CHAPTER IX

In the city, no one knew that one-half of the Cossacks had gone in
pursuit of the Tatars. From the tower of the town hall the sentinel
only perceived that a part of the waggons had been dragged into the
forest; but it was thought that the Cossacks were preparing an
ambush--a view taken by the French engineer also. Meanwhile, the
Koschevoi's words proved not unfounded, for a scarcity of provisions
arose in the city. According to a custom of past centuries, the army
did not separate as much as was necessary. They tried to make a
sortie; but half of those who did so were instantly killed by the
Cossacks, and the other half driven back into the city with no
results. But the Jews availed themselves of the opportunity to find
out everything; whither and why the Zaporozhtzi had departed, and with
what leaders, and which particular kurens, and their number, and how
many had remained on the spot, and what they intended to do; in short,
within a few minutes all was known in the city.

The besieged took courage, and prepared to offer battle. Taras had
already divined it from the noise and movement in the city, and
hastened about, making his arrangements, forming his men, and giving
orders and instructions. He ranged the kurens in three camps,
surrounding them with the waggons as bulwarks--a formation in which
the Zaporozhtzi were invincible--ordered two kurens into ambush, and
drove sharp stakes, broken guns, and fragments of spears into a part
of the plain, with a view to forcing the enemy's cavalry upon it if an
opportunity should present itself. When all was done which was
necessary, he made a speech to the Cossacks, not for the purpose of
encouraging and freshening up their spirits--he knew their souls were