40 CRASNOI LAIS. 



extremely dangerous, and that if you are unlucky 

 enough to wound the lady, nothing but their death 

 will release you from the attacks of her enraged 

 suite. 



Having bid a hearty adieu to our host, and 

 taking a couple of roebuck with us to testify of our 

 prowess to envious friends at Kertch, we got under 

 weigh next morning on our return journey. On 

 our way I wounded an old wolf which I saw 

 slinking round some kamish (reed) beds by the 

 roadside ; but though I followed him far into the 

 reeds I never bagged him, and could by no means 

 get another fair shot at him with my rifle. 



Three days' fast travelling saw us back at 

 Kertch, the heroes of the hour ; for though Ekateri- 

 nodar with its forest is so near, the Russian sports- 

 man is of so unenterprising a nature that none of 

 our comrades knew it except by report. The 

 comforts of our English consulate were none the 

 less appreciated after the cold bare rooms of a 

 Russian post station in the Caucasus, and we both 

 agreed that though such sport was glorious, a com- 

 fortable home to return to was a blessing mightily 

 to be desired. 



