Suddenly a shot was heard in the distance.
The cornet became excited, and began giving orders to the Cossacks as to how they should divide and from which side they should approach. But the Cossacks did not appear to pay any attention to these orders, listening only to what Lukáshka said and looking to him alone. Lukáshka’s face and figure were expressive of calm solemnity. He put his horse to a trot with which the others were unable to keep pace, and screwing up his eyes kept looking ahead.
“There’s a man on horseback,” he said, reining in his horse and keeping in line with the others.
Olénin looked intently, but could not see anything. The Cossacks soon distinguished two riders and quietly rode straight towards them.
“Are those the abreks?” asked Olénin.
The Cossacks did not answer his question, which appeared quite meaningless to them. The abreks would have been fools to venture across the river on horseback.
“That’s friend Ródka waving to us, I do believe,” said Lukáshka, pointing to the two mounted men who were now clearly visible. “Look, he’s coming to us.”
A few minutes later it became plain that the two horsemen were the Cossack scouts. The corporal rode up to Lukáshka.
Chapter XLI
“Are they far?” was all Lukáshka said.