The Mystery of the Iron Samson

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The Mystery of the Iron SamsonThe Life and Training of

Strongman Alexander Zass

byA. Drapkin & Y ri Shapshnikoff

Translated by !rofessor "Stone# !a l

$dited and %ore ord by Logan 'hristopher


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DISCLAIMER

The exercises and advice contained within this book is for educational andentertainment purposes only. The exercises described may be too strenuous ordangerous for some people, and the reader should consult with a physician beforeengaging in any of them.

The author and publisher of this book are not responsible in any manner whatsoever forany injury, which may occur through the use or misuse of the information presentedhere.

The Mystery of the Iron Samson originally published in ussian in !"#$

Modern %nglish %dition&opyright ' ()!( by *egendary Strength+ll ights eserved.

o part of this course may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informationstorage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Manufactured in the -nited States of +merica


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The Mystery of the Iron Samson

Table of Contents

FOREWORD.....................................................................................................................2

PREFACE..........................................................................................................................4YOU ARE STRON ER T!AN YOU T!IN".................................................................#C!I$D!OOD..................................................................................................................%&T!E WOR$D OF STREN T!......................................................................................2'FAR AWAY IN T!E STEPPE........................................................................................&4FIRST (ICTORY............................................................................................................TO T!E DEPOT OR TO T!E CIRCUS).......................................................................&*A PROFITA+$E +USINESS..........................................................................................4,+$AC" MAS"................................................................................................................,&T!E REA$ WOR".........................................................................................................#%+$UE S"Y +E!IND T!E +ARS..................................................................................#-T!E STRON EST MAN IN T!E WOR$D..................................................................-4T!E MYSTERY OF T!E IRON SAMSON................................................................... %AFTERWORD................................................................................................................. #ISOMETRIC E/ERCISES USED +Y SAMSON DURIN TRAININ .....................*%DYNAMIC E/ERCISES USED +Y SAMSON DURIN TRAININ ......................%''

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FOREWORD

y $o3an Chr sto5her

Se6era7 years a18 I 0as tten y the stron3man 93. I rea: a oo8 1a77e: TheS5 r t9a7 ;o9rney of ;ose5h $. reenste n< a7so 8no0n as The M 3hty Atom< an: I 0ashoo8e:. I tho93ht to myse7f I 0ant to :o that to. Th9s e3an my =o9rney nstron3man sm an: 7earn n3 from the 3reatest a7 6e to:ay as 0e77 as those n the 5ast.

Unfort9nate7y no oo8 rea77y 1a5t9re: my attent on n >9 te the same 0ay< 9nt 7no0. I 0o97: 59t The Mystery of the Iron Samson r 3ht 95 there 0 th E: S5 e7man?s

oo8 on the M 3hty Atom.Th s oo8 s most7y o3ra5h 1a7 n nat9re< yet fo9n: 0 th n the stor es yo9?77 f n:

7ots of tra n n3 nformat on on 0hat t ta8es to e1ome s95er stron3. If yo9?re astron3man yo9rse7f< or e6er 57an to e1ome one< yo9?77 f n: many :eas for feats to

5erform that I?6e ne6er seen anyone :o to:ay.Then at the en: of th s oo8 yo9?77 : s1o6er more e@er1 se an: tra n n3 nfo n

:e5th. ass 0as 0e77 8no0n for e n3 one of the f rst to 0 :e7y 9se sometr 1s n h stra n n3. !ere yo9?77 : s1o6er e@a1t7y 0hat he : : an: more.

There are many o7:t me stron3men. A7e@an:er ass has a70ays een one that has3ra e: my attent on< more then others. Rea: n3 stor es a o9t h s feats an: e@57o ts yo93et the fee7 n3 that the ron en: n3 he : : far o9tBs9r5asse: many of h s1ontem5orar es. A:: to the fa1t that he 7 tera77y 9se: to s8 77s to rea8 free from 5r son

an: yo9 1an 9n:erstan: 0hy he e1ame the st9ff of 7e3en:s.S n1e rea: n3 a o9t h m I?6e so93ht more an: more nformat on< 9t to 7 tt7e a6a 7.Then 7918 str918 one :ay. I 0as 1oa1h n3 Professor Stone Pa97 n 9 7: n3 95 h son7 ne 9s ness. !e ha: a 1o957e s911essf97 s tes tea1h n3 5eo57e S0e: sh an: R9ss anas 0e77 as e n3 n6o76e: n stren3th tra n n3 h mse7f. I tho93ht to myse7f< ass 0asR9ss an< 5erha5s he 1an : 3 95 someth n3 I ha: ne6er fo9n: efore. !e mme: ate7yfo9n: a 1o5y of The Mystery of the Iron Samson 0h 1h ha: ne6er een trans7ate: ntoEn37 sh. Th s oo8 s not to e 1onf9se: 0 th The Ama n3 Samson< an a9to o3ra5hy

y ass h mse7f.GI 8ne0 I 0as ntereste: n th s oo8 9t 0o97: other 5eo57e e) I as8e: an: the

o6er0he7m n3 res5onse 0as yes so 0e 3ot starte:. A1t9a77y trans7at n3 the oo8 5ro6e:to e : ff 197t. I?77 7et Pa97 te77 yo9 a o9t t n h s o0n 0or:sH

I've finished the initial translation and now I am going back and makingeverything readable and sensible for an English reader. I must say, that I am nowunderstanding, why this book was never translated before.

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Although, the story, feats of strength, training methods, etc. are really profoundand exciting all eye!witness accounts", the language these guys used to tell it all is

pretty wretched. #hese authors are not only using old soviet $ussian, but it's obviousthat they were also poorly educated hillbillies or farmers who never really learned howto read or write very well. %othing is written properly and almost every sentence has

grammar, syntax, and spelling issues, so it took me a long time &ust to get the initialtranslation done. It's like they &ust wrote the way illiterate mountain men would speak toeach other. $un on sentences, half sentences, random thoughts and clauses mixed inwhere they don't belong.

All the verb tenses are mixed and the chronology is out of order often times, so Iam having to rewrite a lot make it possible for the reader to follow along.

on't get me wrong, I still think the information in the book is priceless. #hat'swhy I really want to do a good &ob translating it so it is a really nice and comfortable

read in English. I think people are gonna absolutely love the finished product.(

An: 7ater on th s 95:ate arr 6e: n my ema 7H

#he translation of this book is really turning into a work of art in and of itself. I've had to rewrite so many things to make them make sense in an English context. I ammaking it as easy to read as possible, while at the same time preserving some of the)uirkiness which gives it the *old russian days* flavor of the era. I really want thereader to be sucked back in time when they're reading.(

When yo9?re f n she: rea: n3 th s oo8 I?m s9re yo9?77 a3ree that Pa97 has :one a 5henomena7 =o . Perha5s f yo9?re ntereste: th s 0 77 e the f rst n many R9ss an 0or8son stren3th an: ath7et 1 sm that 1an e trans7ate: nto En37 sh for the f rst t me. +e s9reto 7et 9s 8no0 f yo9?: 7 8e to see more.

As yo9 rea: thro93h th s oo8 yo9?77 e trans5orte: to R9ss a< to se6era7 1 r19sesaptain ?iding, who suffered massive gravitationaloverload. 4e know the kind of congestion &et pilots and astronauts experience. In this

case, everything is decided by pre!training and general health.4hen it comes to *super endurance* we must not forget about the preliminary

training and the body's ability to adapt to environmental conditions. Cearl divers areable to stay for five or six minutes under water without air. ?eing able to( in this

situation is nothing more than the result of adaptation and training. +an is able to

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endure great atmospheric humidity as well as high temperatures in hot ovens. 6owever,0annon notices himself that we are dealing with extraordinary stamina*.

nfortunately, the ability of the human body to adapt to unusual conditions in the.


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#ouching upon this sub&ect, I would have to start by analy5ing athletic performances. 4here is the limit of strength, speed, or height of &umping= #here are precise observations here and scientifically sounding conclusions can be made.

6owever, athletic exercise does not give more guarantees of extending the rangeof physiological capacities in man. 7ur body is a self!ad&usting system. Juite often thedevelopment of certain functions in an athlete's body happens by means of other bodily

functions. 4e know that athletes who are in good shape and have great muscles aremuch more likely to catch a cold than ordinary mortals.


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0e :e1 :e: to 3ather 1r9m s of nformat on a o9t one of the stron3est men n the 2'th1ent9ry< to 7 ft the 6e 7 of se1re1y that has shro9:e: the 0or8o9ts of the Iron Samson.

It 0as nterest n3 to see ho0 the to93hness 0as not on7y n the stren3th 9t a7so nthe 0 77 of th s remar8a 7e man...ho0 the har:est s1hoo7 of 7 fe e7a orate: h s1hara1ter. Many of SamsonKs st9nts :eman:e: e@traor: nary 1o9ra3e Th s oo8 s not

=9st a o3ra5hy< a7tho93h t s ase: on the :o19ments an: re1o77e1t ons of those 0ho8ne0 A7e@an:er I6ano6 t1h ass< the man 0ho 0as a7so 8no0n n the 1 r19s y thename of the Iron Samson .

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CHILDHOOD

One 3ray a9t9mn morn n3 on a name7ess farm near ( 7n 9s no0 $ th9an aG n theho9se of I6an Petro6 t1h ass< a son 0as orn. The ne0 orn 0as name: A7e@an:er. Inh s heart< the father ha: ho5e: that a 37or o9s f9t9re a0a te: h s ne0 orn a y oy< =9st7 8e the oy?s 3reat namesa8es. A 5ro9: name 0as a7most e6eryth n3 that a fam 7y 1o97:3 6e to a ne0 fam 7y mem er.

Sh9ra short for A7e@an:erG 0as the 5arents? f fth 1h 7:. W th a m @t9re of 5r :ean: tterness< the mother 7oo8e: at the 3r ma1e 95on her 1ry n3 a y?s mo9th. What0as she to fee: th s ne0 mo9th) They 0ere a 5oor fam 7y< 0hose on7y 0ea7th 7ay n ts>9ant ty of mem ers. E6en f they 0ere to 0or8 themse76es to :eath< there 0o97: e6ery 7 tt7e n1rease n 0ea7th. The so 7 0as :e57ete:< the ho9se ha: s9n8en ha7fB0ay ntothe s0am5< an: t seeme: as tho93h the ra n 0o97: ne6er 1ease. The 1ro5s nee:e: tostart 3ro0 n3 soon< or e7se t 0as s9re to e another h9n3ry year.

The fam 7y may not ha6e s9r6 6e: the 0 nter< f t 0asn?t for a re7at 6e 0hoa:6 se: them to 1ross the (o73a R 6er an: 5ress on to0ar: the estate of 1o9ntessY9s95o6a. !e 1o97:n?t 5rom se a 7ot of money< 9t he 1o97: 5rom se a 7ot of 0or8 an:that the fam 7y 0o97: ne6er 3o h9n3ry.

S n1e they : : not ha6e many e7on3 n3s< the 5ro1ess of 5a18 n3 0as short. Theyso7: e6eryth n3 they 1o97: to the r ne 3h ors for 5enn es on the :o77ar. As the r tra n:e5arte: they sa0 for the f rst t me ho0 enormo9s the R9ss an 7an:s1a5e a1t9a77y 0as.

The f e7:s< forests an: 0oo:7an:s seeme: near7y en:7ess as they 5asse: thro93h to0nsan: 1 t es oth 3reat an: sma77. S7o07y 9t stea: 7y the tra n 1h933e: on< an: t seeme:as tho93h the 7o1omot 6e ha: :ra33e: them thro93ho9t a77 of R9ss a. In rea7 ty they ha:not tra6e7e: any f9rther east than Mos1o0.

The fam 7y f na77y arr 6e: at Sarans8< a to0n s t9ate: =9st so9th of Mos1o0. After3ett n3 off the tra n< they sa::7e: the r horses an: ro:e a1ross the ste55es 9n:er the hot

After0ar:s< (anya Poo: ro8e a horseshoe. !e then thre0 a 1ha r o6er h s hea:9s n3 on7y h s teeth. At the en: of h s 5erforman1e< he hea6e: a 3 ant sh 5 an1hor ontoh s sho97:ers an: 1arr e: t to the :oor 0h 7e the a9: en1e a557a9:e: h m.

The En:. Peo57e starte: to s7o07y 7ea6e the 3to5. Mean0h 7e< the 1 r19sanno9n1er 0as 79r n3 the 1ro0: nto 0 tness n3 the 951om n3 mar6e7s.

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Yes< t?s a har: :o77ar r9 7eG sa : Sh9raKs father< no:: n3 n the : re1t on of the1 r19s. Ea1h r9 7e 3oes to them.

The oy 7 stene:< 9t : : not 9n:erstan:. Who?s ma8 n3 a har: :o77ar) These3 7:e: a1ro ats< f7 tt n3 eas 7y 9n:er the :ome) The ea9t f97 r :er 0ho ha: =9st ro:e0 th a ha55y sm 7e on :e1orate: horse) Does (anya P9: ha6e a : ff 197t 7 fe) There?s no0ay that 1an e tr9e !e ro8e the horseshoes so eas 7y. O 6 o9s7y< Father s 0ron3.The farm 7a orers 0ho 0or8 on the estate are the ones 0ho rea77y ha6e a : ff 197t 7 fetho93ht the yo9n3 Sh9ra to h mse7f.

These 0ere the 8 n: of tho93hts Sh9ra 0as ha6 n3 0h 7e he an: h s father 0ere6 rat n3 n the 1art on the 9m5y roa: home. That?s 0hen Sh9ra :e1 :e: that he:ef n te7y 0ante: to e1ome one of those 7918y 1 r19s 5erformers.

!e 0as tr9e to h s :e1 s on. When the oy 3ot home< he tr e: re5eat n3 the tr 18 ofthe 1 r19s ath7ete y 179t1h n3 the e:3e h s mother?s hea6y 8 t1hen stoo7 0 th h s teeth.

Not on7y : : the stoo7 not 0ant f7y h 3h nto the a r< 9t t : :n?t e6en 0ant to 9:3e thet n est t a0ay from the f7oor. A77 he a11om57 she: 0as 3ett n3 the 9n57easant taste ofan o7: sa7ty 8 t1hen oar: 7eft n h s mo9th.

Sh9ra : : not 0ant to 1ome to terms 0 th h s fa 79re an: nstea: starte: try n3 to 5erform the tr 18 0 th the arre7s. !e fo9n: a 7ar3e 0oo:en t9 n the asement< tr e: to3ra t 0 th h s th n 7 tt7e arms an: 9:3e t. P977 as he may< the t9 stoo: f rm7y roote:

n one s5ot. The oy ho0e6er 0as >9 te st9 orn. A3a n an: a3a n< he tr e: to mo6e the:rea:e: 0oo:en e: f 1e. Day after :ay there 0as a t93BoB0ar et0een the 1h 7: an: th s

3 hea6y t9 n the asement.E6en tho93h the t9 st 77 sat mot on7ess n the asement< Sh9ra e3an not 1 n3

some 6ery stran3e th n3s ha55en n3 :9r n3 h s 0or8:ay. The hea6y sa::7e that he 1o97: are7y 1arry thro93h the sta 7es 5re6 o9s7y n or:er to sa::7e Fors9nG s9::en7y fe7teas er to 1arry. It 0as as f the sa18s of 3ra n 3ot 7 3hter too.

What f I try to rea8 a stee7 1ha n) I hear: that they :o t n 1 r19s...Sh9ra 3ot a ho7: of a 5 e1e of 1ha n from a near y 0e77 an: tr e: to tear t 95.

Nee:7ess to say< he 0as 9ns911essf97. !e tr e: a3a n an: on1e a3a n he fa 7e:. Asment one: ear7 er< the oy 0as o st nate. A3a n an: a3a n he tr e: to : smem er thestee7 7 n8s 0 th no 7918...

Many years 7ater< the famo9s 1 r19s ath7ete< A7e@an:er ass no0 7 tt7e Sh9raG

0o97: 1ome to a55re1 ate these 1h 7:hoo: e@5er en1es an: 1reate an ent re7y ne0system of tra n n3. The as 1 5r n1 57es of th s system 0o97: 1ome to e re1o3n e:thro93ho9t the 0or7: as sometr 1 e@er1 ses . The r 1hara1ter st 1 feat9re s to 1reatetens on of the m9s17es 0 tho9t 1ontra1t on. In other 0or:s< 9 7: n3 stren3th 0 tho9tany mo6ement n the =o nts.

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Th n8 a o9t these 0or:s my :ear rea:ers...J0 tho9t any mo6ement n the =o nts .S n1e an1 ent t mes< 5eo57e ha6e een asso1 at n3 s5ort 0 th mo6ement. Ra5 : =er8s an:

5resses of 0e 3ht7 fters seeme: to e the most 1om57ete em o: ment of 5hys 1a7stren3th n a man. It seeme: nat9ra7 that one?s tra n n3 0o97: e rem n s1ent of thea1t9a7 1on: t ons of 1om5et t on. ThatKs 0hy the stee7 e>9 5ment 0o97: 3o 95 an::o0n< 95 an: :o0n< t me after t me :9r n3 stren3th tra n n3. Stren3th enth9s asts ho5 n3to :e6e7o5 the r m9s17es faster 0o97: 7 ft h93e 0e 3hts o6er an: o6er a3a n. Stren3than: mo6ement seeme: to e nse5ara 7e. Then s9::en7y< there 0as stren3th 0 tho9tmot on.

Try 5 18 n3 95 an or: nary 0e 3ht< ho7: n3 t from the ottom 0 th yo9r han:9n:erneath the 0e 3ht. $ ft the 0e 3ht to yo9r sho97:er. Yo9 0 77 not 1e ho0 them9s17es are shorten n3 an: 3ett n3 th 18er 0hen yo9 are en: n3 yo9r e7 o0. Th s mo:eof tra n n3 s 8no0n as :ynam 1 e@er1 se n s5orts 7 terat9re.

If yo9 ho7: the same 0e 3ht n yo9r han: 0 th yo9r e7 o0 ent< 9t 0 tho9tra s n3 or 7o0er n3G the 0e 3ht to the sho97:er< the tense m9s17es 0 77 not 1ontra1t. Th ss the stat 1 or sometr 1 mo:e.

A7e@an:er ass 0as one of the f rst to : s1o6er that sometr 1 e@er1 ses ha: as 3n f 1ant effe1t on stren3th tra n n3. At the t me< m9s17e 1ontra1t on 9n:er 5ress9re0as 1ons :ere: to e the most tra: t ona7 0ay to :e6e7o5 the m9s17es. The IronSamson 0as 1on6 n1e: that ro77 n3 5oo:s o7: r9ss an 0e 3hts e>9a7 to %#.&8 7o3rams< somet mes n the form of a 8ett7e e77G of ron from one 57a1e to another 0asnot eno93h. Instea:< f a 5erson 0o97: stra n the ten:ons an: m9s17es 0h 7e try n3 to

en: an ron ar e6en tho93h he m 3ht not e a 7e to en: tG< s91h a55arent7y9ns911essf97 attem5ts 0o97: e 6ery 9sef97 n the :e6e7o5ment of stren3th.

$oo8 n3 ahea: of 9s 0e sho97: note that t me has f977y 5ro6e: A7e@an:er ass?stheory of sometr 1 e@er1 se.

In %*#% the sensat ona7 effe1t of mot on7ess e@er1 ses on ath7etes starte: to a55earn the fore 3n 5ress. For e@am57e< one Amer 1an 0e 3ht7 fter ha: een tra n n3 for

near7y , years 0 tho9t any 6 s 7e res97ts. At the a3e of &, years not the most 5ros5ero9s a3e for an ath7eteG< he e3an 5ra1t 1 n3 the sometr 1 system< an: soon a::e:&' 8 7o3rams to h s res97ts n 5o0er 7 ft n3.

S91h e@am57es are not 9n >9e. Stat 1 0e 3ht tra n n3 e1ame one of the most

essent a7 e7ements of tra n n3...not on7y for 0e 3ht7 fters an: ath7etes< 9t for ro0ers an:s0 mmers as 0e77. The a:6anta3es of th s system< 0h 1h a0ar:e: t 0or7:0 :ere1o3n t on< 0ere o 6 o9s. Norma77y< 0hen try n3 to :e6e7o5 ath7et 1 5o0er< ath7etes0 77 7 ft tonnes of ron an: s5en: 1o9nt7ess ho9rs n the 3ym. Stat 1 e@er1 ses 0o97: sa6ethem t me an: ener3y s n1e a s n37e tens n3 of the m9s17e 0hen 9s n3 the sometr 1systemG 0o97: 7ast no 7on3er than %' se1on:s. When 0e ta8e nto 1ons :erat on the fa1t

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that the e>9 5ment n th s 1ase s e@treme7y s m57e somet mes 0e 3hts are not e6ennee:e:G then the a:6anta3es of sometr 1s e1ome star87y a55arent.

For the moment ho0e6er< 0e are 3ett n3 ahea: of o9rse76es. At th s 5o nt n thestory< 7 tt7e Sh9ra 0as st 77 a oy 9ns911essf977y try n3 to 9:3e the 0oo:en t9 n h s

asement. One :ay 0h 7e he 0as try n3 to mo6e th s 3 ant t9 < he 0as a55roa1he: y a7o1a7 a11o9ntant...a 6ery nterest n3 an: or 3 na7 5erson.

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THE WORLD OF STRENGTH

The a11o9ntant?s name 0as "7 m I6ano6 t1h. +e n3 the e7:est son of a 0ea7thyfam 7y< he 0as a se19re an: n:e5en:ent man. Ne6erthe7ess< he s9ffere: from thefra3 7 ty of h s o0n o:y. ! s yo9n3er rothers 17ose7y resem 7e: hero 1 3 ants. Theye@1e77e: n any ty5e of 0or8< 0hether t e to 7 n3 n the f e7:s< :o n3 1ar5entry< or

7a18sm th n3. "7 mKs o:y ho0e6er 0as not 6ery 3oo: 7oo8 n3. !e 0as 5a7e< th n< an:sa77o0. $ ft n3 a 7a18sm th?s hammer or e6en a s m57e a3 of 3ra n 0as m5oss 7e forh m. When he 0as a oy< h s father I6an Fa:e 1h 0o97: 7oo8 95on h m an: s m57y s 3hthe 0or:s... not a 0or8er< :ef n te7y not a 0or8er .

S n1e he 0as too 0ea8 to 0or8< "7 m I6ano6 t1h :e1 :e: to 3et a :e3ree na11o9nt n3. After he 3ra:9ate:< he 0ent on to 7 6e >9 te 0e77< ho0e6er he st 77 resente:the han: he 0as :ea7t an: :e1 :e: to :o someth n3 a o9t t. !e s9 s1r e: to e6erys5orts oo8 an: ma3a ne he 1o97: f n:. !e o93ht many 0e 3hts an: stren3th tra n n3ma1h nes. Then he >9 et7y e3an tra n n3 n h s 7 tt7e room. !e 0o97: often fa77e@ha9ste: onto the f7oor. !e 0o97: e@5er en1e re7ent7ess nose 7ee:s. E6en tho93h he0asn?t e@5er en1 n3 any s5e1 a7 enef ts from t< "7 m ref9se: to 3 6e 95 on h s tra n n3.

Th s 0as a man 0ho tter7y resente: the fra3 7 ty of h s o:y. Then one ma3 1a7:ay< he fo9n: 7 tt7e Sh9ra n the asement. Sh9ra an: "7 m soon :e6e7o5e: a n 1efr en:sh 5. They 0ere a stran3e 1o957e. One 0as a th n< s 187yB7oo8 n3 man of th rtyyears an: the other a sma77 yet st9r:y t0e76eByear o7:. They s5ent a7most e6ery n 3ht

to3ether. Amon3st the 1haot 1 s5ort 7 terat9re that 0as :9m5e: nto one 5 7e na11o9ntantKs room< Sh9ra fo9n: a 7ot of ma3a nes an: a77 sorts of nstr91t ons for the:e6e7o5ment of stren3th an: m5ro6ement of the f 39re.J W th m @e: fee7 n3s offr9strat on< en6y an: 3oo:Bnat9re: fr en:sh 5 "7 m I6ano6 t1h he75e: h s ne0 fr en:9n:erstan: the st9nts of 1 r19s an: s5orts term no7o3y. !e a7so 7earne: ne0 e@er1 ses0 th h m an: to7: h m a77 8 n:s of stor es a o9t 0e 3ht7 fters< stron3men< 3ymnasts< an:0rest7ers of 0hom he ha: rea: a o9t. A 0ho7e ne0 0or7: of fantast 1 stron3men o5ene:95 n front of 7 tt7e Sh9raKs eyes.

It sho97: e note: that the 5ass on of "7 m I6ano6 t1h 0as not someth n3e@1e5t ona7 n 1ontem5orary R9ss a. Wrest7 n3< 0e 3ht 7 ft n3 an: a1ro at 1s 3a ne:e@traor: nary 5o597ar ty :9r n3 th s 5er o:. F 3hts 0ere he7: e6ery0here. Yo9 1o97: seethem n the 79@9r o9s St. Peters 9r3 C r19s 1a77e: JThe Mo:ernJ or at the 3ar:en of theP9r tan so1 ety 1a77e: JThe 9ar: ansh 5 of Nat ona7 So r etyJ. Yo9 1o97: e6en 0 tnessf 3hts n the 7o1a7 theaters of O:essa mo:ern :ay U8ra neG an: Sta6ro5o7 mo:ern :ayR9ss aG< n the 5ar8s of Pen a R9ss aG an: Oren 9r3 R9ss aG. E6en 0omen 5a : tr 9teto the o6era77 enth9s asm of stren3th.

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For e@am57e< ma3a nes 59 7 she: s91h nformat ona7 notes as JAr1han3e7 B thema7e 0rest7 n3 1om5et t on 0 77 e re57a1e: y fema7e f 3hters s91h as Ett n3erircus and got a higher rank(. $emembering the work in this circus, Grylov said that he had to perform 9! : times a day, and in between the performanceshe had to stand on the balcony of the circus with clowns and attract the crowd.

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The J" n3 of We 3htsJ 57ay n3 the ro7e of the ar8er))) Th s 59 7e: the oy< 9tnot for 7on3.

! s fa6or te hero 0as E93ene San:o0. In those years as 0e77 as many years7aterG< San:o0 st rre: 95 the ma3 nat on of tho9san:s of 5eo57e. +oth ora7 an:

59 7 she: narrat ons of h s fantast 1a77y ea9t f97 stren3th esta 7 she: the fo9n:at on ofath7et 1 7 terat9re. No0< as 0e77 as ha7f a 1ent9ry a3o< 5eo57e 0o97: ta78 an: ar39e a o9tSan:o0. E6en to:ay< he s e n3 atta18e: an: a:m re: as tho93h t 0ere a : s19ss ono6er one of o9r 1ontem5orar es...as f that fata7 1ar a11 :ent 0h 1h 8 77e: th s remar8a 7eath7ete n O1to er %*2, ha: ne6er o119rre:.

Far a0ay n the 6 77a3e of a6o7 hs8oe< 7 tt7e Sh9ra 0as :o7 n3 San:o0. ! s oo8< JThe Constr91t on an: Re1onstr91t on of the !9man +o:yJ 0as 7 8e a + 7e forSh9ra. W th ate: reath< he ntense7y fo77o0e: the o3ra5hy of h s fa6or te s5ortshero.

San:o0< a s 187y me: 1a7 st9:ent< 0as 5ass onate7y ntereste: a o9t h9mananatomy. !e :e1 :e: to e1ome a 5rofess ona7 0rest7er an: a me: to a557y h s8no07e:3e n or:er to m5ro6e the o:y< not =9st not =9st hea7 t me: 1 na77y. San:o0a70ays sa : JYo9 1an e etter< stron3er an: more ea9t f97J to h s fr en:s an:1o77ea39es an: he 5ro6e: th s to the 0or7: 0 th h s o0n 7 fe.

San:o0 e@5er en1e: sensat ona7 6 1tor es on the 1ar5et t me an: t me a3a n.Sensat ona7< e1a9se the 59 7 1 at the t me ha: 3otten 9se: to 3 ant ath7etes 0e 3h n3%,' 8 7o3rams or more.

San:o0 0as : fferent. !e 0as of a6era3e he 3ht an: 0e 3he: on7y s7 3ht7y morethan ' 8 7o3rams. It 0o97: seem that th s : : not 7ea6e h m any 1han1e of s911essf 3ht n3 someone 7 8e Cy17o5s 0hose o:y resem 7e: an a080ar:< yet m5enetra 7e1a net. San:o0 0as 8no0n for the 3ra1e of h s o:y an: e7e3an1e of h s 5oses.

!o0e6er< th s ath7ete 0as not on7y a 7e to 5ose. !e ro8e the 0or7: re1or: n 5ress n3 9s n3 on7y one arm. Wh 7e stan: n3 on a han:8er1h ef an: 0 th one an: a ha7f 5oo: :9m e77s n h s han:s< San:o0 0o97: =9m5 nto the a r< :o a f977 a18f7 5 an:7an: e@a1t7y on the same han:8er1h ef. !e on1e e6en r s8e: h s 7 fe n f 3ht n3 a 7 on.The 9n9s9a7 1om nat on of a3 7 ty< stren3th an: 5hys 1a7 ea9ty a77 at a 6ery mo:est0e 3htG ma:e h m a most fa6or te ath7ete an: art st of the 1 r19s.

It seeme: as tho93h an 9n r :3ea 7e 397f 7ay et0een the 0or7: 1ham5 on an: the

oy from a sma77 6 77a3e 7ost n the 6ast ste55es of R9ss a. Sh9ra tho93ht : fferent7ytho93h. !e :e1 :e: to not on7y 7earn from San:o0Ks system< 9t a7so to a1h e6e thesame 5erfe1t on n h s o0n o:y. $oo8 n3 ahea:< 0e 0o97: 7 8e to note that t0entyyears 7ater J!ea7th an: stren3thJ ma3a ne 5r nte: oth San:o0?s an: ass?s 5ortra tss :e y s :e on a s5e1 a7 1o7or 1o6erG

So e3an ass?s n6 s 7e 1om5et t on 0 th San:o0.



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$ tt7e Sh9ra no0 starte: e6ery :ay 0 th 3ymnast 1s an: =o33 n3. E6ery s5arem n9te he 0o97: s5en: n the a18yar:< 0here he ha: 9 7t h s o0n ma8esh ft arena9a nte: 0 th the 0or8s of s91h R9ss an ath7etes 7 8e Ano8h n9 re stren3th< 9t a7sos8 77< 1o9ra3e< an: the a 7 ty to ma nta n a7an1e. It a77 1ame n han:y for Samson 7ater.For no0< a77 he 0as 3ett n3 0ere st9 orn 3reen 1ro0ns< 1a779ses on h s 5a7ms< an:

r9 ses on 8nees...F na77y< Sh9ra :e1 :e: that he 0as rea:y for the 1om5et t on. !o0 th s

9n0a6er n3 1onf :en1e a o9t h s stron3man 1a5a 7 t es 1ame a o9t :9r n3 that t me he1o97: ne6er e@57a n. A55arent7y< a 5sy1ho7o3 1a7 sh ft 0as ne6 ta 7e. After 59tt n3 som91h effort nto h s tra n n3< the oy 1o97: not e6en fathom the 5oss 7 ty of fa 79re.After a77< 0hy not) !a:n?t he f na77y mastere: the f7y n3 o97:er) D : he not 7earn ho0to s5 n the s9nJ on a homema:e hor onta7 ar) F na77y< : :nKt he 1on>9er the ran1hesof the m 3hty ste55e tree) A77 th s ha: 5ro6en h s stren3th. The stren3th of A7e@an:er

ass< 0as f na77y rea:y to enter nto 1om at 0 th (anya Poo:. After that< t 0o97: e onto 1om5ete 0 th San:o0 an: 0 th a77 the other stron3men n the 0or7:.

Th n8 n3 a o9t s91h 57easant th n3s< o9r hero 0ent to the 1 r19s. !e 7eft homeear7y. O6er %, 8 7ometers 0as a 7on3 0ay to 3o. !e sa : noth n3 a o9t h s :e5art9re to

anyone from the estate. !e sa : noth n3 to h s fam 7y< to "7 m I6ano6 t1h< nor to Un17er sha. The ne0s of A7e@an:er ass?s 6 1tory sho97: 1ome efore h s ret9rn. The oy

0as 5re5ar n3 a 3 s9r5r se.!e 3ot there on t me for the :ay 5erforman1e. !a6 n3 o93ht the 1hea5est t 18et

at the en: of the ha77< Sh9ra fo77o0e: the a1ro ats< a r :erB3 r7< an: a f9nny 17o0n 0 thant 1 5at on.

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!o0e6er< 0hen the ma3 1 an 1ame nto the arena< A7e@an:er?s :e7 3ht 0as m @e:0 th fear. What f th s stran3e< 3r ma1e: man 0ere to 1o6er h m 0 th h s starry 17oa8an: t9rn h m nto a ra t) he tho93ht to h mse7f. After a77< he ha: =9st een :o n3 s91htr 18s 0 th h s ass stants...

Noth n3 terr 7e en:e: 95 ha55en n3. The 779s on st 0as re57a1e: y tra ne::o3s< an: (anya Poo: a55eare: n the arena.

Sh9ra stare: at h m. The h93e< h978 n3 man 0as 1om57ete7y transforme: 0h 7e 5erform n3 h s stren3th e@er1 ses. When he thre0 a arre7 f977 of 0ater 95 nto the a r or 59n1he: h s f st thro93h a th 18 0oo:en oar: or tore stee7 1ha ns. ! s han:s 0ere :o n3e6eryth n3 so >9 187y that somet mes Sh9raKs eyes : : not ha6e eno93h t me to ana7y ethe mo6ement. A storm of a557a9se th9n:ere: thro93ho9t the 1 r19s.

Then there 0as s 7en1e. The 3 ant too8 h s famo9s ron ar an: n6 te: anyone0ho 0 she: to try to en: t. An e>9erry ro93ht a tenBr9 7e note on a s 76er 57ate an:

57a1e: the tray on the thresho7: of the arena. The 0 nner 0o97: 3et to 8ee5 oth themoney an: the s 76er tray.The 1 r19s 0as st 77. Wor8men 59she: ea1h other. Come they sa : Try t .

S9::en7y< from the 6ery to5 of the 3a77ery< there 0as a 1h 7:?s 6o 1e JI?77 try JA 1h9187e ran a1ross the a9: en1e. !o0e6er< the e>9erry ra se: h s han: an: n a

0 :e 3est9re n6 te: the oy to 1ome :o0n to the arena.When Sh9ra 1ame :o0n nto the arena< the 1 r19s ro18e: 0 th 7a93hter. There 0as

a th n oy of a55ro@ mate7y t0e76e years o7: stan: n3 ne@t to the 3 3ant 1 I6an Poo:.! s t 3ht7y 17ose: 7 5s an: f rm7y 17en1he: f sts 7oo8e: >9 te 1om 1a7.

The e>9erry 0h s5ere: someth n3 to Poo:Ks ass stant< then to the ath7ete h mse7f9erry.

A s1an:a7 0as a o9t to start 9t the e>9erry : : not 7ose h s 1oo7. Try n3 to sho9t

o6er the no se of the : st9r e: 1ro0:< he anno9n1e: that Poo: s rea:y to a77o0e6eryone to 1om5ete on one 1on: t on.

The ha77 0as >9 et a3a n.O9r famo9s ath7ete s rea:y to 1om5ete 0 th a77 of yo9 0ho 0ant to try the r

stren3th the e>9erry 1ont n9e:.

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!o0e6er< :9e to the 7ar3e n9m er of 1om5et tors< the mana3ement of the 1 r19s:e1 :e: to on7y a77o0 the 0ea7thy to 5art 1 5ate. (anya Poo: 0 77 1om5ete 0 th thoser 6a7s< 0ho are a 7e to res5on: to h s 1ha77en3e not on7y 0 th the r stren3th< 9t a7so0 th the r money... n the amo9nt of ten r9 7es. We 0ere 9r3e: to :o th s n or:er toattra1t ser o9s an: res5e1ta 7e 5eo57e to the arena< an: not to : stra1t the a9: en1e 0 ththe fee 7e attem5ts of the 9ns9re.

The mo6e 0as ma:e a119rate7y. In a state of e@treme e@1 tement< 5eo57e 0 sh n3to 1om5ete starte: to 5977 o9t the r 0a77ets. They 0o97: orro0 the m ss n3 s9m fromthe r ne 3h ors an: a1>9a ntan1es. To ref9se meant to e ashame:. Not on7y 0o97: one

e1ome a 1o0ar: n front of the stron3man (anya Poo:< 9t a7so n front of h s6o79ntary r 6a7< th s s9n 9rnt 7 tt7e :areB:e6 7 of a oy. What 8 n: of man 0o97: 7eth mse7f e : s3ra1e: 7 8e th s)

It 0as th s 5sy1ho7o3y on 0h 1h the e>9erry 0as 1o9nt n3 on. When the 1haot 1

1ro0: of 1om5et tors t9rne: nto a stra 3ht 7 ne< an: 0hen a77 the 57e:3es 0ere ma:e an:the money 0ere 57a1e: on the tray< he o0e: n front of the a9: en1e an: ma:e a han:s 3na7 to the or1hestra.

Then h s eyes fe77 95on Sh9ra. In a77 the 1haos< the e>9erry 1om57ete7y for3ota o9t th s 7 tt7e 1975r t 0ho 0as a7most the reason for th s s1an:a7. !e no 7on3er nee:e:the oy an: t 0as o 6 o9s that Sh9ra : :nKt ha6e any money. The e>9erry tr e: to 3etr : of h m. !e 0h s5ere: n h s ear an: 5rom se: to 3 6e a r9 7e to the oy f he: sa55ears. No s91h 7918. Th s man n a sha y 1oat ha: no :ea 0 th 0hom he 0as:ea7 n3. !e 0as 179e7ess to the fa1t that the f9t9re 6 1tor o6er San:o0 0as stan: n3 nfront of h m. Sh9ra 1o97:nKt th n8 more of h mse7f. !e 5ro9:7y 59ffe: o9t h s 1hest an:a7most sho9te: JNo< I 0ant to 1om5eteJ.

! s 6o 1e 0as 0ea8 an: th n< 9t the f rst ro0s 1o97: st 77 hear h m. J$et h m1om5ete 0 tho9t a 7< 7et the oy try a ear:e: man n 5arterre sho9te:. Come on

oy $et 9s see yo9 5erform sho9te: the 7o3es.J We 0ant the oy Jre57 e: the a18ro0s.

Res stan1e 0as 9se7ess. The e>9erry 0a6e: h s han: an: the m9s 1 e3an. Theatten:ant n 9n form 3a6e Sh9ra the ron ro:.

It 0as an or: nary ro:...th nner than the 5o57ar ran1hes. A7tho93h< 0hy 0ere h shan:s on f re)< Why s there so m91h 5a n n h s 8nee 0h 1h he 0as 9s n3 for

7e6era3eG) Why 0as there s91h a 7o9: r n3 n3 n the oy?s ears) ;9st a 7 tt7e t morean: the :amne: 5 e1e of ron 0 77 3 6e n he tho93ht to h mse7f. +en:< yo9 :amnth n3< en:

$ tt7e y 7 tt7e< Sh9ra starte: to hear the 0h st7es< stom5 n3< an: 7a93hter from the1ro0:. The sym5ath es of the a9: en1e ha: t9rne: nto an an3ry sar1asm. JCome on 8 :9est on

Sh9ra 0as s9r5r se:. ! s 0or:s remar8a 7y 1o n1 :e: 0 th the 0or:s of h s fatheron the e6e of h s :e5art9re 9r3 n3 h m to stay a0ay from the 1 r19s an: to 0or8 a

ser o9s =o nstea:. Not 1 n3 the 1onf9s on of the oy< An:r h e6s8y s9::en7y 1han3e: h s 6o 1e.We77< 0hat?s ta8 n3 yo9 so 7on3< yo9n3 man) he sa :< 5att n3 Sh9ra on the

sho97:er.I?77 stay< Sh9ra 79rte: o9t. "91h8 n stoo: n s 7en1e :9r n3 the ent re

1on6ersat on. It seeme: 7 8e the o0ner : :nKt e6en 0ant to not 1e h m. When Sh9ra 0as7ea6 n3< he hear: the t0o 6o 1es from eh n: a 17ose: :oor. "91h8 nKs 6o 1e so9n:e:39 7ty an: :977< 0h 7e the o0nerKs 6o 1e 0as shar5 an: 7o9:. The on7y th n3 Sh9ra17ear7y hear: 0ere the 0or:s :r9n8 an: IK77 f re yo9 .

The An:r h e6s8y C r19s staye: n Oren 9r3 for a 7on3 t me. The yo9n3 1 r19s 5erformer : : ha6e to 0or8 rea77y har:< 9t he 0as nonethe7ess ha55y. A5art from a77the 1r9mmy 7a or he ha: to :o 7 8e 17ean n3 the arena an: ta8 n3 1are of an ma7s< hea7so 3ot to he75 "91h8 n :9r n3 h s 5erforman1es.

Des5 te the r a3e : fferen1e< "9sh8 n an: Sh9ra >9 187y e1ame fr en:s. Sh9rato7: h s ne0 J3o:fatherJ "91h8 nG e6eryth n3. !e to7: h m a o9t San:o0 an: a o9t"7 m I6ano6 t1h. !e re7ate: the r9ta7 ty of Petro6?s ron ne18t e an: a o9t h s

ntent ons to 0or8 at the tra n :e5ot. "91h8 n 0as 6ery fon: of the oy. !e ta93ht h mthe 6ar o9s st9nts of 1 r19s stron3men. Most nota 7y he tra ne: h s yo9n3 ass stant n the

a7an1 n3 of hea6y o =e1ts. In those :ays< s91h ro9t nes 0ere 6ery 5o597ar. In front of

the a9: en1eKs eyes< a h93e samo6ar 0o97: e f 77e: 0 th hot 0ater an: 9rn n3 1oa7.When steam e3an to 77o0 from the samo6ar?s 7 :< the stron3man =9337er 57a1e: t onh s forehea: an: 0a78e: aro9n: the arena th9s7y. Th s ro9t ne re>9 re: a 1om nat on ofstren3th< a3 7 ty an: 1o9ra3e. "91h8 n h mse7f 1o97: no 7on3er 5erform the st9nt. A77 h s:r n8 n3 ha: ma:e t m5oss 7e for h m to 8ee5 h s a7an1e. Therefore he starte:rehears n3 the Jsamo6ar a7an1 n3J st9nt 0 th Sh9ra.

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"91h8 n st918 to the safety of rea8 n3 horseshoes. A7tho93h 7ess effe1t 6e thanthe samo6ar st9nt< t 0as st 77 an a77Baro9n: 1ro0: 57easer. Ten t mes 5er e6en n3< he0o97: et 0 th the a9: en1e an: rea8 t0o horseshoes sta18e: on to5 of one another. !eha: een :9 e: The !orseshoe " n3 .

One :ay< 0h 7e the 1 r19s 0as n one of t?s f nan1 a7 7977s< An:r h e6s8y or:ere:to 59t 95 ne0 5osters aro9n: the 1 ty. The 5osters nforme: that he 0o97: 5ersona77yhan: o6er a 59rse of 3o7: to anyone 0ho r n3s a horseBshoe 0h 1h the famo9s ath7ete"91h8 n 1o97: not rea8 to the 1 r19s. S m 7ar 5osters 0ere sent to a77 the near y6 77a3es.

That?s ho0 the 5an:emon 9m e3an. Famo9s 7a18sm ths tra6e7e: h9n:re:s ofm 7es to try the r 7918. They 0ante: to 0 n that 59rse f 77e: 0 th 3o7:.

T 18ets 0ere se77 n3 o9t an: the 1 r19s tro95e 0as n h 3h s5 r ts. For thestron3man M 1hae7 "91h8 n ho0e6er< t 0as too m91h 5ress9re. !e starte: :r n8 n3 so

hea6 7y that he 1o97: are7y 0a78 o9t onto the sta3e n or:er to 5erform.The o0ner 0h s5ere: nto "91h8 n?s ear efore he 0ent on sta3e. !e to7: h m thatf he fa 7s to rea8 the a77otte: n9m er of horseshoes to:ay< then tomorro0 he 0 77 e

f re:.Sh9ra ha: ne6er seen h s fr en: n s91h terr 7e 1on: t on. A man of tremen:o9s

he 3ht an: s e 7oo8e: 7 8e a :ef7ate: a77 no0. ! s arms 0ere han3 n3 he757ess7y< heseeme: shorter an: 0as tearf977y e33 n3 the o0ner to 7et h m s8 5 the 5erforman1e.An:r h e6s8y ho0e6er 0as ne@ora 7e.

"91h8 n entere: the arena. The a9: en1e 3reete: h m 0 th a557a9se an: 1heers. As8 nny an: o 6 o9s7y :r9n8 man n the th r: ro0 0as 3reet n3 h m an: sho9t n3es5e1 a77y 7o9:. JCome on< 1ome on he sho9te: to "91h8 n. et o9t here I ha6e

5re5are: someth n3 for yo9 !a6e yo9 e6er seen a horseshoe 7 8e th s) The 59rse of3o7: s m ne

E6eryone 0ho ha: ro93ht a horseshoe 0as n6 te: nto the arena. +es :es the7o9:Bmo9the: man< there 0ere an a:: t ona7 &' 5eo57e 0 th horseshoes. ThenAn:r h e6s8y a55eare: at the arena an: anno9n1e: that t s ne1essary to 1ast a 7ot. JO9rstron3 man 0 77 rea8 on7y s @ horseshoes to:ay< =9st 7 8e he :oes e6ery n 3htJ. Theo0ner f n she: h s s5ee1h an: n6 te: a557 1ants to the 7ottery. As s often the 1ase< the7 tt7e man 0ho 0as oast n3 a o9t h s horseshoe 7ost the 7ottery. !e 0as o9tra3e: an:

e3an s0ear n3< 5ro17a m n3 that "91h8 n 0as a 1o0ar: an: that the o0ner 0as aro39e. In or:er to a6o : a s1an:a7< An:r h es8y anno9n1e: that th s se6enth horseshoe0 77 a7so e ro8en ton 3ht.

"91h8 n e3an 0 th the horseshoe of the m5os n3 7o9:mo9the: man. !e starte: =er8 n3 on t 9t 0as fa 7 n3. The horseshoe rema ne: nta1t. !e tr e: a3a n 0 tho9t anys911ess. The a9: en1e 0as ama e: an: the 5easant 0as ha55y. The other s @ 1an: :ates



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0ere s 7ent an: st 77. It 0as 6ery rea7 st 1 to e7 e6e that the r horseshoes 0o97: not e ro8en e ther. If so< then they 0o97: re1e 6e a han:some re0ar:.

It 0as ne1essary to sa6e the 5rest 3e of the 1 r19s an: the o0nerKs money.An:r h e6s8y h mse7f a55eare: efore the a9: en1e for the se1on: t me. W th a serenesm 7e on h s fa1e< he anno9n1e: that "91h8 n 0 77 f rst rea8 the other s @ horseshoesan: then 1ome a18 to the se6enth. "91h8 n 9n:erstoo: 0hat 0as 0a t n3 for h m f he0ere to fa 7. S0eat 0as r9nn n3 :o0n h s o:y an: h s m9s17es 0ere tense 0 th an@ ety.Sh9ra han:e: h m another horseshoe. "91h8 n ro8e t eas 7y. Th s he75e: h m to re3a n1onf :en1e an: he 0as a 7e to rea8 the rema n n3 , horseshoes from those 0ho ha:0on the 7ottery. No0 t 0as t me to 3 6e the Jen1hante:J horseshoe one more try."91h8 n too8 ho7: of the horseshoe an: f7 55e: t aro9n: a 7 tt7e t as f he 0asana7y n3 t. !e then 5ro1ee:e: to rea8 t n t0o 0 th one 5o0erf97 =er8.

The o0ner of the ama n3 horseshoe 0as start7e:. !e 1aref977y e@am ne: the

57a1e of fra1t9re an: then thre0 the t0o ha76es nto the arena. !e 0a6e: h s han:s n: sa55o ntment an: 0a78e: o9t the :oor a11om5an e: y the roar of the a9: en1e.The 5rest 3e of the 1 r19s ha: een sa6e: a7on3 0 th the o0nerKs money. After the

5erforman1e< An:r h e6s8y h933e: "91h8 n an: 3a6e h m three 3o7: 1o ns. "91h8 nho0e6er< ref9se: the 3 ft. After f n: n3 Sh9ra< he ro93ht h m to the o0ner. J!e 0on

ass< not me J sa : "91h8 n n ro8en 6o 1e. The o0ner :eman:e: an e@57anat on.Stammer n3 an: are7y s>9ee n3 o9t the 0or:s< Sh9ra :es1r e: ho0 :9r n3 the

5erforman1e< he >9 et7y re57a1e: the horseshoe. On7y he an: "91h8 n 8ne0 a o9t t.J!ere s the rea7 one< st 77 n one 5 e1eJ 1on179:e: Sh9ra an: han:e: the horseshoe tothe o0ner.

An:r h e6s8y =9st 7a93he:. Caref977y e@am n n3 the 5 e1e of ron< he to7:"91h8 n that he 0as 7918y. It 0as rea77y a 9n >9e 7a18sm th 5ro:91t. JIf ass 0eren?tso r 3ht< the 1 r19s 0o97: ha6e een n a 7ot of tro9 7e r 3ht no0.J

!e 3a6e the 3o7: 1o ns to ass. It 0as h s se1on: 1 r19s honorar 9m. On1e a3a n t0as o ta ne: thro93h : shonesty.

Sh9ra 0as e@5er en1 n3 some 1o3n t 6e : ssonan1e. On the one han: he ha: astron3 a6ers on to0ar:s 1heat n3< 9t on the other han: he ha: a 5ass onate 7o6e for the1 r19s n h s so97. In the en:< h s 7o6e for the 1 r19s t9rne: o9t to e the stron3er emot onof the t0o.

From that 5o nt on< A7e@an:er ass e1ame a 1 r19s 5erformer. In or:er to sho0h s 3rat t9:e< the o0ner 3a6e ass h s o0n 7 tt7e sho0. !e ha: to :emonstrate h sstren3th y thro0 n3 a hefty stone a18 an: forth from one han: to the other.Pre5arat on for the J a7an1 n3 samo6arJ a1t 0as a7so 3o n3 0e77 an: 0as 5rom s n3 areso9n: n3 s911ess. To h s father< Sh9ra 0rote that he ha: een st9:y n3 : 7 3ent7y an:0or8 n3 0 th a77 h s so97. In one sense t 0as a 7 e< 9t n another sense 6ery tr9e.

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A7e@an:er ass 0as rea77y 59tt n3 h s ent re heart an: so97 nto h s 0or8. !e 0as =9st0or8 n3 as a 1 r19s 5erformer nstea: of a sto8er.



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A PROFITA LE USINESS

Sh9ra fe7t no0 7 8e f977 mem er of the 7ar3e 1 r19s fam 7y. Ne ther har: 0or89 te 6e@e: 0hen he fo9n: o9t a o9t a77 th s. After a77< a 5rom s n3 yo9n3 1 r19s stron3man 0ho : :nKt sh9n any : rty 7a or 0as 7ea6 n3 the1 r19s.

Sh9ra to7: h m e6eryth n3. !e to7: a o9t ho0 he 7eft home t0o years a3o an: 5art 1 5ate: n one of the 7o1a7 1 r19s sho0s. An:r h e6s8y or:ere: h m to ret9rn to h s

father. J o< Sh9ra< an: 1onfess e6eryth n3 to yo9r father< sa : the o0ner. Remem erthat 5eo57e often ha6e to 7 e an: 7y n3 an: 1heat n3 s 5art of the 1 r19s 5erformer?s 5rofess on. !o0e6er< there m9st e an s7an: of tr9th some0here n the m ::7e of th ssea of 7 es. $et yo9r fam 7y e the s7an: of tr9th for yo9. I fee7 that yo9r 5arents arehonest 5eo57e 0ho 1are a o9t yo9r fate. A7tho93h< I rea77y :onKt 0ant to 7et yo9 3o< Ith n8 t est for yo9 to r9n a7on3 an: te77 them e6eryth n3 o5en7yJ.

"91h8 n 3ot sense7ess7y :r9n8 on the :ay of Sh9ra?s :e5art9re. !o0e6er< :9r n3h s :r9n8en 1hatter< he : : mana3e to say someth n3 m5ortant. Yo9 are a 6ery stron3man< 7 tt7e ass sa : "91h8 n. Moreo6er< yo9 0e 3h on7y #& 8 7o3rams. I?m a7sostron3< 9t I 0e 3h %%4 8 7o3rams. Pra1t 1e< 5ra1t 1e< 5ra1t 1e n s5 te of e6eryth n3< an:yo9 0 77 e the stron3est 1 r19s 5erformer n the 0or7:.J

JWhat 0as the r 3ht th n3 to :o)J tho93ht Sh9ra to h mse7f as hea:e: for thestat on. !e remem ere: 0hat a 0arm 3oo: ye h s 1 r19s fe77o0s 3a6e h m...e6en theones 0ho 0eren?t rea77y that 17ose to h m. It seeme: to Sh9ra that he ha: rre6o1a 7y 7osth s 8 n: an: merry fam 7y.

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It 0o97: e a 0h 7e efore the tra n to Sarans8 arr 6e:. Sh9ra thre0 h s a3s ontothe 57atform an: sat :o0n. !e ha: most7y sa: tho93hts n h s hea:. !e tho93ht a o9t the1 r19s. E6eryone 0as 5ro a 7y 5a18 n3 95 e6eryth n3 nto o@es an: 7oa: n3 them ntothe 3 re: 1ars :o0n at the ra 7roa: stat on. !e tho93ht a o9t the shame that he 0o97:ha6e to s9ffer at home after s @ months of 7 6 n3 the 3oo: 7 fe. ! s attent on 0as 1a93ht

y a 7ar3e sheet of 5a5er fastene: to a 5o7e at the en: of the 57atform. It 0as a 5oster forY95ato6Ks C r19s 0ho 0as to9r n3 a near y to0n an: 0o97: 1ome to Oren 9r3 thefo77o0 n3 0ee8.

!e hear: a 7ot a o9t Y95ato6Ks C r19s. Th s 0as the soB1a77e: JC r19sMaster5 e1e.J It 0as a sma77 tro95e that 1ons ste: of famo9s 1 r19s stars . Ea1h one ofthem 0as a 1ons9mmate 5rofess ona7 n h s o0n 3enre. Note0orthy 0as the fa1t thatea1h 5art 1 5ant of the tro95e ha: to 5ay a fee n or:er to 0or8 there an: th s t e: theent re tro95e to3ether.

Sh9ra :e1 :e: that th s 0as h s :est ny 1a77 n3.Sh9ra 0as 0e 3h n3 the t0o o5t ons n h s hea:. !e 1o97: 1hoose to 3o a18 toSarans8 an: fa1e the 39 7t< 59n shment< an: shame...or he 1o97: try to 3et a =o atY95ato6Ks C r19s an: 5erha5s s911ee: as a 1 r19s 5erformer. Most m5ortant7y< he0o97: ha6e the 5oss 7 ty of 3ett n3 a18 to3ether 0 th the 1 r19s n Oren 9r3 an:there y 5977 n3 off the hea6y :eno9ement.

As one m 3ht ha6e 39esse:< after 6ery 7 tt7e hes tat on< Sh9ra 1hose to 3o 0 thY95ato6Ks C r19s. A mere t0o ho9rs 7ater< Sh9ra fo9n: h mse7f at the entran1e to the1 r19s. The sho0 ma:e a 3reat m5ress on on h m. After ha6 n3 0or8e: forAn:r h e6s8yKs 1 r19s< the sho0s 5erforme: y these stars of the arena m5resse: h m0 th the r 17eanness< r 77 ant :eas an: 9n >9e te1hn >9e.

When the sho0 0as o6er< o9r hero 0ent on to ne3ot ate 0 th the : re1tor of thearena. $ fe amon3 the 1 r19s art sts ha: ta93ht h m ho0 to s5ea8 to these 8 n: of 5eo57e.!a6 n3 ntro:91e: h mse7f as A7e@an:er ass< former7y em57oye: y An:r h e6s8yKs1 r19s< he to7: the : re1tor a77 a o9t h s 5erforman1es an: h : the fa1t that he 0or8e: asa : rty 7a orer. When t 1ame t me to e@57a n 0hy he 0ante: to 0or8 for Y95ato6

nstea:< Sh9ra e@57a ne: s m57y JI 0ant to earn more.J A7tho93h t 0asn?t 6ery n 1eto0ar:s An:r h e6s8y< t : : ma8e a 6ery 1on6 n1 n3 ar39ment. The : re1tor of theY95ato6 1 r19s a55re1 ate: t.

!a7f an ho9r 7ater Sh9ra 0as n6 te: to ta78 to the o0ner of the 1 r19s. !ar:7y7oo8 n3 at ass< Y95ato6 anno9n1e: that he 0as 0 77 n3 to ta8e h m on as a 7a orer.W th no :e7 3ht< 9t 0 th sat sfa1t on Sh9ra no::e: n a3reement. The o0ner then 0enton to 1onf9se the oy y say n3 J+efore 0e 3o to the 1 r19s< yo9 ha6e to 5ay a :e5os tof 2'' r9 7es. Do yo9 a3ree)J

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I a3ree 79rte: ass. +9t yo9 see he 1ont n9e: n a 57ea: n3 tone I :onKtha6e the money r 3ht no0< 9t I 1an r n3 t to yo9 y the en: of the 0ee8

(ery 0e77 then a3ree: Y95ato6. !o0e6er< f yo9 :o not r n3 me the money y the en: of th s 0ee8< then yo9 0 77 e for1e: to 7ea6e the 1 r19s 0 tho9t sa7ary .

It 0as a3ree:. In the meant me< he 0as to e3 n h s :9t es mme: ate7y. !e 0asta8en to the sta 7es an: or:ere: to 17ean 95 the horses. After : nner< n the 1om5any ofsta 7emen an: 17eaners< Sh9ra 0ent to the 79m erBroom an: tr e: to fa77 as7ee5. !e1o97: ho0e6er not fa77 as7ee5 0 th the tho93ht of that :amne: money ha9nt n3 h m.

What f I 0r te home an: as8 my father) Sh9ra :ro6e th s :ea a0ay as9nrea7 st 1. !o0e6er< there 0ere no other so79t ons. Th s fantast 1a7 :ea of 0r t n3 h sfather starte: to seem more an: more feas 7e... 9t 0hat 0o97: he 0r te)

W th a77 these tho93hts s0 r7 n3 thro93h h s hea:< Sh9ra e6ent9a77y fe77 as7ee5. +ymorn n3 he ha: e6eryth n3 57anne: o9t. The 1 r19s 0as not yet a0a8ene: an: $ tt7e

ass starte: 0r t n3 a 7etter to Father ass.The 1a7197at on 0as s m57e. The father 0as host 7e to0ar:s the 1 r19s an: : : notfee7 that t 0as a rea7 =o . !o0e6er< he ha: sa : many t mes that he 0as rea:y to he75 h s1h 7:ren ma8e the r o0n 0ay n 7 fe. JThat?s 0on:erf97 reasone: Sh9ra. I nee: themoney to 3et a 791rat 6e =o an: t s 1om57ete7y 9nne1essary to ment on the fa1t that the

=o s at the 1 r19s.J!e 0rote that on h s 0ay to Sarans8 to 6 s t h s 5arents< he ha: met a ra 70ay

1ontra1tor 0ho offere: h m a =o . The =o 5rom se: m91h more 0ea7th than that of asto8er< or e6en an ass stant en3 neer. On7y n or:er to o ta n the =o he nee:s 2'' r9 7esJas a 57e:3e of honestyJ.

After ha6 n3 torn 95 the f rst fe0 7etters< Sh9ra f na77y 0rote one that seeme:1on6 n1 n3. !e 0as not s9re that h s father 1o97: eas 7y transfer s91h a s 3n f 1antamo9nt of money. !o0e6er< f Father 0ere to 3et nto :e t e1a9se of me< I?77 0 77 5ayh m a18J tho93ht Sh9ra on h s 0ay to the 5ost off 1e.

The 0ee8 1ame an: 0ent. The o0ner 1a77e: Sh9ra an: as8e: a o9t the money. !esa : that he sent a 7etter to h s 5arents an: as8e: f he 1o97: 0a t =9st a :ay or t0o. Myfather 0 77 not fa 7 sa : A7e@an:er. In:ee:< the money 1ame the 6ery ne@t :ay.A7e@an:er ass ha: no0 e1ome a f977 mem er of Y95ato6Ks sho0s.

The 5erforman1es 0ere rea77y 3reat< es5e1 a77y the ones y Anato7y D9ro6. Sh9ra

>9 187y e1ame D9ro6?s ass stant.A 17o0nB:resse: man 0as 0a78 n3 nto the arena an: s9mmon n3 h s art sts 0 th

a 0h st7e. + r:s a55eare: f rst< then :o3s< then 1h 18ens< :918s< 5 3s< mon8eys< rats an:m 1e. Un ma3 na 7e no ses an: h9st7e f 77e: the arena. The hens 0ere 17918 n3< the:918s >9a18 n3< the mon8eys s1ream n3< the 5 3s 0ere 3r9nt n3< an: the m 1e 0eres>9ea8 n3. It 0as a 6er ta 7e Noah?s Ar8

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After D9ro6Ks s 3na7 the no se sto55e: an: there 0as a so79te s 7en1e. It 0as 7 8ea 5ro7o39e to the 5erforman1e of the an ma7 theater.

The 5erforman1e 1ons ste: of se6era7 f9nny s1enes. A ro5e 0as 7o0ere: from the6ery to5 of the :ome. There 0as a 3 3r nn n3 1atKs m9 7e at the to5 of the ro5e. Ratsan: m 1e ha: to 17 m 95 th s 6ert 1a7 ro5e an: 17 m 95 nto the =a0s of th s terr 7e1at?s hea:. When the 7 tt7e J5erformersJ e@e19te: th s st9nt< the a9: en1e 9rst ntofr en:7y an: sym5athet 1 a557a9se.

The 1ro0n 5erforman1e of the Jan ma7 5ro3ramJ 0as the famo9s D9ro6KsTra n . T0o mon8eys 17 m e: on the tra n< 57ay n3 the ro7e of the :r 6er an: h sass stant. Do3s an: 1ats 0ere o1195y n3 the f rstB17ass 1arr a3e< 1h 18ens 0ere 57a1e: nse1on: 17ass< an: th r: 17ass 0as 7eft for the 5 3s. The rats an: m 1e 17 m e: nto thetr9n8. Then the tra n s7o07y e3an mo6 n3. The 5erforman1e en:e: 0 th a stan: n3o6at on y the a9: en1e.

After s @ months of 0or8 n the 1om5any of D9ro6< Sh9ra 0as s9::en7ytransferre: n or:er to s9 st t9te for the s 18 1ash er. The sa7ary 0as 3reat there. !e 0ase6en a 7e to ret9rn the money to h s father 0 tho9t 3 6 n3 m91h tho93ht to the 5o nt hema:e a o9t t e n3 for J enef 1 a7J 0or8. !o0e6er< t 0as >9 te or n3 to s t eh n: a:es8 a77 :ay. As soon as the 1ash er ha: re1o6ere:< Sh9ra ret9rne: to the arena. Th st me ho0e6er he : : not ret9rn to D9ro6< 9t rather to the tro95e of r :ers nstea:.

Y95ato6Ks 1 r19s ha: fo9r d5higits yo9n3 an: s8 77f97 horse r :ersG. ass e1amethe f fth. ;9st as A7e@an:er starte: to fee7 at home n th s ne0 1om5any< he 0as

mme: ate7y transferre: to 0or8 0 th the tra5e e art sts.Th s 0as the 0ay Y95ato6 e:91ate: h s yo9n3 5erformers. !e 7e: them thro93h

many s5e1 a7t es. F rst7y< n or:er to :ent fy the rea7 ta7ents of the art st< an: se1on:7y9arre7 an:then >9 187y offer a et...someth n3 7 8e a h9n:re: r9 7es on the 9n5o597ar Ser:y98. Inres5onse to s91h a fantast 1 et< other ets 0o97: e ma:e n s9ms of ,'' r9 7esa3a nst the h9n:re: on N 8o7aye6s8y. The Jsh 77J 0o97: 5reten: that he 0as e@1 te: an:ma8e 7ots of ets.

The o0ner of the 1 r19s 0as 1onstant7y nforme: a o9t the es1a7at ons of : s59tes.When the o0ner fe7t that the 3ame 0as f na77y 0orth the 1an:7esJ N 8o7aye6s8y

re1e 6e: the s 3na7 to Jta8e a fa77J.The e6ents 0o97: e6o76e : fferent7y as the sho0 0ent on. Some 3am 7ers 0o97:3 6e the r money to the sh 77 o e: ent7y. Others 0o97: start s1an:a7s a119s n3 the0rest7ers of 1heat n3. Somet mes< they 0o97: e6en 0a77o5 the sh 77. !o0e6er< thero9t ne 0as ne6er 1han3e:. There 0as no ta78 of an honest 6 1tory n an honest f 3ht.

Rare7y< 6ery rare7y< a f 3hter 0o97: f 3ht honest7y Ja11or: n3 to the !am 9r3S1oreJ< .e. 0 tho9t any 0 tnesses the e@5ress on 1ame from the famo9s !am 9r31ham5 onsh 5s 0here a9: en1es 0eren?t a77o0e: to 0at1hG. Somet mes :9r n3 one of theJ!am 9r3 S1oreJ f 3hts< the stron3est 1o97: t9rn o9t to e the 0ea8est.

On7y N 8o7aye6s8y 0as o9t of 1om5et t on. !e 0as rea77y the est f 3hter an:other f 3hters re1o3n e: that. "no0 n3 h s stren3th< Ser3e 7o6e: to 977y h s fr en:san: :are them to 1om5ete 0 th h m n r s8y e6ents. One :ay< 0hen the 0rest7ers 0ere3ett n3 ne r ate: at a near y 59 < N 8o7aye6s8y starte: a 6ery nterest n3 1on6ersat on.

Yo9?re a77 are 1erta n7y stron3 starte: N 8o7aye6s8y< mo6 n3 a ott7e of eerto0ar:s h m. !o0e6er< s there a 5erson here amon3 yo9 0ho has the 39ts to 1arry o9tone s m57e tas8) Instea: of sho0 n3 yo9< 7et me te77 yo9 a o9t t f rst . N 8o7aye6s8y0as :r9n8 an: ta78 n3 rather n1oherent7y. Do yo9 8no0 o9r t 3er) Yeah< A8 ar8a.!ere s the :ea7< I?77 3o an: re1onno ter the ars of h s 1a3e. Then I?77 7et one of yo9 :othe same...

That 0as a 1ha77en3e. The 0rest7erKs 1ro0: 0ent a18 to the 1 r19s. ass 0as theon7y so er 5erson n the 1om5any he 9n:erstoo: the :an3er of th s 6ent9reG. It s9n7 8e7y that the t 3er 0o97: e mere7y s tt n3 an: 0at1h n3 as someone tr es to en: the

ars of h s 1a3e. Sh9ra ha: seen the 7 3htn n3B7 8e =9m5 of the east. !e ha: seen them 3hty str 8es of h s 5a0s an: the 7oo: that fo77o0e:. It 0as m5oss 7e to 1on6 n1e h s1omra:es to sto5. The nto@ 1at on n the r hea:s :ro6e them nearer to the 1a3e.

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The f 3hters 59she: a0ay the 1onf9se: 39ar: an: 9rst nto a mena3er e 0 thh9 9 an: 7a93hter. There stoo: A8 ar8aKs 1a3e.

N 8o7aye6s8y too8 off h s 1oat< s5at on h s han:s an: 3ra e: the ars. The t 3erra se: h s hea: an: 7oo8e: at the tense: 3 ant. The mean n3 of h s 7oo8< one 1o97: on7y39ess. The 9 aro9n: the 1a3e 1a7me: :o0n. On7y Ser3e Ks hea6y reath n3 1o97: e: st n1t7y hear:. When N 8o7aye6s8y ste55e: a0ay from the ars< e6eryone sa0 ho0 thet0o h93e stee7 ro:s 0ere no0 s5rea: from ea1h other a55ro@ mate7y one vershok %.-,

n1hesG.Ser3e o0e: theatr 1a77y an: ma:e an n6 t n3 han: 3est9re Anyone e7se) . No

one 6o79nteere:< 9n:erstan:a 7y so. The host of the 1a3e arose an: 1aref977y sn ffe: the ars that N 8o7aye6s8y ha: ent. Who 8no0s 0hat the t 3er 0o97: e th n8 n3 fsomeone e7se 0ere to attem5t th s feat. Th n3s 0ere 3ett n3 :an3ero9s.

S9::en7y< Sh9ra ass ste55e: for0ar:. JI?77 tryJ he sa :< ta8 n3 off h s =a18et.

Someone 7a93he: eh n: h m. N 8o7aye6s8y h9m 7e: the f 3hter 0 th h s hea6y 7oo8JQ9 et< a77 of yo9 $ tt7e ass s sma77er than the 7ot of yo9< yet he has the heart of aman. We77< A7e@an:er< sho0 these 1o0ar:s 0hat yo9 1an :o.J Ser3e ta55e: Sh9ra onthe a18 n a fr en:7y fash on.

The ro:s 0ere 1o7:. The 3reen eyes of the east 0ere r 3ht n front of h m. Sh9rafe7t the a: reath of A8 ar8a< 9t the ars 0ere a7rea:y start n3 to 3 6e ;9st a 7 tt7emore an: they 0o97: e 19r6e: 7 8e N 8o7aye6s8ysK

We77 :one< ass sa : Ser3e . Yo9 ha6e oth stren3th an: 1o9ra3e. We77< 0hata o9t yo9) he a::resse: the other f 3hters. D : yo9 a77 >9a 7)

The sneer 5ro6o8e: the other f 3hters. Ser:y98 thre0 h s =a18et on the f7oor. I6anPesh1herny s7o07y ro77e: 95 the s7ee6es of h s fro18 1oat. An:rey (a8hon n starte:0arm n3 95 h s f n3ers. See n3 the e@1 tement n front of the 1e77< A8 ar8a e3an to r9n

n 7ar3e 1 r17es an: thro0 n3 h mse7f at the ars. N 8o7aye6s8y< ho0e6er< : : not1ons :er A8 ar8aKs an@ ety to e a 3oo: reason to sto5 the 1om5et t on. !e 1a77e: thetamer. Wh 7e he 0as ho7: n3 A8 ar8a 0 th h s tr :ent n the far 1orner< the 0rest7ers one

y one 0ere try n3 to en: the ro:s. !o0e6er< none s911ee:e: n the tas8.After the 7ast f9t 7e attem5t< N 8o7aye6s8y sm 7e: an: sa : JWe77< no0 7oo8 I 1an

:o more.J !e 0a78e: 95 to the 1a3e an: 59she: the t0o ro:s a18 to3ether. Sh9ra : :the same. The :efeate: f 3hters 7oo8e: at h m s977en7y< h s 6 1tory s5o8e 6o79mes.

Th s 6 1tory soon ro93ht 0 th t fresh fr9 t. Sh9ra 0as :e7 3hte: to f n: o9t thatthe 1 r19s o0ner 0as 1a77 n3 for h m n or:er to ne3ot ate a ne0 5erforman1e< a so7oB

5erforman1e that A7e@an:er ass 0 77 5erform on h s o0n. Nee:7ess to say< Sh9ra 0as oth ner6o9s an: e@1 te: on h s 0ay to the o0nerKs

off 1e. The on7y tr 18 that he ha: een ho5 n3 for 0as the J a7an1 n3 samo6ar tr 189 187y as s9s9a77y the 1ase 0 th s91h se1rets. Then the 5eo57e 0o97: r9sh o9t to see th s myster o9s

5r n1e...Sh9ra 6ery m91h 7 8e: th s :ea. !e stron37y 9r3e: e6eryone e7se to 3o a7on3 0 th

th s :ea e1a9se he e7 e6e: t 0o97: r n3 s911ess. Sh9raKs ar:or 1oo7e: :o0nho0e6er 0hen t 0as he 0ho 0as 1hosen to 0ear the myster o9s +7a18 Mas8 . !e ha:no 1ho 1e n the matter. The : str 9t on of ro7es 0as a7rea:y a3ree: 95on.

A7e@an:er : : not 0ant to 5erform 9n:er th s =o8erKs mas8. !e tr e: to a55ea7 tothe 5oss 7 ty of fa 79re. N 8o7ae6s8y 0as re7ent7ess. ass 0o97: 5erform 9n:er the

7a18 mas8 an: 0 n h s f rst f 3ht.JWe77< o8ay tho93ht Sh9ra. Oh< I?77 remem er th sJ. W tho9t 0ast n3 any

f9rther t me< he e3an 5re5ar n3 for the sho0.Sh9ra 3ot a 1oat< a to5Bhat an: t0o tra6e7 n3 a3s. !e too8 a tra n an: tra6e7e:

t0o stat ons from A8ty9 ns8. There he 0rote a te7e3ram to !oytse6. JIKm 1om n3 onWe:nes:ay an: :ar n3 a77 f 3hters 1ha77en3e me.. The +7a18 Mas8.J

Th s te7e3ram 0as 57a1e: at the :oor of the 1 r19s. !oytse6 or:ere: to 5r nts5e1 a7 5osters that 0o97: e 5aste: 95 a77 aro9n: the 1 ty. !9n:re:s of mo9ths >9 187ys5rea: the r9mor.

Mean0h 7e< Sh9ra ha: een 7 6 n3 n an 9n8no0n 57a1e. The :ay of h s :e 9tf na77y 1ame. It 0as We:nes:ay. !e 59t on h s 1oat< to5 hat< t e: a 7a18 s1arf aro9n: h sfa1e an: too8 off for the tra n. !e 7oo8e: e@treme7y 1om 1a7. The 5ants of h s s9 t 0ere

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6ery 7on3 an: narro0. The 1oat tse7f 0as too roa: an: 7on3. The to5Bhat 0as too 3an: s7 : :o0n onto h s ears.

C9rs n3 h s 17o0n sh ro7e an: the 0ho7e 0or7: for that matterG< Sh9ra 0a78e: tothe tra n a11om5an e: y a 7ar3e 1ro0:. O9r hero ma:e t to A8ty9 ns89r 0 tho9t any

5ro 7ems.The 1 ty 7oo8e: for0ar: to see n3 the J+7a18 Mas8.J ! s a55earan1e ro93ht

e@1 tement to the monotono9s 7 fe of the 5ro6 n1 a7 fo78. A :e59tat on of 1 ty off 1 a7sn179: n3 the or1hestra arr 6e: at the tra n stat on n or:er to meet the 9n8no0n 3raft.

A11om5an e: y the enth9s ast 1 sho9ts of the 1ro0: an: the th9n:er of the or1hestra9 187y ma:e a :o9 7e ne7son an: e3an to 59t 5ress9reon Ser3e Ks hea:< try n3 to en: h s ne18. S9r5r se: y the mo6e< N 8o7ae6s8y tr e:

9ns911essf977y to free h mse7f. Sh9ra then 0ea8ene: h s 3r 5 a 7 tt7e t an: 3a6e Ser3ethe o55ort9n ty to =9m5 on h s feet.ass mana3e: to :o a 1o957e of 3ra557es an: thro0s. Ser3e 0as 3ett n3 an3ry.It?s t me for me to 59t yo9 :o0n 7 tt7e fe77o0 0h s5ere: N 8o7ae6s8y 0hen the r

hea:s 0ere >9 te 17ose an: they 1o97: s5ea8 0 tho9t e n3 hear:.I 0as =9st th n8 n3 the same th n3 a o9t yo9 sa : Sh9ra.What?s 3ot nto yo9) Ser3e 3as5e:< try n3 to 5ress the r :3e of h s o55onent.ass : : not ans0er. !e s911essf977y 3ot a0ay an: h9rr e: to atta18 Ser3e on1e

a3a n. The f 3ht too8 a 6 o7ent t9rn. There 0ere t0o 0or7:B17ass ath7etes 1om5et n3 nthe arena. !oytse6 0as try n3 to say someth n3 to oth of the ath7etes 9t t 0as 9se7ess.They 0ere 1a93ht n the e@1 tement of the f 3ht.

Sh9ra : : not e@5e1t to 59t Ser3e :o0n. !e 0as stron3er an: more e@5er en1e:.!e on7y 0ante: to JtormentJ h m a 7 tt7e n or:er to 3et h m a18 for for1 n3 h m to 57ayth s st95 : ro7e. !o0e6er< n the heat of att7e he ha: for3otten a o9t that< =9st 7 8eSer3e ha: for3otten a o9t the nee: to 3o :o0n at the a55ro5r ate t me.

%' m n9tes ha: 5asse:. Ne ther of the o55onents 0as 0 nn n3.The referee sto55e: the f 3ht an: :e17are: that 9n:er the terms of the a3reement

the 0rest7er n the 7a18 mas8 3ets the money e1a9se he he7: o9t %' m n9tes a3a nstthe 1ham5 on of the !oytse6Ks 1 r19s.

The 1 r19s 0as ra3 n3. ass 0as 1arr e: aro9n: the arena t0 1e on the han:s ofthe a9: en1e an: the ent re t me he 0as th n8 n3 W 77 there e eno93h money from!oytse6 to 5ay the mort3a3e< or not) Of 1o9rse< the money 0asnKt for Sh9ra. It 0o97:a77 e ret9rne: to the tro95e. !o0e6er< f there 0asn?t any money at the 1ash erKs thenthe a9: en1e 0o97: :estroy the 1 r19s...

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Fort9nate7y< there 0as eno93h money. The o0ner of the hote7 ha: 5re5are: a feastfor the 0 nner that 0o97: 7ast 9nt 7 morn n3. The feast 0as he7: at the ho9se. A hea6 7y:r9n8 N 8o7ae6s8y 0h s5ere: n Sh9raKs ear...JTh s s o9r ent re 7 fe. If yo9 7 e< 5eo57e0 77 e7 e6e yo9. If yo9 :o not 7 e< then they 0 77 not e7 e6e yo9. Then s9::en7y< yo9ma8e 95 a o39s f 3ht an: t t9rns o9t to e a rea7 att7e...I :o not 9n:erstan: the 1 r19s.J

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THE REAL WORK

ass ne6er on1e 5erforme: n the arena 0hen the 1 r19s 0as n A8ty9 ns8. That0ay no one 0o97: rea7 e that the J+7a18 Mas8J 0as a 5rofess ona7 1 r19s 0rest7er.!oytse6 remo6e: h m from a77 the 5erforman1es as 0e77.

The 1 r19s no0 ha: the 79@9ry e n3 a 7e to har or :7e 5erformers. The 59 7 1that ha: ta8en nterest n the myster o9s stran3er s9::en7y fo9n: the 9s9a7 f 3hts 0 tho9tmas8s an: other myster o9s attr 9tes to e fas1 nat n3 s5e1ta17es. F977 a:m ss on 0as1har3e:. !oytse6 0as 6ery 57ease: an: :ro6e Sh9ra a0ay from the arena an: sent h mto tra n nstea:.

A7e@an:er e3an tra n n3 har:. The noma: 1 7 fe he ha: e@5er en1e: after an8r95t1y from Y95ato6Ks 1 r19s ha: s1he:97e: 6 1tor es at !oytse6Ks 1 r19s. A77 th sha: ha: a 3reat m5a1t on h s ath7et 1 form. ! s 1e5s 0ere har: an: st ff< h sa :om na7 m9s17es 0ea8< an: he no0 ha: a h9n1h n h s a18. In short< t 0as t me forsome ser o9s tra n n3 f A7e@an:er : : not 0ant to t9rn nto a 1 r19s a77ast.

Contem57at n3 h s fate< Sh9ra fo9n: h mse7f th n8 n3 a o9t Ser3e N 8o7ae6s8y.!e 0as o 6 o9s7y not n the est sha5e of h s 7 fe e ther. A year a3o< ass 1o97: not e6en:ream a o9t f 3ht n3 Ser3e < an: no0 they 0ere e6en7y mat1he:.

Sh9ra share: these tho93hts 0 th h s fr en:< N 8o7ae68sy. Ser3e s 3he: tter7yan: 0afte: h s han: thro93h the a r. JYo9?re r 3ht< 8 :. I?m a70ays o9t of reath these:ays. One 1annot f 3ht 7 8e th s. Yo9 are a : fferent 1ase. It :oesn?t matter 0hether yo9

ha6e eaten or s7e5t...yo9th 5re6a 7s. Yo9 0 77 st 77 3et stron3er an: more e@5er en1e:.6e t t me rother. Yo9 ho7: on< :onKt 3 6e 95. If yo9 0ant< I 1an ta78 to !oytse6 an:see f he 1o97: 7et yo9 :o yo9r o0n 5erforman1e of stren3th) Th s 0rest7 n3 th n3 s3onna 8 77 yo9 emot ona77y.J

!oytse6 : : not a55ro6e Ser3e Ks :eas. !e 0as N 8o7ae6s8y?s sen or y =9st asmany years as N 8o7ae6s8y 0as ass?s sen or. !e 0as m91h more e@5er en1e: n the1 r19s 9s ness.

If 0e ha: more sho0s to mat1h assKs 5erforman1e he to7: to Ser3e < ...7 8er :ers< a1ro ats< an: tamers...then I 0o97: 1ons :er t. On7y then 0o97: h s 5erforman1e7oo8 ama n3. ;9st one 5erforman1e of stren3th s or n3. Peo57e 0 77 not 5ay money tosee t. Do yo9 8no0 0hy) ... e1a9se there are a 7ot of stron3 5eo57e n the R9ss anEm5 re. If yo9 0ant to 1on6 n1e the a9: en1e that ass 1an rea77y :o e@traor: naryth n3s 0 tho9t 1heat n3< yo9 f rst ha6e to :9m fo9n: the a9: en1e 0 th someth n3s5e1 a7. We ha6e to ma8e t 7oo8 so 9n e7 e6a 7e that after0ar:s e6eryone 0o97: efor1e: to e7 e6e that noth n3 s m5oss 7e at the 1 r19s. Then yo9 1an 9n7eash thestron3man nto the arena an: 0e 0 77 ha6e a f977 ho9se. What :o 0e ha6e) ...noth n3 9t

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one an: a ha7f fee 7e 17o0ns an: a fe0 sha 7y tra ne: :o3s. Yo9 0ant to 7et thestar6e7 n3 ass< 0ho 7oo8s fra 7 an: are7y rea1hes yo9r sho97:er nto the arena)

We anno9n1e h s 0e 3ht to the a9: en1e. !e?s noth n3 9t a #- 8 7o s1a77y0a3 nthe r eyes. Then th s s1a77y0a3 s9::en7y starts rea8 n3 1ha ns What 0 77 an or: nary

5erson 0ho s not 9se: to m ra17es th n8) After o9r 17o0ns an: :o3s< he 0 77 re3ret 5ay n3 for the t 18et. After see n3 7 tt7e ass< he 0 77 e 1onf :ent that someone s try n3to foo7 h m here...that e6eryth n3 n the 1 r19s s so7 : s1am. We 0 77 fa 7 0 th yo9rfr en: ass...I?m sorry.

We77< 0hat a o9t the f 3ht< sa : Ser3e < 5at ent7y 0a t n3 to hear the e@57anat onof the o0ner.

Oh< the f 3ht< that?s someth n3 e7se a7to3ether !93e 3 ants a55ear on the arena.The tra:esman s fee7 n3 h s 1e5s an: 7aments. Yo9 start mess n3 aro9n: 0 th ea1hother 7 8e ears n front of h s eyes. The 6 e0er s f rst of a77 ntereste: n 0hat s that

yo9 1an :o 0 th those h93e arms of yo9rs. !e s a7so ho5 n3 that yo9 m 3ht ser o9s7y:ama3e ea1h other or rea8 some ones. Peo57e 0 77 e ta78 n3 a o9t t for a 0ee8.Se1on:7y... !oytse6 ent h s n:e@ f n3er an: 5o nte: t at Ser3e . After 7oo8 n3 atyo9< e6ery 5 m57y 7 tt7e s1hoo7 oy starts fee7 n3 h s o0n 5o0er. ?If I 0ante: them to...?he th n8s to h mse7f ?...they 0o97: start rea8 n3 ea1h otherKs noses....an: f I : :nKt0ant them to< then I 0 77 s m57y not 3o to the 1 r19s. Then I 0o97: te77 a77 my 9:: esnot to 3o e ther< an: theses her197ean men 0o97: star6e.? Of 1o9rse< not e6eryone th n8sth s 0ay< 9t they :o a77 th n8 to themse76es... ?I am s tt n3 n a 1ha r< an: yo9< e6entho93h yo9 are stron3er than me< yo9 are 1ra07 n3 on the 1ar5et n front of me?. Thea9: en1e sho97: e e7e6ate: rather than :e3ra:e:. If 0e 7et ass nto the arena< 0e 0 77h9m 7 ate the a9: en1e 0 th h s fee 7eness. So 1on179:e: !oytse6 h s 19nn n3 s5ee1h.

Ser3e stoo: h s 3ro9n: nonethe7ess.Fatten n3 ass 95 s a s m57e eno93h tr 18 he ar39e:. A month off an: s5e1 a7

e@er1 ses so h s m9s17es 0o97: 3ro0. The 8 : 0 77 e 7oo8 n3 h s est. On1e a3a n9 re m9s17e 1ontra1t on an: 0or8 0 th the J0e 3htsJG.

We are< ho0e6er< 3ett n3 2' years ahea: of o9rse76es. At th s 5o nt n the story9 te easy< he to7:Sh9ra. If yo9 ha6e :e6e7o5e: the m9s17es so m91h that e6en na 7s 0on?t 5enetrate yo9r

a18< then :r 6 n3 a na 7 nto a oar: 0 th yo9r f st 0 77 e 1h 7:?s 57ay.J

A7e@an:er : : not 7 8e t 0hen someone me::7e: 0 th h s 57ans 9t he :e1 :e: to8n9187e 9n:er th s t me.

The 5osters 0o97: soon e rea:y. They a77 a3ree: to :e 9t n Oren 9r3. They fe7ta tr 9m5h a0a te: ass there.

Contrary to !oytse6 fears< many 5eo57e 1ame to the 1 r19s. It 0as an ama n3 s tefor 5eo57e to 0at1h a stron3man 0ho 1o97: :o so many n1re: 7e th n3s. Sh9ra

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5erforme: t0 1e a :ay an: 5ra1t 1e: n the morn n3. The s1he:97e 0as r9ta77ye@ha9st n3 h m 9t he 0as ne6erthe7ess ha55y.

After stay n3 for a 0h 7e n Oren 9r3< !oytse6Ks tro95e :e1 :e: to 5a18 95 an:to9r other R9ss an 1 t es. The 1 r19s 0as a s911ess e6ery0here t 0ent. ass?s fame 0asr9nn n3< as !oytse6 9se: to say< ahea: of the 7o1omot 6e. The on7y th n3 that 95setSh9ra 0as 0hen h s o7: f 3hter fr en:s Cha ;anos< Ser:y98 an: Ser3e N 8o7ae6s8y 7eftthe tro95e. JYo9 :onKt nee: 9s anymore< sa : Ser3e as he 0as 7ea6 n3. !e 5atte:Sh9ra on the sho97:er 0 th 6 6 : e@a33erat on. Yo9?re the stron3est one. !o7: on 8 :9artermaster 0as fee: n3 the so7: ers. When the o55ort9n ty 1ame to 3et o9t of th s1r9mmy 7 fe an: 3et nto the 1a6a7ry to oot< Sh9ra ha55 7y too8 t0o ste5s for0ar:.

The ( n:a6s8y Re3 ment 0as a s5e1 a7 9n t. It 0as thro0n nto the :ar8estareas of the A9str an front...57a1es 0here no one 8ne0 0hat for1es the enemy 0ash : n3. Somet mes the ( n:a6s8y re3 ment 0ent se6era7 :o ens of 8 7ometers eh n:enemy 7 nes an: :estroye: the se1on: e1he7ons. Somet mes fata7 918shot 0o97: meetthem at the for0ar: 5os t ons.

A7e@an:er en=oye: th s :es5erate 7 fe. !e a7so 7 8e: h s 918s8 n sta77 on $ tt7e+oy . !e 0as a ra6e< >9 18 an: m 3hty horse 0 th a 0h te star on h s forehea:. On1e9a:ron of ( n:a6s8y re3 ment nor:er to ta8e a 7oo8 at the so7: er that ha: 1arr e: a 0o9n:e: horse from the att7ef e7:.$e3en:s of A7e@an:er ass?s stren3th an: 1o9ra3e 0ere s5rea: n3 thro93h the tren1hes a7on3 t me after that.

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Th s 37ory< ho0e6er< : : not sa6e Sh9ra from the fo93asse 7an:m neG thate@57o:e: ne@t to h m :9r n3 one of the att7es. +9ran fe77 :o0n on the 3ro9n: 0h 7e h smaster Sh9raG 0as 7y n3 n the : rt 0 th sear n3 5a n n h s 7e3s.

!e 0o8e 95 n a :ar8 9nfam 7 ar room. ! s throat 0as h9rt n3. JDr B B n8J 9ttere:Sh9ra n a 0ea8 6o 1e. Then a oneBarme: man n a 3ray hos5 ta7 3o0n 7eane: on h ssho97:er an: he7: a t n m93 n front of h s 7 5s.

Where am I) as8e: Sh9ra< ma8 n3 a fe0 har: s0a77o0s.In 1a5t 6 ty... n the hos5 ta7 the oneBarme: man re57 e:. W tho9t 3o n3 nto

:eta 7s he a::e: Someone 0 77 e a7on3 to am59tate yo9r 7e3s soonWhat) Am59tate) A7e@an:er =er8e: an: moane: from the 5 er1 n3< 9rn n3

5a n.Yes< Am59tat on. We :on?t 0aste t me hea7 n3 5eo57e. We =9st 19t off the r

7 m s an: thro0 them n the as8et< sa : oneBarme:< 5o nt n3 at h s em5ty s7ee6e.

At th s moment< the me: 1s arr 6e:< 59t Sh9ra on a stret1her an: 1arr e: h ma0ay. JNo< Yo9 1annot Yo9 1annot 19t off my 7e3s I am no one 0 tho9t my 7e3s Jstr9337e: Sh9ra to say.

!e 0as frant 1a77y try n3 to remem er erman 0or:s so he 1o97: e3 the :o1torto sa6e h s 7e3s. JI1h nJ I amG. That?s a o9t as far as t 0ent...The rest he sa : nR9ss an. JI1h n ts r8o6o art stJ I am a 1 r19s 5erformerG. Com5os n3 th s stran3e

5hrase n h s hea:< he 0as 1aref977y re5eat n3 t o6er an: o6er so he 1o97: say t to the3erman :o1tor at the o5erat n3 ta 7e.

The s9r3eon : : not 5ay any attent on to the m9ff7e: ratt7e emanat n3 from thethroat of the 0o9n:e: ass. The s9r3eon 0as e@treme7y t re: an: : : not 0ant to 57ay39ess n3 3ames 0 th Sh9ra?s nonsens 1a7 senten1e. It 0as h s 2% st o5erat on that :ay.The :o1tor ho0e6er 0as fro en n h s tra18s as soon as he 7 fte: the sheets off of ass?s7e3s. An an1 ent :em 3o: 0 th 0e77B:e6e7o5e: m9s17es n ea9t f97 5ro5ort ons 7ay nfront of h m. It seeme: as tho93h th s R9ss an so7: er 0as a 5a nt n3 1ome to 7 fe.

It 0o97: e a tra3e:y to am59tate s91h 7e3s< sa : the s9r3eon to the n9rse.We 0 77 try to sa6e them.

Sh9ra starte: :r ft n3 off an: 0o8e 95 7ater n the same 0ar:. The oneBarme: man0as s tt n3 at the hea: of h s e:.

Yo9 are 7918y my fr en:< he sa :< see n3 that Sh9ra ha: o5ene: h s eyes. They

s5are: yo9r 7e3sRe1o6ery 0as 3o n3 s7o07y. S1h9ra 0o97: s t an: stare at the arre: 0 n:o0 for

ho9rs. +eyon: the 0 n:o0< the ra n 3a6e 0ay to s9nsh ne =9st efore the s8y 0as on1ea3a n 1ons9me: y ra n. The 1hestn9ts 0ere no 7on3er n 7oom an: the hos5 ta7 5ar80as no0 a 57ay3ro9n: for the 1o7: 0 n:s. The s8y ha: t9rne: nto an 1y 79etrans5aren1y.

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S9mmer 0as en: n3 an: Sh9ra 0as 7earn n3 ho0 to 9se h s 19t 95 7e3s >9 te:e1ent7y as the oneBarme: man 59t t. Another ne 3h or sa : that t 0o97: e etter notto r9sh h s re1o6ery< s n1e the A9str ans 0o97: =9st sen: h m to the 5r son 1am5.

A7e@an:er 0at1he: h s e: ne 3h or 17ose7y. ! s name 0as Ste5an "o7esn 8o6.E6ery :ay Sh9ra 0o97: f n: a ne0 5re6 o9s7y n1ons5 19o9s feat9re of h s 1hara1ter.F rst he 5reten:e: to e a sort of s m57eton. Then he 0o97: s9::en7y start as8 n3 Sh9ra>9est ons that 0ere 17ear an: 5re1 se. One :ay ass a119se: Ste5an of e n3 e@treme7y

5e197 ar an: the r 1on6ersat ons sto55e: for a0h 7e after that.!o0e6er< three :ays 7ater< Ste5an starte: a ne0 1on6ersat on 0 th Sh9ra< as f

noth n3 ha: ha55ene:. J$oo8 ho0 har: ;ohann tr es he sa :< 5o nt n3 to the or:er7y0ho 0as 1aref977y 5o7 sh n3 h s oots. I et he?s 3o n3 to h s s0eetheartJ sa : Sh9ra7oo8 n3 :o0n at the ;ohan an: 7a93h n3. It 0as 6ery har: to ma3 ne th s sma77 39y9 et7y for a 0h 7e 9nt 7 Ste5an s9::en7y e@17a me: JC7ean n3an: 5o7 sh n3< 17ean n3 an: 5o7 sh n3< an: then tomorro0 ?57ease 1ome nto the tren1hs r?. M ss 7es 0 77 f7y an: s9::en7y...+OOM No more ;ohann...=9st a 59::7e. +y the0ay A7e@an:er< 0hat 0ere yo9 ar39 n3 a o9t 0 th ;ohann)J It 0as as tho93h he 0as

=9st a 79nat 1 th n8 n3 o9t 7o9:.Sh9ra 0as s9r5r se:. !e ha:n?t een ar39 n3 0 th ;ohann. !e : :nKt e6en ha6e a

reason to ar39e 0 th h m. JWhy the he77 0o97: I nee: to ar39e 0 th th s 5athet 1 fo9reyes 0hom I met for the f rst t me yester:ay) Ste5an seeme: to e sat sf e: y theans0er. !e 59t h s arm aro9n: Sh9raKs sho97:ers an: sa : n a tr9st0orthy 6o 1e...

Then te77 me< my fr en:< 0hy :o 5eo57e 7 8e yo9 an: me ha6e to shoot m ss 7es at 5eo57e 7 8e ;ohann) Why :o 5eo57e 7 8e ;ohann ha6e to shoot m ss 7es at 5eo57e 7 8e yo9an: me) Who stan:s to enef t from a77 th s)

Sh9ra 0o97: often re1a77 th s 1on6ersat on 7ater on n 7 fe. That e6en n3< ho0e6er9est on. The ne@t morn n3< at the rea8of :a0n< t0o so7: ers an: an off 1er 1ame nto the room an: too8 h s ne 3h or Ste5ana0ay. It 0as the f rst t me Sh9ra ha: hear: the 0or: J+o7she6 8.J !e 3ot to 8no0 themean n3 of the 0or: m91h 7ater. !e tter7y re3rette: not ha6 n3 a fran8 1on6ersat on0 th Ste5an "o7esn 8o6. Who 8no0s) May e Sh9raKs : ff 197t fate 0o97: ha6e t9rne:o9t : fferent7y f he ha: 3otten to ta78 to th s oneBarme: so7: er.

W tho9t Ste5an< 7 fe n the e: 0as rea77y or n3. In a fren y< A7e@an:er e3antra n n3 h s m9t 7ate: 7e3s. !e : :nKt 1are f he 0ent to a 5r son 1am5. !e =9st 0ante: to3et far a0ay from th s hatef97 room.

Pretty soon< he 0as a 7e to mo6e 0 tho9t 1r9t1hes. The s9r3eon : : r9sh h s: sm ssa7 ho0e6er. A55arent7y he 0ante: to o ser6e Sh9ra?s rare o:y 1om5os t onmore 17ose7y.

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ThatKs ho0 Sh9ra f rst 0ent to 0or8 n the hos5 ta7 8 t1hen. After0ar: he starte:0or8 n3 on the 1onstr91t on of a roa: n a ne 3h or n3 to0n.

The roa: 0as 9 7t y 0o9n:e: an: re1o6er n3 so7: ers 9n:er the s95er6 s on ofthe A9str an 1on6oy. On1e Sh9ra sa0 a 6ery s8 nny an: 9nsha6en man n a 3rayhos5 ta7 3o0n a11om5an e: y the 5atro7. They 0ere hea:e: to0ar: the hos5 ta7.

Es1a5e TheyKre 3o n3 to shoot h m no0< sa : an o7: so7: er 0or8 n3 ne@t toSh9ra 0 th a an:a3e: throat.

Es1a5e) Is that 5oss 7e) Sh9raKs heart e3an to 5a75 tate. It seeme: as f t 0as eat n3 to the rhythm of the 0or: esB1a5e< esB1a5e< esB1a5e .

Es1a5e 0o97: e easy. The hos5 ta7 0as 5oor7y 39ar:e:. A7tho93h< ho0 0o97:one 3et to h s 1omra:es) The ent re 1o9ntrys :e 0as f 77e: 0 th enemy tro95es. !enee:e: 17othes< a ma5 an: most of a77 foo:.

$ tt7e y 7 tt7e< Sh9ra starte: sa6 n3 foo:. !e h : 5 e1es of rea: n the mattress.

!e sa6e: some fat a18 from h s 79n1h n a t n y the 3ar:en.A77 0as 3o n3 0e77 9nt 7 Sh9ra 0as 1a93ht try n3 to stea7 an a9str an ma5 fromone of the off 1es. ! s >9arters 0ere sear1he: an: the rea: n the mattress 0as fo9n:.A7tho93h th s 0as not e6 :en1e of an es1a5e n an: of tse7f< A7e@an:er ass 0asnonethe7ess sent from the hos5 ta7 to a 5r son 1am5.

E6eryth n3 0as : fferent there. The 1am5 0as 0e77 39ar:e:. The arra18s 0ere1or:one: off 0 th ar e: 0 re. They 0ere fe: 6ery 5oor7y.

On1e a3a n he e3an to 57an an es1a5e. Th s t me Sh9ra ha: a s955orter< a1omra:e y the name of Ashae6. Th s mer19r a7 an: rest7ess Tartar 1o97: not 7 6e eh n:

ar e: 0 re. !e 0as rea:y to f7ee 0 tho9t any 5re5arat on at a77.Sh9ra?s tho93hts 0ere a t more so er. F rst of a77< t 0as ne1essary to sa6e some

money. They 1o97: 9se the money to 3et a 1om5ass an: some 5ro6 s ons...may e e6en ama5.

On1e Sh9ra starte: a 1on6ersat on 0 th the 39ar: Ian. !e 0as a 3oo:Bnat9re:C e1h< 0ho 1o97: s5ea8 R9ss an rather 0e77. The C e1h ha55ene: to e a 1 r19s0rest7er n the 5ast an: the t0o eas 7y esta 7 she: ra55ort.

The 39ar: : : not m n: earn n3 some money on 5r soners 0ho n the r s5are t me0ere :o n3 1rafts 7 8e shoema8 n3 an: 1ar5entry. It 0as 5rof ta 7e for the 39ar:s to se77these han: 1rafts n the near y 6 77a3es.

Sh9ra starte: :o n3 some 0oo:1ar6 n3. !e ma:e 0oo:en s5oons< 195s< an: 918ets. The C e1h 0o97: se77 them on oth the 0ho7esa7e an: reta 7 mar8ets.A11or: n3 to the r a3reement< oneBth r: of a77 re6en9es 0ent to Sh9ra. Th s 0as ho0 hemana3e: to 59t as :e some money for the es1a5e. No0 a77 he nee:e: 0as a ma5 or a1om5ass.

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!e to7: that to Ian.What :o yo9 nee: a 1om5ass for) !e as8e:.In or:er to 8no0 e@a1t7y 0h 1h : re1t on home s. P 1t9re t... Sh9ra 0as

57ay n3 0 th the 39ar:?s hea:. I 0a8e 95 n the morn n3< 7oo8 at the arro0 an: I 8no00here my 1o9ntry s. If a 5erson 8no0s e@a1t7y 0here h s rth57a1e s< then t ma8es

5r son t me eas er .Ian :eman: an o9tra3eo9s 5r 1e 9t ro93ht h m a toy 1om5ass 1o957e of :ays

7ater.The on7y feat 0h 1h rema ne: no0 0as the ar e: 0 re 1o6ere: n 7o9: e77s.

From a s n37e to91h of the fen1e< a f9r o9s r n3 n3 1o97: e hear: a77 aro9n: at the t meerman e@5erts ha6e not yet f 39re: o9t ho0 to ha6e an e7e1tr 1 19rrent of h 3h 6o7ta3e

r9nn n3 thro93h the ar e: 0 re. That : :n?t 1ome 9nt 7 2' years 7aterG.There 0as on7y one 0ay to a6o : the 0 re an: that 0as to : 3. A7tho93h< ho0

1o97: one : 3 n front of the 39ar:) S9::en7y the 1omman:antKs stran3e 0h m 1ame tothe res19e.Ma=or (on P9t7 ts 0as 8no0n for e n3 o sesse: 0 th An37oBSa@ons. It 0as har:

to ma3 ne anyth n3 more a s9r: than th s fat< re:< Pr9ss an ma=or< :o n3 h s est to a1t7 8e an En37 sh 7or:.

E6eryone from the 5r soners to the s95er ors 8ne0 a o9t the 1omman:antKs 0e r: 5atho7o3y. They 0o97: a77 se1ret7y 7a93h at the ma=or 9t noth n3 more. It seeme: thath s 7o6e for e6eryth n3 +r t sh 0as =9st the 0h m of an ar sto1rat.

The ma=or ha: >9 te a fe0 am9s n3 :eas. !e ma:e a rea7 En37 sh 7a0n n front ofh s >9arters. E6ery morn n3 he 0o97: r :e h s 59re ree: mare aro9n: the 1am5< :resse:95 n =o18ey ree1hes an: =o18ey 1a5. !e smo8e: an En37 sh 5 5e an: e@5resse: h mse7f

n an n1om5rehens 7e m @t9re of En37 sh an: Pr9ss an 0or:s.It seeme: as tho93h th s 0as not eno93h for (on P9t7 ts. !e ha: a7so :e1 :e: that

a77 5r soners sho97: e 57ay n3 3o7f. If th s :ea ha: not een 1om57ete7y : ot 1< t 1o97:ha6e een nter5rete: as so5h st 1at on. ;9st ma3 ne a 3ro95 of e@ha9ste:< o6er0or8e:9 et an: reser6e: fe77o0< yet he someho0 ore then 18name JThe Terr fy n3 !9n3ar an . It : : not 1o n1 :e 0 th h s 1a7m an:1om5ass onate 1hara1ter. !o0e6er< no0 Sh9ra fe7t nse19re 0hen h s fr en: 0as 7oo8 n3at h m. Who 8ne0 0hat ha55ene: to ;anos :9r n3 a77 those years they ha:n?t seen ea1hother. A7e@an:er 0as 3ett n3 more an: more ner6o9s 0 th e6ery se1on:. S9::en7y ;anossa : someth n3 that s9r5r se: Sh9ra 0 th ts or: nar ness. J!a6e yo9 eaten) No) Wa t ase1on: ...J !e 1a77e: the 5orter an: sent h m to a near y ta6ern to 9y some foo:.

The 1e 0as ro8en. A7tho93h ;anos 0as st 77 s 7ent< Sh9ra rea7 e: that e6eryth n30as 3o n3 to e f ne. !e starte: s5ea8 n3 ner6o9s7y an: fast. !e s5o8e a o9t h s0o9n:e: 7e3< a o9t the 5r son< an: a o9t the es1a5e 0 th $9:0 3. !e : :nKt te77 h ma o9t the f rst 9ns911essf97 attem5t to es1a5e.

;anos 7 stene: >9 et7y. Then he 59t h s han: on Sh9raKs 8nee an: sa : JI th n8yo9?re h : n3 someth n3< 9t 0e 0 77 5ro a 7y st 77 0or8 to3ether. I :o not see any

5oss 7 ty of trans5ort n3 yo9 a1ross the front. Yo9K77 3et 1a93ht. They 0 77 ass9me yo9are a s5y an: shoot yo9 on s 3ht. I 0ant 9s to f977y tr9st ea1h other. J

JDamn J Sh9ra 0as menta77y ama e: y the nt9 t on of h s o7: fr en:. !e starte:re6ea7 n3 e6eryth n3 that he ha: 7eft o9t of the story. !e ass9me: that ha6 n3 es1a5e:t0 1e m 3ht s1are ;anos more than ha6 n3 es1a5e: on1e< 9t the en: of h s sa: story;anos =9st sm 7e: an: sa : JO8< no0 0e 1an eatJ.

Sh9ra 0as 7 ssf977y ha55y for three :ays. !e 0as eat n3 an: s7ee5 n3. On thefo9rth :ay< ;anos too8 h m to the arena 0here he ntro:91e: ass to the ent re tro95e off 3hters. JWe77< 0h 1h one of them :o yo9 0ant to test yo9r stren3th 0 th)J he as8e:.

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Sh9ra 1hose the ta77est f 3hter. !e 0as a Roman an an: h s name 0as Pash8o6s8y. !e0e 3he: near7y %&' 8 7o3rams.

The f 3ht 1ont n9e: for on7y three m n9tes an: y the fo9rth m n9te Pash8o6s8y0as a7rea:y 7ay n3 on the mat 0 th a ro8en 1o77ar one an: a : s7o1ate: sho97:er 7a:e.A7e@an:er 0as 6ery 95set y th s o9t1ome. !e : : not 0ant to 1r 557e th s 6ery ta77 an:8 n: 3ent7eman. !o0e6er< the :es re to sho0 a77 h s stren3th to ;anos 0as stron3er thanh s reason.

Pash8o6s8y 0as ta8en a0ay. ;anos : : not e@5ress h s att t9:e to the f 3ht n any0ay. !e =9st sa : that he 0o97: n179:e Sh9ra n tomorro0?s e6en n3 5ro3ram.

Wrest7e for a 7 tt7e 0h 7e< 9t not as ar:ent7y. After that yo9 1an e3 n 5re5ar n3for the stren3th 5erforman1e. In my o5 n on< t 0o97: e the est she7ter for yo9. It s9n7 8e7y that the 3en:armes 0o97: see8 an es1a5e: 1on6 1t n s91h 1ro0:e: 57a1e 7 8ethe 1 r19s arena.

It too8 1ons :era 7e 1o9ra3e to ta8e an es1a5e: 1on6 1t nto the tro95e :9r n3 at me of 0ar. Sh9ra a55re1 ate: the 8 n:ness an: 1o9ra3e of ;anos 0ho 0as try n3 h s est to he75 an o7: fr en:.

The f 3hters entere: the arena a11om5an e: y m9s 1. Cha ;anos 0as n the hea:of the 5ro1ess on an: A7e@an:er ass e n3 the sma77estG 0as at the en:. Then thereferee 1ame o9t to n6 te 6o79nteers from the a9: en1e to 0rest7e 0 th the ath7etes.A7e@an:er 3ot the a so79te ma=or ty of o55onents. A55arent7y< e6eryone 0as m s7e: yh s he 3ht an: 7ean f 39re. Those 0ho stoo: n the m ::7e ran8s ha: een rea77y to5Bnot1h f 3hters n the 5ast. No0 they 0ere n179:e: n or:er to a:6ert se. The r 3 namesan: 3or3eo9s m9s17es ns5 re: the a9: en1e.

" : ass fo93ht a77 the 1om5et tors from the a9: en1e an: 0as ne6er :efeate:.Res5e1te: 0rest7ers fo93ht 0 th ea1h other n or:er to :emonstrate the r stren3th an:a3 7 ty. The 5erforman1e en:e: 0 th a :9e7 et0een the Cha ;anos an: A7e@an:er ass.As a r97e of th9m they :efeate: ea1h other n t9rn. The a9: en1e 0as 57ease:.

The e6en n3 5asse: 7 8e th s an: n the morn n3 A7e@an:er 0as ntense7y 5re5ar n3 for h s stren3th 5erforman1e. F rst he 0as 0arm n3 95 an: r9nn n3< =9st 7 8ehe : : at !oytse6Ks 1 r19s. Then he mo6e: on to rehears n3 h s st9nts. !e :e1 :e: tostart 0 th the 1om57e@ e6ent of stret1h n3 0 th t0o horses .

Near7y the ent re tro95e 0as 5re5ar n3 th s 5erforman1e. A7e@an:er 0as not

ent re7y 1onf :ent of h s stren3th tho93h. Somet mes h s n=9ry 0o97: not h9rt for a 7on3t me< 9t then s9::en7y the 5a n 0o97: 1ome a18. Th9s he e3an 0 th a s m57 f e:6ers on of the horse ro9t ne. T0enty 5eo57e from one s :e an: t0enty from the other0ere 5977 n3 a ro5e 0h 1h Sh9ra he7: n h s han:s. It 0as not 6ery : ff 197t. W th horsesho0e6er< e6eryth n3 s m91h har:er s n1e they 5977 the harness 9ne6en7y. A7e@an:era7tere: the 1on: t ons of rehearsa7. F rst one 5erson< then t0o< then three men 0o97:

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mo6e from one en: of the stret1h to the other. Soon there 0ere f fteen 5eo57e stra n n3e6ery ner6e try n3 to :ra3 h m to the 7eft< 0h 7e t0entyBf 6e 5eo57e on the other s :e0ere try n3 to sh ft h m to the r 3ht. In or:er to ma8e th n3s more : ff 197t< they 0o97:

=er8 the ro5e nstea: of 5977 n3 on them smooth7y an: e6en7y.A7e@an:er :e1 :e: to 5erform The De6 7?s +7a18sm thJ as h s se1on: sho0. It

0as not easy 3ett n3 h m to 7 e on a e: of na 7s after ha6 n3 een shot an: 7o0nB95...not to ment on the 5r son rea8 an: a h93e 3a5 n h s tra n n3s. In the e3 nn n3 he

59r5ose7y 79nte: the en:s of the harro0s an: smeare: h s a18 0 th 1otton o 7. Then0h 7e f977y tens n3 e6ery m9s17e n h s o:y< he 0o97: 3ent7y 7 e :o0n on the

5rotr9: n3 stee7 ro:s. !e starte: 7ee: n3 n some 57a1es 0here h s s8 n ro8e< 9t n3enera7 A7e@an:er 0as sat sf e:. !e 0as a 7e to rema n on the s5 8es for an ent rem n9te.

Day y :ay Sh9ra 0as a 7e to e@ten: h s t me on the s5 8es. Then one :ay he

f na77y as8e: one of the ass stants to stan: on h s 1hest. The ass stant a3ree:< 9t not0 tho9t t m : ty. Sh9ra 0 thstoo: the 5ress9re an: the fo77o0 n3 :ay t0o ass stants 0erestan: n3 on h s 1hest. A month 7ater< three h93e men 0 th hammers 0ere smash n3 astone that 0e 3he: ha7f a tonne on h s 1hest. A7e@an:er ass ha: f977y re3a ne: h sstren3th.

These t0o e6ents 0ere not eno93h for the 5erforman1e so he e3an to a:: morean: more st9nts. Sh9ra 7 fte: an ron eam 0e 3h n3 22' 8 7o3rams 0 th h s teeth an:1arr e: t a : stan1e of t0o meters. S91h th n3s he ha: :one efore. No0 ho0e6er< hef7e0 95 to the 6ery :ome of the 1 r19s 0 th h s foot n a s5e1 a7 7oo5 0h 7e the hea6y

eam 0as n h s teeth. Th s st9nt t9rne: o9t to e s5e1ta197ar.Tho93h that 0as not eno93h for A7e@an:er. !e starte: to rehearse JThe Cannon

Sa76o.J Th s 0as not a ne0 e6ent. In fa1t< 1annons ha: een 9se: for a77 sorts ofstron3man st9nts thro93ho9t many 3enerat ons. F fty years ear7 er< !enry Sternon

1a77e: the !er197es from the North G 5erforme: h s o0n 5e197 ar st9nt 0 th a 1annonon h s sho97:er. !e 0o97: :e7 3ht the a9: en1e y a m n3 the 1annon at them an:shoot n3 a 7an8. !o0e6er< one :ay th s st9nt en:e: tra3 1a77y. Someone ha: a55arent7y7oa:e: h s 1annon 0 th a rea7 m ss 7e nstea: of a 7an8. Se6era7 5eo57e 0ere 8 77e: an:Sternon h mse7f 0as n=9re: so a:7y that he 1o97: no 7on3er 5erform. The 5ena7ty of#'''' fran1s 1om57ete7y r9 ne: h m an: he : e: a :o n3 5athet 1 7a or. ! s fate

ho0e6er ha: not sto55e: others from 9s n3 1annons n the r a1t. ;ohn !o7t9m fromDenmar8 8no0n y the sta3e name " n3 of the Cannons G ha: een 1at1h n31annon a77s 0e 3h n3 8 7o3rams shot from a 1annonG 0 th h s are han:s. After1at1h n3 the 1annon a77 he 0o97: thro0 t onto a 7ar3e ron sheet 1a9s n3 a :ramat 1 an:th9n:ero9s 1rash.

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Sh9ra :e1 :e: to re5eat the 1at1h n3 of the 1annon a77 st9nt . A7tho93h h s1annon a77 0o97: 0e 3h *' 8 7o3rams an: f7y a : stan1e of meters.

JCannon

The Mystery of the Iron Samson

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