The Daughter of the Commandant

e same place, unable to collect my thoug

refuge safe and sure? Full of these oppressive thoughts, I went to the Commandant's house. All was empty. The chairs, the tables, the presses were burned, and the croc

w had not been taken away. What had become of the inmate of this simple maiden's cell? A terrible apprehension crossed my mind. I thought of Marya in the hands of the robbers

d she, wringing her hands;

d I, impatiently, "whe

e," replied Polashka; "

ilovn

xclaimed, affrighted. "Goo

d songs, shouts, and bursts of laughter; Pugatchéf was at the table with his companions. Polashka had followed me; I sent her secr

Marya Ivánofna?" I asked, w

dréj?tch, a misfortune very nearly happened. But, thank God, all has passed happily over. The villain had

moaning, old w

e robber down

has been ill and in be

niece, is

s young

ld woman; show

t fail me; but

rl is not strong enough to ri

ld woman; I'll go m

ttle dove did not recognize him. O, Lord God! what have we lived to see! Poor Iván Kouzmitch! who would have thought it! And Vassilissa Igorofna and Iwán Ignatiitch! Why him too? And you, how came it that you were spared? And what do you think of Chvabrine, of Alexy Iványtch? He has

ests and the voice of Father Garasim. The guests w

to do than chatter to you. Some ill will befall you if you come across any of them now.

saw several Bashkirs crowding round the gallows in order to tear off the high boots of the

s' quarters, and the shouts of the rebels making merry were he

uld you believe it, the robbers have taken everything from us: clothes, linen, crockery and goods; they have left nothing. But wh

t recognize h

you out of your 'touloup' the day of the snowstorm, a hareskin 'touloup

he same man, and I then understood why he had shown me mercy. I was filled with astonishment at the extraordinary connection of events. A boy

ld habits. "There is nothing in the house, it is true; but I shal

the robber, or to join his band were courses alike unworthy of an officer. Duty prompted me to go wh

r and her champion. Although I foresaw a new and inevitable change in the state of

a Cossack, who came running to tell me that

I asked, hast

g-pigs; and then he went into the upper part of the vapour-bath, where it was so hot that Tarass Kurotchkin himself could not stand it; he passed the broom to Bikbaieff, and only recovered by dint of cold w

followed him into the Commandant's house, trying to imagine befo

eve me when I say that I di

hen I reached the hou

ble; the body of the Commandant's poor wife still lay be

e back almost directly, and ushered me into the room where,

chéf, surrounded by ten Cossack chiefs, in high caps and coloured shirts, heated by wine, with flushed faces and spa

your lordship," said Pu

honour to you, and a

I sat down in silence

a handsome face, poured me out a bumper of brandy,

n his broad fist. His features, regular and agreeable, wore no fierce expression. He often addresse

articular deference to their chief. They were talking of the morning's a

ted Pugatchéf. And it was decided to march upon Orenburg, a bold move, which w

other bumper, rose from

d to follow them,

I wish to s

ether, and for a few

xpression of slyness and mockery. At last he gave way to a long burst of laughter, and that

again directly. Well, would you ever have thought, sir, that the man who guided you to a lodging in the steppe was the great Tzar himself?" As he said these words he assumed a grave and mysterious air. "You are very guilty as regards me," resumed he, "but I have p

udence appeared to be so absurd t

ning. "Do you not believe me to be

im an impostor to his face was to devote myself to death; and the sacrifice for which I was prepared on the gallows, before

t recall that moment with satisfaction) the feeling of duty tri

shall be judge. Can I recognize in you a Tzar? You are

am I, accord

oever you be, you are pl

at me a quick

not Grischka Otrépieff[59] reign? Think of me as you please, but do not leave me. What does it matter to you whether it be one or t

fidelity to Her Majesty the Tzarina; I cannot serve you

héf re

he, "will you promise me at lea

gainst you I must submit. You are a chief now-you wish your subordinates to obey you. How can I refuse to serve if I am wanted? My head

candour pleas

h or entirely pardon. Go to the four winds and do what seems good in your eyes, b

ith all their brightness, lit up the square and the gallows. All was quiet and dark in the rest of the fort.

ed; all seemed perfectly quiet there. I went home and found Savéliitch dep

ort to-morrow at break of day and we will go in God's care. I have prepared something fo

with a good appetite, I went to sleep on t