Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/604

 summer's night in all its splendour. A cool wind blew. From the interior of the hut, whence could be heard the deep breathing of the sleepers, myriads of stars sparkled through the disjointed planks and crannies of the roof.

dawn was already beginning to whiten the horizon, when George awoke from his deep sleep. He watched the workmen quit their meagre couches; rise and pass out, furnishing themselves as they did so with all sorts of tools which were hanging on the walls of the cabin. He followed their example, and after putting on his coat, stood hesitating in what direction to proceed in search of his work, when Tertschka came up to him, carrying on her shoulder a long handled hammer.

"The overseer is still asleep," she said, "but I know what you have to do. Take this hammer and come with me."

He obeyed her, and they went out together.

Outside, all was cool and peaceful. Only now and then a bird twittered in the bushes. The grass was heavy with clear dew. They walked silently along.

After some distance they came upon a stone quarry, where several of the men were at work, whilst the rest were busy upon the line, with wheelbarrows and spades. Tertschka, followed by George, passed these groups and paused at a heap of stones.

"This is my place," she said, seating herself on the middle of a pile of stones. "I never care to remain near the men. They are coarse and wicked; but if you like, you can work here."

He made no reply, but sat down at her side.

"See, these great fragments of rock must be broken into tiny pieces. "There," she added, pointing to a great heap of fine gravel, "is my last week's work."

He took a piece of limestone, and struck it with his hammer, but the stone remained unbroken.

"Strike harder," cried Tertschka. This time she struck it in her turn, and the rock flew into fragments. He watched her in amazement, and after making a second attempt was rewarded with success. Then, without saying a word, both devoted themselves to their task.

All around them lay stretched a wild but charming scene of hill and valley. But the work-people did not pause in their labour to admire its beauties. With stooping shoulders they struck and broke their stones, whilst the sun, now mounting in the heavens, beat down with scorching heat upon their unsheltered heads. The strokes of George's hammer became fainter and fainter, and at last the tool fell from his hand. He began to fan himself with his cap, and to dry the moisture which streamed down his face. Tertschka stopped also.

"Are you tired already?" she asked, surveying him compassionately.

"Ah! Heaven only knows how tired," he replied, in a dreary voice. "It is only now that I begin to feel how low the fever has brought me."

"Feeble and ill as you are, how could you accept work so hard and rude as ours?"

"What else remained for me to do? To beg? Not that, at any rate. I had learnt no trade. In my nineteenth year I was placed in the army. Now I am ill, they send me