The Turk seemed absolutely petrified. He blinked his eyes. Evidently he understood nothing.
"I tell you to go and find your family. Do you understand?"
Quickly, and before the Major understood what he was going to do, Mahmoud Bey stooped down, seized his hand and kissed it.
"Listen to me, Russian! I can never requite you this kindness. I do not dare to wish for you that you may find yourself one day in my position and chance upon a Turk as good as yourself. But know well there is only one God. Religions are diverse, but God is One. I promise you that I and my children, as long as we are alive, will pray God to preserve you for your children as you have preserved me for mine. May the sun shine on you for many years! Farewell, Russian, farewell!"
Then as though fearing that the Major might change his mind, he whipped up his horse and disappeared.
After waiting some minutes to allow him to get to some distance, the Major returned. When he arrived at the Russian outposts, he met the same Cossack who had wished to accompany him and said, "Your prediction is fulfilled. The Turk has escaped."
The Cossack studied the Major's face and said, "I wish him luck. It is not prisoners we are in want of. We shall soon not know where to put them."
When the Major rejoined the Colonel, he found him walking up and down the room in a state of great agitation.
"Well?"
"Arrest me! I have let the prisoner go!"