Ill

Criticism to the left of him, enmity to the right of him, jealousy in front of him, the Red Army behind him, a high fever within him, all tried to blight him. He resolved to take a trip to the Caucasus, to regain his health.

In Moscow, War Lord Trotzky's colleagues continued to criticize him; the press showed much enmity ; talk of ousting him, attributed to jealousy, was heard in Government circles ; the Red Army vowed that they would not part with him; but Trotzky was a sick man sick with bronchial troubles aggravated by la grippe. Doctors ordered him to the sunny Caucasus, Russia's Riviera.

When Trotzky left the capital to travel south, he created a riot. His friends and admirers poured into the streets to give him a rousing sendoff. Unfortunately, his enemies arrived also, to prevent the popular demonstration. A pitched battle lasting far into the night was the result.