were awake, and the lieutenant, who had been tormented by
a terrible sleeplessness since he left Kudak. He felt also
that fever was wearing him. At times he fancied he heard
steps approaching from the interior of the island, then
again certain strange sounds like the distant bleating of
goats. But he thought that his hearing deceived him. Sud-
denly, when it was near daybreak, a dark figure stood before
him. It was a servant from the guard.

"People are coming!" said he, hastily.

"Who are they?"

"Undoubtedly Zaporojians. There are forty of them."

"Very well. That is not a great number. Rouse the
men! Stir the fire!"

The Cossacks sprang to their feet at once. The replen-
ished fire blazed high, and lighted the boats and the handful
of soldiers under the lieutenant. The guards ran up also
to the circle.

Meanwhile the irregular steps of a crowd became dis-
tinctly audible. The steps stopped at a certain distance.
Immediately some voice inquired in threatening accents,--

"Who is on shore?"

"And who are you?" answered the sergeant.

"Answer, son of the enemy! if not, we will inquire with
a musket."

"His Highness, the envoy of Prince Yeremi Vishnyevet-
ski, going to the koshevoi ataman," said the sergeant, with
emphasis.

The voices in the crowd were silent; evidently there was
a short consultation.

"But come here yourself," cried the sergeant; "don't be
afraid! People do not fall upon envoys, and envoys do not
attack."

Steps were heard again, and after a while a number of
figures came out of the shadow. By the swarthy complex-
ion, low stature, and skin coats with wool outside, the lieu-
tenant knew from the first glance that most of them were
Tartars; there were only a few Cossacks among them.
The idea flashed like lightning through Skshetuski'a brain
that if the Tartars were in Hortitsa Hmelititski had re-
turned from the Crimea.

In front of the crowd stood an old Zaporojian of gigantic
size, with a wild and savage face. Approaching the fire, he
asked,--

"Who is the envoy here?" A strong smell of spirits