Naturally, all this tended to harden his character, and give him that firmness which distinguishes the Cossacks.

He always held himself aloof from his comrades.
He rarely led others into such hazardous enterprises as robbing a strange garden or orchard; but, on the other hand, he was always among the first to join the standard of an adventurous student.

And never, under any circumstances, did he betray his comrades; neither imprisonment nor beatings could make him do so.

He was unassailable by any temptations save those of war and revelry; at least, he scarcely ever dreamt of others.

He was upright with his equals.