Although unversed in any trade exercised by a Cossack, they were soon remarked among the other youths for their obstinate bravery and daring in everything.

Skilfully and accurately they fired at the mark, and swam the Dnieper against the current--a deed for which the novice was triumphantly received into the circle of Cossacks.
But old Taras was planning a different sphere of activity for them.
Such an idle life was not to his mind; he wanted active employment.

He reflected incessantly how to stir up the Setch to some bold enterprise, wherein a man could revel as became a warrior.

At length he went one day to the Koschevoi, and said plainly:-- "Well, Koschevoi, it is time for the Zaporozhtzi to set out." "There is nowhere for them to go," replied the Koschevoi, removing his short pipe from his mouth and spitting to one side.
"What do you mean by nowhere?
We can go to Turkey or Tatary." "Impossible to go either to Turkey or Tatary," replied the Koschevoi, putting his pipe coolly into his mouth again.
"Why impossible ?" "It is so; we have promised the Sultan peace." "But he is a Mussulman; and God and the Holy Scriptures command us to slay Mussulmans." "We have no right.

If we had not sworn by our faith, it might be done; but now it is impossible." "How is it impossible?
How can you say that we have no right?
Here are my two sons, both young men.