when immediately all things began to move again. But the thieves took the warning given them by this prodigy, and released their victim; and they went together, following the voices they heard, to the stable; there they paid homage to the new-born Babe, along with all the creatures which lived on earth or in air.” They wondered much at the legend told them; but presently Boryna and the smith began to talk of other matters. After a time, too, Yagustynka, who had all the time sat silent, spoke out, and with no pleasant words. “Oh, ye talk, ye talk, ye talk: and wherefore, but only to make time pass? Were it true that of old there came from heaven those who protected the wretched and saved them from the oppressor: then why do they not come now too? Is there now less of poverty, less of misery, less of torture and of pain? Man is like a poor bird, unarmed, and let loose to fly about the world. The hawk, the beasts of prey, and want of food slay it; and him Crossbones always takes in the end.—And ye prate of mercy, and feed fools with promises, deluding them and saying that salvation is at hand!—Ah, who is at hand?—Antichrist! and he will deal out justice, and He will have mercy, even as the hawk has mercy on the chickens!” Roch started up. “Woman!” he cried in a thundering voice; “do not blaspheme! do not hearken sinfully to the whispers of the Wicked One, that will drag you down to your damnation and to everlasting fire!”—But he fell back upon the bench, and could speak no more for the sobs that choked his voice, and shuddered from head to foot with horror and with sorrow for that lost soul. And when somewhat calmer, he set the truth before her with all the power of a firm believer, striving to bring her back into the right way. He spoke to her long—very long; and as well as a priest in the pulpit. Meanwhile Vitek, having been greatly struck to hear that cattle possessed human speech on Christmas Eve, called Yuzka away quietly, and they went both of them to the cow-house. Holding each other by the hands, trembling with awe, and crossing themselves more than once, they slipped in amongst the cows. Down they knelt by the side of the largest one, that they looked on as the Mother of the Byre. Out of breath, agitated, with tears in their eyes and dread in their hearts, as if they were in church and during the Elevation—they nevertheless were upheld by strong trust and a lively faith. Vitek put his mouth to her ear, and quavered in a low voice: “Hist! Grey One! Grey One!” But she only gurgled inaudibly, and went on chewing with a roll of her tongue and a smack of her lips. “Something strange has come upon her: she answers naught!” Then they knelt by the next cow, and Vitek, who by this time was on the verge of weeping, called earnestly to her: “Spotted One! Spotted One!” They both approached very close to her mouth, and listened, holding their breath; but never, never a word!