74 THE RED FOREST AND 



had not expected me. Remembering that a man 

 roused from his first sleep is not always in his 

 sweetest mood, I determined not to disturb mine 

 host, but instead took my place amongst the Cos- 

 sack guards by the fire, and in spite of their looks 

 of wonder and ridicule, prepared to be comfortable 

 in my own way. After some delay a kettle was 

 produced, and taking some tea from my game sack, 

 I soon brewed the odorous beverage, by sharing 

 which with my rough companions I gained con- 

 siderably in their good graces. The night was 

 fearfully cold, and the stories the Cossacks told 

 almost unintelligible to me, owing to the patois in 

 which they told them, so that my pipe once out 1 

 was ready to turn in. One thing I ought to say 

 for these men, uncouth as they appeared. When I 

 knelt for a few minutes before turning in, every 

 one of them rose, left the vicinity of the fire, and 

 remained respectfully standing until I was on my 

 legs again ; and I may add, that wherever I have 

 met Cossacks I have found the same outward 

 respect at any rate for religious observances, and it 

 is my firm belief, that though prone to many vices, 

 they have more faith and a greater respect for the 

 nobler qualities of humanity, than most of their 

 more enlightened fellow-countrymen. 



I slept that night in mybourkaon thedroshky, 

 and when I woke, the bourka, which was black the 

 night before, was silvery with rime, while my 



