ABSTRACT
Just as we were ready to start, and were standing astride over the embers of the fire so as to absorb its last warmth under our big coats, we suddenly heard a crunching sound in the snow and a snapping of twigs, and the jingle of bells and harsh cries rapidly approached. A moment later two sleighs manned by soldiers in Soviet uniform drove up to the fire. The sleighs were pulled up abruptly, and six hostile rifles were levelled at us, while words incomprehensible to me resounded through the forest.I stood as if struck with paralysis by this unexpected appearance, while Bater fell on his knees in the snow with his hands raised towards heaven.
