This was the occasion of the Cossacks' assembling.
They all stood to a man with their caps on; for they had not met to listen to the commands of their hetman, but to take counsel together as equals among equals.

"Let the old men first advise," was shouted to the crowd.

"Let the Koschevoi give his opinion," cried others.
The Koschevoi, taking off his cap and speaking not as commander, but as a comrade among comrades, thanked all the Cossacks for the honour, and said, "There are among us many experienced men and much wisdom; but since you have thought me worthy, my counsel is not to lose time in pursuing the Tatars, for you know yourselves what the Tatar is.

He will not pause with his stolen booty to await our coming, but will vanish in a twinkling, so that you can find no trace of him.

Therefore my advice is to go.