The Winter War by William Durbin

Author:William Durbin [Durbin, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-54942-6
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

WAR BOOTY

As the boys skied across the hillside after the horses, Marko fumed, “I can't believe those Americans are selling tank engines to the Russians!”

“See, you can't depend on nobody but yourself,” Karl said.

“I'm sweating bad—time for Niilo's trick.” Marko pulled out a fresh undershirt and stripped to the waist. “Don't you believe it helps?”

“Don't you ever mind your own business?”

While Marko buttoned his coat, Karl pointed to some hoof prints. “Here they are.”

Marko looked down. “The spacing shows they're moving fast.”

“They must really be spooked.”

The trail crossed an open field and then meandered through a logged-over area where the horses had stopped to nibble aspen saplings. “They're eating bark,”Marko said. He thought of Tuuli back home in the barn.

“At least they're walking now,” Karl said.

Finally the boys spotted the horses, standing at the edge of a cedar swamp. Their bridles dragged in the snow as they munched on branch tips. “Take it slow,” Karl said as he slipped off his skis.

“They're huge compared to Finnish horses!” Marko said.

When Karl stepped toward the shaggy animals, the largest horse planted his feet and faced them with his nostrils flared.

“That big bay is the leader.” Karl kept his voice low. “If we get him on our side, it will be easy to corral the other one.”

The bay horse's ears were straight up, and his tail switched from side to side. He looked ready to bolt. Then Karl said, “Idi syuda, mal'chik.”

To Marko's surprise the horse nickered softly.

“What did you say?” Marko whispered.

“My mother taught me a little Russian. She used to say that when she called our gelding. It means 'Come here, boy.'“

Then Karl pulled a carrot from his pocket and repeated, “Idi syuda, mal'chik.” The horse moved toward them.

“Where'd you get that?” Marko asked.

“From the cook. In case the lieutenant wanted me to take care of Kahvi,”Karl said.

“So that's why Kahvi likes you so much,” Marko said.

When the bay reached for the carrot, Marko caught his bridle. The horse jerked back, but Karl said, “Spokojno, mal'chik,” and patted his shoulder.

“Let me guess,”Marko said.”That means,'Easy, boy'?”

“You pick up Russian fast,” Karl laughed.

Marko was relieved to see Karl smile. “If we lead him, the other should follow,” Marko said. Indeed, as soon as they started down the trail, the second horse fell in line behind the bay.

“How did you learn to handle horses so well?” Marko asked.

“We owned a pretty chestnut named Salla.”

“We had a pair of chestnuts named Tuuli and Teppo. But they drafted Teppo into the army.”

“They let us keep Salla because she was our only horse.”

“We should think of a name for these horses,” Marko said.

“How about Joseph and Cheslav? After Stalin and Molotov. Molotov's first name is Vyacheslav.”

“That's a good one,” Marko said.

Karl grinned.

“How long have you been in the Junior Civil Guard?” Marko asked.

Karl's mood suddenly changed. “None of your business.”

After skiing all night, Marko had lost his patience.”I didn't know there was a law against making conversation.”

Karl looked ready to snap back. But he turned to Marko instead.

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