demid lived on his own plot of ground, which, like the village, stood on a hill above the river. but here the hill was higher and steeper, sweeping the edge of the horizon. the wood was nearer, and its grey- trunked cedars and pines rose from their beds of golden moss to shake their crests to the stars and stretch their dark-green forest hands right up to the house. the view was wide and sweeping from here: the dark, turbulent river, the marsh beyond, the deep-blue billowing woods fringing the horizon, the heavy lowering sky—all were clearly visible.
the house, made of huge pines, with timbered walls, plain white- washed ceilings and floors, was bestrewn with pelts of bears, elks, wolves, foxes, and ermines. gunpowder and grape-shot lay on the tables. in the corners was a medley of lassoes, snares, and wolftraps. some rifles hung round the walls. there was a strong pungent odour, as though all the perfumes of the woods were collected here. the house contained two rooms and a kitchen.
in the centre of one of the rooms stood a large, rough-hewn table; round it were some low wooden stools covered with bear-skin. this was demid's own room; in the other was the young bear, makar.
demid lay motionless for a long time on his bear-skin bed, listening to the vibrations of his great body—how it lived and throbbed, how the rich blood coursed through its veins. makar, the bear, approached, laid his heavy paws on his chest, and amicably sniffed at his body. demid stroked the beast on its ear, and it seemed as if the man and animal understood each other. outside the window loomed the wood.
demid was rugged and broad-shouldered, a large, quiet, dark-eyed, good man. he smelt of the woods, and was strong and healthy. like all the hunters, he dressed in furs and a rough, home-woven fabric streaked with red. he wore high, heavy boots made of reindeer hide, and his coarse, broad hands were covered with broken chilblains.
makar was young, and, like all young things, he was foolish. he liked to roll about, and was often destructive—he would gnaw the nets and skins, break the traps, and lick up the gunpowder. then demid punished him, whereupon makar would turn on his heel, make foolish grimaces, and whine plaintively.
