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Olenin could not help admiring the horse, he had not yet met with such a beauty in the Caucasus. 'And how it goes! said Lukashka, patting its neck. 'What a step! And so clever he simply runs after his master. 'Did you have to add much to make the exchange? asked Olenin. 'I did not count it, answered Lukashka with a smile. 'I got him from a kunak. 'A wonderfully beautiful horse!
The corporal, an old cavalry man, looked angrily at the Cossacks and led his men straight along the road where Lukashka and Nazarka were standing, so that they should have to get out of the way. Nazarka moved, but Lukashka only screwed up his eyes and turned his broad back without moving from his place.
The Captain and the head of the village rode away, and Olenin, to please Lukashka as well as to avoid going back alone through the dark forest, asked the corporal to give Lukashka leave, and the corporal did so. Olenin thought that Lukashka wanted to see Maryanka and he was also glad of the companionship of such a pleasant-looking and sociable Cossack.
'Stop, I say! exclaimed Ergushov, seizing his musket and raising himself behind the log near which he was lying. 'Shut up, you devil! whispered Lukashka, grinding his teeth. 'abreks! 'Whom have you shot? asked Nazarka. 'Who was it, Lukashka? Lukashka did not answer. He was reloading his gun and watching the floating wood.
'Good evening, Lukashka! Good evening, laddie! the merry voices 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.
The Cossacks on the Russian side of the river were highly satisfied and jovial. Laughter and jokes were heard on all sides. The captain and the head of the village entered the mud hut to regale themselves. Lukashka, vainly striving to impart a sedate expression to his merry face, sat down with his elbows on his knees beside Olenin and whittled away at a stick.
Besides that, Lukashka and his mother, as near neighbours, often gave the old man wine, clotted cream, and other home produce which Eroshka did not possess. Daddy Eroshka, who all his life had allowed himself to get carried away, always explained his infatuations from a practical point of view. 'Well, why not? he used to say to himself.
Lukashka fetched a cup, wiped it and filled it with wine, and then handed it to the old man. 'Your health! To the Father and the Son! said the old man, accepting the wine with solemnity. 'May you have what you desire, may you always be a hero, and obtain a cross. Lukashka also drank a little after repeating a prayer, and then put the wine on the table. 'I have all I want.
'Did you hear him asking about you? Lukashka raised his head. 'My godson? said Lukashka, meaning by that word the dead Chechen. 'Your godson won't rise, but the red one is the godson's brother! 'Let him thank God that he got off whole himself, replied Lukashka. 'What are you glad about? asked Olenin. 'Supposing your brother had been killed; would you be glad?
'And how that devil begged me. "Go," he said, "and arrange it." He offered me a gun! But no. I'd have managed it, but I feel for you. Now tell us where have you been? And the old man began speaking in Tartar. Lukashka answered him promptly. Ergushov, who did not know much Tartar, only occasionally put in a word in Russian: 'What I say is he's driven away the horses.
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