so fast!  My nag can not follow yours.”  Very soon we saw the lights of Berd.  We were approaching deep ravines, which served as natural fortifications to the town.  Saveliitch, without however being left behind, never ceased his lamentations.  I was in hopes of passing safely the enemy’s place, when I saw through the darkness five peasants armed with big sticks—­Pougatcheff’s extreme outpost.

“Qui vive!  Who goes there?”

Not knowing the watchword, I was for going on without answering.  But one of them seized my horse’s bridle.  I drew my sabre and struck the peasant of the head.  His cap saved his life; he staggered and fell; the others, frightened, let me pass.  The darkness, which was deepening, might have saved me from further hindrance; when, looking back, I saw that Saveliitch was not with me.  What was I to do?  The poor old man, with his lame horse, could not escape from the rascals.  I waited a minute; then, sure that they must have seized him, I turned my horse’s head to go and aid him.  Approaching the ravine I heard voices, and recognized that of Saveliitch.  Hastening my steps, was soon within sight of the peasants.  They had dismounted the old man, and were about to garrote him.  They rushed upon me; in an instant I was on foot.  Their chief said I should be conducted to the Czar.  I made no resistance.  We crossed the ravine to enter the town, which was illuminated.  The streets were crowded and noisy.  We were taken to a hut on the corner of two streets.  There were some barrels of wine and a cannon near the door.  One of the peasants said:  “Here is the palace; we will announce you.”  I glanced at Saveliitch; he was making signs of the cross, and praying.  We waited a long time.  At last the peasant re-appeared and said:  “The Czar orders the officers to his presence.”

The palace, as the peasant called it, was lighted by two tallow candles.  The walls were hung with gold paper.  But every thing else, the benches, the table, the basin hung up by a cord, the towel on a nail in the wall, the shelf laden with earthen vessels, were exactly the same as in any other cabin.  Pougatcheff, wearing his scarlet cafetan and high Cossack cap, with his hand on his hip, sat beneath the sacred pictures common to every Russian abode.  Around him stood several of his chiefs.  I could see that the arrival of an officer from Orenbourg had awakened some curiosity, and that they had prepared to receive me with pomp.  Pougatcheff recognized me at once, and his assumed gravity disappeared.

“Ah! it is your lordship! how are you?  What brings you here?”

I replied that I was traveling about my private business, when his people arrested me.

“What business?” asked he.  I did not know what to answer.  Pougatcheff thinking that I would not speak before witnesses gave a sign to his comrades to leave.  All obeyed except two.  “Speak before these,” said he; “conceal nothing from them.”