Pugatchef stopped on the
doorstep
and said good-morning to everybody.
Pushkin - Daughter of the Commandant
" said he, making the sign of the cross.
"We
will leave the fort to-morrow at break of day and we will go in God's
care. I have prepared something for you; eat, my father, and sleep till
morning quietly, as though in the pocket of Christ! "
I took his advice, and, after having supped with a good appetite, I went
to sleep on the bare boards, as weary in mind as in body.
CHAPTER IX.
THE PARTING.
The drum awoke me very early, and I went to the Square. There the troops
of Pugatchef were beginning to gather round the gallows where the
victims of the preceding evening still hung. The Cossacks were on
horseback, the foot-soldiers with their arms shouldered, their colours
flying in the air.
Several cannons, among which I recognized ours, were placed on field-gun
carriages. All the inhabitants had assembled in the same place, awaiting
the usurper. Before the door of the Commandant's house a Cossack held by
the bridle a magnificent white horse of Kirghiz breed. I sought with my
eyes the body of the Commandant's wife; it had been pushed aside and
covered over with an old bark mat.
At last Pugatchef came out of the house. All the crowd uncovered.
Pugatchef stopped on the doorstep and said good-morning to everybody.
One of the chiefs handed him a bag filled with small pieces of copper,
which he began to throw broadcast among the people, who rushed to pick
them up, fighting for them with blows.
The principal confederates of Pugatchef surrounded him. Among them was
Chvabrine. Our eyes met; he could read contempt in mine, and he looked
away with an expression of deep hatred and pretended mockery. Seeing me
in the crowd Pugatchef beckoned to me and called me up to him.
"Listen," said he, "start this very minute for Orenburg. You will tell
the governor and all the generals from me that they may expect me in a
week. Advise them to receive me with submission and filial love; if not,
they will not escape a terrible punishment. A good journey, to your
lordship. "
Then turning to the people, he pointed out Chvabrine.
"There, children," said he, "is your new Commandant; obey him in all
things; he answers to me for you and the fort. "
I heard these words with affright. Chvabrine become master of the place!
Marya remained in his power! Good God!
will leave the fort to-morrow at break of day and we will go in God's
care. I have prepared something for you; eat, my father, and sleep till
morning quietly, as though in the pocket of Christ! "
I took his advice, and, after having supped with a good appetite, I went
to sleep on the bare boards, as weary in mind as in body.
CHAPTER IX.
THE PARTING.
The drum awoke me very early, and I went to the Square. There the troops
of Pugatchef were beginning to gather round the gallows where the
victims of the preceding evening still hung. The Cossacks were on
horseback, the foot-soldiers with their arms shouldered, their colours
flying in the air.
Several cannons, among which I recognized ours, were placed on field-gun
carriages. All the inhabitants had assembled in the same place, awaiting
the usurper. Before the door of the Commandant's house a Cossack held by
the bridle a magnificent white horse of Kirghiz breed. I sought with my
eyes the body of the Commandant's wife; it had been pushed aside and
covered over with an old bark mat.
At last Pugatchef came out of the house. All the crowd uncovered.
Pugatchef stopped on the doorstep and said good-morning to everybody.
One of the chiefs handed him a bag filled with small pieces of copper,
which he began to throw broadcast among the people, who rushed to pick
them up, fighting for them with blows.
The principal confederates of Pugatchef surrounded him. Among them was
Chvabrine. Our eyes met; he could read contempt in mine, and he looked
away with an expression of deep hatred and pretended mockery. Seeing me
in the crowd Pugatchef beckoned to me and called me up to him.
"Listen," said he, "start this very minute for Orenburg. You will tell
the governor and all the generals from me that they may expect me in a
week. Advise them to receive me with submission and filial love; if not,
they will not escape a terrible punishment. A good journey, to your
lordship. "
Then turning to the people, he pointed out Chvabrine.
"There, children," said he, "is your new Commandant; obey him in all
things; he answers to me for you and the fort. "
I heard these words with affright. Chvabrine become master of the place!
Marya remained in his power! Good God!
