Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/202

196 buried under the reeds on the islands of the Dnyeper in order that the Tatárs might not find them if, in case of disaster, they should succeed in making a sudden attack on the Syech; but it would have been difficult for a Tatár to find them, for the owner himself was already beginning to forget where he had buried them. Such were the kazáks who wished to remain and take vengeance on the Lyakhs for their trusty comrades and the Faith of Christ! The aged kazák Bovdyug also wished to remain with them, saying: "My years do not permit me to pursue the Tatárs, but this is the place where I may lie down in a good kazák death. Long have I prayed to God that when my life was to end, I might end it in a war for a holy and Christian cause. And so it has come to pass. There can be no more glorious end in any other place for the old kazák."

When they had all separated, and had ranged themselves in two lines on opposite sides, the Koshevói passed through the ranks, and said: "Well, brother nobles, are the two parties satisfied with each other?"

"Yes, all satisfied, batko!" replied the kazáks.

"Then kiss one another, and say good-bye; for God knows whether you will ever see each other again in this life. Obey your Atamán, and do