Here end the memoirs of Petr’ Andrejitch Grineff; but family tradition asserts that he was released from captivity at the end of the year 1774, that he was present at the execution of Pugatchef, and that the latter, recognizing him in the crowd, made him a farewell sign with the head which, a few moments later, was held up to the people, lifeless and bleeding.

Soon afterwards Petr’ Andrejitch became the husband of Marya Ivanofna.  Their descendants still live in the district of Simbirsk.

In the ancestral home in the village of ——­ is still shown the autograph letter of Catherine II., framed and glazed.  It is addressed to the father of Petr’ Andrejitch, and contains, with the acquittal of his son, praises of the intellect and good heart of the Commandant’s daughter.

THE END.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 1:  Celebrated general under Petr’ Alexiovitch the Great, and the Tzarina Anna Iwanofna; banished by her successor, the Tzarina Elizabeth Petrofna.]

[Footnote 2:  Saveliitch, son of Saveli.]

[Footnote 3:  Means pedagogue.  Foreign teachers have adopted it to signify their profession.]

[Footnote 4:  One who has not yet attained full age.  Young gentlemen who have not yet served are so called.]

[Footnote 5:  Drorovuiye lyndi, that is to say, courtyard people, or serfs, who inhabit the quarters.]

[Footnote 6:  Eudosia, daughter of Basil.]

[Footnote 7:  Diminutive of Petr’, Peter.]

[Footnote 8:  Anastasia, daughter of Garassim]

[Footnote 9:  Orenburg, capital of the district of Orenburg, which—­the most easterly one of European Russia—­extends into Asia.]

[Footnote 10:  Touloup, short pelisse, not reaching to the knee.]

[Footnote 11:  John, son of John.]

[Footnote 12:  One kopek=small bit of copper money.]

[Footnote 13:  The rouble was then worth, as is now the silver rouble, about 3s. 4d.  English money.]

[Footnote 14:  “Kvass,” kind of cider; common drink in Russia.]

[Footnote 15:  Whirlwind of snow.]

[Footnote 16:  Curtain made of the inner bark of the limetree which covers the hood of a kibitka.]

[Footnote 17:  Marriage godfather.]

[Footnote 18:  Torch of fir or birch.]

[Footnote 19:  Tributary of the River Ural.]

[Footnote 20:  Tea urn.]

[Footnote 21:  A short caftan.]

[Footnote 22:  Russian priest.]

[Footnote 23:  Russian peasants carry their axe in their belt or behind their back.]

[Footnote 24:  Under Catherine II., who reigned from 1762-1796.]

[Footnote 25:  i.e., “palati,” usual bed of Russian peasants.]

[Footnote 26:  Allusion to the rewards given by the old Tzars to their boyars, to whom they used to give their cloaks.]