Sanine

In a short time he had made a pretty little drinking-cup.

"Let's have a dip afterwards, shall we?" said Ivanoff, who was watching

Sanine's craftsmanship with interest.

"Not a bad idea," replied Sanine, as he tossed the newly-made cup into

the air and caught it.

Then they sat down on the grass and did ample justice to their

appetising little meal.

"I can't wait any longer. I'm going to bathe."

So saying, Ivanoff hastily stripped, and, as he could not swim, he

plunged into shallow water where the even sandy bottom was clearly

visible.

"It's lovely!" he cried, jumping about, and splashing wildly.

Sanine watched him and then in leisurely fashion he also undressed, and

took a header into the deeper part of the stream.

"You'll be drowned," cried Ivanoff, "No fear!" was the laughing rejoinder, when Sanine, gasping, had risen

to the surface.

The sound of their merry voices rang out across the river, and the

green pasture-land. After a time they left the cool water, and lying

down, naked in the grass, rolled over and over in it.

"Jolly, isn't it?" said Ivanoff, as he turned to the sun his broad back

on which little drops of water glistened.

"Here let us build tabernacles!"

"Deuce take your tabernacles," cried Sanine merrily; "No tabernacles

for me!"

"Hurrah!" shouted Ivanoff, as he began dancing a wild, barbaric dance.

Sanine burst out laughing, and leaped about in the same way. Their nude

bodies gleamed in the sun, every muscle showing beneath the tense skin.

"Ouf!" gasped Ivanoff.

Sanine went on dancing by himself, and finished up by turning a

somersault, head foremost.

"Come along, or I shall drink up all the vodka," cried his companion.

Having dressed, they ate the remainder of their provisions, while

Ivanoff sighed ruefully for a draught of ice-cold beer.

"Let's go, shall we?" he said.

"Right!"

They raced at full speed to the river-bank, jumped into their boat, and

pushed off.

"Doesn't the sun sting!" said Sanine, who was lying at full length in

the bottom of the boat.

"That means rain," replied Ivanoff. "Get up and steer, for God's sake!"

"You can manage quite well by yourself," was the reply.

Ivanoff struck the water with his oars, so that Sanine got thoroughly

splashed.

"Thank you," said the latter, coolly.

As they passed a green spot they heard laughter and the sound of merry

girlish voices. It being a holiday, townsfolk had come thither to enjoy

themselves.