He is a brave, a great brave!’ he said, pointing to the Chechen. ‘When they killed Ahmet Khan (the dead brave) this one was sitting on the opposite bank among the reeds. He saw it all. Saw him laid in the skiff and brought to the bank. He sat there till the night and wished to kill the old man, but the others would not let him.’

Lukashka went up to the speaker, and sat down. ‘Of what village?’ asked he.

‘From there in the hills,’ replied the scout, pointing to the misty bluish gorge beyond the Terek. ‘Do you know Suuk-su? It is about eight miles beyond that.’

‘Do you know Girey Khan in Suuk-su?

’ asked Lukashka, evidently proud of the acquaintance.