'Do you know Suuk-su?
It is about eight miles beyond that.' 'Do you know Girey Khan in Suuk-su ?' asked Lukashka, evidently proud of the acquaintance.

'He is my kunak.' 'He is my neighbour,' answered the scout.
'He's a trump!' and Lukashka, evidently much interested, began talking to the scout in Tartar.
Presently a Cossack captain, with the head of the village, arrived on horseback with a suite of two Cossacks.

The captain--one of the new type of Cossack officers--wished the Cossacks 'Good health,' but no one shouted in reply, 'Hail! Good health to your honour,' as is customary in the Russian Army, and only a few replied with a bow.

Some, and among them Lukashka, rose and stood erect.

The corporal replied that all was well at the outposts.