Translated by CJ Hogarth




CONTENTS

THE BIRTH OF A MAN
THE ICEBREAKER
GUBIN
NILUSHKA
THE CEMETERY
ON A RIVER STEAMER
A WOMAN
IN A MOUNTAIN DEFILE
KALININ
THE DEAD MAN




THE BIRTH OF A MAN

The year was the year '92-- the year of leanness--the scene a
spot between Sukhum and Otchenchiri, on the river Kodor, a spot
so near to the sea that amid the joyous babble of a sparkling
rivulet the ocean's deep-voiced thunder was plainly
distinguishable.

Also, the season being autumn, leaves of wild laurel were