4. A Story of Brigands
by Vovchok, Marko“She saw then that she was on a great beaten road; this added to her courage. But in spite of all, she had not gone far when, feeling herself begin to grow weak, by good fortune she heard the sound of wheels.
“A large wagon, loaded with a mountain of hay, listen well to me, was going slowly forward, drawn by two vigorous oxen, with great curved horns. By the side of this wagon an old man walked, singing carelessly a war-song.
“She hastened her footsteps and succeeded in reaching it and its guide.
“‘Save me,’ she said to the old man. ‘For pity’s sake! I have not strength enough to reach the village on foot.’
“But, at the same time, she heard the voices of the brigands in the distance; they were retracing their steps. Daybreak, without doubt, was forcing them to return home. That kind of people cannot travel by daylight.
“‘I am lost,’ she said to the old man. ‘These people who are coming are brigands, and my husband is their chief!’
“‘Conceal yourself in the hay,’ said the old man, ‘and be quiet, if you can. Be quick!’” “What a good old man!” said the Envoy. “‘Hallo!’ cried the chief to the old man, who was walking by the side of his oxen and smoking his pipe; ‘did you not meet a young woman on your road who seemed to be running away?’
“‘A young woman?’ repeated the old man, rubbing his forehead as if to refresh his memory.
“‘Yes, a young woman.’
“‘Well! A young woman—’
“‘Will you answer?’
“‘Why not?’
“‘Well, then, answer.’
“‘I haven’t seen any young woman.’
“‘Are you sure of it? Nevertheless, she must have taken the same road as you—’
“‘Ah! You understand! I don’t say that she wasn’t there; but that I didn’t see her. My eyes have not been very strong for two years. How can we help it? We grow old and our eyesight fails us.’
“‘This old man looks as keen as a fox,’ said the lieutenant; ‘he is making fun of us.’” ‘Do you know with whom you are talking?’ the chief asked the old man.