No More Learning

"Hang him! " said Pugatchef, without deigning to throw me a look. The
rope was passed about my neck. I began saying a prayer in a low voice,
offering up to God a sincere repentance for all my sins, imploring Him
to save all those who were dear to my heart. I was already at the foot
of the gallows.

"Fear nothing! Fear nothing! " the assassins said to me, perhaps to give
me courage, when all at once a shout was heard--

"Stop, accursed ones! "

The executioners stayed their hand. I looked up. Saveliitch lay
prostrate at the feet of Pugatchef.

"Oh! my own father! " my poor follower was saying. "What need have you of
the death of this noble child?
Let him go free, and you will get a good
ransom; but for an example and to frighten the rest, let them hang me,
an old man! "

Pugatchef gave a signal; I was immediately unbound.

"Our father shows you mercy," they said to me. At this moment I cannot
say that I was much overjoyed at my deliverance, but I cannot say either
that I regretted it, for my feelings were too upset. I was again brought
before the usurper and forced to kneel at his feet. Pugatchef held out
to me his muscular hand. "Kiss his hand! kiss his hand! " was shouted
around me. But rather would I have preferred the most cruel torture to
such an abasement.

"My father, Petr' Andrejitch," whispered Saveliitch to me, and nudged me
with his elbow, "don't be obstinate. What does it matter? Spit and kiss
the hand of the rob--, kiss his hand! "

I did not stir. Pugatchef withdrew his hand and said, smiling--

"Apparently his lordship is quite idiotic with joy; raise him. "

I was helped up and left free.