157            For days the Nemeruko wedding  remained a topical event.  It could  remain a subject talked about most in the Psıfabe Valley had it not been overshadowed by another significant development.  The people of the valley were shocked by a news that spread from Crimea and the Natuhary Coast (seaboard) to all over Trans-Caucasia.

            The Ottoman State had declared war against Russia.  Suddenly attention was focused  to west.  Speculation on how far the war would effect Caucasia interested the  people most now

            The news about the outbreak of war was confirmed by certain developments that took place towards the end of October:  Customarily  the nomadic Nogays

            marauding in steppes to the east of the Sea of Azak¹  used to go out for pasturage as far as the banks of the rivers Don and Volga  in the summer months, despite the threat of the Cossacks and the Kalmuks; and returned to the south in the winter.  The Nogays returning to their winter abode that year had brought along the news about certain shadowy activities going on at the Russian military garrisons along Don and Volga . Given that the Nogays marauded over extensive areas in pursuit of their herds,  happened to extend as far as the banks of the River Volga and trespassed  the pasture of the Kalmuks with whom they were not in good terms.  They used to immediately retread towards  the west or the south  in the face of any potential danger.  Unless unavoidable, they did not enter into hostility with the Kalmuks.  To market their herds and to procure their utilities they used every means at their disposal available anywhere.  The freely herded their animal to the live stock markets in the Russian towns.

            They behaved independent of any state.  At times they would declare allegiance to the Ottoman monarch, at times avowed alliance with the Khan of Crimea, and at other times would seek shelter in the steppes and reassure  the Russians  of their neutrality.

            The Nogays were ruled by multiple  leaders.  Their Khans and Mirzas  were perpetually at loggerhead with one another.  Hence there could be no cohesion  and no order among them . They did not have any notion of  a  fatherland to fight for nor a common policy  to follow.  The existed on daily basis.  They were directed by force of circumstances.

            The hostile environment  that they had to cope with had trained them to be vigilant against any conceivable danger.  Therefore they had developed a system of communication that operated very fast. They were capable of  intercepting information over wide pastures  extending from  Volga to Poland.  The could feel how  Crimea and Russia breathed.

            The Caucasians had been  well aware of this peculiarity of the Nogays.  Their hasty migration towards the north of the Jane and Bjeduğ regions further alarmed the

         Caucasians.  They began taking defensive measures  in each valley and each village  in Trans-Caucasia. They had already experienced the ravages of war.  However, they did not know where from the threat would come.  This was the major source of their concern.

            It so happened that during that summer a group of Cossacks from the Don basin were settled in the vicinity of the Fort of Mozdak; the object being to create a permanent source of supply of manpower for manning the military garrison  stationed in the Fort, and to cultivate the fertile land  in the area to feed the personnel.

            The Queen of Russia need not spend any major effort to this end.  Favorable conditions for  implementation of the project were present.

            The Cossacks, who once inhabited along the middle region of the River Don, had spread along the basin of the River Volga, and had advanced as far as the basin the River Yayık. The Cossacks, originally a classless community, gradually had come under the oppression of the hetmans (chieftains) and the upstart wealthy Cossack traders, on whom the hetmen depended.  The community existed below subsistence level, and formed the major source of  military recruitment.  They were used to labor slaves.

            Those  among them who did not own a piece of land to cultivate or fed up  serving for the Russian Army found Caucasia as a  paradise for them.  They cherish colonizing the area.

158            It was the Cossacks in this category that were settled in the neighborhood of Mozdak in the Kebertey Region.  They  were an impoverished and starving group.  No matter to whom the lands they settled on belonged, they were prepared to risk their lives to stay and  multiply there.

            The news about outbreak of war had its impact on the area.  The Russian war preparations at the Fort of Mozdak and the Cossack settlements had been  conspicuous.

            Such development in the Kebertey Region soon spread all over the area; across the Kemguy and Mehoş Regions, as far as the Psifabe Valley.

            The initial sensation caused by the developments did not lost for long.  Soon common sense prevailed.  The people began contemplating on what they ought to do.

            The people of the regions to the west had already  initiated certain measures, as they had been the first to act in such matters.

            The leading families in the western Şapsığ Region and  the Natuhay seaboard, such as  Zanikos and  Kalubtıyıkos, decided to convene an assembly in Anapa.

            The leading families in the western Şapsığ Region and  the Natuhay seaboard, such as  Zanikos and  Kalubtıyıkos, sponsored convocation on an Assembly in Anapa. The Beys of Hatukoy, Ubih, Abzah and Bjeduğ, as well as the leading noblemen of the Şapsığ Region were invited to attend the Assembly. Bastiko Bram and Natho Sabe were among the invitees from the Psıfabe Valley.

            One hundred riders  were dispatched to all over the area to convey  the message about the proposed meeting and to deliver the invitations. The messenger destined to the Psıfabe Valley was received under a cool autumn rainfall.

            Bastiko Bram immediately called a meeting of the leading person in Çığızaç.  Invited or not, a large number of people of different age groups filled the Basti courtyard.  Under the circumstance the meeting had to be held in the open.  Bram informed the gathering about the situation and inquired their opinion.

            Ahmet Sena, watched the gathering from the verandah of his house as he stood there resting his back against the wall.  Everybody there was within his view.

            Ahmet Sena recalled the War between the Ottomans and the Russians that had been fought thirty-five or forty years ago.  In those days he lived in Varna.; he was young.  The Russian forces had been halted in the west; but Crimea had been overrun.  Right now he could not guess how the situation would unfold.  He was concerned as to the fate of Crimea and Caucasia.

            There was no one in the gathering to answer  Bram.  They gazed at each other  bewildered.

            After a brief spell of suspense  old Hanaş stammered, pointing with his finger at Ahmet Sena:

            -- Let us ask him.  Sena is a  prudent and knowledgeable person.

            Hanaş had a profound confidence in Ahmet Sena.

            Bram gleamed and gazed at Ahmet Sena, meaning “What have you got to say?”

            Sena dispelled his day-dream;  abashed as he was, departed from the verandah, and proceeded to join the gathering.  He commented:

            -- At the moment it is too early to express any opinion.  Let Bram attend the meeting.  On his return let him inform us about what those in the west think about the situation.

            Hanaş waved his hand, and shouted in a vibrating voice:

            Sena Efendi!  You also must attend the meeting.

            Sena laughed.  He cast an affectionate gaze at the old man, who had been following him like a shadow since his arrival  in Çığızaç.

            -- It is Bram who has been invited to attend the meeting.  You are aware that only five persons shall represent the Psıfabe Valley.  Besides, my health is not very  good.. The rainy season and cold weather have set in.  I do not think I could stand that long a travel..

            He paused for a short while and went on,

            -- I have an idea relevant to the subject.  I think it is valid.  Let Bram take along with him ten  youth to serve as  guards.  Let the youth see the west, and listen to the discussions at the meeting.

            In fact Sena wished Genar go to the meeting.  Just to avoid naming Genar, he proposed  ten to accompany Bram.

            Sena’s proposal was accepted.

            Bram narrated a resume of the last war with the object of warning the people:

159.            -- You know;   about forty years ago when the Turks and the Russians were at war I was in Crimea.  I have already told some of you present here how the Russians had invaded Crimea and what they had been doing there.  These days the Russians are attempting to have a foothold   in the Kebertey Region.  You do not know what sort of people they are. It is misleading to say “We are out of their reach!”  They are going to set the Cossacks and the Kalmuks against you.  They might use the Nogays.  Therefore, we should be vigilant and cautious.  We must be prepared to face the difficult times ahead.

            Bram paused.

            -- In the event the Assembly assigns a certain duty to our valley  what should I do.  Shall I accept  it on your behalf?  Tell me what is your opinion?

            No objection was raised against what Bram proposed.  The gathering dispersed in smaller groups.  The elders were concerned, while the youth were excited.  What was common was the will to oppose the threat; to fight it back if necessary.

            Bram was to depart in three days.   Bram asked the household to make ready a supply of dried eatables, good for at least twenty days.

            He planned to stop for one day in Psıkuy at the Nathos on his way to Anapa.  Natho Hanbeş had been in Çığızaç at  his father’s funeral.  Furthermore at the Nemeruko wedding Hanbeş had invited him and Ahmet Sena to visit Psıkuy.  Ever since he had been looking forward for an opportunity to call on the Nathos.  Back home from the Nemeruko wedding, the Bastis had wound up the remaining part of their harvesting  preoccupation, and had finished necessary preparations for the winter season.

            Besides; Natho Sabe too would be going to attend the meeting in Anapa.  He ought to meet him and have a talk with him.  He had not met Natho Sabe since the Basti-Natho cleavage.  Bram was several years younger to Sabe.  He did not remember how Sabe looked like.

            Bram disclosed to Ahmet Sena his own ideas about his impending journey, and suggested,

            -- Let us go together up to Psıkuy.  You may see me off and return  to Çığızaç.  That would provide a opportunity to get more familiar with the Nathos.

            Sena conceded to  Bram’s proposal.  One of the younger slaves was dispatched to inform the Nathos of  position in advance.

            Bram and Sena visited Çemko and returned home the same day.  They informed Basti Takir about their impending trip.  Takir patiently listened to what they had to say, and at the end  he replied: “Do whatever is right.”  That was all what he had to say.

            Preparations were completed.  The due date for departure arrived.  Bram and Ahmet Sena along with ten youth finally departed Çığızaç.  All of the youth were close friends of Genar.  Hağuruko Perit was his uncle’s son.  Yatalefko Naşe, Shalaho Netaf, Kocako Bate and the rest of them were the favorites of the village.  They had been carefully selected for the mission.

            It was late in the afternoon.  It was a cool and rainy day.  The travelers had been equipped to stand any adverse weather condition.  As the rain intensified they put on their cloak,  fastened the collar strips, and  put on the Sarhons²  on top of their head-wears.

            All conceivable  utilities and food items had been loaded, and there were three horses on reserve.  The weapons were cleaned, and there was a sufficient stock of powder and bullets with them.

            Genar  and Hağuruko Perit  trailed the caravan at the end.  They drove their horses quietly side by side.  Genar remembered what his sister had told him as she bade him farewell.  He blushed  as if  some one was after his secret.

            When Genar was with his mother to say her good-bye,  his sister Bramhan had leaned towards him, teasingly smirked, and whispered,: “Convey my greetings to Gubate, will you!”  Bramhan indeed had met with other Natho daughters at the Nemeruko wedding as well.  But she had mentioned Gubate in particular just to tease her own  brother. Genar had shaken his head meaning to retort: “You damn piggy!”,  and had hurriedly went out of the house.

160.            They turned to the south to approach the bridge across the Psıfabe River.  Across the river just opposit the bridge there was the Kutezj village, which they bypassed  and proceeded towards the north.  It was dusk when they reached the outskirts of Psıkuy.  The clouds had dispersed, and a slow but cool wind had begun to blow.

            Bram pulled the rein of his horse and halted at the entrance of the village.  The others halted too.  Genar immediately dismounted and rushed to his father’s side, took over the rein of his horse.  Bram stuffed the whip into his leather-bag.

            The party walked in to  the village in a double line, Bram and Sena leading.

            The Nathos had been expecting Bram and his retinue.  They received their visitors outside the Natho quarter. Natho Hanbeş, Natho Sabe and a few of the village elders stood in front of the welcome group. The youth had lined up behind them.

            As Bram and his entourage approached, Natho Hanbeş stepped forwards and said, “You are welcome”. He embraced both Bram and Sena,  presented Hanbeş’s uncles, the Natho brothers Shalak and Sabe; and then the village elders one by one.

            Bram was familiar with the older generation of the Nathos.  He had not met them for years though due to the tension between their families.  Sena was meeting with them for the first time.

            Genar noticed Natho Şate cheerfully gazing at him from a little distance, was delighted at his sight like a child, and reciprocated him smiling.

            At the Natho quarter, female, both young and old, had gathered at the courtyards on either side of the street watching the visitors as they passed by.  The children, timid but  inquisitive, were lined up along the path.

            Well inside the Natho quarter, the visitors were divided in to two  groups.. The elder ones were to be hosted by Nathos Hanbeş, and the younger ones by Natho Şabe.  While the former group entered the courtyard of Hanbeş’s house, the latter group followed Şate, who led them in to the courtyard of his house next door.

            On the right side  of the gate there stood the salves Laşe and Nekur, and the stable- boys, side by side.  Laşe offered “Welcome” on behalf of himself and his colleagues. In the meantime the younger stable-boys took-over the horses of the visitors.

            At the center of the courtyard there stood Gubate, Kodan and Laşe’s daughter Vunay.  Zeyide and Pake were at the door-steps of the main residence to watch the  visitors coming in.

            Şate pointing at the twin buildings to the right, smiled and said,

            -- Those are our guest houses.  Before you settle down you might like to meet our elders.  Wouldn’t you?

            He pointed his hand towards the elder ladies and added:

            -- I believe that my grandmother is anxious to see you.

            Genar smilingly replied,

            -- Splendid!  We too are keen to meet your elders.

           Leaving the Psıkuy youth in front of the first guest house, Şate led Genar and his entourage towards the elderly ladies of the household.  They halted briefly as they approached the young girls standing in the middle of the courtyard.  Gubate said “Welcome!”  She seemed a bit excited.  Her face was slightly colorless.  Genar smiled; and lightly bowed his head in response.  They walked on.  The girls followed them on the right side of the path.

            As the visitors approached, Zeyide fastidiously gazed at Genar, walking by the side of  his grandson.  She had guessed he was a Basti.  Without any sign of trouble on her countenance, in an affectionate voice she said: “Come along, please!”

            Şate approached his grandmother, smiling.  He placed his right hand on her shoulder, pointed at Genar with this left hand, and said,

            -- Nenof!³  This handsome young man is Bastiko Genar.

            Zeyide kept on gazing Genar all the time. She smiled at the way Şate presented him.

161            -- Is that so? Bram’s son  Genar,  you mean?

            Genar smiled and moved his head in affirmation, meaning: “That is right.”

            Zeyide knew the names of all the Bastis, except very young ones even though she had not met them since the Basti-Natho dispute., Zeyide had been given keep track of the Basti family, and to learn their particulars.

               Like any other Adige woman, she maintained her gaze as if she was trying to discover in him any of the characteristics of his family.

            -- He is very much like his grandfather. He is exactly like the young Dadu.

            Şate’s mother Pake did not say anything.  She stood a couple of paces behind Zeyide, listening to what were being said.

            Zeyide attended to the rest of the  Çığızaç youth individually. He asked them about their parentage and affirmed  that she knew them.

            Zeyide though grievous with everyone who had disassociate with the Nathos on account of the Bastis, she had buried the ill-feeling deep in her heart.  Moreover the young men present there could not be blamed at all.  She could not express resentment to them in any form.  Even if she did the youth would not understand.

            She turned to Şate and said;

            Your guests should be tired.  Why don’t you usher them in.

            Şate led them away.  The visiting  youth retreated with back steps., and then all of them tuned round and walked away.  The young girls had proceeded to the guest house earlier.  Kodan and Vunay had already opened the door of the guest house, and were waiting  on top of the three flight stair.

            It was early hours of the evening.  It was getting dark.  The Natho daughters lighted the oil lamps they had kept ready.  All rooms of the guest house were illuminated.

            At dinner the Natho youth divided in two groups.  One group served the elders and the other hosted the young visitors.  Once during the dinner Şate went to his uncle’s house to see if there was anything that he could do to provide further comfort for the elders.

            Şate arranged an entertainment for his guests after dinner. The weather was rather chilly that night. Nevertheless all the girls and the boys of the village gathered at the courtyard of the Nathos.

            To illuminate the space and also to benefit from the heat to warm up they lit a big bonfire in the courtyard.   Slave Nekur and his assistants volunteered to keep the fire burning.

            The young girls had formed two rows close to the fire.  Gubate performed as the hostess.  She stood at the head of the first row.  Right behind her, at the head of the second row, there stood the slave Laşe’s daughter Vunay.  She assisted Gubate.  Vunay was a beautiful girl.  Notwithstanding being the daughter of a slave, her graceful performance attracted everybody’s attention.

            Şate supervised the show, and personally selected boys, who would like to dance.

            He first invited the visiting youth in sequence; Hağuruko Perit danced with Gubate,  Kocako Bate with Kodan, and Genar with Vunay.  Vunay was a marvelous dancer.  The Çığızaç youth were fascinated by her performance.

            As the host youth began to dance, the tempo of the music heightened.  Kanje, the famous Psıkuy musician,  exhibited the  best of his skill.

            Genar stealthily kept on gazing Gubate, mindful not to attract anybody’s attention.

            That night Gubate was exceptionally fascinating.  At the Fıj village she was a doll; but here in Psıkuy,  her own native village, she was herself.  Here Gubate fully manifested her  grace and liveliness.

            Genar was overwhelmed with  her love.  He adored her.

            162.            Occasionally misgiving overshadowed his excitement saturated with Gubata’s love.  He would asked by himself such questions as: “Could Gubate be in love with someone else?”  In an attempt to find an answer he would examine the local youth one by one to spot the one who could be interested in her.  He was  selfish enough by not qualifying any one else but himself as the right candidate who deserved being Gubate’s mate.

            He had been so much absorbed in these and similar other thoughts that he could hardly be aware that the music had stopped and the entertainment had been recessed.

            Genar anxiously looked around to check whether he had unwittingly behaved improperly in way.  He was gratified to notice no indication to the same effect.  There was nothing abnormal or unusual  with anybody.

            Contended as he was of the situation he moved towards the girls.  There he confronted with Kodan.  She frowned.  Her looks suggested she meant to say, “I know what is going on!”   It vexed Genar.  He stole away his eye.

            The quiescence was short lived.  The lines scrambled,  boys and girls formed mixed groups.  There began warm and friendly chatting and discussions.

            Genar was joined by Şate and Çermıtıko Aje, a friend of his from Çığızaç.  They talked for a while on the war between the Ottomans and the Russians.

            In the meantime the Natho daughters had begun serving Boza to the guests.

            When Kodan approached him to offer a mug of Boza  Genar did not notice her, for he was looking to another direction.  Şate warned him.   “ Please help yourself with  Boza!”, he said.  Kodan frowned again.  He moved his hand to receive the mug but then immediately changed his mind.  He gazed at Şate, and asked:

            -- Is this Natho daughter always like that?  Does she not ever laugh or smile?

            Affecting  frightful, Genar continued,

            -- To be honest, I am scared of her.

            Şate laughed. He remarked,

            -- Your are justified on that point.  Kodan is the Princess of the Nathos.  All of us are scared of her.

            Kodan unwittingly burst  into laughter. She hardly saved the service plate she had been carrying from being turned upside down.

            -- That shows you know how to laugh, don’t you?  Fine , now I can take your Boza.

            Genar, thus having made his point,   picked up a mug of Boza offered by Kodan.

            Kodan, her head bowed, went on laughing.  She stepped backed, then swiftly turned and walked away.   She disappeared behind another group.

            Şate left Genar with his friend Çermıtiko Aje, to attend to his other guests.  Genar and Aje talked about the war.  A little while later they were joined with Kodan and Gubate.  Kodan had changed.  She had cast away her stoical appearance.  She giggled.

            Pointing with her hand at Gubate she said,

            -- Bastiko!⁴  I have brought you the real Princess of the Nathos.

            Gubate was highly abashed.  She shouted in protest::

            -- Kodan!

            She then turned to Genar, shyly.

            -- Our Kodan is unpredictable.  Please excuse her!

            Kodan continued laughing, her face covered with her hands.

            Genar smilingly  gazed at Kodan and then at Gubate.  He said,

            -- May be you are not aware; Kodan does nothing but teasing me.

            Kodan could not stand  it any more.  She reeled of, caught in a fit of  laughter, and

            swiftly went away.

            Meanwhile Kanje had begun playing his harmonium. Everybody was back in place.

            The entertainment went on till past midnight.
 
 

                                                                   O0O

163            As the gathering began to disperse,  Çermetiko Aje and a few of the youth from the Psıkuy said they wished to host some of the visitor.  Şate did not disappoint his friends.  He let them take all the visiting youth except Genar and Haguruko Perit,  whom he wanted to host himself.

            The bonfire in the middle of the courtyard had turned to a huge mass of burning coal.  It radiated a reddish light with a pleasant warmth.
The Natho youth went up to the gate of the courtyard to see off their friends and visitors going out of the Natho quarter.

            Only Genar and Hağuruko Perit were left by the side of the fire.  From a dark corner of the courtyard  Laşe, the old slave of the household,  watched the two with interest.

            Laşe had been watching Genar in particular throughout that evening from a distance.  In Genar’s person Laşe studied the Bastis in general.

            Laşe, who was experienced in judging people, judged Genar too.  He had made certain assessment about him,  He contended:

            -- Genar  outwardly looks like an ordinary person; but in fact he is not.  He is the only Basti capable of establishing relations with the Nathos.

            Şate and the Natho daughters returned to the fire place.   At the same time Agu, son of Natho Hanbeş also turned up there.  As he had had been helping his father in hosting the elders, he had not been  able to participate in the entertainment organized by Şate.

            Agu shook his hand, and in a subdued tone jokingly complained:

            -- I just finished my work and rushed here to join in your entertainment.  What hurry you were in to disperse the party so soon!  May God reform you!.

            Others shook in laughter; but Şate took it seriously.  He replied:

            -- That is called luck!  Your own fortune.  Beside, hosting the thametes is not an easy job.

            While Agu affected to be sorrowful and shook his head, Şate went on,

            -- Any way; what are the elders doing. Did they go to bed?

            Agu did not comment.  He simply moved his head meaning “Yes”.

            Şate turned to Genar and briefly gazed at him and smiled.  He said,

            -- You must have exhausted.  You came from a long journey and have danced for a better part of the night.  As if  that was not enough; now you are expected to satisfy Agu’s egotism.  You can’t do that!  Let  us go in.

            Genar gazed at Agu and smiled, He said,

            -- No! No! You are not fair with Agu.  We are not tired.  On the contrary we enjoyed very much.  If we had been aware that you would be coming......

            He was at a loss what to say further.  He walked over to Agu and held his arm. With him he went up the three flight stair, and entered into one of the spacious rooms of the guest house number one.

            The room was illuminated by two thick candle sticks.  The hearth had been stacked with enough of firewood, and had been ignited  well in advance.  There were wooden sofas on either  side of the fireplace.  Next to the sofas chairs were set all along the two walls.

            Soon afterwards three young girls brought in a light supper for them consisted of bread, honey. cheese, walnut and milk.  The girls placed the food over a low round table.  Immediately the room was filled  with the fragrance of  fresh corn bread.

            Having set the table, the girls sat side by side to the right side of the door.

            Gubate politely said,

            -- Please help yourselves.

            Genar shyly smiled.  He gazed at Gubate and then at Kodan, and said,

             --You must be very much tired tonight.  It is very kind of you to have bothered at this late hour of the night.  You need not do it all.

            Kodan,  stoical as usual, and her eyes shining like steel, responded:

            --  Please let us do what we are obliged to.  Otherwise you might accuse the Nathos of having sent you to bed hungry without supper.

            Gubate blushed. She remorsefully smiled, gazing at Kodan. Kodan, unlike her sister, fixed her eyes to the ceiling in an apathetic and intriguing mood.

            In fact Kodan was teasing according to her own peculiar mannerism.  It, however ,profoundly hurt Genar.  His distress automatically reflected on his face. It was a momentary reaction though. He laughed off  the satire and turned to take the supper.

164            Genar said by himself:

            -- This Natho girl is terrific!

            Neğu, the youngest son of the family requested to be excused, and went out as Genar, Şate, Hağuruko Perit and Agu comfortably seated themselves around the supper table.  Upon the insistence by Şate Genar made the start.  He took a spoonful from the large milk tureen.  As he extended his hand to help himself with another spoonful of milk he remembered an old Adige custom. He gazed at Kodan.  She instantly turned her eyes on to the ceiling so as avoid being discovered watching the boys taking supper.

            Genar tore off  two small pieces of millet bread,  and put some honey over each piece.  He got up and offered one of the millet bread piece to Kodan.

            She held her one hand over her mouth, and gesticulated with the other, meaning “No”.

            Genar insisted.

            -- Impossible!  You must take it.  We should make peace; We should be friends.  If you do no take it, I am not going the eat, either!

            Kodan, realized that it was useless to resist.  She yielded,  took the piece of bread.  She could help  laughing.  She replied,

            -- Why? I am not your enemy!

            Genar shook his head and responded,

            -- God alone knows that!

            He addressed Agu.

            -- You know! Your sister was nearly going to beat me at the Nemeruko wedding.

            Kodan raised a sharp scream.

            --  Ay! By God,  you lie!

            Genar pointed at Şate,

            -- Here is my witness!  He is not a stranger.  He is the son of your own uncle.  Let him tell us whether or not I am speaking the truth.

            Şate did not involve in the argument.  He sufficed smiling.

            Kodan blushed.  Tried to look serious, and attempted to defend herself.

            -- You might have assumed so.  I was simply ...... a Basti....

            Genar interrupted her: “ You were curious as to  what sort of creatures the Bastis were. Is that right?

            Kodan covered her eyes with her free hand, and virtually whimpered:

            -- You are impossible!

            Genar was afraid he exceeded the limit.   He immediately made a volte-face.  He solemnly gazed at Kodan. He declared,

            -- It is over!  We both forgive and forget  the past. We make peace!

            He abruptly turned to Vunay, He said,

            -- This Natho girl is too quiescent.

            He intended to complement her.  She was already shy.  She blushed.  That made her look all the more pretty.

            Genar offered her the other piece of bread he has been holding.  “Please take it”, he said.

            Vunar regretted: “ Please forgive me.  Let me not take it!”; she groaned.  She looked towards Gubate, suggesting: “Why don’t you offer it to her!”

            Genar  glared at her, raised his free hand and said, “No, nothing doing!”

            -- You mean to Gubate?  No!  I can’t  to do it to everyone.  Let Hağuruko Perit offer to her.

            Everybody there began laughing.  Vunay was helpless.  She took the piece of bread.

            As Genar returned to his seat, Perit shook his head and tore off a portion of bread to the size of his palm.  He grumbled as he got up:

            -- My friend is having a fit of buffoonery tonight.

            Genar interjected,

            -- Hold on!  What are you doing?  How you dare to offer plain bread to the Princess of the household?

            Perit  hurriedly returned to the table and put some honey on top of the bread as he regretfully grumbled:  “You have confused us too much to let us  do anything sanely!”

165            Gubate protested: “O God! It is too much!” Preempting Perit she extended both her hands to him at the same time, took a little bit of the bread leaving the rest of it in his hand, and said,

            -- Please  eat it yourself  in my place!

            The girls ate the little bits of bread offered; each covering her mouth with her hand as she chewed it.

            The supper lasted cheerfully for about half an hour.  They talked about the Nemeruko wedding .and recollected the happy time  they had spent together in Fıj. All of them, particularly Kodan, heartily laughed while recounting what were said and done by Kartenko Duğuj.

            Genar managed to temper Kodan.  He was satisfied to have won her over his side. But yet he was rather apprehensive.  He was wary of Kodan; because on her face he read the characteristics of a brutal, dogged and vindictive woman.

            When the supper was over and the table was cleared, the girls again took their place by the right side of the door.

            Gubate gazed at her brother Şate.  In a very low and tender voice she told him,

            -- The beds for the guests are ready in the next room.

            Şate smiled and turned to Genar, and remarked,

            -- The Natho daughter commands us to go to bed. What do you think?

            Genar waved his head in affirmative. He said,

            -- It is a very good idea indeed!

            Pointing his hand at the girls he added,

            -- We have bothered them very much tonight; the must be exhausted.

            Gubate was concerned.  She suddenly blushed.  She offered her defense,

            -- No!  We are not tired.  As  you have come from a long journey, I thought you would like to retire.

             Şate gazed at Genar.  He was serious this time. He said:

            -- My father would wish you stay with us tomorrow too.  I presume that the parties would set out the day after tomorrow. But I do not know whether your father would agree or not.  If you wish we may let the Natho daughters  leave. We may chat for a while.

            Genar said: “As you wish.”

            All got up.  The  girls bade them “Goodnight ,” and left the room with due manifestations of reverence, and closed the door.

            Genar and Hağuruko Perit sat on the sofa to the right, and the two cousins sat on the one to the left.  The long of hard-wood in the hearth had almost burnt out into huge red embers, radiating warm and pleasant beams of red light.

            Şate addressed Genar,

            -- I wish to jump straight on the subject.

            He paused briefly and then went on,

            -- How far, do you think, we would be effected by the war between the
Ottomans and the Russians?

            Genar remorsefully smiled.  First he moved his shoulders like a  shy child suggesting, “I don’t know”.  He then sat straight,  looked at the ceiling.  He said,

            -- What is more important is the situation we are in, rather than the war itself. We do not have a central decision making body.  As you may have noticed; a number of individuals, unaware of what is happening, are going to meet and are going to decide what should be done.  May be one individual would say “yes”  and another one may say “no” on the same proposal.  We might not be able to agree on the proper course of action until the danger knocks at our door.

            Genar pondered for a moment and went on,

            -- We need someone who could command the whole of Trans-Caucasia.  If we do not gather around one center, our future would be awful.  First of all we much face this reality.