,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,,kostia ,,stooped1 ,,and ,,with ,,strong ,,arms ,,lifted ,,the ,,insensible ,,burden4 ,,on ,,the ,,face ,,of ,,the ,,flood ,by ,,mary ,e4 ,,ropes ,author of ,karl ,jansen's ,find1 ,caroline ,street1 etc4 ,,london ,,the ,,religious ,,tract ,,society #d ,bouverie ,street and #fe ,st4 ,paul's ,churchyard ,e4,c4 ,,contents ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,ring ,,that ,,rolled ,,away ,,ii4 ,,matvey',s ,,plan ,,iii4 ,a ,,dread ,,awakening--,,kidnapped ,,iv4 ,,an ,,ordeal ,v4 ,,eyes ,,shining ,,in ,,the ,,dark ,,vi4 ,,out ,,of ,,evil ,,good ,,vii4 ,,the ,,rescue ,,viii4 ,,sergey ,,meets ,,his ,,aunt ,,ix4 ,a ,,meeting ,,and ,a ,,warning ,x4 ,,trapped ,,xi4 ,,loosing ,,the ,,bonds ,,xii4 ,,homeward ,,bound ,,on ,,the ,,face ,,of ,,the ,,flood ,,chapter ,i ,the ,ring that ,rolled ,away ,,my little son1 ,sergey1 what means this8 ,thou hast a face on thee as long as my axe-handle6 ,is there any fresh trouble1 child8 ,ach1 yes1 ,matvey ,philipitch1 and a very strange trouble it is1 ,god knows6 ,and with a secret to it1 too1 worse luck2 for methinks there is danger for me1 whether ,i find it out or no4 ,a secret1 my boy8 ,a new trouble8 ,and surely thou hadst enough before4 ,but tell it out to me1 so shalt thou rid thy poor little heart of a part1 at least1 of its burden4 ,have you time1 little father1 to listen now8 ,i would fain tell my story at once1 for ,i think ,i cannot bear it any longer alone4 ,yes1 ,i have time1 replied ,matvey4 ,but here in the wood is no place for confidences1 where thine ,uncle ,abram might be hiding1 and spying1 and listening1 as his wont is1 behind the pines4 ,come back with me to my home1 and my good wife and ,i will consult with thee how best to help thee in thy trouble4 ,sergey followed ,matvey farther into the forest1 and came1 after five minutes' walk1 to a solidly built house4 ,it was made of whole pine-tree trunks1 the cracks being filled up with tarred tow4 ,the hut was one of a number scattered about among the trees1 for this was a village of wood cutters and raftsmen4 ,but ,matvey was the foreman and paymaster1 and in virtue of this1 his cottage contained two rooms instead of only the solitary apartment which was kitchen1 bedroom1 and sitting-room1 all in one1 in the other dwellings4 ,matvey was a man in the prime of life1 and far better educated1 and more intelligent1 than the ordinary peasants4 ,sensible1 honest1 and reliable1 he had the full confidence of his employer1 and managed the wood-cutting in the winter1 and the raft-making and launching in the spring1 when the rivers opened their icy eyelids1 and the snows1 melting1 swelled the flow and quickened the sluggish currents4 ,matvey ,philipitch ,strogoff could not only read and write and keep correct accounts for his master1 but he had learned to love his ,bible1 and daily he studied it1 poring thoughtfully over its precious truths1 till they bore fruit in his humble1 consistent1 upright1 ,christian life1 and he became an influence for good in the wild forest where his work lay4 ,his wife1 ,christina ,ivanovna1 was his true helpmeet4 ,and now1 as ,matvey and the boy ,sergey entered the hut1 ,christina welcomed her young visitor very kindly4 ,for well she knew what a miserable life he led with his uncle1 ,abram ,kapoostin1 ever since his parents' death from cholera two years ago4 ,of late1 too1 ,abram's conduct had been so strange1 and he had neglected his duty so often1 disappearing no one knew how1 or whither1 for twenty-four hours at a time1 that the foreman had almost made up his mind to dismiss him4 ,so ,christina was not altogether unprepared for a crisis in the affairs of ,sergey and his uncle1 and was not surprised when her husband said-- ,christina1 little dove mine1 this poor child is in trouble again1 and is come to tell us all about it4 ,now1 ,sergey1 sit down here and tell thy story1 keeping nothing back1 so shall we know how to advise and help thee4 ,so the boy began his tale as follows1 while ,matvey and his wife listened intently-- ,as you well know1 kind friends1 things have grown worse of late4 ,you have seen that my uncle's heart was not in his work1 and often he slipped away1 and no one knew where he went or what he did4 ,nor know ,i even now4 ,but a strange thing happened last night4 ,my uncle came home drunk1 and ,i awoke with the noise he made1 and turning over1 ,i watched him4 ,presently ,i saw him take from his big boot a little leather bag1 and lay it on the table4 ,then there was a chink6 chink6 a ring of metal1 a flash1 and a sparkle1 and something rolled off the table1 and away into a dark corner at the foot of my bed4 ,but ,uncle ,abram was too drunk to notice this4 ,he sat there muttering to himself1 and lifting a lot of bright things in his hands1 and letting them drop1 as though he liked the look and the sound of the golden shower4 ,but after a short time he seemed to grow sleepy1 and putting the jewels back into the bag1 and the bag into his belt1 he threw himself1 just as he was1 upon his bed1 and in two minutes was snoring hard4 ,but this morning1 while we were drinking tea1 he suddenly said to me1 ',sergey1 did ,i wake thee when ,i came in last night8' ,that was a hard question1 little son1 commented ,matvey4 ,how didst thou answer8 ,i knew it was a sin to lie1 replied the boy2 you have taught me that the children of ,god must be true in all things4 ,so ,i took my poor little courage in both hands1 and looking my uncle in the face1 ,i said3 ',yes1 you waked me4' ,then his face grew black with rage1 and he shouted1 ',and if awake1 what didst thou see or hear8' ',and pray1' said ,i1 'what should ,i see or hear8' ,and it was given me to speak quietly and almost carelessly1 though my heart beat like your big clock1 ,matvey ,philipitch4 ,and ,i added1 ',you know1 uncle1 you were very drunk1 as you often are4' ',yes1 yes1 as ,i often am6' he cried1 his anger seeming to calm down suddenly4 ',that is nothing2 that is no secret1 is it8' ,and again he looked at me as if he would read my thoughts4 ',no1' ,i answered1 'certainly it is no secret that you are often drunk4 ,the whole village knows that4' ,then he got up to go out1 but turned at the door4 ',i like not thy face1 nor thy manner this morning1 ,sergey1' he said4 ',see that thou change both1 or ,i will make thee rue it4' ,and with that he was gone4 ,and then ,i ran to the corner whither the bright thing had rolled1 and there1 in the dark and the dust1 ,i found1 shining like a little red lamp1 this6 ,and opening his hand1 he showed in the hollow of the palm1 a broad1 massive gold ring1 in which was set one great ruby1 with a wonderful light deep down in its heart4 ,matvey took it up1 and read1 engraved on the inner side3 ',yevgen to ,elena4' ,strange6 said ,matvey4 ,how came thine uncle1 ,i wonder1 by such a jewel as this8 ,it must be of great value4 ,i know not1 replied the boy1 but therein1 ,i am sure1 lies a wicked secret1 and the thought makes me unhappy4 ,moreover1 he is sure to miss it when he comes to look over the rest of the trinkets1 and he will question me1 and ,i must speak the truth1 and then he will kill me4 ,kill thee1 child8 ,no1 that shall he not1 exclaimed ,matvey4 ,but if thou fear to go home to-night1 thou canst stay here1 and to-morrow ,i will make a plan to rescue thee1 little son1 from the fear and the thrall of this ungodly man4 ,and as for this red stone ring1 shall ,i keep it for the present and lock it up8 ,yes1 please do1 ,matvey ,philipitch1 and so one day we may learn to whom it belongs4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,matvey's ,plan ,,as the good foreman and his wife1 with their young guest1 sat round the table next morning1 drinking their tea out of tumblers1 in true ,russian fashion1 the door was rudely pushed open1 and ,abram ,kapoostin stood there1 glowering at the cosy little group beside the warm stove4 ,pray1 what is the reason of this8 he said1 his thick voice rough with anger4 ,i have been seeking my scoundrel of a nephew all through the wood1 and now1 forsooth1 ,i find him here4 ,what business have you1 ,matvey ,philipitch1 to entice away ,sergey from his uncle and guardian8 ,he did not entice me1 ,sergey began to say1 but the foreman silenced him with a gesture1 and answered ,abram himself4 ,there has been--there could be--no enticing4 ,the boy was frightened and unhappy1 and so came to us1 his friends1 for comfort and protection2 aye1 and he shall have both1 in spite of thee1 ,abram ,kapoostin4 ,the man made no reply1 but glared at ,sergey from under frowning brows4 ,the foreman went on-- ,some time ago1 ,abram1 ,i said plainly to thee that ,i could not suffer thy frequent absences from work1 and that if ,i had to speak again1 ,i should feel it my duty to dismiss thee4 ,me8 ,dismiss me8 growled ,abram4 ,dismiss the best axe in the gang8 ,it is true thou art the best axe--the best workman when thou dost so choose1 replied ,matvey quietly4 ,but more often thou dost not choose4 ,and no one knows what business other than the woodcraft claims thy time1 and keeps thee from thy duty4 ,and moreover1 ,abram1 thou canst not deny that even when thou art here1 the village kabak 7dram-shop7 is haunted by thee1 and most of thy wage is spent on that devil's-fire drink that we call vodki4 ,idle1 surly1 drunken1 unfaithful to ,god and to the master1 an influence for evil in the gang1 a bad example to all the younger men1 a terror to this boy1 whose guardian thou didst promise to be--what hast thou to say for thyself8 ,apparently the man had nothing to say in self-defence2 the accusation was all too true4 ,matvey continued3 ,i have warned thee more than once1 but thou hast not heeded4 ,now the time is past2 ,i warn thee no more1 but dismiss thee4 ,here1 take thy wages and begone1 and see that thy hut is empty and clean by to-morrow1 when a better man shall come to live there4 ,this afternoon ,sergey and ,i shall go over and fetch his things1 but he returns to thee no more4 ,now go6 ,at this stern dismissal1 ,abram's bloodshot eyes fixed themselves threateningly upon ,sergey4 ,all this trouble must be of thy doing1 thou sly fox1 thou thankless little beast6 he roared1 frantic with rage4 ,ach1 well6 ,i will be even with thee yet4 ,i never forget1 ,i never forgive6 ,thou hast compassed my ruin1 and it shall go hard with me but ,i will compass thine4 ,be sure--very sure--of that1 thou backbiting serpent6 ,any more of this1 and ,i give thee in charge of the forest police6 cried ,matvey sternly4 ,get out of my place1 ere ,i lose all patience1 and give thee what thou hast richly earned4 ,there was a tone in the foreman's ringing voice which even the burly1 blustering ,abram could not afford to ignore and disobey4 ,one last baleful gaze he fastened upon the boy's troubled face1 then he was gone4 ,he is furious at the loss of the ring1 ,sergey said1 when the unwelcome visitor had gone1 and ,i am in worse danger than ever4 ,i dare not even work in the forest1 for fear of meeting him4 ,oh1 little father and mother1 what can ,i do8 ,listen1 my son1 said ,matvey4 ,last night the strong south wind and heavy rain made the river ice cracked and rotten1 and in some places there is already open water4 ,to-night or to-morrow the remaining ice will break up and float down the current1 melting as it goes4 ,our ,number #a raft1 the ',swan1' is nearly ready to start1 and thou shalt go on her as cook-boy and helper4 ,what sayest thou1 child8 ,say--,matvey ,philipitch8 ,what can ,i say but a thousand grateful thanks8 ,i shall grieve to leave you and dear1 kind mother ,christina1 but ,i should never have a moment's peace or safety here1 after those awful threats of uncle's4 ,for even though you have dismissed him1 ,matvey ,philipitch1 he may be lurking about in the forest1 watching and lying in wait for me4 ,no1 it is best every way that ,i go on the ',swan1' as you say4 ,if thou shouldst prefer to wait awhile longer under our protection1 child1 the second raft--the ',wild ,goose'--will be going later4 ,no1 father ,matvey1 ,i thank you--but no6 ,i am anxious to be far away as soon as may be4 ,but tell me1 are all the rafts to be birds this year8 ,yes1 we shall have the ',swan1' ',wild ,goose1' ',duck1' ',sea ,gull1' and others4 ,last year we had flowers1 such as the ',water ,lily1' ',sunflower1' and so forth4 ,the men take a pride in their rafts1 and like them to have names4 ,and ,i have known some of them grow so fond of their queer1 unwieldy craft during the long voyage1 that they have wept when they reached their port1 and saw the timbers of the raft taken asunder1 and the little cabin house1 where the raftsmen had cooked1 and eaten1 and slept1 hewn up for firewood4 ,perhaps ,i shall come to love the ',swan' thus1 said the boy4 ,but ,i shall be very lonely without you and mother ,christina4 ,i have friends in three of the towns through which thou wilt pass1 said ,matvey1 and to them ,i will give thee letters in case thou shouldst be sick or in any difficulty4 ,for the rest1 ,ivan1 the skipper of the ',swan1' and his three sons are good1 honest fellows1 and they will be kind to thee4 ,about passports there will be no trouble4 ,my master1 the ,count1 pays for a yearly 'permit1' which includes all his raftsmen1 and ,ivan has the certificate of a raft skipper1 who knows all the shoals1 the currents1 the rocks1 rapids1 and other dangers4 ,the voyage will take the whole summer1 but thou canst return with the men by one of the steam cargo boats1 working thy passage homeward1 and tramping from whatever spot the steamer sets thee and thy companions down4 ,that afternoon ,matvey and ,sergey1 according to their arrangement1 went over to ,abram's hut to get the boy's things4 ,they found him clearing up the place1 and packing his possessions4 ,he looked round as his unwelcome callers appeared1 and his surly face darkened4 ,sorry to trouble thee1 ,abram1 said the foreman pleasantly1 but we need not do so for long4 ,may ,sergey pack away his things in this bag that ,i have brought8 ,yes1 yes6 ,take them and begone6 growled ,abram4 ,i'm glad to be going myself to-morrow4 ,a woodman's life is too dull for me1 and ,i have friends with whom ,i can earn more in a night than ,i could do with my axe in a year4 ,ha6 ,ha6 ,sir ,foreman1 what say you to that8 ,nothing1 save that thou and thy fine friends will most assuredly come to a bad end sooner or later4 ,have done with your warnings1 ,matvey ,philipitch4 ,from this day ,i go my own way1 and none shall hinder me4 ,until ,god hinder thee once for all1 thou stubborn will6 ,and hinder thee ,he shall1 when the measure of thy sins is full6 said ,matvey solemnly4 ,come1 ,sergey1 ,i see thou hast thy goods ready4 ,say farewell to thine uncle4 ,it is not likely that thou and he shall meet again4 ,abram laughed an evil1 sneering laugh4 ,nay1 said he1 ,i am sure to see my dutiful nephew again4 ,you see1 ,matvey ,philipitch1 ,i have a small account to settle with him1 and this ,i would not forego1 if ,i could4 ,well1 said the foreman1 here he is6 ,settle it now6 ,no1 no1 retorted the man rudely4 ,such matters are private between relatives4 ,but ,i only postpone the affair4 ,some day--or1 better still1 some night--,i will settle up old scores with this young rascal1 and if there be anything left of him when ,i have got through1 you are welcome to it1 ,sir ,foreman4 ,come1 little son1 we have stayed long enough--too long6 said ,matvey1 shuddering at the malignant words and look of ,abram ,kapoostin4 ,life is not long enough for us to waste time bandying words with a ruffian such as this4 ,come6 ,,chapter ,,iii ,a ,dread ,awakening--,kidnapped ,,never had the finishing touches of any raft so keenly interested ,sergey1 as these of the ,swan4 ,the chief object in the construction was to float in as small a compass as possible1 as much timber as could be sent safely down the current4 ,this1 and the care necessary to make it lie evenly and securely upon the water1 made the building of the raft far less simple and easy a thing than at first sight it appeared4 ,upon the raft a little house or cabin was erected1 strongly and firmly made1 and into it were packed just the bare necessaries for the long slow voyage1 though of course additional provisions could be obtained1 and certain stores renewed at some of the places passed on the way4 ,the cabin was small1 but it was wonderful how many things it was capable of holding4 ,it contained a little stove which was to answer the treble purpose of warming the people1 cooking the food1 and drying the clothes4 ,a few low stools and a rough table formed the furniture4 ,beds there were none1 but two shelves were used as sleeping-places4 ,and if more than two people wished to sleep at the same time1 there was always the floor4 ,by way of food they had a keg of sour cabbage for soup1 some herrings in brine1 several huge loaves of rye bread1 a wooden bucket of ,finnish salt butter1 and a box of buckwheat grain for porridge4 ,there were an old battered samovar1 a broken-nosed teapot1 a few tin pots and wooden spoons1 and a knife or two1 also two or three earthenware bowls4 ,these things1 with a pound or so of tea and sugar1 just about took up the available space in the little cabin4 ,the brilliant shining of the sun for a day or two had completed the destruction of the ice begun by the south wind and rain4 ,and now no ice was to be seen4 ,the river was in full flood4 ,and the morning came when ,sergey said a grateful farewell to the good foreman and his wife1 and joining ,ivan and his three stalwart sons on the deck of the ,swan1 began his long slow voyage4 ,with the blue sky and golden sunlight over him1 kind people with him1 new scenes and possible adventures before him1 the lad felt lighter of heart than for years past4 ,for1 after all1 he was only thirteen1 and at that age the future looks very fair4 ,all day the ,swan floated at a fair pace down the stream4 ,and as there was a moon that night1 and plenty of light by which to navigate the clumsy craft1 there was no need to stop and moor the raft4 ,right through the peaceful1 solemn night they drifted in the cold white light1 keeping in mid-stream so as to take full advantage of the strong current which prevails in flood-time4 ,the woods were still white with the remains of unmelted snow1 and now and again ,sergey caught a fleeting glimpse of some furtive moving thing among the pine stems1 and heard old ,ivan mutter into his grizzled beard1 ,volk6 7wolf71 or ,zaitsa 7hare71 or ,lysitsa 7fox74 ,that first night on the river ,tihonka was a thing to be remembered for its novelty1 its mystery1 and its beauty4 ,so much absorbed indeed was the boy that ,ivan had to remind him of his duty as cook1 and tell him to prepare supper4 ,all went smoothly enough that night and the whole of the next day1 but towards nightfall the weather changed4 ,a great wind rose1 the sky was overcast1 and the water was lashed to fury wherever there was space enough to be exposed to the gale4 ,we must moor the ',swan' to-night1 said ,ivan4 ,it would not be safe to run her through the darkness4 ,and besides1 we are reaching a rocky part of the river1 and for this we must have light4 ,so when darkness began to settle down1 the raft was moored close in shore1 and the men1 wrapping themselves in their sheepskins1 lay down1 two on the sleeping-shelves1 two on the floor1 and were soon snoring loudly4 ,sergey snuggled into a corner and tried to sleep too4 ,but the cabin was close and stuffy1 and the boy could not close his eyes4 ,longing for a whiff of the fresh1 pine-scented air1 he got up noiselessly1 so as not to rouse the sleepers1 and stepped out on to the deck of the raft1 and thence to a big flat boulder close to which the ,swan was moored4 ,here he sat down1 and presently1 lulled by the soft sounds of the going in the pine tops1 and the swirl of the water1 he fell into a deep slumber4 ,whether he slept for several hours or for only a brief time ,sergey never knew4 ,but he regained consciousness under a suffocating sensation1 and a sickening sense of misfortune and danger4 ,as he came gradually to himself1 he realised that he was no longer sitting on the rock where he had fallen asleep1 but was being carried along in strong arms that seemed to make light of his weight4 ,some sort of a gag had been forced into his mouth1 so that he could not cry out2 nor could he loosen his hands and arms1 so tightly was his sheepskin rolled about him4 ,hardly awake1 he did not struggle at first1 but when he began to kick and writhe1 fighting desperately for freedom1 his worst fears were confirmed1 for a hoarse brutal voice said in his ear1 ,did ,i not tell thee we should meet again1 thou fox--thou wolf-cub8 ,and now ,i have thee1 and thou shalt pay what thou owest1 even to the last copeck4 ,sergey could not answer1 the gag prevented speech1 but he shuddered from head to foot4 ,just when he had thought himself safe for ever from the tyranny of this bad man1 here he was1 in worse case than before1 for ,matvey and ,christina were miles away1 and ,ivan and his sons fast asleep4 ,there is no one to help me6 sighed the poor lad4 ,my uncle may have his will with me now4 ,then the extreme of his misery recalled to ,sergey's mind what he ought to have remembered before1 and a cry went up from the boy's burdened heart to ,him ,who1 watching over ,israel1 slumbers not nor sleeps4 ,sergey could not speak his prayer aloud1 but he knew that the ,heavenly ,father could hear the unspoken prayer1 and it gave him comfort to feel that1 after all1 he was not quite alone or wholly friendless4 ,for ten minutes or so he was carried over what he was sure was very rough ground4 ,then suddenly his bearer seemed to step over some threshold1 and in a blaze of light he was set on his feet1 the gag was removed1 and he found himself in the centre of a barn-like building1 and about him a number of rough-looking men who eyed him curiously4 ,here he is6 said ,abram ,kapoostin4 ,i'd been on a raft too often myself not to know where ,ivan would moor such a night as this4 ,and ,i was lucky to find him outside the cabin instead of in4 ,i swore--comrades mine--that ,i would meet this young fox again1 and ,i have kept my word4 ,now then1 thou young thief and traitor1 what hast thou done with my jewel8 ,,chapter ,,iv ,an ,ordeal ,,it was small wonder that ,sergey for a long minute stood aghast1 helpless with surprise and fear4 ,but with a strong effort he pulled himself together1 reflecting that it was certainly better and safer for him to be with several people than with his uncle alone4 ,and anyway1 as ,matvey had told him1 he was not really friendless1 since the ,heavenly ,father was pledged to guard ,his trusting children1 even as ,he had guarded ,daniel in the den1 and his friends in the burning1 fiery furnace4 ,so when the question was repeated1 ,what hast thou done with my jewel8 ,sergey faced the speaker firmly and said1 ,i have it not2 ,i handed it over to one who will try to restore it to its rightful owner4 ,that am ,i6 shouted ,abram4 ,speak the truth for once1 thou little viper6 ,was not the ruby ring mine8 ,yes1 certainly1 replied ,sergey1 if your name is ,elena4 ,a loud guffaw went round the circle1 and one huge man1 who seemed to be in some sort the leader1 said with a pleased chuckle1 ,he had thee there1 ,kapoostin6 ',yevgen to ,elena' was plainly engraved inside the ring1 said ,sergey4 ,so it could hardly belong to this uncle of mine--at least1 not rightfully4 ,ah6 ,but with us might is right6 replied the big leader4 ,we have been oppressed and down-trodden in the past1 so now we1 in our turn1 have become the oppressors4 ,but all this is not to the point1 interrupted ,abram4 ,i for one believe not what the boy says4 ,he most likely has the jewel hidden away upon his person4 ,captain1 may ,i search him8 ,yes1 answered the big man4 ,but mind1 no violence6 ,you dropped it1 uncle1 and it rolled into a corner when you were very drunk and did not notice4 ,i picked it up and gave it into safe keeping1 and there it is now6 ,so thou sayest6 ,but ,i search thee all the same6 ,sergey submitted silently1 and the search was a thorough one1 but of course no ring was found4 ,so the boy spoke the truth1 said the chief when the search was over4 ,and thou1 ,elena1 must look elsewhere for thy ring4 ,and again a burst of laughter shook the sides of the men4 ,sir ,captain1 said ,sergey1 ,i was just starting on a raft voyage4 ,my friends will miss me and be distressed4 ,have ,i your leave to go back to the river and rejoin them8 ,let him not go1 ,captain6 cried ,abram4 ,he will betray us to the police the next place the raft comes to1 and then we shall be caught and sent to ,siberia4 ,it is quite likely1 ,abram ,kapoostin1 that this1 or worse1 may be thy fate anyway4 ,but as for the boy1 added the ,captain1 well--,i would rather keep him than let him go1 of course1 for he would be useful to us4 ,look here1 youngster6 ,wilt thou join us8 ,we are not altogether a bad lot4 ,if we sometimes rob the rich1 at least we do not harry the poor4 ,some of us are in service1 some are artisans1 others clerks1 and a few are students4 ,when a big1 wealthy house is left in charge of careless or drunken servants we are burglars and take all we can find4 ,and now and again a rich traveller or two pay toll1 but we never maim nor murder4 ,all of us being engaged in some sort of work1 we can only meet occasionally to make plans and compare notes4 ,we have all had grievances in the past1 and now it is sometimes our turn to be on the upper end of the see-saw4 ,why try to explain all this to a mere child1 ,captain8 grumbled ,abram4 ,if you want him1 keep him4 ,i will have him under my eye1 and if he tries to get away1 he shall suffer for it4 ,thanks1 ,kapoostin6 ,when ,i am in need of thine advice1 ,i will ask for it4 ,now1 boy--wilt thou take service--say as page in a nobleman's house 7there are large estates about here71 and secretly be one of us and play into our hands1 meeting with us now and again thus in the forest8 ,there was dead silence for a minute4 ,then the lad's answer came in clear tones3 ,no1 ,sir ,captain1 ,i will not6 ,the men looked at each other in surprise4 ,and why8 demanded the chief4 ,there is more than one reason1 replied ,sergey4 ,let us hear them6 ,first1 ,sir ,captain1 my voyage on the raft was planned on purpose to get me away from my uncle1 because ,i could be neither good nor happy living with him4 ,now for reason number two6 ,i was brought up by my parents1 said ,sergey1 to be honest and truthful1 to believe in a good ,god1 and to try to be obedient and faithful to ,him4 ,i could not continue thus if ,i became one of your band4 ,well now1 said the chief1 looking round at the faces in the torch-light1 with an amused smile on his lips--we have got it this time1 have we not8 ,bless the brat6 ,i would not have him at a gift after that6 ,he shall go back to his raft and be rid of us all1 and especially of this bad-egg uncle of his4 ,he will betray us if you let him go1 ,captain1 said ,kapoostin4 ,i don't think he will1 replied the chief1 and moreover1 ,i don't think he can4 ,he has no idea who we all are1 and as1 at our meetings1 we wear wigs and beards1 he could not recognise any of us1 even if he did happen to meet us elsewhere4 ,but say1 child--wouldest thou betray us--were it in thy power1 and send us to ,siberia8 ,no1 ,sir ,captain1 you have done me no harm2 ,i would not betray you4 ,on thy word of honour8 ,on my word of honour4 ,then farewell1 little lad4 ,farewell1 ,sir ,captain1 and thank you4 ,take him back to the river1 ,kapoostin1 said the big man4 ,and thou1 ,appolon1 go too1 to protect the boy from this uncle of his4 ,and the three passed out of the building and vanished into the darkness of the forest4 ,,chapter ,v ,eyes ,shining in the ,dark ,,no one in the little rafthouse on the ,swan ever knew of ,sergey's adventure that night4 ,for1 tired with the arduous day's work1 and sleepy from fourteen to sixteen hours' exposure to wind and sun1 the raft skipper and his big sons slept heavily to the music of their own snoring4 ,so when the boy1 left at the water's edge by his uncle and the guardian ,appolon1 crept noiselessly into the cabin1 no one stirred foot or hand1 and ,sergey betook himself to his usual corner without disturbing the sleepers4 ,worn out with excitement and weariness1 the boy fell asleep too1 and knew nothing until he was roused by old ,ivan next morning4 ,how now1 little son8 said the kind old voice4 ,thou art not an over early riser1 thou new cook-boy4 ,wake up1 child1 the samovar ought to have been boiling ere this4 ,didst thou sleep well8 ,sergey sat up rubbing his eyes4 ,not very1 ,ivan1 but1 all the same1 ,i should not have been so lazy4 ,i will make haste now and get your tea ready4 ,there were new experiences that day for the lad1 and some were of such interest and novelty that they made him forget the strange happenings of the night before4 ,for after a while the river began to narrow again1 changing into a turbid1 rushing stream1 running in rapids over rocks and stones1 down a somewhat steep incline4 ,it was just above this incline that the men drove their strong poles deep down into the sand and mud at the bottom to arrest the progress of the raft4 ,they then threw out a plank 7so narrow was the channel7 on each side to make bridges to the banks4 ,now1 ,sasha6 ,now1 ,kostia6 cried old ,ivan4 ,quick and lively does it6 ,on shore with you6 ,vassia and ,sergey1 stay with me4 ,in a minute the two elder sons1 each with a coil of rope over his arm1 had crossed the plank bridges1 and now stood on the wooded1 rocky banks1 one on each side4 ,one end of the coils of rope was securely knotted in huge iron rings screwed into the sides of the raft1 while the rest of the rope hung in even coils over the left arm of the young men4 ,now1 children1 are you ready8 shouted ,ivan1 when ,sasha and ,kostia had stood at attention a moment while the ,swan strained against the arresting poles4 ,sergey had meanwhile quickly drawn in the bridge planks1 while ,ivan and ,vassia kept the poles in their places4 ,yes1 all was quite ready1 for ,kostia and ,sasha had now taken a turn of their respective ropes round sturdy tree stems4 ,out with the poles6 ,let her go6 they shouted together4 ,and old ,ivan and ,vassia drew out the poles4 ,the raft made a sudden rush which threw ,sergey down and rolled him into the little cabin4 ,but having gone as far as the stout rope on either side would allow1 the ,swan was again pinned tightly in place by the poles1 while the men on shore ran forward1 and for the second time took a turn of their ropes round the trees4 ,once more the poles were pulled up and the ,swan rushed on until again checked by the ropes4 ,and the same process was repeated until the rapids were past1 and the river broadened out into a quiet expanse of water with a lazy current which bore the ponderous ,swan only very slowly on her way4 ,the shore here was low lying1 and would be marshy when the frost was all out of the earth4 ,but as yet only the surface of the ground was melted1 and in many sheltered places the snow still lay4 ,as the raft drifted easily along1 ,sergey cooked the dinner1 which to-day consisted of cabbage soup1 a dish of baked potatoes1 and a big earthen pot of buckwheat porridge1 with a lump of butter and a handful of salt in it4 ,when the lad saw how these men ate1 he wondered how the raft could be provisioned for so long a voyage1 even with such purchase of food as could be made at the villages or in the towns upon the river4 ,but he had yet to learn that there were ways and means of obtaining food other than by buying4 ,indeed1 that very evening ,ivan called a halt1 and they moored the ,swan close in shore where the water was deep right up to the bank4 ,here they got out fishing-tackle1 and baiting their hooks with bits of salt herring1 they fished over the raft side1 while ,sergey was told to take a hand-net and draw it through the shallows a little farther on4 ,in an hour or two the anglers had caught plenty of large fish to last several days1 while ,sergey had secured a bucketful of small1 silvery fry1 which were consigned at once to strong brine for future use4 ,the larger fish were split open1 cleaned1 rubbed dry1 and laid in salt for twelve hours1 then taken up and spread out on the raft deck to dry4 ,the lesser kinds were cooked at once1 and the boy learned how to fry them in water with plenty of pepper and salt4 ,and he was surprised to find that when the frying-pan had been on the stove for about half an hour the water had turned into savoury gravy1 and the fish floated in a light brown sea4 ,to vary the meals1 ,ivan1 who had an old gun with him1 now and then shot capercailzie and blackcock1 and occasionally a hare1 so that the raftsmen did not fare badly on the whole4 ,one dark night1 the moon hidden1 black clouds gathering1 and a strong wind moaning among the riverside woods1 ,ivan decided that it would not be safe to proceed4 ,so they secured the ,swan to a big tree1 cooked their supper1 and lay down in the cabin as usual to sleep4 ,in the morning the skipper had shot a hare1 which was now hanging on a nail just inside the cabin door4 ,the weather being milder than usual1 the door of the cabin had been left open4 ,the men were soon asleep1 and ,sergey was just dropping off1 when his quick ears caught an unusual sound4 ,first a dull1 soft thud on the raft deck1 and then the cautious tread of light cushioned feet which paused in the open doorway4 ,wondering and somewhat alarmed1 the boy sat up1 and saw1 just by the door1 two great greeny-yellow eyes full of fierce fire4 ,it was far too dark to make out any face or form1 and fascinated and silent with fear1 he could only stare back into the savage1 hungry glare of this invisible intruder4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,out of ,evil ,good ,,suddenly the ferocious gaze was veiled or turned aside1 and ,sergey heard a noise against the wall as of leaping1 clawing1 and tearing4 ,this roused ,ivan who1 grasping his old gun which stood loaded in a corner1 sprang to the doorway just in time to see a large grey1 cat-like animal with tufted ears1 springing off the raft on to the shore4 ,he fired at the retreating robber1 and the creature1 with a yell of rage and pain1 dropped and rolled over on the bank4 ,bring a light1 child6 cried ,ivan4 ,and ,sergey hastily lighted the lantern and looked about to see where the skipper could be4 ,here6 ,i am here6 called ,ivan from the bank1 and the lad noticed that the old man's voice sounded faint4 ,he sprang ashore1 and found ,ivan on his knees beside a huge lynx4 ,the light of the lantern flashed on its glazing eyes1 and sharp white teeth bared in an evil grin4 ,is the beast dead8 inquired ,sergey4 ,yes1 he is dead now1 but he was not when ,i came after him here6 ,and see what he has given me to remember him by6 ,and ,ivan showed his right hand1 which had a ragged deep wound across the back of it1 while the sleeve of his shirt had been torn to shreds by the vicious claws of the big cat1 and the flesh of the arm was scarred as though with barbed hooks4 ,oh1 poor dear ,ivan6 cried the boy4 ,how dreadfully it must hurt6 ,that is not what troubles me1 little son1 replied the old man1 but our voyage has not long begun1 and there are many difficult bits of waterway before us4 ,and ,i fear ,i shall be unable to use my hand for a long while4 ,no1 ,i fear you are right4 ,but as we are coming to a town to-morrow1 you must surely see a surgeon1 and hear what he says4 ,i will1 child2 thou sayest well6 ,but now call my sons1 for they must take this beast's skin4 ,it is a good one1 and we can sell it as soon as we got to the town of ,krasnoi-,yablok4 ,ivan's hand and arm were roughly swathed with a wet towel1 ,vassia and ,sergey acting as dressers1 while ,kostia and ,sasha skinned the lynx1 and pegged the skin and feet out on the raft deck to dry in the wind4 ,poor ,ivan suffered much pain during the next few hours1 but he made no complaint1 and early next morning the raft was tied up close to the wharf of ,krasnoi-,yablok4 ,and ,ivan1 taking the boy with him1 found his way to a hospital where a doctor and surgeon were attending to out-patients4 ,the latter carefully examined the skipper's injuries1 which he said might become serious and even dangerous unless fully cleansed and dressed every day4 ,he also warned ,ivan that if he proceeded on his voyage1 the chances were that he might have an illness which would prove fatal4 ,but1 ,sir ,doctor1 ,i am in charge of the big ',swan' raft1 said ,ivan4 ,my sons are willing1 good lads1 but as yet they are inexperienced4 ,how can ,i trust them to take the raft on8 ,then too1 here is this boy1 for whom ,i am responsible2 ,i promised to look after him1 and ,i am loath to neglect my duty4 ,when ,god makes impossible to us what we considered our duty1 said the surgeon1 with a grave smile1 should it not convince us that the path of duty lies elsewhere8 ,ivan looked up quickly and crossed himself devoutly4 ,you are right1 good ,sir ,doctor6 ,the will of ,god be done6 ,if thou fearest that thy sons cannot safely take the raft farther without thee1 skipper1 why not all remain here until thy wounds are healed enough for thee to travel8 ,nay1 ,sir ,doctor1 that cannot be1 for our firm is under contract to get the rafts to their terminus in a given time1 with a margin of only a few days4 ,so that whether ,i stay or not1 the ',swan' must go4 ,then thou must settle matters as thou best can1 good skipper4 ,i can say no more4 ,and the surgeon turned away to another patient4 ,ivan1 listen6 said ,sergey in low tones4 ,since ,i go on the raft that will make a fourth hand2 and ,kostia is so clever and strong that he can surely be skipper for a time4 ,stay here and get cured1 and then come on by train1 and join the ',swan' farther down4 ,ivan thought silently for a minute4 ,then he said1 ,yes1 ,sergey1 little son1 thy counsel is good4 ,so be it6 ,and the matter was thus settled4 ,the ,swan was not to start until late in the afternoon1 so ,sergey wandered about the town1 looking in at shop-windows1 and much interested in watching some of the showy vehicles and well-dressed people who had apparently driven in from surrounding estates4 ,presently his whole attention was fixed upon a handsome couple who alighted from their open carriage in front of a jeweller's shop1 near the door of which ,sergey was standing4 ,come in here with me1 ,elena dear1 said the gentleman4 ,we will try in some sort to replace thy losses4 ,those forest banditti near ,glynoi-,liess took most of thine ornaments1 did they not8 ,was ever carriage tour so disastrous before6 ,come in1 my dove1 and choose some for thyself4 ,there was only one thing1 ,yevgen1 that ,i have grieved and even wept over1 replied the lady1 and that is the ruby ring thou gavest me on my wedding-day4 ,i never cease to miss it4 ,it was the most precious thing ,i had1 and now ,i shall never see it again4 ,thus spake the lady1 and she was about to follow her husband into the shop1 when a hand gently touched her arm1 and a voice that trembled with earnestness said1 ',this is the ,lord's doing1 and it is marvellous in our eyes6' ,yes1 most gracious ,barrina1 for you 'shall' see your jewel again6 ,it is in safe hands2 ,i know1 and can tell you in whose6 ,there can be no mistake6 ,is it not a great red stone with a heart of fire1 and inside the gold ring is engraved1-- ',yevgen to ,elena'8 ,yes6 ,yes6 ,those are the words1 but child1 child1 who art thou8 ,,chapter ,,vii ,the ,rescue ,,the raft had started on her voyage again4 ,sergey had told the lady ,elena his story1 or at least that part of it relating to his uncle ,abram ,kapoostin1 and to the finding of the ring4 ,he had given her ,matvey's address1 and had also himself written a few lines to the foreman1 for the lady to enclose4 ,and then he bade an affectionate farewell to old ,ivan1 adding that he hoped to see him again very soon1 when he should join the ,swan later on4 ,but it was rather a depressed little company that started the raft again4 ,kostia1 as skipper1 felt the responsibility1 and the other three missed the serene presence and quiet confidence of the old veteran whose every summer1 for the last thirty years1 had been spent in this kind of life4 ,but1 after all1 the thing could not be helped1 and they must make the best of it4 ,if each did his utmost1 disaster might be averted1 and at least they would have nothing with which to reproach themselves4 ,the first night they were all too much excited and too anxious to sleep4 ,it was bright moonlight1 and a calm1 open waterway1 so that there was no difficulty about going on1 but the absence of the old skipper was enough to make them all doubly watchful4 ,as the weather was not cold1 the four spent the night on the raft deck4 ,and as the day began to break1 they too felt light at heart and happier about the voyage before them4 ,in the course of the morning they successfully worked their way down some rapids1 and swung round a curve in the river just below1 without coming into collision with any of the rocks that were scattered about4 ,and after this they all gained confidence4 ,it was evident that ,kostia1 had studied his father's methods to some purpose1 and the rest of the crew began to trust him implicitly and obey orders without question4 ,when ,sergey was not busy in the cabin1 he lent a hand in managing the raft1 and was quite pleased at being allowed to take his part in the work4 ,so for a week they drifted down the streams1 borne on the spring flood4 ,once1 while fishing1 they caught an enormous sturgeon1 but before they could secure it with net and spike1 it had broken the strong line and vanished into the depths from which it had come4 ,one day1 soon after they had passed a little waterside village1 they spied1 just ahead of the raft1 what looked like a bundle of clothes in the water4 ,they could see that it was gradually sinking1 and presently it would be entirely submerged4 ,what can that be8 said ,kostia1 who1 pole in hand1 was keeping the ,swan from coming too near the bank4 ,for the river here1 though deep and rapid1 was narrow4 ,just then a little wave turned the bundle over1 and a white face was upturned to the sky4 ,look6 ,look6 exclaimed ,sasha4 ,it is a woman6 ,and we must get her out quickly1 added ,kostia4 ,another minute and she will sink6 ,so saying1 he stepped to the edge of the raft on the right side4 ,sasha6 cried he4 ,stand by with the boat-hook1 but mind you only catch her clothes1 ,vassia1 keep the raft steady1 and steer a bit to the left4 ,sergey1 go and see to the samovar and make some tea4 ,there were a few anxious moments while each member of the little company carried out the orders of the young skipper4 ,then ,kostia stooped1 and with strong arms lifted the insensible burden that ,sasha drew in with his boat-hook4 ,take her into the cabin and slip off that sodden cloak1 and try to get her warm1 said ,kostia4 ,i don't think she's dead4 ,she does not look to me as though she had been very long in the water4 ,vassia and ,sergey bore the poor creature into the cabin1 where the little stove was brightly burning4 ,here they laid her down1 unhooked and drew away her thick cloak1 chafed her hands1 and poured a little warm tea between her pale lips4 ,and1 much to their delight1 after about twenty minutes she began to revive1 and presently she sat up and looked wonderingly about her4 ,what is this8 she said faintly4 ,where am ,i8 ,who are you8 ,have no fear1 ,matushka6 said ,vassia1 kindly4 ,you are safe1 and with friends4 ,we are raftsmen1 and but now we fished you up out of the water4 ,the water8 ,ach1 yes6 she replied in a weak voice4 ,he pushed me in6--like father like son6--and left me to drown4 ,he was drunk--so drunk--and did not know what he was doing4 ,and the water was deep1 and ,i could not get back to the bank4 ,and this man1 said ,vassia1 is he your husband8 ,my husband8 ,ach1 no6 ,though1 for the matter of that1 he would doubtless have done the same4 ,but this was my husband's father4 ,when my husband deserted me1 ,i kept house for my father-in-law4 ,but there is no peace nor happiness to be had with any of the family4 ,assuredly ,god's curse rests on the ,kapoostins root and branch4 ,the ,kapoostins8 exclaimed ,sergey4 ,said you the ,kapoostins8 ,yes2 that they are all bad alike--thieves1 drunkards1 liars1 cruel as death4 ,but why art thou staring so1 child8 ,what is it to thee8 ,what is it to me1 ,matushka8 ,why1 my uncle is a ,kapoostin1 said the boy1 and my mother was his sister--no1 his half-sister4 ,is thine uncle's name ,abram8 ,yes1 it is4 ,how did you guess that8 ,easily enough1 she said indifferently1 wringing the water out of her long brown hair4 ,abram is my husband1 who left me years ago4 ,why1 none of us at ,glynoi-,liess ever thought that he was married1 said ,sergey4 ,no8 ,well1 he can keep a secret when he likes2 also to ,abram ,kapoostin a big lie is easier than the truth4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,sergey ,meets ,his ,aunt ,,just then ,kostia came into the cabin4 ,vassia1 said he1 go and help ,sasha4 ,i would speak with our passenger1 and he smiled pleasantly4 ,i came1 he added1 as his young brother left the cabin1 to ask what we are to do with you1 good ,matushka4 ,we are all men here1 and have no place for a woman1 so that we cannot offer to carry you far4 ,would you like us to stop now1 and put you on shore8 ,i was just telling this boy and the young man you call ,vassia1 replied the woman1 that ,i had been pushed into deep water by my drunken father-in-law1 for whom ,i had kept house and worked hard ever since my husband deserted me4 ,and this lad tells me1 she continued1 with a little friendly nod at ,sergey1 that my husband1 ,abram ,kapoostin1 is his uncle on the mother's side4 ,so he is2 ,i know that well6 replied ,kostia4 ,strange that you should turn out to be his wife6 ,we have all believed him to be a single man4 ,but now1 ,matushka1 tell me what we shall do for you4 ,for every moment we are getting farther away from your home4 ,do you wish to return to your father-in-law8 ,no6 ,a thousand times no6 answered the woman4 ,then have you no friends anywhere near1 to whom you could go8 ,there are some people ,i know in the next town you come to4 ,i dare say ,i could get work there4 ,kostia1 thought a moment1 then he said-- ,the next town is ,krasnoi-,puil2 we get there about nine o'clock to-night4 ,and as the weather is changing and storm threatens1 we shall probably lie up in shelter of the quay all night4 ,i have never had a ,tiotia 7aunt7 before1 said ,sergey1 and ,i do wish1 ,kostia1 that ,i could have kept her a little longer4 ,thou canst see her again1 ,sergey1 on thy return journey1 said ,kostia4 ,those cargo boats stop at all the towns on the river1 and we will find out thy ,tiotia if she will give us the name and address of her friends4 ,and your name1 what is it1 my aunt8 asked the boy4 ,i am ,olga--,olga ,kapoostin1 and my friends are the ,kierayoffs1 at number #aj ,black ,street4 ,and ,kostia1 wrote down names and address on a small slate hung against the cabin wall4 ,so1 said he1 we shall find you when we return this way in autumn1 before the hard frosts begin4 ,and now1 good ,matushka ,olga1 ,sergey and ,i will leave thee to dry thy clothes at the stove1 for it is ill work sitting in wet things4 ,come1 child1 ,i would give thee a lesson in steering the ',swan4' ,for who knows how soon thou mayest be called to act as skipper6 ,and he laughed genially at his little joke4 ,that evening1 after supper which ,olga prepared--much to ,sergey's satisfaction--aunt and nephew had the chance of a little quiet talk4 ,he told her1 in answer to questions--all about his uncle1 her husband--and how1 by the advice of the foreman1 ,matvey ,philipitch1 he had started on the raft to get right away from the wretched life he was leading1 and the danger in which at last he had found himself4 ,and ,olga1 in her turn1 told him how ,abram had left her years ago1 taking with him their only child1 a little girl called ,dunia4 ,he had no child at ,glynoi-,liess2 of that ,i am sure1 said ,sergey4 ,he gave us all to understand that he was a single man4 ,down ,olga's sad1 worn face great tears ran4 ,i never want to see him again1 she said4 ,but oh1 what would ,i not give to know what he has done with my dear little girl6 ,life is very hard1 ,sergey1 for us poor folk4 ,living or dying1 there is no help and no comfort4 ,ah1 say not so1 ,tiotia mine6 cried the boy earnestly4 ,my parents taught me1 and so also ,matvey ,philipitch1 our foreman1 that even when we feel ourselves most alone1 most desolate1 our ,heavenly ,father is watching over us1 pitying us1 loving us all the time4 ,and1 indeed1 ,tiotia dear1 of late ,i have come to know what a very real thing is the ,presence of ,god1 and ,his great love shown in our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 ,and ,i love to read in the ,gospels the wonderful things written there1 and ,i1 too1 want to be the ,lord's disciple1 and to follow ,him in all things4 ,have you a ,new ,testament1 ,tiotia ,olga8 ,no1 ,i have never had one4 ,i can read quite well1 and write too1 but have never had a book belonging to me4 ,well1 look here1 said the lad1 drawing a little volume from his pocket4 ,here is the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john1 which ,i will give you for your own4 ,you need not mind taking it1 for ,i know it almost all by heart4 ,and when you read therein of ,god's great love in sending ,his ,son1 and of the good deeds and sweet words of that ,son1 you will be helped and comforted as ,i have been4 ,i promise thee1 child1 that ,i will diligently study this book4 ,and you will pray for light and guidance to understand it1 ,tiotia8 ,i will indeed4 ,and ,i will pray for you1 said the boy4 ,do so1 dear child6 ,we ought to feel for each other1 ,sergey1 for we have some experiences alike4 ,i am fleeing from one ,kapoostin--thou from another4 ,my life has been in danger from my father-in-law1 thine from his son4 ,but now1 thank ,god1 said ,sergey1 we have both given our enemies the slip4 ,your ,kapoostin will think you drowned1 and mine knows now that ,i am well beyond his reach4 ,so1 ,tiotia dear1 we will not despair any longer1 but thank ,god and take courage4 ,that night the ,swan reached ,krasnoi-,puil and was moored to a ring in the stone quay4 ,and ,olga parted from the three brothers and from ,sergey with grateful acknowledgments1 and betook herself to her friends in the town4 ,while the raftsmen and their cook-boy1 tired with the day's work1 lay down early to sleep1 so as to gain strength for the duties of the coming day4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,a ,meeting and a ,warning ,,it was just about a week after the adventure with ,olga ,kapoostin that on drifting down to the landing-stage of a riverside village late one afternoon1 the young raftsmen were gladdened by the sight of a tall1 grey-bearded man standing on the bank4 ,it was ,ivan himself1 healed of the lynx-bite1 in excellent spirits1 and very happy to see again his three sons1 the little cook-boy1 and his beloved ,swan4 ,i arrived by train this morning1 said he1 and came down to watch for you1 as1 from what ,i could hear1 ,i judged that you had not yet passed down the river4 ,and glad ,i am1 my children1 to set my old eyes upon you all once more1 and find you safe and well4 ,for which ,god be thanked4 ,and the old man doffed his cap and bowed reverently4 ,the ,swan1--reprovisioned for her further voyage1--was about to be unmoored1 when a wharf watchman came up1 and made a sign that he would speak with ,ivan4 ,the old man1 rope in hand1 stepped ashore again4 ,what is it1 ,gregori8 said he4 ,only this1 replied the watchman in low tones4 ,keep an eye on the banks as you go1 skipper1 and hold to mid-stream wherever you can4 ,there has been a wood-famine hereabouts1 and timber is scarce4 ,a man called ,yefraim ,issakoff has a saw-mill not far from here1 and of late it has been stopped quite often for want of tree stems to saw up4 ,he is not over-particular as to how or where he gets his material1 and he won't pay for anything that he can steal4 ,but forewarned is forearmed4 ,thou art no novice1 ,skipper ,ivan1 and wilt know how to be careful4 ,i thank thee1 friend6 replied the old man4 ,it is kind of thee to give me this warning4 ,i will keep mine eyes open1 and no one shall take my ',swan' from me if ,i can help it4 ,and after a few more words1 the raft was started1 but not before both ,ivan and ,kostia had noticed1 standing on the bank at a short distance1 a slim1 sly-looking youth1 with a greasy cap crushed down over his eyes4 ,he had1 moreover1 a bright red scar across his left cheek1 which made his face one to be remembered4 ,but just as the raft began to glide down the stream1 the young stranger disappeared1 and the raftsmen drew their own conclusions as to his reasons for having watched them4 ,look here1 ,rebiata 7children71 said ,ivan1 that fellow1 ,i am certain1 is a spy in the hire of ,issakoff of the saw-mill1 farther down the river4 ,he has taken stock of us1 and now is gone to report us to his master4 ,i have been warned that he may try in some way to get possession of the raft4 ,but perhaps we can manage to slip through his hands without having to fight him2 that is1 my children1 if for an hour or so1 you are willing to work extra hard8 ,try us1 father6 ,we shall not disappoint thee1 said ,kostia4 ,and ,sasha1 ,vassia1 and ,sergey backed him up manfully4 ,well then1 said the old man1 you see1 all of you1 how sluggish is the current here1 and that the ',swan' hardly seems to move4 ,of course1 ,issakoff is reckoning upon this1 and can very well guess just how long it will take us1 in an ordinary way1 to reach some lonely1 convenient place1 where he and his fellows can1 by trick or by force1 make us give up the raft4 ,which we will not do6 muttered ,kostia in his deep voice4 ,which most assuredly we will not do6 chimed in the others4 ,well1 listen1 children6 ,one way in which ,i have known a raft stopped1 is like this4 ,a stout rope is stretched across a narrow part of the river1 and just under the surface of the water1 to catch that portion of the raft which is beneath1 and arrest its progress4 ,then1 while the raftsmen are wondering what is the matter1 and getting in each other's way to find out1 some men appear1 as though accidentally1 in a boat1 and offer their help4 ,while they are helping1 the raft is drawn nearer and nearer to one of the banks1 and here the rest of the timber robbers are ready waiting1 and the raft is speedily taken to pieces and carried off4 ,and what becomes of the raftsmen8 asked ,sergey4 ,well1 sometimes 7to their shame be it said71 they take a bribe and a bottle of vodki to keep the thing secret1 and they make up a story for their master about having lost the raft in the rapids1 or smashed it up on the rocks4 ,and now and then their master never hears of either men or raft again1 for they find it safer to disappear4 ,well1 father1 said ,kostia1 since we are not such raftsmen as these1 what is thy plan for us8 ,it is this1 replied the skipper4 ,if ,issakoff tries the rope trick1 it will certainly be at the bend lower down1 where the river narrows in the curve4 ,but he will not expect us to be there for at least two hours more1 the current being so slow4 ,now1 children1 supposing we could be there in one hour instead of double that time1 we might get past that curve before he is ready for us4 ,afterwards the stream broadens out1 and the land on each side is marshy1 and the rope trick would be impossible4 ,but how are we going to send the ',swan' along thus quickly1 father8 asked ,sasha4 ,my son1 if two strong men towed it1 one on either bank1 we could more than double our pace4 ,good6 ,good6 ,batiuska6 ,the two strong men shall be ,sasha and myself6 cried ,kostia4 ,so be it1 my children6 ,but in case of the rope being stretched across early1 it would be well for one of you to crouch in the front of the raft1 with my big hunting-knife in his hand4 ,then the very instant the rope is reached1 cut it through1 and we go on at speed again without a minute's delay4 ,sergey1 that task shall be thine6 ,how thankful ,i am that thou art skipper once more1 father6 said ,kostia1 as the old man punted the raft to one bank and landed his eldest son1 and then to the opposite side to set ,sasha on shore4 ,i should never have known what to do4 ,are the towing-ropes firmly fastened in the rings1 children8 cried the old man4 ,pull1 then1 with all your might6 ,and thou1 little ,sergey1 sit here1 and be ready with the knife4 ,,chapter ,x ,trapped ,,no doubt ,yefraim ,issakoff of the saw-mill was wise enough to know that none of the usual modes of deception would be of any use with such an experienced skipper as old ,ivan4 ,and the spy had probably witnessed and duly informed his master that the clever raftsman had joined the ,swan at the last stopping-place4 ,so1 putting their wicked heads together1 ,issakoff and his men devised another method which they thought was sure of success4 ,meanwhile1 the ,swan1 towed at a fine pace by ,kostia and ,sasha--reached the narrow place where the river began to curve1 and it found no rope stretched under water to bar their progress4 ,the sturdy towing-men were to have been taken on board just before the curve was reached1 as they would be needed for working the poles and steadying the raft amid the rush and swirl of the water4 ,but just as the ,swan was about to pick up first one1 then another of the skipper's sons1 there came an agonised scream from the river round the corner and out of sight of the raftsmen4 ,help6 ,help6 again yelled the voice4 ,i perish6 ,i drown6 ,oh help6 ,the screams diverted the attention of ,kostia and ,sasha1 who1 instead of trying to board the ,swan1 pressed forward to the point of land that formed the river's curve4 ,deprived of their help1 it was all that ,ivan1 ,vassia1 and ,sergey could do1 to get the clumsy craft round the corner4 ,and as it was1 the dash of the water swept the ,swan once sharply against the rock1 and but for the old skipper's outstretched hand1 ,sergey would have been jerked off into the water4 ,as soon as the raft had rounded the curve1 those on the deck1 and ,kostia and ,sasha on opposite banks--could see a man struggling in the water4 ,the two young men rushed forward1 ready to plunge to his rescue1 when suddenly the drowning man's left cheek came to view1 and lo1 across it flamed the scarlet mark4 ,also1 at that very moment1 it flashed upon all the witnesses1 both on and off the raft1 that the so-called drowning man was a fraud1 and only pretending to be in distress4 ,hold1 ,sasha6 cried ,kostia from the edge of the stream4 ,do nothing6 ,it is the spy6 ,father1 take us on board quick6 ,you need not stop1 come near the bank1 and ,i will leap1 and then we will pick up ,sasha from his side4 ,but almost before the words were out of his mouth1 a strong noosed cord was thrown round him from behind1 where the trees were thick1 and the deepest shadows fell4 ,and at the same moment ,sasha too dropped to the ground on the bank1 captured in the same manner by invisible enemies4 ,in a trice the nooses were drawn taut round the shoulders and arms of the young men1 and they were fastened to pine-trees4 ,others of the enemy caught the raft by means of boat-hooks strapped to long poles1 and in spite of all that ,ivan1 ,vassia1 and ,sergey could do1 the ,swan was pulled to shore and made fast1 and the old skipper and his son were bound just as ,kostia and ,sasha had been4 ,in the struggle and confusion1 however1 ,sergey was overlooked1 and so managed to slip out of sight and hide4 ,but as soon as the marauding party began to move away with their prisoners1 the boy followed1 hiding and dodging among the trees1 rightly judging that as he was free1 he might perhaps be of service later4 ,the raft could not well be broken up before morning1 so it was safe enough at the bank4 ,sergey1 keeping the raiders and their four prisoners well in sight1 followed through the wood1 and from the thick shelter of the undergrowth watched the whole party emerge into a wide open space where stood the saw-mill1 and near it a house and a shed4 ,he noticed that ,sasha was one of the prisoners1 so that the men who secured him on the other bank of the river1 must have punted him across4 ,and the lad wondered at the care and fore-thought spent in making their wicked plan so successful4 ,he saw the prisoners thrust into the shed1 and a heavy bolt shot home to keep them safe4 ,all the raiders went into the house1 and ,sergey noticed how one room on the ground-floor was lighted up just after the men entered4 ,after a while1 he ventured to come out from his hiding-place1 and peep in through the uncurtained window1 which1 though covered nearly all over with dust and dirt1 had one clean corner which gave him a good view4 ,he saw the whole party gathered round a table on which were two huge bottles of vodki and a number of glasses4 ,at the head of the table sat a middle-aged1 wicked-looking man1 to whom the rest seemed to defer4 ,this1 ,sergey was sure1 must be ,yefraim ,issakoff1 the owner of the saw-mill4 ,the men were a rough1 wild set of follows1 just the sort to carry out the bidding of such a master4 ,in these lonely places all kinds of crimes are committed and go unpunished1 for the police are few1 even in the towns1 and are so wretchedly paid that they are always open to a bribe from any malefactor who will make it worth while for them to shut their official eyes4 ,meanwhile1 the only member of the ,swan's crew at liberty1 and fully realising how much might depend upon his knowing the exact position of affairs1 ,sergey watched and listened intently1 seeing and hearing all that passed4 ,well1 my men1 roared ,issakoff1 we've made a grand haul to-night6 ,ay1 it was a fine bit of work1 it was1 responded the spy2 especially my drowning4 ,thou hast always some compliment to pay thyself1 young ,scratch-face6 said another of the men4 ,by my faith1 if thou-- ,i suppose that barn is safe8 interrupted ,issakoff4 ,ay1 we could keep a wild bull in it1 replied a big burly man who was shaggy enough for a bear4 ,it's as strong as a prison4 ',what became of that boy8 inquired ,issakoff4 ,there 'was' a boy1 wasn't there8 ,at this mention of himself1 that boy cowered to the earth for a minute or two1 but he could hear the reply in the spy's voice4 ,yes1 ,i think there was a boy1 but he doesn't count2 he was quite small1 and ,i dare say he was drowned4 ,we'll hope so1 rejoined ,issakoff4 ,now1 brothers1 pass the bottles round4 ,no need to keep sober to-night4 ,the raft is ours1 the men are safe1 and if there is any fuss to-morrow1 ,i shall lodge information in the next town and say ,i caught them carrying off my property1 and so ,i took their raft for compensation4 ,so now1 my children1 let us drink to the song of the dying ',swan1' and to-morrow the ',swan' will be dead6 ,and ,yefraim ,issakoff lifted his glass high in air1 and laughed loud and long4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,loosing the ,bonds ,,sergey waited and watched until1 overcome with vodki fumes1 all the men were lying round helpless1 and many of them snoring4 ,not till then did he feel it safe to give up his anxious peering in at the window and steal down to the shed4 ,very slowly and softly he drew back the bolt1 making no noise4 ,it is ,i--,sergey1 he whispered4 ,here is my knife6 ,let me cut your bonds4 ,be very still and come quickly down to the bank4 ,the ',swan' is there quite safe4 ,chafing their stiff and swollen arms1 the four men stole out of the shed and followed the lad down to the river4 ,there was the ,swan untouched4 ,so secure in his possession of it had ,issakoff felt himself that he had not removed even a single thing from the cabin4 ,in fear and trembling1 in such haste as they could combine with absence of noise1 they got on board1 and loosed the raft from her moorings4 ,and as they pushed off with the boat-hook into mid-stream1 the old skipper sobbed like a child1 and his sons cried too for company4 ,but ,sergey was too happy for tears2 he was overcome with thankfulness4 ,kneeling down bareheaded on the deck1 he poured out his prayer out of a full1 glad heart4 ,o dear1 kind ,lord1 he said1 it is quite true what we have heard--that ,thou deliverest those that look unto ,thee2 for lo1 ,thou hast delivered us as ,thou didst ,thy servant ,daniel in the lion's den1 and the three ,hebrew youths in the fiery furnace1 and ,st4 ,peter in the prison1 and ,david from the giant4 ,and now1 good ,god1 we thank and bless ,thee1 that here we are before ,thee1 under ,thine open sky1 and on our dear raft once more4 ,watch over us still1 we pray2 protect us all the way1 and teach us to love ,thee better and to trust ,thee wholly4 ,forgive us all our sins1 and make us truly ,thy children1 for ,christ's sake4 ,amen1 said four husky men's voices4 ,and the lad1 opening his eyes1 saw ,ivan and his sons all reverently kneeling1 and realised that it had been given him to voice a prayer for them all4 ,and now1 said ,sergey1 ,i am sure you must be needing food1 as ,i am myself4 ,so ,i go to prepare supper1 and he vanished into the cabin4 ,the next place they came to was a large straggling village1 and here they bought butter and vegetables1 and ,ivan called on the chief man there1 related the adventure of the night before1 and begged him to telegraph back at once to the town so that the authorities should take measures to prevent such a thing happening again4 ,for1 he added1 we have other rafts following shortly1 and unless safety be assured to us1 we must make formal complaint at the capital1 and have proper inquiry1 and ,issakoff and his men put under arrest4 ,at this1 the elder of the village promised to attend to everything1 and made a note of the name and the address of the owner of the saw-mill4 ,and now the raft was once more ready to start1 and ,kostia was just going to push off when a woman1 accompanied by a girl of about ,sergey's age1 hurried down to the water's edge4 ,stop a minute--only a minute6 she cried4 ,i want to ask a question4 ,quick1 then1 ,matushka1 said ,ivan2 we must be off at once4 ,i will not keep thee long1 pleaded the stranger4 ,tell me1 please1 whence comes thy raft8 ,from far up the river--a place in the forest called ,glynoi-,liess1 replied ,ivan4 ,hast thou1 asked the woman1 ever met thereabouts a man called ,abram ,kapoostin8 ,again that abhorred name6 rapped out the old man impatiently4 ,of course1 yes1 my good woman1 ,i know him--more's the pity6 ,for there are some kinds of knowledge that we should be better without4 ,hear my reason for asking1 said the woman4 ,years ago now a man came to this village one day with a child--his little daughter4 ,at this1 ,sergey eagerly turned his head and listened4 ,i had a small shop in the village1 the woman went on1 and he came in and bought a loaf and some kringles on a string1 and then said1 ',good ,matushka1 might ,i leave my little girl with you just while ,i make a call or two on business8 ,i will return in an hour4' ',thou must tell me thy name first1' ,i said4 ',i am ,abram ,kapoostin1' he answered1 'and this is my little daughter1 ,dunia4 ,my wife is dead1 and ,i am going to try and make a new home somewhere up the river4' ',very well1' ,i said1 'leave the child then1 if thou wilt1 but leave also that bundle thou hast on thine arm4 ,it will be safe here1 and would only cumber thee in thy visits4' ,so1 very unwillingly1 and with a hateful look on his ugly face1 he handed me the bundle1 after first taking from it some things and stuffing them into his pockets4 ,then1 with not so much as a 'thank you1' he went his way1 and from that day to this ,i have never seen him again4 ,believe me1 this is the truth6 ,believe thee8 ,of course6 cried ,ivan4 ,i know the man well enough1 and he is a walking lie4 ,is this his child8 ,a nice girl1 and1 thank ,god1 not like her father in face6 ,i love her and would not part from her1 said the woman1 but my health has failed1 and ,i can no longer work for our living4 ,a married sister would have me live with her1 but she will not have ,dunia1 and ,i know not what to do with her4 ,but1 said ,ivan1 thou wouldst not send her back to her father1 surely8 ,and1 besides1 put in ,kostia1 he is no longer at ,glynoi-,liess1 and we know not where he is4 ,why not take her to her mother8 spoke up ,sergey4 ,she is not so very far off1 only at ,krasnoi-,puil with the ,kierayoffs1 ,number #aj ,black ,street4 ,the old skipper turned round in astonishment4 ,and pray1 whence hast thou learnt all this1 ,sergey8 said he4 ,ach1 ,batiuska1 said ,kostia1 all this happened while ,i was skipper4 ,we will tell thee about it presently4 ,good6 ,then now we can start4 ,do thou1 good ,matushka1 take the girl to her mother at ,krasnoi-,puil1 so shall all be well4 ,and now1 farewell6 ,the rest of the voyage was through more civilised regions1 and no serious mishaps befell the ,swan4 ,once the raft was nearly run down by a steamer4 ,and on another occasion1 while moored to the bank1 she was suddenly boarded for a moment by a runaway horse4 ,but it only touched its flying hoofs to the deck1 and splashed wildly into the water on the other side1 and as the crew was in the cabin at supper1 no one was hurt4 ,the remainder of the journey along the waterway was tedious and uninteresting1 and the little party of five was glad enough to reach their destination--one of the larger cities--and to consign their raft to its rightful owner4 ,as soon as they had done this1 they began to make tracks for home1 and left all together by the first cargo boat that was going a few miles upstream4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,homeward ,bound ,,nothing of any moment happened to the raftsmen and their cook-boy till they reached ,krasnoi-,puil1 where they had landed ,olga ,kapoostin4 ,there they would have a day to wait before a cargo boat called that would take them up the stream4 ,so while the young men called on their friends1 ,ivan and ,sergey went exploring in search of ,number #aj1 ,black ,street4 ,and as they neared the house1 they saw1 standing out in a small garden1 and washing clothes in a huge tub1 ,olga ,kapoostin1 looking very well and happy1 while near her1 wringing out soapsuds over another tub1 previous to rinsing in the river1 was a pretty girl of thirteen1 her short flaxen hair curling all over her little head like a boy's4 ,ach1 ,tiotia6 ,tiotia ,olga6 cried ,sergey1 running and throwing his arms round his ,aunt's neck4 ,and here1 too1 dear boy1 is thy cousin ,dunia1 said ,olga4 ,it is thanks to thee1 they tell me1 that ,i have my girl again4 ,thou hast no sister1 ,sergey1 let ,dunia be one to thee6 ,for are not cousins next best to sisters8 ,then while the children roamed away together1 ,olga told old ,ivan her story4 ,and he vowed1 in his righteous indignation1 that when he reached home1 ,abram ,kapoostin should not go unpunished4 ,just as they were parting1 ,olga said1 ,as thou goest up the river1 kind ,ivan1 alighting here and there1 wilt thou1 in thy goodness1 ask those whom thou dost meet1 if they can tell thee where is my young brother ,appolon--,appolon ,gorlieff8 ,he was footman when last ,i heard of him1 in a nobleman's house on a big estate farther up the river4 ,but ,i have no news of him for a long time4 ,sergey1 near enough now to hear the name1 listened intently4 ,but1 for the sake of his promise to the chief of the robbers1 he dare not ask a question which might involve his telling the story of his visit to the bandits' stronghold that night4 ,i cannot but fear1 said ,olga1 that he may have got into bad company1 or been ill in hospital4 ,i dread lest something untoward should have befallen him4 ,i will make all possible inquiry1 and will let thee know1 said ,ivan4 ,the footmen of the great houses are well known in the towns near1 as they are often sent thither on errands4 ,the gentleman and lady whose servant he was1 replied ,olga1 are ,count ,yevgen ,orloffsky1 and his wife1 the lady ,elena4 ,here was another connecting-link in the chain of ,sergey's strange story6 ,his hitherto uneventful life in the village had merged in a series of experiences fitting into one another like those little boxes he had often seen--a dozen in a set of graduated sizes1 cleverly made by some of the peasant toy-makers in villages not far from his home4 ,before the returning crew of the ,swan left ,krasnoi-,puil1 another of their own rafts1 on its way down the river1 called there for provisions1 and brought astonishing news4 ,abram ,kapoostin had been caught breaking into a house some twenty versts from ,glynoi-,liess4 ,and he and two others had been arrested and sent in chains to one of the larger towns for trial4 ,matvey ,philipitch told him1 said ,sergey1 that ,god would one day hinder him in his wicked work1 and see--it is turning out even as he said6 ,but oh1 ,i am glad and thankful that he will not be in ,glynoi-,liess when ,i get there4 ,the air will be purer for his absence4 ,but didst thou learn1 ,ivan1 who my uncle's prison companions were8 ,one was a big1 fine-looking fellow1 they tell me1 replied the skipper2 he was more educated than most1 and should have known better4 ,he was outdoor steward2 a sort of under-manager on a large estate1 and instead of protecting his master's property1 he robbed him and others too4 ,without doubt my captain of the bandits6 said ,sergey to himself4 ,i only hope ,appolon is not one of the three taken1 or poor ,tiotia ,olga will break her heart4 ,but he kept silence about these matters now1 as he had done hitherto1 for one of the lessons the boy had learned was to hold his tongue4 ,when the returning crew of the ,swan arrived at the big town where ,sergey had met ,count ,yevgen and his lady1 the boy would have liked to walk about and look round as he had done before4 ,but the little steamer was going on in an hour's time1 so ,ivan and the rest of the crew contented themselves with talking to their acquaintances on the quay4 ,but ,sergey1 knowing nobody1 was standing apart1 when some one came up behind and said-- ,canst thou tell me1 boy1 how soon this steamer leaves8 ,i have to fetch a box of goods from a store in the town1 and ,i would know if there be time to get it4 ,sergey turned1 the answer upon his lips1 and found himself face to face with a young man whose eyes and forehead and voice he remembered at once4 ,but this face was beardless2 surely it had worn a beard once4 ,can it be thou1 ,appolon8 he said4 ,and thou art the little ,sergey6 ,then in a frightened whisper the young man added3 ,for ,god's sake1 betray me not6 ,since that night we both know of1 ,i have repented and have forsaken my evil ways4 ,that night when ,i was witness of thy courage1 ,i said to myself1 ',if ,god can give a mere child grace to refuse to be wicked1 ,he can surely give it also to a man1 if that man asks ,him4' ,and did the man ask ,him8 ,he did1 and was heard1 and strength came4 ,i left the company there and then1 and never returned4 ,then1 leaving the boy glad at heart1 he went to get the box1 and returning1 heard all about his sister1 and promised to write to her4 ,from place to place1 sometimes tramping for a dozen versts or more1 at others travelling by barge or cargo steamer1 the crew went homeward1 and on arrival at ,glynoi-,liess the whole party received the warmest of welcomes4 ,and best of all was it to ,sergey to be told by ,matvey ,philipitch and his wife ,christina that from that time they would be his parents1 and their home should be his4 ,and when he told them the story of his adventures during his life on the raft1 ,matvey said1 ,little son1 many lessons1 doubtless1 hast thou learnt in these last months1 but methinks the greatest and most precious of all are these3 ',first--,a thing is always possible if it be duty2' and 'secondly--,out of evil ,god will surely bring good to all who trust in ,him4' ,printed in ,great ,britain by ,hazell1 ,watson ,viney1 ,ld4 ,london and ,aylesbury4