The great Basti Dadu was a highly energetic, forceful, determined and proud person. He was distinguished not because he was the eldest of his brothers; but it was by virtue of his qualities that he had assumed the leadership of the family. Of the Basti brothers Sutar and Sermet were sober and easygoing; Aze, Ale and Psıçe were more agile and aggressive; but were not as much gifted with qualities of leadership as Dadu was.

            Dadu’s son Bram never embarked upon a daring act or an irrational show of courage. After his father’s death his uncles practically entrusted to him the leadership of the family due to prudence he had inherited from his father. He never defaulted in respecting his uncles; but yet the final word was his. He was the one to decide.

            Bram did not exercise any appreciable pressure on the Bastis of his own generation either. He did not dictate. He was not an imposing person. He enjoyed undisputed confidence in his ability to govern the family. His cousins Şorkan, Şereg, Kanşav, Tubal and Kasay were heads of the families that had emerged in the Basti World in the aftermath of division of the Basti assets. But yet non of them claimed precedence over him, or challenged his choice. Şorkan and Şereg, though older than Bram, endorsed his leadership.

            Bram’s son Genar, was the most spectacular member of the third generation Bastis. He was far advanced than the other fellow Bastis of his own generation in terms of intellect, courage and aptitude. He did not live long. Within his short span of life, however, he accomplished enough of what could hardly be done in one’s normal life time.

            In describing Lasmar’s character, it would not be out of place to state that Lasmar “attempted to act like Genar.” Lasmar, though not as intelligent as Genar, was a sensitive and courageous person.

            Bram had sent his elder brother Takir, his nephew Lasmar and his son Genar to the battle fields. He had induced them to accept such a noble self-sacrifice out of concern for the future of Basti family and his homeland. It was natural as well as rational on his part to have sacrificed them while himself staying in position of power.

            Thanks to the edeavors of his father Dadu and Bram himself that the Bastis, as well as the people of the Psıfabe Valley as a whole have achieved a great deal in terms of civilization and prosperity. The two, through their persistent efforts, had been instrumental in the spread of Islam in the Psıfabe Valley. It was through their ingenuity and endeavor that the people of the valley came to use money as a means of transaction in trade, got accustomed to commerce, became familiar with the Western industrial products; and most important of all, they went beyond the limits of Caucasia to take part in international wars, became familiar with the Steppes of Russia, perceived the meaning of defense of the homeland at the cost of their own life. A people, once closed to the outside world, thus opened up to the world.

            Nevertheless; nothing was perpetual in this world. Every ascendance was followed by a downfall. The same rule was good for families as much as for individuals.

            It could be irrelevant to speak of a downfall with respect to the status of the Basti Family. However, one could safely assume that the Bastis at least had entered a period of stagnancy in the aftermath of the demise of such able family leaders as Dadu and his son Bram; and of the agile and courageous young members as Genar and Lasmar.

            Aslan, Berduk, Smayl and Hamit represented the middle-aged Basti generation. They did not seem qualified enough to lead the people of the Psıfabe Valley. They perhaps could do better being led, rather than leading.

            Their children were too young yet to assess their character. Lasmar’s son Psımef, and Aslan’s son Sefer eache presented a healthy a handsome physique. How they would perform when matured, however, could hardly be guessed at this stage.
 
 
 

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            The women were highly regarded in the Basti Family. The family owed its success and solidarity to the personality and constructive approach of the female members. As an understanding wife, a loving mother and a conpassionate sister the female Basti was indispensable for the happiness and prosperity of the family. The spiritual condition of the individuals members of the family was normal.

            In the crowded Basti Family the female members played a vital role. For he family’s soldiery depended on their conduct.

            Dadu’s wife had died early, much before Dadu’s own death. Therefore, for the last forty years Sutar’s wife Thaçes and Ale’s wife Gıgı have been leading the Basti women.

            Thaçes was a reserved but determined lady, as compared with Gıgı, who was outspoken and authoritative. After they passed away Aze’s wife Fıjı, Şorkan’s wife Kadırhan, Bram’s wife Libe, and the rest stepped in their place. The male members of the Basti family had not much problems relevant to their wifes, whose understanding and forbearance had rendered the family strong and prosperous.

            A certain degree of retardation did occur among the Basti women, parallel with the situation in the case of the male members of the family. Neither Thaçes nor Gıgı or Fıjı existed any more. Libe and Kadırhan, who had quietly lived under their tutelage, survived. They now were the elder ladies of the house.

            Libe was Genar’s mother, and Kadırhan was Lasmar’s. The former had lost her husband and her son. The latter was still hopeful that her spn would turn up.  She belied that her son would turn up at one dark night, as Genar once had done. Both the ladies suffered depression.

            Under the circumstances leadership of the Basti females seemed relegated to the younger generation. The future was theirs.

            Lasmar’s wife Goşemıd, Aslan’s wife Nağo, Smayl’s wife Navsas, and Berduk’s wife Zevaş were now the graceful Basti ladies. Navsas was from Psıkuy. She was a daughter of Yekose Family. She was a prudent and resourceful and careful person.

            Goşemıd, daughter of the Koce; and Nağ, daughter of Hahu Bergus were likely to contest for superiority.

            Goşemıd held herself partly responsible for the fate of her husband. Apparently not shaken by the uncertainty shrouding Lasmar’s whereabouts, she didn’t lament or mourn; rather she looked after her children and her household.

            She contended that her husband had done what he ought to. He had symbolized the Basti pride. Whatever his fate be, she would brace the consequences; for she had not objected his departure. She had in effect encouraged him to go.

            The Dadu branch of Bastis was without a male issue. Dadu’s elder son Takir never married. He was killed in the previous Anapa Battle. Dadu’s younger son Bram lived long. He led a productive life like his father. Bram’s son Genar too died before being married. Brief though his life span had been, Genar lived a very active life, the memory of which is deeply engraved in the minds of those who happened to know him.

            Libe recalled those old days, murmured as if she was living the past once again. On occasions, overwhelmed by emotion, she would silently cry by herself, mourning for her son and for her husband.

            Her daughter Bramhan had five children. She would woke up dreaming he past and return to the real life, as her grand-children gathered around her.

            Excluding the times she spent with her daughter and grand children, Libe live a quiet and simple life. Unless unavoidable, she would not go out to meet people. She preferred to be left alone in the old Basti world if her own imagination.

            Libe was seldom idle. She would spin wool at the spinning wheel made for her by the Basti youth. After days of labor she would produce either an ornamented rug or a woolen blanket. She presented the product of her labor to a girl in the Basti quarter anticipating her wedding.

            All the female members of the Basti family held her in high esteem. The younger generation Bastis, the girls in particular, called Lebe as “Nenof”¹ . They circled around her, hoping she would narrate stories. She often disappointed them for she was not as conversant as Gıgı had been.

            Libe was not lonely in the physical terms. She was spiritually isolated. Her spirit seemed to have departed her physical existence.

            It was not Libe alone that had withdrawn into isolation and quiescence in the aftermath of Bram’s death. The whole family suffered a sort of lethargy or stagnation. The Basti quarter was fill with visitors who had come from the villages in the neighborhood to offer condolence on the occasion of the demise of the chief of the family. Even after the visiting relatives and friends had departed the place, the lull in the otherwise dynamic life of the family continued.

            Nevertheless the Basti Family, which Bram had divided into five sub-families, survived without breaking away. Since then, however, they were not involved in any major events either in the Psıfabe Valley or in the Çığızaç village. Several years passed away as such.
 
 

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            Nothing in ones life was immune from being influenced by the passage of time. And the Basti family was no exception of this natural rule.  The children grew up, the youth matured both physically and spiritually, and the elders grew older and weaker day by day. Şorkan and his wife expired one after the other in one year’s interval. Then died Libe, Bram’s widow.

            The loss of the three elders, so much loved and esteemed by all members of the family, one after the other, overwhelmed Basti Family with sorrow. For nearly two years non of the Bastis smiled. Not only the grown ups, but also the children were effected by the gloomy days. The five major Basti courtyards was buried in deadly silence.

            Notwithstanding all that, life went on. While the female members of the family talked in sad and subdued tone, the males members attended to their daily outdoor routine, the boys groomed their horses, and the children quietly watched them.
 

Çemko still operated as the common property of the whole family. Its management had been entrusted to Smayl. The efficient system of operation in the Çemko Farm, which was unparalleled in the Psıfabe Valley, was seen as a model.

            The spinning and weaving looms were operated by pşılı families attached to the Bastis. They also attended to the cultivation and horse breeding sector of labor at Çemko. The beautiful horses reared there were envied. The cattle there formed the mainstay of the Basti wealth.

            Şardan, who had served at the Çemko Farm for long years, had left behind a son as resourceful as himself. Şavay, sustained the operational efficiency established by his father. He once had served under Lasmar as his house-keeper, and now he assisted Smayl. Their relation was not that of a master and his servant. Rather it was one between two partners working in perfect harmony.

            Every year during the summer months Smayl and Şavay used to go to the Miyekope Bazaar, where they traded the Çemko protects with industrial goods. The textile, the horses and cattle produced in Çemko had earned rightful reputation at the market.

             In the Russian forts and colonies across the border there existed demand for every kind of domestic products. Tatar, Armenian and even Russian traders from north of the River Kuban as well as from the Taman Region used to frequent the Miyekope Bazaar.

            The Armenians dominated the business life. Under the garb of neutrality they could conveniently establish business relations between the hostile camps, and earned a handsome profit.

            There used to be held fairs in the neighborhood of the Russian settlements across Kuban.

            Smayl did not like to go beyond Kuban himself because it injured his pride, and exposed him to be accused, by his compatriots, of maintaining trade relation with the Russians. Therefore he was represented thereby Şavay.

            Whatever precautionary measures may have been taken, Smayl was still not spared of being accused; for Şavay’s status as a pşılı of the Basti Family did not escape anybody’s notice.

            The Russian military authorities had an eye on all sorts of commercial activities. They did not object, but rather encouraged, exchange of the consumer goods of daily need. At the same time, however, they wanted to prevent entry the Ottoman traders into the territories under their control. They had prohibited trading in weapons and material used in manufacturing weapons.

            Smayl did not suffice with attending the Miyekope Bazaar. He necessarily visited the Coast once a year. At the markets of Anapa and Tsemez he used to buy rifles, gun-powder and similar goods brought there by the Ottoman traders.

            As once practiced by Bram and later by Lasmar, he used to have a few Basti youth with him during his business trips. He carried along a large number of grooms and helpers to take care of the horses loaded with trading goods.

            Each of Smayl’s trips to the Black Sea coast, excited the entire Basti Family. The coast had engraved a deep impression in the minds of the Basti individuals. So his visit there occasioned recollection of the memories of the past, particularly those of the last two decades or so.

            Basti Takir had been killed in the First Battle for Anapa. Lasmar was a missing person of the later Anapa Battle. Genar had been in the area for many years. The Basti Family, therefore. could not help recalling those events.

            Smayl did not go away to Çemko immediately after his return from his trip to the coast each time. He used stay at Çığızaç for a few days to narrate to the Bastis his observations in Anapa and Tsemez, as well a on his way.

            The Peace Treaty of 1792 stipulated River Kuban as the border line separating the two States. Fort Anapa, in ruins, was rerstored to Ottoman sovereignty.

            Restoration of the Fort of Anapa required much labor and investment. All available recourses were mobilized to rebuild thefort. Because Anapa was vitally important for the Ottoman State to maintain their presence in the eastern sector of the Black Sea.

            Nevertheless Fort Anapa was far from being a strongly defended fortification. Its defence, therefore, to great extent depended on the prudence of the commanding officer assigned there. One could not claim existence of a government system in Caucasia in the European sense. The garrison at the fort was capable of watching only the horizon to the north.

            Smayl had earned friends in the coast. He carried home fresh information after each trip. The Basti youth listened to him attentively as he briefed them about the recent developments. Though everybody was much keen to learn about Lasmar’s fate, nobody ever dared to broach the subject.

            Aslan, only on one occasion, had been audacious enough to inquire about Lasmar.

            One evening, when he was alone in the room with Smayl, Aslan gesticulated meaning “Sit down”.  He kept looking down speechless, and then without raising up his head he whispered,

            - Didn’t you hear any thing about Lasmar?

            In fact Smayl had Lasmar in mind all the time he had been in the coast, and had hoped that he would come to know something concerning him.He talked with the ones who had witnessed the fall of Fort Anapa or remembered the episode. No one however could provide him with a clue about his fate.

            He had met with several persons who remembered the “giant man” in the company of Imam Mansur; but they did not know what had happened to him at the end.

            One thing was certain: The wooden parts of Fort Anapa had been consumed by fire, the walls had collapsed, and all the surviving souls were deported to Crimea. No information was available as to the identity of the deportees or that of those killed.

            There was nothing new for Aslan in what Smayl told him. Himself was there when Anapa was set on fire. He was one of the Adğe volunteers who had been harassing the Russians from the rear, to force them to abandon the siege. The Adiğe volunteers had been frustrated by Russian gun fire and rifled infantry.

            He blushed in shame and sorrow as he remembered their failure to break the siege.

            Both of them had witnessed the last episode, and had first hand experience of the Russian might.

            Smayl and Aslan together had fought on the side of Imam Mansur in the battle on the bank of the river Laba. Later on Aslan had gone to the Anapa front with Biyenko Fetgari.

            Both of them had learnt that Russia possessed interminable military resources. To them, what happened in Anapa was a vivid manifestation of the same fact. Within one year the Adiğes had destroyed two Russian armies in sequence, and yet they had to counter a third one in the same year. With the resources available to them it was virtually impossible to overcome the menace. Only a miracle could rescue them, they hoped as anyone in such a helpless condition would.

            Summer generally was the busiest season of the year. Smayl’s business trips added a distinct flavor to life in the Basti World. To obtain items needed at home through barter, was a matter of interest of every member of the family.

            The winter season, however, was static. Once the roads were blocked by sow, the people took shelter under the roof. The Basti males on such days would sit idle, sadly brooding over the unpredictable future.
 
 
 

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            In contrast to the depressed, and slow-going elders, a dynamic and enthusiastic generation was fast coming up in the Basti family. In their childhood the younger generation had been listening to the narration of Gığı, Libe, and Kadırhan. They were informed of all the events in the past relevant to the Basti family. So they were familiar with the expired family elders as legendary heroes, each by his adventures.

            Lasmar’s son Pşımef had inherited his father’s rugged features, and his mother’s mental adroitness and dexterity.  His sister Nefıj was as tall as was. Her womanly characteristics had distinctly developed.

            Aslan’s son Sefer too had grown to a strong and full fledged young man like Pşımef. His sister Nebzı was the most beautiful girl among the Basti daughters.

            Smayl had one son and two daughters. Janbek a lean and tall boy. His sisters Sirse and Kambe were highly elegant girls.

            Berduk and Hamit had more populous familes. One had six children, and the other five. Karbeç and Perit, the boys; and Janset and Femi, the girls; were in their adolescence.

            The fascination manifested by the current Bastis younger generation towards Smayl reminded one of the admiration demonstrated by the Genar-Lazmar generation towards Basti Takir. Whenever opportune, they would dash out to Çemko. Particularly during the winter they took great pleasure in being with Smayl or Şavay at Çemko or on a hunting party.

            There was a standing hunters team at Çemko. The pşılı youth, Zaruk and Ortan, had been very well trained in hunting. Zavur was the brother of Zaruk, who had accompanied Lasmar in the Battle of Anapa and has been missing since. Zavur was good at locating the spots where the game would drink water and feed themselves.

            It was Basti Dadu who had introduced fire-arm to the Psıfabe Valley, about fifty years ago. Since then the Basti youth had stopped using bow and arrow as an instrument of hunting.

            The contemporary Basti youth, however, with the help of Smayl, had aquired the best fire arms available. Each had a shot gun and a double-barreled pistol. On hunting they generally used shut-guns. Pşımef and Sefer were sharp-shooters, who never missed the target.

            Such ordinary means of amusement as hunting, wouldn’t satisfy the present generation the Basti youth. They were more interested in wedding parties, special entertainment parties and sports competitions organized elsewhere in the Valley. They wanted to assert themselves.

            There were numerous young boys in Çığızaç with similar inclination and frame of mind. Nemit, the grandson of Huhu Berggus; Zepiş, son of Hağur Perit; and Serkuse Hajtuk and Heşik Adir may be mentioned as the prominent ones. Heşik Adir was an incredibly agile boy.

            Heşik Adir would leave the village by himself, visit the Nogays on the bank of the river Laba, and tour the Kemguy and Mehoş regions. Furthermore, he would go as far as the Cossack settlements to the north of the Kuban, and would transact with the Cossacks.

            The Mehoş was a small tribe. They lived in villages scattered over a wide territory. Therefore, their land was hard to defend. In the spring season the expansive plain on which the Mehoş lived was fascinatingly decorated by nature with tall weeds. The area was rich in wild life too. The hunting animals, wild boar, in particular, roamed around there in herds.

            The Cossacks too had discovered the natural wealth of the Mehoş territory. Occasionally they would cross the Kuban on small sails, and engage in hunting. Some times they sneaked very close to the Mehoş villages. The natives were not happy with the situation.

            Haşik Adir had Mehoş and Cossack friends. So he would mediate and settle any dispute between the two adversaries. He would warn the Cossacks: “ If you want to maintain good relations, you mustn’t cross the river!”

            No one knew for sure if Adir had been speaking the truth. What he told his friends was his own version. There was no one to stand witness. What was certain, however, was that the young man occasionally wandered about by himself.

            Once the Basti youth were the innovators, or the progressive element of the community. In the recent times, however, they tended to adapt to others’ methods or style. The agile and aggressive style of Heşik Adir had influenced Pşımef and Sefer. They directly acknowledged their admiration of Adir’s attributes.

            The situation, no doubt stemmed from more than one cause. Firstly the youth experienced difficulty to find a rational explanation to the stagnancy in the Basti Family. The self imposed social isolation has led to a sort of depression. They tended to follow the example of the Basti elders, who no longer existed; but were continually talked about. They fancied about the inspirations that had motivated Genar and Lasmar to go to places far away from home; and tried to understand what had been happening across Kuban.

            Pşımef’s relations with Heşik Adir developed to a lasting friendship in due course of time. They would get together as often as possible, and sometimes would to go on long riding excursions. On occasions they would go for hunting together with other associates.

            The friendship of Pşımef and Adir gradually expanded to a circle of friends, including other youth of the village. Their enthusiasm developed to a common excitement, and began challenging the established static way of life characterized by traditions. At a point the trend culminated in a dangerous incident, which stirred the entire residents of Çığızaç.

            It was late in August. Millet and corn were ready for harvesting.

            There were herds of wild swines rambling in the forests and the marshes of the Kuban, causing menace to the cultivation in neighborhood, particularly during the harvest season. To minimize the harm to be done by the wild swines the village people guarded their fields by standing twenty-four hours on watch in turn.

            It was a good opportunity to render the community a sensible service, Heşik Adir and his friends concluded. They were obsessed with the idea of trapping the herds of wild swines and eliminating them.

            To wait in the hiding till the animal appeared, however, proved a boring exercise. It did not satisfy them. One day they decided to hit the animals in their bed. They formed a fairly large group and set out to hunt down the wild swines in the neighboring woods. All of the boys, without exception,rode on highly well-groomed beautiful horses.

            Before long the group passed the fields, orchards and the plain covered with yellow dry weed; and dived into the woods. They were intoxicated by the fresh air and the fascinating natural environment. They madly drove shooting at every bird found flapping its wings, and every animal noticed moving on the ground. Their excitement reached its zenith at the sight of a swine herd. In an arch formation they chased the herd towards the Psıfabe Stream to the north.

            The herd of about twenty to thirty wild swines all together dived into the stream and in no time landed on to the opposit bank. The boys too followed the wild animals without hesitations.

            Heşik Adir and Bastis Pşımef and Sefer were driving at the fore.

            The herd went out of sight once across the stream. Their foot-prints, however indicated that they were surely headed to the north, to the Kuban Marshes.

            The Psıfabe Stream was not as torrential as it had been in early summer. At places, however, it was quite deep. They submerged and were totally drenched by the time they were at the shore.

            They had been riding non-stop for four hours or so. They had tired out their horses. They themselves, too, were exhausted and starved. Therefore they briefly halted.

            While some rushed to help themselves with eatables carried in the bags, others emptied the water in their boots, each one laughing at the condition in which the other was.

            Heşik had been directing the group. He said,

            - Don’t get dispersed! We are going to keep up the chase.

            Basti Sefer was increasingly uneasy. Pointing at the sun approaching the horizon to the west he suggested it would not be wise to advance any further.

            Adir laughed him off. Accused him of being a coward. No one in the group supporting him, the young Basti never again objected Adir.

            The group set out again. Basti Pşımef was pleased with the situation. He was driving next to Adir, in the fore.

            Here the landscape on either side of the Psıfabe Stream was covered with thick forests of trees with large leaves. It was quiet. Immediately beyond the forest there stood the Kuban Marches.

            The youth were now deep inside the dense forest, dark as the night. They passed through it. As the trees thinned out, they sighted the herd of wild swines. It renewed their excitement. They spurred the horses, which had grown dull as they themselves were.

            Haşik took it for granted that it was the same herd, which they had been chasing since early that day. He shouted,

            - That is the same herd! Go ahead!

            The boys screamed and spurred while the wild animals run ferociously, shaking the earth. Those boys in the fore fired at random.  They attempted to trap the fleeing animal. The noise was so pervading that all the living beings in the area were alarmed. Thousands of birds at rest in the marshes instantly flew up. The space resounded with the flapping of their wings, added to the screams of the boys and the thunderous sound emitted by the terrified animals.

            The birds, ascending the space above like a cloud, further excited the boys. They drove into the marshes, while aimlessly firing on to the flock of flying bird.

            The noise so raised proved so effective that the wild life in the marshes were terrified and rushed out of their nests.

            The Cossacks had villages at a distance of about five kilometers from the Kuban for the last five years.

            The Cossacks, being fond of fishing, had set up fishing camps along the river bank, and had built rafts to anchor their boats.

            The noise caused by Heşik Adir and his friends had reached the Cossack camps. They had been terrified, assuming that they had been ambushed, rushed back to their villages to alarm every one else in the neighborhood. The military post too was alerted.

            It was sun set. The environment was darkening.

            Unaware of the havoc they had caused, they boys recklessly camped in the open space near the forest. More over they lit a big camp-fire.

            They loosened the saddle belts and let the horses to graze in the marshes. Basti Sefer alone tied his horse to a tree.

            They ate whatever dry food they had in their bags, and were merrily engaged in chit chat; talking about the old heroes and about girls.

            The relatively younger members of the group just listened, did not join the conversation. They continually fed the camp fire with additional dry branches. Except Basti Sefer, everybody was in a fearless mood.

By the time Heşir Adir began talking about the Russians and the Cossacks, it was past midnight.

            “Do you know what?” Adir said to start his discourse. He went on:

            - There Cossacks have their villages right across the Kuban. Tomorrow morning I am going to take you there. But to do that we should pass through the marshes and get down to the bank of the river.

            Basti Sefer was uneasy. He gazed at the dark horizon to the north across the marshes. He said,

            - I think it would extremely dangerous to spend the night at this point.

            Before any one else could say anything Heşik Adir interjected,

            - There is nothing to be afraid of. I have many acquaintances among the Cossacks over there.

            He got up and circled around the boys sitting by the fire; as if he intended to dispel any anxiety in their mind.

            Before he could finish the first tour, a gun was fired across the river. Then followed other shots. Then the area resounded with explosions resulting from firing of several hundred rifles.

            Heşik Adir, who had been proudly roaming about, immediately laid down. He shouted: “Keep away from the camp fire!”

            The horses neighed, raised their heads, and scarred as they were, fast disappeared into the forest. There remained only Basti Sefer’s horse; for it had been tied up to a three. It too stood on hind legs and forced its rope.

            Basti Sefer, who had been perturbed throughout the night, now was the most calm person in the group. He picked up his rifle, and emptied it, pointed to the north. He loaded his gun, but did not fire. While riding his horse in a muffled voice he warned: “Let us get into the forest immediately.”

            Adir and all others followed him into the forest.

            The Cossacks at the fishing camps had already mobilized the Russian villages and the military posts. It had taken sometime before the Russian emergency units could prepare for action and reach the riverside.

            The Cossacks and the Russian troops, though large in number, could not dare to land on to the southern bank. They therefore had opened fire across the river. At that moment the youth from the Çığızaç village happened to be out of range of the Russian gun fire. They were a bit scared, however.

            That is all what happened at the spot of the incident. The real sensation occurred in Çığızaç.

            The horses, which had run away from the marshes, scared by the gunfire, entered the village at a maddening pace, without the riders. Some of them had their saddles in reverse position under their tummy.

            Those who sighted the horses at large in that condition were perturbed. For it suggested something fatally wrong had occurred. The situation seemed far from being normal at any rate.

            While the male population of Çığızaç, young or old, set out to search for the missing young riders, the women gathered in batches and began to speculate. Every one had some fantastic explanation to offer.

            The search party was led by Basti Aslan and Met Hazeş. They had, however, no idea as to which direction to follow. Finally it occurred to them that the corn field could be the correct direction. So they advanced towards the cornfield and beyond.

            The youth reached the corn field at sun-rise, walking all night, starved and exhausted.

            The men watching the corn filed at night though had noticed the scared free horses, but could not say what was the matter. So they were all the more curious as they spotted the boys approaching in a dilapidated condition.

            After some time the village grown ups arrived.

            The whole story was narrated. Some laughed off, while others became mad. The ill-tempered ones like Hahu Bergus let lose volley of abuses.

            The youth, no matter how the abuses offended them, did not let down Haşik Adir. They regretfully stated that they had simply gone to the marshes for hunting.

            No doubt, the matter did not end there. The incident remained a topical issue for several days. The boys were interrogated and reprimanded by their families individually.

            Goşemıd was patient for two days. She wanted to allow time for the Basti elders to discharge their fury first. Then she summoned Pşımef and Sefer. She addressed them in a harsh and merciless language.

            - I am neither angry with you nor sorry for what you have done. What actually torments me is they way you followed others blindly as a slave. Each of you being a Basti, you should not have behaved so.

            The boys did not respond.

            Goşemıd was not a Basti by origin. She was a daughter of the Koce Family. Nevertheless she regarded herself as being a representative of the Basti Pride.
 
 
 

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            It was not Heşik Adir’s personality and accomplishments alone that had influenced Pşımef. There were some other factors as well. The young Basti was interested in Adir’s sister Dişebzu. It was this sentimental attachment that had induced him to act the way he did.

            Nevertheless he was not quite definite about Dişebzu. For of late some thing else had engaged his mind. He was curious about the Natho daughters at Psıkuy. He knew that his uncle Genar and his own father Lasmar once had been interested in Natho daughters.

            He had seen Mezago and Gunibe, two of the Natho daughters, at a wedding party in the Kutej village. The former was a very pretty girl but rather dull, the latter was a cheerful girl.

            Since then Pşımef had been rather unstable in his feeling for Dişebzu. So he opted not to confide his feeling to her before a closer acquaintance with he Natho daughters. He had been in search of an opportunity to meet them.

            Finally the day the young Basti had been looking for dawned. It so happened that Biyenko Fetgari, once a comrade of his father at the battle field, visited Çığızaç as the guest of the Basti Family. The renouned Biyen had with him his son Bital as his groom²

            Bital was already known to all the Basti youth, including Pşımef. They had met him on several occasions. They found him as courageous and firm as his father. Last time they had met him at a wedding party. Now he was with them as their guest. That provided them with an excellent opportunity to further their friendship.

            Bital, while departing Çığızaç, invited the Basti youth to be his guest at Psıkuy.

            Biyenko Fetgari’s visit to Çığızaç took place soon after the incident involving the Cossacks, which had placed the youth of the village in a ridiculous position. Hahu and the other elders had cooled down in the meantime. They narrated the story to Biyenko Fetgeri a bit inflated.

            Biyenko lightly smiled and remarked: “A significant experience earned at no cost!”

            Pşımef had already heard much in praise of Biyenko, who had been a Thamete³  to his father. He further appreciated the man for his benevolent comment.

            About two months later the Basti youth decided to visit Psıkuy in compliance with Biyenko Bital’s invitation. Harvesting was over, fire-wood for the winter had been cut and pilled up. There weren’t much left to be done.

            Obviously not all the Basti youth were supposed to take the trip. They were to act according to the directives of the elders, Goşemıd in particular. Pşımef was the keenest to take the trip. He wanted Sefer and Janbek also to come along.

            Pşımef was the eldest of the trio. Sefer was younger to him by one year, and Janbek was three years younger. Janbek, being the youngest, was supposed to obey Pşımef and Sefer, to follow them some paces from behind, and to groom their horses, if need be.

            Pşımef, however, spared Janbek from serving as a groom. He decided to have pşılı Zaruk to accompany them.

            Zaruk had been staying most of the time at Çığızaç with Pşımef; as he had been with him for many years at Çemko. Pşımef had seen to it that Zaruk should stay in the village. He did occasionally visit Çemko to see his family there.

            The Basti youth set out for Psıkuy one afternoon, obviously after being duly instructed by Goşemıd as how to behave. They were very much impressed by her words, which they promised to keep in mind all the time.

            Having left Çığızaç a good distance behind, Pşımef turned back, gazed at Janbek and Zaruk, driving right behind him. His mother’s words was still ringing in his ears. Then he told Sefer, driving next to himself:

            - Did you know that mother doesn’t have faith in us at all? The way she treats me makes me feel I am still a child.

            All the Basti youth except Pşımef, used to call Goşemıd as “Gone Nan”⁴ . They had a special kind of regard for her. To be honest, they were afraid of her.

            Sefer’s feeling too was rather confused. There was a sort of sad smile on his face. He replayed Pşımef, weighing his words:

            - Goşe Nan speaks the truth in bitter words. That does not offend me. It reminds me of our deceased elders.

            Pşımef shook his head side ways saying, “No! No!”,

            - Don’t try to console me! Mother has surpassed the Basti elders you have mentioned.

            The two broke into laughter. Janek and Zaruk, who followed them seven of eight paces behind, cast a curious glance at them.

            şımef spurred his horse as if he wanted to forget everything. Others followed him. For some time they drove at a tremendous speed. The speed excited them. They yelled and screamed, and crossed the wooden bridge across the Psifabe Stream. They slowed down as the approached the Kutej village. At the first crossing they turned towards the Psıkuy village.

            The weather was moist and chilly. The Basti youth were prepared for it. On them they had felt over-coats with raised shoulders, which made them look taller.

            They entered the outer limits of Psıkuy before dark, dismounted as they approached the high fence of closely planted trees and bushes, and towing their horses they walked on.

            The Biyens was a crowded family. The Biyen quarter was situated in the south of Psıkuy. The family had been sub-divided into six several years ago. Nevertheless Fetgari was the accepted leader of all the Biyens.

            The Biyens accorded a very warm welcome to the Basti youth. Fegari personally received them, as if the visitors were of his own age. He wished them “Welcome!”, and accompanied them up to the guest house. Having ushered them in, he returned to his own house.

            Bital and the rest of the Biyen youth had been well prepared to receive the guests. They had planned to throw a big entertainment party the same evening, and had sent out invitation to the girls and boys of the village.

            Immediately after dinner the courtyard of Biyenko Fetgari was filled with young girls and boys. Circular lines of joyful youth were formed around a large bonfire built in the center of the courtyard.

            One of the Biyen youth had placed a stool at the tip of the boys’ row. A while later Pşınav ⁵ Hamış turned up there. He sat on the stool. He started playing an ancient melody.

            Hamış was one of the best harmonica players of the younger generation. He was famous not only in Psıkuy, but also throughout the Psıfabe Valley. He was frequently invited to special entertainment and wedding parties.

            Biyenko Bital had called on Hamış several days in advance to inform him about the impending visit of the Basti youth, and in the meantime had request him to demonstrate his art as best as he could.

            Like any other artist, Hamış too some times played reluctant. That particular evening, however, he was quite willing and earnest. In the early minutes of his performance he closed his eyes, himself swayed away by the melody he was playing. It was a folkloric narration of an ancient legend. Within a short while he was so earnest as if he himself was one of the heroes of the legend. He was immersed in the depths of the past.

            The Natho youth were also present at the Biyen Courtyard. Three of the eldest Natho youth were seated at the head of the males’ row. They were Melah son of Agu, Zepiş son of Neğu, and Hajuk son of Taşuk. In the girls’ row there were Mezago, Zane, and Gunibe.

            Immediately following the arrival of the Basti youth, Natho Agu had summoned his son Melah and had asked him to be kind to the visitors, and to entertain them at a feast to be arranged at an appropriate day.

            To Ago the visit was an occasion to recollect the incidents of long time ago. He was excited.

            After taking his supper, Agu left home stating that he was going to the mosque for his night prayer. He walked towards the Biyenko Quarter, rather than the mosque. His mind and will power had been hostaged by his sentiment. His ears were ringing. He envisioned the entertainment party they had arranged at the courtyard of his uncle Natho Sabe in honor of the Basti youth of his own generation.

            The long standing Bad-blood between the Basti and Natho families had ended, and for the first time since then the Basti youth had been hosted by the Nathos⁶ .

            Agu had not, ever since, forgotten Genar and Lasmar, who had then attracted everybody’s attention in Psıkuy. Particularly Genar had left a deep impression in his mind. As he was walking he recalled Genar’s interest in Gubate, his uncle’s daughter; their decision to marry, and the proposal made by the Basti elders for Gubate’s wedding with Genar. He unwittingly found himself at the trees fencing Biyens’ courtyard. He gazed at the blazing bonfire and the youth standing around it.

            The youth had gotten together as they had done thirty-five years ago. At that time he was not watching them behind the fence. He himself was a part of the party, a host.

            He recalled how Genar and Gubate were engaged, how she was kidnapped, and tragically died. His eyes filled with tears. His heart squeezed as he went on recalling the ominous incidents. He leaned against a tree to avoid collapsing.

            Moments later he came to his sense. He realized he ought to be reasonable. What he recollected were events of long ago. A new generation had since come into being.  His own sons and daughter were among them.

            Biyenko Fetgeri’s courtyard was surround by a series of dwarf structures.  He knew that the Basti youth were being hosted in the guest house to the left. He turned his eyes in that direction.

            A little while later a crowd appeared under the terrace. That suggested the end of the meal. The crowd descended the stairs, three steps in all.

            Agu began discerning identity of the individuals in the crowd as they approached the area illuminated by the bonfire. He first spotted Basti Pşımef and Biyenko Bital, leading the group. He could not make out those behind them. The were two girls in motion on the left side. They could be from the Biyen family, he guessed.

            Looking at Pşımef, Agu murmured, “Yes, that is Lasmar’s son!”. He had seen him from a distance, as it happened now, on a number of occasions.

            The aged Natho was right in his remark: “He is an exact copy of his father.” Pşımef was a muscular tall young man like his father had been. To people who had seen Lasmar, there could be no double about his assessment.

            Natho Agu observed from a distance his own son Melah and other Natho boys coming forward and talking to the visitors. Agu left the place before the entertainment started. He gently strolled back to the Natho quarter in slow paces.

            He listened to the harmonica and the clapping in tempo with the music that pierced the silence of the night. Time and again he halted to enjoy the combination. He was touched more intensely at each successive halt.
 
 
 
 

O0O
 
 
 

            The entertainment arranged for the Basti youth lasted until midnight. The bonfire, built mainly to illuminate the courtyard, was excited a number of times. It was constantly fed with additional dry logs of wood. Biyen daughters offered Boza⁷ to everyone present there.

            Pşımef danced with Agu’s daughter Mezago. He had plenty of time to know her better. He did not ignore the other Natho daughters in the meantime.

            Lack of affection on the part of the Natho daughters in relation to himself and his cousins did not escape Pşımef’s notice. Mezago, who was well known for her wittiness, has been curiously reticent that evening.

            Pşımef assessed by himself the dullness in the Natho girls. It could not be a sort of shyness usually experienced on initial encounter. At best it could be a normal reflection of their awareness of the past. Sure it was a typical example of Natho sensitivity towards the Bastis.

            Be what it may, the Nathos invited the Basti youth to their own place. The following day the Natho boys came to Biyenko Quarters, and ceremoniously escorted the Basti boys away.

            Virtually no one of the earlier Natho generation was alive. Shalok and Zeyide, the Grandmother, had died long ago. Hanbeş too had expired soon afterwards. Sabe, though lived longer also had died three years later. His wife Pake was still alive, but was too old.

            Pake received the Basti youth with tearful eyes. She recalled the attachment of Basti Genar to her daughter Gubate, and the tragic death of both of them.

            The old lady did not utter a word. She simply gazed at the boys one by one. She sat quiet, her mind preoccupied with the past.

            Her son Neğu begged her permission to depart on behalf of the visitors. She regained consciousness and got up, walked to the door to see them off.

            The Basti youth spent a greater part of that day at the Natho courtyard. They were received by Natho Agu also.

            Agu narrated them about the military expedition of the Khan of Crimea to the Russian hinterland some thirty years ago. He proudly underlined that the peoples of the entire northern Caucasia had been represented in the expedition force. He was particularly overwhelmed with emotion as he mentioned about the part played by Genar and Şate in that expedition. He frequently paused, swallowed, and stammered while recounting how his cousin Şate was killed during the expedition, and how his body was brought back home.

            Agu himself had not taken part in the expedition. He had heard first hand detailed accounts of it repeatedly. What he conveyed to the youth were a repetition of what the eyewitnesses had told him. Nevertheless he was so much excited while narrating the stories as if he had been personally present at the spot.

            In the afternoon the courtyard of Natho Agu was filled by the local boys and girls, in addition to the guests. Biyenko Bital proposed an excursion outside of the village. The idea was welcomed. They walked out of the village.

            The misty and moist whether of the previous day was gone. It was a pleasant afternoon. The bright sunshine had dispelled the light chill of the autumn.

            The youth in several mixed groups of both the genders walked on either side of the track leading to the west. All over the ground had been covered with green autumn grass. It presented a fascinating scenery.

            The group in the foreground consisted of Pşımef, Natho Melah, Biyenko Bital, and the Natho and Biyen daughters. It was followed by larger groups widely separated from each other.

            Psınav Hamış was in the group next to the one in the foreground. He was playing his harmonica to the tune of a popular song. He was looking up at the sky as he was walking and playing harmonica, as if he was alone by himself.

            Mezago, the Natho daughter, was a bit changed that day. She seemed to have cast away her dullness of the day before. She was rather agile and pleasant both at home and outside. She asked Pşımef about the Basti daughters. She regretted Pşımef having neglected to bring them along.

            Gunibe, another Natho daughter, remained aloof from the discourse. She reacted simply with a light smile to a couple of humorous anecdotes narrated by Pşımef; while others burst into laughter. 76

            Pşımef was curious about her reticence. Nevertheless he couldn’t find a pretext to make her talk. In fact he couldn’t gather the courage to engage her in conversation.

            All the groups converged under the huge plane-trees at the end of the expansive meadow. On Biyenko Bital’s proposed they decided to play a game, So they made a big circle.

            The game was called “Guess who is it?” It was an interesting but simple game in which there was no limit to the number of participants. The more witty a given participant, the greater his/her chance of entertaining the gathering.

            In this game the players would stand in a circle; one would volunteer to play the steward, who would stand in the center blid folded. Another player, the actor, would volunteer to puzzle the steward standing a couple of paces away from him/her. The steward was supposed to identify the actor, while the actor would try to mislead the steward by pretending some-one else.  The enjoyment depended on the ability of the actor to puzzle the steward.

            Because the game was proposed by Biyenko Bital, he volunteered to play the first steward. His eyes were blindfolded. Natho Melah rushed to play the actor. He was, however dissuaded by others through gesticulation, and persuaded Bital’s sister Kurag to play the actor instead.

            The Biyen daughter cicled around her own brother Bital once with steps rough as those of a man, not tenderly as that of a woman, then halted facing him. In a thick tone she sang the first few words of a song which Natho Melah often used to sing.

            Bital raised both his hands and exclaimed in a self-assured manner,

            - What could be so simple!  Isn’t he the old boy of the Nathos?

            Bital’s eyes were unfolded. He was dead surprised to find her own sister in front of him. He shouted out.

            -  Oh God! That means I had mistaken the girl in our own house for my sister!

            The crowd released a roar of laughter. Bital, in punishment for his misjudgment, had to play steward once again.

            The game was repeated several times. Then they sang folk songs in chorus, Psına Hamış playing harmonica in accompaniment; and danced. By the evening they returned to the villages, walking in slow pace.

            The Basti youth, having passed two wonderful days in Psıkuy, returned home.

            Pşımef seemed somewhat disappointed. He had found the Natho daughters physically attractive though, he could not appreciate their conduct as much.

            In later days he did frequently think of the Natho daughters. He, however, did not have any urge to see them again. Subsequently Dişebzu’s charm overshadowed the image of not only the Natho daughters, but also all other girls in the valley.

O0O
 
 
 

            Dişebzu was really a charming girl. She was distinct in manners. Her head and her shoulders were always erect. She walked with firm steps like a male person. She spoke in short and meaningful sentences. Generally she expressed herself clear enough with a single sentence. Notwithstanding her rather frigid appearance, she liked humor. As such it was pleasant to talk with the young Heşik daughter.

            Behind her charming looks Dişebzu conceid a different personality; harsh and ruthless. This aspect of her showed up whenever she was nervous or she was faced with some thing or some situation which she detested. Then her eyeballs would sparkle, her lips would contract, and her facial lines would grow tense. At such moments she wouldn’t look at the person opposit her. She would stand up or sit down slightly sideways. She would speak out her mind with her right eyebrow tilted up, letting the interlocutor feel the chill inside her.

            It was the third week of the return of the Basti youth from Psıkuy when Pşımef met with Dişebzu. He was caught up in the cold tempest that the young girl occasionally blew.

            The Met Family, living at the outsirkts of Çığızaç had some young visitors. Hazeş, son of Met Hanoh, had arranged an entertainment party for some of the village youth, boys and girls together.

            The courtyard had been filled by early arrivals. The bonfire was already surround by groups of visitors. The weather was quite chilly. So everybody was in a state of motion in one way or other trying to warm up.

            By sheer coincidence Pşımef, Sefer and three of the Basti daughters; encountered Heşik Adir and his sister Dişebzu at the entrance to the courtyard of the Mets.

            After exchange of salutation, Pşımef contrived a means to stay back, letting Haşit Adir and Sefer proceed forward. He approached Dişebzu, and asked the young girl, “How are you?”

            Dişebzu curtly replied, “I am fine!” Her tone was rough and cool.

            Pşımef was conscious of her negative stance. Nevertheless he could not make a volte-face. He went on, adding a humorous flavor to his expression,

            - It is long time since we haven’t met. You know I am interested in you; it is hard to bear such a long separation.

            Dişebzu virtually ignored Pşımef’s comment. She didn’t look at him. Her eyes fixed to the bonfire, she smirked. Disregarding the presence of the Basti daughters to her left, Dişebzu replied:

            - How could you spare time for me while being busy with the Natho daughters!

            Pşımef felt as if violently slapped. Momentarily he was dumb-founded. He gazed at the face of the young girl, shattered. In a crisp tone he attempted a defense.

            - What makes you mention the Natho daughters? We had to comply with Biyenko Bital’s invitation; that is all!

            Dişebzu immediately retorted,

            - What a wonderful opportunity!

            Dişebzu’s was a pure guess-work. She had heard about the Genar-and-Gubate affair too often. She had the notion that the Basti boys had a sort of irreversible special interest in the Natho daughters.

            The conversation had to be discontinued; for in the meantime they had entered the illuminated area. Met Hazeş and his sister Sasmaf stepped forward to receive them.

            It was a God-sent-opportunity to rescue Pşımef. For he was not at all in a condition to keep up the argument. While Sasmaf led the Basti daughter away; Pşımef , broken-hearted, followed the Heşik and Sefer.