 Chapter 36 of the COSACs. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading done by Jules Hurlick of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The COSACs by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud. 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 bay 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 final-ad, his eyes, looking from side to side, seemed to say, the elegant horse with its silver ornaments and trappings, the weapons and the handsome COSAC 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, granddad, that you asked, 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 COSAC 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 voice has 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, Marijanka has quite forgotten, you said, Ustanka, nudging Marijanka with her elbow and breaking into a shrill laugh. Marijanka moved away from the horse and, throwing back her head, calmly looked at the COSAC 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 Marijanka's cold reply, he suddenly knitted his brow. Step up on my stair-up and I'll carry you away to the mountains. Mammy, he suddenly exclaimed, and, as if to disperse his dark thoughts, he karaokeled among the girls. Stooping down towards Marijanka, he said, I'll kiss, oh how I'll kiss you. Marijanka'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 Ustanka and Marijanka 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 onto her blue besmished. Marijanka bent toward 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 beshmit, a bundle of sweetmeats and seeds. There, I'll give them all to you, he said, handling the bundle to Ustanka and smiling at Marijanka. 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 beshmit. 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 Mary 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. Oh, 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'd 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 unsavow 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'd 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, Kirka said you wouldn't be here. Go and bring some chikir, mother. Nazarka is coming here and will 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. End of Chapter 36. Chapter 37 of the Cossacks. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading done by Jules Harlec of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy, translated by Louise and Elmer Maud. Chapter 37. 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 Burlock 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 Juleska 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 Iroshka and Urgushchev, 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 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 Iroshka. 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 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. Urgushchev, 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. Gidi and I went together. He's speaking of Gidi Khan as Gidi was. To the Kazakh 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 my Gidi 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, night till midnight. Then, thank goodness, we heard dogs howling. Fools, said Daddy Urgushka. There now. We too used to lose our way in the steppe. 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, Gidi 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 Urgushka. That's what I say, interjected Urgushov. 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? Urgushov 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. Urgushov shook his head. It's just what I said, smart. Did you get much for them? It's all here, said Urgushka, slapping his pocket. Just then his mother came into the room and Urgushka did not finish what he was saying. Drink, he shouted. We too, Giridj and I, rode out late one night, began Urgushka. Oh, bother, we'll never hear the end of you, said Urgushka. I am going. And having emptied his cup and tightened the strap of his belt, he went out. End of chapter 37. Chapter 38 of the Cossacks. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by Louise and Elmer 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 populars that grew on one side of the square. From the chimneys of the outhouses smoke rose and spread above the village, mingling with the mist. Here and there, light shone through the windows and the air was laden with the smell of kiss-yak, 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 we're 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 loud 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 in 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. Towards 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 Baletsky and Olyanin 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 Korovood circle moved plump little Ustanka in her red besmet and the stately Marianca in her new smock and besmet. Olyanin and Baletsky were discussing how to snatch Ustanka and Marianca out of the ring. Baletsky thought that Olyanin wished only to amuse himself but Olyanin was expecting his fate to be decided. He wanted at any cost to see Marianca 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 Baletsky I would have got Ustanka 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 sakes arrange so that she should come to Ustankas. Alright that's easily done well Marianca will you belong to the fair faced lad and not to Lukashka said Baletsky speaking to Marianca first for propriety's sake. But having received no reply he went up to Ustanka and begged her to bring Marianca home with her. He had hardly time to finish what he was saying before the leader began another song 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 silk and band but the third time as he went but still before her bent how is it that thou my dear my reproaches does not fear in the park don't come to walk that we there might have a talk come now answer me my dear does 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 be 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 Marianca but she would not enter the ring the sound of shrill laughter slaps kisses and whispers mingled with the singing as he went past Olenian Lukashka gave a friendly nod Demetri Andrej have you too come to have a look he said yes answered Olenian dryly Belitsky stooped and whispered something into Usthenka's ear she had not time to reply till she came round again when she said alright we'll come and Marianca too Olenian stooped towards Marianca 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 Olenian stooping to her ear will you marry me Marianca 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 Olenian had only time to say come to Usthenka's and stepped back to his companion the song came to an end Lukashka wiped his lips Marianca did the same and they kissed no no kiss as 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 sweet meats to the girls I offered 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 Olenian the girls grabbed his sweet meats from him and laughing struggled for them among themselves Beletsky and Olenian stepped aside Lukashka as if ashamed of his generosity took off his cap and wiping his forehead with his sleeve came up to Marianca and Usthenka answer me my dear thus thou hold me in contempt he said in the words of the song that they had just been singing and turning to Marianca he angrily repeated the words thus thou hold me in contempt when we shall married be thou wilt weep because of me he added embracing Usthenka and Marianca both together Usthenka 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 Usthenka but I am going home and Marianca was coming to our house too with his arms still around her Lukashka led Marianca away from the crowd to the darker corner of a house don't go Marianca 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 marrymaking I'm going to Usthenka's replied Marianca I'll marry you all the same you know alright said Marianca 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 Marianca wrenching herself from his arms moved away ah my girl it will turn out badly said Lukashka reproachfully and stood still shaking his head now 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 Marianca 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 alright said Lukashka but remember he moved toward the shops girls he shouted why have you stopped go on dancing Nazarka fetch some more chikir well will they come ask Olanian addressing Beletsky they'll come directly replied Beletsky come along we must prepare the ball end of chapter thirty eight chapter thirty nine of The Cossacks this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Anosimum The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy translated by Louise and Elmer Maud chapter thirty nine it was already late in the night when Olanian came out of Beletsky's hut following Marianka and Ustenka he saw on the dark street before him the gleam of the girl's white kuchif the golden moon was descending towards the step the 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 Olanian'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'd just come out of the candle was already out then he again peered through the darkness at the girl's retreating shadows the white kuchif 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 Ustenka never mind Olanian ran up to Marianka and embraced her Marianka did not resist haven't you kissed enough yet, said Ustenka Mari and then kiss, but now you'd better wait good night, Marianka tomorrow I will come to see your father and tell him don't use her anything why should I? answered Marianka both the girls started running Olanian went on by himself thinking over all that had happened he'd 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 rumped about with the other girls and with Balecki all the time Olanian had talked in whispers to Marianka 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 he don't squint answered Marianka, laughing and with her hard hands, squeezing his what white, white soft hands you've got, so like clotted cream she said I'm an 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 tomorrow 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 roll myself as a cossack mind you don't go after other women then I'm severe about that Olanian 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's 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 Bolecki 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 Yamka's house End of chapter 39 Chapter 40 of The Cossacks This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Anna Simon The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy Translated by Louise and Elmer Maud Chapter 40 The next day Olyanin awoke earlier than usual and immediately remembered would 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 the goat once to his host's hut to ask for their consent to his marriage with Mayanka the son 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 Kyrgyzian coat and hastened out into the porch his hosts were not yet up five Cossacks were riding past and talking loudly together in front road 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 why 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 up her sparring 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 Allianon with difficulty attracting the Cossacks' attention we're off to catch Abrax they're hiding among that sanddrift we are 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 Allianon 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 onto his horse which Vanusia had settled more or less well and overtook the Cossacks at the village gates the Cossacks had dismounted and filling a wooden bowl with shaker from a little cask which they had brought with them they passed the bowl round to one another and dragged to the success of their expedition among them was a smartly dressed young Cornet who happened to be in a village and it 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 heirs of a commanding officer they only obeyed Lukashka Allianon they took no notice at all and when they had all mounted and started and Allianon 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 Allianon managed to find out from him what was happening Scouts who had been sent out to search for uprecks had come upon several hillsmen some six miles from the village these uprecks 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 uprecks and had sent one Cossack back to get help the sun was just rising three miles beyond the village the step spread out and nothing was visible except the dry monotonous sandy dismal plain covered with the foot marks of cattle and here and there were tufts of withered grass with low reeds in the flats and rare little trodden footpaths and the camps of the Nomad Nugai 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 step 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 step 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 they 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 hooves 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 special 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 hooves prancing from one foot to another without 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 set the corner 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 Nagai tent placed on a cart and moving slowly along at a distance of about a mile from them a Nagai family was moving from one part of the steppe to another afterwards they met two tattered Nagai women with high cheekbones who with baskets on their becks 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 Nagai women were evidently relieved and began speaking to him quite freely as to a brother Ai ai, kapa brak they said plaintively pointing in the direction in which the Cossacks were going Alienin understood that they were saying many a brak never having seen an engagement of that kind and having formed an idea of them only from Dari Arashka's tales Alienin 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 detachment 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 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 raining in his horse and keeping in line with the others Alienin looked intently but could not see anything the Cossacks soon distinguished two riders and quietly rode straight towards them are those the Epreks? asked Alienin the Cossacks did not answer his question which appeared quite meaningless to them the Epreks would have been fools to venture across the river on horseback that's friend Rottka 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 Cossacks' scouts the corporal rode up to Lukashka end of chapter 40 chapter 41 of the Cossacks this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading done by Jules Harlech of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada the Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy translated by Louise and Aylmer Maud chapter 41 are they far? was all Lukashka said just then they heard a sharp shot some 30 paces off the corporal smiled slightly our Gurka is having shots at them he said, nodding in the direction of the shot having gone a few paces farther they saw Gurka sitting behind a sand hillock and loading his gun to a 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 Gurka Olenion also dismounted and bending down followed Lukashka they had hardly reached Gurka when two bullets whistled above them Lukashka looked around laughing at Olenion 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 Olenion wanted absolutely to see the abricks from behind the mound he saw caps and muskets some 200 paces off suddenly a little cloud of smoke appeared from vents and again a bullet whistled past the abricks were hiding in a marsh at the foot of the hill Olenion was much impressed by the place in which they sat in reality it was very much like the rest of the step but because the abricks sat there it seemed to detach itself from all the rest and to have become distinguished indeed it appeared to Olenion that it was the very spot for abricks to occupy Lukashka went back to his horse and Olenion followed him we must get a hay cart the hay cart said Lukashka or they will be killing some of us there behind that mound is a no-gate 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 Olenion rode up a hill ox from whence he could see everything the hay cart moved on 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 Iroshka's Eye Day, Day La La 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 Olenion expected the firing to begin at any moment but the silence was only broken by the abrick's 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 Olenion 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 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 mustaches 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 a 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 Anaseni he cried struggling but he soon became quiet from weakness Olenion rode home in the evening he was told that Lukashka was at death's door but that at 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 Olenion 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 Marianca was passing to and fro from the house to the cowshed had gone to the vineyard and her father to the office Olenion 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 Olenion thought she felt shy Marianca said he I say Marianca may I come in she suddenly turned there was a scarcely perceptible of tears in her eyes and her face was beautiful in its sadness she looked at him in silent dignity Olenion again said Marianca 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 she repeated in a rough voice she had been killed that's what for Lukashka said Olenion go away what do you want Marianca said Olenion approaching her you will never get anything from me Marianca don't speak like that Olenion untreated get away I am sick of you shouted the girl stamping her foot and moved threateningly towards him I am sick of your ignorance such contempt and such anger that Olenion suddenly understood that there was no hope for him and that his first impression of this woman's inaccessibility had been perfectly correct Olenion said nothing more but ran out of the hut end of chapter 41 chapter 42 is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading done by Jules Harlec of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada the Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy translated by Louise and Elmer Maud chapter 42 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 Yerushka 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 Olenion 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 to life he loved more than ever and he knew that he could never be loved by her well goodbye my lad said daddy Yerushka when you go on an expedition be wise and listen to my words the words of an old man when you are 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 and 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 is clearing up the room that was the Cossacks fooling about answered Yerushka Cossacks, how was that asked Olanian oh just so we were drinking van Casitkin one of the Cossacks got Mary and Puff he gave me one from his pistol just here yes and did it hurt asked Olanian Vanusha will you soon be ready 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 pale full well did it hurt Olanian asked again scarcely listening to the tale let me finish pale full and we drank it but the blood went on flowing the whole room was drenched and covered with blood Granddad Burlak he says the lad will give up the ghost stand a bottle of the sweet soreth or we shall have you taken up they brought more drink and boozed and boozed yes but did it hurt much Olanian 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 Olanian 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 I could not bend and could not walk and then it healed up said Olanian 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 as with a toy there now it has rolled to the back and Lukashka well he recovered asked Olanian heaven only knows there's no doctor they've gone for one where will they get one from Groznoi asked Olanian no my lad where I the tsar I'd have hung all your Russian doctors long ago cutting is all they know there's our Kozak Baklashka no longer a real man now that they've cut off his leg that shows their 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 Olanian 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 Kozaks 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 Olanian 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 is 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 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 our 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 the 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 how well they shoot from their gun rest 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 wonder at them there's foolishness for you they go the poor fellows in a clump and even so 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 goodbye 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 goodbye fool, fool he began oh dear what has come to people we've kept company kept company for well nigh a year and now goodbye 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 goodbye said Olanian again the old man rose and held out his hand Olanian pressed it and turned to go give us your mug your mug and the old man took Olanian by the head with both hands and kissed him three times with wet mustaches and lips and began to cry goodbye Olanian 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 to for said the old man sobbing quite sincerely Olanian got out a musket and gave it to him what a lot you've given the old fellow murmured vanusha 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 Marianca came out of the cowshed glanced indifferently at the cart bowed and went towards the hut Lafiel said vanusha with a wink and burst out into a silly laugh drive on shouted Olanian angrily goodbye my lad goodbye I won't forget you shouted Iroska Olanian turned around daddy Oroska was talking to Marianca evidently about his own affairs and neither the old man nor the girl looked at Olanian end of the Cossacks chapter 42 by Leo Tolstoy translated by Louise and Elmer Maud