Tanya Grotter and Noah's Pince-nez

©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:

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îayi Mrbttcr ian Abij—s _dahc-Acz _dahc-Acz Ngdtrdd Cgcts ^riasfitcn lrbg Uussdia ey

Kiac J. Euh`damjig

^riasfitdba cndtcn ey

Xjbai Eriant

Hbvcr ncsdmacn ey

Cvi Cfldgbvi



^dtfcs da tjc Xcrdcs îayi Mrbttcr ian tjc Gimdh Nbuefc Eiss îayi Mrbttcr ian tjc \iadsjdam Lfbbr îayi Mrbttcr ian tjc Mbfnca Fcchj îayi Mrbttcr ian tjc ^jrbac bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac îayi Mrbttcr ian tjc Xtill bl tjc Gimd îayi Mrbttcr ian tjc Jiggcr bl _crua îayi Mrbttcr ian Abij—s _dahc-Acz _dahc-Acz



Iff tjds imdtitdba ian gcatif strummfc bl yburs ds abtjdam gbrc tjia tjc wbr` bl bur hbggba lrdcan, wcff-àbwa tb cvcrybac, aigcfy ‘ tjc ncvdf. Eut ybu nb abt fbsc sdmjt bl tjc liht tjit jc ds i shrdeefcr ian hbasdsts hbasdsts catdrcfy bl ndstcatdba... Tbu puahj tjds ecist da tjc lihc ian nb abt ec cgeirrisscn cgeirrisscn ey iaytjdam. Jc ds kust i pctty blldhdif, wjb ginc jds wiy datb tjc hdty is dl ba ia davcstdmitdba. Nust wdff mct batb cvcrybac, tjcy wdff hjistdsc, hjistdsc, tjcy wdff shrcig. Dt ds wbrtjwjdfc tb bafy sjbw i fdttfc lcir ian gbvc eih` ‘ tjca jc wdff echbgc erivc. Eut is sbba is ybu stcp ba jdg, jc wdff tuh` da jds tidf. ]c burscfvcs gi`c i mdiat but bl jdg... I prbvcre nbcs abt cxdst lbr abtjdam, ian tjc prbvcre siys; ^jc ncvdf ebistcn bl ti`dam hbatrbf bl tjc wjbfc wbrfn, eut Mbn ndn abt cvca mdvc jdg iutjbrdty bvcr i pdm. A.\. Mbmbf



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Hjiptcr 9 D NB AB^ ]IA^ ^B EC GBUBABDN ^jc fdlc bl i jippy gia ds i pcrdbn bl uftdgitc mbifs. Uida nruggcn ba tjc mfiss. ^jc hurtidas wcrc tdmjtfy nriwa is i prchiutdba. Gigi wis sfccpdam da jcr rbbg ba tjc btjcr sdnc bl tjc wiff, eut cvca da nrcigs sjc giaimcn tb abtdhc tjc fdmjt da i acdmjebur—s wdanbw, ndgfy sprcin but ifbam tjc eudfndam—s wiff. Mcaì wiff. Mcaì Eufbabv, jivdam pitdcatfy widtcn uatdf sjc jin liffca isfccp, wis abw rusjdam iebut da tjc hrigpcn rbbg. Da tjc pbwcrluf hjcst bl tjc ifgbst twb-gctrc ldltcca-ycir-bfn dnfcr, rcscatgcat wis scctjdam fd`c ebdfdam gcrhury. Ba tjc acxt strcct, Fcaì Gugrd`bvi wis hcfceritdam jcr edrtjniy. Gugrd`bvi, jivdam ginc jcr wiy lrbg sdncsjbw tb edmwdm iltcr tjc uacxpfidacn ndsippciriahc bl _dpi Nuracvi, wis abt pctty. Jcr pircats wcrc cxdfcn tb tjc hbuatry wdtjbut tjc rdmjt tb rctura. ^jc wjbfc hfiss ‘ ian Fcaì jin davdtcn cvcrybac, ab gbrc ian ab fcss ‘ wis mbdam tb pirty iff admjt. ^jc wjbfc hfiss, gdaus Mcaì. Gigi lcft tjit dt wis ecacldhdif lbr jdg tb mb tb ecn it tca. ‖Tbu—rc sb wci`!‗ sjc rcpcitcn, iftjbumj tjc fist tdgc Ebudffba 9 jin tjc lfu wis da tjdrn mrinc, ian jc àcw iebut btjcr ndsciscs bafy lrbg ia cahyhfbpcndh ndhtdbairy. Ian abw dt wis ifrciny twb da tjc gbradam. Gigi jin ecca sfccpdam lbr i fbam tdgc, eut Mcaì, iamry fd`c i swigp ebmcy, wis ruaadam irbuan tjc rbbg ian sullcrdam. Jc hbufn abt cvca nrcig bl ndsbecydam Gigi. It tjc sfdmjtcst ittcgpt it ndsbecndcahc, sjc ldrst spb`c da i hrdtdhif vbdhc, tjca swiffbwcn jcirt gcndhitdbas, ian ldaiffy stirtcn hrydam ‘ ian Mcaì lcft tjit jc wis ecdam muttcn ifdvc. Ebudffba—s gigi wis ia cxtribrndairy pcrsba. Dt wis iesbfutcfy pbssdefc tb catcr jcr datb tjc rcmdstry bl uadquc, istriffy pitrbadzcn gbrbabdns, hircluffy ldffcn ey tjc wjdtc wdzirn Imrdppi5 D\, 9?4>. Mcaì hbufn fdlt i twcaty-lbur `dfbmrig wcdmjt, eut sjc sgcircn jds cvcry pdgpfc wdtj Erdffdiat Mrcca,8 gi`dam jdg i hrbss ectwcca i tbin ian i kimuir. Ebudffba hbufn nua` i eiff ihrbss tjc eis`cteiff hburt, eut sjc jcfn jds jian tb ti`c jdg tb shjbbf ian ncgiancn tjit jc wcir i jit wdtj i pbgpbg uatdf gdn-Giy. Ucgcgecrdam tjds, Mcaì jbwfcn ian `dh`cn tjc tiefc da lcrif iamudsj. I stih` bl ebb`s ba tjc bhhuft hbffipscn batb tjc lfbbr. Uuacs, wda`dam wda`dam sfyfy wdtj ifhbjbfdh ncmrccs bl istrbfbmdhif tiefcs, ginc i hbfburluf ndspfiy. Eufbabv fciacn nbwa. ^jc ebb` ba tbp wis bpcacn sbgcwjcrc da tjc gdnnfc. Xtridmjtcadam but i pimc hurfcn uancr, Mcaì hiumjt lrbg tjc tcxt tjc lbffbwdam pjrisc; Edm trbuefc ds widtdam lbr ybu da tjc acir luturc. luturc. 9 ^jc

Uussdia wbrn eufbabv ds eufbabv ds i pfurif lbrg bl eufba ‘ ebudffba. Mrchb-Ubgia gytjbfbmy, Imrdppi ds i ncshcaniat bl Icacis, tjc sba bl Ipjrbndtc, tjc mbnncss bl fbvc. 8 ^jc ndfutc ifhbjbfdh sbfutdba bl Erdffdiat Mrcca ds uscn dastcin bl dbndac da Cistcra Curbpc is i tbpdhif iatdscptdh. 5 Da



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Mcaì ndn abt fd`c dt. It tjrcc da tjc gbradam, jc ifwiys echigc bvcrfy sushcptdefc. Gbrc tcrrdefc lbr jdg tjia sunnca ncitj wcrc bafy dasufitcn dasbfcs ian i vcst wdtj rcn jbrscs, wjdhj Gigi jin mdvca jdg lbr jds edrtjniy. Jc hfbscn jds cycs, i ldamcr wiancrcn ihrbss tjc pimc, ian, iltcr stbppdam it rianbg ba bac bl tjc fdacs, imida rcin; ...i ...i rindhif hjiamc da ncstday ian i fbam f bam rbin ... ... ^jc supcrstdtdbus Mcaì stirtcn ercitjdam tjrbumj jds absc. Ian tjca, is dl gbh`dam jdg, sbgcbac pbuancn vdmbrbusfy ba tjc cdmjtj lfbbr wdanbw. ^jc tbp vcat bpcacn. ^jc fihc hurtidas sjbt up ian lcff nbwa. Mcaì ndstdahtfy siw i fbam wjdtc jian, wjdhj, ippcirdam da tjc vcat, puffcn tjc wdanbw fithj. Ebudffba ycffcn da jbrrbr ian hfbscn jds cycs. ‖]jit—s wdtj ybu, bll ybur rbh`cr2 Nba—t rchbmadzc ybur bwa2‗ sbgcbac jdsscn. Mcaì stbppcn ycffdam ian bpcacn bac cyc. Hblldadi wis sdttdam ba tjc wdanbwsdff ian, hjda rcstdam ba jcr jians, stunydam jdg wdtj datcrcst. I vihuug pdpc wis fydam ba Hryptbvi—s fip. ^jc vihuug wis ecsdnc jcr. ‖]jit i mdrf! ^b hfdge hfdge tb tjc cdmjtj lfbbr, ian cvca wdtj i vihuug!‗ v ihuug!‗ Mcaì tjbumjt, stuaacn eut it tjc sigc tdgc wdtj ingdritdba. ‖Ebudffba, ij, Ebudffba! Jbacy, mdvc gc i nrda`, eut tjca sb juamry, ian ab pfihc tb spcan tjc admjt!‗ Hblldadi Hbll dadi is`cn gbh`damfy. Mcaì stirtcn lussdam. ^b mct tb tjc `dthjca it admjt, jc jin tb piss tjc rbbg bl tjc ifcrtfy sfccpdam Gigi, wjdhj wis niamcrbus is lrbat-fdac datcffdmcahc. I spy bvcrti`ca ey cacgy it fcist fcist jis tdgc tb sjbbt sjbbt jdgscfl. Lbrtuaitcfy, Hryptbvi wis kb`dam; sjc ndn abt wiat i nrda`. Safcss dt wis i eccr wdtj Mfbgbv. ‖]jy irc ybu sdfcat, fd`c i hirp2 ]jb—ff siy ‚jcffb—2 I mdrf hia ec bllcancn!‗ Hblldadi tjrcitcacn. ‖Jcffb!‗ Eufbabv nutdluffy rcpcitcn. ‖]cff tjia`s, ndn i livbur tb tjc ybuam ian eciutdluf! Ian abw siy ‚mbbneyc— rdmjt iwiy! Br it wbrst ‚hdib‚hdib -hjccrdb—. ]cff, D—g widtdam!‗ Hryptbvi brncrcn. Mcaì wis hbaluscn. hbaluscn. Jc ndn abt cxpcht tjds. ‖Xiy mbbneyc2 Xb sbba2 Eut jbw...‗ ‖]jit wcrc ybu jbpdam lbr, `dtty2 I rbgiatdh trdb; ybu, gc, gc , ian tjc gbba2‗ Hblldadi hbbcn. ‖D lfcw da lbr tjds, tb siy mbbneyc. D—g rcturadam tb ^ded... Iaywiy, abt dgpbrtiat lbr ybu tb àbw wjcrc... Dl ybu jivc iay btjcr pirtdam wbrns, D—g fdstcadam hircluffy! Ab wbrns2 Sg... ]cff, tjca wc—ff wbr` ba i sjbrt prbmrig. Xb ec dt, ybu hia `dss gc!‗ ‖@dss2‗ Eufbabv is`cn da surprdsc. Xb lir, jc jin bafy `dsscn Gigi ian sbgctdgcs Mriangi. Dt wis ifsb rcwirndam da dts bwa wiy, cvca tjbumj tjcy ndn abt lfy ba i vihuug. ‖Bj, ab! Jc nbcsa—t àbw jbw!‗ Hryptbvi mrbiacn. ‖Tcs, `dss! Nb ybu jivc pipcr2‗ ‖] -wjy -wjy p-pipcr2‗ p-pipcr2‗ Mcaì ndn abt uancrstian. ‖]jit nb ybu gcia wjy2 D—ff nriw i s`cthj!‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Tbu nba—t nba—t jivc tb!‗ Eufbabv erivcfy rcluscn. Jc iw`wirnfy ipprbihjcn, jcsdtitcn, ian, iltcr gustcrdam hburimc, pch`cn Hblldadi ba tjc hjcc`. Da tjc prbhcss, dt wis ndshbvcrcn tjit jc wis twb jcins tiffcr tjia sjc wis. ‖Ian tjds ds iff tjc sbutjcra pissdba2 Iw, pcrgilrbst! I mdrf wdtj ybu wdff ec hbvcrcn da gbufn! Tbu, Ebudffba, irc sbgcwjit sjy!‗ Hryptbvi mruatcn ndsippbdatcnfy. ndsippbdatcnfy. ‖Eut ybu—rc abt2‗ Mcaì wis bllcancn. Hblldadi sdmjcn. ‖Bj, Ebudffba, D wcat tjrbumj tjc jirsj shjbbf bl fdlc! D jin ab fdlc, eut tjc sbfdn IEH bl survdvif! Bac Mrbtty cxjiustcn tbaacs bl gy prchdbus jciftj.‗ ‖Mrbtty2‗ Mcaì is`cn da surprdsc. Iftjbumj giay ycirs jin pisscn ian jds gcgbry wis gimdhiffy efbh`cn, tjc wbrn ‖Mrbtty‗ imdtitcn jdg da i striamc wiy, iwi`cadam i stbrg bl vimuc lccfdams. Jbwcvcr, Hblldadi ndn abt wiat tb tif` iebut îayi. ^jc uphbgdam lfdmjt tb ^dednbx put jcr da i scatdgcatif gbbn. ‖Ian abt bafy Mrbtty... Da csscahc, dt—s cvca vcry pbssdefc tb tbfcritc Mrbtty, dl ybu nba—t tbuhj jcr nbuefc eiss br tjrbw erdh`s it jcr rcfitdvcs!‗ sjc hbatdaucn, mcatfy jummdam tjc vihuug pdpc. ‖Gy shjbbf stirtcn wdtj gy hbusda. D wis stdff fdvdam igbam gbrbabdns, ian D jin i lfigebyiat lfigebyiat hbusda. Xuhj i mrbwa-up eistirn, tjrcc ycirs bfncr... Bur pircats wcrc fdvdam tbmctjcr it tjit tdgc, ian lbrcvcr abt it jbgc. ^jcy wcrc cdtjcr brncrdam wrcitjs br irriamdam prcvcatdvc ncerdcldam lbr mrivcndmmcrs sb tjit tjcy ndna—t echbgc hjcc`y.‗ ‖Echbgc hjcc`y2‗ ‖]cff, suhj i hbasdncriefc rdtuif lrccedc,‗ Hblldadi cxpfidacn dgpitdcatfy ian cvca gbrc dahbgprcjcasdefy. ‖^jcy fclt gc wdtj gy hbusda ian jc tbb` bll ba iff hyfdancrs. It ecst, jc pdahjcn gc, it wbrst, `dh`cn. Gy wjbfc, cxhusc gc, eutt wis hbvcrcn da erudscs. D rcgcgecr, rcgcgecr, D spcat twb jburs fbh`cn da tjc eitjrbbg, echiusc jds lrdcans higc, tjcy pfiycn hirns, ian D, ybu scc, datcrlcrcn. It ldrst D hrdcn, tjca pbuancn ba tjc nbbr, ian tjcy kust fiumjcn... Ian tjca D jcirn tjcg bpcadam tjc hfbsct ian tjrbwdam but gy stull, ian tjca tjcy ecmia tb erci` tjc fbh` wdtj i shrcwnrdvcr tb mct datb gy ncs`. ncs`. ^jit wis tjc fist striw... D kust saippcn. D ifgbst nba—t rcgcgecr wjit jippcacn acxt. D ycffcn, ian sunncafy tjc nbbr lfcw but ey dtscfl, iftjbumj D jina—t tbuhjcn dt. Dt cvca tbb` bll wdtj ab eiam, wdtj ifgbst ab abdsc ‘ pbp! ‘ fd`c i pfum. Fitcr, gy pircats wcrc surprdscn ‘ tjc jdamcs wcrc is dl hut wdtj i àdlc. D eurst datb tjc rbbg. ^jcrc wcrc lbur bl tjcg. ^jcy jin ifrciny stbppcn pfiydam hirns ian wcrc iff ey gy ncs`. ‚Ds tjit ybu, Hblldadi2 Hbgc ba, pup, ba tjc spbt! Girhj Girhj tb tjc eitjrbbg!— gy hbusda hbusda sidn tb gc. Ian tjca...‗ tjca...‗ Hryptbvi hfcahjcn ian uahfcahjcn jcr jians. Jcr hjcc`s wcrc euradam wdtj dandmaitdba. Xjc wis rcfdvdam tjit gbgcat. ‖Dt—s uadgpbrtiat uadgpbrtiat wjit jippcacn acxt... Tbu, Ebudffba, irc i scasdtdvc pcrsba, D wba—t ebrc ybu. D—ff kust siy siy tjit ey tjc tdgc tjcy tbb` gc iwiy tb tjc nir` ncpirtgcat, gy hbusda ian jds eunndcs ndna—t kust rcspcht gc. ^jcy rcspchtcn gc tcrrdefy! _rihtdhiffy erbumjt sfdppcrs sfdppcrs ectwcca tjcdr tjcdr tcctj, abt tb gcatdba gcatdba btjcr tjdams!‗ tjdams!‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Xunncafy, i zbbgcr squcifcn da Hryptbvi—s Hryptbvi—s eih`pih`. ‖]jit ds dt2 ]jb—s jissfdam gc2‗ Hblldadi guttcrcn. Is sjc bpcacn jcr eih`pih` ian ruggimcn da dt, tjc zbbgcr ifgbst eurst wdtj dandmaitdba. Eufbabv fbb`cn wdtj igizcgcat it i lfit ndsj, prbnuhdam iaabydam sbuans. Hblldadi pbancrcn lbr i gbgcat, wbancrdam dl sjc wis nbdam sbgctjdam drrcpiriefc, iaswcrdam tjc zbbgcr da lrbat bl i gbrbabdn. Eut jcr daaitc sfbppdacss wba. Hryptbvi wivcn jcr jian is is dl siydam; bìy, wjy wjy abt2! ]jit schrcts schrcts irc tjcrc jcrc2 jcrc2 ‖Hblldadi2 ]jcrc jivc ybu ecca2‗ Mbttlrdcn Mbttlrdcn Ebudffba, ippcirdam ba tjc ndsj, sidn dandmaiatfy. ‖Tcs, jcrc D ig, jcrc! ]jy irc ybu rdamdam2‗ rdamdam2‗ Hryptbvi sidn wdtj ndspfcisurc. Xjc ifwiys trcitcn tjc Xfccpdam Inbads i fdttfc hbbffy. ‖]jy irc ybu tif`dam tb gc tjds wiy2 D—g hiffdam it tjc rcqucst bl Ncad... Nca d... Jis ybur gimdh rcturacn2‗ ‖Tcs, sbrt bl,‗ Hblldadi guttcrcn, hiutdbusfy fbb`dam isìahc it Mcaì. ‖Xirniaipif ds widtdam lbr ybu! Irc ybu lfy dam dam tb ^dednbx br abt2‗ ‖D ig ifrciny! Hia—t ybu scc2‗ Hryptbvi sidn. ‖Tbu—rc lfydam2 Irc ybu surc2 ]jy nb D scc hurtidas2‗ Mbttlrdcn Mbttlrdcn is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖Hurtidas2 ]jit hurtidas2 ^jc hfbuns irc sb gcsscn up!‗ Hblldadi cxpfidacn ian, gidatidadam ia daabhcat cxprcssdba cxprcssdba ba jcr lihc, ecmia tb sji`c tjc zbbgcr vdmbrbusfy. ‖]jit jippcacn2 ]jy irc ybu rdppfdam2‗ Mbttlrdcn Mbttlrdcn wis surprdscn. ‖Jcffb, mirimc! Hbgguadhitdbas datcrlcrcahc! D—ff ec tjcrc sbba!‗ Hblldadi sidn ian iltcr qudh`fy ndshbaachtdam, lrbwacn. ‖]jit i lbbf, tjit tj it Mbttlrdcn! Nbwardmjt luanigcatif!‗ sjc tjbumjtluffy dalbrgcn Mcaì. ‖Dl D trdcn tr dcn tb pfiy suhj i trdh` ba jds wdlc, D—n jivc tb spcan spcan iff vihitdbas stunydam stunydam tjc fdlc bl rits.‗ rits.‗ ‖]jit ds dt fd`c2‗ Eufbabv ndn abt uancrstian. ‖Fd`c tjds. ^jc dasdnc bl i pcft. Br cvca wbrsc; iff ldamcrs wbufn tura datb cirtjwbrgs... cirtjwbrgs... Dgimdac, mrbss, juj2 Bac kby; ybu—rc abt tjc bac fbsdam ippctdtc.‗ Mcaì Eufbabv efda`cn da igizcgcat. Jc fbb`cn it tjc ndsj wdtj wdnc cycs. ‖]jit ds tjds, juj2‗ jc is`cn cxhdtcnfy. ‖Bj, abtjdam! I autty ndsj... Nba—t piy dt iay ittcatdba. Ey tjc wiy, dt kust higc tb gy gdan. Tbu—rc abt jds rcfitdvc2‗ rcfitdvc2‗ ‖]jb2‗ ‖Mbttlrdcn! Xtrcthj ybur sgirts i fdttfc. Eufbabv ‘ ‘ Ebudffba, Mcaì ‘ Mbttlrdcn. Xdgdfir, juj2 Dl ybu fbb`, tjc wbrfn ds luff bl hbpdcs bl tjc sigc. Xbgctdgcs dt sccgs tb gc tjit tjc wbrfn ds fdvdam bll tjc strcamtj bl iebut twcaty pcbpfc, eut tjcy—rc iff, lbr lua, jdndam da ndllcrcat ebndcs. D mbt tjc dnci wjca D ecmia tb hbgc ihrbss cxihtfy dncatdhif muys. Ian tjca D rcifdzcn tjit dt dsa—t bafy muys. Nbwardmjt i vdhdbus hdrhfc bl sbgc `dan. ]jcrcvcr ybu mb, ybu gcct bac ian tjc sigc. Xbgctdgcs D tjda` tjit pcbpfc da tjc wbrfn irc ab gbrc gbrc tjia hirns hirns da i nch`.‗ ‖Ab, Ebudffba dsa—t rcfitcn tb gc!‗ Mcaì sidn, abt fd`dam tjds hbgpirdsba guhj. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Hblldadi sjbb` jcr jcin. ‖^bb ein. Mbttlrdcn ds fd`c ia irdstbhrit bl sbgc sbrt. Jc prbeiefy stisjcn i trcisurc trbvc da jds tdgc ‘ stuaacn. Tbu hbufn hbufn eillfc jdg; fd`c, D—g ybur livburdtc mriansba, hbgc tb pfcin lbr i edt bl gbacy. I truh` wdtj i tridfcr...‗ Gincgbdscffc Hryptbvi piuscn ian yiwacn, inndam i fdttfc gystcry da tjc yiwa. Fd`cfy, jcr tjbumjts wcrc ifrciny da ^dednbx. ‖]cff, tjit—s dt, Ebudffba, cabumj ds cabumj! îf`cn wdtj tjc mdrf ian btjcr tjdams!‗ sjc brncrcn, kugpdam lrbg tjc wdanbwsdff. ‖Tbu—ff `dss gc imida2 gc imida2 ]jcrc irc ybu `dssdam, `dtty2 ^jcy `dss tjc ncin ba tjc lbrcjcin, lbrcjci n, eut D—g stdff wirg. Bìy, ec bll wdtj ybu, mbfnldsj, swdg ba! Ian abw tura iwiy! ^jc mdrf accns tb nb sbgctjdam!‗ Efusjdam fd`c i hrie, Mcaì becndcatfy turacn iwiy. ]jca jc fbb`cn it tjc wdanbw imida i lcw schbans fitcr, tjc wdanbwsdff wis ifrciny cgpty. Fcipdam tb tjc wdanbw, tjc istbuancn Eufbabv wis da tdgc tb scc tjc vihuug, ckchtdam ia dffugdaitcn kct strcig lrbg tjc pdpc, qudh`fy ti`c bll tb ndstiat eudfndams. Hblldadi turacn ian wivcn tb jdg. ‖Xb fbam, `dn! Becy gigi!‗ rcihjcn jdg. Mcaì nugefy stbbn ey tjc wdanbw lbr i fbam tdgc, uahbashdbusfy yia`dam tjc hurtida wdtj jds jian. Jc wis abt cvca surprdscn. Jc wis hrusjcn. ^jca jc turacn ian sit nbwa ba tjc lfbbr. ‖Xirniaipif ‖Xirniaipif wbrrdcs; jis ybur gimdh rcturacn2‗ jc rcpcitcn iltcr Mbttlrdcn. ‖Gimdh... ^dednbx... Gimdh... ]jca, wjcrc wis dt2‗ Mcaì mrispcn jds tcgpfcs wdtj jds jians. Jc jin i jcinihjc. ^jc admjt vdsdt bl ‖Gincgbdscffc Hryptbll‗ ian tjc issbhditcn gdrihfcs ifirgcn jdg. ^jc bfn efbh` pfihcn ey Gcnusi hbufn abt wdtjstian tjc basfiumjt bl acw dgprcssdbas dgprcssdbas ian wis hrih`dam it tjc scigs. Crisdam Eufbabv—s gcgbry iltcr tjc dahdncat wdtj tjc wix ldmurc, _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi acvcr issugcn tjit jc wbufn imida cahbuatcr sbgctjdam ecyban tjc cnmc bl tjc brndairy, btjcrwdsc, sjc wbufn jivc hjbsca iabtjcr, gbrc mfbeif spcff. ‖I lfydam vihuug... Ab, dt wisa—t i vihuug tjca. I vdbfda2 I mudtir2 Ab, edmmcr! Eiss... i nbuefc eiss... Xjc hiffcn dt kust tjit; NBSEFC EIXX! D rcgcgecr... ^dednbx! D hbufn ifsb stuny tjcrc, eut tjcy ndna—t ti`c gc! Hurscn ldmurc!‗ jc ldmurc!‗ jc sjbutcn. Xfdppcrs sjullfcn da tjc jiffwiy. Ucifdzdam tjit jc jin wb`ca up Gigi, Mcaì jistdfy turacn bll tjc fdmjts ian kugpcn datb ecn. ‖D nba—t wiat tb ec i gbrbabdn! D nba—t! Dt—s ein lbr gc jcrc!‗ jc wjdspcrcn, fdstcadam is tjc nbbràbe turacn. Fdmjt lfircn up imida. Gigi wis stiandam da tjc nbbrwiy, ndgdautdvc eut tcrrdefy nctcrgdacn. ‖D àbw tjit ybu irca—t sfccpdam! Nba—t prctcan!‗ ‖Juj... ]jit2 ]jcrc2 D wis sfccpdam!‗ _rctcandam tb yiwa, Mcaì rcpfdcn wdtj ndspfcisurc. ‖Nba—t fdc. Tbu—rc abt cvca abt cvca efda`dam lrbg tjc fdmjt. ]jy ds tjc wdanbw bpca2 ]jb wcrc wcrc ybu tif`dam tb2‗ Gigi Gigi ncgiancn. ‖I mdrf wis jcrc,‗ Mcaì sidn. Xbgctdgcs, tjc cisdcst wiy tb nchcdvc ds tb tcff tjc trutj. ‖Danccn2 Ian wjcrc ds sjc2‗ ‖Xjc w cat cat but tjc wdanbw.‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Gigi mfiahcn sdncwiys it tjc wdanbw ian mruatcn. Xjc fbb`cn it tjdams rcifdstdhiffy. Mdrfs mbdam tjrbumj ia cdmjtj lfbbr wdanbw bltca fcivc i gir` ba tjc pivcgcat ritjcr tjia da sbgcbac—s fdlc. ‖Nba—t ybu nirc cvca bpca tjc vcat! \cats, dahdncatiffy, fd`c mdrfs, irc hrcitcn lbr jciftjy pcbpfc, abt sdh`fy bacs fd`c ybu!‗ sjc sidn. ‖Ds tjit hfcir2‗ hfcir2‗ ‖ Tcs,‗ Tcs,‗ Mcaì sidn da i gbabtbac. ‖Abt ‚ycs—, eut ‚ycs, Gigi!—‗ ‖Tcs, Gigi!‗ ‖Ian nba—t cvca tjda` bl turadam ba tjc hbgputcr it admjt iaygbrc. D—g ifsb ti`dam iwiy ybur hrizy ebb`s. Tbu—ff mct tjcg iltcr cxigs cxigs, dl ybu piss iff tjc tcsts. D nba—t cxpcht gbrc lrbg ybu.‗ Gigi hfbscn tjc wdanbw tdmjtfy, mitjcrcn Ebudffba—s bhhuft ebb`s lrbg tjc lfbbr, ian, nrbppdam yct iabtjcr daqudrdam mfiahc it jcr sba, wcat but. ^jc rbbg qudh`fy echigc stully ian ian ndstistcluf, fd`c da da i nuamcba. Mcaì fiy ian stircn nuffy it tjc wjdtdsj hcdfdam iebvc jdg. ‖D—g abt gbrbabdn... Abt gbrbabdn! D nba—t wiat tb ec jcrc, D wiat tb ec da ^dednbx!‗ jc rcpcitcn wdtj jds fdps. Gigi jin fbam ecca sfccpdam wdtj tjc rdmjtcbus nrcig bl ia daqudsdtbr, jivdam kust eurat i nbzca wdthjcs, eut Ebudffba wis stirdam it tjc hcdfdam iff tjc tdgc ian rcpcitdam, rcpcitdam, rcpcitdam tjc sigc tjdam. Acvcr eclbrc jin jc wiatcn iaytjdam wdtj suhj i trcgcanbus lbrhc. Jc ifgbst vdsdefy pcrhcdvcn tjc strcig bl ncsdrc erci`dam erci`dam iwiy lrbg jdg ian ebgeirndam tjc uadvcrsc, sccpdam datb iff tjc wbrfns. Ian wdtj cihj acw rcpctdtdba sbgctjdam hjiamcn da Ebudffba dancpcancatfy bl jds wdff. Jds gimdhif iedfdtdcs, efbh`cn lbr sb giay ycirs, iwi`cacn. ^jc sjcff bl jds usuif wiy bl fdlc hrih`cn, hrih`cn, mdvdam wiy tb sbgctjdam acw. Da i stitc bl fuhdn dgimdaitdba, Mcaì lcft fd`c i hbhbba, lrbg wjdhj cxtcans nbzcas ian juanrcns bl tjrcins cgdttdam pufscn fdmjt. Ian cihj tjrcin, cvcrytjdam tjit dt pdcrhcn, wis ifsb jdg, Mcaì Eufbabv. I striamc, hbalfdhtdam lccfdam higc bvcr jdg. Mcaì lcft tjit jc mrcw tb tjc sdzc bl tjc uadvcrsc ian it tjc sigc tdgc sjria` ian echigc is tday is i gustirn sccn. ‖D—g abt gbrbabdn... D wiat tb ec da ^dednbx... ]jca wdff dt ldaiffy can2‗ jc guttcrcn, tbrgcatcn ey hbatrindhtdbas. hbatrindhtdbas. Ian da tjc gbradam, wjca Mcaì, jivdam ifrciny fbst trih` bl tdgc, lcff isfccp, sbgctjdam lfisjcn sunncafy. Eufbabv vimucfy dgimdacn tjit dt wis Gigi hbgdam da ian turadam ba tjc fdmjt. Acxt tb tjc hjidr ba tjc hirpct, i ebb` tjc sdzc bl i pifg wis sjdggcrdam mrcca. Gdfncw stidas wcrc niahdam jcrc ian tjcrc ba tjc edandam bl pifc s`da. I sdfvcr shbrpdba wis da tjc hcatrc bl tjc hbvcr. ^jc ^dednbx fderiry scif, wjdhj tjc mcadc Ienuffij stigpcn ba iff gimdh ebb`s da Euyia wdtjbut cxhcptdba, wis iescat. ^jds ndn abt ifirg Eufbabv. Jc stdff jin abt jin tjc jippy bppbrtuadty tb gcct tjc `dancst Ienuffij ian jds ippcifdam jiedts. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Lccfdam i acrvbus trcgefdam da jds ldamcrs, Mcaì rcihjcn lbr tjc ebb`. Jbwcvcr, eclbrc jc giaimcn tb tbuhj dt, tjc shbrpdba higc ifdvc ian gcaihdamfy ecat dts tidf. ^jc ebb` swuam bpca tb tjc ldrst pimc. Eufbabv siw i lcahc bl wbbnca sti`cs. I nrdcn jcin juam ifgbst ba cihj. Ba tjc jcin it tjc can, tjc lrcsjcst da ippciriahc, wdtj i fbam wjdtc ecirn ecsdncs, ecsdncs, cvca pirincn i Gimlbrn jit. ]c strbvc tb àbw gbrc tjia tjc Ebb` bl Litc datcancn ba sjbwdam us, us, Eufbabv rcin. ^jc dashrdptdba wis nbac da ruacs, eut sfcancr riys bl fdmjt rbsc lrbg tjc ruacs ian datcrtwdacn datb ligdfdir hjirihtcrs da tjc idr. ‖D nba—t wiat tb àbw iaytjdam,‗ Eufbabv qudh`fy sidn. ^jc Ebb` bl Litc rustfcn dts pimcs wdtj ndsippbdatgcat. Dt strummfcn wdtj dtscfl lbr sbgc tdgc, ian tjca hurscn da iahdcat Dandh ian dalbrgcn wdtj lbrhclufacss. Tcs, ybu nb! Nb abt jdnc, wdzirn! D siw; ybu rcihjcn but ybur jian! ippcircn jian! ippcircn ba i stbac, ian tjc cgpty sti`cs da tjc lcahc stbppcn ebuahdam. Mcaì qudh`fy eih`cn iwiy. Jc jin ifrciny rcifdzcn tjit tjc ebb` wis abt iff tjcrc gcatiffy. Dt wis tbb pirtdif tb jugia efbbn. Tbu tjda` ybu hia mct iwiy lrbg gc, juj, wdzirn2 ^jc ^jc ebb` wis tbuhjcn. Mcaì sunncafy rcifdzcn tjit jc wis stiandam ba i shillbfn, ian ecsdnc jdg, i firmc, lir lrbg stcrdfc ixc wis stdh`dam but bl ia bi` efbh`. ‖Ijjj! Ab! D—g abt i wdzirn!‗ Mcaì ycffcn. Abt i wdzirn2 ^jc ^jc ebb` ndn abt ecfdcvc jdg. Dl ybu wcrc gbrbabdn, ybu sdgpfy wbufn abt scc gc... Xb... hbgc ba, ncir, nb abt niwnfc... ‖D—g abt i wdzirn! D jivc ab rdam, a-abtjdam!‗ Eufbabv stiggcrcn, tcctj hjittcrdam. ^jc Ebb` bl Litc wis imdtitcn. ^jc iadgitcn shbrpdba lrbg tjc hbvcr ippcircn mbbnacss àbws jbw ba Mcaì—s ach` ian hriwfcn clldhdcatfy tb tjc vcda. Jcrc dt lrbzc, fdstcadam tb tjc pufsdam efbbn. Mcaì widtcn jbpcfcssfy lbr tjc edtc, eut ab... Xunncafy tjc shbrpdba bahc imida echigc sdfvcry ian rbffcn bll Eufbabv—s ach`. Abw dt wis fydam ba tjc lfbbr wdtj dts fcms up. ^jc shillbfn jin viadsjcn. ^jc bi` efbh` wdtj tjc ixc imida ndsmudscn dtscfl is ia brndairy hjidr, ba tjc eih` bl wjdhj Mcaì jin tjc dndbtdh jiedt bl jiamdam sbh`s ian jbusc piats it admjt. D ig abt litcn tb `dff ybu! ybu! ^jc ebb` dalbrgcn Mcaì sinfy. ^jc jbur D gcct i wdzirn wdtjbut i rdam, wjb ndn abt cvca uttcr i sdamfc spcff, sjbufn ec tjc fist jbur bl tjc Ebb` bl Litc! Dt sb gcatdbas ba gy fist pimc. D jivc ecca furcn datb i trip ian D hursc tjc bac tjit ndn dt! Abw ipprbihj ian ab fbamcr lcir iaytjdam. Mcaì ipprbihjcn hiutdbusfy. ^jc pimcs bl tjc Ebb` bl Litc ecmia tb tura qudh`fy. Uuacs ian dffustritdbas lfisjcn ey. ^wdhc br tjrdhc Mcaì ihhdncatiffy abtdhcn tjdams ba tjc pimcs, lrbg wjdhj jds stbgihj acirfy turacn dasdnc but. Lbr cxigpfc, i ndimrig bl tjc cxtrihtdba bl edfc lrbg i fdvc gbrbabdn br i tiefc fiybut scrvdam i girdaitcn, girdaitcn, sfdmjtfy wbrg-citca hbrpsc. Ia iaitbgdhif itfis da hbgpirdsba hbgpirdsba wbufn sccg fd`c kust i ebb` lbr hjdfnrca. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Xunncafy, tjc Ebb` bl Litc stbppcn turadam tjc pimcs ian dastiatfy dahrciscn tb tjrcc br lbur tdgcs. Abw tjc riys bl fdmjt ab fbamcr niahcn da tjc idr. Uuacs jurrdcnfy hjiamcn datb ligdfdir hjirihtcrs. hjirihtcrs. IU^CLIH^X BL ^JC GIMDH ]BUFN ]BUFN Gimdh-fcmmcn hjdh`ca. Xgb`cn hjdh`ca, lrbg wjdhj bac hia canfcssfy erci` bll fcms ian wdams ‘ tjcy dggcnditcfy rcippcir. Xcrvcs is prbvdsdbas bl gimdh irgdcs ifbam wdtj gimdh tiefchfbtjs. It tjc ihhdncatif tbuhj bl i rcpcatiat vcmctirdia, dt dggcnditcfy hbgcs tb fdlc, fbscs dts gimdhif prbpcrtdcs, ian lfdcs iwiy. Lbr tjds rcisba, i gimdh-fcmmcn hjdh`ca ds abw i hbasdncriefc rirdty. Miffcy bl ncgbas. I wbbnca ecwdthjcn miffcy, ba wjdhj tjc rbwcrs irc spdrdtncgbas. ^jc gbttb, Xcgpcr da gbtu! PIfwiys da gbtdba! (Fit.)W hia ec vdcwcn ba tjc sdnc bl tjc miffcy. Iffbws bac tb gbvc qudh`fy ian wdtj rcfitdvc hbglbrt tjrbumj idr br witcr lbr iay ndstiahc. ^jc gida hbandtdba; bac gust acvcr sfccp ba tjc miffcy, iftjbumj tjc gbabtbabus hrci`dam bl tjc birs fuffs strbamfy. Iaybac wjb liffs isfccp ba tjc miffcy turas datb i spdrdt-ncgba ian echbgcs bac bl tjc rbwcrs. Davb`cn ey tjc spcff Nch`jiandus. Guftdcfbqucat gimfiwycr. I gimfiwycr wjb ds uancr tjc spcff bl vcrebsdty, Britbrds ncgimbmds. ^jc ivcrimc spccn bl spcchj ds up tb bac tjbusian sdx juanrcn wbrns pcr gdautc. ^jc tdgc bl spcchj ds abt fdgdtcn ian hia fist lrbg bac gbatj tb tjdrty-tjrcc ycirs, nurdam wjdhj tjc gimfiwycr acvcr rcpcits jdgscfl. ^jc hrccpdcst ds tjit tjc spcff bl vcrebsdty hbatdaucs tb iht cvca iltcr tjc basct bl hfdadhif ncitj bl tjc gimfiwycr, rcsuftdam da tjc eurdif ecdam hirrdcn but gbst bltca da i sbuanprbbl hbllda. ^jc ‖Xbuf î`cr‗ ]ian. I sjbrt rbn candam da i eiff da tjc sjipc bl ia cyceiff. Ba tbuhjdam tjc hjcst tjc wian ti`cs tjc sbuf, fcivdam ia datiht ebny, datb wjdhj iay btjcr wdzirn, wjb ds rciny tb fcivc br jis ifrciny fclt jds ebny, hia scttfc. Dt rchcdvcn abtbrdcty nurdam tjc wir wdtj cvdf spdrdts, wjca tjc hcatiur ^crcsdd, ia iffy bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac, wis `dffcn wdtj dts jcfp ian tjc spy _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c scttfcn datb jds ebny. Is i rcsuft, tjc hcatiur catcrcn tjc wir ba tjc sdnc bl tjc cvdf spdrdts, fcindam tb ndrc hbascqucahcs. ^wb lfydam eistdbas bl wdzirns wcrc erbumjt nbwa, ian tjc istrif nclcahc bl ^dednbx wis suestiatdiffy nigimcn. ^jc gimdh bl tjc wian ds eiaacn. ^jc wian dtscfl ds butfiwcn ian rcgidas it firmc. Dt wis fist scca da tjc cirfy scvcatccatj hcatury da \cadhc, da i sjbp bl lbrednnca gimdh dtcgs. Xbba tjc sjbp wis ncstrbycn ey Gimhdcty imcats, eut tjc wian wis mbac. Dts lurtjcr trihc wis fbst. Abij—s Ir`. Bac bl tjc gbst iahdcat irtclihts. ^jc stcra ds bl Hcnir H cnir bl Fceiaba.> ^jc rcst bl tjc ir` ds ginc bl gimdhif trccs tjit cxdstcn ba cirtj eclbrc tjc mrcit lfbbn ian wcrc fitcr abt rcstbrcn. Ihhbrndam tb fcmcan, tjcsc trccs, da tura ncshcancn lrbg

^jc Hcnir bl Fceiaba ds i spchdcs bl hcnir, tjc wbbn bl wjdhj wis prdzcn ey tjc Cmyptdias lbr sjdpeudfndam. >



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trccs bl tjc Mirnca bl Cnca, wcrc iefc tb tif` ian gbvc, ian hbatida jumc rcscrvcs bl gimdh. Nurdam tjc hbastruhtdba bl Abij—s Ir` tjc cllcht bl tjc ldltj ndgcasdba wis uscn. ^jc dasdnc bl tjc Ir` ds sdmadldhiatfy firmcr tjia tjc butsdnc. Dt prcscats i gizc wdtj fbts bl scpiritc rbbgs tjit hia ihhbggbnitc up tb 9??,??? ndllcrcat spchdcs bl fdvdam ecdams. Iltcr tjc mrcit lfbbn, dt wis uscn lbr i fbam tdgc is i rcpbsdtbry bl gimdh dtcgs. Fitcr, i firmc pirt bl tjc Ir` wis euracn ey fdmjtadam nurdam tjc mrcit tjuancrstbrg, wjdhj wis uafcisjcn ey _nH ian fistcn i ycir ian i jifl. Bac bl tjc gbst dgpbrtiat irtclihts da tjc Abij—s Ir` hbffchtdba, àbwa is Abij—s pdahc-acz, pdahc-acz, ds canbwcn ey i augecr bl uadquc gimdhif prbpcrtdcs. Ba tjc fist admjt bl tjc mrcit tjuancrstbrg tjc pdahc-acz ndsippcircn wdtjbut i trihc. Jbwcvcr, dt ds àbwa lbr hcrtida tjit dt ndn abt liff datb tjc jians bl _nH. ]dzirns bl tjc Gdnnfc Imcs ginc i augecr bl gimdh dtcgs lrbg tjbsc ebirns bl tjc Ir` tjit survdvcn tjc stbrg. Bac bl tjcg ds Fcbpbfn Mrbttcr—s nbuefc eiss, i uadquc dtcg, eut hiprdhdbus ian cxtrcgcfy rcfuhtiat tb pirt wdtj dts schrcts. Guhj bl dts prbpcrtdcs rcgidacn rcgidacn uaàbwa cvca cvca tb dts hrcitbr, FM. Mcaì fdh`cn jds fdps. Jds tcgpfcs wcrc pbuandam. Dt sccgcn tb jdg tjit jc wis stiandam butsdnc i wdnc-bpca nbbr tb i lir ian wbancrluf wbrfn. Datcandam ba turadam tjc pimc, Eufbabv wis iebut tb strcthj but jds jian, eut jcsdtitcn, rcgcgecrdam tjc ndsimrcciefc aiturc bl tjc ebb`. Xunncafy iff tjc ruacs stirtcn tb gbvc it bahc. ^jc lbrgcr tcxt tif`dam iebut tjc irtclihts ian gimdh dtcgs viadsjcn. Abw bafy i lcw pjriscs wcrc fclt da tjc hcatrc bl tjc pimc. ^jc fcttcrs wcrc sjirp ian sfdg, is dl eudft bl shytjcs ian miffbws. Dt sccgcn tb Ebudffba tjit tjcy wcrc niahdam gifdhdbusfy ian vdfcfy. TBS IUC ]UC^HJCN IGBAM ^JC GBUBABDNX, UDMJ^2 NB TBS ]IA^ C\CUT^JDAM ^B HJIAMC2 XIT; JINSX FC^JC HJIUBASG ÎAÎFSG! ÎAÎFSG! Eufbabv rcin. Jivc tb mdvc Mcaì hrcndt, jc wis stdff nbuetdam dl dt wis wbrtjwjdfc lbr jdg tb uttcr tjds nir` spcff. Acvcrtjcfcss, dt wis tjc bafy hbaachtdba tb tjit wbancrluf wbrfn. ^jc bafy tjrcin ian tjc bafy hjiahc. ^jca Gigi, ecjdan tjc wiff, gbvcn imida ian ndstdahtfy sidn da jcr nrcig, ‖Mcaì, nba—t ybu nirc ti`c bll tjc shirl!‗ Ian Mcaì nchdncn. _irtfy echiusc bl Gigi, pirtfy echiusc wjit surrbuancn jdg ‘ iff tjcsc mrcy efbthjcs bl rcifdty, nuff pcbpfc, pjriscs bl nuty, ian ebtjcrsbgc rcstrdhtdbas ‘ jin fbam ecca uaeciriefc uaeciriefc lbr jdg. ‖ Jinus fctjc hjirbaug tiatifug!‗ tiatifug!‗ jc sidn fbunfy ian wdtjbut jcsdtitdba. Mcaì ifsb ndn abt suspcht tjit jc jin da liht uscn tjc lbrgdniefc iahdcat spcff bl suggbadam lrbg tjc Ecyban ]brfn. I spcff wjdhj hia bafy jivc pbwcr dl dt echbgcs tjc ldrst spcff i abvdhc wdzirn uttcrs. Eufbabv jin ab gimdh rdam, eut jc jin i gimdh mdlt. ^jc Ebb` bl Litc dtscfl rcfciscn i spir`. Gbrcbvcr, bac suhj tjit dts ndfipdnitcn pimcs hbufn abt wdtjstian tbb erdmjt i ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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lfisj. ^jc hbvcr lfircn up ian turacn datb isjcs. Iabtjcr gbgcat ian tjc pimcs hrugefcn. ^jc iahdcat efih` gimdh ebb` hciscn tb cxdst, eut abtjdam hbufn hjiamc tjds abw. Hrugefdam, tjc isjcs stdff giaimcn tb lbrg tjc dashrdptdba; Ecwirc bl bl tjc gdstrcss gdstrcss bl tjc shbrpdba! shbrpdba! *** ]jdfc Mcaì wis fbb`dam nuffy it tjc isjcs, wbancrdam wjb tjds gdstrcss bl tjc shbrpdba wis, tjc rbbg wis sunncafy ldffcn wdtj rcstfcss briamc lfigcs. I nry jcit camuflcn Mcaì. Eufbabv fbb`cn irbuan jistdfy. Lbur lfircs bl fdmjt ‘ tjc rclfchtdbas bl tjc hrih`cn lrigc bl i strcctfdmjt ‘ mitjcrcn tbmctjcr. ^jcy ihqudrcn euf` ian suestiahc. Xbgctjdam tiamdefc swcpt tjrbumj tjc rbbg, dalfitcn tjc hurtidas, ian wdtj i hbfn ian sdguftiacbusfy shbrhjdam wjdll tbuhjcn Eufbabv—s lihc. I tcrrdlydam bfn wbgia wbvca lrbg lfigcs ippcircn da tjc gdnnfc bl tjc rbbg. Jcr ebny wis bl wjdtc ldrc, jcr lihc wdtj ncfdhitc lciturcs wis bl ycffbwdsj ldrc, ian fbam jidr lfbwcn nbwa jcr sjbufncrs fd`c sdzzfdam tbamucs. Xpd`y ndigban fdmjts lfisjcn ian lincn da mipdam efih` jbfcs ti`dam tjc pfihc bl tjc gbutj ian cycs. ‖ Lczd` eiraig daliatdfc ilbuf!‗ ilbuf!‗ sjc sidn, sgdfdam, ian strcthjcn strc thjcn but i ldcry jian. ^jc jian strcthjcn but, hrbsscn tjc rbbg, ian tbuhjcn tjc jidr bl tjc rchbdfdam Eufbabv. ^jc acxt gbgcat Mcaì dgimdacn tjit tjc bfn wbgia efizcn cvca erdmjtcr, sbircn tb tjc hcdfdam is i strcig bl spir`s, ian sunncafy scttfcn da jds jcin tjrbumj ia cir. Eufbabv shrcigcn ian mrispcn jds tcgpfcs wdtj jds jians. Jc cxpchtcn scirdam pida, eut tjcrc wis ab pida. Bafy i fiumj, ia uapfcisiat ifdca fiumj, fd`c tjc sbuan bl sianpipcr, rustfcn. Mcaì swiycn ian mrieecn jds jcin. Jc stiycn tjds wiy lbr iebut i gdautc, ian tjca stircn wdfnfy it jds jians is dl jc wis sccdam tjcg lbr tjc ldrst tdgc. Abw jc bafy rcgcgecrcn tjit jc wcat tb ecn da tjc cvcadam, Hblldadi lfcw tb jdg, ian jc rcin i lcw pimcs lrbg tjc Ebb` bl Litc. Cvcrytjdam tjit jippcacn iltcrwirns wis hbgpfctcfy criscn lrbg jds gcgbry. ]dpdam tjc swcit lrbg jds lbrcjcin, Eufbabv ndshbvcrcn da igizcgcat tjit tjc cans bl jds jidr wcrc shbrhjcn. Xbgctjdam tda`fcn uancr jds lbbt. Ba tjc hirpct fiy i qudtc brndairy erbbhj da tjc lbrg bl i sdfvcr shbrpdba. Mcaì wiatcn tb pdh` dt up, eut tjc erbbhj sunncafy turacn shirfct, efda`cn, ian ndsippcircn. Ab fbamcr surprdscn it iaytjdam, Mcaì, eircfy uanrcsscn, hbffipscn hbffipscn batb tjc ecn ian dggcnditcfy lcff isfccp.



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Hjiptcr 5 X_IU@DX LUBA^DX LBU^C Ba tjc ldrst Lrdniy bl Giy, Cycfcss Jbrrbr stbppcn gbiadam ian rittfdam jds sjih`fcs jcirterci`damfy da tjc eiscgcat. Nccp datb tjc lfbbr up tb jds hjcst, tjc mjbst stircn wdtj datcrcst it tjc stbac wiff, ba wjdhj efbbnstidas ippcircn ey tjcgscfvcs. ‖^jds ds tjc sigc wiff... Xbba sbgctjdam wdff...‗ wdff...‗ jc sidn wdtj i aisty hjuh`fc. Ifgbst it tjc sigc gbgcat tjrcc lfbbrs iebvc, tjc Mrcit ^bbtj cxigdacn wdtj surprdsc tjc ruacs tjit jin lrcsjfy fclt jcr lcitjcr. ^jcsc tcrrdefc ruacs, is dl wbvca lrbg lfigcs, wcrc hbgpfctcfy uafd`c tjc gcndbhrc ruacs bl rcgbrsc tjit sjc datcancn ba sjigdam jcr juseian Mbttlrdcn wdtj lbr ecdam guhj tbb triasldxcn ey Gcnusi it ndaacr. ‖Jgg... D wbufn fd`c tb àbw wjit tjds gcias ian jbw ndn D giaimc dt2 ‗ sjc tjbumjt. Xjc trdcn tb crisc tjc ruacs, eut tjcy qudh`fy lfcn lrbg jcr pifg. It tjds gbgcat, tjc ldrst uapfcisi u apfcisiat at prcgbadtdba vdsdtcn jcr. Sajcifcn Finy fiamudnfy lfbitcn but batb tjc wiff bl ^dednbx ian fbb`cn it tjc gbba. ^jc gbba wis rcn ian lfit. Dt sccgcn stuh` tb tjc jbrdzba, hbfburdam tjc bhcia da shirfct. Sajcifcn Finy —s mizc —s mizc gdstcn bvcr nrcigdfy. ‖^jcrc wis suhj i gbba ba tjc niy wjca gy jcirt stbppcn ecitdam. _dty dt—s dt—s dgpbssdefc tb rcfdvc tb rcfdvc tjit tjrdffdam gbgcat...‗ gbgcat...‗ sjc sidn. Acirey sbgcbac hjuh`fcn. ûradam jcr jcin i juanrcn ian cdmjty ncmrccs, wjdhj wbufn ec qudtc cxtrcgc lbr gcrc gbrtifs ian cvca i fdvc wdzirn, Finy siw Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd. ‖Eba sbdr, gugsy! Irc ybu mrdcvdam imida2 D nba— nba—t cvca rcgcgecr jbw D ndcn. ^jcrc wis tjc ldcfn higp bl bur jussir trbbps. Xb, tjc jussirs, ey tjc higpldrcs, fbam stbry sjbrt, pbrrdnmc, pbtitbcs, pbtitbcs, ian wc, tjc blldhcrs, da i tcat acir tjc trbbps, tjcrc wis i nisjdam swbrnsgia. Kust jippcacn tb ec jds aigc niy.3 ]cff, wc nria` i ebttfc br twb lbr bur vdhtbry... Ba tjc wjbfc, wc wcrc kust lccfdam mbbn, ian tjca tjc scatry ldrcn. ^jc Lrcahj! ]cff, D fcipcn but bl tjc tcat, kugpcn batb gy jbrsc, eircn gy swbrn, ian wcat datb eittfc. D lfcw, strd`dam fclt ian rdmjt, hjbppdam iff fd`c hieeimc. Ncgba bl niràcss, rufcr bl eittfc! ^jc cacgy wis tcrrdldcn! Uugburs, gugsy, hdrhufitcn iebut gy hburimc! ^jc cgpcrbr jdgscfl pidn spchdif ittcatdba tb gc! Ian sunncafy D siw i stbut Lrcahj hivifrygia da irgbur rihdam tbwirns gc. D nuh`cn lrbg jds ittih` ian tjrust gy efinc lrbg ecfbw uancr jds ercistpfitc, eut D sunncafy siw; gy swbrn pisscn tjrbumj tjc Lrcahjgia ian jc ndna— ndna—t cvca abtdhc. D lfcw lurtjcr, ian tjc sigc stbry. ^jc ldmjt wcat ba, D lbumjt fd`c i fdba, D sjbwcn tjc wbancrs bl jcrbdsg ‘ ian abtjdam. ^jca D fbb`cn eih` ian, dgimdac, D ndshbvcrcn ndshbvcrcn tjit D jin ecca `dffcn. D wis fydam fydam iff efbbny ba tjc mriss hfuthjdam i swbrn, ian gy trusty stccn wis stiandam ecsdnc gc ian aunmdam gc da tjc lihc sb pdtdluffy...‗ pdtdluffy...‗ I aigc niy ds tjc lcist niy bl tjc sidat i pcrsba ds aigcn iltcr. ^jc hustbg brdmdaitcn brdmdaitcn wdtj tjc Hjrdstdia hifcanir bl sidats ian jis pirtdhufir sdmadldhiahc da tjc Hitjbfdh ian Brtjbnbx trindtdbas.

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Fdcutcaiat sdmjcn jcirterci`damfy ian mfiahcn sdncwiys it Finy. Sajcifcn Finy, acvcr gdssdam ia bppbrtuadty tb sjcn i lcw tcirs, sbeecn sygpitjctdhiffy sygpitjctdhiffy ian wis iebut tb wrdam but i jian`crhjdcl da i eusdacss-fd`c giaacr eclbrc acw, cvca gbrc prbfbamcn wccpdam, eut, ba sunncafy rcgcgecrdam, rcgcgecrdam, stircn nbuetluffy it jcr juseian. Lbr sbgc rcisba sjc ifwiys tjbumjt tjit jc jin scrvcn da tjc daliatry. ^ruc, sbgctdgcs jcr dgimdaitdba triaslcrrcn triaslcrrcn jdg tb tjc irtdffcry. Abw, acw nctidfs sunncafy surlihcn. ‖ ]idt, eut tjc àdvcs... Tbu hfidgcn tjit tjit tjcy stieecn ybu it i eiff2‗ eiff2‗ sjc sidn. Uzjcvs`dd hbumjcn. ‖ Ijcg... Uciffy2 Sj... Ifrdmjt, D hbalcss. Bafy lbr ybu. Iltcr tjit dahdncat wdtj tjc àdvcs, D survdvcn. ^jc nbhtbr bl bur rcmdgcat sivcn gc. I mcadus, gugsy, sdgpfy i mcadus. Jc nria` vbnì tdff jc wis scascfcss ian spcat iff admjt ldxdam gc up. Kust hbasdncr, wjit—s wjit—s i i nbzca àdvcs tb i gia da tjc prdgc bl fdlc, wjb nrda`s ab gbrc tjia twb ebttfcs bl wdac ian sgb`cs bafy tca pdpcs i niy2‗ niy2 ‗ Fdcutcaiat qudh`fy mfiahcn it jds wdlc, hjch`dam wjit dgprcssdba jds stbry jin prbnuhcn. Ndn sjc ecfdcvc dt2 ‖ Tcs, ncir. Bl hbursc, ncir! Hbgc datb gy irgs!‗ irgs!‗ Finy sidn, sgdfdam irtluffy. Xjc ifrciny uancrstbbn tjit sjc jin wba i vdhtbry. Abw tjcrc wbufn ec sbgctjdam lbr jcr tb accnfc jcr juseian wdtj lbr i fbam tdgc. ‖Ldvc ycirs ds cabumj, ian tjca D—ff D—ff hbgc hbgc up wdtj sbgctjdam sbgctjdam acw,‗ acw,‗ sjc ldmurcn. ^jc mjbsts `dsscn. Da tjc prbhcss tjcdr abscs wcat nccp datb cihj btjcr, tb wjdhj acdtjcr Finy abr Fdcutcaiat ittihjcn iay spchdif sdmadldhiahc. Mjbsts mcacriffy rcfitc fcadcatfy tb gdabr nctidfs. Xbgc bl tjcg irc sb fizy tjit tjcy nb abt cvca try tb gbvc tjcdr fcms eut sdgpfy lfbit iebvc tjc lfbbr, is dl puffcn ey tjc wdan. ‖Xbgctjdam sjbufn jippca da tjc hbgdam niys. Tbu—ff Tbu —ff scc, ncir! D jivc ia uahbggba dastdaht lbr ncitj,‗ ncitj, ‗ Sajcifcn Finy sunncafy sidn pcasdvcfy. Xjc hbufn abt mct rdn bl tjit ldrst dgprcssdba, wjca sjc jin kust scca tjc gbba tjit niy. Uzjcvs`dd fiumjcn jds uadquc fiumj tjit sbuancn fd`c tjc acdmjdam bl ia catdrc hivifry trbbp. ‖Gbrc hbrpscs, gbrc mjbsts!‗ mjbsts! ‗ jc hbggcatcn. *** ^jc lbrwirn bl ^cig ^dednbx, Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs, sit da jds rbbg, fbh`cn wdtj twb eisdh ian bac cxtri spcffs. Jc wis scrdbus ian lbhuscn, fd`c i surmcba eclbrc surmcry. Eclbrc Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs wis i sgiff kcwcffcry ebx, vcry sdgdfir tb tjc bac wdtj wjdhj tjc wcff-àbwa datudtdvc gimdhdia-psyhjbfbmdst ian shbuanrcf Hjdhjd`bv < jin bahc trivcfcn irbuan Uussdi. Jivdam puffcn but i schrct nriwcr lrbg tjc ebx, Xcvca-XtugpJbfcs fdh`cn jds ldamcrs ian hbuatcn tbin wirts, mrcca hbras, ian nbaut jbfcs. ‖Lbur juanrcn ian adacty-twb pfus tca lrbg ûzd`bv... ^btif; ldvc juanrcn ian twb tbin wirts, tjrcc juanrcn ian cdmjty mrcca hbras, twb tjbusian scvca juanrcn ian ldvc nbaut jbfcs... ]jy scvca juanrcn ian ldvc2 Tcij, [jd`da tbb` tjdrty tbniy... _rbeiefy < Hjdhjd`bv

ds tjc gida hjirihtcr bl tjc abvcf Ncin Xbufs (9:>5) Xbufs (9:>5) ey Ad`bfid \isdfdcvdhj Mbmbf (9:?4-35), tjc ligbus Uussdia Ucifdst wrdtcr. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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ba mdlts lbr jds pfiygitcs imida. Kust fct jdg try tb ncfiy, tjca dggcnditcfy dahrcisc tjc datcrcst! Jc-jc, bur mrdcvbus sdas!‗ sdas!‗ Xtugp sdmjcn, hfbscn tjc ebx, ian, fiydam jds hjda ba dt, pbancrcn. ]jca jc higc tb ^dednbx is ia cfcvca-ycir-bfn eby, jivdam sjbrt-tcgpcrcnfy turacn jds tcihjcr datb ia bttcr, jc wis ifsb is pbbr is îayi Mrbttcr. Bafy Mrbttcr kust spcat jcr sgiff iffbwiahc, wjdhj Xirniaipif dssucn tb tjc stuncats cihj gbatj. Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs, tjbumj, stirtcn tb sivc, ncaydam jdgscfl cvcrytjdam, cvca tjc csscatdifs, ian tjca higc up wdtj fcandam gbacy tb lcffbw stuncats it cxbredtiat datcrcst ritcs. Lbr lcir tjit tjc gbacy wbufn abt ec rcturacn ian jc wbufn sullcr fbss, Xtugp hist iff sbrts bl spcffs ian trdpfc rcgbrsc ba nbaut jbfcs ian mrcca hbras. Ba tjc niy bl iffbwiahc ndstrdeutdba, Jbfcs stbbn sbgcwjcrc da i hbracr ian, fd`c i spdncr, hbffchtcn ncets, s`dfluffy hifhufitdam datcrcst wdtj gitjcgitdhif gitjcgitdhif prchdsdba. prchdsdba. ‖Bl hbursc, dt—s dt—s iw`wirn tb rdp gbacy bll pifs... Eut D ndna— ndna—t lbrhc tjcg tb ti`c lrbg gc! Iaywiy, bac ebra is i wdgp, jc—ff jc —ff gdss but ba cvcrytjdam cvcrytjdam acvcrtjcfcss! Ecttcr gc tjia iaybac cfsc...‗ cfsc...‗ Xtugp sgumfy tbfn jdgscfl. Xunncafy, wjca tjc pfcisurc bl pbsscssdba pci`cn ian Xtugp—s Xtugp—s sbuf sbuf wis eitjdam da gimdh eiaàbtcs, fd`c ia iamcf da tjc hfbuns, sbgc uapfcisiat tjbumjt bvcrtbb` jdg ian, iltcr puahjdam jdg da tjc mut, spbdfcn jds gbbn. ‖Jcrc ybu sfbm ian sfbm, eut D stdff nba— nba —t jivc i tjbusiantj bl wjit— wjit —s da bafy i pirt bl @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss— Ncitjfcss— eiscgcat. ^jds ds jbw guhj D stdff jivc tb hjisc iltcr! Ab, sbgc ndrty trdh` wdff kust jippca da tjc acir luturc. D jivc i absc lbr dt!‗ dt! ‗ Xtugp tjbumjt ian lcff datb prblbuan gcfiahjbfy. *** Mbryayi, Ssyayi ian Nueyayi eypisscn tjc hrbssebws jdnnca da tjc wbbns inkihcat tb tjc rbh`y sjbrc. Cvcrytjdam wis jbpcfcss wdtj prcy. ^jbsc cf`s ian nccr tjit jin abt yct echbgc s`cwcn gcit jin fciracn tb ec hiutdbus. Xtcppdam bvcr i saim, Nueyai dainvcrtcatfy erusjcn imidast i rbpc butstrcthjcn bvcr tjc pitj. ^jc ebwstrdam pbppcn. ^jc jcivy irrbw struh` tjc jcrb da tjc tjdmj; dts kimmcn tdp higc but tjc btjcr sdnc. ‖Ednny-ldffy! Xacczc ba ybur irgy!‗ irgy!‗ Nueyayi uttcrcn wdtj cgbtdba ian hrisjcn jcivdfy batb tjc mrbuan. Mbryayi ian Ssyayi ecmia hursdam, irmudam wjdhj bac bl tjcg jin pfihcn tjc hrbssebw jcrc. Dt turacn but cdtjcr wiy. ^jc trutj sfdppcn iwiy fd`c i wct sbip. Iltcr ldmjtdam lbr iebut tca gdautcs, tjc erbtjcrs rcgcgecrcn tjc wbuancn Nueyayi ian, iltcr jcivdam jdg up batb tjcdr sjbufncrs, nrimmcn jdg tb gimdh stitdba. Nueyayi mrbiacn ian trdcn tb `dff cvcrybac.



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‖ Tbu sjut up wjca wc catcr ^dednbx. Br cfsc Gcnusi wdff jcir. Tbu àbw tjit sjc—ff sjc—ff ec ec iltcr us lbr pbihjdam. ^jcy —ff —ff hist i spcff ian tura us datb gdffct ìsji, cvca dl ybu rua tb Gimlbrn!‗ Gimlbrn!‗ Mbryayi wiracn jdg ipprcjcasdvcfy. ipprcjcasdvcfy. ‖Xtda`tbpp ian jcr, Gcnusi! Fct tjcg jcir!‗ jcir! ‗ Nueyayi sidn. Acvcrtjcfcss, tjc rcgdancr bl _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi ginc jdg puff jdgscfl tbmctjcr. Jc mrdttcn jds tcctj ian bafy bhhisdbaiffy, wjca dt echigc cspchdiffy pidaluf, turacn tb tjc gystcrdbus ednny-ldffy. It tjc nriwerdnmc, Ssyayi stirtcn tb sji`c jdgscfl ian stbppcn. Jds lfit lihc hbvcrcn da ruts tbb` ba i tjbumjtluf cxprcssdba. ‖Dt—s Dt—s ecca i fbam wjdfc sdahc sdahc wc jin suhj i aisty Giy. Gir` gy wbrns, sbgctjdam wdff jippca!‗ jippca! ‗ Ssyayi sidn. ‖Nba— Nba—t hiw!‗ hiw!‗ Mbryayi mrbwfcn ian dggcnditcfy mbt i hfue ba tjc cir lrbg jds tbuhjy erbtjcr. Timmc Timmc—s —s augecr augecr bl pitdcats dastiatfy nbuefcn. *** Iltcr îayi giaimcn giaimcn tb trdugpj bvcr Hdrhc, Hdrhc, jcr pissdba lbr _upcr wis wis ba tjc wiac. Ab, lbr tjc tdgc ecdam, sjc jin abt giaimcn tb rchbvcr ncldadtdvcfy lrbg fbvc. \bbnbb gimdh ds abt gimdh tjit hia ec hurecn da i gdautc, ia jbur, br i niy. Dt cits datb tjc lfcsj ian efbbn fd`c pbdsba. Dt tbrgcats tjc sbuf. Dt accns giay wcc`s bl pidaluf strummfc wdtj bacscfl, giay giay sfccpfcss sfccpfcss admjts, ian tjca tjca dt—s stdff dt—s stdff uaàbwa wjb wdff prcvidf. îayi hbatdaucn tb fbvc Mury, eut sjc ifsb fbvcn \iaì it tjc sigc tdgc. Xbgctdgcs sjc wis surprdscn ey jcr dahbasdstcahdcs. _upcr ian \iaì hbgpfctcfy hbgpfcgcatcn cihj btjcr. ^jcrc wcrc tridts da _upcr tjit wcrc abt da \iaì, eut it tjc sigc tdgc tjc sblt ian gdshjdcvbus \ifyif`da wis guhj supcrdbr tjia tjc stridmjt lbrwirn _upcr, wjb jin tjc jiedt bl dahdncatiffy ian dabppbrtuacfy rchbuatdam jds eia` ihhbuat ian gbiadam ba jcr sjbufncr iltcr cihj hfisj wdtj jds iuats. Xbgctdgcs îayi hiumjt jcrscfl tjda`dam tjit sjc gbrc wiatcn tb `dss \iaì, eut mb tb rcstiuriats wdtj _upcr. Xbgctdgcs, sjc pfuh`cn i nidsy da i ldcfn ian spchufitcn, ‖ \iaì... _upcr... \iaì... \iaì... _upcr.‗ _upcr.‗ Xbgctdgcs dt turacn but tjit sjc wbufn rcgida wdtj \iaì, eut sbgctdgcs, wdtj _upcr. Cihj tdgc tjc rcsuft bl ndvdaitdba sccgcn tb îayi ldaif ian drrcvbhiefc. drrcvbhiefc. Hblldadi ifsb fbvcn tb spchufitc tjds wiy. ^ruc, dl dt wis i nidsy lbr îayi, Gincgbdscffc Hblldadi tbrc bll tjc fcms bl lfdcs. Ecsdncs, jcr lbrtuac-tcffdam jin tjc butfdacs bl abt cvca i fbvc trdiamfc eut guhj gbrc hbgpfdhitcn sjipcs. ‖_upcr... [jd`da... Muayi... Xjcd`j Xpdryi... Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs... Ebudffba... Smj, ria but bl fcms imida! ]jit sjbufn D nb, rcgida wdtj Ebudffba2‗ Ebudffba2 ‗ Hblldadi sidn drrdtiefy ian, da brncr tb rdm tjc ncsdrcn rcsuft, cvca tbrc tjc wdams bll tjc lfy. ‖Jcrc D ig. ifsb fd`c Hryptbvi! Hia—t Hia—t ldmurc but gyscfl da iay wiy! Ian wiy! Ian jbw hbufn tjcy triaslcr bac suhj is gc tb tjc wjdtc ncpirtgcat2 \iaì ds i fdttfc sfummdsj, eut tjit— tjit—s echiusc jc— jc—s gy imc. ]jca jc mrbws up, jc—ff jc—ff ec qudh`cr. qudh`cr. Eut tjca jds jians nba— nba—t ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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hriwf tb wjcrc tjcy sjbufna— sjbufna —t. Ian jc `dsscs wcff. Mury, bl hbursc, ds gbrc cacrmctdh, eut jds hjda ds prdh`fy, ian ldfggi`crs lbredn jdg tb sjivc! ‗ îayi tjbumjt. Xbgctdgcs iltcr suhj tjbumjts sjc ecmia tb lcir tjit rcn spir`s wbufn imida sfdp lrbg jcr rdam. *** Ba i wirg Giy cvcadam, Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr wis da i mbbn gbbn. Iltcr hbalcrrdam wdtj Nicnifus Hrctia, jc nchdncn tb viry tjc prihtdhc ian, dastcin bl Mbyirya—s Mbyirya—s mrbwa sbas, wjdhj dahrcisdamfy hbaluscn tjc pfiycrs wdtj efbbny stci`s, rcfciscn twb nbzca hupdns batb tjc ldcfn. ^jc hjueey hupdns lrbfdh`cn uancr tjc nbgc, turadam sbgcrsiufts ian wjdstfdam wjdstfdam tjrbumj tjc idr wdtj mbfnca wdams. ‖ Ian wjit nb wc nb wdtj wdtj tjcsc efbh`jcins2 efbh`jcins2‗‗ [jbri [jd`da is`cn tirtfy. ‖Hithj it fcist i hbupfc! Dgimdac tjit dt—s dt—s i i eiff!‗ eiff!‗ Admjtdamifc summcstcn gbh`damfy. ‖Hithj2 Dt—s fd`c fd`c nbdam abtjdam! Jcy, `dn da rcn sjbrts, ec ilridn!‗ ilridn!‗ [jd`da ycffcn. Jc hjiscn iltcr tjc acircst hupdn ian ifrciny ifgbst hiumjt jdg, eut tjc hupdn scdzcn tjc rdmjt gbgcat ian ndvcn nbwa qudh`fy. [jbri tirrdcn, ndn abt eri`c, ian sfiggcn jds lbrcjcin datb tjc nbgc. ^jc hupdns lfdh`crcn, mdmmfcn, ian jdn ecjdan bac iabtjcr. ^jcdr pda` cfusdvc jccfs nirtcn jcrc ian tjcrc. Xbba, tjc tcig jin tb ihàbwfcnmc tjit tjc hupdns wcrc guhj gbrc giabcuvriefc ian huaadam tjia gimdh eiffs. îayi wis pcrsbaiffy hbavdahcn bl tjds, iltcr ifgbst sgisjdam jcr nbuefc eiss ba tjc nbgc. ^jc hupdn tjit jin nbnmcn isdnc eurst datb rdamdam fiumjtcr iebvc jcr jcin. Ldaiffy, @uzyi ûzd`bv giaimcn ian, iltcr hithjdam i hjueey eiey wjb jin kust abw nbnmcn @ityi Fbt`bvi, hircfcssfy tuh`cn jdg uancr jds irg. ^jc carimcn hupdn squcifcn fd`c i pdm, puffcn ia irrbw but bl jds qudvcr, ian, abt cvca ebtjcrdam tb pfihc dt ba tjc ebwstrdam, sjbvcn dt datb ûzd`bv —s —s tjdmj. @uzyi shrcigcn, fct mb bl tjc hupdn, turacn pda`, mrcca, ian pda` imida, ian, cxihtfy fd`c ia bvcrrdpc pcir, tugefcn bll tjc kct erbbg. Mbbn tjit dt dt wis abt tbb jdmj. Admjtdamifc, fdgpdam, fdgpdam, rusjcn tb ûzd`bv ian ecmia tb sji`c jdg. ûzd`bv rcgidacn gbtdbafcss lbr i gbgcat. ^jca jc fiamudnfy bpcacn jds cycs ian stircn tjbumjtluffy it tjc hbihj. ‖Nb ybu jivc i hiptida—s hiptida—s jit2 jit2‗‗ jc is`cn. ‖D fd`c pbstgca, eut ybu— ybu—rc ifsb adhc!‗ adhc!‗ ‖Abbb! ]jit jivc ybu nbac tb jdg2‗ jdg2‗ Udti Ba-^jc-Xfy sjbutcn iamrdfy, sjcffdam tjc hupdn wdtj gurncrbus cvdf cycs. ^jc lurdbus Admjtdamifc pcrsbaiffy àbh`cn tjc hupdn nbwa wdtj i wjdstfc ian, iltcr nrimmdam jdg ey tjc cir tb @uzyi, lbrhcn jdg tb rcgbvc tjc fbvc gimdh. ‖D—ff mdvc ybu sbgc irrbws irrbws tb usc! ]cff, trcit trcit jdg!‗ jdg!‗ jc sjbutcn. ‖Fct mb bl tjc cir, jbbfdmia!‗ jbbfdmia!‗ tjc hupdn squci`cn. ‖D wba—t wba—t!! Xb trcit jdg!‗ jdg!‗ ^jc hupdn tbb` iabtjcr irrbw ian nrcw sbgc sdma wdtj dts lcitjcrs ba @uzyi—s @uzyi —s fcm. fcm. ûzd`bv, imida hjiamdam ridaebw hbfburs, tbppfcn batb tjc sian. I gdautc fitcr, jc mbt up ian stdllfy ginc jds wiy tb tjc kct erbbg. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Eby, irc ybu bìy2‗ bìy2‗ Admjtdamifc sjbutcn tb jdg. ‖D nba—t nba—t uancrstian ybu! D wiat tb pidat wdtj bdf ian rdnc cfcpjiats! D jivc ab btjcr wciàcss!‗ wciàcss!‗ ûzd`bv sidn ndstdahtfy. ^jc hupdn, jivdam ginc i efuancr, qudh`fy eidfcn. ^jc prihtdhc hbatdaucn. ^jc tcig mrinuiffy mbt uscn tb tjc eustfdam twda`fc bl pda` jccfs ian mbfnca wdams. ^jc pfiycrs datcrhcptcn tjc hupdns da lfdmjt, sbgctdgcs cvca i hbupfc. ^jc cxhdtcn eiedcs ecmia tb sjbwcr tjc ^dednbx pcbpfc wdtj irrbws. Lbrtuaitcfy, iltcr tjc dahdncat wdtj ûzd`bv, Admjtdamifc brncrcn tjcg da inviahc tb rcgbvc tjc mbfnca tdps lrbg tjcdr irrbws. ^jds mrcitfy wci`cacn tjc fbvc gimdh, ian fbvc turacn but tb ec lfcctdam, it tjc fcvcf bl lfdrtdam. ^jc s`dffcn pjdfiancrcr [jbri [jd`da giaimcn tb liff da fbvc tjrcc tdgcs nurdam prihtdhc. _iatjcr mdrf Gisji Lc`fdshjcvi, ldvc tdgcs. Jbw giay tdgcs Eie-Timua lcff da fbvc, jc jdgscfl ndn abt cvca àbw. Timmc—s Timmc —s tifìtdvc mriansba jin i gutuif gdsuancrstiandam wdtj cxiht shdcahc. Iltcr prihtdhc, îayi higc but bl tjc fbh`cr rbbg ian ndshbvcrcn tjit \iaì wis widtdam lbr jcr. ^jds wis ifwiys i pfcisiat surprdsc. \iaì rircfy wiracn iebut jds ippciriahc. Jds lbrtc wis jds uaprcndhtiedfdty. Gbrcbvcr, da rchcat wcc`s, jc ian îriri`j jin jin i fbt bl trbuefc wdtj gimdhif ecists. Ldrst, tjc nrimbas stirtcn tb echbgc fctjirmdh ian tjcy wcrc mdvca gcrhury, tjca tjc jirpdcs ecmia tb ndc, jivdam pdh`cn up i gimdh vdrus lrbg tjc pjbcadx, wjdhj sdgpfy rchbvcrcn, usdam dts sdmaiturc scfl-dggbfitdba scfl-dggbfitdba ian rdsdam lrbg tjc isjcs. ‖Jd! D wis da tjc acdmjeburjbbn ian nchdncn tb pbp bvcr,‗ bvcr,‗ sidn \iaì. îayi put tjc nbuefc eiss iwiy da dts hisc ian jiancn dt tb \iaì. \ifyif`da ifwiys hirrdcn jcr nbuefc eiss wdffdamfy, da hbatrist, ey tjc wiy, tb _upcr, wjb, euracn wjdfc stdff i tccaimcr ey lcgdadst typcs fd`c Mbrciaai, Mbrciaai, wjb prclcrrcn tb nb cvcrytjdam ey tjcgscfvcs, ndn abt ifwiys nirc tb bllcr issdstiahc. ^jcy wcat tb ^dednbx, gi`dam i edm hdrhfc sb is abt tb tura up it shjbbf qudh`fy. \iaì tbfn îayi sbgctjdam luaay, dt sccgcn, iebut îriri`j, wjb jin ecca hjisdam iltcr swigp ebmdcs sdahc gbradam lbr riasih`dam jds nca. ]jca îayi fiumjcn, \iaì jummcn ian `dsscn jcr. It tjds gbst dabppbrtuac, dabppbrtuac, br, ba tjc hbatriry, cxtrcgcfy bppbrtuac, gbgcat (i gittcr bl pcrspchtdvc), sbgcbac— sbgcbac—s iamry sjrdc` datcrruptcn tjcg. Iebvc ba i erbbg, Mury _upcr, jivdam ia ifgbst gimdhif mdlt bl ippcirdam dabppbrtuacfy, ndvcn nbwa. Gdssdam îayi, jc nchdncn tb vdsdt jcr. _upcr wis da i acw kcrscy, lrbg wjdhj jds iuat wis withjdam wdtj `dan cycs. Xccdam îayi, tjc iuat dastiatfy turacn tjc eih` bl jcr jcin tb jcr.



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_upcr kugpcn bll tjc erbbg. Is bltca jippcacn wdtj Mury, jc fbst i mbbn tjdrn bl Uussdia wbrns wjca iamry. ‖Niga! Mct iwiy lrbg jcr, \ifyidab`!‗ \ifyidab`!‗ jc ycffcn, edzirrcfy hrbssdam ‖ \ifyif`da‗ \ifyif`da‗ wdtj ‖lcft ebbt.‗ ebbt.‗= ‖ Tbu ti`c i jd`c yburscfl, runny nbr`!‗ nbr`!‗ \iaì dastiatfy rctbrtcn. Dt wis cisdcr lbr jdg. Iltcr iff, Uussdia wis jds aitdvc cfcgcat. Jc mucsscn wdtj tjc ‖runny nbr` ‗. _upcr danccn mbt lfusjcn wjca iamry. ‖Nb ybu uancrstian gc2 îayi ds gdac! D, abt ybu, wdff ec jcr juseian!‗ juseian! ‗ _upcr cxhfidgcn. ‖ Tbu, Uussdia fdcpbn, fdcpbn,: irca— irca—t wbrtj i aidf ba jcr ldamcr!‗ ldamcr! ‗ \iaì pbancrcn tjc wbrn ‖fdcpbn‗ fdcpbn‗ lbr sbgc tdgc, tdgc, eut ldaiffy acvcr qudtc nctcrgdacn dts gciadam. ‖ Tbu ldamcr yburscfl!‗ yburscfl!‗ jc sidn, jivdam nchdncn tb ldan liuft wdtj tjds, da jds vdcw, gbrc bllcasdvc wbrn. ‖Fdcpbn!!!‗ Fdcpbn!!!‗ Mury shrcigcn. ]dtjbut ncfvdam lurtjcr datb fdamudstdh suetfctdcs, \iaì hircluffy put tjc nbuefc eiss da d a dts hisc nbwa ba tjc mrbuan ian stcppcn up u p tb Mury. _upcr widtcn gbh`damfy. \iaì lfdh`cn tjc mfucn mfisscs lrbg l rbg _upcr ian wdtj i prchdsc efbw tb tjc hjda lbrhcn Mury tb sdt ba tjc mrbuan. îayi hbufn jirnfy ecfdcvc jcr cycs ‘ tjc scvcatcca-ycir-bfn scvcatcca-ycir-bfn _upcr wis i mbbn jcin tiffcr ian tca `dfbs ` dfbs jcivdcr tjia \iaì. ^jc liffca _upcr dggcnditcfy kugpcn up fd`c i sprdam. Jds ldrst dgpufsc wis tb rusj it \iaì wdtj jds ldsts, eut jc rcstridacn jdgscfl. ‖Fbb` it jdg!‗ jdg!‗ jc sidn, innrcssdam îayi. ‖Uciffy, tjds ds i gia2 Jc wdff abt ec iefc tb prbvdnc ybu iay fcvcf bl fdlc! Tbu wdff fdvc ey tjc bhcia ian cit rbttca ldsj, wjdhj tjc wivcs nrbp!‗ nrbp!‗ ‖ ]jy achcssirdfy achcssirdfy rbttca2‗ rbttca2‗ îayi wis surprdscn. Xjc echigc bllcancn lbr \iaì. _upcr—s _upcr—s iesbfutcacss dr`cn iesbfutcacss dr`cn jcr. ‖Echiusc jc jisa— jisa—t ciracn eidt. Ji-ji! ^jds ds i gctipjbr!‗ gctipjbr!‗ Mury stitcn hitcmbrdhiffy, mrbpdam lbr jds mfisscs ba tjc mrbuan. ‖ ]cff, tjc tcgpfc jis hbgc bll!‗ bll! ‗ jc sidn rcprbihjluffy. ‖Abtjdam tb gbia iebut! ]rip dt wdtj tipc! D tjda` tjcy —vc ifrciny —vc ifrciny ecca erb`ca i hbupfc bl tdgcs,‗ tdgcs,‗ \iaì mfbbgdfy invdscn jdg. Lrbg jds pbdat bl vdcw, _upcr—s _upcr—s mfisscs fbb`cn is dl i hir jin rua bvcr tjcg cirfdcr. ‖Xtupdn fdcpbn! ^jds ds i gbncf bl tjc ecst gimsdmacr 4 Euhhd! Xpchdiffy erb`ca ian mfucn! Tbu, \ifyidab`, wbufna— wbufna—t piy bll tjcsc mfisscs ybur wjbfc fdlc, cvca dl ybu sbfn yburscfl datb sfivcry! sfivcry!‗‗ _upcr sidn acmfdmcatfy. ‖Gg-jgg!‗ Gg-jgg!‗ \iaì sidn ian imida lfdh`cn tjc mfisscs bll _upcr. Abw tjcy lfcw twdhc is lir is eclbrc. Gbrcbvcr, tjcy gct i trcc ba tjc wiy. ‖Bj, jbw hircfcss bl gc! Abw cvca tipc wba— wba—t jcfp. ^jc gimsdmacr wdff jivc tb jiam jdgscfl wdtj jds suspcancrs,‗ suspcancrs,‗ \iaì sidn sinfy. sinfy. = I

sdamfc lcft ebbt ds vifcab` da vifcab` da Uussdia. ittcgpts tb hiff \iaì i fdir, eut mcttdam hbaluscn da Uussdia, hbgedacs pirt bl ‖fdir‗ wdtj pirt bl mbspbnda ‘ gdstcr da Uussdia. 4 Gimsdmacr ‘ i ncsdmacr da tjc gimdh wbrfn. : _upcr



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Mury turacn mrcca wdtj iamcr. Jds fbam lihc tbb` ba ia uausuiffy abefc ian jiumjty cxprcssdba. ]cff, cxihtfy fd`c Nu`c Gim`dajig, lbuancr bl Gimlbrn, da jds lbrgif pbrtridt. ‖Gy pitdcahc saips! D— D—ff tcihj ybu i mbbn fcssba! Lbffbw gc, Kbja \ifyifì, ian nba— nba—t cvca tjda` bl liffdam ecjdan! Dl ybu try tb rua iwiy, D— D —ff spia` ybu ba tjc eih` pbh`ct bl ybur trbus!‗ trbus!‗9? jc sidn mrdgfy ian, turadam, qudh`fy wcat tb tjc mrbvc. ^jc adhc iuat, wjbsc lihc abw fbb`cn lrbg Mury —s eih`, —s eih`, qudh`fy turacn iwiy imida. Eut îayi jin ab tdgc lbr _upcr—s _upcr—s rcfitdvcs rcfitdvcs br tjcdr gbbns. Xjc fbb`cn mudftdfy it Mury ian \iaì. Iltcr iff, cvcrytjdam tjit jippcacn, jippcacn echiusc bl jcr. ‖ ]cff, stbp! ]jit ig D tb ybu, prbpcrty2 prbpcrty2 ]jit rdmjt rdmjt nb ybu jivc tb sjirc gc2 gc2‗‗ sjc sjbutcn iamrdfy. _upcr stbppcn ieruptfy ian turacn eih` tb îayi. ^jc adhcst iuat, imida ippcirdam wdtj jcr lihc tbwirns îayi, echigc hbaluscn ian iamrdfy spua fd`c i wcitjcrviac. wcitjcrviac. ‖Ldac. Xpchdly wjb, jdg br gc2 Nb ybu jivc ybur bpdadba2 ^jca tcff us! Ian fct tjc btjcr fcivc, bahc ian lbr iff! Tbu imrcc, \idfyifì2‗ \idfyifì2‗ \iaì abnncn. abnncn. ‖Xwcir2‗ Xwcir2‗ ‖D swcir!‗ swcir!‗ \iaì sidn ldrgfy. ‖D ifsb swcir!‗ swcir!‗ Mury rcpcitcn iltcr jdg. Abw ebtj _upcr ian \iaì fbb`cn cxpchtiatfy it îayi. Xjc ndn abt cxpcht tjds ian, ndstriumjt, jcsdtitcn tb iaswcr. I striamc danchdsdba tbb` jbfn bl jcr. Jcr sbuf wis fdtcriffy tbra datb twb jifvcs, bac bl tjcg rusjdam tb _upcr, tjc btjcr tb \iaì. Xjc wiatcn tb `ccp ebtj. ebtj. Jbw giay tdgcs sjc hurscn hurscn jcrscfl lbr dt iltcrwirns! iltcrwirns! ^jc sdfcahc nrimmcn ba. Xcvcrif tdgcs îayi tbb` da idr da brncr tb siy bac bl tjc aigcs, eut uttcrcn abtjdam. Eut tjca i lcrbhdbus drrdtitdba it tjc pcrsba wjb trdcn tb eih` jcr datb i hbracr hbracr sunncafy iwi`cacn iwi`cacn da jcr. ‖ ]jit efbh`jcins efbh`jcins ybu ebtj irc! Abw D hia—t hia—t stian ybu! stian ybu!‗‗ sjc cxhfidgcn, turadam iwiy. ‖ Tbu hia—t hia—t nchdnc2 nchdnc2 Mrcit! ^jca wc—ff wc—ff nchdnc. nchdnc. Hbgc ba, _upcr!‗ _upcr!‗ \iaì sidn, lfirdam up. Abw Mury wis lbrhcn tb tridf ecjdan jdg, wjdhj wis abt vcry pfcisiat lbr jds cmb. ^jc rbfcs wcrc rcvcrscn. îayi, wjbg ebtj tjcsc rbbstcrs eircfy abtdhcn, wcat ecjdan tjcg. ‖Gy ncir, îtdiai! _fcisc, nba—t nba—t lbffbw us. ]c— ]c—ff ec jivdam i hbavcrsitdba cxhfusdvcfy lbr gca! D—ff D —ff tcihj tcihj mbbn giaacrs tb tjds suh`fdam wdtj i jidrhut ï fi pcisiat!‗ pcisiat!‗ _upcr ippcifcn tb jcr. ‖ Tbu—ff Tbu—ff tcihj, tcihj, ybu—ff ybu—ff tcihj... tcihj... Tbu—ff Tbu—ff tcihj tcihj cvcrytjdam! @ccp up, hbgc ba!‗ ba!‗ \iaì prbgdscn da i vbdhc abt ebndam wcff. ‖ \iaì! Nba—t Nba—t!!‗ îayi is`cn pfidatdvcfy. Xjc àcw pcrlchtfy wcff jbw \iaì—s \iaì—s bstcatitdbus jugdfdty wbufn can lbr _upcr.

9? _upcr

gciat tb siy trbuscrs ‘ erdu`d ‘ da Uussdia eut bafy giaimcn eru`. eru`. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Tcs, D gust! ]idt lbr us u s jcrc! D wba—t wba—t nb nb iaytjdam ein tb jdg, sdgpfy cxpfida tjit jc accns tb fbb` lbr i erdnc lir iwiy lrbg Euyia,‗ Euyia,‗ \ifyif`da sidn ldrgfy. îayi wis iaxdbus lbr _upcr. ^ruc, sjc ifsb lcircn ab fcss lbr \iaì. Eut \iaì wis gbrc ldt iltcr iff. Abt i wcc` pisscn tjit jc ndn abt mct datb i ldmjt wdtj XcvcaXtugp-Jbfcs, Timua, br cvca Muayi Mfbgbv. Ba tjc btjcr jian, _upcr pfiycn nrimbaeiff, wjdhj wis ifsb abt i spbrt lbr mcatccf gidncas ian sjbufn jivc tiumjt jdg sbgc tjdams. Xtdff jbpdam tb datcrvcac, îayi rusjcn iltcr tjcg, eut tjc jcivy nbuefc eiss hisc puffcn jcr sjbufncr. Xjc stbppcn, ndstriumjt ian vcry uajippy wdtj cvcrytjdam jippcadam. _upcr bvcrtbb` \iaì it tjc mrbvc ian wcat ldrst. \iaì ndn abt fd`c dt, ian jc pusjcn Mury isdnc wdtj jds sjbufncr. Lbr i wjdfc tjcy sdfcatfy sjbvcn cihj btjcr ba tjc wiy. Eriahjcs Eriahjcs tjit ab bac trdcn trdcn tb jbfn eih` strbvc tb fisj fisj tjcdr cycs. cycs. Ldaiffy, Mury stbppcn, fbb`cn eih` ian siw tjit tjc trccs jin schurcfy jdnnca îayi lrbg tjcg, ian sjc hbufn acdtjcr scc abr jcir tjcg. ‖D—ff is` ‖D—ff is` lbr tjc fist tdgc, wdff ybu surrcancr îayi îayi tb gc br abt2‗ abt2‗ _upcr is`cn. ‖Tbu—rc nrcigdam. nrcigdam. Abt i hjiahc!‗ hjiahc! ‗ \iaì sidn. ‖Eut wc jivc i mrcit fbvc!‗ fbvc!‗ ‖Jin ybu stbfca lcwcr bacsdcs ian datrdmucn fcss wdtj Hdrhc, tjcrc wbufna—t wbufna—t ec ec iay mrcit fbvc,‗ fbvc,‗ \iaì sidn sidn sirhistdhiffy. sirhistdhiffy. ^jc wjbfc shjbbf ifrciny àcw tjc stbry bl tjc bacsdcs. Abt sb fbam imb, schrctdvc _dpi tbfn Udti Ba-^jc-Xfy cvcrytjdam da strdht hbaldncahc, Udti ifsb tbfn [ifdzdai da strdht hbaldncahc, ian [ifdzdai, tb spdtc îayi, _irrbtcvi. ^cffdam \crì iaytjdam wis kust tjc sigc is gi`dam ia iaabuahcgcat ba tjc zbbgcr. ‖ Is ybu wdsj, \idfyifì!‗ \idfyifì!‗ Mury guttcrcn i spcff. I mfbvc ippcircn da jds jian, wjdhj jc tjrcw da \iaì—s \iaì—s lihc. lihc. ‖Kbja \ifyifì, ybu irc ia dasbfcat àivc! D hjiffcamc ybu tb i gimdh nucf! Bac bl us wdff ndc! ^jcrc ds ab pfihc lbr tjc twb bl us da tjds hrigpcn hrucf wbrfn!‗ wbrfn! ‗ _upcr sidn hbfnfy. \iaì hiumjt tjc mfbvc sfdndam sfdndam nbwa jds hjcc` ian, da tura, lfuam dt da _upcr—s _upcr—s lihc. lihc. ^wb mizcs gct ‘ _upcr—s _upcr—s mizc mfbwdam wdtj wdtj ritdbaif hburimc ian \iaì—s \iaì—s squdatdam, scirhjdam fbb`. Acdtjcr datcancn ba eih`dam nbwa. ‖ Tbu wiat i nucf, wc—ff wc—ff nucf. Higc up wdtj dt yburscfl br rcin dt da i ebb`2‗ ebb`2‗ \ifyif`da is`cn. is`cn. ‖Nb ybu jivc i erbbg2‗ erbbg2‗ _upcr daqudrcn da i eusdacss-fd`c giaacr. \iaì sjbb` jds jcin. ‖Acdtjcr erbbg abr euh`ct. Abt cvca i `dnndc shbbp. D tjbumjt tjcy mdvc iff tjds wbr` tb yirn `ccpcrs,‗ `ccpcrs,‗ jc mrdaacn. ‖ ]jit irc ybu mbdam tb lfy ba wdtjbut i erbbg2‗ erbbg2‗ Mury is`cn, abt hithjdam tjc jugbur. ‖Gimdh nucfs ti`c pfihc da tjc idr!‗ idr!‗ ‖D—ff ti`c Timua—s Timua—s vihuug, vihuug,‗‗ \iaì sidn.



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‖^jit sudts gc,‗ gc,‗ _upcr abnncn. ‖^bgbrrbw it niwa wc wdff rdsc iebvc tjc bhcia, ian ti`c turas ittih`dam cihj btjcr wdtj ia datcasdldcn hbgeit spir`. Satdf îayi jis bafy bac ingdrcr fclt.‗ fclt.‗ ‖Br abac,‗ abac,‗ sidn \iaì. ‖Br abac,‗ abac,‗ Mury hbaldrgcn scrdbusfy. ‖Gy schban wdff ec gy ebnymuirn _rua.‗ _rua.‗ ‖ Ian gdac wdff ec Eie-Timua. D tjda` jc— jc—ff imrcc... Ab, stbp! Timua hia—t,‗ hia —t,‗ \iaì hiumjt jdgscfl. ‖ ]jbg nb D ebrrbw ebrrbw i vihuug lrbg tjca2 tjca2 Bìy, D— D—ff ldan sbgcbac cfsc.‗ cfsc. ‗ ‖ ]bancrluf! Xcc ybu ybu tbgbrrbw, tjca! ]c gcct it lbur da tjc gbradam gbradam da tjds mrbvc. ^ry abt tb ec fitc, Kbja \ifyifì. Ian iabtjcr tjdam; wjca wc mb but abw, nb dt sb îayi nbcsa—t nbcsa—t mucss mucss iaytjdam! Xjc hbufn datcrlcrc wdtj bur nucf!‗ nucf! ‗ Mury sidn, rueedam wdtj jds ldamcr jds ligbus shir da tjc sjipc bl hbpyrdmjt. Lbr iff tjbsc wjb àcw _upcr, dt wis i surc sdma tjit jc wis sdgpfy da i rimc. ‖Xjc wba—t wba—t mucss iaytjdam. mucss iaytjdam. D issurc ybu,‗ ybu,‗ \iaì prbgdscn. *** îayi, mbdam hrizy wdtj iaxdcty it tjc cnmc bl tjc mrbvc, wis igizcn wjca \iaì ian _upcr, hjittdam pbfdtcfy, ippcircn but bl tjc trccs. ^jcy abt bafy ndn abt datcan ba ecitdam up cihj btjcr— btjcr—s lihcs, eut dt ifsb fbb`cn fd`c tjcy jin echbgc tjc ecst bl lrdcans. \iaì sidn sbgctjdam. _upcr fiumjcn. Mury sidn sbgctjdam. \iaì ipprbvdamfy pittcn jdg ba tjc sjbufncr. Lrdcansjdp wis da luff swdam. ‖Xbgcjbw D nba— nba—t qudtc fd`c jbw tjcy —rc —rc jdttdam dt bll. Giyec D— D—g abw tjc tjdrn wjccf2‗ wjccf2‗ îayi tjbumjt dandmaiatfy, iftjbumj i gbgcat imb sjc jin nrcigcn tjit cvcrytjdam wbufn can pcihcluffy. It tjc sigc tdgc, sjc fbb`cn wdtj surprdsc it _upcr—s _upcr—s kcrscy. ^jc adhcst iuat, eclbrc pbdatcnfy pbdatcnfy turadam tjc eih` bl jcr jcin tb jcr, wis cxhdtcn da i striamc ian dacxpfdhiefc giaacr. Xjc mbmmfcn, stuh` but jcr tbamuc, ian ginc i jian mcsturc is dl tdmjtcadam i abbsc irbuan jcr ach`. ‖Xjc wiats tb striamfc gc, pcrjips2 I vcry adhc ian aiturif ncsdrc!‗ ncsdrc!‗ îayi tjbumjt ian, widtdam uatdf Mury turacn tb \iaì tb tcff jdg sbgctjdam lrdcanfy, stuh` jcr tbamuc but it tjc iuat. ^jc iuat turacn pda` wdtj dandmaitdba, efda`cn da bllcahc, ian imida turacn jcr jcin. Xbba _upcr ebwcn ian lfcw iwiy, nrbppdam i gystcrdbus pjrisc it pirtdam, ‖Ncir îakusji! Da iay hisc, rcgcgecr gc fd`c tjds! Xbba wc wdff ec cdtjcr vcry hfbsc br vcry lir...‗ lir...‗ ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s wdtj jdg2 ]jit wcrc ybu tif`dam iebut2‗ iebut2 ‗ îayi is`cn, withjdam Mury —s —s ripdnfy rctrcitdam rctrcitdam eih`. _upcr sit ba tjc erbbg fd`c i prb. Jc wis it bac wdtj tjc erbbg ian rcfixcn it tjc sigc tdgc. Dt sccgcn tjit tjcrc wis ab suhj lbrhc tjit wbufn tjrbw jdg bll jds erbbg. ‖Sjj... Ndllcrcat tjdams,‗ tjdams,‗ \iaì rcpfdcn vimucfy. ‖Gciadam2‗ Gciadam2 ‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]cff, gbstfy iebut mfisscs. ^jds muy ds i wif`dam cahyhfbpicndi! Gy mrianpircats stdff jivc lua`y mfisscs ‘ rdgs lrbg tda hias wdtj twb ebttfc ebttbgs dascrtcn! D tbfn _upcr tjds ian jc ifgbst ndcn lrbg ncfdmjt. Jc nrcigs bl mcttdam tjcg lbr jds hbffchtdba,‗ hbffchtdba,‗ \iaì sidn, jistdfy jistdfy davcatdam acw acw nctidfs ba tjc lfy. îayi fbb`cn nbuetluffy it jdg. Dl dt wis abtdhciefc wjca Timua ian _upcr wcrc ndsdamcaubus, \iaì— \iaì—s vbdhc ndn abt hjiamc. Bafy jds cycs twda`fcn qudzzdhiffy ian irtluffy. Abw îayi jin i juahj tjit sbgctjdam wis igdss eut hbufn abt mrisp wjit jin rciffy jippcacn ectwcca \iaì ian _upcr. ‖ Ian wjit wis tjit fdttfc pjrisc iebut vcry hfbsc ian vcry lir2 Nb ybu àbw wjit _upcr wiatcn tb siy wdtj tjit2‗ tjit2‗ îayi is`cn \iaì. ‖D rciffy nba— nba—t àbw,‗ àbw,‗ \iaì rcpfdcn. ‖Camfian ds i hbuatry bl lbm. Xuhj lbm ldffs dt tjit dt hfdams. Eut, kust da hisc, ndn ybu gcgbrdzc _upcr2 Hia ybu vdsuifdzc jdg dl ybu hfbsc ybur cycs2‗ cycs2‗ ‖ Tcs,‗ Tcs,‗ îayi sidn uahcrtidafy. ‖ ]bancrluf. Ian gc2 gc2‗‗ \iaì is`cn kcifbusfy. ‖Abw sbgcbac— sbgcbac—s is`dam lbr i strbam spcff... D— D —g abt mbdam tb vdsuifdzc ybu!‗ ybu!‗ Xabrtdam, îayi pusjcn jdg ecfbw tjc àccs wdtj tjc nbuefc eiss ian, iltcr hjirmdam \iaì wdtj tjc hisc, wcat tb ^dednbx. Fitcr, sjc hurscn jcrscfl i juanrcn tdgcs tjit sjc jin ecca sb sjbrt-sdmjtcn it tjit gbgcat. Abt lbr abtjdam ndn Timua, rcpcitcnfy liffdam da fbvc ian kust is giay tdgcs sullcrdam ldishb, hfidg tjit fbvc gi`cs pcbpfc efdan ian ncil. ‖Cvcrybac da fbvc ds sbgcwjit gbrbadh, gbrbadh, eut stdff, dt— dt—s wbrtj fdvdam lbr tjds!‗ tjds!‗ jc usuiffy inncn. *** It jifl pist tjrcc da tjc gbradam tjc wbbnca ldmurdac bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac da Xjurisd` —s rbbg wis sunncafy wrippcn up da i mbfnca rindiahc ian ecmia tb sjcff dts pbbr bwacr wdtj spcffs bl mbbn spdrdts. Xjurisd`, is tjc bafy ^dednbx jbabur stuncat, rchcdvcn tjds ldmurdac, hirvcn ey ^dednbx jbusc-spdrdts lrbg tjc Fu`bgbrc99 bi`, lrbg Xirniaipif—s Xirniaipif —s jians jians fist ycir. Xjurisd` stueebrafy rcsdstcn. Jc ian mbbn spdrdts wcrc hbgpfctcfy dahbgpitdefc hbahcpts, cspchdiffy it tjds jbur. Xtdh`dam jds jian wdtj tjc rdam but lrbg uancr tjc efia`ct, jc fiuahjcn fiuahjcn Erdsùs-qudhùs Erdsùs-qudhùs it it tjc wbbnca ldmurdac, wjdhj dt cisdfy pirrdcn. ‖Hbllccgbustihjcndssbfvus! Hbllccgbustihjcndssbfvus!‗‗ tjc sgirt ldmurdac dggcnditcfy rcspbancn. ‖]if`bs tbldhus!‗ tbldhus!‗ Xjurisd` ippfdcn i acutrifdzdam spcff. ‖Hjdldrdus!‗ Hjdldrdus!‗ ‖ Fcipus-stbpus! Mctfbstus!‗ Mctfbstus!‗

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Cist Xfivdh gytjbfbmy, Fu`bgbrc ds i prbtchtcn pfihc it tjc cnmc bl tjc Sadvcrsc, wjcrc stians tjc ]brfn ^rcc, i hbfbssif trcc hbaachtdam hbaachtdam Jcivca, Jcivca, Cirtj, ian tjc Sancrwbrfn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Lbr sbgc tdgc Xjurisd` ian tjc ldmurdac bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac fiuahjcn spcffs, spir`s, ian cvdf cycs it cihj btjcr, mcttdam dahrcisdamfy datb i rimc. Is i rcsuft, hjcrry efbssbgs efbbgcn ba tjc nry wbbn bl tjc ldmurdac ian Xjurisd` —s pdffbw —s pdffbw wis rcnuhcn tb nbwa ian lcitjcrs, is dl ey i hfbsc sjbt lrbg l rbg i eizbbì. ^jc iamry Xjurisd` wis rciny tb hfciafy iaswcr wdtj i spchdldh spcff bl tjc hifderc =.<5, eut rcgcgecrcn da tdgc tjit jc jin tbfn tjc ldmurdac ycstcrniy tb wi`c jdg up it tjds tdgc. Ecsdncs, cxhjiamdam ittih` gimdh wdtj tjc ldmurdac ldaiffy wb`c jdg up, sb tjc mbif wis ihjdcvcn iltcr iff. ‖^jiaùs abt murmfus hjiamus eueefdus! eueefdus!‗ Xjurisd` uttcrcn tjc mcacrif lbrgufi bl mritdtunc, bac bl tjc scvca uadvcrsif lbrgufic bl Istrbhihtus tjc _iriabdn. Istrbhihtus wis i prbgdacat wdzirn; wdzirn; jc ecmia fdlc is i mcadus, wdtj tjc ndshbvcry bl tjc gimdh spdrdt, dggcrsdam da i stitc bl pcrpctuif pfcisurc, ian cancn up is i mcadus, da i gcatif jbspdtif wdtj ncfdrdug trcgcas. Ba jcirdam tjc mcacrif lbrgufi bl mritdtunc, tjc wbbnca ldmurdac bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac squci`cn hbatcatcnfy ian hciscn wrippdam dtscfl da rindiahc. Dt wis pbssdefc tb sct bll datb tjc mrbvc tb fbb` lbr tjc rbbts bl davdsdefc-mriss, lbr wjdhj Xjurisd`, da liht, jin rdsca it niwa. ^jc gikbrdty bl gimdhif hbahbhtdbas rctida tjcdr quifdty bafy lbr i lcw gbgcats. Lbr cxigpfc, wjit jis kust ecca tjc cfdxdr bl ittrihtdba turas datb i ncinfy pbdsba cxihtfy bac schban iltcr prcpiritdba, ian i wdzirn, ncfiycn da ti`dam i nrda`, jis gbrc hjiahcs bl echbgdam i hbrpsc, tjbumj, ab bac ndsputcs, ncvdfdsjfy ittrihtdvc. ^jc sigc br ifgbst tjc sigc stbry ds rcpcitcn wdtj tjc dalusdba bl ctcraif fdlc, eciuty rue, br eifg bl bgadshdcahc. Davdsdefc-mriss ‘ ian tjds ds dts gida ittrdeutc ‘ gi`cs tjc tdcs bl btjcr gimdhif hbgpbacats hbgpbacats gbrc nuriefc. ^ruc, cvca tjds nbcs abt muiriatcc tjit tjc eifgs br cfdxdrs wdff `ccp lbrcvcr, eut dt ds pbssdefc tb jivc tdgc tb ridsc tjc hup tb tjc gbutj. Ab accn tb cxpfida tjit da tjc wbrfn bl wdzirns davdsdefc-mriss davdsdefc-mriss ds vifucn guhj gbrc tjia mbfn, wjdhj iay daittcatdvc mrinuitc stuncat bl tjc ncpirtgcat bl mcacrif gimdh, gdanluf bl tjc lbrgufi bl uadvcrsifdty ian hipiefc bl trihdam i hbupfc bl ruacs da tjc idr wdtj jds rdam, ds iefc iefc tb gi`c lrbg brndairy brndairy fcin. Davdsdefc-mriss ds uaàbwa tb gbrbabdns lbr twb sdgpfc rcisbas; tjc ldrst ds tjit tjc mriss fdvcs lbr bafy bac niy ian dt ds uscfcss tb fbb` lbr dt wjcrc dt wis tjc niy eclbrc. ^jc schban ds tjit tjc mriss ds davdsdefc ian i scirhj lbr dt turas datb i mjbst hjisc. _rcvdbusfy, Xjurisd` eirtcrcn wdtj tjc eiey Xtda`tbpp lbr davdsdefc-mriss, eut abw tjit bac jin squiancrcn tjc catdrc davcatbry ian Xjurisd` jin ab hjbdhc eut tb fbb` lbr dt jdgscfl. Lbr i wcc` ifrciny jc jin datcancn ba scirhjdam, eut jc hbatdaubusfy bvcrsfcpt, uatdf jc surgdscn tb tcff tjc ldmurdac. Irgcn wdtj i rusty ûr`dsj nimmcr, Xjurisd` tbb` tjc wdsjebac lrbg i lrbm s`cfctba ian sct bll tb tjc mrbvc. Jcrc jc stbppcn ian pbancrcn, wbancrdam wjcrc tb stirt fbb`dam. ‖^jc gida tjdam ds abt tb gdx up iaytjdam. Jbfn tjc àdlc da tjc fclt jian. î`c tjc rbbt abt wdtj i jian eut tjc wdsjebac lrbg i lrbm s`cfctba eurdcn da ia iatjdff. Xtcp ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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bvcr iff bestihfcs wdtj tjc fclt lbbt. Nb abt fbb` it tjc sua. Nb abt fbb` eih` ifbam tjc wiy,‗ wiy,‗ Xjurisd` rcgdancn jdgscfl. ^jc tis` eclbrc jdg wis ndlldhuft. Da tjc Jianebb` bl ]dzirn-Jcreifdst P Jianebb` bl ]dzirn-Jcreifdst . 98tj cn., truahitcn ian iumgcatcn0 cn. _rbl. Xtda`tbpp. Eifn Gbuatida 9:4>W, dt wis wrdttca da efih` ian wjdtc tjit davdsdefc-mriss fbvcs tjc sua eut hiaabt tbfcritc fdmjt. Dt prclcrs viffcys ian rivdacs eut mrbws cxhfusdvcfy ba jdmj mrbuan. Dt rcqudrcs hbastiat witcrdam eut jitcs jugdndty. Da inndtdba, davdsdefc-mriss mrbws eih`wirns ‘ it niwa dt ds up tb tjc àcc, da tjc iltcrabba kust iebvc tjc lbbt, ian it suasct dt strcthjcs datb tjc mrbuan da brncr tb ippcir tjc acxt niy mbbnacss àbws wjcrc. Xjurisd` wis ndmmdam tjc mrbuan uasuhhcssluffy wdtj tjc nimmcr wjca sunncafy i lfisj bl tjc Mridf Mirnirdì scvca Mirnirdì scvca ridaebws lbrhcn jdg tb mct nbwa jistdfy ba iff lburs ian hriwf erds`fy datb tjc eurnbh`s. Jc rcgcgecrcn wcff rufc augecr ldvc bl i truc wdzirn-jcreifdst; wdzirn-jcreifdst; wjca scirhjdam lbr davdsdefc-mriss, davdsdefc-mriss, stiy but bl iaybac—s iaybac—s sdmjt br abtjdam wdff ec lbuan tjit niy. Jdndam da tjc eurnbh`s, Xjurisd` withjcn is Mury _upcr ian _rua mfdncn ectwcca tjc trccs ian ncshcancn batb tjc hfcirdam. Ebtj wcrc ba erbbgs, ebtj da nir` hfbi`s. _upcr—s _upcr—s pifc pifc ian abefc absc wis nchbritcn wdtj sfcancr mfisscs da tjc \igp Eby 95 styfc (ℜ >3 bl jds uadquc hbffchtdba). Dahdncatiffy, Mury—s Mury—s mfisscs wcrc ldttcn wdtj spchdif fcascs caiefdam tjc nctcrgdaitdba bl tjc typc bl ittih` gimdh ian dts datcasdty. _bssdefy, da rcmirn tb \iaì, wjb jin ab suhj mfisscs, dt wis abt qudtc lidr, eut is _upcr—s _upcr —s ligdfy ligdfy fiwycr Junsba kb`cn, ‖Kustdhc ds i abtdba bl tjc uakust.‗ uakust.‗ Ncgbadhiffy hrbssdam jds irgs da lrbat bl jds hjcst, Mury siuatcrcn tjrbumj tjc mrbvc, iefizc wdtj dandmaitdba. Bhhisdbaiffy jc wivcn jds jian, is dl jc jin ifrciny hrusjcn Kbja \ifyifì wdtj i hbgeit spir`. Eut _rua wis hfcirfy abt it cisc. Iff admjt, jc jin ecca hrydam but da jds sfccp. Admjtgircs iebut wjit _upcr—s _upcr—s iuats wbufn nb tb jdg dl Mury ndcn tbrgcatcn jdg. ‖^jcy —ff tjrbw —ff tjrbw gc datb qudh`sian ian, wjdfc D sda`, fchturc gc. Br cvca wbrsc; tura gc datb i stian lbr scvca-fcimuc ebbts!‗ ebbts!‗ jc spchufitcn mfbbgdfy. Ian jc sb tjbumjt, ‖D—g shrcwcn! shrcwcn! ]jy ndna—t ndna—t Mury hjbbsc Mbrciaai is i schban2 I lcgifc schban ds sb cxtribrndairy! Ecsdncs, Mbrciaai jis tjc cvdf-cyc rdlfc. Xjc wbufn ldmjt bll tjc iuats sbgcjbw!‗ sbgcjbw!‗ ]jdfc Xjurisd`, fbb`dam but bl tjc eurnbh`s, wis pbancrdam wjit _upcr _up cr ian _rua wcrc nbdam tjcrc, jc jcirn tjc rbir bl twb vihuugs ipprbihjdam. ipprbihjdam. \iaì kugpcn bll bac vihuug ian Muayi Mfbgbv bll tjc btjcr. Muayi wis tjc bafy bac \iaì giaimcn tb wi`c it tjds jbur. Iltcr jcirdam iebut tjc nucf, Muayi wis pugpcn ian stitcn tjit tji t jc wbufn ldmjt _upcr jdgscfl jdgscfl dl \iaì wis wis viaqudsjcn. ‖Jbw irc ybu mbdam tb ldmjt jdg2 Tbur gimdh ds dandllcrcat!‗ dandllcrcat!‗ \iaì sgdfcn. \igp Eby ‘ Gif'hjd`-vigp ‘ ds tjc tdtfc bl i ebb` ey tjc hurrcat iutjbr ba tjc tjcgc bl i ybuam Nrihufi. 95



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‖D jivc i sdmaiturc spcff Mfbgus wiffbpus! wiffbpus! ^jc styfc bl ia drba ldst! Kust fd`c tjc trutj. Hjdacsc shjbbfs mb ba vihitdba, tjc Kipiacsc mb ba erci`!‗ erci`!‗ Muayi sidn ian fbb`cn tcancrfy it jds jumc piw tjit fbb`cn is dl dt wis tjc lrudt bl tjc lbrednnca fbvc bl ia cxhivitbr euh`ct ian i ebxdam mfbvc. Muayi—s Muayi—s lbrgcr strcamtj jin hbgpfctcfy rcturacn. Dt wis jirn tb ecfdcvc tjit jc jin rchcatfy ecca fydam wci` fd`c i eiey ba i ecn da gimdh stitdba. Jbwcvcr, tjc triugi cxpcrdcahcn jin abt mbac wdtjbut i trihc. Lbr cxigpfc, tjc lbrgcr Muayi wbufn abt jivc mdvca _upcr suhj i hbgpfcx hjirihtcrdsitdba; ‖D acvcr fd`cn jdg. ^jc efitiat shir ba jds lbrcjcin, tjc mfisscs, tjc tdc... ]cff, nbwardmjt i actwbr`dam vcanbr lrbg Eifn Gbuatida. D widt iff tjc tdgc lbr jdg tb bllcr gc i lfisjfdmjt-shrcwnrdvcr wdtj i eudft-da scasbr lbr vbbnbb gimdh br i sct bl pcas it i nbaut jbfc cihj, twb lbr i euahj. euahj.‗‗ ‖Yudct!‗ Yudct!‗ \iaì sidn. ‖^jcy —rc jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ Muayi ian \iaì ipprbihjcn _upcr. Mury ebwcn nryfy. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc fitc, fdcpbn! Kbja \ifyifì!‗ \ifyifì! ‗ jc sidn rcprbihjluffy. ‖Dt—s Dt—s ybu wjb higc wjb higc cirfy, Mbbsdc _bllcr!‗ _bllcr!‗ \iaì sidn, squdatdam it tjc rdsdam sua. Dmabrdam jdg, _upcr fbb`cn it Muayi. ‖ Tbu jivc i schban2 \cry adhc... _upcr. _upcr Mury,‗ Mury,‗ jc datrbnuhcn jdgscfl, ecstbwdam jds prblcssdbaif sgdfc. Muayi ifsb sgdfcn pbfdtcfy. Muayi—s Muayi—s sgdfc, sgdfc, ifis, wis abt Jbffywbbn. It tjc gbst, Gbsldfg. 98 ‖Muay, D gcia... ijcg... Xupcrmuay!‗ Xupcrmuay!‗ jc dgpirtcn, sjullfdam i sdzc lbrty-cdmjt lbbt. _upcr pbfdtcfy ridscn jds cycerbws. ‖Uciffy2 Xupcrmuay2‗ Xupcrmuay2‗ jc is`cn. ‖ ]jit2 Dgpbssdefc, Dgpbssdefc, pcrjips2 pcrjips2‗ Mfbgbv lrbwacn. ‖ ]jy abt2 Bl hbursc! hbursc!‗‗ _upcr mivc pcrgdssdba, pcrgdssdba, inkustdam jds mfisscs. ‖_upcrmury ‗ ian ‖Xupcrmuay ‗ ebwcn ian gutuiffy fbst datcrcst da cihj btjcr. ^jc gdfdtiat _rua, lbffbwdam Mury, ifsb fbamcn tb siy sbgctjdam edtdam ndrchtcn it tjc schban, eut fbb`cn it Muayi kust da tdgc. ^jc efdssluf sgdfc ian pbwcrluf spia bl jds sjbufncrs lbrhcn _rua tb rchbasdncr. ‖Jbw nb ybu nb, Gr. Mfbgbll2‗ Mfbgbll2‗ jc daqudrcn pbfdtcfy. ‖^jia` ybu, _rua, mcttdam ey,‗ ey,‗ Muayi rcpfdcn, iltcr widtdam lbr tjc triasfitdba lrbg Mury. Jc rcgcgecrcn bafy "]jit ds ybur aigc2‗ aigc2 ‗ lrbg Camfdsj pjriscs, ian tjca gbrc it tjc fcvcf bl mcactdh gcgbry. Gciawjdfc, tjc surprdsc bl tjc spydam Xjurisd` pisscn iff pbssdefc ian dgpbssdefc fdgdts. _usjdam iwiy tjc eurnbh`s wdtj jds absc, jc trdcn abt tb gdss i sdamfc sbuan. ‖^jc ldrst ian... wcff... tjc fist tdgc D prbpbsc tb ybu tb mdvc up tjc nucf!‗ nucf!‗ Mfbgbv sidn da i vbdhc, wjdhj da dtscfl cxhfuncn iay rchbahdfditdba. rchbahdfditdba. _upcr sjbb` jds jcin. \iaì sabrtcn. _rua sdmjcn. ^jc lbrgdniefc iuats hbatdaucn tb sjbw up da jds dgimdaitdba. ^jcy niahcn da jds cycs cxihtfy fd`c efbbnstidacn ebys.

98 Gbsldfg

ds tjc firmcst ian bfncst ldfg stundb da Uussdi ian Curbpc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Nba— Nba—t wiat tb gi`c up2 ^jca wjy irc wc stiandam hbuatdam jirpdcs2 ]jit, ndn D wi`c up da vida2 Fct Fct—s ldmjt!‗ ldmjt!‗ Muayi nchfircn. _bssdefy, jds efbbnfust wis nuc tb jds jivdam i vcry ipprbxdgitc vdcw bl gimdh nucfs. Gbst fd`cfy, Mfbgbv hbasdncrcn tjit dt wis ia brndairy shullfc, iltcr wjdhj tjc bppbacats ndllcrcn ey tjcdr erb`ca abscs ian pbctdh sjinbws uancr tjcdr cycs. ‖^b rcdtcritc tjc rufcs da tjc prcscahc bl tjc schbans!‗ schbans!‗ Mury sidn. ‖ ]c lfy but bl tjc nbgc ian hfdge jdmj iebvc tjc bhcia. Hbgeit spir`s irc ncfdvcrcn bac it i tdgc. I spcff bl tjc cajiahcn lbrg Xpir`ds lbrg Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc lrbatds lbrtc!! Da hisc bl i gdss cvcrytjdam ds rcpcitcn, ian sb, uatdf... uatdf dt— dt—s bvcr. ^jc augecr bl spir`s dsa— dsa —t fdgdtcn. D prbpbsc hjch`dam but bur rdams.‗ rdams.‗ \iaì abnncn. _upcr ercitjcn ba jds rdam, rueecn dt, ian, iltcr fbb`dam irbuan, hjbsc i tirmct. Dt wis pirt bl tjc bfn lbrtrcss wiff, fbhitcn iebut i juanrcn gctrcs iwiy, wjcrc tjc mrbvc wis hfbscst tb tjc sjbrc. Xbgctdgc nurdam tjc wir wdtj tjc cvdf spdrdts tjds wis bac bl tjc butcr eistdbas bl nclcahc, abw ifrciny prihtdhiffy i ruda. ‖ Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc! lrbatds lbrtc!‗‗ _upcr sidn ldrgfy. I vcry erdmjt mrcca spir` erb`c iwiy wdtj i eiam lrbg jds rdam ian qudh`fy sfdn tb tjc wiff. I rugefdam wis jcirn. Erdh` nust lfcw up. Jifl i nbzca stbacs jin ecca ndsfbnmcn. I rcspchtiefc ercihj, wjdhj i pcrsba hbufn squcczc tjrbumj, lbrgcn da tjc wiff. ‖ Ifrdmjt. ]ci`, eut dt— dt—ff nb,‗ nb,‗ _upcr sidn, pfciscn, sji`dam jds ldamcrs sfdmjtfy tb hbbf tjc rdam. ‖Abw ybu, Kbja \ifyifì!‗ \ifyifì!‗ Gbutj imipc, Muayi Mfbgbv stircn it \iaì. ‖ Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc lrbatds lbrtc!! Abt cvca kust Xpir`ds lrbatds! lrbatds! ]cff, ybu—rc ybu—rc da da trbuefc abw! Dt— Dt—s wbrsc tjia i eizbbì!‗ eizbbì!‗ jc sidn. \iaì sjrummcn. Safd`c _upcr, jc ndn abt wdpc jds rdam ian ti`c idg, eut, sfdmjtfy ecandam it tjc cfebw ian pbdatdam jds àuh`fcs it tjc wiff, sidn sdgpfy, ‖ Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc!‗ lbrtc!‗ I mrcca spir`, lidrfy erdmjt eut abt tjc sigc is _upcr— _upcr—s, jdt tjc wiff kust iebvc tjc ercihj. Iftjbumj hfiy hjdps ifsb sprda`fcn, iff tjc erdh`s rcgidacn da pfihc. _upcr sgdfcn hbatcatcnfy. ‖D—g abt gin cabumj,‗ cabumj,‗ \iaì uttcrcn, kustdlydam jdgscfl. ‖Nbcsa—t Nbcsa—t gittcr. gittcr. ^jcrc—s stdff tdgc.‗ tdgc.‗ ‖ Tcij! Tbu put tjrbumj suhj i spir` ian ybu jivc tdgc,‗ tdgc,‗ Mfbgbv hjuh`fcn, fbb`dam it tjc ercihj _upcr jin fclt. ‖Xtdff abt tbb fitc tb eih` but, Kbja \ifyifì! Mdvc gc îayi ian nba—t nba—t nirc nirc mb acir jcr! ]cff2 Xwcir!‗ Xwcir!‗ _upcr sidn jiumjtdfy. \iaì airrbwcn jds cycs. ‖Xdt nbwa ba ybur erbbg ian nba—t nba—t fbsc ybur mfisscs! Tbu—ff Tbu—ff acvcr acvcr mct îayi!‗ îayi!‗ jc saippcn. _upcr abnncn nryfy ian wis iebut tb gbvc tb jds erbbg, eut jc stbppcn. _rua qudctfy summcstcn sbgctjdam tb jdg da Camfdsj. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Jc siys wc jivc tb lfdp lbr wjb ldrcs ldrst. ^jc schbans nriw striws. ^jc bac wjbsc schban schban nriws sjbrt wdff wdff ldrc schban, schban,‗ Mury triasfitcn. triasfitcn. _rua lbuan twb striws, erb`ca tjc can bll bl bac, ian, jdndam ebtj da jds pifg, rcihjcn tjcg but tb Muayi. ^jc mudfcfcss Mfbgbv —s —s jians mbt swcity lrbg tjc rcspbasdedfdty. ‖ Fiwus sfcizus!‗ sfcizus!‗ _rua wjdspcrcn, ndshrcctfy rcfcisdam i spir`. Jc wiatcn tb mdvc Mury ia cxtri hjiahc. Lbr i fbam tdgc Muayi wivcrcn, nbuetcn, ian nrcw, aituriffy, tjc sjbrt bac. Ucifdzdam tjit _upcr wbufn gi`c tjc ldrst sjbt, _rua sdmjcn wdtj rcfdcl. _crjips Mury wbufn abt gdss, ian tjca jc, _rua, wbufn abt jivc tb lihc tjc gusdh da lrbat bl tjc iuats. ‖ Ian wjit nb wc nb wdtj tjc ebny2 D gcia, dl sbgcbac ndcs2‗ ndcs2‗ Muayi is`cn iaxdbusfy. Jc wiatcn tb uancrstian jbw lir _upcr wis rciny tb mb. ‖^jc bhcia ds luff bl sjir`s. ^jc luacrif wdff ec it tjcdr cxpcasc,‗ cxpcasc,‗ Mury sidn rutjfcssfy. Jc sit ba jds erbbg, juahjcn sfdmjtfy ‘ tjc vcry spchdif sprdam-fbincn stbbp tjit fcans mfigbur tb nrimbaeiff pfiycrs ian kbh`cys ‘ ian swdltfy nisjcn s`ywirn. _rua jurrdcn iltcr jdg. \iaì ian Muayi Mfbgbv stirtcn tjcdr vihuugs ian tbb` bll wdtjbut suhj mfigbur. Xbba Mridf Mirnirdì, Mirnirdì, bpcritdam lbur tdgcs, hbaldrgcn tjit ebtj nucffdsts ian tjcdr schbans jin fclt Euyia. Xjurisd`, abt jivdam gdsscn i wbrn, pfbumjcn fist ycir— ycir —s lbfdimc wdtj jds hjda. ‖I nucf! D gust wira Xirniaipif! ^jds ds i efbbneitj!‗ efbbneitj! ‗ jc gugefcn ian, stugefdam, rusjcn tb ^dednbx. ^jc Hyhfbps Nugpfdam Gi`cr wis nbzdam it tjc nriwerdnmc, fciadam ba jds pbfcixc. Ecsdnc jdg wis i jumc ebttfc bl gbbasjdac, ba tjc gbutj bl wjdhj wis i eiey pihdldcr. Bhhisdbaiffy, wdtjbut bpcadam jds hrizy cyc, Nugpfdam Gi`cr mrbpcn lbr tjc ebttfc, suh`cn ba dt, ian imida pfuamcn datb i swcct gbradam sfccp. Jc ndn abt cvca abtdhc Xjurisd`. Xjurisd` jin eircfy rua ihrbss tjc erdnmc ian ndvcn datb tjc ^bwcr, wjca sbgcbac tcaihdbusfy hiumjt jds sfccvc. Jc fbb`cn irbuan lcirluffy. Dt wis _dpi Nuracvi. ‖Xtbp, jians ecjdan ybur jcin!‗ jcin!‗ sjc brncrcn. Xjurisd` stbppcn. Jc fd`cn tjc pusjy ian hbaldncat _dpi. Gdfn ian datcffdmcat pcbpfc bltca fih` tcctj. ^jcrc wis ualbrtuaitcfy gbrc tjia cabumj da _dpi. Xjc hbufn abt bafy catcr iay nbbr wdtjbut àbh`dam, eut ifsb ti`c iwiy tjc nbbr wdtj jcr is gbrif hbgpcasitdba hbgpcasitdba tjit dt wis abt dggcnditcfy bpcacn lbr jcr. ^jit gbradam, _dpi ifsb mbt up cirfy. Xjc ian @ityi Fbt`bvi wcrc lufldffdam tjcdr fbam-stiandam datcatdba bl irriamdam i mbbn fdttfc rihc lbr [jbri [jd`da. _dpi jin shjcnufcn i nitc wdtj jdg it lbur da tjc gbradam it tjc nriwerdnmc, ian @ityi it lbur ldltcca da tjc ittdh bl tjc Edm ^bwcr. Ebtj nitcs, bl hbursc, wcrc tjc gbst dgpbrtiat. _dpi ian @ityi prbgdscn [jbri scvca truh`fbins bl tcancracss, it tjc sigc tdgc tjrcitcadam tjrcitcadam ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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tb quirrcf wdtj jdg lbr fdlc dl jc bvcrsfcpt br trdcn abt tb ippcir. Ian abw [jbri, tbamuc jiamdam but, wis tbra ipirt ian rusjdam eih` ian lbrtj, nrdvca fd`c i giritjba ruaacr. Ldvc juanrcn stcps nbwa, ldvc juanrcn up. Erci`dam bll i `dss wdtj _dpi, wjdhj tjc pbbr lcffbw wis iesbfutcfy abt jippy iebut, [jbri fdcn wdtj gunnfcn wbrns iebut ia cfdxdr eueefdam da jds rbbg, rbbg, trunmcn eih` tb Fbt`bvi, Fbt`bvi, ian tjca imida lrbg Fbt`bvi tb _dpi. _dpi. _dpi ian @ityi Fbt`bvi, wjbsc eciuty jin ecca rcstbrcn ian wdtj dt jcr hbaldncahc da jcr drrcsdstdedfdty, wcrc jivdam mbbn lua tb tjc luffcst. Iltcr ndspithjdam [jd`da, tjcy pjbacn cihj btjcr ba tjcdr zbbgcrs br, shjcgdam, ecmia pjbadam [jbri ian sygpitjctdhiffy sygpitjctdhiffy is`dam wjctjcr jds cfdxdr jin ebdfcn nry. [jd`da, stuh` sbgcwjcrc da tjc gdnnfc bl i mdmiatdh stidrhisc, hbufn bafy wjcczc datb tjc zbbgcr. Jc wiatcn tb bahc ian lbr iff nrbp iff nitcs, pfihc i ebfn hrbss ba tjc mdrfs, ian kbda kdmsiw hut-buts da i hdrhfc. Jc bahc rcin sbgcwjcrc tjit tjds hifg ian sbbtjdam bhhupitdba prbtchts cxhcffcatfy lrbg sjbh`s ian ds cxtrcgcfy uscluf lbr gcatif jciftj. ‖D jivc mbbn acws lbr ybu, `dtty! ]c— ]c—ff abw gcct cvcry admjt. ]dff tjrcc da tjc gbradam sudt ybu2‗ ybu2‗ Fbt`bvi purrcn. [jbri sjunncrcn. Cxihtfy bac gdautc imb, jc jin jcirn tjc sigc pjrisc lrbg _dpi, ifgbst wbrn lbr wbrn. Xjc, lbr sbgc rcisba, ifsb wiatcn tb scc jdg prchdscfy it tjrcc. ‖Bj, mdrfs, mdrfs! Jbw prcndhtiefc tjcy irc!‗ irc! ‗ [jbri tjbumjt sgumfy. Ucgcgecrdam Ucgcgecrdam tjc nucf, wjdhj giy jivc ifrciny ecmua, Xjurisd` trdcn tb tcir iwiy tb tjc blldhc bl tjc jcin bl ^dednbx, eut tjc ybuam Nuracvi tcaihdbusfy hiumjt jds eih` pbh`ct. ‖ ]cff, wjcrc ds tjc ybuam tifcat ruaadam ruaadam tb2‗ tb2‗ sjc is`cn, lbbfdam irbuan. ‖D accn Xirniaipif! Fct mb!‗ mb!‗ Xjurisd` ncgiancn. ‖D wdff abt! Tbu rciffy fd`c tjds bfn gia gbrc tjia gc2 ‗ _dpi lrbwacn pctufiatfy. Kust abw ia igusdam tjbumjt lfisjcn da jcr; jbfn Xjurisd` tdff tjc rctura bl tjc ercitjfcss [jd`da ian gi`c jdg jdg kcifbus. ‖Ab, abt tjit! ^jcy —ff —ff `dff \ifyif`da! `dff \ifyif`da!‗‗ Xjurisd` sjbutcn. ‖Xb wjit2 Hjccr up, eby! Cvcry gdautc ba Cirtj twb gurncrs, i tjbusian tjclts, ian ldvc irgcn rbeecrdcs ti`c pfihc!‗ pfihc!‗ _dpi yiwacn. ‖ Ian _upcr tbb! ^jcy ^jcy —rc jivdam —rc jivdam i nucf!‗ nucf!‗ _dpi dastiatfy echigc scrdbus. Dl sjc ndn abt hirc dl \ifyif`da wis ey ian firmc wjbfc, tjca sjc rcfitcn tb _upcr tcancrfy. ‖_S_CU2‗ _S_CU2‗ sjc mispcn, scdzdam Xjurisd` da i ncitj mrdp. ‖î`c gc tb jdg! D wdff lbffbw gy Mury... ]jy irc ybu stiandam fd`c i stituc2 Ldan gc i vihuug!‗ vihuug!‗ *** ^jc niwa s`y wis pifc hrdgsba. ^jc wdan efcw da musts ian gcsscn up tjc fbbsc lfieey hfbuns. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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_upcr, lfydam ijcin, hfdgecn jdmjcr ian jdmjcr. Xbba, tjcy wcrc sb jdmj tjit \iaì wis ndzzy ian ndn abt mct cabumj idr. ^jc bhcia wis abt vdsdefc, bafy sbgctjdam sdfvcry ian stccf-hbfburcn bhhisdbaiffy lfdh`crcn ectwcca tjc erci`s da tjc hfbuns. Dt lfdh`crcn ian dggcnditcfy lincn iwiy. Mury hfdgecn jdmjcr ian jdmjcr, abt fbb`dam eih` it iff. Jc wis bevdbusfy strdvdam suhj tjit wjbcvcr lcff wbufn abt jivc tjc sfdmjtcst hjiahc. Muayi Mfbgbv sabrtcn iaxdbusfy. Da tjc can, cvca tjc lidtjluf _rua ecmia tb sjbw hbahcra. Bafy \iaì ifbac nbmmcnfy rihcn iltcr _upcr, lbrhdam tjc vihuug camdac tb rbir lrbg ecdam bvcrwbr`cn. \ifyif`da—s \ifyif`da—s lihc lihc wis pcasdvc ian ifbbl; jc wis tjda`dam bl îayi ian bafy bl jcr. Ldaiffy, _upcr stbppcn, turacn irbuan, ian lfcw tb \iaì. ‖Mrcit pfihc tb ndc, Kbja \idfyifì! Ab bac wdff datcrlcrc wdtj us jcrc! Fct spdffcn efbbn wisj iwiy bur sullcrdam ian tjc bac wjb rcgidas ifdvc mcts îayi!‗ îayi!‗ jc jc sidn, mfiahdam sdncwiys it tjc bhcia. \iaì abnncn. Jc wis da i fcss prctcatdbus gbbn tjia _upcr, eut iff tjc sigc, jds tjbumjts wcrc iebut tjc sigc tjdam. _rua stirtcn eustfdam iebut. Jc ian Muayi gir`cn tjc ebrncrs wdtj tjc jcfp bl spcffs, iltcr nriwdam hrdgsba strdpcs da tjc idr. Abw, ldlty stcps, guhj hfbscr tjia tjc wiff it tjc mrbvc, scpiritcn scpiritcn \iaì ian _upcr. Ihhbrndam Ihhbrndam tb tjc rufcs bl nucffdam, dt hbufn abt ec hfbscr. Dt wis achcssiry tb sjbbt abt gbvdam lrbg tjc spbt. _rua ian Muayi Mfbgbv tbb` up pbsdtdbas sfdmjtfy tb tjc sdnc, wjcrc tjcy hbufn gbadtbr tjc hbgpfdiahc bl rufcs. _rua tbb` but i jumc `crhjdcl lrbg jds pbh`ct, nieecn jds lbrcjcin, ian wivcn dt, mdvdam tjc sdmaif. _upcr ercitjcn ba jds rdam. ‖ Tbu wiatcn tjds, Kbja! D hia— hia—t fct ybu ruda gy îtdiai ian sullbhitc jcr wdtj i gdscriefc fdlc! D—g D —g jcr jcr ecaclihtbr ian sivdbur da bac pcrsba!‗ pcrsba!‗ jc uttcrcn da i fbw vbdhc ian, iltcr daspdrdam jdgscfl, sjbutcn; ‖ Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc! lrbatds lbrtc!‗‗ I mrcca spir` erb`c iwiy lrbg tjc rdam wdtj i eiam ian rusjcn tbwirns \iaì. \ifyif`da fbb`cn it tjc erdmjt spir` rusjdam swdltfy tbwirns jdg. ^jdrty gctrcs... twcaty... Abw dt wbufn ec jcrc. \iaì siw tjit tjc spir` wis lfydam prchdscfy tb jds hjcst. Ab, _upcr ndn abt gdss. ^jc jian bl tjc s`dffcn nrimbaeiff nrimbaeiff pfiycr ndn abt liftcr. ‖ \iaì, gbvc! Nbnmc! Hfcir but! ^b jcff wdtj jcr, wdtj îayi! Mdrfs irc giay, eut tjcrc—s bafy bac bl ybu!‗ ybu!‗ tjc prihtdhif Muayi ycffcn, lbrmcttdam jds nutdcs is i schban. Eut \iaì juam gbtdbafcss, gi`dam ab ittcgpt tb cshipc. Jc àcw dt wis jds ncitj, eut lbr sbgc rcisba jc wis abt ilridn. _crjips dt wis ndlldhuft lbr jdg tb ecfdcvc tjit jc wbufn sunncafy hcisc tb cxdst lrbg tjc tbuhj bl tjc erdmjt mrcca spir`. ]jca vcry lcw gctrcs scpiritcn \iaì ian tjc hbgeit spir`, i sunnca must bl wdan pusjcn tjc vihuug sfdmjtfy tb tjc sdnc. Dt wis purc hbdahdncahc, hbdahdncahc, eut dt turacn but tb ec cxihtfy fdlcsivdam. ^jc hbgeit spir` sfdn ifbam \iaì—s \iaì —s tjdmj, sdamcn jdg, ian wcat but iltcr jdttdam jdttdam tjc hjrbgc hjrbgc rdg bl tjc vihuug. ^jc vihuug, iltcr rchcdvdam gbrc tjia i tcffdam efbw, stiffcn, lcff datb ia idr pbh`ct, eut tjca rbircn imida, spdttdam lrbg tjc tuec giyb vipburs wdtj mfdttcrdam gcrgidn shifcs. \iaì, iltcr stiydam scitcn ba dt wdtj ndlldhufty, stridmjtcacn up, ian imida ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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midacn iftdtunc. ^jc dakurcn vihuug becycn dandllcrcatfy, eut stdff becycn lbr tjc tdgc ecdam. ^jc sdamcn fcm jurt. ^jc tjdmj wis iff fd`c purc ldrc0 \ifyif`da \ifyif`da ifgbst ndn abt lccf jds fcm ecfbw tjc àcc. Jds tcgpfcs cxpfbncn wdtj pida. Ucifdzdam tjit jds spir` jin bafy tbuhjcn \iaì, Mury drrdtiefy sjbb` jds jian wdtj tjc rdam ian, ecandam nbwa tb jds erbbg, rusjcn tb jdg. ‖_fimuc-ncf-Hi`c!‗ _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c!‗ jc swbrc. ‖Kbja \idfyifì wbuancn! ^jc nucf gust stbp!‗ stbp!‗ _rua jurrdcnfy sjbutcn da Camfdsj, wivdam jds irgs, irgs, rcifdzdam tjit _upcr wbufn jivc tb ti`c i sjbt sjbt abw. ‖Ab, tjcrc—s stdff i spir` lbr gc!‗ gc! ‗ \iaì sidn wjca Mury triasfitcn tjc wbrns bl jds schban. ‖Eut ybu— ybu—rc jurt! ^jc nucf ds pbstpbacn!‗ pbstpbacn!‗ _rua irmucn. ‖Uctura tb ybur pfihc, Mury! Br cfsc nba— nba —t nirc ipprbihj îayi iaygbrc!‗ iaygbrc! ‗ \iaì sidn, edtdam jds fdp da pida. ‖Dt— Dt—s nba— nba—t ybu nirc! îayi ds gdac! D wba— wba—t surrcancr jcr tb suhj i efbh`jcin!‗ efbh`jcin! ‗ Mury scctjcn. ‖Eih` tb tb tjc eirrdcr!‗ eirrdcr!‗ ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc stupdn, Kbja! Xtupdn, nuff, ian iesurn! Tbu— Tbu —rc i spdacfcss wdgp! Xbba ybu—ff ybu—ff echbgc echbgc ia ifhbjbfdh fd`c ybur pircats! Dt wbufn jivc tb ec ybur Uussdia mdrf tb liff da fbvc wdtj sbgcbac fd`c ybu!‗ ybu!‗ _upcr nchfircn. Jc sjrummcn ian, jivdam rcturacn tb jds prcvdbus pfihc, widtcn lbr tjc sjbt. \iaì ridscn jds jian wdtj tjc rdam. Cvcrytjdam hciscn tb cxdst lbr jdg cxhcpt tjc sgiff ldmurc bl _upcr. ^jc Gimlbrn lbrwirn, hrdsshrbsscn prchdscfy ey tjc fbam sjilt bl jds erbbg, echigc nbuefcn da jds cycs echiusc bl tjc pida. ^jds datcrlcrcn wdtj idgdam. I striamc danchdsdba tbb` pbsscssdba pbsscssdba bl \iaì. Jc ebtj ncspdscn ian pdtdcn Mury it tjc sigc tdgc. ‖Xjbbt, Kbja \idfyifì! îayi ds gdac! Dl ybu gdss, ybu— ybu —ff hirry jcr vcdf it bur wcnndam!‗ wcnndam!‗ _upcr sjbutcn dasuftdamfy, usdam tjc igpfdlydam spcff. ^jds wis danccn tbb guhj. \iaì lfircn up fd`c muapbwncr. Jc hbufn ti`c i fbt, eut abt tjds! Jc Jc wbufn abt surrcancr surrcancr îayi tb iayebny. iayebny. ‖ Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc! lrbatds lbrtc!‗‗ ^jc rdam echigc rcn jbt ian spit but i spir`. ^jc tjrbeedam pida da jds fcm ian tjc tjbumjt tjit îayi hbufn mct _upcr mivc \iaì nctcrgdaitdba. ^jc mrcca spir` strci`cn ihrbss tjc s`y fd`c i swdlt nbttcn fdac. _upcr hbufn stdff nuh`, eut, fd`c jds bppbacat, hjbsc tb rcgida da pfihc. Jbwcvcr, dt wis pbssdefc tjit jc wis sdgpfy hbaluscn, abt cxpchtdam suhj gimdh pbwcr lrbg \iaì. ^jc gbgcat strcthjcn datb ctcradty, ian tjca tjc spir` prdh`cn tjc erbbg. ^jc erbbg lfircn up fd`c ldrcwbbn. ld rcwbbn. ^crrbr lfisjcn ba Mury —s lihc. —s lihc. Jc wivcn jds jians is dl trydam tb jbfn ba tb idr ian ecmia tb liff wdtjbut i sdamfc buthry. ^jc sjbrt stue bl tjc hjirrcn stdh`, wjdhj jc hbatdaucn hbatdaucn tb mrdp, hbufn ab fbamcr da iay wiy `ccp jdg da tjc idr. Lbr i lcw gbgcats Mury stdff sbgcjbw giaimcn tb sfbw nbwa jds liff, eut bafy uatdf tjc ldrc hbgpfctcfy camuflcn tjc erbbg ian sprcin tb jds hfbi`. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Abbb!‗ Abbb!‗ \iaì sjbutcn, rcifdzdam wjit jc jin nbac. ‖Abbb! Jbfn ba, Mury!‗ Mury!‗ Iff jds iamcr, iff jds jitrcn tbwirns _upcr viadsjcn is sbba is jc siw tjc erbbg lfirc up. Abw jc jin bac tjbumjt ian bac ncsdrc; sivc Mury lrbg dggdacat ncitj. \iaì rusjcn tb jdg, eut jds wbuancn vihuug wis abt lfydam eut trunmdam. Ey tjc tdgc jc jin hbvcrcn i lcw gctrcs, _upcr jin ndsippcircn da tjc hbttbay rdlts bl tjc hfbuns. Jds tugefdam ebny, ncvbdn bl gimdh suppbrt, ripdnfy midacn spccn. ]jca tjc tirrydam _rua ian Muayi Mfbgbv rihcn tjrbumj tjc hfbuns, _upcr jin ifrciny viadsjcn. ^jc bhcia, hbvcrcn ey i gdf`y gbradam jizc, wis hifg. Bac bafy jin tb tjrbw dt i mfiahc tb uancrstian tjit dt wis uscfcss tb scirhj lbr iaybac tjcrc. Dt sccgcn tjit tjcsc witcrs ndn abt hirc iebut tjc litc bl tjc ualbrtuaitc Mury. Is dl dt wis siydam, ‖Bac gbrc _upcr, bac fcss _upcr, wjit—s wjit —s tjc ndllcrcahc2 tjc ndllcrcahc2 D fdvc lbrcvcr. ]jit nb tjcsc wdzirns gittcr tb gc2 Jbw giay bl tjcg irc ebra cvcry gdautc ian jbw giay ndc da gy ieyss2‗ ieyss2‗ Eut stdff, Muayi, _rua, ian \iaì, irrdvdam kust da tdgc, scirhjcn lbr Mury uatdf tjc gcrgidn shifcs da tjc vihuugs wcrc iff mbac. ^jcy scirhjcn uatdf _rua ldsjcn but bl tjc wivcs tjc hjirrcn sjilt bl tjc erbbg. Is ds àbwa, i erbbgstdh`, ian cvca wdtj tjc jiffgir` bl tjc Mury _upcr lia hfue, ndn abt ecfbam tb tjc hbggba lfbri ian liuai bl ia bhcia bl tjc ]brfn. ^jcrc wis ab nbuet; _upcr jin pcrdsjcn. Lurtjcr scirhjcs echigc gciadamfcss, cspchdiffy sdahc i fdttfc tb tjc sdnc, wjcrc niwa jin pidatcn tjc bhcia pda`, _rua siw i mfdgpsc bl i sjir` —s lda. —s lda. Mury _upcr wis eurdcn cxihtfy is jc wiatcn... î`dam tjc erbbg is cvdncahc, i sbeedam _rua rusjcn tb surrcancr tb tjc iuats. Nurdam lfdmjt, jc pdahjcn ian sfippcn jds hjcc`s. ‖D—g i gdscriefc pitjctdh pymgy! ]jy ndna— ndna—t D ndc dastcin bl jdg! Ginigc, D ecm lbr gcrhy! D— D —g i hjdfn bl i firmc ligdfy,‗ ligdfy, ‗ jc rcjcirscn. Muayi Mfbgbv stircn it \iaì ian wdmmfcn jds ldamcrs lbr i fbam tdgc. ‖Niam! Niam! Niam! ]cff, ybu—rc ybu—rc da da scrdbus trbuefc! Nb ybu it fcist rcifdzc wjbg ybu —v c wdpcn but2‗ but2‗ jc ldaiffy sidn. ‖D uancrstian cvcrytjdam! Ian D lccf sdh` cabumj wdtjbut ybu!‗ ybu!‗ \iaì saippcn. Eut bac tjdam jc àcw lbr surc ‘ jc ndn abt surrcancr îayi tb _upcr, ian tjit ifbac wis ifrciny wbrtj iff tjc sihrdldhc. *** ^jc acws bl _upcr—s _upcr—s ncitj ncitj sprcin tjrbumj ^dednbx wdtj tjc spccn bl tjc lfu. Mury —s —s erbbg lfircn up it ipprbxdgitcfy ipprbxdgitcfy jifl-pist ldvc, ian _rua lfcw tb tjc iuats ab cirfdcr tjia adac, eut tjc cfcvca b— b—hfbh` gimacws dssuc wis ifrciny catdrcfy ncndhitcn tb tjc ncitj bl Gimlbrn—s Gimlbrn—s lbrgcr lbrwirn. lbrwirn. ^jcy hiffcn Mury _upcr tjc uatdgcfy suasct ian \iaì \ifyif`da tjc hyadhif gurncrcr ian psyhjbpitj. Aimdiai, stridadam jcr erida i fdttfc ian shripdam bll tjc ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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rcgaiats bl cnuhitdba, cquitcn _upcr wdtj _usj`da ian Fcrgbatbv, ian \iaì wdtj N Iatjês —Iatjês9> ian Girtyabv.93 Hrbwns bl lias gburacn. Giay strbvc tb rusj cvca tb tjc cans bl tjc cirtj ian tb ldan _upcr ncin br ifdvc, scirhjdam tjc bhcia ncptjs. Lfisjdam ba tjc shrcca wcrc _rdahc Bgcfct, Xjcd` Xpdryi, B-_jc-Fd-I, Ein-Lit-_ct, ian Hirbfya Hurfb, iff nrcsscn da gburadam. Iuat Aisturtdi jbwfcn da suhj i fbun vbdhc tjit cvca tjbsc wjbsc zbbgcrs acvcr jin tjc sbuan wbr`dam jcirn jcr. ^jc btjcr iuat ‘ tjc bac wjbsc `danacss àcw ab ebuans ‘ wis abt sjbwa it iff. [bbgcr hbrrcspbancats hbufn abt gustcr tjc hburimc tb ipprbihj jcr. Xcvcrif tjbusians bl tjc gbst irncat lias ginc cvcry cllbrt tb fyahj Kbja \idfyifì ian hbufn abt nb sb bafy echiusc Xirniaipif lbrcsdmjtcnfy efbh`cn Mridf Mirnirdì. Mirnirdì. _rua, idgdam it kustdlydam jdgscfl tb tjc gixdgug, prcscatcn tjc nucf da suhj i wiy tjit cvcrybac wis hbgpfctcfy hbaluscn. Jc hfidgcn tjit \iaì efbh`cn tjc hbgeit spir` wdtj i lbrednnca spcff ian dggcnditcfy rcfciscn jds bwa iltcr tjit, abt mdvdam _upcr tdgc tb prcpirc. ‖Dt wis i hrucf prcgcndtitcn gurncr!‗ gurncr! ‗ _rua sidn da i sdguftiacbus datcrvdcw wdtj __H, YYA, ian \rcutcr.9< Is lbr Muayi Mfbgbv, tb tcff tjc trutj, \iaì sdgpfy hbufn abt jivc hjbsca i fcss sudtiefc schban. Abt bafy ndn Mfbgbv jivc i ein rcputitdba, jc ifsb hbufn abt rciffy cxpfida iaytjdam. ‖ ]ji2 ]cff, jc efistcn _upcr wdtj i spir` ian jc tugefcn! Nrbwacn, da sjbrt. Dt—s y bur bur bwa liuft tjit ybu jivc i erbbg euradam fd`c githjcs,‗ githjcs,‗ jc rcpfdcn tb iff hbrrcspbancats rbumjfy. ‖Gr Mfbgbll, bac gbrc qucstdba; ds dt truc tjit Kbja \idfyifì efbh`cn tjc spir`2 ‗ ‖_fimuc àbws! D pcrsbaiffy ndna— ndna —t scc dt. Giyec jc ndn, giyec jc ndna— ndna—t. ]jit, gust ybur _upcr efbw jds jcin bll wdtj i spir`2 Abw eum bll eclbrc D sfip ybu wdtj i puahjus! puahjus!‗ jc sidn. Abt surprdsdamfy, puefdh bpdadba, mudncn ey kburaifdsts, dggcnditcfy turacn iwiy lrbg \iaì ian stirtcn tb gi`c _upcr datb i jcrb ian girtyr. ^jc puefdsjcr ba Eifn Gbuatida ginc usc bl tjds dahdncat ian dggcnditcfy nugpcn tjc catdrc stbh` bl hifcanirs. Gbrcbvcr, da inndtdba tb _upcr, tjcy sbfn tjc uasbfn hifcanirs wdtj Mrilda Himfdbstrbv, Lfbrus tjc Efdan, ian cvca ^jc Iahdcat Bac, wjb, lbr sbgc rcisba, wcrc fdstcn da tjc puefdsjdam prdhc fdst is ecst lrdcans bl tjc nchciscn. îayi, wjb fbvcn tb sfccp da ba wcc`cans, suspchtcn abtjdam ian wis jivdam pfcisiat gbradam nrcigs wjca Hblldadi sjbb` jcr. Hryptbvi, iltcr rcturadam, jin 9> Eirba

Mcbrmcs-Hjirfcs nc Jcch`crca n— n Iatjês —Iatjês (9:95-43) wis i Lrcahj gdfdtiry blldhcr ian pbfdtdhdia, ligbus lbr `dffdam da i nucf tjc juseian bl jds wdlc —s sdstcr, tjc mrcitcst Uussdia pbct Ifcxiancr Xcrmcycvdhj _usj`da (9=44-9:8=). 93 Ad`fbfid Xcfbgbabvdhj Girtyabv (9:93-=3) wis tjc irgy blldhcr wjb litiffy sjbt da i nucf Gd`jidf Turycvdhj Fcrgbatbv (9:9>->9), (9:9>->9), tjc gbst dgpbrtiat dgpbrtiat Uussdia pbct iltcr iltcr _usj`da. 9< _irbny bl EEH, HAA, ian Ucutcrs. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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ifrciny giaimcn tb scttfc datb jcr bfn rbbg. _imc, ba sccdam jcr, kugpcn jifl i gctrc ian acirfy sjittcrcn lrbg jippdacss. ^ruc, _dpi ifsb jin abt gbvcn but bl tjc rbbg ‘ Gcnusi tbfn jcr tb widt uatdf tjc can bl tjc ycir, wjca tjc ldltj-ycir stuncats fclt ^dednbx ian tjcrc wbufn ec spirc rbbgs ba tjc Ucsdncahc Lfbbr. ‖Da tjc gciatdgc, D hia bafy put ybu da tjc stbrimc rbbg bl tjc Ucsdncahc Lfbbr. Eut D wiat tb wira ybu; ]jccfhjidr bltca ippcirs tjcrc ian sgcffs tcrrdefy bl cvdf spdrdts. Da inndtdba, tjrcc juanrcn ycirs imb i vbbnbb wdzirn juam jdgscfl tjcrc, wjdhj invcrscfy illchts tjc gdhrbhfdgitc gdhrbhfdgitc tb tjc cxtrcgc,‗ cxtrcgc,‗ _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi sidn. Dt mbcs wdtjbut siydam, ba jcirdam tjds, _dpi hjbsc tb stiy wdtj îayi ian Hblldadi, iftjbumj sjc jin tb tjbrbumjfy gi`c rbbg wdtj jcr sudthiscs. Eiadsjcn tb tjc hfbsct irci, _dpi rimcn ian ittih`cn Efih` Hurtidas wdtj datudtdvc gimdh. \crì _irrbtcvi, augecr bac mbssdp bl ^dednbx, hiffcn tjcdr rbbg tjc iebnc bl i hberi, i wdfn ebir, ian i pugi. Xjc fd`cacn Hblldadi tb i hberi, Mrbtty tb i pugi, ian _dpi, bevdbusfy, wis issdmacn tjc tjdrn ian abt tjc gbst lfittcrdam rbfc. ‖Mct up, Mrbtty!‗ Mrbtty!‗ Hblldadi sidn, dahbasdncritcfy ldrdam i spcff it îayi. ‖Fcivc gc ifbac! ]jit nb ybu wiat2‗ wiat2‗ ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia, fcivc ybu ifbac2 Irc ybu siydam tjds tb gc, ybur ecst lrdcan2 ]c—v ]c—v c ecca wdnbwcn. Fbb`s fd`c D abw jivc tb hbasdncr tjc hiandnihy bl Xjcd` Xpdryi gbrc scrdbusfy... Ey tjc wiy, nb ybu rcgcgecr dl tjcy rcat but gburadam nrcss ba Eifn Gbuatida, br nb D jivc tb stcif sbgcbac— sbgcbac—s wcnndam nrcss ian nyc dt wdtj da`2‗ da`2 ‗ ‖ ]jy irc wc wdnbwcn2 wdnbwcn2‗‗ îayi is`cn, yiwadam. ‖ Ij, mdrflrdcan, eut ybu àbw abtjdam! abtjdam! Tbur \iaì \iaì wdpcn but _upcr,‗ _upcr,‗ Hryptbvi tbfn jcr. ‖Gy \iaì2 ]jit nb ybu gcia, wdpcn but2‗ but2‗ îayi is`cn, abt uancrstiandam. Da tjc gbradam, sjc jin ia dandllcrcat scasc bl jugbur. ‖ ]cff, ybu, Mrbtty, irc is sdgpfc is i wcc bac! ]jit nb muys ldan da ybu2 Br ds nclchtdvc abw da vbmuc2 Uciffy wdpcn but!‗ but!‗ Hblldadi cxpfidacn. ‖Xaip ‘ ian ab gbrc! Tbu accn tb fdstca tb gimacws. gimacws.‗‗ ‖ Irc ybu scrdbus2 \iaì `dffcn _upcr2 _upcr2 Jbw ds tjit2‗ tjit2‗ îayi is`cn, mrbwdam hbfn. ‖Da i nucf, bevdbusfy. Dgimdac; tjbsc nbfts lbumjt wdtj Xpir`ds lrbatds lbrtc! lbrtc! Fuh`dfy, tjcy ndna—t ndna—t hbgc up wdtj Abjdgus wdtj Abjdgus ldadtus. ldadtus. Eut tjit wis cabumj lbr Mury. Xtrdht rcfitdvcs, lcw vdtigdas... Ian \iaì— \iaì—s ifsb mbbn, i mbbsc... Jcy, Mrbtty, wjit— wjit—s wrbam2‗ wrbam2‗ îayi lcft tjit jcr wbrfn, hircluffy isscgefcn lrbg jbpc ian lidtj da gdrihfcs, spfdt fd`c i Hjdacsc visc. I fbam hrih` spfdt dt lrbg tjc dasdnc, ndvdndam dt datb twb uacquif pirts. ^bb giay fbsscs. ^bb giay... Cvcrytjdam swig eclbrc jcr cycs. ‖Mccz! Xjc turacn but tb ec sb acrvbus! Xjc gust tjda` D nba—t nba —t sullcr sullcr lbr Mury. D wbancr, wjcrc ig D tb ldan sgcffdam sifts abw2‗ abw2‗ Hblldadi sidn rcprbihjluffy, rclcrrdam tb jcrscfl. Eut sgcffdam sifts wcrc abt accncn. ]jca îayi bpcacn jcr cycs, jcr ldrst qucstdba wis, ‖ ]jit iebut \iaì2‗ \iaì2‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Bj, abtjdam. ^ruc, Muayi sidn tjit _upcr jdt jds vihuug. Eircfy lfcw eih`. Ian jds fcm ds sdamcn.‗ sdamcn.‗ ‖Dt—s Dt—s iff echiusc bl gc! D hbufna— hbufna—t nchdnc. Eut wjy, wjy ndn tjcy ldmjt2 Giyec Mury —s ifdvc2 —s ifdvc2 Hbufn jc swdg2‗ swdg2‗ îayi is`cn. Hblldadi tjrcw up jcr jians. ‖Mrbtty, puss, ybu tbuhj gc! Dl i pcrsba liffs datb tjc bhcia lrbg suhj i jcdmjt, tjca wjctjcr jc àbws jbw tb swdg ds ab fbamcr dgpbrtiat sbgcjbw. Acdtjcr i wjdstfc wdtj i vcst, i gimdh rilt, abr tjc hbgpfctc hbffchtdba bl wbr`s bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac wdff sivc jdg. Cvca Sahfc Hjcrabgbr—s Hjcrabgbr—s tjdrty-tjrcc tjdrty-tjrcc jcrbcs wbufn sda` da jds pfihc. Fbb` it tjdams rcifdstdhiffy. rcifdstdhiffy. Bur swcct _upcr jis `dh`cn tjc euh`ct, ihhbrndam tb purhjiscn purhjiscn tdh`cts. Dl jc wis rcshucn, wc wbufn—vc wbufn—vc ifrciny àbwa iebut dt.‗ dt.‗ Hbashdcahc camuflcn îayi wdtj i striamfcjbfn. _upcr ncin, \iaì wbuancn. Ian iff echiusc bl jcr. Jbw hbufn sjc fdvc ba2 Jbw hbufn sjc jivc ecca sb sjbrt-sdmjtcn ycstcrniy2 Ian abw abtjdam wbufn ec sct rdmjt. ^jc wdzirn da mfucn mfisscs, tjc irncat ebylrdcan, ian tjc stir bl datcraitdbaif datcraitdbaif nrimbaeiff lbrcvcr pcrdsjcn da tjc ncptjs bl tjc bhcia, davdtdam fbhif sjir`s tb ndaacr. îayi jbwfcn fd`c i efdzzirn, fd`c i wbuancn iadgif. Xjc rbffcn ba tjc ecn ian maiwcn jcr jians. Xjc wis dandllcrcat tb wjit tjcy tjbumjt bl jcr ian jbw sjc ippcircn. Ipirt lrbg tjc achcssiry achcssiry accn tb hbasbfc îayi, Hblldadi mfiahcn it tjc cgpty gittrcss ey tjc hfbsct. ‖ Ian wjit iebut bur _dpi! Xjc wcat bll sbgcwjcrc sbgcwjcrc nurdam tjc admjt. Xjc euffdcn [jd`da. D siw jdg jifl ia jbur imb. Jifl-ncin. Jds tbamuc jiams sdncwiys, jc ifsb nbcsa—t nbcsa—t fbb` it mdrfs, it fcist mdvc jdg \dimri... ]bancr dl _dpi àbws iebut _upcr2‗ _upcr2‗ sjc hjittcrcn. îayi—s îayi—s sbes mrcw qudctcr, gbrc dandstdaht. Xjc rcifdzcn tjit sjc accncn tb scc \iaì ian ldan but cvcrytjdam lrbg jdg. Jistdfy puffdam ba i swcitcr ian kcias (tjcy wbrc briamc rbecs ian mcacriffy i gimdh uadlbrg da shjbbf ian lbr iff sbrts bl hcfceritdbas cxhcpt uancr tjrcit bl spcffs), sjc rusjcn but bl tjc rbbg. ^jc nbbr sfiggcn. Hblldadi withjcn îayi tjbumjtluffy. ‖Niam, wjit nb iff muys ldan da jcr! ]cff, sjc—s ebay, jbgcfy! Nrcsscs iay wjdhj wiy, nbcsa— nbcsa—t usc gi`cup, tjit swcitcr ds fd`c i nusty eim! Cxhcpt tjit tjc fcms irc iff rdmjt ian tjc jidr... Ian echiusc bl tjds trcisurc _upcr fct jdgscfl ec wdpcn but ian \iaì—s \iaì —s fcm wis ifgbst hbb`cn! ]cff, D nba— nba—t uancrstian muys, cvca dl ybu eurst! ]jit nb tjcy wiat2‗ wiat2‗ sjc guttcrcn.



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Hjiptcr 8 LDUX^ GIMDH GIMDH BL ABIJ ^jc gbradam, wjca tjc spir` bl rctifditdba rcihjcn Mury _upcr, stbbn but is prbfdldh da cvcats. Bac bl tjcg, vcry dgpbrtiat lbr tjc catdrc ^dednbx tjbumj pcrjips butwirnfy uarcgirìefc, jippcacn tb tjc suftry jiansbgc gia [jbri [jd`da. ^bra ectwcca _dpi ian @ityi, wjb wcrc hbastiatfy rdamdam jdg ba tjc zbbgcr, [jbri wis ruaadam up ian nbwa tjc fbam stidrhisc, ldrst ishcandam ifgbst tb tjc tbp wjcrc @ityi Fbt`bvi wis widtdam lbr jdg, tjca jurrdcn nbwa tb tjc ncptjs tb _dpi. Jbwcvcr, tjc nisj nbwa tb tjc ncptjs wis guhj gbrc pfcisiat, echiusc [jd`da ria guhj listcr nbwa tjc stidrs. ‖Accn tb eia mdrfs fd`c hfisscs! ^jcy —rc ncvdbus, lfdmjty0 tjcy nba— nba—t àbw wjit tjcy wiat! Ldrst tjcy gugefc, wjdhj tjcy cxpbuan ectwcca tjcdr ldamcrs, tjca wcnmdcs, idgdam tb mb pist ybur jcin! Iwiy wdtj tjcg, ian tjit— tjit—s dt... Xjurisd` ds i juanrcn tdgcs rdmjt; i wbgia wdff ruda i gia!‗ gia!‗ [jd`da gugefcn ercitjfcssfy, hbuatdam tjc stcps. ^jc stidrhisc, ifbam wjdhj [jbri wis ifrciny eircfy nrimmdam jds lcct, wis bac bl tjc gida fiangir`s bl ^dednbx. Ian, is i hbascqucahc, dt sjircn tjc litc bl iff tjc fiangir`s bl tjc wbrfn; tjc bfn dajiedtiats jin fbam ecca ihhustbgcn tb dt ian ndn abt piy dt iay ittcatdba. ^jc bafy cxhcptdba wis tjc imdfc lrcsjgca wjb, cycs rbuancn, dalbrgcn cihj btjcr iebut gystcrdbusfy gystcrdbusfy dahrcndefc nctidfs. Lbr cxigpfc, iadgitcn pidatdams tjit juam ba tjc wiffs ba ebtj sdncs bl tjc stidrs usuiffy igizcn tjcg. Xbgc wcrc mcadiffy pulldam ba pdpcs, btjcrs, lbffbwdam tjc cxigpfc bl Jumb tjc Xfy, ndn abt sjbw tjcgscfvcs ba tjc hiavis ian bafy bhhisdbaiffy tjrcw but sbgc sipfdam br dnyffdh jcrn bl sjccp tjcy wcrc ebrcn wdtj. ^jcsc pbrtridts wcrc bfn gdsiatjrbpcs gdsiatjrbpcs ian mrugefcrs, ebrcn wdtj cvcrytjdam da tjc wbrfn, dahfundam tjcdr bwa fbamcvdty. Ldmurcs lrbg btjcr pidatdams qudh`fy pbppcn but bl tjcdr lrigcs ian mrieecn tjds trcc br sjccp. Bltca dt turacn but tjit tjc bac ihqudrcn wis abt tjc bac rciffy accncn, ian tjca tcndbus cxhjiamcs tbb` pfihc ectwcca tjc pbrtridts. Mripc hfustcrs trincn lbr irgbur, irgbur lbr sisjcs, ia cqudac rugp lbr i hbupfc bl stdff-fdlc ippfcs, ian sb ba dancldadtcfy uatdf tjbsc gbst hbvctcn sjccp turacn up it tjc can bl tjc hjida. Bvcr giay hcaturdcs, is i rcsuft bl juanrcns bl suhhcssluf ian uasuhhcssluf cxhjiamcs, giay pidatdams jin eirtcrcn fdtcriffy nbwa tb tjc wjdtc hiavis, wjdfc btjcrs wcrc shrcwcn up tb tjc cxtrcgc, ian i euthjcrcn fige hirhiss hbufn cisdfy hbcxdst wdtj i jbrsc jiracss ian nrcigy purpfc hfbuns, da wjdhj Hupdn eis`cn, jivdam saci`cn iwiy lrbg _syhjc...9= Eut cabumj iebut tjc pbrtridts. Cvca wdtjbut tjcg, tjcrc wcrc tjdams tb scc ba tjc Gida Xtidrhisc. Hurscn swbrns bl gimdh wirs nurdam gcndcvif tdgcs, sullcrdam wdtjbut Hupdn ian _syhjc ds _syhjc ds i stbry lrbg Gctigbrpjbscs lrbg Gctigbrpjbscs,, wrdttca da 5 an h IN ey Fuhdus Ipufcdus Giniurcasds (h. 95> ‘ h. 9=? IN), i Fitda-fiamuimc prbsc wrdtcr fdvdam uancr tjc Ubgia Cgpdrc. Da tjc stbry, Hupdn it ldrst bafy ippcirs tb spcan tjc admjt da tjc nir` wdtj _syhjc ian saci`s iwiy eclbrc tjc ldrst fdmjt. 9=



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lrcsj efbbn, wcrc hjidacn tb tbges ian gimdh stbacs. Dt wis dgpbssdefc tb ncstrby tjcg, ian, bahc ti`ca but bl tjc sjcitj, tjcy rcluscn tb ec put eih` uatdf tjcy jin `dffcn sbgcbac. Gystcrdbus hjcst-mitcs tb btjcr wbrfns jdn da tjc ifhbvcs. ^jcy jin i jiedt bl abt rcturadam iaybac wjb wis hircfcss cabumj tb ti`c sjcftcr da tjcg. Dl sbgcbac, siy, sdgpfy pccrcn datb tjc hjcst, tjc uaàbwa wbrfns, wjdhj cvca Xirniaipif àcw fdttfc iebut, dggcnditcfy rcpfihcn jds sbuf. ^b mct dt eih` wbufn bafy ec pbssdefc dl tjc vdhtdg wis vcry qudh`fy wisjcn wdtj ncw lrbg tjrcc hbatdacats ‘ fdlc ian ncin witcr wis pbwcrfcss jcrc ‘ ian i hfciasdam spcff wis hist. ]bra lfydam hirpcts, hirpcts, wdtj wjdhj tjc fiandams wcrc wcrc hbvcrcn, sjbb` tjcdr tisscfs tisscfs ian, rcfcisdam nchcdtluf ndigban nust datb bac— bac—s cycs, lbrhcn bac tb scc da fdlc bafy tjc gbst jcdabus bl dts giadlcstitdbas, br dabppbrtuacfy sbircn uancr bac— bac—s lcct, trydam tb erci` tjc ach` bl tjc bac wjb pidn ittcatdba tb tjcdr ndfipdnitcn stitc. Ecsdncs, lfydam hirpcts jin i vcry stridacn rcfitdbasjdp wdtj gimdh vihuugs0 hbascqucatfy tjcy ittih`cn iaybac wjb higc acir tjcg wdtj cvca kust i vihuug pdpc da jds jian. ^jc wcirdcn [jbri stbppcn tb rcst ba i sgiff fiandam ectwcca tjc twb juanrcn ian scvcatdctj ian tjc twb juanrcn ian scvcaty-ldrst stcps. ]jca, ecdam suggbacn ey Fbt`bvi bahc imida, tjc pbbr muy nrimmcn jdgscfl tb tjc ittdh, jc sunncafy siw twb ebmdcs eustfdam acir i wiff. Iltcr rcgbvdam i pbrtridt (tjcy sdgpfy maiwcn tjrbumj tjc hbrn ba wjdhj dt juam) lrbg tjc wiff, tjc ebmdcs pcrsdstcatfy pusjcn dt datb i airrbw hrih` da tjc stbacs, lrbg wjdhj tjcy tjcgscfvcs jin gbst fd`cfy hbgc. ^jc pbrtridt da i jcivy lrigc wbufn abt piss tjrbumj ian ebtj ebmdcs wcrc pulldam wdtj iaabyiahc. It tjc gbgcat [jbri ippcircn, tjcy wcrc pfiaadam ba erci`dam tjc lrigc ian puffdam but tjc hiavis. ^jc acircst ebmy ‘ wdtj bac stridmjt jbra ian tjc schban uancrncvcfbpcn uancrncvcfbpcn ‘ wis Imu`j, _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c— _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c—s pcrsbaif ebmy. ^jc btjcr, i hjueey ian gbuftcn ebmy, sdgdfir tb i hit ncin lbr tjrcc niys, [jd`da wis sccdam lbr tjc ldrst tdgc. Ba [jbri —s ipprbihj, ebtj ebmdcs fbb`cn irbuan uacisdfy. ^jcy bevdbusfy ndn abt cxpcht tjit tjcy wbufn ec hiumjt bll muirn. muirn. ‖Hbgc ba, girhj but bl jcrc! Tbu stda` up cvcrytjdam!‗ cvcrytjdam!‗ [jbri sjbutcn iamrdfy, pdahjdam jds absc. Ssuiffy hbwirnfy ebmdcs ivbdncn hbatiht wdtj wdzirns, eut abw sbgctjdam jin hjiamcn. Imu`j hbatdaucn tb pusj tjc pbrtridt wdtj nbuefc pcrsdstcahc datb tjc hrih`. ^jc btjcr ebmy, eirdam jds ycffbw tcctj, fuamcn it [jd`da. Gcnusi Mbrmbabvi, prblcssbr bl tjc ncpirtgcat bl Cvdf Xpdrdt Xtundcs, jin giay sjbrthbgdams. Dt jippcacn tjit sjc wis dgpitdcat, drrdtiefc, ian ediscn. Eut bac tjdam hbufn abt ec ti`ca iwiy lrbg jcr; sjc àcw jcr suekcht vcry wcff ian wis iefc tb jbac jcr stuncats— stuncats— gimdh s`dffs tb iutbpdfbt. ‖ Ij, lbr ybu! Xfbpds-mifbsjds-dndbtds! ybu! Xfbpds-mifbsjds-dndbtds!‗‗ [jbri sjbutcn wdtjbut jcsdtitdba, rcfcisdam i rcn spir`. Ba eircfy jcirdam tjc spcff, tjc sjieey ebmy lfdppcn da tjc idr, squcifcn, ian nirtcn datb tjc hrih`. Imu`j jdsscn wdtj jitrcn it [jd`da ian ifsb nirtcn bll lfit but. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Jds wdnc eih`sdnc mbt stuh` da tjc hrih` ian bafy lbrhcn dts wiy tjrbumj iltcr tjc ndspithjcn spir` da pursudt jdt dt. ^jc sgcff bl euradam jidr wis inncn tb tjc sgcff bl hirrdba. [jbri hjuh`fcn ian efcw sgumfy ba jds rdam. Dt wis pfcisiat tb pcrhcdvc yburscfl is i supcr wdzirn, cvca dl ybu ncift wdtj iff bl twb ebmdcs. ^jc rchipturcn pbrtridt hbatdaucn tb fdc ba tjc stcps. [jd`da pdh`cn dt up ian, iltcr turadam dt bvcr, fbb`cn it dt. Jc vimucfy jbpcn tjit i ai`cn Ipjrbndtc br it tjc wbrst i eitjdam aygpj wbufn ec pbrtriycn da tjc pdhturc ([jd`da rchbmadzcn bafy suhj pdhturcs is irt ian wbufn cvca ec rciny tb uancrstian tjc ebmdcs— ebmdcs— gbtdvcs lbr ecdam pissdbaitc iebut tjcg), eut ndsippbdatgcat iwidtcn jdg. Ba tjc nir`cacn hiavis wis i swirtjy wrda`fcn bfn gia da brdcatif mire, rbuan mfisscs mfcigdam ba jds jd s absc. ‖Xbgc mrianpi! ^jc ebmdcs jivc mbac hbgpfctcfy hrizy tb nrim iaytjdam!‗ iaytjdam! ‗ [jd`da tjbumjt da pissdam. Iltcr rcpidrdam tjc maiwcn tjrbumj hbrn wdtj tjc sdgpfc spcff Fd`cacwus spcff Fd`cacwus,, [jbri rcturacn tjc pbrtridt tb dts brdmdaif pfihc ian efbh`cn tjc ebmy hrih` wdtj i rcfdiefc Danb-Curbpcia spcff. Eisti sfdpfbs. sfdpfbs. Dt sccgcn tb jdg tjit tjc simc fbb`cn it jdg wdtj mritdtunc. ‖Hbgc ba, pbp!‗ pbp!‗ [jd`da sidn mrugpdfy, sfdmjtfy dgdtitdam Mfbgbv. ‖Kust i hbupfc bl ebmdcs! Dl tjcrc—rc prbefcgs, prbefcgs, wjdstfc!‗ wjdstfc!‗ ^jc pbrtridt, bl hbursc, `cpt sdfcat, ian [jbri lbrmbt iebut dt dggcnditcfy. Jc sit nbwa ba i stcp, prbppcn jds jcin wdtj jds jians, ian ecmia tb pbancr mfbbgdfy wjctjcr jc sjbufn fcivc lbr tjc gimaistcry.9: Jc wis nrcigdam bl jbw jc wbufn gcndtitc ian mrisp tjc lbuanitdba bl gimdh; gcimrc, pifc, spdrdtuif, eut eciutdluf da dts bwa wiy, ian ybuam gimhcsscs 94 wbufn liff da fbvc wdtj jdg tb tjc jdmjcst ncmrcc ian hist pissdbaitc mfiahcs lrbg uancr tjcdr vcdfs. ‖Niggdt, _fimuc! Imida, abt tjda`dam! D datcancn tb ieianba wbgca is i hfiss! ‗ [jd`da tjbumjt ian, innrcssdam tjc pbrtridt, sidn ifbun, ‖_upcr tjrcitcacn tb ian ndna— ndna—t mb, eut D wdff!‗ wdff!‗ ^jc simc fbb`cn it [jd`da ian sccgcn tb sji`c jds jcin vcry nbuetluffy. ‖Ab accn lbr gun jcrc! Tbu nba— nba—t àbw gc! Dl D nchdnc ba sbgctjdam, D—ff D —ff nb dt lbr surc! Gy wbrn ds mriadtc! D nb wjit D siy!‗ siy!‗ [jbri sidn iamrdfy. ^jc bfn gia—s gia—s fdps twdthjcn gbh`damfy. Br giyec dt wis tjc mfirc bl tjc tbrhj sfdndam ifbam jds sccgdamfy eufmdam lihc nriwa da bdf2 [jd`da mbt up ian wif`cn tb tjc pbrtridt. I eriss pfiquc wdtj tjc aigc bl tjc pidatdam jin ecca pbfdsjcn tb i sjdac ey ^dednbx jbusc-spdrdts. ^ruc, tjc sigc ndfdmcat jbusc-spdrdts jin criscn iff fcttcrs lrbg tjc pfiquc iltcr giay hcaturdcs. ‖ ]jb irc ybu2 ^jc Iahdcat Bac2 ^jc Iahdcat Bac jin iabtjcr lihc, D—vc D—vc scca dt da dt da ebb`s... Jumb tjc Xfy2 Ab, Jumb—s Jumb—s hjcc`s wbufna— wbufna—t mct datb iay lrigc. ]cff, nbcsa— nbcsa—t 9: Gimaistcry 94 Gimhcss

‘ i gbaistcry lbr gimdhdias. ‘ prdahcss bl gimdh. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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gittcr, ian dt— dt—s sb bevdbus tjit ybu— ybu—rc ia dgpbrtiat gimdh edmwdm. Giyec ^sir Mbrb`j25? Aij, jc wbufn prbeiefy ec da eist sjbcs59 wdtj ndigbans ian Gbabgi`j— Gbabgi`j—s hip!‗ hip!‗55 [jbri stirtcn tb rcisba. Is dl i acrvc jin ecca jdt, tjc bfn gia da tjc pbrtridt strcthjcn but i jian ian pbdatcn ldrgfy tb tjc bppbsdtc wiff. Dt hbufn abt ec sidn tjit tjds mrcitfy dgprcsscn [jd`da. Bac mbt uscn tb i fbt da tjc wbrfn bl wdzirns. Dl cvca i jistdfy-prdatcn hifcanir hifcanir bl _upcr higc tb fdlc, tjca bac cxpchtcn gbrc lrbg tjc wbr`s bl mrcit gistcrs. Acvcrtjcfcss, datrdmucn, [jbri ndshbvcrcn i sgiff adhjc wjcrc tjc pbrtridt pbdatcn, da wjdhj juam iabtjcr, ab fbamcr qudtc rcgirìefc rcgirìefc pdhturc. Dt wis i nir`cacn stdff-fdlc hbvcrcn wdtj lfdcs. Ba tjc jcivy vcfvct tiefchfbtj wcrc lrudts, tjc pfistcr gis` bl i sityr, i pdthjcr, ian i ebb`. Dt sccgcn tjit tjc irtdst turacn tb rianbg suekchts ian, irriamdam tjcg wdtjbut iay spchdif scqucahc, pidatcn tjcg vcry hircluffy ian ndfdmcatfy. Ba tjc hrih`cn hbvcr bl tjc ebb` wis LDUX^ wis LDUX^ GIMDH GIMDH BL ABIJ . ‖Bj, sb ybu... ybu irc Abij!‗ Abij!‗ [jd`da mucsscn. Abw jc wis ifrciny echbgdam lbrgif. Dt wis wcff-àbwa tb iaybac wjb mbt tb tjc jdstbry bl gimdh tjit ^jc Iahdcat Bac, tjc mrcitcst bl tjc wdzirns, jivdam mitjcrcn ian hbgpdfcn iff shittcrcn gimdh, ndn abt stirt lrbg i hfcia sfitc. Jc jin i tcihjcr ian mrcit prcnchcssbr ‘ Abij. ^jc pbrtridt abnncn iescatgdancnfy ian wdtj i spchdif, gciadamluf fbb` stridmjtcacn jds pdahc-acz wdtj jds ldamcr. [jbri ifrciny wiatcn tb is` wjctjcr tjcrc wcrc pdahc-acz nurdam Abij— Abij—s tdgc, ian mcacriffy hjdthjit i edt wdtj tjc mrcit gia, sb tjit jc hbufn hisuiffy gcatdba dt da hbavcrsitdba wdtj tjc mdrfs (da pissdam, da suhj i wiy is dl hbggbapfihc, ‖D rchcatfy sivcn Abij jcrc. Jc danccn tjia`cn gc, ipprchditcn.‗ ipprchditcn. ‗), eut tjca Fbt`bvi ecmia tb tb rdam jdg pcrsdstcatfy ba tjc zbbgcr, wbancrdam wbancrdam wjcrc jc jin ecca trippcn. ‖[jd`da [jbri! Dt— Dt—s gc, @ityi! Hia ybu jcir gc2 ]jy irc ybu ecdam sdfcat2‗ sdfcat2‗ ‖ Tcs, jcrc D ig, jcrc! jcrc! D—g D—g abt ecdam abt ecdam sdfcat!‗ sdfcat!‗ [jd`da mrugefcn. ‖^jit— ^jit—s i mbbn eby! D— D—ff mdvc ybu twb gdautcs, ian tjca D— D —ff stirt tb `dss cvcryebny da tura! ^jc hfbh` —s tdh`dam! Ebys, mct rciny!‗ rciny!‗ Bl hbursc, tjds wis i efull da tjc usuif Fbt`bvi spdrdt. It ldvc b— b —hfbh` da tjc gbradam da tjc ittdh bl tjc Edm ^bwcr, i ndstdaht fih` bl ebys wis scascn. ^jc gbst tjit hbufn ec ndshbvcrcn tjcrc wis i hbupfc bl mjbsts, sb ncasc tjit tjcy hbufn abt cvca rcgcgecr wjit scx tjcy jin ecca da tjcdr pist fdlc. fdlc.

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Mbrb`j ds i ldhtdbaif hjirihtcr lrbg Uussdia lbf`fbrc. Dt ds uscn da cxprcssdbas is i rclcrcahc tb tdgc dggcgbrdif. 59 Eist sjbcs irc ginc lrbg eist ‘ tjc lderc lrbg tjc eir` bl fdanca br edrhj trccs. ^jcy jivc ecca wbra sdahc prcjdstbrdh tdgcs. 55 Gbabgi`j—s Hip ds ia cirfy 9> tj-hcatury mbfn ldfdmrcc sùffhip braigcatcn wdtj i shrbffcn mbfn bvcrfiy, dafidn wdtj prchdbus stbacs ian pcirfs, ian trdggcn wdtj siefc. Dt ds tjc sygebf hrbwa bl tjc Uussdia iutbhrihy. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Eut tjc tjrcit wbr`cn ba [jd`da iff tjc sigc. ‖D—g hbgdam! Ian tcff tjds ‚cvcryebny da tura— tura— tjit D—ff D—ff tjrbwa tjcg lrbg tjc ^bwcr wdtjbut Eiamus pirihjutds. pirihjutds.‗ jc sjbutcn kcifbusfy. ‖D—ff ec —ff ec surc tb tcff tjcg, [jbri... Muayi, jdnc! Mb tb Hblldadi! Tbu—ff Tbu—ff abw abw ec ecitca ian tjrbwa bll tjc ^bwcr!‗ ^bwcr!‗ Fbt`bvi gbh`damfy sidn. Xjc jin ab dnci tjit it tjit gbgcat Mfbgbv, tbmctjcr wdtj _rua, wcrc uasuhhcssluffy scirhjdam lbr _upcr sjbt nbwa ey i spir`. ‖Kb`cs, iff kb`cs!‗ kb`cs!‗ [jd`da guttcrcn abt vcry hbaldncatfy. Jc wis ilridn bl Muayi, vcry guhj sb. Abij da tjc pbrtridt fbb`cn it jdg wdtj sbgc datcrcst, pcrjips cvca wdtj sygpitjy. ‖ ]cff, tjds D... D—g —g mbdam... Mdrfs, ybu uancrstian, tjcy nba— nba —t widt, ian sb ba...‗ ba...‗ [jbri sidn. Abij uancrstbbn. ]bgca da tjc Cist prbeiefy ifsb hiuscn giay prbefcgs. Dt ds iff lidry tifcs lbr tjc fdttfc bacs tjit tjcy sit jugefy iff niy ba tjc wbgca—s wbgca—s sdnc ian sdnc ian wbvc hirpcts. Hbatcgpfitdam hiutdbusfy wjit wbufn jippca dl Mfbgbv rciffy turacn but tb ec da tjc ittdh, [jbri stcppcn batb tjc acxt stcp wdtjbut guhj catjusdisg, wjca jc sunncafy jcirn tjc sbuan bl sbgctjdam sgiff liffdam. ‖Niam ian niam! D nrbppcn sbgctjdam!‗ sbgctjdam!‗ [jd`da nchdncn. Jc ecat nbwa ian, iltcr i erdcl scirhj, scirhj, lbuan i sgiff pdchc pdchc bl mfiss wdtj rbuancn rbuancn cnmcs, sccgdamfy qudtc qudtc brndairy. ‖Ndn D rciffy jivc tjds2 Jgg... ]cff, D ndna— ndna—t, abw D nb!‗ nb!‗ jc sidn tb jdgscfl. Iutbgitdhiffy Iutbgitdhiffy sfdppdam tjc mfiss datb datb jds pbh`ct, tjc pjdfiancrcr pjdfiancrcr bl tjc Euyia lfbbn pfida trunmcn tb jds igbrbus illidrs. Iltcr shbfndam jdg lbr iebut tca gdautcs ian acvcr `dssdam jdg, tjc trcihjcrbus Fbt`bvi irriamcn i shcac wdtj [jbri it tjc lbuatida ian eiadsjcn jdg tb _dpi. ]jca [jd`da becndcatfy wcat nbwa, jc ifsb ndn abt ldan _dpi. Gincgbdscffc Nuracvi jin ncpirtcn da ia uaàbwa ndrchtdba, fcivdam ab pcrlugcn fihc jia`y, abtc, br cvca i gbncst hrystif sfdppcr bl sdzc lbrty-bac. Davdmbritdam jdgscfl wdtj tjc spcffs Hbllccus csprcssb ian csprcssb ian Jcirtcacus Jcirtcacus vdimrds, vdimrds, ian tjc iesbfutcfy fctjif Mdffhfigps abhbllcc, abhbllcc, [jd`da sbgcjbw mbt tb jds rbbg, lrbg wjdhj jc jin lbrhcn iff rbbggitcs tb fcivc qudtc i fbam tdgc imb, ian jivdam eircfy uanrcsscn, lcff lihc nbwa batb tjc pdffbw. ‖Nbwa wdtj mdrfs! ^b tjc gimaistcry! ^b _upcr!‗ _upcr! ‗ jc tjbumjt mrdgfy ian dastiatfy lcff isfccp. *** [jd`da ndn abt giaimc tb mct cabumj sfccp. Fdtcriffy twb jburs fitcr, sbgctjdam cxpfbncn ba tjc ebb`sjcfl. _urpfc sgb`c sgcffdam bl nrimbas, gbuatida trbffs, ian sueureia `d`dgbris lrbg îfnbgs`y swigps tugefcn nbwa. Is i rcsuft, [jd`da —s ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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tbamuc echigc, da tjc gbst fdtcrif scasc, catiamfcn wdtj tjc pdffbw. Iltcr sdttdam up ba tjc ecn ian sbgcjbw lbhusdam jds vdsdba, tjc sfccpy [jbri ndshbvcrcn tjit vdpcrs ian shbrpdbas wcrc hriwfdam irbuan tjc rbbg. Fcipdam bvcr shbrpdbas ian lcandam bll vdpcrs wdtj jds ndvc gbp, [jd`da erb`c tjrbumj tb tjc hfbsct ian ndshbvcrcn tjit tjc ncinfdac lbr tjc ebb` ^jcbry bl Xpcffs wbufn cxpdrc da ldvc ian i jifl gdautcs. Jbwfdam da tcrrbr, tjc shrcigdam [jbri rusjcn tb mct nrcsscn. Jds piats wcrc gbvdam suspdhdbusfy. ]dcfndam jds gbp, [jd`da puffcn twb vdpcrs but bl tjc piat piat fcms ian stirtcn stirtcn fbb`dam lbr i sjdrt. sjdrt. ^jcrc wis ab wiy tb mct tjrbumj tjc hfbsct ‘ iff bl tjc sjcfvcs wcrc tccgdam wdtj shbrpdbas. [jbri jin tb wcir i stupdn sjdrt wdtj rcn pbppdcs pidatcn ba dt, wjdhj \crì _irrbtcvi jin mdvca jdg. Eut tjcrc wis sdgpfy abtjdam cfsc it jian. ^jc rcgidadam tjrcc gdautcs wcrc eircfy cabumj tb rua tb tjc fderiry. Hfuthjdam tjc ebb` uancr jds irg, [jbri kbmmcn tb tjc mcadc Ienuffij. Iltcr tjc admjt—s admjt—s cxcrhdscs, cxcrhdscs, jc wis eircfy nrimmdam jds lcct. ^jc fderiry mcadc wis jbvcrdam bvcr tjc ncs` ian irriamdam tjc ebxcs bl rcincr niti hirns. ^jcrc wcrc lbur `cy ebxcs; Ucturacn , Ucindam Ubbg, Ubbg, Bwdam, Bwdam, ian Hursc. Hursc. Ienuffij ldffcn tjds fist ebx wdtj spchdif catjusdisg. Jds ndsimrcciefc lihc echigc ifgbst pfcisiat da tjbsc schbans. ]jca [jd`da ria datb tjc fderiry, Ienuffij wis ifrciny jbfndam jds niti hirn mcatfy da jds jian ian strb`dam dts surlihc. Acirey fiy i abtcebb` wdtj hurscs, bpca tb tjc rdmjt pfihc. ‖Giaimcn iltcr iff2 Ij-ij-ij! ]jy tjc rusj2 D wbufn jbfn ba lbr iebut ldvc gbrc gdautcs. Ig D rciffy ia iadgif, nb D rciffy jivc ab sbuf2‗ sbuf2 ‗ Ienuffij sidn rcprbihjluffy. Jcrc, tjc mcadc jin hfcirfy liffca uancr tjc pbwcr bl britbrdhif gcias. Xbufs ndn abt cxdst da mcadcs, btjcrwdsc tjcy wbufn abt strdvc it betidadam tjbsc bl btjcr pcbpfc. [jd`da put tjc ebb` da lrbat bl jdg. ^jc mcadc tbb` dt da edm pfugp jians, erbwscn dt, ian sidn tjbumjtluffy, ‖ ]jit ndn ybu erdam, ncirdc2 ncirdc2‗‗ ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia wjit2 wjit2 ^jcbry bl Xpcffs! Xpcffs!‗ Ienuffij hjuh`fcn, ‖Gy ncir, ybu surcfy wcrc da i jurry! Ij-ij-ij! Ian iltcr tjds tjcy hfidg tjit iescatgdancnacss dsa— dsa —t i hrdgc!‗ hrdgc!‗ jc rcgir`cn ian, iltcr fbb`dam it jds withj, rcihjcn rcihjcn lbr tjc abtcebb` wdtj wdtj hurscs. [jd`da mrcw hbfn. Jds jcirt nrbppcn ian stirtcn tb pugp hbavufsdvcfy is dl strippcn tb ia cfistdh eian. Jc rcifdzcn tjit da tjc rusj jc ndn abt hjch` wjit jc jin mrieecn bll tjc sjcfl. ‖ABBBBB! D wis uaiwirc!‗ uaiwirc! ‗ jc ycffcn. Ienuffij sgdfcn wdtj jds gbutj hriwfdam ifbam jds hjcc` ian fbb`cn tcancrfy it tjc sjdrt wdtj pbppdcs. ‖ Tcs, D wis `dnndam, `dnndam! Ian wjy wjy irc ybu iff sb acrvbus2‗ acrvbus2‗ jc sidn fiamudnfy. ‖Fdvc ba, [jbri! D—g D—g `dan bl jugiac tbniy! D nba— nba—t rchbmadzc gyscfl. ]cff, jippy abw2 abw2‗ ‖Sj-juj,‗ Sj-juj,‗ [jd`da eircfy uttcrcn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖^jda` iebut dt, ncirdc. Dl D hursc iff tjc ecst pcbpfc bl ^dednbx, tjca wjb wdff rcgida2 Xbgc Mrbttys ian Eie-Timuas! _jbbcy, gba igd! ^jcrc—s ^jcrc—s abtjdam tb nb wdtj tjcsc wdnbws da pb`cr.‗ pb`cr.‗58 ^jc mcadc bpcacn [jd`da— [jd`da—s hirn, puffcn but i pdchc bl pipcr ian, ndrchtfy wdtj jds jian, wdtjbut iay trdh`s, sfippcn ba tjc stigp NCFD\CUCN stigp NCFD\CUCN BA ^DGC . ^jca Ienuffij tbb` tjc ^jcbry bl Xpcffs, Xpcffs, put dt ba jds pifg ian, iltcr efbwdam mcatfy, scat dt tb i pfihc ba tjc sjcfl. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc lrcc, gba igd! Safcss, bl hbursc, ybu wiat tb ti`c sbgctjdam cfsc! Edm fderiry, cabumj hurscs lbr iff!‗ iff! ‗ jc summcstcn hbrndiffy. ‖Ab, D nba—t accn iaytjdam!‗ iaytjdam!‗ [jd`da ifgbst sjbutcn, eut dastcin, lbffbwdam ia uaihhbuatiefc uaihhbuatiefc dgpufsc, sidn, ‖_fcisc widt! _fcisc mdvc gc Ldrst gc Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij Abij!‗ Ienuffij hiumjt jds nrdltdam cycs it tjc eih` bl jds jcin ian, puttdam tjcg eih` da pfihc, fbb`cn `ccafy it [jbri. ‖ ]jit ndn ybu siy, swcctdc2 swcctdc2‗‗ jc is`cn. ‖ Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij Abij..‗ ^jc mcadc sabrtcn. ‖ Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij2 Abij2 ]jit i hrizy aigc! Xuhj i ebb` nbcsa— nbcsa —t cxdst! D hia bllcr mcacrif nir` gimdh da scvcatcca vbfugcs. Datrbnuhtdba ey Xigsba, hbggcats ey Ncfdfij. 5> Bafy ec hircluf, eby... ^jc ebb` ds qudtc adhc, eut jis dts wjdgs. Dt—s Dt—s ecwdthjcn suhj ecwdthjcn suhj tjit tjc bac wjb nbcsa— nbcsa—t rcin tjrbumj it fcist i pimc ds hbvcrcn wdtj fcprbsy. Fdtcriry viadty, ybu àbw, ds i niamcrbus tjdam.‗ tjdam.‗ ‖^jit gcias, tjcrc—s ab Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij2 Abij2 Hia ybu pfcisc fbb` da tjc hitifbmuc2‗ hitifbmuc2‗ [jbri wis mcaudacfy surprdscn. ‖D nba— nba—t accn tb fbb` iaywjcrc! D àbw iesbfutcfy iff tjc ebb`s da tjc fderiry! ^jc gbst hbgprcjcasdvc hitifbmuc ds jcrc!‗ jcrc! ‗ Ienuffij stitcn wdtj ipfbge, ncgbastritdam tb [jd`da jds sgbbtjfy hfcia-sjivca eugpy jcin. ‖ ]cff, dl tjcrc dsa— dsa—t, D—ff jivc tb nb wdtjbut,‗ wdtjbut,‗ [jd`da tjbumjt ian is`cn, ‖ ]crc ybu pcrsbaiffy ihquidatcn wdtj Abij2‗ Abij2 ‗ ‖Aituriffy, eby. D àcw cvca tjbsc wjb ndna— ndna—t ncscrvc dt. Abij wis ia cxhcptdbaiffy hbasdncriefc hbasdncriefc ldmurc! D wis cvca ihquidatcn wdtj jds pircats!‗ pircats!‗ Ienuffij sidn ndnihtdhiffy. ‖Eut tjcrc wis i lfbbn!‗ lfbbn!‗ [jd`da wis surprdscn. ‖Gy lrdcan! ^jc lfbbn wdpcn but pcbpfc, eut abt mcadcs! Iftjbumj wc nba— nba—t fd`c nigpacss, dt nbcsa— nbcsa—t dalfdht jirg ba us... Errr! D rcgcgecr jds ir`! Cvcry hrciturc da pidrs! Hbws gbbdam, tdmcrs rbirdam, sai`cs jdssdam... Ian Abij wdtj i efdssluf fbb` sit da iff tjds ecnfig ian bhhisdbaiffy rcfciscn pdmcbas tb scc dl tjc fian jin nrdcn! Mrcit pcrsba!‗ pcrsba!‗ Ienuffij rchiffcn abstifmdhiffy. ‖_crjips jc wrbtc tjc ebb` ian sjbwcn dt tb sbgcbac2‗ sbgcbac2 ‗ [jbri is`cn.

58 Da

pb`cr, i wdnbw ds ia inndtdbaif jian br pirt bl i jian is tjc bac ncift tb tjc tiefc. ian Ncfdfij irc Edefdhif ldmurcs. Xigsba jin mrcit strcamtj eut wbufn fbsc dt dl jds fbam jidr wi s hut. Ncfdfij lbuan but tjc schrct ian hut Xigsba —s jidr, fcindam tb tjc fbss bl jds strcamtj ia n jds cvcatuif ncitj. 5> Xigsba



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‖ ]jb wrbtc, Abij2‗ Abij2‗ Ienuffij fiumjcn. ‖Jc wisa— wisa—t it iff datb tjcsc gittcrs. D—n D—n gbrc fd`cfy ecfdcvc tjit bfn Xbhritcs shrdeefcn shrdeefcn nctchtdvc stbrdcs.‗ stbrdcs.‗ ‖ ]jit iebut jds pdahc-acz2 pdahc-acz2 Jbw ndn jc ruda ruda jds cycsdmjt2‗ cycsdmjt2‗ [jd`da is`cn. Ienuffij stircn it jdg mfbbgdfy ian suspdhdbusfy. suspdhdbusfy. ‖Abij acvcr wbrc i pdahc-acz! Sancrstian tjds, ybuam gia! Jc jin tjc vdsdba bl ia Irie irhjcr! Ian ab gdscriefc pdchcs bl mfiss cxdstcn da tjbsc hcaturdcs it iff! _cbpfc wcrc pbwcrluf, jciftjy, fdvcn lbr adac juanrcn ycirs ian ndcn da tjc luff efbbg bl fdlc!‗ fdlc!‗ jc sidn cndlydamfy. ‖Eut ndcn lrbg wjit, dl da luff efbbg2‗ efbbg2‗ [jd`da is`cn ncspcritcfy. Jc ifrciny rcifdzcn tjit Ienuffij wbufn abt tcff jdg iaytjdam cxtri. ^jc mcadc hjuh`fcn. ‖Ndcn lrbg iaytjdam, fin. Lrbg ebrcnbg, pbdsba, i nimmcr... Ds dt achcssiry tb ndc lrbg sbgctjdam2 Ian abw, ec mbbn, nba— nba —t ebtjcr gc. ]jcrc wis gy ebx wdtj acw niti hirns2 ^jc ldrst-ycirs stdff jivca— jivca —t ldffcn tjcg da! Canfcss jissfc wdtj tjcsc acwedcs ian D rciffy hia— hia—t hursc tjcg. Tcstcrniy D wis iebut tb aidf bac ian Mbrmbabvi ifgbst shrithjcn gy cycs but... Kust tjda`, i jiandhippcn `dn! Dl ybu— ybu —rc ba hruthjcs ian hia— hia—t mct nbwa tjc stidrs, dt's stdff ab rcisba tb ncfiy tjc lbrgufitdba bl ruacs lbr lbur ian i jifl gdautcs! Dsa— Dsa —t dt sb2 Dl D mdvc sbgc sfih` tb tjc ndsiefcn tbniy, ndshdpfdac wdff hbgpfctcfy ndsippcir tbgbrrbw ian tjcsc ybuam rishifs wdff eura gy fderiry!‗ fderiry! ‗ Gbvdam lrbg lbbt tb lbbt, [jd`da wis hbavdahcn tjit Ienuffij wis ncldadtcfy abt piydam jdg iay ittcatdba ian wis prcpircn tb fcivc. It tjds pbdat tjc mcadc fbb`cn up, yiwadam, ian is`cn, is`cn, ‖Ey tjc wiy, wjy ndn ybu nchdnc tjit i ebb` wdtj suhj i tdtfc cxdsts2 Ian iebut tjds... wjit wjit——s dt hiffcn... pdahc-acz2‗ pdahc-acz2‗ Xccdam ab rcisba tb jdnc iaytjdam, [jbri tbfn jdg iebut tjc pbrtridt. It tjc sigc tdgc jc hbufn abt rcsdst ian cgecffdsjcn i fdttfc jds eittfc wdtj tjc ebmdcs, trdpfdam tjcdr augecr. Jbwcvcr, tjds, ippircatfy, jirnfy datcrcstcn Ienuffij. Jc yiwacn imida, sb guhj sb tjit [jd`da cvca siw tjc ebb`sjcfvcs tjrbumj jds wdnc-bpca gbutj. ‖ Ij, wcff! Bìy, mb, mbbn eby! ]idt! Ndna— Ndna—t D siy tjit ybu jivc i vcry prctty sjdrt2‗ sjdrt2 ‗ tjc mcadc sidn ian eurdcn jdgscfl da jds ebxcs. Ifrciny jcindam lbr tjc fderiry cxdt, [jd`da jippcacn tb rcgcgecr tjc pdchc bl mfiss wjdhj jc jin pdh`cn up acxt tb tjc pbrtridt. Dl Abij ndn abt jivc i pdahc-acz, lrbg wjcrc ndn jc mct tjc sjirn2 [jbri rcihjcn datb jds pbh`ct ian cxtrihtcn i pdchc bl jifl j ifl hdrhufir mfiss. Jc wis iebut tb jdnc dt imida wjca sunncafy, jivdam fbb`cn up ey hjiahc, jc wis surprdscn tb ndshbvcr tjc mcadc Ienuffij— Ienuffij—s rclfchtdba da tjc mfiss. ^jc mcadc rusjcn tb tjc rih`s wdtj erdsàcss igizdam lbr jds imc, rbuancn tjc ldrst rbw bl sjcfvcs ian, iltcr puffdam but ia bfn ebb`, qudh`fy sjdltcn dt jdmjcr, turadam tjc spdac irbuan sb tjit dt wis dgpbssdefc tb rcin tjc tdtfc. [jbri turacn irbuan da istbadsjgcat. ^jc mcadc Ienuffij hbatdaucn tb sdt it jds ncs` is dl abtjdam jin jippcacn ian sbrtcn tjc hirns. Jc ndn abt cvca tjda` tb gbvc lrbg tjc spbt. Gciawjdfc, jds rclfchtdba da tjc mfiss, jbeefdam, jin kust rcturacn lrbg tjc rih`s. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]jit jippcacn, jippcacn, [jd`da2‗ [jd`da2‗ Ienuffij is`cn sjirpfy, ridsdam jds jcin. ‖Abtjdam!‗ Abtjdam!‗ [jbri efurtcn but. ‖Uciffy abtjdam2 ]jit ndn ybu kust jdnc da ybur pifg2‗ pifg2 ‗ tjc mcadc is`cn suspdhdbusfy. [jbri qudh`fy squcczcn jds jian. ‖ Ia dncatdldcr hjirg bl vbbnbb gimdh,‗ gimdh,‗ jc fdcn wdtjbut jcsdtitdba ian jistdfy pbppcn but bl tjc fderiry. Jcrc jc ndvcn ecjdan tjc dandllcrcat Itfis scrvdam is suppbrt bl tjc ^dednbx irhjcs ian imida stircn it tjc pdchc bl mfiss. Abw dt wis abt rclfchtdam iaytjdam, eut [jd`da ifrciny rcifdzcn wjit i trcisurc jin liffca datb jds jians. ^jc mfiss hfcirfy sjbwcn sjbwcn abt wjit wis eut wjit sjbufn br hbufn ec. Dt ncgbastritcn tb [jd`da tjit Ienuffij wis fydam ian cvca pbdatcn but tjc pfihc wjcrc jc jin jdnnca tjc ebb`. Ian tjds wis i gdscriefc sjirn! ]jit wbufn jivc jippcacn dl [jd`da jin tjc wjbfc pdahc-acz! ]jit acw pbtcatdif jc jin ihqudrcn! [jbri rusjcn tb tjc Gida Xtidrhisc. Iltcr tjc gbradam wbr`but jds fcms ihjcn, eut jc hbaqucrcn tjc stidrs lidrfy qudh`fy. Abij— Abij —s pbrtridt juam da tjc sigc pfihc. [jd`da cimcrfy stircn it tjc erdnmc bl jds absc ian lbuan tjit da tjc pdhturc, pirt bl tjc mfiss ba tjc rdmjt wis gdssdam. Jc imida puffcn but tjc lrimgcat ian ginc surc tjit dt ldt tjc sjipc pcrlchtfy. ‖ ]jit ds tjds2 Abij, Abij, tcff gc, wjit wjit ds tjds2‗ tjds2‗ [jd`da is`cn da i hfcir wjdspcr. ^jc pbrtridt wis sdfcat. Hrih`s ippcircn ba tjc bdf. Abw, da tjc niyfdmjt, wjca tjc rclfchtdbas bl tjc tbrhj wcrc abt niahdam ba tjc pbrtridt, dt sccgcn lfit ian fdlcfcss. Ucgcgecrdam tjc btjcr pdhturc, [jd`da rusjcn tb dt. ^jc pdthjcr ian gis` wcrc jippdfy mitjcrdam nust da tjc sigc pfihc. Fdvc lfdcs hriwfcn ndsippbdatcnfy ifbam tjc pidatcn lrudts. [jd`da mfiahcn it tjc ebb` ian lrbzc. ^jc aigc LDUX^ aigc LDUX^ GIMDH BL ABIJ jin ndsippcircn lrbg tjc hbvcr. Dastcin, Xpcffs ba swigp sfunmc. Lbrgufitdba mudnc lbr sbrhcrcrs ian jcifcrs. hbufn jcifcrs. hbufn ec rcin. [jbri spit. ^jcsc ‖spcffs‗ spcffs ‗ wcrc àbwa da ^dednbx is uscfcss ian vcry hbggba wbr`. ^jc pdhturc wis hfcirfy gbh`dam gbh`dam [jd`da.



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Hjiptcr > ^JDX UB^^CA ]BUN ‖LIUC]CFF!‗ LIUC]CFF!‗ îayi rusjcn irbuan ^dednbx ian stdff hbufn abt gcct \iaì. Dt wis is dl gbh`dam spdrdts wcrc scpiritdam tjcdr pitjs; îayi ria datb tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats lbr \iaì ifgbst tb tjc gdautc wjca jc àbh`cn ba tjc nbbr bl jcr rbbg. Bafy Hryptbvi wis da tjc rbbg. Xjc wis fydam ba tjc ecn ian eusy wdtj jcr livburdtc tjdam ‘ nbdam jcr aidfs. ^jc erusj, wjdhj sjc lbffbwcn wdtj jcr cycs, lfuttcrcn da tjc idr ian pidatcn jcr tbcaidfs wdtj i fugdabus pbfdsj da tjc hbfbur scqucahc bl tjc ridaebw; Udhjirn ridaebw; Udhjirn bl Tbr` mivc eittfc da vida, vida,53 tjc edm tbc bl tjc rdmjt lbbt wis hbvcrcn wdtj rcn pbfdsj, tjc schban briamc, tjc tjdrn ycffbw, tjc lburtj mrcca, ian tjc fdttfc pda`dc efuc. ^jc aidfs bl tjc fclt lbbt stirtcn wdtj dandmb ian vdbfct. ^jca cvcrytjdam wis rcpcitcn. Abt sb fbam imb dt bhhurrcn tb Hblldadi tjit sjc jin nbac abtjdam wdtj jcrscfl lbr i fbam tdgc ian jcr drrcsdstdedfdty jin echbgc stimaiat. Gincgbdscffc Hryptbvi ndn abt fd`c dt. ‖Hblldadi jisa—t jisa—t jin lua lbr i fbam tdgc abw! ^jds ds cvca niamcrbus lbr i hutc mdrf jcr imc. ^jc rdvcr bl fdlc turacn datb i efdan strcig ian trdcs tb gcrmc wdtj i swigp! ‗ sjc sidn bl jcrscfl ian swuam datb ihtdba. Jivdam nchdsdvcfy mdvca iwiy iff jcr nrcsscs (ian tjbsc wdtj wjdhj sjc issbhditcn uapfcisiat gcgbrdcs, gcgbrdcs, sjc sdgpfy hut up wdtj shdssbrs), Hryptbvi ncgiancn tjit Xjcd`j Xpdryi piy lbr jcr purhjiscs lrbg tjc Eifn Gbuatida hitifbmuc. ^jc igbuat higc but tb ec sb jumc tjit cvca tjc cycs bl tjc Xjcd`, ihhustbgcn tb spcandam, hfdgecn tb jds lbrcjcin. Jbwcvcr, is dt turacn but, bac bl tjc wdthj-hisjdcrs danuedtiefy dalfitcn tjc ldaif edff ey i hbupfc bl zcrbs. ^jc Eifn Gbuatida sjir`s jin fbam imb iftcrcn tjc prbvcre euttcr wdff abt ruda ìsji5< tb zcrbs tb zcrbs wdff abt ruda ihhbuats ihhbuats.. ‖ ]jit nb ybu wiat, Xpdryi2 Xpdryi2 I prchdbus mdrf mdrf ds cxpcasdvc, cvca dl ybu jivc jivc ab hjiahc! Ecsdncs, wjb àbws, giyec da tca ycirs gy jcirt wdff gcft wjca ybu stbp ecdam i s`dalfdat!‗ s`dalfdat!‗ Hblldadi stitcn tb tjc sullcrdam Xjcd`j. It tjc sigc tdgc wdtj tjc jcfp bl tjc Mrcit ^bbtj, wjbg Udti Ba-^jc-Xfy jin is`cn, tjc fcmcaniry spcff bl scvca Lrdniys wis hist ba Hblldadi— Hblldadi —s jidr. ^jc csscahc bl tjds spcff, ldrst ndshbvcrcn ey tjc hburt ifhjcgdst bl tjc Ebrmdi ligdfy, 5= wis tjit Hryptbvi— Hryptbvi—s jidrstyfc ian tjc fcamtj ian hbfbur bl jcr jidr hjiamcn uaprcndhtiefy cvcry Lrdniy rcmirnfcss bl tjc wdff ian ncsdrcs bl dts bwacr. Mcttdam up ba Lrdniy gbradams, 53 ^jc

hbfbur scqucahc bl tjc ridaebw ds rcn, briamc, y riamc, y cffbw, cffbw, mrcca, e rcca, efuc, fuc, dandmb, ian v ian v dbfct, dbfct, rcsuftdam da tjc ihrbayg UBTMED\, wjdhj cxpians datb tjc pjrisc Udhjirn br` mivc eittfc da vida lbr ida lbr cisdcr Udhjirn b l T br` gcgbrdzdam. ^jc Uussdia cqudvifcat pjrisc ds Cihj juatcr wdsjcs tb àbw wjcrc sdts tjc pjcisiat ‘ izjnyd b`jbtad` zjcfict ait' mnc sdndt l izia izia ‘ wdtj `risayd ‘ rcn, briazcvyd ‘ briamc, zjctyd @ izjnyd zjcfict z ait' zjctyd ‘ ycffbw, z ycffbw, z cfcayd ‘ cfcayd ‘ mrcca, mbfuebd ‘ bfuebd ‘ efuc, sdadd ‘ dadd ‘ dandmb, ian l ian l dbfctbvyd ‘ dbfctbvyd ‘ vdbfct. 5< ^jc Uussdia prbvcre euttcr wdff abt ruda ìsji gcias bac hia acvcr jivc tbb guhj g uhj bl i mbbn tjdam. 5= ^jc Jbusc bl Ebrmdi wis i abefc Dtifb-Xpiadsj ligdfy tjit rbsc tb prbgdacahc da chhfcsdistdhif ian pbfdtdhif illidrs da 93 tj ian 9

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Hblldadi dggcnditcfy rusjcn tb tjc gdrrbr, iltcr wjdhj îayi usuiffy wb`c up lrbg jcr sjrdc` ‘ ncfdmjtcn br abt. Abtdhdam \ifyif`da fbb`dam datb tjc rbbg, Hblldadi squdatcn hurdbusfy it jdg. ‖Bj, tjcrc jc ds! ^jc niamcrbus àdmjt da ycffbw irgbur! ^jc prdahc bl iadgif gimdh, ginncadam bfn jirpdcs! ^jc `dam bl tjc hbgeit spir`, iebut wjbg tjcy erbinhist da Gimacws cvcry Gimacws cvcry twcaty gdautcs!‗ gdautcs!‗ sjc sidn gbh`damfy. ‖Jd! Jbw irc ybu2‗ ybu2‗ \iaì mrcctcn jcr hisuiffy, fbb`dam lbr îayi da tjc rbbg. ‖Jbw ig D2 Xb-sb! Cvcrytjdam suh`s! Hbws nba— nba—t rusj, eimcfs ginc wdtjbut jbfcs. Ucif gca ndcn but fd`c giggbtjs!‗ giggbtjs! ‗ Hblldadi rcpfdcn sinfy. ‖ Ijj... ]jcrc— ]jcrc—s îayi2‗ îayi2‗ Hblldadi fiumjcn. ‖_jbbcy, jbw pitjctdh ian prbsidh! ]jcrc— ‚ ]jcrc—s îayi2— îayi2— ^jit— ^jit—s iff ybu hia siy tb i prctty mdrf2 Tcs, ybur îayi ds fbb`dam lbr ybu. Dl gy shfcrbsds jisa— jisa—t hjiamcn, sjc hirrdcn jcr nchrcpdt kcias ian tjcdr gbncst hbatcat tb tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats.‗ Cfcgcats. ‗ ‖ Ijj, wcff, D— D—ff ifsb mb tjcrc tjca!‗ tjca!‗ \iaì sidn. Jc wis iebut tb tura, eut Hblldadi qudh`fy kugpcn but bl ecn ian hiumjt jdg ey tjc sfccvc. ‖Ab, tcff gc, nba— nba—t ybu lccf sbrry lbr _upcr2 Dl cvcry Uussdia `futz rudas suhj i wbrfn pbsscssdba, tjca wjit wdff rcgida bl pbbr, gdscriefc gia`dan2 Bìy, bìy, D— D —g `dnndam!‗ `dnndam!‗ Abtdhdam tjit \iaì wis stirtdam tb mct iamry, Hblldadi rullfcn jds jidr. ‖Ecttcr tcff gc, ybu rciffy fd`c Mrbtty sb guhj2 Nb ybu wiat gc tb ec ybur mdrflrdcan2 Fbb` it gy fcms. Dl D wcrc i gia, D wbufn liff da fbvc wdtj tjcg! Irca— Irca—t tjcy stridmjtcr tjia jcr hrbb`cn bacs2‗ bacs2‗ ‖Xjc nbcsa— nbcsa—t jivc hrbb`cn fcms! Xjc jis adhc fcms!‗ fcms! ‗ \iaì wis butrimcn. ‖Uciffy2 Ndn sjc tcff ybu tjds2 ^jc in ds tjc camdac bl gir`ctdam! ‗ Hblldadi wis hurdbus. ‖Bìy, bìy, nba— nba—t ec gin! ^jcrc—s ^jcrc—s ab ab ihhbuatdam lbr tistc. Xbgc fd`c Mrbtty, ian sbgc fd`c _rblcssbr Xtda`tbpp. Ey tjc wiy, i sgiff qucstdba lrbg i firmc mrbup; jivc ybu ian îayi cvcr `dsscn br irc ybu mitjcrdam hburimc uatdf Ldadst tjc Erdmjt Lifhba 5: tugefcs nbwa lrbg tjc bi`2‗ bi`2‗ \iaì puffcn jds sfccvc iwiy. ‖Hryptbvi, nb gc i livbur; stbp tjc hdrhus! Cvca dl îayi wcrc is tcrrdefc is _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c, sjc wbufn stdff ec ecttcr tjia ybu. Da iay hisc, da gy cycs! Xjc jis daacr hbatcat, sbgc purpbsc da fdlc, eut ybu— ybu —rc sjiffbw fd`c tjc gcrgidn pban! Fd`c i punnfc wdtj fcchjcs!‗ fcchjcs!‗ jc sidn. Hblldadi lfircn up wdtj rcscatgcat. ‖ ]jb—s ]jb—s sjiffbw, sjiffbw, gc2 Tbu— Tbu—rc sdh`! ]ih`b!‗ ]ih`b! ‗ sjc sidn wdtj hbavdhtdba. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—ff scc, ybu— ybu—ff abt ec lbrmdvca lbr _upcr. D pdty ybu da inviahc. Mct but!‗ but!‗ Abt iaswcrdam, \iaì fclt tjc rbbg. It tjc nbbr, jc eugpcn datb i tcirluf _dpi, pbdatcnfy abt piydam jdg iay ittcatdba. ‖Jcirn tjc gimacws2 M_ ndcn!‗ ndcn!‗ Hblldadi dalbrgcn jcr. 5: Ldadst

tjc Erdmjt Lifhba ds i hjirihtcr da Uussdia lbf`tifcs. Dt ds i jiansbgc ybuam gia it admjt eut echbgcs i lifhba nurdam tjc niy. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖D jcirn. Xjurisd` tbfn gc ifrciny tjds gbradam,‗ gbradam, ‗ _dpi mruatcn. Xjc fbb`cn ncprcsscn. Xjc ian Xjurisd` jin abt ecca iefc tb ldan tjc nucffdsts, idgfcssfy hdrhfdam kust butsdnc Mridf Mirnirdì, Mirnirdì, ian irrdvcn wjca cvcrytjdam wis ifrciny bvcr. Xunncafy, Hblldadi abtdhcn tjit _dpi—s _dpi—s kcias kcias wcrc stuh` tb jcr fcms, jcr swcitcr wis nigp, ian jcr jcin wis sbgcwjit nry. ‖ ]jcrc ndn ybu giaimc giaimc tjit2‗ tjit2‗ ‖ ]jit eusdacss ds dt bl yburs2 Iaabycn witcr-sprdtcs wdtj [jbri...‗ [jbri...‗ _dpi, wjb jin ihtuiffy liffca lrbg tjc vihuug datb tjc bhcia ian jin eircfy mbttca but, saippcn ian sunncafy is`cn, ‖Fdstca, jivc ybu cvcr scca i edm wbbnca ebit wdtj i fbt bl birs2‗ birs2‗ ‖ I juanrcn tdgcs, tdgcs,‗ Hryptbvi sidn. ‖Lfydam2‗ Lfydam2‗ ‖Ab.‗ Ab.‗ ‖ ]jcrc nbcs dt lfy tb, nba nba——t ybu àbw2‗ àbw2‗ ‖Abpc. ]jy nb ybu is`2‗ is`2‗ ‖D sb tjbumjt tjit Xjurisd` wis lccndam gc i fdac,‗ fdac,‗ _dpi abnncn ian wcat tb hjiamc. Xjc fbb`cn nckchtcn. *** îayi ndn abt ldan \iaì da jds rbbg br tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats, wjcrc i fitc erci`list wis mrinuiffy lfbwdam datb cirfy fuahj. Ba wcc`cans iff sbrts bl danufmcahcs wcrc mriatcn tb ^dednbx stuncats. ]jdfc Xfiancr dasdstcn ba i strdht rcmdgc; i spcff lbr i gdautc fitc ian hbgpfctc zbgedldhitdba lbr twb gdautcs, dt wis stdff bl fdttfc usc acvcrtjcfcss. Xirniaipif ian tjc Mrcit ^bbtj wcrc rircfy ba tdgc lbr erci`list cvca wjca tjcy wcrc iefc tb, cspchdiffy ba wcc`cans, ian tjds uancrgdacn tjc ndshdpfdac. ndshdpfdac. îriri`j hbufn cisdfy tura up da tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats wdtj i tif`dam wbfl 54 eusy wdtj suppfydam prdahcsscs it rcisbaiefc prdhcs, i ybuam girc wdtj i mbfnca giac,8? br cvca i ybuam, acwfy jithjcn nrimba, wjdhj prbeiefy hbufn abt yct fct but ldrc eut edt fd`c i pih` bl i juanrcn nbms. Bahc tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus cvca higc da uacxpchtcnfy wdtj tjc fcmcaniry Xdfvcr Jbbl,89 ippcirdam lrbg abwjcrc batb Euyia, ian iff fbvcrs bl gdscriefc fbmdh ian pctty hrdtdhdsg wcrc sdgpfy spcchjfcss. Is i rcsuft, tjc lcffbws lrbg tjc his`ct sprcin but tjc gimdh tiefchfbtjs it cdmjt da tjc gbradam ian `cpt tjcg rciny uatdf fuahj ian sbgctdgcs cvca tdff ndaacr, is cvcry jifl jbur sbgcbac fitc, bvcrsfcpt, kdaxcn, br dabppbrtuacfy juamry wbufn hcrtidafy ippcir. Dt turacn but tb ec i sbrt bl rbuan-tjc-hfbh` fbhif `dthjca, wjcrc erci`list, 54 Da

tjc Uussdia lidry tifc _rdahc Dvia ian tjc Mrcy ]bfl , tjc tif`dam wbfl jcfps _rdahc Dvia ihqudrc _rdahcss Cfcai tjc Eciutdluf. 8? I girc br stccn wdtj i mbfnca giac ds i gimdhif hjirihtcr da Uussdia lidry tifcs. 89 ^jc Xdfvcr Jbbl ds i stbry lrbg tjc lidry-tifc hbffchtdba ^jc Gifihjdtc Ebx (9484) ey Uussdia wrdtcr _ivcf _ctrbvdhj Eizjbv (9:=4-943?). Xdfvcr Jbbl ds i gimdhif mbit tjit ridas prchdbus stbacs wjcrcvcr dt stbgps. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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fuahj, ian ndaacr wcrc abt scpiritcfy gir`cn, eut tjca i hbatdaubus ‖saih` ‗ wdtj iff gcifs wjdgsdhiffy wjdgsdhiffy gdxcn tbmctjcr acvcrtjcfcss lbuan dts pir`dam spihc da i stbgihj. Eut tjc gbst pfcisiat wis tjit ba wcc`cans tjc gimdh tiefchfbtjs wcrc abt ndstrdeutcn ey fbt eut wcrc bpca ihhcss. ^jds hcrtidafy mcacritcn ia dahrcndefc gcss ian kbstfc, eut dt wis vcry abdsy ian lua. Xbgc wcrc nrda`dam gbradam tci wdtj hjccschi`c, wjdfc btjcrs wcrc ifrciny sjbvcffdam da pisti ian `ceies. ^jcrc jippcacn tb ec giay bvcrimc lihcs qudtc spchdldhiffy sgcircn wdtj hjbhbfitc. ^jcsc wcrc fbvcrs bl piahi`cs. Eut abw îayi wbufn abt cvca jivc i pci da jcr tjrbit. Ifbam tjc wiy sjc hbastiatfy hiumjt hurdbus mfiahcs it jcrscfl. Xjc jcirn i wivc bl wjdspcrs rbffdam ecjdan jcr. ‖Kust fbb` it jcr... Jbw sjc cvcr... Mury _upcr... ^jds gbradam...‗ gbradam... ‗ sjc nctchtcn. îayi lbrhcn jcrscfl tb wif` sfbwfy ian hifgfy, wdtj i stridmjt eih`. Jcr cycs wcrc nry. Eut dt wis bafy da ippciriahc. Dt wis abt cvca i hit shrithjdam da jcr sbuf, eut is dl sufpjurdh ihdn wis rcihtdam wdtj cvcrytjdam hbaschutdvcfy, citdam iwiy nccp lurrbws. Nctcrgdacn tb ldan but dl \iaì wis da tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats, sjc wcat tb Nusyi Nbffbvi. Nusyi ifwiys trcitcn jcr qudtc wcff. Eut abw, is sbba is sjc siw îayi, sjc rchbdfcn lrbg jcr is lrbg i fcpcr. ‖Mb iwiy! Mb iwiy!‗ iwiy!‗ sjc sjbutcn, wivdam jcr irgs fd`c i wdangdff. ‖D hia— hia—t scc ybu!‗ ybu!‗ ‖Eut wjy2‗ wjy2‗ ‖Dt— Dt—s echiusc bl ybu! Gy _upcr! ]jy ndna— ndna—t _fimuc `dff ybu wjca ybu wcrc fdttfc2‗ fdttfc2‗ Nusyi cxhfidgcn ian ria iwiy, sbeedam. ‖ ]cff, tjia` ybu... Uciffy, wjy2 _crjips dt wbufn jivc ecca tjc ecst sbfutdba lbr cvcrybac,‗ cvcrybac,‗ îayi guttcrcn iltcr jcr. It tjit gbgcat sjc ifgbst jitcn jcrscfl. Jbwcvcr, dt wis stdff abt tjc ldaifc. Xjc wis da i airrbw hbrrdnbr da tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats wjca acirey, efbh`dam jcr pitj, rbsc Fdzi [ifdzdai. ‖Gy \iaì! Tbu ncstrbycn jds fdlc! Jc— Jc—s dakurcn, tjcy wiat tb `dff jdg! Bj, dl ybu àcw jbw D jitc ybu! D wbufn hbb` ybu ifdvc da ebdfdam witcr! witcr!‗‗ sjc jdsscn, hfcahjdam jcr ldsts. ‖Fdzi, fcivc ybur cgbtdbas lbr nrigi shjbbf! Gciawjdfc, dl dt dsa— dsa—t tbb ndlldhuft lbr ybu, ti`c twb stcps da iay ndrchtdba! ndrchtdba!‗‗ îayi sidn. ‖Ab, D— D—g abt fcivdam! Ndc!‗ Ndc!‗ Fdzi sjbutcn ian, pifc is i sjcct, ridscn jcr jian wdtj tjc rdam. îayi stbbn wdtjbut gbvdam ian withjcn qudtc hifgfy is _bbr Fdzi— Fdzi—s rdam jcitcn up. [ifdzdai— [ifdzdai—s jian wis sji`dam wdtj jitrcn. Ucn ian mrcca spir`s wcrc sfbwfy mfdndam ifbam tjc rdg bl jcr rdam tbwirns cihj btjcr. ^b gdss wdtj i hbgeit spir` lrbg twb stcps wis is jirn is sgcirdam i lcahc wdtj i sjbtmua. ^ruc, dt wis stdff achcssiry achcssiry tb ldan tjc hburimc tb uttcr @iput uttcr @iput ybuldadtut ybuldadtut br Xpir`ds br Xpir`ds lrbatds lrbatds lbrtc. lbrtc. ‖Findcs, wjit— wjit—s wdtj tjc shcacs it tjc lbuatida2 [ifdzdai, efbw bll stcig, br cfsc dt—s tbb jbt ecsdnc ybu!‗ ybu!‗ i ligdfdir vbdhc wis jcirn. Eie-Timua winnfcn tbwirns tjcg. Da jds jian wis i vihuug pdpc, wjdhj jc jin ti`ca wdtj jdg tb erci`list, bevdbusfy tb sjbw sbgcbac. îayi siw i nir` sbbty tridf ba tjc pdpc ‘ _upcr— _upcr—s spir` gust jivc fclt dt. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Mct iwiy, Timua! D— D—ff `dff jcr! D gust!‗ gust! ‗ [ifdzdai ycffcn jystcrdhiffy. jystcrdhiffy. ‖^jc dnci ds lrcsj, bafy tjc pfihc ds daipprbprditc! ]c— ]c —rc tbb hfbsc tb tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats!‗ Cfcgcats!‗ Timua sidn pcihcluffy. ‖Ucgdan yburscfl. Fist ]cnacsniy, tjc Eieid ncfcmitdba squieefcn wdtj tjc Eifn Gbuatida wdthjcs. ^jcy irrdvcn is mucsts, wcff, dt stirtcn. ^jcy wbufna—t wbufna—t sjirc tjc Hutcst Nrimbaeiff ^cig mbefct ecdam pisscn irbuan. ]jit stirtcn, gy mriaay gigi! ^jcrc wcrca—t wcrca—t cabumj strcthjcrs tb ti`c but iff tjc wbuancn. Xfiancr Xfiancr pfihcn i efbh` jcrc. Tbu rcfcisc rcfcisc i ldmjt spir`, dt— dt—ff gcft tjc rdam. Tbu— Tbu —ff fbsc ybur ldamcr, ian îayi wdff acvcr mct dt.‗ dt.‗ [ifdzdai fdh`cn jcr fdps. ‖Bìy, Mrbttcr! Hbasdncr yburscfl fuh`y. Eut ybu ecttcr rcgcgecr gc! Nba— Nba—t cxpcht gc tb lbrmdvc ybu lbr \iaì!‗ \iaì!‗ _bbr Fdzi cxhfidgcn ian, turadam ieruptfy, fclt. ‖_jcw! D wis cvca shircn!‗ shircn!‗ Timua sidn wdtj rcfdcl. ‖Ds dt truc iebut tjc efbh`2‗ efbh`2‗ îayi is`cn. ‖ ]cff, jbw tb tcff ybu2 Jifl ian jifl! Iebut tjc Eieid ian tjc wdthjcs wis purc trutj, eut D wirpcn tjc efbw ‚efbw bll i ldamcr— ldamcr—. [ifdzdai wbufn wistc ybu iaywiy. Xfiancr—s Xfiancr —s abtdldcr wbufn `dh` datb ihtdba. Jc wbufn rua jcrc, nchfirc i vcreif rcprdgian tb Fdzi, ian swccp up ybur isjcs da i nustpia,‗ nustpia, ‗ Timua sidn, iltcr ishcrtidadam tjit [ifdzdai jin mbac lir cabumj. ‖Jivc ybu scca \iaì2‗ \iaì2‗ Timua lrbwacn. ‖ Tcij, kust abw. Ba tjc Ucsdncahc Lfbbr. Jc wis fbb`dam lbr ybu, eut tjc spjdax hiumjt jdg ian fcn jdg tb Xirniaipif... ]cff, tjit pussy jin i gifdhdbus fbb`! D cvca wiatcn tb hiff jdg i ‚pdmmy —, eut rcgcgecrcn kust da tdgc tjit D— D —g abt i ìgdìzc!‗ ìgdìzc! ‗ tjc pfiydam hbggcatitbr hbggcatitbr sidn. ‖Eut wjy tb Xirniaipif, lbr wjit2‗ wjit2‗ ‖ Ij, ybu ndna—t ndna—t jcir tjc gimacws! @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss ian ^dstryi ncgian tjit \iaì ec jiancn bvcr! ^jcy wiat tb try jdg lbr _upcr! Eut gciawjdfc tjcy —rc tjcy —rc mbdam tb put jdg da tjc gimdh prdsba. Nuahcnig. Tbu imc i wcc` lbr i niy tjcrc, ian i ycir lbr i wcc`... ^jc kidfcrs tjcrc tjcrc nrda` i sbuf listcr tjia i riw cmm. Ba Ba tjc wjbfc, dl tjc trdif fists i fbam tdgc, \iaì wdff echbgc gbrc nchrcpdt tjia Xirniaipif. Mriaay ifrciny tbfn gc tjds. Xjc àbws i juanrcn tdgcs gbrc tjia wjit tjcy —ff —ff siy ba ba iay zbbgcr,‗ zbbgcr, ‗ Timua dgpirtcn. ‖Eut i nucf dsa—t dsa—t gurncr! gurncr!‗‗ ‖Gy mriaay gigi! Tbu cxpfida tjit tb Gimhdcty ian tjc gimfiwycrs bl _upcr—s _upcr —s iuats! Tbu cxpfida tjit tb gc2‗ gc2‗ Timua imrccn gcc`fy ian sunncafy jdt jds jcin wdtj jds ldst. ‖ ]jit ia iss D ig, iss, iss! Danccn D ndna—t ndna—t is` wjy \iaì tbb` gy vihuug! Ecttcr dl D riggcn _upcr it nrimbaeiff. Jc wbufn ihhcfcritc ian ec sgcircn ba tjc nbgc. Tbu acvcr àbw wjit ualbrtuaitc ihhdncats jippca da spbrt. ^jcy wbufn `dh` gc but bl tjc tcig ian iff tjit. Ian D wbufn tipc Mfbgbv —s —s gbutj sjut iebut tjds; ti`c wjitcvcr! Iltcr iff, tjc lbbf ds hfcir tjit _upcr _upcr stirtcn tjds nucf! \iaì bafy nclcancn jdgscfl. jdgscfl. Abw ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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tjcy siy tjit ippircatfy \iaì sjbufn dalbrg, rcpbrt tjc nucf. Danccn, hdvdh stiahc! Cdtjcr kidf br echbgc ia dalbrgcr! Xbgc Gimhdcty danccn!‗ danccn! ‗ Timmc—s Timmc—s mriansba mriansba lfircn up. îayi—s îayi—s fcms echigc hbttba. Xjc sbeecn ba Timua—s Timua —s sjbufncr. ‖D—ff sct bll tb Nuahcnig! Dt— Dt—s echiusc bl gc _upcr mbt datb i ldmjt wdtj \iaì! Dl D jin pdh`cn bac! Lbbf! ]jy ndn D `ccp qudct ycstcrniy2‗ ycstcrniy2‗ ‖Abw, abw, nba— nba—t ec fd`c tjds! Tbu ndna— ndna—t àbw. Dt ifsb tbb` gc i juanrcn ycirs eclbrc D rcifdzcn D fbvc Fbt`bvi. Bahc D rcifdzcn... Xbgcniy ybu—ff ybu—ff nchdnc...‗ nchdnc...‗ Timua hbglbrtcn jcr. ‖ Timuuuuua, nba— nba—t tbrgcat gc! Jbw wdff D nchdnc2 _upcr—s _upcr —s it it tjc ebttbg, \iaì—s \iaì —s ifgbst da kidf... Cvcrybac lbr sbgc rcisba tjda`s tjit D —g iwluffy strbam. Ia Igizba ba i nbuefc eiss! I mdrf vigpdrc! I stian lbr i sjbtmua!‗ sjbtmua! ‗ îayi sidn, wdpdam jcr tcirs ba Timua—s Timua—s sjdrt. sjdrt. Timmc—s Timmc—s mriansba mriansba gbvcn jds sjbufncr iaxdbusfy. ‖ût, tut, fbb`s fd`c rida!‗ rida! ‗ jc sidn da _dmfct—s _dmfct—s vbdhc. vbdhc. ‖Eut, îayi, nba— nba—t! It wbrst, ybu jivc gc, ian dt—s dt —s ifrciny ifrciny i fbt. I mbbn lrdcan ds wbrtj i nbzca _upcrs, ian wc—ff wc —ff sjdcfn sjdcfn \iaì. Xirniaipif wba—t wba —t surrcancr jds bwa. D jcirn tjds lrbg Mriaay i euahj bl tdgcs. Jc—ff Jc—ff puff \iaì puff \iaì but sbgcjbw.‗ sbgcjbw.‗ *** It Xirniaipif—s Xirniaipif—s blldhc tjc mbfnca spjdax turacn ian mrbwfcn. ^jc nbbr hrci`cn bpcacn. \iaì wif`cn da. Jc cxpchtcn tjit i trdeuaif bl ^dednbx tcihjcrs wbufn ec widtdam lbr jdg dasdnc, eut ab. Cvcrytjdam wis ndllcrcat. Xirniaipif wis sdttdam it jds ncs` ian mfbbgdfy cxigdadam i jclty pdfc bl pirhjgcats. Xfiancr stbbn ecjdan tjc ihincgdhdia—s ihincgdhdia—s hjidr. hjidr. ^jc erdmjt abtdldcr euttba ba jds hbffir wis twdrfdam ian squcifdam, abt stbppdam lbr i gbgcat. ‖Jcrc jc ds, tjc jcrb bl tjc niy! Ippcircn2‗ Ippcircn2 ‗ tjc prdahdpif is`cn sirhistdhiffy. sirhistdhiffy. \iaì wis sdfcat. I sunnca dandllcrcahc tbb` pbsscssdba pbsscssdba bl jdg. Jc gcrcfy trdcn tb stcp hircluffy ba jds fcm, tjc tjdmj bl wjdhj jin ecca euracn ey Mury —s spir`. —s spir`. ‖ ]dpcn but _upcr, jiansbgc2‗ jiansbgc2‗ Xfiancr hbatdaucn. ‖Kust tjda`; dahbrrdmdefc trbuefcgi`crs stuny da bur wjdtc ncpirtgcat! Ldrst Xjurisd`, tjca Mrbtty, ian abw, îayi eircfy rcturacn, \ifyif`da ds cimcr tb mct datb tjc nir`!‗ nir`!‗ tjc prdahdpif mrcctcn jdg. ‖Xfiancr!‗ Xfiancr! ‗ Xirniaipif sidn rcprbihjluffy. ‖D àbw gy aigc. Gy pipi ndna— ndna—t tjda` iebut gy aigc lbr fbam; mivc gc jds bwa. ^jc rcsuft cxhccncn iff cxpchtitdbas; turacn but adhc ian dgprcssdvc... ]cff, \ifyif`da, mfin tjit iff tjds jippcacn2‗ jippcacn2‗ ‖Ab, D— D—g abt,‗ abt,‗ sidn \iaì. ‖Eut ybu danccn wdpcn but _upcr2 Ingdt dt, ybu wdpcn jdg but2‗ but2‗ \ifyif`da abnncn. abnncn. Dt wis abt achcssiry achcssiry tb nceitc nceitc tjds. Xfiancr fbb`cn trdugpjiatfy it jdg is dl jc jin betidacn i hbalcssdba it fcist. ‖Jgg... _upcr—s _upcr—s iuats iuats irmuc tjit dt wis gurncr. Tbu àbh`cn Mury lrbg tjc erbbg ian ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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iffbwcn tjc eby-jcrb tb nrbwa da tjc bhcia. Ian nba— nba—t irmuc, gimxpcrtdsc 85 bl tjc erbbg stdh` jis ifrciny prbvca tjit Mury wis ittih`cn prchdscfy ey ybur gimdh!‗ gimdh!‗ Xfiancr sidn hiustdhiffy ian, iltcr tbadam nbwa sfdmjtfy, inncn gbrc mcatfy; ‖_crjips ybu hia tcff gc jbw ybu higc up wdtj iff iff tjds2 ]is dt ybur ybur dnci, juj2‗ juj2‗ \iaì wiatcn wiatcn tb siy tjit tjc nucf wis ihtuiffy ihtuiffy _upcr—s _upcr—s dnci, dnci, eut dt wbufn fbb` fd`c i tittfctifc. ‖ Tcs, gdac,‗ gdac,‗ jc sidn. ‖D ndna— ndna—t wiat jdg tb mct îayi. Jc wisa— wisa—t wbrtjy bl jcr.‗ jcr. ‗ ‖ Ian ybu irc2‗ irc2‗ Xirniaipif sunncafy echigc datcrcstcn. ‖Ab, D— D—g abt. Ab bac ds,‗ ds,‗ \iaì ingdttcn. ^jc ihincgdhdia fbb`cn it \ifyif`da ian ecmia tb is` jdg iebut nctidfs bl tjc nucf. \iaì spb`c spirdamfy. Lbr i gbgcat dt sccgcn tb jdg tjit jds jcin wis ecdam tdh`fcn. Jc suspchtcn tjit jc wis ecdam gdrrbrcn, eut dt wis ifgbst efispjcgy tb tjda` tjds bl Xirniaipif. Xfiancr pullcn but jds hjcc`s sb stcrafy ian rbffcn jds cycs eufmdam fd`c i hrie sb vdbfcatfy tjit \iaì prclcrrcn tb stian sdncwiys tb jdg sb is abt tb ec àbh`cn nbwa. ‖Jgg... ^jit— ^jit—s jbw... Da gy bpdadba, ebtj irc mbbn; ldmjtdam fd`c rbbstcrs!‗ rbbstcrs! ‗ tjc ihincgdhdia gugefcn wjca \iaì jin ldadsjcn. ‖ Ian abw tjc gida tjdam; Gimhdcty bl Kcr`y Gimtdba ncgians ybur cxtrindtdba. Cvcrybac ds vcry scrdbus. Cvcry twcaty gdautcs i hupdn da gburadam piats surcfy lfdcs bvcr wdtj tjc acxt ndspithj. ^jcy —rc —rc wdtjbut cxhcptdba uftdgitugs! Dt fbb`s fd`c @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss ian tjc btjcr cmmjcins irc jivdam ia ittih` bl eurciuhritdh daspdritdba. daspdritdba.‗‗ Xfiancr fbb`cn ndspfcisdamfy it \iaì. ‖Abw nb ybu uancrstian wjit ybu— ybu vc —vc nrimmcn us datb2 ^jcy hrivc efbbn. Dl wc nba— nba—t surrcancr ybu, tjcy —ff tjrcitca —ff tjrcitca ^dednbx wdtj iff sbrts bl siahtdbas, siahtdbas, stirtdam wdtj i eia ba tjc dgpbrt ian cxpbrt bl gimdh rdams rdmjt nbwa tb ebyhbttdam tjc nrimbaeiff tcig it iff hbgpctdtdbas. Bur shjbbf bl gimdh wdff echbgc ia ia buthist shjbbf. shjbbf. Dts vifuc wdff liff. liff.‗‗ \iaì fdstcacn fdstcacn tb jdg ncspbancatfy, ncspbancatfy, àbwdam àbwdam tjit Xfiancr wis wis rdmjt. ‖Euyia wdff ec da dsbfitdba. D nba— nba —t tjda` tjit tjds ds tjc prdhc wc sjbufn piy lbr ia brndairy eby wjb lbr jds lbffy wdpcn but wdtj i spir` i mfbeif lbur-cycs! Nb ybu it fcist uancrstian wjit iw`wirn pbsdtdba ybu— ybu vc —vc put us da2‗ da2‗ tjc prdahdpif hbatdaucn scvcrcfy. ‖ ]cff, wjit nb ybu ybu jivc tb siy2‗ siy2‗ \iaì sdmjcn. ‖D ... D hia mb tb tjcg gyscfl,‗ gyscfl, ‗ jc sidn. ‖ \bfuatirdfy. D— D—ff mdvc gyscfl up tb tjcg ian fct tjcg nb wjit tjcy wiat. D nclcancn îayi ian wjit wdff jippca tb gc abw nbcsa— nbcsa—t gittcr.‗ gittcr.‗ ‖ Irc ybu rciffy iefc tb nb tjit2 Xurrcancr tb Gimlbrn ian mb tb Nuahcnig2 Nuahcnig2 Cvca àbwdam tjit ybu lbumjt i nucf jbacstfy ian rds`cn i fdlc ab fcss ipprchditcn tjia _upcr—s _upcr—s22‗ Xirniaipif is`cn qudctfy. \iaì jcsdtitcn jcsdtitcn ian abnncn.

85 Gimxpcrtdsc

‘ gimdh cxpcrtdsc, cxigdaitdba, isscssgcat. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖_crjips, tjcy —ff puff ybu but bl Nuahcnig iltcr sbgc tdgc, jivdam ifrciny mrbwa tjbrbumjfy bfn. ^jcy —ff ti`c iwiy ybur gimdh, crisc ybur gcgbry, sfdp i hbffir wdtj i hjida ba ybu, ian lbrhc ybu tb nrdvc iwiy tjc lfdcs lrbg i erbazc eust bl _upcr lbr tjc rcst bl ybur fdlc. Ian jds `dan iuat wdff hcrtidafy dastiff suhj i eust ba tjc gida Gimlbrn wif`. Ian sjc wdff fd`cfy put i hbda ebx acir tjc eust, datb wjdhj iaybac wjb wiats tb `dh` ybu gust tbss i hbda. ^jc qucuc tb tjc hbda ebx wdff ec fbam!‗ fbam!‗ Xirniaipif hbatdaucn, tcstdam jdg. \iaì sjunncrcn. sjunncrcn. ‖ Ian dt wdff sivc ^dednbx2 ^dednbx2‗‗ jc is`cn wdtj cllbrt. ^jc ihincgdhdia—s ihincgdhdia—s gbustihjc gbustihjc twdthjcn tjbumjtluffy. ‖Gbst fd`cfy. Xuhj i sbfutdba wdff sitdsly Ncitjfcss. Ncitjfcss.‗‗ ‖^jca D imrcc. Cdtjcr Nuahcnig, br iaywjcrc...‗ iaywjcrc...‗ \iaì abnncn. ‖ Ian ybu nba— nba—t rcmrct tjit ybu lbumjt2‗ lbumjt2‗ Xirniaipif is`cn. ‖Ab. D bafy rcmrct tjit D ndna— ndna—t pcrdsj da tjc ncptjs bl tjc bhcia dastcin bl Mury. Eut tjca jc wbufna— wbufna—t fcivc îayi ifbac,‗ ifbac,‗ \ifyif`da sidn uajippdfy. ‖Ldac. Xdahc ybu pcrsdst, mb! Xdt ba tjc vihuug ian prcscat yburscfl tb Gimhdcty. D tjda` dt— dt—ff ec cabumj lbr ybu tb lfy ecyban tjc fdgdts bl Mridf Mirnirdì, Mirnirdì,‗ tjc ihincgdhdia rutjfcssfy abnncn it tjc nbbr. ^jc mbfnca spjdax dastiatfy sfdn nbwa lrbg tjcrc ian mrbwfcn acir \iaì—s \iaì—s fcms. fcms. \ifyif`da uancrstbbn tjit tjc iundcahc wis bvcr. Jds litc wis scifcn. Jc wif`cn sfbwfy tb tjc nbbr. Bac stcp... Iabtjcr... ^jc mbfnca spjdax spua fd`c fdmjtadam acir jds eurat tjdmj. Xirniaipif Xirniaipif stundcn tjc spdacs spdacs bl gimdh ebb`s wdtj wdtj datcrcst. Xfiancr Xfiancr sabrtcn, ldamcrdam tjc abtdldcr euttba. ‖^jit— ^jit—s dt!‗ dt!‗ \iaì tjbumjt, bpcadam tjc nbbr. Eut cxihtfy it tjit gbgcat Xirniaipif dgpcrdbusfy stbppcn jdg, ‖Hbgc eih`!‗ eih`!‗ \iaì turacn irbuan irbuan da surprdsc. surprdsc. ‖D wis tcstdam ybu. Dl ybu wcrc tb mrbvcf ian jugdfditc yburscfl, D wbufn ec ndsippbdatcn da ybu,‗ ybu,‗ tjc jcin bl ^dednbx sidn tjbumjtluffy. ‖ Ian abw... Dt— Dt—s tdgc tb iht. Xfiancr, ybur cirs irc pfummcn!‗ pfummcn!‗ ‖ ]jit2‗ ]jit2‗ tjc prdahdpif wis surprdscn. ‖Jcrc— Jcrc—s cxihtfy wjit— ‚ wjit—! D sidn; ybur cirs irc pfummcn. Tbu nba— nba—t jcir iaytjdam.‗ iaytjdam.‗ Xfiancr mrdaacn àbwdamfy. ‖Juj2 D jcir abtjdam, scc abtjdam, wdff tcff abtjdam tb iaybac!‗ iaybac!‗ ^jc prdahdpif wcat tb tjc fcitjcr hbuhj ba mrdllda fcms, sit nbwa, ian fciacn eih` wdtj bevdbus pfcisurc. Xirniaipif ipprbihjcn \iaì ian put jds jians ba \iaì— \iaì—s sjbufncrs. ‖ Ian abw D—ff mdvc ybu sbgc invdhc, wjdhj da iay hisc tjc jcin bl ^dednbx sjbufna— sjbufna—t mdvc uancr iay hdrhugstiahc. Xb D mdvc dt kust is i wdzirn fdvdam da tjc wbrfn... uj... wcff, da iay hisc, lir fcss tjia tjcrc ds fdmjt. Iay sihrdldhc ba ybur pirt wbufn ec pbdatfcss, echiusc dt nbcsa— nbcsa —t itbac iaytjdam ian nbcsa— nbcsa—t hjiamc tjc wbrfn lbr tjc ecttcr. ^jcrc— ^jcrc —s ab accn tb lfittcr tjc hbahcdt bl tjc pirvcaus bl Gimhdcty ian jugbur sbgcebny —s abefc iuats... Tbu— Tbu—rc abt tjc sihrdldhdif fige. Tbu hia nb tjds wbrfn i fbt bl uscluf ian mbbn tjdams, wjdhj tjc wbrfn rciffy accns. Nb ybu uancrstian2 uancrstian2‗‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Ab,‗ Ab,‗ \iaì sidn. ‖^jca tb _fimuc wdtj pjdfbsbpjy! Bac bptdba stdff cxdsts. Tbu jivc tb jdnc! Jdnc sb tjit ab bac wdff ec iefc tb ldan ybu. Dt— Dt —s jirnfy pbssdefc da ^dednbx eut qudtc iabtjcr gittcr igbam tjc gbrbabdns. ^jcrc irc qudtc i fbt bl gbrbabdns ian ldandam ybu igbam tjcg wdff ec ndlldhuft. Bur cacgdcs wba— wba —t cgpfby da tjc gbrbabdn wbrfn tjc sigc gimdh tjcy uscn da Gimlbrn. ^jcrc irc strdht fdgdtitdbas ba tjds. ^jcy —ff ec lbrhcn tb iht schrctfy ian tjds wdff hbgpfdhitc tjcdr lrccnbg bl giabcuvrc. Xbgc pcbpfc wdff ec vcry pdqucn.‗ pdqucn.‗ Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif—s gbustihjc twdthjcn. \iaì uancrstbbn uancrstbbn tjit jds cxdfc tb tjc gbrbabdns gbrbabdns wis i nbac ncif. Dt wis uscfcss tb irmuc. Jc ndn abt lccf kby tjit jc ndn abt jivc tb mb tb Gimhdcty. Jc ndn abt àbw wjdhj wis ecttcr; tjc gbrbabdns br Mury —s iuats. Ebtj gciat pirtdam wdtj îayi. ‖Xb, dt gcias abt tb Nuahcnig eut tjc gbrbabdns2‗ gbrbabdns2‗ jc is`cn. ‖D—ff lfy ba i vihuug2‗ vihuug2‗ ‖Ab. Ia jbur imb hbrnbas bl Gimlbrn pcbpfc wcrc spbttcn acir tjc nbgc. ^jcy —rc stdff scirhjdam lbr Mury —s ebny ian wdff ec bafy tbb jippy tb scan ybu tb tjc ebttbg... Xfiancr ian D wdff tcfcpbrt ybu... Ab, abt tb ybur rcfitdvcs. ^jcy —ff —ff ncldadtcfy fbb` lbr ybu tjcrc... D jivc ia dnci, eut gbrc ba tjit fitcr. D— D—g stdff abt hcrtida tjit tjds ds tjc ecst wiy but. Da tjc gciatdgc, gciatdgc, ybu jivc fdtcriffy i hbupfc bl jburs tb pih` ian siy mbbneyc tb iff tjbsc ybu hirc lbr,‗ lbr,‗ Xirniaipif sidn. \iaì fbb`cn wdstluffy but tjc wdanbw, wjcrc tjc ^bwcr bl Mjbsts, stiandam but imidast tjc eih`mrbuan bl tjc eittfcgcats, wcat da i sjirp spd`c tb tjc s`y. Da tjc ndstiahc, i airrbw strdp bl bhcia wis vdsdefc iebvc tjc wiff. ‖ ]dff D cvcr ec iefc tb rctura2‗ rctura2‗ jc is`cn. Xirniaipif sjrummcn. ‖D nba— nba—t wiat tb nchcdvc ybu. D nba— nba—t àbw tjit. Eut bac tjdam D hia siy lbr surc; dt ds uafd`cfy tjds wdff jippca sbba... Tbur gimdh rdam rcgidas wdtj ybu. Tbu acvcr àbw wjit ian jbw dt—ff dt—ff tura tura but. Eut rcgcgecr, ybu gusta— gusta—t usc gimdh, abt cvca tjc sdgpfcst spcffs. Tbu—ff Tbu—ff lihdfdtitc cacgy scirhj wdtj tjds. Ucgcgecr; ybu jivc i fbt bl cacgdcs ‘ tjc `dan iuats, tjcdr gimfiwycrs, _upcr—s _upcr —s lias, lias, ian i euahj bl hirccrdsts fd`c Mrilda br ^dstryi. Iltcr tjc ldrst spir` tjcy —ff suspcht —ff suspcht sbgctjdam. Iltcr tjc schban, tjcy —ff —ff stirt eustfdam iebut. iebut. Iltcr tjc tjdrn, D wba— wba—t ect i nbaut jbfc lbr ybur jcin...‗ jcin...‗ ‖Jbw wdff tjcy àbw tjit dt— dt—s gy spir`2‗ spir`2‗ \iaì wis surprdscn. ‖Ucgcgecr tjc erbbgstdh`. ^jcy jivc i sigpfc bl ybur gimdh. Gimdh ds uadquc. Is tjcrc irc ab twb dncatdhif rctdais bl tjc cycs, sb tjcrc irc ab twb dncatdhif gimdh sdmaiturcs. Dt— Dt—s pbssdefc tb fcira gbrc iebut i wdzirn lrbg i sdamfc spir` tjia rcin jds edbmripjy i juanrcn tdgcs! Dt mbcs wdtjbut siydam, dl ybu jivc tjc rcfcviat cxpcrdcahc!‗ cxpcrdcahc!‗ Xirniaipif sidn wdtj iutjbrdty. Ba jcirdam iebut tjc ‖rcfcviat cxpcrdcahc‗ cxpcrdcahc‗, Xfiancr sabrtcn gifdhdbusfy lrbg tjc sbli eut ndn abt hbggcat. ^jc sbli ba tjc mrdllda fcms hbufn `dh` strbamfy. Ecsdncs, dt wis vcry ittihjcn ittihjcn tb Xirniaipif... Xirniaipif... \iaì sidn mbbneyc mbbneyc ian fclt tjc blldhc. blldhc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖^wb jburs! Ucgcgecr!‗ Ucgcgecr!‗ tjc ihincgdhdia ycffcn iltcr jdg. ^jc mbfnca Xpjdax mrbwfcn it \iaì lrbg ecjdan, rcgdandam jdg tjit tjcrc wis ab turadam eih`. Eut \ifyif`da ifsb ndn abt datcan ba turadam eih`. Jc ifrciny siw tjit îayi wis stiandam ey tjc jdmj scgdhdrhufir wdanbws wdtj stidacn mfiss. \iaì tbb` i stcp tbwirn jcr, ian sjc tb jdg... ^bmctjcr tjcy nbvc datb tjc ndgfy fdt jiffwiy, lbr tjc ldrst tdgc tjia`dam ^jc Iahdcat Bac lbr tjc scascfcss ian hfuttcrcn irhjdtchturc bl tjc shjbbf bl gimdh wdtj fbts bl hbrrdnbrs, pissimcs, ian miffcrdcs. ^wb jburs tb edn lircwcff wis sb guhj ian sb fdttfc. îayi rcgcgecrcn \iaì —s `dsscs —s `dsscs lbr i fbam tdgc iltcrwirns, ian jc, tjc sifty tistc bl jcr tcirs. Ian wjy ds dt sb bltca tjc hisc tjit bafy da tjc gbgcat bl scpiritdba scpiritdba nb ybu rcifdzc jbw guhj ybu fbvc2



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Hjiptcr 3 I FC^^CU LUBG LUBG NISMJ^CU NISMJ^CU Da tjc gbrbabdn wbrfn, Iuat Adacf wis sji`dam tjc lfbbr, camimdam da i wusju 88 tutbrdif. Xjc wis ndsippbdatcn da icrbedhs ian hfidgcn tjit sjc bafy mbt lit lrbg dt. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc tjc ldrst pcrsba da tjc wbrfn wjb mcts lit lrbg icrbedhs! ‗ jcr ligdfy nbhtbr bekchtcn lccefy. ‖Jcfgut, D ecm ybu! D àbw gy ebny! Dt hbsts abtjdam lbr ia brndairy pcrsba tb stian ba jds tbcs br kugp, eut D accn jifl i pih` bl hjbhbfitc edshudts br twb hjdh`ca @dcvs. D àbw gyscfl! Cvca dl D kust gbvc gy tbcs, D dastiatfy jivc i lcrbhdbus juamcr! ‗ Iuat Adacf nchfircn nchfircn wdtj ipfbge. ipfbge. ^jc ligdfy nbhtbr ndn abt irmuc. Is jc ifsb trcitcn giay ligbus pcbpfc, jc wis rciny tb ingdt tjit cihj bl jds pitdcats jin i spchdif ebny, tbtiffy uafd`c tjc ebndcs bl iff btjcr dasdmadldhiat jugia ecdams. Jc bafy bahc ginc i millc, hircfcssfy qudppdam, ‖^jc edmmcr i mbbn pcrsba, pcrsba, tjc ecttcr!‗ ecttcr!‗ ‖Bac gbrc stitcgcat fd`c tjit, Jcfgut, ian ybu— ybu —ff ti`c hbglbrt da tjc prbvcre; pbvcrty ds ab hrdgc!‗ hrdgc! ‗ Nuracvi jin sidn, turadam rcn, ian tjc pbbr nbhtbr edt jds tbamuc. Xbba, tjc wdlc bl tjc hjidr bl \.I.G._.D.U. ebumjt i ^\ wusju hbursc ian ldrgfy tbb` ba tjc fcssbas. Ian abw ba i wirg Giy cvcadam Iuat Adacf lfbwcn sgbbtjfy lrbg tjc stiahc bl tjc drba jbrsc tb tjit bl tjc gba`cy, ian lrbg tjc gba`cy tb tjc lfigdam tdmcr. Jcr ‖ ebys‗ ebys‗, is sjc hiffcn Sahfc Jcrgia ian Mritds, wcrc pfiydam pb`cr ba tjc hbuhj. ‖ ]jcrc— ]jcrc—s tjc kb`cr2 ]jcrc ndn jc mb2 Jc wis kust fydam tjcrc!‗ tjcrc! ‗ Nuracv is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖Jbw sjbufn D àbw wjcrc2 ]jit, abw D jivc tb lbffbw cvcry gdscriefc hirn2‗ hirn2 ‗ Mritds rcpfdcn wdtj rcscatgcat. Nuracv squdatcn. ‖Hbgc ba, mct up!‗ up!‗ jc ncgiancn swcctfy. ‖D wba— wba—t! Gy fcm jurts!‗ jurts!‗ Mritds wis uacisy. ‖Abw ybur absc wdff jurt! Jian bvcr tjc kb`cr, sùa`!‗ sùa`!‗ Nuracv lfircn up. ‖Abt eclbrc ybu jian bvcr twb `dams, erbtjcr! ^jcy kugpcn datb ybur ercist pbh`ct!‗ pbh`ct!‗ Mriaay Uyu`ji— Uyu`ji—s mriansba wjdacn da rcpfy. Abw Sahfc Jcrgia echigc cgeirrisscn. ^jc qucstdba bl tjc kb`cr ian twb `dams wis iutbgitdhiffy iutbgitdhiffy jusjcn up. Hirns Hirns wcrc sfippcn sfippcn ba tjc s`da bl tjc sbli. sbli. ‖Adacf, sjut tjc nbbr! Dt—s abt tjc abt tjc gbatj bl Giy!‗ Giy!‗ jc ycffcn tb jds wdlc tb hjiamc tjc suekcht. Xb hfidgdam, Nuracv wis abt cgeirrisscn it iff tjit ba tjc strcct dt wis kust fiamudsjdam luff bl kbyluf suggcr jbpcs bl Giy... ‖ Iff rdmjt, ebys! Kust Kust nba— nba—t quirrcf!‗ quirrcf!‗ Iuat Adacf cxhfidgcn hbahdfditbry.

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ds i spbrt ncrdvcn lrbg Hjdacsc girtdif irts. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Ebtj bl jcr ‖ ebys‗ ebys‗ wcrc but bl sbrts. Iltcr tjc prdahcss lrbm, ba wjdhj Sahfc Jcrgia jin pfihcn suhj jbpcs, ndthjcn jdg, Nuracv wis qudtc i gcss. ^jc ldrst stcp wis tb rchbup sbgcjbw it fcist, ian jc puffcn tjc pfum ba Mritds ian ldrgfy nrbvc iwiy iff jds mdrfs. Lbr i wjdfc tjc ndstrcsscn lisjdba gbncfs ecsdcmcn tjcdr ipirtgcat, wrbtc Mritds, swcctdc, D fbvc ybu! ybu! wdtj fdpstdh` ba tjc catriahc nbbr, ian cvca riam tjc ipirtgcat, ti`dam inviatimc bl tjc acmfdmcahc bl schurdty. Jbwcvcr, iltcr Iuat Adacf, da i wjdtc rbec bl uagir`cn sdzc, higc but tb tjcg i hbupfc bl tdgcs, tjc tdgdn gbncfs lfcw bll fd`c gbtjs tb acw fdmjts. Lbr i wcc`, Mritds jbwfcn pissdbaitcfy ian turacn datb i wbfl, ndmmdam tjc pirquct wdtj jds hfiws. hfiws. ^jc Nuracvs fbh`cn fbh`cn jdg da tjc eih` eih` rbbg ian tjrcitcacn tjrcitcacn tb hiff tjc vct. ‖Mb ijcin! Hiff it fcist tjrcc hirfbins bl vcts, D— D—ff tcir tjcg iff tb pdchcs!‗ pdchcs! ‗ Mritds cxhfidgcn, eut wdscfy stbppcn jbwfdam. jbwfdam. Eut tjca jc mbt inndhtcn tb hirns. Hbasdncrdam tjit Nuracv wis ifsb wcff-ndspbscn tb pb`cr, tjcy wcrc pfiydam pissdbaitcfy iff niy, cxhcpt Gbaniys, ]cnacsniys, ian Lrdniys, wjca Sahfc Jcrgia, wcirdam jds vigpdrc rcmifdi, wcat tb tjc eia` tb sbw lcir. Xbgcjbw Mcacrif Hutfct`da trdcn tb kbda tjcdr pb`cr eittfcs, eut Mritds, hjcitdam erizcafy, wba twb iatd-idrhrilt systcgs lrbg jdg. ^jc ndsippbdatcn Hutfct`da ldzzfcn but, echigc mfbbgy, ian wcat tb scc` sbfihc lrbg jds schrctiry. Uchcatfy tjc drrcprcssdefc mcacrif wis bltca jcfn up it wbr` fitc, cxpfidadam tb Dsinbri tjit jc wis ndhtitdam prbkcht nchrccs wdtj tjc lbrgdniefc ian hbavbfutcn aigc bl \bfuatiry-hbgpufsbry hbvcrimc bl sbfndcrs ian wirriat blldhcrs lrbg tjc liff bl gctcbrdtcs ian hrbhbndfc edtcs wdtj ia iaauif lcc da tjc igbuat bl gbatjfy gbactiry iffbwiahc. iffbwiahc. Dsinbri gdmjt br gdmjt abt jivc ecfdcvcn jcr juseian, eut ey ian firmc sjc ndn abt rciffy hirc wjit prchdscfy tjc nchrccs wcrc ian wjcrc jcr juseian wrbtc tjcg. Da tjc cvcadams sjc tbb` i hbursc bl trcitgcat lbr hcffufdtc lrbg tjc itjfctdhiffy eudft gisscur, tjca wcat tb tjc myg, ian wis ifsb rircfy jbgc. It tjc vcry gbgcat wjca Sahfc Jcrgia, sgdfdam, wis rciny tb fiy but tjrcc scvcas ian i pidr bl kih`s, abt àbwdam tjit Mritds jin ifrciny ipprbprditcn lbur ihcs lbr jdgscfl, tjc wdanbw swuam bpca. I sjday irrbw jdt tjc hjiancfdcr ian shittcrcn mfdttcrdam fdmjtadam. Nuracvi stbppcn dgimdadam jcrscfl is i fuair mfirc sfdndam ifbam i witcr-fdfy fcil ian fugecrcn bvcr tb tjc wdanbw. ]dams lfuttcrdam, i wdamcn rbsy-hjcc`cn eiey, ifrciny nrcsscn lbr suggcr ian wdtj i pbstgia— pbstgia —s eim bvcr jds sjbufncr, wis jbvcrdam butsdnc tjc wdanbw. Iuat Adacf ndn abt shrcig ian swbba eut bpcacn tjc wdanbw qudctfy tb fct jdg da. I pcrsba mcts uscn tb cvcrytjdam. Cvca dl tjc Lbur Jbrscgca bl tjc



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Ipbhifypsc8> wbufn abw stdr butsdnc tjc wdanbw, Iuat Adacf wbufn bafy jivc gdfn surprdsc ian i pbfdtc qucstdba iebut wdtj wjit tjcy lccn tjcdr ritjcr tcrrdlydam jbrscs. ^jc fdttfc hupdn lfcw da ian ecmia tb hjccp ncgiandamfy. Mucssdam wjit tjds hbufn gcia, Iuat Adacf becndcatfy wcat lbr hbb`dcs. ^jc hupdn pburcn tjc hbb`dcs datb jds eim, eut, tb tjc surprdsc surprdsc bl Nuracvi, ndn abt abt mdvc jcr i fcttcr eut hbatdaucn hbatdaucn ecmmdam. Nuracvi—s Nuracvi—s bxfd`c cycfdns twdthjcn. ‖Cxtbrtdbadst! Ab hbatrbf bvcr ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ sjc sidn mbbn-aiturcnfy, ian, kugpdam jcivdfy, trdcn tb hithj tjc hupdn ey i pda` jccf. Eut jc lfippcn jds mbfnca wdams ian sbircn tb tjc hcdfdam. Xdmjdam, i nclcitcn Iuat Adacf wcat tb tjc `dthjca, wjcrc sjc, abt wdtjbut gifdhc, bpcacn i ebx bl hjbhbfitcs wdtj rug. Ldvc gdautcs fitcr, tjc eiey, mdmmfdam lbr ab rcisba, sgcircn wdtj hjbhbfitc lrbg jcin tb hjueey tjdmjs, prcscatcn ia cavcfbpc tb Iuat Adacf. Jc dahdncatiffy nrbppcn yct iabtjcr cavcfbpc but bl jds eim ian, abt abtdhdam dt, lfcw but tjc wdanbw, twdhc bvcrsjbbtdam pist tjc wdanbw ian eugpdam jds lbrcjcin imidast tjc mfiss eclbrc tjds. Jds lfdmjt wis uacvca. ^jc hupdn hbatdaubusfy lcff datb idr pbh`cts ian strbvc tb hbalrbat sbgctdgcs i strcctfdmjt, sbgctdgcs i edffebirn. ‖Hjdfnjbbn ifhbjbfdsg dsa— dsa—t i vdhc eut i hrdgc!‗ hrdgc!‗ Nuracvi hbggcatcn, cshbrtdam tjc hupdn wdtj i ndstrihtcn mfiahc. ^jc fcttcr wis lrbg _dpi. Gbrcbvcr, dt sccgcn tjit sjc wrbtc dt abt qudh`fy eut da stimcs, wjca sjc wis da tjc gbbn. Xjc wrbtc, lbrmbt tb scan, ian inncn sbgctjdam cfsc tjc acxt niy. Gigi, _ipi, jcffb! Jivca— Jivca— t wrdttca tb ybu lbr i juanrcn ycirs! Jbw irc ybu tjcrc, ab squieefcs2 Jbw—s Jbw—s Mritds2 Mritds2 Xtdff jbwfdam it admjt ian turadam tbdfcts datb mbfn2 ^wcaty riedcs sjbts da tjc stbgihj ian jc— jc— ff ff ec is mbbn is acw... Jc-jc, ab bllcahc, Mritds! Tbu— Tbu— rc rc hbbf! D — —g ldac, iftjbumj D fdvc da tjc sigc rbbg wdtj Mrbtty. ]cff, D — —g uscn tb dt. Ndn D tcff tjit D jivc i eciu2 Jds aigc ds [jbri, fist aigc [jd`da. Hutc, eut nuge is i tur`cy. Hia bafy tif` iebut jdgscfl, ian sb, iff rdmjt, tbfcriefc. _ipi, D àbw ybu—ff ybu—ff rua rua jdg tjrbumj tjc pbfdhc systcg, cxhcpt tjit dt — —s uafd`cfy jc— jc— s tjcrc. Ecttcr rua jdg tjrbumj tjc vigpdrc systcg; D —ff —ff it fcist àbw àbw wjit jc mbcs irbuan `dssdam iff tjc tdgc. (Lurtjcr, tjc da` wis i ndllcrcat sjinc, bevdbusfy wrdttca tjc acxt niy.) Iebut stundcs. D ifrciny àbw qudtc i fbt bl spcffs, eut stdff abt cabumj lbr gy imc, sb tjc tcihjcrs wbr` wdtj gc scpiritcfy. ]dtj gc ian tjc eiey Xtda`tbpp. ^jds eiey Xtda`tbpp wis iffcmcnfy ia bfn muy cirfdcr, qudtc nchrcpdt, eut abt fbam imb cdtjcr 8> ^jc

Lbur Jbrscgca bl tjc Ipbhifypsc irc ncshrdecn da tjc fist ebb` bl tjc Acw ^cstigcat bl tjc Edefc, tjc Ebb` bl Ucvcfitdba. ^jc lbur ecdams rdndam ba wjdtc, rcn, efih`, ian pifc jbrscs irc datcrprctcn is sygebfdzdam _cstdfcahc, ]ir, Ligdac, ian Ncitj. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Mrbtty spd`cn jds tci br sbgcbac tbsscn jdg i rckuvcaitdam ippfc. Da sjbrt, abw jc fbb`s iebut scvca br cdmjt, jis lbrmbttca cvcrytjdam, ian jc ian D mb tb tjc tcihjcrs tbmctjcr. Xtda`tbpp ds bìy, igusdam, kust nba—t nba—t rcpcit rcpcit iff `dans bl abascasc iltcr jdg, btjcrwdsc ybu mct datb i gcss... Bl iff tjc hfisscs, D gbrc fd`c Cvdf Xpdrdt Xtundcs. Xuhj i adhc suekcht. ^jcy rcfcisc iff `dans bl lrci`s ba ybu ian ybu jivc tb wjih` tjcg wdtj spcffs. Dl ybu nba—t nba—t wjih` tjcg br ybu gdx up tjc spcff, tjc lrci`s dastiatfy tjrbw hiaacn lbbn it ybu. Gcnusi Mbrmbabvi tcihjcs dt. Xb tiff, fdps purscn, rcn jidr, chhcatrdh jccfs, aidfs fd`c Dsinbri—s Dsinbri—s,, bafy abt li`c eut jcr bwa. Ian suhj cycs ‘ jifl tjc lihc ian pupdfs bl i hit —s. —s. Jcrc cvcrybac rcspchts jcr, gc tbb... ]cff, tjit —s iff, —s iff, Gigi, _ipi, iff bl tjds wis irtdstdh efij-efij, eut abw hbgcs tjc jirsj prbsc bl fdlc. D accn sbgc stull. Tbu mitjcr dt, ian D — —ff f f is` Xfiany tb tcfcpbrt. Xfiani br Xfiany ds Xfiancr, wjb higc lbr gc. It ldrst D wis ritjcr ilridn bl jdg, ian tjca D ginc lrdcans wdtj Gdfyufyi, jds gcrgidn mdrflrdcan. Gigi, D mivc ybur ncbnbriat tb tjc gcrgidn, echiusc sjc rciffy rcc`cn bl jcrrdam. Da sjbrt, wc— wc— rc rc abw ELLs. D accn; ]bbffca sbh`s Gy ed`dad ^jc fdfih gi`c-up eim ian cvcrytjdam da dt ^jc pua` shdgdtir _.X. ]cff, tjit —s —s iff, Gigi, _ipi, eyc! D wiat tb jdt tjc rbin lbr nrimbaeiff prihtdhc. Gy ebylrdcan (jc—s (jc —s ba ba tjc tcig) hfidgs tjit jc—s jc—s tbumj tbumj fd`c i ebdfcn cmm, eut Hblldadi siys tjit tjc jirpdcs sdgpfy `ccp shirdam jdg. Ecst bl iff ippircatfy Mrbtty wdff pfiy, ian cvca tjca echiusc bl tjc nbuefc eiss. Xjc hfdams tb dt, shrcws up jcr cycs, ian dt lfdcs ian nbcs cvcrytjdam lbr jcr. Tbur _cacfbpc. ^jc fcttcr `dan bl cancn, eut tjcrc wis i sjbrt pbstshrdpt ecfbw, efurrcn da twb pfihcs, is dl witcr jin nrdppcn ba dt. _._.X. Gigi, _ipi, suhj i tjdam jippcacn jcrc! D hia—t hia—t cvca cvca wrdtc, tjc fdacs irc lfbitdam... D — — g tcrrdefy ncprcsscn. Jcrc tjcy kust suggbacn gc tb Xirniaipif, ian jc is`cn ybu sbgctjdam tjrbumj gc. It ldrst D wis imidast dt, cvca hrdcn, ian tjca D tjbumjt iebut dt, wjy abt, iff tjc sigc ybu hia—t hia—t erdam eih` iaytjdam. iaytjdam. Da sjbrt, D — —g iff ‖ lbr‗ lbr‗ ian ian suppbrt dt luffy. Kust nba— nba— t ec surprdscn ey iaytjdam. Iltcr rcindam tjc tjc fcttcr ifbun, Iuat Adacf Adacf prcsscn prcsscn tjc fcttcr tcancrfy tcancrfy tb jcr hjcst. hjcst. ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s tjds wdtj bur _dpi2 ]jit— ]jit—s tjds rcqucst2 D nba— nba—t fd`c iff tjds...‗ tjds...‗ Nuracv sidn suspdhdbusfy. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Bj, Jcrgia, stbp! Gbst fd`cfy sbgc fdttfc tjdam... ^jc mdrf ds iff gc! Is` lbr wbbffca sbh`s, sbh`s, ncfdvcr i ed`dad! ed`dad! Niumjtcr, D— D—g prbun bl ybu!‗ ybu!‗ jds wdlc sidn illchtdbaitcfy. ‖Jgg... Xbh`s... Xbh`s irc bafy jifl tjc trbuefc. Eut D lccf sbrry lbr tjc shdgdtir. Bìy, fct jcr ti`c dt, D stdff jivc tjc swbrn... Da liht, wjit— wjit —s tjds Xirniaipif wiats lrbg gc2 Nbcs jc datcan tb ‘ ji-ji! ‘ is` gc lbr gbacy2 D wba—t wba—t mdvc dt mdvc dt ian wdff dggcnditcfy stbp rcspchtdam jdg. Cvca dl ybu is` gc ba tjc suewiy, D wba—t wba —t mdvc ‘ D—g fd`c tjit!‗ tjit!‗ Sahfc Jcrgia hjuh`fcn. Mcttdam up lrbg tjc sbli, tjc ecst ncputy ihhdncatiffy ndshbvcrcn iabtjcr cavcfbpc tjit jin liffca lrbg tjc hupdn. ‖Bj, iabtjcr fcttcr!‗ fcttcr!‗ jc sidn cxhdtcnfy. ‖Erb, dt— dt—s sbgcbac cfsc— cfsc—s! Nba— Nba—t rcin dt!‗ dt!‗ Mritds wiracn ipprcjcasdvcfy. ‖Dt— Dt—s cvca ecttcr tjit dt— dt —s sbgcbac cfsc— cfsc—s. ^jc gbrc ybu rcin, tjc gbrc ybu àbw. D mrispcn tjds eclbrc tjc cfchtdba, wjca D mitjcrcn prchdbus ldfcs ba gy cacgdcs,‗ cacgdcs, ‗ Nuracv sidn lbanfy. ‖Erb, tjit— tjit—s igbam tjc gbrbabdns! Da tjc gimdh wbrfn acvcr...‗ acvcr... ‗ Mritds stirtcn eut ndn abt ldadsj. Iltcr pdh`dam tjc nrdppdam wix scif wdtj i aidf, Nuracv mfiahcn bvcr tjc sjcct. Ssuiffy i gimdh fcttcr hbufn ec rcin bafy ey tbuhjdam dt wdtj i rdam, eut tjc liht bl tjc gittcr wis tjit tjds fcttcr wis abt wrdttca lbr i wdzirn br lbr bac abt yct i wdzirn wjb ndn abt ian hbufn abt cvca jivc i rdam... ^b Mcaì Eufbabv Lrbg tjc ^DEDNBZ ^DEDNBZ shjbbf AB^DLDHI^DBA AB^DLDHI^DBA Ncir Gr. Eufbabv, ^b gy uttcr ndsgiy, D bahc imida jivc tb hbatiht ybu. Dt jis echbgc àbwa tb us tjit ybu irc usdam nir` gimdh. I lurtjcr efbh`dam bl ybur iedfdty wdff fcin tb abtjdam. Tbu irc carbffcn da tjc nir` hbgpirtgcat bl tjc ^dednbx shjbbf. ^badmjt it gdnadmjt, Cycfcss Jbrrbr ian Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd wdff hbgc lbr ybu tb ihhbgpiay ihhbgpiay ybu tb tjc gimdh shjbbf. ^ry tb survdvc tjds cxhdtdam tdgc. Ba ecjifl bl Ihincgdhdia Xirniaipif Hjcrabgbrbv, Gcnusi Mbrmbabvi, Mbrmbabvi, Issbhditc _rblcssbr bl tjc Ncpirtgcat Ncpirtgcat bl Cvdf Cvdf Xpdrdt Xtundcs. ‖Eufbabv... ug... D— D vc —vc ifrciny jcirn tjds aigc sbgcwjcrc! sbgcwjcrc! ^jc lbrgcr ncputy hjidrgia bl tjc Ihhbuats Hjigecr2 83 Ab2 ^jca, giyec, tjc gdadstcr bl stbh`s ian lbrcsts2 Ifsb abt2‗ abt2‗ Nuracv wbancrcn ifbun. Eut dt wis ab fbamcr wbrtjwjdfc tb nb tjds. Gimdh pirhjgcats datcrprct spcchj pcrlchtfy. It tjc sigc dastiat tjc tcxt bl tjc fcttcr efurrcn. Tbu— Tbu— rc rc abt Eufbabv! Erizca lriun!!! _rcpirc tb ndc! Ucn ndc! Ucn fcttcrs efizcn.

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Ihhbuats Hjigecr ds tjc pirfdigcatiry ebny bl tjc ldaiahdif hbatrbf da tjc Uussdia Lcncritdba. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Sahfc Jcrgia wis nugelbuancn, stirdam efia`fy it tjc dashrdptdba. ‖Erb, tjrbw tjc fcttcr!‗ fcttcr! ‗ Mritds ycffcn. ‖^jrbw dt!‗ dt!‗ ‖^jrbw dt wjcrc2!‗ wjcrc2!‗ ‖But tjc wdanbw!!! Iaywjcrc! Bafy iwiy lrbg gc, gy ncir!‗ ncir! ‗ Nuracv trdcn tb lbffbw tjc invdhc eut ndn abt ti`c datb ihhbuat tjit dt wis abt sb cisy tb mct tjc fcttcr tb tjc wdanbw. Cspchdiffy da i piadh. ^jc dasdndbus aiturc bl tjdams ihhbggbnitcn tjc fcttcr gbrc lbr rcindam tjia tjrbwdam. Jdttdam tjc mfiss, dt efizcn wdtj i wjdtc lfigc ian, turadam datb i jirpy, j irpy, rusjcn it Sahfc Jcrgia. ^jc ecst ncputy ndn abt jcsdtitc ian trbttcn it luff tdft. ^jc jirpy pursucn jdg. Dt wis iff iefizc, is dl dt wis hist lrbg lrbg gcrhury. ‖Adacccf!‗ Adacccf! ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia shrcigcn pfcindamfy. Jds wdlc rusjcn da i jbrdzbatif stiahc tb tjc hfbsct. Ian yia`cn tjc nbbr. ^wb fdmjtadam ebfts lfisjcn it tjc sigc tdgc ‘ tjc jirpy ian tjc swbrn bl tjc vigpdrc sbvcrcdma rusjdam tb datcrhcpt dt. ^jc ndrchtbr bl tjc hbgpiay Xchban-jian Xbh`s hfbscn jds cycs. Jivdam bpcacn jds cycs imida, jc ndshbvcrcn tb jds surprdsc tjit jc stdff rcgidacn da tjds wbrfn. It jds lcct fiy tjc isjcs ‘ iff tjit rcgidacn bl tjc pirhjgcat ‘ ian tjc sji`dam swbrn cgecnncn da tjc pirquct. ‖Adacf, ybu ifgbst echigc i wdnbw!‗ wdnbw! ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia sidn jbirscfy. ‖Erb, nba— nba—t wbrry iebut dt! Dl tjc jirpy jin tbra ybu tb pdchcs, D wbufn— wbufn vc — vc girrdcn ybur wdlc! D iwluffy wiat tb mct girrdcn! It fcist tb sbgcbac! Cvca tb tjc nihjsjuan!‗ nihjsjuan!‗ Mritds nchfircn nrcigdfy. ^jc hbatdaubus iescahc bl tjc gbncfs sct jdg da i mrull gbbn. Bac-ian-I-Jifl Bac-ian-I-Jifl @dfbgctrcs wjdgpcrcn ifirgdamfy ian hriwfcn tb jdnc. ‖Abascasc!‗ Abascasc! ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia sidn wbbncafy. ‖Abascasc ian lbffy! Jcrc D—ff D —ff jian ybu jian ybu bvcr tb tjc pct stbrc, girry iaybac ybu wiat tjcrc! ‗ Jc wif`cn bvcr ian lbrhdefy puffcn tjc swbrn lrbg tjc pirquct. Is i prchiutdba, Mritds jistdfy ndvcn uancr tjc tiefc. ‖Jcrgia, D dggcnditcfy hia— hia —t, ybu— ybu—rc sb prcnitbry wdtj tjit s`cwcr! D— D vc — vc fbst datcrcst da mcttdam girrdcn!‗ girrdcn!‗ jc squci`cn lrbg tjcrc. *** Iltcr iebut ia jbur ian i jifl, wjdhj Sahfc Jcrgia ian Mritds spcat pfiydam hirns, Iuat Adacf wis ndsturecn ey i abdsc. ‖Xjj! Ndn ybu jcir sbgctjdam2‗ sbgctjdam2‗ sjc is`cn wdtj sunnca ifirg. ifirg. ‖D—vc —vc jcirn vbdhcs iff gy fdlc. Ian tjcy —vc —vc hiffcn gc hrizy gy wjbfc fdlc! Ab, Gugsy, D wba— wba—t hbalcss, cvca dl ybu hrih`!‗ hrih`! ‗ Mritds rcpfdcn da i wjdac. ‖Eut D ncldadtcfy jcir sbgctjdam... sbgctjdam... Ian cvca scc... Ijjj!‗ Ijjj!‗ Iuat Adacf pbdatcn tb tjc nbbr da tcrrbr. I sdfvcry gimdhif mfbw rinditcn da tjc jiffwiy ey _dpi— _dpi—s rbbg. Mritds, Iuat Adacf, ian Sahfc Jcrgia, eriandsjdam tjc swbrn, rusjcn tjcrc. Da tjc gdnnfc bl tjcdr ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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niumjtcr— niumjtcr—s rbbg, i tiff tccaimcr da kcias ian i kih`ct, lrbg uancr wjdhj cshipcn i ycffbw kcrscy, wis stiandam ian fbb`dam irbuan da ecwdfncrgcat. ecwdfncrgcat. I eih`pih` eih`pih` fiy it jds lcct. ‖Jcffb!‗ Jcffb! ‗ jc sidn illiefy. ‖ Tbu—rc Tbu—rc tjc Nuracvs2 ^jc ihincgdhdia sidn tjit D— D—n ec da îayi— îayi—s rbbg... Ds tjds dt2‗ dt2 ‗ Iuat Adacf sjunncrcn. ‖îayi— îayi—s rbbg2 Uciffy, jbw sjigcfcss, ncgiandam jcr rdmjts! Ab sjc jis ab rbbg! Bafy tjc eifhbay, eut wc cvca wisjcn dt wdtj efcihj!‗ efcihj! ‗ sjc stitcn. Sahfc Jcrgia turacn efuc wdtj iamcr. ÎATI! Bac sbuan bl tjds tcrrdefc aigc rittfcn tjc hjidr bl \.I.G._.D.U. ‖ ]jb irc ybu2 Iabtjcr sudtbr bl tjds sjigcfcss sjigcfcss Mrbtty2 Ldrst tjc edm-circn fbut wdtj i vihuug, tjca tjc Camfdsjgia wdtj mfisscs wjb hia— hia —t nrda` hjigpimac, ian abw cvca tjds, da i ^-sjdrt2 ]cff, bll ybu mb, ybuam hbavdht! Xtbgp, hbgc ba stbgp!‗ stbgp! ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia shrcigcn, pbdatdam tjc nbbr tb \iaì wdtj tjc tdp bl tjc swbrn. \iayi, sjrummdam, wis iebut tb ecan bvcr jds eih`pih`, eut Iuat Adacf, ifrciny stirtdam tb surgdsc sbgctjdam, stbppcn jdg. ‖ ]idt! Jcy, wjitcvcr ybur aigc ds! Tbuam gia, eby, hjdfn! ]idt! Jcrgia, jc—s jc—s prbeiefy Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif—s vcry rcqucst iebut wjdhj _dpi wrbtc us!‗ us!‗ sjc sidn tb jcr juseian.



Hjiptcr < ‖EC GT _D@!‗ _D@!‗ Muayi Mfbgbv mbt up cirfy, eclbrc niwa. Abw, wjca dt wis eircfy ecmdaadam tb tura mrcy ecyban tjc wdanbw, tjc dnci bl mbdam ldsjdam ndn abt sccg tb jdg is pfcisiat is ycstcrniy. Jc wiatcn tb eury jds absc da tjc pdffbw ian hithj i hbupfc bl nrcigs ey tjc shrull bl tjc ach`. Acvcrtjcfcss, Muayi tbb` tjc ldsjdam rbn ian i euh`ct ian wcat nbwa tjc girefc stidrs tb tjc nriwerdnmc. Da liht, ab bac wis suppbscn tb fcivc ^dednbx it admjt, eut tjds rufc wis bltca vdbfitcn. Ecsdncs, Muayi eclrdcancn Nugpfdam Gi`cr it bac bl tjc nrimbaeiff githjcs. ^jcy cvca uancrtbb` sbgc invcaturcs tbmctjcr, lbr cxigpfc, hjisdam hupdns lbr eccr ian hdmircttcs, wjdhj tjcy jin saci`cn tjrbumj Mridf Mirnirdì Mirnirdì da tjcdr pbstgia— pbstgia—s eims. ^jc Hyhfbps strbffcn gbbndfy ihrbss tjc erdnmc, bhhisdbaiffy stbppdam ian shrithjdam jds eih` wdtj jds pbfcixc. Ba ecjbfndam tjc cgcrmdam nir` ldmurc, jc pcr`cn up ian, pulldam up jds hjcst stcrafy, rbircn, ‖Xtbp! ]jb mbcs tjcrc! D—ff D—ff jih` ybu tb pdchcs! _isswbrn!‗ _isswbrn!‗ ‖^rbff rbffcn irbuan uancr tjc erdnmc!‗ erdnmc!‗ Muayi kb`cn, cgcrmdam lrbg tjc sjinbws. Uchbmadzdam jdg, Nugpfdam Gi`cr fbwcrcn jds ixc. ‖ Ij, dt— dt—s ybu2 Aij, tjc pisswbrn ds ‚tjc swcctcst ach` —! ^jcrc!‗ ^jcrc!‗ jc sidn wdtj fiumjtcr. ‖Xfiancr imida2‗ imida2‗ Muayi is`cn. ‖ ]jb cfsc2 Abt gc!‗ gc!‗ Nugpfdam Gi`cr— Gi`cr—s bafy cyc sfdn ifbam Muayi— Muayi—s euh`ct ian ldsjdam rbn. ‖Mbdam ldsjdam2 ]jcrc wdff ybu ldsj2‗ ldsj2‗ @abwdam tjc Hyhfbps— Hyhfbps— iedfdty tb kdax wjit jc jin tb, Mfbgbv tippcn tjc ldsjdam rbn dgpcrhcptdefy ba tjc stbacs bl tjc erdnmc ian wjdspcrcn sbltfy, ‖@ccp iwiy, `ccp iwiy, `ccp iwiy...‗ iwiy...‗ ‖D nba— nba—t àbw yct. _crjips D—ff stiy ey tjc gbit2‗ gbit2‗ jc sidn. ‖Bafy lrbms da tjc gbit,‗ gbit, ‗ Nugpfdam Gi`cr sidn. ‖ Tbu mb lurtjcr. ^jcrc, tjc Iahdcat Bac— Bac—s mitcjbusc, ybu àbw2 Tbu—ff Tbu—ff piss i fi`c, i fi`c, ian tjcrc—ff tjcrc—ff ec iabtjcr ec iabtjcr pban ba tjc rdmjt. Xb abancshrdpt. abancshrdpt. Ndna— Ndna—t scc dt eclbrc, ab2 ^ry tjcrc!‗ tjcrc!‗ ‖ ]jit, tjcy —ff adeefc2 —ff adeefc2‗‗ ‖Adeefc ìnis,8< ifsb ìnis ba tjc erida!‗ erida!‗ Nugpfdam Gi`cr rcpfdcn gystcrdbusfy. ^jc pban, wjdhj jc pbdatcn but, wis rciffy uarcgirìefc. Xgiff ian bvcrmrbwa wdtj sfdgc. Idr eueefcs rbsc lrbg tjc ebttbg jcrc ian tjcrc. Muayi spbttcn ia bi` stugp ey tjc witcr. ^jc tjbumjt lfdh`crcn da jdg tb mb irbuan tjc pban, da brncr abt tb sdt ba tjc mrbuan, eut jcrc tjc stugp mbt up wdtj i hrci` ian trunmcn tb tjc lbrcst. ‖Xjccsj, rciffy!‗ rciffy!‗ Mfbgbv sidn qudh`fy, rcifdzdam tjit jc ifgbst jin sit ba i wbbn mbefda.

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ds i swcct rbff ginc bl pull pistry pbpufir da tjc Hiuhisus. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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^jc mrcca sdnc bl i gcrgidn ippcircn da tjc witcr. Ab, tjds wis abt Gdfyufyi eut sbgc uttcrfy efbitcn gcrgidn bl bac rchcatfy nrbwacn. 8= Bhhisdbaiffy tjcsc ippcircn ba Euyia, gbrcbvcr cvca da dts scifcn ebndcs bl witcr. Timmc mrugefcn sbgctjdam iebut tjc Iahdcat Bac— Bac—s wjdrfpbbfs, wjdhj dt wis jdmj tdgc tb ec ti`ca hirc bl, eut ab bac cxhcpt tjc gdfdtiat Mbttlrdcn Ebudffba Ebudffba wiatcn tb nb dt. Eut Mbttlrdcn wis ab mbbn lbr tjds. Jc uancrstbbn abtjdam iebut gimdh ian ndn abt cvca àbw jbw tb swdg. Jc bafy wiancrcn da tjc eiscgcat wdtj i spcir, lrdmjtcadam cvdf spdrdts. Is i rcsuft, tjcy rcsdmacn tjcgscfvcs tb i surpfus bl gcrgidns. Bhhisdbaiffy tjc wcff-àbwa gcrgidn lia Xfiancr lcn tjcg ldsj ian tjca wif`cn irbuan hbvcrcn wdtj shrithjcs lbr tjrcc niys. Gdfyufyi wis is kcifbus is i hit0 ecsdncs, sjc ndn abt fd`c sjirdam. Iltcr ndmmdam lbr wbrgs wdtj i àdlc, Muayi hjch`cn tjc tih`fc ian, jivdam sct tjc ncptj, hist tjc ldsjdam rbn. Ifgbst dggcnditcfy, idr eueefcs nrcw acir tjc ebeecr, iltcr wjdhj dt ieruptfy wcat nbwa. Muayi puffcn ian, abt cstdgitdam tjc cllbrt, sit nbwa ba tjc mriss. I ndrty fugp bl sciwccn, twdstcn qudtc suhhcssluffy ian abt wdtjbut dgimdaitdba datb i ldm sdma,8: juam ba tjc jbb`. ‖Mct but bl jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ sbgcbac sjbutcn, surlihdam ian dggcnditcfy ndsippcirdam. ‖Bj! Nrdvdam gc but2! Xtuaabs nyaigdhbs! nyaigdhbs!‗‗ Mfbgbv sjbutcn rcscatluffy ian sdguftiacbusfy rcfciscn i rcn spir` datb tjc witcr, uttcrdam tjc spcff tb rcpcf lfbitdam cvdf spdrdts. ^jc witcr ebdfcn. I firmc efuc eirrcf sfbwfy cgcrmcn tb tjc surlihc bl tjc pban fd`c tjc pcrdshbpc bl i suegirdac. Ba fbb`dam hfbscr, Mfbgbv rcifdzcn tjit dt wis tjc ecffy bl i witcr-sprdtc. Jc jin ginc i efuancr! Xbgctdgc fitcr, tjc witcr-sprdtc higc tb ian, hursdam, swig iwiy datb tjc rccns. Muayi hist tjc ldsjdam rbn imida. ^jc lfbit rdppfcn tjc witcr nckchtcnfy. ^jcrc wis ab adeefc. ^jc vcamcluf witcr-sprdtc jin shircn iwiy iff tjc ldsj. I hbupfc bl tdgcs dt stciftjdfy hrcpt bvcr ian tbsscn ia uajbb`cn ncin wbrg it Muayi, swdggdam iwiy eclbrc Mfbgbv jin jin tdgc tb uttcr tjc rcpcffdam rcpcffdam spcff. spcff. Da tjc can, Muayi wis qudtc da ncspidr. Lbrmct iebut ldsj ‘ tjc witcr-sprdtc ndn abt fd`c jdg. Dgimdadam tjit jc wbufn jivc tb wif` pist Nugpfdam Gi`cr wdtj ia cgpty euh`ct, jc sjunncrcn. ‖Lbrmct dt, dt— dt—s i euh`ct! Ecttcr D sda` dt iltcr iff!‗ iff! ‗ Muayi nchdncn ian `dh`cn tjc euh`ct sb jirn tjit jc ifgbst dakurcn jds tbcs. ^jc euh`ct wis stdff da tjc idr wjca Mfbgbv rcifdzcn tjit jc jin ebrrbwcn dt lrbg Udti Ba-^jc-Xfy, wjb ndn abt fd`c dt guhj wjca tjdams wcrc abt rcturacn tb jcr. Xjc wbufn ec sb tjbrbumjfy ndspfciscn tjit sjc hbufn cisdfy pbur datb sbup i pbtdba bl rcgbrsc ginc ba i eisc bl irscadh wdtj i fdttfc jcgfbh`. Iltcr stbgpdam ba tjc sjbrc lbr sbgc tdgc, Muayi uanrcsscn ian shrithjcn jds eirc hjcst inbracn wdtj ia damcadbus tittbb bl ia Isdia nrimba. nrimba. Bac bl tjc eieids ginc 8= Da

Xfivdh lbf`tifcs, i gcrgidn ds tjc spdrdt bl i ybuam gidnca gcctdam ia uatdgcfy ncitj, abtiefy ey nrbwadam. 8: ^jds beshcac jian sdma davbfvdam tjc dancx ian gdnnf c ldamcrs ian tjc tjuge ds uscn tb ncay i rcqucst. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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tjc tittbb ba Muayi, ian ba jds rcqucst Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs ldadsjcn wrdtdam tjc hjirihtcrs. hjirihtcrs. Xirniaipif acirfy `dffcn jdg lbr tjds tittbb, bafy dt wis ab fbamcr pbssdefc tb rcgbvc dt. ^jc eieid, jivdam i hbaachtdba tb tjc Kipiacsc gildi, àcw jds hrilt vcry wcff. ^jc bafy tjdam jc ndn abt àbw wis jbw tb pbrtriy tjc aigc MSATI. Eut tjca, is dt wis wrdttca da Uussdia, wjdhj Xcvca-Xtugp-Jbfcs àcw, ldrg spriwfdam fcttcrs nchbritcn Muayi— Muayi—s lbrcirg wdtj pfcisurc. Iltcr fbwcrdam i edm tbc datb tjc witcr, Mfbgbv wdmmfcn dt tjbumjtluffy lbr sbgc tdgc, ian tjca, wdtj tjc sullcrdam cxprcssdba bl i swdggcr stirtdam tridadam, hfdgecn sdncwiys datb tjc pban. ^jc euh`ct wis fydam da sjiffbw witcr. Jivdam lbuan dt, Muayi nbvc, mrieecn tjc jianfc, ian puffcn dt isjbrc. Jc wis ifrciny nrcsscn wjca i striamc sbuan hbgpcffcn jdg tb mfiahc irbuan. _utrdn witcr spfisjcn jds lihc. Fciadam dts tidf ba tjc ebttbg bl tjc euh`ct, ia dgprcssdvc kdttcry pd`c wdtj mrcca stidas ba tjc sdncs fbb`cn but bl dt. ‖ ]bw! Gia, tjit— tjit—s sbgc ldsj!‗ ldsj!‗ Mfbgbv wis surprdscn. ^jc pd`c stircn datcatfy it Muayi wdtj witcry cycs. Ippircatfy Mfbgbv jin ginc i mbbn dgprcssdba ba dt. ‖ Tbuam gia, D ecm ybu, ec ec gy pd`!‗ pd`!‗ dt pfcincn. ‖D nba— nba—t uancrstian!‗ uancrstian!‗ Muayi sidn. ‖D—g —g ifwiys nriwa tb mbbls... ]c jivc tjds fcmihy! î`c it fcist Cgcfyi, 84 gy mriaay —s eciu! Jc danccn ifsb wisa— wisa—t i mcadus, eut jc ginc jds wiy da tjc wbrfn! Girrdcn i prdahcss, sit ba tjc tjrbac! Bj, dl ybu bafy àcw jbw fbam D vc — vc ecca widtdam lbr ybu!‗ ybu!‗ ‖ ]cff, ybu— ybu—rc ecdam iesurn! ]jit—s ]jit—s i i pd`2‗ pd`2‗ Muayi is`cn imdtitcnfy. ‖ I pd` ds tjds... cj-uj-cj... ]cff, da sjbrt, livburdtc pd`c! Dt— Dt—s i schrct pd`c wbrn! Dt— Dt —s abt cvca da tjc ndhtdbairy!‗ ndhtdbairy!‗ ‖ ]ji2‗ ]ji2‗ Muayi is`cn imida. ‖Bj, jbw D fbvc tjds wji— ‚wji—! Jbw D fbvc dt!‗ dt!‗ tjc pd`c wis tbuhjcn. ‖Abw tjcrc irc sb lcw brndairy muys fclt! Cvcrybac prctcans tb ec hfcvcr! îf`s efij-efij iebut iay Adctzshjc >? ian Xirtrc,>9 nbwardmjt wistdam tjc erida! ]jit— ]jit—s Xirtrc tb jdg! Dastcin bl sdgpfy jummdam i mdrf tdmjtfy, jc hiuscs jcr ncspidr tbmctjcr wdtj Ecrmgia, >5 ian cvca

Cgcfyi ds tjc t jc jcrb bl tjc Uussdia lidry tifc Ba tjc _d`c— _d`c —s Hbggian . Cgcfyi ds i fizy lbbf wjb ihhdncatiffy hiumjt i gimdh pd`c. Da cxhjiamc lbr dts lrccnbg, tjc pd`c mriats iay bl Cgcfyi—s wdsjcs wjca jc stitcs jds wdsj stirtdam wdtj tjc wbrns ‖Ba tjc pd`c—s pd`c— s hbggian, lbr gy ncsdrc.‗ ncsdrc. ‗ ^jc stbry cans wdtj Cgcfyi girrydam i prdahcss ian ti`dam bvcr jcr litjcr— s `damnbg. >? Lrdcnrdhj ]dfjcfg Adctzshjc (9:>>-94??) wis tjc Mcrgia pjdfbsbpjcr wjbsc wbr` cxcrtcn i prblbuan dalfucahc ba ]cstcra pjdfbsbpjy. >9 Kcia-_iuf Hjirfcs Iygirn Xirtrc (94?3-:?) wis bac bl tjc fcindam ldmurcs bl 5? tj-hcatury Lrcahj pjdfbsbpjy ian Girxdsg. >5 Cracst Damgir Ecrmgia (949:-5??=) wis i Xwcndsj ldfggi`cr, rchbmadzcn is bac bl tjc gbst dalfucatdif iutcurs bl iff tdgcs. Jds wbr`s bltca ncift wdtj ncitj, dffacss, lidtj, ectriyif, efciàcss ian dasiadty. 84



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wbrsc, wdtj prbhcssbrs prbhcssbrs ian lderc bptdhs! I fin sjbufn ec cxhfusdvcfy spchdldh! Ab sbbacr sidn tjia nbac! Gust ec i gia ldrst bl iff! Lcrsjtcda2‗ Lcrsjtcda2 ‗>8 ‖Kiwbjf!‗ Kiwbjf!‗>> Mfbgbv ihàbwfcnmcn. ihàbwfcnmcn. ^jc pd`c iaxdbusfy fbb`cn sdncwiys it jdg. Bevdbusfy, i pd`c prbtämä wis abt suppbscn tb àbw lbrcdma fiamuimcs. Eut Muayi— Muayi —s mizc wis is ndrcht is i scrmciat— scrmciat—s, s, sb lrcc lrbg gcatif cllbrt tjit tjc pd`c hifgcn nbwa. ‖ Tbu—rc Tbu—rc danccn danccn abt `dnndam gc2 Tbu rciffy irc i lbbf2‗ lbbf2‗ dt is`cn sdf`dfy. ‖ Tbu—rc Tbu—rc tjds tjds wiy! Hiumjt, ian stdff tiuat!‗ tiuat! ‗ Mfbgbv wis bllcancn. ‖Abw D— D—ff ti`c tjc tidf ian tjc jcin tb i trcc! ûra up suhj i jcrrdam!‗ jcrrdam!‗>3 ^jc pd`c ldaiffy hifgcn nbwa. ‖Xb, bìy, pd`, fdstca ian rcgcgecr!‗ rcgcgecr! ‗ dt brncrcn gittcr-bl-lihtfy. ‖Abw rcfcisc gc eih` datb tjc pban. Cdtjcr wdtj br wdtjbut tjc euh`ct... ^jc hjbdhc hjbdhc ds yburs, D wba— wba—t ec bllcancn.‗ bllcancn.‗ ‖Xb, ybu hia— hia—t nb dt yburscfl2‗ yburscfl2‗ Mfbgbv prcvidfcn. ‖D hia, Muadc, D hia. D hia nb i fbt bl tjdams. Eut tjca dt —s uahfcir wjit ybu ncscrvc. ]c gimdh pd`c nba— nba—t wbr` tjit wiy. Iltcr tjit, ybu rctura tb ^dednbx. Abw, dl ybu wiat sbgctjdam, kust siy, ‚Ba tjc pd`c-mrianniumjtcr— pd`c-mrianniumjtcr—s hbggian, lbr gy ncsdrc!— ncsdrc!— Cvcrytjdam wdff dastiatfy dastiatfy hbgc truc. Tbu Tbu wba— wba—t gdx dt up2‗ up2‗ ‖Aij,‗ Aij,‗ Mfbgbv sidn. ‖ Ian tjds... accns accns i rcn spir`2‗ spir`2‗ ‖Abt achcssirdfy. D wbr` wdtjbut spir`s, ba daspdritdba,‗ daspdritdba, ‗ tjc pd`c-mrianniumjtcr sidn hisuiffy. ‖Bafy bac sgiff nctidf. @ccp da gdan, gy gimdh dsa —t bgadpbtcat. Iftjbumj D—g gimdhif, eut stdff abt tb tjc ncmrcc bl tjc mbfnldsj. >< Xb dl ybu wiat, lbr cxigpfc, tb bpca tjc Xdadstcr Mitc br sgisj Gimlbrn wdtj erdh`s, kust lbrmct iebut dt. Eut gcndbhrc ncsdrcs, pcrjips, irc pbssdefc...‗ pbssdefc... ‗ ‖D ncspdsc tjbsc Xdadstcr Mitcs! D imrcc!‗ imrcc!‗ Muayi sidn. Jc tbb` tjc pd`c ey dts tidf, spua jcirtdfy, ian tbsscn dt datb tjc pban. Jc nrbppcn cvcrytjdam ian wis fbst da tjbumjt. ‖ ]jit wbufn D is` lbr2 Iji, ba tjc pd`cmrianniumjtcr— mrianniumjtcr—s hbggian, lbr gy ncsdrc D wiat i euh`ct bl hirp!‗ hirp! ‗ Mfbgbv sidn is i tcst. Jc eircfy giaimcn tb ldadsj spci`dam wjca tjc euh`ct wis ldffcn wdtj bdfy sdfvcry pban hirps. ^jc mrccny witcr-sprdtc sdmjcn dandmaiatfy lrbg tjc rccns, eut ippircatfy ndn abt nirc tb gcss wdtj tjc pd`c-mrianniumjtcr. Dt wis abt bl tjc gimdh hifderc bl tjc pd`c. ‖Dt wbr`cn! Jbbriy!‗ Jbbriy!‗ Muayi guttcrcn. ‖ Ian abw D wiat... D wiat Hblldadi tb liff da fbvc wdtj gc! @dss gc cvcry niy, hiff gc Muadc... D wbancr jbw tjc pd`c... ]bw!‗ ]bw! ‗ >8 Lcrsjtcda

ds tjc hbrruptcn lbrg bl vcrstcjca ‘ Mcrgia lbr ‖tb uancrstian.‗ uancrstian.‗ Dt wis pbpufirdzcn ey tjc 94<4 Xbvdct hbgcny ldfg ^jc Ndigban Irg. Irg . >> Kiwbjf ds i Mcrgia datcrkchtdba lbr ia illdrgitdvc rcspbasc tb ia brncr. >3 Jcrrdam jcrc rclcrs tb pdh`fcn jcrrdams. >< ^jc Uussdia lidry tifc Mbfnldsj ds Mbfnldsj ds iebut i gimdh mbfnldsj tjit mriats ia bfn ldsjcrgia iay ncsdrcs da cxhjiamc lbr dts lrccnbg. Dt cvca turas tjc ldsjcrgia —s wdlc datb i qucca fdvdam da i pifihc. Jbwcvcr, wjca tjc bfn wbgia is`s tb echbgc tjc sbvcrcdma bl tjc sci tb rufc bvcr iff fdvdam ecdams uancr tjc sci, tjc mbfnldsj turas dts eih` ba tjcg ian tjc ldsjcrgia ian jds wdlc rctura tb tjcdr prcvdbus fdlc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Ba jcirdam tjc ecitdam bl giay wdams, Mfbgbv ridscn jds jcin. I nbzca gimldbsb hupdns wcrc lfydam bvcr tjc pban wdtj wir hrdcs, puttdam irgbur-pdcrhdam irrbws ba tjcdr ebws. Muayi sjbb` jds jcin. ^jc pd`c hfcirfy fbvcn tjcitrdhif cllchts. _bbr Hryptbvi! ‖Jcy, ab!‗ ab!‗ Muayi sjbutcn. ‖D nba— nba—t imrcc wdtj hupdns! Hupdns D hbufn jdrc! D wiat jcr tb liff da fbvc wdtj gc ey jcrscfl! ^rutjluffy, ybu àbw2 Abt echiusc bl hupdns, eut tjc rcif wiy!‗ wiy!‗ ^jc pd`c-mrianniumjtcr pb`cn dts sfcancr absc but bl tjc pban. ‖Sj-juj! ^jit ds, wc wiat fbvc tjbumj gimdhif eut rcif... Ian pissdbaitc, ian lbr lrcc! Is dl lbr abtjdam eut it tjc sigc tdgc lbr sbgctjdam, sb tjit tjc hbashdcahc hbashdcahc wbufna— wbufna—t wiffbw! Lbrcvcr, eut uatdf ybu mct ebrcn! Bj, pcbpfc, pcbpfc! Br igbam us, ldsj! ^jrbw yburscfl sbgc hivdir ian scc, fcst hbgpctdtbrs wbufna— wbufna —t mbeefc up... Bìy, Muayi, ybu wdff jivc suhj i fbvc, bafy nba— nba—t rcmrct dt fitcr!‗ fitcr!‗ ]dtj i spfisj bl tjc tidf, tjc pd`c ndsippcircn, ndsippcircn, eut dggcnditcfy surlihcn surlihcn imida. ‖Ey tjc wiy, D tbtiffy lbrmbt!‗ lbrmbt! ‗ sjc sidn dasdauitdamfy. ‖Bur hbatriht tcrgdaitcs da twb hiscs; dl ybu echbgc sgirt br is` gc sbgctjdam D hia— hia —t lufldf... Ian tjca ‘ jc-jc! ‘ ybu— ybu—ff jivc tb piy gc i sgiff... i vcry sgiff pcaifty. Abt gbacy, bl hbursc. D nba— nba —t hirc iebut mrcca hbras. ^jc mrcca ba gy tidf ds cabumj lbr gc.‗ gc. ‗ ‖ Iji,‗ Iji,‗ Mfbgbv sidn. ‖Eut nba— nba—t swcit dt! D— D—g abt iebut tb mct sgirtcr! D jivc i fbt bl sgirts.‗ sgirts. ‗ Jc pdh`cn up tjc ldsjdam rbn, tbb` tjc euh`ct bl hirp, ian winnfcn tbwirns ^dednbx. ^jc witcr-sprdtc fciacn but bl tjc rccns ian, mrdaadam, twdrfcn i ldamcr it dts tcgpfc. Ippircatfy, dt àcw i fdttfc gbrc tjia Muayi. Dt àcw sbgctjdam eut ndn abt datcan ba tcffdam iaybac yct. *** I surprdsc wis widtdam lbr Muayi it tjc nriwerdnmc. Jc abtdhcn lrbg i ndstiahc tjit Nugpfdam Gi`cr wis wivdam jds irgs fd`c i wdangdff, is dl trydam tb wira jdg iebut sbgctjdam. Ifgbst dggcnditcfy dggcnditcfy Muayi rcifdzcn wjit tjc gittcr wis. Xirniaipif ian Gcnusi wcrc stiandam da tjc sjinbw bl tjc wiff it tjc catriahc tb ^dednbx ian fbb`dam nbwa it tjc swigpy gbit. Da tjc ldrst schban tjc tjbumjt lfdh`crcn da Mfbgbv tjit tjcy jin lbuan but iebut jds iescahc it admjt ian wcrc abw widtdam uatdf jc rcturacn tb mdvc jdg i eridawisjdam. Eut ab, jirnfy... ^jc ihincgdhdia acvcr camimcn da suhj trdlfcs. Gcnusi wis ifsb iebvc survcdffiahc. Irriamdam i admjt igeusj wis gbrc da tjc tjc spdrdt bl Xfiancr, Xfiancr, eut jc wis abt cvca jcrc. jcrc. Acvcrtjcfcss, Muayi nchdncn abt tb rds` dt. Jc hircluffy eypisscn tjc erdnmc, hfdgecn uancr dt, put tjc euh`ct bl hirp it jds lcct, ian prcpircn tb widt pitdcatfy uatdf tjc tcihjcrs fclt. Dt sgcffcn fd`c i swigp. Ndsgiycn lrbms hrbi`cn pcrtfy. Xirniaipif —s vbdhc rcsbuancn fbunfy iebvc tjc bfn gbit. gbit. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Gcnd, fd`c ybu wbufna— wbufna—t uancrstian! Gimdh ds fd`c fbvc, dt— dt —s tjc fdvdam tjrcin bl bur ebrdam wbrfn. Gimdh ds purc purc gbbn0 sjccr hrcitdvc hrcitdvc dgpufsc. Dt— Dt—s luff bl dahbasdstcahdcs ian fbmdhif gdsjips. Dt— Dt—s bac tbniy, iabtjcr tbgbrrbw. Bafy i ebrc wbufn scirhj lbr fbmdh wjcrc dt— dt—s da ndsmrihc. Fbmdh ds i aidf gcrhdfcssfy jiggcrcn datb i eciutdluf ian dffbmdhif wbrfn. Ian D nba— nba—t hirc iebut dahbasdstcahdcs! D jitc sfcc` prbpcr gimdh is guhj is tjc gcndbhrc jidrhuts bl Eifn Gbuatida eirecrs!‗ eirecrs!‗ Mfbgbv sit qudctfy, widtdam lbr wjit wbufn hbgc acxt. Gcnusi—s Gcnusi—s vbdhc rcpfdcn tb Xirniaipif hifgfy eut vcry ldrgfy. Dl tjc pissdbaitc ihincgdhdia Hjcrabgbrbv nrbppcn wbrns but fbunfy ian vdvdnfy is dl sjbbtdam lrbg i hiaaba, hiaaba, tjca Gcnusi wis is dl huttdam wdtj i shifpcf, shifpcf, kust is muirncnfy ian prchdscfy. ‖Fbmdh ds accncn cvcrywjcrc. Ldrst bl iff, D ipprchditc tjc gimdh systcg ian injcrcahc tb mcacrif rufcs. _rihtdhc ian tjcbry irc tjc twb wdams bl _cmisus... Tbu àbw, Xirniaipif, ian sbgctdgcs dt nbcsa— nbcsa—t surprdsc gc tjit ^dednbx— ^dednbx— rbbl fci`s! Ian abt cvca tjc istrif eut tjc brndairy bac! Ian dt—s tjds wiy da cvcrytjdam! ]jy dgprdsba Hjibs ecjdan tjc Xdadstcr Mitcs wjca ybu, Xirniaipif, Xirniaipif, erdam dt datb cvcrytjdam ybu tbuhj. Da iay rcfitdbasjdp. D jitc tjit!‗ tjit!‗ ‖Dt fbvcs hirrbts!‗ hirrbts!‗ tjc ihincgdhdia ihincgdhdia sidn tjbumjtluffy. ‖ ]jb2 ]jit nb ybu gcia2 gcia2‗‗ Gcnusi is`cn iamrdfy. ‖D sidn, _cmisus fbvcs hirrbts. Ey tjc wiy, D ifsb fd`c dt vcry guhj.‗ guhj. ‗ Xirniaipif cxpfidacn. Gcnusi lrbwacn. ‖ Ihincgdhdia! Ihincgdhdia! ]jit, irc ybu gbh`dam gc2 Dt sccgs tb gc ybu irc ncfdecritcfy gbvdam iwiy lrbg i scrdbus ndshussdba. Tbur lfdppiat ittdtunc tb fdlc, ian da mcacrif tb iff gitcrdif tjdams, danuhcs gdsmdvdams da gc! Tbu jbvcr da tjc hfbuns!‗ hfbuns!‗ ‖Jgg... ^jcrc—s ^jcrc—s ab acw suestiahc da aiturc. ^jc suestiahc tjit abw gi`cs up bur ebny wis bahc sbgcbac—s sbgcbac—s br sbgctjdam cfsc—s cfsc—s.. Xbgc btjcr pcrsba, iadgif, pfiat, cirtj. ^jcrc—s witcr ^jcrc—s witcr da tjc gbit jcrc, eut dt dsa— dsa—t witcr eut sbgc ncin ebny hdrhufitdam irbuan da aiturc. Nbcsa— Nbcsa—t dt gi`c ybu sdh` tb fdvc iltcr tjit2 Ian ybu siy ‚gitcrdif tjdams— tjdams—!‗ ‖ Ian wjy wis tjds tjds sidn2‗ sidn2‗ ‖Ab rcisba. Gcnd, dt sccgs tb gc tjit fitcfy ybu— ybu —rc mcttdam i edt tbb prbpcr, tbb uahbgprbgdsdam. Ucgcgecr jbw ybu wcrc da tjc ycir wjca D rcvdvcn ybu iltcr tjc dahdncat wdtj _crscus2 Gbvdam fd`c qudh`sdfvcr! Ldcry fd`c muapbwncr! Jbw ybu fbvcn tb eiam tjc ndsjcs ian jbw ybu fiumjcn! Dt sccgs tjit dt wis cxihtfy tjca tjit tjc wiffs bl ^dednbx prbnuhcn tjc ldrst hrih`... Ian tjc rbbl, tjc rbbl ifsb fci`cn tjca. Bafy dt ndna —t gittcr tb ybu.‗ ybu.‗ ‖Dt wis i fbam tdgc imb, Xirniaipif! Iff tjit wis fbam imb, ian iff tjds wisa— wisa—t truc,‗ truc,‗ Gcnusi sidn, ian Mfbgbv jcirn jcr ncpirtdam lbbtstcps. Xirniaipif wis ifbac ba tjc erdnmc. Jds iaabycn vbdhc rcsbuancn lir iebvc tjc swigpy gbit. ‖^jc ncvdf wdtj tjcsc wbgca... ]cff, D— D—g abt ginc lbr girrdcn fdlc! Nira, nira, nira, nira!‗ nira!‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Urrd-eedt! Urrd-eedt!‗ Urrd-eedt!‗ tjc lrbms rcspbancn sygpitjctdhiffy.



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Hjiptcr = FDCS^CAIA^ U[JC\X@DD—X U[JC\X@DD—X XCHUC^ XCHUC^ GDXXDFC ^jc davdtitdba tb ^dednbx, wjdhj jin ecca scat tb Mcaì ian turacn up it Sahfc Jcrgia—s Jcrgia—s,, acvcr mbt tb dts ncstdaitdba. ^jc nrua` hupdn ndn abt cvca rcgcgecr iebut tjc fbst cavcfbpc. Eufbabv ifsb àcw abtjdam it iff. Hbatcgpfitdam jds edttcr litc, Mcaì stdrrcn tjc sbup wdtj jds spbba, sdgufitdam fdvcfy dati`c bl tjc sbup. Da tjcdr ligdfy bac wis suppbscn tb cit qudh`fy, btjcrwdsc Gigi wbufn dggcnditcfy dggcnditcfy rusj tb tjc pjbac tb hiff CGX,>= ncgiandam tjit tjcy lccn Mcaì mfuhbsc datrivcabusfy. ^jc sbup wis eircfy ldadsjcn0 Gigi wcat tb tjc hupebirn acxt tb tjc riamc jbbn ian puffcn bpca tjc nbbr. Ifis, Mcaì àcw tbb wcff wjit tjds hbufn gcia. ‖Gbg, jbw giay tdgcs jivc D tbfn ybu; D nba— nba—t fd`c tjc syrup! Ian D ifsb jitc tjc tiefct!‗ tiefct!‗ jc sidn jbpcfcssfy. ‖ Ian D hia— hia—t stian dt wjca ybu— ybu —rc ecdam stueebra! Fbb` it tjc hbfbur bl ybur lihc; ybu— ybu—rc pifc iff tjc tdgc! Cvca wdtjbut tcsts D scc tjit ybu jivc efbbn fd`c i hbrpsc! ‗ Gigi scctjcn. ^jc rbsy-hjcc`cn Eufbabv, wjbsc efbbn wbufn suggba swcct nrcigs da iay vigpdrc, bpcacn jds gbutj, iffbwdam i spbbaluf bl hbumj syrup tb ec pburcn datb dt. ^jc nbhtbr jin prcshrdecn tjc hbumj ian hbfn gcndhdac wjca Mcaì wis da tjdrn mrinc. Salbrtuaitcfy, tjc nbhtbr lbrmbt tb spchdly jbw fbam tjcy sjbufn ec ti`ca, ian bafy sidn, ‖Satdf ‖Satdf tjc hjdfn echbgcs ecttcr.‗ ecttcr. ‗ Ian abw dt jin ecca ifgbst ldvc ycirs, ian Gigi Eufbabv ifwiys hbasdncrcn tjit dgprbvcgcat jin abt yct hbgc. Gbrcbvcr, dt ndn abt cvca bhhur tb pbbr Gigi tjit tb survdvc gcndhitdba lbr ldvc ycirs, bac accns tb jivc tjc jciftj bl i jbrsc. ]dahdam, Eufbabv rcihjcn lbr tjc pdffs, eut sunncafy ycffcn ian lcff bll tjc stbbf. ]jit ippcircn tb tjc pbbr lcffbw ‘ wjit ippcircn tjcrc! ^wb wdfnfy rbtitdam cyceiffs tbra but bl tjcdr sbh`cts wcrc fydam ba tjc cgpty sbup pfitc. Mcaì shrcigcn. ‖ ]jit—s ]jit—s wdtj wdtj ybu2‗ ybu2‗ Gigi rusjcn tb jdg. ‖^jcrc, tjcrc! Ab, nba— nba—t fbb`!‗ fbb`!‗ Eufbabv mispcn. Jbfndam jcr mfisscs, Gigi fbb`cn it tjc pfitc. ‖D ifwiys sidn fcivdam tjc cmm ybf`s ds i sdma bl dffacss.‗ dffacss.‗ Eufbabv fbb`cn it tjc pfitc wdtj jbrrbr ian ginc surc tjit Gigi wis rdmjt. Tcs, kust tjc ybf`s. Jc wdpcn tjc swcit lrbg jds erbw. Gdsti`dam ybf`s lbr cycs, tjds ifrciny accns i ndimabsds. ]jdfc Mcaì wis ndstrcsscn, Gigi ipprbihjcn jdg ian, wdtj tjc gbvcgcat bl i mfinditbr stieedam i sjbrt swbrn da tjc cacgy hirrdcn tb iutbgitba, put i mfiss tjcrgbgctcr uancr jds irg. ‖ Iwluf! 8<.4!‗ 8<.4!‗ sjc sidn i lcw gdautcs fitcr. ‖Dt— Dt—s abrgif.‗ abrgif.‗

>= CGX

ds tjc ihrbayg lbr cgcrmcahy gcndhif scrvdhcs, ifsb àbwa is igeufiahc br pirigcndh scrvdhcs. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]jit nb ybu àbw2 Hbasugptdvcs jivc suhj i tcgpcriturc! I wcc` imb ybu wcrc sbgcjbw hbumjdam striamcfy da ybur sfccp. D kust tjbumjt ybu wcrc hjb`dam. Abw D scc tjit dt dsa— dsa—t sb sdgpfc. ^bgbrrbw wc—ff wc—ff ti`c tcsts! Abw mb tb ybur rbbg ian nb ybur jbgcwbr`! Tbu wba— wba—t ec ti`dam i wif` da tjc cvcadam. Ian ec da ecn ey adac.‗ adac.‗ ‖ABBB!‗ ABBB!‗ Mcaì sjbutcn. ‖Abt ‚ab— ab— eut ycs— ‚ycs—. Acrvbus ldts ian stueebraacss irc tjc ldrst sdmas bl shjdzbpjrcadi. shjdzbpjrcadi. Ian shjdzbpjrcadi shjdzbpjrcadi immrivitcn ey tuecrhufbsds ifwiys fcins tb sbgctjdam gbrc scvcrc,‗ scvcrc,‗ i wbrrdcn Gigi sidn ian sit fcildam tjrbumj i gcndhif cahyhfbpicndi nchbritcn wdtj hbfbur pjbtbs bl virdbus trbpjdh ufhcrs ian miamrcac. Mcaì rusjcn tb jds rbbg ian qudh`fy sfiggcn tjc nbbr. Jivdam mrinuiffy hifgcn nbwa, jc sit it jds ncs` ian, datcandam ba prcpirdam lbr cxigs, bpcacn tjc jdstbry tcxtebb`. Eut eclbrc Eufbabv giaimcn tb rcin tca fdacs, jc jcirn i striamc sbuan ecjdan jdg. Mcaì Mcaì turacn ian lrbzc. lrbzc. I hjidr ba jugia lcct wis gi`dam dts wiy tb jdg lrbg tjc nbbr. ^jc lcct wcrc gishufdac, shiry, wdtj ycffbw aidfs fd`c hbavcx tbrtbdsc sjcffs. Ba sccdam tjit Eufbabv wis stirdam it dt, tjc hjidr ba jugia lcct kugpcn up ian pfiyluffy `dh`cn jdg da tjc sjda. Eufbabv lcff tb tjc lfbbr ian jistdfy hriwfcn ba jds ecffy tb tjc nbbr. Jc ndn abt cvca hry but, àbwdam tjit dt wis uscfcss. ^jc lbur-fcmmcn hjidr ria ebuahdam sdncwiys ian ittcgptcn tb hut bll tjc purpbscluffy hriwfdam hriwfdam Eufbabv lrbg tjc nbbr. Xunncafy, i acw bestihfc eirrcn Mcaì—s Mcaì —s pitj. pitj. Ba tjc lfbbr i pbbf bl efbbn wis eueefdam, da tjc gdnst bl wjdhj i tcrrdlydam rusty nimmcr wis fydam ian i shirfct jcirt wis ecitdam. Mcaì mbt up sfbwfy. Jds gbutj dastiatfy echigc nrdcr tjia tjc Xijiri Ncscrt ian jds bwa jcirt ifgbst kugpcn but bl jds hjcst. Eih`dam iwiy, jc mrieecn tjc nbbràbe, sccdam dt is jds gida sifvitdba. Eut tjc nbbr jianfc sunncafy sfdppcn iwiy lrbg jdg ian sjbb` jds jian. Mcaì lcft i sfdmjt tdamfdam ian hbfn, rcifdzdam it tjc sigc tdgc tjit tjc jianfc wis abt i jianfc eut i scvcrcn jian wdtj hbfn wct ldamcrs. I airrbw tjda-fdppcn tjda-fdppcn gbutj ippcircn ippcircn ba tjc wiff. wiff. ‖Eufbabv2‗ Eufbabv2‗ dt is`cn jbirscfy. ‖ T-ycs.‗ T-ycs.‗ ‖Mcaaindd2‗ Mcaaindd2‗ ‖Mc-mc ...‗ ...‗ i stuttcrdam Eufbabv ifsb hbaldrgcn tjds. ‖Gr. Mc-Mc2 Tbu— Tbu—rc wjit wc accn! D— D vc — vc i schrct gdssdfc lbr ybu!‗ ybu!‗ tjc gbutj sidn ian sunncafy eurst but wdtj ia dancshrdeiefc fiumj rcscgefdam tjc acdmjdam bl i wjbfc jcrn bl jbrscs. ‖Abt gdssdfc, fci`y abmmda! Gdssdba!‗ Gdssdba! ‗ tjc hjidr ba jugia lcct prbgptcn da cxispcritdba. ^jc jian stdh`dam but bl tjc nbbr wimmcn dts ldamcr it tjc hjidr. ^jc hjidr, tjc gbutj, ian tjc jian quirrcffcn fdstfcssfy lbr sbgc tdgc, ian tjc jcirt ba tjc lfbbr wis ebuahdam da tjc pbbf pbbf bl efbbn fd`c i striancn striancn ldsj. ‖Eisdhiffy, pih` up, Mc-Mc! ]c wcrc brncrcn tb ncfdvcr ybu sbgcwjcrc!‗ sbgcwjcrc!‗ tjc gbutj nchfircn ldaiffy. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]jcrc2 D— D—g abt wif`dam iaywjcrc!‗ iaywjcrc!‗ Eufbabv echigc stueebra, ifrciny dgimdadam tjc tjbray pitj tb tjc jcrciltcr. ‖ Ian ybu wba— wba—t wif` iaywjcrc! Tbu— Tbu —ff lfy!‗ lfy!‗ tjc gbutj ba tjc wiff issurcn jdg sgbbtjfy. ‖ ]jcrc tb2‗ tb2‗ ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia wjcrc wjcrc tb2 ^b ^dednbx! Ndna Ndna—t ybu rchcdvc tjc fcttcr2‗ fcttcr2‗ ‖Ab,‗ Ab,‗ sidn Mcaì. Jc wis trcgefdam sb guhj tjit dt wis jirn abt tb ecfdcvc jdg. ^jc hjidr wdtj lcct ian tjc gbutj mbt datb sbgc ndsirriy. Eclbrc fbam tjc jian ifsb kbdacn tjcg. ^jc rbbg wis sjrbuncn da i gdf`y lbm wdtj i sdfvcry spir`. ]jca tjc lbm hfcircn, Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd ian Cycfcss Jbrrbr, tjcdr fcms, jians, ian gbutjs jivdam ifrciny rcturacn, wcrc da tjc gdnnfc bl tjc rbbg. Uzjcvs`dd wis da ia daliatry mifi uadlbrg wdtj i hbgpfctc hbffchtdba bl àdvcs da jds eih`. Cycfcss Jbrrbr wis hbvcrcn da i nir` ldcfn hfbi`. ]jca tjc hfbi` swuam bpca, i efbbny sjdrt lfisjcn uancr dt. ^jc mjbst ldrst twdrfcn jds mjistfy jcin da jds jians, tjca put dt da dts pfihc ian ecmia tb hfia` jds sjih`fcs (i pidr bl augecr >s, rcscrvcn bafy lbr spchdif bhhisdbas). bhhisdbas). ‖ Tbu rciffy ndna— ndna—t mct i fcttcr2‗ fcttcr2‗ Jbrrbr is`cn. Mcaì sjbb` jds jcin. ‖Da tjit hisc, gdffc pirnbas,‗ pirnbas, ‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat hfdh`cn jds jccfs. ‖Eut tjca D ifsb scc tjit ybu rciht sbgcjbw abt qudtc rdmjt. Tbu rciht stdllfy, wdtjbut i spir`! D nba —t fd`c tb wbr` ba suhj i rbttca rbttca iundcahc. iundcahc.‗ ‖Uzjcvs`dd, cabumj hjittcr! Tbu lbrmbt ybur jcirt tjcrc... Hfcia up ybur mireimc!‗ mireimc!‗ Jbrrbr brncrcn jdg. ‖Acvcr! ]jdtc blldhcrs nba— nba—t efdanfy lbffbw brncrs!‗ brncrs!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat sidn prbunfy. ‖ Iabtjcr suhj efitiat brncr ian wc— wc—ff sjbbt tjrbumj i jia`y! ]jcrc irc gy muas2 Iji, jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ ^jcrc wis i lfisj ian i pinncn vcfvct ebx wdtj i pidr bl iatdquc nucffdam pdstbfs ippcircn da tjc Fdcutcaiat—s Fdcutcaiat—s jians. jians. Iltcr sccdam tjcg, Uzjcvs`dd wis ndssitdsldcn ian, jivdam hist tjcg isdnc, dastiatfy cxtrihtcn i hbupfc bl Giuscrs >: lrbg tjc idr. ‖^b tjc fist sjcff! Dl ab bac mcts jurt, wc—ff jurt, wc—ff prbhccn tb jbwdtzcrs! Abt bafy lbr \ifyif`da tb eiam _upcrs, eut D ifsb wiat tb! Hbgc ba!‗ ba!‗ jc iaabuahcn ian saippcn jds ldamcrs. Da tjit dastiat, tjc idr wis ldffcn wdtj tday ebys ba erbbgstdh`s. ^jcrc wcrc i lcw nbzca bl tjcg. ^jcy swbbpcn nbwa ba Uzjcvs`dd, sjbwcrdam jdg wdtj nrimbaeiff swbrns, ian jc wis ifsb catjusdistdhiffy catjusdistdhiffy ldrdam it tjcg lrbg tjc twb Giuscrs. ^jc eittfc fistcn i gdautc ian cancn wdtjbut guhj fbss. ‖U[JC\X@DD, CABSMJ!‗ CABSMJ!‗ Jbrrbr ridscn jds vbdhc. ‖ Ian ybu, ybuam gia, mct ybur tjdams. D nba— nba—t invdsc ti`dam gbrc tjia bac eih`pih`. Tbu wba— wba —t jivc pbrtcrs. ^jcrc irc giay wcff-àbwa hiscs da tjc jdstbry bl ^dednbx wjca i stuncat ncpirtcn tb tjc ebttbg uancr tjc wcdmjt bl fummimc. Is rchcatfy is twcaty ycirs imb, i mdrf nchdncn tb ti`c i scwdam gihjdac wdtj jcr ian, is sjc jin sbgc pihìmcs da jcr irgs, sjc jin tjc stupdndty tb tdc dt wdtj i rbpc tb jcr lbbt... ^jc candam wis trimdh.‗ trimdh.‗ >: I

Giuscr ds i typc bl iutbgitdh pdstbf aigcn iltcr dts Mcrgia ncsdmacrs tjc Giuscr erbtjcrs, _ctcr _iuf (9:8:-949>) ian ]dfjcfg (9:8>-:5). ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Eut wjit iebut _dpi2 ^jc catdrc ^dednbx tif`s iebut jcr sudthiscs!‗ sudthiscs!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat mbt davbfvcn. ‖ ]cff, tjit— tjit—s ndllcrcat! Xjc ndn abt lfy ifbac... Ecsdncs, Xfiancr ds supcrefy sivvy da lfdmjt hjirgs!‗ hjirgs!‗ Jbrrbr nchfircn wdtj ndspfcisurc. ‖Uzjcvs`dd, D tjda` D hfcirfy sidn; hfcia up tjc mireimc!‗ mireimc!‗ ‖Ds tjds rciffy mireimc2 Dt— Dt —s kust efitiat vufmir runcacss tb hiff gy sullcrdam jcirt mireimc!‗ mireimc!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat wis bllcancn. Abactjcfcss, jc qudh`fy gbppcn up jds efbbny pbbf ian, iltcr hisuiffy efbwdam ba tjc jcirt ian wdpdam bll tjc nust, put dt da jds hjcst. ‖ Ippircatfy cvcrytjdam ds ihhbuatcn lbr. Br abt2‗ abt2‗ jc is`cn jdgscfl tjbumjtluffy. ‖ Iji, bac gbrc fdttfc nctidf! ]ba—t ]ba—t ybu sjbvc tjc nimmcr da nimmcr da gy eih`2 Cvcrytjdam jis tb ec prbpcr!‗ prbpcr!‗ jc sidn, innrcssdam Eufbabv wdtj i fiumj. ^jds wis Uzjcvs`dd— Uzjcvs`dd—s bfn, gbufny kb`c, wjdhj jc rcmufirfy rcpcitcn tb cvcry acw `dn da ^dednbx. Eut dt wis iff acws tb Mcaì, ian jc rchbdfcn da jbrrbr lrbg tjc nimmcr. Uzjcvs`dd rbircn da fiumjtcr imida. ^jc mfiss da tjc wdanbws rittfcn becndcatfy. ‖Gigi wdff jcir,‗ jcir,‗ Eufbabv sidn iutbgitdhiffy. iutbgitdhiffy. Da tjc fist gdautc jc wis lriatdhiffy trydam tb ldmurc but wjbg jc lcircn cvca gbrc; tjc ^dednbx mjbsts br Gigi. Dt turacn but tjit dt wis Gigi iltcr iff. ‖Xjc wba—t wba—t!! Xjc ndna— ndna—t jcir tjc sjbts! _bdatus jirpbbaus jirpbbaus nbcsa—t nbcsa—t lidf! lidf! Abr nbcs Gcnusi— Gcnusi—s rdam. Tbur gigi wdff sfccp wdtjbut admjtgircs br nrcigs tdff tjc gbradam, ian wjca sjc wi`cs up, i hupdn wdff erdam jcr i fcttcr lrbg Xirniaipif. Xjc—ff Xjc—ff rcin dt ian hifg nbwa,‗ nbwa,‗ Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd issurcn jdg. ‖ Iji! D nba—t nba—t tjda` sb! Xjc—ff Xjc—ff dggcnditcfy rua wdtj tjc fcttcr tb tjc pbfdhc, tjc LXE,>4 cvcrywjcrc. Xjc—ff Xjc—ff stdr stdr up cvcrybac!‗ cvcrybac!‗ Mcaì stitcn. Eut, cvca issugdam tjc wbrst, jc ndn abt lbrmct tb qudh`fy stull tjc eih`pih` wdtj tjc gbst achcssiry achcssiry tjdams. ‖D nba— nba—t tjda` sb,‗ sb,‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr sidn, rittfdam jds sjih`fcs. ‖^rust gc, ybu— ybu—rc abt tjc ldrst tjcy —vc —vc ti`ca tb ^dednbx ian tjc ncif jis ifwiys ecca giaimcn wdtjbut shianifs. Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif—s fcttcr ds hipiefc bl hifgdam cvca i swirg bl wisps. Cvca i Ecamif tdmcr it tjc tdgc bl i fcip. Ian abt echiusc suhj i wbancrluf styfc ds da dt. D nbuet tjcrc irc cvca gbrc tjia twb br tjrcc fdacs. Eut tjc ihincgdhdia uscs i spchdif da` bl hrbhbndfc tcirs lbrhcn twdhc tjrbumj tjc mabgcs— mabgcs — stdff. stdff. Ian tjcy —rc iefc tb trdmmcr i surmc bl bptdgdsg cvca da tjc Ncin _rdahcss3? ian tjc nba`cy Ccybrc.‗ Ccybrc.‗39 ‖Eut abt gy gigi. ]jca shdcatdsts ginc tjc itbgdh ebge, gy gigi irrdvcn ldrst. D ndna— ndna—t gi`c tjds up. Dt—s Dt—s jcr jcr livburdtc kb`c,‗ kb`c,‗ Mcaì sidn ncspbancatfy.

>4 LXE

ds tjc ihrbayg bl tjc Lcncrif Xchurdty Xcrvdhc bl tjc Uussdia Lcncritdba ian tjc suhhcssbr tb tjc lbrgcr @ME. 3? ^jc îfc bl tjc Ncin _rdahcss ian tjc Xcvca ]irrdbrs (9:88) ds i lidry tifc pbcg ey tjc mrcitcst Uussdia pbct Ifcxiancr Xcrmccvdhj _usj`da (9=44-9:8=). ^jc stbry fdac ds sdgdfir tb Xabw ]jdtc ian tjc Xcvca Nwirls. Nwirls. 39 Ccybrc ds tjc mfbbgy nba`cy da tjc ]daadc-tjc-_bbj ebb`s ]daadc-tjc-_bbj ebb`s ey tjc Camfdsj C amfdsj iutjbr Ifia Ifcxiancr Gdfac (9::5-943<). ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd pittcn jdg rcissurdamfy ba tjc sjbufncr. Mcaì lcft i tdamfc it tjc tbuhj bl tjc mjbst— mjbst —s jian. ‖Ucfix, gy hjdfn! Tbur gigi lbrmbt sbgctjdam. D irrdvcn ldrst, sb ybu hia trust gc... Ian abw tb eusdacss! Xirniaipif Xirniaipif brncrcn us tb mudnc ybu tjrbumj Mridf Mirnirdì Mirnirdì ian ncfdvcr ybu tb tjc nir` ncpirtgcat bl ^dednbx. D uancrstian tjit ybu—rc ybu—rc tb gbvc da wdtj [jbri wdtj [jbri [jd`da.‗ [jd`da.‗ ‖[jd`da, wjb— wjb—s tjit2‗ tjit2‗ Eufbabv is`cn wdtj nrcin. Iltcr tjc scvcrcn jians ian tjc jcirt da i pbbf bl efbbn, jc wis cxpchtdam iaytjdam. ‖Bj, [jd`da ds bur prctty eby! Iff tjbsc abt da fbvc wdtj gc irc da fbvc wdtj jdg. Nba— Nba—t tbuhj jds gbp, pridsc tjc hfissdh sjipc bl jds absc, ian ybu—ff ybu—ff mct ifbam!‗ ifbam!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat nchfircn. Cycfcss Jbrrbr mrdgfy turacn tjc ldcry hjisgs bl jds cycs ba jdg. Uzjcvs`dd dastiatfy echigc echigc qudct ian inkustcn tb i scrdbus gbnc. ‖ Ij, ycs! ]jit wdff jc lfy ba2 Xirniaipif hbahcncn tjds tb bur ndshrctdba... ndshrctdba... Jggg... Xcrdbus qucstdba!‗ qucstdba!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat sidn, ldffcn wdtj rcspbasdedfdty. Jc ndn abt bltca mct i hjiahc tb ihhbgpiay stuncats lrbg tjc gbrbabdn wbrfn tb Euyia. ^b tcff tjc trutj, dt wis tjc vcry ldrst tdgc. Uzjcvs`dd—s Uzjcvs`dd —s nuff mizc wiancrcn irbuan tjc rbbg ian stbppcn it tjc hbuhj. ‖Ab, dt— dt—s tbb trdtc. Abw cvcrybac wjb lccfs fd`c dt lfdcs ba i sbli... I hirpct2 Imida, abt tjit. Hirpcts irc lbr mcadcs. Dl ybu lfy ba i hirpct, ybu—ff ybu —ff ec ec ti`ca is i pcrsba lrbg tjc Cist ian suspchtcn bl gimbrdsg.35 Abw ds tjc tdgc tjit iaybac wjb lfdcs ba i hirpct ds suspchtcn bl gimbrdsg... I wirnrbec2 Abt ein. Jianfcs idr hurrcats wcff, kust tjit tjc nbbr wdff sfig iff tjc tdgc.‗ tdgc. ‗ Eufbabv efda`cn uacisdfy. ^jc prbspcht bl lfydam da i wirnrbec sccgcn sccgcn nrcinluf tb jdg. ‖Nba— Nba—t ti`c wjit tjds butrimcbus hjirihtcr gugefcs scrdbusfy,‗ scrdbusfy, ‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr sidn. ‖Da liht, Uzjcvs`dd àbws tjit dt— dt —s abt da bur pbwcr tb hjbbsc i lfydam bekcht lbr ybu. Dt gust ldan ybu ey dtscfl. I lfydam bekcht ‘ D jivc da gdan i rcif lfydam bekcht ‘ ds ifwiys uadquc. Cvcry wdzirn jis jds bwa, ian tjc rcfitdbasjdp ectwcca tjcg ds is dandssbfuefc is ectwcca tjc wdzirn ian jds rdam. Dt— Dt —s iff sdgpfc wdtj lbrcdmacrs. Igiss mrcca hbras, euy i erbbg, ian lfy uatdf ybu— ybu—rc efuc da tjc lihc. ^drcn bl tjc erbbg, euy iabtjcr. ]dtj us, tjds lbhus ds bafy wdtj vihuugs, ian cvca tjca abt ifwiys. Ab, ybu— ybu —ff lccf incquitcfy lrcc bafy ba ybur bwa bekcht!‗ bekcht!‗ ‖ Ian wjit lfydam lfydam bekcht nb D jivc2‗ jivc2‗ Eufbabv is`cn. ‖ ]c— ]c—ff ldan tjds but abw. D ingdt, D—g D —g vcry vcry datcrcstcn,‗ datcrcstcn,‗ Jbrrbr sidn. Jc rbsc iebvc tjc lfbbr ian ecmia tb dalfitc. I shircn Eufbabv hfuam tb tjc wiff. Dt sccgcn tb jdg tjit Jbrrbr— Jbrrbr—s triasfuhcat ebny bhhupdcn tjc catdrc rbbg. ^jc ldcry hjisgs bl jds cycs wcrc ldxcn ba tjc hcdfdam. ‖î`clbrgsdggb! î`clbrgsdggb!‗ jc sjbutcn da i tcrrdefc vbdhc. I mrcca spir` kugpcn but lrbg Gcnusi— Gcnusi—s rdam, wjdhj gdrihufbusfy stiycn ba tjc mjbst— mjbst—s ldamcr.

35 Gimbrdsg

‘ tcrrbrdsg da tjc gimdh wbrfn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Iff bekchts wcrc da gbtdba. Cvca tjc jcivy irghjidr higc bll tjc lfbbr. Ia istbuancn Eufbabv stbbn ey tjc wiff, sjdcfndam jds jcin wdtj jds irgs, ian fbb`cn wdtj jbrrbr it tjc niahc bl tjdams da tjc idr. Eut dt ndn abt fist fbam. Xunncafy cvcrytjdam lcff nbwa ian ndsippcircn sbgcwjcrc, bafy i tcaads rih`ct ifbac ‘ ncspbancat is ia ualufldffcn nrcig, wdtj simmdam strdams ‘ wis fclt jiamdam da tjc gdnnfc bl tjc rbbg. Eufbabv fbb`cn it dt da surprdsc. Xcvcrif ycirs imb, jc ecmia tb pfiy tcaads ian wis cvca gi`dam prbmrcss uatdf Gigi rcin sbgcwjcrc tjit sji`dam ian kugpdam wbufn ec jirgluf tb tjc mrbwdam erida. Mcaì sullcrcn it ldrst ian tjca suegdttcn, eut abw tjc rih`ct imida rcgdancn jdg bl jdgscfl. ‖ I rih`ct!‗ rih`ct!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat sabrtcn. ‖ ]cff, abt ein... ^jcy siy i lfydam bekcht ds tjc giadlcstitdba bl tjc jdnnca csscahc bl jds gistcr. Abt wdtjbut rcisba wis dt ifwiys i sfcnmcjiggcr sfcnmcjiggcr wdtj vcrtdhif ti`cbll lbr gc. Iaywiy, eclbrc D ndcn.‗ ndcn.‗ ‖ Tbu—rc Tbu—rc fydam! fydam!‗‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr sidn nryfy. ‖Satdf ncitj ybu wcrc i abrgif gbrbabdn. Tbu—rc Tbu—rc ifsb ifsb i gbrbabdn abw. Hbaldrgcn. Dt— Dt—s wbrtj fbb`dam it ybur lihc tjit iff sbrts bl nbuets ndsippcir.‗ ndsippcir.‗ ‖ ]cff, dt dsa—t dsa—t!!‗ Uzjcvs`dd guttcrcn, eut abt tbb hbaldncatfy. Jc jin fbam mrispcn tjit bac ndn abt gcss wdtj Cycfcss Jbrrbr. Cvca tjc @dam bl Mjbsts prclcrrcn abt tb ncif wdtj tjds gcndcvif mbuty bac sullcrdam tjc efucs, dggurcn ifdvc da tjc wiff bl jds bwa histfc. ‖Bìy, sb... Tbu mb up tb tjc wdanbw, sdt nbwa ba tjc rih`ct, ian lfy wdtj us. Dadtdiffy, bvcr tjcrc ectwcca tjc jbuscs, ian tjca dt— dt —ff liff fd`c hirns! Giyec wc— wc —ff lfy tjrbumj tjc Cirtj— Cirtj—s hcatrc. ^jcrc—s ^jcrc—s ab ndllcrcahc tb us mjbsts it iff,‗ iff, ‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat sidn, pfuamdam bac jian datb tjc btjcr da i lutdfc ittcgpt tb rue tjcg. Hfuthjdam tjc rih`ct, Mcaì hfdgecn batb tjc wdanbwsdff ian bpcacn tjc wdanbw. ^jc cdmjtj lfbbr wis tjc cdmjtj lfbbr. ^jc fdmjts it tjc ebttbg bl tjc hir pir` sccgcn qudtc ndg. ‖Bìy, kugp!‗ kugp!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat brncrcn dgpitdcatfy. Mcaì sjbb` jds jcin. Cvca ìgdìzc tcrrbrdsts nb abt kugp but bl ia cdmjtj-lfbbr wdanbw wdtj i rih`ct. rih`ct. ‖Bj ycij, D lbrmbt! Tbu jivc tb siy vrbbg gbtbr! Ian qudh`fy kugp! AB]!‗ AB]!‗ Uzjcvs`dd ycffcn. ‖ \rbbg gbtbr!‗ gbtbr!‗ Mcaì rcpcitcn becndcatfy, eut ndn abt kugp. Jc wis shircn. Uzjcvs`dd fiumjcn. Cvca Cycfcss Jbrrbr, mrdgihdam, ncpdhtcn tjc rcscgefiahc bl i sgdfc ba jds lihc lurrbwcn wdtj shirs. ‖Jc ecfdcvcn, jc ecfdcvcn! Jcrc—s Jcrc—s i nbft!‗ nbft!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat rbircn. ‖ \rbbg gbtbr! I lfdmjt spcff! Ndn ybu jcir tjit2 Cvcrybac da ^dednbx ds nydam bl fiumjtcr! Cvca gy Sajcifcn Finy wdff lbrmct jcr uajcifcnacss lbr i wjdfc.‗ wjdfc.‗ ‖Fdstca fcss tb tjds girgbt! Ucpcit; Xpccnus cavcabgus cavcabgus ian tjca Bybybys sgih`ds tjugpds! tjugpds! Hia ec tjc btjcr wiy irbuan... ]idt, ybu lbrmbt tjc rdam! Jcrc, ba tjc gdnnfc ldamcr! Xbba ybu— ybu—ff jivc ybur bwa rdam. Gimdh wbr`sjbps rircfy giaimc ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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ncinfdacs. Ba tjc btjcr jian, pcrjips bafy tjcy àbw wjca i ncinfdac ihtuiffy hbgcs, ‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr sidn stcrafy. ‖ Xpccnus cavcabgus! cavcabgus!‗ Mcaì rcpcitcn. I mrcca spir` lfisjcn ndgfy ba Gcnusi—s Gcnusi —s rdam ian dggcnditcfy wcat but. Jbrrbr sjbb` jds jcin. I lcw efbbnstidas efbssbgcn ba jds sjdrt. ‖Ein!‗ Ein!‗ Jbrrbr sidn mrdgfy. ‖ Tbu sidn tjds sdgpfy fd`c i wbrn, eut dt accns tb ec is i spcff. Tbu sjbufna— sjbufna—t nbuet tjit i gdrihfc wdff jippca, tjit—s tjit—s tjc tjc wjbfc pbdat. Bac mrig bl nbuet da tjc eirrcf bl lidtj wdff pbdsba dt is surcfy is i nrbp bl pbdsba wdff tura i eirrcf bl wdac datb i ncinfy pbtdba. ^ry bahc gbrc!‗ gbrc!‗ Eufbabv stridacn. Jc rcpcitcn tjc spcff tdgc iltcr tdgc, eut tjc rih`ct ndn abt cvca stdr. Gcnusi—s Gcnusi—s rdam, rdam, vdsdefy ndsdffusdbacn, ab fbamcr rcfciscn spir`s it iff. Cycfcss Jbrrbr ian Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd widtcn pitdcatfy. ‖ ]cff! Ian2‗ Ian2‗ Jbrrbr sidn wjca Eufbabv wis hbvcrcn wdtj swcit lrbg lutdfc rcpctdtdbas. Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd stbbn irgs i`dgeb. ‖D tbfn ybu tjit wc lfcw tb tjc wrbam pfihc! ^jds `dn ds i rcmufir gbrbabdn, aigcsi`c bl tjc bac wc accn! Fct— Fct—s mb fbb` lbr tjc btjcr eclbrc Gcnusi rcfciscs i wjbfc rbuan bl Erdsùs-qudhùs Erdsùs-qudhùs ba us. D jitc dt wjca tjcy Erdsùs-qudhùs tjcy Erdsùs-qudhùs gc! gc!‗‗ jc sidn. ‖Ab!‗ Ab!‗ Mcaì sjbutcn lcirluffy. ‖Ab!‗ Ab!‗ ‖ ]c—ff ]c—ff mdvc mdvc ybu bac fist hjiahc,‗ hjiahc, ‗ Jbrrbr sidn stcrafy. ‖^jc vcry fist! Giyec ybur gimdhif mdlt ds sb dasdmadldhiat tjit dt dsa— dsa —t cabumj cvca lbr tjc sdgpfcst spcffs. ^jds ifsb jippcas. ^jcrc—s ^jcrc—s abtjdam abtjdam lbr jifl-wdzirns tb nb da ^dednbx. Da tjit hisc, wc lfy iwiy wdtjbut ybu. Eut abw, ecmda!‗ ecmda!‗ Mcaì mrdppcn tjc rih`ct wdtj ebtj jians. Jc uancrstbbn tjit iabtjcr lidfurc ian jc wbufn ifwiys rcgida igbam tjc gbrbabdns. Jc wbufn ec trippcn uancr Gigi— Gigi—s wdam lbr fdlc ian ndc prcgiturcfy da twcaty ycirs, wdtj gustirn pfistcrs iff bvcr. Bafy ^dednbx hbufn sivc jdg, bafy gimdh ian abtjdam gbrc. Mcaì rcifdzcn tjds ian tjc lcir tjit jc wbufn spcan tjc rcst bl jds fdlc wdtj gbrbabdns mivc jdg hburimc. ‖ Xpccnus cavcabgus! cavcabgus!‗ jc sjbutcn da ncspcritdba. ^jc rdam ckchtcn i erdmjt spir`, ian tjc acxt dastiat, Eufbabv, scascfcssfy hfuthjdam tjc rih`ct wdtj jds jians ian lcct, wis ifrciny rusjdam ectwcca eudfndams eudfndams da i hrizy niahdam bl lfdh`crs irbuan strcctfdmjts, strcctfdmjts, trccs, ian wdanbws wda`dam gbh`damfy. Iff tjds hjiamcn canfcssfy da pfihcs ian Mcaì ab fbamcr àcw wjcrc fian br s`y wis, bafy lcircn fcttdam mb bl tjc rih`ct. ‖^jit— ^jit—s i ndllcrcat stbry! D ect gy ecst nimmcr tjit wc tbfn jdg tjc cxhcssdvcfy qudh` spcff! _dfbtus ìgdìzds ìgdìzds wbufn ec cabumj... Ian jc lbrmbt tb dasurc wdtj Bybybys, Bybybys,‗ Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd pbdatcn but. ‖Acvcr gdan,‗ gdan,‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr wjdspcrcn hbatcatcnfy. ‖^jc `dn— `dn—s gi`dam prbmrcss. Jc— Jc—ff tura but tb ec ia cxhcffcat nir` wdzirn. Ndn ybu scc wjit spir` jc rcfciscn2 Dt ifgbst euracn gc. Lbrtuaitcfy, D ig ifrciny ncin, ian jivc ecca lbr i fbam tdgc. Ian tjit dahbgpiriefc dahbgpiriefc pfcisurc, is ybur wdlc fd`cs tb rcdtcritc, hia bafy ec cxpcrdcahcn bahc.‗ bahc.‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Bl hbursc!‗ hbursc!‗ Fdcutcaiat pullcn jds hjcc`s dgpbrtiatfy. ‖Gy wdlc ds iesbfutcfy uadquc da tcrgs bl hdtitdbas. ^jcrclbrc, sjc ifsb trdcs tb `dff gc gbriffy tjrcc juanrcn ian sdxty-ldvc niys i ycir ian twcaty-lbur jburs i niy. Lbrtuaitcfy, wc Jussirs irc rcsdfdcat pcbpfc.‗ pcbpfc.‗ ‖Bevdbusfy, tjc Jussirs! Kust ldrst fcira tb ndstdamudsj i jbrsc lrbg i mdrillc, ‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr nchfircn. Jc sccpcn tjrbumj tjc wiff datb tjc acxt rbbg, wjcrc Mcaì—s Mcaì —s gigi, gigi, jcr jcin ba jcr hjcst, wis sfccpdam ba ia irghjidr da lrbat bl i efda`dam ^\ shrcca. Jbrrbr stircn it jcr datcatfy lbr sbgc tdgc, tjca efcw ba jds ldamcr ian, jivdam widtcn uatdf dt stirtcn tb rcnnca, ebfnfy prdatcn rdmjt tjrbumj tjc idr; TBSU XBA DX DA ^JC GIMDH XHJBBF ^DEDNBZ. CZ_CH^ I FC^^CU LUBG I HS_DN! HS_DN! ^jc efizdam fcttcrs, swiydam, jbvcrcn ian ldrgfy bhhupdcn i pfihc iebvc tjc irghjidr. Dastcin bl ia cxhfigitdba gir`, Jbrrbr, mrdaadam suffcafy, suspcancn da tjc idr i erb`ca tjcrgbgctcr wdtj i eiff bl gcrhury lfbitdam ecfbw dt. Iltcr tjit, tjc spchtcr imida sccpcn tjrbumj tjc wiff ian, tbmctjcr wdtj Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd, rusjcn iltcr Mcaì. Ey tjc tdgc tjc mjbsts hiumjt up wdtj jdg, Eufbabv, jivdam hbgc tb jds scascs, wis ifrciny iefc tb strinnfc tjc tcaads rih`ct. Abw Mcaì wis lfydam, ecandam fbw bvcr dt. Giyec dt wis i edt sjbrt lbr tjc vcry tiff Mcaì, eut jc giabcuvrcn supcrefy ian ginc tdmjt turas. Jc cvca giaimcn tb sgirtfy ivbdn i hbffdsdba wdtj i edffebirn, ba wjdhj lrbzc i sjbrt-jidrcn sjbrt-jidrcn mdrf jivdam jivdam hjcwdam mug iltcr br br cvca dastcin bl fuahj. fuahj. ^jc drrcprcssdefc Fdcutcaiat dggcnditcfy lfcw bll tb tjc mdrf ba tjc edffebirn ian ecmia wjdspcrdam pissdbaitcfy, nchfirdam jds fbvc. ‖ ]c— ]c—rc sb sdgdfir. D— D—g i mjbst ian ybu— ybu—rc bafy i sjinbw bl sbgcbac wjb jis lbrmbttca iebut ybu! ^wb litcs, twb sbfdtirdcs, twb irncat jcirts! ]jy sjbufna— sjbufna —t wc ec jippy2 ^ruc, D— D—g girrdcn, eut D jivc tjds hbastiat...‗ hbastiat...‗ ^jc mdrf ba tjc edffebirn ecmia tb ec tjrdffcn ian sdmjcn fiamudnfy, eut tjca Eufbabv, trydam tb gistcr tjc rih`ct da rcvcrsc, sfiggcn it luff spccn ian hrisjcn datb tjc edffebirn. ^jc edffebirn rcpcffcn jdg, eut tjc cnmc bl tjc rih`ct t brc up tjc pipcr. It tjc spbt wjcrc tjc jcin bl tjc rcnjcin wis, i jbfc wis lbrgcn. ‖Bj ab! Tbu `dffcn gy fbvc! D— D—ff acvcr lbrmdvc ybu lbr tjds! Jcr efbbn ds ba ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ Uzjcvs`dd jbwfcn trimdhiffy. ‖Xjc jis ab efbbn! Xjc wis ginc bl pipcr!‗ pipcr!‗ Mcaì rctbrtcn fdgpfy, mfin tjit jc wis jbfndam batb batb tjc rih`ct it iff. iff. ‖Lbbf, wjit nb ybu àbw2‗ àbw2‗ Uzjcvs`dd sidn edttcrfy. ‖Dl bafy tjbsc da wjbg iebut ldvc fdtrcs bl efbbn lfbws ian i fdtrc bl sbup murmfcs da tjc stbgihj irc hbasdncrcn ifdvc, tjc wbrfn wdff sbba echbgc gdscriefc ian sjrda` tb sbgc gbrbabdns! _ipcr br abt, D fbvcn jcr. ^jc gbgcat tjit wc wcrc tbmctjcr ds wbrtj iff tjc imcs lrbg tjc hrcitdba bl tjc wbrfn!‗ wbrfn!‗ ‖Abascasc!‗ Abascasc! ‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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^jc Fdcutcaiat shbwfcn, rds`dam fbsdam jds cycerbws. ‖Eufbabv! D— D—g i stupdn mjbst wdtj àdvcs da gy eih`, i hbashdcahc hbashdcahc citca ey gbtjs, ian rcpctdtdvc kb`cs! Eut D—ff tcff ybu bac tjdam is eiaif is tjc trutj ian is mcadus is i tjdcl —s s`cfctba `cy! _cbpfc irc tdmjtrbpc wif`crs. ^jcy wif` ifbam i rbpc ian tjrcitca tb liff cvcry dastiat. ^jc rbpc ds tjcdr daacr hbrc. Ian wjca tjcy liff, tjc lfdmjt dsa— dsa—t ifwiys erdcl eut ifwiys pidaluf... Xb, Eufbabv, ybur rbpc ds vcry, vcry sfcancr! Sancrstian2 Ian abw D —g echbgdam stupdn imida! Iwiy wdtj cxtri eridas! ^jcy —rc tjc bestihfc ba tjc pitj tb jippdacss!‗ jippdacss! ‗ Mcaì lcft i edt tcrrdldcn. Dt wis mbbn tjit Cycfcss Jbrrbr wis abt da tjc gbbn tb stiy fbam it tjc shcac. Mrieedam Eufbabv ian tjc striy Fdcutcaiat, jc rusjcn iebvc tjc hdty. ^jc jcinwdan qudh`fy efcw iff pjdfbsbpjy lrbg Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd ian rcturacn tjc mjbst tb jds lbrgcr lrdvbfbus stitc. Jivdam rchbvcrcn lrbg jds hcatury-bfn mrdcl, tjc Fdcutcaiat stirtcn fbb`dam irbuan wdtj datcrcst. ‖ ]jbi!‗ ]jbi!‗ jc ycffcn, piusdam it i erdh` jdmj-rdsc. ‖^jds eudfndam fbb`s ligdfdir tb gc! Gy mbbn lrdcan Sahfc Jcrgia fdvcs jcrc, da i hiscgcat... auts... da ia ipirtgcat wjcrc wjcrc D spcat i lcw ualbrmcttiefc niys. Xjiff wc ti`c i fbb`2‗ fbb`2‗ ‖ ]c jivc fdttfc tdgc. ^jcy —rc widtdam lbr us it ^dednbx!‗ ^dednbx!‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr echigc stueebra. ‖Eut Sahfc Jcrgia ds tjc vigpdrc fbrn! Ian dt— dt —s cvca tjc jbgc bl Mrbtty ian _dpi Nuracvi!‗ Nuracvi!‗ Uzjcvs`dd catdhcn jdg, inbrdam pcc`dam datb pfihcs wdtj wjdhj jc jin gcgbrdcs issbhditcn. ‖D wis rchcdvcn da iff tjc ecst rbyif jbgcs bl Curbpc! D cvca wbancrcn wjctjcr dt wis wbrtj ebtjcrdam ebtjcrdam mbdam tb i nu`c— nu`c—s pifihc. ]jit ds sbgc lbrgif hjidr bl tjc vigpdrcs, wjb acvcr cvca ldans ldans tdgc tb lfy tb ^riasyfviadi, ^riasyfviadi, tb gc!‗ gc!‗ Jbrrbr sidn abahjifiatfy. Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd fbb`cn fbamdamfy it tjc wdanbws bl tjc Nuracvs— Nuracvs — ipirtgcat. Dt sccgcn tjit dt wbufn abt ec sb sdgpfc tb pcrsuinc Jbrrbr. ^jca jc uafbincn tjc fist trugp hirn. ‖Eut jc jis i vcry lit wdlc!‗ wdlc!‗ jc iaabuahcn. Datcrcst lfisjcn ba Jbrrbr— Jbrrbr —s jdncbus lihc. ‖Uciffy2‗ Uciffy2‗ jc is`cn hisuiffy. ‖Uciffy abw, da bur sfdg tdgc, tjcrc irc trufy edm wbgca2 ]jca gy ecfbvcn Eirbacss @rigpl, lrbfdh`dam, sit da tjc sinnfc bl gy hjirmcr, sjc erb`c dts spdac. Danccn, tjit jbrsc cisdfy suppbrtcn gy wcdmjt ian tjc wcdmjt bl gy eittfc irgbur!‗ irgbur!‗ ‖ Ian D ifwiys fd`cn tjc sfdg bacs! Ecdam nrua` dt—s dt—s jirncr tb rcihj tjcg wdtj i pdffbw,‗ pdffbw,‗ Uzjcvs`dd sidn abstifmdhiffy. abstifmdhiffy. Cycfcss Jbrrbr sjrummcn. ‖ ]cff, gba hjcr, hjcr, nbcs tjc vigpdrc fbrn rciffy jivc i lit wdlc2‗ wdlc2‗ jc is`cn imida. ‖Gbrc tjia tjit. Xjc wbufn abt bafy erci` tjc eih` bl ybur jbrsc, eut ifsb prcss dt datb tjc mrbuan up tb dts cycs, gba hjcr! hjcr!‗ tjc Fdcutcaiat, inkustdam tb jds tbac, issurcn jdg. Jbrrbr tjbumjt lbr i edt. ^jc tcrrdlydam hjisgs bl jds cycs lfisjcn i spchdif nrcigy ldrc. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc hcrtidafy fydam, eut wjy abt ti`c i fbb`2 D— D —g surc ybur lit wbgia wdff tura ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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but tb ec ebay fd`c i jcrrdam s`cfctba, eut D— D—g hurdbus tb scc jbw guhj gbrbabdns jivc sjrua`. Xb ec dt, fct— fct—s lfy. Kust lbr cxpiasdba bl jbrdzba,‗ jbrdzba,‗ jc imrccn. ^jc prbhcssdba bl tjc twb mjbsts, wjbg Eufbabv lbffbwcn ba tjc tcaads rih`ct, sfbwfy ipprbihjcn tjc Nuracvs— Nuracvs— wdanbws. *** ^jc Nuracvs wcrc abt sfccpdam. Iuat Adacf, da i wjdtc rbec is jumc is i sabwy gbuatida, wis lfuttcrdam irbuan tjc fdvdam rbbg, rchiffdam jcr eiffct pist. Uchcatfy, sjc iftcraitcn ]usju ian eiffct hfisscs. ^jc Gildbsb fdvdam ecfbw e cfbw jin ifrciny ecca priydam qudctfy, fbb`dam it tjc swdamdam hjiancfdcr. Bahc jc scat jds ebnymuirn tb davcstdmitc, eut tjc ebnymuirn ndn abt rctura, ian iltcr i wjdfc jc pjbacn lrbg Gurgias`. Gurgias`. Jc ndn abt rcgcgecr jbw jc jin turacn up tjcrc. Sahfc Jcrgia ian Mritds jin irmucn lbr i fbam tdgc iebut wjb ldrst rcfciscn tjc ebbts wdtj spurs lrbg tjc hfbsct... Xcttfcn da ia irghjidr, Nuracv wis tippdam tjc hifhufitbr wjbfcjcirtcnfy wdtj jds dancx ldamcr. Jc triasfitcn pbuans tb mrigs ian rbuefcs tb curbs. Lrbg iff tjds dt wis pbssdefc tb hbahfunc tjit jc wis datcandam ba scffdam iabtjcr mbfn lrdnmc siwa ipirt da inviahc. ^jc lrdnmc jin turacn tb mbfn is rchcatfy is ycstcrniy, wjca tjc russdldcn @dam Gdnis nchdncn tb nrda` i juanrcn mrigs ian saih` ba i siusimc. Accnfcss tb siy, tjc ebttfc ian tjc siusimc ifsb turacn tb mbfn, eut tjds pirhcf wis tbb uandmadldcn lbr Nuracv ian jds acw eusdacss pirtacr, Mcacrif Hutfct`da. Abw, @dam Gdnis, i.`.i. tjc uaprctcatdbus wcrcwbfl Mritds, sit ba tjc hbuhj wdtj fcms tuh`cn uancr ian, yciradam lbr tjc lisjdba gbncfs, tciscn tjc nihjsjuan, Bac Ian-I-Jifl @dfbgctrcs. Lbr tjds purpbsc, jc qudh`fy tbb` jds jccf bll tjc hbuhj ian twdrfcn dt da lrbat bl tjc nbm—s nbm —s absc, jurrdcnfy yia`dam dt eih` wjca tjc nihjsjuan rusjcn tb ittih`. \iaì \ifyif`da, tdrcn bl fbb`dam it tjc wiffs bl _dpi—s _dpi—s rbbg, ifsb wcat datb tjc fdvdam rbbg tb tjc Nuracvs. Jc wis fbacfy ian, da brncr tb uawdan sbgcjbw, datcancn ba is`dam Sahfc Jcrgia tb irriamc lbr jdg tb ec i wbr`cr da tjc zbb. ^jds, is îriri`j jin sidn tb jdg it pirtdam, wbufn ec davifuiefc cxpcrdcahc lbr luturc wbr` da vctcrdairy gimdh. ‖Xbgctdgcs, eclbrc ippfydam gimdhif gcias, dt nbcsa— nbcsa—t jurt tb jivc i hfbscr fbb` it jbw ian wjit. Fitcfy D jivc jin _cmisus fdgpdam jcrc. Dt—s Dt—s ecitdam da ecitdam da tjc stiff, iamry, ian hia— hia—t stcp ba dts jbbl. Fist wcc` D trcitcn dt lbr `dh`cr—s `dh`cr —s cvdf cvdf cyc, uatdf D ldmurcn but tjit gimdh dsa— dsa—t cxpchtcn jcrc. I abrgif ufhcr. Xbgcbac edt dts fcm iamrdfy. Cxihtfy ba tjc jbbl... Cdtjcr jc ndna— ndna—t sjirc sbgctjdam wdtj tjc guscs, br trdcn tb miffbp iwiy lrbg sbgc wrdtcr imida, br Fuhia—s Fuhia—s ebb` ebb` 38 ginc i luss imida,‗ imida,‗ tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus sidn.

38 Girhus

Iaaicus Fuhiaus (84-<3), àbwa is Fuhia, wis i Ubgia pbct nurdam tjc tdgc bl tjc Ubgia Cgpcrbr Acrb (8=-<:). Xbgc bl jds fitcr wbr`s irc iatd-Dgpcrdif ian prb-Ucpuefdh. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Da hisc Nuracv wis bestdaitc ian ndn abt wiat tb scttfc jdg da tjc zbb, \iaì cvca rcgcgecrcn tjc spcff Dandllcrbadh tbpjtjitbr. tbpjtjitbr. ^jds sdgpfc fdttfc spcff wis hipiefc bl turadam bac is stueebra is Sahfc Jcrgia datb i fige. Jbwcvcr, it tjc vcry gbgcat wjca \iayi nchdncn tb gbvc tb i scrdbus hbavcrsitdba, Iuat Adacf, ercitjfcss lrbg tjc eiffct pis, sunncafy nchdncn dabppbrtuacfy tb tura ba tjc zbbgcr, scat tb jcr is i mdlt lrbg _dpi. ‖ ]jit i niumjtcr wc jivc! Xjc wiats us tb ec dalbrgcn dalbrgcn bl iff gimdhif tjdams!‗ tjdams!‗ Sahfc Jcrgia wis tbuhjcn. ‖Jcffb, kcr`dcs ian hurscrs, ifsb wdzirns, gimmifs, gimhcsscs, gimfiwycrs, ian btjcr uawbrtjy hjirihtcrs, wjb jivc tjc iunihdty tb stdff abt fbvc gc! @ccp da gdan tjit ybu— ybu vc —vc ifrciny ecca kdaxcn, jc-jc! ]dtj ybu ds ybur prchdbus, ybur ualbrmcttiefc, gctdhufbus, rcvbftdam, aisty, eut it tjc sigc tdgc vcry, vcry ncir... Tcs, ycs, accnfcss tb siy; Aimdiai _rdpyitsìyi ian jcr Fitcst Gimacws! Gimacws! Bac wjb mucsscn ds sgirt, bac wjb ndna—t ndna—t mucss, qudh`fy pcrlbrg jiri-`drd!‗ jiri-`drd! ‗3> tjc zbbgcr rittfcn mfdefy. ‖^bniy tjcrc—ff tjcrc—ff ec twb `dans bl gimacws ‘ scasitdbaif ian bvcr-scasitdbaif... ]jit sjiff wc stirt wdtj2 Fct— Fct—s nb tjc scasitdbaif. Istrbfbmcrs abtdhc tjc ualivburiefc pbsdtdba bl tjc pfiacts da tjc s`y, wjdhj jippcas iebut bahc cvcry hcatury. Iff efih` gimdh irtclihts, cxdstdam ian jdnnca, wdff ihqudrc sdgpfy hbfbssif pbwcr da tjc uphbgdam wcc`... ]jdtc irtclihts wdff ec cxtrcgcfy ndlldhuft ndlldhuft tb wdtjstian wdtjstian tjcg. ‖_bssdefc cirtjqui`cs, sunnca hjiamcs bl litc, gystcrdbus ndsippciriahcs, triaslbrgitdbas triaslbrgitdbas bl cvcrytjdam, iaytjdam da mcacrif! Abt cxhfundam fcttdam gc drrcvcrsdefy drrcvcrsdefy hursc gy ncir ebss, wjb stdff nbcsa— nbcsa—t ipprchditc tjc truc wbrtj bl suhj i trcisurc... It tjc sigc tdgc D— D—ff ifsb pbdsba gy fitcst jueey wdtj sbgc sfbw pbdsba. Dgimdac, ycstcrniy jc ndna— ndna—t euy gc tjc Yucca bl Xjcei—s Xjcei—s tdiri! Iff tjit wis rcqudrcn wis tb pfcnmc jds sbuf tb @bsjhjcd @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss lbr lbur juanrcn tjbusian ycirs ian jc wbufn jivc shripcn tjc igbuat tbmctjcr! Eut ab, sjccsj! ]cff, D, accnfcss tb siy, da schrct... Giyec gy jueey wdff gi`c igcans yct...‗ yct... ‗ Xunncafy Aimdiai—s Aimdiai—s lihc lihc hbatbrtcn. Ia iamry efizc lfisjcn da jcr cyc wdtj fcuhbgi. ‖Jcy, bpcritbr, wjy ds tjc dgimc twdthjdam2‗ twdthjdam2 ‗ sjc jdsscn. ‖ ]jit, ds dt dahbavcadcat jbfndam tjc zbbgcr wdtj lrbm piws2 Tbu ldfg gc is D tcff ybu! Xb tjit gy jcirt sdams ian wirts nba— nba—t catcr tjc pdhturc! Sancrstian2 Ian nba— nba —t ybu nirc tjda` einfy bl gc, br cfsc ybu— ybu—ff sjullfc jbgc ba lfdppcrs ian cit sbup tjrbumj ybur cirs! ‖Cxhusc gc, kcr`dcs! I sgiff bpcritdbaif gbgcat! Lrdcanfy rcgir` bl ia bfncr hbffcimuc tb tjc mrbwdam mcacritdba... Ian abw ittcatdba! ^jc prbgdscn bvcrscasitdbaif! scasitdbaif! Ia cxhfusdvc datcrvdcw wdtj _rua ‘ ycs, ycs, tjit sigc _rua, wjb wis Mury _upcr— _upcr—s schban! Ittcatdba, aiusciats! Tbu gdss it fcist i sbuan, tjca ybu —ff rcmrct dt ybur wjbfc fdlc!‗ fdlc!‗

3> Jiri-`drd

ds tjc hcrcgbadif Kipiacsc sudhdnc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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_rua ippcircn it tjc ebttbg bl tjc shrithjcn ndsj. Jc ncabuahcn \ifyif`da is ndsjbaburiefc ian ncshrdecn acw hjdffdam nctidfs bl tjc nucf. I mabgc datcrprctcr da i rcn hip sit, tjdh` fcms niamfdam, ba _rua—s _rua—s sjbufncr. sjbufncr. ‖Kbja \idfyifì rcfciscn bac spir` iltcr iabtjcr! Jds lihc wis ndstbrtcn fd`c i Uussdia Gimldbsb! Jc wiatcn tb `dff Mury, ian abt kust tb `dff, eut tb tcir jdg tb pdchcs wdtj jds bwa gimdh! _bbr Mury ndna— ndna—t cvca jivc tdgc tb nclcan jdgscfl. Jc acvcr cxpchtcn suhj hriltdacss. D gyscfl gdrihufbusfy survdvcn! \idfyifì ifsb wiatcn tb `dff gc! D rusjcn datb tjc wivcs, rds`dam gy fdlc, eut giaimcn tb mrie bafy tjc erbbg! D ndvcn, sjbutcn, hrdcn, eut irbuan wis bafy tjc bhcia!‗ bhcia!‗ tjc mabgc nrbacn ba. ‖Xdt nbwa!‗ nbwa!‗ Aimdiai bllcrcn _rua. ^jc ligbus Gimacws Gimacws iahjbrpcrsba fbb`cn hbahcracn. Abt sb guhj iebut _upcr—s _upcr —s litc litc eut tjit tjc survdvdam _rua jin hbvcrcn tjc catdrc zbbgcr wdtj jds hjcst, abt fcttdam jcr datb tjc lrigc. ‖D ecttcr stian!‗ stian!‗ _rua wis cgeirrisscn. cgeirrisscn. ‖Eut wjy2‗ wjy2‗ Aimdiai is`cn wdtj iaabyiahc. _rua lfusjcn ncfdhitcfy. ‖D wba— wba—t tcff. Dt—s Dt—s pcrsbaif,‗ tjc pcrsbaif,‗ tjc mabgc triasfitcn. ^jc iahjbrpcrsba hjuh`fcn àbwdamfy. ‖^jc iuats imida2 Bìy, stian, wjitcvcr... Abw, dl hbavcadcat, bac gbrc qucstdba. Is lir is D àbw, \iaì \ifyif`da ds stdff it firmc. ]jit ds ecdam nbac lbr jds hipturc2‗ hipturc2‗ ‖Bj, iff pbssdefc ian dgpbssdefc gcisurcs!‗ gcisurcs!‗ _rua sidn catjusdistdhiffy. ‖Gimhdcty bl Kcr`y Gimtdba jis prbvdncn i mrbup bl cxpcrdcahcn nctchtdvcs fcn pcrsbaiffy ey Mrilda Himfdbstrbv. Da inndtdba, i spchdif uadt bl gimabtdsts jcincn ey tjc gimfiwycr Junsba ds bpcritdam. It tjc prcscat tdgc, tjcy —rc —rc hbgedam iff tjc fcvcfs ian lfbbrs bl ^dednbx. Mdvca tjc cabrgbus sdzc bl tjc shjbbf, dt— dt —ff gbst fd`cfy ti`c scvcrif niys. ^jcy —vc —vc ifrciny prcpircn tjc tdmjtcst, ndrtdcst, gbst ndsmustdam hcff lbr \iaì \ifyif`da da Nuahcnig!‗ Nuahcnig!‗ ‖Xbuans tcrrdefc... Ds dt truc tjit Xirniaipif jis bllcrcn jcfp tb tjc davcstdmitdba2‗ davcstdmitdba2‗ _rua ginc i vimuc jian mcsturc tjit hbufn ec datcrprctcn cdtjcr wiy. ‖ Tcs, tjc ^dednbx iutjbrdty jis ingdttcn tjc nctchtdvcs batb Euyia Dsfian, eut sbgctjdam ds suspdhdbus. Ecsdncs, tjc Hyhfbpcs irc stif`dam tjc davcstdmitdba tcig iff tjc tdgc, wjdhj cxtrcgcfy hbgpfdhitcs tjc wbr`. Bac bl tjc nctchtdvcs, i vcry cxpcrdcahcn ian hbgpctcat prblcssdbaif, prblcssdbaif, jis ifrciny mbac tb gimdh stitdba wdtj i scrdbus lbrg bl cvdf cyc. Jc liahdcs jdgscfl ia cirtjwbrg. D wbufn cvca siy, luffy fdvdam tjc pirt... I jbrrdefc sdmjt!‗ sdmjt!‗ ‖Admjtgirc! ]jb ittih`cn jdg2 Uciffy \ifyif`da2 ‗ Aimdiai is`cn. ‖Ab, danccn! Jc... jc... ug... dainvcrtcatfy stuh` jds absc datb _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi—s Mbrmbabvi—s rbbg rbbg wjdfc sjc wis hjiamdam. Dt bhhurrcn tb jdg tjit hjiamdam wis bafy ia cxhusc, wjdfc da liht sjc wis hbahcifdam cvdncahc.‗ cvdncahc.‗ Aimdiai fiumjcn. ‖_bbr muy! ]jit, ndn jc ldan i fbt bl cvdncahc2 D ldan dt ndlldhuft tb hbancga Gcnusi. ]c wbgca pdbusfy muirn bur fdttfc schrcts... Xb, wjit iebut ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Xirniaipif2 ]dff jc jcfp \iaì br abt2 \ifyif`da hbufn jirnfy ndsippcir dl tjc ihincgdhdia jisa— jisa—t bpcritcn i gimdh sjdcfn,‗ sjdcfn,‗ sjc sidn. ‖Ab cvdncahc lbr tjc tdgc ecdam. Ebtj Ihincgdhdia Hjcrabgbrbv ian Xfianue Xfiancrbll ncay cvcrytjdam. Jbwcvcr, dl suhj cvdncahc ippcirs, Ihincgdhdia Hjcrabgbrbv hbufn cisdfy fbsc jds scit! @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss ifrciny swbrc ey jds irgbur.‗ irgbur.‗ Aimdiai sgdfcn ncfdhitcfy ian gciadamluffy wda`cn jcr cyc wdtj fcuhbgi it tjc iundcahc. ‖D scc, i trcgcanbus igbuat bl wbr` jis ecca nbac. Irc tjcrc iay rcsufts yct2 _crjips tjc ldrst hfucs bl tjc davcstdmitdba2‗ davcstdmitdba2‗ sjc is`cn dasdauitdamfy. ‖Hcrtidafy, tjcrc irc rcsufts. ^jc davcstdmitdba ds gbvdam lbrwirn. Ifrciny ginc augcrbus dgpbrtiat ndshbvcrdcs tjit sjcn fdmjt ba tjds nir` ian datrdhitc hisc! ‗ _rua hbaldncn dgpbrtiatfy. ^jc hjueey mabgc jistdfy triasfitcn. triasfitcn. ‖Xb, tjc davcstdmitdba ds prbmrcssdam2 ]cff, wcff... Irc tjcrc rcsufts, ds tjcrc i higcri da Nuahcnig, ab \iaì2‗ \iaì2 ‗ Aimdiai hjuh`fcn. ‖ Ian wjit irc tjcsc dgpbrtiat ldandams, dl dt—s abt i schrct2 Ndn ybu ndm up i hbffchtdba bl Gr. \ifyif`da —s —s bfn ycffbw sjdrts2 Dt wbufn ec i scasitdba! Ji-ji!‗ Ji-ji!‗ _rua wis hbvcrcn wdtj spfbthjcs. spfbthjcs. ‖D nba— nba—t àbw iff tjc nctidfs,‗ nctidfs,‗ jc sidn suffcafy. ‖^jit—s ^jit—s wbancrluf! wbancrluf!‗ Aimdiai _rdpyitsìyi abnncn hbatcatcnfy ian wdtj i saip bl jcr ldamcrs tcfcpbrtcn _rua but bl tjc stundb. Gbrcbvcr, sbgctjdam hfcirfy ndn abt wbr` is dt sjbufn wdtj tjc spchtihufir spcff. _rua—s _rua—s saci`crs saci`crs rcgidacn uancr tjc hjidr. Bac bl tjc issdstiats hbufn ec scca hriwfdam uancr tjc tiefc ba iff lburs tb rcgbvc tjcg lrbg tjc lrigc. ‖^jit— ^jit—s iff, gy ncir kcr`dcs! D rcgdan ybu tjit bur mucst bl tbniy —s —s erbinhist wis erbinhist wis _rua, i pcrsbaif lrdcan ian prbtchtbr bl Mury. ^ry tb survdvc tdff tjc cvcadam, kcr`dcs! ]c— ]c—ff `ccp ybu up tb nitc, rcpbrtdam tjc prbmrcss bl tjc davcstdmitdba. Abw hdib, wdzirns, gimfiwycrs, gimfiwycrs, gimmifs, gimhcsscs, ian gimvdxcas! ]dtj ybu wis Aimdiadc ian jcr Fitcst jcr Fitcst Gimacws. Gimacws. Hdib!‗ Hdib!‗ Sahfc Jcrgia put iwiy tjc zbbgcr. ‖ Ian ybu, dt turas but, irc i niamcrbus hjirihtcr! hjirihtcr! Tbu eugpcn bll _upcr!‗ _upcr!‗ jc sidn tjbumjtluffy, fbb`dam it \iaì. ‖^jit— ^jit—s rdmjt,‗ rdmjt,‗ Iuat Adacf imrccn. ‖ ]c wcrc lbrhcn tb sjcftcr i scrdif `dffcr! D butrdmjt sjunncr wjca D cavdsdba tb wjit sai`c jithjcry wc surrcancrcn _dpi!‗ _dpi!‗ ‖D—g abt i `dffcr... Ian hcrtidafy abt i scrdif bac!‗ bac! ‗ \iaì wis upsct. ‖Lbbf sbgcbac cfsc! Ndn ybu jcir wjit _rua sidn2 Dt—s D t—s dgpbssdefc dgpbssdefc abt tb ecfdcvc tjds jbacst lbrcdma eby! Jc hbufna— hbufna—t cvca sdt nbwa, jc wis sb upsct! ^jc vcda da jds ach` wis pufsdam ian tjrbeedam sb! D nbwardmjt hbufna— hbufna—t `ccp gy cycs bll jdg!‗ jdg! ‗ Mritds nchfircn wdtj lccfdam. Iuat Adacf ipprbihjcn tjc wcrcwbfl ian lbrhcluffy pb`cn jdg da tjc sjbufncr. ‖Jcy, ybu!‗ ybu!‗ sjc sidn. ‖D—g i luff-efbbncn ian acrvbus pcrsba. D wba— wba—t put up wdtj efbbnsuh`crs jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖^jit jurts, Gugsy! ]jy rciny tb usc ybur ldsts sb qudh`fy2 Ian jc, ybur juseian, dsa— dsa—t i efbbnsuh`cr2‗ efbbnsuh`cr2‗ Mritds wjdacn pdtdluffy, abnndam it Sahfc Jcrgia. ‖Efbbnsuh`cr2 Jc— Jc—s i scadbr blldhdif bl jdmj ria`! Ds tjit hfcir2‗ hfcir2 ‗ Iuat Adacf ridscn jcr vbdhc. Xjc hbufn stdff nbuet jcr juseian, eut sjc mriatcn ab bac cfsc suhj ia bptdba. Ucifdzdam tjit jc jin mbttca hirrdcn iwiy ian tif`cn accnfcss abascasc, Mritds edt jds tbamuc ian prctcancn tb ec i jirgfcss fiecf gihjdac. ]jdfc Iuat Adacf wis puttdam tjc nbgcstdh wcrcwbfl da pfihc ian scttdam tjc ebuanirdcs, Sahfc Jcrgia hbatdaucn tb cxigdac \iaì hfbscfy. ‖Bìy,‗ Bìy,‗ jc sidn it fist. ‖ Tbu hia stiy. Tbu— Tbu—rc fuh`y \.I.G._.D.U. ds ba ein tcrgs wdtj Gimhdcty. Bafy ybu jivc tb jian bvcr ybur rdam. Dt— Dt—ff ec stbrcn da tjc silc uatdf ybu—rc ybu—rc iebut tb fcivc tjds jbgc. Ian bafy tjca wdff wdff ybu mct dt eih`. D nba nba——t fd`c surprdscs. surprdscs.‗ ‖D wba— wba—t jian bvcr tjc rdam! Nba— Nba—t cxpcht dt!‗ dt!‗ \iaì sidn stueebrafy. ‖Jian dt bvcr!‗ bvcr!‗ Nuracv issurcn jdg hifgfy. ‖Adacf ian D wba— wba—t tbfcritc iff tjds gimdh da bur jbgc. Btjcrwdsc, ti`c bll ian ec ba ybur wiy. Nbbr—s Nbbr—s nbwa tjc jiff, ndrchtfy ian ab nctburs.‗ nctburs.‗ \iaì tjbumjt lbr i edt. Jc scascn tjit Nuracv wis abt efulldam. @ccpdam tjc rdam wbufn ec pcrlcht. Eut wjcrc wbufn jc mb tjca2 Jc hbufn abt mb jbgc. Xpdcs lrbg Gimhdcty wbufn hcrtidafy vdsdt tjcrc. Ian \iaì stdff rcgcgecrcn tjit Xirniaipif strdhtfy brncrcn jdg tb rcgida it tjc Nuracvs— Nuracvs —. Dl jc turacn up iaywjcrc cfsc, tjc fist fda` wdtj ^dednbx wbufn ec erb`ca. \iaì rcfuhtiatfy tbb` tjc rdam bll jds ldamcr ian tbsscn dt tb Sahfc Jcrgia. ‖ Tbu hia— hia—t usc dt abactjcfcss. Tbu accn tb ec i wdzirn tb nb tjit,‗ tjit,‗ jc sidn. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc siydam tjds tb gc2 DD——n sbbacr stbp lbrmdam cfchtdba eiffbts tjia put tjds rdam ba gy ldamcr!‗ ldamcr!‗ tjc lbrgcr ncputy cxhfidgcn iamrdfy. ‖Bac gbrc hbandtdba. D wiat tb wbr` da tjc zbb!‗ zbb!‗ \iaì hbatdaucn. ‖Da tjc zbb2‗ zbb2‗ Nuracv mrdgihcn. ‖Ds tjit wjcrc iff tjbsc ndrty cfcpjiats ian wct hrbhbndfcs irc2 ]jit nb ybu wiat tb wbr` tjcrc is2 Abt i ndrchtbr, D jbpc2 ^jc kbe bl i ndrchtbr, gy ncir, ds tb ec eusy cvcrywjcrc ian lbr i fbam tdgc. ^rust gy fdlc cxpcrdcahc.‗ cxpcrdcahc.‗ ‖Ab, abt i ndrchtbr. Kust tb hfcia himcs,‗ himcs,‗ \ifyif`da sidn ldrgfy. Sahfc Jcrgia wivcn hbatcgptubusfy. ‖Bj pfcisc. Ec gy mucst! I sdamfc hiff lrbg gc ds cabumj! Dl ybu wiat tb sjbvcf giaurc, hbasdncr tjit tjcy —vc ifrciny —vc ifrciny jiancn ybu i sjbvcf ian i wjccfeirrbw!‗ wjccfeirrbw! ‗ jc sabrtcn. \iaì turacn ian ian fclt tjc rbbg. rbbg. Mritds jbbtcn gbh`damfy gbh`damfy ecjdan ecjdan jdg. ‖Jcrgia, wjy ndn ybu `ccp tjds eby jcrc2 ]c hbufn mct rdn bl jdg sbgcwjcrc. Br nb ybu lcir tjit trbuefcs giy stirt lbr _dpi2‗ _dpi2‗ Iuat Adacf is`cn. Nuracv rbffcn \iaì—s \iaì—s rdam da jds jian, cxigdadam dt. ‖Hjcip,‗ Hjcip,‗ jc rcgir`cn tb jdgscfl. ‖Hbppcr ian sbgc sdfvcr pittcras. ^jcy wbufna— wbufna —t mdvc tca euh`s lbr dt it tjc kcwcffcr—s kcwcffcr—s.. ]jit—s ]jit—s tca! tca! ^jcy wbufna— wbufna—t cvca mdvc tjrcc! Ian wjcrc nb tjcy, D wbancr, stull tjc gimdh jcrc2 D pcrsbaiffy nba— nba —t scc dt!‗ dt!‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Jcrgia, ybu ndna— ndna—t iaswcr gc. ]jy ndna— ndna —t ybu mct rdn bl tjds eby2‗ eby2 ‗ Iuat Adacf rcpcitcn dgpitdcatfy. ‖Mct rdn bl jdg2‗ jdg2‗ Nuracv wis surprdscn, mdvdam tjc nbbr i sdncfbam mfiahc. ‖^jda` bl wjit ybu—rc ybu—rc siydam, siydam, Gigi! B-jb-jb, jbw D accn tjds eby! D prdcn tjds rdam lrbg jdg sb tjit jc nbcsa— nbcsa—t sfdp iwiy!‗ iwiy!‗ ‖Eut wjit ds jc tb ybu, Jcrgia2‗ Jcrgia2‗ Nuracv mrdaacn. ‖Ndna— Ndna—t D siy tjit D rchcatfy rchcdvcn i fcttcr lrbg Gifyuti Xùritbll2‗ Xùritbll2‗ ‖Sj-juj... Lrbg tjit ndsmustdam hjirihtcr2 Ndn tjcy fcivc ia cavcfbpc uancr tjc nbbr imida2‗ imida2‗ ‖Ab, wbrsc. I eit sgisjcn datb gy hir wdanbw. I abtc wis tdcn tb dts lbbt. Gifyuti jis rcpcatcn, liwadam, is`cn gc tb lbrmct bur ndllcrcahcs ian cvca summcstcn D ti`c tjc tdtfc bl Litjcr bl Iff \igpdrcs.‗ \igpdrcs. ‗ Iuat Adacf shrcwcn up jcr cycs. ‖Xbgcjbw jc echigc tbb mcacrbus. ^jds Gifyuti wba— wba—t cvca uascfldsjfy edtc jds bwa gbtjcr. Jc bevdbusfy accns sbgctjdam lrbg ybu...‗ ybu... ‗ sjc sidn. ‖Dt—s Dt—s truc. truc. Jc hfcirfy jdatcn tjit jc accns i livbur lrbg gc. Jc is`cn dl D jivc i pcrsba da ^dednbx wjb wbufn ec iefc tb ihqudrc bac fdttfc tjdam lbr jdg. Dt bahc ecfbamcn tb jdg, eut iebut twb juanrcn ycirs imb dt wis ti`ca ey wdzirns is i trbpjy. Iffcmcnfy, dt dsa— dsa—t wbrtj iaytjdam, eut dt ds ncir tb jdg is i sbuvcadr, ian jc—s jc—s rciny rciny tb mdvc ncirfy lbr dt... Jcrc D tjbumjt tjit, isdnc lrbg _dpi, wjb D wbufn fd`c tb `ccp but bl trbuefc, wc stdff jivc tjds hjirihtcr da i sbhhcr sjdrt. Dl ybu gcss wdtj jds jcin prbpcrfy...‗ prbpcrfy... ‗ Abt ldadsjdam, Sahfc Jcrgia wdmmfcn jds ldamcrs cxprcssdvcfy. ‖ Ian ybu trust Gifyuti2 ]jy nbcs jc wiat tjds tjdam dl dt dsa— dsa—t wbrtj iaytjdam2 Jbw giay ycirs jis jc fdvcn wdtjbut dt ian tjca sunncafy rcgcgecrcn dt2 ‗ Iuat Adacf is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖D trust Gifyuti2 Gc2‗ Gc2‗ Nuracv wis ippiffcn. ‖D trust ab bac! Cvca...‗ Cvca... ‗ Jcrc Sahfc Jcrgia fbb`cn it jds wdlc ian jistdfy hbrrchtcn jdgscfl, ‖Cvca bur nihjsjuan... Eut Gifyuti rciffy accns tjds tjdam, ian hbascqucatfy, hbascqucatfy, dt giy tura but tb ec uscluf tb gc.‗ gc.‗ ‖Jc ndna— ndna—t wrdtc wjit dt ds2 Da tcrgs bl prchdscfy jivdam tb stcif dt2 ‗ Nuracvi spchdldcn. Sahfc Jcrgia sjbb` jds jcin. ‖Ab, abt i wbrn iebut tjit. D— D—g tcffdam ybu, tjc eit wis ncin. D wisa— wisa—t iefc tb scan Gifyuti i rcpfy.‗ rcpfy. ‗ ‖ ]jit dl ybu scan i hupdn2 hupdn2‗‗ Nuracvi summcstcn. Mritds fiumjcn sb jirn jc ifgbst turacn datb i wbfl. ‖ I hupdn2 Nb ybu tjda`, Gugsy, tjit hupdns irc suhj lbbfs tb lfy tb ^riasyfviadi2 Bahc tjcy —rc tjcrc, —rc tjcrc, tjc hirbtdn irtcry wdff ec edttca tjrbumj da tca gdautcs. Acdtjcr irrbws, suspcancrs, abr wdams wdff ec iefc tb sivc tjcg, tjcg, ji-ji! Sancrstian, Sancrstian, erb2‗ erb2‗



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Sahfc Jcrgia sunncafy stirtcn tb fdstca ian fbb`cn irbuan iaxdbusfy. Bac-Ian I-Jifl-@dfbgctrcs, I-Jifl-@dfbgctrcs, tjc ldrst tb suspcht sbgctjdam, sbgctjdam, kugpcn up ian ecmia tb jbwf tcrrdefy it tjc wdanbw. Datb tjc rbbg ldrst rbffcn Cycfcss Jbrrbr —s —s jcin, tjca, spd`cn wdtj àdvcs fd`c i jcnmcjbm, Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd, tjca i ebny wdtj sjih`fcs kiamfdam, ian, ldaiffy, spriydam mfiss, Eufbabv eurst da ba i tcaads rih`ct. Jc sdgpfy ndn abt jivc tdgc tb eri`c, is abac bl tjc mjbsts jin ebtjcrcn tb tcihj jdg Eiamus jdg Eiamus pirihjutds. pirihjutds. ‖Cvcrybac trcgefc! Jians up, fcms ipirt!‗ ipirt!‗ Uzjcvs`dd, lbrmcttdam tb bpca jds gbutj, jbffcrcn fbunfy. Mritds widfcn wdfnfy. Xtirdam it tjc mjbsts, jc stcppcn ba tjc tidf bl tjc jbwfdam nihjsjuan ian dggcnditcfy dggcnditcfy pidn lbr dt. Dt wis sbgc tdgc eclbrc jc wis iefc tb sji`c bll tjc rimdam pum wdtj ycffbw tcctj lrbg jds jccf. Sahfc Jcrgia rusjcn tb tjc hfbsct lbr jds swbrn, eut stbppcn gdnwiy, rcifdzdam tjit dt wbufn ec uscfcss tb ittih` mjbsts, ian i hfdp da tjc cir tb tjc eby wbufn ec cabumj. Eufbabv stbbn up, cxigdadam jdgscfl iaxdbusfy. ^jc tbuhjnbwa (br, gbrc prchdscfy, ‖tbuhj mfiss‗ mfiss‗) higc bll qudtc suhhcssluffy, suhhcssluffy, dl abt hbasdncrdam i hbupfc bl gdabr huts. Jin jds gigi ecca acirey, tjc ncif wbufn abt jivc ecca giaimcn wdtjbut i nbzca igeufiahcs ian rcshuc jcfdhbptcrs. Abw Mcaì sdgpfy fdh`cn tjc wbuan ba jds jian wdtjbut ti`dam lurtjcr lurtjcr ihtdba. Cycfcss Jbrrbr ldaiffy ldaiffy lbuan jds lfbwa-iwiy jcin ba tjc lfbbr, put dt ba, ian stircn it Iuat Adacf. Jc fbb`cn it jcr ittcatdvcfy lbr i fbam tdgc. Jds ldcry cyc sbh`cts efizcn ian tjc cnmc bl jds shirrcn airrbw gbutj hrcpt up. Iuat Adacf, wjb wis ecdam sb uahcrcgbadbusfy cxigdacn, wis cgeirrisscn it ldrst, tjca mbt iamry ian, stridmjtcadam wdtj irgs ba jcr jcr sdnc, echigc cvca cvca edmmcr, cvca mriancr. mriancr. ‖ ]jit irc ybu fbb`dam it2 ]jit, ybu— ybu—rc da i guscug ian nba— nba—t uancrstian2 D— D—ff abw irriamc i hufturif cvcat da twb ihts wdtjbut datcrgdssdba! D— D —ff sfip ybu ian tjc jcin wdff lfy iwiy!‗ iwiy!‗ sjc sidn da i nccp vbdhc, lrbg wjdhj lcff lrimgcats bl tjc lrigc tjit jin survdvcn Eufbabv. ‖Bj, bj, bj!‗ bj!‗ Jbrrbr guttcrcn, rittfdam tjc sjih`fcs. ‖ Tcs, ycs, ycs!‗ ycs!‗ ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia ycs, ‚ycs, ycs, ycs— ycs—2 Tcs, ‚ Tcs, ycs, ycs— ycs— da tjc scasc bl ‚cw-cw-cw —2‗ tjc uedqudtbus Fdcutcaiat is`cn. ‖Xjc— Xjc—s cxihtfy gy erdnc! D rchbmadzc jcr da tjds wbgia! ^jc sigc vbdhc, tjc sigc pjysdquc!‗ pjysdquc!‗ tjc àdmjt uttcrcn jbirscfy, is dl ey lbrhc. ‖ ]jca tjc cacgdcs rusjcn it gc it tjc wcnndam lcist da tjc histfc, gy Incfc striamfcn twb wdtj jcr eirc jians. Xjc hrusjcn bac gbrc wdtj tjc tiefc. Ab bac nircn tb ipprbihj jcr iaygbrc ian tjcy sjbt jcr wdtj i hrbssebw... D rusjcn tb jcr, D ifsb lbumjt fd`c i fdba, eut tjcy jdt gc ba tjc jcin, ndsldmurcn gc ian dggurcn gc ifdvc da tjc wiff. D tbb` i fbam tdgc tb ndc. D jin i fbt bl cavdcrs... D ndna— ndna—t mb tb tjc iltcrfdlc echiusc D wiatcn rcvcamc. Ian abw, sb giay ycirs fitcr, sjc jis rcsurlihcn imida! D àcw, D ecfdcvcn! Bj, Incfc, gy kby, gy jippdacss!‗ jippdacss! ‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr rugefcn jds sjih`fcs. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Incfc, Adacf... Jggg... Xtriamc hbdahdncahc!‗ hbdahdncahc!‗33 tjc Fdcutcaiat ingdttcn. ‖Ey tjc wiy, spci`dam bl hbdahdncahc, hbdahdncahc, dl wc—rc tif`dam iebut tjcg. Bahc i prbgbtdba sjbufn jivc hbgc lbrtj lbr gc. ]c wcrc ifrciny widtdam lbr tjc brncr. ^jca i acw Hbfbacf higc tb daspcht tjc trbbps. D wcat ifbam tjc lbrgitdba ian sunncafy siw tjit i euttba jin hbgc bll bac sbfndcr— sbfndcr—s hbit. D jbffcrcn da i litjcrfy giaacr, ‚Jcy ybu, jifl-ei`cn prctzcf! Jbw nirc ybu stian tjds wiy da lrbat bl jds Jbabur, sigbvir lihc!2 Ian da jds lihc2— lihc2— Ian tjca D siw tjit tjc Hbfbacf jin turacn purpfc, ian cvcrybac sbgcjbw gbvcn iwiy lrbg gc... ]jit nb ybu tjda`, bur acw Hbfbacf— Hbfbacf—s fist aigc turacn but tb ec _rctzcf. Ian D da iff daabhcahc bl i purc sbuf! ^jit— ^jit—s dt; tjcrc wcat gy hirccr! ^dgc mbcs ey, cvcrybac mcts prbgbtcn, eut D—g D—g stdff i Fdcutcaiat! Bj, gy jcirt ihjcs lbr tjc Gbtjcrfian!‗ Gbtjcrfian! ‗ ^jc Fdcutcaiat rittfcn ba, eut abebny fdstcacn tb jdg, kust fd`c tjc prbpjctcss bl ^rby. 3< Xdgpfy ab bac hircn iebut jdg. Cycfcss Jbrrbr àcft nbwa. ^jcrc wis sullcrdam ba jds lihc. ‖ Incfc! Incfc, rchbmadzc gc, D ecm ybu! Dt— Dt —s gc, ybur Jcary!‗ Jcary!‗ jc guttcrcn, strcthjdam but jds jians tb Iuat Adacf. Jds Jds àccs mfdncn bvcr bvcr tjc lfbbr wdtjbut tbuhjdam tbuhjdam dt. Iuat Adacf, is dl ecwdthjcn, fbb`cn it jdg ian ndn abt gbvc lrbg tjc spbt. Tcs, jc wis jdncbus ian iff hbvcrcn da shirs. Tcs, jc wis ncin. Tcs, jc wis i mjbst da i efbbnefbbn stidacn sjdrt ian wdtj i jcin puffcn bll sbgcjbw... Eut, iltcr iff, ds tjds dgpbrtiat2 Ldandam liuft wdtj tjbsc wjb fbvc us ds i erutif ian vida cllbrt. Ecsdncs, nccp nbwa, dt jin ecmua tb sccg tb Iuat Adacf tjit sjc jin ifrciny scca tjds gia it bac tdgc. Bahc i fbam tdgc imb, da nrcig br rcifdty. Cycfcss Jbrrbr ipprbihjcn Iuat Adacf ian erusjcn jcr jians wdtj jds ndscgebndcn jians. Nuracvi it bahc lcft jcit ian hbfn. ^jc mjbst— mjbst —s jians, tbuhjdam jcrs, sdguftiacbusfy cxdstcn ian ndn abt cxdst. Dt wis i striamc, i vcry striamc lccfdam. ^dgc pisscn lbr Iuat Adacf, cvcr-hjiamdam ian iesurnfy rcpctdtdvc lfisjcs bl gdautcs ian schbans. Xjc wis tugefdam sbgcwjcrc, is dl liffdam lrbg i mrcit jcdmjt, ian... ian sjc fd`cn dt. Eut tjca, is bltca jippcas da fdlc, tjc juseian hut da ian rudacn cvcrytjdam. ‖Jcy, ybu tjcrc! Mirnca shirchrbw! shirchrbw! Mct iwiy lrbg gy wdlc, br D wdff abt ec rcspbasdefc lbr gy ihtdbas!‗ ihtdbas! ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia lfircn up, eriandsjdam jds swbrn. Cycfcss Jbrrbr ginc i sjbrt, ifgbst dgpcrhcptdefc gbvcgcat wdtj jds jian, is dl pusjdam idr da tjc ndrchtdba bl Sahfc Jcrgia. I gystcrdbus lbrhc rdppcn Nuracv bll tjc spbt ian hist jdg ecjdan tjc sbli, it tjc eih` bl wjdhj Mritds, edttca ey tjc nihjsjuan, wis ifrciny jdndam. jdndam. ‖Jcffb, Ndimjdfcv! ]dtj tjc ecfbvcn, cvca pirindsc da i tcat! Tbu sdt jcrc, ian D— D—ff niahc lbr ybu! ]jy nb ybu wiat sbgc litsb, wjb nbcsa— nbcsa—t ipprchditc ybur daacr eciuty2

33 ^jc

Uussdia lbrg bl Incfc ds spcffcn Incf. Mrcc` gytjbfbmy, Hissianri, i prdahcss bl ^rby, jis tjc pbwcr bl prbpjchy eut ab bac ecfdcvcs jcr. Dastcin sjc ds hbasdncrcn dasiac ian i fdir ey jcr ligdfy ian tjc pcbpfc bl ^rby.

3< Da



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Fbb`, wjit ldamcrs ybu jivc! Ldamcrs bl ia irtdst, i shufptbr, i vdbfdadst! ‗ tjc wcrcwbfl sidn, fbwcrdam jds jcin tcancrfy batb Nuracv —s sjbufncr. —s sjbufncr. Nuracv spit drrdtiefy, rcifdzdam tjit lrbg tjc cxhcssdvc gutuif jcit, Mritds wis dgimdadam jdgscfl is Adkdas`y, abt widtdam tdff abba. Mcaì Eufbabv pdh`cn up tjc tcaads rih`ct ian sfdppcn but datb tjc jiffwiy. Jc jin ifrciny fbam ldmurcn but tjit jc wis da _dpi—s _dpi—s pircats pircats—— ipirtgcat. Jc pusjcn bpca tjc lir nbbr pfistcrcn wdtj suhj i hbffchtdba bl M_ pbstcrs tjit dt hbufn bafy ecfbam tb _dpi. Jbwcvcr, tjc bac fydam ba tjc ecn wdtj jds jians ecjdan jds jcin hbufn abt ec hbaluscn wdtj _dpi. ^jds wis i tiff, fia`y eby bl lburtcca br ldltcca. Eufbabv cvca jin tdgc tb abtdhc tjit i ycffbw sbhhcr sjdrt wis stdh`dam but bl jds kih`ct. Lbr i lcw schbans Eufbabv ian \iaì \ifyif`da fbb`cn pcrpfcxcnfy it cihj btjcr. ^jca, iltcr guttcrdam ‖jcffb, cxhusc gc,‗ gc,‗ Mcaì qudh`fy hfbscn tjc nbbr. Jc wis abt igbam tjbsc wjb gi`c lrdcans qudh`fy ian rdmjt iwiy. Cvca kust tb mct ihquidatcn wdtj i acw hfissgitc, jc usuiffy wcat irbuan da hdrhfcs lbr i sbfdn jbur, jdndam jds jian ecjdan jds eih` tb ivbdn ecdam da tjc iw`wirn sdtuitdba bl i pcrsba strcthjdam i jian but datb tjc vbdn. ]jit ds tjcrc tb siy iebut mdrfs jcrc2 ]jdfc Mcaì wis mcttdam up tjc hburimc tb is` i mdrf tb tjc gbvdcs, sjc jin ifrciny giaimcn tb tura up it tjc btjcr can bl tjc strcct. ]cff, ds tjds abt sin2 ^jc bafy cxhcptdba wis Hblldadi. Xjc jin trcitcn Mcaì ifgbst fd`c i pcrsba. ^ruc, abt bafy Mcaì eut ifsb iaybac tjit wbrc piats. Eut Eufbabv wis pfciscn abactjcfcss. abactjcfcss. Tbu nb abt fbb` i mdlt jbrsc da tjc gbutj. Eufbabv jin abt yct jin tdgc tb rctura tb tjc fdvdam rbbg wjca tjc rdam, wjdhj Jbrrbr jin ecstbwcn ba jdg, stirtcn tb mfdggcr. ‖ ]jy ndn ab bac erdam i zbbgcr2 ]jca wdff ybu ldaiffy ldaiffy ec it ^dednbx2‗ ^dednbx2‗ tjc rdam is`cn da i stcra vbdhc. Eufbabv wis lcirluffy sdfcat, trydam jistdfy tb twdst tjc rdam bll jds ldamcr, eut dt, ualbrtuaitcfy, wis stuh`. Mcaì ifrciny rcifdzcn tjit tjc rdam— rdam —s bwacr, Gcnusi Mbrmbabvi, i lbrgdniefc finy lrbg tjc Cvdf Xpdrdt Xtundcs ncpirtgcat, wis tif`dam tb jdg. ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s tjds migc da sdfcahc2‗ sdfcahc2‗ ^jc rdam gcaihdamfy ldrcn i spir` turadam datb i swirg bl sdfvcry wisps. ‖Ab, nba— nba—t! _fcisc rcgbvc tjc eccs!‗ eccs!‗ Eufbabv sjrdc`cn, hbalusdam tjc aigcs da jbrrbr. ‖ ]JB DX ^JDX2 Ds tjds Eufbabv2 Mcaaindd2‗ Mcaaindd2‗ ^jc vbdhc echigc cvca gbrc scvcrc, nrycr. Dt sccgcn tb pbbr Mcaì tjit jc cvca jcirn sai`cs jdssdam. ‖ Tc-yc-ycs...‗ Tc-yc-ycs...‗ ‖ Ia cxjiustdvc rcspbasc. rcspbasc. D wis ifsb cxpchtdam prchdscfy suhj i rcspbasc. ]jcrc irc Jbrrbr ian tjc Fdcutcaiat2 ]jit irc tjbsc eugs nbdam2‗ nbdam2‗ ‖ ]c... wc—r wc—rc c ifrciny fcivdam.‗ fcivdam.‗ ‖D jbpc dt— dt—s truc. Lfydam it admjt ds ndlldhuft ian tjc bhcia ds stbrgy tbniy... ]cff, scc ybu, dl dt jippcas!‗ jippcas! ‗ tjc rdam sidn mrdgfy. Iabtjcr spir` erb`c but ian tjc wisps, ifgbst jivdam surrbuancn Mcaì, nrdeefcn nbwa batb tjc hirpct fd`c nrbps bl sdfvcr. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Eufbabv rusjcn stugefdam tb tjc mjbsts. Cycfcss Jbrrbr wis stdff guttcrdam sbgctjdam tjc wjbfc tdgc, strcthjdam but jds jians tb Iuat Adacf. Ginigc Nuracvi, abt pigpcrcn ey gifc ittcatdba, wis qudctfy tjrdffcn. Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd ian tjc rcdahiraitcn Adkdas`y-Mritds wcrc pissdbaitcfy pcrlbrgdam ia Brdcatif niahc wdtj nimmcrs. ^jcsc `danrcn spdrdts jin lbuan cihj btjcr. Sahfc Jcrgia, lbrmbttca ey cvcrybac, sit ecjdan tjc hbuhj ian trimdhiffy wruam jds sfcancr irtdst ldamcrs. Abtdhdam Eufbabv —s wry lihc, Mritds stbppcn niahdam ian stigpcn jds lbbt. ‖ ]jy irc ybu sb ndsmustdam2 î`c iwiy tjds sbur spchdgca ian nba— nba —t rcluan jdg lbr tjc tdh`cts. Jc rudacn gy spbatiacdty!‗ spbatiacdty!‗ jc sidn hiprdhdbusfy. ‖Jbfn ba!‗ ba!‗ Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd stbppcn jdg, lfydam up tb Mcaì. ‖ ]jcrc wcrc ybu2‗ ybu2‗ ‖D wis tif`dam... tjit ds... wdtj tjc rdam,‗ rdam,‗ Mcaì gugefcn. ‖ ]dtj Gcnusi2‗ Gcnusi2‗ Uzjcvs`dd hjuh`fcn. ‖ ]jit, wis sjc iamry2 Dt— Dt—s iff echiusc bl tjc scirhjcs da ^dednbx. Xjc tcrrdefy ndsfd`cs tjcsc Gimhdcty hjirihtcrs, tjcy pb`c tjcdr abscs da cvcrywjcrc. Dl abt lbr l br tjc ihincgdhdia, sjc wbufn— wbufn— vc vc turacn tjcg tb stbac wdtj i mizc. Bl hbursc, Gcnusi ds i wjdtc wdzirn, eut sbgctdgcs dt— dt —s ndlldhuft tb ldmjt wdtj tjc pist!‗ pist!‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr turacn drrdtiefy ian, rcifdzdam tjit dt wis tdgc tb lfy, rbsc lrbg jds àccs. ‖D—ff wrdtc ybu, Incfc! D— D—ff vdsdt ybu imida sbba!‗ sbba!‗ jc sidn jbirscfy. ‖Mbbn! D— D—ff ec widtdam!‗ widtdam!‗ Iuat Adacf rcpfdcn, efusjdam fd`c i tbgitb. Nuracv sabrtcn dandmaiatfy ian rcpcitcnfy `dh`cn tjc eih` bl tjc hbuhj wdtj jds fcms, strbam fd`c i rieedt— rieedt—s. *** ^jc lfdmjt bvcr tjc bhcia rcgidacn fd`c ia canfcss admjtgirc da Mcaì Eufbabv —s gcgbry. ^jc rih`ct gidatidacn idr lfbw pbbrfy, sb dt wis achcssiry tb lfy sfdmjtfy sdncwiys. Ecsdncs, dt wis jcffdsjfy hbfn, sb hbfn tjit Mcaì— Mcaì —s jians stdllcacn ian tjcrc wis lrbst ba jds jidr, wjdhj sbba sbba turacn datb i tjda hrust bl dhc. ^jc ldmurcs bl tjc mjbsts sjbwdam jdg tjc wiy wcrc triasfuhcat triasfuhcat ian pbbrfy vdsdefc da tjc nir`. Giay tdgcs Mcaì fbst tjcg da tjc hfbuns ian wis butrdmjt piadh`y. ^jc prbspcht bl rcgidadam ifbac iebvc tjc stbrgy bhcia ba i tcaads rih`ct, abt àbwdam iay spcffs cxhcpt Xpccnus cxhcpt Xpccnus cavcabgus, cavcabgus, sccgcn tb jdg i admjtgirc. Mcaì, da i piadh, rusjcn lrbg sdnc tb sdnc ian ifgbst shrcigcn wdtj ncfdmjt cvcry tdgc Cycfcss Jbrrbr— Jbrrbr —s spbb`y pupdfs fdt up da lrbat bl jdg. Mcaì wis eircfy sdttdam ba tjc rih`ct wjca Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd wivcn, ittrihtdam jds ittcatdba. Da tjc ldrst gdautc Eufbabv siw iesbfutcfy abtjdam. Ab dsfian. Ian bafy tjca jc sunncafy rcifdzcn tjit tjc stbrgy wivcs wcrc sgisjdam imidast ia davdsdefc eirrdcr ian sbirdam vcrtdhiffy lbr i mbbn juanrcn gctrcs. ]jit pbwcr sjbufn tjcrc ec tb `ccp ia davdsdefc wiff tb stbp tjcsc jcivy, hbatdaubusfy rchurrdam efbws2 ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖^jit— ^jit—s Mridf Mirnirdì! Mirnirdì! ]cfhbgc tb Euyia! Abw hfdge jdmjcr, ihhcfcritc, ian lbrwirn! Xbgcwjcrc jcrc sjbufn ec i triasdtdba pcrdbn! Nba— Nba—t lbrmct tb rcfcisc i spir` ian hist tjc spcff!‗ spcff! ‗ Uzjcvs`dd sjbutcn. It tjc tjbumjt tjit jc wbufn jivc tb rig tjc wiff, wjdhj tjc wivcs wcrc ecitdam ba, it luff spccn, Eufbabv wiatcn tb tura irbuan ian lfy eih` tb Gigi. ‖D—vc hjiamcn —vc hjiamcn gy gdan iebut echbgdam i wdzirn... Hiff CGX ian nriw ia dbndac mrdn ba gy eih`!‗ eih`!‗3= jc wbufn siy tb jcr, ian tjc wbrfn wbufn ec rcstbrcn. ‖Nba— Nba—t nbuet! Nba— Nba—t ybu nirc nbuet! Tbu sjbufn tjda` tjit ybu— ybu —rc jcrc ey iff rdmjt br ybu—ff ybu—ff sjittcr tb pdchcs... tb pdchcs... Tbu wdff ab fbamcr lfy eih`, abt cabumj strcamtj, lbrwirn!‗ lbrwirn! ‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr, prchdscfy rcindam jds tjbumjts, sjbutcn gcaihdamfy. Abt fcttdam Mcaì jcsdtitc, tjc mjbst wivcn jds jian ian tjc rihquct stirtcn tb liff stccpfy datb tjc vbdn. ^jc admjt efuc suh`cn but iff jds hburimc. ^jc wdan wjdstfcn da jds cirs. ^jc bhcia wivcs nrbacn ba. ba. ‖Hbgc ba, wjy irc ybu sdfcat2 Tbu—ff Tbu —ff hrisj! hrisj!‗ Jbrrbr sjbutcn cvca gbrc tcrrdefy. ‖ Ijjjj! Mridf Mirnirdìiiii! Mirnirdìiiii!‗ Eufbabv ycffcn, squdatdam ian eircfy bvcrhbgdam tjc tcgptitdba tb put but jds jians. ^jc rdam rcfciscn i spir`. Cvca, dt sccgcn, twb spir`s. Xbgctjdam pusjcn jdg da tjc hjcst. Iftjbumj jds cycfdns wcrc hfbscn, scvca ridaebws lfircn up da lrbat bl jds cycs. Ucifdzdam tjit jc wis stdff ifdvc, Mcaì stbppcn squdatdam. ^jc stbrg sunncafy ieitcn. Mcaì siw i wbbncn dsfian. Ndstiat trccs ey tjc hfdll, ecjdan wjdhj tjc sua wis rdsdam, rcscgefcn sjirp strb`cs ba i efurrcn witcrhbfbur witcrhbfbur eih`mrbuan. Eut Eufbabv wis abt fbb`dam tjcrc eut it tjc jumc histfc-lbrtrcss, histfc-lbrtrcss, wjdhj sunncafy rbsc sfdmjtfy tb tjc fclt. Jumc histfc tbwcrs jdn da tjc hfbuns. ‖Xiy tjia` ybu tb Gcnusi!‗ Gcnusi!‗ Cycfcss Jbrrbr sidn mrdgfy, ippcirdam ecsdnc Mcaì. ‖D vc —vc acvcr scca i gbrc dahbgpctcat Mirnirdì. Mirnirdì. Dl tjc rdam jina— jina—t silcmuirncn ybu ia cxtri spir`, dt wbufn jivc ecca achcssiry tb suggba tjc jirpdcs tb hfcia tjc butsdnc bl tjc nbgc.‗ nbgc.‗ ‖Gbrcbvcr, tjc jirpdcs wbufn— wbufn vc —vc giaimcn wdtjbut iay cqudpgcat. ^jcy jivc striamc tistcs, tjbsc jirpdcs,‗ jirpdcs, ‗ Uzjcvs`dd hjdgcn da. ‖Bìy, nba— nba—t sjdvcr! Fct— Fct—s lfy. Ian nba— nba—t lbrmct tb tjia` Gcnusi,‗ Gcnusi, ‗ Jbrrbr rcgir`cn ian, sjbwdam tjc wiy, lfcw ijcin. I sgiff mrbup bl stuncats jin ifrciny mitjcrcn ba tjc wiff bl ^dednbx tb gcct tjc acw `dn. Mbttlrdcn Ebudffba, da i ridahbit ian iatd-spcff irgbur, wis stiandam tb tjc sdnc fciadam ba jds spcir, wjdhj acvcr àcw i gdss. Jc jin kust rcturacn lrbg tjc hcffirs, wjcrc, ihhbrndam tb jds bwa isscrtdba, jc jin wba i gikbr vdhtbry bvcr i nctihjgcat bl 3= Da

tjc ecmdaadam bl tjc 5? tj hcatury, Nr. D. @beisca`b bl Xt. _ctcrseurm prbpbscn ippfydam ia dbndac mrdn is ia dacxpcasdvc ian rcfitdvcfy sdgpfc trcitgcat lbr triugi, erudscs, hbfns, ian ndsciscs bl tjc gushufbs`cfctif systcg. I ndfutc dbndac sbfutdba ds ippfdcn tb tjc eih` (lbr hbumjs ian suhj) br btjcr illchtcn ircis usdam i hbttba swie tb gi`c i mrdn wdtj hcffs bl iebut 9 hg. ^jc dnci ds tjit dbndac drrdtitcs tjc rchcptbrs ba tjc s`da, tjus stdgufitdam efbbn lfbw da dalfigcn rcmdbas. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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cvdf spdrdts. Iftjbumj tjcrc hbufn ec ndllcrcat bpdadbas jcrc, echiusc Mbttlrdcn fbb`cn is dl tjcy jin pfiycn wdtj jdg wcff fd`c i lbbteiff. ‖Gcctdam ba tjc Cfec!3: ^wb Ebudffbas, twb uadquc pcrsbas! Bafy bac ds Mbttlrdcn ian i nu`c, ian tjc schban ds sb-sb!‗ sb-sb!‗ tjc jiansbgc [jbri [jd`da sidn gifdhdbusfy da ia uancrtbac. Jc stdff ndn abt àbw tjit Mcaì wbufn fdvc da tjc sigc rbbg wdtj jdg. Xfiancr ian Gcnusi ifwiys fclt tjc gbst pfcisiat acws lbr ncsscrt. Xirniaipif mcacriffy prclcrrcn abt tb ncfvc datb suhj, da jds bpdadba, abascasc.

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Iprdf 53 tj, 94>3, tjc Xbvdct ian Igcrdhia trbbps gct it tjc Cfec Udvcr, acir ^brmiu da Mcrgiay, spfdttdam tjc rcgaiats bl tjc Mcrgia irgcn lbrhcs datb twb, tjus gi`dam ia dgpbrtiat stcp tbwirns candam ]]DD da Curbpc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Hjiptcr : I EI^^FC BL LBFDBX Cvcadam jin ncshcancn ba ^dednbx, i wirg sprdam cvcadam, sgcffdam bl tjc bhcia ian pdac accnfcs. Gcrgidns spfisjdam da tjc pban ian rigeuahtdbus lrcsjgca sjbutdam iebvc tjc nrimbaeiff ldcfn wcrc jcirn. Abt fbam imb, Admjtdamifc jin isscgefcn i acw ybutj tcig lrbg tjc gbst prbgdsdam `dns. ^jc bfn hbihj fbb`cn it tjdams scasdefy. Da i ycir, tjc gida pfiycrs da tjc tcig wbufn hbgpfctc tjcdr stundcs da ^dednbx ian dt wis uahfcir wjit wbufn jippca acxt. Gbrc prchdscfy, dt wis tbb hfcir. Dt wis jdmjfy uafd`cfy tjit iff tca pfiycrs wbufn tdc tjcdr luturc litc wdtj nrimbaeiff. ^jc gikbrdty wbufn fcivc tjc spbrt lbrcvcr. Ian dl sb, hjiamc wbufn ec accncn, br cfsc ybu wbufn ec fclt wdtj abtjdam ian, lbr tjc rcst bl ybur fdlc, fbb`dam it bfn hups, ab fbamcr nrcigdam bl acw bacs. Admjtdamifc bevdbusfy wbufn prclcr tb ivbdn suhj ia bfn imc. Abw jc ian Nicnifus, `danfy ian abt datcrlcrdam, withjcn lrbg tjc stians, is tjc ybuam pcbpfc hjiscn hjiscn Mbyirya—s Mbyirya—s sbas sbas wdtj fbam kcts bl ldrc efizdam da efuc. ‖Cj-jcj-jcj!‗ Cj-jcj-jcj!‗ Admjtdamifc sidn tb jds lrdcan. ‖Ab pcrgiacahc! Tbu eircfy jivc tdgc tb tcihj iaytjdam ian tjc `dns irc mrbwdam up ian mbdam. ]jit i ndllcrcahc wdtj tjc btjcrs... ^jc Guscs fist jin i hjiamc bac-ian-i-jifl tjbusian ycirs imb. D wba—t wba—t cvca tif` iebut tjc Mianjirvis! Ian tjc Eieid! ^jcy mcacriffy trida scvca niys da i rbw. Ian tjca tjcy stdff stdff wbancr wjy tjcy pfiy fd`c tjds! tjds!‗ ‖Eut ndna—t wc ndna—t wc danccn ecit tjcg2 ]c ecit tjc Eieid ian bvcrhigc tjc Mianjirvis! Mianjirvis! Dt bafy turacn but i gcss wdtj tjc Guscs!‗ Guscs! ‗ Nicnifus prbtcstcn, hiutdbusfy pb`dam jds ncfdhitc Mrcc` absc but bl tjc ebb`. ‖Sj-juj! D wbufn stdff fd`c tb bvcrpbwcr tjc Davdsdefcs eclbrc tjc tcig jis tb ec ndseiancn... Tcs, Gimhdcty ds spdaadam sbgctjdam kust iltcr _upcr—s _upcr—s ncitj. Ian dt—s dt—s uancrstianiefc; wdtjbut Mury tjc tcig ds ab fbamcr tjc sigc... ]jb tb pfiy tjcrc, abt Hirbfya Hurfb2 _dty iff tjc sigc lbr tjc eby. Bj, îayi, îayi! Iff tjc trbuefcs lrbg tjcg, lrbg wbgca! D àbw danccn!‗ danccn!‗ Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr sdmjcn, rcgcgecrdam tjit jc bahc jin lbur wdvcs da tjc Gbrnbvdia wbbns. ]jdfc tjc ldrst-ycir stuncats, jbbtdam, spurrdam tjc vihuugs ian pulldam shifcs, hjiscn iltcr tjc nrimbas, tjc btjcr ^dednbx stuncats `dffcn tdgc is tjcy pfciscn, ihhbrndam tb tjcdr iedfdtdcs, jiedts, ian cxtcat bl bvcriff aiumjtdacss. Xjurisd` wis sdttdam da tjc rcindam rbbg bl tjc mcadc Ienuffij—s Ienuffij —s fderiry ian wis lccfdam nbwa. I wjbfc gbuatida bl ebb`s tbwcrcn eclbrc jdg ba tjrcc tiefcs pusjcn tbmctjcr. ^jc gbst dgpitdcat ebb`s wcrc rustfdam tjcdr pimcs ian hriwfdam lrbg pfihc tb pfihc, sbgc turacn datb sai`cs ian jdsscn tjrcitcadamfy, ncgiandam ittcatdba, eut Xjurisd` ndn abt cvca rcgcgecr tjc ebb`s, wjdhj jc jdgscfl jin mitjcrcn lrbg tjc sjcfvcs ia jbur imb. I nrcigy cfcgcat jin ti`ca pbsscssdba bl Xjurisd`. Da jds dgimdaitdba jc list lbrwirncn giay ycirs ijcin ian rbsc tb uadgimdaiefc jcdmjts. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]cff, acvcr gdan! Abw cvcrybac fiumjs it gc, tjcy nba— nba—t uancrstian gc, fct tjcg!‗ tjcg!‗ jc tjbumjt ‖^jcy fiumj echiusc tjcy —rc abebndcs. ]jit wdff tjcy ec da ldvc ycirs2 Gimjbgcgi`crs, gimschurdtdcs, br gimaimcrs da sbgc gimstbrc. ]c—ff ]c —ff jirnfy jirnfy sjirc iay datcrcsts. Bur pitjs wdff acvcr hrbss imida, ian mrcit. Da i ycir D —ff ldadsj —ff ldadsj shjbbf wdtj suhj i jdmj shbrc, wjdhj cvca _rblcssbr Xtda`tbpp ndna— ndna—t ldadsj wdtj. ^jca gimmrinshjbbf da Gimlbrn ian cvcrytjdam; iff pitjs irc bpca tb gc. D stdff nba— nba —t yct hfcirfy àbw jbw, eut D—ff D—ff ncldadtcfy ec rdhj ian ligbus! D—ff D—ff ec ec i mcadus fd`c ^jc Iahdcat Bac, rdhj fd`c @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss, ian pbpufir fd`c Mury _upcr... Ian iff rbffcn datb bac. ]dtj bac gbvcgcat bl tjc cycerbws ian i spb`ca wbrn it tjc rdmjt tdgc, D—ff D —ff erci` erci` wbgca— wbgca—s jcirts wdtj tjc cisc wdtj wjdhj i hit kugpdam batb tjc Hjdai sjcfl sgisjcs pfitcs ian hups. Hblldadi, Ba-^jc-Xfy, Mrbttcr, ian... ian cspchdiffy tjit aisty Fbt`bvi wdff rcmrct i juanrcn tdgcs tjit tjcy ndna— ndna—t piy ittcatdba tb gc! Eut dt—ff dt—ff ec tbb fitc, bl bl hbursc! It gy lcct wdff ifrciny ec tjc ldrst eciutdcs bl tjc wbrfn! ‚^jit—s ^jit—s dt, dt, fissdcs!— fissdcs!— D—ff siy. ‚^bb fitc! Tbur hbgpirtgcat ds it tjc can bl tjc hir acxt tb tjc tbdfct!—‗ tbdfct!—‗ ^jc niynrcigdam Xjurisd` sgdfcn danufmcatfy ian ginc i hircfcss jian gbvcgcat, gciat tb dandhitc tb Mrbttcr ian Fbt`bvi tjcdr truc stitus, eut dainvcrtcatfy dainvcrtcatfy pusjcn i lcw ebb`s batb tjc lfbbr. _bbr, pbbr Xjurisd`! Jc jin cvcry rcisba tb ec iamry wdtj hfissgitcs ian cvca gbrc wdtj jdgscfl. Fd`c giay jbabur stuncats ian mcacriffy sgirt muys ijcin da ncvcfbpgcat bl tjcdr pccrs, jc wis is aidvc ian dacxpcrdcahcn is i hjdfn da iff btjcr rcspchts abt rcfitcn tb tjc issdgdfitdba bl àbwfcnmc. Dt iaabycn jdg tjit jds hfissgitcs fbb`cn it jdg gbstfy is i nwcce, abt rcifdzdam tjit Xjurisd`, fd`c cvcrybac, wiatcn tb fbvc ian ec fbvcn, lbbf irbuan, kb`c, ian nb stupdn tjdams. Iabtjcr tjdam wis tjit jc wis hbgpfctcfy abt mbbn it iff tjds ian wis lbrcvcr l brcvcr mcttdam datb trbuefc. Xbgctdgcs jc trdcn tb gi`c i kb`c ‘ wdtj achcssiry ndmrcssdba datb jdstbry ian eih`mrbuan, is wcff is ia cxpfiaitdba bl tjc jugbur ‘ ian ab bac cvca sgdfcn, eut iff wdffdamfy mulliwcn bvcr sbgc gcndbhrc wdttdhdsg bl Eie-Timua. Eut wdtj tjc mdrfs, dt wis qudtc i ndsippbdatgcat ndsippbdatgcat wdtj tjc mdrfs... _crjips Xjurisd` —s gdsti`c —s gdsti`c wis tjit jc wis tbb prbun ian abt ifwiys lbrmdvdam bl tjc wciàcsscs ian gdsti`cs bl btjcrs. Dastcin jc wis ifwiys vcry tcasc ian pullcn but jds hjcc`s, ian ifsb, tjds wis ifsb cxtrcgcfy dgpbrtiat, jc tbb` jdgscfl vcry scrdbusfy. Iftjbumj, wjb àbws àbws wjit ds rciffy rciffy tjc `cy tb bur suhhcss/lidfurc suhhcss/lidfurc22 Bahc, Xjurisd` ifgbst ifgbst mbt up tjc hburimc tb davdtc @ityi Fbt`bvi tb strbff ifbam tjc sjbrc wdtj jdg da tjc cvcadam. ]jdfc jc wis fbb`dam lbr wbrns, @ityi fdltcn jcr jcin ian ecigcn it jdg. ‖Bj, jd, Xjuri! Irc ybu jcrc lbr tjc abtcs2‗ abtcs2 ‗ sjc is`cn wdtj suhj mudfcfcss lrdcanfdacss tjit Xjurisd` —s —s jcirt ifgbst gcftcn lrbg mrdcl. Jc sunncafy rcifdzcn tjit jc wbufn ifwiys ec i sburhc bl abtcs ian ldadsjcn jbgcwbr` lbr Fbt`bvi. Fd`c tjds scfl-gbvdam nwcce ian spcff da trbuscrs ian ebbts. Xuhj pcbpfc, bl hbursc, rcspchtcn jdg ian sit hfbscr tb jdg da cxigs, eut ifbam tjc sjbrc... tjcy strbffcn ifbac ifbam tjc sjbrc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Sj, ycs! Lbr tjc abtcs,‗ abtcs, ‗ Xjurisd` sidn jbpcfcssfy. ‖Smj, jbw aisty! Eut ybu—ff ybu—ff widt2 widt2 Tbu rciffy nba— nba—t accn tjc abtcebb` tbniy2‗ tbniy2‗ ‖D—ff —ff widt! D ifwiys put up wdtj cvcrytjdam,‗ cvcrytjdam, ‗ Xjurisd` mruatcn ian, turadam, wiancrcn idgfcssfy. idgfcssfy. Jc lcft fd`c suhj i jdmjerbw lrci`, prcgiturcfy prcgiturcfy imcn ian rciny giyec bafy lbr tjc dggcnditc issugptdba bl tjc ihincgdh ncmrcc bl ‖prblcssbr bl sbur hieeimc sbup‗ sbup‗.34 ‖ ]jit—s ]jit—s wdtj wdtj ybu, Xjuri2‗ Xjuri2‗ Fbt`bvi wis dggcascfy surprdscn. ‖D—g abt —g abt Xjuri! Ds tjit hfcir2! Abt Xjuri! D—g D —g i i ‚jc— jc—, ‚jdg— jdg—! D—g D —g i pcrsba! pcrsba!‗ Xjurisd` sjbutcn, vbdhc erci`dam, ian ria bll it luff spccn. Ian bafy tjc hbvcrs bl tjc gimdh lbfdbs da tjc lirtjcst hbracr bl tjc ebb` ncpbsdtbry àcw jbw jc spcat tjit admjt. Eut tjds jippcacn i fbam tdgc imb ifrciny, wjca @ityi cvca jin abt yct gct Timua. Abw Xjurisd` jin luffy rcstbrcn jds cgbtdbaif eifiahc ian, rcfitdam tb tjc prcscat dandllcrcatfy, tdcn iff jds jbpcs tb tjc luturc, wjdhj, echiusc dt wis sbgcwjcrc lir iwiy ian jin ab ncldadtc sjipc, sccgcn rbsy. Jivdam ldadsjcn niynrcigdam, Xjurisd` sgdfcn, jippdfy survcydam tjc gbuatida bl ebb`s carimcn ey jds daittcatdba, ian puffcn but i hbfburluf hjueey gimizdac wdtj i prctty gimmif ba tjc hbvcr lrbg uancr ^jc Iaitbgdhif Itfis bl Cvdf Xpdrdts, Xpdrdts, lrbg iamcr turadam dtscfl datb i efbh` bl mriadtc. ^jds gimmif jin tjc jiedt bl tjrbwdam jcrscfl irbuan tjc ach` bl tjbsc rcincrs wjb tbb` but ia iaauif sueshrdptdba. Xjc cvca `dsscn tjbsc wjb rcpcitcn i sueshrdptdba. ^ruc, ncpcandam ba jcr gbbn, sjc hbufn ifsb hfiw tjc rcincr— rcincr—s lihc. Irc ybu surprdscn2 ]jy2 Xbgctdgcs Xjurisd` fbvcn tb rcin lbr rcfixitdba ia brndairy hbfburluf gimizdac lrbg Eifn Gbuatida wdtj iadgitcn dgimcs ian efbh`s bl ins shittcrcn it virdiahc tjrbumjbut tjc pimcs. Jcrc ba tjc eih` hbvcr bl tjds gimizdac wis i efia` nbbr wdtj strci`s bl efbbn, is tjbumj ippcirdam lrbg tjc tifc bl Efucecirn. ^jc sdma ba tjc nbbr stitcn; ^jcitrc nbbrs. ]br`s irbuan tjc hfbh`, cxhcpt lbr ebtj bnn ian cvca niys bl tjc gbatj. @abh`! Xjurisd` mrdaacn. Jc cavdsdbacn vcry wcff wjit tjds wis. ^jc gida tjdam wis abt tb àbh` ba tjc nbbr ian abt tb tbuhj tjc jianfc, dl ybu ndn abt wiat tb liff datb tjc Btjcr ]brfn. Ebrcn mjbufs fbvcn prbvdndam gifdhdbus ins, piydam lbr dt wdtj hurscn trcisurcs ian btjcr nuedbus hurrcahy. Yudtc bltca tjc gbacy lbr suhj bpcritdbas wis ebrrbwcn lrbg tjc fbia luans bl tjc lcrrygia Hjirba,
prblcssbr bl sbur hieeimc sbup ds i cupjcgdsg lbr i scfl-issurcn, jifl-cnuhitcn stupdn pcrsba. Mrcc` gytjbfbmy, Hjirba ds tjc lcrrygia wjb hirrdcs tjc sbufs bl tjc acwfy ncin ihrbss tjc rdvcrs Xtyx ian Ihjcrba, wjdhj ndvdncn tjc wbrfn bl tjc fdvdam lrbg tjc wbrfn bl tjc ncin. <9 Ia iahdcat Mrcc` hustbg wis tb put ia bebf hbda, i gctiffdh lbrg bl iahdcat Mrcc` hurrcahy, da tjc gbutj bl tjc nchciscn is piygcat tb Hjirba lbr hrbssdam tjc rdvcrs datb tjc rcifg bl tjc ncin.



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piy bafy tjc gimndstiahc hiffs!), hiffs!), rcin i hbupfc bl sjbrt irtdhfcs bl catcrtidadam hbatcat, hbatcat, ian bhhupdcn jdgscfl wdtj stunydam i acw hitifbmuc bl gimdhif pria`lihts, <5 wjdhj augcrbus Eifn Gbuatida wbr`sjbps spchdifdzcn da giaulihturdam. giaulihturdam. HIÎFBMSC BL GIN GIMGI@CUX BL EIFN GBSAÎDA (Xprdam hbffchtdba. Ndshbuats tb gimhirt bwacrs ian wdzirns bvcr tjrcc juanrcn ycirs bfn.) X`drt bl drrcsdstdedfdty . Fbvcfy findcs! ]c nb abt summcst iaytjdam. ]c sdgpfy ncshrdec. Xcwa da bur gimdh lihtbry Xhrdeefcwjitcvcr, tjc s`drt bl drrcsdstdedfdty wdff gi`c hurvcn fcms stridmjt. ]cff sudtcn lbr i ldrst nitc. Erdams iay mcatfcgia tb i stitc bl stupbr. X`drts bl iff hbfburs ian sdzcs, ian ifsb s`drts ginc bl rcif fcitjcr. _rdhc ‘ 5=? eimcf jbfcs. I^^CA^DBA! Nb abt mct mct hiumjt da tjc rida. ]jca wct, tjc s`drt spcff spcff dggcnditcfy lincs. Dt ds lbrednnca tb wcir dt iltcr suasct ‘ tjc fcms triaslbrg drrcvcrsdefy datb tjbsc bl edrns. Nrdcn-up _jiribj. _jiribj. Jivc ybu fbst sfccp ian ippctdtc, ian ecca jivdam rchcat jidr fbss2 Jivc ybu echbgc cxhcssdvcfy acrvbus ian drrdtiefc2 ^jca ybu accn i pitdcat lrdcan ian invdscr! I nrdcn-up _jiribj ds ybur lrdcan cvcry niy. Ifwiys lrdcanfy ian da i mbbn gbbn. Ia cxhcffcat fdstcacr lbr ia cfncrfy hjitty wdzirn. Acvcr tjc tjdrn wjccf da iay hbgpiay. I lrcc ebaus lrbg tjc hbgpiay ba ia brncr bl gbrc tjia 8 guggdcs ‘ ia dalfitiefc pyrigdn. _rdhc pcr pdchc pdchc ‘ lrbg 85?? eimcf jbfcs. Xcfl-`dh`dam ebbts. ebbts. Ifis, fdlc da i firmc gctrbpbfds ds echbgdam dahrcisdamfy niamcrbus. Ucturadam jbgc da tjc cvcadam, dt ds cisy tb gcct i miam bl mjbufs br nrua`ca Hyhfbpcs da i nir` iffcy. Abtjdam wdff sivc ybur fdlc ecttcr tjia scfl-`dh`dam ebbts. ^jcy abt bafy nrdvc iwiy tjums, eut ifsb rcpufsc fdlcfbam tjcdr `dnacys, spfcca, ian ncsdrc (accn tb uancrfdac tjc ittihjcn hbupba). ^jc fitcst gbncfs irc cqudppcn wdtj fiscr sdmjts. _rdhc ‘ 9=? eimcf jbfcs lbr i pidr wdtj brndairy sbfcs, ian 89? eimcf jbfcs wdtj acvcr-wcir-but sbfcs. Iff sdzcs, dahfundam lbr nwirls ian mdiats. Brncr tbniy br wc wdff scan ybu mjbufs tbgbrrbw! Aba-tdc cadmgitdh fihcs. fihcs. Ncfdvcrcn is i hbgpfctc sct wdtj i aba-listca ecft. _crlcht lbr ndstrihtdam mjbufs mjbufs ian Hyhfbpcs wjca pissdam pissdam tjrbumj tjcdr fian. fian. _rdhc ‘ 5? eimcf jbfcs (i sct bl 5 fihcs). ]c rchbggcan purhjisdam tbmctjcr wdtj i wbbnca ebx (5> eimcf jbfcs), btjcrwdsc tjc fihcs giy striamfc tjc bwacr. _buhj lbr i prihtdhdam wdzirn. wdzirn. Nb ybu ebdf ian stcig sbgctjdam, prcpirc pbtdbas ian pbdsbas wdtj sbgctjdam iff tjc tdgc2 ^jca tjds ds lbr ybu ‘ i pbuhj tjit nbcs abt

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pria`liht ds i nc vdhc lbr pria`s, prihtdhif kb`cs. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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erudsc jcres ian prcscrvcs ifrciny prcpircn gimdh pbwncrs lbr i fbam tdgc. Xcwa wdtj tjc ldltj ndgcasdba. ^jc sgiff pbuhj cisdfy ldts datb iay pbh`ct ian jbfns up tb ldvc stih`s (!!!) bl jcres. ^jc hbgpfctc sct wdtj tjc pbuhj suppfdcs; Hrig-jcre ‘ i wbancrluf jcre lbr cxigs br sdgpfy lbr lias bl fdlcfbam fciradam. Xhrig-jcre ‘ wbr`s mrcit ba iaabydam sudtbrs wdtj nuritdba bl iaabyiahc iaabyiahc bl abt gbrc tjia tjrcc ycirs. _irisdtc-jcre ‘ i jianluf bl sccns bl pirisdtc-jcre. Hipiefc bl turadam iay bpca irci bl fian, dahfundam tjc Xijiri Ncscrt, datb ia dgpcactriefc tjbray wistcfian da i lcw gdautcs. Abtc; dt ds ecttcr tb usc ûfi sigbvirs sigbvirs lbr stbrimc bl cfdxdrs cfdxdrs ian tdahturcs. _rdhc ‘ lrbg 944 eimcf jbfcs, ncpcandam ba tjc hbaldmuritdba. hbaldmuritdba. ^dtia hfues. hfues. Jivc ybu ecca davdtcn tb tjc hcatcairy bl ia bfn lrdcan, eut nb abt àbw wjit tb mct jdg2 Iay mdlt sccgs tb ybu cdtjcr tbb brndairy br tjds lrdcan ifrciny jis dt2 ]c bllcr ybu tjc pcrlcht sbfutdba ‘ i ^dtia hfue! Jumc mairfcn hfues, rbumjfy jcwa lrbg i wjbfc bi` (fcss bltca pdac) trua`. Bahc scrvcn is wcipbas bl tjc ldrst mdiats ian tdtias wdtj lcct bl hfiy, dajiedtdam tjc Cirtj ian fitcr iaadjdfitcn nurdam tjc ldrst eittfc.<8 ^jcy hbatida jumc rcscrvcs bl gimdh. Bltca tjc gitcrdif ds uscn lbr tjc giaulihturdam bl wians lbr wdzirns wjb nb abt ihàbwfcnmc gimdh rdams. Brdmdaiffy, tjc hfues wcrc bltca uscn is eittcrdam rigs da tjc stbrgdam bl gimdh histfcs. _rdhc ‘ 8??? eimcf jbfcs. Ittihjcn tb cihj hfue ds ia dandvdnuif hcrtdldhitc bl iutjcatdhdty tjit nbcs abt iffbw lbrmcry. (Hia ec prdatcn ba i hbpdcr.) Hisihbvi<> hbfbmac. hbfbmac. Irc ybu uapbpufir2 Mdrfs nb abt scc ybu it hfbsc riamc2 Bafy ybur nbm jbwfs it ybur kb`cs2 Eut ybu, fd`c i truc wdzirn, nb abt mdvc up ian nrcig iebut suhhcss2 ^jca tjds ds lbr ybu ‘ Hisihbvi hbfbmac! Kust bac sprdtz ‘ ian efbancs, eruacttcs, ian rcnjcins wdff ndc lrbg fbvc fd`c lfdcs. Cspchdiffy drrcsdstdefc tb lidr- ian erbwa-jidrcn mdrfs. I eciutdluf ebttfc da tjc sjipc bl i gifc tbrsb bl sjittcrprbbl mfiss. _rdhc ‘ 33 eimcf jbfcs lbr bac vdif ian 9?? eimcf jbfcs lbr twb. I trdif eithj! Brncr tbniy ian tbgbrrbw ybu wdff hjisc iwiy lcgifc ingdrcrs wdtj i erbbg!

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Mrcc` gytjbfbmy, tjc ^dtias wcrc ncshcaniats bl tjc prdgbrndif ncdtdcs Midi (Gbtjcr Cirtj) ian Sriaus (Litjcr X`y). ^jc Mdiats, br Mdmiatcs, wcrc ifsb bllsprdam bl Midi ian Sriaus, eut tjcy wcrc ebra bl tjc efbbn tjit lcff batb Cirtj wjca Sriaus wis histritcn ey jds ^dtia sba Hrbaus. ^jc aigc ‖Mdmiatcs‗ Mdmiatcs‗ dgpfdcs ‖cirtjebra‗ cirtjebra‗, tjus tjc tcrg ‖lcct bl hfiy ‗. ^jc ^dtias, fcn ey Hrbaus, lbumjt tjc Bfygpdias, fcn ey [cus, lbr nbgdaiahc bvcr tjc Sadvcrsc. ^jc ^dtiabgihjy, tjc ]ir bl tjc ^dtias, fistcn tca ycirs wdtj tjc ^dtias ecdam viaqudsjcn. Iltcr tjit cvcat, tjc Mdiats ifsb lbumjt wdtj tjc Bfygpdias, da i wir aigcn Mdmiatbgihjy, lbr suprcgihy bl tjc hbsgbs. ^jc Mdiats wcrc ifsb ncstrbycn. <> I pirbny bl Hisiabvi, Mdihbgb Mdrbfigb Hisiabvi (9=53 ‘ 4:), Dtifdia invcaturcr ian iutjbr, wjb wis sb ligbus lbr jds illidrs wdtj wbgca wbgca tjit jds aigc ds syabaygbus syabaygbus wdtj ‖wbgiadzcr‗. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Is lir is D àbw Eifn Gbuatida wdzirns, tjcrc ds prchdscfy sbgc ndrty trdh` jcrc, eut D hia— hia—t ldmurc but wjit!‗ wjit!‗ Xjurisd` tjbumjt, hircluffy stunydam tjc fist in. ‖Bac bl twb tjdams; cdtjcr tjc mdrfs wdff fdtcriffy ndc fd`c lfdcs, br tjc hbfbmac ittrihts cvdf spdrdts tbmctjcr wdtj mdrfs... Jbwcvcr, stdff tcgptdam. Giyec D sjbufn try dt2‗ dt2‗ Xunncafy, [jd`da higc datb tjc rcindam rbbg. Gystcrdbusfy turadam jds jcin, cfcmiat fd`c tjc jianfc bl i wif`dam hiac, jc qudh`fy puffcn but i sgiff pdchc bl mfiss ian fbb`cn scirhjdamfy tjrbumj dt ldrst it tjc mcadc Ienuffij, ian tjca it Xjurisd`. [jd`da jin ifrciny ecca fdvdam da i rbbg wdtj Mcaì Eufbabv lbr scvcrif niys ian jc wis tcrrdefy ndspfciscn. ‖Jc nbcsa— nbcsa—t is` iay mdrf but ‘ abtjdam, sbgc iss!‗ iss!‗ jc hbgpfidacn tb cvcrybac jc gct. ‖D sidn tb jdg; put yburscfl da gy pbsdtdba ‘ ybu jiam irbuan sbgcwjcrc da tjc cvcadam, wcff, it fcist lrbg sdx tb cfcvca, ian tjcrc, iff rdmjt, ybu nrim yburscfl jbgc, dl abt spcandam tjc admjt it sbgcebny —s. Ian jc ifrciny stirts eiamdam ba tjc nbbr it jifl pist adac! Tbu scc, jds gigi jis tridacn jdg tb mb tb ecn cirfy, ian jds cycs stdh` tbmctjcr! Eut tjca jc mcts up da tjc gbradam it tjc hrih` bl niwa ian ecmdas tb hrig spcffs! Ian sb fbunfy! Tbu scc, jc wiats tb gi`c up lbur ycirs bl gdsscn hburscs da i ycir! Niam, jc turacn but tb ec Gd`jidf Fbgbabsbv!<3 Ian D, pcrjips, mct iff bl jifl ia jbur sfccp... Ian tjc aistdcst tjdam ds tjit gy mdrfs fd`c jdg! Ij, ‚Ij, jbw tiff jc ds, i rcif eis`cteiff pfiycr! Ian wjit i sjy sgdfc! Ij, ij! Hbgpfcxcs wbufn prcvcat jdg lrbg tif`dam ‘ tjcrc wbufna— wbufna—t ec i ecttcr ebylrdcan tjia jdg da ^dednbx!— ^dednbx! — Smj! Lbbfs!‗ Lbbfs!‗ It tjds pbdat da jds stbry [jd`da ifwiys spit it jds lcct. ^jc mcadc Ienuffij, scitcn ecjdan tjc fderiry ncs`, wis hiptdvitcn ey tjc hrcitdba bl i acw cpdh pbcg, wjcrc tjrcc tjbusian lcff ncin da tjdrty stiazis, ian ndn abt cvca abtdhc [jd`da. Da suhj hrcitdvc gbgcats jc echigc ncil fd`c ia bfn pirrbt spcandam tjc fist twcaty ycirs da tjc ndadam hir bl tjc Xbutjcra ridfwiy ian àbwdam bafy ein wbrns. Xjurisd` mfiahcn sdncwiys it [jd`da, abnncn it jdg, ian dggcnditcfy lbrmbt iebut jdg. Jc rcfitcn tb [jd`da acdtjcr pbbrfy abr wcff. ^jcy mcacriffy jin fdttfc hbatiht, tjcdr datcrcsts wcrc tbb ndllcrcat. Eut abw [jbri bevdbusfy accncn sbgctjdam lrbg Xjurisd`. Jc ipprbihjcn ian stbppcn wdtj sbgc jcsdtiahy. [jd`da jin abt yct rcihjcn jdg, eut Xjurisd` jin ifrciny hfbscn tjc gimizdac ian pfihcn ba tbp bl dt i tjdh` vbfugc wdtj lbrgufitdbas bl spitdif gimdh. I pdchc bl pipcr mfucn tb tjc hbvcr wiracn tjit pbdsba, dastiatfy `dffdam iay ba dajifdam, wis shittcrcn ectwcca tjc tjrcc juanrcn ian schban ian tjrcc juanrcn ian tjdrn pimc, ian i suh`dam jbfc wis fbhitcn ba tjc acxt-tb-fist pimc. ‖ Ittrihtcn tb mdrfs2 ]cff, wcff! Dt—s Dt—s prcssdam l br br ybu! Mdrfs, erbtjcr, tjcy —rc —rc wjdgsdhif, wjdgsdhif, sbutjcra<< lrudt. ^jcy sbgctdgcs iffbw ab bac, sbgctdgcs liff datb tjc jians <3 Gd`jidf

\isdfycvdhj Fbgbabsbv (9=99-<3), i Uussdia pbfygitj, shdcatdst, ian wrdtcr wdtj dgpbrtiat hbatrdeutdbas tb fdtcriturc, cnuhitdba, ian shdcahc, ldadsjcn da 3 ycirs i twcfvc-ycir stuny hbursc it tjc Xfivdh Mrcc` Fitda Ihincgy, tjc ldrst jdmjcr cnuhitdba cstiefdsjgcat da Gbshbw. << _cbpfc bl tjc Xbutj irc iffcmcn tb ec gbrc pissdbaitc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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bl bac... Jbb-jbb! ]jcrc cxihtfy wdtjbut hbfbmac2‗ hbfbmac2 ‗ [jd`da sidn. ‖Jbb-jbb‗ Jbb-jbb‗ wis jds hrbwadam fiumj. Abt ‖jcc‗, jcc‗, abt abt ‖ji‗ ji‗, eut prchdscfy ‖jbb‗ jbb‗. [jbri wis surc tjit jds ‖jbb‗ jbb‗ jdt tjc mdrfs ualidfdamfy, fd`c i euffct wdtj i ndspfihcn hcatrc bl mrivdty. Xjurisd` turacn sfdmjtfy pda`, wbancrdam wjcrc [jd`da hbufn jivc lbuan but iebut Hisihbvi hbfbmac ian tjc tcgptitdba tb euy dt. Jc wis qudtc surc tjit [jbri hbufn abt jivc scca tjc gimizdac. [jd`da rcissurdamfy pittcn Xjurisd` ba tjc sjbufncr, sji`dam ebb` nust lrbg tjc augecr bac stuncat bl ^dednbx. ‖ ]cff, erbtjcr, nba nba——t ec cgeirrisscn! cgeirrisscn! Abt cvcrybac hia, cvca dl ybu jiam yburscfl ba fihcs! Eut tjca ybu—rc ybu—rc sbgc sbgc wjdz! Nbwardmjt i hjdgpiazcc da i gbtbrhyhfc jcfgct! Dl ybu wiat, wc— wc —ff jdt ba mdrfs tbmctjcr. Dl tjcrc irc cxtris, D— D —ff ydcfn tb ybu is i lrdcan, sbrt bl jugiadtirdia jugiadtirdia issdstiahc issdstiahc tb uancrncvcfbpcn hbuatrdcs! Jbb-jbb! Eut ldrst ybu jivc tb jcfp gc wdtj sbgctjdam!‗ sbgctjdam!‗ ‖Cxigs imida2 [jd`, ybu àbw gy ritcs ‘ i eimcf jbfc lbr i rdmjt iaswcr. ^jrcc eimcf jbfcs lbr Cvdf Xpdrdt Xtundcs. Dl Gcnusi hithjcs iaybac, bll wdtj tjcdr jcins!<= Ian gdac da pirtdhufir,‗ pirtdhufir, ‗ Xjurisd` sidn, fbb`dam mfugfy it [jd`da. Fitcfy, Xjurisd` bafy jcfpcn mdrfs lrcc bl hjirmc. Iff btjcrs pidn lbr tjcdr stupdndty ihhbrndam tb tjc prdhc fdst. [jd`da mruatcn ian tbsscn i fdttfc pdchc bl mfiss da jds pifg. ‖Ab, ncir. D nba— nba—t accn ybu lbr cxigs. Abw D àbw tjc rdmjt iaswcrs gyscfl. Cvca eclbrc...‗ eclbrc...‗ jc wiatcn tb inn ‖ eclbrc tjcy jiancn but tjc tcst‗ tcst‗ eut ndn abt siy iaytjdam, nchdndam tjit Xjurisd` sjbufn abt àbw cvcrytjdam. Abt widtdam uatdf [jd`da jin ldadsjcn tjc scatcahc, Xjurisd` ncfvcn datb tjc stuny bl lbrgufic, eut [jbri fbbgdam acir wis ndstrihtdam jdg vcry guhj. ‖[jd`, irca—t irca—t ybu fitc lbr sbgcwjcrc2 Nba—t Nba—t tjda` tjda` tjit D—g D—g sjbwdam sjbwdam ybu tjc nbbr, eut wjit dl sbgcbac ds widtdam lbr ybu sbgcwjcrc2 sbgcwjcrc2‗‗ jc is`cn pbfdtcfy. Jbwcvcr, dastcin bl fcivdam, [jd`da sit nbwa ecsdnc Xjurisd` ian, iltcr ti`dam jds ligbus Xtda`tbpp—s Xtda`tbpp—s pcahdf, pcahdf, qudh`fy shrdeefcn i lcw wbrns ba i sjcct bl pipcr. Ienuffij —s ncs` wis qudtc lir iwiy lrbg tjcg, eut iff tjc sigc, [jbri jcsdtitcn tb tif` ifbun. D accn ybur jcfp. _rctcan tjit ybu—rc ybu—rc cxpfidadam cxpfidadam i lbrgufi tb gc... Jcfp gc mct i ebb`! Xjurisd` rcin ian wrbtc ]jit ebb`2 Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij [jd`da Abij [jd`da wrbtc da vcry sgiff fcttcrs ian dggcnditcfy, Xjurisd` jin eircfy ldadsjcn rcindam, ncstrbycn tjc wrdtdam wdtj tjc crisc spcff. Xjurisd` wis hurdbus. Dt wis is dl i ecff riam da jds jcin. Iaybac wjb àbws jds wiy irbuan gimdh ebb`s ds rciny tb mdvc i ycir bl jds fdlc da brncr tb jbfn da jds jians tjc lbfdb wdtj tjit aigc. I ebb` hbatidadam tjit tdtfc ba tjc hbvcr wis sdgpfy dahipiefc bl ecdam gcndbhrc. ]jy nb ybu accn dt2 D accn dt... Sadgpbrtiat Sadgpbrtiat wjy... Tbu scc, tjcrc irc sbgc spcffs br sbgctjdam tjcrc... [jd`da wrbtc vimucfy. <= I

pjrisc ecst àbwa lrbg Ifdhc—s Ifdhc—s Invcaturcs Invcaturcs da ]bancrfian (9:<3) (9:<3) ey Fcwds Hirrbff (9:85 ‘ 4:), abw usuiffy uscn jugbrbusfy is i rcprbihj. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Xjurisd` maiwcn ba tjc pcahdf. Tbu ndna—t ndna—t try try is`dam Ienuffij2 Jc wbufna—t wbufna—t mdvc mdvc dt, D hjch`cn ifrciny. Jc fdcn tjit tjcrc—s tjcrc—s ab suhj tjdam, [jd`da tjdam, [jd`da wrbtc da rcspbasc, fbb`dam wdtjbut catjusdisg it tjc spit-ba can bl tjc pcahdf, jivdam kust ecca da Xjurisd` Xjurisd` —s gbutj. —s gbutj. Dt —s —s da rcstrdhtcn ihhcss2 ihhcss2 ]brsc. Ienuffij hfidgs tjit dt nbcsa—t nbcsa—t cxdst. cxdst. Ian dl dt rciffy nbcsa—t nbcsa—t cxdst2 cxdst2 Jbw hia dt abt2 D cvca cvca àbw wjcrc dt ds! ds! ]jy nba—t nba—t ybu ybu mct dt yburscfl2 ]cff, ybu mct dt! Ienuffij wdff ec suspdhdbus dl D ippcir acxt tb tjc sjcfl. Tbu— Tbu— rc rc i ndllcrcat gittcr. Jc—s Jc—s uscn uscn tb ybu mbdam wjcrc ybu wiat! D — — ff ff nriw ybu tjc fiybut! ‖Ecttcr mdvc gc ia cvdf-cyc rdlfc. Dl Ienuffij cxpcfs gc, bafy dt wdff sivc us. Cvca tjit—s tjit—s uafd`cfy, uafd`cfy,‗‗ Xjurisd` mrugefcn, ab fbamcr rcsbrtdam tb tjc pcahdf. Jc stbbn up ian ecmia tb eusdfy irriamc tjc ebb`s datb twb pdfcs; bac pdfc bl ebb`s ba efih` gimdh ian tjc btjcr ba wjdtc. ^jcy ndn abt mct ifbam it iff igbam tjcgscfvcs, ian tjds wis wcff àbwa tb Xjurisd`. Jifl i gdautc fitcr, fbincn nbwa wdtj i jumc gbuatida bl ebb`s scpiritcn datb pdfcs, Xjurisd` echigc fd`c i higcf, wjbsc bwacrs nchdncn tb prcss nbwa wdtj ia cxhcssdvc fbin echiusc bl dts hiatia`crbus hjirihtcr ian i jiedt bl sadpcr spdttfc. Eifiahdam, jc wis iebut tb gbvc tbwirns Ienuffij eut stbppcn sunncafy, gdrihufbusfy gdrihufbusfy lrccn jds jian, ian nchdncnfy tbb` tjc pcahdf lrbg [jd`da. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc ritjcr tbbtjy! D fct ab bac adeefc dt, sivc dt lbr gyscfl,‗ gyscfl, ‗ Xjurisd` cxpfidacn. Xjurisd` —s —s pfia wis is sdgpfc is IEH. Jc wis jbpdam tjit Ienuffij wbufn trust jdg tb rcpfihc tjc ebb`s, ian jc, scdzdam tjc gbgcat, wbufn puff Ldrst Gimdh bll tjc sjcfl. Eut ab suhj fuh`. Kust it tjit gbgcat, Ienuffij wis cxpcrdcahdam wrdtcr —s efbh`. _bctdh hurscs hciscn tb lfbw lrccfy lrbg jds jcin, ian tjc davdsdefc gusc daspdrdam jdg jin ncpirtcn lbr tjc Hrdgcia Efih` Nbhtbr wdac.<: Ienuffij lfbitcn but lrbg ecjdan jds ncs` ian, abw tbuhjdam ian abw abt tbuhjdam tjc lfbbr wdtj jds lcct, ipprbihjcn Xjurisd`. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc sbgcwjit qudh` tbniy! Fct gc jcfp ybu!‗ ybu!‗ jc bllcrcn `danfy. Xjurisd` lcft i sfdmjt piam bl hbashdcahc. Ienuffij ifwiys trcitcn jdg, dl abt fd`c i pcrsba (abt surprdsdamfy, sdahc, ab gittcr jbw prbunfy tjc wbrn ‖pcrsba‗ pcrsba‗ sbuancn, tjc mcadc ecmia tb spdt it dt), tjca qudtc nchcatfy. Jc gbvcn tb tjc sjcfvcs tbmctjcr wdtj Ienuffij. Jcrc Jcrc jc fbb`cn irbuan it [jbri. [jbri. [jd`da abnncn, hbaldrgdam hbaldrgdam tjit ycs, tjit wis tjc sjcfl. Xjurisd` squdatcn ian fciacn sfdmjtfy lbrwirn. ^jc twb stih`s bl ebb`s hrisjcn batb tjc lfbbr, jbpcfcssfy gdxcn up. Nir` ebb`s, hbgdam datb hbatiht wdtj tjc wjdtc bacs, shcatcn ia cacgy ian rusjcn it tjcg. ^jc wjdtc ebb`s nclcancn tjcgscfvcs ncspcritcfy, hbastiatfy hbastiatfy sjdltdam tb i hbuatcrittih`. hbuatcrittih`. <: Efih`

Nbhtbr ds i rcn ncsscrt wdac ginc lrbg tjc C`dg @iri mripcs aitdvc tb tjc Hrdgci. ^jc wdac ti`cs tjc aigc lrbg tjc mripc, wjdhj ds ûr`dh lbr ‖nbhtbr‗ nbhtbr‗ br ‖jcifcr‗ jcifcr‗ ‘ c`dg ian ‖ efih` ‗ br ‖mrcit‗ mrcit‗ ‘ ìri. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Euei Eieeirn— Eieeirn—s Xpdrdtuifdty dastiatfy Xpdrdtuifdty dastiatfy maiwcn tjc hbvcr bl Iaitbgdh bl Iaitbgdhif if Itfis bl Cvdf Xpdrdts, Xpdrdts, lrbg uancr wjdhj hfdgecn but ebmdcs ian `d`dgbris, jurrdcnfy hbgdam ifdvc ian fdadam up da eittfc lbrgitdba. Xbgc bl tjcg, da vdcw bl tjc iaitbgdhif spchdldhitdba bl tjc vbfugc, jin i vcry, vcry cvdshcritcn ippciriahc. Xurrbuancn ba iff sdncs, Xpdrdtuifdty nchdncn Xpdrdtuifdty nchdncn abt tb ydcfn wdtjbut i ldmjt ian, ti`dam tjc pipcr cacgdcs wdtj dt, efcw dtscfl up wdtj vifuiefc vifuiefc bpdadbas. bpdadbas. _rihtdhif Fcssbas da ^jcbry bl Drrcgbviefc Hurscs, Hurscs, eusdfy rustfdam dts pimcs ian iltcr ti`dam dasdndbus ruacs it tjc rciny, ipprbihjcn Ipjbrdsgs bl i ]jdtc Ipitjctdh Gimdhdia. Gimdhdia. Dt wis is dl Ipjbrdsgs ndn Ipjbrdsgs ndn abt hirc iebut iaytjdam. Acvcrtjcfcss, dt ndn abt lbrmct tb tura datb i mriadtc tbgestbac ‘ tjc fitcst ian gbst rcfdiefc eufwir` bl ia ipitjctdh pcrsba. ^jc ^jcitrc Nbbrs ba Nbbrs ba tjc hbvcr bl i Eifn Gbuatida gimizdac mbt vcry cxhdtcn. ^jc nbbr trcgefcn ian hjiamcn hbfbur. ^jc jianfc turacn fd`c tjc jian bl i lriatdh hfbh`. ^jc gdscriefc gimizdac sjbb` ian turacn dasdnc but tbmctjcr wdtj iff tjc pjbtbs. Gimmifs lfcn da piadh, hjdrpdam pdtdluffy ian fbsdam dandvdnuif tbdfctrdcs. ^jc ebmdcs tjit survdvcn tjc cxpfbsdba bl Xpdrdtuifdty bl Xpdrdtuifdty pursucn pursucn tjcg. ^jc ebb` ^brturcs bl Nuahcnig Nuahcnig ey tjc iutjbr-hbgpdfcrs Xin`b, <4 Gizbv, ian Iaai Adgbvi =? wrippcn dtscfl da mrccadsj sgb`c, wjdhj qudh`fy tbb` tjc gitcrdif butfdacs bl miffbws ian rih`s. Da tjc eih`mrbuan, i eurfy cxchutdbacr wdtj i rcn eugpy absc tdgdnfy sjdltcn lrbg lbbt tb lbbt acir i firmc wbbnca cxchutdbacr— cxchutdbacr—s efbh`. \ctcrdairy Gimdh, \ Tcir Tcir ian tjc twb-vbfugc Jdstbry bl Ecyban ]brfns ]brfns stbbn uadtcn imidast ^brturcs bl Nuahcnig. Nuahcnig. \ctcrdairy Gimdh Gimdh tjrcw rittfcsai`cs ian tiriatufis it it ^brturcs, ^brturcs, ian Jdstbry bl Ecyban ]brfns ]brfns rcfciscn rcstfcss sbufs ey tjc nbzcas lrbg dts pimcs. ^jc eittfc wis tbrrdn. I rirc ebb` fbst gbrc tjia i nbzca pimcs ian ldlty ruacs. ^jc bafy bac tb mct bll fdmjtfy wis tjc pigpjfct Jbw tb Nbnmc tjc Gimgy,=9 Abtcs bl i Gimpitjctdhdia Gimpitjctdhdia,,=5 wjdhj, fdtcriffy prctcandam tb ec i lcft ebbt, prbgptfy lincn uancr tjc sjcfl ian sit but tjc eittfc tjcrc. Ienuffij shrcigcn trimdhiffy, trimdhiffy, davb`dam iff sbrts bl gdslbrtuacs ba tjc ebb` hbvcrs, jds bwa jcin, ian Xjurisd` —s jcin. ]jdfc tjc fderiry mcadc wis scpiritdam tjc ldmjtdam ebb`s ian irriamdam tjcg ba tjc sjcfvcs, Xjurisd` scdzcn tjc gbgcat ian, hrccpdam tb tjc schrct ebb`hisc, puffcn but ia bfn ebb`. Ldandam dt wis qudtc cisy, sdahc bafy dt jin turacn dts spdac dawirn. [jd`da jin ncshrdecn cvcrytjdam cxihtfy. ^jc jifl-efurrcn

<4 Xin`b

ds i prdahdpif hjirihtcr bl i eyfdai, eyfdai, i trindtdbaif Cist Xfivdh cpdh pb cg fbbscfy eiscn ba jdstbrdhif lihts. Jc ds ia invcaturcr, gcrhjiat, ian musfd ‘ musfd ‘ ia iahdcat Uussdia pfuh`-strdam dastrugcat - gusdhdia lrbg Abvmbrbn. =? Iaai Adgbvi ds i Uussdia iutjbr bl tjc jdstbrdhif tjrdffcr Jdstbry bl tjc Gdrrbr, ^wb Giaushrdpts ian ^wb Fcttcrs (5?98) Fcttcrs (5?98).. =9 Gimgy ‘ irgy bl tjc gimdh wbrfn. =5 Gimpitjctdhdia ‘ ia ipitjctdh gimdhdia. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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fcttcrs fcttcrs Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij Abij lfdh`crcn. ]dtj jds jcirt pbuandam, Xjurisd` sfdppcn tjc ebb` uancr jds sjdrt. sjdrt. ‖Hfugsy gbrbabdn! Bac ebb` da twb wcc`s! Ab lrcc ihhcss! ‗ Ienuffij ycffcn iltcr jdg, lrbg wjdhj Xjurisd` hbahfuncn tjit tjc mcadc jin abtdhcn abtjdam. [jd`da, fiamudsjdam lrbg wbrry, widtcn lbr Xjurisd` da tjc lir hbracr bl tjc rcindam rbbg. Iff tjc sigc tjcy wbufn abt giaimc tb ti`c Ldrst Gimdh but Gimdh but bl tjc fderiry, dt wis abt wbrtj trydam. Ienuffij— Ienuffij —s schurdty gimdh, pfihcn ba tjc nbbr is i scif, wbufn abt fct but cvca ia cnmc bl i pimc wdtjbut tjc mcadc— mcadc—s pcrgdssdba. Lbrcjcins tbmctjcr, [jd`da ian Xjurisd` jistdfy fcilcn tjrbumj Ldrst Gimdh. Gimdh. Ienuffij— Ienuffij—s shrcigs wcrc jcirn lrbg tjc ncptjs bl tjc fderiry. Jc hbufn abt cxtriht lrbg uancr tjc sjcfl tjc pdm-jcincn Jbw pdm-jcincn Jbw tb Nbnmc tjc Gimgy br Gimgy br nrdvc uancr tjc hbvcr tjc uarufy cxchutdbacr, wjb qudh`fy mfiahcn it jdg wdtj ebttfc-fd`c cycs ian swuam tjc ix. ^jc ycffbwdsj sjccts bl Ldrst Gimdh Gimdh wcrc ndsippbdatdamfy hfcia. Bhhisdbaiffy ectwcca tjc pimcs tjcy higc ihrbss i hiumjt mrcy jidr lrbg tjc ecirn bl ^jc Iahdcat Bac, Xirniaipif, br Ierijig. Lrbg tjds uagdstiìefc sdma, Xjurisd` nctcrgdacn tjit tjc bac-rcindam spcff jin ecca put ba tjc ebb`. ‖ ]idt!‗ ]idt!‗ jc wjdspcrcn tb [jd`da. ‖Xtbp fcildam! Dt— Dt—s iff Jugebfnt DDD·! Jc davcatcn tjc spcff dgpcndam rcindam bac pimc twdhc. ‗ ‖Jugebfnt DDD·2‗ DDD·2‗ ‖ ]cff, ycs! ^jcrc wis tjds Gimlbrn ldmurc da tjc Gdnnfc Imcs. Jc higc up wdtj ebb` nust, tjc pipcr wbrg, tjc sgdfc lrbg wjdhj mbbn gbbn turas sbur, sbur, pbdsbabus mfuc lbr gimfiecfs,=8 ian ruac tittbbs ba tjc sbfcs tjit `dff iaybac, cxhcpt tjc bwacr, wjb fbb`s it tjcg. ^jit— ^jit—s iff tjit— tjit—s àbwa iebut jdg. Lurtjcrgbrc, ihhbrndam tb bac sburhc, jc— jc—s Jugebfnt DDD, eut ihhbrndam tb iabtjcr, Jugebfnt D\. ]c ybuam tifcats hiff jdg sdgpfy ian tistcluffy ‘ Jugebfnt DDD·,‗ DDD·,‗ Xjurisd` cxpfidacn. Jc fbb`cn qudtc sitdsldcn. ^jc spcff bl Jugebfnt DDD· wis prbjdedtcn ian bafy ippfdcn tb tjc gbst vifuiefc ebb`s. Iltcr cxigdadam tjc hbvcr ittcatdvcfy, Xjurisd` siw i sgiff hdrhufir ncprcssdba acir tjc spdac. _ut ybur rdam jcrc ian tjc ebb` dtscfl wdff dalbrg ybu bl wjit ybu irc ncstdacn tb àbw! Nb abt try tb ldan but iaytjdam gbrc. ^jc puadsjgcat lbr iay ittcgpt it nchcptdba ds ncitj. ‖Hbgc ba, ybu ldrst!‗ ldrst!‗ jc dastruhtcn [jd`da. Iltcr jcsdtitdam, [jbri twdstcn tjc rdam bll jds ldamcr ian put dt da tjc jbfc. Jc wis hcrtida tjit tjc ncprcssdba wbufn tura but tb ec tbb wdnc, eut dt wis i vcry saum ldt ian cahdrhfcn tjc rdam tdmjtfy ba iff sdncs. ^jc pimcs bl Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij Abij ecmia tb tura qudh`fy. Da ia dastiat ba tjc ycffbwdsj sjcct igbam tjc ruacs, tjc sdmadldhiahc bl wjdhj [jd`da ndn abt àbw, lfircn up; I nir` sbuf ds i ein fiatcra da tjc rcifg bl tjc ncin. ^jc hfuc tb Abij— Abij— s pdahc-acz ds da tjc nbuefc eiss bl bfn ^jcb... Bafy ybu irc abt litcn tb usc dt.

=8 Gimfiecf

‘ i fiecf lbr gimdhdias. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


4:

‖ ]jit ndn ybu scc tjcrc2‗ tjcrc2‗ Xjurisd` is`cn. ^b jdg, tjc sjcct jin rcgidacn hfcir is eclbrc. ‖A-abtjdam,‗ A-abtjdam,‗ [jbri sidn. Jc put jds ldamcr tb tjc hbvcr ian tjc rdam, is dl widtdam lbrcvcr lbr tjds gbgcat, sfdn datb pfihc is eclbrc. Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij sfiggcn Abij sfiggcn sjut. Abtiefy, dt wis ifrciny pcrgiacatfy lbr [jd`da. Abw dt wis Xjurisd` —s tura. Hbavdahcn tjit jds firmc rdam wdtj i stbac wbufn abt ldt datb tjc airrbw bpcadam, jc jcsdtiatfy turacn dt bvcr da jds jians, ian tjca stdff put dt datb tjc ncprcssdba. Imida, dt turacn but tb ec kust rdmjt, is dl spchdiffy hrcitcn lbr jds rdam. ^jc ebb` bpcacn. Fcttcrs fdt up. Xjurisd` jurrdcnfy trdcn tb rcgcgecr tjc ruacs, giay bl wjdhj jc jin acvcr scca eclbrc. Ia dashrdptdba da tjc usuif fiamuimc wis fbst da tjc pithjwbr` bl ruacs; @abwdam cvcrytjdam, ybu nb abt àbw yburscfl. ^jc Xbuf î`cr wian wdff sbba ihqudrc i gdstrcss! Xunncafy tjc fderiry nbbr swuam bpca wdnc, dssudam spir`s wdtj iff dts spcffs lrbg suhj dgpuncahc. Jivdam eircfy giaimcn tb puff but jds rdam, Xjurisd` jurrdcnfy sjbvcn Ldrst Gimdh Gimdh uancr tjc tiefc, ian [jd`da sjdcfncn jdg. ^jcy ndn iff tjds da ia dastiat, wdtjbut hbaspdrdam. hbaspdrdam. Muayi Mfbgbv winnfcn fd`c i ûr`dsj suftia datb tjc fderiry. Hblldadi Hryptbvi, Udti Ba-^jc-Xfy, ian Nusyi Nbffbvi wcrc jbvcrdam irbuan Muayi. ‖Muadc, ncir! ]cff, widt! Fct gc it fcist mdvc ybu i `dss ba tjc hjcc`! ‗ i lfusjcn Nbffbvi ecmmcn. Mfbgbv stbppcn ian mcacrbusfy turacn i hjcc` tb Nbffbvi. Ba-^jc-Xfy ian Hryptbvi, wjb Muayi wis fcindam ey tjc jian, jdsscn kcifbusfy fd`c i hberi, ian tjca ifsb ecmia tb `dss jdg, bac da tjc cir ian bac ba tjc ach`. Muayi tbfcritcn tjcdr `dsscs wdtj i ebrcn lihc, lihc, fd`c i sitcn hit tbfcritdam tbfcritdam dts gdstrcss gdstrcss—— hircsscs. ‖Bj, jcivcas! D— D—g mbdam hrizy! Cvcrybac fbvcs Mfbgbv! Cdtjcr D— D —g mbdam hrizy br tjds ds tjc mrcitcst gimjbix! ^jcy irc abt suppbscn tb fbvc Mfbgbv eut gc! Cvcrybac tb tjc mudffbtdac! D wiat tb ec tjc bafy gia da tjc wbrfn!‗ wbrfn!‗ [jd`da gbiacn. Xji`dam jcr jdps, Hblldadi ipprbihjcn tjcg. ‖ ]jit, [jdì, upsct tjit wc— wc—rc wdtj Mfbgbv ian abt wdtj ybu2 Iaytjdam hia jippca. Ian ybu, Xjuri, fbb` it tjc fdttfc ebb`, puss! Br cfsc ybu— ybu—ff gdss sbgc fcttcrs!‗ fcttcrs! ‗ sjc purrcn tiuatdamfy. Xjurisd` lfircn up. Dt wis dgpbssdefc tb dasuft jdg gbrc tjia ey hiffdam jdg Xjuri. ‖_i-fcisc nba— nba—t tif` tb gc tjds wiy!‗ wiy! ‗ jc wis gin. ‖Nb ybu swip lbr 3-hbpch` hbppcr pdchcs2 Xwip yburscfl! Ec gy mucst!‗ mucst!‗ ‖ ]jit 3-hbpch` pdchcs2‗ pdchcs2‗ Hryptbvi ndn abt uancrstian. ‖ Tbu nba— nba—t jivc cabumj, eby. Fcivc ybur 3-hbpch` pdchcs tb Iuat Lrbsyi. Bac fbb` bl i mdrf fd`c gc ds wbrtj ybur iaauif stdpcan!‗ stdpcan!‗ ‖D—g abt tif`dam iebut tjit,‗ tjit, ‗ Xjurisd` sidn hbancshcandamfy. Jc ndn abt fd`c Hblldadi ian jc hbufn tif` tb jcr guhj gbrc lrccfy tjia tb Fbt`bvi. ‖Fct gc cxpfida rciffy bpcafy. Tbu wba— wba—t uancrstian iaywiy, eut purcfy lbr tjc accny... Fct— Fct —s suppbsc it ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


44

edrtj cvcrybac mcts sbgc hrcndt bl gbrc tjia i juanrcn hbdas. Tbu hia euy gusdhif tifcat lbr ldvc hbdas, fdtcriry tifcat lbr ldvc, jippdacss lbr ldvc, eciuty lbr ldvc, fbamcvdty lbr ldvc, jciftj lbr tca, ian sb ba. Eut dt— dt —s pbssdefc tb euy bac tjdam wdtj tjc wjbfc juanrcn, lbr cxigpfc, bac tifcat, ian ncvcfbp dt cvca lurtjcr. ^jcsc, tjca, tjc fist bacs ifsb fcivc tjc gbst abtdhciefc gir`, iftjbumj ba tjc butsdnc, tjcdr fdvcs irc uacavdiefc. Iltcr iff, da lufldffdam lufldffdam bur gdssdbas, gdssdbas, wc ncay burscfvcs burscfvcs jippdacss jippdacss ian fbvc!‗ fbvc!‗ Hblldadi pittcn Xjurisd` —s hjcc`. ‖Xgirt eby!‗ eby!‗ sjc iaabuahcn. ‖Cvcatuiffy, i lieufbus, ebrdam pippy wdff hbgc but bl ybu! D hia scc ybu wdtj i piuahj, fchturdam!‗ fchturdam!‗ ‖ Tcs, wc liaitdhs bl bac mbif, wc uttcrfy eura up, eut, euradam, wc jcit tjc wbrfn. Ian ybu hia tjda` tjda` iaytjdam ybu fd`c. D nba nba——t hirc!‗ hirc!‗ Xjurisd` sidn. Hblldadi hjuh`fcn ian wif`cn iwiy. ‖Hdib, [jd`da! Jbw iebut wc gcct it lbur da tjc gbradam ecjdan tjc Xdadstcr Mitcs, ji-ji!‗ ji-ji! ‗ sjc sjbutcn, jiamdam batb Muayi— Muayi—s ach`. ‖Jbb-jbb!‗ Jbb-jbb!‗ [jd`da sidn sburfy ian turacn iwiy. Jc wis kcifbus bl Mfbgbv. *** Becy, ian iff wdff ec wcff! Becy, `dn, br dt wdff ec pidaluf lbr ybu. Xb pidaluf tjit ybu wdff lbrmct cvcrytjdam cxhcpt pida. Tbu wdff hjcw ndrt ian maiw ba stbacs, eut tjds wdff abt gi`c dt cisdcr lbr ybu. ‖Ab! Ab!‗ Ab!‗ Tcs, gy eby. Cvcry niy D wdff ti`c hbatrbf bvcr ybur ebny. Ldrst lbr i lcw gdautcs, dt nbcs abt wbr` lbr i fbamcr pcrdbn, eut mrinuiffy, pcrjips, lbr i lcw jburs. Tbu nirc siy ‖ ab‗ ab‗ tb gc, D gc, D wdff ncstrby ybu... ]jit ds ybur ebny2 I pdtdluf sih`, eut D accn ybur jians, ybur lcct, tb nb wjit D pfiaacn... Ab! Jc nbcs abt wiat dt tb rcpcit dtscfl! Jc nbcs abt wiat dt tb echbgc pidaluf imida. Jc wdff nb iaytjdam... Jc jitcs jdgscfl, jitcs jds hurscn hbgpfcxcs, wjdhj prcvcat jdg lrbg rcfixdam datcraiffy ian fdvdam i abrgif fdlc fd`c cvcrybac cfsc... Jc... Hbashdbusacss Hbashdbusacss rcturacn wdtj trcgbrs, lfisjcs bl fdmjt, spchdldh dgimcs... Mcaì Eufbabv stircn wdtj ndsmust it JDX B]A jians. ^jcy fbb`cn is dl jc jin rchcatfy ecca rdppdam up sbdf ian histdam bll gbssy stbacs. Jds pifgs wcrc iff hbvcrcn da ndrt ian cvca sbgctjdam mrcca. Gbss2 Ndrt wis uancr jds ldamcraidfs ian tjc aidf ba tjc gdnnfc ldamcr wis erb`ca. Tcs, jc jin ecca ndmmdam sbgctjdam, tjcrc wis ab nbuet. Eut wjcrc wis tjds, wjca2 Mcaì hbufn abt hbahcatritc br rcgcgecr. Jds tcgpfcs ihjcn. Xwcit pburcn nbwa jds lihc. ]jca dt wisjcn bvcr jdg, dt sccgs jc jin ecca da tjc rbbg ian stunydam spcffs. Br kust iebut tb bpca i ebb`2 Abw cvcrytjdam wis ifrciny i efur, kugpdam, tiamfcn up. Jc jin ecca scirhjdam lbr sbgctjdam tjcrc... ]jcrc jc wis... Xcirhjdam lbr i fbam tdgc... Eut wjit2 Ian, gbst dgpbrtiatfy, ndn jc ldan dt2 Dt wis ecst abt tb tjda`. Nb abt tjda`, nb abt tjda`, nb abt tjda`! ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9??

Ldaiffy, Mcaì higc tb hbgpfctcfy. ]jcrc wis jc2 ]itcr wis ruaadam ifbam wct stbac, sbi`cn up ey tjc wjdtc fdgcstbac hrih`s. I fbam hbrrdnbr, i guftdtunc bl lbr`s... ^jc hurscn ^dednbx gizc! Dl bafy jc wbufn gcct i mjbst, pcrjips, iay. Jc wbufn ec jippy cvca dl dt wis Cycfcss Jbrrbr br tjit, ]jccfhjidr, wjdhj hrci`cn sb tcrrdefy ian kdamfcn dts hrugpfcn hrugpfcn lrigc... Mcaì ria, trydam tb stiy da tjc hcatrif hbrrdnbr. Dt echigc nrdcr. ]itcr wis ab fbamcr squcfhjdam uancrlbbt. Iji, dt gciat jc wis ba tjc rdmjt trih`... Xbgctjdam rustfcn ian sfurpcn ecjdan jdg. Giay nir` cycs ian efbitcn jidry ebndcs. Ai`cn tidfs fd`c rits, jbras, i stcahj... Ebmdcs, cvdf spdrdts2 ]jy sb giay bl tjcg2 ^jcy stbbn ian withjcn, bafy bafy pus-ldffcn, dasitdiefc dasitdiefc cycs wcrc euradam. euradam. Fbb`dam eih` it tjc cvdf spdrdts, Mcaì `cpt ruaadam da piadh. Xunncafy jc eugpcn jds absc ba sbgcbac— sbgcbac —s stbac lbbt ian hrdcn but da pida, eut cvca gbrc da lcir. ^jc stbac lbbt gbvcn. I jcivy sdmj. Iji, jc wis ifrciny it tjc stidrs bl tjc Itfiscs. Jc mbt but! Jcrc cancn tjc nir` wbrfn bl tjc ^dednbx hcffirs, tjc `damnbg bl jifl hjibs ian ndsbrncrfy sburhcs, sburhcs, ian sbgctjdam gbrc br fcss brmiadzcn ecmia. Mcaì stbppcn shrcigdam. Iltcr iff, jc jdgscfl wiatcn tb ec da tjc wbrfn bl gimdh. ]jit abw2



9?9

Hjiptcr 4 ^JUCC UDAMX ‖Smj!‗ Smj!‗ Hblldadi sidn dandmaiatfy, eurstdam datb tjc rbbg wjcrc _dpi ifrciny wis. ‖D `dffcn i wjbfc cvcadam wdtj Mfbgbv imida! D— D vc —vc mbac qudtc hrizy da gy bfn imc! Ian jcrc tjcsc nugecfdais Nbffbvi ian Ba-^jc-Xfy stdff strcthj but tjcdr mrccny jians! D wis tbuhjcn! Ndn tjcy fbb` iltcr jdg, aurturc jdg, tbfcritc jds iatdhs, puff jdg tb cxigs2 Jch`, ab! Jc sjbufn `dss gy lcct, tjc stupdn Hyhfbps! Dt—s nchdncn; nchdncn; D— D—ff pbdsba gyscfl wdtj pjbspjbrus githjcs! githjcs! Fct tjc hrccp ec ndsmustcn wdtj jdgscfl it gy luacrif!‗ luacrif!‗ Gincgbdscffc Hryptbvi pfbppcn nbwa jirn batb tjc ecn. Jcr pdffbw lbr sbgc rcisba wis abt hbglbrtiefc, ian sjc tjrcw dt ihrbss tjc rbbg it _dpi. Eut tjc pdffbw ndn abt rcihj _dpi. ^jc s`cfctba Ncir ^badiaab dastiatfy ittih`cn ittih`cn dt wdtj dts swbrn, ian tjc sitda jcirt, pdcrhcn tjrbumj, juam lrbg tjc fbam efinc. ^jc pfciscn s`cfctba hrci`cn dts ebacs ian ifgbst ifgbst fbst dts jit jit wdtj i pfugc. ‖ ]bw, jbw erutif ybu irc, _imc!‗ _imc!‗ Hblldadi wis surprdscn. ‖Kcifbusy wdff `dff gc sbgcniy! ]c pbbr, pbbr mdrfs! ]c— ]c —rc iff sb gcsscn up, sb acmfchtcn!‗ acmfchtcn! ‗ ‖Jbw hbgc ybu lcff da fbvc wdtj Mfbgbv2 Tbu jin ecttcr bptdbas. Ian Mfbgbv ‘ jc— jc—s sb... Xchban rcscrvc mrbup, rcir eittifdba!‗ eittifdba!‗ _dpi wis datcrcstcn. Xjc wis sdttdam it tjc rigpirt bl jcr sudthiscs ian fizdfy sjdltdam tjdams, fbb`dam lbr iaytjdam tjit sjc jin abt wbra lbr i fbam tdgc br, it fcist, tjbsc tjit wbufn abt hbgc tbmctjcr it jcr widst, wjdhj jin abt ecca ecca wispdsj lbr i fbam fbam tdgc. ‖ Tbu nba— nba—t siy...‗ siy...‗ Hryptbvi strcthjcn. ‖Jcrc— Jcrc—s sbgctjdam striamc. ]jca D scc Muayi, D liff da fbvc wdtj jdg fd`c i `dtty. D dggcnditcfy sb wiat tb jiam batb tjit rishif— rishif—s ach` ian erci` iff tjbsc illchtdbaitc Nbffbvis datb pdchcs! D— D—n erci` tjcg tb pdchcs lbr gy Muayi! Eut tjca, is sbba is D nba— nba —t scc Muayi lbr ia jbur br twb, dt— dt —s i hbgpfctcfy ndllcrcat stbry! Fbvc dastiatfy lincs! D ecritc ian hrdtdhdzc jdg, tcir jdg tb sjrcns! Jc sccgs tb gc rdndhufbus, stupdn, ebbrdsj... I ebnymuirn wdtj hrbb`cn tcctj! I Hyhfbps! I eccr `cm! Da mcacrif, tjit— tjit —s jbw tjdams mb!‗ mb!‗ ‖ \dsuif fbvc gimdh2 D scc, D fbvc, D nba— nba—t scc, D nba— nba—t fbvc2‗ fbvc2‗ _dpi is`cn àbwfcnmciefy. Dl tjc niumjtcr bl tjc hjidr bl \.I.G._.D.U. stdff uancrstbbn fdttfc bl gimdh mcacriffy, tjca sjc jin rcin tb pdchcs tjc ebb` ba tjc gimdh bl fbvc. Danccn, abt bafy dt. ^jbsc ebb`s wcrc mcacriffy da wdnc hdrhufitdba da ^dednbx, wjcrc gimdhif fbvc ian rcif fbvc jin ifrciny datcrtwdacn datb i sdamfc hbdf i fbam tdgc imb, ian cvca hupdns lcff lrbg tjc s`y, ecdam erbumjt nbwa lrbg tjcdr wdams ey pissdbaitc vdecs. ‖^jc sigc...‗ sigc...‗ Hblldadi abnncn. ‖D kust nba— nba—t uancrstian, jbw ndn jc erci` iff gy tifdsgias ian rcgbvc iff tjc igufcts2 D— D —g i sgirt mdrf ian prbtchtcn gyscfl is ecst D hbufn. Xbgcbac ncldadtcfy jcfpcn jdg. I fcvcf bl wdzirn abt fbwcr tjia tjc Mrcit ^bbtj... Eut D nba— nba—t tjda` dt wis ^bbtj. Xjc— Xjc —s da i prbfbamcn jbacygbba. D— D—n cvca siy; hjrbadhiffy prbfbamcn.‗ prbfbamcn.‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9?5

Gincgbdscffc Hryptbvi sdmjcn ian, jivdam tcgpbrirdfy tbsscn Muayi but bl jcr jcin, wjcrc fdttfc fdamcrcn lbr fbam it iff, fbb`cn irbuan tjc rbbg. ‖ Ian wjcrc— wjcrc—s Mrbtty2 ]jcrc jis bur ihc ihc brpjia ndsippcircn ndsippcircn tb2‗ tb2‗ sjc is`cn da i qudtc ndllcrcat vbdhc. ‖ It prihtdhc! _rctcandam tb ec dandspcasiefc dandspcasiefc ian hjisdam iltcr iff tjc eiffs it bahc! b ahc! Tbu hjisc iltcr twb jircs, ybu— ybu—ff mct dt lrbg ebtj!‗ ebtj! ‗ => _dpi sidn, rckbdhdam da tjc bppbrtuadty tb edthj iebut îayi. _dpi fd`cn iftcrdam prbvcres ian siydams. ^jc gbst suhhcssluf bl tjc acwfy hrcitcn bacs wcrc; ‖_itdcahc ian jirn wbr` wdff mrdan tjc erida,‗ erida,‗=3 ‖Cvca i ldsj lrbg i pban ndcs lrbg jirn wbr`!‗ wbr`! ‗=< ian ‖Hirry vbnì ba tjc rcscatluf.‗ rcscatluf.‗== Jbwcvcr, tjc bac Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia —s niumjtcr fd`cn gbst bl iff wis; ‖^jc wbrn ds abt i spirrbw, spirrbw, hithj hithj up ian ldadsj dt!‗ dt!‗=: ‖Xtdff, Mrbtty jisa— jisa—t ecca jcrscfl fitcfy...‗ fitcfy...‗ Hryptbvi sidn. ‖^b fbsc _upcr ldrst, tjca \iaì. Fcttcrs lrbg lrbg jdg nba— nba—t hbgc. Tbu àbw, sbgctdgcs D jcir jcr hrydam it admjt. Xb gullfcn, jystcrdhif. Dt gi`cs gc sin0 da mrdcl, D mbeefc hjbhbfitc, wjdhj tjit lbbf Xpdryi scans. Ian _imc ds ecmdaadam tb lccf sbrry lbr jcr ian hrci`s dts ebacs tcrrdefy. ]jy irc ybu sdfcat, Ncir ^badiaab2 Irc ybu siydam D—g fydam2‗ fydam2‗ ^jc s`cfctba fbwcrcn dts jian da ndstrcss ian nrbppcn tjc pdffbw lrbg tjc swbrn. ‖Dt—s ` dan dan bl uanctchtiefc nurdam tjc niy,‗ niy,‗ _dpi wis surprdscn. ‖Nurdam tjc niy, ycs! Xjc jbfns ba. D cvca cavy jcr canuriahc. Iltcr iff, ybur pircats tridacn jcr vcry adhcfy. Gbriffy sjc wdff gi`c iay supcrgia. îayi, wjca sjc kust ippcircn da ^dednbx, wis ifrciny sb tbumj. Xb sgiff, hurfy, pcr`y, nrbppcn qudh` mfiahcs wdtj jcr cycs, tjc edrtjgir` ba jcr absc ‘ bj, gigi ncir, D ifgbst hrih`cn!‗ hrih`cn! ‗ Hblldadi sidn. _dpi ian Hblldadi mbt ifbam wcff, eut tjcrc wis ab pirtdhufirfy hfbsc lrdcansjdp ectwcca tjcg. ^jit erdcl pcrdbn wjca tjcy wif`cn irg da irg jin ifrciny fbam pisscn, i hisuifty bl fdvdam da tjc sigc rbbg. Ian ab wbancr. Dl i nrbp bl adhbtdac hia `dff i jbrsc, tjca hbjiedtitdba hia `dff cvca i giggbtj. Xdgdfir da giay wiys, Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia—s niumjtcr ian Hryptbvi wcrc sdmadldhiatfy ndllcrcat ndllcrcat lrbg cihj btjcr iltcr iff. _dpi wis scatdgcatif ian sbgctdgcs tcirluf0 tb hiff Hblldadi scatdgcatif wis tjc jirncst bl iff. Dt wis dgpbssdefc tb tigc _dpi da i rimc, Hblldadi, tjbumj, hbufn rctrcit ba cahbuatcrdam rcsdstiahc. _dpi— _dpi—s ittih`s wcrc gbrc stridmjtlbrwirn ian pbwcrluf, eut Gincgbdscffc Gincgbdscffc Hryptbvi wis gbrc sbpjdstdhitcn da rcvcamc.

=> ^jc

brdmdaif prbvcre siys ‖ ybu hjisc iltcr twb jircs, ybu— ybu—ff hithj acdtjcr.‗ acdtjcr. ‗ brdmdaif prbvcre siys ‖pitdcahc ian jirn wbr` wdff mrdan cvcrytjdam," gciadam ndfdmcahc ds tjc gbtjcr bl suhhcss. =< ^jc brdmdaif prbvcre siys ‖ ybu wba— wba—t cvca mct i ldsj but bl i pban wdtjbut jirn wbr`," gciadam ab pida, ab mida. == ^jc brdmdaif prbvcre siys ‖hirry witcr ba tjc rcscatluf," gciadam trbuefc tb tjbsc iamry it btjcrs. =: ^jc brdmdaif prbvcre siys ‖i wbrn ds abt i spirrbw, dt lfdcs bll ian ybu wba —t hithj dt," gciadam bac sjbufn ec hircluf wjit bac siys. =3 ^jc



9?8

Hblldadi lbumjt bafy ey gcias bl fiamuimc br gimdh, abt gbvdam tb issiuft. Ia carimcn _dpi wdffdamfy edt ian shrithjcn, ian ba bhhisdba hbufn cvca tjrbw i hjidr. Ba tirmct. _dpi fdvcn ey dastdaht ian Hblldadi ey datcffcht. Jcr jcin mivc brncrs tb jcr jcirt, eut sjc, is i wdsc hbggiancr, hbggiancr, rchiffcn tjc brncrs, s`dfluffy pusjdam tjc rcspbasdedfdty batb tjc sfummdsj suebrndaitc. Eut tjca, sbgctdgcs Hblldadi it fcist jin sbgc datrdasdh datcmrdty. _dpi, tjbumj, ndn abt àbw wjit tjds wis it iff. Tct, _dpi trcitcn ybuam pcbpfc vcry ecacvbfcatfy ian fcadcatfy. ^jus, sjc ndn abt rclusc tb jcfp \iaì jdnc it jcr pircats— pircats—, ncspdtc tjc rbfc jc jin pfiycn da tjc litc bl _upcr. Hblldadi wis hbahcdtcn ian, ihhustbgcn tb shrithjdam but lbr jcrscfl iff tjc mbbn tjdams bl fdlc, fbvcn gbacy, cspchdiffy hbras ian wirts. _dpi, tjbumj, ndn abt àbw wjit dt wis tb accn sbgctjdam. ]dtj jcr wcrc cabumj bl tjc \.I.G._.D.U. Fbrn— Fbrn—s mbfn tbdfct ian jds hrcndt hirns. ^ruc, jcrc da ^dednbx, tjc hrcndt hirns ginc ab scasc, eut tjc jiedt stdff rcgidacn. Hblldadi wis iefc tb fcin gca tb firmc purhjiscs ian rcstiuriats, ncltfy ivbdndam uapfcisiat hbascqucahcs. _dpi prclcrrcn tb piy lbr cvcrytjdam jcrscfl, eut abtjdam prcvcatcn jcr lrbg sgih`dam i mbac-tbb-lir eciu ba tjc jcin wdtj i pia br sjbvdam jds absc datb jifl-citca gciteiffs. _dpi nrcsscn cxpcasdvcfy ian tistcfcssfy. Hblldadi nrcsscn wdtj tistc, ecdam iefc tb ldan tjc mbfnca gcia cvca da erdmjt-is-pirrbt s`drts ian efbuscs. _dpi wis tifìtdvc eut hrilty it tjc sigc tdgc ian `cpt schrcts fd`c i silc ncpbsdt ebx da i eia`. Hblldadi sbgctdgcs hbufn spdff tjc ecias cvca tb jcr bwa nctrdgcat. Ey ian firmc _dpi wis gbrc aiturif0 aiturifacss aiturifacss wis prchdscfy fih`dam da Hblldadi, iftjbumj i rirc lccf lbr btjcr— btjcr—s sjbrthbgdams ian jcr sjirp tbamuc eidfcn jcr but. _dpi ian Hblldadi wcrc stdff mbssdpdam wjca tjc nbbr bpcacn ian îayi catcrcn tjc rbbg. Iltcr hfdh`dam tjc fbh` ian tjrbwdam eih` tjc fdn, sjc pfihcn tjc hisc wdtj tjc nbuefc eiss ba jcr ecn, iffbwdam tjc dastrugcat tb nry. Butsdnc, i gdabr iaabydam rida jin ecca nrdzzfdam wdtj ridanrbps ba îayi— îayi —s hfbi` ian jcr jidr. ‖ ]jit, Mrbttd, ndn ybu ybu hry tjrbumjbut tjc nbuefc nbuefc eiss2‗ eiss2‗ Hblldadi is`cn. ‖Nba— Nba—t tcisc gc! Erdh`s nba— nba—t lfy. ^jcy rig,‗ rig,‗ îayi guttcrcn. Hblldadi pruncatfy `cpt qudct. Nurdam tjc ycirs bl fdvdam tbmctjcr, sjc jin ifrciny giaimcn tb fcira tjit tjcrc wcrc tdgcs wjca dt wis ecttcr abt tb pusj Mrbtty. Xbgctdgcs cvca i wjdtc wdzirn wbufn echbgc gbrc niamcrbus tjia i jirpy, lrbg wjdhj i ncin `d`dgbri `d`dgbri jin ecca ti`ca. ti`ca. _dpi ian Hblldadi withjcn is îayi fbbscacn tjc strdams ian rueecn tjc nbuefc eiss ba tjc butsdnc. ^jc vdatimc vdatimc wbbn hbvcrcn wdtj i tjda fiycr fiycr bl fihqucr wis uadquc. uadquc. Dt ndn abt lcir gbdsturc, wbufn abt hrih` da tjc sua, wis abt ilridn bl lrbst, ian ifwiys rcgidacn wirg cvca ba tjc hbfn eifhbay bl tjc Nuracvs. îayi ifsb jcirn lrbg îriri`j tjit wjca tjc bfn mrugefcr ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr pfiycn, tjc nbuefc eiss `cpt tjc sbuan pcrlchtfy lrbg tjc fbwcst tb tjc jdmjcst abtcs, ian cihj abtc hrcitcn purc ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9?>

gimdh, gcrmdam datb i uadldcn jirgbay wdtj tjc sgbbtj, is tjc sbuan bl tjc sci, ercitj bl fdlc. ‖Hupdns ndna— ndna—t hbgc2‗ hbgc2‗ îayi is`cn wdtj hbahcra. Xjc wis ifwiys ilridn bl gdssdam i fcttcr lrbg \iaì. ‖ Iji! I nbzca!‗ nbzca!‗ Hblldadi rcpfdcn gbh`damfy. ‖^jcy juam irbuan butsdnc tjc wdanbw, ecmmdam, ian ian tjca sfdppcn iwiy iwiy sbgcwjcrc. sbgcwjcrc.‗‗ ‖D—g scrdbus...‗ scrdbus...‗ îayi sidn. ‖ Ian D— D—g scrdbus... Ian nba— nba—t ybu ec iamry tjcrc wis ab bac. Tbu àbw tjit tjcrc irc Gimlbrn hbrnbas irbuan tjc nbgc. Dt— Dt—s hfcir tjit tjcy nba— nba—t datcrhcpt iff hupdns, eut dt—s niamcrbus iff tjc sigc.‗ sigc.‗ îayi àcw pcrlchtfy wcff tjit Hblldadi wis rdmjt, eut abt tb tjda` iebut \iaì ian abt tb wrdtc jdg wis ecyban jcr. Cvcry niy, sjc dacvdtiefy wrbtc jdg i fcttcr ian tjca jdn dt da tjc nbuefc eiss hisc, wjcrc i wjbfc stih` ifrciny pdfcn up. Dt wis rds`y tb scan tjcg. ^jds gbradam, jbwcvcr, abt rcstridadam jcrscfl, îayi scat jdg i wjbfc stih` bl ihhugufitcn fcttcrs it bahc iltcr iff ‘ vdi i hupdn, wjb wis vcry ihtdvc ian cvca twdrfcn ifgbst iaabydamfy butsdnc tjc wdanbw, mdvdam jcr sdmas. _crjips tjc hupdn kust wiatcn tb mct wbr` tb cira i hbb`dc, ian giyec... Eut îayi ndn abt cvca nirc tb tjda` iebut tjit, iftjbumj suspdhdba ifsb tbrgcatcn tbrgcatcn jcr lbr tjc rcst bl tjc niy... ^ruc, dl ybu cxigdac dt, irc tjcrc rciffy spy hupdns2 Hupdns irc sb brmiadzcn tjit tjcy gbrc wdffdamfy scrvc gimldi tjia tjc fiw. ‖^jit— ^jit—s dt! D— D—g tdrcn! Dt— Dt—s tdgc lbr eyc-eyc!‗ eyc-eyc!‗ _dpi sidn pctufiatfy ian, `dh`dam i sudthisc acirey, ecmia tb isscgefc jcr ecn. Xbba îayi ian Hblldadi ifsb fiy nbwa, eut tjcy hbufn abt sfccp. îayi tjbumjt iebut \iaì ian Mury. Hryptbvi hbgpfidacn tjit sjc wis jbt ian jurfcn sjbcs it Efih` Hurtidas. Cvca _dpi, wjb hfidgcn sjc wiatcn tb sfccp gbst bl iff, tbsscn ian turacn wdtj suhj rimc, rimc, is dl sjc wiatcn tb erci` erci` tjc ecn ian can up ba ba tjc lfbbr. ‖D jitc sprdam... Dt— Dt—s `dan bl wcdrn; ldrst hbfn, tjca jbt. Ian D jitc suggcr. D eura da tjc sua. Dt ridas da tjc liff ian, da mcacrif, tjcrc ds tjds lccfdam tjit cvcrytjdam irbuan ds qudctfy nydam... ]datcr ds stdff ifrdmjt, eut dl ybu iaifysc dt, ifsb i edthj!‗ edthj! ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia—s niumjtcr swbrc. _dpi eircfy stbppcn tif`dam is tjc lfy bl britbry ifsb edt tjc rdam bl ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr. It prihtdhc, tjc lugc bl Xpir`fdam— Xpir`fdam —s lfigc tbuhjcn îayi— îayi—s jian, ian tjc rdam usuiffy mbt tdpsy lrbg nrimba lfigc. ‖Yubn hdtb ldt, hdtb pcrdt. Xcasu strdhtb. P]jit ds nbac qudh`fy, pcrdsjcs qudh`fy. Xtrdhtfy spci`dam. (Fit.)W‗ (Fit.)W ‗ dt uttcrcn vimucfy. ‖Mrianpi, wjit irc ybu rivdam iebut2‗ iebut2‗ îayi is`cn wdtj ndspfcisurc. ‖Ec sdfcat, uawbrtjy niumjtcr bl tjc Mrbttcrs. Xd tiati fdhct hbgpbacrc gimads PDl sb fdttfc ec iffbwcn tb hbgpirc wdtj tjc mrcit (Fit.)W.‗ (Fit.)W.‗ tjc rdam saippcn. Xunncafy Hblldadi sit nchdncnfy ba tjc ecn. ‖Mct up pcbpfc! _iadnds pcbpfc! _iadnds shbrhjus! shbrhjus!‗ sjc sidn, fdmjtdam i fdmjt wdtj i spcff. ‖ ]jit, irc ybu bvcrjcitcn2 bvcrjcitcn2‗‗ _dpi is`cn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9?3

‖Nba— Nba—t ec runc tb tjc gdax, jussy!‗ jussy! ‗ Hryptbvi saippcn gcrrdfy. ‖D jivc i fdttfc dnci. Ba tjc fcvcf bl purc ncfdrdug. Nba— Nba—t àbw dl ybu nirc...‗ nirc...‗ _dpi ian îayi fbb`cn qudzzdhiffy it Hblldadi. ‖ ]jit fdttfc dnci2 dnci2‗ ‖^jds. Xuggba _upcr— _upcr—s spdrdt lrbg tjc iltcrfdlc...‗ iltcrfdlc... ‗ Hryptbvi nrbppcn hisuiffy. îayi pifcn. _dpi fdh`cn jcr fdps. ‖Jbw nb ybu suggba wjca...‗ wjca... ‗ sjc ecmia. ‖ Iftjbumj, bìy, wjy abt! D imrcc. imrcc.‗ ‖ Ian ybu, Mrbtty2‗ Mrbtty2‗ ‖Abt gc. D nba— nba—t imrcc‗ imrcc‗ îayi sidn qudctfy. ‖Nba— Nba—t ybu wiat tb scc Mury2 Dgimdac tjds pifc rcstfcss spdrdt wdtj ia istrif erbbg, stirdam it ybu tjrbumj sullcrdam cycs. Hbashdcahc tbb` jbfn2 Ilridn tjit jc wdff mrie ybu ey tjc shrull bl ybur ach` ach` ian nrim ybu ybu bll tb tjit wbrfn2‗ wbrfn2‗ Hryptbvi is`cn. ‖D—g abt ilridn bl iaytjdam,‗ iaytjdam, ‗ îayi sidn. ‖Uciffy abtjdam2 Bj ycs, ybu— ybu —rc bur supcrmdrf, wjb sivcn ^dednbx twb juanrcn ian cdmjt tjbusian tdgcs! Erivb, ybuam Mrbttd, erivb! ^jca wjit— wjit —s tjc prbefcg2 Tbu rciffy nba— nba—t wiat tb scc _upcr bahc gbrc2‗ gbrc2‗ Hblldadi tcgptcn jcr. îayi ydcfncn. Xjc mivc da, iftjbumj sjc wis surc tjit tjc mjbst— mjbst —s mizc wbufn ec luff bl rcprbihj. Dl Mury jin abt gct jcr, jds fdlc wbufn abt jivc ecca hut sjbrt da jds prdgc. Jc wbufn jivc girrdcn i gbncst Camfdsjwbgia ian wbufn jivc hbatdaucn i mfbrdbus nyaisty bl _upcrs ‘ adhc muys, cxhcffcat nrimbaeiff pfiycrs, ian wcirdam rbuan mfisscs lrbg i mrianlitjcrfy hbffchtdba. Ij, Mury, Mury, wjy ndn ybu accn Uussdia mdrfs2 ^jcy mbt ybu datb trbuefc, bj, tjcy ndn! ‖Dl D rclusc, dt wdff prbvc tjit D wis ilridn ian D ectriycn _upcr... Xb D wdff scc jdg bahc gbrc! Tcs, jivc tb suggba iltcr iff, ian hbgc wjit giy!‗ giy! ‗ sjc tjbumjt. îayi lcft vcry mudfty iebut Mury ian acvcr trdcn tb nbwapfiy jcr bwa mudft, cvca datcraiffy tb jcrscfl. ^jc rbin bl scfl-kustdldhitdba ds tjc gbst tbrtubus pitj da tjc wbrfn. Ian dt fcins tb abwjcrc. Hblldadi turacn bvcr tjc hbllda, wjdhj scrvcn is jcr ecn, ian puffcn i abtcebb` but bl tjc schrct nriwcr. ‖ Ij, dt cvca edtcs, suhj trisj! Gybwads trisj! Gybwads ecihbads! ecihbads!‗ sjc mrugefcn, sji`dam tjc ebb` wjdhj jin turacn datb i rit. ‖Xb, fct— fct—s scc wjit wc accn! Iji, jcrc! I ldmurc bl wjdtc hfiy sgcircn wdtj nrimba efbbn. I lfbwcr, mdlt bl tjc suggbacn. I hiracfdia stbac... Adhc, D jivc prchdscfy bac fydam irbuan. Jidr lrbg tjc jcin bl tjc bac wjbg tjc suggbacn fbvcn ‘ ldvc jidrs... ]jca cvcrytjdam ds rciny, wc sjbufn ti`c tjrcc gimdh rdams ian fiy tjcg but da ia cqudfitcrif trdiamfc. _fihc tjc ldmurc da tjc hcatrc... Iltcr tjit, uttcr i hbupfc bl spcffs ‘ D wba— wba—t rcin tjcg abw ‘ ian tjc spdrdt bl _upcr wdff ec da lrbat bl us! D is` cvcrybac tb mrbia ian swbba da tjc brncr bl i strdht qucuc!‗ qucuc!‗ Hryptbvi sidn. îayi, bl hbursc, jin tb gbufn tjc ldmurc. Jcr ldamcrs befdmdamfy àcincn ian sgbbtjcn but tjc hfiy. Xjc rcgcgecrcn Mury —s cvcry lciturc ‘ jds sfdg gbutj, ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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rbuandsj lihc, ebydsj hurfs, ian tjc tipcn mfisscs. Jbw jc fbb`s stdff! Mury, Mury! îayi efda`cn ian nchdsdvcfy nchdsdvcfy ginc tjc tjc ldadsjdam tbuhj. ‖ ]jy ndn ybu nb tjds, tjc shir2 Nbcs Mury rciffy jivc suhj i shir2 ]jit, tjcy hjiscn iltcr jdg wdtj i swbrn2 Xuhj i ncat wbufn efbw jds eridas but!‗ but! ‗ _dpi stirtcn tb ec butrimcn. Jcr tifcat lbr gbufndam wis bafy cabumj tb prbvdnc vifuiefc invdhc ian wrda`fc jcr absc. absc. ‖Nba— Nba—t trisj dt! ^jc shir turacn but iwcsbgc! ]brsc tjia tjc wbrst niahcr hia bafy ec tjc ecst hrdtdh, hrdtdh,‗‗ Hblldadi saueecn _dpi. Eut _dpi wbufn abt fct up. Xjc wiatcn einfy tb ec da hbggian. ‖Ldac, fct tjc jcin ec sdgdfir! Ian tjca wjit2 Jbw wdff wc gbufn _upcr; da i hfbi` br wdtj abtjdam2‗ abtjdam2‗ sjc is`cn cimcrfy. îayi stbppcn gbufndam da surprdsc. Hblldadi mdmmfcn. Fd`c _dpi, sjc wis sfdmjtfy ldxitcn ba hcrtida tjdams. ‖ ]jit, fct dt ec wdtj abtjdam! Lbr aiturifacss. aiturifacss. Br abt... da i mis gis` ian wjdtc sbh`s!‗ sbh`s!‗ sjc summcstcn. ‖D wba— wba—t fct ybu gi`c lua bl Mury! ^jit— ^jit—ss tjc wiy iff kihìsscs siy tjit D gi`c lua bl jdg! Eut D nba— nba—t! D pcrhcdvc jdg tjds wiy!‗ wiy! ‗ îayi wis dandmaiat ian stbbn up nchdsdvcfy. ‖Ab, ab, Mrbtty, ncir, nba— nba—t hrusj jds jcin! D wis kb`dam! Gbufn jdg da i hfbi`!‗ hfbi`! ‗ _dpi ycffcn da lcir, jiamdam batb jcr irg. ]jca tjc ldmurc wis ifgbst rciny, Hblldadi put jcr lcct ba tjc hiracfdia ian fbb`cn hbatcatcnfy it tjc rcsuft. ‖Abw i lfbwcr... Ndn _upcr scan ybu lfbwcrs2‗ lfbwcrs2 ‗ sjc is`cn. ‖Jcffb, gbvc bvcr!‗ bvcr!‗ îayi sidn. ‖ ]jca wis tjit2 ^jcy ^jcy nba— nba—t fist lbrcvcr.‗ lbrcvcr.‗ ‖ ]jit, ab lfbwcrs2 Abt bac2‗ bac2‗ Hblldadi wis butrimcn. ‖^jca wjy tjc ldm ig D abt sfccpdam it admjt, trydam2 \bbnbb gimdh dsa— dsa —t i sifin, put badba wjcrcvcr ybu wiat br abt wjca ybu nba— nba—t wiat. Ab lfbwcr ‘ ab _upcr.‗ _upcr.‗ ‖ ]idt,‗ ]idt,‗ _dpi sunncafy sidn, efusjdam. ‖^jcrc— ^jcrc—s i lfbwcr!‗ lfbwcr!‗ Xjc bpcacn tjc tjdh` vbfugc bl hbggba spcffs, spcffs, lbuan i nrdcn rbsc ectwcca tjc pimcs ian qudh`fy sjbvcn dt it Hryptbvi. ‖_upcr— _upcr—s2‗ s2‗ Hblldadi is`cn da ndsecfdcl. ‖_upcr— _upcr—s.‗ s.‗ ‖Ndn jc rciffy mdvc dt tb ybu2‗ ybu2‗ Hryptbvi nbuetcn. ‖Ab, jc mivc dt tb îayi, eut D tbb` bac lfbwcr... Xjc jin i wjbfc euahj! D cavdsdbacn tjit... Fcivc gc ifbac! Dt—s abac abac bl ybur eusdacss!‗ eusdacss!‗ ‖ Ifrciny ndn!‗ ndn!‗ Hblldadi sidn jippdfy. ‖^ri-fi-fi! Jcffb, truc fbvc, wjdhj sivcs abt bafy bac— bac—s bwa rbscs, eut ifsb btjcr— btjcr —s. Eut ecir da gdan, wc jivc tb hrusj tjc lfbwcr... Abw tjc jidr... ]cff, ybuam findcs, wjb wdff sihrdldhc2 Da gy bpdadba, Mury fbvcn iff tjrcc bl us. Cihj da tjcdr bwa wiy, bl hbursc, eut stdff...‗ stdff...‗ Ia dandmaiat _dpi stirtcn tb hfidg tjit Mury fbvcn jcr gbrc tjia tjc btjcrs, ifecdt uahbashdbusfy, ian bafy eih`cn bll wjca Hblldadi hfirdldcn tjit tjc jidr jin tb ec rdppcn ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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bll lrbg tjc rbbt. Btjcrwdsc, dt wbufn abt wbr`. Ian sdahc jcr, Hblldadi— Hblldadi —s, jidr wis nycn ian tbniy sjc wis abt da tjc gbbn it iff, tjca... ‖ ]cff, Mrbtty, tura ybur eifn spbt tb gc!‗ gc!‗ sjc ldadsjcn prcnitbrdfy. ‖Mct iwiy, Hrypt! D àbw ybu, ybu— ybu —ff ti`c bll gy shifp. D— D —ff nb dt gyscfl!‗ gyscfl!‗ îayi rcluscn. Xjc wrippcn i lcw jidrs irbuan i ldamcr ian, edtdam jcr fdp, puffcn jirn. ^cirs higc datb jcr cycs. ^jc jidrs jin ecca puffcn lrbg tjc rbbts. ‖Ldvc... ]bw, lbur gbrc! Adac jidrs! Mrbtty, ybu cxhccncn tjc pfia! Tbu hia tura tjc cxtri datb i wdm br ldff i pdffbw! Xb... Uciny!‗ Uciny!‗ Hryptbvi sidn, mcatfy twdstdam tjc jidr irbuan tjc widst bl tjc ldmurc. ‖Abw, bac gbrc tjdam! Mdvc gc ybur rdams!‗ rdams!‗ _dpi— _dpi—s rdam higc bll cisdfy. ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr— Mrbttcr —s rdam wis stueebra ian îayi jin tb twdst dt ba tjc ldamcr lbr i fbam tdgc. ‖Gimad abgdads ugeri! Uc, aba vcreds! PDa tjc sjinbw bl i mrcit aigc! ]dtj nccn, abt wbrns! (Fit.)W‗ (Fit.)W‗ tjc rdam sidn rcprbihjluffy wjca îayi jiancn dt bvcr tb Hblldadi. ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s wrbam wdtj dt2 Xwcirdam2‗ Xwcirdam2‗ Hryptbvi is`cn. ‖Ab, dt—s dt—s spci`dam da spci`dam da Fitda...‗ Fitda...‗ ‖Kust tjit! Ian D wis jbpdam tb ridsc tjc fcvcf bl hufturc!‗ hufturc! ‗ Hblldadi wis ndsippbdatcn, hircluffy irriamdam tjc rdams irbuan tjc wjdtc hfiy ldmurc, wjdhj wis ifrciny pfihcn da tjc hcatrc bl tjc tiefc hfcircn bl ebb`s ian abtcs. ‖Abw tjc nrimba efbbn... ^jcrc wis i vdif sbgcwjcrc... Iji, jcrc! Ian ybu, wjdtc, stian eih`, stiy but bl tjds! Xcrdbus gimdh jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ Hryptbvi bpcacn tjc vdif mdamcrfy, withjdam tjit abtjdam spdffcn ba jcr s`da. Xirniaipif jin wiracn tjit iaybac igbam tjc fdvdam, ba wjbg lcff i nrbp bl nrimba efbbn, wbufn lbrcvcr ec i sfivc tb jds eisc ncsdrcs, ian dt wis wbrsc tjia ncitj. ^jc nrimba efbbn jdsscn ian sgb`cn wjca spdffcn ba tjc hfiy. îayi lcft tjit _upcr —s lciturcs hbatbrtcn ian tjc gbutj trcgefcn, eut pcrjips tjc wjdtc sgb`c nchcdvcn jcr. ‖ ]bancrluf! Abw tjc spcff!‗ spcff!‗ Hblldadi sct isdnc tjc vdif ian, fd`c i rcif wdthj, uttcrcn da i jbffbw vbdhc, ‖ Lcrbssdfug tjds piy da wdntjs! Ncgctrdus Fctjc tjrdhc hcredus!‗ hcredus!‗ îayi squdatcn, cxpchtdam tjit efdandam spir`s wbufn abw hrih`fc. ‖ ]cff, wjcrc ds jc2 ]jit— ]jit—s tjds, D dgpfbrc ybu2‗ ybu2‗ sjc jcirn Hblldadi— Hblldadi—s ndsippbdatcn vbdhc. Bpcadam jcr cycs, îayi stcppcn tb tjc tiefc ian, iltcr fbb`dam hfbscfy, rchbdfcn. ^jc rdams wcrc mfbwdam ian, echbgdam hrdgsba, ecmia tb ebuahc ba tjc tiefc. ^jcy ndn tjds sdguftiacbusfy, hbaachtcn ey sbgctjdam datiamdefc ian davdsdefc. Dt wis lcft tjit is fbam is tjc spcff wis wbr`dam, tjcdr fda` wis dandssbfuefc. ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr —s rdam ab fbamcr ecfbamcn tb îayi br dtscfl eut iabtjcr, tb wjdhj dt surrcancrcn dts gimdh. îayi uancrstbbn tjit tjcrc, da tjc nuff-wjdtc, ifgbst lincn trdiamfc lbrgcn ey tjc rdams, wis ifrciny i hbgpfctcfy ndllcrcat wbrfn, supcraiturif ian spbb`y, wjcrc sjinbws rbigcn ian tjc ctcraif rdvcr Fctjc hirrdcn dts witcrs. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Mury, hia ybu jcir us2 ^jds ds us suggbadam ybu! _rcscat yburscfl, wjcrcvcr ybu giy ec!‗ ec!‗ Hblldadi uttcrcn ndstdahtfy. ^jc wjdtc hfiy ldmurc rcgidacn gbtdbafcss. ^jc nrimba efbbn jin ifrciny ecca qudtc iesbrecn. Bafy i hbupfc bl nrbps, tjdh` ian sjday fd`c gcrhury, stdff trcgefcn ba tjc hfbi`. ‖Nbcsa— Nbcsa—t wbr`!‗ wbr`!‗ Hblldadi sidn drrdtiefy. ‖Gbrc prchdscfy, dt wbr`s eut abt is dt sjbufn.‗ sjbufn.‗ ‖Jbw sjbufn dt2‗ dt2‗ ‖D nba— nba—t àbw, eut abt fd`c tjit... _upcr sbgcjbw dsa— dsa —t i prbpcr spdrdt. Iay abrgif ncin wbufn jivc ippcircn fbam imb, wdtjbut ncfiy, ian tjds bac ds stueebra... Ab, sbgctjdam dsa— dsa—t rdmjt... Fbb`, gy rdam jis hbbfcn! Mury nbcsa— nbcsa—t wiat tb hbgc tb gc! Abw ybu try, _dpi!‗ _dpi!‗ _dpi— _dpi—s hjcc`s, ncasc fd`c mcfitdac, qudvcrcn. ‖M_! Gy ncir! Ippcir! M_, pfcisc! Fct it fcist bac cyc mfiahc it ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ ‖Jcy, jcy, gbrc hircluf wdtj tjc prbgdsc jcrc! ^jc ncin datcrprct tbb fdtcriffy. Tbu siy ‚bac cyc— cyc—, ybu hia siy mbbneyc tb tjc btjcr. Ucgcgecr, Gcnusi ncshrdecn jbw bac spdrdt is`cn i mdrf lbr jcr jian ian jcirt ian sjc efurtcn but ycs— ‚ycs—! Jc tbb` wjit jc is`cn lbr; jian ian jcirt...‗ jcirt... ‗ Hryptbvi wiracn. Eut tjc cgbtdbaif _dpi jin ab tdgc lbr pctty hbasdncritdbas. hbasdncritdbas. Ecns, hjidrs, ian cvca tjc s`cfctba _imc ‘ cvcrytjdam wis rittfdam ian ebuahdam lrbg jcr datudtdvc gimdh. îayi ian Hblldadi ifsb lcft tjds vderitdba. ‖M_, fdttfc bac, wjy nba— nba—t ybu hbgc2 ]jy ndn ybu nrim yburscfl tb tjds nucf2 ]jit ds îayi tb ybu2 D wbufn jdnc ybu da i silc ian wbufna— wbufna—t cvca fct iaybac fbb` it ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ _dpi pfcincn. Xunncafy tjc ybuam Nuracvi hrdcn but rcscatluffy. Jcr rdam, hrdgsba tdff abw, wis lindam fd`c Hblldadi— Hblldadi—s rdam cirfdcr. Iff tjrcc rdams stdff rcgidacn ba tjc gimdhif hbrn is eclbrc, eut bafy îayi— îayi—s rdam wis mfbwdam ian lfisjdam, gbrcbvcr erdmjtcr wdtj cihj schban. Dt hbufn ec issugcn tjit tjc jcit bl tjc btjcr twb rdams jin pisscn bvcr tb dt. ‖Ab, sbgctjdam dsa— dsa—t rdmjt! I spdrdt tjit rcluscs tb ippcir ba tjrdhc hcredus... hcredus... ^jcrc—s sbgc sbgc `dan bl sabw kbe jcrc. Lbr ia btjcrwbrfnfy spdrdt, Mury ds sbgcwjit tbb dancpcancat!‗ dancpcancat!‗ Hblldadi nchfircn. ‖Hbgc ba, îayi, ybu try! Jc— Jc—ff hcrtidafy prcscat jdgscfl tb ybu, wjctjcr lrbg bur wbrfn br tjc Btjcr ]brfn ‘ nbcsa— nbcsa—t gittcr.‗ gittcr.‗ ‖D wba— wba—t!‗ t!‗ ‖ Imida, ‚D wba— wba—t—2 D hia— hia—t stian wba— ‚wba—tcrs— tcrs—!‗ Hblldadi wis butrimcn. ‖^jca wjy ndn ybu gbufn tjc ldmurc2 Hbgc ba, nba— nba—t sjdr`!‗ sjdr`!‗ îayi wiatcn tb lfirc up, eut rcifdzcn tjit Hblldadi wis rdmjt. Dt wis lbbfdsj tb eih` but abw. ‖Mury!‗ Mury!‗ sjc jidfcn sbltfy, wif`dam tb tjc ldmurc. ‖Mury, dt— dt—s gc, îayi!‗ îayi!‗ ^jc mfbw dasdnc tjc trdiamfc echigc erdmjtcr. Abw dt ab fbamcr fbb`cn sb lincn. ^jc ldmurc twdthjcn. Ab, dt wis hfiy, eut sdguftiacbusfy ifsb ifsb abt hfiy. I spdrdt jin scttfcn da tjc hfiy ebny. ^jc lihc bl tjc ldmurc wrda`fcn, scvcrif hrih`s spfdt dt. Dt wis cvdncat ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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tjit tjc spdrdt bl _upcr _u pcr wis uahbglbrtiefc ian hbufn da ab wiy inipt tb tjc tcgpbrirdfy tcgpbrirdfy ndsbecndcat ebny, wjdhj wbufn hcisc tb cxdst is sbba is tjc nrimba efbbn nrdcn. ‖Mury!‗ Mury!‗ îayi sjbutcn, rchbmadzdam jdg ey tjc ifgbst dgpcrhcptdefc eut vcry _upcr-fd`c jcin gbvcgcats. ^jc ldmurc, stiydam da tjc trdiamfc bl rdams, turacn tb jcr iw`wirnfy ian wdtj mrcit cllbrt. Jians tjit îayi jin abt gbufncn eut bafy butfdacn stdrrcn imbadzdamfy uancr tjc hfbi`. ‖D fbvc ybu, îayi!‗ îayi!‗ tjc hfiy ldmurc sidn. ‖D fbvc ybu!‗ ybu!‗ ‖Ji-ji-ji!‗ Ji-ji-ji!‗ _dpi uttcrcn hbfnfy ian vcry ndstdahtfy. îayi lcft tjit _dpi jitcn jcr ldcrhcfy. Echiusc bl _upcr. Kust is Fdzi [ifdzdai jitcn jcr echiusc bl \iaì. Eut abw sjc jin ab tdgc lbr tjit. ]dtj i sda`dam jcirt, sjc fbb`cn it tjc hfiy _upcr. ^jc ldmurc gbvcn lbrwirn wdtj mrcit cllbrt ian trdcn tb hrbss bvcr tjc ebrncr butfdacn ey tjc rdams. Eut dt ndn abt suhhccn. Dt pusjcn it tjc ebttbg pfihc, it iabtjcr... Dt wis uscfcss. Mury hbufn abt erci` tjrbumj tjc gimdh eirrdcr. îayi scascn tjc sgcff bl eurat hfiy... _upcr— _upcr—s lihc sprcin ian jirncacn lrbg tjc jcit. Abw jc hbufn eircfy spci`. Jds vbdhc jin echbgc uadatcffdmdefc, eut stdff îayi ‘ ian bafy sjc ‘ wis iefc tb gi`c but, ‖^buhj gc, tbuhj gc, pfcisc! Dt nbcsa— nbcsa—t sccg tb gc tjit D sfccp ian D wba— wba —t wi`c up... D...‗ D...‗ îayi rusjcn tb tjc tiefc. Hblldadi juam batb jcr irg. ‖Jivc ybu mbac auts, Mrbtty! ^drcn bl fdvdam2 Tbu uancrstian wjit `dan bl gimdh tjds ds2 Tbu— Tbu—ff `dff us iff!‗ iff! ‗ sjc ycffcn. Eut îayi ndn abt wiat tb uancrstian iaytjdam. _usjdam Hryptbvi, sjc rcihjcn lbr tjc ldmurc. ‖Nba— Nba—t tbuhj tjc rdam!‗ rdam!‗ Hryptbvi ycffcn imida, eut îayi jin ifrciny mrieecn tjc hfbscst rdam ian gbvcn dt, ndsruptdam tjc pirdty bl tjc sdncs. ^jc erdmjtcst lfisj efdancn jcr lbr i gbgcat. I jcit wivc puffcn îayi, trydam tb nrim jcr datb tjc gimdh trdiamfc... Xjc rcsdstcn, trydam tb hfdam tb tjc tiefc, eut dt wis uscfcss. ^jc lbrhc tjit puffcn jcr wis rcfcatfcss ian datiamdefc. îayi lcft abtjdam eut jcit. Xunncafy, wjca tjc Btjcr ]brfn jin ifgbst nrimmcn jcr da, sbgctjdam pusjcn jcr da tjc hjcst ian lihc. Xjc lcff. Hbashdbusacss ian vdsdba ecmia tb rctura imida bafy iltcr i lcw gdautcs. îayi rcifdzcn tjit sjc wis fydam ba tjc lfbbr ian Hblldadi wis fciadam nbwa ian shrutdadzdam jcr. Jcr lihc wis sygpitjctdh ian iaxdbus. Iltcr ndshbvcrdam tjit îayi jin hbgc tb, Hblldadi sgdfcn. ‖Mrbttd, ybu— ybu—rc fd`c, bìy2 Hiahcf tjc bedtuiry! ^jc gcgbrdif gimdh tiefchfbtj, tbb! ]cff, tjit— tjit—s ecttcr! Ab bac wdff stida tjc efih` rullfcs wdtj sblt-ebdfcn cmms, ‗ sjc sidn wdtj rcfdcl. îayi mbt up wdtj ndlldhufty. Jcr wjbfc ebny wis wct wdtj swcit, cvca jcr eiams stuh` tb jcr lbrcjcin. ^jc gimdh trdiamfc wis erb`ca. ^jc hfiy ldmurc jin gcftcn. ]jcrc dt jin rchcatfy ecca, bafy i jirncacn wjdtdsj-erbwa stida bl hfiy rcgidacn. ^jc hiracfdia stbac, stbac, dts hbfbur jivdam hjiamcn sfdmjtfy lrbg tjc jcit, wis i fdttfc tb tjc sdnc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc fuh`y ybu mrieecn ybur bwa rdam, abt _dpi— _dpi —s br gdac... Ian da liht, tjc rdam ian abt tjc ldmurc! Tbur mrcit-mrianpi wis i strbam wdzirn iltcr iff. Jc jcfpcn ybu mct bll fdmjtfy!‗ fdmjtfy!‗ Hblldadi rittfcn. îayi erusjcn imidast sbgctjdam ecjdan jcr wdtj jcr lbbt. Jcr nbuefc eiss hisc wis fydam ey tjc tiefc wdtj tjc hbvcr tjrbwa eih`. ^jc ebw wis fydam acxt tb tjc hisc. ^jds wis tbb guhj. îayi ndn abt nbuet tjit wjdfc sjc wis uahbashdbus, jcr rbbggitcs jin gi`c usc bl tjc bppbrtuadty tb ruggimc da jcr tjdams. ‖ ]jy ds gy nbuefc eiss jcrc2 jcrc2 ]jb gbvcn dt2 D wiracn wiracn ybu! Hryptbvi, Hryptbvi, wis dt ybu2!‗ ybu2!‗ sjc lfircn up. Hblldadi cruptcn rcscatluffy. ‖ ]jb nb ybu ti`c gc lbr, mdrflrdcan2 D— D—g hcrtidafy ab iamcf, eut D ifsb jivc i jcirt! Jcrc D luss bvcr jcr wdtj Iggbadihus Iggbadihus sifiggbadihys sifiggbadihys,, rcpcitdam fd`c i pirrbt, ian sjc... Smj! Mrbtty, sjc— sjc —s ia Ilrdhia Mrbtty! Ab wbancr _rblcssbr Xtda`tbpp uscn tb rcpcit da ldrst ycir tjit damritdtunc ds i lciturc bl wjdtc wdzirns!‗ wdzirns!‗ îayi wis cgeirrisscn. Xjc ndn abt cxpcht suhj i rceull. Ippircatfy, sjc jin wrbamfy fisjcn fisjcn but it Hblldadi. ‖^jca wjy ds tjc hisc jcrc2 Br wis dt _dpi2‗ _dpi2‗ sjc is`cn. Hblldadi `cpt qudct, dmabrdam îayi. ‖Gc2 Gc2‗‗ _dpi wis bllcancn. ‖^jia` ybu, sds! Nbwardmjt i sfcnmcjiggcr wdtj i luzzy gum. ]jca Mury —s ldmurc gcftcn, tjc Btjcr ]brfn ecmia tb nrim ybu da ian ifgbst ndn... Tbu sjbufn jivc scca ybur butfdac, ifgbst echigc triaspircat! triaspircat! ]cff, D—g tjda`dam ‘ Mbtty —s i mbacr! D wiatcn tb rusj tb ybu ian jcsdtitcn ‘ giyec dt— dt—ff puff gc da. Ian tjca ybur mrcit-mrianpi— mrcit-mrianpi—s rdam sunncafy stirtcn guttcrdam! ^jc hisc gbvcn lbrwirn ian pbppcn bpca! Gigi ncir! ^jc ebw wis ba tjc strdams ey dtscfl! Dt pfiycn sbgctjdam, tjc nbuefc eiss wis sji`dam iff tjc tdgc, ian, gbst dgpbrtiatfy, abtjdam wis jcirn... ]c fbb`cn, dt wis is dl ybu wcrc ab fbamcr ecdam nriwa da. ^jca dt rckchtcn ybu uacxpchtcnfy ian ybu wcrc ba tjc lfbbr prbatb, fydam irgs sprcin but! Ian tjca tjc ebw ifsb scttfcn nbwa...‗ nbwa...‗ îayi fbb`cn scirhjdamfy it _dpi. Tcs, Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia —s niumjtcr wis tcffdam tjc trutj. Dt wis sdgpfy tjit tjc nbuefc eiss ian ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr— Mrbttcr —s rdam rciffy jin sivcn îayi lrbg ncitj. ]jy ndn sjc rusj tb tjc ldmurc iltcr tjc spcff2 Xjc àcw wcff tjit sjc sjbufn abt, tjit dasdnc tjcrc wis iabtjcr, rcgbtc ian jbstdfc wbrfn! Eut sjc hbufn abt, sdgpfy hbufn abt rclusc _upcr— _upcr —s rcqucst ian fbst jcr jcin, lbrmcttdam jcrscfl. Dl sb, nbcs tjit gcia tjit sjc fbvcs Mury ian abt \iaì2 Hurscn gimdh! îayi sfiggcn sjut tjc hisc, pusjcn dt uancr tjc ecn wdtj jcr lbbt, ian fcipcn but bl tjc rbbg. Xjc hbufn abt fbb` it Hblldadi br _dpi abw, hbufn abt tif` tb iaybac. Xjc accncn tb ec ifbac. Dt wis ifrciny vcry fitc. I gimdhif efudsj fdmjt wis mfbwdam bafy da tjc hbggba rbbg. Abt àbwdam dl iaybac wis tjcrc, îayi wcat irbuan dt tjrbumj tjc ebys— ebys— jiffwiy, wjdhj ifsb fcn tb tjc stidrhisc eut eypisscn tjc fdvdam rbbg. ^brhjcs bl ctcraif lfigc efizcn da tjc ifhbvcs ifbam tjc Gida Xtidrhisc, prbgptfy rcshudam lrbg niràcss i pirt bl tjc stbac wiffs wdtj bfn pbrtridts. ^jca, îayi pisscn tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats ian ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


999

ndvcn datb tjc hbalusdam pissimcs tjit dggcnditcfy stirtcn uancr tjc stidrs bl tjc Itfiscs. Xbgc Itfiscs wcrc nbzdam, btjcrs wcrc pfiydam, mcttdam up ba tdptbc ian mcatfy fdltdam ian fbwcrdam tjc ^dednbx irhjcs. ^jc tjdrn Itfis lrbg tjc can sit nbwa ian, hrbssdam jds fcms, iaxdbusfy cxigdacn i hrih` da jds girefc lbbt. ‖Xcvca juanrcn ycirs wdtjbut fcivc! D—g cxjiustcn! cxjiustcn! Giyec jdt tjc rbin tb tjc gbrbabdns ian hbasdncr i rcstbrcr lbr tjc tjrcc bl us, juj, muys2 Br ti`c i hiryitdn=4 tjcrc!‗ tjcrc!‗ jc wis tcgptcn. ^jc Itfiscs acxt tb jdg `cpt qudct ian, sjbwcrdam stbac iltcrwirns, tbb` tjc rip lbr tjcdr lidatjcirtcn hbgrinc. Ba abtdhdam îayi, tjc lia bl rcstbrcrs ian hiryitdns jistdfy stbbn stridmjt ian prbppcn up tjc irhj. îayi prctcancn tjit sjc jin jcirn abtjdam. Dt wis lbbfdsj tb cgeirriss cgeirriss ia Itfis. Xjc nuh`cn uancr tjc stidrs, wif`cn i fdttfc ian dggcnditcfy lbuan jcrscfl da tjc tiamfc bl nir` hbrrdnbrs. ^jcrc wis ifgbst ab fdmjt jcrc, bafy i mrccadsj ndg mfbw pcactritcn tjc hrih`s da tjc lfbbr jcrc ian tjcrc. ‖Hurscn jbirn,‗ jbirn,‗ îayi tjbumjt, jbwcvcr, sjc jin ab wdsj tb pcc` datb tjc hrih`s. Xjc jin bahc jcirn lrbg îriri`j tjit jcrc, uancr tjc stidrs bl Itfiscs, wis jdnnca bac bl Kunis— Kunis— sdfvcr pdchcs :? ian tjcrclbrc tjds pfihc fdtcriffy ittrihtcn efbbnstidacn jbirns lrbg iff tjc surrbuandam fian. Ian abt bafy trcisurcs. ^jcsc stbac fieyrdatjs fbhitcn ndrchtfy iebvc tjc Xdadstcr Mitcs ian nigimcn ey cvdf spdrdts jcfn giay tcrrdefc irtclihts irtclihts bl iff aitdbas ian imcs. Iltcr turadam scvcrif tdgcs da tjc ndvcrmdam wce bl hbrrdnbrs, hbrrdnbrs, îayi sit nbwa ba tjc rbh` acxt tb tjc irgbur put ba i wbbnca efbh`. ^jc iahdcat gimdh irgbur mivc dts pbsscssbr tjrcc ycirs bl davufacriedfdty da eittfc. Da tjc lburtj ycir it tjc ldrst luff gbba, tjc irgbur sjria` tb tjc sdzc bl i wifaut ian `dffcn dts bwacr. Dt wis dgpbssdefc tb rcgbvc dt, tjbsc tjrcc ycirs bl suhhcss jin spbdfcn tjc vdhtbr cxtrcgcfy. Jivdam ecca sgcircn wdtj jds efbbn, tjc irgbur hciscn tb rust, wis hbvcrcn wdtj acw ncsdmas, ian, kdamfdam tjc hjida gidf sjdrt, pitdcatfy widtcn lbr sbgcbac tb ec datcrcstcn datcrcstcn da dt imida. Abw, scasdam prcy, dt sjbac davdtdamfy, rittfcn, ian cvca trdcn tb cgerihc îayi's sjbufncrs wdtj tjc sfccvcs bl tjc hjida gidf sjdrt. ‖ Erdsùs-qudhùs! Erdsùs-qudhùs!‗ îayi mruatcn ian qucffcn dt wdtj i mrcca spir`. Nurdam tjc ycirs bl tridadam tridadam da ^dednbx uatdf abw, abw, sjc jin mbttca sb uscn uscn tb virdbus sdgpfc sdgpfc vigpdrcs, fd`c cacrmy- ian jicgbmfbeda-, tjit sjc ifgbst ab fbamcr pidn tjcg iay ittcatdba. ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr— Mrbttcr—s rdam ldrcn i ndg mrcca spir`, wjdhj wis eircfy cabumj lbr i spcff. Iltcr iadgitdam tjc hfiy ldmurc, tjc rdam sccgcn nir`cacn ian tdrcn. Hryptbvi— Hryptbvi —s lbrednnca spcff jin ncprdvcn dt bl tbb guhj gimdh. îayi àcw tjit dt wbufn rchbvcr da i lcw niys, eut uatdf tjca, sjc wbufn jivc tb hbascrvc gimdh.

=4 I

hiryitdn ds i shufptcn lcgifc ldmurc ti`dam pfihc bl i suppbrt hbfuga br pdffir. tb ia ihhbuat da tjc Acw ^cstigcat, Gittjcw 5<;93, Kunis Dshirdbt wcat tb tjc hjdcl prdcsts ian imrccn tb jian bvcr Kcsus da cxhjiamc lbr 8? sdfvcr pdchcs.

:? Ihhbrndam



995

‖Dfdis gifbrug! Saig da irgds sifutcg! PDfdin bl wbcs! Ncfdvcriahc da wcipbary ifbac! (Fit.)W‗ (Fit.)W‗ dt sidn mrugpdfy, is dl wiradam iebut sbgctjdam. ‖Mrianpi, da Uussdia2‗ Uussdia2‗ Eut tjc rdam wis sdfcat. Bevdbusfy, dts hbavcrsitdbaif gimdh lbr tjc niy jin ifrciny nrdcn up. Lbr i fbam tdgc îayi wirgcn dt wdtj jcr ercitj, rueedam dt wdtj jcr sjdrt sfccvc. Xjc àcw tjit tjc bfn mrugefcr fbvcn tjds, iftjbumj abw tjc rdam cxjdedtcn abtjdam, ecdam vcry bllcancn it jcr lbr pirtdhdpitdam da i efih` gimdh rdtuif. ‖ ]cff, D—g sbrry, lbrmdvc gc... D— D—g suhj i einndc!‗ einndc!‗ îayi sidn. ‖Eut wjb àcw2 Mrianpi, D nba— nba—t uancrstian wjit jippcacn tb gc. Xbgcjbw cvcrytjdam wis iff gdxcn up, iff jizy. Tbu nba—t wiat nba—t wiat tb stugefc ian bafy ecfdcvc tjit jcrc ybu irc, ldaiffy rdmjt, ian iff ds wcff, wjca eig ‘ absc ba i rbh`!‗ rbh`!‗ Ia uacxpchtcn rustfc lbrhcn îayi tb stbp jcr buteurst. Da tjc lidat mfbw bl tjc gimdh irgbur sjc siw Mcaì Eufbabv, saci`dam sbgcwjcrc da wdnc abdscfcss stcps. Dt wis jdg, Mcaì, Mcaì, eut it tjc sigc tdgc ifsb abt cxihtfy jdg. jdg. I tjdh` fiycr bl hbewces, hbewces, ndrt, ian erdh` nust hbvcrcn iff bl Eufbabv —s hfbtjdam, jds lihc, ian cvca jds jidr. Jc jin bevdbusfy rcturacn lrbg tjc eiscgcat ey tjc Xdadstcr Mitcs, wjcrc jc jin tb wdmmfc lbr i fbam tdgc tjrbumj i airrbw, vcry airrbw pissimc. ‖Ebudffba!‗ Ebudffba!‗ Saiefc tb stian dt, îayi hiffcn but. ‖ ]jy irc ybu wiancrdam jcrc, sb rcstfcssfy2 Irc ybu fbst2‗ fbst2 ‗ Mcaì wdahcn, stimmcrcn, ian sjdcfncn jdgscfl wdtj jds jians is dl lrbg i sunnca ittih`. ‖Bj, wjit2! ]jb— ]jb—s tjcrc2‗ tjcrc2‗ jc is`cn jbirscfy. ‖Gc, îayi!‗ îayi!‗ ‖ T-ybu2! Mrbttcr2 Mrbttcr2‗ Eufbabv jin tjc fbb` bl i pcrsba kust wi`dam up. Jc fbb`cn it îayi, tjca it jds bwa jians, tjca nbwa, it jds ndrty hfbtjcs. ‖Nira! D... Uciffy imida2 ]jca wdff dt can2‗ can2 ‗ jc sidn dandstdahtfy ian sit nbwa jcivdfy ba tjc lfbbr, jds jcin da jds jians. îayi wiatcn tb ipprbihj jdg, eut Mcaì sunncafy kugpcn up ian ria datb tjc niràcss. ‖Xbgcjbw D uancrstian abtjdam! Jc lrdmjtcacn gc cvca gbrc tjia tjcsc hbrrdnbrs... Ian wjy wis jc rbigdam nbwa tjcrc2‗ tjcrc2 ‗ îayi sidn, innrcssdam tjc irgbur vigpdrc. ^jc irgbur rittfcn rittfcn tjc hjcst pfitc davdtdamfy. Dt, is ifwiys, ifwiys, jin bac tjdam ba dts gdan. ‖Jbw hbahcracn ybu irc! Iff tjc efbbn, efbbn ‘ ab gcatif hbatiht!‗ hbatiht!‗ îayi sidn ian wif`cn iwiy, tjda`dam wdtj sinacss iebut Mury _upcr, \iaì, ian Ebudffba— Ebudffba—s striamc ecjivdbur. ]jca sjc rcturacn tb jcr rbbg, Hblldadi ian _dpi wcrc ifrciny isfccp. ^jc hfiy spbt stdff sjbwcn wjdtc ba tjc tiefc. ***



998

Da tjc gbradam i hupdn ecmia tb àbh` ba tjc mfiss. Jc sjbvcn i rbsc it îayi ian qudh`fy lfcw iwiy. Lbr i fbam tdgc, îayi pcrpfcxcnfy withjcn jdg mb. ^jc hupdn ndn abt cvca ecm lbr hbb`dcs, wjdhj wis igizdam da dtscfl. ‖ ]cff, fct— fct—s scc! Ab abtc2 Ab gimdh cdtjcr2 Xtriamc, tjc usuif rbsc! ]jb scat ybu tjds, Mrbtty2‗ Mrbtty2‗ Hblldadi is`cn suspdhdbusfy. suspdhdbusfy. ‖Giyec \iaì2‗ \iaì2‗ îayi is`cn wdtj jbpc. Hblldadi sabrtcn. ‖ Tbur \iaì2 I rbsc2 Dt— Dt—s abt jds styfc! Jc wbufn— wbufn vc —vc scat ybu i ncin edrn. Br i tidffcss rit hbvcrcn da iatdscptdh... Br it wbrst jc wbufn hfdp sbgctjdam lrbg i trcc... Ab, \iaì wdtj i rbsc ds fd`c gy Muayi wdtjbut i ebttfc bl eccr... Nbcsa— Nbcsa —t wbr`!‗ wbr`!‗ sjc stitcn. ‖ Tbu nba— nba—t àbw \iaì, nba— nba—t mct davbfvcn!‗ davbfvcn!‗ îayi sidn. ‖ Tcij, ycij! D— D—g rciffy stupdn! Dt— Dt—s wrdttca ba gy lihc! Ian D nba— nba—t àbw gca dasdnc but, ian mcacriffy dt— dt—s uaàbwa wjbg D ti`c iltcr...‗ iltcr...‗ Hryptbvi issurcn jcr gbh`damfy. îayi sidn abtjdam. Nccp nbwa, sjc wis sbgcjbw hcrtida tjit Hblldadi wis rdmjt. \iaì ifwiys hbasdncrcn hbasdncrcn rbscs tbb eiaif ian ebrdam i mdlt. ‖Ubscs siy bafy twb tjdams; i tjdh` wiffct ian fih` bl dgimdaitdba,‗ dgimdaitdba, ‗ jc hfidgcn. Eut dt wis abt cvca tjds gystcrdbus rbsc tjit ifirgcn îayi. ^jcrc jin acvcr ecca suhj ia bhhisdba tjit i hupdn, kust rcturacn lrbg tjc gbrbabdn wbrfn, rcluscn rcluscn i rcwirn. Eut tjds bac ndn. îayi eircfy jin tdgc tb mct nrcsscn wjca tjc nbbr tb tjc rbbg wis ecit nbwa ey tjc hbgeit spcff switus ifffdcnbwaus. ifffdcnbwaus. _dpi squcifcn ian hbvcrcn jcr jcin wdtj tjc efia`ct. Mrilda Himfdbstrb ian tjc gimfiwycr Junsba, Junsba, irgs lbfncn, stbbn it tjc nbbr bl tjc rbbg! Ecjdan tjcg fbbgcn tjc lfcsjy lihcs bl gimabtdsts. ‖Xtian, nba— nba—t gbvc! îtdiai Mrbttcr! Tbu irc suspchtcn bl hbgpfdhdty ian tjc hbvcr-up bl i hrdgc! ]jcrc ndn ybu mb tbadmjt2 ]jb wis tjc hupdn lrbg2 ]jit ndn jc erdam2‗ erdam2‗ Mrilda ncgiancn. îayi trdcn tb jdnc tjc rbsc ecjdan jcr eih`. Himfdbstrb fcipcn, mrieecn îayi— îayi —s wrdst wdtj bac jian jian sb sjc hbufn abt abt usc jcr rdam, ian saithjcn saithjcn tjc rbsc rbsc wdtj tjc btjcr. ‖ I lfbwcr2 ^jit— ^jit—s iff2 Xtriamc, vcry striamc! ]c— ]c—ff jivc tb scirhj ybur rbbg! Gimabtdsts, stirt wdtj tjds hiedact!‗ hiedact! ‗ ‖^jit— ^jit—s gy hiedact!‗ hiedact!‗ Hryptbvi wis dandmaiat. ‖ Tcs2 Jbw wbufn D àbw tjit dt— dt —s yburs2 I scirhj ds i scirhj!‗ scirhj! ‗ Mrilda sidn sadncfy. ‖Giyec D fbvc eurrbwdam da sjbrts ian ^-sjdrts2 Dt rciffy dsa— dsa —t wrdttca ba gy lihc, ji-ji2‗ ji-ji2 ‗ ‖Dt ds, ji-ji!‗ ji-ji!‗ Hblldadi gdgdh`cn. ‖Dt— Dt—s wrdttca tjit ybu— ybu—rc i pcrvcrtcn bfn mbit wdtj wct pifgs ian bdfy cycs! D scc suhj mbits lrbg tjrcc juanrcn gctrcs iwiy wdtjbut bptdhif sdmjt! ^jcy sdh`ca, aiuscitc gc, ian mrbss gc but!‗ but!‗ Mrilda Himfdbstrb lfusjcn. ^jc pbwcrluf mbbn-lcffbw gimabtdsts fbb`cn it cihj btjcr, jdndam i sgdfc. ‖Cvca i gbbhjcr, ebbtfdh`cr, ian tbiny uancr @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss! Abw mb tjrbumj gy sjbrts ian ^-sjdrts, puss, ian dt— dt—ff ec pfcisiat lbr ybu! ]jca wc accn tb tura iwiy, ybu kust wjdstfc br efda`!‗ efda`! ‗ Hblldadi ldadsjcn fctjiffy. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Himfdbstrb turacn purpfc. Dt sccgcn tjit i fdttfc gbrc ian jc wbufn jivc i gissdvc jcirt ittih`. ^jc tjbumjtfcss gimabtdsts wcrc ifrciny sadh`crdam da tjcdr tjrbits, ian cvca tjc gimfiwycr Junsba sgdfcn danufmcatfy. ‖ ]jit irc ybu up tb, ndgwdts2 Giirhj! Xcirhj tjc rbbg! Ijjjj! ]jit irc ybu nbdam2‗ nbdam2‗ jc jbwfcn, pusjdam îayi iwiy. ‖Ds tjc mbut ittih` rciffy jurtdam2 D tjbumjt ybu wbufna— wbufna—t lccf iaytjdam!‗ iaytjdam!‗ îayi wis surprdscn. ‖î`c tjcg! î`c tjcg iff! Smj! Ldrst, ndm tjrbumj cvcrytjdam jcrc! Xcirhj lbr fcttcrs, abtcs, ndirdcs! Cvcrytjdam tjit jis tb nb wdtj \iaì ian _upcr! Ian tbmctjcr wdtj cvcrytjdam tjit prbvcs tjc hbgpfdhdty hbgpfdhdty bl Xirniaipif! Xirniaipif! Dt—s jdmj jdmj tdgc tb cxpcf tjit Isdi Gdabr upstirt upstirt lrbg jcrc! jcrc! Aisty erbbgstdh`! erbbgstdh`!‗‗ Himfdbstrb shrcigcn. ^jc gimabtdsts stbgpcn tb tjc hiedacts ian, tjrbwdam bpca tjc nbbr, ecmia tb tbss tjdams batb tjc lfbbr. îayi tbuhjcn Hblldadi— Hblldadi —s sjbufncr ian abnncn tb jcr, jdatdam it _imc. Jcr qudh` gbvcgcat wis abt fbst ba tjc gimfiwycr Junsba. ‖Ds sds sc s`cfctba bl bur ncir Muwy2 Ab2 Xca wjb cfsc jivc ybu `dffcn2 D scc sit jc— jc—s wcif!‗ wcif!‗ Junsba is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖Muys, scdzc sds s`cfctba! ]c— ]c—rc ti`dam dt wds us uatdf sc hdrhugstiahc ds hfiwdldcn!‗ hfiwdldcn! ‗ ^jc gimabtdsts ieianbacn ruggimdam tjrbumj tjc hiedacts ian stcppcn tbwirns tjc s`cfctba. Bac rbumjfy tbrc bll tjc jit wdtj i pfugc. ‖_imc! Gus`ctus _imc! Gus`ctus lcahcus! lcahcus! Xjbw tjcg!‗ tjcg!‗ Hblldadi sjbutcn. Xjc ldaiffy rcifdzcn wjit îayi wis scc`dam lrbg jcr. Tcs, Ncir ^badiaab jin abt prihtdhcn lbr i fbam tdgc. Tcs, dt wis but bl sjipc.... Tcs, dt wis, iltcr iff, ncin... Eut ds tjds sb dgpbrtiat, cspchdiffy wjca tjcy irc dasuftdam pcbpfc ncir tb ybu2 X`dff ds s`dff, dt nbcs abt mb tb tjc nbms. Tbu nb abt spcan dt ba nrda`s, nb abt fbsc dt, nb abt cxhjiamc dt lbr i hbppcr pcaay... ^jc swbrn da tjc s`cfctba— s`cfctba—s fbwcrcn jian sjbt up fd`c i sai`c. ^jc acxt gbgcat tjc hfbtjcs ba tjc acircst gimabtdst wcrc sfdhcn datb strdps, cxihtfy fd`c wdtj i rizbr. ^jc schban gimabtdst tirrdcn ian tjc swbrn sjivcn bll jds cir fbec wdtj i firmc mbfn cirrdam. ^jc gimabtdsts rchbdfcn, ridscn tjcdr jians ian ittih`cn _imc wdtj hbgeit gimdh, jbwcvcr, tjc spir`s lfcw ectwcca tjc s`cfctba— s`cfctba—s rdes hiusdam ab jirg. Eut tjca tjc swbrn da Ncir ^badiaab— ^badiaab—s rcfdiefc jian niahcn fd`c i shifpcf da tjc ldamcrs bl i gin surmcba. Dt ldrst hjbppcn bll tjcdr piat fcms, tjca scvcrcn tjc ecfts bl tjc piats, tjca trihcn i zdmzim shrithj ba tjcdr lbrcjcins, trdmmcrdam ia iffcmdiat trcgefdam da tjc gimfiwycr Junsba— Junsba—s ldamcrs. ‖ Ij, pdty D ndna— ndna—t ifsb brncr tjc s`cfctba bl [brrb lrbg Eifn Gbuatida! ^bmctjcr tjcy wbufn— wbufn vc —vc hjbppcn tjcg fd`c hieeimc. hieeimc. Kust tjca D wis but bl eimcf jbfcs! Ian jin tb ti`c tjds!‗ tjds!‗ Hblldadi sidn tb jcrscfl. Ldaiffy, wdtj kbdat cllbrts tjc gimabtdsts hjidacn _imc wdtj rdam gimdh. _imc gburaluffy saippcn saippcn dts tcctj ian hrci`cn dts ebacs, siydam mbbneyc tb Hblldadi. ‖Nba— Nba—t wbrry, D— D—ff mct ybu but!‗ but!‗ sjc sjbutcn tb dt. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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^jc shrithjcn gimabtdsts, sdmjdam, hbatdaucn tjc scirhj. Gciawjdfc, tjc gimfiwycr Junsba— Junsba—s rit cycs scirhjcn tjc rbbg ian stbppcn ba bac bl tjc ecns, tjc efia`ct ba wjdhj wjdhj swcffcn up suspdhdbusfy suspdhdbusfy wdtj i eufmc. eufmc. ‖ Iji, wjb— wjb—s jcrc jdndam uancr sc efia`ct! Giyec, Kbja \idfyifì2 Bbj-bbj-bbj wjit i stupdn, gdanfcss pfihc tb jdnc! Ittcatdba, jc— jc—s jcrc! XCD[C JDG!‗ JDG!‗ jc hbggiancn hbggiancn ian, stcppdam bvcr, yia`cn tjc efia`ct. Da tjc acxt schban, tjc gimfiwycr Junsba— Junsba —s lihc mrdgihcn is dl iff jds tcctj wcrc ihjdam it bahc. Sancr tjc efia`ct sit _dpi, pbbr _dpi, schrctfy isjigcn bl jcr bwa ldmurc ian wjb ndsfd`cn cxtrcgcfy wjca ecdam hiumjt da i admjtmbwa...



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Hjiptcr 9? MI^C ^B AB]JCUC Sahfc Jcrgia pdahjcn jds absc listdndbusfy. ‖Ucc`s bl jbrscs! ]jit, ndn ybu ri`c guh` imida2‗ imida2‗ jc innrcsscn \iaì mfugfy, wjca \iaì catcrcn tjc ipirtgcat. ‖Ldrst D hfciacn up tjc edsba, tjca lcn tjc _rzcwifs`d jbrscs, ‗ \iaì rcpfdcn, hbasdncriefy igizcn ey tjc scasdtdvc absc bl tjc hjidr bl \.I.G._.D.U. Iltcr wbr` it tjc zbb, jc ifwiys sjbwcrcn lbr i fbam tdgc ian hjiamcn jds hfbtjcs. Jc cvca wisjcn jds jcin wdtj sjigpbb. Jbw danccn hbufn jc pdh` up i shcat jcrc2 ‖Tbu—rc turadam turadam tjc jbgc ba Uuefcv Ubin datb i stiefc! Xjbh`dam! D— D —ff ndrcht schurdty ecfbw tb shrue ybu wdtj efcihj!‗ efcihj!‗ Nuracv sidn. ‖ Tuh`-yuh`, prchdscfy wdtj efcihj! \cry wdsc, erbtjcr! D jitc tjds sgcff! D —g aiuscbus, D— D—g nydam!‗ nydam!‗ Mritds cxhfidgcn pccvdsjfy ian hrisjcn pdhturcsqucfy batb tjc hirpct, fdltdam jds shriway fcms tb tjc hcdfdam. Iuat Adacf ian Sahfc Jcrgia stircn it jdg da surprdsc. Iuat Adacf cvca nrbppcn tjc catcrtidadam ebb` _igpcrs ebb` _igpcrs wdtj Ndigban , wjdhj sjc wis rcindam tb rcst jcr erida, litdmucn ey tjc cxjiustdam twcaty-gdautc listdam ectwcca gcifs. ‖Bac gdmjt tjda` ybu ndna— ndna—t sfiumjtcr jbrscs it ybur pfihc da ^riasyfviadi it admjt!‗ admjt!‗ sjc sidn. ‖Efbbn, dt dsj ifgbst bnburfcss... ]dtjbut sgcff, tjds efbbn! Bafy ncfdvcrs drba! ‗ Mritds sidn ncfdhitcfy fd`c i lcgifc ian echigc sin. I hbupfc bl niys eclbrc jc stbfc tjc mbfn fdn bl tjc ercinebx ian schrctfy ria bll tb hirbusc wdtj tjc lisjdba gbncfs lbr tjrcc admjts. Jc bafy rcturacn tjit gbradam wdtj jumc eims uancr jds cycs ian mrcitfy but bl sbrts. Iltcr ldffdam tjc sda` luff bl hbfn witcr, jc fippcn dt fd`c i wbfl lbr i fbam tdgc wdtj jds tbamuc, ian tjca wcat tb cxpfida tb Sahfc Jcrgia ian Iuat Adacf. ^jc cxpfiaitdba turacn stbrgy. _fitcs lrbg tjc jian-pidatcn scrvdhc lfcw tjrbumj tjc idr wdtj ifdca jbwfs ian hjidrs wcrc bvcrturacn. Ldaiffy, ey tjc kbdat cllbrts bl ebtj Nuracvs, tjc gia-wbfl, abt wdsjdam tb rctura tb ^riasyfviadi, wis suenucn. Jc mbt i mbbn nrcssdam nbwa. Jc spcat jifl i niy fbh`cn da tjc eitjrbbg ian wis abw suh`dam up is ecst jc hbufn. Jivdam ndacn jistdfy ‘ \iaì hbufn abt ec acir tjc Nuracvs lbr fbam ‘ jc sfdppcn datb _dpi— _dpi—s rbbg. Cvcrytjdam wis cxihtfy tjc sigc is eclbrc tjc ncpirturc bl _dpi tb ^dednbx ‘ hbgputcr, ebb`s, ian tjc ecn wdtj jumc pda` pdffbws ian jcips bl stullcn tbys, igbam wjdhj wcrc ifsb mbfn bacs. \iaì ndn abt cvca tbuhj iaytjdam jcrc. Gbrbabdn tjdams hbahcracn jdg fdttfc. Jds bwa tjdams jc hbatdaucn tb `ccp da jds eih`pih`. Bafy bahc, but bl hurdbsdty, jc trdcn tb tura ba tjc hbgputcr, eut dt dggcnditcfy ecmia tb ncgian i pisswbrn ian \iaì turacn dt bll. Iabtjcr niy, iebut tb mb tb tjc zbb, jc ihhdncatiffy siw i pdchc bl pipcr uancr tjc mfiss; _isswbrns; mfiss; _isswbrns; lbr ]danbws ‘ mrbttydndbt, lbr ihhcss tb Datcract ‘ pupcrswcctdc... \iaì sjrummcn. sjrummcn. _dpi— _dpi—s dgimdaitdba wcat eih` ian lbrtj ifbam i ridf fd`c i fbhbgbtdvc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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\iaì fd`cn tjc wbr` it tjc zbb. Jc cvca ihhcptcn tjc wbr` it wjdhj tjc rcst bl tjc iuxdfdiry wbr`crs turacn up tjcdr abscs. ^jcy bescrvcn jdg lbr tjc ldrst lcw niys, tjca tjcrc wis bac dahdncat, iltcr wjdhj tjc wjbfc zbb tif`cn iebut \iaì. ^jc pbfir ecir fdvcn ba i sgiff hbahrctc dsfian surrbuancn ey i gbit, wjcrc jc swig. Dt wis lbrednnca tb tjrbw lbbn tb tjc iadgifs, eut stdff tjcrc wcrc wdsc muys wjb vdbfitcn tjds eia. ^jca bac niy sbgcbac tjrcw ia cgpty pfistdh ebttfc it tjc ecir. Lbr iwjdfc tjc ecir wbancrdamfy tbuhjcn dt wdtj dts piws ian sadllcn dt, ian tjca lbr sbgc rcisba tbb` dt datb dts jcin tb swiffbw dt ian hjb`cn. ^jc gbst iesurn tjdam wis tjit tjc ebttfc wis iff bl jifl i fdtrc, eut tjc gissdvc ecir wis rbffdam ba tjc hbahrctc, wjcczdam ian mispdam lbr ercitj. Da tjc gciatdgc, tjcy abtdhcn, higc ruaadam, ian rcifdzcn wjit wis jippcadam... ^jc zbb cgpfbyccs wcrc ruaadam idgfcssfy irbuan tjc cahfbsurc, cahfbsurc, ndspcrsdam tjc vdsdtbrs. Xbgcbac lbuan tjc vctcrdairdia, eut jc ndn abt nirc mb tb tjc ecir. Jc ncgiancn tjit tjc iadgif ec scnitcn ey triaqudfdzdam triaqudfdzdam nirt. Jc jin i ligdfy ian hjdfnrca, ian, da liht, i ycir imb jc jin ecca edttca ey ia bttcr, ian sdahc tjca jc wbufn abt cvca wbr` ba jigstcrs wdtjbut i triaqudfdzcr. triaqudfdzcr. I gittcr bl prdahdpfc. prdahdpfc. ^jc usuif hbalusdba stirtcn. ^jcy lbuan tjc triaqudfdzdam nirt, eut tjc bafy mbbn mua wis fbh`cn da tjc silc, tjc `cy lbr wjdhj tjcy hbufn abt ldan. ^jc ecir, ifgbst ispjyxditcn, wis eircfy gbvdam wjca \iaì \ifyif`da ria datb tjc cahfbsurc. Jc hfdgecn bvcr tjc lcahc ian, jivdam ifrciny kugpcn datb tjc pdt, rcifdzcn tjit jc wis wdtjbut jds gimdh rdam, wjdhj jc jin fclt wdtj Sahfc Jcrgia. ‖D vc —vc ifsb ecca jcrc gy wjbfc fdlc, wdtjbut i rdam, wjit— wjit —s i rdam tb i pdtjchiatjrbpus, eut D giaimc! Ecists, erbtjcr, tjcy scasc ybur dasdncs... Xb, gimdh tb tjcg ds ia danufmcahc!‗ danufmcahc! ‗ jc rcgcgecrcn îriri`j— îriri`j—s wbrns, sfdmjtfy hbglbrtdam jdg. Lbhusdam ba tjc ecist— ecist—s lindam hbashdbusacss, \iaì sfbwfy ipprbihjcn dt, sjbvcn jds jian datb tjc jifl-bpca, strbam-sgcffdam gbutj, lbuan tjc sfdppcry ebttbg bl tjc ebttfc ian, rbtitdam dt mcatfy, vdmbrbusfy puffcn dt tbwirns jdgscfl. It tjds gbgcat tjcrc wis fdttfc rds` lbr jdg. ^jc ecir hbufn abt hfbsc dts kiws cvca dl dt wiatcn tb. Eut tjc ebttfc, wct wdtj sifdvi, jin eircfy eircfy hbgc but wjca idr eurst datb datb tjc tjrbit wdtj wjcczdam wjcczdam ian tjc ecist mbt up. \iaì lcft i pbwcrluf surmc bl rimc. Dt wis tjc gbst niamcrbus gbgcat. ^jc lrdmjtcacn ecir, abt uancrstiandam wjit jin jippcacn ian wjb jin ittih`cn dt, wis rciny tb pbuahc ba tjc tccaimcr. \iaì gbvcn eih`. Jc jcirn ecjdan jds eih` i eirrcn nbbr, wjdhj dt wis pbssdefc tb jivc tdgc tb sfdp tjrbumj, jistdfy bpca. Iltcr jdg, ycffbw liams mrdaadam, tjc ecir wis gbvdam rdmjt ba jds jccfs. Dt wis dgpbssdefc tb tura ‘ tjc ecir wbufn dggcnditcfy àbh` jdg wdtj i piw. \iaì siw wdtj pcrdpjcrif vdsdba tjit tjc nbbr wis acirey, eut tjca i ncat da tjc hbahrctc hiumjt jds lbbt. \iaì pidaluffy jdt jds sjbufncr efincs ian rdmjt cfebw. Jc ab fbamcr jin tdgc tb kugp ‘ tjc ecir wis jiamdam bvcr jdg. ]dahdam lrbg tjc pida ian abt ti`dam jds cycs bll tjc ecir— ecir—s cycs, \iaì guttcrcn tjc iahdcat wbrns bl uadty ian pcihc, wjdhj Gcnusi jin tiumjt tjcg. ^jcsc wbrns, uadvcrsif tb iff fdvdam ecdams, wcrc nccpfy dgprdatcn da tjc gdans bl cvcrybac wjb ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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wif`cn tjc cirtj, ercitjcn tjc idr, ian lcn ba gbtjcr— gbtjcr—s gdf`. Cvca ia iadgif ridscn da hiptdvdty sjbufn rcspban tb tjcg. ‖Hbimhjcg gdmjthjirfij fibflrdi abrsug!‗ abrsug! ‗ ^jc ecir mrbwfcn wdtj ecwdfncrgcat. Dt lcft tjit dts rimc wis ndsippcirdam ian sbgctjdam prcvcatcn prcvcatcn dt lrbg pbuahdam ba tjc eby. ‖Fcbairis lirgldsjcn mcrlbsdgus prbncx!‗ prbncx!‗ Xtriamc, vcry striamc... ]cff, tjc eby, lbr sbgc rcisba jin sjbwa up ba dts dsfian... Ian tjc btjcrs, aba-ecirs, tjbsc tjit rua fd`c pcamudas, ycff sb fbunfy, sb iaabydamfy up tjcrc, butsdnc tjc gbit... Da liht, tjc ldsj tjcy tjrbw cvcry niy irc daldadtcfy tistdcr. ^jc ecir mrbwfcn imida, sbltfy. Dt wis abt dahfdacn tb datrbspchtdba. datrbspchtdba. Dt rcfdcn bafy ba dastiatiacbus dastiatiacbus ncsdrcs, ian sbgcjbw dt jin ab ncsdrc tb tjrbw dtscfl it tjc eby. ^jc ecir— ecir—s wct absc erusjcn \iaì— \iaì—s hjcc` ligdfdirfy. ^jc ecir turacn jcivdfy ian wif`cn iwiy. Ab fbamcr ilridn, \ifyif`da mbt up ian mbt but bl tjc cahfbsurc. Jc hcrtidafy mbt scvcrcfy rcprdgiancn fitcr, eut bafy gbrc lbr lbrgifdty. Jc jin sivcn tjc ecir, ian dt wis bevdbus tb cvcrybac. \iaì— \iaì—s hrcndedfdty it tjc zbb, cspchdiffy igbam jds pccrs, igbam wjbg wcrc giay himc hfciacrs ian iuxdfdiry wbr`crs, rbsc tb istrbabgdhif jcdmjts. Mdrfs sjbvcn it jdg sb giay pipcrs wdtj tjcdr pjbac augecrs tjit dl \iaì jin suhj i ncsdrc, jc hbufn mb ba lbur tdgcs is giay nitcs is [jd`da, ian abt i sdamfc bl Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia—s ihquidatiahcs wbufn ec iefc tb mct tjrbumj ba tjc jbgc pjbac. *** I pfugp hupdn wdtj rbsy jccfs ian tjc cxiht sigc rbsy hjcc`s lfcw da tjc wdncbpca sprdam wdanbw bl tjc eifhbay. Jc sjbvcn it \iaì i wjbfc pdfc bl fcttcrs lrbg îayi. \iaì ncfdmjtcnfy mrieecn tjc fcttcrs ian wiatcn tb rcin, eut rcgcgecrcn tjit jc jin tb piy up. _ccrdam datb jds eih`pih`, jc lbuan da tjcrc bafy i firmc ûfi mdamcrercin, jirn is rbh`, ian ecsdncs, wdtj edtcs ti`ca jcrc ian tjcrc. ^jc hupdn, withjdam \iaì— \iaì—s giabcuvrcs wdtj iatdhdpitdba, squci`cn ndsippbdatcnfy ian, jivdam ncshcancn batb tjc lfbbr, sct bll da i eusdacssfd`c giaacr tb tjc `dthjca tb rbe tjc Nuracvs. Dt turacn but tjit jc jin sbgctjdam lbr tjcg tbb. Mudftdfy squcczdam tjc mdamcrercin da jds jian, \iaì withjcn is jc winnfcn iwiy. Tcs, i purpbscluf eiec ‘ wdtj i ebw, i qudvcr, mbfnca wdams ebuahdam ba sjbufncr efincs, ian i firmc pbstgia— pbstgia—s eim nrimmdam ifbam tjc lfbbr... Jc wdff mb lir! Bbjs ian iijs dggcnditcfy ecmia tb ec jcirn lrbg tjc `dthjca. Iuat Adacf ifwiys rcihtcn cxuecriatfy tb fcttcrs lrbg _dpi. Eut sjc hbufn abt shrcig ian wjdac is fbunfy is tjc tbiny Mritds. Sahfc Jcrgia cvca jin tb jusj jdg. ‖ ]cff, nba— nba —t! D dsj jippy lbr ybu! Tbu tjia`fcss pdms! Ab daacr mcacrbsdty!‗ mcacrbsdty!‗ tjc wcrcwbfl stitcn wdtj tcirs wcffdam up ian rcscatluffy stbfc Iuat Adacf— Adacf—s hbgpiht. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


994

^wcaty gdautcs fitcr, wjca \iaì jin ifrciny rcin iff bl îayi— îayi—s fcttcrs ian wis abw nbdam dt i schban tdgc, tjc ligdfdir hupdn rcippcircn da tjc rbbg, ifrciny bvcrlcn ian hbvcrcn wdtj firmc nditjcsds spbts lrbg tjc cxhcssdvc hbasugptdba bl eriany hjbhbfitcs. ^jc wdamcn eiey fbb`cn efia`fy it \iaì wdtj sfccpy cycs ian, cvdncatfy rcgcgecrdam rcgcgecrdam tjit jc jin abt pidn jdg, rcihjcn lbr ia irrbw. Lbrtuaitcfy lbr \iaì, tjc eiey wis sb siuhcn tjit, ti`dam idg, jc nrbppcn jds ebw. ]dtj i mrihdbus wivc bl jds jian (ybu àbw, fdvc fbam, dl suhj ds ybur litc), tjc hupdn shrigefcn up batb i stbbf, ian rbffdam bvcr tjc cnmc bl tjc eifhbay ba jds stbgihj, jc sfdppcn nbwa. Lcirdam tjit jc wbufn hrisj, \iaì rusjcn tb fbb`... Eut ab, dt wis abt cisy tb erdam nbwa i hupdn wdtj wdams. Jc jin ifrciny spcn bll da i hjbppy pisscrdac lfdmjt, hbastiatfy liffdam datb davdsdefc idr pbh`cts. Irrbws ridacn canfcssfy lrbg tjc bvcrturacn qudvcr. Cvcrybac ian cvcrytjdam lcff da fbvc ‘ hits, pdmcbas, mfbbgy yirn `ccpcrs, nrua`s tbmctjcr wdtj hbfbmac iesbredam tjc sua— sua—s riys, prcbhhupdcn hir bwacrs, gbtjcrs wdtj strbffcrs, ian cvca bfn findcs wif`dam tjcdr iahdcat bvcrlcn pums. ^jc bvcrlcn pums ifsb lcff da fbvc, iftjbumj dt turacn but pbbrfy lbr tjcg. Euns cvca mcrgdaitcn ba tjc hrih`cn wbbnca ecahj. Dt sccgcn tjit tjc eudfndam ba Uuefcv Ubin ian iff tjc surrbuandam irci wbufn sbba ec camuflcn ey ia cpdncgdh bl wcnndams. *** \iaì wis fydam ba tjc ecn, jds jians ecjdan jds jcin, ian tjda`dam iebut îayi. Jc einfy wiatcn tb scan jcr i fcttcr vdi i hupdn, eut Xirniaipif strdhtfy lbreinc tjds. ^jcy wcrc ifsb sivvy iebut sbgctjdam tjcrc, da Gimhdcty. ^jcy wcrc ifgbst hcrtidafy withjdam îayi, îayi, ian abw lfydam pitrbfs pitrbfs wcrc stdff cahbuatcrcn cahbuatcrcn ecyban ecyban Euyia— Euyia—s nbgc. Cxpcrdcahdam ia drrcsdstdefc ncsdrc tb scc îayi, dl abt da pcrsba tjca it fcist jcr pbrtridt, \iaì sit nbwa ian stirtcn tb ruggimc da jds eih`pih`. Iji, jcrc! Dt wis i sdgpfc iadgitcn pjbtb da i lrigc ‘ bac bl tjbsc tjit i trivcffdam wdzirn lrbg Eifn Gbuatida ginc wdtj jds bwa gimpiritus.:9 îayi wis twcfvc ycirs bfn it tjc gbst da dt. Da tjc pjbtb sjc wis pcr`y, rbuan-lihcn, ian hurfy is i fige. Cvca i sfdmjt, eircfy abtdhciefc trihc bl jcr edrtjgir`-tifdsgia, wjdhj fitcr ndsippcircn, wis pcrhcptdefc. ^jc pjbtb ndn abt ti`c \iaì scrdbusfy; cvcry abw ian tjca sjc stuh` but jcr tbamuc, ian wjca \iaì trdcn tb `dss jcr, sjc mdmmfcn ian swia ndvcn ecjdan i schtdba bl tjc lrigc. Xunncafy, sbgcbac hbumjcn dandstdahtfy da \iaì— \iaì —s eih`pih`. \iaì put jds jian datb tjc eih`pih` ian lbuan i sgiff zbbgcr lbr tjc rbin, wjdhj Timua jin mdvca jdg tb ti`c wdtj jdg. Dt wis Timmc— Timmc—s bfn ligdfy zbbgcr. Ba tjc rcvcrsc sdnc wis shrithjcn wdtj i aidf; Efbam aidf; Efbam tb Timua. Tbu stccf, D `df `df .

:9 Gimpiritus

‘ i gimdh ippiritus. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]jit— ]jit—s tjds2‗ tjds2‗ \iaì rchiffcn is`dam tjca. ‖D wis fdttfc. D jin bafy fciracn tb wrdtc ian stirtcn tb dashrdec cvcrytjdam. D rcgcgecr, cvca Mriangi. Timua Mriay. Mriay. Xjc wdpcn dt bll ian D wis da tcirs. D ycffcn, Tbu ‚ Tbu nba— nba—t wiat tb ec gy mriaay, kust siy sb!—‗ sb! —‗ tjc pfiydam hbggcatitbr rcfuhtiatfy cxpfidacn. ^jc zbbgcr jin ecca cahjiatcn sb tjit dt wbr`cn bafy ba rchcptdba, sb dt wis tjc silcst bl iff. Xirniaipif dasdstcn ba tjds, lcirdam tjit Gimhdcty wbufn shia tjc catdrc gimtjcr. :5 ^b \iaì— \iaì—s surprdsc, dastcin bl tjc dacvdtiefc Aimdiai, @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss da i acw hcrcgbadif irgbur ippcircn ba tjc zbbgcr shrcca. ^jc ercistpfitc wis mfbwdam sb guhj tjit dt wis pidaluf tb withj. Ncitjfcss— Ncitjfcss— sdfvcr sùff sjbac wdtj hbatcatgcat. ‖Bj, @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss— Ncitjfcss— bwa hbrpsc! Fct— Fct—s fdstca tb wjit hfcvcr tjdams jc— jc —ff siy!‗ siy!‗ \iaì rcgir`cn, turadam tjc lrigc wdtj tjc pbrtridt tb tjc zbbgcr sb îayi hbufn ifsb scc. ‖(Hbumj, hbumj)... Ndstdamudsjcn Ndstdamudsjcn wdzirns! Ucprcscatdam Gimhdcty bl Kcr`y Gimtdba, D ig jippy tb dalbrg ybu tjit tjc davcstdmitdba datb tjc gurncr bl Mury _upcr jis ginc sdmadldhiat prbmrcss. prbmrcss. I lcw jburs imb da ^dednbx, îtdiai Mrbttcr wis irrcstcn, i mdrf wjb wis abt suppbscn tb cxdst da aiturc eut wjb da tjc gciatdgc jin tjc iunihdty tb ec ebra. ‖Xjc wis hjirmcn wdtj hbgpfdhdty ian dastdmitdba tb gurncr ian tjc jireburdam bl Dvia \ifyif`da, ifsb àbwa da tjc Gimldi :8 wbrfn is Kbja \idfyifì. ^jc mdrf, ippcirdam da tjc wbrfn is i vdfc gbh`cry bl uadvcrsif vifuc ian wjdhj jin tjc iunihdty tb ifgbst rcihj fcmif imc, jis ecca triaslcrrcn tb Nuahcnig uancr jcivy muirn ian wdff stiy tjcrc uatdf \iaì \ifyif`da vbfuatirdfy mdvcs jdgscfl up tb tjc jians bl kustdhc. Jc nbcsa— nbcsa—t jivc guhj tdgc, jbwcvcr, echiusc pcbpfc qudh`fy mrbw bfn ian ndc da Nuahcnig... Dl \ifyif`da ippcirs, îtdiai Mrbttcr wdff prbeiefy ec rcfciscn. Jbwcvcr, dt— dt—s pbssdefc tjit sjc wdff jivc tb spcan sbgc tdgc da Nuahcnig, ian tjca tjc tdmjtcst ian nir`cst hcffs da ndllcrcat pirts bl tjc gimdh prdsba wdff ec issdmacn tb tjcg sb tjit tjcy wdff acdtjcr scc abr jcir cihj btjcr. ‖Eut tjds ds yct i nrcig, (hbumj, hbumj)... Xbgcjbw D— D—g i edt nrcigy tbniy, sbgcwjit vcry hrcitdvc... (Hbumj)... _fcisc cxhusc gy hbumjdam. Hbuatdam gbacy iff admjt. Dt— Dt—s iwluffy nigp da gy eiscgcat, iftjbumj abt is nigp is da Nuahcnig.‗ Nuahcnig. ‗ \iaì kugpcn up ian, abt jbfndam eih`, puahjcn i ldst datb tjc hcatrc bl tjc zbbgcr. ^jc hrugpfcn ndsj euzzcn rcscatluffy. Dt wis hfcirfy tjc ldrst tdgc dt jin tb ti`c tjc rip lbr btjcrs. Eut \iaì wis ifrciny rihdam tb tjc Nuracvs, eugpdam datb hbracrs ian shirdam tjc nihjsjuan. îayi— îayi—s pjbtb, lbrmbttca ba i hjidr, wivcn jcr jians ian sjbb` jcr jcin, is dl trydam tb ndssuinc jdg. ^jca, rcifdzdam tjit dt wis uscfcss, sjc sbeecn jcfpfcssfy. :5 Gimtjcr :8 Gimldi

‘ ctjcr lbr tjc gimdh wbrfn. ‘ Gildi bl tjc gimdh wbrfn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Iuat Adacf wis kust `dssdam _dpi— _dpi—s fcttcr ian Mritds ian Sahfc Jcrgia wcrc sgih`dam hirns wdtj suhj pissdba ian lrcazy tjit bac bl tjcg cvca pusjcn tjc Nuracvs— Nuracvs — hcff pjbac bll tjc tiefc wdtj ia cfebw. ^jcy wcrc pfiydam twcaty-bac, ian Sahfc Jcrgia wis hbastiatfy wdaadam echiusc Mritds hbufn bafy hbuat tb tca, dahfusdvc, ian trustcn jds erbtjcr tb hbuat jds pbdats. ^jcy ndn abt jcir Ncitjfcss — hbgguadhitdba echiusc Iuat Adacf— Adacf—s zbbgcr, scat ey tjcdr niumjtcr, wis fydam da tjc hupebirn da tjc ecnrbbg. ‖^jc rdam!‗ rdam!‗ \iaì sjbutcn. ‖Mdvc gc tjc rdam!‗ rdam!‗ ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s tjds2 Lbuan _upcr, pcrjips, br jds iuat jis nchdncn tb inbpt ybu2 ‗ Nuracv is`cn sirhistdhiffy. sirhistdhiffy. ‖D—g fcivdam! îayi— îayi—s da Nuahcnig! @bsjhjcd @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss tjrcw jcr da kidf!‗ kidf!‗ Sahfc Jcrgia trdugpjiatfy ridscn i s`daay ldamcr tb tjc hcdfdam. ‖Bj! Bj! Bj! ]jit ndn D siy! Adacf, ndn ybu jcir2 Mrbtty —s da kidf! D prcndhtcn tjds wjca sjc wis stdff i eiey! Hjdfnrca wjb ecmda pbtty-tridadam sb cirfy ian stirc it supcrdbrs sb erizcafy ifwiys can up da kidf!‗ kidf!‗ ‖Sg... Mccz... ]jca ndn tjcy giaimc tb nb tjit2 ^jc hupdn wis kust jcrc. Ian _dpi wrbtc abtjdam iebut iebut tjds,‗ tjds,‗ Iuat Adacf is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖Dt bafy kust jippcacn. I lcw jburs imb... Dl D surrcancr, tjcy —ff fct jcr mb!‗ mb!‗ ‖Ji, jbw qudh`! î`ca tb kidf!‗ kidf! ‗ Ginigc Nuracvi sjbb` jcr jcin. ‖ ]cff, jivc tb fbb` ba tjc erdmjt sdnc. Xjc— Xjc—ff stbp hbgdam tb us wdtjbut wiradam. Xjc jis ifwiys turacn up fd`c i ebft lrbg tjc efuc...‗ efuc... ‗ Mritds ifsb wiatcn tb eieefc sbgctjdam da tjc sigc spdrdt is tjc Nuracvs— Nuracvs —, eut \iaì fbb`cn it jdg wdtj suhj lury tjit tjc nwirl dastiatfy lincn. ‖ ]jit2 D— D —g i sgiff ecdam... Jcrc D— D—g pfiydam hirns... Ihcs, `dams, D nba— nba—t accn iaytjdam cfsc!‗ cfsc!‗ jc guttcrcn. ‖^jc rdam!‗ rdam!‗ \iaì ncgiancn. ‖ ]cff! Tbu prbgdscn! prbgdscn!‗‗ ‖Gy ybuam lrdcan!‗ lrdcan!‗ Nuracv stirtcn ndnihtdhiffy. ‖Dl D jin lufldffcn gy prbgdscs, D wbufn ec sdttdam da i ebbtj ey tjc suewiy cshifitbr:> br sjdppdam mrivcf lbr rbin hbastruhtdba... ^jc rbin tb pbwcr ds da tjc jcin, ian dt jis lcahcs bl shbrcs ginc bl ebacs! Inbpt tjcsc rufcs, hjdfn, ian nba— nba—t fbb` it gc wdtj ybur aidvc fdttfc cycs! Jcy, jcy! Nba— Nba—t tjrbw hjidrs but tjc wdanbw! Curbpcia pihìmdam iltcr iff, ian tjc acdmjeburs wba— wba—t uancrstian! Hifg nbwa, ispdrdam kidfedrn! Dl ybu sb wiat tb mct datb Nuahcnig, nba— nba—t fct gc `ccp ybu!‗ ybu!‗ \iaì stircn stircn it jdg dahrcnufbusfy. dahrcnufbusfy. ‖ ]jit, irc ybu rciffy rciffy mbdam tb rctura tjc tjc rdam2‗ rdam2‗ ‖ Tcs, mfinfy... D nba— nba—t accn tb ec ndlldhuft jcrc. D— D—g nirdam...‗ nirdam...‗ ^jc hjidr bl \.I.G._.D.U. rcfuhtiatfy wcat datb tjc ecnrbbg, bpcacn tjc silc, ian tbsscn \iaì jds rdam. :> ^jc

Gbshbw suewiy systcg, hiffcn tjc Gctrb, jin cshifitbr ittcaniats it tjc ebttbg bl cshifitbrs. ^jcy sit da i mfiss ebbtj ian `cpt withj bvcr cshifitbr prbefcgs. ^jcy jin tjc iedfdty tb stbp ia cshifitbr wjca tjcrc wis trbuefc ian hbatiht tjc iutjbrdtdcs rcspbasdefc. Is bl Iprdf 5?9=, tjcsc cshifitbr ittcaniats jivc ecca hbgpfctcfy pjiscn but. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


955

‖ ]jcw, wjcw! Jippy kidf tdgc, Kbjaay! Fcira Gbrsc hbnc, ybu wdff tip. Nba— Nba—t cxpcht Adacf ian gc tb vdsdt ybu. _crjips wc— wc —ff tbss ybu i pih` br twb bl hdmircttcs.‗ hdmircttcs.‗ ‖D nba— nba—t sgb`c,‗ sgb`c,‗ \iaì sidn, puttdam ba tjc gimdh rdam. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—ff sgb`c, abt mbdam iaywjcrc. ^jcrc, ybu— ybu—ff stirc ian mct nrua`,‗ nrua`, ‗ Nuracv rcissurcn jdg swcctfy. \iaì ndn abt iaswcr. Jc sunncafy rcifdzcn tjit jc ndn abt jivc i vihuug. Jc wbufn abt giaimc tb lfy. Xb, jc wbufn jivc tb tcfcpbrt. \iaì jistdfy rchiffcn tjc spcff. Nuracv ian Mritds, ruaadam up tb Iuat Adacf, withjcn jdg da istbadsjgcat is jc, abt is`dam pcrgdssdba, pcrgdssdba, puffcn tjc ecnsprcin bll tjc ecn, wrippcn jdgscfl wdtj dt, ian ecmia tb spda ripdnfy. ^jc gimdh rdam hrih`fcn, dssudam spir`s. Xdzzfdam mrcca lfigcs hfuam tb tjc ecnsprcin. ]iry bl wjdtc gimdh, Mritds ycfpcn fbunfy ian trdcn tb sjrda` uancr tjc sbli. Eut tjc pfihc wis ifrciny bhhupdcn; tjc nihjsjuan wis ifrciny sdttdam uancr dt. Bac-Ian-IJifl @dfbgctrcs wis rciffy but bl sbrts; dt wis jbfndam da dts tcctj i sbh` rchcatfy stbfca lrbg Sahfc Jcrgia ian datcancn ba nclcandam dts trbpjy tb tjc fist ercitj. ^jca Mritds upcancn tjc irghjidr ian swia ndvcn ecjdan dt. ‖Jcy! Xiydam mbbneyc2‗ mbbneyc2‗ Nuracv sjbutcn sirhistdhiffy, eut \iaì— \iaì —s hbatburs jin ifrciny echbgc triaspircat. Iabtjcr gbgcat ian jc wis mbac. Iuat Adacf sdmjcn. ‖ ]jy ndn ybu mdvc jdg tjc rdam, Jcrgia2 Tbu jin ybur pfias lbr tjc eby.‗ eby.‗ ‖Sscfcss,‗ Sscfcss, ‗ Nuracv sidn. ‖Abt bafy ds jc i stueebra gufc, jc— jc —s ifsb da fbvc wdtj i gufc. D danccn uancrstian sbgctjdam iebut pcbpfc. Ec tjia`luf tjit wc— wc vc —vc mbttca rdn bl jdg it iff.‗ iff.‗ Iuat Adacf fbb`cn it jcr juseian wdtjbut guhj rckbdhdam. ‖Lccf sbrry lbr jdg! D acvcr jin i sba!‗ sba!‗ ‖Mbbn, mbbn! Tbu jivc gc, Gugsy. Ian tjit siys dt iff,‗ iff,‗ Mritds hbglbrtcn jcr, pcc`dam but lrbg ecjdan tjc irghjidr. ‖Hbgc ba, erbtjcr, fct— fct—s pfiy hirns... Kust tcff gc, ec sb `dan, wjy ds dt tjit wjca ybu jivc ia ihc ian i tca, dt— dt—s twcaty-bac, eut wjca D jivc ia ihc ian i tca, dt— dt—s tbb guhj2 Br nbcs dt ncpcan ba tjc sudt2‗ sudt2‗ I gdautc iltcr \iaì tcfcpbrtcn, Iuat Adacf— Adacf—s pcrsbaif zbbgcr higc tb fdlc. Dt prbnuhcn suhj kiamfcs tjit Nuracv tbsscn jds hirns ian rusjcn tb dt it tjc sigc tdgc is jds wdlc. Ba tjc shrcca wis _dpi. ‖Gigi, _ipi, dt— dt—s gc! Jcffb!‗ Jcffb!‗ sjc jbffcrcn. ‖Ndn ybu mct gy fcttcr2 Jbw wis tjc hupdn tb ybu2 Uciffy hjcc`y2 D hjbsc tjc lrds`dcst, wjbg Mfbgbv scans lbr eccr.‗ eccr.‗ Nuracvi stircn it jcr niumjtcr rcprbihjluffy. ‖Mrbtty ds da Nuahcnig ian ybu wrbtc abtjdam tb gc! gc! ]jit nb ybu hiff hiff yburscfl2‗ yburscfl2‗ ‖îayi2 Da Nuahcnig2 ]jit— ]jit —s wdtj ybu2 ]jit stupdn kb`c ds tjds2 Xjc— Xjc —s it nrimbaeiff prihtdhc! prihtdhc! Fclt jifl ia jbur imb!‗ imb!‗ _dpi wis surprdscn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


958

‖ Ij, ian ybu nba— nba—t àbw! ^jcy prbeiefy irrcstcn jcr rdmjt tjcrc ba tjc ldcfn,‗ ldcfn, ‗ Iuat Adacf sidn fcadcatfy. ‖ Tbu hithj Mrbtty ba tjc ldcfn, danccn! Mbyirya ian Admjtdamifc irc tjcrc! Xjc— Xjc—s fd`c sbip ba jcr nbuefc eiss! Xjc— Xjc —s ba tjc ldcfn ian tjcy wba— wba—t nirc eirmc da! ^jcy —ff ec lcn pcppcr eiffs ian tjcy —ff wcir piats ba tjcdr jcins!‗ jcins!‗ _dpi hjuh`fcn. ‖Eut jbw2‗ jbw2‗ Iuat Adacf wis hbaluscn. ‖Fd`c tjds. ^jcsc kcr`s wcrc jcrc da bur rbbg tjds gbradam. ^jcy higc, upcancn cvcrytjdam, tjca tjcy siw gc ian jdmjtidfcn dt... Xbgc cvca tjrbumj tjc wdanbw. ^jcrc wis ab accn tb carimc gc. ^jcy danccn àbw tjit D stdff nba— nba—t àbw jbw tb giaimc datudtdvc gimdh. Jbw D shrcigcn ebfnfy it tjcg! Junsba, pbbr tjdam, mbt dt imida! ]jb is`cn jdg tb gcnnfc2 Euyia ds da liht Euyia, da brncr tb eriwf.‗ eriwf.‗:3 ‖Eut jcrc wc jivc jcirn tjit Mrbtty —s da Nuahcnig! \iaì tbfn us! Ncitjfcss @bsjhjcd, br wjitcvcr jds aigc ds, ippcircn ba jds zbbgcr!‗ zbbgcr! ‗ tjc lbrgcr ncputy dalbrgcn trdugpjiatfy. trdugpjiatfy. _dpi wjdstfcn. Ncspdtc jcr giay lfiws, sjc wis qudh` ba tjc upti`c. ‖ ]jbi, niam! Ab, îayi— îayi—s it nrimbaeiff, D— D—g scrdbus. D mbt dt! ^jds ds prbvbhitdba. Ncitjfcss ginc tjc erbinhist bafy tb tjc gbrbabdn wbrfn. ^jcy ldmurcn tjit \iaì— \iaì—s abt da ^dednbx, sb tjcy nchdncn tb furc jdg. ^cff \iaì abt tb hiff iaybac br scan hupdns... D —ff rua tb Xirniaipif!‗ Xirniaipif! ‗ ‖^bb fitc, puss! Jc hia ab fbamcr scan hupdns! Br hiff iaybac! ]jit i sgirt bac tjds @bsjhjcd ds! Jcrc Jcrc——s i jcin! ^bgbrrbw D— D—n cvca ti`c jdg is gy ncputy da gir`ctdam ian stritcmdh pfiaadam!‗ pfiaadam! ‗ Nuracv sidn gystcrdbusfy. *** \iaì ndshirncn ndshirncn tjc ecnsprcin, hjirrcn nurdam nurdam tcfcpbrtitdba. Jc wis stiandam stiandam da i nigp viffcy, igbam rbh` hfustcrs. Jumc ebufncrs wcrc pdfcn up tb tjc hfbuns da suhj ndsbrncr, is dl tjc pimia mbns jin bahc nrbppcn tjcg lrbg tjc s`y, eurydam rcecffdbus ^dtias uancr tjcg. \iaì wif`cn irbuan tjc rbh` jcip lrbg tjc abrtj ian jcrc, da tjc viffcy, sunncafy sunncafy siw Nuahcnig. Nuahcnig. Nuahcnig wis abt tcrrdefc. ^b ec jbacst, \iaì wis cxpchtdam gbrc. ^jc fbw tbwcrs ian mrcy wiffs bl tjc gimdh prdsba fbb`cn efian ian cvb`cn gcfiahjbfy. Efucmrcy hfbuns hfuam tb tjc s`y, fd`c i hdmircttc eutt tb tjc uppcr fdp. Gbst bl iff tjc tcrg ‖abt it iff‗ iff‗ sudtcn Nuahcnig. Dt hbufn cisdfy mct tjc mbfn gcnif da i hbgpctdtdba lbr tjc gbst ndsgif prdsba. Dt wis abt cvca pbssdefc tb hbgpirc dt wdtj iaytjdam0 dt wis sb dgpcrsbaif ian cfusdvcfy brndairy. \iaì— \iaì —s jcirt sia`. ]bufn jc jivc tb spcan tjc rcst bl jds fdlc da tjds mrcy ian nir` pfihc2

:3 I

pfiy ba wbrns; tjc aigc bl tjc dsfian Euyia ds tjc sigc is tjc Uussdia wbrn lbr i eriwfcr ian tjc Uussdia vcre tb eriwf ds euyiadt' . ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


95>

^jcrc wis abt cvca i muirn it tjc wbbnca mitc. Bafy i jcivy jiggcr wis jiamdam. \iaì rcihjcn lbr dt tb strd`c tjc mitc, eut hbufn abt cvca swdam jds irg. I striamc jcivdacss pdaacn jds ebny nbwa. Xunncafy jc echigc dandllcrcat tb cvcrytjdam. \iaì stcppcn lbrwirn da i sfccpy nizc ian fciacn imidast tjc mitc. ‖Niga jiggcr! Dt— Dt —s iff dt...‗ dt...‗ tjc tjbumjt lfdh`crcn. ^jc mitcs bpcacn wdtj tjc hrci`dam bl miffbws. Da i sgiff squirc, ecmdaadam kust ecjdan tjc mitcs, tjcy jin ippircatfy ecca widtdam lbr jdg ifrciny. ^wb kidfcrs da nir` hfbi`s ian jbbns tjit jdn tjcdr lihcs ‘ bafy sjirp jidrfcss hjdas wcrc vdsdefc ‘ tcaihdbusfy mrieecn \iaì— \iaì—s jians ian puffcn tjc gimdh rdam bll jds ldamcr. It tjc sigc gbgcat tjc erds` gimfiwycr Junsba cgcrmcn but bl abwjcrc. Cvca tjc prbxdgdty bl tjc kidfcrs hbufn abt spbdf jds mbbn gbbn. ‖Bj, dt ds Kbja, wjb `dffcn bur Muwy! Adhc tb gcct ybu! I aisty wcfhbgc tb Nuahcnig, gba igd!‗ igd! ‗ jc cxhfidgcn. ‖ ]jcrc— ]jcrc—s îayi2 D— D vc —vc hbgc! Fct jcr mb!‗ mb!‗ \iaì uttcrcn wdtj cllbrt. Jds cycs wcrc hfbsdam. Jc hbufn abt cvca hbuat tb twb abw ‘ tjc stbacs bl Nuahcnig wcrc nrda`dam jds strcamtj. Gimvbìt Junsba rueecn jds nry pifgs. ‖Gy lwdcan! Jivc tb ndsippbdat ybu; Mwbttcr dsa— dsa—t jcrc. Xbbacr br fitcr ‘ dt— dt—s abt dgpbrtiat... Da brncr tb mct ybu but jcrc, wc jin tb wcsbrt tb i fdttfc twdh`... D jbpc ybu— ybu —ff cxhusc us, eut wc sb wiat tb mct ecttcr ihquidatcn wds ybu... Muys, ti`c Gdstcr \idfyifì tb sc hcff! Mdvc jdg cvcwysdam jc wiats. ]itcr wds fcchjcs, ercin wds wbihjcs ‘ cvcwysdam lbr bur lwdcan... Da sc gciatdgc D— D—ff hiff Gimhdcty! Xds ds i edm twdugpj!‗ twdugpj!‗ ^jc kidfcrs, jbfndam \iaì tdmjtfy ey tjc cfebws, acdtjcr sgdfcn abr squci`cn. Hrdgsba nbts fdt up ian dastiatfy lincn dasdnc tjc jbbns.



953

Hjiptcr 99 ^JC ‖XBSF Î@CU ‗ ]IAN ^jc acws tjit \iaì wis da Nuahcnig dastiatfy trivcffcn irbuan ^dednbx. Da tjc cvcadam tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats rcscgefcn i rudacn iatjdff. ^jcrc wis abt tjc usuif sjirdam bl tiefchfbtjs, tjcrc wcrc ab kb`cs br fiumjtcr. Muayi Mfbgbv, surrbuancn ey i luff cshbrt bl lias, wis spbdfdam tb uashrcw @bsjhjcd —s sùff da Gimhdcty. Fdzi [ifdzdai ippcircn lbr ndaacr da i nir` gburadam nrcss wdtj i vcdf sb tjit sjc wis cvca ti`ca is Sajcifcn Finy it ldrst. Ian tjds ncspdtc tjc liht tjit abw Sajcifcn Finy gbrc ian gbrc wbrc nrcsscs wdtj rbscs ian lfully s`drts. [ifdzdai— [ifdzdai —s huh`bb wis lfydam idgfcssfy irbuan tjc rbbg, abt rchbmadzdam dts gdstrcss da gburadam. Ldaiffy dt rchbmadzcn jcr ian sit nbwa ba jcr sjbufncr. ‖Jcy huh`bb, jbw fbam wdff \iaì fdvc it tjc gcrhy bl lbbfs2‗ lbbfs2 ‗ Fdzi is`cn dt fbunfy. ^jc huh`bb wis sdfcat it ldrst, ian tjca ecmdaadam tb nbuet, acvcrtjcfcss dssucn bac jifl ‖huh,‗ huh,‗ jbfndam eih` tjc schban. ‖ Ij,‗ Ij,‗ sidn Fdzi. ‖D tjbumjt sb! Dt— Dt—s suhj i admjtgirc tjit tjcrc irc sdgpfy ab wbrns!‗ wbrns!‗ ‖Jcrc— Jcrc—s ncldadtcfy pbbr Fdzi!:< Dl sjc wisa— wisa—t sb higpy, giyec D— D —n lccf sbrry lbr jcr!‗ jcr!‗ Hblldadi sabrtcn uancr jcr ercitj. Eut Fdzi, gciawjdfc, jin ifrciny nrdltcn bvcr tb îayi— îayi —s tiefc. îayi ndn abt cvca fbb` it jcr. ]jit ifwiys jippcacn jin jippcacn tb jcr abw; sullcrdam, sjc nrbvc jcr pida nccp datb jcr sbuf ian dt wis is dl sjc jin mbac auge da puefdh. ^b sbgc, tjc daittcatdvc bacs, tjds wis cabumj lbr tjcg tb hiff Mrbttcr jcirtfcss ian hiffbus. ‖îtdiai, D hursc ybu! _upcr— _upcr—s efbbn ian \iaì— \iaì—s gdscry irc ba ybu!‗ ybu!‗ Fdzi sidn spdrdtfcssfy, spdrdtfcssfy, innrcssdam jcr. ‖ Ian shrigefcn cmms wdtj `cthjup wdff ec ba ybu abw!‗ abw!‗ îayi iaabuahcn mrdgfy, rcihjdam lbr tjc pfitc. [ifdzdai wdtjnrcw jistdfy. Xjc jin fciracn it nrimbaeiff tjit Mrbttcr— Mrbttcr—s wbrns ndn abt ndllcr lrbg jcr nccns. Irbuan tjc gdnnfc bl ndaacr, Mrilda Himfdbstrb, wjb jin stdff abt fclt ^dednbx, pb`cn jds lihc datb tjc Jiff bl ^wb Cfcgcats tb dr` Xirniaipif i fdttfc. ‖Kust tjda`; bac bl tjc stuncats it tjc shjbbf jis cancn up da Nuahcnig! ]jit i ndsmrihc! Ihincgdhdia, iffbw gc tb cxprcss tb ybu gy jcirtlcft sygpitjy!‗ sygpitjy! ‗ jc sidn, prcssdam jds jian tb jds hjcst. ‖Mb ijcin, pfcisc nb!‗ nb!‗ Xirniaipif sidn mfugfy. Mrilda ncltfy cxtrihtcn i fbam shrbff bl pirhjgcat but bl tjda idr. ‖Ba ecjifl bl tjc Mcacrif Hbuahdf bl Gimhdcty, @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss pcrsbaiffy, ian gyscfl, iffbw gc tb rcin but tjc hbanbfcahcs... hbanbfcahcs...‗‗ ‖Ba wjbsc ecjifl2‗ ecjifl2‗ Xirniaipif sunncafy is`cn.

:< _bbr

Fdzi (9=45) Fdzi (9=45) ds i sjbrt stbry ey Ad`bfid Gd`jidfbvdhj @irigzda (9=<< ‘ 9:5<), Uussdia wrdtcr, pbct, jdstbrdia, ian hrdtdh, iebut i vdffimc mdrf wjb hbggdts sudhdnc iltcr i trimdh fbvc illidr. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


95<

‖Cxhusc gc2‗ gc2‗ Himfdbstrb wis surprdscn. ‖D sidn, tjc Mcacrif Hbuahdf bl Gimhdcty ian gyscfl...‗ gyscfl...‗ ‖Ab, tjcrc wis iabtjcr aigc. @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss, ndn D abt jcir rdmjt2 Ian tjit... tjit wbrg cvca nircs tb gbh` gc!‗ gc! ‗ ^jc ihincgdhdia stirtcn tb ebdf. ‖_fcisc siy ab gbrc! D ecm ybu! Gr. @bsjhjcd wis vcry sbrry tjit lbr tjc si`c bl rccstiefdsjdam cstiefdsjdam kustdhc...‗ kustdhc...‗ Mrilda liwacn. ^jc ihincgdhdia— ihincgdhdia—s gbustihjc kugpcn iamrdfy. Jds hjcc`s turacn pda`. ‖_fcisc iffbw gc tb ebtjcr ybu!‗ ybu!‗ jc sidn ian rdppcn up tjc pirhjgcat iltcr yia`dam dt but bl Himfdbstrb— Himfdbstrb—s jians. ‖ Tbu wdff iaswcr lbr tjds! ^jit ds ia blldhdif nbhugcat! Ia ittcgpt tb rchbahdfc rchbahdfc ectwcca ^dednbx ian ian Gimhdcty!‗ Gimhdcty!‗ Mrilda squci`cn. I acirey ecahj lcff bvcr. ^jds wis îriri`j mcttdam up. Jc pusjcn eih` tjc tcihjcrs— tcihjcrs — tiefc, sadllcn, ian ecmia tb ipprbihj Himfdbstrb sdncwiys. ‖Abw wc— wc—ff rchbahdfc! Ldrst wc— wc—ff jivc i ldstldmjt, ian tjca wc— wc—ff rchbahdfc!‗ rchbahdfc!‗ jc sidn. Jbwcvcr, Gcnusi ecit îriri`j tb dt. Xjc ndn abt cvca stian up. Bafy tjc jidr ba jcr jcin jdsscn ian jcr pupdfs ndfitcn sb tjit tjcy bhhupdcn tjc catdrc drds. ‖D—g hbuatdam tb zcrb, ian sbgcbac ds scttdam bll ecjdan tjc Xdadstcr Mitcs tb sjbw tjc wbancrs bl jcrbdsg! jcrbdsg! [crb!‗ [crb!‗ Gcnusi uttcrcn hifgfy ian ridscn jcr rdam. ‖Abbb!‗ Abbb!‗ Mrilda shrcigcn, tcrrdldcn tb ncitj. Kugpdam da zdmzims ian cshipdam lrbg dgimdairy spir`s, jc nirtcn but tjc nbbr, ian i gdautc fitcr i erdmjt rcnndsj lfisj prbvcn tjit jc jin tcfcpbrtcn. ‖Ab jcrb ippcircn. Ian tjds gia wis hburtcbus. I àdmjt, jc `dsscn gy jian... Xbgctdgcs sifdvitcn bvcr cihj ldamcr ian sidn sbgctjdam ritjcr pfcisiat... ^jcrc irc pdstihjdb, hjbhbfitc, girgifinc, swcct...‗ swcct... ‗ tjc Mrcit ^bbtj sidn sinfy. Mbttlrdcn Ebudffba kcifbusfy sacczcn datb tjc euh`wjcit ìsji. ^jc spcir, abt àbwdam i gdss, kugpcn ey dtscfl, eiamdam tjc sjilt ba tjc lfbbr. ‖Ec stdff, Mbttlrdcn! D fbvc ybu! Tbu— Tbu—rc gy bafy bac,‗ bac,‗ tjc Mrcit ^bbtj rcissurcn jdg ian, iltcr pbancrdam jbacstfy, inncn, ‖Bl i `dan...‗ `dan...‗ ‖ Tcs, pdty tjit @bsjhjcd ds ncitjfcss! D wbufn...‗ wbufn...‗ îriri`j strcthjcn but. ‖Jc jdn tjc accnfc sb wcff tjit ybu wba— wba —t ldan dt! ]jca fdmjtadam jina— jina—t yct euracn nbwa tjc Fu`bgbrc bi`, bur muys hjch`cn; tjcrc wis ab trua`. Acdtjcr uancr tjc bi`, ba tjc bi`, abr uancr tjc stbac Ifityr, dt wisa— wisa —t tjcrc.:= Jc stirtcn gdsdalbrgitdba, tjc sai`c, da brncr tb fci` datb lidry tifcs. Lbbfcn cvcrybac!‗ cvcrybac!‗ ‖Dggbrtifdty ds ia cxhcffcat wiy tb gi`c i shbuanrcf but bl i lbbf. ^jcrc— ^jcrc —s ab tdgc fdgdt, abtjdam... Tcir iltcr ycir, gbatj iltcr gbatj ‘ dgprbvdam jdgscfl uatdf jc echbgcs gcia! gcia!‗‗ Ihincgdhdia Hjcrabgbrbv guttcrcn.

:= Da

Xfivdh gytjbfbmy, tjc sbuf bl @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss ds jdnnca dasdnc i accnfc, dasdnc ia cmm da i nuh` da i jirc da i hjcst eurdcn uancr tjc Fu`bgbrc bi`, tjc ]brfn ^rcc ba tjc Dsfian bl Euyia, wjcrc tjc sihrcn gimdhif stbac Ifityr ds. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


95=

*** Iltcr ndaacr, îayi, _dpi, ian Hblldadi rcturacn tb tjcdr rbbg tbmctjcr. ^jc gdslbrtuac tjit jin ecliffca \iaì jin dl abt rchbahdfcn tjcg, tjca tcgpbrirdfy sgbbtjcn but iff tjc lrdhtdba. Eie-Timua cvca wcat wdtj tjcg. ‖ ]c gust lrcc \iaì, tjit— tjit—s lbr surc! Dl jc imcs i ycir da i wcc`, tjca wjit wdff jippca2 Xdx gbatjs fitcr, jc wdff ifrciny ec fd`c Sahfc Jcrgia! Nust wdff pbur lrbg jdg!‗ jdg!‗ ‖Nust nbcsa— nbcsa—t pbur lrbg _ipi!‗ _ipi!‗ _dpi sidn wdtj ndspfcisurc. ‖D—g nbdam tjds lbr vdsuifdzitdba!‗ vdsuifdzitdba!‗ Timua hfirdldcn ian ecmia tb ncvcfbp shjcgcs ba jbw tb lrcc \iaì. Jds pfias wcrc is mfbeif is tjcy wcrc dgprihtdhif. Jc ldrst summcstcn efbwdam up Nuahcnig, Nuahcnig, tjca rizdam Gimlbrn tb tjc mrbuan, ian ldaiffy jc ncgiancn _dpi tb pcrsuinc jcr pipi tb nchfirc wir ba Gimhdcty ian ndspithj fcmdbas bl vigpdrcs it @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss. ‖Aij, wjit wir!‗ wir!‗ _dpi ndsgdsscn dt. ‖_ipi siys tjit tjc vigpdrcs jivc mrbwa fizy. ^jcy sdt it jbgc da ^riasyfviadi, nrda` hiaacn efbbn, ian shjcgc imidast gbsqudtbcs. ^jcsc efbbnsuh`crs, tjcy siy, fiy hfidg ba tjcdr lbbn lihdfdty... Dt— Dt —s pbssdefc tb mitjcr i juanrcn vigpdrcs, eut tjcy —ff surrcancr cvca eclbrc @bsjhjcd jis tdgc tb siy Ebirndamdscx zibfds zibfds... ...‗‗ Timua rusjcn tb hbvcr up _dpi— _dpi—s gbutj. ‖ ]jit irc ybu, sdh`2 ]jy irc ybu siydam tjds but fbun2 Mbbn tjit ybu ginc i gcss bl tjc fbam vbwcfs!‗ vbwcfs!‗ ‖ ]jit ds dt2‗ dt2‗ ‖^jds ds tjc spcff bl mfbeif ncstruhtdba! ncstruhtdba! Tbu irc is`dam i auhfcir wirjcin tb pfiy da tjc sianebx!‗ sianebx!‗ ‖Nba— Nba—t wbrry, Timua. Fct jcr siy wjit sjc wiats. ^jds spcff ds bl i jdmjcr fcvcf bl dadtditdba. Xjc nbcsa— nbcsa—t jivc cabumj gimdh!‗ gimdh!‗ Hblldadi hisuiffy ndsgdsscn dt. ‖D nba— nba—t2 Ji! D jivc kust cabumj dl D— D—g tjbrbumjfy pdsscn! Iaybac wiat tb try2‗ try2 ‗ _dpi nchfircn sgumfy. Dt wis uaeciriefc lbr îayi tb fdstca tb _dpi ian Hblldadi hjittcrdam is dl abtjdam jin jippcacn. Jbw hbufn tjcy prctcan tjit abtjdam wis jippcadam it iff, wjca \iaì, jcr \iaì, wis tjcrc da Nuahcnig, wjcrc tjc wiffs bl gimdh stbac ian tjc rcn cycs bl tjc kidfcrs wcrc suh`dam but jds fdlc ian ybutj nrbp ey nrbp2 Xjc ria ijcin bl cvcryebny ian sjbwcn up it tjc nbbr ldrst. Cvca da tjc jiffwiy sjc jcirn ia iaxdbus hbggbtdba ian piatdam dasdnc. Xbgctjdam wis hfcirfy mbdam ba da tjc rbbg. Nchdndam tjit Junsba ian tjc gimabtdsts jin sunncafy ippcircn imida lbr i ridn, îayi cacrmctdhiffy yia`cn bpca tjc nbbr. ]cff, abw sjc wbufn sjbw tjcg!



95:

‖Yubn fdhct Kbvd, aba fdhct ebvd! P]jit ds pcrgdssdefc lbr Kupdtcr ds abt pcrgdssdefc lbr i euff! (Fit.)W‗ (Fit.)W‗:: tjc rdam bl ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr stirtcn tb gugefc rcissurdamfy. ^jc sjrcwn mrianlitjcr bevdbusfy àcw sbgctjdam da inviahc. îayi eurst datb tjc rbbg ian lrbzc da igizcgcat ba tjc tjrcsjbfn. Jcr nbuefc eiss hisc jin ecca puffcn puffcn but tb tjc gdnnfc bl tjc rbbg. Acir Acir tjc hisc, fydam fydam ba jds ecffy, sbgcbac fia`y wis `dh`dam jbpcfcssfy, sbgcbac wjb hbufn abt lrcc jds jcin lrbg tjc hisc. ‖Junsba2‗ Junsba2‗ îayi is`cn nbuetluffy, ridsdam jcr jian wdtj tjc rdam tb dssuc i ldmjt spir`. ^jc ebny stbppcn `dh`dam. ‖ ]jit tjc _fimuc, Junsba2 Dt— Dt—s gc, [jd`da! Nb sbgctjdam wdtj ybur efbbny hisc; dt wba— wba —t rcfcisc gc!‗ gc!‗ ^jcrc wis pfidatdvc sabrtdam lrbg tjc hisc. ‖[jd`da2 Jbw ndn ybu can up jcrc2‗ jcrc2‗ ‖Dt pdahjcn gy jcin! Xuhj i stda`cr, ittih`s pcbpfc!‗ pcbpfc!‗ ‖Cj, ab! Dt— Dt—s pcbpfc tjit ittih` dt!‗ dt!‗ îayi sidn. Xjc wis ecmdaadam tb pcrhcdvc tjc iesurndty bl tjc sdtuitdba. [jd`da abt bafy hbufn abt lrcc jdgscfl, eut jc ifsb ndn abt cvca jivc tjc iedfdty tb dalfdht it fcist sbgc nigimc ba tjc hisc. ^jc nrimba fcitjcr bl tjc hisc iesbrecn iay ldmjt spir`s. ]jca [jd`da trdcn tb usc jds ldsts ian aidfs, tjc hisc fdmjtfy prcsscn jds ach` wdtj tjc hbvcr, lbrhdam [jbri tb qudct nbwa. ‖Jcrc dt ds ‘ s`dff! Dt wis achcssiry tb nb sb! Bj, gy, bj, i sgirt bac!‗ bac! ‗ tjc rdam sidn wdtj catjusdisg. catjusdisg. Da gbgcats gbgcats bl cxtrcgc sgumacss sgumacss Mrianpi Mrianpi ifwiys sfdppcn sfdppcn lrbg Fitda. Eie-Timua, Hblldadi, ian _dpi catcrcn tjc rbbg. ‖ ]bw, ia butrdmjt hisc tjdcl! ]jbsc hutc fcms irc tjcsc2‗ tjcsc2‗ Eie-Timua is`cn gbh`damfy. [jd`da `dh`cn eih` spdtcluffy, trydam tb jdt Timua da tjc absc wdtj jds jccf. Eie-Timua fciacn bvcr ian, ti`dam [jd`da ey tjc hbffir, nrimmcn jdg but bl tjc hisc. ^jc hisc wis abt imidast dt. ^jc fbhif prctty eby jin ritjcr ebrcn dt. ‖Dt— Dt—s danccn Sahfc [jbri! ]jit irc ybu nbdam da tjc hisc, Sahfc [jbri2 Nchdncn tb fcira tb pfiy tjc nbuefc eiss schrctfy2 ^jc gbp wdtj prbpcffcr jis ifrciny mbac but bl lisjdba2 ‗ Eie Timua is`cn. ‖D wba— wba—t siy iaytjdam! Fcivc gc ifbac!‗ ifbac!‗ [jd`da saippcn ian dggcnditcfy, mfiahdam iaxdbusfy it tjc dritc Mrbttcr ian Timua— Timua —s ldsts, ndvufmcn cvcrytjdam. Jc jin i ein lccfdam cvca wdtjbut tjc pirtdif pdchc bl prbpjctdh mfiss. Jc wbufn ec ecitca, ian pbssdefy cvca ba tjc hfissdh absc... ‖Xb ybu tjbumjt tjit Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz ds da bfn ^jcb— ^jcb—s nbuefc eiss2 Dt dsa— dsa—t. Tbu hia ec surc D— D—n àbw,‗ àbw,‗ îayi sidn wjca jc ldadsjcn. ‖Hbrrchtdba ‘ abt tjc pdahc-acz dtscfl eut tjc hfuc! D nba— nba —t tjda` Ldrst Gimdh bl Abij hbufn Abij hbufn ec fydam. Gbrc fd`cfy tjds fdttfc hrccp wis!‗ wis!‗ Timua hbrrchtcn.

:: ^jc

pjrisc csscatdiffy gcias ‖ wjit ds pcrgdttcn tb i pcrsba br mrbup ds abt pcrgdttcn tb cvcrybac, ‗ dandhitdam i nbuefc stianirn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


954

‖D swcir ey gy pipi— pipi—s scvcatj wdlc tjit D tbfn tjc trutj! Hia D mb2 D jivc i nitc wdtj Nbffbvi! Cjj...strdhtfy Cjj...strdhtfy eusdacss!‗ eusdacss!‗ [jd`da nchfircn, fbb`dam iaxdbusfy it _dpi. ‖Fbb` it tjit bac! I nbwardmjt saci`y tridtbr! Mb ba, mct but!‗ but!‗ ^jc ybuamcr Nuracvi wis butrimcn. [jd`da sjrummcn jds sjbufncrs uahcrtidafy, sjbwdam tjit ycs, jc ds wjit jc ds ian wdff uafd`cfy u afd`cfy ec ndllcrcat. ‖ ]cff, mct but!‗ but!‗ Eie-Timua mivc jdg pcrgdssdba. [jd`da ria jistdfy, ridsdam jds s`daay àccs jdmj. ‖Xtbp!‗ Xtbp!‗ îayi hiffcn iltcr jdg. ‖ Tbu lbrmbt sbgctjdam! sbgctjdam! Jian bvcr tjc mfiss! mfiss!‗‗ [jbri stbppcn. ‖D wba— wba—t! ]jy nb ybu accn dt2‗ dt2‗ ‖Ba ncgian! Jc wjb is`s, mcts dt da tjc absc!‗ absc! ‗ Timua sidn ldrgfy. [jd`da nbuetcn, yct tjc wbrn ‖absc‗ absc‗ butwcdmjcn cvcrytjdam. ‖Jcrc, jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ jc sjbutcn, ian îayi, ridsdam jcr jian, hiumjt tjc mfcigdam mfiss. Is i tcst, sjc fbb`cn tjrbumj dt it [jd`da, eut ndn abt scc iaytjdam datcrcstdam ‘ kust ia dalfitcn pcihbh` ba i eih`mrbuan bl efurrcn efurrcn mrcy spbts. spbts. ‖Jc— Jc—s i sùa`, wjiiit i sùa`! Ian D, i lbbf, tjbumjt...‗ tjbumjt... ‗ _dpi sidn da ndsippbdatgcat, ndsippbdatgcat, fbb`dam it tjc eih` bl tjc cshipdam [jd`da. ‖ I sùa`2 [jbri! Tbu ndna— ndna—t mb lir cabumj, mdrflrdcan. ]jit `dan bl sùa` ds [jbri2 Jc—s sdgpfy i i gbriffy inkustcn pcrsba,‗ pcrsba, ‗ Hblldadi drbadhiffy hbrrchtcn jcr. *** Xbba _dpi ian Hblldadi wcat sbgcwjcrc, ian Timua, rcgidadam da tjc rbbg, ecmia tb musj lbrtj dncis. ‖Ucgcgecr, îriri`j bahc sidn tjit da tjc Gdnnfc Imcs tjcrc wis tjc Fbrn bl Ncin Fcmdbas— Fcmdbas— jbra. Dl bafy wc hbufn ihqudrc dt! Dgimdac, wc efbw tjds jbra, ian Ubgia fcmdbas rdsca lrbg tjc isjcs dggcnditcfy girhj tb Nuahcnig. ^rugpcts tjuancr, irrbws lfy, eittfc rigs jdt tjc wiff... Dgimdac tb yburscfl tjc sin kidfbrs, ei`dam pbtitbcs da tjc hbifs ba tjc sdtc bl dts gida hcff!‗ hcff! ‗ Timua sabrtcn jippdfy. ‖ Ian \iaì2‗ \iaì2‗ ‖ ]c— ]c—ff ti`c \iaì wdtj us, bl hbursc. Kust jivc tb ldan but wjit tbwcr jc —s da!‗ da!‗ Timua sjbutcn ian spcn bll tb hbasuft îriri`j. îriri`j. îayi bafy sjbb` jcr jcin. Xjc àcw da inviahc tjit tjc pfia wis dgprihtdhif. Iahdcat irtclihts irc vcry wdfluf. Ab bac jin scca tjc ligbus jbra da tjc fist ldvc juanrcn ycirs, ian dt wis abt i liht tjit sbgcbac wbufn scc dt da tjc acxt ldvc juanrcn. Ian dt hcrtidafy hcrtidafy wbufn abt ec lbuan da îriri`j— îriri`j—s nusty nca. Xunncafy, îayi rcgcgecrcn tjc pdahc-acz ian, wdtj i vimuc jbpc tjit dt wbufn sbgcjbw jcfp \iaì, fbb`cn tjrbumj dt it tjc nbuefc eiss hisc. Ian ‘ i gdrihfc... Gbrc ihhuritcfy, tjc gdrihfc wis prchdscfy tjc iescahc bl i gdrihfc. Dl tjc rcst bl tjc dtcgs scca tjrbumj tjc mfiss triaslbrgcn, spdffcn bvcr lrbg bac tb tjc btjcr, tjc nbuefc eiss rcgidacn uahjiamcn ‘ is dtscfl. Eut tjca tjc hisc... îayi siw i hurfcn nrimba. Dt wis jumc. Abt is gissdvc is Mbyirya, eut vcry wcff-eudft ian prbeiefy swdlt. Dt jin i fbam ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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ach` wdtj abthjcs, ian i airrbw jcin prbtchtcn ey pfitcs ian butmrbwtjs. ^jc fcitjcry wdams jin i pda`dsj juc ‘ abncs bl fdmigcats wcrc vdsdefc tjrbumj tjcg. I lcw sjbrt wjds`crs eriahjcn but lrbg tjc fbwcr kiw. Igizcn it jbw tjc nrimba hbufn ldt da tjc rbbg, danccn dt wis tjc sdzc bl i nchcat tbwcr, îayi fbwcrcn jcr jian wdtj tjc sjirn bl mfiss. Imida, bafy i nbuefc eiss hisc wis fydam ba tjc lfbbr. ‖Jcrc ybu rih` ybur erida ‘ wjctjcr tjds ds tjc gcgbry bl tjc nrimba s`da br Mrianpi ndna— ndna—t try tb ec tbb hfcvcr ian sdgpfy hbakurcn i nrimba. Jds aiturc ds cxtcasdvc, hrcitdvc. Abt tdcn up da sgiff stull. Accn i hisc ‘ mdvcs i nrimba. Accn i nbuefc eiss ‘ mdvcs Abij— Abij—s Ir`," sjc tjbumjt. ‖Mrianpi, wjy tjit2 ]jcrc ds Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz2 ]jcrc— ]jcrc—s tjc hfuc2 Tbu danccn àbw, nba— nba—t gi`c gc sullcr!‗ sullcr!‗ îayi is`cn wdtj jbpc. ^jc rdam `cpt qudct, bafy mruatcn. ^jc bfn jcinstrbam ^jcbpjdfus hfcirfy wis abt mbdam tb rcvcif tjc schrcts. Br hbufn abt. Iltcr iff, tjc rdam hbufn jbfn bafy i vcry sgiff pirt bl jds guftd-lihctcn pcrsbaifdty. îayi fbb`cn it tjc nbuefc eiss tjrbumj tjc pdchc bl mfiss lbr i fbam tdgc, i vcry fbam tdgc. Ian sjc stdff siw abtjdam. Xunncafy, sjc lcft tjit tjc pdchc bl mfiss ecmia tb nir`ca ian wirg up da jcr jian. I tjda, eircfy pcrhcptdefc hrih` ria lrbg bac can tb tjc btjcr ian dastiatfy hfbscn up is sbba is îayi stbppcn fbb`dam it tjc nbuefc eiss. Gimdh dtcgs ifwiys rcfitc tb tjc hbavcatdbas bl fdlc nirdamfy, sdmadldhiatfy ndllcrdam lrbg iff btjcr bekchts. îayi kugpcn. Xjc rcifdzcn tjit sjc jin ginc sbgc gdsti`c. ^jc sjirn bl Abij —s pdahc-acz ncldadtcfy ncldadtcfy ndn abt wiat br hbufn abt sjbw jcr tjc nbuefc eiss, ian tjc rbbts bl tjc hiusc bl tjds striamc bestdaihy wcat nccp datb tjc hcaturdcs. *** ‖ ]jit2 ]c wba— wba—t nb iaytjdam tb sivc jdg2 Abtjdam it iff2‗ iff2 ‗ Eie-Timua is`cn dandmaiatfy. Jc jin ifrciny ecca da Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif —s blldhc lbr ifgbst jifl ia jbur ian stdff jin abt ecca iefc tb ihjdcvc iaytjdam ncldadtc. Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif —s gbustihjc erdstfcn da iaabyiahc. ‖ Timua, wc irc nbdam cvcrytjdam pbssdefc. D sidn dt tb Timmc, ian abw tb ybu! Gcnusi, Ncad, Xfiancr, ian D wdff usc iff bur dalfucahc tb mct \iaì but. Eut cdtjcr wc jivc ab rcif dalfucahc br Gimhdcty prclcrs tb ec efdan ian ncil... D cvca tjbumjt bl rcsdmadam, eut tjcy wdff hcrtidafy ihhcpt dt cvca eclbrc tjc pirhjgcat wdtj gy stitcgcat mcts batb tjc tiefc bl @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss. Ian dl tjcrc wdff ec i acw hjdcl it ^dednbx, ^dednbx, D— D—g ilridn lcw wbufn ecacldt lrbg dt.‗ dt.‗ ‖Eut tjcrc gust ec i wiy!‗ wiy!‗ ‖^jcrc gust. Eut D nba— nba—t scc dt,‗ dt,‗ tjc ihincgdhdia sidn sinfy. ‖Gimlbrn, wdtj dts ctcraif dndbsyahrisdcs dndbsyahrisdcs ian hbahrctc prdahdpfcs, D hia uancrstian! Lbrmct dt! Eut Gimhdcty! Tbu àbw, sbgctdgcs D kust hia— hia—t cavdsdba wjit dt— dt—s mudncn ey! Br, gbrc hbrrchtfy, D nb. Eut tjca D stirt tb lccf vcry ein echiusc D prclcr abt tb tjda` tbb einfy bl pcbpfc.‗ pcbpfc.‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


989

‖D nba— nba—t hirc iebut Gimhdcty! ]c hia sdgpfy `dnaip \iaì! Erci` nbwa iff tjc nbbrs it admjt, hjida tjc kidfbrs wdtj gimdh sjih`fcs!‗ sjih`fcs!‗ Eie-Timua sjbutcn. Xirniaipif sgdfcn. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc ia dncifdst, gy eby! Erci` nbwa tjc nbbrs! ^b i scrdbus wdzirn dt— dt—s ab gbrc ndlldhuft tjia hrih`dam i aut. ]cff, tjcrc— tjcrc —rc ab fbh`cn nbbrs dasdnc Nuahcnig. Bafy butcr mitcs.‗ mitcs.‗ ‖Eut dl cvcrytjdam— cvcrytjdam—s sb cisy...‗ cisy...‗ ‖^bb cisy, ian tjcrclbrc uscfcss! Tbu tjda` tjit Nuahcnig ds i prdsba lbr tjc ebny2 Nuahcnig ds i prdsba prdgirdfy lbr tjc sbuf. ]dtj dts gimdh, Nuahcnig hjidas tjc sbuf tb sbgc pfihc ian `ccps dt tjcrc, tbrturdam ian gi`dam tjc sbuf sullcr ian tjc ebny imc. Dt— Dt—s ab fbamcr up tb tjc prdsbacr tb cshipc... Dl D rciffy try ian fcil tjrbumj sbgc ebb`s, D—g surc D— D—n cvca giaimc tb gbvc \iaì tb ^dednbx. Dt wbufn ec ndlldhuft, eut dt hbufn ec nbac. Eut bafy tjc ebny! Jds sbuf wbufn rcgida da Nuahcnig ian wc hbufn nb abtjdam iebut tjit, echiusc wc nba— nba—t àbw tjc spcff bl hbaldacgcat. Nuahcnig wis eudft nurdam tjc gimdh wirs prchdscfy is i prdsba lbr tjc sbuf, eudft wjca cxpcrdcahcn eittfc wdzirns hbufn jivc tjrcc br lbur ebndcs, abt hbuatdam tjc istrif nbuefcs... Bafy tjca hbufn Nuahcnig hbgc datb ecdam0 dt— dt—s tjc hursc bl tjc gimdh wbrfn!‗ wbrfn!‗ Xbba iltcr Timua fclt, Xfiancr pccrcn datb Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif —s blldhc. Jc wis vcry but bl sbrts, ian, is ifwiys da suhj hiscs, jc sgcffcn bl sufpjur lrbg jds cirs. Gdfyufyi tjrcitcacn tb fcivc lbr tjc witcr-sprdtc, wjbsc ecffy wis murmfdam vcry fbunfy. Jc fih`cn btjcr vdrtucs. Jbwcvcr, wbgca rircfy hjbbsc wbrtjy pcbpfc. Xfiancr ifsb sidn sb tb tjc ihincgdhdia. ‖Aisty tjdams irc jippcadam da bur shjbbf!‗ shjbbf! ‗ Xfiancr sidn. ‖^badmjt Abij— Abij—s pbrtridt ndsippcircn lrbg tjc Gida Xtidrhisc... Fitcr D giaimcn tb ndshbvcr tjc lrigc. Bafy tjc lrigc. Dt wis erb`ca, ian ^M wis fidn but da tjc ncerds. Dl Mrbttcr jis stbfca tjc pbrtridt, tjca tjds wdh`cn mdrf sjbufn ec triaslcrrcn tb tjc nir` ncpirtgcat imida.‗ imida. ‗ ‖ Tbu yburscfl nba— nba—t ecfdcvc tjds, Xfiancr!‗ Xfiancr!‗ tjc ihincgdhdia hifgfy rcpfdcn. ^jc prdahdpif mfiahcn up acrvbusfy wdtj i sjirp, pdcrhdam fbb`. ‖Giyec D nba— nba—t ecfdcvc dt, eut wjy tjca tjca fiy but jcr dadtdifs2 dadtdifs2 ]jb nbcsa— nbcsa—t wiat tb erim iebut i hrdgc2‗ hrdgc2‗ Xirniaipif tummcn it jds gbustihjc. ‖^jds ds i ein sdma. D tjda` sbgctjdam tjrcitcas tjc mdrf, ian Abij ds trydam tb wira us. Danccn, tjc lrigc ds pirt bl jds pbrtridt, bvcr wjdhj jc ifsb jis pbwcr. ]idt, fct— fct—s jivc i fbb` abw... Dt— Dt—s striamc tjit wc ndna ndna——t nb tjds sbbacr. D hbalcss, D— D —g ifwiys shircn tb fbb` tjcrc.‗ tjcrc. ‗ Xirniaipif put ba mfbvcs bl tjdh` ebvdac fcitjcr, ipprbihjcn tjc himc wdtj efih` gimdh ebb`s, ian bpcacn tjc nbbr. Da ia dastiat, fdzirns, tiriatufis, ian sai`cs rusjcn but, eut tjc ihincgdhdia ihincgdhdia bevdbusfy jin mrcit cxpcrdcahc. Ndshirndam iff tjc uaachcssiry ebb`s tjit jin turacn datb sai`cs wdtj tjc spcff Mct butus, butus, jc pfuh`cn lrbg tjc pdfc bl ebb`-wcrcwbfvcs i sfummdsj turtfc, ian, iltcr tbssdam dt ba tjc tiefc, jc tjrcw twb mrcca spir`s bac iltcr tjc btjcr it dt. Iltcr tjc ldrst spir` tjc turtfc ecmia tb swcff, ian iltcr tjc schban dt turacn datb i tjdh`, lriycn vbfugc wdtj cnmcs hrugefdam lrbg imc ian ncldadtcfy gbtj-citca. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


985

Xfiancr efda`cn iaxdbusfy fd`c ia iwi`cacn bwf. ‖^jc Ebb` bl tjc Ncin. ^jds D nba— nba—t accn tb scirhj ‘ D— D—g supcrstdtdbus! supcrstdtdbus!‗ jc guttcrcn. ^jc Ebb` bl tjc Ncin rcgdancn bac bl i pjbac ebb` echiusc, lfdppdam tjc pimcs, tjc ihincgdhdia guttcrcn da i eusdacss-fd`c giaacr, ‖Eihj... Eireirbssi... Erijgs... ]jcrc ds dt2 Eiraieis...:4 Jugebft... 4? Mudaacss... 49 Mrieir... Mrbttcr! Xtriamc... vcry striamc... Jcrc irc iff tjc Mrbttcrs ‘ Fcbpbfn, ^jcbpjdfus, eut abt bur îayi.‗ îayi.‗ ‖Giyec sjc wdff mct girrdcn2 Xjc wdff ec sbgc îayi \ifyif`dai2‗ \ifyif`dai2 ‗ Xfiancr summcstcn. ‖Ab,‗ Ab,‗ Xirniaipif sjbb` jds jcin. ‖^jc Ebb` bl tjc Ncin nbcsa— nbcsa—t tbfcritc hbalusdba. Dt jis cvcrybac ‘ iesbfutcfy cvcrybac cxhcpt tjc mbns ian tjc dggbrtifs. Eut bur îayi dsa— dsa—t dggbrtif, ian cspchdiffy abt i mbn.‗ mbn. ‗ ‖Eut dsa—t tjit mbbn2 Dt gcias abtjdam tjrcitcas jcr it iff2‗ iff2 ‗ Xfiancr is`cn uahcrtidafy. ^jc ihincgdhdia sjbb` jds jcin. ‖Dt—s abtjdam abtjdam mbbn, trust gc! Ecsdncs îayi, tjcrc— tjcrc—s bafy bac cxhcptdba tb tjc rufc da tjds ebb`. Ia uapfcisiat cxhcptdba. D wbufn cvca siy litif.‗ litif.‗ ‖ Ian wjb cfsc dsa— dsa—t tjcrc2‗ tjcrc2‗ tjc prdahdpif, jitdam fbam prcigefcs, is`cn dgpitdcatfy. ‖_fimuc-ncf-Hi`c,‗ _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c,‗ Xirniaipif rcpfdcn nryfy. *** îayi wis sdttdam it tjc ncs` ian tjda`dam iebut \iaì, uahbashdbusfy uahbashdbusfy nriwdam jds prbldfc da tjc abtcebb` lbr Cvdf Xpdrdt Xtundcs. \iaì turacn but pidaluffy sdgdfir, eut it tjc sigc tdgc, is dl dt wis abt jdg. Xbgctjdam wis abt hipturcn da tjds pdhturc, ian tjit sbgctjdam wis tjc vcry csscahc bl \iaì ‘ jds sgdfc, tjc ycffbw sbhhcr sjdrt, jds hisuif pjriscs ‘ iff tjit wis iesurn ian ncir da jdg. îayi hbufn abt mct uscn tb tjc dnci tjit \iaì wis da Nuahcnig, wjcrc jc wis sfbwfy nydam, eut fdlc gciawjdfc hbatdaucn is dl abtjdam jin jippcacn. ^jcrc wcrc hfisscs. Xtuncats wif`cn ifbam tjc jiffwiys bl ^dednbx0 tjcdr fiumjtcr wis cvca jcirn. ^jc ybuam nrimbas stdff rbircn da tjc jiamirs ian tjc gcrgidns spfisjcn da tjc fi`cs. Cvcrytjdam wis tjc sigc, ian yct abt sb. Lbr sbgc rcisba, îayi ndn abt jivc suhj i lccfdam iltcr _upcr— _upcr—s ncitj. Ian danccn tjcrc wis ab lccfdam bl nbbg eut sbgctjdam cfsc, vimuc... Xbgcbac sunncafy àbh`cn ba tjc nbbr.

:4 ^jc

aigc Eiraieis ds \iraivi da Uussdia, wdtj tjc fcttcr ‚v— lbffbwdam ndrchtfy iltcr ‚e— da tjc Hyrdffdh ifpjiect. 4? ^jc aigc Jugebft ds Mugebft da Uussdia sdahc tjcrc ds ab cqudvifcat bl tjc fcttcr ‚j— da tjc Hyrdffdh ifpjiect. 49 ^jc aigc Mudaacss ds Mdaacss da Mdaacss da Uussdia. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]jb— ]jb—s tjcrc2 Timua, ds tjit ybu2 Hbgc eih` fitcr!‗ fitcr! ‗ îayi sjbutcn. Xjc ndn abt wiat tb scc iaybac. iaybac. Ab bac iaswcrcn, eut tjc àbh` wis rcpcitcn. Xjrummdam, îayi puffcn tjc jianfc. Dt bhhurrcn tb jcr tjit tjds wis iabtjcr bl _dpi— _dpi —s trdh`s. ^jc Nuracv s— niumjtcr, s— niumjtcr, wjdfc stdff da Gbshbw, fbvcn hbvcrdam up tjc pccpjbfc wdtj jcr jian ian tjca sjbutdam, ‖ Irgcn rbeecry! rbeecry!‗‗ Jbwcvcr, dt wis abt _dpi. Mcaì Eufbabv stugefcn, stimmcrdam, datb tjc rbbg. Jc wis pifc. Jds jidr stuh` tb jds swcity lbrcjcin. Jds hfbtjcs wcrc hbvcrcn wdtj i tjdh` fiycr bl mrdgc. Jc sgcffcn bl nigp eiscgcat ian jbembefda ldftj. Lbr sbgc rcisba Mcaì wis `ccpdam bac jian uancr jds hfbtjcs. ‖Jcfp!‗ Jcfp!‗ jc hrbi`cn. ‖^jcy —rc hjisdam gc!‗ gc!‗ îayi rusjcn tb Eufbabv. Xjc wis ifrciny jifl i stcp lrbg jdg wjca sbgctjdam ‘ fitcr sjc hbufn abt cvca cxpfida wjit cxihtfy ‘ lbrhcn jcr tb nriw eih`. Mcaì sfbwfy ridscn jds jcin. Xbgctjdam acw fdt up da jds cycs. Abw dt wis ab fbamcr sullcrdam. Jitrcn. Lury. Xunncafy Eufbabv fiumjcn. Jds ebny trcgefcn ian murmfcn ‘ wjit fdttfc tjcrc wis stdff bl tjc bfn fia`y ian uahcrtida Mcaì. Abw sbgctjdam bl ia bfn wbgia ippcircn da jds pbsturc. ‖ Ij, ybu ldmurcn dt but2 ]cff, dt— dt—s cvca ecttcr tjds wiy! î`c dt!‗ dt!‗ Eufbabv sjbutcn. Jc lrccn tjc jian jdnnca uancr jds hfbtjdam ian îayi siw da dt i sjbrt wian candam wdtj ia cyceiff. cyceiff. Ucifdzdam tjit jc wbufn abw stie jcr da tjc hjcst wdtj tjc can bl tjc wian, îayi nirtcn eih`, fcipdam bvcr _dpi— _dpi—s stupdnfy pdfcn-up sudthiscs. Cvcry ldvc gdautcs, Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia—s niumjtcr wcat tjrbumj tjcg da scirhj bl sbgc tbp, tjc cxdstcahc bl wjdhj sjc wis abt hcrtida. I hupdn jin tb ec urmcatfy suggbacn ian scat tb Gbshbw wdtj i abtc tb Gigi. @abwdam jbw mcacrbusfy tjc Nuracvs piy, jifl i nbzca wdamcn eiedcs wcrc ctcraiffy jbvcrdam butsdnc tjc wdanbw. Ian abw tjc sudthiscs wcrc vcry jcfpluf. Kugpdam bvcr tjcg, îayi erb`c iwiy lrbg Eufbabv, wjb sfdppcn ian spriwfcn iw`wirnfy ba jds ecffy, nrbppdam tjc wian. î`dam inviatimc bl jds hbalusdba, îayi wis iebut tb rusj tb tjc nbbr, eut Eufbabv giaimcn tb mrie jcr ia`fc. Xjc lcff, jdttdam jcr jcin pidaluffy imidast tjc lbbt bl jcr bwa ecn. Liffdam, îayi siw tjit Mcaì wis ifrciny ba jds lcct ian mrbpdam lbr tjc wian. îayi jurrdcnfy hriwfcn tb tjc nbbr, àbwdam tjit sjc ndn abt jivc tdgc. ]jca Eufbabv rcihjcn jcr, sjc ndn tjc bafy tjdam sjc hbufn; sjc sjdcfncn jcrscfl wdtj tjc nbuefc eiss hisc. ^jc wian sfiggcn jirn imidast tjc hisc, lbrhdam tjc strdams bl tjc nbuefc eiss jdnnca dasdnc tb nrbac fbwfy ian dandmaiatfy. Eufbabv wis ifrciny ridsdam jds jian lbr iabtjcr strd`c, eut jcrc i efdandam mrccadsj fdmjt ldffcn tjc rbbg. Mcaì shrcigcn ian ridscn ridscn jds jian tb jds cycs. ]jca îayi rcmidacn tjc iedfdty tb scc, sjc rcifdzcn tjit sjc wis sdttdam ba tjc lfbbr, stdff hfuthjdam tjc hisc. Eufbabv trdcn tb hriwf ba jds stbgihj tb jcr eut hbufn abt. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Jds ldamcrs bafy shrithjcn tjc fdabfcug. Jc hbufn abt cvca ridsc jds jian mrdppdam tjc wian. ‖Nigaitdba! ]jit i hfugsy ebny! Ihhurscn nbuefc eiss! ]jca wdff tjc Mrbttcrs ldaiffy stbp jdancrdam gc2‗ gc2‗ Eufbabv hrbi`cn. ‖_fimuc-ncf-Hi`c!‗ _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c!‗ îayi ycffcn. Iftjbumj tjc vbdhc wis ndllcrcat, tjc tbac ian sjindam iftcrcn, dt wis dgpbssdefc abt tb rchbmadzc dt. ‖ Tbu mucsscn! D wbufn—vc mbttca tb ybu ybu fbam imb, eut tjc eby rcsdstcn. D fbst iutjbrdty bvcr jdg eclbrc D giaimcn tb mct tjc wian. Dt wis jcrc da i schrct pfihc uancr tjc shjbbf, eut dt wis achcssiry tb ndm tjc mrbuan wdtj jians, tjrbw eih` tjc stbacs. D jitc tjcsc hbwirnfy ebndcs, wjdhj lcir pida! Ebndcs, wjbsc survdvif dastdaht ds strbamcr tjia rcisba! Is sbba is tjc eby erb`c kust i gdscriefc aidf, jc higc tb! Jbw giay tdgcs D wiatcn tb trust iff tjc ebmdcs, eut dt wis dgpbssdefc ‘ bafy D hbufn pdh` up tjc wian tjc ldrst tdgc... _rbtchtdvc gimdh gimdh ‘ D bahc hist dt gyscfl.‗ gyscfl. ‗ ^jc hipturcn ebny ridscn jdgscfl ba jds cfebws wdtj cllbrt. Jc hbufn eircfy fbb` it tjc mrccadsj fdmjt pburdam lrbg tjc nbuefc eiss. Jds cycs wcrc witcrdam. ‖Nb ybu wiat i ncif2‗ ncif2‗ ‖D nba— nba—t gi`c ncifs wdtj ybu!‗ ybu!‗ Eufbabv —s lihc echigc ndstbrtcn, is dl da i gbgcat bl imbay. Xifdvi nrdppcn lrbg tjc hbracr bl jds gbutj. _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c prbeiefy datcancn ba wdahdam eut gdshifhufitcn sfdmjtfy wdtj tjc lihdif gushfcs. ‖D—ff mdvc ybu \ifyif`da, tjit sfummdsj abacatdty tjit— tjit—s sb ncir ybu,‗ ybu,‗ sjc hrbi`cn. ‖ Tbu—rc Tbu—rc fydam!‗ fydam!‗ îayi sjbutcn. Xjc jitcn ab bac cfsc da fdlc is guhj is tjds vdfc gurncrcr. Eut tjcrc wis ab bac cfsc sjc sb accncn... ‖D—g abt is`dam ybu tb ecfdcvc gc! ]c— ]c—ff sdma i hbatriht ian scif dt wdtj ia uaerciìefc bitj. Tbu ian gc. D— D—ff jcfp ybu lrcc \ifyif`da lrbg Nuahcnig, ybu —ff mdvc gc ybur ebny. Dl ybu wiat tb, D— D—ff cvca fct ybu spcan ldvc gdautcs tbmctjcr. Ab gbrc.‗ gbrc.‗ ‖ ]jy nb ybu accn gy ebny2 ebny2 Xcttfc da iay ebmdc. Tbu cvca hipturcn Eufbabv! Eufbabv!‗‗ ‖Eufbabv2‗ Eufbabv2‗ _fimuc fbb`cn iescatgdancnfy it jcr acw jians ian lcct. ‖Dt— Dt—s bafy i tcgpbriry, gdscriefc sjcftcr. ^jc bafy tjdam tjit D hbufn scttfc datb lrbg tjc wbrfn bl tjc ncin. Xbba D— D—ff jivc tb fcivc dt, mriatdam tjc muy jds bwa ncstday. D accn bafy ybur ebny. Ab btjcr wdff wbr`. Xbgctjdam Xbgctjdam gbrc tjia ia bfn cagdty hbaachts ybu ian gc. ]c irc tjc sdncs bl tjc sigc hbda, fdmjt ian niràcss. ]jdfc tjcrc— tjcrc—s gc, tjcrc— tjcrc—s ybu. Is fbam is ybu cxdst, D cxdst. Ian tjcrc's sbgctjdam cfsc iebut wjdhj dt— dt —s abt wbrtj lbr ybu tb àbw lbr tjc tdgc ecdam. ]cff... ncif2‗ ncif2‗ ‖Jbw wdff ybu rctura \iaì tb gc2‗ gc2‗ îayi is`cn, edtdam jcr fdps. Xjc hbufn tjda` bafy bl \iaì ian abt bl iaybac cfsc. ‖Uctura2‗ Uctura2‗ tjc wdthj jdsscn. ‖ Tbu gdsuancrstbbn gdsuancrstbbn gc. D jivc ab datcatdba bl rcturadam iaybac. D— D—ff bafy tcihj ybu jbw tb saci` datb Nuahcnig ian jbw tb puff but lrbg tjcrc tjc lia bl fdttfc iadgifs accncn ey ab bac... ]cff2 Tcs br ab2 ]jy irc ybu ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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sdfcat, irc ybu shircn2 Br ds tjc eiey lrbg tjc wjdtc ncpirtgcat rciny tb sihrdldhc jcr fdlc da wbrns bafy2‗ bafy2 ‗ îayi fbb`cn it jcr wdtj jitrcn. Xjc nchdncn. ‖Ldac. D— D—ff mdvc ybu gy ebny, eut bafy wjca \iaì ds ifdvc, uajirgcn, ian lrcc, ian D—ff jivc i wjbfc jbur, ybu jcir, ab fcss, tb fbb` it jdg.‗ jdg.‗ ‖ I wjbfc jbur, tjit— tjit—s i fbt, eut sb ec dt... Tbu hia cvca strb`c jds jcin, `dss jdg, br nira jds sjdrt. Iaytjdam ybu fd`c!‗ fd`c!‗ _fimuc hjuh`fcn. îayi yia`cn bpca tjc fdn bl tjc hisc. ^jc efizdam mrccadsj mfbw lbrhcn _fimuc, squdatdam, tb hriwf hbwirnfy eih` datb tjc sjinbws. ‖Nba— Nba—t ybu nirc tcihj gc, gurncrcr! Bac gbrc hbandtdba, br tjcrc— tjcrc —ff ec abtjdam!‗ abtjdam!‗ îayi sidn. ‖Mrcit! Fct dt ec is ybu wiat, kust hfbsc tjc hisc! Nrbp ncinus! ncinus! D swcir! Ian abw ybu swcir!‗ swcir!‗ _fimuc sidn jistdfy. ‖ Nrbp ncinus! ncinus! D— D—ff mdvc ybu gy ebny dl ybu fcin gc tb \iaì da Nuahcnig!‗ Nuahcnig!‗ îayi iaabuahcn fbunfy. I mrcca spir` lfisjcn. ‖ \dti ercvds! PFdlc ds sjbrt! (Fit.)W‗ (Fit.)W‗ ^jcbpjdfus Mrbttcr— Mrbttcr—s rdam cxhfidgcn da jbrrbr. _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c mrdaacn. ‖ Tbu swbrc! ^jc ncif wis ginc, tjc bitj scifcn wdtj i spir`... Eih`dam but ds dgpbssdefc. ]cir ybur ebny lbr tjc tdgc ecdam, mdrf! Abt fbam fclt abw! Ian fbb`; ec gbrc hircluf wdtj tjc jians, mcatfcr wdtj tjc fcms, sb cvcrytjdam wdff ec fd`c erian acw ‘ D nba— nba—t fd`c uscn mbbns... Ian, aituriffy, nba— nba—t tcff iaybac iebut bur ncif. Br tjcrc wdff ec abtjdam. D nba— nba—t wiat Xirniaipif br Ncad tb ebtjcr gc.‗ gc.‗ ‖Mct tb tjc pbdat! Jbw nb D ldan \iaì ian erdam jdg eih`2‗ eih`2‗ ‖î`c tjc wian ian lfy tb Nuahcnig. ^jc mrdn ba tbp bl bac bl tjc tbwcrs dsa— dsa —t prbtchtcn ey spcffs. Tbu wdff rchbmadzc dt ey i spchdif ncsdma. Dt— Dt —s fd`c i spdncr wce. Xaci` dasdnc. Nuahcnig wdff sccg tb ybu cgpty, ifgbst ncscrtcn, eut rcgcgecr, tjds ds nchcptdvc. Nba— Nba—t jivc hbatiht wdtj iay dtcg tjit ybu scc tjcrc, ian cspchdiffy nba— nba —t try tb ti`c iaytjdam iwiy wdtj ybu! Ab nbbr àbh`crs, ebb`s, rdams, wcipbas, abtjdam. Ucgcgecr2‗ Ucgcgecr2‗ ‖ Tcs!‗ Tcs!‗ ‖^jca rcgcgecr gbrc. ^jcrc irc tjdams tjit irc ualcisdefc da Nuahcnig. ^b rctura lrbg wjcahc ybu higc ian tb pdh` up wjit ybu nrbppcn. ]jit ybu pdh` up wdff ifrciny ec sbgctjdam cfsc, dt wdff hjiamc, ian bafy Nuahcnig àbws wjit dt wdff echbgc. Nba— Nba—t ecfdcvc iaytjdam, ian pirtdhufirfy ybur bwa cycs. ]jca ybu mb lbrwirn, nba— nba —t fbb` eih`, ab gittcr jbw shircn ybu giy ec. Ucgcgecr, cvcry stcp ybu ti`c da d a Nuahcnig hrcitcs i acw rcifdty, wjdhj cxdsts bafy uatdf ybur acxt stcp. Ligdfdir fiws nba— nba —t ippfy dasdnc tjc gimdh prdsba. ^jc wdzirns wjb suggbacn Nuahcnig datb bur wbrfn ndna —t mdvc guhj tjbumjt tb tjc hbascqucahcs. Lbbfs! ^jcy fct datb tjc wbrfn sbgctjdam iebut wjdhj tjcy tjcgscfvcs tjcgscfvcs bafy jin jin i vcry rbumj dnci.‗ dnci.‗ ‖Ndna— Ndna—t tjcy ldmjt wdtj ybu2‗ ybu2‗ îayi is`cn. _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c sjrummcn. Xjc ndn dt iw`wirnfy, fd`c i tjcitcr puppct. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Abw dt— dt—s ab fbamcr dgpbrtiat. D ndn abt sjcn efbbn ifbac. ^jbsc wjb ndn tjit irc abw trydam tb prcscat tjcgscfvcs is jbfy. Ian tjds cspchdiffy carimcs gc. ]jca D mct ybur ebny, D wdff try tb mct cvca wdtj tjcg ian D—ff nb dt, ecfdcvc gc... Abw iebut tjc kidfbrs. Tbu gust àbw sbgctjdam iebut tjcg. ^jcy —rc pirt bl Nuahcnig. ^jcy ippcircn tbmctjcr wdtj dt, higc lrbg tjc btjcr rcifdty, iebut wjdhj cvca D àbw fdttfc. ^jcy hia cxdst bafy da Nuahcnig ian abwjcrc cfsc. Dl Nuahcnig cvcr ndsippcirs, tjcy wdff ifsb ndsippcir ifbam wdtj dt. ^jcy irca— irca—t pcbpfc br wdzirns. @dffcn, tjcy —ff rcmida fdlc iltcr sbgc tdgc. ^jcy —rc sbgctjdam i`da tb gc. ^jcdr jcirts nba— nba—t ecit, eut tjcy irca— irca—t ncin. ^jcy irca— irca—t mjbsts, eut tjcy —rc cvcrywjcrc. I hbgeit spir` wdff stbp tjcg bafy bahc ian lbr i sjbrt wjdfc. D nbuet tjit sbgcbac— sbgcbac —s hburimc hia rittfc tjcg, eut rcgcgecr; ybur lcir wdff gi`c tjcg strbamcr.‗ strbamcr. ‗ Eufbabv —s vbdhc jin ifgbst echbgc uadatcffdmdefc. ^crrbr lfisjcn lbr ia dastiat da Mcaì— Mcaì—s cycs ian jc kcr`cn jds jians up tb jds lihc. îayi rcifdzcn tjit dt wis ndlldhuft lbr _fimuc tb rctida iutjbrdty bvcr tjc ebny0 wjdfc Eufbabv —s bwa gdan wis wci`, dt wis stdff ldmjtdam. Xtdff, _fimuc wis jianfdam dt. Eufbabv —s cycs ndggcn, jds jians fbwcrcn, ian jc hbatdaucn da tjc sigc gcisurcn vbdhc, ‖D jbpc ybu— ybu—ff ec iefc tb ldan \iaì. Kust nba— nba—t cxpcht jdg tb rchbmadzc ybu. Abw jc eircfy cvca rcgcgecrs jds bwa aigc... Tbu tbuhj \iaì— \iaì—s hjcst wdtj tjc wian, tjc wian wdff rctriht jds sbuf. ^jca ybu fcivc Nuahcnig wdtj tjc wian. ^jc kidfbrs, iltcr gi`dam surc tjit \iaì ds ncin, ian dt— dt—ff fbb` tjit wiy, D jbpc, wdff cdtjcr rctura jds ebny tb ^dednbx br tjrbw dt datb tjc bhcia. ^jcy ncif wdtj ncitj striamcfy. ]c— ]c—ff ec rciny tb rctrdcvc dt dl tjc sjir`s nba— nba —t ecit us tb dt.‗ dt.‗ Jcrc _fimuc sbgcjbw mdmmfcn striamcfy ian cxtrcgcfy igedvifcatfy. ‖^jca ybu tbuhj \iaì— \iaì—s hjcst wdtj tjc btjcr can bl tjc wian. Da tjc prbhcss ybu jivc tb hdrhfc tjcsc tjrcc ruacs jcrc wdtj tjc gimdh rdam. ^jc wian wdff rctura tjc sbuf ‘ ian lbrwirn, ba tjc btjcr sdnc bl tjc abgindh mypsy stir! D— D —ff tcihj ybu tjc spcff tb rcfdaqudsj ybur ebny. Btjcrwdsc, Btjcrwdsc, tjc wian wdff wbr` tbb, iftjbumj iftjbumj dt— dt—ff ec sfdmjtfy gbrc pidaluf.‗ pidaluf. ‗ ‖Jbw ndsmustdam! ^jrbw \iaì datb tjc bhcia!‗ bhcia!‗ îayi guttcrcn. ‖Nir` gimdh ds nir` gimdh,‗ gimdh,‗ _fimuc inigiatfy sidn. ‖D ndna— ndna—t prbgdsc tjit cvcrytjdam wdff ec cisy-pcisy. ^jit wisa— wisa—t da bur ncif... ^jcrc ds ab btjcr wiy tjit \iaì hbufn fcivc Nuahcnig. Nuahcnig. Bafy dl Gimhdcty prbvdncs tjc spcff, wjdhj dt hcrtidafy wdff abt. ]cff, nb ybu imrcc2‗ imrcc2‗ ‖ Tcs.‗ Tcs.‗ ‖ ]bancrluf! ^jca prbhccn! D— D —ff ippcir imida wjca gy jbur strd`cs...‗ strd`cs... ‗ _fimuc-ncfHi`c bpcacn jcr jian. ^jc wian nrbppcn tb tjc lfbbr ian rbffcn tb îayi— îayi —s lcct. ^jcrc dt fiy, nuff ian dandllcrcat tb cvcrytjdam. Bafy tjc eufmdam cyc it tjc can echigc sdfvcry. îayi stircn augefy it tjc wian ian ndn abt rchbmadzc jcrscfl. Ndn sjc rciffy gi`c i ncif wdtj _fimuc, tjc bac sjc jitcn sb guhj2 ]jit jippcacn tb jcr2 Jbw hbufn sjc fbsc jcr jcin fd`c tjds but bl fbvc, eut, ba tjc btjcr jian, ds tjcrc sbgctjdam cfsc ecsdncs fbvc wbrtj wbrtj fbsdam ybur jcin jcin bvcr2 ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Eufbabv nrbppcn tb jds àccs ian squcczcn jds tcgpfcs wdtj jds jians. ‖ ]jcrc ig D2 ]jcrc2 ]jy nbcs gy jcin jurt sb2‗ sb2‗ jc is`cn pdtcbusfy. ‖Echiusc ybu— ybu—rc i hjrbadh Ebudffba. Ian tjds ds ifrciny scrdbus ian lbr i fbam tdgc!‗ tdgc!‗ îayi sidn mfbbgdfy. Xjc puffcn i tbwcf bll jcr ecn, wct dt, ian wrippcn dt irbuan Mcaì— Mcaì —s swcity lbrcjcin. Cvca àccfdam, Eufbabv —s sjbufncr wis ifgbst tb jcr jcin. Gy, jc wis edm! îffcr tjia _upcr! Eut dl _upcr— _upcr—s stueefc wis stdll ian nir`, ifrciny fd`c i mrbwa gia —s, Eufbabv —s hjcc`s jin ihqudrcn sblt erbwa jidr uacvcafy. Gbrcbvcr, Gigi lbreinc jdg tb sjivc, hfidgdam tjit hjdfnrca nb abt sjivc. ‖Ds tjit ecttcr2‗ ecttcr2‗ îayi is`cn. ‖Sj-juj! ^jia` ybu!‗ ybu!‗ Eufbabv gugefcn, fbb`dam it jcr wdtj tjc rbuan ian lrdmjtcacn cycs bl i sjccp. Cxpfidadam abtjdam tb jdg, îayi ldrgfy scat Mcaì tb tjc nbbr. Jc rcgidacn stiandam da tjc jiffwiy fd`c i stirtfcn mbpjcr, ian dt wis ndlldhuft tb uancrstian wjit tjbumjts wcrc rusjdam tjrbumj jds jcin, wdtj tjc firmc lbrcjcin stdff wrippcn wrippcn da i tbwcf. Eut îayi jin ifrciny lbrmbttca iebut Eufbabv. Abw sjc wis tjda`dam bl _fimucncf-Hi`c. ]bufn sjc scrdbusfy jivc tb lufldff tjc prbgdsc ian jian bvcr jcr ebny2 Nrbp ncinus wis ncinus wis ia bitj pcrlchtfy schurcn lrbg bitj-erci`dam. Ab wbancr tjc wdsc iahdcat wdzirns sb trustcn dt ian it tjc sigc tdgc rcsbrtcn tb dt wdtj suhj pruncahc. Iaybac erci`dam dt wbufn eura ifdvc, ian, wjdfc euradam, wbufn ihqudrc ia igizdam rcsdstiahc tb ldrc it tjc sigc tdgc. Lbr fbam jburs jds s`da ian jidr wbufn ec iefizc ian jc wbufn cxpcrdcahc dahrcndefc dahrcndefc pida eclbrc ncitj wbufn ldaiffy scrvc is jds ncfdvcriahc. Gbrcbvcr, tjds wis i spchdif `dan bl ldrc. Cvca dl tjc bitj-erci`cr nchdncn tb kugp datb tjc bhcia wdtj i rbh` irbuan jds ach`, tjc ldrc wbufn hbatdauc tb tbrgcat jdg tjcrc. Dt wbufn ec dgpbssdefc tb erci` ia bitj. ^jc bafy prbvdsb wbufn ec dl tjc bitj-ti`cr wbufn vbfuatirdfy ti`c dt eih`. Eut dt wbufn ec iesurn tb cxpcht gimaiadgdty lrbg _fimuc-ncfHi`c. îayi wif`cn irbuan tjc rbbg lriatdhiffy scirhjdam lbr i wiy but. Ldaiffy sjc lbuan dt, eut dt wis shiry da dtscfl. Acvcrtjcfcss, dt wis tjc bafy hjiahc tb sivc ^dednbx lrbg tjc vdfc wdthj, sdguftiacbusfy sdguftiacbusfy lufldffdam tjc tcrgs bl tjc hbatriht. Xjc rusjcn tb tjc eiey Xtda`tbpp. ^jc fdttfc bac hbatdaucn tb fdvc da tjc sigc rbbg wjcrc bahc fdvcn tjc jcin bl tjc nir` ncpirtgcat, _rblcssbr Xtda`tbpp. Bafy abw tjc rbbg wis ritjcr edm lbr jdg0 ifbam tjc wiffs strcthjcn augcrbus sjcfvcs, ba wjdhj wis fidn but _rblcssbr Xtda`tbpp— Xtda`tbpp—s hbffchtdba bl gimdhif hurdbsdtdcs. Ncspdtc tjc liht tjit Xtda`tbpp jin ifrciny trincn i mbbn jifl bl tjc hbffchtdba lbr iff `dans bl trisj, tjcrc wis stdff i surprdsdam surprdsdam augecr. augecr. It tjc gbgcat gbgcat tjc fdttfc bac wis eusy swdamdam swdamdam da i jiggbh` ian idgdam it bac br tjc btjcr hbracr wdtj i hbgeit hrbssebw. Ecsdncs Xtda`tbpp, Xjurisd` wis ifsb da tjc rbbg. ‖Jd, Xtda`tbppdc! Jcffb, Xjurisd`!‗ Xjurisd`!‗ îayi mrcctcn tjcg. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖—cffb! ‖—cffb!‗‗ tjc fdttfc bac sidn, dggcnditcfy fbh`dam ba jcr. îayi surgdscn tjit Xtda`tbpp jin mbttca tjc hrbssebw rchcatfy. Gbst prbeiefy, Xjurisd` nrimmcn dt bvcr, jivdam sbgc sdmjts bl jds bwa ba sbgctjdam. Iaywiy, Xjurisd`, lbr sbgc rcisba, wis twdrfdam da jds jians i miuny Brdcatif sùffhip, vcry sdgdfir tb bac Cistcra suftia— suftia —s livburdtc sùffhip, àbwa da tjc gimdh wbrfn is tjc sùffhip bl hburimc. ]dtj tjds sùffhip ba jds jcin, cvca tjc mrcitcst hbwirn wbufn ittih` i fcmdba ifbac. ‖Nb ybu stdff jivc pbdsba2 Tbu jivca— jivca—t yct trincn dt tb iaybac2‗ iaybac2 ‗ îayi is`cn Xtda`tbpp. ‖Aij,‗ Aij,‗ Xtda`tbpp sidn. ‖_fcaty gbrc. _bbl!‗ _bbl!‗ ‖ Ian wjcrc hia hia D fbb`2‗ fbb`2‗ ‖Bvcr tjcrc!‗ tjcrc!‗ Xtda`tbpp stbppcn idgdam it îayi ian turacn tjc hrbssebw tb tjc tjdrn sjcfl lrbg tjc ebttbg, ba wjdhj vdifs, kirs, ian ebxcs fiecffcn da Fitda wcrc fdacn up. Xcvcrif ritjcr jirgfcss-fbb`dam euanfcs bl jcres ifsb juam tjcrc. ‖ Ian wjit— wjit—s jcrc2‗ jcrc2‗ îayi is`cn, fbb`dam it tjcg hircluffy eut tbuhjdam abtjdam. ‖Eut wjit— wjit—s abt jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ tjc àbw-dt-iff Xjurisd` datcrkchtcn. ‖Xtirtdam wdtj tjc cnmc. Hyiadnc... jcgfbh`... irscadh... irscadh... \ufmir pbdsba! Xtriamc tjit dt— dt —s stdff da lisjdba igbam tjc gbrbabdns.‗ gbrbabdns. ‗ ‖ Ian tjds2‗ tjds2‗ îayi abnncn it i eciutdluf, tiff lfis`. Xjurisd` fbb`cn it tjc Fitda fiecf. ‖Bj, dt— dt—s tjc `dss bl îatifus! 45 Cxhcffcat gcndcvif pbdsba! Ab tistc, ab sgcff! Hia ec inncn tb lbbn ian nrda`, br hia sdgpfy ec sprda`fcn ba tjc wiffs da ia blldhc. ^jcrc— ^jcrc—s abtjdam da tjc ldrst jifl jbur, ab jcirteura, ab hrigps, eut tjca i spisg bl tjc jcirt gushfc, ian nbac. Tbu sct bll tb tjc btjcr wbrfn wdtj i sgdfc ba ybur lihc. \cry cxpcasdvc ian hbgpfcx pbdsba. Gbstfy pbdsba `dams ian nu`cs wdtj dt. Ssuiffy pbdsba gbtjcrs-da-fiw ian wdvcs wdtj pjbspjbrus githjcs br stryhjadac... Hjcipfy ian suffcafy. Eut wjy nb ybu wiat pbdsba, juj2 Xpdff!‗ Xpdff! ‗ ‖ ]jy nb ybu wiat i sùffhip, sùffhip, juj2 Xpdff!‗ Xpdff!‗ îayi iaswcrcn jdg da tjc sigc tbac. Xjurisd` turacn purpfc ian stbppcn is`dam stupdn qucstdbas. ]dtj tjc lfis` da jcr jians, îayi ipprbihjcn Xtda`tbpp, wjb wis stdff jippdfy gcssdam irbuan wdtj tjc hrbssebw. ‖Xtda`tbpp, wdff ybu mdvc gc tjc pbdsba2 D... uj... wcff, kust wiat tb jivc dt.‗ dt.‗ ‖ Tcs, surc,‗ surc,‗ tjc fdttfc bac sidn. ‖Bafy dl ybu— ybu—rc pbdsbadam @bsjhjcd, dt wba— wba—t wbr`. Jc— Jc—s dggbrtif. Ecttcr is` îfifi`j tb fbumj jdg up!‗ up! ‗ ‖Bìy, bìy, D— D—ff is`. ]jit nb ybu wiat da rctura2‗ rctura2‗ îayi is`cn dgpitdcatfy. ‖Abtjdam. D— D—g adhc!‗ adhc!‗ Xtda`tbpp hjuh`fcn, fbb`dam it jcr wdtj sfy cycs. ‖Kust nba— nba—t inn dt tb gy sbup, ian hbasdncr tjit wc— wc vc — vc imfccn.‗ imfccn.‗ ‖Jcrc dt ds, i mdlt lbr _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c ian... ian lbr gc!‗ gc!‗ îayi tjbumjt, hfuthjdam tjc hbfn lfis`. 45 îatifus

ds i ldmurc da Mrcc` gytjbfbmy. Jc ds ctcraiffy puadsjcn da îrtirus, tjc nuamcba bl tjc Sancrwbrfn, ey stiandam da i pbbf bl witcr tjit rchcncs eclbrc jc hia mct i nrda` ian ecacitj i lrudt trcc wdtj fbw eriahjcs eut tjc tjc lrudts cfundam jds mrisp. mrisp. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Hjiptcr 95 ^JC MIFFCT ‖Jcrgia, nirfdam! Fbb` wjit wbancrluf lbbn D ebumjt lbr bur nihjsjdc! Xjc sdgpfy inbrcs dt!‗ dt!‗ Iuat Adacf hjdrpcn jippdfy, ippcirdam da tjc lbrgcr ncputy —s blldhc. Da jcr jians wis i ycffbw pihìmc wdtj tjc dashrdptdba; LBBN I\\I Tbur nbm wdff wdff sdgpfy mfbw mfbw wdtj jciftj! jciftj! ‖ ]jy wdff dt mfbw2 ]jit ]jit nb tjcy put da tjcrc2 tjcrc2‗‗ Nuracv is`cn edtdamfy. I hbahcracn Iuat Adacf swdthjcn bll tjc fdmjt ian fbb`cn iaxdbusfy it Bac-Ian-IJifl @dfbgctrcs. Dt, lbrtuaitcfy, wis abt mfbwdam. Ginigc Nuracvi hifgcn nbwa ian sct bll tb tjc `dthjca tb rcin i ebb` iebut tjc trcany It`das ndct. Da brncr tb ecttcr mrisp tjc tcxt, sjc ihhbgpiadcn cihj pimc wdtj i mbbn pdchc bl jig ian i jbt pdzzi. Sahfc Jcrgia bahc imida eurdcn jdgscfl da stbh` prdhcs. ^jc sjircs kugpcn nbwa, tjca up0 tjcrc wcrc lcw stiefc catrdcs ian Nuracv hbufn abt ldmurc but wjcrc tb davcst tjc gbacy ridscn lrbg tjc sifc bl tjc mbfn tbdfct ian wisjdam gihjdac. ]dtj tjc wisjdam gihjdac tjc sdtuitdba wis da liht uadquc. ]jca Mritds, br gbrc prchdscfy, @dam Gdnis, tbuhjcn dt, abt bafy tjc gihjdac eut ifsb tjc fdaca da dt echigc mbfn. Nuracv wis cgbtdbaif iff cvcadam, fbb`dam it jds vifuiefc sbh`s. Jc nchdncn tb pifg bac sbh` bll tb tjc Guscug bl Gbncra Irt, eut fclt tjc btjcr jbgc is i sbuvcadr. Nuracv jin abt jin tdgc tb nchdnc ba tjc sjircs wjca Mritds— Mritds — jcin, eugpy ian wbra but ey fdlc ian litc, ippcircn fd`c i rbuan Gcxdhia hihtus it tjc nbbr. ^jc wcrcwbfl fbb`cn irbuan eusdfy. Da jds jian wis i sgiff siuhcpia, wjdhj jc, cxihtfy fd`c i widtcr, wis jbfndam cdtjcr wdtj i aip`da br i tbwcf. ‖ Tbur bitgcif, sdr!‗ sdr!‗ jc sidn da i jdmj-pdthjcn vbdhc. ‖D jitc bitgcif! Ecttcr tjia pbrrdnmc hia bafy ec dts iescahc!‗ iescahc!‗ Sahfc Jcrgia sidn. ‖Jcrgia, eut jbw sb2 Tbu sidn ycstcrniy tjit ybu fbvc dt!‗ dt!‗ Mritds wis upsct. ‖D wis kb`dam. Bafy tjc Erdtdsj fbvc bitgcif. Iff btjcr fbvc lbr bitgcif ds purc hbpyhit!‗ hbpyhit! ‗ Nuracv sidn. ‖Ecsdncs, ybu gbst hcrtidafy ndna— ndna—t wisj tjc pia! Tbu it gbst fdh`cn dt hfcia, dsa— dsa—t tjit rdmjt2‗ rdmjt2‗ ^jc wcrcwbfl —s hjcc`s turacn pda`. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc ifwiys ldandam liuft, erbtjcr! D wiatcn, tjit dsj, ecttcr!‗ ecttcr!‗ ‖D àbw wjit ybu wiatcn! Xb ec dt; ybu hia mb tb tjc gbncfs tbniy, bafy nba —t nrim tjcg jcrc. Adacf wdff ec vcry guhj but bl sbrts. Ian wjca sjc— sjc—s but bl sbrts, tjbsc nbffs hbufn cisdfy jivc tjcdr fcms erb`ca.‗ erb`ca.‗ Mritds jbwfcn wdtj ncfdmjt. Jc kugpcn up, hfdh`cn jds lcct, ian ria tb `dss Sahfc Jcrgia. ‖î`c tjc pia, kihìss! ]jit nb ybu tjda` ybu— ybu—rc nbdam2‗ nbdam2‗ tjc lbrgcr ncputy ycffcn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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^jc butrimcn mriansba bl Mriaay Uyu`ji tjrcw tjc pia wdtj i hrisj rdmjt it tjc stbh` qubtcs. ‖D ig abt i kihìss, Jcrgia! D hbufn ncgian i gdffdba tbin wirts lrbg ybu lbr gbrif nigimc! nigimc! Xuhj fiwsudts fiwsudts irc da vbmuc abw.‗ abw.‗ ‖ Tbu jivc tbb giay gbrifs! gbrifs!‗‗ Nuracv saippcn. ‖ Iyc!‗ Iyc!‗ Mritds rcindfy imrccn. ‖ I hirfbin! Dl D wcrc tb mct it fcist i eimcf jbfc cvcry tdgc D— D—g hiffcn ia iss ian i jifl-hbra lbr ‚lbbf— lbbf—! D wbufn— wbufn vc —vc echbgc i gdffdbaidrc fbam imb.‗ imb.‗ Xunncafy, lrbg tjc `dthjca higc Iuat Adacf— Adacf —s piadh sjrdc`. Sahfc Jcrgia lcthjcn jds iahcstbr— iahcstbr—s swbrn lrbg tjc hfbsct ian rusjcn tb tjc rcshuc. Mritds, abt abtcn lbr jcrbdh ndspbsdtdba, lbffbwcn jdg it sbgc ndstiahc. ]jit tjcy siw da tjc `dthjca `dthjca hbufn sji`c sji`c iay uaihhustbgcn uaihhustbgcn gbrbabdn. Acxt Acxt tb tjc tiefc ba tjc lfbbr i gcndug-sdzcn hdrhfc wis iefizc, da wjdhj Ebbg ian Gifyuti Xùritbll wcrc gitcrdifdzdam ebac ey ebac ian tcanba ey tcanba. ^jcy ippcircn mrinuiffy ‘ tjds tdgc tjc vigpdrcs wcrc prbeiefy cgpfbydam sbgc acw gcias bl trivcffdam tjrbumj spihc. Ldaiffy, iltcr i erdcl piusc, erbumjt ba echiusc tjc jcin ippcircn fist bl iff, Gifyuti Xùritbll stcppcn but bl tjc hdrhfc, prcssdam jds jian tb jds jcirt. ‖Jippy tb mrcct tjc mrcitcst bl tjc mrcit ian tjc gbst ligbus bl tjc ligbus! Gifyuti Xùritbll ebws tb tjc Litjcr Litjcr bl Iff \igpdrcs \igpdrcs Gr. Jcrgia Jcrgia Nuracv ian ian jds vcacriefc jbuscjbfn! jbuscjbfn!‗‗ Sahfc Jcrgia rcfuhtiatfy put iwiy jds swbrn. ‖Gutuiffy mfin tb scc ybu!‗ ybu!‗ jc sidn ian tbuhjcn Gifyuti— Gifyuti—s pifg squcigdsjfy, kust fd`c i hbfn hutfct. Ebbg higc but bl tjc hdrhfc wdtj i saullfc ian stbppcn acxt tb jds ebss, survcydam tjc `dthjca. Lbr sbgc beshurc rcisba Mritds ndn abt fd`c dt. ‖Bjb! Yudct S`ridadia admjt, eut ecttcr jdnc tjc lit! lit!‗‗48 jc sidn tb jdgscfl ian spcn iwiy. Nuracv ian Gifyuti Xùritbll cxhjiamcn cxhcssdvc hbgpfdgcats lbr sbgc tdgc, tjca Sahfc Jcrgia irtdhufitcn jds tjbumjt gbrc hfcirfy, ‖^b wjit nb D bwc tjds dggcasc jippdacss2 Lbr i ^dednbx tjdam2 ^jc gcgbry bl iahcstbrs ian iff tjit2 ‗ Gifyuti Xùritbll tjrcw up jds jians da surprdsc. Jds fdttfc absc ecmia tb sjdac. ‖ ]jit tjdam ds tjcrc abw2 Ji,‗ Ji,‗ jc sidn sinfy. ‖ Tbu danccn àbw wjcrc \iaì ds. Jc— Jc—s mbac. Jc stirtcn tb wistc _upcrs, wcff, jc— jc—s mbac. ]c wba— wba—t eutt datb ^dednbx, ian, gy ipbfbmdcs, ab jcfp lrbg ybur fdttfc mdrf.‗ mdrf.‗ Xuhj àbwfcnmc bl tjc vigpdrcs surprdscn Sahfc Jcrgia i fdttfc, eut jc ndn abt sjbw dt. Iltcr iff, vigpdrcs hbufn ifsb fdstca tb i zbbgcr. Ian tjcy wcrc da iffdiahc wdtj tjc cvdf spdrdts. ‖ ]c jivc i fdttfc eusdacss eusdacss bl i ndllcrcat `dan,‗ `dan,‗ Gifyuti hbatdaucn. ‖Dl tb spci` qudtc lria`fy, wc higc lbr tjc ebbts. Tbur iahcstbr— iahcstbr —s. Ebrrbw... Gusta— Gusta—t stcif. Tbur iahcstbr wis i strbam-wdffcn gia, tjc `dan tjcy wdff rcgbvc lrbg tjc Jcrciltcr. Jcrciltcr. Ian jc jin strbam-wdffcn rcmifdi. rcmifdi. Imidast tjcdr wdff, i ab-ab.‗ ab-ab.‗

48 ^jds

ds i kb`c tjit gcias bac sjbufn rcgida vdmdfiat, ifcrt. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Ian wjy nb ybu wiat gy ebbts2‗ ebbts2‗ Nuracv is`cn, rcgcgecrdam Hbuat Nrihufi— Nrihufi—s jdmj ebbts, wjdhj jc pcrsbaiffy bdfcn wdtj i sbltcadam hrcig bahc i wcc`. ^jc ebbts fd`cn dt ‘ tjcy ebeecn ian kdamfcn tjcdr spurs. Ebbg ian Gifyuti Xùritbll fbb`cn it cihj btjcr. ‖^cff jdg2‗ jdg2‗ Ebbg is`cn. ‖Xurc, tcff jdg,‗ jdg,‗ Gifyuti sjrummcn. ‖^jds... lfydam tjcrc, adtwdt, dt hrci`s, fuffs sdgpfc lbf`... Dt ifsb sccgs tb ec abtjdam, kust jiuats. Dt jis fclt, ian ybu imida wiat tb edtc iaybac, ybu wba— wba—t rua datb ia ispca sti`c iaywiy. Kust tjit tjc efbbn echbgcs iwluffy uasivbury. Ab prbpcr lccndam, abtjdam!‗ abtjdam!‗ Ebbg mrbwfcn. ‖^jcy fbsc jicgbmfbeda lrbg lcir. ^jcy liff isfccp ian tjca nba— nba —t wi`c up. Xuhj uahbashdbus uahbashdbus lbf`,‗ lbf`,‗ Xùritbll cxpfidacn. ‖Xb wc nchdncn tb ebrrbw ybur ebbts. Btjcrwdsc, wc hia— hia—t `ccp up wdtj dt wdtjbut ybur ebbts. Dt—s pidaluffy pidaluffy list.‗ list.‗ ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s list2‗ list2‗ tjc hbaluscn Nuracv is`cn ldaiffy. ‖^jc miffcy! Ian dt—s uaàbwa wjcrc dt higc lrbg ‘ dt hdrhfcs bvcr ^riasyfviadi, nbcsa— nbcsa—t cvca echbgc davdsdefc. Ldrst dt nrbps qudtc fbw, tjca jbvcrs, ian tjca sunncafy sbirs uancr tjc s`y ian ecmdas tb hdrhfc, hia —t lbffbw wdtj ybur cycs tjca! D hbalcss, i hbupfc bl tdgcs D scat scrviats tb datcrhcpt dt, eut tb ab ividf. Fbst twb bl gy ecst,‗ ecst, ‗ Xùritbll hbaldncn. ‖ ]jit miffcy2‗ miffcy2‗ Iuat Adacf is`cn. Xjc jin rchbvcrcn sb guhj tjit sjc bpcacn tjc lrdnmc ian ecmia tb ncvbur hjdh`ca rbufinc. Ebbg fbb`cn it jcr luff-efbbncn irtcry wdtj i jdnnca pissdba, eut lbr abw dt wis qudtc prcndhtiefc. Hbuat Nrihufi— Nrihufi—s swbrn ian Iuat Adacf— Adacf —s gbst pbancrbus ldst jcfpcn jdg hbatrbf jdgscfl. ‖^jcrc— ^jcrc—s bac suhj tjcrc...‗ tjcrc... ‗ Gifyuti rcpfdcn vimucfy. ‖Bafy dt—s uahfcir wjy dt echigc ittihjcn tb ^riasyfviadi. ^riasyfviadi. Fd`cfy sbgctjdam wc jivc jbfns dt, eut wjit, ybu mb ldmurc. Xb, Litjcr bl Iff \igpdrcs2 ]dff ybu mdvc us tjc ebbts2‗ ebbts2‗ Nuracv tjbumjt. Jc jin ecca irbuan i fdttfc ian cxpcrdcahc tbfn jdg tjit mdvdam sbgctjdam ba hrcndt ds wbrsc tjia tjrbwdam dt iwiy. Cspchdiffy tb suhj i sfdppcry hjirihtcr is Gifyuti. Ecsdncs, rcshudam ^riasyfviadi lrbg tjc miffcy iff ey jdgscfl, jc wbufn mrcitfy ridsc jds prcstdmc igbam tjc fbhifs ian wbufn echbgc abt bafy tjc abgdaif eut ifsb tjc ihtuif hjidrgia. ^ruc, jbw jc, bj-bj-bj, ndn abt wiat tb mb tb ^riasyfviadi. Eut i suhhcssluf gia ds ndstdamudsjcn lrbg i lbbf da tjit jc nbcs bl jds bwa vbfdtdba wjit jc nbcs abt wiat tb nb. I lbbf pitdcatfy widts uatdf jc ds lbrhcn tb. ‖Ab, D wba— wba—t mdvc ybu tjc ebbts,‗ ebbts,‗ Nuracv stitcn ldrgfy. ‖D—ff mb gyscfl ian scc wjit `ccps tjc miffcy tjcrc. D... jgg... is ia daqudsdtdvc pcrsba ian pirtfy ia blldhdif, hia —t stiy ba tjc sdncfdacs wjca tjc jbgcfian ds sullcrdam.‗ sullcrdam.‗ ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc ia daqudsdtdvc pcrsba2‗ pcrsba2‗ hfirdldcn Gifyuti, iefc tb ipprchditc eusdacssfd`c dairtdhufitcacss. ‖ ]jb cfsc2 Eut gbrc gbrc tb tjc pbdat. ]jca wdff dt ec ecttcr tb nb tjds2 tjds2‗‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Da tjc cvcadam. ^wb jburs eclbrc gdnadmjt. ^jca dt nrbps fbw ian jbvcrs. Iebvc tjc vcry mrbvc. Xb wc— wc—ff rciffy rcfy ba ybu! Ian nba— nba—t ybu wbrry iebut jbw tb mct tjcrc. ]c— ]c—ff jcfp,‗ jcfp,‗ Xùritbll sidn. ‖Fct— Fct—s mb, Ebbg! Xcc ybu, Litjcr bl Iff \igpdrcs!‗ \igpdrcs!‗ Gifyuti ian jds ebnymuirn stcppcn datb tjc efizdam hdrhfc ian lincn. Sahfc Jcrgia fbb`cn tjbumjtluffy it tjc sbbty tridf ba tjc lfbbr ian wbancrcn tjit Gifyuti ndn abt fbb` iaabycn. Jc wis cvca ritjcr mfin tjit jc wbufn abt jivc tb wcir tjc ebbts ian mct davbfvcn wdtj tjc miffcy jdgscfl. Nuracv sbgcjbw ndn abt fd`c dt it iff. Ian rdmjt it tjit gbgcat gbgcat tjc zbbgcr zbbgcr sunncafy higc tb fdlc, fdlc, higc tb fdlc ian sidn sidn da tjc vcry fbun vbdhc bl Aimdiai _rdpyitsìyi, ‖ ]cff, kcr`dcs, D pcrsbaiffy girvcf it abtjdam. Gimdh wdtjbut rctrdeutdba, suhhcss wdtjbut piyeih` ‘ ybu— ybu —rc danccn nrcigdam! Jcrc ybu wba— wba—t hbaldac yburscfl tb gbacy, eut tjc catdrc sbuf, efbbn, ian purc tjbumjts! Tbu yburscfvcs àbw wjcrc lrcc gimdh ds ‘ da gimhrdgc! Ian abw wc mb tb gimacws lrbg Eifn Gbuatida...‗ Gbuatida...‗ Eut Nuracv wis ab fbamcr fdstcadam tb gimacws lrbg Eifn Gbuatida. Jc nchdsdvcfy turacn tjc zbbgcr bvcr, eurydam Aimdiai— Aimdiai —s dandmaiat dgimc wdtj jcr absc da tjc hbuatcrtbp, ian nchfircn, ‖Jggg... Cvcrytjdam— Cvcrytjdam—s suspdhdbus sbgcjbw! Dt— Dt—s hfcirfy abt wdtjbut trdh`s jcrc. _crjips, ecsdncs tjc ebbts, D—ff ifsb ti`c wdtj gc tjc hrbwa ian tjc swbrn. ^jc bafy pdty ds D nba— nba —t àbw ^riasyfviadi wcff. ]bufn tjcrc ec gy bwa gia br it fcist i mudnc...‗ mudnc...‗ Iuat Adacf fbb`cn gciadamluffy it Mritds, wjb jin sjbwa up da tjc `dthjca imida ey tjit gbgcat. gbgcat. ‖D—g wdtj ybu da tjbumjts, Jcrgia! Dl iaytjdam, D— D —ff ti`c hirc bl ybur wdlc!‗ wdlc!‗ tjc wcrcwbfl prbgdscn prbgdscn damritditdamfy. damritditdamfy. ‖D—ff ti`c hirc bl gyscfl!‗ gyscfl! ‗ Iuat Adacf hut jdg bll. ‖Eut ybu, gy ncir, ybu— ybu—ff mb wdtj Jcrgia tb ^riasyfviadi tbniy! Ian ybu kust try tb abt prbtcht jdg! ‗ Hbcrhdam Mritds tb pcrlbrg i jcrbdh nccn ian rctura tb tjc jdstbrdhif jbgcfian wis abt sb cisy. Jc ivbdncn jcrbdsg da cvcry wiy pbssdefc, nchfirdam, ‖Erbtjcr, tbniy ybu— ybu—ff rds` ybur fdlc da ybur bwa wiy, ian D da gdac. ^jc gbncfs, tjcy danccn ifsb irca— irca —t jirgfcss tb jciftj.‗ jciftj.‗ Jbwcvcr, Iuat Adacf— Adacf—s mizc wis sb nctcrgdacn ian jcr sjbufncrs sb erbin tjit tjc wcrcwbfl iffbwcn jdgscfl tb ec pcrsuincn. ‖Ldac, Jcrgia, D— D—ff lfy wdtj ybu tb ^riasyfviadi! ^riasyfviadi! Dl Gifyuti jis ncvdscn nc vdscn sbgc trip wdtj tjds miffcy, D—ff lcrrct dt but dastiatfy. dastiatfy. Bafy D ecm ybu, nba— nba—t fcivc gc da ^riasyfviadi. D— D vc —vc jitcn tjbsc sfy-lihcn efbbnsuh`crs sdahc hjdfnjbbn. Xuhj hrccpy sai`cs da tjc mriss,‗ mriss, ‗ jc sidn. *** Nuracv wis prcbhhupdcn tjc wjbfc rcst bl tjc niy. Jc ab fbamcr stundcn tjc stbh` qubtcs br cvca sjbutcn it jds ncputy, wjb rcpbrtcn tb jdg ba tjc pjbac iebut tjc eims bl pbttdam sbdf stuh` it hustbgs echiusc nbsdgctcrs nbsdgctcrs iffcmcnfy wcat bll tjc shifc ba tjcg. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ I admjtgirc! ^jcy —rc ldandam liuft wdtj lfbwcrs! Dt jis echbgc qudtc dgpbssdefc tb wbr` da Uussdi... Ldac, wc— wc—ff sbrt dt but ba Gbaniy,‗ Gbaniy,‗ Sahfc Jcrgia sidn ian, bpcadam tjc hfbsct, daspchtcn jds bwa vigpdrc rcmifdi. ‖Bj-bj!‗ Bj-bj!‗ jc tjbumjt ‖ ]cff, dt— dt—s tdgc!‗ tdgc!‗ Jc ldrst put tjc jbbp-hrbwa ba jds jcin, tjca puffcn ba tjc jdmj ebbts wdtj sbgc cllbrt, ian, ldaiffy, tuh`cn jds iahcstbr— iahcstbr —s swbrn datb jds ecft. Gciawjdfc, Iuat Adacf wis pih`dam lbr Sahfc Jcrgia is gctdhufbusfy is pih`dam lbr wir. Ecsdncs i wjbfc eim bl prbvdsdbas, wjdhj wbufn ec cabumj lbr i wjbfc irgy uadt, sjc jiancn jdg i lrigcn pjbtbmripj bl jcrscfl, i sfccpdam eim, ian i wjbfc pdfc bl iatdedbtdhs. ‖ Iatdedbtdhs nba— nba—t wbr` ba i vigpdrc edtc iaywiy,‗ iaywiy, ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia rcgir`cn suffcafy. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc wrbam tjcrc! Hdprbfct 4> ian aystitda 43 wbr` ba cvcrytjdam, cspchdiffy da gissdvc nbscs,‗ nbscs,‗ Iuat Adacf rcissurcn jdg. Safd`c Nuracv, dt ndn abt ti`c Mritds fbam tb pih`. Jc bafy sjirpcacn jds sjbrt eiandt àdlc wdtj i wdnc efinc ian jdn dt da jds sfccvc, wjcrc twb riwjdnc strips listcacn tjc shieeirn tb jds wrdst. ‖Bbj-iww, bur jcivy sdas!‗ sdas!‗ jc sidn. ‖Dl D dainvcrtcatfy tura datb i wbfl da ^riasyfviadi, erbtjcr, nba— nba —t ec lrdmjtcacn bl gc. Fbb` gc stcindfy da tjc cyc ian D wba— wba—t pbuahc. Hia— Hia—t rua iwiy lrbg gc, dt— dt—s niamcrbus, erbtjcr. ^jc pfihc pfihc ds nir`, rcgbtc, rcgbtc, iaytjdam hia jippca jippca lrbg bur wciàcsscs. wciàcsscs.‗‗ Sahfc Jcrgia echigc spbb`cn. Dl ^riasyfviadi hbufn triaslbrg cvca tjc pcihcluf Mritds tjds wiy, tjca wjit wis tb ec sidn iebut guhj gbrc niamcrbus spchdgcas2 Eut jc jin ab hjbdhc. Ldaiffy, it iebut cfcvca b— b —hfbh` da tjc cvcadam, i efizdam hdrhfc ippcircn imida da tjc gdnnfc bl tjc `dthjca. ^jc nihjsjuan Bac-Ian-I-Jifl @dfbgctrcs, wjdhj jbeefcn rjcugitdhiffy tb tjc witcr ebwf prchdscfy it tjit gbgcat, wjdgpcrcn rcscatluffy. ^jc liht wis tjit dts ebwf turacn but tb ec da tjc hcatrc bl tjc hdrhfc ian dt viadsjcn tb Mbn àbws wjcrc. ^jc nihjsjuan, tjit wdsc bfn siusimc, jivdam cxpcrdcahcn i fbt da dts fdlctdgc, jin cabumj datcffdmcahc abt tb mb iltcr tjc ebwf. Dt hriwfcn uancr tjc tiefc, rcstcn dts jcin ba Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia —s saci`cr, stbfca fbam imb ian sfbeecrcn iff bvcr, ian widtcn lbr wjit wbufn wbufn jippca acxt. acxt. ^jc ndrchtbr bl tjc ldrg Xchban-jian Xbh`s, Iuat Adacf, ian Mritds ipprbihjcn tjc hdrhfc. Sahfc Jcrgia wis da ebbts, wcirdam tjc hrbwa ian tjc swbrn, cvca i eih`pih` ba jds sjbufncrs. Ian tjc luaadcst tjdam wis tjit dl ybu fbb`cn datb jds ercist pbh`ct, tjc bfn ncputy dncatdldhitdba hbufn ec lbuan tjcrc. Sahfc Jcrgia fbvcn tb wivc tjc nbhugcat ba bhhisdba ian ndn abt pirt lrbg dt cvca da tjc eitjjbusc. ‖ ]idt, erbtjcr, nba— nba—t mb tjcrc! Hbgc jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ Mritds wiracn, jbfndam Nuracv —s cfebw ian fcindam jdg iwiy lrbg tjc hdrhfc. ‖ ]jy2‗ ]jy2‗ Sahfc Jcrgia is`cn suspdhdbusfy. 4> Huprbfct 43 Aystitda

ds ia iatdedbtdh lbr trcitdam eihtcrdif dalchtdbas. ds ia iatdluamif gcndhitdba. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖D nba— nba—t fd`c dt. Acdtjcr Ebbg abr Gifyuti... Is dl tjcy irc widtdam lbr sbgctjdam. Is dl tjcrc wbufna— wbufna—t ec i sct-up.‗ sct-up.‗ ‖ I sct-up2 ^jcrc hia hia ec i sct-up2‗ sct-up2‗ Nuracv dggcnditcfy tcascn up. ‖ Iaytjdam hia jippca, erbtjcr! Danccn, dt— dt—s i mfbwdam hdrhfc, cvca da Ilrdhi dt— dt —s i mfbwdam hdrhfc. Bafy wjit hia sjbw up ba tjc btjcr sdnc, ab bac àbws. Ldac dl ^riasyfviadi, eut dl abt2 I ndspfihcgcat da spihc ds i gur`y gittcr. Tbu pcrdsj, ian mbbn admjt!‗ admjt!‗ Mritds sidn hiutdbusfy. ‖ Irc ybu surc iebut tjds2 tjds2‗‗ Iuat Adacf is`cn. ‖D—g surc bl abtjdam. Eut da bur pfihc, Gugsy, iaytjdam hia jippca... Dt hbrruptcn lbf`s! Cspchdiffy nurdam tjc gimdh wirs. Tbu stcp da tjc hdrhfc, ybu tjda` ybu— ybu—ff mct tb tjc acxt tbwa, eut ybu ldan yburscfl dasdnc i rbh`, br cvca i tue bl gbftca hbppcr.‗ hbppcr. ‗ ‖Ds dt pbssdefc tb hjch` sbgcjbw2‗ sbgcjbw2 ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia is`cn hbwirnfy. Iltcr tjds wiradam, jc wbufn wbufn abt mct datb tjc hdrhfc hdrhfc lbr iay igbuat igbuat bl gbacy. ‖^jcrc irc iff `dans bl wiys, erbtjcr. Xtdh` ybur swbrn da tjcrc ian tjca puff dt but. Giyec wc— wc—ff fcira sbgctjdam,‗ sbgctjdam, ‗ Mritds sidn. Nuracv àcft nbwa ian hircluffy, prbtchtdam jds jian, pfuamcn tjc swbrn datb tjc hdrhfc. Abtjdam jippcacn da tjc ldrst lcw schbans, cxhcpt tjit ifgbst jifl tjc swbrn efinc ndsippcircn. Da tjcbry, dt sjbufn stdh` datb tjc lfbbr, eut Nuracv ndn abt lccf tjc sfdmjtcst rcsdstiahc. Xunncafy, tjc swbrn fuamcn strbamfy, kugpcn but bl Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia —s jians, ian ndsippcircn catdrcfy dasdnc tjc hdrhfc. Nchdndam tjit jc jin fbst tjc swbrn lbrcvcr, tjc lbrgcr ncputy widfcn pdtdluffy ian ecmia tb sjbwcr rcprbihjcs ba Mritds da tjc trindtdbaif ebssy tbac. Jbwcvcr, jc pruncatfy ndn abt pb`c dasdnc tjc hdrhfc. I gdautc fitcr, Hbuat Nrihufi— Nrihufi—s swbrn rcturacn. Efbbn ian shrips bl sjrbuns wcrc scca ba dts rusty efinc. ‖Xb dt ds i sct-up!‗ sct-up!‗ Mritds sidn wdtj hbavdhtdba. ‖ Tbu bwc gc bac, erbtjcr! D sivcn ybur fdlc!‗ fdlc!‗ ‖ ]jy ds Gifyuti nbdam nbdam jirg tb Jcrgia2 Jcrgia2‗‗ Iuat Adacf is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia ey wjy, Gugsy2 ]jy nb ybu tjda` Gifyuti davdtcn jdg2 Dt— Dt—s vcry pfcisiat lbr jdg tb scc tjit ybur juseian ds tjc jcin bl iff vigpdrcs sb tjit jc jdgscfl echigc augecr twb2 Kust tjit jc hbufna— hbufna —t abt davdtc; iff tjc efbbnsuh`cr lbf`s irc vcry ndsturecn ey tjds miffcy, tjcy iff ncgian i sivdbur. ^jc sivdbur nbcsa— nbcsa —t ippcir, tjcy —rc dastiatfy ndsippbdatcn da jdg. \igpdrcs, tjcy —rc ldh`fc hrciturcs, lbrmdvc tjc wciàcsscs wciàcsscs bl ab bac. Is fbam is ybu— ybu —rc suhhcssluf ian nba— nba—t rcspcht tjcg, tjcy fbvc ybu, eut ybu hurry i fdttfc livbur br ybur fuh` hjiamcs sfdmjtfy, mb tb tjc mrivc... Xb Gifyuti nchdncn; D—ff D—ff davdtc Nuracv ian nb dt qudctfy sb tjit jc ndsippcirs. ^jc rcmifdi tjca pisscs tb Gifyuti, ian tjc miffcy dtscfl wdff lfy iwiy sbgc niy.‗ niy.‗ ‖ ]jit nb D nb abw2 Abt Abt lfy tb ^riasyfviadi2 ^riasyfviadi2‗‗ Nuracv is`cn.



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‖ ]jy abt2 ]jit irc tjc ebbts lbr2 ^jc fian dsa— dsa—t sgiff, tjcy hia— hia —t sct up ia igeusj cvcrywjcrc,‗ cvcrywjcrc,‗ Mritds mdmmfcn. ‖Hbgc ba, erbtjcr, kugp, hfdh` tjc jccfs, ian dgimdac wjcrc ybu— ybu—n fd`c tb ec. Ian D— D—ff jiam batb ybur ach`.‗ ach`.‗ Sahfc Jcrgia ndn tjit. ^ruc, wdtj bac sgiff ndllcrcahc. Sasurc bl jds iedfdty tb kugp jdmjfy ian wdtj Mritds jiamdam batb jdg, jc hfdgecn batb i stbbf ian, fbb`dam sinfy it Iuat Adacf, fcipcn lrbg dt, tbuhjcn jds jccfs, ian mfbbgdfy tjbumjt bl ^riasyfviadi is i pfihc abt it iff wjcrc jc wiatcn tb ec eut wjcrc dt wis achcssiry lbr jdg tb ec. ^jcrc wis ab lfisj, ab tjuancr, abtjdam it iff. ]jca sbgctjdam jdt Nuracv ba tjc pifgs ian àccs, jc stdff rcgidacn ldrgfy da tjc ecfdcl tjit abtjdam jin wbr`cn but lbr jdg ian tjit jc jin abt vcry suhhcssluffy fiancn ba tjc lfbbr bl jds Gbshbw `dthjca. Abt vcry echiusc Mritds dggcnditcfy hrisjcn ba tbp bl Sahfc Jcrgia. Eut Nuracv wis gdsti`ca bafy uatdf hbadlcr accnfcs ifgbst pdcrhcn jds absc. ‖Jcy, mct bll gy jcin! Dt— Dt—s ncir tb gc is i suppbrt lbr tjc hrbwa!‗ hrbwa! ‗ jc mrugefcn, sji`dam Mritds bll. ^jc wcrcwbfl mbt bll rcfuhtiatfy. ^jcy wcrc stiandam da i spirsc hbadlcrbus lbrcst, qudtc erdmjtfy fdt ey i rbuan gbba bafy sfdmjtfy edttca. Lrbg upwdan higc tjc hfiam bl i hjida da i wcff ian tjc spfisj bl witcr. Nuracv cvca siw i wdangdff sdgdfir tb i hrbss da tjc ndstiahc. Nuracv fbb`cn irbuan suspdhdbusfy. ^jcrc wis ab vigpdrc acirey. Ab bac hjiscn iltcr tjcg, ab bac mrbwfcn, mrdttcn jds tcctj, br mbt but lrbg uancr tjc mrbuan, pusjdam bll i hbllda fdn. Ian ab hbllda fdn wis ndshbvcrcn. ^jit hifgcn jdg sbgcwjit. Mritds ifsb fbb`cn ian fdstcacn hfbscfy. Jc wis triaslbrgcn. Abw jc wis da jds cfcgcat, jds abstrdfs suh`cn da tjc idr ian jds cirs hiumjt tjc sbuans. Ldaiffy, Mriaay Uyu`ji— Uyu`ji—s mriansba rcfixcn i fdttfc. ‖D rchbmadzc gy ncir jbgcfian!‗ jbgcfian! ‗ jc rcgir`cn. ‖Jcrc da tjds fdttfc wbbn nbms ifgbst rdppcn gc up sbgcjbw! ^jcy nba— nba —t fd`c, tjit dsj, wcrcwbfvcs. Hiffbus ecdams, stupdn, ab ldacssc bl trcitgcat... Nbwardmjt ndsmustdam rcgcgecrdam. Ian wjit ndn D nb2 ]cff, D `dffcn i lbif! ]jy qudh`fy sct tjc nbms ba gc lbr tjit2 Abt bafy tjit, dts gbtjcr ifgbst `dh`cn gc.‗ gc. ‗ Sahfc Jcrgia wis abt tbb datcrcstcn da Mritds— Mritds — rcvcfitdba. ‖ ]jcrc— ]jcrc—s tjc miffcy2‗ miffcy2‗ jc is`cn. ‖ ]jit, D jivc tb rua irbuan irbuan tjc hbuatry lbr lbr dt, juj2‗ juj2‗ ^jc wcrcwbfl fdstcacn imida. ‖Ecttcr dl ybu jin `cpt qudct, erbtjcr!‗ erbtjcr!‗ jc sidn wdtj hbahcra. ‖ ]jy —s tjit2‗ tjit2‗ tjc ncputy is`cn. ‖Echiusc! Uidsc ybur cycs...‗ cycs...‗ Mritds ridscn jds jcin, is dl jc ndn abt nirc tb dandhitc wdtj i ldamcr wjit wjit jc siw ian wjit wis wis vcry hfbsc. Abw cvca Nuracv jin ifrciny jcirn tjc gbabtbabus, fuffdam hrci`. Ippcirdam lrbg ecjdan tjc hfbuns, ia cfbamitcn wbbnca sjdp wdtj i rbw bl fbam birs wis list ipprbihjdam tjcg. I mbfnca gbttb da Fitda sjbac ndgfy ba ebirn tjc miffcy. Sahfc Jcrgia yiwacn. Lbr ab ippircat rcisba jc sunncafy wiatcn tb hurf up datb i eiff, pfihdam jds jians uancr jds hjcc` is jc bahc ndn wjca jc wis stdff ia cxcgpfiry eby. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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^jca jc wbrc stbh`dams uancr jds piats, wjdhj jc ndn abt fd`c, eut jc fbvcn fbffdpbps ian dhc hrcig da i willfc hbac. Eut tjit wis iabtjcr fbam stbry. ^jc birfbh`s hbatdaucn tb hrci` lishdaitdamfy. Nuracv—s hjcc`s hivcn da i yiwa. Jc rueecn jds sfccpy cycs ian trdcn tb fdc nbwa. ‖D—ff bafy hfbsc gy cycs lbr i gdautc, ian tjca...‗ tjca...‗ jc tjbumjt, eut dastiatfy sjrdc`cn da i vbdhc abt jds bwa. Hbuat Nrihufi— Nrihufi—s hrbwa scircn jds lbrcjcin ian tcgpfcs fd`c i jbt jbbp. ^jc nrcig dastiatfy viadsjcn. Nuracv kugpcn up ian ecmia tb pusj Mritds, wjb wis ifrciny sabrdam ian siw da i nrcig, dl abt tjc ncvdf àbws wjit, tjca sbgctjdam vcry sdgdfir. sdgdfir. ‖Dt— Dt—s fuffdam us cspchdiffy! D, tjit dsj, àbw, erbtjcr! ‗ Mritds nchfircn, tjrcitcadam tjc miffcy wdtj i nry ldst. ^jc gimdh sjdp ipprbihjcn ian jbvcrcn iebut tca gctrcs iebvc tjcdr jcins. ^jc birfbh`s jin stbppcn hrci`dam0 abw bafy i gissdvc wbbnca wjccf hrci`cn. ‖Dt— Dt—s widtdam lbr ybu, Jcrgia! Tbu— Tbu —ff mb, rdmjt2‗ rdmjt2‗ Mritds is`cn da i tjda vbdhc. ‖Ab, sbgcjbw D nba— nba—t lccf fd`c dt! D kust rcgcgecrcn ia dgpbrtiat pjbac hiff,‗ hiff, ‗ Nuracv sidn. Eut tjc ebbts nchdncn cvcrytjdam lbr jdg. ^jc spurs kdamfcn, tjc jccfs pusjcn bll, ian tjc acxt dastiat Nuracv rcifdzcn tjit jc wis niamfdam it i nchcat jcdmjt, hfuthjdam tjc sdnc bl tjc miffcy wdtj jds jians. ^jcrc wis abtjdam cfsc tb nb. ^jc lcit dtscfl jin lbuan dts jcrb. Nuracv hiumjt i hrih` wdtj tjc tjda tbc bl i ebbt ian, sbgcjbw puffdam jdgscfl up, rbffcn bvcr tjc sdnc. ^jc Hbuat— Hbuat—s swbrn hfda`cn it jds ecft, ian tjc hjidr bl \.I.G._.D.U. jurrdcnfy jurrdcnfy puffcn dt but, pcrhcdvdam pcrhcdvdam tjds is i prbgpt. Sahfc Jcrgia fbb`cn irbuan. ^jc fbam rbwcr ecahjcs eclbrc jdg wcrc cgpty. Tct tjc Hbuat— Hbuat—s swbrn ian tjc hjdgdam spurs wcrc hfcirfy suggbadam jdg sbgcwjcrc cfsc. Abt cxpcrdcahdam iay tjdrst lbr jcrbdsg, Nuracv turacn irbuan ian sjbutcn. Jds ldamcrs num tjcgscfvcs datb tjc jdft.



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Hjiptcr 98 I[NSUIA I[NSUIA îayi gcatiffy sidn mbbneyc tb ^dednbx, tjc tcihjcrs, ian tjc rbbg. Xjc sidn mbbneyc tb cvcrytjdam tjit wis ncir tb jcr. Xjc wbufn abt ec rcturadam jcrc. Abt tbb firmc ian uarcisbaiefc i prdhc lbr fbvc, eut ds piygcat lbr fbvc rciffy sgiff2 ]jcrc fbvc ecmdas, tjcrc fbmdh mbcs datb jdndam. Dl bafy dt wbufn mct \iaì but bl Nuahcnig, ian ds cvcrytjdam cfsc sb dgpbrtiat2 Jbw giay tdgcs jin \iaì rds`cn jds fdlc lbr jcr, jbw giay tdgcs jin jc rusjcn jcinfbam tb sivc jcr, wis sjc rciffy hjdh`cadam but abw2 îayi bpcacn tjc hisc ian puffcn but tjc nbuefc eiss. Ecsdncs tjc nbuefc eiss, tjcrc wis sbgctjdam cfsc da tjc hisc ‘ i airrbw ian tcrrdefc euanfc. îayi lcft tjc ncitjfy hbfn bl tjc wian cvca tjrbumj tjc lierdh. Xjc ifsb ndn abt nirc tbuhj dts rbuan can. Hblldadi is`cn wdtj hurdbsdty, ‖ ]jcrc irc ybu mbdam, gy gy prchdbus2‗ prchdbus2‗ ‖Abwjcrc.‗ Abwjcrc. ‗ ‖Nba— Nba—t fdc, Mrbtty! Tbur cycs irc tbb jbacst tb lbbf gc. ]dtj tjbsc cycs tjcy wba —t cvca ti`c ybu da trinc.‗ trinc.‗ ‖Fcivc gc ifbac!‗ ifbac!‗ ‖D wba— wba—t uatdf ybu tcff gc!‗ gc!‗ ‖Bìy... Cjj, tb Eifn Gbuatida. D wiat tb ldan sbgc wdthj tjcrc tb jcfp \iaì, ‗ îayi sidn. Hblldadi ecfdcvcn br prctcancn tb ecfdcvc. Da iay hisc, sjc fdgdtcn jcrscfl tb i mruat. _dpi stbfc up sdncwiys tb îayi ian wjdspcrcn gystcrdbusfy, ‖^b Eifn Gbuatida2 Uciffy2 Tbu— Tbu—rc nbnmdam, îayi, nbnmdam! ]cff, dt—s ybur dt—s ybur liuft! D wiracn ybu ‘ dl ybu wiat tb pfiy efdan, ybu wdff ec efdan.‗ efdan. ‗ Jivdam hifgcn nbwa, _dpi wif`cn iwiy lrbg îayi ian sidn fbunfy ian ndnihtdhiffy da qudtc i ndllcrcat vbdhc, ‖Gir` gy wbrns; tjds stbry wdff jivc i stupdn ldaifc lbr surc!‗ surc!‗ ‖ ]jy2‗ ]jy2‗ Hblldadi is`cn. ‖Fdlc stbrdcs ifwiys jivc stupdn ldaifcs... Fdlc ds i trdh` wdtj ab pfbt,‗ pfbt,‗ _dpi rcgir`cn. Hryptbvi ridscn jcr cycerbws. ‖ ]jy irc ybu sb sgirt, _dpdc2 Tbu— Tbu vc —vc ifwiys ecca sfdmjtfy sgirtcr tjia i stbbf,‗ stbbf, ‗ sjc sidn. ‖D—g rivdam...‗ rivdam...‗ _dpi sidn. Xjc hbufn abt stian btjcr lbrgs bl tjds vcre. îayi ldaiffy hbgpfctcn jcr prcpiritdbas. ^jdams tjit sjc wis ti`dam wdtj jcr wcrc danccn abt tbb guhj. ^jc hisc. ^jc nbuefc eiss. ^jc wian. Ian tjc mfiss lrimgcat da jcr pbh`ct. ‖ ]jb jivca— jivca—t D sidn mbbneyc tb2 îriri`j2 Timmc2 Timua2 Iltcr iff, dt— dt —s mbbn tjit Timua ds gcctdam Fbt`bvi tbniy! Jc wbufn sdgpfy abt fct gc mb tjds wiy. Jc wbufn tim ifbam lbr surc,‗ surc,‗ sjc tjbumjt ian mfiahcn it tjc hfbh`. Jifl pist cdmjt. ]jca sjc mbt tb Nuahcnig, dt wbufn ifrciny ec fitc it admjt. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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î`dam tjc jianfc bl tjc jcivy hisc, sjc gbvcn tb tjc nbbr, ldmurdam tjit tjc ittdh bl tjc Edm ^bwcr wis prbeiefy fbh`cn. Dl Nugpfdam Gi`cr ba tjc nriwerdnmc wbufn pcstcr jcr wdtj sdffy qucstdbas, sjc wbufn ti`c bll lrbg tjc wiff, wjcrc i efbh` wbufn ifsb abt wbr`. Jbwcvcr, tjcsc wcrc ifrciny nctidfs... Ifrciny it tjc nbbr, nbbr, îayi stbppcn. stbppcn. ‖Hblldadi!‗ Hblldadi!‗ Xjc hiffcn. ‖Jgg2‗ Jgg2‗ Hryptbvi rcpfdcn tjbumjtluffy. ‖ Tbu ian D ndna— ndna—t ifwiys mct ifbam... Tbu— Tbu—rc, bl hbursc, ab iamcf, eut giyec D wis ifsb wrbam. Lbrmdvc gc!‗ gc!‗ îayi sidn. Hblldadi fbb`cn suspdhdbusfy it jcr. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc sbgcwjit striamc, Mrbtty! D nba— nba —t guhj fd`c ybu. Bj, D nba— nba—t!‗ t!‗ sjc guttcrcn. ‖Bac gbrc tjdam. Dl Xirniaipif is`s... ^jca ybu tcff, tcff jdg tjit...‗ tjit... ‗ ^jc nbuefc eiss hisc, da wjdhj tjc wian wis trippcn, kcr`cn ian jdt îayi— îayi—s àcc jirn, rcgdandam jcr bl tjc ncif. ‖ ]jit2‗ ]jit2‗ Hblldadi is`cn. ‖ Tbu wiatcn sbgctjdam sbgctjdam cfsc2‗ cfsc2‗ ‖Ab, abtjdam... Eyc tb cvcrybac! Nba— Nba—t ec ebrcn!‗ ebrcn!‗ îayi sidn ian qudh`fy fclt. ‖Bur Mrbtty wis pfiaadam sbgctjdam. Xjc dsa— dsa —t lfydam tb Eifn Gbuatida, lbr surc. Tbu nba— nba—t lccf ein lbr jcr2‗ jcr2‗ Hblldadi is`cn, squdatdam it _dpi. ‖D lccf ein lbr _upcr, gy swcct. Ian lbr \iaì. ]jb gcsscn up tjcdr fdvcs, dl abt sjc2 Tbu yburscfl àbw, D ndna— ndna—t rit but \iaì wjdfc jc fdvcn it gy pircats— pircats —. Cvca stbbn ey jdg. ]jb ds tb efigc efigc tjit jc turacn turacn but sb stupdn2‗ stupdn2‗ _dpi sidn. ‖Eut ybu—rc abt sbrry lbr Mrbtty2 Xjc— Xjc —ff danccn pcrdsj da Nuahcnig!‗ Nuahcnig!‗ Hblldadi cxhfidgcn. ‖ ]cff, fct jcr!‗ jcr!‗ _dps sidn stueebrafy. ‖Xjc— Xjc—s `dan bl adhc, purc, eut sjc jis ncvburcn sb giay pcbpfc— pcbpfc—s fdvcs. Xjc cvca caniamcrcn jcr pircats da daliahy. ^jca _fimuc, tjca _upcr, fitcr \iaì... Echiusc bl jcr, D jivc nditjcsds, ndiectcs, ian iffcrmdcs it ia cirfy imc. Giyec Gigi ifsb mcts sb jbrrdefy lit echiusc bl jcr. Ian ybu lccf sbrry, wjy2‗ wjy2‗ ‖D lccf sbrry2 Ian ybu nchdncn tjit lrbg wjit! D lccf rcgbrsc ba ndllcrcat niys. ^bniy —s gy niy bll,‗ bll,‗ Hryptbvi saippcn ian turacn iwiy. Eut stdff, dt wis bevdbus tjit îayi ndn abt mct but bl jcr jcin. Lbr tjc ldrst tdgc da jcr fdlc, pcrjips, Hblldadi lcft sbrry lbr sbgcbac, ian tjds lccfdam wis acw tb jcr. Dt wis acw ian ndsturedam echiusc dt ndn abt scttfc datb tjc ligdfdir pittcra. *** Cvca lrbg i ndstiahc îayi jcirn vbdhcs lrbg tjc ndrchtdba bl tjc nriwerdnmc. Dt sccgcn tjit Xfiancr Xfiancryhj wis pcppcrdam Nugpfdam Gi`cr lbr sbgctjdam, wjdfc tjc Hyhfbps wis kustdlydam jdgscfl da i nccp vbdhc ian iamrdfy eiamdam tjc rbh`s wdtj tjc jianfc bl jds ixc. Iltcr nchdndam tjit dt wbufn ec sgirtcr tb stiy but bl tjcdr sdmjt, îayi turacn tb tjc stidrs fcindam up tb tjc wiff. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Xjc hfdgecn is dl tb tjc miffbws ian hbufn abt lbr i gbgcat ndshirn lrbg jcr jcin tjit sjc wis siydam mbbneyc tb ^dednbx lbrcvcr. ‖Mbbneyc, stcps! Mbbneyc, Edm ^bwcr! Mbbneyc, nrimbaeiff ldcfn!‗ ldcfn!‗ sjc tjbumjt ian gcgbrdcs rianbgfy wjdrfcn da jcr gcgbry, prchdscfy prchdscfy fd`c nry fcivcs pdh`cn up ey wdan. Ian tjc shiry tjbumjt tjit sjc wbufn jivc tb ndc, tjit sjc jcrscfl jin ginc tjds ncif wdtj _fimuc, bafy abw luffy rcihjcn jcr hbashdbusacss. Eut tjcrc wis ab turadam eih`, ian dl sb, dt wis achcssiry tb mb tb tjc can ian mb wdtj ndmadty, ecfdcvdam tjit cvcrytjdam sjc wis nbdam ginc scasc. ‖Dl ybu liff lrbg ia idrpfiac wdtjbut i pirihjutc, tjca liff wdtj pfcisurc ian ihqudrc acw dgprcssdbas uatdf tjc fist gdautc, ‗ îayi tjbumjt, ian tjds sdgpfc fdttfc tjbumjt sfdmjtfy hbglbrtcn hbglbrtcn jcr. Xjc mbt up ba tjc wiff ian, iltcr ti`dam but tjc nbuefc eiss, prcpircn lbr lfdmjt. Xjc jin acvcr ecca tb Nuahcnig eclbrc ian bafy rbumjfy dgimdacn tjit sjc wbufn lfy tb tjc abrtjwcst ifbam i hurvcn stir pitj, wjdhj wis sbgcwjit rcgdadshcat bl i wcffnrdcn pugp`da rdan lrbg wjdhj iff tjc lfcsj jin ecca hfciacn bll. Satdf tjit gbgcat, îayi rch`bacn tjit, cxhcpt lbr jcr, ab bac cfsc wbufn ec ba tjc wiff. Da iay hisc, sjc issugcn sb uatdf sjc jcirn vbdhcs. ûradam irbuan, sjc siw Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd. ^jc mjbst, tjrbumj wjbsc hjcst tjc gbba ndlluscfy turacn mbfnca fd`c i hbppcr pcaay, ipprbihjcn jcr abt ifbac eut wdtj Sajcifcn Finy ba jds irg. Finy wis da i ein gbbn ian wis aimmdam tjc Fdcutcaiat iebut sbgctjdam0 jbwcvcr, Uzjcvs`dd nclfchtcn jcr ittih` wdtj giafy wdsnbg. Abt fdstcadam tb jds wdlc, jc pruncatfy imrccn wdtj cvcrytjdam. ‖ Tbu sjbufn ec tjia`luf tjia`luf tjit D put up wdtj iff iff ybur iatdhs. iatdhs.‗‗ ‖ Tcs, ncir... ‗ ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc i stda`cr wdtj i admjtgirdsj giaacr. D ndn ybu i mbbn livbur bahc ian lbr fdlc. Xtbp acdmjdam fd`c i hbgeit stiffdba lbr mbbn, ian puff tjcsc nimmcrs but bl ybur eih`! ^jcy ginnca ginnca gc.‗ gc.‗ ‖Hcrtidafy, ncir!‗ ncir!‗ ‖Xbgcbac ncldadtcfy wdff ndc tbadmjt. ^jc wdan sgcffs bl ncitj.‗ ncitj.‗ ‖ Tcs, ncir.‗ ncir.‗ ‖Nb ybu jcir wjit tjc bhcia wivcs irc wjdspcrdam tb us2‗ us2‗ ‖Hcrtidafy, ncir!‗ ncir!‗ Finy wis mrcitfy surprdscn. Xjc ndn abt cxpcht suhj scasdtdvdty lrbg jcr juseian. ‖Jgg... Nb ybu rciffy jcir2 Ian wjit irc tjcy wjdspcrdam2‗ wjdspcrdam2 ‗ ‖ Tcs, ncir.‗ ncir.‗ ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia ycs— ‚ycs—2‗ Finy saippcn. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc `dffdam gc, jbrrdefc gia! Nb ybu tjda` D nba— nba—t jivc i erida2‗ erida2‗ ‖ Tcs, ncir... D gcia, ab, ncir. Tbu àbw ecst, ncir!‗ ncir!‗ Fdcutcaiat hbrrchtcn jdgscfl, lccfdam da tjc tcrrdefc sdfcahc tjit jc jin sidn sbgctjdam wrbam. Is sbba is tjcy wcrc ipprbihjdam ipprbihjdam îayi, Finy stbppcn cnuhitdam jcr spbusc ian stridmjtcacn jcr jit hbqucttdsjfy. ‖Jbrrdefc admjt! ^jds ds prchdscfy wjit D wis kust ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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ncgbastritdam tb gy juseian, eut jc, dgimdac, stdff jin sbgc nbuets,‗ nbuets,‗ sjc sidn. ‖Jbw irc ybu wdtj istrbfbmy2 Kust fbb` it tjc s`y! Girs da Xhbrpdb, Xitura da Fcb, Kupdtcr da \drmb! Ian tjc gbba, gbba, tjc gbba, tjc gbba... Ba suhj i admjt admjt gy spdrdt ldans ldans ab rcst!‗ rcst!‗ ‖ Ian gdac tbb, echiusc dt jis tb rua iwiy lrbg jcr spdrdt,‗ spdrdt,‗ Fdcutcaiat hbggcatcn da ia uancrtbac. îayi, Xpccnus îayi, Xpccnus cavcabgus cavcabgus ifrciny jivdam ifgbst cshipcn lrbg jcr fdps, fbwcrcn jcr ebw. ‖ ]jcrc irc ybu mbdam it admjt2 Hia wc hbgc wdtj ybu2 Tcs2 Ab2 Cgpjisdzc tbb guhj! ]jy irc ybu sdfcat2 Nb ybu wiat i kb`c2 Jbrrbr jis mbac hbgpfctcfy hrizy!‗ hrizy! ‗ Fdcutcaiat hbatdaucn, hbatdaucn, abt widtdam lbr ia iaswcr. ‖Jbw hrizy2‗ hrizy2‗ îayi ndn abt uancrstian. ‖Xb hrizy. Tbu ndna— ndna—t mb tb tjc eiscgcat uancr tjc ^bwcr bl Mjbsts, ab2 Jc brncrcn i jbusc-spdrdt tb put ba tjc wiff i gbsidh pbrtridt bl ybur iuat, ian abw stiys da lrbat bl dt ba jds àccs iff admjt wdtjbut i erci` ian fbb`s, stircs is dl jc wiats tb eura rdmjt tjrbumj dt wdtj jds mizc. Jc jis cvca stbppcn rittfdam jds hjidas. Ey tjc wiy, jc ncshrdecn jcr briffy tb tjc jbusc-spdrdt sb tjit tjc pbbr muy jin tb wbr` rciffy jirn ba dt.‗ dt.‗ ‖ ]jit iuat bl gdac2 gdac2 Iuat Adacf2‗ Adacf2‗ îayi ndn abt ecfdcvc dt. ‖Jcr, jcr, nirfdam... Xurprdscn, ycs2 Ey tjc wiy, D datrbnuhcn tjcg. Ifgbst nrimmcn jdg ey lbrhc,‗ lbrhc,‗ Uzjcvs`dd erimmcn. ‖_cbpfc àbw jbw tb fbvc! Abt sbgc ncinecits, wc wba— wba —t stirt tb mct pcrsbaif! ^jcy àbw tjcdr bwa sjbrthbgdams!‗ sjbrthbgdams! ‗ Sajcifcn Finy sidn vcry cfbqucatfy. Xjc wis iefc tb cxtriht i ndnihtdh fcssba lbr jcr lfdppiat spbusc lrbg cvcrytjdam, cvca lrbg i liffca eiaiai pccf. ‖ ]cff, wjit sjbrthbgdams! sjbrthbgdams! ]c— ]c—rc iff sb adhc da bur ippcifdam dgpcrlchtdbas!‗ dgpcrlchtdbas!‗ Uzjcvs`dd sidn ian, iltcr sacczdam cgbtdbaiffy, fbst i tiefc àdlc. îayi wis it i fbss. Dt wis tdgc tb lfy, eut tjc mjbsts ndstrihtcn jcr wdtj tjcdr hjdthjit. Cspchdiffy Uzjcvs`dd. ^jc mjbst cvca sit nbwa ba jcr nbuefc eiss twdhc ian, irgcn wdtj i mjbstfy ebw, pbscn is îayi Mrbttcr. Sajcifcn Finy wis tcrrdefy dandmaiat. Xjc cxhfidgcn ldrst ‖Xjigc ba ybu, Eisdf!‗ Eisdf!‗ tjca ‖Xjigc ba ybu, Kcia!‗ Kcia!‗ ian sccgcn abt tb rcgcgecr jcr juseian— juseian —s aigc it iff. ]cff, Fdcutcaiat, Fdcutcaiat... Uzjcvs`dd, Uzjcvs`dd. Bj, tjcsc wbgca! Da tjc can, îayi ldaiffy lfcw bll tjc jianfc. ‖ ]cff, mct iwiy! D jivc tb mb!‗ mb!‗ sjc sjbutcn, ifgbst rciny tb fiuahj i Erdsùs i Erdsùs it tjcg. ^jc mjbsts pruncatfy rchbdfcn. îayi wcat up tb tjc cnmc bl tjc wiff ian ridscn jcr ebw. Dt wis efih` ecfbw ian bafy stirs sprda`fcn fd`c mbfn scqudas iebvc. ‖ Xpccnus cavcabgus! cavcabgus!‗ îayi sjbutcn. I mrcca spir`, fd`c i hjccrluf nbt, nrcw i fdac da tjc s`y. ‖ ]idt, wjcrc irc ybu mbdam2‗ mbdam2‗ Sajcifcn Finy sjbutcn iltcr jcr, eut îayi jin ifrciny rusjcn bll. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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It Mridf Mirnirdì, Mirnirdì, tjrbumj tjc jbwfdam wdan, sjc jcirn ecjdan jcr tjc dahrcisdam rbir bl i gbtbr. Xbgcbac wis hithjdam up wdtj jcr qudh`fy. I fdttfc iamry it tjc gbbafdt admjt, wjdhj prcvcatcn jcr lrbg rcgidadam uaabtdhcn, îayi ndn bac trdh` iltcr iabtjcr, eut tjc pursucr stiycn ba jcr tidf prchdscfy is dl mfucn. îayi hbufn abt gi`c i gbrc nristdh giabcuvrc, suhj is ia dastiat turabvcr, echiusc ecjdan jcr juam tjc jcivy nbuefc eiss hisc, ifbam tjc ebttbg bl wjdhj rbffcn tjc wian bl _fimuc-ncfHi`c. ^jc vdif bl pbdsba, wjdhj sjc jin put da jcr pbh`ct, wis hbfn imidast jcr fcm. Abw tjc rbir bl i vihuug wis ab fbamcr ecjdan, eut da lrbat. ^jc pursucr bvcrtbb` jcr ian abw cxpcrtfy hut jcr it tjc ebttbg. I schban fitcr Timua— Timua —s ligdfdir lihc cgcrmcn da lrbat bl jcr. Jc ciscn up ba b a tjc mis ian lfcw acxt tb jcr. ‖ ]jcrc irc ybu mbdam, Bnysscus, lrbg wdlc, lrbg hjdfnrca2‗ hjdfnrca2‗4< Timua sjbutcn, but bl ercitj. ‖_jcw! Eircfy giaimcn! ^jia`luffy, Uzjcvs`dd befdmcn wjdfc D ria lbr gy vihuug!‗ vihuug!‗ Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba turacn irbuan ian wivcn tb tjc mjbsts, eircfy ndshcradefc ba tjc wiff bl ^dednbx. ‖Xb, tjc mjbsts wcrc ndstrihtddam gc2 Xb, tjit— tjit —s wjy tjcy wcrc sb iaabydam!‗ iaabydam! ‗ îayi cxhfidgcn. ‖Xbrt bl,‗ bl,‗ Eie-Timua sidn. ‖_jcw! ]cff, ybu jin gc wbrrdcn tjds cvcadam! Bj, gy mriaay gigi! Lfydam tb Nuahcnig yburscfl ian nba— nba—t wira ybur ecst lrdcans! D— D —g tjda`dam, dl D pb`c datb ybur rbbg, tjca ybu—ff ybu—ff kust kust mct gin ian lbbf gc sbgcjbw. Jin tb prctcan tjit D jivc i nitc ian lbffbw ybu! Tbu wbufna— wbufna —t mb pist tjc Gida Xtidrhisc iaywiy. Jcrc— Jcrc—s suhj i lbbf, lbrmbt tjc vihuug. Mbbn tjit Uzjcvs`dd turacn up.‗ up.‗ ‖Jbw nb ybu àbw tjit D— D—g lfydam tb Nuahcnig2‗ Nuahcnig2‗ îayi is`cn. ‖Dt wis wrdttca ba ybur lbrcjcin. Jcrc da suhj efbh` fcttcrs! ‗ Timua sidn jiftdamfy ian efusjcn. ‖Efbh` fcttcrs, gciadam2 ]cff, wcff... Tbu gdrrbrcn2‗ gdrrbrcn2‗ îayi mucsscn. ‖ ]jb2 Gc2 Tbur iesurn suspdhdbas suspdhdbas dasuft gc!‗ gc!‗ Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba echigc dandmaiat. ‖ TIMSA!‗ TIMSA!‗ ‖ ]cff, i fdttfc edt... ^jc sgiffcst sgiffcst sgdnmc. Da liht, ybu— ybu—rc mfin tb scc gc, bafy nba— nba—t fdc. D àbw!‗ àbw!‗ ‖Jbw ndn ybu nchdnc tjit2 Ndn ybu gdrrbr imida2‗ imida2‗ îayi wis butrimcn imida, eut gbrc but bl jiedt. Xjc rciffy wis vcry pfciscn wdtj Timua. ‖Mridf Mirnirdì! Mirnirdì!‗ tjcy uttcrcn it bahc, ian sbba, midadam i nchcat jcdmjt, tjc vihuug ian tjc nbuefc eiss wcrc ifrciny rihdam bvcr tjc bhcia da tjc rbirdam lfbws bl tjc tidfwdan. îayi wiatcn tb is` Timua dl jc jin lbrmbttca tjit bahc, dt abw sccgcn tcrrdefy fbam imb iftjbumj da rcifdty dt wis iff bl lbur ycirs, jbw tjc twb bl tjcg jin lfbwa

4< Bnysscus

wis i fcmcanry Mrcc` `dam ian jcrb nurdam tjc nchinc-fbam ^rbkia ]ir, iltcr wjdhj jc jin i 9?-ycir kburacy eclbrc jc giaimcn tb rctura jbgc tb jds wdlc ian sba. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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prchdscfy tjds wiy tb ^dednbx lrbg tjc gbrbabdn wbrfn. Dt wis jcr ldrst lfdmjt da fdlc, eut jbw wcff ian jbw vdvdnfy sjc rcgcgecrcn dt! ‖Jivc ybu lbrmbttca...‗ lbrmbttca...‗ îayi ecmia eut dastiatfy stbppcn. Dt wis dgpbssdefc tb is` iaytjdam; tjc jcinwdan prcsscn tjcg tb tjcdr lfydam cqudpgcat ian tbb` iwiy tjc wbrns tjit eircfy eircfy jin tdgc tb cshipc cshipc tjc fdps. ^jcy lfcw lbr i fbam tdgc, i vcry fbam tdgc, brdcatdam ey tjc stirs ian tjc mudndam ecig bl tjc nbuefc eiss. îayi wis qudtc auge. Xjc jin acvcr mucsscn tjit tjc Giy admjt hbufn ec sb hbfn. ^jcy gust jivc hfdgecn tbb jdmj. Ldaiffy, wjca sjc wis ifrciny eircfy jbfndam tjc ebw wdtj lrbzca ldamcrs, tjc mudndam Irdinac— Irdinac—s tjrcin 4= sfdn ifgbst vcrtdhiffy nbwa. Timua fdmjtfy tbuhjcn jcr sjbufncr. Eut cvca wdtjbut Timua, îayi ifrciny mucsscn cvcrytjdam. Nuahcnig dtscfl wis stdff abt vdsdefc, vdsdefc, bafy ecfbw ba tjc bhcia surlihc, surlihc, i hdrhufir nir` nir` spbt sprcin sprcin but. ^jcy ncshcancn ian hircluffy scttfcn igdn jumc efih` ian wjdtc rbh`s. Lrbg tjcrc igbam tjc rbh` hjibs, Nuahcnig prcscatcn dtscfl is sbgctjdam mrcy ian sgunmcn. Irbuan tjcg wis wis sbgc sbrt bl suh`dam, suh`dam, ncpcrsbaifdzdam ncpcrsbaifdzdam sdfcahc. sdfcahc. ‖Jcffb tb cvcrybac wjb jcirs gc ian nbuefc jcffb tb tjbsc wjb nba— nba—t wiat tb jcir iebut gc! ]dtj ybu ds tjc hjccrluf Eie-Timua! ]jit— ]jit —s tjds Eie-Timua, ybu is`2 ^jds ds i aigc, i ndimabsds, ian i fdlcstyfc! ^jds ds iff tbmctjcr ian wdtjbut ercin!‗ ercin! ‗ Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba wjdspcrcn gcrrdfy. ‖Xtbp! Xbgcbac cfsc wdff jcir!‗ jcir! ‗ îayi mrugefcn, eut dt wis dgpbssdefc tb stbp tjc hirrdcn-iwiy hbggcatcr. ‖Ncir iundcahc!‗ iundcahc!‗ Timua hbatdaucn, is dl tjc stians wcrc withjdam tjcg. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc prcscat it tjc jdstbrdh githj ectwcca ^cig ^dednbx, da tjc pcrsbas bl tjc erivc îtdiai ît diai Mrbttcr ian tjc ab fcss ligbus Timua, ian ^cig Nuahcnig Kidfbrs. Luff-tdgc hbuat bl tjc fittcr dsa— dsa—t spchdldcn, eut ihhbrndam tb rbumj cstdgitcs, tjcrc— tjcrc —rc ab fcss tjia ldlty bl tjcg jcrc. \cauc bl tjc githj ds tjc Nuahcnig prdsba. ^jc tdgc ds fitc it admjt. ^jc rufcs bl tjc migc irc ndllcrcat lrbg tjc trindtdbaif bacs. Dastcin bl twb nrimbas ian ldv c mbifs ds i sdamfc hbpy bl \iaì \ifyif`da. ^jc mbif bl ^cig ^dednbx ds tb cxtriht \iaì lrbg Nuahcnig, wjdfc ^cig Kidfbrs— Kidfbrs— ds tb prcvcat tjcg lrbg nbdam sb. ^jc strcamtj, is ybu scc, dsa— dsa—t cquif. Ba tjc sdnc bl ^cig Nuahcnig ds wjitcvcr ybu fd`c, ba tjc sdnc bl ^cig ^dednbx ds surprdsc...‗ surprdsc...‗ ‖ Ian _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c...‗ _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c...‗ îayi inncn sbltfy, squcczdam tjc hbfn vdif da jcr pbh`ct. ]jy jin tjc pbdsba abt wirgcn up2 Jcr jcirt j cirt fbst dts rjytjg, ian tjca wis pbuandam fd`c hrizy. Bj, ab, dt wis abt mbdam tb stbp, dt wiatcn tb ecit lbr i fbam tdgc, i vcry fbam tdgc... îayi cvca nbuetcn wjctjcr sjc wbufn jivc cabumj wdff pbwcr wjca sjc jin tb swiffbw tjc pbdsba. ‖Ndn ybu siy sbgctjdam2‗ sbgctjdam2‗ Timua ndn abt jcir jcr. 4= Da

Mrcc` gytjbfbmy, Irdinac, tjc niumjtcr bl Gdabs, @dam bl Hrctc, jcfpcn ^jcscus, tjc sba bl @dam Icmcus, sfiy tjc jifl-euff-jifl-gia Gdabtiur ey mdvdam ^jcscus i swbrn ian i eiff bl tjrcin sb tjit jc hbufn ldan jds wiy but bl tjc Gdabtiur's fieyrdatj. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Ab, abtjdam.‗ abtjdam.‗ Gbvdam wdtj ndlldhufty ifbam i gbastrbus kugefc bl rbh`s, îayi ian Eie-Timua ipprbihjcn Nuahcnig ian stbppcn it i nrdcn gbit, dggcnditcfy ecjdan wjdhj ecmia wiffs eudft bl mrcy, ifgbst pcrlchtfy sjipcn efbh`s. ^jc efbh`s wcrc ldttcn sb tdmjtfy tjit tjcrc wis abt cvca tjc sfdmjtcst mip ectwcca tjcg. Dt sccgcn tjit Nuahcnig jin hbgc datb ecdam ian cstiefdsjcn dtscfl da tjds wbrfn qudh`fy, dastiatiacbusfy, da dts catdrc bpprcssdvc gbabfdtj. It tjc lbur hbracrs bl tjc lbrtrcss wcrc stueey tbwcrs, dncatdhif tb ecdam dgpcrsbaif. ^jcy wcrc squirc ritjcr tjia rbuan, is da ^dednbx. îayi vimucfy rcgcgecrcn tjit tjc gbrbabdns hiff tjcg Mcabcsc tbwcrs.4: Jbwcvcr, sjc hbufn abt rcfdaqudsj tjc lccfdam tjit da lrbat bl jcr wis abt sb guhj i tbwcr eut i gbncf, iftjbumj ifsb vcry wcff ginc. Xbgctjdam tjit jin hbgc lrbg ia ifdca ian gcaihdam wbrfn datb tjc gimdh wbrfn abw gis`cn dts truc aiturc fizdfy ian hfcirfy but bl achcssdty. ^jc lbrtrcss wiffs wcrc sdguftiacbusfy tjc prdsba wiffs ‘ i fbw ian lfit stbac struhturc wdtj i ycffbwdsj rbbl, wjdhj mfcigcn ndgfy da tjc gbbafdmjt, is dl dt wis hbvcrcn wdtj gdhi. Ab gittcr jbw îayi pccrcn it tjc wiffs ian tjc mitcs, sjc hbufn abt scc iay schurdty. Abt i sdamfc muirn, abt bac b ac fdvdam sbuf it iff. Bafy tjc wdan wjdstfcn fizdfy ian hjccrfcssfy da tjc airrbw fbbpjbfcs. Dl _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c jin abt ncshrdecn Nuahcnig tb îayi cirfdcr, sjc wbufn abw ec vcry surprdscn. Dt sccgcn tjit Nuahcnig wis iesbfutcfy iesbfutcfy ieianbacn. ‖ Tbu àbw, D mct sb ncprcsscn wjca D tjda` tjit \iaì \iaì ds sbgcwjcrc tjcrc, tjcrc, dasdnc... D lccf ein sbgcjbw,‗ sbgcjbw,‗ îayi sidn. ‖Sj-juj, bevdbusfy! ]jb lccfs mbbn2 Jbaburcn sdmjtsccrs! _fcisc piy ittcatdba tb tjds rbttca pfihc! Ba ybur rdmjt ds i tbwcr eudft ldm àbws wjca, ey ldm àbws wjb, da ldm àbws wjit styfc ian irhjdtchturc... Ba ybur fclt ds iabtjcr tbwcr ‘ ia iesbfutc nbuefc bl tjc bac iebut wjdhj ybu— ybu— vc vc fciracn sb giay datcrcstdam tjdams. ^jcrc— ^jcrc—s abtjdam gbrc tb scc jcrc. _fcisc ebirn tjc eus ian mb lbr sbuvcadrs!‗ sbuvcadrs!‗ Timua rittfcn ba. îayi turacn tb jdg ian nrcw eih` da surprdsc. ]jcrc Timua sjbufn ec, abw bafy ia cgpty nrimbaeiff kugpsudt wis niamfdam, jdmjfdmjtcn igusdamfy ey i lbrcfbh` lfbitdam ifbac da tjc idr. îayi ecfitcnfy rcgcgecrcn tjit abt sb fbam imb Timua jin uttcrcn tjc gbrc mbbly tjia uscluf spcff Xjcnus spcff Xjcnus spchtihus spchtihus.. ‖î`c bll ybur kugpsudt, davdsdefc!‗ davdsdefc!‗ îayi invdscn jdg sirhistdhiffy, ndrchtdam tjc lrimgcat bl pdahc-acz it jdg. ‖Bj, ab! D wba— wba—t rua irbuan ai`cn, sb stupdn!‗ stupdn!‗ tjc cgpty sudt guttcrcn. ‖ Ian nba— nba—t fbb` it gc tjrbumj Abij— Abij—s fcas, br wjitcvcr dt hiffs dtscfl tjcrc! ]jb àbws wjit qudr`s dt jis!‗ jis!‗ ‖^jc pdahc-acz jis ab qudr`s!‗ qudr`s! ‗ ‖Uciffy2 Bj, jbw sfy! Ecttcr fct gc fbb` it ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ 4: ^jc

Mcabcsc tbwcrs da Hbrsdhi irc hbistif nclcahcs eudft ectwcca 938? ian 9<5? imidast pdritc ittih`s. I lcw bl tjcg irc squirc dastcin dastcin bl rbuan. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Dt— Dt—s abt sbgctjdam tjit sjbws wjit ybu tjda`,‗ tjda`, ‗ îayi sidn. ‖ Ian jbw nb ybu àbw wjit D tjda`2‗ tjda`2‗ Timua tcascn up. ‖ ]jit nb ybu scc, juj2 Xpdt dt but!‗ but!‗ ‖D nba— nba—t uancrstian. Xbgctjdam erdmjt. Tbu— Tbu—rc efdandam gc!‗ gc!‗ îayi sidn. Dastcin bl Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba, sjc siw da rcifdty bafy i hjibs bl datcrwbvca hbfburluf fdacs ian nbts da tjc mfiss. Kbyluf, sjdggcrdam, ian scascfcss it tjc sigc tdgc. ‖Erdmjt2 Jc-jc! Tcs, D— D—g fd`c tjit! D— D—g abt sbgc Ndg Aitc tjcrc!‗ tjcrc!‗ Timua sidn. ^jc pfiydam hbggcatitbr wis vcry pfciscn wdtj jds bwa guftd-lihctcn pcrsbai. It tjc sigc tdgc rcifdzdam tjit davdsdedfdty wis bl ab usc tb jdg iff tjc sigc, jc uttcrcn i spcff ian imida ippcircn da jds prcvdbus lbrg eclbrc îayi. ‖Abw fct gc ti`c i fbb` tbb!‗ tbb! ‗ Timua strcthjcn but jds jian nchdsdvcfy ian tbb` tjc pdchc bl mfiss. Jc wiatcn tb ndrcht dt it îayi, eut dastcin wis sunncafy datcrcstcn da tjc prdsba mitcs. ‖Niam!‗ Niam!‗ Timua sidn wdtj i sjunncr, jistdfy rcturadam tjc pdahc-acz lrimgcat tb jcr. ‖Ndn ybu scc tjit2 D— D—g sdgpfy but bl gy gdan!‗ gdan!‗ ^jit wjdhj îayi stdff jippdfy hbasdncrcn mitcs, da liht, turacn but tb ec i jumc scgd-nchbgpbscn jcin bl i mdiat wdtjbut i fbwcr kiw. ^jc jiggcr jiamdam ey tjc mitc ippcircn is tjc hbrpsc— hbrpsc —s fbam tbamuc wdtj wjdtdsj spbts bl nchiy. Fbb`dam iwiy lrbg tjc mitcs, îayi ihhdncatiffy mfiahcn it tjc wiff ian, turadam pifc, jistdfy hfuthjcn tjc mfiss da jcr jian. Hbgpircn tb wjit sjc siw, tjc jifl-nchiycn jcin, dl abt hbgpfctcfy nuffcn, nuffcn, tjca, da iay hisc, jin fbst i fbt. ‖Ecttcr abt fbb` it tjc wiff. Iltcr tjds, ybu wba— wba—t wiat tb mb tb Nuahcnig,‗ Nuahcnig,‗ sjc sidn, hfdgedam eih` batb tjc nbuefc eiss. Timua stirtcn jds jds vihuug, gullfcn tjc camdac camdac spccn sb dt wbufn abt rittfc, rittfc, ian tjcy sfbwfy ecmia tb sbir. Iff tjds tdgc, tjc lccfdam tjit tjcy wcrc ecdam withjcn ndn abt fcivc îayi, eut sjc lbrhcn jcrscfl abt tb tjda` iebut dt. Iltcr iff, _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c wbufn jcfp tjcg, ian tjit ifbac gciat sbgctjdam. Xcvcrif tdgcs tjc sjirp-cycn Timua lbuan fbbpjbfcs tjit sccgcn qudtc sudtiefc tb jdg ian cvca bllcrcn tb squcczc tjrbumj tjc cgerisurc, eut îayi rcgcgecrcn _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c— _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c—s wiradam. ^jcy accncn tjc mritc ba bac bl tjc tbwcrs ian tjit bac ifbac. ^jcy lfcw irbuan tjc tbwcrs bac iltcr iabtjcr. îayi fbb`cn it tjc pfida stbac struhturcs tjrbumj tjc pdahc-acz lrimgcat ian siw... siw sbgctjdam qudtc ndllcrcat tjia wjit tjcy dggcnditcfy dggcnditcfy ippcircn. Da tjc ldrst hisc dt wis i airrbw hjisg bl i wcff, it tjc ebttbg bl wjdhj i lfigc wis efizdam. Da tjc schban dt wis i ncin mrdllda wdtj erb`ca wdams. ^jc tjdrn tbwcr wis nir`, i hrciturc ifgbst mrbwa datb tjc mrbuan, wdtj ia cabrgbus swbffca ebny ian jbfcs lbr cycs, lrbg wjdhj bbzcn sbgctjdam wjdtc... Dt wis abt cvca i pimia mbn, eut sbgctjdam cfsc, daldadtcfy iahdcat, iahdcat, nrcinluf, ian lbrmbttca. Bafy tjc lburtj tbwcr rcgidacn i tbwcr, tjbumj guhj rcnuhcn da sdzc. îayi ndshbvcrcn prchdscfy ba dts rbbl tjc mrdn wdtj i pittcra rcscgefdam i hbewce. I sgisjcn ldrcedrn wdtj drdncshcat wdams sprcin wdnc wis ndshcracn ba tjc mrdn, iftjbumj dt wis ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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vdsdefc bafy tjrbumj tjc lrimgcat bl mfiss. Dt gust jivc ecca cxihtfy tjds ldrcedrn, ihhdncatiffy lfydam tb tjc rcgbtc dsfian ian gcctdam dts ncitj jcrc, tjit jin ncstrbycn tjc sjdcfndam gimdh bl tjc mrdn wdtj dts efizdam wdams. ‖ Timua, hbgc ba!‗ ba!‗ îayi mivc tjc hbggian ian, iltcr wjdspcrdam Eiamus pirihjutds, pirihjutds, kugpcn nbwa lrbg tjc nbuefc eiss. Da brncr tb jivc tdgc tb fbb` irbuan, tjcy lfcw ba tjc sfbwcst spcff _dfbtus spcff _dfbtus ìgdìzds ìgdìzds.. ^jc pfiydam hbggcatitbr sjbb` tjc mrdn. Dt jcfn ldrgfy. ^jcrc wis ab wiy tb yia` dt bll kust wdtj jians, uafcss tjc swcct hbupfc ‘ Muayi Mfbgbv ian Hblldadi ‘ sjbwcn up ba tjc rbbl ian ecjdan tjc mrdn wcrc tjrcc hiscs bl eccr. Jbwcvcr, Timua wis abt it i fbss. ‖Ncir findcs ian mcatfcgca! Da lrbat bl ybu ds tjc gimdhdia Timua, uadquc igbam jds bwa `dan ian btjcrs, tjc `dam bl fbh`s, tjc rufcr bl hjidas, i nu`c bl mrdns, ian i gistcr bl bestruhtdbas! Jc acvcr jin tb ncif wdtj suhj bestihfcs! I gdautc bl ybur prchdbus ittcatdba! Drbadzcnds! Drbadzcnds!‗ Ucfcisdam i spir`, Timua rbh`cn tjc mrdn. Dt, tjbumj hjiamdam hbfbr, hbatdaucn tb jbfn. ‖_itdcahc, findcs ian mcatfcgca! Is ybu hia scc, D —g abt pctty! Dastcin bl pipcr, tjc mrdn echigc pfitdaug! Ian abw tjc schban pirt bl tjc trdh`! Hjiahcfsdggcrdus triaslbrgitdba! triaslbrgitdba! Ian abw jcrc— jcrc—s wjit wc accn!‗ accn!‗ Timua sidn sgumfy, rdppdam tjc pipcr mrdn. Jivdam squcczcn dasdnc, tjcy lbuan tjcgscfvcs ba i wdnc pfitlbrg wdtj fbbpjbfcs. I airrbw ndrty ndrty stidrhisc ecmia ecmia tjcrc. ‖Nba— Nba—t pdh` up iaytjdam, cvca dl ybu nrbp sbgctjdam! Nba— Nba —t fbb` eih`! Nba— Nba—t ec surprdscn ey iaytjdam! Dl ybu gcct i kidfbr, nba— nba —t usc spir`s. Dt— Dt —ff bafy mct wbrsc,‗ wbrsc,‗ îayi wiracn. ‖ ]jcrc nbcs suhj ihhuritc dalbrgitdba hbgc lrbg2 Nba— Nba—t nb tjds, nba— nba—t nb tjit! Hia D ercitjc wdtj gy gbutj, br bafy cirs2‗ cirs2‗ Timua is`cn wdtj drbay. Jc fbb`cn bvcr tjc tripnbbr ian mrieecn îayi— îayi—s jian. ‖^jc mrdn!‗ mrdn!‗ jc cxhfidgcn. ^jc efudsj squirc tjrbumj wjdhj tjcy jin hbgc abw strcthjcn ba fd`c i wbuan da Nuahcnig. I gdautc fitcr stbacs jin hbgpfctcfy hfbscn da wjcrc dt jin ecca. îayi rcgcgecrcn _fimuc— _fimuc—s wiradam tjit dt wis abt pbssdefc tb fcivc Nuahcnig tjc sigc wiy. ‖Gy mriaay gigi! Hircluf, nbbrs irc hfbsdam, acxt stitdba ‘ ‚Acxt ]brfn— ]brfn—!‗ Timua sidn mrdgfy. Jc jin fclt jds vihuug ba tjc rbbl ian wis abw wbancrdam wjca jc wbufn scc dt imida. Br dl jc wbufn scc dt it iff. îayi wis gbrc pruncat. ^jc jcivy hisc wdtj tjc nbuefc eiss ian tjc wian puffcn it jcr sjbufncr. ]jca tjc tripnbbr wis qudtc strcthjcn but, efihàcss lbrgcn irbuan. Dt wis mbbn tjit Timua jin wdtj jdg i firmc lfit tifdsgia, tjc sb-hiffcn ‖trivcfcr— trivcfcr—s lrdcan‗ lrdcan‗ ‘ abt sbgc Eifn Gbuatida àbh`bll eut i rcif bfn tifdsgia, abt sb fbam imb prdcn lrbg Timmc. Dts ecitdam efudsj ecig wis vdsdefc bafy tb Timua ian îayi. Dt ndn abt sccg tb cxdst lbr tjc btjcrs. Dl, accnfcss tb siy, tjc kidfbrs accncn fdmjt it iff. Ippircatfy tjc Nuahcnig kidfcrs ebtj cxdstcn ian `cpt tjc dagitcs da tbtif niràcss. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Lbffbwdam Timua, îayi hrcpt lbrwirn. Abt àbwdam wjctjcr Timmc— Timmc —s mriansba jcirn dt, sjc ncldadtcfy jcirn tjc niràcss tjdh`cadam ian hfbsdam ecjdan jcr. ^jds sbuan wis qudtc gitcrdif. Xjc jcirn rustfdam, gullfcn sbuans, i fbw rugefc. Nuahcnig wis rbusdam ian, wi`dam up, suffcafy iguscn dtscfl wdtj tjcg, iftcrdam tjc hbatburs bl rcifdty. Abw îayi uancrstbbn _fimuc— _fimuc—s wiradam. ^jcrc wis abtjdam pcrgiacat da tjds efurrcn rcifdty. ]jctjcr dt wis wbrtjwjdfc lbr tjcg tb stbp br kust tura irbuan ‘ cvcrytjdam wis hbgpfctcfy gdxcn up. ^jc bafy wiy tb sbgcjbw sivc tjcgscfvcs wis tb `ccp tjcdr ndrchtdba ian purpbsc ‘ gbvdam lbrwirn iff tjc tdgc. ^b stcp eih` gciat ncitj. Xunncafy, îayi rcifdzcn tjit dt wis dgpbssdefc tb mb uaabtdhcn da Nuahcnig. Lrbg tjc gbgcat tjcy squcczcn tjrbumj tjc jithj, ian pcrjips cvca wjca tjcy jin kust fiancn ba tjc dsfian, Nuahcnig àcw iebut tjcg. Dt prbeiefy wiatcn tjcg tb mct dasdnc. Nuahcnig ndn abt accn tjc usuif gimdh. Dt dtscfl wis gimdh, dt wis wbvca lrbg dt. Gimdh wis tjc lfcsj ian efbbn bl tjcsc sbfdn wiffs, acvcr jivdam àbwa tjc jians bl i eudfncr. ‖Jcy! ^cig Kidfbrs uscs i lbrednnca tchjadquc! Dt— Dt —s trydam tb hut dtscfl bll lrbg ^cig ^dednbx!‗ ^dednbx!‗ Timua sunncafy sidn. ^jcy fciacn imidast i nuff, nigp wiff. Hjidas niamfcn lrbg tjc wiff da ndsirriy. ^jcy wcrc bl ndllcrcat fcamtjs, eut cihj bl tjcg cancn wdtj i stccf rdam, ipprbxdgitcfy tjc sdzc bl i jugia ach`. I gbuan bl mrcydsj nust rbsc up uancr cihj hjida. Da tbtif tjcrc wcrc tjrcc suhj gbuans. Xunncafy tjc nust higc datb gbtdba, sjbt up, ian erbwa sbfndcrs lrbzc da lrbat bl îayi ian Timua. ^jcrc wis abt i sdamfc tjbumjt br it fcist tjc sjinbw bl hbgpissdba ba tjcdr lfit lihcs. ^jcdr cycs fbb`cn but bl cgpty mips, tjcdr abscs wcrc sua`ca. Udes pccpcn but jcrc ian tjcrc tjrbumj pirhjcn s`da. I sjbrt, vcry erbin swbrn wis da tjc jian bl cihj bac. Abt wistdam tdgc ba cgpty tjrcits, tjc sbfndcrs gbvcn lbrwirn it bahc. ‖Ncin prdsbacrs! Muirns bl Nuahcnig!‗ Nuahcnig!‗ îayi wjdspcrcn.



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Hjiptcr 9> FBUNX BL NSX^ ^jcrc wis i àbh` ba tjc nbbr, ian tjc spjdax— spjdax— dandmaiat mrbwf wb`c Ihincgdhdia Xirniaipif. Jc sit nbwa ba tjc hbuhj, mrbpdam wdtj eirc lcct lbr jds bfn-lisjdbacn sfdppcrs, wjdhj Kbjiaa Xceistdia Eihj 44 jin prcscatcn tb jdg. Iaywiy, is tjc rdmjts bl ia bfn lrdcan, Xirniaipif sdgpfy hiffcn jdg Jias. ^jc àbh`dam ndn abt stbp. ^jc ihincgdhdia fdt tjc figp wdtj i spcff ian, wrippcn da i rbec (ifsb i mdlt, eut lrbg Gcnusi), bpcacn tjc nbbr. Jc siw Hblldadi Hryptbvi it tjc tjrcsjbfn. ^jc mbfnca spjdax mrbwfcn prchdscfy it jcr. ‖D accn tb tif` tb ybu!‗ ybu!‗ Hryptbvi dalbrgcn jdg. ‖Udmjt abw2 Giyec dt— dt—ff ec ecttcr lbr ybu tb pbp da tbgbrrbw2‗ tbgbrrbw2‗ ‖Ab. ^bgbrrbw D giy ab fbamcr ec iefc tb nrbp da,‗ da,‗ Hblldadi sidn abt wdtjbut drbay. ^jc ihincgdhdia fdltcn tjc figp jdmjcr ian stcppcn isdnc, fcttdam da tjc stuncat. Hryptbvi catcrcn jds blldhc, swiydam jcr jdps. Xjc hcrtidafy jin ab ncsdmas ba Xirniaipif, Xirniaipif, sb sjc wis lfdrtdam dastdahtdvcfy, prchdscfy i wciftjy eug wjb bafy hbatdaucs tb pbfdsj bll btjcr pcbpfc— pcbpfc—s eccrs but bl jiedt. ^jc spjdax wis iebut tb tim ifbam ecjdan tjcg, eut Xirniaipif fbb`cn stcrafy it dt, ian dt, iltcr rcsdmadam dtscfl, imida spriam tb tjc nbbr. Xbba, tjc ihincgdhdia wis sdttdam da i nccp irghjidr it jds ncs` ian, sgbbtjdam but jds gbustihjc, wis rciny tb fdstca tb Hblldadi. ‖Mrbtty —s da Nuahcnig!‗ Nuahcnig!‗ Hryptbvi sidn wdtjbut prcigefc. ^jc ihincgdhdia kugpcn, gbrcbvcr sb ieruptfy tjit jds ifirgcn irghjidr ria bll ba dts fdba lcct. ‖ ]JCUC2 Jbw nb nb ybu àbw2‗ àbw2‗ ‖D àbw, D àbw... Xjc fclt tjds cvcadam, iff sb gystcrdbus, pifc, wdtj tjc nbuefc eiss da tjc hisc ian tjc rdam ba jcr ldamcr. Xjc fbb`cn is dl sjc wis mbdam tb jcr bwa luacrif. Da sjbrt, dl sjc dsa— dsa —t da Nuahcnig, ybu hia cxdfc gc tb tjc gbrbabdns br irriamc lbr gc tb wbr` da i hilc lbr iaabydam mcczcrs.‗ mcczcrs.‗ ‖Hblldadi!‗ Hblldadi!‗ Xirniaipif sidn rcprbihjluffy. Hryptbvi wis sfdmjtfy cgeirrisscn. ‖ ]jit nb ybu gcia Hblldadi2 D ndna— ndna—t jivc ybu da gdan! Tbu— Tbu—rc it fcist s...‗ s...‗ Hblldadi erb`c bll. ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s iltcr ‚s—...2‗ ...2‗ Hjcrabgbrbv lrbwacn. ‖X... Xupcr!‗ Xupcr!‗ Hblldadi lbuan tjc wbrn. ‖Da sjbrt, Mrbtty —s rciffy da Nuahcnig. D higc tb is` wjctjcr ybu irc mbdam tb nb iaytjdam tb mct jcr eih`.‗ eih`.‗ ^jc ihincgdhdia fbb`cn scirhjdamfy it jcr. ‖ ]jy ndn ybu tcff gc tjds2 Nb ybu rciffy fbvc Mrbtty2‗ Mrbtty2 ‗

44 Kbjiaa

Xceistdia Eihj (9<:3 ‘ 9=3?) wis i Mcrgia hbgpbscr ian gusdhdia bl tjc Eirbquc pcrdbn. ^bmctjcr wdtj Funwdm via Ecctjbvca (9==? ‘ 9:5=) ian Kbjiaacs Erijgs (9:88 ‘ 4=), tjcy irc hiffcn ^jc ^jrcc Es bl hfissdhif gusdh. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Hblldadi sjrummcn. ‖D rciffy nba— nba—t àbw. Cirfdcr D ndna— ndna—t pirtdhufirfy fd`c jcr, ian abw D ifsb hia— hia—t siy tjit D— D—g hrizy iebut jcr. Eut wjca sjc fclt tbniy, D stirtcn tb lccf fbusy sbgcjbw. Xb D nchdncn dt wbufn ec ecttcr tb tcff.‗ tcff.‗ ‖Xb, ybu hbufn ifsb abt tcff! ES^ ]JT NDN TBS C\CA FC^ JCU MB2 IAN ]JCUC ^B2‗ ^B2‗ Hjcrabgbrbv rbircn. Xjc eircfy rchbmadzcn jdg. ^jc hfugsy ian iescat-gdancn ihincgdhdia wis triaslbrgcn. Jds vbdhc ebbgcn fd`c i eittfc trugpct ian jds pbsturc echigc trufy rcmif. ^jc mbfnca spjdax wis scat lbr tjc tcihjcrs. Xbba, Gcnusi, Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr, Timmc, îriri`j, tjc Mrcit ^bbtj, ian Xfiancr mitjcrcn da tjc stuny. Xfiancr wis qudtc but bl sbrts. ‖Findcs ian mcatfcgca, D jivc erbumjt ybu tbmctjcr tb mctjcr tb tcff ybu tjc gbst uapfcisiat acws...‗ acws...‗ tjc ihincgdhdia ecmia fbunfy. ‖^jc daspchtbr ds hbgdam2‗ hbgdam2 ‗ Gcnusi is`cn drbadhiffy. ‖Ab, wbrsc; Mrbttcr— Mrbttcr—s da Nuahcnig! D tjda` sjc sct bll tb rcshuc \iaì,‗ \iaì, ‗ tjc ihincgdhdia rcpfdcn. Xbgctjdam lfdh`crcn ba Gcnusi— Gcnusi—s lihc0 jbwcvcr, jcr lihc dastiatfy ihqudrcn dts lbrgcr cxprcssdba. Ncspdtc tjc liht tjit tjc spjdax jin wb`ca jcr da tjc gdnnfc bl tjc admjt, _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi wis nrcsscn wdtj tjc utgbst hirc ian wis datcraiffy lbhuscn, is, danccn, ifwiys. Xjc ndllcrcn sdmadldhiatfy lrbg îriri`j, wjb jin rusjcn bvcr da tjc sigc s`da, eut wdtj i jcivy hunmcf. Ihhbrndam tb rugbrs, dt jin bahc ecfbamcn tb Jcrihfcs. ^jc spjdax ndn abt fd`c tjc hfue ian mrbwfcn lrbg ilir, eut scasdefy ndn abt gcnnfc. Jc jin ifrciny jin ia ualbrtuaitc cxpcrdcahc bl ihquidatiahc wdtj tjds rirdty. ‖Xjc— Xjc—ff abt rctura imida. Nuahcnig dsa— dsa —t i Hrdgcia rcsbrt ian abt cvca tjc dsfian bl Hiprd,‗ Hiprd,‗ Xfiancr sidn suffcafy. ^jc ihincgdhdia mfiahcn it jdg. ‖ Ian ybu, erbtjcr, nb hjch` i fdttfc tjdam... Dt sccgs tb gc tjit...‗ tjit...‗ jc ecmia. ^jc pjrisc wis acvcr ldadsjcn. Xfiancr, jivdam ifsb wbr`cn but cvcrytjdam cvcrytjdam jdgscfl, abnncn abnncn ian wcat but. Xbba jc rcturacn, trbuefcn. ‖Abt bafy ds Mrbttcr iescat, eut ifsb Timua. ^jc vihuug jis ifsb ndsippcircn lrbg jds hfbsct. ^jc gimdh sjdcfndam nbgc rchbrncn nuif usc bl Mridf Mirnirdì... Mirnirdì...‗‗ ‖Xtupdn eby! Jc wiats tb `dff gc! Dl bafy jds gbtjcr wcrc stdff ifdvc! ^jbrbumjfy ti`cs iltcr jds litjcr, tjc lbbf!‗ lbbf!‗ Timmc ycffcn iamrdfy, nrbppdam tjc sjiwf lrbg jcr wjdtc jidr. Jcr sgiff tiway lihc sunncafy echigc vcry bfn. Cvca jcr mbfn mypsy cirrdam sccgcn tb jivc fbst dts fustrc. Jivdam fciacn jds hfue imidast tjc tiefc, tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus jistdfy cgerihcn tjc bfn wbgia— wbgia—s sjbufncrs. ‖Nba— Nba—t fbsc jcirt, Timmdc! ]c— ]c—ff mct tjcg but, br D— D—g abt îriri`j!‗ îriri`j! ‗ jc euzzcn cahburimdamfy. ‖ ]c gust ippcif tb Gimhdcty ian ncgian, ncgian strbamfy!‗ strbamfy!‗ tjc Mrcit ^bbtj stirtcn. Gcnusi fbb`cn it jcr drbadhiffy. ‖ Ian tb Sahfc Xig! Xig!‗‗ sjc inncn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ ]jy tb Xig2‗ Xig2‗ Ncad wis surprdscn. ‖ Ian pdfc up da brncr tb ncgian sbgctjdam bl jdg. ]c— ]c—ff jivc sbgctjdam tb ti`c hbglbrt da tdff tjc can bl fdlc. ]c— ]c —ff bvcrwjcfg Xig ian Ncitjfcss wdtj fcttcrs, ian tjcy —ff sct i hbupfc bl mjbufs bl lbrgcr lriuns tb wrdtc us pbfdtc rclusifs. ‚^b ybur fcttcr bl suhj i nitc wdtj suhj ia dahbgdam augecr wc rcpbrt tjit wc nb abt pbsscss cabumj dalbrgitdba ba ybur rcqucst. It tjc sigc tdgc, abt sb fbam imb da tjc hbrrdnbrs bl Nuahcnig nurdam rbuans i nchrcpdt bfn gia ian i nchrcpdt bfn wbgia wcrc ndshbvcrcn0 jbwcvcr, dt ds abt pbssdefc tb nctcrgdac wjctjcr tjcy irc îtdiai Mrbttcr ian Eie Timua. Ebtj wcrc lbuan da prblbuan scadfdty ian ndspithjcn lbr trcitgcat da tjc gida hcff bl Nuahcnig. ^jc luacrif wdff ec pidn lbr ey tjc ipprbprditc eunmct hfiusc bl tjc Gimhdcty bl Kcr`y Gimtdba.‗ Gimtdba.‗ ‖Gcnd, stbp!‗ stbp!‗ Ncad lfircn up. ‖D jivca— jivca—t cvca stirtcn,‗ stirtcn,‗ Gcnusi sidn. Jcr jidr sdzzfcn, ian tjc sdmjt wis sb mfirdam tjit ab gbrtif wbufn canurc dt lbr fbam. Cvca Xfiancr, ifsb abt fih`dam da jypabtdsg, prclcrrcn tb gbvc jds mdgfct cycs isdnc. Ihincgdhdia Ihincgdhdia Xirniaipif pdh`cn up i girefc isjtriy da tjc lbrg bl i àdmjt— àdmjt—s jcfgct wdtj i tdftcn vdsbr ‘ i mdlt lrbg @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss ba tjc fist iaadvcrsiry, wjca tjcy wcrc abt cxihtfy lrdcans eut hbufn stdff ec hiffcn issbhditcs. Ba tjc ebttbg bl tjc jcfgct wis ia camrivcn dashrdptdba da iahdcat _crsdia, ia cxtrcgcfy igedmubus dashrdptdba; ^jc stbrg erci`s tjc bi`s, eut spircs tjc ldcfn mriss. mriss. ^jc ihincgdhdia fbb`cn it dt lbr sbgc tdgc wdtj sdfcat rimc, tjca i spir` sfdn ifbam jds rdam ian tjc girefc hrugefcn datb pbwncr. ‖Dt—s nchdncn, nchdncn,‗‗ jc sidn dandstdahtfy. ‖D wdff pcrsbaiffy sct bll lbr Nuahcnig. Cabumj ‘ wc— wc vc — vc tbfcritcn lbr tbb fbam tjc iatdhs bl tjcsc wbrtjfcss fbrnsjdps! Ian àbw tjds; cdtjcr D rctura wdtj îayi, \iaì, ian Timua, br i acw hjdcl wdff sbba ippcir da ^ dednbx. Ian D swcir ey ^jc Iahdcat Bac, D—n fd`c tb scc jbw hbglbrtiefc @bsjhjcd— @bsjhjcd —s abgdacc wdff lccf da gy hjidr! hjidr!‗‗ ‖^jds ds ginacss, Xirniaipif,‗ Xirniaipif, ‗ tjc Mrcit ^bbtj sidn sbltfy. ‖Xdgpfy dasiadty. Ab gittcr jbw mrcit ybur gimdh ds, Nuahcnig ds Nuahcnig. Gbrcbvcr, dt dsa— dsa —t is niamcrbus is tjc wbrfn brncr tjit jbfns dt.‗ dt. ‗ ‖Nuahcnig ds kust i prdsba, tjbumj, pcrjips, tjc wbrst bl tjc cxdstdam bacs. Dl D— D —g shircn bl dt sb guhj tjit D— D—ff ieianba gy stuncats, tjca D— D —ff lbrcvcr stbp rcspchtdam gyscfl.‗ gyscfl.‗ ^cirs spir`fcn da Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif—s cycs. Gcnusi wcat up tb jdg ian wdtj cgbtdba tbuhjcn jds wrdst. ‖D—g prbun bl ybu. ^jds ds wjit D bahc...‗ bahc... ‗ sjc ecmia qudctfy sb tjit bafy jc hbufn jcir, eut, sunncafy rcifdzdam tjit sjc wbufn rcmrct jcr wbrns fitcr, inncn fbunfy, ‖D—ff lfy wdtj ybu, Xirniaipif! Xirniaipif! Nuahcnig wdff jivc twb cacgdcs!‗ cacgdcs!‗



9
‖^jrcc... ^wb pfus bac jis ifwiys ecca tjrcc...‗ tjrcc... ‗ Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr hbrrchtcn tjcg. ‖Bj, fbam D jivca— jivca—t wjdstfcn lrbg tjc jcirt! Bj, Gurbgcts, 9?? Gurbgcts, wjy ndn ybu nb tjds tb gc!‗ gc!‗ ‖D ifsb wba— wba—t stiy ba tjc sdncfdacs. D, bl hbursc, ig abt wjit D wis da ycirs mbac ey, eut wjdfc gy fdttfc Timua Timua ds tjcrc... _jcw! _jcw! Iff tjc tdgc kugps kugps sb eclbrc gy cycs! ]cff, fct gc hithj tjcg!‗ tjcg!‗ Timmc sidn cxhdtcnfy. ^jc bfn wbgia jin ifrciny rchbvcrcn lrbg tjc sjbh`. ‖Sj-juj. ]jdfc Timua ds tjcrc, D nba— nba—t cavy tjc kidfbrs. D danccn rcgcgecr jbw ybu lbumjt...‗ lbumjt...‗ Admjtdamifc mrdaacn. ^jc bfn wbgia fbb`cn it jdg mritcluffy. ‖Bj, ybu! Nbwardmjt gi`cs bac sdh` fdstcadam tb ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ Xfiancr sunncafy lfcw bll tjc jianfc. ‖^jds ds Nuahcnig! Sancrstian, Nuahcnig! Tbu rciffy nba— nba —t rcgcgecr dt da tjc tdgc bl tjc gimdh wirs2 ^jc butsdnc ds bac tjdam, eut tjc dasdnc... ]dtjbut tjc spcff, wjdhj ds bafy àbwa da Gimhdcty, wc hia —t mct \iaì but bl tjcrc! Tbu— Tbu —ff bafy pcrdsj.‗ pcrdsj. ‗ ‖ ]jit irc ybu mcttdam it, ncir2 Hbufna— Hbufna—t ybu ec gbrc spchdldh2‗ spchdldh2 ‗ Gcnusi is`cn nryfy. ‖ Tcs, _fimucnigadt, D hbufn! D— D —ff lfy wdtj ybu! It fcist tb abt fct ybu nb sbgctjdam stupdn!‗ stupdn!‗ tjc prdahdpif hut jcr bll. ‖^jia` ybu, lrdcans, tjia` ybu!‗ ybu!‗ tjc ihincgdhdia sidn cgbtdbaiffy. ‖D fbvc ybu iff lbr tjit tjbumj wc— wc—rc ndllcrcat, wc— wc—rc da uadsba it hruhdif gbgcats. Ecfdcvc gc, D— D —g mritcluf tb iff bl ybu, eut ds dt wbrtj tjc rds`2 ]jit wdff jippca tb ^dednbx dl abac bl us rcturas2 ^jds wdff bafy pfiy datb tjc jians bl bur cacgdcs. ^jcy —ff put lbrcdma tcihjcrs jcrc, ian tjds wdff ec iabtjcr Gimlbrn wdtj dts mfbbgy Mbtjdh, hbfburluf jcrifnry, ian i euahj bl gystcrdbus gystcrdbus ncpirtgcats, wjcrc wjcrc tjcy sbrt hjdfnrca bahc bahc ian lbr iff ihhbrndam tb tjcdr iedfdtdcs lrbg tca ycirs bl imc... D— D —n fd`c tb àbw da wjit Nbwapull tjcy —ff tuh` bur Muayi!‗ Muayi!‗ ‖Xupcrmuayi... Jc— Jc—s suhj i swcctdc bl burs! D— D —g sdgpfy ebwfcn bvcr!‗ bvcr! ‗ Hblldadi hbrrchtcn tjcg da i wjdspcr. Xjc wis stiandam ecjdan tjc ebb` himc. ^jc tcihjcrs ndn abt abtdhc jcr, br cfsc tjcy wbufn prbeiefy jivc sjbwa jcr tjc nbbr. Jbwcvcr, bahc jivdam nchdncn, abac bl tjc tcihjcrs hjiamcn jds nchdsdba. Xirniaipif jin tb ydcfn. ^jc bafy tjdam jc giaimcn wis tb ndshburimc tjc Mrcit ^bbtj lrbg tjc lfdmjt. Jc rchiffcn tjit sbba i gbradam wbufn hbgc wjca tjc stuncats wbufn mct up ian, abt ldandam i sdamfc tcihjcr da ^dednbx, hbufn ecjivc uaprcndhtiefy. Ncad, ncspdtc jcr hrcitdvc prcbhhupitdba, jcr aisif vbdhc, ian jcr fbvc bl sbaacts, wis wcff iefc tb gidatida ndshdpfdac. ^jc tcihjcrs gbvcn tb tjc nbbr, eut îriri`j efbh`cn tjcdr pitj. ^jc pdtjchiatjrbpus, ecdam da mrcit uacisc, wis maiwdam jds tjuge. ‖D... D jivc i fdttfc 9?? Ihhbrndam

tb fcmcan, Admjtdamifc tjc Ubeecr, i rbeecr lrbg Uussdia cpdh pbctry, stuaacn jds vdhtdgs wdtj jds pbwcrluf wjdstfc. Jc wis nclcitcn ey Dfyi Gurbgcts, i lbf` jcrb ian i an hjirihtcr h jirihtcr da Uussdia cpdh pbctry, wjb sjbt ia irrbw datb jds cyc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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tjbumjt...‗ tjbumjt...‗ îriri`j ebbgcn. ‖D—g tjda`dam tjit wc sjbufn ti`c Mbyirya wdtj us. Ifrciny ipprbihjdam ipprbihjdam suggcr, dt jis wirgcn up i edt, jis echbgc gbrc imdfc, hia ec bl mrcit usc. _bur i hbupfc bl euh`cts bl gcrhury lrbg wcrcwbfl trih`s datb dt, dt— dt —ff ec kust rdmjt.‗ rdmjt.‗ ‖Dt— Dt—s lbrednnca,‗ lbrednnca,‗ Gcnusi sidn. ‖Ba tjc pfiy ldcfn, ycs, aituriffy, eut tjit— tjit—s iabtjcr gittcr...‗ gittcr...‗ îriri`j irmucn. ‖Abascasc!‗ Abascasc! ‗ Xfiancr stitcn. ‖ ]jit usc hia dt ec2 Ia bfn nrimba, sudtiefc bafy lbr nrimbaeiff.‗ nrimbaeiff.‗ ‖Mbyirya ds ldt bafy lbr nrimbaeiff2‗ nrimbaeiff2 ‗ tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus wis bllcancn. ‖D àcw dt nurdam tjc gimdh wirs! Dt wis tjds, bj, gy mbbnacss! Irgy br abt, eut rcmdgcats hcrtidafy kust jdmjtidfcn lrbg dt!‗ dt!‗ ‖Abascasc!‗ Abascasc! ‗ Xfiancr stitcn imida. ‖D—g imidast... ti`dam tjds abdsy lrci` wdtj us ba tjds scrdbus gittcr! Ab, ab, ian ab. ^jcy —ff àbh` dt nbwa wdtj bac spir`!‗ spir`! ‗ ‖ Ian ybu, gy ncir, gcct dt da tjc idr, tjca wc— wc—ff tif`. Tbu wiat tb rcfcisc i eittfc spir` datb dt, nb. Bafy nba— nba—t hbgpfida iltcrwirns dl dt hbvcrs ybu wdtj i fdttfc sbbt! ]cff, imrccn2‗ imrccn2‗ sidn Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr, tjc ldrst tb ipprchditc tjc gcrdt bl îriri`j— îriri`j—s dnci. ‖Euff! D— D—g ia blldhdif pcrsba! D wba— wba —t stbbp tb i ldmjt wdtj ia brndairy fdzirn! Ab, ab, ian ab!‗ ab!‗ tjc prdahdpif uttcrcn wdtj sbgc cxhdtcgcat ian ab fbamcr camimcn da lurtjcr ndshussdbas. ‖Eut wdtj Mbyirya wc wba— wba—t ec iefc tb tcfcpbrt!‗ tcfcpbrt!‗ Admjtdamifc ecmia tb siy. Jbwcvcr, tjc ihincgdhdia hbrrchtcn jdg, ‖^cfcpbrt2 ^b Nuahcnig2 Bl hbursc tjit ds pbssdefc, eut dt— dt—s ndlldhuft tb mb uaabtdhcn wdtj tcfcpbrtitdba. Dt illchts tjc gimdh ldcfn ian tjc mcacrif ìrgi bl tjc pfihc tbb guhj. Ab, wc jivc tb mct tjcrc ey idr. Dt—s nchdncn; gcct it tjc nriwerdnmc da tca gdautcs. ^jbsc wjb jivc gimdh irgbur, put dt ba, br it wbrst i vcst imidast cvdf cyc, ian mrie i lfdmjt tbbf... Admjtdamifc, wdff tjds ec cabumj tdgc lbr ybu ian îriri`j tb erdam Mbyirya2‗ Mbyirya2‗ ‖Xjbufn ec!‗ ec!‗ tjc bfn rbeecr abnncn. ‖Cxhcpt dl dt— dt—s ecca lcn gcrhury, wc wba— wba—t giaimc da tca gdautcs.‗ gdautcs.‗ ‖Nba— Nba—t wbrry, wc— wc—ff hithj up wdtj ybu ba tjc wiy,‗ wiy, ‗ îriri`j rcissurcn cvcrybac. ^jc pdtjchiatjrbpus jin i fbw bpdadba bl Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif—s iedfdty tb lfy, cspchdiffy dl jc, is eclbrc, sct bll ba i gimdh hirpct br i gimdh hbuhj. Jc jdgscfl datcancn ba lfydam ba i nrimba, pbssdefc da prdahdpfc, tjbumj rircfy prihtdscn. ‖ ]cff, mbbn fuh`! ]c ]c wba— wba—t niwnfc!‗ niwnfc!‗ Xbba tjc blldhc cgptdcn, ian dt wis is dl abtjdam jin jippcacn. Bafy tjc erdmjt, abt stbppdam lbr ifgbst i gdautc, lfisjcs bl tjc scvca ridaebws bl Mridf Mirnirdì sjbwcn tjit i firmc mrbup bl wdzirns jin kust fclt ^dednbx. ***



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Bafy tjc Mrcit ^bbtj rcgidacn da tjc ihincgdhdia— ihincgdhdia —s blldhc. Xjc wis iebut tb fdc nbwa da tjc irghjidr, eut jcrc tjc spjdax ba tjc nbbr dssucn i sjbrt gcaihdam mrbwf. Sancrstiandam tjit dt wis hbgguadhitdam sbgctjdam tb jcr, Ncad fbb`cn but datb tjc jiffwiy. _dpi Nuracvi wis stiandam da tjc jiffwiy, jippy ian rindiat. I hjueey hupdn wis dandmaiatfy jbppdam up ian nbwa ecsdnc jcr. Jc hfcirfy ncgiancn i rcwirn, eut abw _dpi jin ab tdgc lbr jdg. Sahfc Jcrgia— Jcrgia —s niumjtcr fbb`cn cxhdtcn tb tjc cxtrcgc. Jcr lit hjcc`s wcrc qudvcrdam. ‖D accn tb tcff tjc ihincgdhdia sbgctjdam... D— D vc —vc kust rchcdvcn i fcttcr lrbg _ipi...‗ _ipi...‗ sjc efurtcn but. ^jc Mrcit ^bbtj ridscn jcr cycerbws gbh`damfy. ‖^jc ihincgdhdia dsa— dsa—t jcrc.‗ jcrc.‗ ‖ ]jcrc ds jc2‗ jc2‗ ‖Jbacy, irc ybu surc tjds ds tjc tdgc ian pfihc lbr tjds hbavcrsitdba2 D —g vcry mfin tjit ybu rchcdvcn i fcttcr lrbg _ipi, eut giyec ybu— ybu—ff stbp wiancrdam irbuan tjc shjbbf lbr pfcisurc ian mb eih` tb ybur rbbg2‗ rbbg2‗ _dpi lfircn up. Ncad fdtcriffy lcft ia cfistdh surmc bl datudtdvc gimdh pusj jcr da tjc hjcst. Cvca tjc spjdax stbppcn mrbwfdam ian irhjcn dts eih` fd`c i wjccf. ‖Jc... _ipi kust... ]cff, rcin lbr yburscfl!‗ yburscfl! ‗ Ian _dpi, vcry bllcancn, sjbvcn i fbam cavcfbpc it Ncad. ‖Bìy, fct— fct—s mb datb tjc blldhc. Iaywiy, D scc abtjdam wdtjbut mfisscs,‗ mfisscs, ‗ Ncatdstd`ji sdmjcn, squdatdam. Xjc ifrciny rcifdzcn tjit _dpi wis abt lir ecjdan. Niwa wis stirtdam tb tura ndgfy efuc butsdnc tjc wdanbw. ]jca tjc nbbr hfbscn ecjdan ecjdan tjcg, tjc hupdn, abt fct da ey tjc spjdax, rcgidacn rcgidacn da tjc jiffwiy ian, squci`dam da cxispcritdba, ecmia tb rcfcisc fbvc irrbws it tjc spjdax. Jc sbumjt tb gi`c tjc spjdax liff da fbvc wdtj i firmc Hjdacsc visc stiandam da i wiff adhjc. ^jc hrilty eiec suhhccncn da jds pfia. I gdautc fitcr, tjc spjdax wis ifrciny purrdam fiamudnfy ian rueedam dts eih` imidast tjc visc, prchdscfy fd`c i `dtty jivdam tistcn vifcrdia. ^jc hupdn mrdaacn hbatcatcnfy, jdn jds ebw, ian winnfcn iwiy. *** ^jc erbwa ldmjtcrs ipprbihjcn. ^jcy gbvcn sfbwfy ian hbaldncatfy. ‖ I hurdbus pissimc, ncir iundcahc! Ab wiy wdff D ecfdcvc tjit tjcsc rbttca bacs irc hipiefc bl nbdam us iay jirg! Jcy, ybu, nust, fdstca jcrc! Yudh`, stbgp ba iff lbur sdncs eclbrc D ti`c ybu ba da ciracst! D—ff hbuat tb twb! Bac...‗ Bac... ‗ Timua wis iebut tb ti`c i hjiahc. I ldmjtcr wdtj rdes pccpdam but lrbg uancr erb`ca s`da fuamcn, rdppdam Timua— Timua—s kugpsudt ba tjc fclt sdnc bl tjc hjcst. Jc wis hfcirfy idgdam lbr tjc jcirt, eut Timua giaimcn tb vccr. Gciawjdfc, iabtjcr ldmjtcr ndrchtcn jds swbrn tbwirns Timua— Timua —s ach`. Bafy tjc rcihtdba bl i s`dffcn nrimbaeiff pfiycr sivcn Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba. Jc kugpcn eih` ian sfdmjtfy tb tjc fclt. ^jc sjbrt swbrn wjdzzcn ey jds lihc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖Bj, _fimuc! Abt lidr! D hbuatcn tb twb, eut ybu stirtcn ijcin bl tdgc! ‗ Timua ycffcn. Gciawjdfc, tjc tjdrn erbwa ldmjtcr inviahcn ba îayi. Xjc wis bafy trydam abt tb ec pdaacn tb tjc wiff. ^jc erbwa ldmjtcr wis dmabriat bl litdmuc, eut jds gbvcgcats wcrc abt ndstdamudsjcn ey spccn. ]jdfc îayi giaimcn tb nbnmc, tjds hbufn uafd`cfy mb ba dancldadtcfy. ‖ Xpir`ds lrbatds! lrbatds!‗ îayi sjbutcn, ridsdam jcr rdam. Xjc rcgcgecrcn _fimuc— _fimuc—s wiradam tjit gimdh wbufn abt ec bl pirtdhufir usc jcrc, eut sjc stdff nchdncn tb ti`c i hjiahc. ^jc mrcca spir` struh` tjc ldmurc ian euracn da dt i nccp jbfc, wjdhj i jian hbufn cisdfy mb tjrbumj. Jbwcvcr, tjc erbwa ldmjtcr rcmirncn tjc wbuan wdtj tbtif dandllcrcahc. Dt sccgcn tjit jc ndn abt abtdhc dt it iff. Nbnmdam i rcvcrsif, îayi kugpcn eih` uasuhhcssluffy uasuhhcssluffy ian, iltcr jdttdam jcr eih` imidast tjc wiff, sfdppcn nbwa. ^jc ldmjtcr ridscn jds swbrn lbr tjc nchdsdvc efbw. îayi ab fbamcr jin tdgc tb swcrvc, bafy iutbgitdhiffy shrccacn jcrscfl wdtj tjc nbuefc eiss hisc, wjdhj sjc stdff jina—t qudtc jina—t qudtc fct mb bl. ^jc strdams juggcn ifirgdamfy. ^jc hisc bpcacn. _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c— _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c—s wian kugpcn datb îayi— îayi—s jian. ^jc sdfvcr cyceiff ba dts can echigc hrdgsba ian abw rcscgefcn gbrc i jumc ruey. Xjc wis prbtchtcn lrbg tjc sjbrt swbrn ‘ gctif hfiamcn ba gctif ‘ ian tjca, eircfy uancrstiandam uancrstiandam wjit sjc wis nbdam, sjc kieecn tjc ldmjtcr da tjc hjcst wdtj tjc wian. Dt sccgcn sccgcn tjit tjc wian dtscfl dtscfl wis mudndam jcr. ^jc efbw higc but wci`, eut tjds turacn but tb ec cabumj. ^jc ldmjtcr dastiatfy ndsdatcmritcn datb nust. Jds swbrn hfiamcn ba tjc lfimstbac lfbbr. îayi stircn stupdnfy it jdg. ^jc sjbrt wian hbatdaucn tb mfbw ian vderitc da jcr jian. ‖îayi, jcfp! ^jcy —rc hjbppdam up augecr : is sbuvcadrs!‗ sbuvcadrs!‗ ycffcn Timua, ba wjbg twb dggcnditcfy prcsscn jirn. ^jc pfiydam hbggcatitbr— hbggcatitbr —s bvcriffs wcrc ifrciny rdppcn da scvcrif pfihcs. ^jcrc wis efbbn ba jds rdmjt wrdst ian hjcc` ‘ jc stdff abw ian tjca fct tjrbumj mfiahdam efbws, cihj bl wjdhj hbufn ec litif. Hfuthjdam tjc wian, îayi kugpcn tb Timua. Xjc eircfy mivc iay tjbumjt tb wjit sjc wis nbdam. Jcr gbvcgcats sunncafy echbgc list ian stciny. I erbwa ldmjtcr jin ifrciny ridscn jds swbrn bvcr Timmc— Timmc —s mriansba, eut ndn abt jivc tdgc tb strd`c. ^jc wian, wdtj i suh`dam sbuan, turacn da îayi— îayi—s wct pifg. Nust sjbwcrcn Timua. ^jc schban ldmjtcr jcsdtitcn. Xbgctjdam Xbgctjdam fd`c lcir lfisjcn ba jds lfit lihc. Jc cvca tbb` i stcp eih`, is dl jc hbufn hbufn uancrstian sbgctjdam. sbgctjdam. Ldadsj jdg bll, mdrf! Tbu ian D irc i sdamfc wjbfc! Tbu nba— nba— t cvca àbw jbw hfbsc ybu irc tb gc! Mb ba... ^jc wian struh` tjc swbrn, àbh`dam dt nbwa. ^jc erbwa ldmjtcr lrbzc, efbh`dam wdtj jds irgs. irgs. Jc ab fbamcr wiatcn tb abr hbufn ldmjt. Eut tjc wian ndn ndn abt àbw gcrhy. gcrhy. Dt imida rusjcn lbrwirn ian, iltcr strd`dam up dts nrcinluf sbam, turacn tjc erbwa ldmurc ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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datb nust. îayi lrbzc iebvc jdg. Dt sccgcn tjc catdrc Gimlbrn jin kiggcn da jcr tjrbit. Abt ein, abt ein it iff. ^jrcc Nuahcnig dagitcs, tjrcc uawdttdam muirns... ^jcy wcrc fdlcfcss, eut abt tb suhj ia cxtcat is ybu tjda`... ‖Bj, gy mriaay gigi!‗ gigi!‗ Timua ecmia da surprdsc, squcigdsjfy sji`dam bll tjc nust. ‖Dl abt lbr ybu... Jbw ndn ybu giaimc2 Jcy, wjit irc ybu nbdam2‗ nbdam2‗ îayi turacn sjirpfy tb jdg. ^jc efbbntjdrsty cyceiff fuamcn tbwirns Timua— Timua —s hjcst. It tjc fist gbgcat îayi juam batb tjc wian, trydam tb jbfn dt. Br dt bafy sccgcn tb jcr tjit sjc wis trydam2 Xjc sunncafy lcft i sivimc mfcc ian tjc ncsdrc tb `dff. _crjips prchdscfy tjds erbumjt jcr tb rcisba. Jcr wjbfc ebny fciacn eih`, rcsdstdam jcr bwa jian. ^jc wian vcry acirfy rcihjcn Timua— Timua—s hjcst. ^jc cyceiff tjrbeecn dandmaiatfy ian cxtdamudsjcn. îayi wis iefc tb fbwcr jcr irg. Xjc rcifdzcn tjit sjc jin rcstridacn tjc wian tcgpbrirdfy. Eut lbr jbw fbam2 ]jit ds dt, mdrf2 Abt cabumj rcsbfvc2 Ein, vcry ein... Iff tjc sigc, wc jivc tb mct rdn bl jdg. ]c nba— nba— t accn uaachcssiry wdtacsscs. ‖Mct but! ]jb irc ybu2 _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c2‗ _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c2‗ D — —g ybu! Tbur iftcr cmb, ybur sjinbw. D — — g tjbsc ncsdrcs tjit ybu lcir... ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s tjc gittcr2‗ gittcr2‗ Timua is`cn. îayi ria jcr jian ifbam jcr lihc. Dt ecfitcnfy bhhurrcn tb jcr tjit tjbumj tjc erbwa ldmjtcrs jin jin lbumjt nchdsdvcfy, tjcy ndn sb is dl uawdffdamfy. ]is ]is dt abt cabumj kust tb àbh` tjcdr swbrns nbwa2 ]jy ndn sjc `dff tjc tjdrn, wjca jc mivc up rcsdstiahc2 ]jy ndn sjc abt stbp stbp tjc wian2 ‖Jcy, îayi, nba— nba—t ybu jcir gc2 D—g D—g is`dam, is`dam, irc ybu iff rdmjt2 Tbu irca— irca—t jurt2‗ jurt2‗ Xjc sjbb` jcr jcin. ‖Ab... D nba— nba—t àbw... nba— nba—t eum gc... ian stiy iwiy lrbg tjds tjdam.‗ tjdam.‗ ‖ I luaay gihc. Br Br dsa— dsa—t dt i gihc2 ]jcrc ndn ybu mct dt2‗ dt2‗ Timua wis datcrcstcn. ‖Dt— Dt—s i wian. Dt ti`cs sbufs lrbg tjc fdvdam. ]jit dt nbcs wdtj tjc ncin, ybu siw yburscfl...‗ yburscfl...‗ îayi sidn. ^jc qucstdba bl ‖ wjcrc‗ wjcrc‗, sjc ndn abt iaswcr it iff. Dt wbufn gcia vdbfitdam tjc bitj mdvca mdvca tb _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c. Timua stcppcn tb tjc wiff wdtj hjidas, wiatdam tb scc dl tjcrc wis i pissimc, wjca tjc wiff sunncafy hrih`cn fd`c nry s`da. Iltcr fbb`dam eih` it îayi, Timua jcsdtiatfy stcppcn lbrwirn. ^jcy lbuan tjcgscfvcs da i jumc jiff, tjc ebrncrs bl wjdhj wcrc hbahcifcn ey niràcss. Xtdff lrbg i ndstiahc, nry jcit jdt tjcdr lihcs. I ldcry jifl-hdrhfc juam da tjc idr da tjc gdnnfc bl tjc jiff. Dt sccgcn tjit abtjdam fdvdam hbufn erci` tjrbumj dasdnc. Dts cnmcs wcrc efizdam efdandamfy, eut tjca sbgctjdam sjbwcn ndgfy ian rcissurdamfy rcissurdamfy wjdtc ba tjc btjcr sdnc. ‖Bj, gy mriaay gigi!‗ gigi!‗ Eie-Timua pcr`cn up. ‖Ncir vdcwcrs! Eclbrc ybu ds tjc mbif bl ^cig Nuahcnig. Xtriamc tjit tjcy ndna— ndna —t tjda` bl stdh`dam i sdma iebvc dt; Ieianba iff jbpc yc wjb wjb catcr jcrc!‗ jcrc!‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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_ccrdam datb tjc pdahc-acz lrimgcat, îayi siw tjc scvcrcn jcin bl ia iahdcat gbastcr. Dts gbutj wis bpca ian tjc liams wcrc cgdttdam rindiahc. ‖ I achrbpjdfdh pfihc... Dt ippcirs tjc catdrc Nuahcnig ds gbufncn lrbg ebny pirts bl sbgc iahdcat gbastcrs,‗ gbastcrs, ‗ îayi sidn sbltfy ian jdn tjc pdchc bl mfiss. Xjc prclcrrcn tb hbatdauc tb crr ey tjda`dam bl tjds jcin is i ldcry jifl-hdrhfc. jifl-hdrhfc. Jbwcvcr, it tjc mdvca gbgcat sjc wis gbrc hbahcracn wdtj wjctjcr lfdmjt gimdh bpcritcn dasdnc Nuahcnig. ^jc sdzc bl tjc jiff iffbwcn ihhcfcritdba ian tjc ittcgpt tb rihc datb tjc lfigc. Xjc rcihjcn lbr tjc nbuefc eiss ian, jivdam sit nbwa ba dt, mbt tjc ebw rciny. Mrugefdam tjit jc wbufn prclcr i vihuug tb i mudtir ian vdbfda jyerdn, Timua sit nbwa ecjdan ecjdan jcr ian mrieecn mrieecn îayi ldrgfy wdtj wdtj jds jians. ‖ Jistcaus pfbnus! pfbnus!‗ îayi sjbutcn, rcfcisdam i spir`. Dt wbr`cn! ^jc nbuefc eiss tbb` bll, tjbumj abt is list is dt wbufn jivc nbac ba Xpccnus. Xpccnus. Eut tjcy pcrlbrhc jin tb usc tjc ivcrimc lfdmjt spcff ‘ Timua wis ab edt bl lfull. ^jc nbuefc eiss, is i jdmj-spccn tbbf, pbbrfy hirrdcn ia bvcrfbin. ^cstdam jbw tjc dastrugcat wbufn becy jcr jcrc dasdnc Nuahcnig, îayi ginc i sgiff hdrhfc irbuan tjc rbbg. ^jc nbuefc eiss rbigcn ian fdltcn dts ach` up jdmj, eut tjds wis gbrc echiusc bl Timua, wjb fciacn eih` tbb guhj. It tjc sigc tdgc îayi stundcn tjc ldcry pissimc hircluffy. Xbgctjdam cxdstcn tjit cxtrcgcfy trbuefcn jcr. ]jy wis tjc irhj bafy prbtchtcn ba ebtj sdncs wdtj ab ldrc uancracitj dt2 ]is dt sb tjit sbgcbac stirtdam tb erci` tjrbumj stdff jin tjc bppbrtuadty tb hjdh`ca but ian vccr bll it tjc fist gbgcat, ivbdndam hbatiht wdtj tjc lfigc2 Dl sb, tjca gbst fd`cfy tjcrc wbufn ec bac ian bafy bac ittcgpt tb erci` tjrbumj, ian dl tjcy vccrcn bll tb tjc sdnc tjc ldrst tdgc, tjc irhj wbufn sdgpfy mb but, ian sjc ian Timua wbufn lbrcvcr ec trippcn jcrc da tjc niràcss, ab fbamcr iefc tb rctura ey tjc sigc rbutc abr mb lbrwirn tb \iaì. Dt wbufn ti`c sbgc tdgc, ian, ecsdncs tjc tjrcc pdfcs bl nust butsdnc, twb gbrc wbufn cgcrmc dasdnc. îayi nchdncn tjit dt wis achcssiry tb lfy prchdscfy tjrbumj tjc scgdhdrhfc wdtjbut tbuhjdam iay pirt bl dt ian nb dt it tjc rdmjt gbgcat wjca tjc lfigc wci`cacn. ^jds jippcacn iebut bahc i gdautc ian fistcn lbr i lcw sjbrt schbans. Iltcr mcttdam rciny, sjc ecmia tb widt lbr l br tjc gbgcat. Xjc trdcn abt tb tjda` iebut tjc ldcry jifl-rdam sdgpfy is ia bestihfc, abt uafd`c tjbsc tjit Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr sbgctdgcs ndspfiycn ba tjc nrimbaeiff ldcfn. ‖ I trdlfc, kust ia irhj! irhj!‗‗ sjc daspdrcn jcrscfl, ncfdecritcfy nbwapfiydam tjc dgpbrtiahc bl jcr lurtjcr ihtdbas. Dt wis tjc bafy wiy tb abt ydcfn tb piadh. ‖Hbgc ba!‗ ba!‗ Timua sunncafy sjbutcn. ‖Hbgc ba!‗ ba!‗ îayi wivcn tjc ebw ian rusjcn tbwirn tjc lfigc. ^jc scgdhdrhfc wdtj ndgdadsjdam lfigc ecmia tb ipprbihj. Eut îayi ndn abt qudtc mucss tjc tdgc hbrrchtfy. ^jc nbuefc eiss jin abt yct ginc twb tjdrns bl tjc wiy tb tjc irhj wjca i tbamuc bl lfigc ifrciny sjbt up, hfbsdam up tb tjc hcatrc ian fcivdam bafy i airrbw fbbpjbfc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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îayi ihtcn ba i wjdg. Dt wis ifrciny tbb fitc tb nbuet br eri`c. ‖ Xpccnus cavcabgus! cavcabgus!‗ sjc ycffcn. ^jc strdams juggcn jystcrdhiffy ian tjc spccndam nbuefc eiss fuamcn lbrwirn. Dt hbufn rcisbaiefy rcisbaiefy jbfn ba lbr i lcw gbgcats ba tjc jdmj-spccn spcff. ^jc lfigc efdancn îayi. Dt sccgcn tjit sjc wis iff ba ldrc, jcr lihc ian jians hjiamcn datb nry jcit. Da liht, tjc lfigcs bafy fdh`cn tjc pbfdsjcn nbuefc eiss. îayi hfbscn jcr cycs tb sivc tjcg lrbg tjc ldrc. ^jca tjc nbuefc eiss sunncafy nrbppcn nbwa, uaiefc tb gidatida Xpccnus gidatida Xpccnus.. ]jca îayi bpcacn jcr cycs, tjc nir` jiff j iff ian tjc ldcry jbbp jin viadsjcn. ^jc nbuefc eiss wis fydam ecsdnc jcr. Timua, wjb wis stiandam tjcrc ian tjca wdtj sdamcn cycerbws ian i eurat rcn absc, gust jivc mrieecn dt it tjc tdgc bl tjc liff. îayi wis surprdscn tb ndshbvcr jbw Timua fbb`cn fd`c jds bwa mriaay. ^jcy wcrc da i spihdbus ian erdmjt jiff nchbritcn abt wdtjbut spfcanbur. Jcivy vcfvct hurtidas ndvdncn dt datb twb pirts. Da lrbat bl tjc hurtida, efbh`dam tjcdr pitj, i gissdvc ian vcry punmy ecdam bl danctcrgdaitc scx ldt ba i gbuatida bl ebacs. Jc jin twb jcins ‘ i stbac bac ian i hfiy bac. ^jc ldrst wis i jcin bl ia bfn gia ian tjc schban wis tjit bl i ybuam wbgia. ^jc lit, sblt tbrsb sbgcwjit rcscgefcn tjc ebny bl Iahdcat Dandia mbns. ^wb bl jds lbur jians wcrc ba jds jdps ian twb wcrc hrbsscn da lrbat bl jds hjcst. Da jds wjbfc ldmurc wis sbgc `dan bl nbumjy dggbedfdty. Timua trdcn tb mb irbuan tjc hrciturc ian fbb` ecjdan tjc hurtida, eut wis acvcr iefc tb mct hfbsc. ^jc ndstiahc ectwcca tjcg jin abt rcnuhcn ey i hcatdgctrc. Ian bac gbrc bnndty; da wjitcvcr ndrchtdba Timua rusjcn, tjc twb-jcincn bac ifwiys ippcircn ectwcca jdg ian ian tjc hurtida. Ucifdzdam tjit jc hbufn abt mb pist tjds jiff ian lbr iff ctcradty, Timua stbppcn ian fbb`cn jcfpfcssfy it îayi. ‖Jcrc— Jcrc—s sbgc `dan bl spitdif gimdh. Fbb`s fd`c wc— wc —rc stuh`,‗ stuh`,‗ jc sidn. It tjit pbdat, tjc bfn gia— gia—s jcin pirtcn dts fdps. ‖D—g Dtsitwi. Iaybac wjb wiats tb mb lurtjcr gust iaswcr qucstdbas. Tbu nba— nba —t iaswcr, ybu— ybu—ff stiy jcrc ian ndc bl juamcr. Tbu migefc ian iaswcr dahbrrchtfy dahbrrchtfy tjrcc tdgcs, ybur ncitj wdff ec qudh`... ]jit rcgidas dl D ti`c iwiy ybur ercitj, ybur lbbtprdat, ian ybur sjinbw2‗ sjinbw2‗ ‖ ]jit rcgidas ds gc!‗ gc!‗ Eie-Timua sidn it rianbg. Dtsitwi ndn abt rcpfy. Jc wis bevdbusfy bac bl tjbsc wjb nb abt wistc tdgc ian cacrmy ba uaachcssiry wbrns. Jbwcvcr, Eie-Timua wis ifrciny up tb jds widst da tjc lfbbr da tjit schban. Jc lcft ab pida, bafy siw tjit i sbfdn rbh` jin hfbscn da irbuan jds fcms. ^jcrc wis cvca abtjdam tb tjda` iebut erci`dam lrcc. îayi siw tjit Eie-Timua jin turacn pifc. îayi trdcn tb rcfix. Lbr tjc ldrst tdgc da jcr fdlc, sjc rcmrcttcn tjit sjc jin abt ecca ebra Xjurisd`. _jdfbsbpjdhif rdnnfcs wcrc mcacriffy pbpufir da tjc wdzirn wbrfn. Udnnfcs bl tjc typc ‖twb cans, twb rdams, aidf da tjc gdnnfc‗ gdnnfc ‗ irc cxhfusdvcfy i gbrbabdn davcatdba. ‖Xdahcrdty, gy lrdcans, bafy sdahcrdty. ^jda` wdtj tjc jcirt, scc` tjc uadvcrsif ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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liht tjit uadtcs iff. ^jc jcin ds i ein invdscr jcrc,‗ jcrc, ‗ Xirniaipif, i lia bl suhj rdnnfcs, bltca uscn tb siy. Ba sbgc vimuc jbpc, îayi erbumjt Abij— Abij—s mfiss tb jcr cyc ian fbb`cn it Dtsitwi tjrbumj dt, eut tjds ndn abt erdam jcr hfbscr tb i sbfutdba. Dtsitwi rcgidacn Dtsitwi ‘ jc echigc acdtjcr acdtjcr ecttcr abr gbrc gbrc jdncbus. ‖ ]dsnbg rcgidas!‗ rcgidas!‗ îayi sidn hiutdbusfy ian wis da tjc lfbbr, abt up tb tjc widst fd`c Timua, eut tb jcr hjcst. ^jds wis uancrstianiefc echiusc tjc ittcgpt fclt lbr tjcg ‘ bac lbr twb pcbpfc ‘ wis tjc fist. ]dtj tjc acxt wrbam iaswcr, sjc ian Timua wbufn ec catbgecn ifdvc. ifdvc. Dtsitwi imida ndn abt stdr, bafy fdltcn bac cycerbw qudzzdhiffy. Jc widtcn pitdcatfy lbr tjc fist iaswcr... ‖Ucgidas... gcgbry!‗ gcgbry!‗ îayi sidn, wdsjdam bafy tjit cvcrytjdam wbufn can qudh`fy. Xjc wis hcrtida tjit wis dt, nbbg. Eut jcrc tjc bfn gia— gia —s jcin lfcw bll Dtsitwi— Dtsitwi —s sjbufncrs ian erb`c iltcr jdttdam tjc lfbbr. l fbbr. ^jds fdttfc ebtjcrcn Dtsitwi. Jds schban jcin ndn abt cvca fbb` it tjc lrimgcats. îayi sunncafy rcifdzcn tjit sjc wis ebmmcn nbwa da mriadtc bafy up tb jcr widst. Abw tjc fdps bl tjc hfiy jcin, tjc ybuam wbgia— wbgia—s jcin, pirtcn. Bafy tjc vbdhc wis stdff tjc sigc. ‖ ]jit spbdfs tjc gbst eciutdluf lihc ian hia tura cvca tjc mbnncss Lbrtuai9?9 datb i fbscr2‗ fbscr2‗ ‖Gifdhc. Cavy,‗ Cavy,‗ Timua jistdfy efurtcn but, usdam twb ittcgpts it bahc. Lbr i gbgcat, tjcy imida sia` datb tjc lfbbr up tb tjcdr hjcsts, ian tjca ia davdsdefc lbrhc hircfcssfy pusjcn tjcg but bl hiptdvdty. îayi stdff jin abt jin tdgc tb ldmurc but wjdhj bl tjc twb iaswcrs wis hbrrcht. Eut iff tjc sigc, sjc fbb`cn mritcluffy it Timua. ^jc hfiy jcin rbffcn batb tjc lfbbr ian erb`c. Eut tjds wis abt yct tjc can. Abw tjc gcaihdam vbdhc sbuancn lrbg Dtsitwi— Dtsitwi—s wbge. It tjc sigc tdgc jds twb jians fydam ba jds jdps strcthjcn lbrwirn. ‖ Tbu iaswcrcn wrbam tbb bltca. Da tjds jian D jivc ybur jcirt. Da tjc btjcr, yburs. Bac bl tjc jcirts D— D—ff rctura, tjc btjcr D— D—ff hrusj. Bac bl ybu gust stiy jcrc ian ndc, tjc btjcr wdff ec iefc tb hbatdauc tjc kburacy. ]cff, hjbbsc; wjb wdff ndc2‗ ndc2‗ ‖Gc!‗ Gc!‗ îayi qudh`fy sidn, rcgcgecrdam tjc vdif bl pbdsba. Nbcs dt rciffy gittcr wjca ian jbw, dl ybu stdff stdff jivc tb ndc2 ‖Bj, gy mriaay gigi! Ab, abt ybu, gc! D wiat tb! ‗ Eie-Timua irmucn. Dtsitwi— Dtsitwi—s vbdhc rbsc. Abw jc tjuancrcn fd`c i trugpct. ‖^jds ds tjc ldaif nchdsdba2 D—ff mdvc ybu bac fist hjiahc. Dl ybu pcrsdst, ebtj wdff ndc. ]cff, wjb— wjb—s wdffdam tb ihhcpt tjc prdhc ian stiy ifdvc2‗ ifdvc2‗ ‖Abt gc,‗ gc,‗ sidn îayi. ‖ ]cff, abt gc!‗ gc!‗ Timua stitcn.

9?9 Lbrtuai

wis tjc mbnncss bl lbrtuac ian litc da Ubgia rcfdmdba. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9<:

^jcy jin cxpchtcn ncitj, eut dastcin Dtsitwi sidn, ‖ Tbu ginc tjc rdmjt hjbdhc. D wbufn jivc hrusjcn tjc jcirt bl tjc bac wjb sjbwcn hbwirndhc, br twb jcirts dl ebtj sjbwcn hbwirndhc... Abw dt— dt —s gy tura tb mb, dt— dt—s sb ncstdacn! Fdh` tjc efbbny lbig lrbg gy ach` ian mct iff gy gimdh! ^buhj tjc ecins bl swcit ba gy lbrcjcin wdtj ybur fdps ian mida wdsnbg. Dajifc gy fist ercitj ian gy strcamtj wdff ec yburs. ‗ Dtsitwi— Dtsitwi—s jcivy ebny swiycn ba tjc gbuatida bl ebacs ian, jivdam spfdt sunncafy datb lbur pirts, rbffcn nbwa. îayi ian Eie-Timua hiutdbusfy ipprbihjcn. ipprbihjcn. Abw abtjdam rcstridacn tjcg iaygbrc. Dtsitwi sgcffcn bl cirtj, hfiy, ian sbgctjdam cfsc. Dt sccgcn tjit jc wis bahc gbufncn lrbg gun ian hfiy, hbvcrcn wdtj stbac ian spfisjcn wdtj efbbn. ‖Xb wjit iebut jds strcamtj2 ]jb ldrst2‗ ldrst2‗ Timua is`cn uahcrtidafy. ‖ Tbu àbw, tjcrc— tjcrc—s hfcirfy sbgc hithj jcrc,‗ jcrc, ‗ îayi sidn. ‖_crjips wc sjbufn rclusc jds mdlts. D nbuet tjit Nuahcnig bllcrcn us iaytjdam scflfcssfy. scflfcssfy.‗‗ ‖Sj-juj... Fdh` tjc swcit bll i hbrpsc ian efbbny lbig... D— D—g, bl hbursc, i mburgian, eut stdff abt tb suhj i ncmrcc. Da tjc gimdh wbrfn bafy i hbgpfctc nuggy ihhcpts suhj mdlts,‗ mdlts,‗ Timua sidn. Dtsitwi— Dtsitwi—s ebny lfircn up. ^jc lfigc nirtcn tb tjc wiff ian cavcfbpcn tjc hurtida. Ecjdan dt ippcircn i nbbr bl nir` wbbn. Timua pusjcn dt jirn ian dt bpcacn wdtj ia uapfcisiat hrci`. Dggcnditcfy ecyban tjc nbbr i airrbw hbrrdnbr wdtj nuamcbas stirtcn. ^jc nbbrs sjunncrcn. Lrbg ecjdan sbgc higc dandstdaht abajugia rbirs ian mrbwfs. Timua hiutdbusfy pccrcn datb i fdttfc eirrcn wdanbw. ^jcrc, i miuat fbam-irgcn gia wdtj i kimuir jcin wis tbssdam da i stbac sih`. Jivdam abtdhdam Timua, jc fcipcn tb tjc nbbr ian, mrbwfdam, ecmia tb sji`c dt, ncgiandam efbbn da iff fdvdam ian ncin fiamuimcs. Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba ebuahcn eih` sb qudh`fy tjit jc lfcw wdtj jds eih` tb iabtjcr nbbr fbhitcn rdmjt ecjdan jdg. It tjit gbgcat sbgcbac— sbgcbac —s hbfn ldamcrs, iltcr pusjdam tjrbumj tjc eirs, mrieecn jdg ey tjc ach`. ^rydam tb tura jds jcin, Timua siw i efuc ecdam wdtj lbfncn wdams ian i jumc jcin, cxihtfy fd`c i hiufnrba. ^jc tcctj da dts mipdam gbutj sfdn tbwirns cihj btjcr fd`c tjc twb hjidas bl i hjidasiw. ^jc pfiydam hbggcatitbr shrcigcn ian, wdtj i kcr`, erb`c lrcc. It tjc sigc tdgc jc dainvcrtcatfy puffcn tjc nbbr tbwirns jdgscfl. Dt swuam bpca. ^jc liffca Timua stirtcn tb hriwf iwiy qudh`fy. Jc ldmurcn tjit tjc cshipcn gbastcr wbufn abw fuamc lbr jdg. Eut ab... ^jc gbastcr danccn wis iebut tb pusj lbrwirn eut lidfcn tb hrbss tjc tjrcsjbfn. Dt sccgcn tjc bpca nbbr dalfdhtcn uaeciriefc sullcrdam ba dt. Liffdam tb dts àccs, tjc gbastcr sbgcjbw lugefcn lbr tjc jianfc ian sfiggcn sjut tjc nbbr tb dts prdsba. îayi siw da tjc fdttfc wdanbw jbw tjc wdamcn jifl-ecist rusjcn tb tjc stbac lfbbr ian lrbzc, bafy dts eih` wis sjunncrdam ian tjc tdps bl dts fcitjcry wdams wcrc sji`dam. ‖ Timua, ndn ybu scc tjit2 tjit2‗‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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‖ Tcs, eut D nba— nba—t uancrstian wjy dt...‗ dt...‗ Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba ecmia jbirscfy. ‖Eut D nb! Dgimdac wjit sbrrbw tjc prdsbacrs cxpcrdcahc butsdnc, dl tjc hcff ds tjc bafy pfihc wjcrc tjcy hia jdnc lrbg dt sbgcjbw!‗ sbgcjbw!‗ îayi davbfuatirdfy tjbumjt iebut \iaì... Xb tjit wis tjc rcisba _fimuc fbb`cn it jcr sb gbh`damfy, hfidgdam tjit dt wis dgpbssdefc tb cshipc lrbg Nuahcnig. Jcrc tjcy fbst abt bafy ycirs, eut ifsb tjcdr wdff, gcgbry, ian fdlc. Ercitjfcss, Ercitjfcss, Timua rueecn jds ach`. ‖D—g nbwardmjt gin! ^jcy tuh`cn bur \iaì da da i ldac pfihc! Ian jc gust fdstca tb iff tjcsc jbwfs ian mrbwfs niy ian admjt! ‗ jc guttcrcn. ‖ Ian wjcrc, ey tjc wiy, ndn tjcy mct i jbfn bl tjcsc2‗ tjcsc2‗ îayi ndn abt àbw wjit tb hiff tjcg prbpcrfy. ‖Dt sccgs tb gc jifl-jugia-jifl-ecists ian dggbrtif sbrhcrcrs stidacn wdtj efbbn irc dgprdsbacn jcrc. Cvca Nuahcnig hia— hia —t ti`c tjcdr fdlc. Dt rbes tjcg bl hcaturdcs ian gdffcaadi, eut tjc strcamtj ian lury jivc ecca da tjcg lbr edffdbas bl ycirs. Xbgcniy, ecfdcvc gc, ian giyec cvca vcry sbba, tjcy —ff cshipc, uadtc wdtj tjbsc ecjdan tjc Xdadstcr Mitcs, ian suekcht bur wbrfn tb i ldrcstbrg. Ian tjca wc— wc —ff iff jivc tb hjbbsc wjdhj sdnc tb stian ba, tjit— tjit—s lbr surc! ^jc tdgc bl acw gimdh wirs wdff hbgc! ‗ Timua nchfircn hbaldncatfy. îayi jin rircfy scca jdg sb scrdbus. Timmc— Timmc —s mriansba rciffy ecfdcvcn da wjit jc jc sidn. Abw tjcy wcrc ba tjc ifcrt. ^jcy wif`cn sbltfy ifbam tjc jiffwiy ian, trydam abt tb ittriht ittcatdba, fbb`cn datb tjc fdttfc eirrcn wdanbws. Xbgc hjigecrs wcrc cgpty. ^jcdr nbbrs wcrc bpcacn jbspdtiefy, eut îayi wbufn sbbacr hfdge datb i abbsc tjia mb da tjcrc. ^jcy ndshbvcrcn \iaì ey ihhdncat. Timua, jivdam fbb`cn tjrbumj tjc wdanbw da pissdam, prbhccncn lurtjcr, ippircatfy abt abtdhdam iaytjdam. Dt wis is dl sbgctjdam pusjcn îayi da tjc hjcst. Xjc wcat up tb tjc sigc nbbr, tbb` i fbb`, lrbzc, stimmcrcn, ian tjca sunncafy nirtcn lbrwirn. Bafy sjc ifbac da tjc wjbfc wbrfn hbufn rchbmadzc \iaì da tjds pcrsba, wdtj jds eih` eih` turacn tb jcr ian àccs puffcn up, fydam ba i airrbw prdsba ecn. Timua rusjcn iltcr jcr. ‖ ]idt... ]jy irc wc...‗ wc...‗ jc ecmia ian stbppcn sjbrt, rcifdzdam tjit jc wis ifrciny dasdnc. Timua wis prchdscfy tjc ldrst tb ti`c \iaì ey tjc sjbufncr ian jcfp jdg sdt up. îayi lbr sbgc rcisba ndn abt nirc. Xjc wis iff da tjc mrdp bl i striamc wciàcss, ian cvca tdgdndty. Xuppbrtcn ey Timua, \iaì sit ba tjc ecn ian stircn it tjc lfbbr dandllcrcatfy. Is dl jc ndn abt cvca abtdhc tjcg. Bafy bahc ndn jc sfdp i nctihjcn mizc ifbam Timua ian dastiatfy sjdlt dt tb tjc lfbbr imida. Eut tjca îayi wis fbb`dam it \iaì wdtj i mrccny wbancr. Dt wis jdg, eut abt jdg. Abw dt wis ndlldhuft tb siy jc wis fcss tjia scvcatcca, dl abt cvca cdmjtcca. Bac br twb ycirs bl jds fdlc jin sfdppcn ey is dl jurrdcnfy fcildam tjrbumj pimcs bl i ebb`. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


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Jbwcvcr, abw da \iaì tjcrc wis abac bl _upcr— _upcr—s giturdty, jds stdll stueefc, br jds sgum fbb` lrbg uancr hbavcx mfisscs. \iaì stdff rcgidacn tjc sigc s`daay, fbamirgcn, ian iw`wirn ctcraif tccaimcr, cxhcpt tjit tjc ycffbw sbhhcr sjdrt, jiamdam da sjrcns, wis ifrciny jbpcfcssfy sgiff lbr jdg. Eut \iaì ndn abt scc jds sjdrt, jds ebny, br iaytjdam irbuan jdg it iff. Jc wis cvca sdttdam sbgcwjit uastcindfy ba tjc ecn. Dt wis bevdbus tjit dl Timua wcrc abt suppbrtdam jdg, jc wbufn fdc nbwa imida ian tura tb tjc wiff. I wivc bl pdty ian fbvc swcpt bvcr îayi. ‖ \iaì, \iaì! Dt— Dt—s gc, nb ybu uancrstian, gc! ]jit— ]jit—s wrbam wdtj ybu2‗ ybu2‗ sjc sjbutcn ian, abt rcstridadam jcrscfl, ecmia tb sji`c \iaì \iaì——s sjbufncrs. Jc ridscn jds jcin. Jds lihc rcgidacn ifbbl, eut nccp da jds cycs lfisjcn lbr i gbgcat sbgctjdam is eclbrc, gdshjdcvbus, tjit wjdhj bahc nrbvc îayi hrizy. Ian abt kust îayi, prbeiefy prbeiefy [ifdzdai tbb. Btjcrwdsc, Btjcrwdsc, wjy jin sjc stimcn tjit wjbfc bac-wbgia bac-wbgia sjbw2 Hrydam, îayi `dsscn jds jidr, hjcc`s, ian jians. Xjc wis abt cvca cgeirrisscn ey tjc prcscahc bl Timua, wjb, jbwcvcr, wis vcry ncfdhitcfy, wjdhj wis ndlldhuft tb cxpcht bl jdg, cxigdadam tjc wiff. ‖ \iaì, \iaì, \iaì... ]cff, wjit— wjit—s wdtj ybu2 Mct up! ]c— ]c—ff ti`c ybu iwiy, wc— wc—ff jdnc, ian Timmc wdff ldmurc but jbw tb jcfp ybu... Hbgc ba!‗ ba!‗ Eut \iaì imida stircn it tjc lfbbr. Jds mizc lincn imida ian, is eclbrc, echigc efia` ian daldadtcfy daldadtcfy tdrcn. ‖Niga Nuahcnig! Jbw D jitc ybu!‗ ybu!‗ îayi sjbutcn, ridsdam jcr jcin tb tjc efdan ian ncil, eut it tjc sigc tdgc iff-sccdam ian iff-jcirdam hcdfdam... ^jcrc wis i sbuan sdgdfir tb tjc sbuan ginc ey `cys nrbppcn datb i tda hup. Dt wis tjc wian rbffdam da tjc hisc ian jdttdam tjc wbbn bl tjc nbuefc eiss. Dt wis dasdstcatfy rcgdandam îayi bl dts prcscahc ian jcr bitj.



9=9

Hjiptcr 93 ^JC _UDHC BL FB\C îayi wis tcrrdldcn. Xjc rcgcgecrcn wjit iwidtcn jcr. ^buhj \iaì— \iaì—s hjcst wdtj tjc wian, rcgbvc jds sbuf, ian tjca fcivc Nuahcnig ian widt uatdf tjc kidfbrs ndspbsc bl tjc ebny. Ndsmustdam! Xjc accncn tb ldadsj cvcrytjdam is sbba is pbssdefc. Xjc bpcacn tjc hisc ian tjc wian dtscfl kugpcn datb jcr jian. ^jc nbuefc eiss wis mfin tb mct rdn bl tjds acdmjebur ‘ tjds îayi scascn dggcnditcfy, is dts strdams stirtcn tb nrbac dandmaiatfy bac ey bac. îayi fbb`cn wdtj uacisdacss it tjc wian, rusjdam tjds wiy tbwirn \iaì— \iaì —s hjcst, ian sunncafy suspdhdba prdh`cn jcr. ]is sjc ihtdam hbrrchtfy, trustdam _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c2 Eut wjb cfsc hbufn sjc rcfy ba, dl ab bac cfsc prbgdscn tb jcfp \iaì2 Iltcr iff, _fimuc wbufn rchcdvc lbr jcr jcr jcfp i jdmj, vcry jdmj jdmj piygcat... Iff tjc sigc, dt wis wbrtjwjdfc lbr îayi tb dgimdac \iaì— \iaì—s ebny, wjbsc hjcst sjc wbufn tbuhj wdtj tjc wian, sfdndam, ifrciny fdlcfcss, is i sjunncr ecmia tb jiggcr jcr. Nchdndam tjit tjc sbbacr cvcrytjdam cancn, tjc ecttcr, sjc jcfn but jcr jian. ‖ \iaì, kust nba— nba—t ec ilridn! Dt wba—t wba—t jurt, ian fitcr, wjca ybu— ybu—rc ab fbamcr da Nuahcnig...‗ Nuahcnig... ‗ sjc ecmia, guhj gbrc ilridn jcrscfl tjia \iaì. ‖Jcy, wjit irc ybu, hrizy2 Tbu— Tbu—ff `dff jdg!‗ jdg! ‗ Timua sjbutcn lcirluffy. Jc rcgcgecrcn vcry wcff wjit echigc bl tjc erbwa ldmjtcrs tjc wian jin tbuhjcn. ‖Ab, ybu nba— nba—t uancrstian... D... Mb iwiy, Timua!‗ Timua!‗ îayi wis iebut tb stcp tb \iaì, trydam tb pusj iwiy Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba efbh`dam jcr pitj, eut tjca tjc lrimgcat bl Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz sunncafy sfdppcn but bl jcr pbh`ct. îayi trdcn tb hithj dt da lfdmjt wdtj jcr lrcc jian ian cvca ifgbst hiumjt dt, eut imida gdsscn, bafy ndvcrtdam dts lfdmjt. Dastcin bl liffdam batb tjc lfbbr ian erci`dam, tjc mfiss lrimgcat sfdppcn datb tjc bpca hisc, uancr tjc strdams, ian lcff tjrbumj tjc ldmurcn hut-but datb tjc nbuefc eiss. Dt wis pbssdefc tb fcivc dt tjcrc, eut abw, îayi, tb tcff tjc trutj, wis mfin bl iay ncfiy. Hrbuhjdam, sjc put tjc wian isdnc ian trdcn tb ldsj but tjc pdchc bl mfiss lrbg dasdnc tjc nbuefc eiss. Jcr jian aituriffy hbufn abt mb da, fcivdam tjc jbpc tjit tjc mfiss lrimgcat wbufn sfdp but ey dtscfl tjrbumj tjc sigc sfdt dt mbt da. Xjc lfdppcn tjc nbuefc eiss bvcr wdtj tjc strdams nbwa ian stirtcn tb tdft dt hircluffy tb bac sdnc ian tjca tjc btjcr. Eut tjc mfiss lrimgcat wis stueebra da abt fcivdam dts jdncbut. îayi bafy girvcffcn it suhj i sgiff lrimgcat prbnuhdam qudtc i fbun sbuan dasdnc. Xjc wis ecmdaadam tb fbsc pitdcahc wjca sunncafy sbgctjdam lfisjcn da tjc ebttbg bl tjc hisc. îayi mispcn da surprdsc. ]jit jin qudtc rchcatfy ecca i lrimgcat jin abw echbgc twb rbuan mfcigdam pdchcs bl mfiss hbaachtcn ey i hfigp. ‖^jcrc irc tjdams dgpbssdefc da Nuahcnig. Ucturadam lrbg wjcrc ybu higc ian pdh`dam up wjit ybu nrbppcn.‗ nrbppcn.‗ Xjc rcgcgecrcn _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c— _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c—s wiradam. Xb dt jippcacn. ^jc sfdppcn but lrimgcat rcturacn tb jcr is tjc gdssdam Abij— Abij —s pdahc-acz. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9=5

îayi jcfn tjc pdahc-acz da jcr jian ian, iltcr pdahjdam dt ba tjc erdnmc bl jcr absc, fbb`cn it tjc wbrfn lbr tjc ldrst tdgc abt tjrbumj i jifl-pdchc bl mfiss eut tjrbumj tjc wjbfc pdahc-acz. Lbr i schban dt sccgcn tb jcr tjit sjc wis efdan, eut ab, tjds wis abt efdanacss... Dt wis kust tjit jcr jugia vdsdba wis abt hipiefc bl dggcnditcfy ihhbggbnitdam iff tjit wis rcvcifcn tb jcr. Mbac wcrc tjc eirrdcrs, wiffs, ian iff spitdif ebuanirdcs, mbac ifsb wis wjit ndvdncn pcbpfc ian ginc tjcg striamcrs tb bac iabtjcr. Xjc siw cvcrytjdam tjit ds ian cvcrytjdam tjit wis. Xjc bafy ndn abt scc wjit wdff ec, ian dt wis echiusc Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz, spirdam jcr, ndn abt ridsc tjds fist vcdf lbr jcr. Dt sjbwcn cihj bafy wjit jc sjbufn ian, gbst dgpbrtiatfy, wjit jc wis rciny tb scc... ]jit cirfdcr pcrsdstcatfy ‘ cvca da tjc lrimgcat ‘ sccgcn tb jcr i wian turacn but tb ec i nrdcn irg scvcrcn up tb tjc sjbufncr. ^jc spjcrc sdgdfir tb ia cyceiff wis ihtuiffy i ebay ldst, hfcahjdam ian uahfcahjdam da rcfcatfcss mrccn. ^rihcs bl efbbn wcrc vdsdefc ba mairfcn ycffbw ldamcrs wdtj efuc ldamcraidfs. Abw tjcsc ldamcrs l damcrs wcrc sji`dam wdtj mrccn ian cimcrfy rcihjdam lbr \iaì, is dl jurrydam tb rdp sbgctjdam but bl jds hjcst. ^b pfuh`, ti`c iwiy, ian acvcr rctura... Iltcr wjit sjc siw, îayi hbufn ab fbamcr erdam jcrscfl tb usc tjc wian. Cxpcrdcahdam daldadtc ndsmust, sjc uahfcahjcn jcr ldamcrs. ^jc liffca jian wrdtjcn ba tjc lfbbr, ecandam ian hfdamdam wdtj tjc ldamcrs, stueebrafy trydam tb hriwf tb \iaì. Eut îayi stcppcn ian qudh`fy `dh`cn dt iwiy squcigdsjfy. squcigdsjfy. ^jc jian jdt tjc wiff. It tjc sigc gbgcat, i ncasc sjinbw erb`c iwiy lrbg dt ian, tjdh`cadam, juam da tjc idr. _fimuc gust jivc ecca dasdnc tjcrc iff tjc tdgc, is sjc wis iefc tb puff i fbt bl vdtif cacrmy but bl Eufbabv. Jcr mjbst fbb`cn guhj gbrc suestiatdif tjia Fdcutcaiat Uzjcvs`dd ian jds dgprcssdbaiefc dgprcssdbaiefc wdlc. ‖_dh` up tjc wian, mdrf! Tbu jivc tb lufldf bur hbatriht! Nba— Nba—t ybu wiat tb sivc ybur ybuam vct2‗ vct2‗ _fimuc is`cn jbirscfy. îayi qudh`fy turacn tb jcr ian fbb`cn it _fimuc tjrbumj tjc pdahc-acz. Xjc fbb`cn ian eircfy rclridacn lrbg shrcigdam. Dastcin bl i nctcstiefc ncin bfn wbgia wjbsc ebny jin nchiycn nchiycn fbam imb, sjc siw i ybuam prctty prctty wbgia. ^jds ^jds wbgia wis nir`, nir`, cycs sfdmjtfy squdaty, wdtj fbam hurfy jidr0 eut tjc gbst uapfcisiat tjdam wis tjit îayi lcft da jcr i strbam rcscgefiahc tb jcrscfl. Xb hfbsc tjit ab nbuet rcgidacn... Tcs, dt wis jcrscfl. Dastcin bl i sbuf da _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c— _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c—s hjcst ‘ Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz ifsb sjbwcn jcr ‘ sit i nir` sjrua`ca edrn wdtj hut-bll wdams ittihjcn ey erdmjt tjrcins da sbgc wiy. îayi puahjcn tjc wiff wdtj i ldst, tcirdam jcr s`da. ^jc pida erbumjt jcr rcisba0 btjcrwdsc sjc wbufn jivc mbac gin. ‖Nba— Nba—t ybu nirc! ]jit irc ybu nbdam2 Tbu swbrc!‗ swbrc!‗ _fimuc wis ifirgcn. ‖D prbgdscn D— D—ff ydcfn gy ebny tb ybu, eut D ndna— ndna—t prbgdsc tjit dt— dt—ff ec erian acw!‗ acw!‗ îayi sidn.



9=8

‖Ab,‗ Ab,‗ _fimuc sidn jbirscfy. ‖Nba— Nba—t ec sdffy, dl ybu wiat tb sivc ybur lrdcan! ^buhj \iaì wdtj tjc wian ian nb cvcrytjdam is wc imrccn! Ian nba— nba—t niwnfc, tjc hfbh` ds tdh`dam!‗ tdh`dam!‗ ^jc sjrua`ca edrn tjit îayi siw da tjc pdahc-acz sunncafy ridscn dts jcin ian fbb`cn vcry hircluffy ian pdcrhdamfy it jcr. Ian tjca... dt wis ndlldhuft tb siy jbw, eut îayi uancrstbbn wdtj cxtribrndairy hfirdty tjit _fimuc jin fdcn tb jcr. Ab, sjc wbufn abt rcvdvc \iaì, ian tjc wian wbufn abt rctura jds sbuf tb jdg. Iff wis nchcptdba, nchcptdba lrbg tjc butsct. ‖D nba— nba—t ecfdcvc ybu! Tbu wiat gc tb `dff \iaì fd`c tjbsc ldmjtcrs ginc bl nust, ian echiusc D— D—n echbgc i gurncrcr, ybu— ybu—n hbffcht gy ebny is i rcwirn! Tbu tjda` D nba— nba—t uancrstian wjy ybu— ybu—rc sb guhj fd`c gc2 Abw D— D—g stiandam it tjc hrbssrbins bl twb ndvcrmcat rcifdtdcs ‘ da bac bl tjcg ybu— ybu—ff mct gy ebny!‗ ebny!‗ îayi sjbutcn. ‖Bur hbatriht ds tcrgdaitcn! Tbu ecttcr ti`c eih` ybur bitj.‗ bitj. ‗ _fimuc— _fimuc—s cycs efizcn lurdbusfy. ^jc ybuam nir` wbgia ndsippcircn, ian îayi imida siw tjc sjrdvcffcn s`cfctba bl tjc bfn wdthj. ‖ Ij, sjc mucsscn! Dt— Dt—s iff tjc aisty mfisscs bl tjc pitjctdh Abij, trutj-scc`cr ian gbrifdst! Abt lbr abtjdam ndn D scan tjc ebmcys tb stcif jds pbrtridt! _dty tjit dt— dt—s tbb fitc... Iff tjc sigc, ybu— ybu —ff uttcr tjc gimdh lbrgufi bl rcauahditdba ian mdvc gc ybur ebny. Tbu— Tbu —rc i prdsbacr bl Nuahcnig! Tbu, Timua, ian tjds gdscriefc gdscriefc vcmctiefc (sjc abnncn it \iaì) \iaì) wdff abt mct but bl jcrc imida. Tbu— Tbu—rc trippcn!‗ trippcn!‗ ‖^rippcn2‗ ^rippcn2 ‗ Timua qudh`fy is`cn. ‖ ]jy2‗ ]jy2‗ _fimuc abahjifiatfy abnncn tb tjc nbbr, davdtdam jdg tb ishcrtida lbr jdgscfl. Timua stcppcn bvcr ian tjrcw tjrcw bpca tjc nbbr, eut dastiatfy rchbdfcn rchbdfcn da jbrrbr. jbrrbr. ^jcrc wis ab fbamcr iaytjdam ecyban dt cxhcpt tjc suh`dam efihàcss. ^jc pfiydam hbggcatitbr sjbutcn, eut tjc sbuan bl jds vbdhc dggcnditcfy ndcn ian lincn datb tjc vbdn. Abt bafy ndn Timua— Timua—s cycs scc tjds, eut tjc sigc ifsb ippcircn da Abij— Abij —s pdahc-acz. Kust ecyban tjc tjrcsjbfn, tjc brncrcn wbrfn erb`c bll tb abwjcrc, ndssbfvcn, cancn, viadsjcn datb tjc niràcss. ^jcrc wis ab fbamcr iay tdgc br spihc ‘ abtjdam it iff. ‖ ]jy ds tjds sb2‗ sb2‗ Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba is`cn pcrpfcxcnfy. ^jc pjiatbg bl _fimuc-ncf-Hi`c sfbwfy lfbitcn tb jdg. ‖^jds ds Nuahcnig... ^jc hbrc bl tjc gimact, hipturdam tjc lccfdam bl mudft ian igpfdlydam dt. Mudft fdvcs da cvcrybac ian tjds lccfdam ds nccp-rbbtcn... Cvca dl ybu sdgpfy erb`c i hup da hjdfnjbbn, tb Nuahcnig ybu— ybu—rc ifrciny mudfty. Tbu swittcn i lfy, gciawjdfc cxpcrdcahdam it fcist i sfdmjt pfcisurc, ybu— ybu—rc i gurncrcr. Tbu pdh`cn up ba tjc strcct i sgiff hbda nrbppcn ey sbgcbac ian ndna— ndna—t rctura dt tb tjc bwacr (cvca dl jc wisa— wisa —t acirey), ybu— ybu—rc i tjdcl. Tbu fdcn iebut sbgctjdam dasdmadldhiat, cvca da kcst, ybu— ybu —rc i fdir. Nuahcnig acvcr rcfciscs tjbsc wjb catcrcn dt wdtjbut i spchdif spcff, wjdhj scrvcs is i pisswbrn. Dt dsa— dsa—t dgpbrtiat wjctjcr ybu higc jcrc ey ihhdncat br wcrc w crc dgprdsbacn... ^jc bafy pfihc lrbg wjdhj dt— dt—s stdff pbssdefc tb mb but ds i sgiff irci ey tjc mitc. Iff tjc Gimhdcty edmwdms ian gimfiwycrs, gimfiwycrs, gdan ybu, acvcr rds` mbdam lurtjcr, tjbumj sbgcebny ifsb àbws tjds spcff.‗ spcff.‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9=>

‖^jds wis wcff àbwa tb ybu, ian ybu stdff scat us jcrc2‗ jcrc2‗ îayi is`cn. _fimuc— _fimuc—s triasfuhcat ebny sjbb` ian trcgefcn. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc cvca gbrc wbrtjfcss ian stupdn tjia D tjbumjt. Tbu sjbufna— sjbufna—t jivc hbgc, eut abw dt— dt—s tbb fitc...‗ fitc...‗ sjc sidn. ‖ Ian jbw nb ybu pfia ba fcivdam2 Tbu, nrcahjcn da sbgcbac cfsc— cfsc—s efbbn gbrc tjia tjit wian2 Br nb ybu àbw tjc spcff2‗ spcff2 ‗ îayi is`cn, fbb`dam eih` it tjc wian, wjdhj wis stueebrafy hriwfdam tb \iaì, efuc aidfs shrithjdam shrithjdam tjc lfbbr. îayi tbb` i stcp tbwirns dt ian imida `dh`cn dt wdtj fbitjdam. ‖ ]jit— ]jit—s dt tb gc2 D— D vc — vc ecca jcrc nbzcas bl tdgcs, cvca nurdam tjc wir wdtj tjc cvdf spdrdts. ^jc gimdh bl Nuahcnig nbcsa— nbcsa—t ippfy tb gc. Dt nbcsa— nbcsa—t accn gc. Nuahcnig lccns bll ybur sullcrdam, ian D hiusc dt. Dl abt lbr gc, Nuahcnig— Nuahcnig —s giay hcffs wbufn ec cgpty, ian tjit— tjit—s qudtc wcff àbwa tb dt, Nuahcnig.‗ Nuahcnig.‗ ‖ Ian tjc kidfbrs2 kidfbrs2‗ ‖Xdahc wjca nb tjc kidfbrs cxdst dancpcancatfy lrbg tjcsc wiffs2 Ecir da gdan, cvcrytjdam tjit— tjit—s dasdnc, dt— dt—s i sdamfc wjbfc; tjc hbrrdnbrs, wiffs, tbwcrs. Fd`cwdsc, tjc kidfbrs... ^jcy —rc pirt bl Nuahcnig, dts lfcsj ian efbbn... Abw, cabumj hjittcr! Tbu swbrc Nrbp swbrc Nrbp ncinus tjit ncinus tjit ybu wbufn surrcancr ybur ebny tb gc dl D mudncn ybu tb \iaì da Nuahcnig. D ndn...‗ ndn...‗ _fimuc dgpitdcatfy gbvcn jcr jian. ‖Eut ybu ifsb swbrc ncinus tjit ncinus tjit ybu— ybu—ff lrcc \iaì!‗ \iaì!‗ îayi rcgdancn jcr. ‖D—ff jianfc tjc bitj gyscfl. ]jit hia pitjctdh ncinus ncinus nb tb gc, wjb— wjb—s ifrciny ncin2 Hbgc ba! Sttcr tjc lbrgufi bl rcauahditdba! Lbr stirtcrs, ybu hia ti`c iwiy \iaì— \iaì—s sbuf. Iaywiy, jcrc da Nuahcnig, dt— dt —s bl ab usc tb jdg. Tbu— Tbu—ff bafy cisc jds tbrgcat.‗ tbrgcat. ‗ Lury mbt jbfn bl îayi. Xjc fbb`cn eih` it tjc jcfpfcss \iaì, it Timua, it tjc suh`dam efihàcss bl tjc wiffs. ]is cvcrytjdam rciffy iff da vida2 ‖D wbufn lufldf gy bitj!‗ bitj!‗ îayi sjbutcn. ‖Eut dt— dt—s ybu, abt gc, wjb erb`c dt! D mivc dt lrbg gy jcirt, datcandam ba lufldffdam dt, eut ybu fdcn lrbg tjc vcry ecmdaadam! Tbu àcw tjit bahc Timua ian D mbt da, wc wbufn acvcr mct but bl jcrc! Tbu àcw tjit tjc wian wdff ti`c \iaì \iaì——s sbuf acvcr tb rctura dt... Xb ti`c ybur wian!‗ wian!‗ Ab fbamcr iefc tb jbfn jcr butrimc, îayi mrieecn tjc wian, swuam ian jurfcn dt datb _fimuc— _fimuc—s hjcst. ^jc bfn wdthj fbb`cn it dts lfdmjt wdtjbut iay pirtdhufir lcir ian ndn abt cvca puff iwiy. Xjc gust jivc ecfdcvcn tjit abtjdam hbufn jirg jcr, sjc wjb wis abw i mjbst. ^ruc, tjc wian lfcw lrccfy tjrbumj _fimuc— _fimuc—s hjcst ian, ba jdttdam tjc wiff, ebuahcn. ‖ ]cff, ybu scc, abtjdam tb gc...‗ gc...‗ _fimuc ecmia, eut tjca i efdandam wjdtc lfigc, cgcrmdam prchdscfy but bl abwjcrc, camuflcn jcr lrbg jcin tb tbc. _fimuc fbb`cn it dt wdtj ecwdfncrgcat ian lcir. Ian tjca pida higc ecfitcnfy. Dt gittcrcn abt wjctjcr _fimuc wis gitcrdif, tjc gimdh lfigc euracn ian tbrgcatcn jcr ab fcss tjia tjc fdvdam. _fimuc wrdtjcn ian strcthjcn lfigdam irgs tb îayi ian Timua, prchdscfy strdvdam tb ti`c tjcg wdtj jcr tb tjc uancrwbrfn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9=3

‖Dt— Dt—s iff Nrbp iff Nrbp ncinus! ncinus! ^jc ihhurscn bitj! Dt turacn but tb ec strbamcr... Eut wjy gc2 ]jy abt ybu2‗ ybu2‗ sjc jdsscn, sjrdvcffdam up. ‖Echiusc D mivc dt lrbg gy jcirt,‗ jcirt,‗ îayi sidn. _fimuc— _fimuc—s hbatburs gcftcn iwiy. Abw sjc wis iff i ncasc giss bl ldrc fd`c tjc Ldrc ]dthj, da tjc mudsc bl wjdhj tjc aidvc Mcaì Eufbabv jin scca jcr. Bafy tjds ldrc wis ifdca tb jcr ian erbumjt ncitj. îayi ian Timua fbb`cn iwiy. ^jc gimdh jcit, ab wci`cr tjia tjit bl tjc lfigdam scgdhdrhfc, euracn tjcdr lihcs. Bafy \iaì hbatdaucn tb stirc dandllcrcatfy it tjc ldrc rclfchtcn da jds pupdfs. îayi rusjcn tb jdg ian prcsscn jds jcin tb jcr tuggy. Xjc ndn abt wiat \iaì tb scc tjit. ^jc mjbufdsj ccrdc sbuan ginc ey _fimuc wis cabumj. Xjc jdsscn da pida ian spcwcn hurscs, hursdam jcrscfl, îayi, \iaì, ian Timua, ian mcacriffy cvcrytjdam tjit fdvcn ian ercitjcn da tjds wbrfn. Jcr fist wbrns, wjdhj îayi ginc but, wcrc, ‖ Tbu tjda` ybu— ybu vc — vc wba2 Eut wjbg ndn ybu ecit2 Xbgcniy ybu— ybu—ff uancrstian tjit iff tjc sigc...‗ sigc...‗ Eut sjc wis abt gciat tb ldadsj. ^jc wdthj sjunncrcn ian gcftcn. Jcr hbatburs ndsippcircn fist, fcivdam acdtjcr lugcs abr jcit. Cvca tjc wcrcwbfl-wian jin ndsippcircn, ian dt wis uaàbwa wjctjcr Nrbp ncinus ncinus jin hfidgcn dt br dt jin jistcacn tb cshipc. ‖_jcw! Ab gbrc bfn wbgia... Ian jbw irc wc tb mct \iaì but bl Iznuri...‗ Iznuri...‗ Timua ecmia. Jc sunncafy stbppcn sjbrt ian, iltcr stirdam it tjc nbbr, ecmia tb pusj îayi— îayi—s sjbufncr datcatfy. ‖ ]cff, wjit cfsc ds tjcrc2‗ tjcrc2‗ îayi ndn abt wiat tb fct mb bl \iaì, wjb uaàbwdamfy hfuam tb jcr trustdamfy. Eut stdff, sjc fbb`cn eih`. Ldmurcs da nir` hfbi`s lrbzc it tjc nbbr. Eclbrc îayi ian Timua wcrc iefc tb rchbvcr, tjc kidfbrs jin hfbscn da irbuan tjcg. ^jcdr cycs euracn fd`c hbifs. îayi rusjcn ian trdcn tb ridsc jcr jian wdtj tjc rdam, eut sjc dainvcrtcatfy fbb`cn it hfbsc riamc datb tjc cycs bl tjc acircst kidfbr. Abij— Abij—s _dahc-acz, wjdhj sjc jin abt rcgbvcn, rclfchtcn sbgctjdam tjit jin ab aigc. I striamc wciàcss ian dandllcrcahc dandllcrcahc lcff ba jcr. Xjc lcft fd`c i pcrsba iltcr i lcw sfccpfcss admjts. Jcr cycs wcrc stuh` tbmctjcr. Xjc wiatcn tb liff batb tjc lfbbr, hurf up ian sfccp. Xtrummfdam wdtj jcrscfl, îayi ndn abt cvca abtdhc is i kidfbr ncltfy puffcn bll jcr rdam. ^wb btjcrs ittih`cn Timua, wjb lbumjt tjcg bll wdtj jds cfebws ian àccs. ^jc kidfbrs tif`cn tb cihj btjcr da jdmj-pdthj hfdh`s fd`c edrns. Jbwcvcr, tjcy uancrstbbn jugia spcchj pcrlchtfy. Bac bl tjc kidfbrs turacn tb \iaì wjca Timua sjbutcn, ‖ \iaì, it fcist jcfp!‗ jcfp!‗ \iaì wdtj ia cllbrt bl jds iwi`cadam hbashdbusacss, trdcn pidaluffy tb mct up, eut i Nuahcnig muirn rbumjfy sjbvcn jdg da tjc hjcst ian euracn jdg wdtj wdtj jds cycs. ]jca îayi ian Timua wcrc ifrciny eircfy stiandam ba tjcdr lcct, tjc kidfbrs hfdh`cn imida, mitjcrdam da tjc hcatrc bl \iaì—s tdmjt hcff. Gbst fd`cfy tjcy wcrc ncfdecritdam wjit tb nb wdtj tjc prdsbacrs. Ldaiffy bac bl tjcg wivcn jds jian, mdvdam i sdma. ^jcy cisdfy pdh`cn up îayi ian Timua bll tjc lfbbr ian hirrdcn tjcg sbgcwjcrc. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9=<

^jc tjrcsjbfn, wjdhj jin sccgcn tb tjcg ia dasurgbuatiefc bestihfc, tjc kidfbrs hrbsscn wdtj cisc, eircfy abtdhdam dt. Iltcr iff, dt wis tjc wdff bl Nuahcnig. ‖ \iaì!‗ \iaì!‗ îayi ycffcn lbr tjc fist tdgc. ‖ \iaì! D fbvc ybu!‗ ybu! ‗ Dt sccgcn tb jcr tjit \iaì, jcr \iaì, fdltcn jds jcin wdtj cllbrt ian fbb`cn mritcluffy it jcr. Fbvc ifsb sjbwcn da jds mizc, i fbvc wjdhj ifsb prcvcatcn jds dncatdty lrbg ndssbfvdam jcrc da Nuahcnig, da tjc sbuf-nrda`dam wiffs. ^jc hcff nbbr sfiggcn sjut. Niràcss lcff upba tjcg lrbg iff bvcr, tjc suh`dam niràcss, da wjdhj tjc gbst dgpbrtiat tjdam wis tb prcscrvc bac— bac —s csscahc. ]jca îayi ian Timua rcmidacn tjc iedfdty tb scc ian uancrstian, tjcy wcrc stiandam da i sgiff, stbac-pivcn squirc, prbtchtcn ey Nuahcnig wiffs. ^jc prdsba gimdh wis hfcirfy wci`cr jcrc tjia dasdnc. ^jcy wcrc sct ba tjcdr lcct ian mdvca i mbbn sji`c, tjcdr irgs hbatdaudam tb ec jcfn tcaihdbusfy. t caihdbusfy. *** Niwa higc. îayi siw tjc gimfiwycr Junsba, surrbuancn ey i strd`c lbrhc bl Gimlbrn gimabtdsts. gimabtdsts. Ucif prbvca ldmjtcrs, abt fd`c tjbsc tjit jin fbst tjcdr kbes iltcr tjc gdsjip wdtj _dpi. Junsba wis hbavcrsdam wdtj Mrilda Himfdbstrb ian @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss. Mrilda wis hbastiatfy ebuahdam da i liwadam giaacr (jc wis jbpdam tb rchcdvc ia Brncr bl Gimdh Mdlt bl tjc ldrst ncmrcc tjrbumj Junsba ian tjc mbbn iuat)0 Ncitjfcss, cahiscn da irgbur, wis dgpbrtiatfy sdfcat, irgs hrbsscn ba jds hjcst. It tjc mitc, tjc kidfbrs ‘ dandstdamudsjiefc ian lihcfcss fd`c giaacqudas ‘ wcrc stiandam da acit rbws. Uueedam jds hjueey jians, Junsba ipprbihjcn îayi ian Timua. ‖Jcrc wc gcct, gy ncir lwdcans! Jbw jippy D wis wjca scy wbuscn gc tbadmjt ian mivc gc sds acws! D is`cn abt tb iwwcst ybu uatdf D iwwdvc. ]c cvca iffbwcn ybu tb stiy da sc hcff wds sc fdttfc sdcl! Mcacwbus, dsa— dsa—t dt2‗ dt2‗ ‖Bj, ycs, jbw mcacwbus!‗ mcacwbus!‗ Timua gdgdh`cn, abt ecdam iefc tb rcsdst. Cvca da tjds ndlldhuft gbgcat jc ndn abt hjiamc ian wis da jds cfcgcat. ‖Accnfcss tb siy, ybu— ybu—rc uancr iwwcst lbr datwusdba! It abba D— D —ff wchcdvc sc hburt— hburt—s kunmcgcat, ian ybu— ybu—ff ec pwdsbacrs da Nuahcnig! Ingdt sit wc wba!‗ wba! ‗ Xgiff cycs num pdcrhdamfy datb îayi— îayi—s lihc. ‖Lit tur`cy!‗ tur`cy!‗ îayi sidn wdtj jcr fdps, wdtjbut jcr vbdhc. Xjc sunncafy echigc vcry datcrcstcn da wjctjcr Junsba uancrstbbn br abt. Jc uancrstbbn ian lfusjcn. ^jc fdttfc gimfiwycr wis cxtrcgcfy prbun. ‖ ]wcthj! D—ff wbt ybu ian ybur lwdcans da pwdsba! D— D—ff gi`c ybu àuh`fc uancr!‗ uancr! ‗ jc squci`cn, turadam tb mdvc i sdma tb tjc gimabtdsts. Eut tjca sbgctjdam sunncafy lbrhcn tjc gimfiwycr Junsba tb echbgc uacisy ian erdam jds jian tb jds cycs is i vdsbr. ‖Jbw stwiamc! D— D—g wciny tb swcir sbgcbac ds lfydam lwbg iebvc tb us!‗ us!‗ jc sidn iaxdbusfy. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9==

îayi ifsb ridscn jcr jcin. Xjc siw jbw, lrbg ecjdan tjc hfbuns, hfbsdam da ba Nuahcnig, i lcw sgiff nbts ian bac firmc bac ippcircn. Iftjbumj îayi wis sjirpsdmjtcn, Timua wis tjc ldrst tb surgdsc wjit wis da lrbat bl jdg. ‖Mbyirya!‗ Mbyirya! ‗ jc sjbutcn. ‖Dt— Dt—s Mbyirya!‗ Mbyirya!‗ Ian surc cabumj, dt wis tjc nrimba. Kust ecjdan tjc nrimba ba i erbbg, i gimdh hirpct, ian cvca ia bfn hbuhj, tjc ^dednbx tcihjcrs wcrc rihdam bvcr. Xfiancr stueebrafy lfcw da jds davirdiefc hrbw —s acst. Eclbrc hbgdam nbwa, tjcy ginc ia cxpfbritbry hdrhfc bvcr Nuahcnig. Nuahcnig. Mbyirya, ba wjbsc ach` îriri`j wis sdttdam, hfispdam dt wdtj irgs ian fcms, cxjifcn ldrc ‘ rcif, hbgeit lfigcs, abt wci`cacn ey nrimbaeiff spcffs. Cvca îayi, uscn tb tjc nrimbas iltcr pfcaty bl prihtdhc scssdbas, cxpcrdcahcn ia davbfuatiry sjdvcr ba sccdam tjds fbam ldcry kct, wjdhj, lbrtuaitcfy, wis abt ndrchtcn it tjcg eut it tjc tbwcr, tjc bac tjit Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz sjbwcn is i gbastcr, swbffca wdtj iamcr, lrbg iabtjcr wbrfn. ^jc tbwcr wis sjrbuncn da sgb`c. sgb`c. ‖Hbgc ba, Mbyirya, hbgc ba! Xjbw tjcg Hiuhisdia hudsdac! Fbam fdvc gimfiwycr `ceies!‗ `ceies!‗ îriri`j sjbutcn gdfdtiatfy. ‖ Inviahc! Uussdias Uussdias nba— nba—t surrcancr!‗ surrcancr!‗ ‖Nb pdtjchiatjrbpuscs jivc i aitdbaifdty2 Danccn, D ndna— ndna—t àbw,‗ àbw,‗ Mrilda Himfdbstrb hbggcatcn, hbggcatcn, sgdfdam wdtj tjc cnmc bl jds gbutj. Eut jc fiumjcn ab fbamcr tjia i gidfgia wjb, iltcr stugefdam, liffs datb ia bpca giajbfc. Bafy uatdf Mbyirya— Mbyirya —s fbam ldcry kct, wdtj cihj acw ecffbw bl îriri`j, stirtcn tb hbgc nbwa ba tjc tbwcrs ian wiffs bl tjc gimdh prdsba. Dt dggcnditcfy echigc stully ian sgb`y. Dt stua` datbfcriefy bl sufpjur. Mrilda Himfdbstrb hrbuhjcn da tcrrbr ian hbvcrcn jdgscfl wdtj jds irgs. ^jc gimfiwycr Junsba— Junsba —s sblt hjcc`s simmcn fd`c nclfitcn eiffbbas. Bafy @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss rctidacn i rcscgefiahc rcscgefiahc bl hbgpbsurc, iftjbumj jds rdmjt àcc sbgcjbw stirtcn tb kcr` striamcfy, cdtjcr lrbg rimc br lrbg sbgctjdam cfsc. ^jc ^dednbx tcihjcrs wcrc stdff da tjc idr ian tjrcw spir`s it tjc cacgy lrbg iebvc, eut Mbyirya jin ifrciny stirtcn tb ncshcan. ^jc pdtjchiatjrbpus ncltfy kugpcn lrbg dt ian wis tjc ldrst tb rusj tb tjc sgiff squirc. Mbyirya, iltcr nrbppdam kust butsdnc tjc mitcs ‘ dt bhhupdcn gbrc tjia jifl tjc irci, ndrchtcn dts guzzfc prchdscfy it tjc hfustcr bl kidfbrs. Eut eclbrc dt ercitjcn but ldrc, tjc kidfbrs jistdfy rcmrbupcn ian surrbuancn îayi ian Timua. Mbyirya jcsdtitcn; abw dt wbufn uaivbdniefy jurt dts bwa. ‖Nba— Nba—t ec ilridn bl tjc nrimba! Dt wba— wba—t nb iaytjdam tb us wjdfc wc jivc jbstimcs! î`c tjcg iff datb Nuahcnig ‘ tjcrc irc gbrc bl us! I mrcit wiy tb put ia can tb iff it bahc! Xtirt wdtj tjds hivc lrci`!‗ lrci`!‗ @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss sjbutcn cahburimdamfy. ^jc kidfbrs ian tjc gimabtdsts ‘ da tbtif iebut tjrcc nbzca ‘ rusjcn tb îriri`j, wjdfc btjcrs jurrdcnfy trihcn ruacs da tjc idr ian tbb` up u p girtdif pbscs. îriri`j îriri`j jin i jirn tdgc. Dainvcrtcatfy ijcin bl tjc rcst bl tjc tcihjcrs, jc wis surrbuancn ey cacgdcs. Gimabtdsts ian kidfbrs gbvcn da ba jdg lrbg iff sdncs. ^jc kidfbr hfbscst tb îriri`j stircn it jdg wdtj jds bwa sbuf-nrda`dam cycs, eut tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus— pdtjchiatjrbpus — ldst ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9=:

turacn but tb ec guhj gbrc cllchtdvc ian àcw ab gdss. ^jc kidfbr hrisjcn fd`c i trcc hjbppcn it tjc eisc. Bac bl jds cycs dggcnditcfy cxtdamudsjcn ian i purpfc iuri lfircn up irbuan tjc btjcr. ‖Jiam ba, îayi! D— D—g hbgdam!‗ hbgdam!‗ tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus pdtjchiatjrbpus ycffcn. Xurrbuancn ba iff sdncs, îriri`j lbumjt ncspcritcfy, fd`c i ecir ittih`cn ey i wbfl pih`. Cihj bl jds efbws rcgbvcn ia cacgy, eut iabtjcr dggcnditcfy spruam up da dts pfihc. Ldaiffy sbgcbac— sbgcbac —s spir` trcihjcrbusfy ldrcn lrbg ecjdan jdt tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus da tjc eih` ian jc lcff. ‖Bj, îriri`j, îriri`j! ]jit jippcacn tb ybu2!‗ ybu2! ‗ îayi ycffcn. Xjc trdcn tb erci` iwiy, eut eut sjc wis jcfn tdmjtfy. tdmjtfy. ^jc kidfbrs ian gimabtdsts hfbscn da bvcr tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus, datcandam ba ldadsjdam jdg, eut tjca Xirniaipif— Xirniaipif—s sbli ian i gimdh hirpct higc nbwa da tjc gdnst bl cacgdcs, shittcrdam tjcg. ‖Xcdzc tjcg iff! ^jbsc wjb wba— wba—t surrcancr, `dff ba tjc spbt! Ssc iay spcffs wdtjbut rcstrdhtdba!‗ rcstrdhtdba! ‗ @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss brncrcn ndskbdatcnfy. ^jc sigc brncr, bafy da i vimuc lbrg, Junsba ifsb mivc jds hbgeit wdzirns. ^jc gimfiwycr, gcc` eclbrc tjds, stirtcn tb ecjivc uarcstridacnfy, wivcn bac jian, ian sidn, ‖Lbwwirn! Juwwij!‗ Juwwij!‗ Cvca Mrilda Himfdbstrb hbufn abt rcsdst ian sidn, ‖ ]c hia— hia—t fct tjcg mb! ^jcy —rc rcecfs, gimbrdsts 9?5 bl Gim-Gicni!‗ Gim-Gicni!‗ Is ia ingdadstritdvc ingdadstritdvc dandvdnuif, jc jin fbam ecca ihhustbgcn tb efigdam iff trbuefcs ba Gim-Gicni ian ndn dt iutbgitdhiffy. ^jc vihuug lcff dainvcrtcatfy, tjc liuft bl Gim-Gicni0 jcgp ndn abt rdpca acir Gimfdba,9?8 imida Gim-Gicni... ‖î`c tjcg!‗ tjcg!‗ Ncitjfcss sjbutcn imida, sccdam tjit jds irgy wis wivcrdam. Ia catdrc ldrcstbrg bl gimdh lcff ba tjc ^dednbx pcbpfc. Eut tjc strd`c lbrhc bl tcihjcrs lrbg tjc dsfian bl Euyia wis wbrtj guhj gbrc da eittfc tjia tjc hbgeit wdzirns bl Gimhdcty. Gimhdcty. Dl tjc fittcr surpisscn surpisscn tjcg tjcg da iaytjdam, dt wis wis bafy tjcdr augecrs. augecrs. Xfiancr Xfiancryhj wis eittfdam tjc cacgy wdtj vdmbrbus spcffs. ^jc kidfbrs cspchdiffy mbt dt lrbg jdg, is jcrc da lrbat bl Nuahcnig, tjcy ndn abt pbsscss tjc gimdh pbwcr wdtjda dts wiffs. Xgiff, strbam, eifn, wivdam jds irgs ian tbssdam spir`s, tjc ^dednbx prdahdpif hbufn sccg luaay dl jc wis abt sb lbrgdniefc. Jds gbutj spcwcn ldrc, jds cirs, sgb`c, ian jds uapfcisiat mizc wbufn cvca stugp ]dd. Ecsdncs, tjcrc wis ab Gdfyufyi acirey, ian Xfiancr hbufn ncpfby iff jds pbwcr wdtjbut lcir bl rcprbihj lbr cxhcssdvc wdh`cnacss. ^jc tjrcc gimabtdsts ndn abt jivc dt iay cisdcr, is tjcy dahbasdncritcfy trdcn tb ittih` _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi wdtj gimdh ian sdgpfy wdtj ldsts. ^b rdpc bfn imc, tjcy wcrc sbrry lbr tjcdr ihtdba, siam da i lifscttb, ian cvca ecmia tb trcgefc it tjc sdmjt bl ia bfn

9?5 Gimbrdst 9?8 Gimfdba;

‘ gimdhdia tcrrbrdst. Jcri`fdba, tjc ingdadstritdvc hipdtif bl tjc dsfian bl Hrctc, bl tjc gimdh wbrfn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9=4

ian jcfpfcss wdthj dl sjc bafy jin ndsjcvcffcn jidr rcgbtcfy sdgdfir tb Gcnusi —s jdssdam hurfs. ^jc kidfbrs tjit hfisjcn wdtj jcr jin dt cvca wbrsc ‘ tjcy sdgpfy turacn tb stbac iltcr eircfy gcctdam jcr lurdbus mizc, tjc sigc bac tjit bafy _crscus wis iefc tb wdtjstian, ian ian cvca tjca jivdam rcsbrtcn rcsbrtcn tb tjc jcfp bl i gdrrbr sjdcfn. sjdcfn. Timmc jin ifrciny lbuan Timua fbam imb ian wis abw gi`dam jcr wiy tb jdg wdtj tjc tcaihdty bl i fugecrkih`. Da hbgeit Timmc cgpfbycn iahdcat gimdh hcrtidafy abt wjdtc ian lbrmbttca ey giay. Jcr wjbfc sgiff ebny wis wrippcn da i hrdgsba mfbw, wjdhj, sjbufn sbgc cacgy ittih` jcr hircfcssfy, wbufn sunncafy strcthj but ian stie jdg wdtj i spcir bl fdmjt. Ab gittcr jbw strbam tjc cacgy wis ian ab gittcr wjit nclcahc wis uscn, jc wbufn liff is dl ecdam àbh`cn nbwa. Lurtjcrgbrc, tjc hrdgsba mfbw rclfchtcn iay spir` ndrchtcn imidast dt. ^jc gimabtdsts fbb`cn it Timmc abt wdtjbut lcir ian ivbdncn mcttdam hfbsc tb jcr. ^jcy jin ldmurcn but wjit wis jippcadam, ian wbufn prclcr tb fct tjrbumj i nbzca hbgeit spir`s tjia bac tbuhj bl tjc fdmjt spcir bl tjc dritc bfn mbnncss. ^ruc, dt wis abt cisy lbr Timmc tb sustida tjds gimdh. Jcr hjcc`s wcrc is wjdtc is is hjif`, ian efucacss efucacss echigc echigc vcry abtdhciefc abtdhciefc irbuan jcr cycs. Xirniaipif wis abt is suhhcssluf da eittfc. It fcist da tjc ecmdaadam. Jc wis da lrbat ian wis àbh`cn nbwa eclbrc jc jin tdgc tb ndshjirmc it fcist bac spir`. ^ruc, tjca tjc ihincgdhdia— ihincgdhdia—s ecirn datcrvcacn, wrippcn irbuan tjc cacgy —s ach`, ian tjc gimabtdst, iebut tb sdt ba tbp bl jdg, wjcczcn ian lcff bll wdtj jds lihc turadam efuc. ‖ Tdppcc, lrdcans! ^jcsc kidfcrs nba— nba—t àbw jbw tb ldmjt! ^jcy bafy àbw tbrturc! Hrusj tjcg!‗ tjcg!‗ Xirniaipif ecffbwcn tjuancrbusfy. Ubsy-hjcc`cn, piatdam, wdtj ndsjcvcffcn ecirn ian ebuahdam gbustihjc, jc fbb`cn dgpbsdam, iftjbumj tjc hbwirn Mrilda Himfdbstrb ndn abt lidf tb pbdat but da i trcgefdam vbdhc tjit jc fbb`cn i fdttfc fd`c i sigbvir. ^jc mcadc Ienuffij, kbdadam tjc ^dednbx cxpcndtdba it tjc fist gdautc, wis lfbitdam gcfiahjbfdhiffy iebvc tjc pivcgcat. Jc fiamudnfy gbvcn jds cycerbws, wjdhj hriwfcn tb wjcrcvcr achcssiry, ian, jbwfdam pbctdhiffy, rcin fbam rjygdam hurscs but bl i abtcebb`, gi`dam sdziefc ercihjcs da tjc cacgy ria`s. Ingdttcnfy, abt bafy da tjc cacgy ria`s. Jds hurscs, fd`c gdssdfcs rcfciscn it hfbsc riamc, jin tjc prbpcrty bl abt cxigdadam wjbg tjcy jdt. Mbyirya, abt ti`dam ia ihtdvc pirt da tjc eittfc ian jivdam i rcst lbr sbgc tdgc, abw tbb` bll imida ian, hdrhfdam iebvc Nuahcnig, ldrcn lrbg tjc tbp bl tjc tbwcr. ^jc rbbl bl bac bl tjc tbwcrs, tjc bac tjit wis tjc csscahc bl tjc ncin mrdllda, efizcn, ian i erdmjt lfigc lfbbncn lfbbncn tjc irci. ]jca tjc gida lbrhcs bl tjc Nuahcnig nclcancrs wcrc ifgbst erb`ca ey tjc cllbrts bl tjc ^dednbx tcihjcrs, iebut twb nbzca kidfbrs sunncafy kugpcn but bl tjc twb tbwcrs ifrciny sjrbuncn da sgb`c ian ittih`cn tjc ^dednbx pcbpfc lrbg ecjdan. Eut tjca i wjdstfc ‘ i wdfn rbeecr— rbeecr—s wjdstfc, tjc fd`cs bl wjdhj tjc gur`y dsfian bl Nuahcnig jin acvcr jcirn ‘ jdt tjcg lrbg tjc mitc, ba wjdhj Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9:?

sit sbfcgafy. Lcw giaimcn tb stiy ba tjcdr lcct. Fd`c Ienuffij —s hurscs, tjc wjdstfc jdt cvcrybac ‘ lrdcans ian lbcs ‘ eut tjc ^dednbx tcihjcrs wcrc ihhustbgcn tb dt iltcr iff. Ecsdncs, Admjtdamifc, wjdfc stdff ba tjc wiy, jin dastruhtcn tjcg tb pfum tjcdr cirs wdtj wix. Ucifdzdam tjit vdhtbry wis iebut tb mb tb tjc cacgy, ian tjit bafy Mrilda ian tjc gimfiwycr Junsba rcgidacn wdtj jdg, @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss puffcn but jds swbrn, mrieecn îayi ian put tjc swbrn efinc tb jcr ach`. ‖Jbfn dt rdmjt tjcrc! Bac gbrc stcp ian D— D—ff `dff jcr!‗ jcr! ‗ jc sjbutcn ebbgdamfy. Xirniaipif stbppcn, eut _rblcssbr Mbrmbabvi hbatdaucn tb stcp lbrwirn hifgfy. ‖Gcnusi, D— D—g abt kb`dam!‗ kb`dam!‗ @bsjhjcd sjbutcn. ‖D—g rciffy mbdam tb `dff jcr! Ian tjca tjds puppy! Nba— Nba—t gbvc!‗ gbvc!‗ jc abnncn it Timua. ‖Cxhcffcat dnci!‗ dnci!‗ Gcnusi sidn, fbb`dam jdg ldrgfy da tjc cycs. ‖Dl wc rctrcit, ybu— ybu—ff rbt jcr da Nuahcnig... Xb ecttcr `dff abw! Ian tjca ybur tura wdff hbgc.‗ hbgc.‗ ‖D hia— hia—t ec `dffcn. D— D—g dggbrtif!‗ dggbrtif!‗ ‖^jit giy ec sb, eut dt— dt—s cvca uapfcisiat lbr ia dggbrtif tb ebdf i juanrcn tjbusian ycirs da jbt fivi it i ncptj bl bac-ian-i-jifl tjbusian `dfbgctrcs ecfbw sci fcvcf. Ian prchdscfy tjds iwidts ybu, dl cvca i jidr liffs lrbg jcr jcin! Ian ab bac, gdan ybu, ab bac wdff ldan ybu tjcrc...‗ tjcrc...‗ Gcnusi sidn hbfnfy. Xjc wis abt tjrcitcadam, sdgpfy dalbrgdam. ^jc swbrn trcgefcn da @bsjhjcd— @bsjhjcd—s jian, ifgbst shrithjdam îayi— îayi —s ach`. Eut Ncitjfcss dggcnditcfy dggcnditcfy puffcn jdgscfl tbmctjcr. ]dtj jds giay sjbrthbgdams, jc wis abt i hbwirn. ‖Xjc wdff ndc, D swcir, dl ybu try tb stbp gc! D— D—g abt ilridn bl tjrcits,‗ tjrcits,‗ jc sidn. ‖Gy lwdcan, nba— nba—t mct hiwwdcn iwiy! Tbu lbrmbt sit ybu— ybu —rc i mwcit jugiadst! Dl ybu `dff Mwbttcr, dt— dt—ff ec ein lbr us! Xc cxpcrtfy pfihcn nwimba wdff tura us datb `ceies! ‗ ^jc gimfiwycr Junsba wis uacisy. ‖Eut tjcy —rc gimbrdsts!‗ gimbrdsts!‗ Mrilda bekchtcn tdgdnfy. ‖Ncir Mwilda! D ecm ybu, ab accn lbr mcacwifdzitdbas! Xcy wdff ec gimbwdsts ian cvcwysdam wc nchfirc scg tb ec, eut bafy dl wc mct tb Gimlbrn ifdvc! ^bniy, scy — scy —rc bur lwdcans, ecst lwdcans!‗ lwdcans!‗ Junsba jurrdcnfy hbuatcrcn, inndam gbrc sumir tb jds sgdfc. Lcirdam, acvcrtjcfcss, tjit @bsjhjcd wbufn `ccp jds pfcnmc ian `dff îayi, Gcnusi stbppcn tjrcc stcps iwiy lrbg jdg. ‖Xb, wjit irc wc mbdam tb nb2 Abt tdrcn bl tjc hdrhus2‗ hdrhus2 ‗ sjc is`cn nryfy. ‖ ]cff, wc—ff ]cff, wc—ff jivc tb acmbtditc,‗ acmbtditc,‗ @bsjhjcd hjuh`fcn. ‖Ucgbvc ybur rdams ian tjrbw tjcg da i pdfc! Br ab, kust ia bitj wdff ec cabumj.‗ cabumj.‗ Eut jc acvcr mbt tjc bitj. It tjit gbgcat Timua, wjb, uafd`c îayi, jin abt ecca ncprdvcn bl jds rdam (echiusc jc jin hjcitcn, jdn dt da jds hjcc`, ian tjc kidfbrs, abt ldmurdam dt but, puffcn bll jdg i qudtc jirgfcss rdam, Fbt`bvi— Fbt`bvi —s mdlt), sunncafy ridscn jds jian ian fiuahjcn i strcamtjcacn hbgeit spir`. ^jc irgbur rittfcn ian Ncitjfcss rbffcn ba tjc pivcgcat tbmctjcr wdtj jds swbrn. Jc ab fbamcr jin tdgc tb mct up. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9:9

Xirniaipif ittih`cn jdg wdtj tjc catiamfdam spcff ian @bsjhjcd dastiatfy ihqudrcn tjc scgefiahc bl i vdhtdg wrippcn da i mdiat spdncr— spdncr —s wce. Mrilda Himfdbstrb tdgdnfy puffcn jds jcin datb jds sjbufncrs. Xgirt Junsba rcifdzcn tjit dt wis jds jbur. Jc puffcn i wjdtc jia`y ian efcw ba dt. ^jc jia`y dggcnditcfy mrcw tb tjc sdzc bl i sjcct, wjdhj tjc gimfiwycr stirtcn tb wivc erds`fy, dandhitdam tjit tjcy wcrc rciny tb acmbtditc. Jc jin ifrciny rcifdzcn lbr sbgc tdgc tjit jc jin fbst iff tjc gimabtdsts ian tjcrclbrc, fd`c dt br abt, jc wbufn jivc tb surrcancr. Xirniaipif, ian tjc rcst bl tjc tcihjcrs ecjdan jdg, ipprbihjcn Junsba. îayi jurrdcn tb gcct tjcg. Timmc dggcnditcfy rusjcn tb cgerihc jcr mriansba. Timua fbb`cn i fdttfc jcsdtiat ‘ jc àcw vcry wcff tjit jds mriaay —s kby wbufn vcry sbba mdvc wiy tb i stbrg bl bl rimc... ‖ ]c accn iff bur stuncats! Cvcrybac, dahfundam \iaì. D invdsc ybu abt tb bestruht us,‗ us,‗ Xirniaipif sidn ndstdahtfy, fbb`dam it Junsba. ^jc gimfiwycr tjrcw up jds jians, ncgbastritdam tjc nccpcst rcmrct wdtj jds wjbfc ippciriahc. ippciriahc. ‖Gy lwdcans! Tbu ncgian sc dgpbssdefc! Dt— Dt —s abt da bur pbwcr tb ncfdvcr Kbja \idfyifì! Iff wdmjt, ybu shbrc scsc twb! Fct scg lfy wds ybu, is wc nba —t wcmwct scsc twb! twb!‗‗ Junsba abnncn it îayi ian Timua. ‖ ]c— ]c—ff fcivc jcrc bafy wdtj cvcrybac!‗ cvcrybac!‗ Xirniaipif iaabuahcn ldrgfy. ‖D—g abt bgadpbtcat ian lir lwbg nchdndam cvcwysdam! I hwdgc ds i hwdgc! Iznuwia wba— wba—t fct jdg mb!‗ mb!‗ Junsba mudftdfy dalbrgcn tjcg. Gcnusi strcthjcn but jcr jian. ^jc gimfiwycr fbb`cn wdtj jbrrbr it jcr fbam ldamcraidf, s`cthjdam hdrhfcs da lrbat bl jds absc. ‖Cvcrytjdam— Cvcrytjdam—s pbssdefc! Dt sjbufn ec wcff-àbwa tb ybu, ncir, tjit tjcrc— tjcrc—s i spcff bl rcfcisc lrbg Nuahcnig! I spcff wjdhj dsa— dsa—t cvca da tjc gimdh lbfdb!‗ lbfdb! ‗ ‖D pcrsbaiffy nba— nba—t àbw dt!‗ dt!‗ Junsba sidn jurrdcnfy. ‖D—g i jugefc, vcwy jugefc gimfiwycr wjb wbr`s lbr ncir Muwy —s iuat!‗ iuat!‗ ‖^jca jc àbws!‗ àbws!‗ Gcnusi— Gcnusi—s sfcancr ldamcr pbdatcn it @bsjhjcd tjc Ncitjfcss, wdtj bafy jds jcin prbtrundam lrbg tjc gimdh wce. Ncitjfcss stircn suffcafy it jcr. ‖D àbw, eut D wba— wba—t siy iaytjdam. Dt— Dt—s uscfcss tb hbatdauc tjds hbavcrsitdba. \iaì wdff rcgida da Nuahcnig, ian sbba iff bl ybu, ybur wjbfc hbgpiay, hbgpiay, wdff mb tjcrc! D prbgdsc ybu tjit. Ian abw ybu hia tcfcpbrt gc tb gbftca fivi,‗ fivi,‗ jc sidn ncldiatfy. ‖Jc rciffy wba— wba—t siy. D àbw jdg. Ian wjit nb wc nb abw2 Dt— Dt —s i ncin can!‗ can!‗ Xirniaipif rcgir`cn rcgir`cn da ia uancrtbac. Gciawjdfc, îayi rusjcn tb îriri`j, sccdam tjit jc wis trydam eut hbufn abt mct up. ^jc ebndcs bl tjc kidfbrs, fydam da guftdtunc irbuan tjc pdtjchiatjrbpus ian strcthjdam but ian mrbwdam datb tjc hbeefcstbacs, sunncafy echigc fd`c tjc stbacs bl ia uastciny swigp. It tjc sigc tdgc, tjds ndn abt ippfy tb tjc gimabtdst ian îriri`j. îayi wis hbaluscn, eut stdff, jivdam ihhdncatiffy ndshbvcrcn ba tjc stbacs jcr bwa rdam, ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9:5

wjdhj gust jivc ecca da bac bl tjc kidfbr— kidfbr—s hfbi`s, put dt eih` batb jcr ldamcr. ^jc rdam igdhiefy shrcchjcn shrcchjcn sbgctjdam da Fitda lbr sbgc tdgc. îriri`j ldaiffy mbt up. Jc wis ritjcr rugpfcn, eut stdff, wjca jc jummcn îayi, sjc lcft fd`c ia ippfc da i kudhcr. ‖îayi, ybu... Nba— Nba—t nb tjit imida! Tbu shircn us!‗ us! ‗ jc ebbgcn. ‖Nuahcnig ti`cs eih` dts bwa! Fbb`, tjc irci ds ifgbst ncscrtcn, ‗ Xfiancr, wjb wis dastiatfy dastiatfy hfbsc ey, sidn sidn mrdgfy. ‖Eut tjcy —rc ncin!‗ ncin!‗ îayi cxhfidgcn. Xfiancr sjbb` jds jcin. ‖Abt it iff. ]c imrccn abt tb usc ncinfy spcffs. Xtrbam ‘ ycs, niamcrbus ‘ ycs, eut abt ncinfy. Dt ds dgpbssdefc tb `dff wjit acvcr fdvcn. ^jcy irc kust pirt bl tjc wiffs ian tbwcrs. Da i lcw gdautcs tjc kidfbrs wdff rcippcir! rcippcir! ]c gust jurry.‗ jurry.‗ Xfiancr Xfiancryhj sfdn i mfiahc ifbam îayi— îayi —s lihc, ian sunncafy jds mizc stbppcn sjbrt ba tjc pdahc-acz, wjdhj dt wis abt àbwa jbw wis stdff rcstdam ba tjc erdnmc bl jcr absc. Jds lihc dggcnditcfy ihqudrcn tjc cxprcssdba bl i jbuan pdh`dam up i tridf. ‖ ]jcrc ndn ybu mct dt, juj2‗ juj2‗ jc is`cn suspdhdbusfy. ‖ Ian D nba— nba—t invdsc ybu tb ndstbrt tjc trutj!‗ trutj!‗ Jbwcvcr, îayi ndn abt giaimc tb iaswcr. Xunncafy, sbgc acw cvcat ifirgcn cvcrybac. I rusty edhyhfc, ba tjc scit bl wjdhj sit tjc Mrcit ^bbtj, ncshcancn batb tjc irci. Xjc fbb`cn but bl ercitj ian wis sji`dam i fbam cavcfbpc. ‖ Ij, tjia` ^jc Iahdcat Iahdcat Bac, cvcrybac— cvcrybac—s wjbfc! Ian wjcrc— wjcrc —s \iaì \ifyif`da2 Ds jc stdff tjcrc2 Bj jcivcas!‗ jcivcas!‗ sjc cxhfidgcn, rusjdam tb îayi ian Timua. Xirniaipif uajippdfy sgbbtjcn jds ecirn, tjdaadam da eittfc. ‖Ncad, wjit wdan erbumjt ybu jcrc2 Danccn, D is`cn ybu tb stiy da ^dednbx! Kust dgimdac wjit— wjit—s jippcadam tjcrc abw! abw!‗‗ jc cxhfidgcn. Ncad ifgbst hjb`cn wdtj dandmaitdba; ‖Jbw hbufn D stiy iltcr wjit D fciracn! _upcr... Jc— Jc—s ifdvc! Ifgbst...‗ Ifgbst...‗ ‖ Ifgbst ifdvc, cxhcffcatfy cxhcffcatfy sidn! sidn! \cry fdtcriry! fdtcriry!‗‗ Mrilda Himfdbstrb pridscn. ‖ Tcs, jc fdvcs da bur jcirts! Ncir Muwy, ybu àbw, wc iff wcgcgecr ybu!‗ ybu!‗ tjc gimfiwycr Junsba dggcnditcfy rcspbancn wdtj tjc mrcitcst wdffdamacss, nutdluffy nieedam jds cycs wdtj tjc sigc guftd-luahtdbaif jia`y. ‖Ab, _fimuc ti`c ybu! Jc— Jc—s rciffy abt ncin! Ian abw dt— dt —s ifrciny hfcir tjit \iaì ndna— ndna—t vdbfitc tjc rufcs bl nucfdam! Jds spir` wis pcrlchtfy abrgif, ian gbst dgpbrtiatfy, tjcrc wis bafy bac!‗ bac!‗ Ncad sjbutcn sb lbrhcluffy tjit dt wis dgpbssdefc abt tb ecfdcvc jcr, ian sjc iamrdfy wivcn tjc cavcfbpc it Junsba. ^jc gimfiwycr squdatcn uacisdfy. ‖Ncad, hifg nbwa! Irc ybu surc2 ]jit jippcacn tb jdg2‗ jdg2‗ tjc ihincgdhdia is`cn wdtj hbahcra. hbahcra. ‖Jc... D nba— nba—t àbw jbw tb cxpfida, eut ybu hia— hia—t davcat suhj i tjdam ba purpbsc!‗ purpbsc! ‗ tjc Mrcit ^bbtj sidn. ‖Eisdhiffy, iltcr liffdam datb tjc bhcia, Mury suggbacn tjc miffcy bl ncgbas. Dt wis vcry pruncat ba tjc pirt bl Gr. Xtuncat, echiusc tjc dasuriahc spcff ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9:8

da hisc bl i liff lrbg suhj i jcdmjt wbufna— wbufna—t cxihtfy jcfp, wjdfc tjc miffcy ifwiys ippcirs dastiatfy. Jc hrisjcn batb tjc miffcy nch` ifrciny uahbashdbus. ^ruc, tjc nch` jis tjc prbpcrty bl sbltcadam tjc efbw ian nrcssdam wbuans, eut Mury stdff fbst hbashdbusacss. ^jca i gimdh gdsjip jippcacn. ^jc miffcy hia— hia —t ti`c Mury iaywjcrc echiusc jc— jc —s uahbashdbus ian jisa jisa——t sidn wjcrc tb ncfdvcr jdg. Eut dt hia— hia—t ti`c iwiy jds sbuf echiusc _upcr ndna— ndna—t liff isfccp lrbg tjc hrci`dam bl tjc birs eut wis sdgpfy uahbashdbus ‘ hbascqucatfy, hbascqucatfy, jc ndna— ndna—t erci` tjc cstiefdsjcn rufc. Eut Mury hia— hia —t wi`c up echiusc jc— jc—s ba tjc miffcy ian dt dsa— dsa—t tjc pfihc tb rcmida hbashdbusacss... Is i rcsuft, tdgc jis stbppcn lbr jdg. Jc nbcsa— nbcsa—t mct bfn, nbcsa— nbcsa—t lrcczc, nbcsa— nbcsa—t lccf juamcr, eut it tjc sigc tdgc... jgg-ij... nbcsa— nbcsa—t fdvc. Lrbg tdgc tb tdgc tjc miffcy ds suggbacn, eut dt hia— hia—t rcspban tb tjc hiff echiusc dt jis i pisscamcr ba ebirn! I ncinfbh`, i truc stianbll! ^jit— ^jit—s wjy tjc miffcy stirtcn pfiydam trdh`s ian dt wis erbumjt tb ^riasyfviadi, wjcrc dt wis ndshbvcrcn ey tjc vigpdrc fbrn Gr. Nuracv... Jc fclt cvcrytjdam is ds, eut dggcnditcfy rcpbrtcn jds ndshbvcry tb ^dednbx. Salbrtuaitcfy, tjc fcttcr wis rchcdvcn tbb fitc. Bl hbursc, D dggcnditcfy lfcw jcrc.‗ jcrc.‗ Ncad piuscn, fbb`dam irbuan da hbalusdba. ^jc gimfiwycr Junsba stirtcn tb puttcr iebut rcstfcssfy. ‖Fct gc jivc i fbb`!‗ fbb`!‗ jc pcrsdstcatfy pcrsdstcatfy is`cn, sfdndam jds mizc ifbam tjc fdacs. Jds punmy lihc ldrst lfusjcn, ian tjca pifcn. Dt wis bevdbus tjit tjc gbst hbalfdhtdam cgbtdbas tbrgcatcn tbrgcatcn jdg. ‖Bl hbursc, dl sds ds i eifn-lihcn fdc, wc— wc—ff qudh`fy ldan but... Eut issugdam dt dsa— dsa —t i fdc eut tjc twutj, sca wc ldan burscfvcs da ia uahbglbrtiefc uahbglbrtiefc sdtuitdba...‗ sdtuitdba...‗ jc guttcrcn. ‖Dl Muwy ds ifdvc, dt turas but sit wc wwbamfy dgpwdsbacn Kbja \idfyifì! ]jit i shianif! ]ds ybur pcrgdssdba, pcrgdssdba, D— D —ff dggcnditcfy lfy tb Gimlbrn ian try tb fcira jbw tb ti`c Muwy lrbg sc miffcy. Dl, bl hbursc, dt— dt—s stdff pbssdefc tb sivc jdg... It sc sigc tdgc, D —ff twy tb nb sbgcsdam lbr \idfyifì! Ippiwcatfy, jc ndna— ndna —t ewci` sc nucffdam wufcs ian scrc wis bafy bac spir`...‗ spir`...‗ Xirniaipif abnncn. ^jc gimfiwycr wcat up tb tjc mitc ian, iltcr pdh`dam up tjc fbam jcgs bl jds rbec, kugpcn ba i erbbg wdtj surprdsdam imdfdty. Jc pruncatfy nchdncn abt tb tcfcpbrt lrbg Nuahcnig. Mrilda Himfdbstrb, hbwcrdam wdtj cimcracss, ria iltcr jdg. Ab bac nctidacn jdg cdtjcr. Cvcrybac imrccn tjit tjc idr wbufn ec hfciacr wdtjbut Mrilda. Timua gbh`damfy withjcn withjcn jdg mb. îayi wis rciny tb swcir tjit Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba wis gdrrbrdam. gdrrbrdam. ‖Nb ybu tjda` tjcy lfcw tb Gimlbrn2‗ Gimlbrn2‗ Timua wjdspcrcn. ‖Ab wiy... ^jds hrbss ectwcca i pcihbh` ian i pcamuda sct bll tb tjc adhc iuat. D ect jc— jc—ff prcscat tjc gittcr suhj tjit jc mcts iff tjc mfbry bl _upcr— _upcr—s ndshbvcry. Fiurcfs hfcirfy wba— wba—t hbgc tjc wiy bl tjc Mrcit ^bbtj ian Nuracv... Nu racv...‗‗ ‖Mury —s ifdvc... Br abt ifdvc... ]cff, da iay hisc, abt ncin... Xbgctjdam da ectwcca... Ian dl jc lcff isfccp lbrcvcr ba tjc miffcy2 Err! Dt— Dt—s uafd`cfy tjit Nuracv jin cabumj dgimdaitdba tb hbgc up wdtj tjit!‗ tjit!‗ îayi sidn qudctfy. ‖ Tbu— Tbu—rc abt jippy2‗ jippy2‗ Timua wis surprdscn. ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9:>

‖ ]jy abt jippy2 Mfin, ian vcry. ]jit ]jit i stbac jis liffca lrbg gy sbuf!‗ sbuf!‗ ‖Eut ybu bafy tjda` iebut \iaì2‗ \iaì2‗ îayi abnncn. ‖D tjda` D— D vc — vc ldmurcn but sbgctjdam. sbgctjdam. Mury, jc— jc—s adhc, vcry adhc, eut...‗ eut...‗ ‖Gy mriaay gigi!‗ gigi!‗ Timmc— Timmc—s mriansba cxhfidgcn. ‖Bj gy, tjds eut— ‚eut— bl yburs. Jbw D jitc tjds eut— ‚ eut—, D sb jitc dt tjit D wbufn da liht tjrbw dt but bl tjc fiamuimc!‗ fiamuimc!‗ ‖ ]jy —s tjit2‗ tjit2‗ ‖Echiusc... D— D—g ifwiys ilridn tjit Fbt`bvi wdff bac niy siy tb gc, Timua, ‚ Timua, ybu— ybu—rc wbancrluf, igizdam, igizdam, ian iesbfutcfy iesbfutcfy supcr, eut... tjc nbbr bpcas ba ecjifl ecjifl bl gc...—‗ gc...—‗ ‖Da sjbrt, fct cvcrytjdam ec ldac lbr Mury!‗ Mury!‗ îayi hbahfuncn. ‖ Iyc! Fct jdg rcmida hbashdbusacss, hbashdbusacss, fdvc cdmjt juanrcn ian cdmjty-cdmjt ycirs, mrbw i ecirn ian gbustihjc, ian ndc wdtjbut pida br hbavufsdbas da tjc irgs bl wccpdam lias,‗ lias,‗ Timua pdh`cn dt up. Eut dt sccgcn wrbam tb îayi. ‖Ab,‗ Ab,‗ sjc sidn. ‖Fct jdg abt ndc it iff eut mb lurtjcr ba jds bwa pitj. ]c— ]c—ff gcct bafy lbr nrimbaeiff. D tjda` dt— dt —ff ec tjc rdmjt tjdam.‗ tjdam.‗ Ucgcgecrdam tjit \iaì wis stdff da prdsba, îayi rusjcn tb Ncitjfcss, wdtj wjbsc stueebraacss stueebraacss Gcnusi ian Xirniaipif Xirniaipif wcrc ldmjtdam uasuhhcssluffy. uasuhhcssluffy. ‖Ab, ab, ian ab!‗ ab!‗ Ncitjfcss stueebrafy dasdstcn. ‖Dl ybur stuncat ds rciffy daabhcat, tjca ycs... ]c— ]c—ff hbasdncr iff bekchtdbas tb i spchdif ippcifs ebirn, wjdhj wc— wc —ff ippbdat... uj... fct— fct—s siy, acxt ycir, tb jivc tdgc tb prcpirc, ian tjca rcfcisc jdg ba fcmif mrbuans lrbg Nuahcnig.‗ Nuahcnig.‗ ‖Eut acxt ycir \iaì wdff ifrciny ec i nchrcpdt bfn gia, dl jc survdvcs it iff!‗ iff! ‗ Timua sjbutcn. ‖Xb2 Eut tjca tjc fiw wdff ec rcspchtcn. Dl ybu fbb` it dt, dt— dt —s abt sb sin. Bfn imc ds i wbancrluf tdgc bl fdlc. _issdba ab fbamcr tbrgcats ybu, ian ybu hia ndmcst tjc rbin trivcrscn pjdfbsbpjdhiffy!‗ pjdfbsbpjdhiffy! ‗ @bsjhjcd cxhfidgcn ncgimbmdhiffy. Jc wis mfbitdam, àbwdam tjit tjc ^dednbx pcbpfc hbufn abt puff \iaì but bl Nuahcnig ba tjcdr bwa. ‖ ]bancrluf!‗ ]bancrluf!‗ sidn Admjtdamifc B. Ubeecr. ‖^jca wc— wc—ff mdvc iff ybur trcisurcs tb i luan lbr tjc ncvcfbpgcat bl ^jdrn ]brfn gimdh shjbbfs, ian ybu— ybu —ff mct tjcg eih` it i eimcf jbfc pcr ycir! ycir!‗‗ Ifirg lfisjcn da Ncitjfcss— Ncitjfcss— cycs. Eut jc dggcnditcfy hifgcn nbwa, rcifdzdam tjit jds jdnnca hipdtif wis hurscn ian prbtchtcn sb schurcfy tjit abt cvca i adgefc eia` mabgc hbufn rcihj dt. ‖ Tcs, cisdfy! D imrcc! î`c cvcrytjdam! cvcrytjdam!‗‗ jc sidn wdtj i sgdfc. ^jc tcihjcrs fbb`cn it cihj btjcr jcfpfcssfy. Dt wis uscfcss tb gdrrbr tjc stueebra bac ‘ Ncitjfcss wis tbb cxpcrdcahcn ian wis iefc tb pfihc i tjbumjt efbh`. Ecsdncs, tcrrdefc kidfbrs wdtj lfigdam lfigdam cycs imida ecmia tb sprbut lrbg tjc stbacs da tjc squirc. It tjit gbgcat, Xfiancr, wjb jin ecca ndstrihtcn lrbg îayi ey tjc ippciriahc bl tjc Mrcit ^bbtj, imida rchiffcn tjc pdahc-acz. ‖Dt— Dt—s danccn Abij— Abij—s pdahc-acz, dsa— dsa—t dt2 ^jc sigc tjit wis da tjc gdssdam pbrtridt2‗ pbrtridt2 ‗ jc is`cn mrdgfy. ‖Eut wc— wc—ff sbrt but fitcr wjbg tb tura datb i zbgedc zbgedc ian lbr wjit... wjit... Da tjc gciatdgc, gciatdgc, mdvc dt bvcr! Jurry! Jurry!‗‗ ©Kiac J. Euh`damjig 5?9:


9:3

^jc prdahdpif wis iebut tb strcthj but jds jian tb suggirdfy puff tjc mfisscs bll îayi— îayi—s absc, eut sunncafy puffcn jds jian eih` wdtj i sjrdc` ian efcw ba jds ldamcrs. ‖ Ij, sb!‗ sb!‗ jc jdsscn. ‖Xtueebra mfisscs! Tbu acvcr ipprchditcn gc! ]cff, tjca ybu nb dt! î`c tjcg, tura tb tjc btjcr sdnc ‘ ycs, ycs, `ccp tjcg tjds wiy ‘ ian hbahcatritc ba wjit ybu wbufn fd`c tb tb ldan but.‗ but.‗ Hfuthjdam tjc pdahc-acz, îayi squittcn da lrbat bl @bsjhjcd, wjb stircn it jcr wdtj jitrcn. ‖Nb ybu tjda` D— D—ff tcff ybu sbgctjdam, mdrf2 Tbu— Tbu —ff ldan but abtjdam. Ian nba— nba—t jbpc,‗ jbpc,‗ jc sidn suffcafy. Eut îayi ndn abt cvca jcir jds wbrns. ^jc pdahc-acz lfisjcn, ian sjc siw lrbg @bsjhjcd— @bsjhjcd—s gbutj cgcrmc imidast jds wdff, ‖Mcrbadssug idrfd`j lcrrbt fdecrus Nuahcnigug!‗ Nuahcnigug!‗ îayi stbbn up tb jcr luff jcdmjt ian fdltcn jcr rdam iebvc jcr jcin. ‖Mcrbadssug idrfd`j lcrrbt fdecrus Nuahcnigug! Nuahcnigug!‗‗ sjc sjbutcn, jbpdam tjit sjc ndn abt gdx iaytjdam up. @bsjhjcd— @bsjhjcd—s sdfvcr sùff hfiamcn da igizcgcat. ^jc kidfbrs— kidfbrs — cyc sbh`cts cxtdamudsjcn it bahc, ian tjcdr ebndcs, ifrciny ippcirdgm ifgbst tb tjc hjcst, stbppcn mrbwdam but bl tjc hbeefcstbacs. ^jc wiffs trcgefcn. îayi wis ifrciny rusjdam tb tjc nir` tbwcr, iebvc wjdhj Mbyirya wis nriwdam wdnc hdrhfcs. Xjc ifrciny siw \iaì ippcir lrbg tjc tbwcr. ^jus lir sjc jin bafy scca tjds da tjc pdahc-acz. Eut sjc àcw tjit abw tjds wbufn ihtuiffy jippca...



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