Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/174

168 "Listen, noble lord, and I will tell the noble lord all," said the Jew. "As soon as I heard the uproar, and saw them going through the city gate, I caught up a string of pearls, in case of any emergency. For there are beauties and noblewomen there; 'and if there are beauties and noblewomen,' I said to myself, 'they will buy pearls, even if they have nothing to eat.' And, as soon as ever the Cornet's servants set me at liberty, I hastened to the Voevod's palace to sell my pearls. I asked all manner of questions of the Tatár serving-woman: the wedding is to take place as soon as they have driven off the Zaporozhtzi. Pan Andríi has promised to drive off the Zaporozhtzi."

"And you didn't slay him on the spot, you devil's brat?" shouted Bulba.

"Why should I kill him? He went over of his own free will. What's his crime? He liked it better there, so he went there."

"And you saw him face to face?"

"Face to face, as God is my witness! Such a magnificent warrior! more splendid than all the rest. God grant him health, he knew me at once; and when I approached him he said immediately…"

"What did he say?"

"He said—First he beckoned me with his finger, and then he said, 'Yankel!' and I, 'Pan