a hero of our time-第3章

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〃It　occurred　to　me　to　pop　in　under　the　shed　where　our　horses　were　standing；　to　see　whether　they　had　their　fodder；　and；　besides；　it　is　never　any　harm　to　take　precautions。　　My　horse　was　a　splendid　one　too；　and　more　than　one　Kabardian　had　already　cast　fond　glances　at　it；　repeating　at　the　same　time：　'Yakshi　tkhe　chok　yakshi。'＇1＇

＇1＇　〃Good　　very　good。〃

〃I　stole　along　the　fence。　　Suddenly　I　heard　voices；　one　of　which　I　immediately　recognised。

It　was　that　of　the　young　pickle；　Azamat；　our　host's　son。　　The　other　person　spoke　less　and　in　a　quieter　tone。

〃'What　are　they　discussing　there？'　I　won…　dered。　　'Surely　it　can't　be　my　horse！'　　I　squatted　down　beside　the　fence　and　proceeded　to　play　the　eavesdropper；　trying　not　to　let　slip　a　single　word。　　At　times　the　noise　of　songs　and　the　buzz　of　voices；　escaping　from　the　hut；　drowned　the　conversation　which　I　was　finding　interesting。

〃'That's　a　splendid　horse　of　yours；'　Azamat　was　saying。　　'If　I　were　master　of　a　house　of　my　own　and　had　a　stud　of　three　hundred　mares；　I　would　give　half　of　it　for　your　galloper；　Kazbich！'

〃'Aha！　　Kazbich！'　I　said　to　myself；　and　I　called　to　mind　the　coat　of　mail。

〃'Yes；'　replied　Kazbich；　after　an　interval　of　silence。　　'There　is　not　such　another　to　be　found　in　all　Kabardia。　　Once　　it　was　on　the　other　side　of　the　Terek　　I　had　ridden　with　the　Abreks　to　seize　the　Russian　herds。　　We　had　no　luck；　so　we　scattered　in　different　directions。　　Four　Cossacks　dashed　after　me。　　I　could　actually　hear　the　cries　of　the　giaours　behind　me；　and　in　front　of　me　there　was　a　dense　forest。　　I　crouched　down　in　the　saddle；　committed　myself　to　Allah；　and；　for　the　first　time　in　my　life；　insulted　my　horse　with　a　blow　of　the　whip。　　Like　a　bird；　he　plunged　among　the　branches；　the　sharp　thorns　tore　my　clothing；　the　dead　boughs　of　the　cork…elms　struck　against　my　face！　　My　horse　leaped　over　tree…　trunks　and　burst　his　way　through　bushes　with　his　chest！　　It　would　have　been　better　for　me　to　have　abandoned　him　at　the　outskirts　of　the　forest　and　concealed　myself　in　it　afoot；　but　it　was　a　pity　to　part　with　him　　and　the　Prophet　rewarded　me。　　A　few　bullets　whistled　over　my　head。　　I　could　now　hear　the　Cossacks；　who　had　dismounted；　running　upon　my　tracks。　　Suddenly　a　deep　gully　opened　before　me。　　My　galloper　took　thought　　and　leaped。　　His　hind　hoofs　slipped　back　off　the　opposite　bank；　and　he　re…　mained　hanging　by　his　fore…feet。　　I　dropped　the　bridle　and　threw　myself　into　the　hollow；　thereby　saving　my　horse；　which　jumped　out。　The　Cossacks　saw　the　whole　scene；　only　not　one　of　them　got　down　to　search　for　me；　thinking　probably　that　I　had　mortally　injured　myself；　and　I　heard　them　rushing　to　catch　my　horse。　　My　heart　bled　within　me。　　I　crept　along　the　hollow　through　the　thick　grass　　then　I　looked　around：　it　was　the　end　of　the　forest。　　A　few　Cossacks　were　riding　out　from　it　on　to　the　clearing；　and　there　was　my　Karagyoz＇1＇　galloping　straight　towards　them。　　With　a　shout　they　all　dashed　forward。　For　a　long；　long　time　they　pursued　him；　and　one　of　them；　in　particular；　was　once　or　twice　almost　successful　in　throwing　a　lasso　over　his　neck。

＇1＇　Turkish　for　〃Black…eye。〃

I　trembled；　dropped　my　eyes；　and　began　to　pray。　After　a　few　moments　I　looked　up　again；　and　there　was　my　Karagyoz　flying　along；　his　tail　waving　　free　as　the　wind；　and　the　giaours；　on　their　jaded　horses；　were　trailing　along　far　behind；　one　after　another；　across　the　steppe。　　Wallah！　　It　is　true　　really　true！　　Till　late　at　night　I　lay　in　the　hollow。　Suddenly　　what　do　you　think；　Azamat？　　I　heard　in　the　darkness　a　horse　trotting　along　the　bank　of　the　hollow；　snorting；　neighing；　and　beating　the　ground　with　his　hoofs。　　I　recognised　my　Karagyoz's　voice；　'twas　he；　my　comrade！〃　。　。　。　Since　that　time　we　have　never　been　parted！'

〃And　I　could　hear　him　patting　his　galloper's　sleek　neck　with　his　hand；　as　he　called　him　various　fond　names。

〃'If　I　had　a　stud　of　a　thousand　mares；'　said　Azamat；　'I　would　give　it　all　for　your　Karagyoz！'

〃'Yok！＇1＇　　I　would　not　take　it！'　said　Kazbich　indifferently。

＇1＇　〃No！〃

〃'Listen；　Kazbich；'　said　Azamat；　trying　to　ingratiate　himself　with　him。　　'You　are　a　kind…　hearted　man；　you　are　a　brave　horseman；　but　my　father　is　afraid　of　the　Russians　and　will　not　allow　me　to　go　on　the　mountains。　　Give　me　your　horse；　and　I　will　do　anything　you　wish。　　I　will　steal　my　father's　best　rifle　for　you；　or　his　sabre　　just　as　you　like　　and　his　sabre　is　a　genuine　Gurda；＇1＇　you　have　only　to　lay　the　edge　against　your　hand；　and　it　will　cut　you；　a　coat　of　mail　like　yours　is　nothing　against　it。'

＇1＇　A　particular　kind　of　ancient　and　valued　sabre。

〃Kazbich　remained　silent。

〃'The　first　time　I　saw　your　horse；'　continued　Azamat；　'when　he　was　wheeling　and　leaping　under　you；　his　nostrils　distended；　and　the　flints　flying　in　showers　from　under　his　hoofs；　something　I　could　not　understand　took　place　within　my　soul；　and　since　that　time　I　have　been　weary　of　everything。　　I　have　looked　with　disdain　on　my　father's　best　gallopers；　I　have　been　ashamed　to　be　seen　on　them；　and　yearning　has　taken　pos…　session　of　me。　　In　my　anguish　I　have　spent　whole　days　on　the　cliffs；　and；　every　minute；　my　thoughts　have　kept　turning　to　your　black　galloper　with　his　graceful　gait　and　his　sleek　back；　straight　as　an　arrow。　　With　his　keen；　bright　eyes　he　has　looked　into　mine　as　if　about　to　speak！　。　。　。　　I　shall　die；　Kazbich；　if　you　will　not　sell　him　to　me！'　said　Azamat；　with　trembling　voice。

〃I　could　hear　him　burst　out　weeping；　and　I　must　tell　you　that　Azamat　was　a　very　stubborn　lad；　and　that　not　for　anything　could　tears　be　wrung　from　him；　even　when　he　was　a　little　younger。

〃In　answer　to　his　tears；　I　could　hear　some…　thing　like　a　laugh。

〃'Listen；'　said　Azamat　in　a　firm　voice。　'You　see；　I　am　making　up　my　mind　for　anything。　If　you　like；　I　will　steal　my　sister　for　you！　　How　she　dances！　　How　she　sings！　　And　the　way　she　embroiders　with　gold　　marvellous！　　Not　even　a　Turkish　Padishah＇1＇　has　had　a　wife　like　her！　。　。　。　Shall　I？　　Wait　for　me　to…morrow　night；　yonder；　in　the　gorge　where　the　torrent　flows；　I　will　go　by　with　her　to　the　neighbouring　village　　and　she　is　yours。　　Surely　Bela　is　worth　your　galloper！'

＇1＇　King　　a　title　of　the　Sultan　of　Turkey。

〃Kazbich　remained　silent　for　a　long；　long　time。　　At　length；　instead　of　answering；　he　struck　up　in　an　undertone　the　ancient　song：


〃Many　a　beauty　among　us　dwells

　From　whose　eyes'　dark　depths　the　starlight　wells；

　'Tis　an　envied　lot　and　sweet；　to　hold

　Their　love；　but　brighter　is　freedom　bold。

　Four　wives　are　yours　if　you　pay　the　gold；

　But　a　mettlesome　steed　is　of　price　untold；

　The　whirlwind　itself　on　the　steppe　is　less　fleet；

　He　knows　no　treachery　　no　deceit。〃＇2＇

＇2＇　I　beg　my　readers'　pardon　for　having　versified　Kazbich's　song；　which；　of　course；　as　I　heard　it；　was　in　prose；　but　habit　is　second　nature。　　（Author's　note。）

〃In　vain　Azamat　entreated　him　to　consent。　He　wept；　coaxed；　and　swore　to　him。　　Finally；　Kazbich　interrupted　him　impatiently：

〃'Begone；　you　crazy　brat！　　How　should　you　think　to　ride　on　my　horse？　　In　three　steps　you　would　be　thrown　and　your　neck　broken　on　the　stones！'

〃'I？'　cried　Azamat　in　a　fury；　and　the　blade　of　the　child's　dagger　rang　against　the　coat　of　mail。　　A　powerful　arm　thrust　him　away；　and　he　struck　the　wattle　fence　with　such　violence　that　it　rocked。

〃'Now　we'll　see　some　fun！'　I　thought　to　myself。

〃I　rushed　into　the　stable；　bridled　our　horses　and　led　them　out　into　the　back　courtyard。　　In　a　couple　of　minutes　there　was　a　terrible　uproar　in　the　hut。　　What　had　happened　was　this：　Azamat　had　rushed　in；　with　his　tunic　torn；　saying　that　Kazbich　was　going　to　murder　him。　　All　sprang　out；　seized　their　guns；　and　the　fun　began！　Noise　　shouts　　shots！　　But　by　this　time　Kazbich　was　in　the　saddle；　and；　wheeling　among　the　crowd　along　the　street；　defended　himself　like　a　madman；　brandishing　his　sabre。

〃'It　is　a　bad　thing　to　interfere　in　other　people's　quarrels；'　I　said　to　Grigori　Aleksandro…　vich；　taking　him　by　the　arm。　　'Wouldn't　it　be　better　for　us　to　clear　off　without　loss　of　time？'

〃'Wait；　though；　and　see　how　it　will　end！'

〃'Oh；　as　to　that；　it　will　be　sure　enough　to　end　badly；　it　is　always　so　with　these　Asiatics。　Once　let　them　get　drunk　on　buza；　and　there's　certain　to　be　bloodshed。'

〃We　mounted　and　galloped　home。〃



CHAPTER　IV

〃TELL　me；　what　became　of　Kazbich？〃　I　asked　the　staff…captain　impatiently。

〃Why；　what　can　happen　to　that　sort　of　a　fellow？〃　he　answered；　finishing　his　tumbler　of　tea。　　〃He　slipped　away；　of　course。〃

〃And　wasn't　he　wounded？〃　I　asked。

〃Goodness　only　knows！　　Those　scoundrels　take　a　lot　of　killing！　　In　action；　for　instance；　I've　seen　many　a　one；　sir；　stuck　all　over　with　bayonets　like　a　sieve；　and　still　brandishing　his　sabre。〃

After　an　interval　of　silence　the　staff…captain　continued；　tapping　the　ground　with　his　foot：

〃One　thing　I'll　never　forgive　myself　for。　On　our　arrival　at　the　fortress　the　devil　put　it　into　my　head　to　repeat　to　Grigori　Aleksandrovich　all　that　I　had　heard　when　I　was　eavesdropping　behind　the　fence。　　He　laughed　　cunning　fellow！　　and　thought　out　a　little　plan　of　his　own。〃

〃What　was　that？　　Tell　me；　please。〃

〃Well；　there's　no　help　for　it　now；　I　suppose。　I've　begun　the　story；　and　so　I　must　continue。

〃In　about　four　days'　time　Azamat　rode　over　to　the　fortress。　　As　his　usual　custom　was；　he　went　to　see　Grigori　Aleksandrovich；　who　always　used　to　give　him　sweetmeats　to　eat。　　I　was　present。　The　conversation　was　on　the　subject　of　horses；　and　Pechorin　began　to　sound　the　praises　of　Kazbich's　Karagyoz。　　What　a　mettlesome　horse　it　was；　and　how　handsome！　　A　perfect　chamois！　In　fact；　judging　by　his　account；　there　simply　wasn't　another　like　it　in　the　whole　world！

〃The　young　Tartar's　beady　eyes　began　to　sparkle；　but　Pechorin　didn't　seem　to　notice　the　fact。　　I　started　to　talk　about　something　else；　but　immediately；　mark　you；　Pechorin　caused　the　conversation　to　strike　off　on　to　Kazbich's　horse。　Every　time　that　Azamat　came　it　was　the　same　story。　　After　about　three　weeks；　I　began　to　observe　that　Azamat　was　growing　pale　and　wasted；　just　as　people　in　novels　do　from　love；　sir。　　What　wonder　either！　。　。　。

〃Well；　you　see；　it　was　not　until　afterwards　that　I　learned　the　whole　trick　　Grigori　Aleksan…　drovich　exasperated　Azamat　to　such　an　extent　with　his　teasing　that　the　boy　was　ready　even　to　drown　himself。　　One　day　Pechorin　suddenly　broke　out　with：

〃'I　see；　Azamat；　that　you　have　taken　a　desperate　fancy　to　that　horse　of　Kazbich's；　but　you'll　no　more　see　him　than　you　will　the　back　of　your　neck！　　Come；　tell　me；　what　would　you　give　if　somebody　made　you　a　present　of　him？'

〃'Anything　he　wanted；'　answered　Azamat。

〃'In　that　case　I　will　get　the　horse　for　you；　only　on　one　condition　。　。　。　　Swear　that　you　will　fulfil　it？'

〃'I　swear。　　You　swear　too！'

〃'Very　well！　　I　swear　that　the　horse　shall　be　yours。　　But；　in　return；　you　must　deliver　your　sister　Bela　into　my　hands。　　Karagyoz　shall　be　her　bridegroom's　gift。　　I　hope　the　transaction　will　be　a　profitable　one　for　you。'

〃Azamat　remained　silent。

〃'Won't　you？　　Well；　just　as　you　like！　　I　thought　you　were　a　man；　but　it　seems　you　are　still　a　child；　it　is　early　for　you　to　be　riding　on　horseback！'

〃Azamat　fired　up。

〃'But　my　father　'　he　said。

〃'Does　he　never　go　away；　then？'

〃'True。