Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/52

46 did not show due respect for their superior officers, and stood with their caps on in the latter's presence; or when any one made light of the Orthodox Faith and did not observe the customs of his ancestors; and, finally, when the enemy were Mussulmans or Turks, against whom he considered it permissible, in every case, to unsheath the sword for the glory of Christianity.

Now he rejoiced in anticipation at the thought of how he would present himself with his two sons in the Syech, and say: "See what fine young fellows I have brought you!" how he would introduce them to all his old comrades, steeled in war; how he would watch their first exploits in the art of war, and in carousing, which was regarded as one of the chief qualities of a knight. At first he had intended to send them forth alone; but at the sight of their freshness, stature and robust personal beauty, his martial spirit flamed up within him, and he resolved to go with them himself, the very next day, although there was no necessity for this except his obstinate self-will. He began at once to bustle about and give orders; he selected horses and trappings for his young sons, inspected the stables and storehouses, and chose servants to