,! ,CAPTIVE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS 

#ahgb 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,ROB]T ,NISBET ,BA9 

,TEXT 3 

,I4 

,A G5TLEMAN ( ! NAME ( ,ZHIL9 WAS S]V+ 9 ! ,CAUCASUS AS AN (FIC]4 ,ONE DAY HE RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM HOME4 ,HIS AG$ MO!R WROTE TO HIM3 0,I AM GR[+ OLD & %\LD LIKE TO SEE MY DE> LITTLE SON BE=E ,I DIE4 ,COME TO ME1 ,I PRAY Y\1 IF IT BE ONLY TO BURY ME1 & !N 9 ,GOD'S NAME 5T] ! S]VICE AGA94 ,& ,I HAVE F\ND = Y\ A NICE BRIDE BESIDES2 %E IS S5SIBLE1 GOOD1 & HAS PROP]TY4 ,Y\ MAY FALL 9 LOVE ) H] P]HAPS1 & Y\ MAY M>RY H] & BE ABLE TO RETIRE40 

,ZHIL9 FELL A MUS+3 0,YES1 9DE$1 ! OLD LADY HAS BE5 AIL+ LATELY1 %E MI<T NEV] LIVE TO SEE ME4 ,YES1 ,I'LL GO1 & IF ! GIRL IS NICE ,I MAY M>RY H] 9TO ! B>GA940 

,SO HE W5T TO HIS COLONEL1 OBTA9$ LEAVE ( ABS5CE1 TOOK LEAVE ( HIS COMRADES1 GAVE HIS SOLDI]S F\R PIT*]S ( VODKA TO DR9K HIS HEAL?1 & PREP>$ TO BE (F4 

,!RE WAS W> 9 ! ,CAUCASUS !N4 ,! ROADS W]E IMPASSABLE NI<T & DAY4 ,SC>CE ANY ( ! ,RUSSIANS ,C\LD GO 9 OR \T ( ! =TRESS BUT ! ,TAT>S W\LD KILL !M OR C>RY !M (F 9TO ! M\NTA9S4 ,SO IT WAS COMM&$ ?AT TWICE A WEEK  
A MILIT>Y ESCORT %\LD PROCE$ FROM =TRESS TO  
=TRESS ) ! PEOPLE 9 ! MID/ ( IT4  

,! AFFAIR HAPP5$ 9 ! SUMM]4 ,AT DAWN (  
DAY ! BAGGAGE-WAGONS ASSEMBL$ 9 ! =TRESS1  
! MILIT>Y ESCORT M>*$ \T1 & ! :OLE  
COMPANY TOOK ! ROAD4 ,ZHIL9 W5T ON HORSEBACK1  
& HIS WAGON ) HIS ?+S WAS AMONG ! BAGGAGE4  

,! DI/ANCE TO BE TRAV]S$ WAS TW5TY MILES1  
BUT ! C>AVAN MOV$ BUT SL[LY4 ,SOMETIMES IT WAS  
! SOLDI]S :O /OPP$1 SOMETIMES A :EEL FLEW (F  
ONE ( ! BAGGAGE-WAGONS1 OR A HORSE W\LDN'T GO --  
& !N !Y ALL HAD TO /OP & WAIT4  

,! SUN HAD ALREADY PASS$ ! M]IDIAN1 & !  
C>AVAN HAD ONLY GONE HALF ! DI/ANCE4 ,!RE WAS  
NO?+ BUT HEAT & DU/1 ! SUN REGUL>LY BURN$1  
& !RE WAS NO %ELT] TO BE HAD4 ,ALL >\ND  
NO?+ BUT ! NAK$ /EPPE -- NOT A VILLAGE1 NOT A  
WAYSIDE BU%4  

,ZHIL9 HAD GALLOP$ ON 9 FRONT1 HE HAD N[ /OPP$1  
& WAS WAIT+ = ! CAVALCADE TO COME UP4 ,!N  
HE HE>D A HORN BL[N 9 ! RE>1 & KNEW ?AT !Y  
HAD /OPP$ AGA94 ,!N ?\<T ,ZHIL9 3 0,:Y NOT  
GO ON BY ONESELF )\T ! SOLDI]S8 ,I'VE A GOOD  
HORSE B5EA? ME1 & IF ,I /UMBLE UPON ! ,TAT>S --  
,I CAN MAKE A BOLT = IT4 ,OR %ALL ,I NOT GO80  

,HE /OOD !RE CONSID]+1 & UP !RE CAME  
TROTT+ ANO!R M\NT$ (FIC]1 CALL$ ,KO/UIL91 )  
A MUSKET1 & HE SAID3  

0,LET US GO ON ALONE1 ,ZHIL94 ,I CAN'T /& IT  
ANY LONG]1 ,I WANT SOME GRUB2 ! HEAT IS /IFL+1 &  
MY %IRT IS REGUL>LY /ICK+ TO ME40  

,?IS ,KO/UIL91 BY ! WAY1 WAS A ?ICK1 HEAVY1  
R$-FAC$ MAN1 & ! SWEAT WAS P\R+ FROM HIM4  
,ZHIL9 ?\<T = A MOM5T1 & !N SAID3 

0,IS Y\R MUSKET LOAD$80  

0,YES1 IT IS LOAD$40  

0,WELL1 WE'LL GO1 BUT ON ONE CONDITION -- WE MU/  
KEEP TOGE!R40 

,& !Y CANT]$ ON 9 FRONT ALONG ! ROAD4 ,!Y  
W5T ?R\< ! /EPPE1 & AS !Y *ATT$ TOGE!R  
!Y KEPT GLANC+ ON EV]Y SIDE ( !M4 ,!Y  
C\LD SEE = A GREAT DI/ANCE >\ND !M4  

,! /EPPE AT LA/ HAD COME TO AN 5D1 & !  
WAY LAY T[>DS A RAV9E BETWE5 TWO M\NTA9S4  

0,:AT >E Y\ LOOK+ AT8 ,LET US GO /RAI<T  
ON60 SAID ,KO/UIL94 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 DID NOT LI/5 TO  
HIM4  

0,NO10 SAID HE1 0Y\ JU/ WAIT BEL[ & ,I'LL GO  
UP & HAVE A LOOK R\ND40  

,& HE URG$ HIS HORSE TO ! LEFT UP ! M\NTA94  
,! HORSE B5EA? ,ZHIL9 WAS A GOOD HUNT] 7HE HAD  
B\<T IT FROM ! HORSE-FOLD :ILE /ILL A FOAL = A  
HUNDR$ RUBLES1 & HAD BROK5 IT 9 HIMSELF71 IT  
C>RI$ HIM UP ! /EEP ASC5T AS IF ON W+S4 ,HE  
NE$$ BUT A S+LE GLANCE >\ND -- !RE RI<T 9 FRONT  
( !M1 NOT A FURLONG AHEAD1 WAS A :OLE HEAP (  
,TAT>S1 ?IRTY M5 AT LEA/4 ,HE NO SOON] SAW !M  
?AN HE SET AB\T TURN+1 BUT ! ,TAT>S HAD SE5  
HIM TOO1 & PO/$ AFT] HIM1 DRAW+ !IR MUSKETS  
:ILE 9 FULL C>E]4 ,ZHIL9 GALLOP$ D[N ! SLOPE  
AS FA/ AS HIS HORSE'S LEGS C\LD C>RY HIM1 AT ! SAME  
TIME %\T+ TO ,KO/UIL9 3  

0,\T ) ! MUSKETS6 ,& Y\1 MY BEA UTY0 --  
HE WAS ?9K+ ( HIS HORSE -- 0Y\1 MY BEAUTY1 SPREAD  
Y\RSELF \T & DON'T KNOCK Y\R FOOT AGA9/  
ANY?+ = IF Y\ /UMBLE N[ WE'RE LO/4 ,LET  
ME BUT GET TO MY MUSKET1 & ,I'M HANG$ IF ,I  
SURR5D]40  

,BUT ,KO/UIL91 9/EAD ( WAIT+1 BOLT$ (F AT FULL  
SPE$ 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! =TRESS AS SOON AS HE  
BEHELD ! ,TAT>S4 ,HE LA%$ HIS HORSE FIR/ ON ONE  
SIDE & !N ON ! O!R4 ,ONLY ! /RONG SWEEP  
( H] TAIL WAS VISIBLE 9 ! DU/  

,ZHIL9 P]CEIV$ ?AT HE WAS 9 A BIT ( A HOLE4 ,HIS  
MUSKET WAS GONE1 & ) A SIMPLE %A%KA.<#a.> NO?+  
C\LD BE DONE4 ,HE DROVE HIS HORSE ON 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S -- !RE WAS JU/ A *ANCE  
( GETT+ AWAY4 ,HE SAW ?AT SIX ( !M W]E  
GALLOP+ AWAY TO CUT HIM (F4 ,HE HAD A GOOD HORSE  
UND] HIM1 BUT !Y HAD /ILL BETT]1 & !Y W]E  
RAC+ !IR H>DE/ TO B> HIS WAY4 ,HE BEGAN TO  
HESITATE1 WANT$ TO TURN 9 ANO!R DIRECTION1 BUT HIS  
HORSE HAD LO/ H] HEAD1 HE C\LDN'T CONTROL H]1 &  
%E WAS RU%+ RI<T UPON !M4 ,HE SAW APPROA*+ HIM ON A GRAY HORSE A ,TAT> ) A R$ BE>D4  
,! ,TAT> UTT]$ A %RILL CRY1 GNA%$ HIS TEE?1  
& HIS MUSKET WAS ALL READY4  

0,WELL10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0,I KN[ :AT Y\ >E1 Y\  
DEVILS1 IF Y\ TAKE ME ALIVE Y\'LL PUT ME 9 A DUNGEON  
& :IP ME4 ,I'LL NOT BE TAK5 ALIVE40  

,ZHIL9 WAS SMALL ( /ATURE1 BUT HE WAS BRAVE4  
,DRAW+ HIS %A%KA1 HE URG$ HIS HORSE /RAI<T UPON  
! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT>1 ?9K+ TO HIM SELF 3 0 ,I'LL EI!R RIDE D[N HIS HORSE OR FELL HIM ) MY  
%A%KA40  

,BUT ,ZHIL9 NEV] GOT UP TO ! ,TAT> HORSE4 ,!Y  
FIR$ UPON HIM FROM BEH9D ) !IR MUSKETS &  
ATTACK$ HIS HORSE4 ,HIS HORSE FELL TO ! GR\ND )  
A CRA%1 & ,ZHIL9 WAS ?R[N (F H] BACK4 ,HE TRI$  
TO RISE1 BUT TWO /RONG-SMELL+ ,TAT>S W]E ALREADY  
SITT+ UPON HIM & TWI/+ HIS >MS BEH9D HIS  
BACK4 ,HE WRI!D & TWI/$ & ?REW (F !  
,TAT>S1 BUT !N ?REE MORE LEAP$ (F !IR HORSES  
& SPRANG UPON HIM1 & BEGAN BEAT+ HIM AB\T !  
HEAD ) ! BUTT-5DS ( !IR MUSKETS4 ,IT GREW D>K  
BE=E HIS EYES1 & HE BEGAN TO FEEL FA9T4 ,!N !  
,TAT>S SEIZ$ HIM1 RIFL$ HIS SADDLE-BAGS1 FA/5$ HIS  
>MS BEH9D HIS BACK1 TY+ !M ) A ,TAT> KNOT1  
& DRAGG$ HIM TO ! SADDLE4 ,!Y SNAT*$ (F  
HIS HAT1 !Y PULL$ (F HIS BOOTS1 EXAM9$ EV]Y?+1  
EXTORT$ HIS MONEY & HIS WAT*1 & RIPP$ UP ALL  
HIS CLO!S4 ,ZHIL9 GLANC$ AT HIS HORSE4 ,%E1 HIS  
DE>LY-BELOV$ COMRADE1 LAY JU/ AS %E HAD FALL51  
ON H] BACK1 ) KICK+ FEET :I* VA9LY TRI$ TO  
REA* ! GR\ND4 ,!RE WAS A HOLE 9 H] HEAD1 &  
\T ( ?IS HOLE ! BLACK BLOOD GU%$ ) A HISS --  
= SEV]AL Y>DS >\ND ! DU/ WAS WET  

,ONE ( ! ,TAT>S W5T TO ! HORSE & PROCE$$  
TO TAKE ! SADDLE FROM H] BACK4 ,%E W5T ON  
KICK+ ALL ! TIME1 & HE DREW =? A KNIFE &  
CUT H] W9DPIPE4 ,!RE WAS A HISS+ S\ND FROM  
H] ?ROAT1 %E %IV]$ ALL 4OV]1 & ! BREA? (  
H] LIFE WAS GONE4  

,! ,TAT>S TOOK AWAY ! SADDLE & BRIDLE4 ,!  
,TAT> ) ! R$ BE>D M\NT$ HI S HORSE &  
! O!RS PUT ,ZHIL9 UP BEH9D HIM4 ,TO PREV5T HIM  
FALL+ (F !Y FA/5$ HIM BY A ?ONG TO ! ,TAT>'S  
BELT & L$ HIM AWAY 9TO ! M\NTA9S4  

,SO !RE SAT ,ZHIL9 BEH9D ! ,TAT>1 & AT  
EV]Y MOM5T HE WAS JOLT$ AGA9/1 & HIS V]Y NOSE  
CAME 9 CONTACT ) ! ,TAT>'S MALODOR\S BACK4  
,ALL ?AT HE C\LD SEE 9 FRONT ( HIM1 9DE$1 WAS  
! /URDY ,TAT>'S BACK1 HIS S9EWY1 %AV5 NECK  
/ICK+ \T ALL BLUI% FROM B5EA? HIS HAT4 ,ZHIL9'S  
HEAD WAS ALL BATT]$1 & ! BLOOD KEPT TRICKL+  
9TO HIS EYES4 ,& IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO RI<T  
HIMSELF ON HIS HORSE OR WIPE AWAY ! BLOOD4 ,HIS  
>MS W]E TWI/$ SO TI<TLY ?AT HIS V]Y COLL>-BONE  
WAS 9 DANG] ( BREAK+4  

,!Y TRAVEL$ = A LONG TIME FROM M\NTA9 TO  
M\NTA91 CROSS$ A =D1 DIV]G$ FROM ! ROAD1  
& 5T]$ A RAV9E4  

,ZHIL9 W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO HAVE M>K$ ! ROAD  
BY :I* !Y W]E TAK+ HIM1 BUT HIS EYES W]E  
CLOTT$ ) BLOOD & HE C\LDN'T TURN R\ND  
PROP]LY4  

,IT BEGAN TO GR[ D>K4 ,!Y CROSS$ YET ANO!R  
RIV] & BEGAN TO ASC5D A ROCKY M\NTA91 &  
!N CAME A SMELL ( SMOKE & ! B>K+ (  
DOGS6  

,AT LA/ !Y CAME TO ! AUL OR ,TAT> VILLAGE4 ,!  
,TAT>S DISM\NT$ FROM !IR HORSES & A CR[D (  
,TAT> *ILDR5 ASSEMBL$1 :O SURR\ND$ ,ZHIL91  
FELL A YELL+ & MAK+ M]RY1 & TOOK UP /ONES  
TO CA/ AT HIM4  

,! ,TAT> DROVE AWAY ! *ILDR51 TOOK ,ZHIL9 FROM  
HIS HORSE1 & CALL$ A WORKMAN4 ,UP CAME A H AT*ET-FAC$ ,NOGAETS.<#b.> CLAD ONLY 9 A %IRT1 & AS ! %IRT 
WAS TORN ! :OLE ( HIS BREA/ WAS B>E4 ,!  
,TAT> GAVE SOME ORD]S TO HIM4 ,! WORKMAN  
BR\<T A KOLODKA1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 TWO OAK5 BLOCKS  
FA/5$ TOGE!R BY IRON R+S1 & 9 ONE ( !  
R+S A CRAMP+ IRON & A LOCK4 ,!N !Y UNDID  
,ZHIL9'S H&S1 ATTA*$ ! KOLODKA TO HIS FEET1 L$  
HIM 9TO AN \?\SE1 ?RU/ HIM 9TO IT1 & FA/5$  
! DOOR4 ,ZHIL9 FELL UPON A DUNG-HEAP4 ,= A  
TIME HE LAY :]E HE FELL1 !N HE FUMBL$ HIS WAY  
9 ! D>K TO ! S(TE/ PLACE HE C\LD F9D1 & LAY  
D[N !RE4  

,I,I4 

,ZHIL9 SC>CELY SLEPT AT ALL DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,IT  
WAS ! SEASON ( %ORT NI<TS4 ,HE C\LD SEE IT  
GR[+ LI<T ?R\< A RIFT 9 ! WALL4 ,ZHIL9 >OSE1  
MADE ! RIFT A LITTLE BIGG]1 & LOOK$ \T4  

,?R\< ! RIFT ! HI< ROAD WAS VISIBLE GO+  
D[N ! M\NTA9-SIDE1 TO ! RI<T WAS A ,TAT>  
SAKLYAFT1.<#c.> ) TWO VILLAGES BESIDE IT4 ,A BLACK DOG  
LAY UPON ! ?RE%OLD1 A GOAT ) H] KIDS PASS$  
ALONG :ISK+ !IR TAILS4 ,HE SAW A ,TAT> MILKMAID  
COM+ D[N FROM ! M\NTA9S 9 A FL[]$-BELT$  
BL\SE1 TR\S]S & BOOTS1 ) H] HEAD COV]$  
BY A CAFTAN1 & ON H] HEAD A L>GE T9 KUV%9*IK4.<#d.> 
( WAT]4 ,%E WALK$ ) CURV$ BACK & HEAD  
B5T =W>D1 & L$ BY ! H& A LITTLE CLOSELY  
CROPP$ ,TAT> BOY 9 A LITTLE %IRT4  

,! ,TAT> GIRL TOOK ! WAT] TO ! SAKLYA1 &  
\T CAME ! ,TAT> ( YE/]DAY EV5+1 ) !  
R$ BE>D1 9 A SILK5 BE%MET.<#e.> ) SLIPP]S ON HIS  
NAK$ FEET & A SILV] KNIFE 9 HIS LEA!R GIRDLE4 ,ON  
HIS HEAD HE WORE A L(TY1 BLACK %EEPSK9 HAT1 FLATT5$  
D[N BEH9D4 ,HE CAME \T1 /RET*$ HIMSELF1 &  
/ROK$ HIS B\NTIFUL R$ BE>D4 ,HE /AY$ !RE =  
A :ILE1 GAVE SOME ORD]S TO HIS LABOR]1 & W5T  
(F SOME:I!R4  

,NEXT !RE PASS$ BY TWO *ILDR5 ON HORSES :I*  
!Y HAD JU/ WAT]$4 ,! HORSES' NOZZLES W]E  
WET4 ,!N SOME MORE CLOSELY CROPP$ Y\NG/]S  
RAN BY 9 NO?+ BUT %IRTS1 )\T HOSE1 & !Y  
COLLECT$ 9TO A GR\P1 W5T TO ! \?\SE1 TOOK UP  
A LONG TWIG & ?RU/ IT ?R\< ! RIFT 9 ! WAL,L  
,ZHIL9 GAVE SU* A %\T AT !M ?AT ! *ILDR5  
SCREAM$ 9 *ORUS & TOOK TO !IR HEELS1 A GLEAM (  
NAK$ LITTLE KNEES WAS ! LA/ ?AT WAS SE5 (  
!M4  

,BUT ,ZHIL9 WANT$ DR9K1 HIS ?ROAT WAS P>*$  
& DRY4 0 ,IF ONLY !Y W\LD COME TO EXAM9E ME10  
?\<T HE4 ,HE LI/5$ -- !Y W]E OP5+ !  
\?\SE4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> APPE>$1 & )  
HIM CAME ANO!R1 SMALL] 9 /ATURE1 A BLACKI% SORT  
( LITTLE MAN4 ,HIS EYES W]E BRI<T & BLACK1 HE  
WAS RUDDY & HAD A SMALL CROPP$ BE>D1 HIS FACE  
WAS M]RY1 HE WAS ALL SMILES4 ,! SW>?Y MAN WAS  
DRESS$ EV5 BETT] ?AN ! O!R2 HIS SILK5  
BE%MET WAS BLUE & TRIMM$ ) GALOON1 ! L>GE  
DAGG] 9 HIS BELT WAS ( SILV]1 HIS R$ MOROCCO  
SLIPP]S W]E ALSO TRIMM$ ) SILV]4 ,MO REOV]1 ?ICK \T] SLIPP]S COV]$ ! F9] 9N] ONES4 ,HE  
WORE A L(TY HAT ( :ITE LAMB'S-WOOL4  

,! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> CAME 9 & !RE WAS SOME  
CONV]SATION1 & APP>5TLY A DISPUTE BEGAN4 ,HE  
L5T HIS ELB[S ON ! GATE1 F+]$ HIS HANG]1 &  
GLANC$ FURTIVELY AT ,ZHIL9 LIKE A HUNGRY WOLF4 ,BUT  
! SW>?Y MAN -- HE WAS A QUICK1 LIVELY FELL[1 :O  
SEEM$ TO MOVE UPON SPR+S -- CAME /RAI<T UP TO  
,ZHIL91 SAT D[N ON HIS HEELS1 GR9N$1 %[+ ALL  
HIS TEE?1 PATT$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 & BEGAN TO  
JABB] SOME?+ 9 A PECULI> WAY ( HIS [N1 BL9K+  
HIS EYES1 CLICK+ ) HIS TONGUE1 & SAY+  
REPEAT$LY3  

0,KORO%O URUS6 ,KORO%O URUS60.<#f.> 

,ZHIL9 DID NOT UND]/& A WORD ( IT1 & ALL HE  
SAID WAS3  

0,I AM ?IR/Y1 GIVE ME A DR9K ( WAT]60  

,! SW>?Y MAN LAU<$4 0,KORO%O URUS60 HE  
SAID AGA9 -- 'BABBL+ AWAY 9 HIS [N PECULI>  
MANN]4  

,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO MAKE !M UND]/& BY A PANTOMIME ) HIS H&S & LIPS ?AT HE WANT$ SOME?+ TO DR9K4  

,! SW>?Y MAN UND]/OOD AT LA/1 W5T \T &  
CALL$ 3  

0,D9A6 ,D9A60  

,A V]Y ?91 SL5D] GIRL1 AB\T ?IRTE5 YE>S (  
AGE1 ) A FACE V]Y LIKE ! SW>?Y MAN'S1 !N  
APPE>$4 ,PLA9LY %E WAS ! SW>?Y MAN'S  
DAU<T]4 ,%E ALSO HAD BLACK SP>KL9 G EYES &  
A RUDDY COMPLEXION4 ,%E WAS DRESS$ 9 A LONG BLUE  
BL\SE ) :ITE SLEEVES & )\T A GIRDLE4 ,!  
FOLDS1 SLEEVES1 & BREA/ ( H] G>M5T W]E BEAUTIFULLY TRIMM$4 ,%E ALSO WORE TR\S]S & SLIPP]S1  
& ! 9N] SLIPP]S W]E PROTECT$ BY \T] SLIPP]S  
) HI< HEELS4 ,R\ND H] NECK %E WORE A NECKLACE ( ,RUSSIAN POLT9IKS.<#g.> ,H] HEAD WAS UNCOV]$1  
H] HAIR WAS BLACK1 & 9 H] HAIR WAS A RIBBON1  
FROM :I* DANGL$ A METALLIC PLAQUE & A SILV]  
RUBLE4  

,H] FA!R GAVE H] SOME ORD]S4 ,%E RAN \T1  
& RETURN$ AGA9 IMM$IATELY ) A T9 KUV%9*IK4.<#h.> ,%E H&$ ! WAT] TO ,ZHIL9 H]SELF1  
PLUMP+ D[N ON H] HEELS1 B5D+ RI<T =W>D  
SO ?AT H] %\LD]S W]E L[] ?AN H] KNEES4  
,!RE %E SAT1 />+ AT ,ZHIL9 ) WIDE-OP5 EYES  
AS HE DRANK1 JU/ AS IF HE W]E SOME WILD ANIMAL4  

,ZHIL9 GAVE ! KUV%9*IK BACK TO H]1 & BACK  
%E B\ND$ LIKE A WILD GOAT4 ,EV5 H] FA!R  
C\LDN'T HELP LAU<+4 ,!N HE S5T H] SOME:]E  
OR O!R4 ,%E TOOK ! KUV%9*IK1 RAN (F1 &  
CAME BACK ) SOME UNLEAV5$ BREAD ON A LITTLE  
R\ND PLATT]1 & AGA9 %E CR\*$ D[N1 ALL  
HUMP$ =W>D1 GAZ+ AT ,ZHIL9 ) ALL H] EYES4  

,!N ALL ! ,TAT>S W5T \T & CLOS$ ! DOOR  
BEH9D !M4  

,AFT] A LITTLE :ILE ! ,NOGAETS CAME TO ,ZHIL9 &  
SAID3  

0,COME ALONG1 MA/]6 COME ALONG60  

,HE ALSO DID NOT KN[ ,RUSSIAN4 ,IT WAS P LA9 TO ,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 ?AT HE WAS ORD]+ HIM TO COME  
SOME:I!R4  

,ZHIL9 FOLL[$ HIM1 /ILL WE>+ ! KOLODKA4 ,HE  
LIMP$ ALL ! WAY1 TO WALK WAS IMPOSSIBLE1 AS HE  
HAD CON/ANTLY TO TWI/ HIS FOOT TO ONE SIDE4 ,SO  
,ZHIL9 FOLL[$ ! ,NOGAETS \TSIDE4 ,HE SAW !  
,TAT> VILLAGE -- T5 H\SES1 ) !IR MOSQUE :I*  
HAD A T[]4 ,BE=E ONE H\SE /OOD ?REE SADDL$  
HORSES4 ,A T9Y BOY WAS HOLD+ !IR BRIDLES4 ,ALL  
AT ONCE ! SW>?Y MAN CAME LEAP+ \T ( HIS  
H\SE1 & WAV$ HIS H& TO ,ZHIL9 TO SIGNIFY TO HIM  
TO APPROA*4 ,! ,TAT> WAS SMIL+1 JABB]+ AFT]  
HIS FA%ION1 & QUICKLY DISAPPE>$ 9TO ! H\SE  
AGA94 ,ZHIL9 5T]$ ! H\SE4 ,! LIV+-ROOM  
WAS A GOOD ONE1 ! WALLS W]E ( SMOO?LY-POLI%$  
CLAY4 ,V>IEGAT$ PILL[S W]E PIL$ UP AGA9/ !  
FRONT ,WALL1 RI* C>PETS HUNG UP AT ! 5TRANCE ON  
EA* SIDE2 >MS ( V>I\S SORTS -- PI/OLS1 %A%KI1 ALL  
( SILV] -- W]E HANG+ ON ! C>PETS4 ,9 ONE CORN] 
WAS A LITTLE /OVE LEVEL ) ! GR\ND4 ,! E>!N  
FLOOR WAS AS CLEAN AS A ?RE%+-FLOOR1 ! FRONT CORN]  
WAS ALL COV]$ ) FELT1 ON ! FELT W]E C>PETS1  
& ON ! C>PETS S(T CU%IONS4 ,& ON ! C>PETS1  
9 NO?+ BUT !IR BA%MAKS.<#i.> SAT ! ,TAT>S -- !RE  
W]E FIVE ( !M1 ! R$-BE>D$ MAN1 ! SW>?Y  
MAN1 & ?REE GUE/S4 ,S(T BULG+ CU%IONS HAD  
BE5 PLAC$ BEH9D ! BACKS ( !M ALL1 & 9  
FRONT ( !M1 ON A SMALL PLATT]1 W]E BOLT]$ PANCAKES1 BEEF DI/RIBUT$ 9 LITTLE CUPS1 & ! ,TAT>  
BEV]AGE -- BUZA .<#a.>  -- 9 A KUV%9*IK4 ,!Y ATE )  
!IR H&S1 & ALL !IR H&S W]E 9 ! MEAT  

,! SW>?Y MAN LEAP$ TO HIS FEET1 & BADE ,ZHIL9  
SIT D[N AP>T1 NOT ON ! C>PET1 BUT ON ! B>E  
FLOOR2 !N HE W5T BACK TO HIS C>PET1 & REGAL$  
HIS GUE/S ) PANCAKES & BUZA4 ,! LABOR]  
MADE ,ZHIL9 SIT D[N 9 ! PLACE ASSIGN$ TO HIM1  
HE HIMSELF TOOK (F HIS \T] BA%MAKS1 PLAC$ !M  
SIDE BY SIDE AT ! DOOR1 :]E ! O!R BA%MAKS  
/OOD1 !N SAT D[N ON ! FELT NE>] TO HIS MA/]S2  
HE WAT*$ H[ !Y ATE1 & HIS M\? WAT]$ AS  
HE WIP$ IT ,:5 ! ,TAT>S HAD EAT5 ! PANCAKES1 A ,TAT> WOMAN APPE>$ 9 JU/ ! SAME SORT  
( BL\SE ?AT ! GIRL HAD WORN1 & 9 TR\S]S ALSO2  
H] HEAD WAS COV]$ ) A CLO?4  

,%E TOOK AWAY ! MEAT & ! PANCAKES1 &  
BR\<T R\ND A GOOD WA%+ VESSEL1 & A KUV%9  
) A V]Y N>R[ SP\T ,! ,TAT>S !N BEGAN  
WA%+ !IR H&S1 !N !Y FOLD$ !IR >MS1  
SQUATT$ D[N ON !IR KNEES1 BEL*$ 9 EV]Y  
DIRECTION1 & RECIT$ PRAY]S4 ,!N !Y TALK$  
AMONG !MSELVES4 ,F9ALLY1 ONE ( ! GUE/S TURN$  
T[>DS ,ZHIL91 & BEGAN TO SPEAK 9 ,RUSSIAN4  

0,KAZI ,MU'HAMM$ TOOK !E10 SAID HE1 PO9T+ TO  
! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT>1 0& HAS SOLD !E TO ,ABDUL  
,MURAD10 & HE 9DICAT$ ! SW>?Y ,TAT>4 0,ABDUL  
,MURAD IS N[ ?Y MA/]40  

,ZHIL9 WAS SIL5T  

,!N ,ABDUL ,MURAD BEGAN TO SPEAK1 & KEPT ON  
PO9T+ AT ,ZHIL91 & LAU<$ & SAID1 SEV]AL TIMES1  
0,SOLDAT URUS6 ,KORO%O URUS60.<#a#a.> 

,! 9T]PRET] SAID 3  

0,HE BIDS !E WRITE A LETT] HOME 9 ORD] ?AT  
!Y MAY S5D A RANSOM = !E4 ,AS SOON AS !Y  
S5D ! MONEY1 ?\ %ALT BE SET FREE40  

,ZHIL9 ?\<T = A MOM5T1 & !N SAID 3  

0,H[ MU* RANSOM DOES HE REQUIRE80  

,! ,TAT>S TALK$ AMONG !MSELVES1 & !N !  
9T]PRET] SAID3  

0,?REE ?\S& MONEYS40  

0,NO10 SAID ,ZHIL91 0,I CANNOT PAY ?AT0  

,ABDUL />T$ UP & BEGAN WAV+ HIS H&S1 &  
SAID SOME?+ TO ,ZHIL9 -- !Y ALL ?\<T HE UND]/OOD4 ,! 9T]PRET] 9T]PRET$1 SAY+3  

0,H[ MU* WILT ?\ GIVE8 0  

,ZHIL9 REFLECT$1 & !N SAID1 0,FIVE HUNDR$  
RUBLES40  

,AT ?IS ! ,TAT>S *ATT]$ A GREAT DEAL & ALL  
TOGE!R4 ,ABDUL BEGAN TO SCREE* AT ! R$-BE>D$  
,TAT>1 & GOT SO EXCIT$ ?AT ! SPITTLE TRICKL$  
FROM HIS M\?4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> ONLY BL9K$  
HIS EYES & CLICK$ ) HIS TONGUE4  

,!N !Y W]E SIL5T AGA91 & ! 9T]PRET]  
SAID3  

0,?Y MA/] ?9KS A RANSOM ( FIVE HUNDR$  
RUBLES TOO LITTLE4 ,HE HIMSELF PAID TWO HUNDR$ RUBLES  
= !E4 ,KAZI ,MUHAMM$ [$ HIM ?AT1 & HE  
TOOK !E 9 DIS*>GE ( ! DEBT4 ,?REE ?\S&  
RUBLES IS ! LEA/ !Y WILL LET !E GO =4 ,& IF  
?\ DO/ NOT WRITE !Y WILL PUT !E 9 ! DUNGEON  
& PUNI% !E ) SC\RG+40  

0,:AT AM ,I TO DO ) !M8 ?IS IS EV5 WORSE  
?AN ,I ?\<T10 SAID ,ZHIL9 TO HIMSELF4 ,!N HE  
LEAP$ TO HIS FEET & SAID1  

0,TELL HIM1 ?\ DOG1 ?AT IF HE WANTS TO FRI<T5  
ME1 ,I WON'T GIVE HIM A KOPECK1 NEI!R WILL ,I WRITE  
AT ALL ,I HAVE NEV] FE>$1 & ,I WILL NOT FE> Y\  
N[1 Y\ DOG40  

,! 9T]PRET] 9T]PRET$1 & AGA9 !Y ALL  
BEGAN TALK+ AT ONCE4  

,= A LONG TIME !Y DEBAT$1 & !N ! SW>?Y  
MAN LEAP$ TO HIS FEET & CAME TO ,ZHIL94  

0,URUS 6 0 SAID HE1 0DZHIGET1 DZHIGET URUS60 -- &  
!N HE LAU<$4  

0,DZHIGET0 9 !IR LANGUAGE SIGNIFIES 0Y\?40  

,!N HE SAID SOME?+ TO ! 9T]PRET]1 &  
! 9T]PRET] SAID3 0,GIVE A ?\S& RUBLES60  

,ZHIL9 /OOD TO HIS GUNS4 0,MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$  
,I WILL NOT GIVE10 SAID HE4 0,Y\ MAY KILL ME IF Y\  
LIKE1 BUT Y\'LL GET NO MORE \T ( ME40  

,! ,TAT>S FELL A TALK+ TOGE!R AGA91 !N !Y  
S5T \T ! LABOR] = SOMEONE1 & KEPT LOOK+  
AT ! DOOR & AT ,ZHILIA ,PRES5TLY ! WORKMAN  
CAME BACK & BR\<T ) HIM A MAN -- /\T1 B>ELEGG$1 & *E]Y-LOOK+1 HE ALSO HAD A KOLODKA  
FA/5$ TO HIS LEG4  

,!N ,ZHIL9 SI<$ 9DE$1 = HE RECOGNIZ$  
,KO/UIL94 ,SO !Y HAD TAK5 HIM TOO !N6 ,!  
,TAT>S PLAC$ !M SIDE BY SIDE1 !Y BEGAN TALK+  
TO EA* O!R1 & ! ,TAT>S W]E SIL5T & LOOK$  
ON4 ,ZHIL9 RELAT$ H[ IT HAD F>$ ) HIM1  
,KO/UIL9 TOLD HIM ?AT HIS HORSE HAD SUNK UND]  
HIM1 ?AT HIS MUSKET HAD MISS$ FIRE1 & ?AT ?AT  
SELFSAME ,ABDUL HAD *AS$ & CAPTUR$ HIM4  

,ABDUL LEAP$ TO HIS FEET1 PO9T$ AT ,KO/UIL91 &  
SAID SOME?+4 ,! 9T]PRET] 9T]PRET$ ?AT !Y BO? ( !M HAD N[ ONE MA/]1 & :I*EV]  
( !M PAID UP FIR/ %\LD BE RELEAS$ FIR/4  

0,LOOK N[10 SAID HE TO ,ZHIL91 0?\ MAKE/ SU*  
A TO DO1 BUT ?Y COMRADE TAKES IT QUIETLY2 HE HAS  
WRITT5 A LETT] HOME TELL+ !M TO S5D FIVE  
?\S& RUBLES4 ,LOOK N[6 HE %ALL BE F$ WELL  
& %ALL BE RESPECT$40  

0,MY COMRADE CAN DO AS HE LIKES10 SAID ,ZHIL91  
0NO D\BT HE IS RI*1 BUT ,I AM NOT RI*4 ,:AT ,I  
HAVE SAID ?AT WILL ,I DO4 ,Y\ MAY KILL ME IF Y\  
LIKE1 BUT Y\ WILL GET LITTLE PR(IT \T ( ?AT -- ,I WILL  
NOT WRITE = MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES40  

,!Y W]E SIL5T = A :ILE4 ,SUDD5LY ,ABDUL  
LEAP$ UP & PRODUC$ A SMALL C(F]1 TOOK \T A  
P51 A PIECE ( PAP] & 9K1 =C$ !M UPON  
,ZHIL91 TAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 &1 PO9T+ TO  
!M1 SAID3 0,WRITE 60 ,HE HAD AGRE$ TO TAKE FIVE  
HUNDR$ RUBLES4  

0,WAIT A BIT10 SAID ,ZHIL9 TO ! 9T]PRET]2 0TELL  
HIM ?AT HE MU/ FE$ US WELL1 CLO! & %OE US  
DEC5TLY1 & LET US BE TOGE!R -- WE %ALL BE HAPPI]  
!N -- & TAKE (F ! KOLODKA0 ,HE HIMSELF !N  
LOOK$ AT HIS MA/] & LAU<$4 ,& HIS MA/]  
LAU<$ LIKEWISE4 ,HE HE>D ! 9T]PRET] \T1 &  
!N SAID3 0,I WILL GIVE Y\ ! BE/ ( CLO?+1 A  
,CIRCASSIAN CO/UME & GOOD BOOTS -- Y\ MI<T BE  
M>RI$ 9 !M4 ,& ,I'LL FE$ Y\ LIKE PR9CES4  
,& IF Y\ WANT TO DWELL TOGE!R -- WELL1 Y\ CAN  
DWELL 9 ! \?\SE4 ,I CAN'T TAKE (F ! KOLODKA --  
Y\ W\LD RUN AWAY4 ,ONLY AT NI<T CAN ,I TAKE IT  
(F40 ,!N HE RU%$ =W>D & TAPP$ HIM ON  
! %\LD] -- 0,?Y GOOD IS MY GOOD60 SAID HE4  

,!N ,ZHIL9 WROTE ! LETT]1 & HE WROTE NO  
ADDRESS ON ! LETT]1 SO ?AT IT %\LD NOT GO4 ,BUT  
HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF3 
  
0,I'LL RUN AWAY40  

,!N !Y L$ AWAY ,ZHIL9 & ,KO/UIL9 TO !  
\?\SE1 BR\<T !M MAIZE-/RAW TO SPREAD ON !  
GR\ND1 WAT] 9 A KUV%91 BREAD1 TWO OLD ,CIRCASSIAN  
CO/UMES1 & TWO PAIRS ( TATT]$ MILIT>Y BOOTS4  
,!Y HAD PLA9LY BE5 TAK5 FROM (F ! FEET (  
SLA9 SOLDI]S4 ,AT NI<T !Y TOOK (F !IR KOLODKI  
& FA/5$ ! DOOR4  

,I,I,I4 

,ZHIL9 & HIS COMRADE LIV$ !RE = A :OLE  
MON?4 ,& ,ZHIL9'S MA/] WAS AS RADIANT AS EV]4  
0,IVAN10 HE W\LD SAY LAU<+1 0?Y GOOD IS MY  
GOOD -- ,ABDUL'S GOOD0 ,!Y W]E BADLY F$ ALL !  
SAME1 GETT+ NO?+ BUT UNLEAV5$ BREAD1 MADE  
FROM 9DIFF]5T MEAL1 & T\< & D\<Y HE>?-CAKES4  

,KO/UIL9 WROTE HOME ONCE MORE1 & WAIT$ =  
! MONEY TO BE S5T1 9 UTT] WE>9ESS4 ,! :OLE  
DAY !Y SAT 9 ! \?\SE & C\NT$ ! DAYS  
IT W\LD TAKE ! LETT] TO >RIVE1 OR ELSE !Y SLEPT  
,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 KNEW V]Y WELL ?AT HIS LETT] W\LD  
NOT >RIVE1 & HE DID NOT WRITE ANO!R4  

0,:]E ,I %\LD LIKE TO KN[10 ?\<T HE1 0 W\LD  
MY MO!R BE ABLE TO SCRAPE TOGE!R SO MU* MONEY  
TO PAY ME \T8 ,IT WAS AS MU* AS %E C\LD DO TO  
LIVE ON :AT ,I S5T H]4 ,IF %E HAD TO COLLECT FIVE  

! FLOOR1 & !N SAT D[N & LOOK$ AT ,ZHIL91 &  
SMIL+ ALL OV]1 KEPT PO9T+ AT ! PIT*]4  

0,:Y IS %E SO DELI<T$80 ?\<T ,ZHIL94 ,!N  
HE TOOK UP ! PIT*] & BEGAN TO DR9K ,HE  
?\<T IT WAS WAT]1 BUT IT WAS MILK4 ,HE DRANK ALL  
! MILK4 0,KHORO%O60.<#a#b.> SAID HE4 ,H[ REJOIC$  
,D9A WAS !N6  

0,KHORO%O1 ,IVAN1 ,KHORO%O10 %E REPEAT$1 &  
LEAP+ TO H] FEET1 %E CLAPP$ H] H&S1 SNAT*$  
UP ! PIT*]1 & RAN (F4  

,& FROM !NCE=? %E1 EV]Y DAY1 BR\<T HIM  
SOME MILK PRIVATELY4 ,N[ ! ,TAT>S US$ TO MAKE  
*EESE-CAKES \T ( GOATS' MILK & DRI$ !M ON  
!IR RO(S1 & !SE *EESE-CAKES %E ALSO SUPPLI$  
HIM ) SECRETLY4 ,& ONCE1 :5 ! MA/] (  
! H\SE SLAU<T]$ A %EEP1 %E BR\<T HIM A BIT  
( MUTTON 9 H] SLEEVE1 FLUNG IT D[N BE=E HIM &  
RAN (F4  

,OCCASIONALLY !RE W]E HEAVY /ORMS1 & !  
RA9 P\R$ D[N = A :OLE H\R AS IF \T ( A  
BUCKET1 & ALL ! /REAMS GREW TURBID & OV]FL[$4 ,:]E !RE HAD BE5 A =D !RE WAS !N  
?REE >%9S.<#a#c.> ( WAT]1 & ! /ONES W]E :IRL$  
FROM !IR PLACES4 ,/REAMS !N FL[$ EV]Y:]E1  
& !RE WAS A DI/ANT RO> 9 ! M\NTA9S4 ,&  
SO :5 ! /ORM HAD PASS$ OV]1 ! :OLE VILLAGE  
WAS FULL ( WAT]C\RSES4 ,AFT] ONE ( !SE /ORMS  
,ZHIL9 ASK$ HIS MA/] TO L5D HIM A KNIFE1 C>V$  
\T A LITTLE CYL9D] & A LITTLE BO>D1 ATTA*$ A  
:EEL TO !M1 & FA/5$ A PUPPET AT EA* 5D (  
! :EEL4  

,! GIRLS !REUPON BR\<T HIM RAGS1 & HE  
DRESS$ UP ONE ( HIS PUPPETS AS A MAN & ! O!R  
AS A WOMAN1 FA/5$ !M WELL 91 & PLAC$ !  
:EEL 9 ! /REAM1 :]EUPON ! :EEL TURN$ &  
! PUPPETS LEAP$ UP & D[N4  

,! :OLE VILLAGE ASSEMBL$ TO LOOK AT !M4  
,! LITTLE BOYS CAME1 & ! LITTLE GIRLS & !  
WOM51 & AT LA/ ! ,TAT>S !MSELVES1 & !Y  
CLICK$ !IR TONGUES & SAID3 0,AYE6 ,URUS6 AYE1  
,IVAN60  

,N[ ,ABDUL HAD SOME BROK5 ,RUSSIAN WAT*ES4  
,HE CALL$ ,ZHIL91 PO9T$ AT !SE WAT*ES1 &  
CLICK$ ) HIS TONGUE4 ,ZHIL9 SAID3  

0,GIVE !M TO ME1 & ,I'LL REPAIR !M60  

,HE TOOK !M TO PIECES ) ! HELP ( HIS KNIFE1  
EXAM9$ !M1 PUT !M TOGE!R AGA91 &  
RETURN$ !M TO !IR [N]4 ,! WAT*ES W]E  
N[ GO+4  

,ZHIL9'S MA/] WAS GREATLY DELI<T$ AT ?IS1 &  
BR\<T HIM HIS OLD BE%MET1 :I* WAS ALL 9 RAGS1  
& GAVE IT TO HIM TO M5D4 ,:AT C\LD ,ZHIL9 DO  
BUT TAKE & M5D IT -- & ! SAME NI<T ITS [N]  
WAS ABLE TO COV] HIMSELF ) IT4  

,FROM H5CE=? ,ZHIL9 HAD ! REPUTATION ( A  
MA/]-CRAFTSMAN4 ,! PEOPLE US$ N[ TO COME TO  
HIM FROM DI/ANT VILLAGES2 ONE S5T HIS MAT*LOCK OR  
HIS PI/OL TO ,ZHIL9 TO BE M5D$1 ANO!R S5T HIS  
WAT* OR CLOCK4 ,HIS MA/] EV5 GAVE HIM V>I\S  
UT5SILS TO M5D1 SU* AS SNUFF]S1 GIMLETS1 & O!R  
?+S4  

,ONCE ONE ( ! ,TAT>S FELL ILL1 & !Y S5T =  
,ZHIL9 TO SEE HIM4  

0,COME & CURE HIM6 0 SAID !Y4  

,N[ ,ZHIL9 KNEW NO?+ AT ALL AB\T CUR+4  
,NEV]!LESS1 HE W5T1 LOOK$ AT ! MAN1 &  
?\<T3 0,:O KN[S1 P]HAPS HE MAY GET WELL BY  
HIMSELF60 ,SO HE W5T BACK TO ! \?\SE1 GOT  
WAT] & S&1 & MIX$ !M BO? TOGE!R4  
,!N HE :ISP]$ SOME?+ OV] ! WAT] 9 !  
,TAT>'S PRES5CE & GAVE HIM ! MIXTURE TO DR9K4  
,=TUNATELY = HIM ! ,TAT> RECOV]$4 ,!N  
,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO /& V]Y HI< 9DE$ 9 !IR  
OP9ION4 ,& !SE ,TAT>S1 :O HAD GOT US$ TO HIM1  
US$ TO CRY1 0,IVAN6 ,IVAN60 :5EV] !Y WANT$  
HIM1 & ALL ( !M TREAT$ HIM AS IF HE W]E SOME  
PET DOME/IC ANIMAL4  

,BUT ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> DID NOT LIKE ,ZHIL94  
,:5EV] HE SAW HIM HE W\LD FR[N & TURN AWAY1  
EV5 IF HE DIDN'T SCOLD HIM \TRI<T4 ,N[ !SE  
,TAT>S HAIL AN OLD *IEF :O DID NOT LIVE 9 ! AUL  
BUT UP 9 ! M\NTA9S4 ,! ONLY TIME :5 HE  
SAW ,ZHIL9 WAS :5 HE CAME TO PRAY TO ,GOD 9 !  
MOSQUE4 ,HE WAS SMALL 9 /ATURE1 & A :ITE H&K]*IEF WAS ALWAYS W\ND >\ND HIS TURBAN1 HIS  
BE>D & MU/A*ES W]E CLIPP$ %ORT & AS  
:ITE AS D[N1 HIS FACE WAS R$ LIKE A BRICK &  
WR9KL$4 ,HE HAD ! CURV$ NOSE ( A VULTURE1 GRAY  
EVIL EYES1 & NO TEE?1 EXCEPT A C\PLE ( FANGS4  
,HE US$ TO COME 9 HIS TURBAN1 LEAN+ ON HIS  
CRUT*1 & GL>+ AB\T HIM LIKE AN OLD WOLF4  
,:5EV] HE SAW ,ZHIL9 HE BEGAN TO SN>L &  
TURN$ AWAY4  

,ONCE ,ZHIL9 W5T UP ! M\NTA9 TO SEE H[ !  
OLD *IEF LIV$4 ,AS HE W5T ALONG A LITTLE PA? HE  

SAW A LITTLE G>D5 SURR\ND$ BY A /ONE F5CE )  
WILD *]RY & PEA* TREES LOOK+ OV] IT1 & 9SIDE  
A LITTLE HUT ) A FLAT RO(4 ,ZHIL9 APPROA*$ NE>]1  
& !N HE SAW BEEHIVES MADE ( PLAIT$ /RAW --  
ULUI !Y CALL$ !M -- & ! BEES FLY+ AB\T  
& HUMM+4 ,& ! LITTLE OLD MAN WAS ON HIS  
T9Y KNEES DO+ SOME?+ TO ! HIVES4 ,ZHIL9  
RAIS$ HIMSELF A LITTLE HI<] TO HAVE A BETT] LOOK1  
& HIS KOLODKA GRAT$4 ,! LITTLE OLD MAN LOOK$  
R\ND & :9$ AL\D1 !N HE DREW A PI/OL \T  
( HIS GIRDLE & FIR$ PO9T-BLANK AT ,ZHIL94 ,AFT]  
FIR+ HE HID BEH9D A /ONE4  

,NEXT MORN+ ! OLD MAN CAME D[N TO ,ZHIL9'S  
MA/] TO COMPLA9 ( HIM4 ,ZHIL9'S MA/] CALL$ HIM  
& SAID TO HIM ) A LAU<3  

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

0,I DID HIM NO H>M10 SAID ,ZHIL94 0,I ONLY WANT$  
TO SEE H[ HE LIV$40  

,ZHIL9'S MA/] 9T]PRET$4  

,! OLD MAN WAS V]Y ANGRY H[EV]4 ,HE HISS$  
& GABBL$1 & HIS TWO FANGS PROTRUD$1 & HE  
%OOK HIS FI/ AT ,ZHIL94  

,ZHIL9 DID NOT UND]/& IT AT ALL4 ,ALL HE UND]/OOD WAS ?AT ! OLD MAN BADE HIS MA/] KILL ALL  
! ,RUSSIANS & NOT KEEP ANY ( !M 9 ! AUL4  
,F9ALLY1 ! OLD MAN W5T AWAY4  

,ZHIL9 N[ BEGAN TO ASK HIS MA/] :O ! LITTLE  
OLD MAN WAS1 & ?IS IS :AT HIS MA/] TOLD HIM4  

0,?AT IS A GREAT MAN4 ,HE WAS \R =EMO/  
ZHIGIT.<#a#d.> & HAS KILL$ MANY ,RUSSIANS2 HE IS ALSO RI*4  
,ONCE HE HAD EI<T SONS1 & !Y ALL DWELT TOGE!R 9 ONE VILLAGE4 ,! ,RUSSIANS CAME1 DE/ROY$ !  
VILLAGE1 & SLEW SEV5 ( HIS SONS4 ,ONE SON ONLY  
REMA9$1 & HE SURR5D]$ TO ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,!N  
! OLD MAN W5T AWAY1 & SURR5D]$ HIMSELF ALSO TO  
! ,RUSSIANS4 ,HE LIV$ ) !M = ?REE MON?S1  
F\ND \T :]E HIS SON WAS1 SLEW HIM1 & RAN AWAY4  
,FROM !NCE=? HE R5\NC$ W>F>E & W5T  
TO ,MECCA -- TO PRAY TO ,GOD4 ,H5CE HE HAS HIS TURBAN4  
,:OEV] HAS BE5 TO ,MECCA IS CALL$ ,HAJJI1 &  
MAY PUT ON A TURBAN4 ,HE DOES NOT LOVE ?Y BRO!R4.<#a#e.>  
,HE BADE ME SLAY !E1 BUT ,I WILL NOT SLAY !E1 BECAUSE  
,I WANT TO MAKE MONEY \T ( !E2 &1 BESIDES1 ,I  
HAVE BEGUN TO LOVE !E1 ,IVAN1 & SO F> FROM KILL+  
!E1 ,I W\LD NOT LET !E GO AWAY AT ALL IF ,I HADN'T  
GIV5 MY WORD UPON IT40 ,HE LAU<$1 & !N HE  
ADD$ 9 ,RUSSIAN3 0,! WELF>E ( !E1 ,IVAN1 IS !  
WELF>E ( ME1 ,ABDUL60  

,I,V4 

,SO ,ZHIL9 LIV$ LIKE ?IS = A MON?4 ,9 ! DAYTIME HE W5T AB\T ! AUL1 OR MADE ALL SORTS (  
?+S ) HIS H&S1 & :5 NI<T CAME1 & ALL  
WAS SIL5T 9 ! AUL1 HE BEGAN DIGG+ 9SIDE HIS \?\SE4 ,DIGG+ WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE ( ! ROCK1 BUT  
HE FRETT$ AWAY ! ROCK ) A FILE1 & DUG A HOLE  
UND] ! WALL1 ?R\< :I*1 AT ! PROP] TIME1  
HE MEANT TO CRAWL4  

0,IF ONLY ,I KNEW ! PLACE FAIRLY WELL10 HE SAID TO  
HIMSELF1 0IF ONLY ,I KNEW 9 :I* DIRECTION TO GO4  
,BUT ! ,TAT>S NEV] GIVE !MSELVES AWAY40  

,ONE DAY HE *OSE A TIME :5 HIS MA/] HAD  
GONE AWAY1 & AFT] D9N] HE W5T UP ! M\NTA9  
BEH9D ! AUL -- HE WANT$ TO SURVEY ! :OLE PLACE  
FROM !NCE4 ,BUT :5 HIS MA/] W5T AWAY HE  
HAD COMM&$ A LAD TO FOLL[ ,ZHIL9 :]EV] HE  
W5T & NOT LOSE SI<T ( HIM4 ,SO ! Y\NG/]  
RAN AFT] ,ZHIL91 & CRI$3 0,DON'T GO6 ,FA!R  
DIDN'T TELL Y\ TO4 ,I'LL CALL ! PEOPLE ?IS 9/ANT40  

,ZHIL9 SET AB\T P]SUAD+ HIM4  

0,I'M NOT GO+ F>10 SAID HE1 0,I ONLY WANT TO CLIMB  
?AT M\NTA9 !RE4 ,I WANT TO F9D H]BS TO CURE  
Y\R PEOPLE4 ,COME ) ME6 ,I CAN'T RUN AWAY  
) ?IS KOLODKA ON MY LEG4 ,& TO-MORR[ ,I'LL  
MAKE Y\ A B[ & >R[S40  

,SO HE P]SUAD$ ! LAD & !Y W5T TOGE!R4  
,! M\NTA9 DID NOT SEEM F>1 BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT  
GO+ ) ! KOLODKA2 HE W5T ON & ON & IT  
TAX$ HIS UTMO/ /R5G?4 ,:EH HE GOT TO !  
SUMMIT ,ZHIL9 SAT D[N TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT !  
PLACE4 ,TO ! S\?1 BEH9D ! \?\SE WAS A  
GULLY1 A TABUN.<#a#f.> WAS ROAM+ ALONG !RE1 & ANO!R  
AUL WAS VISIBLE AS A T9Y PO9T4 ,BEYOND ?IS AUL  
WAS ANO!R & /ILL /EEP] M\NTA91 & BEH9D  
?IS M\NTA9 YET ANO!R4 ,BETWE5 ! M\NTA9S  
WAS ! BLUE \TL9E ( A WOOD1 & !RE C\LD BE  
SE5 O!R M\NTA9S1 RIS+ HI<] & HI<]4  
,& HI<] ?AN ALL1 AS :ITE AS SUG>1 /OOD  
YET O!R M\NTA9S COV]$ ) SN[4 ,& ONE  
SN[Y M\NTA9 ) A CAP ON /OOD \T HI<] ?AN  
ALL ! RE/4 ,ON ! EA/ & ON ! WE/ W]E  
SIMIL> M\NTA9S2 H]E & !RE SMOK+ AULS C\LD BE SE5 9 ! RAV9ES4 0,WELL10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0ALL  
?AT IS !IR P>T ( ! C\NTRY40 ,!N HE BEGAN  
LOOK+ T[>DS ! ,RUSSIAN SIDE -- AT HIS FEET W]E  
! /REAM1 HIS [N AUL1 & LITTLE G>D5S ALL >\ND4 
,BY ! /REAM1 LIKE SO MANY LITTLE PUPPETS1 ! WOM5  
W]E SITT+ & R9S+ CLO!S4 ,BEH9D ! AUL1  
SOME:AT L[] D[N1 WAS A M\NTA9 ) TWO  
O!R M\NTA9S 9 BETWE51 & AFT] ?AT CAME  
WOODS2 & BETWE5 ! TWO M\NTA9S1 LOOK+  
BLUE 9 ! DI/ANCE1 WAS A LEVEL SPACE1 & F>1 F>  
AWAY 9 ?IS LEVEL SPACE SOME SMOKE WAS RIS+4  
,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO REMEMB] :]E ! SUN US$ TO RISE  
& :]E IT US$ TO SET :5 HE LIV$ AT HOME 9  
! =TRESS4 ,& !N HE SAW ?AT 0\R0.<#a#g.>  =TRESS  
MU/ NE$S BE ON ?AT V]Y PLA94 ,?I!R1 !N1  
BETWE5 ! TWO M\NTA9S1 HIS FLI<T MU/ LIE4  

,! SUN WAS BEG9N+ TO SET4 ,! SN[-COV]$  
M\NTA9S TURN$ FROM :ITE TO ROSY R$2 ! BLACK  
M\NTA9S GREW D>K]2 ! MI/ BEGAN TO ASC5D  
FROM ! GULLIES1 & ?AT V]Y VALLEY 9 :I* !  
,RUSSIAN =TRESS NE$S MU/ BE GL[$ LIKE A FIRE 9  
! DI/ANT ,WE/4 ,ZHIL9 LOOK$ /EADILY 9 ?AT  
DIRECTION -- SOME?+ WAS DIMLY VISIBLE 9 ! VALLEY  
LIKE SMOKE FROM A TUBE4 ,& HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF  
?AT MU/ BE ! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS ITSELF4  

,IT WAS GETT+ LATE4 ,! CRY ( ! MULLAH C\LD  
BE HE>D FROM :]E !Y W]E4 ,! FLOCKS W]E  
BE+ DRIV5 HOMEW>D1 ! C[S W]E L[+4 ,!  
LITTLE LAD KEPT ON SAY+ 3 0,LET'S BE GO+60 BUT  
,ZHIL9 DID NOT WANT TO GO4  

,AT LA/1 H[EV]1 !Y TURN$ HOMEW>D4 0,WELL10 ?\<T ,ZHIL91 0AT ANY RATE ,I KN[ ! PLACE N[1  
& MU/ MAKE A BOLT = IT40 ,HE W\LD HAVE LIK$  
TO HAVE ESCAP$ ?AT V]Y NI<T4 ,! NI<TS JU/  
!N W]E D>K -- ! MOON WAS ON ! WANE4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 ! ,TAT>S RETURN$ ?AT V]Y EV5+4  
,!Y US$ TO COME 9 DRIV+ CAPTUR$ CATTLE BE=E  
!M 9 A M]RY MOOD2 BUT ON ?IS OCCASION !Y  
DROVE 9 NO?+ AT ALL1 & BR\<T ALONG ) !M  
ON HIS SADDLE A SLA9 ,TAT>1 ! BRO!R ( ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT>4 ,!Y >RIV$ V]Y WRA?FUL1 &  
GA!R$ TOGE!R TO BURY !IR COMRADE4 ,ZHIL9 ALSO  
CAME \T TO SEE :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,!Y WRAPP$  
! CORPSE 9 A PIECE ( CLO? )\T A C(F91 !N  
!Y PLAC$ IT ON ! GRASS 9 ! MIDDLE ( !  
VILLAGE UND] A PLANE-TREE4 ,! MULLAH >RIV$1 &  
!Y ALL SQUATT$ D[N TOGE!R ON !IR HEELS 9  
FRONT ( ! CORPSE4  

,! MULLAH WAS 9 FRONT1 BEH9D HIM SAT ! ?REE  
VILLAGE ELD]S 9 !IR TURBANS1 & 9 A R[ ) &  
BEH9D !M SOME MORE ,TAT>S4 ,!RE !Y SAT )  
DEJECT$ EYES & 9 SIL5CE4 ,! SIL5CE LA/$ = A  
LONG TIME1 & !N ! MULLAH RAIS$ HIS HEAD &  
SPOKE3  

0,ALLAH60 HE SAID4 ,IT WAS ! ONLY WORD HE SPOKE  
-- & ONCE MORE !Y ALL CA/ D[N !IR EYES &  
W]E SIL5T = A LONG TIME4 ,!Y SAT !RE )\T  
/IRR+4 ,AGA9 ! MULLAH RAIS$ HIS VOICE3  

0,ALLAH60  

0,ALLAH60!Y ALL REPEAT$1 & W]E AGA9 SIL5T  
,! DEAD MAN WAS LY+ ON ! GRASS1 HE MOV$ NOT1  
& !Y ALL SAT R\ND HIM LIKE DEAD M54 ,NOT ONE  
( !M /IRR$4 ,! ONLY ?+ TO BE H E>D WAS ! QUIV]+ ( ! T9Y LEAVES ( ! PLANE-TREE  
9 ! LI<T BREEZE4 ,!N ! MULLAH RECIT$ !  
PRAY]1 & !Y ALL /OOD UP1 RAIS$ ! DEAD MAN1  
& C>RI$ HIM AWAY4 ,!Y C>RI$ HIM TO !  
GRAVE4 ,! GRAVE WAS NOT SIMPLY DUG \T BUT  
BURR[$ UND]NEA? ! GR\ND LIKE A CELL>4 ,!Y  
LIFT$ ! DEAD MAN B5EA? ! %\LD]S & UND]  
! LEGS1 B5T HIM A LITTLE 9W>DS1 & SL[LY LET HIM  
GO1 ?RU/+ HIM 9 UND] ! E>? 9 A SITT+  
POSITION1 & PULL+ HIS >MS /RAI<T D[N CLOSE TO  
HIS BODY4  

,! ,NOGAETS !N BR\<T GRE5 RU%ES & FILL$  
UP ! HOLE !RE)1 /REW$ IT ) FRE% E>?1  
MADE IT LEVEL1 & PLAC$ AT ! HEAD ( ! DEAD MAN  
AN UPRI<T /ONE4 ,!N !Y /AMP$ D[N !  
E>?1 AGA9 SAT !M R\ND AB\T ! GRAVE1 & W]E  
= A LONG TIME SIL5T4  

0,ALLAH6 ,ALLAH6 ,ALLAH60 ,& !Y SI<$  
DEEPLY & /OOD UP4  

,! R$-BE>D$ MAN DI/RIBUT$ MONEY AMONG  
! ELD]S1 !N HE >OSE1 TOOK UP HIS %ORT :IP1  
/RUCK HIS =EHEAD ?REE TIMES1 & W5T HOME4  

,9 ! MORN+ ,ZHIL9 SAW !M LEAD+ A F9E M>E  
\T ( ! VILLAGE ) ?REE ,TAT>S FOLL[+ BEH9D4  
,:5 !Y GOT RI<T \T ( ! VILLAGE1 ! R$-BE>D$ ,TAT> TOOK (F HIS BE%MET1 TUCK$ UP HIS  
SLEEVES -- :AT BIG BRAWNY >MS HE HAD6 -- DREW =?  
HIS KNIFE1 & %>P5$ IT ON A BRUSKA.<#a#h.> ,! ,TAT>S  
!N DREW =W>D ! M>E'S HEAD1 & ! R$-BE>D$ MAN CAME =W>D & CUT H] ?ROAT1 FLUNG !  
M>E TO ! GR\ND1 & BEGAN TO FLAY H]1 SEP>AT+ ! HIDE FROM ! FLE% ) HIS HUGE H&S4 ,!N !  
WOM5 & ! GIRLS CAME UP & BEGAN TO WA% !  
5TRAILS & ! 9SIDE4 ,AFT] ?AT !Y CUT UP !  
M>E & DRAGG$ ! MEAT 9TO ! HUT ,& !  
:OLE VILLAGE CAME TOGE!R AT ! H\SE ( ! R$-BE>D$ MAN TO COMMEMORATE ! DECEAS$4  

,?REE DAYS !Y ATE ( ! M>E1 DRANK BUZA1 &  
COMMEMORAT$ ! DECEAS$4  

,ALL ! ,TAT>S W]E AT HOME N[1 BUT ON ! F\R?  
DAY ,ZHIL91 AFT] D9N]1 BEHELD !M ASSEMBL+ TO  
GO SOME:I!R4 ,!Y BR\<T !IR HORSES1 MADE  
READY1 & W5T (F1 T5 M5 9 ALL1 & ! R$-BE>D$ MAN W5T TOO -- ONLY ,ABDUL REMA9$ AT  
HOME4 ,!RE WAS A NEW MOON JU/ !N1 & !  
NI<TS W]E /ILL PRETTY D>K4  

0,N['S ! TIME10 ?\<T ,ZHIL92 0 N[ WE MU/  
MAKE A BOLT = IT0 ,HE SPOKE TO ,KO/UIL9 AB\T  
IT1 BUT ,KO/UIL9 WAS AFRAID4  

0,H[ CAN WE RUN AWAY 8 -- WE DON'T KN[ !  
ROAD60 SAID HE4  

0,I KN[ ! ROAD40  

0,BUT WE %ALL NEV] BE ABLE TO GET !RE 9 ! NI<T40  

0,SUPPOSE WE DON'T1 SURELY WE CAN PASS ! NI<T 9  
! =E/8 ,& LOOK6 ,FVE COLLECT$ SOME HE>?-CAKES4 ,:Y DO Y\ WANT TO /ICK H]E 8 ',TIS EASY  
5\< TO S5D = MONEY1 BUT Y\ SEE !Y HAV5'T  
COLLECT$ IT4 ,& BESIDES1 ! ,TAT>S >E ANGRY N[  
BECAUSE ! ,RUSSIANS HAVE KILL$ ONE ( !IR PEOPLE4  
,!Y HAVE BE5 TALK+ TOGE!R AB\T KILL+ US  
LIKEWISE40  

,KO/UIL9 ?\<T & ?\<T = A LONG TIME4  

0,V]Y WELL1 LET US GO60 SAID HE AT LA/4  

,V4 

,ZHIL9 CREPT 9TO HIS HOLE & DUG /ILL DEEP] 9  
ORD] ?AT ,KO/UIL9 ALSO MI<T BE ABLE TO CREEP  
?R\< IT1 !N !Y SAT D[N & WAIT$ TILL ALL WAS  
QUIET 9 ! AUL4  

,AS SOON AS ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ! AUL W]E QUIET1  
,ZHIL9 CREPT UND] ! WALL & =C$ HIS WAY  
?R\<4 ,!N HE :ISP]$ TO ,KO/UIL93  

0,Y\ CREEP ?R\< TOO60 & AS HE DID SO HE  
LOOS$ A /ONE1 :I* MADE A GREAT NOISE4 ,ZHIL9'S  
MA/]1 H[EV]1 HAD PLAC$ A GU>D AT ! DOOR --  
A PIEBALD DOG1 A VICI\S1 A V]Y VICI\S BEA/4 ,HIS  
NAME WAS ,ULYA%94 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 HAD MADE IT HIS  
BUS9ESS REGUL>LY TO FE$ ! ANIMAL = SOME TIME4  
,AS SOON AS ,ULYA%9 HE>D !M HE BEGAN TO B>K  
& RU%$ UP1 & AFT] HIM ALL ! O!R DOGS4 ,BUT  
,ZHIL9 JU/ :I/L$ TO HIM1 & ?REW HIM A BIT (  
HE>?-CAKE4 ,!N ,ULYA%9 RECOGNIZ$ HIM1 WAGG$  
HIS TAIL1 & CEAS$ TO B>K4  

,BUT ,ZHIL9'S MA/] HAD HE>D1 & HE N[ BEGAN  
TO %\T FROM \T ( ! SAKLYA3  

0,HOLD HIM6 HOLD HIM1 ,ULYA%960  

,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 WAS BUSY SCRAT*+ ,ULYA%9  
BEH9D ! E>S1 & ! DOG WAS SIL5T1 RUBB$ HIM-  
SELF AGA9/ ,ZHIL9'S LEGS1 & WAGG$ HIS TAIL4  

,!Y SAT D[N BEH9D A CORN]4 ,ALL GREW QUIET  
AGA94 ,ALL ?AT C\LD BE HE>D W]E ! %EEP  
%UFFL+ 9 !IR FOLD1 & ! WAT] BEL[ BUBBL+  
OV] ! /ONES4 ,IT WAS D>K4 ,! />S /OOD HI<  
9 ! HEAV5S1 ! Y\NG R$ MOON /OOD OV] !  

M\NTA9 ) H] HORNS PO9T$ UPW>DS4 ,9 !  
VALLEY GLEAM$ A MILK-:ITE MI/4  

,ZHIL9 >OSE1 & SAID TO HIS COMRADE3  

0,N[1 MY BRO!R1 LET'S BE (F60  

,SOME?+ /IRR$ JU/ AS !Y W]E />T+4 ,!Y  
/OPP$ TO LI/54 ,! MULLAH WAS *ANT+ ON !  
RO(3  

0,ALLAH6 ,BISMILLAH6 ,IL'RAKHMAN60 :I* SIGNIFIES3  
0,COME1 PEOPLE1 TO ! ,MOSQUE60  

,!Y SAT D[N AGA91 SQUEEZ+ !MSELVES AGA9/  
! WALL4 ,LONG !Y SAT !RE1 WAIT+ TILL ! PEOPLE  
%\LD HAVE GONE BY4 ,AGA9 ALL WAS SIL5T4  

0,N[1 !N1 9 ,GOD'S NAME60  

,!Y CROSS$ !MSELVES & SET \T4 ,!Y W5T  
?R\< ! C\RTY>D1 D[N ! /EEP SLOPE TO !  
/REAM1 CROSS$ ! /REAM1 & W5T ALONG ! GULLY4  
,! MI/ WAS ?ICK & /OOD L[1 & OV] !IR  
HEADS ! />S W]E DIMLY1 T9ILY VISIBLE4 ,ZHIL9  
CALCULAT$ BY ! />S :I* WAY HE \<T TO TAKE4  
,IT WAS FRE% 9 ! MI/ & EASY GO+1 BUT !IR BOOTS  
W]E 9 !IR WAY & MADE !M /UMBLE4 ,ZHIL9  
TOOK HIS (F1 ?REW !M AWAY1 & W5T ALONG B>EFOOT$4 ,HE KEPT LEAP+ FROM ROCK TO ROCK &  
LOOK+ AT ! />S4 ,KO/UIL9 BEGAN TO LAG BEH9D4  

0,GO MORE QUIETLY60 SAID HE2 0!SE CURS$ BOOTS  
( M9E6 -- BUT ALL BOOTS FETT] ONE SO 60  

0,TAKE !M (F1 !N6 ,Y\'LL F9D IT EASI]  
GO+40  

,KO/UIL9 ALSO !N W5T B>EFOOT$ -- & F\ND IT  
/ILL WORSE4 ,HE WAS BRUIS+ HIS FEET CONT9UALLY ON  
! /ONES1 & KEPT LAGG+ BEH9D MORE ?AN EV]4  

0,LIFT UP Y\R FEET MORE1 LOOK ALIVE60 SAID ,ZHIL91 0IF !Y OV]TAKE US !Y'LL KILL US1 & ?AT WILL BE  
WOR/ ( ALL40  

,KO/UIL9 SAID NO?+4 ,HE CAME ON PUFF+ &  
BL[+4 ,= A LONG TIME !Y W5T D[N HILL4 ,!Y  
LI/5$ -- ! DOGS W]E B>K+ ON !IR RI<T  
,ZHIL9 /OPP$ & LOOK$ AB\T HIM4 ,HE W5T TO  
! M\NTA9-SIDE & FELT IT ) HIS H&S4  

0,OH60 SAID HE1 0WE HAVE MADE A MI/AKE2 WE  
TURN$ TO ! RI<T4 ,H]E IS ANO!R AUL1 ,I C\LD SEE  
IT FROM ! M\NTA9-TOP1 WE MU/ GO BACK -- TO !  
LEFT -- UP ! M\NTA94 ,!RE IS SURE TO BE A ROAD  
!RE40  

0,JU/ WAIT A LITTLE10 SAID ,KO/UIL9 2 0DO GIVE ME  
TIME TO BREA! A BIT -- MY FEET AX ALL BLOODY40  

0,LOOK ALIVE1 MY BRO!R6 ,SPR+ A LITTLE MORE  
LI<TLY-- ?AT'S ! :OLE TRICK60  

,& ,ZHIL9 RAN BACK TO ! LEFT T[>DS !  
M\NTA9 & 9TO ! WOOD4 ,KO/UIL9 REMA9$ ALL  
BEH9D1 GROAN+ & GASP+4  

,ZHIL9 KEPT URG+ HIM TO BE QUICK]1 BUT W5T ON  
HIMSELF )\T /OPP+4  

,!Y ASC5D$ ! M\NTA94 ,YES -- !RE1 RI<T  
5\<1 WAS ! WOOD4 ,!Y 5T]$ ! WOOD --  
& ALL ?AT WAS LEFT ( !IR CLO?+ WAS QUICKLY  
TORN TO BITS4 ,!N !Y HIT UPON A PA? 9 ! WOOD1  
& W5T /EADILY ON4  

,/OP6 ,! S\ND ( HO(S RES\ND$ ON !  
ROAD4 ,!Y /OPP$ & LI/5$4 ,!RE WAS A  
/AMP+ AS ( A HORSE1 & !N IT /OPP$4 ,!Y  
MOV$ ON AGA9 -- ! /AMP+ RECOMM5C$4 ,!Y  
/OPP$ -- & ! /AMP+ /OPP$4 ,ZHIL9 CREPT  
=W>D & LOOK$ ALONG ! ROAD 9 ? E LI<T --  
SOME?+ WAS /&+ !RE4 ,IT WAS A HORSE1 &  
YET NOT A HORSE1 & ON ! HORSE WAS SOME?+ ODD1  
NOT RESEMBL+ A MAN4 ,IT SNORT$ -- !Y LI/5$4  
0,:AT MON/] C\LD IT BE80 ,ZHIL9 :I/L$ V]Y  
S(TLY -- IT SCURRI$ (F ! PA? 9TO ! =E/1 &  
9 ! =E/ !RE WAS A CRA%+ S\ND -- IT FLEW LIKE  
A TEMPE/1 BREAK+ D[N ! BRAN*ES 9 ITS PA?4  

,KO/UIL9 ALMO/ FELL TO ! GR\ND 9 HIS T]ROR4  
,BUT ,ZHIL9 LAU<$ & SAID3  

0,?AT WAS A /AG4 ,H>K H[ HE SMA%ES !  
WOOD ) HIS HORNS4 ,WE FE> HIM & HE FE>S US40  

,!Y W5T ALONG FUR!R4 ,MORN+ WAS N[ CLOSE  
AT H&4 ,:]E !Y W]E GO+1 H[EV]1 !Y  
KNEW NOT4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ,ZHIL9 AS IF ! ,TAT>S HAD  
BR\<T HIM ALONG BY ?AT SELFSAME PA?1 & AS F>  
AS HE C\LD MAKE IT \T !Y HAD /ILL SOME T5 V]/S  
TO TRAV]SE2 BUT !RE W]E NO C]TA9 L&M>KS1 &  
IT WAS NI<T1 SO ?AT !RE WAS NO DI/+UI%+ ANY?+4 ,PRES5TLY !Y CAME \T UPON A LITTLE PLA91  
& ,KO/UIL9 SAT D[N & SAID3  

0,Y\ MAY DO AS Y\ LIKE1 BUT ,I %ALL NEV] GET  
!RE4 ,MY LEGS WON'T DO IT0  

,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO P]SUADE HIM4  

0,NO10 SAID HE1 0,I %AN'T GO ANY FUR!R -- ,I CAN'T1 ,I  
TELL Y\40  

,ZHIL9 !N GREW ANGRY4 ,HE SPAT ON ONE SIDE &  
BULLI$ HIS COMRADE4  

0,!N ,I'LL GO ON ALONE10 SAID HE-- 0GOOD-BYE6 0  

,!N ,KO/UIL9 LEAP$ TO HIS FEET & W5T ON4  
,!Y N[ W5T ON = F\R MILES4 ,! MI/ 9 !  
=E/ GREW /ILL ?ICK]2 !Y C\LD SEE NO?+ 9  
FRONT ( !M1 & ! />S W]E B>ELY VISIBLE4  

,AT LA/ !Y HE>D SOME?+ LIKE ! TRAMPL+  
( A HORSE 9 FRONT ( !M4 ,!Y C\LD HE> !  
HO(S CLATT]+ AGA9/ ! /ONES1 ,ZHIL9 LAY D[N  
ON HIS /OMA* & BEGAN TO LI/5 ) HIS E> TO  
! GR\ND4  

0,YES10 SAID HE1 0IT IS AS ,I ?\<T4 ,A HORSEMAN  
IS COM+ T[>DS US40  

,!Y QUITT$ ! ROAD 9 HA/E1 SAT AMONG !  
BU%ES1 & WAIT$4 ,ZHIL9 PRES5TLY CREPT =W>D  
T[>DS ! ROAD & SAW A M\NT$ ,TAT> COM+  
ALONG1 DRIV+ A C[ BE=E HIM1 & MUTT]+ TO  
HIMSELF4 ,AFT] HE HAD GONE ,ZHIL9 TURN$ TO ,KO/UIL9  
& SAID3  

0,HE'S GONE BY1 ?ANK ,GOD6 ,GET UP1 & WE'LL GO  
ON60  

,KO/UIL9 TRI$ TO GET UP & FELL D[N AGA94 ,HE  
WAS A HEAVY1 PUFFY FELL[1 & BEGAN TO SWEAT  
PR(USELY4 ,! COLD MI/ ( ! =E/1 TOO1 HAD  
GIV5 HIM A *ILL1 HIS FEET W]E LAC]AT$1 & HE W5T  
ALL TO PIECES4 ,:5 ,ZHIL9 RAIS$ HIM TO HIS FEET  
) AN EF=T HE CRI$ \T3  

0,OH6 IT HURTS60  

,ZHIL9 ALMO/ HAD A FIT4 
  
0,:AT >E Y\ SCREE*+ =6 ,! ,TAT>S >E  
QUITE CLOSE TO US -- DON'T Y\ HE>8 0,BUT HE ?\<T  
TO HIMSELF3 0,HE REALLY IS ALMO/ DONE =2 :AT AM  
,I TO DO ) HIM8 ,ONE CAN'T *UCK A COMRADE1 IT  
W\LDN'T BE RI<T0  

0,WELL10 SAID HE1 0GET UP ON MY BACK4 ,I'LL C>RY  
Y\ IF Y\ REALLY CAN'T WALK Y\RSELF40  

,SO HE PUT ,KO/UIL9 ON HIS %\LD]S1 GRIPP$ HIM  
UND] ! KNEES1 TOOK ! ROAD AGA91 & /AGG]$  
ALONG4  
0,ONLY1 MY GOOD FELL[10 SAID HE1 0DON'T GRIP ME R\ND ! ?ROAT1 BUT LAY HOLD ( MY %\LD]S40  

,IT WAS A HEAVY LOAD = ,ZHIL94 ,HIS FEET ALSO W]E ALL BLOODY1 & HE WAS TIR$ TO DEA?4 ,HE FELT CRU%$1 TRI$ TO GET 9TO AN EASI] POSITION1 HIT*$ HIS %\LD] SO AS TO GET ,KO/UIL9 TO SIT HI<]--& FLUNG HIM 9TO ! ROAD4  

,IT WAS QUITE PLA9 ?AT ! ,TAT> HAD HE>D ,KO/UIL9 YELL1 = AS ,ZHIL9 LI/5$ HE C\LD HE> SOMEONE COM+ BACK & MAK+ A PECULI> CRY4 ,ZHIL9 FLUNG HIMSELF 9TO ! BU%ES4 ,! ,TAT> SEIZ$ HIS MUSKET1 FIR$ IT1 HIT NO?+1 :9$ 9 ,TAT> FA%ION1 & GALLOP$ D[N ! ROAD AGA94  

0,WELL1 MY BRO!R1 HE HAS GONE ANYWAY10 SAID ,ZHIL92 0BUT ! DOG WILL AT ONCE COLLECT ALL ! ,TAT>S HE CAN F9D & PURSUE US4 ,IF WE DON'T DO \R ?REE MILES1 WE'RE DONE =40 ,BUT HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF3 0,:AT DEVIL PUT IT 9TO MY HEAD TO TAKE ?IS BLOCKHEAD ) ME6 ,HAD ,I BE5 ALONE ,I %\LD HAVE GOT (F LONG AGO40  

0,Y\ GO ON ALONE10 SAID ,KO/UIL91 0:Y %\LD Y\ COME TO GRIEF ALL ?R\< ME80  

0,NAY1 ,I WILL NOT GO ALONE1 IT IS WRONG TO DES]T A COMRADE40  

,SO HE TOOK HIM ON HIS %\LD]S AGA9 & W5T ON4 ,& 9 ?IS WAY HE COV]$ A MILE4 ,! =E/ /RET*$ RI<T ON1 & !RE WAS NO SIGN ( AN EXIT ,! MI/ WAS BEG9N+ TO DISP]SE1 & LITTLE CL\DS--OR SO !Y SEEM$--F>$ ALONG1 ! />S W]E NO LONG] VISIBLE4 ,ZHIL9 WAS PUZZL$4  

,A SPR+1 SET AMONG ROCKS1 CROSS$ ! ROAD1 & H]E ,ZHIL9 /OPP$ & SET D[N ,KO/UIL94 

  

0,LET'S HAVE A RE/10 SAID HE1 0& GIVE ME  
BREA?+-TIME4 ,I WANT A DR9K1 TOO1 & WE'LL HAVE  
SOME HE>?-CAKES4 ,IT CAN'T BE MU* FUR!R N[40  

,NO SOON] HAD HE DRUNK HIS FILL1 H[EV]1 ?AN HE  
HE>D ! TRAMPL+ ( HO(S BEH9D4 ,ONCE MORE  
!Y CREPT AMONG ! BU%ES ON ! RI<T1 B5EA?  
! /EEP CLIFF1 & LAY AT FULL L5G?4  

,SOON !Y HE>D ! VOICES ( ! ,TAT>S1 & !  
,TAT>S /OPP$ AT ! V]Y SPOT :5CE !Y HAD  
TURN$ (F FROM ! ROAD4 ,!Y TALK$ A GOOD DEAL  
AMONG !MSELVES1 & !N !Y BEGAN TO PUT UPON  
! SC5T ! DOGS !Y HAD BR\<T ) !M4 ,ZHIL9  
& HIS COMRADE LI/5$4 ,!RE WAS A CRA%+ (  
BRAN*ES 9 ! ?ICKET1 & /RAI<T T[>DS !M  
CAME A /RANGE DOG4 ,:5 HE SAW !M HE /OOD  
/ILL & BEGAN B>K+4  

,!N ! ,TAT>S ALSO CREPT ?R\< ! BU%ES --  
!Y W]E /RANGE ,TAT>S :OM !Y HADN'T SE5  
BE=E -- & ! ,TAT>S SEIZ$ !M1 B\ND !M1  
PUT !M ON HORSEBACK1 & L$ !M (F4  

,!Y W5T ALONG = AB\T ?REE MILES1 & !N  
!Y MET ,ZHIL9'S MA/]1 ,ABDUL1 & TWO O!R ,TAT>S4  
,!SE SAID SOME?+ TO ! /RANGE ,TAT>S1 TRANSF]R$ ! CAPTIVES TO !IR [N HORSES1 & BR\<T  
!M BACK TO ! AUL4  

,ABDUL LAU<$ NO LONG]1 & SAID NOT A S+LE  
WORD TO !M4  

,!Y BR\<T !M 9TO ! AUL AT BREAK ( DAY1  
& SET !M D[N 9 ! PUBLIC /REET ,! *ILDR5  
CAME RUNN+ UP & BEAT !M ) /ONES & :IPS  
& JE]$ AT !M4  

,! ,TAT>S GA!R$ TOGE!R 9 A CIRCLE1 & !  

ELD] FROM ! M\NTA9-SIDE JO9$ !M4 ,!Y  
BEGAN TALK+1 & ,ZHIL9 UND]/OOD ?AT !Y W]E  
TRY+ !M & DEBAT+ :AT WAS TO BE DONE )  
!M4 ,SOME SAID !Y %\LD BE S5T FUR!R AWAY  
9TO ! M\NTA9S1 BUT ! ELD] SAID ?AT !Y \<T  
TO BE KILL$4 ,ABDUL1 H[EV]1 OBJECT$ TO ?IS4 0,I  
HAVE PAID MONEY = !M10 SAID HE1 0& ,I AM GO+  
TO GET A RANSOM = !M40  

0,!Y'LL NEV] PAY ANY?+ AT ALL10 REPLI$ !  
OLD MAN1 0BUT WILL ONLY DO H>M4 ,IT'S A S9 TO FE$  
,RUSSIANS4 ,KILL !M & HAVE DONE ) IT60  

,!N !Y SEP>AT$1 & ,ZHIL9'S MA/] CAME TO  
HIM & BEGAN TO TALK TO HIM4  

0,IF !Y DON'T S5D ME Y\R RANSOM 9 A =TNI<T10  
SAID HE1 0,I'LL :IP Y\ TO DEA?1 & IF Y\ TRY TO  
RUN AWAY A SECOND TIME ,I'LL KILL Y\ LIKE DOGS4 ,WRITE  
A LETT]1 & M9D Y\ WRITE A GOOD ONE 60  

,PAP] WAS BR\<T & !Y WROTE ! LETT]4 ,!N  
! KOLODKI W]E FA/5$ TO !M AGA91 & !Y  
W]E TAK5 TO ! MOSQUE4 ,H]E !RE WAS A HOLE  
9 ! E>? FIVE >%9S LONG1 & 9TO ?IS HOLE !Y  
W]E CA/  

,V,I4 

,!IR LIFE WAS N[ H>D 9DE$4 ,!IR KOLODKI  
W]E NEV] TAK5 (F1 & !Y W]E NEV] ALL[$  
A BREA? ( FRE% AIR4 ,! ,TAT>S FLUNG !M BITS (  
UNCOOK$ D\< AS IF !Y W]E DOGS1 & FILL$ =  
!M A PIT*] ( WAT] FROM TIME TO TIME4  

,! HEAT ( ! HOLE WAS /IFL+1 & IT WAS DAMP  
& /9K+4 ,KO/UIL9 BECAME D[NRI<T ILL4 ,HIS LIMBS SWELL$ & TWIT*$ ALL OV]1 & HE GROAN$  
CONT9UALLY EXCEPT :5 HE WAS ASLEEP4 ,ZHIL9 ALSO  
WAS DEJECT$2 HE SAW !Y W]E 9 EVIL CASE1 & H[  
TO GET \T ( IT HE HAD NO IDEA4  

,HE W\LD HAVE BEGUN UND]M9+ AGA91 BUT !RE  
WAS NO:]E TO HIDE ! E>?1 & !N1 TOO1 HIS  
MA/] HAD ?REAT5$ TO KILL HIM4  

,ONE DAY HE WAS SQUATT+ 9 ! HOLE ?9K+ (  
LIFE & LIB]TY1 & HE FELT V]Y MIS]ABLE4 ,SUDD5LY  
RI<T UPON HIS KNEES FELL A HE>?-CAKE1 & !N  
ANO!R1 FOLL[$ BY QUITE A %[] ( WILD *]RIES4  
,HE LOOK$ UP & !RE WAS ,D9A4 ,%E GAZ$ AT  
HIM1 LAU<$ A LITTLE1 & RAN AWAY4 0,N[ ,I WOND]  
IF ,D9A W\LD HELP US10 ?\<T ,ZHIL94  

,HE CLEAN$ A LITTLE CORN] ( ! HOLE1 DUG \T  
A BIT ( CLAY1 & MADE CUT ( IT A LOT ( PUPPETS4  
,HE MADE M5 & WOM51 HORSES & DOGS1 &  
?\<T TO HIMSELF1 0,:5 ,D9A COMES ,I'LL FL+  
!M \T TO H]40  

,BUT ON ! NEXT DAY !RE WAS NO ,D9A1 & ,ZHIL9  
HE>D ! TRAMPL+ ( HORSES & ! NOISE ( PEOPLE  
PASS+ TO & FRO1 & HE C\LD HE> ?AT ! ,TAT>S  
HAD ASSEMBL$ AT ! MOSQUE & W]E DISPUT+  
& SCREE*+ & CONSULT+ AB\T ! ,RUSSIANS4  
,& HE ALSO HE>D ! VOICE ( ! OLD MAN ( !  
M\NTA94 ,HE C\LD NOT MAKE \T V]Y WELL :AT  
WAS GO+ ON1 BUT HE GUESS$ ?AT ! ,RUSSIANS W]E  
DRAW+ NE>1 & ! ,TAT>S W]E AFRAID !Y MI<T  
COME TO ! AID & F9D \T :AT WAS BE+ DONE  
) ! CAPTIVES4  

,! ,TAT>S DEBAT$ TOGE!R & !N DEP>T$4  
,SUDD5LY ,ZHIL9 HE>D A SLI<T NOISE ABOVE HIS HEAD4  

,HE LOOK$ UP1 & !RE WAS ,D9A SQUATT+ ON H]  
HAUN*ES ) H] KNEES HUN*$ UP HI<] ?AN H]  
HEAD2 %E WAS LEAN+ =W>D1 H] NECKLACES W]E  
VISIBLE1 & W]E SW++ TO & FRO RI<T OV] !  
HOLE4 ,H] LITTLE EYES GLEAM$ LIKE T9Y />S1 &  
%E DREW \T ( H] SLEEVE TWO *EESE-CAKES &  
?REW !M TO HIM4  

,ZHIL9 TOOK !M & SAID3 0,:Y HAVE Y\  
BE5 SO LONG GONE 8 ,I HAVE BE5 MAK+ PLAY?+S =  
Y\4 ,LOOK 6 0,& HE BEGAN TO FL+ !M TO H]  
ONE BY ONE4  

,BUT %E %OOK H] HEAD & W\LD NOT LOOK AT  
!M4  0,I DON'T WANT 'EM10 %E SAID4 ,%E SAT SIL5T  
= A :ILE1 & !N %E SAID1 0,IVAN1 !Y WANT TO  
KILL !E10 & %E DREW H] H& ACROSS H] ?ROAT  

0,:O WANTS TO KILL ME80  

0,FA!R1 ! ELD]S HAVE BIDD5 HIM DO IT4 ,BUT  
,I'M SORRY = !E40  

0,IF Y\ >E SORRY = ME10 SAID ,ZHIL91 0BR+ ME  
A LONG POLE40  

,%E %OOK H] HEAD TO SIGNIFY ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE4 ,HE PUT TOGE!R HIS H&S & BES\<T  
H]4  

0,D9A1 ,I PRAY !E DO IT6 ,DE> LITTLE ,D9A1 BR+  
IT TO ME60  

0,IMPOSSIBLE10 SAID %E1 0!Y >E ALL AT HOME1 Y\  
SEE60 & (F %E RAN4  

,SO ,ZHIL9 SAT !RE ALL ! EV5+ & ?\<T 3  
0,:AT WILL COME ( IT1 ,I WOND]80 ,HE KEPT LOOK+  
UP ALL ! TIME4 ,! />S W]E VISIBLE1 BUT !  
MOON HAD NOT YET RIS54 ,! MULLAH'S %RILL CRY WAS  
HE>D -- & !N ALL WAS SIL5T4 ,ZHIL9 BE GAN TO  
GR[ DR[SY4 0,PLA9LY1 ! GIRL IS AFRAID10 HE  
?\<T  

,SUDD5LY A PIECE ( CLAY PLUMP$ D[N ON HIS  
HEAD4 ,HE LOOK$ UP -- A LONG POLE WAS ?RU/ 9TO A  
CORN] ( ! HOLE4 ,IT WAGGL$ AB\T1 DESC5D$  
GRADUALLY1 & BEGAN TO WORK ITS WAY 9TO ! HOLE4  
,ZHIL9 WAS DELI<T$4 ,HE CAU<T HOLD ( IT & DREW  
IT 9 -- IT WAS A GOOD /RONG POLE4 ,HE HAD NOTIC$  
?IS POLE SOME TIME BE=E ON ! RO( ( HIS MA/]'S  
HOME4  

,HE LOOK$ UP AGA94 ,! />S W]E %9+ HI<  
9 ! HEAV5S1 & RI<T ABOVE ! HOLE ! EYES (  
,D9A %ONE AS BRI<TLY AS ! EYES ( A CAT 9 !  
D>KNESS4 ,%E LEAN$ =W>D OV] ! M\? (  
! HOLE & :ISP]$3  

0,IVAN6 ,IVAN60 & %E KEPT ON MAK+ SIGNS &  
DRAW+ H] H&S REPEAT$LY OV] H] FACE BY WAY (  
SAY+3 0,HU%6 BE QUIET60  

0,:AT IS IT8 0 ASK$ ,ZHIL94  

0,!Y HAVE ALL GONE1 !RE >E ONLY TWO AT HOME40  

0,WELL1 ,KO/UIL91 LET US GO10 SAID ,ZHIL91 0WE WILL  
TRY = ! LA/ TIME4 ,I'LL HELP Y\ TO GET \T ( IT40  

,BUT ,KO/UIL9 W\LDN'T EV5 HE> ( IT  

0,NO10 SAID HE1 0IT'S QUITE PLA9 ?AT ,I CAN'T MANAGE  
IT ,I HAVE NOT ! /R5G? TO GO QUICKLY1 :I*EV]  
WAY WE GO40  

0,F>EWELL !N6 & ?9K NO ILL ( ME = LEAV+  
Y\60 ,& HE EMBRAC$ ,KO/UIL94  

,!N HE SEIZ$ ! POLE1 BADE ,D9A HOLD IT FIRM1  
& BEGAN TO CREEP UP IT ,ONCE OR TWICE HE FELL  
D[N -- ! KOLODKA HAMP]$ HIM4 ,KO/UIL9 !N  
SUPPORT$ HIM1 & HE WORK$ HIS WAY SOME D I/ANCE  
UP4 ,D9A DRAGG$ AWAY AT HIS %IRT ) H] LITTLE  
H&S ) ALL H] MI<T1 LAU<+ ALL ! TIME1 BUT  
IT WAS NO GOOD4  

,!N ,ZHIL9 LAID HOLD ( ! POLE ) BO? H&S4  

0,PULL IT1 ,D9A60 HE CRI$1 0SEIZE HOLD ( IT WELL1  
& Y\'LL SEE IT WILL ALMO/ COME TO Y\ ( ITS [N  
ACCORD40  

,%E PULL$ AWAY AT ! POLE ACCORD+LY1 &  
PRES5TLY ,ZHIL9 F\ND HIMSELF UP AT ! M\NTA9'S-SIDE4 ,HE CREPT D[N ! /EEP DECLIVITY1 SEIZ$ A  
%>P /ONE1 & TRI$ H>D TO =CE ! LOCK ( !  
KOLODKA4 ,BUT ! LOCK WAS A /RONG ONE1 BY NO MEANS  
C\LD HE BREAK IT1 & YET HE WAS NOT UNSKILLFUL  
,!N HE HE>D SOMONE RUNN+ D[N ! M\NTA9-SIDE & LEAP+ LI<TLY ALONG4 0,?AT MU/ BE ,D9A  
AGA910 ?\<T ,ZHIL94 ,& ,D9A IT WAS4 ,UP %E  
CAME RUNN+1 TOOK UP A L>GE /ONE1 & SAID3  

0,GIVE IT ME60  

,%E SQUATT$ D[N ON H] LITTLE KNEES1 & BEGAN  
TO TRY H] H& AT IT4 ,BUT H] LITTLE >MS1 AS ?9 AS  
TWIGS1 HAD NO /R5G? 9 !M1 & %E ?REW AWAY  
! /ONE & BUR/ 9TO TE>S4 ,!N ,ZHIL9 HIMSELF  
HAD ANO!R TRY AT ! LOCK :ILE ,D9A SAT D[N  
BESIDE HIM1 LEAN+ AGA9/ HIS %\LD]4 ,ZHIL9  
GLANC$ R\ND & SAW ON ! LEFT SIDE ( !  
M\NTA9 A BURN+ R$ REFLECTION -- ! MOON WAS  
RIS+4 0,WELL10 ?\<T HE1 0 BE=E ! MOON RISES  
,I MU/ MAKE MY WAY ?R\< ! GULLY & GET TO  
! WOOD40 ,HE ROSE & ?REW AWAY ! /ONE4  
,KOLODKA OR NO -- GO HE MU/  

0,GOOD-BYE1 LITTLE ,D9A10 SAID HE 2 0,I %ALL ALWAYS  
REMEM B] !E40  

,D9A SEIZ$ HIM1 & BEGAN TO FUMBLE AB\T HIS  
SLEEVES TO SEE IF %E C\LD F9D A PLACE :]E9 TO /UFF  
SOME PANCAKES4 ,HE TOOK ! PANCAKES4  

0,?ANKS1 MY WISE LITTLE WOMAN10 SAID HE2 0:O  
WILL MAKE DOLLS = !E :5 ,I AM GONE1 ,I WOND]80  
,& HE /ROK$ H] HEAD4  

,H[ BITT]LY ,D9A WEPT6 ,F9ALLY %E COV]$ H]  
FACE ) H] H&S & RAN AWAY UP ! M\NTA9  
LIKE A WILD KID4 ,! CLATT]+ ( ! CO9S 9 !  
LONG TRESSES ( HAIR HANG+ D[N H] BACK WAS  
AUDIBLE 9 ! D>KNESS4  

,ZHIL9 CROSS$ HIMSELF1 SEIZ$ ! LOCK ( !  
KOLODKA SO AS NOT TO /UMBLE AS HE W5T1 &  
HOBBL$ ALONG ! ROAD1 GAZ+ CON/ANTLY AT !  
REFLECTION ( LI<T :]E ! MOON WAS RIS+4 ,HE  
KNEW ! ROAD4 ,HE HAD TO GO /RAI<T ON = AB\T  
EI<T MILES4 ,IF ONLY HE C\LD GET TO ! =E/ BE=E  
! MOON HAD QUITE RIS56 ,HE CROSS$ ! /REAM --  
! LI<T BEH9D ! M\NTA9 WAS GR[+ BRI<T]4  
,HE PASS$ ?R\< ! GULLY4 ,ON HE W5T1 GLANC+  
UPW>DS FROM TIME TO TIME -- /ILL ! MOON WAS NOT  
VISIBLE4 ,! BURN+ REFLECTION WAS 9CREAS+1 &  
EV]Y?+ ON ONE SIDE ( ! GULLY WAS GR[+  
BRI<T] & BRI<T]4 ,A %AD[ WAS CREEP+ ALONG  
! M\NTA9 & COM+ NE>] & NE>] TO HIM4  

,ZHIL9 W5T ON & ON1 & ! %AD[S /ILL CONT9U$ TO ADVANCE4 ,HE HA/5$ ON1 & ! MOON  
WAS WORK+ H] WAY \T EV5 MORE QUICKLY ?AN  
HE HAD ANTICIPAT$1 TO ! RI<T ! TOPS ( ! TREES  
W]E ALREADY LIT UP4 ,HE WAS N[ CLOSE TO ! =E/  
:5 ! MOON BUR/ =? FROM BEH9D ! M\NTA9  
-- EV]Y?+ WAS AS LI<T & BRI<T AS IF IT W]E DAY4 ,EV]Y LITTLE LEAF ON EV]Y LITTLE TREE WAS VISIBLE4  
,IT WAS QUITE QUIET ON ! LIT-UP M\NTA9-SIDES AS IF  
EV]Y?+ HAD DI$ \T ( EXI/5CE4 ,! ONLY  
?+ TO BE HE>D WAS ! GURGL+ ( ! /REAM  
BEL[4  

,HE REA*$ ! =E/ )\T ANY?+ HAPP5+4  
,ZHIL9 *OSE ! D>KE/ SPOT HE C\LD F9D 9 !  
=E/1 & !RE HE SAT D[N TO RE/  

,AFT] RECOV]+ HIS BREA?1 HE ATE A HE>?-CAKE4  
,!N HE TOOK A /ONE1 & AGA9 SET AB\T BATT]+  
! KOLODKA4 ,HE BATT]$ IT ) ALL ! /R5G?  
( HIS >M1 & HE C\LD NOT BREAK IT4 ,HE >OSE &  
W5T ALONG ! ROAD4 ,HE W5T = A MILE1 GOT  
?OR\<LY EXHAU/$ -- HIS LEGS TOTT]$ B5EA? HIM4  
,T5 /EPS MORE HE TOOK1 & !N HE /OPP$ %ORT  

0,IT'S NO USE10 SAID HE2 0ALL ,I CAN DO IS TO DRAG  
MYSELF ON AS LONG AS ,I HAVE ! /R5G? TO DO SO4 ,IF  
ONCE ,I SIT D[N ,I %ALL NOT GET UP AGA94 ,I CAN NEV]  
GET TO ! =TRESS TO-DAY1 BUT AS SOON AS IT IS DAWN  
,I WILL LIE UP 9 ! =E/ & AT NI<T ,I'LL GO ON  
AGA940  

,ALL NI<T HE W5T ALONG4 ,! ONLY PEOPLE HE  
5C\NT]$ W]E TWO M\NT$ ,TAT>S1 & AS HE  
SAW !M AT A DI/ANCE1 HE WAS ABLE TO HIDE AWAY  
FROM !M BEH9D A TREE4  

,! MOON HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO WANE1 ! DEW WAS  
FALL+1 IT WAS CLOSE UPON DAWN1 & /ILL ,ZHIL9  
HAD NOT GOT TO ! 5D ( ! =E/4 0,WELL10 ?\<T  
HE1 0JU/ ?IRTY /EPS MORE1 & !N ,I'LL TURN 9TO  
! =E/ & SIT D[N40 ,HE TOOK ! ?IRTY /EPS1  
& SAW ?AT ! =E/ WAS COM+ TO AN 5D4 ,HE  
W5T \T TO ! V]Y 5D ( IT4 ,!RE1 QUI TE BRI<T  
BE=E HIM1 AS IF ON ! PALM ( HIS H&S1 LAY !  
/EPPE & ! =TRESS1 & TO ! LEFT1 QUITE CLOSE  
UND] ! M\NTA9-SIDE1 CAMP-FIRES W]E BURN+  
& SMOK+1 & PEOPLE W]E /&+ R\ND !  
SMOLD]+ LOGS4  

,HE GAZ$ FIX$LY1 & SAW COSSACKS -- SOLDI]S --  
& GLI/5+ >MS4  

,ZHIL91 FULL ( JOY1 RALLI$ HIS LA/ REMA9+  
/R5G?1 & PREP>$ TO DESC5D ! M\NTA9-SIDE4  

0,GOD GRANT10 ?\<T HE1 0 ?AT A M\NT$ ,TAT>  
MAY NOT SEE ME 9 ! OP5 PLA91 AL?\< ,I'M PRETTY  
NE> N[1 ,I'M NOT !RE YET0  

,& ! ?\<T WAS NO SOON] 9 HIS HEAD1 :5  
BEHOLD6 ON A LITTLE M\ND /OOD ?REE ,TAT>S1 AB\T  
TWO FURLONGS (F4 ,!Y SAW HIM -- & DA%$ AFT]  
HIM4 ,HIS HE>T ABSOLUTELY DI$ AWAY )9 HIM4  
,!N HE WAV$ HIS >MS & %\T$ ) ALL !  
BREA? HE HAD 9 HIS BODY3  

0,MY BRO!RS6 MY BRO!RS6 SAVE ME60  

,\R FELL[S HE>D HIM1 & SOME M\NT$ ,COSSACKS  
GALLOP$ =W>D4 ,!Y MADE = HIM 9 AN OBLIQUE  
DIRECTION TO CUT (F ! ,TAT>S4  

,! ,COSSACKS W]E F> (F1 ! ,TAT>S W]E NE>1  
BUT N[ ,ZHIL9 RALLI$ ALL HIS /R5G?1 SEIZ$ HIS  
KOLODKA1 & RAN T[>DS ! ,COSSACKS1 NO LONG]  
REMEMB]+ :O HE WAS1 BUT CROSS+ HIMSELF &  
CRY+ CONT9UALLY3  

0,BRO!RS6 BRO!RS6 BRO!RS60  

,! ,COSSACKS W]E AB\T FIFTE5 9 NUMB]4  

,! ,TAT>S GREW FRI<T5$ -- 9/EAD ( DRAW+  
NE>] !Y RE9$ 9 !IR HORSES4 ,& ,ZHIL9 RAN  
RI<T 9TO ! ,COSSACKS4  

,! ,COSSACKS SURR\ND$ HIM1 & ASK$ HIM :O  
HE WAS & :5CE HE CAME4 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 NO LONG]  
RECOLLECT$ :O HE WAS1 & BUR/ \T CRY+1 BABBL+  
ALL ! TIME3  

0,BRO!RS6 BRO!RS60  

,! REGUL> SOLDI]S NEXT CAME RUNN+ \T1 &  
CR[D$ R\ND ,ZHIL94 ,ONE ( !M (F]$ HIM  
BREAD1 ANO!R BRO?1 A ?IRD COV]$ HIM ) A  
MANTLE1 A F\R? BROKE UP ! KOLODKA4  

,! (FIC]S PRES5TLY RECOGNIZ$ HIM1 & CONDUCT$ HIM TO ! =TRESS4 ,! SOLDI]S W]E  
DELI<T$1 & HIS COMRADES GA!R$ R\ND ,ZHIL94  

,ZHIL9 TOLD !M ALL ?AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM1 &  
SAID3  

0,Y\ SEE1 ,I WAS GO+ HOME TO BE M>RI$4 ,BUT  
NO6 -- ?AT IS NOT TO BE MY FATE EVID5TLY6 0  

,& SO HE CONT9U$ TO S]VE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4  

,AS = ,KO/UIL91 !Y ONLY RANSOM$ HIM ?REE  
MON?S LAT] = FIVE ?\S& RUBLES4 ,!Y  
BR\<T HIM 9 B>ELYALIVE4  

8 ,A ,CIRCASSIAN SAB]4 

8 ,A ,TAT> ( ! ,NOGAI TRIBE4 

8 ,A M\NTA9 HUT 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 

8 ,AN E>!N1 BULG+ PIT*]1 ) A N>R[ NECK & A H&LE4 

8 ,A ,TAT> UND]-TUNIC 

8 ,I4E4 -- 0,KHORO%O RUSS0 "7 F9E ,RUSSIAN MAN 

8 ,HALF RUBLES4 

8 ,A SMALL KUV%94 ,SEE PREC$+ NOTE4 

8 ,SLIPP]S4 

8 ,A DR9K MADE FROM BUCK-:EAT & OATMEAL4 

8 ,! ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]4 ,! F9E ,RUSSIAN4 

8 ,GOOD4 

8 ,AN >%9 IS A ,RUSSIAN ELL4 

8 ,H]O4 

8 ,! SPEAK] HIMSELF4 

8 ,A H]D ( HORSES4 

8 ,I4E4 -- ! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS4 

8 ,A TETRAGONAL PIECE ( S&/ONE4 

,FROM 3 ,WIKIS\RCE4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahga 3 ,! ,CAPTIVE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #a#h1 #bba 3 ,! ,CAPTIVE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,! ,CAPTIVE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS -- ,UPDAT$4 

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HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/