"I should like to sleep," replied Gabriel, and in a few moments he was snoring in the dirty hold of the ship; but Chelkash, seated by his side, was fitting on some sort of boot to his foot, and meditatively spitting about him, fell to whistling angrily and moodily through his teeth. Then he stretched himself alongside Gabriel, and without taking off his boots, folded his arms beneath his head, and began concentrating his attention on the deck, twisting his moustaches the while. The barque rocked slowly on the heaving water, now and then a plank gave forth a melancholy squeak, the rain fell softly on the deck, and the waves washed the sides of the vessel. It was all very mournful, and sounded like the cradle-song of a mother having no hope of the happiness of her son. Chelkash, grinding his teeth, raised his head a little, looked around him ... and having whispered something, lay down again.... Stretching his legs wide, he resembled a large pair of shears. III. He awoke first, gazed anxiously around, immediately recovered his self-possession, and looked at the still sleeping Gabriel. He was sweetly snoring, and was smiling at something in his sleep with his childish, wholesome, sun-tanned face. Chelkash sighed, and climbed up the narrow rope ladder. Through the opening of the hold he caught sight of a leaden bit of sky. It was light, but grey and drear--autumnal in fact. Chelkash returned in about a couple of hours. His face was cheerful, his moustaches were twirled neatly upwards, a good-natured, merry smile was on his lips. He was dressed in long strong boots, a short jacket, leather trousers, and walked with a jaunty air. His whole costume was the worse for wear, but strong, and fitted him well, making his figure broader, hiding his boniness, and giving him a military air. "Hie! get up, blockhead!" bumping Gabriel with his foot. The latter started up, and not recognising him for sleepiness, gazed upon him with dull and terrified eyes. Chelkash laughed. "Why, who would have known you?" said Gabriel at last, with a broad grin; "you have become quite a swell." "Oh, with us that soon happens. Well, still in a funk, eh? How many times did you think you were going to die last night, eh? Tell me, now." "Nay, but judge fairly. In the first place, what sort of a job was I on? Why, I might have ruined my soul for ever!" "Well, I should like it all over again. What do you say?" "Over again? Nay, that's a little too ... how shall I put it? Is it worth it? That's where it is." "What, not for two rainbows?" "Two hundred roubles you mean? Not if I know it. Why, I ought. "Stop. How about ruining your soul, eh?" "Well, you see, _I_ might ... even if you didn't," smiled Gabriel; "instead of ruining yourself you'd be a made man for life, no doubt." Chelkash laughed merrily. "All right, we must have our jokes, I suppose. Let us go ashore. Come, look sharp!" "I'm ready."