The Desolation of Roslavl
87
From the high bank of the Oster, on that side from which the forest has been cleared, you see for versts and versts a cloud of bluish, half-transparent smoke.
That's the evening camping ground.
I walk farther and farther into the forest over the soft wilted grass.
Everywhere are glades, everywhere people, huts of pine-branches, and from all sides is heard the sound of axes.
How many thousands of people are there here!
People tell you various enormous numbers.
Give it up.
How calculate:
—How many drops of water are there in the river?
What a terrible smoke in the forest! Because of the smoke the eyes of all are red and painful.
—It is damp at night, the smoke settles
