From his high point of observation he could see everything as in the palm of his hand.
"Take possession, men," he shouted, "of the hillock behind the wood: they cannot climb it!" But the wind did not carry his words to them.
"They are lost, lost!" he said in despair, and glanced down to where the water of the Dniester glittered.

Joy gleamed in his eyes.

He saw the sterns of four boats peeping out from behind some bushes; exerted all the power of his lungs, and shouted in a ringing tone, "To the bank, to the bank, men! descend the path to the left, under the cliff.

There are boats on the bank; take all, that they may not catch you." This time the breeze blew from the other side, and his words were audible to the Cossacks.

But for this counsel he received a blow on the head with the back of an axe, which made everything dance before his eyes.
The Cossacks descended the cliff path at full speed, but their pursuers were at their heels.