on us, he said, 'But have you not muskets, and have you
not sabres at your side? ' "

"If you were standing before the King of kings, he
would say, ' Forgive your enemies, as I forgive mine.'"

"I do not wish to war with the Commonwealth."

"But you put your sword to its throat."

"I go to free the Cossacks from your fetters."

"To tie them in Tartar bonds!"

"I wish to defend the faith."

"In company with the Pagan."

"Stop! You are not the voice of my conscience. Stop,
I tell you!"

"Blood will weigh you down, the tears of men will
accuse you, death awaits you, judgment awaits you!"

"Screech-owl!" shouted Hmelnitski in rage, and flashed
a knife before the breast of Skshetuski.

"Strike!" said Skshetuski.

Again came a moment of silence; again there was noth-
ing to be heard but the snore of the sleeping men and the
plaintive chirp of the cricket.

Hmelnitski stood for a time with the knife at Skshe-
tuski's breast; suddenly he trembled, he bethought himself,
dropped the knife, and seizing the decanter of vudka, began
to drink. He emptied it, and sat heavily on the bench.

"I cannot stab him," he muttered,--"I cannot. It is
late - is that daylight? - but it is late to turn from the
road. Why speak to me of judgment and blood?"

He had already drunk much; the vudka was rising to his
head. He went on, gradually losing consciousness: "What
judgment? The Khan promised me reinforcements. Tugai
Bey is sleeping here! To-morrow the Cossacks march.
With us is Saint Michael the victorious! But if - if - l
ransomed thee from Tugai Bey - remember it, and say -
Oh, something pains - pains! To turn from the road -
't is late! - judgment - Nalivaika - Pavlyuk -"

Suddenly he straightened himself, strained his eyes in
fright, and cried: "Who is there?"

"Who is there?" repeated the half-roused koshevoi.

But Hmelnitski dropped his head on his breast, nodded
a couple of times, muttered, "What judgment?" and fell
asleep.

Skshetuski grew very pale and weak from recent wounds
and from the excitement of talking. He thought therefore
that perhaps death was coming, and began to pray aloud.