Pugasceff captured the town of Kazan, and gave it up to pillage.  The Archbishop of Kazan received him before the cathedral, bestowed upon him gold to the value of half a million roubles, and promised that he would place the crown on his head immediately he procured it; it being in the citadel.  Pugasceff set fire to the town in all directions, as he wanted to effect the surrender of the citadel garrison by that means.  Just at this moment Michelson was on his way.  The heroic General hardly allowed his troops time for rest, but again started in pursuit of Pugasceff.  No news of him was heard, his footsteps alone could be traced.  At Burnova he was attacked by a gang of rebels, whom he dispersed, but they were not the troops of Pugasceff.  At Brajevana he came upon a detachment, but this also was not the one he was looking for.  He then turned towards the Fort of Ossa, where he found a group of Baskir horsemen, whom he dispersed, capturing many others, from whom he learned that Pugasceff had crossed the river Kuma; and he knew that he would find the rebel at Kazan.  He hastened after him, meeting right and left with camps and troops belonging to his adventurous opponent.  He found no boats on the river Kuma, so he swam it.  Two other rivers lay in his way, but neither of these prevented his progress, and when he arrived at Arksz he heard firing in the direction of Kazan.  Allowing but one hour’s repose to his troops, he marched through the night, and at daybreak the thick dark smoke on the horizon told him that Kazan was in flames.  Pugasceff’s patrols communicated to their leader that Michelson was again at hand.  The mock Czar cursed upon hearing the news.  Was it a devil who was again at his heels, when he believed him 300 miles off?  He decided that this must not be known to the garrison, who had been forced into the citadel.  He collected from his troops those whom he could spare, and stationed them in the town of Taziczin, seven miles from Kazan, to prevent the advance of the dreaded enemy.  Just as he was proclaiming himself Czar Peter III. in the market-place of Taziczin, a miserable-looking woman rushed in, and fell at his feet, embracing him, and covering him with kisses.  This woman was Pugasceff’s wife, who thought her husband lost long ago.  They had been married very young, and Pugasceff himself believed her no longer living, but the poor woman recognized him by his voice.  Pugasceff did not lose his presence of mind, but, gently lifting the woman up, he said to his officers:  “Look after this woman; her husband was a great friend of mine and I owe him much.”  But every one knew that the sham Czar was no other than the husband of Marianka, and no doubt the appearance of the peasant woman told on the spirits of the insurgent troops.  The most bitter and decisive battle of the insurrection awaited them.  The night divided the two armies, and it was only in the morning that Michelson could force his way into the town, whence he sent word to