All his dreams of the future were mingled with pictures of Amalat-Beks, Circassian women, mountains, precipices, terrible torrents, and perils.

All these things were vague and dim, but the love of fame and the danger of death furnished the interest of that future.
Now, with unprecedented courage and a strength that amazed everyone, he slew and subdued an innumerable host of hillsmen; now he was himself a hillsman and with them was maintaining their independence against the Russians.

As soon as he pictured anything definite, familiar Moscow figures always appeared on the scene.

Sashka B---fights with the Russians or the hillsmen against him.

Even the tailor Cappele in some strange way takes part in the conqueror's triumph.