The smoke from the funnel fell downwards, and, together with
fragments of the fog, penetrated into all the cracks of the deck,
where the third-class passengers were silently muffling
themselves in their rags, and forming groups, like sheep. From
near the machinery were wafted deep, strained groans, the
jingling of bells, the dull sounds of orders and the abrupt words
of the machinist:
"Yes--slow! Yes--half speed!"
On the stern, in a corner, blocked up by barrels of salted fish,
a group of people was assembled, illuminated by a small electric
lamp. Those were sedate, neatly and warmly clad peasants. One of
them lay on a bench, face down; another sat at his feet, still
another stood, leaning his back against a barrel, while two
others seated themselves flat on the deck. Their faces, pensive
and attentive, were turned toward a round-shouldered man in a
short cassock, turned yellow, and a torn fur cap. That man sat on
some boxes with his back bent, and staring at his feet, spoke in
a low, confident voice:
"There will come an end to the long forbearance of the Lord, and
then His wrath will burst forth upon men.
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