Our two companions, Archag with his nose in the air, the squirrel leaping from tree to tree, strayed farther and farther away from the encampment, and when the child, weary of his pursuit, concluded to retrace his steps, he saw that he was a long distance from the place where he had left his father. He was starting to go back at once, when he heard a low growling sound from behind a big rock, and you may imagine his terror when he saw a great brown bear making its way toward him. The child thought it was all over with him, but he did not lose his head; he recalled a story he had once read, and lay down on the ground, feigning death. His heart beat fast indeed, but the bear, after turning him over with its paws, smelt him carefully, and went on its way, heedless of the wanderer, and Archag got up and took to his heels, running to throw himself into his father’s arms. Boghos Effendi turned pale on hearing of the danger into which his child had run; but he did not scold him, for he thought that he had been punished enough.
The rest of the journey was accomplished without incident. All the shepherds came out to meet the travelers, and they made a triumphal entry into the Highland Farm.
[1] Ararat, the famous mountain, where Noah’s Ark rested, is situated near the frontiers of Russia, Persia, and Turkey. It is the highest mountain of Western Asia, and its wonderful beauty and grandeur are praised by all travelers. [↑]
[2] The Catholicos, or Patriarch, of Echmiadzin, is the Primate of the Armenian Church, and the successor of St. Gregory the Illuminator. [↑]
[3] Mangal, a receptacle in which charcoal is burned; this is the only means of heating in some parts of Asia Minor. [↑]
CHAPTER III
THE HIGHLAND FARM
The next morning, Archag rose with the dawn. He went down to the courtyard, drew a bucketful of cold water from the well, and plunged his head in it, shivering. Then he went back to the kitchen, and hastily ate his joghurt (a sort of curdled milk) which he spread on bread. His breakfast was dispatched in less than five minutes, and calling “Good morning” to his father, he rushed out of doors.