV1 )  
:OM ,I 9T5D TO ACQUA9T ! READ]4 ,! SECOND SUB-DIVISION IS =M$ BY ! SAGACI\SLY COMM&+1 :O  
( LATE HAVE BE5 GETT+ QUITE COMMON4 ,A SAGACI\SLY  
COMM&+ NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC] IS ALWAYS ELOQU5T1  
KN[S H[ TO READ & WRITE1 WE>S A P9K %IRT1 DOES NOT  
EAT FROM ! COMMON KETTLE1 AT TIMES SMOKES ,MUSAT  
TOBACCO1 CONSID]S HIMSELF 9COMP>ABLY HI<] ?AN A  
COMMON SOLDI]1 & IS R>ELY AS GOOD A SOLDI] AS !  
COMM&+ ( ! FIR/ ORD]4  

,! DESP]ATE TYPE1 LIKE ! COMM&+ TYPE1 IS GOOD  
ONLY 9 ! FIR/ SUBDIVISION 3 ! DI/9CTIVE TRAITS (  
DESP]ATE JOK]S >E !IR IMP]TURBABLE *E]FULNESS1 !IR  
ABILITY TO DO EV]Y?+1 A WELL-5D[$ NATURE1 & DA%+ SPIRIT ( ADV5TURE 2 ?IS TYPE IS JU/ AS DREADFULLY  
BAD 9 ! SECOND SUBDIVISION ( DESP]ATE DEBAU*EES1  
:O1 H[EV]1 TO ! HONOR ( ! ,EUSSIAN >MY BE IT  
SAID1 OCCUR V]Y R>ELY1 & :]EV] !Y >E F\ND >E  
REMOV$ FROM COMPANION%IP BY ! COMMUNITY ( !  
SOLDI]S !MSELVES4 ,! *IEF *>ACT]I/ICS ( ?IS SUB-DIVISION >E FAI?LESSNESS & A C]TA9 ADV5TUR\SNESS  
9 VICE4  

,VEL5*IIK BELONG$ TO ! ORD] ( ! BUSILY SUBMISSIVE4 ,HE WAS A ,LITTLE-,EUSSIAN BY BIR?1 FIFTE5 YE>S 9  
ACTIVE S]VICE1 & ?\< NOT A V]Y F9E-APPE>+ MAN1  
& NOT A V]Y AGILE SOLDI]1 HE WAS SIMPLE-HE>T$1  
K9DLY1 OV]ZEAL\S1 ?\< G5]ALLY 9OPPORTUNELY SO1  
& EXCE$+LY HONE/4 ,I SAY 0 EXCE$+LY HONE/10  
BECAUSE ! YE> BE=E !RE HAD BE5 AN 9CID5T :5  
HE HAD V]Y PALPABLY DISPLAY$ ?IS *>ACT]I/IC QUALITY4  
,IT MU/ BE REM>K$ ?AT NE>LY EV]Y SOLDI] HAS SOME  
TRADE2 ! MO/ POPUL> TRADES >E ?OSE ( A TAILOR &  
A %OEMAK]4 ,VEL5*IIK HAD LE>N$ ! FIR/1 &1 TO JUDGE FROM ! FACT ?AT ,S]GEANT ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI*  
HIMSELF HAD HIM MAKE HIS CLO!S = HIM1 HE MU/ HAVE  
REA*$ A C]TA9 >TI/IC P]FECTION 9 IT4  

,! YE> BE=E1 :ILE 9 CAMP1 ,VEL5*UK HAD UND]-  
TAK5 TO MAKE A F9E OV]COAT = ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI* 2 BUT  
9 ! NI<T1 :51 AFT] CUTT+ ! CLO? & FIX+ !  
L9+1 HE LAY D[N TO SLEEP ) ! GOODS UND] HIS  
HEAD1 A MIS=TUNE BEFELL HIM 3 ! CLO?1 :I* HAD CO/  
SEV5 RUBLES1 HAD DISAPPE>$4 ,) TE>S 9 HIS EYES1  
TREMBL+ LIPS1 & RE/RA9$ SOBS1 ,VEL5*UK ANN\NC$  
! FACT TO ! S]GEANT4 ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI* WAS FURI\S4  
,9 ! FIR/ MOM5T ( HIS ANG] HE ?REAT5$ ! TAILOR1  
BUT LAT]1 BE+ A MAN ( MEANS1 & GOOD AT HE>T1 HE  
DROPP$ ! :OLE MATT] & DID NOT ASK ANY RE/ITUTION  
( ! VALUE ( ! OV]COAT4 ,H[EV] MU* BU/L+  
,VEL5*UK FRETT$ & WEPT1 AS HE WAS TELL+ AB\T HIS  
MIS=TUNE1 ! ?IEF DID NOT %[ UP4 ,?\< !RE  
W]E /RONG SUSPICIONS AGA9/ A DESP]ATE DEBAU*EE ( A  
SOLDI]1 ,*]NOV BY NAME1 :O WAS SLEEP+ 9 ! SAME  
T5T ) HIM1 !RE W]E NO POSITIVE PRO(S4 ,!  
SAGACI\S COMM&]1 ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI*1 BE+ A MAN (  
MEANS & 9 SOME K9D ( P>TN]%IP ) ! SUP]9-  
T5D5T ( >MS & ! /EW>D1 ! >I/OCRATS ( !  
BATT]Y1 V]Y SOON COMPLETELY =GOT ! LOSS ( ?AT P>-  
TICUL> OV]COAT 2 ,VEL5*UK1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 C\LD NOT  
=GET HIS MIS=TUNE4 ,! SOLDI]S SAID ?AT !Y W]E  
AFRAID ALL ! TIME ?AT HE W\LD LAY H&S ON HIMSELF OR  
RUN AWAY 9TO ! M\NTA9S1 = ?IS UN=TUNATE ACCI-  
D5T HAD AFFECT$ HIM P[]FULLY4 ,HE DID NOT EAT1 NOR  
DR9K 2 HE C\LD NOT WORK1 & WEPT ALL ! TIME4 ,?REE  
DAYS LAT] HE APPE>$ BE=E ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI*1 &1 ALL  
PALE1 DREW ) TREMBLIUG H&S A GOLD CO9 \T ( HIS  
ROLL$ UP SLEEVE1 & H&$ IT TO HIM4  

0 ,UPON MY WORD1 ?IS IS ALL ,I HAVE1 ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI*1  
& ,I HAVE BORR[$ IT FROM ,ZHDANOV10 HE SAID1 SOBB+  
A@5RA94 0 ,! TWO RUBLES ?AT >E WANT9@>@> ,I WILL SFIVE  
Y\1 UPON MY WORD1 AS SOON AS ,I HAVE E>N$ !M4 ,HE 0  
7,VEL5*UK HIMSELF DID NOT KN[ :O ?AT 0 HE 0 WAS7  
0 HAS MADE ME \T A ?IEF 9 Y\R EYES4 ,HIS V,HE1 CON-  
TEMPTIBLE S\L HAS TAK5 ! LA/ ?+ AWAY FROM HIS  
BRO!R SOLDI] 2 H]E ,I HAVE BE5 S]V+ FIFTE5 YE>S1  
& -- 0 ,TO ,MIKHAIL ,DOR(EI*'S HONOR1 IT MU/ BE SAID  
?AT HE DID NOT TAKE FROM LIIM ! LACK+ TWO RUBLES1  
?\< ,VEL5*UK (F]$ !M TO HIM TWO MON?S LAT]4  

O ,*APT] #c 

,BESIDES ,VEL5*IIK1 FIVE O!R SOLDI]S ( MY PLATOON  
W]E W>M+ !MSELVES AT ! FIRE4  

,9 ! BE/ PLACE1 PROTECT$ FROM ! W9D1 ON A CASK1  
SAT ! GUN-S]GEANT ( ! PLATOON1 ,MAKSIMOV1 SMOK+ A  
PIPE4 ,9 ! POSE1 ! LOOK1 & ALL ! MOTIONS (  
?IS MAN C\LD BE OBS]V$ ! HABIT ( COMM&+ &  
! CONSCI\SNESS ( HIS P]SONAL DIGNITY1 EV5 9DE-  
P5D5TLY ( ! CASK1 ON :I* HE WAS SITT+1 &  
:I*1 AT A HALT1 =M$ ! EMBLEM ( AU?ORITY1 & (  
! NANKE5-COV]$ FUR HALF-COAT4  

,:5 ,I CAME UP1 HE TURN$ HIS HEAD T[>D ME 2 BUT  
HIS EYES REMA9$ FIX$ UPON ! FIRE1 & ONLY MU*  
LAT] DID !Y FOLL[ ! DIRECTION ( HIS HEAD1 & RE/  
UPON ME4 ,MAKSIMOV WAS A FREEMAN 2 HE WAS POSSESS$ (  
SOME MEANS1 HAD TAK5 9/RUCTION 9 ! S*OOL ( !  
BRIGADE1 & HAD PICK$ UP SOME 9=MATION4 ,HE WAS  
DREADFULLY RI* & DREADFU,UY LE>N$1 AS ! SOLDI]S EX-  
PRESS$ !MSELVES4  

,I REMEMB] H[ ONCE1 AT GUN-PRACTICE ) ! QUAD-  
RANT1 HE EXPLA9$ TO ! SOLDI]S :O W]E CR[D+  
>\ND HIM ?AT ! LEVEL WAS 0 NO?+ ELSE ?AN ?AT IT  
ORIG9ATES BECAUSE ! ATMOSPH]IC QUICKSILV] HAS ITS  
MOTION40 ,9 REALITY1 ,MAKSIMOV WAS F> FROM BE+  
/UPID1 & HE KNEW HIS WORK V]Y WELL1 BUT HE HAD AN  
UN=TUNATE PECULI>ITY ( SPEAK+ AT TIMES PURPOSELY 9  
SU* A WAY ?AT IT WAS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO UND]/&  
HIM1 & SO ?AT1 AS ,I AM CONV9C$1 HE DID NOT UND]-  
/& HIS [N WORDS4 ,HE WAS ESPECIALLY FOND ( !  
WORDS 0 ORIG9ATES 0 & 0 TO CONT9UE10 & :5 HE  
9TRODUC$ HIS REM>KS ) 0 ORIG9ATES 0 & 0 CON-  
T9U+10 ,I KNEW 9 ADVANCE ?AT ,I %\LD NOT UND]/&  
A WORD ( :AT FOLL[$4 ,! SOLDI]S1 ON ! CONTR>Y1  
SO F> AS ,I WAS ABLE TO OBS]VE1 LIK$ TO HE> HIS 0 ORIGI-  
NATES10 & SUSPECT$ ?AT A DEEP MEAN+ LAY BEH9D IT1  
?\<1 LIKE MYSELF1 !Y DID NOT COMPREH5D A WORD4  
,!Y REF]R$ ?IS LACK ( COMPREH5SION TO !IR [N  
/UPIDITY1 & RESPECT$ ,F$OR ,MAKSIMY* ! MORE =  
IT4 ,9 %ORT1 ,MAKSIMY* WAS A SAGACI\S COMM&]4  

,! SECOND SOLDI]1 :O WAS TAK+ (IF ! BOOTS FROM  
HIS R$1 MUSCUL> LEGS1 WAS ,ANTONOV1 ! SAME BOMB>DI]  
,ANTONOV1 :O 9 ! YE> '#c#g1 HAV+ BE5 LEFT ) TWO  
O!RS AT A GUN1 )\T PROTECTION1 HAD KEPT UP A FIRE  
AGA9/ A NUM]\S 5EMY1 &1 ) TWO BULLETS 9 HIS  
HIP1 HAD CONT9U$ TO ATT5D TO ! GUN & LOAD IT4 0 ,HE  
W\LD HAVE BE5 A GUN-S]GEANT LONG AGO1 IF IT W]E NOT  
= HIS *>ACT]10 ! SOLDI]S W\LD SAY ( HIM4 ,9-  
DE$1 HIS WAS A /RANGE *>ACT] 3 9 HIS SOB] MOOD  
!RE WAS NOT A QUIET]1 PROMPT]1 & MORE PEACEFUL  
SOLDI] 2 BUT :5 HE BECAME 9TOXICAT$1 HE WAS AN  
5TIRELY DIFF]5T MAN 3 HE DID NOT RESPECT ! AU-  
?ORITIES1 BRAWL$1 F\<T1 & WAS AN ALTOGE!R USE-  
LESS SOLDI]4 ,NOT MORE ?AN A WEEK BE=E HE HAD  
GONE ON A SPREE DUR+ ,BUTT]-WEEK1 &1 9 SPITE ( ALL  
?REATS1 P]SUASIONS1 & CALLS TO DUTY1 HE CONT9U$ HIS  
DRUNK5 B\TS & BRAWLS UNTIL ! FIR/ ,MONDAY 9 ,L5T4  
,BUT DUR+ ! :OLE FA/1 9 SPITE ( ! ORD] = ALL  
M5 9 ! DIVISION TO EAT MEAT1 HE LIV$ ON NO?+ BUT  
H>DTACK1 & 9 ! FIR/ WEEK HE DID NOT EV5 TAKE !  
PRESCRIB$ DRAM ( BR&Y4 ,H[EV]1 IT WAS ONLY NECES-  
S>Y TO SEE ?IS UND]SIZ$ FIGURE1 BUILT AS ?\< ( IRON1  
) HIS %ORT1 CROOK$ LEGS & %9+1 :ISK]$ FACE1  
TAKE 9TO HIS MUSCUL> H&S ! BALALAYKA1 :ILE UND]  
! 9FLU5CE ( LIQUOR1 &1 C>ELESSLY CA/+ HIS GLANCES  
TO BO? SIDES1 /RUM SOME 0 LADY'S 0 SONG1 OR1 TO SEE HIM4  

HIS OV]COAT1 ) ! DECORATIONS DAN<NG FROM IT1  
?R[N OV] %\LD]1 & HIS H&S ?RU/ 9TO !  
POCKETS ( HIS BHIE NANKE5 TR\S]S1 /ROLL D[N !  
/REET1 -- IT WAS ONLY NECESS>Y TO SEE ! EXPRESSION (  
MILIT>Y PRIDE & CONTEMPT ( EV]Y?+ UN-MILIT>Y1  
:I* WAS DISPLAY$ 9 HIS FACE AT SU* A TIME1 9  
ORD] TO UND]/& H[ UTT]LY IMPOSSIBLE IT WAS =  
HIM TO KEEP FROM FI<T+ AT SU* A MOM5T AN IMP]TI-  
N5T OR EV5 9NOC5T ORD]LY1 :O GOT 9 HIS WAY1 OR A  
,COSSACK1 A FOOT-SOLDI]1 OR SETTL]1 9 G5]AL ONE :O DID  
NOT BELONG TO ! >TILL]Y4 ,HE F\<T & WAS TURBU-  
L5T NOT SO MU* = HIS [N AMUSEM5T1 AS = ! SAKE  
( SUPPORT+ ! SPIRIT ( ! :OLE SOLDI]HOOD1 ( :I*  
HE FELT HIMSELF TO BE A REPRES5TATIVE4  

,! ?IRD SOLDI]1 ) AN E>R+ 9 ONE E>1 BRI/LY  
MU/A*E1 A %>P1 BIRDLIKE FACE1 & A PORCELA9 PIPE  
BETWE5 HIS TEE?1 :O WAS SQUATT+ NE> ! FIRE1 WAS  
! >TILL]Y-RID] ,*IK94 ,! DE> MAN ,*IK91 AS !  
SOLDI]S CALL$ HIM1 WAS A JOK]4 ,WLIE!R 9 BITT] COLD1  
OR UP TO HIS KNEES 9 MUD1 = TWO DAYS )\T FOOD1 9  
AN EXP$ITION1 ON P>ADE1 AT 9/RUCTION1 ! DE> MAN  
ALWAYS & EV]Y:]E MADE FACES1 PIR\ETT$ ) HIS  
FEET1 & DID SU* FUNNY ?+S ?AT ! :OLE PLATOON  
RO>$ ) LAU<T]4 ,AT A HALT OR 9 CAMP !RE WAS  
ALWAYS >\ND ,*IK9 A CIRCLE ( Y\NG SOLDI]S1 )  
:OM HE PLAY$ C>DS 2 OR HE TOLD !M /ORIES AB\T  
A CUNN+ SOLDI] & AN ,5GLI% MILORD1 OR IMITAT$ A  
,T>T> OR A ,G]MAN1 OR SIMPLY MADE HIS [N REM>KS1  
:I* CAUS$ !M NE>LY TO DIE ) LAU<T]4 ,IT IS  
TRUE1 HIS REPUTATION AS A JOK] WAS SO WELL E/ABLI%$ 9  
! BATT]Y ?AT IT WAS 5\< = HIM TO OP5 HIS M\?  
& W9K1 9 ORD] TO PROVOKE A G5]AL RO> ( LAU<T] 2  
BUT !RE WAS REALLY SOME?+ TRULY COMICAL & UNEX-  
PECT$ 9 ALL HE SAID & DID4 ,9 EV]Y?+ HE SAW  
SOME?+ ESPECIAL1 SOME?+ ?AT W\LD NOT HAVE OC-  
CURR$ TO ANYBODY ELSE1 & :AT IS MORE IMPORTANT1 ?IS  
ABILITY TO SEE SOME?+ FUNNY DID NOT FAIL HIM UND] ANY  
TRIAL4  

,! F\R? SOLDI] WAS A HOMELY Y\NG LAD1 A RECRUIT  
( ! LA/ YE>'S DRAFT1 :O WAS N[ = ! FIR/ TIME  
TAK+ P>T 9 AN EXP$ITION4 ,HE WAS /&+ 9 !  
SMOKE1 & SO CLOSE TO ! FIRE ?AT IT LOOK$ AS ?\<  
HIS ?READB>E FUR COAT W\LD SOON IGNITE 2 BUT1 NOT)-  
/ANC,UNG ?IS1 IT WAS EVID5T1 FROM ! WAY HE SPREAD  
! SKIRTS ( LIIS COAT1 FROM HIS SELF-SATISFI$ POSE ) HIS  
>*+ CALVES1 ?AT HE WAS EXP]I5C+ GREAT PLEASURE4  

,&1 F9ALLY1 ! FIF? SOLDI]1 SEAT$ A LITTLE DI/ANCE  
FROM ! FIRE1 & :ITTL+ A /ICK1 WAS ,UNCLE ,ZHDANOV4  
,ZHDANOV HAD SE5 MORE S]VICE ?AN ANY O!R SOLDI] 9  
! BATT]Y 2 HE HAD KN[N !M ALL AS RECRUITS1 & !Y  
CALL$ HIM UNCLE1 FROM =CE ( HABIT4 ,IT WAS REPORT$  
?AT HE NEV] DRANK1 NOR SMOK$1 NOR PLAY$ C>DS 7NOT  
EV5 NOS,M71 NOR EV] SWORE4 ,ALL HIS TIME :I* WAS FREE  
FROM MILIT>Y S]VICE HE SP5T 9 PLY+ ! %OEMAK]'S  
TRADE 2 ON HOHDAYS HE W5T TO *UR*1 :5EV] IT WAS  
POSSIBLE1 OR PLAC$ A KOPECK TAP] BE=E ! IMAGE1 &  
OP5$ ! PSALT]1 ! ONLY BOOK :I* HE C\LD READ4  
,HE ASSOCIAT$ LITTLE ) ! SOLDI]S 3 HE WAS COLDLY RE-  
SPECTFUL TO ?OSE :O W]E HI<] 9 RANK BUT Y\NG]  
9 YE>S 2 HIS EQUALS HE HAD LITTLE *ANCE TO MEET1 S9CE HE  
DID NOT DR9K 2 BUT HE WAS ESPECIALLY FOND ( RECRUITS &  
Y\NG SOLDI]S1 -- HE ALWAYS PROTECT$ !M1 READ !  
9/RUCTIONS TO !M1 & FREQU5TLY AID$ !M4 ,EV]Y-  
BODY 9 ! BATT]Y CONSID]$ HIM A CAPITALI/ BECAUSE  
HE WAS POSSESS$ ( TW5TY-FIVE RUBLES ) :I* HE  
WAS PREP>$ TO ASSI/ ?OSE :O REALLY NE$$ ASSI/ANCE4  
,?AT SAME ,MAKSIMOV1 :O WAS N[ GUN-S]GEANT1 TOLD ME  
?AT :5 HE HAD >RIV$ T5 YE>S AGO AS A RECRUIT1 & !  
OLD] SOLDI]S1 :O W]E GIV5 TO DR9K+1 DRANK UP )  
HIM ALL ! MONEY HE HAD1 ,ZHDANOV1 NOTIC+ HIS UN=TU-  
NATE PLI<T1 CALL$ HIM UP1 UPBRAID$ HIM = LIIS CONDUCT1  
EV5 GAVE HIM SOME BL[S1 READ LUM ! 9/RUCTION AB\T  
! BEHAVIOR ( A SOLDI]1 & S5T HIM AWAY1 GIV+ HIM  
A %IRT1 = ,MAKSIMOV HAD GOT RID ( HIS1 & HALF A  
RUBLE 9 MONEY4  

0 ,HE HAS MADE A MAN ( ME10 ,MAKSIMOV W\LD SAY (  
HIM1 ) RESPECT & GRATITUDE4 ,HE HAD ALSO HELP$  
,VEL5*UK1 :OM HE HAD PROTECT$ EV] S9CE HE >RIV$  
AS A RECRUIT1 AT ! TIME ( ! UN=TUNATE LOSS ( !  
OV]COAT1 & HE HAD AID$ MANY1 MANY MORE DUR+ HIS  
TW5TY-FIVE YE>S ( S]VICE4  

,IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPECT 9 ! S]VICE A MAN :O  
KNEW HIS BUS9ESS BETT]1 OR A SOLDI] :O WAS BRAV] &  
MORE PRECISE 2 BUT HE WAS TOO MEEK & RETIR+ TO BE PRO-  
MOT$ TO ! RANK ( GUN-S]GEANT1 ?\< HE HAD BE5  
BOMB>DI] FIFTE5 YE>S4 ,ZHDANOV'S ONE PLEASURE1 &  
EV5 PASSION1 WAS SONGS 2 HE WAS ESPECIALLY FOND ( SOME  
( !M1 & HE ALWAYS GA!R$ A CIRCLE ( S+]S FROM  
AMONG ! Y\NG SOLDI]S1 &1 ?\< HE C\LD NOT S+  
HIMSELF1 /OOD BEH9D !M1 &1 PUTT+ HIS H&S 9TO  
! POCKETS ( HIS FUR COAT1 & CLOS+ HIS EYES1 EXPRESS$  
HIS SATISFACTION BY ! MOVEM5T ( HIS HEAD & *EEKS4  
,I DO NOT KN[ :Y1 BUT = SOME REASON OR O!R ,I DIS-  
COV]$ MU* EXPRESSION 9 ?IS EV5 MOVEM5T ( !  
*EEKS UND] HIS E>S1 :I* ,I HAD OBS]V$ 9 NOBODY  
ELSE BUT HIM4 ,HIS SN[-:ITE HEAD1 HIS MU/A*E DY$  
BLACK1 & HIS SUNBURNT1 WR9KL$ FACE GAVE HIM1 AT FIR/  
SI<T1 A /]N & AU/]E EXPRESSION 2 BUT1 UPON LOOK+  
MORE CLOSELY 9TO HIS L>GE1 R\ND EYES1 ESPECIALLY :5  
!Y W]E SMIL+ 7HE NEV] SMIL$ ) HIS LIPS71 Y\  
W]E IMPRESS$ BY SOME?+ EXTRAORD9>ILY MEEK &  
ALMO/ *ILDLIKE4  

O ,*APT] #d 

0 ,AH1 ,I HAVE =GOTT5 MY PIPE4 ,?AT'S BAD1 BRO!RS10  
REPEAT$ ,VEL5*UK4  

0 ,Y\ \<T TO SMOKE CIG>S1 DE> MAN 6 0 REM>K$  
,*IK91 SCREW+ UP HIS M\? & W9K+4 0 ,I ALWAYS  
SMOKE CIG>S AT HOME 2 !Y >E SWEET]40  

,( C\RSE1 EV]YBODY ROLL$ 9 LAU<T]4  

0 ,SO Y\ =GOT Y\R PIPE10 9T]RUPT$ ,MAKSIMOV1 NOT  
PAY+ ANY ATT5TION TO ! G5]AL M]RIM5T1 &1 )  
! AIR ( A SUP]IOR1 PR\DLY KNOCK+ \T ! A%ES BY  
/RIK+ ! PIPE AGA9/ ! PALM ( HIS LEFT H&4  
0 ,:AT HAVE Y\ BE5 DO+ !RE 8 ,EH1 ,VEL5*UK 8 0  

,VEL5*UK TURN$ HALF->OIMD TO HIM1 PUT HIS H& TO  
HIS CAP1 & !N DROPP$ IT4  

0,Y\ EVID5TLY DID NOT GET 5\< SLEEP YE/]DAY1  
& SO Y\ >E N[ FALL+ ASLEEP /&+4 ,Y\ WON'T  
GET ANY REW>D = SU* BEHAVIOR40  

0 ,MAY ,I BE TORN UP ON ! SPOT1 ,F$OR ,MAKSIMY*1 IF  
,I HAVE HAD A DROP 9 MY M\? 2 ,I DO NOT KN[ MYSELF  
:AT IS ! MATT] ) ME10 REPLI$ ,VEL5*UK4 0 ,:AT  
OCCASION DID ,I HAVE TO GET DRUNK 8 0 HE MUTT]$4  

0 ,?AT'S IT4 ,ONE HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE = Y\ FELL[S  
BE=E ! AU?ORITIES1 & Y\ KEEP IT UP ALL ! TIME1 --  
IT IS DISGU/+10 CONCLUD$ ELOQU5T ,MAKSIMOV1 BUT 9 A  
CALM] TONE4  

0 ,IT IS REALLY WOND]FUL1 BRO!RS10 CONT9U$ ,VEL5*UK1  
AFT] A MOM5T'S SIL5CE1 SCRAT*+ ! BACK ( HIS HEAD1  
& NOT ADDRESS+ ANY ONE 9 P>TICUL>4 0 ,REALLY1 IT IS  
WOND]FUL1 BRO!RS 6 ,H]E ,I HAVE BE5 SIXTE5 YE>S 9  

! S]VICE1 & SU* A ?+ HAS NEV] HAPP5$ TO ME  
BE=E4 ,:5 WE W]E ORD]$ TO GET READY = !  
M>*1 ,I GOT UP AS USUAL1 -- !RE WAS NO?+ ! MATT] 2  
BUT SUDD5LY IT CAU<T ME 9 ! P>K -- IT CAU<T ME  
& ?REW ME D[N ON ! GR\ND1 & ?AT WAS ALL --  
,& ,I MYSELF DO NOT KN[ H[ ,I FELL ASLEEP1 BRO!RS 6  
,IT MU/ BE ! SLEEP+ DISEASE10 HE CONCLUD$4  

0 ,YES1 ,I HAD A H>D TIME WAK+ Y\10 SAID ,ANTDNOV1  
PULL+ ON HIS BOOT4 0 ,I KEPT PU%+ & PU%+ Y\1  
AS ?\< Y\ W]E A LOG 6 0  

0 ,I SAY10 REM>K$ ,VEL5*VLK1 0 JU/ AS ?\< ,I W]E  
DRUNK -- 0  

0 ,!RE WAS A WOMAN AT HOME10 BEGAN ,*IK91 0 :O  
HAD NOT LEFT ! OV5 B$ = AT LEA/ TWO YE>S4 ,!Y  
BEGAN TO WAKE H] ONCE1 ?9K+ ?AT %E WAS ASLEEP1  
BUT !Y F\ND %E WAS DEAD1 -- ?\< H] DEA? RESEM-  
BL$ SLEEP4 ,YES1 MY DE> MAN 6 0  

0 ,JU/ TELL US1 ,*IK91 H[ Y\ PUT ON /YLE :5 Y\  
HAD Y\R LEAVE ( ABS5CE10 SAID ,MAKSIMOV1 SMIL+ &  
LOOK+ AT ME1 AS ?\< TO SAY1 0 ,W\LD Y\ NOT LIKE  
TO HE> ! /ORY ( A FOOLI% MAN 8 0  

0 ,:AT /YLE1 ,MAKSIMY* 8 0 SAID ,*IK91 CA/+ A  
CURSORY SIDE GLANCE AT ME4 0 ,I JU/ TOLD !M ALL AB\T  
! ,CAUCASUS40  

0 ,( C\RSE1 ( C\RSE 6 ,DON'T BE SO %Y -- TELL US H[  
Y\ L$ !M ON40  

0 ,IT IS V]Y SIMPLE 3 !Y ASK$ ME H[ WE W]E  
HV+10 ,*IK9 BEGAN1 SPEAK+ HURRI$LY1 HAV+ !  
APPE>ANCE ( A MAN :O HAS TOLD ! SAME /ORY SEV]AL  
TIMES4 0 ,I SAID 3 ' ,WE LIVE WELL1 DE> MAN 3 WE GET \R  
PROVISIONS 9 FULL1 -- 9 ! MORN+ & EV5+ (  
*OCOLATE A CUP TO EA* SOLDI] IS BR\<T UP2 & =  
D9N] WE GET S\P1 NOT ( OATS1 BUT ( NOBLE B>LEY  
GROATS1 & 9/EAD ( BR&Y WE GET A CUP ( ,MODEIRA1  
,MODEIRA ,DIVIRIOO :I*1 )\T ! BOTTLE1 IS AT =TY-  
TWO6'0  

0 ,GREAT ,MODEIRA 6 0 %\T$ ,VEL5*IIK1 L\D] ?AN !  
RE/1 & BUR/+ \T LAU<+4 0,?AT'S :AT ,I CALL  
,MODEIRA 6 0  

0 ,WELL1 & DID Y\ TELL !M AB\T ! ,ESIATICS 8 0  
,MAKSIMOV CONT9U$ HIS 9QUIRY1 :5 ! G5]AL  
LAU<T] HAD SUBSID$4  

,*IK9 B5T D[N T[>D ! FIRE1 GOT A COAL \T )  
A /ICK1 PUT IT 9 HIS PIPE1 & = A LONG :ILE PUFF$ 9  
SIL5CE HIS TOBACCO ROOTS1 AS ?\< UNCONSCI\S ( !  
SIL5T CURIOSITY ( HIS HE>]S4 ,:5 HE F9ALLY HAD  
PUFF$ UP SUFFICI5T SMOKE1 HE ?REW AWAY ! COAL1  
POIS$ HIS CAP F>!R BACK ON HIS HEAD1 &1 %RUGG+  
HIS %\LD] & LI<TLY SMIL+1 HE CONT9U$4 0 ' ,:AT  
K9D ( A MAN IS Y\R SMALL ,CIRCASSIAN D[N !RE 8 '  
SAYS ONE4 "9 ,OR IS IT ! ,TURK Y\ >E FI<T+ 9 !  
,CAUCASUS 8 ' ,SAYS ,I 3 ' ,DE> MAN1 !RE IS NOT ONE K9D  
( ,CIRCASSIANS D[N !RE1 BUT MANY DIFF]5T ,CIRCASSIANS  
!RE >E4 ,!RE >E SOME M\NTA9E]S :O LIVE 9  
/ONE M\NTA9S1 & :O EAT /ONE 9/EAD ( BREAD4  
,!Y >E BIG1' SAYS ,I1 ' A BIG LOG 9 SIZE 2 !Y HAVE ONE  
EYE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! =EHEAD1' & !Y WE> R$ CAPS  
?AT GL[ LIKE Y\RS1 DE> MAN 6 0 HE ADD$1 ADDRESS+  
A Y\NG RECRUIT1 :O1 9 FACT1 WORE A FUNNY LITTLE CAP  
) A R$ CR[N4  

,AT ?IS UNEXPECT$ TURN1 ! RECRUIT SUDD5LY SAT  
D[N ON ! GR\ND1 SLAPP$ HIS KNEES1 & BUR/ \T  
LAU<+ & C\<+ SO H>D ?AT HE C\LD H>DLY  
PRON\NCE ) A *OK+ VOICE1 0,?OSE >E F9E M\N-  
TA9E]S 6 0  

0 ' ,!N !RE >E ! ,BOOBIES1' 0 CONT9U$ ,*IK91 )  
A J]K ( HIS HEAD DRAW+ HIS CAP BACK ON HIS =EHEAD1  
0 ' !SE >E TW9S1 WEE LITTLE TW9S1 AB\T ?IS SIZE4 ,!Y  
ALWAYS RUN 9 PAIRS1 HOLD+ EA* O!R'S H&S1' SAYS ,I1  
' & !Y RUN SO FA/ ?AT Y\ CAN'T CAT* !M ON HORSE-  
BACK4' ' ,>E ?OSE ,BOOBIES1' SAYS ONE1 ' BORN ) CLASP$  
H&S1 MY DE> FELL[ 8 ' 0 ,*IK9 SPOKE 9 A GUTTURAL  
BASS1 AS ?\< IMITAT+ A PEASANT4 0 ' ,YES_/ SAYS ,I1  
' DE> MAN1 HE IS SU* BY NATURE4 ,IF Y\ TE> !IR H&S  
AP>T1 BLOOD WILL OOZE \T1 JU/ AS FROM A ,*9AMAN 2 IF  
Y\ TAKE (F !IR CAPS1 BLOOD WILL FL[4' ' ,N[ TELL ME1  
GOOD FELL[1 H[ DO !Y C>RY ON W> 8 ' SAYS HE4 ' ,LIKE  
?IS1' SAYS ,I1 "9 IF !Y CAT* Y\1 !Y S,HT OP5 Y\R BELLY1  
& BEG9 TO W9D Y\R GUTS AB\T Y\R >MS4 ,!Y  
W9D !M1 BUT Y\ LAU< & LAU<1 UNTIL Y\ GIVE UP  
! <O/ -- ' 0  

0 ,WELL1 DID !Y BELIEVE Y\1 ,*IK9 8 0 SAID ,MAKSIMOV1  
) A SLI<T SMILE1 :ILE ! O!RS W]E ROLL+ 9  
LAU<T]4  

0 ,!Y >E SU* /RANGE PEOPLE1 ,F$OR ' ,MAKSIMY*4  
,!Y BELIEVE EV]Y?+1 UPON MY WORD1 !Y DO4 ,BUT  
:5 ,I BEGAN TO TELL !M AB\T ,M\NT ,KAZBEK1 TELL+  
!M ?AT ! SN[ DID NOT MELT ALL SUMM] !RE1 !Y  
RIDICUL$ ME4 ' ,DON'T TELL SU* FIBS1 GOOD FELL[1' !Y  
SAID4 ' ,:O HAS EV] HE>D SU* A ?+ 3 A BIG M\N-  
TA91 & ! SN[ NOT MELT+ ON IT 6 ,WLIY1 EV5 )  
US ! SN[ MELTS ON ! M\NDS LONG BE=E IT HAS  
MELT$ 9 ! HOLL[S4' ,SO1 GO & EXPLA9 MATT]S TO  
!M10 CONCLUD$ ,*IK91 W9K+4  

O ,*APT] #e 

,! BRI<T DISK ( ! SUN1 %9+ ?R\< ! MILK-  
:ITE MI/1 HAD RIS5 QUITE HI< 2 ! GRAYI%-VIOLET  
HORIZON WAS WID5+ ALL ! TIME1 & ?\< IT WAS  
F>!R AWAY1 IT WAS ALSO %>PLY CLOS$ 9 BY ! DECEP-  
TIVE :ITE MI/ WALL4  

,9 FRONT ( US1 BEYOND ! =E/ :I* HAD BE5 CUT  
D[N1 !RE WAS OP5$ UP A FAIRLY L>GE CLE>+4 ,OV]  
! CLE>+ !RE SPREAD ON ALL SIDES ! SMOKE FROM !  
FIRES1 N[ BLACK1 N[ MILK-:ITE1 N[ VIOLET1 & ! :ITE  
LAY]S ( ! MI/ W]E =M+ !MSELVES 9TO FANTA/IC  
%APES4 ,F> 9 ! DI/ANCE1 OCCASIONALLY APPE>$ GR\PS  
( ,T>T> HORSEM51 & W]E HE>D ! 9FREQU5T RE-  
PORTS ( \R C>B9ES1 & !IR GUNS & CANNON4  

0 ,?IS WAS NOT YET AN 5GAGEM5T1 BUT M]E *ILD'S  
PLAY10 AS ! GOOD ,CAPTA9 ,KHLOPOV US$ TO SAY4  

,! COMM&] ( ! N9? COMPANY ( %>P%OOT]S1  
:O W]E TO FLANK US1 WALK$ UP TO ! GUNS1 PO9T$ TO  
?REE ,T>T> HORSEM51 :O W]E AT ?AT TIME RID+  
NE> ! =E/1 AT A DI/ANCE ( MORE ?AN SIX HUNDR$  
FA?OMS FROM US 2 HE ASK$ ME1 ) ?AT EAG]NESS TO  
SEE AN >TILL]Y FIRE :I* IS *>ACT]I/IC ( ALL 9FANTRY  
(FIC]S 9 G5]AL1 TO GIVE !M A %OT OR A %ELL4  

0 ,DO Y\ SEE10 HE SAID1 ) A K9DLY & CONV9C+  
SMILE EXT5D+ HIS H& FROM BEH9D MY %\LD]1  
0 !RE :]E ! TWO HI< TREES >E 8 ,ONE ( !M1 9  
FRONT1 IS ON A :ITE HORSE1 & DRESS$ 9 A :ITE MANTLE1  
& !RE1 BEH9D HIM1 >E TWO MORE4 ,DO Y\ SEE !M 8  
,C\LDN'T Y\ JU/ -- 0  

0,& !RE >E ?REE O!RS1 RID+ NE> ! =E/10  
ADD$ ,ANTONOV1 :O HAD REM>KABLY %>P EYES1 AP-  
PROA*+ US1 & CONCEAHNG BEH9D HIS BACK ! PIPE  
:I* HE HAD BE5 SMOK+4 0 ,! ONE 9 FRONT HAS  
JU/ TAK5 \T ! GUN FROM ITS CASE4 ,Y\ CAN SEE HIM  
PLA9LY1 Y\R ,HONOR 6 0  

0,I SAY1 HE HAS FIR$ IT (F1 BRO!RS6 ,!RE IS !  
:ITE PUFF ( ! SMOKE10 SAID ,VEL5*UK1 9 A GR\P  
( SOLDI]S :O W]E /&+ A %ORT DI/ANCE BEH9D  
US4  

0 ,HE MU/ HAVE AIM$ AT \R CORDON1 ! RASCAL 6 0  
REM>K$ ANO!R4  

0 ,SEE :AT A LOT ( !M ! =E/ IS P\R+ \T4  
,I SUPPOSE !Y >E TRY+ TO F9D A PLACE TO /ATION !IR  
CANNON10 ADD$ A ?IRD4 0 ,IF WE C\LD JU/ BUR/ A %ELL  
9 ! MID/ ( !M1 -- ?AT W\LD MAKE !M SPIT -- 0  

0 ,:AT IS Y\R OP9ION 8 WILL IT REA* SO F>1 DE>  
MAN 8 0 ASK$ ,*IK94  

0,FIVE HUNDR$ OR FIVE HUNDR$ & TW5TY FA?OMS1  
NOT MORE10 ,MAKSIMOV SAID1 COOLLY1 AS ?\< SPEAK+ TO  
HIMSELF1 ?\< IT WAS EVID5T ?AT HE WAS ANXI\S TO FIRE  
(F ! CANNON1 AS ! RE/ W]E4 0 ,IF WE W]E TO GIVE  
=TY-FIVE L9ES TO ! H[ITZ]1 WE MI<T HIT IT1 -- HIT IT  
SQU>E 9 ! MIDDLE40  

0,DO Y\ KN[1 IF Y\ W]E TO AIM /RAI<T AT ?IS  
GR\P1 Y\ W\LD C]TA9LY HIT SOMEBODY4 ,SEE H[ !Y  
HAVE ALL GA!R$ 9 A MASS 6 ,N[1 QUICKLY1 GIVE !  
ORD] TO FIRE10 ! COMM&] ( ! COMPANY CONT9U$  
HIS 5TREATIES4  

0 ,DO Y\ ORD] ! GUN TO BE AIM$ 8 0 ,ANTONOV SUD-  
D5LY ASK$1 9 A J]KY BASS VOICE1 ) GLOOMY MALICE 9  
HIS EYES4  

,I MU/ CONFESS ?AT ,I MYSELF WAS ANXI\S = IT1 & SO  
,I ORD]$ ?AT ! SECOND CANNON BE BR\<T 9TO POSI-  
TION4  

,NO SOON] HAD ,I GIV5 ! ORD] ?AN ! %ELL WAS  
P[D]$1 & RAMM$ 91 & ,ANTONOV1 CL++ TO !  
GUN-*EEK1 & PLAC+ HIS TWO FAT F+]S ON ! C>RIAGE-  
PLATE1 WAS ORD]+ ! BLOCK-TRAIL TO ! RI<T & LEFT4  

0 ,A TRIFLE MORE TO ! LEFT -- A WEE BIT TO ! RI<T --  
N[1 ! LEA/ ,HTTLE BIT MORE -- N[ IT'S ALL RI<T10 HE  
SAID1 WALK+ AWAY FROM ! GUN ) A PR\D FACE4  

,! 9FANTRY (FIC]1 ,I1 & ,MAKSIMOV1 ONE AFT] AN-  
O!R PUT \R EYES TO ! SI<T1 & EA* EXPRESS$ HIS  
P>TICUL> OP9ION4  

0 ,UPON MY WORD1 IT WILL C>RY ACROSS10 REM>K$ ,VEL5-  
*UK1 CLICK+ ) HIS TONGUE1 AL?\< HE HAD ONLY  
BE5 LOOK+ OV] ,ANTONOV'S %\LD]1 & !RE=E DID  
NOT HAVE ! LEA/ REASON = SU* A SUPPOSITION4 0 ,UPON  
MY WORD1 IT WI,U C>RY ACROSS1 & WILL /RIKE ?AT TREE1  
BRO!RS 6 0  

0 ,SECOND 6 0 ,I COMM&$4  

,! CREW /EPP$ ASIDE4 ,ANTONOV RAN TO ONE SIDE1 9  
ORD] TO SEE ! FLI<T ( ! PROJECTILE 2 ! FUZE FLA%$1  
& ! BRASS RANG \T4 ,AT ! SAME TIME WE W]E 5-  
VELOP$ 9 P[D]-SMOKE1 & ?R\< ! DEAF5+  
BOOM ( ! REPORT WAS HE>D ! METALLIC1 :IZZ+  
S\ND ( ! PROJECTILE1 FLY+ ) ! RAPIDITY ( LI<T-  
N+1 DY+ AWAY 9 ! DI/ANCE AMID A UNIV]SAL  
SIL5CE4 ,A LITTLE BEH9D ! GR\P ( ! HORSEM5 AP-  
PE>$ :ITE SMOKE1 ! ,T>T>S GALLOP$ AWAY 9 BO?  
DIRECTIONS1 & WE HE>D ! S\ND ( ! EXPLOSION4  

0 ,?AT WAS F9E 6 ,H[ !Y >E SCAMP]+ 6 ,SEE1 !  
DEVILS DON'T LIKE IT 6 0 W]E HE>D ! APPROVALS & JE/S  
9 ! RANKS ( ! >TILL]Y & 9FANTRY4  

0 ,IF WE HAD AIM$ A LITTLE L[]1 WE %\LD HAVE HIT  
,MM /RAI<T10 REM>K$ ,VEL5*UK4 0 ,I TOLD Y\ IT  
W\LD /RIKE ! TREE1 & SO IT DID1 -- IT W5T TO !  
RI<T40  

O ,*APT] #f 

,LEAV+ ! SOLDI]S TO DISCUSS ! FLI<T ( ! ,T>-  
T>S :5 !Y SAW ! %ELL1 & :Y !Y W]E RID+  
!RE1 & H[ MANY ( !M /ILL MI<T BE 9 ! WOODS1  
,I WALK$ AWAY ) ! COMM&] ( ! COMPANY A  
FEW /EPS TO ONE SIDE1 & SEAT$ MYSELF UND] A TREE1  
WAIT+ = ! W>M$ =CEMEAT CUTLETS :I* HE HAD  
(F]$ ME4 ,! COMM&] ( ! COMPANY1 ,BOLKHDV1  
WAS ONE ( ?OSE (FIC]S :O1 9 ! REGIM5T1 >E CALL$  
0 BONJ\RS40 ,HE HAD MEANS1 HAD S]V$ 9 ! GU>DS1  
& SPOKE ,FR5*4 ,YET1 NOT)/&+ ?IS1 HIS COM-  
RADES LIK$ HIM4 ,HE WAS QUITE CLEV]1 & HAD 5\<  
TACT TO WE> A ,/4 ,PET]SBURG COAT1 TO EAT A GOOD D9N]1  
& TO SPEAK ,FR5*1 )\T UNDULY (F5D+ ! SOCIETY  
( HIS FELL[ (FIC]S4 ,AFT] SPEAK+ ( ! WEA!R1 (  
MILIT>Y 5GAGEM5TS1 ( \R COMMON ACQUA9TANCES AMONG  
! (FIC]S1 & CONV9C+ \RSELVES1 BY \R QUE/IONS  
& ANSW]S1 & BY \R VIEW ( ?+S1 ?AT !RE WAS  
A SATISFACTORY UND]/&+ BETWE5 US1 WE 9VOLUNT>ILY  
PASS$ TO A MORE 9TIMATE CONV]SATION4 ,BESIDES1 9 !  
,CAUCASUS1 AMONG PEOPLE ( ! SAME CIRCLE NATURALLY >ISES  
! QUE/ION1 ?\< NOT ALWAYS EXPRESS$1 0 ,:Y >E Y\  
H]E 8 0 ,TO ?IS SIL5T QUE/ION MY COMPANION1 SO IT  
SEEM$ TO ME1 WAS TRY+ TO GIVE A REPLY4  

0 ,:5 WILL ?IS FRONTI] WORK 5D 8 0 HE SAID1 LAZILY4  
@<@< ,IT IS DULL 6 0  

0 ,NOT TO ME10 SAID ,I4 0 ,IT IS MORE TIRESOME ON ! /AFF40  

0 ,OH1 ON ! /AFF IT IS T5 ?\S& TIMES WORSE10 HE  
SAID1 ANGRILY4 0 ,NO1 :5 WILL ALL ?IS 5D 8 0  

0 ,:AT IS IT Y\ WANT TO 5D 8 0  

0 ,EV]Y?+1 ALTOGE!R 6 -- ,>E ! CUTLETS READY1  
,NIKOLAEV 8 0 HE ASK$4  

0 ,:Y DID Y\ GO TO ! ,CAUCASUS TO S]VE1 IF ! ,CAU-  
CASUS IS SO DISPLEAS+ TO Y\ 8 0  

0 ,DO Y\ KN[ :Y 8 0 HE REPLI$1 ) ABSOLUTE FRANK-  
NESS4 0 ,BY TRADITION4 ,9 ,EUSSIA1 Y\ KN[1 !RE EXI/S  
AN EXCE$+LY /RANGE TRADITION AB\T ! ,CAUCASUS1 88  
?\< IT W]E A PROMIS$ L& = ALL K9DS ( UNHAPPY  
PEOPLE40  

0 ,YES1 ?AT IS ALMO/ TRUE10 ,I SAID1 0 ! GREAT] P>T (  
US -- 0  

0 ,BUT :AT IS BE/ ( ALL10 HE 9T]RUPT$ ME1 0 IS1  
?AT ALL ( US :O COME TO ! ,CAUCASUS MAKE DREADFUL  
MI/AKES 9 \R CALCULATIONS4 ,REALLY1 ,I CAN'T SEE :Y1 ON  
ACC\NT ( AN UN=TUNATE LOVE-AFIFAIR OR DISORD] 9 MONEY  
MATT]S1 ONE %\LD HA/5 TO S]VE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS  
RA!R ?AN 9 ,KAZAN OR ,KALUGA4 ,9 ,RUSSIA !Y IM-  
AG9E ! ,CAUCASUS AS SOME?+ MAJE/IC1 ) ET]NAL  
VIRG9 SN[S1 TORR5TS1 DAGG]S1 CLOAKS1 ,CIRCASSIAN MAID5S1  
-- ALL ?IS IS T]RIFY+1 BUT1 REALLY1 !RE IS NO?+ JOLLY  
9 IT4 ,IF !Y ONLY KNEW ?AT Y\ NEV] >E 9 ! VIR-  
G9 SN[S1 & ?AT !RE IS NO SPECIAL PLEASURE 9 BE+  
!RE1 & ?AT ! ,CAUCASUS IS DIVID$ 9TO ,GOV]NM5TS1  
,/AVROPOL1 ,TIFLIS1 & SO =? -- 0  

0 ,YES10 ,I SAID1 LAU<+1 0 9 ,RUSSIA WE TAKE AN 5TIRELY  
DIFF]5T VIEW ( ! ,CAUCASUS FROM :AT WE DO H]E4  
,HAVE Y\ NOT EXP]I5C$ ?IS 8 :5 Y\ READ POETRY 9  
A LANGUAGE ?AT Y\ DO NOT KN[ V]Y WELL1 Y\ IMAG9E  
IT TO BE MU* BETT] ?AN IT REALLY IS -- 0  

0 ,I DON'T KN[1 ONLY ,I HAVE NO USE = ! ,CAUCASUS10  
HE 9T]RUPT$ ME4  

0 ,NO1 NOT SO ) ME4 ,I LIKE ! ,CAUCASUS EV5 N[1  
BUT DIFF]5TLY -- 0  

0 ,MAYBE ! ,CAUCASUS IS ALL RI<T10 HE CONT9U$1 AS  
?\< PROVOK$ A LITTLE1 0 BUT ,I KN[ ?IS MU* 3 ,I AM  
NOT GOOD = ! ,CAUCASUS40  

0 ,:Y NOT 8 0 ,I ASK$1 9 ORD] TO SAY SOME?+4  

0 ,BECAUSE1 9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 IT HAS DECEIV$ ME4 ,ALL  
?AT FROM :I* ,I HAD COME AWAY TO BE CUR$ 9 !  
,CAUCASUS1 AS ! TRADITION HAS IT1 HAS FOLL[$ ME UP H]E1  
-- BUT ) ?IS DIFF]5CE4 ,=M]LY ,I WAS L$ TO IT ON  
A L>GE /AIRCASE1 & N[ IT IS A SMALL1 DIRTY /AIRCASE1  
AT EA* /EP ( :I* ,I F9D MILLIONS ( PETTY ANNOYANCES1  
MEANNESS1 9SULTS 2 9 ! SECOND PLACE1 BECAUSE ,I FEEL ?AT  
,I AM EV]Y DAY FALL+ MORALLY L[] & L[]1 &1 :AT  
IS MO/ IMPORTANT1 BECAUSE ,I FEEL UNFIT = ?IS K9D (  
S]VICE 2 ,I AM UNABLE TO BE> DANG] -- ,I AM SIMPLY NOT  
A BRAVE MAN -- 0  

,HE /OPP$ & LOOK$ E>NE/LY AT ME4  

,AL?\< ?IS UNASK$-= CONFESSION SURPRIS$ ME  
V]Y MU*1 ,I DID NOT CONTRADICT HIM1 AS MY 9T]LOCUTOR  
HAD EVID5TLY EXPECT$ ME TO DO1 BUT AWAIT$ FROM HIM  
! REFUTATION ( HIS [N WORDS1 :I* IS ALWAYS =?-  
COM+ UND] SU* CIRCUM/ANCES4  

0,DO Y\ KN[1 ,I AM TO-DAY TAK+ P>T 9 AN ACTION  
= ! FIR/ TIME S9CE ,I HAVE BE5 9 ! FRONTI] GU>D10  
HE CONT9U$1 0& Y\ WILL H>DLY BELIEVE :AT HAP-  
P5$ TO ME YE/]DAY4 ,:5 ! S]GEANT BR\<T !  
ORD] ?AT MY COMPANY WAS TO BE 9 ! COLUMN1 ,I GREW  
AS PALE AS A %EET1 & WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK FROM TREPIDA-  
TION4 ,& IF Y\ ONLY KNEW :AT A NI<T ,I HAVE PASS$ 6  
,IF IT IS TRUE ?AT PEOPLE GR[ GRAY FROM FRI<T1 ,I \<T TO  
BE 5TIRELY :ITE TO-DAY1 = NOT ONE MAN CONDEMN$  
TO DEA? HAS SUFF]$ SO MU* 9 ONE NI<T AS ,I HAVE 2  
?\< ,I AM FEEL+ A LITTLE MORE AT EASE N[ ?AN ,I DID  
9 ! NI<T1 IT /ILL GOES >\ND H]E10 HE ADD$1 MOV+  
HIS CL9*$ H& 9 FRONT ( HIS BREA/4 0 ,N[ ?IS IS  
C]TA9LY RIDICUL\S10 HE CONT9U$1 0 A MO/ T]RIBLE DRAMA  
IS BE+ PLAY$ H]E1 & ,I MYSELF AM EAT+ CUTLETS )  
ONIONS1 & P]SUAD+ MYSELF ?AT ALL ?IS IS V]Y GAY4  
,HAVE Y\ ANY W9E1 ,NIKOLAEV 8 0 HE ADD$1 ) A YAWN4  

0 ,!RE HE IS1 BRO!RS 6 0 WAS HE>D AT ?AT MOM5T !  
AL>M$ VOICE ( ONE ( ! SOLDI]S1 & ALL EYES W]E  
DIRECT$ TO ! $GE ( ! F>-(F =E/4  

,9 ! DI/ANCE ROSE A BLUI% CL\D ( SMOKE1 BORNE  
UPW>DS BY ! W9D1 & CON/ANTLY GR[+ L>G]4  
,:5 ,I UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS WAS A %OT :I* ! 5EMY  
HAD AIM$ AT US1 EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS BE=E MY EYES1  
EV]Y?+ SUDD5LY ASSUM$ A NEW & MAJE/IC *>AC-  
T]4 ,! /ACK$ GUNS1 & ! SMOKE ( ! CAMP-FIRES1  
& ! BLUE SKY1 & ! GRE5 GUN-C>RIAGES1 & !  
SUNBURNT1 :ISK]$ FACE ( ,NIKOLAEV1 -- EV]Y?+  
SEEM$ TO TELL ME ?AT ! CANNON-BALL :I* HAD EM]G$  
FROM ! SMOKE & :I* AT ?AT MOM5T WAS FLY+  
?R\< SPACE MI<T BE DIRECT$ /RAI<T AT MY BREA/1  

0 ,:]E DID Y\ GET Y\R W9E 8 0 ,I ASK$ ,BOLKHOV1  
LAZILY1 :ILE 9 ! DEP? ( MY S\L TWO VOICES W]E  
SPEAK+ ) EQUAL DI/9CTNESS 2 ONE SAID1 0 ,LORD1 RECEIVE  
MY S\L 9 PEACE10 & ! O!R1 0 ,I HOPE ,I %ALL NOT  
C[]1 BUT SMILE AS ! BALL FLIES PA/ ME10 & AT ! SAME  
9/ANT SOME?+ DREADFULLY DISAGREEABLE :I/L$ OV]  
\R HEADS1 & /RUCK ! GR\ND )9 TWO /EPS ( US4  

0 ,N[1 IF ,I W]E A ,NAPOLEON OR A ,FR$]ICK10 ,BOLKHOV  
REM>K$ AT ?AT TIME1 TURN+ T[>D ME ) EXTRAORDI-  
N>Y COMPOSURE1 0 ,I %\LD UTT] SOME WITTICISM40  

0 ,BUT Y\ HAVE TOLD ONE JU/ N[10 ,I REPLI$1 ) DIFFI-  
CULTY CONCEAL+ ! AL>M CAUS$ )9 ME BY !  
DANG] JU/ PA/1  

0 ,EV5 IF ,I HAVE1 NOBODY WILL MAKE A NOTE ( IT10  

0 ,I WILL40  

0 ,YES1 IF Y\ MAKE A NOTE ( IT1 IT WILL BE TO PUT 9 A  
CRITICAL PAP]1 AS ,MI%*5KOV SAYS10 HE ADD$1 SMIL+4  

0 ,P%AW1 Y\ ACCURS$ ONE 6 0 SAID ,ANTONOV1 :O WAS  
SITT+ BEH9D US1 ANGRILY SPITT+ TO ONE SIDE1 0 JU/ MISS$  
MY LEGS10  

,ALL MY 5DEAVORS TO APPE> COOL & ALL \R CUNN+  
PHRASES SUDD5LY SEEM$ 9TOL]ABLY /UPID AFT] ?IS  
SIMPLE-HE>T$ EXCLAMATION4  

O ,*APT] #g 

,! 5EMY HAD REALLY /ATION$ TWO GUNS :]E !  
,T>T>S HAD BE5 RID+1 & EV]Y TW5TY OR ?IRTY M9-  
UTES !Y S5T A %OT AT \R WOOD-CUTT]S4 ,MY PLATOON  
WAS MOV$ \T 9TO ! CLE>+1 & ! ORD] WAS GIV5  
TO RETURN ! FIRE4 ,AT ! $GE ( ! =E/ APPE>$ A  
PUFF ( SMOKE1 !RE WAS HE>D A DIS*>GE1 A :I/L+1 --  
& ! BALL FELL BEH9D OR 9 FRONT ( US4 ,! PROJECTILES  
( ! 5EMY LODG$ H>MLESSLY1 & WE HAD NO LOSSES4  

,! >TILL]I/S CONDUCT$ !MSELVES WELL1 AS !Y  
ALWAYS DID1 LOAD$ EXP$ITI\SLY1 C>EFULLY AIM$ AT !  
PUFFS ( SMOKE1 & QUIETLY JOK$ EA* O!R4 ,! FLANK-  
+ 9FANTRY DETA*M5T LAY NE> US1 9 SIL5T 9ACTION1  
WAIT+ = !IR TURN4 ,! WOOD-CUTT]S DID !IR WORK 3  
! AXES S\ND$ ?R\< ! WOODS FA/] & MORE FRE-  
QU5TLY 2 ONLY1 :5EV] ! :I/L+ ( ! PROJECTILE  
WAS HE>D1 EV]Y?+ SUDD5LY GREW QUIET1 & AMID !  
DEAD SIL5CE C\LD BE HE>D ! NOT V]Y CALM VOICES1  
0 ,GET \T ( ! WAY1 BOYS 6 0 & ALL EYES W]E DIRECT$  
T[>D ! BALL1 RICO*ET+ OV] ! FIRES & ! BRU%4  

,! FOG WAS N[ COMPLETELY LIFT$1 &1 ASSUM+ !  
=MS ( CL\DS1 WAS SL[LY DISAPPE>+ 9 ! D>K BLUE  
VAULT ( ! SKY 2 ! UN %R\D$ SUN %ONE BRI<TLY &  
CA/ ITS GLEAM+ RAYS ON ! /EEL ( ! BAYONETS1 !  
BRASS ( ! ORDNANCE1 ! ?AW+ E>?1 & ! SP>K-  
L+ HO>FRO/4 ,! AIR WAS BRISK ) ! FRE%NESS (  
! MORN+ FRO/1 TOGE!R ) ! W>M? ( ! V]NAL  
SUN 2 ?\S&S ( DIFF]5T %AD[S & HUES W]E M9-  
GL$ 9 ! DRY LEAVES ( ! =E/1 & ON ! H>D %9-  
I,DG ROAD W]E DI/9CTLY VISIBLE ! TRACES ( ! :EEL  
TIRES & HORSE-%OE SPONGES4  

,BETWE5 ! TROOPS ! MOTION GREW MORE ANIMAT$ &  
MORE NOTICEABLE4 ,ON ALL SIDES FLA%$ MORE & MORE FRE-  
QU5TLY ! BLUI% PUFFS ( ! DIS*>GES4 ,! DRAGOONS1  
) ! P5NONS FLUTT]+ FROM !IR LANCES1 RODE \T 9  
FRONT 2 9 ! COMPANIES ( ! 9FANTRY1 SONGS W]E  
/>T$1 & ! WAGONS ) ! WOOD W]E BE+ DRAWN  
UP 9 ! RE>4 ,! G5]AL RODE UP TO \R PLATOON1 &  
ORD]$ US TO GET READY = ! RETREAT4 ,! 5EMY TOOK  
UP A POSITION 9 ! BU%ES1 OPPOSITE \R LEFT FLANK1 &  
BEGAN TO H>ASS US ) MUSKETRY-FIRE4 ,ON ! LEFT SIDE A  
BULLET :IZZ$ BY FROM ! =E/ & /RUCK A GUN-C>-  
RIAGE1 !N A SECOND1 A ?IRD -- ,! FLANK+ 9FANTRY1  
:I* WAS LY+ NE> US1 ROSE NOISILY1 PICK$ UP !IR  
GUNS1 & =M$ A CORDON4 ,! FUSILADE GREW FI]C]1  
& ! BULLETS KEPT FLY+ (T5] & (T5]4 ,!  
RETREAT BEGAN1 &1 CONSEQU5TLY1 ! REAL 5GAGEM5T1 AS  
IS ALWAYS ! CASE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4  

,IT WAS QUITE EVID5T ?AT ! >TILL]I/S DID NOT LIKE  
! BULLETS1 AS A:ILE AGO ! FOOT-SOLDI]S HAD 5JOY$  
! CANNON-BALLS4 ,ANTONOV FR[N$4 ,*IK9 IMITAT$ !  
S\ND ( ! BULLETS & MADE FUN ( !M 2 BUT IT WAS  
APP>5T ?AT HE DID NOT LIKE !M4 ,( ONE HE SAID1  
0 ,:AT A HURRY IT IS 9 6 0 ANO!R HE CALL$ A 0 LITTLE  
BEE 2 0 A ?IRD ONE1 :I* FLEW OV] US SL[LY1 & :9+  
PITIFULLY1 HE CALL$ AN 0 ORPHAN10 :I* PROVOK$ A UNI-  
V]SAL RO>4  

,! RECRUIT1 :O WAS NOT US$ TO ?IS1 B5T HIS HEAD  
ASIDE & CRAN$ HIS NECK EV]Y TIME A BULLET PASS$ BY1  
:I*1 TOO1 MADE ! SOLDI]S LAU<4 0 ,IS IT AN ACQUA9T-  
ANCE ( Y\RS1 ?AT Y\ >E B[+ TO IT 8 0 !Y SAID TO  
HIM1 ,VEL5*IIK1 :O O!RWISE WAS EXCE$+LY 9DIF-  
F]5T TO DANG]1 N[ WAS 9 AN AGITAT$ MOOD 3 HE WAS  
OBVI\SLY ANGRY BECAUSE WE DID NOT FIRE ANY CANI/]-%OT  
9 ! DIRECTION FROM :I* ! BULLETS PROCE$$4 ,HE  
REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES1 9 A DISCONT5T$ VOICE 3 0 ,:Y DO  
WE LET ,MM %OOT AT US = NO?+ 8 ,IF WE TRA9$ \R  
GUN UPON HIM1 & TREAT$ HIM TO A CANI/]-%OT1 HE  
PROBABLY W\LD /OP40  

,IT WAS 9DE$ TIME TO DO SO4 ,I ORD]$ ! LA/ %ELL  
LET \T1 & A CANI/]-%OT LOAD$4  

0 ,CANI/]-%OT 6 0 CRI$ ,ANTONOV1 LU/ILY1 BE=E !  
SMOKE HAD DISP]S$1 & WALK+ UP ) ! SPONGE TO  
! GUN ! MOM5T ! %ELL HAD BE5 DIS*>G$4  

,JU/ !N ,I SUDD5LY HE>D A %ORT DI/ANCE BEH9D ME  
! P+ ( A :IZZ+ BULLET /RIK+ AGA9/ SOME?+4  
,MY HE>T WAS COMPRESS$4 0 ,IT SEEMS TO ME IT HAS /RUCK  
SOMEBODY10 ,I ?\<T1 BUT AT ! SAME TIME ,I WAS AFRAID  
TO TURN >\ND1 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( A HEAVY PRES5TI-  
M5T4 ,9DE$1 IMM$IATELY FOLL[+ UPON ?IS S\ND  
WAS HE>D ! HEAVY FALL ( A BODY1 & 0 ,OH1 OH1 OH 6 0 !  
PI]C+ CRY ( A W\ND$ MAN4 0 ,IT HAS /RUCK ME1  
BRO!RS 6 0 UTT]$ ) DIFFICULTY A VOICE :I* ,I RECOG-  
NIZ$4 ,IT WAS ,VEL5*UK4 ,HE LAY FIAT ON HIS BACK  
BETWE5 ! LIMB] & ! GUN4 ,! C>TRIDGE-BOX  
:I* HE C>RI$ WAS ?R[N TO ONE SIDE4 ,HIS =EHEAD  
WAS BLOOD-/A9$1 & D[N HIS RI<T EYE & NOSE RAN  
! ?ICK R$ BLOOD4 ,! W\ND WAS 9 ! ABDOM51  
BUT HE HAD HURT HIS =EHEAD 9 HIS FALL4  

,ALL ?IS ,I F\ND \T MU* LAT] 2 9 ! FIR/ MOM5T  
,I SAW ONLY AN 9DI/9CT MASS1 & A T]RIBLE LOT ( BLOOD1  
AS ,I ?\<T4  

,NOT ONE ( ! SOLDI]S1 :O W]E LOAD+ ! GUN1  
SAID A WORD1 ONLY ! RECRUIT MUMBL$ SOME?+ LIKE1  
0 ,I SAY1 ALL BLOODY10 & ,ANTONOV1 SC[L+1 ANGRILY CLE>$  
HIS ?ROAT 2 BUT IT WAS MANIFE/ ?AT ! ?\<T ( DEA?  
HAD PASS$ ?R\< ! M9D ( EA*4 ,EV]YBODY W5T  
TO WORK ) A VIM4 ,! GUN WAS LOAD$ 9 A TW9KLE1  
& ! CANNONE]1 9 BR++ ! %OT1 MADE A C\PLE (  
/EPS >\ND ! PLACE ON :I* ! W\ND$ MAN LAY  
GROAN+4  

O ,*APT] #h 

,EV]Y ONE :O HAS BE5 9 AN ACTION HAS NO D\BT  
EXP]I5C$ ?AT /RANGE & /RONG1 ?\< NOT AT ALL  
LOGICAL1 FEEL+ ( DISGU/ ) ! PLACE :]E ONE HAS  
BE5 KILL$ OR W\ND$4 ,9 ! FIR/ MOM5T MY SOL-  
DI]S W]E OBVI\SLY EXP]I5C+ ?IS FEEL+1 :5 IT  
WAS NECESS>Y TO LIFT UP ,VEL5*IIK & C>RY HIM TO !  
VEHICLE :I* HAD JU/ COME UP4 ,ZHDANOV ANGRILY W5T  
UP TO ! W\ND$ MAN1 9 SPITE ( HIS 9CREAS+ %RIEKS  
TOOK HIM UND] HIS >MS1 & RAIS$ HIM4 0 ,DON'T /&  
>\ND 6 ,TAKE HOLD ( HIM 6 0 HE %\T$1 & IMME-  
DIATELY SOME T5 M51 EV5 SUP]FLU\S HELP]S1 SURR\ND$  
HIM4 ,BUT ! MOM5T HE WAS MOV$ AWAY1 ,VEL5*IIK  
BEGAN TO CRY T]RIBLY & TO /RUGGLE4  

0 ,DON'T YELL LIKE A RABBIT 6 0 SAID ,ANTONOV1 RUDELY1 HOLD-  
+ HIS LEG1 0 OR WE WILL ?R[ Y\ D[N40  

,! W\ND$ MAN REALLY QUIET$ D[N1 & ONLY OCCA-  
SIONALLY MUTT]$1 0 ,OH1 ,I %ALL DIE 6 ,OH1 BRO!RS 6 0  

,:5 HE WAS LAID ON ! VEHICLE HE /OPP$ GROAN+1  
& ,I HE>D HIM SPEAK+ ) HIS COMRADES 9 A S(T1  
BUT AUDIBLE VOICE1 -- HE EVID5TLY WAS BIDD+ !M GOOD-  
BYE4  

,DUR+ AN ACTION1 NOBODY LIKES TO LOOK AT A W\ND$  
MAN1 & ,I1 9/9CTIVELY HA/5+ TO GET AWAY FROM ?IS  
SPECTACLE1 ORD]$ ?AT HE BE TAK5 AT ONCE TO ! AMBU-  
LANCE1 & WALK$ OV] TO ! GUNS 2 BUT A FEW M9UTES  
LAT] ,I WAS TOLD ?AT ,VEL5*IIK WAS CALL+ ME1 & ,I  
W5T UP TO ! VEHICLE4  

,9 ! BOTTOM ( IT1 CL++ ) BO? H&S TO !  
$GES1 LAY ! W\ND$ MAN4 ,HIS HEAL?Y1 BROAD FACE  
HAD COMPLETELY *ANG$ 9 A FEW SECONDS 3 HE LOOK$  
RA!R HAGG>D & HAD AG$ BY SEV]AL YE>S 2 HIS LIPS  
W]E ?91 PALE1 & COMPRESS$ UND] AN EVID5T /RA9 2  
! RE/LESS1 DULL EXPRESSION ( HIS GLANCE HAD GIV5 WAY  
TO A CLE>1 QUIET GLEAM1 & ON HIS BLOOD-/A9$ =EHEAD  
& NOSE ALREADY LAY ! IMPR9T ( DEA?4  

,NOT)/&+ ! FACT ?AT ! LEA/ MOTION CAUS$  
HIM UNTOLD SUFF]+S1 HE ASK$ !M TO REMOVE !  
MONEY-P\* :I* WAS TI$ >\ND HIS LEFT LEG1 BEL[  
! KNEE4  

,A T]RIBLE OPPRESSIVE S5SATION OV]CAME ME AT ! SI<T  
( HIS :ITE HEAL?Y LEG1 :5 ! BOOT WAS TAK5 (F1  
& ! P\* WAS UNGIRD$4  

0 ,H]E >E ?REE RUBLES & A HALF10 HE SAID TO ME1 AS ,I  
TOOK ! PURSE 9TO MY H& 2 0 Y\ KEEP !M = ME40  

,! VEHICLE />T$1 BUT HE /OPP$ IT4  

0 ,I WAS MAK+ AN OV]COAT = ,LIEUT5ANT ,SULIMOVSKI4  
,HE HAS GIV5 ME TWO RUBLES4 ,= ONE RUBLE & A HALF  
,I B\<T BUTTONS 2 ! REMA9+ HALF-RUBLE IS 9 !  
BAG ) ! BUTTONS4 ,GIVE IT TO HIM 6 0  

0 ,V]Y WELL1 V]Y WELL10 ,I SAID1 0 ONLY GET WELL1 MY  
FRI5D 6 0  

,HE MADE NO REPLY 2 ! VEHICLE />T$1 & HE AGA9  
BEGAN TO SOB & GROAN 9 ! MO/ HE>TR5D+ MANN]4  
,IT LOOK$ AS ?\<1 HAV+ >RANG$ ALL HIS WORLDLY  
AFFAIRS1 HE NO LONG] SAW CAUSE = RE/RA9+ HIMSELF1 &  
CONSID]$ IT P]MISSIBLE TO ALLEVIATE HIS SUFF]+4  

O ,*APT] #i 

0 ,:]E >E Y\ GO+ 8 ,COME BACK 6 ,:]E >E  
Y\ GO+ 8 0 ,I CRI$ TO ! RECRUIT1 :O1 HAV+ PUT HIS  
RES]VE HN/OCK UND] HIS >M1 & ) A /ICK 9 HIS  
H&1 WAS COOLLY FOLL[+ ! VEHICLE 9 :I* !  
W\ND$ SOLDI] WAS LY+4  

,BUT ! RECRUIT ONLY LOOK$ LAZILY AT ME1 MUTT]$  
SOME?+1 & W5T AHEAD1 SO ?AT ,I HAD TO S5D A  
SOLDI] AFT] HIM4 ,HE D(F$ HIS R$ CAP1 &1 SMIL+  
/UPIDLY1 GAZ$ AT ME4  

0 ,:]E >E Y\ GO+ 8 0 ,I ASK$4  

0 ,TO ! CAMP40  

0 ,:AT = 8 0  

0 ,:Y1 ,VEL5*UK IS W\ND$10 HE SAID1 SMIL+ AGA94  

0 ,:AT HAVE Y\ TO DO ) ?AT 8 ,Y\ MU/ REMA9  
H]E40  

,HE LOOK$ AT ME 9 SURPRISE1 !N COOLLY :EEL$ >\ND1  
PUT ON HIS CAP1 & W5T BACK TO HIS PLACE4  

,! 5GAGEM5T WAS FAVORABLE TO US 3 IT WAS REPORT$  
?AT ! ,COSSACKS HAD MADE A F9E ATTACK & HAD TAK5  
?REE ,T>T> BODIES 2 ! 9FANTRY WAS PROVID$ ) WOOD1  
& LO/ ONLY SIX W\ND$1 & 9 ! >TILL]Y ONLY ,VE-  
L5*UK & TWO HORSES W]E PUT \T ( ACTION4 ,TO ATONE  
= !SE LOSSES1 !Y CUT \T AB\T ?REE V]/S ( TIM-  
B]1 & SO CLE>$ ! PLACE ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO  
RECOGNIZE IT 3 9 PLACE ( ! D5SE =E/ N[ WAS OP5$  
UP AN IMM5SE CLE>+1 COV]$ ) SMOK+ FIRES &  
) ! CAVALRY & 9FANTRY MOV+ T[>D ! CAMP4  

,AL?\< ! 5EMY CONT9U$ TO H>ASS US ) >TILL]Y  
& MUSKETRY FIRE1 UNTIL WE REA*$ ! BROOK BY !  
CEMET]Y1 :]E WE HAD =D$ 9 ! MORN+1 ! RETREAT  
WAS SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLI%$4 ,I WAS ALREADY BEG9N+  
TO DREAM ( CABBAGE S\P & A LEG ( MUTTON ) BUCK-  
:EAT GROATS1 :I* W]E AWAIT+ ME 9 ! CAMP1 :5  
! 9=MATION WAS RECEIV$ ?AT ! G5]AL HAD ORD]$  
! CON/RUCTION ( R$\BTS1 & ?AT ! ?IRD BATTAL-  
ION ( ! 8 REGIM5T & A DETA*M5T ( F\R  

BATT]IES W]E TO REMA9 H]E UNTIL TO-MORR[4 ,!  
WAGONS ) ! WOOD & ! W\ND$1 ! ,COSSACKS1  
! >TILL]Y1 ! 9FANTRY ) !IR GUNS1 & WOOD ON  
!IR %\LD]S1 -- ALL PASS$ BY US1 ) NOISE & SONGS4  
,ALL FACES EXPRESS$ ANIMATION & PLEASURE1 9DUC$ BY  
! PA/ DANG] & ! HOPE = A RE/4 ,BUT ! ?IRD  
BATTAHON & WE W]E TO PO/PONE !SE PLEASANT S5SA-  
TIONS = ! MORR[4  

O ,*APT] #a 

,:ILE WE1 ( ! >TILL]Y1 W]E /ILL BUSY AB\T !  
ORDNANCE1 & PLAC+ ! LIMB]S & CAISSONS1 & PICKET+ ! HORSES1 ! 9FANTRY HAD /ACK$ !IR >MS1  
BUILT CAMP-FIRES1 CON/RUCT$ BOO?S ( B\<S & CORN-  
/ALKS1 & W]E BOIL+ !IR BUCK:EAT GRITS4  

,IT WAS GR[+ D>K4 ,PALE BLUE CL\DS SCUDD$ OV]  
! SKY4 ,! FOG1 *ANG$ 9TO A DRIZZLY1 DAMP MI/1 WET  
! E>? & ! OV]COATS ( ! SOLDI]S 2 ! HORIZON  
GREW N>R[]1 & ! SURR\ND+S W]E OV]CA/ )  
GLOOMY %AD[S4 ,! DAMPNESS1 :I* ,I FELT ?R\<  
MY BOOTS & BEH9D MY NECK1 ! MOTION & CONV]SATION1 9 :I* ,I TOOK NO P>T1 ! VISC\S MUD1 9 :I*  
MY FEET S,HPP$1 & MY EMPTY /OMA*1 PUT ME 9 A V]Y  
HEAVY & DISAGREEABLE MOOD1 AFT] A DAY ( PHYSICAL &  
MORAL FATIGUE4 ,VEL5*UK DID NOT LEAVE MY M9D4 ,!  
:OLE SIMPLE /ORY ( HIS MILIT>Y LIFE UN9T]RUPT$LY  
OBTRUD$ ON MY IMAG9ATION4  

,HIS LA/ M9UTES W]E AS CLE> & TRANQUIL AS ALL HIS  
LIFE4 ,HE HAD HV$ TOO HONE/LY & TOO SIMPLY =  
HIS :OLE-S\L$ FAI? 9 A FUTURE1 HEAV5LY ,HFE TO BE  
%AK5 AT SU* A DECISIVE MOM5T4  

0 ,Y\R ,HONOR10 SAID ,NIKOLAEV1 APPROA*+ ME1 0 Y\  
>E 9VIT$ TO TAKE TEA ) ! CAPTA940  

,MAK+ MY WAY BETWE5 ! /ACK$ >MS & !  
FIRES1 ,I FOLL[$ ,NIKOLAEV TO ,BOLKHOV'S1 DREAM+ )  
PLEASURE ( A GLASS ( HOT TEA & A *E]FUL CONV]SATION1  
:I* W\LD DRIVE AWAY MY GLOOMY ?\<TS4 0 ,WELL1  
HAVE Y\ F\ND HIM 8 0 WAS HE>D ,BOLKHOV'S VOICE FROM  
A CORN-/ALK T5T1 9 :I* A C&LE WAS GLIMM]+4  

0 ,I HAVE BR\<T HIM1 Y\R ,HONOR 6 0 WAS ,NIKOLAEV'S  
REPLY 9 A HEAVY BASS4  

,9 ! BOO?1 ,BOLKHOV SAT ON A FELT MANTLE1 HIS COAT  
BE+ UNBUTTON$1 & HIS CAP (F4 ,NE> HIM A SAMOV>  
WAS BOIL+1 & A DRUM /OOD ) A LUN* UPON IT4 ,A  
BAYONET1 ) A C&LE ON IT1 WAS /UCK 9 ! GR\ND4  
0 ,WELL1 H[ DO Y\ LIKE ?IS 8 0 HE SAID1 PR\DLY1 SURVEY-  
+ HIS COZY LITTLE HOME4 ,9DE$1 ! BOO? WAS SO COM-  
=TABLE1 ?AT AT TEA ,I 5TIRELY =GOT ! DAMPNESS1 !  
D>KNESS1 & ,VEL5*IIK'S W\ND4 ,WE TALK$ AB\T  
,MOSC[ & AB\T OBJECTS ?AT HAD NO RELATION :ATSO-  
EV] TO ! W> & TO ! ,CAUCASUS4  

,AFT] ONE ( ?OSE M9UTES ( SIL5CE1 :I* FREQU5TLY  
9T]RUPT ! MO/ ANIMAT$ CONV]SATIONS1 ,BOLKHOV  
GLANC$ AT ME ) A SMILE4  

0 ,I SUPPOSE \R MORN+ CONV]SATION MU/ HAVE AP-  
PE>$ V]Y /RANGE TO Y\ 8 0 HE SAID4  

0 ,NO4 ,:Y %\LD IT 8 ,ALL ,I ?\<T WAS ?AT Y\  
W]E V]Y FRANK1 :]EAS !RE >E SOME ?+S :I* WE  
ALL KN[ BUT :I* ONE \<T NOT TO M5TION40  

0 ,NOT AT ALL 6 ,IF ,I HAD A *ANCE ( EX*ANG+ ?IS  
LIFE = A MO/ WRET*$ & PETTY LIFE1 PROVID$ IT W]E  
)\T P]ILS & S]VICE1 ,I %\LD NOT CONSID] = A  
M9UTE40  

0 ,:Y DO Y\ NOT GO BACK TO ,EUSSIA 8 0 ,I SAID4  

0 ,WLIY 8 0 HE REPEAT$4 0 ,OH1 ,I HAVE BE5 ?9K+ (  
IT QUITE A:ILE4 ,I CANNOT RETURN TO ,EUSSIA BE=E RECEIV-  
+ ! ,ANNA & ! ,VLADIMIR CROSSES1 -- ! ,ANNA DECO-  
RATION >\ND MY NECK & A MAJOR%IP1 AS ,I HAD EXPECT$  
:5 ,I CAME \T H]E40  

0 ,BUT :Y %\LD Y\1 :51 AS Y\ SAY1 Y\ FEEL UNFIT  
= ! S]VICE H]E 8 0  

0 ,BUT ,I FEEL MYSELF EV5 MORE UNFIT TO RETURN TO ,EUSSIA  
9 ! CONDITION 9 :I* ,I LEFT IT4 ,?IS IS ANO!R TRADI-  
TION1 CURR5T 9 ,EUSSIA & CONFIRM$ BY ,PDSSEK1 ,SLYEPTSOV1  
& O!RS1 ?AT ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS TO COME TO ! ,CAU-  
CASUS1 9 ORD] TO BE OV]:ELM$ ) REW>DS4 ,EV]Y-  
BODY EXPECTS & DEM&S ?IS ( US 2 & H]E ,I HAVE BE5  
TWO YE>S1 HAVE TAK5 P>T 9 TWO EXP$ITIONS1 & HAVE  
NOT RECEIV$ ANY?+ YET4 ,I HAVE SO MU* EGOTISM ?AT  
,I WILL NOT LEAVE ?IS PLACE UNTIL ,I AM MADE A MAJOR )  
! ,VLADIMIR & ,ANNA >\ND MY NECK4 ,I HAVE GOT SO  
F> 9TO ?IS1 ?AT NO?+ WILL MORTIFY ME SO MU* AS TO  
HAVE ,GNILOKI%K9 GET ?IS PROMOTION1 & ME NOT GET  
ONE4 ,!N AGA91 H[ CAN ,I %[ UP 9 ,EUSSIA BE=E MY  
ELD]1 ! M]*ANT ,KOTELNIKOV1 TO :OM ,I SELL MY GRA91  
BE=E MY ,MOSC[ AUNT1 & BE=E ALL ?OSE G5TLEM51  
AFT] TWO YE>S 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 )\T ANY ADVANCE-  
M5T 8 ,IT IS TRUE1 ,I DO NOT C>E TO KN[ !SE G5TLE-  
M51 &1 NO D\BT1 !Y C>E V]Y LITTLE = ME 2 & YET  
A MAN IS SO BUILT ?AT1 AL?\< HE DOES NOT C>E ONE BIT  
= SU* G5TLEM51 HE WA/ES ! BE/ YE>S1 ! :OLE  
HAPP9ESS ( HIS LIFE1 & HIS :OLE FUTURE ON ACC\NT (  
!M40  

O ,*APT] #aa 

,JU/ !N ! VOICE ( ! COMM&] ( ! BATTALION  
WAS HE>D \TSIDE ! T5T 3 0 ,) :OM >E Y\ !RE1  
,NIKOLAY ,F$OROVI* 8 0  

,BOLKHOV GAVE HIM MY NAME1 & !REUPON ?REE  
(FIC]S 5T]$ ! BOO? 3 ,MAJOR ,KIRSANOV1 ! ADJUTANT  
( HIS BATTALION1 & ! CAPTA91 ,TROS5KO4  

,KIRSANOV WAS A %ORT1 PLUMP MAN1 ) A BLACK M\S-  
TA*E1 RUDDY *EEKS1 & SP>KL+ EYES4 ,HIS SMALL EYES  
W]E ! MO/ PROM95T FEATURE ( HIS FACE4 ,:5EV]  
HE LAU<$1 ALL !RE WAS LEFT ( !M W]E TWO MOI/  
LITTLE />S1 & !SE />S1 TOGE!R ) HIS /RET*$  
LIPS & CRAN+ NECK1 ASSUM$ A V]Y /RANGE EXPRESSION  
( BLANKNESS4 ,KIRSANOV CONDUCT$ HIMSELF 9 ! >MY  
BETT] ?AN ANYBODY ELSE 2 HIS 9F]IORS DID NOT SPEAK ILL  
( HIM1 & HIS SUP]IORS RESPECT$ HIM1 AL?\< !  
COMMON OP9ION WAS ?AT HE WAS EXCE$+LY DULL4 ,HE  
KNEW HIS DUTIES1 WAS EXACT & ZEAL\S1 ALWAYS HAD  
MONEY1 KEPT A C>RIAGE & A COOK1 & V]Y NATURALLY  
KNEW H[ TO PRET5D ?AT HE WAS PR\D4  

0 ,:AT >E Y\ *ATT+ AB\T1 ,NIKOLAY ,F$OROVI* 8 0  
HE SAID1 UPON 5T]+4  

0 ,AB\T ! AM5ITIES ( ! S]VICE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS40  

,BUT JU/ !N ,KIRSANOV NOTIC$ ME1 A YUNK]1 &1 TO  
LET ME FEEL HIS IMPORTANCE1 HE ASK$1 AS ?\< NOT HE>-  
+ ,BOLKHOV'S ANSW]1 & GLANC+ AT ! DRUM 3  

0 ,>E Y\ TIR$1 ,NIKOLAY ,F$OROVI* 8 0  

0 ,NO1 WE -- 0 ,BOLKHOV BEGAN4  

,BUT AGA9 ! DIGNITY ( ! COMM&] ( ! BAT-  
TALION SEEM$ TO DEM& ?AT HE %\LD 9T]RUPT &  
PROPOSE A NEW QUE/ION4  

0 ,WAS IT NOT A F9E 5GAGEM5T WE HAD TO-DAY 8 0  

,! ADJUTANT ( ! BATTAHON WAS A Y\NG 5SIGN1 :O  
HAD BUT LATELY BE5 PROMOT$ FROM YUNK]1 -- A MODE/  
& QUIET LAD1 ) A BA%FUL & GOOD-NATUR$LY PLEASANT  
FACE4 ,I HAD SE5 LIIM BE=E AT ,BOLKHOV'S4 ,! Y\NG  
MAN US$ TO CALL ON HIM (T51 :5 HE W\LD B[1 TAKE  
A SEAT 9 ! CORN]1 = H\RS ROLL CIG>ETTES & SMOKE  
!M 9 SIL5CE1 GET UP AGA91 SALUTE1 & WALK AWAY4 ,HE  
WAS A TYPE ( A POOR ,EUSSIAN YEOMAN1 :O HAD SELECT$  
! MILIT>Y C>E] AS ! ONLY POSSIBLE ONE ) HIS CUL-  
TURE1 & :O PLAC$ ! CALL+ ( AN (FIC] HI<] ?AN  
ANY?+ ELSE 9 ! WORLD1 -- A SIMPLE-HE>T$1 PLEAS+  
TYPE 9 SPITE ( ITS RIDICUL\S 9SEP>ABLE APPURT5ANCES1  
! TOBACCO-P\*1 ! DRESS+-G[N1 ! GUIT>1 & !  
MU/A*E BRU%1 ) :I* WE >E ACCU/OM$ TO CON-  
NECT IT4 ,!Y TOLD ( HIM 9 ! >MY ?AT HE HAD BOA/$  
( BE+ JU/1 BUT SEV]E ) HIS ORD]LY1 ?AT HE HAD  
SAID1 0,I R>ELY PUNI%1 BUT :5 ,I AM PROVOK$ !Y  
HAD BETT] LOOK \T10 & ?AT1 :5 HIS DRUNK5 ORD]LY  
HAD /OL5 A NUMB] ( ?+S ( HIM & HAD EV5  
BEGUN TO 9SULT HIM1 HE HAD BR\<T HIM TO ! GU>D-  
H\SE1 & ORD]$ HIM TO BE *A/IS$1 BUT ?AT :5 HE  
SAW ! PREP>ATIONS = ! PUNI%M5T1 HE SO COMPLETELY  
LO/ HIS COMPOSURE ?AT HE WAS ABLE ONLY TO SAY1 0 ,N[1  
Y\ SEE -- ,I CAN -- 0 & ?AT 9 UTT] CONFUSION HE RAN  
HOME1 & NEV] AGA9 WAS ABLE TO LOOK /RAI<T 9TO !  
EYES ( HIS ,*]NOV4 ,HIS COMRADES GAVE HIM NO RE/1  
& TEAS$ HIM AB\T IT1 & ,I HAD SEV]AL TIMES HE>D  
! SIMPLE-M9D$ LAD D5Y ! ALLEGATION1 &1 BLU%+  
UP TO HIS E>S1 9SI/ ?AT IT WAS NOT ONLY NOT TRUE1 BUT  
?AT QUITE ! OPPOSITE WAS ! FACT4  

,! ?IRD P]SON1 ,CAPTA9 ,TROS5KO1 WAS AN OLD ,CAU-  
CASUS SOLDI] 9 ! FULL S5SE ( ! WORD1 ?AT IS1 A MAN  
= :OM ! COMPANY :I* HE WAS COMM&+ HAD  
BECOME HIS FAMILY1 ! =TRESS :]E ! /AFF WAS /ATION$  
HIS HOME1 & ! S+]S HIS ONLY AMUSEM5T 9 LIFE1  
-- A MAN = :OM EV]Y?MG :I* WAS NOT ! ,CAU-  
CASUS WAS WOR?Y ( CONTEMPT1 & ALMO/ UNDES]V+  
BELIEF2 BUT EV]Y?+ :I* WAS ! ,CAUCASUS WAS  
DIVID$ 9TO TWO HALVES1 \RS1 & NOT \RS2 ! FIR/  
HE LOV$1 ! SECOND HE HAT$ ) ALL ! P[]S ( HIS  
S\L1 &1 :AT IS MO/ IMPORTANT1 HE WAS A MAN ( TRI$1  
QUIET BRAV]Y1 R>E K9DNESS ( HE>T 9 RELATION TO HIS  
COMRADES & 9F]IORS1 & ( AN AGGRAVAT+ /RAI<T-  
=W>DNESS & EV5 RUD5ESS 9 RELATION TO ADJUTANTS  
& BONJ\RS1 :OM HE = SOME REASON DESPIS$4 ,UPON  
5T]+ ! BOO?1 HE ALMO/ PI]C$ ! RO( ) HIS  
HEAD1 !N SUDD5LY L[]$ IT1 & SAT D[N ON !  
GR\ND4  

0 ,WELL 8 0 HE SAID1 &1 SUDD5LY NOTIC+ MY UNFAMILI>  
FACE1 HE /OPP$1 GAZ+ AT ME ) HIS TURBID1 FIX$  
GLANCE4  

0 ,SO1 :AT W]E Y\ TALK+ AB\T 8 0 ASK$ ! MAJOR1  
TAK+ \T HIS WAT* & LOOK+ AT IT1 ?\< ,I WAS  
FIRMLY CONV9C$ ?AT !RE WAS NO NE$ = HIS DO+ SO4  

0 ,HE WAS ASK+ ME :Y ,I WAS S]V+ H]E40  

0 ,( C\RSE1 ,NIKOLAY ,F$OROVI* WANTS TO DI/+UI%  
HIMSELF H]E1 & !N GO BACK HOME40  

0 ,WELL1 Y\ TELL ME1 ,ABRAM ,ILI*1 :Y DO Y\ S]VE 9  
! ,CAUCASUS 8 0  

0 ,BECAUSE1 Y\ SEE1 9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 WE >E ALL OBHG$  
TO S]VE4 ,:AT 8 0 HE ADD$1 ?\< ALL W]E SIL5T4  
0,YE/]DAY ,I RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM ,EUSSIA1 ,NIKOLAY  
,F$OROVI*10 HE CONT9U$1 EVID5TLY DESIR+ TO *ANGE  
! SUBJECT4 0,!Y WRITE TO ME -- !Y MAKE SU*  
/RANGE 9QUIRIES40  

0 ,:AT 9QUIRIES 8 0 ASK$ ,BOLKHOV4  

,HE LAU<$4  

,EEALLY1 /RANGE QUE/IONS -- !Y WANT TO KN[ 

:E!R !RE CAN BE ANY JEAL\SY )\T LOVE --  
,:AT 8 0 HE ASK$1 LOOK+ AT ALL ( US4  

0 ,I SAY 6 0 SAID ,BOLKHDV1 SMIL+4  

0 ,YES1 Y\ SEE1 IT IS GOOD 9 ,EUSSIA10 HE CONT9U$1 AS  
?\< HIS PHRASES NATURALLY PROCE$$ EA* FROM !  
PREVI\S ONE4 0 ,A,VLI5 ,I WAS 9 ,TAMBDV 9 '#e#b1 ,I WAS  
EV]Y:]E RECEIV$ 888 AN AID-DE-CAMP4 ,WILL Y\  
BELIEVE ME1 AT ! GOV]NOR'S BALL1 :5 ,I 5T]$1 DON'T  
Y\ KN[1 ,I WAS BEAUTIFULLY RECEIV$4 ,! WIFE ( !  
GOV]NOR1 Y\ KN[1 TALK$ ) ME & ASK$ ME AB\T  
! ,CAUCASUS1 & ALL -- REALLY ,I DID NOT KN[ -- ,!Y  
LOOK$ AT MY GOLD SAB] AS AT A R>ITY1 & !Y ASK$  
ME :AT ,I GOT ! SAB] =1 & = :AT ! ,ANNA  
CROSS1 & = :AT ! ,VLADIMIR CROSS1 & ,I TOLD !M --  
,:AT 8 -- ,?IS IS :AT ! ,CAUCASUS IS GOOD =1 ,NIKOLAY  
,F$OROVI* 6 0 HE CONT9U$1 NOT WAIT+ = AN ANSW]4  
0 ,!RE !Y LOOK AT US1 ,CAUCASUS (FIC]S1 V]Y WELL4  
,Y\NG MAN1 Y\ KN[1 A /AFF-(FIC] ) AN ,ANNA &  
A ,VLADIMIR CROSS1 -- ?AT MEANS A GREAT DEAL 9 ,EUSSIA --  
,:AT 8 0  

0 ,I SUPPOSE Y\ DID A HTTLE BRAGG+1 ,ABRAM ,ILI* 8 0  
SAID ,BOLKHOV4  

0 ,HE-HE 6 0 HE LAU<$ HIS /UPID SMILE4 0 ,Y\ KN[  
ONE MU/ DO ?AT4 ,& ,I DID FEA/ DUR+ ?OSE TWO  
MON?S 6 0  

0 ,IS IT NICE !RE1 9 ,EUSSIA 8 0 ASK$ ,TROS5KO1 9QUIR-  
+ AB\T ,EUSSIA AS ?\< IT W]E ,*9A OR ,JAPAN4  

0 ,YES1 IT WAS AN AWFUL LOT ( *AMPAGNE WE DRANK  
DUR+ ?OSE TWO MON?S 6 0  

0 ,I DON'T BELIEVE IT4 ,Y\ MU/ HAVE DRUNK LEMONADE4  
,IF ,I HAD BE5 !RE1 ,I W\LD HAVE BUR/ DR9K+1 JU/ TO  
%[ !M H[ (FIC]S ( ! ,CAUCASUS DR9K4 ,MY REPU-  
TATION W\LD NOT BE = NO?+4 ,I W\LD HAVE %[$  
!M H[ TO DR9K -- ,HEY1 ,BOLKHOV 8 0 HE ADD$4  

0,BUT Y\1 UNCLE1 HAVE BE5 = T5 YE>S 9 !  
,CAUCASUS10 SAID ,BOLKH#fV1 0 & DO Y\ REMEMB]  
:AT ,]MOLDV SAID 8 ,& ,ABRAM ,ILI* HAS BE5 ONLY  
SIX -- 0  

0 ,T5 YE>S 8 ,IT IS NE>LY SIXTE540  

0 ,BOLKHOV1 LET US HAVE SOME ( Y\R SAGE4 ,IT IS DAMP1  
BMR 6 ,HEY 8 0 HE ADD$1 SMIL+4 0 ,LET US HAVE A  
DR9K1 MAJOR 6 0  

,BUT ! MAJOR WAS DISSATISFI$ ) ! FIR/ REM>KS  
( ! OLD CAPTA91 & N[ WAS EV5 MORE MORTIFI$1 &  
S\<T A REFUGE 9 HIS [N GR&EUR4 ,HE TUN$ A SONG1  
& AGA9 LOOK$ AT HIS WAT*4  

0,I WILL NEV] TRAVEL TO ,EUSSIA10 CONT9U$ ,TROS5KO1  
PAY+ NO ATT5TION TO ! FR[N+ MAJOR4 0 ,I HAVE  
=GOTT5 H[ TO WALK & TALK LIKE A ,EUSSIAN4 ,!Y  
WILL SAY1 "9 ,:AT MON/] IS ?IS ?AT HAS >RIV$4' ,I SAY1  
?IS IS ,ASIA4 ,IS IT NOT SO1 ,NIKOLAY ,F$OROVI* 8 ,:AT  
AM ,I TO DO 9 ,EUSSIA8 ,ALL ! SAME1 ,I %ALL BE %OT  
SOME DAY H]E4 ,!Y WILL ASK1 ' ,:]E IS ,TROS5KO 8 '  
,%OT4 ,:AT >E Y\ GO+ TO DO ) ! EI<? COM-  
PANY -- EH 8 0 HE ADD$1 ADDRESS+ ! MAJOR ALL !  
TIME4  

0 ,S5D ! (FIC] ( ! DAY ALONG ! BATTALION 6 0  
%\T$ ,KIRSANOV1 )\T REPLY+ TO ! CAPTA91  
?\< ,I WAS AGA9 CONV9C$ ?AT HE HAD NO ORD]S  
TO GIVE4  

0 ,I SUPPOSE Y\ >E GLAD1 Y\NG MAN1 ?AT Y\ >E  
RECEIV+ D\BLE PAY N[ 8 0 SAID ! MAJOR1 AFT] A FEW  
M9UTES' SIL5CE1 TO ! ADJUTANT ( ! BATTALION4  

0 ,( C\RSE1 V]Y MU* SO40  

0 ,I F9D ?AT \R PAY IS N[ V]Y L>GE1 ,NIKOLAY  
,F$OROVI*10 HE CONT9U$4 0,A Y\NG MAN CAN HVE  
QUITE DEC5TLY1 & EV5 ALL[ LIIMSELF SOME LUXURIES40  

0 ,NO1 REALLY1 ,ABRAM ,ILI*10 TIMIDLY SAID ! ADJUTANT1  
0 ?\< ! PAY IS D\BLE1 YET -- ONE MU/ KEEP A  
HORSE -- 0  

0 ,DON'T T5 ME ?AT1 Y\NG MAN 6 ,I HAVE MYSELF BE5  
AN 5SIGN1 & ,I KN[4 ,BELIEVE ME1 ONE CAN ,HVE1 )  
PROP] C>E4 ,N[1 FIGURE UP10 HE ADD$1 B5D+ ! LITTLE  
F+] ( HIS LEFT H&4  

0 ,WE TAKE ALL \R PAY 9 ADVANCE1 -- SO H]E IS Y\R  
CALCULATION10 SAID ,TROS5KO1 SWALL[+ A W9E-GLASS (  
BR&Y4  

@<@< ,WELL1 :AT DO Y\ WANT = ?AT -- ,:AT 8 0  

,AT ?IS MOM5T A :ITE HEAD ) A FLAT NOSE WAS  
?RU/ ?R\< ! OP5+ ( ! BOO?1 & A %>P  
VOICE ) A ,G]MAN ACC5T SAID 3  

0 ,>E Y\ H]E1 ,ABRAM ,ILI* 8 ,! (FIC] ( ! DAY  
IS LOOK+ = Y\40  

0 ,COME 91 ,KRAFT 6 0 SAID ,BOLKHOV4  

,A LONG FIGURE 9 ! COAT ( ! G5]AL /AFF SQUEEZ$  
?R\< ! DOOR1 & BEGAN TO PRESS EV]YBODY'S H&S  
) GREAT F]VOR4  

0 ,AH1 DE> CAPTA9 6 Y\ >E H]E1 TOO 8 0 HE SAID1  
ADDRESS+ ,TROS5KO4  

,! NEW GUE/1 9 SPITE ( ! D>KNESS1 MADE HIS WAY  
T[>D HIM1 & TO ! CAPTA9'S GREAT SURPRISE & DISSAT-  
ISFACTION1 AS ,I ?\<T1 KISS$ HIS LIPS4  

0 ,?IS IS A ,G]MAN :O WANTS TO BE A GOOD COMRADE10  
,I ?\<T4  

O ,*APT] #ab 

,MY SUPPOSITION WAS SOON CONFIRM$4 ,CAPTA9 ,KRAFT  
ASK$ = SOME BR&Y1 CALL+ IT BY ITS POPUL> NAME1  
& CLE>+ HIS ?ROAT T]RIBLY1 & ?R[+ BACK HIS  
HEAD1 DRA9$ ! W9E-GLASS4  

0,WELL1 G5TLEM51 WE HAVE CRISSCROSS$ TO-DAY OV]  
! PLA9S ( ! ,*E*NYA10 HE BEGAN1 BUT1 UPON NOTIC+  
! (FIC] ( ! DAY1 HE GREW SIL5T1 SO AS TO GIVE !  
MAJOR A *ANCE TO GIVE HIS ORD]S4  

0 ,WELL1 HAVE Y\ 9SPECT$ ! CORDON 8 0  

0 ,I HAVE1 SIR40  

0 ,HAVE ! AMBU%ES BE5 S5T \T 8 0  

0 ,!Y HAVE BE51 SIR40  

0 ,!N COMMUNICATE ! ORD] TO ! COMM&]S (  
! COMPANIES TO BE AS CAUTI\S AS POSSIBLE 6 0  

0 ,YES1 SIR40  

,! MAJOR CLOS$ HIS EYES & BECAME ?\<TFUL4  

0 ,TELL ! PEOPLE ?AT !Y MAY N[ COOK !IR GRITS40  

0 ,!Y >E COOK+ !M N[40  

0 ,V]Y WELL4 ,Y\ MAY GO40  

0 ,WELL1 WE W]E FIGUR+ \T :AT AN (FIC] NE$$10  
CONT9U$ ! MAJOR1 ) A CONDESC5D+ SMILE1 ADDRESS-  
+ US4 0 ,LET US FIGURE \T 6 0  

0 ,Y\ NE$ ONE UNI=M & A PAIR ( TR\S]S4 ,IS IT  
NOT SO 8 0  

0 ,YES1 SIR40  

0 ,LET US CALL IT FIFTY RUBLES = TWO YE>S 2 CONSEQU5TLY1  
?IS MAKES TW5TY-FIVE RUBLES A YE> = CLO!S 2 !N =  
BO>D =TY KOPECKS A DAY4 ,IS ?AT RI<T 8 0  

0 ,YES 2 IT IS EV5 TOO MU*40  

0 ,WELL1 LET US SUPPOSE IT4 ,!N1 = ! HORSE ) !  
SADDLE = ! REM\NT1 ?IRTY RUBLES1 -- ?AT IS ALL4 ,?AT  
MAKES 9 ALL TW5TY-FIVE1 & ONE HUNDR$ & TW5TY1  
& ?IRTY1 EQUAL TO ONE HUNDR$ & SEV5TY-FIVE RUBLES4  
,!RE IS /ILL LEFT 5\< = LUXURIES1 = TEA & SUG>1  
& = TOBACCO1 -- SAY TW5TY RUBLES4 ,DON'T Y\ SEE 8  
,AM ,I RI<T1 ,NIKOLAY ,F$OROVI* 8 0  

0 ,NO1 EXCUSE ME1 ,ABRAM ,ILI* 6 0 TIMIDLY REM>K$ !  
ADJUTANT4 0 ,NO?+ WILL BE LEFT = TEA & SUG>4 ,Y\  
FIGURE ONE PAIR = TWO YE>S1 :]EAS 9 !SE EXP$ITIONS  
Y\ CAN'T GET 5\< PANTALOONS4 ,& ! BOOTS 8 ,I WE>  
\T A PAIR ALMO/ EV]Y MON?4 ,!N ! UND]WE>1  
! %IRTS1 ! T[ELS1 ! SOCK-RAGS1 ALL !SE HAVE TO BE  
B\<T4 ,C\NT IT UP & NO?+ WILL BE LEFT4 ,UPON MY  
WORD1 IT IS SO1 ,ABRAM ,ILI*40  

0 ,YES1 IT IS F9E TO WE> SOCK-RAGS10 ,KRAFT SUDD5LY  
REM>K$ AFT] A MOM5T'S SIL5CE1 VD? SPECIAL DEH<T  
PRON\NC+ ! WORD 0 SOCK-RAGS40 0 ,Y\ KN[ IT IS SO  
SIMPLE1 SO ,RUSSIAN 6 0  

0 ,I WILL TELL Y\ SOME?+10 SAID ,TROS5KO1 0 ,C\NT AS  
Y\ MAY1 IT WILL TURN \T ?AT WE FELL[S \<T TO BE  
%ELV$1 :]EAS 9 REALITY WE MANAGE TO LIVE1 & TO  
DR9K TEA1 & TO SMOKE TOBACCO1 & TO DR9K BR&Y4  
,AFT] Y\ HAVE S]V$ AS LONG AS ,I HAVE10 HE CONT9U$1  
ADDRESS+ ! 5SIGN1 0 Y\ W,HL LE>N H[ TO GET ALONG4  
,DO Y\ KN[1 G5TLEM51 H[ HE TREATS HIS ORD]LY 8 0  

,& ,TROS5KO1 ALMO/ DY+ ) LAU<T]1 TOLD US !  
:OLE /ORY ( ! 5SIGN ) HIS ORD]LY1 AL?\< WE  
HAD HE>D IT A ?\S& TIMES BE=E4  

0 ,MY FRI5D1 :AT MAKES Y\ LOOK ,UKE A ROSE 8 0 HE  
CONT9U$1 ADDRESS+ ! 5SIGN1 :O WAS BLU%+1 P]-  
SPIR+1 & SMIL+ SO ?AT IT WAS A PITY TO LOOK AT HIM4  

0 ,NEV] M9D1 ,I WAS JU/ LIKE Y\1 & YET ,I HAVE  
TURN$ \T TO BE A F9E FELL[4 ,Y\ LET A Y\NG FELL[  
FROM ,RUSSIA GET D[N H]E1 -- WE HAVE SE5 SOME ( !M4  

-- & HE WILL GET SPASMS & RHEUMATISM1 & ALL SU*  
?+S 6 ,BUT ,I AM SETTL$ H]E1 -- H]E IS MY H\SE1 MY  
B$1 & EV]Y?+4 ,Y\ SEE -- 0  

,SAY+ :I*1 HE DRA9$ ANO!R W9E-GLASS ( BR&Y4  

0 ,AH 6 0 HE ADD$1 LOOK+ FIX$LY 9TO ,KRAFT'S EYES4  

0 ,?IS IS :AT ,I RESPECT 6 ,?IS IS A G5U9E OLD ,CAU-  
CASUS (FIC] 6 ,LET ME HAVE Y\R H& 6 0  

,KRAFT PU%$ US ALL ASIDE1 MADE HIS WAY T[>D ,TRO-  
S5KO1 &1 GRASP+ HIS H&1 %OOK IT ) MU* FEEL+4  

0 ,YES1 WE MAY SAY ?AT WE HAVE EXP]I5C$ EV]Y?+  
H]E10 HE CONT9U$4 0 ,9 ! YE> '#d#e -- Y\ W]E !RE1  
CAPTA9 8 -- DO Y\ REMEMB] ! NI<T ( ! #a#b?  
:I* WE PASS$ KNEE-DEEP 9 ! MUD & H[ ! NEXT  
DAY WE W5T 9TO ! ABATIS 8 ,I WAS !N ATTA*$ TO !  
COMM&]-9-*IEF1 & WE TOOK FIFTE5 ABATISES 9 ONE  
DAY4 ,DO Y\ REMEMB] IT1 CAPTA9 8 0  

,TROS5KO MADE A SIGN ( CONFIRMATION ) HIS HEAD1  
& CLOS$ HIS EYES1 & PROTRUD$ HIS L[] LIP4  

0 ,SO Y\ SEE -- 0 BEGAN ,KRAFT1 ) MU* ANIMATION1  
& MAK+ 9APPROPRIATE GE/URES :ILE ADDRESS+ !  
MAJOR4  

,BUT ! MAJOR1 :O NO D\BT HAD HE>D ! /ORY MORE  
?AN ONCE1 SUDD5LY LOOK$ VN? SU* DIM1 DULL EYES AT  
HIS 9T]LOCUTOR ?AT ,KRAFT TURN$ AWAY FROM HIM &  
ADDRESS$ ,BOLKH#fV & ME1 GLANC+ N[ AT ONE1 N[ AT  
! O!R4 ,AT ,TROS5KO HE DID NOT ONCE LOOK DUR+ HIS  
RECITAL4  

0 ,SO Y\ SEE1 :5 WE W5T \T 9 ! MORN+1 !  
COMM&]-9-*IEF SAID TO ME1 "9 ,KRAFT1 TAKE ! ABATISES 6 '  
,Y\ KN[1 \R MILIT>Y S]VICE DEM&S OB$I5CE )-  
\T REFLECTION1 -- SO1 H& TO ! VISOR1 "9 ,YES1 Y\R ,EXCEL-  
L5CY 6 ' & (F ,I W5T4 ,:5 WE REA*$ ! FIR/ ABATIS  
,I TURN$ >\ND & SAID TO ! SOLDI]S1 "9 ,BOYS1 C\RAGE 6  
,LOOK %>P 6 ,HE :O LAGS BEH9D WILL BE CUT D[N BY  
MY [N H&4' ,) A ,EUSSIAN SOLDI]1 Y\ KN[1 Y\  
MU/ SPEAK PLA9LY4 ,SUDD5LY -- A %ELL4 ,I LOOK$1 ONE  
SOLDI]1 ANO!R SOLDI]1 A ?IRD1 !N BULLETS -- :IZ 6  
:IZ 6 :IZ 6 ,SAYS ,I1 "9 ,=W>D1 BOYS1 AFT] ME 6 ' ,NO  
SOON] HAD WE REA*$ IT1 Y\ KN[1 WE LOOK$1 & !RE  
,I SAW ?AT -- Y\ KN[ -- :AT DO Y\ CALL IT 8 0 & !  
N>RATOR WAV$ HIS >MS 9 HIS ATTEMPT TO F9D ! PROP]  
WORD4  

0 ,A DIT*10 ,BOLKHOV HELP$ HIM \T4  

0 ,NO -- AH1 :AT IS IT CALL$ 8 ,MY ,GOD 6 ,WELL1 :AT  
IS IT 8 -- A DIT*10 HE SAID1 HURRI$LY4 0 0,WE1 ' ,*>GE  
BAYONETS 6 ' -- ,HURRAH 6 ,TA-RA-TA-TA-TA 6 ,NOT A S\L ( !  
5EMY4 ,Y\ KN[ WE W]E ALL SURPRIS$4 ,V]Y WELL4  
,WE M>*$ AHEAD1 -- ! SECOND ABATIS4 ,?AT WAS AN-  
O!R MATT]4 ,WE W]E N[ ON \R METTLE4 ,NO SOON]  
DID WE WALK UP ?AN WE SAW1 ,I OBS]V$1 ! SECOND  
ABATIS1 -- IMPOSSIBLE TO ADVANCE4 ,H]E -- :AT DO Y\  
CALL IT1 WELL1 :AT IS ?AT NAME 8 -- AH1 :AT IS IT 8 -- 0  

0 ,AGA9 A DIT*10 ,I HELP$ HIM \T4  

0 ,NOT AT ALL10 HE CONT9U$1 EXCIT$LY1 0 ,NO1 NOT A  
DIT*1 BUT -- WELL1 :AT DO Y\ CALL IT 8 0 & HE MADE AN  
9SIPID GE/URE ) HIS H&4 0 ,AH1 MY ,GOD 6 ,:AT DO  
Y\ CALL IT 8 0  

,HE WAS APP>5TLY SUFF]+ SO MU* ?AT WE WANT$  
TO HELP HIM \T4  

0 ,MAYBE A RIV]10 SAID ,BOLKHOV4  

0 ,NO1 SIMPLY A DIT*4 ,BUT ! MOM5T WE W5T UP  
!RE WAS SU* A FIRE1 A HELL -- 0  

,JU/ !N SOMEBODY ASK$ = ME \TSIDE ! T5T4 ,IT  
WAS ,MAKSIMOV4 ,S9CE !RE W]E ?IRTE5 O!R ABATISES  
LEFT AFT] HAV+ LI/5$ TO ! V>I$ /ORY ( ! FIR/  
TWO1 ,I WAS GLAD TO USE ?IS AS AN EXCUSE = LEAV+ =  
MY PLATOON4 ,TROS5KO W5T \T ) ME4 0 ,HE IS LY+10  
HE SAID -TO ME AFT] WE HAD WALK$ SEV]AL /EPS AWAY  
FROM ! BOO?1 0 HE NEV] WAS 9 ! ABATISES10 & ,TRO-  
S5KO LAU<$ SO HE>TILY ?AT ,I1 TOO1 FELT AMUS$4  

O ,*APT] #ac 

,IT WAS D>K NI<T1 & ! FIRES DIMLY ILLUM9AT$ !  
CAMP1 :5 ,I1 HAV+ PUT EV]Y?+ AWAY1 WALK$ UP TO  
MY SOLDI]S4 ,A L>GE /UMP WAS <MM]+ ON ! COALS4  
,?REE SOLDI]S ONLY W]E SITT+ >\ND IT 3 ,ANT#fNOV1 :O  
WAS TURN+ >\ND ON ! FIRE A HTTLE KETTLE 9 :I*  
H>DTACK SOAK$ 9 L>D WAS COOK+1 ,ZHDANOV1 :O WAS  
?\<TFULLY POK+ ! A%ES ) A /ICK1 & ,*IK91  
) HIS ET]NALLY UNH<T$ PIPE4 ,! O!RS HAD ALREADY  
RETIR$ = !IR RE/1 SOME UND] ! CAISSONS1 O!RS 9  
! HAY1 & O!RS AGA9 >\ND ! FIRES4 ,9 ! FA9T  
LI<T ( COALS ,I C\LD DI/+UI% ! FAMIH> BACKS1 LEGS1  
& HEADS 2 AMONG ! LATT] WAS ALSO ! RECRUIT1 :O  
WAS LY+ CLOSE TO ! FIRE & WAS APP>5TLY ASLEEP4  
,ANTONOV MADE A PLACE = ME4 ,I SAT D[N NE> HIM &  
LI<T$ MY PIPE4 ,! MI/ & ! PUNG5T SMOKE FROM  
! GRE5 WOOD WAS BORNE ?R\< ! AIR1 & MADE MY  
EYES SM>T1 & ! SAME DAMP MI/ DRIZZL$ D[N FROM  
! MURKY SKY4  

,NE> US C\LD BE HE>D ! EV5 SNOR+1 ! CRACKL+  
( ! BRAN*ES 9 ! FIRE1 A LI<T CONV]SATION1 & OCCA-  
SIONALLY ! CLATT]+ ( ! 9FANTRY MUSKETS4 ,ALL AB\T  
US GL[$ ! FIRES1 ILLUM9AT+ 9 A SMALL CIRCLE !  
BLACK %AD[S ( ! SOLDI]S4 ,AT ! NE>E/ FIRES ,I  
C\LD DI/+UI% 9 ! LI<T$ SPACES ! FIGURES (  
NAK$ SOLDI]S WAV+ !IR %IRTS OV] ! V]Y FIRE4  
,MANY O!R M5 W]E NOT ASLEEP1 BUT MOV+ AB\T &  
SPEAK+ 9 ! SPACE ( FIFTE5 SQU>E FA?OMS 2 BUT !  
D>K1 GLOOMY NI<T GAVE A PECULI>1 MY/]I\S ASPECT TO  
ALL ?IS MOTION1 AS ?\< ALL FELT ?IS MELAN*OLY QUIET  
& W]E AFRAID TO BREAK ITS TRANQUIL H>MONY4 ,:5 ,I  
BEGAN TO SPEAK1 ,I FELT ?AT MY VOICE S\ND$ QUITE DIFF]-  
5TLY 2 9 ! FACES ( ALL ! SOLDI]S :O W]E SITT+  
NE> ! TIRE ,I READ ! SAME MOOD4 ,I ?\<T ?AT PRE-  
VI\S TO MY >RIVAL !Y HAD BE5 SPEAK+ ( !IR  
W\ND$ COMPANION1 BUT ?AT WAS NOT AT ALL ! CASE3  
,*IKIU WAS TELL+ AB\T ! RECEPTION ( GOODS AT ,TIUIS1  
& AB\T ! S*OOLBOYS ( ?AT CITY4  

,ALWAYS & EV]Y:]E1 BUT ESPECIALLY 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1  
HAVE ,I NOTIC$ ! PECULI> TACT ( \R SOLDI]S1 :O1 DUR-  
+ P]IL1 PASS OV] 9 SIL5CE & AVOID ALL SU* ?+S AS  
MI<T UNHAPPILY AFFECT ! M9DS ( !IR COMRADES4 ,!  
SPIRIT ( ! ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S IS NOT BAS$1 LIKE ! BRAV]Y  
( ! S\!RN NATIONS1 ON AN EASILY 9FLAM$1 & JU/ AS  
EASILY EXT+UI%$1 5?USIASM4 ,!Y DO NOT NE$ EFFECTS1  
SPEE*ES1 MILIT>Y CRIES1 SONGS1 & DRUMS 2 !Y NE$1 ON  
! CONTR>Y1 QUIET1 ORD]1 & ! ABS5CE ( ALL BANALITY4  
,9 ,RUSSIAN1 REAL ,RUSSIAN1 SOLDI]S1 Y\ WILL NEV] OBS]VE  
VA9 BRAGG+1 POS+1 A DESIRE TO OBSCURE !MSELVES &  
TO EXCITE !MSELVES 9 TIME ( DANG] 2 ON ! CONTR>Y1  
MODE/Y1 SIMPLICITY1 & AN ABILITY TO SEE 9 A DANG]  
SOMETLI+ ELSE ?AN ! DANG] ITSELF1 >E ! DI/9CTIVE  
FEATURES ( !IR *>ACT]4  

,I HAVE SE5 AN \TRID]1 :O HAD BE5 W\ND$ 9 HIS  
LEG1 9 ! FIR/ MOM5T EXPRESS HIS REGRETS ONLY = !  
TORN FUR COAT1 & !N CREEP \T FROM UND] ! HORSE1  
:I* HAD BE5 KILL$ UND] HIM1 & LOOS5 ! /RAPS1  
9 ORD] TO TAKE (F ! SADDLE4 ,:O DOES NOT REMEMB]  
! 9CID5T AT ! SIEGE ( ,G]GEBEL1 :5 ! FUZE ( A  
BOMB :I* HAD JU/ BE5 FILL$ CAU<T FIRE 9 ! LABORA-  
TORY1 & ! >TIFIC] TOLD TWO SOLDI]S TO TAKE ! BOMB  
& RUN AWAY AS FA/ AS POSSIBLE1 9 ORD] TO ?R[ IT  
9TO A DIT* 2 ! SOLDI]S DID NOT ?R[ IT AWAY 9 !  
NE>E/ PLACE1 :I* WAS NOT F> FROM ! COLONEL'S T5T1  
:I* /OOD OV] ! DIT*1 BUT C>RI$ IT F>!R AWAY4  
NOT TO WAKE ! G5TLEM5 :O W]E SLEEP+ 9 ! T5T1  
& SO !Y W]E BO? TORN TO PIECES4 ,I REMEMB] H[1  
DUR+ FRONTI] S]VICE 9 #a#h#e#b1 ONE ( ! Y\NG SOLDI]S1  
= SOME REASON1 REM>K$ DUR+ AN ACTION1 ?AT HE  
?\<T ! PLATOON W\LD NEV] COME \T ALIVE FROM IT1  
& H[ ! :OLE PLATOON ANGRILY UPBRAID$ HIM = SU*  
EVIL WORDS1 :I* !Y W\LD NOT EV5 REPEAT4  

,EV5 N[1 :5 ! ?\<T ( ,VEL5*ILK \<T TO  
HAVE BE5 9 EV]YBODY'S M9D1 & :5 ANY MOM5T A  
VOLLEY MI<T BE FIR$ BY ,T>T>S CREEP+ UP TO ! CAMP1  
EV]YBODY WAS LI/5+ TO ,CLIIK9'S ANIMAT$ /ORY1 &  
NOBODY RECALL$ ! ACTION ( ! MORN+1 NOR ! IMM95T DANG]1 NOR ! W\ND$ MAN1 AS ?\< ALL ?AT  
HAD HAPP5$ ,GOD KN[S H[ LONG AGO1 OR NOT AT ALL4  
,BUT IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT !IR FACES W]E A LITTLE MORE  
MELAN*OLY ?AN USUAL 2 !Y DID NOT LI/5 V]Y ATT5-  
TIVELY TO ,CLIIK9'S /ORY1 & EV5 ,*IK9 FELT ?AT HE WAS  
NOT LI/5$ TO1 & KEPT TALK+ FROM M]E =CE ( HABIT4  

,MAKSIMOV W5T UP TO ! FIRE & SAT D[N NE> ME4  
,*IK9 MADE A PLACE = HIM1 GREW SIL5T1 & AGA9 />T$  
SUCK+ HIS PIPE4  

0 ,! FOOT-SOLDI]S HAVE S5T TO CAMP = BR&Y10 SAID  
,MAKSIMOV1 AFT] A CONSID]ABLE SIL5CE4 0 ,!Y HAVE JU/  
RETURN$40 ,HE SPIT 9TO ! FIRE4 0 ,AN UND]-(FIC] TOLD  
ME ?AT HE SAW \R MAN40  

0 ,WELL1 IS HE /ILL ALIVE 8 0 ASK$ ,ANTONOV1 TURN+ HIS  
KETTLE4  

0 ,NO1 HE IS DEAD40  

,! RECRUIT 9 ! SMALL R$ CAP SUDD5LY RAIS$ HIS  
HEAD ABOVE ! FIRE1 = A MOM5T LOOK$ FIX$LY AT ,MAKSIMOV & AT ME1 !N SWIFTLY L[]$ HIS HEAD1 &  
WRAPP$ HIMSELF 9 HIS OV]COAT4  

0 ,Y\ SEE1 DEA? DID NOT COME TO HIM = NO?+ ?IS  
MORN+1 AS ,I WAS WAK+ HIM 9 ! P>K10 SAID ,ANTONOV4  

0 ,NONS5SE 6 0 SAID ,ZHDANOV1 TURN+ >\ND A GL[+  
/UMP1 & ALL GREW SIL5T4  

,AMID A UNIV]SAL SIL5CE1 !RE WAS HE>D A %OT BEH9D  
US 9 ! CAMP4 ,\R DRUMM]S TOOK NOTE ( IT1 & GAVE  
! TATTOO4 ,:5 ! LA/ ROLL DI$ D[N1 ,ZHDANOV WAS  
! FIR/ TO RISE 2 HE TOOK (F HIS CAP1 & WE ALL FOLL[$  
HIS EXAMPLE4  

,AMID ! DEEP HU% ( ! NI<T WAS HE>D ! H>-  
MONI\S *ORUS ( MALE VOICES 3  

0 ,\R ,FA!R :I* >T 9 HEAV54 ,HALL[$ BE ,?Y  
NAME4 ,?Y K+DOM COME4 ,?Y WILL BE DONE1 AS 9  
HEAV51 SO 9 E>?4 ,GIVE US TO-DAY \R DAILY BREAD4  
,& =GIVE US \R S9S 2 = WE ALSO =GIVE EV]Y ONE  
?AT IS 9DEBT$ TO US4 ,& LEAD US NOT 9TO TEMPTATION1  
BUT DELIV] US FROM EVIL40  

0 ,IT WAS 9 ! YE> '#d#e ?AT ONE ( \R M5 WAS CON-  
TUS$ 9 ! SAME SPOT10 SAID ,ANT#fNOV1 AFT] WE HAD PUT  
ON \R CAPS1 & HAD SEAT$ \RSELVES AGA9 AT ! FIRE4  
0 ,WE C>RI$ HIM = TWO DAYS ON ! ORDNANCE -- ,ZHDA-  
NOV1 DO Y\ REMEMB] ,%EV*5KO 8 ,WE LEFT HIM !RE  
UND] A TREE40  

,JU/ !N AN 9FANTRY SOLDI]1 ) IMM5SE :ISK]S  
& MU/A*E1 & WE>+ HIS C>TRIDGE-BOX1 WALK$  
OV] TO US4  

0 ,COIMTRYM51 MAY ,I HAVE SOME FIRE TO ,H<T MY PIPE  
) 8 0 HE SAID4  

0 ,LI<T IT1 !RE IS PL5TY ( FIRE H]E10 REM>K$ ,*IK94  

0 ,C\NTRYMAN1 Y\ >E1 ,I SUPPOSE1 TELL+ AB\T ,D>GI10  
! FOOT@5SOLDI] SAID1 TURN+ TO ,ANTONOV4  

0 ,YES1 AB\T ! YE> '#d#e1 AT ,D>GI10 REPLI$ ,ANTDNOV4  

,! FOOT-SOLDI] %OOK HIS HEAD1 CLOS$ HIS EYES1 &  
SQUATT$ D[N NE> US4  

0 ,IT WAS DREADFUL !RE10 HE REM>K$4  

0 ,WLIY DID Y\ LEAVE HIM 8 0 ,I ASK$ ( ,ANTDNOV4  

0 ,HE HAD T]RIBLE PA9 9 HIS ABDOM54 ,AS LONG AS WE  
/OOD /ILL1 IT WAS ALL RI<T 2 BUT ! MOM5T WE MOV$1 HE  
%RIEK$ T]RIBLY4 ,HE 5TREAT$ US TO LEAVE HIM1 BUT  
WE PITI$ HIM4 ,BUT :5 HE BEGAN TO H>ASS US1 &  
HAD KILL$ ?REE M5 ON \R GUNS1 & AN (FIC]1 & WE  
HAD GONE A/RAY FROM \R BATT]Y1 IT WAS T]RIBLE1 -- WE  
?\<T WE %\LD NEV] GET ! GUN AWAY4 ,IT WAS SO  
MUDDY40  

0 ,! WOR/ WAS1 IT WAS MUDDY AT ,9DIAN ,M\NTA910  
REM>K$ A SOLDI]4  

0 ,WELL1 & HE GREW WORSE 6 ,!N WE CONSID]$1 -- ,AN#f%5KA & ,I1 -- ,ANO%5KA WAS AN OLD GUN-S]GEANT1  

-- ?AT HE C\LD NOT HVE ANYWAY1 & ?AT HE 9VOK$  
,GOD TO LEAVE HIM4 ,& SO WE CONCLUD$ WE W\LD DO  
SO4 ,!RE WAS A BR&L+ TREE GR[+ !RE4 0,WE PUT  
D[N NE> HIM SOAK$ H>DTACK1 -- ,ZHDANOV HAD SOME1  

-- & LEAN$ HIM AGA9/ ! TREE 2 WE PUT A CLEAN %IRT  
ON HIM1 BADE HIM F>EWELL1 AS WAS PROP]1 & LEFT HIM40  

0 ,WAS HE A GOOD SOLDI] 8 0  

0 ,A PRETTY GOOD ONE10 REM>K$ ,ZHDANOV4  

0 ,GOD KN[S :AT BECAME ( HIM10 CONT9U$ ,ANTONOV4  
0 ,WE LEFT MANY SOLDI]S !RE40  

0 ,9 ,D>GI 8 0 SAID ! FOOT-SOLDI]1 RIS+ & POK+  
HIS PIPE1 & AGA9 CLOS+ HIS EYES & %AK+ HIS HEAD4  
0 ,YES1 IT WAS T]RIBLE !RE40  

,& HE W5T AWAY FROM US4  

0 ,>E !RE MANY SOLDI]S 9 ! BATT]Y :O HAVE BE5  
AT ,D>GI 8 0 ,I ASK$4  

0 ,WELL 6 ,ZHDANOV1 ,I1 ,PATSAN1 :O IS N[ ON LEAVE (  
ABS5CE1 & SIX OR SEV5 O!R M54 ,?AT IS ALL40  

0 ,I WOND] :E!R ,PATSAN IS HAV+ A GOOD TIME ON  
HIS LEAVE ( ABS5CE10 SAID ,*IK91 /RET*+ \T HIS LEGS  
& PUTT+ HIS HEAD ON A LOG4 "9' ,IT WI,U SOON BE A YE>  
S9CE HE LEFT40  

0 ,DID Y\ TAKE ! ANNUAL LEAVE 8 0 ,I ASK$ ,ZHDANOV4  

0 ,NO1 ,I DID NOT10 HE ANSW]$1 RELUCTANTLY4  

0 ,BUT IT IS GOOD TO GO10 SAID ,ANTONOV1 0 :5 ONE IS  
FROM A WELL-TO-DO H\SE1 OR /ILL ABLE TO WORK4 ,IT IS  
PLEASANT1 & PEOPLE AT HOME >E GLAD TO SEE Y\40  

0 ,:AT USE IS !RE 9 GO+1 :5 !RE >E TWO BRO!RS80 CONT9U$ ,ZHC,UNOV4 @<@<,!Y HAVE 5\< TO  
DO TO SUPPORT !MSELVES1 SO :AT GOOD W\LD ONE ( US  
SOLDI]S BE TO !M 8 ,A MAN IS A POOR HELP] :5 HE  
HAS BE5 A SOLDI] = TW5TY-FIVE YE>S4 ,& :O KN[S  
:E!R !Y >E ALIVE 8 0  

0 ,HAVE Y\ NOT WRITT5 TO !M 8 0 ,I ASK$4  

0 ,( C\RSE ,I HAVE 6 ,I HAVE WRITT5 !M TWICE1 BUT  
!Y HAVE NOT YET ANSW]$4 ,!Y >E EI!R DEAD1 OR  
!Y SIMPLY DON'T C>E TO ANSW]1 :I* MEANS1 !Y >E  
POOR1 & HAVE NO TIME40  

0 ,H[ LONG AGO DID Y\ WRITE 8 0  

0 888#a88 ,I CAME BACK FROM ,D>GI1 ,I WROTE MY LA/  
LETT] 6 0  

0 ,S+ ! SONG ( ! ' ,BIR*-TREE1' 0 ,ZHDANOV SAID TO  
,ANTONOV1 :O1 LEAN+ ON HIS KNEES1 WAS HUMM+ A SONG4  

,ANT\OV SANG ! 0 ,BIR*-TREE 0 SONG4  

0 ,?IS IS ,UNCLE ,ZHDANOV'S FAVORITE SONG10 ,*IK9 SAID  
TO ME 9 A :ISP]1 PULL+ ME BY ! OV]COAT4 0 ,MANY  
A TIME1 :5 ,FILIPP ,ANTONY* S+S IT1 HE WEEPS40  

,ZHDANOV SAT AT FIR/ MOTIONLESS1 HIS EYES DIRECT$ ON  
! GL[+ COALS1 & HIS FACE1 ILLUM9AT$ BY ! R$DI%  
H<T1 LOOK$ EXCE$+LY MELAN*OLY 2 !N HIS *EEKS  
UND] HIS E>S BEGAN TO MOVE FA/] & FA/]1 & F9ALLY  
HE GOT UP1 SPREAD \T HIS OV]COAT1 & LAY D[N 9 !  
%AD[1 BEH9D ! FIRE4 ,IT MAY BE ! WAY HE WAS TOSS+ & GROAN+1 OR ,VEL5*IIK'S DEA? & ! GLOOMY  
WEA!R HAD SO AFFECT$ ME1 BUT ,I REALLY ?\<T HE WAS  
CRY+4  

,! L[] P>T ( ! /UMP1 *ANG$ 9TO COAL1 FLICK]$  
N[ & !N & ILLUM9AT$ ,ANTDNOV'S FIGURE1 ) HIS  
GRAY MU/A*E1 R$ FACE1 & HIS DECORATIONS ON ! OV]COAT ?R[N OV] LIIM1 OR LI<T$ UP SOMEBODY'S BOOTS OR  
HEAD4 ,FROM ABOVE1 DRIZZL$ ! SAME GLOOMY MI/ 2 9  
! AIR WAS ! SAME ODOR ( DAMPNESS & SMOKE 2 ALL  
>\ND ME W]E SE5 ! SAME BRI<T PO9TS ( DY+  
FIRES1 & W]E HE>D AMID A G5]AL SIL5CE ! S\NDS ( ,ANTONOV'S MELAN*OLY SONG 2 & :5EV] IT /OPP$  
= A MOM5T1 ITS REFRA9 WAS ! S\NDS ( ! FA9T NOCTURNAL MOTION ( ! CAMP1 ( ! SNOR+1 ( ! CLATT]+ ( ! S5TRIES' GUNS1 & ( SUBDU$ CONV]SATION4  

0 ,SECOND WAT* 6 ,MAKATYUK & ,ZHDANOV 6 0 %\T$  
,MAKSIMOV4  

,ANTONOV /OPP$ S++ 2 ,ZHDANOV ROSE1 SI<$1 /EPP$  
ACROSS A LOG1 & SL[LY WALK$ OV] TO ! GUNS4  

,JUNE #a#e1 #a#h#e#e4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ah$ 3 ,! ,CUTT+ ( ! ,=E/ -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #a#f1 #bba 3 ,! ,CUTT+ ( ! ,=E/ -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,! ,CUTT+ ( ! ,=E/ -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/