We were gaily chatting with the hospitable host when suddenly we heard horses' hoofs in the court and raucous voices, followed by the immediate entry of five Red soldiers armed with rifles and swords.

Something unpleasant and cold rolled up into my throat and my heart hammered.

We knew the Reds as our enemies.

These men had the red stars on their Astrakhan caps and red triangles on their sleeves.

They were members of the detachment that was out to look for Cossack officers.