"I, too," agreed Minnie, who naturally did not share the Polish aversion to Cossacks.
"I believe you'll be our friend," said Vanda.
"I have known good Cossacks," said Father Constantine, "and I think you are one of them."
The Countess said no more, so it was settled that Ostap, as he insisted on their calling him, should go with them. He thanked them, and then, of a sudden, took the initiative, and became their leader.
"You have no pick?" he asked.
They looked at each other in consternation. It was true. In his haste to leave the house Ian had forgotten to bring a spade, to dig up the jewels.
"Where do the Prussians lie now?" he asked again. Ian took him up the bank by the windmill site and showed him, so far as he knew, where they had occupied Ruvno soil.
"Very well. I'll go for a pick, or a shovel."
"You'll be captured if you do," said Father Constantine. "They have sentries."
"Never mind. We must have a few things. Do you all wait here and I'll be back very soon. If you hear a very long whistle you'll know I am taken and then you must fend for yourselves. Otherwise, wait."