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Updated: June 25, 2025
'Tis but a bit of a show we've got up to amuse the village folk." "Call it what you please," answered Moisio. "You'll mark what I say. I'm answerable for order in this place, and if any harm comes afterwards, I'll call you to account for it. 'Tis no lawful way, to risk men's lives for a bet." "Moisio's right," cried several among the crowd. The two headmen consulted in a whisper.
And from within came a constant sound of many voices, as of men sitting round the hearth relating manifold adventures. Outside, all round the house, were voices too, loud and low, soft and harsh, with an undertone of whispering in corners, and footsteps moving here and there. All that there was of life and light and sound in Kohiseva seemed gathered this night at Moisio.
"Get your things on," said the old man impatiently. "And you sit down." A sudden wave of shame came over the girl; snatching up her clothes, she fled into the next room. The master of Moisio walked slowly to the window and sat down heavily, a beaten man. Olof felt a thrill of pity for the old man.
The dancing ceased for a moment; the guests adjourned to the well-furnished tables in an adjoining room the women following the bride, the men by themselves, with the bridegroom and old Moisio himself. Trays clattered, glasses rang, a hum of gay voices filled the room, and all eyes shone with a festive gleam. Then the fiddler tuned up once more, and the guests streamed out back into the hall.
Olof scans the water with a critical eye, the crowd waiting expectantly the while. "I'll not deny it," says he at last. "Don't think I'm paying no heed to what you say. But I've a reason of my own for doing something more than most would venture and I'll not draw back." He spoke loudly and clearly; all on the bridge could hear his words. Moisio said no more, but drew back a little.
"Well, who's to go first?" said Falk. "Let me," says Redjacket. "As you please," said Olof. Moisio turned to the headmen again. "You'll have some men on the farther bank," he said, "in case of accidents." "Not on my account," puts in Redjacket scornfully. "But if the other man here wants fishing up...." "Have them there if you like," says Olof. "'Twill do no harm."
"What's this about the rapids?" he said sternly. "If you've put up a match, as they're saying here, then I've come to say you'd better put it off before harm comes of it. Five men's lives the river's taken here in my time. And we've no wish for more." "Easy, Moisio," says Vantti, taking the cigar from his mouth, and spitting a thin jet sideways. "No call to take it that way.
All eyes were turned towards the two competitors, who stood facing each other, with their friends around. One of them, a young man in a bright red coat, lifts his head boldly. "I'm not afraid of drowning, and not going to drown," he cries. "You draw back, then," says Moisio to Olof. "He'll not care to make the trip alone. No man's gone down the rapids here and lived 'tis madness to try."
"One thing I would ask you let me see you alone first, before you meet my father. I could not bear to meet again after all these years in that way. Come to our old meeting-place beforehand, if you can, and let me know what day and time you will be there. Olof walked up the steps to the homestead at Moisio.
"They're well enough," she answered carelessly, as if to imply that she had no more to say he could go on if he cared to. "I wonder, now, if you'd give me one one of the red ones yonder if it's not too much to ask?" The girl drew herself up. "'Tis not our way at Moisio to give roses over the fence to strangers though there may be those elsewhere that are willing enough."
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