Page:The Russian Review Volume 1.djvu/346

312  "feel" the darkness. To the left of us, the column of General W. has engaged the enemy. This is merely a manoeuvre undertaken in order to make it possible for our columns to join forces at B., and then strike at the enemy's right wing.

It is raining and hailing; the wind is strong, cold, penetrating. The water gets into the sleeves, behind the collar, flows in cold streams down the back and the chest, the wet overcoat hangs heavy on the shoulders, the boots are wet through.

"At ease!"

The men are tired, and they drop down right into the mud. Yet they are in good spirits.

"We'll sleep in jelly to-night."

Somov is happy. He has made himself a cigarette out of the soldiers' wretched tobacco, and enjoys it, although the tobacco-smoke almost chokes him.

"There's less nicotine in this stuff," says he, coughing and choking, "than in the more expensive brands. Fine tobacco!"

He was a rich man, accustomed to ease and luxury. At the beginning he was quite uncomfortable and nervous. But now life has broken him in: he is even praising the soldiers' tobacco.

 

