Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/286

270 "It is all very well for you, little brother, to talk of working. You are used to that sort of thing; but I, as you yourself know, am a captain in the king's service, and am not accustomed to labour."

"Never mind, your honour; I shall find you something which will not prove so very difficult."

They went into the village, and hired themselves out as shepherds; the sailor passing himself off as a real shepherd, and the captain as only his man. Thus they worked on through the whole summer, looking after the village cattle, and in the autumn they went and collected their money from the peasants, after which the sailor began dividing it between them, giving the captain half, and keeping the other half for himself. But the captain, when he saw that the sailor divided the money equally, was offended at being put on a level with a common sailor.

"Why do you put me on an equality with yourself?" he asked. "Do you not know that I am a captain, while you are only a—common sailor?"

"Yes, I know! I ought to divide the money into three parts, keeping two for myself, and giving you the third; for I was a real shepherd, and worked hard, while you were only—my helper, and did not do much!"

The captain became very angry, and began scolding the sailor, who seemed to be growing stronger and stronger, and did not care what the captain was saying. Then he suddenly waved his hand, and struck the captain in the side. The captain jumped up and—awoke! He looked around him—everything