a leader to break out into open revolt.  Pugatscheff saw the golden opportunity, and presented himself.  But spies were numerous, the garrisons were strong, and it was necessary to proceed with caution.  In order the better to conceal his designs, he entered the service of a Cossack named Koshenikof, and after a short time succeeded in gaining the adhesion of his master to his cause.  The friends and kinsmen of Koshenikof were one by one, under oath of secrecy, informed of the plot, and by degrees the rebellious scheme was perfected.  Pugatscheff was elected chief; and as he bore a strong resemblance to the murdered emperor, it was resolved that he should present himself to the people as Peter III.  Accordingly, rumours were assiduously circulated that the emperor was still alive; that a soldier had been killed in his stead; and that although he was in hiding, he would shortly appear, and would avenge himself upon his enemies.  Thousands listened and believed, and only waited for the first sign of success to join the movement.  But the government was on the alert.  Pugatscheff and his master were suspected and denounced; and while the latter was arrested, the former with difficulty escaped.  In a few days, however, he succeeded in surrounding himself with 500 adherents, and marched at their head to the town of Jaizkoi, which he summoned to surrender.  The answer was sent by 5000 Cossacks who had orders to take him prisoner.  Strong in his faith in his fellow-countrymen, Pugatscheff advanced towards this formidable force, and caused one of his officers to present them with a manifesto explaining his claims, and his reasons for taking up arms.  The general in command seized the document, but the men, who had no great love for the empress, insisted that it should be read.  Their request was refused, and 500 of them at once deserted their standards and joined the ranks of the rebel chief.  Alarmed by this defection, the Russian general withdrew to the citadel, while Pugatscheff encamped about a league off, hoping that further desertions would follow, and that the place would fall into his hands.  In this he was disappointed; for his fellow-countrymen, although disloyal at heart, did not wish to commit themselves to a desperate undertaking which might involve them in ruin, and were disposed to wait until some success had attended the insurrection.  The 500 who had precipitately chosen the rebellion had induced about a dozen of their officers to join them; but these men, suddenly repenting, refused to break their oath of allegiance, and were at once hanged from the neighbouring trees.  Finding further persuasion fruitless, Pugatscheff wisely refrained from any attempt to reduce the fortress, and marched his band towards Orenburg.  On the way he secured large accessions to his force, and in a few days found himself at the head of 1500 men.  With this army he attacked the fortified town of Iletzka, which offered no resistance—­the garrison passing over to him.  The commandant