Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/97

Rh taking off his gauntlets and sticking them into his girdle, and blowing upon his hands to warm them, began to unfasten the harness from the shafts of the sledge.

"What are you about there?" asked Vasily Andreich.

"I am taking out the horse, what else is there to be done? I have no more strength left in me," answered Nikita, as if by way of apology.

"And you are not going anywhere out of this?"

"Going anywhere? No! We are only torturing the horse uselessly. Look at him, poor old fellow! he is not himself," said Nikita, pointing at the horse standing patiently there, ready for anything, but well-nigh spent and with his flanks all wet and strained. "We must pass the night here," continued he, as if making up his mind to fix his night-quarters at some regular place of call, and he set about unloosening the strings of the horse-collar.

"But surely we shall be frozen?" cried Vasily Andreich.

"What an idea! Don't refuse my proposal, or freeze you may, perhaps!" said Nikita.

Vasily Andreich in his double furs was quite warm, especially after all his bustling about in the chasm; but a cold shiver ran right down his back when he understood that he would have to pass the night here. To compose himself somewhat he continued sitting in the sledge, and provided himself with cigarettes and matches.

Nikita, meanwhile, was taking out the horse. He unfastened the belly-girth and the saddle-strap, laid 47