e is it, devil? Speak coherently--what has happened?" cried the old
man, enraged.

"So--a misfortune, Yakov."

"Have you been wrecked?"

"No, God saved us."

"Burned up? Well, speak more quickly."

Yefim drew air into his chest and said slowly:

"Barge No. 9 was sunk--smashed up. One man's back was broken, and one is
altogether missing, so that he must have drowned. About five more were
injured, but not so very badly, though some were disabled."

"So-o!" drawled out Mayakin, measuring the captain with an ill-omened
look.

"Well, Yefimushka, I'll strip your skin off."

"It wasn't I who did it!" said Yefim, quickly.

"Not you?" cried the old man, shaking with rage. "Who then?"

"The master himself."

"Foma? And you. Where were you?"

"I was lying in the hatchway."

"Ah! You were lying."

"I was bound there."

"Wha-at?" screamed the old man in a shrill voice.

"Allow me to tell you everything as it happened. He was drunk and he
shouted: "'Get away! I'll take command myself!' I said 'I can't! I am
the captain.' 'Bind him!' said he. And when they had bound me, they
lowered me into the hatchway, with the sailors. And as the master was
drunk, he wanted to have some fun. A fleet of boats was coming toward
us. Six empty barges towed by 'Cheruigorez.' So Foma Ignatyich blocked
their way. They whistled. More than once. I must tell the truth--they
whistled!"

"Well?"

"Well, and they couldn't manage it--the two barges in front crashed into
us. And as they struck the side of our ninth, we were smashed to pieces.
And the two barges were also smashed. But we fared much worse."

Mayakin rose from the chair and burst into jarring, angry laughter.
And Yefim sighed, and, outstretching his hands, said: "He has a very
violent character. When he is sober he is silent most of the time, and
walks around thoughtfully, but when he wets his springs with
wine--then he breaks loose. Then he is not master of himself and of his
business--but their wild enemy--you must excuse me! And I want to leave,
Yakov Tarasovich! I am not used to being without a master, I cannot live
without a master!"

"Keep quiet!" said Mayakin, sternly. "Where's Foma?"

"There; at the same place. Immediately after the accident, he came to
himself and at once sent for workmen. They'll lift the barge. They may
have started by this time."

"Is he there alone?" asked Mayakin, lowering his head.

"Not quite," replied Yefim, softly, glancing stealthi