Aksionov was quite aware of the gravity of the offence done by Makar Semyonich. He had tried to make a hole in the prison compound wall and escape. Aksionov found this out accidentally. Makar warned him that he would kill him if he testified against him. Initially, the anger welled up in his heart demanding revenge for the 26 years of prison life. But slowly he made up his mind to keep quiet and let God punish him for the crimes he had committed. He thought, “why should I screen him who ruined my life?” When questioned by the Governor, he kept quiet. He knew deep at heart, if he disclosed the truth, they will flog the life out of him.
