cc.fireice-第3章

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　Yakelev　answered。　〃What　do　you　want？〃　he　snapped。
　
　〃We　must　talk；〃　Tovrov　said。
　
　〃I　will　e　by　later。〃
　〃No；　it　is　very　important。　We　must　talk　now。〃
　〃All　right。　e　down　to　the　passengers'　quarters。　Don't　worry；〃　Yakelev　said　with　an　evil　chuckle；　〃I'll　try　not　to　shoot　you。〃
　
　The　captain　hung　up　and　woke　Sergei；　who　reeked　of　alcohol。　He　poured　the　mate　a　mug　of　the　strong　black　coffee。
　
　〃Keep　a　heading　due　south。　I　will　be　back　in　a　few　minutes。　Any　mistakes　and　I　will　take　away　your　vodka　until　we　reach　Constantinople。〃
　
　Tovrov　hurried　below　and　cautiously　pushed　open　the　door；　half　expecting　to　be　met　by　a　hail　of　bullets。　Yakelev　was　waiting。　He　stood　with　his　legs　wide　apart　and　his　hands　on　his　hips。　Four　other　Cossacks　were　asleep　on　the　floor。　Another　sat　cross…legged　with　his　back　to　the　cabin　door　and　a　rifle　balanced　on　his　knees。
　
　Yakelev　glared　accusingly。　〃You　woke　me　up。〃
　〃e　with　me；　please；〃　the　captain　said；　leading　the　way　outside。　They　descended　to　the　fog…shrouded　main　deck　and　made　their　way　to　the　stem。　The　captain　leaned　over　the　fantail　and　peered　into　the　wooly　darkness　that　swallowed　their　broad　wake。　He　listened　a　few　seconds；　blocking　out　the　burble　and　hiss　of　the　water。
　
　〃A　boat　is　following　us；〃　he　said。
　
　Yakelev　looked　at　him　with　suspicion　and　cupped　his　hand　to　his　ear。　〃You're　crazy。　I　hear　nothing　but　the　noise　from　this　stupid　ship。〃
　〃You're　a　Cossack；〃　Tovrov　said。　〃You　know　about　horses？〃
　〃Of　course；〃　the　major　replied；　with　a　contemptuous　snort。　〃What　man　doesn't？〃
　〃I　don't；　but　I　do　know　ships；　and　we're　being　followed。　；　A　piston　on　that　boat　is　missing　a　stroke。　I　think　it　is　the　fishing　boat　I　saw　earlier。〃
　〃So　what　of　it？　This　is　the　sea。　Fish　swim　in　the　sea。〃
　〃There　are　no　fish　this　far　from　shore。〃　He　listened　again。　〃No　doubt。　It's　the　same　boat　and　it　is　moving　in　on　us。〃
　
　The　major　uttered　a　string　of　curses　and　pounded　the　rail：　〃You　must　lose　them。〃
　〃Impossible！　Not　with　one　engine　down。〃
　
　Yakelev's　hand　grabbed　the　front　of　Tovrov's　coat　and　he　lifted　the　captain　onto　his　toes。
　
　〃Do　not　tell　me　what　is　impossible；〃　he　snarled。　〃It　took　us　weeks　to　e　from　Kiev。　The　temperature　was　thirty　degrees　below　zero。　The　wind　lashed　our　faces　like　whips。　There　was　a　burin；　a　blizzard　like　none　I　have　ever　seen。　I　had　a　full　sontia　of　one　hundred　Cossacks　when　I　started。　These　pitiful　fellows　are　all　I　have　left。　My　other　men　stayed　behind　to　watch　our　backs　when　we　came　through　German　lines。　If　not　for　the　Tartars'　help；　we　would　all　be　dead。　We　managed　to　find　a　way。　You　will；　too。〃
　
　Tovrov　stifled　the　urge　to　cough。　〃Then　I　suggest　we　change　our　course　and　cut　the　lights。〃
　〃Do　it　then；〃　Yakelev　ordered；　releasing　his　iron　grip。
　
　The　captain　caught　his　breath　and　dashed　back　to　the　bridge；　with　the　major　close　behind。　As　they　approached　the　ladder　that　led　up　to　the　wheelhouse；　a　bright　square　of　light　appeared　on　the　deck　above。　Several　people　stepped　out　onto　the　open　platform。　The　light　was　from　behind；　so　their　faces　were　in　shadow。
　
　〃Inside！〃　Yakelev　shouted。
　
　〃We　came　outside　for　air；〃　a　woman　said；　speaking　in　a　German　accent。　〃It　is　stifling　in　the　cabin。〃
　〃Please；　Madame；〃　the　major　said　in　a　softer；　pleading　voice。
　
　〃As　you　wish；〃　the　woman　said；　after　a　moment。　She　was　clearly　reluctant；　but　she　herded　the　others　back　inside。　As　she　turned；　Tovrov　saw　her　profile。　She　had　a　strong　chin；　and　her　nose　was　slightly　curved　at　the　tip。
　
　A　guard　emerged　from　the　ship　and　called　down。　〃I　couldn't　stop　them；　Major。〃
　〃Go　back　inside　and　shut　the　door　before　all　the　world　hears　your　stupid　excuses。〃
　
　The　guard　vanished　and　slammed　the　door　behind　him。　As　Tovrov　stared　up　at　the　empty　platform；　the　major's　fingers　dug　into　his　arm。
　
　Yakelev's　voice　was　harsh　and　low。　〃You　saw　nothing；　Captain。〃
　〃Those　people　…　〃
　〃Nothing！　For　God's　sake；　man。　I　do　not　want　to　kill　you。〃
　
　Tovrov　started　to　reply；　but　the　words　never　left　his　mouth。　He　had　felt　a　change　in　the　ship's　movement；　and　he　jerked　his　arm　away　from　Yakelev's　grip。　〃I　must　go　to　the　bridge。〃
　〃What　is　wrong？〃
　〃There's　no　one　at　the　wheel。　Can't　you　feel　it？　My　stupid　first　mate　is　probably　drunk。〃
　
　Tovrov　left　the　major　behind　and　climbed　to　the　wheelhouse。　In　the　light　from　the　binnacle；　he　saw　the　wheel　slowly　spinning　back　and　forth　as　if　moved　by　invisible　hands。　The　captain　stepped　inside　and　stumbled　over　something　soft　and　yielding。　He　swore；　thinking　that　the　mate　had　passed　out。　Then　he　turned　on　the　light　and　saw　how　wrong　he　was。
　
　The　mate　lay　facedown　on　the　metal　deck；　a　puddle　of　blood　around　his　head。　Tovrov's　anger　turned　to　alarm。　He　knelt　beside　the　young　officer　and　turned　him　over。　A　wound　grinned　at　him　like　a　second　mouth　where　the　poor　wretch's　throat　had　been　cut。
　
　Eyes　wide　with　horror；　the　captain　stood　and　edged　away　from　the　corpse；　only　to　back　into　a　wall　of　solid　flesh。　He　whirled　and　saw　Yakelev。
　
　〃What　has　happened？〃　the　major　said。
　
　〃It's　incredible！　Someone　has　killed　the　first　mate。〃
　
　Yakelev　nudged　the　bloody　corpse　with　his　boot。　〃Who　could　have　done　this？〃
　〃No　one。〃
　〃No　one　slaughtered　your　mate　like　a　pig？　e　to　your　senses；　Captain。〃
　
　Tovrov　shook　his　head；　unable　to　take　his　eyes　off　the　mate's　body。　〃I　meant　that　I　know　all　the　crew　well。〃　He　paused。　〃All　except　the　two　new　men。〃
　〃What　new　men？〃　Yakelev's　good　eye　blazed　at　Tovrov　like　a　spotlight。
　
　〃I　hired　them　two　days　ago　as　stokers。　They　were　in　the　bar　when　I　was　talking　to　Federoff；　and　they　came　by　later　looking　for　berths。　They　looked　like　ruffians；　but　I　was　short　of　crew　…　〃
　
　Uttering　a　curse；　Yakelev　pulled　his　pistol　from　its　holster；　shoved　Tovrov　aside　and　vaulted　through　the　door；　shouting　mands　to　his　men。　Tovrov　glanced　at　the　first　mate　and　vowed　not　to　let　the　same　thing　happen　to　him　without　a　fight。　He　tied　the　wheel；　then　he　went　into　his　stateroom　and　with　trembling　hands　turned　the　bination　dial　on　the　ship's　safe。　Pulling　out　a　7。63…millimeter　Mauser　automatic；　he　unwrapped　the　soft　velvet　cloth　protecting　the　gun；　which　he　had　acquired　years　before　in　a　barter　in　the　event　of　a　mutiny；　loaded　the　magazine；　stuck　the　pistol　in　his　belt　and　peered　out　the　cabin　door。
　
　Descending　to　the　lower　deck；　he　peeked　through　the　small　circular　window　in　the　door　that　led　to　the　passengers'　quarters。　The　passageway　was　empty。　He　went　down　to　the　main　deck　and　crept　forward。　In　the　glow　of　the　deck　lights；　he　saw　the　Cossacks　crouched　near　the　rail。
　
　Suddenly；　a　small；　dark　object　looped　over　the　gunwale；　bounced　once　and　skittered　along　the　wet　deck；　leaving　a　trail　of　sparks。
　
　〃Grenade！〃　someone　yelled。　Moving　like　quicksilver；　Yakelev　dove　for　the　sputtering　grenade；　rolled　onto　his　back　and　snapped　the　metal　pineapple　over　the　side。　An　explosion　sounded；　and　the　screams　of　pain　that　followed　were　drowned　out　as　the　Cossacks　poured　rifle　fire　into　the　mist。　One　guard　leaned　over　with　a　sharp：　knife　and　slashed　the　lines　tied　to　several　grappling　hooks；　then　a　boat　engine　roared；　as　if　it　had　been　given　full　throttle。　The　Cossacks　continued　to　fire　until　the　boat　was　out　of　range。
　
　The　major　turned　and　his　rifle　snapped　up　to　firing　position。　Then　a　grin　crossed　his　face　as　he　recognized　the　captain。
　
　〃You'd　better　put　that　toy　away　before　you　shoot　yourself；　Captain。〃
　
　Tovrov　tucked　the　gun　into　his　belt　and　walked　over　to　Yakelev。　〃What　happened？〃
　〃You　were　right　about　being　followed。　A　fishing　boat　came　alongside　and　some　impolite　fellows　tried　to　invite　themselves　on　board。　We　had　to　teach　them　manners。　One　of　your　new　crewmen　was　signaling　them　with　a　light　until　we　put　a　knife　in　his　heart。〃　He　indicated　a　body　lying　on　the　deck。
　
　〃We　gave　our　visitors　a　warm　wele；〃　another　Cossack　said；　and　his　panions　joined　in　the　laughter。　The　guards　picked　the　body　up　and　threw　it　over　the　side。　The　captain　was　about　to　ask　where　the　other　stoker　was。　Too　late。
　
　The　missing　stoker　announced　his　arrival　with　deadly　force。　Rifle　fire　cut　short　the　Cossacks'　mirth；　and　four　men　were　mowed　down　as　if　by　an　invisible　scythe。　A　round　caught　Yakelev　in　the　chest；　and　the　force　slammed　him　against　the　bulkhead。　He　refused　to　go　down　and　mustered　the　strength　to　push　the　captain　out　of　the　line　of　fire。　The　remaining　Cossack　dropped　to　his　belly　and　crawled　along　the　deck；　firing　as　he　went；　but　he　was　killed　before　he　gained　the　protection　of　an　air　vent。
　
　While　the　attacker　was　diverted；　Tovrov　and　the　major　made　their　escape；　but　after　a　few　steps；　the　major's　knees　buckled　and　his　great　body　dropped　to　the　deck；　his　tunic　soaked　in　blood。　He　gestured　toward　the　captain；　who　brought　his　ear　close　to　the　Cossack's　mouth。
　
　〃See　to　the　family；〃　he　said　in　a　wet；　guttural　voice。
　
　〃They　must　live。〃　His　hand　groped　for　Tovrov's　jacket。　〃Remember。　Without　a　tsar；　Russia　cannot　exist。〃　He　blinked　in　astonishment　that　he　should　be　in　such　a　position；　and　a　soggy　chuckle　escaped　his　frothy　lips。　〃Damn　this　ship。　give　me　a　horse　any　day。　。　。　。〃　The　life　went　out　of　his　fierce　eye；　his　chin　slumped　forward　and　his　fingers　went　limp。
　
　Just　then；　the　ship　was　rocked　by　a　tremendous　blast。
　
　Crouching　low；　Tovrov　ran　to　the　rail　and　saw　the　fishing　boat　a　hundred　yards　away。　A　bright　flash　from　the　muzzle　of　a　deck　gun；　and　a　second　shell　slammed　into　the　freighter。
　
　The　ship　rocked　violently。
　
　A　muffled　thud　came　from　below；　as　the　fuel　tanks　caught　fire；　and　burning　fuel　gushed　from　the　tanks　and　spread　in　flaming　sheets　across　the　surface　of　the　water。　The　second　stoker　decided　to　abandon　ship。　He　ran　across　the　deck；　threw　the　rifle　over　the　side；　then　he　climbed　onto　the　rail；　leaped　into　a　clear　section　of　water　and　stroked　for　the　fishing　boat。　He　underestimated　the　speed　of　the　spreading　fuel；　however。　Within　seconds；　it　caught　up　with　him；　and　his　screams　were　drowned　out　by　the　loud　crackle　of　flames。
　
　The　cannonade　had　dislodged　the　rest　of　the　crew　from　their　hiding　places。　Men　ran　in　desperation　toward　the　lifeboat　on　the　side　away　from　the　fire。　Tovrov　went　to　follow　them；　then　he　remembered　Yakelev's　dying　words。　Gasping　as　he　tried　to　pull　air　into　his　ravaged　lungs；　Tovrov　climbed　to　the　passenger　quarters　and　threw　the　door　open。
　
　A　pitiful　sight　greeted　his　eyes。　Four　girls　in　their　teens　cowered　against　the　wall；　along　with　the　cook。　Standing　protectively　in　front　of　them　was　a　middle…aged　woman　with　sad　blue…gray　eyes。　She　had　a　long　thin　nose；　slightly　aquiline；　with　a　firm　but　delicate　chin。　Her　lips　were　closely　pressed　together　in　determination。　They　could　have　been　any　group　of　refugees　huddling　in　terror；　but　Tovrov　knew　they　weren't。　He　fumbled　as　he　tried　to　decide　on　the　right　form　of　address。
　
　〃Madame；〃　he　said　finally。　〃You　and　the　children　must　e　to　the　lifeboat。〃
　〃Who　are　you？〃　the　woman　said；　with　the　same　German　accent　the　captain　had　heard　earlier。
　
　〃Captain　Tovrov。　I　am　master　of　this　vessel。〃
　〃Tell　me　what　has　happened。　What　is　all　that　noise？〃
　〃Your　guards　are　all　dead。　The　s