d the gun, a flask of
powder, and a bag of bullets and shot for twenty-five roubles. Then he
paid for the other goods he had purchased. Luka made them into a bundle
and lifted them all on to his shoulder. Then saying good-bye to the
peasants they again started for the forest.

"We are set up now, Luka."

"Yes indeed," the Tartar replied. "We could journey anywhere now; we
want but two or three blankets and some furs and we could travel to
Moscow."

"Yes, if we had one more thing, Luka."

"What is that?"

"Passports."

"Yes, we should want those; but I daresay we could do without them."

They enjoyed their suppers greatly that night, frying some pork and then
some dough-cakes in the fat, and washing it down with numerous cups of
tea.

"The next thing will be for you to make a bow and arrows, Luka. I did
not buy the other gun for two reasons: in the first place because we
could not afford it, and in the second because you said you liked a bow
best."

Luka nodded. "I never shot with a gun," he said. "A bow is just as good,
and makes no noise."

"That is true enough, Luka. Well, I shall be a good deal more
comfortable when we leave those convict clothes behind us. Of course we
shall be just as liable to be seized and shut up as vagabonds when we
cannot produce papers as if we were in our convict suits, but there is
something disgusting in being dressed up in clothing that tells every
one you are a murderer or a robber, and to know there is that patch
between one's shoulders."

Luka was quite indifferent to any sentimental considerations. Still he
admitted that it was an advantage to get rid of the convict garb. In the
morning they put on the peasants' clothes. As Godfrey was about the same
size as the man whose garments he had got, the things fitted him fairly.
Luka's were a good deal too large for him, but as the Russian peasants'
clothes always fit them loosely, this mattered little. The other things
were divided into two bundles of equal weight.

Luka would willingly have carried the whole, pointing out that Godfrey
had the gun and ammunition, but the latter said:

"If you take the frying-pan and kettle and the two tin mugs that will
make matters even, Luka."

The two convict suits were left at the foot of the tree where they had
slept. Godfrey first thought of throwing them on to the fire, but
changed his mind, saying:

"Some poor beggar whose clothes are worn out may come upon them, and be
glad of