sfaction, fear. Some
one of those modest people among whom Foma was sitting, whispered to
him:

"Give it to them. God bless you. Go ahead! That will be to your credit."

"Robustov!" cried Foma. "What are you laughing at? What makes you glad?
You will also go to the galleys."

"Put him ashore!" suddenly roared Robustov, springing to his feet.

And Kononov shouted to the captain:

"Back! To the town! To the Governor."

And someone insinuatingly, in a voice trembling with feeling:

"That's a collusive agreement. That was done on purpose. He was
instigated, and made drunk to give him courage."

"No, it's a revolt!"

"Bind him! Just bind him!"

Foma grasped a champagne bottle and swung it in the air.

"Come on now! No, it seems that you will have to listen to me."

With renewed fury, frantic with joy at seeing these people shrinking and
quailing under the blows of his words, Foma again started to shout names
and vulgar oaths, and the exasperated tumult was hushed once more. The
men, whom Foma did not know, gazed at him with eager curiosity, with
approval, while some looked at him even with joyous surprise. One of
them, a gray-haired little old man with rosy cheeks and small mouse
eyes, suddenly turned toward the merchants, who had been abused by Foma,
and said in a sweet voice:

"These are words from the conscience! That's nothing! You must endure
it. That's a prophetic accusation. We are sinful. To tell the truth we
are very--"

He was hissed, and Zubov even jostled him on the shoulder. He made a low
bow and disappeared in the crowd.

"Zubov!" cried Foma. "How many people have you fleeced and turned to
beggars? Do you ever dream of Ivan Petrov Myakinnikov, who strangled
himself because of you? Is it true that you steal at every mass ten
roubles out of the church box?"

Zubov had not expected the attack, and he remained as petrified, with
his hand uplifted. But he immediately began to scream in a shrill voice,
as he jumped up quickly:

"Ah! You turn against me also? Against me, too?"

And suddenly he puffed up his cheeks and furiously began to shake his
fist at Foma, as he screamed in a shrill voice:

"The fool says in his heart there is no God! I'll go to the bishop!
Infidel! You'll get the galleys!"

The tumult on the steamer grew, and at the sight of these enraged,
perplexed and insulted people, Foma felt himself a fairy-tale giant,
slaying monsters. They bustled about, waving their arms, talking