In my previous posts on the subject I forgot to point out that
the phrase k chertyam sobach'im occurs in
Ada at least thrice. For the last time sobach'i cherti (the
canine devils) are mentioned in the chapter on uncle Dan's death
(2.10):
Especially so now - when everything had gone to
the hell curs, k chertyam sobach'im, of Jeroen Anthnizoon van Äken and
the molti aspetti affascinati of his enigmatica arte, as Dan
explained with a last sigh to Dr Nikulin and to nurse Bellabestia ('Bess') to
whom he bequeathed a trunkful of museum catalogues and his second-best
catheter.
The connection between red dog and Red Veen is not
arbitrary as Jansy Mello thinks.
Alexey Sklyarenko