Then sat down in the mud and took off my boots.

Why I did this I don't know.

I looked at the water, thought that it would be cold, but that it would soon be over because I couldn't swim.

I heard the frogs, looked back at the flickering fires amongst our wagons, then walked down the bank...." Nikitin must for some time have been watching him, because at that moment he stepped forward, took Trenchard's arm, and drew him back.
Nikitin has himself told me that he was walking up and down the road that night because he could not sleep.

When he spoke to Trenchard the man seemed dazed and bewildered, said something about "life being all over for him and--death being horrible!" Nikitin put his arm round him, took him back to his room, where he made him a bed on the floor, gave him a sleeping-draught and watched him until he slept.
That was the true beginning of the friendship between Nikitin and Trenchard..