“Allright，“assentedthesoldierwiththesling。“I’llcarryyou，youcan’twalk，holdontomyneck。“
Gusevputhisarmroundthesoldier’sneck，thelatterputhisunhurtarmroundhimandcarriedhimup。Onthedecksailorsandtime-expiredsoldierswerelyingasleepsidebyside；thereweresomanyofthemitwasdifficulttopass。
“Standdown，“thesoldierwiththeslingsaidsoftly。“Followmequietly，holdontomyshirt。“
Itwasdark。Therewasnolightondeck，noronthemasts，noranywhereontheseaaround。Atthefurthestendoftheshipthemanonwatchwasstandingperfectlystilllikeastatue，anditlookedasthoughhewereasleep。Itseemedasthoughthesteamerwereabandonedtoitselfandweregoingatitsownwill。
“NowtheywillthrowPavelIvanitchintothesea，“saidthesoldierwiththesling。“Inasackandthenintothewater。“