The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy Chapter 9 Page 1

It was growing light. The Chechen’s body which was gently rocking in the shallow water was now clearly visible. Suddenly the reeds rustled not far from Luke and he heard steps and saw the feathery tops of the reeds moving. He set his gun at full cock and muttered: ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son,’ but when the cock clicked the sound of steps ceased.

‘Hallo, Cossacks! Don’t kill your Daddy!’ said a deep bass voice calmly; and moving the reeds apart Daddy Eroshka came up close to Luke.

‘I very nearly killed you, by God I did!’ said Lukashka.

‘What have you shot?’ asked the old man.

His sonorous voice resounded through the wood and downward along the