Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/274

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258
On the Edge of the World

"Who? Dzol-Dzayagachy?"

"Yes, Bachka, she won't allow."

"Ah! It is well that you told me this."

"Of course, Bachka, it is well."

"Yes, but just for that, in spite of your Dzol-Dzayagachy, I will order you to be baptized."

"What do you mean, Bachka? Why anger Dzol-Dzayagachy? She will be enraged—she will beat me!"

"What do I care for her, your Dzol-Dzayagachy? You shall be baptized—that is enough."

"No, Bachka, she won't allow me to be wronged."

"How can that wrong you, you stupid fellow?"

"Why, Bachka, you baptize me? It do me much wrong, Bachka. Zaysan comes; he beat me because baptized. Shaman comes, again beat. Lama comes—also beat and drive away reindeer. Bachka, great wrong to me."

"They won't dare to do it."

"How, Bachka, they won't dare? They dare Bachka, they take all, they ruined my uncle, Bachka. . . . Yes, Bachka, they ruined my brother Bachka, ruined . . . ."

"Have you a brother, who has been baptized?"

"Of course, Bachka, I have a brother, Bachka. I have one."

"And he has been baptized?"