He may be called to travel as escort to the mail or to an officer, to watch over public property, to row a boat, construct a house, or perform any other duty in his power.

In case of war he becomes a soldier and is sent wherever required.

As a servant of government he receives rations for himself and family, but I believe he is not paid in money.

The time belonging to himself he can devote to agriculture or any other employment he chooses.
The Cossacks reside with their families, and some of them acquire considerable property.

A Russian officer told me there were many wealthy Cossacks along the Argoon river on the boundary between Russia and China.