  ,,*APT] ,,XVI -- ,,SAFE ,,>RIVAL ,,9
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  ,,X 0 TALK+ "O NI<T )A C]TA9 PR9CE1 "O
(! BANI%$ M9I/]S ( /ATE 2L;G+ 6! ,CZ>1 T
! 4C\RSE ( MY "PICUL> CASE 2GAN4 ,HE _H
BE5 TELL+ ME ABUND.E ( F9E ?+S (! GRT;S1
! MAGNIFIC;E1 ! DOM9IONS1 &! ABSOLUTE
P[] (! ,EMP]OR (! ,RUSSIANS3 ,I 9T]RUPT$
HM1 & TOLD HM ,I 0 A GRT] & M P[];L
PR9CE ?AN "E ! ,CZ> WAS1 ?\< MY DOM9ION
7 N S L>GE1 OR MY P S _M4 ,! ,RUSSIAN
GR&EE LOOK$ A LL SURPRIS$1 &1 FIX+ 8
EYES /1DILY ^U ME1 2GAN 6WOND] :AT ,I
M1NT4 ,I SD 8 WOND] WD C1SE :5 ,I _H
EXPLA9$ MYF1 & TOLD HM ! /ORY AT L>GE (
MY LIV+ 9 ! ISL&2 & !N H[ ,I MANAG$ BO?
MYF &! P T 7 "U ME1 J Z ,I H S9CE M9UT$
X D[N4 ,!Y 7 EXCE$+LY TAK5 )! /ORY1 &
ESPECI,Y ! PR9CE1 :O TOLD ME1 )A SI<1 T
! TRUE GRT;S ( LIFE 0 6BE MA/]S ( \RVS2
T HE WD N H EX*ANG$ S* A /ATE ( LIFE Z
M9E 6BE ,CZ> ( ,MUSCOVY2 & T HE F.D M
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6"!1 ?AN "E HE F.D 9 ! HI<E/ AU?OR;Y HE
5JOY$ 9 ! C\RT ( 8 MA/] ! ,CZ>2 T !
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"U ! WEI<T (! GRTE/ /ORMS )\T4 ,:5 HE
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6REFLECT ^U ! /ATE ( UNIV]SAL LIFE1 & H[
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P]FECTLY CAPA# ( MAK+ A FELIC;Y = XF1
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DE=M;Y2 & 0 N[ 3V9C$ T VIRTUE ONLY MAKES
A MAN TRULY WISE1 RI*1 & GRT1 & PRES]VES
HM 9 ! WAY 6A SUP]IOR HAPPI;S 9 A FUTURE
/ATE2 & 9 ?1 HE SD1 !Y 7 M HAPPY 9 _!
BANI%;T ?AN ALL _! 5EMIES W]E1 :O _H !
FULL POSSES.N ( ALL ! W1L? & P[] !Y _H
LEFT 2H !M4 8,NOR1 SIR10 SAYS HE1 8D ,I
BR+ MY M9D 6? POLITIC,Y1 F ! NECESS;Y (
MY CIRCUM/.ES1 : "S CALL MIS]A#2 B1 IF
,I "K ANY?+ ( MYF1 ,I WD N N[ G BACK1
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ME 9 ALL MY =M] GR&EUR40
  ,HE SPOKE ? ) S M* W>M? 9 8 TEMP]1 S
M*
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! TRUE S5SE ( 8 S\L2 "! 0 NO ROOM 6D\BT
8
S9C];Y4 ,I TOLD HM ,I ONCE ?"\ MYF A K9D
( MON>* 9 MY OLD /,N1 ( : ,I _H GIV5 HM
AN A3.T2 B T ,I ?"\ HE 0 N ONLY A MON>*1
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"DLI<T WE _H 0 = ?REE MON?S N ABV FIVE
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  ,X IS TRUE1 )9 DOORS WE 7 W>M1 ! H\SES
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SUMM]1 & WELL CUR$3 \R DR9K 0 WAT]1 MIX$
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9/1D ( W9E1 :1 H["E1 !Y H V GD4 ,!
HUNT]S1 :O V5TURE ABROAD ALL W1!RS1
FREQU5TLY BR"\ U 9 F9E V5ISON1 & "S"TS
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,WE _H A GD /OCK ( TEA1 ) : WE TR1T$ \R
FRS1 & WE LIV$ *E];LLY & WELL1 ALL ?+S
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SET \ = T "P (! _W TILL ,MAY OR ,JUNE1 &
T IF ,I 0 "! 0! 2G9N+ ( ,AUGU/1 X WD 2 Z
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TRAVELL]S1 G AWAY 2F ME4 ,X SEEMS E YE>
!Y G F ?;E 6,MUSCOVY1 = TRADE1 6C>RY
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!M 6FURNI% _! %OPS3 AL O!RS W5T ON !
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6,SIB]IA1 & YET1 :5 !Y CAME "!1 7 LEFT
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  ,I 0 SIL;ED AT ONCE1 & F.D T !Y 7 9 A
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,I TOOK AN O3A.N "O EV5+ 6TELL HM MY
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6,>*ANGEL1 & T ,I W5T 9 ! RET9UE (A
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WD1 WE MI<T EASILY PASS UN9T]RUPT$
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BO>D AN ,5GLI% %IP1 & C>RY HM SAFE AL;G
) ME2 & Z 6HIS SUBSI/;E & O!R "PICUL>S1
X %D 2 MY C>E TILL HE CD BETT] SUPPLY
HMF4
  ,HE HE>D ME V ATT5TIVELY1 & LOOK$
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,I CD SEE 9 8 V FACE T :AT ,I SD PUT 8
_SS 96AN EXCE$+ F];T2 8 COL\R FREQU5TLY
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IMMLY ANSW] ME :5 ,I _H D"O1 &1 Z X W]E1
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PAUS$ A LL1 HE EMBRAC$ ME1 & SD1 8,H[
UNHAPPY >E WE1 UNGU>D$ CR1TURES Z WE >E1
T EV5 \R GRTE/ ACTS ( FR%IP >E MADE
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ANO!R60 ,HE !N HE>TILY ?ANK$ ME = MY
(F]S ( S]VICE1 B )/OOD RESOLUTELY !
>GU;TS ,I US$ 6URGE HM 6SET HMF FREE4
,HE DCLD1 9 E>NE/ T]MS1 T HE 0 FULLY B5T
ON REMA9+ ": HE 0 R ?AN SEEK 6RETURN
6HIS =M] MIS]A# GRT;S1 Z HE CALL$ X3 ":
! SE$S ( PRIDE1 AMBI;N1 AV>ICE1 & LUXURY
MI<T REVIVE1 TAKE ROOT1 & AG OV]:ELM HM4
8,LET ME REMA91 DE> SIR10 HE SD1 9
3CLU.N -- 8LET ME REMA9 9 ? B.S$ 3F9E;T1
BANI%$ F ! CRIMES ( LIFE1 R ?AN PUR*ASE
A %[ ( FREEDOM AT ! EXP5SE (! LIB]TY (
MY R1SON1 & AT ! FUTURE HAPPI;S : ,I N[
H 9 MY VIEW1 B %D !N1 ,I FE>1 QKLY LOSE
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MAN2 & H PAS.NS & A6EC;NS Z LIKELY
6POSSESS & OV]?R[ ME Z ANY MAN3 ,OH1 2 N
MY FR & TEMPT] BO? TGR60
  ,IF ,I 0 SURPRIS$ 2F1 ,I 0 Q DUMB N[1
& /OOD SIL5T1 LOOK+ AT HM1 &1 9DE$1
ADMIR+ :AT ,I SAW4 ,! /RU7LE 9 8 S\L 0 S
GRT T1 ?\< ! W1!R 0 EXTREMELY COLD1 X
PUT HM 96A MO/ VIOL5T H1T2 S ,I SD A ^W
OR TWO1 T ,I WD L1VE HM 63SID] ( X1 &
WAIT ON HM AG1 & !N ,I )DREW 6MY [N
A"P;T4
  ,AB TWO H\RS AF ,I HE>D "SBODY AT OR
NE> ! DOOR ( MY ROOM1 & ,I 0 GO+ 6OP5 !
DOOR1 B HE _H OP5$ X & -E IN4 8,MY DE>
FR10 SAYS HE1 8Y _H ALM OV]SET ME1 B ,I
AM RECOV]$4 ,D N TAKE X ILL T ,I D N
CLOSE ) YR (F]4 ,I ASSURE Y X IS N =
WANT ( S5SE (! K9D;S ( X 9 Y2 & ,I CAME
6MAKE ! MO/ S9C]E
AC"KL$G;T ( X 6Y2 B ,I HOPE ,I H GOT !
VICTORY OV] MYF40 -- 8,MY "L10 SD ,I1
8,I HOPE Y >E FULLY SATISFI$ T Y D N
RESI/ ! CALL ( ,H1V540 -- 8,SIR10 SD HE1
8IF X _H BE5 F ,H1V51 ! SAME P[] WD H
9FLU;ED ME 6H A3EPT$ X2 B ,I HOPE1 & AM
FULLY SATISFI$1 T X IS F ,H1V5 T ,I
DECL9E X1 & ,I H 9F9ITE SATISFAC;N 9 !
"P+1 T Y % L1VE ME AN H"O/ MAN /1 ?\< N
A FREE MAN40
  ,I _H NO?+ 6D B 6ACQUIESCE1 & MAKE
PROFES.NS 6HM ( MY HAV+ NO 5D 9 X B A
S9C]E DESIRE 6S]VE HM4 ,HE EMBRAC$ ME V
PAS.NATELY1 & ASSUR$ ME HE 0 S5SI# ( T1
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F9E PRES5T ( SA#S -- TOO M*1 9DE$1 = ME
6A3EPT F A MAN 9 8 CIRCUM/.ES1 & ,I WD H
AVOID$ !M1 B HE WD N 2 REFUS$4 ,! NEXT
MORN+ ,I S5T MY S]VANT 6HIS "L%IP )A
SMALL PRES5T ( TEA1 & TWO PIECES ( ,*9A
DAMASK1 & F\R LL W$GES ( ,JAPAN GOLD1 :
DID N ALL WEI< ABV SIX \NCES OR "!ABS1 B
7 F> %ORT (! VALUE ( 8 SA#S1 :1 :5 ,I
CAME 6,5GL&1 ,I F.D WOR? NE> TWO HUNDR$
P.DS4 ,HE A3EPT$ ! TEA1 & "O PIECE (!
DAMASK1 & "O (! PIECES ( GOLD1 : _H A
F9E /AMP ^U X1 (! ,JAPAN CO9AGE1 : ,I
F.D HE TOOK =! R>;Y ( X1 B WD N TAKE ANY
M3 & HE S5T ^W 0MY S]VANT T HE DESIR$
6SP1K ) ME4
  ,:5 ,I CAME 6HM HE TOLD ME ,I KNEW :AT
_H PASS$ 2T U1 & HOP$ ,I WD N MOVE HM
ANY M 9 T A6AIR2 B T1 S9CE ,I _H MADE S*
A G5]\S (F] 6HM1 HE ASK$ ME IF ,I _H
K9D;S 5 6(F] ! SAME 6ANO!R P]SON T HE WD
"N 6ME1 9 :OM HE _H A GRT %>E ( 3C]N4 ,9
A ^W1 HE TOLD ME X 0 8 ONLY SON2 :O1 ?\<
,I _H N SE5 HM1 0 9 ! SAME 3DI;N ) HMF1
& ABV TWO HUNDR$ MILES F HM1 ON ! O!R
SIDE (! ,OBY2 B T1 IF ,I 3S5T$1 HE WD
S5D = HM4
  ,I MADE NO HESIT,N1 B TOLD HM ,I WD D
X4 ,I MADE "S C]EMONY 9 LETT+ HM "U/& T
X 0 :OLLY ON 8 A3.T2 & T1 SEE+ ,I CD N
PREVAIL ON HM1 ,I WD %[ MY RESPECT 6HM
0MY 3C]N = 8 SON4 ,HE S5T ! NEXT "D = 8
SON2 & 9 AB TW5TY "DS HE CAME BACK )!
MESS5G]1 BR++ SIX OR SEV5 HORSES1 LOAD$
) V RI* FURS1 :1 9 ! :OLE1 AM.T$ 6A V
GRT VALUE4 ,8 S]VANTS BR"\ ! HORSES 96!
T[N1 B LEFT ! "Y "L AT A 4T.E TILL NI<T1
:5 HE CAME 9COGNITO 96\R
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WE 3C]T$ ! MANN] ( \R TRAVELL+1 & "EY?+
PROP] =! J\RNEY4
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BLACK FOX-SK9S1 F9E ]M9ES1 & S* O!R FURS
Z >E V RI* 9 T C;Y1 9 EX*ANGE = "S (!
GDS ,I _H BR"\ F ,*9A2 9 "PICUL> =!
CLOVES & NUTMEGS1 ( : ,I SOLD ! GRTE/ "P
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PRICE ?AN ,I CD H GOT AT ,LONDON2 & MY
"PN]1 :O 0 S5SI# (! PR(IT1 & ^: BUSI;S1
M "PICUL>LY ?AN M9E1 0 M]*&ISE1 0
MI<TILY PL1S$ ) \R /AY1 ON A3.T (!
TRA6IC WE MADE "H4
  ,X 0 ! 2G9N+ ( ,JUNE :5 ,I LEFT ?
REMOTE PLACE4 ,WE 7 N[ REDUC$ 6A V SMALL
C>AVAN1 HAV+ ONLY ?IRTY-TWO HORSES &
CAMELS 9 ALL1 : PASS$ = M9E1 ?\< MY NEW
GUE/ 0 PROPRIETOR ( ELEV5 ( !M4 ,X 0
NATURAL AL T ,I %D TAKE M S]VANTS ) ME
?AN ,I _H 2F2 &! "Y "L PASS$ = MY /EW>D2
:AT GRT MAN ,I PASS$ = MYF ,I "K N1 NEI
DID X 3C]N ME 69QUIRE4 ,WE _H "H ! WOR/
&! L>GE/ DES]T 6PASS OV] T WE MET ) 9 \R
:OLE J\RNEY2 ,I CALL X ! WOR/1 2C ! WAY
0 V DEEP 9 "S PLACES1 & V UNEV5 9 O!RS2
! BE/ WE _H 6SAY = X WAS1 T WE ?"\ WE _H
NO TROOPS ( ,T>T>S OR RO2]S 6FE>1 Z !Y
N"E CAME ON ? SIDE (! RIV] ,OBY1 OR AT
L1/ V SELDOM2 B WE F.D X O!RWISE4
  ,MY "Y "L _H A FAI?;L ,SIB]IAN S]VANT1
:O 0 P]FECTLY ACQUA9T$ )! C.TRY1 & L$ U
0PRIVATE ROADS1 S T WE AVOID$ -+ 96!
PR9CIPAL T[NS & CITIES ^U ! GRT ROAD1 S*
Z ,TUM51 ,SOLOY ,KAMASKOY1 & S"EAL O!RS2
2C ! ,MUSCOVITE G>RISONS : >E KEPT "! >E
V CURI\S & /RICT 9 _! OBS]V,N ^U
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P]SONS ( NOTE %D MAKE _! ESCAPE T WAY
96,MUSCOVY2 B1 0? M1NS1 Z WE 7 KEPT \ (!
CITIES1 S \R :OLE J\RNEY 0 A DES]T1 & WE
7 OBLIG$ 65CAMP & LIE 9 \R T5TS1 :5 WE
MI<T H _H V GD A3OMMOD,N 9 ! CITIES ON !
WAY2 ? ! "Y "L 0 S S5SI# (1 T HE WD N
ALL[ U 6LIE ABROAD :5 WE CAME 6S"EAL
CITIES ON ! WAY1 B LAY ABROAD HMF1 ) 8
S]VANT1 9 ! WOODS1 & MET U ALW AT !
APPO9T$ PLACES4
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RIV] ,KAMA1 : 9 ^! "PS IS ! B.D>Y 2T
,EUROPE & ,ASIA1 &! F/ C;Y ON ! ,EUROP1N
SIDE 0 CALL$ ,SOLOY ,KAMASKOY1 T IS1 !
GRT C;Y ON ! RIV] ,KAMA4 ,& "H WE ?"\
6SEE "S EVID5T ALT],N 9 ! P2 B WE 7
MISTAK51 = Z WE _H A VA/ DES]T 6PASS1 :
IS NE> SEV5 HUNDR$ MILES L;G 9 "S
PLACES1 B N ABV TWO HUNDR$ MILES OV] ":
WE PASS$ X1 S1 TILL WE CAME PA/ T HORRI#
PLACE1 WE F.D V LL DI6];E 2T T C.TRY &
,MOGUL ,T>T>Y4 ,! P >E MO/LY PAGANS2 _!
H\SES & T[NS FULL ( IDOLS2 & _! WAY (
LIV+ :OLLY B>B>\S1 EXCEPT 9 ! CITIES &
VILLAGES NE> !M1 ": !Y >E ,*RI/IANS1 Z
!Y CALL !MVS1 (! ,GREEK ,*UR*3 B H _!
RELIGION M+L$ ) S _M RELICS ( SUP]/I;N1
T X IS SC>CE 6BE "KN 9 "S PLACES F M]E
SORC]Y & WIT*CRAFT4
  ,9 PASS+ ? =E/ 7AF ALL \R DANG]S W]E1
6\R
IMAG9,N1 ESCAP$71 ,I ?"\1 9DE$1 WE M/ H
BE5 PL"U$ & RO2$1 & P]H MURD]$1 0A TROOP
( ?IEVES3 ( :AT C.TRY !Y 7 ,I AM YET AT
A LOSS 6"K2 B !Y 7 ALL ON HORSEBACK1
C>RI$ B[S & >R[S1 & 7 AT F/ AB =TY-FIVE
9 NUMB]4 ,!Y CAME S NE> 6U Z 6BE )9 TWO
MUSKET-%OT1 &1 ASK+ NO "QS1 SURR.D$ U )
_! HORSES1 & LOOK$ V E>NE/LY ^U U TWICE2
AT L5G?1 !Y PLAC$ !MVS J 9 \R WAY2 ^U :
WE DREW UP 9 A LL L9E1 2F \R CAMELS1 2+
N ABV SIXTE5 M5 9 ALL4 ,?US DRAWN UP1 WE
HALT$1 & S5T \ ! ,SIB]IAN S]VANT1 :O
ATT5D$ 8 "L1 6SEE :O !Y W]E2 8 MA/] 0 !
M WILL+ 6LET HM G1 2C HE 0 N A LL
APPREH5SIVE T !Y 7 A ,SIB]IAN TROOP S5T
\ AF HM4 ,! MAN CAME UP NE> !M )A FLAG (
TRUCE1 & CALL$ 6!M2 B ?\< HE SPOKE S"EAL
( _! LANGUAGES1 OR DIALECTS ( LANGUAGES
R1 HE CD N "U/& A ^W !Y SD2 H["E1 AF "S
SIGNS 6HM N 6-E NE> !M AT 8 P]IL1 !
FELL[ CAME BACK NO WIS] ?AN HE W5T2 ONLY
T 0_! DRESS1 HE SD1 HE 2LIEV$ !M 6BE "S
,T>T>S ( ,KALMUCK1 OR (!
,CIRCASSIAN HORDES1 & T "! M/ 2 M ( !M
^U ! GRT DES]T1 ?\< HE N"E HE>D T ANY (
!M 7 SE5 S F> NOR? 2F4
  ,? 0 SMALL -=T 6U2 H["E1 WE _H NO
REM$Y3 "! 0 ON \R LEFT H&1 AT AB A QU>T]
(A MILE 4T.E1 A LL GROVE1 & V NE> !
ROAD4 ,I IMMLY RESOLV$ WE %D ADV.E 6^?
TREES1 & =TIFY \RVS Z WELL Z WE CD "!2
=1 F/1 ,I 3SID]$ T ! TREES WD 9 A GRT
M1SURE COV] U F _! >R[S2 &1 9 ! NEXT
PLACE1 !Y CD N -E 6*>GE U 9 A BODY3 X
WAS1 9DE$1 MY OLD ,PORTUGUESE PILOT :O
PROPOS$ X1 & :O _H ? EXCELL5CY ATT5D+
HM1 T HE 0 ALW R1DIE/ & MO/ APT 6DIRECT
& 5C\RAGE U 9 CASES (! MO/ DANG]4 ,WE
ADV.ED
IMMLY1 ) :AT SPE$ WE CD1 & GA9$ T LL
WOOD2 ! ,T>T>S1 OR ?IEVES1 = WE KNEW N
:AT 6CALL !M1 KEEP+ _! /&1 & N ATTEMPT+
6H9D] U4 ,:5 WE CAME ?I!R1 WE F.D1 6\R
GRT SATISFAC;N1 T X 0 A SWAMPY PIECE (
GR.D1 & ON ! "O SIDE A V GRT SPR+ (
WAT]1 :1 RUNN+ \ 9 A LL BROOK1 0 A LL
F>!R JO9$ 0ANO!R (! L SIZE2 & WAS1 9
%ORT1 ! S\RCE (A 3SID]A# RIV]1 CALL$
AFWS ! ,WIRTSKA2 ! TREES : GREW AB ?
SPR+ 7 N ABV TWO HUNDR$1 B V L>GE1 &
/OOD PRETTY ?ICK1 S T Z SOON Z WE GOT
IN1 WE SAW \RVS P]FECTLY SAFE F ! 5EMY
UN.S !Y ATTACK$ U ON FOOT4
  ,:ILE WE /AY$ "H WAIT+ ! MO;N (! 5EMY
"S H\RS1 )\T P]CVG T !Y MADE ANY MOVE;T1
\R ,PORTUGUESE1 ) "S HELP1 CUT S"EAL >MS
( TREES HALF (F1 & LAID !M HANG+ ACR F
"O TREE 6ANO!R1 & 9 A MANN] F;ED U IN4
,AB TWO H\RS 2F NI<T !Y CAME D[N
DIRECTLY ^U U2 & ?\< WE _H N P]CVD X1 WE
F.D !Y _H BE5 JO9$ 0"S M1 S T !Y 7 NE>
F\RSCORE HORSE2 ":(1 H["E1 WE FANCI$ "S
7 WOM54 ,!Y CAME ON TILL !Y 7 )9 HALF-
%OT ( \R LL WOOD1 :5 WE FIR$ "O MUSKET
)\T BALL1 & CALL$ 6!M 9 ! ,RUSSIAN T;GUE
6"K :AT !Y WANT$1 & BADE !M KEEP (F2 B
!Y CAME ON )A D\# FURY UP 6! WOOD-SIDE1
N IMAG9+ WE 7 S B>RICAD$ T !Y CD N
EASILY BR1K IN4 ,\R OLD PILOT 0 \R
CAPTA9 Z WELL Z \R 5G9E]1 & DESIR$ U N
6FIRE ^U !M TILL !Y CAME )9 PI/OL-%OT1 T
WE MI<T 2 SURE 6KILL1 & T :5 WE DID FIRE
WE %D 2 SURE 6TAKE GD AIM2 WE BADE HM
GIVE ! ^W ( -M&1 : HE DELAY$ S L;G T !Y
7 "S ( !M )9 TWO PIKES' L5G? ( U :5 WE
LET FLY4 ,WE AIM$ S TRUE T WE KILL$
F\RTE5 ( !M1 & W.D$ S"EAL O!RS1 Z AL
S"EAL ( _! HORSES2 = WE _H ALL ( U LOAD$
\R PIECES ) TWO OR ?REE BULLETS APIECE
AT L1/4
  ,!Y 7 T]RIBLY SURPRIS$ ) \R FIRE1 &
RETR1T$
IMMLY AB "O HUNDR$ RODS F U2 9 : "T WE
LOAD$ \R PIECES AG1 & SEE+ !M KEEP T
4T.E1 WE SALLI$ \1 & CAU<T F\R OR FIVE (
_! HORSES1 ^: RID]S WE SUPPOS$ 7 KILL$2
& -+ UP 6! D1D1 WE JUDG$ !Y 7 ,T>T>S1 B
KNEW N H[ !Y CAME 6MAKE AN EXCUR.N S* AN
UNUSUAL L5G?4
  ,AB AN H\R AF !Y AG MADE A MO;N
6ATTACK U1 & RODE R.D \R LL WOOD 6SEE ":
!Y MI<T BR1K IN2 B F9D+ U ALW R1DY 6FACE
!M1 !Y W5T (F AG2 & WE RESOLV$ N 6/IR =
T NI<T4
  ,WE SLEPT LL1 B SP5T ! MO/ "P (! NI<T
9
/R5G!N+ \R SITU,N1 & B>RICAD+ ! 5TR.ES
96! WOOD1 & KEEP+ A /RICT WAT*4 ,WE
WAIT$ = "DLI<T1 & :5 X CAME1 X GAVE U A
V UNWELCOME 4COV]Y 9DE$2 =! 5EMY1 :O WE
?"\ 7 4C\RAG$ )! RECEP;N !Y MET )1 7 N[
GRTLY 9CR1S$1 & _H SET UP ELEV5 OR
TWELVE HUTS OR T5TS1 Z IF !Y 7 RESOLV$
62SIEGE U2 & ? LL CAMP !Y _H PIT*$ ^U !
OP5 PLA91 AB ?REE-QU>T]S (A MILE F U4 ,I
3FESS ,I N[ GAVE MYF OV] = LO/1 & ALL T
,I _H2 ! LOSS ( MY E6ECTS DID N LIE S
NE> ME1 ?\< V 3SID]A#1 Z ! ?"\S ( FALL+
96! H&S ( S* B>B>IANS AT ! LATT] 5D ( MY
J\RNEY1 AF S _M DI6ICULTIES & HAZ>DS Z
,I _H G"O "?1 & EV5 9 SI<T ( \R PORT1 ":
WE EXPECT$ SAFETY & DELIV].E4 ,Z 6MY
"PN]1 HE 0 RAG+1 & DCLD T 6LOSE 8 GDS WD
2 8 RU91 & T HE WD R DIE ?AN 2 />V$1 &
HE 0 = FI<T+ 6! LA/ DROP4
  ,! "Y "L1 A MO/ GALLANT Y\?1 0 = FI<T+
6! LA/ AL2 & MY OLD PILOT 0 ( OP9ION T
WE 7 A# 6RESI/ !M ALL 9 ! SITU,N WE 7 !N
IN4 ,?US WE SP5T ! "D 9 DEBATES ( :AT WE
%D D2 B T[>DS EV5+ WE F.D T ! NUMB] ( \R
5EMIES / 9CR1S$1 & WE DID N "K B 0!
MORN+ !Y MI<T / 2 A GRT] NUMB]3 S ,I
2GAN 69QUIRE ( ^? P WE _H BR"\ F
,TOBOLSKI IF "! 7 NO PRIVATE WAYS 0: WE
MI<T AVOID !M 9 ! NI<T1 & P]H RETR1T 6"S
T[N1 OR GET HELP 6GU>D U OV] ! DES]T4 ,!
"Y "L'S ,SIB]IAN S]VANT TOLD U1 IF WE
DESIGN$ 6AVOID !M1 & N FI<T1 HE WD 5GAGE
6C>RY U (F 9 ! NI<T1 6A WAY T W5T NOR?1
T[>DS ! RIV] ,PETRUZ1 0: HE MADE NO "Q B
WE MI<T GET AWAY1 &! ,T>T>S N"E 4COV] X2
B1 HE SD1 8 "L _H TOLD HM HE WD N
RETR1T1 B WD R *OOSE 6FI<T4 ,I TOLD HM
HE MISTOOK 8 "L3 = T HE 0 TOO WISE A MAN
6LOVE FI<T+ =! SAKE ( X2 T ,I KNEW HE 0
BRAVE 5 0:AT HE _H %[$ ALR2 B T HE KNEW
BETT] ?AN 6DESIRE SEV5TE5 OR EI<TE5 M5
6FI<T FIVE HUNDR$1 UN.S AN UNAVOIDA#
NECESS;Y =C$ !M 6X2 & T IF HE ?"\ X
POSSI# = U 6ESCAPE 9 ! NI<T1 WE _H NO?+
ELSE 6D B 6ATTEMPT X4 ,HE ANSW]$1 IF 8
"L%IP GAVE HM S* ORD]S1 HE WD LOSE 8
LIFE IF HE DID N P]=M X2 WE SOON BR"\ 8
"L 6GIVE T ORD]1 ?\< PRIVATELY1 & WE
IMMLY PREP>$ = PUTT+ X 9 PRACTICE4
  ,& F/1 Z SOON Z X 2GAN 6BE D>K1 WE
K9DL$ A FIRE 9 \R LL CAMP1 : WE KEPT
BURN+1 & PREP>$ S Z 6MAKE X BURN ALL
NI<T1 T ! ,T>T>S MI<T 3CLUDE WE 7 / "!2
B Z SOON Z X 0 D>K1 & WE CD SEE ! />S 7=
\R GUIDE WD N /IR 2F71 HAV+ ALL \R
HORSES & CAMELS R1DY LOAD$1 WE FOLL[$ \R
NEW GUIDE1 :O ,I SOON F.D /E]$ HMF 0!
NOR? />1 ! C.TRY 2+ LEVEL =A L;G WAY4
  ,AF WE _H TRAVELL$ TWO H\RS V H>D1 X
2GAN 6BE LI<T] /2 N T X 0 D>K ALL NI<T1
B ! MOON 2GAN 6RISE1 S T1 9 %ORT1 X 0 R
LI<T] ?AN WE WI%$ X 6BE2 B 0SIX O'C !
NEXT MORN+ WE _H GOT ABV ?IRTY MILES1
HAV+ ALM SPOIL$ \R HORSES4 ,"H WE F.D A
,RUSSIAN VILLAGE1 "ND ,K]MAZ9SKOY1 ": WE
RE/$1 & HE>D NO?+ (! ,KALMUCK ,T>T>S T
"D4 ,AB TWO H\RS 2F NI<T WE SET \ AG1 &
TRAVELL$ TILL EI<T ! NEXT MORN+1 ?\< N Q
S H>D Z 2F2 & AB SEV5 O'C WE PASS$ A LL
RIV]1 CALL$ ,KIRTZA1 & CAME 6A GD L>GE
T[N 9HABIT$ 0,RUSSIANS1 CALL$ ,OZOMYS2
"! WE HE>D T S"EAL TROOPS ( ,KALMUCKS _H
BE5 ABROAD ^U ! DES]T1 B T WE 7 N[
-PLETELY \ ( DANG] ( !M1 : 0 6\R GRT
SATISFAC;N4 ,"H WE 7 OBLIG$ 6GET "S FRE%
HORSES1 & HAV+ NE$ 5 ( RE/1 WE /AY$ FIVE
"DS2 & MY "PN] & ,I AGRE$ 6GIVE ! H"O/
,SIB]IAN :O 3DUCT$ U ?I!R ! VALUE ( T5
PI/OLES4
  ,9 FIVE "DS M WE CAME 6,VEUSSIMA1 ^U !
RIV] ,WITZOGDA1 & RUNN+ 96! ,DW9A3 WE 7
"!1 V HAPPILY1 NE> ! 5D ( \R TRAVELS
0L&1 T RIV] 2+ NAVIGA#1 9 SEV5 "DS'
PASSAGE1 6,>*ANGEL4 ,F H;E WE CAME
6,LAWREMSKOY1 ! #CRD ( ,JULY2 & PROVID+
\RVS ) TWO LU7AGE BOATS1 &A B>GE = \R [N
3V5I;E1 WE EMB>K$ ! #G?1 & >RIV$ ALL
SAFE AT ,>*ANGEL ! #AH?2 HAV+ BE5 A YE>1
FIVE MON?S1 & ?REE "DS ON ! J\RNEY1
9CLUD+ \R /AY ( AB EI<T MON?S AT
,TOBOLSKI4
  ,WE 7 OBLIG$ 6/AY AT ? PLACE SIX WEEKS
=! >RIVAL (! %IPS1 & M/ H T>RI$ L;G]1 _H
N A ,HAMBUR<] -E 9 ABV A MON? SOON] ?AN
ANY (! ,5GLI% %IPS2 :51 AF "S 3SID],N T
! C;Y ( ,HAMBUR< MI<T HAPP5 6BE Z GD A
M>KET = \R GDS Z ,LONDON1 WE ALL TOOK
FREI<T ) HM2 &1 HAV+ PUT \R GDS ON BO>D1
X 0 MO/ NATURAL = ME 6PUT MY /EW>D ON
BO>D 6TAKE C>E ( !M2 0: M1NS MY "Y "L _H
A SU6ICI5T OPPORTUN;Y 63C1L HMF1 N"E -+
ON %ORE AG ALL ! "T WE /AY$ "!2 & ? HE
DID T HE MI<T N 2 SE5 9 ! C;Y1 ": "S (!
,MOSC[ M]*ANTS WD C]TA9LY H SE5 & 4COV]$
HM4
  ,WE !N SET SAIL F ,>*ANGEL ! #BJ? (
,AUGU/1 ! SAME YE>2 &1 AF NO EXTRAORD9>Y
BAD VOYAGE1 >RIV$ SAFE 9 ! ,ELBE ! #AH?
( ,SEPTEMB]4 ,"H MY "PN] & ,I F.D A V GD
SALE = \R GDS1 Z WELL ^? ( ,*9A Z !
SA#S1 &C41 ( ,SIB]IA3 &1 DIVID+ !
PRODUCE1 MY %>E AM.T$ 6#CDGE P.DS1 #AG'S
#C;D41 9CLUD+ AB SIX HUNDR$ P.DS' WOR? (
DIAMONDS1 : ,I PUR*AS$ AT ,B5GAL4
  ,"H ! "Y "L TOOK 8 L1VE ( U1 & W5T UP
! ,ELBE1 9 ORD] 6G 6! C\RT ( ,VI5NA1 ":
HE RESOLV$ 6SEEK PROTEC;N & CD
CORRESPOND ) ^? ( 8 "F'S FRS :O 7 LEFT
ALIVE4 ,HE DID N "P )\T TE/IMONIALS (
GRATITUDE =! S]VICE ,I _H D"O HM1 &= MY
K9D;S 6! PR9CE1 8 "F4
  ,63CLUDE3 HAV+ /AY$ NE> F\R MON?S 9
,HAMBUR<1 ,I CAME F ?;E 0L& 6! ,HAGUE1
": ,I EMB>K$ 9 ! PACKET1 & >RIV$ 9
,LONDON ! #AJ? ( ,JANU>Y #AGJE1 HAV+ BE5
ABS5T F ,5GL& T5 YE>S & N9E MON?S4 ,&
"H1 RESOLV+ 6H>ASS MYF NO M1 ,I AM
PREP>+ =A L;G] J\RNEY ?AN ALL ^!1 HAV+
LIV$ SEV5TY-TWO YE>S A LIFE ( 9F9ITE
V>IETY1 & LE>N$ SU6ICI5TLY 6"K ! VALUE (
RETIRE;T1 &! B.S+ ( 5D+ \R "DS 9 P1CE4

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