Allthecandidates，onhearingtheirnamesmentioned，quittedthecrowd，inordernottogiveanyoneachanceofsupposingthattheywerepersonallyassistingintheirelection。
“Kirdyanga，Kirdyanga！“echoedmorestronglythantherest。
“Borodaty！“
Theyproceededtodecidethematterbyashowofhands，andKirdyangawon。
“FetchKirdyanga！“theyshouted。HalfascoreofCossacksimmediatelyleftthecrowd——someofthemhardlyabletokeeptheirfeet，tosuchanextenthadtheydrunk——andwentdirectlytoKirdyangatoinformhimofhiselection。
Kirdyanga，averyoldbutwiseCossack，hadbeensittingforsometimeinhiskuren，asifheknewnothingofwhatwasgoingon。
“Whatisit，gentles？Whatdoyouwish？“heinquired。
“Come，theyhavechosenyouforKoschevoi。”
“Havemercy，gentles！“saidKirdyanga。“HowcanIbeworthyofsuchhonour？WhyshouldIbemadeKoschevoi？Ihavenotsufficientcapacitytofillsuchapost。Couldnobetterpersonbefoundinallthearmy？“
“Come，Isay！“shoutedtheZaporozhtzi。Twoofthemseizedhimbythearms；andinspiteofhisplantinghisfeetfirmlytheyfinallydraggedhimtothesquare，accompanyinghisprogresswithshouts，blowsfrombehindwiththeirfists，kicks，andexhortations。“Don”tholdback，yousonofSatan！Acceptthehonour，youdog，whenitisgiven！“InthismannerKirdyangawasconductedintotheringofCossacks。
“Hownow，gentles？“announcedthosewhohadbroughthim，“areyouagreedthatthisCossackshallbeyourKoschevoi？“
“Weareallagreed！“shoutedthethrong，andthewholeplaintrembledforalongtimeafterwardsfromtheshout。
OneofthechiefstookthestaffandbroughtittothenewlyelectedKoschevoi。Kirdyanga，inaccordancewithcustom，immediatelyrefusedit。Thechiefoffereditasecondtime；Kirdyangaagainrefusedit，andthen，atthethirdoffer，acceptedthestaff。Acryofapprobationrangoutfromthecrowd，andagainthewholeplainresoundedafarwiththeCossacks”shout。Thentheresteppedoutfromamongthepeoplethefouroldestofthemall，white-bearded，white-hairedCossacks；thoughtherewerenoveryoldmenintheSetch，fornoneoftheZaporozhtzieverdiedintheirbeds。Takingeachahandfulofearth，whichrecentrainhadconvertedintomud，theylaiditonKirdyanga”shead。Thewetearthtrickleddownfromhisheadontohismoustacheandcheeksandsmearedhiswholeface。ButKirdyangastoodimmovableinhisplace，andthankedtheCossacksforthehonourshownhim。
Thusendedthenoisyelection，concerningwhichwecannotsaywhetheritwasaspleasingtotheothersasitwastoBulba；bymeansofithehadrevengedhimselfontheformerKoschevoi。Moreover，Kirdyangawasanoldcomrade，andhadbeenwithhimonthesameexpeditionsbyseaandland，sharingthetoilsandhardshipsofwar。Thecrowdimmediatelydispersedtocelebratetheelection，andsuchrevelryensuedasOstapandAndriihadnotyetbeheld。Thetavernswereattackedandmead，corn-brandy，andbeerseizedwithoutpayment，theownersbeingonlytoogladtoescapewithwholeskinsthemselves。Thewholenightpassedamidshouts，songs，andrejoicings；andtherisingmoongazedlongattroopsofmusicianstraversingthestreetswithguitars，flutes，tambourines，andthechurchchoir，whowerekeptintheSetchtosinginchurchandglorifythedeedsoftheZaporozhtzi。
Atlengthdrunkennessandfatiguebegantooverpowereventhesestrongheads，andhereandthereaCossackcouldbeseentofalltotheground，embracingacomradeinfraternalfashion；whilstmaudlin，andevenweeping，thelatterrolledupontheearthwithhim。Hereawholegroupwouldliedowninaheap；thereamanwouldchoosethemostcomfortablepositionandstretchhimselfoutonalogofwood。Thelast，andstrongest，stillutteredsomeincoherentspeeches；finallyeventhey，yieldingtothepowerofintoxication，flungthemselvesdownandalltheSetchslept。
CHAPTERIV
ButnextdayTarasBulbahadaconferencewiththenewKoschevoiastothemethodofexcitingtheCossackstosomeenterprise。TheKoschevoi，ashrewdandsensibleCossack，whoknewtheZaporozhtzithoroughly，saidatfirst，“Oathscannotbeviolatedbyanymeans“；butafterapauseadded，“Nomatter，itcanbedone。Wewillnotviolatethem，butletusdevisesomething。Letthepeopleassemble，notatmysummons，butoftheirownaccord。Youknowhowtomanagethat；andIwillhastentothesquarewiththechiefs，asthoughweknownothingaboutit。”
Notanhourhadelapsedaftertheirconversation，whenthedrumsagainthundered。ThedrunkenandsenselessCossacksassembled。AmyriadCossackcapsweresprinkledoverthesquare。Amurmurarose，“Why？
What？Whywastheassemblybeaten？“Nooneanswered。Atlength，inonequarterandanother，itbegantoberumouredabout，“Behold，theCossackstrengthisbeingvainlywasted：thereisnowar！Behold，ourleadershavebecomeasmarmots，everyone；theireyesswiminfat！
Plainly，thereisnojusticeintheworld！“TheotherCossackslistenedatfirst，andthenbeganthemselvestosay，“Intruth，thereisnojusticeintheworld！“Theirleadersseemedsurprisedattheseutterances。FinallytheKoschevoisteppedforward：“Permitme，Cossacks，toaddressyou。”
“Doso！“
“Touchingthematterinquestion，gentles，noneknowbetterthanyourselvesthatmanyZaporozhtzihaverunindebttotheJewale-housekeepersandtotheirbrethren，sothatnowtheyhavenotanatomofcredit。Again，touchingthematterinquestion，therearemanyyoungfellowswhohavenoideaofwhatwarislike，althoughyouknow，gentles，thatwithoutwarayoungmancannotexist。HowmakeaZaporozhetzoutofhimifhehasneverkilledaMussulman？“
“Hespeakswell，“thoughtBulba。
“Thinknot，however，gentles，thatIspeakthusinordertobreakthetruce；Godforbid！Imerelymentionit。Besides，itisashametoseewhatsortofchurchwehaveforourGod。NotonlyhasthechurchremainedwithoutexteriordecorationduringalltheyearswhichbyGod”smercytheSetchhasstood，butuptothisdayeventheholypictureshavenoadornments。Noonehaseventhoughtofmakingthemasilverframe；theyhaveonlyreceivedwhatsomeCossackshaveleftthemintheirwills；andthesegiftswerepoor，sincetheyhaddrunkupnearlyalltheyhadduringtheirlifetime。Iammakingyouthisspeech，therefore，notinordertostirupawaragainsttheMussulmans；wehavepromisedtheSultanpeace，anditwouldbeagreatsininustobreakthispromise，forwesworeitonourlaw。”
“Whatishemixingthingsuplikethatfor？“saidBulbatohimself。
“Soyousee，gentles，thatwarcannotbebegun；honourdoesnotpermitit。Butaccordingtomypooropinion，wemight，Ithink，sendoutafewyoungmeninboatsandletthemplunderthecoastsofAnatoliaalittle。Whatdoyouthink，gentles？“
“Leadus，leadusall！“shoutedthecrowdonallsides。“Wearereadytolaydownourlivesforourfaith。”
TheKoschevoiwasalarmed。HebynomeanswishedtostirupallZaporozhe；abreachofthetruceappearedtohimonthisoccasionunsuitable。“Permitme，gentles，toaddressyoufurther。”
“Enough！“yelledtheCossacks；“youcansaynothingbetter。”
“Ifitmustbeso，thenletitbeso。Iamtheslaveofyourwill。Weknow，andfromScripturetoo，thatthevoiceofthepeopleisthevoiceofGod。Itisimpossibletodeviseanythingbetterthanthewholenationhasdevised。Buthereliesthedifficulty；youknow，gentles，thattheSultanwillnotpermitthatwhichdelightsouryoungmentogounpunished。Weshouldbepreparedatsuchatime，andourforcesshouldbefresh，andthenweshouldfearnoone。ButduringtheirabsencetheTatarsmayassemblefreshforces；thedogsdonotshowthemselvesinsightanddarenotcomewhilethemasterisathome，buttheycanbitehisheelsfrombehind，andbitepainfullytoo。
AndifImusttellyouthetruth，wehavenotboatsenough，norpowderreadyinsufficientquantity，foralltogo。ButIamready，ifyouplease；Iamtheslaveofyourwill。”
Thecunninghetmanwassilent。Thevariousgroupsbegantodiscussthematter，andthehetmansofthekurenstotakecounseltogether；fewweredrunkfortunately，sotheydecidedtolistentoreason。
AnumberofmensetoutatoncefortheoppositeshoreoftheDnieper，tothetreasuryofthearmy，whereinstrictestsecrecy，underwaterandamongthereeds，layconcealedthearmychestandaportionofthearmscapturedfromtheenemy。Othershastenedtoinspecttheboatsandpreparethemforservice。Inatwinklingthewholeshorewasthrongedwithmen。Carpentersappearedwithaxesintheirhands。Old，weatherbeaten，broad-shouldered，strong-leggedZaporozhtzi，withblackorsilveredmoustaches，rolleduptheirtrousers，wadeduptotheirkneesinwater，anddraggedtheboatsontotheshorewithstoutropes；othersbroughtseasonedtimberandallsortsofwood。Theboatswerefreshlyplanked，turnedbottomupwards，caulkedandtarred，andthenboundtogethersidebysideafterCossackfashion，withlongstrandsofreeds，sothattheswellofthewavesmightnotsinkthem。
Faralongtheshoretheybuiltfiresandheatedtarincoppercauldronstosmeartheboats。Theoldandtheexperiencedinstructedtheyoung。Theblowsandshoutsoftheworkersroseallovertheneighbourhood；thebankshookandmovedabout。
Aboutthistimealargeferry-boatbegantoneartheshore。Themassofpeoplestandinginitbegantowavetheirhandsfromadistance。
TheywereCossacksintorn，raggedgaberdines。Theirdisorderedgarments，formanyhadonnothingbuttheirshirts，withashortpipeintheirmouths，showedthattheyhadeitherescapedfromsomedisasterorhadcarousedtosuchanextentthattheyhaddrunkupalltheyhadontheirbodies。Ashort，broad-shoulderedCossackofaboutfiftysteppedoutfromthemidstofthemandstoodinfront。Heshoutedandwavedhishandmorevigorouslythananyoftheothers；buthiswordscouldnotbeheardforthecriesandhammeringoftheworkmen。
“Whencecomeyou！“askedtheKoschevoi，astheboattouchedtheshore。
Alltheworkerspausedintheirlabours，and，raisingtheiraxesandchisels，lookedonexpectantly。
“Fromamisfortune！“shoutedtheshortCossack。
“Fromwhat？“
“Permitme，nobleZaporozhtzi，toaddressyou。”
“Speak！“
“Orwouldyouprefertoassembleacouncil？“
“Speak，weareallhere。”
Thepeopleallpressedtogetherinonemass。
“Haveyouthenheardnothingofwhathasbeengoingoninthehetman”sdominions？“
“Whatisit？“inquiredoneofthekurenhetmans。
“Eh！what！EvidentlytheTatarshaveplasteredupyourearssothatyoumighthearnothing。”
“Tellusthen；whathasbeengoingonthere？“
“Thatisgoingonthelikeofwhichnomanbornorchristenedeveryethasseen。”
“Telluswhatitis，yousonofadog！“shoutedoneofthecrowd，apparentlylosingpatience。
“Thingshavecometosuchapassthatourholychurchesarenolongerours。”
“Hownotours？“
“TheyarepledgedtotheJews。IftheJewisnotfirstpaid，therecanbenomass。”
“Whatareyousaying？“
“AndifthedogofaJewdoesnotmakeasignwithhisuncleanhandovertheholyEaster-bread，itcannotbeconsecrated。”
“Helies，brothergentles。ItcannotbethatanuncleanJewputshismarkupontheholyEaster-bread。”
“Listen！Ihavenotyettoldall。CatholicpriestsaregoingaboutallovertheUkraineincarts。Theharmliesnotinthecarts，butinthefactthatnothorses，butorthodoxChristians[1]，areharnessedtothem。Listen！Ihavenotyettoldall。TheysaythattheJewessesaremakingthemselvespetticoatsoutofourpopes”vestments。SucharethedeedsthataretakingplaceintheUkraine，gentles！AndyousithererevellinginZaporozhe；andevidentlytheTatarshavesoscaredyouthatyouhavenoeyes，noears，noanything，andknownothingthatisgoingonintheworld。”
[1]ThatisoftheGreekChurch。ThePoleswereCatholics。
“Stop，stop！“brokeintheKoschevoi，whouptothatmomenthadstoodwithhiseyesfixedupontheearthlikeallZaporozhtzi，who，onimportantoccasions，neveryieldedtotheirfirstimpulse，butkeptsilence，andmeanwhileconcentratedinwardlyallthepoweroftheirindignation。“Stop！Ialsohaveawordtosay。Butwhatwereyouabout？Whenyourfatherthedevilwasragingthus，whatwereyoudoingyourselves？Hadyounoswords？Howcameyoutopermitsuchlawlessness？“
“Eh！howdidwecometopermitsuchlawlessness？YouwouldhavetriedwhentherewerefiftythousandoftheLyakhs[2]alone；yes，anditisashamenottobeconcealed，whentherearealsodogsamonguswhohavealreadyacceptedtheirfaith。”
[2]Lyakhs，anopprobriousnameforthePoles。
“Butyourhetmanandyourleaders，whathavetheydone？“
“Godpreserveanyonefromsuchdeedsasourleadersperformed！“
“Howso？“
“Ourhetman，roastedinabrazenox，nowliesinWarsaw；andtheheadsandhandsofourleadersarebeingcarriedtoallthefairsasaspectacleforthepeople。Thatiswhatourleadersdid。”
Thewholethrongbecamewildlyexcited。Atfirstsilencereignedallalongtheshore，likethatwhichprecedesatempest；andthensuddenlyvoiceswereraisedandalltheshorespoke：——
“What！TheJewsholdtheChristianchurchesinpledge！RomanCatholicpriestshaveharnessedandbeatenorthodoxChristians！What！suchtorturehasbeenpermittedonRussiansoilbythecursedunbelievers！
Andtheyhavedonesuchthingstotheleadersandthehetman？Nay，thisshallnotbe，itshallnotbe。”Suchwordscamefromallquarters。TheZaporozhtziweremoved，andknewtheirpower。Itwasnottheexcitementofagiddy-mindedfolk。Allwhowerethusagitatedwerestrong，firmcharacters，noteasilyaroused，but，oncearoused，preservingtheirinwardheatlongandobstinately。“HangalltheJews！“rangthroughthecrowd。“TheyshallnotmakepetticoatsfortheirJewessesoutofpopes”vestments！Theyshallnotplacetheirsignsupontheholywafers！DrownalltheheathensintheDnieper！“
Thesewordsutteredbysomeoneinthethrongflashedlikelightningthroughallminds，andthecrowdflungthemselvesuponthesuburbwiththeintentionofcuttingthethroatsofalltheJews。
ThepoorsonsofIsrael，losingallpresenceofmind，andnotbeinginanycasecourageous，hidthemselvesinemptybrandy-casks，inovens，andevencrawledundertheskirtsoftheirJewesses；buttheCossacksfoundthemwherevertheywere。
“Graciousnobles！“shriekedoneJew，tallandthinasastick，thrustinghissorryvisage，distortedwithterror，fromamongagroupofhiscomrades，“graciousnobles！sufferustosayaword，onlyoneword。Wewillrevealtoyouwhatyouneveryethaveheard，athingmoreimportantthanIcansay——veryimportant！“
“Well，sayit，“saidBulba，whoalwayslikedtohearwhatanaccusedmanhadtosay。
“Graciousnobles，“exclaimedtheJew，“suchnobleswereneverseen，byheavens，never！Suchgood，kind，andbravementhereneverwereintheworldbefore！“Hisvoicediedawayandquiveredwithfear。“HowwasitpossiblethatweshouldthinkanyeviloftheZaporozhtzi？Thosemenarenotofusatall，thosewhohavetakenpledgesintheUkraine。Byheavens，theyarenotofus！TheyarenotJewsatall。Theevilonealoneknowswhattheyare；theyareonlyfittobespituponandcastaside。Behold，mybrethren，saythesame！Isitnottrue，Schloma？isitnottrue，Schmul？“
“Byheavens，itistrue！“repliedSchlomaandSchmul，fromamongthecrowd，bothpaleasclay，intheirraggedcaps。
“Weneveryet，“continuedthetallJew，“havehadanysecretintercoursewithyourenemies，andwewillhavenothingtodowithCatholics；maytheeviloneflyawaywiththem！WearelikeownbrotherstotheZaporozhtzi。”
“What！theZaporozhtziarebrotherstoyou！“exclaimedsomeoneinthecrowd。“Don”twait！thecursedJews！IntotheDnieperwiththem，gentles！Drownalltheunbelievers！“
Thesewordswerethesignal。TheyseizedtheJewsbythearmsandbegantohurlthemintothewaves。Pitifulcriesresoundedonallsides；butthesternZaporozhtzionlylaughedwhentheysawtheJewishlegs，casedinshoesandstockings，strugglingintheair。Thepoororatorwhohadcalleddowndestructionuponhimselfjumpedoutofthecaftan，bywhichtheyhadseizedhim，andinhisscantparti-colouredunderwaistcoatclaspedBulba”slegs，andcried，inpiteoustones，“Greatlord！graciousnoble！Iknewyourbrother，thelateDoroscha。
Hewasawarriorwhowasanornamenttoallknighthood。IgavehimeighthundredsequinswhenhewasobligedtoransomhimselffromtheTurks。”
“Youknewmybrother？“askedTaras。
“Byheavens，Iknewhim。Hewasamagnificentnobleman。”
“Andwhatisyourname？“
“Yankel。”
“Good，“saidTaras；andafterreflecting，heturnedtotheCossacksandspokeasfollows：“TherewillalwaysbeplentyoftimetohangtheJew，ifitprovesnecessary；butforto-daygivehimtome。”
Sosaying，Tarasledhimtohiswaggon，besidewhichstoodhisCossacks。“Crawlunderthewaggon；liedown，anddonotmove。Andyou，brothers，donotsurrenderthisJew。”
Sosaying，hereturnedtothesquare，forthewholecrowdhadlongsincecollectedthere。Allhadatonceabandonedtheshoreandthepreparationoftheboats；foraland-journeynowawaitedthem，andnotasea-voyage，andtheyneededhorsesandwaggons，notships。All，bothyoungandold，wantedtogoontheexpedition；anditwasdecided，ontheadviceofthechiefs，thehetmansofthekurens，andtheKoschevoi，andwiththeapprobationofthewholeZaporozhtzianarmy，tomarchstraighttoPoland，toavengetheinjuryanddisgracetotheirfaithandtoCossackrenown，toseizebootyfromthecities，toburnvillagesandgrain，andspreadtheirgloryfaroverthesteppe。
Allatoncegirdedandarmedthemselves。TheKoschevoigrewawholefoottaller。Hewasnolongerthetimidexecutoroftherestlesswishesofafreepeople，buttheiruntrammelledmaster。Hewasadespot，whoknowonlytocommand。Alltheindependentandpleasure-lovingwarriorsstoodinanorderlyline，withrespectfullybowedheads，notventuringtoraisetheireyes，whentheKoschevoigavehisorders。Hegavethesequietly，withoutshoutingandwithouthaste，butwithpausesbetween，likeanexperiencedmandeeplylearnedinCossackaffairs，andcarryingintoexecution，notforthefirsttime，awiselymaturedenterprise。
“Examineyourselves，lookwelltoyourselves；examineallyourequipmentsthoroughly，“hesaid；“putyourteamsandyourtar-boxes[3]
inorder；testyourweapons。Takenotmanyclotheswithyou：ashirtandacoupleofpairsoftrouserstoeachCossack，andapotofoatmealandmilletapiece——letnoonetakeanymore。Therewillbeplentyofprovisions，allthatisneeded，inthewaggons。LeteveryCossackhavetwohorses。Andtwohundredyokeofoxenmustbetaken，forweshallrequirethematthefordsandmarshyplaces。Keeporder，gentles，aboveallthings。IknowthattherearesomeamongyouwhomGodhasmadesogreedythattheywouldliketotearupsilkandvelvetforfoot-cloths。Leaveoffsuchdevilishhabits；rejectallgarmentsasplunder，andtakeonlyweapons：thoughifvaluablesofferthemselves，ducatsorsilver，theyareusefulinanycase。Itellyouthisbeforehand，gentles，ifanyonegetsdrunkontheexpedition，hewillhaveashortshrift：Iwillhavehimdraggedbythenecklikeadogbehindthebaggagewaggons，nomatterwhohemaybe，evenwerehethemostheroicCossackinthewholearmy；heshallbeshotonthespotlikeadog，andflungout，withoutsepulture，tobetornbythebirdsofprey，foradrunkardonthemarchdeservesnoChristianburial。Youngmen，obeytheoldmeninallthings！Ifaballgrazesyou，oraswordcutsyourheadoranyotherpart，attachnoimportancetosuchtrifles。Mixachargeofpowderinacupofbrandy，quaffitheartily，andallwillpassoff——youwillnotevenhaveanyfever；andifthewoundislarge，putsimpleearthuponit，mixingitfirstwithspittleinyourpalm，andthatwilldryitup。Andnowtowork，towork，lads，andlookwelltoall，andwithouthaste。”
[3]TheCossackwaggonshavetheiraxlessmearedwithtarinsteadofgrease。
SospoketheKoschevoi；andnosoonerhadhefinishedhisspeechthanalltheCossacksatoncesettowork。AlltheSetchgrewsober。
Nowherewasasingledrunkenmantobefound，itwasasthoughthereneverhadbeensuchathingamongtheCossacks。Someattendedtothetyresofthewheels，otherschangedtheaxlesofthewaggons；somecarriedsacksofprovisionstothemorleadedthemwitharms；othersagaindroveupthehorsesandoxen。Onallsidesresoundedthetrampofhorses”hoofs，test-shotsfromtheguns，theclankofswords，thelowingofoxen，thescreechofrollingwaggons，talking，sharpcriesandurging-onofcattle。SoontheCossackforcespreadfaroveralltheplain；andhewhomighthaveundertakentorunfromitsvantoitsrearwouldhavehadalongcourse。Inthelittlewoodenchurchthepriestwasofferingupprayersandsprinklingallworshipperswithholywater。Allkissedthecross。WhenthecampbrokeupandthearmymovedoutoftheSetch，alltheZaporozhtziturnedtheirheadsback。
“Farewell，ourmother！“theysaidalmostinonebreath。“MayGodpreservetheefromallmisfortune！“
Ashepassedthroughthesuburb，TarasBulbasawthathisJew，Yankel，hadalreadyerectedasortofboothwithanawning，andwassellingflint，screwdrivers，powder，andallsortsofmilitarystoresneededontheroad，eventorollsandbread。“WhatdevilstheseJewsare！“
thoughtTaras；andridinguptohim，hesaid，“Fool，whyareyousittinghere？doyouwanttobeshotlikeacrow？“
Yankelinreplyapproachednearer，andmakingasignwithbothhands，asthoughwishingtoimpartsomesecret，said，“Letthenoblelordbutkeepsilenceandsaynothingtoanyone。AmongtheCossackwaggonsisawaggonofmine。IamcarryingallsortsofneedfulstoresfortheCossacks，andonthejourneyIwillfurnisheverysortofprovisionsatalowerpricethananyJeweversoldatbefore。”Tisso，byheavens！byheavens，”tisso！“
TarasBulbashruggedhisshouldersinamazementattheJewishnature，andwentontothecamp。
CHAPTERV
AllSouth-westPolandspeedilybecameapreytofear。Everywheretherumourflew，“TheZaporozhtzi！TheZaporozhtzihaveappeared！“Allwhocouldfleedidso。Allroseandscatteredafterthemannerofthatlawless，recklessage，whentheybuiltneitherfortressesnorcastles，buteachmanerectedatemporarydwellingofstrawwhereverhehappenedtofindhimself。Hethought，“Itisuselesstowastemoneyandlabouronanizba，whentherovingTatarswillcarryitoffinanycase。”Allwasinanuproar：oneexchangedhisploughandoxenforahorseandgun，andjoinedanarmedband；another，seekingconcealment，droveoffhiscattleandcarriedoffallthehouseholdstuffhecould。
Occasionally，ontheroad，somewereencounteredwhomettheirvisitorswitharmsintheirhands；butthemajorityfledbeforetheirarrival。AllknewthatitwashardtodealwiththeragingandwarlikethrongknownbythenameoftheZaporozhianarmy；abodywhich，underitsindependentanddisorderlyexterior，concealedanorganisationwellcalculatedfortimesofbattle。Thehorsemenrodesteadilyonwithoutoverburdeningorheatingtheirhorses；thefoot-soldiersmarchedonlybynight，restingduringtheday，andselectingforthispurposedeserttracts，uninhabitedspots，andforests，ofwhichtherewerethenplenty。Spiesandscoutsweresentaheadtostudythetime，place，andmethodofattack。Andlo！theZaporozhtzisuddenlyappearedinthoseplaceswheretheywereleastexpected：thenallwereputtothesword；thevillageswereburned；andthehorsesandcattlewhichwerenotdrivenoffbehindthearmykilleduponthespot。Theyseemedtobefiercelyrevelling，ratherthancarryingoutamilitaryexpedition。Ourhairwouldstandonendnowadaysatthehorribletraitsofthatfierce，half-civilisedage，whichtheZaporozhtzieverywhereexhibited：childrenkilled，women”sbreastscutopen，theskinflayedfromthelegsuptotheknees，andthevictimthensetatliberty。Inshort，theCossackspaidtheirformerdebtsincoinoffullweight。Theabbotofonemonastery，onhearingoftheirapproach，senttwomonkstosaythattheywerenotbehavingastheyshould；thattherewasanagreementbetweentheZaporozhtziandthegovernment；
thattheywerebreakingfaithwiththeking，andviolatingallinternationalrights。“TellyourbishopfrommeandfromalltheZaporozhtzi，“saidtheKoschevoi，“thathehasnothingtofear：theCossacks，sofar，haveonlylightedandsmokedtheirpipes。”Andthemagnificentabbeywassoonwrappedinthedevouringflames，itstallGothicwindowsshowinggrimlythroughthewavesoffireastheyparted。Thefleeingmassofmonks，women，andJewsthrongedintothosetownswhereanyhopelayinthegarrisonandthecivicforces。Theaidsentinseasonbythegovernment，butdelayedontheway，consistedofafewtroopswhicheitherwereunabletoenterthetownsor，seizedwithfright，turnedtheirbacksattheveryfirstencounterandfledontheirswifthorses。However，severaloftheroyalcommanders，whohadconqueredinformerbattles，resolvedtounitetheirforcesandconfronttheZaporozhtzi。
Andhere，aboveall，didouryoungCossacks，disgustedwithpillage，greed，andafeeblefoe，andburningwiththedesiretodistinguishthemselvesinpresenceoftheirchiefs，seektomeasurethemselvesinsinglecombatwiththewarlikeandboastfulLyakhs，prancingontheirspiritedhorses，withthesleevesoftheirjacketsthrownbackandstreaminginthewind。Thisgamewasinspiriting；theywonatitmanycostlysetsofhorse-trappingsandvaluableweapons。Inamonththescarcelyfledgedbirdsattainedtheirfullgrowth，werecompletelytransformed，andbecamemen；theirfeatures，inwhichhithertoatraceofyouthfulsoftnesshadbeenvisible，grewstrongandgrim。ButitwaspleasanttooldTarastoseehissonsamongtheforemost。ItseemedasthoughOstapweredesignedbynatureforthegameofwarandthedifficultscienceofcommand。Neveroncelosinghisheadorbecomingconfusedunderanycircumstances，hecould，withacoolaudacityalmostsupernaturalinayouthoftwo-and-twenty，inaninstantgaugethedangerandthewholescopeofthematter，couldatoncedeviseameansofescaping，butofescapingonlythathemightthemoresurelyconquer。Hismovementsnowbegantobemarkedbytheassurancewhichcomesfromexperience，andinthemcouldbedetectedthegermofthefutureleader。Hispersonstrengthened，andhisbearinggrewmajesticallyleonine。“Whatafineleaderhewillmakeoneofthesedays！“saidoldTaras。“Hewillmakeasplendidleader，farsurpassingevenhisfather！“
Andriigavehimselfupwhollytotheenchantingmusicofbladesandbullets。Heknewnotwhatitwastoconsider，orcalculate，ortomeasurehisownasagainsttheenemy”sstrength。Hegazedonbattlewithmaddelightandintoxication：hefoundsomethingfestalinthemomentswhenaman”sbrainburns，whenallthingswaveandflutterbeforehiseyes，whenheadsarestrickenoff，horsesfalltotheearthwithasoundofthunder，andheridesonlikeadrunkenman，amidthewhistlingofbulletsandtheflashingofswords，dealingblowstoall，andheedingnotthoseaimedathimself。MorethanoncetheirfathermarvelledtooatAndrii，seeinghim，stirredonlybyaflashofimpulse，dashatsomethingwhichasensiblemanincoldbloodneverwouldhaveattempted，and，bythesheerforceofhismadattack，accomplishsuchwondersascouldnotbutamazeevenmengrownoldinbattle。OldTarasadmiredandsaid，“Andhetoowillmakeagoodwarrioriftheenemydoesnotcapturehimmeanwhile。HeisnotOstap，butheisadashingwarrior，nevertheless。”
ThearmydecidedtomarchstraightonthecityofDubno，which，rumoursaid，containedmuchwealthandmanyrichinhabitants。Thejourneywasaccomplishedinadayandahalf，andtheZaporozhtziappearedbeforethecity。Theinhabitantsresolvedtodefendthemselvestotheutmostextentoftheirpower，andtofighttothelastextremity，preferringtodieintheirsquaresandstreets，andontheirthresholds，ratherthanadmittheenemytotheirhouses。Ahighrampartofearthsurroundedthecity；andinplaceswhereitwasloworweak，itwasstrengthenedbyawallofstone，orahousewhichservedasaredoubt，orevenanoakenstockade。Thegarrisonwasstrongandawareoftheimportanceoftheirposition。TheZaporozhtziattackedthewallfiercely，butweremetwithashowerofgrapeshot。Thecitizensandresidentsofthetownevidentlydidnotwishtoremainidle，butgatheredontheramparts；intheireyescouldbereaddesperateresistance。Thewomentooweredeterminedtotakepartinthefray，andupontheheadsoftheZaporozhiansraineddownstones，casksofboilingwater，andsacksoflimewhichblindedthem。TheZaporozhtziwerenotfondofhavinganythingtodowithfortifiedplaces：siegeswerenotintheirline。TheKoschevoiorderedthemtoretreat，saying，“Itisuseless，brothergentles；wewillretire：butmayIbeaheathenTatar，andnotaChristian，ifwedonotclearthemoutofthattown！maytheyallperishofhunger，thedogs！“Thearmyretreated，surroundedthetown，and，forlackofsomethingtodo，busiedthemselveswithdevastatingthesurroundingcountry，burningtheneighbouringvillagesandthericksofunthreshedgrain，andturningtheirdrovesofhorseslooseinthecornfields，asyetuntouchedbythereaping-hook，wheretheplumpearswaved，fruit，asluckwouldhaveit，ofanunusuallygoodharvestwhichshouldhaveliberallyrewardedalltillersofthesoilthatseason。
Withhorrorthoseinthecitybeheldtheirmeansofsubsistencedestroyed。MeanwhiletheZaporozhtzi，havingformedadoubleringoftheirwaggonsaroundthecity，disposedthemselvesasintheSetchinkurens，smokedtheirpipes，barteredtheirbootyforweapons，playedatleapfrogandodd-and-even，andgazedatthecitywithdeadlycold-bloodedness。Atnighttheylightedtheircampfires，andthecooksboiledtheporridgeforeachkureninhugecoppercauldrons；
whilstanalertsentinelwatchedallnightbesidetheblazingfire。
ButtheZaporozhtzisoonbegantotireofinactivityandprolongedsobriety，unaccompaniedbyanyfighting。TheKoschevoievenorderedtheallowanceofwinetobedoubled，whichwassometimesdoneinthearmywhennodifficultenterprisesormovementswereonhand。Theyoungmen，andTarasBulba”ssonsinparticular，didnotlikethislife。Andriiwasvisiblybored。“Yousillyfellow！“saidTarastohim，“bepatient，youwillbehetmanoneday。Heisnotagoodwarriorwholosesheartinanimportantenterprise；buthewhoisnottiredevenofinactivity，whoenduresall，andwhoevenifhelikesathingcangiveitup。”Buthotyouthcannotagreewithage；thetwohavedifferentnatures，andlookatthesamethingwithdifferenteyes。
ButinthemeantimeTaras”sband，ledbyTovkatch，arrived；withhimwerealsotwoosauls，thesecretary，andotherregimentalofficers：
theCossacksnumberedoverfourthousandinall。Therewereamongthemmanyvolunteers，whohadrisenoftheirownfreewill，withoutanysummons，assoonastheyhadheardwhatthematterwas。TheosaulsbroughttoTaras”ssonstheblessingoftheiragedmother，andtoeachapictureinacypress-woodframefromtheMezhigorskimonasteryatKief。Thetwobrothershungthepicturesroundtheirnecks，andinvoluntarilygrewpensiveastheyrememberedtheiroldmother。Whatdidthisblessingprophecy？Wasitablessingfortheirvictoryovertheenemy，andthenajoyousreturntotheirhomewithbootyandglory，tobeeverlastinglycommemoratedinthesongsofguitar-players？orwasit……？Butthefutureisunknown，andstandsbeforeamanlikeautumnalfogsrisingfromtheswamps；birdsflyfoolishlyupanddowninitwithflappingwings，neverrecognisingeachother，thedoveseeingnotthevulture，northevulturethedove，andnooneknowinghowfarhemaybeflyingfromdestruction。
Ostaphadlongsinceattendedtohisdutiesandgonetothekuren。
Andrii，withoutknowingwhy，feltakindofoppressionathisheart。
TheCossackshadfinishedtheireveningmeal；thewonderfulJulynighthadcompletelyfallen；stillhedidnotgotothekuren，norliedowntosleep，butgazedunconsciouslyatthewholescenebeforehim。Intheskyinnumerablestarstwinkledbrightly。Theplainwascoveredfarandwidewithscatteredwaggonswithswingingtar-buckets，smearedwithtar，andloadedwitheverydescriptionofgoodsandprovisionscapturedfromthefoe。Besidethewaggons，underthewaggons，andfarbeyondthewaggons，Zaporozhtziwereeverywherevisible，stretcheduponthegrass。Theyallslumberedinpicturesqueattitudes；onehadthrustasackunderhishead，anotherhiscap，andanothersimplymadeuseofhiscomrade”sside。Swords，guns，matchlocks，shortpipe-stemswithcoppermountings，ironawls，andaflintandsteelwereinseparablefromeveryCossack。Theheavyoxenlaywiththeirfeetdoubledunderthemlikehugewhitishmasses，andatadistancelookedlikegraystonesscatteredontheslopesoftheplain。Onallsidestheheavysnoresofsleepingwarriorsbegantoarisefromthegrass，andwereansweredfromtheplainbytheringingneighsoftheirsteeds，chafingattheirhobbledfeet。MeanwhileacertainthreateningmagnificencehadmingledwiththebeautyoftheJulynight。Itwasthedistantglareoftheburningdistrictafar。Inoneplacetheflamesspreadquietlyandgrandlyoverthesky；inanother，suddenlyburstingintoawhirlwind，theyhissedandflewupwardstotheverystars，andfloatingfragmentsdiedawayinthemostdistantquarteroftheheavens。Heretheblack，burnedmonasterylikeagrimCarthusianmonkstoodthreatening，anddisplayingitsdarkmagnificenceateveryflash；thereblazedthemonasterygarden。Itseemedasthoughthetreescouldbeheardhissingastheystoodwrappedinsmoke；andwhenthefireburstforth，itsuddenlylighteduptheripeplumswithaphosphoriclilac-colouredgleam，orturnedtheyellowingpearshereandtheretopuregold。Inthemidstofthemhungblackagainstthewallofthebuilding，orthetrunkofatree，thebodyofsomepoorJewormonkwhohadperishedintheflameswiththestructure。Abovethedistantfireshoveredaflockofbirds，likeaclusteroftinyblackcrossesuponafieryfield。Thetownthuslaidbareseemedtosleep；thespiresandroofs，anditspalisadeandwalls，gleamedquietlyintheglareofthedistantconflagrations。AndriiwenttheroundsoftheCossackranks。Thecamp-fires，besidewhichthesentinelssat，werereadytogooutatanymoment；andeventhesentinelsslept，havingdevouredoatmealanddumplingswithtrueCossackappetites。Hewasastonishedatsuchcarelessness，thinking，“Itiswellthatthereisnostrongenemyathandandnothingtofear。”Finallyhewenttooneofthewaggons，climbedintoit，andlaydownuponhisback，puttinghisclaspedhandsunderhishead；buthecouldnotsleep，andgazedlongatthesky。Itwasallopenbeforehim；theairwaspureandtransparent；thedenseclustersofstarsintheMilkyWay，crossingtheskylikeabelt，werefloodedwithlight。
FromtimetotimeAndriiinsomedegreelostconsciousness，andalightmistofdreamveiledtheheavensfromhimforamoment；butthenheawoke，andtheybecamevisibleagain。
Duringoneoftheseintervalsitseemedtohimthatsomestrangehumanfigureflittedbeforehim。Thinkingittobemerelyavisionwhichwouldvanishatonce，heopenedhiseyes，andbeheldawithered，emaciatedfacebendingoverhim，andgazingstraightintohisown。
Longcoal-blackhair，unkempt，dishevelled，fellfrombeneathadarkveilwhichhadbeenthrownoverthehead；whilstthestrangegleamoftheeyes，andthedeath-liketoneofthesharp-cutfeatures，inclinedhimtothinkthatitwasanapparition。Hishandinvoluntarilygraspedhisgun；andheexclaimedalmostconvulsively：“Whoareyou？Ifyouareanevilspirit，avaunt！Ifyouarealivingbeing，youhavechosenanilltimeforyourjest。Iwillkillyouwithoneshot。”
Inanswertothis，theapparitionlaiditsfingeruponitslipsandseemedtoentreatsilence。Hedroppedhishandsandbegantolookmoreattentively。Herecognisedittobeawomanfromthelonghair，thebrownneck，andthehalf-concealedbosom。Butshewasnotanativeofthoseregions：herwidecheek-bonesstoodoutprominentlyoverherhollowcheeks；hersmalleyeswereobliquelyset。Themorehegazedatherfeatures，themorehefoundthemfamiliar。Finallyhecouldrestrainhimselfnolonger，andsaid，“Tellme，whoareyou？ItseemstomethatIknowyou，orhaveseenyousomewhere。”
“TwoyearsagoinKief。”
“TwoyearsagoinKief！“repeatedAndrii，endeavouringtocollectinhismindallthatlingeredinhismemoryofhisformerstudentlife。
Helookedintentlyatheroncemore，andsuddenlyexclaimedatthetopofhisvoice，“YouaretheTatar！theservantofthelady，theWaiwode”sdaughter！“
“Sh！“criedtheTatar，claspingherhandswithasupplicatingglance，tremblingallover，andturningherheadroundinordertoseewhetheranyonehadbeenawakenedbyAndrii”sloudexclamation。
“Tellme，tellme，whyareyouhere？“saidAndriialmostbreathlessly，inawhisper，interruptedeverymomentbyinwardemotion。“Whereisthelady？isshealive？“
“Sheisnowinthecity。”
“Inthecity！“heexclaimed，againalmostinashriek，andfeelingallthebloodsuddenlyrushtohisheart。“Whyissheinthecity？“
“Becausetheoldlordhimselfisinthecity：hehasbeenWaiwodeofDubnoforthelastyearandahalf。”
“Isshemarried？Howstrangeyouare！Tellmeabouther。”
“Shehaseatennothingfortwodays。”
“What！“
“Andnotoneoftheinhabitantshashadamorselofbreadforalongwhile；allhavelongbeeneatingearth。”
Andriiwasastounded。
“Theladysawyoufromthecitywall，amongtheZaporozhtzi。Shesaidtome，”Gotellthewarrior：ifheremembersme，lethimcometome；
anddonotforgettomakehimgiveyouabitofbreadformyagedmother，forIdonotwishtoseemymotherdiebeforemyveryeyes。
BetterthatIshoulddiefirst，andsheafterwards！Beseechhim；clasphisknees，hisfeet：healsohasanagedmother，lethimgiveyouthebreadforhersake！”“
ManyfeelingsawokeintheyoungCossack”sbreast。
“Buthowcameyouhere？howdidyougethere？“
“Byanundergroundpassage。”
“Isthereanundergroundpassage？“
“Yes。”
“Where？“
“Youwillnotbetrayit，warrior？“
“Iswearitbytheholycross！“
“Youdescendintoahole，andcrossthebrook，yonderamongthereeds。”
“Anditleadsintothecity？“
“Straightintothemonastery。”
“Letusgo，letusgoatonce。”
“Abitofbread，inthenameofChristandofHisholymother！“
“Good，sobeit。Standherebesidethewaggon，or，betterstill，liedowninit：noonewillseeyou，allareasleep。Iwillreturnatonce。”
Andhesetoffforthebaggagewaggons，whichcontainedtheprovisionsbelongingtotheirkuren。Hisheartbeat。Allthepast，allthathadbeenextinguishedbytheCossackbivouacks，andbythesternbattleoflife，flamedoutatonceonthesurfaceanddrownedthepresentinitsturn。Again，asfromthedarkdepthsofthesea，thenobleladyrosebeforehim：againtheregleamedinhismemoryherbeautifularms，hereyes，herlaughingmouth，herthickdark-chestnuthair，fallingincurlsuponhershoulders，andthefirm，well-roundedlimbsofhermaidenform。No，theyhadnotbeenextinguishedinhisbreast，theyhadnotvanished，theyhadsimplybeenlaidaside，inorder，foratime，tomakewayforotherstrongemotions；butoften，veryoften，theyoungCossack”sdeepslumberhadbeentroubledbythem，andoftenhehadlainsleeplessonhiscouch，withoutbeingabletoexplainthecause。
Hisheartbeatmoreviolentlyatthethoughtofseeingheragain，andhisyoungkneesshook。Onreachingthebaggagewaggons，hehadquiteforgottenwhathehadcomefor；heraisedhishandtohisbrowandrubbeditlong，tryingtorecollectwhathewastodo。Atlengthheshuddered，andwasfilledwithterrorasthethoughtsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatshewasdyingofhunger。Hejumpeduponthewaggonandseizedseverallargeloavesofblackbread；butthenhethought，“Isthisnotfood，suitedtoarobustandeasilysatisfiedZaporozhetz，toocoarseandunfitforherdelicateframe？“ThenherecollectedthattheKoschevoi，onthepreviousevening，hadreprovedthecooksforhavingcookedupalltheoatmealintoporridgeatonce，whentherewasplentyforthreetimes。Surethathewouldfindplentyofporridgeinthekettles，hedrewouthisfather”stravellingkettleandwentwithittothecookoftheirkuren，whowassleepingbesidetwobigcauldrons，holdingabouttenpailfuls，underwhichtheashesstillglowed。Glancingintothem，hewasamazedtofindthemempty。Itmusthaverequiredsupernaturalpowerstoeatitall；themoreso，astheirkurennumberedfewerthantheothers。Helookedintothecauldronoftheotherkurens——nothinganywhere。Involuntarilythesayingrecurredtohismind，“TheZaporozhtziarelikechildren：ifthereislittletheyeatit，ifthereismuchtheyleavenothing。”Whatwastobedone？Therewas，somewhereinthewaggonbelongingtohisfather”sband，asackofwhitebread，whichtheyhadfoundwhentheypillagedthebakeryofthemonastery。Hewentstraighttohisfather”swaggon，butitwasnotthere。Ostaphadtakenitandputitunderhishead；
andtherehelay，stretchedoutontheground，snoringsothatthewholeplainrangagain。Andriiseizedthesackabruptlywithonehandandgaveitajerk，sothatOstap”sheadfelltotheground。Theelderbrothersprangupinhissleep，and，sittingtherewithclosedeyes，shoutedatthetopofhislungs，“Stopthem！StopthecursedLyakhs！
Catchthehorses！catchthehorses！“”Silence！I”llkillyou，“
shoutedAndriiinterror，flourishingthesackoverhim。ButOstapdidnotcontinuehisspeech，sankdownagain，andgavesuchasnorethatthegrassonwhichhelaywavedwithhisbreath。
AndriiglancedtimidlyonallsidestoseeifOstap”stalkinginhissleephadwakedanyoftheCossacks。Onlyonelong-lockedheadwasraisedintheadjoiningkuren，andafterglancingabout，wasdroppedbackontheground。Afterwaitingacoupleofminuteshesetoutwithhisload。TheTatarwomanwaslyingwherehehadlefther，scarcelybreathing。“Come，riseup。Fearnot，allaresleeping。CanyoutakeoneoftheseloavesifIcannotcarryall？“Sosaying，heswungthesackontohisback，pulledoutanothersackofmilletashepassedthewaggon，tookinhishandstheloaveshehadwantedtogivetheTatarwomantocarry，and，bendingsomewhatundertheload，wentboldlythroughtheranksofsleepingZaporozhtzi。
“Andrii，“saidoldBulba，ashepassed。Hisheartdiedwithinhim。Hehalted，trembling，andsaidsoftly，“Whatisit？“
“There”sawomanwithyou。WhenIgetupI”llgiveyouasoundthrashing。Womenwillleadyoutonogood。”Sosaying，heleanedhishanduponhishandandgazedintentlyatthemuffledformoftheTatar。
Andriistoodthere，moredeadthanalive，notdaringtolookinhisfather”sface。Whenhedidraisehiseyesandglanceathim，oldBulbawasasleep，withhisheadstillrestinginthepalmofhishand。
Andriicrossedhimself。Fearfledfromhisheartevenmorerapidlythanithadassailedit。WhenheturnedtolookattheTatarwoman，shestoodbeforehim，muffledinhermantle，likeadarkgranitestatue，andthegleamofthedistantdawnlighteduponlyhereyes，dullasthoseofacorpse。Hepluckedherbythesleeve，andbothwentontogether，glancingbackcontinually。Atlengththeydescendedtheslopeofasmallravine，almostahole，alongthebottomofwhichabrookflowedlazily，overgrownwithsedge，andstrewedwithmossyboulders。Descendingintothisravine，theywerecompletelyconcealedfromtheviewofalltheplainoccupiedbytheZaporoviancamp。AtleastAndrii，glancingback，sawthatthesteepsloperosebehindhimhigherthanaman。Onitssummitappearedafewbladesofsteppe-grass；andbehindthem，inthesky，hungthemoon，likeagoldensickle。Thebreezerisingonthesteppewarnedthemthatthedawnwasnotfaroff。Butnowherewasthecrowofthecockheard。
Neitherinthecitynorinthedevastatedneighbourhoodhadtherebeenacockforalongtimepast。Theycrossedthebrookonasmallplank，beyondwhichrosetheoppositebank，whichappearedhigherthantheonebehindthemandrosesteeply。Itseemedasthoughthiswerethestrongpointofthecitadeluponwhichthebesiegedcouldrely；atallevents，theearthenwallwaslowerthere，andnogarrisonappearedbehindit。Butfartheronrosethethickmonasterywalls。Thesteepbankwasovergrownwithsteppe-grass，andinthenarrowravinebetweenitandthebrookgrewtallreedsalmostashighasaman。Atthesummitofthebankweretheremainsofawattledfence，whichhadformerlysurroundedsomegarden，andinfrontofitwerevisiblethewideleavesoftheburdock，fromamongwhichroseblackthorn，andsunflowersliftingtheirheadshighabovealltherest。HeretheTatarflungoffherslippersandwentbarefoot，gatheringherclothesupcarefully，forthespotwasmarshyandfullofwater。Forcingtheirwayamongthereeds，theystoppedbeforearuinedoutwork。Skirtingthisoutwork，theyfoundasortofearthenarch——anopeningnotmuchlargerthantheopeningofanoven。TheTatarwomanbentherheadandwentfirst。Andriifollowed，bendinglowashecould，inordertopasswithhissacks；andbothsoonfoundthemselvesintotaldarkness。
CHAPTERVI
Andriicouldhardlymoveinthedarkandnarrowearthenburrow，ashefollowedtheTatar，draggingafterhimhissacksofbread。“Itwillsoonbelight，“saidhisguide：“weareapproachingthespotwhereI
placedalight。”Andinfactthedarkearthenwallsbegantobegraduallylitup。Theyreachedawideninginthepassagewhere，itseemed，therehadoncebeenachapel；atleast，therewasasmalltableagainstthewall，likeanaltar，andabove，thefaded，almostentirelyobliteratedpictureofaCatholicMadonna。Asmallsilverlamphangingbeforeitbarelyilluminedit。TheTatarstoopedandpickedupfromthegroundacoppercandlestickwhichshehadleftthere，acandlestickwithatall，slenderstem，andsnuffers，pin，andextinguisherhangingaboutitonchains。Shelighteditatthesilverlamp。Thelightgrewstronger；andastheywenton，nowilluminedbyit，andagainenvelopedinpitchyshadow，theysuggestedapicturebyGerardDow。
Thewarrior”sfresh，handsomecountenance，overflowingwithhealthandyouth，presentedastrongcontrasttothepale，emaciatedfaceofhiscompanion。Thepassagegrewalittlehigher，sothatAndriicouldholdhimselferect。Hegazedwithcuriosityattheearthenwalls。Hereandthere，asinthecatacombsatKief，werenichesinthewalls；andinsomeplacescoffinswerestanding。Sometimestheycameacrosshumanboneswhichhadbecomesoftenedwiththedampnessandwerecrumblingintodust。Itwasevidentthatpiousfolkhadtakenrefugeherefromthestorms，sorrows，andseductionsoftheworld。Itwasextremelydampinsomeplaces；indeedtherewaswaterundertheirfeetatintervals。Andriiwasforcedtohaltfrequentlytoallowhiscompaniontorest，forherfatiguekeptincreasing。Thesmallpieceofbreadshehadswallowedonlycausedapaininherstomach，oflateunusedtofood；andsheoftenstoodmotionlessforminutestogetherinonespot。
Atlengthasmallirondoorappearedbeforethem。“GlorybetoGod，wehavearrived！“saidtheTatarinafaintvoice，andtriedtoliftherhandtoknock，buthadnostrengthtodoso。Andriiknockedhardatthedoorinherstead。Therewasanechoasthoughalargespacelaybeyondthedoor；thentheechochangedasifresoundingthroughloftyarches。Inacoupleofminutes，keysrattled，andstepswerehearddescendingsomestairs。Atlengththedooropened，andamonk，standingonthenarrowstairswiththekeyandalightinhishands，admittedthem。AndriiinvoluntarilyhaltedatthesightofaCatholicmonk——oneofthosewhohadarousedsuchhateanddisdainamongtheCossacksthattheytreatedthemevenmoreinhumanlythantheytreatedtheJews。
Themonk，onhispart，startedbackonperceivingaZaporovianCossack，butawhisperfromtheTatarreassuredhim。Helightedthemin，fastenedthedoorbehindthem，andledthemupthestairs。Theyfoundthemselvesbeneaththedarkandloftyarchesofthemonasterychurch。Beforeoneofthealtars，adornedwithtallcandlesticksandcandles，kneltapriestprayingquietly。Nearhimoneachsideknelttwoyoungchoristersinlilaccassocksandwhitelacestoles，withcensersintheirhands。Heprayedfortheperformanceofamiracle，thatthecitymightbesaved；thattheirsoulsmightbestrengthened；
thatpatiencemightbegiventhem；thatdoubtandtimid，weak-spiritedmourningoverearthlymisfortunesmightbebanished。Afewwomen，resemblingshadows，kneltsupportingthemselvesagainstthebacksofthechairsanddarkwoodenbenchesbeforethem，andlayingtheirexhaustedheadsuponthem。Afewmenstoodsadly，leaningagainstthecolumnsuponwhichthewidearchesrested。Thestained-glasswindowabovethealtarsuddenlyglowedwiththerosylightofdawn；andfromit，onthefloor，fellcirclesofblue，yellow，andothercolours，illuminatingthedimchurch。Thewholealtarwaslightedup；thesmokefromthecensershungacloudyrainbowintheair。Andriigazedfromhisdarkcorner，notwithoutsurprise，atthewondersworkedbythelight。Atthatmomentthemagnificentswelloftheorganfilledthewholechurch。Itgrewdeeperanddeeper，expanded，swelledintoheavyburstsofthunder；andthenallatonce，turningintoheavenlymusic，itsringingtonesfloatedhighamongthearches，likeclearmaidenvoices，andagaindescendedintoadeeproarandthunder，andthenceased。Thethunderouspulsationsechoedlongandtremulouslyamongthearches；andAndrii，withhalf-openmouth，admiredthewondrousmusic。
Thenhefeltsomeonepluckingtheshirtofhiscaftan。“Itistime，“
saidtheTatar。Theytraversedthechurchunperceived，andemergeduponthesquareinfront。Dawnhadlongflushedtheheavens；allannouncedsunrise。Thesquarewasempty：inthemiddleofitstillstoodwoodenpillars，showingthat，perhapsonlyaweekbefore，therehadbeenamarketherestockedwithprovisions。Thestreets，whichwereunpaved，weresimplyamassofdriedmud。Thesquarewassurroundedbysmall，one-storiedstoneormudhouses，inthewallsofwhichwerevisiblewoodenstakesandpostsobliquelycrossedbycarvedwoodenbeams，aswasthemannerofbuildinginthosedays。SpecimensofitcanstillbeseeninsomepartsofLithuaniaandPoland。Theywereallcoveredwithenormouslyhighroofs，withamultitudeofwindowsandair-holes。Ononeside，closetothechurch，roseabuildingquitedetachedfromandtallerthantherest，probablythetown-hallorsomeofficialstructure。Itwastwostorieshigh，andaboveit，ontwoarches，roseabelvederewhereawatchmanstood；ahugeclock-facewasletintotheroof。
Thesquareseemeddeserted，butAndriithoughtheheardafeeblegroan。Lookingabouthim，heperceived，onthefartherside，agroupoftwoorthreemenlyingmotionlessupontheground。Hefixedhiseyesmoreintentlyonthem，toseewhethertheywereasleepordead；
and，atthesamemoment，stumbledoversomethinglyingathisfeet。Itwasthedeadbodyofawoman，aJewessapparently。Sheappearedtobeyoung，thoughitwasscarcelydiscernibleinherdistortedandemaciatedfeatures。Uponherheadwasaredsilkkerchief；tworowsofpearlsorpearlbeadsadornedthebeadsofherhead-dress，frombeneathwhichtwolongcurlshungdownuponhershrivelledneck，withitstightlydrawnveins。Besideherlayachild，graspingconvulsivelyathershrunkenbreast，andsqueezingitwithinvoluntaryferocityatfindingnomilkthere。Heneitherweptnorscreamed，andonlyhisgentlyrisingandfallingbodywouldhaveledonetoguessthathewasnotdead，oratleastonthepointofbreathinghislast。Theyturnedintoastreet，andweresuddenlystoppedbyamadman，who，catchingsightofAndrii”spreciousburden，spranguponhimlikeatiger，andclutchedhim，yelling，“Bread！“Buthisstrengthwasnotequaltohismadness。Andriirepulsedhimandhefelltotheground。Movedwithpity，theyoungCossackflunghimaloaf，whichheseizedlikeamaddog，gnawingandbitingit；butneverthelessheshortlyexpiredinhorriblesuffering，thereinthestreet，fromtheeffectoflongabstinence。Theghastlyvictimsofhungerstartledthemateverystep。
Many，apparentlyunabletoenduretheirtormentsintheirhouses，seemedtorunintothestreetstoseewhethersomenourishingpowermightnotpossiblydescendfromtheair。Atthegateofonehousesatanoldwoman，anditwasimpossibletosaywhethershewasasleepordead，oronlyunconscious；atallevents，shenolongersaworheardanything，andsatimmovableinonespot，herheaddroopingonherbreast。Fromtheroofofanotherhousehungawornandwastedbodyinaropenoose。Thepoorfellowcouldnotendurethetorturesofhungertothelast，andhadpreferredtohastenhisendbyavoluntarydeath。
Atthesightofsuchterribleproofsoffamine，AndriicouldnotrefrainfromsayingtotheTatar，“Istherereallynothingwithwhichtheycanprolonglife？Ifamanisdriventoextremities，hemustfeedonwhathehashithertodespised；hecansustainhimselfwithcreatureswhichareforbiddenbythelaw。Anythingcanbeeatenundersuchcircumstances。”
“Theyhaveeateneverything，“saidtheTatar，“alltheanimals。Notahorse，noradog，norevenamouseistobefoundinthewholecity。
Weneverhadanystoreofprovisionsinthetown：theywereallbroughtfromthevillages。”
“Buthowcanyou，whiledyingsuchafearfuldeath，stilldreamofdefendingthecity？“
“PossiblytheWaiwodemighthavesurrendered；butyesterdaymorningthecommanderofthetroopsatBuzhanasentahawkintothecitywithanotesayingthatitwasnottobegivenup；thathewascomingtoitsrescuewithhisforces，andwasonlywaitingforanotherleader，thattheymightmarchtogether。Andnowtheyareexpectedeverymoment。Butwehavereachedthehouse。”
Andriihadalreadynoticedfromadistancethishouse，unliketheothers，andbuiltapparentlybysomeItalianarchitect。Itwasconstructedofthinredbricks，andhadtwostories。Thewindowsofthelowerstorywereshelteredunderlofty，projectinggranitecornices。Theupperstoryconsistedentirelyofsmallarches，formingagallery；betweenthearcheswereirongratingsenrichedwithescutcheons；whilstuponthegablesofthehousemorecoats-of-armsweredisplayed。Thebroadexternalstaircase，oftintedbricks，abuttedonthesquare。Atthefootofitsatguards，whowithonehandheldtheirhalberdsupright，andwiththeothersupportedtheirdroopingheads，andinthisattitudemoreresembledapparitionsthanlivingbeings。Theyneithersleptnordreamed，butseemedquiteinsensibletoeverything；theyevenpaidnoattentiontowhowentupthestairs。Attheheadofthestairs，theyfoundarichly-dressedwarrior，armedcap-a-pie，andholdingabreviaryinhishand。Heturnedhisdimeyesuponthem；buttheTatarspokeawordtohim，andhedroppedthemagainupontheopenpagesofhisbreviary。Theyenteredthefirstchamber，alargeone，servingeitherasareception-room，orsimplyasanante-room；itwasfilledwithsoldiers，servants，secretaries，huntsmen，cup-bearers，andtheotherservitorsindispensabletothesupportofaPolishmagnate”sestate，allseatedalongthewalls。Thereekofextinguishedcandleswasperceptible；andtwowerestillburningintwohugecandlesticks，nearlyastallasaman，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，althoughmorninghadlongsincepeepedthroughthewidegratedwindow。Andriiwantedtogostraightontothelargeoakendooradornedwithacoat-of-armsandaprofusionofcarvedornaments，buttheTatarpulledhissleeveandpointedtoasmalldoorinthesidewall。Throughthistheygainedacorridor，andthenaroom，whichhebegantoexamineattentively。Thelightwhichfilteredthroughacrackintheshutterfelluponseveralobjects——acrimsoncurtain，agildedcornice，andapaintingonthewall。HeretheTatarmotionedtoAndriitowait，andopenedthedoorintoanotherroomfromwhichflashedthelightofafire。Heheardawhispering，andasoftvoicewhichmadehimquiverallover。Throughtheopendoorhesawflitrapidlypastatallfemalefigure，withalongthickbraidofhairfallingoverherupliftedhands。TheTatarreturnedandtoldhimtogoin。
Hecouldneverunderstandhowheenteredandhowthedoorwasshutbehindhim。Twocandlesburnedintheroomandalampglowedbeforetheimages：beneaththelampstoodatalltablewithstepstokneeluponduringprayer，aftertheCatholicfashion。Buthiseyedidnotseekthis。Heturnedtotheothersideandperceivedawoman，whoappearedtohavebeenfrozenorturnedtostoneinthemidstofsomequickmovement。Itseemedasthoughherwholebodyhadsoughttospringtowardshim，andhadsuddenlypaused。Andhestoodinlikemanneramazedbeforeher。Notthushadhepicturedtohimselfthatheshouldfindher。Thiswasnotthesamebeinghehadformerlyknown；
nothingaboutherresembledherformerself；butshewastwiceasbeautiful，twiceasenchanting，nowthanshehadbeenthen。Thentherehadbeensomethingunfinished，incomplete，abouther；nowherewasaproductiontowhichtheartisthadgiventhefinishingstrokeofhisbrush。Thatwasacharming，giddygirl；thiswasawomaninthefulldevelopmentofhercharms。Assheraisedhereyes，theywerefulloffeeling，notofmerehintsoffeeling。Thetearswerenotyetdryinthem，andframedtheminashiningdewwhichpenetratedtheverysoul。
Herbosom，neck，andarmsweremouldedintheproportionswhichmarkfullydevelopedloveliness。Herhair，whichhadinformerdayswavedinlightringletsaboutherface，hadbecomeaheavy，luxuriantmass，apartofwhichwascaughtup，whilepartfellinlong，slendercurlsuponherarmsandbreast。Itseemedasthoughhereveryfeaturehadchanged。Invaindidheseektodiscoverinthemasingleoneofthosewhichwereengravedinhismemory——asingleone。Evenhergreatpallordidnotlessenherwonderfulbeauty；onthecontrary，itconferreduponitanirresistible，inexpressiblecharm。Andriifeltinhisheartanobletimidity，andstoodmotionlessbeforeher。She，too，seemedsurprisedattheappearanceoftheCossack，ashestoodbeforeherinallthebeautyandmightofhisyoungmanhood，andintheveryimmovabilityofhislimbspersonifiedtheutmostfreedomofmovement。
Hiseyesbeamedwithcleardecision；hisvelvetbrowscurvedinaboldarch；hissunburntcheeksglowedwithalltheardourofyouthfulfire；
andhisdownyblackmoustacheshonelikesilk。
“No，Ihavenopowertothankyou，noblesir，“shesaid，hersilveryvoiceallinatremble。“Godalonecanrewardyou，notI，aweakwoman。”Shedroppedhereyes，herlidsfellovertheminbeautiful，snowysemicircles，guardedbylasheslongasarrows；herwondrousfacebowedforward，andadelicateflushoverspreaditfromwithin。Andriiknewnotwhattosay；hewantedtosayeverything。Hehadinhismindtosayitallardentlyasitglowedinhisheart——andcouldnot。Hefeltsomethingconfininghismouth；voiceandwordswerelacking；hefeltthatitwasnotforhim，bredintheseminaryandinthetumultofaroaminglife，toreplyfitlytosuchlanguage，andwasangrywithhisCossacknature。
AtthatmomenttheTatarenteredtheroom。Shehadcutupthebreadwhichthewarriorhadbroughtintosmallpiecesonagoldenplate，whichsheplacedbeforehermistress。Theladyglancedather，atthebread，atheragain，andthenturnedhereyestowardsAndrii。Therewasagreatdealinthoseeyes。Thatgentleglance，expressiveofherweaknessandherinabilitytogivewordstothefeelingwhichoverpoweredher，wasfarmorecomprehensibletoAndriithananywords。
Hisheartsuddenlygrewlightwithinhim，allseemedmadesmooth。Thementalemotionsandthefeelingswhichuptothatmomenthehadrestrainedwithaheavycurb，asitwere，nowfeltthemselvesreleased，atliberty，andanxioustopourthemselvesoutinaresistlesstorrentofwords。SuddenlytheladyturnedtotheTatar，andsaidanxiously，“Butmymother？youtookhersome？“
“Sheisasleep。”
“Andmyfather？“
“Icarriedhimsome；hesaidthathewouldcometothanktheyounglordinperson。”
Shetookthebreadandraisedittohermouth。WithinexpressibledelightAndriiwatchedherbreakitwithhershiningfingersandeatit；butallatonceherecalledthemanmadwithhunger，whohadexpiredbeforehiseyesonswallowingamorselofbread。Heturnedpaleand，seizingherhand，cried，“Enough！eatnomore！youhavenoteatenforsolongthattoomuchbreadwillbepoisontoyounow。”Andsheatoncedroppedherhand，laidherbreadupontheplate，andgazedintohiseyeslikeasubmissivechild。Andifanywordscouldexpress——Butneitherchisel，norbrush，normightyspeechiscapableofexpressingwhatissometimesseeninglancesofmaidens，northetenderfeelingwhichtakespossessionofhimwhoreceivessuchmaidenglances。
“Myqueen！“exclaimedAndrii，hisheartandsoulfilledwithemotion，“whatdoyouneed？whatdoyouwish？commandme！Imposeonmethemostimpossibletaskinalltheworld：Iflytofulfilit！Tellmetodothatwhichitisbeyondthepowerofmantodo：IwillfulfilitifI
destroymyself。Iwillruinmyself。AndIswearbytheholycrossthatruinforyoursakeisassweet——butno，itisimpossibletosayhowsweet！Ihavethreefarms；halfmyfather”sdrovesofhorsesaremine；
allthatmymotherbroughtmyfather，andwhichshestillconcealsfromhim——allthisismine！NotoneoftheCossacksownssuchweaponsasI；forthepommelofmyswordalonetheywouldgivetheirbestdroveofhorsesandthreethousandsheep。AndIrenounceallthis，I
discardit，Ithrowitaside，Iwillburnanddrownit，ifyouwillbutsaytheword，orevenmoveyourdelicateblackbrows！ButIknowthatIamtalkingmadlyandwideofthemark；thatallthisisnotfittinghere；thatitisnotforme，whohavepassedmylifeintheseminaryandamongtheZaporozhtzi，tospeakastheyspeakwherekings，princes，andallthebestofnobleknighthoodhavebeen。Icanseethatyouareadifferentbeingfromtherestofus，andfaraboveallotherboyars”wivesandmaidendaughters。”
Withgrowingamazementthemaidenlistened，losingnosingleword，tothefrank，sincerelanguageinwhich，asinamirror，theyoung，strongspiritreflecteditself。Eachsimplewordofthisspeech，utteredinavoicewhichpenetratedstraighttothedepthsofherheart，wasclothedinpower。Sheadvancedherbeautifulface，pushedbackhertroublesomehair，openedhermouth，andgazedlong，withpartedlips。Thenshetriedtosaysomethingandsuddenlystopped，rememberingthatthewarriorwasknownbyadifferentname；thathisfather，brothers，country，laybeyond，grimavengers；thattheZaporozhtzibesiegingthecitywereterrible，andthatthecrueldeathawaitedallwhowerewithinitswalls，andhereyessuddenlyfilledwithtears。Sheseizedasilkembroideredhandkerchiefandthrewitoverherface。Inamomentitwasallwet；andshesatforsometimewithherbeautifulheadthrownback，andhersnowyteethsetonherlovelyunder-lip，asthoughshesuddenlyfeltthestingofapoisonousserpent，withoutremovingthehandkerchieffromherface，lestheshouldseehershakenwithgrief。
“Speakbutonewordtome，“saidAndrii，andhetookhersatin-skinnedhand。Asparklingfirecoursedthroughhisveinsatthetouch，andhepressedthehandlyingmotionlessinhis。
Butshestillkeptsilence，nevertakingthekerchieffromherface，andremainingmotionless。
“Whyareyousosad？Tellme，whyareyousosad？“
Shecastawaythehandkerchief，pushedasidethelonghairwhichfelloverhereyes，andpouredoutherheartinsadspeech，inaquietvoice，likethebreezewhich，risingonabeautifulevening，blowsthroughthethickgrowthofreedsbesidethestream。Theyrustle，murmur，andgiveforthdelicatelymournfulsounds，andthetraveller，pausingininexplicablesadness，hearsthem，andheedsnotthefadinglight，northegaysongsofthepeasantswhichfloatintheairastheyreturnfromtheirlaboursinmeadowandstubble-field，northedistantrumbleofthepassingwaggon。
“AmnotIworthyofeternalpity？Isnotthemotherthatboremeunhappy？Isitnotabitterlotwhichhasbefallenme？Artnotthouacruelexecutioner，fate？Thouhasbroughtalltomyfeet——thehighestnoblesintheland，therichestgentlemen，counts，foreignbarons，alltheflowerofourknighthood。Alllovedme，andanyoneofthemwouldhavecountedmylovethegreatestboon。Ihadbuttobeckon，andthebestofthem，thehandsomest，thefirstinbeautyandbirthwouldhavebecomemyhusband。Andtononeofthemdidstthouinclinemyheart，O
bitterfate；butthoudidstturnitagainstthenoblestheroesofourland，andtowardsastranger，towardsourenemy。OmostholymotherofGod！forwhatsindostthousopitilessly，mercilessly，persecuteme？
Inabundanceandsuperfluityofluxurymydayswerepassed，therichestdishesandthesweetestwineweremyfood。Andtowhatendwasitall？Whatwasitallfor？InorderthatImightatlastdieadeathmorecruelthanthatofthemeanestbeggarinthekingdom？AnditwasnotenoughthatIshouldbecondemnedtosohorribleafate；notenoughthatbeforemyownendIshouldbeholdmyfatherandmotherperishinintolerabletorment，whenIwouldhavewillinglygivenmyownlifetwentytimesovertosavethem；allthiswasnotenough，butbeforemyowndeathImusthearwordsoflovesuchasIhadneverbeforedreamedof。Itwasnecessarythatheshouldbreakmyheartwithhiswords；thatmybitterlotshouldberenderedstillmorebitter；
thatmyyounglifeshouldbemadeyetmoresad；thatmydeathshouldseemevenmoreterrible；andthat，dying，Ishouldreproachtheestillmore，Ocruelfate！andthee——forgivemysin——OholymotherofGod！“
Assheceasedindespair，herfeelingswereplainlyexpressedinherface。Everyfeaturespokeofgnawingsorrowand，fromthesadlybowedbrowanddowncasteyestothetearstricklingdownanddryingonhersoftlyburningcheeks，seemedtosay，“Thereisnohappinessinthisface。”
“Suchathingwasneverheardofsincetheworldbegan。Itcannotbe，“
saidAndrii，“thatthebestandmostbeautifulofwomenshouldsuffersobitterafate，whenshewasbornthatallthebestthereisintheworldshouldbowbeforeherasbeforeasaint。No，youwillnotdie，youshallnotdie！Iswearbymybirthandbyallthereisdeartomeintheworldthatyoushallnotdie。Butifitmustbeso；ifnothing，neitherstrength，norprayer，norheroism，willavailtoavertthiscruelfate——thenwewilldietogether，andIwilldiefirst。Iwilldiebeforeyou，atyourbeauteousknees，andevenindeaththeyshallnotdivideus。”
“Deceivenotyourselfandme，noblesir，“shesaid，gentlyshakingherbeautifulhead；“Iknow，andtomygreatsorrowIknowbuttoowell，thatitisimpossibleforyoutoloveme。Iknowwhatyourdutyis，andyourfaith。Yourfathercallsyou，yourcomrades，yourcountry，andweareyourenemies。”
“Andwhataremyfather，mycomrades，mycountrytome？“saidAndrii，withaquickmovementofhishead，andstraighteninguphisfigurelikeapoplarbesidetheriver。“Bethatasitmay，Ihavenoone，noone！“herepeated，withthatmovementofthehandwithwhichtheCossackexpresseshisdeterminationtodosomeunheard-ofdeed，impossibletoanyotherman。“WhosaysthattheUkraineismycountry？
Whogaveittomeformycountry？Ourcountryistheoneoursoullongsfor，theonewhichisdearestofalltous。Mycountryis——you！
Thatismynativeland，andIbearthatcountryinmyheart。Iwillbearitthereallmylife，andIwillseewhetheranyoftheCossackscantearitthence。AndIwillgiveeverything，bartereverything，I
willdestroymyself，forthatcountry！“
Astounded，shegazedinhiseyesforaspace，likeabeautifulstatue，andthensuddenlyburstoutsobbing；andwiththewonderfulfeminineimpetuositywhichonlygrand-souled，uncalculatingwomen，createdforfineimpulsesoftheheart，arecapableof，threwherselfuponhisneck，encirclingitwithherwondroussnowyarms，andwept。Atthatmomentindistinctshoutsrangthroughthestreet，accompaniedbythesoundoftrumpetsandkettledrums；butheheardthemnot。Hewasonlyconsciousofthebeauteousmouthbathinghimwithitswarm，sweetbreath，ofthetearsstreamingdownhisface，andofherlong，unboundperfumedhair，veilinghimcompletelyinitsdarkandshiningsilk。
AtthatmomenttheTatarraninwithacryofjoy。“Saved，saved！“shecried，besideherself。“Ourtroopshaveenteredthecity。Theyhavebroughtcorn，millet，flour，andZaporozhtziinchains！“Butnooneheardthat“ourtroops“hadarrivedinthecity，orwhattheyhadbroughtwiththem，orhowtheyhadboundtheZaporozhtzi。Filledwithfeelingsuntastedasyetuponearth，Andriikissedthesweetmouthwhichpressedhischeek，andthesweetmouthdidnotremainunresponsive。Inthisunionofkissestheyexperiencedthatwhichitisgiventoamantofeelbutonceonearth。
AndtheCossackwasruined。HewaslosttoCossackchivalry。NeveragainwillZaporozhe，norhisfather”shouse，northeChurchofGod，beholdhim。TheUkrainewillnevermoreseethebravestofthechildrenwhohaveundertakentodefendher。OldTarasmaytearthegreyhairfromhisscalp-lock，andcursethedayandhourinwhichsuchasonwasborntodishonourhim。
CHAPTERVII
NoiseandmovementwererifeintheZaporozhiancamp。Atfirst，noonecouldaccountfortherelievingarmyhavingmadeitswayintothecity；butitafterwardsappearedthatthePereyaslavskykuren，encampedbeforethewidegateofthetown，hadbeendeaddrunk。Itwasnowonderthathalfhadbeenkilled，andtheotherhalfbound，beforetheyknewwhatitwasallabout。Meantimetheneighbouringkurens，arousedbythetumult，succeededingraspingtheirweapons；buttherelievingforcehadalreadypassedthroughthegate，anditsrearranksfireduponthesleepyandonlyhalf-soberZaporozhtziwhowerepressingindisorderuponthem，andkeptthemback。
TheKoschevoiorderedageneralassembly；andwhenallstoodinaringandhadremovedtheircapsandbecamequiet，hesaid：“Seewhathappenedlastnight，brothergentles！Seewhatdrunkennesshasledto！
Seewhatshametheenemyhasputuponus！Itisevidentthat，ifyourallowancesarekindlydoubled，thenyouarereadytostretchoutatfulllength，andtheenemiesofChristcannotonlytakeyourverytrousersoffyou，butsneezeinyourfaceswithoutyourhearingthem！“
TheCossacksallstoodwithdroopingheads，knowingthattheywereguilty；onlyKukubenko，thehetmanoftheNezamiskykuren，answeredback。“Stop，father！“saidhe；“althoughitisnotlawfultomakearetortwhentheKoschevoispeaksbeforethewholearmy，yetitisnecessarytosaythatthatwasnotthestateofthecase。Youhavenotbeenquitejustinyourreprimand。TheCossackswouldhavebeenguilty，anddeservingofdeath，hadtheygotdrunkonthemarch，orwhenengagedonheavytoilsomelabourduringwar；butwehavebeensittinghereunoccupied，loiteringinvainbeforethecity。TherewasnofastorotherChristianrestraint；howthencoulditbeotherwisethanthatamanshouldgetdrunkinidleness？Thereisnosininthat。
Butwehadbettershowthemwhatitistoattackinnocentpeople。Theyfirstbeatuswell，andnowwewillbeatthemsothatnothalfadozenofthemwilleverseehomeagain。”
ThespeechofthehetmanofthekurenpleasedtheCossacks。Theyraisedtheirdroopingheadsuprightandmanynoddedapprovingly，muttering，“Kukubenkohasspokenwell！“AndTarasBulba，whostoodnotfarfromtheKoschevoi，said：“Hownow，Koschevoi？Kukubenkohasspokentruth。Whathaveyoutosaytothis？“
“WhathaveItosay？Isay，Blessedbethefatherofsuchason！Itdoesnotneedmuchwisdomtoutterwordsofreproof；butmuchwisdomisneededtofindsuchwordsasdonotembitteraman”smisfortune，butencouragehim，restoretohimhisspirit，putspurstothehorseofhissoul，refreshedbywater。Imeantmyselftospeakwordsofcomforttoyou，butKukubenkohasforestalledme。”
“TheKoschevoihasalsospokenwell！“rangthroughtheranksoftheZaporozhtzi。“Hiswordsaregood，“repeatedothers。Andeventhegreyheads，whostoodtherelikedarkbluedoves，noddedtheirheadsand，twitchingtheirgreymoustaches，mutteredsoftly，“Thatwaswellsaid。”
“Listennow，gentles，“continuedtheKoschevoi。“Totakethecity，byscalingitswalls，orunderminingthemastheforeignengineersdo，isnotproper，notCossackfashion。But，judgingfromappearances，theenemyenteredthecitywithoutmanyprovisions；theyhadnotmanywaggonswiththem。Thepeopleinthecityarehungry；theywillalleatheartily，andthehorseswillsoondevourthehay。Idon”tknowwhethertheirsaintswillflingthemdownanythingfromheavenwithhayforks；GodonlyknowsthatthoughthereareagreatmanyCatholicpriestsamongthem。Byonemeansoranotherthepeoplewillseektoleavethecity。Divideyourselves，therefore，intothreedivisions，andtakeupyourpostsbeforethethreegates；fivekurensbeforetheprincipalgate，andthreekurensbeforeeachoftheothers。LettheDadikivskyandKorsunskykurensgointoambushandTarasandhismenintoambushtoo。TheTitarevskyandTimoschevskykurensaretoguardthebaggagetrainontherightflank，theScherbinovskyandSteblikivskyontheleft，andtoselectfromtheirranksthemostdaringyoungmentofacethefoe。TheLyakhsareofarestlessnatureandcannotendureasiege，andperhapsthisverydaytheywillsallyforthfromthegates。Leteachhetmaninspecthiskuren；thosewhoseranksarenotfullaretoberecruitedfromtheremainsofthePereyaslavskykuren。Inspectthemallanew。GivealoafandabeakertoeachCossacktostrengthenhim。Butsurelyeveryonemustbesatiatedfromlastnight；forallstuffedthemselvessothat，totellthetruth，Iamonlysurprisedthatnooneburstinthenight。Andhereisonefurthercommand：ifanyJewspirit-sellersellsaCossacksomuchasasinglejugofbrandy，Iwillnailpig”searstohisveryforehead，thedog，andhanghimupbyhisfeet。Towork，brothers，towork！“
ThusdidtheKoschevoigivehisorders。Allbowedtotheirgirdles，andwithoutputtingontheircapssetoutfortheirwaggonsandcamps。
Itwasonlywhentheyhadgonesomedistancethattheycoveredthemselves。Allbegantoequipthemselves：theytestedtheirswords，pouredpowderfromthesacksintotheirpowder-flasks，drewupandarrangedthewaggons，andlookedtotheirhorses。
Onhiswaytohisband，TaraswonderedwhathadbecomeofAndrii；
couldhehavebeencapturedandfoundwhileasleepwiththeothers？
Butno，Andriiwasnotthemantogoaliveintocaptivity。YethewasnottobeseenamongtheslaughteredCossacks。Taraspondereddeeplyandwentpasthismenwithouthearingthatsomeonehadforsometimebeencallinghimbyname。“Whowantsme？“hesaid，finallyarousinghimselffromhisreflections。BeforehimstoodtheJew，Yankel。“Lordcolonel！lordcolonel！“saidtheJewinahastyandbrokenvoice，asthoughdesirousofrevealingsomethingnotutterlyuseless，“Ihavebeeninthecity，lordcolonel！“
TaraslookedattheJew，andwonderedhowhehadsucceededingettingintothecity。“Whatenemytookyouthere？“
“Iwilltellyouatonce，“saidYankel。“AssoonasIheardtheuproarthismorning，whentheCossacksbegantofire，Iseizedmycaftanand，withoutstoppingtoputiton，ranatthetopofmyspeed，thrustingmyarmsinontheway，becauseIwantedtoknowassoonaspossiblethecauseofthenoiseandwhytheCossackswerefiringatdawn。Irantotheverygateofthecity，atthemomentwhenthelastofthearmywaspassingthrough。Ilooked，andincommandoftherearguardwasCornetGalyandovitch。Heisamanwellknowntome；hehasowedmeahundredducatsthesethreeyearspast。Iranafterhim，asthoughtoclaimthedebtofhim，andsoenteredthecitywiththem。”
“Youenteredthecity，andwantedhimtosettlethedebt！“saidBulba；
“andhedidnotorderyoutobehunglikeadogonthespot？“
“Byheavens，hedidwanttohangme，“repliedtheJew；“hisservantshadalreadyseizedmeandthrownaropeaboutmyneck。ButIbesoughtthenoblelord，andsaidthatIwouldwaitforthemoneyaslongashislordshipliked，andpromisedtolendhimmoreifhewouldonlyhelpmetocollectmydebtsfromtheothernobles；forIcantellmylordthatthenoblecornethadnotaducatinhispocket，althoughhehasfarmsandestatesandfourcastlesandsteppe-landthatextendscleartoSchklof；buthehasnotapenny，anymorethanaCossack。IftheBreslauJewshadnotequippedhim，hewouldneverhavegoneonthiscampaign。ThatwasthereasonhedidnotgototheDiet。”
“Whatdidyoudointhecity？Didyouseeanyofourpeople？“
“Certainly，therearemanyofthemthere：Itzok，Rachum，Samuel，Khaivalkh，Evreithepawnbroker”
“Maytheydie，thedogs！“shoutedTarasinarage。“WhydoyounameyourJewishtribetome？IaskyouaboutourZaporozhtzi。”
“IsawnoneofourZaporozhtzi；IsawonlyLordAndrii。”
“YousawAndrii！“shoutedBulba。“Whatishedoing？Wheredidyouseehim？Inadungeon？inapit？dishonoured？bound？“
“WhowoulddaretobindLordAndrii？nowheissograndaknight。I
hardlyrecognisedhim。Goldonhisshouldersandhisbelt，goldeverywhereabouthim；asthesunshinesinspring，wheneverybirdtwittersandsingsintheorchard，soheshines，allgold。Andhishorse，whichtheWaiwodehimselfgavehim，istheverybest；thathorsealoneisworthtwohundredducats。”
