Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/32

 alike. Steel or gilt trappings covered the horses, each of which was caparisoned differently. They were unmistakably eastern, and somewhat barbaric in their appearance. This was the Emperor's bodyguard, composed of men from the Caucasus. Each province is required to furnish a certain number; each man provides his own horse, saddle, uniform, etc., hence the curious and picturesque variety. They are extremely proud of their position, and consider themselves the bulwarks of the throne and indispensable to the Tsar's comfort and safety.

The Don Cossacks were equally curious and interesting, sweeping by on their small horses, which seem a part of the rider, their hats jauntily cocked over one ear, with long, thin feathers sticking up in the air, and their short, crooked swords in attitude of attack. They do good service with these little swords, as many thousand flying soldiers in Sulieman Pacha's army last winter could testify.

The Cossack is an utterly free and independent fellow. He pays no taxes, but is required to serve in the army when needed, and to furnish a certain number of permanent troops. He serves without pay, and "keeps himself," which means that he takes what he wants wherever he finds it. The Tsarevitch is the nominal head, or Hetman, of all the Cossacks. Their loyalty is unquestioned, and they make excellent soldiers for some purposes, though each one is fond of skirmishing about on his own account, with little regard as to where his regiment or commander may be.