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The deputy’s brother

     He was attached to his sledge so that he wouldn’t drop out again. He was truly offended & threatened his savers:
 -Go to hell! I’ll go to law against you!
Fifteen minutes later, the scream came right behind me. The locals gathered once more for another warm up & began to discuss further plans. It was easy to understand that they were considering whether to set the noisy delegate’s brother free or go on spoiling his dignity. After a long discussion he was liberated. Crying out the same phrase, the former captive rushed to revenge his offenders. And he was really at his best. By that time I had got really frozen & angry. My desire to reach some warm place was so strong that I stood up, grabbed the drunk brother, lay him on the sledge, pressed him with my body & cried to the yukagirs that they’d better tie up the brawler but they became pensive again. Meanwhile the deputy’s brother got offended & spit into my eye. So, what would you do in my place? Local northern residents, gave me instructions before the journey and frightened me with epidemic tuberculosis which had been the scourge of every yukagir. As I recalled this I flew into a rage & gave the deputy’s brother a smack in the teeth. And let him go then.