Marie
by
Alexander Pushkin
Part 1 out of 2
This e-text was produced by Hanh Vu capriccio_vn@yahoo.com
and Douglas Levy.
MARIE, A Story of Russian Love
From the Russian of Alexander Pushkin
Translated by Marie H. de Zielinska
CONTENTS.
I. THE SERGEANT OF THE GUARDS.
II. THE GUIDE.
III. THE FORTRESS.
IV. THE DUEL.
V. LOVE.
VI. POUGATCHEFF.
VII. THE ASSAULT.
VIII. THE UNEXPECTED VISIT.
IX. THE SEPARATION.
X. THE SIEGE.
XI. THE REBEL CAMP.
XII. MARIE.
XIII. THE ARREST.
XIV. THE SENTENCE.
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE.
Alexander Pushkin, the most distinguished poet of Russia, was born
at Saint Petersburg, 1799. When only twenty-one years of age he
entered the civil service in the department of foreign affairs.
Lord Byron's writings and efforts for Greek independence exercised
great influence over Pushkin, whose "Ode to Liberty" cost him his
freedom. He was exiled to Bessarabia [A region of Moldova and
western Ukraine] from 1820 to 1825, whence he returned at the
accession of the new emperor, Nicholas, who made him historiographer
of Peter the Great. Pushkin's friends now looked upon him as a
traitor to the cause of liberty. It is not improbable that an
enforced residence at the mouth of the Danube somewhat cooled his
patriotic enthusiasm. Every Autumn, his favorite season for literary
production, he usually passed at his country seat in the province
Pekoff. Here from 1825 to 1829 he published "Pultowa," "Boris
Godunoff," "Eugene Onegin," and "Ruslaw and Ludmila," a tale in
verse, after the Manner of Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso." This is
considered as the first great poetical work in the Russian language,
though the critics of the day attacked it, because it was beyond
their grasp; but the public devoured it.
In 1831 Pushkin married, and soon after appeared his charming novel,
"Marie," a picture of garrison life on the Russian plains. Peter
and Marie of this Northern story are as pure as their native snows,
and whilst listening to the recital, we inhale the odor of the
steppe, and catch glimpses of the semi-barbarous Kalmouk and the
Cossack of the Don.
A duel with his brother-in-law terminated the life of Pushkin in
the splendor of his talent. The emperor munificently endowed the
poet's family, and ordered a superb edition of all his works to be
published at the expense of the crown. His death was mourned by
his countrymen as a national calamity. M. H. de Z.
Chicago, Nov. 1, 1876.
MARIE.
I. THE SERGEANT OF THE GUARDS.
My father, Andrew Peter Grineff, having served in his youth under
Count Munich, left the army in 17--, with the grade of First Major.
From that time he lived on his estate in the Principality of Simbirsk,
where he married Avoditia, daughter of a poor noble in the
neighborhood. Of nine children, the issue of this marriage, I was
the only survivor. My brothers and sisters died in childhood.
Through the favor of a near relative of ours, Prince B---, himself
a Major in the Guards, I was enrolled Sergeant of the Guards in the
regiment of Semenofski. It was understood that I was on furlough
till my education should be finished. From my fifth year I was
confided to the care of an old servant Saveliitch, whose steadiness
promoted him to the rank of my personal attendant. Thanks to his
care, when I was twelve years of age I knew how to read and write,
and could make a correct estimate of the points of a hunting dog.
At this time, to complete my education, my father engaged upon a
salary a Frenchman, M. Beaupre, who was brought from Moscow with
one year's provision of wine and oil from Provence. His arrival
of course displeased Saveliitch.
Beaupre had been in his own country a valet, in Prussia a soldier,
then he came to Russia to be a tutor, not knowing very well what
the word meant in our language. He was a good fellow, astonishingly
gay and absent-minded. His chief foible was a passion for the fair
sex. Nor was he, to use his own expression, an enemy to the bottle
--that is to say, _a la Russe_, he loved drink. But as at home wine
was offered only at table, and then in small glasses, and as,
moreover, on these occasions, the servants passed by the pedagogue,
Beaupre soon accustomed himself to Russian brandy, and, in time,
preferred it, as a better tonic, to the wines of his native country.
We became great friends, and although according to contract he was
engaged to teach me French, German, and _all the sciences_, yet he
was content that I should teach him to chatter Russian. But as each of
us minded his own business, our friendship was constant, and I desired
no mentor. However, destiny very soon separated us, in consequence
of an event which I will relate.
Our laundress, a fat girl all scarred by small-pox, and our dairymaid,
who was blind of an eye, agreed, one fine day, to throw themselves
at my mother's feet and accuse the Frenchman of trifling with their
innocence and inexperience!
My mother would have no jesting upon this point, and she in turn
complained to my father, who, like a man of business, promptly
ordered "that dog of a Frenchman" into his presence. The servant
informed him meekly that Beaupre was at the moment engaged in
giving me a lesson.
My father rushed to my room. Beaupre was sleeping upon his bed the
sleep of innocence. I was deep in a most interesting occupation.
They had brought from Moscow, for me, a geographical map, which
hung unused against the wall; the width and strength of its paper
had been to me a standing temptation. I had determined to make a
kite of it, and profiting that morning by Beaupre's sleep, I had set
to work. My father came in just as I was tying a tail to the Cape
of Good Hope! Seeing my work, he seized me by the ear and shook me
soundly; then rushing to Beaupre's bed, awakened him without
hesitating, pouring forth a volley of abuse upon the head of the
unfortunate Frenchman. In his confusion Beaupre tried in vain to
rise; the poor pedagogue was dead drunk! My father caught him by
the coat-collar and flung him out of the room. That day he was
dismissed, to the inexpressible delight of Saveliitch.
Thus ended my education. I now lived in the family as the eldest
son, not of age whose career is yet to open; amusing myself teaching
pigeons to tumble on the roof, and playing leap-frog in the stable-
yard with the grooms. In this way I reached my sixteenth year.
One Autumn day, my mother was preserving fruit with honey in the
family room, and I, smacking my lips, was looking at the liquid
boiling; my father, seated near the window, had just opened the
_Court Almanac_ which he received every year. This book had great
influence over him; he read it with extreme attention, and reading
prodigiously stirred up his bile. My mother, knowing by heart all
his ways and oddities, used to try to hide the miserable book, and
often whole months would pass without a sight of it. But, in revenge
whenever he did happen to find it, he would sit for hours with the
book before his eyes.
Well, my father was reading the _Court Almanac_, frequently shrugging
his shoulders, and murmuring: "'General!' Umph, he was a sergeant
in my company. 'Knight of the Orders of Russia.' Can it be so long
since we--?"
Finally he flung the _Almanac_ away on the sofa and plunged into deep
thought; a proceeding that never presaged anything good.
"Avoditia," said he, brusquely, to my mother, "how old is Peter?"
"His seventeenth precious year has just begun," said my mother.
"Peter was born the year Aunt Anastasia lost her eye, and that
was--"
"Well, well," said my father, "it is time he should join the army.
It is high time he should give up his nurse, leap-frog and pigeon
training."
The thought of a separation so affected my poor mother that she let
the spoon fall into the preserving pan, and tears rained from her eyes.
As for me, it is difficult to express my joy. The idea of army
service was mingled in my head with that of liberty, and the
pleasures offered by a great city like Saint Petersburg. I saw
myself an officer in the Guards, which, in my opinion was the
height of felicity.
As my father neither liked to change his plans, nor delay their
execution, the day of my departure was instantly fixed. That
evening, saying that he would give me a letter to my future chief,
he called for writing materials.
"Do not forget, Andrew," said my mother, "to salute for me Prince B.
Tell him that I depend upon his favor for my darling Peter."
"What nonsense," said my father, frowning, "why should I write to
Prince B.?"
"You have just said that you would write to Peter's future chief."
"Well, what then?"
"Prince B. is his chief. You know very well that Peter is enrolled
in the Semenofski regiment."
"Enrolled! what's that to me? Enrolled or not enrolled, he shall
not go to Saint Petersburg. What would he learn there? Extravagance
and folly. No! let him serve in the army, let him smell powder, let
him be a soldier and not a do-nothing in the Guards; let him wear the
straps of his knapsack out. Where is the certificate of his birth
and baptism?"
My mother brought the certificate, which she kept in a little box with
my baptismal robe, and handed it to my father. He read it, placed it
before him on the table, and commenced his letter.
I was devoured by curiosity. Where am I going, thought I, if not to
Saint Petersburg? I did not take my eyes from the pen which my father
moved slowly across the paper.
At last, the letter finished, he put it and my certificate under the
same envelope, took off his spectacles, called me and said:
"This letter is addressed to Andrew Karlovitch, my old friend and
comrade. You are going to Orenbourg to serve under orders."
All my brilliant dreams vanished. In place of the gay life of Saint
Petersburg, ennui awaited me in a wild and distant province of the
empire. Military life seemed now a calamity.
The next morning a kibitka was at the door; my trunk was placed on
it, and also a case holding tea and a tea-service, with some napkins
full of rolls and pastry, the last sweet bits of the paternal home.
Both my parents gave me their solemn benediction. My father said,
"Adieu, Peter. Serve faithfully him to whom your oath is given;
obey your chiefs; neither seek favor, nor solicit service, but do
not reject them; and remember the proverb: 'Take care of thy coat
whilst it is new, and thy honor whilst it is fresh.'"
My darling mother, all in tears, told me to take care of my health;
and counseled Saveliitch to guard her child from danger.
I was wrapped up in a short touloup lined with hare-skin, and over
that a pelisse lined fox-skin. I took my seat in the kibitka with
Saveliitch, and shedding bitter tears, set out for my destination.
That night I arrived at Simbirsk, where I was to stay twenty-four
hours, in order that Saveliitch might make various purchases entrusted
to him. Early in the morning Saveliitch went to the shops, whilst
I stayed in the inn. Tired of gazing out of the window upon a
dirty little street, I rambled about the inn, and at last entered
the billiard-room. I found there a tall gentleman, some forty years
of age, with heavy black moustaches, in his dressing-gown, holding a
cue and smoking his pipe. He was playing with the marker, who was
to drink a glass of brandy and water if he gained, and if he lost
was to pass, on all-fours, under the billiard table. I watched
them playing. The more they played the more frequent became the
promenades on all-fours, so that finally the marker stayed under
the table. The gentleman pronounced over him some energetic
expression, as a funeral oration, and then proposed that I should
play a game with him. I declared that I did not know how to play
billiards. That seemed strange to him. He looked at me with
commiseration.
However, we opened a conversation. I learned that his name was
Ivan Zourine; that he was a chief of a squadron of Hussars stationed
then at Simbirsk recruiting soldiers, and that his quarters were at
my inn. He invited me to mess with him, soldier-fashion, pot-luck.
I accepted with pleasure, and we sat down to dinner. Zourine drank
deeply, and invited me to drink also, saying that I must become
accustomed to the service. He told stories of garrison life which
made me laugh till I held my sides, and we rose from the table
intimate friends. He then proposed to teach me how to play billiards.
"It is," said he, "indispensable for soldiers like ourselves. For
example, suppose we arrive in a town, what's to be done? We can
not always make sport of the Jews. As a last resort there is the
inn and the billiard-room; but to play billiards, one must know
how." These reasons convinced me, and I set about learning with
enthusiasm.
Zourine encouraged me in a loud tone; he was astonished at my rapid
progress, and after a few lesson he proposed to play for money, were
it only two kopecks, not for the gain, merely to avoid playing for
nothing, which was, according to him, a very bad habit. I agreed.
Zourine ordered punch, which he advised me to taste in order to
become used to the service, "for," said he, "what kind of service
would that be without punch?"
I took his advice, and we continued to play; the more I tasted of
my glass the bolder I grew. I made the balls fly over the cushions;
I was angry with the marker who was counting. Heaven knows why.
I increased the stake, and behaved, altogether, like a boy just
cut free, for the first time, from his mother's apron-strings. The
time passed quickly. At last, Zourine glanced at the clock, laid
down his cue, and said that I had lost a hundred roubles to him.
I was in great confusion, because my money was all in the hands of
Saveliitch. I began to mumble excuses, when Zourine exclaimed, "Oh!
well! Good God! I can wait till morning; don't be distressed about
it. Now let us go to supper." What could I do? I finished the
day as foolishly as I began it.
Zourine never ceased pouring out drinks for me; advising me to
become accustomed to the service. Rising from table, I could
scarcely stand. At midnight Zourine brought me back to the inn.
Saveliitch met us at the door, and uttered a cry of horror when he
saw the unmistakable signs of my "zeal for the service."
"What has happened to thee?" said he, in heart-broken accents;
"where have you been filling yourself like a sack? Oh! heavenly
father! a misfortune like this never came before."
"Silence! old owl," said I, stammering, "I am sure you are drunk
yourself; go to bed, but first put me there."
I awoke next morning with a severe headache; the events of the
evening I recalled vaguely, but my recollections became vivid at
the sight of Saveliitch who came to me with a cup of tea.
"You begin young, Peter Grineff," said the old men, shaking his head.
"Eh! from whom do you inherit it? Neither your father nor grandfather
were drunkards. Your mother's name can not be mentioned; she never
deigned to taste any thing but cider. Whose fault is it then? That
cursed Frenchman's; he taught three fine things, that miserable dog--
that pagan--for thy teacher, as if his lordship, thy father, had not
people of his own."
I was ashamed before the old man; I turned my face away saying, "I
do not want any tea, go away, Saveliitch." It was not easy to stop
Saveliitch, once he began to preach.
"Now, Peter, you see what it is to play the fool. You have a headache,
you have no appetite, a drunkard is good for nothing. Here, take some
of this decoction of cucumber and honey, or half a glass of brandy to
sober you. What do you say to that?"
At that instant a boy entered the room with a note for me from Zourine.
I unfolded it and read as follows:
"Do me the favor, my dear Peter, to send me by my servant the hundred
roubles that you lost to me yesterday. I am horribly in want of money.
Your devoted. ZOURINE."
As I was perfectly in his power, I assumed an air of indifference, and
ordered Saveliitch to give a hundred roubles to the boy.
"What? why?" said the old man, surprised.
"I owe that sum," said I, coolly.
"You owe it? When had you time enough to contract such a debt?" said
he, with redoubled astonishment. "No, no, that's impossible. Do what
you like, my lord, but I can not give the money."
I reflected that if in this decisive moment I did not oblige the
obstinate old fellow to obey me, it would be impossible in the
future to escape from his tutelage. Looking at him therefore,
haughtily, I said, "I am thy master; thou art my servant. The
money is mine, and I lost because I chose to lose it; I advise
thee to obey when ordered, and not assume the airs of a master."
My words affected Saveliitch so much that he clasped his hands and
stood bowed down mute and motionless.
"What are you doing there like a post?" I cried out, angrily.
Saveliitch was in tears.
"Oh! my dear master Peter," stammered he, with trembling voice, "do
not kill me with grief. Oh my light, listen to me, an old man; write
to that brigand that you were jesting, that we never had so much
money. A hundred roubles! God of goodness! Tell him thy parents
strictly forbade thee to play for any thing but nuts."
"Silence," said I, with severity, "give the money or I'll chase you
out of the room."
Saveliitch looked at me with agony, and went for the money. I pitied
the good old man, but I wanted to emancipate myself, and prove that I
was no longer a child. Saveliitch sent the money to Zourine, and then
hastened our departure from that cursed inn.
I left Simbirsk with a troubled conscience; a secret remorse oppressed
me. I took no leave of my teacher, not dreaming that I should ever
meet him again.
II. THE GUIDE.
My reflections during the journey were not very agreeable. According
to the value of money at that time my loss was of some importance.
I could not but admit to myself that my conduct at the inn at
Simbirsk had been very silly, and I felt guilty toward Saveliitch.
The old man was seated on the front of the vehicle in dull silence;
from time to time turning his head and coughing a cough of ill humor.
I had firmly resolved to make friends with him, but I did not know
which way to begin. At last I said to him, "Come, come Saveliitch,
let us put an end to this; I know I was wrong; I was a fool
yesterday, and offended you without cause, but I promise to listen
to you in future. Come, do not be angry, let us make friends!"
"Ah! My dear Peter," said he with a sigh, "I am angry with myself.
It's I who was wrong in every thing. How could I have left you
alone at the inn? How could it have been avoided? The devil had
a hand in it! I wanted to go and see the deacon's wife, who is my
god-mother, and as the proverb says: 'I left the house and fell
into the prison.'"
What a misfortune! what a misfortune! How can I appear before the
eyes of my masters? What will they say, when they shall hear that
their child is a drunkard and a gambler. To console dear old
Saveliitch, I gave him my word, that for the future I would not
dispose of single kopeck without his consent. Little by little
he became calm, which did not, however, prevent him from grumbling
out, now and then shaking his head: "A hundred roubles! It is easy
to talk!"
I drew near the place of my destination. Around me extended a desert,
sad and wild, broken be little hills and deep ravines, all covered
with snow. The sun was setting.
My kibitka followed the narrow road, or rather trace, left by
peasants' sledges. Suddenly my coachman, looking at a certain
point and addressing me, "My lord," said he, taking off his cap,
"do you not command us to retrace our steps?"
"What for?"
"The weather is uncertain. There is some wind ahead; do you see it
drive the snow on the surface?"
"What matter?"
"And do you not see what is over yonder?" pointing with his whip
to the east.
"I see nothing more than the white steppes and the clear sky."
"There! there! that little cloud!"
I saw indeed upon the horizon a little white cloud that I had at
first taken for a distant hill. My coachman explained to me that
this little cloud foretold a _chasse-neige_--a snowdrift. I had
heard of the drifting snows of this region, and I know that at
times, storms swallowed up whole caravans. Saveliitch agreed with
the coachman, and advised our return.
But to me the wind did not seem very strong. I hoped to arrive in
time for the next relay of horses. I gave orders, therefore, to
redouble our speed. The coachman put his horses to the gallop,
and kept his eyes to the east.
The wind blew harder and harder. The little cloud soon became a
great white mass, rising heavily, growing, extending, and finally
invading the whole sky. A fine snow began to fall, which suddenly
changed to immense flakes. The wind whistled and howled. It was
a _chasse-neige_--a snowdrift.
In an instant the somber sky was confounded with the sea of snow which
the wind raised up from the earth. Every thing was indistinguishable.
"Woe, to us! my lord," cried the coachman, "it is a whirlwind of snow!"
I put my head out of the kibitka--darkness and storm. The wind blew
with an expression so ferocious that it seemed a living creature.
The snow fell in large flakes upon us, covering us. The horses went
at a walking pace, but very soon stood still.
"Why do you not go on?" I said to the coachman.
"Go where?" he replied, as he got down from the kibitka. "God knows
where we are now! There is no road; all is darkness."
I began to scold him. Saveliitch took up his defense:
"Why did you not listen to him," said he, angrily; "you could have
returned, taken some tea and slept till morning; the storm would
have been over, and we could then have set out. Why this haste?
as if you were going to your wedding?"
Saveliitch was right. What was to be done? The snow continued
to fall; it was heaped up around the kibitka; the horses stood
motionless, now and then shivering. The coachman walked around
them adjusting their harness, as if he had nothing else to do.
Saveliitch grumbled.
I strained my eyes in every direction, hoping to see signs of a
dwelling, or of a road, but I could only see the whirling of the
snow-drift. All at once I thought I saw some thing black. "Halloo!
coachman," I cried out, "what is that black thing yonder?"
The coachman looked attentively where I indicated. "God knows, my
lord," he replied, re-mounting to his seat; "it is not a kibitka,
nor a tree; it seems to be moving. It must be a wolf or a man!"
I ordered him to go in the direction of the unknown object which was
coming toward us. In two minutes we were on a line with it, and I
recognized a man.
"Halloo! good man!" shouted my coachman; "tell us, do you know the
road?"
"This is the road," replied the man. "I am on solid ground, but what
the devil is the good of that."
"Listen, my good peasant," said I; "do you know this country? Can
you lead us to a shelter for the night?"
"This country! Thank God, I have been over it on foot and in
carriage, from one end to the other. But one can not help losing
the road in this weather. It is better to stop here and wait till
the hurricane ceases: then the sky will clear, and we can find the
way by the stars."
His coolness gave me courage. I had decided to trust myself to the
mercy of God and pass the night on the steppe, when the traveler,
seating himself on the bench which was the coachman's seat, said
to the driver:
"Thank God, a dwelling is near. Turn to the right and go on."
"Why should I turn to the right?" said the coachman, sulkily, "where
do you see a road?"
"Must I say to you these horses, as well as the harness, belong to
another? then use the whip without respite."
I thought my coachman's view rational.
"Why do you believe," said I to the new-comer, "that a dwelling is
not far off?"
"The wind blows from that quarter," said he, "and I have smelled
smoke--proof that a dwelling is near."
His sagacity, the delicacy of his sense of smell, filled me with
admiration; I ordered my coachman to go wherever the other wished.
The horses walked heavily through the deep snow. The kibitka
advanced but slowly, now raised on a hillock, now descending into
a hollow, swaying from side like a boat on a stormy sea.
Saveliitch, falling over on me every instant, moaned. I pulled down
the hood of the kibitka, wrapped myself up in my pelisse, and fell
asleep, rocked by the swaying of the vehicle, and lulled by the chant
of the tempest.
The horses stopped. Saveliitch was holding my hand.
"Come out, my lord," said he, "we have arrived."
"Where have we arrived?" said I, rubbing my eyes.
"At the shelter. God has helped us; we have stumbled right upon
the hedge of the dwelling. Come out, my lord, quick; come and
warm yourself."
I descended from the kibitka; the hurricane had not ceased, but it
had moderated; sight was useless, it was so dark. The master of the
house met us at the door, holding a lantern under the flaps of his
long coat, the Cossack cafetan. He led us into a small, though no
untidy room, lighted by a pine torch. In the centre hung a carabine
and a high Cossack cap.
Our host, a Cossack from the river Iaik, was a peasant of some sixty
years, still fresh and green.
Saveliitch brought in the case containing my tea-service; he asked
for fire to make me a few cups of tea, of which I never had greater
need. The host hastened to serve us.
"Where is our guide?" I asked of Saveliitch.
"Here, your lordship," replied a voice from above. I raised my eyes
to the loft, and saw a black beard and two sparkling black eyes.
"Well, are you cold?"
"How could I help being cold in this little cafetan full of holes.
What's the use of concealment? I had a touloup, but I left it
yesterday in pledge with the liquor-seller; then the cold did not
seem so great."
At this moment our host entered with the portable furnace and boiler,
the Russian _Somovar_. I offered our guide a cup of tea. Down he
came at once. As he stood in the glare of the pine torch his
appearance was remarkable. A man about forty years of age, medium
height, slight but with broad shoulders. His black beard was turning
grey; large, quick, restless eyes, gave him an expression full of
cunning, and yet not at all disagreeable. He was dressed in wide
Tartar pantaloons and an old jacket. His hair was cut evenly round.
I offered him a cup of tea. He tasted it and made a grimace.
"Do me the favor, my lord, to order me a glass of brandy; tea is not
the Cossack's drink."
I willingly granted the request. The host took from the shelf of a
closet a bottle and a glass, and going up to him, looking him full
in the face, said:
"Ah! ah! here you are again in our district. Whence has God brought
you?"
My guide winked in the most significant fashion and replied by the
well-know proverb: "'The sparrow was in the orchard eating flax-seed;
the grandmother threw a stone at it, and missed.'" And you? how are
all yours?"
"How are we?" said the host, and continuing in proverbs: "'They began
to ring the bell for Vespers, but the priest's wife forbade it. The
priest went visiting, and the devils are in the graveyard.'"
"Be silent, uncle," said the vagabond.
"'When there shall be rain, there will be mushrooms, and when there
shall be mushrooms, there will be a basket to put them in. Put thy
hatchet behind thy back, the forest guard is out walking.'"
"To your lordship's health." Taking the glass, he made the sign of
the cross, and at one gulp swallowed his brandy. He then saluted
me and remounted to his loft. I did not understand a word of this
thief's slang. It was only in the sequel that I learned that they
spoke of the affairs of the army of the Iaik, which had just been
reduced to obedience after the revolt of 1772. Saveliitch listened
and glanced suspiciously from host to guide.
The species of inn where we were sheltered was in the very heart of
the steppes, far from the road and every inhabited spot, and looked
very much like a rendezvous of robbers. But to set off again on our
journey was impossible. The disgust of Saveliitch amused not a
little; however, he finally decided to mount upon the roof of the
stove, the ordinary bed of the Russian peasant. The warm bricks of
the hot-air chamber of the stove diffused a grateful heat, and soon
the old man and the host, who had laid himself on the floor, were
snoring. I stretched myself upon a bench, and slept like a dead.
Awaking next morning quite late, I saw that the hurricane was over.
The sun shone out, the snow extended in the distance like a sheet of
dazzling white damask. The horses were already at the door, harnessed.
I paid our host, who asked so small a pittance that even Saveliitch
did not, as usual, haggle over the price. His suspicions of the
evening before had entirely disappeared. I called the guide to thank
him for the service he had done us, and told Saveliitch to give him
half a rouble. Saveliitch frowned.
"Half a rouble," said he; "What for? Because you yourself deigned
to bring him to the inn? Your will be done, my lord, but we have
not a rouble to spare. If we begin by giving drink money to every
one we shall end by dying of hunger."
It was useless to argue with him; my money, according to my promise,
was entirely at his discretion. But it was very unpleasant not to
be able to reward a man who had extricated me from danger, perhaps
death.
"Well," said I, coolly, "if you will not give him half a rouble,
give one of my coats--he is too thinly clad; give him the hare-
skin touloup."
"Have mercy on me! My dear Peter," said Saveliitch, "what does
he want with your touloup? He will drink its price, the dog, at
the first inn."
"That, my good old man, is none of your business," said the vagabond;
"his lordship following the custom of royalty to vassals, gives me
a coat from his own back, and your duty as serf is not to dispute,
but to obey."
"You have not the fear of God, brigand that you are," said Saveliitch,
angrily; "you see that the child has not yet attained to full reason,
and there you are, glad to pillage him, thanks to his kind heart.
You can not even wear the pelisse on your great, cursed shoulders."
"Come," said I, "do not play the logician; bring the touloup quickly."
"Oh, Lord!" said the old man, moaning--"a touloup of hare-skin! Quite
new,--to give it to a drunkard in rags."
It was brought, however, and the vagabond began to get into it. It
was rather tight for me, and was much too small for him. He put it
on, nevertheless, but with great difficulty, bursting all the seams.
Saveliitch uttered something like a smothered howl, when he heard
the threads crack. As for the vagabond, he was well pleased with my
present. He re-conducted me to my kibitka, and said, with a profound
bow: "Thanks, my lord, may god reward you. I shall never forget your
goodness."
He went his way,--I set out on mine, paying no attention to the
sullenness of Saveliitch. I soon forgot the hurricane and the
guide, as well as the touloup of hare-skin.
Arrived at Orenbourg, I presented myself at once to the General. He
was a tall man, bent by age, with long hair quite white. An old, worn-
out uniform, recalled the soldier of the times of the Empress Anne,
and his speech betrayed a strong German accent.
I gave him my father's letter.
Reading my name, he glanced at me quickly. "Mein Gott," said he,
"it is so short a time since Andrew Grineff was your age, and now,
see what a fine fellow of a son he has. Ah! time! time!" He opened
the letter and began to run it over with a commentary of remarks.
"'Sir, I hope your Excellency,'--What is this; what is the meaning
of this ceremony? discipline, of course before all, but is this the
way to write to an old friend? Hum--'Field-marshal Munich--little
Caroline--brother.' Ah! then he remembers--'Now to business. I
send you my son; hold him with porcupine gloves.'
"What does that mean?" said he, "that must be a Russian proverb."
"It means," said I, with an air of innocence, "to treat a person
mildly, to give one liberty."
"Hum!" said he, reading, "'and give him no liberty.' No," he
continued, "your proverb does not mean liberty. Well, my son,"
said he, having finished the letter, "every thing shall be done
for you. You shall be an officer in the --- regiment, and not to
lose time, go tomorrow to the fort of Belogorsk, where you will
serve under Captain Mironoff, a brave and honest man. There you
will see service and learn discipline. You have nothing to do here
at Orenbourg, and amusements are dangerous to a young man. Today I
invite you to dine with me."
From bad to worse, thought I. What was the use of being a Sergeant
in the Guards almost from my mother's womb? To what has it led? To
the regiment of ---, and an abandoned fortress on the frontier of the
steppes!
I dined at the General's in company with his old Aid-de-camp. Severe
German economy reigned at table, and I think the fear of having an
occasional guest the more had something to do with sending me to a
distant garrison.
The next day I took my leave of the General and set out for Belogorsk.
III. THE FORTRESS.
The fortress of Belogorsk is situated forty versts from Orenbourg. The
route from this city is along the high banks of the river Iaik. The
stream was not yet frozen, and its lead-colored waters took a black
tint between banks whitened by the snow. Before me lay the Kirghis
steppes. I fell into a moody train of thought, for to me garrison life
offered few attractions. I tried to picture my future chief, Captain
Mironoff. I imagined a severe, morose old man, knowing nothing outside
of the service, ready to arrest me for the least slip. Dusk was
falling; we were advancing rapidly.
"How far is it from here to the fortress?" said I to the coachman.
"You can see it now," he answered.
I looked on all sides, expecting to see high bastions, a wall, and
a ditch. I saw nothing but a little village surrounded by a wooden
palisade. On one side stood some hay-stacks half covered with snow;
on the other a wind-mill, leaning to one side; the wings of the mill,
made of the heavy bark of the linden tree, hung idle.
"Where is the fortress?" I asked, astonished.
"There it is," said the coachman, pointing to the village which we had
just entered. I saw near the gate an old iron cannon. The streets
were narrow and winding, and nearly all the huts were thatched with
straw. I ordered the coachman to drive to the Commandant's, and almost
immediately my kibitka stopped before a wooden house built on an
eminence near the church, which was also of wood. From the front door
I entered the waiting-room. An old pensioner, seated on a table, was
sewing a blue piece on the elbow of a green uniform. I told him to
announce me.
"Enter, my good sir," said he, "our people are at home."
I entered a very neat room, furnished in the fashion of other days.
On one side stood a cabinet containing the silver. Against the wall
hung the diploma of an officer, with colored engravings arranged
around its frame; notably, the "Choice of the Betrothed," the "Taking
of Kurstrin," and the "Burial of the Cat by the Mice." Near the window
sat an old woman in a mantilla, her head wrapped in a handkerchief.
She was winding a skein of thread held on the separated hands of a
little old man, blind of one eye, who was dressed like an officer.
"What do you desire, my dear sir?" said the woman to me, without
interrupting her occupation. I told her that I had come to enter the
service, and that, according to rule, I hastened to present myself to
the captain. In saying this, I turned to the one-eyed old man, whom I
took for the commandant. The good lady interrupted the speech which I
had prepared in advance:
"Ivan Mironoff is not at home; he is gone to visit Father Garasim;
but it is all the same; I am his wife. Deign to love us and have us
in favor! Take a seat, my dear sir." She ordered a servant to send
her the Corporal. The little old man gazed at me curiously, with his
only eye.
"May I dare to ask," said he, "in what regiment you have deigned
to serve?"
I satisfied him on that point.
"And may I dare to ask why you changed from the Guards to our
garrison?"
I replied that it was by the orders of authority.
"Probably for actions little becoming an officer of the Guards?"
resumed the persistent questioner.
"Will you stop your stupidities?" said the Captain's wife to him.
"You see the young man is fatigued by the journey; he has something
else to do besides answering you. Hold your hands better! And you
my dear sir," continued she, turning to me, "do not be too much
afflicted that you are thrust into our little town; you are not the
first, and will not be the last. Now, there is Alexis Chabrine, who
has been transferred to us for a term of four years for murder. God
knows what provocation he had. He and a lieutenant went outside the
city with their swords, and before two witnesses Alexis killed the
lieutenant. Ah! misfortune has no master."
Just then the Corporal entered, a young and handsome Cossack. "Maxim,"
said the Captain's wife, "give this officer a clean lodging."
"I obey, Basilia," replied the Cossack; "shall I lodge him with Ivan
Pologoff?"
"You are doting, Maxim, he has too little space now; besides, he is
my child's godfather; and, moreover, he never forgets that we are his
chiefs. What is your name, my dear sir?"
"Peter Grineff."
"Then conduct Peter Grineff to the quarters of Simeon Kieff. That
rascal let his horse into my vegetable garden. Is all right, Maxim?"
"Thank God, all is quiet, except that Corporal Kourzoff quarreled with
the woman Augustina about a pail of warm water."
"Ignatius," said the Captain's wife to the one-eyed man, "judge between
the two--decide which one is guilty, and punish both. Go, Maxim, God
be with you. Peter Grineff, Maxim will conduct you to your lodgings."
I took my leave; the Corporal led me to a cabin placed on the high bank
near the river's edge, at the end of the fortress. Half of the cabin
was occupied by the family of Simeon Kieff, the other was given up to
me. My half of the cabin was a large apartment divided by a partition.
Saveliitch began at once to install us, whilst I looked out of the
narrow window. Before me stretched the bleak and barren steppe; nearer
rose some cabins; at the threshold of one stood a woman with a bowl in
her hand calling the pigs to feed; no other objects met my sight, save
a few chickens scratching for stray kernels of corn in the street. And
this was the country to which I was condemned to pass my youth! I
turned from the window, seized by bitter sadness, and went to bed
without supper, notwithstanding the supplications of Saveliitch, who
with anguish cried aloud: "Oh! he will not deign to eat! O Lord! what
will my mistress say, if the child should fall ill!"
The next morning I had scarcely begun to dress, when a young officer
entered my room. He was of small size, with irregular features, but
his sun-burned face had remarkable vivacity. "Pardon me," said he in
French, "that I come so unceremoniously to make your acquaintance. I
learned yesterday of your arrival, and the desire of seeing at last a
human face so took possession of me that I could wait no longer. You
will understand this when you shall have lived here some time!"
I easily guessed that he was the officer dismissed from the Guards for
the affair of the duel--Alexis Chabrine. He was very intelligent; his
conversation was sprightly and interesting. He described with impulse
and gayety the Commandant's family, society, and in general the whole
country round. I was laughing heartily, when Ignatius, the same old
pensioner whom I had seen mending his uniform in the Captain's waiting-
room, entered, and gave me an invitation to dinner from Basilia
Mironoff, the Captain's wife. Alexis declared that he would accompany
me.
Approaching the Commandant's house we saw on the square some twenty
little old pensioners, with long queues and three-cornered hats. These
old men were drawn up in line of battle. Before them stood the
Commandant, a fresh and vigorous old man of high stature, in dressing-
gown and cotton cap. As soon as he saw us, he approached, addressed me
a few affable words, and then resumed his drill. We were going to stay
to see the manoeuvering, but he begged us to go on immediately to the
house, promising to join us at once; "for," said he, "there is really
nothing to be seen here."
Basilia received us kindly, and with simplicity, treating me like an
old acquaintance. The pensioner and the maid Polacca were laying the
table-cloth.
"What is the matter with my dear Ivan Mironoff, today, that he is so
long instructing his troops?" said the mistress. "Polacca, go and
bring him to dinner. And where is my child, Marie?" Scarcely had she
pronounced this name, than a young girl about sixteen entered the
room;--a rosy, round-faced girl, wearing her hair in smooth bandeaux
caught behind her ears, which were red with modesty and shyness. She
did not please me very much at the first glance; I was prejudiced
against her by Alexis, who had described the Captain's daughter to me
as a fool. Marie seated herself in a corner and began to sew. The
soup was brought on the table. Basilia, not seeing her husband coming,
sent the maid a second time to call him.
"Tell the master that his inspection can wait; the soup is cooling.
Thank God! the drills need not be lost; there will be time enough yet
to use his voice at his leisure."
The captain soon appeared with his one-eyed officer.
"What's this, my dear," said Basilia; "the table has been served some
time, and no one could make you come."
"You see, Basilia, I was busy with the service, instructing my good
soldiers."
"Come, come, Ivan Mironoff, that's boasting. The service does not suit
them, and as for you, you know nothing about it. You should have
stayed at home and prayed God, that suits you much better. My dear
guests, to table."
We took our places for dinner. Basilia was not silent a moment; she
overwhelmed me with questions: Who were my parents? Were they living?
Where did they reside? What was their fortune? When she learned that
my father owned three hundred serfs, she exclaimed:
"You see there are some rich people in the world--and we, my dear sir,
in point of souls, we possess only the maid Polacca. Yet, thank God,
we live, somehow or other. We have but one care, that is Marie, a girl
that must be married off. And what fortune has she? The price of two
baths per annum. If only she could find a worthy husband. If not,
there she is, eternally a maid."
I glanced at Marie; she blushed, tears were dropping into her soup.
I pitied her, and hastened to change the conversation. "I have heard
that the Bashkirs intend to attack your fortress?"
"Who said so," replied Ivan Mironoff.
"I heard it at Orenbourg."
"All nonsense," said Ivan, "we have not heard the least word about it;
the Bashkirs are an intimidated people; and the Kirghis have also had
some good lessons. They dare not attack us, and if they should even
dream of it, I would give them so great a fright that they would not
move again for ten years."
"Do you not fear," I continued, addressing Basilia, "to stay in a
fortress exposed to these dangers?"
"A matter of habit, my dear," she replied, "twenty years ago, when we
were transferred here from the regiment, you could not believe how I
feared the pagans. If I chanced to see their fur caps, if I heard
their shouts, believe me, my heart was ready to faint; but now I am so
used to this life, that if told that the brigands were prowling around
us, I would not stir from the fortress."
"Basilia is a very brave lady," observed Alexis, gravely. "Ivan
Mironoff knows some thing about it."
"Oh, you see," said Ivan, "she does not belong to the regiment of
poltroons."
"And Marie," I asked of her mother "is she as bold as you?"
"Marie?" said the lady. "No! Marie is a coward. Up to the present
she has not heard the report of a gun without trembling in every limb.
Two years ago Ivan had a pleasant fancy to fire off his cannon on my
birthday; the poor pigeon was so frightened that she almost went into
the next world. Since that day the miserable cannon has not spoken."
We rose from the table. The captain and his wife went to take their
siesta. I went with Alexis to his room, where we passed the evening
together.
IV. THE DUEL.
Several weeks elapsed, during which my life in the fortress became not
only supportable, but even agreeable. I was received as a member of
the family in the Commandant's house. The husband and wife were
excellent people. Ivan Mironoff, from being the adopted child of the
regiment, rose to officer's rank. He was a plain, simple, uneducated
man, but thoroughly good and loyal. His wife governed him, and that
suited his natural indolence. Basilia directed the affairs of the
garrison, as she did her household, and commanded through the fortress
as she did in her own kitchen. Marie soon lost her shyness, and as we
became better acquainted I found that she was a girl full of affection
and intelligence. Little by little I became deeply attached to this
good family.
I was promoted, and ranked as an officer. Military service did not
oppress me. In this fortress, blessed by God, there was no duty to
do, no guard to mount, nor review to pass. Occasionally, for his
own amusement, the Commandant drilled his soldiers. He had not yet
succeeded in teaching them which was the right flank and which the
left.
Alexis had some French books, and in my idleness I set work to read, so
that a taste for literature awoke within me. I read every morning, and
essayed some translations, even metrical compositions. Almost every
day I dined at the Commandant's, where, as a general thing, I spent the
rest of the day. In the evening, Father Garasim came with his wife,
Accoulina, the greatest gossip of the place. Of course Alexis and I
met daily, yet gradually his society displeased me. His perpetual
jokes upon the Commandant's family, and above all his biting remarks
about Marie, rendered his conversation very disagreeable to me. I had
no other society than this family in the fortress, and I desired no
other. All predictions to the contrary, the Bashkirs did not revolt,
and peace reigned around us.
I have already said that I busied myself somewhat with literature.
One day I happened to write a little song, of which I was proud. It is
well known that authors, under pretext of asking advice, willingly seek
a kindly audience. I copied my little song and took it to Alexis, the
only one in the fortress who could appreciate a poetical work. After
preluding a little, I drew my pages from my pocket and read my verses
to him.
"How do you like that?" said I, expecting praise as a tribute due me.
To my great annoyance, Alexis, who was generally pleased with my
writings, declared frankly that my song was worth nothing.
"What do you mean?" said I, with forced calmness. He took the paper
out of my hand and began to criticize without pity, every verse, every
word, tearing me up in the most malicious fashion. It was too much.
I snatched the paper from him, declaring that never again would I show
him any of my compositions.
"We shall see," said he, "if you can keep your word; poets need a
listener as Ivan Mironoff needs a decanter of brandy before dinner.
Who is this Marie to whom you declare your tender feelings? Might it
not be Marie Mironoff?"
"That is none of your business," said I, frowning. "I want neither
your advice nor supposition."
"Oh! oh! vain poet; discreet lover," continued Alexis, irritating me
more and more, "listen to friendly counsel: if you want to succeed do
not confine yourself to songs."
"What do you mean, sir? Explain!"
"With pleasure," he replied. "I mean that if you wish to form an
intimacy with Marie Mironoff, you have only to give her a pair of
earrings instead of your lackadaisical verses."
All my blood boiled. "Why have you this opinion of her?" I asked,
with much effort restraining my anger.
"Because," said he, "of my own experience."
"You lie, wretch," I cried, with furry, "you lie, shamelessly."
Alexis was enraged.
"That shall not pass so," he said, grasping my hand. "You shall give
me satisfaction."
"When ever you like," I replied, joyfully, for at that moment I was
ready to tear him to pieces. I ran at once to see Ivan Ignatius, whom
I found with a needle in his hand. According to orders from the
Commandant's wife, he was stringing mushrooms which were to be dried
for winter use.
"Ah! Peter Grineff, be welcome. Dare I ask on what business God sends
you here?"
In a few words I told him of my quarrel with Alexis, and begged him,
Ignatius, to be my second. Ignatius heard me to the end with great
attention, opening wide his only eye.
"You deign to say that you want to kill Alexis, and desire that I
should witness the act? Is that what you mean, dare I ask?"
"Precisely."
"Ah! what folly; you have had some words with Alexis. What then? A
harsh word can not be hung up by the neck. He gives you impertinence,
give him the same; if he give you a slap, return the blow; he a second,
you a third; in the end we will compel you to make peace. Whilst if
you fight--well, if _you_ should kill _him_, God be with him! for I do
not like him much; but if he should perforate you, what a nice piece
of business! Then who will pay for the broken pots?"
The arguments of the prudent officer did not shake my resolution.
"Do as you like," said Ignatius, "but what's the use of having me as a
witness? People fight--that's nothing extraordinary--I have often been
quite close to Swedes and Turks, and people of all shades of color."
I tried to explain to him the duties of a second; Ignatius would not,
or could not understand me. "Follow your own fashion," said he, "if
I were to meddle in this affair, it would be to announce to Ivan
Mironoff, according to rule, that a plot is being made in the fortress
for the commission of a criminal action--one contrary to the interests
of the crown."
I was alarmed, and begged Ignatius to say nothing to the Commandant.
He gave me his word that he would be silent, and I left him in peace.
As usual I passed the evening at the Commandant's, forcing myself
to be calm and gay, in order not to awaken suspicions and to avoid
questioning. I confess that I had not the coolness of which people
boast who have been in a similar position. I was disposed to
tenderness. Marie Mironoff seemed more attractive than ever. The
idea that perhaps I saw her for the last time, gave her a touching
grace.
Alexis entered. I took him aside and told him of my conversation
with Ignatius.
"What's the good of seconds," said he, dryly. "We can do without
them."
We agreed to fight behind the haystack the next morning at six o'clock.
Seeing us talking amicably, Ignatius, full of joy, nearly betrayed us.
"You should have done that long ago, for a bad peace is better than a
good quarrel."
"What! what! Ignatius," said the Captain's wife, who was playing
patience in a corner, "I do not quite understand?"
Ignatius, seeing my displeasure, remembered his promise, became
confused and knew not what to answer. Alexis came to his relief:
"He approves of peace."
"With whom had you quarreled?" said she.
"With Peter Grineff--a few high words."
"Why?"
"For a mere nothing--a song."
"Fine cause for a quarrel! a song! Tell me how it happened."
"Willingly: Peter has recently been composing, and this morning he sang
his song for me. Then I chanted mine:
'Daughter of the Captain, walk not forth at midnight.'
As we were not on the same note, Peter was angry, forgetting that every
one is at liberty to sing what he pleases."
The insolence of Alexis made me furious. No one but myself understood
his allusions. From poetry the conversation passed to poets in
general. The Commandant observed that they were all debauchees and
drunkards, and advised me, as a friend, to renounce poetry as contrary
to the service, and leading to nothing good.
As the pretence of Alexis was to me insupportable, I hastened to take
leave of the family. In my own apartment I examined my sword, tried
its point, and went to bed, having ordered Saveliitch to wake me in the
morning at six o'clock.
The next day at the appointed time I was behind the haystack awaiting
my adversary, who did not fail to appear. "We may be surprised," he
said; "be quick." We laid aside our uniforms, drew our swords from the
scabbards, when Ignatius, followed by five pensioners, came out from
behind a haystack. He ordered us to repair to the presence of the
Commandant. We obeyed. The soldiers surrounded us. Ignatius
conducted us in triumph, marching military step, with majestic gravity.
We entered the Commandant's house; Ignatius opened the folding doors,
and exclaimed with emphasis: "They are taken!"
Basilia ran toward us: "What does this mean? plotting an assassination
in our fortress! Ivan Mironoff, arrest them! Peter Grineff, Alexis,
give up your swords to the garret. Peter, I did not expect this of
you; are you not ashamed? As for Alexis, it is quite different; he
was transferred to us from the Guards for having caused a soul to
perish; and he does not believe in our blessed Saviour."
Ivan Mironoff approved increasingly all that his wife said: "You see!
You see! Basilia is right, duels are forbidden by the military code."
Meantime Polacca had carried off our swords to the garret. I could not
help smiling at this scene. Alexis preserved all his gravity, and said
to Basilia: "Notwithstanding all my respect for you, I must say you
take useless pains to subject us to your tribunal. Leave that duty to
Ivan Mironoff; it is his business."
"What! what! my dear sir," said the lady, "are not man and wife the
same flesh and spirit? Ivan Mironoff, are you trifling? Lock up
these boys instantly; put them in separate rooms--on bread and water,
to expel this stupid idea of theirs. Let Father Garasim give them a
penance on order that they may repent before God and man."
Ivan Mironoff did not know what to do. Marie was extremely pale. The
tempest, however, subsided little by little. Basilia ordered us to
embrace each other, and the maid was sent for our swords. We left the
house, having in appearance made friends. Ignatius re-conducted us.
"Are you not ashamed of yourself," I said to him, "to have denounced
us to the Commandant, after having given me your word you would not
do so?"
"As God is holy, I said nothing to Ivan Mironoff. Basilia drew it all
from me. She took all the necessary measures without the knowledge of
the Commandant. Thank God it finished as it did." He went to his
room; I remained with Alexis.
"Our affair can not end thus," I remarked.
"Certainly not," replied Alexis. "You shall pay me with your blood for
your impertinence, but as undoubtedly we shall be watched, let us feign
for a few days. Until then, adieu!"
We separated as if nothing had happened. I returned to the
Commandant's, and seated myself as usual near Marie. Her father was
absent and her mother busy with household duties. We spoke in subdued
tones. Marie reproached me gently for the pain my quarrel with Alexis
gave her. "My heart failed me," she said, "when I heard you were going
to fight with swords. How strange men are! For a word, they are ready
to strangle each other, and sacrifice, not only their own life, but
even the honor and happiness of those who-- I am sure you did not
begin the quarrel? Alexis was the aggressor?"
"Why do you think so?"
"Because he is so sarcastic. I do not like him, and yet I would not
displease him, although he is quite disagreeable to me."
"What do you think, Marie, are you pleasing to him or not?"
Marie blushed. "It seems," said she, "that I please him."
"How do you know?"
"Because he made me an offer of marriage."
"He made you an offer of marriage! When?"
"Last year, two months before your arrival."
"You did not accept?"
"Evidently not, as you see. Alexis is a most intelligent man, of
an excellent family and not without fortune, but the mere idea that
beneath the crown, on my marriage day, I should be obliged to kiss
him before every one! No! no! not for any thing in the world."
Marie's words opened my eyes. I understood the persistence of Alexis
in aspersing her character. He had probably remarked our mutual
inclination, and was trying to turn us from each other. The words
which had provoked our quarrel seemed to me the more infamous, as
instead of being a vulgar joke, it was deliberate calumny. The
desire to punish this shameless liar became so strong that I waited
impatiently the favorable moment. I had not long to wait. The next
day, occupied composing an elegy, biting my pen in the expectation
of a rhyme, Alexis knocked at my window. I put down my pen, took my
sword, and went out of the house.
"Why defer?" said Alexis, "we are no longer watched, let us go down to
the river-side; there none will hinder us."
We set out in silence, and having descended a steep path, we stopped at
the water's edge and crossed swords. Alexis was more skillful than I
in the use of arms, but I was stronger and bolder. Mons. Beaupre, who
had been, amongst other things, a soldier, had taught me fencing.
Alexis did not expect to find in me an adversary of so dangerous
a character.
For some minutes neither gained any advantage over the other, but
at last noticing that Alexis was growing weak, I attacked him
energetically, and almost drove him backward into the river, when
suddenly I heard my name pronounced in a high voice. Turning my
head rapidly, I saw Saveliitch running toward me down the path. As
I turned my head, I felt a sharp thrust in the breast under the right
shoulder, and I fell, unconscious.
V. LOVE.
When I came to myself, I neither knew what had happened nor where I
was. I felt very weak; the room was strange, there was Saveliitch
standing before me, a light in his hand, and some one arranging the
bandages that bound my chest and shoulder. Gradually I recalled my
duel, and easily divined that I had been wounded. The door at this
instant moaned gently on its hinges.
"Well, how is he?" whispered a voice that made me start.
"Still in the same state," sighed Saveliitch, "now unconscious four
days." I wanted to turn on my bed, but I had not the strength. "Where
am I?" said I, with effort, "who is here?" Marie approached, and
bending over me said, gently, "How do you feel?"
"Thank God, I am well. Is that Marie? tell me--?" I could not
finish. Saveliitch uttered a cry of joy, his delight showing plainly
in his face. "He recovers! he recovers! Thanks to thee, O God!
Peter, how you frightened me!--four days! It is easy to talk--!"
Marie interrupted him: "Do not, Saveliitch, speak too much to him; he
is still very weak." She went out, shutting the door noiselessly. I
must be in the Commandant's house, or Marie could not come to see me.
I wished to question Saveliitch, but the old man shook his head and
put his fingers in his ears. I closed my eyes from ill-humor--and
fell asleep.
Upon awaking, I called Saveliitch; instead of him, I saw before me
Marie, whose gentle voice greeted me. I seized her hand and bathed it
with my tears. Marie did not withdraw it, and suddenly I felt upon my
cheek the impression, humid and delicious, of her lips! A thrill shot
through my whole being.
"Dear, good Marie, be my wife, and make me the happiest of men!"
"In the name of heaven be calm," she said, withdrawing her hand, "your
wound may reopen; for my sake be careful."
She left the room. I was in a daze. I felt life returning. "She will
be mine!" I kept repeating, "she loves me!" I grew better, hour by
hour. The barber of the regiment dressed my wounds, for there was no
other physician in the fortress, and thank God, he did not merely play
the doctor. Youth and nature completed the cure.
The Commandant's whole family surrounded me with care. Marie scarcely
ever left me. I need not say that I took the first favorable moment
to continue my interrupted declaration. This time Marie listened with
more patience. She frankly acknowledged her affection for me. And
added that her parents would be happy in her happiness; "but," she
continued, "think well of it? Will there be no objection on the part
of your family?"
I did not doubt my mother's tenderness, but knowing my father's
character, I foresaw that my love would not be received by him
favorably, and that in all probability he would treat it as one of my
youthful follies. This I avowed plainly to Marie, but nevertheless I
resolved to write to my father as eloquently as possible, and ask his
blessing on our marriage. I showed the letter to Marie, who thought
it so touching and convincing that she did not doubt of success, and
abandoned herself, with all the confidence of youth and love, to the
feelings of her heart.
I made peace with Alexis in the first days of my convalescence. Ivan
Mironoff said, reproaching me for the duel: "You see, Peter, I ought
to put you under arrest, but indeed you have been well punished without
that. Alexis is, by my orders, under guard in the barn, and his sword
is under lock and key in Basilia's keeping."
I was too happy to harbor spite, so I entreated for Alexis, and the
kind Commandant, with his wife's permission, consented to set him at
liberty. Alexis came at once to see me. He expressed regret for all
that had happened, confessing that the fault was all his, and begged me
to forget the past. Being naturally incapable of revenge, I pardoned
him, forgiving both our quarrel and my wound. In his calumny I now
saw the irritation of wounded vanity and despised love. I generously
forgave my unfortunate rival. As soon as completely cured I returned
to my lodging. I awaited impatiently the reply to my letter, not
daring to hope, yet trying to stifle all sad presentiments. I had not
yet had an explanation with Basilia and her husband, but my suit could
not surprise them. Neither Marie nor I had concealed our feelings,
and we were sure in advance of their consent.
At last, one pleasant day Saveliitch came to my room, letter in hand.
The address was written in my father's hand. This sight prepared me
for something grave, for usually my mother wrote me, and he only added
a few lines at the end. Long I hesitated to break the seal. I read
again and again the solemn superscription:
"To my Son,
Peter Grineff,
Principality of Orenbourg,
Fortress of Belogorsk."
I tried to discover by my father's writing his mood of mind when he
wrote that letter. At last I broke that seal. I saw from the first
lines that our hopes were crushed! Here is the letter:
"MY SON PETER: We received the 15th of this month the letter in which
you ask our paternal benediction and consent to your marriage with
Mironoff's daughter. Not only have I no intention of giving either my
consent or benediction, but I have a great mind to go to you and punish
you for your childish follies, notwithstanding your officer's rank,
because you have proved that you are not worthy to bear the sword which
was given you for the defense of your country, and not for the purpose
of fighting a duel with a fool of your own stamp. I shall write
instantly to Andrew Karlovitch to transfer you from the fortress of
Belogorsk to some still more distant place. Upon hearing of your wound
your mother was taken ill, and is still confined to her bed. What will
become of you? I pray God to reform you, but can scarcely hope for so
much from his goodness. Your father, A.G."
The harsh expressions which my father had not spared, wounded me
sorely; the contempt with which he treated Marie seemed to me as unjust
as it was undignified. Then the mere idea of being sent from this
fortress alarmed me; but above all, I grieved for my mother's illness.
Saveliitch came in for a share of my indignation, not doubting but that
he informed my parents of the duel. After having paced up and down my
little chamber, I stopped suddenly before the old man and said: "It
seems that it is not enough that you caused my wound, and brought
me almost to the brink of the grave, but that you want to kill my
mother too!"
Saveliitch was as motionless as if lightning had struck him. "Have
mercy on me! my lord," said he, "what do you deign to tell me? I
caused your wound? God sees that I was running to put my breast
before you, to receive the sword of Alexis. This cursed age of mine
hindered me. But what have I done to your mother?"
"What have you done? Who charged you to write an accusation against
me? Were you taken into my service to play the spy on me?"
"I write an accusation?" replied the old man, quite broken down, "O
God! King of heaven! Here, read what the master writes me, and you
shall see if I denounced thee." At the same time he drew from his
pocket a letter which he gave me, and I read what follows:
"Shame upon you, you old dog, that notwithstanding my strict orders
you wrote me nothing regarding my son, leaving to strangers the duty
of telling me of his follies. Is it thus you do your duty and fulfill
your master's will? I shall send you to keep the pigs, for having
concealed the truth, and for your condescension to the young man.
Upon receipt of this letter inform me immediately of the state of his
health, which is, I hear, improving, and tell me precisely the place
of his wound, and whether he has well attended."
Evidently Saveliitch was not in the wrong, and I had offended him by my
suspicions and reproaches. I asked him to forgive me, but the old man
was inconsolable. "See to what I have lived!" he repeated; "see what
thanks I have merited from my masters for all my long services! I am
an old dog! I am a swine-herd, and more than all that, I caused your
wound. No, no, Peter, I am not in fault, it is the cursed Frenchman
who taught thee to play with these steel blades, and to stamp and
dance, as if by thrusting and dancing you could defend yourself from
a bad man."
Now, then, who had taken the pains to accuse me to my father? The
General, Andrew Karlovitch? He did not trouble himself much about
me; moreover, Ivan Mironoff had not thought it worth while to report
my duel to him. My suspicions fell on Alexis. He only would find
some advantage in this information, the consequence of which might
be my dismissal from the fortress and separation from the Commandant's
family. I went to tell every thing to Marie. She met me on the
doorstep.
"What has happened to you? how pale you are!"
"All's over," I replied, handing her my father's letter.
It was her turn to blanch. Having read the letter she returned it,
and said in a trembling voice: "It was not my destiny. Your parents
do not wish me in their family; may the will of God be done! He knows
better than we what is best for us. There is nothing to be done in
the matter, Peter; you, at least, may be happy."
"It shall not be so," I exclaimed, taking her hand. "You love me, I
am ready for any fate. Let us go and throw ourselves at your parents'
feet. They are simple people; they are neither haughty nor cruel; they
will give us their benediction; we will marry; and in time, I am sure,
we will soften my father. My mother will intercede for us, and he will
pardon me."
"No, Peter, I will not marry you without the benediction of your
parents. You would not be happy without their blessing. Let us submit
to the will of God. If you meet another bride, if you love her, may
God be with you! I, Peter, I will pray for both of you." Tears
interrupted her, and she went away; I wished to follow her into the
house, but I was not master of myself, and I went to my own quarters.
I was plunged in melancholy, when Saveliitch came to interrupt my
reflections.
"There, my lord," said he, presenting me a sheet of paper all covered
with writing, "see if I am a spy on my master, and if I try to embroil
father and son."
I took the paper from his hand; it was his reply to my father's letter.
I could not help smiling at the old man's letter. I was in no
condition to write to my father, and to calm my mother his letter
seemed sufficient.
From that day, Marie scarcely spoke to me, and even tried to avoid
me. The Commandant's house became insupportable, and I accustomed
myself, little by little, to remain alone in my room. At first
Basilia reasoned with me, but seeing my persistency she let me alone.
I saw Ivan Mironoff only when the service required it. I had but
rare interviews with Alexis, for whom my antipathy increased, because
I thought I discovered in him a secret enmity which confirmed my
suspicions. Life became a burden; I gave myself up to a melancholy
which was fed by solitude and inaction. Love burned on in silence
and tortured me, more and more. I lost all taste for reading and
literature; I let myself become completely depressed; and I feared
that I should either become a lunatic or rush into dissipation, when
events occurred that had great influence on my life and give a strong
and healthy tone to my mind.
VI. POUGATCHEFF.
Before beginning the recital of the strange events of which I was
witness, I ought to say a few words about the situation of affairs
toward the end of the year 1773. The rich and vast province of
Orenbourg was inhabited by a number of tribes, half civilized, who had
just recognized the sovereignty of the Russian Czars. Their continual
revolts, their impatience of law and civilized life, their inconstancy
and cruelty, demanded on the part of the government a constant
watchfulness to reduce them to obedience. Fortresses had been erected
in favorable places, and Cossacks, the former possessors of the shores
of the Iaik, in many places formed a part of the garrisons. But these
very Cossacks, who should have guaranteed the peace and security of
their districts, were restless and dangerous subjects of the empire.
In 1772 a riot occurred in one of their chief towns. This riot was
caused by the severity of the measures employed by General Traubenberg
to bring the army to obedience. The only result of these measures was
the barbarous murder of Traubenberg, a change of Imperial officers,
and in the end, by force of grape and canister, the suppression of
the riot.
This happened shortly before my arrival at the fortress of Belogorsk.
Then all seemed quiet. But the authorities had too easily believed in
the feigned repentance of the rebels, who nursed their hate in silence,
and only awaited a propitious moment to recommence the struggle.
I return to my story. Once evening, it was in the month of October,
1773, I was alone in the house, listening to the whistling of the
Autumn winds, and watching the clouds gliding rapidly before the moon.
An order came from the Commandant, calling me to his presence. I went
that instant. I found there Alexis, Ignatius and the Corporal of the
Cossacks, but neither the wife nor daughter of the Commandant. My
chief bade me good evening, had the door closed, and every one seated,
except the Corporal who remained standing; then he drew a paper from
his pocket and said to us:
"Gentlemen, important news! Listen to what the General writes." He
put on his spectacles and read:
"To the Commandant of the Fortress of Belogorsk, Captain Mironoff.
_Confidential_. I hereby inform you that the deserter and turbulent
Cossack of the Don, Imiliane Pougatcheff, after having been guilty of
the unpardonable insolence of usurping the name of the deceased Emperor
Peter III, has assembled a troop of brigands, disturbed the villages
of the Iaik, and has even taken and destroyed several fortresses, at
the same time committing everywhere robberies and assassinations.
Therefore, upon the receipt of this, you will, Captain, bethink you
of the measures to be taken to repulse the said robber and usurper;
and if possible, in case he turn his arms against the fortress
confided to your care, to completely exterminate him."
"It is easy to talk," said the Commandant, taking off his spectacles,
and folding the paper; "but we must use every precaution. The rascal
seems strong, and we have only 130 men, even adding the Cossacks, upon
whom there is no dependence, be it said without reproach to thee,
Maxim." The Corporal of the Cossacks smiled. "Gentlemen, let us do
our part; be vigilant, post sentries, establish night patrols; in case
of an attack, shut the gates and call out the soldiers. Maxim, watch
well your Cossacks. It is necessary to examine the cannon and clean
it; and above all to keep the secret, that no one in the fortress
should know any thing before the time."
Having given his orders, Ivan Mironoff dismissed us. I went out with
Alexis, speculating on what we had heard. "What do you think of it?
How will this end?" I asked him.
"God knows," he replied, "we shall see. At present there is no
danger." And he began, as if thinking, to hum a French air.
Notwithstanding our precautions the news of the apparition of
Pougatcheff spread through the fortress. However great the respect of
Ivan Mironoff for his wife, he would not reveal to her for anything in
the world a military secret. When he had received the General's letter
he very adroitly rid himself of Basilia by telling her that the Greek
priest had received from Orenbourg extraordinary news which he kept a
great mystery. Thereupon Basilia desired to pay a visit to Accouline,
the clergyman's wife, and by Mironoff's advice Marie went also. Master
of the situation, Ivan Mironoff locked up the maid in the kitchen and
assembled us.
Basilia came home without news, and learned that during her absence
a council of war had been held, and that Polacca was imprisoned in
the kitchen. She suspected that her husband had deceived her, and
overwhelmed him with questions. He was prepared for the attack, and
stoutly replied to his curious better-half:
"You see, my dear, the women about the country have been using straw
to kindle their fires; now as that might be dangerous, I assembled my
officers, and gave them orders to prevent these women lighting fires
with anything but fagots and brushwood."
"And why did you lock up Polacca in the kitchen till my return?" Ivan
Mironoff had not foreseen that question, and muttered some incoherent
words. Basilia saw at once her husband's perfidy, but knowing that
she could extract nothing from him at that moment, she ceased her
questioning, and spoke of the pickled cucumbers which Accouline knew
how to prepare in a superior fashion. That night Basilia never closed
an eye, unable to imagine what it was that her husband knew that she
could not share with him.
The next day, returning from mass, she saw Ignatius cleaning the
cannon, taking out rags, pebbles, bits of wood, and all sorts of
rubbish which the small boys had stuffed there. "What means these
warlike preparations?" thought the Commandant's wife? "Is an attack
from the Kirghis feared? Is it possible that Mironoff would hide from
me so mere a trifle?" She called Ignatius, determined to know the
secret that excited her woman's curiosity. Basilia began by making
some remarks about household matters, like a judge who begins his
interrogation with questions foreign to the affair, in order to
reassure the accused, and throw him off his guard. Then having paused
a moment she sighed and shook her head, saying: "O God! what news!
what news! What will become of us?"
"My dear lady," said Ignatius, "the Lord is merciful; we have soldiers
and plenty of powder; I have cleaned the cannon. We may repulse this
Pougatcheff. If the Lord is with us, the wolf will eat no one here."
"Who is Pougatcheff?" asked the Commandant's wife.
Ignatius saw that he had gone too far, and he bit his tongue. But it
was too late. Basilia constrained him to tell her all, having given
her word to keep the secret. She kept her word, and indeed told no
one except Accoulina, whose cow was still on the steppe and might be
carried off by the brigands. Soon every one talked of Pougatcheff, the
current reports being very different. The Commandant sent out the
Corporal to pick up information about him in all the neighboring
villages and little forts. The Corporal returned after an absence of
two days, and declared that he had seen on the steppe, sixty versts
from the fortress, a great many fires, and that he had heard the
Bashkirs say that an innumerable force was advancing. He could not
tell anything definitely, having been afraid to venture farther.
Great agitation was soon after this observed amongst the Cossacks of
our garrison. They assembled in groups in the streets, speaking in a
low tone amongst themselves, and dispersing as soon as they perceived
a dragoon or other Russian soldier. Orders were given to watch them.
Zoulac, a baptized Kalmouk, made a very grave revelation to the
Commandant. According to the Kalmouk, the Cossack made a false report;
for to his comrades the perfidious Corporal said that he had advanced
to the rebel camp, had been presented to their rebel chief, had kissed
his hand and conversed with him. The Commandant ordered the Corporal
under arrest, and replaced him by the Kalmouk. This change was
received by the Cossacks with visible discontent. They openly murmured
and Ignatius, when executing the Commandant's order, heard them say,
with his own ears, "wait, garrison rat, wait!"
The Commandant decided to examine the Corporal that same day, but he
had escaped, no doubt, by the aid of his brother Cossacks. Another
event increased the Captain's uneasiness. A Bashkir was seized bearing
seditious letters. Upon this occasion, the Commandant decided to
call at once a council, and in order to do so, wished to send away
his wife under some specious pretext. But as Mironoff was the
simplest and most truthful of men, he could think of no other device
than that already employed.
"You see, Basilia," said he, coughing several times, "Father Garasim
has, it is said, been to the city--"
"Silence! silence!" interrupted his wife; "you are going to call
another council and talk in my absence of Imiliane Pougatcheff, but
this time you can not deceive me."
The Captain stared; "Eh! well! my dear," said he, "since you know all,
stay; we may as well speak before you."
"You cannot play the fox," said his wife; "send for the officers."
We assembled again. The Commandant read, before his wife,
Pougatcheff's proclamation, written by some half-educated Cossack.
The brigand declared to us his intention of marching directly upon our
fortress, inviting the Cossacks and soldiers to join him, and advising
the chiefs not to resist, threatening, in that case, extremest torture.
The proclamation was written in vulgar but energetic terms, and must
have produced an impression upon simple-minded people.
"What a rascal!" exclaimed the Captain's wife. "Just see what he
proposes. To go out and meet him and lay our flags at his feet.
Ah! the son of a dog! He does not know that we have been forty years
in service, and that, thank God, we have seen all sorts of military
life. Is it possible to find a Commandant cowardly enough to obey
this robber?"
"It ought not to be," replied the Captain, "but it is said that the
villain has taken possession of several fortress."
"It appears he is quite strong," said Alexis.
"We shall instantly know his real force," continued the Commandant;
"Basilia, give me the key of the garret. Ignatius, bring the Bashkir
here, and tell Zoulac to bring the rods."
"Wait a little, my dear," said the Commandant's wife, leaving her seat;
"let me take Marie out of the house, or else she will hear the screams
and be frightened. And, to tell the truth, I am, myself, not very
curious about such investigations. Until I see you again, adieu."
Torture was then so rooted in the customs of justice, that the humane
Ukase of Catherine II, who had ordered its abolition, remained long
without effect. It was thought that the confession of the accused was
indispensable to his condemnation, an idea not only unreasonable, but
contrary to the most simple good sense in matters of jurisprudence; for
if the denial of the accused is not accepted as proof of his innocence,
the confession which is torn from him by torture ought to serve still
less as proof of his guilt. Even now I sometimes hear old judges
regret the abolition of this barbarous custom. But in the time of our
story no one doubted the necessity of torture, neither the judges nor
the accused themselves. For this reason the Captain's order did not
astonish any of us. Ignatius went for the Bashkir, and a few minutes
later he was brought to the waiting-room. The Commandant ordered him
into the council-room where we were.
The Bashkir crossed the threshold with difficulty, for his feet were
shackled. He took off his high Cossack cap and stood near the door. I
looked at him and shuddered, involuntarily. Never shall I forget that
man; he seemed at least seventy years of age, and had neither nose nor
ears. His head was shaved; a few sparse gray hairs took the place of
beard. He was small of stature, thin and bent; but his Tartar eyes
still sparkled.
"Eh! eh!" said the Commandant, who recognized by these terrible signs
one of the rebels punished in 1741. "You are an old wolf, I see; you
have already been caught in our snares. This is not your first
offense, for your head is so well planed off."
The old Bashkir was silent, and looked at the Commandant with an air
of complete imbecility.
"Well! why are you silent?" continued the Captain; "do you not
understand Russian? Zoulac, ask him, in your tongue, who sent him
into our fortress."
The Kalmouk repeated in the Tartar language the Captain's question.
But the Bashkir looked at him with the same expression and without
answering a word.
"I will make you answer," exclaimed the Captain, with a Tartar oath.
"Come, take off his striped dressing-gown, his fool's garment, and
scourge him well."
Two pensioners commenced to remove the clothing from the shoulders of
the old man. Then, sore distress was vividly depicted on the face of
the unfortunate man. He looked on all sides, like a poor little animal
caught by children. But when one of the pensioners seized his hands to
turn them around his neck and lift up the old man on his shoulders;
when Zoulac took the rods and raised his hand to strike, then the
Bashkir uttered a low, but penetrating moan, and raising his head,
opened his mouth, where, in place of a tongue, moved a short stump!
We were still debating, when Basilia rushed breathlessly into the room
with a terrified air. "What has happened to you?" asked the Commandant,
surprised.
"Misfortune! misfortune!" replied she. "A fort was taken this morning;
Father Garasim's boy has just returned. He saw how it was captured.
The Commandant and all the officers are hanged, all the soldiers made
prisoners, and the rebels are coming here."
This unexpected news made a deep impression on me, for I knew the
Commandant of that fortress. Two months ago, the young man, traveling
with his bride coming from Orenbourg, had paid a visit to Captain
Mironoff. The fort he commanded was only twenty-five versts from ours,
so that from hour to hour we might expect an attack from Pougatcheff.
My imagination pictured the fate of Marie, and I trembled for her.
"Listen, Captain Mironoff," said I to the Commandant, "our duty is to
defend the fortress to our last breath; that is understood, but the
safety of the women must be thought of; send them to a more distant
fortress,--to Orenbourg, if the route be still open."
Mironoff turned to his wife. "You see my dear! indeed it would be
well to send you somewhere farther off until we shall have defeated
the rebels."
"What nonsense!" replied she. "Where is the fortress that balls have
not reached? In what respect is our fortress unsafe? Thank God, we
have lived here twenty and one years. We have seen Bashkirs and
Kirghis; Pougatcheff can not be worse than they."
"My dear, stay if you will, since your faith is so great in our
fortress. But what shall we do with Marie? It will be all well if we
can keep off the robber, or if help reach us in time. If the fortress,
however, be taken--"
Basilia could only stammer a few words, and was silent, choked by
her feelings.
"No, Basilia," continued the Commandant, who remarked that his words
made a deep impression on his wife, perhaps for the first time in his
life, "it is not advisable that Marie stay here. Let us send her to
Orenbourg, to her god-mother's. That is a well-manned fortress, with
stone walls and plenty of cannon. I would advise you to go there
yourself; think what might happen to you were your fortress to be
taken by assault."
"Well! well! let us send Marie away," said the Captain's wife, "but
do not dream of asking me to go, for I will do nothing of the kind.
It is not becoming, in my old age, to separate myself from thee and
seek a solitary grave in a strange place. We have lived together;
let us die together."
"You are right," said the Commandant. "Go, and equip Marie; there
is no time to lose; tomorrow, at the dawn of day, she shall set out;
she must have a convoy, though indeed there is no one to spare. Where
is she?"
"She is at Accoulina's," said his wife. "She fainted upon hearing that
the fortress had been taken."
Basilia went to prepare for her daughter's departure. The discussion
still continued at the Commandant's, but I took no further part in it.
Marie reappeared at supper with eyes red from tears. We supped in
silence and rose from the table sooner than usual. Having bade the
family good night, each one sought his room. I forgot my sword, on
purpose, and went back for it; I anticipated finding Marie alone.
In truth she met me at the door and gave me my sword.
"Adieu, Peter," she said, weeping, "they send me to Orenbourg. Be
happy. Perhaps God will permit us to meet again; if not--"
She burst into tears. I folded her in my arms.
"Adieu, my angel!" I said, "adieu my cherished, my beloved; what ever
happens, be sure that my last thought, my last prayer, will be for
thee." Leaning of my breast, Marie wept. I kissed her and rushed out.
VII. THE ASSAULT.
I could not sleep during the night, and did not even undress. I
intended to be at the fortress gates at day-dawn to see Marie set out,
and bid her a last adieu. I was completely changed. Excitement was
less painful than my former melancholy, for with the grief of
separation there mingled vague but secret hope, impatient expectation
of danger, and a high ambition. Night passed quickly. I was on the
point of going out, when my door opened, and the Corporal entered,
saying that our Cossacks had deserted the fortress during the night,
forcing with them Zoulac, the Christian Kalmouk, and that all around
our ramparts, unknown people were riding. The idea that Marie had not
been able to get off, froze me with terror. I gave, in haste, a few
instructions to the Corporal, and ran to the Commandant's.
Day was breaking. I was going down the street swiftly when I heard my
name called. I stopped.
"Where are you going, dare I ask?" said Ignatius, catching up with
me; "the Captain is on the rampart and sends me for you. Pougatcheff
is here."
"Is Marie gone?" I said, shuddering.
"She was not ready in time; communication with Orenbourg is cut off;
the fortress is surrounded. Peter, this is bad work."
We went to the rampart--a small height formed by nature and fortified
by a palisade. The garrison was there under arms. The cannon had been
dragged there the evening before. The Commandant was walking up and
down before his little troop--the approach of danger had restored to
the old warrior extraordinary vigor. On the steppe, not far from the
fortress, there were some twenty horsemen, who looked like Cossacks;
but amongst them were a few Bashkirs, easily recognized by their caps
and quivers. The Commandant passed before the ranks of his small army
and said to the soldiers: "Come, boys, let us fight today for our
mother the Empress, and show the world that we are brave men and
faithful to our oath."
The soldiers, with loud shouts, testified their good will. Alexis was
standing by me examining the enemy. The people on the steppe, seeing,
no doubt, some movement in our fort, collected in groups and spoke
amongst themselves. The Commandant ordered Ignatius to point the
cannon upon them, he himself applying the light. The ball whistled
over their heads without doing them any harm. The horsemen dispersed
at once, setting off on a gallop, and the steppe became deserted. At
this moment Basilia appeared on the rampart, followed by Marie, who
would not leave her.
"Well," said the Captain's wife, "how is the battle going? Where is
the enemy?"
"The enemy is not far off," replied Ivan, "but if God wills it, all
will be well; and thou, Marie, art thou afraid?"
"No, papa," said Marie, "I am more afraid by myself in the house." She
glanced at me, and tried to smile. I pressed my sword, remembering
that I had received it from her on the preceding eve, as if for her
defense. My heart was on fire. I fancied myself her knight, and
longed to prove myself worthy of her trust. I awaited the decisive
moment impatiently.
Suddenly coming from behind a hill, eight versts from the fortress,
appeared new groups of horsemen, and soon the whole steppe was covered
by men armed with lances and arrows. Amongst them, wearing a scarlet
cafetan, sword in hand, could be distinguished a man mounted on a
white horse. This was Pougatcheff himself. He halted, was surrounded
by his followers, and very soon, probably by his orders, four men
left the crowd and galloped to our ramparts. We recognized among
them our traitors. One of them raised a sheet of paper above his cap
and another carried on the point of his lance Zoulac's head, which he
threw to us over the palisade. The poor Kalmouk's head rolled at the
feet of the Commandant.
The traitors shouted to us: "Do not fire, come out and receive the
Czar. The Czar is here."
"Fire!" shouted the Captain as sole reply.
The soldiers discharged their pieces. The Cossack who held the letter,
tottered and fell from his horse; the others fled. I glanced at Marie.
Petrified by horror at the sight of the Kalmouk's head, dizzy from the
noise of the discharge, she seemed lifeless. The Commandant ordered
the Corporal to take the letter from the hand of the dead Cossack.
Ignatius sallied out and returned, leading by the bridle the man's
horse. He gave the letter to Ivan, who read it in a low voice and
tore it up. Meantime the rebels were preparing for an attack. Very
soon balls whistled about our ears, and arrows fell around us, buried
deep in the ground.
"Basilia," said the Captain, "women have nothing to do here; take away
Marie; you see the child is more dead than alive." Basilia, whom the
sound of the balls had rendered more yielding, glanced at the steppe
where much movement was visible, and said: "Ivan, life and death are
from God; bless Marie; come, child, to thy father."
Pale and trembling, Marie came and knelt, bending low before him. The
old Commandant made three times the sign of the cross over her, then
raising, kissed her, and said in a broken voice: "Oh! my dear Marie!
pray to God, he will never abandon thee. If an honest man seek thee,
may God give you both love and goodness. Live together as we have
lived; my wife and I. Adieu! my dear Marie! Basilia, take her away
quickly."
Marie put her arms around his neck and sobbed. The Captain's wife, in
tears, said: "Embrace us also; adieu, Ivan; if ever I have crossed
you, forgive me."
"Adieu! adieu! my dear," said the Commandant, kissing his old
companion. "Come! enough! go to the house, and if you have time dress
Marie in her best; let her wear a sarafan, embroidered in gold, as is
our custom for burial."
Ivan Mironoff returned to us, and fixed all his attention upon the
enemy. The rebels collected around their chief and suddenly began to
advance. "Be firm, boys," said the Commandant, "the assault begins."
At that instant savage war-cries were heard. The rebels were
approaching the fortress with their accustomed fleetness. Our cannon
was charged with grape and canister. The Commandant let them come
within short range, and again put a light to his piece. The shot
struck in the midst of the force, which scattered in every direction.
Only their chief remained in advance, and he, waving his sabre, seemed
to be rallying them. Their piercing shouts, which had ceased an
instant, redoubled again. "Now, children," ordered the Captain, "open
the gate, beat the drum, and advance! Follow me, for a sortie!"
The Captain, Ignatius and I were in an instant beyond the parapet.
But the frightened garrison had not moved from the square. "What
are you doing, my children?" shouted the Captain; "if we must die,
let us die; the imperial service demands it!"
At this moment the rebels fell upon us, and forced the entrance to
the citadel. The drum was silent; the garrison threw down their arms.
I had been knocked down, but I rose and entered, pell-mell, with the
crowds into the fortress. I saw the Commandant wounded on the head,
and closed upon by a small troop of bandits, who demanded the keys.
I was running to his aid when several powerful Cossacks seized me and
bound me with their long sashes, crying out: "Wait there, traitor to
the Czar, till we know what to do with you."
We were dragged along the streets. The inhabitants came out of their
houses offering bread and salt. The bells were rung. Suddenly, shouts
announced that the Czar was on the square, awaiting to receive the
oaths of the prisoners.
Pougatcheff was seated in an arm-chair on the steps of the Commandant's
house. He was robed in an elegant Cossack cafetan embroidered on the
seams. A high cap of martin-skin, ornamented with gold tassels,
covered his brow almost to his flashing eyes. His face seemed to me
not unknown. Cossack chiefs surrounded him. Father Garasim, pale and
trembling, stood, the cross in his hand, at the foot of the steps, and
seemed to supplicate in silence for the victims brought before him.
Back to Full Books
|