" Never fear! You taste our cake!" Levin felt a strong inclination to drink a little vodka and to eat some bread.

He was exhausted, and felt it a great effort to drag his staggering legs out of the mire, and for a minute he hesitated.

But Laska was setting.

And immediately all his weariness vanished, and he walked lightly through the swamp towards the dog.

A snipe flew up at his feet; he fired and killed it.