He had waved his hand in Cossack fashion, and said, "Wherever you go, I am going too; perhaps I may be of some service to the Cossack nation." All the Cossacks became silent when he now stepped forward before the assembly, for it was long since any speech from him had been heard.

Every one wanted to know what Bovdug had to say.
"It is my turn to speak a word, brother gentles," he began: "listen, my children, to an old man.

The Koschevoi spoke well as the head of the Cossack army; being bound to protect it, and in respect to the treasures of the army he could say nothing wiser.

That is so! Let that be my first remark; but now listen to my second.

And this is my second remark: Taras spoke even more truly.