But Ivan had with him a man from Pastolik who talked the
speech of Negore, and many and vain were the questions they asked
him concerning his tribe, till the man from Pastolik, who was
called Karduk, said:
"It is the word of Ivan that thou shalt be lashed till thou diest
if thou dost not speak. And know, strange brother, when I tell
thee the word of Ivan is the law, that I am thy friend and no
friend of Ivan. For I come not willingly from my country by the
sea, and I desire greatly to live; wherefore I obey the will of my
master - as thou wilt obey, strange brother, if thou art wise, and
wouldst live."
"Nay, strange brother," Negore answered, "I know not the way my
people are gone, for I was sick, and they fled so fast my legs gave
out from under me, and I fell behind."
Negore waited while Karduk talked with Ivan. Then Negore saw the
Russian's face go dark, and he saw the men step to either side of
him, snapping the lashes of their whips. Whereupon he betrayed a
great fright, and cried aloud that he was a sick man and knew
nothing, but would tell what he knew.
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