I was extremely curious to know on what account my retainer had thought
of writing to Pugatchef. The Chief Secretary began in a loud voice,
spelling out what follows-"Two dressing gowns, one cotton, the other striped silk, six roubles."
"What does that mean?" interrupted Pugatchef, frowning.
"Tell him to read further," rejoined Saveliitch, quite unmoved.
The Chief Secretary continued to read-"One uniform of fine green cloth, seven roubles; one pair trousers,
white cloth, five roubles; twelve shirts of Holland shirting, with
cuffs, ten roubles; one box with tea service, two-and-a-half roubles."
"What is all this nonsense?" cried Pugatchef. "What do these tea-boxes
and breeches with cuffs matter to me?"
Saveliitch cleared his throat with a cough, and set to work to explain
matters.
"Let my father condescend to understand that that is the bill of my
master's goods which have been taken away by the rascals."
"What rascals?" quoth Pugatchef, in a fierce and terrible manner.
"Beg pardon, my tongue played me false," replied Saveliitch. "Rascals,
no they are not rascals; but still your fellows have well harried and
well robbed, you must agree. Do not get angry; the horse has four legs,
and yet he stumbles. Bid him read to the end."
"Well, let us see, read on," said Pugatchef.
The Secretary continued-"One chintz rug, another of wadded silk, four roubles; one pelisse fox
skin lined with red ratteen, forty roubles; and lastly, a small hareskin
'touloup,' which was left in the hands of your lordship in the wayside
house on the steppe, fifteen roubles."
"What's that?" cried Pugatchef, whose eyes suddenly sparkled.
I confess I was in fear for my poor follower. He was about to embark on
new explanations when Pugatchef interrupted him.
"How dare you bother me with such nonsense?" cried he, snatching the
paper out of the hands of the Secretary and throwing it in Saveliitch's
face. "Foolish old man, you have been despoiled; well, what does it
signify. But, old owl, you should eternally pray God for me and my lads
that you and your master do not swing up there with the other rebels. A
hareskin 'touloup!' Hark ye, I'll have you flayed alive that
'touloups' may be made of your skin."
"As it may please you!" replied Saveliitch. "But I am not a free man,
and I must answer for my lord's goods."
Pugatchef was apparently in a fit of high-mindedness. He turned aside
his head, and went off without another word. Chvabrine and the chiefs
followed him. All the band left the fort in order. The people escorted
it.
I remained alone in the square with Saveliitch. My follower held in his
hand the memorandum, and was contemplating it with an air of deep
regret. Seeing my friendly understanding with Pugatchef, he had thought
to turn it to some account. But his wise hope did not succeed. I was
going to scold him sharply for his misplaced zeal, and I could not help
laughing.