MARIE

A Story of Russian Love

By Alexander Pushkin
Translated by Marie H. de ielinska
!ontents
TRA"SLAT#R$S "#TE.
MARIE.
I.
THE SERGEANT OF THE
GUARDS
II. THE GUIDE
III. THE FORTRESS
IV. THE DUEL
V. LOVE
VI. POUGATCHEFF
VII. THE ASSAULT
VIII. THE UNEXPECTED VISIT
IX. THE SEPARATION
X. THE SIEGE
XI. THE REBEL CAMP
XII. MARIE
XIII. THE ARREST
XIV
.
THE SENTENCE
2
TRA"SLAT#R$S "#TE.
Alexander Pushkin, the most distinguished poet of Russia, was born at Saint Petersburg, 1799.
When onl twent!one ears of age he entered the "i#il ser#i"e in the department of foreign
affairs. $ord %ron&s writings and efforts for 'reek independen"e exer"ised great influen"e o#er
Pushkin, whose ()de to $ibert( "ost him his freedom. *e was exiled to %essarabia +A region of
,oldo#a and western -kraine. from 1/01 to 1/02, when"e he returned at the a""ession of the
new emperor, 3i"holas, who made him historiographer of Peter the 'reat. Pushkin&s friends now
looked upon him as a traitor to the "ause of libert. 4t is not improbable that an enfor"ed
residen"e at the mouth of the 5anube somewhat "ooled his patrioti" enthusiasm. 6#er Autumn,
his fa#orite season for literar produ"tion, he usuall passed at his "ountr seat in the pro#in"e
Pekoff. *ere from 1/02 to 1/09 he published (Pultowa,( (%oris 'odunoff,( (6ugene )negin,(
and (Ruslaw and $udmila,( a tale in #erse, after the ,anner of Ariosto&s ()rlando 7urioso.( 8his
is "onsidered as the first great poeti"al work in the Russian language, though the "riti"s of the
da atta"ked it, be"ause it was beond their grasp9 but the publi" de#oured it.
4n 1/:1 Pushkin married, and soon after appeared his "harming no#el, (,arie,( a pi"ture of
garrison life on the Russian plains. Peter and ,arie of this 3orthern stor are as pure as their
nati#e snows, and whilst listening to the re"ital, we inhale the odor of the steppe, and "at"h
glimpses of the semi!barbarous ;almouk and the <ossa"k of the 5on.
A duel with his brother!in!law terminated the life of Pushkin in the splendor of his talent. 8he
emperor munifi"entl endowed the poet&s famil, and ordered a superb edition of all his works to
be published at the expense of the "rown. *is death was mourned b his "ountrmen as a
national "alamit. ,. *. de =.
<hi"ago, 3o#. 1, 1/7>.
MARIE.
3
I. THE SER%EA"T #& THE %'AR(S.
, father, Andrew Peter 'rineff, ha#ing ser#ed in his outh under <ount ,uni"h, left the arm
in 17?, with the grade of 7irst ,a@or. 7rom that time he li#ed on his estate in the Prin"ipalit of
Simbirsk, where he married A#oditia, daughter of a poor noble in the neighborhood. )f nine
"hildren, the issue of this marriage, 4 was the onl sur#i#or. , brothers and sisters died in
"hildhood.
8hrough the fa#or of a near relati#e of ours, Prin"e %?!, himself a ,a@or in the 'uards, 4 was
enrolled Sergeant of the 'uards in the regiment of Semenofski. 4t was understood that 4 was on
furlough till m edu"ation should be finished. 7rom m fifth ear 4 was "onfided to the "are of
an old ser#ant Sa#eliit"h, whose steadiness promoted him to the rank of m personal attendant.
8hanks to his "are, when 4 was twel#e ears of age 4 knew how to read and write, and "ould
make a "orre"t estimate of the points of a hunting dog.
At this time, to "omplete m edu"ation, m father engaged upon a salar a 7ren"hman, ,.
%eaupre, who was brought from ,os"ow with one ear&s pro#ision of wine and oil from
Pro#en"e. *is arri#al of "ourse displeased Sa#eliit"h.
%eaupre had been in his own "ountr a #alet, in Prussia a soldier, then he "ame to Russia to be a
tutor, not knowing #er well what the word meant in our language. *e was a good fellow,
astonishingl ga and absent!minded. *is "hief foible was a passion for the fair sex. 3or was he,
to use his own expression, an enem to the bottle?that is to sa, a la Russe, he lo#ed drink. %ut
as at home wine was offered onl at table, and then in small glasses, and as, moreo#er, on these
o""asions, the ser#ants passed b the pedagogue, %eaupre soon a""ustomed himself to Russian
brand, and, in time, preferred it, as a better toni", to the wines of his nati#e "ountr. We be"ame
great friends, and although a""ording to "ontra"t he was engaged to tea"h me 7ren"h, 'erman,
and all the sciences, et he was "ontent that 4 should tea"h him to "hatter Russian. %ut as ea"h of
us minded his own business, our friendship was "onstant, and 4 desired no mentor. *owe#er,
destin #er soon separated us, in "onseAuen"e of an e#ent whi"h 4 will relate.
)ur laundress, a fat girl all s"arred b small!pox, and our dairmaid, who was blind of an ee,
agreed, one fine da, to throw themsel#es at m mother&s feet and a""use the 7ren"hman of
trifling with their inno"en"e and inexperien"eB
, mother would ha#e no @esting upon this point, and she in turn "omplained to m father, who,
like a man of business, promptl ordered (that dog of a 7ren"hman( into his presen"e. 8he
ser#ant informed him meekl that %eaupre was at the moment engaged in gi#ing me a lesson.
, father rushed to m room. %eaupre was sleeping upon his bed the sleep of inno"en"e. 4 was
deep in a most interesting o""upation. 8he had brought from ,os"ow, for me, a geographi"al
map, whi"h hung unused against the wall9 the width and strength of its paper had been to me a
standing temptation. 4 had determined to make a kite of it, and profiting that morning b
%eaupre&s sleep, 4 had set to work. , father "ame in @ust as 4 was ting a tail to the <ape of
'ood *opeB Seeing m work, he seiCed me b the ear and shook me soundl9 then rushing to
%eaupre&s bed, awakened him without hesitating, pouring forth a #olle of abuse upon the head
of the unfortunate 7ren"hman. 4n his "onfusion %eaupre tried in #ain to rise9 the poor pedagogue
4
was dead drunkB , father "aught him b the "oat!"ollar and flung him out of the room. 8hat
da he was dismissed, to the inexpressible delight of Sa#eliit"h.
8hus ended m edu"ation. 4 now li#ed in the famil as the eldest son, not of age whose "areer is
et to open9 amusing mself tea"hing pigeons to tumble on the roof, and plaing leap!frog in the
stable!ard with the grooms. 4n this wa 4 rea"hed m sixteenth ear.
)ne Autumn da, m mother was preser#ing fruit with hone in the famil room, and 4,
sma"king m lips, was looking at the liAuid boiling9 m father, seated near the window, had @ust
opened the Court Almanac whi"h he re"ei#ed e#er ear. 8his book had great influen"e o#er
him9 he read it with extreme attention, and reading prodigiousl stirred up his bile. , mother,
knowing b heart all his was and oddities, used to tr to hide the miserable book, and often
whole months would pass without a sight of it. %ut, in re#enge whene#er he did happen to find
it, he would sit for hours with the book before his ees.
Well, m father was reading the Court Almanac, freAuentl shrugging his shoulders, and
murmuringD (&'eneralB& -mph, he was a sergeant in m "ompan. &;night of the )rders of
Russia.& <an it be so long sin"e we?E(
7inall he flung the Almanac awa on the sofa and plunged into deep thought9 a pro"eeding that
ne#er presaged anthing good.
(A#oditia,( said he, brusAuel, to m mother, (how old is PeterE(
(*is se#enteenth pre"ious ear has @ust begun,( said m mother. (Peter was born the ear Aunt
Anastasia lost her ee, and that was?(
(Well, well,( said m father, (it is time he should @oin the arm. 4t is high time he should gi#e up
his nurse, leap!frog and pigeon training.(
8he thought of a separation so affe"ted m poor mother that she let the spoon fall into the
preser#ing pan, and tears rained from her ees.
As for me, it is diffi"ult to express m @o. 8he idea of arm ser#i"e was mingled in m head
with that of libert, and the pleasures offered b a great "it like Saint Petersburg. 4 saw mself
an offi"er in the 'uards, whi"h, in m opinion was the height of feli"it.
As m father neither liked to "hange his plans, nor dela their exe"ution, the da of m departure
was instantl fixed. 8hat e#ening, saing that he would gi#e me a letter to m future "hief, he
"alled for writing materials.
(5o not forget, Andrew,( said m mother, (to salute for me Prin"e %. 8ell him that 4 depend
upon his fa#or for m darling Peter.(
(What nonsense,( said m father, frowning, (wh should 4 write to Prin"e %.E(
(Fou ha#e @ust said that ou would write to Peter&s future "hief.(
(Well, what thenE(
(Prin"e %. is his "hief. Fou know #er well that Peter is enrolled in the Semenofski regiment.(
5
(6nrolledB what&s that to meE 6nrolled or not enrolled, he shall not go to Saint Petersburg. What
would he learn thereE 6xtra#agan"e and foll. 3oB let him ser#e in the arm, let him smell
powder, let him be a soldier and not a do!nothing in the 'uards9 let him wear the straps of his
knapsa"k out. Where is the "ertifi"ate of his birth and baptismE(
, mother brought the "ertifi"ate, whi"h she kept in a little box with m baptismal robe, and
handed it to m father. *e read it, pla"ed it before him on the table, and "ommen"ed his letter.
4 was de#oured b "uriosit. Where am 4 going, thought 4, if not to Saint PetersburgE 4 did not
take m ees from the pen whi"h m father mo#ed slowl a"ross the paper.
At last, the letter finished, he put it and m "ertifi"ate under the same en#elope, took off his
spe"ta"les, "alled me and saidD
(8his letter is addressed to Andrew ;arlo#it"h, m old friend and "omrade. Fou are going to
)renbourg to ser#e under orders.(
All m brilliant dreams #anished. 4n pla"e of the ga life of Saint Petersburg, ennui awaited me
in a wild and distant pro#in"e of the empire. ,ilitar life seemed now a "alamit.
8he next morning a kibitka was at the door9 m trunk was pla"ed on it, and also a "ase holding
tea and a tea!ser#i"e, with some napkins full of rolls and pastr, the last sweet bits of the paternal
home. %oth m parents ga#e me their solemn benedi"tion. , father said, (Adieu, Peter. Ser#e
faithfull him to whom our oath is gi#en9 obe our "hiefs9 neither seek fa#or, nor soli"it
ser#i"e, but do not re@e"t them9 and remember the pro#erbD &8ake "are of th "oat whilst it is new,
and th honor whilst it is fresh.&(
, darling mother, all in tears, told me to take "are of m health9 and "ounseled Sa#eliit"h to
guard her "hild from danger.
4 was wrapped up in a short touloup lined with hare!skin, and o#er that a pelisse lined fox!skin. 4
took m seat in the kibitka with Sa#eliit"h, and shedding bitter tears, set out for m destination.
8hat night 4 arri#ed at Simbirsk, where 4 was to sta twent!four hours, in order that Sa#eliit"h
might make #arious pur"hases entrusted to him. 6arl in the morning Sa#eliit"h went to the
shops, whilst 4 staed in the inn. 8ired of gaCing out of the window upon a dirt little street, 4
rambled about the inn, and at last entered the billiard!room. 4 found there a tall gentleman, some
fort ears of age, with hea# bla"k mousta"hes, in his dressing!gown, holding a "ue and
smoking his pipe. *e was plaing with the marker, who was to drink a glass of brand and water
if he gained, and if he lost was to pass, on all!fours, under the billiard table. 4 wat"hed them
plaing. 8he more the plaed the more freAuent be"ame the promenades on all!fours, so that
finall the marker staed under the table. 8he gentleman pronoun"ed o#er him some energeti"
expression, as a funeral oration, and then proposed that 4 should pla a game with him. 4 de"lared
that 4 did not know how to pla billiards. 8hat seemed strange to him. *e looked at me with
"ommiseration.
*owe#er, we opened a "on#ersation. 4 learned that his name was 4#an =ourine9 that he was a
"hief of a sAuadron of *ussars stationed then at Simbirsk re"ruiting soldiers, and that his Auarters
were at m inn. *e in#ited me to mess with him, soldier!fashion, pot!lu"k. 4 a""epted with
pleasure, and we sat down to dinner. =ourine drank deepl, and in#ited me to drink also, saing
6
that 4 must be"ome a""ustomed to the ser#i"e. *e told stories of garrison life whi"h made me
laugh till 4 held m sides, and we rose from the table intimate friends. *e then proposed to tea"h
me how to pla billiards. (4t is,( said he, (indispensable for soldiers like oursel#es. 7or example,
suppose we arri#e in a town, what&s to be doneE We "an not alwas make sport of the Gews. As a
last resort there is the inn and the billiard!room9 but to pla billiards, one must know how.(
8hese reasons "on#in"ed me, and 4 set about learning with enthusiasm.
=ourine en"ouraged me in a loud tone9 he was astonished at m rapid progress, and after a few
lesson he proposed to pla for mone, were it onl two kope"ks, not for the gain, merel to a#oid
plaing for nothing, whi"h was, a""ording to him, a #er bad habit. 4 agreed. =ourine ordered
pun"h, whi"h he ad#ised me to taste in order to be"ome used to the ser#i"e, (for,( said he, (what
kind of ser#i"e would that be without pun"hE(
4 took his ad#i"e, and we "ontinued to pla9 the more 4 tasted of m glass the bolder 4 grew. 4
made the balls fl o#er the "ushions9 4 was angr with the marker who was "ounting. *ea#en
knows wh. 4 in"reased the stake, and beha#ed, altogether, like a bo @ust "ut free, for the first
time, from his mother&s apron!strings. 8he time passed Aui"kl. At last, =ourine glan"ed at the
"lo"k, laid down his "ue, and said that 4 had lost a hundred roubles to him.
4 was in great "onfusion, be"ause m mone was all in the hands of Sa#eliit"h. 4 began to
mumble ex"uses, when =ourine ex"laimed, ()hB wellB 'ood 'odB 4 "an wait till morning9 don&t
be distressed about it. 3ow let us go to supper.( What "ould 4 doE 4 finished the da as foolishl
as 4 began it.
=ourine ne#er "eased pouring out drinks for me9 ad#ising me to be"ome a""ustomed to the
ser#i"e. Rising from table, 4 "ould s"ar"el stand. At midnight =ourine brought me ba"k to the
inn.
Sa#eliit"h met us at the door, and uttered a "r of horror when he saw the unmistakable signs of
m (Ceal for the ser#i"e.(
(What has happened to theeE( said he, in heart!broken a""ents9 (where ha#e ou been filling
ourself like a sa"kE )hB hea#enl fatherB a misfortune like this ne#er "ame before.(
(Silen"eB old owl,( said 4, stammering, (4 am sure ou are drunk ourself9 go to bed, but first put
me there.(
4 awoke next morning with a se#ere heada"he9 the e#ents of the e#ening 4 re"alled #aguel, but
m re"olle"tions be"ame #i#id at the sight of Sa#eliit"h who "ame to me with a "up of tea.
(Fou begin oung, Peter 'rineff,( said the old men, shaking his head. (6hB from whom do ou
inherit itE 3either our father nor grandfather were drunkards. Four mother&s name "an not be
mentioned9 she ne#er deigned to taste an thing but "ider. Whose fault is it thenE 8hat "ursed
7ren"hman&s9 he taught three fine things, that miserable dog?that pagan?for th tea"her, as if
his lordship, th father, had not people of his own.(
4 was ashamed before the old man9 4 turned m fa"e awa saing, (4 do not want an tea, go
awa, Sa#eliit"h.( 4t was not eas to stop Sa#eliit"h, on"e he began to prea"h.
7
(3ow, Peter, ou see what it is to pla the fool. Fou ha#e a heada"he, ou ha#e no appetite, a
drunkard is good for nothing. *ere, take some of this de"o"tion of "u"umber and hone, or half a
glass of brand to sober ou. What do ou sa to thatE(
At that instant a bo entered the room with a note for me from =ourine. 4 unfolded it and read as
followsD
(5o me the fa#or, m dear Peter, to send me b m ser#ant the hundred roubles that ou lost to
me esterda. 4 am horribl in want of mone. Four de#oted. =)-R436.(
As 4 was perfe"tl in his power, 4 assumed an air of indifferen"e, and ordered Sa#eliit"h to gi#e a
hundred roubles to the bo.
(WhatE whE( said the old man, surprised.
(4 owe that sum,( said 4, "ooll.
(Fou owe itE When had ou time enough to "ontra"t su"h a debtE( said he, with redoubled
astonishment. (3o, no, that&s impossible. 5o what ou like, m lord, but 4 "an not gi#e the
mone.(
4 refle"ted that if in this de"isi#e moment 4 did not oblige the obstinate old fellow to obe me, it
would be impossible in the future to es"ape from his tutelage. $ooking at him therefore,
haughtil, 4 said, (4 am th master9 thou art m ser#ant. 8he mone is mine, and 4 lost be"ause 4
"hose to lose it9 4 ad#ise thee to obe when ordered, and not assume the airs of a master.(
, words affe"ted Sa#eliit"h so mu"h that he "lasped his hands and stood bowed down mute
and motionless.
(What are ou doing there like a postE( 4 "ried out, angril.
Sa#eliit"h was in tears.
()hB m dear master Peter,( stammered he, with trembling #oi"e, (do not kill me with grief. )h
m light, listen to me, an old man9 write to that brigand that ou were @esting, that we ne#er had
so mu"h mone. A hundred roublesB 'od of goodnessB 8ell him th parents stri"tl forbade thee
to pla for an thing but nuts.(
(Silen"e,( said 4, with se#erit, (gi#e the mone or 4&ll "hase ou out of the room.(
Sa#eliit"h looked at me with agon, and went for the mone. 4 pitied the good old man, but 4
wanted to eman"ipate mself, and pro#e that 4 was no longer a "hild. Sa#eliit"h sent the mone
to =ourine, and then hastened our departure from that "ursed inn.
4 left Simbirsk with a troubled "ons"ien"e9 a se"ret remorse oppressed me. 4 took no lea#e of m
tea"her, not dreaming that 4 should e#er meet him again.
8
II. THE %'I(E.
, refle"tions during the @ourne were not #er agreeable. A""ording to the #alue of mone at
that time m loss was of some importan"e. 4 "ould not but admit to mself that m "ondu"t at the
inn at Simbirsk had been #er sill, and 4 felt guilt toward Sa#eliit"h. 8he old man was seated
on the front of the #ehi"le in dull silen"e9 from time to time turning his head and "oughing a
"ough of ill humor. 4 had firml resol#ed to make friends with him, but 4 did not know whi"h
wa to begin. At last 4 said to him, (<ome, "ome Sa#eliit"h, let us put an end to this9 4 know 4
was wrong9 4 was a fool esterda, and offended ou without "ause, but 4 promise to listen to ou
in future. <ome, do not be angr, let us make friendsB(
(AhB , dear Peter,( said he with a sigh, (4 am angr with mself. 4t&s 4 who was wrong in e#er
thing. *ow "ould 4 ha#e left ou alone at the innE *ow "ould it ha#e been a#oidedE 8he de#il
had a hand in itB 4 wanted to go and see the dea"on&s wife, who is m god!mother, and as the
pro#erb sasD &4 left the house and fell into the prison.&(
What a misfortuneB what a misfortuneB *ow "an 4 appear before the ees of m mastersE What
will the sa, when the shall hear that their "hild is a drunkard and a gambler. 8o "onsole dear
old Sa#eliit"h, 4 ga#e him m word, that for the future 4 would not dispose of single kope"k
without his "onsent. $ittle b little he be"ame "alm, whi"h did not, howe#er, pre#ent him from
grumbling out, now and then shaking his headD (A hundred roublesB 4t is eas to talkB(
4 drew near the pla"e of m destination. Around me extended a desert, sad and wild, broken be
little hills and deep ra#ines, all "o#ered with snow. 8he sun was setting.
, kibitka followed the narrow road, or rather tra"e, left b peasants& sledges. Suddenl m
"oa"hman, looking at a "ertain point and addressing me, (, lord,( said he, taking off his "ap,
(do ou not "ommand us to retra"e our stepsE(
(What forE(
(8he weather is un"ertain. 8here is some wind ahead9 do ou see it dri#e the snow on the
surfa"eE(
(What matterE(
(And do ou not see what is o#er onderE( pointing with his whip to the east.
(4 see nothing more than the white steppes and the "lear sk.(
(8hereB thereB that little "loudB(
4 saw indeed upon the horiCon a little white "loud that 4 had at first taken for a distant hill. ,
"oa"hman explained to me that this little "loud foretold a chasse-neige?a snowdrift. 4 had heard
of the drifting snows of this region, and 4 know that at times, storms swallowed up whole
"ara#ans. Sa#eliit"h agreed with the "oa"hman, and ad#ised our return.
%ut to me the wind did not seem #er strong. 4 hoped to arri#e in time for the next rela of
horses. 4 ga#e orders, therefore, to redouble our speed. 8he "oa"hman put his horses to the
gallop, and kept his ees to the east.
9
8he wind blew harder and harder. 8he little "loud soon be"ame a great white mass, rising
hea#il, growing, extending, and finall in#ading the whole sk. A fine snow began to fall,
whi"h suddenl "hanged to immense flakes. 8he wind whistled and howled. 4t was a chasse-
neige?a snowdrift.
4n an instant the somber sk was "onfounded with the sea of snow whi"h the wind raised up from
the earth. 6#er thing was indistinguishable.
(Woe, to usB m lord,( "ried the "oa"hman, (it is a whirlwind of snowB(
4 put m head out of the kibitka?darkness and storm. 8he wind blew with an expression so
fero"ious that it seemed a li#ing "reature.
8he snow fell in large flakes upon us, "o#ering us. 8he horses went at a walking pa"e, but #er
soon stood still.
(Wh do ou not go onE( 4 said to the "oa"hman.
('o whereE( he replied, as he got down from the kibitka. ('od knows where we are nowB 8here
is no road9 all is darkness.(
4 began to s"old him. Sa#eliit"h took up his defenseD
(Wh did ou not listen to him,( said he, angril9 (ou "ould ha#e returned, taken some tea and
slept till morning9 the storm would ha#e been o#er, and we "ould then ha#e set out. Wh this
hasteE as if ou were going to our weddingE(
Sa#eliit"h was right. What was to be doneE 8he snow "ontinued to fall9 it was heaped up around
the kibitka9 the horses stood motionless, now and then shi#ering. 8he "oa"hman walked around
them ad@usting their harness, as if he had nothing else to do.
Sa#eliit"h grumbled.
4 strained m ees in e#er dire"tion, hoping to see signs of a dwelling, or of a road, but 4 "ould
onl see the whirling of the snow!drift. All at on"e 4 thought 4 saw some thing bla"k. (*allooB
"oa"hman,( 4 "ried out, (what is that bla"k thing onderE(
8he "oa"hman looked attenti#el where 4 indi"ated. ('od knows, m lord,( he replied, re!
mounting to his seat9 (it is not a kibitka, nor a tree9 it seems to be mo#ing. 4t must be a wolf or a
manB(
4 ordered him to go in the dire"tion of the unknown ob@e"t whi"h was "oming toward us. 4n two
minutes we were on a line with it, and 4 re"ogniCed a man.
(*allooB good manB( shouted m "oa"hman9 (tell us, do ou know the roadE(
(8his is the road,( replied the man. (4 am on solid ground, but what the de#il is the good of that.(
($isten, m good peasant,( said 49 (do ou know this "ountrE <an ou lead us to a shelter for
the nightE(
1
(8his "ountrB 8hank 'od, 4 ha#e been o#er it on foot and in "arriage, from one end to the other.
%ut one "an not help losing the road in this weather. 4t is better to stop here and wait till the
hurri"ane "easesD then the sk will "lear, and we "an find the wa b the stars.(
*is "oolness ga#e me "ourage. 4 had de"ided to trust mself to the mer" of 'od and pass the
night on the steppe, when the tra#eler, seating himself on the ben"h whi"h was the "oa"hman&s
seat, said to the dri#erD
(8hank 'od, a dwelling is near. 8urn to the right and go on.(
(Wh should 4 turn to the rightE( said the "oa"hman, sulkil, (where do ou see a roadE(
(,ust 4 sa to ou these horses, as well as the harness, belong to anotherE then use the whip
without respite.(
4 thought m "oa"hman&s #iew rational.
(Wh do ou belie#e,( said 4 to the new!"omer, (that a dwelling is not far offE(
(8he wind blows from that Auarter,( said he, (and 4 ha#e smelled smoke?proof that a dwelling
is near.(
*is saga"it, the deli"a" of his sense of smell, filled me with admiration9 4 ordered m
"oa"hman to go where#er the other wished. 8he horses walked hea#il through the deep snow.
8he kibitka ad#an"ed but slowl, now raised on a hillo"k, now des"ending into a hollow,
swaing from side like a boat on a storm sea.
Sa#eliit"h, falling o#er on me e#er instant, moaned. 4 pulled down the hood of the kibitka,
wrapped mself up in m pelisse, and fell asleep, ro"ked b the swaing of the #ehi"le, and
lulled b the "hant of the tempest.
8he horses stopped. Sa#eliit"h was holding m hand.
(<ome out, m lord,( said he, (we ha#e arri#ed.(
(Where ha#e we arri#edE( said 4, rubbing m ees.
(At the shelter. 'od has helped us9 we ha#e stumbled right upon the hedge of the dwelling.
<ome out, m lord, Aui"k9 "ome and warm ourself.(
4 des"ended from the kibitka9 the hurri"ane had not "eased, but it had moderated9 sight was
useless, it was so dark. 8he master of the house met us at the door, holding a lantern under the
flaps of his long "oat, the <ossa"k "afetan. *e led us into a small, though no untid room, lighted
b a pine tor"h. 4n the "entre hung a "arabine and a high <ossa"k "ap.
)ur host, a <ossa"k from the ri#er 4aik, was a peasant of some sixt ears, still fresh and green.
Sa#eliit"h brought in the "ase "ontaining m tea!ser#i"e9 he asked for fire to make me a few "ups
of tea, of whi"h 4 ne#er had greater need. 8he host hastened to ser#e us.
(Where is our guideE( 4 asked of Sa#eliit"h.
11
(*ere, our lordship,( replied a #oi"e from abo#e. 4 raised m ees to the loft, and saw a bla"k
beard and two sparkling bla"k ees.
(Well, are ou "oldE(
(*ow "ould 4 help being "old in this little "afetan full of holes. What&s the use of "on"ealmentE 4
had a touloup, but 4 left it esterda in pledge with the liAuor!seller9 then the "old did not seem
so great.(
At this moment our host entered with the portable furna"e and boiler, the Russian Somovar. 4
offered our guide a "up of tea. 5own he "ame at on"e. As he stood in the glare of the pine tor"h
his appearan"e was remarkable. A man about fort ears of age, medium height, slight but with
broad shoulders. *is bla"k beard was turning gre9 large, Aui"k, restless ees, ga#e him an
expression full of "unning, and et not at all disagreeable. *e was dressed in wide 8artar
pantaloons and an old @a"ket. *is hair was "ut e#enl round.
4 offered him a "up of tea. *e tasted it and made a grima"e.
(5o me the fa#or, m lord, to order me a glass of brand9 tea is not the <ossa"k&s drink.(
4 willingl granted the reAuest. 8he host took from the shelf of a "loset a bottle and a glass, and
going up to him, looking him full in the fa"e, saidD
(AhB ahB here ou are again in our distri"t. When"e has 'od brought ouE(
, guide winked in the most signifi"ant fashion and replied b the well!know pro#erbD (&8he
sparrow was in the or"hard eating flax!seed9 the grandmother threw a stone at it, and missed.&
And ouE how are all oursE(
(*ow are weE( said the host, and "ontinuing in pro#erbsD (&8he began to ring the bell for
Hespers, but the priest&s wife forbade it. 8he priest went #isiting, and the de#ils are in the
gra#eard.&(
(%e silent, un"le,( said the #agabond.
(&When there shall be rain, there will be mushrooms, and when there shall be mushrooms, there
will be a basket to put them in. Put th hat"het behind th ba"k, the forest guard is out walking.&(
(8o our lordship&s health.( 8aking the glass, he made the sign of the "ross, and at one gulp
swallowed his brand. *e then saluted me and remounted to his loft. 4 did not understand a word
of this thief&s slang. 4t was onl in the seAuel that 4 learned that the spoke of the affairs of the
arm of the 4aik, whi"h had @ust been redu"ed to obedien"e after the re#olt of 1770. Sa#eliit"h
listened and glan"ed suspi"iousl from host to guide.
8he spe"ies of inn where we were sheltered was in the #er heart of the steppes, far from the
road and e#er inhabited spot, and looked #er mu"h like a rendeC#ous of robbers. %ut to set off
again on our @ourne was impossible. 8he disgust of Sa#eliit"h amused not a little9 howe#er, he
finall de"ided to mount upon the roof of the sto#e, the ordinar bed of the Russian peasant. 8he
warm bri"ks of the hot!air "hamber of the sto#e diffused a grateful heat, and soon the old man
and the host, who had laid himself on the floor, were snoring. 4 stret"hed mself upon a ben"h,
and slept like a dead. Awaking next morning Auite late, 4 saw that the hurri"ane was o#er. 8he
12
sun shone out, the snow extended in the distan"e like a sheet of daCCling white damask. 8he
horses were alread at the door, harnessed. 4 paid our host, who asked so small a pittan"e that
e#en Sa#eliit"h did not, as usual, haggle o#er the pri"e. *is suspi"ions of the e#ening before had
entirel disappeared. 4 "alled the guide to thank him for the ser#i"e he had done us, and told
Sa#eliit"h to gi#e him half a rouble. Sa#eliit"h frowned.
(*alf a rouble,( said he9 (What forE %e"ause ou ourself deigned to bring him to the innE Four
will be done, m lord, but we ha#e not a rouble to spare. 4f we begin b gi#ing drink mone to
e#er one we shall end b ding of hunger.(
4t was useless to argue with him9 m mone, a""ording to m promise, was entirel at his
dis"retion. %ut it was #er unpleasant not to be able to reward a man who had extri"ated me from
danger, perhaps death.
(Well,( said 4, "ooll, (if ou will not gi#e him half a rouble, gi#e one of m "oats?he is too
thinl "lad9 gi#e him the hare!skin touloup.(
(*a#e mer" on meB , dear Peter,( said Sa#eliit"h, (what does he want with our touloupE *e
will drink its pri"e, the dog, at the first inn.(
(8hat, m good old man, is none of our business,( said the #agabond9 (his lordship following
the "ustom of roalt to #assals, gi#es me a "oat from his own ba"k, and our dut as serf is not
to dispute, but to obe.(
(Fou ha#e not the fear of 'od, brigand that ou are,( said Sa#eliit"h, angril9 (ou see that the
"hild has not et attained to full reason, and there ou are, glad to pillage him, thanks to his kind
heart. Fou "an not e#en wear the pelisse on our great, "ursed shoulders.(
(<ome,( said 4, (do not pla the logi"ian9 bring the touloup Aui"kl.(
()h, $ordB( said the old man, moaning?(a touloup of hare!skinB Iuite new,?to gi#e it to a
drunkard in rags.(
4t was brought, howe#er, and the #agabond began to get into it. 4t was rather tight for me, and
was mu"h too small for him. *e put it on, ne#ertheless, but with great diffi"ult, bursting all the
seams. Sa#eliit"h uttered something like a smothered howl, when he heard the threads "ra"k. As
for the #agabond, he was well pleased with m present. *e re!"ondu"ted me to m kibitka, and
said, with a profound bowD (8hanks, m lord, ma god reward ou. 4 shall ne#er forget our
goodness.(
*e went his wa,?4 set out on mine, paing no attention to the sullenness of Sa#eliit"h. 4 soon
forgot the hurri"ane and the guide, as well as the touloup of hare!skin.
Arri#ed at )renbourg, 4 presented mself at on"e to the 'eneral. *e was a tall man, bent b age,
with long hair Auite white. An old, worn!out uniform, re"alled the soldier of the times of the
6mpress Anne, and his spee"h betraed a strong 'erman a""ent.
4 ga#e him m father&s letter.
13
Reading m name, he glan"ed at me Aui"kl. (,ein 'ott,( said he, (it is so short a time sin"e
Andrew 'rineff was our age, and now, see what a fine fellow of a son he has. AhB timeB timeB(
*e opened the letter and began to run it o#er with a "ommentar of remarks.
(&Sir, 4 hope our 6x"ellen",&?What is this9 what is the meaning of this "eremonE dis"ipline,
of "ourse before all, but is this the wa to write to an old friendE *um?&7ield!marshal ,uni"h
?little <aroline?brother.& AhB then he remembers?&3ow to business. 4 send ou m son9 hold
him with por"upine glo#es.&
(What does that meanE( said he, (that must be a Russian pro#erb.(
(4t means,( said 4, with an air of inno"en"e, (to treat a person mildl, to gi#e one libert.(
(*umB( said he, reading, (&and gi#e him no libert.& 3o,( he "ontinued, (our pro#erb does not
mean libert. Well, m son,( said he, ha#ing finished the letter, (e#er thing shall be done for
ou. Fou shall be an offi"er in the ?? regiment, and not to lose time, go tomorrow to the fort
of %elogorsk, where ou will ser#e under <aptain ,ironoff, a bra#e and honest man. 8here ou
will see ser#i"e and learn dis"ipline. Fou ha#e nothing to do here at )renbourg, and amusements
are dangerous to a oung man. 8oda 4 in#ite ou to dine with me.(
7rom bad to worse, thought 4. What was the use of being a Sergeant in the 'uards almost from
m mother&s wombE 8o what has it ledE 8o the regiment of ??, and an abandoned fortress on
the frontier of the steppesB
4 dined at the 'eneral&s in "ompan with his old Aid!de!"amp. Se#ere 'erman e"onom reigned
at table, and 4 think the fear of ha#ing an o""asional guest the more had something to do with
sending me to a distant garrison.
8he next da 4 took m lea#e of the 'eneral and set out for %elogorsk.
III. THE &#RTRESS.
8he fortress of %elogorsk is situated fort #ersts from )renbourg. 8he route from this "it is
along the high banks of the ri#er 4aik. 8he stream was not et froCen, and its lead!"olored waters
took a bla"k tint between banks whitened b the snow. %efore me la the ;irghis steppes. 4 fell
into a mood train of thought, for to me garrison life offered few attra"tions. 4 tried to pi"ture m
future "hief, <aptain ,ironoff. 4 imagined a se#ere, morose old man, knowing nothing outside of
the ser#i"e, read to arrest me for the least slip. 5usk was falling9 we were ad#an"ing rapidl.
(*ow far is it from here to the fortressE( said 4 to the "oa"hman.
(Fou "an see it now,( he answered.
4 looked on all sides, expe"ting to see high bastions, a wall, and a dit"h. 4 saw nothing but a little
#illage surrounded b a wooden palisade. )n one side stood some ha!sta"ks half "o#ered with
14
snow9 on the other a wind!mill, leaning to one side9 the wings of the mill, made of the hea#
bark of the linden tree, hung idle.
(Where is the fortressE( 4 asked, astonished.
(8here it is,( said the "oa"hman, pointing to the #illage whi"h we had @ust entered. 4 saw near the
gate an old iron "annon. 8he streets were narrow and winding, and nearl all the huts were
that"hed with straw. 4 ordered the "oa"hman to dri#e to the <ommandant&s, and almost
immediatel m kibitka stopped before a wooden house built on an eminen"e near the "hur"h,
whi"h was also of wood. 7rom the front door 4 entered the waiting!room. An old pensioner,
seated on a table, was sewing a blue pie"e on the elbow of a green uniform. 4 told him to
announ"e me.
(6nter, m good sir,( said he, (our people are at home.(
4 entered a #er neat room, furnished in the fashion of other das. )n one side stood a "abinet
"ontaining the sil#er. Against the wall hung the diploma of an offi"er, with "olored engra#ings
arranged around its frame9 notabl, the (<hoi"e of the %etrothed,( the (8aking of ;urstrin,( and
the (%urial of the <at b the ,i"e.( 3ear the window sat an old woman in a mantilla, her head
wrapped in a handker"hief. She was winding a skein of thread held on the separated hands of a
little old man, blind of one ee, who was dressed like an offi"er.
(What do ou desire, m dear sirE( said the woman to me, without interrupting her o""upation. 4
told her that 4 had "ome to enter the ser#i"e, and that, a""ording to rule, 4 hastened to present
mself to the "aptain. 4n saing this, 4 turned to the one!eed old man, whom 4 took for the
"ommandant. 8he good lad interrupted the spee"h whi"h 4 had prepared in ad#an"eD
(4#an ,ironoff is not at home9 he is gone to #isit 7ather 'arasim9 but it is all the same9 4 am his
wife. 5eign to lo#e us and ha#e us in fa#orB 8ake a seat, m dear sir.( She ordered a ser#ant to
send her the <orporal. 8he little old man gaCed at me "uriousl, with his onl ee.
(,a 4 dare to ask,( said he, (in what regiment ou ha#e deigned to ser#eE(
4 satisfied him on that point.
(And ma 4 dare to ask wh ou "hanged from the 'uards to our garrisonE(
4 replied that it was b the orders of authorit.
(Probabl for a"tions little be"oming an offi"er of the 'uardsE( resumed the persistent
Auestioner.
(Will ou stop our stupiditiesE( said the <aptain&s wife to him. (Fou see the oung man is
fatigued b the @ourne9 he has something else to do besides answering ou. *old our hands
betterB And ou m dear sir,( "ontinued she, turning to me, (do not be too mu"h affli"ted that
ou are thrust into our little town9 ou are not the first, and will not be the last. 3ow, there is
Alexis <habrine, who has been transferred to us for a term of four ears for murder. 'od knows
what pro#o"ation he had. *e and a lieutenant went outside the "it with their swords, and before
two witnesses Alexis killed the lieutenant. AhB misfortune has no master.(
15
Gust then the <orporal entered, a oung and handsome <ossa"k. (,axim,( said the <aptain&s
wife, (gi#e this offi"er a "lean lodging.(
(4 obe, %asilia,( replied the <ossa"k9 (shall 4 lodge him with 4#an PologoffE(
(Fou are doting, ,axim, he has too little spa"e now9 besides, he is m "hild&s godfather9 and,
moreo#er, he ne#er forgets that we are his "hiefs. What is our name, m dear sirE(
(Peter 'rineff.(
(8hen "ondu"t Peter 'rineff to the Auarters of Simeon ;ieff. 8hat ras"al let his horse into m
#egetable garden. 4s all right, ,aximE(
(8hank 'od, all is Auiet, ex"ept that <orporal ;ourCoff Auarreled with the woman Augustina
about a pail of warm water.(
(4gnatius,( said the <aptain&s wife to the one!eed man, (@udge between the two?de"ide whi"h
one is guilt, and punish both. 'o, ,axim, 'od be with ou. Peter 'rineff, ,axim will "ondu"t
ou to our lodgings.(
4 took m lea#e9 the <orporal led me to a "abin pla"ed on the high bank near the ri#er&s edge, at
the end of the fortress. *alf of the "abin was o""upied b the famil of Simeon ;ieff, the other
was gi#en up to me. , half of the "abin was a large apartment di#ided b a partition. Sa#eliit"h
began at on"e to install us, whilst 4 looked out of the narrow window. %efore me stret"hed the
bleak and barren steppe9 nearer rose some "abins9 at the threshold of one stood a woman with a
bowl in her hand "alling the pigs to feed9 no other ob@e"ts met m sight, sa#e a few "hi"kens
s"rat"hing for stra kernels of "orn in the street. And this was the "ountr to whi"h 4 was
"ondemned to pass m outhB 4 turned from the window, seiCed b bitter sadness, and went to
bed without supper, notwithstanding the suppli"ations of Sa#eliit"h, who with anguish "ried
aloudD ()hB he will not deign to eatB ) $ordB what will m mistress sa, if the "hild should fall
illB(
8he next morning 4 had s"ar"el begun to dress, when a oung offi"er entered m room. *e was
of small siCe, with irregular features, but his sun!burned fa"e had remarkable #i#a"it. (Pardon
me,( said he in 7ren"h, (that 4 "ome so un"eremoniousl to make our a"Auaintan"e. 4 learned
esterda of our arri#al, and the desire of seeing at last a human fa"e so took possession of me
that 4 "ould wait no longer. Fou will understand this when ou shall ha#e li#ed here some timeB(
4 easil guessed that he was the offi"er dismissed from the 'uards for the affair of the duel?
Alexis <habrine. *e was #er intelligent9 his "on#ersation was sprightl and interesting. *e
des"ribed with impulse and gaet the <ommandant&s famil, so"iet, and in general the whole
"ountr round. 4 was laughing heartil, when 4gnatius, the same old pensioner whom 4 had seen
mending his uniform in the <aptain&s waiting!room, entered, and ga#e me an in#itation to dinner
from %asilia ,ironoff, the <aptain&s wife. Alexis de"lared that he would a""ompan me.
Approa"hing the <ommandant&s house we saw on the sAuare some twent little old pensioners,
with long Aueues and three!"ornered hats. 8hese old men were drawn up in line of battle. %efore
them stood the <ommandant, a fresh and #igorous old man of high stature, in dressing!gown and
"otton "ap. As soon as he saw us, he approa"hed, addressed me a few affable words, and then
resumed his drill. We were going to sta to see the manoeu#ering, but he begged us to go on
16
immediatel to the house, promising to @oin us at on"e9 (for,( said he, (there is reall nothing to
be seen here.(
%asilia re"ei#ed us kindl, and with simpli"it, treating me like an old a"Auaintan"e. 8he
pensioner and the maid Pola""a were laing the table!"loth.
(What is the matter with m dear 4#an ,ironoff, toda, that he is so long instru"ting his troopsE(
said the mistress. (Pola""a, go and bring him to dinner. And where is m "hild, ,arieE( S"ar"el
had she pronoun"ed this name, than a oung girl about sixteen entered the room9?a ros, round!
fa"ed girl, wearing her hair in smooth bandeaux "aught behind her ears, whi"h were red with
modest and shness. She did not please me #er mu"h at the first glan"e9 4 was pre@udi"ed
against her b Alexis, who had des"ribed the <aptain&s daughter to me as a fool. ,arie seated
herself in a "orner and began to sew. 8he soup was brought on the table. %asilia, not seeing her
husband "oming, sent the maid a se"ond time to "all him.
(8ell the master that his inspe"tion "an wait9 the soup is "ooling. 8hank 'odB the drills need not
be lost9 there will be time enough et to use his #oi"e at his leisure.(
8he "aptain soon appeared with his one!eed offi"er.
(What&s this, m dear,( said %asilia9 (the table has been ser#ed some time, and no one "ould
make ou "ome.(
(Fou see, %asilia, 4 was bus with the ser#i"e, instru"ting m good soldiers.(
(<ome, "ome, 4#an ,ironoff, that&s boasting. 8he ser#i"e does not suit them, and as for ou, ou
know nothing about it. Fou should ha#e staed at home and praed 'od, that suits ou mu"h
better. , dear guests, to table.(
We took our pla"es for dinner. %asilia was not silent a moment9 she o#erwhelmed me with
AuestionsD Who were m parentsE Were the li#ingE Where did the resideE What was their
fortuneE When she learned that m father owned three hundred serfs, she ex"laimedD
(Fou see there are some ri"h people in the world?and we, m dear sir, in point of souls, we
possess onl the maid Pola""a. Fet, thank 'od, we li#e, somehow or other. We ha#e but one
"are, that is ,arie, a girl that must be married off. And what fortune has sheE 8he pri"e of two
baths per annum. 4f onl she "ould find a worth husband. 4f not, there she is, eternall a maid.(
4 glan"ed at ,arie9 she blushed, tears were dropping into her soup. 4 pitied her, and hastened to
"hange the "on#ersation. (4 ha#e heard that the %ashkirs intend to atta"k our fortressE(
(Who said so,( replied 4#an ,ironoff.
(4 heard it at )renbourg.(
(All nonsense,( said 4#an, (we ha#e not heard the least word about it9 the %ashkirs are an
intimidated people9 and the ;irghis ha#e also had some good lessons. 8he dare not atta"k us,
and if the should e#en dream of it, 4 would gi#e them so great a fright that the would not mo#e
again for ten ears.(
17
(5o ou not fear,( 4 "ontinued, addressing %asilia, (to sta in a fortress exposed to these
dangersE(
(A matter of habit, m dear,( she replied, (twent ears ago, when we were transferred here from
the regiment, ou "ould not belie#e how 4 feared the pagans. 4f 4 "han"ed to see their fur "aps, if
4 heard their shouts, belie#e me, m heart was read to faint9 but now 4 am so used to this life,
that if told that the brigands were prowling around us, 4 would not stir from the fortress.(
(%asilia is a #er bra#e lad,( obser#ed Alexis, gra#el. (4#an ,ironoff knows some thing about
it.(
()h, ou see,( said 4#an, (she does not belong to the regiment of poltroons.(
(And ,arie,( 4 asked of her mother (is she as bold as ouE(
(,arieE( said the lad. (3oB ,arie is a "oward. -p to the present she has not heard the report of
a gun without trembling in e#er limb. 8wo ears ago 4#an had a pleasant fan" to fire off his
"annon on m birthda9 the poor pigeon was so frightened that she almost went into the next
world. Sin"e that da the miserable "annon has not spoken.(
We rose from the table. 8he "aptain and his wife went to take their siesta. 4 went with Alexis to
his room, where we passed the e#ening together.
I). THE ('EL.
Se#eral weeks elapsed, during whi"h m life in the fortress be"ame not onl supportable, but
e#en agreeable. 4 was re"ei#ed as a member of the famil in the <ommandant&s house. 8he
husband and wife were ex"ellent people. 4#an ,ironoff, from being the adopted "hild of the
regiment, rose to offi"er&s rank. *e was a plain, simple, unedu"ated man, but thoroughl good
and loal. *is wife go#erned him, and that suited his natural indolen"e. %asilia dire"ted the
affairs of the garrison, as she did her household, and "ommanded through the fortress as she did
in her own kit"hen. ,arie soon lost her shness, and as we be"ame better a"Auainted 4 found that
she was a girl full of affe"tion and intelligen"e. $ittle b little 4 be"ame deepl atta"hed to this
good famil.
4 was promoted, and ranked as an offi"er. ,ilitar ser#i"e did not oppress me. 4n this fortress,
blessed b 'od, there was no dut to do, no guard to mount, nor re#iew to pass. )""asionall,
for his own amusement, the <ommandant drilled his soldiers. *e had not et su""eeded in
tea"hing them whi"h was the right flank and whi"h the left.
Alexis had some 7ren"h books, and in m idleness 4 set work to read, so that a taste for literature
awoke within me. 4 read e#er morning, and essaed some translations, e#en metri"al
"ompositions. Almost e#er da 4 dined at the <ommandant&s, where, as a general thing, 4 spent
the rest of the da. 4n the e#ening, 7ather 'arasim "ame with his wife, A""oulina, the greatest
gossip of the pla"e. )f "ourse Alexis and 4 met dail, et graduall his so"iet displeased me.
18
*is perpetual @okes upon the <ommandant&s famil, and abo#e all his biting remarks about
,arie, rendered his "on#ersation #er disagreeable to me. 4 had no other so"iet than this famil
in the fortress, and 4 desired no other. All predi"tions to the "ontrar, the %ashkirs did not re#olt,
and pea"e reigned around us.
4 ha#e alread said that 4 busied mself somewhat with literature. )ne da 4 happened to write a
little song, of whi"h 4 was proud. 4t is well known that authors, under pretext of asking ad#i"e,
willingl seek a kindl audien"e. 4 "opied m little song and took it to Alexis, the onl one in the
fortress who "ould appre"iate a poeti"al work. After preluding a little, 4 drew m pages from m
po"ket and read m #erses to him.
(*ow do ou like thatE( said 4, expe"ting praise as a tribute due me. 8o m great annoan"e,
Alexis, who was generall pleased with m writings, de"lared frankl that m song was worth
nothing.
(What do ou meanE( said 4, with for"ed "almness. *e took the paper out of m hand and began
to "riti"iCe without pit, e#er #erse, e#er word, tearing me up in the most mali"ious fashion. 4t
was too mu"h. 4 snat"hed the paper from him, de"laring that ne#er again would 4 show him an
of m "ompositions.
(We shall see,( said he, (if ou "an keep our word9 poets need a listener as 4#an ,ironoff needs
a de"anter of brand before dinner. Who is this ,arie to whom ou de"lare our tender feelingsE
,ight it not be ,arie ,ironoffE(
(8hat is none of our business,( said 4, frowning. (4 want neither our ad#i"e nor supposition.(
()hB ohB #ain poet9 dis"reet lo#er,( "ontinued Alexis, irritating me more and more, (listen to
friendl "ounselD if ou want to su""eed do not "onfine ourself to songs.(
(What do ou mean, sirE 6xplainB(
(With pleasure,( he replied. (4 mean that if ou wish to form an intima" with ,arie ,ironoff,
ou ha#e onl to gi#e her a pair of earrings instead of our la"kadaisi"al #erses.(
All m blood boiled. (Wh ha#e ou this opinion of herE( 4 asked, with mu"h effort restraining
m anger.
(%e"ause,( said he, (of m own experien"e.(
(Fou lie, wret"h,( 4 "ried, with furr, (ou lie, shamelessl.(
Alexis was enraged.
(8hat shall not pass so,( he said, grasping m hand. (Fou shall gi#e me satisfa"tion.(
(When e#er ou like,( 4 replied, @ofull, for at that moment 4 was read to tear him to pie"es. 4
ran at on"e to see 4#an 4gnatius, whom 4 found with a needle in his hand. A""ording to orders
from the <ommandant&s wife, he was stringing mushrooms whi"h were to be dried for winter
use.
(AhB Peter 'rineff, be wel"ome. 5are 4 ask on what business 'od sends ou hereE(
19
4n a few words 4 told him of m Auarrel with Alexis, and begged him, 4gnatius, to be m se"ond.
4gnatius heard me to the end with great attention, opening wide his onl ee.
(Fou deign to sa that ou want to kill Alexis, and desire that 4 should witness the a"tE 4s that
what ou mean, dare 4 askE(
(Pre"isel.(
(AhB what foll9 ou ha#e had some words with Alexis. What thenE A harsh word "an not be
hung up b the ne"k. *e gi#es ou impertinen"e, gi#e him the same9 if he gi#e ou a slap, return
the blow9 he a se"ond, ou a third9 in the end we will "ompel ou to make pea"e. Whilst if ou
fight?well, if you should kill him, 'od be with himB for 4 do not like him mu"h9 but if he should
perforate ou, what a ni"e pie"e of businessB 8hen who will pa for the broken potsE(
8he arguments of the prudent offi"er did not shake m resolution.
(5o as ou like,( said 4gnatius, (but what&s the use of ha#ing me as a witnessE People fight?
that&s nothing extraordinar?4 ha#e often been Auite "lose to Swedes and 8urks, and people of
all shades of "olor.(
4 tried to explain to him the duties of a se"ond9 4gnatius would not, or "ould not understand me.
(7ollow our own fashion,( said he, (if 4 were to meddle in this affair, it would be to announ"e to
4#an ,ironoff, a""ording to rule, that a plot is being made in the fortress for the "ommission of a
"riminal a"tion?one "ontrar to the interests of the "rown.(
4 was alarmed, and begged 4gnatius to sa nothing to the <ommandant. *e ga#e me his word that
he would be silent, and 4 left him in pea"e. As usual 4 passed the e#ening at the <ommandant&s,
for"ing mself to be "alm and ga, in order not to awaken suspi"ions and to a#oid Auestioning. 4
"onfess that 4 had not the "oolness of whi"h people boast who ha#e been in a similar position. 4
was disposed to tenderness. ,arie ,ironoff seemed more attra"ti#e than e#er. 8he idea that
perhaps 4 saw her for the last time, ga#e her a tou"hing gra"e.
Alexis entered. 4 took him aside and told him of m "on#ersation with 4gnatius.
(What&s the good of se"onds,( said he, drl. (We "an do without them.(
We agreed to fight behind the hasta"k the next morning at six o&"lo"k.
Seeing us talking ami"abl, 4gnatius, full of @o, nearl betraed us. (Fou should ha#e done that
long ago, for a bad pea"e is better than a good Auarrel.(
(WhatB whatB 4gnatius,( said the <aptain&s wife, who was plaing patien"e in a "orner, (4 do not
Auite understandE(
4gnatius, seeing m displeasure, remembered his promise, be"ame "onfused and knew not what
to answer. Alexis "ame to his reliefD (*e appro#es of pea"e.(
(With whom had ou AuarreledE( said she.
(With Peter 'rineff?a few high words.(
(WhE(
2
(7or a mere nothing?a song.(
(7ine "ause for a AuarrelB a songB 8ell me how it happened.(
(WillinglD Peter has re"entl been "omposing, and this morning he sang his song for me. 8hen 4
"hanted mineD
'Daughter of the Captain, walk not forth at midnight.'
As we were not on the same note, Peter was angr, forgetting that e#er one is at libert to sing
what he pleases.(
8he insolen"e of Alexis made me furious. 3o one but mself understood his allusions. 7rom
poetr the "on#ersation passed to poets in general. 8he <ommandant obser#ed that the were all
debau"hees and drunkards, and ad#ised me, as a friend, to renoun"e poetr as "ontrar to the
ser#i"e, and leading to nothing good.
As the preten"e of Alexis was to me insupportable, 4 hastened to take lea#e of the famil. 4n m
own apartment 4 examined m sword, tried its point, and went to bed, ha#ing ordered Sa#eliit"h
to wake me in the morning at six o&"lo"k.
8he next da at the appointed time 4 was behind the hasta"k awaiting m ad#ersar, who did
not fail to appear. (We ma be surprised,( he said9 (be Aui"k.( We laid aside our uniforms, drew
our swords from the s"abbards, when 4gnatius, followed b fi#e pensioners, "ame out from
behind a hasta"k. *e ordered us to repair to the presen"e of the <ommandant. We obeed. 8he
soldiers surrounded us. 4gnatius "ondu"ted us in triumph, mar"hing militar step, with ma@esti"
gra#it. We entered the <ommandant&s house9 4gnatius opened the folding doors, and ex"laimed
with emphasisD (8he are takenB(
%asilia ran toward usD (What does this meanE plotting an assassination in our fortressB 4#an
,ironoff, arrest themB Peter 'rineff, Alexis, gi#e up our swords to the garret. Peter, 4 did not
expe"t this of ou9 are ou not ashamedE As for Alexis, it is Auite different9 he was transferred to
us from the 'uards for ha#ing "aused a soul to perish9 and he does not belie#e in our blessed
Sa#iour.(
4#an ,ironoff appro#ed in"reasingl all that his wife saidD (Fou seeB Fou seeB %asilia is right,
duels are forbidden b the militar "ode.(
,eantime Pola""a had "arried off our swords to the garret. 4 "ould not help smiling at this s"ene.
Alexis preser#ed all his gra#it, and said to %asiliaD (3otwithstanding all m respe"t for ou, 4
must sa ou take useless pains to sub@e"t us to our tribunal. $ea#e that dut to 4#an ,ironoff9
it is his business.(
(WhatB whatB m dear sir,( said the lad, (are not man and wife the same flesh and spiritE 4#an
,ironoff, are ou triflingE $o"k up these bos instantl9 put them in separate rooms?on bread
and water, to expel this stupid idea of theirs. $et 7ather 'arasim gi#e them a penan"e on order
that the ma repent before 'od and man.(
4#an ,ironoff did not know what to do. ,arie was extremel pale. 8he tempest, howe#er,
subsided little b little. %asilia ordered us to embra"e ea"h other, and the maid was sent for our
swords. We left the house, ha#ing in appearan"e made friends. 4gnatius re!"ondu"ted us.
21
(Are ou not ashamed of ourself,( 4 said to him, (to ha#e denoun"ed us to the <ommandant,
after ha#ing gi#en me our word ou would not do soE(
(As 'od is hol, 4 said nothing to 4#an ,ironoff. %asilia drew it all from me. She took all the
ne"essar measures without the knowledge of the <ommandant. 8hank 'od it finished as it did.(
*e went to his room9 4 remained with Alexis.
()ur affair "an not end thus,( 4 remarked.
(<ertainl not,( replied Alexis. (Fou shall pa me with our blood for our impertinen"e, but as
undoubtedl we shall be wat"hed, let us feign for a few das. -ntil then, adieuB(
We separated as if nothing had happened. 4 returned to the <ommandant&s, and seated mself as
usual near ,arie. *er father was absent and her mother bus with household duties. We spoke in
subdued tones. ,arie reproa"hed me gentl for the pain m Auarrel with Alexis ga#e her. (,
heart failed me,( she said, (when 4 heard ou were going to fight with swords. *ow strange men
areB 7or a word, the are read to strangle ea"h other, and sa"rifi"e, not onl their own life, but
e#en the honor and happiness of those who? 4 am sure ou did not begin the AuarrelE Alexis
was the aggressorE(
(Wh do ou think soE(
(%e"ause he is so sar"asti". 4 do not like him, and et 4 would not displease him, although he is
Auite disagreeable to me.(
(What do ou think, ,arie, are ou pleasing to him or notE(
,arie blushed. (4t seems,( said she, (that 4 please him.(
(*ow do ou knowE(
(%e"ause he made me an offer of marriage.(
(*e made ou an offer of marriageB WhenE(
($ast ear, two months before our arri#al.(
(Fou did not a""eptE(
(6#identl not, as ou see. Alexis is a most intelligent man, of an ex"ellent famil and not
without fortune, but the mere idea that beneath the "rown, on m marriage da, 4 should be
obliged to kiss him before e#er oneB 3oB noB not for an thing in the world.(
,arie&s words opened m ees. 4 understood the persisten"e of Alexis in aspersing her "hara"ter.
*e had probabl remarked our mutual in"lination, and was tring to turn us from ea"h other. 8he
words whi"h had pro#oked our Auarrel seemed to me the more infamous, as instead of being a
#ulgar @oke, it was deliberate "alumn. 8he desire to punish this shameless liar be"ame so strong
that 4 waited impatientl the fa#orable moment. 4 had not long to wait. 8he next da, o""upied
"omposing an eleg, biting m pen in the expe"tation of a rhme, Alexis kno"ked at m window.
4 put down m pen, took m sword, and went out of the house.
22
(Wh deferE( said Alexis, (we are no longer wat"hed, let us go down to the ri#er!side9 there
none will hinder us.(
We set out in silen"e, and ha#ing des"ended a steep path, we stopped at the water&s edge and
"rossed swords. Alexis was more skillful than 4 in the use of arms, but 4 was stronger and bolder.
,ons. %eaupre, who had been, amongst other things, a soldier, had taught me fen"ing. Alexis
did not expe"t to find in me an ad#ersar of so dangerous a "hara"ter.
7or some minutes neither gained an ad#antage o#er the other, but at last noti"ing that Alexis
was growing weak, 4 atta"ked him energeti"all, and almost dro#e him ba"kward into the ri#er,
when suddenl 4 heard m name pronoun"ed in a high #oi"e. 8urning m head rapidl, 4 saw
Sa#eliit"h running toward me down the path. As 4 turned m head, 4 felt a sharp thrust in the
breast under the right shoulder, and 4 fell, un"ons"ious.
). L#)E.
When 4 "ame to mself, 4 neither knew what had happened nor where 4 was. 4 felt #er weak9 the
room was strange, there was Sa#eliit"h standing before me, a light in his hand, and some one
arranging the bandages that bound m "hest and shoulder. 'raduall 4 re"alled m duel, and
easil di#ined that 4 had been wounded. 8he door at this instant moaned gentl on its hinges.
(Well, how is heE( whispered a #oi"e that made me start.
(Still in the same state,( sighed Sa#eliit"h, (now un"ons"ious four das.( 4 wanted to turn on m
bed, but 4 had not the strength. (Where am 4E( said 4, with effort, (who is hereE( ,arie
approa"hed, and bending o#er me said, gentl, (*ow do ou feelE(
(8hank 'od, 4 am well. 4s that ,arieE tell me?E( 4 "ould not finish. Sa#eliit"h uttered a "r of
@o, his delight showing plainl in his fa"e. (*e re"o#ersB he re"o#ersB 8hanks to thee, ) 'odB
Peter, how ou frightened meB?four dasB 4t is eas to talk?B(
,arie interrupted himD (5o not, Sa#eliit"h, speak too mu"h to him9 he is still #er weak.( She
went out, shutting the door noiselessl. 4 must be in the <ommandant&s house, or ,arie "ould not
"ome to see me. 4 wished to Auestion Sa#eliit"h, but the old man shook his head and put his
fingers in his ears. 4 "losed m ees from ill!humor?and fell asleep.
-pon awaking, 4 "alled Sa#eliit"h9 instead of him, 4 saw before me ,arie, whose gentle #oi"e
greeted me. 4 seiCed her hand and bathed it with m tears. ,arie did not withdraw it, and
suddenl 4 felt upon m "heek the impression, humid and deli"ious, of her lipsB A thrill shot
through m whole being.
(5ear, good ,arie, be m wife, and make me the happiest of menB(
(4n the name of hea#en be "alm,( she said, withdrawing her hand, (our wound ma reopen9 for
m sake be "areful.(
23
She left the room. 4 was in a daCe. 4 felt life returning. (She will be mineB( 4 kept repeating, (she
lo#es meB( 4 grew better, hour b hour. 8he barber of the regiment dressed m wounds, for there
was no other phsi"ian in the fortress, and thank 'od, he did not merel pla the do"tor. Fouth
and nature "ompleted the "ure.
8he <ommandant&s whole famil surrounded me with "are. ,arie s"ar"el e#er left me. 4 need
not sa that 4 took the first fa#orable moment to "ontinue m interrupted de"laration. 8his time
,arie listened with more patien"e. She frankl a"knowledged her affe"tion for me. And added
that her parents would be happ in her happiness9 (but,( she "ontinued, (think well of itE Will
there be no ob@e"tion on the part of our familE(
4 did not doubt m mother&s tenderness, but knowing m father&s "hara"ter, 4 foresaw that m
lo#e would not be re"ei#ed b him fa#orabl, and that in all probabilit he would treat it as one
of m outhful follies. 8his 4 a#owed plainl to ,arie, but ne#ertheless 4 resol#ed to write to m
father as eloAuentl as possible, and ask his blessing on our marriage. 4 showed the letter to
,arie, who thought it so tou"hing and "on#in"ing that she did not doubt of su""ess, and
abandoned herself, with all the "onfiden"e of outh and lo#e, to the feelings of her heart.
4 made pea"e with Alexis in the first das of m "on#ales"en"e. 4#an ,ironoff said, reproa"hing
me for the duelD (Fou see, Peter, 4 ought to put ou under arrest, but indeed ou ha#e been well
punished without that. Alexis is, b m orders, under guard in the barn, and his sword is under
lo"k and ke in %asilia&s keeping.(
4 was too happ to harbor spite, so 4 entreated for Alexis, and the kind <ommandant, with his
wife&s permission, "onsented to set him at libert. Alexis "ame at on"e to see me. *e expressed
regret for all that had happened, "onfessing that the fault was all his, and begged me to forget the
past. %eing naturall in"apable of re#enge, 4 pardoned him, forgi#ing both our Auarrel and m
wound. 4n his "alumn 4 now saw the irritation of wounded #anit and despised lo#e. 4
generousl forga#e m unfortunate ri#al. As soon as "ompletel "ured 4 returned to m lodging.
4 awaited impatientl the repl to m letter, not daring to hope, et tring to stifle all sad
presentiments. 4 had not et had an explanation with %asilia and her husband, but m suit "ould
not surprise them. 3either ,arie nor 4 had "on"ealed our feelings, and we were sure in ad#an"e
of their "onsent.
At last, one pleasant da Sa#eliit"h "ame to m room, letter in hand. 8he address was written in
m father&s hand. 8his sight prepared me for something gra#e, for usuall m mother wrote me,
and he onl added a few lines at the end. $ong 4 hesitated to break the seal. 4 read again and
again the solemn supers"riptionD
"To my Son,
Peter Grineff,
Principality of Orenbourg,
Fortress of Belogorsk."
4 tried to dis"o#er b m father&s writing his mood of mind when he wrote that letter. At last 4
broke that seal. 4 saw from the first lines that our hopes were "rushedB *ere is the letterD
(,F S)3 P686RD We re"ei#ed the 12th of this month the letter in whi"h ou ask our paternal
benedi"tion and "onsent to our marriage with ,ironoff&s daughter. 3ot onl ha#e 4 no intention
24
of gi#ing either m "onsent or benedi"tion, but 4 ha#e a great mind to go to ou and punish ou
for our "hildish follies, notwithstanding our offi"er&s rank, be"ause ou ha#e pro#ed that ou
are not worth to bear the sword whi"h was gi#en ou for the defense of our "ountr, and not
for the purpose of fighting a duel with a fool of our own stamp. 4 shall write instantl to
Andrew ;arlo#it"h to transfer ou from the fortress of %elogorsk to some still more distant
pla"e. -pon hearing of our wound our mother was taken ill, and is still "onfined to her bed.
What will be"ome of ouE 4 pra 'od to reform ou, but "an s"ar"el hope for so mu"h from his
goodness. Four father, A.'.(
8he harsh expressions whi"h m father had not spared, wounded me sorel9 the "ontempt with
whi"h he treated ,arie seemed to me as un@ust as it was undignified. 8hen the mere idea of
being sent from this fortress alarmed me9 but abo#e all, 4 grie#ed for m mother&s illness.
Sa#eliit"h "ame in for a share of m indignation, not doubting but that he informed m parents of
the duel. After ha#ing pa"ed up and down m little "hamber, 4 stopped suddenl before the old
man and saidD (4t seems that it is not enough that ou "aused m wound, and brought me almost
to the brink of the gra#e, but that ou want to kill m mother tooB(
Sa#eliit"h was as motionless as if lightning had stru"k him. (*a#e mer" on meB m lord,( said
he, (what do ou deign to tell meE 4 "aused our woundE 'od sees that 4 was running to put m
breast before ou, to re"ei#e the sword of Alexis. 8his "ursed age of mine hindered me. %ut what
ha#e 4 done to our motherE(
(What ha#e ou doneE Who "harged ou to write an a""usation against meE Were ou taken into
m ser#i"e to pla the sp on meE(
(4 write an a""usationE( replied the old man, Auite broken down, () 'odB ;ing of hea#enB *ere,
read what the master writes me, and ou shall see if 4 denoun"ed thee.( At the same time he drew
from his po"ket a letter whi"h he ga#e me, and 4 read what followsD
(Shame upon ou, ou old dog, that notwithstanding m stri"t orders ou wrote me nothing
regarding m son, lea#ing to strangers the dut of telling me of his follies. 4s it thus ou do our
dut and fulfill our master&s willE 4 shall send ou to keep the pigs, for ha#ing "on"ealed the
truth, and for our "ondes"ension to the oung man. -pon re"eipt of this letter inform me
immediatel of the state of his health, whi"h is, 4 hear, impro#ing, and tell me pre"isel the pla"e
of his wound, and whether he has well attended.(
6#identl Sa#eliit"h was not in the wrong, and 4 had offended him b m suspi"ions and
reproa"hes. 4 asked him to forgi#e me, but the old man was in"onsolable. (See to what 4 ha#e
li#edB( he repeated9 (see what thanks 4 ha#e merited from m masters for all m long ser#i"esB 4
am an old dogB 4 am a swine!herd, and more than all that, 4 "aused our wound. 3o, no, Peter, 4
am not in fault, it is the "ursed 7ren"hman who taught thee to pla with these steel blades, and to
stamp and dan"e, as if b thrusting and dan"ing ou "ould defend ourself from a bad man.(
3ow, then, who had taken the pains to a""use me to m fatherE 8he 'eneral, Andrew
;arlo#it"hE *e did not trouble himself mu"h about me9 moreo#er, 4#an ,ironoff had not
thought it worth while to report m duel to him. , suspi"ions fell on Alexis. *e onl would
find some ad#antage in this information, the "onseAuen"e of whi"h might be m dismissal from
the fortress and separation from the <ommandant&s famil. 4 went to tell e#er thing to ,arie.
She met me on the doorstep.
25
(What has happened to ouE how pale ou areB(
(All&s o#er,( 4 replied, handing her m father&s letter.
4t was her turn to blan"h. *a#ing read the letter she returned it, and said in a trembling #oi"eD (4t
was not m destin. Four parents do not wish me in their famil9 ma the will of 'od be doneB
*e knows better than we what is best for us. 8here is nothing to be done in the matter, Peter9
ou, at least, ma be happ.(
(4t shall not be so,( 4 ex"laimed, taking her hand. (Fou lo#e me, 4 am read for an fate. $et us
go and throw oursel#es at our parents& feet. 8he are simple people9 the are neither haught
nor "ruel9 the will gi#e us their benedi"tion9 we will marr9 and in time, 4 am sure, we will
soften m father. , mother will inter"ede for us, and he will pardon me.(
(3o, Peter, 4 will not marr ou without the benedi"tion of our parents. Fou would not be
happ without their blessing. $et us submit to the will of 'od. 4f ou meet another bride, if ou
lo#e her, ma 'od be with ouB 4, Peter, 4 will pra for both of ou.( 8ears interrupted her, and
she went awa9 4 wished to follow her into the house, but 4 was not master of mself, and 4 went
to m own Auarters. 4 was plunged in melan"hol, when Sa#eliit"h "ame to interrupt m
refle"tions.
(8here, m lord,( said he, presenting me a sheet of paper all "o#ered with writing, (see if 4 am a
sp on m master, and if 4 tr to embroil father and son.(
4 took the paper from his hand9 it was his repl to m father&s letter.
4 "ould not help smiling at the old man&s letter. 4 was in no "ondition to write to m father, and to
"alm m mother his letter seemed suffi"ient.
7rom that da, ,arie s"ar"el spoke to me, and e#en tried to a#oid me. 8he <ommandant&s
house be"ame insupportable, and 4 a""ustomed mself, little b little, to remain alone in m
room. At first %asilia reasoned with me, but seeing m persisten" she let me alone. 4 saw 4#an
,ironoff onl when the ser#i"e reAuired it. 4 had but rare inter#iews with Alexis, for whom m
antipath in"reased, be"ause 4 thought 4 dis"o#ered in him a se"ret enmit whi"h "onfirmed m
suspi"ions. $ife be"ame a burden9 4 ga#e mself up to a melan"hol whi"h was fed b solitude
and ina"tion. $o#e burned on in silen"e and tortured me, more and more. 4 lost all taste for
reading and literature9 4 let mself be"ome "ompletel depressed9 and 4 feared that 4 should either
be"ome a lunati" or rush into dissipation, when e#ents o""urred that had great influen"e on m
life and gi#e a strong and health tone to m mind.
)I. P#'%AT!HE&&.
%efore beginning the re"ital of the strange e#ents of whi"h 4 was witness, 4 ought to sa a few
words about the situation of affairs toward the end of the ear 177:. 8he ri"h and #ast pro#in"e
of )renbourg was inhabited b a number of tribes, half "i#iliCed, who had @ust re"ogniCed the
26
so#ereignt of the Russian <Cars. 8heir "ontinual re#olts, their impatien"e of law and "i#iliCed
life, their in"onstan" and "ruelt, demanded on the part of the go#ernment a "onstant
wat"hfulness to redu"e them to obedien"e. 7ortresses had been ere"ted in fa#orable pla"es, and
<ossa"ks, the former possessors of the shores of the 4aik, in man pla"es formed a part of the
garrisons. %ut these #er <ossa"ks, who should ha#e guaranteed the pea"e and se"urit of their
distri"ts, were restless and dangerous sub@e"ts of the empire. 4n 1770 a riot o""urred in one of
their "hief towns. 8his riot was "aused b the se#erit of the measures emploed b 'eneral
8raubenberg to bring the arm to obedien"e. 8he onl result of these measures was the barbarous
murder of 8raubenberg, a "hange of 4mperial offi"ers, and in the end, b for"e of grape and
"anister, the suppression of the riot.
8his happened shortl before m arri#al at the fortress of %elogorsk. 8hen all seemed Auiet. %ut
the authorities had too easil belie#ed in the feigned repentan"e of the rebels, who nursed their
hate in silen"e, and onl awaited a propitious moment to re"ommen"e the struggle.
4 return to m stor. )n"e e#ening, it was in the month of )"tober, 177:, 4 was alone in the
house, listening to the whistling of the Autumn winds, and wat"hing the "louds gliding rapidl
before the moon. An order "ame from the <ommandant, "alling me to his presen"e. 4 went that
instant. 4 found there Alexis, 4gnatius and the <orporal of the <ossa"ks, but neither the wife nor
daughter of the <ommandant. , "hief bade me good e#ening, had the door "losed, and e#er
one seated, ex"ept the <orporal who remained standing9 then he drew a paper from his po"ket
and said to usD
('entlemen, important newsB $isten to what the 'eneral writes.( *e put on his spe"ta"les and
readD
(8o the <ommandant of the 7ortress of %elogorsk, <aptain ,ironoff. Confidential. 4 hereb
inform ou that the deserter and turbulent <ossa"k of the 5on, 4miliane Pougat"heff, after ha#ing
been guilt of the unpardonable insolen"e of usurping the name of the de"eased 6mperor Peter
444, has assembled a troop of brigands, disturbed the #illages of the 4aik, and has e#en taken and
destroed se#eral fortresses, at the same time "ommitting e#erwhere robberies and
assassinations. 8herefore, upon the re"eipt of this, ou will, <aptain, bethink ou of the measures
to be taken to repulse the said robber and usurper9 and if possible, in "ase he turn his arms
against the fortress "onfided to our "are, to "ompletel exterminate him.(
(4t is eas to talk,( said the <ommandant, taking off his spe"ta"les, and folding the paper9 (but
we must use e#er pre"aution. 8he ras"al seems strong, and we ha#e onl 1:1 men, e#en adding
the <ossa"ks, upon whom there is no dependen"e, be it said without reproa"h to thee, ,axim.(
8he <orporal of the <ossa"ks smiled. ('entlemen, let us do our part9 be #igilant, post sentries,
establish night patrols9 in "ase of an atta"k, shut the gates and "all out the soldiers. ,axim, wat"h
well our <ossa"ks. 4t is ne"essar to examine the "annon and "lean it9 and abo#e all to keep the
se"ret, that no one in the fortress should know an thing before the time.(
*a#ing gi#en his orders, 4#an ,ironoff dismissed us. 4 went out with Alexis, spe"ulating on
what we had heard. (What do ou think of itE *ow will this endE( 4 asked him.
('od knows,( he replied, (we shall see. At present there is no danger.( And he began, as if
thinking, to hum a 7ren"h air.
27
3otwithstanding our pre"autions the news of the apparition of Pougat"heff spread through the
fortress. *owe#er great the respe"t of 4#an ,ironoff for his wife, he would not re#eal to her for
anthing in the world a militar se"ret. When he had re"ei#ed the 'eneral&s letter he #er
adroitl rid himself of %asilia b telling her that the 'reek priest had re"ei#ed from )renbourg
extraordinar news whi"h he kept a great mster. 8hereupon %asilia desired to pa a #isit to
A""ouline, the "lergman&s wife, and b ,ironoff&s ad#i"e ,arie went also. ,aster of the
situation, 4#an ,ironoff lo"ked up the maid in the kit"hen and assembled us.
%asilia "ame home without news, and learned that during her absen"e a "oun"il of war had been
held, and that Pola""a was imprisoned in the kit"hen. She suspe"ted that her husband had
de"ei#ed her, and o#erwhelmed him with Auestions. *e was prepared for the atta"k, and stoutl
replied to his "urious better!halfD
(Fou see, m dear, the women about the "ountr ha#e been using straw to kindle their fires9 now
as that might be dangerous, 4 assembled m offi"ers, and ga#e them orders to pre#ent these
women lighting fires with anthing but fagots and brushwood.(
(And wh did ou lo"k up Pola""a in the kit"hen till m returnE( 4#an ,ironoff had not foreseen
that Auestion, and muttered some in"oherent words. %asilia saw at on"e her husband&s perfid,
but knowing that she "ould extra"t nothing from him at that moment, she "eased her Auestioning,
and spoke of the pi"kled "u"umbers whi"h A""ouline knew how to prepare in a superior fashion.
8hat night %asilia ne#er "losed an ee, unable to imagine what it was that her husband knew that
she "ould not share with him.
8he next da, returning from mass, she saw 4gnatius "leaning the "annon, taking out rags,
pebbles, bits of wood, and all sorts of rubbish whi"h the small bos had stuffed there. (What
means these warlike preparationsE( thought the <ommandant&s wifeE (4s an atta"k from the
;irghis fearedE 4s it possible that ,ironoff would hide from me so mere a trifleE( She "alled
4gnatius, determined to know the se"ret that ex"ited her woman&s "uriosit. %asilia began b
making some remarks about household matters, like a @udge who begins his interrogation with
Auestions foreign to the affair, in order to reassure the a""used, and throw him off his guard.
8hen ha#ing paused a moment she sighed and shook her head, saingD () 'odB what newsB what
newsB What will be"ome of usE(
(, dear lad,( said 4gnatius, (the $ord is mer"iful9 we ha#e soldiers and plent of powder9 4
ha#e "leaned the "annon. We ma repulse this Pougat"heff. 4f the $ord is with us, the wolf will
eat no one here.(
(Who is Pougat"heffE( asked the <ommandant&s wife.
4gnatius saw that he had gone too far, and he bit his tongue. %ut it was too late. %asilia
"onstrained him to tell her all, ha#ing gi#en her word to keep the se"ret. She kept her word, and
indeed told no one ex"ept A""oulina, whose "ow was still on the steppe and might be "arried off
b the brigands. Soon e#er one talked of Pougat"heff, the "urrent reports being #er different.
8he <ommandant sent out the <orporal to pi"k up information about him in all the neighboring
#illages and little forts. 8he <orporal returned after an absen"e of two das, and de"lared that he
had seen on the steppe, sixt #ersts from the fortress, a great man fires, and that he had heard
the %ashkirs sa that an innumerable for"e was ad#an"ing. *e "ould not tell anthing definitel,
ha#ing been afraid to #enture farther.
28
'reat agitation was soon after this obser#ed amongst the <ossa"ks of our garrison. 8he
assembled in groups in the streets, speaking in a low tone amongst themsel#es, and dispersing as
soon as the per"ei#ed a dragoon or other Russian soldier. )rders were gi#en to wat"h them.
=oula", a baptiCed ;almouk, made a #er gra#e re#elation to the <ommandant. A""ording to the
;almouk, the <ossa"k made a false report9 for to his "omrades the perfidious <orporal said that
he had ad#an"ed to the rebel "amp, had been presented to their rebel "hief, had kissed his hand
and "on#ersed with him. 8he <ommandant ordered the <orporal under arrest, and repla"ed him
b the ;almouk. 8his "hange was re"ei#ed b the <ossa"ks with #isible dis"ontent. 8he openl
murmured and 4gnatius, when exe"uting the <ommandant&s order, heard them sa, with his own
ears, (wait, garrison rat, waitB(
8he <ommandant de"ided to examine the <orporal that same da, but he had es"aped, no doubt,
b the aid of his brother <ossa"ks. Another e#ent in"reased the <aptain&s uneasiness. A %ashkir
was seiCed bearing seditious letters. -pon this o""asion, the <ommandant de"ided to "all at on"e
a "oun"il, and in order to do so, wished to send awa his wife under some spe"ious pretext. %ut
as ,ironoff was the simplest and most truthful of men, he "ould think of no other de#i"e than
that alread emploed.
(Fou see, %asilia,( said he, "oughing se#eral times, (7ather 'arasim has, it is said, been to the
"it?(
(Silen"eB silen"eB( interrupted his wife9 (ou are going to "all another "oun"il and talk in m
absen"e of 4miliane Pougat"heff, but this time ou "an not de"ei#e me.(
8he <aptain stared9 (6hB wellB m dear,( said he, (sin"e ou know all, sta9 we ma as well
speak before ou.(
(Fou "annot pla the fox,( said his wife9 (send for the offi"ers.(
We assembled again. 8he <ommandant read, before his wife, Pougat"heff&s pro"lamation,
written b some half!edu"ated <ossa"k. 8he brigand de"lared to us his intention of mar"hing
dire"tl upon our fortress, in#iting the <ossa"ks and soldiers to @oin him, and ad#ising the "hiefs
not to resist, threatening, in that "ase, extremest torture. 8he pro"lamation was written in #ulgar
but energeti" terms, and must ha#e produ"ed an impression upon simple!minded people.
(What a ras"alB( ex"laimed the <aptain&s wife. (Gust see what he proposes. 8o go out and meet
him and la our flags at his feet. AhB the son of a dogB *e does not know that we ha#e been fort
ears in ser#i"e, and that, thank 'od, we ha#e seen all sorts of militar life. 4s it possible to find
a <ommandant "owardl enough to obe this robberE(
(4t ought not to be,( replied the <aptain, (but it is said that the #illain has taken possession of
se#eral fortress.(
(4t appears he is Auite strong,( said Alexis.
(We shall instantl know his real for"e,( "ontinued the <ommandant9 (%asilia, gi#e me the ke
of the garret. 4gnatius, bring the %ashkir here, and tell =oula" to bring the rods.(
29
(Wait a little, m dear,( said the <ommandant&s wife, lea#ing her seat9 (let me take ,arie out of
the house, or else she will hear the s"reams and be frightened. And, to tell the truth, 4 am, mself,
not #er "urious about su"h in#estigations. -ntil 4 see ou again, adieu.(
8orture was then so rooted in the "ustoms of @usti"e, that the humane -kase of <atherine 44, who
had ordered its abolition, remained long without effe"t. 4t was thought that the "onfession of the
a""used was indispensable to his "ondemnation, an idea not onl unreasonable, but "ontrar to
the most simple good sense in matters of @urispruden"e9 for if the denial of the a""used is not
a""epted as proof of his inno"en"e, the "onfession whi"h is torn from him b torture ought to
ser#e still less as proof of his guilt. 6#en now 4 sometimes hear old @udges regret the abolition of
this barbarous "ustom. %ut in the time of our stor no one doubted the ne"essit of torture,
neither the @udges nor the a""used themsel#es. 7or this reason the <aptain&s order did not
astonish an of us. 4gnatius went for the %ashkir, and a few minutes later he was brought to the
waiting!room. 8he <ommandant ordered him into the "oun"il!room where we were.
8he %ashkir "rossed the threshold with diffi"ult, for his feet were sha"kled. *e took off his high
<ossa"k "ap and stood near the door. 4 looked at him and shuddered, in#oluntaril. 3e#er shall 4
forget that man9 he seemed at least se#ent ears of age, and had neither nose nor ears. *is head
was sha#ed9 a few sparse gra hairs took the pla"e of beard. *e was small of stature, thin and
bent9 but his 8artar ees still sparkled.
(6hB ehB( said the <ommandant, who re"ogniCed b these terrible signs one of the rebels
punished in 17J1. (Fou are an old wolf, 4 see9 ou ha#e alread been "aught in our snares. 8his
is not our first offense, for our head is so well planed off.(
8he old %ashkir was silent, and looked at the <ommandant with an air of "omplete imbe"ilit.
(WellB wh are ou silentE( "ontinued the <aptain9 (do ou not understand RussianE =oula", ask
him, in our tongue, who sent him into our fortress.(
8he ;almouk repeated in the 8artar language the <aptain&s Auestion. %ut the %ashkir looked at
him with the same expression and without answering a word.
(4 will make ou answer,( ex"laimed the <aptain, with a 8artar oath. (<ome, take off his striped
dressing!gown, his fool&s garment, and s"ourge him well.(
8wo pensioners "ommen"ed to remo#e the "lothing from the shoulders of the old man. 8hen,
sore distress was #i#idl depi"ted on the fa"e of the unfortunate man. *e looked on all sides, like
a poor little animal "aught b "hildren. %ut when one of the pensioners seiCed his hands to turn
them around his ne"k and lift up the old man on his shoulders9 when =oula" took the rods and
raised his hand to strike, then the %ashkir uttered a low, but penetrating moan, and raising his
head, opened his mouth, where, in pla"e of a tongue, mo#ed a short stumpB
We were still debating, when %asilia rushed breathlessl into the room with a terrified air. (What
has happened to ouE( asked the <ommandant, surprised.
(,isfortuneB misfortuneB( replied she. (A fort was taken this morning9 7ather 'arasim&s bo has
@ust returned. *e saw how it was "aptured. 8he <ommandant and all the offi"ers are hanged, all
the soldiers made prisoners, and the rebels are "oming here.(
3
8his unexpe"ted news made a deep impression on me, for 4 knew the <ommandant of that
fortress. 8wo months ago, the oung man, tra#eling with his bride "oming from )renbourg, had
paid a #isit to <aptain ,ironoff. 8he fort he "ommanded was onl twent!fi#e #ersts from ours,
so that from hour to hour we might expe"t an atta"k from Pougat"heff.
, imagination pi"tured the fate of ,arie, and 4 trembled for her.
($isten, <aptain ,ironoff,( said 4 to the <ommandant, (our dut is to defend the fortress to our
last breath9 that is understood, but the safet of the women must be thought of9 send them to a
more distant fortress,?to )renbourg, if the route be still open.(
,ironoff turned to his wife. (Fou see m dearB indeed it would be well to send ou somewhere
farther off until we shall ha#e defeated the rebels.(
(What nonsenseB( replied she. (Where is the fortress that balls ha#e not rea"hedE 4n what respe"t
is our fortress unsafeE 8hank 'od, we ha#e li#ed here twent and one ears. We ha#e seen
%ashkirs and ;irghis9 Pougat"heff "an not be worse than the.(
(, dear, sta if ou will, sin"e our faith is so great in our fortress. %ut what shall we do with
,arieE 4t will be all well if we "an keep off the robber, or if help rea"h us in time. 4f the fortress,
howe#er, be taken?(
%asilia "ould onl stammer a few words, and was silent, "hoked b her feelings.
(3o, %asilia,( "ontinued the <ommandant, who remarked that his words made a deep impression
on his wife, perhaps for the first time in his life, (it is not ad#isable that ,arie sta here. $et us
send her to )renbourg, to her god!mother&s. 8hat is a well!manned fortress, with stone walls and
plent of "annon. 4 would ad#ise ou to go there ourself9 think what might happen to ou were
our fortress to be taken b assault.(
(WellB wellB let us send ,arie awa,( said the <aptain&s wife, (but do not dream of asking me to
go, for 4 will do nothing of the kind. 4t is not be"oming, in m old age, to separate mself from
thee and seek a solitar gra#e in a strange pla"e. We ha#e li#ed together9 let us die together.(
(Fou are right,( said the <ommandant. ('o, and eAuip ,arie9 there is no time to lose9 tomorrow,
at the dawn of da, she shall set out9 she must ha#e a "on#o, though indeed there is no one to
spare. Where is sheE(
(She is at A""oulina&s,( said his wife. (She fainted upon hearing that the fortress had been taken.(
%asilia went to prepare for her daughter&s departure. 8he dis"ussion still "ontinued at the
<ommandant&s, but 4 took no further part in it. ,arie reappeared at supper with ees red from
tears. We supped in silen"e and rose from the table sooner than usual. *a#ing bade the famil
good night, ea"h one sought his room. 4 forgot m sword, on purpose, and went ba"k for it9 4
anti"ipated finding ,arie alone. 4n truth she met me at the door and ga#e me m sword.
(Adieu, Peter,( she said, weeping, (the send me to )renbourg. %e happ. Perhaps 'od will
permit us to meet again9 if not?(
She burst into tears. 4 folded her in m arms.
31
(Adieu, m angelB( 4 said, (adieu m "herished, m belo#ed9 what e#er happens, be sure that m
last thought, m last praer, will be for thee.( $eaning of m breast, ,arie wept. 4 kissed her and
rushed out.
)II. THE ASSA'LT.
4 "ould not sleep during the night, and did not e#en undress. 4 intended to be at the fortress gates
at da!dawn to see ,arie set out, and bid her a last adieu. 4 was "ompletel "hanged. 6x"itement
was less painful than m former melan"hol, for with the grief of separation there mingled #ague
but se"ret hope, impatient expe"tation of danger, and a high ambition. 3ight passed Aui"kl. 4
was on the point of going out, when m door opened, and the <orporal entered, saing that our
<ossa"ks had deserted the fortress during the night, for"ing with them =oula", the <hristian
;almouk, and that all around our ramparts, unknown people were riding. 8he idea that ,arie
had not been able to get off, froCe me with terror. 4 ga#e, in haste, a few instru"tions to the
<orporal, and ran to the <ommandant&s.
5a was breaking. 4 was going down the street swiftl when 4 heard m name "alled. 4 stopped.
(Where are ou going, dare 4 askE( said 4gnatius, "at"hing up with me9 (the <aptain is on the
rampart and sends me for ou. Pougat"heff is here.(
(4s ,arie goneE( 4 said, shuddering.
(She was not read in time9 "ommuni"ation with )renbourg is "ut off9 the fortress is surrounded.
Peter, this is bad work.(
We went to the rampart?a small height formed b nature and fortified b a palisade. 8he
garrison was there under arms. 8he "annon had been dragged there the e#ening before. 8he
<ommandant was walking up and down before his little troop?the approa"h of danger had
restored to the old warrior extraordinar #igor. )n the steppe, not far from the fortress, there
were some twent horsemen, who looked like <ossa"ks9 but amongst them were a few %ashkirs,
easil re"ogniCed b their "aps and Aui#ers. 8he <ommandant passed before the ranks of his
small arm and said to the soldiersD (<ome, bos, let us fight toda for our mother the 6mpress,
and show the world that we are bra#e men and faithful to our oath.(
8he soldiers, with loud shouts, testified their good will. Alexis was standing b me examining
the enem. 8he people on the steppe, seeing, no doubt, some mo#ement in our fort, "olle"ted in
groups and spoke amongst themsel#es. 8he <ommandant ordered 4gnatius to point the "annon
upon them, he himself appling the light. 8he ball whistled o#er their heads without doing them
an harm. 8he horsemen dispersed at on"e, setting off on a gallop, and the steppe be"ame
deserted. At this moment %asilia appeared on the rampart, followed b ,arie, who would not
lea#e her.
(Well,( said the <aptain&s wife, (how is the battle goingE Where is the enemE(
32
(8he enem is not far off,( replied 4#an, (but if 'od wills it, all will be well9 and thou, ,arie, art
thou afraidE(
(3o, papa,( said ,arie, (4 am more afraid b mself in the house.( She glan"ed at me, and tried
to smile. 4 pressed m sword, remembering that 4 had re"ei#ed it from her on the pre"eding e#e,
as if for her defense. , heart was on fire. 4 fan"ied mself her knight, and longed to pro#e
mself worth of her trust. 4 awaited the de"isi#e moment impatientl.
Suddenl "oming from behind a hill, eight #ersts from the fortress, appeared new groups of
horsemen, and soon the whole steppe was "o#ered b men armed with lan"es and arrows.
Amongst them, wearing a s"arlet "afetan, sword in hand, "ould be distinguished a man mounted
on a white horse. 8his was Pougat"heff himself. *e halted, was surrounded b his followers, and
#er soon, probabl b his orders, four men left the "rowd and galloped to our ramparts. We
re"ogniCed among them our traitors. )ne of them raised a sheet of paper abo#e his "ap and
another "arried on the point of his lan"e =oula"&s head, whi"h he threw to us o#er the palisade.
8he poor ;almouk&s head rolled at the feet of the <ommandant.
8he traitors shouted to usD (5o not fire, "ome out and re"ei#e the <Car. 8he <Car is here.(
(7ireB( shouted the <aptain as sole repl.
8he soldiers dis"harged their pie"es. 8he <ossa"k who held the letter, tottered and fell from his
horse9 the others fled. 4 glan"ed at ,arie. Petrified b horror at the sight of the ;almouk&s head,
diCC from the noise of the dis"harge, she seemed lifeless. 8he <ommandant ordered the
<orporal to take the letter from the hand of the dead <ossa"k. 4gnatius sallied out and returned,
leading b the bridle the man&s horse. *e ga#e the letter to 4#an, who read it in a low #oi"e and
tore it up. ,eantime the rebels were preparing for an atta"k. Her soon balls whistled about our
ears, and arrows fell around us, buried deep in the ground.
(%asilia,( said the <aptain, (women ha#e nothing to do here9 take awa ,arie9 ou see the "hild
is more dead than ali#e.( %asilia, whom the sound of the balls had rendered more ielding,
glan"ed at the steppe where mu"h mo#ement was #isible, and saidD (4#an, life and death are from
'od9 bless ,arie9 "ome, "hild, to th father.(
Pale and trembling, ,arie "ame and knelt, bending low before him. 8he old <ommandant made
three times the sign of the "ross o#er her, then raising, kissed her, and said in a broken #oi"eD
()hB m dear ,arieB pra to 'od, he will ne#er abandon thee. 4f an honest man seek thee, ma
'od gi#e ou both lo#e and goodness. $i#e together as we ha#e li#ed9 m wife and 4. AdieuB m
dear ,arieB %asilia, take her awa Aui"kl.(
,arie put her arms around his ne"k and sobbed. 8he <aptain&s wife, in tears, saidD (6mbra"e us
also9 adieu, 4#an9 if e#er 4 ha#e "rossed ou, forgi#e me.(
(AdieuB adieuB m dear,( said the <ommandant, kissing his old "ompanion. (<omeB enoughB go
to the house, and if ou ha#e time dress ,arie in her best9 let her wear a sarafan, embroidered in
gold, as is our "ustom for burial.(
4#an ,ironoff returned to us, and fixed all his attention upon the enem. 8he rebels "olle"ted
around their "hief and suddenl began to ad#an"e. (%e firm, bos,( said the <ommandant, (the
assault begins.( At that instant sa#age war!"ries were heard. 8he rebels were approa"hing the
33
fortress with their a""ustomed fleetness. )ur "annon was "harged with grape and "anister. 8he
<ommandant let them "ome within short range, and again put a light to his pie"e. 8he shot stru"k
in the midst of the for"e, whi"h s"attered in e#er dire"tion. )nl their "hief remained in
ad#an"e, and he, wa#ing his sabre, seemed to be ralling them. 8heir pier"ing shouts, whi"h had
"eased an instant, redoubled again. (3ow, "hildren,( ordered the <aptain, (open the gate, beat the
drum, and ad#an"eB 7ollow me, for a sortieB(
8he <aptain, 4gnatius and 4 were in an instant beond the parapet. %ut the frightened garrison
had not mo#ed from the sAuare. (What are ou doing, m "hildrenE( shouted the <aptain9 (if we
must die, let us die9 the imperial ser#i"e demands itB(
At this moment the rebels fell upon us, and for"ed the entran"e to the "itadel. 8he drum was
silent9 the garrison threw down their arms. 4 had been kno"ked down, but 4 rose and entered, pell!
mell, with the "rowds into the fortress. 4 saw the <ommandant wounded on the head, and "losed
upon b a small troop of bandits, who demanded the kes. 4 was running to his aid when se#eral
powerful <ossa"ks seiCed me and bound me with their long sashes, "ring outD (Wait there,
traitor to the <Car, till we know what to do with ou.(
We were dragged along the streets. 8he inhabitants "ame out of their houses offering bread and
salt. 8he bells were rung. Suddenl, shouts announ"ed that the <Car was on the sAuare, awaiting
to re"ei#e the oaths of the prisoners.
Pougat"heff was seated in an arm!"hair on the steps of the <ommandant&s house. *e was robed
in an elegant <ossa"k "afetan embroidered on the seams. A high "ap of martin!skin, ornamented
with gold tassels, "o#ered his brow almost to his flashing ees. *is fa"e seemed to me not
unknown. <ossa"k "hiefs surrounded him. 7ather 'arasim, pale and trembling, stood, the "ross
in his hand, at the foot of the steps, and seemed to suppli"ate in silen"e for the #i"tims brought
before him.
)n the sAuare itself, a gallows was hastil ere"ted. When we approa"hed, the %ashkirs opened a
passage through the "rowd and presented us to Pougat"heff. 8he bells "eased9 the deepest silen"e
pre#ailed. (Whi"h is the <ommandantE( asked the usurper. )ur <orporal "ame out of the "rowd
and pointed to ,ironoff. Pougat"heff looked at the old man with a terrible expression, and said
to himD (*ow did ou dare to oppose me, our emperorE(
8he <ommandant, weakened b his wound, "olle"ted all his energ, and said, in a firm but faint
#oi"eD (Fou are not m emperor9 ou are a usurper and a brigand.(
Pougat"heff frowned and raised his white handker"hief. 4mmediatel the old <aptain was seiCed
b <ossa"ks and dragged to the gibbet. Astride the "ross!beam of the gallows, sat the mutilated
%ashkirs who we had Auestioned9 he held a rope in his hand, and 4 saw, an instant after, poor
4#an ,ironoff suspended in the air. 8hen 4gnatius was brought up before Pougat"heff.
(8ake the oath to the emperor, Peter 7edoro#it"h.(
(Fou are not our emperor,( replied the $ieutenant, repeating his <aptain&s words, (ou are a
brigand and a usurper.(
Pougat"heff again made a signal with his handker"hief, and the kind 4gnatius hung beside his
an"ient "hief. 4t was m turn. 4 looked boldl at Pougat"heff, preparing to repeat the words of m
34
bra#e "omrades, when to m inexpressible astonishment 4 saw Alexis amongst the rebels. *e had
had time to "ut his hair round, and ex"hange his uniform for a <ossa"k "afetan. *e approa"hed
Pougat"heff and whispered to him. ($et him be hung,( said Pougat"heff, not deigning to look at
me. A rope was put around m ne"k. 4 uttered a praer to 'od in a low #oi"e, expressing sin"ere
repentan"e for m sins, and imploring him to sa#e all those dear to m heart. 4 was led beneath
the gibbet. A shout was heard, (StopB StopB( 8he exe"utioners paused. 4 looked. Sa#eliit"h was
kneeling at Pougat"heff&s feet. () m lord and master,( said m dear old serf, (what do ou want
with that nobleman&s "hildE Set him free, ou will get a good ransom for his life9 but for an
example, and to frighten the rest, "ommand that 4, an old man, shall be hung.(
Pougat"heff made a sign. 8he unbound me at on"e. ()ur emperor pardons ou,( the said. At
the moment 4 did not know that m deli#eran"e was a "ause for @o or for sorrow. , mind was
too "onfused. 4 was taken again before the usurper and made to kneel at his feet. Pougat"heff
offered me his mus"ular hand. (;iss his handB ;iss his handB( "ried out all around me. %ut 4
would ha#e preferred the most atro"ious torture to a degradation so infamous. (, dear Peter,(
whispered Sa#eliit"h, who was standing behind me, (do not pla the obstinate9 what does it "ostE
;iss the brigand&s hand.(
4 did not mo#e. Pougat"heff drew ba"k his handD (*is lordship is stupefied with @o9 raise him
up,( said he. 4 was at libert. 8hen 4 witnessed the "ontinuation of the infamous "omed.
8he inhabitants began to take the oath. 8he went one b one to kiss the "ross and salute the
usurper. After them "ame the garrison soldiers. 8he "ompan&s tailor, armed with his great blunt!
pointed shears, "ut off their Aueues9 the shook their heads and kissed the hand of Pougat"heff,
who de"lared them pardoned and re"ei#ed into his troops. 8his lasted for nearl three hours. At
last Pougat"heff rose from his arm!"hair and went down the steps, followed b his "hiefs. A
white horse ri"hl "aparisoned was led to him9 tow <ossa"ks helped him into the saddle. *e
signified to 7ather 'arasim that he would dine with him. At this moment wild heart!rending
shrieks from a woman filled the air. %asilia, without her mantle, her hair in disorder, was
dragged out on the steps9 one the brigands had on her mantle9 the others were "arring awa her
"hests, her linen, and other household goods. () good men,( she "ried, (let me go, take me to
4#an ,ironoff.( Suddenl she saw the gibbet and re"ogniCed her husband. (Wret"hes,( she "ried,
(What ha#e ou doneE ) m light, 4#anB %ra#e soldierB no Prussian ball, nor 8urkish sabre killed
thee, but a #ile "ondemned deserter.(
(Silen"e that old sor"eress,( said Pougat"heff.
A oung <ossa"k stru"k her with his sabre on the head. She fell dead at the foot of the steps.
Pougat"heff rode off, all the people following.
)III. THE '"E*PE!TE( )ISIT.
4 stood in the #a"ant sAuare, unable to "olle"t m thoughts, disturbed b so man terrible
emotions. -n"ertaint about ,arie&s fate tortured me. Where is sheE 4s she "on"ealedE 4s her
35
retreat safeE 4 went to the <ommandant&s house. 4t was in frightful disorder9 the "hairs, tables,
presses had been burned up and the dishes were in fragments. 4 rushed up the little stairs leading
to ,arie&s room, whi"h 4 entered for the first time in m life. A lamp still burned before the
shrine whi"h had en"losed the sa"red ob@e"ts re#ered b all true belie#ers. 8he "lothes!press was
empt, the bed broke up. 8he robbers had not taken the little mirror hanging between the door
and the window. What had be"ome of the mistress of this simple, #irginal abodeE A terrible
thought flashed through m mind. ,arie in hands of the brigandsB , heart was torn, and 4 "ried
aloudD (,arieB ,arieB( 4 heard a rustle. Pola""a, Auite pale, "ame from her hiding!pla"e behind
the "lothes!press.
(AhB Peter,( said she, "lasping her hands, (what a daB what horrorsB(
(,arieE( 4 asked impatientl, (,arie?where is sheE(
(8he oung lad is ali#e,( said the maid, ("on"ealed at A""oulina&s, at the house of the 'reek
priest.(
('reat 'odB( 4 "ried, with terror, (Pougat"heff is thereB(
4 rushed out of the room, made a bound into the street and ran wildl to the priest&s house. 4t was
ringing with songs, shouts and laughter. Pougat"heff was at table there with his men. Pola""a had
followed me9 4 sent her in to "all out A""oulina se"retl. A""oulina "ame into the waiting!room,
an empt bottle in her hand.
(4n the name of hea#en, where is ,arieE( 4 asked with agitation.
(8he little do#e is ling on m bed behind the partition. )hB Peter, what danger we ha#e @ust
es"apedB 8he ras"al had s"ar"el seated himself at table than the poor thing moaned. 4 thought 4
should die of fright. *e heard her. &Who is moaning in our room, old womanE& &, nie"e, <Car.&
&$et me see our nie"e, old woman.& 4 saluted him humbl9 &, nie"e, <Car, has not strength to
"ome before our gra"e.& &8hen 4 will go and see her.& And will ou belie#e it, he drew the
"urtains and looked at our do#e, with his hawk&s eesB 8he "hild did not re"ogniCe him. Poor
4#an ,ironoffB %asiliaB Wh was 4gnatius taken, and ou sparedE What do ou think of AlexisE
*e has "ut his hair and now hobnobs with them in there. When 4 spoke of m si"k nie"e he
looked at me as if he would run me through with his knife. %ut he said nothing, and we must be
thankful for that.(
8he drunken shouts of the guests, and the #oi"e of 7ather 'arasim now resounded together9 the
brigands wanted more wine, and A""oulina was needed. ('o ba"k to our house, Peter,( said
she, (woe to ou, if ou fall into his handsB(
She went to ser#e her guests9 4, somewhat Auieted, returned to m room. <rossing the sAuare, 4
saw some %ashkirs stealing the boots from the bodies of the dead. 4 restrained m useless anger.
8he brigands had been through the fortress and had pillaged the offi"ers& houses.
4 rea"hed m lodging. Sa#eliit"h met me at the threshold. (8hank 'odB( he "ried. (AhB master,
the ras"als ha#e taken e#erthing9 but what matter, sin"e the did not take our life. 5id ou not
re"ogniCe their "hief, masterE(
(3o, 4 did not9 who is heE(
36
(What, m dear bo, ha#e ou forgotten the drunkard who "heated ou out of the touloup the
da of the snow!drift?a hare!skin touloupE?the ras"al burst all the seams putting it on.(
, ees were opened. 8he resemblan"e between the guide and Pougat"heff was striking. 4 now
understood the pardon a""orded me. 4 re"alled with gratitude the lu"k in"ident. A outh&s
touloup gi#en to a #agabond had sa#ed m ne"k9 and this drunkard, "apturing fortress, had
shaken the #er empire.
(Will ou not deign to eat somethingE( said Sa#eliit"h, true to his instin"ts9 (there is nothing in
the house, it is true, but 4 will find something and prepare it for ou.(
$eft alone, 4 began to refle"t that not to lea#e the fortress, now sub@e"t to the brigand, or to @oin
his troops, would be unworth of an offi"er. 5ut reAuired me to go and present mself where 4
"ould still be useful to m "ountr. %ut lo#e "ounseled me, with no less for"e, to sta near ,arie,
to be her prote"tor and "hampion. Although 4 foresaw a near and ine#itable "hange in the mar"h
of e#ents, still 4 "ould not, without trembling, "ontemplate the danger of her position.
, refle"tions were interrupted b the entran"e of a <ossa"k, who "ame to announ"e that the
(great <Car( "alled me to his presen"e. (Where is heE( 4 asked, preparing to obe. (4n the
"ommandant&s house,( replied the <ossa"k. (After dinner the <Car went to the #apor baths. 4t
must be "onfessed that all his was are imperialB *e "an do more than others9 at dinner he
deigned to eat two roast milk!pigs9 afterward at the bath he endured the highest degree of heat9
e#en the attendant "ould not stand it9 he handed the brush to another and was restored to
"ons"iousness onl b the appli"ation of "old water. 4t is said that in the bath, the marks of the
true <Car were plainl seen on his breast?a pi"ture of his own fa"e and a double!headed eagle.(
4 did not think it ne"essar to "ontradi"t the <ossa"k, and 4 followed him to the <ommandant&s,
tring to fan" in ad#an"e m inter#iew with Pougat"heff, and its result. 8he reader ma imagine
that 4 was not Auite at ease. 3ight was falling as 4 rea"hed the house. 8he gibbet with its #i"tims
still stood, bla"k and terrible. 8he poor bod of our good %asilia was ling under the steps, near
whi"h two <ossa"ks mounted guard. *e who had brought me, entered to announ"e m arri#al9
he returned at on"e, and led me to the room where the e#ening before 4 had taken lea#e of ,arie.
At a table "o#ered with a "loth, and laden with bottles and glasses, sat Pougat"heff, surrounded
b some ten <ossa"k "hiefs in "olored "aps and shirts, with flushed fa"es and sparkling ees, the
effe"t, no doubt, of the wine!"up.
4 saw neither of our traitors, Alexis or the <orporal, amongst them.
(AhB our lordship, it is ouE( said their "hief, on seeing me. (%e wel"omeB *onor and pla"e at
the tableB(
8he guests drew "loser together. 4 took a pla"e at the end of the table. , neighbor, a oung
<ossa"k of slender form and handsome fa"e, poured out a bumper of brand for me. 4 did not
taste it. 4 was bus "onsidering the assembl. Pougat"heff was seated in the pla"e of honor,
elbow on table, his hea#, bla"k beard resting upon his mus"ular hand. *is features, regular and
handsome, had no fero"ious expression. *e often spoke to a man of some fift ears, "alling him
now <ount, again -n"le. All treated ea"h other as "omrades, showing no #er marked deferen"e
for their "hief. 8he talked of the assault that morning9 of the re#olt, its su""ess, and of their next
operations. 6a"h one boasted of his prowess, ga#e his opinions, and freel "ontradi"ted
37
Pougat"heff. 4n this strange "oun"il of war, the resol#ed to mar"h upon )renbourg, a bold
mo#e, but @ustified b pre#ious su""esses. 8he departure was fixed for the next da. 6a"h one
drank another bumper, and rising, took lea#e of Pougat"heff. 4 wished to follow them, but the
brigand saidD (Wait, 4 want to speak to ou.(
Pougat"heff looked at me fixedl in silen"e for a few se"onds, winking his left ee with the most
"unning, mo"king expression. At last he burst into a long peal of laughter, so heart, that 4, @ust
from seeing him, began to laugh, without knowing wh.
(Well, m lord,( said he, ("onfess that ou were frightened, when m bos put the rope around
our ne"kE 8he sk must ha#e seemed to ou then as big as a sheep!skin. And if not for our
ser#ant, ou would ha#e been swinging up there from the "ross!beam9 but at that #er instant 4
re"ogniCed the old owl. Would ou ha#e thought that the man who led ou to a shelter on the
steppe was the great <Car himselfE( Saing these words, he assumed a gra#e and msterious air.
(Fou ha#e been #er guilt,( "ontinued he, (but 4 ha#e pardoned ou, for ha#ing done me a
kindness, when 4 was obliged to hide from m enemies. 4 shall load ou with fa#ors, when 4 shall
ha#e regained m empire. 5o ou promise to ser#e me with CealE(
8he bandit&s Auestion and impuden"e made me smile.
(Wh do ou laughE( said he, frowning, (do ou not belie#e that 4 am the great <CarE Answer
frankl.(
4 was troubled. 4 "ould not re"ogniCe a #agabond as the emperor9 to "all him an impostor to his
fa"e was to doom mself to death9 and the sa"rifi"e whi"h 4 was read to make under the gibbet
that morning, before all the people, in the first flush of indignation, seemed now a useless
bra#ado. Pougat"heff awaited m answer in fier"e silen"e. At last K4 still remember with
satisfa"tion that dut triumphed o#er human weaknessL 4 replied to Pougat"heff.
(4 will tell ou the truth and let ou de"ide. Should 4 re"ogniCe ou as the <Car, as ou are a man
of intelligen"e, ou would see that 4 am ling.(
(8hen who am 4E in our opinion.(
('od knows, but whoe#er ou are, ou are plaing a dangerous game.(
Pougat"heff ga#e me a sharp, Aui"k glan"e. (Fou do not belie#e that 4 am the emperor, Peter 444E
%e it so. *a#e not bold men su""eeded before me and obtained the "rownE 8hink what ou
please about me, but sta with me. What matters it whom ou ser#eE Su""ess is right. Ser#e
under me, and 4 will make ou a field!marshal, a prin"e. What sa ouE(
(3o,( said 4. (4 am a nobleman. 4 ha#e taken an oath to her ma@est, the 6mpress9 4 "an not ser#e
with ou. 4f trul ou wish me well, send me to )renbourg.(
Pougat"heff refle"ted. (4f 4 send ou there, ou will, at least, promise not to bear arms against
meE(
(*ow "an 4 promise thatE 4f 4 am ordered to mar"h against ou, 4 must go. Fou are now a "hief9
ou desire our subordinates to obe ou. 3o, m life is in our hand9 if ou gi#e me libert,
thanks9 if ou put me to death, ma 'od @udge ou.(
38
, frankness pleased him. (%e it so,( said he, slapping me on the shoulders, (pardon or punish
to the end. Fou "an go the four Auarters of the world, and do as ou like. <ome tomorrow, and
bid me good!be. 3ow go to bed?4 reAuire rest mself.(
4 went out into the street. 8he night was "lear and "old9 the moon and stars shone out in all their
brightness, lighting up the sAuare and the gibbet. All was Auiet and dark in the rest of the
fortress. At the inn some lights were #isible, and belated drinkers broke the stillness b their
shouts. 4 glan"ed at A""oulina&s house9 the doors and windows were "losed, and all seemed
perfe"tl Auiet there. 4 went to m room, and found Sa#eliit"h deploring m absen"e. 4 told him
of m freedom. (8hanks to thee, ) 'odB( said he, making the sign of the "ross9 (tomorrow we
shall set out at dabreak. 4 ha#e prepared something for ou9 eat and then sleep till morning,
tranAuil as if in the bosom of the 'ood Shepherd.(
4 followed his ad#i"e, and after ha#ing supped, fell asleep on the bare floor, as fatigued in mind
as in bod.
I*. THE SEPARATI#".
8he drum awoke me earl the next morning. 4 went out on the sAuare. Pougat"heff&s troops were
there, falling into rank, around the gibbet, to whi"h still hung the #i"tims of esterda. 8he
<ossa"ks were mounted9 the infantr and artiller, with our single gun, were a""outred read for
the mar"h. 8he inhabitants were also assembled there awaiting the usurper. %efore the steps of
the <ommandant&s house a <ossa"k held b the bridle a magnifi"ent white horse. , ees
sought the bod of our good %asilia. 4t had been dragged aside and "o#ered with an old bark mat.
At last Pougat"heff "ame out on the steps, and saluted the "rowd. All heads were bared. )ne of
the "hiefs handed him a bag of "opper "oin, whi"h he threw b the handful among the people.
Per"ei#ing me in the "rowd, he signed to me to approa"h.
($isten,( said he, (go at on"e to )renbourg, and sa from me, to the 'o#ernor and all the
'enerals, that 4 shall be there in a week. <ounsel them to re"ei#e me with submission and filial
lo#e, otherwise the shall not es"ape the direst torture. A pleasant @ourne to ou.( 8he prin"ipal
followers of Pougat"heff surrounded him, Alexis amongst others. 8he usurper turned to the
people, and pointing to Alexis, saidD (%ehold our new <ommandant9 obe him in e#er thing9
he is responsible for ou and for the fortress.(
8he words made me shudder. What would be"ome of ,arieE Pougat"heff des"ended the steps
and #aulted Aui"kl into his saddle without the aid of his attendant <ossa"ks. At that moment
Sa#eliit"h "ame out of the "rowd, approa"hed the usurper, and presented him a sheet of paper.
(What is thisE( asked Pougat"heff, with dignit.
(Read, ou will deign to see,( replied the serf.
Pougat"heff examined the paper. (Fou write #er illegibl9 where is m Se"retarE(
39
A bo in "orporal&s uniform "ame running to the brigand. (Read aloud,( said he. 4 was "urious to
know for what purpose the old man had written to Pougat"heff. 8he Se"retar began to spell out
in a loud #oi"e what followsD
(8wo dressing!gowns, one in per"ale, the other in striped silk, six roubles.(
(What does this meanE( said Pougat"heff, frowning.
(<ommand him to read on,( replied Sa#eliit"h, with perfe"t "almness.
8he Se"retar "ontinuedD ()ne uniform in fine green "loth, se#en roubles9 one pair of white "loth
pantaloons, fi#e roubles9 twel#e shirts of *olland linen, with "uffs, ten roubles9 one "ase
"ontaining a tea!ser#i"e, two roubles.(
(What nonsense is thisE( said Pougat"heff.
(What ha#e 4 to do with tea!sets and *olland "uffsE(
Sa#eliit"h "oughed to "lear his #oi"e, and began to explainD (8hat, m lord, deign to understand,
is the bill of m master&s goods "arried off b the thie#es.(
(What thie#esE( asked Pougat"heff, with a terrible air.
(Pardon me,( said Sa#eliit"h. (8hie#esE 3o, the were not thie#es9 m tongue slipped9 et our
bos went through e#erthing and "arried off plent. 8hat "an not be denied. 5o not be angr.
8he horse has four legs and et he stumbles. <ommand that he read to the end.(
(Well, read,( said Pougat"heff.
()ne Persian blanket, one Auilt of wadded silk, four roubles9 one pelisse of fox!skin, "o#ered
with red ratine, fort roubles9 one small touloup of hare!skin left with our gra"e, on the steppe,
fifteen roubles.(
(WhatE( "ried Pougat"heff, with flashing ees.
4 must sa 4 feared for the old man, who was beginning new explanations, when the brigand
interrupted himD
(*ow dare ou anno me with these triflesE( said he, snat"hing the paper from the Se"retar and
throwing it in the old man&s fa"e. (Fou ha#e been despoiledB old foolB great harmB Fou ought to
thank 'od that ou are not hanging up there, with the other rebels, both ou and our master. 4&ll
gi#e ou a hare!skin touloupB 5o ou know that 4 will ha#e ou flaed ali#e, that touloups ma
be made of ouE(
(As ou please,( replied Sa#eliit"h9 (but 4 am not a free man, and 4 am responsible for m
master&s goods.(
Pougat"heff, who was e#identl plaing the magnanimous, turned his head and set off without a
word. Alexis and the other "hiefs followed him. 8he whole arm left the fortress in good order,
the people forming an es"ort. 4 staed alone on the sAuare with Sa#eliit"h, who held in his hand
the bill and "onsidered it with deep regret. 4 "ould not help laughing.
4
($augh, m lord, laugh, but when the household is to be furnished again, we shall see if it be a
laughing matter.(
4 went to learn of ,arie ,ironoff. A""oulina met me and told me a sad pie"e of news. 5uring
the night a burning fe#er had seiCed the poor girl. A""oulina took me into her "hamber. 8he
in#alid was delirious and did not re"ogniCe me. 4 was sho"ked b the "hange in her "ountenan"e.
8he position of this sorrowing orphan, without defenders, alarmed me as mu"h as m inabilit to
prote"t grie#ed me. Alexis, abo#e all, was to be feared. <hief, in#ested with the usurper&s
authorit, in the fortress with this unhapp girl, he was "apable of an "rime. What ought 4 to do
to deli#er herE 8o set out at on"e for )renbourg, to hasten the deli#eran"e of %elogorsk, and to
"o!operate in it, if possible. 4 took lea#e of 7ather 'arasim and A""oulina, re"ommending to
them ,arie, who 4 alread looked upon as m wife. 4 kissed the oung girl&s hand, and left the
room.
(Adieu, Peter 'rineff,( said A""oulina. (5o not forget us. 6x"ept ou, ,arie has no support or
"onsolation.( <hoked b emotion, 4 did not repl. )ut on the sAuare, 4 stopped an instant before
the gibbet. With bare head 4 re#erentl saluted the loal dead, and took the road to )renbourg,
a""ompanied b Sa#eliit"h, who would not abandon me. 8hus plunged in thought, 4 walked on.
*earing horses galloping behind me, 4 turned m head and saw a <ossa"k from the fortress
leading a horse, and making signs to me that 4 should wait. 4 re"ogniCed our <orporal. *a#ing
"aught up with us, he dismounted from his own horse, and gi#ing me the bridle of the other, saidD
()ur <Car makes ou a gift of a horse, and a pelisse from his own shoulder.( 8o the saddle was
tied a sheep!skin touloup. 4 put it on, mounted the horse, taking Sa#eliit"h up behind me. (Fou
see, m lord,( said m serf, (that m petition to the bandit was not uselessB And although this old
ha"k and this peasant&s touloup are not worth half what the ras"als stole, et the are better than
nothing. &A worthless dog ields e#en a handful of hair.&(
*. THE SIE%E.
Approa"hing )renbourg, we saw a "rowd of "on#i"ts, with sha#ed heads and fa"es disfigured b
the pin"ers of the publi" exe"utioner. At that time red!hot irons were applied to tear out the
nostrils of the "ondemned. 8he were working at the fortifi"ations of the pla"e under the
super#ision of the garrison pensioners. Some "arried awa in wheel!barrows the rubbish that
filled the dit"h, others threw up the earth, while masons were examining and repairing the walls.
8he sentr stopped us at the gate and asked for our passports. When the sergeant heard that we
were from %elogorsk he took me at on"e to the 'eneral, who was in his garden. 4 found him
examining the apple trees, whi"h autumnal winds had alread despoiled of their lea#es9 assisted
b an old gardener, he "o#ered them "arefull with straw. *is fa"e expressed "almness, good
humor and health. *e seemed #er glad to see me, and Auestioned me about the terrible e#ents 4
had witnessed. 8he old man heard me attenti#el, and whilst listening, "ut off the dead bran"hes.
41
(Poor ,ironoffB( said he, when 4 had finished m stor9 (it is a pit9 he was a bra#e offi"er9 and
,adame ,ironoff a kind lad, an expert in pi"kling mushrooms. What has be"ome of ,arie, the
<aptain&s daughterE(
(She is in the fortress, at the house of the 'reek priest.(
(AeB aeB aeB( ex"laimed the 'eneral. (8hat&s bad, #er bad9 for it is impossible to depend
upon the dis"ipline of brigands.(
4 obser#ed that the fortress of %elogorsk was not far off, and that probabl his 6x"ellen" would
send a deta"hment of troops to deli#er the poor inhabitants.
8he 'eneral shook his head, doubtfull. (We shall seeB we shall seeB there is plent of time to
talk about it9 "ome, 4 beg ou, to take tea with me. 8onight there will be a "oun"il of war9 ou
"an gi#e us some pre"ise information regarding this Pougat"heff and his arm. ,eantime, go and
rest.(
4 went to m allotted Auarters, where 4 found Sa#eliit"h alread installed. 4 awaited impatientl
the hour indi"ated, and the reader ma belie#e that 4 did not fail to be present at this "oun"il,
whi"h was to influen"e m whole life. 4 found at the 'eneral&s a "ustom!house offi"er, the
5ire"tor, as well as 4 "an remember a little old man, red!fa"ed and fat, wearing a robe of bla"k
watered silk. *e Auestioned me about the fate of the <aptain ,ironoff, whom he "alled his
"hum, and often interrupted me b sententious remarks, whi"h, if the did not pro#e him to be a
man well #ersed in war, showed his natural intelligen"e and shrewdness. 5uring this time other
guests arri#ed. When all had taken their pla"es, and to ea"h had been offered a "up of tea, the
'eneral "arefull stated the Auestions to be "onsidered.
(3ow, gentlemen,( said he, (we must de"ide what a"tion is to be taken against the rebels. Shall
we a"t offensi#el, or defensi#elE 6a"h of these was has its ad#antages and disad#antages.
)ffensi#e war presents more hope of a rapid extermination of the enem, but defensi#e war is
safer and offers fewer dangers. $et us then take the #ote in legal order9 that is, "onsult first the
oungest in rank. 6nsign,( "ontinued he, addressing me, (deign to gi#e our opinion.(
4 rose, and in a few words depi"ted Pougat"heff and his arm. 4 affirmed that the usurper was not
in a "ondition to resist dis"iplined for"es. , opinion was re"ei#ed b the "i#il ser#i"e emploes
with #isible dis"ontent. 8he saw nothing in it but the le#it of a oung man. A murmur arose,
and 4 heard distin"tl the word (hare!brained( murmured in a low #oi"e. 8he 'eneral turned to
me smiling, and saidD
(6nsign, the first #otes Kthe oungestL in war "oun"ils, are for offensi#e measures. 3ow let us
"ontinue to "olle"t the #otes. 8he <ollege 5ire"tor will gi#e us his opinion.(
8he little old man in bla"k silk, a <ollege 5ire"tor, as well as a "ustoms offi"er, swallowed his
third "up of tea, well dashed with a strong dose of rum, and hastened to speakD
(Four 6x"ellen",( said he, (4 think that we ought to a"t neither offensi#el nor defensi#el.(
(What&s that, sirE( said the 'eneral, stupefied9 (militar ta"ti"s present no other means9 we must
a"t either offensi#el or defensi#el.(
(Four 6x"ellen", a"t subornatively.(
42
(6hB ehB Four opinion is @udi"ious,( said the 'eneral9 (subornati#e a"ts?that is to sa, indire"t
a"ts?are also admitted b the s"ien"e of ta"ti"s, and we will profit b our "ounsel. We might
offer for the ras"al&s head se#ent or e#en a hundred roubles, to be taken out of the se"ret funds.(
(And then,( interrupted the man in silk, (ma 4 be a ;irghis ram, instead of a <ollege 5ire"tor, if
the thie#es do not bring their "hief to ou, "hained hand and foot.(
(We "an think about it,( said the 'eneral. (%ut let us, in an "ase, take some militar measures.
'entlemen, gi#e our #otes in legal order.(
All the opinions were "ontrar to mine. All agreed, that it was better to sta behind a strong stone
wall, prote"ted b "annon, than to tempt fortune in the open field. 7inall, when all the opinions
were known, the 'eneral shook the ashes from his pipe and pronoun"ed the following dis"ourseD
('entlemen, 4 am of the 6nsign&s opinion, for it is a""ording to the s"ien"e of militar ta"ti"s,
whi"h alwas prefers offensi#e mo#ements to defensi#e.( *e stopped and stuffed the toba""o
into his pipe. 4 glan"ed exultingl at the "i#il ser#i"e emploes, who, with dis"ontented looks,
were whispering to ea"h other.
(%ut, gentlemen,( "ontinued he, gi#ing out with a sigh a long puff of smoke, (4 dare not assume
the responsibilit. 4 go with the ma@orit, whi"h has de"ided that we await in this "it the
threatened siege, and repulse the enem b the power of artiller, and if possible, b well!
dire"ted sorties.(
8he "oun"il broke up. 4 "ould not but deplore the weakness of the worth soldier, who, "ontrar
to his own "on#i"tions, de"ided to follow the opinion of ignorant inexperien"e.
Some das after this famous "oun"il of war, Pougat"heff, true to his word, approa"hed
)renbourg. 7rom the top of the "it walls 4 made a re"onnaissan"e of the rebel arm. 4t seemed
to me that their number had in"reased ten!fold. 8he had more artiller, taken from the small
forts "aptured b Pougat"heff. Remembering our "oun"il, 4 foresaw a long "apti#it behind the
walls of )renbourg, and 4 was read to "r with "hagrin. 7ar from me the intention of des"ribing
the siege of )renbourg, whi"h belongs to histor and not to famil memoirs. Suffi"e it to sa,
that this siege was disastrous to the inhabitants, who had to suffer hunger and pri#ations of e#er
kind. $ife at )renbourg be"ame insupportable. 8he de"ision of fate was awaited with anguish.
7ood was s"ar"e9 bombshells fell upon the defenseless houses of "itiCens. 8he atta"ks of
Pougat"heff made #er little ex"itement. 4 was ding of ennui. 4 had promised A""oulina that 4
would "orrespond with her, but "ommuni"ation was "ut off, and 4 "ould not send or re"ei#e a
letter from %elogorsk. , onl pastime "onsisted in militar sorties. 8hanks to Pougat"heff 4 had
an ex"ellent horse, and 4 shared m meager pittan"e with it. 4 went out e#er da beond the
ramparts to skirmish with Pougat"heff&s ad#an"e guards. 8he rebels had the best of it9 the had
plent of food and were well mounted. )ur poor "a#alr were in no "ondition to oppose them.
Sometimes our half!star#ed infantr went into the field9 but the depth of the snow hindered them
from a"ting su""essfull against the fling "a#alr of the enem. 8he artiller #ainl thundered
from the ramparts, and in the field it "ould not ad#an"e, be"ause of the weakness of our
attenuated horses. 8his was our wa of making war9 this is what the "i#il ser#i"e emploes of
)renbourg "alled pruden"e and foresight.
43
)ne da when we had routed and dri#en before us Auite a large troop, 4 o#ertook a straggling
<ossa"k9 m 8urkish sabre was uplifted to strike him when he doffed his "ap and "ried outD
('ood da, Peter, how fares our healthE(
4 re"ogniCed our <orporal. 4 was delighted to see him.
('ood da, ,axim. *ow long sin"e ou left %elogorskE(
(3ot long, Peter. 4 "ame esterda. 4 ha#e a letter for ou.(
(Where is itE( 4 "ried, delighted.
(*ere,( replied ,axim, putting his hand in his bosom. (4 promised Pola""a to tr and gi#e it to
ou.( *e ga#e me a folded paper, and set off on a gallop. 4 read with agitation the following
linesD
(% the will of 'od 4 am depri#ed of m parents, and ex"ept ou, Peter, 4 know of no one who
"an prote"t me9 Alexis "ommands in pla"e of m late father. *e so terrified 7ather 'arasim that 4
was obliged to go and li#e at our house, where 4 am "ruell treated b Alexis. *e will for"e me
to be"ome his wife. *e sas he sa#ed m life b not betraing the tri"k of passing for the nie"e
of A""oulina. 4 "ould rather die than be his wife. 4 ha#e three das to a""ept his offer9 after that 4
need expe"t no mer" from him. ), PeterB entreat our 'eneral to send us help, and if possible,
"ome ourself. ,AR46 ,4R)3)77.(
8his letter nearl "raCed me. 4 rushed ba"k to the "it, not sparing the spur to m poor horse. A
thousand pro@e"ts flashed through m mind to res"ue her. Arri#ed in the "it, 4 hurried to the
'eneral&s and ran into his room. *e was walking up and down smoking his meers"haum. Seeing
me he stopped, alarmed at m abrupt entran"e.
(Four 6x"ellen", 4 "ome to ou, as to m own father9 do not refuse me9 the happiness of m life
depends upon it.(
(%ut what is itE( said the 'eneral9 (what "an 4 do for ouE(
(Four 6x"ellen", permit me to take a battalion of soldiers and half a hundred <ossa"ks, to go
and storm the fortress of %elogorsk.(
(Storm the fortressE( said the 'eneral.
(4 answer for the su""ess of the atta"k, onl let me go.(
(3o, oung man,( said he9 (at so great a distan"e the enem would easil "ut off all
"ommuni"ation with the prin"ipal strategi" point.(
4 was frightened b his militar wisdom, and hastened to interrupt himD (<aptain ,ironoff&s
daughter has written me, begging for relief. Alexis threatens to "ompel her to be his wifeB(
(AhB Alexis, traitorB 4f he fall into m hands 4 shall tr him in twent!four hours, and he shall be
shot on the gla"is of the fortressB meantime patien"e.(
(Patien"eB( 4 "ried9 (in the inter#al ,arie will be "ompelled to obe him.(
44
()h,( said the 'eneral, (that would not be a misfortune?it is better that she should be"ome the
wife of Alexis, who "an prote"t her. When we shall ha#e shot the traitor, then she will find a
better husband.(
(4 would rather die,( 4 said with fur, (than ield her to Alexis.(
(4 understand it all now,( said the old man. (Fou are, no doubt, in lo#e ourself with ,arie
,ironoff. 8hat&s another thing. Poor boB Still, 4 "an not gi#e ou a battalion and fift <ossa"ks.
8he thing is unreasonable.( 4 hung m head in despair. %ut 4 had a plan of m own.
*I. THE REBEL !AMP.
4 left the 'eneral and hastened to m Auarters. Sa#eliit"h re"ei#ed me with his usual
remonstran"eD (What pleasure, m lord, is there in fighting these drunken brigandsE 4f the were
8urks or Swedes, all right9 but these sons of dogs?(
4 interrupted himD (*ow mu"h mone ha#e 4 in allE(
(Fou ha#e plent,( said he with a satisfied air. (4 knew how to whisk it out of sight of the
rogues.( *e drew from his po"ket a long knitted purse full of sil#er "oin.
(Sa#eliit"h, gi#e me half of what ou ha#e there, and keep the rest for ourself. 4 am off for the
fortress of %elogorsk.(
()h, PeterB( said the old serf, (do ou not fear 'odE 8he roads are "ut off. *a#e pit on our
parents9 wait a little9 our troops will "ome and disperse the brigands, and then ou "an go to the
four Auarters of the world.(
(4t is too late to refle"t. 4 must go. 5o not grie#e, Sa#eliit"h9 4 make ou a present of that mone.
%u what ou need. 4f 4 do not return in three das?(
(, dear,( said the old man, (4 will go with ou, were it on foot. 4f ou go, 4 must first lose m
senses before 4 will sta "rou"hing behind stone walls.(
8here was ne#er an use disputing with the old man. 4n half an hour 4 was in the saddle,
Sa#eliit"h on an old, half!star#ed, limping rosinante, whi"h a "itiCen, not ha#ing fodder, had
gi#en for nothing to the serf. We rea"hed the "it gates9 the sentinels let us pass, and we were
finall out of )renbourg. 3ight was falling. , road la before the town of %erd, the
headAuarters of Pougat"heff. 8his road was blo"ked up and hidden b snow9 but a"ross the
steppe were tra"es of horses, renewed from da to da, apparentl, and "learl #isible. 4 was
going at a gallop, Sa#eliit"h "ould s"ar"el keep up and shouted, (3ot so fastB , nag "an not
follow ours.( Her soon we saw the lights of %erd. We were approa"hing deep ra#ines, whi"h
ser#ed as natural fortifi"ations to the town. Sa#eliit"h, without howe#er being left behind, ne#er
"eased his lamentations. 4 was in hopes of passing safel the enem&s pla"e, when 4 saw through
the darkness fi#e peasants armed with big sti"ks?Pougat"heff&s extreme outpost.
45
(Qui viveB Who goes thereE(
3ot knowing the wat"hword, 4 was for going on without answering. %ut one of them seiCed m
horse&s bridle. 4 drew m sabre and stru"k the peasant of the head. *is "ap sa#ed his life9 he
staggered and fell9 the others, frightened, let me pass. 8he darkness, whi"h was deepening, might
ha#e sa#ed me from further hindran"e9 when, looking ba"k, 4 saw that Sa#eliit"h was not with
me. What was 4 to doE 8he poor old man, with his lame horse, "ould not es"ape from the ras"als.
4 waited a minute9 then, sure that the must ha#e seiCed him, 4 turned m horse&s head to go and
aid him. Approa"hing the ra#ine 4 heard #oi"es, and re"ogniCed that of Sa#eliit"h. *astening m
steps, was soon within sight of the peasants. 8he had dismounted the old man, and were about
to garrote him. 8he rushed upon me9 in an instant 4 was on foot. 8heir "hief said 4 should be
"ondu"ted to the <Car. 4 made no resistan"e. We "rossed the ra#ine to enter the town, whi"h was
illuminated. 8he streets were "rowded and nois. We were taken to a hut on the "orner of two
streets. 8here were some barrels of wine and a "annon near the door. )ne of the peasants saidD
(*ere is the pala"e9 we will announ"e ou.( 4 glan"ed at Sa#eliit"h9 he was making signs of the
"ross, and praing. We waited a long time. At last the peasant re!appeared and saidD (8he <Car
orders the offi"ers to his presen"e.(
8he pala"e, as the peasant "alled it, was lighted b two tallow "andles. 8he walls were hung with
gold paper. %ut e#er thing else, the ben"hes, the table, the basin hung up b a "ord, the towel on
a nail in the wall, the shelf laden with earthen #essels, were exa"tl the same as in an other
"abin. Pougat"heff, wearing his s"arlet "afetan and high <ossa"k "ap, with his hand on his hip,
sat beneath the sa"red pi"tures "ommon to e#er Russian abode. Around him stood se#eral of his
"hiefs. 4 "ould see that the arri#al of an offi"er from )renbourg had awakened some "uriosit,
and that the had prepared to re"ei#e me with pomp. Pougat"heff re"ogniCed me at on"e, and his
assumed gra#it disappeared.
(AhB it is our lordshipB how are ouE What brings ou hereE(
4 replied that 4 was tra#eling about m pri#ate business, when his people arrested me.
(What businessE( asked he. 4 did not know what to answer. Pougat"heff thinking that 4 would not
speak before witnesses ga#e a sign to his "omrades to lea#e. All obeed ex"ept two. (Speak
before these,( said he9 ("on"eal nothing from them.(
4 glan"ed at these intimates of the usurper. )ne was an old man frail and bent, remarkable for
nothing but a blue riband "rossed o#er his "oarse gra "loth "afetan9 but 4 shall ne#er forget his
"ompanion. *e was tall, of powerful build, and seemed about fort!fi#e. A thi"k red beard,
pier"ing gra ees, a nose without nostrils, marks of the searing irons on his forehead and
"heeks, ga#e to his broad fa"e, pitted b small!pox a most fier"e expression. *e wore a red shirt,
a ;irghis robe, and wide <ossa"k pantaloons. Although wholl pre!o""upied b m own
feelings, et this "ompan deepl impressed me. Pougat"heff re"alled me to mself Aui"kl.
(What business brought ou from )renbourgE(
A bold idea suggested itself to m mind. 4t seemed to me that Pro#iden"e, leading me a se"ond
time before this robber, ga#e me the means of a""omplishing m work. 4 de"ided to seiCe the
"han"e, and without refle"ting on the step, 4 repliedD
(4 am on the wa to the fortress of %elogorsk to liberate an oppressed orphan there.(
46
Pougat"heff&s ees flashed. (Who dares to oppress an orphanE Were he se#en feet high, he shall
not es"ape m #engean"e. Speak, who is the guilt oneE(
(Alexis9 he holds in sla#er that same oung girl whom ou saw at 7ather 'arasim&s, and wants
to for"e her to marr him.(
(4 shall gi#e Alexis a lessonB 4&ll tea"h him to oppress m sub@e"ts. 4 shall hang him.(
(Permit me a word,( said the man without nostrils. (Fou were too hast gi#ing the "ommand to
Alexis. Fou offended the <ossa"ks b gi#ing them a noble as "hief9 do not offend the gentlemen
b hanging one of them on the first a""usation.(
(8here is no need to pardon nor pit,( said the man with the blue riband. (4t would be no harm to
hang Alexis, nor to Auestion this gentleman. Wh does he #isit usE 4f he does not a"knowledge
ou as <Car he has no @usti"e to get at our hands9 if he a"knowledge ou, wh did he sta at
)renbourg with our enemiesE Will ou not order him to prison, and ha#e a fire lighted thereE(
8he old ras"al&s logi" seemed plausible e#en to mself. 4 shuddered when 4 remembered into
whose hands 4 had fallen. Pougat"heff saw m trouble.
(6hB ehB our lordship,( said he, winking, (it seems m field!marshal is right. What do ou
thinkE(
8he @esting tone of the "hief restored m "ourage. 4 replied "alml that 4 was in his power.
(Well,( said Pougat"heff, (tell me now the "ondition of our "itE(
(4t is, thank 'od, in a good state.(
(A good "ondition,( repeated the brigand, (when the people are ding of hunger.(
8he usurper was right, but a""ording to the dut imposed b m oath, 4 affirmed that it was a
false report, and that the fort was suffi"ientl pro#isioned.
(Fou see he de"ei#es ou,( interrupted the man with the riband. (All the deserters are unanimous
in saing that famine and pestilen"e are at )renbourg9 that thistles are eaten as dainties there. 4f
ou wish to hang Alexis, hang on the same gibbet this oung fellow, that the ma be eAual.(
8hese words seemed to shake the "hief. *appil the other wret"h opposed this #iew.
(Silen"e,( said this powerful fellow. (Fou think of nothing but hanging and strangling. 4t
be"omes you to pla the hero. 8o look at ou, no one knows where our soul is.(
(And whi"h of the saints are ouE( replied the old man.
('enerals,( said Pougat"heff, with dignit, (an end to our Auarrels. 4t would be no great loss if
all the mang dogs from )renbourg were dangling their legs under the same "ross!beam9 but it
would be a misfortune if our own good dogs should bite ea"h other.(
7eeling the ne"essit of "hanging the "on#ersation, 4 turned to Pougat"heff with a smile, and
saidD
47
(AhB 4 forgot to thank ou for the horse and touloup. Without our aid 4 should not ha#e rea"hed
the "it. 4 would ha#e died from "old on the @ourne.( , tri"k su""eeded. Pougat"heff regained
his good humor.
(8he beaut of debt is the pament thereof,( said he, winking. (8ell me our stor. What ha#e
ou to do with the oung girl that Alexis perse"utesE *as she "aught our heart, tooE(
(She is m promised bride,( said 4, seeing no risk in speaking the truth.
(Four promised brideB Wh did ou not tell me soonerE We&ll marr ou, and be at our
wedding. $isten, 7ield!marshal,( said he. (We are old friends, his lordship and 4. $ets us go to
supper. 8omorrow we shall see what is to be done with him. 3ight brings wisdom, and the
morning is better than the e#ening.(
4 would gladl ha#e ex"used mself from proposed honor, but it was impossible. 8wo <ossa"ks
girls "o#ered the table with a white "loth, and brought bread, soup made of fish, and pit"hers of
wine and beer. 8hus, for the se"ond time, 4 was at table with Pougat"heff and his terrible
"ompanions. 8he orgie lasted far into the night. 5runkenness at last triumphed. Pougat"heff fell
asleep in his pla"e, and his "ompanions signed to me to lea#e him. 4 went out with them. 8he
sentr lo"ked me up in a dark hole, where 4 found Sa#eliit"h. *e was so surprised b all that he
saw and heard, that he asked no Auestions. $ing in darkness, he soon fell asleep.
8he next morning Pougat"heff sent for me. %efore his door stood a kibitka, with three horses
abreast. 8he street was "rowded. Pougat"heff, whom 4 met in the entr of his hut, was dressed
for a @ourne, in a pelisse and ;irghis "ap. *is guests of the pre#ious night surrounded him, and
wore a look of submission whi"h "ontrasted strongl with what 4 had seen on the pre"eding
e#ening. Pougat"heff bade me good!morning gail, and ordered me to sit beside him in the
kibitka. We took our pla"es.
(8o the fortress of %elogorsk,( said Pougat"heff to the robust 8artar, who, standing, dro#e his
horses. , heart beat #iolentl. 8he 8artar horses shot off, the bells tinkled, the kibitka flew o#er
the snow.
(StopB stopB( "ried a #oi"e 4 knew too well. () PeterB do not abandon me in m old age, in the
midst of the rob?(
(Ah, ou old owlB( said Pougat"heff, (sit up there in front.(
(8hanks, <Car, ma 'od gi#e ou a long life.(
8he horses set off again. 8he people in the streets stopped and bowed low, as the usurper passed.
Pougat"heff saluted right and left. 4n an instant we were out of the town, taking our wa o#er a
well!defined road. 4 was silent. Pougat"heff broke in upon m re#erie. (Wh so silent, m lordE(
said he.
(4 "an not help thinking,( said 4, (of the "hain of e#ents. 4 am an offi"er, noble, esterda at war
with ou9 toda 4 ride in the same "arriage with ou, and all the happiness of m life depends on
ou.(
(Are ou afraidE(
48
(Fou ha#e alread gi#en me m lifeB(
(Fou sa trul. Fou know how m fellows looked upon ou9 onl toda the wanted to tr ou
as a sp. 8he old one wanted to torture and then hang ou9 but 4 would not, be"ause 4
remembered our glass of wine and our touloup. 4 am not bloodthirst, as our friends sa.( 4
remembered the taking of our fortress, but 4 did not "ontradi"t him.
(What do the sa of me at )renbourgE(
(4t is said there, that ou will not be easil #anAuished. 4t must be "onfessed that ou ha#e gi#en
us some work.(
(Fes9 4 am a great warrior. 5o ou think the ;ing Prussia is as strong as 4E(
(What do ou think ourselfE <an ou beat 7rederi"kE(
(7rederi"k the 'reatE Wh notE Wait till 4 mar"h to ,os"owB(
(Fou reall intend to mar"h on ,os"owE(
('od knows,( said he, refle"ting9 (m road is narrow?m bos do not obe?the are thie#es?
4 must listen?keep m ears open9 at the first re#erse the would sa#e their own ne"ks b m
head.(
(Would it not be better,( 4 said, (to abandon them now, before it is too late, and ha#e re"ourse to
the "lemen" of the 6mpressE(
*e smiled bitterl. (3o9 the time is passed. 4 shall end as 4 began. Who knowsE(
)ur 8artar was humming a plainti#e air9 Sa#eliit"h, sound asleep, swaed from side to side9 our
kibitka was gliding rapidl o#er the winter road. 4 saw in the distan"e a #illage well known to m
ees, with its palisade and "hur"h spire on the steep bank of the ri#er 4aik. A Auarter of an hour
after we entered the fortress of %elogorsk.
*II. MARIE.
8he kibitka stopped before the <ommandant&s house. 8he inhabitants had re"ogniCed the
usurper&s bells and eAuipage, and had "ome out in "rowds to meet him. Alexis, dressed like a
<ossa"k, and bearded like one, helped the brigand to des"end from his kibitka. 8he sight of me
troubled him, but soon re"o#ering himself, he saidD (Fou are one of usE( 4 turned m head awa
without repling. , heart was wrung when we entered the room that 4 know so well, where still
upon the wall hung, like an epitaph, the diploma of the de"eased <ommandant. Pougat"heff
seated himself upon the same sofa where man a time 4#an ,ironoff had doCed to the hum of his
wife&s #oi"e. Alexis& own hand presented the brand to his "hief. Pougat"heff drank a glass and
said, pointing to meD ()ffer a glass to his lordship.( Alexis approa"hed me, and again 4 turned
m ba"k upon him. Pougat"heff asked him a few Auestions about the "ondition of the fortress,
49
and then, in an unpremeditated manner, saidD (8ell me, who is this oung girl that ou ha#e
under guardE(
Alexis be"ame pale as death. (<Car,( said he, a tremor in his #oi"e, (she is in her own room9 she
is not lo"ked up.(
(8ake me to her room,( said the usurper, rising.
*esitation was impossible. Alexis led the wa to ,arie&s room. 4 followed. )n the stairs Alexis
stoppedD (<Car, demand of me what ou will, but do not permit a stranger to enter m wife&s
room.(
(Fou are marriedE( 4 shouted, read to tear him to pie"es.
(Silen"eB( interrupted the brigand, (this is m business. And ou,( said he, turning to Alexis, (do
not be too offi"ious. Whether she be our wife or not, 4 shall take whom 4 please into her room.
Four lordship, follow me.(
At the door of the room Alexis stopped againD (<Car, she has had a fe#er these three das9 she is
delirious.(
()pen,( said Pougat"heff.
Alexis fumbled in his po"kets, and at last said that he had forgotten the ke. Pougat"heff ki"ked
the door9 the lo"k ielded, the door opened and we entered.
4 glan"ed into the room, and nearl fainted. )n the floor, in the "oarse dress of a peasant, ,arie
was seated, pale, thin, her hair in disorder9 before her on the floor stood a pit"her of water
"o#ered b a pie"e of bread. -pon seeing me, she started, and uttered a pier"ing shriek.
Pougat"heff glan"ed at Alexis, smiled bitterl, and saidD (Four hospital is in ni"e orderE(
(8ell me, m little do#e, wh does our husband punish ou in this waE(
(, husbandB he is not m husband. 4 am resol#ed to die rather than marr him9 and 4 shall die,
if not soon released.(
Pougat"heff ga#e a furious look at Alexis, and saidD (5o ou dare to de"ei#e me, kna#eE(
Alexis fell on his knees. <ontempt stifled all m feelings of hatred and #engean"e. 4 saw with
disgust, a gentleman kneeling at the feet of a <ossa"k deserter.
(4 pardon ou, this time,( said the brigand, (but remember, our next fault will re"all this one.(
*e turned to ,arie, and said, gentlD (<ome out, m prett girl, ou are free. 4 am the <CarB(
,arie looked at him, hid her fa"e in her hands and fell on the floor un"ons"ious. She had no
doubt di#ined that he had "aused her parents& death. 4 rushed to aid her, when m old
a"Auaintan"e, Pola""a, boldl entered, and hastened to re#i#e her mistress. Pougat"heff, Alexis
and 4 went down to the re"eption room.
(3ow, our lordship, we ha#e released the prett girl, what sa ouE Shall we not send for
7ather 'arasim, and ha#e him perform the marriage "eremon for his nie"eE 4f ou like, 4 will be
our father b prox, Alexis our groomsman9 then we&ll shut the gates and make merrB(
5
As 4 anti"ipated, Alexis, hearing this spee"h, lost his self!"ontrol.
(<Car,( said he, in a fur, (4 am guilt9 4 ha#e lied to ou, but 'rineff also de"ei#es ou. 8his
oung girl is not 7ather 'arasim&s nie"e. She is 4#an ,ironoff&s daughter.(
Pougat"heff glared at me. (What does that meanE( said he to me.
(Alexis sas trul,( 4 replied, firml.
(Fou did not tell me that,( said the usurper, whose fa"e darkened.
(Gudge of it ourself. <ould 4 de"lare before our people that ,arie was <aptain ,ironoff&s
daughterE 8he would ha#e torn her to pie"es. 3o one "ould ha#e sa#ed her.(
(Fou are right,( said Pougat"heff, (m drunkards would not ha#e spared the "hild. A""oulina did
well to de"ei#e them.(
($isten,( 4 said, seeing his good humor, (4 do not know our real name, and 4 do not want to
know it. %ut before 'od, 4 am read to pa ou with m life, for what ou ha#e done for me.
)nl, ask me nothing "ontrar to honor, and m "ons"ien"e as a <hristian. Fou are m
benefa"tor. $et me go with this orphan, and we, whate#er happens to ou, where#er ou ma be,
we shall pra 'od to sa#e our soul.(
(%e it as ou desire,( said he, (punish to the end, or pardon "ompletel, that&s m wa. 8ake our
promised bride where#er ou "hoose, and ma 'od gi#e ou lo#e and happiness.( *e turned to
Alexis, and ordered him to write me a passport for all the forts sub@e"t to his power. Alexis was
petrified with astonishment. Pougat"heff went off to inspe"t the fortress9 Alexis followed him9 4
remained.
4 ran up to ,arie&s room. 8he door was "losed. 4 kno"ked.
(Who is thereE( asked Pola""a.
4 ga#e m name. 4 heard ,arie saD (4n an instant, Peter, 4 shall @oin ou at A""oulina&s.(
7ather 'arasim and A""oulina "ame out to wel"ome me. 4 was honored with e#erthing at the
"ommand of the hostess, whose #oluble tongue ne#er "eased. 4t was not long before ,arie
entered, Auite pale9 she had laid aside the peasant&s dress, and was, as usual, "lad in simpli"it,
but with neatness and taste. 4 seiCed her hand, unable to utter a word. We were both silent from
full hearts. )ur hosts left us, and 4 "ould now speak of plans for her safet. 4t was impossible that
she should sta in a fortress sub@e"t to Pougat"heff, and "ommanded b the infamous Alexis.
3either "ould she find refuge at )renbourg, suffering all the horrors of siege. 4 proposed that she
should go to m father&s "ountr!seat. 8his surprised her. %ut 4 assured her that m father would
hold it a dut and an honor to re"ei#e the daughter of a #eteran who had died for his "ountr. 4n
"on"lusion, 4 saidD (, dear ,arie9 4 "onsider thee as m wife9 these strange e#ents ha#e bound
us for e#er to ea"h other.(
,arie listened with dignit9 she felt as 4 did, but repeated that without m parents& "onsent she
would ne#er be m wife. 4 "ould not repl to this ob@e"tion. 4 folded her to m heart, and m
pro@e"t be"ame our mutual resol#e.
51
An hour after, the <orporal brought me m passport, ha#ing the s"rat"h whi"h ser#ed as
Pougat"heff&s sign!manual, and told me that the <Car awaited me. 4 found him read for his
@ourne. 8o this man?wh not tell the truthE?"ruel and terrible to all but me, 4 was drawn b
strong smpath. 4 wanted to snat"h him from the horde of robbers, whose "hief he was9 but the
presen"e of Alexis and the "rowd around him pre#ented an expression of these feelings. )ur
parting was that of friends. As the horses were mo#ing, he leaned out of the kibitka and said to
meD (Adieu, again, our lordship9 perhaps we ma meet on"e more.(
We did meet again, but under what "ir"umstan"esB
4 returned to 7ather 'arasim&s, where our preparations were soon "ompleted. )ur baggage was
put into the <ommandant&s old eAuipage. 8he horses were harnessed. ,arie went, before setting
off, to #isit on"e more the tomb in the "hur"h!ard, and soon returned, ha#ing wept in silen"e
o#er all that remained to her of her parents. 7ather 'arasim and A""oulina stood on the steps.
,arie, Pola""a, and 4 sat in the interior of the kibitka. Sa#eliit"h per"hed himself up in front.
(Adieu, ,arie, sweet little do#eB Adieu, Peter, our handsome fal"onB( ex"laimed the kind
A""oulina.
Passing the <ommandant&s house, 4 saw Alexis, whose fa"e expressed determined hate.
*III. THE ARREST.
4n two hours we rea"hed the neighboring fortress, whi"h also belonged to Pougat"heff. We there
"hanged horses. % the "elerit with whi"h the ser#ed us, and the eager Ceal of the bearded
<ossa"k, whom Pougat"heff had made <ommandant, 4 per"ei#ed that, thanks to the talk of our
postilion, 4 was supposed to be a fa#orite with their master. When we started off again, it was
dusk9 we were drawing near a town where, a""ording to the bearded <ommandant, there ought to
be a #er strong deta"hment of Pougat"heff&s for"es. 8he sentinels stopped us and to the demandD
(Who goes thereE( our postilion answered in a loud #oi"eD (A friend of the <Car, tra#eling with
his wife.(
We were at on"e surrounded b a deta"hment of Russian hussars, who swore frightfull.
(<ome out,( said a Russian offi"er, hea#il musta"hed9 (We&ll gi#e ou a bathB(
4 reAuested to be taken before the authorities. Per"ei#ing that 4 was an offi"er, the soldiers "eased
swearing, and the offi"er took me to the ,a@or&s. Sa#eliit"h followed, growling outD (We fall
from the fire into the flameB(
8he kibitka "ame slowl after us. 4n fi#e minutes we rea"hed a small house, all lighted up. 8he
offi"er left me under a strong guard, and entered to announ"e m "apture. *e returned almost
instantl, saing that 4 was ordered to prison, and her ladship to the presen"e of the ,a@or.
(4s he madE( 4 "ried.
52
(4 "an not tell, our lordship.(
4 @umped up the steps?the sentinels had not time to stop me?and burst into the room where six
hussar offi"ers were plaing faro. 8he ,a@or kept the bank. 4 instantl re"ogniCed the ,a@or as
4#an =ourine, who had so thoroughl emptied m purse at Simbirsk. (4s it possibleE is this ou
4#an =ourineE(
(*allooB Peter9 what lu"kE where are ou fromE will ou take a "han"eE(
(8hanks9 4 would rather ha#e some apartments assigned me.(
(3o need of apartments, sta with me.(
(4 "an not9 4 am not alone.(
(%ring our "omrade with ou.(
(4 am not with a "omrade9 4 am with?a lad.(
(A ladB where did ou fish her outE( and he whistled in so rolli"king a manner, that the rest
burst out laughing.
(Well,( said =ourine, (then ou must ha#e a house in the town. *ere, boB wh do ou not bring
in Pougat"heff&s friendE(
(What are ou about,( said 4. (4t is <aptain ,ironoff&s daughter. 4 ha#e @ust obtained her libert,
and 4 am taking her to m father&s, where 4 shall lea#e her.(
(4n the name of *ea#en, what are you talking aboutE Are you Pougat"heff&s "humE(
(4 will tell ou e#erthing later9 first go and see this poor girl, whom our soldiers ha#e horribl
frightened.(
=ourine went out into the street to ex"use himself to ,arie, and explain the mistake, and ordered
the offi"er to pla"e her and her maid in the best house in the "it. 4 staed with him. After supper,
as soon as we were alone, 4 ga#e him the stor of m ad#entures.
*e shook his head. (8hat&s all #er well9 but wh will ou marrE As an offi"er and a "omrade, 4
tell ou marriage is follB 3ow listen to me. 8he road to Simbirsk has been swept "lean b our
soldiers9 ou "an therefore send the <aptain&s daughter to our parents tomorrow, and remain
ourself in m deta"hment. 3o need to return to )renbourg9 ou might fall again into the hands
of the rebels.(
4 resol#ed to follow, in part, =ourine&s ad#i"e. Sa#eliit"h "ame to prepare m room for the night.
4 told him to be read to set out in the morning with ,arie.
(Who will attend ou, m lordE(
(, old friend,( said 4, tring to soften him, (4 do not need a ser#ant here, and in ser#ing ,arie,
ou ser#e me, for 4 shall marr her as soon as the war is o#er.(
(,arrB( repeated he, with his hands "rossed, and a look of inexpressible blankness, (the "hild
wants to marrB What will our parents saE(
53
(8he will, no doubt, "onsent as soon as the know ,arie. Fou will inter"ede for us, will ou
notE(
4 had tou"hed the old man&s heart. () PeterB( said he, (ou are too oung to marr, but the oung
lad is an angel, and it would be a sin to let the "han"e slip. 4 will do as ou desire.(
8he next da 4 made known m plans to ,arie. As =ourine&s deta"hment was to lea#e the "it
that same da, dela was impossible. 4 "onfided ,arie to m dear old Sa#eliit"h, and ga#e him a
letter for m father. ,arie, in tears, took lea#e of me. 4 did not dare to speak, lest the bstanders
should obser#e m feelings.
4t was the end of the 7ebruar9 Winter, whi"h had rendered manoeu#ering diffi"ult was now at a
"lose, and our generals were preparing for a "ombined "ampaign. At the approa"h of our troops,
re#olted #illages returned to their dut, while Prin"e 'alitCin defeated the usurper, and raised the
siege of )renbourg, whi"h was the death!blow to the rebellion. We heard of Pougat"heff in the
-ral regions, and on the wa to ,os"ow. %ut he was "aptured. 8he war was o#er. =ourine
re"ei#ed orders to return his troops to their posts. 4 @umped about the room like a bo. =ourine
shrugged his shoulders, and saidD (Wait till ou are married, and see how foolish ou areB(
4 had lea#e of absen"e. 4n a few das 4 would be at home and united to ,arie. )ne da =ourine
"ame into m room with a paper in his hand, and sent awa the ser#ant.
(What&s the matterE( said 4.
(A slight annoan"e,( he answered, handing me the paper. (Read.(
4t was "onfidential order addressed to all the "hiefs of deta"hments to arrest me, and send me
under guard to ;hasan before the <ommission of 4nAuir, "reated to gi#e information against
Pougat"heff and his a""ompli"es. 8he paper fell from m hands.
(5o not be "ast down,( said =ourine, (but set out at on"e.(
, "ons"ien"e was eas, but the delaB 4t would be months, perhaps, before 4 "ould get through
the <ommission. =ourine bade me an affe"tionate adieu. 4 mounted the telega KSummer
"arriageL, two hussars withdrawn swords beside, and took the road to ;hasan.
*I). THE SE"TE"!E.
4 had no doubt that 4 was arrested for ha#ing left the fortress of )renbourg without lea#e, and felt
sure that 4 "ould ex"ulpate mself. 3ot onl were we not forbidden, but on the "ontrar, we were
en"ouraged to make foras against the enem. , friendl relations with Pougat"heff, howe#er,
wore a suspi"ious look.
Arri#ing at ;hasan, 4 found the "it almost redu"ed to ashes. Along the streets there were heaps
of "al"ined material of unroofed walls of houses?a proof that Pougat"heff had been there. 8he
fortress was inta"t. 4 was taken there and deli#ered to the offi"er on dut. *e ordered the
54
bla"ksmith to ri#et se"urel iron sha"kles on m feet. 4 was then "onsigned to a small, dark
dungeon, lighted onl b a loop!hole, barred with iron. 8his did not presage anthing good, et 4
did not lose "ourage9 for, ha#ing tasted the delight of praer, offered b a heart full of anguish, 4
fell asleep, without a thought for the morrow. 8he next morning 4 was taken before the
<ommission. 8wo soldiers "rossed the ard with me, to the <ommandant&s dwelling. Stopping in
the ante!"hamber, the let me pro"eed alone to the interior.
4 entered Auite a spa"ious room. At a table, "o#ered with papers, sat tow personages,?a 'eneral
ad#an"ed in ears, of stern aspe"t, and a oung offi"er of the 'uards, of eas and agreeable
manners. 3ear the window, at another table, a se"retar, pen on ear, bending o#er a paper, was
read to take m deposition.
8he interrogation beganD (Four name and professionE( 8he 'eneral asked if 4 was the son of
Andrew 'rineff, and upon m repling in the affirmati#e, ex"laimedD (4t is a pit so honorable a
man should ha#e a son so unworth of himB(
4 replied that 4 hoped to refute all "harges against me, b a sin"ere a#owal of the truth. ,
assuran"e displeased him.
(Fou are a bold fellow,( said he, frowning9 (but we ha#e seen others like ou.(
8he oung offi"er asked how, and for what purpose 4 had entered the rebel ser#i"e.
4 replied indignantl, that being an offi"er and a noble, 4 was in"apable of enlisting in the
usurper&s arm, and had ne#er ser#ed him in an wa.
(*ow is it,( said m @udge, (that the &offi"er and noble& is the onl one spared b Pougat"heffE
*ow is it that the &offi"er and noble& re"ei#ed presents from the "hief rebel, of a horse and a
pelisseE -pon what is this intima" founded, if not on treason, or at least unpardonable
"owardi"eE(
8he words wounded me, and 4 undertook with warmth m own defense, finall in#oking the
name of m 'eneral who "ould testif to m Ceal during the siege of )renbourg. 8he se#ere old
man took from the table an open letter, and readD
"With regard to Ensign Griness, I have the honor to declare,
that he was in the service at Orenbourg from the month of
October, 1773, till the following February. Since then, he
has not presented himself."
*ere the 'eneral said harshlD (What "an ou sa now to @ustif our "ondu"tE(
, @udges had listened with interest and e#en kindness, to the re"ital of m a"Auaintan"e with
the usurper, from the meeting in the snowdrift to the taking of %elogorsk, where he ga#e me m
life through gratitude. 4 was going to "ontinue m defense, b relating frankl m relations with
,arie, and her res"ue. %ut if 4 spoke of her the <ommission would for"e her to appear, and her
name would be"ome the theme of no #er deli"ate remarks b the interrogated witnesses. 8hese
thoughts so troubled me that 4 stammered, and at last was silent.
55
8he @udges were pre@udi"ed against me b m e#ident "onfusion. 8he oung 'uardsman asked
that 4 should be "onfronted b m "hief a""user. Some minutes later the "lank of iron fetters
resounded, and Alexis entered.
*e was pale and thin. *is hair, formerl bla"k as a ra#en&s wing, was turning gra. *e repeated
his a""usation in a weak but de"ided tone.
A""ording to him, 4 was Pougat"heff&s sp. 4 heard him to the end in silen"e, and re@oi"ed at one
thingD he ne#er pronoun"ed the name of ,arie ,ironoff. Was it that his self!lo#e smarted from
her "ontemptuous re@e"tion of himE or was there in his heart a spark of that same feeling whi"h
made me also silent on that pointE 8his "onfirmed me in m resolution, and when asked what 4
had to answer to the "harges of Alexis, 4 merel said that 4 held to m first de"laration, and had
nothing more to add.
8he 'eneral remanded us to prison. 4 looked at Alexis. *e smiled with satisfied hate, raised up
his sha"kles to hasten his pa"e and pass before me. 4 had no further examination. 4 was not an
ee!witness of what remains to be told the reader9 but 4 ha#e so often heard the stor, that the
minutest parti"ulars are engra#ed on m memor.
,arie was re"ei#ed b m parents with the "ordial "ourtes whi"h distinguished the pre"eding
generation. 8he be"ame #er mu"h atta"hed to her, and m father no longer "onsidered m lo#e
a foll. 8he news of m arrest was a fearful blow9 but ,arie and Sa#eliit"h had so frankl told
the origin of m "onne"tion with Pougat"heff, that the news did not seem gra#e. , father "ould
not be persuaded that 4 would take part in an infamous re#olt, whose ob@e"t was the sub#ersion
of the throne and the extin"tion of the nobilit. So better news was expe"ted, and se#eral weeks
passed, when at last a letter "ame from our relati#e Prin"e %?!. After the usual "ompliments, he
told m father that the suspi"ions of m "ompli"it in the rebel plots were onl too well founded,
as had been pro#ed,?that an exemplar exe"ution might ha#e been m fate, were it not that the
6mpress, out of "onsideration for the father&s white hair and loal ser#i"es, had "ommuted the
senten"e of the "riminal son. She had exiled him for life to the depths of SiberiaB
8he blow nearl killed m father, his firmness ga#e wa, and his usuall silent sorrow burst into
bitter plaintsD (WhatB m son plotting with Pougat"heffB 8he 6mpress gi#es him his lifeB
6xe"ution not the worst thing in the worldB , grandfather died on the s"affold in defense of his
"on#i"tionsB %ut, that a noble should betra his oath, unite with bandits, kna#es and re#olted
sla#esB shameB shame fore#er on our fa"eB(
7rightened b his despair, m mother did not dare to show her grief, and ,arie was more
desolate than the. Persuaded that 4 "ould @ustif mself if 4 "hose, she di#ined the moti#e of m
silen"e, and belie#ed that she was the "ause of m suffering.
)ne e#ening, seated on his sofa, m father was turning o#er the lea#es of the (Court Almanac,(
but his thoughts were far awa, and the book did not produ"e its usual effe"t upon him. ,
mother was knitting in silen"e, and from time to time a furti#e tear dropped upon her work.
,arie, who was sewing in the same room, without an prelude de"lared to m parents that she
was obliged to go to St. Petersburg, and begged them to furnish her the means.
, mother saidD (Wh will ou lea#e usE(
56
,arie replied that her fate depended on this @ourne9 that she was going to "laim the prote"tion
of those in fa#or at <ourt, as the daughter of a man who had perished a #i"tim to his loalt.
, father bowed his head. A word whi"h re"alled the supposed "rime of his son, seemed a sharp
reproa"h.
('o,( said he, at last, with a sigh9 (we will not pla"e an obsta"le to our happiness. ,a 'od
gi#e ou an honorable husband and not a traitorB(
*e rose and left the room. Alone with m mother, ,arie "onfided to her, in part, the ob@e"t of
her @ourne. , mother, in tears, kissed her and praed for the su""ess of the pro@e"t. A few das
after, ,arie, Pola""a and Sa#eliit"h left home.
When ,arie rea"hed Sofia, she learned that the <ourt was at that moment in residen"e at the
summer pala"e of 8Carskoie!Selo. She de"ided to stop there, and obtained a small room at the
post!house. 8he post mistress "ame to "hat with the new!"omer. She told ,arie, pompousl, that
she was the nie"e of an offi"ial atta"hed to the <ourt?her un"le ha#ing the honor of attending to
the fires in her ,a@est&s abodeB ,arie soon knew at what hour the 6mpress rose, took her
"offee, and went on the promenade9 in brief, the "on#ersation of Anna was like a page from the
memoirs of the times, and would be #er pre"ious in our das. 8he two women went together to
the 4mperial gardens, where Anna told ,arie the roman"e of ea"h pathwa and the histor of
e#er bridge o#er the artifi"ial streams. 3ext da #er earl ,arie returned alone to the 4mperial
gardens. 8he weather was superb. 8he sun gilded the linden tops, alread seared b the Autumn
frosts. 8he broad lake sparkled, the swans, @ust aroused, "ame out gra#el from the shore. ,arie
was going to a "harming green sward, when a little dog, of 6nglish blood, "ame running to her
barking. She was startled9 but a #oi"e of rare refinement saidD (*e will not bite ou9 do not be
afraid.(
A lad about fift ears of age was seated on a rusti" ben"h. She was dressed in a white
morning!dress, a light "ap and a mantilla. *er fa"e, full and florid, was expressi#e of "almness
and seriousness. She was the first to speakD (Fou are e#identl a stranger hereE(
(8hat is true, madam. 4 arri#ed from the "ountr esterda.(
(Fou are with our parentsE(
(3o, madam, alone.(
(Fou are too oung to tra#el alone. Are ou here on businessE(
(, parents are dead. 4 "ame to present a petition to the 6mpress.(
(Fou are an orphan9 ou ha#e to "omplain of in@usti"e, or in@urE(
(,adam, 4 "ame to ask for a pardon, not @usti"e.(
(Permit me a AuestionD Who are ouE(
(4 am the daughter of <aptain ,ironoff.(
()f <aptain ,ironoffE of him who "ommanded one of the fortresses in the pro#in"e of
)renbourgE(
57
(8he same, madam.(
8he lad seemed tou"hed. (Pardon me, 4 am going to <ourt. 6xplain the ob@e"t of our petition9
perhaps 4 "an aid ou.( ,arie took from her po"ket a paper whi"h she handed to the lad, who
read it attenti#el. ,arie, whose ees followed e#er mo#ement of her "ountenan"e, was
alarmed b the se#ere expression of fa"e so "alm and gra"ious a moment before.
(Fou inter"ede for 'rineffE( said the lad, in an i" tone. (8he 6mpress "an not pardon him. *e
went o#er to the usurper, not as an ignorant belie#er, but as a depra#ed and dangerous good!for!
nothing.(
(4t is not trueB( ex"laimed ,arie.
(WhatB not trueE( said the lad, flushing to the ees.
(%efore 'od, it is not true. 4 know all. 4 will tell ou all. 4t was for me onl that exposed himself
to all these misfortunes. 4f he did not "lear himself before his @udges, it was be"ause he would not
drag me before the authorities.( ,arie then related with warmth all that the reader knows.
(Where do ou lodgeE( asked the lad, when the oung girl had finished her re"ital. -pon
hearing that she was staing with the postmaster&s wife, she nodded, and said with a smileD (AhB 4
know her. AdieuB tell no one of our meeting. 4 hope ou will not ha#e long to wait for the answer
to our petition.(
She rose and went awa b a "o#ered path. ,arie went ba"k to Anna&s, full of fair hope. 8he
postmaster&s wife was surprised that ,arie took so earl a promenade, whi"h might in Autumn,
pro#e in@urious to a oung girl&s health. She brought the Somovar, and with her "up of tea was
going to relate one of her interminable stories, when a "arriage with the imperial es"ut"heon
stopped before the door. A la"ke, wearing the imperial li#er, entered and announ"ed that her
,a@est deigned to order to her presen"e the daughter of <aptain ,ironoffB
(AhB( ex"laimed Anna, (the 6mpress orders ou to <ourtB *ow did she know ou were with
meE Fou "an not present ourself?ou do not know how to walk in "ourtl fashionB 4 ought to
go with ou. Shall 4 not send to the do"tor&s wife and get her ellow dress with floun"es, for
ouE(
8he la"ke de"lared that he had orders to take ,arie alone, @ust as she was. Anna did not dare to
disobe, and ,arie set out. She had a presentiment that her destin was now to be de"ided. *er
heart beat #iolentl. 4n a few minutes the "arriage was at the pala"e, and ,arie, ha#ing "rossed a
long suite of apartments, #a"ant and sumptuous, entered the boudoir of the 6mpress. 8he nobles
who surrounded their so#ereign respe"tfull made wa for the oung girl.
8he 6mpress, in whom ,arie re"ogniCed the lad of the garden, said, gra"iouslD (4 am pleased
to be able to grant our praer. <on#in"ed of the inno"en"e of our betrothed, 4 ha#e arranged
e#erthing. *ere is a letter for our future father!in!law.(
,arie, in tears, fell at the feet of the 6mpress, who raised her up and kissed her, saingD
(4 know that ou are not ri"h9 but 4 ha#e to a"Auit mself of a debt to the daughter of a bra#e
man, <aptain ,ironoff.( 8reating ,arie with tenderness, the 6mpress dismissed her. 8hat da
,arie set out for m father&s "ountr!seat, not ha#ing e#en glan"ed at Saint Petersburg.
58
*ere terminate the memoirs of Peter 'rineff. We know b famil tradition that he was set free
about the end of the ear 177J. We know too, that he was present at the exe"ution of
Pougat"heff, who, re"ogniCing him in the "rowd, ga#e him one last sign with the head whi"h, a
moment after, was shown to the people, bleeding and inanimate.
Peter 'rineff be"ame the husband of ,arie ,ironoff. 8heir des"endents still li#e, in the
Pro#in"e of Simbirsk, and in the hereditar manor is still shown the autograph letter of the
6mpress <atherine 44. 4t is addressed to Andrew 'rineff, and "ontains, with his son&s
@ustifi"ation, a tou"hing and beautiful eulogium of ,arie, the <aptain&s daughter.
!!!!!!!!