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Updated: May 3, 2025
"Eh! eh! your lordship," said he, winking, "it seems my field-marshal is right. What do you think?" The jesting tone of the chief restored my courage. I replied calmly that I was in his power. "Well," said Pougatcheff, "tell me now the condition of your city?" "It is, thank God, in a good state." "A good condition," repeated the brigand, "when the people are dying of hunger."
Each one boasted of his prowess, gave his opinions, and freely contradicted Pougatcheff. In this strange council of war, they resolved to march upon Orenbourg, a bold move, but justified by previous successes. The departure was fixed for the next day. Each one drank another bumper, and rising, took leave of Pougatcheff. I wished to follow them, but the brigand said: "Wait, I want to speak to you."
I looked boldly at Pougatcheff, preparing to repeat the words of my brave comrades, when to my inexpressible astonishment I saw Alexis amongst the rebels. He had had time to cut his hair round, and exchange his uniform for a Cossack cafetan. He approached Pougatcheff and whispered to him. "Let him be hung," said Pougatcheff, not deigning to look at me. A rope was put around my neck.
As I anticipated, Alexis, hearing this speech, lost his self-control. "Czar," said he, in a fury, "I am guilty; I have lied to you, but Grineff also deceives you. This young girl is not Father Garasim's niece. She is Ivan Mironoff's daughter." Pougatcheff glared at me. "What does that mean?" said he to me. "Alexis says truly," I replied, firmly.
It was impossible that she should stay in a fortress subject to Pougatcheff, and commanded by the infamous Alexis. Neither could she find refuge at Orenbourg, suffering all the horrors of siege. I proposed that she should go to my father's country-seat. This surprised her.
At a table covered with a cloth, and laden with bottles and glasses, sat Pougatcheff, surrounded by some ten Cossack chiefs in colored caps and shirts, with flushed faces and sparkling eyes, the effect, no doubt, of the wine-cup. I saw neither of our traitors, Alexis or the Corporal, amongst them. "Ah! your lordship, it is you?" said their chief, on seeing me. "Be welcome!
Pougatcheff, Alexis and I went down to the reception room. "Now, your lordship, we have released the pretty girl, what say you? Shall we not send for Father Garasim, and have him perform the marriage ceremony for his niece? If you like, I will be your father by proxy, Alexis your groomsman; then we'll shut the gates and make merry!"
"Command him to read on," replied Saveliitch, with perfect calmness. The Secretary continued: "One uniform in fine green cloth, seven roubles; one pair of white cloth pantaloons, five roubles; twelve shirts of Holland linen, with cuffs, ten roubles; one case containing a tea-service, two roubles." "What nonsense is this?" said Pougatcheff. "What have I to do with tea-sets and Holland cuffs?"
Alexis was petrified with astonishment. Pougatcheff went off to inspect the fortress; Alexis followed him; I remained. I ran up to Marie's room. The door was closed. I knocked. "Who is there?" asked Polacca. I gave my name. I heard Marie say: "In an instant, Peter, I shall join you at Accoulina's." Father Garasim and Accoulina came out to welcome me.
It is said that in the bath, the marks of the true Czar were plainly seen on his breast a picture of his own face and a double-headed eagle." I did not think it necessary to contradict the Cossack, and I followed him to the Commandant's, trying to fancy in advance my interview with Pougatcheff, and its result. The reader may imagine that I was not quite at ease.
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