[CHAPTER X.]
THE MEETING IN THE HUT—SAFE AT HOME.
"SO, then," continued Stepan, "having driven this way before on business for the factory, I remembered thy father's hut, Sonia, and thought I would call here, on the chance of finding thee, and also to ask if thou knowest anything of the two little gentlemen who started from a hut ten miles or more from here on the homeward journey. I am terribly anxious about them, for on the way here to-day I came upon the remains of a man who had been devoured by wolves. Fresh snow had fallen, so that very little remained uncovered, but it made me feel doubly uneasy. I did not know that wolves came here to these parts in any numbers; but it must be the early and severe winter that has brought them."
"Since thou art so anxious, brother, come and look here," said Sonia, and she pointed to the farthest corner of the room, where, on a bed of straw, lay Sharik the pony, and Alf and Bert with their heads pillowed on his back—all fast asleep.
"Now God be praised for all His mercies!" exclaimed Stepan, taking off his cap and crossing himself. "This is joy indeed!"
By this time, the sound of the eager voices had penetrated even into dreamland, and the boys sat up, rubbing their eyes.
"I was dreaming," said Bert, still more than half-asleep, "of Stepan."
"So was I," rejoined Alf, and then, looking up, he exclaimed, "And here he is!"
Then both lads, crying and laughing at once, threw their arms round the man's neck, and tears of gladness and thankfulness ran down his cheeks as he held them in a close embrace.
Sonia now set to work to prepare tea for the travellers, and the horse, harnessed to the sledge, was warmly covered over, and made quite happy with a full nose-bag, while Sharik was fed and petted to his heart's content. Half an hour later, Stepan and the boys were on their way homeward in the sledge, the pony trotting merrily behind, and neighing for joy, every now and then, to his friend in the shafts.