13. They Approach Tchigurine

The house was no more spacious than the others, nothing distinguished it, not even a sentinel; it could be recognized only by its having a few lights. Two young girls, going by, stopped a moment, and, looking into the window, one of them said to the other:

“It seems that our Ataman is awake.” Through the glass of one of these little windows which was lighted, they imagined rather than saw a Cossack’s head, with long mustaches, a head which seemed carved out of black marble.

“It is the sentinel,” Tchetchevik said.

The soldier on guard, if he were one, remained motionless, as if absorbed in deep meditation.

Listening closely, they heard within, on the ground floor, the footsteps of a man, sometimes quick, sometimes slow.

“These steps are very expressive!” said Tchetchevik at last.

He knocked at the door, once, twice, three times slowly.

At the third knock, the Cossack, who was seated motionless near the window, arose, came and opened it.

The footsteps which they had heard ceased.

“Friends from afar send their greetings to the great Ataman,” Tchetchevik said, in a low tone of voice, entering the house.

The apartment was anything but splendid. The first room was low, without any ornament whatever. The door leading into the next room was carefully closed.

“Very well, I am sure that the great Ataman receives such visits every day: wandering minstrels bringing news of distant friends.”

“May I present myself before the great Ataman himself, brother?” asked Tchetchevik.

But, at this moment, the door leading into the next room was pushed wide open by an impatient hand, and the great Ataman appeared on the door-sill.

He said nothing, but his whole face asked: “Whence do you come? Who sent you? What news do you bring?”

The light shone feebly and his features could scarcely be distinguished. But his eyes, his piercing eyes shone like burning coals.

“I prostrate myself before the great Ataman,” said Tchetchevik, making a profound bow.

Maroussia, who was standing by the side of her good friend, bowed also.