第53部分(第3/7 頁)

　is talking about those

illustrations。　What　is　it　about　them？　What’s　in　those　pictures？”

“There’s　nothing　in　them；”　Black　said。

“Which　means　you　examined　them　at　the　first　opportunity。”

236

“Enishte　Effendi　wants　me　to　finish　the　book。”

“Very　well。　I　hope；　God　willing；　that　they’ll　torture　the　both　of　us。”

The　two　of　them　fell　silent。　Next；　Black　and　I　heard　footsteps　in　the　empty

yard。 Were they leaving or approaching us？ We could neither see Hasan nor

tell　what　he　was　doing。　It　would’ve　been　senseless　for　him　to　push　through　the

thorns； shrubs and brambles lining the far end of the garden in the pitch…

blackness。　He　could’ve　easily　left　without　being　seen；　had　he　passed　through

the trees and wound his way before us； but we didn’t hear any footsteps

nearing　us。　I　boldly　shouted；　“Hasan！”　There　was　no　response。

“Hush；”　said　Black。

We were both trembling from the cold。 Without hesitating too long； we

closed the gate and the doors tightly behind us。 Before entering my bed

warmed　by　the　children；　I　checked　on　my　father　again。　Meanwhile；　Black　once

again　seated　himself　before　the　pictures。

237

I　AM　A　HORSE

Ignore the fact that I’m standing here placid and still； if truth be told； I’ve

been　galloping　for　centuries；　I’ve　passed　over　plains；　fought　in　battles；　carried

off　the　melancholy　daughters　of　shahs　to　be　wed；　I’ve　galloped　tirelessly　page

by　page　from　story　to　history；　from　history　to　legend　and　from　book　to　book；

I’ve　appeared　in　countless　stories；　fables；　books　and　battles；　I’ve　acpanied

invincible heroes； l