174 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



headlong in the direction of the fort, and saw a group 

 of soldiers on the ramparts ; they pointed towards the 

 open country, and there sped a horseman with the 

 swiftness of an arrow, holding something white hefore 

 him on the saddle bow. Gregorii Alexandrovitch 

 gave a loud screech, that the very best T<5hetchenz 

 could not have beaten, whipped out his rifle from the 

 case, and away with him, myself following. 



Fortunately, as our sporting had not been lucky, 

 our horses were still fresh ; they cleared the ground 

 at a great rate, and every moment brought us nearer 

 and nearer to the object of our pursuit. At last I 

 recognized Kasbitch ; only 1 could not make out what 

 it was he carried before him. I was now again along- 

 side of Petchorin, and called out to him that it was 

 Kasbitch. He cast a look at me, nodded, and lashed 

 his horse. 



At last we were but a rifle shot from the robber. 

 Whether it was that Kasbitch's horse was fatigued, 

 or that it was worse than ours, at any rate, he did not 

 make good way. I warrant he thought of his Karagos 

 at that moment. 



Looking round at Petchorin, I saw him present 

 his rifle while galloping at full speed. ( No firing ! 

 I shouted to him ; ' reserve your charge, we will catch 

 him yet.' But such is youth ; it never gives fire at 



