VIII.
It was quite dark when Uncle Eróshka and the three Cossacks of the cordon, in felt mantles, and with their guns over their shoulders, walked down the Térek to the place which had been designated as the ambush. Nazárka did not want to go at all; but Lukáshka shouted to him, and they got quickly ready. After having walked a few steps in silence, the Cossacks turned away from the ditch, and over an almost imperceptible foot-path through the reeds walked up to the Térek. Near the bank lay a thick black log, cast out by the river, and the reeds around the log looked freshly crushed.
"Shall we 'sit' here? " said Nazárka.
"Why not?" said Lukáshka, "Sit down here; I will be back in a minute, as soon as I have shown the place to uncle."
"This is a very fine place. We can't be seen, but we can see everything," said Ergushóv. "We had better sit here; it is a first-class place."
Nazárka and Ergushóv spread out their mantles behind the log, and Lukáshka went away a distance with Uncle Eróshka.
"Not far from here, uncle," said Lukáshka, stepping cautiously in front of the old man, "I will show you where they passed. I, my friend, am the only one who knows."
"Show me! You are a good fellow," answered the old man, also in a whisper.
123
