Iwan Kusmitsch. "It cannot be helped let us die bravely that is the duty of a soldier!"

Just then the rebels threw themselves upon us and forced their way into the fortress. The drum had ceased to beat. The garrison had thrown away their arms. I had been knocked down, but got up and went together with the rebels into the fortress. The commander who was wounded in the head stood in the midst of some miscreants, who demanded the keys from him, I hastened to his assistance, but several powerful cossacks seized me and bound me with their belts. "We shall teach you to resist" they said, and dragged us through the streets. The inhabitants came out of their houses with bread and salt. bells were ringing. People called out in the streets, that the Emperor was waiting in the market place for the prisoners, and was ready to receive to oath of allegiance. The people were crowding towards that place in masses, and we were also taken there.

The

Pugatschew was sitting upon a chair before the house of the commander. He wore a handsome Cossack Kaftan with gold lace, upon his head a high sable cap with gold trimmings. His face seemed known to me, The elders of the Cossacks surrounded him, the priest Gerassim stood pale and trembling near the steps, holding the cross in his hand seemingly imploring pardon for the approching victims. In the middle of the place hasty preparations were made for the erection of a gibbet. When we came near the Bashkirs drove the people away and brought us before Pugatschew. The ringing of the bell ceased. There was a deep silence.

"Which is the commander asked the usnrper. Our Uraednik stepped from among the crowd and pointed to Iwan Kusmitsch. Pugatschew threw a menacing look upon the old man and said. "How dare you to resist to me, your Emperor."

The commander, exhausted through loss of blood from his wounds, collected his remaining strength and answered with a steady voice: "you are not my emperor, you are a thief, a felon and an impostor, do you hear." Pugatschew darkly contracted his frowning brows and made a sign with his white handkerchief. There upon some Cossacks seized the old captain and carried him to the gallows. Upon the cross-beam was sitting astride the maimed Baschkir whom we wanted to question the day before. He held the cord in his hand, a minute after this I saw poor Iwan Kusmitsch drawn up. The second who was brought before Pugatschew was Iwan Ignatitsch." Take your oath" he said to him, "I am your Emperor Peter Feodorowitsch!"

"You are not my Emperor!" answered Iwan Ignatitsch, repeating the words of his captain. "You old boy, you are nothing but an imposter and a thief.

Pugatschew made another sign with his handkerchief, and the lieutenant was soon seen hanging at the side of his commander. My turn came now. I looked steadily at Pugatschew, ready to repeat the answer of my high minded companions; when to my great astonishments I perceived among the chiefs of the rebels Schwabrin his hair cut short and wearing a cossak Kaftan. He approached Pugatschew and whis

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pered something in his ear. Hang him" exclaimed Pugatschew without even looking at me. They threw the noose round my neck; I began to recite a silent a prayer, full off sincere repentance, I asked God to pardon my sins, and to protect those who were dear to my heart. They were leading me to the gallows. "Fear not, fear not, said the murderers to me, perhaps with the intention to inspire me with courage. All at once I heard a voice exclaiming ; "stop ye sons of hell.

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wait a moment.

'What will

The

murderers stood still. I turned round, and saw Saweljitsch at the feet of Pugatschew. "Have pity," cried my poor servant. you gain by killing the child of my master! Let him go, you can get a handsome ransom for him: and if you are bent upon making a waring example, then let me be hung in his stead." Upon a sign from Pugatschew, I was liberated.

“Our father grants you a free pardon," they said to me.

I cannot say that I was greatly rejoiced at my escape from the gibbet, nor that I was displeased at it. My sensations were very indistinct at the time. They took me again before the usurper and made me kneel down before him. Pugatschew tendered me his muscular hand.

"Kiss the hand, kiss the hand," they exclaimed around me. But I would have preferred the most atrocious punishment to such a degradation.

"My dear Peter Andrejitsch," whispered Saweljitsch in my ear, "Do not be obstinate? It will not

hurt you, you can whipe your lips afterwards, kiss the malef . . . . . . I mean to say, kiss his lordship's hand. I did not move. Pugatschew drew back his hand and said, sarcastically, "The young man has lost his senses from joy. Lift him up."

They lifted me up, and set me free. I now remained a silent spectator of the rest of that horrid drama.

The inhabitants took the oath of allegiance. One after another approached, kissed the cross, and bowed to the usurper. The soldiers of the garrison were also there. The tailor of the regiment, armed with his scissors, cut off their pigtails. They then shook themselves and went to kiss Pugatschew's hand, who, granted their pardon, and incorporated them into his band. All this lasted about three hours. At last Pugatschew rose and descended the steps, accompanied by the elders of the Cossacks. They brought him his richly-caparisoned white steed. Two Cossacks took him under the arm and lifted him into the saddle. He announced to father Gerassim that he would dine at his house.

At that moment I heard a female voice. Wasilissa Jegorowna, half undressed, her hair in disorder, was dragged out of her house by some robbers. One of them had already donned the captain's dressing-gown. The others carried dresses, beds, boxes, tea-canisters, linen, and all sorts of household furniture.

"Have pity," screamed the poor old lady, "think of the Almighty, and take me to Iwan Kusmitsch."

All at once her eyes fell upon the gallows, and she recognised her husband.

"Malefactors, murderers," she exclaimed. "What have you done with him? Ah! my good, brave, only husband! True pattern of a soldier's heart. You have withstood the Prussian bayonets, and the Turkish bullets. You have not lost your life in an a honest fight a run away criminal has killed you!

"Take away that old witch!" said Pugatschew. Thereupon a young Cossack struck her with his sword upon the head and she fell dead upon the steps. Pugatschew rode away. The people ran after him.

CHAPTER VIIL

AN UNINVITED GUEST.

THE market-place was deserted. I still stood upon the same spot, and could not collect my ideas, so strongly was I was shaken by these events.

The incertitude of Mary's fate tormented me most "Where is she? what has become of her? was she enabled to hide herself, and is the place of her refuge a safe one? . . . . Full of anxiety I entered the house of the commander All was desolate, the tables, chairs, drawers, crockery, all was broken or taken away I mounted the little staircase, which led to the upper-room, and for the first time in my life, I entered Mary's chamber. I saw her bed

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