,P>T #b1 ,SECTION #ah 
,A ,PRISON] ( ! ,CAUCASUS 

#aidaid 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TEXT 3 

,I4 

  

,A C]TA9 G5TLEMAN WAS S]V+ AS AN (FIC] 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,HIS NAME WAS ,ZHIL94 

,ONE DAY HE RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM HOME4 ,HIS OLD MO!R WROTE TO HIM3 

0,I HAVE GR[N OLD1 & ,I %\LD LIKE TO SEE MY D>L+ SON BE=E MY DEA?4 ,COME TO BID ME F>EWELL & BURY ME1 & !N1 ) ,GOD'S AID1 RETURN TO ! S]VICE4 ,I HAVE ALSO F\ND A BRIDE = Y\3 %E IS BRI<T & PRETTY & HAS PROP]TY4 ,IF Y\ TAKE A LIK+ TO H]1 Y\ CAN M>RY H]1 & /AY H]E = GOOD40 

,ZHIL9 REFLECT$3 0,9DE$1 MY OLD MO!R HAS GR[N FEEBLE2 P]HAPS ,I %ALL NEV] SEE H] AGA94 ,I MU/ GO2 & IF ! BRIDE IS A GOOD GIRL1 ,I MAY M>RY H]40 

,HE W5T TO ! COLONEL1 GOT A FURL\<1 BADE HIS COMPANIONS GOOD-BYE1 TREAT$ HIS SOLDI]S TO F\R BUCKETS ( VODKA1 & GOT HIMSELF READY TO GO4 

,AT ?AT TIME !RE WAS A W> 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,NEI!R 9 ! DAYTIME1 NOR AT NI<T1 WAS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL ON ! ROADS4 ,! MOM5T A ,RUSSIAN WALK$ OR DROVE AWAY FROM A =TRESS1 ! ,T>T>S EI!R KILL$ HIM OR TOOK HIM AS A PRISON] TO ! M\NTA9S4 ,IT WAS A RULE ?AT A GU>D ( SOLDI]S %\LD GO TWICE A WEEK FROM =TRESS TO =TRESS4 ,9 FRONT & 9 ! RE> WALK$ SOLDI]S1 & BETWE5 !M W]E O!R PEOPLE4 

,IT WAS 9 ! SUMM]4 ,! C>TS GA!R$ AT DAYBREAK \TSIDE ! =TRESS1 & ! SOLDI]S ( ! CONVOY CAME \T1 & ALL />T$4 ,ZHIL9 RODE ON HORSEBACK1 & HIS C>T ) HIS ?+S W5T ) ! C>AVAN4 

,!Y HAD TO TRAVEL TW5TY-FIVE V]/S4 ,! C>AVAN PROCE$$ SL[LY2 N[ ! SOLDI]S /OPP$1 & N[ A :EEL CAME (F A C>T1 OR A HORSE /OPP$1 & ALL HAD TO /& /ILL & WAIT4 

,! SUN HAD ALREADY PASS$ MIDDAY1 BUT ! C>AVAN HAD MADE ONLY HALF ! DI/ANCE4 ,IT WAS DU/Y & HOT2 ! SUN JU/ ROA/$ !M1 & !RE WAS NO %ELT]3 IT WAS A B>R5 PLA91 ) NEI!R TREE NOR BU% ALONG ! ROAD4 

,ZHIL9 RODE \T AHEAD4 ,HE /OPP$ & WAIT$ = ! C>AVAN TO CAT* UP ) HIM4 ,HE HE>D !M BL[ ! SIGNAL-HORN BEH9D3 !Y HAD /OPP$ AGA94 

,ZHIL9 ?\<T3 0,:Y CAN'T ,I RIDE ON1 )\T ! SOLDI]S8 ,I HAVE A GOOD HORSE UND] ME1 & IF ,I RUN AGA9/ ,T>T>S1 ,I WILL GALLOP AWAY4 ,OR HAD ,I BETT] NOT GO80 

,HE /OPP$ TO ?9K IT OV]4 ,!RE RODE UP TO HIM ANO!R (FIC]1 ,KO/YL91 ) A GUN1 & SAID3 

0,LET US RIDE BY \RSELVES1 ,ZHIL96 ,I CANNOT /& IT ANY LONG]3 ,I AM HUNGRY1 & IT IS SO HOT4 ,MY %IRT IS DRIPP+ WET40 

,KO/YL9 WAS A HEAVY1 /\T MAN1 ) A R$ FACE1 & ! P]SPIRATION WAS JU/ ROLL+ D[N HIS FACE4 ,ZHIL9 ?\<T A:ILE & SAID3 

0,IS Y\R GUN LOAD$80 

0,IT IS40 

0,WELL1 !N1 WE WILL GO1 BUT ON ONE CONDITION1 ?AT WE DO NOT SEP>ATE40 

,& SO !Y RODE AHEAD ON ! HI<WAY4 ,!Y RODE ?R\< ! /EPPE1 & TALK$1 & LOOK$ AB\T !M4 ,!Y C\LD SEE A LONG WAY (F4 

,:5 ! /EPPE CAME TO AN 5D1 ! ROAD 5T]$ A CLEFT BETWE5 TWO M\NTA9S4 ,SO ,ZHIL9 SAID3 

0,WE \<T TO RIDE UP ! M\NTA9 TO TAKE A LOOK2 = H]E !Y MAY LEAP \T ON US FROM ! M\NTA9 )\T \R SEE+ !M40 

,BUT ,KO/YL9 SAID3 

0,:AT IS ! USE ( LOOK+8 ,LET US RIDE ON60 

,ZHIL9 PAID NO ATT5TION TO HIM4 

0,NO10 HE SAID1 0Y\ WAIT H]E BEL[1 & ,I WILL TAKE A LOOK UP !RE40 

,& HE TURN$ HIS HORSE TO ! LEFT1 UP-HILL4 ,! HORSE UND] ,ZHIL9 WAS A ?OR\<BR$ 7HE HAD PAID A HUNDR$ RUBLES = IT :5 IT WAS A COLT1 & HAD HIMSELF TRA9$ IT71 & IT C>RI$ HIM UP ! SLOPE AS ?\< ON W+S4 ,! MOM5T HE REA*$ ! SUMMIT1 HE SAW BE=E HIM A NUMB] ( ,T>T>S ON HORSEBACK1 AB\T EI<TY FA?OMS AWAY4 ,!RE W]E AB\T ?IRTY ( !M4 ,:5 HE SAW !M1 HE BEGAN TO TURN BACK2 & ! ,T>T>S SAW HIM1 & GALLOP$ T[>D HIM1 & ON ! RIDE TOOK !IR GUNS \T ( ! COV]S4 ,ZHIL9 URG$ HIS HORSE D[N-HILL AS FA/ AS ITS LEGS W\LD C>RY HIM1 & HE %\T$ TO ,KO/YL93 

0,TAKE \T ! GUN60 & HE HIMSELF ?\<T AB\T HIS HORSE3 0,D>L+1 TAKE ME AWAY FROM H]E6 ,DON'T /UMBLE6 ,IF Y\ DO1 ,I AM LO/4 ,IF ,I GET TO ! GUN1 !Y %ALL NOT CAT* ME40 

,BUT ,KO/YL91 9/EAD ( WAIT+1 GALLOP$ AT FULL SPE$ T[>D ! =TRESS1 ! MOM5T HE SAW ! ,T>T>S4 ,HE URG$ ! HORSE ON ) ! :IP1 N[ ON ONE SIDE1 & N[ ON ! O!R4 ,ONE C\LD SEE ?R\< ! DU/ ONLY ! HORSE SWIT*+ H] TAIL4 

,ZHIL9 SAW ?AT ?+S W]E BAD4 ,! GUN HAD DISAPPE>$1 & HE C\LD DO NO?+ ) A SWORD4 ,HE TURN$ HIS HORSE BACK TO ! SOLDI]S1 ?9K+ ?AT HE MI<T GET AWAY4 ,HE SAW SIX M5 CROSS+ HIS PA?4 ,HE HAD A GOOD HORSE UND] HIM1 BUT !IRS W]E BETT] /ILL1 & !Y CROSS$ HIS PA?4 ,HE BEGAN TO *ECK HIS HORSE3 HE WANT$ TO TURN >\ND2 BUT ! HORSE WAS RUNN+ AT FULL SPE$ & C\LD NOT BE /OPP$1 & HE FLEW /RAI<T T[>D !M4 ,HE SAW A R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> ON A GRAY HORSE1 :O WAS COM+ NE> TO HIM4 ,HE H[L$ & %[$ HIS TEE?1 & HIS GUN WAS AGA9/ HIS %\LD]4 

0,WELL10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0,I KN[ Y\ DEVILS4 ,:5 Y\ TAKE ONE ALIVE1 Y\ PUT HIM 9 A HOLE & BEAT HIM ) A :IP4 ,I WILL NOT FALL 9TO Y\R H&S ALIVE----0 

,?\< ,ZHIL9 WAS NOT TALL1 HE WAS BRAVE4 ,HE DREW HIS SWORD1 TURN$ HIS HORSE /RAI<T AGA9/ ! ,T>T>1 & ?\<T3 

0,EI!R ,I WILL KNOCK HIS HORSE (F ITS FEET1 OR ,I WILL /RIKE ! ,T>T> ) MY SWORD40 

,ZHIL9 GOT )9 A HORSE'S L5G? FROM HIM1 :5 !Y %OT AT HIM FROM BEH9D & HIT ! HORSE4 ,! HORSE DROPP$ ON ! GR\ND :ILE GO+ AT FULL SPE$1 & FELL ON ,ZHIL9'S LEG4 

,HE WANT$ TO GET UP1 BUT TWO /9K+ ,T>T>S W]E ALREADY A/RIDE ( HIM4 ,HE TUGG$ & KNOCK$ D[N ! TWO ,T>T>S1 BUT ?REE MORE JUMP$ D[N FROM !IR HORSES & BEGAN TO /RIKE HIM ) ! BUTTS ( !IR GUNS4 ,?+S GREW DIM BE=E HIS EYES1 & HE TOTT]$4 ,! ,T>T>S TOOK HOLD ( HIM1 TOOK FROM !IR SADDLES SOME RES]VE /RAPS1 TWI/$ HIS >MS BEH9D HIS BACK1 TI$ !M ) A ,T>T> KNOT1 & FA/5$ HIM TO ! SADDLE4 ,!Y KNOCK$ D[N HIS HAT1 PULL$ (F HIS BOOTS1 RUMMAG$ ALL OV] HIM1 & TOOK AWAY HIS MONEY & HIS WAT*1 & TORE ALL HIS CLO!S4 

,ZHIL9 LOOK$ BACK AT HIS HORSE4 ,! DE> ANIMAL WAS LY+ JU/ AS IT HAD FALL5 D[N1 & ONLY TWIT*$ ITS LEGS & DID NOT REA* ! GR\ND ) !M2 9 ITS HEAD !RE WAS A HOLE1 & FROM IT ! BLACK BLOOD GU%$ & WET ! DU/ = AN ELL >\ND4 

,A ,T>T> W5T UP TO ! HORSE1 TO PULL (F ! SADDLE4 ,! HORSE WAS /RUGGL+ /ILL1 & SO HE TOOK \T HIS DAGG] & CUT ITS ?ROAT4 ,A :I/L+ S\ND CAME FROM ! ?ROAT1 & ! HORSE TWIT*$1 & WAS DEAD4 

,! ,T>T>S TOOK (F ! SADDLE & ! TRAPP+S4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> M\NT$ HIS HORSE1 & ! O!RS SEAT$ ,ZHIL9 BEH9D HIM4 ,TO PREV5T HIS FALL+ (F1 !Y ATTA*$ HIM BY A /RAP TO ! ,T>T>'S BELT1 & !Y RODE (F TO ! M\NTA9S4 

,ZHIL9 WAS SITT+ BACK ( ! ,T>T>1 & %AK+ & /RIK+ ) HIS FACE AGA9/ ! /9K+ ,T>T>'S BACK4 ,ALL HE SAW BE=E HIM WAS ! MI<TY BACK1 & ! MUSCUL> NECK1 & ! LIVID1 %AV$ NAPE ( HIS HEAD UND]NEA? HIS CAP4 ,ZHIL9'S HEAD WAS BRUIS$1 & ! BLOOD WAS CLOTT$ UND] HIS EYES4 ,& HE C\LD NOT /RAI<T5 HIMSELF ON ! SADDLE1 NOR WIPE (F HIS BLOOD4 ,HIS >MS W]E TWI/$ SO BADLY ?AT HIS %\LD] BONES PA9$ HIM4 

,!Y RODE = A LONG TIME FROM ONE M\NTA9 TO ANO!R1 & =D$ A RIV]1 & CAME \T ON A PA?1 :]E !Y RODE ?R\< A RAV9E4 

,ZHIL9 WANT$ TO TAKE NOTE ( ! ROAD ON :I* !Y W]E TRAVEL+1 BUT HIS EYES W]E SME>$ ) BLOOD1 & HE C\LD NOT TURN >\ND4 

,IT WAS GETT+ D>K4 ,!Y CROSS$ ANO!R /REAM & RODE UP A ROCKY M\NTA94 ,!RE WAS AN ODOR ( SMOKE1 & ! DOGS BEGAN TO B>K4 ,!Y HAD COME TO A NATIVE VILLAGE4 ,! ,T>T>S GOT D[N FROM !IR HORSES2 ! ,T>T> *ILDR5 GA!R$ >\ND ,ZHIL91 & SCREAM$1 & REJOIC$1 & AIM$ /ONES AT HIM4 

,! ,T>T> DROVE ! BOYS AWAY1 TOOK ,ZHIL9 D[N FROM HIS HORSE1 & CALL$ A LABOR]4 ,!RE CAME A ,NOGAY1 ) L>GE *EEK-BONES2 HE WORE NO?+ BUT A %IRT4 ,! %IRT WAS TORN & LEFT HIS BREA/ B>E4 ,! ,T>T> GAVE HIM A COMM&4 ,! LABOR] BR\<T ! /OCKS1--TWO OAK PLANKS DRAWN ?R\< IRON R+S1 & ONE ( !SE R+S ) A CLASP & LOCK4 

,!Y UNTI$ ,ZHIL9'S H&S1 PUT ! /OCKS ON HIM1 & L$ HIM 9TO A %$3 !Y PU%$ HIM 9 & LOCK$ ! DOOR4 ,ZHIL9 FELL ON ! MANURE PILE4 ,HE FELT >\ND 9 ! D>KNESS = A S(T SPOT1 & LAY D[N !RE4 

0,!Y RODE (F TO ! M\NTA9S0 

,PHOTOGRAVURE FROM ,PA9T+ BY ,A4 ,KIV%5KO 

,I,I4 

  

,ZHIL9 LAY AWAKE NE>LY ! :OLE NI<T4 ,! NI<TS W]E %ORT4 ,HE SAW ?R\< A *9K ?AT IT WAS GETT+ LI<T4 ,HE GOT UP1 MADE ! *9K L>G]1 & LOOK$ \T4 

,?R\< ! *9K ,ZHIL9 SAW ! ROAD3 IT W5T D[N-HILL2 ON ! RI<T WAS A ,T>T> CAB91 & NE> IT TWO TREES4 ,A BLACK DOG LAY ON ! ?RE%OLD1 & A GOAT /RUTT$ AB\T ) H] KIDS1 :I* W]E J]K+ !IR LITTLE TAILS4 ,HE SAW A Y\NG ,T>T> WOMAN COM+ UP ! HILL2 %E WORE A LOOSE COLOR$ %IRT & PANTALOONS & BOOTS1 & H] HEAD WAS COV]$ ) A CAFTAN1 & ON H] HEAD !RE WAS A L>GE T9 PIT*] ) WAT]4 ,%E WALK$ ALONG1 J]K+ H] BACK1 & B5D+ OV]1 & BY ! H& %E L$ A Y\NG %AV5 ,T>T> BOY 9 NO?+ BUT HIS %IRT4 ,! ,T>T> WOMAN W5T 9TO ! CAB9 ) ! WAT]1 & \T CAME ! ,T>T> ( ! DAY BE=E1 ) ! R$ BE>D1 WE>+ A SILK HALF-COAT1 A SILV] DAGG] ON A /RAP1 & %OES ON HIS B>E FEET4 ,ON HIS HEAD !RE WAS A TALL1 BLACK %EEPSK9 HAT1 TILT$ BACKW>DS4 ,HE CAME \T1 & HE /RET*$ HIMSELF & SMOO!D HIS R$ BE>D4 ,HE /OOD A:ILE1 GAVE ! LABOR] AN ORD]1 & W5T AWAY4 

,!N TWO BOYS RODE BY1 TAK+ ! HORSES TO WAT]4 ,! MUZZLES ( ! HORSES W]E WET4 ,!N !RE RAN \T SOME O!R %AV5 BOYS1 9 NO?+ BUT !IR %IRTS1 ) NO TR\S]S2 !Y GA!R$ 9 A CR[D1 WALK$ OV] TO ! %$1 PICK$ UP A /ICK1 & BEGAN TO POKE IT ?R\< ! *9K4 ,:5 ,ZHIL9 %\T$ AT ! *ILDR51 !Y SCREAM$ & />T$ TO RUN BACK1 SO ?AT !IR B>E KNEES GLI/5$ 9 ! SUN4 

,ZHIL9 WANT$ TO DR9K1--HIS ?ROAT WAS ALL DRI$ UP4 ,HE ?\<T3 0,IF !Y W\LD ONLY COME TO SEE ME60 ,HE HE>D !M OP5 ! %$4 ,! R$ ,T>T> CAME 91 & ) HIM ANO!R1 BLACK-LOOK+ FELL[1 ( SMALL] /ATURE4 ,HIS EYES W]E BLACK & BRI<T1 HIS *EEKS RUDDY1 HIS SMALL BE>D CLIPP$2 HIS FACE LOOK$ JOLLY1 & HE KEPT LAU<+ ALL ! TIME4 ,?IS SW>?Y FELL[ WAS DRESS$ EV5 BETT]3 HE HAD ON A SILK HALF-COAT1 ( A BLUE COLOR1 EMBROID]$ ) GALLOONS4 ,9 HIS BELT !RE WAS A L>GE SILV] DAGG]2 HIS SLIPP]S W]E ( R$ MOROCCO & ALSO EMBROID]$ ) SILV]4 ,OV] HIS ?9 SLIPP]S HE WORE HEAVI] %OES4 ,HIS CAP WAS TALL1 ( :ITE A/RAKHAN4 

,! R$ ,T>T> CAME 94 ,HE SAID SOME?+1 AS ?\< SCOLD+1 & /OPP$4 ,HE LEAN$ AGA9/ ! DOOR-PO/1 DANGL$ HIS DAGG]1 & LIKE A WOLF LOOK$ FURTIVELY AT ,ZHIL94 ,BUT ! SW>?Y FELL[--SWIFT1 LIVELY1 WALK+ >\ND AS ?\< ON SPR+S--W5T UP /RAI<T TO ,ZHIL91 SQUATT$ D[N1 %[$ HIS TEE?1 SLAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 BEGAN TO RATTLE (F SOME?+ 9 HIS LANGUAGE1 W9K$ ) HIS EYES1 CLICK$ HIS TONGUE1 & KEPT REPEAT+3 0,GOOT ,URUSS6 ,GOOT ,URUSS60 

,ZHIL9 DID NOT UND]/& A ?+ & SAID3 

0,GIVE ME TO DR9K1 GIVE ME WAT] TO DR9K60 

,! SW>?Y FELL[ LAU<$4 0,GOOT ,URUSS60 HE KEPT RATTL+ (F4 

,ZHIL9 %[$ ) HIS LIPS & H&S ?AT HE WANT$ SOME?+ TO DR9K4 

,! SW>?Y FELL[ UND]/OOD :AT HE WANT$1 LAU<$ \T1 LOOK$ ?R\< ! DOOR1 & CALL$ SOME ONE3 0,D9A60 

,9 CAME A ?91 SL5D] LITTLE GIRL1 ( AB\T ?IRTE5 YE>S ( AGE1 :O RESEMBL$ ! SW>?Y MAN V]Y MU*4 ,EVID5TLY %E WAS HIS DAU<T]4 ,H] EYES1 TOO1 W]E BLACK & BRI<T1 & H] FACE WAS PRETTY4 ,%E WORE A LONG BLUE %IRT1 ) BROAD SLEEVES & )\T A BELT4 ,! SKIRT1 ! BREA/1 & ! SLEEVES W]E TRIMM$ ) R$4 ,ON H] LEGS W]E PANTALOONS1 & ON H] FEET SLIPP]S1 ) HI<-HEEL$ %OES OV] !M2 ON H] NECK %E WORE A NECKLACE ( ,RUSSIAN HALF-RUBLES4 ,H] HEAD WAS UNCOV]$2 H] BRAID WAS BLACK1 ) A RIBBON ?R\< IT1 & FROM ! RIBBON HUNG SMALL PLATES & A ,RUSSIAN RUBLE4 

,H] FA!R GAVE H] A COMM&4 ,%E RAN AWAY1 & CAME BACK & BR\<T A SMALL T9 PIT*]4 ,%E GAVE HIM ! WAT]1 & H]SELF SQUATT$ D[N1 B5D+ UP 9 SU* A WAY ?AT H] %\LD]S W]E BEL[ H] KNEES4 ,%E SAT !RE1 & OP5$ H] EYES1 & LOOK$ AT ,ZHIL9 DR9K+1 AS ?\< HE W]E SOME ANIMAL4 

,ZHIL9 H&$ H] BACK ! PIT*]4 ,%E JUMP$ AWAY LIKE A WILD GOAT4 ,EV5 H] FA!R LAU<$4 ,HE S5T H] SOME:]E ELSE4 ,%E TOOK ! PIT*] & RAN AWAY2 %E BR\<T SOME FRE% BREAD ON A R\ND BO>D1 & AGA9 SAT D[N1 B5T OV]1 RIVET$ H] EYES ON HIM1 & KEPT LOOK+4 

,! ,T>T>S W5T AWAY & LOCK$ ! DOOR4 

,AFT] A:ILE ! ,NOGAY CAME TO ,ZHIL91 & SAID3 

0,AI-DA1 MA/]1 AI-DA60 

,HE DID NOT KN[ ANY ,RUSSIAN1 EI!R4 ,ALL ,ZHIL9 C\LD MAKE \T WAS ?AT HE %\LD FOLL[ HIM4 

,ZHIL9 />T$ ) ! /OCKS1 & HE LIMP$ & C\LD NOT WALK1 SO MU* DID ! /OCKS PULL HIS LEGS ASIDE4 ,ZHIL9 W5T \T ) ! ,NOGAY4 ,HE SAW A ,T>T> VILLAGE ( AB\T T5 H\SES1 & A *UR* ( !IRS1 ) A SMALL T[]4 ,NE> ONE H\SE /OOD ?REE HORSES1 ALL SADDL$4 ,BOYS W]E HOLD+ ! RE9S4 ,FROM ! H\SE SPRANG ! SW>?Y ,T>T>1 & HE WAV$ HIS H& = ,ZHIL9 TO COME UP4 ,HE LAU<$ ALL ! :ILE1 & TALK$ 9 HIS LANGUAGE1 & DISAPPE>$ ?R\< ! DOOR4 

,ZHIL9 5T]$ ! H\SE4 ,IT WAS A GOOD LIV+-ROOM1--! WALLS W]E PLA/]$ SMOO? ) CLAY4 ,ALONG ! FRONT WALL LAY COLOR$ CU%IONS1 & AT ! SIDES HUNG CO/LY RUGS2 ON ! RUGS W]E GUNS1 PI/OLS1 SWORDS1--ALL 9 SILV]4 ,BY ONE WALL !RE WAS A SMALL /OVE1 ON A LEVEL ) ! FLOOR4 ,! FLOOR WAS ( DIRT & AS CLEAN AS A ?RE%+-FLOOR1 & ! :OLE FRONT CORN] WAS C>PET$ ) FELT2 & OV] ! FELT LAY RUGS1 & ON ! RUGS CU%IONS4 ,ON !SE RUGS SAT ! ,T>T>S1 9 !IR SLIPP]S )\T !IR \T] %OES3 !RE W]E ! SW>?Y FELL[1 ! R$ ,T>T>1 & ?REE GUE/S4 ,AT !IR BACKS W]E FEA!R CU%IONS1 & BE=E !M1 ON A R\ND BO>D1 W]E MILLET CAKES & MELT$ BUTT] 9 A B[L1 & ,T>T> BE]1 0BUZA10 9 A SMALL PIT*]4 ,!Y W]E EAT+ ) !IR H&S1 & !IR H&S W]E ALL GREASY FROM ! BUTT]4 

,! SW>?Y MAN JUMP$ UP & ORD]$ ,ZHIL9 TO BE PLAC$ TO ONE SIDE1 NOT ON A RUG1 BUT ON ! B>E FLOOR2 HE W5T BACK TO HIS RUG1 & TREAT$ HIS GUE/S TO MILLET CAKES & BUZA4 ,! LABOR] PLAC$ ,ZHIL9 :]E HE HAD BE5 ORD]$1 HIMSELF TOOK (F HIS \T] %OES1 PUT !M AT ! DOOR1 :]E /OOD ! O!R %OES1 & SAT D[N ON ! FELT NEXT TO ! MA/]S4 ,HE LOOK$ AT !M AS !Y ATE1 & WIP$ (F HIS SPITTLE4 

,! ,T>T>S ATE ! CAKES4 ,!N !RE CAME A ,T>T> WOMAN1 9 A %IRT LIKE ! ONE ! GIRL HAD ON1 & 9 PANTALOONS1 & ) A K]*IEF OV] H] HEAD4 ,%E C>RI$ AWAY ! BUTT] & ! CAKES1 & BR\<T A SMALL WA%-BAS9 ( A PRETTY %APE1 & A PIT*] ) A N>R[ NECK4 ,! ,T>T>S WA%$ !IR H&S1 !N FOLD$ !M1 KNELT D[N1 BLEW 9 EV]Y DIRECTION1 & SAID !IR PRAY]S4 ,!N ONE ( ! ,T>T> GUE/S TURN$ TO ,ZHIL91 & BEGAN TO SPEAK 9 ,RUSSIAN3 

0,Y\10 HE SAID1 0W]E TAK5 BY ,KAZI-,MUHAMM$10 & HE PO9T$ TO ! R$ ,T>T>1 0& HE GAVE Y\ TO ,ABDUL-,MURAT40 ,HE PO9T$ TO ! SW>?Y MAN4 0,ABDUL-,MURAT IS N[ Y\R MA/]40 

,ZHIL9 KEPT SIL5CE4 ,!N ,ABDUL-,MURAT BEGAN TO SPEAK4 ,HE PO9T$ TO ,ZHIL91 & LAU<$1 & KEPT REPEAT+3 

0,SOLDI] ,URUSS6 ,GOOT ,URUSS60 

,! 9T]PRET] SAID3 

0,HE WANTS Y\ TO WRITE A LETT] HOME ?AT !Y MAY S5D A RANSOM = Y\4 ,:5 !Y S5D IT1 Y\ WILL BE SET FREE40 

,ZHIL9 ?\<T A:ILE & SAID3 

0,H[ MU* RANSOM DOES HE WANT80 

,! ,T>T>S TALK$ TOGE!R2 !N ! 9T]PRET] SAID3 

0,?REE ?\S& 9 SILV]40 

0,NO10 SAID ,ZHIL91 0,I CANNOT PAY ?AT40 

,ABDUL JUMP$ UP1 BEGAN TO WAVE HIS H&S & TO TALK TO ,ZHIL91 ?9K+ ?AT HE W\LD UND]/& HIM4 ,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$4 ,HE SAID3 

0,H[ MU* WILL Y\ GIVE80 

,ZHIL9 ?\<T A:ILE1 & SAID3 

0,FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES40 

,!N ! ,T>T>S BEGAN TO TALK A GREAT DEAL1 ALL AT ! SAME TIME4 ,ABDUL %\T$ AT ! R$ ,T>T>4 ,HE WAS SO EXCIT$ ?AT ! SPITTLE JU/ SPIRT$ FROM HIS M\?4 

,BUT ! R$ ,T>T> ONLY SC[L$ & CLICK$ HIS TONGUE4 

,!Y GREW SIL5T1 & ! 9T]PRET] SAID3 

0,! MA/] IS NOT SATISFI$ ) FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4 ,HE HAS HIMSELF PAID TWO HUNDR$ = Y\4 ,KAZI-,MUHAMM$ [$ HIM A DEBT4 ,HE TOOK Y\ = ?AT DEBT4 ,?REE ?\S& RUBLES1 NO?+ LESS WILL DO4 ,& IF Y\ DO NOT WRITE1 Y\ WILL BE PUT 9 A HOLE & BEAT5 ) A :IP40 

0,OH10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0IT WILL NOT DO TO %[ ?AT ,I AM FRI<T5$2 ?AT WILL ONLY BE WORSE40 ,HE LEAP$ TO HIS FEET1 & SAID3 

0,TELL ?AT DOG ?AT IF HE IS GO+ TO FRI<T5 ME1 ,I WILL NOT GIVE HIM A P5NY1 & ,I WILL REFUSE TO WRITE4 ,I HAVE NEV] BE5 AFRAID ( Y\ DOGS1 & ,I NEV] WILL BE40 

,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$1 & ALL BEGAN TO SPEAK AT ! SAME TIME4 

,!Y BABBL$ = A LONG TIME2 !N ! SW>?Y ,T>T> JUMP$ UP & WALK$ OV] TO ,ZHIL93 

0,URUSS10 HE SAID1 0DZHIGIT1 DZHIGIT ,URUSS60 

,DZHIGIT 9 !IR LANGUAGE MEANS A 0BRAVE40 ,& HE LAU<$2 HE SAID SOME?+ TO ! 9T]PRET]1 & ! 9T]PRET] SAID3 

0,GIVE ONE ?\S& RUBLES60 

,ZHIL9 /UCK TO :AT HE HAD SAID3 

0,I WILL NOT GIVE MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$4 ,& IF Y\ KILL ME1 Y\ WILL GET NO?+40 

,! ,T>T>S TALK$ A:ILE & S5T ! LABOR] SOME:]E1 & !MSELVES KEPT LOOK+ N[ AT ,ZHIL9 & N[ AT ! DOOR4 ,! LABOR] CAME1 & BEH9D HIM WALK$ A FAT MAN2 HE WAS B>EFOOT & TATT]$2 HE1 TOO1 HAD ON ! /OCKS4 

,ZHIL9 JU/ %\T$1 = HE RECOGNIZ$ ,KO/YL94 ,HE1 TOO1 HAD BE5 CAU<T4 ,!Y W]E PLAC$ BESIDE EA* O!R4 ,!Y BEGAN TO TALK TO EA* O!R1 & ! ,T>T>S KEPT SIL5CE & LOOK$ AT !M4 ,ZHIL9 TOLD :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM2 & ,KO/YL9 TOLD HIM ?AT HIS HORSE HAD /OPP$ & HIS GUN HAD MISS$ FIRE1 & ?AT ! SAME ,ABDUL HAD OV]TAK5 & CAPTUR$ HIM4 

,ABDUL JUMP$ UP1 & PO9T$ TO ,KO/YL91 & SAID SOME?+4 ,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ IT1 & SAID ?AT BO? ( !M BELONG$ TO ! SAME MA/]1 & ?AT ! ONE :O W\LD FIR/ FURNI% ! MONEY W\LD BE ! FIR/ TO BE RELEAS$4 

0,N[ Y\10 HE SAID1 0>E A CROSS FELL[1 BUT Y\R FRI5D IS MEEK2 HE HAS WRITT5 A LETT] HOME1 & !Y WILL S5D FIVE ?\S& RUBLES4 ,HE WILL BE F$ WELL1 & WILL NOT BE 9SULT$40 

,SO ,ZHIL9 SAID3 

0,MY FRI5D MAY DO AS HE PLEASES2 MAYBE HE IS RI*1 BUT ,I AM NOT4 ,AS ,I HAVE SAID1 SO WILL IT BE4 ,IF Y\ WANT TO1 KILL ME1--Y\ WILL NOT GA9 BY IT1--BUT MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ WILL ,I NOT GIVE40 

,!Y W]E SIL5T = A:ILE4 ,SUDD5LY ,ABDUL JUMP$ UP1 FET*$ A SMALL BOX1 TOOK \T A P51 A PIECE ( PAP]1 & SOME 9K1 PUT IT ALL BE=E ,ZHIL91 SLAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 & MOTION$ = HIM TO WRITE4 ,HE AGRE$ TO ! FIVE HUNDR$4 

0,WAIT A:ILE10 ,ZHIL9 SAID TO ! 9T]PRET]4 0,TELL HIM ?AT HE HAS TO FE$ US WELL1 & GIVE US ! PROP] CLO!S & %OES1 & KEEP US TOGE!R1--IT WILL BE JOLLI] = US1--& TAKE (F ! /OCKS40 ,HE LOOK$ AT ! MA/] & LAU<$4 ,! MA/] HIMSELF LAU<$4 ,HE LI/5$ TO ! 9T]PRET]1 & SAID3 

0,I WILL GIVE Y\ ! BE/ ( CLO!S1--A ,CIRCASSIAN MANTLE & BOOTS1--Y\ WILL BE FIT TO M>RY4 ,WE WILL FE$ Y\ LIKE PR9CES4 ,& IF Y\ WANT TO /AY TOGE!R1 Y\ MAY LIVE 9 ! %$4 ,BUT ! /OCKS CANNOT BE TAK5 (F1 = Y\ WILL RUN AWAY4 ,= ! NI<T WE WILL TAKE !M (F40 

,HE RAN UP TO ,ZHIL91 & TAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]3 

0,Y\ GOOT1 ME GOOT60 

,ZHIL9 WROTE ! LETT]1 BUT HE DID NOT ADDRESS IT RI<T4 ,HE ?\<T HE W\LD RUN AWAY4 

,ZHIL9 & ,KO/YL9 W]E TAK5 BACK TO ! %$4 ,!Y BR\<T = !M MAIZE /RAW1 WAT] 9 A PIT*]1 BREAD1 TWO OLD MANTLES1 & WORN SOLDI] BOOTS4 ,!Y HAD EVID5TLY BE5 PULL$ (F DEAD SOLDI]S4 ,= ! NI<T ! /OCKS W]E TAK5 (F1 & !Y W]E LOCK$ 9 ! B>N4 

,I,I,I4 

  

,ZHIL9 & HIS COMPANION LIV$ ?US = A :OLE MON?4 ,!IR MA/] KEPT LAU<+4 

0,Y\1 ,IVAN1 GOOT1 ME1 ,ABDUL1 GOOT60 

,BUT HE DID NOT FE$ !M WELL4 ,ALL HE GAVE !M TO EAT WAS UNSALT$ MILLET BREAD1 BAK$ LIKE PONES1 OR 5TIRELY UNBAK$ D\<4 

,KO/YL9 WROTE HOME A SECOND LETT]4 ,HE WAS WAIT+ = ! MONEY TO COME1 & FELT LONESOME4 ,HE SAT = DAYS AT A TIME 9 ! %$ C\NT+ ! DAYS BE=E ! LETT] W\LD COME1 OR HE SLEPT4 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 KNEW ?AT HIS LETT] W\LD NOT REA* ANY ONE1 & SO HE DID NOT WRITE ANO!R4 

0,:]E10 HE ?\<T1 0IS MY MO!R TO GET SO MU* MONEY8 ,AS IT IS1 %E LIV$ MA9LY BY :AT ,I S5T H]4 ,IF %E %\LD COLLECT FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES1 %E W\LD BE RU9$ 9 ! 5D4 ,IF ,GOD GRANTS IT1 ,I WILL MANAGE TO GET AWAY FROM H]E40 

,& HE WAT*$ & ?\<T ( H[ TO GET AWAY4 

,HE WALK$ ?R\< ! VILLAGE & :I/L$1 OR HE SAT D[N SOME:]E TO WORK ) HIS H&S1 EI!R MAK+ A DOLL FROM CLAY1 OR WEAV+ A F5CE FROM TWIGS4 ,ZHIL9 WAS A GREAT H& AT ALL K9DS ( SU* WORK4 

,ONE DAY HE MADE A DOLL1 ) A NOSE1 & H&S1 & LEGS1 9 A ,T>T> %IRT1 & PUT ! DOLL ON ! RO(4 ,! ,T>T> MAID5S W]E GO+ = WAT]4 ,HIS MA/]'S DAU<T]1 ,D9A1 SAW ! DOLL1 & %E CALL$ UP ! ,T>T> GIRLS4 ,!Y PUT D[N !IR PIT*]S1 & LOOK$1 & LAU<$4 ,ZHIL9 TOOK D[N ! DOLL & GAVE IT TO !M4 ,!Y LAU<$1 & DID NOT D>E TAKE IT4 ,HE LEFT ! DOLL1 & W5T BACK TO ! %$ TO SEE :AT !Y W\LD DO4 

,D9A RAN UP1 LOOK$ >\ND1 GRASP$ ! DOLL1 & RAN AWAY ) IT4 

,9 ! MORN+1 AT DAYBREAK1 HE SAW ,D9A COM+ \T ) ! DOLL 9 FRONT ( ! H\SE4 ,! DOLL WAS ALL DRESS$ UP 9 R$ RAGS1 & %E WAS ROCK+ ! DOLL & S++ TO IT 9 H] FA%ION4 ,! OLD WOMAN CAME \T4 ,%E SCOLD$ H]1 TOOK ! DOLL AWAY FROM H] & BROKE IT1 & S5T ,D9A TO WORK4 

,ZHIL9 MADE ANO!R DOLL1 A BETT] ONE ?AN BE=E1 & HE GAVE IT TO ,D9A4 ,ONE DAY ,D9A BR\<T HIM A SMALL PIT*]4 ,%E PUT IT D[N1 H]SELF SAT D[N & LOOK$ AT HIM1 & LAU<$1 AS %E PO9T$ TO ! PIT*]4 

0,:AT IS %E SO HAPPY AB\T80 ?\<T ,ZHIL94 

,HE TOOK ! PIT*] & BEGAN TO DR9K4 ,HE ?\<T IT WAS WAT]1 BUT1 BEHOLD1 IT WAS MILK4 ,HE DRANK ! MILK1 & SAID3 

0,IT IS GOOD60 

,D9A WAS V]Y HAPPY4 

0,GOOD1 ,IVAN1 GOOD60 & %E JUMP$ UP1 CLAPP$ H] H&S1 TOOK AWAY ! PIT*]1 & RAN (F4 

,FROM ?AT TIME %E BR\<T HIM MILK EV]Y DAY ON ! SLY4 ,! ,T>T>S MAKE *EESE-CAKES FROM GOAT MILK1 & DRY !M ON ! RO(S1--& SO %E BR\<T HIM ?OSE CAKES ALSO4 ,ONE DAY ! MA/] KILL$ A %EEP1 SO %E BR\<T HIM A PIECE ( MUTTON 9 H] SLEEVE4 ,%E W\LD ?R[ IT D[N & RUN AWAY4 

,ONE DAY !RE WAS A SEV]E /ORM1 & = AN H\R ! RA9 FELL AS ?\< FROM A PAIL4 ,ALL ! /REAMS BECAME TURBID4 ,:]E !RE WAS A =D1 ! WAT] WAS N[ EI<T FEET DEEP1 & /ONES W]E BORNE D[N4 ,TORR5TS W]E RUNN+ EV]Y:]E1 & !RE WAS A RO> 9 ! M\NTA9S4 ,:5 ! /ORM WAS OV]1 /REAMS W]E COM+ D[N ! VILLAGE 9 EV]Y DIRECTION4 ,ZHIL9 ASK$ HIS MA/] TO LET HIM HAVE A P5KNIFE1 & ) IT HE CUT \T A SMALL AXLE & LITTLE BO>DS1 & MADE A :EEL1 & TO EA* 5D ( ! :EEL HE ATTA*$ A DOLL4 

,! GIRLS BR\<T HIM PIECES ( MAT]IAL1 & HE DRESS$ ! DOLLS3 ONE A MAN1 ! O!R A WOMAN4 ,HE FIX$ !M FIRMLY1 & PLAC$ ! :EEL OV] A BROOK4 ,! :EEL BEGAN TO TURN1 & ! DOLLS TO JUMP4 

,! :OLE VILLAGE GA!R$ >\ND IT2 BOYS1 GIRLS1 WOM51 & M5 CAME1 & !Y CLICK$ ) !IR TONGUES3 

0,AI1 ,URUSS6 ,AI1 ,IVAN60 

,ABDUL HAD A ,RUSSIAN WAT*1 BUT IT WAS BROK54 ,HE CALL$ ,ZHIL91 %[$ IT TO HIM1 & CLICK$ HIS TONGUE4 ,ZHIL9 SAID3 

0,LET ME HAVE IT6 ,I WILL FIX IT60 

,HE TOOK IT TO PIECES ) A P5KNIFE2 !N HE PUT IT TOGE!R1 & GAVE IT BACK TO HIM4 ,! WAT* WAS RUNN+ N[4 

,! MA/] WAS DELI<T$4 ,HE BR\<T HIS OLD HALF-COAT1--IT WAS ALL 9 RAGS1--& MADE HIM A PRES5T ( IT4 ,:AT C\LD HE DO BUT TAKE IT8 ,HE ?\<T IT W\LD BE GOOD 5\< TO COV] HIMSELF ) 9 ! NI<T4 

,AFT] ?AT ! RUMOR W5T ABROAD ?AT ,ZHIL9 WAS A GREAT MA/]4 ,!Y BEGAN TO COME TO HIM FROM DI/ANT VILLAGES3 ONE1 TO HAVE HIM FIX A GUN-LOCK OR A PI/OL1 ANO!R1 TO SET A CLOCK A-GO+4 ,HIS MA/] BR\<T HIM TOOLS1--P9*]S1 GIMLETS1 & FILES4 

,ONE DAY A ,T>T> BECAME SICK3 !Y S5T TO ,ZHIL91 & SAID1 0,GO & CURE HIM60 ,ZHIL9 DID NOT KN[ ANY?+ AB\T M$IC9E4 ,HE W5T1 TOOK A LOOK AT HIM1 & ?\<T1 0,MAYBE HE WILL GET WELL BY HIMSELF40 ,HE W5T TO ! B>N1 TOOK SOME WAT] & S&1 & MIX$ IT4 ,9 ! PRES5CE ( ! ,T>T>S HE SAID A *>M OV] ! WAT]1 & GAVE IT TO HIM TO DR9K4 ,LUCKILY = HIM1 ! ,T>T> GOT WELL4 

,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO UND]/& !IR LANGUAGE4 ,SOME ( ! ,T>T>S GOT US$ TO HIM4 ,:5 !Y NE$$ HIM1 !Y CALL$1 0,IVAN1 ,IVAN60 BUT O!RS LOOK$ AT HIM AWRY1 AS AT AN ANIMAL4 

,! R$ ,T>T> DID NOT LIKE ,ZHIL94 ,:5EV] HE SAW HIM1 HE FR[N$ & TURN$ AWAY1 OR CALL$ HIM NAMES4 ,!RE WAS ALSO AN OLD MAN2 HE DID NOT LIVE 9 ! VILLAGE1 BUT CAME FROM F>!R D[N ! M\NTA94 ,ZHIL9 SAW HIM ONLY :5 HE CAME TO ! MOSQUE1 TO PRAY TO ,GOD4 ,HE WAS A SMALL MAN2 HIS CAP WAS WRAPP$ ) A :ITE T[EL4 ,HIS BE>D & MU/A*E W]E CLIPP$1 & !Y W]E AS :ITE AS D[N2 HIS FACE WAS WR9KL$ & AS R$ AS A BRICK4 ,HIS NOSE WAS HOOK$1 LIKE A HAWK'S BEAK1 & HIS EYES W]E GRAY & MEAN-LOOK+2 ( TEE? HE HAD ONLY TWO TUSKS4 ,HE US$ TO WALK 9 HIS TURBAN1 LEAN+ ON A CRUT*1 & LOOK+ >\ND HIM LIKE A WOLF4 ,:5EV] HE SAW ,ZHIL91 HE GRUNT$ & TURN$ AWAY4 

,ONE DAY ,ZHIL9 W5T D[N-HILL1 TO SEE :]E ! OLD MAN WAS LIV+4 ,HE WALK$ D[N ! ROAD1 & SAW A LITTLE G>D51 ) A /ONE F5CE1 & 9SIDE ! F5CE W]E *]RY & APRICOT TREES1 & /OOD A HUT ) A FLAT RO(4 ,HE CAME CLOS] TO IT1 & HE SAW BEEHIVES WOV5 FROM /RAW1 & BEES W]E SW>M+ >\ND & BUZZ+4 ,! OLD MAN WAS KNEEL+1 & DO+ SOME?+ TO A HIVE4 ,ZHIL9 GOT UP HI<]1 TO GET A GOOD LOOK1 & MADE A NOISE ) HIS /OCKS4 ,! OLD MAN LOOK$ >\ND & %RIEK$2 HE PULL$ ! PI/OL \T FROM HIS BELT & FIR$ AT ,ZHIL94 ,HE HAD JU/ TIME TO HIDE BEH9D A ROCK4 

,! OLD MAN W5T TO ! MA/] TO COMPLA9 AB\T ,ZHIL94 ,! MA/] CALL$ UP ,ZHIL91 & LAU<$1 & ASK$3 

0,:Y DID Y\ GO TO ! OLD MAN80 

0,I HAVE NOT DONE HIM ANY H>M10 HE SAID4 0,I JU/ WANT$ TO SEE H[ HE LIVES40 

,! MA/] TOLD ! OLD MAN ?AT4 ,BUT ! OLD MAN WAS ANGRY1 & HISS$1 & RATTL$ SOME?+ (F2 HE %[$ HIS TEE? & WAV$ HIS H& ?REAT5+LY AT ,ZHIL94 

,ZHIL9 DID NOT UND]/& IT ALL2 BUT HE UND]/OOD ?AT ! OLD MAN WAS TELL+ HIS MA/] TO KILL ALL ! ,RUSSIANS1 & NOT TO KEEP !M 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,! OLD MAN W5T AWAY4 

,ZHIL9 ASK$ HIS MA/] :AT K9D ( A MAN ?AT OLD ,T>T> WAS4 ,! MA/] SAID3 

0,HE IS A BIG MAN6 ,HE US$ TO BE ! FIR/ DZHIGIT3 HE KILL$ A LOT ( ,RUSSIANS1 & HE WAS RI*4 ,HE HAD ?REE WIVES & EI<T SONS4 ,ALL ( !M LIV$ 9 ! SAME VILLAGE4 ,! ,RUSSIANS CAME1 DE/ROY$ ! VILLAGE1 & KILL$ SEV5 ( HIS SONS4 ,ONE SON WAS LEFT ALIVE1 & HE SURR5D]$ HIMSELF TO ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,! OLD MAN W5T & SURR5D]$ HIMSELF1 TOO1 TO ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,HE /AY$ ) !M ?REE MON?S1 F\ND HIS SON !RE1 & KILL$ HIM1 & !N HE RAN AWAY4 ,S9CE !N HE HAS /OPP$ FI<T+4 ,HE HAS BE5 TO ,MECCA1 TO PRAY TO ,GOD1 & ?AT IS :Y HE WE>S ! TURBAN4 ,HE :O HAS BE5 TO ,MECCA IS CALL$ A ,HAJJI & PUTS ON A TURBAN4 ,HE HAS NO USE = Y\ FELL[S4 ,HE TELLS ME TO KILL Y\2 BUT ,I CANNOT KILL Y\1--,I HAVE PAID = Y\2 & !N1 ,IVAN1 ,I LIKE Y\4 ,I NOT ONLY HAVE NO 9T5TION ( KILL+ Y\1 BUT ,I W\LD NOT LET Y\ GO BACK1 IF ,I HAD NOT GIV5 MY WORD TO Y\40 ,HE LAU<$ AS HE SAID ?AT1 & ADD$ 9 ,RUSSIAN3 0,Y\1 ,IVAN1 GOOD1 ME1 ,ABDUL1 GOOD60 

,I,V4 

  

,ZHIL9 LIV$ ?US = A MON?4 ,9 ! DAYTIME HE WALK$ >\ND ! VILLAGE & MADE ?+S ) HIS H&S1 & :5 NI<T CAME1 & ALL WAS QUIET 9 ! VILLAGE1 HE BEGAN TO DIG 9 ! %$4 ,IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DIG ON ACC\NT ( ! ROCKS1 BUT HE SAW$ ! /ONES ) ! FILE1 & MADE A HOLE ?R\< :I* HE MEANT TO CRAWL LAT]4 0,FIR/ ,I MU/ F9D \T :AT DIRECTION TO GO 910 HE ?\<T2 0BUT ! ,T>T>S WILL NOT TELL ME ANY?+40 

,SO HE *OSE A TIME :5 HIS MA/] WAS AWAY2 HE W5T AFT] D9N] BACK ( ! VILLAGE1 UP-HILL1 :]E HE C\LD SEE ! PLACE4 ,BUT :5 HIS MA/] W5T AWAY1 HE TOLD HIS LITTLE BOY TO KEEP AN EYE ON ,ZHIL9 & TO FOLL[ HIM EV]Y:]E4 ,SO ! BOY RAN AFT] ,ZHIL91 & SAID3 

0,DON'T GO6 ,FA!R SAID ?AT Y\ %\LD NOT GO !RE4 ,I WILL CALL ! PEOPLE60 

,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO P]SUADE HIM4 

0,I DO NOT WANT TO GO F>10 HE SAID2 0,I JU/ WANT TO WALK UP ! M\NTA93 ,I WANT TO F9D AN H]B ) :I* TO CURE Y\ PEOPLE4 ,COME ) ME2 ,I CANNOT RUN AWAY ) ! /OCKS4 ,TOMORR[ ,I WILL MAKE Y\ A B[ & >R[S40 

,HE P]SUAD$ ! BOY1 & !Y W5T TOGE!R4 ,AS HE LOOK$ UP ! M\NTA91 IT LOOK$ NE>1 BUT ) ! /OCKS IT WAS H>D TO WALK2 HE WALK$ & WALK$1 & CLIMB$ ! M\NTA9 ) DIFFICULTY4 ,ZHIL9 SAT D[N & BEGAN TO LOOK AT ! PLACE4 ,TO ! S\? ( ! %$ !RE WAS A RAV9E1 & !RE A H]D ( HORSES WAS GRAZ+1 & 9 A HOLL[ C\LD BE SE5 ANO!R VILLAGE4 ,AT ?AT VILLAGE BEGAN A /EEP] M\NTA91 & BEYOND ?AT M\NTA9 !RE WAS ANO!R M\NTA94 ,BETWE5 ! M\NTA9S C\LD BE SE5 A =E/1 & BEYOND IT AGA9 ! M\NTA9S1 RIS+ HI<] & HI<]4 ,HI<E/ ( ALL1 !RE W]E :ITE M\NTA9S1 CAPP$ ) SN[1 JU/ LIKE SUG> LOAVES4 ,& ONE SN[ M\NTA9 /OOD ) ITS CAP ABOVE ALL ! RE/4 ,TO ! EA/ & ! WE/ !RE W]E JU/ SU* M\NTA9S2 H]E & !RE SMOKE ROSE FROM VILLAGES 9 ! CLEFTS4 

0,WELL10 HE ?\<T1 0?AT IS ALL !IR SIDE40 

,HE BEGAN TO LOOK TO ! ,RUSSIAN SIDE4 ,AT HIS FEET WAS A BROOK & HIS VILLAGE1 & ALL >\ND W]E LITTLE G>D5S4 ,AT ! BROOK WOM5 W]E SITT+1--!Y LOOK$ AS SMALL AS DOLLS1--& WA%+ ! L954 ,BEYOND ! VILLAGE & BEL[ IT !RE WAS A M\NTA91 & BEYOND ?AT1 TWO O!R M\NTA9S1 COV]$ ) =E/S2 BETWE5 ! TWO M\NTA9S C\LD BE SE5 AN EV5 SPOT1 & ON ?AT PLA91 F>1 F> AWAY1 IT LOOK$ AS ?\< SMOKE W]E SETTL+4 ,ZHIL9 RECALL$ :]E ! SUN US$ TO RISE & SET :5 HE WAS AT HOME 9 ! =TRESS4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N !RE1--SURE 5\<1 ?AT WAS ! VALLEY :]E ! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS \<T TO BE4 ,!RE1 !N1 BETWE5 ?OSE TWO M\NTA9S1 HE HAD TO RUN4 

,! SUN WAS BEG9N+ TO GO D[N4 ,! SN[-CAPP$ M\NTA9S *ANG$ FROM :ITE TO VIOLET2 IT GREW D>K 9 ! BLACK M\NTA9S2 VAPOR >OSE FROM ! CLEFTS1 & ! VALLEY1 :]E \R =TRESS NO D\BT WAS1 GLEAM$ 9 ! SUNSET AS ?\< ON FIRE4 ,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO LOOK %>PLY1--SOME?+ WAS QUIV]+ 9 ! VALLEY1 LIKE SMOKE RIS+ FROM *IMNEYS4 ,HE WAS SURE N[ ?AT IT MU/ BE ! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS4 

,IT GREW LATE2 HE C\LD HE> ! MULLAH CALL2 ! FLOCK WAS BE+ DRIV51 & ! C[S L[$4 ,! BOY SAID TO HIM1 0,COME60 BUT ,ZHIL9 DID NOT FEEL LIKE LEAV+4 

,!Y RETURN$ HOME4 0,WELL10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0N[ ,I KN[ ! PLACE1 & ,I MU/ RUN40 ,HE WANT$ TO RUN ?AT SAME NI<T4 ,! NI<TS W]E D>K1--! MOON WAS ON ! WANE4 ,UN=TUNATELY ! ,T>T>S RETURN$ T[>D EV5+4 ,AT O!R TIMES !Y RETURN$ DRIV+ CATTLE BE=E !M1 & !N !Y W]E JOLLY4 ,BUT ?IS TIME !Y DID NOT DRIVE HOME ANY?+1 BUT BR\<T BACK A DEAD ,T>T>1 A R$-HAIR$ COMPANION ( !IRS4 ,!Y CAME BACK ANGRY1 & ALL GA!R$ TO BURY HIM4 ,ZHIL91 TOO1 W5T \T TO SEE4 ,!Y WRAPP$ ! DEAD MAN 9 L951 )\T PUTT+ HIM 9 A C(F91 & C>RI$ HIM UND] ! PLANE-TREES BEYOND ! VILLAGE1 & PLAC$ HIM ON ! GRASS4 ,! MULLAH CAME1 & ! OLD M5 GA!R$ >\ND HIM1 !IR CAPS WRAPP$ ) T[ELS1 & TOOK (F !IR %OES & SEAT$ !MSELVES 9 A R[ ON !IR HEELS1 9 FRONT ( ! DEAD MAN4 

,AT !IR HEAD WAS ! MULLAH1 & !N ?REE OLD M5 9 TURBANS1 SITT+ 9 A R[1 & BEH9D !M O!R ,T>T>S4 ,!Y SAT1 & B5T !IR HEADS1 & KEPT SIL5CE4 ,!Y W]E SIL5T = QUITE A:ILE4 ,!N ! MULLAH RAIS$ HIS HEAD1 & SAID3 

0,ALLAH60 7,?AT MEANS 0,GOD407 ,HE SAID ?AT ONE WORD1 & AGA9 !Y L[]$ !IR HEADS & KEPT SIL5CE = A LONG TIME2 !Y SAT )\T /IRR+4 ,AGA9 ! MULLAH RAIS$ HIS HEAD3 

0,ALLAH60 & ALL REPEAT$1 0,ALLAH60 & AGA9 !Y W]E SIL5T4 ,! DEAD MAN LAY ON ! GRASS1 & DID NOT /IR1 & !Y SAT AB\T HIM LIKE ! DEAD4 ,NOT ONE ( !M /IRR$4 ,ONE C\LD HE> ONLY ! LEAVES ON ! PLANE-TREE RU/L+ 9 ! BREEZE4 ,!N ! MULLAH SAID A PRAY]1 & ALL GOT UP1 LIFT$ ! DEAD BODY1 & C>RI$ IT AWAY4 ,!Y TOOK IT TO A GRAVE1--NOT A SIMPLE GRAVE1 BUT DUG UND] LIKE A CAVE4 ,!Y TOOK ! DEAD MAN UND] HIS >MS & BY HIS LEGS1 B5T HIM OV]1 LET HIM D[N S(TLY1 PU%$ HIM UND] 9 A SITT+ PO/URE1 & FIX$ HIS >MS ON HIS BODY4 

,A ,NOGAY DRAGG$ UP A LOT ( GRE5 RE$S2 !Y B$D$ ! GRAVE ) IT1 !N QUICKLY FILL$ IT ) DIRT1 LEVEL$ IT UP1 & PUT A /ONE UP /RAI<T AT ! HEAD ( IT4 ,!Y TRAMP$ D[N ! E>?1 & AGA9 SAT D[N 9 A R[ NE> ! GRAVE4 ,!Y W]E SIL5T = A LONG TIME4 

0,ALLAH1 ,ALLAH1 ,ALLAH60 ,!Y SI<$ & GOT UP4 

,A R$-HAIR$ ,T>T> DI/RIBUT$ MONEY TO ! OLD M52 !N HE GOT UP1 TOOK A :IP1 /RUCK HIMSELF ?REE TIMES ON HIS =EHEAD1 & W5T HOME4 

,NEXT MORN+ ,ZHIL9 SAW ! R$ ,T>T> TAKE A M>E \T ( ! VILLAGE1 & ?REE ,T>T>S FOLL[$ HIM4 ,!Y W5T \TSIDE ! VILLAGE2 !N ! R$-HAIR$ ,T>T> TOOK (F HIS COAT1 ROLL$ UP HIS SLEEVES1--HE HAD IMM5SE >MS1--& TOOK \T HIS DAGG] & :ETT$ IT ON A /EEL4 ,! ,T>T>S J]K$ UP ! M>E'S HEAD1 & ! R$-HAIR$ MAN WALK$ OV] TO H]1 CUT H] ?ROAT1 ?REW H] D[N1 & BEGAN TO FLAY H]1--TO RIP ! SK9 OP5 ) HIS FI/S4 ,!N CAME WOM5 & GIRLS1 & !Y BEGAN TO WA% ! 9SIDE & ! 5TRAILS4 ,!N !Y *OPP$ UP ! M>E & DRAGG$ ! FLE% TO ! H\SE4 ,& ! :OLE VILLAGE GA!R$ AT ! H\SE ( ! R$-HAIR$ ,T>T> TO CELEBRATE ! DEAD MAN'S WAKE4 

,= ?REE DAYS DID !Y EAT ! HORSE-FLE%1 DR9K BUZA1 & REMEMB] ! DEAD MAN4 ,ON ! F\R? DAY ,ZHIL9 SAW !M GET READY TO GO SOME:]E = A D9N]4 ,!Y BR\<T HORSES1 DRESS$ !MSELVES UP1 & W5T AWAY1--AB\T T5 M51 & ! R$ ,T>T> ) !M2 ,ABDUL WAS ! ONLY ONE :O WAS LEFT AT HOME4 ,! MOON WAS JU/ BEG9N+ TO 9CREASE1 & ! NI<TS W]E /ILL D>K4 

0,WELL10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0TO-NI<T ,I MU/ RUN10 & HE TOLD ,KO/YL9 SO4 ,BUT ,KO/YL9 WAS TIMID4 

0,H[ CAN WE RUN8 ,WE DO NOT KN[ ! ROAD40 

0,I KN[ IT40 

0,BUT WE CANNOT REA* IT 9 ! NI<T40 

0,IF WE DO NOT1 WE %ALL /AY = ! NI<T 9 ! WOODS4 ,I HAVE A LOT ( CAKES ) ME4 ,Y\ C]TA9LY DO NOT MEAN TO /AY4 ,IT W\LD BE ALL RI<T IF !Y S5T ! MONEY2 BUT SUPPOSE !Y CANNOT GET TOGE!R SO MU*4 ,! ,T>T>S >E MEAN N[1 BECAUSE ! ,RUSSIANS HAVE KILL$ ONE ( !IRS4 ,I UND]/& !Y WANT TO KILL US N[40 

,KO/YL9 ?\<T A:ILE3 

0,WELL1 LET US GO60 

,V4 

  

,ZHIL9 CREPT 9TO ! HOLE & DUG IT WID]1 SO ?AT ,KO/YL9 C\LD GET ?R\<2 & !N !Y SAT /ILL & WAIT$ = EV]Y?+ TO QUIET D[N 9 ! VILLAGE4 

,:5 ALL GREW QUIET1 ,ZHIL9 CRAWL$ ?R\< ! HOLE & GOT \T4 ,HE :ISP]$ TO ,KO/YL9 TO CRAWL \T4 ,KO/YL9 />T$ TO COME \T1 BUT HE CAU<T A /ONE ) HIS FOOT1 & IT MADE A NOISE4 ,N[ !IR MA/] HAD A DAPPL$ WAT*-DOG1 & HE WAS DREADFULLY MEAN2 HIS NAME WAS ,ULYA%94 ,ZHIL9 HAD BE5 FE$+ HIM BE=E4 ,:5 ,ULYA%9 HE>D ! VOICE1 HE BEGAN TO B>K & RU%$ =W>D1 & ) HIM O!R DOGS4 ,ZHIL9 GAVE A L[ :I/LE & ?REW A PIECE ( CAKE TO ! DOG1 & ! DOG RECOGNIZ$ HIM & WAGG$ HIS TAIL & /OPP$ B>K+4 

,! MA/] HE>D IT1 & HE CALL$ \T FROM ! HUT1 0,HAIT1 HAIT1 ,ULYA%960 

,BUT ,ZHIL9 WAS SCRAT*+ ,ULYA%9 BEH9D HIS E>S2 SO ! DOG WAS SIL5T & RUBB$ AGA9/ HIS LEGS & WAGG$ HIS TAIL4 

,!Y SAT A:ILE >\ND ! CORN]4 ,ALL WAS SIL5T2 NO?+ C\LD BE HE>D BUT ! %EEP C\<+ 9 ! HUT CORN]1 & ! WAT] RIPPL+ D[N ! PEBBLES4 ,IT WAS D>K2 ! />S /OOD HI< 9 ! HEAV52 ! Y\NG MOON %ONE R$ ABOVE ! M\NTA91 & ITS HORNS W]E TURN$ UPW>D4 ,9 ! CLEFTS ! MI/ LOOK$ AS :ITE AS MILK4 

,ZHIL9 GOT UP & SAID TO HIS COMPANION3 

0,N[1 MY FRI5D1 LET US />T60 

,!Y />T$4 ,!Y HAD MADE BUT A FEW /EPS1 :5 !Y HE>D ! MULLAH S+ \T ON ! RO(3 0,ALLAH BESMILLAH6 ,ILRAKHMAN60 ,?AT MEANT ?AT ! PEOPLE W]E GO+ TO ! MOSQUE4 ,!Y SAT D[N AGA91 HID+ BEH9D A WALL4 ,!Y SAT = A LONG TIME1 WAIT+ = ! PEOPLE TO PASS BY4 ,AGA9 EV]Y?+ WAS QUIET4 

0,WELL1 ) ,GOD'S AID60 ,!Y MADE ! SIGN ( ! CROSS1 & />T$4 ,!Y CROSS$ ! Y>D & W5T D[N-HILL TO ! BROOK2 !Y CROSS$ ! BROOK & WALK$ D[N ! RAV9E4 ,! MI/ WAS D5SE & L[ ON ! GR\ND1 & OV]HEAD ! />S W]E1 OH1 SO VISIBLE4 ,ZHIL9 SAW BY ! />S 9 :AT DIRECTION !Y HAD TO GO4 ,9 ! MI/ IT FELT FRE%1 & IT WAS EASY TO WALK1 ONLY ! BOOTS W]E AWKW>D1 !Y HAD WORN D[N SO MU*4 ,ZHIL9 TOOK (F HIS BOOTS & ?REW !M AWAY1 & M>*$ ON B>EFOOT4 ,HE LEAP$ FROM /ONE TO /ONE1 & KEPT WAT*+ ! />S4 ,KO/YL9 BEGAN TO FALL BEH9D4 

0,WALK SL[]10 HE SAID4 0,! ACCURS$ BOOTS1--!Y HAVE *AF$ MY FEET40 

0,TAKE !M (F6 ,Y\ WILL F9D IT EASI] )\T !M40 

,KO/YL9 WALK$ B>EFOOT AFT] ?AT2 BUT IT WAS ONLY WORSE3 HE CUT HIS FEET ON ! ROCKS1 & KEPT FALL+ BEH9D4 ,ZHIL9 SAID TO HIM3 

0,IF Y\ BRUISE Y\R FEET1 !Y WILL HEAL UP2 BUT IF !Y CAT* Y\2 !Y WILL KILL Y\1--SO IT WILL BE WORSE40 

,KO/YL9 SAID NO?+1 BUT HE GROAN$ AS HE WALK$4 ,!Y WALK$ = A LONG TIME ?R\< A RAV9E4 ,SUDD5LY !Y HE>D DOGS B>K+4 ,ZHIL9 /OPP$ & LOOK$ >\ND2 HE GROP$ ) HIS H&S & CLIMB$ A HILL4 

0,OH10 HE SAID1 0WE HAVE MADE A MI/AKE1--WE HAVE BORNE TOO MU* TO ! RI<T4 ,H]E IS A VILLAGE1--,I SAW IT FROM ! M\NTA92 WE MU/ GO BACK & TO ! LEFT1 & UP ! M\NTA94 ,!RE MU/ BE A =E/ H]E40 

,BUT ,KO/YL9 SAID3 

0,WAIT AT LEA/ A:ILE6 ,LET ME RE/3 MY FEET >E ALL BLOOD-/A9$40 

0,NEV] M9D1 FRI5D1 !Y WILL HEAL UP6 ,JUMP MORE LI<TLY1--LIKE ?IS60 

,& ,ZHIL9 RAN BACK1 & TO ! LEFT1 UP ! M\NTA9 9TO ! =E/4 ,KO/YL9 KEPT FALL+ BEH9D & GROAN+4 ,ZHIL9 HU%$ HIM1 & WALK$ ON4 

,!Y GOT UP ! M\NTA91 & !RE1 9DE$1 WAS A =E/4 ,!Y W5T 9TO ! =E/1 & TORE ALL ! CLO!S !Y HAD AGA9/ ! ?ORNS4 ,!Y /RUCK A PA? 9 ! =E/1 & FOLL[$ IT4 

0,/OP60 ,HO(S W]E HE>D TRAMP+ ON ! PA?4 ,!Y /OPP$ TO LI/54 ,IT WAS ! S\ND ( A HORSE'S HO(S4 ,!Y />T$1 & AGA9 IT BEGAN TO ?UD4 ,!Y /OPP$1 & IT1 TOO1 /OPP$4 ,ZHIL9 CRAWL$ UP TO IT1 & SAW SOME?+ /&+ 9 ! LI<T ON ! ROAD4 ,IT WAS NOT EXACTLY A HORSE1 & AGA9 IT WAS LIKE A HORSE ) SOME?+ /RANGE ABOVE IT1 & C]TA9LY NOT A MAN4 ,HE HE>D IT SNORT4 0,:AT 9 ! WORLD IS IT80 ,ZHIL9 GAVE A LI<T :I/LE1 & IT BOLT$ AWAY FROM ! PA?1 SO ?AT HE C\LD HE> IT CRA% ?R\< ! WOODS3 ! BRAN*ES BROKE (F1 AS ?\< A /ORM W5T ?R\< !M4 

,KO/YL9 FELL D[N 9 FRI<T4 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 LAU<$ & SAID3 

0,?AT IS A /AG4 ,DO Y\ HE> HIM BREAK ! BRAN*ES ) HIS HORNS8 ,WE >E AFRAID ( HIM1 & HE IS AFRAID ( US40 

,!Y WALK$ ON4 ,! ,PLEIADES W]E BEG9N+ TO SETTLE1--IT WAS NOT F> FROM MORN+4 ,!Y DID NOT KN[ :E!R !Y W]E GO+ RI<T1 OR NOT4 ,ZHIL9 ?\<T ?AT ?AT WAS ! PA? OV] :I* !Y HAD TAK5 HIM1 & ?AT HE WAS AB\T T5 V]/S FROM HIS [N PEOPLE2 /ILL !RE W]E NO C]TA9 SIGNS1 &1 BESIDES1 9 ! NI<T NO?+ C\LD BE MADE \T4 ,!Y CAME \T ON A CLE>+4 ,KO/YL9 SAT D[N1 & SAID3 

0,DO AS Y\ PLEASE1 BUT ,I WILL NOT GO ANY F>!R6 ,MY FEET REFUSE TO MOVE40 

,ZHIL9 BEGG$ HIM TO GO ON4 

0,NO10 HE SAID1 0,I CANNOT WALK ON40 

,ZHIL9 GOT ANGRY1 SPIT \T 9 DISGU/1 & SCOLD$ HIM4 

0,!N ,I WILL GO BY MYSELF1--GOOD-BYE60 

,KO/YL9 GOT UP & WALK$ ON4 ,!Y WALK$ AB\T F\R V]/S4 ,! MI/ GREW D5S] 9 ! =E/1 & NO?+ C\LD BE SE5 9 FRONT ( !M1 & ! />S W]E QUITE DIM4 

,SUDD5LY !Y HE>D A HORSE TRAMP+ 9 FRONT ( !M4 ,!Y C\LD HE> ! HORSE CAT* ) ITS HO(S 9 ! /ONES4 ,ZHIL9 LAY D[N ON HIS BELLY1 & PUT HIS E> TO ! GR\ND TO LI/54 

0,SO IT IS1 A RID] IS COM+ ?IS WAY60 

,!Y RAN (F ! ROAD1 SAT D[N 9 ! BU%ES1 & WAIT$4 ,ZHIL9 CREPT UP TO ! ROAD1 & SAW A ,T>T> ON HORSEBACK1 DRIV+ A C[ BE=E HIM1 & MUMBL+ SOME?+ TO HIMSELF4 ,! ,T>T> PASS$ BY !M4 ,ZHIL9 W5T BACK TO ,KO/YL94 

0,WELL1 ) ,GOD'S HELP1 HE IS GONE4 ,GET UP1 & LET US GO60 

,KO/YL9 TRI$ TO GET UP1 BUT FELL D[N4 

0,I CANNOT1 UPON MY WORD1 ,I CANNOT4 ,I HAVE NO /R5G?40 

,! HEAVY1 PUFF$-UP MAN WAS 9 A P]SPIRATION1 & AS ! COLD MI/ 9 ! =E/ W5T ?R\< HIM & HIS FEET W]E ALL TORN1 HE W5T ALL TO PIECES4 ,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO GET HIM UP1 BUT ,KO/YL9 CRI$3 

0,OH1 IT HURTS60 

,ZHIL9 WAS FRI<T5$4 

0,DON'T %\T SO6 ,Y\ KN[ ?AT ! ,T>T> IS NOT F> (F1--HE WILL HE> Y\40 ,BUT HE ?\<T3 0,HE IS1 9DE$1 WEAK1 SO :AT %ALL ,I DO ) HIM8 ,IT WILL NOT DO TO AB&ON MY COMPANION40 

0,WELL10 HE SAID1 0GET UP1 GET ON MY BACK1 & ,I WILL C>RY Y\1 IF Y\ CANNOT WALK40 

,HE TOOK ,KO/YL9 ON HIS BACK1 PUT HIS H&S ON ,KO/YL9'S LEGS1 WALK$ \T ON ! ROAD1 & WALK$ ON4 

0,ONLY BE SURE10 HE SAID1 0& DO NOT *OKE ME ) Y\R H&S1 = ,*RI/'S SAKE4 ,HOLD ON TO MY %\LD]S60 

,IT WAS H>D = ,ZHIL93 HIS FEET1 TOO1 W]E BLOOD-/A9$1 & HE WAS WORN \T4 ,HE KEPT B5D+ D[N1 /RAI<T5+ UP ,KO/YL91 & ?R[+ HIM UP1 SO ?AT HE MI<T SIT HI<]1 & DRAGG$ HIM ALONG ! ROAD4 

,EVID5TLY ! ,T>T> HAD HE>D ,KO/YL9'S %\T4 ,ZHIL9 HE>D SOME ONE RID+ FROM BEH9D & CALL+ 9 HIS LANGUAGE4 ,ZHIL9 MADE = ! BRU%4 ,! ,T>T> PULL$ \T HIS GUN & FIR$2 HE SCREE*$ 9 HIS FA%ION1 & RODE BACK ALONG ! ROAD4 

0,WELL10 SAID ,ZHIL91 0WE >E LO/1 MY FRI5D6 ,?AT DOG WILL COLLECT ! ,T>T>S & !Y WILL />T AFT] US4 ,IF WE CANNOT MAKE ANO!R ?REE V]/S1 WE >E LO/40 ,BUT HE ?\<T AB\T ,KO/YL93 0,! DEVIL HAS TEMPT$ ME TO TAKE ?IS LOG ALONG4 ,IF ,I HAD BE5 ALONE1 ,I %\LD HAVE ESCAP$ LONG AGO40 

,KO/YL9 SAID3 

0,GO Y\RSELF6 ,:Y %\LD Y\ P]I% = MY SAKE80 

0,NO1 ,I WILL NOT GO1--IT WILL NOT DO TO LEAVE A COMRADE40 

,HE TOOK HIM ONCE MORE ON HIS %\LD]S1 & HELD ON TO HIM4 ,?US !Y WALK$ ANO!R V]/4 ,! WOODS EXT5D$ EV]Y:]E1 & NO 5D WAS TO BE SE54 ,! MI/ WAS BEG9N+ TO LIFT1 & ROSE 9 ! AIR LIKE LITTLE CL\DS1 & ! />S C\LD NOT BE SE54 ,ZHIL9 WAS WORN \T4 

,!Y CAME TO A LITTLE SPR+ BY ! ROAD2 IT WAS L9$ ) /ONES4 ,ZHIL9 /OPP$ & PUT D[N ,KO/YL94 

0,LET ME RE/10 HE SAID1 0& GET A DR9K6 ,WE WILL EAT \R CAKES4 ,IT CANNOT BE F> N[40 

,HE HAD JU/ GOT D[N TO DR9K1 :5 HE HE>D ! TRAMP+ ( HORSES BEH9D !M4 ,AGA9 !Y RU%$ TO ! RI<T1 9TO ! BU%ES1 D[N AN 9CL9E1 & LAY D[N4 

,!Y C\LD HE> ,T>T> VOICES4 ,! ,T>T>S /OPP$ AT ! V]Y SPOT :]E !Y HAD LEFT ! ROAD4 ,!Y TALK$ A:ILE1 !N !Y MADE A S\ND1 AS ?\< SICK+ DOGS4 ,SOME?+ CRA%$ ?R\< ! BU%ES1 & A /RANGE DOG MADE /RAI<T = !M4 ,IT /OPP$ & BEGAN TO B>K4 

,!N ! ,T>T>S CAME D[N1--!Y1 TOO1 W]E /RANG]S4 ,!Y TOOK !M1 B\ND !M1 PUT !M ON !IR HORSES1 & C>RI$ !M (F4 

,!Y TRAVEL$ AB\T ?REE V]/S1 :5 !Y W]E MET BY ,ABDUL1 ! PRISON]S' MA/]1 & TWO MORE ,T>T>S4 ,!Y TALK$ ) EA* O!R1 & ! PRISON]S W]E PUT ON ! O!R HORSES & TAK5 BACK TO ! VILLAGE4 

,ABDUL NO LONG] LAU<$1 & DID NOT SPEAK ONE WORD ) !M4 

,!Y W]E BR\<T TO ! VILLAGE AT DAYBREAK1 & W]E PLAC$ 9 ! /REET4 ,! *ILDR5 RAN UP & BEAT !M ) /ONES & /ICKS1 & SCREAM$4 

,! ,T>T>S GA!R$ 9 A CIRCLE1 & ! OLD MAN FROM D[N-HILL CAME1 TOO4 ,!Y TALK$ TOGE!R4 ,ZHIL9 SAW ?AT !Y W]E SITT+ 9 JUDGM5T ON !M1 DISCUSS+ :AT TO DO ) !M4 ,SOME SAID ?AT !Y \<T TO BE S5T F>!R 9TO ! M\NTA9S1 BUT ! OLD MAN SAID ?AT !Y %\LD BE KILL$4 ,ABDUL DISPUT$ ) !M & SAID3 

0,I HAVE PAID MONEY = !M1 & ,I WILL GET A RANSOM = !M40 

,BUT ! OLD MAN SAID3 

0,!Y WILL NOT PAY US ANY?+2 !Y WILL ONLY GIVE US TR\BLE4 ,IT IS A S9 TO FE$ ,RUSSIANS4 ,KILL !M1 & ?AT WILL BE ! 5D ( IT40 

,!Y ALL W5T !IR WAY4 ,! MA/] WALK$ OV] TO ,ZHIL9 & SAID3 

0,IF ! RANSOM DOES NOT COME 9 TWO WEEKS1 ,I WILL BEAT Y\ TO DEA?4 ,& IF Y\ TRY TO RUN AGA9 ,I WILL KILL Y\ LIKE A DOG4 ,WRITE A LETT]1 & WRITE IT WELL60 

,PAP] WAS BR\<T TO !M1 & !Y WROTE ! LETT]S4 ,! /OCKS W]E PUT ON !M1 & !Y W]E TAK5 BACK ( ! MOSQUE4 ,!RE WAS A DIT* !RE1 AB\T TWELVE FEET 9 DEP?1--& 9TO ?IS DIT* !Y W]E LET D[N4 

,V,I4 

  

,!Y N[ L$ A V]Y H>D LIFE4 ,! /OCKS W]E NOT TAK5 (F1 & !Y W]E NOT LET \T 9TO ! WIDE WORLD4 ,UNBAK$ D\< WAS ?R[N D[N TO !M1 AS TO DOGS1 & WAT] WAS LET D[N TO !M 9 A PIT*]4 ,!RE WAS A /5* 9 ! DIT*1 & IT WAS CLOSE & DAMP4 ,KO/YL9 GREW V]Y ILL1 & SWELL$1 & HAD A BREAK+ \T ON HIS :OLE BODY2 & HE KEPT GROAN+ ALL ! TIME1 OR HE SLEPT4 ,ZHIL9 WAS DISC\RAG$3 HE SAW ?AT ! SITUATION WAS DESP]ATE4 ,HE DID NOT KN[ H[ TO GET \T ( IT4 

,HE BEGAN TO DIG1 BUT !RE WAS NO PLACE TO ?R[ ! DIRT 92 ! MA/] SAW IT1 & ?REAT5$ TO KILL HIM4 

,ONE DAY HE WAS SQUATT+ 9 ! DIT*1 & ?9K+ ( ! FREE WORLD1 & HE FELT PRETTY BAD4 ,SUDD5LY A CAKE FELL D[N ON HIS KNEES1 & A SECOND1 & SOME *]RIES4 ,HE LOOK$ UP1--IT WAS ,D9A4 ,%E LOOK$ AT HIM1 LAU<$1 & RAN AWAY4 ,ZHIL9 ?\<T3 0,MAYBE ,D9A WILL HELP ME40 

,HE CLEAN$ UP A PLACE 9 ! DIT*1 SCRAP$ UP SOME CLAY1 & BEGAN TO MAKE DOLLS4 ,HE MADE M51 HORSES1 & DOGS4 ,HE ?\<T3 0,:5 ,D9A COMES ,I WILL ?R[ !M TO H]40 

,BUT ON ! NEXT DAY ,D9A DID NOT COME4 ,ZHIL9 HE>D ! TRAMP+ ( HORSES2 SOMEBODY RODE BY1 & ! ,T>T>S GA!R$ AT ! MOSQUE2 !Y QU>REL$ & %\T$1 & TALK$ AB\T ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,& HE HE>D ! OLD MAN'S VOICE4 ,HE C\LD NOT MAKE \T EXACTLY :AT IT WAS1 BUT HE GUESS$ ?AT ! ,RUSSIANS HAD COME CLOSE TO ! VILLAGE1 & ?AT ! ,T>T>S W]E AFRAID ?AT !Y MI<T COME TO ! VILLAGE1 & !Y DID NOT KN[ :AT TO DO ) ! PRISON]S4 

,!Y TALK$ A:ILE & W5T AWAY4 ,SUDD5LY HE HE>D SOME?+ RU/LE ABOVE HIM4 ,HE LOOK$ UP2 ,D9A WAS SQUATT+ D[N1 & H] KNEES T[]$ ABOVE H] HEAD2 %E LEAN$ OV]1 & H] NECKLACE HUNG D[N & DANGL$ OV] ! DIT*4 ,H] LITTLE EYES GLI/5$ LIKE />S4 ,%E TOOK TWO *EESE-CAKES \T ( H] SLEEVE & ?REW !M D[N TO HIM4 ,ZHIL9 SAID TO H]3 

0,:Y HAVE Y\ NOT BE5 H]E = SO LONG8 ,I HAVE MADE Y\ SOME TOYS4 ,H]E !Y >E60 

,HE BEGAN TO ?R[ ONE AFT] ! O!R TO H]1 BUT %E %OOK H] HEAD1 & DID NOT LOOK AT !M4 

0,I DO NOT WANT !M10 %E SAID4 ,%E SAT A:ILE 9 SIL5CE1 & SAID2 0,IVAN1 !Y WANT TO KILL Y\60 ,%E PO9T$ ) H] H& TO H] NECK4 

0,:O WANTS TO KILL ME80 

0,MY FA!R1--! OLD M5 TELL HIM TO4 ,I AM SORRY = Y\40 

,SO ,ZHIL9 SAID3 

0,IF Y\ PITY ME1 BR+ ME A LONG /ICK60 

,%E %OOK H] HEAD1 TO SAY ?AT %E C\LD NOT4 ,HE FOLD$ HIS H&S1 & BEGAN TO BEG H]3 

0,D9A1 IF Y\ PLEASE6 ,DE> ,D9A1 BR+ IT TO ME60 

0,I CANNOT10 %E SAID4 0,! PEOPLE >E AT HOME1 & !Y W\LD SEE ME40 

,& %E W5T AWAY4 

,ZHIL9 WAS SITT+ !RE 9 ! EV5+1 & ?9K+ :AT W\LD HAPP54 ,HE KEPT LOOK+ UP4 ,! />S C\LD BE SE51 & ! MOON WAS NOT YET UP4 ,! MULLAH CALL$1 & ALL GREW QUIET4 ,ZHIL9 WAS BEG9N+ TO FALL ASLEEP2 HE ?\<T ! GIRL W\LD BE AFRAID4 

,SUDD5LY SOME CLAY FELL ON HIS HEAD4 ,HE LOOK$ UP & SAW A LONG POLE COM+ D[N AT ! 5D ( ! DIT*4 ,IT TUMBL$1 & DESC5D$1 & CAME D[N 9TO ! DIT*4 ,ZHIL9 WAS HAPPY2 HE TOOK HOLD ( IT & LET IT D[N1--IT WAS A /\T POLE4 ,HE HAD SE5 IT BE=E ON HIS MA/]'S RO(4 

,HE LOOK$ UP3 ! />S W]E %9+ HI< 9 ! HEAV5S1 & OV] ! V]Y DIT* ,D9A'S EYES GLI/5$ 9 ! D>KNESS4 ,%E B5T H] FACE OV] ! $GE ( ! DIT*1 & :ISP]$3 0,IVAN1 ,IVAN60 & WAV$ H] H&S 9 FRONT ( H] FACE1 AS MU* AS TO SAY3 0,SPEAK S(TLY60 

0,:AT IS IT80 ASK$ ,ZHIL94 

0,!Y >E ALL GONE4 ,!RE >E TWO ONLY AT ! H\SE40 

,SO ,ZHIL9 SAID3 

0,KO/YL91 COME1 LET US TRY = ! LA/ TIME2 ,I WILL GIVE Y\ A LIFT40 

,KO/YL9 W\LD NOT EV5 LI/54 

0,NO10 HE SAID1 0,I %ALL NEV] GET AWAY FROM H]E4 ,:]E %\LD ,I GO1 S9CE ,I HAVE NO /R5G? TO TURN >\ND80 

0,IF SO1 GOOD-BYE6 ,DO NOT ?9K ILL ( ME60 

,HE KISS$ ,KO/YL94 

,HE TOOK HOLD ( ! POLE1 TOLD ,D9A TO HOLD ON TO IT1 & CLIMB$ UP4 ,TWO OR ?REE TIMES HE SLIPP$ D[N3 ! /OCKS W]E 9 HIS WAY4 ,KO/YL9 HELD HIM UP1 & HE MANAG$ TO GET ON4 ,D9A PULL$ HIM BY ! %IRT ) ALL H] MI<T1 & LAU<$4 

,ZHIL9 TOOK ! POLE1 & SAID3 

0,TAKE IT TO :]E Y\ F\ND IT1 = IF !Y SEE IT1 !Y WILL BEAT Y\40 

,%E DRAGG$ ! POLE AWAY1 & ,ZHIL9 W5T D[N-HILL4 ,HE CRAWL$ D[N AN 9CL9E1 TOOK A %>P /ONE1 & TRI$ TO BREAK ! LOCK ( ! /OCKS4 ,BUT ! LOCK WAS A /RONG ONE1 & HE C\LD NOT BREAK IT4 ,HE HE>D SOME ONE RUNN+ D[N ! HILL1 LEAP+ LI<TLY4 ,HE ?\<T IT WAS ,D9A4 ,D9A RAN UP1 TOOK A /ONE1 & SAID3 

0,LET ME DO IT60 

,%E KNELT D[N & TRI$ TO BREAK IT2 BUT H] >MS W]E AS ?9 AS RODS1--!RE WAS NO /R5G? 9 !M4 ,%E ?REW AWAY ! /ONE1 & BEGAN TO WEEP4 ,ZHIL9 AGA9 WORK$ ON ! LOCK1 & ,D9A SQUATT$ NE> HIM1 & HELD ON TO HIS %\LD]4 ,ZHIL9 LOOK$ >\ND2 ON ! LEFT1 BEYOND ! M\NTA91 HE SAW A R$ GL[1--! MOON WAS RIS+4 

0,WELL10 HE ?\<T1 0BE=E ! MOON IS UP ,I MU/ CROSS ! RAV9E & GET TO ! =E/40 

,HE GOT UP1 ?REW AWAY ! /ONE1 &1 ?\< 9 ! /OCKS1 />T$ TO GO4 

0,GOOD-BYE1 ,D9A DE>6 ,I WILL REMEMB] Y\ ALL MY LIFE40 

,D9A TOOK HOLD ( HIM2 %E GROP$ ALL OV] HIM1 TRY+ TO F9D A PLACE TO PUT ! CAKES4 ,HE TOOK !M FROM H]4 

0,?ANK Y\10 HE SAID1 0Y\ >E A CLEV] GIRL4 ,:O WILL MAKE DOLLS = Y\ )\T ME80 ,& HE PATT$ H] ON ! HEAD4 

,D9A BEGAN TO CRY4 ,%E COV]$ H] EYES ) H] H&S1 & RAN UP-HILL LIKE A KID4 ,9 ! D>KNESS HE C\LD HE> ! ORNAM5TS 9 ! BRAID /RIK+ AGA9/ H] %\LD]S4 

,ZHIL9 MADE ! SIGN ( ! CROSS1 TOOK ! LOCK ( HIS FETT]S 9 HIS H&1 ?AT IT MI<T NOT CLANK1 & />T$ D[N ! ROAD1 DRAGG+ HIS FEET ALONG1 & LOOK+ AT ! GL[1 :]E ! MOON WAS RIS+4 ,HE RECOGNIZ$ ! ROAD4 ,BY ! /RAI<T ROAD IT W\LD BE AB\T EI<T V]/S4 ,IF HE ONLY C\LD GET TO ! WOODS BE=E ! MOON WAS 5TIRELY \T6 ,HE CROSS$ A BROOK1--& IT WAS GETT+ LI<T BEYOND ! M\NTA94 ,HE WALK$ ?R\< ! RAV9E2 HE WALK$ & LOOK$1 BUT ! MOON WAS NOT YET TO BE SE54 ,IT WAS GETT+ BRI<T]1 & ON ONE SIDE ( ! RAV9E EV]Y?+ C\LD BE SE5 MORE & MORE CLE>LY4 ,! %AD[ WAS CREEP+ D[N ! M\NTA91 UP T[>D HIM4 

,ZHIL9 WALK$ & KEPT 9 ! %ADE4 ,HE HURRI$ ON1 BUT ! MOON WAS COM+ \T FA/] /ILL2 ! TOPS ( ! TREES ON ! RI<T SIDE W]E N[ 9 ! LI<T4 ,AS HE CAME UP TO ! WOODS1 ! MOON CAME \T 5TIRELY FROM BEH9D ! M\NTA9S1 & IT GREW BRI<T & :ITE AS 9 ! DAYTIME4 ,ALL ! LEAVES C\LD BE SE5 ON ! TREES4 ,! M\NTA9S W]E CALM & BRI<T2 IT WAS AS ?\< EV]Y?+ W]E DEAD4 ,ALL ?AT C\LD BE HE>D WAS ! RIPPL+ ( A BROOK BEL[4 

,HE REA*$ ! =E/1--HE CAME ACROSS NO M54 ,ZHIL9 F\ND A D>K SPOT 9 ! WOODS & SAT D[N TO RE/ HIMSELF4 

,HE RE/$1 & ATE A CAKE4 ,HE F\ND A /ONE1 & BEGAN ONCE MORE TO BREAK D[N ! LOCK4 ,HE BRUIS$ HIS H&S1 BUT DID NOT BREAK ! LOCK4 ,HE GOT UP1 & WALK$ ON4 ,HE M>*$ AB\T A V]/1 BUT HIS /R5G? GAVE \T1--HIS FEET HURT HIM SO4 ,HE W\LD MAKE T5 /EPS & !N /OP4 0,:AT IS TO BE DONE80 HE ?\<T4 0,I WILL DRAG MYSELF ALONG UNTIL MY /R5G? GIVES \T 5TIRELY4 ,IF ,I SIT D[N1 ,I %ALL NOT BE ABLE TO GET UP4 ,I CANNOT REA* ! =TRESS1 SO1 :5 DAY BREAKS1 ,I WILL LIE D[N 9 ! =E/ = ! DAY1 & AT NI<T ,I WILL MOVE ON40 

,HE WALK$ ! :OLE NI<T4 ,HE CAME ACROSS TWO ,T>T>S ONLY1 BUT HE HE>D !M FROM AF>1 & SO HID BEH9D A TREE4 

,! MOON WAS BEG9N+ TO PALE1 & ,ZHIL9 HAD NOT YET REA*$ ! $GE ( ! =E/4 

0,WELL10 HE ?\<T1 0,I WILL TAKE ANO!R ?IRTY /EPS1 AFT] :I* ,I WILL TURN 9TO ! =E/1 :]E ,I WILL SIT D[N40 

,HE TOOK ! ?IRTY /EPS1 & !RE HE SAW ?AT ! =E/ CAME TO AN 5D4 ,HE W5T TO ! $GE ( IT1 & !RE IT WAS QUITE LI<T4 ,BE=E HIM LAY ! /EPPE & ! =TRESS1 AS 9 ! PALM ( ! H&1 & TO ! LEFT1 CLOSE BY AT ! FOOT ( ! M\NTA91 FIRES W]E BURN+ & GO+ \T1 & ! SMOKE WAS SPREAD+1 & M5 W]E NE> ! CAMP-FIRES4 

,HE TOOK A %>P LOOK AT !M3 ! GUNS W]E GLI/5+1--?OSE W]E ,COSSACKS & SOLDI]S4 

,ZHIL9 WAS HAPPY4 ,HE COLLECT$ HIS LA/ /R5G? & WALK$ D[N-HILL4 ,& HE ?\<T3 0,GOD =F5D ?AT A ,T>T> RID] %\LD SEE ME 9 ! OP56 ,?\< IT IS NOT F> (F1 ,I %\LD NOT GET AWAY40 

,NO SOON] HAD HE ?\<T SO1 :51 BEHOLD1 ON A M\ND /OOD ?REE ,T>T>S1 NOT MORE ?AN #ae FA?OMS AWAY4 ,!Y SAW HIM1 & D>T$ T[>D HIM4 ,HIS HE>T JU/ SANK 9 HIM4 ,HE WAV$ HIS >MS & %\T$ AS L\D AS HE C\LD3 

0,BRO!RS6 ,HELP1 BRO!RS60 

,\R M5 HE>D HIM1 & AWAY FLEW ! M\NT$ ,COSSACKS4 ,!Y />T$ T[>D HIM1 TO CUT (F ! ,T>T>S4 

,! ,COSSACKS HAD F> TO GO1 BUT ! ,T>T>S W]E NE>4 ,& ,ZHIL9 COLLECT$ HIS LA/ /R5G?1 TOOK ! /OCKS 9 HIS H&1 & RAN T[>D ! ,COSSACKS4 ,HE WAS BESIDE HIMSELF1 & HE MADE ! SIGN ( ! CROSS1 & %\T$3 

0,BRO!RS6 ,BRO!RS6 ,BRO!RS60 

,!RE W]E AB\T FIFTE5 ,COSSACKS4 

,! ,T>T>S W]E FRI<T5$1 & !Y /OPP$ BE=E !Y REA*$ HIM4 ,& ,ZHIL9 RAN UP TO ! ,COSSACKS4 

,! ,COSSACKS SURR\ND$ HIM1 & ASK$3 

0,:O >E Y\8 ,:]E DO Y\ COME FROM80 

,BUT ,ZHIL9 WAS BESIDE HIMSELF1 & HE WEPT1 & MUTT]$3 

0,BRO!RS6 ,BRO!RS60 

,! SOLDI]S RAN \T1 & SURR\ND$ ,ZHIL93 ONE GAVE HIM BREAD1 ANO!R GRUEL1 A ?IRD VODKA2 ONE COV]$ HIM ) A CLOAK1 ANO!R BROKE (F ! LOCK4 

,! (FIC]S HE>D ( IT1 & TOOK HIM TO ! =TRESS4 ,! SOLDI]S W]E HAPPY1 & HIS COMPANIONS CAME TO SEE HIM4 

,ZHIL9 TOLD !M :AT HAD HAPP5$1 & SAID3 

0,SO ,I HAVE BE5 HOME1 & GOT M>RI$6 ,NO1 EVID5TLY ?AT IS NOT MY FATE40 

,& HE REMA9$ 9 ! S]VICE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,NOT TILL A MON? LAT] WAS ,KO/YL9 RANSOM$ = FIVE ?\S&4 ,HE WAS BR\<T BACK MORE DEAD ?AN ALIVE4 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aic 3 ,P>T #b1 ,SECTION #ah -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,MAY #a#c1 #bba 3 ,P>T #b1 ,SECTION #ah -- ,ADD$4 

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