an air rifle. Crossbows were childish weapons, he thought, for he was lazy
by nature and lacked manual dexterity.
They landed on the north shore at a spot where the gnarled roots of
mighty pine trees protruded from the yellow sandy slope. Anka let go of the
rudder and looked around. The sun had risen above the forest. A blue fog
hung over the lake. The pines glowed dark green and a yellow sandy beach
stretched in the distance. A light blue sky arched over the whole landscape.
The children bent over the side of the boat and looked into the water.
"Can't see a thing," said Pashka.
"A huge pike," said Anton, a trifle too sure of himself.
"With fins like that?" asked Pashka.
Anton did not reply. Anka, too, looked into the water, but she saw only
her own reflection in it.
"How about taking a swim?" said Pashka, and plunged his arm into the
water up to the elbow. "Cold," he reported.
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