Harold Lamb

“ Now the interpreter of dreams did not lack cleverness. The set lips and blazing eyes of the young Cossack told him that it would be useless to protest; and he had found out that it was worse than useless to try to sneak out of the camp. So he pretended to be pleased and asked for a weapon, saying that he would ride between Kirdy and Arslan. It seemed to him that in the company of such redoubtable warriors a man of peace and learning would be safer than elsewhere.
“Good!” cried Kirdy. “Then wilt thou point out to me the traitor Otrèpiev; but I myself shall find Nada.” ”

“ Besides, the Turkomans usually sweep around an enemy—you would be trampled.”
“Ah, the Turkomans. They be worse than these snouted pagans, because they cut innocent people open, just to see them quiver. O the sons of nameless fathers! O that I were again in the hill gardens of Rudbar, where men have ears to listen and hearts to feel!”
But Kirdy was listening to guttural monosyllables from Arslan, and now he sprang to his feet and seized the rein of the kabarda.
“Eh—what has come to pass? Whither goest thou? We have made no plans—” Al-Tâbir was alarmed by this activity. ”

“ A firelock roared and flashed, and Arslan's pony sank, head down, at the crest of the knoll. But Kirdy, who had caught sight of Nada, rode on at a free gallop, his sword arm swinging at his knee.
The girl still wore her Cossack dress and hat—for despite Otrèpiev's authority—no woman of such beauty would have been safe in that camp. She was in the saddle of the bay stallion, without her yataghan, and the stallion's rein was held by two men, also mounted—companions of Otrèpiev. ”

“ When he looked up, Otrèpiev had wheeled away, followed by only one man. The Tatars were springing from their saddles to snatch plunder from the two others, who were struggling weakly on the ground. Kirdy set his teeth and made after Otrèpiev, who had a bow-shot's start. Through a deserted part of the camp they galloped, beyond the glow of fire into the darkness of the plain.
“Stay!” Kirdy called angrily. “Will you fly from one?” ”

“ Burn—slay!”
Tevakel Khan had seen the blood of his grandson and the torture of his people, and for him there was neither rest nor sleep until he could take his sword in his hand and go against the invaders. ”