"He bids thee write a letter home in order that they may send a ransom for thee. As soon as they send the money, thou shalt be set free."
Zhilin thought for a moment, and then said:
"How much ransom does he require?"
The Tatars talked among themselves, and then the interpreter said:
"Three thousand moneys."
"No," said Zhilin, "I cannot pay that"
Abdul started up and began waving his hands, and said something to Zhilin—they all thought he understood. The interpreter interpreted, saying:
"How much wilt thou give?"
Zhilin reflected, and then said, "Five hundred roubles."
At this the Tatars chattered a great deal and all together. Abdul began to screech at the red-bearded Tatar, and got so excited that the spittle trickled from his mouth. The red-bearded Tatar only blinked his eyes and clicked with his tongue.
Then they were silent again, and the interpreter said:
"Thy master thinks a ransom of five hundred roubles too little. He himself paid two hundred roubles for thee. Kazi Muhammed owed him that, and he took thee in discharge of the debt. Three thousand roubles is the least they will let thee go for. And if thou dost not write they will put thee in the dungeon and punish thee with scourging."
"What am I to do with them? this is even worse than I thought," said Zhilin to himself. Then he leaped to his feet and said,
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