Pagina 533 di 788

"Major," whispered Rykov, "go out and fight a duel with him, and

take vengeance on him for what he did some time ago. If anybody

else kills that young gentleman, then, Major, you see that you

will not wash off your disgrace. You must coax out that gentleman

into the field; if you can't kill him with a carbine, you may

with a sword. Old Suvorov used to say, 'Rifles are trifles, but

hand arms are grand arms.' Go out into the field, Major, for he

is shooting at us; look, he is aiming now."

"Rykov, my dear friend," replied the Major, "you are a fine boy

with a sword; go out yourself, brother Rykov-or, I tell you what,

we will send one of our lieutenants. I, the Major, I cannot

desert the soldiers; to me belongs the command of the battalion."