15. The Meeting of Friends

Tchetchevik’s eyes shone with a brighter light, and the mountain echoes repeated the refrain of a new song:

“There is not to be found a more unhappy person in the whole world than a Ukrainian, driven from the country where God has given him birth; if he cannot live in the land of his fathers, his duty is to die there. Whatever may happen, he will die there.”

The gull’s cry was heard again, and it seemed to be nearer to them.

The mountain echo again repeated: “Whatever may happen, he will die there.” Then from the very spot where the gull’s cry was twice heard, a narrow skiff came out of the midst of the tall reeds. It could be plainly seen on the dark waters, and, gliding rapidly, approached a little natural bay just opposite the tomb of Naddniprovka.

Looking closely, they could distinguish the profile of him who was in the skiff. Yes, they could see even his sheepskin cap.

But, without being able to see clearly the

man’s figure, they could tell that his arms were strong and skillful.

He handled the oars as if they were toys. The skiff flew along like a bit of down carried by the wind.

“It is time to go to the river bank,” Tchetchevik said to Maroussia.

Without stopping to look for the best road, indeed they could not have found even a path in this wild place, they descended rapidly, going around a great rock, which looked like a large, curly, green beard, it was so thickly covered with ivy and moss, and found themselves at last on the bank very near the water. The waves gently washed the plants near the water, leaving on them a slight border of white foam.

“I hope I find you in health and always acceptable to God!” said a well-known voice.

The light bark was already on the sand of the river bank, and near it, with his chin resting on an oar, stood the good farmer, old Knich.

“Happy and well!” Tchetchevik answered.

“How are you, little girl?” Knich asked, fixing on Maroussia the eyes of a falcon.

“Very well!” Maroussia answered. “And Tarass?”

“Tarass has not forgotten you.”