The steep bank was overgrown with steppe-grass, and in the narrow ravine between it and the brook grew tall reeds almost as high as a man.
At the summit of the bank were the remains of a wattled fence, which had formerly surrounded some garden, and in front of it were visible the wide leaves of the burdock, from among which rose blackthorn, and sunflowers lifting their heads high above all the rest.

Here the Tatar flung off her slippers and went barefoot, gathering her clothes up carefully, for the spot was marshy and full of water.

Forcing their way among the reeds, they stopped before a ruined outwork.

Skirting this outwork, they found a sort of earthen arch--an opening not much larger than the opening of an oven.

The Tatar woman bent her head and went first.