I don't know why, but I really love autumn, even the latest one. Probably, it seemed to me because I was really looking forward to that trip? I became joyful and truly happy even from the very thought that I was going to hunt in the Rostov region, I could forget about everything in the world there and feel like a village boy, as I was inside. I could even feel the smell of autumn woods, a wooden house and a smoldering fire while sitting in the car. It took us long time to get there from Moscow, we stayed overnight in Voronezh with friends, and in the morning we were on the road again. I was struck by the Don, what a huge and muddy river it was, and probably very deep. Heavy rain drizzled without stopping, the sky was low and wet, large gray-blue waves were beating with great force against the pier, a sharp and cold wind was blowing. We crossed the Don by ferry, an incomprehensible feeling seized me, like fear, but some kind of joyful) I loved that feeling! It was about 5 pm when we reached the place. We accommodated in the small wooden cabin on the shore of the Manich river. We needed a good rest before the upcoming hunt, but I had to listen to what was happening on the water. I ran out to the river. It was sunset. The wind had already died down, the tall grass was barely rustling and the river was covered with small ripples, ducks were screaming somewhere nearby. I managed to take a sip of that air of freedom and happiness, and returned to the house joyfull. Then I laid on the bed and looked at the knots in the log walls and ceiling for a long time. I was thinking how people used to live in such houses, they stoked the stove, fished, hunted, without any permits for weapons, it seemed everything was much simpler. Or not? That question tormented me all night. And so I just fell asleep when Dad came up to me and said: “Wake up, hunter!” I jumped up and put on like a bullet without thinking about anything. It was very hard to keep my sleeping head, but I carefully hid it, but I couldn't hide my excitement. My dad smiled when he looked at me. The fresh morning air brought me to my senses, and when the sun appeared and lit up everything around, I was completely cheerful.
We had to go along the river through the field to the forest, we were going to hunt for a pheasant. The ground was so wet because of the rains that’s why it was difficult to walk, I tried to step on bumps. Soon we reached a small forest. Some of the trees had already lost their foliage, and the forest would have seemed gray and transparent if not for the young shrubs and trees that still retained their colored leaves. You should only look there and you catch immediately their wet, sweet smell. All I knew about a pheasant was that it was a rooster with a long iridescent tail. It noticed us earlier then we saw it and ran away immediately. It was useless to pursue, it instantly disappeared from sight while I was figuring out what to do. Dad and I cheered up and continued to follow along the forest, began to discuss violently how it happened that we missed it. And at that moment, some gray forest beast ran out right in front of us! Wolf! Or may be a fox! How could I understand it? I was still under impression from the pheasant. What had I do? "Vanya, did you see that the hare just ran right in front of us?” - said my Dad and laughed. I stood dead. We wandered around with dad for a long time, none of us was hurrying anywhere, we were listening, looking closely. I pretended to be calm, but I had hope inside that suddenly the hare would jump out again and I would be ready for it. The last sun looked kindly into our faces, and illuminating everything around. And how beautiful Manych was in the sunlight, with golden thickets of grass and reeds! I heard fish splashed somewhere. “Let's fishing”, - Dad offered. It was a great idea and we walked briskly towards our house for fishing rods, tackle and other things. It was a long day, but I wasn't tired at all, how could a person get tired of happiness? I didn't remember what I was thinking that night, but Dad said I slept like a log.)
