Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/196

190 against the holy things without that? What are we? I ask you all, what sort of a kazák would he be who should desert his comrade in misfortune, and let him perish like a dog in a foreign land? If it has come to such a pass that no one has any confidence in kazák honour, permitting himself to spit upon his grey moustache, and upbraid him with offensive words, then no one will blame me. I will remain here alone."

All the Zaporozhtzi then who stood there wavered.

"And have you forgotten, brave colonel," said the Koshevói, "that the Tatárs also have our comrades in their hands; that if we do not rescue them now, they will be sold into everlasting captivity among the infidels, which is worse than the most cruel death? Have you forgotten that they now hold all our treasure, won by Christian blood?"

All the kazáks pondered, and knew not what to say. None of them wished to merit disgraceful renown. Then there stepped out in front of them the oldest in years of all the Zaporozhian army, Kasyan Bovdyug. He was respected by all the kazáks. Twice had he been elected Koshevói, and he had also been a very brave kazák in the wars: but he had long been old, and had been upon no expeditions, neither did the old man like to give advice to any one ; but he loved to lie constantly on