He admired the Cossacks, and was on the watch, looking and listening and making his own observations.

Though he had brought his sword and a loaded gun with him, when he noticed that the Cossacks avoided him he decided to take no part in the action, as in his opinion his courage had already been sufficiently proved when he was with his detachment, and also because he was very happy.
Suddenly a shot was heard in the distance.
The cornet became excited, and began giving orders to the Cossacks as to how they should divide and from which side they should approach.

But the Cossacks did not appear to pay any attention to these orders, listening only to what Lukashka said and looking to him alone.
Lukashka's face and figure were expressive of calm solemnity.

He put his horse to a trot with which the others were unable to keep pace, and screwing up his eyes kept looking ahead.
'There's a man on horseback,' he said, reining in his horse and keeping in line with the others.
Olenin looked intently, but could not see anything.

The Cossacks soon distinguished two riders and quietly rode straight towards them.
'Are those the ABREKS ?' asked Olenin.
The Cossacks did not answer his question, which appeared quite meaningless to them.