But they replied: "We will instantly drive in the last little nail, and when that is in place, we will bring out our work."
But the messengers said: "He'll devour us alive before that time, and leave not enough to remember our souls by."
But the gunsmiths replied: "He will not succeed in swallowing you, because, lo! while you have been speaking we have already driven in that last tiny nail. Run and say that we will bring it immediately."
The Suite-Cossacks ran, but not with confidence—they thought the gunsmiths were deceiving them; therefore, while they ran as hard as they could, they kept glancing back. But the workmen followed them, and made such extreme haste that they did not manage to get their clothes quite on, as was meet before presenting themselves to such an important personage, but fastened the hooks of their kaftans as they ran. Two of them had nothing in their hands, but the third, the left-handed man, held the Imperial casket with the English steel flea, in a green case.
FOOTNOTE:
[22] Uneducated for "stench."
X
The Suite-Cossacks dashed up to Platoff and said: "Here they are themselves!"
Platoff immediately addressed the artisans: "Ready?"