seated on his haunches with his back turned toward him, and in the act
of lighting a bunch of straw which he held in his hand! Ivan's heart
began to beat yet faster, and he became terribly excited, walking up and
down with rapid strides, but without making a noise.

Ivan said: "Well, now, he cannot get away, for he will be caught in the
very act."

Ivan had taken a few more steps when suddenly a bright light flamed
up, but not in the same spot in which he had seen the figure of the man
sitting. Gavryl had lighted the straw, and running to the barn held it
under the edge of the roof, which began to burn fiercely; and by the
light of the fire he could distinctly see his neighbor standing.

As an eagle springs at a skylark, so sprang Ivan at Gavryl, saying: "I
will tear you into pieces! You shall not get away from me this time!"

But "Gavryl the Lame," hearing footsteps, wrenched himself free from
Ivan's grasp and ran like a hare past the buildings.

Ivan, now terribly excited, shouted, "You shall not escape me!" and
started in pursuit; but just as he reached him and was about to grasp
the collar of his coat, Gavryl succeeded in jumping to one side, and
Ivan's coat became entangled in something and he was thrown violently
to the ground. Jumping quickly to his feet he shouted, "Karaool!
derji!"(watch! catch!)

While Ivan was regaining his feet Gavryl succeeded in reaching his
house, but Ivan followed so quickly that he caught up with him before he
could enter. Just as he was about to grasp him he was struck on the head
with some hard substance. He had been hit on the temple as with a stone.
The blow was struck by Gavryl, who had picked up an oaken stave, and
with it gave Ivan a terrible blow on the head.

Ivan was stunned, and bright sparks danced before his eyes, while he
swayed from side to side like a drunken man, until finally all became
dark and he sank to the ground unconscious.

When he recovered his senses, Gavryl was nowhere to be seen, but all
around him was as light as day. Strange sounds proceeded from the
direction of his house, and turning his face that way he saw that his
barns were on fire. The rear parts of both were already destroyed,
and the flames were leaping toward the front. Fire, smoke, and bits of
burning straw were being rapidly whirled by the high wind over to where
his house stood, and he expected every moment to see it burst into
flames.

"What is this, brother?" Ivan cried out, as he