Cossacks

tribes inhabiting the southern and southeastern borders of Russia. Their origin is not understood. They seem of mixed blood, both Tartar and Russian. Some are settled as fishermen and graziers; but the typical Cossack leads a wild, free life on the steppes, not unlike that of the nomad Arabs. Their wealth consists in tents, horses, and cattle. They are permitted by the Russians to maintain a large degree of independence under chiefs chosen by themselves. Military service is the chief requirement made of them. Each Cossack furnishes his own horse-a tough, wiry, shaggy pony. The Cossacks form a body of light cavalry valuable for scouting and sudden onsets. They are audacious and skillful, and are seldom caught napping. They are devout members of Greek Church, and are loyal to the czar. The authorities make frequent use of Cossacks to suppress insurrections. They have a fine contempt for agricultural peasants and workmen. They seem to have no sympathy with discontent or revolution. The number of Cossacks is placed by Russian authority at 3,000,000. See Russia