Cossacks. They had burned every out-house, cut down the
cherry-orchard, and killed all the servants. The peasants
had taken unsparing vengeance for the harsh rule and op-
pression which they had endured from the Kurtsevichi.
Just beyond Rozlogi, Pleshnyevski, who was carrying
tidings of the defeat at Joltiya Vodi from Chigirin, fell
into the hands of Bogun. When asked where and for what
purpose he was going, he hesitated and failed to give clear
answers; he fell under suspicion, and when burned with
fire, told of the victory of Hmelnitski, and also of Zagloba,
whom he had met the day before. The leader rejoiced,
and drew a long breath. After he had hanged Plesh-
nyevski, he hurried on, feeling certain that Zagloba would
not escape him. The herdsmen gave some new indica-
tions, but beyond the ford all traces disappeared. The
ataman did not meet the minstrel whom Zagloba had
stripped of his clothing, for he had gone lower down
along the Kagamlik, and besides was so frightened that
he had hidden like a fox in the reeds.

A day and a night more passed; and since the pur-
suit toward Vassilyevka occupied two days precisely,
Zagloba had much time on his side. What was to be
done then? In this difficult juncture the essaul came to
Bogun with advice and assistance. He was an old wolf
of the steppe, accustomed from youth to track Tartars
through the Wilderness.

"Father," said he, "they fled to Chigirin, -- and they
have done wisely, for they have gained time, -- but when
they heard of Hmelnitski and Joltiya Vodi from Plesh-
nyevski, they changed their road. You have seen your-
self, father, that they left the high-road and rushed to
one side."

"To the steppe?"

"In the steppe I could find them, father; but they went
toward the Dnieper, to go to the hetmans; therefore they
went either through Cherkas or Zolotonosha and Proho-
rovka; and if they went even to Pereyaslav, though I
don't believe that, still we shall find them. We should go,
one to Cherkasi, another to Zolotonosha, along the wagon-
road; and quickly, for as soon as they cross the Dnieper,
they will hasten to the hetmans, or Hmelnitski's Tartars
will pick them up."

"You hurry to Zolotonosha, and I will go to Cherkasi,"
said Bogun.