The lad's terror amused him; he also enjoyed the sensation of being
able to provoke such fear.

"Dark transactions, brother. . . Let me go, for the love of Heaven.
What am I to you? Friend . . ."

"Be quiet! If I hadn't needed you, I shouldn't have brought you! Do
you understand? Eh! Well, be quiet!"

"Oh, Lord!" sobbed Gavrilo.

"Enough!"

Gavrilo could no longer control himself and his breath came in broken
and painful gasps; he wept and moved restlessly about on his seat, but
rowed hard, in despair. The boat sped ahead like an arrow. Again the
black hulls of the ships arose before them, and the boat, turning like
a top in the narrow channels that separated them, was soon lost among
them.

"Hey! You, listen: If anyone speaks to us, keep still, if you value
your skin. Do you understand?"

"Alas!" hopelessly sighed Gavrilo, in response to this stern command,
and he added: "It was my lot to be lost!"

"Stop howling!" whispered Tchelkache.

These words completely robbed Gavrilo of all understanding and he
remained crushed under the chill presentiment of some misfortune. He