A circumstance occurred whilst we were at Govenskoy that inspired
me with respect for the greatness of soul, the courage, and the
_sang-froid_ exhibited by my friend, the Prince Zachar, and revealed
to me at once the cause of the great influence he possessed over the
Karaikees of the coast. My Klutchee Kyoorchiks begged of me to give
them some watky to buy reindeer, silk, parkas, and boots, and one of
the prince’s men, who had drunk too much of it, became quite furious.
With a large knife in his hand he sought the prince, crying out that
he was an unjust man, and he would stab him. The other Karaikees
tried in vain to stop him until he had got quite near to the prince’s
dwelling, when he called with all his force, “Come out, Zachar,
if you dare! I am prepared to kill you!” Zachar, who was quietly
drinking tea with me, heard all of a sudden this extraordinary
summons, which the interpreter immediately explained to me. The
prince put down his cup of tea and, rising slowly from his seat, went
out of the jourta. I followed him closely, with a pair of loaded
pistols, which I always kept ready in case of necessity. When he
perceived that I followed him he desired the interpreter would tell
me not to interfere, as he would very soon settle the affair himself.
During this time the drunken Karaikee foamed with rage and was trying
to extricate himself from the crowd that surrounded him. Zachar,
who had already thrown off his parka, now unbuttoned his shirt,
exposed his breast, and ordering the crowd to stand aside, advanced
boldly up to the Karaikee, and then, with a terrible voice and an
undaunted countenance, he said to him, “Here is the breast of your
prince; strike at it if you dare!” The Karaikee seemed thunderstruck;
he raised his hand, but was afraid to strike, and the knife fell to
the ground. “Coward,” said Zachar, “you have saved your life, for if
you had aimed a blow at me I would have thrown you down at the same
instant, and your own knife should have drawn your heart’s blood.”
He then ordered his men to confine him till he should be sober, and
returned with me to finish his tea.