Pan Skshetuski &1 deliberated long. It occurred to him. that
this might be some powerful outlaw who, hunted by justice,
had taken refuge in the Wilderness,--or the leader of a
robber band; but the latter was not probable. The dress
and speech of the man showed something else. The lieu-
tenant was quite at a loss what course to take. He kept
simply on his guard. Meanwhile Abdank ordered his horse.

"Lieutenant, 'tis time for him to go who has the road be-
fore him. Let me thank you again for your succor. God
grant me to show you a service of equal value!"

"I do not know whom I have saved, therefore I deserve
no thanks."

"Your modesty, which equals your courage, is speaking
now. Accept from me this ring."

The lieutenant frowned and took a step backward, meas-
uring with his eyes Abdank, who then spoke on with almost
paternal dignity in his voice and posture,--

"But look, I offer you not the wealth of this ring, but its
other virtues. When still in the years of youth, a captive
among infidels, I got this from a pilgrim returning from.
the Holy Land. In the seal of it is dust from the grave of
Christ. Such a gift might not be refused, even if it came
from condemned hands. You are still a young man and a
soldier; and since even old age, which is near the grave,
knows not what may strike it before the last hour, youth,
which has before it a long life, must meet with many an
adventure. This ring will preserve you from misfortune,
and protect you when the day of judgment comes; and I
tell you that that day is even now on the road through the
Wilderness."

A moment of silence followed; nothing was heard but
the crackling of the fire and the snorting of the horses.
From the distant reeds came the dismal howling of wolves.
Suddenly Abdank repeated still again, as if to himself,--

"The day of judgment is already on the road through
the Wilderness, and when it comes all God's world will be
amazed."

The lieutenant took the ring mechanically, so much was
he astonished at the words of this strange man. But the
man was looking into the dark distance of the steppe.

1 The author uses Skshetnski, the family name of his hero, oftener
than Yan, his Christian name, prefixing Pan = Mr. in both cases. I
have taken the liberty of using Yan oftener than Skshetoski because
more easily pronounced in English.