"Bravo!" cried Alcide; "for a simple merchant, Mr.Korpanoff, you handle the hunter's knife in a most masterly fashion." "Most masterly, indeed," added Blount.
"In Siberia," replied Michael, "we are obliged to do a little of everything." Alcide regarded him attentively.

Seen in the bright glare, his knife dripping with blood, his tall figure, his foot firm on the huge carcass, he was indeed worth looking at.
"A formidable fellow," said Alcide to himself.

Then advancing respectfully, he saluted the young girl.
Nadia bowed slightly.
Alcide turned towards his companion.

"The sister worthy of the brother!" said he.

"Now, were I a bear, I should not meddle with two so brave and so charming." Harry Blount, perfectly upright, stood, hat in hand, at some distance.
His companion's easy manners only increased his usual stiffness.
At that moment the iemschik, who had succeeded in recapturing his two horses, reappeared.