The cries of a flock of wild ducks, ascending from one side, were echoed from God knows what distant lake.

From the grass arose, with measured sweep, a gull, and skimmed wantonly through blue waves of air.

And now she has vanished on high, and appears only as a black dot: now she has turned her wings, and shines in the sunlight.

Oh, steppes, how beautiful you are! Our travellers halted only a few minutes for dinner.

Their escort of ten Cossacks sprang from their horses and undid the wooden casks of brandy, and the gourds which were used instead of drinking vessels.