Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/93

Rh you say that there is no necessity for the Zaporozhtzi to set out on an expedition."

"Well, 'tis not fitting."

"Then it must be fitting that kazák strength should be wasted in vain, that a man should disappear like a dog without having done a single good deed, without having been of any use to his country or to Christianity! Then why do we live? What the devil do we live for? Just tell me that. You're a sensible man, you were not elected as Koshevói without reason: just explain to me what we live for?"

To this question the Koshevói made no reply. He was a headstrong kazák. He remained silent for a while, then said: "Anyway, there shall be no war."

"There shall be no war?" Taras repeated.

"No."

"Then there's no use in thinking about it?"

"No; no use."

"Just wait, you damned pigheaded brute!" said Taras to himself: "I'll teach you to know me!" and he immediately resolved to revenge himself on the Koshevói.

Having entered into an agreement with one man here, another man there, he gave a drinking-bout for everybody; and several of the kazáks, in a state of intoxication, staggered straight to the