1

Night. Black clouds hung over aul covering half the sky over the aul. Dust whirled, tunduks banged and drummed in the yurts. The wind was getting stronger. In the distance the lightning flashed. Thunder rumbled. In the flickering of the lightning all seven yurts of the village glanced for a moment.

The edges of the dense flock moved. Sheep anxiously stood up, dusting down. Black and piebald watchdog and two yellow females with a fierce barking circled around the village.

In the middle of the paddock on a torn horsecloth Raihan sat, wrapped in the old quilted robe.

-  Ait! Ait! – she stumped loud dogs.

In the Big yourt scrawny Baybishe anxiously got out of bed. She looked at tunduk and listened to the creaking of thin poles, fastening the yourt dome. Groaning she rose, dressed, and went outside.

 - Look at him, lying near tokals, and little woe to him, - she muttered, clearing her throat, and cried out in a howl voice: "Ait! Ait!" Dogs, hearing her, burst with a new force. Baybishe (the elder wife), turned to the yourt of her rival and screamed louder and louder. Anger drove cheekbones, fists clenched dry...

And in that yourt the awakened by Raihan’s high cry old man was anxiously watched by a woman, much younger and prettier than Baybishe. The old man got up, threw on his shoulders a velvet robe and crawled to the door. The younger wife, like a shadow, followed her husband to the very threshold.

- Attracted by a young - she muttered dejectedly, looking like an old man goes to the barn.

Raihan sat motionless, as if not noticing the approached. The old man touched her arm, and Raihan silently shrugged, indicating that she was awake. He muttered something distracted, but instead of answering, she turned away, sighed and rested her chin on her knees. When he leaned over to her, Raihan cringed, gathered into a ball: her body tensed in silent protest. The old man understood and straightened.

-You are again in one of your do’s? - he shouted angrily, - Oh well, you’ll not peg out! Young, healthy! You do not guard someone else's – your own! Mind your sleep!

And without waiting for an answer, he reluctantly hobbled off.

Raihan sat with her ​​eyes tightly shut. The black sky, prostrate in the middle, has gradually lightened. And for dreaming Raihan it suddenly seemed that from there, from a leaving cloud, the youth was staring at her. His hair was pulled back ... White-collar shirt ... a tie. She smiled. But, like a sunset month, the young man began to lean, to sink lower and lower and soon disappeared behind the distant blue horizon. A smile faded on Raihan’s face.

- What's an obsession? Go, devilry! - She came to her senses. Covered her face with her ​​hands.

But the desire and longing were stronger than fear. Raihan dropped her hands.

-  Where are you? Why do not you come for so long? Maybe you live no more?

Before the mind’s eye of exhausted woman the recent night stood...

A young man approached her silently and sat near.

-  I'm glad you came – he said.

Landowner Geksen sent him to the city to study; he had to leave at night, and he came already dressed for the city - a dark suit, white shirt and tie...

For the first time in her life a man embraced her...

A week later, in the village of Geksen there was a wedding. At midnight Raihan was brought to smartly tucked yourt of the groom. Bridal bed, as usual, was made to the right of the entrance.

Bay crossed the threshold and blew his nose loudly. Then he was coughing for a long time. Wrapped in a silk veil of a bride, Raihan has hidden behind the canopy of the bed. The right hand was frantically gathering and crumpling the soft cloth. The old man began to take off the velvet caftan, from time to time looking at the bride. Then he sat down on the bed and lifted his leg in demand. Raihan came reluctantly, forced herself to pull ichigi off his thin legs. The old man coughed again, and not standing up, stretched himself and spitted with relish.

Through the cracks in the door both Geksen’s wives looked meanly – the older and younger. Next to them the neighbors and servants hustled, and also tried to look inside. Everyone was curious: this is the third marriage; he is decrepit old man, and she is a young rebellious girl ... Geksen loudly cleared his throat, and both women restlessly fussed. Trying to get a better look of what was going on in the yourt; they ran their heads and bounced to the side, coldly looking at each other. New marriage did not reconcile old rivals.

The old man lay down and motioned Raihan to give him a snuffbox. Several times he noisily sucked nasybay with both nostrils and returning the snuffbox to the bride, sprawled out on the bed. Raihan held a snuffbox in her hands for a while, and then suddenly threw it on the floor, silently came from behind the canopy, sat on the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees, silently crying. The old man tossed, turned to one side, to another. But the bride did not get up from the floor. The old man got up from his bed, strained muscles in the arms and legs, as if coming to force...

Experienced Baybishe motioned the old woman standing beside into the house. The latter, gently, quietly stepping and twisting her body, as if made of rubber, fetched ​​a big copper pan and kumgan. Pausing at the door, she in avid curiosity looked around and went out and closed the door quietly.

-  Why, you perched out there? Come here! – Geksen angrily ordered, but Raihan seemed not to hear him.

Then the old man, groaning, got up, walked over, pulled her dress, and she threw herself on the felt mat and began to cry loudly sobbing. Geksen eagerly grabbed her by the arm, but the bride rushed to the side, and the old man lost his balance and fell. Grasping the canopy, stumbling in it, he floundered on the bed and finally jumped up and angrily kicked the girl’s foot. Raihan pulled back, leaned against the felt wall of the yourt. Having met her glance, the old man stepped back. He sat down on the bed with a sigh, dropped his gray head. He stroked the lower back. Only now laughing of women who gathered around the yourt reached the girl’s ear. She jumped and ran to the fire and pushed the lamp with ash to her feet. It was dark in the yourt. Soon the curious went away... There was silence...

In the morning, as soon as Geksen left the yourt, the two women rushed into the house. Their husband did not look at them, went to the wells. Women, the first thing, examined the pelvis. It was clean... they ran up to the bed, looked over everything. Dry... The elder wife hurried from her excitement, threw the lid of the copper jug. Same amount of water... Women laughed mischievously.

Geksen entered and meanly stared at them. Wives could not resist and laughed again. In anger, the old man grabbed the bridle hanging from his belt and began to whip them. Women shrieked: the old man's hand was still strong. At the same moment Raihan took advantage of this, the rivals slipped to the door and took to their heels. But on the street, they gave themselves the will, and roared with laughter. Furious, the old man tore off Raihan’s head the scarf and whipped her too.

- I'll knock out stubbornness of you! - he cried. – I’ll kick devil out of you! You’ll flee at my doorstep!.. Is that clear?

…Raihan rubbed her face. The sleeves slipped, revealing thin hands. She looked at sharply denoted bones, solid, blue veins and shook her head.

 

Over the sleeping under tightly closed tunduks aul, morning was rising. Sheep woke up and wandered around. In the middle of the barn on dark manure ground, hammered by thousands of hooves on a torn horsecloth Raihan slept. From the tops of her boots the edge of dirty foot wraps stuck out. Huge black and piebald dog sniffed her head.

And in the old smoky tent on the edge of the village half naked Yesim, the shepherd, slept restlessly tossing and turning on a hard bed. He had a dream ... A full bowl of steaming fragrant meat was put in front of him. Yesim reached for the bowl, but as soon as he touched it, the bowl pulled away and quickly disappeared. Yesim was shivering and woke up. At the head of the bed, cursing angrily, Geksen was standing and poking with a stick into Yesim’s face.

-  Come on. Take sheep out, you parasite! ..

-  Okay, okay - shepherd muttered wearily and reluctantly stood up.

After a few minutes Yesim saddled his horse and with leather bag in his hand entered the Great yourt. After going into a household corner and looking warily at Baybishe, he gently pushed the wooden cover of a black cauldron, full to the brim of the freshly leavened ayran, and took down a cup. But the old woman was awake, jumped out of bed, quickly ran over to the shepherd, grabbed a cup and poured a shallow ladle of the buttermilk and the rest filled with water from a bucket. Yesim tried the 'breakfast', and, frowning, returned the cup. With an eloquent gesture he pointed to the cauldron. But Baybishe mixed ladle in a cup and handed it back. Shepherd tore the cup from her hands, put it on the floor and quickly left. Baybishe flushed with anger, but did not have time to say anything.

Yesim kicked away the dog roaming around Raihan and gently woke her up. Silently he pointed to the tent, offering her to go home to sleep. Raihan puzzled looked at him, and only then, finally, woke up, and laughed. It was obvious that she was glad to see Yesim. They parted not at once...

 

Sun did not have time to climb the length of the spear when Geksen woke Raihan up. Baybishe immediately gave her a bucket, and she went to fetch water. Soon she was fanning the fire in the hearth, then was lifting and carrying a heavy, smoked cauldron, mixing ayran, weaving together the maids hair noose ... As soon as she sat down, either the Bay himself, or one of the wives immediately found for her a new job. Raihan milked the cow, inspected sheep, caught worms out of their sores, and gave water to the lame sheep, which straggled off the flock. Meanwhile, it was time for daily watering. After watering, she began to catch and tie sheep for milking because horseflies swooped, and the sheep were restless. Particularly she ran for the black goat. Yesim came for help...

In the afternoon the heat was tortuous. All living things were hiding in the shadows, and only Raihan with a bag on her back wandered far into the wilderness, collecting dung. In the village her sad, lyrical song resembling a lament was heard. A song was heard by an elderly woman who wandered slowly to the aul. Apparently, she recognized the voice of the singer, because she went faster. Raihan also saw her. Women ran towards each other and hugged each other, and Raihan, bursting into tears, collapsed in exhaustion on the hot ground.

-  Mom, Mom!.. I am suffering so much... Turned me into slave, damn them...

They cried for a long time, two poorly dressed women.

The old woman and her daughter came to the village of their new family, but no one paid any attention to them. Geksen immediately sent Raihan to milk the mares.

At the hitching post Akbesti met Raihan with gentle whinny and stretched its muzzle to the bucket. Raihan stroked velvety lips of her pet, gently slapping with her hand and pushed away from the bucket.

Ashim, the boy who helped her to milk the mares, began to talk excitedly about last baige in which he rode Akbesti ... Thousands of horses ... Well-dressed horsemen rode around back and forth. Steppe rumbled from the stamping of the hooves. For racing fifty horses were selected; they gave joy to an eye: manes and tails combed, hair shines, and the muscles play under the skin. The horses seemed to be dancing under the riders...  First, when the horses started up, Ashim held Akbesti, kept it in the middle. Gradually the best came forward: sorrel stallion, black with a star on forehead, and Akbesti. For a long time they were together, taking turns in leading the race. The sorrel was left behind first. Sorrel stallion and Akbesti raced stirrup into stirrup, but the Ashim’s opponent had to whip his horse all the time. Akbesti went easily as if he had not left behind tens of kilometers. Aul appeared far away, in front of the horses, and unable to restrain themselves any more, the horsemen rushed forward. Akbesti, inflamed by the cries of thirty or forty riders galloping around, abruptly moved forward. Soon, helping the horse, Geksen’s son, Askar, began to pull its bridle. Owners of the other horses did the same thing. The noise was incredible. Akbesti for the first time participated in baige and he was half a mile ahead of the famous sorrel stallion...

Raihan watered her pet with fresh warm milk. She stroked its ears, hugged its thin neck...

Inspired by a conversation, Raihan and Ashim did not notice that the mares reached to the pasture. The boy screamed and rushed after them, Raihan ran from the other side.

But the half-wild horses went into a trot and receded.

Yesim, who was nearby, ran to the hitching post, quickly bridled Akbesti, and jumped on its back. Within a few minutes he caught up with the herd, shot down, turned back. From the village with indignant cries Geksen with his son rode. Askar, without getting off his horse, whipped Yesim. Raihan rushed to help the shepherd, to explain what it was, but Geksen whacked her on the back with a stick. Raihan screamed in pain and sat down on the ground...

Geksen’s cousin Asan came from town, dismounted near the white yourt. Before he could step over the threshold, there came news from which Geksen, Baybishe and all household members grabbed their heads and groaned. They have hardly recovered from the fright and rage, when Geksen ordered his son shortly:

-  Ride! Find out for sure.

Askar nodded to Asan, both came out, jumped on their horses and took off down the road.

Yesim and Raihan had a lively conversation at the well. They had fun!

From the district center Askar and Asan returned gloomy, horses under them were all lathery.

People dragged to the yourt the entire evening. They went from the village, driving the fed mares, camels with full humps, fattened sheep in-front of them. The whole night Geksen’s cattle went to market. Its sale took a little time. Money poured in batches in front of Askar, who was sitting in the yard of plain wooden house on the outskirts of the district center.

In the village people gathered in groups and talked, argued, disagreed, split and again came together. Every time Geksen’s kinsmen were in a circle of the poor. Askar wrote references and statements and made ​​shepherds to sign them. Some signed and some refused. The poor were called into the bay’s house, were treated with mare's milk and urged to put their signatures. Those in sullen silence listened to the plaintive Geksen’s requests. Many visitors, especially when Bay was too aggressive in admonishing them, silently turned and left. Yesim joyfully met them in the street.

From the town riding horses the commissioner and four policemen arrived. Poor were summoned to a meeting. Yesim first listened to the speeches of the guests in disbelief, but then stood up and strongly supported the commissioner. The poor were closely huddled around him. And then the commissioner took Yesim aside, they talked face to face, and happy with each other, shook hands.

Baybishe saw it and gently pushed Raihan to them. Raihan pushed away the old woman in disgust, but she approached Yesim and asked with a smile:

-  What are you talking about?

-  And why do you need to know? - Yesim stared at the younger Geksen’s wife.

Raihan calmly held his gaze. Yesim laughed in disbelief and silently turned away from her.

Before the meeting, Askar had sent Asan to the Commissioner. And now Asan put off the references to commissioner where it was written that Geksen was not a Bay ... always cared for the poor ... was one of the honest middle peasants. Yesim came up and laid a heavy hand on top of familiar applications and references. The Commissioner laughed approvingly:

-  That's right.  I realized that they were faked.

The issue of eviction of Geksen and his family from the village was put to the vote. Yesim and poor people standing around him raised their hands.

In the group in front, where Askar, Asan and their supporters were, some also joined the poor, one or two hands even went up timidly, but then they disappeared.

Bay cattle herds were sorted in groups which were immediately driven to the city. Yesim noticed that among the horses there was no Akbesti, and together with the commissioner he went to bay. Geksen swore, that it was three days already, since Akbesti disappeared from the herd, and no one knew where it went. Yesim rushed to Raihan, but she answered evasively, and then completely stopped.

In the village the real whirlwind came up: police and commissioners, women, old people - all mixed up. With weeping and wailing the evicted bay Geksen and his wives were going on the road from the village, trying to load on themselves as much clothes as they could. Only Raihan did not dress. In the house in littered heaps the fur coats, carpets, expensive gowns with straps and chekmens laid. Right there laid inscribed swords, elegant kamchy and insignia of the parish ruler ... Police and commissioners and the poor waited patiently. Did not hurry up. Finally bay and his family went out of the yourt, sat down on an old cart, picked up making ​​room for the youngest. But Raihan did not move.

Commissioner approached her and asked something. She was staring at Geksan with burning dry eyes and shook her head in response. The senior Geksen’s wives scared looked at her. The old man sighed sadly, lowered his head and made ​​a sign to get under way.

The cart was gone in one direction, the poor, driving cattle, moved in the other. At dusk on the site were the meeting recently raged Raihan stood alone. All around was empty, as if after Jute. On the other side, where the cart disappeared, tracks of dust dragged along the road, as if picking up the deserted camp. The wind got stronger.

From a distance songs and laughter were heard: the poor in the village had fun. Lonely Raihan stood long on the spot where in the morning the white yourt adorned. The black and piebald dog jogged fawned to her, lay at her feet. Raihan seemed frozen...

It was dark when one of the poor came to Raihan, the one who especially zealously participated in the seizure. Silently, he shuffled his feet on the spot, not knowing how to speak, and finally silently motioned toward his village. Raihan with the same fixed expression on her face shook her head. Yesim, watching them, beckoned his comrade. Raihan, shuddered, noticed Yesim, as if breaking through to him, but something held her back, repaid the impulse: either the recent offense or something else.

Half an hour passed before Raihan, as if waking up from her thoughts, looked around and walked slowly to the mud-brick house on the edge of poor peasants’ village.

Near the house the poor crowded, surrounding Yesim and the commissioner. Animated voices were heard:

-  Let’s choose you, Yesim. You’ll lead your village.

-  No!

-  What then are you going to do? – the commissioner asked in amazement.

-  I will go to the Red Army. I am only twenty years old - he boomed.

The commissioner as if only now saw a huge, strong figure of a shepherd. Looked at him with respect.

Suddenly, in the circle Raihan came. She did not pay any attention to compassionate words of the commissioner or the surprised looks of the crowd.

-  Akbesti... - she said.

Everyone at once silenced. Looking at no one Raihan flatly told how the horse disappeared...

Last night Askar led the horse, from head to toe nestled with old trappings, and begged her to help to save the horse.

-  You're from the poor, they will not persecute you!..

In the courtyard, hugging his stallion’s head, the old Geksen shrilly cried:

-  The Pride of mine, my strength. All my wealth ... 

Then in Geksen’s yourt a stranger appeared. He looked like horse thief. He jumped on horse and disappeared in the darkness.

Askar, looking after the horse, swore:

-  I will strangle anyone with my own hands, anyone who tries to take away my Akbesti!..

Hardly waiting to hear Raihan’s story, a few poor people led by Yesim rushed to the horses.

The Commissioner again turned to the young slender woman.

-  And what do you want? Speak up, do not be afraid.

-  I want to learn, go Lenin’s way – she said – Yesim told me about Lenin. I want to learn…

-   Good, - the commissioner approved and right away pointed at her head scarf – sharshy, white scarf of the married woman.

Raihan tightly pulled he scarf and frowned.

-  My husband is betrothed by Allah, - she said dully.

At dark night in a remote canyon Yesim and his friends dismounted from horses. Near the cave they found chained in iron shackles Akbesti...

An hour later the horse thief reported to Askar that Raihan rated them. He pulled out a knife in anger, swore off. And the poor had fun around the brightly burning fire, sang songs, and played dombra.

-  No need to wait for an opportunity.

-  It's true - the horse thief agreed. - You cannot take a risk... Our time will come.

 

Raihan walked around the city. On her head was the same white scarf, and passers-by looked at the girl of sixteen, almost a teenager, who for some reason put on sharshy. Raihan angrily met their views.

In a small brick building, she found the head of the courses - a low middle-aged man and showed him a note from commissioner.

-  I came here to learn. From the village.

-  It’s a right decision. We’ll assign you to a course.

Raihan’s eyes glazed happily.

-  How old are you?

-  Sixteen.

-  And this? – the head pointed at her sharshy. - You do not refuse the bay family? All our attenders are the poor.

Raihan broke, tore her scarf from the head and threw it on the table. All around, and women who stood nearby, laughed. Raihan looked at their faces, and laughed with the others, for the first time in many days.

Then she went around the whole school. In one room, she saw on the wall a small portrait of a man with a high forehead and sharp attentive eyes and asked a passing-by woman:

-  Who’s that?

-  Lenin.

Raihan slowly approached the portrait. She looked for a moment and suddenly grabbed it with both hands and ripped off the wall. Everyone stirred up, future classmates surrounded her, secretary of the Komsomol cell and a member of the trade union committee came...

-  What happened?

-  Why did you rip it off?

-  What does it mean? Let her answer...

She, distancing, then pulling up close to her eyes, looked at the photo. One of the girls timidly touched her hand.

-  Leave me alone! – Raihan dropped and then addressed everyone:

-  You see him every day and I, today, saw Lenin for the first time, - and she hid the portrait in her bosoms. The head of the courses understood her and asked everyone to go.

 

2

The winter morning was rising.

The two riders went on the snow-covered mountain road. In one dressed in uniforms of the Red Army, it was easy to recognize broad-shouldered Yesim. The other was the owner of both horses – he was the caretaker of the nearest postal station.

In the office of the collective farm Yesim took off his fur hat, his coat and walked up to the man, who was sitting at the table.

-  Yesim. - They shook hands. - To you from the front.

-  Deputy Director, Fedor.

Another man came into the room, and Fedor stood up respectfully:

-  Comrade director...

-  Please, go on – the entered man said.

-  So, what is your business? – Fedor addressed Yesim.

-  I was sent to you by the district committee. - Yesim took out of his pocket and handed the package to Fedor.

-  Can you pasture the sheep?

-  It seems I can, - Yesim laughed. - Before the Army I have pastured Geksen’s sheep. Heard of the bay?

Yesim and Fedor fell into talk.

- We in the third farm are in bad shape – director broke into the talk. - One day brings five or ten dead sheep... - He went to the table, looked at the report. - For the month two hundred eighty died.

- Apparently, some kind of disease, Comrade Andreyev. And people are not experienced enough - said Fedor.

- So there you go as a foreman - Andreyev appealed to Yesim - with you, and a foreman, another comrade will go.

- And who is that? - Asked Fedor. – He did not come to me yet.

- The district committee sends one woman. Check out now, comrade. I'll be there later...

Fedor and Yesim went out of the office.

On araba cart, which stood on the porch, her back to them, a woman was sitting. They came out into steppe. Fedor spoke to the woman, and when she spoke back Yesim shivered. He turned and looked at her from aside and laughed. And then he took her shoulder and unceremoniously turned to him. The woman looked at him cautiously.

-  Raihan...

Both happily shook hands. Fedor looked at them puzzled.

-  Do you know each other?

-  Of course – Raihan laughed.

-  Sure, we do. We are from one village.

-  You grew to maturity, Yesim.

Near the folds they were met by the old man of medium height, and broad-shouldered youth. It was about noon, and the sheep were coming out of the gate. Yesim and Raihan just taken aback: skinny sheep, wool dirty, matted, hanging with shreds.

-  What’s your name – Yesim asked the old man

-  Bolat.

-  And my name’s Isa – the youth spoke, not waiting for being asked. – Bolat and I are the shepherds here. We are new on the farm.

Sheep were twisting, trying to get to their backs and tails with their lips, rubbing against the wall of the fold with broadtails and sides, leaving there pieces of wool.

Yesim and Raihan silently came closer. Raihan caught one sheep, Yesim caught another. Inspected. On the bald patches there were scabs and ulcers…

-  Who is the head of the farm? - Yesim angrily asked the old man, who was standing nearby.

-  Well, one guy. Very young.

-  Where is he?

-  How do I know?.. Left. - He spread his hands. - He sat on the horse and left.

They went into the barn and immediately coughed and gagged their noses from the unbearable stench. Yesim raised his lantern, lit all around. The barn was full of sheep, animals climbed on each other, trying to escape into the light. Raihan went into the middle. Under two pregnant sheep the dead red sheep lay. Fedor and Yesim saw in the far corner the little black lamb. After making a few missteps, it bleated plaintively and fell. Its stomach was empty, apparently, the mother never nursed it. Sheep were frantically rubbing against each other, the walls, the pillars... Yesim angrily pointed a finger upward.

-  Why are there no windows? You could do at least the opening.

-  This was an order – Bolat tried to find an excuse – If you do not fulfill an order – he’ll beat you...

-  He makes us leave the sheep in the barn, you cannot get it through to the boss – Isa added – He’ll fight, if you don’t obey.

-  Who is the boss?

-  One guy. His name’s Salim.

-  What? – Raihan asked making a sharp turn to the youth

-  Salim?

Yesim told Bolat and Isa to get the flock out, but the sheep themselves, crushing each other, headed to the exit. The barn was quickly emptied, and people stood and counted the dead sheep. One, two, three, four ...seven. Fallen from hunger or trampled, when they lay down to lambing. On manure lay four mutilated dead lambs in the placenta. Raihan sat down beside blue body; touched the withered last ... She got up and walked away, tripped over a bump and nearly fell into the manure slurry. She looked around, picked it with her boot: from under manure the lamb’s head showed up...

-  My God, what is it?

Fedor and Yesim came. Their faces slowly darkened with anger. Now, sizing up the hillocks, they noticed the lamb’s leg and the side. The rest of the bodies were hidden under the manure.

Isa brought the iron rod, and Yesim strongly stuck it in the ground. The rod entered easily and deeply, as if in a swamp.

Raihan clasped her hands in horror, grabbed the rod from Yesim and began furiously punching a hole in the roof. Steam whirled in the roof hole. Bolat nodded in satisfaction and looked affectionately at the young woman.

-  We do what we are told to. I am an old man and he is yet a boy – he pointed at his assistant. – the director is new here; he probably does not know the farm...

-  Where is the farm head? – Fedor angrily asked. – What takes so long?

-  He went away. He sat on his horse and went. He does not tell us where he goes. – the old man kept murmuring - and the old director was a rare person to come.

Yesim suddenly gazed at the two men who drove the thin white horse. They walked at the side of sheds.

-  Who is it? - he asked Bolat. - Hey, stop! Wait, do you hear?..

All came to the travelers. Yesim looked attentively at the horse - bobtail, beaten back, ribs sticking out, in large yellow spots... A real nag. A hat on one of the men was pulled down to the eyes and its sides were made tight under his chin. Another, beardless, with a grim cold expression on his face, took the paper from his breast pocket and handed to Yesim. At the paper there were a dozen of resolutions: of a chairman of executive committee, RAIZO head, director of the collective farm. The last resolution was head of the farm.

-  I am a poor man – the beardless started to talk, stepping foot from foot – two years have passed since my horse was taken to the farm illegally. Two years I was fighting… Thanks one man in the regional center helped, gave me the references...

-  Who’s the person? – Raihan asked. – His handwriting seems familiar.

The beardless did not answer, looked at his companion.

-  What is the name of your man? - Yesim repeated the question.

-  Askar ... - he squeezed through his teeth.

Raihan and Yesim looked at each other.

-  And why is your horse so valuable that you fought so much for it? -  Yesim proceeded. – It is too thin. You could have taken another instead, the better...

-  A usual horse… The only thing, it’s mine, so...

Yesim carefully examined the forehead, eyes, and hooves of a horse and turned to Raihan.

-  It is Akbesti.

Beardless’ companion slapped his hands on the sides in surprise.

-  Exactly. This is Akbesti - repeated Yesim to numbed Raihan.

Raihan rushed to her pet, wrapped her arms around its neck. In the eyes of Raihan there were tears. Saying something softly, she hugged her horse again and again...

-  So, the horse is yours? - Yesim stared hard at the beardless.

Beardless backed away. The second, grumbling, retreated even faster. Yesim approached the stranger and abruptly raised his cap, and Raihan recognized a man who hid Akbesti before the forfeiture. He also recognized Raihan and quickly looked away. The second was Asan.

-  Farm head! There goes the farm head!.. – Isa cried.

The young man approached the barn. Raihan stared at him and froze with her eyes wide open. Salim, the same ... In front of her eyes stood a distant spring evening, the first kiss; the embrace on the fragrant grass ... Raihan looked and could not believe her eyes. Yes, the same, only in a grubby dirty clothes and ... as if drunk. Salim recognized her and smiled stupidly. She blushed, but regained consciousness quickly. Looked at Akbesti and at the sheep barns and the sheep furiously rubbing against the walls. Again, she looked at the guy and noticed how he cringed under the look of Fedor and Yesim.

Raihan angrily waved her hand, as if fending off memories and took Akbesti’s reins.

-  Salim, what do we do now? You said that the horse is now ours! – Asan said.

Farm head swept them with frown, and they went away.

Andreyev came. Fedor, Yesim and Raihan, interrupting each other told the director about the situation on the farm, showed sheep. Andreyev listened to them with a straight face.

-  You are the Bolsheviks and you’ve been sent here to put the economy on its feet - he said. - Do not be discouraged. I'm also a new person here. Real difficulties are still ahead of us. Here you are – read the resolution of the regional committee.

Andreyev took the papers from his breast pocket.

-  Our farm is transformed into a tribal. To be more exact, we need to achieve this – Andreyev went on.-We have to provide all the sheep farms of our region, and not only the region, but the whole country, with high breeds sheep. You, Fedor, will head the new farm. Responsible business, you know.

Fedor pondered.

-  Well, - he said firmly, after a pause. - Just let me have Yesim and Raihan for help. - He put his hands on the shoulders of the new friends.

Having estimated the first emergency operations plan for the nearest days, they began to disperse. Salim joined Raihan.

-  And what about me? Raihan why do you keep silent? Did you forget me?..

Raihan stopped.

-  All right, you stay - she agreed, after a pause -You will work as an accounting clerk. Let's see what happens.

And before she left, she looked at Salem.

 

3

At midnight, two shadows slid to a wooden construction with a high roof. There was a soft knock. Askar jumped out of bed, threw on his jacket and walked to the door. Waiting for the second, agreed knock, he threw away the latch. Asan and horse thief entered and immediately, interrupting each other began to talk about their failure.

Askar darkened, nodules on the cheeks played.

-  Did you bring Akbesti? - He asked, without waiting.

-  No. - Asan and horse thief looked down guiltily. Askar cursed.

-  But we did not come empty-handed - the horse thief smiled ingratiating. - Come and take a look ...

In a dark barn, restlessly moving its ears stood a dark brown stallion. Askar looked at him and was pleased. He nodded horse thief. Before everyone knew where he was the latter took out a knife and quickly knocked the foal, slashed its throat.

In two hours in front of the friends the flavored meat was smoking. Askar poured vodka into glasses, and all three of them drank and took to the food. Some time they spent in silence and one could hear only loud champ in the room.

-  There are animals on the farm, - Asan said at last with his mouth full. – It will be enough for long.

All laughed excitedly. Drunken Askar, evilly pronouncing the words through the clenched teeth, began to denounce the state farms, new orders, which still did not take root in the desert. Asan and the horse thief respectfully listened to their leader. In front of their eyes Yesim in tatters, Raihan, the third wife of Geksen, always silent, unrequited, Akbesti, flying ahead of the horses, stood... In impotent rage Askar’s teeth flashed.

Knock at the door sounded, and without waiting for permission, the company tumbled noisily in. These were Askar’s co-workers and associates. Asan and horse thief quietly slipped out of the house. The room was filled with chatter, loud laughter, guests behaved carelessly. Apparently, they have been here many times. Askar caught greedy looks, thrown by guests on a platter with horse meat, and invited everyone to dastarkhan. He brought more vodka. Soon the house was filled with smoke... Meat, vodka, drunken shouts ... Someone was singing, someone hugged Askar, and someone climbed to kiss with wet lips.

 

4

Raihan listened carefully and quickly wrote down something in her notebook. Yesim could not resist and went and tried to lift the huge ram, trying to determine its weight. Shepherds reacted to the new cattle in different ways. Bolat, for instance, was frowning and silent and Isa laughed innocently to marvelous sheep, barely resembling the steppe ones.

-  And these – are of ortember breed - continued the zoologist, - imported from Germany. They are too of fine-wool breed, and gain weight even faster. Crossing them with local sheep, we ought to get a new, strong, and suitable for the steppe conditions breed with all the good qualities of parental species.

Bolat and Isa now indifferently looked at animals emaciated after a long journey. They winged another flock.

-  You see, comrades, a new breed – degerezskaya, derived from crosses of prekos with the Kazakh edilbaevskaya sheep, - the zoologist continued. - But it is derived not in our area and we do not know how it will behave here ... Its birthplace is a mountain farm "Degerezsky."

Suddenly Isa said happily:

-  Here are the real sheep. Bolat-ata, look there’s Kazakh Edilbaevskaya.

-  True, son. – Bolat spoke, hurrying up to catch Isa on the way to the sheep – that’s the only one of use...

As if by agreement, they held hands on the wide flat backs of sheep. Laughing showed their long pure wool. Yesim in response merrily poked a finger in the direction of new breeds. Zoologist and Andreyev with a smile were watching this duel.

Brigades drove their cattle sheep barns.

-  Good sheep - Raihan said to Bolat. They walked together, somewhat ahead of the other shepherds. - If only all went smoothly.

Bolat with disdain waved his hand. It was evident that the old man was not in the mood.

They saw a flock of sheep, grazing near the barn, sheep hurried.

-  My soul does not lay to them - admitted the old man and turned to the shepherds. He did not even watch the behavior of the newcomers in the flock.

-  I do not understand you, ata – the old man smiled into his beard, split near his feet.

-  Business is business. Usual sheep…

-  They are not sheep, dear! Don’t you understand? – the shepherds started murmuring in sympathy.

-  What are they, do you think? – Raihan frowned.

-  If I understand something yet, they come from pigs and sheep – the old man threw a word.

-  Ata, stop! – Raihan’s voice trembled with offence.

-  All right, all right… We’ll see

-  You heard what zoologist said! Ortember is the best German breed.

-  Honey, what Germans could know about the sheep! – now the old man was sadly looking at Raihan.

Raihan gave up and laughed; the shepherds laughed with her.

-  Germans are chatterboxes, if they call these sheep – Bolat continued. – All right, don’t bother. We’ll talk later; when they start to bring puppies….ahm… lambs.

The loud laughter of the shepherds overwhelmed the grumpy old man’s talk.

In a month Andreyev came to the farm. So far everything went smooth. Sheep gained weight fast, the barns were kept especially clean, and if the weather allowed the sheep went on gaze every day.

Isa headed the shepherds who watched the Yesim’s flock. Mating began among the sheep of the Edilbaevskaya breed and the flock would not stay on one spot. The sheep would crowd and disperse within a moment. Followed by the rams the sheep ran from spot to spot and the excited rivals collided foreheads knocking each other off with short strikes.

Isa was surprised to see that more and more sheep huddle to prekos and ortember breed rams. Rams were enduring.

-  Look at them – Isa addressed his friends. – The zoologist seemed to have told the truth.

-  And Bolat, old man, did not believe them to be the real rams.  – the simple pal of Isa age laughed.

-  We could start with horse breeding – Yesim told approaching director watching the flock, - It’s a profitable business, you know yourself.

-  Horse breed? In our region? Where from?

-  Akbesti. Racehorse of horses. Let’s go and have a look.

Raihan on the way told Andreyev the story of a white horse.

The horses were tied in the shed between the stacks. Well-fed, well-proportioned Akbesti was munching oats, shaking its head with a canvas feed bag. Three white mares pawed the ground nearby.

-  Where are they from? – Andreyev was astonished with horses – All well-kept, as from circus. What a breed!.. You just have a look!

-  We’ve managed. – Yesim replied with pride and addressed the shepherds who came after him, - Soon, you’ll have the good horses, and I’ll give a horse to everyone. You’ll watch the flocks riding the horses.

The shepherds imagined white horses resembling swans. Everyone has already seen himself prancing on the handsome stallion...

-  Well, come, to me for supper – Raihan called her comrades.

 

 

5

 

At night, Askar’s house was crowded again. This time, after heavily drinking the guests did not go for a long time. But only when Askar said goodbye to the last Asan and the horse thief entered the room. Rubbing cold hands and faces, they sat down at the table next to the master of the house.

-  Need a sheep - Askar said. - The meat ends. 

Those nodded in consent.

-  At the farm there are bred sheep. Go look… Bring one English, one German. Choose a meatier, do you understand?

Asan and horse thief reluctantly stood up, and hesitated putting on hats and buttoning.

The other day, when Isa took the flock to bare snowy slope, from a distance, hiding behind the hills, two men approached the flock. They dismounted in a secluded place and crept very close to the sheep, as if they were wolves. After a while, one of them turned back, rounded the hill and openly, without hiding, went to it. It was Asan. Bored alone Isa was glad to see a man, and soon they were busy chatting. Sheep meanwhile wandered, came closer to the stone behind which the horse thief lurked. The thief threw a noose with precise movement. The loop went down on the head of a ram. Jerk! Horse thief quickly looked around and pulled the sheep to himself. Isa, suspecting nothing, was still chatting with Asan. Putting a heavy panting sheep on his shoulders, the thief trotted to horses.

In the evening, when the flock came back to the sheep barns, Yesim, as usual, counted sheep. One head was missing. Not trusting himself, he counted a second time, this time only the rams. He called Isa, and immediately alerted the entire crew. Before dark they ransacked the whole neighborhood, but the search did not lead to anything. Frustrated Isa did not sleep all night...

Salim and Raihan, talking passionately about something, went deep into the steppe, when suddenly heard behind the desperate cries. Bolat, waving his hands was calling Raihan. She ran back.

In the barn the cow was dying. Bolat, Raihan, Salim and shepherds huddled over it.

-  It was all right yesterday – the old man looked guiltily at Raihan as if he alone was to blame in the whole crew. – What shall we do now?

-  Kill it. – was Salim’s short answer. – At least we’ll have meat. Split among the workers.

Bolat slaughtered the cow. He skinned it and unexpectedly found in the cow’s uterus a sharpened wooden peg. Raihan turned away in horror...

Two days passed, and a horse on which Bolat rode fell. From the neighbouring barn Yesim and Isa came with Fedor. It was skinned, and inspected. Torn rectum was found.

-  Cut with a knife! - said Bolat.

-  But how? – Fedor looked at Yesim. – The skin is untouched.

-  I don’t know how, but it was stabbed. – the old man replied, standing upright and tired. – I would not believe if I hadn’t seen with my own eyes.

Depressed people were silent. Only Salim spoke quietly:

-  Ah, if I just knew who!..

Yesim and Fedor mounted their horses, and never saying a word, galloped away.

All evening Raihan, unable to sit, roamed in the barn. Salim, writing something in a notebook, walked behind her. Raihan talked to the old man, and immediately found near Salim, who intervened in the conversation. The old man did not like it, and he was about to lay siege to the guy, but then, as if guessing something gave him a suspicious glancing.

At dusk Raihan went to her room. Salim took out his watch, looked at the clock and looked around, quickly rounded the corner of the barn ... Hesitating a little, Bolat slipped after him, following Salim he went down into the ravine, which started at ten paces from the barn. Out of the bushes towards Salim Askar came.

-  You have to entoil Raihan - he whispered in a quick tone.-This is important. See that every five to ten days something fells under the knife. Split meat among shepherds yourself. Got it? It is necessary to lure them to our side. State farm went up the hill. Let's get a move on... Proceed with the bred sheep and lambs. Yet heifers. Try to bring down the barn...

Noticing that someone was approaching, Askar ran to his horse. Salim bounced, hiding in the gully.

-  Stop it! Hey, wait, I say!.. - Bolat cried when he saw a man quickly wading through the bushes.

Cursing, he rushed back to the barn. Salim ran after him.

In the courtyard the old man paused for a moment near a saddled Raihan’s bay horse and ran into the house. Salim is in turmoil tore the shirt collar, and then grabbed a sharp stone, and aimed, with all the strength he hit in the ankle. A horse in pain fell to its knees, but when Bolat with a rifle ran out of the house, it was on feet again. The old man jumped on his horse, lashed his whip. The horse has made ​​some bad jumps and fell again, and the rider slid down to the ground. Rapidly rising, he ran to his horse, looked at its feet. From its ankle blood was gushing. The old man groaned, his fingers touched the horse and torn tendons. Exhausted with grief, the old man fell in the dust.

When Bolat regained, he tightly tied up his horse, took him into the yard, and unsaddled. Raihan was at home, reading a book; with her ​​matter-of-factly Salim was sitting and clicking on the counts. The old man came in and leaned heavily towards the door.

-  What is it, ata? - Raihan anxiously looked at Bolat.

And then, looking straight at Salim, he briefly reported that someone cut a tendon of the bay stallion.

-  How? - Raihan shut the book, - it’s impossible!

-  I just straddled it.

-  Ask him. - Bolat pointed to Salim. Salim was on his feet, looked vapidly into a small window.

-  Who did you meet in the ravine? Who was he? – the old man asked severely.

Salim shook his head.

-  I have met no one... 

Raihan slowly walked over to him.

-  Better confess yourself, do you hear? – she said quietly.

-  Raihan, dear, what’s that you saying? Do we not love each other? Remember what you told me yesterday? – he pulled to hug her.

Tears were in Raihan’s eyes. She pulled a whip from the wall and several times with all her strength whipped Salim. The one cringed in pain, his eyes flashed angrily.

-  Did you swallow your tongue? Talk! Who did you meet?

-  Askar…

The shepherds came running into the house when Raihan cried. Leaving Salim to them, Raihan rode into the city.

 

Seeing that excited Raihan walked quickly to the chairman’s office, Asan, who was sitting in the waiting room, rushed into the next room. Askar hurriedly dressed. Clutching some documents, both ran to Askar’s house. Before they could bring their horses from the stables, horse thief came galloping. He lamely explained that unshaven, haggard old man wrapped in some old rags came to his in the winter camp. He barely recognized a venerable Geksen. Bay had the gun over the bosom... He ordered to immediately notify his son...

-  Oh, Father, you're finally back! - exclaimed shocked Askar. - And now I regret nothing! Had a chance to see before he died...

From the place the abandoned horses stroke into gallop.

Ten minutes later, three soldiers entered the gates of Askar’s house. There was nobody in the rooms, cloths were strewn haphazardly. They went out of the house and inspected the yard. In front of the empty stables they saw the fresh horse tracks.

Geksen, Askar, Asan and horse thief stood on a high hill.

-  All these lands since immemorial times belonged to my ancestors. - Geksen raised his hand and led extensively around. - This is our land, Askar.

In front of their eyes spread new state farm village where barns and flocks of sheep grazing on the slopes of the rolling hills could be seen.

-  Look, you can see, there in the distance - the old man said, - my grandfather’s mazar...  All my property was transferred to the farm. The wealth that was amassed by my ancestors, they have taken away. My wife, who I bought as a slave, and my servant boy took it away from me.

Frowning eyebrows came together at Askar’s nose bridge. On dry cheeks nodules played.

-  I came back to avenge violence ... I came back to die on home soil. Swear before God that you will not retreat from revenge...

Geksen unfolded hands in front him and raised his face to the sky. The old man was muttering words of the oath for a long time before he ran his hands over his face. Asan and horse thief in solemn silence did the same.

-  Now come on ... Go! - cried the old man, unhappy with the slowness of his companions.

They went down to the foot of the hill, pulled down the reins of horses. The hooves clattered muffly.

Sunday market was in full swing when they dismounted and entered the city. Geksen and Asan separated from the others and went to bazaar from one side, Askar and horse thief – from the other. They quickly mingled with the crowd, and slowly went down the rows, each by himself, as outsiders, occasionally exchanging glances. Geksen suddenly stopped and began to carefully observe the dervish, who spun in a circle of onlookers, shouting something incoherent. Geksen pushed Asan:

-  This is who I need ...

In the evening, when dervish walked down the street, at the gate of one of the houses Askar and the horse thief stopped him. Asan immediately brought out the saddled horses. The horse thief pushed Dervish:

-  Sit down, now!

Dervish drew back quickly and slurry murmured something, collided with Asan, twisted. But surrounded by strangers dared not resist, got on his horse. Behind him the horse thief sat. Horses carried them all over the city. Dervish alerted again, tried to free himself from the clutches of the horse thief, cried plaintively. But the horse thief silenced him with a quick neck strike.

Riders stopped in hibernation of the horse thief, where they were awaited by impatient Geksen. Askar put dervish in front of the old man and asked:

-  Who are you?

-  Dervish… God be my witness, I am dervish, not the thief… Askar stroke him with his leg in the belly.

-  Stop it! Now you are saint, got it?.

Dervish stood up straight and stared at him amazed.

-  I am dervish…

The next moment he was sprawled on the floor. The punch of the horse thief on the patella was accurate.

-  Oh, batyr!.. – dervish cried. – I am Dulat. My name is Dulat, I am dervish...

-  No! You are a spirit of Sultan khazret. You are saint, got it? – Askar’s look did not promise any good.

Dervish looked imploringly at Geksen. The old man nodded to him, offering to obey.

-  I am the spirit of Hazrat Sultan - repeated dervish and suddenly smiled. Then she quickly crawled to the felt mat, sat down next to Geksen. He seemed to have realized what the strangers wanted.

Geksen and Askar have been long explaining to dervish how he should behave from now on. Then they all left in the direction of a small village, lost in the mountains. The devout old men and women accepted the “saint” and his companions with great respect. A little later, Askar, Asan and the horse thief again mounted their horses. Only the horse thief came back. He brought a fat mare from state farms. Dervish, already knew his duties, and blessed the horse thief, and the latter along with three helpers slaughtered the mare. Meat was split among village residents. In the house of one of the venerable elders Geksen told the guests about the new orders, which will soon come in their aul...  That the State Farm will be based there... Kazakhs will be made to feed pigs. Pigs will trample the beds of the Faithful; defile the dishes ... Dervish, listening to the old man, whimpered. Behind him Geksen cried and the old men sadly omitted gray heads. During the dinner there was no usual fun or lively conversation...

And the next morning Askar and Asan were selling the cow, also stolen from the state farm, at the market...

 

6

In a small office in front of Andreyev, Fedor, Yesim and Raihan were sitting.

-  The new leadership of the regional party committee reminds us of the importance of the coming period of lambing, comrades. - Andreyev said in calm, even voice. - High labor achievements are expected. Until recently, you know, things at the farm went very badly. There have been cases of sabotage, and a great loss of livestock... Of course, now we have achieved a lot, but as you can see, we are expected more. - He rested, looked around at his assistants. - And another thing: two representatives of our farm are invited to Almaty for the meeting.

- So go, you and Yesim – Raihan suggested.

-  True, - Fedor supported her, - We’ll handle the lambing ourselves.

Andreyev looked expectantly at Yesim.

-  Well, well - he replied, thinking. - Once it is necessary, we will go. I will talk today with my shepherds.

Sheep were grazing near the barn. Bolat, leaning on a stick, was standing on top of a gently sloping hill and quietly humming. A strange old man in rags approached the flock and spoke to Bolat.

-  Hey, what are you shepherding? I cannot recognize – whether these are sheep or pigs…

-  Look better, if your eyes still where they should be, - Bolat replied watching the old man with a grin.

The old man stared with mock attention at sheep.

-  Cannot say… Aha, I see by tails – these are pigs – he turned with a smile to shepherd – May your labour be awarded.

-  Not with your prays – Bolat replied irritated. – Go where you were.

The old man, on the contrary, came even closer to shepherd. It was Geksen.

-  All right, all right, Muslims’ son. – he pointed out peacefully. – I speak from my soul: let the luck be with you.

-  Not with your blessing – Bolat murmured.

-  I will cut my nose if your “sheep” will not lamb with red puppies, red and hairless.

-  Yeah, of course!

There was a slight doubt in Bolat’s voice and Geksen confidently continued.

-  Soon you’ll see yourself.

He stopped in mid-sentence when he saw the rider, leaving from the folds. Handsome white horse was swinging in a beautiful trot. It was Akbesti; Geksen froze devouring the horse with his eyes.

-  Who’s that?

-  Raihan, the master of the shepherds.

-  She has, seemingly, a good horse.

-  Akbesti – Bolat gladly answered. – It belonged to bay, Geksen. You’ve heard of him, probably.

-  I did. – Geksen looked at shepherd, who threw back his head and smiling watched the stallion’s gallop. – They said that Yesim is now his master. – the old man continued.

-  He went to Almaty with director. They have a big cattle meeting there. Raihan is now in charge of both crews. She is a clever girl…

-  Is she?

Geksen hobbled away, and while he did not disappear over the hill, he kept looking back at Akbesti.

 

7

At night in the barn Raihan gathered the shepherds. By the light of a lantern they huddled around a strained groaning German breed sheep. Bolat, stooping, examined the first lamb. On the ground lay a wet lump of red meat. The old man grunted sorry, grabbed his collar. In front of his eyes appeared the grinning stranger, "I’ll cut off my nose if your “sheep” will not bring puppies..."

Bolat in the hearts threw a lamb to ewe with a kick. Shepherds, talking among themselves, were drawn to the exit.

At this time out of breath Raihan and zoologist ran into the barn.

-  So what? Did it lamb?

Bolat resentfully looked at her and angrily muttered:

 -There was no need in deceiving people.

- What is the matter? – she puzzled looked at frowned shepherds’ faces.

-Ata, could you explain, what is happening?

- I could. Your lamb brought a puppy. Go, care about it yourself! – the old man replied and went away.

Raihan demanding called out to him, and the old man reluctantly stopped.

Zoologist took out his pocket-book, opened, and showed him the pictures.

-  Lambs of this breed are born naked... Here it is in ten days. Does it look like a puppy? Here is a month later. How different is it from Kazakh sheep lambs? What? Say something...

Raihan was angrily reprimanding shepherds, took the lamb in her arms, wrapped into the hollow robe and went into the depth of the barn. Two more lambs, shivering from the cold, lay in the heam. Zoologist took them, wrapped in burlap, explaining the shepherds that newborns of this species do not tolerate cold. They went into the house; put the lambs on the floor. After a while they warmed up in the heat, began to move and were trying to get up. One of them got up and staggered to the disobedient legs, bleated in shrill, broken voice. Bolat’s look became warmer. He stood and stared, then silently turned and walked out of the house. He came back with another lamb in his arms. Shepherds met him with smiles and one by one pulled to the exit. Soon the house was full with two dozen of lambs.

Raihan gave Bolat the final instructions and rode to Yesim’s barn. In this barn lambing has not started yet, but she was already convinced it was necessary to prepare the shepherds.

At midnight, when she and Isa wandered among the sheep, dogs suddenly burst into furious barking. Raihan and Isa went outside. Near the barn where there was Akbesti, dark shapes of several riders flashed. Isa, without saying a word, immediately rushed to intercept them and Raihan rounded duval and ran to the barn.

-  Hey, who are you? – Isa cried on the run. The riders held the horses waiting for Isa and quickly surrounded him. Askar fought with him, but then flew under the horses' feet. Two more the young man scattered with hands. But the forces were unequal. Asan and the horse thief caught Isa simultaneously from both sides, knocked, and brutally beating, began to knit his hands and feet. Raihan meanwhile brought out of the barn Akbesti, jumped on it and ran into the desert.

-  Gone! - Shouted Askar. – To you horses, quick!..

All eight riders set off to chase. Ditches, rocks, ravines glimpsed... Akbesti raced like the wind. The pursuers tore reins furiously, lashed the horses, trying to at least keep up with Raihan. Seeing that a little more and she will be hidden behind the hills, Askar ripped off rifle from his shoulder. The shot slammed...

Almaty meeting came to an end. On the podium a gray-haired Russian professor stood.

-  One of the best in Kazakhstan is Uzaksky stock-farm - he said in soft baritone. - This farm is growing such sheep breeds as prekos, ortember and degerezskaya. Farm animal breeders have shown that these species can be successfully cultivated in the steppe conditions of our region. Here today we have representatives of the stock-farm.

At loud applause Andreyev made ​​Yesim stood up. With constrained smile, Yesim got up and immediately hastily took his seat.

-  Mortality of sheep at the farm was brought to a minimum. Now during the lambing season we can expect that the workers of this sector achieve excellent results.

Again there was applause. And Yesim sat hunched under the eyes of many people, and his face was slowly going red. Andreyev with a smile was watching him.

After the meeting, secretary of the Regional Committee met Andreyev and Yesim. As soon as they entered the room, he stood up and warmly shook hands with them. And then he began to ask about the details of work and plans for the future.

- Lambing is a test not only for the shepherds. The big responsibility falls on you. We need to develop a sense of respect for the public cattle in shepherds. You do in fact get a commitment to get one hundred five lambs from every one hundred sheep?

-Yes.

- All right. Here what you do: if the number of planned lambs exceeds the planned hundred and five split the unplanned lambs among the shepherds. Only among the best. Let them have their own cattle. We cannot forget about the increase of the cattle men welfare.

- Here is the real manager! – Yesim told when they went out to the street.

- Yes. We haven’t thought of much, it appears. – Andreyev noticed. – We need to be in a hurry, Yesim.

 

Askar fired again and missed again. The barn appeared ahead, and Raihan tried to hold her horse, but Akbesti, accustomed to long-distance baige did not obey. At full gallop, it made ​​two laps around the barn. The pursuers were approaching. Without thinking, Raihan sent the horse directly to the barn. Akbesti jumped over the high fence and whirled on a wide courtyard. Raihan has slipped from the saddle and quickly pulled the horse in the barn, locked the door behind and ran to fetch the rifle.

The riders were at the folds. Darting from place to place, almost without aiming, Raihan shot several times. Response shots maneuvered shepherds who rush out to help back in their homes. In one of the riders Raihan with horror recognized Askar. This shows no mercy... Counted the bullets: there were only three. She leaned helplessly to the fence frantically pondering what to do next. Suddenly, someone grabbed the back of her shoulders. She screamed, looked back. It was Yesim, and only now feeling the fear, she threw herself into his arms. Yesim took her rifle and ammunition and ordered to flee into the house. The barn in which Akbesti was remained without protection, and Raihan rushed to the horse, but Yesim managed to intercept her, pushed into the house and quickly barricaded the door. Immediately upon him drummed a bullet. The glass in the window shattered. The bullet pierced the corner of Lenin’s portrait on the wall. Raihan snatched her revolver from under the pillow and put out the lamp. In the yard Askar could be heard shouting, someone was throwing curses. Then all was quiet. Yesim ran to the window and saw that Akbesti was lead out of the barn. With the two well-aimed shots Yesim packed two. The bullet, let loose by Raihan, caught Asan... The rest quickly disappeared around the corner.

Yesim and Raihan rushed to the barn: it was empty. Exhausted Raihan sat down and cried bitterly. Shepherds came. Three were sent to the city by Yesim - to inform the police about the gang attack. And Raihan was still sitting on the ground.

-  Yesim, did you see? They were ready to die for Akbesti.

-  No, Raihan. This was not their horse, not Geksen’s. It was stolen.

 

And he told Raihan the story of Akbesti... It happened five years ago when Yesim shepherded Geksen’s cattle. On that day he was standing on top of the mound, watching the sheep which scattered on the slopes. Aside a huge herd of grazing cattle slowly passed. On the other side of the mound Geksen’s horses were grazing. Bay himself and Askar were nearby. With Askar, who loved to hunt, as always, the hounds were. A small herd, led by a white stallion of Turkmen breed came close. Foals in the herd were not of Kazakh breed. Askar loved the long-legged, like its father, white foal. Askar followed the jamb, begging Yesim to catch the foal. Geksen also asked for this and when he refused, threatened with dismissal. Where would you get away from the bay - Yesim caught the foal. Asan brought from the village another white foal, three of them took it to the ravine and there in a thicket blow with a strike into the head piled on the ground. Slit its throat with a knife. And so that the owners did not suspect the substitution, Geksen cut a big piece of meat of the foal and then fed to dogs. Hounds began to vomit bloody body. Perhaps the herdsmen have found the remains of white foal and decided that it was killed by a wolf. The stolen foal has grown into Akbesti... Herd, turned out, belonged to the state farm "Degerezsky"...

-  Here it is! – Raihan exclaimed when Yesim finished his story. – Appears, Akbesti, is ours, from the state farm?!

-  Ours. All Geksen’s cattle are ours. He collected the cattle stealing it from such as we are. – Yesim lit the cigarette; put the gun behind his belt and the rifle on the shoulder. – We’ve lost Akbesti twice. I will not find peace until I get it back.

Raihan rose to her feet, touched his broad shoulders.

-  Remember when we were little ragamuffins, we have always dreamed up for our behind aul, - she said, excitedly. – Our mountain is high, but we'll get to the top, no matter how high our enemies may try to stop us. - Raihan moved close to him and looked into his eyes as gently as in that distant morning when he woke her up one day Geksen’s barn. - I'll wait for you, - she added quietly.

Again, Yesim smiled shyly and confused, but his hands shaking was gusty, and strong.

Yesim dismounted near a red brick building. In the large city office he had a long conversation with a man in full military uniform.

On the same day in the city appeared a tramp. A hefty guy in rags in a cheeky gait roamed around the teahouses; went into the butchers, stuck in noisy beer houses. The guy possessed himself brazenly and was indiscriminate in acquaintances. He quickly made ​​friends with the bullies, thieves, gamblers and speculators. Picky eye could have perceived that he was trying to stay close to the most famous thief – Maylykar.

Once he went after Maylykar and wandered through the market with him for a while. Near one of the small stalls he overheard Maylykar quietly dropped to the butcher:

-  Wait for the news at night.

-  Here? – the butcher asked

-  Yes.

At dusk, a carefree guy curled up behind a stall.

There was silence. The guy was snoring. Only sometimes sleepy eyelids parted, he cast an indifferent glance on the street. At midnight three went to shop: the butcher, Maylykar and a stranger with a mare. Whispering to the thief, the stranger handed the reins to butcher, and he quickly led the horse away.

The guy got up and quietly followed Maylykar and his companion. Turning into a dark alley, they entered into a crowded teahouse. In a dark corner, with a cap pulled over his eyes, Askar sat. The guy came by and was staring at him and involuntarily slowed. Askar raised his head and cried, jumped to his feet.

-  Yesim?..

The guy jumped back to the door, but Askar managed to grab him on the jacket. Then Yesim grabbed Askar himself and shouted:

-  Hold him! This is a gangster!

-  Hold him! – Askar yelled in turn.-He escaped from prison!.. I tracked him down.

People are alarmed and surrounded them. And they have fought, giving heavy blows to each other. Both were healthy and strong, they made a real fight in a teahouse. Yesim managed to hook Askar with a footrest and a sharp blow to the head to fall him down to the floor. But Askar quickly jumped to his feet.

-  Where is the thief? Hold him, hold! - he cried, regaining himself from the strike.

Several men, including Yesim recognized the horse thief, surrounded and hastily withdrew Askar from the teahouse. Yesim was among drunken excited with a fight people. He pulled out their hands, shouted and threatened, but in vain. In the sweltering teahouse there was an unimaginable noise. Finally, the police arrived, and teahouse visitors passed Yesim to police as an "escaped convict."

In the morning Yesim was sitting in front of the military in the same office. His face was bruised, clothes torn. The military called the two fighters and introduced to Yesim. They listened closely to him.

An hour later, three riders left the city and went deep into the mountains. Not far from the small village, lost among the rocks, they stopped at an abandoned winter camp, and leaving horses there, slowly walked to the aul. Walked, looking at stones, beating with hammers small pieces, collecting samples in backpacks. To meet them white-bearded old man came from the village. He asked who they were and why they had come.

-  My Russian companions are geologists, - explained the Kazakh guy. – I’ll accompany them, but we need the guides from the locals.

-  What are they looking for here?

-  Stones, some metals. There are going to build a plant here.

The old man led them to a high rock, pointed to the red rocks. Geologists were clattering hammers. Two locals approached and brought some pieces of dark rock. Geologists examined samples with interest. All three were well paid.

 

 

Askar, Geksen, horse thief and dervish made ​​their way to the road leading to China. Horses under them were strong. Akbesti was led by Askar.

In the ruins of an ancient outpost on the mountain the fugitives decided to rest. Geksen, who knew the area, showed his companions the path bending around a steep cliff.

-  There begins the road. It is wider behind the rock.

Akbesti did not lower his muzzle to the grass, turning his head all the time, looking back. Provident Geksen asked to tie it into iron shackles, but the horse thief said:

-  Do not take the eyes of it. It is cursed, seemed it is stuck to its mares. It is too calm.

-  It will not escape. – the horse thief noticed. – No horse could escape from me.

He hobbled Akbesti with hair chembur, watched it a little bit and went to sleep quietly. His companions have already spread a felt mat near the ruins of the wall. Horse thief was snoring in a minute. The other tossed a long time. The last one to close his eyes was Geksen.

Akbesti started to descend in awkward leaps. On a steep slope, he tripped on a rock and barely stayed on feet. The tension chembur burst, the back foot went loose and the horse neighing triumphantly went faster.

From the trumpet horse’s voice Geksen woke up and ran out of the ruins and saw Akbesti which leapt already far below. Geksen’s scream raised everyone and the bandits rushed to the horses.

Sensing the chase, Akbesti hopped with all strength. He climbed over a pile of rocks, jumped over the ditch, pushed his way through the thick bushes. The pursuers were approaching. One more jump, one more... Chembur burst on the front legs, and Akbesti flew forward like a bird. Askar in fury pulled a rifle from his shoulder.

-  It is better to shoot than to leave to the enemy!

A bullet whizzed by. Askar dismounted, put the barrel of the rifle on the rock, and aimed. He pulled the trigger. Akbesti bucked down, neighed, but did not slow down a run. Again, a shot rang out, echoing through the mountains, but Akbesti already managed to fly over the crest of the mountain. Ahead aul showed up. Here, everyone knew Akbesti and outfitted a chase. Then the horse turned into the mountains and, as expected, easily pulled away from the chase. But suddenly two wolves jumped at it and the horse again rushed towards the village. Now not stopping, it sped past the winter camp down.

A few minutes later Askar and horse thief flew into the village.

 

 

Near the winter hut Yesim’s mare whinnied loudly. Yesim listened, waved to his companions, and they hurried to the winter hut. Mare whinnied again, it responded to another horse, and Yesim immediately recognized the voice of Akbesti. He looked in the direction in which the mare eagerly looked. From behind the stones pointy ears, then Akbesti’s bangs appeared. With wary glances at people stallion in circles was approaching the mare. Yesim affectionately murmuring, went to meet it. Horse cautiously sniffed him and stuck its nose into the gown, looking for bread. Yesim hugged its neck and threw on the bridle. In front of his eyes stood a distant hot day... At the hitching post Raihan gave Akbesti warm water with just produced milk and Ashim enthusiastically told her about the race... Then Askar with a whip lashed out at Yesim and Geksen hit Raihan with a stick...

-  Until the owner comes stallion will stay with us - Yesim said to two guys from the village that came close nobody knows how.

Askar could hardly wait for their return.

-  Are you sure they are geologists? – he asked one and another.

-  Geologists. – they confirmed. – They are collecting stones. Ask the elders. They got to know that those are going to build a plant here.

-  True – on of the old men said. – They paid good money for the rock samples.

Horse thief, who had been listening in silence, whispered to Askar:

-  We have to go. The catch’s here ...

-  Wait - Askar stopped him. – Without Akbesti I'm not going anywhere.

Askar and the horse thief drove up to the winter hut, where geologists camped. One of the Russians stood beside the path; Askar spoke to him and introduced himself to be the master of the white stallion.

-We have the horse - good-naturedly geologist said – it’s in the barn. If it is yours, of course, take it. Go to our boss, tell him.

Askar dismounted and handed the reins the horse thief. He entered the house. The thief also dismounted. The next moment with the barrel of the revolver pointing into his face the horse thief put his hands up.

Yesim and second Russian came out and pushed the horse thief into the house where Askar already tied lay. Leaving one person for protection, Yesim with another guy rode to the village.

The first to see them was dervish. He jumped on the ground and quickly ducked into the tent.

-  Syuinshi!.. - He jumped in front of Geksen and the elderly. Tore off his tattered skull-cap -Askar is bringing Akbesti. And some more news...

At this moment Yesim and geologist came into the yourt.

It was a sunny day.

At Yesim’s folds Andreyev acquainted the representative of the Regional Committee with the shepherds. Among the busiest merry people Raihan looked sad, was unusually silent.

Isa brought his flock. The lambs had been well-fed.

-  One hundred fifteen for one hundred of the sheep - Fedor said to others. - One of the best of our shepherds. We would like to send him to school...

The guests were cordially shaking hands with the young broad-shouldered guy.

Bolat came up with his flock.

-  The only shepherd, who had not lost a single lamb – Fedor introduced him to a guest. – One hundred thirteen lambs for a hundred sheep.

There came a clatter of the hooves. Yesim rode with Akbesti to the folds. People murmured, ran to meet him. Yesim dismounted, greeted and looked curiously at the long-awaited lambs. He smiled. Raihan was standing nearby.

-  Yesim ...

He turned around, still smiling.

-  Raihan, my dear ... That leaves us at a pass to our crest - he said excitedly. They hugged each other. Raihan lips touched his chapped cheeks.

Party of two riders was taking Geksen away, Askar and the horse thief. Akbesti whinnied when it saw the approaching white mares with white foals. Bolat took off its bridle, and the stallion galloped toward its small herd.

Isa took the flock to the hill. He climbed the ridge, looked back at the sheep barns, patted the fine-wool sheep, and talked to it like to a man.

-  Over there - he pointed down - there sands, depression remained... And now we go up to the top. To our heights, Raihan says. She likes this word... Do you as well? Our steppes are, probably, roomier than your England, ha?..

Over the steppe there was fused, incessant noise of the spring.

 

1935