Tashkent “bread- city”

2 3. The train stops at a station. The muzhiks pile out to sell their wares to the Kirghiz. Mishka tries to sell his pocket knife for a pood of grain, but the Kirghiz just curse at him.

The train starts to leave the station. Mishka runs to catch up. He grabs a handle on a brake platform. Holding on for dear life he is dragged along, dangling between life and death. A muzhik on the platform looks at Mishka for a long time before deciding to pull him up to safety.

24. In the dead of the night, the train stops at a remote station. Mishka scrambles to get aboard one of the train cars, but they doors are all locked and no one will let him in.

Mishka feels like crying, but knows that that will do him no good.

Mishka sees another young boy, Trofim, searching through a rubbish heap. Although Trofim does not welcome the intrusion, Mishka starts searching through the rubbish as well.

A dog runs by with a crust of bread in its mouth. Both boys give chase. The boys don't get the bread. The dog runs into a pack of other hungry canines, and a fierce dog-fight begins.

Mishka and Trofim discuss their common problem--and Russia's common problem--hunger. Trofim has been at the station for four days and knows everyone's troubles...even the constantly crying woman who just buried her husband next to the tracks.

Trofim says they should join the Bolsheviks. Mishka warily says he's heard bad things about the Bolsheviks. Trofim reassures him that there are all sorts of Bolsheviks--good and bad.

Mishka and Trofim decide to travel together.

The train gets ready to leave. At first, Mishka and Trofim can't get through the human crush to get aboard. Finally, they manage to evade the keen gaze of the guards and climb aboard the train roof.

25. During the train ride, the woman lying next to Mishka on the roof dies.

For a time, they are pelted with rain. The boys huddle together to keep warm. Each of them is silently happy to have a friend, making their journey easier.