CHAPTER II.

CRASNOI LAIS.

A frozen sea--Swarms of wild-fowl--The Indo-European telegraph--Sledging on the Azov--A desolate scene--Taman--Journey inland--Tumerūk--Hotels--A dangerous sleep--Foxes--Wolves--A hasty retreat--Ekaterinodar--Supper in the forest of Crasnoi Lais--An exciting night’s sport--Driving the forest--Cossack beaters--Wild deer--Other game--The bag--Rations of vodka--A Cossack orgy--Vulpine sagacity--Wolf stories--Return to Kertch 15