Passing about fifteen kilometres through the forest we emerged into an open valley, from which we could see the opposite bank of the Yenisei.

It was about eight o'clock.

Along the road on the other shore wound the black serpent-like line of riders and wagons which we made out to be a column of Red soldiers with their transport.

We dismounted and hid in the bushes in order to avoid attracting their attention.
All the day with the thermometer at zero and below we continued our journey, only at night reaching the mountains covered with larch forests, where we made big fires, dried our clothes and warmed ourselves thoroughly.

The hungry horses did not leave the fires but stood right behind us with drooped heads and slept.