A Hero of Our Time by M. Y. Lermontov (beach read book txt) 📕

ll, so still, indeed,that it was possible to follow the flight of a gnatby the buzzing of its wings. On our left loomedthe gorge, deep and black. Behind it and infront of us rose the dark-blue summits of themountains, all trenched with furrows and coveredwith layers of snow, and standing out against thepale horizon, which still retained the last reflec-tions of the evening glow. The stars twinkledout in the dark sky, and in some strange way itseemed to me that they were much higher thanin our own north country. On both sides of theroad bare, black rocks jutted out; here and thereshrubs peeped forth from under the snow; butnot a single withered leaf stirred, and amid thatdead sleep of nature it was cheering to hear thesnorting of the three tired post-horses and theirregular tinkling of the Russian bell.[1]

[1] The bell on the duga, a wooden arch joining theshafts of a Russian conveyance over the horse's neck.

We will have glorious weather to-morrow,I said.

The staff-captain a