“Where have our fellows gone to search? I expect the rest of them are on the other bank. If this one had not been a scout he would not have swum that way. Why else should he swim alone?” said a third. “Must have been a smart one to offer himself before the others; a regular brave!” said Lukáshka mockingly, shivering as he wrung out his clothes that had got wet on the bank. “His beard is dyed and cropped.” “And he has tied a bag with a coat in it to his back.” “That would make it easier for him to swim,” said some one. “I say, Lukáshka,” said the corporal, who was holding the dagger and gun taken from the dead man. “Keep the dagger for yourself and the coat too; but I’ll give you three rubles for the gun. You see it has a hole in it,” said he, blowing into the muzzle. “I want it just for a souvenir.” Lukáshka did not answer. Evidently this sort of begging vexed him but he knew it could not be avoided. “See, what a devil!” said he, frowning and throwing down the Chéchen’s coat. “If at least it were a good coat, but it’s a mere rag.” “It’ll do to fetch firewood in,” said one of the Cossacks. “Mósev, I’ll go home,” said Lukáshka, evidently forgetting his vexation and wishing to get some advantage out of having to give a present to his superior. “All right, you may go!” “Take the body beyond the cordon, lads,” said the corporal, still examining the gun, “and put a shelter over him from the sun. Perhaps they’ll send from the mountains to ransom it.” “It isn’t hot yet,” said someone. “And supposing a jackal tears him? Would that be well?” remarked another Cossack. “We’ll set a watch; if they should come to ransom him it won’t do for him to have been torn.” “Well, Lukáshka, whatever you do you must stand a pail of vodka for the lads,” said the corporal gaily. “Of course! That’s the custom,” chimed in the Cossacks. “See what luck God has sent you! Without ever having seen anything of the kind before, you’ve killed a brave!” “Buy the dagger and coat and don’t be stingy, and I’ll let you have the trousers too,” said Lukáshka. “They’re too tight for me; he was a thin devil.” One Cossack bought the coat for a ruble and another gave the price of two pails of vodka for the dagger. “Drink, lads! I’ll stand you a pail!” said Luke. “I’ll bring it myself from the village.” “And cut up the trousers into kerchiefs for the girls!” said Nazárka. The Cossacks burst out laughing. “Have done laughing!” said the corporal. “And take the body away. Why have you put the nasty thing by the hut?”