Shackles

Tumbled down black smoke through which big wings of a bright red flame rose and trembled. Fire raised a howl with an unexpected force and ferocity, having partly puzzled instigators…

– It would be not necessary! – reproachfully the Laurels sighed – there will be to us a blowup!

All were silent, ready to stop unexpected and yet not seen them rage of fire.

At many heart заныло repentance and heavy presentiment. Only the Sheep Mug had fun and – whether falsely whether is not present – danced, shouting as drunk:

– Fire of Troy!

Suddenly on the wood ringing, bystry blows of horse hoofs sounded: to them at a gallop on a bareback horse the familiar man Abram Tsarev who was on duty this day at a fire warehouse came tearing along. It was angry and pale, with the uncombed head and a beard, without cap and a belt, barefoot.

– Hto lit it? – terribly he cried, having besieged a horse.

Smoke was spread by a black cloud over the wood.

Children were confused a little, but then chorus cried:

– To us Ivan Listratov ordered!

Abram burst in perfect abuse.

Then Vukol came forward and told quietly:

– I lit it!

The man wanted to rake up the fellow for hair, but changed mind: the boy is strange, from the big village – the grandfather Matvei’s vnuchonok, a family spravny and Elizara he knew: the district Elizar is known to all. Swore once again, shook the fist at the company and with all the might skipped away back.

When it was behind a coppice, all exchanged glances.

– Why you undertook? – quietly Vukola the uncle asked – Stepka lit?

– I do not renounce, знамо I! – confirmed the Mug.

– I spoke to you – it is not necessary! – reasonably continued Laurels – for an arson in a jail put!

– In a sharp og? – scaredly Alyapa exclaimed and suddenly began to whimper.

– Alyapa! – all laughed – was afraid?

– All this you! – the others began to make a racket, approaching Stepka.

Mug grew quiet, it is guilty moved back, looking around and, povidimy, choosing a moment to turn the tail.

– A jail not a jail, and it is necessary to answer! – told the Scaffold – and rightly!

– On you we will also show, Stepashka! In total – “I will light” and “I will light”. Here also lit!

– Yes Vukol undertakes!

The dispute began.

– Stop! – at last, Vukol told and knocked about the earth a stick – there is nothing перекоряться: all should stand up for one! I am guilty one, I allowed Stepan, he also obeyed!. You chose me, it seems as the foreman… well, I also have to be responsible! Listen that I thought up!

He kept silent, leaning on a stick. All moved in a circle. Behind the back of Vukol there were Laurels which were going to whisper something to the nephew, but that, without listening to the adviser, continued:

– In a jail will put you nobody! all of you will tell when you are asked: I lit, one, without you!.

The uncle pulled it a sleeve, but Vukol quietly took away his hand.

– And as you … – with emotion escaped at Laurels, but Vukol interrupted:

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