"It is my turn to speak a word, brother gentles," he began: "listen,
my children, to an old man. The Koschevoi spoke well as the head of
the Cossack army; being bound to protect it, and in respect to the
treasures of the army he could say nothing wiser. That is so! Let that
be my first remark; but now listen to my second. And this is my second
remark: Taras spoke even more truly. God grant him many years, and
that such leaders may be plentiful in the Ukraine! A Cossack's first
duty and honour is to guard comradeship. Never in all my life, brother
gentles, have I heard of any Cossack deserting or betraying any of his
comrades. Both those made captive at the Setch and these taken here
are our comrades. Whether they be few or many, it makes no difference;
all are our comrades, and all are dear to us. So this is my speech:
Let those to whom the prisoners captured by the Tatars are dear set
out after the Tatars; and let those to whom the captives of the Poles
are dear, and who do not care to desert a righteous cause, stay
behind. The Koschevoi, in accordance with his duty, will accompany one
half in pursuit of the Tatars, and the other half can choose a hetman
to lead them. But if you will heed the words of an old man, there is
no man fitter to be the commanding hetman than Taras Bulba. Not one of
us is his equal in heroism."

Thus spoke Bovdug, and paused; and all the Cossacks rejoiced that the
old man had in this manner brought them to an agreement. All flung up
their caps and shouted, "Thanks, father! He kept silence for a long,
long time, but he has spoken at last. Not in vain did he say, when we
prepared for this expedition, that he might be useful to the Cossack
nation: even so it has come to pass!"

"Well, are you agreed upon anything?" asked the Koschevoi.