“How do you know him?” Asked Delyusto. – “Chance helped. Inovs from Harbin telegraphed for me to meet. I immediately saw him through the dinner. The merchants on the people have a great scent. In money matters, intelligent people are needed.” Delight spread his hands: “He is free, his will.” “So, then, a freelancer?” Said the merchant happily. A day later, at a new meeting, he told Delyusto: “The guy doesn’t want, he doesn’t need to, he says, to tie up, in the fall, all the same as soldiers… I wanted to buy it from the soldiery, but he refused. And it would cost a couple of thousand …”
Varya is glad for that evening, which was arranged in honor of yours, conducted by our good friends Pestsov.
You in your burgundy cashmere shirt made a good impression on everyone. It seems that only that evening Varya had kissed her deeply with you. She always remembers this evening with a sad smile.
Having received this letter, you do not imagine much about yourself there. All kiss you tightly. Do not brag on the war. Remember – you still need a mother. Levers you wrote a separate letter. He came and showed yours – to him.
If we receive a letter from Vali, then what should she answer? Do you love her as you once loved, or are you still offended? She told me more than once: I did not understand Tikhon, he was so unpretentious and clumsy. She regrets that she didn’t see you right away… Valya is, of course, an exceptional person. She loves you sincerely. With someone bind her fate? For our family, it is not suitable. It may be a tragedy. Although, who knows, in life everything happens. Valya Valya, and Vare must write a letter. Just look, rather. Mom sends a blessing and kisses, and we and Varya and even more so. Here she stands and cries. Your sister Fima.
3
The second battery marched on a February frosty night. Arriving from the city at the station Nerchinsk, the gunners immediately loaded the guns onto the platforms, and the sledders introduced the horses into the wagons. The soldiers were trained to work quickly, but they waited for a very long time. The single-track Great Siberian Route was not able to fulfill all the demands made on it by wartime circumstances.
People housed in the frozen greenhouse. Thick steam clubs enveloped every artilleryman; the walls of the cars were covered with hoarfrost. It was ordered not to heat the furnaces until the morning.
Sleep on this night subsided without undressing. In the carriages, they drove by the platoon: from the first day of the march, the old and young soldiers were mixed. The battery was the gunners and rideable life from 1899 to 1904.
Most of all boasted of his seniority sled Semenov. He rode in the same carriage with Podkovin and was arrogant towards the young soldiers.
– Hey, recruit, bring boiling water! – could be heard from Semenov. Most of all he attacked Konevyazov’s orlovtsa, who was with him on the lower tents of the carriage. Semenov kept his head and combed his beard in the same way as Mehmandarov. On the calves, he rolled up a lot of rags so that the tops of his boots seemed as thick as that of the commander. Yearlings scribbled Semenov, saluted him in front. In fact, the figure and straightening of the gunner and the colonel were very similar to each other, but Mehmandarov was black-haired, and Semenov was blond.
– Wash the tank! – shouted Semenov Podkovin once.
“When it is my turn, I will wash it, and today is yours.”
Semenov turned purple. He did not expect such resistance. – A scientist, a clerk… you are still young to disobey.
– I do not intend to carry out someone’s whims.
“On, go and wash you,” shouted Semenov angrily at the orlovts, “learn to live with your elders.”
Konevyazov and Podkovin met their eyes.
– Today I will not go. I’m busy. See, I’ll fix my uniform, “he answered. – Enough… Doing a favor, and you have one conceit.
– I’ll show you arrogance! – shouted Semenov.
“Than to shout, let’s go to Feldwebel right now,” said Podkovin. – During the war, we are all equal. Everyone is responsible for their work.
Remembering the reprimand received by Osipov for Podkovin, Semenov became quiet, but his eyes remained evil.
The soldiers of the second battery almost did not see Manchuria. Their train followed more at night, while in the daytime it stood for long hours at minor stations and deaf journeys. This was done on purpose – away from the wine shops where vodka was sold for sixteen kopecks per bottle.
In Harbin, a military train was inspected by an inspector. The gunners were dressed in new uniforms, forced to tie the underbelly. There was a thaw. Podkovin tried to go to the city, look for the Willows, but the inspection review prevented him.
Chapter seven
one
The train stopped early in the morning at the small station Nanguin. As soon as the doors of the cars were opened, the gunners heard the command;
– Get up! Get ready for unloading!.. Arrived at the theater of operations.
The last words of the team spurred the soldiers. They rose as one. Everyone tried to look out of the car. All saw only the stone building of the station. On the platform stood one railroad attendant. It was quiet. Cool air burst into the cars. The sun illuminated the tops of the nearby mountains. Their gray, bare slopes struck the Siberians with their lifelessness: no forest, not even a bush. Desert terrain stretched around.
Podkovin, having heard the name of the station, said:
– From here, about two hours to Port Arthur and three quarters of an hour to the city of Far. Nangualine – junction station.
– And all he knows! – growled Semenov.
– How can I, uncle Semenov, not know if I was here last year?
The Gunners approached Podkovin to listen to his story about these places.
– What kind of theater is this war?! – disappointedly handed orlovets. – We are again at home, in our land. Kwantung, I heard, was rented by us from the Chinese for ninety-nine years.
2
During February, the Japanese squadron stayed close to Port Arthur, trying to paralyze the exits of our large ships from the harbor. Russian pursued failures. The mine transport “Yenisei” and the handsome cruiser “Boyar” died. Both ran into their mines and submerged ships. Heroically fought the destroyer “Steregushchy” – one against four Japanese destroyers and two cruisers. In an unequal battle, the Russian sailors put up courageous resistance. The destroyer “Imposing”, surrounded by Japanese cruisers, had to be thrown onto the stones.
Portartur depressed and waited for the Japanese landing near the fortress. Ground troops were transferred from one coast of the peninsula
