No More Learning

By heaven, I hope some day you may
smell the hot pincers, and till then have a care that I do not tear out
your ugly beard. "

"Gentlemen," said Pugatchef, with dignity, "stop quarrelling. It would
not be a great misfortune if all the mangy curs of Orenburg dangled
their legs beneath the same cross-bar, but it would be a pity if our
good dogs took to biting each other. "

Khlopusha and Beloborodoff said nothing, and exchanged black looks.

I felt it was necessary to change the subject of the interview, which
might end in a very disagreeable manner for me. Turning toward
Pugatchef, I said to him, smiling--

"Ah! I had forgotten to thank you for your horse and '_touloup_. ' Had it
not been for you, I should never have reached the town, for I should
have died of cold on the journey. "

My stratagem succeeded. Pugatchef became good-humoured.

"The beauty of a debt is the payment! " said he, with his usual wink.
"Now, tell me the whole story. What have you to do with this young girl
whom Chvabrine is persecuting? Has she not hooked your young
affections, eh?
"

"She is my betrothed," I replied, as I observed the favourable change
taking place in Pugatchef, and seeing no risk in telling him the truth.

"Your betrothed! " cried Pugatchef. "Why didn't you tell me before? We
will marry you, and have a fine junket at your wedding. " Then, turning
to Beloborodoff, "Listen, field-marshal," said he, "we are old friends,
his lordship and me; let us sit down to supper. To-morrow we will see
what is to be done with him; one's brains are clearer in the morning
than by night. "

I should willingly have refused the proposed honour, but I could not get
out of it. Two young Cossack girls, children of the master of the
"_izba_," laid the table with a white cloth, brought bread, fish, soup,
and big jugs of wine and beer.

Thus for the second time I found myself at the table of Pugatchef and
his terrible companions. 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.