Then Vasilisa Yegorovna appeared on the rampart and with her Masha, not wanting to lag behind her. "Well, what? - said the commandant. - What is the battle going on? Where is the enemy?"-" The enemy is not far, - answered Ivan Kuzmich. - God will give, everything will be ok. What, Masha, scary you?" - "Not, papa, - answered Marya Ivanovna;- at home alone is worse ". Then she looked at me and smiled with effort. I involuntarily gripped the hilt of my sword, remembering, that the day before got her out of her hands, as if to protect my dear. My heart was on fire. I imagined myself as her knight. I was eager to prove, that he was worthy of her power of attorney, and looked forward to the decisive moment.
At this time, due to the height, located half a verst from the fortress, new horse crowds appeared, and soon the steppe was dotted with many people, armed with spears and sideaks. Between them on a white horse rode a man in a red caftan with a naked saber in his hand: it was Pugachev himself. He stopped; he was surrounded, and, as seen, at his behest, four people separated and galloped at full speed to the very fortress. We recognized them as our traitors. One of them held a sheet of paper under his cap.; the other had Yulai's head stuck on a spear, which, shook, he threw over the palisade to us. The head of the poor Kalmyk fell at the feet of the commandant. The traitors screamed: "Do not shoot; go out to the sovereign. The sovereign is here!»
"Here I am you! - shouted Ivan Kuzmich. - Guys! shoot!"Our soldiers fired a volley. Kazakh, holding the letter, staggered and fell off the horse; others jumped back. I looked at Marya Ivanovna. Struck by the sight of Yulai's bloody head, stunned by a volley, she seemed without memory. The commandant called the corporal and ordered him to take the sheet from the hands of the killed Cossack. The corporal went out into the field and returned, leading the dead man's horse by the bridle. He handed the commandant a letter. Ivan Kuzmich read it to himself and then tore it to shreds. Meanwhile, the rebels were apparently preparing for action.. Soon bullets began to whistle near our ears, and several arrows stuck near us into the ground and into the palisade. "Vasilisa Egorovna! - said the commandant. - This is not a woman's business; take Masha away; see: the girl is neither alive nor dead ".
Vasilisa Egorovna, subdued by the bullets, looked at the steppe, where there was a lot of movement; then she turned to her husband and told him: "Ivan Kuzmich, in the stomach and death, god is free: bless Masha. Masha, come to your father ".
Masha, pale and trembling, went to Ivan Kuzmich, knelt down and bowed to him in the ground. The old commandant baptized her three times; then picked it up and, kissing, told her in a changed voice: "Well, Masha, be happy. Pray to god: he won't leave you. If there is a kind person, God give you love and advice. Live, how we lived with Vasilisa Egorovna. Well, goodbye, Masha. Vasilisa Egorovna, take her away as soon as possible ". (Masha threw herself on his neck and sobbed.) "We will kiss too, - said, I cried, commandant. - Goodbye, my Ivan Kuzmich. Let me go, if in what I annoyed you!" - "Goodbye, goodbye, mother! - said the commandant, hugged his old woman. - Well, pretty! Go, go home; yes, if you have time, put on a sundress on Masha ". The commandant with her daughter left. I looked after Marya Ivanovna; she looked around and nodded her head to me. Then Ivan Kuzmich turned to us, and all his attention was directed to the enemy. The rebels gathered around their leader and suddenly began to dismount from their horses. "Now stand firm, - said the commandant - there will be an attack ... "At that moment there was a terrible screeching and screaming; the rebels ran to the fortress. Our cannon was loaded with buckshot. The commandant let them go to the closest distance and suddenly blurted out again. The grape shot was enough in the very middle of the crowd. The rebels swung back and forth and backed away. Their leader was left alone in front ... He waved his saber and, it seemed, tried to persuade them with ardor ... Shout and squeal, silenced for a minute, resumed immediately. "Well, guys, - said the commandant; - now open the gate, beat in the drum. Guys! forward, on a sortie, follow me!»
Commandant, Ivan Ignatyevich and I instantly found ourselves behind the rampart; but the shabby garrison did not move. “What are you, kids, stand? - shouted Ivan Kuzmich. - Die, so die: service business!"At that moment the rebels ran up to us and broke into the fortress. The drum is silent; the garrison threw their guns; I was knocked off my feet, but I got up and entered the fortress together with the rebels. Commandant, wounded in the head, stood in a bunch of villains, who demanded keys from him. I rushed to his aid: several hefty Cossacks grabbed me and tied me up with sashes, sentencing: "Now you will, to the sovereign disobedient!»We were dragged through the streets; residents left their homes with bread and salt. Bells were ringing. Suddenly shouted in the crowd, that the sovereign expects prisoners in the square and takes the oath. The people poured into the square; they drove us there.
Pugachev sat in armchairs on the porch of the commandant's house. He was wearing a red Cossack caftan, braid. A tall sable hat with gold tassels was pulled down over his sparkling eyes.. His face seemed familiar to me. Cossack foremen surrounded him. Father Gerasim, pale and trembling, stood by the porch, with a cross in his hands, and, it seemed, silently pleaded with him for the upcoming sacrifices. A gallows was hastily set up in the square. When we got close, the Bashkir people dispersed the people and we were introduced to Pugachev. The bells died down; there was a deep silence. "Which is the commandant?"- asked the impostor. Our sergeant stepped out of the crowd and pointed at Ivan Kuzmich. Pugachev looked menacingly at the old man and told him: “How dare you oppose me, to his sovereign?»Commandant, exhausted from the wound, gathered his last strength and answered with a firm voice: "You are not my sovereign *, you are a thief and an impostor, Hey you!"Pugachev frowned gloomily and waved a white handkerchief. Several Cossacks grabbed the old captain and dragged him to the gallows. A mutilated Bashkir found himself astride its crossbar, whom we interrogated the day before. He held a rope in his hand, and a minute later I saw poor Ivan Kuzmich, upturned. Then they brought Ivan Ignatyich to Pugachev. "I swear, - Pugachev told him, - to Tsar Peter Feodorovich!"-" You are not our sovereign, - answered Ivan Ignatyevich, repeating the words of your captain. - You, uncle, vor and self-proclaimed!"Pugachev waved his handkerchief again, and the good lieutenant hung by his old boss.
The queue was after me. I looked boldly at Pugachev, preparing to repeat the answer of my generous comrades. ’, to my indescribable amazement, I saw among the rebellious elders Shvabrin, trimmed in a circle and in a Cossack caftan. He went up to Pugachev and said a few words in his ear. "Hang it up!"- said Pugachev, without looking at me already. They put a noose around my neck. I began to read a prayer to myself, bringing to God sincere repentance for all my sins and praying to him for the salvation of all those close to my heart. I was dragged under the gallows. "Don't be afraid, don't worry ", - the destroyers repeated to me, maybe really wanting to cheer me up. Suddenly I heard a cry: "Wait, damned! guess what!..»The executioners stopped. I look: Savelich lies at the feet of Pugachev. "Dear father! - said the poor guy. - What do you want in the death of a master's child? Let him go; they will give you a ransom for it; but for example, and for fear, they ordered me to hang an old man!"Pugachev gave a sign, and I was immediately untied and left. "Our father has mercy on you", - they told me. I can't say at this moment, so that I rejoice at my deliverance, I will not say, however, so that I regret about him. My feelings were too vague. I was again brought to the impostor and brought to my knees before him. Pugachev held out his sinewy hand to me. "Kiss the hand, kiss hand!"- they were talking about me. But I would prefer the fiercest execution to such dastardly humiliation. "Father Pyotr Andreyevich! - Savelich whispered, standing behind me and pushing me. - Do not be stubborn! what should you? spit and kiss the villain ... (Ugh!) kiss his hand ". I didn't move. Pugachev lowered his hand, said with a smile: "His honor, know, stupefied with joy. Raise it up!"- I was raised and left free. I began to watch the continuation of the terrible comedy.
Residents began to swear. They came up one by one, kissing the crucifix and then bowing to the impostor. Garrison soldiers stood right there. Company tailor, armed with his blunt scissors, cut their braids. They are, dusting off, approached Pugachev's hand, who announced their forgiveness and accepted into his gang. All this lasted for about three hours.. Finally, Pugachev got up from his chairs and left the porch, accompanied by his elders. They brought him a white horse, decorated with rich harness. Two Cossacks took him by the arms and put him on the saddle. He announced to Father Gerasim, what will dine with him. At that moment there was a woman's cry. Several robbers dragged Vasilisa Yegorovna onto the porch, disheveled and stripped naked. One of them has already dressed up in her jacket. Others set featherbeds, chests, tea utensils, linen and all the junk. "My priests! - shouted the poor old woman. - Release your soul to repentance. Family fathers, take me to Ivan Kuzmich ". Suddenly she looked at the gallows and recognized her husband. "Villains! She screamed in a frenzy. - What did you do to him? You are my light, Ivan Kuzmich, dashing soldier's head! no Prussian bayonets touched you, no Turkish bullets; not in a fair fight you put your belly, but disappeared from a fugitive convict!"-" To appease the old witch!"- said Pugachev. Then the young Cossack hit her on the head with a saber., and she fell dead on the porch steps. Pugachev left; people rushed after him.
Chapter VIII The Uninvited Guest
An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar.
Proverb.*
The area is empty. I still stood in one place and could not put my thoughts in order, embarrassed by such a terrible experience.
Uncertainty about the fate of Marya Ivanovna tormented me most of all. Where is she? what's wrong with her? did you manage to hide? is her shelter safe?.. Full of disturbing thoughts, I entered the commandant's house ... everything was empty; chairs, Table, the chests were broken; the dishes are smashed; everything is taken away. I ran up a small staircase, which led to the loft, and for the first time entered the room of Marya Ivanovna. I saw her bed, dug up by robbers; the cupboard was broken and robbed; the lamp was still glowing in front of the empty stump. The mirror also survived, hanging in the wall ... Where was the mistress of this humble, maiden cell? A terrible thought flashed through my mind: I imagined her in the hands of the robbers ... My heart sank ... I am bitter, he wept bitterly and loudly pronounced the name of my dear ... At that moment a slight noise was heard, and from behind the cupboard there was a broadsword, pale and trembling.
- Brother, Petr ANDREIĆ! - she said, splashed his hands. - What a day! what passions!..
- And Marya Ivanovna? I asked impatiently, - that Marya Ivanovna?
- The young lady is alive, - answered Broadsword. - She is hidden at Akulina Pamfilovna.
- At the priest! - I cried in horror. - Oh my God! yes there is Pugachev!..
I rushed out of the room, instantly found himself on the street and ran headlong into the priest's house, without seeing or feeling anything. There were screams, laughter and songs ... Pugachev feasted with his comrades. The broadsword ran to the same place for me. I sent her to quietly call Akulina Pamfilovna. A minute later, the priest came out to me in the entrance with an empty damask in her hands.
- Works of God! where is Marya Ivanovna? - I asked with inexplicable emotion.
- Lies, my dear, on my bed, there behind the partition, - answered the priest. - Well, Petr ANDREIĆ, disaster almost hit, Yes, Heavy, everything went well: the villain has just sat down to dinner, how is she, my poor thing, wake up and groan!.. I died like that. He heard: "And who is that you groan, old woman?"I am a thief in the belt: "My niece, prince; fell ill, lies, that's already another week ". - “And your niece is young?" - "Bride, sovereign ". - “Show me, old woman, your niece ". - My heart skipped a beat, yes there was nothing to do. - "Please, prince; only the girl will not be able to get up and come to your grace ". - “Nothing, old woman, I'll go and take a look myself ". And after all, the accursed one went behind the partition; what do you think! because he pulled back the curtain, looked like a hawk with my own eyes! - and nothing ... God endured! Do you believe, my dad and I are so prepared for a martyr's death. Fortunately, she, my dear, didn't recognize him. Lord lord, we waited for the holiday! Nothing to say! poor Ivan Kuzmich! who would have thought!.. And Vasilisa Yegorovna? And Ivan Ignatyevich? Its something for what?.. How spared you? And what is Shvabrin, Alexei Ivanovich? After all, he cut his hair in a circle and now we have a feast with them right there! Agile, nothing to say! And as I said about my sick niece, so he, do you believe, so looked at me, like a knife through and through; however did not issue, thanks to him and for that. - At that moment, the drunken screams of the guests and the voice of Father Gerasim were heard. The guests demanded wine, the owner clicked on the roommate. Booty got loose. - Go to your home, Petr ANDREIĆ, - she said;- now it's not up to you; the villains have a drinking bout. trouble, get caught by a drunken hand. Farewell, Petr ANDREIĆ! What will happen, it will be; maybe God won't leave!
The butt is gone. Somewhat reassured, I went to my apartment. Passing by the square, I saw several Bashkirs, who crowded around the gallows and pulled the boots from the hanged; I could hardly resist the outburst of indignation, feeling the futility of intercession. The robbers ran around the fortress, robbing officers' houses. The cries of drunken rebels rang out everywhere. I came home. Savelich met me at the door. "Thank God! He cried, seeing me. - I was thinking, that the villains caught you again. Well, Father Pyotr Andreyevich! do you believe? everything was plundered from us, scammers: dress, underwear, things, dishes - left nothing. What really! God bless, that you were released alive! Did you find out, sir, ataman?»
- Not, did not recognize; and who is he?
- How, father? You forgot that drunkard, who lured you to a sheepskin coat at the inn? The rabbit sheepskin coat is brand new; and he, beast, he ripped it open, putting on!
I was amazed. In fact, the similarity between Pugachev and my counselor was striking. I made sure, that Pugachev and he were the same person, and then I understood the reason for mercy, me given. I couldn't help but marvel at the strange combination of circumstances: children's stuffing, given to a vagabond, rid me of the noose, and a drunkard, strolling through the inns, besieged fortresses and shook the state!
- Would you please to eat? Savelich asked, unchanging in their habits. - There is nothing at home; I will go, I'll rummage around, yes I will make something for you.
Left alone, I was lost in thought. What was I to do? Stay in the fortress, subject to the villain, or it was indecent to an officer to follow his gang. The debt demanded, for me to come there, where my service could still be useful to my fatherland in real difficult circumstances ... But love strongly advised me to stay with Marya Ivanovna and be her protector and patron. Although I foresaw a quick and undeniable change in circumstances, but still could not help but tremble, imagining the danger of her position.
My reflections were interrupted by the arrival of one of the Cossacks, who came running with an ad, something like "the great sovereign demands you to come to him". - "Where is he?"- I asked, preparing to obey.
- In the commandant's office, - answered the Cossack. - After lunch, our father went to the bathhouse, and now he is resting. Well, your honor, all over it is visible, what a noble person: two roast piglets were delighted to eat at lunch, and it's steaming so hot, that Taras Kurochkin could not stand, gave the broom to Fomka Bikbaev and pumped it out with cold water. Nothing to say: all the techniques are so important ... And in the bath, heard, showed his royal marks on his breasts: on one double-headed eagle, the size of a penny, and on another person his.
I did not consider it necessary to dispute the opinions of the Cossack and went with him to the commandant's house, imagining a meeting with Pugachev in advance and trying to predict, how will it end. The reader can easily imagine, that I was not completely cold-blooded.
getting dark, when I came to the commandant's house. The gallows with its victims turned terribly black. The poor commandant's body was still lying under the porch, who had two Cossacks on guard. Kazakh, who brought me, went to report me and, immediately returning, led me into the wrong room, where on the eve I so tenderly said goodbye to Marya Ivanovna.
An extraordinary picture presented itself to me: at the table, covered with a tablecloth and installed with shtoffs and glasses, Pugachev and about ten Cossack elders were sitting, in caps and colored shirts, hot with wine, with red mugs and shining eyes. There was not a Shvabrin between them, nor our sergeant, newly recruited traitors. "A, your honor! - said Pugachev, seeing me. - Welcome; honor and place, welcome". The interlocutors made room. I sat down silently at the edge of the table. My neighbor, young Cossack *, slim and handsome, poured me a glass of plain wine, which I have not touched. With curiosity, I began to consider the gathering. Pugachev was in the first place, leaning on the table and propping up his black beard with his wide fist. His facial features, correct and quite pleasant, did not express anything fierce. He often spoke to a man in his fifties., calling him a count, then Timofeich, and sometimes praising him as an uncle. All treated each other as comrades and did not show any particular preference for their leader.. The conversation was about a morning attack, about the success of the outrage and about future actions. Everyone bragged, offered his opinions and freely challenged Pugachev. And at this strange military council it was decided to go to Orenburg: daring movement, and which was nearly crowned with disastrous success! The hike was announced for tomorrow. "Well, brothers, - said Pugachev, - let's tighten my favorite song to sleep. Chumakov! start!"- My neighbor started a mournful burlak song in a thin voice, and everyone picked up in chorus: No forest, zelenaya have dubrovushka,* Do not disturb me, good fellow, thought to think. What's the morning for me, good fellow, go into interrogation Before the formidable judge, the king himself. The sovereign-king will also ask me: You tell, tell, kid peasant son, Who did you steal with?, with whom did the robbery hold, How many comrades were with you? I'll tell you, hope is right glorious king, I'll tell you the truth, the whole truth, That I had four comrades: Still my first companion is a dark night, And my second friend is a damask knife, And as a third comrade, then my good horse, And the fourth is my friend, then a tight bow, That my mailers, then the arrowheads. What an Orthodox Tsar will speak of hope: Use to you, kid peasant son, What did you know how to steal, knew how to keep the answer! I am for you, kiddie, I will grant in the middle of the field in mansions high, Whether with two pillars with a crossbar.
Impossible to tell, what effect did this folk song about the gallows have on me?, sung by people, doomed to the gallows. Their formidable faces, slender voices, dull expression, which they gave to the words already expressive, - everything shook me with some kind of piitical horror.
The guests drank another glass, got up from the table and said goodbye to Pugachev. I wanted to follow them, but Pugachev told me: “Sidi; I want to talk to you ". - We stayed eye to eye.
Our mutual silence lasted for several minutes. Pugachev looked at me intently, occasionally squinting his left eye with an amazing expression of trickery and mockery. Finally he laughed, and with such unpretentious merriment, and me too, looking at him, began to laugh, without knowing what.
- What, your honor? - he said to me,. - You chickened out, confess, when my fellows threw a rope around your neck? I have tea, the sky seemed like a sheepskin ... And would swing on the crossbar, if not for your servant. I immediately recognized the old bastard. Well, did you think, your honor, what man, who brought you to utterance, there was a great sovereign himself? (Then he assumed an air of importance and mystery.) You are strongly guilty before me, - he continued; - but I have mercy on you for your virtue, for it, that you did me a favor, when I was forced to hide from my enemies. Or else you will see! Will I still welcome you, when will I get my state! Do you promise to serve me with diligence?
The scammer's question and his insolence struck me as so amusing., that I couldn't help but grin.
- Why are you grinning? - he asked me frowning. - Or do you not believe, that I am a great sovereign? Answer directly.
I was confused: I was not able to recognize a tramp as a sovereign: it seemed to me unforgivable cowardice. To call him a deceiver in the face was to expose yourself to destruction.; and that, what was I ready for under the gallows in the eyes of all the people and in the first heat of indignation, now it seemed to me a useless boast. I hesitated. Pugachev grimly awaited my answer. Finally (and even now I remember this minute with complacency) a sense of duty triumphed in me over human weakness. I answered Pugachev: "Hear; I'll tell you the whole truth. Judge, can I recognize the sovereign in you? You are a smart person: you would see it yourself, that I am cunning ".
- Who am I?, in your mind?
- God knows you; but whoever you are, you are kidding a dangerous joke.
Pugachev looked at me quickly. “So you don’t believe, - he said, - so that I was sovereign Peter Fedorovich? Well, good. Is there no luck to the daring? Didn't Grishka Otrepiev reign in the old days?? Think about me what you want, don't lag behind me. What do you care about anything else? Whoever pop, that father. Serve me with faith and righteousness, and I will grant you both field marshals and princes. What do you think?»
- Not, - I answered with firmness. - I am a natural nobleman; I swore allegiance to the empress: I can't serve you. If you really want me well, so let me go to Orenburg.
Pugachev thought. "And if I let go, - he said, - so do you promise at least not to serve against me?»
- How can I promise you this? - I answered. - You know, not my will: they tell you to go against you - I will go, nothing to do. You are now your own boss; you yourself demand obedience from your. What it will be like, if I refuse service, when my service is needed? My head is in your power: let me go - thanks; Execute - God is your judge; and I told you the truth.
My sincerity amazed Pugachev. “So be it, - he said, hitting me on the shoulder. - Execute so execute, have mercy so mercy. Go to yourself on all four sides and do what you want. Come to say goodbye to me tomorrow, now go to sleep, and I am already tending to doze ".
I left Pugachev and went outside. The night was quiet and frosty. The moon and the stars shone brightly, lighting up the square and the gallows. Everything was calm and dark in the fortress. Only in the tavern was the fire lit and the shouts of belated revelers were heard. I took a look at the priest's house. The shutters and gates were locked. Seemed, everything in him was quiet.
I came to my apartment and found Savelich, grieving for my absence. The news of my freedom delighted him indescribably. "Glory to you, lord! - he said crossing himself. - Than the light will leave the fortress and go wherever we look. I have prepared something for you; eat, father, yes and rest yourself until morning, like Christ in the groove ".
I followed his advice and, having dinner with great appetite, fell asleep on the bare floor, tired mentally and physically.
Chapter IX Parting
It was sweet to be recognized
To me, beautiful, with you;
sadly, sad to part,
sadly, as if with a soul. *
Kheraskov.
