"To Fort
Belogorsk!
Pushkin - Daughter of the Commandant
The orgy of which I became the involuntary
witness went on till far into the night.
At last drunkenness overcame the guests; Pugatchef fell asleep in his
place, and his companions rose, making me a sign to leave him.
I went out with them. By the order of Khlopusha the sentry took me to
the lockup, where I found Saveliitch, and I was left alone with him
under lock and key.
My retainer was so astounded by the turn affairs had taken that he did
not address a single question to me. He lay down in the dark, and for a
long while I heard him moan and lament. At last, however, he began to
snore, and as for me, I gave myself up to thoughts which did not allow
me to close my eyes for a moment all night.
On the morrow morning Pugatchef sent someone to call me.
I went to his house. Before his door stood a "_kibitka_" with three
Tartar horses. The crowd filled the street. Pugatchef, whom I met in the
ante-room, was dressed in a travelling suit, a pelisse and Kirghiz cap.
His guests of yesterday evening surrounded him, and wore a submissive
air, which contrasted strongly with what I had witnessed the previous
evening.
Pugatchef gaily bid me "good morning," and ordered me to seat myself
beside him in the "_kibitka_. " We took our places.
"To Fort Belogorsk! " said Pugatchef to the robust Tartar driver, who
standing guided the team. My heart beat violently.
The horses dashed forward, the little bell tinkled, the "_kibitka_,"
bounded across the snow.
"Stop! stop! " cried a voice which I knew but too well; and I saw
Saveliitch running towards us. Pugatchef bid the man stop.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," cried my follower, "don't forsake me
in my old age among the rob--"
"Aha! old owl! " said Pugatchef, "so God again brings us together. Here,
seat yourself in front. "
"Thanks, Tzar, thanks my own father," replied Saveliitch, taking his
seat. "May God give you a hundred years of life for having reassured a
poor old man. I shall pray God all my life for you, and I'll never talk
about the hareskin '_touloup_.
witness went on till far into the night.
At last drunkenness overcame the guests; Pugatchef fell asleep in his
place, and his companions rose, making me a sign to leave him.
I went out with them. By the order of Khlopusha the sentry took me to
the lockup, where I found Saveliitch, and I was left alone with him
under lock and key.
My retainer was so astounded by the turn affairs had taken that he did
not address a single question to me. He lay down in the dark, and for a
long while I heard him moan and lament. At last, however, he began to
snore, and as for me, I gave myself up to thoughts which did not allow
me to close my eyes for a moment all night.
On the morrow morning Pugatchef sent someone to call me.
I went to his house. Before his door stood a "_kibitka_" with three
Tartar horses. The crowd filled the street. Pugatchef, whom I met in the
ante-room, was dressed in a travelling suit, a pelisse and Kirghiz cap.
His guests of yesterday evening surrounded him, and wore a submissive
air, which contrasted strongly with what I had witnessed the previous
evening.
Pugatchef gaily bid me "good morning," and ordered me to seat myself
beside him in the "_kibitka_. " We took our places.
"To Fort Belogorsk! " said Pugatchef to the robust Tartar driver, who
standing guided the team. My heart beat violently.
The horses dashed forward, the little bell tinkled, the "_kibitka_,"
bounded across the snow.
"Stop! stop! " cried a voice which I knew but too well; and I saw
Saveliitch running towards us. Pugatchef bid the man stop.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," cried my follower, "don't forsake me
in my old age among the rob--"
"Aha! old owl! " said Pugatchef, "so God again brings us together. Here,
seat yourself in front. "
"Thanks, Tzar, thanks my own father," replied Saveliitch, taking his
seat. "May God give you a hundred years of life for having reassured a
poor old man. I shall pray God all my life for you, and I'll never talk
about the hareskin '_touloup_.
