"Tolstoy, Leo - How Much Land Does A Man Need" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolstoy Leo)

came to a place where the Bashkirs had pitched their tents. It was all just
as the tradesman had said. The people lived on the steppes, by a river, in
felt-covered tents. They neither tilled the ground, nor ate bread. Their
cattle and horses grazed in herds on the steppe. The colts were tethered
behind the tents, and the mares were driven to them twice a day. The mares
were milked, and from the milk kumiss was made. It was the women who
prepared kumiss, and they also made cheese. As far as the men were
concerned, drinking kumiss and tea, eating mutton, and playing on their
pipes, was all they cared about. They were all stout and merry, and all the
summer long they never thought of doing any work. They were quite ignorant,
and knew no Russian, but were good-natured enough.

As soon as they saw Pakhom, they came out of their tents and gathered round
their visitor. An interpreter was found, and Pakhom told them he had come
about some land. The Bashkirs seemed very glad; they took Pakhom and led
him into one of the best tents, where they made him sit on some down
cushions placed on a carpet, while they sat round him. They gave him some
tea and kumiss, and had a sheep killed, and gave him mutton to eat. Pakhom
took presents out of his cart and distributed them among the Bashkirs, and
divided the tea amongst them. The Bashkirs were delighted. They talked a
great deal among themselves, and then told the interpreter to translate.

"They wish to tell you," said the interpreter, "that they like you, and
that it is our custom to do all we can to please a guest and to repay him
for his gifts. You have given us presents, now tell us which of the things
we possess please you best, that we may present them to you."

"What pleases me best here," answered Pakhom, "is you land. Our land is
crowded and the soil is exhausted; but you have plenty of land and it is
good land. I never saw the like of it."

The interpreter translated. The Bashkirs talked among themselves for a
while. Pakhom could not understand what they were saying, but saw that they
were much amused and that they shouted and laughed. Then they were silent
and looked at Pakhom while the interpreter said:

"They wish me to tell you that in return for your presents they will gladly
give you as much land as you want. You have only to point it out with your
hand and it is yours."

The Bashkirs talked again for a while and began to dispute. Pakhom asked
what they were disputing about, and the interpreter told him that some of
them thought they ought to ask their chief about the land and not act in
his absence, while others thought there was no need to wait for his return.

VI

While the Bashkirs were disputing, a man in a large fox-fur cap appeared on
the scene. They all became silent and rose to their feet. The interpreter
said, "This is our chief himself."