CHAPTER XIII.

NEXT morning early the Cossacks marched out of the
Saitch, foot and horse. Though blood had not yet stained
the steppes, the war had begun. Regiment followed regi-
ment; just as if locusts, warmed by the spring sun, had
swarmed in the reeds of Chertomelik, and were flying to
the fields of the Ukraine. In the woods behind Baza-
Iuk: the warriors of the horde were waiting, ready for the
march. Six thousand chosen men, armed incomparably
better than ordinary partisan robbers, composed the con-
tingent which the Khan sent to the Zaporojians and to
Hmelnitski. At the sight of them the Cossacks hurled
their caps into the air. The guns and muskets rattled.
The shouts of the Cossacks, mingling with the "Allah"
of the Tartars, struck the dome of heaven. Hmelnit-
ski and Tugai Bey, both under their banners, galloped
toward each other on horseback, and exchanged formal
greetings.

The order of march was formed with the rapidity peculiar
to Tartars and Cossacks; then the troops moved on. The
horde occupied both Cossack wings; the centre was formed
by Hmelnitski and his cavalry, behind which marched the
terrible Zaporojian infantry. Farther in the rear were the
gunners, with their cannon; still farther the tabor-wagons,
in them camp-servants and stores of provisions; finally, the
herdsmen, with reserve herds and cattle.

After they had passed the forest of Bazaluk the regi-
ments flowed out on the level country. The day was clear,
the field of heaven unspotted by a cloud. A light breeze
blew from the north to the sea; the sun played on the
lances, and on the flowers of the plain. The primeval
steppes were spread before the Zaporojians like a bound-
less sea, and at this sight joy embraced the Cossack hearts.
The great red standard, with the archangel, was inclined
repeatedly in greeting to the native steppe; and following