security. They slept even until sunset; and when the sun had gone down
and it had grown somewhat dusky, began to tar the waggons. All being
in readiness, they sent the waggons ahead, and having pulled off their
caps once more to their comrades, quietly followed the baggage train.
The cavalry, without shouts or whistles to the horses, tramped lightly
after the foot-soldiers, and all soon vanished in the darkness. The
only sound was the dull thud of horses' hoofs, or the squeak of some
wheel which had not got into working order, or had not been properly
tarred amid the darkness.

Their comrades stood for some time waving their hands, though nothing
was visible. But when they returned to their camping places and saw by
the light of the gleaming stars that half the waggons were gone, and
many of their comrades, each man's heart grew sad; all became
involuntarily pensive, and drooped their heads towards the earth.

Taras saw how troubled were the Cossack ranks, and that sadness,
unsuited to brave men, had begun to quietly master the Cossack hearts;
but he remained silent. He wished to give them time to become
accustomed to the melancholy caused by their parting from their
comrades; but, meanwhile, he was preparing to rouse them at one blow,
by a loud battle-cry in Cossack fashion, in order that good cheer
might return to the soul of each with greater strength than before. Of
this only the Slav nature, a broad, powerful nature, which is to
others what the sea is to small rivulets, is capable. In stormy times
it roars and thunders, raging, and raising such waves as weak rivers
cannot throw up; but when it is windless and quiet, it spreads its
boundless glassy surface, clearer than any river, a constant delight
to the eye.