Russian Trapper

... So, if Damir had been forced to flee his country in haste, it was not so much to avoid the gallows but more to escape the teeth of the hungry carnivorous spirits of the forests of the motherland. That was why he had signed up to serve in Hell, for he believed that the angry spirits would not follow him that far! His epilogue seemed to me to be nothing but an old wives� tale. Pepo on the other hand, took this tale of witchcraft very seriously, and his teeth began to chatter frantically. The rough mercenaries, who had been listening distractedly to our conversation, teased him kindly about his gullibility, until a terrific cracking noise was heard, coming from a few fathoms away. In a second, our blood ran cold and our faces became pale as ghosts. All except Damir, who jumped to his feet and grabbed a firm hold of his axe. Staring intently at the mists, he warned us, "Gentlemen, I am afraid we have company!"