Pe \u00eennoptate, ajunser\u0103m \u00een P\u0103ltini\u0219. Casele, rar sem\u0103nate pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 laturile drumului, \u00eencepuser\u0103 a dormita \u00een mijlocul ogr\u0103zilor largi, \u00eemprejmuite cu garduri de r\u0103zlogi \u00een zigzag; iar pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 focurile aprinse mai deoparte, \u0219i ale c\u0103ror fl\u0103c\u0103ri ro\u0219ietice jucau capricios \u00een \u00eentunericul \u00eemprejmuitor, st\u0103teau cei de cas\u0103, preg\u0103tind cina de sear\u0103. Aninat de o cujb\u0103 \u00eenalt\u0103, at\u00e2rna, nemi\u0219cat, deasupra focului, ceaunul negru \u00eentr-o baie de fl\u0103c\u0103ri; un c\u00e2ine cu urechile ascu\u021bite \u0219i iste\u021be, con\u0219tient de locul ce-l ocupa \u00een familie, st\u0103tea \u0219i el culcat \u00een apropiere, cu botul pe labe \u0219i cu ochii \u021bint\u0103 la foc; un copil cu un b\u0103\u021b lung, mai mult de joac\u0103, scormolea de departe j\u0103raticul, \u0219i o puzderie de sc\u00e2ntei se ridica, topindu-se \u00een v\u0103zduhul \u00eenalt \u0219i \u00eentunecos…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103, jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103! auzir\u0103m deodat\u0103 pe Axinia strig\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd \u00eentorsei capul, o z\u0103rii prin \u00eentuneric, ac\u0103\u021bat\u0103 de un gard de r\u0103zlogi \u0219i suit\u0103 pe el ca pe o scar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103, jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103! \u0219i cu pumnul ei mic b\u0103tea repede \u00eentr-un r\u0103zlog care r\u0103suna \u00een\u0103du\u0219it; jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da cine m\u0103 strig\u0103? auzir\u0103m noi un glas de femeie \u00eentreb\u00e2nd din \u00eentuneric, f\u0103r\u0103 a se apropia.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Eu, jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103, Axinia din gura Borcii. Duc pe doi boieri p\u00e2n\u0103-n \u0218ar, \u0219-am \u00eennoptat aici; ne-am \u00eent\u00e2lnit \u00een drum cu badea Gheorghe, \u0219-o zis s\u0103 venim s\u0103 m\u00e2nem \u00een ia-sear\u0103 la ‘neata.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 v-i\u021bi duce ‘neavoastr\u0103, jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Axinie, \u00een alt\u0103 parte, c\u0103 eu n-am unde s\u0103 v\u0103 culc, r\u0103spunse ea scurt, \u00een\u021bepat \u0219i m\u00e2nios.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu te sup\u0103ra, jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Catrin\u0103, zisei eu, c\u0103 nu-i nime de vin\u0103; ia, badea Gheorghe al dumitale a crezut c-are s\u0103-\u021bi fie ur\u00e2t singuric\u0103 \u00een ia-sear\u0103; p\u0103cat c\u0103 nu ne prime\u0219ti; c\u00e2nd ai \u0219ti ce oameni de treab\u0103 suntem!…<\/p>\n
Drept r\u0103spuns auzir\u0103m o u\u0219\u0103 tr\u00e2ntindu-se.
\n\u2014 Ei, sf\u00e2rleaza dracului, ai pus-o de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 cu badea Gheorghe \u0219i cu lelea Catrina ta! Unde dracu m\u00e2nem noi \u00een ia-sear\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da las’ c-om g\u0103si noi…
\n\u2014 Da, adic\u0103, de ce nu ne-a fi primit, fa Axinio?
\n\u2014 Da m\u00e2nca-o-ar jernii\u00a0; parc\u0103 crezi ‘neata c\u0103 doarme singur\u0103 c\u00e2nd nu i-i omu acas\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da?… Atunci s\u0103 mergem \u00een alt\u0103 parte. C\u00e2rnir\u0103m caii \u0219i intrar\u0103m \u00eentr-o ograd\u0103, care deocamdat\u0103 p\u0103rea pustie; \u00eenaint\u00e2nd \u00eens\u0103 pu\u021bin, z\u0103rir\u0103m la o parte un masiv de umbr\u0103. Era o cas\u0103. O lumin\u0103 slab\u0103 \u021b\u00e2\u0219nea din loc \u00een loc prin pere\u021bii ei \u0219i, dac\u0103 acea lumin\u0103 ar fi fost mai puternic\u0103, ai fi crezut c\u0103 arde casa pe dinl\u0103untru. Un c\u00e2ine se \u00eens\u0103rcin\u0103 s\u0103 vesteasc\u0103 pe cei din cas\u0103 despre sosirea noastr\u0103. U\u0219a se deschise larg\u0103, \u0219i un fl\u0103c\u0103u voinic se ar\u0103t\u0103 \u00een privazul ei luminat.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bun\u0103 vremea, voinicule, zisei eu apropiindu-m\u0103; bucuro\u0219i de oaspe\u021bi?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mul\u021bumim dumneavoastr\u0103, bucuro\u0219i, poftim, r\u0103spunse el alung\u00e2nd c\u00e2inele.<\/p>\n
Desc\u0103lecar\u0103m. Eu \u0219i tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu intrar\u0103m \u00eenl\u0103untru; Axinia r\u0103mase la cai. Pe o vatr\u0103 mare, plin\u0103 cu j\u0103ratic, sub un horn grosolan, a\u0219ezat pe un pop de stejar, un fl\u0103c\u0103uan cu pieptul gol \u0219i puternic, cu fa\u021ba rumen\u0103 \u0219i plin\u0103 de sudoare, p\u0103lea o m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 uria\u0219\u0103. Un cap\u0103t de lum\u00e2nare de seu, \u00eenfipt \u00eentr-un popone\u021b de lut, \u0219i cu mucul mai \u00eenalt dec\u00e2t flac\u0103ra, mijea pe o mas\u0103, asemenea unui trunchi<\/p>\n
de c\u0103s\u0103pie; de jur \u00eemprejur, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 pere\u021bi, goale, unsuroase \u0219i a\u0219ezate pe picioare de lemn b\u0103tute \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, se \u00eentindeau ni\u0219te lavi\u021be \u00eenguste. B\u00e2rnele de brad, din care erau dura\u021bi pere\u021bii f\u0103r\u0103 fere\u0219ti, \u00ee\u0219i ar\u0103tau pe alocurea goliciunea lor rotund\u0103 \u0219i afumat\u0103 de sub o lipitur\u0103 co\u0219covit\u0103 de lut galben, m\u00e2njit odat\u0103 cu var. \u00cen cotlonul dintre horn \u0219i peretele despre u\u0219\u0103 un teanc scorojit de piei mi\u021boase de oaie st\u0103tea \u00eenghemuit \u0219i umplea casa de un miros p\u0103trunz\u0103tor de st\u00e2n\u0103. C\u00e2nd m\u0103m\u0103liga fu gata, fl\u0103c\u0103ul o r\u0103sturn\u0103 fierbinte pe o mas\u0103 mai mic\u0103 \u0219i rotund\u0103, ce se afla \u00een mijlocul casei. Cel\u0103lalt fl\u0103c\u0103u scoase de sub lavi\u021b\u0103 ceap\u0103, ucise pe mas\u0103 cu un pietroi ni\u0219te sare, aduse nu \u0219tiu de unde o scaf\u0103 de lemn plin\u0103 cu br\u00e2nz\u0103 \u0219i, poftindu-ne \u0219i pe noi, \u00eencepur\u0103m a m\u00e2nca. F\u0103r\u0103 multe marafeturi, f\u0103cur\u0103m cinstea cuvenit\u0103 cinei frugale a fl\u0103c\u0103ilor; iar Axinia, intr\u00e2nd cu tarni\u021bele \u0219i cu pocl\u0103zile de la cai tocmai la timp, putu \u0219i ea s\u0103 nu r\u0103m\u00e2ie de c\u0103ru\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n
Cina fu scurt\u0103. Greul \u00eens\u0103 \u00eencepea de aici \u00eenainte; erau unele probleme de c\u0103l\u0103torie, foarte \u00eencurcate, pe care \u00eens\u0103 tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu le dezlega cu o iu\u021beal\u0103 \u0219i o \u00eendem\u00e2nare f\u0103r\u0103 seam\u0103n; a\u0219a, de pild\u0103, fu de ajuns ca somnul s\u0103-i fac\u0103 chip pe la gene, spre a-l vedea numaidec\u00e2t asez\u00e2nd \u00een lung o tarni\u021b\u0103 pe una din l\u0103vi\u021bi, potrivindu-\u0219i \u00een scobitura ei, plin\u0103 cu o pern\u0103 v\u00e2rtoas\u0103, capul s\u0103u mic \u0219i \u021buguiet, \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-\u0219i ca o r\u00e2m\u0103 firul sub\u021bire \u0219i lung al persoanei sale pe lavi\u021ba prea lat\u0103 pentru d\u00e2nsul, acoperindu-se p\u00e2n\u0103 peste nas cu una din pocl\u0103zi \u0219i, \u00eentr-o clip\u0103, adormind. Tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu era o alc\u0103tuire fericit\u0103 \u00een puterea cuv\u00e2ntului. Axinia umfl\u0103 \u0219i ea o poclad\u0103 \u0219i o pern\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 nimic, ie\u0219i din cas\u0103 \u0219i se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut\u0103. C\u00e2t despre mine, care, c\u00e2nd e vorba de somn, am de \u00eemp\u0103cat o sut\u0103 de ochi, chibzuiam un loc pentru acest soi de moarte vremelnic\u0103. Lavi\u021bele erau prea \u00eenguste pentru mine \u0219i m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i deci s\u0103 m\u0103 culc jos la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103i b\u0103ie\u021bi, \u00eentrebai eu pe fl\u0103c\u0103uani, da oleac\u0103 de f\u00e2n nu s-a g\u0103si pe la voi?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ba s-a g\u0103si, cucoane, cum s\u0103 nu se g\u0103seasc\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u0218i f\u0103r\u0103 alt\u0103 vorb\u0103, ie\u0219i din cas\u0103 unul din ei \u0219i, peste c\u00e2teva minute, se \u00eentoarse cu o co\u0219cogea sarcin\u0103 de f\u00e2n. Desf\u0103cui f\u00e2nul \u00een o p\u0103tur\u0103 groas\u0103, jos \u00een mijlocul casei, pusei \u0219i eu o tarni\u021b\u0103 drept c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i, m\u0103 lungii pe mirositorul meu a\u0219ternut, m\u0103 \u00eenvelii cu poclada r\u0103mas\u0103, \u00eenchisei ochii \u0219i chemai somnul. Cei doi b\u0103ietani se \u0219i lungiser\u0103 cu fa\u021ba-n sus \u0219i cu piepturile desf\u0103cute pe locurile de pe lavi\u021be r\u0103mase slobode.<\/p>\n
Stinsesem lum\u00e2narea de mult, \u0219i somnul, cu ame\u021bitoarele lui m\u00e2ng\u00e2ieri, c\u0103ut\u0103 s\u0103 amor\u021beasc\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 \u00eenchege cursul din ce \u00een ce mai \u00eencet al g\u00e2ndurilor mele. Eram, poate, pe punctul de a p\u0103\u0219i \u00een ad\u00e2nca lini\u0219te a somnului, dar m\u0103 opri o clip\u0103 zgomotul \u00eendesat \u0219i r\u0103gu\u0219it, ce-l f\u0103ceau ni\u0219te pic\u0103turi, parc\u0103 de ploaie, ce-ar fi c\u0103zut de sus, rar \u0219i \u00eendesat, pe poclada cu care eram \u00eenvelit. Poate c\u0103 afar\u0103 ploua \u00een adev\u0103r \u0219i, de prin acoper\u0103m\u00e2ntul spart, picura \u00eenl\u0103untru. Se poate… \u00cen tot cazul scosei m\u00e2na de sub \u00eenvelitoare \u0219i, pip\u0103ind, c\u0103utai s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021bez… nici urm\u0103 de udeal\u0103… \u0219i totu\u0219i pic\u0103turile nu \u00eencetau de a c\u0103dea peste mine din ce \u00een ce mai des… Poate c\u0103 vechimea lucra \u0219i noaptea la desfiin\u021barea co\u0219moagei \u00een care m\u0103 ad\u0103postisem, \u0219i lutul din co\u0219covituri c\u0103dea peste mine \u00een mici f\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103turi… Se poate; scosei m\u00e2na de sub \u00eenvelitoare \u0219i c\u0103utai s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021bez… Nici o urm\u0103 zgren\u021buroas\u0103!… \u0218i totu\u0219i micile f\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103turi nu \u00eencetau de a c\u0103dea peste mine din ce \u00een ce mai des. O beldie mai \u00eendr\u0103znea\u021b\u0103 din f\u00e2nul pe care m\u0103 culcasem m\u0103 \u00een\u021bep\u0103, parc\u0103, la ceaf\u0103; \u00eentorsei m\u00e2na, m\u0103 sc\u0103rpinai \u0219i impresia \u00een\u021bep\u0103turii disp\u0103ru. N-apucai bine s\u0103-mi a\u0219ez m\u00e2na la locul ei sub \u00eenvelitoare, \u0219i \u00een\u021bep\u0103turi sim\u021bii sub genunchi \u0219i pe la sub\u021biori… Aproape \u00een acela\u0219i timp, altele m\u0103 arser\u0103 \u00een spate, pe piept \u0219i dup\u0103 ureche… \u0218i ar fi trebuit s\u0103 am o sut\u0103 de unghii, spre a-mi putea ap\u0103ra p\u0103r\u021bile atacate. Ca culme, sim\u021bii pe lungul nasului \u0219i pe curmezi\u0219ul frun\u021bii mele urma g\u00e2dilitoare a unui mers u\u0219or \u0219i gr\u0103bit… “O c\u0103l\u0103torie pe nasul meu? Iat\u0103, \u00een adev\u0103r, ceva cu totul original”, cugetai eu. \u0218i nu m\u0103 dumeream, deocamdat\u0103, care s\u0103 fi fost natura fiin\u021belor silfice , ce lunecau at\u00e2t de ideal pe c\u0103ile f\u0103r\u0103 de urm\u0103 ale frun\u021bii \u0219i ale nasului meu… S\u0103rii ars \u0219i aprinsei cap\u0103tul de lum\u00e2nare…<\/p>\n
Priveli\u0219tea ce se \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219\u0103 ochilor mei \u00eemi de\u0219tept\u0103 \u00een suflet \u0219i groaza, \u0219i admira\u021bia. \u00centreg peretele din preajma culcu\u0219ului meu disp\u0103ruse sub negre \u0219i nesf\u00e2r\u0219ite legiuni de plo\u0219ni\u021be late \u0219i p\u00e2ntecoase, care, \u00een pas de voie, urcau la deal drumul bagdadiei; \u0219i, deoarece plo\u0219ni\u021bele trebuie s\u0103 fie mai vechi dec\u00e2t omenirea, minchipui c\u0103 me\u0219te\u0219ugul \u0219i \u00een\u021belepciunea lor r\u0103zboinic\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fi slujit de noim\u0103 m\u0103iestritelor alc\u0103tuiri ale armatelor omene\u0219ti. \u00cen adev\u0103r, aproape de bagdadie, c\u00e2\u021biva din plo\u0219ni\u021boii cei mai iscusi\u021bi erau trimi\u0219i \u00een recunoa\u0219tere \u0219i, pip\u0103ind drumul, deschideau mar\u0219a neguroasei armate; \u00een frunte \u0219i pe flancurile legiunilor se \u021bineau al\u021bi plo\u0219ni\u021boi negri, gra\u0219i \u0219i p\u00e2nteco\u0219i, care p\u0103reau c\u0103 se bucur\u0103 de \u00eenalte grade ierarhice; iar duiumul armatei, \u00een lungi, t\u0103cute \u0219i negre \u0219iruri, urca la deal \u00eencet \u0219i cu pas chibzuit; rezervele, care se \u021bineau la urm\u0103, erau alc\u0103tuite din tineretul blond \u0219i ro\u0219iatic al na\u021biunii, \u00een\u0219iruit \u0219i el dup\u0103 v\u00e2rst\u0103, a\u0219a \u00eenc\u00e2t, la coada urdiei, furnica iute \u0219i neast\u00e2mp\u0103rat o sumedenie de plo\u0219ni\u021be mici c\u00e2t g\u0103m\u0103lia boldului, prin a c\u0103ror piele sub\u021bire transpira s\u00e2ngele ro\u0219 \u0219i nemistuit \u00eenc\u0103, pe care-l supseser\u0103 cu o zi mai \u00eenainte. Ajunse la bagdadie \u0219i \u00een dreptul pocl\u0103zii mele, plo\u0219ni\u021bele, cu o ne\u00eenchipuit\u0103 iscusin\u021b\u0103, p\u0103reau c\u0103 calculeaz\u0103 perpendiculara \u0219i, cu o preciziune matematic\u0103, d\u00e2ndu-\u0219i drumul de sus, c\u0103deau drept peste \u00eenveli\u0219ul meu. Numai atunci \u00eemi putui da seam\u0103 de pic\u0103turile \u00eendesate, ce c\u0103zuser\u0103 din pod asupra mea, \u0219i nu-mi r\u0103mase dec\u00e2t admira\u021biune pentru iscusin\u021ba cu care ace\u0219ti mici, negri \u0219i cr\u00e2nceni du\u0219mani de noapte \u0219tiuse s\u0103 lase drumul anevoios al culcu\u0219ului meu de f\u00e2n, pentru drumul strategic al bagdadiei… Oricum, umflai tarni\u021ba \u0219i poclada \u0219i ie\u0219ii afar\u0103… Iar “vis\u0103toarea nop\u021bii regin\u0103”, care, \u00een<\/p>\n
drumul s\u0103u etern, plutea pe seninul ad\u00e2nc al cerurilor, avu de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 prilejul s\u0103 m\u0103 priveasc\u0103, din \u00een\u0103l\u021bime, \u00een haina pe care nimeni n-o poate lua omului din spate; iar c\u00e2inele de gazd\u0103, drept pe picioarele de dinainte, se uita la mine c\u00e2nd cu un ochi, c\u00e2nd cu altul, neput\u00e2ndu-\u0219i da seama pentru ce-mi v\u00e2nturam eu a\u0219a de dezn\u0103d\u0103jduit bulendrele \u00een aer… M\u0103 \u00eembr\u0103cai \u0219i, de nu mi-ar fi fost g\u00e2ndul plin de plo\u0219ni\u021be, cine \u0219tie dac\u0103 nu m-a\u0219 fi apucat s\u0103 fac m\u0103rturisiri de dragoste “reginei blonde a nop\u021bilor”, deoarece prea gale\u0219 \u0219i prea trist se uita la mine din \u00eenalta \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u021bie a umbrelor. G\u0103sii \u00eens\u0103 mai nimerit s\u0103 pl\u0103nuiesc un loc unde s\u0103-mi pot s\u0103l\u0103\u0219lui, pentru ce-mi mai r\u0103m\u00e2nea din noapte, zv\u00e2nturata mea persoan\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103i T\u0103rcu\u0219 sau Grivei, zisei, adres\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 c\u00e2inelui; fiindc\u0103 tu e\u0219ti singura fiin\u021b\u0103 din univers, care cuno\u0219ti nefericirile mele din noaptea aceasta, f\u0103 bine, te rog, \u0219i-mi arat\u0103 drumul spre vreo c\u0103pi\u021b\u0103 de f\u00e2n oarecare, de vreme ce tu trebuie s\u0103 \u021bii un catastih \u00een regul\u0103 de toate culcu\u0219urile mai c\u0103lduroase din ograda st\u0103p\u00e2nilor t\u0103i. \u0218i bl\u00e2nd \u00eel netezii pe cap; iar el, scheun\u00e2nd u\u0219or, d\u0103du repede din coad\u0103 \u0219i p\u0103rea c\u0103 se sile\u0219te s\u0103 priceap\u0103 \u00een\u021belesul vorbelor mele. Cum \u00eens\u0103 nu \u0219tiam nici unul limba celuilalt, nu ne putur\u0103m \u00een\u021belege \u0219i c\u0103utai deci s\u0103 ies singur din \u00eencurc\u0103tur\u0103. M\u0103 \u00eendreptai, a\u0219adar, spre un masiv rotund de umbr\u0103, care p\u0103rea a fi o c\u0103pi\u021b\u0103 de f\u00e2n. Nu m\u0103 \u00een\u0219elasem. F\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai stau pe g\u00e2nduri, d\u0103dui br\u00e2nci c\u0103pi\u021bei \u0219i-o r\u0103sturnai.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ho, boal\u0103! auzii deodat\u0103 strig\u00e2nd, de sub f\u00e2nul r\u0103sturnat, un glas sub\u021bire \u0219i speriat.<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 Axinia r\u0103s\u0103ri drept \u00een picioare \u00een mijlocul vrafului de f\u00e2n.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ptiu! ucig\u0103-te crucea; da aici ai fost, sf\u00e2rleaza dracului?
\n\u2014 Da ‘neta ai fost? zise ea, scutur\u00e2ndu-\u0219i repede de pe cap \u0219i de pe umeri f\u00e2nul ce se aca\u021base de ea; am chitit c\u0103-i vo boal\u0103 de jit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, bine c-ai chitit, \u0219op\u00e2rl\u0103 nebotezat\u0103: acum \u00eens\u0103 fiindc\u0103 nu-s nici boal\u0103, nici jit\u0103, ia s\u0103-mp\u0103r\u021bim c\u0103pi\u021ba-n dou\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 dormim.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da ghine, ‘neata nu te-ai culcat \u00eenuntru?
\n\u2014 Dinl\u0103untru \u00eenl\u0103untru m-am culcat eu; dar m-am r\u0103zg\u00e2ndit \u0219i, \u00een loc s\u0103 dorm cu plo\u0219ni\u021bele \u00een cas\u0103, mai bine dorm \u00een f\u00e2n afar\u0103, al\u0103turea cu tine.<\/p>\n
Nu m\u00e2ntuisem \u00eenc\u0103 de regulat noul meu culcu\u0219 \u0219i, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uitai, Axinia \u0219i disp\u0103ruse sub o p\u0103tur\u0103 groas\u0103 de f\u00e2n.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Fa Axinio, zisei eu culc\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 \u0219i tr\u0103g\u00e2nd f\u00e2nul peste mine, s\u0103 nu cumva s\u0103 hor\u0103ie\u0219ti c\u0103 te-azv\u00e2rl din f\u00e2n de nu te z\u0103re\u0219ti.<\/p>\n
\u0218i f\u00e2nul de peste Axinia tres\u0103ri u\u0219or sub mi\u0219carea de echilibru, ce c\u0103uta s\u0103 \u0219i-o ea pentru dormit.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da ce? ai \u0219i adormit, diavol \u00eempeli\u021bat? Nici o mi\u0219care, nici un r\u0103spuns… Nu r\u0103s\u0103rise \u00eenc\u0103 soarele, c\u00e2nd intrai \u00een cas\u0103 \u0219i aprinsei lum\u00e2narea. Tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu \u0219i cei doi fl\u0103c\u0103uani dormeau \u00eenc\u0103 du\u0219i, f\u0103r\u0103 a se fi urnit de cum \u00eei l\u0103sasem de-cu-sear\u0103. Nu \u0219tiu ce se va fi fost petrecut sub poclada tovar\u0103\u0219ului meu; \u00een schimb \u00eens\u0103, pe piepturile desf\u0103cute ale celor doi fl\u0103c\u0103uani \u0219i pe fe\u021bele lor aburite de somn, mii de plo\u0219ni\u021be negre \u0219i cu p\u00e2ntecele s\u0103tule st\u0103teau nemi\u0219cate \u0219i mistuiau \u00een tihn\u0103 cina lor de-cu-noapte. C\u00e2nd lumina le atinse ochii lor obosi\u021bi, poate de nesomn, \u00eencepur\u0103 a se urni \u00eencet \u0219i greoi \u0219i a se \u00eendruma, \u00eentr-o nesf\u00e2r\u0219it\u0103 urdie neagr\u0103, c\u0103tre t\u0103inuitele lor chilii de sub co\u0219coviturile lutului de pe pere\u021bi.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Hei! scumpul meu, zisei apuc\u00e2nd pe tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu de un picior \u0219i tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-l jos; ia de\u0219teapt\u0103-te din somnul t\u0103u de veci, c\u0103ci tr\u00e2mbi\u021ba \u00cenvierii a doua a sunat de mult.<\/p>\n
Se scul\u0103 pe jum\u0103tate, se frec\u0103 la ochi \u0219i, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu lum\u00e2narea:
\n\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 doar n-a fi ie\u0219it bunic\u0103-mea din groap\u0103 s\u0103 horh\u0103iesc eu pe dealuri cu noaptea-n cap.<\/p>\n
\u0218i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai zic\u0103 ceva, se tr\u00e2nti furios \u00eenapoi, trase poclada pe el, se \u00eentoarse cu fa\u021ba la perete \u0219i se preg\u0103ti din nou de dormit.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Te \u00een\u0219eli, scumpul meu, zisei smuncindu-i poclada de pe d\u00e2nsul; bunic\u0103-ta a ie\u0219it din groap\u0103 de mult, \u0219i cel ce judec\u0103 viii \u0219i mor\u021bii a \u0219i trecut-o \u00een ceata sfintelor capre de pe ceea lume; hai, scoal\u0103-te s\u0103 plec\u0103m.<\/p>\n
N-avu ce face. Cu o resignare de martir se scul\u0103 pe jum\u0103tate \u0219i r\u0103mase un moment ca buimac pe marginea patului cu picioarele jos.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103 rog, zise el dezmeticindu-se \u0219i sc\u0103rpin\u00e2ndu-\u0219i cu dreapta iute \u0219i \u00eendesat um\u0103rul st\u00e2ng, m\u0103 rog, ce vra s\u0103 zic\u0103 asta?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Asta vra s\u0103 zic\u0103, scumpul meu, c\u0103 eu \u021bin cu orice pre\u021b s\u0103 mai r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2teva, m\u0103car, din pic\u0103turile s\u00e2ngelui t\u0103u \u0219i pentru negrii t\u0103uni din fundul Tartarului, c\u0103tre care \u00een cur\u00e2nd vei p\u0103\u0219i.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Breeeee!… Da de diminea\u021b\u0103 a mai \u00eenceput a se-nv\u00e2rti moara lui Tudoran cea pustie!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dimpotriv\u0103, eu cred c-a \u00eenceput prea t\u00e2rziu; ia prive\u0219te. \u0218i apropiind lum\u00e2narea, ar\u0103tai spre piepturile desf\u0103cute \u0219i negre ale celor doi fl\u0103c\u0103uani.<\/p>\n
R\u0103mase ca tr\u0103snit; apoi, iute \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai zic\u0103 ceva, o rupse de fug\u0103 pe u\u0219-afar\u0103. Iar dup\u0103 c\u00e2teva minute, d\u0103dui peste el, dup\u0103 cas\u0103, f\u0103c\u00e2nd ziua ceea ce eu f\u0103cusem noaptea… \u0219i tot \u00een prezen\u021ba lui T\u0103rcu\u0219.<\/p>\n
Axinia \u00een\u0219euase caii, fl\u0103c\u0103uanii se sculaser\u0103 \u0219i noi eram gata. Voii s\u0103 pl\u0103tesc ceva pentru g\u0103zduire.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mul\u021bumim d-neavoastr\u0103, zise fl\u0103c\u0103uanul cel mai mare neprimind banii, s\u0103 merge\u021bi s\u0103n\u0103to\u0219i \u0219i mai pofti\u021bi c\u00e2nd v-i\u021bi \u00eentoarce.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mul\u021bumim dumneavoastr\u0103, fl\u0103c\u0103ilor, zisei eu \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd; mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne\u021bi s\u0103n\u0103to\u0219i!<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103 merge\u021bi s\u0103n\u0103to\u0219i, r\u0103spunser\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi \u00eentr-un glas. Plecar\u0103m. Diminea\u021ba era rece \u0219i o p\u0103tur\u0103 groas\u0103 de rou\u0103 argintie acoperea \u00eemprejurimile verzi. O lini\u0219te \u0219i o t\u0103cere solemn\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nea \u00eentreaga fire. Neguri albe se ridicau spre v\u0103zduhuri din v\u0103ile dep\u0103rtate \u0219i ad\u00e2nci; iar sub r\u0103ceala aerului de noapte, respira\u021bia vie \u0219i c\u0103lduroas\u0103 a apelor Negrei aburea iernatic, tr\u0103g\u00e2nd o brazd\u0103 sur\u0103 de cea\u021b\u0103 mi\u0219c\u0103toare \u00eentre malurile ei curate de prund cu multe fe\u021be.<\/p>\n
Tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu mergea zgribulit \u0219i cu gulerul de la vengherc\u0103 ridicat peste urechi; Axinia, sprinten\u0103 ca o \u021barc\u0103 \u0219i \u00eemprosp\u0103tat\u0103 de r\u0103coarea dimine\u021bii, de-abia atingea p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cu pasu-i gr\u0103bit \u0219i u\u0219or. C\u00e2t despre mine, potrivit felului meu, \u0219i ad\u0103postit sub mantaua mea binecuv\u00e2ntat\u0103, d\u0103dusem fr\u00e2u slobod ochilor \u0219i g\u00e2ndului spre a r\u0103t\u0103ci \u00een s\u00e2nul imensei nem\u0103rginiri aurite de int\u00e2ile raze curate ale unui soare t\u00e2n\u0103r.<\/p>\n
Soarele era la pr\u00e2nz c\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103m \u00een Panaci. Nu ne oprir\u0103m aici, sub umbra unui fag de pe marginea drumului, dec\u00e2t spre a mai r\u0103sufla caii. C\u00e2nd fu soarele de-amiaz\u0103, sosir\u0103m \u00een Neagra \u0218arului sau Dorna rom\u00e2neasc\u0103, \u021binta c\u0103l\u0103toriei noastre. Aici \u00eent\u00e2lnir\u0103m pe Halunga.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da…? zise Halunga v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-ne; \u0219i restul \u00eentreb\u0103rii \u00eel \u00eenlocui prin cele c\u00e2teva semne ale ochilor, ale spr\u00e2ncenelor \u0219i ale degetului s\u0103u cel cu inel de aur.<\/p>\n
C\u0103ci, \u00een parantez\u0103 vorbind, Halunga era omul cel mai monosilabic din c\u00e2\u021bi exist\u0103 pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt; la d\u00e2nsul o silab\u0103 pl\u0103tea c\u00e2t o fraz\u0103, \u0219i un semn al ar\u0103t\u0103torului s\u0103u cu inel de aur cuprindea, de multe ori, \u00eentreaga lui g\u00e2ndire. Trebuia s\u0103 fi tr\u0103it cu d\u00e2nsul mult ca s\u0103-l \u00een\u021belegi… Eu \u00eel \u00een\u021belegeam, c\u0103ci tr\u0103isem mult cu d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 De la Piatra peste mun\u021bi, r\u0103spunsei aproape \u00een acela\u0219i stil.
\n\u2014 Hai!… \u0219i plec\u0103 \u00eenainte, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-ne semn s\u0103-l urm\u0103m. Peste un p\u0103trar de ceas fur\u0103m la prietenul nostru comun, un negustor din Piatra, a\u0219ezat vremelnic \u00een \u0218ar. Trei zile st\u0103tur\u0103m pe loc, \u0219i oricine \u00ee\u0219i poate \u00eenchipui c\u0103 \u00een aceste trei zile \u00eenv\u0103\u021bai de la Halunga tot rostul, toate chi\u021bibu\u0219urile \u0219i toate \u0219iriclicurile plut\u0103riei.<\/p>\n
\u0218i fiindc\u0103 Halunga era acel care jucase hora Unirii \u00een mijlocul Bistri\u021bei cu apa p\u00e2n\u0103 la br\u00e2u, tot el acela care \u00eenfiin\u021base \u00een Piatra, cu\u00a0Te-Deum<\/i>-uri \u0219i aghesme, pit\u0103rii \u0219i c\u0103s\u0103pii na\u021bionale, tot el acela care pusese temeliile societ\u0103\u021bii, tot na\u021bionale, de exploatare a p\u0103durilor sub foarte na\u021bionalul nume de “Pluta\u0219ul”, \u2014 urmeaz\u0103 deci c\u0103 tot lui Halunga avea s\u0103 i se \u00eent\u00e2mple o foarte hazlie, dar totu\u0219i foarte na\u021bional\u0103 nenorocire.<\/p>\n
Era \u00eentr-o duminic\u0103; \u0219i fiindc\u0103 locul de petrecere \u0219i de adunare \u00een zile de s\u0103rb\u0103toare e cr\u00e2\u0219ma \u0219i, mai ales, fiindc\u0103 cr\u00e2\u0219marul din \u0218ar era rom\u00e2n \u0219i nu jidan, urmeaz\u0103 c\u0103, \u00eempins de curiozitate \u0219i \u00eendemnat de Halunga, mersei \u0219i eu la cr\u00e2\u0219m\u0103, desigur, nu pentru a bea, ci pentru a vedea adunat\u0103 la un loc \u021b\u0103r\u0103nimea muntelui.<\/p>\n
\u0218i cine nu cuno\u0219tea pe Halunga \u00een \u0218ar!
\n\u2014 Noroc bun, bade Filipe, zise Halunga intr\u00e2nd, urmat de mine, \u00een cr\u00e2\u0219ma plin\u0103 de \u021b\u0103rani.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Foarte mul\u021bumim, domnule Halunga, r\u0103spunse cr\u00e2\u0219marul, un rom\u00e2n cu ochii mici \u0219i vicleni.<\/p>\n
\u0218i Halunga, uit\u00e2nd de mine, se leg\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t \u00een vorb\u0103, c\u00e2nd cu unul, c\u00e2nd cu altul; iar eu, cu m\u00e2inile la spate \u0219i ne\u0219tiind tocmai hot\u0103r\u00e2t ce s\u0103 fac cu persoana mea, schimbam piciorul de reazem c\u00e2nd pe dreapta, c\u00e2nd pe st\u00e2nga, \u0219i c\u0103utam s\u0103-mi dau o \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219are pe c\u00e2t se poate mai pu\u021bin ridicol\u0103; \u0219i oric\u00e2t f\u0103ceam eu pe importantul, totu\u0219i \u021b\u0103ranii, de\u0219tep\u021bi \u0219i ironici cum sunt ei, m\u0103 tr\u0103geau cu coada ochiului \u0219i-\u0219i c\u0103utau \u00eenainte de b\u0103ut rachiul lor prost din pahare mari de vin… La un moment dat, u\u0219a se umplu cu p\u00e2ntecele \u0219i pieptul unui fel de Goliat, care, intr\u00e2nd \u00een\u0103untru \u0219i \u00eenaint\u00e2nd printre \u021b\u0103rani, p\u0103rea c\u0103 \u00eenoat\u0103 cu umerii \u00een afar\u0103 peste un furnicar de c\u0103m\u0103\u0219i albe \u0219i de chimiruri late. Ras chiar atunci, cu mustea\u021ba neagr\u0103 \u0219i puternic\u0103, rumen la fa\u021b\u0103, cu ochii negri, vioi \u0219i iste\u021bi, era tipul rom\u00e2nului \u00een floarea v\u00e2rstei \u0219i a frumuse\u021bii… Acesta era vestitul Ilie Marcu, al c\u0103ruia cal bea rachiu, rodea pastram\u0103 \u0219i cuno\u0219tea geografia am\u0103nun\u021bit\u0103 a muntelui mai bine dec\u00e2t un autor de c\u0103r\u021bi didactice; cel pu\u021bin calul lui Ilie Marcu ducea, nec\u00e2rmuit, pe st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u la toate st\u00e2nele, la toate cherestelele, la toate t\u00e2rlele, la toate prim\u0103riile \u0219i, mai ales, la toate cr\u00e2\u0219mele muntelui, cuv\u00e2nt pentru care lua parte la toate campaniile geodezice \u0219i de triangula\u021bie.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bun\u0103 ziua, Marcule, \u00eei zise Halunga, cum \u00eel v\u0103zu intr\u00e2nd.
\n\u2014 Foarte mul\u021bumim, domnule Halunga, r\u0103spunse Marcu. \u0218i o str\u00e2ngere de m\u00e2n\u0103 verde \u0219i rom\u00e2neasc\u0103 se schimb\u0103 \u00eentre am\u00e2ndoi. Aceast\u0103 str\u00e2ngere de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eei fu fatal\u0103 lui Halunga.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103i Filipe, zise Marcu cr\u00e2\u0219marului, o oc\u0103 de rapciu. P\u00e2n\u0103 ce cr\u00e2\u0219marul s\u0103 aduc\u0103 la \u00eendeplinire porunca, Halunga m\u0103 f\u0103cu cunoscut lui Ilie Marcu. Aceea\u0219i str\u00e2ngere de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i aceea\u0219i nenorocire m\u0103 p\u00e2ndea.<\/p>\n
Rachiul se aduse \u0219i trei pahare mari se umplur\u0103.
\n\u2014 Ia pofti\u021bi, zise Marcu, d\u00e2ndu-ne fiec\u0103ruia c\u00e2te unul, \u0219i-\u021bi cinsti c\u00e2te-o \u021b\u00ee’ de rapciu.<\/p>\n
\u0218i s\u0103 te \u00eemping\u0103 p\u0103catul s\u0103 nu prime\u0219ti cinstea rom\u00e2nului… \u0218i bietul Halunga, care nu punea rachiu pe limba lui s\u0103-l fi t\u0103iat, fu nevoit s\u0103 ia paharul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine-am g\u0103sit, Marcule, zisei ciocnind paharul cu el \u0219i cu Halunga.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine-a\u021bi venit, r\u0103spunse el; \u0219i d\u0103du paharul de du\u0219c\u0103. Eu \u0219i Halunga ne mul\u021bumir\u0103m a ne muia buzele \u00een rachiul din pahar, ca \u00eentr-o adev\u0103rat\u0103 infec\u021bie; dar Marcu nu \u00een\u021belegea lucrurile astfel; cu “ia m\u0103 rog”, cu “bine-a\u021bi venit”, cu “bine-am g\u0103sit”, \u0219i eu, \u0219i Halunga fur\u0103m sili\u021bi s\u0103 golim paharele p\u00e2n\u0103 la fund. \u0218i \u00een timp ce Ilie Marcu se p\u0103rea c\u0103 bea ap\u0103, nou\u0103 ni se p\u0103rea c\u0103 \u00eenghi\u021bim fl\u0103c\u0103ri.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd m\u0103 uitai la Halunga, c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 m\u0103 bufneasc\u0103 r\u00e2sul: ro\u0219 ca un rac fiert, cu ochii bulbuca\u021bi, str\u0103lucitori \u0219i \u00eenot\u00e2nd \u00een lacrimi, p\u0103rea c\u0103 \u00eenghite o stamboal\u0103 de j\u0103ratic; voia parc\u0103 s\u0103 spun\u0103 ceva, dar, din lapidar cum era, devenise cu totul monosilabic \u0219i, oric\u00e2t de obi\u0219nuit eram cu cr\u00e2mpeiele lui de cuvinte, m\u0103 sim\u021beam, de ast\u0103 dat\u0103, \u00een neputin\u021b\u0103 de a-i \u00een\u021belege silabele desp\u0103r\u021bite prin reticen\u021be; avea, parc\u0103, aerul s\u0103-mi fac\u0103 mie \u0219i lui Ilie Marcu o lec\u021bie de silabisire.<\/p>\n
Tocmai lucru mare nici eu nu pl\u0103team, mai la urm\u0103; totu\u0219i, mai tare dec\u00e2t Halunga, \u00eemi p\u0103stram \u00eentruc\u00e2tva, victorios, perpendiculara persoanei mele pe p\u0103m\u00e2ntul care mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 se \u00eemb\u0103tase \u0219i, \u00eentr-un dans fantastic, se \u00eenv\u00e2rtea cu mine, cu Ilie Marcu, cu Halunga, cu \u021b\u0103rani, cu tejghele, cu u\u0219i, cu fere\u0219ti, cu pastrama de pe cuiele corzilor \u0219i cu un motan, ce dormea colac \u00eentr-un col\u021b, la picioarele unui sac cu f\u0103in\u0103.<\/p>\n
“Ce dracu, cugetam eu, cuprins de v\u00e2rtejul rota\u021biunii universale, oare s\u0103 fi sc\u0103pat de Ion Rusu numai ca s\u0103 dau peste Ilie Marcu? Oare Dumnezeu n-a avut alt\u0103 grij\u0103 dec\u00e2t s\u0103 umple v\u0103ile mun\u021bilor s\u0103i cu must\u0103\u021bi, cu \u0219ipuri cu rachiu \u0219i cu stomacuri de tinichea?”<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00een ciuda \u0219i \u00een dezgustul meu pentru toate cr\u00e2\u0219mele na\u021bionale cu rachiu patriotic, \u00eemi venea s\u0103 iau pe Halunga de picioare \u0219i s\u0103 dau \u00een capul lui Ilie Marcu; g\u0103sii \u00eens\u0103 mai nimerit s\u0103-l apuc cam de dup\u0103 spate \u0219i s\u0103 ies cu d\u00e2nsul afar\u0103, spre marea indignare a lui Ilie Marcu, care b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103, \u00een cele din urm\u0103, c\u0103-\u0219i pusese boii \u00een plug cu ni\u0219te netrebnici. Trebnici sau netrebnici, l\u0103sar\u0103m pe Ilie Marcu la cr\u00e2\u0219m\u0103 cu p\u0103rerea lui cu tot; iar noi, cam pe dou\u0103 drumuri, ne \u00eendreptar\u0103m spre cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
Cum ajunser\u0103m acas\u0103, gazda noastr\u0103, o t\u00e2rgovea\u021b\u0103 foarte dr\u0103gu\u021b\u0103, ne leg\u0103 la cap cu c\u00e2te o grimea alb\u0103 muiat\u0103 \u00een ap\u0103 rece \u0219i porunci s\u0103 ni se dea c\u00e2te o cafea neagr\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 zah\u0103r. Un somn de c\u00e2teva ceasuri ne readuse la starea de mai \u00eenainte. A doua zi trebuia s\u0103 plec\u0103m, \u0219i tovar\u0103\u0219ul meu a c\u0103rui deviz\u0103 era\u00a0“Non bis in<\/i>\u00a0idem”\u00a0se puse cu picioarele \u00een prag \u0219i declar\u0103 c\u0103, cu nici un pre\u021b, nu se mai \u00eentoarce pe unde venise.<\/i><\/p>\n
Eu \u00eensumi, de altmintrelea, a\u0219 fi dorit s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentorc pe plut\u0103. Timpul \u00eens\u0103 fiind secetos, Bistri\u021ba trebuia s\u0103 fie mic\u0103 \u0219i drumul pe ap\u0103, prin urmare, greu \u0219i primejdios. Totu\u0219i, fa\u021b\u0103 cu hot\u0103r\u00e2rea nestr\u0103mutatului meu tovar\u0103\u0219, trebui s\u0103 \u00eenclin pentru drumul pe ap\u0103; dar fiindc\u0103 de la Dorna nu merser\u0103m niciodat\u0103 cu pluta p\u00e2n’la Piatra, cerui oarecare l\u0103muriri de la Halunga \u00een privin\u021ba greut\u0103\u021bilor \u0219i primejdiilor ce le-a\u0219 fi putut \u00eent\u00e2mpina.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Hm! f\u0103cu el dup\u0103 un moment de cugetare… greu… la Col\u021bul Acrei… ap\u0103 mic\u0103… Hm… pe Cle\u0219te, nu… la Chei… la Toance.\u00a0Grimea<\/i>\u00a0\u2014 basma. Nu de dou\u0103 ori pentru acela\u0219i lucru.<\/p>\n
\u0218i de\u0219i \u00een\u021belegeam perfect ceea ce voia s\u0103-mi spun\u0103 Halunga, totu\u0219i el, \u00een dorin\u021ba lui de a nu l\u0103sa nimic nel\u0103murit \u00een mintea mea, scoase basmaua din buzunar, o r\u0103suci \u00eentr-un ciuciulete pe care-l \u00eentinse \u00een toat\u0103 lungimea lui pe masa din mijlocul casei, \u0219i:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Neagra \u0218arului, ar\u0103t\u0103 el, str\u0103b\u0103t\u00e2nd toat\u0103 lungimea ciuciuletelui de basma cu ar\u0103t\u0103torul lui cel cu inel de aur.<\/p>\n
Scoase din buzunar un carnet \u0219i-l puse perpendicular pe cap\u0103tul de la vale al basmalei r\u0103sucite, mai ad\u0103ug\u00e2nd la lungimea carnetului s\u0103u \u0219i lungimea unui creion.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bistri\u021ba, zise el, a\u0219ez\u00e2ndu-le frumos \u0219i \u00een linie dreapt\u0103, cu degetele-i albe \u0219i iu\u021bi de scamator.<\/p>\n
\u0218i p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103-mi r\u0103sucesc eu mustea\u021ba, z\u00e2mbind fa\u021b\u0103 de chipul intuitiv cu care Halunga se silea s\u0103 v\u00e2re \u00een capul meu firea lucrurilor, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103-mi pun m\u00e2inile la spate \u0219i s\u0103 m\u0103 dau aproape de mas\u0103, pref\u0103c\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 c\u0103 urm\u0103resc l\u0103muririle date de el cu mare b\u0103gare de seam\u0103, Halunga \u00ee\u0219i smulse din picioare botinele \u0219i col\u021bunii.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Col\u021bul Acrei, zise el, a\u0219ez\u00e2nd curmezi\u0219, \u00een raport cu v\u00e2rful creionului, unul din col\u021buni. He, hei!… trebuie pluta\u0219; pe Cle\u0219te… te duci.<\/p>\n
\u0218i cel\u0103lalt col\u021bun, \u00eentins \u00een linie dreapt\u0103, ar\u0103ta o parte din mersul drept \u0219i slobod de orice primejdie al Bistri\u021bei…<\/p>\n
\u2014 La Chei… continu\u0103 el, a\u0219ez\u00e2nd la cap\u0103tul col\u021bunului din urm\u0103 am\u00e2ndou\u0103 botinele paralel una l\u00e2ng\u0103 alta \u0219i l\u0103s\u00e2nd \u00eentre ele un spa\u021biu \u00eengust… numai de-amiaz\u0103 se vede soarele.<\/p>\n
Iar la o mic\u0103 dep\u0103rtare de v\u00e2rful botinelor \u0219i drept \u00eenainte \u00ee\u0219i puse p\u0103l\u0103ria.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Toancele… iac-a\u0219a… iac-a\u0219a… zise el fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u00e2nd aerul cu m\u00e2inile spre a-mi ar\u0103ta cum adic\u0103 fierbe, se sfarm\u0103 \u0219i se pulverizeaz\u0103 apa \u00een lupta sa cu st\u00e2ncile crescute din p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 peste luciul ei.<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00eenh\u0103\u021b\u00e2ndu-mi f\u0103r\u0103 veste p\u0103l\u0103ria din m\u00e2n\u0103…
\n\u2014 Aici-s Chetro\u0219ii, zise el a\u0219ez\u00e2nd-o la locul cuvenit.<\/p>\n
\u00cenh\u0103\u021bai \u0219i eu de pe pat mantaua mea cea mare \u0219i, trec\u00e2nd iute la spatele lui Halunga, i-o aruncai \u00een cap, \u00eel \u00eenf\u0103\u0219urai repede \u00een ea \u0219i \u00eel cuprinsei puternic \u00een bra\u021be…<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103ri\u021bi! Oameni buni, s\u0103ri\u021bi c\u0103 s-a \u00eenecat Halunga! \u00eencepui eu a striga c\u00e2tu-mi lua gura, cutreier\u00e2nd odaia cu el \u00een bra\u021be.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103… M\u0103… M\u0103… nebunule, \u00eel auzeam strig\u00e2nd de sub manta cu glas r\u0103gu\u0219it.<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103ri\u021bi! continuai eu \u0219i mai tare, nesl\u0103bindu-l din bra\u021be. Deodat\u0103 u\u0219a se deschise \u0219i dr\u0103gu\u021ba noastr\u0103 gazd\u0103 n\u0103v\u0103li repede \u00een odaie.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da ce e? Ce s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat? \u00eentreb\u0103 ea speriat\u0103.
\n\u2014 S\u0103ri\u021bi! c\u0103 s-a \u00eenecat Halunga.
\n\u2014 Da? \u0218i un hohot de r\u00e2s o apuc\u0103, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu ivindu-se de sub manta picioarele goale ale lui Halunga.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103 nebunule!… zise Halunga, c\u00e2nd sc\u0103p\u0103 de sub manta cu p\u0103rul v\u00e2lvoi… M\u0103 nebunule!<\/p>\n
\u0218i repezindu-m\u0103 la mas\u0103, \u00eencepui a lua iute \u0219i pe r\u00e2nd lucrurile de pe ea \u0219i a le tr\u00e2nti de p\u0103m\u00e2nt la picioarele gazdei noastre, care-\u0219i \u0219tergea cu batista lacrimile r\u00e2sului.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Na, ziceam eu la fiecare tr\u00e2ntitur\u0103. Na! iaca Col\u021bul Acrei, iaca Toancele, iaca Cheile Bistri\u021bei; c\u00e2t despre Chetro\u0219i, care erau \u00eenchipui\u021bi prin p\u0103l\u0103ria mea, \u00eei l\u0103sai \u00een pace, anin\u00e2ndu-i \u00een cui.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da bine, ce-a\u021bi p\u0103\u021bit, cre\u0219tinii lui Dumnezeu? \u00eentreb\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 gazda noastr\u0103, cu fa\u021ba \u00eenflorit\u0103 de r\u00e2s.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103 nebunule… repet\u0103 Halunga… \u0219i, culeg\u00e2ndu-\u0219i lucrurile de pe jos, se puse pe un scaun \u0219i \u00eencepu s\u0103 se \u00eencal\u021be…<\/p>\n
A doua zi, suindu-ne pe plut\u0103, plecar\u0103m la Piatra.<\/p>\n
sf\u00e2r\u0219itul volumului I – Amintiri dintr-o c\u0103l\u0103torie<\/em> Pe \u00eennoptate, ajunser\u0103m \u00een P\u0103ltini\u0219. Casele, rar sem\u0103nate pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 laturile drumului, \u00eencepuser\u0103 a dormita \u00een mijlocul ogr\u0103zilor largi, \u00eemprejmuite cu garduri de r\u0103zlogi \u00een zigzag; iar pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 focurile aprinse mai deoparte, \u0219i ale c\u0103ror fl\u0103c\u0103ri ro\u0219ietice jucau capricios \u00een \u00eentunericul \u00eemprejmuitor, st\u0103teau cei de cas\u0103, preg\u0103tind cina de sear\u0103. Aninat de o cujb\u0103 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-calistrat-hogas-pe-drumuri-de-munte-1912","tag-calistrat-hogas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=254"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":255,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254\/revisions\/255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nurmeaza volumul II – \u00cen Mun\u021bii Neam\u021bului<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"