Shackles. S. Skitalec

years ours!

      – You naplet everything!

      – Yes ask men! – waving a hand, as if beat off the Mug. – In exactly men go: Yudan Gayduk, Spiridon yes in any way Ivan Listratov?

      Along the road by a stack there were three men and about something argued with fervency, making and clapping a helpless gesture on hips.

      One of them – big growth, the handsome with a black broad beard and a cap of a curly hair on the head – the brother Gruni, the joker and the mischievous person, shouted:

      – Yes what to it in teeth to look? – And, увидав children, shouted, laughing: – Children, light merchants a stack! Tell that I ordered!

      Also it raskatitsya by a laughter, sparkling white teeth and inflating the same thoroughbred, beautiful nostrils, as at Gruni. Men passed in the wood, continuing the conversation.

      Sheep Mug triumphantly looked at companions.

      – Shto? I lie? And men about what bat? Zazhgem, and more than anything! the uncle Ivan ordered!

      He grabbed the burning brand, but interrogatively looked at Vukol, as if expecting permission of the ataman.

      – Do not order! – in a low voice the uncle advised it – troubles we will acquire!

      But as if the demon seized the nephew.

      – Drag! – he resolved.

      Sheep Mug with burning golovny in a hand delighted ran around a stack and stuck with it into dry, friable hay.

      The stack was engaged from all directions.

      Small sparks, smoking thin streams, quickly ran up and, expanding an ardent ring, captured a stack.

      Tumbled down black smoke through which big wings of a bright red flame rose and trembled. Fire raised a howl with an unexpected force and ferocity, having partly puzzled instigators…

      – It would be not necessary! – reproachfully the Laurels sighed – there will be to us a blowup!

      All were silent, ready to stop unexpected and yet not seen them rage of fire.

      At many heart заныло repentance and heavy presentiment. Only the Sheep Mug had fun and – whether falsely whether is not present – danced, shouting as drunk:

      – Fire of Troy!

      Suddenly on the wood ringing, bystry blows of horse hoofs sounded: to them at a gallop on a bareback horse the familiar man Abram Tsarev who was on duty this day at a fire warehouse came tearing along. It was angry and pale, with the uncombed head and a beard, without cap and a belt, barefoot.

      – Hto lit it? – terribly he cried, having besieged a horse.

      Smoke was spread by a black cloud over the wood.

      Children were confused a little, but then chorus cried:

      – To us Ivan Listratov ordered!

      Abram burst in perfect abuse.

      Then Vukol came forward and told quietly:

      – I lit it!

      The man wanted to rake up the fellow for hair, but changed mind: the boy is strange, from the big village – the grandfather Matvei’s vnuchonok, a family spravny and Elizara he knew: the district Elizar is known to all. Swore once again, shook the fist at the company and with all the might skipped away back.

      When it was behind a coppice, all exchanged glances.

      – Why you undertook? – quietly Vukola the uncle asked – Stepka lit?

      – I do not renounce, знамо I! – confirmed the Mug.

      – I spoke to you – it is not necessary! – reasonably continued Laurels – for an arson in a jail put!

      – In a sharp og? – scaredly Alyapa exclaimed and suddenly began to whimper.

      – Alyapa! – all laughed – was afraid?

      – All this you! – the others began to make a racket, approaching Stepka.

      Mug grew quiet, it is guilty moved back, looking around and, povidimy, choosing a moment to turn the tail.

      – A jail not a jail, and it is necessary to answer! – told the Scaffold – and rightly!

      – On you we will also show, Stepashka! In total – “I will light” and “I will light”. Here also lit!

      – Yes Vukol undertakes!

      The dispute began.

      – Stop! – at last, Vukol told and knocked about the earth a stick – there is nothing перекоряться: all should stand up for one! I am guilty one, I allowed Stepan, he also obeyed!. You chose me, it seems as the foreman… well, I also have to be responsible! Listen that I thought up!

      He kept silent, leaning on a stick. All moved in a circle. Behind the back of Vukol there were Laurels which were going to whisper something to the nephew, but that, without listening to the adviser, continued:

      – In a jail will put you nobody! all of you will tell when you are asked: I lit, one, without you!.

      The uncle pulled it a sleeve, but Vukol quietly took away his hand.

      – And as you … – with emotion escaped at Laurels, but Vukol interrupted: