The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy — Free Audiobook

1 01 - Chapter I 9:25

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud. Chapter One.

All is quiet in Moscow. The squeak of wheels is seldom heard in the snow-covered street. There are no lights left in the windows, and the street lamps have been extinguished. Only the sound of bells, borne over the city from the church towers, suggests the approach of morning. The streets are deserted. At rare intervals, a night cabman's sledge kneads up the snow and sand in the street, as the driver makes his way to another corner where he falls asleep while waiting for a fare. An old woman passes by on her way to church, where a few wax candles burn with a red light reflected on the gilt mountings of the icons. Workmen are already getting up after the long winter night and going to their work, but for the gentlefolk it is still evening.

From a window in Chevalier's Restaurant, a light, illegal at that hour, is still to be seen through a chink in the shutter. At the entrance a carriage, A sledge, and a cabman's sledge, stand close together with their backs to the kerbstone. A three-horse sledge from the post-station is there also. A yard-porter, muffled up and pinched with cold, is sheltering behind the corner of the house. "'And what's the good of all this jawing?' thinks the footman, who sits in the hall weary and haggard. "'This always happens when I'm on duty.' From the adjoining room I heard the voices of three young men. Sitting there at a table on which are wine and the remains of supper. One, a rather plain, thin, neat little man, sits looking with tired, kindly eyes at his friend, who is about to start on a journey.

Another, a tall man, lies on a sofa beside a table, on which are empty bottles, and plays with his watch-key. A third, wearing a short, fur-lined coat, is pacing up and down the room, stopping now and then, to crack an almond between his strong, rather thick, but well-tended fingers. He keeps smiling at something, and his face and eyes are all aglow. He speaks warmly and gesticulates, but evidently does not find the words he wants, and those that occur to him seem to him inadequate to express what has risen to his heart. "'Now I can speak out fully,' said the traveller. "'I don't want to defend myself.' But I should like you at least to understand me as I understand myself, and not look at the matter superficially.

You say I have treated her badly," he continued, addressing the man with the kindly eyes who was watching him. "'Yes, you are to blame,' said the latter, and his look seemed to express still more kindliness and weariness. "'I know why you say that,' rejoined the one who was leaving. "'To be loved is, in your opinion, as great a happiness as to love, and if a man obtains it—' It is enough for his whole life. "'Yes, quite enough, my dear fellow, more than enough,' confirmed the plain little man, opening and shutting his eyes. "'But why shouldn't the man love too?' said the traveller thoughtfully, looking at his friend with something like pity. "'Why shouldn't one love? Because love doesn't come.

No. To be loved is a misfortune. It is a misfortune to feel guilty, because you do not give something you cannot give.' Oh, my God!" he added with a gesture of his arm. If it all happened reasonably, and not all topsy-turvy—not in our way, but in a way of its own—why, it's as if I had stolen that love. You think so, too—don't deny it. You must think so. But will you believe it, of all the horrid and stupid things I have found time to do in my life—and there are many—this is one I do not and cannot repent of, neither at the beginning nor afterwards did I lie to myself or to her. It seemed to me that I had at last fallen in love, but then I saw that it was an involuntary falsehood, and that that was not the way to love, and I could not go on, but she did.

Am I to blame that I couldn't? What was I to do? Well, it's ended now, said his friend, lighting a cigar to master his sleepiness. The fact is that you have not yet loved, and do not know what love is. The man in the fur-lined coat was going to speak again. and put his hands to his head, but could not express what he wanted to say. Never loved. Yes, quite true, I never have. But after all, I have within me a desire to love, and nothing could be stronger than that desire. But then, again, does such love exist? There always remains something incomplete. Ah, well, what's the use of talking? I've made an awful mess of life. But anyhow, it's all over now. You're quite right, and I feel that I am beginning a new life.

"'Which you will again make a mess of,' said the man who lay on the sofa playing with his watch-key. But the traveller did not listen to him. "'I am sad, and yet glad to go,' he continued. "'Why I am sad, I don't know.' And the traveller went on talking about himself, without noticing that this did not interest the others as much as it did him. A man is never such an egotist as at moments of spiritual ecstasy. At such times it seems to him that there is nothing on earth more splendid and interesting than himself." Dmitri Andreevich, the coachman won't wait any longer," said a young serf, entering the room in a sheepskin coat, with the scarf tied round his head. "'The horses have been standing since twelve, and it's now four o'clock.' Dmitri Andreevich looked at his serf, Vanyusha.

The scarf round Vanyusha's head, his felt boots and sleepy face, seemed to be calling his master to a new life of labor, hardship, and activity. "'True enough.' "'Good-bye,' said he, feeling for the unfastened hook and eye on his coat. In spite of advice to mollify the coachman by another tip, he put on his cap and stood in the middle of the room. The friends kissed once, then again, and after a pause, a third time. The man in the fur-lined coat approached the table and emptied a champagne glass, then took the plain little man's hand and blushed. "'Ah, well, I speak out all the same.' I must, and will be frank with you, because I am fond of you. Of course you love her. I always thought so. Don't you?

Yes," answered his friend, smiling still more gently. "'And perhaps—' Please, sir, I have orders to put out the candles," said the sleepy attendant, who had been listening to the last part of the conversation, and wondering why gentlefolk always talk about one and the same thing. "'To whom shall I make out the bill? To you, sir?' he added. Knowing whom to address, and turning to the tall man. "'To me,' replied the tall man. "'How much?' "'Twenty-six roubles,' the tall man considered for a moment, but said nothing, and put the bill in his pocket. The other two continued their talk. "'Good-bye. You are a capital fellow,' said the short plain man with the mild eyes. Tears filled the eyes of both.

They stepped into the porch. "'Oh, by-the-bye,' said the traveller, turning with a blush to the tall man. "'Will you settle Chevalier's bill and write and let me know?' "'All right, all right,' said the tall man, pulling on his gloves. "'How I envy you,' he added quite unexpectedly when they were out in the porch. "'The traveller got into his sledge, wrapped his coat about him, and said, "'Well, then, come along.' He even moved a little to make room in the sledge, for the man who said he envied him, his voice trembled. "'Good-bye, Mitya. I hope that with God's help you,' said the tall one. But his wish was that the other would go away quickly, and so he could not finish the sentence. They were silent a moment.

Then someone again said, "'Good-bye,' and a voice cried, "'Ready,' and the coachman touched up the horses. "'Hi, Elisa!' one of the friends called out, and the other coachman and the sledge-drivers began moving, clicking their tongues and pulling at the reins. Then the stiffened carriage-wheels rolled squeaking over the frozen snow. "'A fine fellow, that Olenin,' said one of the friends. "'But what an idea to go to the Caucasus, as a cadet, too! I wouldn't do it for anything. "'Are you dining at the club tomorrow?' "'Yes.' They separated. The traveler felt warm, his fur coat seemed too hot. He sat on the bottom of the sledge and unfastened his coat, and the three shaggy post-horses dragged themselves out of one dark street into another, past houses he had never before seen.

It seemed to olenin that only travelers starting on a long journey went through those streets. All was dark and silent and dull around him, but his soul was full of memories, love, regrets, and a pleasant tearful feeling.

2 02 - Chapter II 15:52

I'm fond of them, very fond. First-rate fellows. Fine, he kept repeating, and felt ready to cry. But why he wanted to cry? Who were the first-rate fellows he was so fond of? Was more than he quite knew. Now and then he looked round at some house, and wondered why it was so curiously built. Sometimes he began wondering why the post-boy and Vanyusha, who were so different from himself, sat so near, and together with him were being jerked about and swayed by the tugs the side-horses gave at the frozen traces. And again he repeated, First-rate! Very fond! And once he even said, "'And how it seizes one! Excellent!' and wondered what made him say it. "'Dear me, am I drunk?' he asked himself. He had had a couple of bottles of wine, but it was not the wine alone that was having this effect on Olenin.

He remembered all the words of friendship heartily, bashfully, spontaneously, as he believed, addressed to him on his departure. He remembered the clasp of hands, glances, The moments of silence, and the sound of a voice saying, "'Good-bye, Mitya,' when he was already in the sledge. He remembered his own deliberate frankness, and all this had a touching significance for him. Not only friends and relatives, not only people who had been indifferent to him, but even those who did not like him, seemed to have agreed to become fonder of him, or to forgive him, before his departure, as people do before confession or death. Perhaps I shall not return from the Caucasus, he thought, and he felt that he loved his friends and some one besides.

He was sorry for himself. But it was not love for his friends that so stirred and uplifted his heart that he could not repress the meaningless words that seemed to rise of themselves to his lips. Nor was it love for a woman—he had never yet been in love—that had brought on this mood. Love for himself, love full of hope, Warm, young love for all that was good in his own soul, and at that moment it seemed to him that there was nothing but good in it, compelled him to weep and to mutter incoherent words.

Olenin was a youth who had never completed his university course, never served anywhere, having only a nominal post in some government office or other, who had squandered half his fortune and had reached the age of twenty-four without having done anything or even chosen a career. He was what in Moscow society is termed un jeune homme. At the age of eighteen he was free, as only rich young Russians in the forties who had lost their parents at an early age could be. Neither physical nor moral fetters of any kind existed for him. He could do as he liked, lacking nothing and bound by nothing. Neither relatives, nor fatherland, nor religion, nor wants existed for him. He believed in nothing, and admitted nothing.

But although he believed in nothing, he was not a morose or blasé young man, nor self-opinionated, but on the contrary continually let himself be carried away. He had come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as love, yet his heart always overflowed in the presence of any young and attractive woman. He had long been aware that honours and position were nonsense. Yet involuntarily he felt pleased when at a ball Prince Sergius came up and spoke to him affably. But he yielded to his impulses, only in so far as they did not limit his freedom. As soon as he had yielded to any influence, and become conscious of its leading on to labor and struggle, he instinctively hastened to free himself from the feeling or activity into which he was being drawn, and to regain his freedom.

In this way he experimented with society life, the civil service, farming, music, To which at one time he intended to devote his life, and even with the love of women in which he did not believe. He meditated on the use to which he should devote that power of youth which is granted to man only once in a lifetime. That force which gives a man the power of making himself, or even, as it seemed to him, of making the universe, into anything he wishes, should it be to art, to science, to love of woman, or to practical activities. It is true that some people are devoid of this impulse, and on entering life at one place, their necks under the first yoke that offers itself, and honestly labor under it for the rest of their lives.

But Olenin was too strongly conscious of the presence of that all-powerful god of youth, of that capacity to be entirely transformed into an aspiration or idea, the capacity to wish and to do, to throw oneself headlong into a bottomless abyss, without knowing why or wherefore. He bore this consciousness within himself, was proud of it, and, without knowing it, was happy in that consciousness. Up to that time he had loved only himself, and could not help loving himself, for he expected nothing but good of himself, and had not yet had time to be disillusioned. On leaving Moscow he was in that happy state of mind in which a young man, conscious of past mistakes, suddenly says to himself, "'That was not the real thing.' All that had gone before was accidental and unimportant.

Till then he had not really tried to live, but now, with his departure from Moscow, a new life was beginning, a life in which there would be no mistakes, no remorse, and certainly nothing but happiness.

It is always the case on a long journey, that till the first two or three stages have been passed, imagination continues to dwell on the place left behind, but with the first morning on the road, It leaps to the end of the journey, and there begins building castles in the air. So it happened to Olenin. After leaving the town behind, he gazed at the snowy fields, and felt glad to be alone in their midst. Wrapping himself in his fur coat, he lay at the bottom of the sledge, became tranquil, and fell into a doze. The parting with his friends had touched him deeply, and memories of that last winter spent in Moscow, and images of the past, Mingled with vague thoughts and regrets, rose unbidden in his imagination.

He remembered the friend who had seen him off, and his relations with the girl they had talked about. The girl was rich. How could he love her knowing that she loved me? thought he, and evil suspicions crossed his mind. There is much dishonesty in men when one comes to reflect. Then he was confronted by the question. But really— How is it I have never been in love? Everyone tells me that I never have. Can it be that I am a moral monstrosity? And he began to recall all his infatuations. He recalled his entry into society, and a friend's sister with whom he spent several evenings at a table, with a lamp on it, which lit up her slender fingers, busy with needlework, and the lower part of her pretty, delicate face.

He recalled their conversations, That dragged on like the game in which one passes on a stick, which one keeps alight as long as possible, and the general awkwardness and restraint, and his continual feeling of rebellion at all that conventionality. Some voice had always whispered, "'That's not it! That's not it!' And so it had proved. Then he remembered a ball, and the mazourka he danced with the beautiful D. How much in love I was that night! And how happy! And how hurt and vexed I was! Next morning, when I woke and felt myself still free. Why does not love come and bind me hand and foot? thought he. No, there is no such thing as love. That neighbour who used to tell me, as she told Dubrovin and the Marshal, that she loved the stars, was not it either.

And now his farming and work in the country recurred to his mind. And in those recollections also, there was nothing to dwell on with pleasure. "'Will they talk long of my departure?' came into his head. But who they were he did not quite know. Next came a thought that made him wince and mutter incoherently. It was the recollection of M. Capel, the tailor, and the six hundred and seventy-eight roubles he still owed him, and he recalled the words in which he had begged him to wait another year, and the look of perplexity and resignation which had appeared on the tailor's face. "'Oh, my God! My God!' He repeated, wincing and trying to drive away the intolerable thought. All the same, and in spite of everything, she loved me, thought he of the girl they had talked about at the farewell supper.

Yes. Had I married her, I should not now be owing anything. And as it is, I am in debt to Vassiliev. Then he remembered the last night he had played with Vassiliev at the club, just after leaving her, and he recalled his humiliating requests for another game and the other's cold refusal. A year's economising, and they will all be paid, and the devil take them. But despite this assurance, he again began calculating his outstanding debts, their dates, and when he could hope to pay them off. And I owe something to Morrel, as well as to Chevalier, thought he, recalling the night when he had run up so large a debt. It was at a carousel at the Gypsies, arranged by some fellows from Petersburg. Sachka B., and Aide de Conde to the Tsar, Prince D., and that pompous old...

How is it those gentlemen are so self-satisfied? thought he, and by what right do they form a clique to which they think others must be highly flattered to be admitted? Can it be because they are on the Emperor's staff? Why? It's awful what fools and scoundrels they consider other people to be. But I showed them that I, at any rate, on the contrary, do not at all want their intimacy. All the same, I fancy Andrew, the steward, would be amazed to know that I am on familiar terms with a man like Sashka B., a Colonel, And an aide-de-camp to the Tsar. Yes, and no one drank more than I did that evening. And I taught the gypsies a new song, and everyone listened to it. Though I have done many foolish things, all the same I am a very good fellow," thought he.

Morning found him at the third post stage. He drank tea, and himself helped Vanusha to move his bundles and trunks, and sat down among them, sensible, erect, and precise, knowing where all his belongings were. How much money he had, and where it was, where he had put his passport, and the post-horse requisition, and toll-gate papers, and it all seemed to him so well arranged that he grew quite cheerful, and the long journey before him seemed an extended pleasure trip. All that morning and noon he was deep in calculations of how many versts he had travelled, how many remained to the next stage, how many to the next town, to the place where he would dine, to the place where he would drink tea, and to Stavropol, and what fraction of the whole journey was already accomplished.

He also calculated how much money he had with him, how much would be left over, how much would pay off all his debts, and what proportion of his income he would spend each month. Towards evening, after tea, he calculated that to Stavropol there still remained seven-elevenths of the whole journey, that his debts would require seven months' economy, and one-eighths of his whole fortune, and then, tranquillized, he wrapped himself up, lay down in the sledge, and again dozed off. His imagination was now turned to the future, to the Caucasus. All his dreams of the future were mingled with pictures of Amalat Bex, Circassian women, mountains, precipices, terrible torrents, and perils. All these things were vague and dim, But the love of fame and the danger of death furnished the interest of that future.

Now, with unprecedented courage and a strength that amazed everyone, he slew and subdued an innumerable host of hillsmen. Now he was himself a hillsman, and with them was maintaining their independence against the Russians. As soon as he pictured anything definite, familiar Moscow figures always appeared on the scene. Sashka B. fights with the Russians, or the hillsmen against him. Even the tailor Capel in some strange way takes part in the conqueror's triumph. Amid all this he remembered his former humiliations, weaknesses, and mistakes, and the recollection was not disagreeable. It was clear that there among the mountains, waterfalls, fair circassians, and dangers, such mistakes could not recur.

Having once made full confession to himself, there was an end of it all. One other vision, the sweetest of them all, Mingled with the young man's every thought of the future. The vision of a woman.

And there, among the mountains, she appeared to his imagination as a circassian slave, a fine figure with a long plait of hair and deep, submissive eyes. He pictured a lonely hut in the mountains, and on the threshold she stands waiting him, when, tired and covered with dust, blood, and fame, he returns to her. He is conscious of her kisses, Her shoulders, her sweet voice, and her submissiveness. She is enchanting, but uneducated, wild and rough. In the long winter evenings he begins her education. She is clever and gifted, and quickly acquires all the knowledge essential. Why not? She can quite easily learn foreign languages, read the French masterpieces, and understand them. Notre Dame de Paris, for instance, is sure to please her.

She can also speak French. In a drawing-room she can show more innate dignity than a lady of the highest society. She can sing simply, powerfully, and passionately. Oh, what nonsense! he said to himself. But here they reached a post-station, and he had to change into another sledge and give some tips. But his fancy again began searching for the nonsense he had relinquished, and again fair Circassians Glory, and his return to Russia with an appointment as aide-de-camp, and a lovely wife rose before his imagination. "'But there's no such thing as love,' said he to himself. "'Fame is all rubbish, but the six hundred and seventy-eight roubles, and the conquered land that will bring me more wealth than I need for a lifetime.

It will not be right, though, to keep all that wealth for myself. I shall have to distribute it. But to whom?' Well, six hundred and seventy-eight rubles to capel, and then we'll see. Quite vague visions now cloud his mind, and only Vanyusha's voice and the interrupted motion of the sledge break his healthy, youthful slumber. Scarcely conscious, he changes into another sledge at the next stage, and continues his journey.

Next morning, everything goes on just the same—the same kind of post-stations and tea-drinking, the same moving horses'-cruppers, The same short talks with Vanyusha, the same vague dreams and drowsiness, and the same tired, healthy, youthful sleep at night.

3 03 - Chapter III 6:19

The farther Olenin traveled from central Russia, the farther he left his memories behind, and the nearer he drew to the Caucasus, the lighter his heart became. I'll stay away for good, and never return to show myself in society, was a thought that sometimes occurred to him. These people whom I see here are not people. None of them know me, and none of them can ever enter the Moscow society I was in, or find out about my past, and no one in that society will ever know what I am doing, living among these people. And quite a new feeling of freedom from his whole past came over him, among the rough beings he met on the road, whom he did not consider to be people, in the sense that his Moscow acquaintances were.

The rougher the people, and the fewer the signs of civilization, the freer he felt. Stavropol, through which he had to pass, irked him. The sign-boards, some of them even in French, ladies in carriages, cabs in the market-place, and a gentleman wearing a fur cloak and tall hat, who was walking along the boulevard and staring at the passers-by, quite upset him. Perhaps these people know some of my acquaintances, he thought. And the club, his tailor, cards, society, came back to his mind. But after Stavropol everything was satisfactory, wild and also beautiful and warlike, and Olenin felt happier and happier. All the Cossacks, postboys, and post-station masters seemed to him simple folk with whom he could jest and converse simply, without having to consider to what class they belonged.

They all belonged to the human race which, without his thinking about it, All appeared dear to Olenin, and they all treated him in a friendly way. Already in the province of the Don Cossacks, his sledge had been exchanged for a cart, and beyond Stavropol it became so warm that Olenin travelled without wearing his fur coat. It was already spring, an unexpected joyous spring for Olenin. At night he was no longer allowed to leave the Cossack villages, and they said it was dangerous to travel in the evening. Vanyusha began to be uneasy. and they carried a loaded gun in the cart. Olenin became still happier. At one of the post-stations, the postmaster told of a terrible murder that had been committed recently on the highroad.

They began to meet armed men. So this is where it begins, thought Olenin, and kept expecting to see the snowy mountains of which mention was so often made. Once, towards evening, the Nogai driver pointed with his whip to the mountains shrouded in clouds. Olenin looked eagerly, but it was dull, and the mountains were almost hidden by the clouds. Olenin made out something grey and white and fleecy, but try as he would, he could find nothing beautiful in the mountains of which he had so often read and heard. The mountains and the clouds appeared to him quite alike, and he thought that the special beauty of the snow-peaks, of which he had so often been told, was as much an invention as Bach's music and the love of women.

in which he did not believe. So he gave up looking forward to seeing the mountains. But early next morning, being awakened in his cart by the freshness of the air, he glanced carelessly to the right. The morning was perfectly clear. Suddenly he saw, about twenty paces away, as it seemed to him at first glance, pure white, gigantic masses with delicate contours, the distinct, fantastic outlines of their summits, showing sharply against the far-off sky. When he had realized the distance between himself and them, and the sky and the whole immensity of the mountains, and felt the infinitude of all that beauty, he became afraid that it was but a phantasm or a dream. He gave himself a shake to rouse himself.

But the mountains were still the same. "'What's that? What is it?' he said to the driver. "'Why, the mountains,' answered the Nogai driver with indifference. "'And I, too, have been looking at them for a long while,' said Vanyusha. Aren't they fine? They won't believe it at home. The quick progress of the three-horsed cart along the smooth road caused the mountains to appear to be running along the horizon, while their rosy crests glittered in the light of the rising sun. At first Olenin was only astonished at the sight, then gladdened by it, but later on, gazing more and more intently at that snow-peaked chain that seemed to rise, not from among other black mountains, But straight out of the plain, and to glide away into the distance, he began by slow degrees to be penetrated by their beauty, and at length to feel the mountains.

From that moment all he saw, all he thought, and all he felt, acquired for him a new character, sternly majestic, like the mountains. All his Moscow reminiscences, shame, and repentance, and his trivial dreams about the Caucasus, vanished and did not return. Now it has begun," a solemn voice seemed to say to him. The road and the Terak just becoming visible in the distance, and the Cossack villages and the people, all no longer appeared to him as a joke. He looked at himself or Vanyusha, and again thought of the mountains. Two Cossacks ride by, their guns in their cases swinging rhythmically behind their backs, the white and bay legs of their horses mingling confusedly, and the mountains. Beyond the Terekh rises the smoke from a Tartar village.

And the mountains. The sun has risen and glitters on the Terekh, now visible beyond the reeds. And the mountains. From the village comes a Tartar wagon, and women, and beautiful young women, pass by. And the mountains. Abrex canter about the plain. And here am I, driving along, and do not fear them. I have a gun, and strength, and youth, and the mountains.

4 04 - Chapter IV 10:07

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud. Chapter Four. That whole part of the Terrick line, about fifty miles, along which lie the villages of the Grebensk Cossacks, is uniform in character both as to country and inhabitants. The Terrick, which separates the Cossacks from the mountaineers, Still flows turbid and rapid, though already broad and smooth, always depositing grayish sand on its low reedy right bank, and washing away the steep, though not high, left bank, with its roots of century-old oaks, its rotting plain trees, and young brushwood. On the right bank lie the villages of pro-Russian, though still somewhat restless, Tartos. Along the left bank, back half a mile from the river, and standing five or six miles apart from one another, are Cossack villages.

In olden times, most of these villages were situated on the banks of the river, but the Terek, shifting northward from the mountains year by year, washed away those banks, and now there remain only the ruins of the old villages, and of the gardens of pear and plum trees and poplars, all overgrown with blackberry bushes and wild vines. No one lives there now, and one only sees the tracks of the deer, the wolves, the hares, and the pheasants. who have learned to love these places. From village to village runs a road cut through the forest as a cannon-shot might fly. Along the roads are cordons of cossacks and watch-towers with sentinels in them. Only a narrow strip about seven hundred yards wide of fertile wooded soil belongs to the cossacks.

To the north of it begin the sand-drifts of the Nogai, or Mosdok steps, which fetch far to the north and run, heaven knows where, into the Troekmen, Astrakhan and Kyrgyz-Kazat steps. To the south, beyond the Terek, are the great Chechnya river, the Koschkalov range, the Black Mountains, yet another range, and at last the Snowy Mountains, which can just be seen but have never yet been scaled. In this fertile wooded strip, rich in vegetation, has dwelt as far back as memory runs the fine, warlike, and prosperous Russian tribe belonging to the sect of old believers, and called the Grebensk. Cossacks. Long, long ago, their old believer ancestors fled from Russia and settled beyond the Terek among the Chechens on the Greben, the first range of wooded mountains of Chechnya.

Living among the Chechens, the Cossacks intermarried with them and adopted the manners and customs of the Hill tribes, though they still retained the Russian language in all its purity, as well as their old faith. A tradition still fresh among them declares that Tsar Ivan the Terrible came to the Terek, Sent for their elders, and gave them the land on this side of the river, exhorting them to remain friendly to Russia, and promising not to enforce his rule upon them, nor oblige them to change their faith. Even now the Cossack families claim relationship with the Chechens, and the love of freedom, of leisure, of plunder and of war still form their chief characteristics. Only the harmful side of Russian influence shows itself, by interference at elections, By confiscation of church bells, and by the troops who are quartered in the country or march through it.

A Cossack is inclined to hate less the Jigit Hillsman, who maybe has killed his brother, than the soldier quartered on him to defend his village, but who has defiled his hut with tobacco smoke. He respects his enemy, the Hillsman, and despises the soldier, who is in his eyes an alien and an oppressor. In reality, from a Cossack's point of view, a Russian peasant is a foreign, Savage, despicable creature, of whom he sees a sample in the hawkers who come to the country, and in the Ukrainian immigrants whom the Cossack contemptuously calls Wallbeaters. For him, to be smartly dressed means to be dressed like a Circassian. The best weapons are obtained from the hillsmen, and the best horses are bought or stolen from them.

A dashing young Cossack likes to show off his knowledge of Tatar, and when carousing, talks Tatar even to his fellow Cossack. In spite of all these things, this small Christian clan, stranded in a tiny corner of the earth, surrounded by half-savage Mohammedan tribes and by soldiers, considers itself highly advanced, acknowledges none but Cossacks as human beings, and despises everybody else. The Cossack spends most of his time in the cordon, in action or in hunting and fishing. He hardly ever works at home. When he stays in the village, it is an exception to the general rule. And then he is holiday-making. All Cossacks make their own wine, and drunkenness is not so much a general tendency as a rite, the non-fulfilment of which would be considered apostasy.

The Cossack looks upon a woman as an instrument for his welfare. Only the unmarried girls are allowed to amuse themselves. A married woman has to work for her husband, from youth to very old age. His demands on her are the oriental ones of submission and labor. In consequence of this outlook, women are strongly developed both physically and mentally, and though they are, as everywhere in the East, nominally in subjection, they possess far greater influence and importance in family life than Western women. Their exclusion from public life and ennurement to heavy male labor give the women all the more power and importance in the household. A Cossack, who before strangers considers it improper to speak affectionately or needlessly to his wife, When alone with her is involuntarily conscious of her superiority.

His house and all his property, in fact the entire homestead, has been acquired and is kept together solely by her labor and care. Though firmly convinced that labor is degrading to a Cossack, and is only proper for a Nogay laborer or a woman, he is vaguely aware of the fact that all he makes use of and calls his own is the result of that toil, and that it is in the power of the woman, his mother or his wife, Whom he considers his slave, to deprive him of all he possesses. Besides, the continuous performance of man's heavy work, and the responsibilities intrusted to her, have endowed the Grabensk women with a peculiarly independent masculine character, and have remarkably developed their physical powers, common sense, resolution, and stability.

The women are in most cases stronger, more intelligent, more developed, and handsomer than the men. A striking feature of a grebensk woman's beauty is the combination of the purest Circassian type of face with the broad and powerful build of northern women. Cossack women wear the Circassian dress, a tartar smock, beshmet, and soft slippers, but they tie their kerchiefs round their heads in the Russian fashion. Smartness, cleanliness, and elegance in dress, and in the arrangement of their huts, are with them a custom and a necessity. In their relations with men, the women, and especially the unmarried girls, enjoy perfect freedom. Novomlinsk village was considered the very heart of Grebensk Cossackdom.

In it, more than elsewhere, the customs of the old Grebensk population have been preserved, and its women have from time immemorial been renowned all over the Caucasus for their beauty. A Cossack's livelihood is derived from vineyards, fruit-gardens, water-melon and pumpkin plantations, From fishing, hunting, maize and millet growing, and from war plunder. Novomlinsk village lies about two and a half miles away from the Terek, from which it is separated by a dense forest. On one side of the road, which runs through the village, is the river. On the other, green vineyards and orchards, beyond which are seen the drift sands of the Nogai steppe. The village is surrounded by earth banks and prickly bramble hedges, and is entered by tall gates hung between posts, and covered with little reed-thatched roofs.

Beside them on a wooden gun-carriage stands an unwieldy cannon captured by the Cossacks at some time or other, and which has not been fired for a hundred years. A uniformed Cossack sentinel with dagger and gun sometimes stands, and sometimes does not stand, on guard beside the gates, and sometimes presents arms to a passing officer, and sometimes does not. Below the roof of the gateway is written in black letters on a white board. Houses, two hundred and sixty-six, male inhabitants, eight hundred and ninety-seven, female, one thousand and twelve. The Cossacks' houses are all raised on pillars two and a half feet from the ground. They are carefully thatched with reeds, and have large carved gables.

If not new, they are at least all straight and clean, with high porches of different shapes, and they are not built close together, but have ample space around them, and are all picturesquely placed along broad streets and lanes. In front of the large bright windows of many of the houses, beyond the kitchen gardens, dark green poplars and acacias with their delicate pale verdure and scented white blossoms overtop the houses, and beside them grow flaunting yellow sunflowers, creepers, and grapevines. In the broad open square are three shops where drapery, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, locust beans, and gingerbreads are sold, and surrounded by a tall fence, loftier and larger than the other houses, stands the regimental commander's dwelling, with its casement windows behind a row of tall poplars.

Few people are to be seen in the streets of the village on weekdays, especially in summer. The young men are on duty in the cordons, or on military expeditions. The old ones are fishing or helping the women in the orchards and gardens. Only the very old, the sick, and the children remain at home.

5 05 - Chapter V 9:36

It was one of those wonderful evenings that occur only in the Caucasus. The sun had sunk behind the mountains, but it was still light. The evening glow had spread over a third of the sky, and against its brilliancy, the dull white immensity of the mountains was sharply defined. The air was rarefied, motionless, and full of sound. The shadow of the mountains reached for several miles over the steppe. The steppe, the opposite side of the river, and the roads were all deserted. If very occasionally mounted men appeared, the Cossacks in the cordon and the Chechens in their owls , watched them with surprised curiosity, and tried to guess who those questionable men Could be. At nightfall, people from fear of one another flock to their dwellings, and only birds and beasts fearless of man prowl in those deserted spaces.

Talking merrily, the women who have been tying up the vines hurry away from the gardens before sunset. The vineyards, like all the surrounding district, are deserted, but the villagers become very animated at that time of the evening. From all sides, walking, riding, or driving in their creaking carts, people move towards the village. Girls, with their smocks tucked up and twigs in their hands, run chatting merrily to the village gates to meet the cattle that are crowding together in a cloud of dust and mosquitoes, which they bring with them from the steppe. The well-fed cows and buffaloes, disperse at a run all over the streets, and Cossack women in coloured beshmets go to and fro among them.

You can hear their merry laughter and shrieks mingling with the lowing of the cattle. There, an armed and mounted cossack, on leave from the cordon, rides up to a hut and, leaning towards the window, knocks. In answer to the knock, the handsome head of a young woman appears at the window, and you can hear caressing, laughing voices. There, a tattered Nogai laborer, with prominent cheekbones, brings a load of reeds from the steps. Turns his creaking cart into the Cossack captain's broad and clean courtyard, and lifts the yoke off the oxen that stand tossing their heads while he and his master shout to one another in Tatar. Past a puddle that reaches nearly across the street, a barefooted Cossack woman with a bundle of firewood on her back makes her laborious way by clinging to the fences, holding her smock high and exposing her white legs.

A Cossack returning from shooting, Calls out in jest. Lift it higher, shameless thing, and points his gun at her. The woman lets down her smock and drops the wood. An old cossack, returning home from fishing with his trousers tucked up and his hairy grey chest uncovered, has a net across his shoulder containing silvery fish that are still struggling, and to take a shortcut climbs over his neighbour's broken fence and gives a tug to his coat, which is caught on the fence. There a woman is dragging a dry branch along, and from round the corner comes the sound of an axe. Cossack children, spinning their tops wherever there is a smooth place in the street, are shrieking. Women are climbing over fences to avoid going round.

From every chimney rises the odorous kisyak smoke. From every homestead comes the sound of increased bustle, precursor to the stillness of night. Granny Ulitka, the wife of the Cossack cornet, who is also teacher in the regimental school, goes out to the gates of her yard like the other women, and waits for the cattle which her daughter, Marianka, is driving along the street. Before she has had time fully to open the wattle gate in the fence, an enormous buffalo cow, surrounded by mosquitoes, rushes up, bellowing, and squeezes in. Several well-fed cows slowly follow her, their large eyes gazing with recognition at their mistress as they swish their sides with their tails. The beautiful and shapely Marianka enters at the gate, and throwing away her switch, quickly slams the gate to, and rushes with all the speed of her nimble feet to separate and drive the cattle into their sheds.

"'Take off your slippers, you devil's wench!' shouts her mother. "'You've worn them into holes!' Marianka is not at all offended at being called a devil's wench, but accepting it as a term of endearment, cheerfully goes on with her task. Her face is covered with a kerchief tied round her head. She is wearing a pink smock and a green beshmit. She disappears inside the lean-to shed, in the yard, following the big fat cattle, and from the shed comes her voice as she speaks gently and persuasively to the buffalo. Won't she stand still? What a creature! Come now, come, old dear! Soon the girl and the old woman pass from the shed to the dairy, carrying two large pots of milk the day's yield. From the dairy chimney rises a thin cloud of kisyak smoke.

The milk is being used to make into clotted cream. The girl makes up the fire while her mother goes to the gate. Twilight has fallen on the village. The air is full of the smell of vegetables, cattle, and scented Kizyak smoke. From the gates and along the streets, Cossack women come running, carrying lighted rags. From the yards one hears the snorting and quiet chewing of the cattle eased of their milk. While in the street, only the voices of women and children sound as they call to one another. It is rare on a weekday to hear the drunken voice of a man. One of the Cossack wives, a tall, masculine old woman, approaches Granny Ulitka from the homestead opposite, and asks her for a light. In her hand she holds a rag.

"'Have you cleared up, Granny?' "'The girl is lighting the fire. Is it fire you want?' says Granny Ulitka, proud of being able to oblige her neighbour. Both women enter the hut, and coarse hands, unused to dealing with small articles, tremblingly lift the lid of a match-box, which is a rarity in the Caucasus. The masculine-looking newcomer sits down on the doorstep with the evident intention of having a chat. "'And is your man at the school, mother?' she asked. "'He's always teaching the youngsters, mother.' "'But he writes that he'll come home for the holidays,' said the cornet's wife. "'Yes, he's a clever man, one sees. It all comes useful.' Of course it does. And my Lukashka is at the Corden.

They won't let him come home," said the visitor. Though the cornet's wife had known all this long ago, she wanted to talk about her Lukashka, whom she had lately fitted out for service in the Cossack regiment, and whom she wished to marry to the cornet's daughter, Marianka. So he's at the Corden. He is, mother. He's not been home since his last holidays. The other day I sent him some shirts by Fomushkin. He says he's all right, and that his superiors are satisfied. He says they are looking out for Abrex again. Lukashka is quite happy, he says. Ah, well, thank God," said the cornet's wife. Snatcher is certainly the only word for him. Lukashka was surnamed the Snatcher because of his bravery in snatching a boy from a watery grave, and the cornet's wife alluded to this, wishing in her turn to say something agreeable to Lukashka's mother.

"'I thank God, mother, that he's a good son. He's a fine fellow. Everyone praises him,' says Lukashka's mother. "'All I wish is to get him married.' Then I could die in peace." "'Well, aren't there plenty of young women in the village?' answered the cornet's wife, slyly, as she carefully replaced the lid of the match-box with her horny hands. "'Plenty, mother, plenty,' remarked Lukashka's mother, shaking her head. "'There's your girl now. Your Marianka. That's the sort of girl. You'd have to search through the whole place to find such another.' The cornet's wife knows what Lukashka's mother is after, but though she believes him to be a good Cossack, she hangs back. First, because she is a cornet's wife and rich, while lukashka is the son of a simple cossack and fatherless.

Secondly, because she does not want to part with her daughter yet, but chiefly because propriety demands it. "'Well, when maryanka grows up, she'll be marriageable too,' she answers soberly and modestly. "'I'll send the matchmakers to you. I'll send them. Only let me get the vineyard done, and then we'll come and make our bows to you,' says lukashka's mother. "'And we'll make our bows to Elias Vasilitch, too.' "'Elias, indeed,' says the cornet's wife proudly. "'It's to me you must speak, all in its own good time.' Lukashka's mother sees by the stern face of the cornet's wife that it is not the time to say anything more just now. So she lights her rag with the match, and says, rising, "'Don't refuse us.

Think of my words. I'll go. It is time to light the fire.' As she crosses the road swinging the burning rag, she meets Marianka, who bows. "'Ah, she's a regular queen, a splendid worker, that girl,' she thinks, looking at the beautiful maiden. "'What need for her to grow any more? It's time she was married into a good home, married to Lukashka.' But Grani Ulytka had her own cares, and she remained sitting on the threshold, thinking hard about something, till the girl called her.

6 06 - Chapter 6 10:49

The male population of the village spend their time on military expeditions and in the cordon, or at their posts, as the Cossacks say. Towards evening, that same Lukashka the Snatcher, about whom the old women had been talking, was standing on a watch-tower of the Nizhnyprototsk post, situated on the very banks of the Terek. Leaning on the railing of the tower, and screwing up his eyes, he looked now into the distance beyond the Terek, now down at his fellow Cossacks, and occasionally he addressed the latter. The sun was already approaching the snowy range that gleamed white above the fleecy clouds. The clouds, undulating at the base of the mountains, grew darker and darker. The clearness of evening was noticeable in the air.

A sense of freshness came from the woods, though round the post it was still hot. The voices of the talking Cossacks vibrated more sonorously than before. The moving mass of the Terex rapid brown waters contrasted more vividly with its motionless banks. The waters were beginning to subside, and here and there the wet sands gleamed drab on the banks and in the shallows. The other side of the river, just opposite the cordon was deserted. Only an immense waste of low-growing reeds stretched far away to the very foot of the mountains. On the low bank, a little to one side, could be seen the flat-roofed, clay houses, and the funnel-shaped chimneys of a Chechen village. The sharp eyes of the Cossack who stood on the watch-tower followed, through the evening smoke of the pro-Russian village, the tiny moving figures of the Chechen women visible in the distance, in their red and blue garments.

Although the Cossacks expected Abrex to cross over and attack them from the Tartar side at any moment, especially as it was May, when the woods by the Terok are so dense, that it is difficult to pass through them on foot, and the river is shallow enough in places for a horseman to ford it. And despite the fact that a couple of days before, a Cossack had arrived with a circular from the commander of the regiment, announcing that spies had reported the intention of a party of some eight men to cross the Terok, and ordering special vigilance. No special vigilance was being observed in the cordon. The Cossacks, unarmed and with their horses unsaddled, just as if they were at home, spent their time some in fishing, some in drinking, and some in hunting.

Only the horse of the man on duty was saddled, and with its feet hobbled was moving about by the brambles near the wood, and only the sentinel had his circassian coat on, and carried a gun and sword. The corporal, a tall, thin cossack with an exceptionally long back and small hands and feet, was sitting on the earth-bank of a hut, with his beshmit unbuttoned. On his face was the lazy, bored expression of a superior, and having shut his eyes, he dropped his head upon the palm, first of one hand, and then of the other. An elderly cossack with a broad, greyish-black beard was lying in his shirt, girdled with a black strap, close to the river, and gazing lazily at the waves of the terrak as they monotonously foamed and swirled.

Others, also overcome by the heat and half-naked, were rinsing clothes in the terrak, plaiting a fishing line, or humming tunes as they lay on the hot sand of the river-bank. One Cossack, with a thin face much burnt by the sun, lay near the hut, evidently dead drunk, by a wall which, though it had been in shadow some two hours previously, was now exposed to the sun's fierce slanting rays.

Lukashka, who stood on the watch-tower, was a tall, handsome lad, about twenty years old and very like his mother. His face and whole build, in spite of the angularity of youth, indicated great strength, both physical and moral. Though he had only lately joined the Cossacks at the front, it was evident from the expression of his face and the calm assurance of his attitude that he had already acquired the somewhat proud and warlike bearing peculiar to Cossacks, and to men generally who continually carry arms, and that he felt he was a Cossack and fully knew his own value. His ample circassian coat was torn in some places, his cap was on the back of his head Chechen fashion, and his leggings had slipped below his knees.

His clothing was not rich, but he wore it with that peculiar Cossack foppishness which consists in imitating the Chechen brave. Everything on a real brave is ample, ragged, and neglected. Only his weapons are costly. But these ragged clothes and these weapons are belted and worn with a certain air, and matched in a certain manner, neither of which can be acquired by everybody, and which at once strike the eye of a Cossack or a hillsman. Lukashka had this resemblance to a brave. With his hands folded under his sword, and his eyes nearly closed, he kept looking at the distant Tatar village.

Taken separately, His features were not beautiful. But anyone who saw his stately carriage and his dark-browed, intelligent face would involuntarily say, "'What a fine fellow!' "'Look at the women. What a lot of them are walking about in the village,' said he in a sharp voice, languidly showing his brilliant white teeth, and not addressing anyone in particular. Nazarka, who was lying below, immediately lifted his head and remarked, "'They must be going for water.' "'Supposing one scared them with a gun,' said Lukashka, laughing. Wouldn't they be frightened? It wouldn't reach. What? Mine would carry beyond. Just wait a bit, and when their feast comes round, I'll go and visit Giray Khan and drink booze there, said Lukashka, angrily swishing away the mosquitoes, which attached themselves to him.

A rustling in the thicket drew the Cossack's attention. A pied mongrel half-setter, searching for a scent and violently wagging its scantily furred tail, came running to the cordon. Lukashka recognized the dog as one belonging to his neighbor, Uncle Eroshka, a hunter, and saw, following it through the thicket, the approaching figure of the hunter himself. Uncle Eroshka was a gigantic Cossack with a broad, snow-white beard, and such broad shoulders and chest that, in the wood, where there was no one to compare him with, he did not look particularly tall. So well proportioned were his powerful limbs. He wore a tattered coat, and, over the bands with which his legs were swathed, Sandals made of undressed deer's hide tied on with strings, while on his head he had a rough little white cap.

He carried over one shoulder a screen to hide behind when shooting pheasants, and a bag containing a hen for luring hawks, and a small falcon. Over the other shoulder, attached by a strap, was a wild cat he had killed, and stuck in his belt behind were some little bags containing bullets, gunpowder, and bread, a horse's tail to swish away the mosquitoes. A large dagger in a torn scabbard, smeared with old blood-stains, and two dead pheasants. Having glanced at the cordon, he stopped. "'Hi, Liam,' he called to the dog in such a ringing bass that it awoke an echo far away in the wood, and throwing over his shoulder his big gun, of the kind the Cossacks call a flint, he raised his cap. "'Had a good day, good people, eh?' he said, addressing the Cossacks in the same strong and cheerful voice, quite without effort.

but as loudly as if he were shouting to someone on the other bank of the river. "'Yes, yes, uncle,' answered from all sides the voices of the young Cossacks. "'What have you seen? Tell us!' shouted Uncle Eroshka, wiping the sweat from his broad red face with the sleeve of his coat. "'Ah, there's a vulture living in the plane-tree here, uncle. As soon as night comes, he begins hovering around,' said Nazarka, winking and jerking his shoulder and leg. "'Come, come,' said the old man incredulously. "'Really, uncle, you must keep watch. replied Nazarka with a laugh. The other Cossacks began laughing. The wag had not seen any vulture at all, but it had long been the custom of the young Cossacks in the cordon to tease and mislead uncle Eroshka every time he came to them.

"'Eh, you fool, always lying!' exclaimed Lukashka from the tower to Nazarka. Nazarka was immediately silenced. "'It must be watched. I'll watch,' answered the old man, to the great delight of all the Cossacks. "'But—' Have you seen any boars?" Watching for boars, are you? said the corporal, bending forward and scratching his back with both hands, very pleased at the chance of some distraction. It's abrex one has to hunt here, and not boars. You've not heard anything. Uncle, have you?" he added, needlessly screwing up his eyes, and showing his close-set white teeth. "'Abrex,' said the old man. "'No, I haven't. I say, have you any chick here? Let me have a drink. There's a good man. I'm really quite done up.' When the time comes I'll bring you some fresh meat.

I really will. Give me a drink," he added. "'Well, and are you going to watch?' inquired the corporal, as though he had not heard what the other said. "'I did mean to watch to-night,' replied Uncle Eroshka. "'Maybe, with God's help, I shall kill something for the holiday. Then you shall have a share. You shall indeed.' "'Uncle! Hello, Uncle!' called out Lukashka, sharply from above, attracting everybody's attention. All the Cossacks looked up at him. "'Just go to the upper-water course. There's a fine herd of boars there. I'm not inventing, really. The other day one of our Cossacks shot one there. I'm telling you the truth,' added he, readjusting the musket at his back, and in a tone that showed he was not joking.

"'Ah, Lukashka, the snatcher is here,' said the old man, looking up. "'Where has he been shooting?' "'Haven't you seen? I suppose you're too young,' said Lukashka. "'Close by the ditch.' He went on seriously, with a shake of the head. We were just going along the ditch when all at once we heard something crackling, but my gun was in its case. Elias fired suddenly. But I'll show you the place. It's not far. You just wait a bit. I know every one of their footpaths. Daddy Mosef," said he, turning resolutely and almost commandingly to the corporal, it's time to relieve guard. And holding aloft his gun, he began to descend from the watch-tower, without waiting for the order. Come down, said the corporal.

After lukashka had started, and glanced round. Is it your turn, Gherka? Then go. True enough, your lukashka has become very skilful, he went on, addressing the old man. He keeps going about, just like you. He doesn't stay at home. The other day he killed a bore.

7 07 - Chapter VII 6:41

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud. Chapter Seven. The sun had already set, and the shades of night were rapidly spreading from the edge of the wood. The Cossacks finished their task round the cordon, and gathered in the hut for supper. Only the old man still stayed under the plane-tree, watching for the vulture and pulling the string tied to the falcon's leg, But though a vulture was really perching on the plane-tree, it declined to swoop down on the lure. Lukashka, singing one song after another, was leisurely placing nets among the very thickest brambles to trap pheasants. In spite of his tall stature and big hands, every kind of work, both rough and delicate, prospered under Lukashka's fingers.

"'Hullo, Luke!' came Nazarka's shrill, sharp voice, calling him from the thicket close by. "'The Cossacks have gone in to supper.' Nazarka, with a live pheasant under his arm, forced his way through the brambles and emerged on the footpath. "'Oh,' said Lukashka, breaking off in his song, "'Where did you get that cock-pheasant? I suppose it was in my trap.' Nazarka was of the same age as Lukashka, and had also only been at the front since the previous spring. He was plain, thin and puny, with a shrill voice that rang in one's ears. They were neighbors and comrades. Lukashka was sitting on the grass cross-legged like a tartar, adjusting his nets. "'I don't know whose it was. Yours, I expect. "'Was it beyond the pit by the plane-tree?

"'Then it is mine. "'I set the nets last night.' Lukashka rose and examined the captured pheasant. After stroking the dark, burnished head of the bird, which rolled its eyes and stretched out its neck in terror, Lukashka took the pheasant in his hands. "'Oh, we'll have it in a pillau tonight. "'You go and kill and pluck it.' "'And shall we eat it ourselves, or give it to the corporal? He has plenty.' "'I don't like killing them,' said Nuzarka. "'Give it here.' Lukashka drew a little knife from under his dagger, and gave it a swift jerk. The bird fluttered, but before it could spread its wings, the bleeding head bent and quivered. "'That's how one should do it,' said Lukashka, throwing down the pheasant.

"'It'll make a fat pilau.' Nuzarka shuddered as he looked at the bird. "'I say, Lukashka—' That fiend will be sending us to the ambush again tonight," he said, taking up the bird. He was alluding to the corporal. He is sent for Mushkin to get wine, and it ought to be his turn. He always puts it on ours. Lukashka went whistling along the cordon. Take the string with you, he shouted. Nozarka obeyed. I'll give him a bit of my mind today. I really will, continued Nozarka. Let's say we won't go. We're tired out, and there's an end of it. No, really. You tell him. He'll listen to you. It's too bad." Get along with you. What a thing to make a fuss about, said Lukashka, evidently thinking of something else.

What bosh! If he made us turn out of the village at night now, that would be annoying. There one can have some fun. But here, what is there? It's all one whether we're in the cordon or in ambush. What a fellow you are! And are you going to the village? I'll go for the holidays. Gherka says your Dunayka is carrying on with Fumushkin, said Nazarka suddenly. "'Oh, well, let her go to the devil,' said Lukashka, showing his regular white teeth, though he did not laugh. "'As if I couldn't find another.' Gurkha says he went to her house. Her husband was out, and there was Fumushkin sitting and eating pie. Gurkha stopped a while, and then went away, and passing by the window he heard her say, "'He's gone, the fiend.

Why don't you eat your pie, my own? You needn't go home for the night,' she says. And Gurkha under the window says to himself, "'That's fine.' You're making it up? No, quite true, by heaven. Well, if she's found another, let her go to the devil," said Lukashka, after a pause. There's no lack of girls, and I was sick of her anyway. Well, see what a devil you are, said Nazarka. You should make up to the Cornets girl, Marianka. Why doesn't she walk out with anyone? Lukashka frowned. What of Marianka? They're all alike, he said. Well, you just try. What do you think? A girl so scarce in the village? And Lukashka recommenced whistling, and went along the cordon, pulling leaves and branches from the bushes as he went.

Suddenly, catching sight of a smooth sapling, he drew the knife from the handle of his dagger and cut it down. What a ramrod it will make, he said, swinging the sapling till it whistled through the air. The Cossacks were sitting round a low tartar table on the earthen floor of the clay-plastered outer room of the hut, when the question of whose turn it was to lie in ambush was raised. "'Who is to go to-night?' shouted one of the Cossacks through the open door to the corporal in the next room. "'Who is to go?' the corporal shouted back. "'Uncle Berlak has been, and from Rushkin too,' said he, not quite confidently. "'You two had better go. You and Nazarka,' he went on, addressing Lukashka, "'and Urugushoff.

Must go too. Surely he has slept it off.' "'You don't sleep it off yourself, so why should he?' said Nazarka in a subdued voice. The Cossacks laughed. Ergachev was the Cossack who had been lying drunk and asleep near the hut. He had only that moment staggered into the room, rubbing his eyes. Lukashka had already risen, and was getting his gun ready. "'Be quick and go. Finish your supper and go,' said the corporal. And without waiting for an expression of consent, he shut the door, evidently not expecting the Cossack to obey. "'Of course,' thought he. If I hadn't been ordered to, I wouldn't send anyone, but an officer might turn up at any moment. As it is, they say eight abreks have crossed over.

"'Well, I suppose I must go,' remarked Ergushchev. "'It's the regulation. Can't be helped. The times are such. I say we must go.' Meanwhile, lukashka, holding a big piece of pheasant to his mouth with both hands, and glancing now at Nazarka, now at Ergushchev, seemed quite indifferent to what passed, and only laughed at them both. Before the Cossacks were ready to go into ambush, Uncle Eroshka, who had been vainly waiting under the plane-tree till night fell, entered the dark outer room. "'Well done, lads,' his loud bass resounded through the low-roofed room, drowning all the other voices. "'I'm going with you.

8 08 - Chapter VIII 13:01

It was quite dark when Uncle Eroshka and the three Cossacks, in their cloaks and shouldering their guns, left the cordon and went towards the place on the Terek, where they were to lie in ambush. Nazarka did not want to go at all. But lukashka shouted at him, and they soon started. After they had gone a few steps in silence, the Cossacks turned aside from the ditch and went along a path almost hidden by reeds till they reached the river. On its bank lay a thick black log cast up by the water. The reeds around it had been recently beaten down. "'Shall we lie here?' asked Nazarka. "'Why not?' answered lukashka. "'Sit down here, and I'll be back in a minute. I'll only show Daddy where to go.' This is the best place.

Here we can see and not be seen," said Erdoshev. So it's here we'll lie. It's a first-rate place. Nazarka and Erdoshev spread out their cloaks and settled down behind the log, while Lukashka went on with Uncle Erdoshev. "'It's not far from here, Daddy,' said Lukashka, stepping softly in front of the old man. "'I'll show you where they've been. I'm the only one that knows, Daddy.' "'Show me. You're a fine fellow, a regular snatcher.' replied the old man, also whispering. Having gone a few steps, lukashka stopped, stooped down over a puddle, and whistled. "'That's where they came to drink, do you see?' He spoke in a scarcely audible voice, pointing to fresh hoof-prints. "'Christ bless you,' answered the old man.

"'The boar will be in the hollow beyond the ditch,' he added. "'Till watch, and you can go.' Lukashka pulled his cloak up higher and walked back alone, Throwing swift glances now to the left at the wall of reeds, now to the terek rushing by below the bank. I dare say he's watching or creeping along somewhere, thought he of a possible Chechen hildman. Suddenly a loud rustling and a splash in the water made him start and seize his musket. From under the bank a boar leapt up, his dark outline showing for a moment against the glassy surface of the water, and then disappearing among the reeds. Lukashka pulled out his gun and aimed. But before he could fire— The boar had disappeared in the thicket.

Lukashka spat with vexation and went on. On approaching the ambuscade, he halted again and whistled softly. His whistle was answered, and he stepped up to his comrades. Nazarka, all curled up, was already asleep. Ergachev sat with his legs crossed, and moved slightly to make room for Lukashka. "'How jolly it is to sit here! Really a good place,' said he. "'Did you take him there?' Showed him where, answered Lukashka, spreading out his cloak. But what a big boar I roused just now, close to the water. I expect it was the very one. You must have heard the crash. I did hear a beast crashing through. I knew at once it was a beast. I thought to myself, Lukashka has roused a beast, Ogershov said, wrapping himself up in his cloak.

Now I'll go to sleep, he added. Wake me when the cock's crow. We must have discipline. I'll lie down and have a nap, and then you will have a nap, and I'll watch. That's the way. Luckily, I don't want to sleep, answered Lukashka. The night was dark, warm, and still. Only on one side of the sky the stars were shining. The other and greater part was overcast by one huge cloud stretching from the mountain tops. The black cloud, blending in the absence of any wind with the mountains, moved slowly onwards, its curved edges sharply denned against the deep starry sky. Only in front of him could the Cossack discern the Terek and the distance beyond. Behind and on both sides he was surrounded by a wall of reeds.

Occasionally the reeds would sway and rustle against one another, apparently without cause. Seen from down below, against the clear part of the sky, their waving tufts looked like the feathery branches of trees. Close in front at his very feet was the bank, and at its base the rushing torrent. A little farther on was the moving mass of glassy brown water, which eddied rhythmically along the bank and round the shallows. Farther still, water, banks, and cloud all merged together in impenetrable gloom. Along the surface of the water floated black shadows, in which the experienced eyes of the cossack detected trees carried down by the current. Only very rarely sheet lightning, mirrored in the water as in a black glass, Disclosed the sloping bank opposite.

The rhythmic sounds of night, the rustling of the reeds, the snoring of the cossacks, the hum of mosquitoes, and the rushing water, were every now and then broken by a shot fired in the distance, or by the gurgling of water when a piece of bank slipped down, splash of a big fish, or the crashing of an animal breaking through the thick undergrowth in the wood. Once an owl flew past along the terrick. Flapping one wing against the other rhythmically at every second beat. Just above the Cossack's head, it turned towards the wood, and then, striking its wings no longer after every other flap, but at every flap, it flew to an old plane-tree, where it rustled about for a long time before settling down among the branches.

At every one of these unexpected sounds, the watching Cossack listened intently, straining his hearing, and screwing up his eyes while he deliberately felt for his musket.

The greater part of the night was past. The black cloud that had moved westward revealed the clear, starry sky from under its torn edge, and the golden, upturned crescent of the moon shone above the mountains with a reddish light. The cold began to be penetrating. Nazarka woke, spoke a little, and fell asleep again. Lukashka, feeling bored, got up, drew the knife from his dagger-handle, and began to fashion his stick into a ramrod. His head was full of the Chechens who lived over there in the mountains, and of how their brave lads came across, and were not afraid of the Cossacks, and might even now be crossing the river at some other spot. He thrust himself out of his hiding-place, and looked along the river but could see nothing.

And as he continued, looking out at intervals upon the river and at the opposite bank, now dimly distinguishable from the water in the faint moonlight, He no longer thought about the Chechens, but only of when it would be time to wake his comrades, and of going home to the village. In the village he imagined Dunayka, his little soul, as the Cossacks call a man's mistress, and thought of her with vexation. Silvery mists, a sign of coming morning, glittered white above the water, and not far from him young eagles were whistling and flapping their wings. At last the crowing of a cock reached him from the distant village. Followed by the long-sustained note of another, which was again answered by yet other voices.

Time to wake them, thought Lukashka, who had finished his ramrod and felt his eyes growing heavy. Turning to his comrades, he managed to make out which pair of legs belonged to whom, when it suddenly seemed to him that he heard something splash on the other side of the terek. He turned again towards the horizon beyond the hills, where day was breaking under the upturned crescent. Glanced at the outline of the opposite bank, at the terek, and at the now distinctly visible driftwood upon it. For one instant it seemed to him that he was moving, and that the terek with the drifting wood remained stationary. Again he peered out. One large black log with a branch particularly attracted his attention.

The tree was floating in a strange way, right down the middle of the stream, neither rocking nor whirling. It even appeared not to be floating altogether with the current, but to be crossing it in the direction of the shallows. Lukashka, stretching out his neck, watched it intently. The tree floated to the shallows, stopped, and shifted in a peculiar manner. Lukashka thought he saw an arm stretched out from beneath the tree. Supposing I killed an Abrek all by myself, he thought, and seized his gun with a swift, unhurried movement, putting up his gunrest, placing the gun upon it, and holding it noiselessly in position.

Cocking the trigger, with bated breath, he took aim. still peering out intently. I won't wake them, he thought. But his heart began beating so fast that he remained motionless, listening. Suddenly the trunk gave a plunge, and again began to float across the stream towards our bank. Only not to miss, thought he. And now, by the faint light of the moon, he caught a glimpse of a tartar's head, in front of the floating wood. He aimed straight at the head, which appeared to be quite near, just at the end of his rifle's barrel. He glanced across. Right enough, it is, an abrek, he thought joyfully, and suddenly rising to his knees, he again took aim. Having found the sight, barely visible at the end of the long gun, he said, in the name of the father and of the son, in the Cossack way learnt in his childhood, and pulled the trigger.

A flash of lightning lit up for an instant, the reeds and the water, and the sharp, abrupt report of the shot was carried across the river, changing into a prolonged roll somewhere in the far distance. The piece of driftwood now floated not across, but with the current rocking and whirling. Stop, I say, exclaimed Dergyshoff, seizing his musket and raising himself behind the log near which he was lying. Shut up, you devil, whispered Lukashka, grinding his teeth. Abrex. Whom have you shot? asked Nazarka. Who was it, Lukashka? Lukashka did not answer. He was reloading his gun and watching the floating wood. A little way off it stopped on a sandbank, and from behind it something large that rocked in the water came into view.

"'What did you shoot? Why don't you speak?' insisted the Cossacks. "'Abreks, I tell you,' said Lukashka. "'Don't humbug. Did the gun go off?' "'I've killed an abrek. That's what I fired at,' muttered Lukashka in a voice choked by emotion as he jumped to his feet. "'A man was swimming,' he said, pointing to the sandbank. "'I killed him. Just look there.' "'Have done with your humbugging,' said Ergischoff again, rubbing his eyes. "'Have done with what? Look there,' said Lukashka, seizing him by the shoulders and pulling him with such force that Ergischoff groaned. He looked in the direction in which Lukashka pointed, and discerning a body immediately changed his tone. "'Oh, Lord! But I say, more will come.

I tell you the truth,' said he softly, and began examining his musket. "'That was a scout swimming across. Either the others are here already.' Or are not far off on the other side. I tell you for sure." Lukashka was unfastening his belt, and taking off his circassian coat. "'What are you up to, you idiot?' exclaimed Ergachev. "'Only show yourself, and you've lost all for nothing. I tell you true. If you've killed him, he won't escape.' "'Let me have a little powder for my musket-pan. You have some?' "'Nozarka, you go back to the cordon and look alive. But don't go along the bank, or you'll be killed. I'll tell you true.' "'Catch me going alone? Go yourself,' said Nozarka angrily." Having taken off his coat, Lukashka went down to the bank.

"'Don't go in, I tell you,' said Ugaschov, putting some powder on the pan. "'Look, he's not moving, I can see. It's nearly morning. Wait till they come from the cordon. You go, Nazarka. You're afraid. Don't be afraid, I tell you.' "'Luke,' I say, Lukashka. Tell us how you did it,' said Nazarka. Lukashka changed his mind about going into the water just then. "'Go quick to the cordon, and I will watch. Tell the Cossacks to send out the patrol.' If the abreks are on this side, they must be caught," said he. "'That's what I say. They'll get off,' said Ergaschoff, rising. "'True, they must be caught.' Ergaschoff and Azarka rose and, crossing themselves, started off for the cordon, not along the river-bank, but breaking their way through the brambles to reach a path in the wood.

"'Now, mind, lukashka, they may cut you down here, so you'd best keep a sharp lookout, I tell you.' "'Go along, I know,' muttered lukashka. And having examined his gun again, he sat down behind the log. He remained alone and sat gazing at the shallows and listening for the Cossacks. But it was some distance to the cordon, and he was tormented by impatience. He kept thinking that the other abreks who were with the one he had killed would escape.

He was vexed with the abreks who were going to escape, just as he had been with the boar that had escaped the evening before. He glanced round and at the opposite bank, expecting every moment to see a man, And having arranged his gunrest, he was ready to fire. The idea that he might himself be killed never entered his head.

9 09 - Chapter IX 10:12

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Alma Maud. Chapter Nine.

It was growing light. The Chechen's body, which was gently rocking in the shallow water, was now clearly visible. Suddenly the reeds rustled, not far from Luke, and he heard steps and saw the feathery tops of the reeds moving. He set his gun at full cock and muttered, "'In the name of the father and of the son.' But when the cock clipped, the sound of steps ceased. "'Hullo, Cossacks! Don't kill your daddy,' said a deep bass voice, calmly. And moving the reeds apart, Daddy Eroshka came up close to Luke. "'I very nearly killed you, by God I did,' said Lukashka. "'What have you shot?' asked the old man. His sonorous voice resounded through the wood and downward along the river. suddenly dispelling the mysterious quiet of night around the Cossack.

It was as if everything had suddenly become lighter and more distinct. "'There, now! Uncle, you have not seen anything. But I've killed a beast,' said Lukashka, uncocking his gun and getting up with unnatural calmness. The old man was staring intently at the white back, now clearly visible, against which the terrak rippled.

He was swimming with a log on his back. I spied him out. Look there, there! He's got blue trousers, and a gun, I think. Do you see? inquired Luke. How can one help seeing? said the old man angrily, and a serious and stern expression appeared on his face. "'You've killed a brave!' he said, apparently with regret. Well, I sat here and suddenly saw something dark on the other side. I spied him when he was still over there. It was as if a man had come there and fallen in. Strange! And a piece of driftwood, a good-sized piece, comes floating, not with the stream but across it. And what do I see but a head appearing from under it? Strange! I stretched out of the reeds, but could see nothing. Then I rose, and he must have heard, the beast, and crept out into the shallow and looked about.

No, you don't, I said, as soon as he landed and looked round. You won't get away. Oh, there was something choking me. I got my gun ready, but did not stir, and looked out. He waited a little, and then swam out again. And when he came into the moonlight, I could see his whole back, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And through the smoke I see him struggling. He moaned, or so it seemed to me. Ah, I thought, the Lord be thanked. I have killed him. And when he drifted on to the sand-bank, I could see him distinctly. He tried to get up, but couldn't. He struggled a bit. and then lay down. Everything could be seen. Look, he does not move. He must be dead. The Cossacks have gone back to the cordon, in case there should be more of them.

And so you got him," said the old man. He is far away now, my lad. And again he shook his head sadly. Just then the sound reached them, of breaking bushes, and the loud voices of Cossacks approaching along the bank on horseback and on foot.

Are you bringing the skiff? shouted Lukashka. You're a trump, Luke. Lug it to the bank, shouted one of the Cossacks. Without waiting for the skiff, Lukashka began to undress, keeping an eye all the while on his prey.

Wait a bit. Nazarka is bringing the skiff, shouted the corporal. You fool! Maybe he's alive and only pretending. Take your dagger with you, shouted another Cossack. Get along, cried Luke, pulling off his trousers. He quickly undressed and— Crossing himself, jumped, plunging with a splash into the river. Then, with long strokes of his white arms, lifting his back high out of the water and breathing deeply, he swam across the current of the terrak towards the shallows. A crowd of Cossacks stood on the bank, talking loudly. Three horsemen rode off to patrol. The skiff appeared round a bend. Lukashka stood up on the sandbank, leaned over the body, and gave it a couple of shakes. Quite dead. He shouted in a shrill voice.

The Chechen had been shot in the head. He had on a pair of blue trousers, a shirt, and a circassian coat, and a gun and dagger were tied to his back. Above all these, a large branch was tied, and it was this which at first had misled lukashka. "'What a carp you've landed,' cried one of the Cossacks, who had assembled in a circle, as the body, lifted out of the skiff, was laid on the bank, pressing down the grass. "'How yellow he is!' said another. "'Where have our fellows gone to search? I expect the rest of them are on the other bank. If this one had not been a scout, he would not have swum that way. Why else should he swim alone?' said a third. "'Must have been a smart one to offer himself before the others.

A regular brave,' said Lukashka mockingly, shivering as he wrung out his clothes that had got wet on the bank. "'His beard is dyed and cropped. And he has tied a bag with a coat in it to his back.' "'That would make it easier for him to swim,' said someone. "'I say, lukashka,' said the corporal, who was holding the dagger and gun taken from the dead man. "'Keep the dagger for yourself, and the coat, too. But I'll give you three roubles for the gun. You see, it has a hole in it,' said he, blowing into the muzzle. "'I want it just for a souvenir.' Lukashka did not answer. Evidently, this sort of begging vexed him. But he knew it could not be avoided. "'See, what a devil,' said he, frowning and throwing down the chechen's coat.

If at least it were a good coat—' But it's a mere rag. It'll do to fetch firewood in, said one of the Cossacks. Mosev, I'll go home, said Lukashka, evidently forgetting his vexation, and wishing to get some advantage out of having to give a present to his superior. All right, you may go. Take the body beyond the cordon, lads, said the corporal, still examining the gun, and put a shelter over him from the sun. Perhaps they'll send from the mountains to ransom it. It isn't hot yet, said someone. And supposing a jackal tears him? Would that be well? remarked another Cossack. We'll set a watch. If they should come to ransom him. It won't do for him to have been torn. Well, the Kashka, whatever you do, you must stand a pail of vodka for the lads, said the corporal gayly.

Of course, that's the custom, chimed in the Cossacks. See what luck God has sent you. Without ever having seen anything of the kind before, you've killed a brave. Buy the dagger and coat, and don't be stingy, and I'll let you have the trousers too," said Lukashka. They're too tight for me. It was a thin devil. One cossack bought the coat for a ruble, and another gave the price of two pails of vodka for the dagger. Drink, lads. I'll stand you a pail, said Luke. I'll bring it myself from the village. And cut up the trousers into kerchiefs for the girls, said Nazarka. The cossacks burst out laughing. I've done laughing, said the corporal, and take the body away. Why have you put the nasty thing by the hut?

"'What are you standing there for? "'Wall him along, lads,' shouted Lukashka, in a commanding voice to the Cossacks, who reluctantly took hold of the body, obeying him as though he were their chief. After dragging the body along for a few steps, the Cossacks let fall the legs, which dropped with a lifeless jerk, and stepping apart, they then stood silent for a few moments. Nazarka came up and straightened the head, which was turned to one side so that the round wound above the temple and the whole of the dead man's face were visible. See what a mark he has made right in the brain, he said. He won't get lost. His owners will always know him. No one answered, and again the angel of silence flew over the Cossacks.

The sun had risen high, and its diverging beams were lighting up the dewy grass. Nearby, the terek murmured in the awakened wood, and, greeting the morning, the pheasants called to one another. The Cossacks stood still and silent around the dead man, gazing at him. The brown body, with nothing on but the wet blue trousers, held by a girdle over the sunken stomach, was well-shaped and handsome. The muscular arms lay stretched straight out by his sides. The blue, freshly-shaven, round head, with the clotted wound on one side of it, was thrown back. The smooth, tanned forehead contrasted sharply with the shaven part of the head. The open, glassy eyes with lowered pupils stared upwards. Seeming to gaze past everything.

Under the red-trimmed moustache, the fine lips, drawn at the corners, seemed stiffened into a smile of good-natured subtle ruylery. The fingers of the small hands, covered with red hairs, were bent inward, and the nails were dyed red. Lukashka had not yet dressed. He was wet. His neck was redder, and his eyes brighter than usual. His broad jaws twitched, and from his healthy body A hardly perceptible street steam rose in the fresh morning air. He, too, was a man, he muttered, evidently admiring the corpse. Yes, if you had fallen into his hands, you would have had short shrift, said one of the Cossacks. The Angel of Silence had taken wing. The Cossacks began bustling about and talking. Two of them went to cut brushwood for a shelter, others strolled towards the cordon.

Luc and Nazarka ran to get ready to go to the village. Half an hour later they were both on their way homewards, talking incessantly, and almost running through the dense woods which separated the terrak from the village. "'Mind, don't tell her I sent you, but just go and find out if her husband is at home,' Luke was saying, in a shrill voice. "'And I'll go round to Yamka, too,' said the devoted Nazarka. "'We'll have a spree, shall we?' "'When should we have one, if not to-day?' replied Luke.

10 10 - Chapter X 9:59

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud. Chapter 10. On the third day after the events above described, two companies of a caucasian infantry regiment arrived at the Cossack village of Novomlinsk. The horses had been unharnessed, and the company's wagons were standing in the square. The cooks had dug a pit, and with logs gathered from various yards, where they had not been sufficiently securely stored, were now cooking the food. The pay sergeants were settling accounts with the soldiers. The service corps men were driving piles in the ground to which to tie the horses, and the quartermasters were going about the streets, just as if they were at home, showing officers and men to their quarters.

Here were green ammunition boxes in a line, the company's carts, Horses, and cauldrons, in which buckwheat porridge was being cooked. Here were the captain and the lieutenant, and the sergeant-major, Onisin Mikhailovich, and all this was in the Cossack village, where it was reported that the companies were ordered to take up their quarters. Therefore they were at home here. But why they were stationed there, who the Cossacks were, and whether they wanted the troops to be there, and whether they were old believers or not, was all quite immaterial. Having received their pay, and been dismissed, tired out and covered with dust, the soldiers noisily and in disorder, like a swarm of bees about to settle, spread over the squares and streets.

Quite regardless of the Cossacks' ill will, chattering merrily, and with their muskets clinking, by twos and threes they entered the huts, and hung up their accoutrements, unpacked their bags, and bantered the women. At their favorite spot, round the porridge-cauldrons, A large group of soldiers assembled, and with little pipes between their teeth they gazed, now at the smoke, which rose into the hot sky, becoming visible when it thickened into white clouds, as it rose, and now at the camp-fires, which were quivering in the pure air like molten glass, and bantered and made fun of the Cossack men and women, because they do not live at all like Russians. In all the yards one could see soldiers, and hear their laughter, and the exasperated and shrill cries of Cossack women defending their houses and refusing to give the soldiers water or cooking utensils.

Little boys and girls, clinging to their mothers and to each other, followed all the movements of the troopers, never before seen by them, with frightened curiosity, or ran after them at a respectful distance. The old Cossacks came out, silently and dismally, and sat on the earthen embankments of their huts, and watched the soldiers' activity with an air of leaving it all to the will of God, without understanding what would come of it.

Olenin, who had joined the Caucasian army as a cadet three months before, was quartered in one of the best houses in the village, the house of the cornet, Elias Vasilich, that is to say, at Granie Ulytka's. Goodness knows what it will be like, Dmitri Andreevich, said the panting Vanyusha to Olenin, who, dressed in a circassian coat and mounted on a cabada horse, which he had bought in Gorosno, was after a five hours march gaily entering the yard of the quarters assigned to him. Why, what's the matter? he asked, caressing his horse and looking merrily at the perspiring, dishevelled and worried Venusha, who had arrived with the baggage-waggons, and was unpacking. Olenin looked quite a different man.

In place of his clean-shaven lips and chin, he had a youthful moustache and a small beard. Instead of a sallow complexion, the result of nights turned into day. His cheeks, his forehead, and the skin behind his ears were now red with healthy sunburn. In place of a clean new black suit, he wore a dirty white circassian coat with a deeply pleated skirt, and he bore arms. Instead of a freshly starched collar, his neck was tightly clasped by the red band of his silk beshmet. He wore circassian dress, but did not wear it well, and anyone would have known him for a Russian, and not a Tatar brave. It was the thing, but not the real thing. But for all that, his whole person breathed health, Joy and satisfaction.

"'Yes, it seems funny to you,' said Vanyusha. "'But just try to talk to these people yourself. They set themselves against one, and there's an end of it. You can't get as much as a word out of them.' Vanyusha angrily threw down a pail on the threshold. "'Somehow they don't seem like Russians.' "'You should speak to the chief of the village.' "'But I don't know where he lives,' said Vanyusha in an offended tone. "'Who is upset you so?' asked Olinin, looking round. "'The devil only knows. There's no real master here. They say he has gone to some kind of Krieger, and the old woman is a real devil. God preserve us, answered Vanyusha, putting his hands to his head. How we shall live here I don't know.

They are worse than Tatars. I do declare, though they consider themselves Christians. A Tatar is bad enough, but all the same he is more noble. Gone to the Krieger, indeed. What this Krieger they have invented is I don't know, concluded Vanyusha, and turned aside. It's not as it is in the serfs' quarters at home, eh? chaffed Olenin, without dismounting. "'Please, sir, may I have your horse?' said Vanusha, evidently perplexed by this new order of things, but resigning himself to his fate. "'So a tartar is more noble, eh, Vanusha?' repeated Olenin, dismounting and slapping the saddle. "'Yes, you're laughing. You think it funny,' muttered Vanusha angrily. "'Come, don't be angry, Vanusha,' replied Olenin, still smiling.

"'Wait a minute. I'll go and speak to the people of the house. You'll see. I shall arrange everything.' You don't know what a jolly life we shall have here. Only—don't get upset. Vanyusha did not answer. Screwing up his eyes, he looked contemptuously after his master, and shook his head. Vanyusha regarded Olenin as only his master, and Olenin regarded Vanyusha as only his servant. And they would both have been much surprised if any one had told them that they were friends, as they really were without knowing it themselves. Vanyusha had been taken into his proprietor's house, When he was only eleven, and when Olenin was the same age. When Olenin was fifteen, he gave Vanyusha lessons for a time, and taught him to read French, of which the latter was inordinately proud.

And when, in specially good spirits, he still let off French words, always laughing stupidly when he did so. Olenin ran up the steps of the porch, and pushed open the door of the hut. Marianka, wearing nothing but a pink spock, as all Cossack women do in the house, jumped away from the door, frightened, and pressing herself against the wall, covered the lower part of her face with the broad sleeve of her Tartar smock.

Having opened the door wider, Olenin, in the semi-darkness of the passage, saw the whole tall, shapely figure of the young Cossack girl. With the quick and eager curiosity of youth, he involuntarily noticed the firm, maidenly form revealed by the fine Prince Mock, and the beautiful black eyes fixed on him with childlike terror and wild curiosity. This is she, thought Olinin. But there will be many others like her, came at once into his head, and he opened the inner door. Old Granny Olidka, also dressed only in a smock, was stooping with her back turned to him, sweeping the floor. Good day to you, mother. I've come about my lodgings, he began. The Cossack woman, without unbending, turned her severe but still handsome face towards him.

What have you come here for? Want to mock at us, eh? I'll teach you to mock. May the Black Plague seize you," she shouted, looking askance from under her frowning brow at the new-comer. Olenin had at first imagined that the way-worn, gallant, caucasian army, of which he was a member, would be everywhere received joyfully, and especially by the Cossacks, our comrades in the war, and he therefore felt perplexed by this reception. Without losing presence of mind, however, he tried to explain that he meant to pay for his lodgings, but the old woman would not give him a hearing. "'What have you come for? Who wants a pest like you with your scraped face? You just wait a bit. When the master returns, he'll show you your place.

I don't want your dirty money—a likely thing, just as if we had never seen any. You'll stink the house out with your beastly tobacco, and want to put it right with money.' "'Think we've never seen a pest? May you be shot in your bowels and your heart!' shrieked the old woman, in a piercing voice, interrupting Olemin. "'It seems Faneucia was right,' thought Olemin. A tartar would be nobler, and followed by Granny Olitka's abuse, he went out of the hut. As he was leaving, Marianka, still wearing only her pink smock, but with her forehead covered down to her eyes by a white kerchief, suddenly slipped out from the passage past him. Pattering rapidly down the steps with her bare feet, she ran from the porch, stopped, and, looking round hastily with laughing eyes at the young man, vanished round the corner of the hut.

Her firm, youthful step, The untamed look of the eyes glistening from under the white kerchief, and the firm stately build of the young beauty struck olenin even more powerfully than before. Yes, it must be she, he thought, and troubling his head still less about the lodgings, he kept looking round at Marianka as he approached Vanyusha. "'There you see, the girl too is quite savage. Just like a wild filly,' said Vanyusha, who, though still busy with the luggage-waggon, had now cheered up a bit. La femme, He added in a loud, triumphant voice, and burst out laughing.

11 11 - Chapter XI 9:05

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud. Chapter 11. Towards evening, the master of the house returned from his fishing, and having learnt that the cadet would pay for the lodging, pacified the old woman and satisfied Venusha's demands. Everything was arranged in the new quarters. Their hosts moved into the winter hut, and let their summer hut to the cadet for three roubles a month. Olenin had something to eat and went to sleep. Towards evening he woke up, washed and made himself tidy, dined, and having lit a cigarette, sat down by the window that looked on to the street. It was cooler. The slanting shadow of the hut, with its ornamental gables, fell across the dusty road, and even bent upwards at the base of the wall of the house opposite.

The steep The red-thatched roof of that house shone in the rays of the setting sun. The air grew fresher. Everything was peaceful in the village. The soldiers had settled down and become quiet, the herds had not yet been driven home, and the people had not returned from their work. Olenin's lodging was situated almost at the end of the village, at rare intervals from somewhere far beyond the Terek in those parts whence Olenin had just come, the Chechen or the Kumitsk plain. came muffled sounds of firing. Olenin was feeling very well contented after three months of bivouac life. His newly washed face was fresh, and his powerful body clean—an unaccustomed sensation after the campaign. And in all his rested limbs he was conscious of a feeling of tranquility and strength.

His mind, too, felt fresh and clear. He thought of the campaign, and of past dangers. He remembered that he had faced them no worse than other men. and that he was accepted as a comrade among valiant Caucasians. His Moscow recollections were left behind heaven knows how far. The old life was wiped out, and a quite new life had begun, in which there were as yet no mistakes. Here, as a new man among new men, he could gain a new and good reputation. He was conscious of a youthful and unreasoning joy of life. Looking now out of the window at the boys spinning their tops in the shadow of the house, Now round his neat new lodging, he thought how pleasantly he would settle down to this new Cossack village life.

Now and then he glanced at the mountains and the blue sky, and an appreciation of the solemn grandeur of nature mingled with his reminiscences and dreams. His new life had begun, not as he imagined it would when he left Moscow, but unexpectedly well. The mountains, the mountains, the mountains! They permeated all his thoughts and feelings. "'He's kissed his dog and licked the jug. Daddy Eroshka has kissed his dog!' Suddenly the little cossacks, who had been spinning their tops under the window, shouted, looking towards the side street. "'He's drunk his bitch and his dagger!' shouted the boys, crowding together and snapping backwards. These shouts were addressed to Daddy Eroshka, who, with his gun on his shoulder and some pheasants hanging at his girdle, was returning from his shooting expedition.

"'I have done wrong, lads, I have,' he said. Vigorously swinging his arms, and looking up at the windows on both sides of the street. "'I have drunk the bitch. It was wrong.' He repeated, evidently vexed, but pretending not to care. Olinin was surprised by the boy's behavior towards the old hunter, but was still more struck by the expressive, intelligent face and the powerful build of the man whom they called Daddy Eroshka. "'Here, Daddy. Here, Cossack,' he called. "'Come here.' The old man looked into the window and stopped. "'Good evening, good man.' he said, lifting his little cap off his cropped head. "'Good evening, good man,' replied Olenin. "'What is it the youngsters are shouting at you?' Daddy Eroshka came up to the window.

"'Why, they're teasing the old man. No matter, I like it. Let them joke about their old daddy,' he said, with those firm musical intonations with which old and venerable people speak. "'Are you an army commander?' he added. "'No, I am a cadet. But where did you kill those pheasants?' asked Olenin. "'I despatched these three hens in the forest,' answered the old man, turning his broad back towards the window, to show the hen-pheasants, which were hanging with their heads tucked into his belt and staining his coat with blood. "'Haven't you seen any?' he asked. "'Take a brace, if you like. Here you are.' And he handed two of the pheasants in at the window. "'Are you a sportsman yourself?' he asked.

"'I am. During the campaign I killed four myself.' "'Four? What a lot!' said the old man sarcastically. "'And are you a drinker?' Do you drink Shakir? Why not? I like a drink. Ah, I see you are a trump. We shall be Kunaks, you and I," said Daddy Eroshka. Step in, said Olinin. We'll have a drop of Shakir. I might as well, said the old man. But take the pheasants. The old man's face showed that he liked the cadet. He had seen at once that he could get free drinks from him, and that therefore it would be all right to give him a brace of pheasants. Soon Daddy Orozka's figure appeared in the doorway of the hut, and it was only then that Olinin became fully conscious of the enormous size and sturdy build of this man, whose red-brown face with its perfectly white broad beard was all furrowed by deep lines produced by age and toil.

For an old man, the muscles of his legs, arms and shoulders, were quite exceptionally large and prominent. There were deep scars on his head under the short-cropped hair, his thick sinewy neck, was covered with deep intersecting folds like a bull's. His horny hands were bruised and scratched. He stepped lightly and easily over the threshold, unslung his gun, and placed it in a corner, and casting a rapid glance round the room, noted the value of the goods and chattels deposited in the hut, and with outturned toes stepped softly, in his sandals of raw hide, into the middle of the room. He brought with him a penetrating but not unpleasant smell of Shakir wine, vodka, Gunpowder and congealed blood.

Daddy Eroshka bowed down before the icons, smoothed his beard, and approaching Olenin held out his thick brown hand. "'Koshkildi,' said he. "'That is Tatar for good day. Peace be unto you,' it means in their tongue. "'Koshkildi, I know,' answered Olenin, shaking hands. "'Eh, but you don't. You won't know the right order, fool,' said Daddy Eroshka, shaking his head reproachfully. If anyone says Koshkildi to you, you must say Alarasi Boussan, that is, God save you. That's the way, my dear fellow, and not Koshkildi. And I'll teach you all about it. We had a fellow here, Elias Morsevitch, one of your Russians. He and I were Kunaks. He was a trump, a drunkard, a thief, a sportsman, and what a sportsman!

I taught him everything. And what will you teach me? asked Dolanin, who was becoming more and more interested in the old man. "'I'll take you hunting and teach you to fish. I'll show you chechens and find a girl for you, if you like—even that. That's the sort I am. I'm a wag,' and the old man laughed. "'I'll sit down. I'm tired.' "'Kaga?' he added inquiringly. "'And what does kaga mean?' asked Olenin. "'Why, that means—all right, in Georgian. But I say it just so. It is a way I have. It's my favourite word. Kaga, kaga. I say it just so. In fun, I mean. Well, that—' Won't you order the Shakir? You've got an orderly, haven't you? Hey, Ivan! shouted the old man. All your soldiers are Ivans. Is yours Ivan?

True enough, his name is Ivan, Vanyusha. Here, Vanyusha. Please get some Shakir for my landlady, and bring it here. Ivan or Vanyusha, that's all one. Why are all your soldiers Ivans? Ivan, old fellow, said the old man. You tell them to give you some from the barrel they have begun. They have the best Shakir in the village. But don't give more than thirty kopecks for the court, mind, because that witch would be only too glad. Our people are anathema people, stupid people, Dany Arostra continued in a confidential tone, after Vanyusha had gone out. They do not look upon you as on men. You are worse than a Tatar in their eyes. Worldly Russians, they say. But as for me, though you are a soldier, you are still a man, and have a soul in you.

Isn't that right? Elias Mosevitch was a soldier. Yet what a treasure of a man he was. Isn't that so, my dear fellow? That's why our people don't like me. But I don't care. I'm a merry fellow, and I like everybody. I'm a roshka. Yes, my dear fellow. And the old cossack patted the young man affectionately on the shoulder.

12 12 - Chapter XII 5:34

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Chapter Twelve.

Vanyusha, who meanwhile had finished his housekeeping arrangements, and had even been shaved by the company's barber, and had pulled his trousers out of his high boots as a sign that the company was stationed in comfortable quarters, was in excellent spirits, He looked attentively, but not benevolently, at Eroshka, as at a wild beast he had never seen before, shook his head at the floor which the old man had dirtied, and, having taken two bottles from under a bench, went to the landlady. "'Good evening, kind people,' he said, having made up his mind to be very gentle. "'My master has sent me to get some Shakira. Will you draw some for me, good folk?' The old woman gave no answer. The girl, who was arranging the kerchief on her head, before a little Tartar mirror, looked round at Vinyusha in silence.

"'I'll pay money for it, honoured people,' said Vinyusha, jingling the coppers in his pocket. "'Be kind to us, and we, too, will be kind to you,' he added. "'How much?' asked the old woman abruptly. "'A quart.' "'Go, my own. Draw some for them,' said Granny Olytka to her daughter. "'Take it from the cask that's begun, that my precious.' The girl took the keys in a decanter. and went out of the hut with Vanyusha. "'Tell me, who is that young woman?' asked Olenin, pointing to Marianka, who was passing the window. The old man winked and nudged the young man with his elbow. "'Wait a bit,' said he, and reached out of the window. "'Hum!' he coughed, and bellowed. "'Marianka, dear. Hello, Marianka, my girlie.

Won't you love me, darling?' "'I'm a wag,' he added in a whisper to Olenin. The girl, not turning her head and swinging her arms regularly and vigorously, passed the window with the peculiarly smart and bold gait of a cossack woman, and only turned her dark-shaded eyes slowly towards the old man. "'Love me, and you'll be happy,' shouted Eroshka, winking. And he looked questioningly at the cadet. "'I'm a fine fellow. I'm a wag,' he added. "'She's a regular queen, that girl, eh?' "'She is lovely,' said Olenin. "'Call her here.' "'No, no,' said the old man. "'For that one a match is being arranged with Lukashka. Luke, a fine Cossack, a brave, who killed an Abrek the other day. I'll find you a better one.

I'll find you one that will be all dressed up in silk and silver. Once I've said it, I'll do it. I'll get you a regular beauty.'" "'You, an old man, and say such things,' replied Olenin. "'Why, it's a sin.' "'A sin? Where's the sin?' said the old man emphatically. "'A sin to look at a nice girl?' A sin to have some fun with her? Or is it a sin to love her? Is that so in your parts? No, my dear fellow, it's not a sin. It's salvation. God made you, and God made the girl, too. He made it all. So it is no sin to look at a nice girl. That's what she was made for—to be loved and to give joy. That's how I judge it, my good fellow. Having crossed the yard and entered a cool dark storeroom filled with barrels, Marianka went up to one of them.

And, repeating the usual prayer, plunged a dipper into it. Vanyusha, standing in the doorway, smiled as he looked at her. He thought it very funny that she had only a smock on, close-fitting behind and tucked up in front, and still funnier that she wore a necklace of silver coins. He thought this quite un-russian, and that they would all laugh in the serfs' quarters at home, if they saw a girl like that. La fille compisse très bien, for a change, he thought. I'll tell that to my master. "'What are you standing in the light for, you devil?' the girl suddenly shouted. "'Why don't you pass me the decanter?' Having filled the decanter with cool red wine, Marianka handed it to Vanyusha. "'Give the money to mother,' she said, pushing away the hand in which he held the money.

Vanyusha laughed. "'Why are you so cross, little dear?' he said good-naturedly, irresolutely shuffling with his feet while the girl was covering the barrel. She began to laugh. "'And you—are you kind?' "'We, my master and I, are very kind,' Vanyusha answered decidedly. "'We are so kind that wherever we have stayed our hosts were always very grateful.' "'It's because he's generous.' The girl stood listening. "'And is your master married?' she asked. "'No, the master is young and unmarried, because noble gentlemen can never marry young,' said Vanyusha didactically. "'A likely thing. See what a fed-up buffalo he is, and too young to marry. Is he the chief of you all?' she asked. My master is a cadet.

That means he's not yet an officer. But he's more important than a general. He's an important man. Because not only our colonel, but the Tsar himself knows him, proudly explained Vanyusha. We are not like those other beggars in the line regiment, and our papa himself was a senator. He had more than a thousand serfs, all his own, and they send us a thousand roubles at a time. That's why everyone likes us. Another may be a captain, but have no money. What's the use of that? "'Go away. I'll lock up,' said the girl, interrupting him. Fanyusha brought Olin in the wine, and announced that La Fille, c'est très jolie, and, laughing stupidly, at once went out.

13 13 - Chapter XIII 13:57

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud. Chapter 13. Meanwhile the tattoo had sounded in the village square. The people had returned from their work. The herd lowed as in clouds of golden dust. It crowded at the village gate. The girls and the women hurried through the streets and yards, turning in their cattle. The sun had quite hidden itself behind the distant snowy peaks. One pale, bluish shadow spread over land and sky. Above the darkened gardens, stars just discernible were kindling, and the sounds were gradually hushed in the village. The cattle having been attended to, and left for the night, the women came out and gathered at the corners of the streets, Cracking sunflower seeds with their teeth, settled down on the earthen embankments of the houses.

Later on, Marianka, having finished milking the buffalo and the other two cows, also joined one of these groups. The group consisted of several women and girls, and one old Cossack man. They were talking about the Abrek who had been killed. The Cossack was narrating, and the women questioning him. "'I expect he'll get a handsome reward,' said one of the women. Of course. It's said that they'll send him across. Mosev did try to wrong him, took the gun away from him, but the authorities at Kislyar heard of it. A mean creature that Mosev is. They say Lukashka has come home, remarked one of the girls. He and Nazarka are merry-making at Yamka's. Yamka was an unmarried, disreputable Cossack woman who kept an illicit pothouse.

I heard say they had drunk half a pailful. "'What luck that snatcher is,' somebody remarked. "'A real snatcher. But there's no denying he's a fine lad. Smart enough for anything—a right-minded lad. His father was just such another. Daddy Kiriak was. He takes after his father.' When he was killed, the whole village howled. "'Look, there they are,' added the speaker, pointing to the cossacks, who were coming down the street towards them. "'And Ergushov has managed to come along with them, too,' the drunkard. "'Lukashka, Nazarka, and Ergushov.' Having emptied half a pail of vodka, were coming towards the girls. The faces of all three, but especially that of the old Cossack, were redder than usual.

Ergoshoff was reeling, and kept laughing and nudging Nazarka in the ribs. "'Why are you not singing?' he shouted to the girls. "'Sing to our merrymaking, I tell you.' They were welcomed with the words, "'Had a good day? Had a good day?' "'Why sing? It's not a holiday,' said one of the women. "'You're tight, so you go and sing.' Ergoshoff roared with laughter. and nudged nozarka. "'You'd better sing, and I'll begin, too. I'm clever, I'll tell you.' "'Are you asleep, fair one?' said nozarka. "'We've come from the cordon to drink your health. We've already drunk lukashka's health.' Lukashka, when he reached the group, slowly raised his cap and stopped in front of the girls. His broad cheekbones and neck were red.

He stood and spoke softly and sedately, but in his tranquility and sedateness there was more of animation and strength than in all nozarka's loquacity and bustle. He reminded one of a playful colt that, with a snort and a flourish of its tail, suddenly stops short and stands as though nailed to the ground with all four feet. Lukashka stood quietly in front of the girls. His eyes laughed, and he spoke but little as he glanced now at his drunken companions, and now at the girls. When Marianka joined the group, he raised his cap with a firm, deliberate movement, moved out of her way, and then stepped in front of her, with one foot a little forward, and with his thumbs in his belt, fingering his dagger.

Marianka answered his greeting with a leisurely bow of her head, settled down on the earth-bank, and took some seeds out of the bosom of her smock. Lukashka, keeping his eyes fixed on Marianka, slowly cracked seeds, and spat out the shells. All were quiet when Marianka joined the group. "'Have you come for long?' asked a woman, breaking the silence. "'Til to-morrow morning,' quietly replied Lukashka. "'Well, God grant you get something good,' said the Cossack. "'I'm glad of it, as I've just been saying.' "'And I say so, too,' put in the tipsy Ergishof, laughing. "'What a lot of visitors have come,' he added, pointing to a soldier who was passing by. "'The soldier's vodka is good. I like it.' "'They've sent three of the devils to us,' said one of the women.

"'Grandad went to the village elders, but they say nothing can be done.' "'Ah, ha, have you met with trouble?' said Ergishof. "'I expect they have smoked you out with their tobacco,' asked another woman. "'Smoke as much as you like in the yard, I say, but we won't allow it inside the hut. Not if the elder himself comes, I won't allow it. Besides, they may rob you. He's not quartered any of them on himself, no fear, that devil's son of an elder.' "'You don't like it?' Ogushev began again. "'And I've also heard that say that the girls will have to make the soldiers beds and offer them shikir and honey,' said Nazarka. Putting one foot forward and tilting his cap like Lukashka. Ergachev burst into a roar of laughter, and seizing the girl nearest to him, he embraced her.

"'I tell you true.' "'Now then, you black pitch,' squealed the girl. "'I'll tell your old woman.' "'Tell her,' shouted he. "'That's quite right, what Nazarka says. A circular has been sent round. He can read, you know. Quite true.' And he began embracing the next girl. "'What are you up to, you beast?' squealed the rosy, round-faced Ustenka, laughing and lifting her arm to hit him. The Cossacks stepped aside and nearly fell. "'There, they say girls have no strength, and you nearly killed me.' "'Get away, you black pitch. What devil has brought you from the cordon?' said Ustenka. And turning away from him, she again burst out laughing. "'You were asleep and missed the abrek, didn't you? Suppose he had done for you.

It would have been all the better.' "'You'd have howled, I expect,' said Muzarka, laughing. Howled a lightly thing. Just look, she doesn't care. She'd howl Nazarka, eh? Would she? said Ergischoff. Lukashka all this time had stood silently looking at Maryanka. His gaze evidently confused the girl. "'Well, Maryanka, I hear they've quartered one of the chiefs on you,' he said, drawing nearer. Maryanka, as was her wont, waited before she replied, and slowly raising her eyes, looked at the Cossack. Lukashka's eyes were laughing as if something special, apart from what was said, was taking place between himself and the girl. "'Yes, it's all right for them, as they have two huts,' replied an old woman on Marianka's behalf.

"'But at Formushkin's now they also have one of the chiefs quartered on them, and they say one whole corner is packed full with his things, and the family have no room left. Was such a thing ever heard of as that they should turn a whole horde loose in the village?' she said. And what the plague are they going to do here? I've heard say they'll build a bridge across the terek, said one of the girls. And I've been told that they will dig a pit to put the girls in because they don't love the lads, said Nazarka, approaching Ustenka. And he again made a whimsical gesture, which set everybody laughing, and Ergachev, passing by Marianka, who was next in turn, began to embrace an old woman. Why don't you hug Marianka?

You should do it to each in turn, said Nazarka. "'No, my old one is sweetest,' shouted the Cossack, kissing the struggling old woman. "'You'll throttle me!' she screamed, laughing. The tramp of regular footsteps at the other end of the street interrupted their laughter. Three soldiers in their cloaks, with their muskets on their shoulders, were marching in step to relieve guard by the ammunition wagon. The corporal, an old cavalryman, looked angrily at the Cossacks, and led his men straight along the road where Lukashka and Nazarka were standing, so that they should have to get out of the way. Nazarka moved, but lukashka only screwed up his eyes and turned his broad back without moving from his place.

"'People are standing here, so you go round,' he muttered, half turning his head and tossing it contemptuously in the direction of the soldiers. The soldiers passed by in silence, keeping step regularly along the dusty road. Marianka began laughing, and all the other girls chimed in. "'What swells?' said Nazarka. "'Just like long-skirted choristers, And he walked a few steps down the road, imitating the soldiers. Again everyone broke into peals of laughter. Lukashka came slowly up to maryanka. "'And where have you put the chief?' he asked. "'Maryanka thought for a moment. "'We've let him have the new huts,' she said. "'And is he old or young?' asked Lukashka, sitting down beside her. "'Do you think I've asked?' answered the girl.

"'I went to get him some shikir, and saw him sitting at the window with daddy Eroshka. Red-headed, he seemed.' They've brought a whole cartload of things. And she dropped her eyes. Oh, how glad I am that I got leave from the cordon, said Lukashka, moving closer to the girl, and looking straight in her eyes all the time. And have you come for long? asked Marianka, smiling slightly. Till the morning. Give me some sunflower seeds, he said, holding out his hand. Marianka now smiled outright, and unfastened the neckband of her smock. Don't take them all, she said. Really, I felt so dull all the time without you. I swear I did," he said in a calm, restrained whisper, helping himself to some seeds out of the bosom of the girl's smock.

And stooping still closer over her, he continued with laughing eyes to talk to her in low tones. "'I won't come, I tell you,' maryanka suddenly said aloud, leaning away from him. "'No, really, what I wanted to say to you,' whispered Lukashka. "'By the heavens, do come!' Maryanka shook her head, but did so with a smile. Nursi Marianka. Hello, Nursi. Mammy is calling. Supper time, shouted Marianka's little brother, running towards the group. I'm coming, replied the girl. Go, my dear. Go alone. I'll come in a minute. Lukashka rose and raised his cap. I expect I had better go home too. That would be best, he said, trying to appear unconcerned, but hardly able to repress a smile, and he disappeared behind the corner of the house.

Meanwhile, night had entirely enveloped the village. Bright stars were scattered over the dark sky. The streets became dark and empty. Nazarka remained with the woman, on the earth-bank, and their laughter was still heard, but lukashka, having slowly moved away from the girls, crouched down like a cat, and then suddenly started running lightly, holding his dagger to steady it. Not homeward, however, but towards the cornet's house. Having passed two streets, he turned into a lane, And lifting the skirt of his coat, sat down on the ground in the shadow of a fence. A regular cornet's daughter, he thought about Marianka. Won't even have a lark, the devil. Just wait a bit. The approaching footsteps of a woman attracted his attention.

He began listening, and laughed all by himself. Marianka with bowed head, striking the pails of the fences with a switch, was walking with rapid regular stride straight towards him. Lukashka rose. Marianka started and stopped. What an accursed devil! You frightened me! So you have not gone home, she said, and laughed aloud. Lukashka put one arm around her, and with the other hand raised her face. But I wanted to tell you by heaven! His voice trembled and broke. What are you talking of at night-time, answered Maryenka? Mother is waiting for me, and you'd better go to your sweetheart. And freeing herself from his arms, she ran away a few steps. When she had reached the wattle fence of her home, She stopped and turned to the cossack, who was running beside her, and still trying to persuade her to stay a while with him.

"'Well, what do you want to say, Midnight Gadabout?' And she again began laughing. "'Don't laugh at me, Marianka. By the heaven! Well, what if I have a sweetheart? May the devil take her. Only say the word, and now I'll love you. I'll do anything you wish. Here they are.' And he jingled the money in his pocket. "'Now we can live splendidly. Others have pleasures, and I—I get no pleasure from you, Marianka, dear.' The girl did not answer. She stood before him, breaking her switch into little bits with a rapid movement of her fingers. Lukashka suddenly clenched his teeth and fists. "'And why keep waiting and waiting? Don't I love you, darling?' "'You can do what you like with me,' said he suddenly, frowning angrily and seizing both her hands.

The calm expression of Marianka's face and voice did not change. "'Don't bluster, Lukashka, but listen to me,' she answered. Not pulling away her hands, but holding the cossack at arm's length. It's true, I am a girl. But you listen to me. It does not depend on me. But if you love me, I'll tell you this. Let go my hands. I'll tell you without. I'll marry you. But you'll never get any nonsense from me, said Maryanka, without turning her face. What, you'll marry me? Marriage does not depend on us. Love me yourself, Maryanka, dear," said Lukashka, from sullen and furious becoming again gentle, submissive and tender. and smiling as he looked closely into her eyes. Marianka clung to him and kissed him firmly on the lips.

"'Brother, dear,' she whispered, pressing him convulsively to her. Then suddenly, tearing herself away, she ran into the gate of her house without looking round. In spite of the Cossack's entreaties to wait another minute to hear what he had to say, Marianka did not stop. "'Go,' she cried. "'You'll be seen. I do believe that devil, our lodger, is walking about the yard.' Cornet's daughter!" thought Lukashka. She will marry me. Marriage is all very well, but you just love me. He found Nazarka at Yamcha's house, and after having a spree with him, went on to Dunajka's house, where, in spite of her not being faithful to him, he spent the night.

14 14 - Chapter XIV 4:57

It was quite true that Olenin had been walking about the yard when Marianka entered the gate, and had heard her say, "'That devil, our lodger is walking about!' He had spent that evening with Daddy Eroshka in the porch of his new lodging. He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales of the old man, told seated on the threshold at his feet. Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered, now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and the crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man. Moths circled round the flame, and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, Flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.

Olenin and Eroshka had emptied five bottles of Shakir. Eroshka filled the glasses every time, offering one to Olenin, drinking his health, and talking untiringly. He told of Cossack life in the old days, of his father, the broad, who alone had carried on his back a boar's carcass weighing three hundredweight, and drank two pails of Shakir at one sitting. He told of his own days, and his chum, Girchik, with whom, during the plague, he used to smuggle felt cloaks across the terek. He told how one morning he had killed two deer, and about his little soul, who used to run to him at the cordon at night. He told all this so eloquently and picturesquely that Olinin did not notice how time passed. "'Ah, yes, my dear fellow.

You did not know me in my golden days. Then I'd have shown you things. Today it's, Eroshka licks the jarg,' but then Eroshka was famous in the whole regiment. Whose was the finest horse? Who had a girder sword? To whom should one go to get a drink? With whom go on the spree? Who should be sent to the mountains to kill Ahmet Khan? Why, always, Eroshka. Whom did the girls love? Always, Eroshka had to answer for it. Because I was a real brave, a drinker, a thief. I used to seize herds of horses in the mountains. A singer. I was a master of every art. There are no Cossacks like that nowadays. It's disgusting to look at them. When they're that high—Eroshka held his hand three feet from the ground—they put on idiotic boots and keep looking at them.

That's all the pleasure they know. Or they'll drink themselves foolish—not like men, but all wrong. And who was I? I was Eroshka, the thief. They knew me not only in this village, but up in the mountains. Tatar princes, my kunaks, used to come to see me. I used to be everybody's kunak. If he was a Tatar, with a Tatar. An Armenian, with an Armenian. A soldier with a soldier. An officer with an officer. I didn't care as long as he was a drinker. He says you should cleanse yourself from intercourse with the world. Not drink with soldiers, not eat with a tartar. Who says all that? asked Olinin. Why, our teacher. But listen to a muller or a tartar caddy. He says, You one believing gyawrs? Why do you eat pig?

That shows that everyone has his own law. But I think it's all one. God has made everything for the joy of man. There is no sin in any of it. Take example from an animal. It lives in the tartar's reeds, or in ours. Wherever it happens to go, there is its home. Whatever God gives it, that it eats. But our people say we have to lick red-hot plates in hell for that. And I think it's all a fraud," he added after a pause. "'What is a fraud?' asked Olinin. "'Why, what the preachers say. We had an army captain in Shavlena, who was my kunak, a fine fellow just like me.' He was killed in Chechnya. Well, he used to say that the preachers invent all that out of their own heads. When you die, the grass will grow on your grave, and that's all.

The old man laughed. He was a desperate fellow. And how old are you? asked Olinin. The Lord only knows. I must be about seventy. When Asaritsa reigned in Russia, I was no longer very small. So you can reckon it out. I must be seventy. Yes, you must. But you are still a fine fellow. "'Well, thank heaven, I am healthy, quite healthy, except that a woman, a witch, has harmed me.' "'How?' "'Oh, just harmed me.' "'And so when you die the grass will grow,' repeated Olin. "'Eroshka evidently did not wish to express his thought clearly. He was silent for a while. "'And what did you think? Drink!' he shouted suddenly, smiling and handing Olin in some wine.

15 15 - Chapter XV 7:30

Well, what was I saying? He continued, trying to remember. Yes, that's the sort of man I am. I am a hunter. There is no hunter equal to me in the army. I will find and show you any animal and any bird, and what and where. I know it all. I have dogs, and two guns, and nets, and a screen and a hawk. I have everything, thank the Lord. If you are not bragging but are a real sportsman, I'll show you everything. Do you know what a man I am? When I have found a track, I know the animal. I know where he will lie down, and where he'll drink or wallow. I make myself a perch, and sit there all night watching. What's the good of staying at home? One only gets into mischief, gets drunk. And here women come and chatter, and boys shout at me.

Enough to drive one mad. It's a different matter when you go out at nightfall. Choose yourself a place, press down the reeds, and sit there and stay waiting, like a jolly fellow. One knows everything that goes on in the woods. One looks up at the sky. The stars move. You look at them, and find out from them how the time goes. One looks round. The wood is rustling. One goes on waiting. Now there comes a crackling. A boar comes to rub himself. One listens to hear. The young eaglets screech, and then the cocks give voice in the village, or the geese. When you hear the geese, you know it is not yet midnight. And I know all about it, or when a gun is fired somewhere far away. Thoughts come to me. One thinks, Who is that firing?

Is it another Cossack like myself, who has been watching for some animal? And has he killed it, or only wounded it, so that now the poor thing goes through the reeds, smearing them with its blood all for nothing? I don't like that. Oh, how I dislike it! Why injure a beast? You fool, you fool! Or one thinks, maybe an abrek has killed some silly little cossack. All this passes through one's mind. And once, as I sat watching by the river, I saw a cradle floating down. It was sound except for one corner, which was broken off. Thoughts did come that time. I thought some of your soldiers, the devils, must have got into a Tatar village and seized the Chechen women. And one of the devils has killed the little one, taken it by its legs, and hit its head against a wall.

Don't they do such things? Oh, men have no souls! And thoughts came to me that filled me with pity. I thought. They've thrown away the cradle, and driven the wife out, and her brave has taken his gun, and come across to our side to rob us. One watches and thinks, and when one hears a litter breaking, through the thicket, something begins to knock inside one. Dear one, come this way. They'll scent me, one thinks, and one sits and does not stir, while one's heart goes, done, done. Done. And simply lifts you. Once this spring, a fine litter came near me. I saw something black, in the name of the father, and of the son. And I was just about to fire when she grunts to her pigs, Danger, children! And she says, There's a man there!

And off they all ran, breaking through the bushes. And she had been so close I could almost have bitten her. How could a sow tell her brood that a man was there? asked Olinlin. What do you think? You think the beast's a fool? No, he is wiser than a man. Though you do call him a pig, he knows everything. Take this, for instance. A man will pass along your track and not notice it. But a pig, as soon as it gets on to your track, turns and runs at once. That shows there is wisdom in him, since he scents your smell and you don't. And there is this to be said, too. You wish to kill it, and it wishes to go about the woods alive. You have one law, and it has another. It is a pig, but it is no worse than you.

It, too, is God's creature. Ah, dear! Man is foolish. Foolish, foolish. The old man repeated this several times, and then, letting his head drop, he sat thinking. Olenin also became thoughtful, and descending from the porch with his hands behind his back, began pacing up and down the yard. Eroshka, rousing himself, raised his head and began gazing intently at the moths, circling round the flickering flame of the candle, and burning themselves in it. Fool, fool, he said. Where are you flying to? Fool! Fool! He rose, and with his thick fingers began to drive away the moths. "'You'll burn, little fool. Fly this way. There's plenty of room.' He spoke tenderly, trying to catch them delicately by their wings with his thick fingers, and then letting them fly again.

"'You are killing yourself, and I am sorry for you.' He sat a long time chattering and sipping out of the bottle. Olenin paced up and down the yard. Suddenly he was struck by the sound of whispering outside the gate. Involuntarily holding his breath, he heard a woman's laughter, a man's voice, and the sound of a kiss. Intentionally rustling the grass under his feet, he crossed to the opposite side of the yard, but after a while the wattle fence creaked.

A cossack in a dark circassian coat and a white sheepskin cap passed along the other side of the fence. It was Luke. And a tall woman with a white kerchief on her head went past Olenin. You and I have nothing to do with one another. was what Marianka's firm step gave him to understand. He followed her with his eyes to the porch of the hut, and he even saw her through the window take off her kerchief and sit down. And suddenly a feeling of lonely depression and some vague longings and hopes, and envy of some one or other, overcame the young man's soul. The last lights had been put out in the huts, the last sounds had died away in the village, the wattle fences and the cattle gleaming white in the yards.

The roofs of the houses and the stately poplars all seemed to be sleeping the labourer's healthy, peaceful sleep. Only the incessant ringing voices of frogs from the damp distance reached the young man. In the east, the stars were growing fewer and fewer, and seemed to be melting in the increasing light, but overhead they were denser and deeper than before. The old man was dozing with his head on his hand. A cock crowed in the yard opposite, but Olenin still paced up and down, thinking of something. The sound of a song sung by several voices reached him, and he stepped up to the fence and listened. The voices of several young Cossacks carolled a merry song, and one voice was distinguishable among them all by its firm strength.

"'Do you know who is singing there?' said the old man, rousing himself. "'It is the brave Lukashka. He has killed a Chechen, and now he rejoices. "'And what is there to rejoice at? The fool, the fool!' "'And have you ever killed people?' asked Dolanin. "'You devil!' shouted the old man. "'What are you asking? One must not talk so. It is a serious thing to destroy a human being. Ah, a very serious thing. Good-bye, my dear fellow. I've eaten my fill and am drunk,' he said, rising. "'Shall I come to-morrow to go shooting?' "'Yes, come.' "'Mind, get up early. If you oversleep you will be fined.' "'Never fear. I'll be up before you,' answered Olinin. "'The old man left. The song ceased, but one could hear footsteps and merry talk.' A little later, the singing broke out again, but farther away, and Orozka's loud voice chimed in with the other.

"'What people, what a life!' thought Olenin, with a sigh, as he returned alone to his hut.

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Twenty years ago his wife had gone over to the Orthodox Church and run away from him, and married a Russian Sergeant Major. and he had no children. He was not bragging when he spoke of himself as having been the boldest daredevil in the village when he was young. Everybody in the regiment knew of his old-time prowess. The death of more than one Russian, as well as Chechen, lay on his conscience. He used to go plundering in the mountains, and robbed the Russians, too, and he had twice been in prison. The greater part of his life was spent in the forests hunting. There he lived for days on a crust of bread, and drank nothing but water. But on the other hand, when he was in the village, he made merry from morning to night.

After leaving Alenin, he slept for a couple of hours, and awoke before it was light. He lay on his bed thinking of the man he had become acquainted with the evening before. Alenin's simplicity simplicity in the sense of not grudging him a drink pleased him very much, and so did Alenin himself. He wondered why the Russians were all simple and so rich, and why they were educated and yet knew nothing. He pondered on these questions, and also considered what he might get out of Alenin. Daddy Eroshka's hut was of a good size and not old, but the absence of a woman was very noticeable in it. Contrary to the usual cleanliness of the Cossacks, the whole of this hut was filthy and exceedingly untidy. A blood-stained coat had been thrown on the table.

Half a dough-cake lay beside a plucked and mangled crow with which to feed the hawk. Sandals of rawhide, a gun, a dagger, a little bag, wet clothes, and sundry rags lay scattered on the benches. In a corner stood a tub with stinking water, in which another pair of sandals were being steeped, and nearby was a gun and a hunting-screen. On the floor a net had been thrown down, and several dead pheasants lay there, while a hen tied by its leg was walking about near the table, pecking among the dirt. In the unheated oven stood a broken pot with some kind of milky liquid, On the top of the oven, a falcon was screeching and trying to break the cord by which it was tied, and a moulting hawk sat quietly on the edge of the oven, looking askance at the hen, and occasionally bowing its head to right and left.

Daddy Eroshka himself, in his shirt, lay on his back on a short bed, rigged up between the wall and the oven, with his strong legs raised and his feet on the oven. He was picking with his thick fingers at the scratches left on his hands by the hawk, which he was accustomed to carry without wearing gloves. The whole room, especially near the old man, was filled with that strong but not unpleasant mixture of smells that he always carried about with him. "'Oi, de ma, daddy? Is daddy in?' came through the window in a sharp voice. which he at once recognized as Lukashka's. "'Oida, oida, oida! I'm in!' shouted the old man. "'Come in, neighbor Mark, Luke Mark. Come to see Daddy? On your way to the cordon?' At the sound of his master's shout, the hawk flapped his wings and pulled at his cord.

The old man was fond of Lukashka. who was the only man he accepted from his general contempt for the younger generation of Cossacks. Besides that, Lukashka and his mother, as near neighbors, often gave the old man wine, clotted cream, and other home produce which Eroshka did not possess. Daddy Eroshka, who all his life had allowed himself to get carried away, always explained his infatuations from a practical point of view. Well, why not? He used to say to himself. I'll give them some fresh meat or a bird, and they won't forget Daddy. They'll sometimes bring a cake or a piece of pie. Good morning, Mark. I'm glad to see you, shouted the old man cheerfully, and quickly putting down his bare feet, he jumped off his bed and walked a step or two along the creaking floor, looked down at his out-turned toes, and suddenly, amused by the appearance of his feet, smiled, stamped with his bare heel on the ground, stamped again, and then performed a funny dance step.

"'That's clever, eh?' he asked, his small eyes glistening. Lukashka smiled faintly. "'Going back to the cordon?' asked the old man. "'I have brought the chakir, I promised you, when we were at the cordon.' "'May Christ save you,' said the old man. And he took up the extremely wide trousers that were lying on the floor and his beshmet, put them on, fastened a strap round his waist, poured some water from an earthenware pot over his hands, wiped them on the old trousers, smoothed his beard with a bit of comb, and stopped in front of Lukashka. Ready, he said. Lukashka fetched a cup, wiped it, and filled it with wine. and then handed it to the old man. "'Your health to the Father and the Son,' said the old man, accepting the wine with solemnity.

"'May you have what you desire, may you always be a hero, and obtain a cross.' Lukashka also drank a little after repeating a prayer, and then put the wine on the table. The old man rose and brought out some dried fish, which he laid on the threshold, where he beat it with a stick to make it tender. Then, having put it with his horny hands on a blue plate, his only one, he placed it on the table. "'I have all I want. I have victuals, thank God,' he said proudly. "'Well, and what of Mosef?' he added. Lukashka, evidently wishing to know the old man's opinion, told him how the officer had taken the gun from him. "'Never mind the gun!' said the old man. If you don't give the gun, you will get no reward.

But they say, Daddy, it's little reward a fellow gets when he's not yet a mounted cossack, and the gun is a fine one, a Crimean, worth eighty rubles. Eh, let it go. I had a dispute like that with an officer. He wanted my horse. Give it me, and you'll be made a cornet, says he. I wouldn't, and I got nothing. Yes, Daddy. But you see, I have to buy a horse, and they say you can't get one the other side of the river under fifty rubles, and mother has not yet sold our wine. Eh, we didn't bother, said the old man. When Daddy Yeroshka was your age, he already stole herds of horses from the Nogai folk and drove them across the Terek. Sometimes we'd give a fine horse for a quart of vodka or a cloak. Why so cheap?

asked Lukashka. "'You're a fool, a fool, Mark,' said the old man contemptuously. "'Why, that's what one steals for, so as not to be stingy. As for you, I suppose you haven't so much as seen how one dries off a herd of horses. Why don't you speak?' "'What's one to say, Daddy?' replied Lukashka. "'It seems we are not the same sort of men as you were.' "'You're a fool, Mark, a fool.' "'Not the same sort of men,' retorted the old man. Mimicking the Cossack lad, I was not that sort of Cossack at your age. "'How's that?' asked Lukashka. The old man shook his head contemptuously. Daddy Eroshka was simple. He did not grudge anything. That's why I was Kunak with all Chechnya. A Kunak would come to visit me, and I'd make him drunk with vodka, and make him happy, and put him to sleep with me.

And when I went to see him, I'd take him a present, a dagger.' That's the way it is done, and not as you do nowadays. The only amusement lads have now is to crack seeds and spit out the shells, the old man finished contemptuously, imitating the present-day Cossacks cracking seeds and spitting out the shells. Yes, I know, said Lukashka. That's so. If you wish to be a fellow of the right sort, be a brave and not a peasant, because even a peasant can buy a horse. Pay the money and take the horse. They were silent for a while. Well, of course it's dull, both in the village and the cordon, Daddy. But there's nowhere one can go for a bit of sport. All our fellows are so timid. Take Nazarka. The other day, when we went to the Tartar village, Giray Khan asked us to come to Nogai to take some horses.

But no one went. And how was I to go alone? And what of Daddy? Do you think I'm quite dried up? No, I'm not dried up. Let me have a horse, and I'll be off to Nogai at once. What's the good of talking nonsense? said Luke. You'd better tell me what to do about Gray Khan. He says, Only bring horses to the Turek, and then even if you bring a whole stud, I'll find a place for them. You see, he's also a shaven-headed tartar. How's one to believe him? You may trust Girey Khan. All his kin were good people. His father, too, was a faithful kunak. But listen to Daddy, and I won't teach you wrong. Make him take an oath. Then it will be all right. And if you go with him, have your pistol ready all the same, especially when it comes to dividing up the horses.

I was nearly killed that way once by a Chechen. I wanted ten roubles from him for a horse. Trusting is all right. But don't go to sleep without a gun. Lukashka listened attentively to the old man. "'I say, Daddy, have you any stone-break grass?' he asked after a pause. "'No, I haven't any. But I'll teach you how to get it. You're a good lad and won't forget the old man. Shall I tell you? Tell me, Daddy.' "'You know a tortoise? She's a devil, the tortoise is.' "'Of course I know.' Find her nest and fence it round so that she can't get in. Well, she'll come, go round it, and then we'll go off to find the stone-break grass, and we'll bring some along and destroy the fence. Anyhow, next morning, come in good time, and where the fence is broken, there you'll find the stone-break grass lying.

Take it wherever you like. No lock and no bar will be able to stop you. Have you tried it yourself, Daddy? As for trying, I have not tried it, but I was told of it by good people. I used only one charm. That was to repeat the pilgrim rhyme when mounting my horse, and no one ever killed me. What is the pilgrim rhyme, Daddy? What? Don't you know it? Oh, what people! You're right to ask Daddy. Well, listen, and repeat after me. Hail, ye living in Sion. This is your king. Our steeds we shall sit on. Saphonius is weeping. Zacharias is speaking. Father pilgrim, mankind ever loving. Kind ever loving, the old man repeated. Do you know it now? Try it. Lukashka laughed. Come, Daddy. Was it that that hindered their killing you?

Maybe it just happened so. You've grown too clever. You learn it all and say it. It will do you no harm. Well, suppose you have sung Pilgrim. It's all right," and the old man himself began laughing. But just one thing, Luke, don't you go to Nogai. Why? Times have changed. You are not the same men. You've become rubbishy Cossacks. And see how many Russians have come down on us. You'd get to prison, really. Give it up, just as if you could. Now, Gierchik and I, we used to... And the old man was about to begin one of his endless tales, but Lukashka glanced at the window and interrupted him. It's quite light, Daddy. It's time to be off. Look us up some day. May Christ save you. I'll go to the officer.

I promise to take him out shooting. He seems a good fellow.

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As he returned, the dewy mists were rising from the ground and enveloped the village. In various places the cattle, though out of sight, could be heard beginning to stir. The cocks called to one another with increasing frequency and insistence. The air was becoming more transparent, and the villagers were getting up. Not till he was close to it could lukashka discern the fence of his yard, all wet with dew, the porch of the hut, and the open shed. From the misty yard he heard the sound of an axe chopping wood. Lukashka entered the hut. His mother was up, and stood at the oven throwing wood into it. His little sister was still lying in bed asleep. "'Well, Lukashka, had enough holiday-making?' asked his mother softly.

"'Where did you spend the night?' "'I was in the village,' replied her son reluctantly, reaching for his musket, which he drew from its cover. and examined carefully. His mother swayed her head. Lukashka poured a little gunpowder onto the pan, took out a little bag from which he drew some empty cartridge-cases, which he began filling, carefully plugging each one with a ball wrapped in a rag. Then, having tested the loaded cartridges with his teeth and examined them, he put down the bag. "'I say, mother, I told you the bags wanted mending.' Have they been done? he asked. Oh, yes, our dumb girl was mending something last night. Why, is it time for you to be going back to the cordon? I haven't seen anything of you.

Yes, as soon as I have got ready I shall have to go, answered Lukashka, tying up the gunpowder. And where is our dumb one? Outside? Chopping wood, I expect. She kept fretting for you. I shall not see him at all, she said. She puts her hand to her face like this, and clicks her tongue, and presses her hands to her heart, as much as to say, Sorry. Shall I call her in? She understood all about the Ebrek. Call her, said Lukashka. And I had some tallow there. Bring it. I must grease my sword. The old woman went out, and a few minutes later, Lukashka's dumb sister came up the creaking steps and entered the hut. She was six years older than her brother, and would have been extremely like him, had it not been for the dull and coarsely changeable expression, common to all deaf-and-done people, of her face.

She wore a coarse smock, all patched. Her feet were bare and muddy, and on her head she had an old blue kerchief. Her neck, arms, and face were sinewy like a peasant's. Her clothing and her whole appearance indicated that she always did the hard work of a man. She brought in a heap of logs, which she threw down by the oven. Then she went up to her brother, and with a joyful smile, which made her whole face pucker up, touched him on the shoulder, and began making rapid signs to him with her hands, her face, and whole body. "'That's right, that's right. Stjopka is a trump.' answered the brother, nodding. She's fetched everything and mended everything. She's a trump. Here, take this for it. He brought out two pieces of gingerbread from his pocket and gave them to her.

The dumb woman's face flushed with pleasure, and she began making a weird noise for joy. Having seized the gingerbread, she began to gesticulate still more rapidly. Frequently pointing in one direction and passing her thick finger over her eyebrows and her face. Lukashka understood her and kept nodding, while he smiled slightly. She was telling him to give the girls dainties, and that the girls liked him, and that one girl, Marianka, the best of them all, loved him. She indicated Marianka by rapidly pointing in the direction of Marianka's home. and to her own eyebrows and face, and by smacking her lips and swaying her head. Loves, she expressed, by pressing her hands to her breast, kissing her hand, and pretending to embrace someone.

Their mother returned to the hut, and seeing what her dumb daughter was saying, smiled and shook her head. Her daughter showed her the gingerbread, and again made the noise, which expressed joy. I told ulitka the other day that I'd send a matchmaker to them, said the mother. She took my words well. Lukashka looked silently at his mother. But how about selling the wine, mother? I need a horse. I'll cart it when I have time. I must get the barrels ready, said the mother, evidently not wishing her son to meddle in domestic matters. When you go out, you'll find a bag in the passage. "'I borrowed from the neighbours and got something for you to take back to the cordon, or shall I put it in your saddle-bag?' "'All right,' answered Lukashka, "'and if Girey Khan should come across the river, send him to me at the cordon, for I shan't get leave again for a long time now.

I have some business with him.' He began to get ready to start. "'I will send him on,' said the old woman. "'It seems you have been spreeing at Yamka's all the time.' I went out in the night to see the cattle, and I think it was your voice I heard singing songs. Lukashka did not reply, but went out into the passage, threw the bags over his shoulder, tucked up the skirts of his coat, took his musket, and then stopped for a moment on the threshold. "'Good-bye, mother,' he said, as he closed the gate behind him. "'Send me a small barrow with Nazarka. I promised it to the lads, and he'll call for it.' May Christ keep you, lukashka. God be with you. I'll send you some—some from the new barrow," said the old woman, going to the fence.

But listen, she added, leaning over the fence. The cossack stopped. "'You've been making merry here. Well, that's all right. Why should not a young man amuse himself? God has sent you luck, and that's good. But now look out and mind, my son. Don't you go and get into mischief.' Above all, satisfy your superiors. One has to. And I will sell the wine and find money for a horse, and will arrange a match with a girl for you. All right, all right, answered her son, frowning. His deaf sister shouted to attract his attention. She pointed to her head and the palm of her hand to indicate the shaved head of a Chechen. Then she frowned, and pretending to aim with a gun, she shrieked. and began rapidly humming and shaking her head.

This meant that Lukashka should kill another Chechen. Lukashka understood. He smiled, and shifting the gun at his back under his cloak, stepped lightly and rapidly, and soon disappeared in the thick mist. The old woman, having stood a little while at the gate, returned silently to the hut, and immediately began working.

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Lukashka returned to the cordon, and at the same time daddy Eroshka whistled to his dogs and, climbing over his wattle fence, went to olenin's lodging. Passing by the back of the houses. He disliked meeting women before going out hunting or shooting. He found Olenin still asleep, and even Vanyusha, though awake, was still in bed and looking round the room, considering whether it was not time to get up, when Daddy Eroshka, gun on shoulder and in full hunter's trappings, opened the door. A cudgel! he shouted in his deep voice. An alarm! The Chechens are upon us. Ivan, get the samovar ready for your master, and get up yourself, quick," cried the old man. "'That's our way, my good man. Why, even the girls are already up.

Look out of the window. See, she's going for water, and you're still sleeping.' Alenin awoke and jumped up, feeling fresh and lighthearted at the sight of the old man and at the sound of his voice. Quick, Vanyusha, quick," he cried. "'Is that the way you go hunting?' said the old man. "'Others are having their breakfast, and you are asleep. L'hame, here,' he called to his dog. "'Is your gun ready?' he shouted, as loud as if a whole crowd were in the hut. "'Well, it's true I'm guilty, but it can't be helped. The powder, Vanyusha, and the wads,' said Olenin. "'A fine,' shouted the old man. "'Do t'es voulez-vous?' asked Vanyusha, grinning. "'You're not one of us. Your gabble is not like our speech, you devil!' the old man shouted at Vanyusha, showing the stumps of his teeth.

"'A first offence must be forgiven,' said Alenin playfully, drawing on his high boots. "'The first offence shall be forgiven,' answered Roshka. "'But if you oversleep another time, you'll be fined a pail of chikhir. When it gets warmer, you won't find the deer.' And even if we do find him, he is wiser than we are," said Alenin, repeating the words spoken by the old man the evening before. And you can't deceive him. Yes, laugh away. You kill one first, and then you may talk. Now then, hurry up. Look, there's the master himself coming to see you," added Orozhka, looking out of the window. Just see how he's got himself up. He's put on a new coat so that you should see that he's an officer. Ah, these people, these people.

Sure enough, Vanyusha came in and announced that the master of the house wished to see Olenin. Largent, he remarked profoundly, to forewarn his master of the meaning of this visitation. Following him, the master of the house, in a new circassian coat, with an officer's stripes on the shoulders, and with polished boots, quite exceptional among Cossacks, entered the room. Swing from side to side, and congratulated his lodger on his safe arrival. The cornet, Elias Vassilitch, was an educated Cossack. He had been to Russia proper, was a regimental school-teacher, and, above all, he was noble. He wished to appear noble, but one could not help feeling, beneath his grotesque pretence of polish, his affectation, his self-confidence, and his absurd way of speaking, He was just the same as Daddy Orozhka.

This could also be clearly seen by his sunburnt face, and his hands, and his red nose. Alenin asked him to sit down. "'Good-morning, Father Elias Vassilitch,' said Orozhka, rising with, or so it seemed to Alenin, an ironically low bow. "'Good-morning, Daddy.' So you're here already?" said the cornet, with a careless nod. The cornet was a man of about forty. with a grey-pointed beard, skinny and lean, but handsome and very fresh-looking for his age. Having come to see Olenin, he was evidently afraid of being taken for an ordinary Cossack, and wanted to let Olenin feel his importance from the first. "'That's our Egyptian Nimrod,' he remarked. Addressing Olenin, and pointing to the old man with a self-satisfied smile, A mighty hunter before the Lord.

He's our foremost man on every hand. You've already been pleased to get acquainted with him. Daddy Eroshka gazed at his feet in their shoes of wet rawhide, and shook his head thoughtfully at the cornet's ability and learning, and muttered to himself, Gyptian Nimrod. What things he invents! Yes, you see we mean to go hunting, answered Alenin. Yes, sir, exactly. said the cornet. "'But I have a small business with you. What do you want?' "'Seeing that you are a gentleman,' began the cornet, "'and as I may understand myself to be in the rank of an officer too, and therefore we may always progressively negotiate as gentlemen do,' he stopped, and looked with a smile at Lenin and at the old man, "'but if you have the desire with my consent, then, as my wife is a foolish woman of our class, She could not quite comprehend your words of yesterday's date.

Therefore, my quarters might be let for six roubles to the regimental adjutant without the stables, but I can always avert that from myself free of charge. But, as you desire, therefore I, being myself of an officer's rank, can come to an agreement with you in everything personally, as an inhabitant of this district, not according to our customs, But can maintain the conditions in every way. "'Speaks clearly,' muttered the old man. The cornet continued in the same strain for a long time. At last, not without difficulty, Alenon gathered that the cornet wished to let his rooms to him, Alenon, for six roubles a month. The latter gladly agreed to this, and offered his visitor a glass of tea. The cornet declined it.

According to our silly custom, we consider it a sort of sin to drink out of a worldly tumbler, he said. Though, of course, with my education I may understand. But my wife, from her human weakness... Well, then, will you have some tea? If you will permit me, I will bring my own particular glass, answered the cornet, and stepped out into the porch. Bring me my glass, he cried. In a few minutes the door opened. And a young sunburnt arm in a print sleeve thrust itself in, holding a tumbler in the hand. The cornet went up, took it, and whispered something to his daughter. Alenin poured tea for the cornet into the latter's own particular glass, and for Eroshka into a worldly glass. "'However, I do not desire to detain you,' said the cornet, scowling his lips and emptying his tumbler.

I, too, have a great liking for fishing, and I am here, so to say, only on leave of absence for recreation from my duties. I, too, have the desire to tempt fortune, and see whether some gifts of the terrick may not fall to my share. I hope you, too, will come and see us, and have a drink of our wine, according to the custom of our village," he added. The cornet bowed, shook hands with the linen, and went out. While olenin was getting ready, he heard the cornet giving orders to his family in an authoritative and sensible tone, and a few minutes later he saw him pass by the window in a tattered coat with his trousers rolled up to his knees and a fishing-net over his shoulder. "'A rascal!' said Daddy Eroshka, emptying his worldly tumbler.

"'And will you really pay him six roubles?' Was such a thing ever heard of! They would let you the best hut in the village for two roubles. What a beast! Why, I'd let you have mine for three. "'No, I'll remain here,' said Alenin. "'Six roubles!' Clearly it's a fool's money. "'Hey, hey, hey,' answered the old man. "'Let's have some chakir, Ivan.' Having had a snack and a drink of vodka to prepare themselves for the road, Alenin and the old man went out together before eight o'clock. At the gate they came up against a wagon, to which a pair of oxen were harnessed. With a white kerchief tied round her head down to her eyes, a coat over her smock, and wearing high boots, Marianka, with a long switch in her hand, was dragging the oxen by a cord tied to their horns.

Mammy, said the old man, pretending that he was going to seize her. Marianka flourished her switch at him. and glanced merrily at them both with her beautiful eyes. Olenin felt still more light-hearted. "'Now then, come on, come on,' he said, throwing his gun on his shoulder and conscious of the girl's eyes upon him. "'Je-up!' sounded Maryanka's voice behind them, followed by the creak of the moving wagon. As long as their road lay through the pastures at the back of the village, Yeroshka went on talking. He could not forget the cornet, and kept on abusing him. "'Why are you so angry with him?' asked Lenin. "'He's stingy. I don't like it,' answered the old man. "'He'll leave it all behind when he dies.

"'Then who's he saving up for? "'He's built two houses, and he's got a second garden from his brother by a lawsuit. "'And in the matter of papers, what a dog he is. "'They come to him from other villages to fill up documents. "'As he writes it out, Exactly so it happens. He gets it quite exact. But who is he saving for? He's only got one boy and a girl. When she's married, who'll be left? Well, then, he's saving up for her dowry, said Alenin. What dowry? The girl is sought after. She's a fine girl. But he's such a devil that he must yet marry her to a rich fellow. He wants to get a big price for her. There's Luc, a Cossack. A neighbour and a nephew of mine, a fine lad. It's he who killed the Chechen.

He's been wooing her for a long time, but he hasn't let him have her. He's given one excuse and another and a third. The girl's too young, he says. But I know what he is thinking. He wants to keep them bowing to him. He's been acting shamefully about that girl. Still, they will get her for Lukashka, because he is the best Cossack in the village, a brave. who is killed in a brek, and will be rewarded with a cross. But how about this? When I was walking up and down the yard last night, I saw my landlord's daughter and some Cossack kissing, said Elenin. You're pretending, cried the old man, stopping. On my word, said Elenin. Women are the devil, said Eroshka, pondering. But what Cossack was it? I couldn't see.

Well, what sort of a cap had he? A white one? Yes. And a red coat. About your height? No, a bit taller. It's he! And Eroshka burst out laughing. It's himself! It's Mark! He is Luke! But I call him Mark for a joke. His very self. I love him. I was just such a one myself. What's the good of minding them? My sweetheart used to sleep with her mother and her sister-in-law, but I managed to get in. She used to sleep upstairs. That witch, her mother, was a regular demon. It's awful how she hated me. Well, I used to come with a chum, Gurchick his name was. We'd come under her window, and I'd climb on his shoulders, push up the window, and begin groping about. She used to sleep just there on a bench. Once I woke her up, and she nearly called out.

She hadn't recognized me. "'Who's there?' she said, and I could not answer. Her mother was even beginning to stir. But I took off my cap and shoved it over her mouth, and she at once knew it by a seam in it, and ran out to me. I used not to want anything then. She'd bring along clotted cream and grapes and everything, added Eroshka, who always explained things practically. And she wasn't the only one. It was a life. And what now? Now we'll follow the dog, get a pheasant to settle on a tree, and then you may fire. Would you have made up to, Marianka? Attend to the dogs. I'll tell you tonight, said the old man, pointing to his favourite dog, Liam. After a pause they continued talking, while they went about a hundred paces.

Then the old man stopped again and pointed to a twig that lay across the path. "'What do you think of that?' he said. "'You think it's nothing. It's bad that that stick is lying so.' "'Why is it bad?' he smiled. "'Ah, you don't know anything. Just listen to me. When a stick lies like that, don't you step across it, but go round it, or throw it off the path this way, and say, Father and Son and Holy Ghost, and then go on with God's blessing. Nothing will happen to you. That's what the old men used to teach me.' "'Come, what rubbish!' said Alianin. "'You'd better tell me more about Maryanka. Does she carry on with Lukashka?' Hush! Be quiet now! The old man again interrupted in a whisper. Just listen!

We'll go round through the forest! And the old man, stepping quietly in his soft shoes, led the way by a narrow path leading into the dense, wild, overgrown forest. Now and again, with a frown, he turned to look at Elenin, who rustled and clattered with his heavy boots, and, carrying his gun carelessly, Several times caught the twigs of trees that grew across the path. "'Don't make a noise. Step softly, soldier,' the old man whispered angrily. There was a feeling in the air that the sun had risen. The mist was dissolving, but it still enveloped the tops of the trees. The forest looked terribly high. At every step the aspect changed.

19 19 - Chapter XIX 7:57

The mist had partly lifted, showing the wet reed thatches, and was now turning into dew that moistened the road and the grass beside the fence. Smoke rose everywhere, in clouds from the chimneys. The people were going out of the village, some to their work, some to the river, and some to the cordon. The hunters walked together along the damp, grass-grown path. The dogs, wagging their tails and looking at their masters, ran on both sides of them. Myriads of gnats hovered in the air and pursued the hunters, covering their backs, eyes, and hands. The air was fragrant with the grass and with the dampness of the forest. Alenin continually looked round at the ox-cart in which Marianka sat, urging on the oxen with a long switch.

It was calm. The sounds from the village, audible at first, now no longer reached the sportsman. Only the brambles cracked as the dogs ran under them, and now and then birds called to one another. Alennon knew that danger lurked in the forest, that Abrax always hid in such places, but he knew, too, that in the forest, for a man on foot, a gun is a great protection. Not that he was afraid, but he felt that another in his place might be, and looking into the damp, misty forest, and listening to the rare and faint sounds with strained attention, he changed his hold on his gun, and experienced a pleasant feeling that was new to him. Daddy Eroshka went in front, stopping and carefully scanning every puddle where an animal had left the double track, and pointing it out to Alenin.

He hardly spoke at all, and only occasionally made remarks in a whisper. The track they were following had once been made by wagons, but the grass had long overgrown it. The elm and plain-tree forest on both sides of them was so dense and overgrown with creepers that it was impossible to see anything through it. Nearly every tree was enveloped from top to bottom with wild grapevines, and dark bramble bushes covered the ground thickly. Every little glade was overgrown with blackberry bushes and grey feathery reeds. In places, large hoof-prints and small funnel-shaped pheasant trails led from the path into the thicket. The vigor of the growth of this forest, untrampled by cattle, struck Alenin at every turn, for he had never seen anything like it.

This forest—the danger—the old man and his mysterious whispering, Marianka with her virile upright bearing, and the mountains—all this seemed to him like a dream. "'A pheasant has settled,' whispered the old man, looking round and pulling his cap over his face. "'Cover your mug—a pheasant!' He waved his arm angrily at Alenon, and pushed forward almost on all fours. "'He don't like a man's mug.' Alenon was still behind him when the old man stopped and began examining a tree. A cock-pheasant on the tree clucked at the dog that was barking at it, and Alenon saw the pheasant. But at that moment a report as of a cannon, came from Eroshka's enormous gun. The bird fluttered up, and, losing some feathers, fell to the ground.

Coming up to the old man, Alenin disturbed another, and raising his gun, he aimed and fired. The pheasant flew swiftly up, and then, catching at the branches as he fell, dropped like a stone to the ground. "'Good man!' the old man, who could not hit a flying bird, shouted, laughing. Having picked up the pheasants, they went on. Alenon, excited by the exercise and the praise, kept addressing remarks to the old man. "'Stop! Come this way,' the old man interrupted. "'I noticed a track of deer here yesterday.' After they had turned into the thicket and gone some three hundred paces, they scrambled through into a glade overgrown with reeds and partly under water. Alenon failed to keep up with the old huntsman.

And presently Daddy Eroshka, some twenty paces in front, stooped down, nodding and beckoning with his arm. On coming up with him, Alenin saw a man's footprint, to which the old man was pointing. "'Do you see?' "'Yes, well,' said Alenin, trying to speak as calmly as he could. "'A man's footstep.' Involuntarily, a thought of Cooper's Pathfinder and of Abraix flashed through Alenin's mind. But noticing the mysterious manner with which the old man moved on, he hesitated to question him, and remained in doubt whether this mysteriousness was caused by fear of danger, or by the sport. "'No, it's my own footprint,' the old man said quietly, and pointed to some grass under which the track of an animal was just perceptible.

The old man went on, and Alenin kept up with him. Descending to lower ground, some twenty paces farther on, They came upon a spreading pear-tree, under which, on the black earth, lay the fresh dung of some animal. The spot, all covered over with wild vines, was like a cosy arbour, dark and cool. "'He's been here this morning,' said the old man, with a sigh. "'The lair is still damp, quite fresh.' Suddenly they heard a terrible crash in the forest some ten paces from where they stood. They both started and seized their guns, but they could see nothing, and only heard the branches breaking. The rhythmical rapid thud of galloping was heard for a moment, and then changed into a hollow rumble, which resounded farther and farther off, re-echoing in wider and wider circles through the forest.

Alenon felt as though something had snapped in his heart. He peered carefully, but vainly, into the green thicket, and then turned to the old man. Daddy Eroshka, with his gun pressed to his breast, stood motionless. His cap was thrust backwards, his eyes gleamed with an unwanted glow, and his open mouth, with its worn yellow teeth, seemed to have stiffened in that position. A home stag, he muttered, and throwing down his gun in despair, he began pulling at his grey beard. Here it stood. We should have come round by the path. Fool, fool! And he gave his beard an angry tug. "'Fool! Pig!' he repeated, pulling painfully at his own beard. Through the forest something seemed to fly away in the mist, and ever farther and farther off was heard the sound of the flight of the stag.

It was already dusk when, hungry, tired, but full of vigour, Alenon returned with the old man. Dinner was ready. He ate and drank with the old man till he felt warm and merry. Alenin then went out into the porch. Again, to the west, the mountains rose before his eyes. Again the old man told his endless stories of hunting, of abreix, of sweethearts, and of all that free and reckless life. Again the fair Marianka went in and out, and across the yard, her beautiful, powerful form outlined by her smock.

20 20 - Chapter XX 12:07

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Chapter 20 The next day, Alenin went alone to the spot where he and the old man startled the stag. Instead of passing round through the gate, he climbed over the prickly hedge, as everybody else did, And before he had time to pull out the thorns that had caught in his coat, his dog, which had run on in front, startled two pheasants. He had hardly stepped among the briers when the pheasants began to rise at every step. The old man had not shown him that place the day before, as he meant to keep it for shooting from behind the scream. Alenon fired twelve times and killed five pheasants. But clambering after them through the briars, he got so fatigued that he was drenched with perspiration.

He called off his dog, uncocked his gun, put in a bullet above the small shot, and brushing away the mosquitoes with the wide sleeve of his circassian coat, he went slowly to the spot where they had been the day before. It was, however, impossible to keep back the dog. who found trails on the very path, and Alenin killed two more pheasants, so that after being detained by this, it was getting towards noon before he began to find the place he was looking for. The day was perfectly clear, calm, and hot. The morning moisture had dried up even in the forest, and myriads of mosquitoes literally covered his face, his back, and his arms. His dog had turned from black to grey, its back being covered with mosquitoes, and so had Alenin's coat, through which the insects thrust their stings.

Alenin was ready to run away from them, and it seemed to him that it was impossible to live in this country in the summer. He was about to go home, but remembering that other people managed to endure such pain, he resolved to bear it, and gave himself up to be devoured. And strange to say, by noontime the feeling became actually pleasant. He even felt that without this mosquito-filled atmosphere around him, and that mosquito-paste mingled with perspiration, which his hand smeared over his face, and that unceasing irritation all over his body, the forest would lose for him some of its character and charm. These myriads of insects were so well suited to that monstrously lavish wild vegetation, these multitudes of birds and beasts which filled the forest, this dark foliage, this hot-scented air, these runlets filled with turbid water which everywhere soaked through from the terrek, and gurgled here and there under the overhanging leaves, that the very thing which had at first seemed to him dreadful and intolerable, now seemed pleasant.

After going round the place where yesterday they had found the animal, and not finding anything, he felt inclined to rest. The sun stood right above the forest, and poured its perpendicular rays down on his back and head whenever he came out into a glade or onto the road. The seven heavy pheasants dragged painfully at his waist, Having found the traces of yesterday's stag, he crept under a bush into the thicket, just where the stag had lain, and lay down in its lair. He examined the dark foliage around him, the place marked by the stag's perspiration and yesterday's dung, the imprint of the stag's knees, the bit of black earth it had kicked up, and his own footprints of the day before. He felt cool and comfortable.

and did not think of or wish for anything. And suddenly he was overcome by such a strange feeling of causeless joy and of love for everything that from an old habit of his childhood he began crossing himself and thanking someone. Suddenly, with extraordinary clearness, he thought, Here am I, Dmitri Alenin, a being quite distinct from every other being, now lying all alone, heaven only knows where, Where a stag used to live, an old stag, a beautiful stag, who perhaps had never seen a man, and in a place where no human being has ever sat or thought these thoughts. Here I sit, and around me stand old and young trees, one of them festooned with wild grape-vines, and pheasants are fluttering, driving one another about, and perhaps scenting their murdered brothers.

He felt his pheasants. Examine them, and wipe the warm blood off his hand onto his coat. Perhaps the jackal scent them, and with dissatisfied faces go off in another direction. Above me, flying in among the leaves, which to them seem enormous islands, mosquitoes hang in the air and buzz. One, two, three, four, a hundred, a thousand, a million mosquitoes, and all of them buzz something or other. And each one of them is separate from all else, and is just such a separate Dmitri Olenin as I am myself. He vividly imagined what the mosquitoes buzzed. This way, this way, lads, here's some one we can eat. They buzzed and stuck to him, and it was clear to him that he was not a Russian nobleman, a member of Moscow society, the friend and relation of so-and-so and so-and-so, but just such a mosquito.

or pheasant, or deer, as those that were now living all around him. Just as they, just as Daddy Eroshka, I shall live a while and die, and as he says truly, grass will grow, and nothing more. But what, though the grass does grow, he continued thinking, still I must live and be happy, because happiness is all I desire. Never mind what I am. An animal like all the rest, above whom the grass will grow and nothing more? Or a frame in which a bit of the one God has been set? Still I must live in the very best way. How, then, must I live to be happy? And why was I not happy before? And he began to recall his former life, and he felt disgusted with himself. He appeared to himself to have been terribly exacting and selfish.

Though he now saw that all the while he really needed nothing for himself. And he looked round at the foliage, with the light shining through it, at the setting sun and the clear sky, and he felt just as happy as before. Why am I happy, and what used I to live for, thought he? How much I exacted for myself! How I schemed and did not manage to gain anything but shame and sorrow! And there now— I require nothing to be happy. And suddenly a new light seemed to reveal itself to him. Happiness is this, he said to himself. Happiness lies in living for others. That is evident. The desire for happiness is innate in every man. Therefore it is legitimate. When trying to satisfy it selfishly, that is, by seeking for oneself riches, fame, comforts, or love, It may happen that circumstances arise which make it impossible to satisfy these desires.

It follows that it is these desires that are illegitimate, but not the need for happiness. But what desires can always be satisfied despite external circumstances? What are they? Love, self-sacrifice? He was so glad and excited when he had discovered this, as it seemed to him new truth, that he jumped up and began impatiently seeking someone to sacrifice himself for, to do good to, and to love. Since one wants nothing for oneself, he kept thinking, why not live for others? He took up his gun with the intention of returning home quickly to think this out, and to find an opportunity of doing good. He made his way out of the thicket. When he had come out into the glade, he looked around him. The sun was no longer visible above the tree-tops.

It had grown cooler, and the place seemed to him quite strange, and not like the country round the village. Everything seemed changed—the weather and the character of the forest. The sky was wrapped in clouds. The wind was rustling in the tree-tops, and all around nothing was visible but reeds and dying, broken-down trees. He called to his dog, who had run away to follow some animal. And his voice came back as in a desert. And suddenly he was seized with a terrible sense of weirdness. He grew frightened. He remembered the abreks and the murders he had been told about, and he expected every moment that an abrek would spring from behind every bush, and he would have to defend his life and die, or be a coward.

He thought of God, and of the future life, as for long he had not thought about them. And all around was that same gloomy, stern, wild nature. And is it worthwhile living for oneself, thought he, when at any moment you may die, and die without having done any good, and so that no one will know of it? He went in the direction where he fancied the village lay. Of his shooting he had no further thought, but he felt tired to death. and peered round at every bush and tree with particular attention and almost with terror, expecting every moment to be called to account for his life. After having wandered about for a considerable time, he came upon a ditch, down which was flowing cold, sandy water from the Tarek, and, not to go astray any longer, he decided to follow it.

He went on without knowing where the ditch would lead him. Suddenly the reeds behind him crackled. He shuddered and seized his gun, and then felt ashamed of himself. The over-excited dog, panting hard, had thrown itself into the cold water of the ditch, and was lapping it. He, too, had a drink, and then followed the dog in the direction it wished to go, thinking it would lead him to the village. But despite the dog's company, everything around him seemed still more dreary. The forest grew darker, and the wind grew stronger and stronger in the tops of the broken old trees. Some large birds circled, screeching round their nests in those trees. The vegetation grew poorer, and he came oftener and oftener upon rustling reeds and bare sandy spaces covered with animal footprints.

To the howling of the wind was added another kind of cheerless, monotonous roar. Altogether his spirits became gloomy. Putting his hand behind him, he felt his pheasants, and found one missing. It had broken off and was lost, and only the bleeding head and beak remained sticking in his belt. He felt more frightened than he had ever done before. He began to pray to God, and feared above all that he might die without having done anything good or kind. And he so wanted to live, and to live so as to perform a feat of self-sacrifice.

21 21 - Chapter XXI 10:33

Translated by Louise and Elmer Maude. Suddenly it was as though the sun had shone into his soul. He heard Russian being spoken. and also heard the rapid smooth flow of the terek and a few steps farther in front of him saw the brown moving surface of the river with the dim-coloured wet sand of its banks and shallows the distant steppe the cordon watch-tower outlined above the water a saddled and hobbled horse among the brambles and then the mountains opening out before him the red sun appeared for an instant from under a cloud and its last rays glittered brightly along the river, over the reeds, on the watch-tower, and on a group of cossacks, among whom lukashka's vigorous figure attracted olenin's involuntary attention.

Olenin felt that he was again, without any apparent cause, perfectly happy. He had come upon the Nizhnypratotsk post on the Terekh, opposite a pro-russian tartar village on the other side of the river. He accosted the Cossacks, but not finding as yet any excuse for doing anyone a kindness, he entered the hut. Nor in the hut did he find any such opportunity. The Cossacks received him coldly. On entering the mud hut, he lit a cigarette. The Cossacks paid little attention to him, first because he was smoking a cigarette, And secondly, because they had something else to divert them that evening. Some hostile Chechens, relatives of the Abrek who had been killed, had come from the hills with a scout to ransom the body, and the Cossacks were waiting for their commanding officer's arrival from the village.

The dead man's brother, tall and well-shaped, with a short-cropped beard which was dyed red, despite his very tattered coat and cap, was calm and majestic as a king. His face was very like that of the dead Abrec. He did not deign to look at anyone, and never once glanced at the dead body. But sitting on his heels in the shade, he spat as he smoked his short pipe, and occasionally uttered some few guttural sounds of command, which were respectfully listened to by his companion. He was evidently a brave who had met russians more than once before in quite other circumstances, and nothing about them could astonish or even interest him. Alenin was about to approach the dead body, and had begun to look at it, when the brother, looking up at him from under his brows with calm contempt, said something sharply and angrily.

The scout hastened to cover the dead man's face with his coat, Alenin was struck by the dignified and stern expression of the brave's face. He began to speak to him, asking from what village he came, but the Chechen, scarcely giving him a glance, spat contemptuously and turned away. Alenin was so surprised at the Chechen not being interested in him that he could only put it down to the man's stupidity or ignorance of Russian. So he turned to the scout, who also acted as interpreter. The scout was as ragged as the other, but instead of being red-haired, he was black-haired, restless, with extremely white gleaming teeth and sparkling black eyes. The scout willingly entered into conversation, and asked for a cigarette.

"'There were five brothers,' began the scout in his broken Russian. "'This is the third brother the Russians have killed. Only two are left. He is a brave, a great brave,' he said, pointing to the Chechen. When they killed Achmed Khan, the dead brave, this one was sitting on the opposite bank among the reeds. He saw it all, saw him laid in the skiff, and brought to the bank. He sat there till the night, and wished to kill the old man, but the others would not let him. Lukashka went up to the speaker and sat down. Of what village? asked he. From there in the hills, replied the scout, pointing to the misty bluish gorge beyond the terek. Do you know Sooksu? It is about eight miles beyond that. Do you know Giri Khan in Sooksu?

asked Lukashka, evidently proud of the acquaintance. He is my Kunak. He is my neighbor, answered the scout. He's a Trump, and Lukashka, evidently much interested, began talking to the scout in Tartar. Presently a Cossack captain with the head of the village arrived on horseback with a suite of two Cossacks. The captain, one of the new type of Cossack officers, wished the Cossacks good health, but no one shouted in reply, Hail, good health to your honour, as is customary in the Russian army, and only a few replied with a bow. Some, and among them Lukashka, rose and stood erect. The corporal replied that all was well at the outposts. All this seemed ridiculous. It was as if these cossacks were playing at being soldiers.

But these formalities soon gave place to ordinary ways of behaviour, and the captain, who was a smart cossack, just like the others, began speaking fluently in tartar to the interpreter. They filled in some document, gave it to the scout, and received from him some money. Then they approached the body. "'Which of you is Luk Gavrilov?' asked the captain. Lukashka took off his cap and came forward. I have reported your exploit to the commander. I don't know what will come of it. I have recommended you for a cross. You're too young to be made a sergeant. Can you read? I can't. But what a fine fellow to look at, said the captain, again playing the commander. Put on your cap. Which of the govrilovs does he come of?

The broad, eh? His nephew, replied the corporal. I know, I know. Well, lend a hand. Help them, he said. Turning to the Cossacks, Lukashka's face shone with joy and seemed handsomer than usual. He moved away from the corporal, and having put on his cap, sat down beside Alenin. When the body had been carried to the skiff, the brother Chechen descended to the bank. The Cossacks involuntarily stepped aside to let him pass. He jumped into the boat and pushed off from the bank with his powerful leg, and now, as Alenin noticed, for the first time threw a rapid glance at all the Cossacks, and then abruptly asked his companion a question. The latter answered something and pointed to Lukashka. The Chechen looked at him, and, turning slowly away, gazed at the opposite bank.

That look expressed not hatred but cold contempt. He again made some remark. "'What is he saying?' a Lenin asked of the fidgety scout. "'Yours kill ours, ours slay yours.' It's always the same, replied the scout, evidently inventing, and he smiled, showing his white teeth as he jumped into the skiff. The dead man's brother sat motionless, gazing at the opposite bank. He was so full of hatred and contempt that there was nothing on this side of the river that moved his curiosity. The scout, standing up at one end of the skiff, and dipping his paddle now on one side, now on the other, Steered skilfully, while talking incessantly. The skiff became smaller and smaller as it moved obliquely across the stream.

The voices became scarcely audible, and at last, still within sight, they landed on the opposite bank, where their horses stood waiting. There they lifted out the corpse and, though the horse shied, laid it across one of the saddles, mounted, and rode at a foot-pace along the road past a tartar village from which a crowd came out to look at them. The Cossacks on the Russian side of the river were highly satisfied and jovial. Laughter and jokes were heard on all sides. The captain and the head of the village entered the mud-hut to regale themselves. Lukashka, vainly striving to impart a sedate expression to his merry face, sat down with his elbows on his knees beside a Lenin. and whittled away at a stick.

"'Why do you smoke?' he said with assumed curiosity. "'Is it good?' he evidently spoke, because he noticed Alenin felt ill at ease and isolated among the Cossacks. "'It's just a habit,' answered Alenin. "'Why?' "'Hm! If one of us were to smoke, there would be a row. Look there now. The mountains are not far off,' continued Lukashka. "'Yet you can't get there. How will you get back alone?' It's getting dark. I'll take you if you like. You ask the corporal to give me leave. What a fine fellow, thought Olenin, looking at the Cossack's bright face. He remembered Marianka, and the kiss he had heard by the gate, and he was sorry for Lukashka, and his want of culture. What confusion it is, he thought.

A man kills another, and is happy and satisfied with himself, as if he had done something excellent. Can it be that nothing tells him that it is not a reason for any rejoicing, and that happiness lies not in killing, but in sacrificing oneself? Well, you had better not meet him again now, mate, said one of the Cossacks, who had seen the skiff off, addressing Lukashka. Did you hear him asking about you? Lukashka raised his head. My godson, said Lukashka, meaning by that word, the dead Chechen, your godson won't rise. But the red one is the godson's brother. Let him thank God that he got off whole himself," replied Lukashka. "'What are you glad about?' asked Alenin. "'Supposing your brother had been killed, would you be glad?' The Cossack looked at Alenin with laughing eyes.

He seemed to have understood all that Alenin wished to say to him, but to be above such considerations. "'Well, that happens too.

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Chapter XXII The captain and the head of the village rode away, and Alenin, to please Lukashka as well as to avoid going back alone through the dark forest, asked the corporal to give Lukashka leave. And the corporal did so. Alenin thought that Lukashka wanted to see Maryanka, and he was also glad of the companionship of such a pleasant-looking and sociable casa. Lukashka and Maryanka he involuntarily united in his mind, and he found pleasure in thinking about them. He loves Maryanka, thought Alenin, and I could love her, and a new and powerful emotion of tenderness overcame him as they walked homewards together through the dark forest. Lukashka, too, felt happy. Something akin to love made itself felt between these two very different young men.

Every time they glanced at one another, they wanted to laugh. "'By which gate do you enter?' asked Olenin. "'By the middle one.' "'But I'll see you as far as the marsh. After that you have nothing to fear.' Olenin laughed. "'Do you think I am afraid? Go back and thank you. I can get on alone.' "'It's all right. What have I to do?' And how can you help being afraid? Even we are afraid, said Lukashka, to set Alenon's self-esteem at rest, and he laughed too. Then come in with me. We'll have a talk and a drink, and in the morning you can go back. Couldn't I find a place to spend the night, laughed Lukashka, but the corporal asked me to go back. I heard you singing last night, and also saw you. Everyone, and Luke swayed his head.

Is it true you're getting married? asked Alenon. Mother wants me to marry. But I have not got a horse yet. Aren't you in the regular service? Oh, dear, no. I've only just joined, and have not got a horse yet, and don't know how to get one. That's why the marriage does not come off. And what would a horse cost? We were bargaining for one beyond the river the other day, and they would not take sixty roubles for it, though it is a Nogai horse. Will you come and be my Drabant? A Drabant was a kind of orderly attached to an officer when campaigning. "'I'll get it arranged, and we'll give you a horse,' said Olenin suddenly. "'Really, now, I have two, and I don't want both.' "'How don't want it?' Lukashka said, laughing.

"'Why should you make me a present?' "'We'll get on by ourselves, by God's help.' "'No, really, or don't you want to be a drabant?' said Olenin, glad that it had entered his head to give a horse to Lukashka, though, without knowing why, he felt uncomfortable and confused. and did not know what to say when he tried to speak. Lukashka was the first to break the silence. "'Have you a house of your own in Russia?' he asked. Alenin could not refrain from replying that he had not only one, but several houses. "'A good house, bigger than ours,' asked Lukashka, good-naturedly. "'Much bigger. Ten times as big, and three stories high,' replied Alenin. "'And have you horses such as ours?' I have a hundred horses worth three or four hundred roubles each.

But they are not like yours. They are trotters, you know. But still, I like the horses here best. Well, and did you come here of your own free will? Or were you sent? said Lukashka, laughing at him. Look, that's where you lost your way, he added. You should have turned to the right. I came by my own wish, replied Alenin. I wanted to see your parts, and to join some expeditions. I would go on an expedition any day," said Lukashka. "'Do you hear the jackals howling?' he added, listening. "'I say, don't you feel any horror at having killed a man?' asked the Lenin. "'What's there to be frightened about?' "'But I should like to join an expedition,' Lukashka repeated. "'How I want to—how I want to—perhaps we may be going together.

Our company is going before the holidays, and you're a hundred, too.' "'And what did you want to come here for?' "'You've a house, and horses, and serfs. In your place I'd do nothing but make merry. And what is your rank?' "'I'm a cadet, but have been recommended for a commission.' "'Well, if you're not bragging about your home, if I were you I'd never have left it. Yes, I'd never have gone away anywhere. Do you find it pleasant living among us?' "'Yes, very pleasant,' answered Elenin. It had grown quite dark before, talking in this way. They approached the village. They were still surrounded by the deep gloom of the forest. The wind howled through the treetops. The jackals suddenly seemed to be crying close beside them, howling, chuckling, and sobbing.

But ahead of them, in the village, the sounds of women's voices and the barking of dogs could already be heard. The outlines of the huts were clearly to be seen. Lights gleamed, and the air was filled with the peculiar smell of kisiak smoke. Alenin felt keenly. that night especially, that here in this village was his home, his family, all his happiness, and that he never had, and never would, live so happily anywhere as he did in this Cossack village. He was so fond of everybody, and especially of Lukashka that night. On reaching home, to Lukashka's great surprise, Alenin with his own hands led out of the shed a horse he had bought in It was not the one he usually rode, but another—not a bad horse, though no longer young—and gave it to lukashka.

"'Why should you give me a present?' said lukashka. "'I have not yet done anything for you.' "'Really, it is nothing,' answered Elenin. "'Take it, and you will give me a present, and we'll go on an expedition against the enemy together.' Lukashka became confused. "'But what do you mean by it? As if a horse were of little value,' he said, without looking at the horse. Take it, take it. If you don't, you will offend me. Vanyusha, take the grey horse to his house. Lukashka took hold of the halter. Well, then, thank you. This is something unexpected, undreamt of. Alenin was as happy as a boy of twelve. Tie it up here. It's a good horse. I bought it in Grosnoe. It gallops splendidly. Vanyusha, bring us some chikir.

Come into the hut. The wine was brought. Lukashka sat down and took the wine bowl. "'God willing, I'll find a way to repay you,' he said, finishing his wine. "'How are you called?' "'Dmitri Andreech.' "'Well, Mitri Andreech, God bless you. We will be kunaks. Now you must come to see us. Though we are not rich people, still we can treat a kunak, and I will tell mother, in case you need anything—clotted cream or grapes, and if you come to the cordon—' I'm your servant to go hunting or to go across the river, anywhere you like. There now. Only the other day. What a boar I killed, and I divided it among the Cossacks. But if I had only known, I'd have given it to you. That's all right. Thank you. But don't harness the horse.

It has never been an harness. Why harness the horse? And there is something else I'll tell you, if you like, said Lukashka, bending his head. I have a kunak, He asked me to lie in ambush by the road where they come down from the mountains. Shall we go together? I'll not betray you. I'll be your marid. Yes, we'll go. We'll go some day. Lukashka seemed quite to have quieted down, and to have understood Alenin's attitude towards him. His calmness and the ease of his behaviour surprised Alenin, and he did not even quite like it. They talked long, and it was late when Lukashka, not tipsy, he never was tipsy, But having drunk a good deal, left Alenin after shaking hands. Alenin looked out of the window to see what he would do.

Lukashka went out, hanging his head. Then, having led the horse out of the gate, he suddenly shook his head, threw the reins of the halter over its head, sprang on to its back like a cat, gave a wild shout, and galloped down the street. Alenin expected that Lukashka would go to share his joy with Marianka. But though he did not do so, Alenin still felt his soul more at ease than ever before in his life. He was as delighted as a boy, and could not refrain from telling Vanyusha not only that he had given lukashka the horse, but also why he had done it, as well as his new theory of happiness. Vanyusha did not approve of his theory, and announced that La Régente inia pas, and that therefore it was all nonsense.

Lukashka rode home, jumped off the horse, and handed it over to his mother, telling her to let it out with the communal Cossack herd. He himself had returned to the cordon that same night. His deaf sister undertook to take the horse, and explained by signs that when she saw the man who had given the horse, she would bow down at his feet. The old woman only shook her head at her son's story, and decided in her own mind that he had stolen it. She therefore told the deaf girl to take it to the herd before daybreak. Lukashka went back alone to the cordon pondering over Elenin's action. Though he did not consider the horse a good one, yet it was worth at least forty rubles, and Lukashka was very glad to have the present.

But why it had been given him he could not at all understand, and therefore he did not experience the least feeling of gratitude. On the contrary, Vague suspicions that the cadet had some evil intentions filled his mind. What those intentions were, he could not decide, but neither could he admit the idea that a stranger would give him a horse worth forty rubles for nothing, just out of kindness. It seemed impossible. Had he been drunk, one might understand it. He might have wished to show off, but the cadet had been sober, and therefore he must have wished to bribe him to do something wrong. Eh, humbug, thought lukashka. Haven't I got the horse? And we'll see later on. I'm not a fool myself, and we shall see who'll get the better of the other, he thought, feeling the necessity of being on his guard, and therefore arousing in himself unfriendly feelings towards Olenin.

He told no one how he had got the horse. To some he said he had bought it, to others he replied evasively. However, the truth soon got about in the village. And Lukashka's mother and Marianka, as well as Elis Vasilich and other Cossacks, when they heard of Lenin's unnecessary gift, were perplexed, and began to be on their guard against the cadet. But despite their fears, his action aroused in them a great respect for his simplicity and wealth. "'Have you heard,' said one, "'that the cadet quartered on Elis Vasilich has thrown a fifty-rouble horse at Lukashka? He's rich!' Yes, I heard of it, replied another profoundly. He must have done him some great service. We shall see what will come of this cadet.

Eh, what luck that snatcher has! Those cadets are crafty, awfully crafty, said a third. See if he don't go setting fire to a building, or doing something.

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Alenin's life went on with monotonous regularity. He had little intercourse with the commanding officers or with his equals. The position of a rich cadet in the Caucasus was peculiarly advantageous in this respect. He was not sent out to work or for training. As a reward for going on an expedition, he was recommended for a commission, and meanwhile he was left in peace. The officers regarded him as an aristocrat, and behaved towards him with dignity. Card-playing, and the officers' carousals, accompanied by the soldier-singers, of which he had had experience when he was with the detachment, did not seem to him attractive, and he also avoided the society and life of the officers in the village.

The life of officers stationed in a Cossack village has long had its own definite form. Just as every cadet or officer, when in a fort, regularly drinks porter, plays cards, and discusses the rewards given for taking part in the expeditions, So in the Cossack villages he regularly drinks Chikhir with his hosts, treats the girls to sweetmeats and honey, dangles after the Cossack woman, and falls in love, and occasionally marries there. Alenin always took his own path, and had an unconscious objection to the beaten tracks, and here, too, he did not follow the ruts of a Caucasian officer's life. It came quite naturally to him to wake up at daybreak. After drinking tea and admiring from his porch the mountains, the morning, and Marianka, he would put on a tattered ox-hide coat, sandals of soaked rawhide, buckle on a dagger, take a gun, put cigarettes and some lunch into a little bag, call his dog, and soon after five o'clock would start for the forest beyond the village.

Towards seven in the evening he would return, tired and hungry, with Five or six pheasants hanging from his belt, sometimes with some other animal, and with his bag of food and cigarettes untouched. If the thoughts in his head had lain like the lunch and cigarettes in the bag, one might have seen that during all those fourteen hours not a single thought had moved in it. He returned morally fresh, strong, and perfectly happy, and he could not tell what he had been thinking about all the time. Were they ideas, memories, or dreams that had been flitting through his mind? They were frequently all three. He would rouse himself and ask what he had been thinking about, and would see himself as a Cossack working in a vineyard with his Cossack wife, or an Abrek in the mountains, or a boar running away from himself.

And all the time he kept peering and watching for a pheasant, a boar, or a deer. In the evening, Daddy Roshka would be sure to be sitting with him. Vanyusha would bring a jug of Chakir, and they would converse quietly, drink, and separate to go quite contentedly to bed. The next day he would again go shooting, again be healthily weary, again they would sit conversing and drink their fill, and again be happy. Sometimes, on a holiday or day of rest, Alenin spent the whole day at home. Then his chief occupation was watching maryanka, whose every movement, without realizing it himself, he followed greedily from his window or his porch. He regarded maryanka and loved her, so he thought, just as he loved the beauty of the mountains and the sky, and he had no thought of entering into any relations with her.

It seemed to him that between him and her, such relations as there were between her and the Cossack Lukashka, could not exist, and still less such as often existed between rich officers and other Cossack girls. It seemed to him that if he tried to do as his fellow-officers did, he would exchange his complete enjoyment of contemplation for an abyss of suffering, disillusionment, and remorse. Besides, he had already achieved a triumph of self-sacrifice in connection with her, which had given him great pleasure. And above all, he was in a way afraid of maryanka, and would not for anything have ventured to utter a word of love to her lightly. Once, during the summer, when Olenin had not gone out shooting, but was sitting at home, quite unexpectedly a Moscow acquaintance, a very young man whom he had met in society, came in.

Ah, mon cher, my dear fellow, how glad I was when I heard that you were here! He began in his Moscow French, and he went on intermingling French words in his remarks. They said, "'A Lenin! What a Lenin!' And I was so pleased. Fancy fate bringing us together here. Well, and how are you? How? Why? And Prince Boletsky told his whole story—how he had temporarily entered the regiment, how the commander-in-chief had offered to take him as an adjutant, and how he would take up the post after this campaign. Although personally he felt quite indifferent about it. Living here in this hole one must at least make a career, get a cross or a rank, be transferred to the guards. That is quite indispensable. Not for myself, but for the sake of my relations and friends.

The prince received me very well. He is a very decent fellow, said Baletsky, and went on unceasingly. I have been recommended for the St. Anna Cross for the expedition. Now I shall stay here a bit until we start on the campaign. It's capital here. What woman? Well, and how are you getting on? I was told by our captain, Startsiv, you know, a kind-hearted, stupid creature. Well, he said you were living like an awful savage, seeing no one. I quite understand you don't want to be mixed up with the set of officers we have here. I'm so glad now you and I will be able to see something of one another. I've put up at the Cossack corporal's house. There is such a girl there, Ustinka. I tell you, she's just charming.

And more and more French and Russian words came pouring forth from that world which Alenin thought he had left for ever. The general opinion about Baletsky was that he was a nice, good-natured fellow. Perhaps he really was, but in spite of his pretty, good-natured face, Alenin thought him extremely unpleasant. He seemed just to exhale that filthiness which Olenin had forsworn. What vexed him most was that he could not, had not the strength, abruptly to repulse this man who came from that world, as if that old world he used to belong to had an irresistible claim on him. Olenin felt angry with Baletsky, and with himself, yet against his wish he introduced French phrases into his own conversation.

was interested in the commander-in-chief and in their Moscow acquaintances, and because in this Cossack village he and Baletski both spoke French, he spoke contemptuously of their fellow-officers and of the Cossacks, and was friendly with Baletski, promising to visit him, and inviting him to drop in to see him. Alenin, however, did not himself go to see Baletski. Vanyushchev, for his part, approved of Baletski, remarking that he was a real gentleman. Baletski at once adopted the customary life of a rich officer in a cossack village. Before Alenin's eyes, in one month he came to be like an old resident of the village. He made the old men drunk, arranged evening parties, and himself went to parties arranged by the girls, bragged of his conquests, and even got so far that, for some unknown reason, the women and girls began calling him Grandad.

And the Cossacks, to whom a man who loved wine and woman was clearly understandable, got use to him, and even liked him better than they did Olenin, who was a puzzle to them.

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XXIV. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud. Chapter XXIV. It was five in the morning. Vanyusha was in the porch heating the samovar, and using the leg of a long boot instead of bellows. Olenin had already ridden off to bathe in the Terrick. He had recently invented a new amusement, to swim his horse in the river. His landlady was in a hout house, and the dense smoke of the kindling fire rose from the chimney. The girl was milking the buffalo cow in the shed. Can't keep quiet, the damned thing, came her impatient voice, followed by the rhythmical sound of milking. From the street in front of the house horses hooves were heard clattering briskly, and Olenin, riding bareback on a handsome dark-gray horse, which was still wet and shining, rode up to the gate.

Marianka's handsome head, tined round to the red kerchief, appeared from the shed and again disappeared. Olenin was wearing a red silk shirt, a white circassian coat, girded with a strap which carried a dagger and a tall cap. He sat his well-fed, wet horse with a slightly conscious elegance, and holding his gun at his back, stooped to open the gate. His hair was still wet, and his face shone with youth and health. He thought himself handsome, agile, and like a brave, but he was mistaken. To any experienced Caucasian he was still only a soldier. When he noticed that the girl had put out her head, he stooped with particular smartness, threw open the gate, and, tightening the reins, swished his whip and entered the yard.

"'Is tea ready, Venusia?' he cried gaily, not looking at the door of the shed. He felt with pleasure how his fine horse, pressing down its flanks, pulling at the bridle and with every muscle quivering and with each foot ready to leap over the fence, pranced on the hard clay of the yard. C'est prie, answered Vanyusha. Olenin felt as if Maryanka's beautiful head was still looking out of the shed, but he did not turn to look at her. As he jumped down from his horse he made an awkward movement, and caught his gun against the porch, and turned a frightened look towards the shed, where there was no one to be seen, and whence the sound of milking could still be heard.

Soon after he had entered the hut he came out again and sat down with his pipe and a book, on the side of the porch, which was not yet exposed to the rays of the sun. He meant not to go anywhere before dinner that day, and to write some long-postponed letters, but somehow he felt disinclined to leave his place in the porch, and he was as reluctant to go back into the hut as if it had been a prison. The housewife had heated her oven, and the girl, having driven the cattle, had come back and was collecting kissyak, and heaping it up along the fence. O'lenin went on reading, but did not understand a word of what was written in the book that lay open before him. He kept lifting his eyes from it and looking at the powerful young woman who was moving about, whether she stepped into the moist morning shadow thrown by the house, or went out into the middle of the yard lit up by the joyous young light, so that the whole of her stately figure in its bright-coloured garment gleamed in the sunshine and cast a black shadow.

He always feared to lose any one of her movements. It delighted him to see how freely and gracefully her figure bent, into what folds her only garment, a pink smock, draped itself on her bosom and along her shapely legs. How she drew herself up and her tight-drawn smock showed the outline of her heaving bosom. How the soles of her narrow feet, in her worn red slippers, rested on the ground without altering their shape. How her strong arms with the sleeves rolled up, exerting the muscles, used the spade almost as if in anger, and how her deep, dark eyes sometimes glanced at him. Though the delicate brows frowned, yet her eyes expressed pleasure, and a knowledge of her own beauty. "'I say, olenin, have you been up long?' said Beletsky, as he entered the yard dressed in the coat of a Caucasian officer.

"'Ah, Beletsky,' replied olenin, holding out his hand, "'how is it you are out so early?' "'I had to. I was driven out. We are having a ball to-night.' "'Maryanka, of course you'll come to Ustenka's,' he added, turning to the girl. Olenin felt surprised that Beletski could address this woman so easily, but Maryanka, as though she had not heard him, bent her head and throwing the spade across her shoulder, went with her firm masculine tread towards the outhouse. "'She's shy, the whence is shy,' Beletski called after her. Shy of you, he added, as, smiling gaily, he ran up the steps of the porch. How is it you are having a ball and have been driven out? It's at Ostenka's, at my landlady's, that the ball is, and you two are invited.

A ball consists of a pie and a gathering of girls. What should we do there? Beletski smiled knowingly and winked, jerking his head in the direction of the outhouse, into which Marianka had disappeared. Olenin shrugged his shoulders and blushed. "'Well, really, you are a strange fellow,' said he. "'Come now, don't pretend.' Olenin frowned, and Beletski, noticing this, smiled insinuatingly. "'Oh, come, what do you mean?' he said, "'Living in the same house, and such a fine girl. A splendid girl, a perfect beauty.' Wonderfully beautiful. I never saw such a woman before, replied Olenin. Well, then, said Beletsky, quite unable to understand the situation. It may be strange, replied Olenin, but why should I not say what is true?

Since I have lived here, women don't seem to exist for me. And it is so good, really. Now, what can there be in common between us and women like these? Eroshka, that's a different matter. He and I have a passion in common. Sport. They're now in common. And what have I in common with Amalia Ivanovna? It's the same thing. You may say they're not very clean. That's another matter. Alaguer come alaguer. But I have never known any Amalia Ivanovnas, and have never known how to behave with women of that sort, replied Olenin. One cannot respect them, but these I do respect. Well, go on respecting them. Who wants revenge you? O'lenin did not reply. He evidently wanted to complete what he had begun to say.

It was very near his heart. I know I am an exception. He was visibly confused. But my life has so shaped itself, that I not only see no necessity to renounce my rules, but I could not live here, let alone live as happily As I am doing, were I to live as you do. Therefore I look for something quite different from what you look for. Boletsky raised his eyes incredulously. Anyhow, come to me this evening. Maryanka will be there, and I will make you acquainted. Do come, please. If you feel dull you can go away. Will you come? I would come, but to speak frankly, I am afraid of being seriously carried away. "'Oh, oh, oh!' shouted Beletsky. "'Only come, and I'll see that you aren't. Will you, on your word—' "'I would come, but really I don't understand what we shall do, what part we shall play.' "'Please, I beg of you, you will come.' "'Yes, perhaps I'll come,' said Olenin.

"'Really, now? Charming women such as one sees nowhere else, and to live like a monk. What an idea!' Why spoil your life and not make use of what is at hand? Have you heard that your company is ordered to Vazdizensk? Hardly. I was told the Eighth Company would be sent there, said Olenin. No, I have had a letter from the adjutant there. He writes that the prince himself will take part in the campaign. I am very glad. I shall see something of him. I am beginning to get tired of this place. I hear we shall start on a raid soon. "'I have not heard of it.' "'But I have heard that Krinovitsin has received the order of St. Anna for a raid. He expected a lieutenancy,' said Beletsky, laughing. "'He was let in.

He has set off Red Quarters.' It was growing dusk, and Olenin began thinking about the party. The invitation he had received worried him. He felt inclined to go, but what might take place there seemed strange, absurd, and even rather alarming. He knew that neither Cossack men nor older women, nor anyone besides the girls were to be there. What was going to happen? How was he to behave? What would they talk about? What connection was there between him and those wild Cossack girls? Beletsky had told him of such curious, cynical, and yet rigid relations. It seemed strange to think that he would be there in the same hut with Marianka, and perhaps might have to talk to her. It seemed to him impossible when he remembered her majestic bearing.

But Beletsky spoke of it as if it were all perfectly simple. Is it possible that Beletsky will treat Marianka in the same way? That is interesting, thought he. No, better not go. It's all so horrid, so vulgar, and above all, it leads to nothing. But again he was worried by the question what would take place, and besides he felt as if bound by a promise. He went out, without having made up his mind one way or the other, but he walked as far as Beletsky's and went in there. The hut in which Beletsky lived was like Olenin's. It was raised nearly five feet from the ground on wooden piles and had two rooms. In the first, which Olenin entered by a steep flight of steps, Feather beds, rugs, blankets, and cushions were tastefully and handsomely arranged, Cossack fashion, along the main wall.

On the side wall hung brass basins and weapons, while on the floor under a bench lay watermelons and pumpkins. In the second room there was a big brick oven, a table, and sectarian icons. It was here that Beletsky was quartered with his camp bed in his pack and trunks. His weapons hung on the wall with a little rug behind them, and on the table were his toilet appliances and some portraits. A silk dressing-gown had been thrown on the bench. Beletsky himself, clean and good-looking, lay on the bed in his underclothing, reading Les Trois Musketeers. He jumped up. "'There, you see how I have arranged things. Fine. Well, it's good that you have come. They are working furiously.' Do you know what the pie is made of?

Dough with a stuffing of pork and grapes. But that's not the point. You just look at the commotion out there. And really, on looking out of the window, they saw an unusual bustle going on in the hut. Girls ran in and out, now for one thing and now for another. Will it soon be ready? cried Beletsky. Very soon. Why? Is Grandad hungry? and from the hut came the sound of ringing laughter. Ustenka, plump, small, rosy and pretty, with her sleeves turned up, ran into Beletsky's hut to fetch some plates. "'Get away, or I shall smash the plates,' she squeaked," escaping from Beletsky. "'You'd better come and help,' she shouted to Olen in laughing. "'And don't forget to get some refreshments for the girls.

Refreshments meant spice bread and sweets.' And has Marianka come? Of course she brought some dough. Do you know, said Beletsky, if one were to dress Ostenka up and clean and polish her up a bit, she'd be better than all our beauties. Have you ever seen that Cossack woman who married a colonel? She was charming. Bosheva! What dignity! Where do they get it? "'I have not seen Borchever, but I think nothing can be better than the costume they wear here.' "'Ah, I'm first-rate at fitting into any kind of life,' said Beletsky, with a sigh of pleasure. "'I'll go and see what they're up to.' He threw his dressing-gown over his shoulders and ran out shouting, "'And you look after the refreshments.' Olenin sent Beletsky's orderly to buy some spiced bread and honey, but it suddenly seemed to him so disgusting to give money.' as if he were bribing some one, that he gave no definite reply to the orderly's question, how much spice bread with peppermint and how much with honey?

Just as you please. Shall I spend all the money? asked the old soldier impressively. The peppermint is dearer, its sixteen kopecks. Yes, yes, spend it all, answered Olenin, and sat down by the window. Surprised that his heart was thumping as if he were preparing himself for something serious and wicked. He heard screaming and shrieking in the girl's hut when Beletsky went there, and a few moments later saw how he jumped out and ran down the steps, accompanied by shrieks, bustle, and laughter. Turned out, he said. A little later, Ustenka entered and solemnly invited her visitors to come in, announcing that all was ready. When they came into the room, they saw that everything was really ready. Ustanka was rearranging the cushions along the wall.

On the table, which was covered by a disproportionately small cloth, was a decanter of chick ear and some dried fish. The room smelt of dough and grapes. Some half-dozen girls in smart tunics, with their heads not covered as usual with kerchiefs, were huddled together in a corner behind the stove, whispering, giggling, and spluttering with laughter. "'I humbly beg you to do honour to our patron saint,' said Ustenka, inviting her guests to the table. Olenin noticed Marianka among the group of girls, who without exception were all handsome, and he felt vexed and hurt that he met her in such vulgar and awkward circumstances. He felt stupid and awkward, and made up his mind to do what Beletsky did.

Beletsky stepped to the table somewhat solemnly, yet with confident ease, drank a glass of wine to Ustenka's health, and invited the others to do the same. Ustenka announced that girls don't drink. "'We might with a little honey,' exclaimed a voice from among the group of girls. The orderly, who had just returned with the honey and spice-cakes, was called in. He looked askance, Whether with envy or with contempt at the gentlemen, who in his opinion were on the spree, and carefully and conscientiously handed over to them a piece of honeycomb and the cakes, wrapped up in a piece of greige paper, and began explaining circumstantially all about the price and the change, but Baletsky sent him away.

Having mixed honey with wine in the glasses, and having lavishly scattered the three pounds of spice cakes on the table, Beletsky dragged the girls from their corners by force, made them sit down at the table, and began distributing the cakes among them. Olenin involuntarily noticed how Marianka's sunburnt but small hand closed on two round peppermint nuts and one brown one, and that she did not know what to do with them. The conversation was halting and constrained, in spite of Ostenka's and Beletsky's free and easy manner. and their wish to enliven the company. Olenin faltered and tried to think of something to say, feeling that he was exciting curiosity in perhaps provoking ridicule and infecting the others with his shyness.

He blushed, and it seemed to him that Marianka in particular was feeling uncomfortable. Most likely they are expecting us to give them some money, thought he. How are we to do it? And how can we manage quickest to give it and get away?

25 25 - Chapter XXV 6:57

How is it you don't know your own lodger? said Baletsky, addressing Maryanka. How is one to know him if he never comes to see us? answered Maryanka, with a look at Elenin. Olenin felt frightened. He did not know of what. He flushed, and hardly knowing what he was saying, remarked, "'I'm afraid of your mother. She gave me such a scolding the first time I went in.' Marianka burst out laughing. "'And so you were frightened,' she said, and glanced at him and turned away. It was the first time Olenin had seen the whole of her beautiful face. Till then he had seen her with her kerchief covering her to the eyes. It was not for nothing that she was reckoned the beauty of the village. Bustenka was a pretty girl, small, plump, rosy, with merry-brown eyes and red lips which were perpetually smiling and chattering.

Maryanka, on the contrary, was certainly not pretty, but beautiful. Her features might have been considered too masculine, and almost harsh had it not been for her tall, stately figure. Her powerful chest and shoulders, and especially the severe yet tender expression of her long, dark eyes, which were darkly shadowed beneath their black brows, and for the gentle expression of her mouth in smile. She rarely smiled, but her smile was always striking. She seemed to radiate virginal strength and health. All the girls were good-looking, but they themselves, and Beletsky, and the orderly, when he brought in the spice-cakes, all involuntarily gazed at Marianka, and anyone addressing the girls was sure to address her.

She seemed a proud and happy queen among them. Beletski, trying to keep up the spirit of the party, chattered incessantly, made the girls hand round Chichir, fooled about with them, and kept making improper remarks in French about Marianka's beauty to Alenin. Calling her, yours, la vot, and advising him to behave as he did himself. Alenin felt more and more uncomfortable. He was devising an excuse to get out and run away when Beletsky announced that Ustinka, whose Saint's Day it was, must offer Chekhir to everybody with a kiss. She consented on condition that they should put money on her plate, as is the custom at weddings. What fiend brought me to this disgusting feast? thought Olenin, rising to go away.

Where are you off to? I'll fetch some tobacco, he said, meaning to escape, but Beletsky seized his hand. I have some money, he said to him in French. One can't go away. One has to pay here, thought Olenin bitterly, vexed at his own awkwardness. Can't I really behave like Beletsky? I ought not to have come, but once I am here I must not spoil their fun. I must drink like a Cossack. And taking the wooden bowl, holding about eight tumblers, he almost filled it with Chikhir, and drank it almost all. The girls looked at him, surprised and almost frightened, as he drank. It seemed to them strange and not right. Ustenke brought them another glass each, and kissed them both. There, girls, now we'll have some fun, she said.

Clinking on the plate the four roubles the men had put there, Olenin no longer felt awkward, but became talkative. "'Now, Marianka, it's your turn to offer us wine and a kiss,' said Boletsky, seizing her hand. "'Yes, I'll give you such a kiss,' she said playfully, preparing to strike at him. "'One can kiss grandad without payment,' said another girl. "'There's a sensible girl,' said Boletsky, kissing the struggling girl. "'No, you must offer it,' he insisted, addressing Maryanka. "'Offer a glass to your lodger.' And taking her by the hand, he led her to the bench, and sat her down beside Olenin. "'What a beauty!' he said, turning her head to see it in profile. Maryanka did not resist, but proudly smiling, turned her long eyes towards Olenin.

"'A beautiful girl,' repeated Boletsky. "'Yes, see what a beauty I am!' Maryanka's look seemed to endorse. Without considering what he was doing, Alenin embraced Maryanka, and was going to kiss her, but she suddenly extricated herself, upsetting Beletsky, pushing the top off the table, and sprang away towards the oven. There was much shouting and laughter. Then Beletsky whispered something to the girls, and suddenly they all ran out into the passage, and locked the door behind them. "'Why did you kiss Beletsky, and won't kiss me?' asked Alenin. "'Oh, just so. I don't want to, that's all,' she answered, pouting and frowning. "'He's grandad,' she added with a smile. She went to the door and began to bang at it.

"'Why have you locked the door, you devils?' "'Well, let them be there, and us here,' said Olenin, drawing closer to her. She frowned, and sternly pushed him away with her hand. And again she appeared so majestically handsome to Olenin that he came to his senses and felt ashamed of what he was doing. He went to the door and began pulling at it himself. Beletsky, open the door! What a stupid joke! Maryanka again gave a bright, happy laugh. "'Ah, you're afraid of me,' she said. "'Yes, you know you're as cross as your mother. Spend more of your time with the roshka. That will make the girls love you.' And she smiled, looking straight and close into his eyes. He did not know what to reply. And if I were to come to see you, he let fall.

That would be a different matter, she replied, tossing her head. At that moment Beletsky pushed the door open, and Marianka sprang away from Alenin, and in doing so her thigh struck his leg. It's all nonsense, what I've been thinking about. Love and self-sacrifice and Lukashka. Happiness is the one thing. He who is happy is right, flashed through Olenin's mind, and with a strength unexpected to himself, he seized and kissed the beautiful Marianka on her temple and her cheek. Marianka was not angry, but only burst into a loud laugh and ran out to the other girls. That was the end of the party. Ustinka's mother, returned from her work, gave all the girls a scolding and turned them all out.

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Yes, thought Alenin as he walked home. I need only slacken the reins a bit, and I might fall desperately in love with this Cossack girl. He went to bed with these thoughts. but expected it all to blow over, and that he would continue to live as before. But the old life did not return. His relations to Marianka were changed. The wall that had separated them was broken down. Alenin now greeted her every time they met. The master of the house, having returned to collect the rent, on hearing of Alenin's wealth and generosity, invited him to his hut. The old woman received him kindly. And from the day of the party onwards, a Lenin often went in of an evening, and sat with them till late at night. He seemed to be living in the village just as he used to, but within him everything had changed.

He spent his days in the forest, and towards eight o'clock, when it began to grow dusk, he would go to see his hosts, alone or with Daddy Eroshka. They grew so used to him that they were surprised when he stayed away. He paid well for his wine, and was a quiet fellow. Vanyusha would bring him his tea, and he would sit down in a corner near the oven. The old woman did not mind him, but went on with her work, and over their tea or their chichir they talked about Cossack affairs, about the neighbours, or about Russia, a Lenin relating, and the others inquiring. Sometimes he brought a book and read to himself. Marianka crouched like a wild goat with her feet drawn up under her, sometimes on the top of the oven, sometimes in a dark corner.

She did not take part in the conversations, but Olenin saw her eyes and face, and heard her moving or cracking sunflower seeds, and he felt that she listened with her whole being when he spoke, and was aware of his presence while he silently read to himself. Sometimes he thought her eyes were fixed on him, And meeting their radiance, he involuntarily became silent and gazed at her. Then she would instantly hide her face, and he would pretend to be deep in conversation with the old woman, while he listened all the time to her breathing and to her every movement, and waited for her to look at him again. In the presence of others, she was generally bright and friendly with him, but when they were alone together, she was shy and rough.

Sometimes he came in before maryanka had returned home. Suddenly he would hear her firm footsteps, and catch a glimmer of her blue cotton smock at the open door. Then she would step into the middle of the hut, catch sight of him, and her eyes would give a scarcely perceptible kindly smile, and he would feel happy and frightened. He neither sought for nor wished for anything from her. But every day her presence became more and more necessary to him. Alenid had entered into the life of the Cossack village so fully that his past seemed quite foreign to him. As to the future, especially a future outside the world in which he was now living, it did not interest him at all. When he received letters from home, from relatives and friends, he was offended by the evident distress with which they regarded him as a lost man, While he and his village considered those as lost who did not live as he was living.

He felt sure he would never repent of having broken away from his former surroundings, and of having settled down in this village to such a solitary and original life. When out on expeditions, and when quartered at one of the forts, he felt happy too. But it was here, from under Daddy Eroshka's wing, from the forest, and from his hut at the end of the village, and especially when he thought of maryanka and lukashka, that he seemed to see the falseness of his former life. That falseness used to rouse his indignation even before, but now it seemed inexpressibly vile and ridiculous. Here he felt freer and freer every day, and more and more of a man. The Caucasus now appeared entirely different to what his imagination had painted it.

He had found nothing at all like his dreams. Nor like the descriptions of the Caucasus he had heard and read, there are none of all those chestnut steeds, precipices, amuletbecks, heroes or villains, thought he. The people live as nature lives. They die, are born, unite, and more are born. They fight, eat and drink, rejoice and die, without any restrictions but those that nature imposes on sun and grass, on animal and tree. They have no other laws. Therefore, these people, compared to himself, appeared to him beautiful, strong, and free, and the sight of them made him feel ashamed and sorry for himself. Often it seriously occurred to him to throw up everything, to get registered as a Cossack, to buy a hut and cattle, and marry a Cossack woman, only not Maryanka, whom he conceded to Lukashka, and to live with Daddy Eroshka, and go shooting and fishing with him.

and go with the Cossacks on their expeditions. Why ever don't I do it? What am I waiting for? he asked himself, and he egged himself on and shamed himself. Am I afraid of doing what I hold to be reasonable and right? Is the wish to be a simple Cossack, to live close to nature, not to injure anyone, but even to do good to others, more stupid than my former dreams, such as those of becoming a Minister of State or a Colonel? But a voice seemed to say that he should wait, and not take any decision. He was held back by a dim consciousness that he could not live altogether like Eroshka and Lukashka, because he had a different idea of happiness. He was held back by the thought that happiness lies in self-sacrifice.

What he had done for Lukashka continued to give him joy. He kept looking for occasions to sacrifice himself for others, but did not meet with them. Sometimes he forgot this newly discovered recipe for happiness, and considered himself capable of identifying his life with Daddy Eroshka's. But then he quickly bethought himself, and promptly clutched at the idea of conscious self-sacrifice, and from that basis looked calmly and proudly at all men, and at their happiness.

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He looked more dashing than ever. "'Well, are you getting married?' asked olenin, greeting him merrily. Lukashka gave no direct reply. There, I've exchanged your horse across the river. This is a horse, a Kabarda horse from the Lovestud. I know horses. They examined the new horse, and made him caracol about the yard. The horse really was an exceptionally fine one, a broad and long gelding, with glossy coat, thick silky tail, and the soft, fine mane and crest of a thoroughbred. He was so well fed that you might go to sleep on his back, as lukashka expressed it. His hoofs, eyes, teeth were exquisitely shaped and sharply outlined, as one only finds them in very pure-bred horses. Olenin could not help admiring the horse.

He had not yet met with such a beauty in the Caucasus. "'And how it goes,' said lukashka, patting its neck. "'What a step! And so clever!' He simply runs after his master. "'Did you have to add much to make the exchange?' asked Olenin. "'I did not count it,' answered Lukashka with a smile. "'I got him from a kunak.' "'A wonderfully beautiful horse. What would you take for it?' asked Olenin. "'I've been offered a hundred and fifty roubles for it, but I'll give it you for nothing,' said Lukashka, merrily. "'Only say the word, and it's yours. I'll unsaddle it, and you may take it.' Only give me some sort of a horse for my duties. No, on no account. Well, then, here's a dagger I've brought you," said Lukashka, unfastening his girdle and taking out one of the two daggers which hung from it.

I got it from across the river. Oh, thank you. And mother has promised to bring you some grapes herself. That's quite unnecessary. We'll balance up some day. You see, I don't offer you any money for the dagger. How could you? We are Kunaks. It's just the same as when Gereh Khan across the river took me into his home and said, Choose what you like. So I took this sword. It's our custom. They went into the hut and had a drink. Are you staying here a while? asked the Lenin. No, I have come to say good-bye. They are sending me from the Corden to a company beyond the Terek. I am going to-night with my comrade Nazarka. And when is the wedding to be? I shall be coming back for the betrothal, and then I shall return to the company again, Lukashka replied reluctantly.

What, and see nothing of your betrothed? Just so. What is the good of looking at her? When you go on campaign, ask in our company for Lukashka the broad. But what a lot of bores there are in our parts. I've killed, too. I'll take you. Well, good-bye. Christ save you. Lukashka mounted his horse, and without calling on Marianka rode caracoling down the street, where Nazarka was already awaiting him. "'I say, shan't we call round?' asked Nazarka, winking in the direction of Yamka's house. "'That's a good one,' said Lukashka. "'Here, take my horse to her, and if I don't come soon, give him some hay. I shall reach the company by the morning anyway.' "'Hasn't the cadet given you anything more?' I'm thankful to have paid him back with a dagger.

He was going to ask for the horse, said Lukashka, dismounting and handing over the horse to Nazarka. He darted into the yard past Olenin's very window, and came up to the window of the cornet's hut. It was already quite dark. Marenka, wearing only her smock, was combing her hair, preparing for bed. It's I, whispered the Cossack. Marenka's look was severely indifferent. But her face suddenly brightened up when she heard her name. She opened the window and leaned out, frightened and joyous. "'What—what do you want?' she said. "'Open,' uttered Lokashka. "'Let me in for a minute. I am so sick of waiting. It's awful.' He took hold of her head through the window and kissed her. "'Really? Do open. Why do you talk nonsense?

I've told you I won't. Have you come for long?' He did not answer, but went on kissing her. And she did not ask again. "'There, through the window, one can't even hug you properly,' said Lukashka. "'Marianka, dear,' came the voice of her mother. "'Who is that with you?' Lukashka took off his cap, which might have been seen, and crouched down by the window. "'Go, be quick,' whispered Marianka. "'Lukashka called round,' she answered. "'He was asking for Daddy.' "'Well then, send him here. He's gone.' Said he was in a hurry. In fact, lukashka, stooping, as with big strides he passed under the windows, ran out through the yard and towards Yamka's house, unseen by anyone but a Lenin. After drinking two bowls of Chechere, he and Nazarka rode away to the outpost.

The night was warm, dark and calm. They rode in silence. Only the footfall of their horses was heard. Lukashka started a song about the Cossack Mingau. but stopped before he had finished the first verse, and after a pause, turning to Nazarka, said, "'I say, she wouldn't let me in.' "'Oh,' rejoined Nazarka, "'I knew she wouldn't. Do you know what Yamka told me? The cadet has begun going to their house. Daddy Eroshka brags that he got a gun from the cadet for getting him Marianka.' "'He lies, the old devil,' said Lukashka, angrily. "'She's not such a girl.' If he does not look out, I'll wallop that old devil's sides. And he began his favorite song. From the village of Ismailov, from the master's favorite garden, once escaped a keen-eyed falcon.

Soon after him a huntsman came a-riding, and he beckoned to the falcon that had strayed. But the bright-eyed bird thus answered, In gold cage you could not keep me, on your hand you could not hold me. So now I fly to blue seas far away. There a white swan I will kill, of sweet swan-flesh have my fill.

28 28 - Chapter XXVIII 11:03

The betrothal was taking place in the cornet's hut. Lukashka had returned to the village, but had not been to see Olenin, and Olenin had not gone to the betrothal, though he had been invited. He was sad as he had never been since he settled in this Cossack village. He had seen Lukashka earlier in the evening, and was worried by the question why Lukashka was so cold towards him. O'lenin shut himself up in his hut, and began writing in his diary as follows. "'Many things have I pondered over lately, and much have I changed,' wrote he. "'And I have come back to the copy-book maxim. The one way to be happy is to love, to love self-denyingly, to love everybody and everything, to spread a web of love on all sides, and to take all who come into it.' In this way I caught Van Yusha, Dedi Eroshka, Lukashka, and Marianka.

As Olenin was finishing this sentence, Dedi Eroshka entered the room. Eroshka was in the happiest frame of mind. A few evenings before this, Olenin had gone to see him, and had found him with a proud and happy face, deftly skinning the carcass of a bear, with a small knife in the yard. The dogs, Liam his pet among them, were lying close by, watching what he was doing, and gently wagging their tails. The little boys were respectfully looking at him through the fence, and not even teasing him as was their wont. His women neighbors, who were as a rule not too gracious towards him, greeted him, and brought him, one a jug of Another some clotted cream, and a third a little flour. The next day Eroshka sat in his storeroom, all covered with blood, and distributed pounds of boar-flesh, taking in payment money from some and wine from others.

His face clearly expressed, God has sent me luck. I have killed a boar, so now I am wanted. Consequently, he naturally began to drink, and had gone on for four days never leaving the village. Besides which, he had had something to drink at the betrothal. He came to Olenin quite drunk, his face red, his beard tangled, but wearing a new beshmet trimmed with gold braid, and he brought with him a balalaika, which he had obtained beyond the river. He had long promised Olenin this treat, and felt in the mood for it, so that he was sorry to find Olenin writing. "'Write on, write on, my lad,' he whispered, as if he thought that a spirit sat between him and the paper, and must not be frightened away,' and he softly and silently sat down on the floor.

When Daddy Eroshka was drunk, his favorite position was on the floor. Olenin looked round, ordered some wine to be brought, and continued to write. Eroshka found it difficult to drink by himself, and he wanted to talk. "'I've been to the betrothal of the Cornets, but there, there's Schwein, don't want them, have come to you.' "'And where did you get your balaleka?' asked Olenin, still writing. "'I've been beyond the river and got it there, brother mine,' he answered, also very quietly. "'I am a master at it.' Tartar or Cossack, Squire or Soldier's Song, Any Kind You Please. Olenin looked at him again, smiled, and went on writing. That smile emboldened the old man. "'Come, leave off, my lad, leave off,' he said with sudden firmness.

"'Well, perhaps I will. Come, people have injured you, but leave them alone, spit at them. Come, what's the use of writing and writing, what's the good?' And he tried to mimic olenin by tapping the floor with his thick fingers, and then twisted his big face to express contempt. "'What's the good of writing, squiggles? Better have a spree and show you're a man.' No other conception of writing found place in his head except that of legal chicanery. Olenin burst out laughing, and so did Eroshka. Then, jumping up from the floor, the latter began to show off his skill on the balalaika, and to sing tartar songs. "'Why write, my good fellow. You'd better listen to what I'll sing to you. When you're dead, you won't hear any more songs.

Make merry now.' First he sang a song of his own composing, accompanied by a dance. Ah, dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dim. Say, where did they last see him? In a booth at the fair he was selling pins there. Then he sang a song he had learned from his former sergeant-major. Deep I fell in love on Monday. Tuesday nothing did but sigh. Wednesday I popped a question. Thursday waited her reply. Friday late it came at last. Then all hope for me was past. Saturday my life to take I determined like a man. But for my salvation's sake, Sunday morning changed my plan. Then he sang again, O, Dee Dee Dee Dee Dee Dee Dim, say, where did they last see him? And after that, winking, twitching his shoulders, and footing it to the tune, he sang, I will kiss you an embrace, ribbons red twine round you, and I'll call you little Grace.

O you little Grace, now do tell me. Do you love me true? And he became so excited that with a sudden dashing movement he started dancing round the room, accompanying himself the while. Songs like Dee Dee Dee, gentlemen's songs, he sang for Olenin's benefit. But after drinking three more tumblers of Chikir, he remembered old times and began singing real Cossack and Tartar songs. In the midst of one of his favorite songs, his voice suddenly trembled, and he ceased singing, and only continued strumming on the balalaika. "'Oh, my dear friend,' he said. The peculiar sound of his voice made Olenin look round. The old man was weeping. Tears stood in his eyes, and one tear was running down his cheek.

"'You are gone, my young days, and will never come back,' he said. Blubbering and halting. Drink! Why don't you drink? He suddenly shouted with a deafening roar, without wiping away his tears. There was one tartar song that especially moved him. It had few words, but its charm lay in the sad refrain. Aday, Dalalay. Eroshka translated the words of the song. A youth drove his sheep from the Aeol to the mountains. The Russians came and burnt the Aeul. They killed all the men and took all the women into bondage. The youth returned from the mountains. Where the Aeul had stood was an empty space, his mother not there, nor his brothers nor his house. One tree alone was left standing. The youth sat beneath the tree and wept.

Alone like thee, alone I am left, and Eroshka began singing. "'Ai, Dey, Delalais,' and the old man repeated several times this wailing, heart-rending refrain.

When he had finished the refrain, Eroshka suddenly seized a gun that hung on the wall, rushed hurriedly out into the yard, and fired off both barrels into the air. Then again he began, more dolefully, his "'Ai, Dey, Delalais,' ah-ah,' and ceased.

Olenin followed him into the porch and looked up into the starry sky, in the direction where the shots had flashed. In the cornice house there were lights and the sound of voices. In the yard girls were crowding round the porch and the windows, and running backwards and forwards between the hut and the outhouse. Some Cossacks rushed out of the hut, and could not refrain from shouting, re-echoing the refrain of Daddy Eroschka's song in his shots. "'Why are you not at the betrothal?' asked Olenin. "'Never mind them, never mind them,' muttered the old man, who had evidently been offended by something there. "'Don't like them, I don't. Oh, those people, come back into the hut. Let them make merry by themselves, and we'll make merry by ourselves.' Olenin went in.

"'And lukashka, is he happy? Won't he come to see me?' asked. "'What, lukashka? "'They've lied to him and said I am getting his girl for you,' whispered the old man. "'But watch the girl. She will be ours if we want her. Give enough money and she's ours. I'll fix it up for you, really.' "'No, Daddy. Money can do nothing if she does not love me. You'd better not talk like that.' "'We are not loved, you and I. We are forlorn,' said Daddy Eroshka suddenly. And again he began to cry. Listening to the old man's talk, Olenin had drunk more than usual. So now my lukashka is happy, thought he. Yet he felt sad. The old man had drunk so much that evening that he fell down on the floor, and Vanyusha had to call soldiers in to help, and spat as they dragged the old man out.

He was so angry with the old man for his bad behavior that he did not even say a single French word.

29 29 - Chapter XXIX 9:54

XXIX.

It was August. For days the sky had been cloudless, the sun scorched unbearably, and from early morning the warm wind raised a whirl of hot sand from the sand-drifts and from the road, and bore it in the air through the reeds, the trees, and the village. The grass and the leaves on the trees were covered with dust. The roads and dried-up salt-marshes were baked so hard that they rang when trodden on. The water had long since subsided in the Tyrek, and rapidly vanished and dried up in the ditches. The slimy banks of the pond near the village were trodden bare by the cattle, and all day long you could hear the splashing of water and the shouting of girls and boys bathing. The sand-drifts and the reeds were already drying up in the steps, and the cattle lowing ran into the fields in the daytime.

The boars migrated into the distant reed-beds, and to the hills beyond the terrek. Mosquitoes and gnats swarmed in thick clouds over the lowlands and villages. The snow-peaks were hidden in grey mist. The air was rarified and smoky. It was said that Abrex had crossed the now shallow river, and were prowling on this side of it. Every night the sun set in a glowing red blaze. It was the busiest time of the year. The villages all swarmed in the melon fields and the vineyards. The vineyards, thickly overgrown with twining verdure, lay in cool, deep shade. Everywhere between the broad translucent leaves, ripe, heavy black clusters peeped out. Along the dusty road from the vineyards the creaking carts moved slowly, heaped up with black grapes.

Clusters of them, crushed by the wheels, lay in the dirt. Boys and girls in smocks, stained with grape juice, with grapes in their hands and mouths, ran after their mothers. On the road you continually came across tattered laborers with baskets of grapes on their powerful shoulders. Cossack maidens, Veiled with kerchiefs to their eyes, drove Bullock's harness to carts laden high with grapes. Soldiers who happened to meet these carts asked for grapes, and the maidens, clambering up without stopping their carts, would take an armful of grapes and drop them into the skirts of the soldiers' coats. In some homesteads they had already begun pressing the grapes, and the smell of the emptied skins filled the air.

One saw the blood-red troughs in the penthouses and the yards, and no gay laborers, with their trousers rolled up and their legs stained with the juice. Grunting pigs gorged themselves with the empty skins, and rolled about in them. The flat roofs of the outhouses were all spread over with the dark amber clusters drying in the sun. Doors and magpies crowded round the roofs, picking the seeds and fluttering from one place to another. The fruits of the year's labour were being merrily gathered in, and this year the fruit was unusually fine and plentiful. In the shady green vineyards amid a sea of vines, laughter, songs, merriment, and the voices of women were to be heard on all sides, and glimpses of their bright-coloured garments could be seen.

Just at noon, Marianka was sitting in their vineyard in the shade of a peach-tree, Getting out the family dinner from under an unharnessed cart. Opposite her, on a spread-out horse-cloth, sat the cornet, who had returned from the school, washing his hands by pouring water on them from a little jug. Her little brother, who had just come straight out of the pond, stood wiping his face with his wide sleeves, and gazed anxiously at his sister and his mother, and breathed deeply, awaiting his dinner. The old mother, with her sleeves rolled up over her strong, sunburnt arms, was arranging grapes, dried fish, and clotted cream, on a little low, circular tartar table. The cornet wiped his hands, took off his cap, crossed himself, and moved nearer to the table.

The boy seized the jug and eagerly began to drink. The mother and daughter crossed their legs under them and sat down by the table. Even in the shade it was intolerably hot. The air above the vineyard smelt unpleasant. The strong warm wind passing amid the branches brought no coolness, but only monotonously bent the tops of the pear, peach, and mulberry trees, with which the vineyard was sprinkled. The cornet Having crossed himself once more, took a little jug of chakir that stood behind him, covered with a vine-leaf, and having had a drink from the mouth of the jug, passed it to the old woman. He had nothing on over his shirt, which was unfastened at the neck, and showed his shaggy, muscular chest.

His fine-featured, cunning face looked cheerful. Neither in his attitude nor in his words Was his usual wiliness to be seen. He was cheerful and natural. "'Shall we finish the bit beyond the shed to-night?' he asked, wiping his wet beard. "'We'll manage it,' replied his wife. "'If only the weather does not hinder us.' "'The Demkins have not half finished yet,' she added. "'Only Ustenka is at work there, wearing herself out.' "'What can you expect of them?' said the old man proudly. "'Here, have a drink, Mary Anka dear,' said the old woman, passing the jug to the girl. "'God willing, we'll have enough to pay for the wedding feast,' she added. "'That's not yet a while,' said the cornet, with a slight frown.

"'The girl hung her head. "'Why shouldn't we mention it?' said the old woman. "'The affair is settled, and the time is drawing near to.' "'Don't make plans beforehand,' said the cornet. "'Now we have the harvest to get in.' "'Have you seen lukashka's new horse?' asked the old woman. "'That which Dmitri Andreech Olenin gave him is gone. He's exchanged it.' "'No, I have not. But I spoke with a servant to-day,' said the cornet, "'and he said his master has again received a thousand roubles.' "'Rolling in riches, in short,' said the old woman. "'The whole family felt cheerful and contented. The work was progressing successfully. The grapes were more abundant and finer than they had expected. After dinner, Marianka threw some grass to the oxen, folded her beshmet for a pillow, and lay down under the wagon on the juicy, downtrodden grass.

She had on only a red kerchief over her head, and a faded blue-printed smock, yet she felt unbearably hot. Her face was burning, and she did not know where to put her feet. Her eyes were moist with sleepiness and weariness, her lips parted involuntarily, and her chest heaved heavily and deeply. The busy time of year had begun a fortnight ago, and the continuous heavy labour had filled the girl's life. At dawn she jumped up, washed her face with cold water, wrapped herself in a shawl, and ran out barefoot to see to the cattle. Then she hurriedly put on her shoes and her beshmet, and, taking a small bundle of bread, she harnessed the bullocks and drove away to the vineyards for the whole day. There she cut the grapes and carried the baskets, with only an hour's interval for rest, and in the evening she returned to the village, bright and not tired, dragging the bullocks by a rope, or driving them with a long stick.

After attending to the cattle, she took some sunflower seeds in the white sleeve of her smock, and went to the corner of the street to crack them and have some fun with the other girls. But as soon as it was dusk she returned home, and after having supper with her parents and her brother in the dark outhouse, she went into the hut, healthy and free from care, and climbed on to the oven. Where, half-drowsing, she listened to their lodger's conversation. As soon as he went away, she would throw herself down on her bed, and sleep soundly and quietly till morning. And so it went on day after day. She had not seen Lukashka since the day of their betrothal, but calmly awaited the wedding. She had got used to their lodger, and felt his intent looks with pleasure.

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and her little brother tossing about beside her kept pushing her, Mariyanka, having drawn her kerchief over her head, was just falling asleep, when suddenly their neighbor Ustenka came running towards her and, diving under the waggon, lay down beside her. Sleep, girl, sleep," said Ustenka, making herself comfortable under the wagon. "'Wait a bit,' she exclaimed. "'This won't do.' She jumped up, plucked some green branches, and stuck them through the wheels on both sides of the wagon, and hung her besmet over them. "'Let me in,' she shouted to the little boy as she again crept under the wagon. Is this the place for Cossack, with the girls? Go away." When alone under the wagon with her friend, Ustenka suddenly put both her arms round her, and clinging close to her began kissing her cheeks and neck.

"'Darling, sweetheart,' she kept repeating, between bursts of shrill, clear laughter. "'Why, you've learnt it from Grandad,' said Marianka, struggling. Stop it.' And they both broke into such peals of laughter that Maryanka's mother shouted for them to be quiet. "'Are you jealous?' asked Ustenka in a whisper. "'What humbug? Let me sleep. What have you come for?' "'But Ustenka kept on. I say, but I wanted to tell you such a thing.' Maryanka raised herself on her elbow and arranged the kerchief which had slipped off. "'Well, what is it?' "'I know something about your lodger.' "'There's nothing to know,' said Maryanka. "'Oh, you rogue of a girl,' said Ustenka, nudging her with her elbow and laughing.

"'Won't tell anything. Does he come to you?' "'He does. What of that?' said Maryanka, with a sudden blush. "'Now, I'm a simple lass. I tell everybody. Why should I pretend,' said Ustenka, and her bright, rosy face suddenly became pensive. "'Whom do I hurt?' I love him. That's all about it. Grandad, do you mean? Well, yes. And the sin? Ah, Maryanka! When is one to have a good time, if not while one's still free? When I marry a Cossack, I shall bear children and shall have cares. There now, when you get married to Lukashka, not even a thought of joy will enter your head. Children will come and work. Well? Some who are married live happily. It makes no difference," Marianka replied quietly. Do tell me just this once, what has passed between you and Lukishka?

What has passed? A match was proposed. Father put it off for a year, but now it's been settled, and they'll marry us in autumn. But what did he say to you? Marianka smiled. What should he say? He said he loved me. He kept asking me to come to the vineyards with him. "'Just see what pitch. But you didn't go, did you? And what a daredevil he has become, the first among the graves. He makes many out there in the army, too. The other day our kirka came home. He says, "'What a horse Lukashka's got in exchange?' But all the same, I expect he frets after you. And what else did he say? "'Must you know everything?' said Marianka, laughing. One night he came to my window tipsy and asked me to let him in.

And you didn't let him? Let him, indeed. Once I have said a thing, I keep to it firm as a rock," answered Marianka seriously. A fine fellow! If he wanted her, no girl would refuse him. Well, let him go to the others, replied Marianka proudly. You don't pity him? "'I do pity him, but I'll have no nonsense. It is wrong.' Ustenka suddenly dropped her hand on her friend's breast, seized hold of her, and shook with smothered laughter. "'You silly fool!' she exclaimed quite out of breath. "'You don't want to be happy,' and she began tickling Maryanka. "'Oh, leave off!' said Maryanka, screaming and laughing. "'You've crushed Lazutka.' Hark at those young devils, quite frisky, not tired yet, came the old woman's sleepy voice from the wagon.

"'Don't want happiness,' repeated Ustenke in a whisper insistently. "'But you are lucky, that you are. How they love you. You are so crusty, and yet they love you. Ah, if I were in your place I'd soon turn the lodger's head.' I noticed him when you were at the house. He was ready to eat you with his eyes. What things grandad has given me? And yours, they say, is the richest of the Russians. His orderly says they have serfs of their own. Marianka raised herself, and after thinking a moment smiled. Do you know what he once told me, the lodger, I mean, she said, biting a bit of grass? He said, I'd like to be Lukashka the Cossack, or your brother Luzutka. What do you think he meant? Oh, just chattering what came into his head, answered Ustenka.

What does mine not say, just as if he was possessed? Marianka dropped her hand on her folded besmet, threw her arm over Ustenka's shoulder, and shut her eyes. He wanted to come and work in the vineyard to-day. Father invited him, she said, and after a short silence she fell asleep.

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The sun had come out from behind the pear-tree that had shaded the waggon, And even through the branches that Ustenka had fixed up, it scorched the faces of the sleeping girls. Marianka woke up and began arranging the kerchief on her head. Looking about her, beyond the pear-tree she noticed their lodger, who, with his gun on his shoulder, stood talking to her father. She nodded Ustenka and smilingly pointed him out to her. "'I went yesterday and didn't find a single one,' O'Lenin was saying, as he looked about uneasily, not seeing Marianka through the branches. "'Ah, you should go out there in that direction. Go right as by compasses. There is a disused vineyard, denominated as the waste. Here's are always to be found,' said the cornet, having at once changed his manner of speech."

A fine thing to go looking for hares in these busy times. You had better come and help us and do some work with the girls, the old woman said merrily. Now then, girls, up with you, she cried. Maryanka and Ostenka, under the cart, were whispering and could hardly restrain their laughter. Since it had become known that Olenin had given a horse worth fifty roubles to Lukashka, his host had become more amiable. And the cornet in particular saw with pleasure his daughter's growing intimacy with Olenin. "'But I don't know how to do the work,' replied Olenin, trying not to look through the green branches under the wagon, where he had now noticed Marianka's blue smock and red kerchief. "'Come, I'll give you some peaches,' said the old woman.

"'It's only according to the ancient Cossack hospitality. It's her old woman's silliness,' said the cornet. explaining, and apparently correcting his wife's words. In Russia, I expect, it's not so much peaches as pineapple-jam and preserves you have been accustomed to eat at your pleasure. So you say hairs are to be found in the disused vineyard? asked Olenin. I will go there, and throwing a hasty glance through the green branches, he raised his cap and disappeared between the regular rows of green vines. The sun had already sunk behind the fence of the vineyards, and its broken rays glittered through the translucent leaves when Olenin returned to his host vineyard. The wind was falling, and a cool freshness was beginning to spread around.

By some instinct Olenin recognized from afar Maryanka's blue smock among the rows of vine, and picking grapes on his way, he approached her. His highly excited dog also now and then seized a low-hanging cluster of grapes in his slobbering mouth. Marianka, her face flushed, her sleeves rolled up, and her kerchief down below her chin, was rapidly cutting the heavy clusters and laying them in a basket. Without letting go of the vine she had hold of, she stopped to smile pleasantly at him, and resumed her work. Olenin drew near, and threw his gun behind his back to have his hands free. "'Where are your people? May God aid you. Are you alone?' he meant to say, but did not say, and only raised his cap in silence.

He was ill at ease alone with Marianka, but as if purposely to torment himself he went up to her. "'You'll be shooting the women with your gun like that,' said Marianka. "'No, I shan't shoot them.' They were both silent. Then, after a pause, she said, "'You should help me.' He took out his knife and began silently to cut off the clusters. He reached from under the leaves, low down to a thick bunch, weighing about three pounds, the grapes of which grew so close that they flattened each other for want of space. He showed it to Marianka. "'Must they all be cut? Isn't this one too green? Give it here.' Their hands touched. Olenin took her hand, and she looked at him, smiling. "'Are you going to be married soon?' he asked.

She did not answer, but turned away with a stern look. "'Do you love Lukashka?' "'What's that to you?' "'I envy him.' "'Very likely. No, really. You are so beautiful.' And he suddenly felt terribly embarrassed of having said it. So commonplace did the words seem to him. He flushed, lost control of himself, and seized both her hands. "'Whatever I am, I'm not for you. Why do you make fun of me?' replied Marianka. But her look showed how certainly she knew he was not making fun. "'Making fun, if you only knew how I—' the words sounded still more commonplace. They accorded still less with what he felt, but yet he continued, "'I don't know what I would not do for you. Leave me alone, you pitch.' But her face, her smiling eyes, her swelling bosom, her shapely legs, said something quite different.

It seemed to him that she understood how petty were all things he had said, but that she was superior to such considerations. It seemed to him she had long known all he wished, and was not able to tell her, but wanted to hear how he would say it. And how can she help knowing, he thought, since I only want to tell her all that she herself is. But she does not wish to understand, does not wish to reply. "'Hallo!' suddenly came Ustenka's high voice from behind the vine, at no great distance, followed by her shrill laugh. "'Come and help me, Dmitri Andreeitch. I am all alone,' she said, thrusting her round, naive little face through the vines. Olenin did not answer nor move from his place. Marianka went on cutting, and continually looked up at Olenin.

He was about to say something, but stopped, shrugged his shoulders, and, having jerked up his gun, walked out of the vineyard with rapid strides.

32 32 - Chapter XXXII 8:11

The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy.

Chapter Thirty-Two. He stopped once or twice, listening to the ringing laughter of Marianka and Ustenka, who, having come together, were shouting something. Olenin spent the whole evening hunting in the forest, and returned home at dusk without having killed anything. When crossing the road, he noticed her open the door of the outhouse, and her blue smock showed through it. He called to Vanusha, very loud, so as to let her know that he was back, and then sat down in the porch in his usual place. His hosts now returned from the vineyard. They came out of their outhouse and into their hut, but did not ask him in. Marianka went twice out of the gate. Once in the twilight it seemed to him that she was looking at him.

He eagerly followed her every movement, but could not make up his mind to approach her. When she disappeared into the hut, he left the porch and began pacing up and down the yard, but Marianka did not come out again. Olenin spent the whole sleepless night out in the yard, listening to every sound in his host's hut. He heard them talking early in the evening, heard them having their supper and pulling out their cushions and going to bed. He heard Marianka laughing at something, and then heard everything growing gradually quiet. The cornet and his wife talked a while in whispers, and some one was breathing. Olenin reentered his hut. Van Usha lay asleep in his clothes. Olenin envied him, and again went out to pace the yard, always expecting something.

But no one came, no one moved. and he only heard the regular breathing of three people. He knew maryanka's breathing, and listened to it, and to the beating of his own heart. In the village everything was quiet. The waning moon rose late, and the deep-breathing cattle in the yard became more visible as they lay down and slowly rose. Olenin angrily asked himself, What is it I want? but could not tear himself away from the enchantment of the night. Suddenly he thought he distinctly heard the floor creak, and the sound of footsteps in his host's hut. He rushed to the door, but all was silent again, except for the sound of regular breathing, and in the yard the buffalo cow, after a deep sigh, again moved, rose on her foreknees, and then on her feet, swished her tail, and something splashed steadily on the dry clay ground.

Then she lay down again in the dim moonlight. He asked himself, What am I to do? and definitely decided to go to bed. But again he heard a sound, and in his imagination there arose the image of Marianka coming out into this moonlit, misty night, and again he rushed to her window, and again heard the sound of footsteps. Not till just before dawn did he go up to her window, and push at the shutter, and then run to the door, and this time he really heard Marianka's deep breathing and her footsteps. He took hold of the latch and knocked. The floor hardly creaked under the bare, cautious footsteps which approached the door. The latch clicked, the door creaked, and he noticed a faint smell of marjoram and pumpkin.

and Marianka's whole figure appeared in the doorway. He saw her only for an instant in the moonlight. She slammed the door, and, muttering something, ran lightly back again. Olenin began rapping softly, but nothing responded. He ran to the window and listened. Suddenly he was startled by a shrill, squeaky man's voice. "'Fine!' exclaimed a rather young cossack, in a white cap. Coming across the yard close to Olenin. I saw Fine.

Olenin recognized Nazarka, and was silent, not knowing what to do or say. Fine. I'll go and tell them at the office. And I'll tell her father. That's a fine cornette's daughter. One's not enough for her. "'What do you want of me? What are you after?' uttered Olenin. "'Nothing. Only I'll tell them at the office.' Nazarka spoke very loud, and evidently did so intentionally, adding, Just see what a clever cadet. Olenin trembled and grew pale. Come here, here. He seized the Cossack firmly by the arm and drew him towards his hut. Nothing happened. She did not let me in, and I too mean no harm. She is an honest girl. A discuss. "'Yes, but all the same, I'll give you something now. Wait a bit.' Nazarka said nothing.

Olenin ran into his hut and brought out ten roubles, which he gave to the Cossack. "'Nothing happened, but still I was to blame, so I give this. Only, for God's sake, don't let anyone know, for nothing happened.' "'I wish you joy,' said Nazarka, laughing, and went away. Nazarka had come to the village that night, At Lekashka's bidding to find a place to hide a stolen horse, and now, passing by on his way home, had heard the sound of footsteps. When he returned next morning to his company, he bragged to his chum, and told him how cleverly he had got ten roubles. Next morning Olenin met his hosts, and they knew nothing about the events of the night. He did not speak to Marianka, and she only laughed a little when she looked at him.

Next night he also passed without sleep, vainly wandering about the yard. The day after he purposely spent shooting, and in the evening he went to see Beletsky to escape from his own thoughts. He was afraid of himself, and promised himself not to go to his host's hut any more. That night he was roused by the sergeant-major. His company was ordered to start at once on a raid. Olenin was glad this had happened, and thought he would not again return to the village. The raid lasted four days. The commander, who was a relative of Olenin's, wished to see him, and offered to let him remain with the staff, but this Olenin declined. He found that he could not live away from the village, and asked to be allowed to return to it.

For having taken part in the raid, he received a soldier's cross, which he had formerly greatly desired. Now he was quite indifferent about it, and even more indifferent about his promotion, the order for which had still not arrived. Accompanied by Venusha, he rode back to the cordon, without any accident, several hours in advance of the rest of the company. He spent the whole evening in his porch watching Marianka, and he again walked about the yard, without aim or thought, all night.

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It was late when he awoke the next day. His hosts were no longer in. He did not go shooting, but now took up a book, and now went out into the porch, and now again re-entered the hut and lay down on the bed. Vanusha thought he was ill. Towards evening Olenin got up, resolutely began writing, and wrote on till late at night. He wrote a letter, but did not post it. because he felt that no one would have understood what he wanted to say, and besides it was not necessary that any one but himself should understand it. This is what he wrote. I receive letters of condolence from Russia. They are afraid that I shall perish buried in these wilds. They say about me, He will become coarse, he will be behind the times in everything.

He will take to drink. And who knows but that he may marry a Cossack girl. It was not for nothing, they say, that Ermolov declared, any one serving in the Caucasus for ten years either becomes a confirmed drunkard or marries a loose woman. How terrible! Indeed, it won't do for me to ruin myself, when I might have the great happiness of even becoming the Countess B.'s husband. Or a court chamberlain, or a marechal de noblesse of my district. Oh, how repulsive and pitiable you all seem to me! You do not know what happiness is and what life is. One must taste life once in all its natural beauty, must see and understand what I see every day before me. Those eternally unapproachable snowy peaks, and a majestic woman in that primitive beauty in which the first woman must have come from her Creator's hands.

And then it becomes clear who is ruining himself, and who is living, truly or falsely, you or I. If you only knew how despicable and pitiable you in your delusions seemed to me. When I pictured to myself In place of my hut, my forests, and my love, those drawing-rooms, those women with their pomatum greased hair, eked out with false curls, those unnaturally grimacing lips, those hidden, feeble, distorted limbs, and that chatter of obligatory drawing-room conversation which has no right to the name. I feel unendurably revolted. I then see before me those obtuse faces, those rich eligible girls, whose looks seem to say, It's all right, you may come near, though I am rich and eligible. And that arranging and rearranging of seats, that shameless matchmaking, and that eternal tittle-tattle and pretence.

Those rules, with whom to shake hands, to whom only to nod, with whom to converse, And all this done deliberately with a conviction of its inevitability, that continual envy in the blood, passing on from generation to generation. Try to understand or believe just this one thing. You need only see and comprehend what truth and beauty are, and all you now say and think, and all your wishes for me and for yourselves will fly to atoms. Happiness is being with nature, seeing her, and conversing with her. He may even, God forbid, marry a common Cossack girl and be quite lost socially. I can imagine them saying of me with sincere pity. Yet the one thing I desire is to be quite lost in your sense of the word.

I wish to marry a Cossack girl, and dare not, because it would be a height of happiness of which I am unworthy. Three months have passed since I first saw the Cossack girl, Marianka. The views and prejudices of the world I had left were still fresh in me. I did not then believe that I could love that woman. I delighted in her beauty, just as I delighted in the beauty of the mountains and the sky, nor could I help delighting in her, for she is as beautiful as they. I found that the sight of her beauty had become a necessity of my life, and I began asking myself whether I did not love her. But I could find nothing within myself at all like love as I had imagined it to be. Mine was not the restlessness of loneliness and desire for marriage, nor was it platonic, still less a carnal love, such as I have experienced.

I needed only to see her, to hear her, to know that she was near, and if I was not happy I was at peace. After an evening gathering at which I met her and touched her, I felt that between that woman and myself There existed an indissoluble, though unacknowledged bond, against which I could not struggle, yet I did struggle. I asked myself, is it possible to love a woman who will never understand the profoundest interests of my life? Is it possible to love a woman simply for her beauty, to love the statue of a woman? But I was already in love with her, though I did not yet trust to my feelings.

After that evening when I first spoke to her, our relations changed. Before that she had been to me an extraneous but majestic object of external nature. But since then she has become a human being. I began to meet her, to talk to her, and sometimes to go to work for her father, and to spend whole evenings with them. And in this intimate intercourse she remained still in my eyes, just as pure, inaccessible, and majestic. She always responded with equal calm pride and cheerful equanimity. Sometimes she was friendly, but generally her every look, every word, and every movement expressed equanimity. Not contemptuous, but crushing and bewitching. Every day, with a feigned smile on my lips, I tried to play a part, and with torments of passion and desire in my heart, I spoke banteringly to her.

She saw that I was dissembling, but looked straight at me, cheerfully and simply. The position became unbearable. I wished not to deceive her, but to tell her all I thought and felt. I was extremely agitated. We were in the vineyard when I began to tell her of my love, in words I am now ashamed to remember. I am ashamed because I ought not to have dared to speak so to her, because she stood far above such words, and above the feeling they were meant to express. I said no more, but from that day my position has been intolerable. I did not wish to demean myself by continuing our former flippant relations, and at the same time I felt that I had not yet reached the level of straight and simple relations with her.

I asked myself despairingly, What am I to do? In foolish dreams I imagined her now as my mistress, and now as my wife, but rejected both ideas with disgust. To make her a wanton woman would be dreadful. It would be murder. To turn her into a fine lady, the wife of Dmitri Andreech Olenin, like a Cossack woman here who is married to one of our officers, would be still worse. Now could I turn Cossack like Kukashka, and steal horses, get drunk on Shakir, sing rollicking songs, kill people, and when drunk Climb in at her window for the night, without a thought of who and what I am. It would be different. Then we might understand one another, and I might be happy. I tried to throw myself into that kind of life, but was still more conscious of my own weakness and artificiality.

I cannot forget myself and my complex, distorted past, and my future appears to me still more hopeless. Every day I have before me the distant snowy mountains and this majestic happy woman. But not for me is the only happiness possible in the world. I cannot have this woman. What is most terrible and yet sweetest in my condition is that I feel that I understand her, but that she will never understand me. Not because she is inferior, On the contrary, she ought not to understand me. She is happy, she is like nature, consistent, calm and self-contained, and I, a weak, distorted being, want her to understand my deformity and my torments. I have not slept at night, but have aimlessly passed under her windows, not rendering account to myself of what was happening to me.

On the eighteenth our company started on a raid, and I spent three days away from the village. I was sad and apathetic. The usual songs, cards, drinking-bouts, and talk of rewards in the regiment were more repulsive to me than usual. Yesterday I returned home and saw her—my hut—daddy eroshka and the snowy mountains from my porch. and was seized by such a strong new feeling of joy that I understood it all. I love this woman. I feel real love for the first and only time in my life. I know what has befallen me. I do not fear to be degraded by this feeling. I am not ashamed of my love. I am proud of it. It is not my fault that I love. It has come about against my will. I tried to escape from my love by self-renunciation, and tried to devise a joy in the Cossack, Lukashka's and Marianka's love, but thereby only stirred up my own love and jealousy.

This is not the ideal, the so-called exalted love, which I have known before, not that sort of attachment in which you admire your own love and feel that the source of your emotion is within yourself, and do everything yourself. I have felt that too. It is still less a desire for enjoyment. It is something different. Perhaps in her I love nature, the personification of all that is beautiful in nature. Yet I am not acting by my own will, but some elemental force loves through me. The whole of God's world, all nature, presses this love into my soul and says, Love her. I love her not with my mind or in my imagination, but with my whole being. Loving her, I feel myself to be an integral part of all God's joyous world.

I wrote before about the new convictions to which my solitary life had brought me, but no one knows with what labor they shaped themselves within me, and with what joy I realized them. and saw a new way of life opening out before me. Nothing was dearer to me than those convictions. Well, love has come, and neither they nor any regrets for them remain. It is even difficult for me to believe that I could prize such a one-sided, cold and abstract state of mind. Beauty came, and scattered to the winds all that laborious inward toil, And no regret remains for what has vanished. Self-renunciation is all nonsense and absurdity. That is pride, a refuge from well-merited unhappiness, and salvation from the envy of others' happiness.

Live for others and do good. Why? When in my soul there is only love for myself, and the desire to love her and to live her life with her. Not for others, not for Lukashka, I now desire happiness. I do not now love those others. Formerly I should have told myself that this is wrong. I should have tormented myself with questions. What will become of her, of me and of Lukashka? No, I don't care. I do not live my own life. There is something stronger than me which directs me. I suffer, But formerly I was dead, and only now do I live. Today I will go to their house, and tell her everything.

34 34 - Chapter XXXIV 8:27

Late that evening, after writing this letter, Olenin went to his host's hut. The old woman was sitting on a bench behind the oven, unwinding cocoons. Marianka, with her head uncovered, sat sewing by the light of a candle. On seeing Olenin, she jumped up, took her kerchief, and stepped to the oven. "'Marianka, dear,' said her mother, "'won't you sit here with me a bit?' "'No, I'm bareheaded,' she replied, and sprang up on the oven. Olenin could only see a knee, and one of her shapely legs hanging down from the oven. He treated the old woman to tea. She treated her guest to clotted cream, which he sent Marianka to fetch. But having put a plateful on the table, Marianka again sprang on the oven, from whence Olenin felt her eyes upon him.

They talked about household matters. Grannie Ulytka became animated and went into raptures of hospitality. She brought Olenin preserved grapes and a grape tart, and some of her best wine, and pressed him to eat and drink with a rough yet proud hospitality of country folk, only found among those who produce their bread by the labor of their own hands. The old woman, who had at first struck Olenin so much by her rudeness, Now often touched him by her simple tenderness towards her daughter. Yes, we need not offend the Lord by grumbling. We have enough of everything, thank God. We have pressed sufficient Shakir, and have preserved and so sell three or four barrels of grapes, and have enough left to drink.

Don't be in a hurry to leave us. We will make merry together at the wedding. And when is the wedding to be? asked Olenin, feeling his blood suddenly rush to his face, while his heart beat irregularly and painfully. He heard a movement on the oven, and the sound of seeds being cracked. "'Well, you know, it ought to be next week. We are quite ready,' replied the old woman, as simply and quietly as though Olenin did not exist. "'I have prepared and have procured everything for Maryanka.' We will give it away properly. Only there's one thing not quite right. Our Lukashka has been running rather wild. He has been too much on the spree. He's up to tricks. The other day a Cossack came here from his company, and said he had been to Nogay.

He must mind he does not get caught, said Olenin. Yes, that's what I tell him. Mind Lukashka, don't you get into mischief. Well, of course, a young fellow naturally wants to cut a dash. But there's a time for everything. Well, you've captured or stolen something and killed an abrek. Well, you're a fine fellow. But now you should live quietly for a bit, or else there'll be trouble. Yes, I saw him a time or two in the division, and he was always merry-making. He has sold another horse, said Olenin, and glanced towards the oven. A pair of large, dark, and hostile eyes glittered as they gazed severely at him. He became ashamed of what he had said. "'What of it? He does no one any harm,' suddenly remarked Marianka.

"'He makes merry with his own money,' and lowering her legs, she jumped down from the oven, and went out banging the door.

Olenin followed her with his eyes as long as she was in the hut, and then looked at the door and waited, understanding nothing of what Grannie Ulitka was telling him. A few minutes later some visitors arrived. An old man, Grannie Ulitka's brother, was Daddy Eroshka, and following them came Maryanka and Rustenka. "'Good evening,' squeaked Rustenka. "'Still on holiday,' she added, turning to Olenin. Yes, still on holiday, he replied, and felt he did not know why, ashamed and ill at ease. He wished to go away, but could not. It also seemed to him impossible to remain silent. The old man helped him by asking for a drink, and they had a drink. Olenin drank with Eroshka, with the other Cossack, and again with Eroshka, and the more he drank, the heavier was his heart.

But the two old men grew merry. The girls climbed on to the oven, where they sat whispering and looking at the men, who drank till it was late. Olenin did not talk, but drank more than the others. The Cossacks were shouting. The old woman would not let them have any more Chakir, and at last turn them out. The girls laughed at Daddy Eroshka, and it was past ten when they all went out into the porch. The old men invited themselves to finish their merrymaking at Olenin's. Ustenka ran off home, and Eroshka led the old Cossack to Vanyusha. The old woman went out to tidy up the shed. Maryanka remained alone in the hut. Olenin felt fresh and joyous, as if he had only just woken up. He noticed everything, and having let the old men pass ahead, he turned back to the hut where Maryanka was preparing for bed.

He went up to her and wished to say something, but his voice broke. She moved away from him, sat down cross-legged on her bed in the corner, and looked at him silently with wild and frightened eyes. She was evidently afraid of him. Olenin felt this. He felt sorry and ashamed of himself, and at the same time proud and pleased that he aroused even that feeling in her. "'Marianka,' he said, "'will you never take pity on me? I can't tell you how I love you.' She moved still further away. "'Just hear how the wine is speaking. You'll get nothing from me.' "'No, it is not the wine.' "'Don't marry lukashka. I will marry you.' "'What am I saying?' he thought as yet of those words. "'Shall I be able to say the same to-morrow?

Yes, I shall. I am sure I shall. And I will repeat them now,' replied an inner voice. "'Will you marry me?' She looked at him seriously, and her fear seemed to have passed. "'Maryanka, I shall go out of my mind. I am not myself. I will do whatever you command.' And madly tender words came from his lips of their own accord. "'Now then, what are you dwelling about?' she interrupted. Suddenly seizing the arm, he was stretching towards her. She did not push his arm away, but pressed it firmly with her strong, hard fingers. "'Do gentlemen, Marikosa girls, go away?' "'But will you everything?' "'And what shall we do with Lukashka?' said she, laughing.

He snatched away the arm she was holding, and firmly embraced her young body. But she sprang away like a fawn and ran barefoot into the porch. Olenin came to his senses, and was terrified at himself. He again felt himself inexpressibly vile compared to her, Yet not repenting for an instant of what he had said, he went home, and without even glancing at the old men who were drinking in his room, he lay down, and fell asleep more soundly than he had done for a long time.

35 35 - Chapter XXXV 10:56

Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud. Chapter 35 The next day was a holiday. In the evening all the villagers, their holiday clothes shining in the sunset, were out in the street. The season, more wine than usual had been produced, and the people were now free from their labours. In a month the Cossacks were to start on a campaign, and in many families preparations were being made for weddings. Most of the people were standing in the square in front of the Cossack government office and near the two shops, in one of which cakes and pumpkin seeds were sold, in the other kerchiefs and cotton prints. On the earth embankment of the office building sat or stood the old men in sombre grey, or black coats without gold trimmings or any kind of ornament.

They conversed among themselves quietly in measured tones about the harvest, about the young folk, about village affairs, and about old times, looking with dignified equanimity at the younger generation, Passing by them, the women and girls stopped and bent their heads. The young Cossacks respectfully slackened their pace and raised their caps, holding them for a while over their heads. The old men then stopped speaking. Some of them watched the passers-by severely, others kindly, and in their turn took slowly off their caps and put them on again. The Cossack girls had not yet started dancing their kovorods, but having gathered in groups, in their bright-coloured beshmit with white kerchiefs on their heads pulled down to their eyes, they sat either on the ground or on the earth-banks about the huts, sheltered from the oblique rays of the sun, and laughed and chattered in their ringing voices.

Little boys and girls playing in the square sent their balls high up into the clear sky and ran about squealing and shouting. The half-grown girls had started dancing their kovarods and were timidly singing in their thin, shrill voices. Clerks, lads not in service, or home for the holidays, Bright-faced and wearing smart white or new circassian gold-trimmed coats, went about arm in arm in twos or threes from one group of women or girls to another, and stopped to joke and chat with the Cossack girls. The Armenian shopkeeper, in a gold-trimmed coat of fine blue cloth, stood at the open door through which piles of folded, bright-coloured kerchiefs were visible and, Conscious of his own importance and with the pride of an oriental tradesman waited for customers.

Two red-bearded, barefooted Chechens, who had come from beyond the terech to see the Fete, sat on their heels outside the house of a friend, negligently smoking their little pipes, and occasionally spitting, watching the villagers and exchanging remarks with or another in their rapid guttural speech. Occasionally a work-a-day-looking soldier in an old overcoat passed across the square among the bright-clad girls. Here and there the songs of tipsy Cossacks who were merry-making could already be heard. All the huts were closed. The porches had been scrubbed clean the day before. Even the old women were out in the street. which was everywhere sprinkled with pumpkin and melon-seed shells. The air was warm and still, the sky deep and clear.

Beyond the roofs, the dead white mountain range, which seemed very near, was turning rosy in the glow of the evening sun. Now and then, from the other side of the river came the distant roar of a cannon. But above the village, mingling with one another, floated all sorts of merry-holiday sounds. Olenin had been pacing the yard all that morning, hoping to see Marianka. But she, having put on holiday clothes, went to mass at the chapel, and afterwards sat with the other girls on an earth embankment cracking seeds, Sometimes again, together with her companions, she ran home, and each time gave the lodger a bright and kindly look. Olenin felt afraid to address her playfully or in the presence of others.

He wished to finish telling her what he had begun to say the night before, and to get her to give him a definite answer. He waited for another moment like that of yesterday evening, But the moment did not come, and he felt that he could not remain any longer in this uncertainty. She went out into the street again, and after waiting a while he too went out, and without knowing where he was going he followed her. He passed by the corner where she was sitting in her shining blue satin beshmit, and with an aching heart he heard behind him the girls laughing. Beletski's hut looked out onto the square as Olenin was passing it. He heard Beletski's voice calling to him. "'Come in,' and in he went. After a short talk, they both sat down by the window and were soon joined by Eroshka, who entered dressed in a new beshmet, and sat down on the floor beside them.

"'There, that's the aristocratic party,' said Beletski. pointing with his cigarette to a brightly coloured group at the corner. "'Mine is there, too. Do you see her? In red. That's a new beshmet. Why don't you start the korovod?' he shouted, leaning out the window. "'Wait a bit, and then when it grows dark, let us go, too. Then we will invite them to Ustenka's. We must arrange a ball for them. And I will come to Ustenka's.' said Olenin in a decided tone. "'Will Marianka be there?' "'Yes, she'll be there.' "'Do come,' said Beletsky, without the least surprise. "'But isn't it a pretty picture?' he added, pointing to the motley crowds. "'Yes, very,' Olenin assented, trying to appear indifferent.

"'Holidays of this kind,' he added, "'always make me wonder why all these people should suddenly be contented and jolly.' "'To-day, for instance, just because it happens to be the fifteenth of the month, everything is festive—eyes and faces and voices and movements and garments, and the air and the sun are all in a holiday mood, and we no longer have any holidays.' "'Yes,' said Beletsky, who did not like such reflections. "'And why are you not drinking, old fellow?' he said, turning to Eroshka. Eroshka winked at Olenin, pointing to Beletski. Eh, he's a proud one, that kunak of yours, he said. Beletski raised his glass. Alaberdi, he said, emptying it. Alaberdi, God has given, the usual greeting of Caucasians when drinking together.

Sabool, your health, answered Eroshka, smiling, and emptied his glass. Speaking of holidays, he said, turning to Olenon as he rose and looked out the window. What sort of holiday is that? You should have seen them make merry in the old days. The women used to come out in their gold-trimmed seraphons. Two rows of gold coins hanging round their necks and gold cloth diadems on their heads, and when they passed they made a noise. Flew, flew with their dresses. Every woman looked like a princess. Sometimes they'd come out, a whole herd of them, and begin singing songs so that the air seemed to rumble, and they went on making merry all night, and the Cossacks would roll out a barrel into the yards and sit down and drink till break of day, or they would go hand in hand sweeping the village, Whoever they met they seized and took along with them, and went from house to house.

Sometimes they used to make merry for three days on end. Father used to come home. I still remember it, quite red and swollen, without a cap, having lost everything. He'd come and lie down. Mother knew what to do. She would bring him some fresh caviar and a little chick here to sober him up. and would herself run about the village looking for his cap. Then he'd sleep for two days. That's the sort of fellows they were then. But now what are they? Well, and the girls in the Serafans, did they make merry all by themselves, asked Beletsky? Yes, they did. Sometimes Cossacks would come on foot or on horse and say, Let's break up the Kodovods. And they'd go, but the girls would take up cudgels. Some young fellow would come galloping up, and they'd cudgel his horse and cudgel him too.

But he'd break through, seize the one he loved, and carry her off, and his sweetheart would love him to his heart's content. Yes, the girls in those days, they were regular queens.

36 36 - Chapter XXXVI 8:30

Reading done by Jules Harlick of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maude. Chapter 36 Just then, two men rode out of the side street into the square. One of them was Nazarka. The other, Lukashka, sat slightly sideways on his well-fed Bey Kabarda horse. which stepped lightly over the hard road, jerking its beautiful head with its fine, glossy mane. The well-adjusted gun in its cover, the pistol at his back, and the cloak rolled up behind his saddle showed that Lukashka had not come from a peaceful place or from one nearby. The smart way in which he sat a little sideways on his horse, the careless motion with which he touched the horse under its belly with his whip, and especially his half-closed black eyes glistening as he looked proudly around him, all expressed the conscious strength and self-confidence of youth.

Ever seen as fine a lad, his eyes looking from side to side seemed to say, The elegant horse with its silver ornaments and trappings, the weapons, and the handsome Cossack himself attracted the attention of everyone in the square. Nazarka, lean and short, was much less well-dressed as he rode past the old men. Lukashka paused and raised his curly white sheepskin cap above his closely cropped black head. "'Well, have you carried off many no-gay horses?' asked a lean old man with a frowning, lowering look. "'Have you counted them, Grandad, that you ask?' replied Lukashka, turning away. "'That's all very well, but you need not take my lad along with you,' the old man muttered with a still darker frown.

"'Just see the old devil. He knows everything,' muttered lukashka to himself, and a worried expression came over his face. But then, noticing a corner where a number of Cossack girls were standing, he turned his horse towards them. "'Good evening, girls,' he shouted in his powerful, resonant voice, suddenly checking his horse. "'You've grown old without me, you witches,' and he laughed. "'Good evening, Lukashka. Good evening, laddie,' the merry voices answered. "'Have you brought much money? Buy some sweets for the girls. Have you come for long?' "'True enough. It's long since we saw you. Nazarka and I have just flown across to make a night of it,' replied Lukashka, raising his whip and riding straight at the girls.

"'Why, Maryanka has quite forgotten you,' said Ustenka. Nudging maryanka with her elbow and breaking into a shrill laugh. Maryanka moved away from the horse, and throwing back her head, calmly looked at the Cossack with her large, sparkling eyes. True enough, you have not been home for a long time. Why are you trampling us under your horse? She remarked dryly, and turned away. Lukashka had appeared particularly merry. His face shone with audacity and joy. Obviously staggered by Marianka's cold reply, he suddenly knitted his brow. Step up on my stirrup and I'll carry you away to the mountains. Mami! he suddenly exclaimed. And, as if to disperse his dark thoughts, he karaokeled among the girls.

Stooping down towards Marianka, he said, "'I'll kiss—oh, how I'll kiss you!' Maryanka's eyes met his, and she suddenly blushed and stepped back. "'Oh, bother you! You'll crush my feet,' she said. And, bending her head, looked at her well-shaped feet in their tightly-fitting light-blue stockings with clocks and her new red slippers trimmed with narrow silver braid. Lukashka turned towards Ustenka, and Marianka sat down next to a woman with a baby in her arms. The baby stretched his plump little hands towards the girl and seized a necklace-string that hung down on to her blue besmesht. Marianka bent towards the child and glanced at Lukashka from the corner of her eyes. Lukashka just then was getting out from under his coat from the pocket of his black beshmet a bundle of sweetmeats and seeds.

"'There, I'll give them all to you,' he said, handling the bundle to Ustenka and smiling at Marianka. A confused expression again appeared on the girl's face. It was as though a mist gathered over her beautiful eyes. She drew her Kerchief down below her lips, and leaning her head over the fair-skinned face of the baby that still held her by her coin necklace, she suddenly began to kiss it greedily. The baby pressed his little hands against the girl's high breasts, and opening his toothless mouth, screamed loudly. "'You're smothering the boy,' said the little one's mother, taking him away. And she unfastened her beshmet to give him the breast. "'You'd better have a chat with the young fellow. I'll only go and put up my horse, and then Nazarka and I will come back.

We'll make merry all night,' said Lukashka, touching his horse with his whip and riding away from the girls. Turning into a side street, he and Nazarka rode up to two huts that stood side by side. "'Here we are, all right. O fellow, be quick and come soon,' called Lukashka to his comrade, dismounting in front of one of the huts. Then he carefully led his horse in at the gate of the waddled fence of his own home. "'How do you do, Stepka?' he said to his dumb sister, who, smartly dressed like the others, came in from the street to take his horse, and he made signs to her to take the horse to the hay. but not to unsaddle it. The dumb girl made her usual humming noise, smacked her lips as she pointed to the horse, and kissed it on the nose, as much as to say that she loved it and that it was a fine horse.

"'How do you do, mother?' "'How is it that you have not gone out yet?' shouted Lukashka, holding his gun in place as he mounted the steps of the porch. His old mother opened the door. "'Dear me, I never expected, never thought you'd come,' said the old woman. "'Why, Kierka said you wouldn't be here. Go and bring some Chikir, mother. Nazarka is coming here, and we'll celebrate the feast day.' "'Directly, Lukashka, directly,' answered the old woman. "'Our women are making merry. I expect our dumb one has gone too.' She took her keys and hurriedly went to the outhouse. Nazarka, after putting up his horse and taking the gun off his shoulder, returned to Lukashka's house and went in.

37 37 - Chapter XXXVII 6:13

Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer Maude. Chapter Thirty-seven Your health, said Lukashka, taking from his mother's hands a cup filled to the brim with Chikir and carefully raising it to his bowed head. A bad business, said Nazarka. You heard how Daddy Burlak said. Have you stolen many horses? He seems to know. A regular wizard, Lukashka replied shortly. But what of it? he added, tossing his head. They are across the river by now. Go and find them. Still, it's a bad lookout. What's a bad lookout? Go and take some chikir to him tomorrow, and nothing will come of it. Now let's make merry. Drink, shouted Lukashka, just in the tone in which old Urushka uttered the word.

We'll go out into the street and make merry with the girls. You go and get some honey. Or no, I'll send our dumb wench. We'll make merry till morning. Nazarka smiled. Are we stopping here long? He asked. Till we've had a bit of fun, run and get some vodka. Here's the money. Nazarka ran off obediently to get the vodka from Yamkas. Daddy Eroshka and Irgushchev Like birds of prey sending where the merry-making was going on, tumbled into the hut, one after the other, both tipsy. "'Bring us another hat pail,' shouted Lukashka to his mother by way of replying to their greeting. "'Now then, tell us where you did steal them, you devil,' shouted Eroshka. "'Fine fellow, I'm fond of you.' "'Fond indeed,' answered Lukashka, laughing.

Carrying sweets from cadets to lassies. Eh, you old—that's not true, not true. Oh, Mark, and the old man burst out laughing. And how the devil begged me. Go, he said, and arrange it. He offered me a gun. But no, I'd have managed it. But I feel for you. Now tell us where you've been. And the old man began speaking in tartar. Lukashka answered him promptly. Ergaschov, who did not know much tartar, only occasionally put in a word in Russian. "'What I say is he's driven away the horses. I know it for a fact,' he chimed in. "'Giri and I went together.' He's speaking of Giri Khan as Giri was. To the Cossack mind, evidence of his boldness. Just beyond the river he kept bragging that he knew the whole of the steppe, and would lead the way straight.

But we rode on, and the night was dark, and Maegiri lost his way and began wandering in a circle without getting anywhere. Couldn't find the village, and there we were. We must have gone too much to the right. I believe we wandered about, well, nigh till midnight. Then, thank goodness, we heard dogs howling. Fools, said Daddy Eroshka. There now. We, too, used to lose our way in the step. Who the devil can follow it? But I used to ride up a hillock and start howling like wolves, like this. He placed his hands before his mouth and howled like a pack of wolves, all on one note. The dogs would answer at once. Well, go on, so you found them. We soon led them away. Nazarka was nearly caught by some no gay woman.

He was. "'Caught indeed,' Nazarka, who had just come back," said in an injured tone. "'We rode off again, and again Djiri lost his way and almost landed us among the sand-drifts. We thought we were just getting to the Terek, but we were riding away from it all the time.' "'You should have steered by the stars,' said Daddy Eroshka. "'That's what I say,' interjected Irgashov. Yes, steer when all is black. I tried and tried all about, and at last I put the bridle on one of the mares and let my own horse go free, thinking he'd lead us out. And what do you think? He just gave a snort or two with his nose to the ground, galloped ahead, and led us straight to our village. Thank goodness, it was getting quite light.

We barely had time to hide them in the forest. Nagim came across the river and took them away. Ergachev shook his head. "'It's just what I said. Smart. Did you get much for them?' "'It's all here,' said Lukashka, slapping his pocket. Just then his mother came into the room, and Lukashka did not finish what he was saying. "'Drink,' he shouted. "'We, too, Giridge and I, rode out late one night.' began Eroshka. "'Oh, bother! We'll never hear the end of you,' said Lukashka. "'I am going.' And, having emptied his cup and tightened the strap of his belt, he went out."

38 38 - Chapter XXXVIII 12:48

Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud. Chapter 38. It was already dark when Lukashka went out into the street. The autumn night was fresh and calm. The full golden moon floated up behind the tall, dark populace that grew on one side of the square. From the chimneys of the outhouses smoke rose and spread a Above the village, mingling with the mist. Here and there, lights shone through the windows, and the air was laden with the smell of kisiek, grape pulp, and mist. The sounds of voices, laughter, songs, and the crackling of seeds mingled just as they had done in the daytime, but were now more distinct. Clusters of white kerchiefs and caps gleamed through the darkness near the houses and by the fences.

In the square, before the shop-door, which was lit up and open, the black and white figures of Cossack men and maids showed through the darkness, and one heard from afar their lout songs and laughter and talk. The girls, hand in hand, went round and round in a circle, stepping lightly in the dusty square. A skinny girl, the plainest of them all, set the tune. From beyond the wood, from the forest dark, from the garden green and the shady park, there came out one day two young lads so gay, young bachelors, hey, brave and smart were they, and they walked and walked, then stood still, Each man. And they talked, and soon to dispute began. Then a maid came out, as she came along, said to, One of you, I shall soon belong.

"'Twas the fair-faced lad got the maiden fair, yes, the fair-faced lad with the golden hair, her right hand so white in his own took he, and he led her round for his mates to see, and said, Have you ever in your life? Met a lass as fair as my sweet little wife. The old women stood round, listening to the songs. The little boys and girls ran about, chasing one another in the dark. The men stood by, catching at the girls as the latter moved round, and sometimes breaking the ring and entering it. On the dark side of the doorway stood Beletsky and Oljenin. In their circassian coats and sheepskin caps, and talked together in a style of speech unlike that of the Cossacks, in low but distinct tones, conscious that they were attracting attention.

Next to one another in the korobod circle moved plump little Ustenka in her red besmet, and the stately Maryanka in her new smock and besmet. Olenin and Beletski were discussing how to snatch Ustenka and Marianka out of the ring. Beletski thought that Olenin wished only to amuse himself, but Olenin was expecting his fate to be decided. He wanted at any cost to see Marianka alone that very day, and to tell her everything and ask her whether she could and would be his wife. Although that question had long been answered in the negative in his own mind, he hoped he would be able to tell her all he felt, and that she would understand him. "'Why did you not tell me sooner?' said Beletsky. "'I would have got Ustenke to arrange it for you.

You are such a queer fellow.' "'What's to be done? Some day, very soon, I'll tell you all about it.' Only now, for heaven's sake, arrange so that she should come to Ustanka's. All right, that's easily done. Well, Maryanka, will you belong to the fair-faced lad, and not to Lukashka, said Baletsky, speaking to Maryanka first, for propriety's sake. But having received no reply, he went up to Ustanka, and begged her to bring Maryanka home with her. He had hardly time to finish what he was saying before the leader began another song, and the girls started pulling each other round in the ring by the hand. They sang. Past the garden, by the garden, a young man came strolling down, up the street and through the town, and the first time as he passed he did wave his strong right hand, as the second time he passed.

waved his hat with silken band. But the third time as he went he stood still, before her bent. How is it that thou, my dear, my reproaches dost not fear? In the park don't come to walk, that we there might have a talk. Come now, answer me, my dear. Dost thou hold me in contempt? Later on, thou knowest, dear, thou... Get sober and repent. Soon to woe thee I will come, and when we shall marry thee, thou wilt weep because of me. Though I knew what to reply, yet I dared not him deny. No, I dared not him deny. So into the park went I. There, my dear one, I did greet. Maiden dear, I bow to thee. Take this handkerchief from me. In thy white hand Take it, see. Say, I am beloved by thee. I don't know at all, I fear, what I am to give thee, dear.

To my dear I think I will, of a shawl a present make, and five kisses, for it take. Lukashka and Nazarka broke into the ring and started walking about among the girls. Lukashka joined in the singing, taking seconds in his clear voice as he walked in the middle of the ring, swinging his arms. "'Well, come in, one of you,' he said. The other girls pushed Maryanka, but she would not enter the ring. The sound of shrill laughter, slaps, kisses, and whispers mingled with the singing. As he went past Olenin, Lukashka gave a friendly nod. Dmitri Andreevich, have you two come to have a look? He said. Yes, answered Olenin dryly. Belitski stooped and whispered something into Ustanka's ear. She had not time to reply till she came round again, when she said, All right, we'll come.

And Maryanka too? Olenin stooped towards Maryanka. You'll come? Please do, if only for a minute. I must speak to you. If the other girls come, I will. Will you answer my question, said he, bending towards her? You are in good spirits today? She had already moved past him. He went after her. Will you answer? Answer what? The question I asked you the other day, said Olenon, stooping to her ear. Will you marry me? Maryanka thought for a moment. "'I'll tell you,' said she. "'I'll tell you tonight.' And through the darkness her eyes gleamed brightly and kindly at the young man. He still followed her. He enjoyed stooping closer to her, but Lukashka, without ceasing to sing, suddenly seized her firmly by the hand and pulled her from her place in the ring of girls into the middle.

Olenin had only time to say, "'Come to Ustenaika's,' and step back to his companion. The song came to an end. Lukashka wiped his lips. Maryanka did the same, and they kissed. "'No, no kisses, five,' said Lukashka. Chatter, laughter, and running about succeeded to the rhythmic movements and sound." Lukashka, who seemed to have drunk a great deal, began to distribute sweetmeats to the girls. "'I offer them to everyone,' he said with a proud, comically pathetic self-admiration. "'But anyone who goes after soldiers goes out of the ring,' he suddenly added with an angry glance at Olenon. The girls grabbed his sweetmeats from him, and, laughing, struggled for them among themselves. Baletski and Olenin stepped aside.

Lukashka, as if ashamed of his generosity, took off his cap and, wiping his forehead with his sleeve, came up to Marianka and Ustenka. Answer me, my dear, dost thou hold me in contempt? He said in the words of the song that they had just been singing. And turning to Maryanka, he angrily repeated the words, Dost thou hold me in contempt? When we shall married be, thou wilt weep because of me, he added, embracing Ustenka and Maryanka both together. Ustenka tore herself away, and swinging her arms, gave him such a blow on the back that she hurt her hand. "'Well, are you going to have another turn?' he asked. "'The other girls may, if they like,' answered Ustanka. "'But I am going home, and Marianka was coming to our house, too.' With his arm still around her, Lukashka led Marianka away from the crowd to the darker corner of a house.

"'Don't go, Marianka,' he said. "'Let's have some fun for the last time.' Go home, and I will come to you. What am I going to do at home? Holidays are meant for merrymaking. I'm going to Ustankas, replied Maryanka. I'll marry you all the same, you know. All right, said Maryanka. We shall see when the time comes. So you are going, said Lukashka sternly, and pressing her close, he kissed her on the cheek. "'There, leave off. Don't bother,' and Maryanka wrenching herself from his arms moved away. "'Ah, my girl, it will turn out badly,' said Lukashka reproachfully, and stood still, shaking his head. "'Thou wilt weep because of me!' And turning away from her, he shouted to the other girls, "'Now then, play away!' What he had said seemed to have frightened and vexed maryanka.

She stopped. What will turn out badly? Why, that—that what? Why, that you keep company with a soldier-lodger and no longer care for me. I'll care just as long as I choose. You're not my father, nor my mother. What do you want? I'll care for whom I like. Well, all right, said Lukashka. But remember, he moved toward the shops. "'Girls,' he shouted, "'why have you stopped? Go on dancing. Nazarka, fetch some more Chakir.' "'Well, will they come?' asked Olenian, addressing Beletsky. "'They'll come directly,' replied Beletsky. "'Come along.

39 39 - Chapter XXXIX 4:15

It was already late in the night when Olienin came out of Beletsky's hut following Marianka and Ustenka. He saw in the dark street before him the gleam of the girl's white kerchief. The golden moon was descending towards the step. A silvery mist hung over the village. All was still. There were no lights anywhere, and one heard only the receding footsteps of the young women. Olienin's heart beat fast. The fresh, moist atmosphere cooled his burning face. He glanced at the sky and turned to look at the hut he had just come out of. The candle was already out. Then he again peered through the darkness at the girls' retreating shadows. The white kerchief disappeared in the mist. He was afraid to remain alone.

He was so happy. He jumped down from the porch and ran after the girls. "'Bother you! Someone may see!' said Ushtenka. "'Never mind!' Olenin ran up to Mayanka and embraced her. Mayanka did not resist. "'Haven't you kissed enough yet?' said Ustenka. "'Marry, and then kiss. But now you'd better wait.' "'Good night, Mayanka. Tomorrow I will come to see your father and tell him. Don't you say anything.' "'Why should I?' answered Mayanka. Both the girls started running. Ulyanen went on by himself, thinking over all that had happened. He had spent the whole evening alone with her in a corner by the oven. Ustenka had not left the hut for a single moment, but had romped about with the other girls and with Beletsky all the time.

Ulyenin had talked in whispers to Mayanka. "'Will you marry me?' he had asked. "'You deceive me and not have me,' she replied cheerfully and calmly. "'But do you love me? Tell me, for God's sake.' "'Why shouldn't I love you? You don't squint,' answered Mayanka, laughing. and with her hard hands squeezing his. "'What white, white soft hands you've got, so like cluttered cream,' she said. "'I'm in earnest. Tell me, will you marry me?' "'Why not, if father gives me to you?' "'Well then, remember, I shall go mad if you deceive me. To-morrow I will tell your mother and father. I shall come and propose.' Marianka suddenly burst out laughing. What's the matter? It seems so funny. It's true. I'll buy a vineyard and a house, and will enroll myself as a Cossack.

Mind you don't go after other women, then. I'm severe about that. Ulyanen joyfully repeated all these words to himself. The memory of them now gave him pain, and now such joy that it took away his breath. The pain was, because she had remained as calm as usual while talking to him. She did not seem at all agitated by these new conditions. It was as if she did not trust him and did not think of the future. It seemed to him that she only loved him for the present moment, and that in her mind there was no future with him. He was happy, because her words sounded to him true, and she had consented to be his. Yes, thought he to himself, we shall only understand one another when she is quite mine. For such love there are no words.

It needs life, the whole of life. Tomorrow everything will be cleared up. I cannot live like this any longer. Tomorrow I will tell everything to her father, to Beletsky, and to the whole village. Lukashka, after two sleepless nights, had drunk so much at the Fed that for the first time in his life his feet would not carry him, and he slept in Yamcha's house.

40 40 - Chapter XL 8:41

The next day, Olenin awoke earlier than usual, and immediately remembered what lay before him, And he joyfully recalled her kisses, the pressure of her hard hands and her words. What white hands you have! He jumped up and wished to go at once to his host's hut to ask for their consent to his marriage with Marianka. The sun had not yet risen, but it seemed that there was an unusual bustle in the street and side-street. People were moving about on foot and on horseback, and talking. He threw on his Curcassian coat and hastened out into the porch. His hosts were not yet up. Five Cossacks were riding past and talking loudly together. In front rode Lukashka on his broad-backed Kabarda horse. The Cossacks were all speaking and shouting so that it was impossible to make out exactly what they were saying.

Ride to the upper post, shouted one. Settle and catch us up. Be quick, said another. It's nearer through the other gate. What are you talking about, cried Lukashka? We must go through the middle gates, of course. "'So we must. It's nearer that way,' said one of the Cossacks, who was covered with dust and rode a perspiring horse. Lukashka's face was red and swollen after the drinking of the previous night, and his cap was pushed to the back of his head. He was calling out with authority as though he were an officer. "'What's the matter? Where are you going?' asked Olenin, with difficulty attracting the Cossacks' attention. "'We're off to catch Abrax. They're hiding among that sand-drifts. We're just off.' But there are not enough of us yet.

And the Cossacks continued to shout, more and more of them joining as they rode down the street. It occurred to Olenin that it would not look well for him to stay behind. Besides, he thought he could soon come back. He dressed, loaded his gun with bullets, jumped on to his horse, which Vanyusha had settled more or less well, and overtook the Cossacks at the village gates. The Cossacks had dismounted, And filling a wooden bowl with shikha from a little cask which they had brought with them, they passed the bowl round to one another and drank to the success of their expedition. Among them was a smartly-dressed young cornet, who happened to be in the village and who took command of the group of nine Cossacks who had joined for the expedition.

All these Cossacks were privates, and although the cornet assumed the airs of a commanding officer, they only obeyed Lukashka. Of Olienin they took no notice at all, And when they had all mounted and started, and Olienden rode up to the cornet and began asking him what was taking place, the cornet, who was usually quite friendly, treated him with marked condescension. It was with great difficulty that Olienden managed to find out from him what was happening. Scouts who had been sent out to search for Abrax had come upon several hillsmen some six miles from the village. These Abrax had taken shelter in pits and had fired at the scouts, declaring they would not surrender. A corporal who had been scouting with two Cossacks had remained to watch the Abrax, and had sent one Cossack back to get help.

The sun was just rising. Three miles beyond the village, the steppe spread out, and nothing was visible except the dry, monotonous, sandy, dismal plain, covered with the footmarks of cattle, and here and there with tufts of withered grass, with low reeds in the flats, and rare little-trodden foot-parts, and the Camps of the Nomad Ngae tribe just visible far away. The absence of shade and the austere aspect of the place were striking. The sun always rises and sets red in the steppe. When it is windy, whole hills of sand are carried by the wind from place to place. When it is calm, as it was that morning, the silence, uninterrupted by any movement or sound, is peculiarly striking. That morning in the steppe it was quiet and dull, though the sun had already risen.

It all seemed specially soft and desolate. The air was hushed, the footfalls and the snorting of the horses were the only sounds to be heard, and even they quickly died away. The man rode almost silently. A Cossack always carries his weapons so that they neither let jingle nor rattle. Jingling weapons are a terrible disgrace to a Cossack. Two other Cossacks from the village caught the party up and exchanged a few words. Lukashka's horse either stumbled or caught its foot in some grass and became restive, which is a sign of bad luck among the Cossacks, and at such a time was of especial importance. The others exchanged glances and turned away, trying not to notice what had happened. Lukashka pulled at the reins, frowned sternly, set his teeth and flourished his whip above his head.

His good kabarda-horse, prancing from one foot to another, not knowing with which to start, seemed to wish to fly upwards on wings. But Lukashka hid its well-fed sides with his whip once, then again, and a third time, and the horse, showing its teeth and spreading out its tail, snorted and reared and stepped on its hind legs a few paces away from the others. "'Ah! A good steed, that,' said the cornet. That he said steed instead of horse indicated special praise. "'A lion of a horse,' assented one of the others. "'An old Cossack.' The Cossacks rode forward silently, now at a foot-pace, then at a trot, and these changes were the only incidents that interrupted for a moment the stillness and solemnity of their movements.

Riding through the steppe for about six miles, they passed nothing but one Nogai tent, Placed on a cart and moving slowly along at a distance of about a mile from them. A Nagaie family was moving from one part of the steppe to another. Afterwards they met two tattered Nagaie women with high cheekbones, who with baskets on their backs were gathering dung left by the cattle that wandered over the steppe. The cornet, who did not know their language well, tried to question them, but they did not understand him, and, obviously frightened, looked at one another. Lukashka rode up to them both. stopped his horse and promptly uttered the usual greeting. The Nagaie women were evidently relieved and began speaking to him quite freely as to a brother.

"'Aye, aye, copperbrek,' they said plaintively, pointing in the direction in which the Cossacks were going. Olenin understood that they were saying, "'Many abreks.' Never having seen an engagement of that kind, and having formed an idea of them only from Daddy Eroshka's tales, Olenin wished not to be left behind by the Cossacks, but wanted to see it all. He admired the Cossacks, and was on the watch, looking and listening, and making his own observations. Though he had brought a sword and a loaded gun with him, when he noticed that the Cossacks avoided him, he decided to take no part in the action, As in his opinion, his courage had already been sufficiently proved when he was with his destachment, and also because he was very happy.

Suddenly, a shot was heard in the distance. The cornet became excited, and began giving orders to the Cossacks as to how they should divide, and from which side they should approach. But the Cossacks did not appear to pay any attention to these orders, listening only to what Lukashka said, and looking to him alone. Lukashka's face and figure were expressive of calm solemnity. He put his horse to a trot with which the others were unable to keep pace, and screwing up his eyes, kept looking back. "'There's a man on horseback,' he said, reining in his horse and keeping in line with the others. Olenin looked intently, but could not see anything. The Cossacks soon distinguished two riders, and quietly rode straight towards them.

"'Are those the Abraks?' asked Olenin. The Cossacks did not answer his question, which appeared quite meaningless to them. The Ebreks would have been fools to venture across the river on horseback. "'That's friend Rotka waving to us, I do believe,' said Lukashka, pointing to the two mounted men who were now clearly visible. "'Look, he's coming to us.' A few minutes later it became plain that the two horsemen were the Cossack scouts. The corporal rode up to Lukashka.

41 41 - Chapter XLI 9:45

Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy.

Chapter 41. Are they far? was all Lukashka said. Just then they heard a sharp shot some thirty paces off. The corporal smiled slightly. "'Our Gurkha is having shots at them,' he said, nodding in the direction of the shot. Having gone a few paces farther, they saw Gurkha sitting behind a sand-hillock and loading his gun. Two-while away the time he was exchanging shots with the Abricks, who were behind another sand-heap. A bullet came whistling from their side. The coronet was pale and grew confused. Lukashka, dismounted from his horse, threw the reins to one of the other Cossacks and went up to Gurkha. Olenin also dismounted and, bending down, followed Lukashka. They had hardly reached Gurkha when two bullets whistled above them.

Lukashka looked around laughing at Olenin and stooped a little. "'Look out or they will kill you, Dmitri Andreevich,' he said. "'You'd better go away. You have no business here.' But Olenian wanted absolutely to see the Abrex. From behind the mound he saw caps and muskets some two hundred paces off. Suddenly a little cloud of smoke appeared from thence, and again a bullet whistled past. The Abrex were hiding in a marsh at the foot of the hill. Olenian was much impressed by the place in which they sat. In reality, it was very much like the rest of the steppe, but because the Abrex sat there, it seemed to detach itself from all the rest and to have become distinguished. Indeed, it appeared to Olenin that it was the very spot for Abrex to occupy.

Lukashka went back to his horse, and Olenin followed him. "'We must get a hay-cart,' said Lukashka. or they will be killing some of us. There, behind that mound, is an Oge cart with a load of hay. The coronet listened to him, and the corporal agreed. The cart of hay was fetched, and the Cossacks, hiding behind it, pushed it forward. Olanin rode up a hillock from whence he could see everything. The hay cart moved on, and the Cossacks crowded together behind it. The Cossacks advanced, but the Chechens, of whom there were nine, sat with their knees in a row and did not fire. All was quiet. Suddenly from the Chechens arose the sound of a mournful song, something like Daddy Eroshka's Ay Dey Dey La Ley.

The Chechens knew that they could not escape, and to prevent themselves from being tempted to take to flight, they had strapped themselves together, knee to knee, had got their guns ready, and were singing their death-song. The Cossacks with their hay-cart drew closer and closer, and Olenyan expected the firing to begin at any moment, but the silence was only broken by the Abrax mournful song. Suddenly the song ceased. There was a sharp report. A bullet struck the front of the cart, and Chechen curses and yells broke the silence, and shot followed on shot, and one bullet after another struck the cart. The Cossacks did not fire, and were now only five paces distant. Another moment passed, and the Cossacks with a whoop rushed out on both sides from behind the cart.

Lukashka in front of them. Olenin heard only a few shots, then shouting and moans. He thought he saw smoke and blood, and, abandoning his horse and quite beside himself, he ran towards the Cossacks. Horrors seemed to blind him. He could not make out anything, but understood that all was over. Lukashka, pale as death, was holding a wounded Chechen by the arms and shouting, "'Don't kill him. I'll take him alive.' The Chechen was the red-haired man who had fetched his brother's body away after Lukashka had killed him. Lukashka was twisting his arms. Suddenly the Chechen wrenched himself free and fired his pistol. Lukashka fell, and blood began to flow from his stomach. He jumped up, but fell again, swearing in Russian and in Tartar.

More and more blood appeared on his clothes and under him. Some Cossacks approached him and began loosening his girdle. One of them, Nazarka, before beginning to help, fumbled for some time, unable to put his sword in its sheath. It would not go the right way. The blade of the sword was blood-stained. The Chechen with their red hair and clipped moustaches lay dead and hacked about. Only the one we know of who had fired at Lukashka, though wounded in many places, was still alive. Like a wounded hawk, all covered with blood, blood was flowing from a wound under his right eye. Pale and gloomy, he looked about him with wide, open, excited eyes and clenched teeth as he crouched, dagger in hand, still prepared to defend himself.

The coronet went up to him as if intending to pass by, and with a quick movement shot him in the ear. The Chechen started up, but it was too late, and he fell. The Cossacks Quite out of breath dragged the bodies aside and took the weapons from them. Each of the red-haired Chechens had been a man, and each one had his own individual expression. Lukashka was carried to the cart. He continued to swear in Russian and in Tartar. "'No fear. I'll strangle him with my hands. Anna Sanyi!' he cried, struggling. But he soon became quiet from weakness. Olenin rode home. In the evening he was told that Lukashka was at death's door, but that a tartar from beyond the river had undertaken to cure him with herbs.

The bodies were brought to the village office. The women and the little boys hastened to look at them. It was growing dark when Olenin returned, and he could not collect himself after what he had seen. But towards night memories of the evening before came rushing to his mind. He looked out the window. Marianka was passing to and fro from the house to the cowshed, putting things straight. Her mother had gone to the vineyard and her father to the office. Olenon could not wait till she had quite finished her work, but went out to meet her. She was in the hut, standing with her back towards him. Olenyan thought she felt shy. "'Marianka,' said he, "'I say, Marianka, may I come in?' She suddenly turned.

There was a scarcely perceptible trace of tears in her eyes, and her face was beautiful in its sadness. She looked at him in silent dignity. Olenyan again said, "'Marianka, I have come.' Leave me alone, she said. Her face did not change, but the tears ran down her cheeks. What are you crying for? What is it? What, she repeated in a rough voice, Cossacks have been killed. That's what for? Lukashka, said Olanin. Go away. What do you want? Marianka, said Olanin, approaching her. You will never get anything from me. "'Marianka, don't speak like that,' Olenin entreated. "'Get away. I'm sick of you,' shouted the girl, stamping her foot, and moved threateningly towards him, and her face expressed such abhorrence, such contempt, and such anger that Olenin suddenly understood that there was no hope for him, and that his first impression of this woman's inaccessibility had been perfectly correct.

Olanian said nothing more, but ran out of the hut.

42 42 - Chapter XLII 12:33

Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud. Chapter Forty-two. For two hours after returning home, he lay on his bed motionless. Then he went to his company commander and obtained leave to visit the staff. Without taking leave of anyone and sending Venetia to settle his accounts with his landlord, He prepared to leave for the fort where his regiment was stationed. Daddy Erushka was the only one to see him off. They had a drink, and then a second, and then yet another. Again, as on the night of his departure from Moscow, a three-horse conveyance stood waiting at the door. But Olenin did not confer with himself as he had done then, and did not say to himself that all he had thought and done here was not it.

He did not promise himself a new life. He loved Moryanka more than ever, and he knew that he could never be loved by her. "'Well, good-bye, my lad,' said Daddy Eroshka. "'When you go on an expedition, be wise and listen to my words.' The words of an old man. When you're out on a raid, or like, you know that I'm an old wolf and have seen things, and when they begin firing, don't get into a crowd where there are many men. When you fellows get frightened, you always try to get close together with a lot of others. You think it's merrier to be with others. But that's where it's the worst of all. They always aim at a crowd. Now I used to keep farther away from the others and went alone, and I've never been wounded.

Yet what things haven't I seen in my day? "'But you've got a bullet in your back,' remarked Vanusha, who was clearing up the room. "'That was the Cossacks fooling about,' answered Eroshka. "'Cossacks? How is that?' asked Olanin. Oh, just so. We were drinking. Vankasetkin, one of the Cossacks, got Mary and Puff. He gave me one from his pistol just here. Yes, and did it hurt? asked Olenian. Vannusha, will you soon be ready? He added. Ah, where's the hurry? Let me tell you. When he banged into me, the bullet did not break the bone, but remained here. And I say, "'You've killed me, brother. Eh? What have you done to me? I won't let you off. You'll have to stand me a pailful.' "'Well?' "'Did it hurt?' Olanian asked again, scarcely listening to the tale.

"'Let me finish.' He stood a pailful, and we drank it. But the blood went on, flowing. The whole room was drenched and covered with blood. Grandad Burlak, he says. The lad will give up the ghost. Stand a bottle of the sweet sort, or we shall have you taken up. They brought more drink, and boozed and boozed. Yes, but did it hurt much? Olenyan asked once more. Hurt, indeed. Don't interrupt. I don't like it. Let me finish. We boozed and boozed till morning, and I fell asleep on the top of the oven, drunk, When I woke in the morning I could not unbend myself anyhow. "'Was it very painful?' repeated Olenin, thinking that now he would at last get an answer to his question. "'Did I tell you it was painful?

I did not say it was painful, but I could not bend and could not walk.' "'And then it healed up,' said Olenin, not even laughing, so heavy was his heart. "'It healed up.' But the bullet is still there. Just feel it." And, lifting his shirt, he showed his powerful back, where just near the bone a bullet could be felt and rolled about. "'Feel how it rolls,' he said, evidently amusing himself with the bullet as with a toy. "'There now. It has rolled to the back.' "'And Lukashka, well he recovered?' asked Olenian. Heaven only knows. There's no doctor. They've gone for one. Where will they get one? From Groznoi? Asked Olenin. No, my lad. Were I the Tsar, I'd have hung all your Russian doctors long ago.

Cutting is all they know. There's our Cossack Boklashka. No longer a real man now that they've cut off his leg. That shows. They're fools. What's Baklashka good for now? No, my lad, in the mountains there are real doctors. There was my chum, Vorchik. He was on an expedition and was wounded just here in the chest. Well, your doctors gave him up, but one of theirs came from the mountains and cured him. They understand herbs, my lad. Come, stop talking rubbish, said Olenin. I'd better send a doctor from headquarters. "'Rubbish,' the old man said mockingly. "'Fool, fool, rubbish. You'll send a doctor?' "'If yours cured people. Cossacks and Chechens would go to you for treatment. But as it is, your officers and colonels send to the mountains for doctors.

You're all humbugs, all humbugs.' Olenin did not answer. He agreed only too fully that all was humbug in the world in which he had lived and to which he was now returning. "'How is Lukashka?' "'You've been to see him?' he asked. "'He just lies as if he were dead. He does not eat nor drink. Vodka's the only thing his soul accepts. But as long as he drinks vodka, it's well. I'd be sorry to lose the lad.' A fine lad, a brave like me. I, too, lay dying like that once. The old women were already wailing. My head was burning. They had already laid me out under the holy icons, so I lay there, and above me on the oven little drummers, no bigger than this. Beat the tattoo. I shouted at them, and they drummed all the harder.

The old man laughed. The women brought our church elder. They were getting ready to bury me. They said, He defiled himself with worldly unbelievers. He made merry with women. He ruined people. He did not fast. And he played the balalaika. Confess, they said. So I began to confess. I've sinned, I said. Whatever the priest said, I always answered, I've sinned. He began to ask me about the balalaika. "'Where is the accursed thing?' he says. "'Show it to me and smash it. But I say I've not got it. I'd hidden it myself in a net in the outhouse. I knew they could not find it, so they left me.' Yet, after all I recovered. "'When I went for my balalaika—' What was I saying?' he continued. Listen to me, and keep farther away from the other men, or you'll get killed foolishly.

I feel for you, truly. You are a drinker. I love you. And fellows like you like riding up the mounds. There was one who lived here who had come from Russia. He always would ride up the mounds. He called them mounds so funnily, hillocks. Whenever he saw a mound, off he'd gallop. Once he galloped off that way and rode to the top, quite pleased. But a Chechen fired at him and killed him. Ah, how well they shoot from their gun-rests, those Chechens. Some of them shoot even better than I do. I don't like it when a fellow gets killed so foolishly. Sometimes I used to look at your soldiers and wondered at them. There's foolishness for you. They go, the poor fellows, in a clump, and even sole red collars to their coats.

How can they help being hit? One gets killed, they drag him away, and another takes his place. What foolishness, the old man repeated, shaking his head. Why not scatter and go one by one, so you just go like that and they won't notice you? That's what you must do. Well? Thank you. Good-bye, Daddy. God willing, we may meet again," said Olanian, getting up and moving towards the passage. The old man, who was sitting on the floor, did not rise. Is that the way one says good-bye? Fool, fool, he began. Oh dear, what has come to people? We've kept company, kept company for well-nigh a year. And now, good-bye, and off he goes. Why, I love you, and how I pity you. You are so forlorn, always alone, always alone.

You're somehow so unsociable. At times I can't sleep for thinking about you. I am so sorry for you, as the song has it. It's very hard, dear brother, in a foreign land to live. So it is with you. Well, good-bye, said Olenyan again. The old man rose and held out his hand. Olanin pressed it and turned to go. "'Give us your mug, your mug.' And the old man took Olanin by the head with both hands and kissed him three times with wet moustaches and lips, and began to cry. "'I love you. Good-bye.' Olanin got into the cart. "'Well, is that how you're going?' You might give me something for a remembrance. Give me a gun. What do you want two for? said the old man, sobbing quite sincerely. Olenian got out a musket and gave it to him.

What a lot you've given the old fellow, murmured Venusha. He'll never have enough. A regular old beggar. They're all such irregular people, he remarked, as he wrapped himself in his overcoat and took his seat on the box. "'Hold your tongue, swine!' exclaimed the old man, laughing. "'What a stingy fellow!' Marianka came out of the cowshed, glanced indifferently at the cart, bowed, and went towards the hut. "'La file,' said Vanusha, with a wink, and burst out into a silly laugh. "'Drive on!' shouted Olenon. angrily. Good-bye, my lad, good-bye. I won't forget you, shouted Eroshka. Olenyan turned round. Daddy Eroshka was talking to Marianka evidently about his own affairs, and neither the old man nor the girl looked at Olenyan.

End of the Cossacks Chapter 42 by Leo Tolstoy Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud.

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