Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/227

Rh they had collected many sequins, much valuable Turkish property, kaftans and adornments of every description. But misfortune awaited them on their way back: the gallant fellows fell under the fire of the Turks. How they caught it from the ship! Half the boats were crushed, and overturned, drowning many a one; but the reeds bound to the sides saved the boats from sinking. Balaban rowed off at full speed, and stood straight in the face of the sun, thus rendering himself invisible to the Turkish ship. All the following night they spent in bailing out the water with scoops and their caps, and in repairing the damaged places. They cut sails from their full kazák trousers and, sailing off, escaped from the very swift Turkish vessel. And not only did they arrive unharmed in the Syech, but they brought a gold-embroidered vestment to the Archimandrite of the Mezhigorsky Monastery in Kiev; and for the church in honour of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, which is in Zaporozhe, an ikóna-frame of pure silver. And for a very long time afterwards did the bandura-players celebrate the daring of the kazáks. Now he bowed his head, feeling the pains which precede death, and said quietly: "It seems to me, sir brothers, that I am dying a fine death. Seven have I hewn in pieces, nine have I transfixed with my