,*APT] #b 
,A ,PRISON] 9 ! ,CAUCASUS 

#aifaif 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,TEXT 3 

,AN (FIC] NAM$ ,ZHIL9 WAS S]V+ 9 ! >MY 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 

,ONE DAY HE RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM HOME4 ,IT WAS FROM HIS MO!R1 :O WROTE3 ',I AM GETT+ OLD1 & %\LD LIKE TO SEE MY DE> SON ONCE MORE BE=E ,I DIE4 ,COME & SAY GOOD-BYE TO ME & BURY ME1 & !N1 IF ,GOD PLEASES1 RETURN TO S]VICE AGA9 ) MY BLESS+4 ,BUT ,I HAVE F\ND A GIRL = Y\1 :O IS S5SIBLE & GOOD & HAS SOME PROP]TY4 ,IF Y\ CAN LOVE H]1 Y\ MI<T M>RY H] & REMA9 AT HOME4' 

,ZHIL9 ?\<T IT OV]4 ,IT WAS QUITE TRUE1 ! OLD LADY WAS FAIL+ FA/ & HE MI<T NOT HAVE ANO!R *ANCE TO SEE H] ALIVE4 ,HE HAD BETT] GO1 &1 IF ! GIRL WAS NICE1 :Y NOT M>RY H]8 

,SO HE W5T TO HIS ,COLONEL1 OBTA9$ LEAVE ( ABS5CE1 SAID GOOD-BYE TO HIS COMRADES1 /OOD ! SOLDI]S F\R PAILFULS ( VODKA.<#a.> AS A F>EWELL TREAT1 & GOT READY TO GO4 

,IT WAS A TIME ( W> 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,! ROADS W]E NOT SAFE BY NI<T OR DAY4 ,IF EV] A ,RUSSIAN V5TUR$ TO RIDE OR WALK ANY DI/ANCE AWAY FROM HIS =T1 ! ,T>T>S KILL$ HIM OR C>RI$ HIM (F TO ! HILLS4 ,SO IT HAD BE5 >RANG$ ?AT TWICE EV]Y WEEK A BODY ( SOLDI]S %\LD M>* FROM ONE =TRESS TO ! NEXT TO CONVOY TRAVEL]S FROM PO9T TO PO9T4 

,IT WAS SUMM]4 ,AT DAYBREAK ! BAGGAGE-TRA9 GOT READY UND] %ELT] ( ! =TRESS2 ! SOLDI]S M>*$ \T2 & ALL />T$ ALONG ! ROAD4 ,ZHIL9 WAS ON HORSEBACK1 & A C>T ) HIS ?+S W5T ) ! BAGGAGE-TRA94 ,!Y HAD SIXTE5 MILES TO GO4 ,! BAGGAGE-TRA9 MOV$ SL[LY2 SOMETIMES ! SOLDI]S /OPP$1 OR P]HAPS A :EEL W\LD COME (F ONE ( ! C>TS1 OR A HORSE REFUSE TO GO ON1 & !N EV]YBODY HAD TO WAIT4 

,:5 BY ! SUN IT WAS ALREADY PA/ NOON1 !Y HAD NOT GONE HALF ! WAY4 ,IT WAS DU/Y & HOT1 ! SUN WAS SCOR*+ & !RE WAS NO %ELT] ANY:]E3 A B>E PLA9 ALL R\ND--NOT A TREE1 NOT A BU%1 BY ! ROAD4 

,ZHIL9 RODE ON 9 FRONT1 & /OPP$1 WAIT+ = ! BAGGAGE TO OV]TAKE HIM4 ,!N HE HE>D ! SIGNAL-HORN S\ND$ BEH9D HIM3 ! COMPANY HAD AGA9 /OPP$4 ,SO HE BEGAN TO ?9K3 ',HADN'T ,I BETT] RIDE ON BY MYSELF8 ,MY HORSE IS A GOOD ONE3 IF ! ,T>T>S DO ATTACK ME1 ,I CAN GALLOP AWAY4 ,P]HAPS1 H[EV]1 IT W\LD BE WIS] TO WAIT4' 

,AS HE SAT CONSID]+1 ,KO/IL91 AN (FIC] C>RY+ A GUN1 RODE UP TO HIM & SAID3 

',COME ALONG1 ,ZHIL91 LET'S GO ON BY \RSELVES4 ,IT'S DREADFUL2 ,I AM FAMI%$1 & ! HEAT IS T]RIBLE4 ,MY %IRT IS WR++ WET4' 

,KO/IL9 WAS A /\T1 HEAVY MAN1 & ! P]SPIRATION WAS RUNN+ D[N HIS R$ FACE4 ,ZHIL9 ?\<T A:ILE1 & !N ASK$3 ',IS Y\R GUN LOAD$8' 

',YES IT IS4' 

',WELL1 !N1 LET'S GO1 BUT ON CONDITION ?AT WE KEEP TOGE!R4' 

,SO !Y RODE =W>D ALONG ! ROAD ACROSS ! PLA91 TALK+1 BUT KEEP+ A LOOK-\T ON BO? SIDES4 ,!Y C\LD SEE AF> ALL R\ND4 ,BUT AFT] CROSS+ ! PLA9 ! ROAD RAN ?R\< A VALLEY BETWE5 TWO HILLS1 & ,ZHIL9 SAID3 ',WE HAD BETT] CLIMB ?AT HILL & HAVE A LOOK R\ND1 OR ! ,T>T>S MAY BE ON US BE=E WE KN[ IT4' 

,BUT ,KO/IL9 ANSW]$3 ',:AT'S ! USE8 ,LET US GO ON4' 

,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 W\LD NOT AGREE4 

',NO1' HE SAID2 'Y\ CAN WAIT H]E IF Y\ LIKE1 BUT ,I'LL GO & LOOK R\ND4' ,& HE TURN$ HIS HORSE TO ! LEFT1 UP ! HILL4 ,ZHIL9'S HORSE WAS A HUNT]1 & C>RI$ HIM UP ! HILLSIDE AS IF IT HAD W+S4 7,HE HAD B\<T IT = A HUNDR$ RUBLES AS A COLT \T ( A H]D1 & HAD BROK5 IT 9 HIMSELF47 ,H>DLY HAD HE REA*$ ! TOP ( ! HILL1 :5 HE SAW SOME ?IRTY ,T>T>S NOT MU* MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ Y>DS AHEAD ( HIM4 ,AS SOON AS HE CAU<T SI<T ( !M HE TURN$ R\ND1 BUT ! ,T>T>S HAD ALSO SE5 HIM1 & RU%$ AFT] HIM AT FULL GALLOP1 GETT+ !IR GUNS \T AS !Y W5T4 ,D[N GALLOP$ ,ZHIL9 AS FA/ AS ! HORSE'S LEGS C\LD GO1 %\T+ TO ,KO/IL93 ',GET Y\R GUN READY6' 

,&1 9 ?\<T1 HE SAID TO HIS HORSE3 ',GET ME WELL \T ( ?IS1 MY PET2 DON'T /UMBLE1 = IF Y\ DO IT'S ALL UP4 ,ONCE ,I REA* ! GUN1 !Y %AN'T TAKE ME PRISON]4' 

,BUT1 9/EAD ( WAIT+1 ,KO/IL91 AS SOON AS HE CAU<T SI<T ( ! ,T>T>S1 TURN$ BACK T[>DS ! =TRESS AT FULL SPE$1 :IPP+ HIS HORSE N[ ON ONE SIDE N[ ON ! O!R1 & ITS SWIT*+ TAIL WAS ALL ?AT C\LD BE SE5 ( HIM 9 ! DU/4 

,ZHIL9 SAW IT WAS A BAD LOOK-\T2 ! GUN WAS GONE1 & :AT C\LD HE DO ) NO?+ BUT HIS SWORD8 ,HE TURN$ HIS HORSE T[>DS ! ESCORT1 ?9K+ TO ESCAPE1 BUT !RE W]E SIX ,T>T>S RU%+ TO CUT HIM (F4 ,HIS HORSE WAS A GOOD ONE1 BUT !IRS W]E /ILL BETT]2 & BESIDES1 !Y W]E ACROSS HIS PA?4 ,HE TRI$ TO RE9 9 HIS HORSE & TO TURN ANO!R WAY1 BUT IT WAS GO+ SO FA/ IT C\LD NOT /OP1 & DA%$ ON /RAI<T T[>DS ! ,T>T>S4 ,HE SAW A R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> ON A GRAY HORSE1 ) HIS GUN RAIS$1 COME AT HIM1 YELL+ & %[+ HIS TEE?4 

',AH1' ?\<T ,ZHIL91 ',I KN[ Y\1 DEVILS ?AT Y\ >E4 ,IF Y\ TAKE ME ALIVE1 Y\'LL PUT ME 9 A PIT & FLOG ME4 ,I WILL NOT BE TAK5 ALIVE6' 

,ZHIL91 ?\< NOT A BIG FELL[1 WAS BRAVE4 ,HE DREW HIS SWORD & DA%$ AT ! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T>1 ?9K+3 ',EI!R ,I'LL RIDE HIM D[N1 OR DISABLE HIM ) MY SWORD4' 

,HE WAS /ILL A HORSE'S L5G? AWAY FROM HIM1 :5 HE WAS FIR$ AT FROM BEH9D1 & HIS HORSE WAS HIT4 ,IT FELL TO ! GR\ND ) ALL ITS WEI<T1 P9N+ ,ZHIL9 TO ! E>?4 

,HE TRI$ TO RISE1 BUT TWO ILL-SAVOR$ ,T>T>S W]E ALREADY SITT+ ON HIM & B9D+ HIS H&S BEH9D HIS BACK4 ,HE MADE AN EF=T & FLUNG !M (F1 BUT ?REE O!RS JUMP$ FROM !IR HORSES & BEGAN BEAT+ HIS HEAD ) ! BUTTS ( !IR GUNS4 ,HIS EYES GREW DIM1 & HE FELL BACK4 ,! ,T>T>S SEIZ$ HIM1 &1 TAK+ SP>E GIR?S FROM !IR SADDLES1 TWI/$ HIS H&S BEH9D HIM & TI$ !M ) A ,T>T> KNOT4 ,!Y KNOCK$ HIS CAP (F1 PULL$ (F HIS BOOTS1 SE>*$ HIM ALL OV]1 TORE HIS CLO!S1 & TOOK HIS MONEY & HIS WAT*4 

,ZHIL9 LOOK$ R\ND AT HIS HORSE4 ,!RE IT LAY ON ITS SIDE1 POOR ?+1 JU/ AS IT HAD FALL52 /RUGGL+1 ITS LEGS 9 ! AIR1 UNABLE TO T\* ! GR\ND4 ,!RE WAS A HOLE 9 ITS HEAD1 & BLACK BLOOD WAS P\R+ \T1 TURN+ ! DU/ TO MUD = A C\PLE ( FEET >\ND4 

,ONE ( ! ,T>T>S W5T UP TO ! HORSE & BEGAN TAK+ ! SADDLE (F2 IT /ILL KICK$1 SO HE DREW A DAGG] & CUT ITS W9DPIPE4 ,A :I/L+ S\ND CAME FROM ITS ?ROAT1 ! HORSE GAVE ONE PLUNGE1 & ALL WAS OV]4 

,! ,T>T>S TOOK ! SADDLE & TRAPP+S4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> M\NT$ HIS HORSE1 & ! O!RS LIFT$ ,ZHIL9 9TO ! SADDLE BEH9D HIM4 ,TO PREV5T HIS FALL+ (F1 !Y /RAPP$ HIM TO ! ,T>T>'S GIRDLE2 & !N !Y ALL RODE AWAY TO ! HILLS4 

,SO !RE SAT ,ZHIL91 SWAY+ FROM SIDE TO SIDE1 HIS HEAD /RIK+ AGA9/ ! ,T>T>'S /9K+ BACK4 ,HE C\LD SEE NO?+ BUT ?AT MUSCUL> BACK & S9EWY NECK1 ) ITS CLOSELY %AV51 BLUI% NAPE4 ,ZHIL9'S HEAD WAS W\ND$3 ! BLOOD HAD DRI$ OV] HIS EYES1 & HE C\LD NEI!R %IFT HIS POSITION ON ! SADDLE NOR WIPE ! BLOOD (F4 ,HIS >MS W]E B\ND SO TI<TLY ?AT HIS COLL>-BONES A*$4 

,!Y RODE UP & D[N HILLS = A LONG WAY4 ,!N !Y REA*$ A RIV] :I* !Y =D$1 & CAME TO A H>D ROAD LEAD+ ACROSS A VALLEY4 

 ,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO SEE :]E !Y W]E GO+1 BUT HIS EYELIDS W]E /UCK TOGE!R ) BLOOD1 & HE C\LD NOT TURN4 

,TWILI<T BEGAN TO FALL2 !Y CROSS$ ANO!R RIV]1 & RODE UP A /ONY HILLSIDE4 ,!RE WAS A SMELL ( SMOKE H]E1 & DOGS W]E B>K+4 ,!Y HAD REA*$ AN ,A\L 7A ,T>T> VILLAGE74 ,! ,T>T>S GOT (F !IR HORSES2 ,T>T> *ILDR5 CAME & /OOD R\ND ,ZHIL91 %RIEK+ ) PLEASURE & ?R[+ /ONES AT HIM4 

,! ,T>T> DROVE ! *ILDR5 AWAY1 TOOK ,ZHIL9 (F ! HORSE1 & CALL$ HIS MAN4 ,A ,NOGAY.<#b.> ) HI< *EEK-BONES1 & NO?+ ON BUT A %IRT 7& ?AT SO TORN ?AT HIS BREA/ WAS ALL B>E71 ANSW]$ ! CALL4 ,! ,T>T> GAVE HIM AN ORD]4 ,HE W5T & FET*$ %ACKLES3 TWO BLOCKS ( OAK ) IRON R+S ATTA*$1 & A CLASP & LOCK FIX$ TO ONE ( ! R+S4 

,!Y UNTI$ ,ZHIL9'S >MS1 FA/5$ ! %ACKLES ON HIS LEG1 & DRAGG$ HIM TO A B>N1 :]E !Y PU%$ HIM 9 & LOCK$ ! DOOR4 

,ZHIL9 FELL ON A HEAP ( MANURE4 ,HE LAY /ILL A:ILE !N GROP$ AB\T TO F9D A S(T PLACE1 & SETTL$ D[N4 

II 

,?AT NI<T ,ZHIL9 H>DLY SLEPT AT ALL4 ,IT WAS ! TIME ( YE> :5 ! NI<TS >E %ORT1 & DAYLI<T SOON %[$ ITSELF ?R\< A *9K 9 ! WALL4 ,HE ROSE1 SCRAT*$ TO MAKE ! *9K BIGG]1 & PEEP$ \T4 

,?R\< ! HOLE HE SAW A ROAD LEAD+ D[N-HILL2 TO ! RI<T WAS A ,T>T> HUT ) TWO TREES NE> IT1 A BLACK DOG LAY ON ! ?RE%OLD1 & A GOAT & KIDS W]E MOV+ AB\T WAGG+ !IR TAILS4 ,!N HE SAW A Y\NG ,T>T> WOMAN 9 A LONG1 LOOSE1 BRI<T-COLOR$ G[N1 ) TR\S]S & HI< BOOTS %[+ FROM UND] IT4 ,%E HAD A COAT ?R[N OV] H] HEAD1 ON :I* %E C>RI$ A L>GE METAL JUG FILL$ ) WAT]4 ,%E WAS LEAD+ BY ! H& A SMALL1 CLOSELY-%AV5 ,T>T> BOY1 :O WORE NO?+ BUT A %IRT2 & AS %E W5T ALONG BALANC+ H]SELF1 ! MUSCLES ( H] BACK QUIV]$4 ,?IS WOMAN C>RI$ ! WAT] 9TO ! HUT1 &1 SOON AFT]1 ! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> ( YE/]DAY CAME \T DRESS$ 9 A SILK TUNIC1 ) A SILV]-HILT$ DAGG] HANG+ BY HIS SIDE1 %OES ON HIS B>E FEET1 & A TALL BLACK %EEPSK9 CAP SET F> BACK ON HIS HEAD4 ,HE CAME \T1 /RET*$ HIMSELF1 & /ROK$ HIS R$ BE>D4 ,HE /OOD A:ILE1 GAVE AN ORD] TO HIS S]VANT1 & W5T AWAY4 

,!N TWO LADS RODE PA/ FROM WAT]+ !IR HORSES4 ,! HORSES' NOSES W]E WET4 ,SOME O!R CLOSELY-%AV5 BOYS RAN \T1 )\T ANY TR\S]S1 & WE>+ NO?+ BUT !IR %IRTS4 ,!Y CR[D$ TOGE!R1 CAME TO ! B>N1 PICK$ UP A TWIG1 & BEGAN PU%+ IT 9 AT ! *9K4 ,ZHIL9 GAVE A %\T1 & ! BOYS %RIEK$ & SCAMP]$ (F1 !IR LITTLE B>E KNEES GLEAM+ AS !Y RAN4 

,ZHIL9 WAS V]Y ?IR/Y3 HIS ?ROAT WAS P>*$1 & HE ?\<T3 ',IF ONLY !Y W\LD COME & SO MU* AS LOOK AT ME6' 

,!N HE HE>D SOME ONE UNLOCK+ ! B>N4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> 5T]$1 & ) HIM WAS ANO!R1 A SMALL] MAN1 D>K1 ) BRI<T BLACK EYES1 R$ *EEKS1 & A %ORT BE>D4 ,HE HAD A M]RY FACE1 & WAS ALWAYS LAU<+4 ,?IS MAN WAS EV5 MORE RI*LY DRESS$ ?AN ! O!R4 ,HE WORE A BLUE SILK TUNIC TRIMM$ ) GOLD1 A L>GE SILV] DAGG] 9 HIS BELT1 R$ MOROCCO SLIPP]S WORK$ ) SILV]1 & OV] !SE A PAIR ( ?ICK %OES1 & HE HAD A :ITE %EEPSK9 CAP ON HIS HEAD4 

,! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> 5T]$1 MUTT]$ SOME?+ AS IF HE W]E ANNOY$1 & /OOD LEAN+ AGA9/ ! DOORPO/1 PLAY+ ) HIS DAGG]1 & GL>+ ASKANCE AT ,ZHIL91 LIKE A WOLF4 ,! D>K ONE1 QUICK & LIVELY1 & MOV+ AS IF ON SPR+S1 CAME /RAI<T UP TO ,ZHIL91 SQUATT$ D[N 9 FRONT ( HIM1 SLAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 & BEGAN TO TALK V]Y FA/ 9 HIS [N LANGUAGE4 ,HIS TEE? %[$1 & HE KEPT W9K+1 CLICK+ HIS TONGUE1 & REPEAT+1 ',GOOD ,RUSS1 GOOD ,RUSS4' 

 ,ZHIL9 C\LD NOT UND]/& A WORD1 BUT SAID1 ',DR9K6 GIVE ME WAT] TO DR9K6' 

,! D>K MAN ONLY LAU<$4 ',GOOD ,RUSS1' HE SAID1 & W5T ON TALK+ 9 HIS [N TONGUE4 

,ZHIL9 MADE SIGNS ) LIPS & H&S ?AT HE WANT$ SOME?+ TO DR9K4 

,! D>K MAN UND]/OOD1 & LAU<$4 ,!N HE LOOK$ \T ( ! DOOR1 & CALL$ TO SOME ONE3 ',D9A6' 

,A LITTLE GIRL CAME RUNN+ 93 %E WAS AB\T ?IRTE51 SLI<T1 ?91 & LIKE ! D>K ,T>T> 9 FACE4 ,EVID5TLY %E WAS HIS DAU<T]4 ,%E1 TOO1 HAD CLE> BLACK EYES1 & H] FACE WAS GOOD-LOOK+4 ,%E HAD ON A LONG BLUE G[N ) WIDE SLEEVES1 & NO GIRDLE4 ,! HEM ( H] G[N1 ! FRONT1 & ! SLEEVES1 W]E TRIMM$ ) R$4 ,%E WORE TR\S]S & SLIPP]S1 & OV] ! SLIPP]S /\T] %OES ) HI< HEELS4 ,R\ND H] NECK %E HAD A NECKLACE MADE ( ,RUSSIAN SILV] CO9S4 ,%E WAS B>EHEAD$1 & H] BLACK HAIR WAS PLAIT$ ) A RIBBON & ORNAM5T$ ) GILT BRAID & SILV] CO9S4 

,H] FA!R GAVE AN ORD]1 & %E RAN AWAY & RETURN$ ) A METAL JUG4 ,%E H&$ ! WAT] TO ,ZHIL9 & SAT D[N1 CR\*+ SO ?AT H] KNEES W]E AS HI< AS H] HEAD2 & !RE %E SAT ) WIDE OP5 EYES WAT*+ ,ZHIL9 DR9K1 AS ?\< HE W]E A WILD ANIMAL4 

,:5 ,ZHIL9 H&$ ! EMPTY JUG BACK TO H]1 %E GAVE SU* A SUDD5 JUMP BACK1 LIKE A WILD GOAT1 ?AT IT MADE H] FA!R LAU<4 ,HE S5T H] AWAY = SOME?+ ELSE4 ,%E TOOK ! JUG1 RAN \T1 & BR\<T BACK SOME UNLEAV5$ BREAD ON A R\ND BO>D1 & ONCE MORE SAT D[N1 CR\*+1 & LOOK+ ON ) />+ EYES4 

,!N ! ,T>T>S W5T AWAY & AGA9 LOCK$ ! DOOR4 

,AFT] A :ILE ! ,NOGAY CAME & SAID3 ',AYDA1 ! MA/]1 ,AYDA6' 

,HE1 TOO1 KNEW NO ,RUSSIAN4 ,ALL ,ZHIL9 C\LD MAKE \T WAS ?AT HE WAS TOLD TO GO SOME:]E4 

,ZHIL9 FOLL[$ ! ,NOGAY1 BUT LIMP$1 = ! %ACKLES DRAGG$ HIS FEET SO ?AT HE C\LD H>DLY /EP AT ALL4 ,ON GETT+ \T ( ! B>N HE SAW A ,T>T> VILLAGE ( AB\T T5 H\SES1 & A ,T>T> *UR* ) A SMALL T[]4 ,?REE HORSES /OOD SADDL$ BE=E ONE ( ! H\SES2 LITTLE BOYS W]E HOLD+ !M BY ! RE9S4 ,! D>K ,T>T> CAME \T ( ?IS H\SE1 BECKON+ ) HIS H& = ,ZHIL9 TO FOLL[ HIM4 ,!N HE LAU<$1 SAID SOME?+ 9 HIS [N LANGUAGE1 & RETURN$ 9TO ! H\SE4 

,ZHIL9 5T]$4 ,! ROOM WAS A GOOD ONE3 ! WALLS SMOO?LY PLA/]$ ) CLAY4 ,NE> ! FRONT WALL LAY A PILE ( BRI<T-COLOR$ FEA!R B$S2 ! SIDE WALLS W]E COV]$ ) RI* C>PETS US$ AS HANG+S1 & ON !SE W]E FA/5$ GUNS1 PI/OLS & SWORDS1 ALL 9LAID ) SILV]4 ,CLOSE TO ONE ( ! WALLS WAS A SMALL /OVE ON A LEVEL ) ! E>!N FLOOR4 ,! FLOOR ITSELF WAS AS CLEAN AS A ?RA%+-GR\ND4 ,A L>GE SPACE 9 ONE CORN] WAS SPREAD OV] ) FELT1 ON :I* W]E RUGS1 & ON !SE RUGS W]E CU%IONS /UFF$ ) D[N4 ,& ON !SE CU%IONS SAT FIVE ,T>T>S1 ! D>K ONE1 ! R$-HAIR$ ONE1 & ?REE GUE/S4 ,!Y W]E WE>+ !IR 9DOOR SLIPP]S1 & EA* HAD A CU%ION BEH9D HIS BACK4 ,BE=E !M W]E /&+ MILLET CAKES ON A R\ND BO>D1 MELT$ BUTT] 9 A B[L1 & A JUG ( BUZA1 OR ,T>T> BE]4 ,!Y ATE BO? CAKES & BUTT] ) !IR H&S4 

,! D>K MAN JUMP$ UP & ORD]$ ,ZHIL9 TO BE PLAC$ ON ONE SIDE1 NOT ON ! C>PET BUT ON ! B>E GR\ND1 !N HE SAT D[N ON ! C>PET AGA91 & (F]$ MILLET CAKES & BUZA TO HIS GUE/S4 ,! S]VANT MADE ,ZHIL9 SIT D[N1 AFT] :I* HE TOOK (F HIS [N OV]%OES1 PUT !M BY ! DOOR :]E ! O!R %OES W]E /&+1 & SAT D[N NE>] TO HIS MA/]S ON ! FELT1 WAT*+ !M AS !Y ATE1 & LICK+ HIS LIPS4 

,! ,T>T>S ATE AS MU* AS !Y WANT$1 & A WOMAN DRESS$ 9 ! SAME WAY AS ! GIRL--9 A LONG G[N & TR\S]S1 ) A K]*IEF ON H] HEAD--CAME & TOOK AWAY :AT WAS LEFT1 & BR\<T A H&SOME BAS91 & AN EW] ) A N>R[ SP\T4 ,! ,T>T>S WA%$ !IR H&S1 FOLD$ !M1 W5T D[N ON !IR KNEES1 BLEW TO ! F\R QU>T]S1 & SAID !IR PRAY]S4 ,AFT] !Y HAD TALK$ = A :ILE1 ONE ( ! GUE/S TURN$ TO ,ZHIL9 & BEGAN TO SPEAK 9 ,RUSSIAN4 

',Y\ W]E CAPTUR$ BY ,KAZI-,MOHAMM$1' HE SAID1 & PO9T$ AT ! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T>4 ',& ,KAZI-,MOHAMM$ HAS GIV5 Y\ TO ,ABDUL ,MURAT1' PO9T+ AT ! D>K ONE4 ',ABDUL ,MURAT IS N[ Y\R MA/]4' 

,ZHIL9 WAS SIL5T4 ,!N ,ABDUL ,MURAT BEGAN TO TALK1 LAU<+1 PO9T+ TO ,ZHIL91 & REPEAT+1 ',SOLDI] ,RUSS1 GOOD ,RUSS4' 

,! 9T]PRET] SAID1 ',HE ORD]S Y\ TO WRITE HOME & TELL !M TO S5D A RANSOM1 & AS SOON AS ! MONEY COMES HE WILL SET Y\ FREE4' 

,ZHIL9 ?\<T = A MOM5T1 & SAID1 ',H[ MU* RANSOM DOES HE WANT8' 

,! ,T>T>S TALK$ A:ILE1 & !N ! 9T]PRET] SAID1 ',?REE ?\S& RUBLES4' 

',NO1' SAID ,ZHIL91 ',I CAN'T PAY SO MU*4' 

,ABDUL JUMP$ UP &1 WAV+ HIS >MS1 TALK$ TO ,ZHIL91 ?9K+1 AS BE=E1 ?AT HE W\LD UND]/&4 ,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$3 ',H[ MU* WILL Y\ GIVE8' 

,ZHIL9 CONSID]$1 & SAID1 ',FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4' ,AT ?IS ! ,T>T>S BEGAN SPEAK+ V]Y QUICKLY1 ALL TOGE!R4 ,ABDUL BEGAN TO %\T AT ! R$-BE>D$ ONE1 & JABB]$ SO FA/ ?AT ! SPITTLE SPURT$ \T ( HIS M\?4 ,! R$-BE>D$ ONE ONLY SCREW$ UP HIS EYES & CLICK$ HIS TONGUE4 

,!Y QUIET5$ D[N AFT] A :ILE1 & ! 9T]PRET] SAID1 ',FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES IS NOT 5\< = ! MA/]4 ,HE PAID TWO HUNDR$ = Y\ HIMSELF4 ,KAZI-,MOHAMM$ WAS 9 DEBT TO HIM1 & HE TOOK Y\ 9 PAYM5T4 ,?REE ?\S& RUBLES6 ,LESS ?AN ?AT WON'T DO4 ,IF Y\ REFUSE TO WRITE1 Y\ WILL BE PUT 9TO A PIT & FLOGG$ ) A :IP6' 

',EH6' ?\<T ,ZHIL91 '! MORE ONE FE>S !M ! WORSE IT WILL BE4' 

,SO HE SPRANG TO HIS FEET1 & SAID1 ',Y\ TELL ?AT DOG ?AT IF HE TRIES TO FRI<T5 ME ,I WILL NOT WRITE AT ALL1 & HE WILL GET NO?+4 ,I NEV] WAS AFRAID ( Y\ DOGS1 & NEV] WILL BE6' 

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

,!Y JABB]$ = A LONG TIME1 & !N ! D>K MAN JUMP$ UP1 CAME TO ,ZHIL91 & SAID3 ',DZHIGIT ,RUSS1 DZHIGIT ,RUSS6' 7,DZHIGIT 9 !IR LANGUAGE MEANS 'BRAVE4'7 ,& HE LAU<$1 & SAID SOME?+ TO ! 9T]PRET]1 :O TRANSLAT$3 ',ONE ?\S& RUBLES WILL SATISFY HIM4' 

,ZHIL9 /UCK TO IT3 ',I WILL NOT GIVE MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$4 ,& IF Y\ KILL ME Y\'LL GET NO?+ AT ALL4' 

,! ,T>T>S TALK$ A:ILE1 !N S5T ! S]VANT \T TO FET* SOME?+1 & KEPT LOOK+1 N[ AT ,ZHIL91 N[ AT ! DOOR4 ,! S]VANT RETURN$1 FOLL[$ BY A /\T1 B>E-FOOT$1 TATT]$ MAN1 :O ALSO HAD HIS LEG %ACKL$4 

,ZHIL9 GASP$ ) SURPRISE3 IT WAS ,KO/IL94 ,HE1 TOO1 HAD BE5 TAK54 ,!Y W]E PUT SIDE BY SIDE1 & BEGAN TO TELL EA* O!R :AT HAD OCCURR$4 ,:ILE !Y TALK$1 ! ,T>T>S LOOK$ ON 9 SIL5CE4 ,ZHIL9 RELAT$ :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM2 & ,KO/IL9 TOLD H[ HIS HORSE HAD /OPP$1 HIS GUN MISS$ FIRE1 & ?IS SAME ,ABDUL HAD OV]TAK5 & CAPTUR$ HIM4 

,ABDUL JUMP$ UP1 PO9T$ TO ,KO/IL91 & SAID SOME?+4 ,! 9T]PRET] TRANSLAT$ ?AT !Y BO? N[ BELONG$ TO ONE MA/]1 & ! ONE :O FIR/ PAID ! RANSOM W\LD BE SET FREE FIR/4 

',!RE N[1' HE SAID TO ,ZHIL91 'Y\ GET ANGRY1 BUT Y\R COMRADE H]E IS G5TLE2 HE HAS WRITT5 HOME1 & !Y WILL S5D FIVE ?\S& RUBLES4 ,SO HE WILL BE WELL F$ & WELL TREAT$4' 

,ZHIL9 REPLI$3 ',MY COMRADE CAN DO AS HE LIKES2 MAYBE HE IS RI*1 ,I AM NOT4 ,IT MU/ BE AS ,I SAID4 ,KILL ME1 IF Y\ LIKE--Y\ WILL GA9 NO?+ BY IT2 BUT ,I WILL NOT WRITE = MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4' 

,!Y W]E SIL5T4 ,SUDD5LY UP SPRANG ,ABDUL1 BR\<T A LITTLE BOX1 TOOK \T A P51 9K1 & A BIT ( PAP]1 GAVE !M TO ,ZHIL91 SLAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 & MADE A SIGN ?AT HE %\LD WRITE4 ,HE HAD AGRE$ TO TAKE FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4 

',WAIT A BIT6' SAID ,ZHIL9 TO ! 9T]PRET]2 'TELL HIM ?AT HE MU/ FE$ US PROP]LY1 GIVE US PROP] CLO!S & BOOTS1 & LET US BE TOGE!R4 ,IT WILL BE MORE *E]FUL = US4 ,& HE MU/ HAVE !SE %ACKLES TAK5 (F \R FEET1' & ,ZHIL9 LOOK$ AT HIS MA/] & LAU<$4 

,! MA/] ALSO LAU<$1 HE>D ! 9T]PRET]1 & SAID3 ',I WILL GIVE !M ! BE/ ( CLO!S3 A CLOAK & BOOTS FIT TO BE M>RI$ 94 ,I WILL FE$ !M LIKE PR9CES2 & IF !Y LIKE !Y CAN LIVE TOGE!R 9 ! B>N4 ,BUT ,I CAN'T TAKE (F ! %ACKLES1 OR !Y WILL RUN AWAY4 ,!Y %ALL BE TAK5 (F1 H[EV]1 AT NI<T4' ,& HE JUMP$ UP & SLAPP$ ,ZHIL9 ON ! %\LD]1 EXCLAIM+3 ',Y\ GOOD1 ,I GOOD6' 

,ZHIL9 WROTE ! LETT]1 BUT ADDRESS$ IT WRONGLY1 SO ?AT IT %\LD NOT REA* ITS DE/9ATION1 ?9K+ TO HIMSELF3 ',I'LL RUN AWAY6' 

,ZHIL9 & ,KO/IL9 W]E TAK5 BACK TO ! B>N & GIV5 SOME MAIZE /RAW1 A JUG ( WAT]1 SOME BREAD1 TWO OLD CLOAKS1 & SOME WORN-\T MILIT>Y BOOTS--EVID5TLY TAK5 FROM ! CORPSES ( ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S4 ,AT NI<T !IR %ACKLES W]E TAK5 (F !IR FEET1 & !Y W]E LOCK$ UP 9 ! B>N4 

III 

,ZHIL9 & HIS FRI5D LIV$ 9 ?IS WAY = A :OLE MON?4 ,! MA/] ALWAYS LAU<$ & SAID3 ',Y\1 ,IVAN1 GOOD6 ,I1 ,ABDUL1 GOOD6' ,BUT HE F$ !M BADLY1 GIV+ !M NO?+ BUT UNLEAV5$ BREAD ( MILLET-FL\R BAK$ 9TO FLAT CAKES1 OR SOMETIMES ONLY UNBAK$ D\<4 

,KO/IL9 WROTE HOME A SECOND TIME1 & DID NO?+ BUT MOPE & WAIT = ! MONEY TO >RIVE4 ,HE W\LD SIT = DAYS TOGE!R 9 ! B>N SLEEP+1 OR C\NT+ ! DAYS TILL A LETT] C\LD COME4 

,ZHIL9 KNEW HIS LETT] W\LD REA* NO ONE1 & HE DID NOT WRITE ANO!R4 ,HE ?\<T3 ',:]E C\LD MY MO!R GET 5\< MONEY TO RANSOM ME8 ,AS IT IS %E LIV$ *IEFLY ON :AT ,I S5T H]4 ,IF %E HAD TO RAISE FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES1 %E W\LD BE QUITE RU9$4 ,) ,GOD'S HELP ,I'LL MANAGE TO ESCAPE6' 

,SO HE KEPT ON ! LOOK-\T1 PLANN+ H[ TO RUN AWAY4 

,HE W\LD WALK AB\T ! ,A\L :I/L+2 OR W\LD SIT WORK+1 MODEL+ DOLLS ( CLAY1 OR WEAV+ BASKETS \T ( TWIGS3 = ,ZHIL9 WAS CLEV] ) HIS H&S4 

,ONCE HE MODEL$ A DOLL ) A NOSE & H&S & FEET & ) A ,T>T> G[N ON1 & PUT IT UP ON ! RO(4 ,:5 ! ,T>T> WOM5 CAME \T TO FET* WAT]1 ! MA/]'S DAU<T]1 ,D9A1 SAW ! DOLL & CALL$ ! WOM51 :O PUT D[N !IR JUGS & /OOD LOOK+ & LAU<+4 ,ZHIL9 TOOK D[N ! DOLL & HELD IT \T TO !M4 ,!Y LAU<$1 BUT D>$ NOT TAKE IT4 ,HE PUT D[N ! DOLL & W5T 9TO ! B>N1 WAIT+ TO SEE :AT W\LD HAPP54 

,D9A RAN UP TO ! DOLL1 LOOK$ R\ND1 SEIZ$ IT1 & RAN AWAY4 

,9 ! MORN+1 AT DAYBREAK1 HE LOOK$ \T4 ,D9A CAME \T ( ! H\SE & SAT D[N ON ! ?RE%OLD ) ! DOLL1 :I* %E HAD DRESS$ UP 9 BITS ( R$ /UFF1 & %E ROCK$ IT LIKE A BABY1 S++ A ,T>T> LULLABY4 ,AN OLD WOMAN CAME \T & SCOLD$ H]1 & SNAT*+ ! DOLL AWAY %E BROKE IT TO BITS1 & S5T ,D9A AB\T H] BUS9ESS4 

,BUT ,ZHIL9 MADE ANO!R DOLL1 BETT] ?AN ! FIR/1 & GAVE IT TO ,D9A4 ,ONCE ,D9A BR\<T A LITTLE JUG1 PUT IT ON ! GR\ND1 SAT D[N GAZ+ AT HIM1 & LAU<$1 PO9T+ TO ! JUG4 

',:AT PLEASES H] SO8' WOND]$ ,ZHIL94 ,HE TOOK ! JUG ?9K+ IT WAS WAT]1 BUT IT TURN$ \T TO BE MILK4 ,HE DRANK ! MILK & SAID3 ',?AT'S GOOD6' 

,H[ PLEAS$ ,D9A WAS6 ',GOOD1 ,IVAN1 GOOD6' SAID %E1 & %E JUMP$ UP & CLAPP$ H] H&S4 ,!N1 SEIZ+ ! JUG1 %E RAN AWAY4 ,AFT] ?AT1 %E /EAL?ILY BR\<T HIM SOME MILK EV]Y DAY4 

,! ,T>T>S MAKE A K9D ( *EESE \T ( GOAT'S MILK1 :I* !Y DRY ON ! RO(S ( !IR H\SES2 & SOMETIMES1 ON ! SLY1 %E BR\<T HIM SOME ( ?IS *EESE4 ,& ONCE1 :5 ,ABDUL HAD KILL$ A %EEP1 %E BR\<T ,ZHIL9 A BIT ( MUTTON 9 H] SLEEVE4 ,%E W\LD JU/ ?R[ ! ?+S D[N & RUN AWAY4 

,ONE DAY !RE WAS A HEAVY /ORM1 & ! RA9 FELL 9 TORR5TS = A :OLE H\R4 ,ALL ! /REAMS BECAME TURBID4 ,AT ! =D1 ! WAT] ROSE TILL IT WAS SEV5 FEET HI<1 & ! CURR5T WAS SO /RONG ?AT IT ROLL$ ! /ONES AB\T4 ,RIVULETS FL[$ EV]Y:]E1 & ! RUMBL+ 9 ! HILLS NEV] CEAS$4 ,:5 ! /ORM WAS OV]1 ! WAT] RAN 9 /REAMS D[N ! VILLAGE /REET4 ,ZHIL9 GOT HIS MA/] TO L5D HIM A KNIFE1 & ) IT HE %AP$ A SMALL CYL9D]1 & CUTT+ SOME LITTLE BO>DS1 HE MADE A :EEL TO :I* HE FIX$ TWO DOLLS1 ONE ON EA* SIDE4 ,! LITTLE GIRLS BR\<T HIM SOME BITS ( /UFF1 & HE DRESS$ ! DOLLS1 ONE AS A PEASANT1 ! O!R AS A PEASANT WOMAN4 ,!N HE FA/5$ !M 9 !IR PLACES1 & SET ! :EEL SO ?AT ! /REAM %\LD WORK IT4 ,! :EEL BEGAN TO TURN & ! DOLLS DANC$4 

,! :OLE VILLAGE COLLECT$ R\ND4 ,LITTLE BOYS & GIRLS1 ,T>T> M5 & WOM51 ALL CAME & CLICK$ !IR TONGUES4 

',AH1 ,RUSS6 ,AH1 ,IVAN6' 

,ABDUL HAD A ,RUSSIAN CLOCK1 :I* WAS BROK54 ,HE CALL$ ,ZHIL9 & %[$ IT TO HIM1 CLICK+ HIS TONGUE4 

',GIVE IT ME1 ,I'LL M5D IT = Y\1' SAID ,ZHIL94 

,HE TOOK IT TO PIECES ) ! KNIFE1 SORT$ ! PIECES1 & PUT !M TOGE!R AGA91 SO ?AT ! CLOCK W5T ALL RI<T4 

,! MA/] WAS DELI<T$1 & MADE HIM A PRES5T ( ONE ( HIS OLD TUNICS :I* WAS ALL 9 HOLES4 ,ZHIL9 HAD TO ACCEPT IT4 ,HE C\LD1 AT ANY RATE1 USE IT AS A COV]LET AT NI<T4 

,AFT] ?AT ,ZHIL9'S FAME SPREAD2 & ,T>T>S CAME FROM DI/ANT VILLAGES1 BR++ HIM N[ ! LOCK ( A GUN OR ( A PI/OL1 N[ A WAT*1 TO M5D4 ,HIS MA/] GAVE HIM SOME TOOLS--P9C]S1 GIMLETS1 & A FILE4 

,ONE DAY A ,T>T> FELL ILL1 & !Y CAME TO ,ZHIL9 SAY+1 ',COME & HEAL HIM6' ,ZHIL9 KNEW NO?+ AB\T DOCTOR+1 BUT HE W5T TO LOOK1 & ?\<T TO HIMSELF1 ',P]HAPS HE WILL GET WELL ANYWAY4' 

,HE RETURN$ TO ! B>N1 MIX$ SOME WAT] ) S&1 & !N 9 ! PRES5CE ( ! ,T>T>S :ISP]$ SOME WORDS OV] IT & GAVE IT TO ! SICK MAN TO DR9K4 ,LUCKILY = HIM1 ! ,T>T> RECOV]$4 

,ZHIL9 BEGAN TO PICK UP !IR LANGUAGE A LITTLE1 & SOME ( ! ,T>T>S GREW FAMILI> ) HIM4 ,:5 !Y WANT$ HIM1 !Y W\LD CALL3 ',IVAN6 ,IVAN6' ,O!RS1 H[EV]1 /ILL LOOK$ AT HIM ASKANCE1 AS AT A WILD BEA/4 

,! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> DISLIK$ ,ZHIL94 ,:5EV] HE SAW HIM HE FR[N$ & TURN$ AWAY1 OR SWORE AT HIM4 ,!RE WAS ALSO AN OLD MAN !RE :O DID NOT LIVE 9 ! ,A\L1 BUT US$ TO COME UP FROM ! FOOT ( ! HILL4 ,ZHIL9 ONLY SAW HIM :5 HE PASS$ ON HIS WAY TO ! ,MOSQUE4 ,HE WAS %ORT1 & HAD A :ITE CLO? W\ND R\ND HIS HAT4 ,HIS BE>D & MU/A*ES W]E CLIPP$1 & :ITE AS SN[2 & HIS FACE WAS WR9KL$ & BRICK-R$4 ,HIS NOSE WAS HOOK$ LIKE A HAWK'S1 HIS GRAY EYES LOOK$ CRUEL1 & HE HAD NO TEE? EXCEPT TWO TUSKS4 ,HE W\LD PASS1 ) HIS TURBAN ON HIS HEAD1 LEAN+ ON HIS /AFF1 & GL>+ R\ND HIM LIKE A WOLF4 ,IF HE SAW ,ZHIL9 HE W\LD SNORT ) ANG] & TURN AWAY4 

,ONCE ,ZHIL9 DESC5D$ ! HILL TO SEE :]E ! OLD MAN LIV$4 ,HE W5T D[N ALONG ! PA?WAY & CAME TO A LITTLE G>D5 SURR\ND$ BY A /ONE WALL2 & BEH9D ! WALL HE SAW *]RY & APRICOT TREES1 & A HUT ) A FLAT RO(4 ,HE CAME CLOS]1 & SAW HIVES MADE ( PLAIT$ /RAW1 & BEES FLY+ AB\T & HUMM+4 ,! OLD MAN WAS KNEEL+1 BUSY DO+ SOME?+ ) A HIVE4 ,ZHIL9 /RET*$ TO LOOK1 & HIS %ACKLES RATTL$4 ,! OLD MAN TURN$ R\ND1 &1 GIV+ A YELL1 SNAT*$ A PI/OL FROM HIS BELT & %OT AT ,ZHIL91 :O JU/ MANAG$ TO %ELT] HIMSELF BEH9D ! /ONE WALL4 

,! OLD MAN W5T TO ,ZHIL9'S MA/] TO COMPLA94 ,! MA/] CALL$ ,ZHIL91 & SAID ) A LAU<1 ',:Y DID Y\ GO TO ! OLD MAN'S H\SE8' 

 ',I DID HIM NO H>M1' REPLI$ ,ZHIL94 ',I ONLY WANT$ TO SEE H[ HE LIV$4' 

,! MA/] REPEAT$ :AT ,ZHIL9 SAID4 

,BUT ! OLD MAN WAS 9 A RAGE2 HE HISS$ & JABB]$1 %[+ HIS TUSKS1 & %AK+ HIS FI/S AT ,ZHIL94 

,ZHIL9 C\LD NOT UND]/& ALL1 BUT HE GA!R$ ?AT ! OLD MAN WAS TELL+ ,ABDUL HE \<T NOT TO KEEP ,RUSSIANS 9 ! ,A\L1 BUT \<T TO KILL !M4 ,AT LA/ ! OLD MAN W5T AWAY4 

,ZHIL9 ASK$ ! MA/] :O ! OLD MAN WAS4 

',HE IS A GREAT MAN6' SAID ! MA/]4 ',HE WAS ! BRAVE/ ( \R FELL[S2 HE KILL$ MANY ,RUSSIANS1 & WAS AT ONE TIME V]Y RI*4 ,HE HAD ?REE WIVES & EI<T SONS1 & !Y ALL LIV$ 9 ONE VILLAGE4 ,!N ! ,RUSSIANS CAME & DE/ROY$ ! VILLAGE1 & KILL$ SEV5 ( HIS SONS4 ,ONLY ONE SON WAS LEFT1 & HE GAVE HIMSELF UP TO ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,! OLD MAN ALSO W5T & GAVE HIMSELF UP1 & LIV$ AMONG ! ,RUSSIANS = ?REE MON?S4 ,AT ! 5D ( ?AT TIME HE F\ND HIS SON1 KILL$ HIM ) HIS [N H&S1 & !N ESCAP$4 ,AFT] ?AT HE LEFT (F FI<T+1 & W5T TO ,MECCA TO PRAY TO ,GOD2 ?AT IS :Y HE WE>S A TURBAN4 ,ONE :O HAS BE5 TO ,MECCA IS CALL$ 0,HAJJI10 & WE>S A TURBAN4 ,HE DOES NOT LIKE Y\ FELL[S4 ,HE TELLS ME TO KILL Y\4 ,BUT ,I CAN'T KILL Y\4 ,I HAVE PAID MONEY = Y\ &1 BESIDES1 ,I HAVE GR[N FOND ( Y\1 ,IVAN4 ,F> FROM KILL+ Y\1 ,I W\LD NOT EV5 LET Y\ GO IF ,I HAD NOT PROMIS$4' ,& HE LAU<$1 SAY+ 9 ,RUSSIAN1 ',Y\1 ,IVAN1 GOOD2 ,I1 ,ABDUL1 GOOD6' 

IV 

,ZHIL9 LIV$ 9 ?IS WAY = A MON?4 ,DUR+ ! DAY HE SAUNT]$ AB\T ! ,A\L OR BUSI$ HIMSELF ) SOME H&ICRAFT1 BUT AT NI<T1 :5 ALL WAS SIL5T 9 ! ,A\L1 HE DUG AT ! FLOOR ( ! B>N4 ,IT WAS NO EASY TASK DIGG+1 BECAUSE ( ! /ONES2 BUT HE WORK$ AWAY AT !M ) HIS FILE1 & AT LA/ HAD MADE A HOLE UND] ! WALL L>GE 5\< TO GET ?R\<4 

 ',IF ONLY ,I C\LD GET TO KN[ ! LAY ( ! L&1' ?\<T HE1 '& :I* WAY TO GO6 ,BUT NONE ( ! ,T>T>S WILL TELL ME4' 

,SO HE *OSE A DAY :5 ! MA/] WAS AWAY FROM HOME1 & SET (F AFT] D9N] TO CLIMB ! HILL BEYOND ! VILLAGE1 & TO LOOK >\ND4 ,BUT BE=E LEAV+ HOME ! MA/] ALWAYS GAVE ORD]S TO HIS SON TO WAT* ,ZHIL91 & NOT TO LOSE SI<T ( HIM4 ,SO ! LAD RAN AFT] ,ZHIL91 %\T+3 ',DON'T GO6 ,FA!R DOES NOT ALL[ IT4 ,I'LL CALL ! NEI<BORS IF Y\ WON'T COME BACK4' 

,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO P]SUADE HIM1 & SAID3 ',I'M NOT GO+ F>2 ,I ONLY WANT TO CLIMB ?AT HILL4 ,I WANT TO F9D A H]B--TO CURE SICK PEOPLE )4 ,Y\ COME ) ME IF Y\ LIKE4 ,H[ CAN ,I RUN AWAY ) !SE %ACKLES ON8 ,TO-MORR[ ,I'LL MAKE A B[ & >R[S = Y\4' 

,SO HE P]SUAD$ ! LAD1 & !Y W5T4 ,TO LOOK AT ! HILL1 IT DID NOT SEEM F> TO ! TOP2 BUT IT WAS H>D WALK+ ) %ACKLES ON HIS LEG4 ,ZHIL9 W5T ON & ON1 BUT IT WAS ALL HE C\LD DO TO REA* ! TOP4 ,!RE HE SAT D[N & NOT$ H[ ! L& LAY4 ,TO ! S\?1 BEYOND ! B>N1 WAS A VALLEY 9 :I* A H]D ( HORSES WAS PA/UR+ & AT ! BOTTOM ( ! VALLEY ONE C\LD SEE ANO!R ,A\L4 ,BEYOND ?AT WAS A /ILL /EEP] HILL1 & ANO!R HILL BEYOND ?AT4 ,BETWE5 ! HILLS1 9 ! BLUE DI/ANCE1 W]E =E/S1 & /ILL FUR!R (F W]E M\NTA9S1 RIS+ HI<] & HI<]4 ,! HI<E/ ( !M W]E COV]$ ) SN[1 :ITE AS SUG>2 & ONE SN[Y PEAK T[]$ ABOVE ALL ! RE/4 ,TO ! EA/ & TO ! WE/ W]E O!R SU* HILLS1 & H]E & !RE SMOKE ROSE FROM ,A\LS 9 ! RAV9ES4 ',AH1' ?\<T HE1 'ALL ?AT IS ,T>T> C\NTRY4' ,& HE TURN$ T[>DS ! ,RUSSIAN SIDE4 ,AT HIS FEET HE SAW A RIV]1 & ! ,A\L HE LIV$ 91 SURR\ND$ BY LITTLE G>D5S4 ,HE C\LD SEE WOM51 LIKE T9Y DOLLS1 SITT+ BY ! RIV] R9S+ CLO!S4 ,BEYOND ! ,A\L WAS A HILL1 L[] ?AN ! ONE TO ! S\?1 & BEYOND IT TWO O!R HILLS WELL WOOD$2 & BETWE5 !SE1 A SMOO? BLUI% PLA91 & F>1 F> ACROSS ! PLA9 SOME?+ ?AT LOOK$ LIKE A CL\D ( SMOKE4 ,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO REMEMB] :]E ! SUN US$ TO RISE & SET :5 HE WAS LIV+ 9 ! =T1 & HE SAW ?AT !RE WAS NO MI/AKE3 ! ,RUSSIAN =T MU/ BE 9 ?AT PLA94 ,BETWE5 ?OSE TWO HILLS HE W\LD HAVE TO MAKE HIS WAY :5 HE ESCAP$4 

,! SUN WAS BEG9N+ TO SET4 ,! :ITE1 SN[Y M\NTA9S TURN$ R$1 & ! D>K HILLS TURN$ D>K]2 MI/S ROSE FROM ! RAV9E1 & ! VALLEY1 :]E HE SUPPOS$ ! ,RUSSIAN =T TO BE1 SEEM$ ON FIRE ) ! SUNSET GL[4 ,ZHIL9 LOOK$ C>EFULLY4 ,SOME?+ SEEM$ TO BE QUIV]+ 9 ! VALLEY LIKE SMOKE FROM A *IMNEY1 & HE FELT SURE ! ,RUSSIAN =TRESS WAS !RE4 

,IT HAD GR[N LATE4 ,! ,MULLAH'S CRY WAS HE>D4 ,! H]DS W]E BE+ DRIV5 HOME1 ! C[S W]E L[+1 & ! LAD KEPT SAY+1 ',COME HOME6' ,BUT ,ZHIL9 DID NOT FEEL 9CL9$ TO GO AWAY4 

,AT LA/1 H[EV]1 !Y W5T BACK4 ',WELL1' ?\<T ,ZHIL91 'N[ ?AT ,I KN[ ! WAY1 IT IS TIME TO ESCAPE4' ,HE ?\<T ( RUNN+ AWAY ?AT NI<T4 ,! NI<TS W]E D>K--! MOON HAD WAN$4 ,BUT AS ILL-LUCK W\LD HAVE IT1 ! ,T>T>S RETURN$ HOME ?AT EV5+4 ,!Y G5]ALLY CAME BACK DRIV+ CATTLE BE=E !M & 9 GOOD SPIRITS4 ,BUT ?IS TIME !Y HAD NO CATTLE4 ,ALL !Y BR\<T HOME WAS ! DEAD BODY ( A ,T>T>--! R$ ONE'S BRO!R--:O HAD BE5 KILL$4 ,!Y CAME BACK LOOK+ SULL51 & !Y ALL GA!R$ TOGE!R = ! BURIAL4 ,ZHIL9 ALSO CAME \T TO SEE IT4 

,!Y WRAPP$ ! BODY 9 A PIECE ( L951 )\T ANY C(F91 & C>RI$ IT \T ( ! VILLAGE1 & LAID IT ON ! GRASS UND] SOME PLANE-TREES4 ,! ,MULLAH & ! OLD M5 CAME4 ,!Y W\ND CLO!S R\ND !IR CAPS1 TOOK (F !IR %OES1 & SQUATT$ ON !IR HEELS1 SIDE BY SIDE1 NE> ! CORPSE4 

,! ,MULLAH WAS 9 FRONT3 BEH9D HIM 9 A R[ W]E ?REE OLD M5 9 TURBANS1 & BEH9D !M AGA9 ! O!R ,T>T>S4 ,ALL CA/ D[N !IR EYES & SAT 9 SIL5CE4 ,?IS CONT9U$ A LONG TIME1 UNTIL ! ,MULLAH RAIS$ HIS HEAD & SAID3 ',ALLAH6' 7:I* MEANS ,GOD74 ,HE SAID ?AT ONE WORD1 & !Y ALL CA/ D[N !IR EYES AGA91 & W]E AGA9 SIL5T = A LONG TIME4 ,!Y SAT QUITE /ILL1 NOT MOV+ OR MAK+ ANY S\ND4 

,AGA9 ! ,MULLAH LIFT$ HIS HEAD & SAID1 ',ALLAH6' & !Y ALL REPEAT$3 ',ALLAH6 ,ALLAH6' & W]E AGA9 SIL5T4 

,! DEAD BODY LAY IMMOVABLE ON ! GRASS1 & !Y SAT AS /ILL AS IF !Y TOO W]E DEAD4 ,NOT ONE ( !M MOV$4 ,!RE WAS NO S\ND BUT ?AT ( ! LEAVES ( ! PLANE-TREES /IRR+ 9 ! BREEZE4 ,!N ! ,MULLAH REPEAT$ A PRAY]1 & !Y ALL ROSE4 ,!Y LIFT$ ! BODY & C>RI$ IT 9 !IR >MS TO A HOLE 9 ! GR\ND4 ,IT WAS NOT AN ORD9>Y HOLE1 BUT WAS HOLL[$ \T UND] ! GR\ND LIKE A VAULT4 ,!Y TOOK ! BODY UND] ! >MS & BY ! LEGS1 B5T IT1 & LET IT G5TLY D[N1 PU%+ IT UND] ! E>? 9 A SITT+ PO/URE1 ) ! H&S FOLD$ 9 FRONT4 

,! ,NOGAY BR\<T SOME GRE5 RU%ES1 :I* !Y /UFF$ 9TO ! HOLE1 &1 QUICKLY COV]+ IT ) E>?1 !Y SMOO!D ! GR\ND1 & SET AN UPRI<T /ONE AT ! HEAD ( ! GRAVE4 ,!N !Y TROD ! E>? D[N1 & AGA9 SAT 9 A R[ BE=E ! GRAVE1 KEEP+ SIL5CE = A LONG TIME4 

,AT LA/ !Y ROSE1 SAID ',ALLAH6 ,ALLAH6 ,ALLAH6' & SI<$4 

,! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> GAVE MONEY TO ! OLD M52 !N HE TOO ROSE1 TOOK A :IP1 /RUCK HIMSELF ) IT ?REE TIMES ON ! =EHEAD1 & W5T HOME4 

,! NEXT MORN+ ,ZHIL9 SAW ! R$ ,T>T>1 FOLL[$ BY ?REE O!RS1 LEAD+ A M>E \T ( ! VILLAGE4 ,:5 !Y W]E BEYOND ! VILLAGE1 ! R$-BE>D$ ,T>T> TOOK (F HIS TUNIC & TURN$ UP HIS SLEEVES1 %[+ HIS /\T >MS4 ,!N HE DREW A DAGG] & %>P5$ IT ON A :ET/ONE4 ,! O!R ,T>T>S RAIS$ ! M>E'S HEAD1 & HE CUT H] ?ROAT1 ?REW H] D[N1 & BEGAN SK9N+ H]1 LOOS5+ ! HIDE ) HIS BIG H&S4 ,WOM5 & GIRLS CAME & BEGAN TO WA% ! 5TRAILS & ! 9W>DS4 ,! M>E WAS CUT UP1 ! PIECES TAK5 9TO ! HUT1 & ! :OLE VILLAGE COLLECT$ AT ! R$ ,T>T>'S HUT = A FUN]AL FEA/4 

 ,= ?REE DAYS !Y W5T ON EAT+ ! FLE% ( ! M>E1 DR9K+ BUZA1 & PRAY+ = ! DEAD MAN4 ,ALL ! ,T>T>S W]E AT HOME4 ,ON ! F\R? DAY AT D9N]-TIME ,ZHIL9 SAW !M PREP>+ TO GO AWAY4 ,HORSES W]E BR\<T \T1 !Y GOT READY1 & SOME T5 ( !M 7! R$ ONE AMONG !M7 RODE AWAY2 BUT ,ABDUL /AY$ AT HOME4 ,IT WAS NEW MOON1 & ! NI<TS W]E /ILL D>K4 

',AH6' ?\<T ,ZHIL91 'TO-NI<T IS ! TIME TO ESCAPE4' ,& HE TOLD ,KO/IL92 BUT ,KO/IL9'S HE>T FAIL$ HIM4 

',H[ CAN WE ESCAPE8' HE SAID4 ',WE DON'T EV5 KN[ ! WAY4' 

',I KN[ ! WAY1' SAID ,ZHIL94 

',EV5 IF Y\ DO1' SAID ,KO/IL91 'WE CAN'T REA* ! =T 9 ONE NI<T4' 

',IF WE CAN'T1' SAID ,ZHIL91 'WE'LL SLEEP 9 ! =E/4 ,SEE H]E1 ,I HAVE SAV$ SOME *EESES4 ,:AT'S ! GOOD ( SITT+ & MOP+ H]E8 ,IF !Y S5D Y\R RANSOM--WELL & GOOD2 BUT SUPPOSE !Y DON'T MANAGE TO COLLECT IT8 ,! ,T>T>S >E ANGRY N[1 BECAUSE ! ,RUSSIANS HAVE KILL$ ONE ( !IR M54 ,!Y >E TALK+ ( KILL+ US4' 

,KO/IL9 ?\<T IT OV]4 

',WELL1 LET'S GO1' SAID HE4 

V 

,ZHIL9 CREPT 9TO ! HOLE1 WID5$ IT SO ?AT ,KO/IL9 MI<T ALSO GET ?R\<1 & !N !Y BO? SAT WAIT+ TILL ALL %\LD BE QUIET 9 ! ,A\L4 

,AS SOON AS ALL WAS QUIET1 ,ZHIL9 CREPT UND] ! WALL1 GOT \T1 & :ISP]$ TO ,KO/IL91 ',COME6' ,KO/IL9 CREPT \T1 BUT 9 SO DO+ HE CAU<T A /ONE ) HIS FOOT & MADE A NOISE4 ,! MA/] HAD A V]Y VICI\S WAT*-DOG1 A SPOTT$ ONE CALL$ ,\LYA%94 ,ZHIL9 HAD BE5 C>EFUL TO FE$ HIM = SOME TIME BE=E4 ,\LYA%9 HE>D ! NOISE & BEGAN TO B>K & JUMP1 & ! O!R DOGS DID ! SAME4 ,ZHIL9 GAVE A SLI<T :I/LE1 & ?REW HIM A BIT ( *EESE4 ,\LYA%9 KNEW ,ZHIL91 WAGG$ HIS TAIL1 & /OPP$ B>K+4 

 ,BUT ! MA/] HAD HE>D ! DOG1 & %\T$ TO HIM FROM HIS HUT1 ',HAYT1 HAYT1 ,\LYA%96' 

,ZHIL91 H[EV]1 SCRAT*$ ,\LYA%9 BEH9D ! E>S1 & ! DOG WAS QUIET1 & RUBB$ AGA9/ HIS LEGS1 WAGG+ HIS TAIL 

,!Y SAT HIDD5 BEH9D A CORN] = A:ILE4 ,ALL BECAME SIL5T AGA91 ONLY A %EEP C\<$ 9SIDE A %$1 & ! WAT] RIPPL$ OV] ! /ONES 9 ! HOLL[4 ,IT WAS D>K1 ! />S W]E HI< OV]HEAD1 & ! NEW MOON %[$ R$ AS IT SET1 HORNS UPW>D1 BEH9D ! HILL4 ,9 ! VALLEYS ! FOG WAS :ITE AS MILK4 

,ZHIL9 ROSE & SAID TO HIS COMPANION1 ',WELL1 FRI5D1 COME ALONG6' 

,!Y />T$2 BUT !Y HAD ONLY GONE A FEW /EPS :5 !Y HE>D ! ,MULLAH CRY+ FROM ! RO(1 ',ALLAH1 ,BE%MILLAH6 ,ILRAHMAN6' ,?AT MEANT ?AT ! PEOPLE W\LD BE GO+ TO ! ,MOSQUE4 ,SO !Y SAT D[N AGA91 HID+ BEH9D A WALL1 & WAIT$ A LONG TIME TILL ! PEOPLE HAD PASS$4 ,AT LA/ ALL WAS QUIET AGA94 

',N[ !N6 ,MAY ,GOD BE ) US6' ,!Y CROSS$ !MSELVES1 & />T$ ONCE MORE4 ,!Y PASS$ ?R\< A Y>D & W5T D[N ! HILLSIDE TO ! RIV]1 CROSS$ ! RIV]1 & W5T ALONG ! VALLEY4 

,! MI/ WAS ?ICK1 BUT ONLY NE> ! GR\ND2 OV]HEAD ! />S %ONE QUITE BRI<TLY4 ,ZHIL9 DIRECT$ !IR C\RSE BY ! />S4 ,IT WAS COOL 9 ! MI/1 & EASY WALK+1 ONLY !IR BOOTS W]E UNCOM=TABLE1 BE+ WORN \T & TRODD5 D[N4 ,ZHIL9 TOOK HIS (F1 ?REW !M AWAY1 & W5T B>EFOOT1 JUMP+ FROM /ONE TO /ONE1 & GUID+ HIS C\RSE BY ! />S4 ,KO/IL9 BEGAN TO LAG BEH9D4 

',WALK SL[]1' HE SAID1 '!SE CONF\ND$ BOOTS HAVE QUITE BLI/]$ MY FEET4' 

',TAKE !M (F6' SAID ,ZHIL94 ',IT WILL BE EASI] WALK+ )\T !M4' 

,KO/IL9 W5T B>EFOOT1 BUT GOT ON /ILL WORSE4 ,! /ONES CUT HIS FEET1 & HE KEPT LAGG+ BEH9D4 ,ZHIL9 SAID3 ',IF Y\R FEET GET CUT1 !Y'LL HEAL AGA92 BUT IF ! ,T>T>S CAT* US & KILL US1 IT WILL BE WORSE6' 

,KO/IL9 DID NOT REPLY1 BUT W5T ON1 GROAN+ ALL ! TIME4 

,!IR WAY LAY ?R\< ! VALLEY = A LONG TIME4 ,!N1 TO ! RI<T1 !Y HE>D DOGS B>K+4 ,ZHIL9 /OPP$1 LOOK$ AB\T1 & BEGAN CLIMB+ ! HILL1 FEEL+ ) HIS H&S4 

',AH6' SAID HE1 'WE HAVE GONE WRONG1 & HAVE COME TOO F> TO ! RI<T4 ,H]E IS ANO!R ,A\L1 ONE ,I SAW FROM ! HILL4 ,WE MU/ TURN BACK & GO UP ?AT HILL TO ! LEFT4 ,!RE MU/ BE A WOOD !RE4' 

,BUT ,KO/IL9 SAID3 ',WAIT A M9UTE6 ,LET ME GET BREA?4 ,MY FEET >E ALL CUT & BLE$+4' 

',NEV] M9D1 FRI5D6 ,!Y'LL HEAL AGA94 ,Y\ %\LD SPR+ MORE LI<TLY4 ,LIKE ?IS6' 

,& ,ZHIL9 RAN BACK & TURN$ TO ! LEFT UP ! HILL T[>DS ! WOOD4 

,KO/IL9 /ILL LAGG$ BEH9D1 & GROAN$4 ,ZHIL9 ONLY SAID ',HU%6' & W5T ON & ON4 

,!Y W5T UP ! HILL & F\ND A WOOD AS ,ZHIL9 HAD SAID4 ,!Y 5T]$ ! WOOD & =C$ !IR WAY ?R\< ! BRAMBLES1 :I* TORE !IR CLO!S4 ,AT LA/ !Y CAME TO A PA? & FOLL[$ IT4 

',/OP6' ,!Y HE>D ! TRAMP ( HO(S ON ! PA?1 & WAIT$1 LI/5+4 ,IT S\ND$ LIKE ! TRAMP+ ( A HORSE'S FEET1 BUT !N CEAS$4 ,!Y MOV$ ON1 & AGA9 !Y HE>D ! TRAMP+4 ,:5 !Y PAUS$1 IT ALSO /OPP$4 ,ZHIL9 CREPT NE>] TO IT1 & SAW SOME?+ /&+ ON ! PA? :]E IT WAS NOT QUITE SO D>K4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE A HORSE1 & YET NOT QUITE LIKE ONE1 & ON IT WAS SOME?+ QUE]1 NOT LIKE A MAN4 ,HE HE>D IT SNORT+4 ',:AT CAN IT BE8' ,ZHIL9 GAVE A L[ :I/LE1 & (F IT DA%$ FROM ! PA? 9TO ! ?ICKET1 & ! WOODS W]E FILL$ ) ! NOISE ( CRACKL+1 AS IF A HURRICANE W]E SWEEP+ ?R\<1 BREAK+ ! BRAN*ES4 

,KO/IL9 WAS SO FRI<T5$ ?AT HE SANK TO ! GR\ND4 ,BUT ,ZHIL9 LAU<$ & SAID3 ',IT'S A /AG4 ,DON'T Y\ HE> HIM BREAK+ ! BRAN*ES ) HIS ANTL]S8 ,WE W]E AFRAID ( HIM1 & HE IS AFRAID ( US4' 

,!Y W5T ON4 ,! ,GREAT ,BE> WAS ALREADY SETT+4 ,IT WAS NE> MORN+1 & !Y DID NOT KN[ :E!R !Y W]E GO+ ! RI<T WAY OR NOT4 ,ZHIL9 ?\<T IT WAS ! WAY HE HAD BE5 BR\<T BY ! ,T>T>S1 & ?AT !Y W]E /ILL SOME SEV5 MILES FROM ! ,RUSSIAN =T2 BUT HE HAD NO?+ C]TA9 TO GO BY1 & AT NI<T ONE EASILY MI/AKES ! WAY4 ,AFT] A TIME !Y CAME TO A CLE>+4 ,KO/IL9 SAT D[N & SAID3 ',DO AS Y\ LIKE1 ,I CAN GO NO F>!R6 ,MY FEET WON'T C>RY ME4' 

,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO P]SUADE HIM4 

',NO1 ,I %ALL NEV] GET !RE2 ,I CAN'T6' 

,ZHIL9 GREW ANGRY1 & SPOKE R\<LY TO HIM4 

',WELL1 !N1 ,I %ALL GO ON ALONE4 ,GOOD-BYE6' 

,KO/IL9 JUMP$ UP & FOLL[$4 ,!Y W5T ANO!R ?REE MILES4 ,! MI/ 9 ! WOOD HAD SETTL$ D[N /ILL MORE D5SELY2 !Y C\LD NOT SEE A Y>D BE=E !M1 & ! />S HAD GR[N DIM4 

,SUDD5LY !Y HE>D ! S\ND ( A HORSE'S HO(S 9 FRONT ( !M4 ,!Y HE>D ITS %OES /RIKE ! /ONES4 ,ZHIL9 LAY D[N FLAT1 & LI/5$ ) HIS E> TO ! GR\ND4 

',YES1 SO IT IS6 ,A HORSEMAN IS COM+ T[>DS US4' 

,!Y RAN (F ! PA?1 CR\*$ AMONG ! BU%ES1 & WAIT$4 ,ZHIL9 CREPT TO ! ROAD1 LOOK$1 & SAW A ,T>T> ON HORSEBACK DRIV+ A C[ & HUMM+ TO HIMSELF4 ,! ,T>T> RODE PA/4 ,ZHIL9 RETURN$ TO ,KO/IL94 

',GOD HAS L$ HIM PA/ US2 GET UP & LET'S GO ON6' 

,KO/IL9 TRI$ TO RISE1 BUT FELL BACK AGA94 

',I CAN'T2 ON MY WORD ,I CAN'T6 ,I HAVE NO /R5G? LEFT4' 

,HE WAS HEAVY & /\T1 & HAD BE5 P]SPIR+ FREELY4 ,*ILL$ BY ! MI/1 & ) HIS FEET ALL BLE$+1 HE HAD GR[N QUITE LIMP4 

,ZHIL9 TRI$ TO LIFT HIM1 :5 SUDD5LY ,KO/IL9 SCREAM$ \T3 ',OH1 H[ IT HURTS6' 

,ZHIL9'S HE>T SANK4 

 ',:AT >E Y\ %\T+ =8 ,! ,T>T> IS /ILL NE>2 HE'LL HAVE HE>D Y\6' ,& HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF1 ',HE IS REALLY QUITE DONE UP4 ,:AT AM ,I TO DO ) HIM8 ,IT WON'T DO TO DES]T A COMRADE4' 

',WELL1 !N1 GET UP1 & CLIMB UP ON MY BACK4 ,I'LL C>RY Y\ IF Y\ REALLY CAN'T WALK4' 

,HE HELP$ ,KO/IL9 UP1 & PUT HIS >MS UND] HIS ?I<S4 ,!N HE W5T \T ON TO ! PA?1 C>RY+ HIM4 

',ONLY1 = ! LOVE ( HEAV51' SAID ,ZHIL91 'DON'T ?ROTTLE ME ) Y\R H&S6 ,HOLD ON TO MY %\LD]S4' 

,ZHIL9 F\ND HIS LOAD HEAVY2 HIS FEET1 TOO1 W]E BLE$+1 & HE WAS TIR$ \T4 ,N[ & !N HE /OOP$ TO BALANCE ,KO/IL9 BETT]1 J]K+ HIM UP SO ?AT HE %\LD SIT HI<]1 & !N W5T ON AGA94 

,! ,T>T> MU/1 H[EV]1 REALLY HAVE HE>D ,KO/IL9 SCREAM4 ,ZHIL9 SUDD5LY HE>D SOME ONE GALLOP+ BEH9D & %\T+ 9 ! ,T>T> TONGUE4 ,HE D>T$ 9 AMONG ! BU%ES4 ,! ,T>T> SEIZ$ HIS GUN & FIR$1 BUT DID NOT HIT !M1 %\T$ 9 HIS [N LANGUAGE1 & GALLOP$ (F ALONG ! ROAD4 

',WELL1 N[ WE >E LO/1 FRI5D6' SAID ,ZHIL94 ',?AT DOG WILL GA!R ! ,T>T>S TOGE!R TO HUNT US D[N4 ,UNLESS WE CAN GET A C\PLE ( MILES AWAY FROM H]E WE >E LO/6' ,& HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF1 ',:Y ! DEVIL DID ,I SADDLE MYSELF ) ?IS BLOCK8 ,I %\LD HAVE GOT AWAY LONG AGO HAD ,I BE5 ALONE4' 

',GO ON ALONE1' SAID ,KO/IL94 ',:Y %\LD Y\ P]I% BECAUSE ( ME8' 

',NO ,I WON'T GO4 ,IT WON'T DO TO DES]T A COMRADE4' 

,AGA9 HE TOOK ,KO/IL9 ON HIS %\LD]S & /AGG]$ ON4 ,!Y W5T ON 9 ?AT WAY = ANO!R HALF-MILE OR MORE4 ,!Y W]E /ILL 9 ! =E/1 & C\LD NOT SEE ! 5D ( IT4 ,BUT ! MI/ WAS ALREADY DISP]S+1 & CL\DS SEEM$ TO BE GA!R+2 ! />S W]E NO LONG] TO BE SE54 ,ZHIL9 WAS QUITE DONE UP4 ,!Y CAME TO A SPR+ WALL$ 9 ) /ONES BY ! SIDE ( ! PA?4 ,ZHIL9 /OPP$ & SET ,KO/IL9 D[N4 

',LET ME HAVE A RE/ & A DR9K1' SAID HE1 '& LET US EAT SOME ( ! *EESE4 ,IT CAN'T BE MU* F>!R N[4' 

,BUT H>DLY HAD HE LA9 D[N TO GET A DR9K1 :5 HE HE>D ! S\ND ( HORSES' FEET BEH9D HIM4 ,AGA9 !Y D>T$ TO ! RI<T AMONG ! BU%ES1 & LAY D[N UND] A /EEP SLOPE4 

,!Y HE>D ,T>T> VOICES4 ,! ,T>T>S /OPP$ AT ! V]Y SPOT :]E !Y HAD TURN$ (F ! PA?4 ,! ,T>T>S TALK$ A BIT1 & !N SEEM$ TO BE SETT+ A DOG ON ! SC5T4 ,!RE WAS A S\ND ( CRACKL+ TWIGS1 & A /RANGE DOG APPE>$ FROM BEH9D ! BU%ES4 ,IT /OPP$1 & BEGAN TO B>K4 

,!N ! ,T>T>S1 ALSO /RANG]S1 CAME CLIMB+ D[N1 SEIZ$ ,ZHIL9 & ,KO/IL91 B\ND !M1 PUT !M ON HORSES1 & RODE AWAY ) !M4 

,:5 !Y HAD RIDD5 AB\T TWO MILES1 !Y MET ,ABDUL1 !IR [N]1 ) TWO O!R ,T>T>S FOLL[+ HIM4 ,AFT] TALK+ ) ! /RANG]S1 HE PUT ,ZHIL9 & ,KO/IL9 ON TWO ( HIS [N HORSES & TOOK !M BACK TO ! ,A\L4 

,ABDUL DID NOT LAU< N[1 & DID NOT SAY A WORD TO !M4 

,!Y W]E BACK AT ! ,A\L BY DAYBREAK1 & W]E SET D[N 9 ! /REET4 ,! *ILDR5 CAME CR[D+ R\ND1 ?R[+ /ONES1 %RIEK+1 & BEAT+ !M ) :IPS4 

,! ,T>T>S GA!R$ TOGE!R 9 A CIRCLE1 & ! OLD MAN FROM ! FOOT ( ! HILL WAS ALSO !RE4 ,!Y BEGAN DISCUSS+2 & ,ZHIL9 HE>D !M CONSID]+ :AT %\LD BE DONE ) HIM & ,KO/IL94 ,SOME SAID !Y \<T TO BE S5T F>!R 9TO ! M\NTA9S2 BUT ! OLD MAN SAID3 ',!Y MU/ BE KILL$6' 

,ABDUL DISPUT$ ) HIM1 SAY+3 ',I GAVE MONEY = !M1 & ,I MU/ GET RANSOM = !M4' ,BUT ! OLD MAN SAID3 ',!Y WILL PAY Y\ NO?+1 BUT WILL ONLY BR+ MIS=TUNE4 ,IT IS A S9 TO FE$ ,RUSSIANS4 ,KILL !M1 & HAVE DONE ) IT6' 

,!Y DISP]S$4 ,:5 !Y HAD GONE1 ! MA/] CAME UP TO ,ZHIL9 & SAID3 ',IF ! MONEY = Y\R RANSOM IS NOT S5T )9 A =TNI<T1 ,I WILL FLOG Y\2 & IF Y\ TRY TO RUN AWAY AGA91 ,I'LL KILL Y\ LIKE A DOG6 ,WRITE A LETT]1 & WRITE PROP]LY6' 

,PAP] WAS BR\<T TO !M1 & !Y WROTE ! LETT]S4 ,%ACKLES W]E PUT ON !IR FEET1 & !Y W]E TAK5 BEH9D ! ,MOSQUE TO A DEEP PIT AB\T TWELVE FEET SQU>E1 9TO :I* !Y W]E LET D[N4 

VI 

,LIFE WAS N[ V]Y H>D = !M4 ,!IR %ACKLES W]E NEV] TAK5 (F1 & !Y W]E NOT LET \T 9TO ! FRE% AIR4 ,UNBAK$ D\< WAS ?R[N TO !M AS IF !Y W]E DOGS1 & WAT] WAS LET D[N 9 A CAN4 

,IT WAS WET & CLOSE 9 ! PIT1 & !RE WAS A HORRIBLE /5*4 ,KO/IL9 GREW QUITE ILL1 HIS BODY BECAME SWOLL5 & HE A*$ ALL OV]1 & MOAN$ OR SLEPT ALL ! TIME4 ,ZHIL91 TOO1 GREW D[NCA/2 HE SAW IT WAS A BAD LOOK-\T1 & C\LD ?9K ( NO WAY ( ESCAPE4 

,HE TRI$ TO MAKE A TUNNEL1 BUT !RE WAS NO:]E TO PUT ! E>?4 ,HIS MA/] NOTIC$ IT1 & ?REAT5$ TO KILL HIM4 

,HE WAS SITT+ ON ! FLOOR ( ! PIT ONE DAY1 ?9K+ ( FRE$OM & FEEL+ V]Y D[NHE>T$1 :5 SUDD5LY A CAKE FELL 9TO HIS LAP1 !N ANO!R1 & !N A %[] ( *]RIES4 ,HE LOOK$ UP1 & !RE WAS ,D9A4 ,%E LOOK$ AT HIM1 LAU<$1 & RAN AWAY4 ,& ,ZHIL9 ?\<T3 ',MI<T NOT ,D9A HELP ME8' 

,HE CLE>$ \T A LITTLE PLACE 9 ! PIT1 SCRAP$ UP SOME CLAY1 & BEGAN MODEL+ TOYS4 ,HE MADE M51 HORSES1 & DOGS1 ?9K+1 ',:5 ,D9A COMES ,I'LL ?R[ !M UP TO H]4' 

,BUT ,D9A DID NOT COME NEXT DAY4 ,ZHIL9 HE>D ! TRAMP ( HORSES2 SOME M5 RODE PA/1 & ! ,T>T>S GA!R$ 9 C\NCIL NE> ! ,MOSQUE4 ,!Y %\T$ & >GU$2 ! WORD ',RUSSIANS' WAS REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES4 ,HE C\LD HE> ! VOICE ( ! OLD MAN4 ,?\< HE C\LD NOT DI/+UI% :AT WAS SAID1 HE GUESS$ ?AT ,RUSSIAN TROOPS W]E SOME:]E NE>1 & ?AT ! ,T>T>S1 AFRAID !Y MI<T COME 9TO ! ,A\L1 DID NOT KN[ :AT TO DO ) !IR PRISON]S4 

 ,AFT] TALK+ A:ILE1 !Y W5T AWAY4 ,SUDD5LY HE HE>D A RU/L+ OV]HEAD1 & SAW ,D9A CR\*+ AT ! $GE ( ! PIT1 H] KNEES HI<] ?AN H] HEAD1 & B5D+ OV] SO ?AT ! CO9S ( H] PLAIT DANGL$ ABOVE ! PIT4 ,H] EYES GLEAM$ LIKE />S4 ,%E DREW TWO *EESES \T ( H] SLEEVE & ?REW !M TO HIM4 ,ZHIL9 TOOK !M & SAID1 ',:Y DID Y\ NOT COME BE=E8 ,I HAVE MADE SOME TOYS = Y\4 ,H]E1 CAT*6' ,& HE BEGAN ?R[+ ! TOYS UP1 ONE BY ONE4 

,BUT %E %OOK H] HEAD & W\LD NOT LOOK AT !M4 

',I DON'T WANT ANY1' %E SAID4 ,%E SAT SIL5T = A:ILE1 & !N W5T ON1 ',IVAN1 !Y WANT TO KILL Y\6' ,& %E PO9T$ TO H] [N ?ROAT4 

',:O WANTS TO KILL ME8' 

',FA!R2 ! OLD M5 SAY HE MU/4 ,BUT ,I AM SORRY = Y\6' 

,ZHIL9 ANSW]$3 ',WELL1 IF Y\ >E SORRY = ME1 BR+ ME A LONG POLE4' 

,%E %OOK H] HEAD1 AS MU* AS TO SAY1 ',I CAN'T6' 

,HE CLASP$ HIS H&S & PRAY$ H]3 ',D9A1 PLEASE DO6 ,DE> ,D9A1 ,I BEG ( Y\6' 

',I CAN'T6' %E SAID1 '!Y W\LD SEE ME BR++ IT4 ,!Y'RE ALL AT HOME4' ,& %E W5T AWAY4 

,SO :5 EV5+ CAME ,ZHIL9 /ILL SAT LOOK+ UP N[ & !N1 & WOND]+ :AT W\LD HAPP54 ,! />S W]E !RE1 BUT ! MOON HAD NOT YET RIS54 ,! ,MULLAH'S VOICE WAS HE>D2 !N ALL WAS SIL5T4 ,ZHIL9 WAS BEG9N+ TO DOZE1 ?9K+3 ',! GIRL WILL BE AFRAID TO DO IT6' 

,SUDD5LY HE FELT CLAY FALL+ ON HIS HEAD4 ,HE LOOK$ UP1 & SAW A LONG POLE POK+ 9TO ! OPPOSITE WALL ( ! PIT4 ,IT KEPT POK+ AB\T = A TIME1 & !N IT CAME D[N1 SLID+ 9TO ! PIT4 ,ZHIL9 WAS GLAD 9DE$4 ,HE TOOK HOLD ( IT & L[]$ IT4 ,IT WAS A /RONG POLE1 ONE ?AT HE HAD SE5 BE=E ON ! RO( ( HIS MA/]'S HUT4 

,HE LOOK$ UP4 ,! />S W]E %9+ HI< 9 ! SKY1 & JU/ ABOVE ! PIT ,D9A'S EYES GLEAM$ 9 ! D>K LIKE A CAT'S4 ,%E /OOP$ ) H] FACE CLOSE TO ! $GE ( ! PIT1 & :ISP]$1 ',IVAN6 ,IVAN6' WAV+ H] H& 9 FRONT ( H] FACE TO %[ ?AT HE %\LD SPEAK L[4 

',:AT8' SAID ,ZHIL94 

',ALL BUT TWO HAVE GONE AWAY4' 

,!N ,ZHIL9 SAID1 ',WELL1 ,KO/IL91 COME2 LET US HAVE ONE LA/ TRY2 ,I'LL HELP Y\ UP4' 

,BUT ,KO/IL9 W\LD NOT HE> ( IT4 

',NO1' SAID HE1 ',IT'S CLE> ,I CAN'T GET AWAY FROM H]E4 ,H[ CAN ,I GO1 :5 ,I HAVE H>DLY /R5G? TO TURN R\ND8' 

',WELL1 GOOD-BYE1 !N6 ,DON'T ?9K ILL ( ME6' & !Y KISS$ EA* O!R4 ,ZHIL9 SEIZ$ ! POLE1 TOLD ,D9A TO HOLD ON1 & BEGAN TO CLIMB4 ,HE SLIPP$ ONCE OR TWICE2 ! %ACKLES H9D]$ HIM4 ,KO/IL9 HELP$ HIM1 & HE MANAG$ TO GET TO ! TOP4 ,D9A1 ) H] LITTLE H&S1 PULL$ ) ALL H] MI<T AT HIS %IRT1 LAU<+4 

,ZHIL9 DREW \T ! POLE & SAID1 ',PUT IT BACK 9 ITS PLACE1 ,D9A1 OR !Y'LL NOTICE1 & Y\ WILL BE BEAT54' 

,%E DRAGG$ ! POLE AWAY1 & ,ZHIL9 W5T D[N ! HILL4 ,:5 HE HAD GONE D[N ! /EEP 9CL9E1 HE TOOK A %>P /ONE & TRI$ TO WR5* ! LOCK (F ! %ACKLES4 ,BUT IT WAS A /RONG LOCK & HE C\LD NOT MANAGE TO BREAK IT1 & BESIDES1 IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET AT4 ,!N HE HE>D SOME ONE RUNN+ D[N ! HILL1 SPR++ LI<TLY4 ,HE ?\<T3 ',SURELY1 ?AT'S ,D9A AGA94' 

,D9A CAME1 TOOK A /ONE1 & SAID1 ',LET ME TRY4' 

,%E KNELT D[N & TRI$ TO WR5* ! LOCK (F1 BUT H] LITTLE H&S W]E AS SL5D] AS LITTLE TWIGS1 & %E HAD NOT ! /R5G?4 ,%E ?REW ! /ONE AWAY & BEGAN TO CRY4 ,!N ,ZHIL9 SET TO WORK AGA9 AT ! LOCK1 & ,D9A SQUATT$ BESIDE HIM ) H] H& ON HIS %\LD]4 

,ZHIL9 LOOK$ R\ND & SAW A R$ LI<T TO ! LEFT BEH9D ! HILL4 ,! MOON WAS JU/ RIS+4 ',AH6' HE ?\<T1 'BE=E ! MOON HAS RIS5 ,I MU/ HAVE PASS$ ! VALLEY & BE 9 ! =E/4' ,SO HE ROSE & ?REW AWAY ! /ONE4 ,%ACKLES OR NO1 HE MU/ GO ON4 

',GOOD-BYE1 ,D9A DE>6' HE SAID4 ',I %ALL NEV] =GET Y\6' 

,D9A SEIZ$ HOLD ( HIM & FELT AB\T ) H] H&S = A PLACE TO PUT SOME *EESES %E HAD BR\<T4 ,HE TOOK !M FROM H]4 

',?ANK Y\1 MY LITTLE ONE4 ,:O WILL MAKE DOLLS = Y\ :5 ,I AM GONE8' ,& HE /ROK$ H] HEAD4 

,D9A BUR/ 9TO TE>S1 HID+ H] FACE 9 H] H&S4 ,!N %E RAN UP ! HILL LIKE A Y\NG GOAT1 ! CO9S 9 H] PLAIT CL9K+ AGA9/ H] BACK4 

,ZHIL9 CROSS$ HIMSELF1 TOOK ! LOCK ( HIS %ACKLES 9 HIS H& TO PREV5T ITS CLATT]+1 & W5T ALONG ! ROAD1 DRAGG+ HIS %ACKL$ LEG1 & LOOK+ T[>DS ! PLACE :]E ! MOON WAS AB\T TO RISE4 ,HE N[ KNEW ! WAY4 ,IF HE W5T /RAI<T HE W\LD HAVE TO WALK NE>LY SIX MILES4 ,IF ONLY HE C\LD REA* ! WOOD BE=E ! MOON HAD QUITE RIS56 ,HE CROSS$ ! RIV]2 ! LI<T BEH9D ! HILL WAS GR[+ :IT]4 ,/ILL LOOK+ AT IT1 HE W5T ALONG ! VALLEY4 ,! MOON WAS NOT YET VISIBLE4 ,! LI<T BECAME BRI<T]1 & ONE SIDE ( ! VALLEY WAS GR[+ LI<T] & LI<T]1 & %AD[S W]E DRAW+ 9 T[>DS ! FOOT ( ! HILL1 CREEP+ NE>] & NE>] TO HIM4 

,ZHIL9 W5T ON1 KEEP+ 9 ! %ADE4 ,HE WAS HURRY+1 BUT ! MOON WAS MOV+ /ILL FA/]2 ! TOPS ( ! HILLS ON ! RI<T W]E ALREADY LIT UP4 ,AS HE GOT NE> ! WOOD ! :ITE MOON APPE>$ FROM BEH9D ! HILLS1 & IT BECAME LI<T AS DAY4 ,ONE C\LD SEE ALL ! LEAVES ON ! TREES4 ,IT WAS LI<T ON ! HILL1 BUT SIL5T1 AS IF NO?+ W]E ALIVE2 NO S\ND C\LD BE HE>D BUT ! GURGL+ ( ! RIV] BEL[4 

,ZHIL9 REA*$ ! WOOD )\T MEET+ ANY ONE1 *OSE A D>K SPOT1 & SAT D[N TO RE/4 

,HE RE/$1 & ATE ONE ( ! *EESES4 ,!N HE F\ND A /ONE & SET TO WORK AGA9 TO KNOCK (F ! %ACKLES4 ,HE KNOCK$ HIS H&S SORE1 BUT C\LD NOT BREAK ! LOCK4 ,HE ROSE & W5T ALONG ! ROAD4 ,AFT] WALK+ ! GREAT] P>T ( A MILE HE WAS QUITE DONE UP1 & HIS FEET W]E A*+4 ,HE HAD TO /OP EV]Y T5 /EPS4 ',!RE IS NO?+ ELSE = IT1' ?\<T HE4 ',I MU/ DRAG ON AS LONG AS ,I HAVE ANY /R5G? LEFT4 ,IF ,I SIT D[N1 ,I %AN'T BE ABLE TO RISE AGA94 ,I CAN'T REA* ! =TRESS2 BUT :5 DAY BREAKS ,I'LL LIE D[N 9 ! =E/1 REMA9 !RE ALL DAY1 & GO ON AGA9 AT NI<T4' 

,HE W5T ON ALL NI<T4 ,TWO ,T>T>S ON HORSEBACK PASS$ HIM2 BUT HE HE>D !M A LONG WAY (F1 & HID BEH9D A TREE4 

,! MOON BEGAN TO GR[ PAL]1 ! DEW TO FALL4 ,IT WAS GETT+ NE> DAWN1 & ,ZHIL9 HAD NOT REA*$ ! 5D ( ! =E/4 ',WELL1' ?\<T HE1 ',I'LL WALK ANO!R ?IRTY /EPS1 & !N TURN 9 AMONG ! TREES & SIT D[N4' 

,HE WALK$ ANO!R ?IRTY /EPS1 & SAW ?AT HE WAS AT ! 5D ( ! =E/4 ,HE W5T TO ! $GE2 IT WAS N[ QUITE LI<T1 & /RAI<T BE=E HIM WAS ! PLA9 & ! =TRESS4 ,TO ! LEFT1 QUITE CLOSE AT ! FOOT ( ! SLOPE1 A FIRE WAS DY+ \T1 & ! SMOKE FROM IT SPREAD R\ND4 ,!RE W]E M5 GA!R$ AB\T ! FIRE4 

,HE LOOK$ 9T5TLY1 & SAW GUNS GLI/5+4 ,!Y W]E SOLDI]S--,COSSACKS6 

,ZHIL9 WAS FILL$ ) JOY4 ,HE COLLECT$ HIS REMA9+ /R5G? & SET (F D[N ! HILL1 SAY+ TO HIMSELF3 ',GOD =BID ?AT ANY M\NT$ ,T>T> %\LD SEE ME N[1 9 ! OP5 FIELD6 ,NE> AS ,I AM1 ,I C\LD NOT GET !RE 9 TIME4' 

,H>DLY HAD HE SAID ?IS :51 A C\PLE ( HUNDR$ Y>DS (F1 ON A HILLOCK TO ! LEFT1 HE SAW ?REE ,T>T>S4 

,!Y SAW HIM ALSO & MADE A RU%4 ,HIS HE>T SANK4 ,HE WAV$ HIS H&S1 & %\T$ ) ALL HIS MI<T1 ',BRO!RS1 BRO!RS6 ,HELP6' 

,! ,COSSACKS HE>D HIM1 & A P>TY ( !M ON HORSEBACK D>T$ TO CUT ACROSS ! ,T>T>S' PA?4 ,! ,COSSACKS W]E F> & ! ,T>T>S W]E NE>2 BUT ,ZHIL91 TOO1 MADE A LA/ EF=T4 ,LIFT+ ! %ACKLES ) HIS H&1 HE RAN T[>DS ! ,COSSACKS1 H>DLY KN[+ :AT HE WAS DO+1 CROSS+ HIMSELF & %\T+1 ',BRO!RS6 ,BRO!RS6 ,BRO!RS6' 

,!RE W]E SOME FIFTE5 ,COSSACKS4 ,! ,T>T>S W]E FRI<T5$1 & /OPP$ BE=E REA*+ HIM4 ,ZHIL9 /AGG]$ UP TO ! ,COSSACKS4 

,!Y SURR\ND$ HIM & BEGAN QUE/ION+ HIM4 ',:O >E Y\8 ,:AT >E Y\8 ,:]E FROM8' 

,BUT ,ZHIL9 WAS QUITE BESIDE HIMSELF1 & C\LD ONLY WEEP & REPEAT1 ',BRO!RS6 ,BRO!RS6' 

,!N ! SOLDI]S CAME RUNN+ UP & CR[D$ R\ND ,ZHIL9--ONE GIV+ HIM BREAD1 ANO!R BUCK:EAT1 A ?IRD VODKA3 ONE WRAPP+ A CLOAK R\ND HIM1 ANO!R BREAK+ HIS %ACKLES4 

,! (FIC]S RECOGNIZ$ HIM1 & RODE ) HIM TO ! =TRESS4 ,! SOLDI]S W]E GLAD TO SEE HIM BACK1 & HIS COMRADES ALL GA!R$ R\ND HIM4 

,ZHIL9 TOLD !M ALL ?AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM4 

',?AT'S ! WAY ,I W5T HOME & GOT M>RI$6' SAID HE4 ',NO4 ,IT SEEMS PLA9 ?AT FATE WAS AGA9/ IT6' 

,SO HE W5T ON S]V+ 9 ! ,CAUCASUS4 ,A MON? PASS$ BE=E ,KO/IL9 WAS RELEAS$1 AFT] PAY+ FIVE ?\S& RUBLES RANSOM4 ,HE WAS ALMO/ DEAD :5 !Y BR\<T HIM BACK4 

7,WRITT5 9 #a#h#g47 

  

 4MW-P>S]-\TPUT 4W/-SMALLREFS_<FONT-SIZE3#h#c.02CLE>3BO?2L9E-HEI<T3#a4#b#e_> 
8 ,VODKA IS A SPIRIT DI/ILL$ FROM RYE4 ,IT IS ! COMMONE/ =M ( /RONG DR9K 9 ,RUSSIA4 

8 ,ONE ( A C]TA9 ,T>T> TRIBE4 

,FROM 3 ,WIKIS\RCE4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aie 3 ,*APT] #b -- ,PUBLICATION4 

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