In two hours we reached the neighboring fortress, which also belonged to Pougatcheff. We there changed horses. By the celerity with which they served us, and the eager zeal of the bearded Cossack, whom Pougatcheff had made Commandant, I perceived that, thanks to the talk of our postilion, I was supposed to be a favorite with their master. When we started off again, it was dusk; we were drawing near a town where, according to the bearded Commandant, there ought to be a very strong detachment of Pougatcheff's forces. The sentinels stopped us and to the demand: "Who goes there?" our postilion answered in a loud voice: "A friend of the Czar, traveling with his wife."
We were at once surrounded by a detachment of Russian hussars, who swore frightfully.
"Come out," said a Russian officer, heavily mustached; "We'll give you a bath!"
I requested to be taken before the authorities. Perceiving that I was an officer, the soldiers ceased swearing, and the officer took me to the Major's. Saveliitch followed, growling out: "We fall from the fire into the flame!"
The kibitka came slowly after us. In five minutes we reached a small house, all lighted up. The officer left me under a strong guard, and entered to announce my capture. He returned almost instantly, saying that I was ordered to prison, and her ladyship to the presence of the Major.
"Is he mad?" I cried.
"I can not tell, your lordship."
I jumped up the steps--the sentinels had not time to stop me--and burst into the room where six hussar officers were playing faro. The Major kept the bank. I instantly recognized the Major as Ivan Zourine, who had so thoroughly emptied my purse at Simbirsk. "Is it possible? is this you Ivan Zourine?"
"Halloo! Peter; what luck? where are you from? will you take a chance?"
"Thanks; I would rather have some apartments assigned me."
"No need of apartments, stay with me."
"I can not; I am not alone."
"Bring your comrade with you."
"I am not with a comrade; I am with--a lady."
"A lady! where did you fish her out?" and he whistled in so rollicking a manner, that the rest burst out laughing.
"Well," said Zourine, "then you must have a house in the town. Here, boy! why do you not bring in Pougatcheff's friend?"
"What are you about," said I. "It is Captain Mironoff's daughter. I have just obtained her liberty, and I am taking her to my father's, where I shall leave her."
"In the name of Heaven, what are you talking about? Are you Pougatcheff's chum?"
"I will tell you everything later; first go and see this poor girl, whom your soldiers have horribly frightened."