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"'If I had a stud of a thousand mares, said Azamat, 'I would give it all for your Karagyoz! "'Yok! I would not take it! said Kazbich indifferently. "'Listen, Kazbich, said Azamat, trying to ingratiate himself with him. 'You are a kindhearted man, you are a brave horseman, but my father is afraid of the Russians and will not allow me to go on the mountains.
"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!
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?
Well, one day Kazbich rode up and asked whether we needed any rams and honey; and I ordered him to bring some the next day. "'Azamat! said Grigori Aleksandrovich; 'to-morrow Karagyoz will be in my hands; if Bela is not here to-night you will never see the horse... "'Very well, said Azamat, and galloped to the village.
Urus yaman, yaman! he roared, and rushed headlong away like a wild panther. In two bounds he was in the courtyard; at the gate of the fortress the sentry barred the way with his gun; Kazbich jumped over the gun and dashed off at a run along the road... Dust was whirling in the distance Azamat was galloping away on the mettlesome Karagyoz.
"Then I drew level with Pechorin and shouted to him: "'It is Kazbich! "He looked at me, nodded, and struck his horse with his whip. "At last we were within gunshot of Kazbich. Whether it was that his horse was jaded or not so good as ours, I don't know, but, in spite of all his efforts, it did not get along very fast. I fancy at that moment he remembered his Karagyoz! "I looked at Pechorin.
"'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?
A few Cossacks were riding out from it on to the clearing, and there was my Karagyoz 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. "I trembled, dropped my eyes, and began to pray.
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