University of Virginia Library

2.
CHAPTER II.

IT was disappointing to the
Stary Tchert
(Old
Devil) that the brothers did not quarrel over
the division of the property, and that they
separated peacefully; and he cried out, calling
his three small devils (
Tchertionki
).

"See here," said he, "there are living three
brothers—Simeon the soldier, Tarras-Briuk-
han, and Ivan the Fool. It is necessary that
they should quarrel. Now they live peacefully,
and enjoy each other's hospitality. The Fool
spoiled all my plans. Now you three go and
work with them in such a manner that they will
be ready to tear each other's eyes out. Can you
do this?"

"We can," they replied.

"How will you accomplish it?"

"In this way: We will first ruin them to such
an extent that they will have nothing to eat,
and we will then gather them together in
one place where we are sure that they will
fight."

"Very well; I see you understand your busi-
ness. Go, and do not return to me until you
have created a feud between the three brothers
—or I will skin you alive."

The three small devils went to a swamp to
consult as to the best means of accomplishing
their mission. They disputed for a long time—
each one wanting the easiest part of the work—
and not being able to agree, concluded to draw
lots; by which it was decided that the one who
was first finished had to come and help the
others. This agreement being entered into,
they appointed a time when they were again to
meet in the swamp—to find out who was through
and who needed assistance.

The time having arrived, the young devils
met in the swamp as agreed, when each related

his experience. The first, who went to Simeon,
said: "I have succeeded in my undertaking,
and to-morrow Simeon returns to his father."

His comrades, eager for particulars, inquired
how he had done it.

"Well," he began, "the first thing I did was
to blow some courage into his veins, and, on
the strength of it, Simeon went to the Czar and
offered to conquer the whole world for him.

The Emperor made him commander-in-chief
of the forces, and sent him with an army to fight
the Viceroy of India. Having started on their
mission of conquest, they were unaware that I,
following in their wake, had wet all their pow-
der. I also went to the Indian ruler and
showed him how I could create numberless sol-
diers from straw. Simeon's army, seeing that
they were surrounded by such a vast number of
Indian warriors of my creation, became fright-
ened, and Simeon commanded to fire from can-
nons and rifles, which of course they were
unable to do. The soldiers, discouraged, re-

treated in great disorder. Thus Simeon brought
upon himself the terrible disgrace of defeat.

His estate was confiscated, and to-morrow he is
to be executed. All that remains for me to do,
therefore," concluded the young devil, "is to
release him to-morrow morning. Now, then,
who wants my assistance?"

The second small devil (from Tarras) then
related his story.

"I do not need any help," he began. "My
business is also all right. My work with Tar-
ras will be finished in one week. In the first
place I made him grow thin. He afterward
became so covetous that he wanted to possess
everything he saw, and he spent all the money
he had in the purchase of immense quantities
of goods. When his capital was gone he still
continued to buy with borrowed money, and
has become involved in such difficulties that he
cannot free himself. At the end of one week
the date for the payment of his notes will have
expired, and, his goods being seized upon, he

will become a bankrupt; and he also will
return to his father."

At the conclusion of this narrative they in-
quired of the third devil how things had fared
between him and Ivan.

"Well," said he, "my report is not so en-
couraging. The first thing I did was to spit into
his jug of
quass
[a sour drink made from rye],
which made him sick at his stomach. He af-
terward went to plow his summer-fallow, but I
made the soil so hard that the plow could
scarcely penetrate it. I thought the Fool would
not succeed, but he started to work neverthe-
less. Moaning with pain, he still continued to
labor. I broke one plow, but he replaced it
with another, fixing it securely, and resumed
work. Going beneath the surface of the ground
I took hold of the plowshares, but did not suc-
ceed in stopping Ivan. He pressed so hard,
and the colter was so sharp, that my hands were
cut; and despite my utmost efforts, he went
over all but a small portion of the field."

He concluded with: "Come, brothers, and
help me, for if we do not conquer him our
whole enterprise will be a failure. If the Fool
is permitted successfully to conduct his farming,
they will have no need, for he will support his
brothers."