18
The Battue
In the morning, Shevchenko went with Kozlovsky to Meshkov’s home. The appearance of Shevchenko in the company of Kozlovsky surprised the major tremendously, and he ordered both of them to be called to his study.
“What is it you want to tell me?” he asked, coming out in a dressing gown to see them. “Why do you approach me, and not submit your report through proper channels?”
As he said this, he kept glancing at Shevchenko with undisguised curiosity.
“We’ve come here, your Excellency, not on private or the company’s’ business,” Shevchenko replied, standing stiff at attention. “Yesterday evening I was at the aul visiting Djantemir to listen to the singing of their akyn, and Djantemir asked me to pass on to your Excellency a request on his and the entire aul’s behalf that y
