Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/284

278 dramshop; but an honourable kazák death, all in one bed, like bride and groom? Or, perhaps, you would like to go back home and turn infidels, and carry Polish Catholic priests on your backs?"

"We'll follow you, sir Colonel, we'll follow you!" shouted his whole regiment, and many others joined them.

"If you mean to follow me, then come on!" said Taras, pulling his cap further down on his brows; and throwing a menacing glance at the others, he walked to his horse, and shouted to his men: "Let no one reproach us with any insulting speeches! Now, hey there, my lads! we'll go and pay a visit to the Catholics!" Thereupon he lashed his horse, and there followed him a camp of a hundred carts, and with them many cavalry and foot-soldiers; and, turning, he threatened with his glance all who remained behind—and wrath was in his eye. The regiment marched off in full view of the whole army, and Taras continued long to turn and glower.

The Hetman and the colonels were disquieted; all grew thoughtful and remained long silent, as though oppressed by some heavy foreboding. Not in vain did Taras prophesy: all came to pass as he had foretold. A little while afterwards, after the treacherous attack at Kanev, the Hetman's head was mounted on a stake, together with