Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/268

262 "Noble sir, noble sir, let us depart quickly! See the evil people yonder!" said Yankel, noticing that the heyduke was turning the money over in his hand, as though regretting that he had not demanded more.

"What do you mean, you devil of a heyduke?" said Bulba. "You've taken our money, and don't mean to show us the men? Yes, you must let us see them. Since you've taken the money, you have no right to refuse."

"Get out! Go to the devil! And if you don't, I'll give the alarm this very minute, and you'll—Take yourselves off, and be quick about it. That's all I have to say."

"Sir, noble sir, let us go! In God's name, let us go! Curse him! May he dream of such horrible things that he will have to spit in disgust!" cried poor Yankel.

Bulba turned slowly, with drooping head, and went back, followed by the reproaches of Yankel, who was devoured with grief at the thought of the wasted ducats.

"And why must you needs stir him up? Why didn't you let the dog go on cursing? That race can't help cursing. O, woe is me, what luck God does send to some folks! A hundred ducats merely for driving us off! And our brother—they'll tear off his earlocks, and they'll do