My surmise was at once confirmed. Captain Kraft asked for vodka, calling it a “warmer,” croaked horribly, and, throwing back his head, emptied the glass.
“Well, gentlemen, we have scoured the plains of Chechnya today, have we not?” he began, but, seeing the officer on duty, stopped at once to allow the Major to give his orders.
“Have you been round the lines?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have the ambuscades been placed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then give the company commanders orders to be as cautious as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Major screwed up his eyes in profound contemplation.