The Cossacks

he Snatcher, about whom the old women had been talking, was standing on a watch-tower of the Nizhni-Prototsk post situated on the very banks of the Terek. Leaning on the rai

e. The moving mass of the Terek's rapid brown waters contrasted more vividly with its motionless banks. The waters were beginning to subside and here and there the wet sands gleamed drab on the banks and in the shallows. The other side of the river, just opposite the cordon, was deserted; only an immense waste of low-growing reeds stretched far away to the very foot of

with their horses unsaddled just as if they were at home, spent their time some in fishing, some in drinking, and some in hunting. Only the horse of the man on duty was saddled, and with its feet hobbled was moving about by the brambles near the wood, and only the sentinel had his Circassian coat on and carried a gun and sword. The corporal, a tall thin Cossack with an exceptionally long back and small hands and feet, was sitting on the earth-bank of a hut with his beshmet unbuttoned. On his face was the lazy, bored expression of a superior, and having shut his eyes he dropped his head upon the palm first of one

y carry arms, and that he felt he was a Cossack and fully knew his own value. His ample Circassian coat was torn in some places, his cap was on the back of his head Chechen fashion, and his leggings had slipped below his knees. His clothing was not rich, but he wore it with that peculiar Cossack foppishness which consists in imitating the Chechen brave. Everything on a real brave is ample, ragged, and neglected, only his weapons are costly. But these ragged clothes and these weapons are belte

he village,' said he in a sharp voice, languidly showing his

elow immediately lifted

be going

them with a gun?' sa

they be fr

uldn't

es round I'll go and visit Girey Khan and drink buza there,' said Lukashk

wagging its scantily furred tail, came running to the cordon. Lukashka recognized the dog as one belonging to his neig

egs were swathed, sandals made of undressed deer's hide tied on with strings; while on his head he had a rough little white cap. He carried over one shoulder a screen to hide behind when shooting pheasants, and a bag containing a hen for luring hawks, and a small falcon; over the other shoulder, attached

ke an echo far away in the wood; and throwing over his shoulder his

n the same strong and cheerful voice, quite without effort, but as lo

wered from all sides t

sac

cle Eroshka, wiping the sweat from his br

ncle. As soon as night comes he begins hovering round,'

aid the old man

st keep watch,' replie

ossacks beg

been the custom of the young Cossacks in the cordon to te

lying!' exclaimed Luka

za

immediatel

the old man to the great delight of all t

ry pleased at the chance of some distraction. 'It's abreks one has to hunt here and not boars! You've not hea

e have a drink, there's a good man. I'm really quite done up. When the time co

inquired the corporal, as though h

Maybe, with God's help, I shall kill something for the

'Just go to the upper water-course, there's a fine herd of boars there. I'm not inventing, really! The other day one of our Cossacks

cher is here!' said th

s he been

something crackling, but my gun was in its case. Elias fired suddenly ... But I'll show you the place, it's not far. You just wait a bit. I know every one of their footpaths ... Daddy Mosev,' sa

rka? Then go ... True enough your Lukashka has become very skilful,' he went on, addressing the old