inglisuridan Targmna vaxtang WeliZem,

ana ratianma

h e n r i r a i d e r h a g a r d i

s o l o m o n m e f i s s a g a n Z u r i

T a v i I

S e x v e d r a h e n r i k u r t i s T a n

ucnauri geCvenoT is ambavi, rom ager ormocdaTxuTmeti wlis kaci Seviqeni da kalams pirvelad axla movkide xeli. ar vici, ra saxes

miiRebs Cemi moTxroba da, saerTod, Semwevs Tu ara Zala, davasrulo igi. rodesac ganvlil cxovrebas gonebis TvaliT gavyureb, gaocebuli

vrCebi: mikvirs xolme, ramdeni ramis gakeTeba movaswar, ramdeni ram ganvicade da gadavitane. albaT Cemi sicocxlis gzac ase usasrulod grZeli mitom meCveneba, rom Zalian adre gavebi mZime uRelSi. im asakSi, roca patara biWunebi skolaSi siaruls iwyeben, me ukve vSromobdi: vyiddi wvrilman saqonels Zvel koloniaSi, Semdeg vnadirobdi, vvaWrobdi, vmuSaobdi maRaroSi da, ase gasinjeT, vibrZodi kidec. mxolod am rva Tvis winaT Seviqeni mdidari adamiani da amJamad didZal qonebas vflob, Tumca jerjerobiT kargad arc ki vici, ra maqvs da risi patroni var. miuxedavad amisa, arafriT aRar davTanxmdebodi gadametana is, rac am TxuTmet-Teqvsmet TveSi gadavitane, Tundac winaswar mcodnoda, yvelaferi ase SesaniSnavad dasruldeboda da ase zRaprulad gavmdidrdebodi.

me erTi mokrZalebuli, Tavmdabali kaci gaxlavarT, mZuls sisxli da Zalmomreoba da, gulwrfelad rom gamogitydeT, am faTerakebma da ucnaurma SemTxvevebma gvarianad momabezra Tavi.

ar vici, ratom daviwye am wignis wera, es xom Cemi saqme sulac ar aris! amasTan, arc ganaTlebul adamianad momaqvs Tavi, Tumca `Zvel aRTqmasa" da ingolZbis legendebs mudam didi siamovnebiT vkiTxulob.

asea Tu ise, Sevecdebi gagacnoT is mizezebi, ramac maiZula xeli momekida am mZime saqmisaTvis. jer erTi, xaTri veRar gavutexe ser henri kurtissa da kapitan guds, romelTac mTxoves amewera Cveni faTerakebiT aRsavse Tavgadasavali. meorec, amJamad Sin, durbanSi var da usaqmoba mklavs, radgan marcxena fexSi atexilma tkivilma kvlav sawols mimajaWva. es satkivari mtanjavs mas Semdeg, rac im wyeul loms gadaveyare. am cota xnis winaT ki Wriloba gamexsna da Cveulebrivze metad daviwye koWloba.

albaT lomis kbilebSi aris raRac Sxami, Torem ras unda mieweros is ambavi, rom savsebiT moSuSebuli Wriloba isev da isev ixsnis xolme

pirs? Tanac nu dagaviwydebaT, es xdeba yovelwliurad da mudam erTsa da imave dros.

Cems sicocxleSi samocdaxuTi lomi myavs mokluli. nadirobisas Tavze bewvic ki ar Semrxevia da gana sawyeni ar aris, rom iman, samocdameeqvsem, ase umowyalod damiRijna fexi? es arRvevs saqmis bunebriv msvlelobas; me ki, sxva sikeTesTan erTad, wesrigis moyvaruli kaci var da ar momwons es ambavi.

garda amisa, minda Cemma vaJiSvilma harim, romelic amJamad londonis erT-erT saavadmyofoSi praqtikaze imyofeba da male eqimi unda gaxdes, am moTxrobis kiTxvisas droebiT daiviwyos Tavisi saqmeebi da cotaTi mainc gaerTos.

sabralo biWs saavadmyofoSi muSaobiT albaT Tavi aqvs mobezrebuli da vfiqrob, maincdamainc arc gvamebis gakveTa aniWebs did siamovnebas... yovel SemTxvevaSi, haris es wigni mosawyeni ar moeCveneba da mis erTferovan cxovrebas oriode dRiT mainc gaaxalisebs. miT umetes, rom aq mraval saocar ambavs amoikiTxavs.

iqneb gagikvirdeT, am wignis furclebze, fulatas garda, arc erTi qali rom ar SegxvdebaT, Tumca, ras vambob, aris kidev gagula, magram axlac ar vici, qali iyo is Tu qaji. asea Tu ise, saTvalavSi Casagdebi ar aris, radgan sul cota, asi wlis mainc iqneboda da dameTanxmebiT, Tavisi qalobiT didad aravis daainteresebda.

magram xom ar aris dro, gaveba uRelSi da gavwio es mZime Wapani? aq, cota ar iyos, Zneli savalia da vSiSob, borblebianad WanWrobSi ar Cavefla. Tumca xarebi advilad amomaTreven iqidan. Zlier uRleuls es ar gauWirdeba, susti ki, rasakvirvelia, verafers gaawyobs. ase da amgvarad, viwyeb Txrobas!

`me, alan quotermeni, natalis provinciis qalaq durbanis mcxovrebi, jentlmeni, ficsa vdeb da vacxadeb, rom..." amgvarad daviwye Cvenebis micema sasamarTloSi xivasa da ventfogelis sabediswero daRupvis gamo, magram wignisTvis aseTi dasawyisi maincdamainc Sesaferisi ar unda iyos.

veWvob agreTve, SemiZlia Tu ara jentlmeni vuwodo Cems Tavs? saerTod, ras niSnavs sityva `jentlmeni"? am sakiTxSi jerjerobiT kargad ver gavrkveulvar. Cems cxovrebaSi ara erTsa da or nigerTan mqonia saqme... ara, ara, wavSli am sityvas, ar momwons igi. me vicnobdi zangebs, romlebic namdvili jentlmenebi iyvnen, amaSi Senc dameTanxmebi, hari, Cemo biWiko, roca bolomde CaikiTxav am wigns... vicnobdi agreTve Zalze borotsa da flid TeTrkanianebs, jentlmenobisa rom ara ecxoT ra, Tumca fuli Tavsayrelad hqondaT. yovel SemTxvevaSi, me jentlmenad var Sobili, miuxedavad imisa, rom erTi sawyali mewvrilmane da monadire gaxldiT. SemomrCa Tu ara cxovrebaSi jentlmenoba, es Tqven gansajeT, me verafers getyviT. ise ki, gamogitydebiT, Zalian didi survili mqonda jentlmeni vyofiliyavi.

Cems sicocxleSi bevri adamiani gamovasalme wuTisofels, magram umanko sisxliT xeli arasodes gamisvria. vklavdi mxolod maSin, roca iZulebuli viyavi, Tavi gadamerCina.

ufalma gviboZa sicocxle da gvibrZana, dagvecva igi. mec mudam am mrwamsiT vmoqmedebdi da imedi maqvs, roca Cemi gankiTxvis Jami dadgeba, ufali momitevebs.

vai rom qveyana borotebiT aris savse da es wynari adamiani iZulebuli Seviqeni blomad dameRvara sisxli. ar vici, sworad vmsjelob

Tu ara, magram naqurdaliT xeli arasodes momiTbia, Tumca odesRac, erT kafrs motyuebiT gamovacale xelidan Zroxebis jogi. marTalia, valSi arc is damrCenia da kargadac gamacura, magram sindisi mainc dRemde mqenjnis.

amrigad, ser henri kurtissa da kapitan guds daaxloebiT Tvrameti Tvis winaT Sevxvdi. es Semdegnairad moxda:

imxanad bamangvatos maxloblad spiloebze vnadirobdi, magram ratomRac xeli momecara, bolos saSinelma cieb-cxelebam damria xeli. odnav movikeTe Tu ara, maSinve almasis qviSrobisaken gavwie. aq gavyide spilos Zvlebi, furgoni, xarebi, angariSi gavuswore monadireebs da Cavjeqi safosto karetaSi, romelic kapSi midioda.

kapSi erTi kvira sastumroSi vcxovrobdi da, unda gamovtyde, sakmaod damicarieles jibe. saqme ara mqonda ra da, dro tyuilubralod rom ar damekarga, gadavwyvite dameTvalierebina qalaqis yvela RirsSesaniSnavi adgili. moviare botanikuri baRebi, romelTac, Cemi azriT, qveynisTvis didi sikeTe da sargebloba moaqvT, movinaxule parlamentis Senobac, romelsac aravisTvis araviTari sargebloba ar unda mohqondes. kviris sworze gadavwyvite `dankeldiT" natalSi davbrunebuliyavi. es gemi imxanad navsadgurSi idga da inglisidan `edinburg kastls" moeloda.

is iyo fuli gadavixade da gemze avedi, rom `edinburg kastlmac" moatana, natalSi mimavali mgzavrebi am gemidan `dankeldze" gadmosxdnen. mezRvaurebma Ruza auSves da Cven zRvaSi gavediT.

axal mgzavrebs Soris gembanze Cemi yuradReba orma kacma miipyro. erTi maTgani ase, ocdaaTiode wlis jentlmeni iqneboda. gamogitydebiT, aseTi mosuli da lamazi mamakaci manamde arsad Semxvedria.

mas qera Tma, sqeli wveri, saxis swori nakvTebi, Rrmad Camjdari nacrisferi Tvalebi hqonda da Tavisi garegnobiT ratomRac Zvel daniels momagonebda. es, rasakvirvelia, ar niSnavs imas, TiTqos danielebze bevri ram vicode. Cems cxovrebaSi mxolod erT daniels Sevxvdi da isic sakmaod gaiZvera aRmoCnda.

ho, kidev erTxel, didi xnis winaT vnaxe suraTi. tiloze ramdenime batoni iyo daxatuli, isini Zalze waagavdnen TeTrkanian zulusebs. xelSi yanwebi eWiraT, grZeli Tma ki zurgze CamoSlodaT. roca kibesTan Cvens axal mgzavrs vucqerodi, uneblieT gamielva fiqrma, am kacma Tma odnav rom moizardos, javSani Caicvas, xelSi sabrZolo najaxi da kaTxa daiWiros, Tavisuflad SeeZleba im suraTisTvis pozireba-meTqi.

sxvaTa Soris, Semdgom Sevityve, rom henri kurtisis ZarRvebSi (henri kurtisi is maRal-maRali jentlmeni gaxldaT) marTlac Cqefda daniuri sisxli. saocaria, rogor iCens xolme Tavs memkvidreoba! ho, kurtisi viRac Cems Zvel nacnobsac mivamsgavse, magram vis, veRar gavixsene.

sul sxva iyo meore mamakaci, ser henris rom esaubreboda. Sevxede Tu ara, imwamsve gavifiqre, sazRvao oficeri iqneba-meTqi. ar vici, ratom da sazRvaosno oficrebs Tvalis erTi SevlebiT icnobs xolme kaci. me ramdenjerme mqonda SemTxveva, menadira maTTan erTad da yovelTvis kmayofili vrCebodi. yvelani araCveulebrivad gabeduli, sasiamovno vaJkacebi iyvnen, rac ase iSviaTia Cvens droSi. mxolod erTi ram ar momwons maTi _ Zalian uyvarT uSveri sityvebi da lanZRva-gineba. Tu gagondebaT, am moTxrobis dasawyisSi vikiTxe, vin aris namdvili jentlmeni-meTqi? axla SemiZlia am kiTxvaze gipasuxoT. namdvili

jentlmeni britaneTis samefo flotis oficeri gaxlavT. Tumca, rasak-virvelia, gamonaklisi maT Sorisac aris. vfiqrob, zRvis ukidegano sivrce da msusxavi qarebi, romelTac TviT RmerTebis sunTqva moaqvT, wmenden da akrialeben maT gulebsa da grZnobebs yovelgvari sibilwisagan.

magram davubrundeT Cvens moTxrobas. me axlac marTali gamovdeqi. es kaci marTlac yofili sazRvao oficeri iyo. umwikvlod emsaxura misi udidebulesobis, britaneTis dedoflis flotSi Cvidmeti weli da sruliad moulodnelad, sakuTari survilis gareSe, kapitnis CiniT rezervSi CaericxaT. ai, ra moeliT adamianebs, romlebic dedoflis samsaxurSi imyofebian. rogorc ki codnasa da gamocdilebas daagroveben da maTi niWi, maTi unari srulad gaifurCqneba, Tavidan icileben, uspoben yovelgvar saarsebo wyaros da cxovrebis boboqar talRebSi moisvrian xolme. SesaZloa, isini urigdebian kidec aseT cxovrebas, magram me mirCevnia, lukmapuri nadirobiT viSovno. ra Tqma unda, fuli cota meqneba, magram, samagierod, damcirebasa da zedmet Witlayebs gadavurCebi.

kapitani jon gudi _ me misi saxeli da gvari mgzavrTa siaSi amovikiTxe _ ocdaaTiode wlis, Caskvnili, saSualo tanis SavTmiani da sakmaod originaluri garegnobis mamakaci iyo. Zalze faqizad da gemovnebiT ecva, wveri guldagul gaeparsa, Tvalze ki monokli edga. es monokli zed Sexorcebuli gegonebodaT, radgan uzonrod atarebda da mxolod maSin moixsnida xolme, roca gawmendas daapirebda. Cemi gulubryvilobiT megona, sawolSiac ase Zinavs-meTqi, magram mere davrwmundi, rom vcdebodi. Zilis win monokls, xelovnur kbilebTan erTad, Sarvlis jibeSi inaxavda. kbilebi ori wyvili hqonda, Tanac, ise ostaturad naxelavi, rom xSirad maviwydeboda meaTe mcneba, radgan sakuTariT maincdamainc kmayofili ar viyavi.

me mgonia, cota avCqardi. zRvaSi rom gavediT, male mosaRamovda, napiridan susxianma qarma

daqrola, cota wamowinwkla kidec. mgzavrebma kaiutebs Seafares Tavi da gembani male dacarielda. Cvens brtyelfskerian gems msubuqi tvirTi mihqonda, amitomac talRebi Tavis nebaze aTamaSebda. zogjer gvegona, sadac aris, gadavyiravdebiTo, magram, sabednierod, msgavsi araferi momxdara.

gembanze veRar gavZeli, dabla Cavedi da samanqano ganyofilebasTan davdeqi. aq Tbiloda. Tanac daxris sazoms Sevyurebdi da Tavs virTobdi. xelsawyos isari nel-nela moZraobda da gemis yovel daferdebaze daxris kuTxes uCvenebda.

_ esec daxris sazomia, raRa, mgoni, Semowmebulic ar aris! _ braziT Cailaparaka viRacam Cem gverdiT.

mivixede da swored is oficeri davinaxe, weRan gembanze Cemi yuradReba rom miipyro.

_ marTla? ratom fiqrobT ase? _ gavepasuxe. _ ratom fiqrobo? aq safiqrali ra aris? gemi rom marTla im

gradusamde gadaxriliyo, es xelsawyo rom uCvenebs, maSinve gadavyiravdebodiT; Tumca savaWro flotis kapitans sxva ra moeTxoveba, magaTze daudevari aravin minaxavs.

swored am dros gaisma gongis xma. mgzavrebs sadilad uxmobdnen. aman Zalze gamaxara, radgan autaneli mosasmenia, roca britaneTis flotis kapitani savaWro flotis kapitnis Semkobas iwyebs. amaze uaresi

mxolod erTi ram aris _ usmino, ra gulaxdilad TaTxavs savaWro flotis kapitani britaneTis flotis oficrebs.

me da kapitani gudi kaiut-kompaniaSi CavediT. ser henri kurtisi ukve sufras ujda. kapitani gudi gverdiT moujda, me ki maT pirdapir davikave adgili. me da kapitanma nadirobaze CamovagdeT saubari. igi kiTxvas kiTxvaze mayrida, me ki vcdilobdi, rac SeiZleba, amomwuravi pasuxi gameca. male spiloebzec CamovagdeT sityva.

_ bedi gqoniaT, ser, _ Tqva viRac ucnobma Cem gverdiT, _ quotermenze ukeTesad vis SeuZlia spiloebze rame giTxraT.

ser henri aqamde uxmod ismenda Cvens saubars. am sityvebze ki SesamCnevad SekrTa.

_ mapatieT, ser, Tqven alan quotermeni xom ar brZandebiT? _ boxi xmiT mkiTxa man.

_ gaxlavarT-meTqi, _ vupasuxe. `marTlac bedi mqonia", _ TavisTvis Cailaparaka ser henrim, CemTvis

ki aRaraferi uTqvams. nasadilevs kaiut-kompaniidan rom gamovdiodiT, ser henrim mTxova,

CemTan SemobrZandiT, Cibuxi gavaboloTo. kaiuta farTo da naTeli iyo. gembanze gadioda. igi ori kaiutisagan gadaekeTebinaT. odesRac erT-erT warCinebul frants `dankeldiT" zRvis sanapiros gaswvriv umogzauria, es kaiutac maSin misTvis mouwyviaT, tixari auRiaT da mere aRar aRudgeniaT. kaiutaSi farTo divanis win patara magida idga, ser henrim stiuards viski SeukveTa, Cven ki amasobaSi Cibuxebi gavaCaReT.

_ mister quotermen, _ Tqva ser henrim, roca stiuardma viski Semoitana da lampa aanTo, _ SarSanwin, daaxloebiT am dros, mgoni, transvaalis CrdiloeTiT, bamangvatoSi iyaviT, ara?

_ diax, diax, _ mivuge gaocebulma. gamikvirda, am ucxo adamianma saidan icis, sad viyavi da sad ara-meTqi.

_ Tqven iq vaWrobdiT? _ mkvircxlad SemekiTxa gudi. _ ho, saqonliT datvirTuli furgoni waviyvane, bamangvatoSi

gavCerdi da sanam yvelaferi ar mivyid-movyide, fexi ar movicvale. ser henri Cem pirdapir mownul savarZelSi ijda, idayvebiT magidas

dayrdnoboda, TvalCaciebiT micqerda da raRac ucnaurad aRelvebuli Canda.

_ SemTxveviT xom ar SexvedrixarT iq vinme nevils? _ mkiTxa man. _ rogor ara, nevilma Tavisi furgoni swored Cemi furgonis

gverdiT daayena. oriode kvira dahyo iq. undoda xarebi daesvenebina da isev ganegrZo gza. am ramdenime Tvis winaT viRac veqilis werilic miviRe, mTxovda, Tu iciT, macnobeT, nevili saiT gaemgzavrao; mec dauyovnebliv mivwere, rac vicodi.

_ diax, _ miTxra ser henrim, _ im veqilma gadmomigzavna Tqveni werili, sadac atyobinebdiT, jentlmeni, gvarad nevili, maisis pirvel ricxvebSi bamangvatodan furgoniT gaemgzavra, Tan kafri monadire jimi axldao. nevils undoda, ainaitamde, matabeles sul bolo dasaxlebamde misuliyo, iq furgoni gaeyida da gza fexiT ganegrZoo. iwerebodiT agreTve, nevils marTlac gauyidia Tavisi furgoni, radgan eqvsi Tvis Semdeg mas erTi portugalieli vaWari daatarebdao. portugaliels furgoni ainaitSi TeTrkanianisagan eyida. im kacis saxeli aRar axsovda, magram dabejiTebiT ambobda, isa da misi Savkaniani gamyoli sanadirod afrikis Suagulisken wavidneno.

_ sruli simarTlea, _ davudasture me. erTxans samiveni Cumad visxediT. _ mister quotermen, _ moulodnelad miTxra ser henrim _ Tqven,

rasakvirvelia, ar iciT da verc xvdebiT, ram aiZula Cemi... hm, diax... mister nevili CrdiloeTisken dasdgomoda gzas.

_ rogor ara, cota raRac vici, _ mivuge da gavCumdi, ar mindoda am sakiTxze laparaki.

ser henrim da gudma erTmaneTs gadaxedes, kapitanma mravalmniSvnelovnad daaqnia Tavi.

_ mister quotermen, _ ganagrZo ser henrim, _ minda raRac gagandoT da rCeva gkiTxoT, advili SesaZlebelia, Tqveni daxmarebac damWirdes. Cemma veqilma Tqveni werili gadmomca da miTxra: SegiZliaT mister quotermens savsebiT endoT, mas natalSi kargad icnoben, saerTo pativiscemiT sargeblobs, Tanac iseTi kacia, rom saidumlos arasodes gascemso.

me darcxveniT davukari Tavi da, uxerxuloba rom damefara, gazavebuli viski odnav movsvi.

_ mister quotermen, axla aRarafers dagimalavT, mister nevili Cemi Zmaa.

_ oh, _ wamoviZaxe me da uceb gamaxsenda, vis magonebda ser henri kurtisi. mister nevili ufro tanmorCili iyo, wveric Savi hqonda, magram Zmebi TvalebiT da saxis moyvanilobiT Zalian waagavdnen erTmaneTs.

_ mister nevili Cemi erTaderTi Zmaa, _ ganagrZo ser henrim, _ rac Tavi maxsovs, uerTmaneTod dRec ar gagvitarebia. am xuTiode wlis winaT ki didi ubedureba dagvatyda Tavs: samkvdro-sasicocxlod viCxubeT (es xSirad emarTebaT xolme Zalian daaxloebul adamianebs) da me mas sakmaod cudad moveqeci.

aq kapitanma gudma, TiTqos am sityvebis dadastureba surso, energiulad daaqnia Tavi. am dros Cveni gemi karga magrad daferdda, kedlis didi sarke zed Cems Tavze moeqca da sarkeSi gamoCnda kapitani, romelic gamalebiT akanturebda Tavs.

_ uTuod mogexsenebaT, _ ganagrZo ser henrim, _ rom didi britaneTis kanonebis mixedviT, Tu kaci mokvda ise, rom anderZis datoveba ver moaswro, da Tu mas ar gaaCnda sxva qoneba, garda miwisa, romelsac CvenSi uZrav sakuTrebas eZaxian, yvelaferi misi ufrosi Svilis xelSi gadadis. samwuxarod, mamaCveni swored maSin gardaicvala, rodesac me da Cemi Zma erTmaneTs vemdurodiT. kanonis mixedviT, mTeli adgil-mamulis mflobeli me Seviqeni, Cemi Zma ki ulukmapurod darCa, radgan arc fuli gaaCnda da arc raime profesia hqonda. rasakvirvelia, valdebuli viyavi mimeca misTvis wili, magram am droisTvis Cvens Soris mdgomareoba imdenad gamwvavda (am sityvebs Rrma oxvra mohyva), rom saamisod Tavi aRar Seviwuxe. ar ifiqroT, TiTqos msurda usamarTlod movpyrobodi, magram sul velodi, gauWirdeba da pirvelad TviTon Semirigdeba-meTqi. mapatieT, aseT wvrilmanebze rom gelaparakebiT, magram TqvenTvis amTaviTve yvelaferi naTeli unda iyos. xom asea, gud?

_ rasakvirvelia, _ miugo kapitanma, _ darwmunebuli var, mister quotermeni ar gagTqvamT.

_ eg TavisTavad igulisxmeba, _ vupasuxe me. _ unda giTxraT, Zalian vamayob imiT, rom saidumlos Senaxva mexerxeba.

_ hoda, _ ganagrZo ser henrim, _ im droisaTvis Cems Zmas bankSi ramdenime aseuli girvanqa sterlingi hqonda, es umniSvnelo Tanxa ise gamoitana, CemTvis araferi uTqvams, gvari gadaikeTa da giJuri ocnebiT, rom simdidres moixveWda, samxreT afrikisken gaemgzavra. yvelaferi es Semdgom Sevityve. samiode welma ganvlo, me ki masze araferi msmenia, werilebs vwerdi, magram, cxadia, ar Rebulobda. rac dro gadioda, miT ufro vwuxdi. maSinRa mivxvdi, mister quotermen, ras niSnavs sakuTari sisxli da xorci.

_ marTals brZanebT, _ mivuge me da Tvalwin Cemi hari damidga. _ Cemi qonebis naxevars mivcemdi, vinc metyvis, jorji cocxalia da

kargad ariso. RmerTo Cemo, nuTu aRarasodes SevxvdebiT erTmaneTs? _ me mgonia, didi imedi ar unda iqonioT, kurtis, _ nawyvet-nawyvetad

Tqva kapitanma da ser henris gadaxeda. _ diax, mister quotermen, wlebi gadioda, me ki sul ufro da ufro

mtanjavda fiqri imaze, cocxali iyo Tu ara jorji da Tu cocxali iyo, rogor damebrunebina Sin. daviwye Zebna, male Tqveni werilic miviRe, Sevityve, rom arc Tu ise didi xnis winaT kargad yofila da cota davmSviddi, magram dRemde masze sxva veraferi Sevityve. bolos da bolos, gadavwyvite, Camovsuliyavi da yvelaferi adgilze gamerkvia, kapitanma gudma ki imdeni sikeTe gamoiCina, rom Tan wamomyva.

_ mogexsenebaT, sxva saqme mainc araferi maqvs, _ Tqva kapitanma gudma, _ saadmiralos lordebma flotidan naxevar xelfasze gamomagdes, rom SimSiliT suli amomZromoda, axla ki, ser, iqneb dawvrilebiT gviTxraT, ra iciT, an ra gagigoniaT mister nevilze?

T a v i I I

l e g e n d a s o l o m o n m e f i s s a b a d o e b z e

Cibuxs TambaqoTi vtenidi da pasuxi karga xans davayovne. _ giTxraT Tu ara Cemma Zmam maSin, sad midioda, an ras apirebda? _

mouTmenlad mkiTxa ser henrim. _ miTxra, magram dRemde amaze sityva aravisTan damcdenia. mister

nevili meubneboda, solomon mefis sabadoebisken unda wavideo. _ solomon mefis sabadoebiskeno? mere da, saiT aris eg sabadoebi? _

erTbaSad wamoiyvira orivem. _ ra mogaxsenoT, mec gadmocemiT vici. marTalia, didi xnis winaT

damanaxes mTis mwvervalebi, romlis iqiTac TiTqos is sabadoebi mdebareobs, magram im mTebamde, mTel as ocdaaT milze gadaWimuli iyo udabno. ramdenadac vici, TeTrkanianTa Soris mxolod erTma SeZlo misi gadalaxva. magram iqneb sjobdes gagacnoT legenda solomon mefis sabadoebze? oRond sityva momeciT, rom uCemod arsad arafers ityviT. Tanaxma brZandebiT? me seriozuli safuZveli maqvs, mogmarToT aseTi TxovniT.

_ rasakvirvelia, rasakvirvelia! _ wamoiZaxa kapitanma gudma, ser henrim ki mxolod Tavi daaqnia.

_ albaT mogexsenebaT, _ daviwye me, _ rom spiloze monadireni uxeSi, tlanqi adamianebi arian da, garda yoveldRiuri wvrilmanebisa,

cxovrebaSi araferi ainteresebT. Tumca zogjer maT Sorisac SexvdebiT oriode kacs, romlebic didi gulmodginebiT kreben adgilobriv mkvidrTa Soris gadmocemebsa da legendebs da cdiloben odnav mainc axadon farda am saidumloebiT moculi qveynis istorias. pirvelad swored aseTi adamianisagan gavige legenda solomon mefis sabadoebze. mas Semdeg ager ocdaaTi weliwadi gavida. maSin spiloebze nadiroba is-is iyo daviwye da saamisod matabeles mxare avirCie. im kacis gvari ivensi iyo. sabralo momdevno weliwads daiRupa _ daWrilma kameCma imsxverpla. zambezis CanCqerTan daasaflaves. maxsovs, erT saRamos vuTxari, antilopebze nadirobisas saocar sabados wavawydi-meTqi, is adgili axla transvaalis lidenburgis raions ekuTvnis. axlaxan miTxres, oqrosmaZieblebma iq sabado aRmoaCineso, magram me didi xnis winaT vicodi misi arseboba. iq pitalo kldeSi gaWrilia farTo gza, romelic sabados SesasvlelSi, anu talanSi Cadis. am talanSi grova-grova yria oqrovani kvarci, Cans, igi dasamsxvrevad iyo gamzadebuli. yvelaferze etyoba, rom muSebi, vinc ar unda yofiliyvnen isini, iZulebulni gamxdaran saswrafod mietovebinaT iqauroba. Sesasvlelidan ociode nabijis daSorebiT, siRrmeSi ostaturad mopirkeTebuli farTo talani miemarTeba.

_ marTla? _ wamoiZaxa ivensma, _ me ki ufro gasaocar ambavs getyvi. erTxel afrikis SuagulSi Tavs wavadeqi qalaqis nangrevebs. Cemi azriT, es iyo ofori, dabadebaSi rom aris moxsenebuli. _ sxvaTa Soris, karga xnis Semdeg sxva, ufro gamocdilma da ganaTlebulma mkvlevarebma daadastures ivensis es mosazreba.

maxsovs, mojadoebuliviT vismendi da xarbad viWerdi mis yovel sityvas. mxiblavda Txroba uZveles civilizaciaze da im ganZeulze, iudevel da finikiel avantiuristebs afrikidan rom gahqondaT, roca qveyana kvlav barbarosul mdgomareobas daubrunda.

_ gagigoniaT rame suleimanis mTebze? _ mkiTxa uecrad ivensma, _ es mTebi maSukulumbves Crdilo-dasavleTiT mdebareobs.

me vupasuxe, araferi gamigia-meTqi. _ hoda, solomon mefis sabadoebi swored im mTebis gadaRma aris. me,

rasakvirvelia, almasis sabadoebs vgulisxmob. _ saidan iciT? _ SevekiTxe. _ rogor Tu saidan? gana suleimani damaxinjebuli `solomoni" ar

aris? garda amisa, monikas miwaze erTma moxucma izanuzim miTxra, im mTebis iqiT mcxovrebi xalxi zulusebis tomis STamomavalia, maT kilokavze laparakoben, magram ufro tanmaRalni da lamazebi ariano. winaT Turme maT Soris grZneulebic yofilan, grZneulebs misnoba TeTrkanianebisagan jer kidev maSin SeuTvisebiaT, `roca mTeli samyaro bneliT moculi yofila". maSin Turme icodnen, sad iyo is sabadoebi, brWyviala qvebs rom poulobdnen.

marTali rom mogaxsenoT, ivensis naambobi maSin sasacilod meCvena, Tumca damainteresa kia, radgan almasis qviSrobi im dros jer kidev ar iyo aRmoCenili. sabralo ivensi male im adgilebidan gamoemgzavra da daiRupa kidec. mTeli oci wlis ganmavlobaSi erTxelac ar gamxsenebia maSindeli Cveni saubari. magram swored oci wlis Semdeg _ es ki samkaod didi droa, radgan spiloebze nadiroba metad saSiSi xelobaa da monadireTa Soris iSviaTad Tu vinme cocxlobs amden xans _ bevri ram Sevityve suleimanis mTebsa da maT gadaRma mxareze. imxanad monikas miwis

iqiT, kraal sitandSi vcxovrobdi. unda mogaxsenoT, metad sazizRari adgilia, saWmeli araferia da arc cxoveli an frinvelia sadme, rom kacma cota mainc wainadiros. cieb-cxelebam Semomitia da Tavs saZaglad vgrZnobdi. swored am dros kraalSi erTi portugalieli movida. mas metisi msaxuri axlda. unda giTxraT, portugalielebs kargad vicnob, radgan xSirad Sevxvedrivar delagoaSi. dedamiwis zurgze ar moipoveba maTze ufro veragi da mzakvari xalxi. yvelam icis, rom isini TavianTi monebis sisxliTa da tanjva-wamebiT mdidrdebian. magram es adamiani arafriT ar hgavda Tavis Tanamemamuleebs da ufro zrdilobian espanels mogagonebdaT _ iseT espanels, wignebSi gmirebad rom gamohyavT xolme. es iyo maRal-maRali, gamxdari kaci, keTili, Savi Tvalebi da xuWuWi, WaRara ulvaSi hqonda.

Cven erTxans vimusaifeT, man damtvreuli inglisuri icoda, me ki cot-cota portugaliuri maxsovda. gamecno, xoze silvestri gaxlavar, delagoas yuresTan sakuTari miwis nakveTi maqvso. gamoTxovebisas Zvelebur yaidaze koxtad momixada qudi da miTxra:

_ naxvamdis, senior, Tuki odesme amqveynad isev SevxvdiT erTmaneTs, icodeT, maSin umdidresi adamiani viqnebi da Tqvenc ar dagiviwyebT.

am sityvebma cota gamamxiarula, Tumca Zalze misustebuli viyavi da sicilis Tavi ar mqonda. davinaxe, rom silvestri dasavleTisaken gaemarTa da gezi didi udabnosken aiRo. netav ras eZebs, ra darCenia iq, Wkuaze afrakad xom ar aris-meTqi? _ gavifiqre maSin.

gavida erTi kvira, nel-nela gamovjansaRdi. erT saRamos patara karvis win vijeqi (am karavs yvelgan Tan davatarebdi) da sacodavi, gaZvaltyavebuli Citis fexs vRrRnidi. es Citi erT zangs gavucvale qsovilSi, romelSic, sul ukanaskneli, oci aseTi Citi mainc mekuTvnoda.

fiqrmoreuli gavcqerodi wiTlad gavarvarebul mzes, ukidegano udabnoSi rom iZireboda. uecrad samasiode iardis daSorebiT, borcvze viRac kacs movkari Tvali. tansacmelze etyoboda, evropeli unda yofiliyo. jer moforTxavda, Semdeg wamodga, tortmaniT gaiara ramdenime iardi, mere daeca da isev wamoforTxda. mivxvdi, saqme kargad ar iyo da dasaxmareblad erT-erTi Cemi monadire gavagzavne. igi male dabrunda da, rogor ggoniaT, vin moiyvana?

_ rasakvirvelia, xoze silvestri iqneboda, _ wamoiZaxa kapitanma gudma.

_ diax, xoze silvestri gaxldaT, ufro sworad rom vTqvaT, kangadakruli misi ConCxi. cieb-cxelebisagan saxe baiasaviT gaxdomoda, sigamxdriT Tvalebi lamis budidan gadmocvenoda, yviTel kanqveS, romelic pergaments ufro waagavda, sacodavad amoCroda Zvlebi, Tma ki erTianad gaWaRaraveboda.

_ wyali, RvTis gulisaTvis, wyali! _ amoikvnesa man. damskdar-daxeTqili tuCebi Zlivs aamoZrava da CaSavebuli ena gamouCnda.

me rZegareuli wyali mivawode. erTbaSad uzarmazari ylupebiT dascala ori kvarti. metis micema SemeSinda. cota xnis Semdeg cieb-cxelebam Semoutia, daeca da bodva daiwyo. ras ar axsenebda: suleimanis mTebs, almasebs, udabnos... sabralo kaci karavSi Seviyvane da vcdilobdi, ramdenadac SemeZlo, tanjva Sememsubuqebina. rasakvirvelia, bevri araferi SemeZlo. CemTvis cxadi iyo, riT damTavrdeboda yvelaferi es.

ase, TerTmeti saaTisTvis avadmyofi odnav damSvidda, mec davweqi, vifiqre, cota davisveneb-meTqi, magram CamZineboda. alionze gamomeRviZa,

bindbundSi Cems stumars movkari Tvali. gamxdar-daleuli, qveSagebze wamomjdariyo da udabnos gascqeroda. uecrad mzis pirvelma sxivma Cvens win gadaSlili farTo veli gaanaTa, mere Cvengan aseuli miliT daSorebuli suleimanis mTebis yvelaze maRali mwvervali moZebna da zed gasrialda.

_ aha, ai, isic! _ wamoiZaxa momakvdavma portugaliurad da grZeli, Zvaltyavad qceuli xeli gaiwvdina, _ magram me verasodes, verasodes veRar mivaRwev iqamde, verc sxva vinme miva, vera! _ uecrad dadumda, TiTqos raRac unda moifiqroso. _ megobaro, _ miTxra mere da Cemken Semobrunda, _ aqa xarT? TvalT damibnelda, veRarafers vxedav.

_ nu geSiniaT, Tqven gverdiTa var, _ vuTxari. _ axla daweqiT da daisveneT.

_ dasasveneblad dro merec meyofa, _ momigo sabralom, _ male, sul male samudamod davisveneb... vkvdebi... Tqven adamianurad momepyariT. minda gadmogceT erTi dokumenti. iqneb Tqven mainc gagiRimoT bedma da mixvideT iqamde, Tu gauZlebT udabnoSi mgzavrobas. udabnom, udabnom damRupa meca da sabralo Cemi msaxuric.

Tqva es, ubeSi xeli Caiyo da amoiRo raRac nivTi, romelic antilopas tyavisagan gakeTebul Tambaqos qisas mivamsgavse _ iseT qisas, burebs rom aqvT xolme. igi magrad iyo Sekruli tyavis TasmiT, romelsac Cven `rimpis" veZaxiT. momakvdavi Seecada Tasma gaexsna, magram Zala ar eyo. maSin is nivTi me gamomiwoda da mTxova, gamixsenio. umal Sevagebe xeli, gavxseni da dafleTili, gayviTlebuli tilos naWeri amoviRe; tiloze Jangisferi asoebiT raRac ewera, Sig ki qaRaldi iyo gaxveuli.

xoze silvestrs Zalam umtyuna, igi odnavRa CurCulebda: _ mag qaRaldze is weria, rac tiloze iyo dawerili, am ambebis

garkvevasa da dazustebas mravali weli movandome. mismineT! Cemi winapari, lisaboneli politikuri emigranti, erT-erTi pirvelTagani gadmovida am napirze Tavis TanamemamuleebTan erTad. es dokumenti ki dawera sikvdilis win, ai, im mTebSi, sadac arc manamde, arc Semdeg TeTrkanians fexi ar daudgams. es Cemi winapari xoze da silvestra iyo da zustad samasi wliT winaT cxovrobda. monas, romelic mTebis gadmoRma eloda, epovna misi gvami da es werili SinaurebisaTvis moetana. werili ojaxSi inaxeboda, magram misi wakiTxva arasodes aravis ucdia, vidre bolos me ar davinteresdi. aman Seiwira Cemi sicocxle, axla SeiZleba vinme sxvas gamoadges da umdidresi kaci gaxados. oRond am qaRalds xelSi nurvis CaugdebT. Tqven TviTon scadeT bedi.

amis Semdeg kvlav bodva daawyebina da erT saaTSi gaTavda kidec. RmerTma sasufeveli daumkvidros mis suls! mSvidad mokvda. rac SemeZlo, Rrmad gavuTxare samare da zed didi qvebi davawyve, imedi maqvs, turebi mis gvams ver amoTxridnen. mere ki im kraalidan mec wamovedi.

_ im dokuments ra bedi ewia? _ mkiTxa ser henrim, romelic didi gulisyuriT mismenda.

_ diax, diax, ra ewera im dokumentSi? _ daumata kapitanma gudmac. _ kargiT, batonebo, raki gainteresebT, amasac getyviT. es saidumlo

jer aravisTvis gamimxelia, RviniT gamtyvral beber portugaliel vaWars ki, romelmac maSin is dokumenti miTargmna, meore dResve aRar axsovda misi Sinaarsi. is tilo, sabralo don xozes TargmanTan erTad, durbanSi maqvs. magram ubis wignakSi maSinve Caviwere inglisuri Targmani, rukac

gadavixate, Tuki SeiZleba mas, saerTod, ruka uwodos kacma. ai, is Canaweric, maS mismineT:

`me, xoze da silvestra, SimSilisagan Ronemixdili vkvdebi patara mRvimeSi, samxreTiT mdebare Tovliani mTis mwvervalze, ufro sworad, mis Crdilo kalTaze. es aris erT-erTi mTa, im ors Soris, romelTac me dedofal sabias mkerdi vuwode. amas vwer sakuTari sisxliT, 590 wels, Cemi tansacmlis nafleTze. kalmad Zvlis natexs vxmarob. Tu Cemma monam aq amoaRwia, es werili ipova da delagoas moitana, Cemma megobarma (saxeli gaurkvevelia) acnobos mefes, rac aq weria, raTa man laSqari gamogzavnos. Tu laSqari moaxerxebs udabnosa da mTebis gadalaxvas, daamarcxebs mxne kukuanelebsa da maT wyeul jados gastexs, risTvisac Tan mRvdelmsaxurni unda iaxlon, maSin Cveni mefe solomonis Semdeg amqveynad umdidresi gvirgvinosani Seiqneba.

me sakuTari TvaliT vnaxe auracxeli almasi da Zvirfasi Tvlebi solomonis saganZurSi, `TeTri sikvdilis" ukan, magram misnebze monadire gagulas muxanaTobis gamo, bewvze gadavurCi sikvdils da veraferi wamoviRe. is, vinc wamosvlas daapirebs, daadges rukaze aRniSnul gzas, ahyves Tovls dedofal sabias marcxena ZuZuze, vidre mwvervals ar miaRwevs... mwvervalis CrdiloeTiT iwyeba solomon mefis didi gza, aqedan ki kukuanelTa samefo sami dRis savalzea. gagula unda moklaT. iloceT Cemi sulisaTvis. mSvidobiT. xoze da silvestra".

roca kiTxva davasrule da Cems msmenelebs portugalielis uRono xeliTa da misive sakuTari sisxliT daxatuli rukis asli davanaxe, kaiutaSi siCumem daisadgura.

kurtisi da kapitani gudi gaognebulebi Semomcqerodnen. _ diax, _ daarRvia bolos dumili kapitanma gudma, _ me orjer

Semovuare dedamiwas da TiTqmis yvela kuTxe movlili maqvs, magram miwa gamiskdes, Tu amgvari ram odesme gamegonos, an sadme wamekiTxos.

_ diax, metad ucnauri ambavia, mister quotermen, _ Tqva Tavis mxriv ser henrim, _ imedi unda viqonioT, abuCad ar gvigdebT. gamigia, axalbedebTan aseTi ram dasaSvebiao.

_ Tu ase fiqrobT, jobia axlave davaneboT yvelafers Tavi, _ vuTxari Zalze gabrazebulma, qaRaldi jibeSi Cavide da wamovdeqi. _ ar miyvars, roca makuTvneben im vigindaraTa ricxvs, romelTac maxvilgonierebad miaCniaT tyuilebis cxoba da CamosulTa winaSe gamudmebuli trabaxi, nadirobisas esa da es SememTxvao.

ser henri Seecada davemSvidebine da Tavisi didi xeli mxarze damado.

_ dabrZandiT, dabrZandiT, mister quotermen, _ Tqva man, _ mapatieT, vici, gulSic ar gagivliaT Cveni motyueba, magram Tqveni naambobi imdenad araCveulebrivi iyo, rom Zalauneburad eWvi Semepara.

_ durbanSi rom CavalT, namdvil rukas da dokuments giCvenebT, _ vuTxari ramdenadme damSvidebulma, radgan, cota rom davfiqrdi, mivxvdi, ser henri savsebiT marTali iyo. _ Tqvens Zmaze jer araferi miTqvams. me vicnobdi jims, mis msaxurs. Zalian Wkviani da kargi monadire iyo. swored im diliT, roca mister nevili gasamgzavreblad emzadeboda, jimi Cems furgonTan idga da CibuxisTvis Tambaqos Wrida.

_ jim, spiloebze sanadirod xom ar midixarT? _ vkiTxe. _ ara, baas, spilos Zvlebi raa, Cven ufro Zvirfasi ram

gvainteresebs.

_ ufro Zvirfasio? maS oqros saZebnelad midixarT? _ ara, ara, baas, is, rasac Cven veZebT, oqroze Zvirfasia, _ Caicina

jimma. aRaraferi vkiTxe, rom zedmet cnobismoyvareobas mis TvalSi ar

davemcirebine, magram, marTali giTxraT, Zalian davinteresdi. _ baas, _ miTxra uecrad jimma da Tambaqos daWras Tavi mianeba. me waviyrue, viTomc ar gamigonia. _ baas, _ ganmeorebiT mommarTa man. _ hm, ra ginda, megobaro? _ baas, Cven almasebis saZebrad mivdivarT. _ almasebis saZebrad? maS, swor gzas ar adgaxarT, qviSrobisken

unda wasuliyaviT. _ baas, ar gagigia rame suleimanis mTebze? _ ho. _ ar gagigia, iq almasebi ariso? _ ho, raRac magis msgavss xSirad Cmaxaven, jim. _ es moCmaxuli ambavi ar aris, baas, me vicnobdi erT qals, iqidan

gamoqceuliyo da Tavis patara vaJTan erTad natalamde moeRwia. yvelaferi Tavisi piriT miambo. axla is qali ukve mkvdaria.

_ Seni batoni mtacebeli frinvelebis lukma gaxdeba, jim, Tu am ugunur ganzraxvaze xeli ar aiRo. arc Sen dagadgeba kargi dRe, Tumca eg Seni gadamRrZvali, gamxdar-gafSekili ConCxi vis ra xeirs daayris.

_ marTali xar, baas, _ Caicina jimma, _ magram adamiani bolos da bolos mainc unda mokvdes, me ki Zalian minda bedi vcado. amasTan, aq male spiloebs sul amowyveten.

_ kargi, kargi, moicade, vidre yviciani angelozi ar gwvdeba mag CayviTlebul yelSi, mere naxe, ra simRerebs daamRereb, _ vuTxari me.

naxevari saaTis Semdeg nevilis furgoni gzas daadga. uecrad jimi Semobrunda da Cemken gamoiqca.

_ mismine, baas, minda dagemSvidobo, Sen marTali xar, Cven veRarasodes davbrundebiT.

_ jim, Seni batoni marTla suleimanis mTebisken apirebs wasvlas Tu weRan tyuili miTxari?

_ tyuils rad getyodi? Cemma batonma Tqva, radac ar unda damijdes, unda gavmdidrdeo; hoda, almasebi saamisod ar gamodgeba?

_ erTi wuTi damicade, jim, Sens batonTan werils gagatan, magram piroba unda momce, rom am werils mxolod ainaitSi gadascem (ainaiti Cvengan asiode miliT iyo daSorebuli).

_ keTili, baas, _ mipasuxa jimma. me qaRaldis nagleji aviRe da zed davwere: `is, vinc iq wasvlas

daapirebs, daadges rukaze aRniSnul gzas, ahyves Tovls dedofal sabias marcxena ZuZuze, vidre mwvervals ar miaRwevs. mwvervalis CrdiloeTiT iwyeba solomon mefis didi gza".

_ maS, ase, jim, es werili Sens batons gadaeci da uTxari, zustad mihyves im gzas. qaRaldi axla ar misce, Torem mobrundeba da SekiTxvebiT amomaxrCobs, me ki pasuxis Tavi ara maqvs. axla ki gaswi, zarmaco, xedav, Tqveni furgoni aRarc ki Cans.

jimma werils xeli daavlo da furgons ukan gamoudga. amis Semdeg mister nevilze aRaraferi gamigia, ser, magram Zalian vSiSob, rom...

_ mister quotermen, _ gamawyvetina sityva ser henrim, _ me mivyvebi im gzas suleimanis mTebamde da, Tu saWiro iqna, ufro Sorsac waval. ar movisveneb, sanam ar vipovi jorjs, an sanam ar gavigeb, rom namdvilad daiRupa. xom ar wamoxvalT CemTan erTad?

mgoni ukve mogaxseneT, Zalze frTxili, Cumi da mokrZalebuli kaci var-meTqi, amitom iyo, rom am winadadebam Zalze gamaoca da SemaSfoTa kidec. es xom ueWvel sikvdils niSnavda! garda amisa, sxva rom aRaraferi vTqva, movale viyavi Svils davxmarebodi da ufleba ar mqonda, ase naadrevad gamewira Tavi.

_ gmadlobT, ser, magram mijobs, uari mogaxsenoT, sakmaod movxucdi imisTvis, rom msgavs giJur saqmeebSi miviRo monawileoba. eWvi ar mepareba, Cvenc Cemi sabralo megobris silvestris bedi mogvelis. amasTan, vaJis patroni var, mas jer kidev esaWiroeba Cemi daxmareba, amitom ufleba ara maqvs, Tavi safrTxeSi Cavigdo.

etyoboda, Cemma pasuxma ser henri da kapitani gudi Zalian gaanawyena. _ mister quotermen, _ miTxra ser henrim, _ me mdidari kaci var da

Cems ganzraxvaze ase advilad xels ar aviReb, Tuki CvenTan wamoxvalT, gasamrjelod rac gindaT mTxoveT. am Tanxas Cvens gamgzavrebamde miiRebT. amasTan, winaswar miviRebT zomebs, rom Tqveni vaJi yovelmxriv iqnes uzrunvelyofili im SemTxvevaSi, Tu am mogzaurobidan veRar davbrundiT. albaT Cemi naTqvamidan mixvdebiT, ramdenad saWirod mimaCnia Tqveni monawileoba am eqspediciaSi. Tu suleimanis sabados mivaRwieT da almasebis povna movaxerxeT, Tqven da gudi maT Suaze gaiyofT, me maT ar vsaWiroeb. Tanac gzaSi spiloebze wavinadirebT da spilos Zvalsac aseve Tanabrad gainawilebT. SegiZliaT warmoadignoT Tqveni pirobebi, mister quotermen. garda amisa, minda icodeT, rom yovelgvar xarjebs me vkisrulob.

_ ser henri, _ vuTxari pasuxad, _ aseTi sarfiani saqme CemTvis jer aravis SemouTavazebia. Raribma monadirem yvelaferi kargad unda awon-dawonos, amisTvis ki droa saWiro. yovel SemTxvevaSi, pasuxs durbanSi Casvlamde mogaxsenebT.

_ Zalian kargi, _ momigo ser henrim. amis Semdeg orives Rame nebisa vusurve da wamovedi. im RamiT sizmarSi sul sabralo silvestrsa da almasebs vxedavdi.

T a v i I I I

a m b o p a C v e n i m s a x u r i

x d e b a keiptaunidan durbanamde zRviT mgzavrobas oTxi-xuTi dRe sWirdeba:

es damokidebulia amindze da gemis svlaze. ist-londonSi mSenebloba ar damTavrebula, miuxedavad imisa, rom iq uamravi fulia Cayrili. amitomac, nacvlad imisa, rom kargad mowyobil portSi Sevides, _ amaze laparakiT xom didi xania yurebi gamogviWedes _ gemi iZulebulia napiridan karga moSorebiT CauSvas Ruza. Tu zRva Relavs, maSin mTeli dRe da Rame unda elodo, rom napiridan sabuqsiro navebma moaRwion. sabednierod, Cven cda ar dagvWirvebia. ist-londons rom mivuaxlovdiT, zRva odnav Relavda. napiridan umalve gamogzavnes buqsirebi, romelTac

mwkrivad mohyavdaT uSnod gamoCorknili brtyelZira navebi. Cveni gemidan gametebiT isrodnen navebSi fuTebs, arc ki dagidevdnen, ra iyo Sig: matyli, mina Tu faifuri. gembanze videqi da davinaxe, rogor daimsxvra yuTi, romelSic oTxi duJini Sampanuris boTli iyo. boTlebidan SadrevaniviT gadmoCqefa Rvinom da binZuri navis fskers qafad moedo. guli damwyda, es Zvirfasi sasmeli ase tyuilubralod rom ikargeboda.

albaT kafr mtvirTavebsac sinanuli amoZravebdaT, namsxvrevebidan xelad amoacoces SemTxveviT gadarCenili ori boTli, yeli waamtvries da ukanasknel wveTamde dacales. Rvino imwamsve TavSi auvardaT da karga magra SezarxoSdnen. amas ki aRar elodnen, Tavzardacemulebi navis fskerze dafofxavdnen da gahyvirodnen, es saucxoo sasmeli `tagati", ese igi, mojadoebuliao. me davumowme, saSineli sawamlavi dalieT da axla yvelani saTiTaod daixocebiT-meTqi. kafrebi SiSisagan mTlad gadairivnen, niCbebs ecnen da navi napirisken gaaqroles. darwmunebuli var, Sampanurs Tavis sicocxleSi aRar gaekarebian.

Cveni saubris Semdeg sul kurtisis winadadebaze vfiqrobdi. pirvel or dRes am sakiTxs aRar SevxebivarT, Tumca sul erTad viyaviT. me vuyvebodi ser henrisa da guds sxvadasxva ambebs, nadirobisas Tavs rom gadamxdenoda, amasTan, arafers vTxzavdi da arc vazviadebdi, rogorc es saerTod monadireebs sCveviaT. anki raSi gvWirdeba Cven, afrikel monadireebs, tyuilebis cxoba, gana satrabaxod is ar kmara, rac Tavs gadagvxdenia?

bolos, ianvris erT mSvenier dRes _ ianvari xom CvenSi yvelaze cxeli Tvea _ Cveni gemi natals miuaxlovda da mis Tvalwarmtac napirebs gauyva. vfiqrobdiT, mzis Casvlamde durbanis koncxisTvis Semogvevlo. es napiri xom yvelas ajadovebs qviSis wiTeli gorakebiT, usasrulo zurmuxtisferi sivrciT da am sivrceSi, am simwvaneSi aqa-iq miyuJuli kraalebiT. talRebi zedized exeTqeba napirTan wamoyudebul kldeebs, yalyze Semdgari imsxvreva, ukuecema da aCens qaTqaTa qafs, zolebad rom gasdevs napirs. magram gansakuTrebiT lamazia buneba TviT durbanTan. saukuneTa ganmavlobaSi wvimasa da RvarTqafs borcvebi Rrma xeobebiT dauseravT. am xeobebSi moSxuian mdinareebi, romelTac mze TvalismomWrelad alaplapebs; ayril-atexil bardebsa da buCqnars Soris, romelic isea dargul-gaxarebuli, rogorc es TviT ufals unebebia, aqa-iq moCans puris xis Walakebi da Saqris lerwmis plantaciebi. am mwvane walkotSi uecrad gamokrTeba xolme TeTri saxli, TiTqos mis win uSfoTvelad garTxmul zRvas uRimiso, da misi gamoCena raRac gansakuTrebul dasrulebul iers aZlevs irgvliv yvelafers.

Cemi azriT, ragind Tvalwarmtaci ar unda iyos buneba, adamiani mas kidev ufro mimzidvels xdis. iqneb ase mitom meCveneba, rom Zalian didxans momixda cxovreba velur, ukacriel adgilebSi da amis gamo ufro vafaseb civilizacias, miuxedavad imisa, rom igi spobs da sdevnis frinvelsa da cxovels. edemis baRi, ueWvelia, warmtaci iyo adamianis gaCenamdec, magram ufro warmtaci gaxda mas Semdeg, rac mis bilikebze eva gamoCnda.

Tumca davubrundeT ambavs! Cven, cota ar iyos, angariSSi movtyuvdiT. mze didi xnis Casuli ar iyo, roca Ruza durbanis koSkis maxloblad CavuSviT. gaisma zarbaznis griali, durbanis mcxovreblebs atyobinebdnen, inglisidan fosta movidao.

rakiRa davigvianeT da napirze gadasvla aRar SeiZleboda, gembanze avediT da vucqerodiT, rogor datvirTes maSveli navi fostiT, mere ki sasadilod wavediT.

roca amovbrundiT, mTvare ukve amosuli dagvxvda, mis Suqs zRva da xmeleTi gaeCaxCaxebina.

niavs napiridan sasiamovno motkbo-mocxaro surneli mohqonda. es surneli ratomRac saeklesio sagaloblebsa da misionerebs magonebs. sanapiroze saxlebi ganaTebuli iyo. uzarmazari xomaldidan, Cven gverdiT rom idga, musika da simRera ismoda. mezRvaurebi Ruzas xsnidnen da zRvaSi gasasvlelad emzadebodnen. saucxoo, wynari Rame iyo, erTi im RameTagani, romelic mxolod samxreT afrikaSi icis. mTvare Tavis vercxlis saburvelSi xvevda mTel bunebas.

simSvide mohfenoda dedamiwas. im siwynarisa da simSvidis gavleniT uzarmazar buldogsac ki daviwyeboda Tavisi survili _ waCxubeboda maimuns, gembanze, galiaSi rom ijda. ZaRli kaiutis karTan gaSotiliyo da tkbilad xvrinavda.

Cven samni _ ser henri kurtisi, kapitani gudi da me _ saWevarTan davsxediT.

_ mister quotermen, _ mkiTxa henrim cota xnis siCumis Semdeg, _ ra pasuxs maZlevT Cems Txovnaze?

_ diax, diax, _ sityva SeaSvela kapitanma gudma, _ ra gadawyviteT? imedi maqvs, monawileobas miiRebT Cvens eqspediciaSi. Cven bednierad CavTvliT Tavs, Tu dagvTanxmdebiT, wamogvyveT ara marto suleimanis mTebis gadaRma, aramed, saerTod, yvelgan, sadac SeiZleba imyofebodes jentlmeni, romelsac Cven veZebT.

uxmod wamovdeqi, gemis qimTan mivedi da Cibuxi gamovbertye. ar vicodi, ra pasuxi gameca, sul cota, erTi wuTi mainc mWirdeboda, rom davfiqrebuliyavi da sabolood gadamewyvita rame. bnelSi Tambaqos ferflma gaicimcima da imave wams gadawyvetilebac miviRe.

cxovrebaSi xSirad xdeba ase: adamiani wvalobs, yoymanobs, ar icis, ra gzas daadges da bolos, erT wamSi gadawyvets xolme yvelafers.

_ kargi, batonebo, _ vTqvi da Cems adgilze davjeqi, _ mec TqvenTan erTad movdivar. axla ki neba miboZeT, mogaxsenoT, ratom da ra pirobebSi vRebulob Tqvens winadadebas.

pirveli: garda imisa, rom gzis xarjebi Tqven gekisrebaT, spilos Zvali da sxva faseuloba, rasac gzaSi viSoviT, me da kapitanma gudma Suaze unda gaviyoT.

meore: garda amisa, vidre gavemgzavrebodeT, xuTas girvanqa sterlings gadamixdiT, me ki valdebulebas vkisrulob, patiosnad gemsaxuroT manamde, vidre es TqvenTvis saWiro iqneba, an vidre mizans ar mivaRwevT, ukidures SemTxvevaSi, vidre ar daviRupebiT.

mesame: sanam suleimanis mTebisken gavemgzavrebodeT, unda gavaformoT xelSekruleba, romlis mixedviT Cemi daRupvis, an mZimed daSavebis SemTxvevaSi valdebuli iqnebiT Cems vaJs, haris, romelic londonis universitetSi medicinas eufleba, xuTi wlis ganmavlobaSi aZlioT garkveuli Tanxa _ wliurad oras-orasi girvanqa sterlingi. xuTi wlis Semdeg ki igi fexze dadgeba da sakuTari Tavis rCenas SeZlebs, Tu rasakvirvelia, misgan saerTod rame gamovida. ai, Cemi pirobebi. xom ar fiqrobT, rom gadavaWarbe?

_ ara, ara, _ aCqarebiT momigo ser henrim, _ siamovnebiT geTanxmebiT. gadawyvetili maqvs, movZebno Cemi Zma da, rac ar unda damemarTos, am ganzraxvaze xels ar aviReb. vici, rom gamocdili da saqmeSi Caxeduli kaci brZandebiT da mzada var ufro metic gadagixadoT.

_ raki asea, Zalian vwuxvar, rom ver movisazre meti meTxova, magram rac aris, aris, Cemi sityva ukan arasodes wamiRia. axla ki getyviT, ram maiZula TqvenTan erTad wamovsuliyavi: upirveles yovlisa, mTeli am xnis ganmavlobaSi Tvalyurs gadevnebdiT, da kadnierebad nu CamomarTmevT, Tu getyviT, rom Zalian momewoneT. eWvi ar mepareba, Cven saucxood gavwevT uRels, amas ki didi mniSvneloba aqvs, roca kacs win aseTi Sori gza udevs. rac Seexeba suleimanis mTebis gadalaxvas, Rrmad darwmunebuli var, rom iqidan cocxlebi veRar davbrundebiT. ra bedi ewia moxuc silvestras sami saukunis winaT? ra bedi ewia mis STamomavals am oci wlis win? ra bedi ewia Tqvens Zmas? ver damarwmunebT, rom Cvenc igive ar gvelis.

vTqvi esa da SevCerdi. mindoda menaxa, ra STabeWdileba moaxdina Cemma sityvebma. kapitani gudi odnav SemkrTali meCvena, ser henris ki saxeze ZarRvic ar SekrTomia.

_ rac unda iyos, mainc unda vcado bedi, _ mSvidad momigo man. _ SesaZloa ucnauri geCvenoT, _ ganvagrZe me, _ rom es frTxili da

gaubedavi kaci, imis Semdeg, rac axla vTqvi, wamosvlaze uars ar geubnebiT, magram saamisod ori mizezi arsebobs: jer erTi, saocari fatalisti var da Rrmad mwams, rom Cemi sikvdilis dRe da saaTi winaswar gansazRvrulia, da Tu bediT suleimanis mTebSi wasvla da iq daRupva miweria, rac unda movimoqmedo, amas ver avcdebi. RmerTs yovelive ukeT moexseneba, amitom amaze fiqriT Tavs ar Seviwuxeb. meore: me erTi Raribi kaci var da, miuxedavad imisa, rom ormoci weli nadirobaSi gavatare, Savi dRisaTvis mcireodeni Tanxac ki ver gadavinaxe. is ki ara, Tavi ZlivZlivobiT gamqonda. batonebo, Tqven, rasakvirvelia, iciT, ra saxifaTo da saZnelo saqmea spiloze nadiroba. adamianebi, romlebic amiT cxovroben, saSualod oTx-xuT weliwadSi iRupebian. me ki es vada TiTqmis Svidjer gavadide, axla ki albaT Cemi aRsasrulic moaxloebulia. Tu nadirobisas daviRupe, Cems Svils, haris, valebis gastumrebis Semdeg saarsebo wyaro aRar darCeba, da maSasadame, veRarc swavlas ganagrZobs. TqvenTan rom wamovide, maSin igi xuTi weliwadi uzrunvelyofili iqneba da saSualeba miecema, fexze dadges. ai, mokled Cemi Sexeduleba am sakiTxze.

_ mister quotermen, _ miTxra ser henrim, romelic didi yuradRebiT mismenda, _ Tqven eWvi geparebaT eqspediciis warmatebaSi da fiqrobT, yvelaferi cudad damTavrdebao. marTali xarT Tu ara, amas dro gviCvenebs, piradad me ki, rac unda moxdes, gadawyvetili maqvs, saqme bolomde miviyvano. Tu maincdamainc daRupva gviweria, imedi maqvs, sikvdilis win cotas mainc wavinadirebT. Tqven ras ityviT, gud?

_ rasakvirvelia, _ daumowma kapitanma, _ Cven samiveni SeCveuli varT, sikvdils TvalebSi vucqiroT, amitomac Tavsac kargad davicavT. Cemi azriT, ukan daxeva ar Rirs. axla ki, megobrebo, kaiut-kompaniaSi CavideT da erTmaneTs gza davulocoT.

meore dRes napirze gadavediT. me SevTavaze ser henris da kapitan guds Cems patara saxlSi dasaxlebuliyvnen. saxli sanapiroze dgas, samoTaxiania, aqvs samzareuloc. gamouwvavi agurisagan aris nagebi,

saxuravi ki moTuTiebuli rkinisa aqvs. TavisTavad didi araferia, samagierod, saucxoo baRi akravs. ra ar xarobs iq: iaponuri zRmartli da mangos xeebi, romlebic wels did mosavals momcemen. es xeebi botanikuri baRis direqtorma maCuqa. mebaReoba jeks davakisre. jeki Cemi yofili monadirea, sikukunisis mxareSi gareulma kameCma fexi barZaySi gadaumtvria. sabralo kaci dasaxiCrda da iZulebuli Seiqna, nadirobaze samudamod aeRo xeli. axla nel-nela daxanxalobs da, asea Tu ise, baRs uvlis. jeki zulusi ar gegonoT, grikvas mSvidobian toms ekuTvnis. zuluss veravin aiZulebs, mebaReobas mohkidos xeli. amgvar Sromas igi guls ver daudebs.

radgan saxlSi siviwrove iyo, ser henrisa da guds karavSi eZinaT. karavi baRis bolos, forToxlis xeivanSi CavdgiT. xeebi yvaoda da irgvliv saamo surneli idga, totebi ki mwvane da yviTeli nayofiT iyo daxunZluli (unda mogaxsenoT, rom CvenTan, durbanSi, xeebi erTdroulad yvavian kidec da nayofsac iZlevian), baRis es kuTxe gansakuTrebiT lamazia da sufTa haerze Zilic sasiamovnoa, miT umetes, rom CvenTan, bereaSi, qinqli ar icis da Tu gaCnda, isic Zlieri wvimebis Semdeg Cndeba.

magram unda ganvagrZo Txroba, Torem, vidre Cven suleimanis mTebamde mivaRwevdeT, es wigni Tavs mogabezrebT. raki gadavwyvite ser henris gavyvebi-meTqi, Sin dabrunebisTanave samzadiss Sevudeqi. upirveles yovlisa, Cemo biWiko, ser henrisagan Cavibare qaRaldi, romelic uzrunvelyofda Sens momavals. aq ramdenadme gagvijanjlda kidec saqme. ser henri adgilobrivi mkvidri ar iyo da fuli, Cemi sikvdilis SemTxvevaSi SenTvis rom unda gadmoericxaT, inglisis bankSi inaxeboda, magram bolos da bolos erTi marjve veqilis wyalobiT es saqmec movagvareT, Tumca im usindisom gasamrjelod oci girvanqa sterlingi wagvglija.

xuTasi girvanqa sterlingis Ceki jibeSi Cavide da amiT sifrTxiles xarki gadavuxade, mere ser henris angariSze furgoni da saukeTeso xarebi viyide. furgonis sigrZe ocdaori futi iyo, rkinis RerZebi hqonda, Zalian gamZle da msubuqi Canda, Tumca mTlad axalTaxali ar yofila, erTxel ukve moevloT imiT almasis qviSrobi (aman ufro damarwmuna, rom mSrali, gamosuli xisgan iyo nakeTebi). furgoni rom cudad yofiliyo Sekruli an nedli masalisagan gamzadebuli, es pirveli mgzavrobisTanave gamoCndeboda. Cvens furgons ukana mxare Riad hqonda datovebuli; aq tvirTis dasawyobi adgili iyo. aseT furgons CvenSi `naxevrad gadaxuruls" eZaxian. Cardaxi sacxovreblad iyo gankuTvnili, Sig moewyoT tyavis sawoli, romelzedac ori kaci moTavsdeboda. iyo agreTve iaraRebis Taro da gzaSi gamosadegi sxvadasxva nivTebi da sagnebi. furgonSi as ocdaxuTi girvanqa gadavixade, vfiqrob, bevri ar mimicia.

Semdeg SeviZineT oci saukeTeso zulusuri xari. Cvenebur uRelSi Teqvsmet xars abamen, magram yoveli SemTxvevisaTvis oTxi kidev davumate. zulusuri pirutyvi gacilebiT dabali da msuqania, vidre afrikanderuli, romelTac mZime tvirTis gadasazidad iyeneben. es patara jiSis xarebi maincdamainc ar irCeven saWmels, naklebad avaddebian da eguebian umZimes pirobebs. amitom SeuZliaT Tavi gaitanon iq, sadac afrikanderuli xarebi SimSiliT ixocebian. amasTan, maTze ufro swrafadac dadian da msubuqi tvirTiT dReSi xuTi milis gavla SeuZliaT. garda amisa, Cveni uRleuli kargad iyo adidaSi gamosuli, ese

igi, gakaJebul-gamowrTobili, radgan mTeli afrika sigrZe-siganiT hqonda movlili. swored amis gamo, ase Tu ise, dazRveulebi iyvnen malariisagan, ase xSirad rom anadgurebs xolme jogebs ucxo, SeuCvevel veldebSi. aris kidev erTi saSineli daavadeba _ Wleqi, romelic umowyalod Jlets pirutyvs, magram arc amis gveSinoda, radgan Cveni xarebi Tavis droze acrilni iyvnen, es seni rom ar SeyrodaT. acra ase xdeba xolme: kudis rikidan daaxloebiT erT futze kuds gadaseraven da zed am seniT daRupuli pirutyvis filtvis naWers miakraven. ramdenime xnis Semdeg xari msubuqad avaddeba WleqiT, kudi ki naWdevze Zvreba. acris Semdeg xari senSeuvali xdeba. rasakvirvelia, sacodaobaa pirutyvis ukudod datoveba im qveyanaSi, sadac amdeni buzia, magram patrons xaris dakargvas misi kudis dakargva ujobs. kudi uxarod ris maqnisia, zogjer mtvris gadmosaferTxad Tu ixmar, eg aris da eg! magram mainc sasaciloa, roca xarebs ukan mihyvebi da kudis nacvlad ubadruk jirjvebs ucqeri. ase ggonia, bunebam raRac aurdauria da am sabralo pirutyvebs kudis nacvlad premirebuli buldogebis ukanalis mosarTavebi miawebao.

erTi sityviT, furgoni da xarebi SeviZineT, axla sursaT-sanovagesa da wamlebze unda gvefiqra. es advili rodi iyo, yvelaferi winaswar unda agvewon-dagvewona, rom ar gadagvetvirTa furgoni da, amave dros, Tan wagveRo yvelaferi, rac saWiro iqneboda aseTi xangrZlivi mogzaurobisaTvis. sabednierod, aRmoCnda, rom guds medicinisa cota raRac gaegeboda. didi xnis winaT rogorRac moesmina kursi medicinasa da qirurgiaSi da axla drodadro Tavis codnas praqtikulad iyenebda. rasakvirvelia, kapitans eqimis diplomi ar hqonda, magram Cven TandaTanobiT davrwmundiT, rom am saqmisa gacilebiT meti gaegeboda, vidre im vaJbatonebs, romelTac ufleba eZlevaT Tavis Tavs `medicinis doqtori" uwodon. guds saucxoo samgzavro afTiaqi da qirurgiuli xelsawyoebi hqonda. man jer kidev durbanSi yofnisas ise marjved mohkveTa erT kaprs fexze ceri, rom yvelani gaocebulebi davrCiT. kacma es operacia Zalze mSvidad da gulgrilad gadaitana, magram rogor gaocda Cveni kapitani, roca kafrma sTxova, axali TiTi gamikeTe, ukidures SemTxvevaSi, TeTric gamodgebao.

sursaTisa da wamlebis saqme, RvTis madliT, movagvare, axla jeri iaraRis SerCevasa da msaxurebis ayvanaze midga. ser henrim inglisidan Camoitana Tofebi, mec mqonda zogi ram, aqedan SevarCieT, rac CvenTvis gzaSi yvelaze metad iyo saWiro. Tumca jobia moviSvelio sia, romelic Cemi ubis wignakSi Semonaxula. axla mxolod misi gadaweraRa damWirdeba:

`sami mZime orluliani Tofi, TiToeuli daaxloebiT TxuTmet girvanqas iwonis da dasatenad TerTmeti draxma Savi Tofis wamali sWirdeba".

es Tofebi spiloebze sanadirod migvqonda. ori Tofi _ ser henrisa da kapitan gudisaTvis londonis erT-erTi cnobili firmis saukeTeso ostatebis mier iyo damzadebuli. Cemi Tofi sikoxtaviT im or Tofs ver Seedreboda da arc firma maxsovda misi, magram spiloebze nadirobisas CemTvis arasodes umtyunia. Semdeg:

`sami orluliani Tofi `eqspres 500" saskdomi tyviisaTvis. dasatenis wona eqvsi drahma".

es Tofebi ubralo iyo, ase, saSualo sididis cxovelebze sanadirod (antilopa da sxv.) da gaSlil alagas mtrisagan Tavis dasacavad gamogvadgeboda.

`erTi orluliani Tormetyalibiani filTa Tofi centraluri dartymiT".

es Tofi gzaSi Zalian gamogvadga, wvril-wvril cxovelebs vxocavdiT da saWmliT uzrunvelyofilni viyaviT.

`sami `vinCesteris" sistemis kolofiani SaSxana (ara karabini)". es Cveni saTadarigo Tofebi gaxldaT.

`sami koltis" TviTSesamarTi revolveri, msxvilyalibiani tyviebiT". amgvari iyo Cveni aRWurviloba. aRsaniSnavia, rom yoveli klasis

iaraRi erTi da igive sistemis da yalibis iyo, amitom saWiroebis SemTxvevaSi SegveZlo tyviebi erTmaneTisTvis gagvecvala.

me dawvrilebiT CamovTvale yvelaferi, SesaZloa, mkiTxveli daiqanca kidec amdeni wvrilmaniT, magram mis winaSe mainc ar vixdi bodiSs, radgan yovelma gamocdilma monadirem icis, ra didi mniSvneloba aqvs iaraRis SerCevas.

axla minda ramdenime sityva msaxurebzec mogaxsenoT. didi bWobis Semdeg gadavwyviteT, wagveyvana xuTi kaci: megzuri,

mexre da sami msaxuri. megzurisa da mexris daqiravebaze didi dro ar damixarjavs. orive zulusi iyo, erTs goza erqva, meores _ tomi. msaxurebis SerCeva ki, cota ar iyos, gamiWirda. unda mogveZebna guladi, erTguli da sando adamianebi. maTze xom bevri ram, TviT Cveni sicocxlec ki, iqneboda damokidebuli. rogorc iqna, mivakvlie or maTgans, _ erTi hotentoti ventfogeli iyo, meore ki _ patara zulusi xiva. man mSvenivrad icoda inglisuri. ventfogels karga xania vicnobdi. Cems sicocxleSi masze ukeTesi megzuri da monadire arsad Semxvedria. erTi Caskvnili, ZarRvmagari kaci iyo, magram, samwuxarod, rogorc yvela hotentots, erTi nakli hqonda: Zalian uyvarda sma. sakmarisi iyo, mis win boTli grogi daedgaT, rom amqveynad yvelaferi daviwyeboda. cxadia, aseT adamians savsebiT ver mivendobodiT, magram raki gzad arc samikitnoebi Segvxvdeboda sadme da arc Rvinis duqnebi, misi es nakli maincdamainc arafrad Cagvigdia.

mesame msaxuris povna Zalian gamiZnelda, amitom gadavwyviteT, jerjerobiT es ori wagveyvana. imedi gvqonda, gzaSi vinmes SevxvdebodiT, magram swored Cveni gamgzavrebis wina saRamos, sadilobis xans, xiva Semovida da momaxsena, viRac zuluss Tqveni naxva undao. sadili rom davamTavreT, xivas vubrZane, zulusi Semoiyvane-meTqi. oTaxSi axovani, lamazi mamakaci Semovida, ase, ocdaaTiode wlis iqneboda, zulusis kvalobaze kani metad Ria ferisa hqonda. misalmebis magier Tavisi korZebiani joxi maRla aswia da oTaxis kuTxeSi uxmod Cacucqda. ramdenime xans Tavs ise vaCvenebdi, viTom mis iq yofnas verc ki vamCnevdi. Cemi mxriv didi windauxedaoba iqneboda, sxvagvarad movqceuliyavi. aseT xalxs maSinve rom gamoelaparako, mis TvalSi yovelgvar Rirsebas dakargav, magram SevniSne, rom es zulusi `keSla", ese igi, `gvirgviniani kaci" iyo. TmaSi Cawnuli hqonda kauCukis farTo rgoli, romelic qoniT iyo gapoxil-gaprialebuli. rgolis ase tarebis ufleba aqvT mxolod warCinebul zulusebs mas Semdeg, rac garkveul asaks miaRweven.

misi saxe mecnaura. _ hei, Sen, mand, _ vuTxari bolos, _ ra gqvia? _ ambopa, _ momigo zulusma dabali, sasiamovno xmiT. _ mgoni, adre sadRac minaxixar.

_ diax, inkoozi, swored brZolis wina dRes, litlhendTan izandhluanSi SemxvdiT.

uecrad CemTvis yvelaferi cxadi gaxda. zulusebTan im dasaqcevi omis dros me lord Celmsfordis erT-

erTi megzurTagani viyavi. ramdenime furgoni myavda Cabarebuli. Cemda sabednierod, swored brZolis dawyebis win im furgonebTan erTad momixda banakis datoveba. vidre xarebs Seubamdnen, swored am zuluss gamovelaparake. maSin igi Cveni mokavSire zulusebis razms meTaurobda. miTxra, Zalian veWvob, Cvenma banakma mtris Semotevas gauZloso. me vurCie, ena daimokle, es Seni Wkuis saqme ar aris-meTqi, magram Semdeg misi sityvebi xSirad maxsendeboda.

_ ho, marTali xar, _ vuTxari, _ axla risTvis garjilxar? _ ai ra, makumazan (es saxeli kafrebma Semarqves, makumazan niSnavs

`adamians, romelic naSuaRamevs dgeba", Cveneburad ki, ubralod, adamians, romelic mudam frTxilobs), miTxres, TiTqos TeTrkanian beladebTan erTad Sors, CrdiloeTisken apireb wasvlas. marTalia es?

_ marTalia, mere ra? _ Tqves, gadawyvetili aqvT, mdinare lugangamde mividneno. lugangas

ki manikas miwidan erTi mTvaris savali gza acilebs. esec marTalia, makumazan?

_ raSi gesaWiroeba imis codna, sad mivdivarT da sad ara, Sen vin gekiTxeba? _ vuTxari da eWviT gadavxede. gadawyvetili gvqonda, Cveni mgzavrobis mizani aravisTvis gagvemxila da saidumlos gulmodgined vinaxavdiT.

_ oh, TeTro adamianebo! _ wamoiZaxa zulusma, _ Tu marTla ase Sors midixarT, nu damtovebT, mec wamiyvaneT!

marTali giTxraT, gamaoca am kacis kilom da laparakma; Tavi Zalze Rirseulad eWira da saqcielic keTilSobiluri hqonda. arc misi momarTva iyo Cveulebrivi. zulusi Tavis dReSi ar etyvis TeTrkanians _ oh, TeTro adamianoo! TeTrkanianTan saubrisas Cveulebrivi misi mimarTvaa: `inkoozi", rac maT enaze belads niSnavs.

_ Tavs nu igdeb, _ mkacrad vuTxari, _ vidre TeTrkanians rames etyode, kargad unda dafiqrde. sad aris Seni kraali, vina xar? mipasuxe, rom vicodeT, visTan gvaqvs saqme.

_ ambopa mqvia. zulusebis toms vekuTvni, magram sinamdvileSi maTTan saerTo araferi maqvs. Cemi samSoblo aqedan Sors, CrdiloeTSia. Cemi tomis xalxi iq darCa, roca sxva zulusebi aqeTken wamovidnen. es moxda aTasi wlis winaT, gacilebiT ufro adre, vidre mefe Caka taxtze avidoda. me ara maqvs kraali da didi xania aqeT-iqiT davexetebi. bavSvi viyavi, zulusTa qveyanaSi CrdiloeTidan rom movedi. Semdeg nomabakozis polkSi mefe keCvaios vemsaxurebodi. zulusebis qveynidan natalSi gaviqeci, mindoda gamego, rogor cxovrobdnen TeTrkanianebi. Semdeg keCvaios winaaRmdeg vibrZodi. mas mere natalSi vcxovrob, magram Cemi adgili aq ar aris. guli isev CrdiloeTisaken mimiwevs. wamiyvaneT. fuls ar gamogarTmevT. amtani kaci var, gamogadgebiT. saWmels sakuTari ofliT movipoveb da cecxlTanac adgils marTebulad daviWer. ai es aris Cemi saTqmeli!

am kacis Txovnam sagonebelSi Camagdo, yvelaferze etyoboda, ara tyuoda, magram imdenad gansxvavdeboda sxva zulusebisagan da misi Txovna, ufulod gemsaxurebiTo, imdenad ucnauri iyo, rom Zalauneburad

daveWvdi. ar vicodi, ra pasuxi mimeca, amitom Cveni saubari ser henrisa da kapitan guds gadavuTagmne da rCeva vkiTxe.

_ aba, erTi uTxariT, fexze wamodges, _ miTxra pasuxis nacvlad ser henrim.

zulusma grZeli samxedro mosasxami mxrebidan gadaigdo da wamodga. mTlad dediSobila iyo, Tu ar CavTvliT muCasa da lomis brWyalebis yelsabams. aseTi lamazi zulusi Cems sicocxleSi ar menaxa. simaRliT eqvsi futi da sami duimi iqneboda, mxarbeWiani da kargad moyvanili iyo. lampis Suqze misi kani Cveulebriv Savgvremanze odnav muqi Tu Canda. mxolod asegaiT miyenebuli Wrilobebi aqa-iq muqi laqebiviT etyoboda. ser henri miuaxlovda zuluss da Tvali TvalSi gauyara.

_ ra saucxoo wyvilia, _ miTxra gudma da Cemken gadmoixara. _ SexedeT, TiTqmis erTi simaRlisa arian.

_ me momewoneT, _ uTxra zuluss ser henrim, _ momewoneT da CemTan gtovebT.

etyoba, ambopa mixvda, rasac eubnebodnen, imitom rom zulusur enaze upasuxa: kargi, gmadlobTo. mere axed-daxeda mis win mdgom TeTrkanian bumberazs da dasZina:

_ me da Sen nadvili mamakacebi varT, diax, diax, namdvili vaJkacebi.

T a v i I V

n a d i r o b a s p i l o e b z e me ar vapireb dawvrilebiT mogiTxroT yvelaferi, rac gzaSi, kraal

sitandamde Tavs gadagvxda. sitanda durbanidan sami aTasi miliT aris dacilebuli da mdinare lukangasa da kalukves SesarTavTan mdebareobs.

Cven iZulebuli gavxdiT, ukanaskneli samasi mili fexiT gagvevlo, radgan im adgilebSi Zalian gaxSirda sazareli buzi cece, romlis nakbeni, virisa da kacis garda, yvelasaTvis sabedisweroa.

durbanidan ianvris bolos gamovediT, sitandas ki mxolod maisSi mivaRwieT, gzad bevri ram gadagvxda Tavs, Tumca didad sayuradRebo araferi momxdara, garda erTi SemTxvevisa, romelzedac minda dawvrilebiT gesaubroT.

ainaitSi, matabeles bolo savaWro punqtSi, romelsac mefe lobenzula marTavs (unda iTqvas, rom es lobenzula warmoudgeneli aramzadaa), sinanuliT gamoveTxoveT Cvens furgonsa da xarebs. im oci xaridan, durbanSi rom SeviZineT, TormetiRa dagvrCa. erTs kobram ukbina, sami uwylobiT dagveRupa, erTs gza aebna da dagvekarga, samma ki xetitas msgavsi raRac Sxamiani mcenare SeWama da mokvda. is mcenare sxva xarebsac eWamaT, magram gadavarCineT, xetitas foTlebis naxarSi vasviT. amgvari naxarSi, Tu droulad miaSveleT, Sxamis moqmedebas maSinve aqarwylebs. furgoni xarebiTurT gozas da toms CavabareT. maT, rasakvirvelia, zedmiwevniT vendobodiT, magram mainc vTxoveT Sotlandiel moxuc misioners, romelic am udabur mxareSi dasaxlebuliyo, maTze Tvali sWeroda. Semdeg ambopas, xivas, ventfogelisa da eqvsi kafri mebargulis TanxlebiT qveiTad davadeqiT gzas.

maxsovs, mdumared mivabijebdiT. yoveli Cvengani gulSi albaT imas fiqrobda, ukan dabruneba momiwevs Tu arao. me ki, marTali mogaxsenoT, sulac ar mqonda imedi, rom odesme Cvens furgons isev davinaxavdi. karga

xans mivyvebodiT gzas ase, mware fiqrebSi wasulni. uecrad ambopam, romelic win migviZRoda, zulusur enaze simRera wamoiwyo: ramdenime guliTad adamians guli gauwvrila erTferovanma cxovrebam, mobezrdaT SeCveuli garemo da ukidegano udabnosaken gauyvnen gzas, rom iq an raRac siaxle enaxaT, an vaJkacurad daRupuliyvnen, magram ai saocreba! udabnos Suaguls rom miaRwies, Tvalwin saucxoo walkoti gadaeSalaT. oh, ra kekluci qalebi, ra saqonlis jogebi daxvdaT iq. amasTan, tyeSi blomad iyo nadiri, brZolis velze ki _ mteri. sxva raRa undodaT?

am simReram gulSi imedi gagviRviZa da yvelani gavmxiaruldiT. ambopasac Semoawveboda xolme gulze naRveli, magram mxolod mcire xniT. saocari unari hqonda, sxvebi gaemxiarulebina, masTan sakuTar Rirsebas arasodes hkargavda. es sicocxliT savse adamiani yvelam guliT SeviyvareT.

axla ki minda erTi SemTxveva gavixseno, amiT mec cotas gaverTobi, radgan nadirobis ambebi Zalian mitacebs.

ainaitidan ase, oriode kviris savalze erT Tvalwarmtac adgils wavawydiT. niadagi notio iyo. maRla, gorakebs Soris, daRrantul xeobebSi, sqlad ayriliyo aidoros buCqebi (ase eZaxian am buCqebs adgilobrivi mkvidrni), aqa-iq ki `wacht-een-beche-s" (`cota xans SeCerdi") ekliani jagebi moCanda. maT Soris aSoltiliyo maCabeles lamazi xeebi, romelTac totebi yviTeli, gamagrilebeli nayofiT hqondaT daxunZluli. es nayofi spiloebis sayvareli saWmelia, amitom ar gamkvirvebia, mTeli is aremare maTi nakvaleviT rom dagvxvda gadaTelili. bevrgan Segvxvda gadamtvreuli da Zirfesvianad amoTxrili xeebic. spilo xom Wamis dros Tavis irgvliv yvelafers erTianad amtvrevs da anadgurebs.

maxsovs, mTeli dRe SeuCerebliv viareT da saRamo xans buCqnariT dafarul erT lamaz goraks mivuaxlovdiT. gorakis ZirSi mdinaris damSrali kalapoti moCanda. aqa-iq xnarcvebSi ki broliviT gamWvirvale wyali livlivebda. wylis siaxloves nadirisagan bilikebi iyo daxlaknili. Cven win gadaSlili farTo veli walkots mogagonebdaT. aq jguf-jgufad moCanda morcxvi mimoza da foTlebxasxasa maCabeles xeebi. irgvliv ki zRvad ayriliyo buCqnari, romelsac erTi bilikic arsad seravda.

rogorc ki mdinaris kalapots mivuaxlovdiT, aylayuda Jirafebis jogi adgils moswyda da Weneb-WenebiT gaqusla. WenebiTo vambob, Torem am cxovelma iseTi ucnauri sirbili icis, gegonebaT, micuravso. kudebi sasacilod aeprixaT da Cliqebs kastanetebiviT uxaTqunebdnen miwas. roca samasiode iardiT dagvSordnen, ese igi, faqtiurad gascdnen tyviis sasrol manZils, gudma cTunebas veRar gauZlo, saskdomi tyviiT datenili Tofi SemarTa da esrola axalgazrda Jirafs, jogs kudSi rom misdevda. raRac saocari SemTxvevis wyalobiT, sabralo pirutyvs tyvia kiserSi moxvda da xerxemali gadaumsxvria. Jirafi kurdReliviT gadavida yiras. kaci nadirobaSi davberdi, magram amaze saocari suraTi, marTali giTxraT, arasodes minaxavs!

_ eSmakma dalaxvros! _ wamoiZaxa gudma (roca aRelvebuli iyo, Cveulebad hqonda magar-magari sityvebi exmara, rac me Zalian mwyinda), _ eSmakma dalaxvros-meTqi, aki movkali!

_ Ou Bugwan! (diax, bugvan)! _ wamoiyvires Cvenma kafrma mtvirTavebma, _ Ou, Ou! (diax, diax)!

isini guds mudam monokliT xedavdnen, amitomac iyo, rom `bugvani" (SuSisTvala) Searqves.

im dRidan moyolebuli, gudma, Tu Cven Soris ara, kafrebSi mainc, marjve msrolelis saxeli daimkvidra, Tumca sinamdvileSi Tofs kargad verc ki xmarobda.

msaxurebs vubrZaneT, mokluli JirafisTvis saukeTeso naWrebi aeWraT, Cven ki erT-erTi xnarcvis marjvniv asiode iardi gadavzomeT da adgilis Semoragvas SevudeqiT. Semoragva ase xdeba: rac SeiZleba blomad daWrian eklian ZeZvs da mrgvali Robis magvarad awyoben. mere SigniT miwas moasworeben, centrSi balaxisagan sawolebs gamarTaven, mere ki erTs an ramdenime kocons gaaCaReben.

muSaobaSi SemogvaRamda kidec. Robis Semoragvas rom movrCiT, caze ukve mTvare micuravda. vaxSamic mzad iyo. Zalian gemrieli gveCvena Jirafis xorcis bivSteqsi da Semwvari Zvlis tvini, Tumca tvinis gamosaRebad Zvlis gatexva, cota ar iyos, gagviZnelda.

savse mTvaris Suqze SeveqceodiT Cvens ubralo vaxSams, Tanac guds vaqeb-vadidebdiT. navaxSmevs ki Cibuxebi gavaboleT da saubari gavabiT. koconis irgvliv Camsxdar-Cacucqulebi albaT Zalze ucnauri sanaxavebi viyaviT.

gansakuTrebiT TvalSi gecemodaT gansxvaveba ser henrisa da Cem Soris. me erTi gamxdari, tanmorCili kaci var. muqi kanis feri da jagariviT gafSekili Tma maqvs, Tanac sul raRac samociode kilograms Tu viwoni. ser henri ki brge, mxarbeWiani kacia, Tma qera aqvs da woniTac kai oTxmocdaTxuTmeti kilogrami iqneba. magram Tu gaviTvaliswinebT maSindel pirobebs, Cven samSi yvelaze ucnauri samefo flotis gadamdgari oficeri, kapitani jon gudi mogeCvenebodaT. igi tyavis tomaraze ijda da ise sufTad da faqizad iyo Cacmuli, gegonebodaT, sadme civilizebul qveyanaSi imyofeba da nadirobaSi sasiamovnod gatarebuli dRis Semdeg es-es aris dabrundao. saimdReisod tvidis yavisferi kostumi SeerCia, iseTi, monadireebi rom icvamen xolme. Tavzec yavisferi qudi exura, fexebze ki koxta getrebi ecva. unda mogaxsenoT, arasodes minaxavs afrikis udabnoSi ase wmindad gaparsuli, ase koxtad da sufTad Cacmuli jentlmeni. misi Casmuli kbilebi saucxoo movlil-Senaxuli iyo, marjvena Tvalze monokli edga. rogorc, Cveulebriv, sxva dros, arc im saRamos daviwyebia gutafisis TeTri sayelos gakeTeba. unda mogaxsenoT, rom am sayeloebis kaixela maragi hqonda wamoRebuli.

_ iciT, es sayeloebi Zalian cotas iwonis, _ gulubryvilod miTxra man, roca gaoceba ver davfare. _ me ki mudam jentlmeniviT Cacma-daxurva miyvars.

diax, amgvarad visxediT da vsaubrobdiT mTvaris momajadovebel Suqze, Tan gavcqerodiT kafrebs, romlebic Cvengan ramdenime iardze kocons Semosxdomodnen da maTrobela dakaTi datenil Cibuxebs uplakunebdnen. Cibuxis tarebi samxreTafrikuli antilopis rqisagan iyo gakeTebuli. bolos kafrebi sabnebSi gaexvivnen da cecxlis piras miiZines. maT Soris ambopa ar eria, igi moSorebiT mimjdariyo (SevamCnie, rom kafrebs gaurboda), Tavi xelisgulebze daeyrdno da Rrma fiqrs miscemoda.

uecriv zurgs ukan, buCqnaridan xmamaRali brdRvinva Semogvesma. _ lomia! _ wamoviZaxe me. yvelani fexze wamovxtiT da smenad viqeciT.

imave wams xnarcvidan, Cvengan asiode iardze, yurTasmenis wamRebad daiRriala spilom.

_ Unkungunklovo Indlovu! (spilo, spilo!) _ aCurCuldnen kafrebi. ramdenime wuTis Semdeg bundad davlandeT spiloebis jogi. es

uzarmazari cxovelebi neli nabijiT miemarTebodnen buCqnaris Suagulisaken. gudi nadirobis Jinma aitana da gaxelebuli wamoxta. albaT egona, spilosac iseve advilad movklav, rogorc is Jirafi movkalio. magram me mklavSi xeli wavatane da ZalisZalad davsvi.

_ araviTar SemTxvevaSi ar esroloT, _ vuTxari, _ daacadeT, gaiaron.

_ es mxare monadirisaTvis namdvili samoTxe yofila... me mgonia, cudi ar iqneba, erTi-ori dRiT aq rom SevCerdeT da cota wavinadiroT, _ Tqva moulodnelad ser henrim.

cota ar iyos, gakvirvebuli davrCi. aqamde ser henri sul imis cdaSi iyo, rac SeiZleba swrafad gvevlo win. gansakuTrebiT mas Semdeg, rac ainaitSi gviTxres, am oriode wlis winaT ingliselma, gvarad nevilma gayida Tavisi furgoni da udabnosaken gaemarTao. axla ki albaT monadiris instinqtma sZlia da es sityvebi aTqmevina.

ser henris winadadebas gudi sixaruliT Sexvda, radgan spiloebze nadiroba ocnebad hqonda gadaqceuli. marTali giTxraT, mec amaze vocnebobdi, ver Sevrigebodi im azrs, rom spiloebis jogi mSvidad gaecleboda aqaurobas, Cven ki ase gulxeldakrefilebi visxdebodiT.

_ Zalian kargi, megobrebo, _ vTqvi me, _ ar gvawyens, cotaTi mainc rom gaverToT, axla ki daviZinoT, xval uTenia unda avdgeT, rom jogma ar gagvaswros.

Cemi Tanamgzavrebi dameTanxmnen da yvelani dasaZineblad mzadebas SevudeqiT. gudma tansacmeli gaferTxa, gawminda, Semdeg monokli da xelovnuri kbilebi jibeSi Caiwyo, Sarvali da xalaTi guldagul dakeca da, dilis cvars rom ar daesvelebina, Tavisi garezinebuli zewris qveS amosdo. me da ser henrim ki swrafad gavixadeT tansacmeli, sabnebi wavixureT da Tavi Rrma Zils miveciT. daRlil-daqanculebs sizmaric ki ar gvinaxavs, magram ZilSic ki gveCveneboda, rom mivdiodiT, mivdiodiT da mivdiodiT...

Cu, es ra xmebi ismis? iq, sadac wyali gveguleboda, erTi oromtriali da lawaluwi atyda.

meore wuTs gaisma Semzaravi Rriali. diax, diax, ase mxolod lomi Rrialebs xolme. TvalisdaxamxamebaSi wamovxtiT da sibneles TvalCaciebiT davaSterdiT. rogorc iqna, gavarCieT moyviTalo-moSavo feris raRac sxeulebi. isini aqeT-iqiT awydebodnen da samkvdro-sasicocxlo brZoliT TandaTanobiT gviaxlovdebodnen. Cven Tofebs xeli davavleT, veldskunebi gzadagza CavicviT da moRobilidan sirbiliT gavediT. swored am dros mowinaaRmdegeni miwaze daecnen, erT xans gvesmoda, rogor kotrialobdnen balaxSi, mere miyuCdnen da roca mivuaxlovdiT, ukve gaSeSebulni iyvnen.

ai, ra suraTi warmogvidga Tvalwin. balaxSi mamali antilopa egdo _ es antilopa afrikaSi

gavrcelebul jiSebs Soris yvelaze lamazia. iqve davinaxeT saucxoo Savfafriani lomi, igi antilopas Tavisi uzarmazari moxrili rqebiT gaegmira. albaT antilopa wylis dasalevad Cavida xnarcvTan, sadac sakbilos molodinSi lomi iyo mimaluli (uTuod misi Rriali gvesmoda

dawolis win). antilopa rom wyals daewafa, lomi zurgze Seaxta da zed mis wvetian rqebs wamoego (msgavs suraTs erTxel ukve sadRac wavawydi). lomi gaafTrda da, raki Tavi verafriT gaiTavisufla, sul daufliTa antilopas kiseri da zurgi. SiSisa da tkivilisagan gagiJebuli antilopa gamwarebuli gamoiqca xnarcvidan. ase garboda, vidre mkvdari ar daeca Zirs.

Cven davaTvaliereT usulo cxovelebi, msaxurebsa da mtvirTav kafrebs vuxmeT da saerTo ZaliT lomi da antilopa Robisken gadmovaTrieT, Semdeg Cvens sawolebs davubrundiT da mzis amosvlamde fexic aRar gagvinZrevia.

cispiri gatyda Tu ara, fexze wamovdeqiT da nadirobis samzadiss SevudeqiT. gadavwyviteT wagveRo msxvilyalibiani sami Tofi da blomad tyvia-wamali, Cveni mozrdili maTarebi ki civi Cais susti nayeniT agvevso. me vfiqrob, nadirobisas Cai saukeTeso sasmelia. Semdeg naCqarevad visauzmeT da gzas gavudeqiT. ambopa, xiva da ventfogeli ukan mogvyvnen. kafri mtvirTavebi ki banakSi davtoveT da vubrZaneT, lomi da antilopa gaetyavebinaT, mere antilopa naWer-naWer aeqnaT.

spiloebis farTo bilikis migneba ar gagvWirvebia. ventfogelma biliki daaTvaliera da Tqva, aq oc-ocdaaTamde spilos gauvlia, amaTgan umetesoba mamali spiloebiao.

RamiT jogs karga didi manZilis gavla moeswro da mxolod aTi saaTisaTvis, roca sicxem gvarianad Segvawuxa, damtvreul-dalewili xeebis, moTxrili fesvebis, miyril-moyrili foTlebisa da abolili nakelis danaxvisas mivxvdiT, rom spiloebi sadRac axlos imyofebian.

marTlac, cota xnis Semdeg Tvali movkariT jogs. ventfogeli marTali gamodga, ase oci-ocdaaTi spilo iqneboda. sauzme daemTavrebinaT, axla RartafSi idgnen da uzarmazar yurebs afarTxunebdnen. marTali mogaxsenoT, saucxoo sanaxaoba iyo.

spiloebi Cvengan orasiode iardiT iyvnen daSorebulni. me davixare, gamxmar balaxs xeli mivusv-movusvi, muWSi Sevagrove da mere maRla Sevisrole, rom qaris mimarTuleba gamego. vicodi, Tu suns ikravdnen, ise swrafad miefarebodnen Tvals, Tofis daclasac ver movaswrebdiT. roca davrwmundiT, qari Cvenken qroda, nel-nela, forTxviT wavediT spiloebisken da, raki maRali balaxi gvfaravda, am uzarmazar cxovelebs ase, ormoc iardze mivuaxlovdiT. swored Cven win, gverdSeqceviT sami veeberTela spilo idga. erT maTgans uSvelebeli eSvebi hqonda. Cems Tanamgzavrebs gadavuCurCule, me SuaTanas vesvri-meTqi. ser henrim marcxniv mdgomi spilo amoiRo mizanSi, gudma ki im dideSvians umizna Tofi.

_ aba, vesroloT! _ CurCuliT vTqvi. _ bax! bax! bax! _ iWeqa Tofebma da ser henris spilo usulod daeca

Zirs, tyvia Sig gulSi hqonda moxvedrili. Cemma spilom wamoiCoqa, ase megona, sasikvdilod davWeri-meTqi,

magram wamis Semdeg fexze wamodga da Cvenken gamoiqca, cotas gawyda, gverdi ar gamkra. amjerad Tofi ferdSi davumizne da vesrole. spilo mkvdari daeca. Tofi saCqarod davtene, misken gaveqane, sabralo pirutyvs mesame tyvia tvinSi CavaWede da amiT mis tanjvas bolo movuRe, mere gudisken mivixede, rom menaxa, rogor gaarTva Tavi im uzarmazar cxovels, sibrazisa da tkivilisagan rom Rrialebda da iqaurobas

ayruebda. davinaxe, cud dReSi Cavardniliyo da misken gaveqane. Zalian aRelvebuli damxvda.

pirveli tyviiT daWrili, gaafTrebuli cxoveli TavdaTav misken gamoqanebuliyo. sabralo kapitans Zlivs moeswro ganze gaxtoma. axla spilo gza-kvalis ganurCevlad pirdapir Cveni banakisaken garboda, dafeTebuli jogi ki sawinaaRmdego mimarTulebiT miqroda.

Cven SevyoymandiT, ver gadagvewyvita, daWril spilos gamovdgomodiT Tu jogs avdevnebodiT. bolos varCieT, isev jogs gavyolodiT. gvegona, im uzarmazar eSvebian spilos veRarasodes vixilavdiT, magram SevcdiT. netav marTla ase momxdariyo! spiloebis devna ar gagvZnelebia, isini gzad tovebdnen farTo biliks, ise Txridnen da lewavdnen sqel buCqebsa da bardnars, TiTqos balaxis Reroebi yofiliyo.

magram maTTan miaxloveba arc ise advili aRmoCnda. sicxisagan gaTangulebi ori saaTi mainc mivdevdiT ukan, vidre xelaxla davinaxavdiT. uzarmazari mamali spilos garda, yvelani erTad SuquCuliyvnen, mousvenrad tokavdnen da xorTums wamiswam maRla swevdnen, rom haeri daeynosaT. amiT mivxvdi, raRac cudi ganezraxaT.

is mamali spilo jogs, ase, ormocdaaT iardze daSoreboda. albaT darajad idga. Cvenganac daaxloebiT am manZiliT iqneboda daSorebuli. ufro axlos misvla rom gadagvewyvita, SeiZleboda davenaxeT, an suni ekra da maSin jogi isev gaiqceoda. amitom jogis guSagi yvelam mizanSi amoviReT da Cems micemul niSanze erTbaSad vesroleT. samive tyvia mizanSi moxvda da spilo usulod daenarcxa Zirs. jogi gaiqca, magram, saubedurod, asiode iardis Semdeg waawyda nulas _ mdinaris damSral cicabonapirian kalapots. spiloebma Tavi veRar Seikaves da flateze gadacvivdnen. roca mivuaxlovdiT, davinaxeT, dafeTebuli cxovelebi TavganwirviT cdilobdnen iqeTa napirze abobRebas, Semzaravi RrialiT iqaurobas ayruebdnen da gadarCenis egoisturi instinqtiT amoZravebulebi erTmaneTs fexqveS Telavdnen. erTi sityviT, iqceodnen ise, rogorc moiqceoda adamianTa umravlesoba msgavs SemTxvevaSi.

dro xelsayreli iyo. Cvenc saswrafod davteneT Tofebi, visroleT da xuTi cxoveli sicocxles gamovasalmeT. albaT mTel jogs amovwyvetdiT, magram spiloebma moulodnelad gezi icvales. imis nacvlad, rom maRla ahyolodnen, mdinaris kalapots Tavqve dauyvnen da rac Zali da, Rone hqondaT gaqusles. Zalze daqanculebi viyaviT, maTi devnis Tavi aRar gvqonda, mgoni, mogvwyinda kidec es xocva-Jleta. xumroba xom ar iyo, rva spilo movkaliT! erTi dRisTvis es arc Tu ise cudi nadavli iyo.

cota xniT SevisveneT. amasobaSi Cvenma msaxurebma or moklul spilos gulebi amoacales da vaxSmisaTvis Seinaxes, mere ki kmayofilebma banakisken gamovwieT. gadavwyviteT, meore diliT mebargulebi gamogvegzavna, rom spiloebisaTvis eSvebi daeZroT.

im adgils rom mivuaxlovdiT, sadac gudma uzarmazari spilo daWra, win antilopebis jogi SemogvefeTa. ar gvisvria, radgan xorci isedac sakmarisi gvqonda. antilopebma gverdiT Cagviqroles, asiode iardi gairbines, buCqebs miefarnen da Semobrundnen, rom kargad daveTvalierebineT. guds samxreTafrikuli antilopa arasodes enaxa, erTi suli hqonda, maTTan axlos misuliyo, amitom Tofi ambopas gauwoda da xivas TanxlebiT buCqnarisken gaswia. Cven ki mis molodinSi dasasveneblad davsxediT.

mze Cadioda didebuli da brwyinvale, dasaliers mewamuli feri dasdeboda. me da ser henri am lamazi suraTis cqeriT vtkbebodiT. uecrad sazareli Rriali Semogvesma. imave wams uzarmazari spiloc davinaxeT. mas xorTumi aeSvira, kudi aeprixa da ise gamorboda.

swored is spilo iyo, diliT gudma rom daWra; gaafTrebuli cxovelis win Tavqudmoglejilebi gamorbodnen gudi da xiva. diax, diax, spilo swored maT mosdevda. sazareli suraTi iyo. Cven gaSeSebulebi videqiT, srolas ver vbedavdiT, gveSinoda, SemTxveviT Cvenianebi ar dagveWra, Tumca simarTle rom iTqvas, am siSoreze srolas azric ar hqonda.

wamic da saSineli ram moxda: gudi misma evropulma tansacmelma imsxverpla. rom ar aexirebina da Sarvlisa da getrebis nacvlad CvensaviT flanelis xalaTi da veldskunebi etarebina, araferi moxdeboda. axla ki, am samkvdro-sasicocxlo wuTSi Sarvali sirbilSi xels uSlida. kapitani samociode iardiT iqneboda Cvengan dacilebuli, rom fexi ausxlta da zed spilos cxvirwin pirqve gaiSxlarTa (fexi ki mitom ausxlta, rom misi evropuli fexsacmlis lanCebi balaxze sirbilis dros gaprialda da Zalze curavda).

Cven yvelam sazarlad SevyvireT da misken gaveqaneT, Tumca vicodiT, veRarafers vuSvelidiT.

marTlac, samiode wamSi yvelaferi damTavrda, magram ara ise, rogorc Cven vvaraudobdiT. roca xivam dainaxa, gudi daecao, Sebrunda da gaafTrebul cxovels Subi xorTumSi aZgera. gamwarebulma spilom daiRriala, zulusi miwaze daanarcxa, welqveviT Tavisi uzarmazari fexi daadga, welzeviT xorTumi Semoarkala da sabralo biWi Suaze gaxliCa.

am saSineli sanaxaobiT gondakargulebi iqiTken gavqandiT, Tan gzadagza SeuCerebliv visrodiT, visrodiT manam, sanam spilo zulusis gvams zed ar daeca.

amasobaSi gudic wamodga da, sasowarkveTili xelebis mtvrevas mohyva. dastiroda mamac Wabuks, mis gadasarCenad sicocxle rom ar daiSura.

Tumca cxovrebam sakmaod gamakaJa, am suraTis danaxvisas yelSi burTiviT momawva raRac da lamis mec avqviTindi. ambopa ganze idga da uzarmazar spilos da patara dasaxiCrebul gvams dasCereboda.

_ ra vuyoT, _ Tqva man uecrad, _ marTalia, xiva mokvda, magram mokvda gmirulad, vaJkacuri sikvdiliT.

T a v i V

C v e n u d a b n o s m i v y v e b i T Cven cxra spilo movkaliT, eSvebi davaZvreT, banakis axlos

gadmovitaneT da erTi uzarmazari xis Ziras qviSaSi CavfaliT. yvelafer amas ori dRe movandomeT. ukeTesi spilos Zvali arsad Semxvedria, yoveli eSvi, saSualod, ormocidan ormocdaaT girvanqamde iwonida. xiva rom dafliTa, im spilos eSvebi ki, Cveni varaudiT, as samocdaaTi girvanqa mainc iqneboda. sabralo xiva, ufro sworad, misi dasaxiCrebuli gvami, WianWvelaWamias soroSi davkrZaleT. Tan, zulusebis Cveulebis

Tanaxmad, saflavSi Subi CavayoleT, egeba saiqios gzaze mimavals Tavdasacavad dasWirdeso.

mesame dRes, alionze isev gzas gavudeqiT. imedi gvqonda, Tu cocxlebi gadavrCebodiT, aqeTobisas im eSvebs amovTxridiT da Tan wamoviRebdiT. sakmaod grZeli da momqancveli gza gaviareT da, bolos, rogorc iqna, sitandas mivaRwieT. es kriala mdinare lukangas maxloblad mdebareobs. kacma rom Tqvas, Cveni mogzauroba sinamdvileSi swored aqedan iwyeboda.

SesaniSnavad maxsovs, rogor mivediT sitandaSi. marjvniv patara daba iyo. daba-meTqi vambob, magram am dabaSi sul ramdenime ubadruki qoxi idga. qoxebze saqonlisTvis qvis gomurebi mieSenebinaT. ufro qvemoT, zed mdinaresTan zolebad ilandeboda damuSavebuli miwis nakveTebi, sadac aqauri mkvidrni marcvleuls Tesavdnen. ufro Sors, Tvalmiuwvdomel sivrceze gaWimuliyo maRali mobibine balaxiT dafaruli velebi, anu mdeloebi, zed ki jog-jogad daexeteboda wvrilfexa pirutyvi.

kraali sitanda swored am nayofieri miwis sazRvarze mdebareobda. kraalis marcxniv udabno gadaWimuliyo. Zneli saTqmelia, ras unda mieweros, rom niadagi ase mkveTrad da moulodnelad icvlida saxes, magram gansxvaveba imdenad gasaocari iyo, rom, ginda ar ginda, TvalSi gecemoda.

Cven patara mdinaris maxloblad davikarveT, wyalgaRma qvaRorRiani ferdobi moCanda. ociode wlis winaT am ferdobs xoxviT mihyveboda sabralo silvestri; misi giJuri ocneba, mieRwia solomonis sabadomde, marcxiT damTavrda. ferdobis iqiT, dabla, ekliani buCqnariT dafaruli uwylo udabno iwyeboda.

saRamovdeboda. mzis uzarmazari birTvi nel-nela eSveboda udabnosken da misi sxivebi Tvaluwvdenel sivrces nairfrad aSuqebda.

vidre gudi banakis saqmeebs moagvarebda, me ser henris vTxove, cota gaviseirnoT-meTqi. oriveni gorakze avediT da iqidan gavxedeT udabnos. haeri wminda da kriala iyo. Sors, Sors, cis dasalierTan Tvali movkari suleimanis mTebis Tovlian mwvervalebs, romlebic aqedan Zalze bundovnad moCanda.

_ SexedeT, _ vuTxari ser henris cota xnis siCumis Semdeg, _ is kedlebi gars ertymian solomon mefis sabados. RmerTma uwyis, mivaRwevT Tu ara iqamde.

_ iq unda iyos Cemi Zma da Tu es asea, usikvdilod movZebno, _ mSvidad mipasuxa ser henrim.

_ ra gaewyoba, RmerTi iyos Cveni mfarveli, imeds nu davkargavT, _ amovioxre da Sevtrialdi, rom isev banakSi gavbrunebuliyavi. maSinRa davinaxe, martoni ar viyaviT.

Cven ukan Soreuli mTebisken Tvalmipyrobili Cveni zulusi ambopa idga. roca daminaxa, misken viyurebodi, ser henris miubrunda (vatyobdi, ambopam ser henri raRac gamorCeulad Seiyvara):

_ maS, im mTebisken apireb wasvlas, inkubu? _ uTxra da Tavisi farTo asegai mTebisken gaiwvdina.

inkubu spilos niSnavs, es saxeli ser henris zulusebma Searqves. brazi momeria da mkacrad vuTxari, _ rogor bedav Sens batonTan ase

mourideblad laparaks; SegiZliaT erTmaneTSi rogorc mogesurvebaT, ise ilaparakoT, magram ufleba ara gaqvT, TeTrkanians raRac suleluri

Serqmeuli saxelebiT mimarToT-meTqi. amaze ambopam mSvidad gaicina. misma sicilma kidev ufro aRmaSfoTa.

_ ra ici, rom adamiani, romelsac vemsaxurebi, Cemi toli da swori ar aris? _ miTxra ambopam. _Tqma ar unda, Cemi batoni mefis STamomavalia, amas misi simaRle da garegnoba mowmobs; magram saidan iciT, rom mec samefo gvars ar vekuTvni? oh, makumazan, gadaeci Cemi sityvebi inkubus, Cems beladsa da batons, Senc mismine, minda raRac giTxra.

gabrazebuli vugdebdi yurs. zulusebisagan Cveuli ara var aseT laparaks. magram ase iyo Tu ise, am kacs Cemdauneburad pativs vcemdi, Tanac mainteresebda, ra unda eTqva CvenTvis; amitom misi sityvebi maSinve vuTargmne ser henris, Cemi mxriv ki davumate, es zulusi nametnavad gaTavxedda da gakadnierda-meTqi.

_ ho, ambopa, _ miugo ser henrim, _ im mTebisken vapireb wasvlas. _ udabno usasruloa, iq wyali ar aris, cad aziduli mTebi ki

TovliTaa dafaruli. veravin ityvis, rom gadalaxa is mTebi, romelTa ukan mze imaleba. rogor miaRwev iqamde, inkubu, an ratom eSurebi iqiTken?

me ser henris es sityvebic vuTargmne. _ gadaeci, _ miTxra ser henrim, _ rom didi xnis winaT iqiT wavida

erTi adamiani, romlis ZarRvebSic Cemi sisxli Cqefs. Cemi valia, movZebno igi.

_ marTals ambob, inkubu. aqeTobas erT hotentots Sevxvdi, man miTxra, ori wlis winaT viRac TeTrkaniani udabnos gahyva da im mTebisken wavida, Tan monadire-msaxuri axlda, ukan arc erTi aRar dabrunebulao.

_ ra ici, rom is kaci Cemi Zma iyo? _ hkiTxa ser henrim. _ me araferi vici, magram hotentots rom vkiTxe, is kaci rogori

iyo-meTqi, miTxra, TvalebiT Sens batons waagavda, oRond Savi wveri hqondao. mis msaxurs jimi erqva. beCuanlendidan yofila, tansacmels atarebda Turme.

_ marTlac Tqveni Zma yofila! _ wamoviyvire me, _ jims xom kargad vicnobdi!

ser henrim dafiqrebiT damiqnia Tavi. _ amaSi eWvi ar mepareboda, _ Tqva man, _ jorji kerpi kacia, Tu rame

amoiCema, ukan aRar daixevs. bavSvobidanve aseTi iyo. raki gulSi Caido, suleimanis mTebze unda gadavideo, gadavidoda kidec, rasakvirvelia, Tu gzaSi raime ubedureba ar daatyda Tavs. amitomac swored im mTebis iqiT unda veZio.

ambopas cot-cota esmoda inglisuri, magram am enaze iSviaTad laparakobda.

_ Zalze Sori gzaa, inkubu, _ Tqva man. me misi sityvebi ser henris vuTargmne. _ diax, gza marTlac Soria, _ miugo ser henrim, _ magram ar

arsebobs amqveynad gza, adamianma rom ver galios, Tuki amas mTel Zal-Rones moaxmars. Tu siyvaruli kelaptrad win uZRvis, kaci yvelafers daZlevs. ar arsebobs iseTi mTa, man ver gadalaxos, ar arsebobs udabno, igi rom SeaCeros, garda, rasakvirvelia, im mTebisa da udabnoebisa, romelTa naxva am cxovrebaSi ar gviweria. aseTi siyvarulisTvis

yvelafers gawirav, TviT sicocxlesac ki. diax, sakuTar sicocxlesac msxverplad gaiReb, Tuki ufalma ase ineba.

_ diadi iyo Seni sityvebi, oh, mamav Cemo, _ miugo zulusma (ase veZaxdi ambopas, miuxedavad imisa, rom igi zulusi ar yofila), roca ser henris sityvebi gadaveci, _ diadi da amaRelvebeli, swored iseTi, WeSmarit mamakacs rom Sehferis. Sen marTali xar, inkubu, mamav Cemo! ra aris sicocxle? msubuqi bumbuli, an balaxis Teslia, romelsac qari Tavis nebaze waiR-wamoiRebs. zogjer igi mravldeba, zogjer zecisken mifarfatebs, magram Tu Tesli saRia, SeiZleba gzad mcire xniT SeCerdes. kargi iqneba, qarTan WidilSi ganvlo aseTi gza da erT xans sadme dayovnde. adamiani bolos mainc unda mokvdes, uares SemTxvevaSi, SeiZleba mokvdes cotaTi adre. me SenTan erTad yvelgan wamoval, inkubu, udabnoSic da im maRal mTebSic. diax, wamoval, Tu gzaze ar daveci.

ambopa dadumda, magram imwamsve ganagrZo laparaki ritorikuli aRtyinebiT, romelic zogjer eufleba xolme zulusebs. es amtkicebs, rom am tomis xalxi dajildoebulia poeturi niWiT da inteleqtiT, TumcaRa erTsa da imave sityvas ramdenjerme imeoreben.

_ diax, ra aris sicocxle? _ ganagrZo ambopam, _ miTxariT, hoi, TeTro adamianebo, Tqven xom goneba yvelgan migiwvdebaT, aki flobT samyaros saidumlos, varskvlavebis saidumlos. oh, TeTro adamianebo, Tqven, romelTac gexerxebaT Sori manZilidan uxmod, TvalisdaxamxamebaSi, gadasceT erTmaneTs sityvebi, gamimJRavneT sicocxlis saidumlo, marqviT, sad midis, an saidan modis igi. ar ZalgiZT, ara, mipasuxoT, radgan Tavadac ar uwyiT es. maS mismineT, isev me getyviT! ukuneTidan movdivarT da ukunsave verwymiT. RameSi qariSxlisagan devnili CitiviT amoviWrebiT xolme araraobidan, koconis Suqze wamiT gaielvebs Cveni frTebi da mere kvlav araraobas vubrundebiT. sicocxle araraobaa, araferia, magram amave dros yvelaferia. es is xelia, romelic ganaridebs sikvdils, es cicinaTelaa, RamiT rom cimcimebs da dilis Suqze qreba, xarebis mier zamTrobiT amonasunTqi TeTri bolia, balaxze gawolili odnav SesamCnevi Crdilia, romelic mzis CasvlisTanave unda gaqres.

_ ucnauri kaci xar, ambopa, _ uTxra ser henrim, roca zulusi dadumda.

ambopam gaicina. _ me mgonia, Cven Zalian vgavarT erTmaneTs, inkubu. vin icis, iqneb

mec veZeb Cems sakuTar Zmas im mTebis iqiT. _ ra ginda amiT Tqva? da saerTod, ra ici im mTebze? _ vkiTxe me da

eWviT SevaTvaliere. _ oh, Zalian cota ram. amboben, im mTebis gadaRma saidumloebiT

moculi warmtaci qveyana ariso. saocrebaTa da grZneulTa, mamaci meomrebisa da maRali xeebis, Tovliani mwvervalebis, mquxare CanCqerebisa da TeTri vazis qveyanao. magram Rirs ki amaze laparaki? wasvlis droa, saRamovdeba. visac bedi waruZRveba, is miaRwevs kidec iqamde.

me kvlav undoblad gadavxede, am kacma ueWvelad icoda raRac. _ Cemi nu geSinia, makumazan, _ miTxra ambopam, Cemi iWvneuli mzera

rom daiWira, _ gulSi cudi araferi midevs. arc samares giTxriT Cum-Cumad. Tu odesme gadavlaxeT is mTebi, mzis ukan rom aRmarTulan, vityvi yvelafers, rac vici, magram vai, rom maT mwvervalebze sikvdili

daxetialobs. gamoiCineT keTilgoniereba, dabrundiT ukan, dabrundiT-meTqi, batonebo, da spiloebze inadireT. me vTqvi!

Semdeg damSvidobebis niSnad Subi aswia, Sebrunda da Tavqve daeSva; banakSi rom CavediT, igi ukve Tofs wmendda, rogorc es Cveulebriv msaxurs Seefereba.

_ ra ucnauri kacia, _ Tqva ser henrim. _ ucnaurze metia, _ davumowme mec. _ Cemi azriT, saeWvod iqceva,

raRac icis, magram ar unda Tqvas. Tumca masTan urTierTobis gafuWeba ara Rirs. gzaSi aTas rames gadaveyrebiT. da Cveni ucnauri zulusi uTuod did daxmarebas gagviwevs.

meore dRes samgzavrod mzadebas SevudeqiT. rasakvirvelia, sisulele iqneboda imaze fiqric ki, Cveni Tofebi da sxva iaraRi udabnoSi Tan wagveRo. mebargulebi gavistumreT da moveleparakeT iqve mcxovreb kafrs, vidre davbrundebodiT, Cveni nivTebi TavisTan Seenaxa. guli mefliTeboda, roca vfiqrobdi, es saucxoo Tofebi am qurds unda CavabaroT-meTqi. beber gaiZveras maT danaxvaze Tvalebi aucimcimda, ver iqna da ver moacila wuwki mzera. iZulebuli gavxdi, saswrafo zomebisTvis mimemarTa.

pirvel yovlisa, davtene yvela Tofi, Caxmaxebi Sevayene da kafrs gamovucxade, am iaraRs TiTi ar daakaro, Torem ubedurebas daatrialeb-meTqi. kafrma maSinve moisurva Seemowmebina, marTals veubnebodi Tu ara, da Cems orlulian Tofs daswvda. gaisma griali da tyviam ferdi Seulewa xars, romelsac swored am dros kraalSi modenidnen. kafri ki ukudartymisagan zurgze gadakotrialda, imave wams wamoxta. xaris dakargva saSinlad ewyina da gaTavxedebulma sazRauri momTxova. erTi kia, meficeboda, mag Tofebs siaxloves aRar gavekarebio.

_ CamaleT TivaSi eg cocxali qajebi, Torem yvelas gagvJlets! _ butbutebda igi.

vicodi, moxuci Zalze crumorwmune iyo da davemuqre: erTi Tofic rom dagvekargos, jados vixmar da Senc da Sens saxlobasac erTianad amogJuJavT-meTqi. Tu bedma gvimtyuna da gzaSi daviRupeT, Sen ki am dros Cveni Tofebis dasakuTreba moiwadine, saiqiodan gamogecxadebi, Cems aCrdils verc dRisiT da verc RamiT versad gaeqcevi-meTqi... garda amisa, Sens saqonels Sevulocav, davacofeb, rZes gavuSrob, Sen ki im zomamde migiyvan, sikvdili sanatreli gagixdes-meTqi. amas ar gakmareb, eSmakeulebs, TofSi rom sxedan, gareT gamovuZaxeb da isini mogelaparakebian, rogorc wesi da rigia-meTqi. erTi sityviT, gavagebine, ra sasjeli eloda, Tu Cvens ndobas ar gaamarTlebda. bebruxana gvarianad SeSinda da Semomfica, Tqvens nivTebs iseve gavufrTxildebi, rogorc gansvenebuli mamaCemis sulso.

zedmeti tvirTisagan gavTavisufldiT da sagzaod mzadebas SevudeqiT. saWiro iyo, gadagverCia Tan wasaRebi iaraRi da nivTebi. Zalian vcdilobdiT Tavi ar gadagvetvirTa da rac SeiZleba msubuqad gvevlo, magram TiToeul Cvengans ormoc-ormoci girvanqa tvirTi mainc Sexvda sazidad. ai, ra migvqonda Tan:

sami `eqspresis" sistemis Tofi, Tavisi orasi tyviiT; ori savaznekolofiani `vinCesteri" (ambopasa da ventfogelisaTvis), esec orasi tyviiT; sami `koltis" sistemis revolveri samoci tyviiT; xuTi oTx-oTxpintiani maTara; xuTi sabani; ocdaxuTi girvanqa biltongi anu apoxti; aTi girvanqa saukeTeso mZivi saCuqrebisaTvis; patara afTiaqi

aucilebeli wamlebiT. Tan waviReT agreTve erTi uncia qinaqina da mcire zomis qirurgiuli xelsawyoebi.

amas emateboda zogierTi wvrilmani: kompasi, asanTi, jibis farani, filtri, Tambaqo, patara bari, erTi boTli brendi da, bolos, tansacmeli, romelic zed gvecva. aseTi Sori da saxifaTo mogzaurobisaTvis yvelaferi es, rasakvirvelia, cota iyo, magram metis waReba veRar gavbedeT, ormoci girvanqa tvirTi CvenTvis sakmaoze metic iyo. udabnos gavarvarebul qviSaze mZime tvirTiT siaruli Znelze Zneli saqmea. aseT SemTxvevaSi, yoveli zedmeti grami unda aiwon-daiwonos. Zalianac rom vcdiliyaviT, tvirTs ver SevimsubuqebdiT, radgan Tan mxolod aucilebeli nivTebi migvqonda.

didi gaWirvebiT daviyolie sami sacodavi kafri, ociode milze wamogvyoloda. _ es Cveni mogzaurobis pirveli safexuri iyo. yovel maTgans unda wamoeRo gogris didi boTli, TiTo galoni wyliT. fexis qirad TiToeulisaTvis monadiris dana unda mimeca. imedi gvqonda, wylis marags pirvel gadasasvlelze SevavsebdiT. gadavwyviteT gzas RamiT davdgomodiT, radgan am dros SedarebiT ufro griloda. kafrebs vuTxari, siraqlemebze sanadirod mivdivarT-meTqi. kafrebi pasuxad raRacas meubnebodnen, mxrebs iCeCdnen da marwmunebdnen, namdvilad dagiJebulxarT, aucileblad wyurviliT daixocebiTo. erTi mxriv, es marTlac safiqrali iyo. magram kafrebs Zalian undodaT danebi xelT egdoT. sxva dros da sxva pirobebSi aseT rameze verc iocnebebdnen, am velursa da ukacriel adgilebSi dana didi iSviaTobaa. hoda, danebis xaTriT dagvTanxmdnen is oci mili CvenTan erTad gaevloT. albaT gulSi fiqrobdnen, Tundac axlave daxocilan wyurviliT, Cveni ra saqmeao.

mTeli meore dRe Zilsa da dasvenebas movandomeT: mzis Casvlisas Zroxis xorciT kargad wavivaxSmeT da zed Caic davayoleT. gudma naRvlianad SeniSna, vin icis, Cais kvlav rodisRa davlevTo. navaxSmevs gavamzadeT bargi-barxana, Semdeg isev davweqiT da mTvaris amosvlas davelodeT. bolos, daaxleobiT saRamos cxra saaTisaTvis, mTvarec amobrwyinda. misi Suqi TqrialiT moefina aremares da SoreTSi gaWrili udabno vercxlisfrad aalaplapa. Cven win garTxmuli sivrce iseTive diadi da mdumare Canda, rogorc varskvlavebiT moWedili cis tatnobi.

yvelani mzad viyaviT, gzas davdgomodiT, magram adgilidan ar viZrodiT, TiTqos vyoymanobdiT, fexs viTrevdiT. Tumca ra gasakviria, mousavleTis karibWesTan adamiani mudam yoymanobs xolme. Cven, sami TerTkaniani, ganze gavdeqiT. ambopa Cvengan ramdenime nabijze idga. Tofi mxarze gadaegdo, xelSi Subi eWira da TvalCaciebiT gascqeroda udabnos. ventfogeli da kafrebi Cvens zurgs ukan SequCuliyvnen.

_ batonebo, _ wamoiwyo ser henrim dabali, sasiamovno xmiT mcire dumilis Semdeg, _ Cveni mogzauroba araCveulebrivi iqneba, veWvob, igi keTilad damTavrdes. Cven samni varT da Rrmad mjera, rac unda moxdes, erTmaneTs ukanasknel wuTamde davicavT. axla ki, vidre gzas gavudgebodeT, vaxsenoT RmerTi, Semoqmedi yovlisa, romelic dasabamidan warmarTavs adamianTa beds da aRvavlinoT mcire locva misdami. vendoT RvTis nebas, SevevedroT, swori da WeSmariti gziT gvataros.

ser henrim qudi moixada, saxeze xelebi aifara da oriode wuTi locvad idga. me da gudic vloculobdiT.

me, msgavsad monadireTa umravlesobisa, ar SemiZlia mxurvaled locva. ser henri ki Rrmad morwmune adamiania, Tumca amgvari sityvebi

misgan sxva dros aRar gamigonia. gudic RvTismosavia, mxolod lanZRva-gineba uyvars. yovel SemTxvevaSi, ar maxsovs, odesme ase mxurvaled melocos. locva rom davasrule, guls mefona. Cveni momavali bneliT iyo moculi, magram, Cemi azriT, idumali da Seucnobeli, yovelgvari safrTxe da gansacdeli, adamians SemoqmedTan aaxlovebs.

_ aba, axla ki wavideT! _ Tqva ser henrim. gzas davadeqiT. mivdiodiT, magram arsebiTad alalbedze unda

gvevlo, radgan garda im Soreuli mTebisa, aqedan Zlivs rom ilandeboda da xose da silvestras mier samasi wlis winaT qsovilis nafleTze daxatuli rukisa, verafriT vixelmZRvanelebdiT. naxevrad SeSlili momakvdavi moxucis datovebuli tilos es nafleTi maincdamainc didad saimedo ar iyo. miuxedavad amisa, mTel imedebs masze vamyarebdiT. piradad me sul imaze vfiqrobdi, mivagnebdiT Tu ara patara tbors `cudi wyliT", romelic, moxuci portugalielis rukis mixedviT, udabnos SuagulSi, ese igi, kraal sitandadan samociode milis daSorebiT unda yofiliyo. es tbori amave manZiliT iyo daSorebuli dedofal sabias mTebidan. wylisTvis rom ver migvegno, saSinel tanjvaSi amogvxdeboda suli, magram vin iyo Tavdebi, rom qviSisa da buCqnaris am ukidegano zRvaSi maincdamainc im tbors wavadgebodiT. davuSvaT da, silvestram sworad gadaitana rukaze misi adgilsamyofeli, mainc Zneli dasajerebeli iyo, rom sami saukunis manZilze udabnos Takara sxivebs erTianad ar amoeSro igi. bolos da bolos, sul rom araferi, qviSiT amoivseboda an gareuli cxovelebi gadatkepnidnen. aCrdilebiviT uxmod mivyvebodiT bnels. Cqari siaruli SeuZlebeli iyo. fexi wamdauwum qviSaSi gvefloboda. ekliani bardebi gzas gviRobavda, fexsacmeli siliT gvevseboda. iZulebuli viyaviT, drodadro Segvesvena da sila gamogveferTxa. udabnos mZime, sulis SemxuTvel haers Ramis sigrile ramdenadme amsubuqebda da sasiamovnos xdida. amitomac, miuxedavad zemoaRniSnuli siZneleebisa, sakmao manZilis gavla movaswariT. irgvliv Semzaravi siCume gamefebuliyo. gudma Cven gasamxneveblad stvena wamoiwyo. magram mxiaruli kilo vrcel udabnoSi rogorRac uRimRamod da avbediTad gaisma. gudma igrZno es da stvena Sewyvita.

male Zalze sasacilo ambavi gadagvxda Tavs, Tumca, unda iTqvas, Tavdapirvelad Zalian SevSindiT. gudi kompasiT xelSi win migviZRoda _ rogorc, saerTod, yvela mezRvaurs, masac emarjveboda kompasiT gzis gakvleva. Cven ki erTimeoris miyolebiT mis ukan mivabijebdiT. uecrad Cvenma kapitanma xmamaRla wamoiyvira da sadRac gaqra. imave wams Cven irgvliv raRac saocari xmebi gaisma: frutuni, xvrinva da kvnesa erTmaneTSi airia, mere fexis mZime bartyuniT viRac gaiqca.

didi gaWirvebiT davlandeT bnelSi raRac ucnauri cxovelebi, fxoWa-glejiT rom garbodnen win da irgvliv mtvris koriantels ayenebdnen. SeSinebulma kafrebma tvirTi miwaze daagdes da gaqceva daapires, magram male mixvdnen, gasaqcevi rom arsad hqondaT, pirqve daemxnen da ayvirdnen, eSmaki, eSmakio! me da ser henri gaocebulebi videqiT. magram warmoidgineT, ra dagvemarTeboda, roca davinaxeT, rom gudi gamalebuli miqroda mTebisken, Tan sazarlad Rrialebda. mogveCvena, TiTqos cxens miaWenebda. uecrad xelebi aiqnia da mTeli ZaliT mZimed daaskda miwas.

maSinve mivxvdiT, rac momxdariyo: bnelSi kvagebis jogs gadavwydomodiT. cxenebs eZinaT. gudma waiforxila da erT-erT maTgans

zurgze daeca. dafeTebuli cxoveli wamoxta, bnelSi gaiWra da `mxedaric" Tan gaitaca. Cvenebs mivaZaxe, ar SeSindeT-meTqi, da saswrafod gudisken gaveqane.

advili warmosadgenia, rogor gamixardeboda, roca Cveni kapitani qviSaze mjdari davinaxe. sabednierod, sulac ar daSavebuliyo, mxolod Zalze SeSinebuli Canda da karga magradac iyo daJeJili, Tumca es arc mas da arc mis monokls ar emCneoda.

am SemTxvevam gvarianad gagvamxiarula da male isev gzas davadeqiT. Ramis pirveli saaTisTvis SevisveneT. cota wyali davlieT (wyals samyofad ver davlevdiT, radgan kargad gvesmoda, ras warmoadgenda CvenTvis es Zvirfasi siTxe) da naxevari saaTis Semdeg isev gzas gavudeqiT.

viareT, vidre aRmosavleTi alisfrad ar Seferadda, da moyviTalo-movardisfro nazi sxivebi ar gamoCnda. es sxivebi swrafad gaRadRadda da uceb cecxlovan zolebad moedo miwas, swored am zolebiT Semocurda udabnoSi ganTiadi, varskvlavebi gauferuldnen da bolos sruliad gaqrnen. mTvare miibnida da mis mkrTal diskoze gamoCnda mTagrexilis zoli. ase laclacebs xolme momakvdavis saxeze Crdili. mzis sxivebma isrebiviT gaielves sadRac, Zalian Sors, dacxriles udabnos burusis saburveli da mTeli udabno oqrosfrad alaplapda.

gzam Zalian mogvqanca, magram gadavwyviteT, ar dagvesvena, radgan vicodiT, rogorc ki mze aimaRlebda, ise Camocxeboda, fexs win veRar wavdgamdiT. bolos, daaxloebiT erTi saaTis siarulis Semdeg swor adgilas wamoyudebuli ramdenime qarafi davlandeT. daRlil-daqanculebi wavlaslasdiT iqiT da davinaxeT, rom ramdenime didi lodi win wamowvdiliyo. am lodebis qveS Tavisuflad SegveZlo mzisgan Tavis Sefareba. siamovnebiT SevlagdiT CrdilSi. miwa wvrili siliT iyo mofenili. davlieT cotaodeni wyali, TiTo naWeri biltongi davayoleT, mere iqve miveyareT da imwamsve mkvdrebiviT CagveZina.

Tvali rom gavaxile, ukve sami saaTi iyo. kafri mebargulebi Cven gaRviZebasRa elodnen, rom ukan

gamobrunebuliyvnen, maT es udabno yelSi amouvidaT da veRaraferi aiZulebdaT, cotaze kidev gamogvyolodnen. oRond aqaurobas gasclodnen da danebzec ki xels aiRebdnen.

Cven auwereli siamovnebiT davlieT maTarebSi CarCenili wyali, mere gogris boTlebidan wyali maTarebSi gadavasxiT da kafrebi Sin gavistumreT.

xuTis naxevrisTvis kvlav gzas gavuyeviT. udabnoSi samariseburi siCume idga. Tvalmiuwvdomel qviSis zRvaSi, garda ramdenime siraqlemisa, sulieri ar WaWanebda. am uwylo, gamomSral-gamofitul miwas, etyoba, nadiric gaurboda da frinvelic. oriode Sxamiani kobras garda, qvewarmavalic ki arsad Segvxvedria. miuxedavad amisa, iyo erTi mweri, romelsac vera da ver davaRwieT Tavi. es gaxldaT buzi, diax, Cveulebrivi oTaxis buzi. isini udabnoSi dafrinavdnen, jaSuSebiviT gvzveravdnen da Tan mogvyvebodnen, magram TiTo-TiTod ki ara, gund-gundad. oTaxis buzi Zalian ucnauri mweria. sad gnebavT waxvideT, rom mas ar gadaeyaroT. ras izamT, aTadan babadan aseTi yofila maTi modgma da jiSi.

erTxel qarvis natexi maCvenes, Sig buzi moqceuliyo. es qarva xuTi aTasi wlis mainc iqneboda. buzi zustad Cveni oTaxis buzs waagavda. Cemi

azriT, rodesac dedamiwis zurgze ukanaskneli adamiani mokvdeba, buzi (Tu, rasakvirvelia, es zafxulSi moxda) bzuil-bzuiliT itrialebs micvalebulis irgvliv, rom rogorme dro ixelTos da cxvirze daaskupdes.

saRamo Jams SevisveneT, rom mTvaris amosvlas davlodebodiT. roca igi Cveulebriv mSvidad da uSfoTvelad caze amogorda, Cvenc gzas gavuyeviT. Ramis ori saaTisaTvis cota CaviferxeT, mere ki mzis amosvlamde Seusvenebliv viareT. mze rom amovida, daRlil-daqanculebi dasasveneblad SevCerdiT. davlieT ramdenime ylupi wyali da pirdapir qviSaze daveyareT. gawamebulebs imwamsve CagveZina. guSagis datoveba sruliad zedmeti iqneboda, radgan Cvens irgvliv WaWaneba arafrisa iyo. Cveni erTaderTi mteri sicxe, uwyloba da buzebi iyo. piradad me merCivna, kacs an gamZvinvarebul mxecs Sevbmodi, oRond ki am sazareli `samebisagan" rogorme Tavi mexsna. samwuxarod, amjerad ar gvqonda bedniereba, sadme kedels SevfarebodiT, rom mzisgan Tavi dagvecva. Svid saaTze autanelma sicxem gagvaRviZa, ase gvegona, gavarvarebul nakverCxlebze vixrukebodiT. mze wveT-wveTad gviSrobda sisxls. suls Zlivs viTqvamdiT, ris vaivaglaxiT movaxerxeT wamojdoma.

_ gaeTrieT! _ SevZaxe gasavaTebulma da xeli avuqnie buzebis grovas, Tavze guldagul rom dambzuoda.

_ ra bednierebi arian, sicxes arc ki grZnoben. _ RmerTmani... _ aRmoxda ser henris. _ ho, cota ar iyos, cxela, _ Seawyvetina gudma. rogorc vTqvi, sicxe marTla jojoxeTuri iyo, Tanac Tavs versad

SevafarebdiT. irgvliv, sadac ki Tvali migviwvdeboda, gavarvarebuli udabno gadaSliliyo. ar Canda arc borcvi, arc qva, arc xe da arc araferi, rom pawawina Crdili mainc sadme dagvegulebina. mzis mkveTrad molaplape sxivebs lamis davebrmavebineT. haeris gaxurebuli, molivlive nakadi ki, udabnos buRiviT rom daswoloda, Tvalebs gvwvavda da xedvas gviSlida.

_ rogor moviqceT? _ ikiTxa ser henrim, _ geenas didxans verc erTi ver gavuZlebT.

Secbunebulebi erTmaneTs mivaCerdiT. _ movifiqre, _ Tqva gudma, _ ormo unda amovTxaroT, Sig CavZvreT,

zemodan ki buCqis totebi wavifaroT. am winadadebas didi aRfrTovanebiT ar SevxvedrivarT, magram sxva

gamosavali ar Canda. Tqma da Sesruleba erTi iyo. maSinve miwis Txras SevudeqiT. vTxridiT bariT, Tan rom wamoviReT, viSveliebdiT xelebsac da ase, erTi saaTis Semdeg, amovTxareT ormo, romlis sigrZe aT futs udrida, sigane _ ocs, siRrme ki _ ors. Semdeg sanadiro danebiT avkafeT miwaze garTxmuli buCqnaris totebi, ormoSi CavweqiT da es totebi zemodan wavifareT. mxolod ventfogels ar moubaZavs CvenTvis. is hotentoti iyo da sicxe srulebiT ar awuxebda.

es safari ramdenadme gvicavda mzis mwveli sxivebisgan. mkiTxveli advilad warmoidgens, ra haeri iqneboda am samarismagvar ormoSi, me ki amis asawerad sityvebi ar myofnis. kalkutis `Savi ormo" Cvens sorosTan SedarebiT albaT samoTxed mogveCveneboda. dRemde ver mivmxvdarvar, ram gadagvarCina im dRes. ormoSi Cayrilebs haeri ar gvyofnida, suli gvexuTeboda, mxolod Jamidan Jamze visvelebdiT tuCebs wyliT. wyali ki Zalian cota gvqonda. TavisTvis neba rom migveca, aqamde ylupic ar

dagvrCeboda; am Zvirfas siTxes TvalisCiniviT vufrTxildebodiT, Torem wyurvili dagvaxrCobda.

dro saocrad nela miizlazneboda, magram amqveynad yvelafers aqvs dasasruli, _ Tu, rasakvirvelia, kacma manamde miatana. es sazareli dRec miiwura. sami saaTisaTvis vTqviT, am ormoSi nel-nela sikvdils gvirCevnia, gzaSi davixocoTo. davlieT ramdenime ylupi Tbili wyali da barbaciT gavudeqiT gzas.

ukve ormocdaaTi mili gvqonda gavlili udabnoSi. Tu gaixsenebT da silvestras sityvebs da erTxel kidev daxedavT mis rukas, dainaxavT, rom udabno ormoc liezea gadaWimuli, tbori `mRvrie wyliT" ki TiTqmis mis SuagulSia moniSnuli. ormoci lie as oc mils Seadgens, maSasadame, Cven im tbors, didi-didi TxuTmeti-oci miliT viyaviT dacilebuli, Tuki, rasakvirvelia, igi am aremareze marTla iyo sadme.

gatanjul-gawamebulebi mzis Casvlamde Zlivs mivlaslasebdiT win, saaTSi mil-naxevarze mets ver gavdiodiT. mze rom Cavida, SevisveneT, ramdenime ylupi wyali kidev movsviT da mTvaris amosvlamde cota wavTvlimeT kidec. sanam davwvebodiT, ambopam patara borcvi dagvanaxva. igi bundad ilandeboda qviSis swor zedapirze da Cvengan daaxloebiT rva miliT iqneboda dacilebuli. aqedan WianWvelebis budes waagavda.

bolos mTvarec amovida. sicxisa da wyurvilisagan araqaTgamoclilebi gzas davadeqiT. visac es tanjva sakuTar Tavze ar gamoucdia, ver warmoidgens, ra gadavitaneT im dRes. ki ar mivdiodiT, mivbarbacebdiT. yovel saaTSi vCerdebodiT. ise moviqanceT, laparakic aRar SegveZlo. aqamde guds ena ar gauCerebia, sul laparakobda da oxunjobda, radgan Zalze mxiaruli xasiaTis kacia, magram axla isic dadumda.

bolos, Ramis ori saaTisaTvis, sulierad da fizikurad gawamebulebi mivuaxlovdiT patara borcvs, erTi SexedviT uzaramazar WianWvelebis budes rom waagavda.

am borcvs simaRle asiode futi hqonda da ase, or akrze iqneboda gadaWimuli.

aq SevisveneT da autaneli wyurvilisagan sasowarkveTilebamde misulebma ukanasknel wveTamde davcaleT maTarebSi CarCenili wyali. magram TviToeuls naxevarma pintma Tu mogviwia. es maSin, roca SegveZlo mTeli galonebi dagvelia.

wyali davlieT da davweqiT. is iyo CamTvlima, rom ambopas xma Semomesma:

_ Tu xval wyals ver mivageniT, mTvaris amosvlamde yvelani davixocebiT, _ zulusur enaze Tqva man.

miuxedavad imisa, rom autaneli sicxis buRi trialebda, civma Jruantelma damiara. sazarelia sikvdilze fiqri, magram ise viyavi daRlili, rom Zili am fiqrmac ki ver damifrTxo.

T a v i V I

w y a l i ! w y a l i !

dilis oTxi saaTisaTvis gameRviZa. Zilma Tavisi gaitana da daRlilobas ise aRara vgrZnobdi, samagierod, autaneli wyurvili mtanjavda. amis Semdeg Tvali veRar movxuWe. sizmarSi vnaxe, viTom mdinareSi vbanaobdi. napirebi xeebiTa da buCqebiT iyo gadamwvanebuli, magram gaRviZebisTanave iZulebuli gavxdi, mware sinamdviles davbrunebodi: irgvliv isev gadaxrukuli udabno gadaWimuliyo. gamaxsenda ambopas sityvebi, Tu wyals ver mivageniT, sazareli sikvdiliT davixocebiTo. vis SeuZlia uwylod gaZlos aseT TakaraSi! me wamovjeqi da binZuri saxe gamSral-gafSekili TiTebiT davizile. quTuToebi erTmaneTze Semwebeboda, veRarc bageebs vacilebdi erTmaneTs. Tvalebi ver gavaxile, sanam magrad ar movifSvnite. male gariJraJma moatana, magram haerSi dilis sigrile odnavadac ar igrZnoboda. saocrad daxuTuli, gavarvarebuli dilis bindi gadagvfenoda Tavs. Cems Tanamgzavrebs jer kidev eZinaT. bolos imdenad inaTa, rom kaci naweris garCevas SeZlebda. maSin gadavSale ingolZbis legendebis patara wigni, romelsac jibiT davatarebdi, da kiTxva daviwye. im adgils mivadeqi, sadac ewera:

patara biWunas mihqonda oqros naWedi litra, savse ankara wyliT, firuzis nakadad rom moedineba namursa da reimss Soris... daxeTqili tuCebi uneblieT avacmacune, an, ukeT rom vTqvaT,

Sevecade amecmacunebina. am ankara wyalze fiqric ki Wkuas makargvinebda. aq rom raRac saswauliT kardinali gaCeniliyo Tavisi zanzalakebiT, saRmrTo weriliTa da sanTlebiT, mivvardebodi da ukanasknel wveTamde Sevsvamdi mis xelsaban wyals, Tundac es wyali papis xelis dasabanad Rirsqmnili sapniT yofiliyo aqafebuli. ukanasknel wveTamde Sevsvamdi-meTqi, vambob, rom mcodnoda kidevac, amisaTvis mTeli kaTolikuri eklesiis risxva da SeCveneba damatydeboda Tavs. wyurvilma, daRlilobam da SimSilma cotaTi goni amimRvria. ucbad cxadliv warmomidga Tvalwin, ra gaocebuli miaCerdeboda kardinali, misi Tanmxlebi lamazi patara morCili am tandabal, mziT garujul, WaRara monadires, roca igi erTi naxtomiT gaCndeboda maT win, Tavis binZur saxes wylian WurWelSi Cahyofda da sulmouTqmelad, ukanasknel wveTamde Sesvamda Zvirfas siTxes. es imdenad sasacilod meCvena, rom Tavi veRar Sevikave da gadavixarxare. Cemma xrinwianma xmam danarCenebic gaaRviZa. isinic mohyvnen WuWyiani saxeebis zelasa da Tvalebis fSvnetas.

roca Zils yvelam Tavi gavarTviT, gavmarTeT bWoba, rogor movqceuliyaviT. Cveni mdgomareoba savalalo iyo, wveTi wyalic ar gagvaCnda. maTarebi gadmovapirqvaveT, rom svel yelze ena agvesva, magram ra, maTarebi mSrali iyo. guds erTi boTli brendi hqonda wamoRebuli, igi axla xarbad dascqeroda boTls, magram ser henrim igi xelidan gamostaca da gadaumala. Cvens yofaSi magari sasmelis daleva ueWvel sikvdils niSnavda.

_ wyals rom ver mivagnoT, daviRupebiT da is aris, _ Tqva ser henrim.

_ Tu moxuci portugalielis rukas verwmunebiT, wyali aq sadRac axlos unda iyos, _ mivuge me.

Cemi sityvebiT maincdamainc aravin aRfrTovanebula, cxadze ucxadesi iyo, rom im rukaze didi imedebi ar unda dagvemyarebina.

amasobaSi kargad gaTenda. visxediT da gawamebulebi SevcqerodiT erTmaneTs. uecrad ventfogeli wamodga, aqeT-iqiT siaruls mohyva, Tan miwas Tvals ar acilebda. mere erTbaSad SeCerda, raRac wamoiyvira da miwaze migviTiTa.

_ ra aris? _ SevZaxeT Cven, wamovcvivdiT da misken gaveqaneT. _ davuSvaT, es qurcikis kvalia da amasTan, sul axali, mere ra

ginda amiT Tqva? _ vkiTxe me. _ qurciki mudam wylis siaxloves cxovrobs, _ mipasuxa man

hotentotur enaze. _ marTali xar, _ vuTxari me, _ eg sul gadamaviwyda. isRa damrCenia,

amisTvis RmerTs madloba Sevwiro. am umniSvnelo aRmoCenam Zala gagviorkeca. saocaria, ragind

gulgatexili da sasowarkveTili ar unda iyos adamiani, mainc raRacas ebRauWeba da imedis naperwkalic rom CaeRvenTos gulSi, Tavs ukve bednierad grZnobs. bnel RameSi caze oblad rom cimcimebdes varskvlavi, mgzavrisTvis esec didi nugeSi iqneba.

amasobaSi ventfogelma Tavisi paWua cxviri aprixa da gaxurebuli haeri daynosa. ase ynosavs haers mTis beberi SurTxi, roca saidanme safrTxis moaxloebas grZnobs.

_ wylis suni mcems, _ Tqva ventfogelma. sixaruliT cas vewieT, radgan vicodiT, ra saocari Tandayolili

alRo aqvT udabnoSi gazrdil adamianebs. swored am dros mzemac amoanaTa mTeli Tavisi brwyinvalebiT da

Cvens datanjul TvalTa winaSe iseTi gasaocari suraTi gadaiSala, rom lamis wyalic ki dagvaviwyda. Cvengan ormoci-ormocdaaTiode milis daSorebiT dilis mzis sxivebSi vercxlisfrad laplapebda dedofal sabias mkerdi. mis orive mxares suleimanis didi mTebi gadaWimuliyo. axla, roca Cems magidasTan vzivar da minda am gansacvifrebeli suraTis sidiade gadmogceT, saWiro sityvebs veRar vpoulob. zed Cven win, TxuTmeti aTasi futis simaRleze aRmarTuliyo ori uzarmazari mTa, romelTa badali afrikaSi ki ara, Cemi azriT, mTeli dedamiwis zurgze ar moipoveba. am or mTas, romlebic erTmaneTisagan aTiode miliT iyvnen daSorebuli, Camofxavebuli kldovani qedi aerTebda. mTebs amayad aRemarTaT caSi TovliT dafaruli, gaqaTqaTebuli mwvervalebi. isini TiTqos svetebad Sedgomodnen uzarmazar WiSkars da moyvanilobiT Zlier waagavdnen qalis mkerds. mTebi TandaTan viwrovdebodnen momrgvalebuli mwvervalebisaken da aqedan TiTqmis gadatkecilni Candnen. orive mwvervali veeberTela, TovliT dafaruli borcviT mTavrdeboda, borcvis moyvaniloba qalis ZuZusTavs waagavda. Camofxavebuli kldovani qedis simaRle ramdenime aTas futs udrida. am mTebis orive mxares, sadamdec ki Tvali migviwvdeboda, moCanda aseTive qedebis jaWvi. maT Soris amoziduliyo brtyelmwvervaliani mTebi, romlebic ramdenadme keiptaunis mTas mogvagonebda. sxvaTa Soris, afrikisaTvis es mTebi Cveulebrivi geologiuri warmonaqmnia.

vimeoreb, ar ZalmiZs aRvwero am suraTis TvalismomWreli silamaze. es uzarmazari vulkanebi _ mTebi ueWvelad Camqral vulkanebs warmoadgendnen _ imdenad diadi da damTrgunveli Canda, rom sunTqva Segvekra.

dilis mzis sxivebi erTxans acialebda Tovlian mwvervalebs da elaciceboda yavisfer kldeebs Tovlis xazs qvemoT. Semdeg Rrubeli da sqeli nisli ucnaur bolqvebad air-dairia da mTebs sqel fardad aekra; TiTqos undoda es didebuli suraTi Cveni TvalTamzerisagan miefarebina. axla ZlivsRa varCevdiT mTebis wminda moxazulobas, romelic nislis saburvelSi zmanebasaviT moCanda. rogorc Semdgom davadgineT, am mTebs, Cveulebriv, ucnauri mWivri nisli faravda xolme. albaT amitomac iyo, aqamde kargad rom ver davinaxeT.

rogorc ki mTebma nislis pirbade aifares, gulze kvlav cecxli SemogvenTo, wyurvili adrindelze metad gvaxrCobda.

ventfogelma ki Tqva, wylis suni mcemso, magram saiTac unda gagvexeda, sanugeSos verafers vpoulobdiT. sadac ki Tvali migviwvdeboda, yvelgan moCanda unayofo, sicxisagan gaTanguli qviSa da dabali buCqnari _ samxreT afrikis uwylo platoebis Cveulebrivi mcenareuloba. borcvs irgvliv SemovuareT. aRelvebiT vakvirdebodiT yovel mtkavel miwas im imediT, rom sadme wyals wavawydebodiT, magram sad iyo wyali? ar Canda arc ormo, arc tbori, arc nakaduli, wveTi rom wveTia, isic ki arsad SegviniSnavs.

_ CerCeti xar da sxva araferi, _ gabrazebiT vuTxari ventfogels. _ xom xedav, wyali aq arsad aris.

magram ventfogelma isev abzika Tavisi sazizRari paWua cxviri da haeri daynosa.

_ me vgrZnob wylis suns, baas, _ miTxra pasuxad, _ aq, sadRac, haerSi vgrZnob.

_ diax, diax, _ Cavicine me, _ RrublebSi wylis meti raa! imedi maqvs, erTi-ori Tvis Semdeg igi wvimad wamova da Cvens gamxmar Zvlebs daaltobs.

ser henrim dafiqrebiT Camoisva qera wverze xeli. _ egeba borcvis Txemze moCuxCuxebdes da ara mis ZirSi? _ yoveli SemTxvevisaTvis, wavideT da vnaxoT, _ SevTavaze me. uimedod SevyeviT qviSian ferdobs. uecrad ambopa, romelic Cven win

miabijebda, gaqvavebuliviT Sedga. _ Manzia! Manzia! (wyali, wyali!) _ daiyvira man. misken gaveqaneT da, marTlac, zed Txemze fialis msgavsi Rrmuli

davinaxeT. RrmulSi wyali iyo, diax, namdvili wyali! dro ar dagvikargavs imis gamosakvlevad, am uadgilo adgilas wyali

saidan gaCndao, arc misi Savi feris gamo dagviwyia yoymani. isic kmaroda, rom Cven win iyo wyali, an raRac misi msgavsi. wamis Semdeg miwaze ganrTxmulebi davewafeT am mRvrie siTxes. iseTi netarebiT vsvamdiT, TiTqos RmerTebis sasmeli yofiliyos.

vsvamdiT da rogor vsvamdiT! oh, RmerTo Cemo! rogorc iyo, movikaliT wyurvili, mere tanT gavixadeT da tborSi

CavweqiT, rom Cvens mzisagan gafSekil kansac Seesruta macocxlebeli teni.

SenTvis, Cemo mkiTxvelo, sakmarisia gaxsna onkani, rom uxilavi veeba qvabidan gadmodindes civi an cxeli wyali, amitom SenTvis arc Tu mTlad gasagebi iqneba, ra netarebiT vWyumpalaobdiT am momlaSo, binZur wyalSi.

ramdenime xnis Semdeg gaxalisebulebi wylidan amovediT da madianad SeveqeciT Cvens biltongs, romelsac am bolo xanebSi arc erTi

Cvengani ar gakarebia. Semdeg Cibuxebi gavaboleT, am kurTxeuli wylis piras mivweqiT da SuadRemde viZineT.

mTeli is dRe wyalTan gavatareT, visvenebdiT da beds madlobas vwiravdiT, rom es tbori gvapovnina. rogori iyo es wyali, amas, rasakvirvelia, araviTari mniSvneloba ar hqonda. arc Cvengan didi xnis win wasuli silvestras moxsenieba dagvviwyebia, romlisadmi udidesi madlierebis grZnobiT viyaviT gamsWvalulebi imisaTvis, rom ase zustad gadaetana Tavisi perangis nafxrewze es tbori, raRac manqanebiT amden xans rom ar damSraliyo. Cemi varaudiT, mas kvebavda miwisqveSa nakadi, romelic qviSis sqeli fenis qveS moedineboda.

mTvaris amosvlisTanave kvlav gzas gavuyeviT, rasakvirvelia, gamgzavrebis win blomad davlieT wyali da pirTamde avavseT Cveni maTarebi. yvelani saucxoo gunebaze viyaviT da im RamiT TiTqmis ocdaxuTi mili movitoveT ukan.

TavisTavad cxadia, wyali aRarsad Segvxvedria. magram meore dRes bedma mainc gagviRima, WianWvelebis budis ukan pawawina Crdili davinaxeT, roca mze amovida da mTebs nislis saidumlo saburveli axada, CvenTvis cxadi Seiqna, rom suleimanis da dedofal sabias mTebs ociode miliRa gvaSorebda.

ase gvegona, es mTebi zed Cven win iyo aRmarTuli. axla isini ufro warmtaci gveCveneboda, vidre winaT. daRamda Tu ara, gza ganvagrZeT da meore dRes, alionze, ukve dedafal sabias marcxena ZuZus ZirSi viyaviT. es ar gagvkvirvebia, raki gzaSi gezi aqeTken gveWira. am droisaTvis wyali isev gagviTavda da wyurvili saSinlad gvtanjavda. axla ki araviTari imedi aRar gvqonda, wyals sadme SevxvedrodiT, vidre ar mivadgebodiT Tovlis zols, am uzarmazari mTis wverze rom iyo. erTi-ori saaTi davisveneT da autaneli wyurviliT gawamebulebi kvlav gzas davadeqiT. didi gaWirvebiT SevyeviT gacivebuli laviT dafarul mTis ferdobs. mze umowyalod gvaWerda. aRmoCnda, rom es uzarmazari mTa mravali saukunis winaT amofrqveuli lavis fenebisagan Sedgeboda.

TerTmeti saaTisaTvis Zal-Rone mTlad gamogvelia. fexze ZlivsRa videqiT. gaqvavebulma, uswormasworo lavam fexebi dagvisera. marTalia, aq lava sakmaod gluvi iyo SedarebiT mis sxva saxeobebTan, romelic gvxvdeba, magaliTad, amaRlebis kunZulze, magram zed siaruli mainc gviWirda da fexebSi gvtexda. roca yvela Cvens ubedurebas esec zed daerTo, vigrZeniT, rom metis atana aRar SegveZlo. Cvengan ramdenime iardis daSorebiT lavis didi lodebi iyo gadmoSverili, maT CrdilSi Tavisuflad SeiZleboda Tavis Sefareba.

ris vai-vaglaxiT mivaRwieT iqamde da gaocebulebi SevdeqiT (sakvirveli iyo, kidev rom SegvrCenoda gaocebis unari!). Cvens zemoT, patara platoze lava sqlad iyo dafaruli mwvane mcenareuliT. rogorc etyoboda, lavis produqtebis daSlis Sedegad iq warmoiqmna miwis fena, romelzedac droTa ganmavlobaSi moxvda Citebis mier Semotanili Tesli. magram am mwvane safarma didi xniT ver dagvainteresa. kaci ver icocxlebs, nabuqodonosoriviT mxolod balaxeuli rom Wamos. balaxeuliT sicocxle rom SeinarCuno, amisTvis sxvanair varskvlavze unda iyo dabadebuli da cota sxva moyvanilobis kuWic unda gqondes. lodebis CrdilSi Sefarebulebi mZimed voxravdiT. piradad me gulwrfelad vnanobdi, am bedukuRmarT saqmeSi rom Cavebi. uecrad ambopa wamodga da im mwvane platosken walaslasda. ramdenime wuTis Semdeg

davinaxe, rom es mudam dinji da sakuTari Tavis pativismcemeli pirovneba cekvavda da SlegiviT gahyviroda, xelSi ki raRac mwvane nayofi eWira.

vifiqreT, ambopam wyali ipovao da am imediT frTaSesxmulni misken gaveqaneT.

_ ra moxda, ambopa, Se damTxveulis Svilo? _ davuyivre. _ es wyalic aris da saWmelic, makumazan, _ miTxra man da is mwvane

nayofi kvlav haerSi SeaTamaSa. axla ki davinaxe, ra eWira xelSi. es gaxldaT nesvi. Cven wavadeqiT platos, sadac aTasobiT gareuli nesvi mwifobda.

_ nesvebi! _ davuyvire guds, romelic fexdafex momyveboda ukan. wamis Semdeg gudma ukve Caaso mwife nayofs Tavisi xelovnuri

kbilebi. albaT TiToeulma Cvenganma eqvs-eqvsi nesvi mainc SeWama, sanam

dacarielebul kuWs amoivsebda da gaZReboda. Tumca am nesvebs gansakuTrebuli gemo ara hqonia, magram ase megona, Cems sicocxleSi amaze gemrieli araferi meWama.

wyurvili rom movikaliT, nesvebi Sua-Sua davWeriT da mzis gulze davawyveT, rom wyali aorTqlebuliyo da nayofi gaecivebina. magram mogexsenebaT, nesvi arc Tu ise msuye saWmelia da SimSilma male isev Semogvitia. cotaodeni biltongi ki gvqonda, magram guli aravis migvdioda. garda amisa, unda dagvezoga, radgan, vin icis, rodis viSovidiT saWmels. sruliad moulodnelad bedma gagviRima. me udabnosken vicqirebodi. uecrad Tvali movkari aTiode didi zomis frinvels, romlebic pirdapir Cvenken mofrinavdnen.

_ Skit, Baas, skit (esrole, batono, esrole!) _ CamiCurCula hotentotma da miwaze ganerTxo. Cvenc mis magaliTs mivbaZeT.

axlaRa mivxvdi, rom es frinvelebi gareuli indaurebi iyvnen. isini ormocdaaTi iardis simaRleze mifrinavdnen. me vinCesteri aviRe, Tan frinvelebs Tvals ar vaSorebdi. roca zed Tavze gadagvifrines, moulodnelad fexze wamoviWeri, frinvelebi dafrTxnen da, rogorc movelodi, erTad SuquCdnen. orjer davaxale tyvia da erTi indauri Camovagde. karga mozrdili frinveli iyo, ase, oc girvanqamde xorci auvidoda. naxevari saaTis Semdeg Cveni vaxSami cecxlze SiSxinebda, cecxli nesvis gamxmari Reroebisagan gavaCaReT. mTeli kviris ganmavlobaSi aseTi Rreoba pirvelad gvqonda. indauri pirwmindad SevWameT, Zvlebisa da niskartis garda aRaraferi dagvitovebia. kargad davnayrdiT da axla Tavs gacilebiT ukeT vgrZnobdiT.

RamiT, mTvare rom amovida, kvlav gzas gavudeqiT, Tan waviReT nesvebi, ramdensac moverieT. rac ufro maRla miviwevdiT, miT ufro igrZnoboda sicive. es CvenTvis didi SeRavaTi iyo. gamTeniisas Tovlis xazs sul raRac aTiode miliT viyaviT dacilebuli. iq, maRla, kvlav wavawydiT nesvs. wyalze fiqri axla ukve aRar gvaSinebda, radgan sul male Tovlian mwvervals unda mivdgomodiT, magram gza sul ufro da ufro saSiSi xdeboda. Cven didi sifrTxiliT, nel-nela miviwevdiT win da saaTSi erT milsac Zlivs gavdiodiT. im RamiT biltongis ukanaskneli naWeri SevWameT. mas Semdeg, rac mTas avuyeviT, garda indaurebisa, arc erTi cocxali arseba ar Segvxvedria, ar wavwydomivarT arc wyaros, arc nakaduls, rac Zalze ucnauri gveCvena. mwvervalze xom Tovlis uzarmazari zvinebi ido, romelic, Cveni azriT, drodadro mainc unda

damdnariyo, magram rogorc Semdeg aRmoCnda, raRac amouxsneli mizezis gamo, yvela nakaduli mTis Crdilo kalTaze miedineboda.

SimSili Zalian gvawuxebda. namceci saWmelic ar gvqonda. nuTu wyurviliT sikvdils mxolod imitom gadavurCiT, rom SimSiliT davxociliyaviT?

Cemi mokle Canawerebi ubis wignakSi yvelaze ukeT gagacnobT Cvens savalalo mdgomareobas ukanaskneli sami dRis ganmavlobaSi.

maisi. gzas dilis Tormet saaTze davadeqiT, radgan sakmaod griloda da sicxe ar Segvawuxebda. Tan waviReT ramdenime nesvi. gaWirvebiT mivdiodiT mTeli dRe. nesvebs aRarsad gadavwydomivarT, albaT gavcdiT zols, sadac isini xaroben. arc nadiri da frinveli Segvxvedria. mzis Casvlisas davikarveT. ukve didi xania, araferi gviWamia. RamiT saSinlad cioda. gavwamdiT.

maisi. riJraJze gza ganvagrZeT. Zalian dasustebulebi varT. mTeli dRis ganmavlobaSi xuTi milis gavla Zlivs movaxerxeT. Segvxvda TovliT dafaruli miwis patara nakveTebi. Tovli SevWameT, radgan sxva saWmeli araferi gvebada. Ramis saTevad uzarmazar platos SevefareT. Zalian cioda, cota brendi davlieT, sabnebSi gavexvieT da, rom ar gavyinuliyaviT, erTmaneTs mivekariT. SimSili da daRliloba warmoudgenlad gvtanjavda. gveSinoda, ventfogeli RamiT xelSi ar Cagvkvdomoda.

maisi. rogorc ki mzem aimaRla da Cveni gafSekil-gaSeSebuli kidurebi cotaTi SeaTbo, kvlav SevecadeT gangvegrZo gza. saSinel mdgomareobaSi varT, Tu saWmels versad wavawydiT, es Cveni mogzaurobisa da arsebobis ukanaskneli dRe iqneba. brendi sul ramdenime ylupiRa dagvrCa. guds, ser henrisa da ambopas mSvenivrad uWiravT Tavi, magram ventfogeli Zalian cudad aris, hotentotebi xom saerTod ver itanen sicives. dRes kuWi ise mwvaved aRar mtkiva, piriqiT, rogorRac gabuJebuli maqvs. sxvebic aseT mdgomareobaSi arian. Cven axla vimyofebiT im flatovani qedis anu lavis kedlis simaRleze, romelic or mTas aerTebs. xedi saucxooa. Cven ukan gadaSlilia Tvaluwvdeneli udabno, win ki ramdenime milis manZilze Tovlis swori safaria gadaWimuli. mTa zemoT da zemoT TandaTan mrgvaldeba. mis centrSi, oTxi aTasi futis simaRleze, azidulia uzarmazari mwvervali. Cven irgvliv sulieri arsad WaWanebs. RmerTo, gvixseni! vfiqrob, Cveni aRsasruli moaxloebulia.

axla ki Cems dRiurs gverdze gadavdeb, radgan igi maincdamainc didi interesiT ar unda ikiTxebodes. garda amisa, is, rac Semdeg moxda, ufro sainteresoa da minda dawvrilebiT mogiTxroT.

mTeli is dRe ( maisi) nel-nela mivuyvebodiT Tovlian ferdobs. drodadro CaviferxebdiT, an davwvebodiT, rom Zala mogvekriba. albaT saocari sanaxavebi viyaviT. xuTi kaci, xuTi ZalRonegamoclili, gasavaTebuli adamiani Zlivs miaTrevda fexebs azinvarebul TovlSi da damSeulebi xarbad acecebdnen aqeT-iqiT Tvalebs, magram sul tyuilad ki. rac unda gveZebna, irgvliv pirSi Casakarebels verafers vipovidiT. im dRes Svid milze meti ar gagvivlia. mzis Casvlis xans mivaRwieT dedo-fal sabias marcxena ZuZus mwvervals _ uzarmazar swor borcvs, romelic gayinuli TovliT iyo dafaruli da Cven zemoT aTasi futis simaRleze gadmoyudebuliyo.

xom Savi dRe gvadga, magram Cven win gadaSlil suraTs mainc Tvals ver vacilebdiT. Camavali mzis Suqi kidev ufro aZlierebda am warmtaci

bunebis silamazes. mzis sxivebs alag-alag sisxlisfrad SeeReba Tovli, mTis mwvervalisaTvis ki brwyinvale jiRa daedga.

_ iciT, ra? _ Tqva uecrad gudma, _ Tu verwmunebiT moxuc da silvestras, aq, sadRac mRvime unda iyos.

_ diax, diax, _ mivagebe me, _ unda iyos, Tuki, saerTod, sadme arsebobs.

_ momismineT, quotermen, _ amoioxra gudma, _ nu laparakobT ase. me savsebiT vendobi am rukas. aba wylis ambavi gaixseneT? hoda, mRvimesac male mivagnebT.

_ Zalian kargi, magram Tu mag mRvimes dabnelebamde versad wavadeqiT, mainc cocxlebSi aRar unda viguloT Tavi, _ gaisma damamSvidebeli pasuxi.

kidev aTiode wuTs mivlaslasebdiT siCumeSi. ambopa Cems gverdiT modioda. sabanSi gaxveuliyo, tyavis qamari magrad SemoeWira welze, rom, rogorc TviTon ambobda, `SimSili moekrunCxa". uecrad man xelze xeli wamatana.

_ SexedeT! _ miTxra da TiTi mwvervalisaken gaiwvdina. me iqiTken gavixede da orasiode iardis daSorebiT, Tovlian ferdobze xvrelis msgavsi raRac davlande.

_ iq mRvimea, _ Tqva ambopam. ukanaskneli Zala movikribeT da aCqarebiT gaveSureT iqiTken. is

xvreli marTla mRvimis Sesasvleli aRmoCnda, swored im mRvimisa, da silvestras rukaze rom iyo aRniSnuli. sulze mivaswariT. rogorc ki mRvimes mivaRwieT, mze saocari siswrafiT Caesvena da irgvliv yvelaferi wyvdiadma moicva. am ganedze xom bindbundi TiTqmis ar arsebobs. mRvimeSi SevZveriT, igi arc Tu ise didi gveCvena. erTmaneTs mivekariT, rom rogorme gavmTbariyaviT, da darCenili brendi gadavkariT. TiToeuls TiTo ylupma Tu mouwia. brendi davlieT da SevecadeT, Cveni ubedureba da Savsvianoba ZilSi dagveviwyebina, magram autanelma sicivem Tvali ar mogvaxuWina.

darwmunebuli var, rom am maRal adgilas Termometri ToTxmet-TxuTmet gradus yinvas uCvenebda. mkiTxvels SeuZlia warmoidginos, ra iqneboda es CvenTvis, gzis simZimiT, usmel-uWmelobiTa da udabnos sicxiT Ronemixdili adamianebisaTvis. me ki amis asawerad sityvebi ar myofnis. sakmarisia vTqva, rom arasodes migrZvnia sikvdilis moaxloeba ise, rogorc im sazarel Rames vigrZeni.

saaTi saaTs misdevda, Cven mRvimeSi visxediT da vgrZnobdiT, rogor daexeteboda yinva Cven irgvliv, dagveZgereboda xolme TiTebSi, fexebze, saxeSi. sul ufro mWidrod vekvrodiT erTmaneTs, vcdilobdiT, gavmTbariyaviT, magram amaod, Cvens gasacodavebul damSeul ConCxebs siTbo aRar SerCenodaT. zogjer romelime Cvengans Zili waarTmevda Tavs, magram es iyo mxolod ramdenime wuTiT. didxans Zili, sabednierod, aravis SegveZlo, radgan, rom dagvZineboda, veRarc gaviRviZebdiT. darwmunebuli var, im RamiT mxolod nebisyofam SegvinarCuna sicocxle.

gaTenebas bevri aRaraferi uklda, roca ventfogelma, mTeli Rame kbils kbilze rom aceminebda, erTi magrad amoioxra da kbilebis kawkawi Sewyvita. maSin amisTvis yuradReba ar mimiqcevia, vifiqre, albaT CaeZina-meTqi.

ventfogeli da me zurgizurgmiyrdnobili visxediT da vigrZeni, rom misi zurgi TandaTanobiT gacivda, bolos ki yinuliviT Seiqna.

wyvdiadi riJraJma Secvala. Semdeg Tovlze oqros sxivebic akiafda. mze amogorda da Cveni gaToSil-gayinuli sxeulebi gaanaTa. maSinRa davinaxeT, ventfogeli gardacvliliyo, raRa gasakviria, misi zurgi ase civi rom meCveneboda. sabralos albaT maSin amoxda suli, roca misi oxvra Semomesma. axla misi gvami erTianad gaSeSebuli iyo. Rrmad SeZrwunebulni, fofxviT gavSordiT cxedars (saocaria, ra Tavzardamcemi grZnoba gvipyrobs xolme micvalebulis danaxvisas). sabralo ventfogeli isev ise ijda muxlebze xelebSemoWdobili.

amasobaSi mzis civma sxivebma (diax, namdvilad civi sxivebi iyo) pirdapir mRvimeSi SemoanaTa. uecrad viRacam sazarlad Sehyvira. ukan mivixede da ra davinaxe: mRvimis boloSi, _ mRvimis sigrZe ociode futi Tu iqneboda, _ viRac ijda, Tavi mkerdze Camoegdo, grZeli xelebi ki dabla daeSva. micvalebuli iyo, Tanac TeTrkaniani.

micvalebuli sxvebmac dainaxes. Cvenma daZabulma nervebma veRar SeZles am suraTis atana. yvelani erTma survilma Segvipyro, _ saswrafod gavclodiT am saSinel adgils. wamovcvivdiT da naxevrad gayinuli fexebis TreviT gasasvlelisaken gaveqaneT.

T a v i V I I

s o l o m o n m e f i s g z a mRvimidan mziT gabrwyinebul Tovlian platoze gamovcvivdiT, magram

TiTqmis imwamsve SevCerdiT. yvelani uxerxulad vgrZnobdiT Tavs im sulmokleobisaTvis, micvalebulis danaxvaze rom gamoviCineT.

_ me mRvimeSi unda Sevbrunde, _ Tqva ser henrim. _ ratom? _ SeekiTxa gudi. _ ratomRac ase mgonia, rom is... is Cemi Zma unda iyos, _ aRelvebiT

Tqva ser henrim. es savsebiT SesaZlebeli gveCvena da mRvimeSi SevbrundiT. mzis

sxivebma da Tovlis qaTqaTa siTeTrem gareT yvelas Tvali mogvWra, amitom naxevrad bnel mRvimeSi erT xans veraferi gavarCieT, magram Tvali bnels male SeeCvia da Cvenc krZalviT mivuaxlovdiT micvalebuls.

ser henrim Caimuxla da mkvdars saxeSi CaaSterda. _ madloba RmerTs, jorji ar yofila! _ SvebiT wamoiZaxa man

bolos. maSin micvalebuls mivuaxlovdi da dakvirvebiT davacqerdi, ase,

Suaxnis kaci iqneboda. swori nakvTebi, grZeli Savi ulvaSi da Savi WaRaraSereuli Tma hqonda. gadayviTlebuli kani magrad gadaWimoda gamSral saxeze. tanT araferi ecva, garda naxevrad Semompali Sarvlisa, romelic ukve ZonZebad qceuliyo. micvalebuls yelze spilos Zvlis jvarcma ekida.

_ netav vin unda iyos? _ wamoviZaxe gakvirvebiT. _ nuTu ver mimxvdarxar? _ SemekiTxa gudi. me uaris niSnad Tavi gaviqnie. _ vin unda iyos, Tu ar xoze da silvestra! _ eg SeuZlebelia! _ SevZaxe aTrTolebuli xmiT. _ da silvestra

xom samasi wlis winaT mokvda.

_ ver gamigia, ra gikvirT, _ mSvidad mipasuxa gudma, _ aseT yinvaSi micvalebuli samass ki ara, sami aTas welsac gaZlebs. dabal temperaturaze sisxli da xorci ar ixrwneba da ukuniTi ukunisamde Seinaxeba. am mRvimeSi ki, RmerTma daswyevlos aqauroba, sakmaod civa. mze aq ar Semoixedavs, verc nadiri moexeteba, radgan sulieri arsad WaWanebs. ueWvelia monam, don xoze Tavis werilSi rom axsenebs, tansacmeli Tan waiRo, micvalebuli ki aq datova. es gasagebicaa, marto verafriT SeZlebda mis damarxvas. aba, amas SexedeT! _ gudi daixara da sakmaod ucnauri moyvanilobis wvetiani Zvlis natexi aiRo. _ ai, am ZvliT daxata da silvestram is ruka.

Tavzardacemulebi videqiT. am aRmoCenam imdenad gagvaoca, rom sakuTari gasaWiri sul gadagvaviwyda. yvelaferi TiTqmis zebunebrivad migvaCnda. Cumad davcqerodiT Zvlis natexs da moxuci portugalielis cxedars.

_ aba, naxeT, _ Tqva ser henrim da silvestras marcxena xelze migviTiTa. xels odnav aCnda patara Wriloba. _ ai, saidan auRia sisxli, rom werili daewera. gana Tqvens sicocxleSi msgavsi ram ginaxavT?

axla eWvi aRar gvepareboda, rom Cven winaSe namdvilad da silvestras cxedari iyo. marTali mogaxsenoT, SiSma amitana.

SevyurebdiT micvalebuls, romlis miTiTebebis wyalobiT am gamoqvabulamde movaRwieT. es miTiTebebi xom sami saukuniT adre iyo dawerili. xelSi meWira Zvlis natexi, romliTac sikvdilis win werda. vucqerodi jvarcmas, romelsac albaT micvalebis Jams gayinuli tuCebiT eambora. videqi cxedris winaSe da Tvalwin damidga am sazareli dramis ukanaskneli suraTi. Tvalwin damidga SimSilisa da sicxisagan Ronemixdili mogzauri, romelsac martodmarto amoxda suli am mRvimeSi. kvdeboda, magram mainc imaze fiqrobda, rogorme adamianebisaTvis gadaeca Tavisi didi saidumlo. momeCvena kidec, rom saxis nakvTebiT ramdenadme waagavda Tavis STamomavals, Cems megobars, silvestrs, am oci wlis win Cems mklavze rom dalia suli. egeb yvelaferi es Cemi daRlili fiqris nayofi iyo, magram asea Tu ise, Cven win ijda moxuci da silvestra da TiTqos sastikad afrTxilebda maT, vinc arad agdebs bedisweras da cdilobs farda axados saidumloebas. gaivlis saukuneebi, isev da isev ijdeba aq da Tavzars dascems mgzavrs, romelic CvensaviT SemTxveviT Semoexeteba am mRvimeSi da myudroebas daurRvevs. miuxedavad imisa, rom SimSili gvawuxebda da siciviT vkankalebdiT, am suraTma suliT-xorcamde SegvZra.

_ wavideT aqedan, _ xmadabla Tqva ser henrim, _ Tumca ara, Cven davutovebT da silvestras Tanamosagres, romelic mis martoobas gaiziarebs. isini xom erTnairi sikvdiliT daixocnen!

ser henrim hotentotis gvami da silvestras cxedris gverdiT gadaitana. Semdeg daixara, gadaWra dampali Tasma, moxuc portugaliels yelze rom ekida, da jvarcma xelSi aiRo. arc cdila, Tasma gaexsna, radgan gayinul TiTebs verc ki xrida. vfiqrob, es jvarcma dResac masTan inaxeba. me ki wamoviRe Zvlis natexi, da silvestram kalmad rom ixmara. es `kalami" axlac Cem win, magidaze devs. zogjer xels am Zvlis patara natexiT vawer xolme.

gardasul saukuneTa amayi TeTrkaniani da sabralo hotentoti fexdaukarebeli Tovliani mTebis siCumeSi mudmiv sadarajoze davtoveT. araqaTgamoclilebi mziT gabrwyinebul velze gamovediT da gzas

gavuyeviT, darwmunebulni, rom sul male Cvenc am ori adamianis beds gaviziarebdiT.

naxevari mili Tu gveqneboda gavlili, platos kides rom mivadeqiT. aqedan cxadad davinaxeT, rom mwvervali, anu borcvi, romelic mTas agvirgvinebda, ar imyofeboda mTis SuagulSi, rogorc es udabnodan gveCveneboda. sqeli nislis gamo Cven qvemoT verafers vxedavdiT, magram male nisli SefrTxa, miifant-moifanta da dabla, ase ormocdaaTiode iardze, zed Tovliani ferdobis kideze xasxasa balaxiT dafarul mdelos movkariT Tvali. mdeloze nakaduli miwanwkarebda, magram es kidev araferi. nakadulis piras aTi-Tormeti antilopa mificxeboda mzes. Zalian Sors viyaviT, amitom gagviWirda dadgena, ra jiSs ekuTvnodnen.

ver agiwerT, rogor gagvexarda am cxovelebis danaxva. es iyo saWmeli, auareba saWmeli da igi axla rogorme xelT unda gvegdo. rogor movqceuliyaviT? antilopebi Cvengan eqvsasi iardiT mainc iqnebodnen dacilebulni, ese igi, aqedan karg msrolelsac ki gauWirdeboda tyviis miwvdena. vis unda esrola? arada, Cveni sikvdil-sicocxle am erT tyviaze iyo damokidebuli.

saswrafod moviTaTbireT, ra gzas davdgomodiT. verc ki vifiqrebdiT imaze, rom antilopebs Cumad mivparvodiT, radgan qari maTken qroda. garda amisa, rogorc ar unda gvefrTxila, SeuZlebeli iyo am qaTqaTa TovlSi CvenTvis Tvali ar moekraT.

_ meti ra gza gvaqvs, aqedan unda vesroloT, _ Tqva ser henrim. _ saqme isaa, romeli Tofi vixmaroT, `vinCesteri" Tu `eqspresi". Tqven ras fiqrobT, quotermen?

sakiTxi seriozuli iyo, savaznekolofiani `vinCesteri" (`vinCesteri" ori gvqonda, ambopam Tavis TofTan erTad sabralo ventfogelis Tofic wamoiRo) aTas iardze scemda, orluliani `eqspresi" ki samas ormocdaaT iards Zlivs uwevda. am manZils iqiT srola safrTxilo iyo, radgan SeiZleboda miznisaTvis agvecdina, magram Tu tyvias movaxvedrebdiT, cxovelis mokvlis meti Sansi gvqonda, radgan `eqspresi" saskdomi tyviebiT iyo datenili. sakiTxi Zneli gadasaWreli iyo, me mainc gavbede da `eqspresi" avirCie.

_ yvelam esroleT im antilopas, romelic Tqvens pirdapir dgas, _ gaveci gankarguleba, _ umizneT pirdapir beWSi, an cota zemoT, Sen ki, ambopa, mogveci niSani, rom yvelam erTbaSad gavisroloT.

Camovarda siCume. samiveni vumiznebdiT Tofebs da guldagul vemzadebodiT sasrolad. uTuod ase emzadeba adamiani, romelmac icis, rom misi sicocxle am erT gasrolazea damokidebuli.

_ isroleT! _ zulusur enaze Tqva ambopam da samive Tofma gamayrueblad iWeqa.

wamiT haerSi, Cvens TvalTa win, bolis sami Rrubeli daekida. exom aitaca Tofis xma da Tovlis TeTri mdumareba daarRvia. magram ai, boli gaifanta da, oh, RmerTo Cemo! mamali antilopa zurgiT miwaze ganrTxmuliyo da sasikvdilod ikrunCxeboda. ara, SimSiliT aRar davixocebodiT. aTiode wuTis Semdeg win gvewyo antilopas gul-RviZli. magram aq axali dabrkoleba gadagveRoba win. SeSa arsad iyo, rom cecxli gagveCaRebina da xorci Segvewva. damwuxrebul-danaRvlianebulni SevcqerodiT erTmaneTs.

_ rodesac adamiani sikvdilis pirzea misuli, misTvis arCevani aRar arsebobs, _ Tqva gudma, _ vWamoT es xorci umad.

marTlac, sxva gamosavali ar gvqonda. SimSili ki im zomamde gvtanjavda, rom gudis sityvebs CvenSi zizRis grZnoba ar gamouwvevia, rac sxva SemTxvevaSi da sxva dros uTuod moxdeboda.

xorci ramdenime wuTiT TovlSi CavmarxeT gasaciveblad, mere nakadulis civ wyalSi gavaRanRaleT da davuwyeT Wama.

axla, roca am striqonebs vwer, yvelaferi es Zalze sazareli meCveneba, magram unda vaRiaro, rom im gul-RviZlze gemrieli Cems sicocxleSi araferi miWamia. sul raRac TxuTmetiode wuTSi Cveni cnoba aRar SeiZleboda. yvelani gamovcocxldiT, Zal-Rone mogvemata, susti majiscema gagvicxovelda, ZarRvebSi sisxli aCqefda, magram raki kargad vicodiT, ra saxifaTo iyo naSimSilarze gaZRoma, Zalian vfrTxilobdiT da dazogviT vWamdiT.

_ madloba RmerTs! _ wamoiZaxa ser henrim, _ am cxovelma sikvdils gadagvarCina. sxvaTa Soris, quotermen, ra cxoveli iyo eg?

me wamovdeqi da moklul cxovels mivuaxlovdi, rom kargad dameTvalierebina, radgan bolomde arc viyavi darwmunebuli, rom namdvilad antilopa iyo.

igi sididiT virs ar Camouvardeboda, bewvi sqeli hqonda, yavisferi da zed odnav SesamCnevi wiTeli zolebi gasdevda, rqebi _ didi da ukan gadaxrili. marTali giTxraT, aseTi cxoveli arasodes menaxa. es jiSi CemTvis sruliad ucnobi iyo. bolos Sevityve, rom am ucnauri qveynis mcxovrebni mas `inkos" eZaxdnen. `inko" antilopas erT-erTi iSviaTi saxeobaa da mxolod da mxolod Zalian maRlob adgilebSi gvxvdeba _ iq, sadac sxva cxovelebi, saerTod, ar binadroben. Cvens antilopas tyvia Sig beWSi hqonda moxvedrili. Zneli saTqmelia, visma tyviam mouswrafa sicocxle, magram vfiqrob, guds axsovda, rogor mokla Jirafi da gulis siRrmeSi antilopas sikvdilsac Tavis marjvenas miawerda. magram, marTali giTxraT, amis gamo ar SevdavebivarT.

WamaSi garTulebs yvelaferi gadagvaviwyda da arc ki gvifiqria, sad vimyofebodiT, magram mxecuri SimSili rom daviokeT, davmSviddiT da adgilmdebareobis daTvalierebas SevudeqiT. ambopas vubrZaneT, aekafa saukeTeso naWrebi, rom gzaSi xorcis sakmao maragi gvqonoda. ukve dilis rva saaTi sruldeboda. haeri sufTa da kriala iyo, gegonebodaT, is sqeli nisli, weRan xevxuvebs rom ebura, erTianad mzem Seiwovao. rogor avwero im suraTis sidiade, Tvalwin rom gadagveSala _ Cvens Tavze da zurgs ukan amarTuli iyo mTebi, dedofal sabias mTebis qaTqaTa, TeTri mwvervalebi. dabla ki, ase, xuTasi futis daSorebiT, TvalismomWreli xedi iSleboda. Cven pirdapir qedebs, velebsa da Tvaluwvden Cabnelebul tyeebs Soris moedineboda farTo mdinare. xelmarcxniv gadaWimuli iyo farTo saZovrebi, talRiseburad mobibine balaxSi jogebi gafantuliyvnen. Sors, cis dasalierTan Zlivs ilandeboda mTebi. marjvniv mTa-gorebi naklebad iyo. calkeul qedebs movlil-damuSavebuli velebis zoli emijneboda. velebs Soris jguf-jgufad moCanda gumbaTiseburi qoxebi. mTeli es suraTi rukasaviT iyo gadaSlili Cven Tvalwin. mdinareebi vercxlis gvelebiviT miiklaknebodnen; medidurad aziduliyo Tovlis gvirgvinebiT TavSemkobili mTis mwvervalebi. cad ki mxiarulad cimcimebda mze. yvelgan sicocxlis sunTqva igrZnoboda.

Zalian gagvaoca iman, rom Cven win garTxmuli miwa sami aTasi futiT ufro maRla imyofeboda udabnoze, axlaxan rom gadmovlaxeT, da imanac, uklebliv yvela mdinare samxreTidan CrdiloeTisaken rom miedineboda.

Cvens mZime gansacdelis Jams davrwmundiT, rom qedis samxreT ferdobze, romelzedac amJamad videqiT, arsad iyo wyali, maSin, roca CrdiloeT ferdobze zolebad miiklakneboda nakadulebi. maTi umetesoba erTvoda ucnaurad daxlaknil did mdinares, romelic qveynis Suagulisaken miedineboda. visxediT da mojadoebulebiviT uxmod gavcqerodiT bunebis am saocar suraTs. siCume ser henrim daarRvia.

_ miTxariT, quotermen, _ mkiTxa man, _ aRniSnulia Tu ara da silvestras rukaze solomon mefis didi gza?

me Tanxmobis niSnad Tavi davuqnie, ise rom Cems win gadaSlili suraTisaTvis Tvali ar momicilebia.

_ maS miixedeT iqiT, _ miTxra ser henrim da marjvniv mimiTiTa, _ ai is gzac.

me da gudma naCvenebi mimarTulebiT gavixedeT da davinaxeT farTo gza, romelic Tavdapirvelad ver SevamCnieT, radgan igi barSi CasvlisTanave mkveTrad uxvevda gverdiT da borcvebs Soris ikargeboda. sakvirvelia, magram am aRmoCenas Cvenze maincdamainc didi STabeWdileba ar mouxdenia. amdeni ramis gadamtanebs aRaraferi gvakvirvebda, TiTqos isic ki Cveulebriv ambad miviCnieT, rom am mikargul qveyanaSi vxedavdiT gzatkecils, romelic, erTi Tvalis gadavlebiT, Zveli romis movlil-Senaxul gzebs mogvagonebda.

_ Cemi azriT, gza aq sadRac, marjvniv, sul axlos unda gadiodes, _ Tqva gudma. _ wavideT, veZioT.

es keTilgonivruli rCeva iyo. nakadulSi xel-piri davibaneT da guds mivyeviT. erTxans kaWarze da uTovlo, motitvlebul adgilebSi miv-abijebdiT. amgvarad gaviareT daaxloebiT erTi mili da patara borcvis Txemze aRmovCndiT. uecrad zed Cven win gzatkecili davinaxeT... diax, es kldeSi gaWrili saucxoo gzatkecili gaxldaT. siganiT daaxloebiT ormocdaaTi futi iqneboda. saucxood iyo Senaxuli, etyoboda, kargad uvlidnen. Tavdapirvelad vifiqreT, gza aq iwyebao, magram, rodesac dabla daveSviT da ukan, dedofal sabias mTebs mivxedeT, davinaxeT, rom igi mTebisken miemarTeboda, magram Cvengan asiode nabijze moulodnelad sadRac ikargeboda. iqidan mTeli mTis ferdobi kaWariT iyo dafaruli. motitvlebuli adgilebic blomad Canda.

_ rogor fiqrobT, ra moxda, sad daikarga gza? _ SemekiTxa ser henri.

gaognebulma Tavi gaviqnie. _ yvelaferi cxadia, _ Tqva gudma, _ darwmunebuli var, rom odesRac

es gza qedze gadadioda da udabnos Wrida. magram droTa ganmavlobaSi, vulkanebis amoxeTqvis Semdeg, igi mTebSi lavam gadarecxa, udabnom ki qviSiT dafara.

es mosazreba simarTlesTan axlos iyo. yovel SemTxvevaSi, yvelani daveTanxmeT guds da mTidan nel-nela daveSviT. axla maZRrebi viyaviT, gzatkecilze advilad mivabijebdiT, maSin, roca amosvlisas fexebs Zlivs vadgamdiT da SimSiliT daosebulebi, araqaTgamoleulebi da gayinulebi, wamdauwum TovlSi veflobodiT. axla Tavs saucxood vgrZnobdiT, magram gvagondeboda sabralo ventfogeli, misi Semzaravi sikvdili, bneli mRvime, sadac igi da silvestrasTan erTad davtoveT, da guli gveTuTqeboda. sakuTr Tavze aRar vfiqrobdiT, miuxedavad imisa, rom mivdiodiT ucxo mxareSi, romelzedac araferi vicodiT. vin icis, ra mogveloda iq!

rac ufro dabla miviwevdiT, haeri miT ufro rbili da surnelovani xdeboda. Cven win gadaSlili miwa sul ufro da ufro gvatyvevebda Tavisi silamaziT. rac Seexeba gzas, unda mogaxsenoT, rom Cems sicocxleSi msgavsi araferi menaxa, Tumca ser henri amtkicebda, sen-gotardis gza SveicariaSi am gzatkecils Zalian waagavso. etyoboda, mSeneblebs, romelTac es gza gahyavdaT, ar aSinebdaT araviTari dabrkoleba da siZnele. erT adgilas wavadeqiT xeobas, romlis sigane samasi futi mainc iqneboda, siRrme ki aranakleb asi futisa da davinaxeT, rom igi mTlianad Tlili lodebiT iyo amovsebuli. am lodebSi datanebuli iyo Rari, rom wyals dabla Tavisuflad edina. meore adgilas gza ufskrulis piras miiklakneboda. ufskrulis siRrme xuTasi futi iqneboda. mesamegan ocdaaTi futis sigrZis gvirabs wavawydiT. igi gaTxrili iyo kldeSi, romelic gzas win eRobeboda. gvirabis kedlebi bareliefebiT iyo Semkuli. bareliefebze umTavresad javSanSi Casmuli meomrebi iyo gamoxatuli, isini etls marTavdnen. gansakuTrebiT momewona erTi bareliefi. wina planze asaxuli iyo brZola, Sors, ukan ki damarcxebuli tyveebi midiodnen.

ser henri didi interesiT aTvalierebda Soreuli warsulis am SesaniSnav nimuSebs.

_ rasakvirvelia, _ Tqva man bolos, _ SesaZloa, am gzas solomon mefis gza erqvas, magram gavbedav vTqva, rom egviptelebi aq solomon mefis qveSevrdomebis mosvlamde yofilan. es bareliefebi Zveli egvipturi stilis nimuSebs waagavs.

SuadRisaTvis ukve karga gvariani manZili gaviareT da tyis zonaSi SevediT. Tavdapirvelad mxolod aqa-iq gvxvdeboda wvrili buCqnari, magram rac ufro dabla CavdiodiT, buCqebi miT ufro xSirdeboda. bolos mivaRwieT erT farTo koroms da davinaxeT, rom aq xarobda movercxlisfrofoTliani xeebi. aseTi xeebi keiptaunTan, magidis mTis ferdobebze Semxvedria da amitom, cota ar iyos, gakvirvebuli davrCi.

_ oh, _ aRtacebiT wamoiZaxa gudma, abzinvarebuli foTlebis danaxvaze, _ aq xom auarebeli SeSaa. modiT, cota SevisvenoT da sadilic movamzadoT. Cemma kuWma is umi xorci ukve moinela.

es winadadeba yvelas moewona. gzidan odnav gadavuxvieT da iqve moliklike nakadulisken wavediT. xmeli fiCxi SevagroveT da oriode wuTis Semdeg cecxli avaguzguzeT. xorcs ramdenime sqeli naWeri CamovaWeriT, wvetian joxebze wamovageT da nakvercxlebze avaSiSxineT. sxvaTa Soris, xorcs kafrebic amgvarad wvaven. sadils udidesi siamovnebiT SeveqeciT. rodesac kargad davnayrdiT, Cibuxebi gavaCaReT da Tavi gancxromas miveciT. amgvari yofa ganvlili tanjva-wamebisa da aTasi ubedurebis Semdeg TiTqmis RvTaebrivi gveCvena. nakadulis napirebs sqlad mosdeboda uzarmazari gvimrebi, maT Soris maqmanebiviT gamWvirvale veluri satacuri iWyiteboda, nakaduli mxiarulad morakrakebda, nazi niavi xeebis vercxlisfer foTlebSi daqroda. irgvliv qednebi RuRunebdnen. patara Citebi totidan totze xtodnen, maTi Wreli, moxatuli bumbuli Zvirfasi qvebiviT elvarebda. diax, es WeSmariti samoTxe iyo.

Segnebam imisa, rom dausrulebeli tanjva-wameba, faTerakebiT aRsavse dReebi warsuls Cabarda da, rogorc iqna, aRTqmul qveyanas mivaRwieT, ise gagvaogna, rom uneblieT yvelani davdumdiT. ser henri da ambopa gverdigverd isxdnen da damtvreul inglisur da aranakleb

damtvreul zulusur enaze xmadabla laparakobdnen. me gvimris surnelovan sawolze viweqi da Tvalmilululi maTken vicqirebodi. uecrad SevamCnie, rom gudi sadRac gaqra da TvalebiT Zebna davuwye. male mivageni kidec. igi flanelis perangis anabara ijda nakadulis piras, tanis dabana ukve moeswro. am kacs imdenad hqonda tanSi gamjdari sisufTavis grZnoba, rom Zvirfas dros dasvenebis nacvlad Tavis wesrigSi moyvanas andomebda.

mas ukve gaerecxa gutafisis TeTri sayelo, gaebertya da guldagul gaewminda pijaki, Jileti, Sarvali, romlebic gzaSi daxeoda, dahyurebda daxeul-gamoglejil adgilebs da Tavs naRvlianad iqnevda. Semdeg tansacmeli koxtad dakeca, napirze daawyo, fexsacmeli aiRo da talaxi gvimriT moacila, gausva qoni, romelic inkos xorcs sagangebod aaWra da didxans aprialebda. roca fexsacmelma laplapi daiwyo, monokliT kargad daaTvaliera da Caicva. patara samgzavro toprakidan, romelsac arasodes ar iSorebda, amoiRo savarcxeli Sig Cadgmuli sarkiT da yuradRebiT daakvirda Tavis saxes. etyoboda, ukmayofilo darCa, radgan xeli mihyo Tmis varcxnas da sworebas. mere isev sarkeSi Caixeda. Caixeda da Tavi kvlav ar moewona. TiTebiT moisinja nikapi, romelzedac karga mozrdili wveri amosvloda. ra gasakviria, ukve aTi dRe iyo, mis saxes samarTebeli ar mihkareboda.

_ `ara, es SeuZlebelia, _ gavifiqre me, _ nuTu piris gaparsvas apirebs?"

diax, ar Sevmcdarvar, gudma aiRo qonis naWeri, romliTac weRan fexsacmeli gaapriala, guldagul gaaRanRala wyalSi, Semdeg isev gaxsna topraki, brinjaos patara samarTebeli amoiRo, loyebze da nikapze qoni waisva da parsvas Seudga. etyoboda, es sakmaod mtkivneuli iyo, imitom, rom drodadro oxravda da kvnesoda. me ki siciliT vigudebodi, roca vuyurebdi, rogor cdilobda Cveni kapitani gaeparsa aqeT-iqiT gaCaCxuli, sqeli, jagriseburi wveri.

rogorc iqna, didi jaxiris Semdeg, gaiparsa marjvena loya da swored am dros raRac sxivma elvasaviT gadauqrola Tavze.

gudi saSineli wyevla-krulviT wamoxta (darwmunebuli var, Cveulebrivi samarTebeli rom hqonoda, ueWvelad yels gamoiWrida). mec fexze wamoviWeri _ oRond masaviT wyevla-krulvas ar movyolivar, _ da, ai, ra davinaze: Cemgan ociode, gudisagan ki, albaT, ase, aTiode nabijze idga xalxi. Zalze maRlebi iyvnen, kani mowiTalo-mospilenZisfro hqondaT, zog maTgans Tavze Savi bumbulis jiRa edga, mxrebze ki jiqis tyavis mosasxami moesxa. erTi Tvalis SevlebiT sxva veraferi davinaxe.

yvelaze win Cvidmetiode wlis Wabuki idga, xeli maRla aRemarTa da diskosmtyorcnelis antikur qandakebas waagavda. rogorc etyoboda, man isrola is dana, kapitans Tavze elvasaviT rom gadauSxivla.

vidre maT vaTvalierebdi, win wamodga moxuci, Wabuks xeli waavlo da raRac uTxra. Semdeg yvelani Cvenken gamoemarTnen. ser henrim, gudma da ambopam Tofebs xeli daavles da muqariT aRmarTes, magram mosulebs amisaTvis araviTari yuradReba ar miuqceviaT, arc fexi SeuCerebiaT. cxadi iyo, ar icodnen, ra iyo Tofi, winaaRmdeg SemTxvevaSi ase gulgrilad ar moiqceodnen.

_ dayareT Tofebi! _ davuyvire Tanamgzavrebs, radgan mivxvdi, Tu sicocxle gvsurda, unda dagverwmunebina es xalxi, rom cudi ganzraxviT ar viyaviT mosulni da vcdiliyaviT, rogorme maTi guli

mogvenadirebina. gudi, ser henri da ambopa Cems brZanebas daemorCilnen. me ki win wavdeqi da Tavi davukari moxuc meomars, weRan is Wabuki rom SeaCera.

_ salami Tqvenda! _ mivesalme zulusurad, Tumca ar vicodi, am xalxTan ra enaze melaparaka. Zalian gamikvirda, roca moxuci naTqvams mimixvda.

_ salami! _ momigo man arc Tu ise wminda zulusuriT, magram me da ambopa maSinve mivxvdiT, rac gviTxra.

Semdeg SevityveT, es xalxi Zveli zulusuriT laparakobda. Zvelsa da axal zulusurs Soris daaxloebiT iseTive gansxvavebaa, rogoric Coseris enasa da mecxramete saukunis inglisur enebs Soris.

_ saidan moxvediT? _ gvkiTxa moxucma. _ vin xarT? ratom aris, rom Tqvens Soris sams TeTri kani aqvs, meoTxe ki saxiT ise wagvagavs, TiTqos CvenTa dedaTa eSobnes? _ Tqva da ambopaze migviTiTa.

ambopas Sevxede da davrwmundi, moxuci marTals ambobda. Cveni msaxuri saxiT da Tval-tanadobiT saocrad waagavda am xalxs, magram maSin amaze fiqris dro ar mqonda.

_ Cven ucxoelebi varT da aq mSvidobiani ganzraxviT movediT, _ vuTxari me. Tan vcdilobdi, rac SeiZleboda, nela melaparaka, rom moxuci Cemi sityvebis azrs mimxvdariyo. _ es kaci ki, _ davumate Semdeg, _ Cveni msaxuria.

_ cruob, _ momaxala moxucma, _ arc erT adamians ar SeuZlia gadmolaxos es mTebi, iq xom yvela sulieri kvdeba da iRupeba. Tumca ra mniSvneloba aqvs, cruob Tu ara, ucxoelebs ekrZalebaT kukuanelTa miwaze fexis dadgma. Tqven unda daixocoT, aseTia mefis uzenaesi brZaneba. moemzadeT, hoi, ucxoelebo!

am sityvebma, cota ar iyos, Semacbuna. metadre maSin SevkrTi, roca meomrebma qamarze itaces xeli. qamrebze didi mZime danis msgavsi raRac iaraRi ekidaT.

_ ras ratratebs eg beberi maimuni? _ mkiTxa gudma. _ ambobs, unda dagxocoTo, _ kuStad mivuge me. _ oh, RmerTo Cemo! _ aRmoxda kvnesa guds da, rogorc yovelTvis,

aRelvebis Jams, axlac xeli pirisken waiRo, zemo ybis xelovnuri kbilebi gamoiRo, Semdeg isev Caidga da ena gaatkacuna, rom kbilebi mWidrod Cajdomoda.

gudi ukeTess verafers moifiqrebda. amis danaxvaze amay kukuanelebs Semzaravi yvirili aRmoxdaT da yvelam uklebliv ramdenime iardiT ukan daixia.

_ ra ambavia, ra moxda? _ gaocebiT SevekiTxe ser henris. _ gudma kbilebi Camoixsna, _ aRelvebiT CamCurCula ser henrim, _

hoda, amis danaxvaze Tavzari daecaT. gud, gamoiReT kbilebi, sul gamoiReT!

kapitani imwamsve daTanxmda, kbilebi gamoiRo da marjved Camala flanelis perangis saxeloSi.

cnobismoyvareobam TandaTanobiT sZlia SiSs da kukuanelebi nel-nela isev mogviaxlovdnen. rogorc etyobodaT, sul daaviwydaT, yelis gamoRadvras rom gvipirebdnen.

_ gviTxariT, hoi, ucxoelebo! _ mogvmarTa moxucma da xeli gudisken gaiwvdina. gudi flanelis _ perangisamara iyo, saxe sanaxevrod gaparsuli hqonda, _ rogor SeuZlia am msxvil kacs, romelsac sxeuls

tansacmeli ufaravs, fexebi ki SiSveli aqvs, Tma mxolod saxis erT mxares ezrdeba, meoreze ki bewvic ar amCnevia, erT TvalSi meore Tvali udgas, _ gamWvirvale mbrwyinavi Tvali _ rogor SeuZlia-meTqi am kacs, Tavis nebaze gamoiRos kbilebi piridan da mere isev Caidgas?

_ gaaReT piri! _ vuCurCule guds. kapitanma imwamsve gaaRo piri da gamoaCina ori wiTeli nuna,

romelTac axlad Sobili spilosaviT kbilebis niSanwyalic arsad etyobodaT.

_ sad gaaqro kbilebi? _ SiSiT Sehyvires kukuanelebma, _ aki weRan pirSi hqonda!

gudma velurebs amayad Seaqcia zurgi, xeli pirTan miitana, Semdeg Semobrunda, piri gaaRo da, _ hoi, sakvirvelebav! _ velurebma pirSi Cawikwikebuli kbilebi daunaxes.

maSin is Wabuki, guds dana rom esrola, miwaze daeca da Tavzardacemulma gulSemzaravi yvirili morTo. moxucs ki SiSisagan muxlebi aukankalda.

_ axla ki vxedav, rom sulebi xarT, _ enis borZikiT waibutbuta man, _ radgan arc erT mokvdavs, qalis mier Sobils, ar ezrdeba wveri cal mxares, ara aqvs mrgvali, gamWvirvale Tvali da Tavis nebaze moseirne kbilebi. mogviteveT, hoi, mbrZanebelo!

albaT mixvdebiT, rogor gamexardeboda am sityvebis gagoneba. raRa Tqma unda, maSinve visargeble am moulodneli bednieri SemTxveviT. mowyaled gaviRime da ganvacxade:

_ kargi, amjerad gvipatiebia, rac SescodeT, axla ki droa simarTle SeityoT. Cven sxva samyarodan varT mosulni, daveSviT udidesi vasrkvlavidan, romelic RamiT Tqvens qveyanas Tavze danaTis, magram, miuxedavad amisa, Cveulebrivi adamianebi varT.

_ o! o! _ erTbaSad aRmoxda yvelas gaocebis amoZaxili. _ diax, Cven varskvlaveTidan CamovediT, _ ganvagrZe Semwynarebluri

RimiliT, Tan TviTonve mikvirda, raebs vroSav-meTqi. _ daveSviT miwaze, rom Tqveni xalxi Cveni aq yofniT gavabednieroT. xom xedavT, megobrebo, TqvenTan wamosvlas vepirebodiT da amisaTvis Tqveni enac ki Seviswavle.

_ diax, diax, sworia, es asea! _ erTxmad damimowmes velurebma. _ hoi, mbrZanebelo Cemo, mapatie, magram Zalian cudad Segiswavlia

Cveni ena, _ sityva gamawyvetina moxucma. magram ise mwyralad gadavxede, rom sabralo SekrTa da ena mucelSi

Caigdo. _ axla ki, megobrebo, _ ganvagrZe, _ iqneb ifiqroT, samagieros

gizRavT mtruli SexvedrisaTvis da sicocxles gamovasalmebT imas, vinc moZrav kbilebian kacze xeli SemarTa...

_ SegvibraleT, Cemo mbrZanebelo, is Cveni ufliswulia, Cemi Zmis Svili, rame rom SeemTxvas, sisxli me unda vzRo, radgan magis sicocxle me mabaria.

_ magaSi eWvi ar Segeparos, _ borotad Caisisina Wabukma. _ egeba fiqrobT, Zala ar Segvwevdes samagiero gadagixadoT? _

ganvagrZe me ise, rom misi sityvebisTvis yuradRebac ar mimiqcevia, _ moiTmineT da axlave darwmundebiT; Sen, hei, mona ZaRlo, _ ramdenadac ki SemeZlo mrisxaned vuTxari ambopas, _ momawode is jadoqmnili molaparake lula! _ Tan SeumCnevlad TvaliT Cems `eqspresze" vaniSne.

ambopam imwamsve momageba xelSi Tofi, mis amay saxeze im dRes pirvelad davinaxe raRac Rimilis msgavsi.

_ inebeT, mbrZanebelTa mbrZanebelo! _ miTxra da Tavi mdablad damikra.

ramdenime wuTis win Tvali movkari antilopas. Cvengan samocdaaTiode iardis daSorebiT kldeze idga. swored misi mokvla mqonda ganzraxuli, roca ambopas Tofis motana vubrZane.

_ xedavT im cxovels? _ vkiTxe velurebs da antilopasken xeli gaviSvire, _ gana dedakacisagan Sobil Cveulebriv adamians ZaluZs mxolod da mxolod xmiT moklas igi?

_ eg SeuZlebelia, Cemo mbrZanebelo, _ mipasuxa moxucma. _ miuxedavad amisa, me mainc movklav im antilopas, _ mSvidad mivuge. moxucma meomarma gaiRima. _ ara, Cemo mbrZanebelo, Sen amas ver SeZleb. me Tofi SevmarTe da antilopa mizanSi amoviRe. antilopa Zalze

patara iyo da ase Sori manZilidan sul advilad SeiZleboda tyvia amecdina, magram vicodi, radac ar unda damjdomoda, unda momekla. antilopa uZravad idga. me Rrmad amovioxre da Caxmaxs TiTi gamovkari.

buh, buh! igriala Tofma. antilopam SeikuntruSa da usulod daeca miwaze. velurebma sazarlad daiRriales.

_ Tu gindaT xorci, wadiT da is antilopa aq moaTrieT, _ moCvenebiTi gulgrilobiT vTqvi me.

moxucma erT-erT velurs raRac aniSna. veluri kldisken gaqanda. male dabrunda, zurgze mokluli antilopa moegdo. rom icodeT, rogor gamexarda, roca vnaxe, tyvia zed beWs zemoT moxvedroda. me xom swored beWi amoviRe mizanSi. velurebi Semoexvivnen sabralo cxovels da cnobismoyvareobiT aTvalierebdnen natyviars. saxeze SiSi eweraT.

_ xom xedavT, _ mivubrundi maT, _ me sityvebs fuWad rodi vxarjav! xma aravis gauRia. _ Tu Cvens ZlevamosilebaSi kidev eWvi geparebaT,

_ ganvagrZe me, _ romelime Tqvengani im kldeze dadges, diax, diax, dadges da masac im antilopasaviT gavagoreb.

msurveli aravin aRmoCnda. Camovarda siCume, romelic mefiswulma daarRvia.

_ mismine, Zia, _ mimarTa man moxucs, _ gemudarebi, wadi da im kldeze dadeq. jado kacs ver moklavs, mas mxolod cxovelze aqvs Zala.

magram moxucs Zmiswulis winadadeba sulac ar moewona, piriqiT, ewyina kidec.

_ ara, ara! _ swrafad wamoiZaxa man, _ kmara, rac Cemma Tvalebma naxes, _ mere Tavis amalas miubrunda da brZana: _ es adamianebi misnebi arian da mefes unda mivgvaroT, xolo Tu vinmes surs, jado sakuTar Tavze gamocados, SeuZlia wavides da kldeze dadges, jadosnuri joxi masac daelaparakeba.

magram kukuanelTa Soris amis msurveli aravin iyo. _ tyuilubralod rad unda daxarjo jadosnuri Zala Cvens bilw

sxeulebze, _ Tqva erTma velurma. _ sakmarisia, rac vnaxeT. arc erT Cvens misans msgavsi araferi SeuZlia.

_ marTals ambob, _ SvebiT miugo moxucma meomarma, _ diax, diax, es WeSmaritebaa. mismineT, hoi, varskvlavis Svilno, brWyviala Tvalisa da moZravi kbilebis Svilno, Tqven, romelnic marTavT elva-quxils da Sori

manZilidan klavT cxovels Tu kacs. me infadusi var, kukuanelTa yofili mefis kafas Svili. es Wabuki ki skragaa.

_ mag skragam cotas gawyda, saiqios ar gamistumra, _ daiCurCula gudma.

_ skraga ufliswulia, _ erTi yofiT ganagrZo infadusma, _ Tualas Svilia. Tuala ki didi mefe gaxlavT, _ aTasi colis meuRle, kukuanelTa winamZRoli da mbrZanebeli, didi gzis baton-patroni, mtris risxva da Zrwola, brZeni, romelic misnobis yvela saidumlos ganagebs, asi aTasi meomris sardali, Tuala calTvalaa, Tuala Savia, Tuala mrisxanea.

_ raki asea, wagviyvane im Sens TualasTan, _ qedmaRlurad vuTxari me, _ Cven ar gvsurs qveSevrdomebTan da msaxurebTan laparaki Tu saqmis daWera.

_ Tqvens survils SevasrulebT, Cemo mbrZaneblebo! wagiyvanT mefesTan. magram win grZeli gza gvidevs! am adgilebSi sanadirod movediT da sasaxles sami dRis savaliTa varT dacilebuli. moTmineba iqonieT, mbrZanebelo, diad Tualas sami dRis Semdeg ixilavT.

_ kargi, _ agdebulad vuTxari me, _ Cven dros ar vzogavT da arc arsad migveCqareba, radgan ukvdavni varT. mzada varT, wagviyvane, magram mismine, o, infadus, da Senc, Wabuko skraga! erideT Cvens motyuebas! nu ecdebiT maxe dagvigoT. vidre Tqveni sabralo tvini rames gaifiqrebdes, Cven ukve gvecodineba yovelive, radgan moniWebuli gvaqvs saswaulebrivi Zala, CavwvdeT adamianTa fiqrsa da zraxvebs. Suqi, gamomdinare im kacis gamWvirvale Tvalidan, visac fexebi SiSveli aqvs, saxeze ki mxolod cal mxares ezrdeba wveri, adgilzeve gagaqvavebT, Tqvens qveyanaSi ubedurebas ubedurebaze daatrialebs. misi moZravi kbilebi piridan gamoxtebian da tanSi CagesobaT, rom SegWamon ara marto Tqven, aramed Tqveni colebica da Svilebic. jadosnuri milebi ki saceriviT dacxrilaven Tqvens sxeuls.

am brwyinvale sityvam saocari STabeWdileba moaxdina. Tumca arc ki vici, saWiro iyo Tu ara amis Tqma, radgan Cveni axali megobrebi uamisodac sakmaod SeSinebulebi iyvnen.

moxucma meomarma monurad moixara qedi Cvens winaSe. `kuum!" `kuum!" _ ramdenjerme wamoiZaxa. Semdgom Sevityve, rom `kuum" kukuanelTa misasalmebli sityva iyo da zulusur `baaiets" udrida. am sityviT kukuanelebi mxolod mefesa da samefo saxlis SvilT esalmebian. Semdeg infadusma raRac gadaulaparaka Tavisianebs. maTac myisve staces xeli mTel Cvens avla-didebas, garda Tofebisa, radgan maTTan mikarebac ki eSinodaT, aiRes gudis tansacmeli, romelic, Tu gaxsovT, nakadulis pirad ido. kapitanma moindoma maTTvis Tavisi Sarvali da pijaki waerTmia, ris Sedegadac massa da velurebs Soris kai xmamaRali dava atyda.

_ Cemi mbrZanebeli da mflobeli gamWirvale Tvalisa, xels nu axlebs Tavis nivTebs. yvelafers monebi wamoiReben.

_ ki magram, me minda Sarvali Cavicva, _ Rrialebda gudi. ambopam misi sityvebi velurebs gadauTargmna. _ hoi, Cemo mbrZanebelo, _ Sehyvira infadusma, _ nuTu gsurs eg

mSvenieri TeTri fexebi Seni morCili monebis TvalTagan dahfaro? riT davimsaxureT Seni risxva, ratom inebe ase Cveni dasja?

me guds vucqerodi da siciliT vigudebodi. amasobaSi erT-erTma velurma gudis tansacmels xeli daavlo da mokurcxla.

_ wyeulimc iyav! _ brdRvinavda gudi, _ im Savkanianma maimunma Cemi Sarvali gaitaca.

_ mismineT gud, _ uTxra ser henrim, _ Tqven am mxareSi garkveuli roliT gamocxaddiT da es roli bolomde unda SeasruloT. vidre aq vimyofebiT, Sarvals veRar CaicvamT, dReidan mxolod eg perangi da fexsacmeli unda ataroT; ho, monoklic grCebaT. erTi sityviT, droebiT beds unda daemorCiloT.

_ diax, diax, _ davudasture mec, _ wveric mxolod cal mxares unda ataroT. kukuanelTa winaSe axla sxva saxiT rom warsdgeT, yvelas TaRliTebad migviCneven. Zalian vnanob, amis gadatana rom gixdebaT, magram sruli seriozulobiT geubnebiT: sxva gamosavali ara gaqvT, gud. velurebma mcireodeni eWvic rom Seitanon, sicocxles safrTxeSi CavigdebT.

_ marTla ase fiqrobT? _ kuStad SemekiTxa gudi. _ ra Tqma unda. eg `mSvenieri TeTri fexebi" da eg monokli Cveni

mxsnelia. Tqveni roli bolomde unda SeasruloT. RmerTs madloba SeswireT, fexsacmlis Cacma mainc rom moaswariT da rom aq SedarebiT Tbili havaa.

gudma mwared amoioxra, magram aRaraferi uTqvams. sabralo mxolod oriode kviris Semdeg Seegua Tavis mware xvedrs.

T a v i V I I I

k u k u a n e l T a q v e y a n a mTeli dRis ganmavlobaSi mivdiodiT saucxoo gzaze. igi pirdapir

Crdilo-dasavleTisaken miemarTeboda. infadusi da skraga gverdiT mogvyvebodnen, maTi amala ki asiode nabijiT win miabijebda.

_ miTxari, infadus, _ vkiTxe moxuc meomars cota xnis siCumis Semdeg, _ xom ar ici, vin gaiyvana es gza?

_ es gza didi xnis winaT gaiyvanes, Cemo mbrZanebelo, aravis axsovs, rodis da rogor moxda es. arc grZneulma qalma gagulam icis rame amaze. gagula ki mraval TaobaTa momswrea. Cven arc ise xnierni varT, rom es ambavi gvaxsovdes. axla amgvari gzis gayvana aravis SeuZlia. amitom aris, rom mefe Tvalis CiniviT ufrTxildeba mas da zed balaxsac ar gaaWaWanebs.

_ vin gamoaqandaka adamianebi im gvirabis kedelze, Cven rom gamoviareT? _ isev SevekiTxe.

_ vinc gza gaiyvana, manve gamokveTa qvaze is ucnauri gamosaxulebebi, Cemo mbrZanebelo. Cven ar viciT, vin iyvnen isini.

_ rodis movidnen kukuanelebi am mxareSi? _ Cemo mbrZanebelo, Cveni xalxi qariSxlis sunTqvasaviT moedo am

mxares aTi aTasi mTvaris win. isini movidnen didi miwidan, im mxares rom mdebareobs, _ miTxra da xeli CrdiloeTiT gaiwvdina. _ rogorc gadmogvcemen Cveni mama-papani da rogorc ambobs grZneuli qali, misnebze monadire gagula, kukuanelebma veRar SeZles gadaelaxaT es mTebi, rkalad rom ertymian Cvens qveyanas da gzas uRobaven mas, _ miTxra da

TovliT dafarul mwvervalebze mimiTiTa. _ es saucxoo mxare iyo da kukuanelebic aq dasaxldnen. dasaxldnen da droTa ganmavlobaSi Zlierni da SemarTebulni gaxdnen. axla Cven imdenive varT, ramdenic zRvaSi qviSaa. roca mefe Tuala jarebs Tavs uyris, frTebi, romliTac meomrebi Tavs imkoben, faraven mTel dablobs, sanamdec kacs Tvali miuwvdeba.

_ axla ar miTxari, Cveni mxare mTebiT aris garSemortymulio? maS Tualas jarebi viRas eomebian?

_ ara, mbrZanebelo, iqiT mxares gza Riaa, _ miTxra da isev CrdiloeTiT mimiTiTa. _ drodadro CvenTvis ucnobi qveynidan meomrebi RrubeliviT moedebian qveyanas da Cvenc vxocavT maT. ukanaskneli brZola rom iyo, im dRidan moyolebuli adamianis sicocxlis mesamedma xanma ganvlo. brZolaSi aTasobiT kaci daiRupa, magram mainc movspeT mteri. mas Semdeg omi aRar yofila.

_ Tqvens meomrebs albaT mobezrdaT Subze dayrdnobiT Tvlema. _ ara, Cemo mbrZanebelo, swored mas Semdeg, Tavdamsxmelebi rom

ukuvagdeT, aq kidev iyo erTi brZola, magram es iyo brZola ZmaTa Soris, xalxi ZaRlebiviT Wamda erTmaneTs.

_ ra iyo brZolis mizezi? _ axlave mogaxsenebT, Cemo mbrZanebelo. Cveni axlandeli mefe Cemi

naxevarZmaa. mas hyavda tyupis cali. oriveni erTi dedisagan, erT dRes da erT saaTs iyvnen Sobilni. Cveni Cveulebis Tanaxmad, SeuZlebelia orive tyupma icocxlos, maT Soris ufro susti unda mokvdes. magram mefis dedam gadamala tyupis cali, romelic ufro susti Canda, radgan gulma misken gauwia. swored es bavSvi gaxlavT Tuala, Cveni mefe, me ki misi umcrosi Zma var, sxva qalisagan Sobili.

_ mere, mere? _ roca davvaJkacdiT, mamaCveni kafa gardaicvala da Cemi Zma imotu

mis nacvlad mefed akurTxes. igi erT xans marTavda qveyanas, sayvareli colisagan vaJic SeeZina. is bavSvi sami wlis rom Seiqna, _ es daemTxva swored did brZolebs, roca aravis SeeZlo arc xvna-Tesva da arc mosavlis aReba, _ qveyana daimSa, xalxi drtvinavda da aqeT-iqiT awydeboda, rogorc lomi, romelsac SimSilisagan suli xdeba da sikvdilis win dasafleTad eZebs sakbilos. maSin gagulam, brZenma qalma, romelic yvelas SiSis zarsa scems, xalxi Sekriba da gamoucxada, mefe imotu namdvili mefe ar ariso. imotu ki am dros omSi miRebuli WrilobiT ganawamebi gaunZrevlad iwva Tavis qoxSi. gagula erT-erT qoxSi Sevida da gamoiyvana Tuala, Cemi naxevarZma, xolo mefe imotus mkvidri Zma da tyupis cali. gagula gaCenis dRidan malavda mas kldeebsa da mRvimeSi. axla welze Semosakravi Semoxsna da xalxs daanaxa gvelis wminda niSani, ufliswuls tanze rom Semorkaloda.

Cvens qveyanaSi am niSans SobisTanave adeben xolme mefis ufros vaJs. `aqeT moixedeT, ai Tqveni mefe. me mas dRemde sicocxle SevunarCune", _ xmamaRla daiyvira gagulam. SimSiliT gondakarguli xalxi sul gadairia. daiviwya adamianoba, sikeTe, samarTlianoba da daiwyo yvirili: `mefe, mefe!" magram me vicodi, Tuala mefe ar yofila. tyupebs Soris ufrosi imotu iyo da, maSasadame, kanonis mixedviT, taxtic mas ekuTvnoda. roca xmauri da Rrianceli sazRvars gadascilda, mefe imotum cols xeli CasWida da qoxidan gamovida, Tumca mZimed iyo daWrili da siaruli uWirda. ukan maTi mcirewlovani vaJi ignozi mohyvebodaT

(ignozi elvas niSnavs). `es ra ambavia? _ ikiTxa imotum, _ ratom gahyviriT `mefe-mefeo?"

maSin Tuala, misi mkvidri Zma da misive dedisagan Sobili, mefesTan miiWra, TmaSi xeli staca da dana sasikvdilod Casca gulSi. mogexsenebaT, xalxi saerTod orWofia, adamianebi mudam mzad arian qedi moidrikon amomavali mzis winaSe, amitom yvelam taSi dascxo da daiwyo yvirili: `Tuala Cveni mefea! gaumarjos Tualas, Cvens mefes!"

_ ra bedi ewiaT imotus cols da mis patara vaJs ignozis? nuTu Tualam isinic daxoca?

_ ara, Cemo mbrZanebelo. roca colma dainaxa, Cemi batoni mkvdari daecao, Sehkivla, Svili xelSi aitaca da gaiqca. ori dRis Semdeg SimSilma erT-erT kraalSi miiyvana, magram aravin gauwoda daxmarebis xeli, aravin isurva mieca misTvis rZe an sxva ram saWmeli. imitom, rom adamians sZags ubedur dReSi myofni. roca daRamda, viRac gogona Cumad miipara masTan da saWmeli miutana. qalma daloca bavSvi da diliT, vidre mze amovidoda, SvilTan erTad mTebisaken gauyva gzas. eWvsgareSea, orive daiRupa, radgan mas Semdeg arc isa da arc patara ignozi TvaliT aravis unaxavs.

_ ese igi, is bavSvi, ignozi, cocxali rom yofiliyo, kukuanelebis kanonieri mefe iqneboda?

_ diax, mbrZanebelo, wminda gvelis gamosaxuleba niSnad ertymis mis sxeuls. is aris Cveni mefe, magram vai rom ukve mkvdaria. iqiT gaixede, mbrZanebelo, _ miTxra Semdeg da dabla, velisaken mimiTiTa. am velze RobiT garSemortymuli qoxebi idga. Robes ki Tavis mxriv Rrma Txrili ertya irgvliv, _ kraalSi ukanasknelad vnaxe imotus col-Svili. Rames iq gavaTevT, Tuki Cems mbrZaneblebs, saerTod, Zili sCveviaT, _ miTxra da iWvneulad gadmomxeda.

_ roca Cven kukuanelTa Soris vimyofebiT, megobaro Cemo infadus, Cvenc kukuanelebiviT viqceviT, _ sityva gavabrtyele da Sevbrundi, rom raRac meTqva gudisaTvis, Cems ukan rom molaslasebda da amaod cdilobda SeeCerebina perangis kalTebi, qari aqeT-iqiT rom afrialebda. Sevbrundi Tu ara, kinaRam SubliT SevexeTqe ambopas; igi Turme fexdafex momdevda da Cemi da infadusis saubars aSkara interesiT ismenda. saxeze cnobiswadili aRbeWdvoda da waagavda adamians, romelic Tavs saocrad atans Zalas, gaixsenos raRac didi xnis winaT miviwyebuli da mxolod nawilobriv Tu axerxebs amas.

am xnis ganmavlobaSi swrafi nabijiT miviwevdiT win da TandaTanobiT veSvebodiT beqobiani dablobisaken, Cven qvemoT rom gadaSliliyo. cadabjenili mTebi, Cven rom gadmovlaxeT, axla bundadRa ilandeboda sadRac, zemoT. nislis mWviri Rrubeli kdemamosilad Semoxveoda dedofal sabias mkerds. bunebis suraTebi sul ufro da ufro Tvalwarmtaci xdeboda. mcenareuli laRi da Tamami iyo, magram ara tropikuli, mzis sxivebi Tbilad gvealerseboda, magram ar gvawuxebda, ar gvwvavda, mTebis surnelovan ferdobebs msubuqi niavi Tavs evleboda. es mxare WeSmaritad amqveyniuri samoTxe iyo. Cven Soris msgavsi ram aravis enaxa. transvaali saucxoo kuTxea, magram kukuanelTa qveyanas isic ki ver Seedreba.

infadusma kraalSi malemsrboli afrina, rom TavisianebisTvis Cveni misvla Seetyobinebina. sxvaTa Soris, am kraalis mcxovrebni infadusis samxedro qveSevrdomebi iyvnen. malemsrboli warmoudgeneli siswrafiT

gaiqca. infadusma miTxra, mTeli gza nabijs ar Seanelebso. Turme kukuanelebi sirbilSi Zalian gawafulni arian.

male davrwmundiT, rom malemsrbolma davaleba SesaniSnavad Seasrula: kraalamde oriode miliRa dagvrCa gasavleli, rom alayafis karidan razmebad dawyobili meomrebi gamovidnen da Cven Sesaxvedrad gamoemarTnen.

ser henrim mxarze xeli damado da miTxra, yvelaferze etyoba, kraalis mcxovreblebi `Tbilad" gvipireben Sexvedraso.

es sityvebi iseTnairad miTxra, rom mis kilos infadusmac ki miaqcia yuradReba.

_ xom arafris SegeSindaT, Cemo mbrZanebelo? _ aCqarebiT ikiTxa man. _ Cems gulSi Ralats adgili ara aqvs. es meomrebi me meqvemdebarebian da Cemi brZanebis Tanaxmad, Cven Sesaxvedrad modian.

me wynarad davuqnie Tavi, magram guli mTlad ver davimSvide. kraalidan naxevari milis manZilze iwyeboda grZeli beqobi,

romelic gzas zemodan gadascqeroda. swored am beqobze daewyvnen meomrebi. es marTlac rom didebuli sanaxaoba iyo. razmebi, samas-samasi kacis SemadgenlobiT, swrafad adiodnen ferdobze da maTTvis gankuTvnil adgilas uZravad dgebodnen. meomrebs Tavi frTebiT hqondaT Semkuli. maTi Subebi ki mzeze TvalismomWrelad laplapebda. vidre mivuaxlovdebodiT, beqobze Tormeti aseTi razmi, ese igi, sami aTas eqvsasi meomari avida da gzis gaswvriv Tavisi adgili daikava.

roca razmebs mivuaxlovdiT, davinaxeT, rom uklebliv yvela meomari maRali da moxdenili tanadobisa iyo. yvelani momwifebuli vaJkacebi Candnen, umetesad ase, ormociode wlisa. maT Soris arc erTi ar yofila eqvs futze dabali, zogierTi ki sami-oTxi duimiT metic iqneboda. Tavs umSvenebdaT sakobulas frTebis Savi, mZime jiRebi, iseTive, rogoric Cvens Tanamgzavrebs hqondaT. welze kameCis TeTri kudebi ertyaT, aseTive kudebi ertyaT fexze, marjvena muxlTan. yovel maTgans marcxena xelSi eWira mrgvali fari.

es farebi gakeTebuli iyo Txeli furclovani rkinisagan da zed gadakruli hqonda kameCis rZesaviT TeTri tyavi. meomrebi ubralod, magram kargad iyvnen SeiaraRebulebi, hqondaT mokle, magram Zalian mZime ormxrivwawvetili xistariani Subi; Subis bunikis sigane daaxloebiT eqvsi duimi iqneboda. es ar iyo satyorcni Subebi; maT iseve, rogorc zulusur bangvanebs, ese igi xanjal-xelSubebs, xelCarTul brZolaSi xmarobdnen. garda Subebisa, yvela meomars hqonda sam-sami didi mZime dana. yoveli dana simZimiT ori girvanqa mainc iqneboda. meomrebs TiTo dana kameCis kudis qamarSi hqondaT garWobili, danarCeni ori ki faris SigniT iyo damagrebuli. es danebi zulusebis asegais waagavs. kukuanelebi maT tollebs uwodeben. kukuanel meomars SeuZlia ormocdaaT iardze isrolos es dana da ar aacilos. Cveulebriv, vidre xelCarTul brZolaze gadavidodnen, kukuanelebi setyvasaviT ayrian mowinaaRmdeges danebs.

razmebi brinjaos qandakebebiviT uZravad idgnen, magram roca mivuaxlovdiT, meTauris mier micemul niSanze (meTauri imiT gamoirCeoda, rom jiqis tyavis mosasxami ecva) yoveli razmi ramdenime nabijiT wamo-iwevda win, Subebs haerSi SemarTavda da gvesalmeboda gamayruebeli SeZaxilebiT: `kuum!" `kuum!". rogorc ki gavcdebodiT, razmi ukan mogveqceoda da kraalisken mogvyveboda, vidre bolos da bolos ruxebis

mTeli polki (es saxelwodeba polkma miiRo ruxi farebis gamo), ese igi kukuanelebis saukeTeso samxedro nawili, mtkice nabijiT ar gamogvyva ukan. meomarTa fexis xma miwas azanzarebda.

bolos solomon mefis didi gzidan ganze gadavuxvieT da mivuaxlovdiT farTo Txrils, romelic kraals irgvliv ertya. kraali daaxloebiT erT milze iyo gadaWimuli da irgvliv msxvili morebis magari meseri evlo. Txrilze, zed alayafis karTan, gadebuli iyo asawevi xidi. Cven misvlaze kraalis mcvelebma xidi dabla dauSves, rom zed gadavsuliyaviT. kraali saucxood iyo dagegmili. mis centralur nawilSi gadioda farTo gza, romelsac sxva, ufro viwro gzebi kveTda. es gzebi qoxebs kvartlebad hyofda. unda iTqvas isic, rom yovel kvartalSi TiTo razmi cxovrobda.

qoxebs gumbaTiseburi saxuravebi amSvenebda da, zulusuri qoxebis msgavsad, wnelis karkasebi hqonda. karkasebSi lamazad iyo Cawnuli balaxi. zulusebis qoxebisagan gansxvavebiT, am qoxebs datanebuli hqonda sakmaod farTo kari, romelSiac gamarTuli Sevidoda kaci. qoxebs gars ertymoda eqvsiode futis veranda, kargad datkepnili kirqvis iatakiT.

kraalSi mimaval gzaze orive mxares qalebi Camwkrivebuliyvnen, isini aq Cven sanaxavad gamosuliyvnen. maRlebi da tanadebi iyvnen, velurobis kvalobaze verc silamaziT daiwunebdiT. umetesoba saxis swori nakvTebiT gamoirCeoda.

mokledSeWrili Tma xveuli hqondaT da ara matyliviT aburdul-daburduli, rogorc es, saerTod, velurebs sCveviaT. magram yvelaze metad maTma mSvidma da amayma saxis gamometyvelebam gagvaoca. Taviseburad kargad aRzrdilni da zrdilobianebic Candnen da amiT xelad gamoarCevdiT zulusi, an maTi monaTesave mazais tomis, qalebisagan (mazais tomebi zanzibaris samxreTiT cxovroben).

miuxedavad imisa, rom isini aq cnobiswadilma moiyvana, arc erTi uxeSi sityva, an wamoZaxili, arc erTi SeniSvna ar aRmoxdeniaT, Cqari nabijiT gverdiT rom CavuareT. maSinac ki, roca moxuci infadusi xelis odnavi moZraobiT aniSnebda, SeexedaT sabralo gudis `mSvenieri TeTri fexebisaTvis" (es fexebi moxuc meomars amqveynad saocrebaTa saocrebad miaCnda), diax, maSinac ki Tavs ufleba ar misces, xmamaRla gamoeTqvaT aRtaceba. isini Tvals ar acilebdnen kapitnis `TovliviT qaTqaTa wvivebs", es iyo da es, magram gudisTvis, romelic bunebiT Zalze mokrZalebuli kaci iyo, esec kmaroda.

rodesac kraalis Suaguls mivuaxlovdiT, infadusi yvelaze didi qoxis win SeCerda. am qoxs moSorebiT ufro momcro qoxebi ertymoda gars.

_ SemobrZandiT, varskvlaveTis Svilno, _ erTi yofiT gviTxra man, _ SemobrZandiT da inebeT dasveneba Cvens ubralo savaneSi, rom cotaTi danayrdeT da mSier kuWze qamrebis SemoWera ar dagWirdeT. cotaoden Taflsa da rZes gaaxlebT, erT-or xars da ramdenime cxvarsac moggvriT. rasakvirvelia, es bevri ar aris, Cemo brZaneblebo, magram, rac ar unda iyos, mainc saWmelia.

_ Zalian kargi, infadus, _ vuTxari, _ Cven cota ar iyos, dagvqanca haerSi mogzaurobam da axla siamovnebiT waviZinebdiT.

qoxSi SevediT. aq yvelaferi ise moewyoT, rom kaci marTlac saucxood daisvenebda.

loginis magier moTelili tyavebi daegoT da wyalic SemoetanaT, rom xel-piri dagvebana.

uecrad garedan xmauri Semogvesma. karTan mivediT da davinaxeT qalebi, romelTac CvenTvis rZe, simindis kokrebi da Tafli mohqondaT. maT ukan ramdenime kaci modenida msuqan xars. Cven CamovarTviT qalebs sasmel-saWmeli. amis Semdeg erT-erTma Wabukma qamridan dana amoiRo da xars marjved gamosWra yeli. sul raRac aTiode wuTSi xari gaatyaves, xorci aso-aso aqnes. saukeTeso naWrebi Cven dagvitoves, danarCeni ki Cveni saxeliT gaugzavnes meomrebs, qoxTan rom idgnen.

ambopa da erTi sakmaod mimzidveli axalgazrda qali saqmes Seudnen: xorci Tixis did qoTanSi Caawyves, qoxis win cecxli gaaCaRes da sadilis Tadarigs Seudgnen. roca xorci TiTqmis mzad iyo, infaduss kaci gavugzavneT, rom isa da mefiswuli skraga Raribul sufraze dagvwveodnen. isini maSinve movidnen da dabal skamebze Camosxdnen. qoxSi ramdenime aseTi skami idga.

saerTod, kukuanelebs ar uyvarT dayuntuli jdoma, rogorc es zulusebs sCveviaT. moxuci meomari Zalze zrdilobianad iqceoda, yuradRebiani da Tavaziani iyo, axalgazrda ki daufaravi eWviT gvaTvalierebda. aman cota ar iyos, gagvakvirva. imasac sxvebiviT akrTobda da aSinebda Cveni TeTri kani da misnuri niWi, magram roca dainaxa, Cvenc Cveulebrivi mokvdavebiviT vWamdiT da gveZina, SiSi da mokrZaleba eWviT Seecvala. es kuSti mzera kargs aras moaswavebda, amieridan mis gverdiT ufro fxizlad unda vyofiliyaviT.

sadilobisas ser henrim gviTxra, urigo ar iqneboda, Cveni maspinZlebisTvis gvekiTxa, xom araferi ician Cems Zmaze, iqneb sadme unaxavT, an rame gaugiaTo, magram me uarvyavi misi winadadeba, radgan, Cemis azriT, ajobebda am sakiTxs jerjerobiT ar SevxebodiT.

nasadilevs Cibuxi TambaqoTi davteneT da gavaboleT, ramac infadusi da skraga Zalze gaaoca. rogorc etyoboda, kukuanelebi ar icnobdnen Tambaqos RvTaebriv Tvisebebs. Tambaqo aq uxvad iyo, magram aqauri mkvidrni zulusebiviT mxolod ynosavdnen mas. es iyo da es.

infaduss SevekiTxe, gzas rodisRa ganvagrZobT-meTqi da sixaruliT Sevityve, rom meore dRes, diliT unda gavmgzavrebuliyaviT. infaduss macneebic efrina, raTa mefe TualasaTvis Cveni mosvla Seetyobinebina. gamoirkva, rom amJamad Tuala qveynis dedaqalaqSi, luuSi imyofeboda da emzadeboda didi dResaswaulisaTvis, romelsac kukuanelebi yovelwliurad ivnisis pirvel kviraSi marTavdnen. am dResaswauls Cveulebriv eswreba da mefis winaSe sazeimod Caivlis xolme yvela samxedro nawili, garda zogierTi polkisa, romelTac sayaraulo samsaxurSi toveben.

aqve imarTeba didi nadiroba misnebze. magram amaze dawvrilebiT Semdeg mogiTxrobT.

gzas gamTeniisas unda davdgomodiT. infadusic Tan mogvyveboda. misi varaudiT, Tu adidebuli mdinareebi gzas ar Segvikravda, luuSi meore dRes, saRamos viqnebodiT.

am saubris Semdeg Cvenma stumrebma Rame nebisa gvisurves da wavidnen. Cven gadavwyviteT, morigeobiT gveyaraula. sami Cvengani imwamsve iatakze gafenil tyavebze miwva da gancxromiT Zils mieca, meoTxe ki fxizlad guSagobda, radgan Cveni maspinZlebis gulwrfelobaSi, cota ar iyos, eWvi gvepareboda.

T a v i I X

m e f e T u a l a me mgonia, ar Rirs dawvrilebiT agiweroT Cveni luuSi mgzavrobis

ambavi. getyviT mxolod, rom mTeli ori dRe mivyvebodiT solomon mefis farTo gzas, romelic kukuanelTa qveynis Suagulisaken miimarTeboda. rac ufro win miviwevdiT, miT ufro nayofieri xdeboda miwa. sul ufro xSirad gvxvdeboda damuSavebul mindvrebSi Cadgmuli kraalebi, yvela kraali Zlier waagavda im kraals, sadac Cven wina Rame gavaTieT. maTac meomrebi icavdnen. kukuanelebis qveyanaSi, ise rogorc zulusebsa da mazais tomebs Soris, samxedro samsaxurisaTvis gamosadegi yoveli mamakaci meomaria. amitomac, rogorc TavdacviT, ise TavdasxmiT omebSi faqtiurad mTeli mosaxleoba Rebulobs monawileobas. gzaze aTasobiT meomarma gagviswro. isinic luusken miiswrafodnen, rom daswrebodnen aRlums. aRlumis Semdeg daiwyeboda didi zeimi.

meore dRes, saRamo xans, gzam gorakis Txemze gagviyvana. aq cota xans SevisveneT. dabla nayofieri lamazi veli moCanda. swored iq iyo gaSenebuli qalaqi luu. velurebis qalaqis kvalobaze mas uzarmazari farTobi eWira da gareubnis kraalebTan erTad xuT milze mainc iqneboda gadaWimuli. gareubnis kraalebSi didi dResaswaulis dros asaxlebdnen meomrebs, romlebic qveynis sxvadasxva kuTxidan modiodnen. luudan CrdiloeTiT, oriode milis manZilze moCanda naliseburi mTa, romelzedac dawvrilebiT qvemoT meqneba laparaki. qalaqi Tvalwarmtac adgilas iyo gaSenebuli. farTo mdinares ramdenime adgilas kveTda xidebi; es swored is mdinare iyo, dedofal sabias mkerdidan rom davinaxeT. igi qalaqis centrSi gadioda da qalaqs or nawilad hyofda. Sors, ase, samoci-samocdaaTi milis daSorebiT, moCanda sami mTa, mTebs samkuTxedis moyvaniloba hqondaT, maT miuval, cicabo, Camofxavebuli kldeebis mwvervalebze Tovli ido. es mTebi Tavisi aRnagobiT Zalian gamoirCeoda dedofal sabias mTebidan, romelTa ferdobebi momrgvalebuli da ufro damreci iyo.

infadusma dainaxa, cnobismoyvareobiT rom gavyurebdiT am mTebs, da gviTxra:

_ mag mTebs xalxi `sam jadoqars" uwodebs, didi gzac swored mand mTavrdeba, Cemo mbrZaneblebo.

_ ratom maincdamainc mand? _ SevekiTxe. _ eg aravin icis, _ mipasuxa moxucma meomarma da mxrebi SeiSmuSna, _

am mTebSi mravali mRvimea, maT Soris aris Rrma Wa, sadac eSvebodnen Zveli drois adamianebi, rom epovaT is, risTvisac am qveyanaSi movidnen. iqve, sikvdilis savaneSi, vmarxavT Cvens mefeebsac.

_ risTvis modiodnen aq is brZeni adamianebi? _ mouTmenlad gavawyvetine sityva infaduss.

_ amas ki veRar mogaxsenebT. Cemi mbrZaneblebi Soreuli varskvlaveTidan arian mosulni da yvelaferi es Cemze ukeT moexsenebaT, _ mipasuxa infadusma da swrafad agvavl-Cagvavlo Tvali.

cxadi iyo, ar undoda eTqva yvelaferi, rac icoda.

_ marTali xar, infadus, _ vuTxari, _ varskvlaveTis mkvidrebma viciT bevri ram iseTi, razedac Tqven warmodgenac ara gaqvT. ai, magaliTad, me gamigonia, rom Soreul warsulSi adamianebi am mTebSi brWyviala qvebisa da yviTeli rkinisaTvis movidnen.

_ Cemi mbrZanebeli brZenia, _ civad momigo infadusma, _ masTan SedarebiT me ugunuri balRi var, amitomac ar Semferis am sakiTxze saubari. Cemi mbrZanebeli aseT rameze moxuc gagulas unda elaparakos, roca luuSi mivalT, radgan gagula masaviT brZenia.

miTxra es da ganmSorda. rogorc ki martoni davrCiT, Cems megobrebs im Soreuli mTebisken mivuTiTe da Sevyvire:

_ ai, Turme sad yofila solomon mefis sabado! ambopam, romelic ser henrisa da gudis gverdiT idga, gaigona Cemi

sityvebi da Semomxeda. am bolo xanebSi igi metad Cafiqrebuli Canda, Zalze ugulisyurod iqceoda da iSviaTad gvelaparakeboda.

_ diax, makumazan, _ zulusur enaze miTxra man, _ almasebi swored iq aris da isini Tqveni iqneba, radgan Tqven, TeTr adamianebs, fuli da brWyviala qvebi Zalian gizidavT.

_ saidan ici, almasebi rom im mTebSia, ambopa? _ mkacrad vkiTxe. ar momwonda misi gulCaxveuloba, arc is, rom arasodes saTqmels

bolomde ar ambobda. _ es me wuxel sizmarSi vnaxe, TeTro adamianebo, _ Tqva ambopam,

Sebrunda da gagvecala. _ ra undoda amiT eTqva Cven Savkanian megobars, _ ra ganuzraxavs, an

gulSi ra udevs? _ ikiTxa ser henrim. _ cxadze ucxadesia, raRac icis, magram arCevs, Cumad iyos. sxvaTa Soris, quotermen... iqneb man Cveni gamyolebisagan gaigo rame Cems... Cems Zmaze?

_ samwuxarod, araferi. Tumca ekiTxeboda yvelas, visac ki am xnis ganmavlobaSi odnav mainc daumegobrda, magram yvela pasuxobda, am qveyanaSi TeTrkaniani arasodes aravis unaxavso.

_ nuTu fiqrobT, rom Tqveni Zma aqamde moaRwevda? _ hkiTxa gudma, _ gana Cven TviTon raRac saswauliT ar movxvdiT am qveyanaSi? garda amisa, rogor gaikvlevda gzas, roca ruka ar hqonda?

_ ar vici, _ miugo ser henrim da saxe moeRrubla, _ magram darwmunebuli var, adre Tu gvian Cems Zmas mainc vipovi.

vidre Cven vlaparakobdiT, mze TandaTanobiT miefara mTebs da xeladve Camobnelda. am ganedebSi bindbundi ar icis da dRis sinaTle saocrad swrafad qreba. mze Caesvena Tu ara, aremare bnelma moicva, magram male dasavleTiT sustad acimcimda Suqi, Semdeg mas vercxlisferi gadaekra, bolos ki gamoCnda uzarmazari savse mTvare, romlis mokaSkaSe sxivebma gaanaTa veli da dedamiwas nazi Suqis Saravandedi mohfina.

Cven mojadoebuliviT SevyurebdiT am saocar suraTs. Zala ar Semwevs aRvwero is momxibvleli silamaze, romlis winaSec varskvlavebma feri dakarges, Cveni gulebi ki TiTqos cad amaRlda da mokrZalebuli sixaruliT aRivso.

mTeli sicocxle zrunvasa da siRaribeSi gavatare, magram zogi ram rom momagondeba, guli madlobis grZnobiT mevseba, imisaTvis, rom amqveynad mec vcxovrobdi. erTi aseTi mogonebaTagania is dauviwyari saRamo da savse mTvare, kukuanelTa miwa-wyals naz sxivebs rom afrqvevda.

fiqri Cvenma zrdilobianma megobarma infadusma Semawyvetina. _ ukeTu Cemma mbrZaneblebma daisvenes, Cven SegviZlia ganvagrZoT

gza, luuSi TqvenTvis yvelaferi gamzadebulia. mTvare ki gzas gagvinaTebs da siaruli ar gagviWirdeba, _ gviTxra man.

Cven Tanxmoba ganvucxadeT. yvelani gzas gavudeqiT da erTi saaTis Semdeg ukve luus misadgomebTan viyaviT. erTi Tvalis gadavlebiT luu usazRvrod didi gveCvena. irgvliv meomarTa aTasobiT koconi enTo, ase gegonebodaT, qalaqisaTvis cecxlovani rkali SemouvliaTo. male mivuaxlovdiT Txrils, romelzedac asawevi xidi iyo gadebuli. Semogvesma iaraRis JRaruni da darajis SeZaxili. infadusma maT paroli Seageba, magram sityva kargad ver gavarCie. mcvelebma Tavisi meTauri icnes, miesalmnen da Cven qalaqSi SevediT.

mTeli naxevari saaTi mivabijebdiT mTavar quCaze balaxisagan dawnul uricxv qoxs Soris. bolos infadusi qoxebTan SeCerda. maT SuagulSi danayili kirqviT mokirwyluli patara ezo moCanda.

infadusi ezoSi Sevida da gamogvicxada, es ubadruki sadgomebi dReidan Tqvens gankargulebaSiao. yoveli CvenganisaTvis gaemzadebinaT TiTo patara qoxi. es qoxebi bevrad sjobda im qoxs, romelSic amas winaT Rame gavaTieT. yovel qoxSi iyo surnelovani balaxisa da moTelili tyavebis sawoli. iqve idga wyliT savse Tixis didi WurWeli. vaxSami ukve gaemzadebinaT. xel-piris dabana verc ki movaswariT, rom Semovida ramdenime axalgazrda lamazi qali. isini mdablad mogvesalmnen da xis TefSebze koxtad dawyobili Semwvari xorci da simindis kokrebi mogvarTves.

Cven madianad vivaxSmeT da Semdeg vTxove, Cveni loginebi erT qoxSi gadaetanaT. am sifrTxilem lamaz qalebs Rimili mohgvara. mgzavrobiT daRlil-daqanculni sawolebze miveyareT da Tavi Rrma Zils miveciT.

roca gagveRviZa, mze karga maRla iyo wamoweuli. fareSi qalebi ukve Cvens qoxSi iyvnen. maT ar gaaCndaT yalbi sircxvilis grZnoba da undodaT tansacmlis CacmaSi dagvxmarebodnen, rogorc es ufrosebisagan hqondaT nabrZanebi. dRes xom mefes unda vxlebodiT.

_ hm, _ burtyunebda gudi, _ fexsacmlisa da flanelis perangis Cacmas netavi ra unda. mismineT, quotermen, sTxoveT am xalxs momitanon Sarvali.

me Sevasrule misi Txovna, magram mipasuxes, es wminda nivTebi waiRes mefesTan, romelic axla Tqvens mosvlasRa eliso.

axalgazrda qalebs vTxoveT gasuliyvnen qoxidan, ramac isini albaT Zalze gaakvirva da gaanawyena. mere ki didis gulmodginebiT SevudeqiT Cacmas.

gudma, rasakvirvelia, ver moiTmina, marjvena loya kvlav gaiparsa da daapira samarTebeli marcxenazec daesva, rom jagariviT sqeli wveri Camoecilebina, magram Cven davarwmuneT, araviTar SemTxvevaSi es ar Caedina. rac Segvexeba me da ser henris, Cven kargad daviban-davisufTaveT da Tma davivarcxneT. ser henris oqrosferi kululebi Zalze wamozrdoda da mxrebze eyara, axla igi ufro metad waagavda Zvel daniels. mec jagari Tma zomaze metad damgrZeleboda, magram amas jerjerobiT araferi uSvelida. roca kargad davnayrdiT da Cibuxebic gavaboleT, infadusi Tavad gveaxla da mogvaxsena, Tu Tualas naxvas inebebT, droa wavideT, mefe gveliso.

Cven vupasuxeT, grZelma gzam Zalian dagvqanca, amitom vamjobinebT, mefesTan ufro mogvianebiT wavideTo. daRlilobis garda sxva bevri mizezic movigoneT. roca saqme velurebTan gaqvT, yovelTvis ase unda moiqceT, ar SeiZleba dauyovnebliv aasrulo maTi neba-survili, radgan Tqvens zrdilobas isini aucileblad simxdales da monur qedmoxras miaweren. amitomac wasvla kidev mTeli saaTiT davayovneT, Tumca mefe Tualas naxva Zalian gvainteresebda. dro rom ufro swrafad gasuliyo, mefisa da misi axloblebisaTvis saCuqrebis gadarCevas SevudeqiT. Cveni isedac mcire nivTebidan SevarCieT sabralo ventfogelis vinCesteri da cotaodeni mZivebi. gadavwyviteT, Tofi da tyviebi misi udidebulesobisaTvis migverTmia, mZivebs ki mis col-Svilsa da kariskacebs gavunawilebdiT. saCuqarma isini aRtacebaSi moiyvana, msgavsi ram xom Tavis sicocxleSi ar enaxaT.

bolos da bolos gamovacxadeT, mzad varT mefes veaxloTo, da qoxidan infadusis da ambopas TanxlebiT gamovediT, ambopas Cveni saCuqrebi mohqonda.

ramdenime aseuli iardi gaviareT da aRmovCndiT iseTsave RobewnulTan, rogoric Cvens qoxebs ertya gars. magram igi ormocdaaTjer ufro grZeli iqneboda, radgan, sul cota, eqvs-Svid akr miwas Robavda. Robis SigniT Camwkrivebuliyo qoxebi, aq mefis colebi cxovrobdnen. alayafis karis pirdapir, uzarmazar moedanze gancalkevebiT idga karga mozrdili qoxi, es misi udidebulesobis samflobelo gaxldaT. moedani carieli iyo, ufro sworad rom vTqvaT, carieli iqneboda, amJamad zed meomarTa mravalricxovani razmebi rom ar mdgariyo. sul cota, Svidi-rva aTasi kaci mainc iqneboda TavSeyrili. gverdiT rom CavuareT, yvelani qandakebebiviT uZravad idgnen. ver avwer, ra didebul sanaxaobas warmoadgenda es jari, maTi aqeT-iqiT mofriale jiRebi, mzeze molaplape Subebi da kameCis tyavgadakruli rkinis farebi. moednis erT mxares, mefis qoxis win idga ramdenime skami. infadusis miTiTebiT, sami skami davikaveT, ambopa Cven ukan dadga, TviT infadusi ki mefis qoxis karTan darCa. moedanze samariseburi siCume idga. aT wuTze meti velodebodiT misi udidebulesobis gamosvlas da mTeli am xnis ganmavlobaSi rva aTasi wyvili Tvali udidesi interesiT gvaTvalierebda. ra Tqma unda, Tavs metad uxerxulad vgrZnobdiT, magram ise viqceodiT, TiTqos Cven araferi gvexeboda. bolos, rogorc iqna, didi qoxis kari gaiRo da iqidan erTi oqlaqi mamakaci gamovida. mxrebze vefxvis tyavis saucxoo mosasxami esxa. mas fexdafex mohyveboda ufliswuli skraga da, rogorc erTi SexedviT gveCvena, gamxmar-galeuli, saxedaRaruli maimuni, romelic bewvis mosasxamSi gaxveuliyo. oqlaqi skamze dajda. skraga zurgs ukan amoudga, maimuni ki oTxze dadga, gafofxda da qoxis Crdils Tavi Seafara.

mTeli es mileTis xalxi isev dumda. uecrad oqlaqma mosasxami gadaiZro, wamodga da mTeli taniT

gaimarTa. Cven winaSe sazareli garegnobis mamakaci idga. ugvanod msxvili tuCebi, farTo, mityepnili cxviri da erTaderTi Savi Tvali hqonda. meore Tvalis adgilas Savi Rrmuli moCanda. Cems sicocxleSi arsad Semxvedria amaze sazizRari da boroti saxis mqone kaci. oqlaqs Tavze siraqlemas frTebis saucxoo jiRa edga, mkerds mbrwyinavi jaWvis perangi ufaravda. welsa da marjvena muxls Cveulebrivi samkauli _ kameCis TeTri kudebi umSvenebda. am sazarel kacs yelze oqros yelsabami ekida.

mis Sublze ki mkrTalad cimcimebda uzarmazari gaurandavi almasi. xelT mZime grZeli Subi epyra. maSinve mivxvdi, es sazareli kaci mefe Tuala iyo.

siCume didxans aRar gagrZelebula, mefem Tavisi Subi maRla aswia. pasuxad haerSi rva aTasi Subiani xeli aRimarTa da gaisma misalmeba `kuum! kuum! kuum!" _ rva aTasi kacis SeZaxilma miwa Seazanzara. am Rrials mxolod gamayruebel Weqa-quxils Tu miamsgavsebda kaci.

_ morCilni iyaviT, hoi, xalxno, es Tqveni mefea! _ gaisma uceb gamyivani wvrili xma lafarodan, sadac saxedaRaruli maimuni ijda.

_ mefea! _ exosaviT igrgvina rva aTasma kacma, _ morCilni iyaviT, xalxno, es mefa!

moedanze kvlav samariseburi siCume gamefda. uecrad erT-erT meomars, romelic marcxena frTaze idga, fari

dauvarda. fari wkrialiT daenarcxa kirqviT mokirwylul miwas. Tualam Tavi aiRo da civad gaixeda iqiT, sadac is meomari idga. _ Sen, hei, aqeT modeq! _ mquxare xmiT dauRriala siCumis uneblie

damrRvevs. meomarTa rigebs lamazi Wabuki gamoeyo. igi mefes eaxla da mis win

aisveta. _ maS, es Sen dagivarda fari, Se qofako, Sena? Sen Semarcxvine

varskvlaveTidan Camosul ucxoelebTan? rogor gabede es? sabralo Wabuks saxeze mkvdris feri daedo. _ hoi, xboo Savi Zroxisav, _ daiCurCula man, _ geficebi, ar mindoda,

uneblieT momixda. _ hoda, eg uneblie saqcieli sakuTari sicocxliT unda zRo,

moemzade sasikvdilod! _ me mxolod da mxolod xari var mefisa, _ xmadabla Tqva sabralo

meomarma. _ skraga! _ daiRriala mefem, _ maCvene Seni mklavis Zala, mohkal es

ZaRli. skraga avismomaswavebeli RimiliT wamodga win da Subi aRmarTa. mis

sabralo msxverpls saxeze xelebi aefarebina da gaunZrevlad idga. Cven Tavzari dagveca. gaqvavebulebiviT visxediT.

skragam orjer moiqnia Subi da Wabuks mkerdSi aZgera. dartyma imdenad mZlavri iyo, rom Subis wverma zurgSi gaatana. sabralo meomarma xelebi aiqnia da usulod daaskda miwas.

gamkicxavi butbuti Soreuli quxiliviT gahyva meomarTa mWidro rigebs da sadRac, Sors, Cakvda. Cven verc ki movaswariT gagvego, ra xdeboda, rom sisxlSi moTxvrili gvami ukve Cvens fexebTan egdo. ser henri saSineli wyevla-krulviT wamoiWra, magram saerTo siCumiT sulSexuTuli mZimed daeSva Tavis adgilze.

_ marjve dartyma iyo, _ Tqva Tualam, _ gaaTrieT es gvami aqedan! meomarTa rigebs gamoeyo oTxi kaci. mokluli meomris gvami gaitanes. _ daayareT sisxls miwa, miwa daayareT! _ daiwripina maimunis

msgavsma arsebam. _ mefem Tavisi sityva Tqva da ganaCeni aRsrulda! qoxis gverdiT gamoCnda qalwuli. xelSi dafxvnili kirqviT savse

WurWeli eWira. mogviaxlovda da sisxlian gubes sqlad moayara kiri. ser henri sibrazisagan sul cofebs yrida da Zlivs iokebda guliswyromas. Cven ris vai-vaglaxiT SevZeliT misi daSoSmineba.

_ RvTis gulisTvis, dawynardiT, _ wavCurCule me, _ gaxsovdeT, Cveni sicocxle Cvens saqcielzea damokidebuli.

ser henri mixvda amas da, rogorc iqna, Tavs sZlia. vidre qalwuli sisxlian miwas kirqvas ayrida da am sazareli

tragediis kvals Slida, Tuala uxmod ijda, magram rogorc ki qalwuli iqaurobas gaecala, misi udidebulesoba Cvenken Semobrunda:

_ gamarjobaT, TeTro adamianebo! _ mogvesalma igi. _ Senc gamarjvebiT gevlos, kukuanelTa mefeo! _ mivagebeT. _ TeTro adamianebo, saidan mosulxarT, ras eZebT Cvens qveyanaSi? _ Cven varskvlaveTidan daveSviT, rom gvenaxa kukuanelTa miwa. nu

gvkiTxav, rogor da ra saSualebiT movaxerxeT es. _ gana Rirda amodena gzis gamovla mxolod imisTvis, rom es erTi

cicqna miwa genaxaT? anda ai, is kacic varskvlaveTidan Camovida? _ Tqva da ambopaze migviTiTa.

_ ho, isic Cven Camogvyva, _ mivuge, _ caSi Savkanianebic arian, magram hoi, Tualav, nu gvkiTxav imas, rac Sens gagebas aRemateba da rasac Seni azri da goneba ver Caswvdeba.

_ Tqven, varskvlaveTis Svilebi, ratomRac Zalian gabedulad melaparakebiT, _ SemogviRrina Tualam da Tvali borotad aubrwyinda. _ nu gaviwydebaT, varskvlavebi Sorsaa, Tqven ki aq, Cems qveyanaSi imyofebiT. iqneb gnebavT, Tqven im meomris dRe gayaroT, es-esaa aqedan rom gaitanes?

me xmamaRla gadavixarxare, Tumca sicilis gunebaze sulac ar gaxldiT.

_ hoi, mefeo, _ vuTxari, _ frTxilad iyavi, fexebi ar daiwva, roca cxel qviSaze dadixar, Subi tariT daiWire, xelebi ar dageseros. gamifrTxilebixar, me da Cems megobrebs bewvic ki rom Segverxes Tavze, sikvdilisagan veRaraferi gixsnis. gana Senma xalxma _ ganvagrZe da infadusze da sazizRar skragaze mivuTiTe (skraga am dros Subs sisxlisagan wmendda), _ ar giTxra, vinca varT? esec ar iyos, ginaxavs sadme aseTi kaci? _ xeli gudisken gaviwvdine, sruliad darwmunebulma, rom msgavss versad veravis naxavda.

_ marTali xar, arasodes minaxavs, _ mipasuxa Tualam. _ arc is uTqvamT SenTvis, rom Cven SegviZlia Sori manZilidan

movklaT cocxali arseba? _ miTxres, magram maTi ara mjera. maCvene, rogor aRwev amas, mokali

erT-erTi meomari ager, ai, iq, _ miTxra da xeli kraalis mopirdapire mimarTulebiT gaiwvdina, _ mokali da maSin eWvi aRar Semepareba.

_ ara, udanaSaulo sisxls ver davRvriT, _ vuTxari me, _ Cven SegviZlia kaci mxolod maSin movklaT, roca rames daaSavebs da sastik sasjels daimsaxurebs. Sen ki, Tu gsurs Cvens ZlierebaSi darwmunde, ubrZane msaxurebs kraalSi xari modenon, da naxav rogor gavagorebT, vidre fexis gadadgmas moaswrebdes.

_ ara, ara, _ gaicina mefem, _ Tu gsurs davijero, kaci unda mokla. _ kargi, mefeo, iyos neba Seni, _ mSvidad warmovTqvi me, _ gahyevi am

moedans alayafis karisken da vidre iqamde miaRwevde, usulod daecemi Zirs. Tu Sen ar ginda wasvla, skraga gagzavne (unda mogaxsenoT, im garewar skragas didi siamovnebiT davaxlidi tyvias).

am sityvebis gagonebaze skragam sazarlad Sehyvira da qoxSi Sevarda.

Tualam amayad gadmomxeda da Subli Seikra, aSkara iyo, Cemi winadadeba ar moewona.

_ modeneT mozveri! _ ubrZana msaxurebs da isinic swrafad gaqandnen brZanebis Sesasruleblad.

_ amjerad Tqven isroleT, _ vuTxari ser henris, _ unda davumtkicoT am garewars, rom Cvens Soris marto me ara var jadoqari da misani.

_ imedi maqvs, ar avacden, _ Tqva da mZimed amoioxra. _ Tu erTxel ver moartyiT, meored esroleT. as ormocdaaT iardze

rom mogviaxlovdeba, maSin amoiReT mizanSi da daicadeT, vidre Cvenken gverdiT ar Sebrundeba.

moedanze siCumem daisadgura. uecrad alayafis kari gaiRo da gamoCnda xari. es zRva xalxi rom

dainaxa, SeCerda, dafeTebuli Tvalebi uazrod moavlo iqaurobas, Semdeg Sebrunda da daibRavla.

_ esroleT! _ vuCurCule ser henris. _ bum! bum! _ gaisma gamayruebeli griali. xari zurgze daeca da fexebi aafxarkala. saskdomi tyvia Sig

ferdSi moxvda. xalxi gaocebuli da Tavzardacemuli idga. _ hoi, mefeo, xom xedav, tyuili ar miTqvams SenTvis. _ ara, TeTro adamiano, Sen marTali iyavi, _ krZalviT da SiSiT

momigo Tualam. _ mismine, Tuala, _ ganvagrZe me, _ SenTvis sruliad sakmarisia, rac

naxe, magram icode, Cven mSvidoba gviyvars da aq saomrad ar movsulvarT. Sexede, _ vuTxari da Tofi maRla avwie, _ ai am gulgamoclili joxiT Senc SegeZleba srola, magram icode, joxi Selocvilia da Tu adamians umizneb, mis nacvlad Sen mokvdebi. moica! moica! minda kidev raRac gaCveno. erT-erTma Senma meomarma aqedan ormoc nabijze tariT Caasos Subi miwaSi, ise rom buniki brtyeli mxriT Cvenken iyos moqceuli.

es brZaneba dauyovnebliv iqna Sesrulebuli. _ axla ki ucqire, hoi, mefeo, rogor vaqcev namsxvrevebad im Subs. Tofi guldagul davumizne da visrole. tyvia buniks moxvda da

namsxvrevebad aqcia. moedanze mZime oxvra gaisma. _ aha, Tuala, miiRe Cvengan saCuqrad es mojadoebuli mili, Semdeg

mis xmarebasac gaswavliT, magram gafrTxileb, adamianis winaaRmdeg ar gamoiyeno! _ vuTxari da Tofi gavuwode.

mefem sifrTxiliT gamomarTva saCuqari da fexebTan daido. swored am dros SevamCnie, rom is maimunismsgavsi arseba Tavisi adgilidan wamodga da forTxviT wamovida Cvenken. roca mogviaxlovda, fexze wamodga da bewvis mosasxami moixsna, Cvens win araCveulebrivi arseba idga. es iyo Zalze moxuci qali, welTa simravlisagan saxe saocrad daWknoboda da dapataraveboda, Tanac Rrma yviTeli naoWebiT hqonda dafaruli. naoWebs Soris patara xvreliviT mouCanda piri. am arsebas cxviri sulac ar emCneoda da, saerTod, adamiani ki ara, gamomSrali mumia gegonebodaT, rom naRverdaliviT anTebuli didi Savi Tvalebi ar hqonoda. es Tvalebi cocxlad imzirebodnen sruliad gaTeTrebul warbebs qvemodan, pergamentiviT yviTeli Subli da wvetiani win wamowvdili nikapi hqonda, Tavze ki Tmis Reric ar moeZebneboda. danaoWebuli kani kapiSoniviT moZraobda Tavis qalaze.

am saSineli arsebis danaxvaze uneblieT SevkrTi. SiSma amitana. Semzarda qali. igi wuTiT uZravad idga, Semdeg gaiwvdina gaZvaltyavebuli xeli, romelic frinvelis klanWs waagavda, da wvrili, mkivana xmiT daiwyo:

_ hoi, mefeo, yuri momapyar! mismineT Tqvenc, meomrebo, mTebo, velebo, mdinareebo, kukuanelTa qveyanav! mismineT qalebo da kacebo, Wabukno da qalwulno, mismineT yrmano, romelnic jer ar SobilxarT! misminos yvelam da yovelma, rac ki cocxlobs da rac unda mokvdes. misminos manac, rac mokvda da aw unda gacocxldes. gacocxldes da mere isev mokvdes. CemSi gacxovelda sicocxlis suli, ismineT-meTqi, ismineT Cemi winaswarmetyveleba!

dedaberma erTi Sehkivla da dadumda, yvelani TavzardacemulebiviT videqiT. es qali marTlac sazareli ram iyo.

_ sisxli! sisxli! sisxli! sisxlis zRva dgas, yvelgan sisxlia, _ kvlav ganagrZo am jadom. _ vxedav mas, vgrZnob mis mlaSe gemos, mcems misi suni.

_ Cu! nabiji nabijs mihyveba! es TeTri adamianis fexis xmaa. igi Soridan modis, nabijebi miwas azanzarebs. miwa TrTis, caxcaxebs Tavisi mbrZaneblis winaSe.

ra saucxooa es sisxli, es wiTeli sisxli, netav Tu rame Seedreba Tbili sisxlis suns. lomebi brdRvinviT xarbad alokaven mas, mtacebeli frinvelebi frTebs ganibanen Sig da sixaruliT yaSyaS-yrantals mohyvebian.

me moxuci var, moxuci! Cems sicocxleSi sisxlis mdinareebi minaxavs, ha, ha, ha! magram sikvdilamde kidev ufro mets vnaxav da Cems suls sixaruli daeufleba. rogor fiqrobT, ra xnis viqnebi? Tqveni mamebis, papebisa da papis papebis momswre var. me minaxavs TeTri adamiani da vici, ra surs mas. me didi xnisa var, magram es mTebi Cemze ufro didi xnis winaT gaCndnen. miTxariT, vin gaiyvana didi gza? vin gamokveTa is suraTebi kldeebze? vin gamoaqandaka sami dayursebuli, maRarosTan mTebSi rom sxedan da Cvens qveyanas gadmoscqerian? _ Tqva da xeli gaiwvdina Camofxavebuli cicabo mTisken, romelic Cven jer kidev wina dRiT SevniSneT. _ Tqven vin getyodaT, me ki vici. didi, Zalian didi xnis winaT, aq iyvnen TeTrkanianebi, isini kvlavac movlen Cvens miwaze, Tqven ki aRar iqnebiT, ar iqnebiT imitom, rom TeTri adamianebi amogvJleten. diax! diax! diax! amogvJleten.

risTvis modiodnen aq TeTrkanianebi _ es gonieri, Zlieri, jiuti da misnobaSi gawafuli adamianebi?

hoi, mefeo! vin mogca eg brWyviala qva, Subls rom gimSvenebs? visma xelma gaWeda rkinis perangi, mkerds rom gicavs? Sen ar ici, ara, me ki vici. me moxuci var, brZeni var, me izanuzi, diadi misani var!

Semdeg motvlepili Tavi Cemken moabruna da daiwivla: _ ras eZebT CvenTan, varskvlaveTis Svilno, ras eZebT,

TeTrkanianebo?.. Tu dakargul adamians daeZebT, mas aq ver ipoviT. ukve didi xania arc erT TerTkanians ar daudgams fexi Cvens miwa-wyalze. diax, diax, garda erTisa, magram imanac male datova aqauroba da sulTa qveyanaSi gaemgzavra. Tqven brWyviala qvebisTvis moxvediT. vici, namdvilad vici es. roca sisxlis gubeebi daSreba, Tqven ipoviT am qvebs. magram gabrundebiT Tu ara Tqvens qveyanaSi? Tu CvenTan darCebiT? ha! ha! ha!

_ Sen ki, Sen, amayo Savkaniano, _ wahkivla dedaberma da gaZvaltyavebuli xeli ambopasaken gaiwvdina. _ vina xar, an ras eZeb aq? brWyviala qvebi da yviTlad mocimcime rkina Sen ar gainteresebs _ Sen maT varskvlaveTis TeTrkanian Svilebs dauTmob. me mgonia, gicnob, vinca xar, me mgonia, vcnob sisxlis suns Sens ZarRvebSi. aba eg welsakravi Semoixseni...

moulodnelad am sazizRar arsebas saxe ufro daemanWa, piridan duJma dauwyo dena da bnedamoreuli miwaze daeca. igi imwamsve qoxSi Seiyvanes.

mefe wamodga. es amodena kaci TaviT fexebamde caxcaxebda. xeli aiqnia da meomarTa razmebi erTmaneTis miyolebiT mwyobrad gaemarTnen gasasvlelisaken.

aTiode wuTis Semdeg uzarmazari moedani dacarielda. Cven martoni davrCiT mefesTan. misi mcirericxovani amalac aqve

idga. _ TeTro adamianebo, _ Tqva mefem, _ gagula raRac ucnaurad

laparakobda, me mgonia, ajobebs, rom yvelani aqve dagxocoT. ras ityviT amaze?

_ hoi, mefeo, gafrTxildi, _ gavicine me, _ xom dainaxe, ra daemarTa xars? nuTu ginda Senc is dRe dagadges?

Tualam Subli SeiWmuxna. _ mefes ar emuqrebian, _ kuStad gamoscra man. _ es muqara ar aris, simarTles geubnebiT. hoi, mefeo, aba aRmarTe

Cvenze xeli da naxav, ra dRe dagadges! oqlaqma xeli Sublze miido da wuTiT dafiqrda. _ kargi, wadiT, _ Tqva bolos. _ dRes saRamos mejliss vawyobT. es

iqneba didi mejlisi, Tqvenc unda daeswroT. nu geSiniaT, arafers dagiSavebT, xval ki gadavwyvetT, ra giyoT da rogor mogeqceT.

_ kargi, mefeo! _ gulgrilad vuTxari. yvelani wamovdeqiT da infadusis TanxlebiT Cveni karvebisaken

gavemarTeT.

T a v i X I V

n a d i r o b a m i s n e b z e qoxs rom mivuaxlovdiT, infaduss vaniSne, CemTan Semodi-meTqi. _ mismine, infadus, _ vuTxari, _ Cven gvinda mogelaparakoT. _ gismenT, mbrZanebelo! _ Cveni azriT, infadus, mefe Tuala sastiki da ulmobelia. _ marTali gaxlavT, Cemo mbrZanebelo. vai, rom xalxi mZime

uRelqveS gminavs. Tumca dRes yvelafers sakuTari TvaliT naxavT. RamiT misnebze nadiroba moewyoba. mravali adamiani gamoesalmeba sicocxles. guldamSvidebiT veravin iqneba. Tu mefem moisurva waarTvas Tavis qveSevrdoms jogi an sicocxle, mas veRaraferi ixsnis. SemTxveviT vinmeze eWvi rom miitanos da arakeTilsaimedo kacad Seracxos, maSin gagula an misi gawvrTnili romelime qali misnad gamoacxadebs da moakvlevinebs mas. amaRam, vidre mTvare fers dakargavdes, mraval adamians moeswrafeba sicocxle. ase xdeba mudam. ra vici, egeba mec memuqreba sikvdili. dRemde xeli ar uxliaT, imitom rom samxedro saqmeSi didi gamocdileba maqvs,

Tanac, meomrebs vuyvarvar, magram ar vici, didxans Sevinaxav amgvarad Tavs Tu ara. Tualas xelSi qveyana itanjeba da TandaTanobiT sisxlisgan iwriteba.

_ maS, xalxi ratom iTmens mas, infadus? _ o, ara, mbrZanebelo, rac unda iyos, Tuala mefea, rom movklaT,

mis adgils skraga daiWers. is ki ufro mZime uRels dagvadgams zurgze, imotu rom cocxali yofiliyo, an misi Svili ignozi ar daRupuliyo, yvelaferi sxvagvarad warimarTeboda. magram, samwuxarod, isini amqveynad aRar arian.

_ vin giTxra, rom ignozi mkvdaria? _ gaisma xma Cvens zurgs ukan. es ambopa iyo.

_ ra gsurs amiT Tqva, Wabuko! _ SeekiTxa infadusi, _ da ratom gakadinierdi ise, rom xmis amoReba gabede?

_ mismine, infadus, _ uTxra ambopam, _ moismine rasac getyvi. didi xnis winaT kukuanelTa qveyanaSi mokles mefe. misi coli patara vaJTan erTad, romelsac ignozi erqva, aqedan gaiqca da Tavs uSvela. marTalia es Tu ara?

_ marTalia. _ amboben, qali da bavSvi SimSiliT daiRupneno, xom asea? _ diax, asea. _ Zalian kargi, magram yvelaferi sxvagvarad Setrialda, deda-Svili

ar daRupula. isini mTebze gadavidnen, romeliRac moxetiale tomTan erTad gadalaxes udabno, mTebis gadaRma rom daxvdaT, da miaRwies adgils, sadac iyo wyali da xe da balaxi xarobda.

_ Sen es saidan ici? _ mismine. mismine. maT Seusvenebliv iares mravali dRis

ganmavlobaSi, vidre bolos da bolos ar miadgnen qveyanas, sadac kukuanelTa monaTesave tomi amazulu cxovrobs. didxans cxovrobdnen iq. bolos deda mokvda. maSin misma Svilma ignozim kvlav moxetiale cxovrebas mihyo xeli, igi gaemgzavra saocrebaTa qveyanaSi, sadac TeTrkanianebi cxovroben da wlebis ganmavlobaSi ewafeboda maT sibrZnes.

_ saocar ambavs yvebi, _ undoblad Tqva infadusma. _ ignozim mravali weli dahyo iq. iyo msaxuri, meomari, gulSi ki

saTuTad inaxavda dedis naambobs samSobloze, ocnebobda dabrunebuliyo iq, enaxa Tavisi xalxi, enaxa mamis kera, vidre sikvdili Tvals dauxuWavda. mravali weli eloda marjve SemTxvevas. da ai, dadga dro da bedma igi TeTrkanianebs Seaxvedra. TeTrkanianebi mis samSobloSi apirebdnen wamosvlas da ignozic maT SeuerTda. SeuCerebliv modiodnen. gadaiares cxeli udabno, TovliT dafaruli mTebi, kukuanelTa qveyanaSi movidnen da pirvel dResve Segxvdnen Sen, hoi, infadus!

_ Sen uTuod SeSlili xar, Torem ase ar ilaparakebdi, _ wamoiyvira moxucma meomarma, romelic gaocebiT Sescqeroda ambopas.

_ tyuilad fiqrob ase, aba kargad Semomxede, hoi, biZaCemo, mamaCemis Zmao, me var ignozi, kukuanelTa kanonieri mefe!

am sityvebiT man TeZoebidan erTi xelis mosmiT moiZro Semosakravi da Cven win dediSobila dadga.

_ aba, kargad daakvirdi, ici Tu ara, ra aris es? _ Tqva da miuTiTa lurji saRebaviT amosviringebul gvelze, tanze rom Semoklaknoda. gvels piriT misive kudi eWira.

infaduss gaocebisagan lamis Tvalebi wamoscvivda. igi erTxans gaSeSebuli idga, Semdeg ki muxlebze daeca.

_ kuum! kuum! _ wamoiZaxa man, _ es Cemi Zmiswulia, kukuanelTa mefea! _ mec swored eg giTxari, hoi, biZaCemo. mxolod erTi kia,

jerjerobiT mefe ara var, magram imedi maqvs, Seni xelSewyobiTa da Cemi mamaci TeTrkaniani megobrebis daxmarebiT usaTuod davibruneb taxts. gagulam marTali Tqva, miwa sisxliT moirwyvebao, im sisxls gagulas sisxlic SeuerTdeba, Tuki, rasakvirvelia, im kudians kidev udgas ZarRvebSi sisxli, imitom rom man Tavisi bilwi sityviT moakvlevina mamaCemi, deda ki samSoblodan gaaZeva. infadus, isurveb Tu ara xeli momce, gaiziaro yvela safrTxe da saSiSroeba, romelic me memuqreba, damexmarebi Tu ara taxtidan Camovagdo mtarvali da kacismkvleli? airCie-meTqi, pasuxs veli!

moxucma Sublze xeli miido da dafiqrda. Semdeg wamodga, miuaxlovda im adgils, sadac ambopa, ufro sworad rom vTqvaT, ignozi idga, muxli moiyara da ignozis xels Seexo.

_ ignozi, kukuanelTa kanoniero mefev, Tanaxma var xeli mogce da sikvdilamde gemsaxuro. roca patara iyavi, Cems muxlebze garwevdi da gaTamaSebdi, axla ki am damWknar-danaoWebul xelSi aviReb iaraRs, rom vibrZolo SenTvis da TavisuflebisaTvis!

_ es saucxood Tqvi, infadus! Tu gavimarjve, kukuanelTa qveyanaSi mefis Semdeg pirveli kaci Seiqnebi, magram Tu davmarcxdi, maSin ueWveli sikvdili gelis. sikvdili ki yvela Cvenganis xvedria, amasTan Sen arc ise axalgazrda xar. adeq, mamaCemis Zmao. TeTrkanianebo, Tqven raRas metyviT? damexmarebiT? ra SemiZlia sanacvlod SemogTavazoT? Tu gavimarjve da im brWyivala qvebis povna SevZeli, Tan gagatanT imdens, ramdensac zidavT. sakmarisia es TqvenTvis?

misi sityvebi Cems Tanamgzavrebs vuTargmne. _ gadaeciT ambopas, _ miTxra ser henrim, _ rom ingliselebze

mcdari warmodgena hqonia. simdidre kargi ram aris da Tu igi cxovrebis gzaze Segvxvda, zurgs ar SevaqcevT. magram jentlmeni simdidrisTvis suls ar gayidis. Cemi saxeliT ki ai, ra uTxariT: me yovelTvis momwonda ambopa da am brZolaSi mudam mis gverdiT viqnebi. esec rom ar iyos, udidesi siamovnebiT gavusworeb angariSs im qajsa da eSmaks _ Tualas. Tqven raRas ityviT, gud, ras ityviT, quotermen?!

_ ra meTqmis, _ miugo kapitanma, _ hiperbolurad rom vTqva, SegiZliaT gadasceT, rom brZola WeSmariti adamianis guls axarebs. amitom, ramdenadac saqme me Semexeba, SeuZlia Cemi imedi iqonios, mxolod erTi pirobiT, Sarvali unda damibrunos.

me misi pasuxic gadavTargmne. _ gmadlobT, megobrebo, _ Tqva ignozim, _ Sen raRas ityvi,

makumazan? darCebi CemTan, ubadlo monadirev, daWril kameCze ubrZneso? me kefa moviqeqe da davfiqrdi. _ ambopa, anu ignozi, _ vuTxari bolos, _ ar miyvars revolucia, me

mSvidobismoyvare da, cota ar iyos, mSiSara kaci var (aq ignozim gaiRima); magram miuxedavada amisa, mudam Cemi megobrebis erTguli viqnebi. Sen erTgulad gvemsaxurebodi da namdvili vaJkacoba gamoiCine, amitom am brZolaSi arc me migatoveb, magram nu dagaviwydeba, rom vaWari kaci var da cxovreba maiZulebs lukma-puri SromiT movipovo. amitom uars ar vambob im almasebze, rasakvirvelia, Tu maT adgilsamyofels mivagnebT.

amasTan, rogorc ici, Cven aq inkubus dakarguli Zmis saZebrad wamovediT, hoda, unda dagvexmaro da gvapovnino igi.

_ Sens Txovnas avasruleb, _ momigo ignozim, _ mismine, infadus, _ ganagrZo man da moxuc meomars miubrunda, _ gaficeb gvelis wminda gamosaxulebas, marTali miTxari, gsmenia odesme, rom TeTrkanians kukuanelTa miwaze fexi daedgas?

_ ara, ignozi. _ aq rom sadme TeTrkaniani enaxaT, an gaegoT rame masze, Sen xom

usaTuod Seityobdi? _ ra Tqma unda, Sevityobdi. _ xom gesmis, inkubu? _ mimarTa ignozim ser henris, _ cxadze

ucxadesia, Seni Zma aq ar yofila. _ vai, rom mesmis! _ oxvriT aRmoxda ser henris, _ ueWvelia, aqamde

veRar moaRwia... sabralo jorji, maS, amdenma tanjva-wvalebam fuWad Cagviara? iyavn neba RvTisa.

_ aba, axla ki saqmeze gadavideT, _ sityva CavurTe me, radgan mindoda Semewyvita es sevdiani saubari, _ rasakvirvelia, Tu RmerTi Seewia, mefobaze uars aravin ityvis, ignozi, magram rogor da ra gziT apireb gamefebas?

_ eg ukve aRar vici, iqneb infadusma rame gegma SemogvTavazos? _ ignozi, Zeo elvisa, _ daiwyo infadusma, _ amaRam gaimarTeba didi

cekvebi, mere ki misnebze nadiroba daiwyeba, mraval adamians daubneldeba mze, ufro meti ki damwuxrebuli da guldaTuTquli darCeba. xalxi gulSi Tualas winaaRmdeg amxedrdeba. cekva rom damTavrdeba, beladebs movelaparakebi, isini ki Tavis mxriv meomrebs moeTaTbirebian. beladebTan, rasakvirvelia, saidumlo bWobas gavmarTav da Tu maTi gadmobireba SevZeli, yvelani aq movalT. Tu saqme ise warimarTa, rogorc me minda, xval, alionze Sens gankargulebaSi oci aTasi kaci mainc iqneba. erTi sityviT, Tu cocxlebi gadavrCiT, aq SevgrovdebiT da yvelaferze vimsjelebT. mxolod icode, rac ar unda moxdes, brZola mainc ar agvcdeba.

saubari xmamaRla laparakma da xmaurma Segvawyvetina. mefis msaxurni iyvnen. Cven qoxis kars mivadeqiT da mcvelebs maTi SemoSveba vubrZaneT.

maSinve Semovida sami kaci. yovel maTgans xelSi jaWvis perangi da saucxoo sabrZolo najaxi eWira.

_ es Cemma mbrZanebelma, mefe Tualam aaxla varskvlaveTidan Camosul adamianebs, _ gamogvicxada heroldma, maT rom axlda.

_ gabrundiT da Cvengan madloba gadaeciT mefes, _ vuTxari. msaxurni wavidnen da Cven didi interesiT SevudeqiT saCuqrebis daTvalierebas. aseTi saucxoo jaWvebi arasodes gvenaxa. iseTi faqizi naxelavi da ise Txeli iyo, rom xelisgulze advilad Tavsdeboda.

_ ra ucxo nakeTobaa, infadus, nuTu Tqvens qveyanaSi msgavs rames amzadeben?

_ ara, Cemo mbrZanebelo, _ gvipasuxa infadusma, _ eg winaparTagan SemogvrCa, ar vici, vin da rodis gaWeda. axla cotaRa dagvrCa da mxolod mefis ojaxis wevrebs SeuZliaT maTi tareba. es mojadoebuli rkinaa, Sig Subi ver atans da brZolaSi maT patrons araviTari safrTxe ar elis. mefe an Zalian kmayofilia TqveniT, an raRacas SeuSinebia, Torem amas aq ar gaaxlebdaT. kargi iqneba, Tu saRamos am jaWvebs CaicvamT, Cemo mbrZaneblebo!

is dRe mSvidad gavatareT, visvenebdiT da Cvens axlandel yofaze vmsjelobdiT. mdgomareoba Zalze damafiqrebeli iyo.

bolos mzec Cavida. abrialda aTasobiT koconi. bnelSi mZime nabijebis xma dairxa, Subebis Cxarunic Semogvesma. meomrebis usasrulo razmebi moednisaken miemarTebodnen, rom adgilebi daeWiraT da didi cekvebisTvis momzadebuliyvnen.

caze sxivnaTeli badri mTvare amogorda. infadusi rom movida, Cven ezoSi videqiT da mTvariani RamiT

vtkbebodiT. infaduss samxedro tansacmeli ecva, Tan oci kacisagan Semdgari razmi axlda. razms moednamde unda mivecilebineT. infadusis rCeviT, jaWvis perangi CavicviT, zemodan ki Cveni tansacmeli gadavicviT. sakvirveli is iyo, rom am javSanSi Tavs saocrad msubuqad da Tavisuf-lad vgrZnobdiT. es jaWvebi, romlebic odesRac, albaT, goliaTuri aRnagobis adamianebs ekuTvnoda, gudsa da me srulad gvadga, magram ser henris mkerdze hqonda Semosaltuli.

qamrebze revolverebi davikideT, mefis naboZvari sabrZolo najaxebi aviReT da Cvens maspinZlebs moednisaken gavyeviT.

didi kraali, sadac am diliT mefem Sexvedra mogviwyo, erTianad xalxiT iyo gaWedili. wreSi oci aTasamde meomari idga, yovel polks misTvis gankuTvnili adgili eWira. polkebi, Tavis mxriv, razmebad iyo dayofili, razmebs Soris viwro gasasvlelebi daetovebinaT, rom misnebze monadire qalebs Tavisuflad emoZravaT aqeT-iqiT.

marTlac rom didebul sanaxaobas warmoadgenda erTad TavSeyrili iaraRasxmuli es amodena xalxi. meomrebi srul siCumeSi mwyobrad idgnen. mTvare dahnaToda maRla SemarTul Subebis tyes, mofriale frTebsa da sxvadasxva feris farebs. saiTac ar unda migvepyro mzera, yvelgan gaqvavebul saxeebs da Subebis usasrulo mwkrivebs vxedavdiT.

_ dRes albaT mTeli Tqveni jari aq aris Tavmoyrili, _ vuTxari infaduss.

_ ara, makumazan, _ mipasuxa man, _ am moedanze Cveni jaris mxolod erTi mesamedi, ese igi oci aTasi kaci dgas. meore mesamedi gareT, Txrilis irgvliv gviyenia, maT unda daicvan kraali, Tu xocva-Jletis dros ayal-mayali atyda. aTi aTasi kaci luus dasacavad saguSagoze dgas, danarCenebi kraalebSi arian gafantulni.

_ ra saocari siCumea, _ Tqva gudma. marTlacda, gulSemzaravi iyo es daZabuli siCume im dros, roca

amdeni xalxi erTad iyo TavSeyrili. _ ras ambobs bugvani? _ mkiTxa infadusma. me gadavuTargmne. _ kaci usityveli xdeba, roca Tavs sikvdilis aCrdili dastrialebs. _ amaRam bevrs daxocaven? _ Zalian bevrs. _ me mgonia, Cven dRes gladiatorebis brZolas daveswrebiT, _

vuTxari Cems Tanamgzavrebs, _ da rogorc vatyob, maspinZlebs mis mosawyobad araferi dauSurebiaT.

ser henris tanSi Jruantelma dauara. gudma ki ganacxada, kargi iqneboda, axla aqedan wasvla rom SegveZloso.

_ miTxari, safrTxe xom araferi gvelis? _ vkiTxe infaduss. _ danamdvilebiT verafers getyvi, Cemo mbrZanebelo; magram vfiqrob,

dRes cudi araferi geliT. yovel SemTxvevaSi, SiSi ar SeimCnioT,

SeiZleba yvelaferi keTilad warimarTos: meomrebi mefis ukmayofiloni arian.

im laparakSi nel-nela miviwevdiT win da TandaTan moednis Suaguls vuaxlovdebodiT. iq ramdenime skami daedgaT. is iyo, mivediT kidec, rom mefis kraalidan ramdenime kaci gamovida da Cvenken gamoemarTa.

_ es mefe Tuala, ufliswuli skraga da moxuci gagulaa, maT jalaTebi mohyvebian, _ gviTxra infadusma da xeli mefis mxleblebisaken gaiSvira.

mxleblebis jgufSi ase, Tormetiode kaci iqneboda, yvelani Zlier maRlebi iyvnen da sazareli saxeebi hqondaT. yovel maTgans cal xelSi Subi eWira, meoreSi ki `kesi", anu mZime xelketi.

mefe skamze daeSva, gagula mis ferxTiT moikrunCxa, skraga da jalaTebi ki maT ukan moTavsdnen.

_ salami miTqvams, TeTro mbrZanebelo! _ Sehyvira Tualam, rogorc ki mivuaxlovdiT. _ dasxediT, dasxediT, Zvirfas dros tyuilubralod nu dakargavT, Rame isedac moklea im saqmisaTvis, romelic unda aRsruldes. Tqven karg fexze moxvediT da brwyinvale sanaxaoba geliT. mimoixedeT irgvliv, TeTro mbrZanebelebo, mimoixedeT! _ aq Tualam Tavisi boroti Tvali aavl-Caavlo razmebs. _ gana SeiZleba varskvlavebze msgavsi ram naxoT? daakvirdiT, rarig Zrwian da kankaleben sulmdabalni, romelTac guli borotebiT aqvT savse da zeciuri marTlmsajulebisa eSiniaT!

_ daiwyeT! daiwyeT! _ wvrili, mwivana xmiT wamoiknavla gagulam, _ afTrebi damSeulia, isini ymuian da saWmels iTxoven. daiwyeT, droa!

wamiT siCume Camovarda, daZabuli, Semzaravi siCume. yvela raRac saSinelebis molodinSi iyo.

mefem Subi aRmarTa da uecrad oci aTasma meomarma, TiTqos erTi kaciao, fexi aswia da Semdeg mTeli ZaliT magrad dahkra miwas. es samjer ganmeorda.

Semdeg wreSi sadRac, Sors gaisma xma. viRac mReroda, magram es moTqma ufro iyo, vidre simRera. mas daaxloebiT aseTi misamReri hqonda:

_ ra elis yovel kacs, dedakacisagan Sobils? _ sikvdili! _ erTxmad igriala pasuxma. razmebma erTimeoris miyolebiT TandaTan aayoles xmebi im eul xmas,

vidre bolos mTeli es mileTis xalxi ar amRerda da agugunda. me gaWirvebiT vigebdi sityvebs, magram vxvdebodi, rom aq laparaki iyo adamianis tanjva-wamebaze, sevdasa da sixarulze, es xan satrfialo simRera gegonebodaT, xan Zlevamosilad mogugune sabrZolo himni, xan ki glova-godeba. simRera gulSemzaravi kiviliT damTavrda. xma kidiT kidemde zrialiT dairxa da misma exom ZarRvebSi lamis sisxli gagviyina. Semdeg kvlav siCume Camovarda, magram ai, mefem xeli aRmarTa da dumili kvlav dairRva. gaisma fexis tyapa-tyupi, meomarTa rigebidan ucnauri, sazizRari arsebebi gamocvivdnen da pirdapir Cvenken gamoemarTnen.

moxuci qalebi iyvnen. Tevzis buStebiT Semkuli WaRara bululebi swrafi sirbilisagan gaswewodaT, saxe wiTel-yviTeli zolebiT SeeTiTxnaT, mxrebze gvelis tyavebi moegdoT, maT qamrebze acmul adamianis Zvlebs ki rakaruki gaudiodaT. damWnkar-danaoWebul xelSi patara orTaviani kverTxi eWiraT. sul aTni iyvnen.

ai, mogviaxlovdnen, SeCerdnen, erTma maTganma gagulasaken kverTxi gaiwvdina da daiyvira:

_ hoi, dedao, moxuco dedilo, movediT!

_ keTili, keTili, keTili! _ upasuxa Tualas fexebTan mokrunCxulma biwierma arsebam. _ TvalgamWriaxni xarT Tu ara, izanuzno, bnelis gamWvretno?

_ Tvali swrafi gvaqvs, dedilo! _ keTili! keTili! keTili! yurmaxvilni xarT Tu ara, izanuzno,

sityvis uTqmelad gamgebno!.. _ smena kargi gvaqvs, dedilo! _ keTili! keTili! keTili! fxizlobs Tu ara Tqveni grZnobebi,

izanuzno, gcemT Tu ara sisxlis suni, SegiZliaT Tu ara ganwmindoT qveyana damnaSaveTagan, romelTac mefisa da Tavis keTilTa mimarT boroti udevT gulSi? SegwevT Tu ara Zala, aRasruloT samarTali zecaTa, Cem mier gawvrTnil-gawafulno? aki didi xania eziareT Cems sibrZnes da daewafeT jadoqrobis wyaros!

_ Cven mzad varT, dedilo! _ maSin wadiT, wadiT, nuRar ayovnebT, sulis mtarvalno! ai,

jalaTebic, de, galeson TavianTi Subebi, Soridan mosuli TeTri adamianebi sanaxaobas elian, wadiT!

misi nebis morCili sazareli arsebebi damsxvreuli niJaris natexebiviT mimoifantnen aqeT-iqiT, qamarze dakiduli Zvlebis rakarukiT meomarTa mWidro rigebSi SeiWrnen da Tvals miefarnen. mxolod erTi maTgani iqve, Cven gverdiT darCa, igi meomrebis win ramdenime nabijze SeCerda da cekva daiwyo. warmoudgeneli siswrafiT trialebda da Tan gahkioda:

`me vgrZnob, vgrZnob, rom is borotgamzraxveli sadRac aq aris, aq aris-meTqi, mSobeli dedis mkvleli!" dedaberi sul ufro da ufro swrafad trialebda, bolos Tavi giJur aRgznebamde miiyvana _ kbilebs aRrWialebda, duJi nafleT-nafleT scvioda dabrecili piridan, Tvalebi gadmocvenaze hqonda da mTeli taniT kankalebda. uecrad adgilze gaqvavda, meZebari ZaRliviT daiZagra. Semdeg kverTxi gaiwvdina da qurdulad watustusda meomrebisaken.

mogveCvena, rom am kudianis miaxlovebaze meomrebis simtkice da TavdaWeriloba gatyda da maT odnav, sul odnav ukan daixies. Tavzardacemulebi da gaqvavebulebi Tvals ar vaSorebdiT am suraTs. izanuzi oTxze daeca da maTken waxoxda. aq nabulze damdgari ZaRliviT gaSeSda, magram cota xnis mere oriode nabijiT waCoCda win.

Semdeg moxda moulodneli ram: izanuzi yviriliT wamoiWra da iqve mdgom maRal meomars orkapi kverTxiT Seexo. imave wams marcxniv da marjvniv mdgomma orma meomarma mklavSi xeli waavlo sabralos da mefes mihgvares.

mas winaaRmdegoba ar gauwevia, magram vxedavdiT, dambladacemuliviT miaTrevda fexebs. mere Subi dauvarda da xelebi usicocxlod daekida tanze.

jalaTebs ori kaci gamoeyo. isini Cqari nabijiT wamovidnen msxverplisaken, gaswordnen da mefisken Sebrundnen, TiTqos mis brZanebas eliano.

_ mohkaliT! _ brZana mefem. _ mohkaliT! _ daiwripina gagulam. _ mohkaliT! _ eqosaviT gaisma skragas xma da avismomaswavebeli

sicili.

xmebi jerac ar Camkvdariyo, rom sazareli saqme ukve aRsrulda, _ erTma jalaTma Sig gulSi aZgera Subi, meorem ki uzarmazari xelketiT kefa Caumsxvria.

_ erTi! _ TiTi moxara Tualam. gvami Cven ukan ramdenime nabijze gaaTries da iq daagdes. wamis Semdeg, TiTqos dasaklavi xariao, mefesTan meore ubeduri

moaTries. leopardis wamosasxamze etyoboda, warCinebuli piri unda yofiliyo. kvlav gaisma sazareli sityvebi da msxverpli usulod daeca Zirs.

_ ori! _iTvlida mefe. es sisxliani garToba manam ar Sewyvetila, sanam Cven ukan

daxocilTa aTobiT gvami ar Caamwkrives. bevri ram msmenia keisrebis drois gladiatorebze, an espaneTSi

xarebis brZolaze. magram kadnierebad nu CamomarTmevT, Tu vityvi, rom yvelaferi es sanaxevrodac ar iqneboda ise Semzaravi, rogorc misnebze nadiroba iyo. yovel SemTxvevaSi, gladiatorTa brZola da xarebis Serkineba odnav mainc arTobda mayurebels, aq ki garTobaze laparaki zedmeti iyo. mwvave gancdebis Tavdaviwyebuli motrfialec ki Seecdeboda, Tavi aeridebina sensaciisaTvis, Tu ecodineboda, rom gangebam swored mas ganumzada Semdgom `ambebSi" uSualo monawileoba.

erTxel veRar moviTmineT, wamovdeqiT da SevecadeT winaaRmdegoba gagvewia, magram Tualam ukmexad SegvaCera:

_ marTlmsajuleba unda aRsruldes, TeTro adamianebo, es ZaRlebi gulSavi, damnaSave misnebia da maTi daxocva usamarTlobad ar mimaCnia, _ iyo misi pasuxi.

TerTmetis naxevrisTvis Sesveneba gamocxadda. misnebze monadire qalebi erTad dadgnen, etyobodaT, daiRalnen. gvegona, es sisxliani warmodgena dasruldao, magram SevcdiT. moulodnelad gagula wamodga Tavisi adgilidan, sadac aqamde mokrunCxuli ijda, joxs daeyrdno da Cvenken wamoxanxalda.

uTvalavi wlebis tvirTqveS orad moxril-mokakuli faskunjisTaviani es beberi kudiani sazizRari sanaxavi iyo. nel-nela moikriba Zal-Rone da aqeT-iqiT miawyda, win da ukan mirbod-morboda, Tan cxvirSi raRac erTferovan simReras dudunebda. bolos moulodnelad gausworda erT maRal meomars, polkis TavSi rom idga, da xeli Seaxo mas. es albaT polkis meTauri iyo, radgan mis meomrebs gminvismagvari xma aRmoxdaT mkerdidan. magram miuxedavad amisa, orma meomarma mainc waavlo kacs xeli da Cvenken wamoiyvana. Semdeg SevityveT, rom is kaci Zalze mdidari iyo, Tanac Turme didi gavleniT sargeblobda, rogorc mefis mkvidri biZaSvili. is, rasakvirvelia, mokles. mefem jami daiangariSa, sul as sami kaci moeklaT. gagulam kvlav daiwyo aqeT-iqiT sirbili da TandaTanobiT mogviaxlovda.

_ geficebiT, am kudians Cvenze uWiravs Tvali! _ SemkrTali xmiT wamoiZaxa gudma.

_ sisulelea, -_ upasuxa ser henrim. me ki, roca davinaxe, is wyeuli kudiani Tavis eSmakiseul cekvas ar

wyvetda da sul ufro da ufro gviaxlovdeboda, SiSiT suli kinaRam gamZvra da kankalma amitana.

gagula kidev ufro mogviaxlovda, TvalebSi jojoxeTuri ali enTo.

aha, sul axlos movida, kidev, kidev, sulganabuli xalxi daZabuli misCereboda mas. bolos kudiani gaCerda da gainaba.

_ vicode mainc, vin airCia Cven Soris, _ TiTqos TavisTvis Cailaparaka ser henrim.

wamis Semdeg yvelaferi gairkva. kudiani swrafi moZraobiT Seexo ambopas, anu ignozis mxarze.

_ guli migrZnobs, es kaci unda mokvdes, _ iwivla man, _ mokaliT borotebiT savse ucxoeli, mokaliT, vidre moaswrebdes sisxliT morwyos Cveni qveyana! hoi, mefeo, mohkal es Wabuki!

Camovarda siCume, riTac imwamsve visargeble. _ oh, mefeo! _ wamoviZaxe da fexze wamoviWeri, _ es kaci Seni

stumrebis msaxuria, maTi ZaRlia. vinc Cveni ZaRlis sisxls daRvris, Cveni mosisxle Seiqneba. nu SebRalav stumarTmoyvareobis wesebs, maspinZeli xar da gTxov, daicva es adamiani.

_ gagulas raRac eWvi aqvs, eg kaci unda mokvdes, TeTro adamianebo, _ gaisma mkvaxe pasuxi.

_ ara da ara, ar mokvdeba! _ Sevyvire me, _ mokvdeba is, vinc masze xels SemarTavs.

_ waiyvaneT eg ZaRli! _ dasWeqa Tualam sisxlSi mosvril jalaTebs, Cvens irgvliv rom idgnen.

maT nabiji gadmodges, magram bolo wuTs Seyoymandnen. ignozim Subi aRmarTa, etyoboda, apirebda Zvirad daesva am xalxisaTvis Tavisi sicocxle.

_ iqiT, ZaRlebo, _ daviyvire me, _ ukan-meTqi, Tu Tavi ar mogZulebiaT! icodeT, am kacs TiTi rom daakaroT, Tqvens mefes usulod gavagoreb Zirs, _ vTqvi da Tualas revolveri davumizne.

ser henrim da gudmac xeli waatanes revolverebs. ser henrim dainaxa, rom ufrosma jalaTma ganaCenis sisruleSi mosayvanad Cvenken gadmodga nabiji da revolveri daumizna mas. gudi ki gagulas ar aSorebda Tvals.

Tuala SekrTa, misken mimarTuli lula rom dainaxa. _ aba, ras ityvi, Tuala? _ vkiTxe. _ moaSoreT eg mojadoebuli joxebi, Tqven stumar-maspinZlobis wesi

axseneT da swored amitomac davindob am kacs da ara imis gamo, rom Tqveni meSinia.

_ kargi, _ mSvidad mivuge me, _ Cven daviqanceT amdeni sisxlis cqeriT da gvinda davisvenoT. cekvebi damTavrda?

_ damTavrda, _ kuStad momaxala Tualam, _ es ZaRlis leSebi afTrebsa da mtacebel frinvelebs gadauyareT! _ dasZina mere da gvamebisaken gaiwvdina xeli.

polkebma samarisebur siCumeSi erTimeoris miyolebiT datoves kraali, darCnen mxolod is meomrebi, romelTac davalebuli hqondaT, gaewmindaT moedani gvamebisagan.

bolos Cvenc wamovdeqiT da mis udidebulesobas davemSvidobeT. man Zlivs ineba Cveni mosmena.

am ceremonialis Semdeg Cven-Cveni kraalisken gaveSureT. qoxSi rom SevediT, pirvel yovlisa, Wraqi avanTeT. am Wraqis fTila

palmis msgavsi xis boWkosagan iyo gakeTebuli, sawvavad ki hipopotamis gawmendili qoni hqonda.

_ iciT, _ Tqva ser henrim, roca davsxediT, _ Zalian mereva guli.

_ Tu amden xans kidev veWvobdi, davxmarebodi Tu ara ambopas im gaiZvera Tualas winaaRmdeg brZolaSi, axla es eWvi savsebiT gamefanta, _ Tqva gudma. _ im xocva-Jletis Semyure, Zlivs vimagrebdi Tavs, vcdilobdi Tvali damexuWa, magram, TiTqos gangeb, yvelaze sazarel momentSi vaxeldi. netav sad aris axla infadusi? ambopa, Cemo kargo, Cven unda gvimadlode, Torem kidev cotac da, tyavs gagaZrobdnen.

_ madlobeli var, bugvan, _ miugo ambopam, roca gudis sityvebi vuTargmne, _ madlobeli var da amags arasodes dagiviwyebT, infadusi ki male mova, wuTi wuTze unda velodoT.

amis meti aRaraferi gviTqvams, mxolod visxediT da infadusis molodinSi Cibuxebs vabolebdiT.

T a v i X I

C v e n s a s w a u l i m o v a x d i n e T TiTqmis mTeli ori saaTi srul mdumarebaSi gavatareT; arc erTi

Cvengani xmas ar iRebda, im sazareli ambis gaxseneba suls gvixuTavda. bolos, gamTeniisas, roca ukve daZinebas vapirebdiT, gaisma fexis xma da guSagis SeZaxili. nabijebi sul ufro axlovdeboda, albaT guSags pasuxi gasces, magram ise xmadabla, rom Cven ver gavigoneT. Semdeg kari gaiRo da infadusi Semovida, ukan eqvsi beladi mohyveboda.

_ Cemo mbrZanebelo da ignozi, kukuanelTa kanoniero mefev, Cemi sityva avasrule, movedi da es xalxi moviyvane! _ Tqva infadusma da xeli beladebisken gaiwvdina. eseni Cveni qveynis ubrwyinvalesi adamianebia, yovel maTgans emorCileba sam-sami aTasi meomari, romlebic, mefis brZanebis Tanaxmad, usityvod asruleben maT brZanebas. me gavande beladebs Cveni saidumlo. gadaveci, rac aq vnaxe da gavigone. hoda, maT moisurves enaxaT wmida gvelis gamosaxuleba Sens tanze, surT agreTve moisminon Seni Tavgadasavali, raTa sabolood gadawyviton, gadaudgnen Tualas Tu ara.

pasuxis nacvlad ignozim welze muCa moiZro da yvelam dainaxa samefo niSani _ gveli, TeZoebze rom hqonda amosviringebuli. beladebi rig-rigobiT midiodnen ignozisTan da Wraqis mkrTal Suqze dakvirvebiT aTvalierebdnen am niSans.

Semdeg ignozim kvlav aifara muCa, miubrunda beladebs da Tavisi Tavgadasavali mouTxro. es ambavi Cven ukve diliT movismineT.

_ ras ityviT, beladebo? _ ikiTxa infadusma, roca ignozim Txroba daasrula, _ miexmarebiT da dauWerT mxars, rom mamis taxti daibrunos? Cveni qveyana kidiT-kidemde mZime uRelqveS gminavs, miwa sisxliT irwyveba. dRes es yvelam sakuTari TvaliT naxeT. iyo kidev ori beladi, visTanac am sakiTxze molaparakeba msurda, magram sadRa arian isini? maT gvamebs afTrebi dahymuian. Tu Tualas ar SeebrZolebiT, Tqvenc male gaiziarebT maT beds. maS airCieT, Zmebo!

am sityvebze win wamodga WaRara, Caskvnili mamakaci. igi mosulTa Soris yvelaze uxnesi Canda.

_ Sen marTali xar, infadus, _ Tqva man, _ Tualas avkacobiT qveyana Sewuxebulia. xalxi kvnesis da drtvinavs. am saRamos sxvebTan erTad Cemi

Zmac daiRupa. Sen didi saqme gangizraxavs, magram, rac axla gviTxari, Zneli dasajerebelia. vin aris Tavdebi, rom viRac TaRliTis gulisTvis ar aRvmarTavT iaraRs? didi saqme-meTqi, geubnebiT, magram aravin icis, riT damTavrdeba yovelive es. vidre sawadels veweodeT, sisxlis zRva dadgeba. bolos da bolos arc Tualas datoveben marto am brZolaSi, masac mravlad eyoleba erTguli xalxi, radgan adamianebi Tayvans scemen mzes, caze rom anaTebs da ara imas, romelic jer ar amosula. varskvlaveTis TeTri adamianebi didi misnebi da jadoqrebi arian. isini mfarveloben ignozis. Tu igi marTla Cveni qveynis kanonieri mefea, TeTrkanianebma moaxdinon raRac saswauli, iseTi saswauli, rom yvela Cvengans SeeZlos misi danaxva da xalxi guldajerebuli gamogvyveba ukan, darwmunebuli, rom TeTrebis jadoqrobis wyalobiT gavimarjvebT.

_ ki magram, Tqven aki naxeT wminda gvelis niSani! _ CavurTe sityva. _ es sakmarisi ar aris, Cemo mbrZanebelo, SeiZleba wminda gvelis

gamosaxuleba dabadebidan karga xnis Semdeg dauxates tanze. moaxdineT saswauli, winaaRmdeg SemTxvevaSi TiTs TiTze ar davakarebT.

danarCenma beladebma igive, an TiTqmis igive gaimeores. me sagonebelSi Cavvardi. bolos ser henrisa da guds mivubrundi da saqmis viTareba avuxseni.

_ vici, vici, rogorc unda moviqceT! _ wamoiZaxa gudma da saxe sixaruliT gaubrwyinda, _ mxolod uTxariT, ramdenime wuTi mogvcen mosafiqreblad.

me gudis sityvebi mxedarTmTavrebs gadavuTargmne da isini qoxidan gavidnen. gudi ki mivarda wamlebis patara yuTs, gaxsna da Tavisi ubis wignaki amoiRo. wignakis Tavfurclebze kalendari iyo.

_ mismineT, megobrebo, _ gviTxra gudma, _ xval oTxi ivnisia, ara? _ Cven, saerTod, zustad vangariSobdiT dReebs, _ grinviCis droiT, saRamos rva saaTsa da TxuTmet wuTze daiwyeba mTvaris sruli dabneleba. igi kargad gamoCndeba tenerifedan, samxreT afrikaSi... mere sxva qveynebSic, magram es Cven ar gvainteresebs, esec Tqveni saswauli! quotermen, uTxariT beladebs, rom xval saRamos mTvares CavaqrobT.

es brwyinvale azri iyo, magram Cven mainc cotaTi vyoymanobdiT. xom SeiZleboda, gudis kalendari mTlad zusti ar gamomdgariyo. winaswar-metyveleba rom ar amxdariyo, Cveni prestiJi samudamod daecemoda da ignozi mamis taxts unda gamoTxoveboda.

_ iqneb Tqveni kalendari swori ar aris? _ hkiTxa ser henrim guds, romelsac am dros didi gulmodginebiT gamohyavda raRac cifrebi Tavisi ubis wignakis furclebze.

_ araviTari safuZveli ara gvaqvs, ase vifiqroT, _ miugo gudma, _ dabneleba mudam zustad emTxveva gamoTvlil dros. amaSi sakuTarma gamocdilebam damarwmuna. im cnobaSi ki, weRan rom wagikiTxeT, xazgasmiTaa aRniSnuli, dabneleba samxreT afrikidan gamoCndebao. axla me mxolod miaxloebiT gamoviangariSe, radgan Cveni adgilsamyofeli zustad ar viciT, magram Cemi gamoTvliT, dabneleba xval daaxloebiT saRamos aTi saaTisTvis daiwyeba da pirvelis naxevramde gastans. ase rom, TiTqmis saaTnaxevris ganmavlobaSi aq sruli sibnele iqneba.

_ meti ra gza gvaqvs, _ Tqva ser henrim, _ unda gavbedoT da eg aris. me Tavi davuqnie, Tumca gulSi Zalze veWvobdi, aqedan rame

gamosuliyo. dabnelebaze imedis damyareba sakmaod saxifaTod mimaCnda.

erTic vTqvaT, ca RrublebiT iyos dafaruli da mTvare, saerTod, caze arc ki gamoCndes, maSin raRas vapirebT-meTqi, vfiqrobdi.

am fiqriT guldamZimebulma ambopa beladebis dasaZaxeblad gavgzavne. isini imwamsve Semovidnen qoxSi.

_ kukuanelTa qveynis beladno da Senc, infadus, mismineT! _ mivmarTe maT. _ Cven ar gviyvars trabaxi Cvens Zlierebaze, radgan es niSnavs, davarRvioT bunebis kanonebi da qveyana gansacdelisa da SiSis winaSe davayenoT. magram raki did saqmes movkideT xeli, da raki gagulam Cveni megobris, ignozis mokvla daapira da Tualamac sazareli xocva-JletiT Cveni risxva daimsaxura, gadavwyviteT, movaxdinoT saswauli da mogceT xalxisTvis utyuari, Tvalmosaxvedri niSani. aba aqeT modeqiT, _ vuTxari beladebs, qoxis kari gamovaRe da Camavali mTvarisken gaviwvdine xeli. _ ras xedavT iq?

_ momakvdav mTvares, _ mipasuxa erTma maTganma, romelsac, rogorc etyoboda, davalebuli hqonda CvenTan molaparakeba gaemarTa.

_ marTali xar. axla miTxari, SeuZlia Tu ara adamians Caaqros mTvare, sanam igi Tavisi nebiT Cavidodes, Caaqros da dedamiwas Ramis Savi saburveli gadaafaros?

beladebma xmadabla gaicines: _ ara, mbrZanebelo, amas Zexorcieli ver SeZlebs. mTvare adamianze

Zlieria. adamians SeuZlia mxolod ucqiros mas, aravis ZaluZs daarRvios didebuli mnaTobis zeciuri gza da gezi.

_ Sen ase fiqrob, me ki geubnebi, rom xval SuaRamemde Cveni jadoqrobis wyalobiT, mTvare cis tatnobidan gaqreba da miwas wyvdiadi moicavs. amiT miganiSnebT, rom ignozi kukuanelTa qveynis namdvil mefed migvaCnia. erwmunebiT Cvens niSans?

_ diax, Cemo mbrZanebelo, _ RimiliT miTxra moxucma beladma, danarCenebmac gaiRimes da dagvidastures, verwmunebiTo.

_ Tuki asea, Cven samni: inkubu, bugvani da makumazani gicxadebT, rom xval saRamos SuaRamemde ori saaTiT adre mTvares CavaqrobT, xom gesmis, infadus?

_ mesmis, Cemo mbrZanebelo, Sen apireb Caaqro mTvare, deda Cveni qveynisa da isic maSin, roca gavsebulia da mis sxivebs kaSkaSi gaudis. magram rasac ambob, saocarze saocaria.

_ miuxedavad amisa, Cven mas CavaqrobT, infadus. _ kargi, mbrZanebelo, dRes mzis Casvlis Semdeg Tuala gaaxlebT

xalxs da qalwulebis cekvaze mogiwvevT. is asuli, romelsac Tuala lamazTa Soris ulamazesad miiCnevs, cekvis dawyebidan erTi saaTis Semdeg ufliswulma skragam unda moklas. igi msxverplad unda Seewiros dayursebulebs, ager ai im mTebs rom darajoben, _ Tqva da xeli sami Camofxavebuli mTisaken gaiwvdina. iq, rogorc ukve gviTxres, solomon mefis didi gza mTavrdeboda. _ diax, Cemma mbrZaneblebma Caaqron mTvare da gadaarCinon is sabralo qalwuli, maSin Cveni xalxi iwamebs Tqvens Zalas.

_ diax, _ kveri daukra moxucma beladma, romelic jer kidev iRimeboda, _ maSin xalxi Tqvens ZlierebaSi darwmundeba.

_ luudan oriode milis daSorebiT aris patara goraki, romelic moyvanilobiT axal mTvares waagavs, _ ganagrZo infadusma. _ iq gamagrebulia Cemi polki da kidev sami sxva, romelTac es beladebi meTauroben. Tu mbrZaneblebi marTla Caaqroben mTvares, me bnelSi xels

Cavkideb maT, luudan gaviyvan da im gorakamde mivacileb. iq gulmSvidad viqnebiT da Tualasac iqidan SemovutevT.

_ Zalian kargi, _ vupasuxe, _ axla ki wadiT, gvinda cota davisvenoT da misnobisTvis yvelaferi movamzadoT.

infadusi wamodga, dagvemSvidoba da beladebis TanxlebiT qoxidan gavida.

_ Cemo megobrebo, _ gviTxra ignozim, rogorc ki isini kars gascdnen. _ nuTu marTla SegiZliaT CaaqroT mTvare, Tu am xalxs tyuili uTxariT?

_ Cven vfiqrobT, SegviZlia, ambopa, ukacravad, ignozi-meTqi, unda meTqva.

_ sakvirvelia, _ Tqva ambopam, _ Tqven rom ingliselebi ar iyoT, amas ar davijerebdi, magram ingliselebi jentlmenebi arian da zedmeti laparaki ar uyvarT. Tu am brZolebs gadavurCiT, Tqvens amags ar daviviwyeb.

_ ignozi, _ uTxra ser henrim, _ erTi ram unda amisrulo. _ miTxari, ra gnebavs, Cemo megobaro inkubu, _ Seageba Cvenma

yofilma msaxurma da gaiRima. _ ra gindoda geTxova? _ ai, ra, Tu marTla kukuanelTa mefe gaxdi, akrZale misnebis devna,

tyuilubralod xalxs nu dasji. me vuTargmne es sityvebi ignozis. igi wuTiT dafiqrda da Semdeg

Tqva: _ Savkanianebis kanon-samarTali TeTri adamianebis kanonebisagan

gansxvavdeba, inkubu! Cven maincdamainc Zvirad ar gviRirs sicocxle. magram miuxedavad amisa, pirobas gaZlev, Tu Zala meyo da misnebze monadire qalebi davimorCile, misnebis devnas movspob da gausamarTleblad arc erT adamians ar movklav.

_ mjera Seni sityva, ignozi, axla ki, raki es sakiTxi movagvareT, modiT, cota davisvenoT, _ Tqva ser henrim.

Cven saSinlad daqanculebi viyaviT, maSinve magrad CagveZina da dilis Tormet saaTamde fexi ar gagvinZrevia. Tormet saaTze ignozim gagvaRviZa. wamovdeqiT, xel-piri davibaneT, kargad visauzmeT da saseirnod wavediT. seirnobisas cnobiswadiliT vaTvalierebdiT kukuanelTa nagebobebs da didi interesiT vakvirdebodiT, rogor cxovrobdnen, an ras akeTebdnen qalebi.

_ imedi maqvs, mTvaris dabneleba mainc moxdeba, _ Tqva ser henrim, roca Sin vbrundebodiT.

_ eg rom ar moxdes, ganwirulebi varT, _ kuStad mivuge me, _ Tavi momWeriT, Tu am beladebSi vinmem mainc ar miutanos mefes ambavi. Tuala iseT `dabnelebas" gviCvenebs, jer rom ar mogvlandebia.

Sin rom davbrundiT, visadileT da saRamomde darCenili dro stumrebis miReba-gastumrebas movandomeT. zogi oficialurad modioda Cven sanaxavad, zogi ki ise, ubralod, cnobiswadilis dasakmayofileblad.

bolos mze Cavida. martoni davrCiT da ori saaTi dasvenebas movandomeT, ramdenadac Cveni Savi fiqrebi da amRvreuli guneba-ganwyobileba amis saSualebas gvaZlevda. cxris naxevarze Tualam macne gvaaxla da yovelwliur tradiciul dResaswaulze _ qalwulTa cekvaze migviwvia. cekvebi male unda dawyebuliyo.

Cven aCqarebiT gadavicviT mefis boZebuli jaWvis perangebi, waviReT iaraRi da tyviebi im SemTxvevisaTvis, Tu marTla gaqceva mogvixdeboda

da sakmaod mxne nabijebiT gavemarTeT mefis kraalisaken, Tumca gulSi SiSiT vcaxcaxebdiT. mefis qoxis win moedani gadasxvaferebuli gveCvena, mWidro razmebad Camwkrivebuli meomrebis nacvlad aq axla norCi qalwulebi dagvxvdnen. unda mogaxsenoT, rom yvelani SiSvel-titvelni iyvnen, Tavze yovel maTgans yvavilebis gvirgvini edga, cal xelSi palmis toti eWiraT, meoreSi ki _ TeTri SroSani.

moednis SuagulSi mTvariT gakaSkaSebul gaSlil adgilas TviT mefe Tuala wamoWimuliyo. ferxTiT gagula ejda, mis ukan skraga, infadusi da Tormeti mcveli. aqve iyo ociode beladi, romelTa Soris vicani Cveni megobrebic, RamiT infadusma Cvens qoxSi rom moiyvana.

Tuala gulTbilad mogvesalma, kacs egoneboda, Cveni mosvla Zalian gaexardao, magram SevamCnie, rom erTaderTi Tvali avad miaStera ambopas.

_ salami, varskvlaveTis Svilno! _ gviTxra man, _ dRes Tqven sul sxva sanaxaoba geliT. metad gansxvavebuli imisgan, rac Tqvenma Tvalebma guSindeli mTvaris Suqze ixila. qalwulebis Wvreta Tvals atkbobs da rom eseni ara, _ aq Tualam irgvliv moatara gawvdili xeli, _ dRes arc Cven viqnebodiT aq. magram mamakacebis cqera ufro sasiamovnoa. tkbilia qalis xvevna-alersi, magram Subis wkriali da adamianis sisxlis suni ufro damatkbobelia. xom ar gnebavT, Cveni qalebi colad SeirToT, TeTro adamianebo? Tu asea, airCieT yvelaze lamazebi, airCieT, ramdenic gnebavT, uars aravin getyviT.

Tqva da pasuxis molodinSi dadumda. es winadadeba, rasakvirvelia, saxarbielo iqneboda gudisaTvis,

radgan mas, rogorc saerTod mezRvaurTa umravlesobas, Zalian uyvars qalebi. me ki, rogorc xandazmuli da gamocdili kaci, winaswar vgrZnobdi, rom yvelaferi es uamrav garTulebas da usiamovnebas gamoiwvevda, rac, samwuxarod, mudam dakavSirebulia qalebTan.

_ madlobeli varT, hoi, mefeo, _ saswrafod Sevagebe me, _ magram TeTrkanianebi mxolod maTive msgavs TeTrkanian qalebs Txouloben. Tqveni qalwulni Tumca Tvalwarmtacni arian, magram CvenTvis ar arian gaCenilni.

mefem gaicina. _ Zalian kargi, _ Tqva man, _ iyos neba Tqveni, Tumca Cvens qveyanaSi

amboben: ra feris kanic ar unda hqondes qals, Tvalebi mudam eSxiT uelavso. imasac ityvian xolme, giyvardes is, vinc gverdiT gyavs, radgan is, vinc Sors aris, ueWvelad Seni orguli da moRalate iqnebao. magram SeiZleba TqvenTan, varskvlavebze, es ase ar xdeba. iq, sadac adamianebs TeTri kani aqvT, yvelaferi mosalodnelia. iyos-meTqi neba Tqveni, TeTrkanianebo. Cveni qalwulebi xvewna-mudaras ar dagiwyeben, colad gviTxoveTo. erTxel kidev mogesalmebiT yvelas da maTTan erTad Senc, Savkaniano. gagulas guSin Tavisi rom gaetana, axla ukve mkvdari da gaSeSebuli egdebodi sadme. bedi Seni, rom varskvlaveTidan Camoxvedi, ha, ha, ha!

_ hoi, mefeo, Sen Cemze adre gagaSeSebs sikvdili, mzes dagibneleb, Tu ifiqre, Cemze xeli aRmarTo.

Tuala SekrTa. _ gabedulad laparakob, Wabuko, _ gabrazebiT Tqva man, _

mifrTxildi-meTqi, Sors nu Sestopav!

_ marTlis mTqmels SeuZlia gabeduli iyos, simarTle da WeSmariteba mWreli daSnaa da igi mizans arasodes ascdeba; yurad iRe varskvlaveTis SvilTa gafrTxileba, hoi, mefeo!

Tualam mrisxaned Sehyara warbebi da ambopas gaafTrebiT gadaxeda, magram TqmiT araferi uTqvams.

_ daiwyeT cekvebi! _ brZana man. moednis SuagulSi imwamsve gamocvivdnen yvavilwnulebiT morTuli

mocekvave qalebi. isini melodiurad mRerodnen da mTvaris sevdian, naz Suqze sxva samyarodan Camosul usisxlxorco, haerovan arsebebs waagavdnen. narnarad arxevdnen tans, xan nela, xan ki Tavbrudamxvevi siswrafiT trialebdnen, wuTiT gviaxlovdebodnen, mere gvSordebodnen da sxva mxares miqrodnen. yoveli maTi moZraoba mayurebelTa aRtacebas iwvevda. uecrad cekva Sewyda, mocekvaveTa jgufs gamoeyo Zalze lamazi axalgazrda qali. igi Cven win dadga da momxibvlelad, narnarad daiwyo cekva. karga xnis Semdeg daRlil-daqanculi ukan gabrunda, igi meore mocekvavem Secvala. qalwulebi rig-rigobiT gamodiodnen sacekvaod, magram verc erTi maTgani ver Seedreboda pirvel mocekvaves verc siturfe-sinarnariT da verc cekviT.

roca lamazmanebma cekva daasrules, Tualam xeli aswia da gviTxra: _ romelia am qalwulTa Soris ulamazesi, TeTro adamianebo? _ rasakvirvelia, pirveli, _ uneblieT aRmomxda me, magram maSinve

enaze vikbine, _ gamaxsenda infadusis naTqvami: yvelaze lamaz qalwuls dayursebulebs msxverplad Seswiraveno.

_ marTali xar, Seni azri _ Cemi azria, Cemi Tvalebi, Seni Tvalebia, geTanxmebi, is yvelaze lamazia, magram, miuxedavad amisa, unda mokvdes.

_ diax, unda mokvdes, _ exosaviT amoiknavla gagulam da qoriviT gadaxeda sabralo msxverpls. qalma ar icoda, ra saSineleba eloda, Cvengan aTiode iardis daSorebiT tol-megobrebSi Camdgariyo da gvirgvins nervulad awyvetda yvavilebs.

_ ratom, ratom unda mokvdes, hoi, mefeo? _ wamoviZaxe me, Tan guliswyromas Zlivs viokebdi, _ mag gogonam ise mSvenivrad icekva da imdeni siamovneba mogvaniWa! Sexede ra lamazia, ra dagiSava, risTvis unda mouswrafo sicocxle ase Seubraleblad?

Tualam gaicina. _ aseTia Cveni wesi. qvis qandakebebma, iq rom sxedan, _ Tqva da xeli

sami mwvervalisaken gaiwvdina, _ unda miiRon kuTvnili. dRes yvelaze lamazi qalwuli rom ar movkla, mec da mTel Cems sagvareulos ubedureba dagvatydeba Tavs. ai, ras ambobs xalxi: `Tu cekvebisTvis daTqmul dRes mefe msxverplad ar Seswiravs ulamazes qalwuls sam dayursebuls, mTebSi guSagad rom dgas, maSin isic mokvdeba da samefo saxlic daiSleba. mismineT, ras getyviT, TeTro adamianebo: Cemi Zma, romelic Cemze adre marTavda qveyanas, uars ambobda msxverplis Sewirvaze, radgan qalis cremls ver itanda. hoda, TviTon mokvda, misi samefo saxli daeca da, rogorc xedavT, axla qveyanas mis nacvlad me ganvageb. magram kmara, _ uceb Sehyvira man, _ es qali unda mokvdes, moiyvaneT aq! _ ubrZana man mcvelebs, _ Sen ki, skraga, Subi moamzade!

ori mamakaci win wamodga da qalwulisken gaemarTa. sabralo maSinRa mixvda, rac eloda. xmamaRla Sehyvira, gaqceva daapira, magram mcvelebma magrad CasWides xeli da CvenTan moiyvanes, Tumca igi tiroda da uZaliandeboda.

_ ra gqvia, asulo? _ daiwripina gagulam, _ pasuxsac ar iZlevi? Tu gnebavs, ufliswulma axlave mogklas?

am sityvebis gagonebaze skragam borotad Caicina, erTi nabijiT win waiwia da Subi aRmarTa. gudma uneblieT revolverze gaivlo xeli. Tumca qalwuls Tvalebi cremlebiT hqonda savse, mainc ar gamohparvia foladis mkrTali cimcimi. axla igi ukve aRar uZaliandeboda mcvelebs, erT adgilas gaSeSebuliyo da ciebianiviT caxcaxebda.

_ SexedeT, am patara saTamaSos danaxvaze rogor acaxcaxda! _ aRtacebiT Sehyvira skragam da Subi xelSi SeaTamaSa.

am dros momesma gudis butbuti: _ rogorc ki SemTxveva momecema, askecad gazRvevineb yvelafers, Se

aramzadav, garewaro! _ hoda, axla raki damSviddi, Seni saxelic gviTxari, Cemo kargo, _

mzakvruli RimiliT eubneboda gagula qalwuls, _ ho, Tqvi, nu geSinia. _ oh, dedilo, _ moguduli xmiT Tqva sabralom, _ me sukos

saxlidan var. fulata mqvia. miTxari, risTvis unda movkvde, me xom araferi damiSavebia!

_ damSviddi, _ RvarZliani RimiliT ganagrZo dedaberma, _ Sen unda msxverplad Seewiro dayursebulebs, iq, mTebSi rom sxedan. diax, unda mokvde! dRedaRam Sromasa da oflis Rvras gana ar gijobs saukuno ZiliT ganisveno? damijere, sikvdili sicocxleze sanatrelia. garda amisa, Sen TviT mefiswulis xeliT mokvdebi.

fulata tiroda da sasowarkveTili xelebs imtvrevda. _ oh, Seubraleblebo, me xom ase axalgazrda var, ratom unda

movkvde? nuTu veRarasodes vixilav, rogor fantavs mzis sxivebi wyvdiads, an rogor inTeba varskvlavebi cis tatnobze? veRar movismen nakadulis likliks. vai me ubedurs, veRar vnaxav Cvens qoxs, veRar vigrZnob dedis alerss, veRar movuvli Cems davardnil bekekas, vaime da vaglax me! satrfo veRar Semomxvevs welze xels, ver Camxedavs TvalebSi. verasodes gavxdebi deda meomrisa. oh, ulmobelno! Seubralebelno!

fulata kvlav mohyva xelebis mtvrevas da cremliT daltobili saxe cisken aRapyro.

oh, ra saocrad lamazi meCvena es sabralo ganwiruli gogona. darwmunebuli var, am sam demonze odnav ufro gulmowyale adamiani usaTuod Seibralebda mas.

me vfiqrob, princi arturi iseve gulmxurvaled SesTxovda patiebas aramzadebs, romelTac misi dabrmaveba ewadaT, rogorc es veluri gogona avedrebda Tavis sicocxles am jalaTebs.

magram sabralo qalis xvewna-mudaras araviTari gavlena ar mouxdenia arc gagulaze da arc mis gulSav batonze, Tumca sardlebisa da mcvelTa saxeebze sibralulis msgavsi raRac amovikiTxe. gudi kbilebs akraWunebda, Zlivs iokebda guliswyromas, bolos veRar moiTmina da wamoxta. fulata qalebisaTvis Cveuli gamWriaxobiT mixvda, rac xdeboda am kacis gulSi, gudis win muxlebze daeca da `mSvenier TeTr fexebze" moexvia.

_ oh, Soreuli varskvlaveTidan mosulo TeTro adamiano, gadamafare Seni mfarveli kalTa, mixseni am mtarvalTagan.

_ kargi, Cemo Zvirfaso, Sens Tavs aravis davaCagvrineb, adeqi, adeqi da damSviddi, _ aRelvebiT uTxra gudma inglisurad, Tan daixara da xelSi xeli Caavlo.

Tualam ukan miixeda, am niSanze skraga SubSemarTuli wamodga win. _ raRas ucdiT, droa daviwyoT, _ CamCurCula ser henrim. _ dabnelebas velodebi, _ vupasuxe me, _ naxevari saaTia Tvals ar

vacileb mTvares, Cems cxovrebaSi ar maxsovs, ase ekaSkaSos. _ sul erTia, unda gavbedoT, axlave, dauyovnebliv, Torem am gogos

moklaven, Tualas moTmineba ekargeba. ar SemeZlo ar davTanxmebodi ser henris, magram vidre moqmedebas

daviwyebdi, erTxel kidev avxede kaSkaSa mTvares, mere win waviwie da miwaze ganrTxmul qalsa da skragas SemarTul Subs Soris gamarjvebuli ieriT Cavdeqi.

_ mefeo, _ warmovTqvi, _ es ar moxdeba, uflebas ar mogcemT, es qalwuli mokla! gaaTavisufle, dae, wavides Tavisi gziT.

Tuala gaafTrebuli wamoxta. sardlebs Soris gaocebis CurCuli gaisma. CurCuli gahyva qalwulTa mWidro rigebs, gaubedavi mokrZalebiT rom gvertymodnen gars da ZrwolviT elodnen am sazareli tragediis dasasruls.

_ es ar moxdebao! TeTrkaniano ZaRlo, rogor bedav Sehyefo loms mis sakuTar bunagSi? maS, ar moxdeba, ha? iqneb SeiSale? ufrTxildi, Senc am qalis bedi ar gewios, Senc da imaTac, SenTan erTad rom moexetnen aq. ggonia, Zala Segwevs gadaarCino eg qalica da Seni tyavic? vina brZandebi, winaaRmdegobas rom mibedav? Camomecale gzidan, Camomecale-meTqi, geubnebi. skraga, mohkal Seni msxverpli! hei, mcvelebo, SeboWeT es xalxi!

qoxis ukan mimaluli ramdenime meomari swrafad gamoqanda Cvenken, etyoboda, isini winaswar moeyvanaT aq.

ser henri, gudi da ambopa gverdSi amomidgnen da Tofebi moamzades. _ SeCerdiT, _ mrisxaned Sevyvire me, Tumca simarTle rom vTqva,

SiSiT suli aRar medga. _ SeCerdiT-meTqi! Cven, varskvlaveTidan mosuli adamianebi, kidev vimeorebT, rom es ar moxdeba! amieridan am qalwuls Cven vuwevT mfarvelobas. icodeT, erTi nabijic rom wamodgaT win, mTvares CavaqrobT da dedamiwas bneliT SevmosavT. aba, gabedeT urCoba, naxavT, Tu sananeblad ar gagixdiT saqmes.

Cemma muqaram gasWra. mcvelebma ukan daixies, skraga ki SubSemarTuli gaSeSda.

_ erTi usmineT am crupentelas, sanTeliviT upirebs mTvares Caqrobas! _ wamoiknavla gagulam, _ aba Caaqros, Caaqros da maSin SeiZleba SeviwyaloT eg qalwuli, diax, diax, an Caaqros an mokvdes, mokvdes mis megobrebTan erTad.

sasowarkveTilma maRla avixede. hoi, bednierebav! uzarmazari kaSkaSa diskos kideze msubuqi ram Crdili davinaxe, mTvaris zedapiric odnav mqrqali meCvena. maS gudis kalendarma ar gvimtyuna. Cems sixaruls sazRvari ar hqonda.

me erTi yofiT aRvapyari xelebi cisken da ingolZbis legendebidan ramdenime strofi warmovTqvi. ser henrim da gudmac mombaZes. ser henrim xmamaRla da damajereblad Tqva ramdenime strofi Zveli aRTqmidan, gudi ki Ramis meufes usasrulo lanZRva-ginebiT gaumaspinZlda.

mTvaris kaSkaSa zedapirs nel-nela gadaefara Crdili. xalxSi gaocebisa da SiSis SeZaxilebi gaisma.

_ Sexede, hoi, mefeo, _ daviyvire me, _ ucqire, gagula, ucqireT Tqvenc, beladebo, meomrebo, qalwulebo, miTxariT, SevasruleT Tu ara

Cveni sityva? mTvare TvaldaTval qreba. male wyvdiadi Camowveba, diax, wyvdiadi Camowveba da mere rodis? roca caze savse mTvare kaSkaSebs. Tqven saswauls moiTxovdiT, aha, saswaulic! daivse da daneldi, mTvarev! Caaqre Seni Suqi zeciero mnaTobo, qedi moaxrevine amay kukuanelebs, ukuni mohfine qveyanas!

xalxma gulSemzaravad SehRriala. zogi zardacemuli iqve gaSeSda, zogi xmamaRali moTqma-godebiT daeca miwaze, Tuala SiSisagan gaqvavda, ena veRar daZra, miuxedavad misi Savi kanisa, SevamCnie, rom saxeze mkvdris feri daedo. mxolod gagula iyo mSvidad.

_ Crdili gadaivlis! _ gahkioda igi, _ nu geSiniaT, Cems cxovrebaSi aseTi ram bevrjer minaxavs. adamians ar ZaluZs mTvaris Caqroba. ar SeSindeT, suliT nu daecemiT, es gaivlis, gaivlis-meTqi, geubnebiT!

_ jer sada brZandebiT, moicaT, kidev bevrs naxavT, _ gavyvirodi pasuxad da aRelvebuli erT adgilze vxtodi, _ `oh, mTvarev, mTvarev, ram gSoba egzom civi da meryevi", _ ganvagrZe isev, es SesaniSnavi, swored Sesaferisi sityvebi visesxe erTi Zalze popularuli romanidan, SemTxveviT sadRac rom Camivarda xelSi. axla, roca im dros vigoneb, vfiqrob, Cemi mxriv Zalian didi umaduroba iyo, cis meufes ise rom vamcirebdi. im saRamos mTvarem dagvimtkica, rom Cveni erTguli megobari iyo da, bolos da bolos, raSi mekiTxeboda, rogor moiqca romanSi viRac Seyvarebulis mimarT! erT- xans kidev gavyvirodi ase, mere kapitans mivubrundi:

_ aba axla ki Tqven unda ganagrZoT, gud, me aRarc erTi leqsi aRar maxsovs, isev lanZRva-gineba unda moiSvelioT, megobaro!

gudi didi siamovnebiT dameTanxma. arasodes ar megona, rom sazRvao oficers ase ostaturad SeeZlo gineba, arc is vicodi aqamde, ra usazRvro iyo gudis niWi da unari am dargSi. mTeli aTi wuTis ganmavlobaSi sulmouTqmelad igineboda, amasTan, naTqvami erTxelac ar gaumeorebia.

amasobaSi Savi laqa TandaTanobiT gadaefara mTvares. es amodena xalxi srul mdumarebaSi mojadoebuliviT gascqeroda cas. verc erTs ver moecilebina Tvali am ucnauri sanaxaobisaTvis. sazareli Crdilebi ki nTqavdnen mTvaris Suqs. avismomaswavebeli dumili gamefda, TiTqos irgvliv yvelafers sikvdilis sunTqva Sexebodes. am siCumeSi, am saocar dumilSi dro nela miizlazneboda. bneli medidurad da Seubraleblad avsebda mTvaris kraterebs. gegonebodaT, es uzarmazari mkrTali burTi miwas miuaxlovda da kidev ufro gadiddao. mTvares spilenZisferi gadaekra. mere misi ganaTebuli nawilic ganacrisfrda da bolos, sruli dabnelebis win, diskos mewamuli nisli acriatda. nel-nela micocavda win da wyvdiadi matulobda. ZlivsRa varCevdiT Cven gverdiT gamZvinvarebul saxeebs. xalxi xmas ar iRebda. gudmac Sewyvita lanZRva-gineba.

_ mTvare kvdeba, TeTrma jadoqrebma mokles mTvare, _ uecrad xmamaRla Sehyvira skragam, _ yvelani daviRupebiT am ukuneTSi!

ver getyviT, brazi moeria Tu SiSma aiZula; an iqneb, erTic iyo da meorec, skragam Subi moiqnia da ser henris mTeli ZaliT gverdSi aZgera. sabednierod, samives gvecva jaWvis perangebi, mefem rom gviboZa, magram skragas es saidan unda scodnoda!

Subi asxlta ise, rom ser henrisTvis kanic ar gaukawravs. vidre skraga meored aRmarTavda xels, kurtisma Subi waglija da mkerdi Suaze gaupo. ufliswuli usulod daeca Zirs.

amis danaxvaze qalwulebi, romlebic isedac gulgaxeTqilebi iyvnen miT, rom sazarelma Crdilma STanTqa mTvare da wyvdiadi gamefda, wivil-kiviliT gacvivdnen kraalis karisken. magram marto isini rodi aitana SiSma. mefe Tualac mcvelebisa da ramdenime sardlis TanxlebiT qoxebisken gaiqca. gagulac araCveulebrivi siswrafiT gaxanxalda maT ukan.

wuTic da, moedani dacarielda. davrCiT mxolod Cven samni, infadusi, fulata da beladebi, wuxel qoxSi rom gvestumrnen. iqve egdo Tualas memkvidris, skragas usulo gvamic.

_ sardlebo, _ xmamaRla vTqvi me, _ Cven movaxdineT saswauli. Tu kmayofilebi xarT, dauyovnebliv unda davtovoT luu da gaviqceT im gorakisken, Tqven rom gveubnebodiT. Cveni jado kidev saaTsa da naxevars imoqmedebs, misi Sewyveta axla arafriT SegviZlia, visargebloT wyvdiadiTa da gaviqceT.

_ wavideT, _ SesZaxa infadusma da kraalis karisken gaemarTa. mas mokrZalebiT mihyvnen beladebi da fulata, romelic guds xelCakidebuli mohyavda.

karTan misvlac ver movaswariT, rom mTvare savsebiT gaqra. kupriviT bnel caze erTimeoris miyolebiT ainTo varskvlavebi. Cven erTmaneTs xeli CavkideT da nela, borZikiT mivyeviT wyvdiads.

T a v i X I I

b r Z o l i s w i n Cvenda sabednierod, infadusi da sardlebi kargad icnobdnen yovel

biliks. amitom iyo, rom miuxedavad luskumi Ramisa, SedarebiT swrafad miviwevdiT win.

saaTze meti viareT ase. bolos mTvaris is kide, romelic yvelaze adre STanTqa bnelma, nel-nela ganaTda. uceb vercxlisferma sxivma gakveTa wyvdiadi da masTan erTad gamoCnda aliviT wiTeli saocari aTinaTi, romelmac uSuqar caze kaSkaSa lampariviT gaiciaga. es raRac uCveulo da, amasTan erTad, WeSmaritad didebuli suraTi iyo. xuTiode wuTis Semdeg varskvlavebi gafermkrTalda da imdenad ganaTda, rom Tvali ukve kargad xedavda yvelafers. aRmoCnda, rom qalaq luus gavcdenodiT da vuaxlovdebodiT brtyelmwvervalian did goraks. es goraki samxreT afrikis Cveulebriv warmonaqmns warmoadgenda. misi simaRle ase, orasiode futi, iqneboda, magram qva-RorRiT mofenili ferdobebi sakmaod daqanebuli hqonda. goraki naliseburi moyvanilobisa iyo. infadusma balaxiT dafarul platoze migviTiTa da gviTxra, aq samxedro banakebia ganlagebulio. Cveulebriv, Turme iq sami aTasi kaci eyena, magram roca cicabo ferdobze didi gaWirvebiT avcocdiT, axlad gamoCenil mTvaris Suqze davinaxeT, rom platoze ramdenime polks moeyara Tavi, xalxisagan teva aRarsad iyo. meomrebi SiSiT caxcaxebdnen.

bunebis ucnaur movlenas Zili gaefrTxo maTTvis, axla grova-grovad idgnen da gulgaxeTqilebi mTvares Sehyurebdnen.

uxmod gaviareT maT Soris da mivuaxlovdiT qoxs, platos centrSi rom idga. rogor gagvikvirda, roca davinaxeT, rom iq gveloda ori kaci, datvirTuli Cveni bargibarxaniT, romelic, rasakvirvelia, bedis anabara mivatoveT, roca aqeT gamovrbodiT.

_ Tqveni nivTebi movatanine. esec Tan wamoiRes, _ gviTxra infadusma da guds didi xnis winaT dakarguli Sarvali daanaxva.

gudi aRtacebuli gaqanda moxuci meomrisaken, Sarvali CamoarTva da Cacmas Seudga.

_ nuTu Cems mbrZanebels nebavs, dafaros Cvens TvalTagan Tavisi mSvenieri TeTri fexebi? _ sinanuliT wamoiZaxa infadusma.

magram gudi jiutad ganagrZobda Cacmas da `misma mSvenierma TeTrma fexebma" ukanasknelad gaielva kukuanelebis TvalTa winaSe.

gudi Zalze Tavmdabali adamiania. amis Semdeg kukuanelebi mxolod misi cali bakenbardis, gamWvirvale Tvalisa da moZravi kbilebis cqeriT unda dakmayofilebuliyvnen.

infadusi erTxans usityvod Sescqeroda guds, misi mzera adasturebda, rom es kaci warsulis netar mogonebebSi CaZiruliyo. mere Sarvals Tvali moswyvita da gviTxra, brZaneba gaveci, inaTebs Tu ara, polkebi erTad Sehyaron, raTa megobrebs SevatyobinoT, ra mizniT awyoben ajanyebas beladebi da taxtis kanonieri memkvidre _ ignozi warvudginoTo.

rogorc ki mze amovida, oci aTasamde meomari _ kukuanelTa jaris saukeTeso nawili _ farTo platoze Seikriba da mWidro razmebad daewyo. didebuli sanaxaoba iyo. Cven maT win davdeqiT, irgvliv meTaurebi da beladebi gvertymodnen.

roca sruli siCume Camovarda, infadusma sityviT mimarTa meomrebs. rogorc yvela warCinebuli kukuaneli, bunebiT isic SesaniSnavi oratori iyo; moqarguli eniT gaacno SekrebilT ignozis mamis ambavi, mouyva da gaaxsena xalxs, ra muxanaTurad mokla igi Tualam, rogor gaaZeva da sasikvdilod gaswira misi coli da vaJiSvili, mere awmyos daubrunda; kukuanelTa qveyana Tualas uRelqveS gminavs da itanjebao. magaliTad daasaxela wina Ramis SemTxveva, roca xalxis saukeTeso Svilebs Ralati daswames da sazareli sikvdiliT daxoces. TeTrma adamianebma varskvlaveTidan dainaxes, ra yofaSi iyo xalxi, gawires Tavi da gadawyvites, Cveni xvedri SeemsubuqebinaT. monaxes samSoblodan gadaxvewili taxtis kanonieri memkvidre _ ignozi, xeli Cahkides da mTebi gadmoatares. aq sakuTari TvaliT ixiles, ras Cadioda Tuala da, rom daerwmunebinaT orWofi da meryevi xalxi da gadaerCinaT sabralo fulata, Tavisi jadosnobiT Caaqres mTvare da mefiswuli skraga mokles. TeTrebi kukuanelebis megobrebi arian da survili aqvT, daexmaron xalxs, Camoagdon Tuala da taxtze aiyvanon kanonieri memkvidre ignozi, romelic samSoblodan muxanaTurad gaaZeveso.

infadusma sityva daasrula, irgvliv CurCuli gaisma. swored am dros win wamodga ignozi. manac gaimeora infadusis naTqvami da Tavisi mWeqare sityva Semdegnairad daasrula:

_ hoi, meTaurebo, beladno, hoi, xalxno! Tqven moismineT Cemi sityvebi, axla arCevani Tqvenzea _ an me, an is kaci, Cems taxtze rom zis. Tualam mokla RviZli Zma da gaaZeva Zmiswuli, rom igi SimSiliT sadme

Camkvdariyo. Tqveni meTaurebi da beladebi getyvian, marTla mefe var Tu ara, maT vaCvene samefo niSani _ wmida gvelis gamosaxuleba. mefe rom ar viyo, gana es TeTri adamianebi, romlebic jadosnobis yvela saidumlos floben, me momexmarebodnen? ZrwodeT meTaurno, ZrwodeT beladno da meomrebo, ZrwodeT xalxo! gana dagaviwydaT, rogor mohfines wyvdiadi dedamiwas TeTrma adamianebma? gana is bneli jerac Tvalwin ar gidgaT?

_ Sen marTali xar! _ igrgvines meomrebma. _ me Tqveni mefe var, geubnebiT, mefe var-meTqi Tqveni! _ ganagrZo

ignozim, welSi gaimarTa da farTopiriani sabrZolo najaxi Tavs zemoT haerSi daatriala. _ Tu aris Tqvens Soris adamiani, romelsac ar sjera es, damenaxos, win wamodges, rom mze davubnelo. mis mier danTxeuli mewamuli sisxli iyos samxili imisa, rom simarTles geubnebiT; win wamodges-meTqi, gimeorebT! _ ignozim erTxel kidev SeaTamaSa Tavisi uzarmazari najaxi, romelic mzis sxivebze vercxlisfrad laplapebda.

radgan xalxSi ar aRmoCnda msurveli, gamoxmaureboda gmirul variants cnobili simRerisa `aba gamo dili, Tu ginda sikvdili", Cvenma yofilma msaxurma isev didis ambiT ganagrZo Tavisi sefe sityva!

_ me Tqveni WeSmariti mefe var, WeSmariti da erTaderTi. Tu CemTan erTad ibrZolebT, gamarjveba da dideba geliT; me mogcemT xarebs, mogcemT colebs, Tqven daikavebT sapatio adgils Cems jarSi. Tu Tqven am brZolaSi daRupva giweriaT, mec TqvenTan erTad daviRupebi. fics vdeb, rom Cemi taxtze asvlis Semdeg Sewydeba usamarTlo sisxlisRvra da mkvleloba, misnebze monadire qalebi aRar dauwyeben Zebnas udanaSaulo adamianebs, raTa isini sruliad umizezod gamoasalmon wuTisofels, arc erTi kaci ar mokvdeba gausamarTleblad, moZaladuri sikvdiliT, Tundac damnaSave iyos. aRaravin gamogyriT Tqveni kraalebidan, yvela Tqvengani mSvidad icxovrebs sakuTar qoxSi, mSvidad iZinebs, SiSi aRarafrisa eqneba. Cvens miwaze marTlmsajuleba gamefdeba. rogoria Tqveni arCevani, beladebo, meomrebo da xalxo?

_ diax, mefeo! _ Zalian kargi, axla mibrZandiT da dainaxeT, rogor miiCqarian

Tualas gzirebi qalaqidan aRmosavleTiT, CrdiloeTiTa da samxreTiT, rom jarebi Sehyaron da cocxlad dagvfliTon mec, Tqvenc da, CvenTan erTad, Cemi TeTri megobrebica da damcvelebic. xval an zeg Tuala mova aq Tavis erTgul xalxTan erTad, maSin SevZleb gavarkvio, vin aris Tqvens Soris Cemi erTguli, vis ar eSinia, mokvdes simarTlisaTvis brZolaSi. sityvas gaZlevT, ar dagiviwyebT amags, nadavlis gayofis dro rom dagvidgeba. me vTqvi saTqmeli, hoi, meTaurebo, beladebo, meomrebo da xalxno, axla ki wadiT da brZolisaTvis moemzadeT.

Camovarda siCume, mere erT-erTma meTaurma xeli aswia da gaisma samefo misalmeba `kuum! kuum! kuum!" es iyo niSani imisa, rom meomrebma ignozi Tavis mefed scnes.

naxevari saaTis Semdeg Cven samxedro sabWo moviwvieT, sabWos polkebis yvela meTauri eswreboda. cxadze ucxadesi iyo, rom sul male Tualas mravalricxovani jari Semogvitevda. marTlac, aqedan vxedavdiT, rogor uyridnen Tavs jarebs da rogor garbodnen malemsrbolebi luudan yvela mimarTulebiT, albaT imitom, rom mefis dasaxmareblad rac SeiZleba didi jari SeegrovebinaT. Cven gvyavda oci aTasi kaci, romelic Svid polks Seadgenda. infadusisa da meTaurebis gamoTvliT, Tualas luuSi eyoleboda ocdaaTi-ocdaToTxmeti aTasi meomari. garda

amisa, maTi varaudiT, Tualas meore dRes SuadRemde SeeZlo damatebiT Seekriba ara nakleb xuTi aTasi kacisa. SesaZlebeli iyo, jaris nawils eRalata misTvis da Cvens mxareze gadmosuliyo, magram, rasakvirvelia, amaze imeds veraviTar SemTxvevaSi ver davamyarebdiT. jerjerobiT gaurkveveli iyo erTi ram: Tuala guldagul emzadeboda SetevisaTvis. gorakis ZirSi ukve gamoCnda meomrebis SeiaraRebuli razmebi. cxadi iyo, mefis jari brZolis dawyebas epireboda.

magram infadusi da sxva meTaurebi fiqrobdnen, Rame mteri Setevaze ar gadmovidoda. garda amisa, saWiro iyo meomrebs Soris gaeqrawylebinaT mTvaris dabnelebiT gamowveuli mZime STabeWdileba, rasac kukuanelebi Cvens jadoqrobas miawerdnen. beladebi da meTaurebi gvarwmunebdnen, Seteva dilamde ar daiwyebao. marTlac, maTi varaudi savsebiT gamarTlda.

amasobaSi Cvenc saqmes movkideT xeli, vcdilobdiT, rac ki SegveZlo, gagvemagrebina Cveni misadgomebi.

yvela uklebliv gvexmareboda. gvegona, dro ar gveyofoda, rom yvelaferi mogveswro. magram meomrebma im dRes saswauli moaxdines. goraki, romelzec Cven vimyofebodiT, ufro sanatoriumi iyo, vidre simagre, radgan aq, Cveulebriv, ayenebdnen jaris im nawilebs, romelTac adre mZime klimatur pirobebSi uxdebodaT yofna. amitom axla saWiro iyo qvebiT amogvexerga yvela gza, romelic gorakis mwvervalisaken miemarTeboda da yvela misasvleli SeZlebisamebr miudgomeli gagvexada. meomrebma sxvadasxva adgilas daagroves qvebi, rom maRlidan mtrisTvis daeSinaT. yovel polks garkveuli adgili unda sWeroda. erTi sityviT, TavdacvisaTvis yoveli Rone vixmareT.

mzis Casvlis win davinaxeT meomarTa mcirericxovani razmi, romelic luudan Cvenken moemarTeboda. erT-erT meomars xelSi palmis toti eWira, niSnad imisa, rom mosalaparakeblad modioda.

ignozi, infadusi, ramdenime sardali da Cvenc maT Sesaxvedrad gorakidan daveSviT.

palmistotiani dawinaurda. omaxiani vaJkaci iyo. mxrebze leopardis mosasxami moegdo.

_ salami miTqvams! _ daiyvira man moaxloebisTanave. _ mefe salams uZRvnis maT, vinc mis winaaRmdeg es mkrexeluri omi wamoiwyo. lomi salams uZRvnis turebs, mis ferxTiT borotad rom Rrenen.

_ Tqvi, ra ginda! _ vuTxari me. _ ai mefis sityva: danebdiT, an arada, cudi dRe geliT. Sav xars

ukve mxari amosWres, igi sisxlisagan icleba da mefe mTel kraalSi dasdevs.

_ miTxari, ra surs Tualas? _ cnobiswadiliT SevekiTxe. _ misi piroba da survili madlmosili da keTilmowyalea, rogorc

es diad mefes Sehferis. ai, kukuanelTa mbrZaneblis, asi colis brwyinvale meuRlis, calTvala goliaTis, didi gzis mcvelis, dayursebulTa rCeulis, Savi Zroxis xbois _ Tualas sityva. sityva spilosi, romlis nabiji miwas azanzarebs, avazakTa zardamcemis, fexmardi siraqlemas, bumberazis, Savisa da brZenTabrZenis mefuri sityva:

`me gulmowyale viqnebi da arc Tu bevr sisxls davRvri. yovel aT kacze erT kacs davubneleb mzes, danarCenebs Tavisuflebas mivaniWeb, magram TeTri adamiani, saxelad inkubu, ufliswul skragaze xeli rom aRmarTa, misi Savkaniani msaxuri, taxts rom mecileba, da infadusi, Cemi

Zma, romelic Cems winaaRmdeg xalxs ajanyebs, mowamebrivi sikvdiliT unda daixocon. isini msxverplad unda Seewiron dayursebulebs" _ aseTia Tualas mowyale piroba.

me moveTaTbire Cvenebs da xmamaRla, ise, rom Cemi sityvebi yvelas gaegona, vupasuxe:

_ ZaRlo, dabrundi TualasTan, dabrundi masTan, vinc gamoggzavna da gadaeci, rom Cven, ese igi, ignozi, kukuanelebis kanonieri mefe, varskvlaveTidan Camosuli TeTri brZeni jadoqrebi _ inkubu, bugvani da makumazani, romelTac SeuZliaT mTvaris Caqroba, agreTve samefo saxlis Svili infadusi, beladebi, meTaurebi da yvela aq Sekrebilni, pasuxad vuTvliT, rom arafrad vagdebT mis sityvas da vidre mze orjer Casvla-amosvlas moaswrebdes, Tqveni mefis gvami gaSeSebuli egdeba misive kraalis karTan, taxtze ki ignozi ava. axla ki wadi, wadi, vidre rozgiT gverdebs SegixurebdeT da gvifrTxildi, kvlav arsad gadagveyaro!

mogzavnilma gulianad gadaixarxara. _ vaJkacs muqariTa da brtyel-brtyeli sityvebiT ver SeaSinebT, _

Tqva man, _ vnaxoT, xvalac am gulze iqnebiT Tu ara, mTvaris Camqrobno da dambnelebelno. ibrZoleT, gamoiCineT mxneoba da gulovneba, imxiaruleT da ixareT, vidre yvav-yorani ise ar dakortnis Tqvens Zvlebs, rom isini Tqvens saxeze metad gaTeTrdnen. mSvidobiT, egeb brZolaSi kvlav SevxvdeT erTmaneTs. gTxovT, jerjerobiT varskvlavebze nu gafrindebiT, damelodeT, TeTro adamianebo!

am damcinavi sityvebiT mociquli gagvSorda. misi wasvlisTanave mzec Caesvena da miwas bneli moefina.

im RamiT bevri samuSao gvqonda. miuxedavad imisa, rom yvelani sastikad daRlil-daqanculebi viyaviT, mainc ganvagrZobdiT mzadebas xvalindeli brZolisTvis, ramdenadac ki mTvaris mkrTali Suqi amis saSualebas gvaZlevda. Sikrikebi garbod-gamorbodnen, rom meomarTaTvis gadaecaT Cveni brZaneba da kvlav brundebodnen karavTan, sadac Cven vbWobdiT. bolos, daaxloebiT Ramis pirveli saaTisTvis movagvareT yvelaferi, risi mogvarebac Cvens xelT iyo da mTeli banaki Zilma moicva. saerTo siCumes drodadro mxolod yaraulebis SeZaxili arRvevda. me da ser henri, ignozisa da erTi meTauris TanxlebiT, gorakis ZirSi CavediT da saguSagoebi davaTvaliereT. sruliad moulodnelad Cvens Tvalwin aRimarTeboda xolme Subi, romelic mTvaris sxivebze laplaps iwyebda, magram rogorc ki vityodiT parols, maSinve qreboda. cxadi iyo, guSagebs ar eZinaT. saguSagoebs davuareT da isev ukan gamovbrundiT, fexakrefiT gaviareT aTasobiT mZinare meomarTa Soris, mraval maTgans xom amqveynad ukanasknelad ewera Zili.

mTvaris sxivi liclicebda Subebze, sxltoda meomarTa saxeebze da maT micvalebulebs amsgavsebda. Ramis civi qari jiRis frTebs afrialebda. meomrebi uwesrigod miyriliyvnen aqeT-iqiT. mTvaris Suqze maTi veeba, brge sxeulebi rogorRac ucnauri da aCrdilisebri Canda.

_ rogor fiqrobT, bevri gadaurCeba xvalindel dRes? _ ikiTxa ser henrim.

pasuxad mxolod Tavi gaviqnie da isev mZinareT davacqerdi. miuxedavad daRlilobisa, Zalze aRgznebuli viyavi da meCveneboda, rom sikvdilis yinulovan xels ukve gaeSeSebina es adamianebi. gulSi vimaxsovrebdi maT saxeebs, zed rom sikvdilis aCrdili dasTamaSebdaT. meCveneboda, TiTqos mxolod axla Cavwvdi sikvdil-sicocxlis did

saidumlos. guli Rrma sevdiT mevseboda, roca vfiqrobdi, ra tragikulad ganwiruli iyo Cveni sicocxle. ai, am RamiT aTasobiT kacs Rrma, jansaRi ZiliT sZinavs, xval ki, SesaZloa, isinic, Cvenc da mravali sxvac, amqveynad aRarc ki viyoT. sikvdilis civi sunTqva SeboWavs da gaaSeSebs yvelas. colebi daqvrivdebian, Svilebi daobldebian, qoxebs aRarasodes daubrundebaT patroni. mxolod mTvare ganagrZobs caze uSfoTvelad cials, Ramis niavi kvlavindeburad Searxevs balaxs da ukidegano miwa nebivrad miecema gancxromas. yvelaferi iarsebebs ise, rogorc arsebobda manamde, sanam es xalxi gaCndeboda da iarsebebs Semdegac, roca maTi saxelebi daviwyebas miecema. iarsebebs marad, ukuniTi ukunisamde.

magram, vidre samyaro arsebobs, adamiani ar kvdeba. marTalia, misi saxeli daviwyebas eZleva, magram qari, riTac is sunTqavda, isev arxevs fiWvTa kenweroebs mTebSi. misi sityvebis eqo kvlav da kvlav ganagrZobs JReras sivrceSi, misi naazrev-nafiqrali dRes Cvens sakuTrebad iTvleba; misma vnebebma sicocxle mogvaniWa, misi sixaruli, misi sevda Cveni sevda da sixarulia; xolo sabediswero wuTs, aseTi TrTolviTa da SiSiT rom gaurboda, verc Cven gaveqceviT sadme.

samyaro savsea aCrdilebiT, ara sasaflaos Sesudruli moCvenebebiT, aramed sicocxlis marad uWknobi, ukvdavi nawilakebiT, romlebic Tu erTxel warmoiSva, aRarasodes kvdebian, Tumca SeumCnevlad erwymian erTimeores da icvlebian, icvlebian maradiulad.

msgavsi fiqrebi mitrialebda TavSi, vidre videqi da davyurebdi am muq, fantastikur sxeulebs. meomrebs, maTive Tqmisa ar iyos, `Subebze eZinaT".

samwuxarod, vamCnev, rom rac ufro mepareba sibere, miT ufro metsa da mets vmsjelob. ra saZageli Cveulebaa!

_ kurtis, _ vuTxari ser henris, _ Cemda samarcxvinod, unda gamogitydeT, Zalian meSinia.

ser henrim gaiRima da qera wverze xeli Camoisva. _ me ara erTxel msmenia Tqvengan msgavsi sityvebi, quotermen, _

miTxra man. _ diax, magram axla seriozulad geubnebiT amas. iciT, veWvob, am

brZolaSi romelime Cvengani gadarCes. Cven Zlier da mravalricxovan jarTan gveqneba saqme da imedi ara maqvs, rom poziciebis gamagrebas SevZlebT.

_ yovel SemTxvevaSi, am poziciebs advilad rodi davTmobT! ZmaTa Soris sisxlis Rvra kai saqme ar aris da, marTali giTxraT, arc unda gavreuliyaviT amaSi, magram rakiRa ase moxda, unda yoveli Rone vixmaroT da gavimarjvoT. CemdaTavad mogaxsenebT: Tu sikvdili miweria, mijobs brZolaSi movkvde. miT umetes axla, roca imedi gadamiwyda, rom vipovi Cems sabralo Zmas. diax, diax, CemTvis axla ufro advilia sikvdilze fiqri, magram iqneb gavimarjvoT? naTqvamia, mamacs bedi ar umtyunebso. ra Tqma unda, saSineli xocva-Jleta iqneba, Cven ki iq unda viyoT, sadac yvelaze cxare brZola iqneba, Tu gvinda, saxeli da Rirseba SevinarCunoT.

ser henri naRvlianad laparakobda, magram mis TvalebSi mokiafe naperwklebi sul sxvas ambobda. Cemi azriT, uxaroda kidec, es brZola rom mogveloda.

am saubris Semdeg davweqiT da erT-or saaTs Zils miveciT Tavi.

mzis amosvlisas infadusma gagvaRviZa da gviTxra, luuSi didi gamococxleba igrZnoba, mefis jaris mcirericxovani razmebi Cveni mowinave xazisken moemarTebiano.

Cven sabrZolvelad movemzadeT, CavicviT jaWvis perangebi, Tan Tualas am saucxoo saCuqrisaTvis gulSi madlobas vuZRvnidiT. ser henri gatacebiT Seudga saqmes da male kukuanel meomars daemsgavsa.

_ roca kukuanelTa qveyanaSi xar, kukuaneliviT unda moiqce, _ Tqva da farTo beWebze jaWvis perangi Camoicva. magram amaze rodi SeCerda, infadusma meomris aRWurviloba moutana, ser henrim leopardis mosasxami moicva, Tavze ki siraqlemas Savi frTebis jiRa daidga. aseT jiRas mxolod beladebi atarebdnen. welze kameCis TeTri tyavis saucxoo muCa Semoikra, Caicva sandlebi, xelSi daiWira mZime sabrZolo najaxi, kameCis tyavgadakruli rkinis mrgvali fari da ramdenime toli, ese igi, liTonis dana. yvelafer amas, yoveli SemTxvevisaTvis, Tavisi revolveric daumata. es morTuloba, ra Tqma unda, ser henris velurs amsgavsebda, magram unda giTxraT, amaze ufro mosuli da Zlieri kaci jer arsad Semxvedria. Cacmuloba kidev ufro usvamda xazs mis aRnagobas. rodesac ignozi da ser henri erTad davinaxe, gavifiqre, Cems sicocxleSi pirvelad vxedav amgvar goliaTebs-meTqi. ver getyviT, rom guds jaWvis perangi ise morgeboda tanze, rogorc ser henris. saqme is aris, rom kapitans ar undoda Tavis Sarvals ganSoreboda. unda vaRiaro, rom tandabali, Cafskvnili jentlmeni, romelsac cal mxares pirwmindad gaeparsa saxe, meore mxares karga mozrdili wveri moeSva, jaWvis perangi ki guldagul Caetnia sakmaod SelanZul velvetis SarvalSi, maincdamainc sasiamovno STabeWdilebas ver axdenda. sakuTar Tavze SemiZlia giTxraT, rom jaWvis perangi xalvaTad madga tanze, amitom igi tansacmlis zemoT gadavicvi, Tumca mainc ver amovavse. garda amisa, gadavwyvite, fexsacmeli gamexada, rom Tu ukandaxeva mogviwevda, ufro advilad SemZleboda gaqceva. amave mizeziT, Sarvalic gavixade da veldskunis amara davrCi. Subi da fari, romlis xmarebac ar vicodi, wyvili dana da, bolos, monadiris qudze damagrebuli uzarmazari jiRa Seadgenda Cems samxedro morTulobas. mindoda, rac SeiZleba metad davmsgavsebodi sisxlismsmels. garda amisa, Tan waviReT Tofebi, magram radgan tyviebi Semogvelia, isini CvenTvis zedmeti tvirTi iyo. amitom gankarguleba gaveciT, Tofebi wamoeRoT meomrebs, Cven ukan rom modiodnen.

sabrZolod gamovewyveT, naCqarevad visauzmeT da qoxidan gamovediT, rom saqmis viTareba gagverkvia.

platos erT kuTxeSi patara yavisferi koncxi moCanda, es iyo Cveni Stabi da amave dros saTvalTvalo punqtic. aq dagvxvda infadusi, ruxebis polkiT garSemortymuli. es polki kukuanelTa armiis saukeTeso meomrebisagan Sedgeboda. amJamad polkSi sami aTas xuTasi kaci iyo. es polki saTadarigod unda dagvetovebina. meomrebi jguf-jgufad iwvnen miwaze da ucqerodnen, rogor gamodiodnen luudan mwyobri razmebi, romelTac bolo ar uCandaT. sul sami polki iyo, TiToeulSi TerTmetidan Tormeti aTasi kaci iqneboda.

qalaqs rom gamoscdnen, polkebi sabrZolod daewyvnen. mere erTma polkma marjvniv gauxvia, meorem _ marcxniv, mesame ki neli nabijiT pirdapir Cvenken gamoemarTa.

_ aha, _ Tqva infadusma, _ emzadebian, rom erTdroulad sami mxridan Semogvition!

es axali ambavi Zalze sayuradRebo iyo, radgan Cveni jaris nawilebi gorakze gafantulni idgnen, saWiro xdeboda maTi Tavmoyra. xom ver mivuTiTebdiT mowinaaRmdeges, rogor moetana Cvenze ieriSi ise, rom gamarjveba Cven dagvrCenoda? yvelaferi unda gagvekeTebina, rac SegveZlo. vafrineT brZaneba, razmebi mzad yofiliyvnen mterze ieriSis misatanad.

T a v i X I I I

T a v d a s x m a samive polki neba-neba moiwevda win, meomrebs siCqare ar etyobodaT.

xuTas iardze rom mogviaxlovdnen, Sua polki SeCerda; iq iwyeboda miwis wvrili zoli, Cvens gorakSi rom iWreboda. goraks TiTqmis nalisebri moyvaniloba hqonda da misi orive daqanebuli kide luusken iyo mimarTuli.

Sua polks ganzraxuli hqonda, brZolaSi CaveTrieT, amasobaSi ori danarCeni goraks Semouvlida da mere yvelani erTdroulad dagvesxmodnen Tavs.

_ eh, axla erTi getlingi mogvca, _ sinanuliT Tqva gudma da oxvriT gadaxeda gorakis ZirSi Tavmoyril mWidro razmebs. _ ociode wuTSi mTel dablobs movasufTavebdiT.

_ magram raki getlingi ara gvaqvs, arc Rirs amaze oxvra-kvnesa, _ miugo ser henrim. _ ra moxdeba, aqedan rom esroloT, quotermen? moxvdeba Tu ara Tqveni tyvia ager im aylayudas, ganze rom dgas da, Cemi azriT, razms xelmZRvanelobs? sanaZleod vdeb severins, romelsac ueWvelad gadavixdi, Tuki, rasakvirvelia, am brZolas gadavurCiT, rom Tqveni tyvia xuTi iardiT mainc ascdeba mizans.

misi sityvebi Sig gulSi momxvda, `eqspresi" saskdomi tyviiT davtene da davelode, sanam is meTauri Tavis TanaSemweebTan erTad aTiode iardiT mainc ar gascda razms, raTa ukeT daeTvalierebina Cveni poziciebi. mere miwaze gavweqi, Tofi kldeze gavde da Cems msxverpls yelSi vumizne im varaudiT, rom tyvia Sig gulSi unda moxvedroda, Tu mxedvelobaSi miviRebdiT manZils da im garemoebasac, rom Cemi Tofi mxolod samas ormocdaaT iardze isroda. meTauri mSvidad idga, magram ar vici, vRelavdi, qarma wamoubera, Tu saerTod, mizani karga did manZilze iyo Cemgan dacilebuli, ase iyo Tu ise, varaudi ar gamimarTlda.

msxverpli mizanSi amoviRe da Caxmaxs TiTi gamovkari. roca boli gaifanta, davinaxe, rom is kaci uvneblad idga, misi TanaSemwe ki usulod egdo Zirs. meTauri swrafad Setrialda da saSinlad SeSfoTebuli Tavisi razmisaken gaqanda.

_ vaSa, quotermen, _ Sehyvira gudma, _ rjulze ki SeaSineT, ai! aman Zalze gamabraza, saSinlad ar miyvars, roca vinmes

TandaswrebiT mizans avacden xolme. amitom SeZlebisdagvarad vcdilob aseT SemTxvevebs Tavi avarido. gacofebuli guls veRar moverie da windauxedavad moviqeci: gaqceuls swrafad davumizne Tofi da tyvia zurgSi mivayole. amjerad aRar amicdenia, sabralom xelebi aiqnia da moceliliviT daeca guldaRma. amas vwer mxolod imisaTvis, rom

daganaxoT, ra cotas vfiqrobT sxvebze, roca saqme Cvens Tavmoyvareobas, an reputacias exeba.

amis danaxvaze Cvenma meomrebma aRtacebis yiJina dasces, fiqrobdnen, yvelaferi es Cveni gamarjvebis sawindari iyo. garda amisa, erTxel kidev darwmundnen, rom Cven uZleveli jadoqrebi viyaviT. razmma ki, romelsac mokluli meTaurobda (mere SevityveT, rom is sabralo marTlac razmis meTauri iyo), uwesrigod iwyo ukandaxeva. amis danaxvaze ser henrim da gudma Tofebs xeli daavles da srola atexes. gudi Tavs ar izogavda da Tavisi vinCesteridan tyvias tyviaze ayrida meomarTa mWidro rigebs. Cven SevZeliT Svidi-rva kacis mokvla da daWra, sanam razmi sasrol manZils gascdeboda.

rogorc ki srola SevwyviteT, marjvniv saSineli Rriali gaisma, mteri muqariT moiwevda Cvenken. es xma da SeZaxilebi imwamsve aitaca mowinaaRmdegem marcxena frTaze da orive polki erTdroulad gamoqanda Cvenken. maT Rrialze Cvens pirdapir mdgari polkis mWidro rigebi Seirxa, meomrebma raRac veluri simRera dasZaxes da auCqareblad wamovidnen gorakisaken, Semdeg ki gamohyvnen viwro mwvane zols, maT ganStoebas Soris rom iyo CaWedili. Cven samma ki (ignozi mxolod xandaxan gvexmareboda) setyvasaviT davayareT tyviebi mters, magram mxolod ramdenime kaci movkaliT.

Cvenken moiwevda TaviT-fexebamde SeiaraRebuli aTasobiT adamiani da aba maTTan Cveni TofebiT ras gavxdebodiT? es igive iyo, wvrili kenWebi dagveSina aboboqrebuli talRisaTvis, Cven CasanTqmelad rom moiwevda.

meomrebi Subebs haerSi iqnevdnen, yviril-RrialiT moiwevdnen win da ukve uaxlovdebodnen Cvens saguSagoebs gorakis ZirSi. cota xnis Semdeg mterma odnav Seanela Tavdasxma. didi winaaRmdegoba ar gagviwevia maTTvis, magram Tavdamsxmelebi aRmarTze amodiodnen da siaruli uWirdaT. Cveni Tavdacvis pirveli xazi daaxloebiT Sua gorakze iyo, meore _ misgan ormocdaaTiode iardis daSorebiT, mesame ki _ platos kideze.

mteri sul ufro da ufro gviaxlovdeboda, ismoda xmamaRali SeZaxilebi:

_ Twala, Twala! Chiele! Chiele! (Tuala, Tuala, midi, dascxe!) _ Ignozi, Ignozi! Chiele! Chiele! (ignozi, miscxe, aravin daindo!) _

gahyvirodnen sapasuxod Cveni meomrebi. axla mteri sul axlos iyo. haerSi wamiswam elavda danebi. bolos

mowinaaRmdegeni veluri RrialiT ekveTnen erTmaneTs. gaCaRda xelCarTuli brZola. meomrebi moceliliviT ecemodnen Zirs.

male ricxobrivad Warbma mowinaaRmdegem ukuagdo Cveni razmebi. Cveni Tavdacvis pirvelma xazma nel-nela daixia ukan da sul male meore xazs SeuerTda. erT xans aq ibrZodnen, magram Cveni jarebi male iZulebulni gaxdnen ukan daexiaT, sul raRac ociode wuTSi brZolaSi Cveni Tavdacvis mesame xazis meomrebic Caebnen, magram am droisTvis moieriSeebs Zal-Rone gamoeliaT da mesame xazis garRveva veRar SeZles. garda amisa, Zalian bevri daWril-daxocili hyavdaT. ramdenime wuTis ganmavlobaSi brZola xan mZafrdeboda, xan isev neldeboda. gaSmagebuli velurebi win moiwevdnen, meore wuTs ki ukan ixevdnen, amitomac Zneli iyo Tqma, vin gaimarjvebda. ser henri TvalnaTliv Sehyurebda mebrZolebs. uecrad usityvod SeiWra maT Soris, gudic fexdafex mihyva. me ki virCie, davrCeniliyavi iq, sadac videqi.

Cvenma meomrebma dainaxes, ser henri brZolaSi Caebao, da gaorkecebuli ZaliT ekveTnen mters, Tan yvirodnen:

_ Nanzia Inkubi Nanzia Unkunguklovo (aba dascxeT! spilo CvenTan aris, CvenTan ibrZvis!) Chiele! Chiele!

am wuTidan saeWvo aRaraferi iyo, rom gamarjveba Cven dagvrCeboda. Tualas meomrebi sastik winaaRmdegobas gviwevdnen, magram nabij-

nabij ukan ixevdnen da goraks TandaTan qvemoT miuyvebodnen. Semdeg sabolood air-dairivnen da Tavis polks SeuerTdnen. imav wuTs movida macne da Segvatyobina: marcxena frTidan mteri ukugdebuliao. me ukve Cems Tavs vulocavdi, brZola ramdenime xniT mainc Sewydeba-meTqi, magram uecrad davinaxe, rom Cveni meomrebi, romelTac marjvena frTis dacva evalebodaT, platoze gamorbodnen, ukan mteri mosdevdaT. etyoboda, Tualas jarebma iq Cveni Tavdacva gaarRvies.

ignozim, romelic Cvens gverdiT idga, wamsve auRo alRo Seqmnil viTarebas. misi brZanebiT, ruxebis saTadarigo polki TvalisdaxamxamebaSi daewyo da sabrZolvelad moemzada.

ignozim kvlav gasca gankarguleba. isic wamsve aitaces da beladebs gadasces. amosunTqvac ver movaswari, rom Setevaze gadasuli meomrebis Zlierma talRam gamitaca da Cemda uneburad jaris SuagulSi movxvdi, rac, rasakvirvelia, didad ar gamxarebia. Cvenebi gaafTrebiT miiwevdnen mtrisken. meti ra jani mqonda, mec maTTan erTad unda gavqceuliyavi. magram vcdilobdi, rac SeiZleba axlos vyofiliyavi ignozisTan. oriode wuTis Semdeg _ me ki megona dro saocrad nela miizlazneba-meTqi _ SevuerTdiT marjvena frTaze mtrisagan ukuqceul Cveni razmebis nawilebs da isinic aqve, Cvens ukan daewyvnen. mere ki, mere ar vici, ra moxda, maxsovs mxolod, rom farebi gamayrueblad exeTqeboda erTmaneTs da sazareli jaxajuxi gahqonda.

magondeba isic, rom gamoCnda viRac axmaxi, romelsac Tvalebi gadmocvenaze hqonda da sisxlSi mosvrili SubiT Cemken gamoqanda. eWvi ar mepareba, rom marto am suraTis danaxvaze bevri ugonod daecemoda Zirs, magram siamayiT unda mogaxsenoT, ar davbneulvar, wamsve movisazre, ase erT adgilze Tu gavSeSdi, kargi dRe ar damadgeba-meTqi da rogorc ki is sazareli moCveneba Cemken gamoqanda, maSinve fexqveS Sevuvardi, Tanac, ise marjved, rom man SeCerebac ver moaswro, waqceuls fexi wamomkra da miwas daaskda. vidre ganZrevas moaswrebda, wamovxti, revolveri davaxale da angariSi gavuswore.

amis Semdeg did xans ar gauvlia, rom viRacam xeli mkra da ugonod daveci.

roca gamovfxizldi, davinaxe, gudi Cemken gadmoxriliyo, xelSi wyliT savse gogris boTli eWira, isic SevamCnie, rom platoze viyaviT, Cveni saTvalTvalo punqtis gverdiT.

_ rogora xarT, megobaro, _ Sewuxebuli xmiT mkiTxa gudma. me wamovdeqi, tansacmeli Camovibertye da mxolod amis Semdeg gaveci

pasuxi: _ ara miSavs, gmadlobT. _ madloba RmerTs. rom davinaxe, xalxs aqeT mohyavdiT, muxlT

momekveTa, megona, cocxali aRar iyaviT. _ ara, megobaro, amjerad gadavrCi, vfiqrob, dartymam tvini

SeminjRria. magram miTxariT, riT damTavrda brZola?

_ jerjerobiT mteri yvelgan ukugdebulia, danaklisi didi gvaqvs, ori aTasi kaci gveyoleba daWrili da mokluli, Tualas ki albaT sami aTasamde meomari gamoakldeboda; magram erTi am suraTs SexedeT, _ miTxra da Cvenken momavali xalxis grZel mwkrivze mimiTiTa. meomrebi jguf-jgufad modiodnen da tyavis sakaceebi mohqondaT. sakaceebs kuTxeebSi gakeTebuli hqonda maryuJebi, rom ufro ioli sazidi yofiliyo (sxvaTa Soris, aseTi sakaceebi blomad aris kukuanelTa jaris yovel razmSi). am tyavebze, anu sakaceebze, iwvnen daWrilebi, romelTac moyvanisTanave sinjavdnen mkurnalebi. TiToeul polks aT-aTi mkurnali hyavda. Tu Wriloba mZime ar iyo, daWrili mihyavdaT da ramdenadac SeeZloT, guldagul wamlobdnen, magram Tu daWrilis mdgomareoba uimedo iyo, erT-erTi eqimi mWreli daniT gadauWrida arterias da sabralo swrafad da udrtvinvelad kvdeboda. rasakvirvelia, erTi SexedviT gegonebodaT, TiTqos mkurnalebi saSinel borotebas Cadiodnen, magram gana es gulmowyaleba da lmobiereba ar iyo?

saerTod, daWrilebs maSin klavdnen, roca maT Wriloba tanze hqondaT miyenebuli, radgan kukuanelTa Subis uzarmazari wvetiT daWrili adamianis gankurneba SeuZlebeli xdeboda xolme. umetes SemTxvevaSi aseTi daWrilebi ugrZnoblad imyofebodnen, imaT ki, visac grZnoba ar hqonda dakarguli, ise swrafad da umtkivneulod gadauWridnen ZarRvebs, rom sabraloni amas verc ki grZnobdnen. magram es suraTi TavisTavad imdenad Semzaravia, rom me da gudi swrafad ganverideT iqaurobas. Cems sicocxleSi amaze amazrzeni araferi minaxavs. mkurnali gasisxlianebuli xelebiT Wrida ZarRvs, rom am sabralo adamianisaTvis ukanasknel wuTebSi mainc Seemsubuqebina tanjva. diax, Seemsubuqebina, magram ra gziT?

aseTive Tavzardamcemi suraTi vixile mxolod erTxel, roca svazis tomis meomrebma brZolis Semdeg Tavisi daWrilebi cocxlad Cafles miwaSi.

am saSinelebisaTvis rom aRar gvecqira, mopirdapire mxares wavediT; aq davinaxeT ser henri, romelsac sabrZolo najaxi jerac xelSi eWira. aqve iyvnen ignozi, infadusi da erTi-ori meTaurTagani. isini Zalian seriozulad bWobdnen.

_ madloba RmerTs, rom moxvediT, quotermen, me kargad ver gavige, ras apirebs ignozi. Tumca mteri ukuvagdeT, magram mgoni Tualas didZali maSveli jari mouvida, axla isini albaT alyas Semogvartyamen, rom SimSiliT suli amogvxadon da dagvauZluron.

_ maS Cveni saqme cudad yofila. _ eg sakiTxavic araa, miT ufro, rom, infadusi ambobs, male sasmeli

wyali aRar gveqnebao. _ diax, diax, Cemo mbrZanebelo, _ kveri daukra moxucma meomarma, _

patara nakaduli sad gawvdeba amodena xalxs. wyali swrafad klebulobs. jer kidev daRamebamde wyurviliT davixocebiT. mismine, makumazan, Sen brZeni xar da, rasakvirvelia, mraval omSi miiRebdi monawileobas im qveyanaSi, saidanac moxvedi, Tuki TeTri adamianebi saerTod ibrZvian varskvlaveTSi. gvirCie, rogor moviqceT! Tualam xelaxla Sehyara jari, isini daRupulTa adgils daiWeren, magram ase Tu ise, im mtarvals Wkua vaswavleT. miminos rodi egona, yanCa winaaRmdegobas gauwevda. Cven niskartiT davufliTeT guli da axla, cota ar iyos, SiSi aqvs. amitom veRar bedavs xelmeored dagvesxas Tavs, Tumca unda iTqvas, Cvenc sakmaod

gavwamdiT. axla albaT alyis Semortymas gvipireben, rom SimSiliT amogvxocon, an cocxlad Cagvigdon xelSi.

_ mesmis, _ vuTxari me. _ ase rom, makumazan, rogorc giTxariT, wyali ar gvaqvs, saWmelic

Zalian cota dagvrCa. amitom samSi erTi unda avirCioT: unda davitanjoT da davsustdeT, rogorc mSieri lomi Tavis bunagSi, an vcadoT gavarRvioT mtris alya samxreTiT, an arada, _ aq igi wamodga da mtris mWidrod Sekruli rigebisken gaiwvdina TiTi, _ jiqur miveWraT maT da Tualas yelSi vtacoT xeli. inkubu didi meomaria, dRes igi badeSi momwyvdeuli kameCiviT ibrZoda da misi najaxi ise celavda Tualas meomrebs, rogorc setyva puris TavTavs. inkubu gveubneba, mters Tavs davesxaTo, magram spilos mudam Tavdasxmaze uWiravs Tvali. ras ityvis makumazani _ beberi, eSmaki mela, romelsac cxovrebaSi bevri ram unaxavs da farulad zurgidan uyvars mtris dagesvla? gadamwyveti sityva, rasakvirvelia, ignozis ekuTvnis, radgan is mefea, magram manamde gvinda movisminoT Seni xma, hoi makumazan, da agreTve xma adamianisa, romelsac gamWvirvale Tvali aqvs.

_ Sen ras ityodi, ignozi? _ vkiTxe me. _ ara, Cemo mamav, _ miTxra Cvenma yofilma msaxurma, romelic

velurebis saucxoo iaraRiT iyo SeWurvili da WeSmaritad meomari mefis STabeWdilebas axdenda, _ ilaparake, minda Seni sityvebi movismino, SenTan SedarebiT me ugunuri balRi var.

am daJinebuli Txovnis Semdeg saswrafod moveTaTbire ser henrisa da guds da oriode sityviT gadaveci, rasac vfiqrobdi: rakiRa alyaSemortymulebi varT da wyalic male Semogvakldeba, Tavs unda davesxaT Tualas da es rac SeiZleba swrafad unda moxdes-meTqi, vuTxari. unda moxdes manam, sanam Wrilobebi mogviSuSdeba da vidre mowinaaRmdegis Warbi Zalebis cqeriT Cvens meomrebs guli cviliviT ar gaulxvebaT. ase rom ar moviqceT, zogi sardali Tualas Seurigdeba, mis mxares gadava da Cvenze gamoilaSqrebs-meTqi.

rogorc etyoboda, Cemi azri moewonaT. unda mogaxsenoT, rom Cems sityvas arc manamde, arc Semdeg arsad hqonia iseTi fasi da wona, rogorc kukuanelTa qveyanaSi. magram saboloo sityva mainc ignozis ekuTvnoda. ignozi, mas Semdeg, rac mefed iqna aRiarebuli, gadamwyveti xmiTa da usazRvro uflebebiT sargeblobda. amitomac yvelani mas mivaCerdiT.

ignozi erT xans dumda, etyoboda, sazRvravda Seqmnil mdgomareobas, Semdeg ki daiwyo:

_ inkubu, makumazan da bugvan, gulado TeTro admianebo da Cemo megobrebo! Senc, infadus, Cemo mamis Zmav, da Tqvenc meTaurebo. me gadavwyvite: dRes Tavs davesxmi Tualas da amaze iqneba damokidebuli Cemi bedi da Cemi sicocxle. diax, diax, Cemi da yvela Tqvenganis sicocxle. mismineT, ras getyviT, xom xedavT, es goraki naxevarmTvaresaviT aris moxrili, dablobi ki enasaviT iWreba zemoTken.

_ ho, rasakvirvelia, _ kveri davukari me. _ axla SuadRea, _ ganagrZo ignozim, _ Tqvenma meomrebma moiklan

wyurvili da daisvenon momqancveli brZolis Semdeg. roca mze mcire manZils gaivlis caze da dasaliers miuaxlovdeba, Seni da kidev erTi sxva polki, infadus, Cavides dabla, im mwvaneze. Tuala rom amas dainaxavs, Tavis jarebs iqiT moayris, magram es adgili viwroa, mtris

polkebi mxolod TiTo-TiTod Tu gamoilaSqreben Cvens winaaRmdeg da Seni meomrebi erTi-meoris miyolebiT gaanadgureben maT. Tualas mTeli armia Tqvensken iqneba Tvalmopyrobili. am brZolaSi, infadus, SenTan Cemi megobari inkubu ibrZolebs. Tuala rom mas ruxebs Soris dainaxavs, aReldeba da sulierad daecema. me ki wamovuZRvebi meore polks, romelic Tqvens ukan ganlagdeba. im SemTxvevaSi, Tu ruxebi damarcxdnen, rac sul advilad SeiZleba moxdes, gverdiT eyolebaT mefe, romlis gulisaTvisac meomrebi brZolaSi Tavs ar dazogaven. CemTan erTad makumazani wamova.

_ mesmis, hoi, mefeo, _ miugo infadusma, igi saocrad gulgrilad Sexvda im ambavs, rom mokle xanSi misi polki unda ganadgurebuliyo.

marTali mogaxsenoT, es kukuanelebi saocari xalxia. maT ar aSinebT sikvdili, roca amas movaleoba moiTxovs.

_ da vidre Tualas mTel armias am brZolisken eqneba mipyrobili Tvali da yuri, _ ganagrZo ignozim, _ Cveni darCenili jaris erTi mesamedi, ese igi, eqvsi aTasamde kaci, fofxviT daeSveba gorakis marjvena Stodan da Tavs daesxmis maT marcxena frTas. meore mesamedic aseve SeumCnevlad dahyveba marcxena Stos da ieriSs miitans marjvena frTaze. maSin mec Cemi meomrebiT pirdapir Sevutev. Tu bedi Segvewia, usaTuod gavimarjvebT da vidre Rame Tavisi Savi xarebiT mTebze gadarbenas moaswrebdes, Cven mSvidad visxdebiT luuSi. axla ki, patara davnayrdeT da brZolisaTvis movemzadoT. Sen, infadus, gankarguleba gaeci, Cemi brZaneba zustad iqnas Sesrulebuli. ho! Cemi TeTri mama bugvani marjvena frTas gahyveba, rom misma brwyinvale Tvalma Cvens meomrebs guli gaumxneos.

es mokle gankargulebebi saocari siswrafiT Sesrulda. saaTze cota meti dasWirdaT, rom CamoerigebinaT meomrebisaTvis

saWmeli (rac maT TvalisdaxamxamebaSi gaaqres), CamoeyalibebinaT sami razmi da ganemartaT beladebisaTvis Tavdasxmis mizani. Cven axla Tvrameti aTasamde meomari gvyavda. garda mcvelebisa, romelTac daWrilebTan vtovebdiT, yvelani sabrZolod moemzadnen.

aq rom aseTi mzadeba iyo, me da ser henris gudi mogviaxlovda, xeli CamogvarTva da gviTxra:

_ gemSvidobebiT, megobrebo, brZanebis Tanaxmad, marjvena frTis meomrebs mivyvebi da TqvenTan gamosaTxovrad movedi, egeb veRarc ki vnaxoT erTmaneTi.

Cven uxmod gavuwodeT erTmaneTs xeli da imdenad avReldiT, ramdenadac es tradiciuli normebis mixedviT dasaSvebia yoveli ingliselisaTvis.

_ Cveni saqme Zalze saxifaToa, _ Tqva ser henrim odnav SemkrTali xmiT, _ marTali giTxraT, darwmunebuli ara var, rom xval kidev vixilav mzes. ramdenadac gavige, ruxebi, romelTac me unda gavyve, ibrZoleben manamde, vidre erTianad ar gawydebian, rom gverdidan Tavdamsxmelebs SesaZlebloba miscen SeumCnevlad Camovidnen dabla, Tavi dauaron Tualas jarebs da zurgidan moulodnelad daecnen. ra vuyoT, dae, ase iyos. yovel SemTxvevaSi, vaJkacuri sikvdiliT movkvdebi. mSvidobiT, megobrebo, _ momibrunda igi me, _ RmerTi iyos Tqveni Semwe. imedi maqvs, Tavs davaRwevT yvelafer amas da xelSi CavigdebT almasebs. magram erTi rCeva ki unda mogceT, quotermen, Tu am brZolas saRsalamaTad gadaurCiT, kvlav nuRarasodes daiWerT saqmes taxtis maZieblebTan.

gudma erTxel kidev magrad CamogvarTva xeli da gagvSorda. misi wasvlis Semdeg infadusi movida da ser henri ruxebis polkisken waiyvana. me ki Savbneli fiqrebiT Sepyrobili ignozisken gaveSure da Cemi adgili daviWire polkSi, romelic ruxebis ganadgurebis Semdeg Setevaze unda gadasuliyo.

T a v i X I V

r u x T a u k a n a s k n e l i b r Z o l a ramdenime wuTis Semdeg polkebma, romelTac miiRes gankarguleba,

frTebidan dasxmodnen Tavs mowinaaRmdeges, srul siCumeSi datoves iqauroba. didi sifrTxiliT miiwevdnen dabla, efarebodnen lodebsa da buCqebs, rom mzveravTa maxvil Tvals damalodnen.

naxevari saaTis Semdeg frTebze ganlagdnen. amave dros ruxebi uZravad idgnen adgilze. maT zurgs umagrebda erT-erTi uZlieresi polki. igi kameCebis polkis saxeliT iyo cnobili. es iyo Cveni armiis ZiriTadi birTvi da mowinaaRmdegis TavidaTavi dartyma mas unda mieRo.

orive polki TiTqmis uklisad iyo, amasTanave, arc daRlilebi iyvnen. diliT ruxebi TadarigSi idgnen, xolo roca mowinaaRmdegem Cveni Tavdacvis xazi gaarRvia (es maSin iyo, me rom TavSi dartymiT gamabrues), maT Zalian cota mebrZoli dakarges. rac Seexeba kameCebs, isini diliT marcxena frTaze, Tavdacvis mesame xazTan idgnen da raki am mimarTulebiT Tavdamsxmelebma ver SeZles xazis garRveva, brZolaSi sulac ar miuRiaT monawileoba.

infadusi gamocdili beladi iyo, Zalian kargad icoda, rom aseTi brZolis win unda gaemxnevebina Tavisi mebrZolebi da aemaRlebina maTi sulieri ganwyobileba, amitom Tavis polks sityviT mimarTa; enamWevrulad ganumarta meomrebs, ra didi pativi iyo maTTvis, mowinave xazze sabrZolvelad rom agzavnidnen, Tanac varskvlaveTidan Camosul TeTr mebrZolebTan erTad. im SemTxvevaSi, Tu Cveni jari gaimarjvebso, _ daabolova man Tavisi sityva, _ mefe ignozi brZolaSi gadarCenilebs jogebsa da samxedro sarbielze dawinaurebas hpirdebao.

me Tvali gavayole meomrebis grZel mwkrivebs, mkacr saxeebs, mofriale Sav jiRebs da mwared gavifiqre, rom sul raRac erTi saaTis Semdeg am SesaniSnavi vaJkacebis umravlesoba mkvdari, an momakvdavi eyreba brZolis velze-meTqi. sxvagvarad arc SeiZleboda. maT sakuTari yuriT moismines ganaCeni, romelic beladma ase gulgrilad auwya. adamianis sicocxlis aseTi ugulebelyofa xSirad xels uwyobs mTavarsardlebs, dazogon Tavisi Zalebi da ganaxorcielon dasaxuli mizani, erTi sityviT, isini brZolis dros swiraven adamianTa garkveul raodenobas, raTa uzrunvelyon mTeli armiis gamarjveba. ruxebi winaswar iyvnen sasikvdilod ganwirulni da icodnen kidec es. maTi mizani iyo brZola gaemarTaT Tualas polkebisaTvis, roca isini erTimeoris miyolebiT Semovidodnen viwro, mwvane zolze, gorakis Stoebs Soris rom iyo moqceuli. maT unda ebrZolaT manam, sanam ar daamarcxebdnen mowinaaRmdeges, an sanam marjvena da marcxena frTaze ganlagebul jars SesaZlebloba miecemoda, gadasuliyo Setevaze. yvelaferi es icodnen

ruxebma, magram, miuxedavad amisa, wuTiTac ki ar dauwyiaT yoymani. maT saxeebze iotisodena SiSic ki ar SeminiSnavs. diax, Cem win idgnen sasikv-dilod ganwiruli meomrebi, romlebic ager-ager samudamod unda ganSorebodnen dRis kurTxeul naTels, magram warbSeuxrelad da uSiSrad elodnen sul-xorcis gayris Jams. miuxedavad imisa, rom Zalze daZabuli wuTebi iyo, ar SemeZlo uneblieT ar Semedarebina maTi sulieri mdgomareoba Cemi mdgomareobisaTvis. ara, me ar SemeZlo maTsaviT mSvidad vyofiliyavi, _ gavifiqre es da Cemdauneburad amovioxre. es oxvra SuriT da aRtacebiT iyo gamowveuli. dRemde arsad Semxvedroda ase Tavdadebuli da Tavisi mware xvedrisadmi egzom gulgrilad ganwyobili adamianebi.

_ ai, Tqveni mefe, _ daasrula sityva infadusma da xeli ignozisken gaiwvdina, _ wadiT, ibrZoleT da daixoceniT misTvis, aseTia gmirTa xvedri. maradJams kruli da Sercxvenili iyos misi saxeli, vinc SiSobs Tavi gaswiros mefisaTvis, vinc ecdeba, Tavi aaridos brZolas da mters zurgi uCvenos. ai, Tqveni mefe, meTaurebo, beladno, meomrebo. axla fici dasdeT gvelis wminda gamosaxulebis winaSe da mere ukan mogvyeviT. inkubu da me Tualas jarebis Suagulisken gavikvlevT gzas.

Camovarda xanmokle siCume. Semdeg moulodnelad meomarTa rigebSi gaisma xmauri, TiTqos sadRac, Soridan zRvis talRebis yru bubuni moismiso. am xmas gamoscemda eqvsi aTasi fari, romlebsac meomrebi nel-nela urtyamdnen Subis tarebs. xmauri TandaTanobiT gaZlierda, gafarTovda, gaRrmavda da bolos gamayruebel gugun-grialSi gadaizarda. mTebma Weqa-quxiliviT aitaca es xma da mere grialiT ukuaqcia. xmebis mZlavrma talRebma haeri daamZima. Semdeg griali TandaTanobiT miwyda da bolos sulac Cakvda. Cakvda da siCumeSi uecrad iWeqa SeZaxilma... _ kuum! kuum! kuum! _ xalxi mefes esalmeboda.

gulSi gavifiqre, albaT romis arc erT imperators ar misalmebian aseTi aRtacebiT sasikvdilod mimavali gladiatorebi da ignozis dRes ufleba aqvs iamayos Tavisi mdgomareobiT da Tavisi xalxiT-meTqi.

ignozim sabrZolo najaxi haerSi SeaTamaSa da amiT gamoxata Tavisi madloba meomrebisadmi. Semdeg ruxebi sam razmad daewyvnen. yovel razmSi, meTauris CauTvlelad, aTasamde meomari iyo. polkebi Tavisi poziciebisaken gaeSurnen. roca bolo razmi ormocdaaTiode iardiT dagvSorda, ignozi saTaveSi Caudga kameCebs, romlebic aseve sam razmad iyvnen dayofilni. mefis brZanebis Tanaxmad, Cvenc dabla viwyeT Casvla. gulSi mxurvaled vloculobdi, RmerTs SevTxovdi, gansacdeli amaSore da sikvdilisgan mixseni-meTqi. Cems cxovrebaSi mravlis umravlesi Wiri gamomivlia, magram aseTi Savi dRe jer ar gamTenebia, arasodes ar mqonia gadarCenis ase mcire SesaZlebloba.

roca platos kides mivaRwieT, ruxebi ukve ferdobis SuagulSi iyvnen da gorakis ZirSi soliviT SemoWrili amwvanebuli vakisken miiCqarodnen.

Tualas banakSi didi moZraoba SeimCneoda. polkebi swrafi nabijiT, an ukeT rom vTqvaT, sirbiliT modiodnen maRlobisken, cdilobdnen, manamde mosuliyvnen gorakis ZirSi, vidre Cveni meomrebi luus velze gaiSlebodnen.

gorakSi soliviT SeWrili mwvane samkuTxedis sigane samasormocdaaTi nabiji Tu iqneboda, igi wverosken kidev ufro viwrovdeboda da ormocdaaTiode nabijs aRwevda. ruxebi, samkuTxeds rom

miuaxlovdnen, danawildnen da viwro adgili ise CaaTaves, magram roca samkuTxedi sakmaod gafarTovda, kvlav sam-sam mwkrivad dadgnen da adgilze gaSeSdnen.

maSin Cvenc, ese igi, kameCebic, daveSviT samkuTxedis wverze da ruxebis bolo mwkrivis ukan, daaxloebiT asi iardis daSorebiT, saTadarigo adgili davikaveT. videqiT da gadavyurebdiT, rogor moeSureboda Cvenken Tualas jari. etyoboda, dilandeli Setakebis Semdeg maSveli razmebi mosvlodaT da axla maT rigebSi, miuxedavad didi danakargisa, ormoci aTasamde kaci iqneboda. Tavdamsxmelebi TandaTanobiT mouaxlovdnen samkuTxedis fuZes, Sedgnen da aSkarad Seyoymandnen. ar icodnen, rogor moqceuliyvnen, gorakis Stoebisagan warmoqmnil xeobaSi mxolod da mxolod erT polks SeeZlo gavla. garda amisa, xeobis Sesasvlelidan samocdaaTi iardis daSorebiT idga ruxebis saxelganTqmuli polki _ kukuanelTa armiis mSveneba da siamaye, romlis meomrebic yovel wams mzad iyvnen moeWraT maTTvis gza. odesRac sami romaeli ase icavda xids aTasobiT Tavdamsxmelisagan. ruxebze Tavdasxma mxolod wina mxridan iyo SesaZlebeli, radgan maT orive frTidan gorakis kaWriT mofenili cicabo ferdobebi icavda. rogorc mogaxseneT, Tavdamsxmelebi Seyoymandnen da erT xans gaunZrevlad idgnen adgilze. etyoboda, arc Tu ise Cqarobdnen Sebmodnen ruxebs _ am kuStsa da mamac meomrebs, romlebic brZolis dawyebas elodnen. uecrad TavdamsxmelTa rigebs gamoeyo viRac maRal-maRali aci. mas Tavze siraqlemas frTebis Cveulebrivi jiRa edga. ukan meTaurebisa da Sikrikebis karga mozrdili jgufi gamohyva. es TviT Tuala unda yofiliyo. Tualam gasca brZaneba da pirveli polki RrialiT gadavida Setevaze. ruxebi srul mdumarebaSi idgnen. arc ki Serxeulan, vidre Tavdamsxmelebi ormocdaaT iardze ar miuaxlovdnen da danebi setyvasaviT ar daayares.

maSin ki meyseulad moswydnen adgils, win gaqandnen da Subebi SemarTes. orive polki erTmaneTSi air-dairia, daiwyo samkvdro-sasicocxlo brZola. wamic da erTmaneTs Sejaxebuli farebis griali quxiliviT moswvda Cvens smenas. dablobi TiTqos ainTo mzis sxivebis aTinaTiT, romelTac moqneuli Subebi ireklavdnen. erTmaneTs Serkinebuli es zRva xalxi talRebiviT irweoda aqeT-iqiT. magram ase didxans ar gagrZelebula. mokle xanSi TavdamsxmelTa rigebi SesamCnevad SeTxelda. moulodnelad ruxebi zantad, zvirTiviT Tavze gadaevlnen maT, ise rogorc zRvis talRa gadaurbens xolme Tavze kbodovan bragebs. mizani miRweuli iyo _ TavdamsxmelTa polki pirwmindad ganadgurda, magram rux meomarTagan mxolod ori mwkrivi gadarCa. meomarTa erTi mesamedi daWril-daxocili eyara miwaze.

ruxebma kvlav SeamWidroves rigebi, srul mdumarebaSi mxardamxar dadgnen da axal Semotevas elodnen. warmoidgineT, rogor gamixardeboda, roca maT Soris ser henris qera wvers movkari Tvali. ser henri aqeT-iqiT midi-modioda da wesrigs amyarebda. maS ase, igi jer cocxali iyo.

amasobaSi Cvenc mivuaxlovdiT brZolis adgils, romelic daWril-daxocilebiTa da momakvdavebiT iyo mofenili. Cemi varaudiT, aq oTxi aTasi kaci mainc iqneboda. miwaze sisxlis gubeebi idga. ignozim gasca brZaneba, romelic swrafad gadaeca razmebs. brZanebis Tanaxmad, ruxebs ekrZalebodaT daWrili mtris mokvla. meomrebi mefis sityvas uyoymanod

asrulebdnen, ase rom ar momxdariyo, gulSemzaravi sanaxaoba gveloda. Tumca amaze fiqris Tavi maSin vis hqonda!

ai, TandaTanobiT moaxlovda Tualas meore polkic. meomrebs sxvebisagan gansxvavebiT jiRebi, mokle qvedatani da farebi mTlad TeTri ferisa hqondaT. mteri moiwevda win, rom Tavs dasxmoda ruxebs, romelTac axla ori aTas meomarze meti ar hyavdaT. ruxebi axlac avbediTad dumdnen. dumdnen da elodnen, rodis mouaxlovdebodaT mowinaaRmdege. roca Tualas jari ase, ormoc iardze moaxlovda, ruxebi TavganwirviT ekveTnen maT. kvlav gaisma erTmaneTs SexeTqebuli farebis gamayruebeli griali da weRandeli sazareli tragedia zustad imave saxiT ganmeorda. ver warmomedgina, rom ruxebi kvlav SeZlebdnen gamarjvebas. Tualas polki, romelSic sul axalgazrda meomrebi iyvnen, gaafTrebiT ibrZoda. Tavdapirvelad megona, ruxebma ukan daixies-meTqi. sazareli xocva-Jleta iyo. asobiT mebrZoli yovel wuTs mkvdari an daWrili ecemoda Zirs. mebrZolTa yvirilSi, momakvdavTa kvnesasa da gadajvaredinebuli Subebis JRrialSi ismoda SeZaxilebi: S’gee s’gee! am sityvebs wamoiZaxebda xolme gamarjvebuli, roca mters Subs sasikvdilod aZgerebda da Zirs dascemda.

saukeTeso wesrigs, simtkicesa da simamaces saswaulebis moxdena SeuZlia. garda amisa, erTi gamobrZmedili mebrZoli or axalbedas udris. diax, es sul male dadasturda. is iyo, gavifiqre, ruxebis aRsasruli movida-meTqi da brZolis velze gasasvlelad movemzadeT, rom am aurzaurSi garkveviT Semogvesma ser henris xma. wamiT Tvali movkari sabrZolo najaxsac, romelsac igi haerSi atrialebda. Semdeg raRac cvlileba moxda. ruxebi ukan-ukan aRar ixevdnen. kldesaviT idgnen da am kldes, adamianTa am gauval zRudes elewebodnen SubosanTa gaafTrebuli talRebi. elewebodnen mxolod imisaTvis, rom isev ukan daqanebuliyvnen. uecrad ruxebi kvlav SeinZrnen, amjerad win waiwies. kidev wuTi da Tavdasxma Sesustda.

_ diax, eseni namdvili gmirebi arian, daxeT, erTxel kidev gaimarjves! _ wamoiyvira ignozim, romelic Cem gverdiT idga da mRelvarebisagan kbilebs akraWunebda. _ aha, SexedeT, gamarjvebac swored amas hqvia!

uecrad TavdamsxmelTa polki zarbaznis lulidan gamoWrili boliviT daifant-daiqsaqsa. meomrebi jguf-jgufad garbodnen ukan. qari kvaldakval miafrialebda maT TeTr jiRebs. diax, ruxebma gaimarjves, magram vai, am gamarjvebas! maTi polki ganadgurebuli iyo. igi aRar arsebobda. sami aTasi meomris nacvlad, am ormociode wuTis winaT sam mwkrivad rom idga, axla didi-didi eqvsasi kaci yofiliyo cocxali. isinic TaviT fexebamde sisxlSi moTxvrilni idgnen, sxvebi ki usulod eyarnen brZolis velze. gadarCenilma meomrebma Subebi haerSi SeaTamaSes da gamarjvebis yiJina dasces. vfiqrobdiT, Cvenken wamovidodnen, magram ara, win gaiWrnen da mters fexdafex mihyvnen. asiode iardis Semdeg xelT igdes erTi momcro goraki, kvlav sam mwkrivad dadgnen da goraks sammagi alya Semoartyes. Semdeg ki, hoi bednierebav! Tvali movkari ser henris, infadusTan erTad saRsalamaTi rom idga gorakze. magram ai, Tualas polkebma kvlav Semouties am sasikvdilod ganwirul, gmir adamianebs da brZola ganaxlda.

am wignis mkiTxveli albaT didi xania mixvda, rom cota ar iyos, mSiSara kaci var da brZolisken sulac ar mimiwevs guli. marTalia,

xSirad Cavvardnilvar xolme gausaZlis mdgomareobaSi, roca iZulebuli gavmxdarvar, adamianis sisxli dameRvara, magram amas mudam ZaldatanebiT da zizRiT Cavdiodi. is ki arada, zogjer gaqcevasac ar vTakilobdi, Tu guli mikarnaxebda, rom es aucilebeli iyo. magram axla, am wuTebSi Cems sicocxleSi pirvelad aRvenTe brZolis JiniT. ingolZbis legendis sabrZolo striqonebi da Zveli aRTqmis mrisxane sityvebi erTimeoris miyolebiT aRdga Cems mexsierebaSi. am sazareli sanaxaobiT naxevrad gayinulma sisxlma mZafrad iwyo Cqefa ZarRvebSi da dameufla veluri survili, veluri Jini, aravin damendo, amomeJlita da momesrna irgvliv yvela da yoveli. Tavi mivabrune da Cem ukan meomarTa mWidrod Sekrul rigebs gavxede. wamiT davinteresdi, mec iseTi saxis gamometyveleba maqvs, rogorc maT, Tu ara-meTqi. meomrebi mdumared idgnen, isrebi daZabulad waewvdinaT, bage naxevrad gapobodaT, xelis kunTebi uTrTodaT, gaafTrebuli saxeebi brZolis dauokebeli JiniT anTebodaT. TvalCaciebiT icqirebodnen ruxebisaken. ase ucqeris xolme meZebari Tavis msxverpls.

mxolod ignozi idga uSfoTvelad. mas xom TavSekavebis saocari unari aqvs da axlac albaT guli mSvidad ucemda mkerdqveS, Tumca kbilebs ganuwyvetliv akraWunebda.

_ nuTu, vidre fesvebs ar gavidgamT, am adgilze unda vidgeT, ambopa, anu ignozi, da velodoT, rodis gaJlets Tuala Cvens Zmebs iq, gorakTan! _ veRar moviTmine me.

_ oh, ara, makumazan, _ miTxra man, _ ai, naxav, rogorc ki xelsayreli wuTi mogvecema, maSinve CaverTvebiT brZolaSi.

am dros Tualas axalma polkma elvis uswrafesad dauara Tavi ruxebs, mere Semobrunda da zurgidan daacxra.

axla ki SemarTa ignozim Tavisi sabrZolo najaxi da kameCebs niSani misca, Setevaze gadavideTo, meomrebma saomari yiJina dasces da zRvis Smagi talRebiviT gaqandnen mtrisaken.

ar ZalmiZs gadmogceT, ra mohyva amas Semdeg. maxsovs mxolod, rom Cvenebi gaafTrebiT ekveTnen mters. meomarTa fexqveS miwa zanzarebda, mterma umal Secvala frontis xazi da xelaxla gadaawyo polki, romelsac Cven vutevdiT. amas mohyva saSineli dartyma, xmebis yru guguni da Subebis ganuwyveteli laclaci, sisxliviT wiTel nislSi rom ilandeboda.

roca goneba gaminaTda, davinaxe, rom ruxebis polkis gadarCenil nawilTan erTad borcvis mwvervalTan videqi. mopirdapire mxares ser henris movkari Tvali. cxel gulze verc ki movisazre, rogor movxvdi iq. Semdeg ser henrim miTxra, kameCebis gaafTrebulma Semotevam zed Cems fexebTan mogagdoo. roca kameCebma ukan daixies, me iq davrCenilvar. ser henri ruxebis rkalidan gamoWrila da Sig SevuTrevivar.

vis ZaluZs aRweros, ra moxda Semdeg? Tualas meomrebi kvlav da kvlav esxmodnen Tavs ruxebs. maTi rkali TandaTanobiT mcirdeboda, magram Cven gmirulad vigeriebdiT ieriSebs. msgavsi brZola SesaniSnavad aris aRwerili erT leqsSi:

vxedav SubosanTa gauval tyes, da imaT gmirobas vumReri dRes, ramdeni vaJkacic brZolaSi daeca, imdeni vaJkaci maT nacvlad dgas...

didebuli suraTi iyo. Tualas razmebi drodadro gadmodiodnen Setevaze, risTvisac uxdebodaT maTive meomrebis axorxil-daxorxili gvamebi gadmoeTelaT. es ki arc ise advili iyo. zogjer, ieriSis dros, meomrebi win ifarebdnen moklulTa gvamebs, raTa Cveni Subebisagan Tavi daecvaT, magram es verafers SvelodaT. me aRtacebiT Sevyurebdi infaduss. es gamobrZmedili, udreki mebrZoli ise mSvidad iZleoda brZanebebs, TiTqos aRlumze ariso. zogjer xumrobda kidec, rom gaemxiarulebina Tavisi mcirericxovani jari. xolo roca mteri morig Setevaze gadmodioda, igi mudam iq gaCndeboda, sadac yvelaze cxare brZola iyo, raTa Semmusvreli ZaliT daemarcxebina da ukuegdo mtris jari; magram infaduss ser henri sjobda. siraqlemis frTebis jiRa viRacas Subis dartymiT gadaeWra misTvis, grZel qera Tmas qari ufrialebda da axla ufro metad waagavda Zvel daniels. am mebrZol goliaTs xelebi, najaxi da jaWvis perangi erTianad sisxlSi hqonda mosvrili. mis dartymas veravin uZlebda. Subis an najaxis erTi dakvriT Zirs dascemda mters da axla sxvas daereoda. `o-hoi", `o-hoi", iZaxda xolme aseT wuTebSi swored ise, rogorc es mis berkSirel winaprebs sCveodaT. lewda farebs, nafotebad aqcevda Subebs, mowinaaRmdeges Tavis qalebs umsxvrevda. bolos da bolos saqme iqamde mivida, rom veravin bedavda, miaxloveboda am TeTr `umtagatil-s," ese igi, TeTr misans, yvelas musrs rom avlebda, TviTon ki uvnebeli rCeboda.

magram uecrad mtris mxareze CoCqoli atyda. `Tuala!" `Tuala!" gaisma xma. mowinaaRmdegeTa rigebs gamoeyo calTvala bumberazi da auCqareblad wamovida Cvenken. xelSi sabrZolo najaxi eWira, tanze jaWvis perangi ecva.

es TviT mefe Tuala gaxldaT. _ sada brZandebi, inkubu, TeTro jadoqaro, skragas mkvlelo? aba,

gamobrZandi! vnaxoT, vin vis daamiwebs! _ am sityvebiT ser henris dana esrola. sabednierod, ser henrim Tvali Seaswro mis moZraobas da danas elvisumal fari Seageba. danam fari gaxvrita da zedve daerWo.

Tualam daiRriala, gadmoxta da ser henris fars mZlavrad daartya najaxi.

ser henri didi Ronis patroni iyo, magram dartymis Zalam mainc muxlebze dasca. orTabrZola amiT ar damTavrebula. swored am dros im mxridan, saidanac mteri gvawveboda, zardamcemi yvirili gaisma. iqiT gavixede da umal yvelafers mivxvdi.

marjvena da marcxena frTidan Cveni meomrebi gamorbodnen. umjobesi wuTis SerCeva saamisod SeuZlebeli iyo. rogorc ignozi varaudobda, Tualas mTeli armiis suli da guli ruxebisa da kameCebisken iyo mipyrobili. am orma polkma, Cveni armiis ZiriTad birTvs rom warmoadgenda, imdenad miizida mtris yuradReba, rom igi aRarc ki fiqrobda, SeiZleba mowinaaRmdege frTebidan dagvesxas Tavso. TumcaRa frTebze ganlagebuli polkebi TiTqmis SeuerTda kidec erTmaneTs da axla, vidre Tualas jari gons moegeboda, isini orive mxridan grigaliviT daacxrnen Tavs.

sul raRac xuTiode wuTSi brZolis bedi gadawyvetili iyo. ruxebTan da kameCebTan samkvdro-sasicocxlo brZolaSi isedac gasavaTebulma polkebma veRar gauZles Cveni jarebis ormxriv Setevas da Tavzardacemulebma piri ibrunes. sul male dablobi ukuqceuli meomrebiT aivso.

is razmebi ki, Cven da kameCebis polki alyaSi rom mogvimwyvdies, ise Semogvecalnen da gaiparnen, TiTqos raRac jadosnur Zalas gaeqros.

iqaurobas marto CvenRa SemovrCiT. SemovrCiT ise, rogorc sali klde zRvis ukuqcevis Semdeg. ra amazrzeni suraTi gadagveSala Tvalwin! Cven irgvliv grova-grovad eyara mkvdrebi da daWrilebi. ruxebidan mxolod ormocdaTxuTmeti kaci iyo cocxali. marto infadusis polkma ori aTas cxraasze meti kaci dakarga.

infadusi xelze Wrilobas ixvevda da drodadro aavl-Caavlebda xolme Tvals Tavisi polkis gadarCenil meomrebs.

_ meomrebo, _ mSvidad warmoTqva man bolos, _ Tqven daicaviT Tqveni polkis Rirseba. dRevandeli brZolis ambavi zRaprad miuva Tqvens Svilebsa da SviliSvilebs. _ Semdeg Sebrunda, ser henris xeli CamoarTva da ubralod uTxra: _ Sen didi adamiani xar, inkubu, mTeli Cemi cxovreba omsa da brZolebSi gavatare, bevri gmiri minaxavs, Senebri ki dRemde arsad Semxvedria.

swored am dros gverdiT Cagviares kameCebma, luusken miemarTebodnen. maT gadmogvces ignozis Txovna, ser henri, infadusi da makumazani me SemomierTdneno. Cven vubrZaneT ruxebs, daWrilebisaTvis miexedaT da kameCebis polkisaken wavediT. ignozim gvauwya, luuSi mivdivar, rom sruli gamarjveba movipovo da, Tu SesaZlebeli iqneba, Tuala tyved vigdoo. Cvenc mas gavyeviT.

cota manZili rom gaviareT, Tvali movkariT guds. igi asiode nabijze WianWvelebis budeze damjdariyo. mis gverdiT mkvdari mebrZoli egdo.

_ vai Tu Cveni kapitani daWrilia, _ aRelvebiT Tqva ser henrim. imave wams ucnauri ram moxda. is `mkvdari" kukuaneli, gudis gverdiT rom egdo, uecrad ze wamoiWra, gudi WianWvelebis budidan gadmoagdo da zedized aZgera Subi. kapitani yovel dartymaze Sesabralisad ikrunCxeboda. Cven Tavzardacemulebi gaveqaneT misken. kukuanelma Tvali gvkida, erTxel kidev gaafTrebiT aZgera Subi, esec Sen, kudianoo, miaZaxa da gaiqca. gudi ar inZreoda. vifiqreT, ukve mokvdao, damwuxrebulebi mivuaxlovdiT WianWvelebis budes da Zalze gavvocdiT, roca davinaxeT, rom gudi uSfoTvelad iRimeboda, Tumca Zalze fermkrTali da Ronemixdili Canda. warmoidgineT, monoklic ki ar movardnoda Tvalidan.

_ es jaWvis perangi pirdapir saocrebaa, _ daiCurCula, roca misken davixareT. _ ras ityviT, xom marjved gavacure eg kukuaneli? _ Tqva da grZnoba dakarga.

Cven didi sifrTxiliT gavusinjeT mTeli sxeuli. aRmoCnda, rom ukandaxevisas seriozulad daeWraT daniT, magram Subs misTvis araviTari vneba ar mieyenebina. amjerad raRac saswauliT gadaurCa sikvdils, mxolod eg iyo, mTeli tani Calurjebul-CaSavebuli hqonda.

rakiRa aq verafriT davexmarebodiT, wnelis sakaceze davawvineT, rom luumde migveyvana. sakace meomrebs Cven ukan mohqondaT.

luus alayafis kars rom mivadeqiT, erTi Cveni polki ukve iq dagvxvda. ignozis brZanebiT am karis dacva mas evaleboda. danarCeni polkebi qalaqis sxva Sesasvlelebs icavdnen. polkis ufrosi eaxla ignozis da Tayvani sca, rogorc mefesa da mbrZanebels, Semdeg moaxsena, mowinaaRmdege jarebma qalaqs Seafares Tavi da Tualac iqiT gaiqca, magram armia demoralizebulia da mzad aris, iaraRi dahyaroso. ignozim yuradRebiT mousmina, mere Cven mogveTaTbira da Sikrikebi afrina qalaqis

yvela karisaken, sadac mtris jari iyo ganlagebuli. Sikrikebs davalebuli hqondaT, gadaecaT alyaSemortymulTaTvis brZaneba, gaexsnaT qalaqis karibWeebi, agreTve gamoecxadebinaT, mefe Sewyalebasa da danaSaulis mitevebas hpirdeba yvelas, vinc iaraRs nebayoflobiT dayriso. aman sasurveli Sedegi gamoiRo. imave wams Txrilze daeSva asawevi xidi, qalaqis kari gaiRo. kameCebma yiJina dasces da Cven qalaqSi SevediT. Tumca vfrTxilobdiT kia, rom mteri saidanme muxanaTurad Tavs ar dagvsxmoda. gzebis gaswvriv saxemoquruxebuli meomrebi idgnen, Tavi CaeqindraT, farebi da Subebi ki ferxTiT daewyoT. isini mdablad esalmebodnen ignozis, rogorc mefes Sehferis. Cven pirdapir Tualas kraalisaken gavemarTeT. moedani, sadac am cota xnis winaT mefem jarebis daTvaliereba, Semdeg ki misnebze nadiroba moawyo, carieli iyo. Tumca ara, moSorebiT, Tavisi qoxis win, ijda Tuala, mis gverdiT gagulas garda aravin Canda.

Zalze damaRonebeli suraTi iyo. Tualas Tavi mkerdze Camoegdo, sabrZolo najaxi da fari gverdiT ewyo, Tavis erTgul qveSevrdomTagan es beberi kudianiRa SemorCenoda. xom darwmunebuli viyavi, rom Cem win boroti da sisxlismsmeli arseba ijda, magram wamiT Semebrala es damarcxebuli kerpi, romelsac Tavisi maRali kvarcxlbekidan Zirs gadmouZaxes. arc erTi meomari, arc erTi jariskaci ar darCenila masTan, rom TanaegrZno da nugeSi eca, ar iyo aravin imaTgan, vinc adre epirfereboda da fexqveS egeboda, ar Canda arc erTi coli, raTa misi mwuxareba gaeziarebina. sabralo, sabralo veluri! es gaxldaT erTi imaTgani, visac bedi mkacrad afrTxilebs: adamianebi yru da brmani arian maT mimarT, visac cxovreba samarcxvino daRs daamCnevs, yruni da brmani arian damcirebulTa da SeuracxyofilTa, cxovrebisagan gariyulTa mimarT. Tumca, marTali mogaxsenoT, Tuala ar iyo Sewynarebis Rirsi.

pirdapir misken gavemarTeT. ocdaaTiode iardze rom mivuaxlovdiT, polki SevaCereT da yofili mefis qoxisaken mxolod ramdenime mcvelis TanxlebiT wavediT. gagulam wyevla-krulva mogvayara. Tualam jiRiT Semkuli Tavi aswia da TvalCaciebiT daacqerda Tavis bednier metoqes _ ignozis. misi mzera Seuokebel boRmasa da guliswyromas gamoxatavda.

_ salami Senda, hoi mefeo! _ mware dacinviT wamoiZaxa man. _ Sen Cemi stumari iyavi. Cems purs Wamdi, mere ki jadoqrobis wyalobiT jari amir-damirie da am gziT gaimarjve. ras mipireb axla, ra gaqvs ganzraxuli?

_ unda mogkla ise, rogorc mokali mamaCemi. dagaviwyda, mTeli es wlebi visi taxti geWira?

_ Zalian kargi, me daganaxveb, rogor unda mokvdes vaJkaci. gaixsene es, roca Jami mogiva. Sexe dasaliers! ca sisxliTaa mosvrili, _ Tqva da Tavisi najaxi mewamuli cisken gaiwvdina, _ kmayofili var, rom Cemi mzec im mzesTan erTad Caesveneba. mzada var movkvde, hoi, mefeo: magram damrTe neba, movkvde brZolaSi. es ufleba boZebuli aqvT samefo gvariSvilT. amaze uars ver metyvi, radgan maSin ybadasaRebi Seiqnebi TviT im laCrebisTvisac ki, romlebic dRes brZolis velidan Tavlafdasxmulebi garbodnen.

_ momicia eg ufleba, airCie visTan gsurs Serkineba. TviT me ver SegebrZolebi, radgan mefes brZola mxolod omSi marTebs.

Tualam Tavisi boroti mzera aavl-Caavlo Cvens mwkrivs. momeCvena, rom Tvali Cemze SeaCera da SiSiT avcaxcaxdi, CemTan Sebmas xom ar apirebs-meTqi. rogor unda Sevbmodi am gaafTrebul velurs, am uzarmazar

goliaTs? mijobda aqve, axlave momekla Tavi. Sedegi erTi da igive iqneboda. gavifiqre es da gulSi gadavwyvite, uari meTqva orTabrZolaze, Tundac amisTvis kukuanelebs samarcxvinod gaveZevebine Tavisi qveynidan. Cemi azriT, sjobs dagcinon da gagaZevon, vidre sabrZolo najaxiT naWer-naWer agkuwon.

_ ras ityodi Sen, inkubu? _ moulodnelad Tqva Tualam, _ xom ar davamTavroT dRevandeli Cveni brZola? Tanaxma xar, Tu ufleba meZleva sabralo mxdali giwodo?

_ ara, ara, _ sityva gaawyvetina mas ignozim, _ Sen ar SeebrZolebi inkubus!

_ Tu SiSobs, rasakvirvelia, ar SevebrZolebi, _ miugo Tualam. samwuxarod, ser henri mixvda am sityvebis mniSvnelobas da saxeze

almurma ahkra. _ axlave SevebrZolebi am oqlaqs da maSin naxavs, mSiSara var Tu

ara! _ wamoiZaxa man. _ RvTis gulisaTvis, _ Sevevedre me, _ ratom swiravT Tavs, ra

gesaqmebaT am TavzexelaRebul velurTan, gana dRes yvelas ar daumtkiceT, rom mxdali ara xarT?

_ mainc unda vibrZolo, _ miTxra ser henrim, _ vis ra ufleba aqvs, mxdali miwodos? me mzad var! _ Tqva, nabiji win wadga da najaxi haerSi SeaTamaSa.

ser henris aseTma uazro, donkixoturma saqcielma sasowarkveTilebaSi Camagdo, magram raRas gavawyobdi, vicodi misi jiuti xasiaTis ambavi, raki Tqva, aRar gadaTqvamda!

_ nu SeebrZolebi, Cemo TeTro Zmao, _ uTxra ignozim da xeli mxarze megobrulad daado. _ Sen dRes isedac bevri ram gadaitane, rame rom SegemTxves, guli orad unda gamepos.

_ me unda vibrZolo, ignozi, _ gaimeora ser henrim. _ raRa meTqmis, inkubu, raki agrea, ibrZole, es namdvili brZola

iqneba. mzada xar, Tuala? spilo gelis! yofilma mefem SmagiviT gadaixarxara, win wamodga da ser henris

pirdapir daudga. wamiT orive uZravad idga. Camavalma mzem gaaSuqa maTi saxeebi da cecxlis javSniT Seumosa tani. diax, es Rirseuli wyvili gaxldaT.

Semdeg orivem najaxebi SemarTa da wre-wre mihyvnen erTmaneTs. uecrad ser henri gadaxta da mowinaaRmdeges saSineli ZaliT

mouqnia najaxi, Tualam ganze gaxtoma moaswro. haerSi mZlavrad moqneulma xelma ser henri cotas gawyda, Tavad ar dasca Zirs. Tualam wamsve isargebla Seqmnili viTarebiT, Tavisi mZime sabrZolo najaxi haerSi daatriala da iseTi warmoudgeneli ZaliT moiqnia, rom SiSiT kinaRam suli gamZvra. megona, yvelaferi damTavrda-meTqi. magram ara, ser henrim marcxena xeliT najaxs swrafad Seageba fari da dartyma aicdina. najaxma fars kide Camoamtvria da ser henris marcxena mxarze moxvda, magram amiT ara evno ra, radgan farma dartymis Zala Seasusta. ser henrim umalve moiqnia najaxi, magram Tualamac fari Seageba. Semdeg ki haerSi wamiswam elavda najaxebi, metoqeni an gverdze gaxtebodnen, an fars Seagebebdnen xolme, maT irgvliv xalxi ufro da ufro Relavda. polks, romelic am orTabrZolas Sehyurebda, wesrigis aRaraferi axsovda. meomrebi axlos miiWrnen da najaxis yovel moqnevaze sixarulis SeZaxilebi an sasowarkveTili gminva ismoda. swored am dros gudi,

romlis sakace meomrebma aq mosvlisas Cem gverdiT dadges, gons movida, wamojda da mebrZolebs daacqerda. wuTis Semdeg fexze wamoiWra, xeli wamavlo, cal fexze aqeT-iqiT xtoda da mec mimaTrevda, Tan ser henris gamamxneveblad uyviroda.

_ midi, miscxe-meTqi! ai, es ki mesmis! ase, ase! centrSi umizne gems, centrSi!

ser henrim Tualas najaxs fari Seageba da TviTonac sapasuxo dartyma agema. najaxma fari da foladis javSani gakveTa da Tualas mxarze Rrma Wriloba miayena. velurma gaafTrebiT Sehyvira da misma najaxma ser henris najaxs tari gadaumtvria, miuxedavad imisa, rom igi martorqis Zvlisagan iyo gakeTebuli da simagrisaTvis foladis rgolebi hqonda datanebuli. magram tars vin daeZebda, im oxerma najaxma ser henris yba Suaze gauxliCa.

ser henris najaxi miwaze davarda. kameCebma sasowarkveTiT daiRriales. Tualam ki xelaxla SemarTa Tavisi sazareli iaraRi da yviriliT gaqanda mowinaaRmdegisaken. simwriT Tvali davxuWe. roca xelaxla gamovixede, ser henris fari miwaze egdo. Cvens falavans ki mZlavri xelebi TualasTvis Caevlo da xeldaxel upirebda Sebmas. isini irweodnen da erTmaneTs daTvur mklavebSi JRvlemdnen. Zal-Rones ikrebdnen, TavganwirviT ibrZodnen, raTa daecvaT sicocxle, romelic esoden Zvirfasia yvelasaTvis, daecvaT sicocxleze ufro metic _ vaJkacis saxeli da patiosneba.

araadamianuri ZaldatanebiT Tualam Tavis mters wonasworoba daakargvina da oriveni miwaze daenarcxnen. aqac ganagrZobdnen brZolas. aqeT-iqiT goravdnen kirqviT mokirwylul gzaze. Tuala cdilobda, ser henrisaTvis TavSi najaxi daekra, ser henri ki lamobda daniT gaeWra bumberazis jaWvis perangi.

sazareli sanaxavi iyo am ori goliaTis brZola, maTi samkvdro-sasicocxlo Serkineba.

_ najaxi, najaxi waarTvi! _ Rrialebda gudi. SesaZloa, ser henrim yuri mohkra mis sityvebs, imitom, rom dana gadaagdo da CaebRauWa najaxs, romelic Tualas kameCis tyavis TasmiT hqonda xelze damagrebuli. isini miwaze goravdnen, mZimed-mZimed sunTqavdnen da veluri katebiviT ibrZodnen najaxisaTvis. uecrad tyavis Tasma gawyda. araadamianuri ZaldatanebiT ser henrim Tualas mklavebis marwuxs Tavi daaRwia. najaxi xelSi SerCa. imave wams fexze wamoiWra, saxeze miyenebuli Wrilobidan sisxli moTqrialebda, Tualac fexze wamovarda, qamridan mZime dana amoiZro da kurtiss mkerdSi Zlierad aZgera, magram dana foladze asxlta. Tualam sazarlad daiRriala, dana meored moiqnia, magram igi amjeradac asxlta, Tumca dartymis Zalam ser henri daatortmana. Tuala kvlav mietana mowinaaRmdeges. amasobaSi Cvenma mamacma mebrZolma Zal-Rone moikriba da mZlavrad moiqnia najaxi.

xalxma aRelvebiT Sehyvira. diax, moxda ucnauri, warmoudgeneli ram. Tualas Tavi mxrebidan Camoxta, xtunva xtunviT gagorda miwaze da zed ignozis fexebTan SeCerda. Tuala isev fexze idga, magram mxolod erTi wamiT. gadaWrili ZarRvebidan SadrevaniviT amoxeTqa sisxlma. Semdeg uTavo sxeuli miwaze daenarcxa, oqros gvergvi kisridan moZvra da miwaze gagorda. ser henric Tualas gvamis gverdiT daeca.

waqceuli TvalisdaxamxamebaSi wamoayenes. viRacis mzrunvelma xelma sisxliani saxe Camobana da ser henrim didi, nacrisferi Tvalebi nel-nela gaaxila.

diax, is cocxali iyo. zed am dros mzec Caesvena. miwaze, mtverSi Tualas Tavi egdo. me iqiTken wavedi. gayinul

Sublze didi almasi avarTvi da ignozis mivutane. _ aiRe es almasi, kukuanelTa mefev! _ vuTxari. ignozim jiRiT Subli daimSvena, Semdeg Tualas gvams miuaxlovda,

farTo mkerdze fexi daadga da gamarjvebis simRera SemosZaxa. sityvebi ar myofnis gadmogceT, ra saucxood mReroda es veluri.

erTxel viRac berZnuli enis mcodne xmamaRla kiTxulobda berZeni poetis, homerosis leqss. im narnar, riTmiul striqonebs rom vismendi, aRtacebiT adgilzeve gavSeSdi. ignozis simReramac zustad iseTive STabeWdileba moaxdina Cemze, miuxedavad imisa, rom Zalze daRlil-daqanculi viyavi. gana am ramdenime dReSi cota ram gadagvxda Tavs?!

`bolos da bolos Cveni brZola gamarjvebiT dagvirgvinda", _ mReroda ignozi.

am diliT Cveni mtrebi wamodgnen, Zili ganiSores, siraqlemas frTebiT moirTvnen da sabrZolod moemzadnen.

isini wamodgnen, meomrebma meTaurebs mouwodes: modiT, wagviyvaneTo, uTxres. meTaurebma ki mefe ixmes, brZolaSi gviTavkaceo.

aRsdga oci aTasi meomari da kidev oci aTasi. frTebma, romliTac meomrebs Tavebi hqondaT Semkuli, erTianad

dafara miwa. ase faravs Citi Tavisi frTebiT budes. isini iqnevdnen Subebs da yvirodnen, diax, diax, isini maRla isrodnen Subebs, romlebic mzis sxivebze elavdnen, swyurodaT brZola da guls sixaruli uvsebdaT.

isini Cem winaaRmdeg wamovidnen, Zlierni win-win morbodnen, Cemi mokvla ewadaT. yvirodnen, ha, ha, eg xom ukve cocxlebSi aRar weriao.

maSin me maT suli Sevubere, es Seberva qariSxalze Zlieri iyo da isini daixocnen.

Cemma elvam gangmira mteri. me gavacamtvere maTi Zala, davxoce isini Cemi Subebis elviT, movsrne Cemi mquxare xmiT.

maTi rigebi gaipo, daifanta, gaqra dilis nisliviT. isini yvavebisa da meliebis lukmad iqcnen, brZolis veli maTi sisxliT moirwyo.

sad arian es jan-RoniT savse adamianebi, diliT rom wamodgnen? sad arian is didgula meomrebi, Cemze rom ambobdnen, eg ukve cocxlebSi aRar weriao? sad aris is xalxi, Tavebi haerSi mofriale frTebiT rom hqondaT Semkuli?

SexeT, Tavebs xrian, magram imitom ki ara, rom Zili moreviaT. wvanan, TiTqos sZinavTo, magram ara, es Zili ar aris.

maTi saxelebi male yvelas daaviwydeba, isini wyvdiads SeuerTdnen da kvlav aRarasodes dabrundebian. maT colebs sxvebi waiyvanen, Svilebsac aRar gaaxsendebaT.

gesmodes yvelas! me Sors wavedi aqedan, roca Rame bneli iyo, magram davubrundi mSobliur keras im dros, ganTiadma qveyana rom gaabrwyina.

Tavi SeafareT Cemi frTebis Crdils, hoi, adamianebo, me dagamSvidebT da SiSi da sevdac gaqreba.

dadga bednieri dro, yvelas elis jildo da warCineba.

velebSi damidis uricxvi jogebi, qaliSvilebic kraalebSi Cemi neba-survilis amsruleblebi arian.

zamTarma piri ibruna. dadga zafxuli, axla boroteba saxeze rides Camoifarebs da Cvens qveyanaSi sikeTe da siyvaruli SroSanasaviT gaifurCqneba.

izeime da ixare, Cemo xalxo! dae, izeimos mTelma qveyanam, imitom, rom moispo mtarvali, imitom, rom me mefe var!"

ignozi dadumda da saRamos bindbundSi eqosaviT igrgvina pasuxma: _ Sen mefe xar Cveni! amgvarad, is sityvebi, Tualas rom vuTxari, winaswarmetyveluri

gamodga. jer ormocdarva saaTsac ki ar gaevlo da misi uTavo gvami gaSeSebuli egdo kraalis karTan.

T a v i X V

g u d i a v a d m y o f o b s orTabrZola damTavrda. ser henri da gudi Tualas qoxSi Seiyvanes,

mec, rasakvirvelia, maT mivyevi. orivem imdeni sisxli dakarga da ise iyvnen daRlil-daqanculebi, rom ZlivsRa feTqavdnen. ukeTesad arc me vgrZnobdi Tavs. Tumca bunebiT janmrTeli kaci gaxlavarT, Tanac sxvaze metad amtanic, radgan gamxdari da kargad gawrTobil-gakaJebuli var. magram im saRamos mec Zlivs videqi fexze. roca Zalian viRlebi, lomis nakeWni saSinlad mawuxebs xolme fexze. amas isic daumateT, rom Tavi tkivilisagan gaxeTqvaze mqonda. gaxsovT albaT, diliT rom raRac Camartyes da damaretianes, mere grZnobac xom davkarge. hoda, yvelaferma axla iCina Tavi. erTi sityviT, Zneli warmosadgenia imaze ufro sacodavi da ubadruki adamianebi, im dauviwyar saRamos Cven samni rom viyaviT. Tavs imiT vinugeSebdiT, rom bedma mTlad ar gagvwira da pirSi suli isev gvedga, maSin roca aTasobiT mamaci meomari brZolis velze eyara.

rogorc iqna, mSvenieri fulatas daxmarebiT gaviZvreT jaWvis perangebi, ori Cvengani ueWveli sikvdilisagan rom ixsna. mas Semdeg, rac sikvdils gadavarCineT, fulatam Tavisi nebiT ikisra moaxleoba da gamorCeviT zrunavda gudze. diax, gaviZvreT jaWvis perangebi da mxolod maSin davinaxeT, rac gvWirda: TaviT fexamde CabeJil-Calurjebulebi viyaviT. foladis jaWvis perangSi Subis wveri ver atanda, Torem sxvafriv Cveni dacva ar SeeZlo. ser henrisa da guds mTeli tani sisxlnaJRenTebiT hqondaT dafaruli, mec sakmaod dalilavebuli viyavi. fulatam dasresili foTlebisagan raRac wamali Segvimzada da daJeJil adgilebze salbuniviT dagvado. wamals saamo suni hqonda, tkivilebic sakmaod dagviama. magram sisxlnaJRenTebze metad ser henrisa da guds iarebi awuxebdaT. kapitani `mSvenier TeTr" wvivSi iyo daWrili da blomad sisxlic daekarga. ser henris ki, sxva iarebze rom aRaraferi vTqva, Tualas wyalobiT yba Rrmad hqonda gapobili.

sabednierod, gudi sakmaod kargi qirurgi iyo da rogorc ki wamlebis yuTi moutanes, maSinve saqmes Seudga: guldagul mobana orive Wriloba da kukuanelTa Wraqis mkrTal Suqze sakmaod gulmodgined gakera, Semdeg iarebs sqlad wascxo raRac antiseptikuri malamo,

romelic patara qiliT `afTiaqSi" edga da cxvirsaxocis nafxrewebiT Segvaxvevina. amasobaSi fulatam magari bulioni mogvimzada, radgan ise viyaviT dasustebulebi, rom saWmels pirs ver davakarebdiT. rogorc iyo, davxvripeT wvniani da mere Tualas farTo qoxSi karosebze _ bewveulis saucxoo xaliCebze miveyareT. am xaliCebiT TiTqmis mTeli iataki iyo mofenili. ai, bedis mware dacinva: yofili mefis sawolze eZina mis mkvlels _ ser henris. vambob eZina-meTqi, magram imdRevandeli ambebis Semdeg vis daeZineboda! yoveli mxridan moismoda WirisufalTa Sekivleba da Sesabralisi moTqma-godeba. qalebi dastirodnen daxocil Zmebs, Svilebs, qmrebs. arc sakvirvelia, rom yvela tiroda da glovobda, am sazarel brZolaSi xom oci aTasze meti meomari, ese igi, kukuanelTa armiis erTi mesamedi daiRupa.

tyavis sawolze wamowolili vismendi am kvnesa-godebas da guli mefliTeboda. maSin, mxolod maSin SevigrZeni cxadad, ra saSineli tragedia datrialda mxolod imisaTvis, rom adamians Tavisi pativmoyvareoba daekmayofilebina.

amasobaSi SuaRamemac moatana, moTqma-godeba TandaTanobiT miwyda. Camovarda siCume, romelsac drodadro gabmuli, gulismomwyvleli kivili arRvevda. mezobel qoxSi gagula Tualas usulo gvams dahymuoda.

bolos CameZina, magram ZilSi vkrTodi da wamiswam meRviZeboda. megona, isev brZolis velze viyavi, xan viTomc is meomari, Cemi sakuTari xeliT rom movkali, mitevda da Tavs mesxmoda, xan ruxebis polkis gmiri meomrebiT garSemortymuli videqi, xan ki Tualas gasisxlianebuli, jiRiT morTuli Tavi kbilTa RrWialiT migoravda Cems ferxTiT, misi erTaderTi Tvali ki borotad Semomcqeroda. magram ase iyo Tu ise, is wamebis Ramec bolos da bolos miilia. Seciskrebulze davinaxe, rom Cems amxanagebs RamiT Cemze ukeT ar sZinebodaT. gudi Zlier cieb-cxelebas Seepyro da male bodvac daawyebina, Tan sisxls aRebinebda, ramac Zalze SemaSina. albaT filtvSi sisxli Caeqca, roca is kukuaneli meomari jaWvis perangze Subs uxaTqunebda. samagierod, ser henri bevrad ukeT grZnobda Tavs, miuxedavad imisa, rom mTeli sxeuli ise dabeJvoda da stkioda, ganZrevac ki ar SeeZlo. saxeze miyenebuli Wrilobis gamo ki verc Wamda da veRarc icinoda.

dilis rva saaTisaTvis Cven sanaxavad infadusi movida. gviTxra, mTeli Rame Tvali ar momixuWavs da arc davwolilvaro. guSindel dRes masze arcTu ise emoqmedna, gamocdili, brZolebSi gamowrTobili meomari iyo da Tavi ufro mxned eWira. mas gaexarda Cveni naxva, gulTbilad CamogvarTva xeli, magram gudis aseTma mZime mdgomareobam ki, cota ar iyos, daafiqra. me SevamCnie, rom infadusi gansakuTrebuli mokrZalebiT epyroboda ser henris, TiTqos igi Cveulebrivi adamiani ar yofiliyos. marTlac, Semdeg SevityveT, rom kukuanelebi ser henris raRac zekacad racxdnen. meomrebi ambobdnen, inkubus brZolaSi badali ar hyavso da ukvirdaT im sisxliani, momqancveli dRis Semdeg rogorRa SeeZlo Serkineboda Tualas, mefesa da uZlieres meomars, da erTi dakvriT xariviT waegdebinebina Tavi.

infadusma gvauwya, Tualas polkebi damorCildnen ignozis, xolo beladebi qveynis yvela kuTxidan uTvlian, Seni mona-morCilni varTo.

Tualas sikvdilma bolo mouRo mRelvarebas. yofil mefes skragas garda Svili ar hyolia, ignozis aRar hyavda metoqe, romelsac SeeZlo taxtze Tavisi uflebebi wamoeyenebina.

roca infaduss vuTxari, ignozim Zalaufleba sisxliT moipova-meTqi, man mxrebi aiCeCa.

_ diax, asea, _ miTxra moxucma meomarma, _ kukuanelebi ver moisveneben, Tu drodadro sisxli ar daiRvara. marTalia, xalxi daixoca, magram qalebi xom dagvrCa? male axali meomrebi wamoizrdebian da moklulTa adgilebs daikaveben. axla qveyana ramdenime xniT mainc damSviddeba.

infadusis Semdeg ignozimac gvinaxula. Tavze samefo jiRa edga. vuyurebdi, rogor gviaxlovdeboda zviadad, mefuri nabijiT, pirmoTne mliqvnelebiT garSemortymuli, da uneblieT Tvalwin damidga maRal-maRali zulusi, romelic sul ramdenime Tvis winaT movida CvenTan, durbanSi da gvTxova, msaxurad amiyvaneTo. eh, _ vfiqrobdi, _ ra ukuRmarTia bediswera da ra moulodnelad icvlis gzas misi etli-meTqi.

_ salami, mefeo! _ vTqvi da wamovdeqi. _ diax, makumazan, rogorc iqna, meRirsa mefoba da amas Tqven, Cems

TeTr megobrebs unda gimadlodeT. Semdeg gviTxra, saqme kargad midis, oriode kviris Semdeg vapireb

didi zeimi gavmarTo da am zeimze Cems xalxs veCvenoo. vkiTxe, gagulas raRas upireb-meTqi. _ gagula Cveni qveynis boroti sulia, _ mipasuxa ignozim, _ movklav

mas da mis misnebze monadire qalebsac amovxocav. eg yvelas aseTi mixrwnili axsovs, cas Seaberda da eg aris. gagulam aswavla misnebze monadireebs jadoqroba. caTa uwyian, rom sulac mag kudianis gamo gamefda CvenSi aseTi sisastike.

_ marTalia, magram gagulam bevri ram icis, _ vuTxari, _ codnis mospoba ufro advilia, vidre misi SeZena, ignozi!

_ geTanxmebiT, _ miTxra ignozim da Cafiqrda, _ mis garda aravin icis sami jadoqris saidumlo, romlebic imyofebian iq, sadac gadis didi gza, sadac dakrZalulni arian Cveni mefeni da dayursebulebi sxedan.

_ diax da, isic icis, sad aris dafluli almasebi. gaxsovs Seni piroba, ignozi? unda Cagviyvano im sabadoSi, Tundac amisaTvis gagulas dandoba mogixdes. xom ici, rom mag jadoqris garda, iq gzas veravin gaignebs?

_ maxsovs, rasac Segpirdi, makumazan, vifiqreb Sens sityvebze. ignozi rom wavida, gudis sawolTan mivedi, rom avadmyofisaTvis

damexeda. sabralo kapitans Wrilobaze cieb-cxeleba ahyva da axla sicxiT iwvoda, Tan bodavda. rac dro gadioda, misi mdgomareoba sul ufro da ufro uaresdeboda, oTxi-xuTi dRe ar gamomjobinebula. darwmunebuli var, verc gadarCeboda, fulatas Tavi rom ar gadaedo. qali yvelgan qalia, kanis fers ra mniSvneloba aqvs.

gaocebuli vadevnebdi Tvals, rogor uvlida guds es Savkaniani turfa qali, dRe da Rame waxrili iyo mis sawolTan da ise akeTebda yvelafers, rac avadmyofs sWirdeboda, TiTqos kai mowyalebis dai yofiliyos. pirvel or Rames vcdilobdi, SevSvelebodi fulatas. ser henric, Tumca TviTonac Zlivs idga fexze, SeZlebisdagvarad exmareboda, magram qals ar moswonda es; moswonda ki ara, ZlivZlivobiT mitanda Tavis gverdiT. bolos da bolos daiJina: Tqveni aq yofniT avadmyofi wuxdeba da jobia, misi movla me momandoTo.

vfiqrob, am SemTxvevaSi marTali iyo, dRe da Rame fxizlobda, avadmyofs uvlida, buzebs ugeriebda, aZlevda mxolod erT Tav wamals _

tulipis bolqvebze dayenebul rZes. es Zalze gamagrilebeli sasmelic iyo. TiTqos axlac Tvalwin midgas es suraTi, Wraqis mkrTal Suqze yovelRam rom vxedavdi: gudi sawolze aqeT-iqiT awydeboda, fermkrTali da saxeCamomxmari iyo. Tvalebi farTod gaexila da ganuwyvetliv raRacas butbutebda. mis gverdiT miwaze fexmorTxmuli ijda kukuaneli turfa asuli, zurgiT qoxis kedels rom miyrdnoboda. daRlil-daqancul saxeze da xaverdiviT Sav TvalebSi usazRvro sibraluli exateboda. an iqneb is Savi Tvalebi sibraluliT ki ara, ufro sxvagvari, Tbili grZnobiT iyo savse?

mTeli ori dRis ganmavlobaSi eWvi aravis gvepareboda, rom gudi sasikvdilod iyo ganwiruli, daRvremil-dadardianebulebi davexetebodiT kraalSi.

mxolod fulata ar iziarebda Cvens eWvs da sul CagvCiCinebda, ar mokvdeba, icocxlebso.

Tualas qoxis irgvliv mTel samas iardze da SeiZleba metzedac samariseburi siCume iyo. mefis brZanebiT, ser henrisa da Cem garda axlomaxlo qoxebidan yvela gaasaxles, rom avadmyofi xmaurs ar Seewuxebina. erTxel, RamiT, vidre davwvebodi, Cveulebriv, gudis sanaxavad wavedi. es swored misi avadmyofobis mexuTe dRes iyo.

fexakrefiT Sevedi qoxSi. iatakze dadgmuli Wraqi mkrTalad anaTebda iqaurobas, gudi aRar borgavda, arc kvnesoda, gaqvavebul-gaSeSebuli gaSxlarTuliyo tyavis sawolze.

maS, mosaxdeni moxda! guli SemekumSa da mkerdidan mZime kvnesa aRmomxda.

_ SSS! _ momesma am dros. xmaze mivixede da gudis TavTiT raRac Savi aCrdili davlande. nel-nela mivuaxlovdi sawols. ara, gudi mkvdari ar iyo, Rrma ZiliT eZina, gaZvaltyavebuli TeTri xeli fulatas Tlili TiTebisaTvis waevlo. maS krizisma ganvlo, gudi gadarCa. gadarCa da mTeli Tvrameti saaTi fexgaunZrevlad eZina. meSinia vTqva, radgan vici, aravin damijerebs, magram mTeli am xnis ganmavlobaSi fulata gaSeSebuli ijda mis gverdiT; imis SiSiT, vaiTu gaiRviZoso, verc ganZreva gaebeda da verc xelis gaTavisufleba.

vin warmoidgens, rogor itanjeboda es qali, an rogor texda xangrZlivi jdomiT gaSeSebuli xel-fexi.

im dRidan gudi swrafad gamobrunda da male fexzec wamodga. roca ser henrim uambo, rogor uvlida fulata da rogor ijda mTeli Tvrameti saaTi gaunZrevlad mis TavTiT, am spetak adamians Tvali cremliT aevso. mere Sebrunda da gaemarTa qoxisaken, sadac fulata sauzmes gvimzadebda. Tarjimnad me wamiyvana, magram es sul zedmeti iyo, fulatas saucxood esmoda misi, miuxedavad imisa, rom gudma sul raRac oriode sityva icoda zulusurad.

_ gadaeciT, _ miTxra gudma, _ rom mis sikeTes da amags sikvdilamde ar daviviwyeb.

me vuTargmne fulatas gudis naTqvami da davinaxe, rogor moedo saxeze ali.

igi swrafi moZraobiT Sebrunda gudisaken, ise moxdenilad, TiTqos Citma SeifrTxialao, didi Savi Tvalebi SeanaTa kapitans da mSvidad uTxra:

_ Cems batons daaviwyda, rac moxda. gana man ar mixsna sikvdilis klanWebidan da gana me misi mxevali ara var?

rogorc Canda, am axalgazrda ledis sulac aRar axsovda, rom mis gadarCenaSi me da ser henric viRebdiT monawileobas. magram qalebi, saerTod, aseTni arian. maxsovs, Cemi Zvirfasi meuRlec swored ase momeqca. unda mogaxsenoT, rom am saubris Semdeg qoxSi guldamZimebuli davbrundi. ar momewona, miss fulata ase nazad rom Sescicinebda guds, radgan kargad vicodi, ra advilad moedebaT xolme mezRvaurebs siyvarulis ali.

Cemi dakvirvebiT, amqveynad ori ram aris SeuZlebeli da garduvali: warmoudgenelia, zulusi ar Cxubobdes, xolo mezRvauri vinmes ar etrfodes.

ramdenime dRis Semdeg ignozim moiwvia didi sabWo, rasac kukuanelTa qveyanaSi `indibas" uwodeben. am sabWoze `indunebma", anu uxucesebma, oficialurad cnes igi mefed.

am ceremonialma, iseve rogorc jarebis daTvalierebam, xalxze didi STabeWdileba moaxdina. jarebis daTvalierebis dRes aRlumze ruxebis polkis gadarCenili nawilic monawileobda, maT mTeli armiis winaSe gamoecxadaT madloba gansakuTrebuli mamacobisa da Tualas winaaRmdeg gmiruli brZolisaTvis. yoveli ruxi meomari mefem didZali saCuqriT daajildova. amasTan, yovel maTgans uboZa ufrosoba ruxebis axal polkSi, romelic is-is iyo, unda SeedginaT. garda amisa, sayovelTaod gamocxadda, rom Cven sams _ ser henris, gudsa da me, vidre maT qveyanas Cveni aq yofniT RirsvyofdiT _ mogvsalmebodnen ise, rogorc es mefes Seefereboda da pativic mefis sakadrisi ecaT. gamoacxades agreTve, rom Cven uflebamosilni viyaviT adamianTa sikvdil-sicocxleze, xolo ignozim xalxis winaSe erTxel kidev gaimeora Tavisi dapireba, rom tyuilubralod, ganusjelad ar daRvrida adamianTa sisxls da misnebze nadirobas sabolood aRkveTda.

nadimis Semdeg ignozis sakuTar qoxSi vewvieT. roca yvela wavid-wamovida da martoni davrCiT, vuTxari: Zalian gvinda gavigoT im sabados saidumlo, didi gzis boloSi rom aris da amis Taobaze xom araferi SegityviaT-meTqi.

_ ai, ra gavige am sakiTxze, Cemo megobrebo, _ Tqva ignozim, _ miTxres, rom iq zis sami uzarmazari qandakeba, Cveni xalxi maT dayursebulebs eZaxis. Tualas swored maTTvis undoda fulata msxver-plad Seewira. iq, mTebSi, uzarmazar mRvimeSi krZalaven Cvens mefeebs, Tualas gvamic iq SegiZliaT naxoT. kukuanelTa yofili mefe zis maTTan erTad, vinc es qveyana masze adre datova. iqvea uRrmesi Wa. igi didi xnis winaT gaTxares adamianebma, rom amoeRoT iseTi qvebi, Tqven rom daeZebT. natalSi meubnebodnen xolme, brWyviala qvebi kimberliSic ariso. im WasTan aris sikvdilis savane, mis gverdiT ki _ saganZuri, romlis adgilsamyofeli mxolod Tualam da gagulam icodnen. magram Tuala axla mkvdaria, me ki arc is saganZuri vici, sad aris da arc is, ra aris Sig Cafluli. xalxSi dadis xma, didi xnis winaT erT TeTrkanians Cveni mTebi gadmoulaxavso. igi viRac qals wauyvania da ganZeuli uCvenebia, magram vidre ucxoeli ganZis waRebas moaswrebda, qals mouxerxebia misi dabezReba da mefes dauyovnebliv gauZevebia igi kukuanelTa qveynidan. im dRidan moyolebuli, iq Zexorciels fexi ar Seudgamso.

_ es albaT marTalia, ignozi, aki im mTaze TeTrkaniani vnaxeT. _ diax, vnaxeT. axla ki, raki sityva mogeciT, Tu im saganZurs

vipoviT da Tu iq marTla aRmoCnda Zvirfasi qvebi...

_ qvebi rom aris, amas amtkicebs eg almasi, Sublze rom gikeTia, _ vuTxari da mivuTiTe Zvirfas Tvalze, Tualas Sublze rom avaglije.

_ SesaZloa, Tqven marTali iyoT, _ miTxra ignozim, _ da Tu asea, waiRebT imdens, ramdensac zidavT, Tuki marTla moisurvebT Cems datovebas, Zmano Cemno!

_ pirvel yovlisa, unda is saganZuri moviZioT, _ vTqvi me. _ eg ki mxolod gagulas daxmarebiT SegviZlia. _ mere, uari rom Tqvas? _ uars Tu ityvis, mokvdeba, _ mkacrad momigo ignozim, _ gana

mxolod imitom ar davinde misi sicocxle? moiTmineT, TviTon gadawyvitos, icocxlebs Tu mokvdeba.

ignozim msaxurs uxmo da gagulas moyvana brZana. ramdenime wuTis Semdeg kudiani bebruxana wyevla-krulviT Semovida

qoxSi. ukan ori mcveli mosdevda. _ datoveT! _ ubrZana maT ignozim. rogorc ki mcvelebi gavidnen, es sazizRari Cvrebis fuTa iatakze

miefina, _ gagula marTlac waagavda Zveli Cvrebis fuTas. am fuTaze ori, gvelis TvalebiviT avboroti, Tvali enTo.

_ ras mipireb, ra gaqvs ganzraxuli, ignozi? _ daiwripina gagulam, _ Sen ra neba gaqvs, xeli Semaxo. icode, TiTi rom damakaro, adgilzeve gagaqrob, ufrTxildi Cems jados.

_ Senma jadom Tuala sikvdilisagan ver ixsna, bebero Zuknav, amitom mec verafers damaklebs, _ miugo ignozim. _ mismine, ai, ra msurs Sengan, unda wagviZRve saganZurSi, sadac is brWyviala qvebia dafluli.

_ ha, ha, ha! _ gadaixarxara kudianma, _ im saganZurs Cem garda veravin miagnebs, me ki krints ar davZrav. TeTri jadoqrebi cariel-tarielni gabrundebian aqedan.

_ yvelafers axlave metyvi, gaiZuleb, Tqva! _ ra gziT maiZuleb, hoi, mefeo? Sen yovlisSemZle xar, magram gana

Segwevs Zala simarTle amoglijo qalis bages? _ es Znelia, magram mainc SevZleb. _ xom ar gamandob, ra gziT, mefeo? _ ar ityvi da, neli sikvdiliT amogxdi suls. _ suls amomxdi? _ daiwripina kudianma, magram, etyoboda, SiSiT

Tavzari daeca. _ ver gabedav xeli maxlo, _ daumata gaafTrebiT. _ adamiano, Sen ar ici, vina var. rogor ggonia, ramdeni wlis viqnebi? me maxsovs Tqveni mamebi da Tqveni mamis mamebi. me aq viyavi, roca es qveyana jer norCi iyo, da aqve viqnebi, roca igi dros moiWams. kidev didxans viqnebi. me ar movkvdebi. SeiZleba, SemTxveviT momklan, diax, SemTxveviT, magram amas ver gabedaven.

_ miuxedavad amisa, mainc mokvdebi. mismine, gagula, borotebis dedav, Sen iseTi mixrwnili xar, rom sicocxle aRarc ki geyvareba. ris maqnisia SenTvis sicocxle? rad unda sicocxle SenisTana beber eSmaks, romelsac aRarc adamianis saxe aqvs, arc Tma, arc kbilebi _ erTi sityviT, ar gaaCnia araferi, garda siZulvilisa da boroti Tvalebisa? Cemi mxriv didi sikeTe iqneba, Tu mogklav, gagula!

_ suleli xar! _ kvlav iwivla dedaberma, _ wyeulo, ugunuro arsebav! Sena ggonia, marto axalgazrdebs uyvarT sicocxle? maS, gulisa araferi gcodnia. axalgazrdebi zogjer Cqaroben sikvdils, radgan grZnobebs emonebian. maT uyvarT, itanjebian, dardoben, roca maTi

rCeulni aCrdilTa samyaroSi midian, moxucebs ki grZnobebi ar gaaCniaT, maT ar tanjavT siyvaruli da _ ha-ha-ha! _ icinian, roca sxvebs wyvdiadi nTqavs. ha-ha! uxariaT, roca dedamiwaze borotebas xedaven. maT uyvarT mxolod sicocxle, Tbili, Zalian Tbili mze da tkbili, Zalian tkbili haeri. maT eSiniaT sicivis, sicivisa da bnelis. ha-ha-ha!

beberi kudiani miwaze xoxavda, SeSliliviT xarxarebda da iklakneboda.

_ Sewyvite eg boroti sisini da mipasuxe! _ risxviT uTxra ignozim. _ mimiyvan im saganZurTan, sadac brWyviala qvebi inaxeba, Tu ara? Tu ar mimiyvan, mokvdebi, ai aqve, amwamsve gagaTaveb! _ ignozim Subs xeli daatana da gagulas Tavze aRmarTa.

_ ara-meTqi, ar migiyvan. Sen Cemi mokvlis ufleba ara gaqvs, Cemi mkvleli ukuniTi ukunisamde dawyevlili iqneba.

ignozim nel-nela daswia Subi Zirs, wveriT Seexo am Cvrebis grovas. gagula giJuri yviriliT wamoiWra zeze, mere daeca da iatakze

xoxvas mohyva. _ oh, ar momkla, migiZRvebiT im saganZurTan, mxolod macocxle! neba

damrTe, mzeze gavTbe da dReSi TiTo lukma xorci mqondes, nu momispob amas da yvelaferze Tanaxma viqnebi.

_ kargi, vicodi, ra gziTac mogiyvandi Wkuaze. xvalve waiyvan iq infadussa da Cems TeTr Zmebs. mifrTxildi, Tu momatyue, neli sikvdiliT mogklav.

_ ar mogatyueb, ignozi, me Cemi sityvis patroni var. ha-ha-ha! erTxel, Zalian didi xnis winaT, erTma qalma im saganZurSi TeTrkaniani Seiyvana. mere ra? im TeTrkanians Wiris dRe daadga, _ im qalsac gagula erqva, iqneb... iqneb me viyavi is qali?

_ Sen cruob, _ vuTxari me, _ mas Semdeg ager meaTe Taoba modis. _ SesaZloa, SesaZloa, roca amden xans cxovrob, yvelaferi

gaviwydeba. egeb Cemi dedis dedam momiyva es ambavi, magram im qals ki namdvilad gagula erqva. daixsomeT, _ gviTxra mere da Cven mogvibrunda, _ saganZurSi, sadac brWyviala qvebi inaxeba, avsebul tyavis gudas naxavT. is guda TeTrma adamianma aavso, magram veRar waiRo. ubedureba daatyda Tavs, geubnebiT, ubedureba daatyda-meTqi. egeb Cemi dedis dedam miambo es yvelaferi!.. gzas mxiarulad gavlevT, vnaxavT maT gvamebs, vinc brZolaSi daeca. albaT yvavebma ukve amokortnes Tvalebi, Zvlebi ki mxecebma daxres. ha-ha-ha!

T a v i X V I

s i k v d i l i s s a v a n e zemoT aRwerili SemTxvevis Semdeg orma dRem ganvlo. mesame dRes,

saRamos ukve bneloda, roca `sami jadoqris" mTis Zirs mivaRwieT. aq idga ramdenime qoxi, sadac Ramis gaTevas vapirebdiT.

`sam jadoqars" eZaxdnen samkuTxediviT aRmarTul sam mTas, am mTebSi wydeboda solomon mefis didi gza. Cven Tan gvaxlda fulata _ igi, rasakvirvelia, gudis gamo wamogvyva, _ infadusi, gagula da msaxurTa da

mcvelTa razmi. gagula sakaciT mohyavdaT. mTeli gza mxolod misi buzRuni da wyevla-krulva ismoda.

mTebi, an ufro zustad rom vTqvaT, sami mwvervali, romlebic, rogorc etyoboda, erTi da igive geologiuri daweviT iyo warmoqmnili, samkuTxedis msgavsad iyo ganlagebuli. fuZe saerTo hqondaT, erTi mwvervali marjvniv idga, meore _ marcxniv, mesame ki zed Cven pirdapir iyo aRmarTuli.

rom icodeT, ra didebuli suraTi warmogvidga Tvalwin meore dRes diliT; Cven win cad aziduliyo Tovlis TeTri gvirgvinebiT Semkobili sami mwvervali, romelTac dilis mzis sxivebi elaciceboda. qvemoT, iq, sadac Tovlis fafanaki mTavrdeboda, mananas xSiri buCqnarisagan mTebi wiTlad iyo SeRebili. aseTive feriT iyo gadaqarguli torfis Waobebi, romlebic dablobidan mTis ferdobebs miuyvebodnen. Cven win ki TeTri zoliviT gadaWimuliyo solomon mefis didi gza. igi asdevda Sua mwvervals, Cvengan xuTiode miliT rom iyo daSorebuli, da mis Txemze wydeboda.

Znelia imis aRwera, rogor vRelavdiT im diliT. mkiTxveli TviTon warmoidgens, ra yofaSi viqnebodiT. aha, rogorc iyo, mivuaxlovdiT im saocar sabados. gana mis gamo ar daiRupa samasi wlis winaT moxuci portugalieli, misi bedkruli STamomavali Cemi megobari xoze silvestri da ser henris Zma jorj kurtisi?

Cven raRa gveloda? amdeni tanjvisa da gansacdelis Semdeg, ras gvimzadebda bedi? da silvestras, rogorc am kudianma gagulam gviTxra, didi tanjva-wvalebis gadatana mouxda. nuTu Cvenc igive gvewera? ase iyo Tu ise, gza TandaTanobiT miilia. me ki vera da ver gavarTvi Tavi SiSs, Tumca, mgoni, ser henri da gudic ver iyvnen gulmagrad.

naxevari saaTi mainc viareT gzaze. gzas aqeT-iqiT mananas buCqebi miuyveboda. mRelvarebisagan ise swrafad mivabijebdiT, rom msaxurebi, romelTac gagulas sakace mohqondaT, ZlivZlivobiT gveweodnen.

gagulas fardebidan gamoeyo danaoWebuli saxe, TvalebanTebuli gviyurebda da mogvkioda:

_ sad migeCqarebaT, TeTro adamianebo? ase ratom eswrafviT sikvdils, ganZis maZieblebo? _ Tqva da ise sazarlad gadaixarxara, rom tanSi civma Jruantelma damiara. am sicilma cotaTi gamogvafxizla da gzneba gagvinela, Tumca mainc jiutad ganvagrZobdiT gzas.

bolos, swored Cven win gamoCnda didi, mrgvali xaro, damreci kalTebiT. igi naxevar milze mainc iyo gaWimuli, siRrme ki samas futamde eqneboda.

_ Tqven albaT mixvdiT, rac unda iyos es, _ vuTxari ser henris da guds, romlebic gaocebulni Cahyurebdnen am uzarmazar Zabrisebur Rrmuls.

maT uaris niSnad Tavi gaaqnies. _ raki asea, CemTvis cxadia, rom Tqven arasodes ginaxavT kimberlis

almasis sabadoebi. dabejiTebiT SemiZlia vTqva, rom swored es aris solomon mefis almasis sabado. aba, aqeT moixedeT, _ vuTxari da myar cisfer Slamze mivuTiTe, balaxsa da buCqnars Soris aqa-iq rom moCanda. _ eWvi ar mepareba, am maRaroSi rom CavsuliyaviT, kimberlitis magmiT an almasis Semcveli brekCiiT avsil almasis milakebs aRmovaCendiT. axla ki amas daakvirdiT, _ vTqvi me da maRaros damrec ferdobze, ZvelisZveli wyalsadinaris qvemoT, kldis jiSebis gamofituli brtyeli filebis

grovisaken gaviwvdine xeli. _ kaci ar viyo, Tu odesRac am filebs qanebis gamosarecxad ar iyenebdnen.

diax, es xaro gaxldaT moxuci portugalielis rukaze aRniSnuli sabado, mis kidesTan didi gza orad iyofoda da sabados irgvliv uvlida. bevrgan es gza uzarmazari qvebiT iyo mokirwyluli, albaT, imitom, rom gaemagrebinaT maRaros kedeli da daecvaT Camoqcevisagan fuWi fiqali, romelic almasis Semcvel brekCiebs ertymoda gars. fexs avuCqareT, gvindoda, rac SeiZleba male gvenaxa, ras warmoadgenda is sami qandakeba, xaros mopirdapire mxares rom moCanda. roca mivuaxlovdiT, aRmoCnda, rom es iyo sami uzarmazari kolosi _ swored is sami dayursebuli, kukuanelebi iseTi mokrZalebiTa da SiSiT rom ixseniebdnen.

Savi kldis uzarmazar kvarcxlbekze, romelzedac gaurkveveli ieroglifebi iyo amokveTili, erTmaneTisagan oc-oci nabijis daSorebiT idga sami veeba qandakeba _ ori mamakacisa, erTi ki _ qalis. isini luusken mimaval gzas gascqerodnen. TiToeuli maTgani simaRliT Tvramet futs aRwevda.

SiSveli qalis qandakeba saocari silamaziT gamoirCeoda, Tumca, cota ar iyos, mkacri ieri dahkravda. samwuxarod, saxis nakvTebi Zalian dazianebuli hqonda. saukuneTa ganmavlobaSi amindis cvalebadobas Tavisi daRi daesva. qals Tavs umSvenebda orTav mxares aRmarTuli namgala mTvaris rqebi. mamakacTa qandakebebi ki, qalisagan gansxvavebiT, mosasxamebSi iyo gaxveuli. orives sazareli saxe hqonda. magram marjvniv mjdomi namdvili demonis gansaxiereba iyo, meores ki ufro mSvidi, uSfoTveli saxe hqonda. Tumca es simSvide gzaravdaT. gzaravdaT araadamianuri simkacriTa da ulmoblobiT. amgvar simkacres, ser henris azriT, Zveli drois adamianis fantazia uZlieres pirovnebebs aniWebda. am pirovnebas iqneb sikeTis Cadenac SeeZlo, magram miuxedavad amisa, Tu adamianis tanjva-wamebis cqera siamovnebas ar hgvrida, yovel SemTxvevaSi, arc did satanjvels miayenebda. sami ganmartoebuli qandakeba, saukuneebis manZilze rom gadmoscqeroda dabla gaSlil tafobs, marTlac mokrZalebisa da SiSis grZnobas iwvevda. SevcqerodiT dayursebulebs, rogorc maT kukuanelebi uwodebdnen, da Zalian gvewada gagvego, visma xelebma gamokveTa bumberazebi, vin gaiyvana gza da amoTxara es uzarmazari xaro. gaocebuli vuyurebdi am qandakebebs da uecrad gamaxsenda Tqmuleba Zveli aRTqmidan (Zveli aRTqma xom kargad vicodi): solomoni gadaudga Tavis sarwmunoebas da Tayvans scemda ucxo qveynis RmerTebs. gamaxsenda im sami RmerTis saxelebic: aStoreti _ sidonelTa RmerTi, CemoSi _ moabitebis RmerTi da milkomi _ amonas SvilTa RmerTi. Tanamgzavrebs Cemi mosazreba gavuziare: iqneb sami qandakeba swored is sami cru RmerTi aris-meTqi.

_ SeiZleba, Tqven marTali iyoT, _ dafiqrebiT miTxra ser henrim. igi Zalian ganaTlebuli kaci iyo. jer kidev kolejSi Seeswavla klasikosebi. _ ZvelberZnuli aStoreti xom finikielTa Soris astartas saxeliT aris cnobili, _ ganagrZo man. _ finikielebi ki solomonis dros gamoCenili vaWrebi iyvnen. astartas, romelsac mogvianebiT berZnebma afroditas saxeli uwodes, asaxavdnen namgala mTvaris msgavsi rqebiT. am qandakebis Tavze ki naTlad moCans aseTi rqebi. vin icis, SeiZleba es bumberazebi gamokveTes romelime finikieli `didi kacis" brZanebiT, romelic am maRaroebis muSaobas xelmZRvanelobda.

Cven jer kidev Tvali ver mogvewyvita uZvelesi xanis am utyvi mowmeebisaTvis, rom infadusi mogviaxlovda. man Subi aRmarTa da dayursebulebs salami misca. Semdeg mogvibrunda da gviTxra, isurvebT sikvdilis savaneSi Casvlas, Tu daicdiT da naSuadRevs waxvalT. Tu wasvlas inebebT, gagula mzad aris wamogyveTo. jer TerTmeti saaTic ar iqneboda, maSasadame, SuadRemde karga didi dro iyo. cnobiswadili gvklavda, amitom gadavwyviteT, SuadRes ar davlodebodiT da infaduss gamovucxadeT, rom maSinve gvindoda maRaroSi CaSveba. me, yoveli SemTxvevisaTvis, vTqvi, vin icis, rodemde davyovndebiT dabla da cota ram saWmeli waviRoT-meTqi. moitanes sakace, romelzedac gagula ijda. pativcemuli ledi cnobismoyvareobiT adevnebda Tvals Cvens samzadiss. amasobaSi fulatam, Cemi TxovniT, lerwmis kalaTSi cotaodeni biltongi Cado da pirTamde wyliT avsebuli gogris wyvili boTli Cadga.

zed Cven win, bumberazebidan ormocdaaTiode nabijze, iwyeboda qvis cicabo kedeli, romlis simaRle rvaas futze naklebi ar iqneboda. zeviT es kedeli TandaTanobiT viwrovdeboda da warmoqmnida TovliT dafaruli didi mwvervalis Zirs. mwvervali samasi futis simaRleze iqneboda aziduli. gagula sakacidan Camovida, Cvenken gamoixeda, erTi borotad Caicina, Semdeg joxs daeyrdno da swored im cicabo kldisken watustusda. Cvenc, rasakvirvelia, ukan mivyeviT. male mivuaxlovdiT viwro TaRovan karibWes, romelic SaxtSi Casasvlel talans waagavda.

gagula aq gveloda. saxeze jer kidev ar Camocloda boroti Rimili. _ maS, varskvlaveTidan Camosulo TeTro adamianebo, saxelovano

mebrZolebo: inkubu, bugvan da makumazan, mzada xarT Tu ara? me aq movedi, rom aRvasrulo mefis, Cemi batonis brZaneba, giCvenoT brWyviala qvebis saganZuri.

_ Cven mzada varT, _ vuTxari. _ kargi, kargi, maS gaikaJeT guli, rom gauZloT, rasac aq naxavT.

Senc modixar Tu ara, hoi, infadus, mefis moRalatev da gamyidvelo? infadusma warbi Seikra. _ ara, ar movdivar, Cemi iq Camosvla ar SeiZleba. Sen ki, gagula,

girCev ena daimoklo! am xalxs gabareb, ufrTxildi, cuds arafers gadaeyaron. icode, Tavze bewvic rom daakldeT, sicocxles gamogasalmeb. ver gadamirCebi, Tundac aTas qajad da eSmakad iqce. xom geyureba, ras geubnebi?

_ meyureba, infadus, meyureba, magram isic vici, rom trabaxi giyvars. maxsovs, patara rom iyavi, dedas emuqrebodi xolme. es ki sul axlaxan iyo. ho, nu geSinia-meTqi, me mxolod imisaTvis vcocxlob, rom mefis brZaneba aRvasrulo. Cems sicocxleSi mraval mefeTa neba-survili Semisrulebia, infadus, magram bolos da bolos yvelas Cems nebaze vaTamaSebdi. ha! ha! mivdivar iq, raTa erTxel kidev davinaxo maTi saxeebi, Tualac iq damxvdeba. wamodiT! wamodiT-meTqi! ai, Wraqi, _ gagulam Tavisi bewvis mosasxamidan didi gulamoclili gogra amoiRo. gogra zeTiT iyo avsebuli, patruqad ki lerwmis boWko hqonda.

_ gana Sen ki ar wamogvyvebi, fulata? _ hkiTxa gudma, saSinlad damtvreul kukuanur enaze. Cveni kapitani jiutad swavlobda kukuanurs am axalgazrda ledis xelmZRvanelobiT.

_ meSinia, Cemo mbrZanebelo, _ mokrZalebiT miugo fulatam. _ maSin eg kalaTi momeci, me waviReb. _ ara, Cemo mbrZanebelo, sadac Sen waxval, mec iq viqnebi.

`raRa Tqma unda, wamoxval, eSmakma dalaxvros Seni Tavi, _ gavifiqre me. _ es karga gvarianad gaarTulebs saqmes, Tu odesme aqedan wasvlas davapirebT".

amasobaSi gagula CaZvra bnel gasasvlelSi, romelSiac Tavisuflad gaeteoda ori gverdi-gverd mimavali adamiani. CaZvra da mogvaknavla, ukan momyeviTo. Cvenc, cota ar iyos, SemkrTalebi mivyeviT ukan mis xmas. frTebis farTxuniT gadagviqroles Tavze raRac arsebebma, romelTac Cveni mosvliT myudroeba davurRvieT. am garemoebas, Tqma ar unda, Cveni SiSi ar gauqarwylebia.

_ ehei, es raRaa? _ wamoiZaxa gudma, _ viRaca saxeSi mitylaSunebs. _ Ramurebia, _ gamovexmaure me, _ iareT, nu geSiniaT. ormociode nabijis Semdeg SevamCnieT, rom gasasvleli odnav

ganaTda. kidev wuTi da saocar mRvimeSi aRmovCndiT. warmoidgine, mkiTxvelo, udidesi taZari, romelSic ki odesme

yofilxar, da maSin nawilobriv mainc mixvdebi, ramodena iqneboda es uzarmazari mRvime. didi arqiteqtoris, bunebis, mier Seqmnili es taZari adamianis xeliT agebul yvela taZarze ufro maRali da farTo iyo. fanjrebi arsad Canda, magram saidanRac zemodan Camodioda mkrTali Suqi. albaT TaRs, Cvengan ramdenime futis simaRleze rom aziduliyo, datanebuli hqonda Saxtebi, romlebSic garedan haeri da sinaTle atanda. mRvimes mTel sigrZeze miuyveboda uzarmazari svetebi, isini yinulisagan Camosxmuli gegonebodaT. es iyo uzarmazari stalaqtitebi. gagvaoca am TeTri svetebis saocarma moxazulobam da sinatifem. zogierTis diametri fuZesTan oc futze metic ki iqneboda. zogi maRla, pirdapir Soreuli TaRisken miiwevda, zogi ki axla iqmneboda da, ser henris Tqmisa ar iyos, Zveli berZnuli taZris svetebis nangrevebs mogagonebdaT. maRla, TaRze bundovnad ilandeboda uzarmazari loluebis wvetebi.

gaocebulebi uxmod SevyurebdiT am suraTs. drodadro gvesmoda wveTebis odnav gasagoni wkapuni _ Soreul loluebs wydeboda wylis wveTi da swored qvis iatakze aRmarTul TeTr svetebs ecemoda. zog svets wveTebi yovel or-sam wuTSi erTxel ecemoda. saintereso iqneboda gamogveTvala, am siCqariT ramdeni xani dasWirdeboda oTxmoci futi simaRlisa da aTi futi diametris mqone svetis warmoqmnas. Tu ra saocrad nela mimdinareobda es procesi, amaze is metyvelebda, rom erT-erT svetze amokveTili iyo mumiis msgavsi raRac uxeSi naxati. mumias TavTiT RmerTi ujda. RmerTi aSkarad egvipturi iyo. igi svetze amokveTa adamianma, romelic Soreul warsulSi am sabadoSi muSaobda. ucnob mxatvars `xelovnebis es nimuSi" normaluri adamianis simaRleze, ese igi, iatakidan daaxloebiT xuT futze amoekveTa. albaT, yvela dros hyavs Tavisi usaqmurebi _ uZveles droSi mcxovrebi finikieli muSa Tu Tanamedrove epoqis ingliseli biWi, romelTac surT, radac unda daujdeT, ukvdavhyon TavianTi saxelebi bunebis mier Seqmnili Sedevrebis xarjze.

mas Semdeg, rac egviptelma is gamosaxuleba amoWra, TiTqmis sami aTasma welma ganvlo. svetis simaRle ki axla, roca mas vaTvalierebdiT, rva futi Tu iqneboda da misi Seqmnis procesi jer kidev ar iyo dasrulebuli. gamomdinare aqedan, unda gvefiqra, rom sveti yovel aTas weliwadSi erTi futiT, an saukuneSi erTi duimiT izrdeboda. Cven es daviangariSeT, roca am svetTan videqiT da wveTebis Tanabar wkapuns yurs vugdebdiT.

mRvimeSi zogjer ucnauri formis stalaqtitebic gvxvdeboda. es gansakuTrebiT SeimCneoda iq, sadac wylis wveTebi dacemisas erTsa da imave adgilze ar xvdeboda. ase, magaliTad, erTi uzarmazari lodi, romlis wona asiode tona mainc iqneboda, saydris kaTedras waagavda da garedan lamazi, maqmanebis msgavsi naySebiT iyo morTuli. sxvebi zRaprul urCxulebs mogvagonebdnen. mRvimis kedlebi ki moxatuli iyo maraosebri CuqurTmebiT, romlebic miwaze amoqargul yinvis naySebs hgavda.

am uzarmazari darbazidan mravali talani gadioda ufro patara mRvimeebSi. ser henrim Tqva _ es talanebi didi taZridan patar-patara ekvderebSi gasasvlelebs magonebso. zogierTi talani Zalian farTo iyo, magram erTi-ori Zalze viwro aRmoCnda. es iyo gansacvifrebeli magaliTi imisa, Tu rogor irjeba buneba da rogor xelmZRvanelobs imave ucvleli kanonebiT, am samuSaoebis masStabebisagan damoukideblad. magaliTad, erTi pawawkintela mRvime saTamaSo saxlisodena Tu iqneboda. miuxedavad amisa, igi SesaniSnavad gamodgeboda uzarmazari darbazis arqiteqturul modelad. am mRvimeSic iseve wkapunobda wylis wveTebi, iseve ekida TaRze erTi bewo loluebi da iseve aRmarTuliyo maRaros TeTri svetebi.

samwuxarod, dro ar gvqonda imisaTvis, rom ufro meti yuradRebiT dagveTvalierebina es lamazi qvabuli. gagulas arafrad ainteresebda stalaqtitebi da, rogorc etyoboda, cdilobda, rac SeiZleba Cqara moemTavrebina saqme. aman Zalian gamabraza, gansakuTrebiT imitom, rom guliT mewada, gamego, saidan Semodioda mRvimeSi sinaTle, vin Seqmna igi _ bunebam Tu adamianis xelma, iyenebdnen Tu ara mas raime mizniT Soreul warsulSi, rac, rasakvirvelia, sruliad SesaZlebeli iyo.

guldawyvetilebi mivyvebodiT Cvens borot winamZRols; gadawyvetili gvqonda, aqeTobas yvelaferi kargad dagveTvalierebina da Tavs amiT vinugeSebdiT.

gagula sul win da win miiwevda, axla romeliRac uzarmazari mdumare mRvimis Soreuli kedlisken mivyavdiT. am mRvimes ar hqonda TaRi, kvadratuli iyo da egvipturi taZris Sesasvlels waagavda.

_ mzad xarT Tu ara sikvdilis savaneSi Sesasvlelad? _ gvkiTxa gagulam. etyoboda, undoda am kiTxviT Cvenze meti STabeWdileba moexdina.

_ gagviZex, makduf! _ erTi yofiT uTxra gudma, Tan cdilobda SiSi ar damCneoda.

fulatas garda yvelas mSvidad gveWira Tavi. fulatam guds xelze xeli waavlo, TiTqos dacvas sTxovso.

_ cota ar iyos, SiSi Seepareba adamians, _ Tqva ser henrim. _ gagviZex win, quotermen, seniores pniores, nu valodinebT pativcemul ledis, _ da man zrdilobianad damiTmo gza, risTvisac gulis siRrmeSi sulac ar vumadlodi.

_ kak-kuk! _ mikakunobda iatakze gagulas yavarjeni. es kudiani arseba boroti siciliT migviZRoda bnel talanSi. usiamo winaTgrZnobiT Sepyrobili nel-nela CamovrCi ukan.

_ wadiT, wadiT, megobaro, _ miTxra gudma. _ viaroT, Torem Cvens mSvenier megzurs CamovrCebiT.

am sityvebis Semdeg fexs avuCqare. male erT bnel mRvimeSi SevediT. mRvimis sigrZe ase, ormoci futi iqneboda, simaRle da sigane ki _ ocdaaT-ocdaaTi futi. etyoboda, adamianis xeliT iyo gamokveTili.

aq, im pirvel, stalaqtitebian mRvimesTan SedarebiT, naklebi sinaTle iyo. bindSi davlande qvis didi magida, romelic mRvimis mTel sigrZeze idga. magidis TavSi ijda uzarmazari TeTri gamosaxuleba, irgvliv ki iseTive TeTri, magram Cveulebrivi sididis gamosaxulebebi Canda. magidis SuagulSi raRac yavisferi sagani davinaxe. amasobaSi bnels Tvali SevaCvie da rodesac gavarCie, angariSmiucemlad, rac Zali da Rone mqonda, ukan movkurcxle. unda mogaxsenoT, rom arc nerviuli var da arc crumorwmune, magram aq nanaxma suraTma saSinlad SemaZrwuna. ser henris sayeloSi rom ar waevlo CemTvis xeli da ar SeveCerebine, xuTi wuTis Semdeg mRvimeSi aRar viqnebodi da, kimberlis mTeli almasebi rom SemoeZliaT, ukan mainc ar davbrundebodi. magram ser henris magrad vyavdi CabRujuli da, ra gaewyoboda, beds unda davmorCilebodi. wuTis Semdeg ser henrimac SeaCvia Tvali bnels. imwamsve miSva xeli da Sublidan civi ofli moiwminda. gudi xmadabla igineboda. fulata yviriliT Camoekida kiserze. gagula ki xmamaRla da SeuCereblad xarxarebda.

suraTi marTlac SemaZrwunebeli iyo: qvis grZeli magidis TavSi adamianis ConCxis saxiT ijda TviT sikvdili. simaRliT TxuTmet futze meti iqneboda. gaZvaltyavebul TiTebSi uzarmazari Subi eWira. Subi TavzemoT ise aRemarTa, TiTqos viRacas unda ugmiroso. meore xeliT magidas imgvarad dayrdnoboda, gegonebodaT, wamodgomas lamobso. ConCxi win iyo wamoxrili, ase rom misi kisris malebsa da molaplape Tavis qalas garkveviT vxedavdiT. Tvalis carieli fosoebi Cvenken hqonda moqceuli, ybebi ki odnav gaexsna. RmerTmani, ar gagvikvirdeboda, axla rom rame eTqva.

_ ciurno Zalno! _ daviCurCule bolos, _ ra aris es? _ eseni vinRa arian? _ ikiTxa gudma da magidis irgvliv msxdar

sazogadoebaze migviTiTa. _ an iq ra aris, dalaxvros eSmakma! _ Tqva Tavis mxriv ser henrim da

xeli magidis Suagulisken gaiwvdina. _ ra aris-meTqi is yavisferi sagani? _ hi-hi-hi! _ icinoda gagula, _ vai maT, vinc sikvdilis savaneSi fexs

Semodgams, hi-hi-hi! aqeT mobrZandi, inkubu, brZolaSi saxelganTqmulo, modi da naxe is, vinc sakuTari xeliT mohkali. _ dedaberma ser henris gaZvaltyavebuli TiTebi saxeloSi CasWida da Tavisken miizida.

Cven ukan mivyeviT. uecrad gagula SeCerda da magidis SuagulSi im yavisfer saganze

migviTiTa. ser henrim mis TiTs mzera gaayola da yviriliT gadmoxta ukan. arc aris gasakviri, ase rom aRelda _ iq, magidaze davinaxeT veeba gvami. es gaxldaT Tuala, kukuanelTa ukanaskneli mefe. sul SiSveli iyo, muxlebze ki edo Tavi, ser henrim najaxiT rom waagdebina. mTeli gvami Txeli, minisebri afskiT iyo dafaruli, ris gamoc kidev ufro sazareli Canda. Tavdapirvelad verafriT mivxvdiT, saidan gaCnda, an ra iyo es afska, magram uecrad SevamCnieT, rom mRvimis Weridan pirdapir gvamis kiserze JamdaJam ecemoda wylis wveTebi, _ tkap! tkap! kisridan wylis wveTebi nel-nela uvlida mTel sxeuls da bolos magidaSi datanebuli pawawina xvreliT kldeSi gadioda. axla ki yvelaferi cxadi gaxda CemTvis _ Tualas gvami TandaTanobiT stalaqtitad unda qceuliyo.

Cemi mosazrebis siswores amtkicebda TeTri gamosaxulebebi, magidas irgvliv rom Semosxdomodnen. eWvgareSea, es iyo adamianTa sxeulebi, an ukeT rom vTqvaT, is, rac odesRac adamianTa sxeulebs warmoadenda, axla

ki stalaqtitebad qceuliyo. kukuanelebi uxsovari droidan inaxavdnen amgvarad TavianT mefeTa gvamebs.

sabolood mainc ver gavige, raSi mdgomareobda petrifikaciis, anu gaqvavebis mTeli meTodi, Tuki igi saerTod arsebobda, garda imisa, rom micvalebulebs aTavsebdnen magidaze iseT adgilas, sadac wveT-wveTad Camodioda wyali da maT yinulisebri afskiT faravda. afsks warmoqmnida siliciumis xsnari, romelic gvamebs ukuniTi ukunisamde Seinaxavda.

sazarel suraTs warmoadgendnen Spatis TeTr sudarebSi gaxveuli mefeebi. afskis qveS bundad ilandeboda maTi saxis nakvTebi. sul ocdaSvidi mefe davTvale. ukanaskneli ignozis mama iyo. usxdnen mefeni amazrzen magidas, romelzedac TviT sikvdili mbrZaneblobda. maTi ricxvis mixedviT SeiZleboda dagvedgina, rom gvamebis Senaxvis es wesi SemoRebuli iqna oTxi saukunis winaT.

ar iqneboda marTali, Tu vityodiT, rom aq iyo kukuanelTa yvela mefe, radgan zogi maTgani, cxadia, sadme, brZolaSi daiRupeboda. Tu CavTvliT, rom yoveli mefe saSualod TxuTmeti weliwadi ijda taxtze, daaxloebiT oTxas ocdaxuT weliwads miviRebT, magram sikvdilis uzarmazari ConCxi kidev ufro adre unda yofiliyo mRvimeSi Semotanili da Tu ar vcdebi, imave adamianis xeliT iyo Seqmnili, vinc kldeSi is dayursebulebi gamokveTa. ConCxi gamoqandakebuli iyo stalaqtitisagan da gansakuTrebuli ostatobiT iyo Sesrulebuli.

gudi zedmiwevniT erkveoda anatomiaSi da ganacxada: anatomiis TvalsazrisiT, ConCxi srulyofili ariso.

Cemi azriT, es sazareli ConCxi romelime uZvelesi moqandakis gaukuRmarTebuli fantaziis nayofi iyo da kukuanelebs ufro mogvianebiT daebadaT azri, Tavisi gardacvlili mefeebi daesvaT magidaze sikvdilis saSineli aCrdilis gverdiT. SesaZloa, Tavis droze ConCxi aq imitomac Semoitanes, rom daefrTxoT mZarcvelebi, Tu vinicobaa isini ganZsacavSi Sesvlas daapirebdnen. ar vici, namdvilad asea Tu ara, dae, Cemi naambobidan mkiTxvelma TviTon gamoitanos sakuTari daskvnebi.

yovel SemTxvevaSi, aseTi iyo sikvdilis TeTri aCrdili da aseTni iyvnen TeTri micvalebulebi.

T a v i X V I I

s o l o m o n m e f i s s a g a n Z u r i vidre gaocebulebi sikvdilis savanes vaTvalirebdiT da

vcdilobdiT, SiSi dagveTrguna, gagula sul sxva saqmiT iyo garTuli. igi raRac manqanebiT swrafad aZvra uzarmazar magidaze (roca sWirdeboda, Zalze mardi brZandeboda) da gaemarTa iqiT, sadac Cveni gansvenebuli megobari Tuala ijda. gudma Tqva, unda naxos, rogor `muJuJdeba" misi sayvareli mefeo. marTla ase iyo, Tu sxva ram faruli mizani amoZravebda, es gagulas garda aravin uwyoda. Semdeg beberi kudiani isev ukan gamobrunda. drodadro SeCerdeboda, raTa xan erTi da xan meore Sesudruli gvamisTvis miemarTa CemTvis gaugebari sityvebiT. amasTan, iseTi saxe hqonda, rogoric meqneboda me, an Tqven, mkiTxvelo,

Cvens keTil megobrebs rom SexvedrodiT. es saidumlo da sazareli rituali rom daamTavra, pirdapir sikvdilis ConCxis win Cajda da, ramdenadac mivxvdi, locva-vedrebas mohyva. cxadi iyo, es boroti kudiani RvarZls anTxevda kacobriobis uborotesi mtris winaSe. misi saxe, mTeli misi garegnoba imdenad amazrzeni iyo, rom SevecadeT, rac SeiZleba swrafad gavclodiT iqaurobas.

_ aba, gagula, _ TiTqmis CurCuliT vuTxari me, radgan aseT adgilas xmamaRla laparaki ver gamebeda. _ axla ki gagviZex saganZurisken.

dedaberi mardad Camococda magididan. _ Cems mbrZaneblebs ar eSiniaT? _ mkiTxa da almacerad gadmomxeda. _ gagviZex-meTqi, win! _ Zalian kargi, mbrZaneblebo, _ Tqva gagulam, _ Tan koWlobiT

Semouara magidas da sikvdilis qandakebis ukan mRvimis kedelTan SeCerda, _ ai, aq aris saganZuris kari, Cemma mbrZaneblebma Wraqi aanTon da Sevidnen, _ Tqva, zeTiT savse gogra iatakze dadga, TviTon ki mRvimis kedels mieyrdno.

me asanTi aviRe (yuTSi kidev ramdenime cali ewyo), lerwmis fTilas movukide, TvalebiT Sesasvlels Zebna davuwye, magram mTliani kedlis meti veraferi davinaxe.

_ Sesasvleli aq aris, mbrZaneblebo, ha! ha! ha! _ nu xumrob, _ mkacrad vuTxari. _ ra dros xumrobaa, mbrZaneblebo, aba, aqeT moixedeT! _ Tqva da

kedelze migviTiTa. Wraqi maRla avwie da davinaxe, rom qvis uzarmazari lodi nel-nela

miiwevda zemoT, sadac misTvis, eWvsgareSea, sagangebo xvreli iyo datanebuli. lodis simaRle, ase, cxra futi iqneboda, sisqe xuTi futi, sifarTe ki didi kasrisodena hqonda da, albaT, sul cota, ocdaaT tonas mainc iwonida. rasakvirvelia, ubralod Sewonasworebuli sapirwonis principiT moZraobda. rogor amoZravda es mowyobiloba, arc erT Cevengans ar daunaxavs, gagulam yvelaferi uCumrad moimoqmeda, magram eWvi ar mepareba, rom sadRac iyo umartivesi berketi, romelsac saidumlo wertilSi odnav daaWerdi TiTs da sapirwones meoxebiT lodi maRla avidoda.

lodi nela, msubuqad miiwevda maRla, bolos sulac gaqra da mis nacvlad Cven win bneli xvreli gamoCnda.

Zneli warmosadgenia, rogor vRelavdiT... solomon mefis saganZurSi Sesasvleli Tavisufali iyo! me TaviT fexebamde vcaxcaxebdi da tanSi civi Jruanteli mivlida. `iqneb yvelaferi es tyuilia, mistifikaciaa, _ vfiqrobdi, _ an, piriqiT, SeiZleba, rasac moxuci da silvestra werda, yvelaferi marTali gamodges. iqneb am bnel jurRmulSi marTlac aris dafluli ganZi, romelsac SeuZlia amqveynad umdidres adamianebad gvaqcios?" diax, erTi-ori wuTis Semdeg saidumlos farda unda axdoda.

_ SemobrZandiT, varskvlaveTidan Camosulo TeTro adamianebo, _ gviTxra Cvenma avbediTma megzurma da zRurblze gadaalaja, _ SemodiT, magram mousmineT monasa Tqvensa gagulas. brWyviala qvebi, romelTac axla ixilavT, odesRac amoiRes Widan, sadac dayursebulebi sxedan da aq Seinaxes, magram vin amoTxara, an vin Seinaxa, amaze araferi vici. adamianebma, vinc es moimoqmeda, saswrafod datoves aqauroba, ise rom, Tan araferi wauRiaT. saukunidan saukuneSi gadadioda xalxSi xma brWyvi-ala qvebze, Tumca aravin icoda, sad iyo dafluli ganZi, arc am karis

saidumlo uwyoda vinmem. magram erTxel mTebis gadaRmidan movida erTi TeTrkaniani, vin icis, iqneb isic TqvensaviT varskvlaveTidan Camosuli iyo! mefem gulTbilad miiRo ucxo stumari. ai, swored iman, iq rom zis, _ gviTxra da magidaze Camwkrivebul gvamebs Soris mexuTeze migviTiTa. _ hoda, moxda ise, rom is TeTrkaniani da viRac kukuaneli qali movidnen sikvdilis savaneSi. im qalma SemTxveviT gaigo karis saidumlo, Tumca Tqven aTasi welic rom eZeboT, mainc verafers naxavT. diax, TeTrkaniani qalTan erTad saganZurSi Sevida da aavso qvebiT guda, romliTac qalma saWmeli moitana. roca kaci saganZuridan gamodioda, erTi didi brWyviala qva, Zalian didi qva aiRo da xelSi daiWira, _ aq gagula dadumda.

_ mere, mere? _ vkiTxe me. Tan aRelvebisagan sunTqva mekvroda; kapitani da ser henric Cems dReSi iyvnen, _ ganagrZe, Tqvi, ra SeemTxva da silvestras?

am sityvebis gagonebaze dedaberi SekrTa. _ saidan ici kacis saxeli, romelic didi xnis winaT gardaicvala?

_ ukmexad mkiTxa man, Tumca pasuxs ar daeloda da ganagrZo: _ aravin icis, ra SeemTxva im kacs, magram, etyoba, TeTrkaniani raRacam SeaSina, guda miwaze daagdo da gaiqca. xelSi mxolod is didi, brWyviala qva SerCa. isic mefem waarTva. swored is iyo, Sen rom Tualas Sublze aaglije, makumazan!

_ da mas Semdeg aq aravin yofila? _ vkiTxe da bneli xvrelisken gavapare mzera.

_ aravin yofila, mbrZanebelo, magram karis ambavs saidumlod inaxavdnen. mefeebi aRebdnen am kars, saganZurSi ki ar Sediodnen, radgan xalxSi xma dadis, vinc aq fexs Semoadgams, erTi Tvis Semdeg mokvdebao. mokvdeba im TeTrkanianiviT, Tqven rom mTebSi, mRvimeSi, ipoveT, makumazan. ai, ratom ar Semodian aq Cveni mefeebi. ha! ha! ha! me mudam simarTles vambob.

am dros Cveni Tvalebi erTmaneTs Sexvda da me ZarRvebSi sisxli gameyina.

_ SemodiT, Cemo mbrZaneblebo, Tu marTali giTxariT, qvebiT avsebuli guda aqve, iatakze dagxvdebaT. aq Semosul kacs sikvdili emuqreba Tu ara, amas Semdeg gaigebT. ha! ha! ha! _ man Wraqs xeli daavlo da win gagviZRva.

marTali giTxraT, vyoymanobdi, _ SevideT Tu ar SevideT-meTqi. _ wyeulimc iyos! _ daiyvira am dros gudma. _ wamodiT! eg beberi

kudiani ver SemaSinebs! _ Tqva da gagulas bnelSi aedevna. guds fulata mihyva. sabralos eSinoda, mTeli taniT TrToda, me da ser henric mivyeviT.

gagulam ramdenime iardi gaiara da kldeSi gaWril viwro talanTan SeCerda. Cven gveloda.

_ xom xedavT, Cemo mbrZaneblebo, _ Tqva da Wraqi win gaiwvdina, _ yvelaferze etyoba, ganZis mflobelma saswrafod miatova aqauroba. eSinoda, am karis saidumlo vinmes ar gaego, da rom saganZurSi Sesasvleli daecvaT, aq kedlis amoyvana gadauwyvetiaT, magram, cxadia, dro aRar eyoT.

da migviTiTa orpirad amoSenebul qvis kvadratul farTo kedlis saZirkvelze, gasasvlels rom xergavda. es kedeli simaRliT ori futi da sami duimi iqneboda. gasasvlelSi eyara agreTve daTlili qvebi da, rac

Zalian sagulisxmoa, kiris xsnari da wyvili bari, _ diax, bari, swored iseTi, muSebi dResac rom xmaroben.

uecrad fulatam, SiSisa da aRelvebisagan TaviT fexamde rom kankalebda, Tavi cudad igrZno da gviTxra, Tqven wadiT, me ki aq dagelodebiT, radgan siaruli aRar SemiZliao. Cven is daumTavrebel kedelTan davsviT, gverdiT sanovagiani kalaTi mivudgiT da marto davtoveT, rom cota damSvidebuliyo.

bnel talanSi kidev TxuTmetiode nabiji gaviareT da saguldagulod SeRebili xis karis win aRmovCndiT. kari farTod iyo mofrialebuli. imas, vinc aq ukanasknelad iyo, an daviwynoda misi daxurva, an dro aRar hyofnoda saamisod.

am karis zRurblze egdo guda, romelic, rogorc etyoboda, Zvirfasi qvebiT unda yofiliyo avsili.

_ ha! ha! TeTro adamianebo, _ CaixiTxiTa gagulam, roca Wraqis Suqi gudas moxvda, _ me giTxariT, TeTrkaniani aqedan SeSinebuli gaiqca-meTqi. gaiqca da daagdo es guda, romelic qals ekuTvnoda. SexeT, SexeT, mand aris!

gudi daixara da guda aiRo. guda mZime iyo, SigniT ki raRac Cxarunobda.

_ RmerTs geficebiT, es guda almasebiT aris savse, _ krZalviT daiCurCula man.

sakmarisi iyo imis gafiqrebac ki, rom es patara guda almasebiT iyo savse, rom raRacnairi mokrZaleba gvegrZno.

_ wavideT, _ mouTmenlad Tqva ser henrim, _ aba, pativcemulo ledi, momeciT aq Wraqi, _ Tqva. gagulas Wraqi CamoarTva, maRla aswia da zRurblze gadaabija.

Cvenc, rasakvirvelia, ukan mivyeviT. droebiT daviviwyeT almasebiT savse guda da solomon mefis saganZurSi SevediT.

Wraqis mkrTal Suqze davlandeT kldeSi gamokveTili patara oTaxi, zomiT ara umetes aTi kvadratuli futisa, Semdeg TvalSi mogvxvda zed TaRamde erTmaneTze dawyobili spilos saucxoo eSvebi. Zneli saTqmelia, ramdeni eSvi iyo, radgan ver vxedavdiT, ra adgili eWiraT kedlamde. magram oTxas-xuTas eSvze naklebi mainc ar iqneboda. marto es eSvebi kmaroda imisTvis, rom adamians mTeli sicocxle uzrunvelad ecxovra.

SesaZloa, solomonma Tavisi `taxtisTvis", romlis msgavsi arc erT mefes ar hqonia, swored aqedan waiRo spilos eSvebi-meTqi, _ gavifiqre me.

saganZuris meore kedelTan idga ociode yuTi, romlebic martin-henris firmis tyviis yuTebs waagavda, mxolod maTze cota mozrdili Canda da wiTlad iyo SeRebili.

_ aq almasebia, almasebi, _ wamoviZaxe me, _ aqeT moanaTeT Wraqi! ser henri momiaxlovda da Suqi zed yuTs mianaTa. yuTis saxuravi,

miuxedavad imisa, rom aq simSrale iyo, droTa viTarebaSi dampaliyo da erT adgilas Catexilic iyo. albaT da silvestram Tu Catexa. me aCqarebiT Cavyavi yuTSi xeli da mTeli muWa movbRuje. magram es almasebi ki ara, Zalian ucnauri formis oqros fuli gamodga. Cven amgvari fuli arasodes gvenaxa da mogveCvena kidec, rom zed Zvelebraul enaze raRac ewera.

_ yoveli SemTxvevisaTvis, aqedan xelcarielebi ar gavbrundebiT, _ vTqvi da fuli ukan Cavabrune, _ TiToeul yuTSi ori aTasi oqro mainc

iqneba, aq ki Tvrameti yuTi dgas. es oqro albaT muSebisa da vaWrebis gasastumreblad iyo motanili.

_ me ki vfiqrob, swored es unda iyos ganZi, almasebs raRac versad vxedav. an iqneb portugalielma yvela im gudaSi Cayara? _ Seesityva gudi.

_ Cemma mbrZaneblebma is kuTxe mosinjon, iqneb qvebi iq ipovnon, _ Segvesityva gagula. igi, albaT, Cveni saxis gamometyvelebaze mixvda, razec vlaparakobdiT. _ iq Cemi mbrZaneblebi naxaven Rrmuls, romelSic sami qvis yuTi dgas. ori dabeWdilia, erTi ki Ria.

vidre mis sityvebs ser henris vuTargmnidi da vetyodi, Wraqi im bneli kuTxisken waeRo, ver moviTmine da gagulas vkiTxe, saidan ici yvelaferi es, Tuki im TeTrkanianis Semdeg aq fexi aravis Semoudgams-meTqi.

_ hoi, makumazan, da Tqvenc varskvlaveTis Svilno, gana ar uwyiT, zog adamians aqvs Tvali, romelic kldeSic atans? ha! ha! ha!

_ naxeT iq, kurtis, _ vuTxari ser henris da gagulas mier miniSnebuli kuTxisken mivuTiTe.

_ ehei, megobrebo, _ Sehyvira ser henrim, _ aq niSaa. ciurno Zalno! Cqara, aqeT, aqeT modiT!

misken gaveqaneT. RrmulSi, romelic naxevrad mrgval fanjaras waagavda, qvis sami yuTi idga. TiToeuli maTganis sigrZe ori futi iqneboda. ors qvis saxuravi efara, mesame Ria iyo, saxuravi ki iqve iyo miyudebuli.

_ SexedeT, _ Tqva ser henrim aRelvebisagan moguduli xmiT da Wraqi yuTs daanaTa.

Tavdapirvelad veraferi gavarCieT, radgan vercxlisferma mbzvinvarebam kinaRam Tvali mogvWra. roca mzera Suqs SevaCvieT, davinaxeT, rom yuTi sam meoTxedze moyrili iyo almasebiT, amaTgan umetesoba karga momsxo Canda. me yuTSi xeli Cavyavi da ramdenime amoviRe. diax, es namdvili almasebi iyo, axla amaSi eWvi aRar mepareboda. xelis SexebiT almasis gamocnoba Zneli ar aris, radgan igi rogorRac Taviseburad srialebs.

almasebi kvlav yuTSi Cavyare. mRelvarebisagan suls Zlivs viTqvamdi.

_ Cven umdidresi adamianebi varT amqveynad, _SevZaxe uceb, _ monte-kristo CvenTan SedarebiT Ratakia.

_ mTel bazars almasebiT avavsebT, _ wamoiZaxa gudma. _ jer mivitanoT bazramde da mere vilaparakoT, _ mSvidad miugo

ser henrim. aRelvebisagan fermixdilni da TvalebdaWyetilni mivCerebodiT

erTmaneTs. Wraqi mkrTal Suqs afrqvevda brWyviala qvebs. videqiT SeTqmulebiviT, romelTac boroti saqme ganuzraxavT. Cveni Semxedvare aravin ifiqrebda, rom am wuTebSi dedamiwis zurgze ubednieresi adamianebi viyaviT, yovel SemTxvevaSi, Tavi ase migvaCnda.

_ hi! hi! hi! _ borotad xiTxiTebda gagula Cven zurgs ukan da uxmaurod, uzarmazar RamurasaviT dafarfatebda saganZurSi.

_ aha, is brWyviala qvebi, Tqven rom ase giyvarT, TeTro adamianebo! aq bevri qvaa, waiReT, ramdenic gsurdeT, datkbiT maTi cqeriT, xeli alivliveT Sig! WameT da sviT! hi! hi! hi! sviT da WameT! ha! ha!

gagulas bolo sityvebi imdenad suleluri meCvena, rom giJiviT xarxars movyevi, ser henric da gudic angariSmiucemlad amyvnen. videqiT

da siciliT vifxriwebodiT. vxarxarebdiT, vxarxarebdiT! diax, es almasebi Cveni iyo. morCilma muSebma CvenTvis amoiRes uzarmazari Widan da solomon mefis romelime sando xelqveiTma am yuTebSi swored CvenTvis Cayara. im pirovnebis saxeli iqneb ieroglifebiT iyo amokveTili cvilis narCenebze, yuTebis Tavze aqa-iq jer kidev rom moCanda. es almasebi ar ekuTvnoda arc solomons, arc daviTs, arc da silvestras, ara! amqveynad Cven garda aravis ekuTvnoda. Cven win brWyvialebda qvebi da es qvebi milionobiT girvanqa sterlingi Rirda, grova-grova eyara aTasobiT da aTiaTasobiT girvanqa sterlingi, oqro da spilos Zvali.

diax, yvelaferi aq, am saganZurSi iyo Tavmoyrili da imasRa eloda, wagveRo.

uecrad isteriis Setevam gagviara da xarxari SevwyviteT. _ Tavi axadeT sxva yuTebs, TeTro adamianebo, _ dagvCxavla gagulam.

_ qvebi iq ufro metia, waiReT, mbrZaneblebo, ha! ha! ha! rac SeiZleba, blomad waiReT!

mis CxavilSi or dabeWdil yuTs saxuravebi avaglijeT, magram gulis siRrmeSi vgrZnobdiT, rom yuTebze beWdebis acla viRac sxva adamianis uflebebis SebRalvas, sxvisi sakuTrebis xelyofas udrida.

vaSa! es yuTebic savse iyo, pirTamde savse! yovel SemTxvevaSi, meore yuTi mainc _ sabralo da silvestras Tavis gudaSi aqedan qvac ki ar Caegdo. mesame yuTi erT meoTxedze iyo almasebiT moyrili. magram qvebi aq arCeuli iyo da yoveli maTgani woniT oc karatze naklebi ar iqneboda, zogi ki mtredis kvercxisodena iyo; magram roca Suqze davlandeT, vnaxeT, rom momsxo almasebs yviTeli feri dahkravda, ese igi, rogorc kimberliSi ambobdnen, `Seferovnebulebi" iyvnen.

amasobaSi gagulam, RvarZlianad, borotad agvavl-Cagvavlo Tvali, gveliviT nel-nela gacurda ganZsacavidan da kldeSi datanebuli saidumlo karisken watustusda.

Cu! es ra aris? raRaca xmebi ismis. iq, talanSi, saidumlo karTan viRac yviris, fulatas xmaa. ra damarTnia?

_ o, bugvan, Cqara, miSveleT! qva vardeba! _ gamiSvi-meTqi, gvelis wiwilo, Torem... _ miSveleT, miSveleT! dana damca! Cven talanSi gavrbivarT da Wraqis Suqze ai ras vxedavT: qvis kari

nel-nela eSveba, sul raRac samiode futiT TuRaa iatakidan dacilebuli, fulata da gagula zed karTan erTmaneTs CabRauWebian. fulata erTianad sisxliT aris moTxvrili, miuxedavad amisa, magrad uWiravs moxuci kudiani, gareul katasaviT rom icavs Tavs. oh! oh! xelidan dausxlta, fulata davarda, gagula ki pirqve daeca, gveliviT daiklakna da lodqveS gaZromas lamobs. aha, ukve lodqveS aris. RmerTo, RmerTo, gvianRaa! uzarmazarma lodma miwas miasrisa, araadamianuri tkivilisagan igi sazarlad kivis, lodi ki sul ufro da ufro iwevs Zirs da mTeli simZimiT awveba maxinj kudians. ukanasknelad gaismis Semzaravi kivili, iseTi, rogoric aqamde arasodes gamigonia. Semdeg gvesmis Zvlebis lawuni, am xmam ZarRvebSi sisxli gagviyina, gavrbivarT, gavrbivarT, samiveni zed vawydebiT qvis kars, magram igi samudamod ixureba.

yvelaferi es ramdenime wamSi moxda. axla fulatasaken gaveqaneT, wyeuli kudianis danas misTvis guli

gaepo, imwamsve mivxvdi, sicocxle aRar ewera.

_ oh, bugvan, vkvdebi! _ daiCurCula fulatam, Tan suli egubeboda, _ gagula gacocda... ar daminaxavs... cudad viyavi...mere qva nel-nela daeSva dabla. gagula gabrunda da talanSi daiwyo cqera, mere davinaxe, rogor SemoZvra karqveS, TandaTanobiT rom eSveboda, maSin xeli wavavle da davakave. magram... dana damca... bugvan, vkvdebi.

_ sabralo, sabralo fulata! _ wamoiZaxa gudma da uecrad TiTqos meti veRaraferi moifiqrao, mivarda da kocna dauwyo.

_ bugvan, _ Tqa fulatam cota xnis siCumis Semdeg, _ makumazmani aq aris Tu ara? TvalT damibnelda, veRarafers vxedav.

_ aqa var, fulata. _ makumazman, maTxove Seni ena, bugvans ar esmis Cemi laparaki, minda,

ramdenime sityva vuTxra, vidre wyvdiadi CamnTqavs. _ ilaparake, fulata, yvelafers gadavuTargmni. _ gadaeci bugvans, Cems batons, rom... miyvars, miyvars da mixaria, rom

vkvdebi, radgan bugvans, vici, ar SeuZlia Tavisi cxovreba Cemsas daukavSiros, iseve, rogorc mzes ar SeuZlia bneleTs SeeuRlos. uTxari, zogjer ase megona, Cems gulSi Citi frTxialebda. Cits gulidan amofrena da simRera surda. aha, tvini meyineba da xels veRar vanZrev, magram axlac ki, axlac ar vgrZnob, Tu es guli unda mokvdes. igi isea siyvaruliT savse, aTas welsac ar daberdeboda, ar daberdeboda, rom mecocxla. uTxari, Tu kidev damibrunda sicocxle... iqneb varskvlaveTSi Sevxvde... gadaeci, varskvlaveTSi yvelgan davZebni, Tumca SeiZleba iqac Savkaniani viyo, uTxari. ara, makumazan, nurafers etyvi, nurafers etyvi imis garda, rom miyvars... oh, mimikar mkerdze, bugvan, veRara vgrZnob Sens mklavebs... oh, bugvan, bug...

_ mokvda! mokvda! _ daiyvira gudma da wamodga, saxeze cremlebi Camosdioda.

_ nu glovobT ase Zlier, megobaro, _ uTxra ser henrim. _ ra gidaT amiT TqvaT? _ mxolod is, rom male gaiziarebT fulatas beds. gana ver xedavT,

rom cocxlad davimarxeT? Cven imdenad Tavzardacemulebi viyaviT fulatas sikvdiliT, rom am

wuTamde arc gvifiqria, ra moxda, ra saSineleba dagvatyda Tavs. axla uceb yvelafers mivxvdiT. uzarmazari lodi daeSva, daeSva samudamod, radgan erTaderTi adamiani, romelmac icoda karis saidumlo, axla gaWeWyili iwva lodqveS. uazroba iyo imaze fiqric ki, rom rogorme gagvetexa es kari; amas mxolod dinamitiT Tu SevZlebdiT.

Cven miwis qveS gamomwyvdeulebi aRmovCndiT. ramdenime wuTs gaSeSebulebi videqiT fulatas gvamTan, Tavzardacemulebi vfiqrobdiT, rom neli wamebiT sikvdili gveloda; SimSiliT, uwylobiT amogvxdeboda suli. mxneobam gvimtyuna. axla CvenTvis yvelaferi cxadze ucxadesi Seiqna. im eSmakeulma gagulam winaswar gagviwyo xafangi. es iyo misi morigi `xumroba". mxolod mis RvarZlian tvinSi SeiZleboda momwifebuliyo aseTi boroti azri. am kudians ewada, daeRupa sami TeTrkaniani, ratomRac imTaviTve rom amoiZula. daeRupa neli sikvdiliT ganZeuls Soris, romelsac ase xarbad daeZebdnen. axlaRa mivxvdi, risi Tqma undoda, roca RamurasaviT dafarfatebda saganZurSi da gvTavazobda gveWama da gvesva almasebi. albaT sabralo da silvestrasac ase `gaexumra" viRac. imitom Tu miagdo da miatova zRurblze qvebiT savse guda.

_ meti simxneve gvmarTebs, _ Tqva ser henrim aRelvebisagan CaxleCili xmiT, _ Wraqi male Caqreba. vidre anaTebs, veZeboT, iqneb mivagnoT zambaras, am lods rom amoZravebs.

sasowarkveTilebam Zala gagviorkeca da gasasvlelisaken gaveqaneT. webovan sisxlSi mdgarni vaTvalierebdiT kedels, magram berketis an zambaris msgavsi araferi Canda.

_ merwmuneT, am mxridan karis gaReba ar SeiZleba, _ vTqvi me. _ aqedan rom iRebodes, gagula Tavs ar gaswiravda da lodqveS ar gaZvreboda. icoda, rac iyo da amitom cdilobda gaqceuliyo. wyeulimc iyos misi saxeli.

_ yovel SemTxvevaSi, _ Tqva ser henrim da nerviulad gaicina, _ misagebeli male miego! gagula sazareli sikvdiliT mokvda, magram arc Cven dagvadgeba kargi dRe. kars araferi eSveleba. gavbrundeT isev saganZurTan.

samiveni saganZurisaken wavediT. ramdenime nabiji rom gaviareT, daumTavrebel kedelTan Tvali movkari sanovagian kalaTas, sabralo fulatas rom mohqonda. aviRe da ganZeuliT savse oTaxSi Sevitane. es oTaxi sul male Cvens samared unda qceuliyo.

Semdeg isev gamovbrundiT. mokrZalebiT gadavitaneT fulatas gvami, oqroTi avsili yuTebis gverdiT davasveneT, Tavad miwaze davsxediT da yuTebs zurgiT miveyrdeniT.

_ modiT, gavanawiloT saWmel-sasmeli, rom rac SeiZleba didxans gveyos, _ Tqva ser henrim.

imwamsve gavinawileT yvelaferi, rac kalaTaSi iyo. yovel Cvengans ergo oTxi-xuTi Zalze mcire ulufa. ufro sworad rom vTqvaT, es saWmeli ori dRe Tu gagvataninebda Tavs. biltongis garda, kalaTSi idga wyliT savse ori boTli; TiTo boTli TiTo kvart wyals itevda.

_ axla ki, _ naRvlianad Tqva ser henrim, _ SevWamoT cota ram da wyali davlioT, Tumca sul erTia, sikvdils mainc versad gaveqceviT.

SevWameT TiTo naWeri xorci da TiTo ylupi wyali davayoleT; rasakvirvelia, mada srulebiT ar gvqonda, magram kuWi mainc Tavisas iTxovda. cota davnayrdiT, Tavi ukeT vigrZeniT, wamovdeqiT da gulmodgineT SevudeqiT saganZuris daTvalierebas. vsinjavdiT Cveni cixis kedlebs, vakakunebdiT zed, Tan odnavi, sul odnavi imedi gvqonda, rom sadme vipovidiT gasasvlels. magram, vai rom, yvelaferi amao iyo.

Tumca vin datovebda gasasvlels an xvrels iq, sadac aseTi ganZeuli inaxeboda? Wraqis Suqi mimkrTalda. zeTi TiTqmis amoiwva.

_ quotermen, _ miTxra ser henrim, _ muSaobs Tu ara Tqveni saaTi, ra droa?

saaTi jibidan amoviRe da davxede. naSaudRevis eqvsi saaTi iyo. mRvimeSi ki dilis TerTmet saaTze SemovediT.

_ albaT infadusi moifiqrebs rames, kurtis, _ vTqvi me. _ am saRamos rom ar mivalT, dilidan Zebnas Seudgebian.

_ amaod dagviwyebs Zebnas, radgan ar icis arc karis saidumlo da arc is, sad aris igi datanebuli. aqamde es gagulas garda Zexorcielma ar uwyoda, axla ki, saerTod, aravin icis. infadusma kari kidec rom ipovos, ver Semoamtvrevs. kukuanelTa mTeli armiac rom moadges, xuTi futis sisqis kedels verafers daaklebs. megobrebo, Cven aRaraferi dagvrCenia garda imisa, rom davemorCiloT beds da RvTis gangebas

mivendoT. ganZeulis Ziebam Zalian bevri miiyvana sikvdilis karamde. Cvenc maT ricxvs mivematebiT. es aris da es.

Wraqi ZlivsRa bJutavda. uecrad ifeTqa da gaanaTa mTeli saganZuri: TeTri eSvebi, oqroTi savse yuTebi, maT win ganrTxmuli fulatas cxedari, mocimcime almasebi, zRurblze migdebuli savse guda da SeSlili, gawamebuli saxeebi sami TeTrkanianisa, sikvdilis molodinSi iatakze rom isxdnen.

ali ukanasknelad acimcimda da Caqra.

T a v i X V I I I

s a s o w a r k v e T i l n i ar ZalmiZs aRvwero is sazareli Rame. mxolod gulmowyale Zilma,

drodadro Tavs rom wagvarTmevda xolme, gadagvatanina warmoudgeneli tanjva-wameba. marTalia, daRlilobam Tavisi qna, magram didxans Zili mainc ar SegveZlo. wuTiTac ar mSordeboda fiqri imaze, rom ueWvelad unda davRupuliyaviT. es fiqri amqveynad yvelaze mxne da gabedul adamiansac ki SeaZrwunebda, Torem me ra viyavi! garda amisa, TviT siCume iseTi usasrulo da imdenad damTrgunveli iyo, rom Zili wamiswam mifrTxeboda.

mkiTxvelo! egeb Senc gagitarebia uZilo Rame, Senc Seuwuxebixar mtanjvel siCumes, magram darwmunebuli var, araviTari warmodgena ara gaqvs imaze, ra sazareli da TiTqmis xelSesaxebic ki SeiZleba iyos sruli siCume. zemoT, dedamiwis zedapirze, mudam raRac moZraobs, mudam gaismis xmebi. SeiZleba es xmebi verc ki miswvdes kacis smenas, magram isini mainc aduneben srul siCumes. aq ki, am mRvimeSi xma arsaidan aRwevda. Cven damarxulebi viyaviT uzarmazari mTis qveS, romlis mwvervalic Tovls daefara. iq, zemoT, aTasi futis simaRleze civi qari TeTri Tovlis fantelebs xvetda, magram misi zuzuni Cvens yuramde ar aRwevda. grZeli talani da xuTi futis sisqis kedeli gvaSorebda TviT im sazareli sikvdilis savanesac ki. magram mkvdrebs xom siCume uyvarT. cisa da miwis artileriisaTvis rom moeyaraT erTad Tavi, misi grialic ki ar moaRwevda aqamde. diax, cocxlad viyaviT damarxulebi da Cveni samare mTel samyaros mowyvetili iyo.

uecrad saocari simwvaviT SevigrZeni, ra sastikad, ra uwyalod dagvcina bedma. irgvliv ewyo ganZeuloba, riTac SegveZlo gagvestumrebina qveynis nacionaluri vali, an agvego javSnosanTa mTeli flotilia, magram Cven sixaruliT SeveleodiT am simdidres, oRond ki aqedan gasvlis mcireodeni imedi mainc gvqonoda. sul male albaT sixaruliT gavcvlidiT am almasebs erT lukma purze an Wiqa wyalze, mere ki imazec, rom Cvens tanjvas rac SeiZleboda Cqara moReboda bolo. marTlac, simdidre, romlis dasagrovebladac adamianebi sicocxles ar iSureben, sulis amoxdis Jams kargavs Tavis fass.

dro zantad miizlazneboda. _ gud, _ uecrad wamoiZaxa ser henrim da misi xma daZabul siCumeSi

Semzaravad gaisma. _ asanTis ramdeni Reri dagvrCa? _ rva, kurtis.

_ aanTeT erTi, naxeT, ra droa. gudma asanTi aanTo, misma alma am ukuni sibnelis Semdeg pirdapir

Tvali mogvWra. Cemi saaTis isari dilis xuTs uCvenebda. axla Cvens zemoT amomavali

mzis sxivebi albaT vardisfrad aelvareben mTis mwvervalebs, grili qari ki Ramis nisls xeobisken erekeba.

_ uTuod unda gadavylapoT TiTo lukma saWmeli, rom Zala SevinarCunoT, _ vTqvi me,

_ risTvis? _ momigo gudma. _ rac ufro adre davixocebiT, miT ukeTesi iqneba.

_ vidre adamiani cocxlobs, imedi ar unda gadaiwyvitos, _ CaurTo ser henrim.

Cven naCqarevad gadavylapeT oriode lukma biltongi da TiTo ylupi wyali davayoleT. gamoxda mcire xani. ser henrim winadadeba mogvca, karTan mivsuliyaviT da rac Zala da Rone Segvwevda, gveyvira, radgan gulis siRrmeSi mainc gviRvivoda imedi, iqneb Cveni xma zemoT vinmem gaigonoso. gudi xelis cecebiT miadga kars da qajiviT mohyva yvirils. amgvari xma Cems sicocxleSi arsad gamegona, magram mere ra, gind mas eyvira da gind koRos ebzuvla sadme!

gudma yvirili Sewyvita da Cvenken wamovida. yeli gaSroboda da ise saSinlad swyuroda, SeuZlebeli iyo, wyali ar daelia. amis Semdeg gadavwyviteT, aRar gveyvira, radgan es Seamcirebda Cvens isedac mcire wylis marags.

kvlav davsxediT da zurgiT almasebiT savse yuTebs miveyrdeniT. hm, visTvis ra saWiro iyo axla es almasebi? didxans visxediT ase umoqmedod, gaunZrevlad, rac Cvens mdgomareobaSi namdvilad autaneli iyo. sasowarkveTilebam Semipyro. ser henris farTo mxarze miveyrdeni da avqviTindi. darwmunebuli var, gudic Zlivs ikavebda cremls da xmaCaxleCili lanZRavda Tavs sisustisaTvis. magram rom icodeT, rarig keTili da amave dros mtkice xasiaTis adamiani iyo ser henri! me da gudi patara balRebi rom vyofiliyaviT da vinmes SeveSinebineT, maSinac ki ver gamoiCenda amden sinazes Cvendami. kurtiss sruliad gadaaviwyda sakuTari tanjva da yvelaferi moimoqmeda imisaTvis, rom odnav mainc daemSvidebina es ori sasomixdili adamiani. man gaixsena mravali SemTxveva, roca CvensaviT sasikvdilod ganwirulma adamianebma raRac saocari SemTxvevis wyalobiT bolos mainc Tavi daaRwies sikvdils. mere mixvda, rom msgavsi ambebiT guls ver gagvimxnevebda, verc dagvamSvidebda da Tqva, Cveni mdgomareoba mxolod wina safexuria im garduvali dasasrulisa, romelic yvelas elis. Cveni tanjva male damTavrdeba da yvelaze mSvidi sikvdiliT movkvdebiTo (rac, rasakvirvelia, wminda wylis sicrue iyo).

Semdeg odnav SemkrTalma winadadeba mogvca, gangebasa da bedisweras mivndobodiT. WkuaSi damijda misi rCeva. saocari xasiaTi aqvs ser henris, Zalian mSvidi da Zlieri kacia.

ase RamesaviT gaiwela dRec, Tuki, saerTod, SeiZleboda am ukuni wyvdiadisaTvis dRe gvewodebina. asanTi avanTe da kvlav davxede saaTs. isari Svids uCvenebda.

kvlav SevWameT TiTo lukma saWmeli da wyali davayoleT. am dros uecrad erTma azrma gamielva.

_ rogor moxda, amden xans uhaerobiT rom ar amovixrCviT? _ vikiTxe, _ aq cxela, magram haeri adrindeliviT sufTaa.

_ RmerTo Cemo, _ wamoiZaxa gudma da ze wamoiWra, _ aqamde rogor ver movisazre? haeri qvis karSi ver Semova, radgan igi hermetuladaa daxSuli. aq rom saidanme haeris nakadi ar Semodiodes, didi xania, suls gavacxebdiT. modiT, veZeboT!

am sityvebma gulSi imedi gagviRviZa da erTianad gardagvqmna. wamis Semdeg samiveni iatakze davforTxavdiT. davdiodiT, vamowmebdiT kedlebs, rom gvepova haeris Tundac sul umniSvnelo dineba. uecrad xeli raRac civ sagans momixvda, _ es sabralo fulutas saxe iyo. Cemi aRtyineba myisve Caqra.

erT saaTze mets davlaslasebdiT aqeT-iqiT, magram uSedegod. bolos me da ser henris yovelgvari imedi gadagvewura da Zebna SevwyviteT. erTianad daSavebul-dalilavebulebi viyaviT, radgan bnelSi wamiswam vawydebodiT spilos eSvebs, yuTebs, kedlebs. guds jer kidev ar gadaewyvita imedi, guldagul ganagrZobda Zebnas, Tan ambobda, umoqmedobas isev fuWi Zebna sjobiao.

_ momismineT, megobrebo, _ Tqva man bolos ucnaurad moguduli xmiT, _ aba, erTi aqeT modiT!

Tqma ar unda, maSinve misken gaveqaneT, bnelSi vborZikobdiT da erTmaneTs vawydebodiT.

_ quotermen, aba daadeT xeli aq, grZnobT rames? _ me mgonia, aq haeri unda gadiodes. _ aba, yuri daugdeT! _ Tqva gudma da iatakze fexi dahkra. xma buge iyo. aman gulSi kvlav imedis naperwkali gagviRviva. acaxcaxebuli xeliT avanTe asanTi da davinaxeT, rom erT-erT

kuTxeSi videqiT. Cven qveS udavod sicariele iyo. swrafad movaTvaliereT iataki da zed raRac bzari SevamCnieT. magram es ra aris? RmerTo Zliero, iatakSi qvis rgolia datanebuli! aRelvebisagan enas ver vabrunebdiT, guli ise Zalumad gvicemda, laparaki aRar SegveZlo.

guds Tan patara, kauWiani dana hqonda. am kauWiT cxens floqvebSi gakvetebul kenWebs aclian xolme. kapitanma dana gaxsna da Seecada, kauWi rgolisTvis moedo. nel-nela Seacura qveS da frTxilad moswia, radgan eSinoda, qvis simZimes ar gaetexa. male rgoli SeinZra. miuxedavad imisa, rom mravali saukunis ganmavlobaSi gaunZrevlad ido, misi amoZraveba SesaZlebeli gaxda. es imitom, rom qvisagan iyo gakeTebuli. rkinis rgols ase advilad rodi aamoZravebda kaci. male rgoli vertikalurad wamoizniqa, maSin gudma xeli gauyara da mTeli ZaliT daejajgura, magram amaod. qva ar nebdeboda.

_ modiT, axla me vcdi, _ mouTmenlad vuTxari. qva imgvarad iyo kuTxeSi CaWedili, rom ori kaci erTdroulad ver miudgeboda. amitom gudma Tavisi adgili damiTmo. me rgols xeli wavavle da, rac ki SemeZlo, gamovqaCe. ara, mec verafers gavxdi.

maSin ser henrim Semcvala, Tumca isic tyuilad daSvra. gudma xelaxla aiRo kauWi da amowminda bzari, saidanac saganZurSi

haeri Semodioda. _ axla ki saqmes SevudgeT, kurtis, _ Tqva man, _ kai magari samuSao

geliT. magram ara uSavs, ori kacis Rone mainc geqnebaT. erTi wuTiT momiTmineT! _ gudma moixsna Tavisi Savi yelsaxvevi, romelsac arasodes icilebda da rgols gamodo. yelsaxvevi magari abreSumis Zafisagan iyo naqsovi da ase iolad ar gawydeboda, _ quotermen, kurtis, magrad

CasWideT xeli da rogorc ki getyviT, aba, gaswieT-meTqi, mTeli ZaliT gamoqaCeT.

ser henrim mTeli Tavisi goliaTuri Zala moikriba, me da gudmac SeZlebisdagvarad wavaSveleT xeli.

_ midiT, midiT, daiZra! _ daiyvira ser henrim, Tan suli egubeboda. mesmoda misi Zlieri kunTebis tkacuni.

uecrad gaisma raRac xma da qvis fila nel-nela gadmoiwia. xvrelSi haeris nakadi SemoiWra. Cven yvelani gulaRma veyareT,

zemodan ki uzarmazari qvis fila gvedo. mxolod ser henris goliaTurma Zalam gvixsna.

_ aanTeT asanTi, quotermen, _ miTxra ser henrim, rogorc ki wamovdeqiT da cota suli moviTqviT. _ frTxilad! frTxilad! ai, axla ki gahkariT!

asanTis Suqze Tvali movkari qvis kibis pirvel safexurs. oh, dideba Senda, ufalo!

_ rogor moviqceT axla? _ ikiTxa gudma. _ eg ra sakiTxavia. CavyveT am kibes da gangebas mivendoT. _ moiTmineT, _ Tqva ser henrim, _ quotermen, wamoiReT biltongi da

wyali, CemTvis arc erTi zedmeti ar iqneba. me xelis cecebiT gavbrundi im adgilisken, sadac am cota xnis

winaT yuTebze zurgmiyrdnobilebi visxediT. uecrad TavSi moulodnelma azrma gamielva. am bolo dros almasebi aRarc ki mogvgonebia. maTze fiqric ki autaneli iyo. radgan daRupvis pirad swored am qvebma migviyvana. es xom ase iyo, magram mainc vifiqre, araferi daSavdeba, ramdenime cali almasi Tan rom waviRo, iqneb am sazarel xvrels saswauliT Tavi davaRwioT, maSin xom gamogvadgeba-meTqi. xeli Cavyavi pirvel yuTSi da Cemi sanadiro qurTukis jibeebi almasebiT avavse. bolos mesame yuTidanac amoviRe oriode muWa msxvili almasi da im almasebs zemodan davayare.

_ mismineT, megobrebo, _ daviyvire, _ xom ar wamoiRebT almasebs? me jibeebSi adgili aRar damrCa.

_ oh, eSmakma daswyevlos eg qvebi, _ mipasuxa ser henrim, _ imedi maqvs, Cems sicocxleSi maT TvaliT aRar davinaxav!

gudma ki sulac ar gamca xma. vfiqrob, igi sabralo fulatas neSts emSvidobeboda. sawyali fulata, ra Zlier uyvarda Cveni kapitani! Sen, Cemo mkiTxvelo, mSvidad zixar Sin da albaT fiqrob, rogor miatoves ase gulgrilad es auracxeli qonebao. SeiZleba Cveni aseTi gulgriloba ucnauric ki geCvenos. magram uWmel-usmels CvensaviT miwisqveS rom gagetarebina mTeli ocdarva saaTi, cxadia, arc Sen moisurvebdi almasebis TreviT Tavi dagemZimebina. isic maSin, roca sadRac, qvesknelSi unda Cahyolodi kibes, rom rogorme Tavi gexsna. me rom mTeli sicocxlis manZilze sisxlSi ar mqonoda gamjdari Cveuleba, ar gadameyara is, risi gamoyenebac ase Tu ise, SeiZleboda, rasakvirvelia, arc ki vifiqrebdi, almasebiT jibeebi amevso.

_ wamodiT, quotermen, _ miTxra ser henrim, igi ukve kibis safexurze idga. _ mSvidad, mSvidad! me win vivli.

_ frTxilad iyaviT, dabla SeiZleba ufskruli iyos! _ Cemi azriT, ufskruli ki ara, mRvime iqneba, _ Tqva ser henrim, Tan

nel-nela eSveboda dabla da safexurebs iTvlida. TxuTmeti safexuri rom CaiTvala, Sedga.

_ kibe aq wydeba, _ Tqva man. _ mgoni, aq talani unda iyos. CamodiT! ser henris kapitani mihyveboda, sul ukan ki me mivdiodi. kibis bolo

safexurs rom mivaRwie, asanTi avanTe. axla yuTSi erTi Reri asanTiRa dagvrCa. asanTis Suqze davinaxeT, rom viwro gvirabSi vimyofebodiT. gvirabis erTi Sto marcxniv miemarTeboda, meore _ marjvniv. meti veraferi davlandeT. namwvma TiTebi damiwva da asanTic Caqra. axla sakiTxavi is iyo, saiT wavsuliyaviT, marjvniv gavyolodiT gvirabs, Tu marcxniv gagvexvia? videqiT bnelSi da veraferi mogvesazrebina. cxadia, ar vicodiT, ras warmoadgenda an saiT midioda es gvirabebi. miuxedavad amisa, erT-erT maTgans SeiZleba gadaverCineT, meores ki daveRupeT. ver gadagvewyvita, rogor movqceuliyaviT, vidre gudma uecrad ar gaixsena, rom haeris dinebam asanTis ali marcxniv gadaxara.

_ wavideT iqiT, saidanac haeris nakadi modis, _ Tqva man. _ haeri aqedan ki ar gadis, garedan Semodis.

davTanxmdiT. kedel-kedel mivdiodiT da, vidre nabijs gadavdgamdiT, miwas frTxilad vsinjavdiT fexiT. ase davadeqiT sazarel gzas da TandaTanobiT davSordiT im wyeul saganZurs. Tu vinmes uweria, iq odesme fexi Sedgas, rac vfiqrob, arasodes moxdeba, sabuTad imisa, rom Cven, samiveni marTlac iq viyaviT, naxavT Zvirfasi TvlebiT savse Ria yuTebs, cariel Wraqs da sabralo fulatas gamoxrul TeTr Zvlebs.

TxuTmetiode wuTi xelis cecebiT mivyvebodiT gvirabs, magram ai, man mkveTrad mouxvia, ueWvelia, im adgils mivaRwieT, sadac am gvirabs meore kveTda. gavyeviT mas da mcire xnis Semdeg mesame gvirabSi movxvdiT. ramdenime saaTi amgvarad davexetebodiT. ase gvegona, qvis labirinTSi movxvdiT da mas Tavs veRarasodes davaRwevdiT. rasakvirvelia, arc erTma Cvenganma ar icoda, ras warmoadgenda es gvirabebi, vfiqrobdiT, rom es iyo sxvadasxva mimarTulebiT gayvanili sabados uZvelesi gasasvlelebi. albaT, yvela gvirabi sabados ZarRvs gasdevda.

bolos sruliad ilajgawyvetilebi SevCerdiT. xsnis imedi aRar iyo. dardiT guli gvewureboda. mainc SevWameT TiTo naWeri biltongi da ukanaskneli ylupi wyali davayoleT, radgan yeli saSinlad gvqonda gamSrali. swored rom bedis dacinva iyo: saganZurSi sikvdils TiTqos imisTvis davaRwieT Tavi, rom aq, am erTmaneTSi axlarTul-daxlarTul gvirabebSi dagvelia suli.

videqiT ase daRvremil-dafiqrebulni, aRar vicodiT, ra gveRona an ra gzas davdgomodiT.

uceb TiTqos raRac xma Semomesma. vifiqre, momeCvena-meTqi da Cems Tanamgzavrebs vTxove, yuri miegdoT. diax, es namdvilad xma iyo, magram Zalze susti da Soreuli, TiTqos sadRac wyali mirakrakebso. ver agiwerT, ra netarebam Segvipyro samiveni, roca amdeni xnis Semdeg, TiTqmis cocxlad damarxulebma Zlivs gavigoneT raRac xmis msgavsi.

_ vficav, aq sadRac wyali unda mirakrakebdes, _ wamoiZaxa gudma. _ wavideT, raRas veliT!

isev kedel-kedel mivyeviT talans. rac ufro win miviwevdiT, miT ufro garkveviT gvesmoda wylis Cxriali da bolos am samarisebur siCumeSi karga Zlieradac dairxa es xma. win! win! axla saeWvo aRara iyo ra, garkveviT gvesmoda wylis Zlieri Cqeris xma. saocaria, ra undoda wyals aq, miwis siRrmeSi!

axla sul axlos viyaviT misgan. gudi gveficeboda, wylis suni mcemso.

_ frTxilad iyaviT, _ uTxra ser henrim, _ mgoni wyali aq axlos unda iyos.

amis Tqma-Ra moaswro, rom Semogvesma wylis Sxapuni da gudis yvirili, diax, diax, Cveni kapitani wyalSi Cavarda.

_ gud! gud! sada xarT? _ vyvirodiT dafeTebulebi. rom icodeT, ra sixaruli vigrZeniT, roca Soridan mogvesma moguduli xma.

_ saSiSi araferia, kldes CaveWide, aanTeT asanTi, rom davinaxo, saiT gamovcurde!

me saCqarod avanTe asanTis ukanaskneli Reri, mis sust alze, zed Cvens fexebTan gamoCnda CaSavebuli wyali. Tqma ar unda, amgvar Suqze mdinaris meore napirs ver davinaxavdiT, magram Cvengan moSorebiT Tvali movkariT guds, igi kldis qims CabRauWebuli ekida.

_ sxva gza ar aris, unda gamovcuro, _ dagviyvira gudma, _ mzad iyaviT, rom wylidan amosvlisas xeli SemaSveloT.

Semdeg isev Semogvesma wylis Sxapuni. gudi mocuravda da TavganwirviT ebrZoda talRebs. kidev wuTi da igi ukve Cven gverdiT idga. ser henrim xeli gauwoda da, rogorc iqna, wylidan amovaTrieT.

_ RmerTmani, _ Tqva kapitanma, Tan piriT xarbad iWerda haers, _ im kldes rom ar movWidebodi, an curva ar mcodnoda, cudad wavidoda Cemi saqme. Cqeri warmoudgenlad swrafia, fskers ki verafriT fexi ver Cavuwvdine.

cxadi iyo, win fexsac ver wavdgamdiT. gudma cota daisvena da suli moiTqva, Cvenc blomad davlieT

miwisqveSa wyali da sakmaod gemrielic gveCvena. xel-piri davibaneT, ramdenadac ki SegveZlo CamovirecxeT WuWyi. Semdeg ki davtoveT afrikuli stiqsis napiri da imave gvirabs ukan gavyeviT. gudis sveli tansacmlidan tkapatkupiT mowveTavda wyali, magram kapitani axlac win migviZRoda. bolos mivaRwieT gzagasayars, aqedan marjvniv meore gvirabi gadioda.

_ ra gaewyoba, unda vcadoT, _ moqanculi xmiT Tqva ser henrim, _ aq yvela gza erTnairia, viaroT, sanam ar davecemiT.

didxans, Zalian didxans mivlaslasebdiT gvirabSi. amjerad win ser henri migviZRoda.

uecrad igi SeCerda da daiCurCula: _ SexedeT! ra aris es, Wkuaze viSlebi, Tu marTla Suqia? Cven TvalCaciebiT davacqerdiT bnels. win, sadRac Sors,

sarkmlisodenad marTlac moCanda raRac mqrqali Suqi. es Suqi imdenad susti iyo, rom mxolod Cvens bnelsSeCveul Tvalebs SeeZlo misi garCeva.

aRelvebisagan suli SegvexuTa. imedma kvlav gagvinaTa guli, mxned mivabijebdiT win. xuTi wuTis Semdeg eWvi gagviqarwylda, _ diax, es namdvilad Suqi iyo. kidev wami da ukve saR, sufTa haers visunTqavdiT. daRlil-daqanculebi sul win da win miviwevdiT. uecrad gvirabi ise daviwrovda da dadablda, rom ser henris oTxze siaruli uwevda. Semdeg ki, Semdeg, meliis sorosodena raRac xvrelSi mivZvrebodiT, magram es soro miwaSi gadioda. qvis talani ukan movitoveT.

kidev erTxel davataneT Tavs Zala da aha, ser henri ukve gacocda xvrelidan, mas me da gudi mivyeviT. oh, RmerTo! maRliT kurTxeuli varskvlavebi dagvnaTodnen, xarbad visunTqavdiT sufTa, kriala haers. magram moulodnelad miwa fexqveS CagvemzRvla da kisristexiT davqandiT

Zirs. mivTelavdiT mwvane balaxs, vlewavdiT rbil, notio miwaze fexmokidebul buCqebs.

rogorc iyo, fesvs wavavle xeli, SevCerdi, mere nel-nela wamovjeqi da, rac Zali da Rone mqonda, daviyvire. dablidan ser henri gamomexmaura, igi odnav wamoweul adgilas gaCxeriliyo. ZlivZlivobiT mivcocdi masTan. es amodena kaci suls Zlivs ibrunebda, Tumca daSavebiT ara daSaveboda ra. Semdeg oriveni gudis Zebnas SevudeqiT. isic iqve axlos vnaxeT, farTod gaSlil orkapa fesvSi gaWediliyo. Zalian iyo daJeJili, magram male movida gons. samiveni balaxze davsxediT. nanax-gancdilma ise imoqmeda Cvenze, rom bednierebisagan, mgoni, avtirdiT kidec. xumroba xom ar iyo, Tavi davaRwieT sazarel sapyrobiles, romelic, cotas gawyda, samared ar gadagveqca. albaT raRac mowyale Zalam warmarTa Cveni nabiji im mxares, sadac mTavrdeboda gvirabi da meliis soro iwyeboda, _ diax, diax, namdvilad soroSi movforTxavdiT.

ai, cam piri gaxsna da mTis mwvervalze aTrTolda ganTiadis mauwyebeli mowiTalo-movardisfro Suqi, mere ruxi aisi dauyva mTis ferdobebs, dilis riJraJma frTa gaSala da davinaxeT, rom uzarmazari sabados fskerze vimyofebodiT. iqve moCanda mRvimeSi Sesasvlelic. Cven win ki sami bumberazi ijda. eWvi ar mepareba, rom is sazareli gvirabebi, romelSic mTeli Ramis ganmavlobaSi davdiodiT, odesRac am almasis sabados uerTdeboda. rac Seexeba miwisqveSa mdinares, mxolod erTma RmerTma uwyis, saidan modioda an saiT miedineboda. piradad me araviTari survili ara maqvs, vikvlio misi gza da kvali.

miwas TandaTanobiT moefina naTeli. axla ukve kargad vxedavdiT erTmaneTs da, unda gamogitydeT, saSineli sanaxavebi viyaviT. loyebi da Tvalebi samives Rrmad Cagvcvenoda, TaviT fexebamde WuWysa da mtverSi amoganglulebi viyaviT. sxeuli da xel-fexi erTianad dabeJil-daCeCqvili gvqonda. saxeze ki Rrmad aRgvbeWdvoda SiSi, SiSi sikvdilis winaSe, romelsac amdeni xani vebrZodiT. erTi sityviT, Cveni Semxedvare, TviT mzis sxivic ki dafrTxeboda. xom ase iyo, magram guds monokli isev Tvalze hqonda. ara mgonia, rom am xnis ganmavlobaSi erTi wuTiT mainc moecilebinos. verc wyvdiadSi xetialma, verc miwisqveSa mdinareSi Wyumpalaobam, verc am ferdobze kisristexiT kotrialma ver gahyara Cveni kapitani Tavis monokls.

cota davisveneT da wamovdeqiT. gveSinoda, daRlil-daqanculebs didxans jdomiT fexebi ar dagvbuJeboda. wamovdeqiT da nel-nela SevudeqiT am uzarmazari Zabris ferdobs. mTeli sxeuli gvtexda da gvtkioda, amitom yovel nabijze vCerdebodiT.

saaTze meti jiutad mivyvebodiT aRmarTs. frTxilad mivabijebdiT cisfer molipul Tixaze da balaxsa da fesvebs vebRauWebodiT.

aha, rogorc iqna, dasrulda Cveni mogzauroba, ukve did gzaze videqiT, Cven pirdapir ki sami bumberazi moCanda.

asiode iardze, qoxebis win, koconi enTo. irgvliv xalxi usxda, Cvenc iqiTken wavediT, erTmaneTs veSvelebodiT da wamiswam vCerdebodiT, rom cota suli mogveTqva. uecrad viRac kaci fexze wamodga, dagvinaxa Tu ara, miwaze daeca da SeSinebuli ayvirda.

_ infadus, infadus, es Cvena varT, Seni megobrebi! infadusi imwamsve wamoxta da Cvenken gamoqanda. SiSisagan

gafarToebuli TvalebiT gvaTvalierebda da erTianad kankalebda.

_ oh, Cemo mbrZaneblebo, Cemo mbrZaneblebo, Tqven namdvilad mkvdarTa qveynidan, mkvdarTa samyarodan dabrundiT.

moxuci meomari Cven winaSe pirqve daemxo, ser henris muxlebze xelebi SemoaWdo da sixarulisagan xmamaRla aqviTinda.

T a v i X I X

m S v i d o b i T , i g n o z i ! aTiode dRem ganvlo mas Semdeg, rac miwisqveSa sapyrobiles Tavi

davaRwieT. axla kvlav luuSi, Cvens qoxSi viyaviT. ucnauria, magram Cveni sazareli Tavgadasavlis Semdeg movikeTeT kidec, mxolod Cemi jagara Tma erTianad gamiTeTrda. gudi ki fulatas sikvdilis Semdeg Zalian gamoicvala. me, rogorc xanSi Sesuli kaci, bevrs vfiqrobdi imaze, rac Tavs gadagvxda da mivedi daskvnamde, rom yvelaferi kargad dasrulda. fulata rom ar daRupuliyo, gamouvali mdgomareoba Seiqneboda. sacodavi ubralo qals rodi hgavda, saocrad lamazi, mediduri da sakmaod gonebagaxsnili iyo. miuxedavad amisa, mainc ar iqneboda sasurveli, guds Tavisi bedi misTvis daekavSirebina. sabralom aki Tavad Tqva: rogorc mzes ar SeuZlia wyvdiadTan SeerTeba, ise TeTrkanians SavkanianTan SeuRlebao.

Tqma ar unda, solomon mefis saganZurSi Sesvla aRar gvicdia. roca gons movediT yvela im saSinelebis Semdeg, risi gadatanac am ormocdarva saaTSi mogvixda, kvlav CaveSviT sabadoSi im imediT, rom vnaxavdiT soros, romlis meoxebiT tyveobas Tavi davaRwieT, magram amaod daveZebdiT mas. jer erTi, gaavdrda da wvimam Cveni kvali gadarecxa. garda amisa, sabados ferdobebi mTlad daserili iyo WianWvelaWamiasa da sxva cxovelebis soroebiT, amitom SeuZlebeli iyo garkveva, romeli iyo maTSi Cveni mxsneli. vidre luuSi gavbrundebodiT, erTxel kidev davaTvaliereT stalaqtitebiani mRvimis sakvirvelebani, raRac ucnauri mRelvarebiT Sepyrobilebma erTxel kidev movinaxuleT mkvdarTa savane, TeTri sikvdilis SemarTuli Subis qveS gavZveriT da didxans SevyurebdiT qvis kedels, romelmac im dRes gza Cagviketa da gadarCenis imedi mogvispo. SevcqerodiT grZnobiT, romlis gadmocemac CemTvis Znelia. am wuTebSi samiveni vfiqrobdiT auracxel simdidreze, ucnaur beber kudianze da mSvenier fulataze, visi akldamis karic samudamod iyo daxSuli yvelasTvis.

me mogaxseneT, kedels SvcqerodiT-meTqi. imitom rom, Tumca bevri veZebeT, asawevi karis niSanwyalic ki versad vnaxeT da, rasakvirvelia, ver gavigeT im meqanizmis saidumloc, romelic am kars amoZravebda. ase rom, is kari yvelasTvis samudamod dakargulia. bolos da bolos gabrazebulebma SevwyviteT Zebna. es uzarmazari qva Cven Tvalwin marTla rom aweuliyo, gambedaoba arc ki gveyofoda, gadagvebijebina gagulas dasaxiCrebuli gvamisaTvis da saganZurSi SevsuliyaviT. ara, ara, rom kidec daverwmunebineT vinmes, im almasebs xelSi CaigdebTo, mainc ver gadavdgamdiT am nabijs. miuxedavad amisa, javriT lamis avtirdi, roca gavifiqre, ra uTvalavi simdire rCeboda am kedels iqiT. es iyo albaT udidesi ganZi, romelic ki adamianis xels odesme daegrovebina, magram ra unda gveRona? mxolod dinamits SeeZlo CvenTvis gza gaekafa

xuTi futis sisqis kldeSi. ase rom, davtoveT es sazareli adgili. iqneb Soreul momavalSi, sxva, ukeTes saukuneSi, Cvenze ufro bednierma mkvlevarma SemTxveviT miagnos karis saidumlos, warmoTqvas jado sityva `sezam, gaiRe!" da msoflios bazrebi Zvirfasi qvebiT aavsos. magram mainc mgonia, rom xis sam yuTSi Cayrili is Zvirfasi Tvlebi verasodes Seamkoben ulamazes asulTa da mandilosanTa TeTr yels da, vidre samyaro irsebebs, is ganZic iseve xeluxleblad ideba bnel daranSi fulatas ZvlebTan erTad.

gawbilebulebma davtoveT iqauroba da meore dRes luusken mimaval gzas davadeqiT. unda vTqva, Cveni mxriv umaduroba iyo, ase guldawyvetilebi rom mivdiodiT. albaT gaxsovs, mkiTxvelo, vidre sapyrobiles samudamod mivatovebdiT, me yoveli SemTxvevisaTvis qurTukis jibeebi almasebiT avivse. bevri Zvirfasi qva dakarguliyo, roca ferdobze davgordi, maT Soris is msxvili almasebic, zemodan rom davayare, magram, miuxedavad amisa, mainc blomad damrCa: Tvrameti msxvili qvis CaTvliT, romelTagan TiToeuli ocdaaTidan as karatamde iwonida. diax, Cemi Zveli qurTukis jibeebSi kidev imdeni Zvirfaseuloba iyo, rom Cven yvelani milionerebi Tu ara, Zalze mdidari adamianebi mainc viyaviT. amasTan, mTels evropaSi almasebis aseTi koleqcia aravis eqneboda. ase rom, sawuwuno da bedis samduravi araferi gvqonda

luuSi rom mivediT, ignozi sixaruliT Semogvegeba. mSvenivrad gamoiyureboda, Tumca saqme Tavsayreli hqonda. taxti unda ganemtkicebina da gardaeqmna polkebi, romelTac TualasTan brZolaSi Zalze didi danaklisi ganicades.

mefem didi yuradRebiT moismina Cveni Tavgadasavali. gagulas sazareli sikvdili rom gaigo, dafiqrda.

_ modi aq! _ ixmo man moxuci indunu (uxucesi) daaxloebul pirTa ricxvidan, romlebic moSorebiT isxdnen da Cveni saubari ar esmodaT.

moxuci wamodga. mefes eaxla, mowiwebiT daukra Tavi da dajda. _ Sen karga didi xnis kaci iqnebi, _ uTxra ignozim. _ diax, Cemo mbrZanebelo, Seni mamis mama da me erT dResa varT

dabadebulni. _ miTxari, bavSvobaSi icnobdi gagulas? _ diax, Cemo mbrZanebelo. _ im dros gagulac bavSvi iqneboda, ara? _ ara, Cemo batono, axla rom aris, zustad aseTi iyo, is ki ara,

papaCemis ymawvilkacobaSic swored aseTive saxedaRaruli, maxinji, mixrwnili da borotebiT savse yofila.

_ gagula aRar aris, gagula mokvda. _ mesmis, hoi mefeo. Tu asea, odindeli wyevla moexsneba Cvens

qveyanas. _ kargi, wadi! _ mivdivar, Savo lekvo, beberi ZaRlis mkvlelo. _ xom xedavT, Zmebo, _ gviTxra ignozim, _ gagula Zalian ucnauri

qali iyo da me kmayofili var, rom mokvda. im bnel mRvimeSi Tqveni cocxlad damarxva ewada, Semdeg iqneb rame xerxi eRona da mec movekali, rogorc erT dros mokla mamaCemi da taxtze Tuala aiyvana. Tuala xom Zalian uyvarda. axla ki gTxovT, ganagrZoT Tqveni Tavgadasavali, romlis msgavsi jer aravis gadaxdenia.

me vuambe ignozis Cveni gadarCenis ambavi, amasTan, visargeble SemTxveviT da vuTxari, Tqveni qveynidan unda wavideT-meTqi. me, ser henrim da gudma amaze winaswar moviTaTbireT.

_ axla ki, ignozi, Cveni gamoTxovebis Jami dadga. Cven kvlav unda gavuyveT grZel gzas samSoblosaken. mismine, ignozi, Sen CvenTan erTad moxvedi aq Rarib-Rataki da uTvistomo, Cveni msaxuri iyavi, axla ki Zlevamosili mefe xar. Tu Cvendami madlobis grZnoba giRvivis gulSi, nu daiviwyeb, rac gviTxari, moiqeci ise, rogorc amas gvpirdebodi; marTe qveyana samarTlianad, pativi dasde kanons, nuravis moklav umizezod, icode, mxolod maSin iqnebi bednieri, Tu Seasruleb, rac giTxari. xval gariJraJze ki gamogvayole meomrebi, rom mTebze gadasvlaSi dagvexmaron. rad daRondi, mefeo, uaris Tqmas xom ar apireb?

ignozim Tvalebze xelebi aifara da erTxans xma ar gauRia. _ guli metkina, _ Tqva bolos, _ Tqvenma sityvebma guli orad

gamipo. ra dagiSaveT, inkubu, makumazan da bugvan, ratom gindaT momayenoT aseTi mwuxareba, rad unda damtovoT?! Tqven xom brZolaSi gverdiT medeqiT, nuTu damtovebT gamarjvebis Jams, roca irgvliv sruli simSvidea? ra gnebavT? colebi? airCieT, vinc ki mogewonebaT; sacxovrebeli adgili? mTeli qveyana Tqvens gankargulebaSia; iseTi saxlebi gnebavT, TeTrkanianebi rom cxovroben? aswavleT Cvens xalxs, rogor aagon da saxlebic geqnebaT; saqoneli gindaT, rZe an xorci? _ yoveli Cemi daojaxebuli mamakaci moggvriT xars an Zroxas. nadirobas moiwadinebT? gana irmebi Cems tyeebSi ar daexetebian an behemotebs lelianebSi ar sZinavT? iqneb gulSi brZolis Jini giRviviT? Cemi jarebi Tqvens gankargulebas elian. Tu garda imisa, rac axla CamovTvale, ramis boZeba, an raime Txovnis Sesruleba kidev SemiZlian, miTxariT da arc imas daviSureb.

_ ara, ignozi, _ vuTxari. _ Cven araferi gvinda, garda imisa, rom samSobloSi davbrundeT da sakuTari kera moviZioT.

_ maS ase, _ mwared Tqva ignozim da TvalebSi naperwklebma gauelva. _ Tqven eg brWyviala qvebi Cemze, Tqvens Zvel megobarze metad giyvarT. axla qvebi xelT igdeT, natalSi dabrundebiT, gadaseravT Sav mRvrie wyals, rom gayidoT isini da mdidrebi SeiqnaT. es aris yoveli TeTri adamianis survili da miswrafeba. wyeulimc iyos eg qvebi, wyeulimc iyos, vinc maT eZebs, sikvdili imas, vinc fexs Seadgams mkvdarTa savaneSi simdidris saZebnelad. me vTqvi! SegiZliaT wabrZandeT, TeTrkanianebo!

_ ignozi, _ vuTxari da xeli xelze Sevaxe. _ mipasuxe, Sen rom zulusebis qveyanaSi mogzaurobdi, mere ki natalSi TeTrkanianebs emsaxurebodi, gana guli ar geweoda qveynisaken, romelzedac dedaSeni imden rames giambobda? gana ar genatreboda mSobliuri mxare, sadac pirvelad agexila Tvali, sadac TamaSobdi; gana guli samSoblosken ar migiwevda?

_ diax, makumazan. _ ai, aseve gvenatreba Cvenc Cveni samSoblo. Camovarda siCume. _ mesmis, rasac niSnavs eg sityvebi, makumazan, _ daarRvia dumili

ignozim; xmaSecvlili laparakobda. _ rogorc yovelTvis, axlac brZnulad msjelob. frenas SeCveuls miwaze forTxva ar ZaluZs. TeTrkanians ar SeuZlia zangiviT icxovros. diax, Tqven unda waxvideT. unda waxvideT, magram Cemi guli sevdiT aris savse, imitom rom iqidan,

sadac Tqven iqnebiT, Tqvens ambavs veravin momawvdis. magram, mismineT. da, dae, Cemi sityva gaigos yvelam! dReidan gza im mTebze yvela TeTrkanianisaTvis daketilia, maSinac ki, Tu vinme SeZlebs aqamde moaRwios. me Cems qveyanaSi ar SemovuSveb TofebiTa da romiT movaWreebs, Cemi Tanamemamuleni momavalSic mxolod SubebiT ibrZoleben da wyurvilsac, msgavsad maTi winaprebisa, mxolod da mxolod wyliT moiklaven. me ar davuSveb, rom misionerebma Cems xalxs sikvdilis SiSi Caunergon gulSi, rom ufro advilad aamxedron mefis winaaRmdeg da amiT gza gaukafon TeTrkanianebs, maT mudam ukan rom miyvebian. Tu romelime TeTrkaniani moadgeba Cems qveyanas, me mas ukanve gavabruneb. asi TeTrkaniani rom movides, ukan davaxevineb. Tu jari momadgeba, mec Cems jars Sevagebeb da ucxoelebs gamarjveba ar eRirsebaT. verc erTi adamiani fexs veRar Semodgams aq brWyviala qvebisTvis. adamiani ki ara, jaric ver SemoaRwevs! magram, Tu vinicobaa, movidnen, gavgzavni Cems meomrebs, rom qvebiT amoavson maRaro, daamsxvrion TeTri svetebi da milew-molewon iqauroba ise, rom im karTan miaxlovebac veravin SeZlos. Tqven samisaTvis ki _ inkubu, makumazan da bugvan _ Cemi qveynis kari mudam Ria iqneba, imitom, rom mokvdavTa Soris Cems guls Tqvenze Zvirfasi da maxlobeli aravin hyavs. axla ki nebas gaZlevT waxvideT aqedan. infadusi, Cemi mamis Zma xels CagkidebT da ise gagiyvanT aqedan. mcvelad misi polki wamogyvebaT. me Sevityve, rom im mTebSi sxva gzac gadis, Cemi meomrebi swored im gziT wagiyvanen. axla ki mSvidobiT, Zmebo, mamaco TeTro adamianebo. CemTan Sexvedras amis metad nuRar ecdebiT, imitom, rom guli mets veRar aitans. momismineT, me gamovcem brZanebas, romelsac erTi mTidan meoreze gadaZaxiliT Seatyobineben mTels qveyanas. dReidan Cemi qveynis xalxi Tqvens saxelebs moixseniebs iseTive pativiT, rogorc Tavis gardacvlil mefeTa saxelebs da sikvdili ar ascdeba mas, visi bagec maT warmoTqvams. amgvarad, Tqveni xsovna mudam icocxlebs Cvens xalxSi. wadiT-meTqi, wadiT, vidre Cems Tvalebs, msgavsad qalisa, cremli ar daufrqvevia. odesme, roca moxucdebiT da gasaTbobad cecxlis piras dasxdebiT, radgan maSin mzis siTbo ukve sakmarisi aRar iqneba TqvenTvis, gaixseneT, rogor videqiT mxardamxar did brZolaSi, romlis dasasruli Senma brZnulma sityvebma imTaviTve gadawyvita, makumazan. gaixseneT, bugvani wvetiani rqis msgavsad rom SeiWra mtris jarSi, inkubu ki idga, ruxebiT garSemortymuli, da misi najaxiT mocelili adamianebi ise ecemodnen, rogorc TavTavi Tibvisas. moigoneT, rogor Semusra inkubum gareuli kameCis, Tualas, Zliereba, da rogor gaaswora miwasTan misi siamaye. mSvidobiT, mSvidobiT, samudamod, inkubu, makumazan da bugvan, Cemo Zvirfaso megobrebo da mbrZaneblebo!

am sityvebiT ignozi wamodga, ramdenime wuTs mdumared, Rrmad Cafiqrebuli gvicqeroda, Semdeg mosasxamis kalTa Tavze gadaifara, TiTqos imisTvis, rom misi saxe aRar dagvenaxa.

Cven xmaamouRebliv gavediT qoxidan. meore dRes riJraJze davtoveT luu. Tan mogvyveboda kameCebis

polki da Cveni megobari infadusi, romelic Zalian naRvlobda CvenTan ganSorebas. am dilaadrian qalaqis mTavari quCa xalxiT iyo gaWedili. roca polkis TanxlebiT gverdze CavuareT, isini mogvesalmnen SeZaxilebiT _ `kuum! kuum!" qalebi ki yvavilebs gvesrodnen da gvlocavdnen imisaTvis, rom maTi qveyana Tualas batonobisagan

gavaTavisufleT. yvelaferi es Zalze amaRelvebeli iyo da sulac ar hgavda velurebTan gamoTxovebis suraTs.

magram Zalian sasacilo incindentis gareSe saqme mainc ar damTavrebula.

is iyo, qalaqis sazRvars unda gavcdenodiT, rom xalxis jgufidan gamoqanda lamazi axalgazrda qali; xelSi ramdenime SroSani eWira. yvavilebi guds gauwoda (ratomRac guds qalTa Soris didi warmateba hqonda, vfiqrob, monokli da cali bakenbardi am nazi arsebebis TvalSi mas raRac gansakuTrebul romantikul elfers aniWebda) da uTxra, SenTan didi saTxovari maqvso.

_ Tqvi! _ Cemma mbrZanebelma uCvenos mis monasa da mxevals Tavisi mSvenieri

TeTri fexebi, rom SemeZlos erTxel kidev movkra maT Tvali da mere Cems Svilebs vuambo yvelaferi. Tqveni mona oTxi dRe modioda, raTa enaxa isini.

_ eSmakma wamiRos, Tu ase moviqce! _ aRelvebiT wamoiZaxa gudma. _ kmara, kmara, Zvirfaso, _ daamSvida ser henrim. _ rogor SeiZleba

ledi gaawbiloT da Txovnaze uari uTxraT? _ ara, ara, _ jiutad gaimeora gudma, _ es saSineli uzrdeloba

iqneboda. _ magram bolos da bolos mainc daTanxmda, aekarwaxebina Sarvali da TeTri wvivebi gamoeCina.

gaisma aRfrTovanebuli SeZaxilebi. yvelaze aRtacebuli is axalgazrda ledi Canda.

gudi ase Sarvalakapiwebuli modioda, vidre qalaqis karibWes ar gavcdiT. vSiSob, Cveni kapitnis fexebi aw arasodes iqneba esodeni aRtacebis sagani. misi moZravi kbilebi da, ase gasinjeT, gamWvirvale Tvalic ki, sakmaod mobezrdaT kukuanelebs. `mSvenier TeTr fexebze" ki msgavss verafers vityviT.

gzaSi infadusma gviTxra, im qedis CrdiloeTiT, romlis gagrZelebas solomon mefis didi gza warmoadgens, sxva gadasasvlelic arsebobs, an ukeT rom vTqvaT, aris adgili, saidanac SeiZleba kldovan qeds dabla dahyveo. es qedi kukuanelTa qveyanas didi udabnosagan hyofs, mis zemoT ki aRmarTulia dedofal sabias ori mTa. am oriode wlis winaT kukuaneli meomrebi siraqlemebs gasdevnebian da im gziT udabnoSi Casulan. siraqlemas frTebs am qveyanaSi xom didi gasavali aqvT. maT meomarTa jiRebisaTvis iyeneben. monadireebi, cota ar iyos, Sors SeWrilan udabnoSi da Zalze moswyurebiaT. Sors raRac xeebis msgavsi daulandavT, iqiTken wasulan da amwvanebul, wyaluxv oaziss ki wadgomian. oazisi ramdenime milze yofila gadaWimuli. infadusis TqmiT, Cven swored iqiTken unda wavsuliyaviT.

moxuci meomris rCeva WkuaSi dagvijda, radgan es gza agvaSorebda mTebis Zneladsaval bilikebs. garda amisa, oazisamde migvacilebda ramdenime monadire, romelTac igi aRmoaCines. monadireebi amtkicebdnen, udabnoSi sxva oazisic davinaxeTo. Cven auCqareblad miviwevdiT win da meoTxe dRes, saRamo xans, kvlav kldovan qedze aRmovCndiT. udabno dedofal sabias mTebis CrdiloeTiT, daaxloebiT ocdaxuT milze, iqneboda gadaSlili. misi qviSis talRebi zed Cven ferxTiT adi-Cadioda.

mexuTe dRes, ganTiadze Cvenma gamyolebma migviyvanes im adgilamde, sadac iwyeboda cicabo daRmarTi udabnosaken. Cven axla ori aTas xuTasi futis simaRleze mainc vimyofebodiT.

aq gamoveTxoveT Cvens guliTad megobars, Zvel meomars infaduss. man warmateba da bednieri mgzavroba gvisurva. Tan mwuxarebisagan cremls Zlivs imagrebda.

_ Cemi Tvalebi veRarasodes ixilavs TqvenisTana adamianebs, Cemo mbrZaneblebo. rogor celavda inkubu brZolaSi mters! ra sanaxavi iyo, erTi dartymiT Tualas Tavi rom mohkveTa!.. aseT dartymas Cems sicocxleSi veRar vixilav, rasakvirvelia, Tu ZilSi ar mesizmra.

Cven Zalian gveZneleboda infadusTan ganSoreba. guds ise auCuyda guli, rom moxuc meomars Tavisi monoklic ki aCuqa (Semdeg aRmovaCineT, rom erTi monokli kidev hqonoda Semonaxuli).

infadusi aRtacebuli iyo. winaswar icoda, rom am nivTis patroni saocrad amaRldeboda xalxis TvalSi. cotaodeni wvalebis Semdeg man mainc SeZlo monokli Tvalze miedga. marTali rom mogaxsenoT, es sulac ar exameboda Zveli meomris leopardis wamosasxams da siraqlemas frTebis jiRas.

roca davrwmundiT, rom Cvens gamcileblebs Tan sakmarisi wyali da sanovage wamoeRoT da roca grgvinvasaviT gaisma kameCebis gamosaTxovari sityvebi, samivem magrad CamovarTviT xeli infaduss da qedidan dabla daveSviT. es arc Tu ise advili iyo, magram avad Tu kargad, imave dRes, saRamos, mSvidobianad mivaRwieT dablobs.

_ iciT, _ Tqva ser henrim, roca RamiT kocons vusxediT da Cvens Tavze wamoyudebul frialo kldeebs SevscqerodiT, _ vfiqrob, dedamiwis zurgze mravlis umravlesi qveyanaa kukuanelTa mxareze uaresi. iyo dro, roca Tavs gacilebiT uaresad vgrZnobdi, vidre am ukanaskneli ori Tvis ganmavlobaSi, Tumca unda giTxraT, rom aseTi saocari ambebi Tavs arasodes gadamxdenia. Tqven ras ityviT, megobrebo?

_ me mgoni, TiTqmis vnanob kidec, rom im qveynidan wamovediT, _ oxvriT miugo gudma.

me ki gulSi gavifiqre, yvelaferi kargia, rac kargad mTavrdeba-meTqi. Cemi cxovrebis manZilze, romelic, rogorc mogexsenebaT, savse iyo faTerakebiT, arasodes vyofilvar ise axlos sikvdilTan, rogorc am ukanasknel xanebSi viyavi. marto brZola rom momagondeboda xolme, TaviT fexebamde Jruanteli damivlida, rom aRaraferi vTqva imaze, rac im dawyevlil ganZsacavSi gadavitaneT.

meore dRes davadeqiT udabnos Znelad saval gzas. Cvens xuT gamyols blomad mohqonda wyali. Rame cis qveS gavaTieT, meore dRes, riJraJze ki isev ganvagrZeT gza. mesame dRes, SuadRisas davinaxeT xeebi, _ Cven win oazisi iyo. mzis Casvlisas ki ukve maRal balaxSi davabijebdiT da wylis rakraks yurs vugdebdiT.

T a v i X X

v i p o v e T !

axla ki gadavdivar yvelaze saocar SemTxvevaze Cvens uCveulo TavgadasavalSi; aqedan SegiZliaT daaskvnaT, ra araCveulebrivi ambebi xdeba cxovrebaSi.

me odnav gavuswari Cvens Tanamgzavrebs da mSvidad mivdiodi nakadulis piras, oazisidan rom moedineboda da udabnos gavarvarebul qviSaSi ikargeboda. magram uecrad erT adgilas gavSeSdi, Tvals ar vujerebdi. ociode iardis daSorebiT, Tvalwarmtac adgilas, CrdilSi, idga patara, koxta qoxi. igi pirdapir nakaduls gadascqeroda. kafrebis qoxebis yaidaze iyo agebuli tirifis dawnuli totebisa da balaxisgan, magram datanebuli hqonda Cveulebrivi kari da ara viwro saZromi.

`es raRa jandabaa! _ vTqvi CemTvis _ aq qoxs neta ra unda!" verc ki movaswari amis gafiqreba, rom kari gaiRo da qoxidan koWlobiT gamovida kaci, mas tyavis tansacmeli ecva. albaT mzem Tu damkra da Wkua amir-damiria-meTqi, gadavwyvite. vicodi, rom arc erT monadires aq fexi arasodes daedga da, rasakvirvelia, cxovrebiTac veravin icxovrebda. gaocebisagan TvalebdaWyetili Sevyurebdi am `moCvenebas". is kacic nakleb gakvirvebuli rodi momCereboda. am dros, sabednierod, ser henri da gudic mogviaxlovdnen.

_ momismineT, megobrebo, _ mivmarTe maT, _ gons gadavcdi, Tu es marTla TeTrkaniania?

ser henri da gudic SeaCerdnen ucnobs, romelmac imave wams daiyvira da Cvenken gamoiqca, magram ramdenime nabijze Sedga da ugrZnoblad daenarcxa miwaze.

ser henri erTi naxtomiT mis gverdiT gaCnda. _ RmerTo Cemo, _ wamoiyvira man, _ es xom jorjia! xmaurze qoxidan meore kacmac gamoixeda, masac tyavis tansacmeli

ecva, xelSi Tofi eWira. isic Cvensken gamoiqca. daminaxa Tu ara, xmamaRla Sehyvira:

_ makumazan, veRara mcnob? me xom monadire jimi var. Sen rom baass werili miswere, is damekarga da ukve ori welia aq vcxovrobT.

igi Cem ferxTiT daeca, miwaze goravda da sixaruliT tiroda. _ ai, Se doylapia, Sena, magisaTvis erTi kargad unda agiWrelos

kacma gverdebi, _ vuTxari me. amasobaSi is Savwvera grZnobaze movida da wamodga. isa da ser henri

didxans uxmod arTmevdnen erTmaneTs xels, radgan aRelvebisagan sityvas ver Zravdnen. vfiqrob, warsulSi maT vinme ledis gulisTvis mouxdaT usiamovneba (Tumca ser henrisTvis amis Taobaze araferi mikiTxavs), magram ra niadagzec ar unda mosvlodaT ukmayofileba, axla aRaraferi axsovdaT.

_ Cemo Zvirfaso, _ aRmoxda bolos ser henris, _ megona, cocxali aRar iyavi. me xom suleimanis mTebis iqiT geZebdi da uceb oazisSi ki Segxvdi; zRapruli aasvogeli -viT agigia bude.

_ ori wlis winaT mec vcade gadamelaxa suleimanis mTebi, _ Tqva Savwveram. ise gaubedavad laparakobda, TiTqos mSobliur enaze saubars gadaeCviao, _ magram aq rom movediT, fexze didi lodi dameca da Zvali gadamimtvria. siaruli aRar SemeZlo, verc mTebisaken wavedi da verc kraal sitandaSi davbrundi.

amasobaSi mec mivuaxlovdi maT. _ gamarjobaT, mister nevil, aRar gaxsovarT?

_ RmerTo Cemo, _ wamoiZaxa man, _ quotermen, nuTu es Tqvena xarT? rogor, gudic aq aris? xeli momkideT, Tavbru mesxmis, ra ucnauria yvelaferi es, ra moulodnelad damesxiT Tavs... Tanac swored maSin, roca sabolood gadamiwyda imedi. ra bednierebaa!

* * * im saRamos gvianobamde SemovrCiT kocons, jorj kurtisi Tavis

Tavgadasavls gviyveboda; masac bevri ram gamoevlo da gadaetana. ori wlis winaT gamovida kraal sitandadan im ganzraxviT,

rom suleimanis mTebamde mieRwia. Cemi werili jims daukargavs da jorjma masze dRemde araferi icoda. magram zangebma miaswavles da gaemarTa ara dedofal sabias mTebisken, aramed cicabo qedisken, Cven rom axlaxan gamoviareT. es, rasakvirvelia, gacilebiT ufro ioli gza iyo, imasTan SedarebiT, moxuci da silvestras rukaze rom iyo aRniSnuli. udabnoSi mas da jorjs didi gaWirveba gamoevloT, magram bolos da bolos mosdgomodnen am oaziss. aq ki jorj kurtiss mosvlisTanave Tavs dastydomoda ubedureba. jorji nakadulis piras Camomjdariyo, jimi ki maRal cicabo napirze acocebuliyo da napralidan gareuli futkris Tafls iRebda. am futkrebs nestari ara aqvT, amitom jimi uSiSrad moqmedebda. kldeze rom micocavda, uneblieT didi lodi SeunZrevia. lodi dagorebula da jorj kurtisisaTvis marjvena fexi gadaumtvrevia. mas Semdeg Turme Zlier koWlobda da raki siaruli uWirda, gadauwyvetia, oazisSi darCeniliyo da Sexvedroda sikvdils, radgan, rom wasuliyo, sul erTia, mainc daiRupeboda.

saWmeli ar mohklebiaT. tyvia-wamali blomad hqondaT, oazisSi ki wylisTvis uamravi nadiri modioda. gansakuTrebiT RamiT moawydebodnen xolme aqaurobas.

Cveni monadireebic maxes ugebdnen an TofiT xocavdnen nadirs. xorcs saWmelad iyenebdnen, tyavs ki _ Casacmelad, radgan tansacmeli sul SemoacvdaT.

_ amrigad, _ Tqva dasasruls jorjma, _ TiTqmis ori weliwadi robinzon kruzosa da paraskevasaviT vcxovrobdiT am oazisSi; imeds mainc ar vkargavdiT, vfiqrobdiT, rame SemTxvevis wyalobiT zangi monadireebi movidodnen da aqedan gagviyvandnen, magram aravin Canda. bolos, swored guSin saRamos, gadavwyviteT, me aq davrCeniliyav, jimi ki kraal sitandaSi dabrunebuliyo da maSvelad vinme wamoeyvana. Tumca, marTali unda giTxraT, Zalian cota imedi mqonda, rom jimi aq isev momakiTxavda. da ai, Sen, swored Sen, visi naxvis imedic sruliad aRar mqonda, _ miubrunda igi ser henris, _ uecrad momevline. me ki darwmunebuli viyavi, rom Sen mSvidad cxovrobdi inglisSi da didi xania dagaviwyda kidec Cemi arseboba. es metad gasaocari ambavia da ubednieresi adamiani var, yvelaferi ase kargad rom dasrulda.

Tavis mxriv ser henrimac uambo Zmas Cveni Tavgadasavali. saubarSi karga Zalma Ramem gaiara.

_ madloba ufals, _ Tqva jorj kurtisma, _ rom Cemnairi gamousedagari arsebis garda, kidev ipoveT raRac, rac gadatanil tanjva-wamebasa da gaWirvebas aginazRaurebT.

ser henrim gaicina. _ eg almasebi quotermensa da guds ekuTvnis. Cven piroba davdeT,

rom oriveni gaiyofdnen mTels nadavlsa da alafs, rasac ki gzaSi gadaveyrebodiT, an viSovidiT.

am SeniSvnam, cota ar iyos, Camafiqra. guds movelaparake da ser henris orives saxeliT vTxove aeRo almasebis mesamedi. Tu uars ityviT, Tqvens wils jorj kurtiss mivcemT, radgan jorji am qvebis gamo yvela Cvenganze metad dazaralda da daitanja-meTqi, _ vuTxari. didi gaWirvebiT daviTanxmeT am winadadebaze. jorj kurtisma ki Cveni gadawyvetileba ufro gvian gaigo.

* * *

vfiqrob, aq unda Sevwyvito Txroba. Cveni gza kraal sitandamde Zalze Zneli iyo, gansakuTrebiT imitom, rom unda davxmarebodiT jorj kurtiss. jorjs marjvena fexi Zalze cud mdgomareobaSi hqonda, drodadro damsxvreuli Zvlis patara natexebic ki gamodioda. magram, ase iyo Tu ise, udabno mainc gadavlaxeT. dawvrilebiT rom agiweroT Cveni mogzauroba, iZulebuli viqnebi gavimeoro yvelaferi, rac iqeTobas gadagvxda Tavs.

sitandaSi Cveni Tofebi da sxva nivTebi xeluxlebeli dagvxvda, Tumca im beber aramzadas, romelsac wasvlisas yvelaferi CavabareT, Zalian ewyina, cocxlebi da kargad myofni rom dagvinaxa. eqvsi Tvis Semdeg yvelani durbanSi, Cems patara saxlSi SevikribeT, sadac axla am striqonebs vwer. aqedan vemSvidobebi yvelas, vinc Tan maxlda am araCveulebriv mogzaurobaSi.

P.S. verc ki movaswari ukanaskneli sityvis dawera, rom Cemi forToxlis xeivanSi davinaxe kafri. mas orad gaxleCil joxSi werili gaeCxira. werils ser henri mwerda. rakiRa am patara baraTs Cems na-ambobTan uSualo kavSiri aqvs, momyavs sityva-sityviT.

b r e i l i - h o l i , i o r k S i r i Z v i r f a s o q u o t e r m e n ukanaskneli fostiT sul ramdenime striqoniT mogwereT, raTa

mecnobebina TqvenTvis, rom samiveni _ jorji, gudi da me _ mSvidobiT CamovediT inglisSi. gadmovediT sauthemptonSi, aqedan ki dauyovnebliv gaveSureT londons. unda genaxaT, rogor moirTo gudi meore dResve. guldagul gaiparsa. Caicva SesaniSnavi fraki, romelic xelTaTmaniviT moadga tanze. SeiZina axali monokli da ase Semdeg da ase amgvarad. erTxel parkSi davseirnobdiT. iq erTi-ori saerTo nacnobic Segvxvda. visargeble SemTxveviT da gudis `mSvenieri TeTri fexebis" ambavi movuyevi.

gudi gacofda... gansakuTrebiT iwyina, rom viRac geslianma Jurnalistma yvelaferi es ucvlelad dabeWda feSenebelur gazeTSi.

axla ki pirdapir saqmeze gadavdivar! rom gagvego almasebis Rirebuleba, me da gudma striteris saiuveliro firmas mivmarTeT. pirdapir meSinia giTxraT, ramdenad Seafases isini. saarako Tanxa

dagvisaxeles. Tanac es Sefaseba miaxloebiTia. gviTxres, ar gvaxsovs, odesme bazarze aseTi SesaniSnavi da amdeni almasi yofiliyoso. aRmoCnda, rom garda erTi-ori gansakuTrebiT msxvili qvisa, yvela wminda wylis aris da arafriT Camouvardeba braziliis saukeTeso briliantebs. SevTavaze, xom ar iyidiT-meTqi, magram mipasuxes, ver auvalTo, da gvirCies, nawil-nawil gayideT, rom bazari almasebiT ar aivsoso. miuxedavad amisa, mainc SemogvaZlies as oTxmoci aTasi girvanqa sterlingi sul mcire nawilSi.

Tqven inglisSi unda CamoxvideT, quotermen, da Tavad mixedoT am saqmes. miT umetes, rom Zalas matanT, Cemma Zmam aiRos es Zvirfasi saCuqari _ mTeli mesamedi almasebisa, romlebic me ar mekuTvnis.

rac Seexeba guds, igi sul gagiJda, mTel dros saxis parsvas da amao morTva-mokazmvas andomebs. magram vfiqrob, fulata jer kidev ver daiviwya. amas winaT gamomityda, rac inglisSi Camovedi, fulatasTana Tvalwarmtaci da tanadi qali arsad Semxvedriao.

Cemo Zvirfaso megobaro, minda samSobloSi CamoxvideT da sadme, Cem maxloblad dasaxldeT. Tqven sakmaod iSromeT mTeli sicocxlis manZilze da axla Zalian mdidari kaci xarT. Cems mezoblad iyideba mamuli, romelic ueWvelad mogewonebaT. maS, rac ufro male CamoxvalT, miT ukeTesi iqneba. wigni ki SeiZleba gemzec daamTavroT. Cven aravis mvuambobT, rac Tavs gadagvxda, vidre Tqven weras ar daamTavrebT, radgan vSiSobT, mainc ar dagvijereben. Tu Cems rCevas dahyvebiT da saSobaod CamoxvalT, Zalian gTxovT, pirdapir CemTan moxvideT. im droisTvis Cems mamulSi iqnebian gudi, jorji da Tqveni vaJic (es imitom, rom Tqven SegacdinoT da CamogiyvanoT). hari erTxel ukve iyo CemTan, Zalian kargi STabeWdileba moaxdina. Tqveni vaJi Zalian mSvidi axalgazrdaa. nadirobisas mTeli gasrola safanti damaxala fexze, mere saTiTaod amomacala safantebi xorcidan da miTxra, ra bednieri damTxvevaa, monadireTa Soris eqimi-studentic rom ureviao.

mSvidobiT, Cemo megobaro, mets aRarafers getyviT, magram vici, ueWvelad CamoxvalT, imisaTvis mainc, rom pativi dasdoT Tqvens gulwrfel megobars.

henri kurtisi P.S. uzarmazari spilos eSvebi, im spilosi, sabralo xiva rom

dafliTa, holSi kameCis rqebis Tavze mikidia. is rqebi xom Tqven maCuqeT! najaxi ki, romliTac Tualas Tavi movkveTe, Cems sawer magidasTan davkide. ra samwuxaroa, jaWvis perangebi Tan rom ar wamoviReT!

h. k. dRes samSabaTia. paraskevs ki gemi gadis. vfiqrob, unda visargeblo

kurtisis miwveviT da vestumro ingliss Tundac imisTvis, rom vinaxulo Cemi hari da, amasTan, wignis dabeWdvazec vizruno, radgan ar minda, es saqme sxva vinmes mivando.

alan quotermeni

c o t a r a m a v t o r z e 1867 wels samxreT afrikaSi, qalaq kimberlis maxloblad, aRmoaCines

almasis qviSrobi. am aRmoCenas udidesi istoriuli mniSvneloba hqonda qveynisaTvis.

mejoge burebisa da CamorCenili zangi tomebis patriarqalur mxares CanCqeriviT moaskda avantiuristi spekulantebisa da swrafi gamdidrebis mosurne saeWvo pirebis nakadi, isini zRapruli siswrafiT iZendnen qonebas. guSindeli mawanwala dRes ukve milioneri xdeboda.

ingliss, romelmac jer kidev mecxramete saukunis dasawyisSi karga magrad moikida fexi afrikis samxreTiT _ kapis koloniasa da natalSi, almasis qviSrobis aRmoCenis Semdeg udidesi interesi aReZra am materikisadmi. mas ar SeeZlo daeSva, rom es uSreti simdidre sxva vinmes egdo xelT.

qviSrobi erT-erTi adgilobrivi zangi tomis miwaze imyofeboda. am teritoriaze Tavis uflebebs acxadebda agreTve burebis oranJis respublikac. inglisis imperializms mdgomareobidan gamosavali mdidarma kolonialurma gamocdilebam ukarnaxa. sakiTxi sul ubralod gadawyda: 1871 wels inglisis mTavrobam ubrZana kapis gubernators, daekavebina almasis qviSrobis teritoria.

xuTi wlis Semdeg inglisis mTavrobam am teritoriisaTvis sul umniSvnelo Tanxa _ 90 aTasi girvanqa sterlingi gadauxada oranJis respublikas.

daiwyo samxreT afrikis inglisis koloniad gadaqcevis epoqa. igi aRsavse iyo provokaciebiT, mkvlelobebiT, mSvidobian mosaxleobaze SeiaraRebuli TavdasxmebiT, erTi tomis meoreze gadakidebiT da sxva.

am koloniuri epopeis, yovel SemTxvevaSi, misi pirveli etapebis mowme da monawile gaxldaT momavali mwerali _ henri raider hagardi (1856-1925 ww).

inglisur aristokratiul ojaxebSi ZvelTaganve arsebobda tradicia, gaegzavnaT Svilebi koloniebSi, sadac maT unda gaevloT erTgvari cxovrebiseuli skola. es aucilebeli iyo mmarTveli wreebis warmomadgenlebisaTvis.

im xanebSi, roca axalgazrda hagardi Tavis karieras iwyebda, dedamiwis zurgze yvelaze mimzidveli kuTxe samxreT afrika iyo da cxrameti wlis hagardi 1875 wels gaemgzavra afrikaSi natalis inglisis gubernatoris piradi mdivnis Tanamdebobaze. am Zalze dakvirvebul, cnobismoyvare da sxarti gonebis axalgazrdas inglisis koloniebSi karga xans mouxda yofna. aq gaecno zang tomebs, maT adaT-Cveulebebs, wesebs; Tavs gadaxda uamravi saintereso ambavi, rac Semdgom Tavis romanebSi gamoiyena.

1877 wels inglisis mTavrobam xelT igdo transvaali. hagardi am dros inglisis mTavrobis specialuri rwmunebulis _ Sepstonis _ StabSi muSaobda. Semdgom ki momavali mwerali transvaalis sasamarTlos Tavmjdomareobda.

hagardi mowme gaxda imisa, Tu rogor aRdgnen burebi inglisel dampyrobTa winaaRmdeg, rogor daiwyo ingliselebisa da burebis pirveli omi (1880-1881 ww.), romelic ingliselebis sruli damarcxebiT damTavrda.

magram amis gamo ingliss srulebiT ar daukargavs interesi samxreT afrikisadmi. inglisis imperializmi ver Serigeboda

damarcxebas da kvlav da kvlav cdilobda, xelSi Caegdo burebis miwis wiaRSi Cafluli auracxeli simdidre 1899 wels man xelaxali omi wamoiwyo burebis winaaRmdeg. miuxedavad imisa, rom ingliselebs sakmaod Warbi Zalebi hyavdaT, maT ver SeZles, rogorc ityvian, burebis erTi xelis mosmiT damarcxeba. inglisisTvis es samarcxvino omi mxolod 1902 wels damTavrda da burebis damoukidebeli respublikebi inglisis koloniad iqca. britaneTis imperializmma xelT igdo almasisa da oqros umdidresi sabadoebi.

inglisSi dabrunebis Semdeg hagardi iwyebs literaturul muSaobas da 1882 wels aqveynebs wigns `keCvaio d misi TeTri mezoblebi". amis Semdeg gamosca kidev ori romani, romlebSic aRwerili iyo inglisis jaris damarcxeba burebTan pirveli omis dros, magram am wignebma mkiTxveli sazogadoeba didad ver daainteresa.

hagardis Semdegi romani iyo `solomon mefis saganZuri". es wigni gamovida 1885 wels da sul ramdenime dReSi moupova avtors saxeli.

axali romanis egzom didi warmateba, upirveles yovlisa, gamowveuli iyo ingliselebis udidesi interesiT samxreT afrikis da misi wiaRiseulis auracxeli simdidrisadmi. TavgadasavalTa da simdidris moyvarulebs romani kidev ufro ucxovelebda interess afrikis saidumloebiT mocul mTebSi dafluli ganZeulis aRweriT.

bevrma gulubryvilo mkiTxvelma mwerlis fantazia sinamdviled miiCnia. hagards werils werilze swerdnen, emudarebodnen, gaemxila maTTvis solomon mefis saganZuris zusti adgilsamyofeli da koordinatebi. erTma TavzexelaRebulma ki moswera: miuxedavad imisa, rom uars meubnebiT macnoboT, sad aris dafluli is ganZi, me mainc ganzraxuli maqvs, movawyo eqspedicia, raTa xelT vigdo auracxeli simdidre.

romans warmateba marto am interesma rodi arguna. es ase rom iyos, romani mokvdeboda maSinve, rogorc ki Sesustda mkiTxveli sazogadoebis interesi samxreT afrikisadmi. hagardis romanSi cocxloben damajereblad da naTlad daxatuli gmirebi. dauviwyaria monadiris _ alan quotermenis saxe. aseve siyvaruliTa da simpaTiiT arian daxatulni misi sxva gmirebic. isini mkiTxvelis guls inadireben TavianTi rainduli, vaJkacuri xasiaTiT, pirdapirobiT, keTilSobilebiT.

didi interesiT ikiTxeba hagardis istoriuli romanebic: `montesumas asuli", `aiSa", `mSvenieri margarita". mkiTxvels itacebs romanis gmirTa saintereso Tavgadasavali, misTvis gasagebi xdeba romanebSi aRwerili epoqis politikuri da re-ligiuri mimarTulebebi.

hagardis saukeTeso saTavgadasavlo da istoriuli romanebi uwindeburad izidavs mkiTxvels. isini mraval enazea Targmnili da gamocemuli.

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