第11部分(第2/7 頁)

shly　roasted　gazelle　is　a　delicacy　of　the　Mongolian　grassland；　especially　after　a　hunt；　when　the　meat　is　roasted　and　eaten　on　the　spot。　Historically；　it　was　a　favorite　of　the　khans　and　royalty；　and　an　essential　ponent　of　gatherings　of　ordinary　hunters。　As　newly　acknowledged　hunters；　Chen　Zhen　and　Yang　Ke　were　invited　to　participate　in　the　feast。　The　thrill　of　the　hunt；　along　with　sheer　exhaustion；　had　given　Chen　such　an　appetite　that　he　felt　he　appreciated　the　event　more　than　any　Mongol　khan　ever　could；　it　was　an　outdoor　feast　for　humans　fol—lowing　an　outdoor　feast　by　a　pack　of　wild　wolves。　Chen　and　Yang；　who　at　that　moment　felt　as　free　and　powerful　as　any　Mongol；　impulsively　grabbed　flasks　from　the　hands　of　fellow　hunters　who　were　drinking　and　eating　and　singing　with　fervor　and　passion；　and　gulped　down　great　mouthfuls　of　liquor。

With　a　burst　of　laughter；　Bilgee　said；　“I’d　be　afraid　to　go　see　your　parents　in　Beijing　a　year　from　now；　since　by　then　I’ll　have　turned　you　into　Mongol　savages。”

“We　Han　could　use　a　heavy　dose　of　Mongol　spirit；”　Yang　Ke　said；　the　smell　of　liquor　strong　on　his　breath。

At　the　top　of　his　lungs；　Chen　Zhen　shouted　“Papa”　three　times；　raised　the　flask　in　his　hand　above　his　head；　and　toasted　the　“Venerable　Tribal　Leader。”　The　old　man　took　three　drinks　from　his　fl　ask　and　responded；　“Minihu；　minihu；　minisaihu”　（My　child；　my　child；　my　good　child）。

Batu；　giddily　drunk；　slapped　Chen　on　the　back　and　said；　“You　。　。　。　you　are　only　half　a　Mongol；　wh　。　。　。　when　you；　you　marry　a　Mongol　girl　。　。　。　a　woman；　father　a　。　。　。　a　Mongol　brat；　then　you’ll　be　a　true　Mongol。　You；　you’re　on　the　weak　side；　no　good；　not　good；　not　good　enough。　Mongol　women　under　。　。　。　under　the　bedcovers；　make　you　work；　worse　than　wolf　。　。　。　wolves。　Mongol　men；　mos