I tell you this beforehand, gentles, if any one gets drunk on the expedition, he will have a short shrift: I will have him dragged by the neck like a dog behind the baggage waggons, no matter who he may be, even were he the most heroic Cossack in the whole army; he shall be shot on the spot like a dog, and flung out, without sepulture, to be torn by the birds of prey, for a drunkard on the march deserves no Christian burial.

Young men, obey the old men in all things! If a ball grazes you, or a sword cuts your head or any other part, attach no importance to such trifles.

Mix a charge of powder in a cup of brandy, quaff it heartily, and all will pass off--you will not even have any fever; and if the wound is large, put simple earth upon it, mixing it first with spittle in your palm, and that will dry it up.

And now to work, to work, lads, and look well to all, and without haste." (3) The Cossack waggons have their axles smeared with tar instead of grease.
So spoke the Koschevoi; and no sooner had he finished his speech than all the Cossacks at once set to work.

All the Setch grew sober.