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?' 'Then let one speak!' The head of one of the most distinguished families, who was very highly respected, stepped forward, and sitting down, began to ask questions. 'Did you take bribes?' 'Why shouldn't I take them? Don't I live on men's bounty? Haven't both you and Seltichan given me some too? The Kniaź also gave one, but he didn't ask for anything, and I promised him nothing. Is it not a sin to suspect it? How is it possible to say such a thing? The man will die! Ask his people.' Witnesses were summoned, and the Kniaź was summoned. They all stood in the centre of the angry circle, looking rather frightened, but the enquiry led to nothing. The only thing that was clear was that Oltungaba had visited the Kniaź in his tent, as he had visited others, and had profitted by his liberality. Stroking his ears with both hands, and swearing with quite unusual fervour, the Kniaź talked at extraordinary length of his disinterestedness, his merits, his zeal in safeguarding the interests of the tribe with the government, and, above all, of his sacrifices--in paying taxes. Oltungaba spoke scornfully, and in monosyllables.