Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/118

112 sprinkled every one with holy water; all kissed the cross. When the horde started and moved out of the Syech all the Zaporozhtzi turned their heads for a last look: "Farewell, our mother!" they said, almost in one breath. "May God preserve thee from all misfortune!"

As he passed through the suburb, Taras Bulba saw that his Jew, Yankel, had already erected a sort of stall with an awning, and was selling flints, screw-drivers, powder, and all sorts of military stores needed on the road, even rolls and loaves of bread. "What devils those Jews are!" said Taras to himself; and riding up to him, he said: "Fool, why are you sitting here? do you want to be shot like a sparrow?"

Yankel, in reply, came as near to him as possible, and making signs with both hands, as though desirous of imparting some secret, said: "Let the noble lord but keep silence, and say nothing to any one. Among the kazák wagons is a cart of mine; I am carrying all sorts of needful stores for the kazáks, and on the journey I will furnish every sort of provision at a lower price than any Jew ever sold before. 'Tis so, God is my witness—God is my witness, 'tis so!"

Taras Bulba shrugged his shoulders in amazement at the Jewish nature, and rode on to the horde.