I  examined  the  child's  face ;  but  what  can  one  make  of  a
physiognomy  without  eyes  ?  I  looked  at  him  for  some  time,
with  a  feeling  of  compassion,  when  suddenly  I  saw  on  his
lips  a  cunning  smile,  which  produced  upon  me  a  very  dis-
agreeable impression.  **  Could  this  blind  boy  be  not  so  blind
as  he  appeared  ? "  I  said  to  myself.  Answering  my  own  ques-
tion, I  said  that  the  boy  was  evidently  suffering  from  cata-
ract, and  that  the  appearance  of  cataract  cannot  be  simu-
lated. Why,  moreover,  should  he  aflfect  blindness?  Yet  in
spite  of  my  argument,  I  still  remained  vaguely  suspicious.
**Is  the  mistress  of  the  cabin  your  mother?"  I  said  to  the
boy.
**No."

**Who  are  you,  then?"

**  A  poor  orphan,"  he  replied.
**  Has  the  mistress  any  children?"

**She  has  one  daughter,  who  has  gone  to  sea  with  a  Tar-
tar."

**  What  Tartar?"

**How  do  I  know?  A  Tartar  of  the  Crimea,  a  boatman
from  Kertch."

I  went  into  the  hut.     Two  benches,  a  table,  and  a  large


A  Pair  Smuggler  ^^5

wardrobe,  placed  near  the  stove,  composed  the  whole  of  the
furniture.     No  holy  image  against  the  wall — bad  sign  !

The  sea-breeze  came  in  through  the  broken  panes  of  the
window.  I  took  a  wax  candle  from  my  portmanteau,  and
after  lighting  it,  prepared  to  install  myself.  I  placed  on  one
side  my  sabre  and  my  carbine,  laid  my  pistols  on  the  table,
stretched  myself  out  on  a  bench,  and,  wrapping  myself  up  in
my  fur-lined  coat,  lay  down.
