Yakov Tarasovich recognized him and, instantly grown alarmed, he cried: "Where are you coming from?
What has happened ?" "I--I have come to you!" said Yefim, stopping short at the table, with a low bow.
"Well, I see, you've come to me.

What's the matter?
Where's the steamer ?" "The steamer is there!" Yefim thrust his hand somewhere into the air and heavily shifted from one foot to the other.
"Where is it, devil?
Speak coherently--what has happened ?" cried the old man, enraged.
"So--a misfortune, Yakov." "Have you been wrecked ?" "No, God saved us." "Burned up?
Well, speak more quickly." Yefim drew air into his chest and said slowly: "Barge No.

9 was sunk--smashed up.

One man's back was broken, and one is altogether missing, so that he must have drowned.

About five more were injured, but not so very badly, though some were disabled." "So-o!" drawled out Mayakin, measuring the captain with an ill-omened look.
"Well, Yefimushka, I'll strip your skin off." "It wasn't I who did it!" said Yefim, quickly.
"Not you ?" cried the old man, shaking with rage.