Chapter 27

Just before the vintage Lukashka came on horseback to see Olenin.
He looked more dashing than ever. 'Well? Are you getting married?'
asked Olenin, greeting him merrily.

Lukashka gave no direct reply.

'There, I've exchanged your horse across the river. This is a
horse! A Kabarda horse from the Lov stud. I know horses.'

They examined the new horse and made him caracole about the yard.
The horse really was an exceptionally fine one, a broad and long
gelding, with glossy coat, thick silky tail, and the soft fine
mane and crest of a thoroughbred. He was so well fed that 'you
might go to sleep on his back' as Lukashka expressed it. His
hoofs, eyes, teeth, were exquisitely shaped and sharply outlined,
as one only finds them in very pure-bred horses. Olenin could not
help admiring the horse, he had not yet met with such a beauty in
the Caucasus.

'And how it goes!' said Lukashka, patting its neck. 'What a step!
And so clever--he simply runs after his master.'

'Did you have to add much to make the exchange?' asked Olenin.

'I did not count it,' answered Lukashka with a smile. 'I got him
from a kunak.'

'A wonderfully beautiful horse! What would you take for it?' asked
Olenin.

'I have been offered a hundred and fifty rubles for it, but I'll
give it you for nothing,' said Lukashka, merrily. 'Only say the
word and it's yours. I'll unsaddle it and you may take it. Only
give me some sort of a horse for my duties.'

'No, on no account.'

'Well then, here is a dagger I've brought you,' said Lukashka,
unfastening his girdle and taking out one of the two daggers which
hung from it. 'I got it from across the river.'

'Oh, thank you!'

'And mother has promised to bring you some grapes herself.'

'That's quite unnecessary. We'll balance up some day. You see I
don't offer you any money for the dagger!'

'How could you? We are kunaks. It's just the same as when Girey
Khan across the river took me into his home and said,

"Choose what you like!" So I took this sword. It's our custom.'

They went into the hut and had a drink.

'Are you staying here awhile?' asked Olenin.

'No, I have come to say good-bye. They are sending me from the
cordon to a company beyond the Terek. I am going to-night with my
comrade Nazarka.'

'And when is the wedding to be?'

'I shall be coming back for the betrothal, and then I shall return
to the company again,' Lukashka replied reluctantly.

'What, and see nothing of your betrothed?'

'Just so--what is the good of looking at her? When you go on
campaign ask in our company for Lukashka the Broad. But what a lot
of boars there are in our parts! I've killed two.