thrown himself at the chief's feet, and told him
that a large sum would be paid for my ransom.
I was put aside, and remained a horrified
spectator of the scenes which ensued. A
Cossack killed Vassilissa with his sword, at
the foot of her husband's gibbet, and then
Pougatcheff went to Father Garasim's to dinner.
I rushed to the commandant's house to
find Marie; there every room had been
ransacked. Presently, however, I found Palachka,
and she told me that the commandant's
daughter was at Father Garasim's house.
Wild with terror I rushed thither, for it was
to be the scene of Cossack revels. I asked
for the father's wife; and she told me that
she had passed Marie off as her niece. The
poor girl was safe. I returned home hastily,
passing groups of rebels engaged in the work
of pillage.

Savéliitch asked me whether I did not
remember Pougatcheff. I did not. He was
surprised; and reminded me of the drunken fellow
to whom I had given my touloup on my way
to Orenberg. He was right; that drunken
wanderer was now the successful rebel-chief,
and I understood the mercy that had been
extended to me. But I was much troubled. I
could not make up my mind to leave Marie;
yet I knew that my duty to my country
forbade me to remain in the midst of a rebel
camp. While I was thinking deeply of these
opposite calls upon my conduct, a Cossack
arrived to take me once more before his chief,
at the commandant's house, where I found
Pougatcheff seated at a table covered with
bottles, and surrounded by eight or ten
Cossack officers. The wine had already
excited them. Chvabrine and the rebel ouriadnik,
who had deserted with the Cossacks from the
fort, were of the party.

Pougatcheff welcomed me heartily, and
bade his officers make place for me at the
banqueting table. I sat down in silence.
Here, on the previous night, I had taken leave
of Marie.

All were on good terms and quite free with
their chief. A march upon Orenberg having
been arranged, the officers retired. I was
about to follow them, when Pougatcheff bade
me remain. When we were alone, he burst
into a fit of laughter; telling me he had
spared me because of my kindness to him
when he was hiding from his enemies, and
that now, if I would serve him, he would
heap favours upon me. He asked me to
tell him frankly whether or not I believed
him to be the Czar. I was firm, and told
him that he was too clever to believe me,
even if I were capable of telling him a lie to
serve my purpose. He promised to make
me field-marshal if I would remain with
him. I replied that I had sworn to serve
the Empress; and that, if he wished to
do me a favour, he would provide me
with an escort to Orenberg. I told him
that my life was in his hands, but that I
would neither serve him nor promise not to
bear arms against him. He behaved well,
and said I should be free.

Next morning I found Pougatcheff
surrounded by his officers, throwing money to
the crowd. He beckoned me to approach,
told me to leave instantly for Orenberg,
and to tell the garrison to expect him in a
week. If they threw open the gates to him.
they would be well treated; if they resisted
they must expect terrible consequences, he
then turned to the crowd, and, to my horror,
presented Chvabrine to them as their future
governor! Chvabrine! Marie's traducer!

When Pougatcheff had left the square, I
hastened to Father Garasim's house to learn
that Marie was in a fever and quite
delirious. I rushed to her room—how changed
she was! She did not know me. How could
I leave the poor orphan at Bélogorsk while
Chvabrine remained governor? Suddenly,
however, I thought that I might make all
haste to Orenberg and return with a strong
force, drive the rebels away, and claim my
bride. I seized the poor girl's burning hand,
kissed it, took leave of her good protectors,
and was soon on my way, determined not to
lose a moment.

As we approached Orenberg we saw the
state prisoners with their shaven heads and
disfigured faces, hard at work upon the
fortifications. I was conducted direct to the
general, who was lopping the fruit trees in
the garden. I related to him the misfortunes
of Bélogorsk, and pressed for help. He replied
that there would be a council of war in the
evening, and that he would be happy to see
me at it. I was there punctually. A cup of
tea was given to each guest, after which the
general called upon all present to deliberate
upon the state of affairs. The question
was, should the Imperial troops act on
the offensive or defensive? He declared
that he should require an opinion from each
individual; and, as usual, he should begin by
asking the opinion of the junior officers. He
then turned to me. I stated that the rebels
were not in a condition to resist a disciplined
army, and therefore urged the propriety of
acting vigorously on the offensive: hereupon
a little civil functionary, who was taking his
third cup of tea with the help of an admixture
of rum, suggested that operations should
be confined to an offer of seventy or one
hundred roubles for the head of Pougatcheff.
Every voice was for defensive measures; and,
when all present had delivered their opinions,
the general, tapping the ashes out of his pipe,
declared that he was of the same opinion as
the ensign. I looked proudly about me;
but the conclusion of the general's speech
turned the triumph to the side of my
opponents, for this gallant old soldier declared
that he could not assume the responsibility
of acting against the decision of the majority;
therefore, preparations must be made for a
siege, and we must depend upon the fire
of the artillery, and the force of vigorous