Page 12 (1/1)

Our host, a Cossack from the river Iaik, was a peasant of soht in the case containing my tea-service; he asked for fire to reater need The host hastened to serve us

"Where is our guide?" I asked of Saveliitch

"Here, your lordship," replied a voice from above I raisedblack eyes

"Well, are you cold?"

"How could I help being cold in this little cafetan full of holes What's the use of conceale with the liquor-seller; then the cold did not seereat"

At this moment our host entered with the portable furnace and boiler, the Russian Souide a cup of tea Down he calare of the pine torch his appearance was reht but with broad shoulders His black beard was turning grey; large, quick, restless eyes, gave hireeable He was dressed in wide Tartar pantaloons and an old jacket His hair was cut evenly round

I offered hirilass of brandy; tea is not the Cossack's drink"

I willingly granted the request The host took fro up to hi hiain in our district Whence has God brought you?"

My guide winked in the nificant fashion and replied by the well-know proverb: "'The sparroas in the orchard eating flax-seed; the grandmother threw a stone at it, and missed'" And you? how are all yours?"

"How are we?" said the host, and continuing in proverbs: "'They began to ring the bell for Vespers, but the priest's wife forbade it The priest went visiting, and the devils are in the graveyard'"

"Be silent, uncle," said the vagabond

"'When there shall be rain, there will be mushrooms, and when there shall be mushrooms, there will be a basket to put theuard is out walking'"

"To your lordship's health" Taking the glass, he ulp sed his brandy He then saluted me and remounted to his loft I did not understand a word of this thief's slang It was only in the sequel that I learned that they spoke of the affairs of the army of the Iaik, which had just been reduced to obedience after the revolt of 1772 Saveliitch listened and glanced suspiciously frouide