InatownofthesteppeswhereIfoundlifeexceedinglydull，thebestandthebrightestspotwasthecemetery。OftendidIusetowalkthere，andonceithappenedthatIfellasleeponsomethick，rich，sweet-smellinggrassinacradle-likehollowbetweentwotombs。

　　FromthatsleepIwasawakenedwiththesoundofblowsbeingstruckagainstthegroundnearmyhead。Theconcussionofthemjarredmenotalittle，astheearthquiveredandtinkledlikeabell。Raisingmyselftoasittingposture，Ifoundsleepstillsoheavyuponmethatatfirstmyeyesremainedblindedwithunfathomabledarkness，andcouldnotdiscernwhatthematterwas。TheonlythingthatIcouldseeamidthegoldenglareoftheJunesunlightwasawaveringblurwhichatintervalsseemedtoadheretoagreycross，andtomakeitgiveforthasuccessionofsoftcreaks。

　　Presently，however——againstmywish，indeed——thatwaveringblurresolveditselfintoalittle，elderlyman。Sharp-featured，withathick，silverytuftofhairbeneathhisunderlip，andabushywhitemoustachecurledinmilitaryfashion，onhisupper，hewasusingthecrossasameansofsupportas，withhisdisengagedhandoutstretched，andsawingtheair，hedughisfootrepeatedlyintotheground，and，ashedidso，bestoweduponmesundrydry，covertglancesfromthedepthsofapairofdarkeyes。

　　“Whathaveyougotthere？“Iinquired。

　　“Asnake，“herepliedinaneducatedbassvoice，andwitharuggedforefingerhepointeddownwards；whereuponIperceivedthatwrigglingonthepathathisfeetandconvulsivelywhiskingitstail，therewasanechidna。

......

购买会员看全站小说，或者下载APP免费观看所有作品 点击立即下载，搜索"Through Russia",免费读到尾