orse! 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. I'll take you.' 'Well,
good-bye! Christ save you.'

Lukashka mounted his horse, and w