Anton lied as if for hire; but he trusted in this,--since the dragoons were going away from the Dnieper, they could not know yet of the attack on Rozlogi, nor of the battle at Vassílyevka, nor of any of Bogun's undertakings.
Still the lieutenant added: "One might say you wanted to steal over to the rebellion."
"Oh, Lieutenant, if we wanted to go to Hmelnitski, we should not be on this side of the Dnieper."
"That," said Kushel,--"is an evident truth which I am not able to deny. But the ataman will not find the prince in Lubni."
"Where is he?"
"He was in Priluka; but it is possible that he started yesterday for Lubni."
"Too bad! The ataman has a letter from the hetman to the prince. And may I make bold to ask if you are coming from Zólotonosha?"
"No; we were stationed at Kalenki, and now we have received orders to go to Lubni, like the rest of the army. From there the prince will move, with all his forces. But where are you going?"
"To Próhorovka, for the peasants are crossing there."
"Have many of them fled?"