Stanyukovich man overboard summary. The direct and figurative meaning of the story by K. Stanyukovich “man overboard

"Man overboard!"

"Sea stories"

Konstantin Mikhailovich Stanyukovich

"MAN OVERBOARD!"

The heat of the tropical day was beginning to subside. The sun rolled slowly across the horizon.

Driven by a gentle trade wind, the clipper carried its canvas and silently glided across the Atlantic Ocean, seven knots at a time. Empty all around: no sail, no haze on the horizon! Wherever you look, there is the same boundless water plain, slightly agitated and rumbling with some mysterious rumble, bordered on all sides by the transparent blue of a cloudless dome. The air is soft and transparent; from the ocean carries a healthy sea smell.

Empty around.

Occasionally, under the rays of the sun, a bright scale, like gold, jumping over a flying fish will flash, a white albatross will pierce high in the air, a small loop will hurriedly sweep over the water, hurrying to the distant African coast, there will be a sound of a water jet released by a whale, and again not a single living creature around. The ocean and the sky, the sky and the ocean - both are calm, affectionate, smiling.

- Allow, your honor, songwriters to sing songs! asked the non-commissioned officer of the watch, approaching the officer, who was walking lazily along the bridge.

The officer nodded his head in the affirmative, and a minute later the harmonious sounds of a village song, full of breadth and sadness, reverberated through the ocean.

Satisfied that after the day's languor coolness has come, the sailors crowd on the forecastle, listening to the songwriters gathered at the forecastle gun. Inveterate amateurs, especially among old sailors, having surrounded the singers in a close circle, listen with concentration and seriousness, and mute delight shines on many tanned, weathered faces. Leaning forward, the broad-shouldered, stooped old man Lavrentiev, a “solid” sailor from the “Bakovshchina”, with sinewy, tarred hands, without a finger on one hand, long torn off by marsafal, and tenacious, slightly twisted legs, is a desperate drunkard who is always brought from the shore in insensibility and with a broken physiognomy (he liked to get into a fight with foreign sailors because, in his opinion, they “do not really drink, but only swagger”, diluting the strongest rum with water, which he blows naked), - this same Lavrentich, listening to songs , as if frozen in some kind of languor, and his wrinkled face with a red-gray, like a plum, nose and a bristly mustache - usually angry, as if Lavrentich was dissatisfied with something and would now release a fountain of abuse - now looks unusually meek, softened by expression quiet contemplation. Some sailors quietly pull up; others, sitting in groups, are talking in an undertone, expressing approval from time to time with a smile, then an exclamation.

And in fact, our songwriters sing well! The voices in the choir were all young, fresh and clean, and they sang perfectly. Shutikov's superb velvety tenor voice was especially enthralling to everyone. This voice stood out among the choir with its beauty, climbing into the very soul with charming sincerity and warmth of expression.

“It’s enough for the very core, scoundrel,” the sailors said about the undertone.

Song flowed after song, reminding the sailors, amidst the warmth and brilliance of the tropics, their distant homeland with its snows and frosts, fields, forests and black huts, with its deprivation and squalor close to the heart ...

- Get out the dance, guys!

The choir burst into a merry dance-song. Shutikov's tenor was so filled with valor and merriment that it now rang out, evoking an involuntary smile on their faces and making even respectable sailors shrug their shoulders and stamp their feet.

Makarka, a small, brisk young sailor, who had long felt itching in his lean body, as if picked up in himself, could not stand it and went to grab a trepak to the sounds of a dashing song, to the general pleasure of the spectators.

Finally, the singing and dancing ended. When Shutikov, a lean, slender, dark-haired sailor, left the circle and went to the tub to smoke, he was escorted with approving remarks.

- And you sing well, oh, well, the dog eats you! observed Lavrentich, touched, shaking his head and adding an unprintable curse as a sign of approval.

- He should learn a little, but if, approximately, to understand the bass general, so fuck the opera! - our young cantonist clerk Pugovkin put in with aplomb, flaunting good manners and refined expressions.

Lavrentich, who did not tolerate and despised officials as people, in his opinion, completely useless on the ship, and considered it as if it was a duty of honor to cut them off at any opportunity, frowning, cast an angry glance at the fair-haired, full-bodied, handsome clerk and said:

“You’re an opera with us! .. Your belly grew from loafing, and an opera came out! ..

There was a chuckle among the sailors.

- Do you understand what opera means? - observed the embarrassed clerk. - Oh, uneducated people! he said softly and prudently hurried away.

- Look what an educated mamzel! - Lavrentich contemptuously launched after him and added, as usual, a scolding scolding, but without an affectionate expression ...

“That’s what I’m saying,” he began, after a pause and turning to Shutikov, “it’s important that you sing songs, Yegorka ...

- What to interpret. He is our all-rounder. One word ... well done Yegor! .. - someone noticed.

In response to the approval, Shutikov only smiled, baring his white, even teeth from under the good-natured plump lips.

And that contented smile, clear and bright, like a child’s, that stood out in the soft features of a young, fresh face covered with tanned paint, and those large dark eyes, meek and affectionate, like those of a puppy, and a neat, well-chosen, lean figure, strong, muscular and flexible, though not devoid of a baggy peasant fold—everything in him attracted and disposed to him from the first time, just like his wonderful voice. And Shutikov enjoyed general affection. Everyone loved him, and he seemed to love everyone.

She was one of those rare happy cheerful natures, at the sight of which one involuntarily becomes brighter and more joyful in the soul. Such people are some kind of born optimistic philosophers. His cheerful, hearty laugh was often heard from the clipper. Sometimes he would say something and the first one would laugh contagiously and deliciously. Looking at him, the others involuntarily laughed, although sometimes there was nothing particularly funny in Shutikov's story. While sharpening some block, scraping off paint on a boat, or while away the night watch, perched on Mars, behind the wind, Shutikov usually quietly sang along to some song, while he himself smiled his good smile, and everyone was somehow cheerful and comfortable with him. Rarely have Shutikov been seen angry or sad. A cheerful mood did not leave him even when others were ready to lose heart, and at such moments Shutikov was indispensable.

I remember how once we were stormy. The wind roared fiercely, a storm raged all around, and the clipper, under storm sails, was tossed like a chip on the ocean waves, ready, it seemed, to swallow the fragile ship in its crests. The clipper trembled and moaned plaintively with all its limbs, merging its complaints with the whistle of the wind howling in the inflated gear. Even the old sailors, who had seen all sorts of things, were sullenly silent, looking inquisitively at the bridge, where, as if rooted to the railing, the tall figure of the captain, wrapped in a raincoat, vigilantly looked at the raging storm.

And Shutikov at this time, holding on to the rigging with one hand so as not to fall, was occupied by a small group of young sailors, with frightened faces pressed against the mast, with extraneous conversations. He spoke so calmly and simply, talking about some amusing village incident, and laughed so good-naturedly when the spray of the waves hit his face, that this calm mood was involuntarily transmitted to others and encouraged the young sailors, driving away any thought of danger.

- And where are you, the devil, got the hang of tearing your throat so cleverly? - Lavrentich spoke again, sucking on a sock with shag. - A sailor sang with us on the Kostenkino, I must tell the truth that he sang formally, a rogue, he sang ... but everything is not so outrageous.

- So, self-taught, when he lived as a shepherd. It used to happen that the herd would scatter through the forest, and you yourself would lie under a birch tree and play songs ... That's what they called me in the village: the song shepherd! added Shutikov, smiling.

And for some reason everyone smiled in response, and Lavrentich, in addition, patted Shutikov on the back and, as a kind of special affection, swore in the most gentle tone that his well-worn voice was only capable of.

At that moment, pushing the sailors aside, a stout elderly sailor Ignatov hurried into the circle.

Pale and confused, with his short-cropped, round head uncovered, he announced in a voice impetuous with anger and excitement that a gold piece had been stolen from him.

“Twenty francs!” Twenty francs, brothers! he repeated plaintively, emphasizing the figure.

This news confused everyone. Such cases were rare on the clipper ship.

The old men frowned. The young sailors, dissatisfied that Ignatov had suddenly broken their cheerful mood, listened more with frightened curiosity than with sympathy as he, panting and desperately waving his neat hands, hurried to tell about all the circumstances that accompanied the theft: how he, even today, after lunch, when the team was resting, he went to his chest, and everything was, thank God, intact, everything was in its place, and just now he went for shoe goods - and ... the lock, brothers, is broken ... there are no twenty francs ...

- How is that? Steal from your own brother? - Ignatov finished, looking around the crowd with a wandering look.

His smooth, well-fed, clean-shaven face, covered with large freckles, with small round eyes and a sharp, hooked nose, like that of a hawk, always distinguished by calm restraint and the contented, sedate look of a clever man who understands his own worth, was now distorted by the despair of a miser who had lost everything. property. The lower jaw quivered; His round eyes darted around in confusion. It was evident that the theft completely upset him, revealing his kulakish, stingy nature.

Not without reason, Ignatov, whom some sailors were already beginning to honorably call Semyonitch, was a stingy and money-hungry man. He went on a round-the-world voyage, volunteering as a hunter and leaving his wife in Kronstadt - a market trader - and two children, with the sole purpose of accumulating some money in swimming and, after retiring, to engage in trade in Kronstadt a little. He led an extremely abstemious life, did not drink wine, did not spend money on the shore. He saved money, saved it stubbornly, by pennies, knew where it was profitable to exchange gold and silver, and under great secrecy, he lent small sums for interest to reliable people. In general, Ignatov was a resourceful person and expected to do a good deed by bringing to Russia some Japanese and Chinese things to sell cigars. He had already engaged in such affairs before, when he sailed for years in the Gulf of Finland: in Revel, it happened, he would buy sprats, in Helsingfors cigars and mamurovka and resell them profitably in Kronstadt.

Ignatov was a helmsman, served regularly, trying to get along with everyone, was friends with the battalion and sub-skipper, was literate and carefully concealed that he had money, and, moreover, decent for a sailor.

- This is definitely a scoundrel Proshka, no one like him! - Ignatov continued excitedly, boiling with anger. - Yes, he kept spinning in the deck when I went to the chest ... What should I do with this scoundrel now, brothers? he asked, addressing mainly the elderly and as if seeking their support. “Is it possible that I’ll decide on money? .. After all, I have blood money ... You yourself know, brothers, what kind of money a sailor has ... I collected a penny ... I don’t drink my cups ...” he added in a humiliated, plaintive tone.

Although there was no other evidence, except that Proshka “had been spinning around on deck”, nevertheless, the victim himself and the listeners had no doubt that it was Proshka Zhitin who stole the money, who had already been caught more than once in petty thefts from his comrades. Not a single voice was heard in his defense. On the contrary, many indignant sailors showered abuse on the alleged thief.

“Such a bastard! .. It only shames the sailor’s rank ...” Lavrentich said with a heart.

- Yes, yes ... We got a lousy dog ​​...

“Now we must teach him a lesson so that he remembers, you dissolute loafer!”

"So, brothers, how are you?" Ignatov continued. – What to do with Proshka? Let them sort it out.

But this idea, pleasant to Ignatov, did not find support on the tank. The forecastle had its own special, unwritten charter, the strict guardians of which, like ancient priests, were old sailors.

And Lavrentich was the first to protest vigorously.

- This, it turns out, with a letter to the authorities? he said contemptuously. - Start slander? Apparently, he forgot the sailor's rule out of fright? Oh, you ... people! - And Lavrentich, for relief, mentioned the "people" with his usual word. - Also invented, and still considered a sailor! he added, throwing a not particularly friendly glance at Ignatov.

- How do you think?

- And in our opinion, just as they taught before. Beat the dog's son Proshka to the ground so that he remembers, and take the money. Here's how we do it.

- You never know, the scoundrel was beaten! And if he doesn't give it back? What is this for? Let them formally sue the thief... There is nothing to pity such a dog, brothers.

- You are very greedy for money, Ignatov ... Probably, Proshka did not steal everything ... Is there still a little left? Lavrentich said ironically.

- Did you think so!

- I didn’t think so, but this is not a sailor’s business - slander. No good! Lavrentich remarked authoritatively. Am I right guys?

And almost all the "guys", to the displeasure of Ignatov, confirmed that it was not good to start slander.

“Now bring Proshka here!” Interrogate him in front of the guys! Lavrentich decided.

And Ignatov, angry and dissatisfied, obeyed, however, the general decision and followed Proshka.

In anticipation of him, the sailors closed the circle closer.

Prokhor Zhitin, or, as everyone disdainfully called him, Proshka, was the latest sailor. Having become a sailor from the yard, a desperate coward, whom only the threat of a flogging could force him to go up to Mars, where he experienced invincible physical fear, a lazy and loafer who shied away from work and was dishonest to all this, Proshka from the very beginning of the voyage became in the position of what -something outcast pariah. Everyone pushed them around; boatswain and non-commissioned officers, in a casual way, and for the cause, and so, you live great, they scolded and beat Proshka, saying: “Oh, loafer!” And he never protested, but with some habitual dull humility of a slaughtered animal endured beatings. After several petty thefts in which he was convicted, he was hardly spoken to and treated with disdain. Anyone who was not lazy could scold him with impunity, hit him, send him somewhere, mock him, as if a different attitude towards Proshka was unthinkable. And Proshka seemed so accustomed to this position of a downtrodden, lousy dog ​​that he did not expect any other treatment and endured his whole life of hard labor, apparently without any particular burden, rewarding himself on the clipper ship with hearty food and training a piglet, whom Proshka taught to make different pieces, and when going ashore - drinking and courting the fair sex, to which he was a great hunter; he spent his last penny on women, and for their sake, it seems, he dragged money from his comrades, despite the severe retribution he received in case of capture. He was an eternal latrine worker - he had no other position, and was among the cabinets, fulfilling the duty of a labor force that did not require any abilities. And then he got it, because he always lazily pulled some kind of tackle along with others, pretending only to be really pulling.

Konstantin Mikhailovich Stanyukovich
"Man overboard!"
From the cycle "Sea stories"
I
The heat of the tropical day was beginning to subside. The sun rolled slowly across the horizon.
Driven by a gentle trade wind, the clipper carried its canvas and silently glided across the Atlantic Ocean, seven knots at a time. Empty all around: no sail, no haze on the horizon! Wherever you look, there is the same boundless water plain, slightly agitated and rumbling with some mysterious rumble, bordered on all sides by the transparent blue of a cloudless dome. The air is soft and transparent; from the ocean carries a healthy sea smell.
Empty around.
Occasionally, under the rays of the sun, a bright scale, like gold, jumping over a flying fish will flash, a white albatross will pierce high in the air, a small loop will hurriedly sweep over the water, hurrying to the distant African coast, there will be a sound of a water jet released by a whale, and again not a single living creature around. The ocean and the sky, the sky and the ocean - both are calm, affectionate, smiling.
- Allow, your honor, songwriters to sing songs! - asked the non-commissioned officer of the watch, approaching the officer, who was walking lazily along the bridge.
The officer nodded his head in the affirmative, and a minute later the harmonious sounds of a village song, full of breadth and sadness, reverberated through the ocean.
Satisfied that after the day's languor coolness has come, the sailors crowd on the forecastle, listening to the songwriters gathered at the forecastle gun. Inveterate amateurs, especially among old sailors, having surrounded the singers in a close circle, listen with concentration and seriousness, and mute delight shines on many tanned, weathered faces. Leaning forward, the broad-shouldered, stooped old man Lavrentiev, a "solid" sailor from the "Bakovshchina", with sinewy tarred hands, without a finger on one hand, long torn off by marsafal, and tenacious, slightly twisted legs - a desperate drunkard, who is always brought from the shore in insensibility and with a broken physiognomy (he liked to get into a fight with foreign sailors because, in his opinion, they "do not really drink, but only swagger", diluting the strongest rum with water, which he blows naked), - this same Lavrentich, listening to songs , as if frozen in some kind of languor, and his wrinkled face with a red-gray, like a plum, nose and a bristly mustache - usually angry, as if Lavrentich was dissatisfied with something and would now release a fountain of abuse - now looks unusually meek, softened by expression quiet contemplation. Some sailors quietly pull up; others, sitting in groups, are talking in an undertone, expressing approval from time to time with a smile, then an exclamation.
And in fact, our songwriters sing well! The voices in the choir were all young, fresh and clear, and sang perfectly. Shutikov's superb velvety tenor voice was especially enthralling to everyone. This voice stood out among the choir with its beauty, climbing into the very soul with charming sincerity and warmth of expression.
“It’s enough for the very insides, scoundrel,” the sailors said about the undertone.
Song flowed after song, reminding the sailors, amidst the warmth and brilliance of the tropics, their distant homeland with its snows and frosts, fields, forests and black huts, with its deprivation and squalor close to the heart ...
- Vali dance, guys!
The choir burst into a merry dance-song. Shutikov's tenor was so filled with valor and merriment that it now rang out, evoking an involuntary smile on their faces and making even respectable sailors shrug their shoulders and stamp their feet.
Makarka, a small, brisk young sailor, who had long felt itching in his lean body, as if picked up in himself, could not stand it and went to grab a trepak to the sounds of a dashing song, to the general pleasure of the spectators.
Finally, the singing and dancing ended. When Shutikov, a lean, slender, dark-haired sailor, left the circle and went to the tub to smoke, he was escorted with approving remarks.
- And you sing well, oh, well, the dog eats you! observed the moved Lavrentich, shaking his head and adding an unprintable curse as a sign of approval.
- He should learn a little, but if, approximately, to understand the bass general, so fuck the opera! - with aplomb our young clerk from the cantonists Pugovkin put in, flaunting good manners and refined expressions.
Lavrentich, who did not tolerate and despised officials as people, in his opinion, completely useless on the ship, and considered it as if it was a duty of honor to cut them off at any opportunity, frowning, cast an angry glance at the fair-haired, full-bodied, handsome clerk and said:
- You are our opera! .. The belly grew from loafing, and the opera came out! ..
There was a chuckle among the sailors.
- Do you understand what opera means? - observed the embarrassed clerk. - Oh, uneducated people! he said softly, and prudently hurried away.
- Look what an educated mamzel! - Lavrentich contemptuously launched after him and added, as usual, a scolding scolding, but without an affectionate expression ...
“That’s what I’m saying,” he began, after a pause and turning to Shutikov, it’s important that you sing songs, Yegorka ...
- What to interpret. He is our all-rounder. One word ... well done Yegor! .. - someone noticed.
In response to the approval, Shutikov only smiled, baring his white, even teeth from under the good-natured plump lips.
And that contented smile, clear and bright, like a child’s, that stood out in the soft features of a young, fresh face covered with tanned paint, and those large dark eyes, meek and affectionate, like those of a puppy, and a neat, well-chosen, lean figure, strong, muscular and flexible, though not devoid of, however, a baggy peasant fold—everything in him attracted and disposed to him the first time, just like his wonderful voice. And Shutikov enjoyed general affection. Everyone loved him, and he seemed to love everyone.
She was one of those rare happy cheerful natures, at the sight of which one involuntarily becomes brighter and more joyful in the soul. Such people are some kind of born optimistic philosophers. His cheerful, hearty laugh was often heard from the clipper. Sometimes he would say something and the first one would laugh contagiously and deliciously. Looking at him, the others involuntarily laughed, although sometimes there was nothing particularly funny in Shutikov's story. While sharpening some block, scraping off paint on a boat, or while away the night watch, perched on Mars, behind the wind, Shutikov usually quietly sang along to some song, while he himself smiled his good smile, and everyone was somehow cheerful and comfortable with him. Rarely have Shutikov been seen angry or sad. A cheerful mood did not leave him even when others were ready to lose heart, and at such moments Shutikov was indispensable.
I remember how once we were stormy. The wind roared fiercely, a storm raged all around, and the clipper, under storm sails, was tossed like a chip on the ocean waves, ready, it seemed, to swallow the fragile ship in its crests. The clipper trembled and moaned plaintively with all its limbs, merging its complaints with the whistle of the wind howling in the inflated gear. Even the old sailors, who had seen all sorts of things, were sullenly silent, looking inquisitively at the bridge, where, as if rooted to the railing, the tall figure of the captain, wrapped in a raincoat, vigilantly looked at the raging storm.
And Shutikov at this time, holding on to the rigging with one hand so as not to fall, was occupied by a small group of young sailors, with frightened faces pressed against the mast, with extraneous conversations. He so calmly and simply "clarified", telling about some amusing village incident, and laughed so good-naturedly when the splashes of the waves reached him in the face, that this calm mood was involuntarily transmitted to others and encouraged the young sailors, driving away any thought of danger.
- And where are you, the devil, got the hang of tearing your throat so cleverly? - Lavrentich spoke again, sucking on a nasock with shag. - A sailor sang with us on the Kostenkino, I must tell the truth that it was uniform, a rogue, he sang ... but everything is not so outrageous.
- So, self-taught, in the shepherds when he lived. It used to happen that the herd would scatter through the forest, and you yourself would lie under a birch tree and play songs ... That's what they called me in the village: the song shepherd! added Shutikov, smiling.
And for some reason everyone smiled in response, and Lavrentich, in addition, patted Shutikov on the back and, as a kind of special affection, swore in the most gentle tone that his well-worn voice was only capable of.
II
At that moment, pushing the sailors aside, a stout elderly sailor Ignatov hurried into the circle.
Pale and confused, with his short-cropped, round head uncovered, he announced in a voice impetuous with anger and excitement that a gold piece had been stolen from him.
- Twenty francs! Twenty francs, brothers! he repeated plaintively, emphasizing the figure.
This news confused everyone. Such cases were rare on the clipper ship.
The old men frowned. The young sailors, dissatisfied that Ignatov had suddenly broken their cheerful mood, listened more with frightened curiosity than with sympathy as he, panting and desperately waving his neat hands, hurried to tell about all the circumstances that accompanied the theft: how he, even today, after lunch, when the team was resting, he went to his chest, and everything was, thank God, intact, everything was in its place, and just now he went for shoe goods - and ... the lock, brothers, was broken ... twenty francs No...
- How is that? Steal from your own brother? - Ignatov finished, looking around the crowd with a wandering look.
His smooth, well-fed, clean-shaven face, covered with large freckles, with small round eyes and a sharp, hooked nose, like that of a hawk, always distinguished by calm restraint and the contented, sedate look of a clever man who understands his own worth, was now distorted by the despair of a miser who had lost everything. property. The lower jaw quivered; His round eyes darted around in confusion. It was evident that the theft completely upset him, revealing his kulakish, stingy nature.
Not without reason, Ignatov, whom some sailors were already beginning to honorably call Semyonitch, was a stingy and money-hungry man. He also went on a round-the-world voyage, volunteering as a hunter and leaving his wife in Kronstadt - a market trader - and two children, with the sole purpose of accumulating some money in swimming and, after retiring, to engage in trade in Kronstadt a little. He led an extremely abstemious life, did not drink wine, did not spend money on the shore. He saved money, saved it stubbornly, by pennies, knew where it was profitable to exchange gold and silver, and under great secrecy, he lent small sums for interest to reliable people. In general, Ignatov was a resourceful person and expected to do a good deed by bringing to Russia some Japanese and Chinese things to sell cigars. He had already engaged in such affairs before, when he sailed for years in the Gulf of Finland: in Revel, it happened, he would buy sprats, in Helsingfors cigars and mamurovka and resell them profitably in Kronstadt.
Ignatov was a helmsman, served regularly, trying to get along with everyone, was friends with the battalion and sub-skipper, was literate and carefully concealed that he had money, and, moreover, decent for a sailor.
- This is definitely a scoundrel Proshka, no one like him! - Ignatov continued excitedly, boiling with anger. - Yes, he kept spinning in the deck when I went to the chest ... What should I do with this scoundrel now, brothers? he asked, addressing chiefly to the elderly and as if seeking their support. “Is it possible that I’ll decide on money? .. After all, I have blood money ... You yourself know, brothers, what kind of money a sailor has ... I collected pennies ... I don’t drink my cups ...” he added to the humiliated, mournful tone.
Although there was no other evidence, except that Proshka "had been spinning around on deck", nevertheless, both the victim himself and the listeners had no doubt that it was Proshka Zhitin who stole the money, who had already been caught more than once in petty thefts from his comrades. Not a single voice was heard in his defense. On the contrary, many indignant sailors showered abuse on the alleged thief.
"Such a bastard! .. It only shames the sailor's rank ..." Lavrentich said with heart.
- Yes, yes ... We started up and we have a lousy dog ​​...
“Now we must teach him a lesson so that he remembers, you dissolute loafer!”
- So, brothers? Ignatov continued. - What to do with Proshka? .. If he does not give good, I will ask you to report to the senior officer. Let them sort it out.
But this idea, pleasant to Ignatov, did not find support on the tank. The forecastle had its own special, unwritten charter, the strict guardians of which, like ancient priests, were old sailors.
And Lavrentich was the first to protest vigorously.
- This, it turns out, with a letter to the authorities? he said contemptuously. Start slander? Apparently, he forgot the sailor's rule out of fright? Oh, you... people! - And Lavrentich, for relief, mentioned the "people" with his usual word. Also invented, and still considered a sailor! he added, throwing a not particularly friendly glance at Ignatov.
- What do you think?
- And in our opinion, just as they taught before. Beat the dog's son Proshka to the ground so that he remembers, and take the money. Here's how we do it.
- You never know him, the scoundrel was beaten! And if he doesn't give it back? What is this for? Let them formally sue the thief... There is nothing to pity such a dog, brothers.
- You are very greedy for money, Ignatov ... Probably, Proshka did not steal everything ... Is there still a little left? said Lavrentich ironically.
- Did you think so!
- I didn’t think so, but this is not a sailor’s business - slander. No good! Lavrentich remarked authoritatively. - Am I right guys?
And almost all of the "guys", to the displeasure of Ignatov, confirmed that it was not good to start slander.
- And now bring Proshka here! Interrogate him in front of the guys! Lavrentich decided.
And Ignatov, angry and dissatisfied, obeyed, however, the general decision and followed Proshka.
In anticipation of him, the sailors closed the circle closer.
III
Prokhor Zhitin, or, as everyone disdainfully called him, Proshka, was the latest sailor. Having become a sailor from the yard, a desperate coward, whom only the threat of a flogging could force him to go up to Mars, where he experienced invincible physical fear, a lazy and loafer who shied away from work and was dishonest to all this, Proshka from the very beginning of the voyage became in the position of what -something outcast pariah. Everyone pushed them around; the boatswain and non-commissioned officers, in passing, and for the cause, and so, you have a great life, they scolded and beat Proshka, saying: "Oh, loafer!" And he never protested, but with some habitual dull humility of a slaughtered animal endured beatings. After several petty thefts in which he was convicted, he was hardly spoken to and treated with disdain. Anyone who was not lazy could scold him with impunity, hit him, send him somewhere, mock him, as if a different attitude towards Proshka was unthinkable. And Proshka seemed so accustomed to this position of a downtrodden, lousy dog ​​that he did not expect any other treatment and endured his whole life of hard labor, apparently without any particular burden, rewarding himself on the clipper ship with hearty food and training a piglet, whom Proshka taught to make different pieces, and when going ashore - drinking and courting the fair sex, to which he was a great hunter; he spent his last penny on women, and for their sake, it seems, he dragged money from his comrades, despite the severe retribution he received in case of capture. He was an eternal latrine worker - there was no other position for him, and he was among the shkanek, performing the duty of a labor force that did not require any abilities. And then he got it, because he always lazily pulled some kind of tackle along with others, pretending only to be really pulling.
- Wow... you mean slacker! - the non-commissioned officer scolded him, promising him to “brush” his teeth already.
And, of course, "cleaned".
IV
Climbing under the launch, Proshka slept sweetly, smiling senselessly in his sleep. A strong kick woke him up. He wanted to get away from this uninvited leg, when a new kick made it clear to Proshka that he was needed for some reason and that he had to get out of a secluded place. He crawled out, got to his feet and looked at the angry face of Ignatov with a dull look, as if expecting that they would beat him again.
- Follow me! - Ignatov said, barely restraining himself from the desire to immediately torment Proshka.
Proshka dutifully, like a guilty dog, followed Ignatov with his slow, lazy gait, waddling like a duck from side to side.
He was a man in his thirties, soft-bodied, clumsy, poorly built, with a disproportionate body on short, crooked legs, such as tailors have. (Before the service, he was a tailor in the landowner's estate.) His puffy, earthy-colored face with a wide flat nose and large protruding ears sticking out from under his cap was plain and worn. Small, dull gray eyes looked out from under light, sparse eyebrows with an expression of submissive indifference, such as happens in downtrodden people, but at the same time, something crafty seemed to be felt in them. In all his clumsy figure there was not a trace of a sailor's bearing; everything on him sat baggy and untidy - in a word, Proshkin's figure was completely unprepossessing.
When, following Ignatov, Proshka entered the circle, all conversations ceased. The sailors huddled closer together, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the thief.
To start the interrogation, Ignatov first of all hit Proshka in the face with all his might.
The blow was unexpected. Proshka staggered slightly and unansweredly blew a crack. Only his face became even dumber and more frightened.
- First you really torture, but you will have time to put it in the kitty! said Lavrentich angrily.
- This is his deposit, scoundrel! - Ignatov noticed and, turning to Proshka, said: - Admit it, you bastard, did you steal gold from my chest?
At these words, Proshka's dull face instantly lit up with a meaningful expression. He seemed to understand the full importance of the accusation, threw a frightened glance at the concentrated, serious, unfriendly faces, and suddenly turned pale and somehow shrank all over. Dull fear distorted his features.
This sudden change made everyone even more convinced that Proshka had stolen the money.
Proshka was silent, lowering his eyes.
- Where's the money? Where did you hide them? Tell me! the interrogator continued.
I didn't take your money! Proshka answered quietly.
Ignatov was furious.
- Oh, look ... I'll beat you to death if you don't give back the money kindly! .. Ignatov said and said so viciously and seriously that Proshka leaned back.
And from all sides there were hostile voices:
- Confess better, cattle!
- Don't lock yourself up, Proshka!
- Better give good!
Proshka saw that everyone was against him. He raised his head, took off his hat, and, addressing the crowd, exclaimed with the hopeless despair of a man clutching at straws:
- Brothers! Like a true god! Fuck under oath now! Smash me on the spot!.. Do whatever you like with me, but I didn't take any money!
Proshka's words seemed to sway some.
But Ignatov did not allow the impression to intensify and spoke hastily:
- Do not lie, vile creature ... Leave God alone! You locked yourself up even then, when you pulled a franc out of Kuzmin's pocket... remember? And how he stole Leontiev's shirt, he also went under oath, huh? You, shameless, swear to spit ...
Proshka lowered his head again.
- Blame, they tell you, quickly. Tell me where is my money? Somehow I didn't see you twirling around... Tell me, shameless one, why were you snooping around on deck when everyone was resting? - came the interrogator.
- That's how I walked...
- Did you go like that? Hey, Proshka, do not lead to sin. Confess.
But Proshka was silent.
Then Ignatov, as if wanting to try the last resort, suddenly changed his tone. Now he did not threaten, but asked Proshka to give the money back in an affectionate, almost ingratiating tone.
- Nothing will happen to you ... do you hear? Ignatov almost begged.
- Search me... I didn't take your money!
- So you didn't take it, vile soul? Didn't take? Ignatov exclaimed, his face pale with anger. - Didn't take it?
And with these words, he, like a hawk, flew at Proshka.
Pale, shuddering all over, Proshka screwed up his eyes and tried to hide his head from the blows.
The sailors silently frowned at this ugly scene. And Ignatov, excited by the unresponsiveness of the victim, became more and more furious.
- That's it... It will be... it will be! Shutikov's voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
And this soft voice immediately aroused human feelings in others as well.
Many of the crowd, following Shutikov, shouted angrily:
- Will be... will be!
- You first search Proshka and then teach!
Ignatov left Proshka and, trembling angrily, stepped aside. Proshka darted out of the circle. For a few moments everyone was silent.
- Look, what a scoundrel ... locks up! - taking a breath, Ignatov said. - Wait a minute, how I will butcher him on the shore, if he does not give back the money! Ignatov threatened.
Or maybe it's not him! Shutikov suddenly said quietly.
And the same thought seemed to affect some tensely serious, scowling faces.
- Not him? For the first time to him, or what? .. This is without fail his business ... A well-known thief, so that he ...
And Ignatov, taking two people, went to search Proshka's things.
- And the man is angry with money! Oh, angry! Lavrentich grumbled angrily after Ignatov, shaking his head. - And you do not steal, do not shame the sailor rank! he suddenly added unexpectedly and cursed - this time, apparently, for the sole purpose of resolving the bewilderment that clearly stood on his face.
- So you, Egor, think that this is not Proshka? he asked after a moment's silence. - If there is no one else.
Shutikov said nothing, and Lavrentich asked no more questions, and began to light his short pipe vigorously.
The crowd began to disperse.
A few minutes later, it became known on the tank that no money was found on Proshka or in his things.
- Hid, rogue, somewhere! - many decided and added that now Proshka would have a bad time: Ignatov would not forgive him this money.
V
A gentle tropical night quickly descended over the ocean.
The sailors slept on deck - it was stuffy below - and there was one compartment on watch. In the tropics, in the trade winds, the watches are calm, and the sailors on duty, as usual, while away the night hours, dispersing the slumber with conversations and fairy tales.
That night, from midnight to six, the second section happened to be on watch, in which Shutikov and Proshka were.
Shutikov had already told a few tales to a bunch of sailors seated at the foremast, and went off to smoke. Having smoked his pipe, he went, stepping cautiously between the sleeping ones, to the quarter quarters, and, seeing in the darkness Proshka, slumped alone at the side and pecking with his nose, quietly called out to him:
- Is that you ... Proshka?
- I! - Proshka started up.
“What can I tell you,” Shutikov continued in a quiet and gentle voice: after all, Ignatov, you know, what a man ... He will completely beat you on the shore ... without any pity ...
Proshka became alert... This tone was a surprise to him.
- Well, let him beat, but I did not touch the war money! - answered after a short silence Proshka.
- That's it, he does not believe, and until he returns his money, he will not forgive you ... And many guys hesitate ...
- It is said: did not take! repeated Proshka with the same stubbornness.
- I, brother, I believe that you did not take ... Hey, I believe, and I regretted that they beat you in vain just now and Ignatov still threatens to beat ... And here's what you are, Proshka: take twenty francs from me and give them back Ignatov... God be with him! Let him rejoice at the money, but if you give it back to me someday, I won’t force it ... It will be more accurate ... Yes, listen, don’t tell anyone about it! added Shutikov.
Proshka was decidedly puzzled and could not find words for the first minute. If Shutikov could see Proshka's face, he would see that it was embarrassed and unusually agitated. Still would! They feel sorry for Proshka, and not only do they feel sorry, they also offer money to save him from beating him. It was too much for a man who had not heard a kind word for a long time.
Depressed, feeling something coming to his throat, he stood silently, his head bowed.
- So take the money! - said Shutikov, getting out. pants pocket wrapped in a rag all his capital.
- It's like... Oh, my God! Proshka muttered in confusion...
- Eka ... stupid ... It is said: take it, don't be shy!
- Get it?! Ah, brother! Thank you, kind soul! - answered Proshka in a voice trembling with excitement and suddenly added decisively: - Only your money, Shutikov, is not needed ... I still feel and do not want to be a scoundrel in front of you ... I don’t want to ... I myself will give it to Ignatov after the watch gold.
So, so you...
- That's me! Proshka said in a barely audible voice. - No one would have found out ... The money is hidden in the cannon ...
- Oh, Prokhor, Prokhor! only Shutikov reproached him in a sad tone, shaking his head.
- Now let him beat me... Let him twist his whole cheekbone. Do your favor! Beat the scoundrel Proshka... fry him, the bastard, don't be sorry! Proshka continued with a kind of fierce animation against his own person. - I will endure everything with my pleasure ... At the very least, I know that you regretted it, believed ... I said an affectionate word to Proshka ... Oh, my God! I will never forget this!
- Look what you are! Shutikov said affectionately.
He paused and spoke:
“Listen to what I’m going to tell you, my brother: drop all these things ... really, drop them, well! .. Live, Prokhor, as people live, in a good way ... Become a uniform sailor so that Everything, then, is as it should be... It will be more sincere... Otherwise, is it sweet for you yourself?... I, Prokhor, do not reproach, but pity!... - added Shutikov.
Proshka listened to these words and was under their charm. No one, in his entire life, spoke to him so affectionately and sincerely. Until now, he was only scolded and beaten - that was the teaching.
And a warm feeling of gratitude and tenderness swept over Proshka's heart. He wanted to put them into words, but he couldn't find the words.
When Shutikov left, promising to persuade Ignatov to forgive Proshka, Proshka no longer felt himself to be such a nonentity as he considered himself before. For a long time he stood looking overboard, and once or twice he wiped away a tear that was welling up.
In the morning, after the shift, he brought Ignatov gold. The delighted sailor greedily grabbed the money, clutched it in his hand, gave it to Proshka in the teeth and was about to go, but Proshka stood in front of him and repeated:
- Hit again ... Hit, Semenych! In the face in the very blow!
Surprised by Proshka's boldness, Ignatov looked contemptuously at Proshka and repeated:
- I would butcher you, you bastard, clean, if you didn’t give me the money, and now it’s not worth dirtying your hands ... Get lost, you bastard, but just look ... try to climb up to me again ... I’ll cripple you! - Ignatov added impressively and, pushing Proshka out of the way, ran downstairs to hide his money.
That was the end of the massacre.
Thanks to Shutikov’s petition, the boatswain Shchukin, who learned about the theft and was going to “bleed the bastard after cleaning”, rather mercifully, relatively speaking, patted, as he put it, “Proshkino hailo”.
- Proshka Semyonitch got scared! He provided the money, but how he locked himself up, rogue! - said the sailors during the morning cleaning.
VI
From that memorable night, Proshka selflessly attached himself to Shutikov and was devoted to him like a faithful dog. Of course, he did not dare to express his affection openly, in front of everyone, probably feeling that the friendship of such an outcast would humiliate Shutikov in the eyes of others. He never spoke to Shutikov in front of others, but often looked at him as if he were some special being, in front of whom he, Proshka, was the last piece of rubbish. And he was proud of his patron, taking to heart everything that concerned him. He admired, glancing from below, how Shutikov quietly steered the yardarm, froze with pleasure, listening to his singing, and in general found everything that Shutikov did extraordinarily good. Sometimes during the day, but more often during night shifts, noticing Shutikov alone, Proshka would come up and stomp around.
- What are you, Prokhor? Shutikov used to ask affably.
- Oh nothing! - Proshka will answer.
- Where are you?
- And to your place ... I'm just like that! - Proshka will say, as if apologizing for disturbing Shutikov, and will leave.
Proshka tried with all his might to please Shutikov in some way: either he would offer him to wash his linen, or repair his wardrobe, and he would often leave embarrassed, receiving a refusal of services. One day Proshka brought a smartly crafted sailor's shirt with a Dutch front and, somewhat agitated, handed it to Shutikov.
- Well done, Zhitin ... Important, brother, work! - Shutikov remarked approvingly after a detailed examination and held out his hand, returning the shirt.
- It's me, Yegor Mitrich... Respect... Wear it to your health.
Shutikov began to refuse, but Proshka was so upset and asked to be respected so much that Shutikov finally accepted the gift.
Proshka was delighted.
And Proshka began to idle less, working without the former cunning. They began to beat him less often, but the attitude towards him remained as before dismissive, and Proshka was often teased, arranging fun out of this persecution.
He was especially fond of teasing him by one of the peacocks, the bullying but cowardly young sailor Ivanov. Once, wanting to amuse the assembled circle, he pestered Proshka with his mockery. Proshka, as usual, remained silent, and Ivanov became more importunate and ruthless in his jokes.
Shutikov, who happened to be passing by, saw how they were persecuting Proshka, stood up.
- This, Ivanov, is not that ... this is not good ... Why are you sticking to a person, like pitch.
- Proshka is not touchy with us! Ivanov replied with a laugh. “Come on, Proshenka, tell me how you used to carry awl at your father’s and then wear it to the mothers… Don’t wander around… Tell me, Proshenka!” Ivanov sneered at the general amusement.
"Don't touch the man, I say..." Shutikov repeated sternly.
Everyone was surprised that Shutikov stood up so ardently for Proshka, for the loafer and thief Proshka.
- What are you doing? Ivanov snapped suddenly.
- I'm nothing, but you do not swagger ... Look, too, found someone to swagger over.

Stanyukovich Konstantin Mikhailovich

Stanyukovich Konstantin Mikhailovich

"Man overboard!"

Konstantin Mikhailovich Stanyukovich

"Man overboard!"

From the cycle "Sea stories"

The heat of the tropical day was beginning to subside. The sun rolled slowly across the horizon.

Driven by a gentle trade wind, the clipper carried its canvas and silently glided across the Atlantic Ocean, seven knots at a time. Empty all around: no sail, no haze on the horizon! Wherever you look, there is the same boundless water plain, slightly agitated and rumbling with some mysterious rumble, bordered on all sides by the transparent blue of a cloudless dome. The air is soft and transparent; from the ocean carries a healthy sea smell.

Empty around.

Occasionally, under the rays of the sun, a bright scale, like gold, jumping over a flying fish will flash, a white albatross will pierce high in the air, a small loop will hurriedly sweep over the water, hurrying to the distant African coast, there will be a sound of a water jet released by a whale, and again not a single living creature around. The ocean and the sky, the sky and the ocean - both are calm, affectionate, smiling.

Allow, your honor, songwriters to sing songs! - asked the non-commissioned officer of the watch, approaching the officer, who was walking lazily along the bridge.

The officer nodded his head in the affirmative, and a minute later the harmonious sounds of a village song, full of breadth and sadness, reverberated through the ocean.

Satisfied that after the day's languor coolness has come, the sailors crowd on the forecastle, listening to the songwriters gathered at the forecastle gun. Inveterate amateurs, especially among old sailors, having surrounded the singers in a close circle, listen with concentration and seriousness, and mute delight shines on many tanned, weathered faces. Leaning forward, the broad-shouldered, stooped old man Lavrentiev, a "solid" sailor from the "Bakovshchina", with sinewy tarred hands, without a finger on one hand, long torn off by marsafal, and tenacious, slightly twisted legs - a desperate drunkard, who is always brought from the shore in insensibility and with a broken physiognomy (he liked to get into a fight with foreign sailors because, in his opinion, they "do not really drink, but only swagger", diluting the strongest rum with water, which he blows naked), - this same Lavrentich, listening to songs , as if frozen in some kind of languor, and his wrinkled face with a red-gray, like a plum, nose and a bristly mustache - usually angry, as if Lavrentich was dissatisfied with something and would now release a fountain of abuse - now looks unusually meek, softened by expression quiet contemplation. Some sailors quietly pull up; others, sitting in groups, are talking in an undertone, expressing approval from time to time with a smile, then an exclamation.

And in fact, our songwriters sing well! The voices in the choir were all young, fresh and clear, and sang perfectly. Shutikov's superb velvety tenor voice was especially enthralling to everyone. This voice stood out among the choir with its beauty, climbing into the very soul with charming sincerity and warmth of expression.

Enough for the very insides, scoundrel, - the sailors said about the undertone.

Song flowed after song, reminding the sailors, amidst the warmth and brilliance of the tropics, their distant homeland with its snows and frosts, fields, forests and black huts, with its deprivation and squalor close to the heart ...

Vali dance, guys!

The choir burst into a merry dance-song. Shutikov's tenor was so filled with valor and merriment that it now rang out, evoking an involuntary smile on their faces and making even respectable sailors shrug their shoulders and stamp their feet.

Makarka, a small, brisk young sailor, who had long felt itching in his lean body, as if picked up in himself, could not stand it and went to grab a trepak to the sounds of a dashing song, to the general pleasure of the spectators.

Finally, the singing and dancing ended. When Shutikov, a lean, slender, dark-haired sailor, left the circle and went to the tub to smoke, he was escorted with approving remarks.

And you sing well, oh, well, the dog eats you! observed the moved Lavrentich, shaking his head and adding an unprintable curse as a sign of approval.

He should learn a little, but if, approximately, the general bass is understood, so fuck the opera! - with aplomb our young clerk from the cantonists Pugovkin put in, flaunting good manners and refined expressions.

Lavrentich, who did not tolerate and despised officials as people, in his opinion, completely useless on the ship, and considered it as if it was a duty of honor to cut them off at any opportunity, frowning, cast an angry glance at the fair-haired, full-bodied, handsome clerk and said:

You are our opera! .. The belly grew from loafing, and the opera came out! ..

There was a chuckle among the sailors.

Do you understand what opera means? - observed the embarrassed clerk. - Oh, uneducated people! he said softly, and prudently hurried away.

Look what an educated mamzel! - Lavrentich contemptuously launched after him and added, as usual, a scolding scolding, but without an affectionate expression ...

That's what I'm saying, - he began, after a pause and turning to Shutikov, it's important you sing songs, Yegorka ...

What to interpret. He is our all-rounder. One word ... well done Yegor! .. - someone noticed.

In response to the approval, Shutikov only smiled, baring his white, even teeth from under the good-natured plump lips.

And that contented smile, clear and bright, like a child’s, that stood out in the soft features of a young, fresh face covered with tanned paint, and those large dark eyes, meek and affectionate, like those of a puppy, and a neat, well-chosen, lean figure, strong, muscular and flexible, though not devoid of, however, a baggy peasant fold—everything in him attracted and disposed to him the first time, just like his wonderful voice. And Shutikov enjoyed general affection. Everyone loved him, and he seemed to love everyone.

She was one of those rare happy cheerful natures, at the sight of which one involuntarily becomes brighter and more joyful in the soul. Such people are some kind of born optimistic philosophers. His cheerful, hearty laugh was often heard from the clipper. Sometimes he would say something and the first one would laugh contagiously and deliciously. Looking at him, the others involuntarily laughed, although sometimes there was nothing particularly funny in Shutikov's story. While sharpening some block, scraping off paint on a boat, or while away the night watch, perched on Mars, behind the wind, Shutikov usually quietly sang along to some song, while he himself smiled his good smile, and everyone was somehow cheerful and comfortable with him. Rarely have Shutikov been seen angry or sad. A cheerful mood did not leave him even when others were ready to lose heart, and at such moments Shutikov was indispensable.

I remember how once we were stormy. The wind roared fiercely, a storm raged all around, and the clipper, under storm sails, was tossed like a chip on the ocean waves, ready, it seemed, to swallow the fragile ship in its crests. The clipper trembled and moaned plaintively with all its limbs, merging its complaints with the whistle of the wind howling in the inflated gear. Even the old sailors, who had seen all sorts of things, were sullenly silent, looking inquisitively at the bridge, where, as if rooted to the railing, the tall figure of the captain, wrapped in a raincoat, vigilantly looked at the raging storm.

And Shutikov at this time, holding on to the rigging with one hand so as not to fall, was occupied by a small group of young sailors, with frightened faces pressed against the mast, with extraneous conversations. He so calmly and simply "clarified", telling about some amusing village incident, and laughed so good-naturedly when the splashes of the waves reached him in the face, that this calm mood was involuntarily transmitted to others and encouraged the young sailors, driving away any thought of danger.

And where are you, the devil, got the hang of tearing your throat so cleverly? - Lavrentich spoke again, sucking on a nasock with shag. - A sailor sang with us on the Kostenkino, I must tell the truth that it was uniform, a rogue, he sang ... but everything is not so outrageous.

So, self-taught, in the shepherds when he lived. It used to happen that the herd would scatter through the forest, and you yourself would lie under a birch tree and play songs ... That's what they called me in the village: the song shepherd! added Shutikov, smiling.

And for some reason everyone smiled in response, and Lavrentich, in addition, patted Shutikov on the back and, as a kind of special affection, swore in the most gentle tone that his well-worn voice was only capable of.

At that moment, pushing the sailors aside, a stout elderly sailor Ignatov hurried into the circle.

Pale and confused, with his short-cropped, round head uncovered, he announced in a voice impetuous with anger and excitement that a gold piece had been stolen from him.

Twenty francs! Twenty francs, brothers! he repeated plaintively, emphasizing the figure.

This news confused everyone. Such cases were rare on the clipper ship.

The old men frowned. The young sailors, dissatisfied that Ignatov had suddenly broken their cheerful mood, listened more with frightened curiosity than with sympathy as he, panting and desperately waving his neat hands, hurried to tell about all the circumstances that accompanied the theft: how he, even today, after lunch, when the team was resting, he went to his chest, and everything was, thank God, intact, everything was in its place, and just now he went for shoe goods - and ... the lock, brothers, was broken ... twenty francs No...

How is that? Steal from your own brother? - Ignatov finished, looking around the crowd with a wandering look.

His smooth, well-fed, clean-shaven face, covered with large freckles, with small round eyes and a sharp, bent nose, like a hawk, always distinguished by calm restraint and a contented, sedate look of an intelligent person who understands his own worth, was now distorted desperately ...

I

The heat of the tropical day was beginning to subside. The sun rolled slowly across the horizon.

Driven by a gentle trade wind, the clipper carried its canvas and silently glided across the Atlantic Ocean, seven knots at a time. Empty all around: no sail, no haze on the horizon! Wherever you look, there is the same boundless water plain, slightly agitated and rumbling with some mysterious rumble, bordered on all sides by the transparent blue of a cloudless dome. The air is soft and transparent; from the ocean carries a healthy sea smell.

Empty around.

Occasionally, under the rays of the sun, a bright scale, like gold, jumping over a flying fish will flash, a white albatross will pierce high in the air, a small loop will hurriedly sweep over the water, hurrying to the distant African coast, there will be a sound of a water jet released by a whale, and again not a single living creature around. The ocean and the sky, the sky and the ocean - both are calm, affectionate, smiling.

- Allow, your honor, songwriters to sing songs! asked the non-commissioned officer of the watch, approaching the officer, who was walking lazily along the bridge.

The officer nodded his head in the affirmative, and a minute later the harmonious sounds of a village song, full of breadth and sadness, reverberated through the ocean.

Satisfied that after the day's languor coolness has come, the sailors crowd on the forecastle, listening to the songwriters gathered at the forecastle gun. Inveterate amateurs, especially among old sailors, having surrounded the singers in a close circle, listen with concentration and seriousness, and mute delight shines on many tanned, weathered faces. Leaning forward, the broad-shouldered, stooped old man Lavrentiev, a “solid” sailor from the “Bakovshchina”, with sinewy, tarred hands, without a finger on one hand, long torn off by marsafal, and tenacious, slightly twisted legs, is a desperate drunkard who is always brought from the shore in insensibility and with a broken physiognomy (he liked to get into a fight with foreign sailors because, in his opinion, they “do not really drink, but only swagger”, diluting the strongest rum with water, which he blows naked), - this same Lavrentich, listening to songs , as if frozen in some kind of languor, and his wrinkled face with a red-gray, like a plum, nose and a bristly mustache - usually angry, as if Lavrentich was dissatisfied with something and would now release a fountain of abuse - now looks unusually meek, softened by expression quiet contemplation. Some sailors quietly pull up; others, sitting in groups, are talking in an undertone, expressing approval from time to time with a smile, then an exclamation.

And in fact, our songwriters sing well! The voices in the choir were all young, fresh and clean, and they sang perfectly. Shutikov's superb velvety tenor voice was especially enthralling to everyone. This voice stood out among the choir with its beauty, climbing into the very soul with charming sincerity and warmth of expression.

“It’s enough for the very core, scoundrel,” the sailors said about the undertone.

Song flowed after song, reminding the sailors, amidst the warmth and brilliance of the tropics, their distant homeland with its snows and frosts, fields, forests and black huts, with its deprivation and squalor close to the heart ...

- Get out the dance, guys!

The choir burst into a merry dance-song. Shutikov's tenor was so filled with valor and merriment that it now rang out, evoking an involuntary smile on their faces and making even respectable sailors shrug their shoulders and stamp their feet.

Makarka, a small, brisk young sailor, who had long felt itching in his lean body, as if picked up in himself, could not stand it and went to grab a trepak to the sounds of a dashing song, to the general pleasure of the spectators.

Finally, the singing and dancing ended. When Shutikov, a lean, slender, dark-haired sailor, left the circle and went to the tub to smoke, he was escorted with approving remarks.

- And you sing well, oh, well, the dog eats you! observed Lavrentich, touched, shaking his head and adding an unprintable curse as a sign of approval.

- He should learn a little, but if, approximately, to understand the bass general, so fuck the opera! - our young cantonist clerk Pugovkin put in with aplomb, flaunting good manners and refined expressions.

Lavrentich, who did not tolerate and despised officials as people, in his opinion, completely useless on the ship, and considered it as if it was a duty of honor to cut them off at any opportunity, frowning, cast an angry glance at the fair-haired, full-bodied, handsome clerk and said:

“You’re an opera with us! .. Your belly grew from loafing, and an opera came out! ..

There was a chuckle among the sailors.

- Do you understand what opera means? - observed the embarrassed clerk. - Oh, uneducated people! he said softly and prudently hurried away.

- Look what an educated mamzel! - Lavrentich contemptuously launched after him and added, as usual, a scolding scolding, but without an affectionate expression ...

“That’s what I’m saying,” he began, after a pause and turning to Shutikov, “it’s important that you sing songs, Yegorka ...

- What to interpret. He is our all-rounder. One word ... well done Yegor! .. - someone noticed.

In response to the approval, Shutikov only smiled, baring his white, even teeth from under the good-natured plump lips.

And that contented smile, clear and bright, like a child’s, that stood out in the soft features of a young, fresh face covered with tanned paint, and those large dark eyes, meek and affectionate, like those of a puppy, and a neat, well-chosen, lean figure, strong, muscular and flexible, though not devoid of a baggy peasant fold—everything in him attracted and disposed to him from the first time, just like his wonderful voice. And Shutikov enjoyed general affection. Everyone loved him, and he seemed to love everyone.

She was one of those rare happy cheerful natures, at the sight of which one involuntarily becomes brighter and more joyful in the soul. Such people are some kind of born optimistic philosophers. His cheerful, hearty laugh was often heard from the clipper. Sometimes he would say something and the first one would laugh contagiously and deliciously. Looking at him, the others involuntarily laughed, although sometimes there was nothing particularly funny in Shutikov's story. While sharpening some block, scraping off paint on a boat, or while away the night watch, perched on Mars, behind the wind, Shutikov usually quietly sang along to some song, while he himself smiled his good smile, and everyone was somehow cheerful and comfortable with him. Rarely have Shutikov been seen angry or sad. A cheerful mood did not leave him even when others were ready to lose heart, and at such moments Shutikov was indispensable.

I remember how once we were stormy. The wind roared fiercely, a storm raged all around, and the clipper, under storm sails, was tossed like a chip on the ocean waves, ready, it seemed, to swallow the fragile ship in its crests. The clipper trembled and moaned plaintively with all its limbs, merging its complaints with the whistle of the wind howling in the inflated gear. Even the old sailors, who had seen all sorts of things, were sullenly silent, looking inquisitively at the bridge, where, as if rooted to the railing, the tall figure of the captain, wrapped in a raincoat, vigilantly looked at the raging storm.