did not decline it on the ground of youth or inexperience, knowing
that war time is no fitting season for that; but instantly ordered
them straight to the fray, and soon showed them that not in vain had
they chosen him as hetman. The Lyakhs felt that the matter was growing
too hot for them, and retreated across the plain in order to form
again at its other end. But the little colonel signalled to the
reserve of four hundred, stationed at the gate, and these rained shot
upon the Cossacks. To little purpose, however, their shot only taking
effect on the Cossack oxen, which were gazing wildly upon the battle.
The frightened oxen, bellowing with fear, dashed into the camp,
breaking the line of waggons and trampling on many. But Taras,
emerging from ambush at the moment with his troops, headed off the
infuriated cattle, which, startled by his yell, swooped down upon the
Polish troops, overthrew the cavalry, and crushed and dispersed them
all.

"Thank you, oxen!" cried the Zaporozhtzi; "you served us on the march,
and now you serve us in war." And they attacked the foe with fresh
vigour killing many of the enemy. Several distinguished
themselves--Metelitza and Schilo, both of the Pisarenki, Vovtuzenko,
and many others. The Lyakhs seeing that matters were going badly for
them flung away their banners and shouted for the city gates to be
opened. With a screeching sound the iron-bound gates swung open and
received the weary and dust-covered riders, flocking like sheep into a
fold. Many of the Zaporozhtzi would have pursued them, but Ostap
stopped his Oumantzi, saying, "Farther, farther from the walls,
brother gentles! it is not well to approach them too closely." He
spoke truly; for from the ramparts the foe rained and poured down
everything which came to hand, and many were struck. At that moment
the Koschevoi came up and congratulated him, saying, "Here is the new