CHAPTER THREE
The enemy was attacking continuously, now in infantry, now in cavalry formations, and it was only owing to his colossal courage that Sidelnikov was managing to fight off one attack after another. He had already been lying prone in the trench for half an hour. His shoulders and legs got numb but he continued to return fire.
A new detachment was approaching. Of course, it was the Tartars again. In order to terrify Sidelnikov they shaved their heads clean, they were brandishing their colourful lashes and shouting ‘Hurrah!’ in Tartar. Their only aim was to capture Maria, to put her forcibly on a horse and take her to Khan Girei’s harem. There, in his harem, Khan Girei would be able to ogle in any way and even touch her beauty – again, by force. That is how it would have happen
