英文原版小說(shuō)CC.Fire Ice

PROLOGUEODESSA,THEDENSEFOGrolledintotheharborlateintheafternoon,nudgedbyasuddenchangeinwinddirection.Thedampgraybillowswashedoverthestonequays,swirleduptheOdessaStepsandbroughtanearlynightfalltothebusyBlackSeaport.Passengerferriesandfreighterscanceledtheirruns,idlingdozensofsailors.AsCaptainAnatolyTovrovgropedhiswaythroughthebone-chillingmiststhatenvelopedthewaterfront,hecouldhearburstsofdrunkenlaughterfromthecrowdeddivesandbrothels.Hewalkedpastthemainconcentrationofbars,turneddownanalleyandopenedanunmarkeddoor.Warmair,heavywiththesmellofcigarettesmokeandvodka,invadedhisnostrils.Aportlymansittingatacomertablebeckonedthecaptainover.AlexeiFederoffwasinchargeofOdessaCustoms.Whenthecaptainwasinport,heandFederoffmadeitahabittomeetatthesecludedwateringhole,frequentedmostlybyretiredmariners,wherethevodkawascheapandnotusuallylethal.Thebureaucratsatisfiedthecaptain'sneedforhumancompanionshipwithoutfriendship.TovrovhadsteeredalonelycoursesincehiswifeandyoungdaughterhadbeenkilledyearsbeforeinoneofRussia'ssenselessoutburstsofviolence.Federoffseemedstrangelysubdued.Normallyaboisterousmanwhocouldbecountedontoaccusethewaiterjokinglyofovercharging,heorderedaroundbysilentlyraisingtwofingers.Evenmoresurprising,thefrugalcustomsmanpaidforthedrinks.Hekepthisvoicelow,nervouslytuggingathispointedlittleblackbeard,andglancednervouslyatothertableswhereweather-beatenseamenhunchedovertheirglasses.Satisfiedthattheirconversationwasprivate,Federoffraisedhisdrinkandtheyclinkedglasses."MydearCaptain,"Federoffsaid."IregretthatIhavelittletimeandmustgetdirectlytothepoint.IwouldlikeyoutotakeagroupofpassengersandasmallamountofcargotoConstantinople,noquestionsasked.""Iknewsomethingwasoddwhenyoupaidformydrink,"thecaptainsaid,withhisusualbluntness.Federoffchuckled.Hehadalwaysbeenintriguedbythecaptain'shonesty,evenifhecouldn'tcomprehendit."Well,Captain,wepoorgovernmentservantsmustexistonthepittancetheypayus."Thecaptain'slipstightenedinathinsmileasheeyedthecorpulentbellythatstrainedthebuttonsofFederoff'sexpensiveFrench-madewaistcoat.Thecustomsmanoftencomplainedabouthisjob.Tovrovwouldlistenpolitely.HeknewtheofficialhadpowerfulconnectionsinSaintPetersburgandthathespenthisdayssolicitingbribesfromshipownersto"smooththeseas"ofbureaucracy,asheputit."Youknowmyship,"Tovrovsaid,withashrug."Itisnotwhatyouwouldcallaluxuryliner.""Nomatter.Itwillsuitourpurposesadmirably."Thecaptainpausedinthought,wonderingwhyanyonewouldwanttosailonanoldcoalcarrierwhenmoreappealingalternativeswereavailable.Federoffmistookthecaptain'shesitationfortheopeningroundofabargainingsession.Reachingintohisbreastpocket,hewithdrewathickenvelopeandplaceditonthetable.Heopenedtheenvelopeslightlysothecaptaincouldseethatitheldthousandsofrubles."Youwouldbewellcompensated."Tovrovswallowedhard.Withshakingfingers,hedugacigarettefromitspackandlitup."Idon'tunderstand,"hesaid.Federoffnotedthecaptain'sbewilderment."Whatdoyouknowaboutthepoliticalstateofourcountry?"Thecaptainreliedonscuttlebuttandout-of-datepapersforhisnews."Iamasimplesailor,"hereplied."IrarelysetfootonRussiansoil.""Evenso,youareamanofvastpracticalexperience.Pleasebefrank,myfriend.Ihavealwaysvaluedyouropinion."TovrovponderedwhatheknewaboutRussia'stribulationsandputitinanauticalcontext."Ifashipwereinthesameconditionasourcountry,Iwouldwonderwhyitisnotatthebottomofthesea.""Ihavealwaysadmiredyourcandor,"Federoffreplied,withaheartylaugh."Itseemsyouhaveagiftformetaphoraswell."Hegrewseriousagain."Yourreplyisentirelytothepoint.Russiaisindeedinaperilousstate.OuryoungmenaredyingintheGreatWar,thetsarhasabdicated,theBolsheviksareruthlesslyassumingpower,theGermansoccupyoursouthernflankandwehavecalleduponothernationstosnatchourchestnutsfromthefire.""Ihadnoideathingswerethatbad.""Theyaregettingworse,ifyoucanbelieveit.Whichbringsmebacktoyouandyourship."Federofflockedhiseyesonthecaptain's."WeloyalpatriotshereinOdessahaveourbackstothesea.TheWhiteArmyholdsterritory,buttheRedsarepressingfromthenorthandwillsoonoverwhelmthem.TheGermanarmy'sten-milemilitaryzonewilldissolvelikesugarinwater.Bytakingonthesepassengers,youwouldbedoingagreatserviceforRussia."Thecaptainconsideredhimselfacitizenoftheworld,butdeepdownhewasnodifferentfromtherestofhiscountrymen,withtheirdeepattachmenttothemotherland.HeknewthattheBolshevikswerearrestingandexecutingtheoldguardandthatmanyrefugeeshadescapedtothesouth.Hehadtalkedwithothercaptainswhowhisperedtalesoftakingonimportantpassengersinthedeadofnight.Passengerspacewasnoproblem.Theshipwaspracticallyempty.TheOdessaStarwasthelastchoiceofsailorslookingforaberth.Shesmelledofleakyfuel,rustingmetalandlow-endcargo.Sailorscalleditthestenchofdeathandavoidedtheshipasifitcarriedtheplague.Thecrewwasmostlywharfratsnoothershipwouldhire.Tovrovcouldmovethefirstmateintohisquarters,freeinguptheofficers'cabinsforpassengers.Heglancedatthethickenvelope.Themoneywouldmakethedifferencebetweendyinginanoldsailors'homeorretiringtoacomfortablecottagebythesea."Wesailinthreedayswiththeeveningtide,"thecaptainsaid."Youareatruepatriot,"Federoffsaid,hiseyesglisteningwithtears.Hethrusttheenvelopeacrossthetable."Thisishalf.Iwillpayyouthebalancewhenthepassengersarrive."Thecaptainslidthemoneyintohiscoat,whereitseemedtothrowoffheat."Howmanypassengerswilltherebe?"Federoffglancedattwosailorswhoenteredthecafeandsatatatable.Loweringhisvoice,hesaid,"Aboutadozen.Thereisextramoneyintheenvelopetobuyfood.Purchasethesuppliesatdifferentmarketstoavoidsuspicion.Imustgonow."Herosefromhisseat,and,inavoiceloudenoughforalltohear,saidsternly,"Well,mygoodCaptain,Ihopeyouhaveabetterunderstandingofourcustoms,rulesandregulations!Goodday."Ontheafternoonofdeparture,Federoffcametotheshiptotellthecaptaintheplanswereunchanged.Thepassengerswouldarrivelateintheevening.Onlythecaptainwastobeondeck.Shortlybeforemidnight,asTovrovpacedthefog-shroudeddeckalone,avehiclesquealedtoahaltatthebottomofthegangplank.Fromthegutturalsoundofthemotor,heguesseditwasatruck.Theheadlightsandenginewereturnedoff.Doorsopenedandclosed,andtherewasthemurmurofvoicesandthescuffleofbootsonwetcobblestones.Atallfigurewearingahoodedcloakclimbedthegang-way,steppedontothedeckandcameovertothecaptain.Tovrovfeltunseeneyesboringintohis.Thenadeepmalevoicespokefromthedarkholeunderthecowling."Wherearethepassengers'quarters?""I'llshowyou,"Tovrovsaid."No,tellme.""Verywell.Thecabinsareonthebridgeonedeckup.Theladderisoverthere.""Whereareyourcrew?""Theyareallintheirbunks.""Seethattheystaythere.Waithere."Themansilentlymadehiswaytotheladderandclimbedtotheofficers'cabinsonthedeckbelowthewheelhouse.Minuteslater,hereturnedfromhisinspection."Betterthanastable,butnotmuch,"hesaid."We'recomingaboard.Stayoutoftheway.Overthere."Hepointedtowardthebow,thendescendedtothequay.Tovrovwasruffledatbeingorderedaboutonhisownship,butthenthoughtofthemoneylockedsafeinhiscabinsmoothedhisfeathers.Hewasalsowiseenoughnottoarguewithamanwhotoweredabovehim.Hetookupapostonthebowasinstructed.Thegrouphuddledonthequayfiledontotheship.Tovrovheardthesleepyvoiceofayounggirlorboybeingshushedbyanadultasthepassengersmadetheirwaytotheirquarters.Othersfollowed,luggingboxesorsteamertrunks.Fromthegruntsandcurses,heguessedthatthebaggagewasheavy.ThelastpersonontotheshipwasFederoff,whohuffedwithunaccustomedexertionfromtheshortclimb."Well,mygoodfellow,"hesaidcheerily,clappinghisglovestogetherforwarmth."That'sthelastofit.Iseverythingready?""Wesailwhenyougivetheorder.""Consideritgiven.Hereistherestofyourmoney."HehandedTovrovanenvelopethatcrackledwithnewbills.Then,unexpectedly,heembracedthecaptaininabearhugandkissedhimonbothcheeks."MotherRussiacanneverpayyouenough,"hewhispered."Tonightyoumakehistory."Hereleasedtheastoundedcaptainanddescendedthegangway.Afteramoment,thetruckdroveoffanddisappearedintothegloom.Thecaptainbroughttheenvelopetohisnose,inhalingthesmellofrublesasiftheywereroses,thenhetuckedthemoneyinacoatpocketandclimbedtothewheelhouse.Hewentintothechartroombehindthewheelhouse,thenthroughadoorintohiscabintoroustSergei,hisfirstmate.ThecaptainfoldtheyoungGeorgiantowakethecrewandcastoff.Mutteringincomprehensiblytohimself,thematewentbelowtofolloworders.Ahandfulofhumanflotsamstaggeredoutontothedeckinvariousstatesofsobriety.Tovrovwatchedfromthewheelhouseasthemooringlineswerecastoffandthegangwaypulledup.Therewereadozencrewmeninall,includingtwomenhiredatthelastminuteasstokersdowninthe"junkyard,"astheengineroomwascalled.Thechiefengineerwasacompetentseamanwhohadstayedwiththecaptainoutofloyalty.HewieldedhisoilcanlikeamagicwandandbreathedlifeintothepilesofscrapmetalthatpoweredtheStar.Theboilershadbeenwarmingupandwerebuildingupsteamaswellascouldbeexpected.Tovrovtookthehelm,thetelegraphjangledandtheshipmovedawayfromthedock.AstheOdessaStarinchedherwayoutofthefog-boundharbor,thosewhosawhercrossedthemselvesandinvokedancientprayerstowardoffdemons.Sheseemedtofloatabovethewaterlikeaphantomshipdoomedtowandertheworldinsearchofdrownedsailorsforhercrew.Herrunninglightswereveiledinagauzyglow,asifSaintElmo'sfiredancedintherigging.Thecaptainsteeredtheshipthroughthewindingchannelandaroundfog-shroudedboatsaseasilyasaporpoiseusingitsnaturalradar.YearsofsteamingbetweenOdessaandConstantinoplehadengravedtherouteinhisbrain,andheknewwithoutresortingtochartsorchannelmarkershowmanyturnsofthewheeltomake.TheStar'sFrenchownershadpurposelyneglectedhermaintenanceforyears,hopingonegoodstormwouldsendtheshiptothebottomandpayoutitsinsurance.Rustdrippedfromthescupperslikebleedingsoresandstreakedtheblisteredhull.Themastsandcranesweresplotchedbycorrosion.Theshiplisteddrunkenlytoport,wherewaterfromaleakybilgehadsettled.TheStar'sengines,wornandlonginneedofanoverhaul,wheezedasiftheysufferedfromemphysema.ThechokingblackcloudthatpouredfromitssinglesmokestackstankasifitweresulfuremanatingfromHades.Likeaterminalpatientwhosomehowexistedinawastedbody,theStarcontinuedtoplowthroughtheseaslongaftersheshouldhavebeendeclaredclinicallydead.TovrovknewthattheStarwasthelastshiphewouldevercommand.Yethestrovetomaintainaspit-and-polishlook.Hebuffedhisthin-soledblackshoeseverymorning.Hiswhiteshirtwasyellowedbutclean,andheattemptedtokeepacreaseinhisthreadbareblacktrousers.Onlythecosmeticskillsofanembalmerwouldhaveimprovedthecaptain'sphysicalappearance.Latehours,poordietandlackofsleephadtakentheirtoll.Hissunkencheeksgaveevengreaterprominencetothelong,red-veinednoseandhisskinwasasgrayasparchment.Thefirstmatewentbacktosleep,andthecrewsettledintheirbunkswhilethefirstshiftofstokersfedthecoalintotheboilers.ThecaptainlitupapotentTurkishcigarettethattriggeredacoughingfitthatdoubledhimover.Ashegothisfitundercontrol,hebecameawarethatcoldseaairwascominginanopendoor.Helookedupandsawhewasnolongeralone.Ahugemanstoodinthedoorway,dramaticallyframedbywispsoffog.Hesteppedinsideandshutthedoorbehindhim."Lights,"hesaidinabaritonevoicethatidentifiedhimasthefigurewhohadbeenthefirsttocomeaboard.Tovrovpulledthecordforthebarebulbthathungfromtheoverhead.Themanhadthrownbackhishood.Hewastallandleanandworeawhitefurhatknownasapapakhaatarakishangle.Apaleduelingscarslashedhisrightcheekabovethebeardline,hisskinwasredandblisteredwithsnowburnandsparklingdropsofmoisturemattedhisblackhairandbeard.Hisleftiriswascloudedfromaninjuryordisease,andhisstaringgoodeyemadehimlooklikealopsidedCyclops.Thefur-linedcloakhadfallenopentorevealapistolholsterathisbelt,andinhishandhecarriedarifle.Acartridgebandoleercrossedhischestandasaberhungfromhisbelt.Hewasdressedinamuddygraytunicandhisfeetwereshodwithhigh,black-leatherboots.TheuniformandhisairofbarelyrepressedviolenceidentifiedhimasaCossack,oneofthefiercewarriorcastewhoinhabitedtherimoftheBlackSea.Tovrovstifledhisrevulsion.Cossackshadbeeninvolvedinthedeathofhisfamily,andhealwaystriedtoavoidthebelligerenthorsemenwhoseemedhappiestwheninstillingfear.Themanglancedaroundthedesertedwheelhouse."Alone?""Thefirstmateissleepingbackthere,"Tovrovsaid,withajerkofhishead."Heisdrunkanddoesn'thearanything."Hefumbledwithacigaretteandofferedthemanone."MynameisMajorPeterYakelev,"themansaid,wavingthecigaretteaway."Youwilldoasyouaretold,CaptainTovrov.""Youmaytrustmetobeatyourservice,Major.""Itrustnoone."Hesteppedcloserandspatoutthewords."NottheWhiteRussiansortheReds.NottheGermansortheBritish.Theyareallagainstus.EvenCossackshavegoneovertotheBolsheviks."Heglaredatthecaptain,searchingforanuanceofdefiance.Seeingnothreatinthecaptain'sblandexpression,hereachedoutwiththickfingers."Cigarette,"hegrowled.Tovrovgavehimthewholepack.Themajorlitoneupanddrankinthesmokeasifitwereanelixir.Tovrovwasintriguedbythemajor'saccent.Thecaptain'sfatherhadworkedasacoachmanforawealthylandowner,andTovrovwasfamiliarwiththeculturedspeechoftheRussianelite.Thismanlookedasifhehadsprungfromthesteppes,buthespokewithaneducatedinflection.Tovrovknewthatupper-classofficerstrainedatthemilitaryacademywereoftenpickedtoleadCossacktroops.TovrovnoticedthewearinessintheCossack'sruinedfaceandtheslightsagtothepowerfulshoulders."Alongtrip?"hesaid.Themajorgrinnedwithouthumor."Yes,along,hardtrip."Heblewtwinplumesofsmokeoutofhisnostrilsandproducedaflaskofvodkafromhiscoat.Hetookapullandlookedaround."Thisshipstinks,"hedeclared."TheStarisanold,oldladywithagreatheart.""Youroldladystillstinks,"theCossacksaid."Whenyou'remyage,youlearntoholdyournoseandtakewhatyoucanget."ThemajorroaredwithlaughterandslappedTovrovonthebacksohardthatsharpdaggersofpainstabbedhisravagedlungsandsethimcoughing.TheCossackofferedTovrovhisflask.Thecaptainmanagedaswallow.Itwashigh-qualityvodka,nottherotguthewasusedto.Thefieryliquiddampenedthecough,andhehandedtheflaskbackandtookthehelm.Yakelevtuckedtheflaskaway."WhatdidFederofftellyou?"hesaid."Onlythatwe'recarryingcargoandpassengersofgreatimportancetoRussia.""You'renotcurious?"Tovrovshrugged."Ihaveheardwhatisgoingoninthewest.IassumethesearebureaucratsrunningawayfromtheBolshevikswiththeirfamiliesandwhatfewbelongingstheycanbring."Yakelevsmiled."Yes,thatisagoodstory."Emboldened,Tovrovsaid,"IfImayask,whydidyouchoosetheOdessaStar?Surelytherewerenewershipsfittedoutforpassengerservice.""Useyourbrain,Captain,"Yakelevsaidwithcontempt."Nobodywouldexpectthisoldscowtocarrypassengersofimportance."Heglancedoutthewindowintothenight."HowlongtoConstantinople?""Twodaysandtwonights,ifallgoeswell.""Makesureitdoesgowell.""I'lldomybest.Anythingelse?""Yes.Tellyourcrewtostayawayfromthepassengers.Acookwillcomeintothekitchenandpreparemeals.Noonewilltalktoher.Therearesixguards,includingmyself,andwewillbeondutyatalltimes.Anyonewhocomestothecabinswithoutpermissionwillbeshot."Heputhishandonthebuttofhispistolinemphasis."Iwillmakesurethecrewisinformed,"thecaptainsaid."Theonlyonesnormallyonthebridgearethefirstmateandmyself.HisnameisSergei.""Thedrunk?"Tovrovnodded.TheCossackshookhisheadindisbelief,hisgoodeyesweepingthewheelhouse,thenheleftassuddenlyashehadappeared.Tovrovstaredattheopendoorandscratchedhischin.Passengerswhobringtheirarmedguardsarenotpettybureaucrats,hethought.Hemustbecarryingsomeonehighupinthehierarchy,maybeevenmembersofthecourt.Butitwasnoneofhisbusiness,hedecided,andwentbacktohisduties.Hecheckedthecompassheading,setthehelm,thensteppedoutontotheportwingtoclearhishead.Thedampaircarriedaperfumeladenwithscentsfromtheancientlandsthatsurroundedthesea.Hecockedhisear,strainingtohearovertheerraticthrum-thrumoftheStar'sengines.Decadesatseahadhonedhissensestoasharpedge.Anotherboatwasmovingthroughthefog.Whoelsewouldbesofoolishastosailonsuchaterriblenight?Maybeitwasthevodkaatwork.Anewsounddrownedouttheboatnoise.Musicwascomingfromthepassengers'quarters.Someonewasplayingaconcertinaandmalevoicessanginchorus.ItwastheRussiannationalanthem,"BajeTsariaKrani.""GodSavetheTsar."Themelancholyvoicesmadehimsad,andhewentbackintothewheelhouseandclosedthedoorsohecouldnolongerhearthehauntingstrains.Thefogvanishedwiththedawn,andthebleary-eyedmatestumbledintorelievethecaptain.Tovrovgavehimthecourseorders,thensteppedoutsideandyawnedintheearly-morningsunlight.Heswepthiseyesoverthebluesatinseaandsawthathisinstinctshadbeenright.AfishingboatwasrunningparalleltotheStar'slongwake.Hewatchedtheboatforafewminutes,thenshruggedandmadetherounds,warningeverycrewmanthattheofficers'quarterswereoff-limits.Satisfiedthatallwaswell,thecaptaincrawledintohisbunkandsleptinhisclothes.Hisfirstmatewasunderstrictorderstoawakenhimatthefirstsignofanythingunusual.Nevertheless,Tovrov,whohadmasteredtheartofthecat-nap,roseseveraltimesandreturnedtoadeepslumberinbetween.Aroundmidday,heawokeandwentintothemess,whereheatebreadandcheese,plussausagepurchasedwithhisnewfoundwealth.Astoutwomanwasthere,bendingoverthestove,andstandingbywasatough-lookingCossackwhohelpedhercarrythesteamingpotsbacktothepassengersection.Afterhismeal,Tovrovrelievedthemateforalunchbreak.Asthedayworeon,thefishingboatfellbackuntilitcouldhavebeenanyoneofthedotsvisibleonthehorizon.TheStarseemedtoshedyearsassheglidedoverthemirroredsurfaceofthesunlitsea.EagertoreachConstantinople,Tovrovorderedtheshipkeptatnearlytopspeed,butfinally,theshippaidforitscoltishbehavior.Arounddinner-time,anenginebrokedown,andthoughthefirstmateandtheengineertinkeredwiththeengineforhours,theironlyaccomplishmentwastocoatthemselveswithgrease.Thecaptainsawthatfurthereffortwasfutileandorderedthemtopushforwardononeengine.Themajorwaswaitinginthewheelhouseandroaredlikeawoundedbullwhenthecaptainlaidouttheproblem.TovrovsaidtheywouldgettoConstantinople,onlynotassoon.Anextraday,perhaps.Yakelevraisedhisfistsintheairandaffixedthecaptainwithhisbalefuleye.Tovrovexpectedtobesmashedtogoulash,butthemajorsuddenlywhirledandsweptfromthecabin.Thecaptainexhaledthebreathhehadbeenholdingandreturnedtohischarts.Theshipwasmovingathalfspeed,butatleastitwasmoving.ThecaptainprayedtotheiconofSaintBasilonthewallthatthegoodenginewouldholdout.Yakelevwascalmerwhenhereturned.Thecaptainaskedhowthepassengersweredoing.Theywerefine,themajorsaid,buttheywoulddobetterifthestinkingrustbuckettheywereongottowhereitwasgoing.Fogmovedinlater,andTovrovhadtoreducespeedbyacoupleofknots.HehopedYakelevwasasleepandwouldn'tnotice.Tovrovhadthenervousmentalticthatcomestomenwhohavespenttheirlivesonthewater,hiseyesconstantlydartinghereandthere,checkingthecompassandbarometerdozensoftimesinanhour.Inbetween,hewalkedfromwingtowingtoobserveweatherandseaconditions.Aboutoneo'clockinthemorning,hewentoutontotheportwing...andhisneckbegantotingle.Avesselwasovertakingthem.Helistenedintently.Itwasclosingfast.Tovrovwasasimpleman,buthewasnotstupid.Hecrankedthephonethatconnectedthebridgetotheofficers'cabin.Yakelevanswered."Whatdoyouwant?"hesnapped."Wemusttalk,"Tovrovsaid."Iwillcomebylater.""No,itisveryimportant.Wemusttalknow.""Allright.Comedowntothepassengers'quarters.Don'tworry,"Yakelevsaidwithanevilchuckle,"I'lltrynottoshootyou."ThecaptainhungupandwokeSergei,whoreekedofalcohol.Hepouredthemateamugofthestrongblackcoffee."Keepaheadingduesouth.Iwillbebackinafewminutes.AnymistakesandIwilltakeawayyourvodkauntilwereachConstantinople."Tovrovhurriedbelowandcautiouslypushedopenthedoor,halfexpectingtobemetbyahailofbullets.Yakelevwaswaiting.Hestoodwithhislegswideapartandhishandsonhiships.FourotherCossackswereasleeponthefloor.Anothersatcross-leggedwithhisbacktothecabindoorandariflebalancedonhisknees.Yakelevglaredaccusingly."Youwokemeup.""Comewithme,please,"thecaptainsaid,leadingthewayoutside.Theydescendedtothefog-shroudedmaindeckandmadetheirwaytothestem.Thecaptainleanedoverthefantailandpeeredintothewoolydarknessthatswallowedtheirbroadwake.Helistenedafewseconds,blockingouttheburbleandhissofthewater."Aboatisfollowingus,"hesaid.Yakelevlookedathimwithsuspicionandcuppedhishandtohisear."You'recrazy.Ihearnothingbutthenoisefromthisstupidship.""You'reaCossack,"Tovrovsaid."Youknowabouthorses?""Ofcourse,"themajorreplied,withacontemptuoussnort."Whatmandoesn't?""Idon't,butIdoknowships,andwe'rebeingfollowed.,Apistononthatboatismissingastroke.IthinkitisthefishingboatIsawearlier.""Sowhatofit?Thisisthesea.Fishswiminthesea.""Therearenofishthisfarfromshore."Helistenedagain."Nodoubt.It'sthesameboatanditismovinginonus."Themajorutteredastringofcursesandpoundedtherail:"Youmustlosethem.""Impossible!Notwithoneenginedown."Yakelev'shandgrabbedthefrontofTovrov'scoatandheliftedthecaptainontohistoes."Donottellmewhatisimpossible,"hesnarled."IttookusweekstocomefromKiev.Thetemperaturewasthirtydegreesbelowzero.Thewindlashedourfaceslikewhips.Therewasaburin,ablizzardlikenoneIhaveeverseen.IhadafullsontiaofonehundredCossackswhenIstarted.ThesepitifulfellowsareallIhaveleft.MyothermenstayedbehindtowatchourbackswhenwecamethroughGermanlines.IfnotfortheTartars'help,wewouldallbedead.Wemanagedtofindaway.Youwill,too."Tovrovstifledtheurgetocough."ThenIsuggestwechangeourcourseandcutthelights.""Doitthen,"Yakelevordered,releasinghisirongrip.Thecaptaincaughthisbreathanddashedbacktothebridge,withthemajorclosebehind.Astheyapproachedtheladderthatleduptothewheelhouse,abrightsquareoflightappearedonthedeckabove.Severalpeoplesteppedoutontotheopenplatform.Thelightwasfrombehind,sotheirfaceswereinshadow."Inside!"Yakelevshouted."Wecameoutsideforair,"awomansaid,speakinginaGermanaccent."Itisstiflinginthecabin.""Please,Madame,"themajorsaidinasofter,pleadingvoice."Asyouwish,"thewomansaid,afteramoment.Shewasclearlyreluctant,butsheherdedtheothersbackinside.Assheturned,Tovrovsawherprofile.Shehadastrongchin,andhernosewasslightlycurvedatthetip.Aguardemergedfromtheshipandcalleddown."Icouldn'tstopthem,Major.""Gobackinsideandshutthedoorbeforealltheworldhearsyourstupidexcuses."Theguardvanishedandslammedthedoorbehindhim.AsTovrovstaredupattheemptyplatform,themajor'sfingersdugintohisarm.Yakelev'svoicewasharshandlow."Yousawnothing,Captain.""Thosepeople-""Nothing!ForGod'ssake,man.Idonotwanttokillyou."Tovrovstartedtoreply,butthewordsneverlefthismouth.Hehadfeltachangeintheship'smovement,andhejerkedhisarmawayfromYakelev'sgrip."Imustgotothebridge.""Whatiswrong?""There'snooneatthewheel.Can'tyoufeelit?Mystupidfirstmateisprobablydrunk."Tovrovleftthemajorbehindandclimbedtothewheelhouse.Inthelightfromthebinnacle,hesawthewheelslowlyspinningbackandforthasifmovedbyinvisiblehands.Thecaptainsteppedinsideandstumbledoversomethingsoftandyielding.Heswore,thinkingthatthematehadpassedout.Thenheturnedonthelightandsawhowwronghewas.Thematelayfacedownonthemetaldeck,apuddleofbloodaroundhishead.Tovrov'sangerturnedtoalarm.Hekneltbesidetheyoungofficerandturnedhimover.Awoundgrinnedathimlikeasecondmouthwherethepoorwretch'sthroathadbeencut.Eyeswidewithhorror,thecaptainstoodandedgedawayfromthecorpse,onlytobackintoawallofsolidflesh.HewhirledandsawYakelev."Whathashappened?"themajorsaid."It'sincredible!Someonehaskilledthefirstmate."