Just as he was about to grasp him he was struck on the head with some hard substance.

He had been hit on the temple as with a stone.
The blow was struck by Gavryl, who had picked up an oaken stave, and with it gave Ivan a terrible blow on the head.
Ivan was stunned, and bright sparks danced before his eyes, while he swayed from side to side like a drunken man, until finally all became dark and he sank to the ground unconscious.
When he recovered his senses, Gavryl was nowhere to be seen, but all around him was as light as day.

Strange sounds proceeded from the direction of his house, and turning his face that way he saw that his barns were on fire.

The rear parts of both were already destroyed, and the flames were leaping toward the front.

Fire, smoke, and bits of burning straw were being rapidly whirled by the high wind over to where his house stood, and he expected every moment to see it burst into flames.
"What is this, brother ?" Ivan cried out, as he beat his thighs with his hands.