“Idonotknowforcertain，since，thoughmenwhotookanactualpartintheexpedition’sengagementshavesaidthattheyweresotheChechintzeisaviciousbrute，andnevergivesin，Imyselfknowbutlittleoftheaffair，sinceIspentmywholetimeinthereserve，andneveroncedidmycompanyadvancetotheassault。
No，itmerelylayaboutonthesand，andfiredatlongrange。Infact，nothingbutsandwastobeseenthereabouts；nordidweeversucceedinfindingoutwhatthefightingwasfor。True，ifapieceofcountrybegood，itisinourinteresttotakeit；butinthepresentcasethecountrywaspoorandbare，withneverariverinsight，andaclimatesohotthatallonethoughtofwasone’smortalneedofadrink。Infact，someofourfellowsdiedofthirstoutright。Moreover，inthosepartstheregrowsasortofmilletcalleddzhugar——milletwhichnotonlyhasahorribletaste，butprovesabsolutelydelusive，sincethemoreoneeatsofit，thelessonefeelsfilled。“
Astheex-soldiertoldmethetalecolourlesslyandreluctantly，withfrequentpausesbetweenthesentencesasthougheitherhefounditdifficulttorecalltheexperienceorhewerethinkingofsomethingelse，heneveroncelookedmestraightintheface，butkepthiseyesshamefacedlyfixedupontheground。
Unwieldilyandunhealthilystout，healwaysconveyedtometheimpressionofbeingchargedwithavaguediscontent，asortofcaptiousinertia。
“Absolutelyunfitforsettlementisthiscountry“hecontinuedasheglancedaroundhim。“Itisfitonlytodonothingin。Forthatmatter，onedoesn’tWANTtodoanythinginit，savetolivewithone’seyesbulginglikeadrunkard’s——fortheclimateistoohot，andtheplacesmellslikeachemist’sshoporahospital。“