Day and night patrols kept watch at the points where the enemy was expected, and as soon as sure signs of his approach were discovered a pile of tarred barrels prepared for the purpose was fired to give the alarm.

Rapidly the signal was repeated at one point of observation after another, and by this primitive system of telegraphy in the course of a few hours the whole district was up in arms.

If the invaders were not too numerous, they were at once attacked and driven back.

If they could not be successfully resisted, they were allowed to pass; but a troop of Cossacks was sent to pillage their aouls in their absence, whilst another and larger force was collected, in order to intercept them when they were returning home laden with booty.

Thus many a nameless battle was fought on the trackless Steppe, and many brave men fell unhonoured and unsung: "Illacrymabiles Urgentur ignotique longa Nocte, carent quia vate sacro." Notwithstanding these valuable services, the Cossack communities were a constant source of diplomatic difficulties and political dangers.