The Cossacks

the reeds rustled not far from Luke and he heard steps and saw the feathery tops of the reeds moving. He set his gun at

d a deep bass voice calmly; and moving the re

led you, by God I

u shot?' aske

er, suddenly dispelling the mysterious quiet of night around the Cossack

ut I've killed a beast,' said Lukashka, uncockin

the white back, now clearly visibl

m out! ... Look there. There! He's got blue trouser

d a serious and stern expression appeared on his face.

the beast, and crept out into the shallow and looked about. "No, you don't!" I said, as soon as he landed and looked round, "you won't get away!" Oh, there was something choking me! I got my gun ready but did not stir, and looked out. He waited a little and then swam out again; and when he came into the moonlight I could see his whole back. "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost"... and th

said the old man. 'He

n he shook hi

oud voices of Cossacks approaching along the bank on horsebac

ug it to the bank!' shou

kashka began to undress, keeping

s bringing the skiff,'

nly pretending! Take your dagger w

white arms, lifting his back high out of the water and breathing deeply, he swam across the current of the Terek towards the shallows. A crowd of Cossacks stood on the bank

he shouted in

t, and a Circassian coat, and a gun and dagger were tied to his back. Above all

ho had assembled in a circle, as the body, lifted out of

he is!' sa

are on the other bank. If this one had not been a scout he would n

hers; a regular brave!' said Lukashka mockingly, shivering

is dyed a

bag with a coat i

easier for him to

n. 'Keep the dagger for yourself and the coat too; but I'll give you three rubles for the gun.

this sort of begging vexed him bu

hrowing down the Chechen's coat. 'If at leas

firewood in,' said

getting his vexation and wishing to get some advant

ht, you

still examining the gun, 'and put a shelter over him from th

ot yet,' sa

rs him? Would that be well?

uld come to ransom him it won't

ou must stand a pail of vodka for

'See what luck God has sent you! Without ever having s

I'll let you have the trousers too,' said Lukashka

ruble and another gave the price o

a pail!' said Luke. 'I'll bri

s into kerchiefs for th

ks burst o

al. 'And take the body away. Why have

s the Cossacks let fall the legs, which dropped with a lifeless jerk, and stepping apart they then stood silent for a few moments. Nazarka came up and straightened the head, which was turned to one side so that the round wound above the te

users held by a girdle over the sunken stomach, was well shaped and handsome. The muscular arms lay stretched straight out by his sides; the blue, freshly shaven, round head with the clotted wound on one side of it was thrown back. The smooth tanned forehead contrasted sharply with the shaven part of the head. The o

s eyes brighter than usual, his broad jaws twitched, and from his he

e muttered, evidently

hands you would have had short

talking. Two of them went to cut brushwood for a shelter, others strolled

ds, talking incessantly and almost running through the

t go and find out if her husband is at ho

o,' said the devoted Nazarka.

ve one if not to-d

the two Cossacks drank, and