Quote Originally Posted by Johnroman
1.

За нами гонится эскадра по пятам

2.

По диким степям Забайкалья,
Где золото роют в горах,
Бродяга, судьюу проклиная,
Тащился с сумой на плечах.
1. Эскадра is a fleet of ships. (larger than a flotilla but smaller than armada)

This refers to someone on a ship being pursued by the large group of ships.

2.
Across the wild steppes of Transbaikallia
Where gold is mined in mountains
A vagabond cursing at his fate
Has dragged once with a bag on his back.