THE HUNT
When we reached the meeting-place, more than a dozen men on horseback
were already there. Close to them stood a big shallow sleigh, the
runners of which were a pair of birch poles. In it were ropes, a
hatchet, food and forage. The driver of this was Daria, an old woman,
whom I have already mentioned once or twice. I knew her story. The
death of her husband and two children of typhoid fever had caused her
to be despondent for several years. Then some one left a foundling at
her door. She adopted the child, trying in every way to make a worthy
man of him. To do this, she accepted all kinds of odd jobs, even such
as were generally given to men. She built fences, prepared the dead
for burial, acted as midwife and nurse, delivered messages that nobody
else cared to undertake, sometimes at night or during severe storms.
She seemed to be afraid of nothing in the world and of nobody.
When she first began to work in this way, she was pitied and helped; a
little later, she was laughed at, and unpleasant names were applied to
her; but finally, all came to have a deep respect for her and to rely
on her help when trouble came.
Long years of humiliation and struggle for a living, and the overcoming
of all obstacles, had made her somewhat imperative in manner. She
always expressed a decided opinion. Many people thought she really knew
everything, and one or two superstitious persons even insinuated that
she was a witch. When money or its equivalent in milk, eggs or flour
was offered for her services, she accepted it from those who could
pay. From others she refused everything, giving instead something from
her own small store.
I thought her very odd, but liked her. Nevertheless, to-day,--well,
to-day, it seemed to me that it was not fitting that I, a Cossack,
should have to remain in the rear with a woman.
Comforting myself with the knowledge that Daria was a very unusual
woman, I bade her good morning.
"Good morning, you rascal," she answered. "What are you doing here? I
know that your mother is worrying about you."
I did not think that this needed a reply. Jumping down from the mule
but holding on to the reins, I joined a group of Cossacks who formed a
circle in front of their horses.
"I guess we're all here," remarked Mikhailov, an active, talkative
fellow who had lately returned from actual service with the rank of
non-commissioned officer and with the unpopular habit of constantly
assuming leadership. He was probably the youngest present.
"Yes," replied my father. "And now we must follow some system. Perhaps
we'd better cast lots to see who is to be our _ataman_, the leader of
our band."
Old Skorin shook his head. "What's the use of that?" he said. "You know
the country, and you'll suit us."
This did not please Mikhailov, who tried to put in an argument against
there being any leader, but he was overruled, one of the men even
turning to him with: "You, in particular, need to be careful. Don't
be too anxious to shoot when you first catch sight of the tiger. Wait
until you can aim directly at his head or heart. If you don't, he'll
teach you something that you'll never forget in this life."
"Keep your counsel for your own use," retorted Mikhailov. "I don't need
it."
Father here raised a warning hand and began to assign to each one
present his place and duty.
"You, Simeon," he said, turning to one, "take the hounds along the low
places of the valley, so as to get the tiger to move out of the bushes
into the open spaces in the hills. You, Ivan and Feodor, take your
places on the western side of the brush and keep close watch. Don't let
the beast escape into the forest. And you, Mikhailov, and you, Foma,
remain as quiet as dead men on the left side of the brush, about one
hundred feet apart. Mind, you're to hide in the tall grass and not show
yourselves. The tiger will probably try to run to Hog Valley. Don't
miss him. Be vigilant and brave."
Then he turned to me. "As for you, Vanka, stay with Granny under the
oak on yonder hill. Tie the horses well and see that they don't get
frightened at either the tiger or the shots. See that you don't stare
open-mouthed at the sky and don't go where you're not wanted. If you
leave your place--you'll be sorry that the tiger didn't get you. Do you
understand?"
[Illustration: ALEXIS PAVLOVITCH]
Something in my father's voice cheered me. I felt that he knew what he
was about and that I must obey.
Then Mikhailov asked father, "Where are you going?"
"To the north of the valley, where I'll take the rest and station
them." Turning to Simeon he added, "Don't let the hunt commence until
you hear a shot from my rifle." And, followed by several men, he left
us.
Before those remaining separated, I heard Mikhailov remark to his
neighbor, "Oh, he's foxy. He's selected the best place for himself.
We'll not even catch a glimpse of the tiger."
Here Daria turned quickly to him with, "You've returned from service
as big a fool as when you left. Do your duty and you'll find that
Alexis Pavlovitch has done you justice." Striking her horses with a
whip, Daria started for the oak. I followed.
When I had tied the horses, I tried to wait patiently for day-break.
But oh, how long the hours seemed! My fingers grew stiff with the
frost. I tried to limber them up by blowing on them after I had taken
off my mittens. Here Daria jumped to the ground, picked up a big
handful of snow and rubbed her fingers with it. After wiping them she
put them into the big sleeves of her fur coat, saying, "Now even my old
fingers are warm. Follow my example."
I bent down, my fingers so stiff that I could hardly grab up any snow.
As I rubbed them, their flexibility gradually returned, and I dried
them on the border of my fur coat. Then, still imitating my companion,
I put them into my sleeves. They felt as warm as if they had just come
out of boiling water.
By the time the first glimmer of dawn appeared, I could already
distinguish Mikhailov, who was lying half hidden in the dry grass, and
a moment after, the dogs leaping around Simeon, who tried to keep them
quiet while waiting for my father's signal.
Just before sunrise, the faint sound of a shot from down the valley
came to us. Daria awakened from her doze. At the same time the hounds
commenced to bark and move toward the dry snow-covered brush covering
the bottom of the valley. At first Simeon held them tightly by a rope
and they barked regularly and carelessly. Soon, however, there was a
change. Anger and hate mingled with their bark.
"They have scented the tiger," whispered Daria.
I forgot everything, horses, mule, myself, as I stared fearfully into
the snow-covered underbrush for a glimpse of the beast. At first I
could see nothing, for the white covering grew blinding under the first
rays of the sun. That and the yellow leaves of the low Mongolian oaks
hid Simeon, the hounds, and the tiger, making it seem a wall of mystery
to me.
I shivered for fear of the men as I recalled how easily this tiger had
carried off our cow. It was not until later that I learned that even
the most ferocious of wild creatures will avoid meeting man unless
forced to do so.
The sun rose just behind where I was stationed, and gradually I could
see two stationary black spots against the white of the hills opposite.
They were Ivan and Feodor.
On our side, Mikhailov and Foma showed more excitement. They even kept
bobbing into sight, despite my father's strict orders to remain hidden.
I also made out two Cossacks, mere specks, down in the valley. But
nowhere could I find my father.
Suddenly I noticed a movement in the brush some distance away. I
thought it must be Simeon and his hounds, until an open space was
reached and I distinctly saw an animal apparently the size of a mouse.
Unable to control myself I cried: "The tiger!"
Daria's hand instantly covered my mouth. But Mikhailov had heard and
signaled "Where?"
I tried to show him as best I could without turning my eyes from
the tiny spot on the snow. It may have been that the tiger heard my
loud exclamation; it may have been that something else attracted his
attention; in any case he remained motionless for a few seconds. Then
with one leap he disappeared again into the brush.
Shortly after, Simeon and the two hounds appeared in the same spot.
Then my excitement cannot be described as I saw the tiger run exactly
toward where Mikhailov was concealed. From my elevated position all
this was visible; Mikhailov, however, could not see how close the tiger
was to him.
In a very short time the beast had reached the eastern side. He
appeared so unexpectedly before Mikhailov that the latter, instead of
shooting, uttered a curse, and the tiger turned back. Here Mikhailov
committed the grave error against which he had been warned. He shot in
the direction that the tiger had gone and evidently hit without killing
him.
A terrible roar followed as the creature turned and jumped right on the
man who had wounded him.