THE DON COSSACKS. 433 



families, Saxon and Swabian emigrants often becoming free lances of the desert in 

 the far East. 



As soon as their association was constituted the Cossacks recognised the 

 supremac}^ of Muscovy ; but although accepting the protection of Ivan IV. in 

 1570, they long repeated their proverb, " The Czar reigns in Moscow, the 

 Cossack on the Don." Associated with all the vicissitudes of Russian history, 

 it was they who, under Yermak, effected the conquest of Siberia, and stemmed the 

 advance of the Turk in the south-east. Like those of the Dnieper, the Don 

 Cossacks, grouped here and there in stanitzas, had chosen for their rallying-points 

 especially those islands surrounded by shallows, sedge, and willow marshes, across 

 which it was difficult to pursue them. But the Tatar stronghold of Azov was a 

 thorn in their side, preventing them from securely holding the islands of the Don. 

 They seized it for a time in 1574 and 1637, and again, by the aid of Peter the 

 Great, in 1696. But now they fell into the hands of the Czars, who, ever mis- 

 trustful of their power, founded in 1731 the fortress of Rostov in a district which 

 has ever since remained detached from the Cossack territory. Even before this 

 event they had already lost their independence, for Peter the Great, annoyed at 

 their reception of the fugitives from Central Russia, crushed their revolt with 

 pitiless severity. He razed their villages, " hewed down their men, impaled 

 their chiefs," destroying 7,000, and driving large numbers to seek a refuge in 

 the Kuban district and Turkey. 



The customs of the various Don Cossack groups depend more on the difference 

 of their surroundings than on that of origin. Those dwelling north of the Don 

 and Medveditza junction are nearly all settled agriculturists, for here are the rich 

 " black lands " of Central Russia. Those of the Lower Don, where the soil is less 

 fertile, limit themselves to the cultivation of their orchards and vineyards, or 

 engage in fishing, horse-breeding, trade, industry, and salt mining. Amongst 

 both branches their original military organization grows yearly less suitable to 

 their present social pursuits. They are nil grouped in regiments, being enrolled 

 in their seventeenth year, or else taking part in the administration in accordance 

 with the military regulations. 



A large portion of the land stretching north-west of the Don Cossack territory 

 had also a Cossack organization. This region comprises the actual government 

 of Kharkov, with the adjacent parts of Kursk and Yoronej. Long forming part 

 of the Muscovite states, these lands had remained almost uninhabited when they 

 were set apart as a place of refuge for the Little Russian colonists fleeing from their 

 Polish masters. These colonists founded the " Cherkassi " Cossack slohodas, 

 according to the still current Muscovite expression. They also enjoyed a certain 

 autonomy, and were formed in regiments, but without any federal association. 

 Their organization was abolished in 1765, when the Little Russian Hetmanship 

 was also suppressed. Many were even made serfs, and found themselves asso- 

 ciated with the Great Russian serfs introduced into the country by their 

 Muscovite masters. In many villages the two races are now found living in 

 separate quarters, which often present the most striking contrasts : on one side 

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