A long time ago, in one of the cities of Dagestan there lived a famous bakharchi. The fame of his exploits resounded far beyond the country's borders. But in the city the most daring horsemen began to disappear one after another. There were no traces left - the man disappeared like a stream of dung smoke.
Many daredevils were alarmed - everyone was waiting for their turn. Our bakharchi was also worried in his heart, although his courage had been tested more than once.
One day, late at night, there was a loud knock on the gate of his house and someone’s voice was heard: “Come out!” Bakharchi wanted to go out, but his wife said:
- Who leaves the house half dressed? The horseman must come out in full readiness. I will saddle the horse, and in the meantime you dress and arm yourself.
Soon the bakharchi, fully armed, came out of the gate, leading a saddled horse. In the darkness he saw a horseman who motioned for him to follow him. Bakharchi obeyed.
They got out of the city and drove off in silence, with the stranger in front and the farmers behind him.
When they approached a castle, the stranger said:
- Stay near the horses and wait for me.
Bakharchi silently obeyed.
The stranger climbed over the wall and disappeared. Soon terrible screams and the ringing of sabers were heard from the palace. The horses rushed in different directions, but the bakharchi held them back, tearing off the skin on both hands. As soon as it became quiet outside the wall, the stranger returned, wiped off his saber and jumped into the saddle.
“One is ready,” he said thoughtfully and touched the reins.
Bakharchi followed him without saying a word.
So they drove up to two more castles, and each time everything was repeated. The stranger silently climbed over the wall, then terrible screams and saber ringing were heard. The stranger came out of the third castle, staggering, and with difficulty climbed onto his horse.
“It’s all over,” he said and turned back towards the city. When it began to get light, the horsemen reached the city. The stranger drove along the cemetery road, got down near a freshly dug grave, walked up to four gravestones standing nearby and took off his hat. Long golden hair spilled over her shoulders, and the bakharchi saw with amazement that it was a girl.
“Listen to me, horseman,” she began her story. “Until recently, I lived happily with my three brothers.” But on the night before my wedding, three sledges with servants treacherously attacked us and killed my brothers and my fiancé. I knew these Narts because they asked me to marry me several times, but were refused.
I had long been planning to take revenge on the vile sledges, but for this I needed a reliable assistant. I went to the most famous horsemen, but did not meet a worthy one. When I called, some came out without weapons, others without shirts, others just in their underwear. I realized that there was no real horseman left in the whole city. In anger, I killed these unworthy people, whose fame is like a ghost.
Finally my choice settled on you. And you came to my call with dignity. I don’t know whose merit this is: yours or your wife’s.
In the last castle, the servants of the younger Nart mortally wounded me. I ask you to fulfill my request, to bury me in this grave, next to my brothers.
- Don't say such words! - the bakharchi shouted. “I will call the best doctors, and you will live for a long time.” I will be your brother and my wife will be your sister.
“Even if I wasn’t wounded, I would still have to die.” Why live without your loved one and loved ones! - and the girl fell dead.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru