The Akuzek tract now is on the tongues of men.. The whole Karaadyr parish talks: akuzeks are going to crop the richest harvest, akuzeks have surpassed everybody.
Three years ago, thirty poor families settled in the Akuzek tract. They came here from different villages and began to cultivate the land. And the reward is: the current crop promised a good harvest.
People like sitting down and drinking mare's milk, discuss the news in the cool evening after a hard day of summer. Recently, more and more they talk about the land. It turns out that not only cattle, but also the land can enrich. Here, you see, and today akuzeks can become people. And only heard: Akuzek! Everything breathes well in Akuzek, a bumper harvest is expected. Wheat rose – every straw is like your peak. Yes, and the rye is high – the horse can escape with its head. God bless akuzeks this time! They talk about the wheat, and then - word by word - start to talk about those who sowed this wheat. Who are they? Where do they spend winter? How many livestock do they have - sheep, camels, cows? And how many women is in the aul? What about the girls? Have you heard of such and such a wife gone. Who has taken her away, insider or someone else? One of them recently fell out with somebody, the other got in a fight. Everything is interesting, everything you need to find out. They talk firstly, and then elders prate the news all over different auls. It is an old custom: to go for guests, to eat meat, to sip kumys. And if the old will take over the case, they will reach the ins and outs of this, bigger than in other official questionnaire.
Akuzek became a legend. His fame reached distant villages. But they were fed only by vague rumors. And the nearer villages knew exactly: who will get the crops in, who expects a better harvest. All agreed on one thing:
“Now Zhaksylyk will gather the richest harvest throughout the parish."
Zhaksylyk was one of the poor, hard worker. He had a little bit of cattle - twenty herds, and thirty or forty sheep. It is not easy to feed a large family. In the winter and the summer, he worked without any rest. He’s got his poor cattle recently, when he started to farm. At first, he sowed two measures of grain, and took off so much that the family had food in the winter and seeds to sow. Well so it went, year after year.
He praises his new business. "How much time we were wasting time and pouring sweat. And the wealth lays beneath our feet, in the ground. Just work unsparingly, the land will reward abundantly. Now I am a farmer, all my hopes are about the ground."
People praised his field, envied. "I reap what I sow - Zhaksylyk answered. - Plow the land deeply, and you will not sit without the bread. "
The wheat is growing like straight wall, ear is maturing. Zhaksylyk prays for rain, let it wet the ground one more time. And the rain poured down over the fields. Zhaksylyk doesn’t sit at home, not a day – he bypasses the field. Here is late wheat, it is still white, pulling up. And early wheat had already begun poured yellowish color. The owner Carefully examines the ears – if they are not devoured by sparrows, or the mouse got it, or another harmful thing. All is good. The bread is growing, coloring. Zhaksylyk prays day and night. It is left a while, let the trouble floats past in our fields.
It was time to reap the wheat. Now Zhaksylyk was not afraid of any birds or rodents. Other concerns at heart. An evil man would not bring any harm.
Not so long ago Zhaksylyk depended on bai, he was not free to do whatever he wanted. He pastured not his own cattle, but bai’s. Abish is rich and powerful bai. His will is the call of destiny. Nearby villages did not dare to disobey Abish. The bai ran everything. Rise to a nomadic, whether stay for the winter - he appoints all. He indicates the place where the hay mows, and time when to do it. And if you want to go to the city, you should ask Abish about it. Sometimes rich people came in the gorge of poor man for hay. But didn’t go to bat for him. So poor remained without hay. If some poor guy will conceive to go away for a little time to earn extra money, bai always comes up with a reason to keep him. Zhaksylyk felt especially tight: he did not belong to the old aul, he was only a kons - a visitor from foreign places. He had no livestock, no land. Andbai did with Zhaksylyk whatever he wanted. If he wants to, he takes him with them for the winter, if not – he sends him out to other unfortunate for an uncomfortable, difficult place for wintering.
Zhaksylyk suffered a lot before mature years. In those days, nobody in Karaadyr thought about agriculture. Neither Abish nor his relatives knew what wealth Akuzek land harbored. In winter this land was considered unsuitable. Winter snowdrifts pushed it. And there was not enough water, and it was brackish. Abish didn’t want those lands. He could come here in the fall, probably in a hurry to migrate to another place. Zhaksylyk had a dream: to settle down, settle down somewhere. Abish had heard about it, he had a fit of generosity, threw unnecessary bone! He suggested, isn’t Akuzek the place! Make yourself out there, do farming. Not only Abish owned natural boundary Akuzek. A few poor families have already settled there. They secured the consent of their bais earlier than Zhaksylyk did. Zhaksylyk joined them. He has built a house and a yard on the land that Abish gave him.
It took five years, and Zhaksylyk rose up, became the master, along with others. And he dragged out of the hay not only himself, - he began to help poor neighbors. He lived in friendship with all the Akuzek’s people.
Abish lost ground, but regretted soon. He didn’t expect that Zhaksylyk would be able to freed from the master so quickly. Bai and his relatives began to disturb farmer. One time he needs a horse, the other time - a harness.
Times have changed since then. Zhaksylyk heard that new Soviet government was for the poor, it protects their interests. Thoughts began to come on his mind: "How long will I suffer from the bai? Enough, he had enough to give a command, it’s not allowed anymore! "
Abish keenly followed his former worker. Zhaksylyk move an eyebrow - bye, knows it. Bai’s got known, what kind of thoughts wanders in the farmer’s head, why he looks like a wolf.
And meanwhile elections have come in the parish Karaadyr. Auls have split into two factions. Zhaksylyk together with all Akuzek’s workers was in the camp of the Abish opponents. It happened just before dislodged from wintering. There were elections on dzhaylyau in the summer. In the camp of Abish were celebrating the victory, the bai gained the upper hand.
2
The summer passed, Zhaksylyk have never met with Abish. And now he discovered that Abish aul with auls of few bais migrated to fall pastures.
Zhaksylyk have gloomy thoughts, he knows the habits of the rich auls, they could show the power. He wishes that they would not harm the fields from malice.
Auls were staying not every year on the encampment near the Akuzek. Abish came here when he was dissatisfied with Zhaksylyk, he arrived alone, just with his aul. This time he was accompanied by his younger brother Kurman and two other auls from poor peasants. They have pitched the yurts as usual, on the hills of Donkiyak near the Akuzek. Previously, there was no case that bai’s cattle poisoned sowings or hayfield. It was not go so far. Zhaksylyk is trembles because bai has been satisfied and did not require anything more. “Neighbor duty”, “the grace of God”, provided by bai, getting in the throat for the toiler. What bai has conceived now? What kind of insult expect from him?
Zhaksylyk yard in the aul is the last and Donkiyak is close at hand from here. Bai’s white yurts are visible from the courtyard. Zhaksylyk’s fields are on the other side of the tract. Nomadic is far from there and cattle will not go there itself, unless Abish will direct it from malice. Zhaksylyk is watching keenly, his heart feels the bai’s anger.
Two days passed quietly. Zhaksylyk hurried to do away with haying. It was time to proceed to the reaping. It is not enough helpers in the family. He is doing by himself almost everything. That is why he did not visit and bowed Abish yet. On the third day he rode to the bai’s aul.
The fields are not on the way, but the heart aches and calling from the road. He cannot resist and turned. No wonder people say: “If you want to gather the harvest and mow the hay, keep your eyes on the fields and meadows.” He rode on the hill and was stunned.
He expected from bai everything but not such abominations... In broad daylight and not under the cover of night, a large herd without interference tramples the wheat field. Plucked heads of grain are crackling. The horses snort and without looking up, quietly munching the wheat. Before the eyes disappear crops watered with sweat and blood and dying the hopes and dreams of a large family. And how happy were Zhaksylyk’s kids, watched and every day were running looking how poured the grain. The hand of bai does not flinch, what for him the work of a poor man.
Zhaksylyk desperately cried. He has cursed the evil-doer. Tears filled his eyes. “How to live with such an offense would be better if I died! And if I stay alive, I will not forgive you!” - thought bitterly, flying, wimble in to the herd. He drove it to the Abish aul with a whoop and a curse. He remembered all seventy seven generations of ancestors of this haughty genus. Cursed and wept with bitter tears.
He came to his senses near the the aul. Caught two groomed horses and turned back home. He does not steal horses, but for the sake of justice took as collateral. Let the bai answer for the damage.
Aroused herd with a clatter burst into the aul. It turned out that this is Kurman’s herd. Impudent and pleased herdsman met the horses. He knew everything perfectly well but has not recognized it. He began to count if all the horses are on spot. Ah, two are missing. The very best, selected, that Kurman saved for hunting. Herdsman faster ran on the hill. It is clear, over there horseman is in a hurry, driving two horses on a leash. “It is Zhaksylyk, he is the man to do it”, he decided, and went to report to the master. «Drove the herd up a sweat, led off Savras and Kozyger. And why? Were there more herds in his fields? It was or not, only God knows”, he told.
Kurman loads up with malice of such insolence. He cursed Zhaksylyk, his father and grandfather. Promised even did not left a corner on earth for him! Let him goes, let him search where to lay his head! Kurman will burn his yard, will disperse the cattle, and crush him like a gnat.
It reached Abish. Bai is sitting, grinding the teeth, cannot wait, until this Zhaksylyk will appear. And Zhaksylyk took back home the horses, found out whose this herd and went to Kurman. Wrath raged in him and soul was scorched with flame.
Zhaksylyk lumbered into the yurt. He grunted something instead of greeting. Abish and Kurman sat side by side; when they saw Zhaksylyk they turned green from anger and eyed him keenly. Just fancy, konsy, the worthless servant boy becomes vociferous! Who does he think he is??Abish mastered the whole parish, won in the election fight, and here some kind of gnat comes. He will not be Abish, if he will not drive bumptious in the ground!
Kurman, do not welcoming the guest, immediately pounced with abuse:
“Hey you! Low slave, lying around on my doorstep, you sooner forget your god! Has got five head of cattle and made believe you a man. I will drain you and you will collect beetles to feed your children. Look, the big fish, s Saint! Drives herds up a sweat and grabs the cattle! I will show you barymta!
Zhaksylyk not scared. What does he fear? There is no blame over him. And those ones will pay for everything.
“If I'm guilty of something, I will go around the world and will be collecting beetles. And if not, you could not do anything to me, pops out your venomous sting how much you want. Enough, I was for a long time in your bondage. I rode your herd to death? And what about you? I am an honest living...”
Kurman gave no finish, grabbed the kamcha, prepared in advance, and lashed out at the sitting Zhaksylyk. Kamcha burned shoulders, head and face. But more than strikes burned hurtful words, humiliated, wounded soul.
Zhaksylyk tried to get to his feet and started to fight back. But intervened three guests tied his hands and pinned down to the ground. Now, Kurman could be doing with Zhaksylyk whatever he wanted. And he was hitting him, beating until the handle broke.
Kurman’s rage was turns at iable, he calmed down and then Abish finally seen fit to intervene.
“Stopit, stop, enough!”, he comforted his brother, who was already cooled down.
Abish wast unsatiable. Everything turned out as he planned. By brother’s hands doubly repay to farm laborer for disobedience, and did not mess his own hands.
It is a familiar habit. Abish loves to rake up the fire by other hands. Zhaksylyk will remember the lesson. Now he will be afraid to think about the rights and freedom! Abish also has kind words and caresses, but not for these poor defenseless like Zhaksylyk. For them only beatings. From the beginning of the summer brothers prepared a poultice for rebellious.Let him calm down a little bit. It will be good for him.
What could Zhaksylyk do? Who could protect him? For centuries, people went to the bai hoping for his strength and power. No, Zhaksylyk will not fall at the feet of Abish. Yelling, he rushed out of the yurt, jumped on his horse and ran where eyes look.
He does not know how long he galloped. He did not remember how he got back home. His wife ran out toward him. Weeping bitterly she cursed Kurman. Herdsman came, took away the horses that were tied up and beat her.
«Go, go, report to a superior. Do not overlook an offense, you should avenge, even if it kills you!”, she wails.
The words of his wife seemed like awakened Zhaksylyk and like a balsam lay on the wounded soul.
Zhaksylyk hastened. About nothing has become more questioning. Even does not washed the blood-stained face. Saddled a bay and galloped again.
He had heard that there are authority’s forty versts from here in Aktas. So now he is hurtling there. He will tell everything, will lay out all the insults.
In Aktashe arrived when from homes laid the long shadows and mullah called for evening prayer. The police chief, a young Kazakh, met him politely. His face is mild and pleasant. Zhaksylyk on the move began to cry, spread his offense and rubbed the blood on the face. He showed the signs of beatings, that is what was done to him. He laid out everything that was on his heart, endured for a long time him, the hereditary poor man. How many times bai have hit him and took away the earned. And here is the same. Destroyed fields,hard-won bread, beaten up and abused. Zhaksylyk began to sob harder.
“To whom I will go, to whom complain? All hope for you. If you do not intercede then I will beg from door to door with children. Now Icannot keep house in Akuzek. Bais will not let me. They are all together. Is there even one among them who would protect me?I please you, Soviets,to intercede, to give me back my stuff and punish offenders.
Zhaksylyk spoke for a long timeand in his speech was heard the pain of all workers of steppe. Like he is not alone, like all of them complained. How much can we take? How long only poor man would be wrong and guilty?
The police chief was listening, and his friendly face was getting dark. At first, he asked questions from time to time becauseto any complaint should be approached with caution. Then he fell silent. Zhaksylyk’s fiery speech convinced him. He believed the man from the steppe.
He got up and called three police officers.
“Race in Akuzek right now, arrest and drag here Abish and Kurman!”, he commanded.
Zhaksylyk soul soared for joyinto the sky.
Three police officers started on a journey at a trot, rattling with sabers and rifle butts.
These three young men were dearer than the dearest and closer that the closest for offended. What a guys! Slender and agile. And what a formidable view! Never seen such. Hethought about their parents with tenderness, raised such eagles!
Police officers returned the next day. They brought the brothers. The police chief, to the great joy of Zhaksylyk, chastised them so much, that they have spilledsweat three times. And then even better, he planted the brothers under lock. Zhaksylyk returned home pleased.
Not the least mercydoes not stirred in the soul. The poor man suffered a lot and now let bais eating the bread of affliction. He was happy. Finally,he repaid for everything.
“Now, please, take revenge. I will not cry, will drink all your poison. At least once, I had reckoned with you. I am glad, I am glad with you, my Soviet regime! I should ask for your help a long ago!”, he exclaimed a hundred times, on the way home.
3
Abish aul is crowded. Karaadyr gathered here rich people, grand people of steppe, a litigious man, brawlers, troublemakers and trickstersfrom all over the parish. They sat down in groups on the meadow behind of white yurts. They are busy talking, stroking their beards. Everyone gets intotheir conversation! Some were discussed this way and that, the other were evil ridiculed. A thin smile curls the lips. But among the guests there are such that sitting sullen, puffed, silent and white from the rage. Gentility grand people of the whole volost stood up in defense of their age-old power. An unheard trouble and unprecedented shame! Abishis humbled. Abish himself! Support the leader and the lord of the whole neighborhood. And who has humiliated him? An insignificant Zhaksylyk, a kons-alien. The last of latest, the son of a mangy dog. He dared to raise his voice as equal-to-equal! Whoever heard of such a thing? He achieved his goal, he punished bais and put them in the jail.
Hard times have come. The rich have to rack their brains, searched the holes-exits andfine spoonedways.
How to punish Zhaksylykin order to teach not to run to authorities?How to curb the proud and subordinate to the will of the nobility? The underprivileged should not forget theGod; let him as before stand in awe of the master. There is nothing new in the complaint to the authorities. The Kazakhs have long been fond of running to the authorities. However, these complaints are never brought them no honor and no victory. We need to cut Zhaksylyk down.
Abish and Kurman were sitting locked for ten days.Andnobility did not got off from their horsesfor all these days. They are snooping around at all loopholes and finally found a way to rescued out of trouble their brothers. They have outridden all buddies and friends living in the city and through them passed a petition. Theywentbythemselvesandaskedtoaffranchised arrested on probation. They all together got down to business and got their way, because the arrest in fact dishonored all nobility of Karaadyr.
For a while now the rich are acting together. They forgot the old strife. “Wewillwaitforit, now is the wrong time.”, they agreed.The elections taught them. They heard the word of truth from the voters and had to tremble for their own skin. Somewhere people have got to their bais. They have added them into black lists and have not admitted even close to the election. That is why the rich, agreed not to conflict any more with each other. «Let us live in peace, gently. We will be silent, lead ourselves quietly and who will accost at us?”And now, they together undertook to restore the honor of Abish and Kurman under the guise of peacekeepers. Abish is a support of the nobility. His credibility must be unshakeable. «We will show them the power of Abish, let tremble the poor and the proud, like Zhaksylyk. Карает не закон, карает бай». Но как обойти начальство? How to punish Zhaksylyk? That is what bai thinks about, gathered in the Abish aul.
The authorities have taken subscription from Kurman that he must compensate the loss to the suffered. Zhaksylyk stacked out for this.
But Kurman does not even think to pay for the damage. Zhaksylyk was trying to give a hint, remind them, but they so snapped at him that immediately fell silent.
The guests are sitting in the aul of Abish, tweaking the beards and pondering. How to get down to business? Of course, Kurmanov’s payment of the debt is out of the question. They are thinking about another debt. Zhaksylyk is owes them. He should pay brothers for the offense. They ask the audience to help. Abish got up and said:
“Zhaksylyk painfully wounded our soul, leaning on the people of aul Alatai.”
How does aul Alatai come into the picture? It turns out that Zhaksylyk during the election was on the side of this aul. Apparently, they incited him and now. Otherwise, where such audacity would come from at kons? The bai’s meeting appeals to guests from the aul Alatai.
“They should answer for that”, Abish requires. “And if they disagree with this upstart, they have to say it. Then we will figure out what to do.”
Is the wolf would tear a wolf when there is a ram? What else were expected from the rich? For what Zhaksylyk to them? They easily gave him to Abish. «We did not know, were not knowledgeable what this person is doing. He invented this himself and shouldpay his own way. Did not we agreed to live in peace? We do not want to put ourselves to some bother of troubles. Abish uselessly cast the blame on aul Alatai. The elections are a different story. Then of course, our relationswere strained, it is true. But we would never rode to the city».
So the question had already been half resolved, because of which nobility gathered here. The rich have proved their unity. A ram was stabbedin sake of such case. There was no dispute at sharing of daintith bits. They finished with meat in one accord. Later they moved on to the other side of the issue. Zhaksylyk committed a crime, violated the laws of the genus. And the crime is tantamount to killing a person; Zhaksylyk’s attempt to find protection at the authorities was so regarded by the self-appointed judges. He angered the peace of the steppe, stirred up the people and tried to destroy Abish. The most severe punishment would be a mercy for him.
They have long thoughts, argued and discussed. Finally, hisverdictwas reached and consolidated with prayer. Zhaksylyk must pay a fee for insulting brothers and leave the land of the genus. Aalso meeting have decided to revenge to Zhaksylyk. They will avenge all and sundry as they can, no matter where Zhaksylyk migrated. Now it will be no rest for him anywhere...
Who can resist such a powerful unity? Ithas long been known: “The formidable force will rise and flood the abyss.”And how about the law? The bai have their own law – the power.
They broke Zhaksylyk. After all, you will not become to bother the authorities every day, escape under their wing...
Zhaksylyk obeyed. He dreamed to take a fee from bai for the offense but suddenly lost everything: fields, and gained cattle. And he could not go back to the welcoming chief, because bais have taken him under the supervision. But the chief promised to help, said: “Come if they will dig their heels in, and will not want to pay for the damage”. Bais taken away from Zhaksylyk everything, but it was not enough. When he reaped, they altogether kicked him away from the aul.
Truth speaks: “If the rich man would be thief, then the victim would be his victim.” In early December, Zhaksylyk with his children moved from Akuzek into the wide world. Disappeared, as if the ground had swallowed him.
1926
