Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/180

174 "Well, perhaps the Lyakhs speak the truth: if that fat-bellied fellow yonder leads them, they'll all find a good shelter behind him."

"Why do you think they'll find a good shelter?" asked the kazáks, aware that Popovich was preparing to launch some cutting remark.

"Because the whole army can hide behind him; and two devils couldn't help you to reach anybody with your spear from behind that belly of his!"

All the kazáks burst out laughing, and many of them shook their heads, saying: "What a fellow that Popovich is, if any one wants to turn a phrase!—Only, now"—But the Kazáks did not explain what they meant by that now.

"Fall back, fall back quickly from the wall!" shouted the Koshevói; for it appeared that the Lyakhs could not endure these biting words, and the Colonel waved his hand.

The kazáks had barely retreated from the wall when grape-shot rained down.

On the ramparts all was excitement, and the grey-haired Voevod himself made his appearance on horseback. The gates swung open, and the army sallied forth. In front came the mounted hussars. Behind them, the men in armour, then all those with brazen helmets; after them rode singly the highest nobility, each man dressed as pleased him best. The haughty nobles would not