'Oltungaba drinks vodka!'
The Kniaź became confused, and did not know what to answer at once. 'Idiots!' he finally exclaimed, and stroking both ears, he ran off to carry his complaints elsewhere.
All this increased the excitement, and caused a great deal of talk, which ultimately reached Miore's ears through Seltichan's kinsmen. 'Father, they are deceiving you,' the youth exclaimed passionately, going up to him. 'You are willing to die, but it is all the doing of the Kniaź; he has bribed Oltungaba! He thinks there will be no one to equal him when you are not here! Father, I beg you, escape quietly. Our tents are struck, the young men are ready, the reindeer saddled; we shall be on the mountains before they have noticed anything. And even should they do so, are we not your children?'
Seltichan's face clouded.
'Let Oltungaba be summoned,—let him be tried!' he cried, rising.
'Oltungaba! Oltungaba!' exclaimed many of Seltichan's family.
'Oltungaba! Oltungaba!' was heard on all sides.
The grey-haired old man entered the circle reluctantly, looking as dark as moss.
'Is it true that you have taken a bribe from the Kniaź? That out of regard to him you have deceived us?' they all cried.
'Wait a little; let one speak! Don't you see that I have only two ears, so that a hundred voices only bewilder me?'