第4章
CHAPTERXI
Atthetimewhenthesethingstookplace，therewereasyetonthefrontiersneithercustom-houseofficialsnorguards——thosebugbearsofenterprisingpeople——sothatanyonecouldbringacrossanythinghefancied。Ifanyonemadeasearchorinspection，hediditchieflyforhisownpleasure，especiallyiftherehappenedtobeinthewaggonobjectsattractivetohiseye，andifhisownhandpossessedacertainweightandpower。Butthebricksfoundnoadmirers，andtheyenteredtheprincipalgateunmolested。Bulba，inhisnarrowcage，couldonlyhearthenoise，theshoutsofthedriver，andnothingmore。Yankel，bouncingupanddownonhisdust-coverednag，turned，aftermakingseveraldetours，intoadark，narrowstreetbearingthenamesoftheMuddyandalsooftheJews”street，becauseJewsfromnearlyeverypartofWarsawweretobefoundhere。Thisstreetgreatlyresembledaback-yardturnedwrongsideout。Thesunneverseemedtoshineintoit。Theblackwoodenhouses，withnumerouspolesprojectingfromthewindows，stillfurtherincreasedthedarkness。Rarelydidabrickwallgleamredamongthem；forthesetoo，inmanyplaces，hadturnedquiteblack。Hereandthere，highup，abitofstuccoedwallilluminedbythesunglistenedwithintolerablewhiteness。Pipes，rags，shells，brokenanddiscardedtubs：everyoneflungwhateverwasuselesstohimintothestreet，thusaffordingthepasser-byanopportunityofexercisingallhisfivesenseswiththerubbish。Amanonhorsebackcouldalmosttouchwithhishandthepolesthrownacrossthestreetfromonehousetoanother，uponwhichhungJewishstockings，shorttrousers，andsmokedgeese。SometimesaprettylittleHebrewface，adornedwithdiscolouredpearls，peepedoutofanoldwindow。AgroupoflittleJews，withtornanddirtygarmentsandcurlyhair，screamedandrolledaboutinthedirt。Ared-hairedJew，withfrecklesalloverhisfacewhichmadehimlooklikeasparrow”segg，gazedfromawindow。HeaddressedYankelatonceinhisgibberish，andYankelatoncedroveintoacourt-yard。AnotherJewcamealong，halted，andenteredintoconversation。WhenBulbafinallyemergedfrombeneaththebricks，hebeheldthreeJewstalkingwithgreatwarmth。
Yankelturnedtohimandsaidthateverythingpossiblewouldbedone；
thathisOstapwasinthecityjail，andthatalthoughitwouldbedifficulttopersuadethejailer，yethehopedtoarrangeameeting。
BulbaenteredtheroomwiththethreeJews。
TheJewsagainbegantotalkamongthemselvesintheirincomprehensibletongue。Taraslookedhardateachofthem。Somethingseemedtohavemovedhimdeeply；overhisroughandstolidcountenanceaflameofhopespread，ofhopesuchassometimesvisitsamaninthelastdepthsofhisdespair；hisagedheartbegantobeatviolentlyasthoughhehadbeenayouth。
“Listen，Jews！“saidhe，andtherewasatriumphantringinhiswords。
“Youcandoanythingintheworld，evenextractthingsfromthebottomofthesea；andithaslongbeenaproverb，thataJewwillstealfromhimselfifhetakesafancytosteal。SetmyOstapatliberty！givehimachancetoescapefromtheirdiabolicalhands。Ipromisedthismanfivethousandducats；Iwilladdanotherfivethousand：allthatI
have，richcups，buriedgold，houses，all，eventomylastgarment，I
willpartwith；andIwillenterintoacontractwithyouformywholelife，togiveyouhalfofallthebootyImaygaininwar。”
“Oh，impossible，dearlord，itisimpossible！“saidYankelwithasigh。
“Impossible，“saidanotherJew。
AllthreeJewslookedateachother。
“Wemighttry，“saidthethird，glancingtimidlyattheothertwo。
“Godmayfavourus。”
AllthreeJewsdiscussedthematterinGerman。Bulba，inspiteofhisstrainingears，couldmakenothingofit；heonlycaughttheword“Mardokhai“oftenrepeated。
“Listen，mylord！“saidYankel。“Wemustconsultwithamansuchasthereneverwasbeforeintheworld……ugh，ugh！aswiseasSolomon；andifhewilldonothing，thennooneintheworldcan。Sithere：thisisthekey；admitnoone。”TheJewswentoutintothestreet。
Taraslockedthedoor，andlookedoutfromthelittlewindowuponthedirtyJewishstreet。ThethreeJewshaltedinthemiddleofthestreetandbegantotalkwithagooddealofwarmth：afourthsoonjoinedthem，andfinallyafifth。Againheheardrepeated，“Mardokhai，Mardokhai！“TheJewsglancedincessantlytowardsonesideofthestreet；atlengthfromadirtyhouseneartheendofitemergedafootinaJewishshoeandtheskirtsofacaftan。“Ah！Mardokhai，Mardokhai！“shoutedtheJewsinonevoice。AthinJewsomewhatshorterthanYankel，butevenmorewrinkled，andwithahugeupperlip，approachedtheimpatientgroup；andalltheJewsmadehastetotalktohim，interruptingeachother。Duringtherecital，Mardokhaiglancedseveraltimestowardsthelittlewindow，andTarasdivinedthattheconversationconcernedhim。
Mardokhaiwavedhishands，listened，interrupted，spatfrequentlytooneside，and，pullinguptheskirtsofhiscaftan，thrusthishandintohispocketanddrewoutsomejinglingthing，showingverydirtytrousersintheoperation。FinallyalltheJewssetupsuchashoutingthattheJewwhowasstandingguardwasforcedtomakeasignalforsilence，andTarasbegantofearforhissafety；butwhenherememberedthatJewscanonlyconsultinthestreet，andthatthedemonhimselfcannotunderstandtheirlanguage，heregainedhiscomposure。
TwominuteslatertheJewsallenteredtheroomtogether。MardokhaiapproachedTaras，tappedhimontheshoulder，andsaid，“Whenwesettoworkitwillbeallright。”TaraslookedatthisSolomonwhomtheworldhadneverknownandconceivedsomehope：indeed，hisfacemightwellinspireconfidence。Hisupperlipwassimplyanobjectofhorror；
itsthicknessbeingdoubtlessincreasedbyadventitiouscircumstances。
ThisSolomon”sbeardconsistedonlyofaboutfifteenhairs，andtheywereontheleftside。Solomon”sfaceboresomanyscarsofbattle，receivedforhisdaring，thathehaddoubtlesslostcountofthemlongbefore，andhadgrownaccustomedtoconsiderthemasbirthmarks。
Mardokhaideparted，accompaniedbyhiscomrades，whowerefilledwithadmirationathiswisdom。Bulbaremainedalone。Hewasinastrange，unaccustomedsituationforthefirsttimeinhislife；hefeltuneasy。
Hismindwasinastateoffever。Hewasnolongerunbending，immovable，strongasanoak，ashehadformerlybeen：butfelttimidandweak。Hetrembledateverysound，ateveryfreshJewishfacewhichshoweditselfattheendofthestreet。Inthisconditionhepassedthewholeday。Heneitheratenordrank，andhiseyeneverforamomentleftthesmallwindowlookingonthestreet。Finally，lateatnight，MardokhaiandYankelmadetheirappearance。Taras”sheartdiedwithinhim。
“Whatnews？haveyoubeensuccessful？“heaskedwiththeimpatienceofawildhorse。
ButbeforetheJewshadrecoveredbreathtoanswer，TarasperceivedthatMardokhainolongerhadthelocks，whichhadformerlyfalleningreasycurlsfromunderhisfeltcap。Itwasevidentthathewishedtosaysomething，butheutteredonlynonsensewhichTarascouldmakenothingof。Yankelhimselfputhishandveryoftentohismouthasthoughsufferingfromacold。
“Oh，dearestlord！“saidYankel：“itisquiteimpossiblenow！byheaven，impossible！Suchvilepeoplethattheydeservetobespitupon！Mardokhaiheresaysthesame。Mardokhaihasdonewhatnomanintheworldeverdid，butGoddidnotwillthatitshouldbeso。Threethousandsoldiersareingarrisonhere，andto-morrowtheprisonersarealltobeexecuted。”
TaraslookedtheJewstraightintheface，butnolongerwithimpatienceoranger。
“Butifmylordwishestoseehisson，thenitmustbeearlyto-morrowmorning，beforethesunhasrisen。Thesentinelshaveconsented，andonegaolerhaspromised。Butmayhehavenohappinessintheworld，woeisme！Whatgreedypeople！Therearenonesuchamongus：Igavefiftyducatstoeachsentinelandtothegaoler。”
“Good。Takemetohim！“exclaimedTaras，withdecision，andwithallhisfirmnessofmindrestored。HeagreedtoYankel”spropositionthatheshoulddisguisehimselfasaforeigncount，justarrivedfromGermany，forwhichpurposetheprudentJewhadalreadyprovidedacostume。Itwasalreadynight。Themasterofthehouse，thered-hairedJewwithfreckles，pulledoutamattresscoveredwithsomekindofrug，andspreaditonabenchforBulba。Yankellayupontheflooronasimilarmattress。Thered-hairedJewdrankasmallcupofbrandy，tookoffhiscaftan，andbetookhimself——looking，inhisshoesandstockings，verylikealeanchicken——withhiswife，tosomethingresemblingacupboard。TwolittleJewslaydownonthefloorbesidethecupboard，likeacoupleofdogs。ButTarasdidnotsleep；hesatmotionless，drummingonthetablewithhisfingers。Hekepthispipeinhismouth，andpuffedoutsmoke，whichmadetheJewsneezeinhissleepandpullhiscoverletoverhisnose。ScarcelywastheskytouchedwiththefirstfaintgleamsofdawnthanhepushedYankelwithhisfoot，saying：“Rise，Jew，andgivemeyourcount”sdress！“
Inamomenthewasdressed。Heblackenedhismoustacheandeyebrows，putonhisheadasmalldarkcap；eventheCossackswhoknewhimbestwouldnothaverecognisedhim。Apparentlyhewasnotmorethanthirty-five。Ahealthycolourglowedonhischeeks，andhisscarslenthimanairofcommand。Thegold-embroidereddressbecamehimextremelywell。
Thestreetswerestillasleep。Notasingleoneofthemarketfolkasyetshowedhimselfinthecity，withhisbasketonhisarm。YankelandBulbamadetheirwaytoabuildingwhichpresentedtheappearanceofacrouchingstork。Itwaslarge，low，wide，andblack；andononesidealongslendertowerlikeastork”sneckprojectedabovetheroof。Thisbuildingservedforavarietyofpurposes；itwasabarrack，ajail，andthecriminalcourt。Thevisitorsenteredthegateandfoundthemselvesinavastroom，orcoveredcourtyard。Aboutathousandmenweresleepinghere。Straightbeforethemwasasmalldoor，infrontofwhichsattwosentriesplayingatsomegamewhichconsistedinonestrikingthepalmoftheother”shandwithtwofingers。Theypaidlittleheedtothenewarrivals，andonlyturnedtheirheadswhenYankelsaid，“Itiswe，sirs；doyouhear？itiswe。”
“Goin！“saidoneofthem，openingthedoorwithonehand，andholdingouttheothertohiscomradetoreceivehisblows。
Theyenteredalowanddarkcorridor，whichledthemtoasimilarroomwithsmallwindowsoverhead。“Whogoesthere？“shoutedseveralvoices，andTarasbeheldanumberofwarriorsinfullarmour。“Wehavebeenorderedtoadmitnoone。”
“Itiswe！“criedYankel；“we，byheavens，noblesirs！“Butnoonewouldlistentohim。Fortunately，atthatmomentafatmancameup，whoappearedtobeacommandingofficer，forhesworelouderthanalltheothers。
“Mylord，itiswe！youknowus，andthelordcountwillthankyou。”
“Admitthem，ahundredfiends，andmotheroffiends！Admitnooneelse。Andnooneistodrawhissword，norquarrel。”
Theconclusionofthisorderthevisitorsdidnothear。“Itiswe，itisI，itisyourfriends！“Yankelsaidtoeveryonetheymet。
“Well，canitbemanagednow？“heinquiredofoneoftheguards，whentheyatlengthreachedtheendofthecorridor。
“Itispossible，butIdon”tknowwhetheryouwillbeabletogainadmissiontotheprisonitself。Yanaisnotherenow；anothermaniskeepingwatchinhisplace，“repliedtheguard。
“Ai，ai！“criedtheJewsoftly：“thisisbad，mydearlord！“
“Goon！“saidTaras，firmly，andtheJewobeyed。
Atthearchedentranceofthevaultsstoodaheyduke，withamoustachetrimmedinthreelayers：theupperlayerwastrainedbackwards，thesecondstraightforward，andthethirddownwards，whichmadehimgreatlyresembleacat。
TheJewshrankintonothingandapproachedhimalmostsideways：“Yourhighexcellency！Highandillustriouslord！“
“Areyouspeakingtome，Jew？“
“Toyou，illustriouslord。”
“Hm，butIammerelyaheyduke，“saidthemerry-eyedmanwiththetriple-tieredmoustache。
“AndIthoughtitwastheWaiwodehimself，byheavens！Ai，ai，ai！“
ThereupontheJewtwistedhisheadaboutandspreadouthisfingers。
“Ai，whatafinefigure！Anotherfinger”s-breadthandhewouldbeacolonel。Thelordnodoubtridesahorseasfleetasthewindandcommandsthetroops！“
Theheyduketwirledthelowertierofhismoustache，andhiseyesbeamed。
“Whatawarlikepeople！“continuedtheJew。“Ah，woeisme，whatafinerace！Goldencordsandtrappingsthatshinelikethesun；andthemaidens，wherevertheyseewarriors——Ai，ai！“AgaintheJewwaggedhishead。
Theheyduketwirledhisuppermoustacheandutteredasoundsomewhatresemblingtheneighingofahorse。
“Ipraymylordtodousaservice！“exclaimedtheJew：“thisprincehascomehitherfromaforeignland，andwantstogetalookattheCossacks。Henever，inallhislife，hasseenwhatsortofpeopletheCossacksare。”
TheadventofforeigncountsandbaronswascommonenoughinPoland：
theywereoftendrawnthitherbycuriositytoviewthishalf-AsiaticcornerofEurope。TheyregardedMoscowandtheUkraineassituatedinAsia。Sotheheydukebowedlow，andthoughtfittoaddafewwordsofhisown。
“Idonotknow，yourexcellency，“saidhe，“whyyoushoulddesiretoseethem。Theyaredogs，notmen；andtheirfaithissuchasnoonerespects。”
“Youlie，yousonofSatan！“exclaimedBulba。“Youareadogyourself！
Howdareyousaythatourfaithisnotrespected？Itisyourhereticalfaithwhichisnotrespected。”
“Oho！“saidtheheyduke。“Icanguesswhoyouare，myfriend；youareoneofthebreedofthoseundermycharge。SojustwaitwhileIsummonourmen。”
Tarasrealisedhisindiscretion，butvexationandobstinacyhinderedhimfromdevisingameansofremedyingit。FortunatelyYankelmanagedtointerposeatthismoment：——
“Mostnoblelord，howisitpossiblethatthecountcanbeaCossack？
IfhewereaCossack，wherecouldhaveheobtainedsuchadress，andsuchacount-likemien？“
“Explainthatyourself。”Andtheheydukeopenedhiswidemouthtoshout。
“Yourroyalhighness，silence，silence，forheaven”ssake！“criedYankel。“Silence！wewillpayyouforitinawayyouneverdreamedof：wewillgiveyoutwogoldenducats。”
“Oho！twoducats！Ican”tdoanythingwithtwoducats。Igivemybarbertwoducatsforonlyshavingthehalfofmybeard。Givemeahundredducats，Jew。”Heretheheyduketwirledhisuppermoustache。
“Ifyoudon”t，Iwillshoutatonce。”
“Whysomuch？“saidtheJew，sadly，turningpale，andundoinghisleatherpurse；butitwasluckythathehadnomoreinit，andthattheheydukecouldnotcountoverahundred。
“Mylord，mylord，letusdepartquickly！Lookattheevil-mindedfellow！“saidYankeltoTaras，perceivingthattheheydukewasturningthemoneyoverinhishandasthoughregrettingthathehadnotdemandedmore。
“Whatdoyoumean，youdevilofaheyduke？“saidBulba。“WhatdoyoumeanbytakingourmoneyandnotlettingusseetheCossacks？No，youmustletusseethem。Sinceyouhavetakenthemoney，youhavenorighttorefuse。”
“Go，gotothedevil！Ifyouwon”t，I”llgivethealarmthismoment。
Takeyourselvesoffquickly，Isay！“
“Mylord，mylord，letusgo！inGod”snameletusgo！Cursehim！Mayhedreamsuchthingsthathewillhavetospit，“criedpoorYankel。
Bulbaturnedslowly，withdroopinghead，andretracedhissteps，followedbythecomplaintsofYankelwhowassorrowingatthethoughtofthewastedducats。
“Whybeangry？Letthedogcurse。Thatracecannothelpcursing。Oh，woeisme，whatluckGodsendstosomepeople！Ahundredducatsmerelyfordrivingusoff！Andourbrother：theyhavetornoffhisear-locks，andtheymadewoundsonhisfacethatyoucannotbeartolookat，andyetnoonewillgivehimahundredgoldpieces。Oheavens！MercifulGod！“
ButthisfailuremadeamuchdeeperimpressiononBulba，expressedbyadevouringflameinhiseyes。
“Letusgo，“hesaid，suddenly，asifarousinghimself；“letusgotothesquare。Iwanttoseehowtheywilltorturehim。”
“Oh，mylord！whygo？Thatwilldousnogoodnow。”
“Letusgo，“saidBulba，obstinately；andtheJewfollowedhim，sighinglikeanurse。
Thesquareonwhichtheexecutionwastotakeplacewasnothardtofind：forthepeoplewerethrongingthitherfromallquarters。Inthatsavageagesuchathingconstitutedoneofthemostnoteworthyspectacles，notonlyforthecommonpeople，butamongthehigherclasses。Anumberofthemostpiousoldmen，athrongofyounggirls，andthemostcowardlywomen，whodreamedthewholenightafterwardsoftheirbloodycorpses，andshriekedasloudlyintheirsleepasadrunkenhussar，missed，nevertheless，noopportunityofgratifyingtheircuriosity。“Ah，whattortures！“manyofthemwouldcry，hysterically，coveringtheireyesandturningaway；buttheystoodtheirgroundforagoodwhile，allthesame。Manyaone，withgapingmouthandoutstretchedhands，wouldhavelikedtojumpuponotherfolk”sheads，togetabetterview。Abovethecrowdtoweredabulkybutcher，admiringthewholeprocesswiththeairofaconnoisseur，andexchangingbriefremarkswithagunsmith，whomheaddressedas“Gossip，“becausehegotdrunkinthesamealehousewithhimonholidays。Someenteredintowarmdiscussions，othersevenlaidwagers。
Butthemajoritywereofthespecieswho，alltheworldover，lookonattheworldandateverythingthatgoesoninitandmerelyscratchtheirnoses。Inthefrontranks，closetothebeardedcivic-guards，stoodayoungnoble，inwarlikearray，whohadcertainlyputhiswholewardrobeonhisback，leavingonlyhistornshirtandoldshoesathisquarters。Twochains，oneabovetheother，hungaroundhisneck。Hestoodbesidehismistress，Usisya，andglancedaboutincessantlytoseethatnoonesoiledhersilkgown。Heexplainedeverythingtohersoperfectlythatnoonecouldhaveaddedaword。“Allthesepeoplewhomyousee，mydearUsisya，“hesaid，“havecometoseethecriminalsexecuted；andthatman，mylove，yonder，holdingtheaxeandotherinstrumentsinhishands，istheexecutioner，whowilldespatchthem。Whenhebeginstobreakthemonthewheel，andtorturetheminotherways，thecriminalswillstillbealive；butwhenhecutsofftheirheads，then，mylove，theywilldieatonce。Beforethat，theywillcryandmove；butassoonastheirheadsarecutoff，itwillbeimpossibleforthemtocry，ortoeatordrink，because，mydear，theywillnolongerhaveanyhead。”Usisyalistenedtoallthiswithterrorandcuriosity。
Theupperstoriesofthehouseswerefilledwithpeople。Fromthewindowsintheroofpeeredstrangefaceswithbeardsandsomethingresemblingcaps。Uponthebalconies，beneathshadyawnings，satthearistocracy。Thehandsofsmilingyoungladies，brilliantaswhitesugar，restedontherailings。Portlynobleslookedonwithdignity。
Servantsinrichgarb，withflowingsleeves，handedroundvariousrefreshments。Sometimesablack-eyedyoungroguewouldtakehercakeorfruitandflingitamongthecrowdwithherownnoblelittlehand。
Thecrowdofhungrygentleshelduptheircapstoreceiveit；andsometallnoble，whoseheadroseamidthethrong，withhisfadedredjacketanddiscolouredgoldbraid，andwhowasthefirsttocatchitwiththeaidofhislongarms，wouldkisshisbooty，pressittohisheart，andfinallyputitinhismouth。Thehawk，suspendedbeneaththebalconyinagoldencage，wasalsoaspectator；withbeakinclinedtooneside，andwithonefootraised，he，too，watchedthepeopleattentively。Butsuddenlyamurmurranthroughthecrowd，andarumourspread，“Theyarecoming！theyarecoming！theCossacks！“
Theywerebare-headed，withtheirlonglocksfloatingintheair。
Theirbeardshadgrown，andtheironcehandsomegarmentswerewornout，andhungaboutthemintatters。Theywalkedneithertimidlynorsurlily，butwithacertainpride，neitherlookingatnorbowingtothepeople。AttheheadofallcameOstap。
WhatwereoldTaras”sfeelingswhenthushebeheldhisOstap？Whatfilledhisheartthen？Hegazedathimfromamidthecrowd，andlostnotasinglemovementofhis。Theyreachedtheplaceofexecution。
Ostapstopped。Hewastobethefirsttodrinkthebittercup。Heglancedathiscomrades，raisedhishand，andsaidinaloudvoice：
“Godgrantthatnoneofthehereticswhostandheremayhear，theuncleandogs，howChristianssuffer！Letnoneofusutterasingleword。”Afterthisheascendedthescaffold。
“Welldone，son！welldone！“saidBulba，softly，andbenthisgreyhead。
Theexecutionertoreoffhisoldrags；theyfastenedhishandsandfeetinstockspreparedexpressly，and——Wewillnotpainthereaderwithapictureofthehellishtortureswhichwouldmakehishairriseuprightonhishead。Theyweretheoutcomeofthatcoarse，wildage，whenmenstillledalifeofwarfarewhichhardenedtheirsoulsuntilnosenseofhumanitywasleftinthem。Invaindidsome，notmany，inthatagemakeastandagainstsuchterriblemeasures。Invaindidthekingandmanynobles，enlightenedinmindandspirit，demonstratethatsuchseverityofpunishmentcouldbutfantheflameofvengeanceintheCossacknation。Butthepoweroftheking，andtheopinionofthewise，wasasnothingbeforethesavagewillofthemagnatesofthekingdom，who，bytheirthoughtlessnessandunconquerablelackofallfar-sightedpolicy，theirchildishself-loveandmiserablepride，convertedtheDietintothemockeryofagovernment。Ostapenduredthetorturelikeagiant。Notacry，notagroan，washeard。Evenwhentheybegantobreakthebonesinhishandsandfeet，when，amidthedeath-likestillnessofthecrowd，thehorriblecrackingwasaudibletothemostdistantspectators；whenevenhistormentorsturnedasidetheireyes，nothinglikeagroanescapedhislips，nordidhisfacequiver。Tarasstoodinthecrowdwithbowedhead；and，raisinghiseyesproudlyatthatmoment，hesaid，approvingly，“Welldone，boy！
welldone！“
Butwhentheytookhimtothelastdeadlytortures，itseemedasthoughhisstrengthwerefailing。Hecasthiseyesaround。
OGod！allstrangers，allunknownfaces！Ifonlysomeofhisrelativeshadbeenpresentathisdeath！Hewouldnothavecaredtohearthesobsandanguishofhispoor，weakmother，northeunreasoningcriesofawife，tearingherhairandbeatingherwhitebreast；buthewouldhavelikedtoseeastrongmanwhomightrefreshhimwithawordofwisdom，andcheerhisend。Andhisstrengthfailedhim，andhecriedintheweaknessofhissoul，“Father！whereareyou？doyouhear？“
“Ihear！“rangthroughtheuniversalsilence，andthosethousandsofpeopleshudderedinconcert。Adetachmentofcavalryhastenedtosearchthroughthethrongofpeople。Yankelturnedpaleasdeath，andwhenthehorsemenhadgotwithinashortdistanceofhim，turnedroundinterrortolookforTaras；butTaraswasnolongerbesidehim；everytraceofhimwaslost。
CHAPTERXII
TheysoonfoundtracesofTaras。AnarmyofahundredandtwentythousandCossacksappearedonthefrontieroftheUkraine。ThiswasnosmalldetachmentsallyingforthforplunderorinpursuitoftheTatars。No：thewholenationhadrisen，forthemeasureofthepeople”spatiencewasover-full；theyhadrisentoavengethedisregardoftheirrights，thedishonourablehumiliationofthemselves，theinsultstothefaithoftheirfathersandtheirsacredcustoms，theoutragesupontheirchurch，theexcessesoftheforeignnobles，thedisgracefuldominationoftheJewsonChristiansoil，andallthathadarousedanddeepenedthesternhatredoftheCossacksforalongtimepast。HetmanOstranitza，young，butfirminmind，ledthevastCossackforce。Besidehimwasseenhisoldandexperiencedfriendandcounsellor，Gunya。Eightleadersledbandsoftwelvethousandmeneach。Twoosaulsandabunchuzhniyassistedthehetman。A
cornet-generalcarriedthechiefstandard，whilstmanyotherbannersandstandardsfloatedintheair；andthecomradesofthestaffborethegoldenstaffofthehetman，thesymbolofhisoffice。Therewerealsomanyotherofficialsbelongingtothedifferentbands，thebaggagetrainandthemainforcewithdetachmentsofinfantryandcavalry。TherewerealmostasmanyfreeCossacksandvolunteersastherewereregisteredCossacks。TheCossackshadriseneverywhere。
TheycamefromTchigirin，fromPereyaslaf，fromBaturin，fromGlukhof，fromtheregionsofthelowerDnieper，andfromallitsuppershoresandislands。Anuninterruptedstreamofhorsesandherdsofcattlestretchedacrosstheplain。AndamongalltheseCossacks，amongallthesebands，onewasthechoicest；andthatwasthebandledbyTarasBulba。Allcontributedtogivehimaninfluenceovertheothers：hisadvancedyears，hisexperienceandskillindirectinganarmy，andhisbitterhatredofthefoe。HisunsparingfiercenessandcrueltyseemedexaggeratedeventotheCossacks。Hisgreyheaddreamedofnaughtsavefireandsword，andhisutterancesatthecouncilsofwarbreathedonlyannihilation。
ItisuselesstodescribeallthebattlesinwhichtheCossacksdistinguishedthemselves，orthegradualcoursesofthecampaign。Allthisissetdowninthechronicles。ItiswellknownwhatanarmyraisedonRussiansoil，fortheorthodoxfaith，islike。Thereisnopowerstrongerthanfaith。Itisthreateningandinvinciblelikearock，andrisingamidstthestormy，ever-changingsea。Fromtheverybottomoftheseaitrearstoheavenitsjaggedsidesoffirm，impenetrablestone。Itisvisiblefromeverywhere，andlooksthewavesstraightinthefaceastheyrollpast。Andwoetotheshipwhichisdashedagainstit！Itsframefliesintosplinters，everythinginitissplitandcrushed，andthestartledairre-echoesthepiteouscriesofthedrowning。
InthepagesofthechroniclesthereisaminutedescriptionofhowthePolishgarrisonsfledfromthefreedcities；howtheunscrupulousJewishtavern-keeperswerehung；howpowerlesswastheroyalhetman，NikolaiPototzky，withhisnumerousarmy，againstthisinvincibleforce；how，routedandpursued，helostthebestofhistroopsbydrowninginasmallstream；howthefierceCossackregimentsbesiegedhiminthelittletownofPolon；andhow，reducedtoextremities，hepromised，underoath，onthepartofthekingandthegovernment，itsfullsatisfactiontoall，andtherestorationofalltheirrightsandprivileges。ButtheCossackswerenotmentogivewayforthis。TheyalreadyknewwellwhataPolishoathwasworth。AndPototzkywouldnevermorehaveprancedonhissix-thousandducathorsefromtheKabardei，attractingtheglancesofdistinguishedladiesandtheenvyofthenobility；hewouldnevermorehavemadeafigureintheDiet，bygivingcostlyfeaststothesenators——iftheRussianpriestswhowereinthelittletownhadnotsavedhim。Whenallthepopes，intheirbrilliantgoldvestments，wentouttomeettheCossacks，bearingtheholypicturesandthecross，withthebishophimselfattheirhead，crosierinhandandmitreonhishead，theCossacksallbowedtheirheadsandtookofftheircaps。Tonoonelowerthanthekinghimselfwouldtheyhaveshownrespectatsuchanhour；buttheirdaringfellbeforetheChurchofChrist，andtheyhonouredtheirpriesthood。ThehetmanandleadersagreedtoreleasePototzky，afterhavingextractedfromhimasolemnoathtoleavealltheChristianchurchesunmolested，toforsweartheancientenmity，andtodonoharmtotheCossackforces。Oneleaderalonewouldnotconsenttosuchapeace。ItwasTaras。Hetoreahandfulofhairfromhishead，andcried：
“Hetmanandleaders！Commitnosuchwomanishdeed。TrustnottheLyakhs；slaythedogs！“
Whenthesecretarypresentedtheagreement，andthehetmanputhishandtoit，TarasdrewagenuineDamasceneblade，acostlyTurkishsabreofthefineststeel，brokeitintwainlikeareed，andthrewthetwopiecesfarawayoneachside，saying，“Farewell！Asthetwopiecesofthisswordwillneverreuniteandformoneswordagain，sowe，comrades，shallnevermorebeholdeachotherinthisworld。
Remembermypartingwords。”Ashespokehisvoicegrewstronger，rosehigher，andacquiredahithertounknownpower；andhispropheticutterancestroubledthemall。“Beforethedeathhouryouwillrememberme！Doyouthinkthatyouhavepurchasedpeaceandquiet？doyouthinkthatyouwillmakeagreatshow？Youwillmakeagreatshow，butafteranotherfashion。Theywillflaytheskinfromyourhead，hetman，theywillstuffitwithbran，andlongwillitbeexhibitedatfairs。
Neitherwillyouretainyourheads，gentles。Youwillbethrownintodampdungeons，walledaboutwithstone，iftheydonotboilyoualiveincauldronslikesheep。Andyou，men，“hecontinued，turningtohisfollowers，“whichofyouwantstodiehistruedeath？notthroughsorrowsandtheale-house；butanhonourableCossackdeath，allinonebed，likebrideandgroom？But，perhaps，youwouldliketoreturnhome，andturninfidels，andcarryPolishpriestsonyourbacks？“
“Wewillfollowyou，nobleleader，wewillfollowyou！“shoutedallhisband，andmanyothersjoinedthem。
“Ifitistobeso，thenfollowme，“saidTaras，pullinghiscapfartheroverhisbrows。Lookingmenacinglyattheothers，hewenttohishorse，andcriedtohismen，“Letnoonereproachuswithanyinsultingspeeches。Now，heythere，men！we”llcallontheCatholics。”
Andthenhestruckhishorse，andtherefollowedhimacampofahundredwaggons，andwiththemmanyCossackcavalryandinfantry；and，turning，hethreatenedwithaglanceallwhoremainedbehind，andwrathwasinhiseye。Thebanddepartedinfullviewofallthearmy，andTarascontinuedlongtoturnandglower。
Thehetmanandleaderswereuneasy；allbecamethoughtful，andremainedsilent，asthoughoppressedbysomeheavyforeboding。NotinvainhadTarasprophesied：allcametopassashehadforetold。A
littlelater，afterthetreacherousattackatKaneva，thehetman”sheadwasmountedonastake，togetherwiththoseofmanyofhisofficers。
AndwhatofTaras？TarasmaderaidsalloverPolandwithhisband，burnedeighteentownsandnearlyfortychurches，andreachedCracow。
Hekilledmanynobles，andplunderedsomeoftherichestandfinestcastles。TheCossacksemptiedonthegroundthecentury-oldmeadandwine，carefullyhoardedupinlordlycellars；theycutandburnedtherichgarmentsandequipmentswhichtheyfoundinthewardrobes。“Sparenothing，“wastheorderofTaras。TheCossackssparednottheblack-browedgentlewomen，thebrilliant，white-bosomedmaidens：thesecouldnotsavethemselvesevenatthealtar，forTarasburnedthemwiththealtaritself。Snowyhandswereraisedtoheavenfromamidfieryflames，withpiteousshriekswhichwouldhavemovedthedampearthitselftopityandcausedthesteppe-grasstobendwithcompassionattheirfate。ButthecruelCossackspaidnoheed；and，raisingthechildreninthestreetsuponthepointsoftheirlances，theycastthemalsointotheflames。
“ThisisamassforthesoulofOstap，youheathenLyakhs，“wasallthatTarassaid。AndsuchmassesforOstaphehadsungineveryvillage，untilthePolishGovernmentperceivedthatTaras”sraidsweremorethanordinaryexpeditionsforplunder；andPototzkywasgivenfiveregiments，andorderedtocapturehimwithoutfail。
SixdaysdidtheCossacksretreatalongtheby-roadsbeforetheirpursuers；theirhorseswerealmostequaltothisuncheckedflight，andnearlysavedthem。ButthistimePototzkywasalsoequaltothetaskintrustedtohim；unweariedlyhefollowedthem，andovertookthemonthebankoftheDniester，whereTarashadtakenpossessionofanabandonedandruinedcastleforthepurposeofresting。
OntheverybrinkoftheDniesteritstood，withitsshatteredrampartsandtheruinedremnantsofitswalls。Thesummitofthecliffwasstrewnwithraggedstonesandbrokenbricks，readyatanymomenttodetachthemselves。Theroyalhetman，Pototzky，surroundeditonthetwosideswhichfacedtheplain。FourdaysdidtheCossacksfight，tearingdownbricksandstonesformissiles。Buttheirstonesandtheirstrengthwereatlengthexhausted，andTarasresolvedtocuthiswaythroughthebeleagueringforces。AndtheCossackswouldhavecuttheirwaythrough，andtheirswiftsteedsmightagainhaveservedthemfaithfully，hadnotTarashaltedsuddenlyintheverymidstoftheirflight，andshouted，“Halt！mypipehasdroppedwithitstobacco：I
won”tletthoseheathenLyakhshavemypipe！“Andtheoldhetmanstoopeddown，andfeltinthegrassforhispipefulloftobacco，hisinseparablecompaniononallhisexpeditionsbyseaandlandandathome。
ButinthemeantimeabandofLyakhssuddenlyrushedup，andseizedhimbytheshoulders。Hestruggledwithallmight；buthecouldnotscatterontheearth，ashehadbeenwonttodo，theheydukeswhohadseizedhim。“Oh，oldage，oldage！“heexclaimed：andthestoutoldCossackwept。Buthisagewasnottoblame：nearlythirtymenwereclingingtohisarmsandlegs。
“Theraveniscaught！“yelledtheLyakhs。“Wemustthinkhowwecanshowhimthemosthonour，thedog！“Theydecided，withthepermissionofthehetman，toburnhimaliveinthesightofall。Therestoodhardbyaleaflesstree，thesummitofwhichhadbeenstruckbylightning。
Theyfastenedhimwithironchainsandnailsdriventhroughhishandshighuponthetrunkofthetree，sothathemightbeseenfromallsides；andbeganatoncetoplacefagotsatitsfoot。ButTarasdidnotlookatthewood，nordidhethinkofthefirewithwhichtheywerepreparingtoroasthim：hegazedanxiouslyinthedirectionwhencehisCossackswerefiring。Fromhishighpointofobservationhecouldseeeverythingasinthepalmofhishand。
“Takepossession，men，“heshouted，“ofthehillockbehindthewood：
theycannotclimbit！“Butthewinddidnotcarryhiswordstothem。
“Theyarelost，lost！“hesaidindespair，andglanceddowntowherethewateroftheDniesterglittered。Joygleamedinhiseyes。Hesawthesternsoffourboatspeepingoutfrombehindsomebushes；exertedallthepowerofhislungs，andshoutedinaringingtone，“Tothebank，tothebank，men！descendthepathtotheleft，underthecliff。
Thereareboatsonthebank；takeall，thattheymaynotcatchyou。”
Thistimethebreezeblewfromtheotherside，andhiswordswereaudibletotheCossacks。Butforthiscounselhereceivedablowontheheadwiththebackofanaxe，whichmadeeverythingdancebeforehiseyes。
TheCossacksdescendedthecliffpathatfullspeed，buttheirpursuerswereattheirheels。Theylooked：thepathwoundandtwisted，andmademanydetourstooneside。“Comrades，wearetrapped！“saidthey。Allhaltedforaninstant，raisedtheirwhips，whistled，andtheirTatarhorsesrosefromtheground，clovetheairlikeserpents，flewovertheprecipice，andplungedstraightintotheDniester。Twoonlydidnotalightintheriver，butthundereddownfromtheheightuponthestones，andperishedtherewiththeirhorseswithoututteringacry。ButtheCossackshadalreadyswumshorewardfromtheirhorses，andunfastenedtheboats，whentheLyakhshaltedonthebrinkoftheprecipice，astoundedbythiswonderfulfeat，andthinking，“Shallwejumpdowntothem，ornot？“
Oneyoungcolonel，alively，hot-bloodedsoldier，ownbrothertothebeautifulPolewhohadseducedpoorAndrii，didnotreflectlong，butleapedwithhishorseaftertheCossacks。Hemadethreeturnsintheairwithhissteed，andfellheavilyontherocks。Thesharpstonestorehiminpieces；andhisbrains，mingledwithblood，bespatteredtheshrubsgrowingontheunevenwallsoftheprecipice。
WhenTarasBulbarecoveredfromtheblow，andglancedtowardstheDniester，theCossackswerealreadyintheskiffsandrowingaway。
Ballswereshowereduponthemfromabovebutdidnotreachthem。Andtheoldhetman”seyessparkledwithjoy。
“Farewell，comrades！“heshoutedtothemfromabove；“rememberme，andcomehitheragainnextspringandmakemerryinthesamefashion！
What！cursedLyakhs，haveyecaughtme？ThinkyethereisanythingintheworldthataCossackfears？Wait；thetimewillcomewhenyeshalllearnwhattheorthodoxRussianfaithis！Alreadythepeoplescentitfarandnear。AczarshallarisefromRussiansoil，andthereshallnotbeapowerintheworldwhichshallnotsubmittohim！“Butfirehadalreadyrisenfromthefagots；itlappedhisfeet，andtheflamespreadtothetree……Butcananyfire，flames，orpowerbefoundonearthwhicharecapableofoverpoweringRussianstrength？
BroadistheriverDniester，andinitaremanydeeppools，densereed-beds，clearshallowsandlittlebays；itswaterymirrorgleams，filledwiththemelodiousplaintoftheswan，theproudwildgooseglidesswiftlyoverit；andsnipe，red-throatedruffs，andotherbirdsaretobefoundamongthereedsandalongthebanks。TheCossacksrowedswiftlyoninthenarrowdouble-rudderedboats——rowedstoutly，carefullyshunningthesandbars，andcleavingtheranksofthebirds，whichtookwing——rowed，andtalkedoftheirhetman。
ST。JOHN”SEVE
ASTORYTOLDBYTHESACRISTANOFTHEDIKANKACHURCH
ThomaGrigroovitchhadoneverystrangeeccentricity：tothedayofhisdeathheneverlikedtotellthesamethingtwice。Thereweretimeswhen，ifyouaskedhimtorelateathingafresh，hewouldinterpolatenewmatter，oralteritsothatitwasimpossibletorecogniseit。Onceuponatime，oneofthosegentlemenwho，liketheusurersatouryearlyfairs，clutchandbegandstealeverysortoffrippery，andissuemeanlittlevolumes，nothickerthananABC
book，everymonth，oreveneveryweek，wormedthissamestoryoutofThomaGrigorovitch，andthelattercompletelyforgotaboutit。Butthatsameyounggentleman，inthepea-greencaftan，camefromPoltava，bringingwithhimalittlebook，and，openingitinthemiddle，showedittous。ThomaGrigorovitchwasonthepointofsettinghisspectaclesastrideofhisnose，butrecollectedthathehadforgottentowindthreadaboutthemandstickthemtogetherwithwax，sohepasseditovertome。AsIunderstandnothingaboutreadingandwriting，anddonotwearspectacles，Iundertooktoreadit。Ihadnotturnedtwoleaveswhenallatoncehecaughtmebythehandandstoppedme。
“Stop！tellmefirstwhatyouarereading。”
IconfessthatIwasatriflestunnedbysuchaquestion。
“What！whatamIreading，ThomaGrigorovitch？Why，yourownwords。”
“Whotoldyouthattheyweremywords？“
“Why，whatmorewouldyouhave？Hereitisprinted：”Relatedbysuchandsuchasacristan。”“
“Spitontheheadofthemanwhoprintedthat！helies，thedogofaMoscowpedlar！DidIsaythat？””Twasjustthesameasthoughonehadn”thiswitsabouthim！”Listen。I”lltellthetaletoyouonthespot。”
Wemoveduptothetable，andhebegan。
*
Mygrandfather(thekingdomofheavenbehis！mayheeatonlywheatenrollsandpoppy-seedcakeswithhoneyintheotherworld！)couldtellastorywonderfullywell。Whenheusedtobeginataleyoucouldnotstirfromthespotallday，butkeptonlistening。Hewasnotlikethestory-tellerofthepresentday，whenhebeginstolie，withatongueasthoughhehadhadnothingtoeatforthreedays，sothatyousnatchyourcapandfleefromthehouse。Iremembermyoldmotherwasalivethen，andinthelongwintereveningswhenthefrostwascracklingoutofdoors，andhadsealeduphermeticallythenarrowpanesofourcottage，sheusedtositatherwheel，drawingoutalongthreadinherhand，rockingthecradlewithherfoot，andhummingasong，whichIseemtohearevennow。
Thelamp，quiveringandflaringupasthoughinfearofsomething，lightedupourcottage；thespindlehummed；andallofuschildren，collectedinacluster，listenedtograndfather，whohadnotcrawledoffthestoveformorethanfiveyears，owingtohisgreatage。ButthewondroustalesoftheincursionsoftheZaporozhianCossacksandthePoles，thebolddeedsofPodkova，ofPoltar-Kozhukh，andSagaidatchnii，didnotinterestussomuchasthestoriesaboutsomedeedofoldwhichalwayssentashiverthroughourframesandmadeourhairriseuprightonourheads。Sometimessuchterrortookpossessionofusinconsequenceofthem，that，fromthateveningforward，Heavenknowshowwonderfuleverythingseemedtous。Ifonechancedtogooutofthecottageafternightfallforanything，onefanciedthatavisitorfromtheotherworldhadlaindowntosleepinone”sbed；andIhaveoftentakenmyownsmock，atadistance，asitlayattheheadofthebed，fortheEvilOnerolledupintoaball！Butthechiefthingaboutgrandfather”sstorieswas，thatheneverliedinallhislife；andwhateverhesaidwasso，wasso。
Iwillnowtellyouoneofhiswonderfultales。Iknowthatthereareagreatmanywisepeoplewhocopyinthecourts，andcanevenreadcivildocuments，butwho，ifyouweretoputintotheirhandasimpleprayer-book，couldnotmakeoutthefirstletterinit，andwouldshowalltheirteethinderision。Thesepeoplelaughateverythingyoutellthem。Alongcomesoneofthem——anddoesn”tbelieveinwitches！Yes，glorytoGodthatIhavelivedsolongintheworld！Ihaveseenhereticstowhomitwouldbeeasiertolieinconfessionthanitwouldbetoourbrothersandequalstotakesnuff，andthesefolkwoulddenytheexistenceofwitches！Butletthemjustdreamaboutsomething，andtheywon”teventellwhatitwas！There，itisnousetalkingaboutthem！
Noonecouldhaverecognisedthevillageofoursalittleoverahundredyearsago；itwasahamlet，thepoorestkindofahamlet。Halfascoreofmiserablefarmhouses，unplasteredandbadlythatched，werescatteredhereandthereaboutthefields。Therewasnotayardoradecentshedtoshelteranimalsorwaggons。Thatwasthewaythewealthylived：andifyouhadlookedforourbrothers，thepoor——why，aholeintheground——thatwasacabinforyou！OnlybythesmokecouldyoutellthataGod-createdmanlivedthere。Youaskwhytheylivedso？Itwasnotentirelythroughpoverty：almosteveryoneledaraidingCossacklife，andgatherednotalittleplunderinforeignlands；itwasratherbecauseitwaslittleusebuildingupagoodwoodenhouse。Manyfolkwereengagedinraidsalloverthecountry——Crimeans，Poles，Lithuanians！Itwasquitepossiblethattheirowncountrymenmightmakeadescentandplundereverything。
Anythingwaspossible。
Inthishamletaman，orratheradevilinhumanform，oftenmadehisappearance。Whyhecame，andwhence，nooneknew。Heprowledabout，gotdrunk，andsuddenlydisappearedasifintotheair，leavingnotraceofhisexistence。Then，behold，heseemedtohavedroppedfromtheskyagain，andwentflyingaboutthestreetofthevillage，ofwhichnotracenowremains，andwhichwasnotmorethanahundredpacesfromDikanka。HewouldcollecttogetheralltheCossackshemet；
thenthereweresongs，laughter，andcashinplenty，andvodkaflowedlikewater……Hewouldaddresstheprettygirls，andgivethemribbons，earrings，stringsofbeads——morethantheyknewwhattodowith。Itistruethattheprettygirlsratherhesitatedaboutacceptinghispresents：Godknows，perhaps，whatuncleanhandstheyhadpassedthrough。Mygrandfather”saunt，whokeptatthattimeatavern，inwhichBasavriuk(astheycalledthisdevil-man)oftencaroused，saidthatnoconsiderationontheearthwouldhaveinducedhertoacceptagiftfromhim。Butthen，again，howavoidaccepting？
Fearseizedoneveryonewhenheknithisshaggybrows，andgaveasidelongglancewhichmightsendyourfeetGodknowswhither：whilstifyoudidaccept，thenthenextnightsomefiendfromtheswamp，withhornsonhishead，cameandbegantosqueezeyourneck，iftherewasastringofbeadsuponit；orbiteyourfinger，iftherewasaringuponit；ordragyoubythehair，ifribbonswerebraidedinit。Godhavemercy，then，onthosewhoheldsuchgifts！Butherewasthedifficulty：itwasimpossibletogetridofthem；ifyouthrewthemintothewater，thediabolicalringornecklacewouldskimalongthesurfaceandintoyourhand。
Therewasachurchinthevillage——St。Pantelei，ifIrememberrightly。Therelivedthereapriest，FatherAthanasiiofblessedmemory。ObservingthatBasavriukdidnotcometochurch，evenatEaster，hedeterminedtoreprovehimandimposepenanceuponhim。
Well，hehardlyescapedwithhislife。“Harkye，sir！“hethunderedinreply，“learntomindyourownbusinessinsteadofmeddlinginotherpeople”s，ifyoudon”twantthatthroatofyoursstuckwithboilingkutya[1]。”Whatwastobedonewiththisunrepentantman？FatherAthanasiicontentedhimselfwithannouncingthatanyonewhoshouldmaketheacquaintanceofBasavriukwouldbecountedaCatholic，anenemyofChrist”sorthodoxchurch，notamemberofthehumanrace。
[1]Adishofriceorwheatflour，withhoneyandraisins，whichisbroughttothechurchonthecelebrationofmemorialmasses。
InthisvillagetherewasaCossacknamedKorzh，whohadalabourerwhompeoplecalledPetertheOrphan——perhapsbecausenoonerememberedeitherhisfatherormother。Thechurchelder，itistrue，saidthattheyhaddiedofthepestinhissecondyear；butmygrandfather”sauntwouldnothearofthat，andtriedwithallhermighttofurnishhimwithparents，althoughpoorPeterneededthemaboutasmuchasweneedlastyear”ssnow。ShesaidthathisfatherhadbeeninZaporozhe，andhadbeentakenprisonerbytheTurks，amongstwhomheunderwentGodonlyknowswhattortures，untilhaving，bysomemiracle，disguisedhimselfasaeunuch，hemadehisescape。Littlecaredtheblack-browedyouthsandmaidensaboutPeter”sparents。Theymerelyremarked，thatifheonlyhadanewcoat，aredsash，ablacklambskincapwithasmartbluecrownonhishead，aTurkishsabrebyhisside，awhipinonehandandapipewithhandsomemountingsintheother，hewouldsurpassalltheyoungmen。Butthepitywas，thattheonlythingpoorPeterhadwasagreygaberdinewithmoreholesinitthantherearegoldpiecesinaJew”spocket。Butthatwasnottheworstofit。Korzhhadadaughter，suchabeautyasIthinkyoucanhardlyhavechancedtosee。Mygrandfather”sauntusedtosay——andyouknowthatitiseasierforawomantokisstheEvilOnethantocallanyoneelseabeauty——thatthisCossackmaiden”scheekswereasplumpandfreshasthepinkestpoppywhen，bathedinGod”sdew，itunfoldsitspetals，andcoquetswiththerisingsun；thatherbrowswereevenlyarchedoverherbrighteyeslikeblackcords，suchasourmaidensbuynowadays，fortheircrossesandducats，offtheMoscowpedlarswhovisitthevillageswiththeirbaskets；thatherlittlemouth，atsightofwhichtheyouthssmackedtheirlips，seemedmadetowarblethesongsofnightingales；thatherhair，blackastheraven”swing，andsoftasyoungflax，fellincurlsoverhershoulders，forourmaidensdidnotthenplaittheirhairinpigtailsinterwovenwithpretty，bright-huedribbons。Eh！mayIneverintoneanotheralleluiainthechoir，ifIwouldnothavekissedher，inspiteofthegreywhichismakingitswaythroughtheoldwoolwhichcoversmypate，andoftheoldwomanbesideme，likeathorninmyside！Well，youknowwhathappenswhenyoungmenandmaidenslivesidebyside。InthetwilighttheheelsofredbootswerealwaysvisibleintheplacewherePidorkachattedwithherPeter。ButKorzhwouldneverhavesuspectedanythingoutoftheway，onlyoneday——itisevidentthatnonebuttheEvilOnecouldhaveinspiredhim——Petertookintohisheadtokissthemaiden”srosylipswithallhisheart，withoutfirstlookingwellabouthim；
andthatsameEvilOne——maythesonofadogdreamoftheholycross！——causedtheoldgrey-beard，likeafool，toopenthecottagedooratthatsamemoment。Korzhwaspetrified，droppedhisjaw，andclutchedatthedoorforsupport。Thoseunluckykissescompletelystunnedhim。
Recoveringhimself，hetookhisgrandfather”shuntingwhipfromthewall，andwasabouttobelabourPeter”sbackwithit，whenPidorka”slittlesix-year-oldbrotherIvasrushedupfromsomewhereorother，and，graspinghisfather”slegswithhislittlehands，screamedout，“Daddy，daddy！don”tbeatPeter！“Whatwastobedone？Afather”sheartisnotmadeofstone。Hangingthewhipagainonthewall，heledPeterquietlyfromthehouse。“Ifyouevershowyourselfinmycottageagain，orevenunderthewindows，lookout，Peter，for，byheaven，yourblackmoustachewilldisappear；andyourblacklocks，thoughwoundtwiceaboutyourears，willtakeleaveofyourpate，ormynameisnotTerentiyKorzh。”Sosaying，hegavehimsuchatasteofhisfistinthenapeofhisneck，thatallgrewdarkbeforePeter，andheflewheadlongoutoftheplace。
Sotherewasanendoftheirkissing。Sorrowfelluponourturtledoves；andarumourgrewrifeinthevillagethatacertainPole，allembroideredwithgold，withmoustaches，sabre，spurs，andpocketsjinglinglikethebellsofthebagwithwhichoursacristanTarasgoesthroughthechurcheveryday，hadbeguntofrequentKorzh”shouse。
Now，itiswellknownwhyafatherhasvisitorswhenthereisablack-broweddaughterabout。So，oneday，Pidorkaburstintotears，andcaughtthehandofherbrotherIvas。“Ivas，mydear！Ivas，mylove！flytoPeter，mychildofgold，likeanarrowfromabow。Tellhimall：Iwouldhavelovedhisbrowneyes，Iwouldhavekissedhisfairface，butmyfatedecreesotherwise。MorethanonehandkerchiefhaveIwetwithburningtears。Iamsadandheavyatheart。Andmyownfatherismyenemy。IwillnotmarrythePole，whomIdonotlove。
Tellhimtheyaremakingreadyforawedding，buttherewillbenomusicatourwedding：priestswillsinginsteadofpipesandviols。I
shallnotdancewithmybridegroom：theywillcarrymeout。Dark，darkwillbemydwellingofmaplewood；and，insteadofchimneys，acrosswillstandupontheroof。”
Peterstoodpetrified，withoutmovingfromthespot，whentheinnocentchildlispedoutPidorka”swordstohim。“AndI，wretchedman，hadthoughttogototheCrimeaandTurkey，towingoldandreturntothee，mybeauty！Butitmaynotbe。Wehavebeenoverlookedbytheevileye。Itooshallhaveawedding，dearone；butnoecclesiasticswillbepresentatthatwedding。Theblackcrowinsteadofthepopewillcawoverme；thebareplainwillbemydwelling；thedarkbluecloudmyroof-tree。Theeaglewillclawoutmybrowneyes：therainwillwashmyCossackbones，andthewhirlwindsdrythem。ButwhatamI？OfwhatshouldIcomplain？”TisclearGodwilleditso。IfIamtobelost，thensobeit！“andhewentstraighttothetavern。
Mylategrandfather”sauntwassomewhatsurprisedatseeingPeteratthetavern，atanhourwhengoodmengotomorningmass；andstaredathimasthoughinadreamwhenhecalledforajugofbrandy，abouthalfapailful。Butthepoorfellowtriedinvaintodrownhiswoe。
Thevodkastunghistonguelikenettles，andtastedmorebitterthanwormwood。Heflungthejugfromhimupontheground。
“Youhavesorrowedenough，Cossack，“growledabassvoicebehindhim。
Helookedround——itwasBasavriuk！Ugh，whataface！Hishairwaslikeabrush，hiseyeslikethoseofabull。“Iknowwhatyoulack：hereitis。”Ashespokehejingledaleatherpursewhichhungfromhisgirdleandsmileddiabolically。Petershuddered。“Ha，ha，ha！howitshines！“
heroared，shakingoutducatsintohishands：“ha，ha，ha！howitjingles！AndIonlyaskonethingforawholepileofsuchshiners。”
“ItistheEvilOne！“exclaimedPeter。“Givemethem！I”mreadyforanything！“
Theystruckhandsuponit，andBasavriuksaid，“Youarejustintime，Peter：to-morrowisSt。JohntheBaptist”sday。Onlyonthisonenightintheyeardoesthefernblossom。IwillawaityouatmidnightintheBear”sravine。”
IdonotbelievethatchickensawaitthehourwhenthehousewifebringstheircornwithasmuchanxietyasPeterawaitedtheevening。
Hekeptlookingtoseewhethertheshadowsofthetreeswerenotlengthening，whetherthesunwasnotturningredtowardssetting；and，thelongerhewatched，themoreimpatienthegrew。Howlongitwas！
Evidently，God”sdayhadlostitsendsomewhere。Butnowthesunhasset。Theskyisredonlyononeside，anditisalreadygrowingdark。
Itgrowscolderinthefields。Itgetsgloomierandgloomier，andatlastquitedark。Atlast！Withheartalmostburstingfromhisbosom，hesetoutandcautiouslymadehiswaydownthroughthethickwoodsintothedeephollowcalledtheBear”sravine。Basavriukwasalreadywaitingthere。Itwassodarkthatyoucouldnotseeayardbeforeyou。Handinhandtheyenteredtheravine，pushingthroughtheluxuriantthorn-bushesandstumblingatalmosteverystep。Atlasttheyreachedanopenspot。Peterlookedabouthim：hehadneverchancedtocometherebefore。HereBasavriukhalted。
“Doyouseebeforeyouthreehillocks？Thereareagreatmanykindsofflowersuponthem。Maysomepowerkeepyoufrompluckingevenoneofthem。Butassoonasthefernblossoms，seizeit，andlooknotround，nomatterwhatmayseemtobegoingonbehindthee。”
Peterwantedtoasksomequestions，butbeholdBasavriukwasnolongerthere。Heapproachedthethreehillocks——whereweretheflowers？Hesawnone。Thewildsteppe-grassgrewallaround，andhideverythinginitsluxuriance。Butthelightningflashed；andbeforehimwasawholebedofflowers，allwonderful，allstrange：whilstamongstthemtherewerealsothesimplefrondsoffern。Peterdoubtedhissenses，andstoodthoughtfullybeforethem，armsakimbo。
“Whatmannerofprodigyisthis？why，onecanseetheseweedstentimesaday。Whatistheremarvellousaboutthem？Devil”sfacemustbemockingme！“
Butbehold！thetinyflower-budofthefernreddenedandmovedasthoughalive。Itwasamarvelintruth。Itgrewlargerandlarger，andglowedlikeaburningcoal。Thetinystarsoflightflashedup，somethingburstsoftly，andthefloweropenedbeforehiseyeslikeaflame，lightingtheothersaboutit。
“Nowisthetime，“thoughtPeter，andextendedhishand。Hesawhundredsofhairyhandsreachalsofortheflowerfrombehindhim，andtherewasasoundofscamperinginhisrear。Hehalfclosedhiseyes，andpluckedsharplyatthestalk，andtheflowerremainedinhishand。
Allbecamestill。
UponastumpsatBasavriuk，quitebluelikeacorpse。Hedidnotmovesomuchasafinger。Hieyeswereimmovablyfixedonsomethingvisibletohimalone；hismouthwashalfopenandspeechless。Nothingstirredaround。Ugh！itwashorrible！ButthenawhistlewasheardwhichmadePeter”sheartgrowcoldwithinhim；anditseemedtohimthatthegrasswhispered，andtheflowersbegantotalkamongthemselvesindelicatevoices，likelittlesilverbells，whilethetreesrustledinmurmuringcontention；——Basavriuk”sfacesuddenlybecamefulloflife，andhiseyessparkled。“Thewitchhasjustreturned，“hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。“Hearken，Peter：acharmerwillstandbeforeyouinamoment；dowhatevershecommands；ifnot——youarelostforever。”
Thenhepartedthethorn-busheswithaknottystickandbeforehimstoodatinyfarmhouse。Basavriuksmoteitwithhisfist，andthewalltrembled。Alargeblackdogranouttomeetthem，andwithawhinetransformeditselfintoacatandflewstraightathiseyes。
“Don”tbeangry，don”tbeangry，youoldSatan！“saidBasavriuk，employingsuchwordsaswouldhavemadeagoodmanstophisears。
Behold，insteadofacat，anoldwomanallbentintoabow，withafacewrinkledlikeabakedapple，andanoseandchinlikeapairofnutcrackers。
“Afinecharmer！“thoughtPeter；andcoldchillsrandownhisback。
Thewitchtoretheflowerfromhishand，stoopedandmutteredoveritforalongtime，sprinklingitwithsomekindofwater。Sparksflewfromhermouth，andfoamappearedonherlips。
“Throwitaway，“shesaid，givingitbacktoPeter。
Peterthrewit，butwhatwonderwasthis？Theflowerdidnotfallstraighttotheearth，butforalongwhiletwinkledlikeafieryballthroughthedarkness，andswamthroughtheairlikeaboat。Atlastitbegantosinklowerandlower，andfellsofarawaythatthelittlestar，hardlylargerthanapoppy-seed，wasbarelyvisible。“There！“
croakedtheoldwoman，inadullvoice：andBasavriuk，givinghimaspade，said，“Dighere，Peter：youwillfindmoregoldthanyouorKorzheverdreamedof。”
Peterspatonhishands，seizedthespade，pressedhisfootonit，andturneduptheearth，asecond，athird，afourthtime。Thespadeclinkedagainstsomethinghard，andwouldgonofurther。Thenhiseyesbegantodistinguishasmall，iron-boundcoffer。Hetriedtoseizeit；
butthechestbegantosinkintotheearth，deeper，farther，anddeeperstill：whilstbehindhimheheardalaughlikeaserpent”shiss。
“No，youshallnothavethegolduntilyoushedhumanblood，“saidthewitch，andsheleduptohimachildofsix，coveredwithawhitesheet，andindicatedbyasignthathewastocutoffhishead。
Peterwasstunned。Atrifle，indeed，tocutoffaman”s，orevenaninnocentchild”s，headfornoreasonwhatever！Inwrathhetoreoffthesheetenvelopingthevictim”shead，andbehold！beforehimstoodIvas。Thepoorchildcrossedhislittlehands，andhunghishead。
Peterflewatthewitchwiththeknifelikeamadman，andwasonthepointoflayinghandsonher。
“Whatdidyoupromiseforthegirl？“thunderedBasavriuk；andlikeashothewasonhisback。Thewitchstampedherfoot：ablueflameflashedfromtheearthandilluminedallwithinit。Theearthbecametransparentasifmouldedofcrystal；andallthatwaswithinitbecamevisible，asifinthepalmofthehand。Ducats，preciousstonesinchestsandpots，werepiledinheapsbeneaththeveryspottheystoodon。Peter”seyesflashed，hismindgrewtroubled……Hegraspedtheknifelikeamadman，andtheinnocentbloodspurtedintohiseyes。Diabolicallaughterresoundedonallsides。Misshapenmonstersflewpasthiminflocks。Thewitch，fasteningherhandsintheheadlesstrunk，likeawolf，drankitsblood。Hisheadwhirled。
Collectingallhisstrength，hesetouttorun。Everythinggrewredbeforehim。Thetreesseemedsteepedinblood，andburnedandgroaned。
Theskyglowedandthreatened。Burningpoints，likelightning，flickeredbeforehiseyes。Utterlyexhausted，herushedintohismiserablehovelandfelltothegroundlikealog。Adeath-likesleepoverpoweredhim。
TwodaysandtwonightsdidPetersleep，withoutonceawakening。Whenhecametohimself，onthethirdday，helookedlongatallthecornersofhishut，butinvaindidheendeavourtorecollectwhathadtakenplace；hismemorywaslikeamiser”spocket，fromwhichyoucannotenticeaquarterofakopek。Stretchinghimself，heheardsomethingclashathisfeet。Helooked，thereweretwobagsofgold。
Thenonly，asifinadream，herecollectedthathehadbeenseekingfortreasure，andthatsomethinghadfrightenedhiminthewoods。
Korzhsawthesacks——andwasmollified。“Afinefellow，Peter，quiteunequalled！yes，anddidInotlovehim？Washenottomeasmyownson？“Andtheoldfellowrepeatedthisfictionuntilheweptoverithimself。PidorkabegantotellPeterhowsomepassinggipsieshadstolenIvas；buthecouldnotevenrecallhim——tosuchadegreehadtheDevil”sinfluencedarkenedhismind！Therewasnoreasonfordelay。ThePolewasdismissed，andthewedding-feastprepared；rollswerebaked，towelsandhandkerchiefsembroidered；theyoungpeoplewereseatedattable；thewedding-loafwascut；guitars，cymbals，pipes，violssounded，andpleasurewasrife。
Aweddingintheoldentimeswasnotlikeoneofthepresentday。Mygrandfather”sauntusedtotellhowthemaidens——infestivehead-dressesofyellow，blue，andpinkribbons，abovewhichtheyboundgoldbraid；inthinchemisettesembroideredonalltheseamswithredsilk，andstrewnwithtinysilverflowers；inmoroccoshoes，withhighironheels——dancedthegorlitzaasswimminglyaspeacocks，andaswildlyasthewhirlwind；howtheyouths——withtheirship-shapedcapsupontheirheads，thecrownsofgoldbrocade，andtwohornsprojecting，oneinfrontandanotherbehind，oftheveryfinestblacklambskin；intunicsofthefinestbluesilkwithredborders——steppedforwardonebyone，theirarmsakimboinstatelyform，andexecutedthegopak；howthelads——intallCossackcaps，andlightclothgaberdines，girtwithsilverembroideredbelts，theirshortpipesintheirteeth——skippedbeforethemandtalkednonsense。EvenKorzhashegazedattheyoungpeoplecouldnothelpgettinggayinhisoldage。
Guitarinhand，alternatelypuffingathispipeandsinging，abrandy-glassuponhishead，thegreybeardbeganthenationaldanceamidloudshoutsfromthemerry-makers。
Whatwillnotpeopledeviseinmerrymood？Theyevenbegantodisguisetheirfacestilltheydidnotlooklikehumanbeings。OnsuchoccasionsonewoulddresshimselfasaJew，anotherastheDevil：theywouldbeginbykissingeachother，andendbyseizingeachotherbythehair。Godbewiththem！youlaughedtillyouheldyoursides。TheydressedthemselvesinTurkishandTatargarments。Alluponthemglowedlikeaconflagration，andthentheybegantojokeandplaypranks……
Anamusingthinghappenedtomygrandfather”saunt，whowasatthiswedding。ShewaswearinganampleTatarrobe，and，wine-glassinhand，wasentertainingthecompany。TheEvilOneinstigatedonemantopourvodkaoverherfrombehind。Another，atthesamemoment，evidentlynotbyaccident，struckalight，andheldittoher。Theflameflashedup，andpooraunt，interror，flungherdressoff，beforethemall。
Screams，laughter，jests，aroseasifatafair。Inaword，theoldfolkscouldnotrecallsomerryawedding。
PidorkaandPeterbegantolivelikeagentlemanandlady。Therewasplentyofeverythingandeverythingwasfine……Buthonestfolkshooktheirheadswhentheymarkedtheirwayofliving。“FromtheDevilnogoodcancome，“theyunanimouslyagreed。“Whence，exceptfromthetempteroforthodoxpeople，camethiswealth？Whereelsecouldhehavegotsuchalotofgoldfrom？Why，ontheverydaythathegotrich，didBasavriukvanishasifintothinair？“
Say，ifyoucan，thatpeopleonlyimaginethings！Amonthhadnotpassed，andnoonewouldhaverecognisedPeter。Hesatinonespot，sayingnowordtoanyone；butcontinuallythinkingandseeminglytryingtorecallsomething。WhenPidorkasucceededingettinghimtospeak，heappearedtoforgethimself，andwouldcarryonaconversation，andevengrowcheerful；butifheinadvertentlyglancedatthesacks，“Stop，stop！Ihaveforgotten，“hewouldcry，andagainplungeintoreverieandstrivetorecallsomething。Sometimeswhenhesatstillalongtimeinoneplace，itseemedtohimasthoughitwerecoming，justcomingbacktomind，butagainallwouldfadeaway。Itseemedasifhewassittinginthetavern：theybroughthimvodka；
vodkastunghim；vodkawasrepulsivetohim。Someonecamealongandstruckhimontheshoulder；butbeyondthateverythingwasveiledindarknessbeforehim。Theperspirationwouldstreamdownhisface，andhewouldsitexhaustedinthesameplace。
WhatdidnotPirdorkado？Sheconsultedthesorceresses；andtheypouredoutfear，andbrewedstomachache[2]——butalltonoavail。Andsothesummerpassed。ManyaCossackhadmowedandreaped；manyaCossack，moreenterprisingthantherest，hadsetoffuponanexpedition。Flocksofduckswerealreadycrowdingthemarshes，buttherewasnotevenahintofimprovement。
[2]“Topouroutfear“referstoapracticeresortedtoincaseoffear。Whenitisdesiredtoknowwhatcausedthis，meltedleadorwaxispouredintowater，andtheobjectwhoseformitassumesistheonewhichfrightenedthesickperson；afterthis，thefeardeparts。Sonyashnitzaisbrewedforgiddinessandpaininthebowels。Tothisend，abitofstumpisburned，thrownintoajug，andturnedupsidedownintoabowlfilledwithwater，whichisplacedonthepatient”sstomach：afteranincantation，heisgivenaspoonfulofthiswatertodrink。
Itwasreduponthesteppes。Ricksofgrain，likeCossack”scaps，dottedthefieldshereandthere。Onthehighwayweretobeencounteredwaggonsloadedwithbrushwoodandlogs。Thegroundhadbecomemoresolid，andinplaceswastouchedwithfrost。Alreadyhadthesnowbeguntofallandthebranchesofthetreeswerecoveredwithrimelikerabbit-skin。Alreadyonfrostydaystherobinredbreasthoppedaboutonthesnow-heapslikeafoppishPolishnobleman，andpickedoutgrainsofcorn；andchildren，withhugesticks，playedhockeyupontheice；whiletheirfatherslayquietlyonthestove，issuingforthatintervalswithlightedpipesintheirlips，togrowl，inregularfashion，attheorthodoxfrost，ortotaketheair，andthreshthegrainspreadoutinthebarn。Atlastthesnowbegantomelt，andtheiceslippedaway：butPeterremainedthesame；and，themoretimewenton，themoremorosehegrew。Hesatinthecottageasthoughnailedtothespot，withthesacksofgoldathisfeet。Hegrewaversetocompanionship，hishairgrewlong，hebecameterribletolookat；andstillhethoughtofbutonething，stillhetriedtorecallsomething，andgotangryandill-temperedbecausehecouldnot。
Often，risingwildlyfromhisseat，hegesticulatedviolentlyandfixedhiseyesonsomethingasthoughdesirousofcatchingit：hislipsmovingasthoughdesirousofutteringsomelong-forgottenword，butremainingspeechless。Furywouldtakepossessionofhim：hewouldgnawandbitehishandslikeamanhalfcrazy，andinhisvexationwouldtearouthishairbythehandful，until，calmingdown，hewouldrelapseintoforgetfulness，asitwere，andthenwouldagainstrivetorecallthepastandbeagainseizedwithfuryandfreshtortures。WhatvisitationofGodwasthis？
Pidorkawasneitherdeadnotalive。Atfirstitwashorribleforhertoremainalonewithhiminthecottage；but，incourseoftime，thepoorwomangrewaccustomedtohersorrow。ButitwasimpossibletorecognisethePidorkaofformerdays。Noblushes，nosmiles：shewasthinandwornwithgrief，andhadweptherbrighteyesaway。OncesomeonewhotookpityonheradvisedhertogotothewitchwhodweltintheBear”sravine，andenjoyedthereputationofbeingabletocureeverydiseaseintheworld。Shedeterminedtotrythatlastremedy：
andfinallypersuadedtheoldwomantocometoher。ThiswasonSt。
John”sEve，asitchanced。Peterlayinsensibleonthebench，anddidnotobservethenewcomer。Slowlyherose，andlookedabouthim。
Suddenlyhetrembledineverylimb，asthoughhewereonthescaffold：
hishairroseuponhishead，andhelaughedalaughthatfilledPidorka”sheartwithfear。
“Ihaveremembered，remembered！“hecried，interriblejoy；and，swingingahatchetroundhishead，hestruckattheoldwomanwithallhismight。Thehatchetpenetratedtheoakendoornearlyfourinches。
Theoldwomandisappeared；andachildofseven，coveredinawhitesheet，stoodinthemiddleofthecottage……Thesheetflewoff。
“Ivas！“criedPidorka，andrantohim；buttheapparitionbecamecoveredfromheadtofootwithblood，andilluminedthewholeroomwithredlight……
Sheranintothepassageinherterror，but，onrecoveringherselfalittle，wishedtohelpPeter。Invain！thedoorhadslammedtobehindher，sothatshecouldnotopenit。Peopleranup，andbegantoknock：
theybrokeinthedoor，asthoughtherewerebutonemindamongthem。
Thewholecottagewasfullofsmoke；andjustinthemiddle，wherePeterhadstood，wasaheapofasheswhencesmokewasstillrising。
Theyflungthemselvesuponthesacks：onlybrokenpotsherdslaythereinsteadofducats。TheCossacksstoodwithstaringeyesandopenmouths，asifrootedtotheearth，notdaringtomoveahair，suchterrordidthiswonderinspireinthem。
Idonotrememberwhathappenednext。Pidorkamadeavowtogouponapilgrimage，collectedthepropertyleftherbyherfather，andinafewdaysitwasasifshehadneverbeeninthevillage。Whithershehadgone，noonecouldtell。OfficiousoldwomenwouldhavedespatchedhertothesameplacewhitherPeterhadgone；butaCossackfromKiefreportedthathehadseen，inacloister，anunwitheredtoamereskeletonwhoprayedunceasingly。Herfellow-villagersrecognisedherasPidorkabythetokens——thatnooneheardherutteraword；andthatshehadcomeonfoot，andhadbroughtaframeforthepictureofGod”smother，setwithsuchbrilliantstonesthatallweredazzledatthesight。
Butthiswasnottheend，ifyouplease。OnthesamedaythattheEvilOnemadeawaywithPeter，Basavriukappearedagain；butallfledfromhim。Theyknewwhatsortofabeinghewas——noneelsethanSatan，whohadassumedhumanforminordertounearthtreasures；and，sincetreasuresdonotyieldtouncleanhands，heseducedtheyoung。Thatsameyear，alldesertedtheirearthenhutsandcollectedinavillage；
buteventheretherewasnopeaceonaccountofthataccursedBasavriuk。
Mylategrandfather”sauntsaidthathewasparticularlyangrywithherbecauseshehadabandonedherformertavern，andtriedwithallhismighttorevengehimselfuponher。Oncethevillageelderswereassembledinthetavern，and，asthesayinggoes，werearrangingtheprecedenceatthetable，inthemiddleofwhichwasplacedasmallroastedlamb，shametosay。Theychatteredaboutthis，that，andtheother——amongtherestaboutvariousmarvelsandstrangethings。Well，theysawsomething；itwouldhavebeennothingifonlyonehadseenit，butallsawit，anditwasthis：thesheepraisedhishead，hisgogglingeyesbecamealiveandsparkled；andtheblack，bristlingmoustache，whichappearedforoneinstant，madeasignificantgestureatthosepresent。AllatoncerecognisedBasavriuk”scountenanceinthesheep”shead；mygrandfather”sauntthoughtitwasonthepointofaskingforvodka。Theworthyeldersseizedtheirhatsandhastenedhome。
Anothertime，thechurchelderhimself，whowasfondofanoccasionalprivateinterviewwithmygrandfather”sbrandy-glass，hadnotsucceededingettingtothebottomtwice，whenhebeheldtheglassbowingverylowtohim。“Satantakeyou，letusmakethesignofthecrossoveryou！“——Andthesamemarvelhappenedtohisbetterhalf。Shehadjustbeguntomixthedoughinahugekneading-troughwhensuddenlythetroughsprangup。“Stop，stop！whereareyougoing？“
Puttingitsarmsakimbo，withdignity，itwentskippingallaboutthecottage——youmaylaugh，butitwasnolaughingmattertoourgrandfathers。AndinvaindidFatherAthanasiigothroughallthevillagewithholywater，andchasetheDevilthroughallthestreetswithhisbrush。Mylategrandfather”sauntlongcomplainedthat，assoonasitwasdark，someonecameknockingatherdoorandscratchingatthewall。
Well！Allappearstobequietnowintheplacewhereourvillagestands；butitwasnotsoverylongago——myfatherwasstillalive——thatIrememberhowagoodmancouldnotpasstheruinedtavernwhichadishonestracehadlongmanagedfortheirowninterest。Fromthesmoke-blackenedchimneyssmokepouredoutinapillar，andrisinghighintheair，rolledofflikeacap，scatteringburningcoalsoverthesteppe；andSatan(thesonofadogshouldnotbementioned)
sobbedsopitifullyinhislairthatthestartledravensroseinflocksfromtheneighbouringoak-woodandflewthroughtheairwithwildcries。
THECLOAK
Inthedepartmentof——butitisbetternottomentionthedepartment。
Thereisnothingmoreirritablethandepartments，regiments，courtsofjustice，and，inaword，everybranchofpublicservice。Eachindividualattachedtothemnowadaysthinksallsocietyinsultedinhisperson。Quiterecentlyacomplaintwasreceivedfromajusticeofthepeace，inwhichheplainlydemonstratedthatalltheimperialinstitutionsweregoingtothedogs，andthattheCzar”ssacrednamewasbeingtakeninvain；andinproofheappendedtothecomplaintaromanceinwhichthejusticeofthepeaceismadetoappearaboutonceeverytenlines，andsometimesinadrunkencondition。Therefore，inordertoavoidallunpleasantness，itwillbebettertodescribethedepartmentinquestiononlyasacertaindepartment。
So，inacertaindepartmenttherewasacertainofficial——notaveryhighone，itmustbeallowed——shortofstature，somewhatpock-marked，red-haired，andshort-sighted，withabaldforehead，wrinkledcheeks，andacomplexionofthekindknownassanguine。TheSt。Petersburgclimatewasresponsibleforthis。Asforhisofficialstatus，hewaswhatiscalledaperpetualtitularcouncillor，overwhich，asiswellknown，somewritersmakemerry，andcracktheirjokes，obeyingthepraiseworthycustomofattackingthosewhocannotbiteback。
HisfamilynamewasBashmatchkin。Thisnameisevidentlyderivedfrom“bashmak“(shoe)；butwhen，atwhattime，andinwhatmanner，isnotknown。Hisfatherandgrandfather，andalltheBashmatchkins，alwaysworeboots，whichonlyhadnewheelstwoorthreetimesayear。HisnamewasAkakiyAkakievitch。Itmaystrikethereaderasrathersingularandfar-fetched，buthemayrestassuredthatitwasbynomeansfar-fetched，andthatthecircumstancesweresuchthatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletogivehimanyother。
Thisishowitcameabout。
AkakiyAkakievitchwasborn，ifmymemoryfailsmenot，intheeveningofthe23rdofMarch。Hismother，thewifeofaGovernmentofficialandaveryfinewoman，madeallduearrangementsforhavingthechildbaptised。Shewaslyingonthebedoppositethedoor；onherrightstoodthegodfather，IvanIvanovitchEroshkin，amostestimableman，whoservedaspresidingofficerofthesenate，whilethegodmother，AnnaSemenovnaByelobrushkova，thewifeofanofficerofthequarter，andawomanofrarevirtues。Theyofferedthemotherherchoiceofthreenames，Mokiya，Sossiya，orthatthechildshouldbecalledafterthemartyrKhozdazat。“No，“saidthegoodwoman，“allthosenamesarepoor。”Inordertopleasehertheyopenedthecalendartoanotherplace；threemorenamesappeared，Triphiliy，Dula，andVarakhasiy。
“Thisisajudgment，“saidtheoldwoman。“Whatnames！Itrulyneverheardthelike。VaradaorVarukhmighthavebeenborne，butnotTriphiliyandVarakhasiy！“TheyturnedtoanotherpageandfoundPavsikakhiyandVakhtisiy。“NowIsee，“saidtheoldwoman，“thatitisplainlyfate。Andsincesuchisthecase，itwillbebettertonamehimafterhisfather。Hisfather”snamewasAkakiy，solethisson”sbeAkakiytoo。”InthismannerhebecameAkakiyAkakievitch。Theychristenedthechild，whereatheweptandmadeagrimace，asthoughheforesawthathewastobeatitularcouncillor。
Inthismannerdiditallcomeabout。Wehavementioneditinorderthatthereadermightseeforhimselfthatitwasacaseofnecessity，andthatitwasutterlyimpossibletogivehimanyothername。Whenandhowheenteredthedepartment，andwhoappointedhim，noonecouldremember。Howevermuchthedirectorsandchiefsofallkindswerechanged，hewasalwaystobeseeninthesameplace，thesameattitude，thesameoccupation；sothatitwasafterwardsaffirmedthathehadbeenborninundressuniformwithabaldhead。Norespectwasshownhiminthedepartment。Theporternotonlydidnotrisefromhisseatwhenhepassed，butneverevenglancedathim，anymorethanifaflyhadflownthroughthereception-room。Hissuperiorstreatedhimincoollydespoticfashion。Somesub-chiefwouldthrustapaperunderhisnosewithoutsomuchassaying，“Copy，“or“Here”saniceinterestingaffair，“oranythingelseagreeable，asiscustomaryamongstwell-bredofficials。Andhetookit，lookingonlyatthepaperandnotobservingwhohandedittohim，orwhetherhehadtherighttodoso；simplytookit，andsetaboutcopyingit。
Theyoungofficialslaughedatandmadefunofhim，sofarastheirofficialwitpermitted；toldinhispresencevariousstoriesconcoctedabouthim，andabouthislandlady，anoldwomanofseventy；declaredthatshebeathim；askedwhentheweddingwastobe；andstrewedbitsofpaperoverhishead，callingthemsnow。ButAkakiyAkakievitchanswerednotaword，anymorethaniftherehadbeennoonetherebesideshimself。Itevenhadnoeffectuponhiswork：amidalltheseannoyanceshenevermadeasinglemistakeinaletter。Butifthejokingbecamewhollyunbearable，aswhentheyjoggedhishandandpreventedhisattendingtohiswork，hewouldexclaim，“Leavemealone！Whydoyouinsultme？“Andtherewassomethingstrangeinthewordsandthevoiceinwhichtheywereuttered。Therewasinitsomethingwhichmovedtopity；somuchthatoneyoungman，anew-comer，who，takingpatternbytheothers，hadpermittedhimselftomakesportofAkakiy，suddenlystoppedshort，asthoughallabouthimhadundergoneatransformation，andpresenteditselfinadifferentaspect。Someunseenforcerepelledhimfromthecomradeswhoseacquaintancehehadmade，onthesuppositionthattheywerewell-bredandpolitemen。Longafterwards，inhisgayestmoments，thererecurredtohismindthelittleofficialwiththebaldforehead，withhisheart-rendingwords，“Leavemealone！Whydoyouinsultme？“Inthesemovingwords，otherwordsresounded”Iamthybrother。”Andtheyoungmancoveredhisfacewithhishand；andmanyatimeafterwards，inthecourseofhislife，shudderedatseeinghowmuchinhumanitythereisinman，howmuchsavagecoarsenessisconcealedbeneathdelicate，refinedworldliness，andeven，OGod！inthatmanwhomtheworldacknowledgesashonourableandnoble。
Itwouldbedifficulttofindanothermanwholivedsoentirelyforhisduties。ItisnotenoughtosaythatAkakiylabouredwithzeal：
no，helabouredwithlove。Inhiscopying，hefoundavariedandagreeableemployment。Enjoymentwaswrittenonhisface：someletterswereevenfavouriteswithhim；andwhenheencounteredthese，hesmiled，winked，andworkedwithhislips，tillitseemedasthougheachlettermightbereadinhisface，ashispentracedit。Ifhispayhadbeeninproportiontohiszeal，hewould，perhaps，tohisgreatsurprise，havebeenmadeevenacouncillorofstate。Butheworked，ashiscompanions，thewits，putit，likeahorseinamill。
Moreover，itisimpossibletosaythatnoattentionwaspaidtohim。
Onedirectorbeingakindlyman，anddesirousofrewardinghimforhislongservice，orderedhimtobegivensomethingmoreimportantthanmerecopying。Sohewasorderedtomakeareportofanalreadyconcludedaffairtoanotherdepartment：thedutyconsistingsimplyinchangingtheheadingandalteringafewwordsfromthefirsttothethirdperson。Thiscausedhimsomuchtoilthathebrokeintoaperspiration，rubbedhisforehead，andfinallysaid，“No，givemerathersomethingtocopy。”Afterthattheylethimcopyonforever。
Outsidethiscopying，itappearedthatnothingexistedforhim。Hegavenothoughttohisclothes：hisundressuniformwasnotgreen，butasortofrusty-mealcolour。Thecollarwaslow，sothathisneck，inspiteofthefactthatitwasnotlong，seemedinordinatelysoasitemergedfromit，likethenecksofthoseplastercatswhichwagtheirheads，andarecarriedaboutupontheheadsofscoresofimagesellers。Andsomethingwasalwaysstickingtohisuniform，eitherabitofhayorsometrifle。Moreover，hehadapeculiarknack，ashewalkedalongthestreet，ofarrivingbeneathawindowjustasallsortsofrubbishwerebeingflungoutofit：hencehealwaysboreaboutonhishatscrapsofmelonrindsandothersucharticles。Neveronceinhislifedidhegiveheedtowhatwasgoingoneverydayinthestreet；whileitiswellknownthathisyoungbrotherofficialstraintherangeoftheirglancestilltheycanseewhenanyone”strouserstrapscomeundoneupontheoppositesidewalk，whichalwaysbringsamalicioussmiletotheirfaces。ButAkakiyAkakievitchsawinallthingstheclean，evenstrokesofhiswrittenlines；andonlywhenahorsethrusthisnose，fromsomeunknownquarter，overhisshoulder，andsentawholegustofwinddownhisneckfromhisnostrils，didheobservethathewasnotinthemiddleofapage，butinthemiddleofthestreet。
Onreachinghome，hesatdownatonceatthetable，suppedhiscabbagesoupupquickly，andswallowedabitofbeefwithonions，nevernoticingtheirtaste，andgulpingdowneverythingwithfliesandanythingelsewhichtheLordhappenedtosendatthemoment。Hisstomachfilled，herosefromthetable，andcopiedpaperswhichhehadbroughthome。Iftherehappenedtobenone，hetookcopiesforhimself，forhisowngratification，especiallyifthedocumentwasnoteworthy，notonaccountofitsstyle，butofitsbeingaddressedtosomedistinguishedperson。