out of bed, and found him already dressed, and doing something to his gun.
"Where is Demyan?"
"He went long ago into the woods. He has already verified the circuit, and came running back, and now he has gone out to show the whippers-in the way."
After washing and dressing, I loaded my gun. We took our places in the sledge and set off.
The temperature still continued low; the air was motionless; the sun was not visible; heavy clouds had risen and the hoar-frost was falling.
We drove three versts along the road, and reached the forest. We could see in the valley columns of blue smoke, and people standing around—peasant men and women,[1] with cudgels.
We leaped out, and joined the throng. The peasants were sitting around, roasting potatoes, and jesting with the women.
Demyan also was among them. The people got up. Demyan posted them on the circular trail that we had made the evening before. The men and women formed the line,—thirty of them in all,—buried in snow up to their waists, and made their way into the woods. Then my comrade and I followed after them.
Although the path was somewhat trodden, it was hard walking; still there was no possibility of falling; you walk as it were between two walls.
Thus we proceeded half a verst, and then we caught sight of Demyan on the other side, hurrying on snow-shoes to meet us, beckoning us to come to him.
We joined him; he showed us our places. As soon as I reached my station, I looked around me.
On my left there was a high fir tree; beyond it there was a wide view, and behind the trees stood a peasant whipper-in making a black spot. Opposite me there was a growth of young fir trees as tall as a man. The branches of the little firs were weighed down and stuck together by the snow. Through the clump led a foot-path trodden through the snow. This path led straight
- ↑ Muzhiks and babas.
