the dragonflies in their flight, and like the majority of Russians in
similar circumstances, tried not to think. He only once dropped into
reflection; he came across a young lime-tree, broken down, in all
probability by the squall of the previous night. It was unmistakably
dying ... all the leaves on it were dead. 'What is it? an omen?'
was the thought that flashed across his mind; but he promptly began
whistling, leaped over the very tree, and paced up and down the path.
As for Pantaleone, he was grumbling, abusing the Germans, sighing
and moaning, rubbing first his back and then his knees. He even
yawned from agitation, which gave a very comic expression to his tiny
shrivelled-up face. Sanin could scarcely help laughing when he looked
at him.

They heard, at last, the rolling of wheels along the soft road. 'It's
they!' said Pantaleone, and he was on the alert and drew himself up,
not without a momentary nervous shiver, which he made haste, however,
to cover with the ejaculation 'B-r-r!' and the remark that the morning
was rather fresh. A heavy dew drenched the grass and leaves, but the
sultry heat penetrated even into the wood.

Both the officers quickly made their appearance under its arched
avenues; they were accompanied by a little thick-set man, with a
phlegmatic, almost sleepy, expression of face--the army doctor. He
carried in one hand an earthenware pitcher of water--to be ready for
any emergency; a satchel with surgical instruments and bandages hung
on his left shoulder. It was obvious that he was thoroughly used to
such excursions; they constituted one of the sources of his income;
each duel yielded him eight gold crowns--four from each of the
combatants. Herr von Richter carried a case of pistols, Herr von
Doenhof--probably considering it the thing--was swinging in his hand a