"What do you think
yourself?
Pushkin - Daughter of the Commandant
"And you are right--'fore God, you are right," resumed the usurper; "you
saw that my merry men looked askance at you. Even to-day the little old
man wanted to prove indubitably to me that you were a spy, and should be
put to the torture and hung. But I would not agree," added he, lowering
his voice, lest Saveliitch and the Tartar should hear him, "because I
bore in mind your glass of wine and your '_touloup_. ' You see clearly
that I am not bloodthirsty, as your comrades would make out. "
Remembering the taking of Fort Belogorsk, I did not think wise to
contradict him, and I said nothing.
"What do they say of me in Orenburg? " asked Pugatchef, after a short
silence.
"Well, it is said that you are not easy to get the better of. You will
agree we have had our hands full with you. "
The face of the usurper expressed the satisfaction of self-love.
"Yes," said he, with a glorious air, "I am a great warrior. Do they know
in Orenburg of the battle of Jouzeiff? [65] Forty Generals were killed,
four armies made prisoners. Do you think the King of Prussia is about my
strength? "
This boasting of the robber rather amused me.
"What do you think yourself? " I said to him. "Could you beat Frederick? "
"Fedor Fedorovitch,[66] eh! why not? I can beat your Generals, and your
Generals have beaten him. Until now my arms have been victorious. Wait a
bit--only wait a bit--you'll see something when I shall march on
Moscow? "
"And you are thinking of marching on Moscow? "
The usurper appeared to reflect. Then he said, half-aloud--
"God knows my way is straight. I have little freedom of action. My
fellows don't obey me--they are marauders. I have to keep a sharp look
out--at the first reverse they would save their necks with my head. "
"Well," I said to Pugatchef, "would it not be better to forsake them
yourself, ere it be too late, and throw yourself on the mercy of the
Tzarina? "
Pugatchef smiled bitterly.
