Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/144

138 with health and youth, presented a strong contrast to the pale, emaciated face of his companion. The passage grew a little more roomy, so that Andríi was able to straighten himself up. He gazed with curiosity at the earthen walls. Here, as in the catacombs at Kiev, were visible niches in the walls; and here and there stood coffins. In some places they came across human bones which had become softened with the dampness, and were crumbling into dust. It was evident that here, also, pious people had taken refuge from the storms, sorrows and seductions of the world. It was extremely damp in some places; under their feet it was all water at times. Andríi was forced to halt frequently, in order to allow his companion to rest, for her fatigue constantly increased. The small piece of bread she had swallowed only caused a pain in her stomach, which had grown unused to food; and she often stood motionless for several minutes at a time in one spot.

At last a small iron door appeared before them. "Now, glory be to God, we have arrived!" said the Tatár in a faint voice, and tried to raise her hand to knock; but she had not the strength. Andríi knocked loudly at the door in her stead. The echo which followed showed that there was a large space beyond the door. Then the echo