04-Swords of the Steppes by Harold Lamb

Author:Harold Lamb
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Central, Historical, Action & Adventure, Steppes - Asia, Cossacks, Steppes, Asia, General, Fantasy, Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Central - History - 16th Century, Fiction, Short Stories
ISBN: 9780803280519
Publisher: Bison Books: 2007
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The aide got to his feet, seeing the glitter in the gray eyes of this mad Cossack, who somehow bore himself like a man of rank. But Lermontoff was thinking of many things—of ridicule, and of the report he had sent in about the occupation of the Kurgan. The last thing he wanted was talk, a public scandal.

"I did not realize," he said uncertainly. "The Cossacks say you are a count, Gurka—a former officer—"

"It doesn't matter."

"Ah, but you should have made yourself known. Now, of course, there is no blame to you. You are free to leave Sarachikof."

Koum pulled at his sleeve, but Gurka faced the general without moving.

"Tavka Khan," he said, "is afraid. He tells me he has paid you a yearly tax for protection, while until now you have done nothing but send Cossacks to collect the payment from him. Now he surrenders Ismail to you, and gives up Ismail's ransom. But he is afraid you will take his cattle and camels. I have assured him you will not. Is that true?"

Lermontoff waved an indulgent hand.

"Of course, my dear fellow!"

"Then will you write out an order, that Tavka's herds and goods are not to be molested?"

For a moment the general hesitated. The sergeant who had come in with the prisoners was watching him, and he knew that keen ears outside the tent might be listening to all his words. After all, his report to Moscow was the main thing—that and Ismail's slaves. He dictated the order to Rostov and signed it: handing it to Gurka, who gave it in turn to the khan. Tavka took it in both hands and touched it to his forehead.

"That is all. Good evening, General Lermontoff." Gurka turned on his heel and walked from the tent.

Lermontoff signed to the sergeant to lead Ismail out, and asked Rostov to see that the Turkoman was locked up under guard. Alone in the tent with Koum, he beckoned to the Cossack and whispered—

"Ismail's slaves, where are they?"

"Safe, your Excellency. Tavka Khan gave them to us—"

"I know. Ostap told me the tale. What—what have you done with them?"

Rubbing his head, Koum eyed the general doubtfully.

"Eh, Gurka's full of ideas. He said I must bring them in to you, at the governor's palace, but—"

"Hss! I don't want that." Lermontoff visioned the Moslem girls being escorted through the streets to his gate. "I don't want them at all. Ismail lied, you understand, when he said he sold one to the officers here. Do you understand?"

Koum nodded, and watched with growing interest while the general went to his cot and opened a leather valise. From it Lermontoff drew a silk bag and from the bag he poured a half dozen gold coins into his hand.

"Will you swear to say nothing of Ismail's slaves—you and your comrade?"

"As God lives, I'll say nothing more."

"They are safe, and no one has seen them?"

"True, by Saint Nicholas."

Lermontoff filled his fist with coins and gave them to the big Cossack, who took them incredulously.

"What is this for?"

Thinking of the white tent, Lermontoff smiled.

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