第3章

Bulbawaspetrified。“Whyhasheputonforeigngarments？“

“Heputthemonbecausetheywerefiner。Andheridesabout，andtheothersrideabout，andheteachesthem，andtheyteachhim；liketheverygrandestPolishnoble。”

“Whoforcedhimtodothis？“

“Ishouldnotsaythathehadbeenforced。Doesnotmylordknowthathewentovertothemofhisownfreewill？“

“Whowentover？“

“LordAndrii。”

“Wentwhere？“

“Wentovertotheirside；heisnowathoroughforeigner。”

“Youlie，youhog”sear！“

“HowisitpossiblethatIshouldlie？AmIafool，thatIshouldlie？

WouldIlieattheriskofmyhead？DonotIknowthatJewsarehunglikedogsiftheylietonobles？“

“Thenitmeans，accordingtoyou，hehasbetrayedhisnativelandandhisfaith？“

“Idonotsaythathehasbetrayedanything；Imerelysaidthathehadgoneovertotheotherside。”

“Youlie，youimpofaJew！SuchadeedwasneverknowninaChristianland。Youaremakingamistake，dog！“

“MaythegrassgrowuponthethresholdofmyhouseifIammistaken！

Mayeveryonespituponthegraveofmyfather，mymother，myfather”sfather，andmymother”sfather，ifIammistaken！IfmylordwishedI

caneventellhimwhyhewentovertothem。”

“Why？“

“TheWaiwodehasabeautifuldaughter。HolyFather！whatabeauty！“

HeretheJewtriedhisutmosttoexpressbeautybyextendinghishands，screwinguphiseyes，andtwistinghismouthtoonesideasthoughtastingsomethingontrial。

“Well，whatofthat？“

“Hediditallforher，hewentthereforhersake。Whenamanisinlove，thenallthingsarethesametohim；likethesoleofashoewhichyoucanbendinanydirectionifyousoakitinwater。”

Bulbareflecteddeeply。Herememberedthepowerofweakwoman——howshehadruinedmanyastrongman，andthatthiswastheweakpointinAndrii”snature——andstoodforsometimeinonespot，asthoughrootedthere。“Listen，mylord，Iwilltellmylordall，“saidtheJew。“AssoonasIheardtheuproar，andsawthemgoingthroughthecitygate，Iseizedastringofpearls，incaseofanyemergency。Fortherearebeautiesandnoble-womenthere；”andiftherearebeautiesandnoble-women”Isaidtomyself，”theywillbuypearls，eveniftheyhavenothingtoeat。”And，assoonaseverthecornet”sservantshadsetmeatliberty，IhastenedtotheWaiwode”sresidencetosellmypearls。Iaskedallmannerofquestionsofthelady”sTatarmaid；theweddingistotakeplaceimmediately，assoonastheyhavedrivenofftheZaporozhtzi。LordAndriihaspromisedtodriveofftheZaporovians。”

“Andyoudidnotkillhimonthespot，youdevil”sbrat？“shoutedBulba。

“WhyshouldIkillhim？Hewentoverofhisownfreewill。Whatishiscrime？Helikeditbetterthere，sohewentthere。”

“Andyousawhimfacetoface？“

“Facetoface，byheavens！suchamagnificentwarrior！moresplendidthanalltherest。Godblesshim，heknewme，andwhenIapproachedhimhesaidatonce”

“Whatdidhesay？“

“Hesaid——Firsthebeckonedmewithhisfinger，andthenhesaid，”Yankel！”LordAndriisaid，”Yankel，tellmyfather，tellmybrother，tellalltheCossacks，alltheZaporozhtzi，everybody，thatmyfatherisnolongermyfather，normybrothermybrother，normycomradesmycomrades；andthatIwillfightthemall，all。”“

“Youlie，impofaJew！“shoutedTaras，besidehimself。“Youlie，dog！

Iwillkillyou，Satan！Getawayfromhere！ifnot，deathawaitsyou！“

Sosaying，Tarasdrewhissword。

TheterrifiedJewsetoffinstantly，atthefullspeedofhisthin，shrunkenlegs。Heranforalongtime，withoutlookingback，throughtheCossackcamp，andthenfaroutonthedesertedplain，althoughTarasdidnotchasehimatall，reasoningthatitwasfoolishtothusventhisrageonthefirstpersonwhopresentedhimself。

ThenherecollectedthathehadseenAndriionthepreviousnighttraversingthecampwithsomewoman，andhebowedhisgreyhead。Stillhewouldnotbelievethatsodisgracefulathingcouldhavehappened，andthathisownsonhadbetrayedhisfaithandsoul。

Finallyheplacedhismeninambushinawood——theonlyonewhichhadnotbeenburnedbytheCossacks——whilsttheZaporozhians，footandhorse，setoutforthethreegatesbythreedifferentroads。Oneafteranotherthekurensturnedout：Oumansky，Popovichesky，Kanevsky，Steblikovsky，Nezamaikovsky，Gurgazif，Titarevsky，Tomischevsky。ThePereyaslavskykurenalonewaswanting。ItsCossackshadsmokedanddranktotheirdestruction。Someawoketofindthemselvesboundintheenemy”shands；othersneverwokeatallbutpassedintheirsleepintothedampearth；andthehetmanKhlibhimself，minushistrousersandaccoutrements，foundhimselfinthecampoftheLyakhs。

TheuproaramongtheZaporozhtziwasheardinthecity。Allthebesiegedhastenedtotheramparts，andalivelyscenewaspresentedtotheCossacks。ThehandsomePolishheroesthrongedonthewall。Thebrazenhelmetsofsomeshonelikethesun，andwereadornedwithfeatherswhiteasswans。Othersworepinkandbluecaps，droopingoveroneear，andcaftanswiththesleevesthrownback，embroideredwithgold。Theirweaponswererichlymountedandverycostly，asweretheirequipments。InthefrontranktheBudzhakovskycolonelstoodproudlyinhisredcapornamentedwithgold。Hewasatall，stoutman，andhisrichandamplecaftanhardlycoveredhim。Nearthesidegatestoodanothercolonel。Hewasadried-uplittleman，buthissmall，piercingeyesgleamedsharplyfromunderhisthickandshaggybrows，andasheturnedquicklyonallsides，motioningboldlywithhisthin，witheredhand，andgivingouthisorders，itwasevidentthat，inspiteofhislittlebody，heunderstoodmilitarysciencethoroughly。Notfarfromhimstoodaverytallcornet，withthickmoustachesandahighly-colouredcomplexion——anoblefondofstrongmeadandheartyrevelry。Behindthemweremanynobleswhohadequippedthemselves，somewiththeirownducats，somefromtheroyaltreasury，somewithmoneyobtainedfromtheJews，bypawningeverythingtheyfoundintheirancestralcastles。Manytoowereparasites，whomthesenatorstookwiththemtodinnersforshow，andwhostolesilvercupsfromthetableandthesideboard，andwhentheday”sdisplaywasovermountedsomenoble”scoach-boxanddrovehishorses。Therewerefolkofallkindsthere。Sometimestheyhadnotenoughtodrink，butallwereequippedforwar。

TheCossackranksstoodquietlybeforethewalls。Therewasnogoldaboutthem，savewhereitshoneonthehiltofaswordorthemountingsofagun。TheZaporozhtziwerenotgiventodeckingthemselvesoutgailyforbattle：theircoats-of-mailandgarmentswereplain，andtheirblack-borderedred-crownedcapsshoweddarklyinthedistance。

Twomen——OkhrimNaschandMikigaGolokopuitenko——advancedfromtheZaporozhianranks。Onewasquiteyoung，theotherolder；bothfierceinwords，andnotbadspecimensofCossacksinaction。TheywerefollowedbyDemidPopovitch，astronglybuiltCossackwhohadbeenhangingabouttheSetchforalongtime，afterhavingbeeninAdrianopleandundergoingagreatdealinthecourseofhislife。Hehadbeenburned，andhadescapedtotheSetchwithblackenedheadandsingedmoustaches。ButPopovitchrecovered，lethishairgrow，raisedmoustachesthickandblackaspitch，andwasastoutfellow，accordingtohisownbitingspeech。

“Redjacketsonallthearmy，butIshouldliketoknowwhatsortofmenareunderthem，“hecried。

“Iwillshowyou，“shoutedthestoutcolonelfromabove。“Iwillcapturethewholeofyou。Surrenderyourgunsandhorses，slaves。DidyouseehowIcaughtyourmen？——BringoutaZaporozhetzonthewallforthemtosee。”

AndtheyletoutaZaporozhetzboundwithstoutcords。

BeforethemstoodKhlib，thehetmanofthePereyaslavskykuren，withouthistrousersoraccoutrements，justastheyhadcapturedhiminhisdrunkensleep。HebowedhisheadinshamebeforetheCossacksathisnakedness，andathavingbeenthustakenlikeadog，whileasleep。Hishairhadturnedgreyinonenight。

“Grievenot，Khlib：wewillrescueyou，“shoutedtheCossacksfrombelow。

“Grievenot，friend，“criedthehetmanBorodaty。“Itisnotyourfaultthattheycaughtyounaked：thatmisfortunemighthappentoanyman。

Butitisadisgracetothemthattheyshouldhaveexposedyoutodishonour，andnotcoveredyournakednessdecently。”

“Youseemtobeabravearmywhenyouhavepeoplewhoareasleeptofight，“remarkedGolokopuitenko，glancingattheramparts。

“Waitabit，we”llsingeyourtop-knotsforyou！“wasthereply。

“Ishouldliketoseethemsingeourscalplocks！“saidPopovitch，prancingaboutbeforethemonhishorse；andthen，glancingathiscomrades，headded，“Well，perhapstheLyakhsspeakthetruth：ifthatfat-belliedfellowleadsthem，theywillallfindagoodshelter。”

“Whydoyouthinktheywillfindagoodshelter？“askedtheCossacks，knowingthatPopovitchwasprobablypreparingsomerepartee。

“Becausethewholearmywillhidebehindhim；andthedevilhimselfcouldn”thelpyoutoreachanyonewithyourspearthroughthatbellyofhis！“

TheCossackslaughed，someofthemshakingtheirheadsandsaying，“WhatafellowPopovitchisforajoke！butnow”ButtheCossackshadnottimetoexplainwhattheymeantbythat“now。”

“Fallback，fallbackquicklyfromthewall！“shoutedtheKoschevoi，seeingthattheLyakhscouldnotendurethesebitingwords，andthatthecolonelwaswavinghishand。

TheCossackshadhardlyretreatedfromthewallbeforethegrape-shotraineddown。Ontherampartsallwasexcitement，andthegrey-hairedWaiwodehimselfappearedonhorseback。Thegatesopenedandthegarrisonsalliedforth。Inthevancamehussarsinorderlyranks，behindthemthehorsemeninarmour，andthentheheroesinbrazenhelmets；afterwhomrodesinglythehighestnobility，eachmanaccoutredashepleased。Thesehaughtynobleswouldnotmingleintherankswithothers，andsuchofthemashadnocommandsrodeapartwiththeirownimmediatefollowing。Nextcamesomemorecompanies，andafterthesethecornet，thenmorefilesofmen，andthestoutcolonel；

andintherearofthewholeforcethelittlecolonel。

“Keepthemfromforminginline！“shoutedtheKoschevoi；“letallthekurensattackthematonce！Blocktheothergate！Titarevskykuren，fallononeflank！Dyadovskykuren，chargeontheother！Attackthemintherear，KukubenkoandPalivod！Checkthem，breakthem！“TheCossacksattackedonallsides，throwingtheLyakhsintoconfusionandgettingconfusedthemselves。Theydidnotevengivethefoetimetofire，itcametoswordsandspearsatonce。Allfoughthandtohand，andeachmanhadanopportunitytodistinguishhimself。

DemidPopovitchspearedthreesoldiers，andstrucktwoofthehighestnoblesfromtheirsaddles，saying，“Goodhorses！Ihavelongwantedjustsuchhorses。”Andhedrovethehorsesfarafield，shoutingtotheCossacksstandingabouttocatchthem。Thenherushedagainintothefray，felluponthedismountednobles，slewone，andthrowinghislassoroundtheneckoftheother，tiedhimtohissaddleanddraggedhimovertheplain，afterhavingtakenfromhimhisswordfromitsrichhiltandremovedfromhisgirdleawholebagofducats。

Kobita，agoodCossack，thoughstillveryyoung，attackedoneofthebravestmeninthePolisharmy，andtheyfoughtlongtogether。Theygrappled，andtheCossackmasteringhisfoe，andthrowinghimdown，stabbedhiminthebreastwithhissharpTurkishknife。Buthedidnotlookoutforhimself，andabulletstruckhimonthetemple。Themanwhostruckhimdownwasthemostdistinguishedofthenobles，thehandsomestscionofanancientandprincelyrace。Likeastatelypoplar，hebestrodehisdun-colouredsteed，andmanyheroicdeedsdidheperform。HecuttwoCossacksintwain。FedorKorzh，thebraveCossack，heoverthrewtogetherwithhishorse，shootingthesteedandpickingofftheriderwithhisspear。Manyheadsandhandsdidhehewoff；andslewKobitabysendingabulletthroughhistemple。

“There”samanIshouldliketomeasurestrengthwith！“shoutedKukubenko，thehetmanoftheNezamaikovskykuren。Spurringhishorse，hedashedstraightatthePole”sback，shoutingloudly，sothatallwhostoodnearshudderedattheunearthlyyell。Theboyardtriedtowheelhishorsesuddenlyandfacehim，buthishorsewouldnotobeyhim；scaredbytheterriblecry，itboundedaside，andtheLyakhreceivedKukubenko”sfire。Theballstruckhimintheshoulder-blade，andherolledfromhissaddle。Eventhenhedidnotsurrenderandstrovetodealhisenemyablow，buthishandwasweak。Kukubenko，takinghisheavyswordinbothhands，thrustitthroughhismouth。Thesword，breakingouttwoteeth，cutthetongueintwain，piercedthewindpipe，andpenetrateddeepintotheearth，nailinghimtotheground。Hisnobleblood，redasviburnumberriesbesidetheriver，welledforthinastreamstaininghisyellow，gold-embroideredcaftan。

ButKukubenkohadalreadylefthim，andwasforcinghisway，withhisNezamaikovskykuren，towardsanothergroup。

“Hehasleftuntouchedrichplunder，“saidBorodaty，hetmanoftheOumanskykuren，leavinghismenandgoingtotheplacewherethenoblemankilledbyKukubenkolay。“Ihavekilledsevennobleswithmyownhand，butsuchspoilIneverbeheldonanyone。”Promptedbygreed，Borodatybentdowntostripoffthericharmour，andhadalreadysecuredtheTurkishknifesetwithpreciousstones，andtakenfromthefoe”sbeltapurseofducats，andfromhisbreastasilvercasecontainingamaiden”scurl，cherishedtenderlyasalove-token。

Butheheedednothowthered-facedcornet，whomhehadalreadyoncehurledfromthesaddleandgivenagoodblowasaremembrance，flewuponhimfrombehind。Thecornetswunghisarmwithallhismight，andbroughthissworddownuponBorodaty”sbentneck。Greedledtonogood：theheadrolledoff，andthebodyfellheadless，sprinklingtheearthwithbloodfarandwide；whilsttheCossacksoulascended，indignantandsurprisedathavingsosoonquittedsostoutaframe。

Thecornethadnotsucceededinseizingthehetman”sheadbyitsscalp-lock，andfasteningittohissaddle，beforeanavengerhadarrived。

Asahawkfloatinginthesky，sweepingingreatcircleswithhismightywings，suddenlyremainspoisedinair，inonespot，andthencedartsdownlikeanarrowupontheshriekingquail，soTaras”ssonOstapdartedsuddenlyuponthecornetandflungaropeabouthisneckwithonecast。Thecornet”sredfacebecameastilldeeperpurpleasthecruelnoosecompressedhisthroat，andhetriedtousehispistol；

buthisconvulsivelyquiveringhandcouldnotaimstraight，andthebulletflewwildacrosstheplain。Ostapimmediatelyunfastenedasilkencordwhichthecornetcarriedathissaddlebowtobindprisoners，andhavingwithitboundhimhandandfoot，attachedthecordtohissaddleanddraggedhimacrossthefield，callingonalltheCossacksoftheOumanskykurentocomeandrenderthelasthonourstotheirhetman。

WhentheOumantziheardthatthehetmanoftheirkuren，Borodaty，wasnolongeramongtheliving，theydesertedthefieldofbattle，rushedtosecurehisbody，andconsultedatonceastowhomtheyshouldselectastheirleader。Atlengththeysaid，“Butwhyconsult？ItisimpossibletofindabetterleaderthanBulba”sson，Ostap；heisyoungerthanalltherestofus，itistrue；buthisjudgmentisequaltothatoftheeldest。”

Ostap，takingoffhiscap，thankedhiscomradesforthehonour，anddidnotdeclineitonthegroundofyouthorinexperience，knowingthatwartimeisnofittingseasonforthat；butinstantlyorderedthemstraighttothefray，andsoonshowedthemthatnotinvainhadtheychosenhimashetman。TheLyakhsfeltthatthematterwasgrowingtoohotforthem，andretreatedacrosstheplaininordertoformagainatitsotherend。Butthelittlecolonelsignalledtothereserveoffourhundred，stationedatthegate，andtheserainedshotupontheCossacks。Tolittlepurpose，however，theirshotonlytakingeffectontheCossackoxen，whichweregazingwildlyuponthebattle。

Thefrightenedoxen，bellowingwithfear，dashedintothecamp，breakingthelineofwaggonsandtramplingonmany。ButTaras，emergingfromambushatthemomentwithhistroops，headedofftheinfuriatedcattle，which，startledbyhisyell，swoopeddownuponthePolishtroops，overthrewthecavalry，andcrushedanddispersedthemall。

“Thankyou，oxen！“criedtheZaporozhtzi；“youservedusonthemarch，andnowyouserveusinwar。”Andtheyattackedthefoewithfreshvigourkillingmanyoftheenemy。Severaldistinguishedthemselves——MetelitzaandSchilo，bothofthePisarenki，Vovtuzenko，andmanyothers。TheLyakhsseeingthatmattersweregoingbadlyforthemflungawaytheirbannersandshoutedforthecitygatestobeopened。Withascreechingsoundtheiron-boundgatesswungopenandreceivedthewearyanddust-coveredriders，flockinglikesheepintoafold。ManyoftheZaporozhtziwouldhavepursuedthem，butOstapstoppedhisOumantzi，saying，“Farther，fartherfromthewalls，brothergentles！itisnotwelltoapproachthemtooclosely。”Hespoketruly；forfromtherampartsthefoerainedandpoureddowneverythingwhichcametohand，andmanywerestruck。AtthatmomenttheKoschevoicameupandcongratulatedhim，saying，“Hereisthenewhetmanleadingthearmylikeanoldone！“OldBulbaglancedroundtoseethenewhetman，andbeheldOstapsittingonhishorseattheheadoftheOumantzi，hiscapononesideandthehetman”sstaffinhishand。“Whoeversawthelike！“heexclaimed；andtheoldmanrejoiced，andbegantothankalltheOumantziforthehonourtheyhadconferreduponhisson。

TheCossacksretired，preparingtogointocamp；buttheLyakhsshowedthemselvesagainonthecityrampartswithtatteredmantles。Manyrichcaftanswerespottedwithblood，anddustcoveredthebrazenhelmets。

“Haveyouboundus？“criedtheZaporozhtzitothemfrombelow。

“Wewilldoso！“shoutedthebigcolonelfromabove，showingthemarope。Theweary，dust-coveredwarriorsceasednottothreaten，northemostzealousonbothsidestoexchangefierceremarks。

Atlengthalldispersed。Some，wearywithbattle，stretchedthemselvesouttorest；otherssprinkledtheirwoundswithearth，andboundthemwithkerchiefsandrichstuffscapturedfromtheenemy。Others，whowerefresher，begantoinspectthecorpsesandtopaythemthelasthonours。Theyduggraveswithswordsandspears，broughtearthintheircapsandtheskirtsoftheirgarments，laidtheCossacks”bodiesoutdecently，andcoveredthemupinorderthattheravensandeaglesmightnotclawouttheireyes。ButbindingthebodiesoftheLyakhs，astheycametohand，tothetailsofhorses，theylettheselooseontheplain，pursuingthemandbeatingthemforsometime。Theinfuriatedhorsesflewoverhillandhollow，throughditchandbrook，draggingthebodiesofthePoles，allcoveredwithbloodanddust，alongtheground。

Allthekurenssatdownincirclesintheevening，andtalkedforalongtimeoftheirdeeds，andoftheachievementswhichhadfallentotheshareofeach，forrepetitionbystrangersandposterity。Itwaslongbeforetheylaydowntosleep；andlongerstillbeforeoldTaras，meditatingwhatitmightsignifythatAndriiwasnotamongthefoe，laydown。HadtheJudasbeenashamedtocomeforthagainsthisowncountrymen？orhadtheJewbeendeceivinghim，andhadhesimplygoneintothecityagainsthiswill？Butthenherecollectedthattherewerenoboundstoawoman”sinfluenceuponAndrii”sheart；hefeltashamed，andsworeamightyoathtohimselfagainstthefairPolewhohadbewitchedhisson。Andhewouldhavekepthisoath。Hewouldnothavelookedatherbeauty；hewouldhavedraggedherforthbyherthickandsplendidhair；hewouldhavetrailedherafterhimoveralltheplain，amongalltheCossacks。Herbeautifulshouldersandbosom，whiteasfresh-fallensnowuponthemountain-tops，wouldhavebeencrushedtoearthandcoveredwithbloodanddust。Herlovelybodywouldhavebeentorntopieces。ButTaras，whodidnotforeseewhatGodpreparesformanonthemorrow，begantogrowdrowsy，andfinallyfellasleep。TheCossacksstilltalkedamongthemselves；andthesobersentinelstoodallnightlongbesidethefirewithoutblinkingandkeepingagoodlookoutonallsides。

CHAPTERVIII

Thesunhadnotascendedmidwayintheheavenswhenallthearmyassembledinagroup。NewshadcomefromtheSetchthatduringtheCossacks”absencetheTatarshadplundereditcompletely，unearthedthetreasureswhichwerekeptconcealedintheground，killedorcarriedintocaptivityallwhohadremainedbehind，andstraightwaysetout，withalltheflocksanddrovesofhorsestheyhadcollected，forPerekop。OneCossackonly，MaksinGalodukha，hadbrokenloosefromtheTatars”hands，stabbedtheMirza，seizedhisbagofsequins，andonaTatarhorse，inTatargarments，hadfledfromhispursuersfortwonightsandadayandahalf，riddenhishorsetodeath，obtainedanother，killedthatonetoo，andarrivedattheZaporozhiancampuponathird，havinglearnedupontheroadthattheZaporozhtziwerebeforeDubno。Hecouldonlymanagetotellthemthatthismisfortunehadtakenplace；butastohowithappened——whethertheremainingZaporozhtzihadbeencarousingafterCossackfashion，andhadbeencarrieddrunkintocaptivity，andhowtheTatarswereawareofthespotwherethetreasuresofthearmywereconcealed——hewastooexhaustedtosay。Extremelyfatigued，hisbodyswollen，andhisfacescorchedandweatherbeaten，hehadfallendown，andadeepsleephadoverpoweredhim。

InsuchcasesitwascustomaryfortheCossackstopursuetherobbersatonce，endeavouringtoovertakethemontheroad；for，lettheprisonersoncebegottothebazaarsofAsiaMinor，Smyrna，ortheislandofCrete，andGodknowsinwhatplacesthetuftedheadsofZaporozhtzimightnotbeseen。ThiswastheoccasionoftheCossacks”

assembling。Theyallstoodtoamanwiththeircapson；fortheyhadnotmettolistentothecommandsoftheirhetman，buttotakecounseltogetherasequalsamongequals。“Lettheoldmenfirstadvise，“wasshoutedtothecrowd。“LettheKoschevoigivehisopinion，“criedothers。

TheKoschevoi，takingoffhiscapandspeakingnotascommander，butasacomradeamongcomrades，thankedalltheCossacksforthehonour，andsaid，“Thereareamongusmanyexperiencedmenandmuchwisdom；

butsinceyouhavethoughtmeworthy，mycounselisnottolosetimeinpursuingtheTatars，foryouknowyourselveswhattheTataris。Hewillnotpausewithhisstolenbootytoawaitourcoming，butwillvanishinatwinkling，sothatyoucanfindnotraceofhim。Thereforemyadviceistogo。Wehavehadgoodsporthere。TheLyakhsnowknowwhatCossacksare。Wehaveavengedourfaithtotheextentofourability；thereisnotmuchtosatisfygreedinthefamishedcity，andsomyadviceistogo。”

“Togo，“rangheavilythroughtheZaporozhiankurens。ButsuchwordsdidnotsuitTarasBulbaatall；andhebroughthisfrowning，iron-greybrowsstilllowerdownoverhiseyes，browslikebushesgrowingondarkmountainheights，whosecrownsaresuddenlycoveredwithsharpnorthernfrost。

“No，Koschevoi，yourcounselisnotgood，“saidhe。“Youcannotsaythat。YouhaveevidentlyforgottenthatthoseofourmencapturedbytheLyakhswillremainprisoners。Youevidentlywishthatweshouldnotheedthefirstholylawofcomradeship；thatweshouldleaveourbrethrentobeflayedalive，orcarriedaboutthroughthetownsandvillagesaftertheirCossackbodieshavebeenquartered，aswasdonewiththehetmanandthebravestRussianwarriorsintheUkraine。Havetheenemynotdesecratedtheholythingssufficientlywithoutthat？

Whatarewe？IaskyouallwhatsortofaCossackishewhowoulddeserthiscomradeinmisfortune，andlethimperishlikeadoginaforeignland？IfithascometosuchapassthatnoonehasanyconfidenceinCossackhonour，permittingmentospituponhisgreymoustache，andupbraidhimwithoffensivewords，thenletnooneblameme；Iwillremainherealone。”

AlltheZaporozhtziwhoweretherewavered。

“Andhaveyouforgotten，bravecomrades，“saidtheKoschevoi，“thattheTatarsalsohavecomradesofoursintheirhands；thatifwedonotrescuethemnowtheirliveswillbesacrificedineternalimprisonmentamongtheinfidels，whichisworsethanthemostcrueldeath？Haveyouforgottenthattheynowholdallourtreasure，wonbyChristianblood？“

TheCossacksreflected，notknowingwhattosay。Noneofthemwishedtodeserveillrepute。ThentheresteppedoutinfrontofthemtheoldestinyearsofalltheZaporozhianarmy，KasyanBovdug。HewasrespectedbyalltheCossacks。TwicehadhebeenchosenKoschevoi，andhadalsobeenastoutwarrior；buthehadlongbeenold，andhadceasedtogouponraids。Neitherdidtheoldmanliketogiveadvicetoanyone；butlovedtolieuponhissideinthecircleofCossacks，listeningtotalesofeveryoccurrenceontheCossackmarches。Heneverjoinedintheconversation，butonlylistened，andpressedtheasheswithhisfingerinhisshortpipe，whichneverlefthismouth；

andwouldsitsolongwithhiseyeshalfopen，thattheCossacksneverknewwhetherhewereasleeporstilllistening。Healwaysstayedathomeduringtheirraids，butthistimetheoldmanhadjoinedthearmy。HehadwavedhishandinCossackfashion，andsaid，“Whereveryougo，Iamgoingtoo；perhapsImaybeofsomeservicetotheCossacknation。”AlltheCossacksbecamesilentwhenhenowsteppedforwardbeforetheassembly，foritwaslongsinceanyspeechfromhimhadbeenheard。EveryonewantedtoknowwhatBovdughadtosay。

“Itismyturntospeakaword，brothergentles，“hebegan：“listen，mychildren，toanoldman。TheKoschevoispokewellastheheadoftheCossackarmy；beingboundtoprotectit，andinrespecttothetreasuresofthearmyhecouldsaynothingwiser。Thatisso！Letthatbemyfirstremark；butnowlistentomysecond。Andthisismysecondremark：Tarasspokeevenmoretruly。Godgranthimmanyyears，andthatsuchleadersmaybeplentifulintheUkraine！ACossack”sfirstdutyandhonouristoguardcomradeship。Neverinallmylife，brothergentles，haveIheardofanyCossackdesertingorbetrayinganyofhiscomrades。BoththosemadecaptiveattheSetchandthesetakenhereareourcomrades。Whethertheybefewormany，itmakesnodifference；

allareourcomrades，andallaredeartous。Sothisismyspeech：

LetthosetowhomtheprisonerscapturedbytheTatarsaredearsetoutaftertheTatars；andletthosetowhomthecaptivesofthePolesaredear，andwhodonotcaretodesertarighteouscause，staybehind。TheKoschevoi，inaccordancewithhisduty，willaccompanyonehalfinpursuitoftheTatars，andtheotherhalfcanchooseahetmantoleadthem。Butifyouwillheedthewordsofanoldman，thereisnomanfittertobethecommandinghetmanthanTarasBulba。Notoneofusishisequalinheroism。”

ThusspokeBovdug，andpaused；andalltheCossacksrejoicedthattheoldmanhadinthismannerbroughtthemtoanagreement。Allflunguptheircapsandshouted，“Thanks，father！Hekeptsilenceforalong，longtime，buthehasspokenatlast。Notinvaindidhesay，whenwepreparedforthisexpedition，thathemightbeusefultotheCossacknation：evensoithascometopass！“

“Well，areyouagreeduponanything？“askedtheKoschevoi。

“Weareallagreed！“criedtheCossacks。

“Thenthecouncilisatanend？“

“Atanend！“criedtheCossacks。

“Thenlistentothemilitarycommand，children，“saidtheKoschevoi，steppingforward，andputtingonhiscap；whilstalltheCossackstookofftheirs，andstoodwithuncoveredheads，andwitheyesfixedupontheearth，aswasalwaysthecustomamongthemwhentheleaderpreparedtospeak。“Nowdivideyourselves，brothergentles！Letthosewhowishtogostandontheright，andthosewhowishtostay，ontheleft。Wherethemajorityofakurengoesthereitsofficersaretogo：

iftheminorityofakurengoesover，itmustbeaddedtoanotherkuren。”

Thentheybegantotakeuptheirpositions，sometotherightandsometotheleft。Whitherthemajorityofakurenwentthitherthehetmanwentalso；andtheminorityattacheditselftoanotherkuren。Itcameoutprettyevenonbothsides。ThosewhowishedtoremainwerenearlythewholeoftheNezamaikovskykuren，theentireOumanskykuren，theentireKanevskykuren，andthelargerhalfofthePopovitchsky，theTimoschevskyandtheSteblikivskykurens。AlltherestpreferredtogoinpursuitoftheTatars。OnbothsidesthereweremanystoutandbraveCossacks。AmongthosewhodecidedtofollowtheTatarswereTcherevaty，andthosegoodoldCossacksPokotipole，Lemisch，andProkopovitchKoma。DemidPopovitchalsowentwiththatparty，becausehecouldnotsitlonginoneplace：hehadtriedhishandontheLyakhsandwantedtotryitontheTatarsalso。ThehetmansofkurenswereNostiugan，Pokruischka，Nevnimsky，andnumerousbraveandrenownedCossackswhowishedtotesttheirswordsandmusclesinanencounterwiththeTatars。TherewerelikewisemanybraveCossacksamongthosewhopreferredtoremain，includingthekurenhetmans，Demitrovitch，Kukubenko，Vertikhvist，Balan，andOstapBulba。Besidesthesetherewereplentyofstoutanddistinguishedwarriors：

Vovtuzenko，Tcherevitchenko，StepanGuska，OkhrimGuska，VikolaGonstiy，Zadorozhniy，Metelitza，IvanZakrutiguba，MosiyPisarenko，andstillanotherPisarenko，andmanyothers。Theywereallgreattravellers；theyhadvisitedtheshoresofAnatolia，thesaltmarshesandsteppesoftheCrimea，alltheriversgreatandsmallwhichemptyintotheDnieper，andallthefordsandislandsoftheDnieper；theyhadbeeninMoldavia，Wallachia，andTurkey；theyhadsailedallovertheBlackSea，intheirdouble-rudderedCossackboats；theyhadattackedwithfiftyskiffsinlinethetallestandrichestships；theyhadsunkmanyaTurkishgalley，andhadburntmuch，verymuchpowderintheirday；morethanoncetheyhadmadefoot-bandagesfromvelvetsandrichstuffs；morethanoncetheyhadbeatenbucklesfortheirgirdlesoutofsequins。Everyoneofthemhaddrunkandrevelledawaywhatwouldhavesufficedanyotherforawholelifetime，andhadnothingtoshowforit。Theyspentitall，likeCossacks，intreatingalltheworld，andinhiringmusicthateveryonemightbemerry。Evennowfewofthemhadamassedanyproperty：somecaskets，cups，andbraceletswerehiddenbeneaththereedsontheislandsoftheDnieperinorderthattheTatarsmightnotfindthemifbymishaptheyshouldsucceedinfallingsuddenlyontheSetch；butitwouldhavebeendifficultfortheTatarstofindthem，fortheownersthemselveshadforgottenwheretheyhadburiedthem。SuchweretheCossackswhowishedtoremainandtakevengeanceontheLyakhsfortheirtrustycomradesandthefaithofChrist。TheoldCossackBovdugwishedalsotoremainwiththem，saying，“IamnotofanagetopursuetheTatars，butthisisaplacetomeetagoodCossackdeath。IhavelongprayedGodthatwhenmylifewastoendImightenditinbattleforaholyandChristiancause。Andsoithascometopass。TherecanbenomoregloriousendinanyotherplacefortheagedCossack。”

Whentheyhadallseparated，andwererangedintwolinesonoppositesides，theKoschevoipassedthroughtheranks，andsaid，“Well，brothergentles，arethetwopartiessatisfiedwitheachother？“

“Allsatisfied，father！“repliedtheCossacks。

“Thenkisseachother，andbideachotherfarewell；forGodknowswhetheryouwilleverseeeachotheraliveagain。Obeyyourhetman，butyouknowyourselveswhatyouhavetodo：youknowyourselveswhatCossackhonourrequires。”

AndalltheCossackskissedeachother。Thehetmansfirstbeganit。

Strokingdowntheirgreymoustaches，theykissedeachother，makingthesignofthecross，andthen，graspinghandsfirmly，wantedtoaskofeachother，“Well，brother，shallweseeoneanotheragainornot？“

Buttheydidnotaskthequestion：theykeptsilence，andbothgrey-headswerelostinthought。ThentheCossackstookleaveofeachothertothelastman，knowingthattherewasagreatdealofworkbeforethemall。Yettheywerenotobligedtopartatonce：theywouldhavetowaituntilnightinordernottolettheLyakhsperceivethediminutionintheCossackarmy。Thenallwentoff，bykurens，todine。

Afterdinner，allwhohadtheprospectofthejourneybeforethemlaydowntorest，andfellintoadeepandlongsleep，asthoughforeseeingthatitwasthelastsleeptheyshouldenjoyinsuchsecurity。Theysleptevenuntilsunset；andwhenthesunhadgonedownandithadgrownsomewhatdusky，begantotarthewaggons。Allbeinginreadiness，theysentthewaggonsahead，andhavingpulledofftheircapsoncemoretotheircomrades，quietlyfollowedthebaggagetrain。

Thecavalry，withoutshoutsorwhistlestothehorses，trampedlightlyafterthefoot-soldiers，andallsoonvanishedinthedarkness。Theonlysoundwasthedullthudofhorses”hoofs，orthesqueakofsomewheelwhichhadnotgotintoworkingorder，orhadnotbeenproperlytarredamidthedarkness。

Theircomradesstoodforsometimewavingtheirhands，thoughnothingwasvisible。Butwhentheyreturnedtotheircampingplacesandsawbythelightofthegleamingstarsthathalfthewaggonsweregone，andmanyoftheircomrades，eachman”sheartgrewsad；allbecameinvoluntarilypensive，anddroopedtheirheadstowardstheearth。

TarassawhowtroubledweretheCossackranks，andthatsadness，unsuitedtobravemen，hadbeguntoquietlymastertheCossackhearts；

butheremainedsilent。Hewishedtogivethemtimetobecomeaccustomedtothemelancholycausedbytheirpartingfromtheircomrades；but，meanwhile，hewaspreparingtorousethematoneblow，byaloudbattle-cryinCossackfashion，inorderthatgoodcheermightreturntothesoulofeachwithgreaterstrengththanbefore。OfthisonlytheSlavnature，abroad，powerfulnature，whichistootherswhattheseaistosmallrivulets，iscapable。Instormytimesitroarsandthunders，raging，andraisingsuchwavesasweakriverscannotthrowup；butwhenitiswindlessandquiet，itspreadsitsboundlessglassysurface，clearerthananyriver，aconstantdelighttotheeye。

Tarasorderedhisservantstounloadoneofthewaggonswhichstoodapart。ItwaslargerandstrongerthananyotherintheCossackcamp；

twostouttiresencircleditsmightywheels。Itwasheavilyladen，coveredwithhorseclothsandstrongwolf-skins，andfirmlyboundwithtightlydrawntarredropes。Inthewaggonwereflasksandcasksofgoodoldwine，whichhadlonglaininTaras”scellar。Hehadbroughtitalong，incaseamomentshouldarrivewhensomedeedawaitedthemworthyofbeinghandeddowntoposterity，sothateachCossack，totheverylastman，mightquaffit，andbeinspiredwithsentimentsfittingtotheoccasion。Onreceivinghiscommand，theservantshastenedtothewaggon，hewedasunderthestoutropeswiththeirswords，removedthethickwolf-skinsandhorsecloths，anddrewforththeflasksandcasks。

“Takethemall，“saidBulba，“allthereare；takethem，thateveryonemaybesupplied。Takejugs，orthepailsforwateringthehorses；takesleeveorcap；butifyouhavenothingelse，thenholdyourtwohandsunder。”

AlltheCossacksseizedsomething：onetookajug，anotherapail，anotherasleeve，anotheracap，andanotherheldbothhands。Taras”sservants，makingtheirwayamongtheranks，pouredoutforallfromthecasksandflasks。ButTarasorderedthemnottodrinkuntilheshouldgivethesignalforalltodrinktogether。Itwasevidentthathewishedtosaysomething。Heknewthathowevergoodinitselfthewinemightbeandhoweverfittedtostrengthenthespiritofman，yet，ifasuitablespeechwerelinkedwithit，thenthestrengthofthewineandofthespiritwouldbedoubled。

“Itreatyou，brothergentles，“thusspokeBulba，“notinhonourofyourhavingmademehetman，howevergreatsuchanhonourmaybe，norinhonourofourpartingfromourcomrades。Todobothwouldbefittingatafittingtime；butthemomentbeforeusisnotsuchatime。TheworkbeforeusisgreatbothinlabourandingloryfortheCossacks。Thereforeletusdrinkalltogether，letusdrinkbeforeallelsetotheholyorthodoxfaith，thatthedaymayfinallycomewhenitmaybespreadoveralltheworld，andthateverywheretheremaybebutonefaith，andthatallMussulmansmaybecomeChristians。AndletusalsodrinktogethertotheSetch，thatitmaystandlongfortheruinoftheMussulmans，andthateveryyeartheremayissueforthfromityoungmen，eachbetter，eachhandsomerthantheother。Andletusdrinktoourownglory，thatourgrandsonsandtheirsonsmaysaythattherewereoncemenwhowerenotashamedofcomradeship，andwhoneverbetrayedeachother。Nowtothefaith，brothergentles，tothefaith！“

“Tothefaith！“criedthosestandingintherankshardby，withthickvoices。“Tothefaith！“thosemoredistanttookupthecry；andall，bothyoungandold，dranktothefaith。

“TotheSetch！“saidTaras，raisinghishandhighabovehishead。

“TotheSetch！“echoedtheforemostranks。“TotheSetch！“saidtheoldmen，softly，twitchingtheirgreymoustaches；andeagerlyasyounghawks，theyouthsrepeated，“TotheSetch！“AndthedistantplainheardhowtheCossacksmentionedtheirSetch。

“Nowalastdraught，comrades，tothegloryofallChristiansnowlivingintheworld！“

AndeveryCossackdrankalastdraughttothegloryofallChristiansintheworld。Andamongalltheranksinthekurenstheylongrepeated，“ToalltheChristiansintheworld！“

Thepailswereempty，buttheCossacksstillstoodwiththeirhandsuplifted。Althoughtheeyesofallgleamedbrightlywiththewine，theywerethinkingdeeply。Notofgreedorthespoilsofwarweretheythinkingnow，norofwhowouldbeluckyenoughtogetducats，fineweapons，embroideredcaftans，andTcherkessianhorses；buttheymeditatedlikeeaglesperchedupontherockycrestsofmountains，fromwhichthedistantseaisvisible，dotted，aswithtinybirds，withgalleys，ships，andeverysortofvessel，boundedonlybythescarcelyvisiblelinesofshore，withtheirportslikegnatsandtheirforestslikefinegrass。Likeeaglestheygazedoutonalltheplain，withtheirfatedarklinginthedistance。Alltheplain，withitsslopesandroads，willbecoveredwiththeirwhiteprojectingbones，lavishlywashedwiththeirCossackblood，andstrewnwithshatteredwaggonsandwithbrokenswordsandspears；theeagleswillswoopdownandtearouttheirCossackeyes。Butthereisonegrandadvantage：notasinglenobledeedwillbelost，andtheCossackglorywillnotvanishlikethetiniestgrainofpowderfromagun-barrel。Theguitar-playerwithgreybeardfallinguponhisbreast，andperhapsawhite-headedoldmanstillfullofripe，manlystrengthwillcome，andwillspeakhislow，strongwordsofthem。Andtheirglorywillresoundthroughalltheworld，andallwhoarebornthereafterwillspeakofthem；forthewordofpoweriscarriedafar，ringinglikeaboomingbrazenbell，inwhichthemakerhasmingledmuchrich，puresilver，thatisbeautifulsoundmaybebornefarandwidethroughthecities，villages，huts，andpalaces，summoningallbetimestoholyprayer。

CHAPTERIX

Inthecity，nooneknewthatone-halfoftheCossackshadgoneinpursuitoftheTatars。Fromthetowerofthetownhallthesentinelonlyperceivedthatapartofthewaggonshadbeendraggedintotheforest；butitwasthoughtthattheCossackswerepreparinganambush——aviewtakenbytheFrenchengineeralso。Meanwhile，theKoschevoi”swordsprovednotunfounded，forascarcityofprovisionsaroseinthecity。Accordingtoacustomofpastcenturies，thearmydidnotseparateasmuchaswasnecessary。Theytriedtomakeasortie；buthalfofthosewhodidsowereinstantlykilledbytheCossacks，andtheotherhalfdrivenbackintothecitywithnoresults。ButtheJewsavailedthemselvesoftheopportunitytofindouteverything；whitherandwhytheZaporozhtzihaddeparted，andwithwhatleaders，andwhichparticularkurens，andtheirnumber，andhowmanyhadremainedonthespot，andwhattheyintendedtodo；inshort，withinafewminutesallwasknowninthecity。

Thebesiegedtookcourage，andpreparedtoofferbattle。Tarashadalreadydivineditfromthenoiseandmovementinthecity，andhastenedabout，makinghisarrangements，forminghismen，andgivingordersandinstructions。Herangedthekurensinthreecamps，surroundingthemwiththewaggonsasbulwarks——aformationinwhichtheZaporozhtziwereinvincible——orderedtwokurensintoambush，anddrovesharpstakes，brokenguns，andfragmentsofspearsintoapartoftheplain，withaviewtoforcingtheenemy”scavalryuponitifanopportunityshouldpresentitself。Whenallwasdonewhichwasnecessary，hemadeaspeechtotheCossacks，notforthepurposeofencouragingandfresheninguptheirspirits——heknewtheirsoulswerestrongwithoutthat——butsimplybecausehewishedtotellthemallhehaduponhisheart。

“Iwanttotellyou，brothergentles，whatourbrotherhoodis。Youhaveheardfromyourfathersandgrandfathersinwhathonourourlandhasalwaysbeenheldbyall。WemadeourselvesknowntotheGreeks，andwetookgoldfromConstantinople，andourcitieswereluxurious，andwehad，too，ourtemples，andourprinces——theprincesoftheRussianpeople，ourownprinces，notCatholicunbelievers。ButtheMussulmanstookall；allvanished，andweremaineddefenceless；yea，likeawidowafterthedeathofapowerfulhusband：defencelesswasourlandaswellasourselves！Suchwasthetime，comrades，whenwejoinedhandsinabrotherhood：thatiswhatourfellowshipconsistsin。Thereisnomoresacredbrotherhood。Thefatherloveshischildren，themotherlovesherchildren，thechildrenlovetheirfatherandmother；butthisisnotlikethat，brothers。Thewildbeastalsolovesitsyoung。Butamancanberelatedonlybysimilarityofmindandnotofblood。Therehavebeenbrotherhoodsinotherlands，butneveranysuchbrotherhoodsasonourRussiansoil。Ithashappenedtomanyofyoutobeinforeignlands。Youlook：therearepeopletherealso，God”screatures，too；andyoutalkwiththemaswiththemenofyourowncountry。Butwhenitcomestosayingaheartyword——youwillsee。No！theyaresensiblepeople，butnotthesame；

thesamekindofpeople，andyetnotthesame！No，brothers，toloveastheRussiansoulloves，istolovenotwiththemindoranythingelse，butwithallthatGodhasgiven，allthatiswithinyou。Ah！“

saidTaras，andwavedhishand，andwipedhisgreyhead，andtwitchedhismoustache，andthenwenton：“No，nooneelsecanloveinthatway！Iknowthatbasenesshasnowmadeitswayintoourland。Mencareonlytohavetheirricksofgrainandhay，andtheirdrovesofhorses，andthattheirmeadmaybesafeintheircellars；theyadopt，thedevilonlyknowswhatMussulmancustoms。Theyspeakscornfullywiththeirtongues。Theycarenottospeaktheirrealthoughtswiththeirowncountrymen。Theyselltheirownthingstotheirowncomrades，likesoullesscreaturesinthemarket-place。Thefavourofaforeignking，andnotevenaking，butthepoorfavourofaPolishmagnate，whobeatsthemonthemouthwithhisyellowshoe，isdearertothemthanallbrotherhood。Buttheverymeanestofthesevilemen，whoeverhemaybe，givenoverthoughhebetovilenessandslavishness，evenhe，brothers，hassomegrainsofRussianfeeling；andtheywillassertthemselvessomeday。Andthenthewretchedmanwillbeathisbreastwithhishands；andwilltearhishair，cursinghisvilelifeloudly，andreadytoexpiatehisdisgracefuldeedswithtorture。LetthemknowwhatbrotherhoodmeansonRussiansoil！Andifithascometothepointthatamanmustdieforhisbrotherhood，itisnotfitthatanyofthemshoulddieso。No！noneofthem。Itisnotafitthingfortheirmouse-likenatures。”

Thusspokethehetman；andafterhehadfinishedhisspeechhestillcontinuedtoshakehishead，whichhadgrowngreyinCossackservice。

Allwhostoodthereweredeeplyaffectedbyhisspeech，whichwenttotheirveryhearts。Theoldestintheranksstoodmotionless，theirgreyheadsdrooping。Tearstrickledquietlyfromtheiragedeyes；theywipedthemslowlyawaywiththeirsleeves，andthenall，asifwithoneconsent，wavedtheirhandsintheairatthesamemoment，andshooktheirexperiencedheads。ForitwasevidentthatoldTarasrecalledtothemmanyofthebest-knownandfinesttraitsoftheheartinamanwhohasbecomewisethroughsuffering，toil，daring，andeveryearthlymisfortune，or，thoughunknowntothem，ofmanythingsfeltbyyoung，purespirits，totheeternaljoyoftheparentswhoborethem。

Butthearmyoftheenemywasalreadymarchingoutofthecity，soundingdrumsandtrumpets；andthenobles，withtheirarmsakimbo，wereridingforthtoo，surroundedbyinnumerableservants。Thestoutcolonelgavehisorders，andtheybegantoadvancebrisklyontheCossackcamps，pointingtheirmatchlocksthreateningly。Theireyesflashed，andtheywerebrilliantwithbrassarmour。AssoonastheCossackssawthattheyhadcomewithingunshot，theirmatchlocksthunderedalltogether，andtheycontinuedtofirewithoutcessation。

Thedetonationsresoundedthroughthedistantfieldsandmeadows，mergingintoonecontinuousroar。Thewholeplainwasshroudedinsmoke，buttheZaporozhtzicontinuedtofirewithoutdrawingbreath——therearranksdoingnothingbutloadingthegunsandhandingthemtothoseinfront，thuscreatingamazementamongtheenemy，whocouldnotunderstandhowtheCossacksfiredwithoutreloading。Amidthedensesmokewhichenvelopedbotharmies，itcouldnotbeseenhowfirstoneandthenanotherdropped：buttheLyakhsfeltthattheballsflewthickly，andthattheaffairwasgrowinghot；andwhentheyretreatedtoescapefromthesmokeandseehowmattersstood，manyweremissingfromtheirranks，butonlytwoorthreeoutofahundredwerekilledontheCossackside。StilltheCossackswentonfiringofftheirmatchlockswithoutamoment”sintermission。Eventheforeignengineerswereamazedattacticsheretoforeunknowntothem，andsaidthenandthere，inthepresenceofall，“TheseZaporozhtziarebravefellows。Thatisthewaymeninotherlandsoughttofight。”Andtheyadvisedthatthecannonsshouldatoncebeturnedonthecamps。

Heavilyroaredtheironcannonswiththeirwidethroats；theearthhummedandtrembledfarandwide，andthesmokelaytwiceasheavyovertheplain。Theysmeltthereekofthepowderamongthesquaresandstreetsinthemostdistantaswellasthenearestquartersofthecity。Butthosewholaidthecannonspointedthemtoohigh，andtheshotdescribingtoowideacurveflewovertheheadsofthecamps，andburiedthemselvesdeepintheearthatadistance，tearingtheground，andthrowingtheblacksoilhighintheair。AtthesightofsuchlackofskilltheFrenchengineertorehishair，andundertooktolaythecannonshimself，heedingnottheCossackbulletswhichshoweredroundhim。

TarassawfromafarthatdestructionmenacedthewholeNezamaikovskyandSteblikivskykurens，andgavearingingshout，“Getawayfromthewaggonsinstantly，andmountyourhorses！“ButtheCossackswouldnothavesucceededineffectingboththesemovementsifOstaphadnotdashedintothemiddleofthefoeandwrenchedthelinstocksfromsixcannoneers。Buthecouldnotwrenchthemfromtheotherfour，fortheLyakhsdrovehimback。Meanwhiletheforeigncaptainhadtakentheluntinhisownhandtofirethelargestcannon，suchacannonasnoneoftheCossackshadeverbeheldbefore。Itlookedhorriblewithitswidemouth，andathousanddeathspouredforthfromit。Andasitthundered，thethreeothersfollowed，shakinginfourfoldearthquakethedullyresponsiveearth。Muchwoedidtheycause。FormorethanoneCossackwailedtheagedmother，beatingwithbonyhandsherfeeblebreast；morethanonewidowwasleftinGlukhof，Nemirof，Chernigof，andothercities。Thelovingwomanwillhastenfortheverydaytothebazaar，graspingatallpassers-by，scanningthefaceofeachtoseeiftherebenotamongthemonedearerthanall；butthoughmanyanarmywillpassthroughthecity，neveramongthemwillasingleoneofalltheirdearestbe。

HalftheNezamaikovskykurenwasasifithadneverbeen。Asthehailsuddenlybeatsdownafieldwhereeveryearofgrainshineslikepurestgold，soweretheybeatendown。

HowtheCossackshastenedthither！Howtheyallstartedup！HowragedKukubenko，thehetman，whenhesawthatthebesthalfofhiskurenwasnomore！HefoughthiswaywithhisremainingNezamaikovtzitotheverymidstofthefray，cutdowninhiswrath，likeacabbage，thefirstmanhemet，hurledmanyariderfromhissteed，piercingbothhorseandmanwithhislance；andmakinghiswaytothegunners，capturedsomeofthecannons。HerehefoundthehetmanoftheOumanskykuren，andStepanGuska，hardatwork，havingalreadyseizedthelargestcannon。HeleftthoseCossacksthere，andplungedwithhisownintoanothermassofthefoe，makingalanethroughit。WheretheNezamaikovtzipassedtherewasastreet；wheretheyturnedabouttherewasasquareaswherestreetsmeet。Thefoemen”srankswerevisiblythinning，andtheLyakhsfallinginsheaves。BesidethewaggonsstoodVovtuzenko，andinfrontTcherevitchenko，andbythemoredistantonesDegtyarenko；andbehindthemthekurenhetman，Vertikhvist。

DegtyarenkohadpiercedtwoLyakhswithhisspear，andnowattackedathird，astoutantagonist。AgileandstrongwastheLyakh，withglitteringarms，andaccompaniedbyfiftyfollowers。HefellfiercelyuponDegtyarenko，struckhimtotheearth，and，flourishinghisswordabovehim，cried，“ThereisnotoneofyouCossackdogswhohasdaredtoopposeme。”

“Hereisone，“saidMosiySchilo，andsteppedforward。HewasamuscularCossack，whohadoftencommandedatsea，andundergonemanyvicissitudes。TheTurkshadonceseizedhimandhismenatTrebizond，andbornethemcaptivestothegalleys，wheretheyboundthemhandandfootwithironchains，gavethemnofoodforaweekatatime，andmadethemdrinksea-water。Thepoorprisonersenduredandsufferedall，butwouldnotrenouncetheirorthodoxfaith。Theirhetman，MosiySchilo，couldnotbearit：hetrampledtheHolyScripturesunderfoot，woundthevileturbanabouthissinfulhead，andbecamethefavouriteofapasha，stewardofaship，andruleroverallthegalleyslaves。

Thepoorslavessorrowedgreatlythereat，fortheyknewthatifhehadrenouncedhisfaithhewouldbeatyrant，andhishandwouldbethemoreheavyandsevereuponthem。Soitturnedout。MosiySchilohadthemputinnewchains，threetoanoar。Thecruelfetterscuttotheverybone；andhebeatthemupontheback。ButwhentheTurks，rejoicingathavingobtainedsuchaservant，begantocarouse，and，forgetfuloftheirlaw，gotalldrunk，hedistributedallthesixty-fourkeysamongtheprisoners，inorderthattheymightfreethemselves，flingtheirchainsandmanaclesintothesea，and，seizingtheirswords，inturnkilltheTurks。ThentheCossackscollectedgreatbooty，andreturnedwithglorytotheircountry；andtheguitar-playerscelebratedMosiySchilo”sexploitsforalongtime。

TheywouldhaveelectedhimKoschevoi，buthewasaveryeccentricCossack。Atonetimehewouldperformsomefeatwhichthemostsagaciouswouldneverhavedreamedof。Atanother，follysimplytookpossessionofhim，andhedrankandsquanderedeverythingaway，wasindebttoeveryoneintheSetch，and，inadditiontothat，stolelikeastreetthief。HecarriedoffawholeCossackequipmentfromastrangekurenbynightandpawnedittothetavern-keeper。Forthisdishonourableacttheyboundhimtoapostinthebazaar，andlaidaclubbesidehim，inorderthateveryonewhopassedshould，accordingtothemeasureofhisstrength，dealhimablow。ButtherewasnotoneZaporozhetzoutofthemalltobefoundwhowouldraisetheclubagainsthim，rememberinghisformerservices。SuchwastheCossack，MosiySchilo。

“Hereisonewhowillkillyou，dog！“hesaid，springingupontheLyakh。Howtheyhackedaway！theirshoulder-platesandbreast-platesbentundertheirblows。ThehostileLyakhcutthroughSchilo”sshirtofmail，reachingthebodyitselfwithhisblade。TheCossack”sshirtwasdyedpurple：butSchiloheededitnot。Hebrandishedhisbrawnyhand，heavyindeedwasthatmightyfist，andbroughtthepommelofhissworddownunexpectedlyuponhisfoeman”shead。ThebrazenhelmetflewintopiecesandtheLyakhstaggeredandfell；butSchilowentonhackingandcuttinggashesinthebodyofthestunnedman。Killnotutterlythineenemy，Cossack：lookbackrather！TheCossackdidnotturn，andoneofthedeadman”sservantsplungedaknifeintohisneck。Schiloturnedandtriedtoseizehim，buthedisappearedamidthesmokeofthepowder。Onallsidesrosetheroarofmatchlocks。

Schiloknewthathiswoundwasmortal。Hefellwithhishanduponhiswound，andsaid，turningtohiscomrades，“Farewell，brothergentles，mycomrades！maytheholyRussianlandstandforever，andmayitbeeternallyhonoured！“Andasheclosedhisfailingeyes，theCossacksoulfledfromhisgrimbody。ThenZadorozhniycameforwardwithhismen，Vertikhvistissuedfromtheranks，andBalabansteppedforth。

“Whatnow，gentles？“saidTaras，callingtothehetmansbyname：

“thereisyetpowderinthepower-flasks？TheCossackforceisnotweakened？theCossacksdonotyield？“

“Thereisyetpowderintheflasks，father；theCossackforceisnotweakenedyet：theCossacksyieldnot！“

AndtheCossackspressedvigorouslyon：thefoemen”sranksweredisordered。Theshortcolonelbeattheassembly，andorderedeightpaintedstandardstobedisplayedtocollecthismen，whowerescatteredoveralltheplain。AlltheLyakhshastenedtothestandards。Buttheyhadnotyetsucceededinrangingthemselvesinorder，whenthehetmanKukubenkoattackedtheircentreagainwithhisNezamaikovtziandfellstraightuponthestoutcolonel。Thecolonelcouldnotresisttheattack，and，wheelinghishorseabout，setoutatagallop；butKukubenkopursuedhimforaconsiderabledistancecrosstheplainandpreventedhimfromjoininghisregiment。

Perceivingthisfromthekurenontheflank，StepanGuskasetoutafterhim，lassoinhand，bendinghisheadtohishorse”sneck。Takingadvantageofanopportunity，hecasthislassoabouthisneckatthefirstattempt。Thecolonelturnedpurpleintheface，graspedthecordwithbothhands，andtriedtobreakit；butwithapowerfulthrustStepandrovehislancethroughhisbody，andthereheremainedpinnedtotheearth。ButGuskadidnotescapehisfate。TheCossackshadbuttimetolookroundwhentheybeheldStepanGuskaelevatedonfourspears。Allthepoorfellowsucceededinsayingwas，“Mayallourenemiesperish，andmaytheRussianlandrejoiceforever！“andthenheyieldeduphissoul。

TheCossacksglancedaround，andtherewasMetelitzaononeside，entertainingtheLyakhsbydealingblowsontheheadtooneandanother；ontheotherside，thehetmanNevelitchkiywasattackingwithhismen；andZakrutibugawasrepulsingandslayingtheenemybythewaggons。ThethirdPisarenkohadrepulsedawholesquadronfromthemoredistantwaggons；andtheywerestillfightingandkillingamongsttheotherwaggons，andevenuponthem。

“Hownow，gentles？“criedTaras，steppingforwardbeforethemall：“istherestillpowderinyourflasks？IstheCossackforcestillstrong？

dotheCossacksyield？“

“Thereisstillpowderintheflasks，father；theCossackforceisstillstrong：theCossacksyieldnot！“

ButBovdughadalreadyfallenfromthewaggons；abullethadstruckhimjustbelowtheheart。Theoldmancollectedallhisstrength，andsaid，“Isorrownottopartfromtheworld。Godgranteverymansuchanend！MaytheRussianlandbeforeverglorious！“AndBovdug”sspiritflewabove，totelltheoldmenwhohadgoneonlongbeforethatmenstillknewhowtofightonRussiansoil，andbetterstill，thattheyknewhowtodieforitandtheholyfaith。

Balaban，hetmanofakuren，soonafterfelltothegroundalsofromawaggon。Threemortalwoundshadhereceivedfromalance，abullet，andasword。HehadbeenoneoftheverybestofCossacks，andhadaccomplishedagreatdealasacommanderonnavalexpeditions；butmoregloriousthanalltherestwashisraidontheshoresofAnatolia。Theycollectedmanysequins，muchvaluableTurkishplunder，caftans，andadornmentsofeverydescription。Butmisfortuneawaitedthemontheirwayback。TheycameacrosstheTurkishfleet，andwerefiredonbytheships。Halftheboatswerecrushedandoverturned，drowningmorethanone；butthebundlesofreedsboundtothesides，Cossackfashion，savedtheboatsfromcompletelysinking。Balabanrowedoffatfullspeed，andsteeredstraightinthefaceofthesun，thusrenderinghimselfinvisibletotheTurkishships。Allthefollowingnighttheyspentinbalingoutthewaterwithpailsandtheircaps，andinrepairingthedamagedplaces。TheymadesailsoutoftheirCossacktrousers，and，sailingoff，escapedfromthefastestTurkishvessels。AndnotonlydidtheyarriveunharmedattheSetch，buttheybroughtagold-embroideredvestureforthearchimandriteattheMezhigorskyMonasteryinKief，andanikonframeofpuresilverforthechurchinhonouroftheIntercessionoftheVirginMary，whichisinZaporozhe。Theguitar-playerscelebratedthedaringofBalabanandhisCossacksforalongtimeafterwards。Nowhebowedhishead，feelingthepainswhichprecededeath，andsaidquietly，“Iampermitted，brothergentles，todieafinedeath。SevenhaveIhewninpieces，ninehaveIpiercedwithmylance，manyhaveItrampleduponwithmyhorse”shoofs；andInolongerrememberhowmanymybulletshaveslain。MayourRussianlandflourishforever！“andhisspiritfled。

Cossacks，Cossacks！abandonnottheflowerofyourarmy。AlreadywasKukubenkosurrounded，andsevenmenonlyremainedofalltheNezamaikovskykuren，exhaustedandwithgarmentsalreadystainedwiththeirblood。Tarashimself，perceivingtheirstraits，hastenedtotheirrescue；buttheCossacksarrivedtoolate。Beforetheenemieswhosurroundedhimcouldbedrivenoff，aspearwasburiedjustbelowKukubenko”sheart。HesankintothearmsoftheCossackswhocaughthim，andhisyoungbloodflowedinastream，likepreciouswinebroughtfromthecellarinaglassvesselbycarelessservants，who，stumblingattheentrance，breaktherichflask。Thewinestreamsovertheground，andthemaster，hasteningup，tearshishair，havingreservedit，inorderthatifGodshouldgranthim，inhisoldage，tomeetagainthecomradeofhisyouth，theymightoveritrecalltogetherformerdays，whenamanenjoyedhimselfotherwiseandbetterthannow。Kukubenkocasthiseyesaround，andsaid，“IthankGodthatithasbeenmylottodiebeforeyoureyes，comrades。Maytheylivebetterwhocomeafterusthanwehavelived；andmayourRussianland，belovedbyChrist，flourishforever！“andhisyoungspiritfled。Theangelstookitintheirarmsandboreittoheaven：itwillbewellwithhimthere。“Sitdownatmyrighthand，Kukubenko，“Christwillsaytohim：“youneverbetrayedyourcomrades，younevercommittedadishonourableact，youneversoldamanintomisery，youpreservedanddefendedmychurch。”ThedeathofKukubenkosaddenedthemall。TheCossackrankswereterriblythinned。Manybravemenweremissing，buttheCossacksstillstoodtheirground。

“Hownow，gentles，“criedTarastotheremainingkurens：“istherestillpowderinyourflasks？Areyourswordsblunted？AretheCossackforceswearied？HavetheCossacksgivenway？“

“Thereisstillanabundanceofpowder；ourswordsarestillsharp；

theCossackforcesarenotwearied，andtheCossackshavenotyetyielded。”

AndtheCossacksagainstrainedeverynerve，asthoughtheyhadsufferednoloss。Onlythreekurenhetmansstillremainedalive。Redbloodflowedinstreamseverywhere；heapsoftheirbodiesandofthoseoftheenemywerepiledhigh。Taraslookeduptoheaven，andtherealreadyhoveredaflockofvultures。Well，therewouldbepreyforsomeone。AndtherethefoewereraisingMetelitzaontheirlances，andtheheadofthesecondPisarenkowasdizzilyopeningandshuttingitseyes；andthemangledbodyofOkhrimGuskafellupontheground。

“Now，“saidTaras，andwavedaclothonhigh。Ostapunderstoodthissignalandspringingquicklyfromhisambushattackedsharply。TheLyakhscouldnotwithstandthisonslaught；andhedrovethemback，andchasedthemstraighttothespotwherethestakesandfragmentsofspearsweredrivenintotheearth。ThehorsesbegantostumbleandfallandtheLyakhstoflyovertheirheads。AtthatmomenttheKorsuntzi，whohadstoodtillthelastbythebaggagewaggons，perceivedthattheystillhadsomebulletsleft，andsuddenlyfiredavolleyfromtheirmatchlocks。TheLyakhsbecameconfused，andlosttheirpresenceofmind；andtheCossackstookcourage。“Thevictoryisours！“rangCossackvoicesonallsides；thetrumpetssoundedandthebannerofvictorywasunfurled。ThebeatenLyakhsraninalldirectionsandhidthemselves。“No，thevictoryisnotyetcomplete，“

saidTaras，glancingatthecitygate；andhewasright。

Thegatesopened，andoutdashedahussarband，theflowerofallthecavalry。EveryriderwasmountedonamatchedbrownhorsefromtheKabardei；andinfrontrodethehandsomest，themostheroicofthemall。Hisblackhairstreamedfrombeneathhisbrazenhelmet；andfromhisarmfloatedarichscarf，embroideredbythehandsofapeerlessbeauty。TarassprangbackinhorrorwhenhesawthatitwasAndrii。

Andthelattermeanwhile，envelopedinthedustandheatofbattle，eagertodeservethescarfwhichhadbeenboundasagiftuponhisarm，flewonlikeagreyhound；thehandsomest，mostagile，andyoungestofalltheband。Theexperiencedhuntsmanurgesonthegreyhound，andhespringsforward，tossingupthesnow，andascoreoftimesoutrunningthehare，intheardourofhiscourse。AndsoitwaswithAndrii。OldTaraspausedandobservedhowheclearedapathbeforehim，hewingawayanddealingblowstotherightandtheleft。

Tarascouldnotrestrainhimself，butshouted：“Yourcomrades！yourcomrades！youdevil”sbrat，wouldyoukillyourowncomrades？“ButAndriidistinguishednotwhostoodbeforehim，comradesorstrangers；

hesawnothing。Curls，longcurls，werewhathesaw；andabosomlikethatofariverswan，andasnowyneckandshoulders，andallthatiscreatedforrapturouskisses。

“Heythere，lads！onlydrawhimtotheforest，enticehimtotheforestforme！“shoutedTaras。InstantlythirtyofthesmartestCossacksvolunteeredtoenticehimthither；andsettingtheirtallcapsfirmlyspurredtheirhorsesstraightatagapinthehussars。

Theyattackedthefrontranksinflank，beatthemdown，cutthemofffromtherearranks，andslewmanyofthem。GolopuitenkostruckAndriionthebackwithhissword，andimmediatelysetouttorideawayatthetopofhisspeed。HowAndriiflewafterhim！Howhisyoungbloodcoursedthroughallhisveins！Drivinghissharpspursintohishorse”sflanks，hetorealongaftertheCossacks，neverglancingback，andnotperceivingthatonlytwentymenatthemostwerefollowinghim。TheCossacksfledatfullgallop，anddirectedtheircoursestraightfortheforest。Andriiovertookthem，andwasonthepointofcatchingGolopuitenko，whenapowerfulhandseizedhishorse”sbridle。

Andriilooked；beforehimstoodTaras！Hetrembledallover，andturnedsuddenlypale，likeastudentwho，receivingablowontheforeheadwitharuler，flushesuplikefire，springsinwrathfromhisseattochasehiscomrade，andsuddenlyencountershisteacherenteringtheclassroom；intheinstanthiswrathfulimpulsecalmsdownandhisfutileangervanishes。Inthiswise，inaninstant，Andrii”swrathwasasifithadneverexisted。Andhebeheldbeforehimonlyhisterriblefather。

“Well，whatarewegoingtodonow？“saidTaras，lookinghimstraightintheeyes。ButAndriicouldmakenoreplytothis，andstoodwithhiseyesfixedontheground。

“Well，son；didyourLyakhshelpyou？“

Andriimadenoanswer。

“Tothinkthatyoushouldbesuchatraitor！thatyoushouldbetrayyourfaith！betrayyourcomrades！Dismountfromyourhorse！“

Obedientasachild，hedismounted，andstoodbeforeTarasmoredeadthanalive。

“Standstill，donotmove！Igaveyoulife，Iwillalsokillyou！“

saidTaras，and，retreatingastepbackwards，hebroughthisgunuptohisshoulder。Andriiwaswhiteasasheet；hislipsmovedgently，andheutteredaname；butitwasnotthenameofhisnativeland，norofhismother，norhisbrother；itwasthenameofthebeautifulPole。

Tarasfired。

Liketheearofcorncutdownbythereaping-hook，liketheyounglambwhenitfeelsthedeadlysteelinitsheart，hehunghisheadandrolleduponthegrasswithoututteringaword。

Themurdererofhissonstoodstill，andgazedlonguponthelifelessbody。Evenindeathhewasveryhandsome；hismanlyface，soshortatimeagofilledwithpower，andwithanirresistiblecharmforeverywoman，stillhadamarvellousbeauty；hisblackbrows，likesombrevelvet，setoffhispalefeatures。

“IshenotatrueCossack？“saidTaras；“heistallofstature，andblack-browed，hisfaceisthatofanoble，andhishandwasstronginbattle！Heisfallen！fallenwithoutglory，likeaviledog！“

“Father，whathaveyoudone？Wasityouwhokilledhim？“saidOstap，comingupatthismoment。

Tarasnodded。

Ostapgazedintentlyatthedeadman。Hewassorryforhisbrother，andsaidatonce：“Letusgivehimhonourableburial，father，thatthefoemaynotdishonourhisbody，northebirdsofpreyrendit。”

“Theywillburyhimwithoutourhelp，“saidTaras；“therewillbeplentyofmournersandrejoicersforhim。”

Andhereflectedforacoupleofminutes，whetherheshouldflinghimtothewolvesforprey，orrespectinhimthebraverywhicheverybravemanisboundtohonourinanother，nomatterwhom？ThenhesawGolopuitenkogallopingtowardsthemandcrying：“Woe，hetman，theLyakhshavebeenreinforced，afreshforcehascometotheirrescue！“

GolopuitenkohadnotfinishedspeakingwhenVovtuzenkogallopedup：

“Woe，hetman！afreshforceisbearingdownuponus。”

VovtuzenkohadnotfinishedspeakingwhenPisarenkorushedupwithouthishorse：“Whereareyou，father？TheCossacksareseekingforyou。

HetmanNevelitchkiyiskilled，Zadorozhniyiskilled，andTcherevitchenko：buttheCossacksstandtheirground；theywillnotdiewithoutlookinginyoureyes；theywantyoutogazeuponthemoncemorebeforethehourofdeatharrives。”

“Tohorse，Ostap！“saidTaras，andhastenedtofindhisCossacks，tolookoncemoreuponthem，andletthembeholdtheirhetmanoncemorebeforethehourofdeath。Butbeforetheycouldemergefromthewood，theenemy”sforcehadalreadysurroundeditonallsides，andhorsemenarmedwithswordsandspearsappearedeverywherebetweenthetrees。

“Ostap，Ostap！don”tyield！“shoutedTaras，andgraspinghisswordhebegantocutdownallheencounteredoneveryside。ButsixsuddenlyspranguponOstap。Theydiditinanunpropitioushour：theheadofoneflewoff，anotherturnedtoflee，aspearpiercedtheribsofathird；afourth，morebold，benthisheadtoescapethebullet，andthebulletstrikinghishorse”sbreast，themaddenedanimalreared，fellbackupontheearth，andcrushedhisriderunderhim。“Welldone，son！Welldone，Ostap！“criedTaras：“Iamfollowingyou。”Andhedroveoffthosewhoattackedhim。Tarashewedandfought，dealingblowsatoneafteranother，butstillkeepinghiseyeuponOstapahead。Hesawthateightmorewerefallinguponhisson。“Ostap，Ostap！don”tyield！“ButtheyhadalreadyoverpoweredOstap；onehadflunghislassoabouthisneck，andtheyhadboundhim，andwerecarryinghimaway。“Hey，Ostap，Ostap！“shoutedTaras，forcinghiswaytowardshim，andcuttingmendownlikecabbagestorightandleft。

“Hey，Ostap，Ostap！“Butsomethingatthatmomentstruckhimlikeaheavystone。Allgrewdimandconfusedbeforehiseyes。Inonemomentthereflashedconfusedlybeforehimheads，spears，smoke，thegleamoffire，tree-trunks，andleaves；andthenhesankheavilytotheearthlikeafelledoak，anddarknesscoveredhiseyes。

CHAPTERX

“Ihavesleptalongwhile！“saidTaras，comingtohissenses，asifafteraheavydrunkensleep，andtryingtodistinguishtheobjectsabouthim。Aterribleweaknessoverpoweredhislimbs。Thewallsandcornersofastrangeroomweredimlyvisiblebeforehim。AtlengthheperceivedthatTovkatchwasseatedbesidehim，apparentlylisteningtohiseverybreath。

“Yes，“thoughtTovkatch，“youmighthavesleptforever。”Buthesaidnothing，onlyshookhisfinger，andmotionedhimtobesilent。

“ButtellmewhereIamnow？“askedTaras，straininghismind，andtryingtorecollectwhathadtakenplace。

“Besilent！“criedhiscompanionsternly。“Whyshouldyouwanttoknow？Don”tyouseethatyouareallhackedtopieces？HereIhavebeengallopingwithyoufortwoweekswithouttakingabreath；andyouhavebeenburntupwithfeverandtalkingnonsense。Thisisthefirsttimeyouhavesleptquietly。Besilentifyoudon”twishtodoyourselfaninjury。”

ButTarasstilltriedtocollecthisthoughtsandtorecallwhathadpassed。“Well，theLyakhsmusthavesurroundedandcapturedme。Ihadnochanceoffightingmywayclearfromthethrong。”

“Besilent，Itellyou，youdevil”sbrat！“criedTovkatchangrily，asanurse，drivenbeyondherpatience，criesoutatherunrulycharge。

“Whatgoodwillitdoyoutoknowhowyougotaway？Itisenoughthatyoudidgetaway。Somepeoplewerefoundwhowouldnotabandonyou；

letthatbeenoughforyou。Itissomethingformetohaveriddenallnightwithyou。YouthinkthatyoupassedforacommonCossack？No，theyhaveofferedarewardoftwothousandducatsforyourhead。”

“AndOstap！“criedTarassuddenly，andtriedtorise；forallatonceherecollectedthatOstaphadbeenseizedandboundbeforehisveryeyes，andthathewasnowinthehandsoftheLyakhs。Griefoverpoweredhim。Hepulledoffandtoreinpiecesthebandagesfromhiswounds，andthrewthemfarfromhim；hetriedtosaysomething，butonlyarticulatedsomeincoherentwords。Feveranddeliriumseizeduponhimafresh，andheutteredwildandincoherentspeeches。

Meanwhilehisfaithfulcomradestoodbesidehim，scoldingandshoweringharsh，reproachfulwordsuponhimwithoutstint。Finally，heseizedhimbythearmsandlegs，wrappedhimuplikeachild，arrangedallhisbandages，rolledhiminanox-hide，boundhimwithbast，and，fasteninghimwithropestohissaddle，rodewithhimagainatfullspeedalongtheroad。

“I”llgetyouthere，evenifitbenotalive！IwillnotabandonyourbodyfortheLyakhstomakemerryoveryou，andcutyourbodyintwainandflingitintothewater。Lettheeagletearoutyoureyesifitmustbeso；butletitbeoureagleofthesteppeandnotaPolisheagle，notonewhichhasflownhitherfromPolishsoil。Iwillbringyou，thoughitbeacorpse，totheUkraine！“

Thusspokehisfaithfulcompanion。Herodewithoutdrawingrein，dayandnight，andbroughtTarasstillinsensibleintotheZaporozhianSetchitself。Thereheundertooktocurehim，withunswervingcare，bytheaidofherbsandliniments。HesoughtoutaskilledJewess，whomadeTarasdrinkvariouspotionsforawholemonth，andatlengthheimproved。Whetheritwasowingtothemedicineortohisironconstitutiongainingtheupperhand，atallevents，insixweekshewasonhisfeet。Hiswoundshadclosed，andonlythescarsofthesabre-cutsshowedhowdeeplyinjuredtheoldCossackhadbeen。Buthewasmarkedlysadandmorose。Threedeepwrinklesengravedthemselvesuponhisbrowandnevermoredepartedthence。Thenhelookedaroundhim。AllwasnewintheSetch；allhisoldcompanionsweredead。Notonewasleftofthosewhohadstoodupfortheright，forfaithandbrotherhood。AndthosewhohadgoneforthwiththeKoschevoiinpursuitoftheTatars，theyalsohadlongsincedisappeared。Allhadperished。Onehadlosthisheadinbattle；anotherhaddiedforlackoffood，amidthesaltmarshesoftheCrimea；anotherhadfallenincaptivityandbeenunabletosurvivethedisgrace。TheirformerKoschevoiwasnolongerliving，noranyofhisoldcompanions，andthegrasswasgrowingoverthoseoncealertwithpower。Hefeltasonewhohadgivenafeast，agreatnoisyfeast。Allthedisheshadbeensmashedinpieces；notadropofwinewasleftanywhere；theguestsandservantshadallstolenvaluablecupsandplatters；andhe，likethemasterofthehouse，stoodsadlythinkingthatitwouldhavebeennofeast。InvaindidtheytrytocheerTarasandtodiverthismind；

invaindidthelong-bearded，grey-hairedguitar-playerscomebytwosandthreestoglorifyhisCossackdeeds。Hegazedgrimlyandindifferentlyateverything，withinappeasablegriefprintedonhisstolidface；andsaidsoftly，ashedroopedhishead，“Myson，myOstap！“

TheZaporozhtziassembledforaraidbysea。TwohundredboatswerelaunchedontheDnieper，andAsiaMinorsawthosewhomannedthem，withtheirshavenheadsandlongscalp-locks，devoteherthrivingshorestofireandsword；shesawtheturbansofherMahometaninhabitantsstrewn，likeherinnumerableflowers，overtheblood-sprinkledfields，andfloatingalongherriverbanks；shesawmanytarryZaporozhiantrousers，andstronghandswithblackhunting-whips。TheZaporozhtziateupandlaidwasteallthevineyards。Inthemosquestheyleftheapsofdung。TheyusedrichPersianshawlsforsashes，andgirdedtheirdirtygaberdineswiththem。Longafterwards，shortZaporozhianpipeswerefoundinthoseregions。Theysailedmerrilyback。Aten-gunTurkishshippursuedthemandscatteredtheirskiffs，likebirds，withavolleyfromitsguns。A

thirdpartofthemsankinthedepthsofthesea；buttherestagainassembled，andgainedthemouthoftheDnieperwithtwelvekegsfullofsequins。ButallthisdidnotinterestTaras。Hewentoffuponthesteppeasthoughtohunt；butthechargeremainedinhisgun，and，layingdowntheweapon，hewouldseathimselfsadlyontheshoresofthesea。Hesattherelongwithdroopinghead，repeatingcontinually，“MyOstap，myOstap！“BeforehimspreadthegleamingBlackSea；inthedistantreedsthesea-gullscreamed。Hisgreymoustacheturnedtosilver，andthetearsfellonebyoneuponit。

AtlastTarascouldendureitnolonger。“Whateverhappens，Imustgoandfindoutwhatheisdoing。Ishealive，orinthegrave？Iwillknow，costwhatitmay！“WithinaweekhefoundhimselfinthecityofOuman，fullyarmed，andmounted，withlance，sword，canteen，potofoatmeal，powderhorn，cordtohobblehishorse，andotherequipments。

Hewentstraighttoadirty，ill-keptlittlehouse，thesmallwindowsofwhichwerealmostinvisible，blackenedastheywerewithsomeunknowndirt。Thechimneywaswrappedinrags；andtheroof，whichwasfullofholes，wascoveredwithsparrows。Aheapofallsortsofrefuselaybeforetheverydoor。FromthewindowpeeredtheheadofaJewess，inahead-dresswithdiscolouredpearls。

“Isyourhusbandathome？“saidBulba，dismounting，andfasteninghishorse”sbridletoanironhookbesidethedoor。

“Heisathome，“saidtheJewess，andhastenedoutatoncewithameasureofcornforthehorse，andastoupofbeerfortherider。

“WhereisyourJew？“

“Heisintheotherroomatprayer，“repliedtheJewess，bowingandwishingBulbagoodhealthasheraisedthecuptohislips。

“Remainhere，feedandwatermyhorse，whilstIgospeakwithhimalone。Ihavebusinesswithhim。”

ThisJewwasthewell-knownYankel。Hewasthereasrevenue-farmerandtavern-keeper。Hehadgraduallygotnearlyalltheneighbouringnoblemenandgentlemenintohishands，hadslowlysuckedawaymostoftheirmoney，andhadstronglyimpressedhispresenceonthatlocality。

Foradistanceofthreemilesinalldirections，notasinglefarmremainedinaproperstate。Allwerefallinginruins；allhadbeendrunkaway，andpovertyandragsaloneremained。Thewholeneighbourhoodwasdepopulated，asifafterafireoranepidemic；andifYankelhadlivedtheretenyears，hewouldprobablyhavedepopulatedtheWaiwode”swholedomains。

Tarasenteredtheroom。TheJewwaspraying，envelopedinhisdirtyshroud，andwasturningtospitforthelasttime，accordingtotheformsofhiscreed，whenhiseyesuddenlylightedonTarasstandingbehindhim。ThefirstthingthatcrossedYankel”smindwasthetwothousandducatsofferedforhisvisitor”shead；buthewasashamedofhisavarice，andtriedtostiflewithinhimtheeternalthoughtofgold，whichtwines，likeasnake，aboutthesoulofaJew。

“Listen，Yankel，“saidTarastotheJew，whobegantobowlowbeforehim，andashespokeheshutthedoorsothattheymightnotbeseen，“Isavedyourlife：theZaporozhtziwouldhavetornyoutopieceslikeadog。Nowitisyourturntodomeaservice。”

TheJew”sfacecloudedoveralittle。

“Whatservice？IfitisaserviceIcanrender，whyshouldInotrenderit？“

“Asknoquestions。TakemetoWarsaw。”

“ToWarsaw？WhytoWarsaw？“saidtheJew，andhisbrowsandshouldersroseinamazement。

“Askmenothing。TakemetoWarsaw。Imustseehimoncemoreatanycost，andsayonewordtohim。”

“Sayawordtowhom？“

“Tohim——toOstap——tomyson。”

“Hasnotmylordheardthatalready”

“Iknow，Iknowall。Theyoffertwothousandducatsformyhead。Theyknowitsvalue，fools！Iwillgiveyoufivethousand。Herearetwothousandonthespot，“andBulbapouredouttwothousandducatsfromaleatherpurse，“andtherestwhenIreturn。”

TheJewinstantlyseizedatowelandconcealedtheducatsunderit。

“Ai，gloriousmoney！ai，goodmoney！“hesaid，twirlingonegoldpieceinhishandandtestingitwithhisteeth。“Idon”tbelievethemanfromwhommylordtookthesefinegoldpiecesremainedintheworldanhourlonger；hewentstraighttotheriveranddrownedhimself，afterthelossofsuchmagnificentgoldpieces。”

“Ishouldnothaveaskedyou，ImightpossiblyhavefoundmyownwaytoWarsaw；butsomeonemightrecogniseme，andthenthecursedLyakhswouldcaptureme，forIamnotcleveratinventions；whilstthatisjustwhatyouJewsarecreatedfor。Youwoulddeceivetheverydevil。

Youknoweverytrick：thatiswhyIhavecometoyou；and，besides，I

coulddonothingofmyselfinWarsaw。Harnessthehorsetoyourwaggonatonceandtakeme。”

“AndmylordthinksthatIcantakethenagatonce，andharnesshim，andsay”Getup，Dapple！”MylordthinksthatIcantakehimjustasheis，withoutconcealinghim？“

“Well，hideme，hidemeasyoulike：inanemptycask？“

“Ai，ai！andmylordthinkshecanbeconcealedinanemptycask？Doesnotmylordknowthateverymanthinksthateverycastheseescontainsbrandy？“

“Well，letthemthinkitisbrandy。”

“Letthemthinkitisbrandy？“saidtheJew，andgraspedhisear-lockswithbothhands，andthenraisedthembothonhigh。

“Well，whyareyousofrightened？“

“AnddoesnotmylordknowthatGodhasmadebrandyexpresslyforeveryonetosip？Theyareallgluttonsandfondofdaintiesthere：anoblemanwillrunfiveverstsafteracask；hewillmakeaholeinit，andassoonasheseesthatnothingrunsout，hewillsay，”AJewdoesnotcarryemptycasks；thereiscertainlysomethingwrong。SeizetheJew，bindtheJew，takeawayalltheJew”smoney，puttheJewinprison！”ThenallthevilepeoplewillfallupontheJew，foreveryonetakesaJewforadog；andtheythinkheisnotaman，butonlyaJew。”

“Thenputmeinthewaggonwithsomefishoverme。”

“Icannot，mylord，byheaven，Icannot：alloverPolandthepeopleareashungryasdogsnow。Theywillstealthefish，andfeelmylord。”

“Thentakemeinthefiend”sway，onlytakeme。”

“Listen，listen，mylord！“saidtheJew，turninguptheendsofhissleeves，andapproachinghimwithextendedarms。“Thisiswhatwewilldo。Theyarebuildingfortressesandcastleseverywhere：FrenchengineershavecomefromGermany，andsoagreatdealofbrickandstoneisbeingcarriedovertheroads。Letmylordliedowninthebottomofthewaggon，andoverhimIwillpilebricks。Mylordisstrongandwell，apparently，sohewillnotmindifitisalittleheavy；andIwillmakeaholeinthebottomofthewaggoninordertofeedmylord。”

“Dowhatyouwill，onlytakeme！“

Inanhour，awaggon-loadofbricksleftOuman，drawnbytwosorrynags。OnoneofthemsattallYankel，hislong，curlingear-locksflowingfrombeneathhisJewishcap，ashebouncedaboutonthehorse，likeaverst-markplantedbytheroadside。