cause it was not customary to permit the students to ride on horseback. All they had was long scalp-locks, which every kazák who bore arms was entitled to pull. It was only at the end of their course that Bulba sent them, from his stud, a couple of young stallions.
Bulba, to celebrate the arrival of his sons, ordered all the Sótniks[1] and all the officers of the troop who were of any consequence, to be summoned; and when two of them arrived with the Yesaúl[2] Dmitro Tovkach, his old comrade, he immediately presented his boys, saying: "Just look at them; aren't they gallant lads! I shall send them to the Syech[3] shortly." The guests congratulated Bulba and both the young men, and told them they were engaged in good business, and that there was no better knowledge for a young man than a knowledge of the Zaporozhian Syech.
"Now, my friends, seat yourselves, each where it pleases him best, at table. Now, my lads, first of all let's have a drink of brandy!" Thus spake Bulba. "God's blessing be on us! Welcome, dear sons; you, Ostap, and you, Andríi. God grant that you may always be successful in war! That you may beat the Mussulmans, and beat the
