Saveliitch brought in the case containing my tea-service; he asked
for fire to make me a few cups of tea, of which I never had greater
need. The host hastened to serve us.

"Where is our guide?" I asked of Saveliitch.

"Here, your lordship," replied a voice from above. I raised my eyes
to the loft, and saw a black beard and two sparkling black eyes.

"Well, are you cold?"

"How could I help being cold in this little cafetan full of holes.
What's the use of concealment? I had a touloup, but I left it
yesterday in pledge with the liquor-seller; then the cold did not
seem so great."

At this moment our host entered with the portable furnace and boiler,
the Russian _Somovar_. I offered our guide a cup of tea. Down he
came at once. As he stood in the glare of the pine torch his
appearance was remarkable. A man about forty years of age, medium
height, slight but with broad shoulders. His black beard was turning
grey; large, quick, restless eyes, gave him an expression full of
cunning, and yet not at all disagreeable. He was dressed in wide
Tartar pantaloons and an old jacket. His hair was cut evenly round.

I offered him a cup of tea. He tasted it and made a grimace.

"Do me the favor, my lord, to order me a glass of brandy; tea is not
the Cossack's drink."