Night was beginning to fall. The road I had to follow passed before the
little village of Berd, held by Pugatchef. This road was deep in snow,
and nearly hidden; but across the steppe were to be seen tracks of
horses each day renewed.
I was trotting. Saveliitch could hardly keep up with me, and cried to me
every minute-"Not so fast, sir, in heaven's name not so fast! My confounded
'garron' cannot catch up your long-legged devil. Why are you in such a
hurry? Are we bound to a feast? Rather have we our necks under the axe.
Petr' Andrejitch! Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch! Oh, Lord! this
'boyar's' child will die, and all for nothing!"
We soon saw twinkling the fires of Berd. We were approaching the deep
ravines which served as natural fortifications to the little settlement.
Saveliitch, though keeping up to me tolerably well, did not give over
his lamentable supplications. I was hoping to pass safely by this
unfriendly place, when all at once I made out in the dark five peasants,
armed with big sticks.
It was an advance guard of Pugatchef's camp. They shouted to us-"Who goes there?"
Not knowing the pass-word, I wanted to pass them without reply, but in
the same moment they surrounded me, and one of them seized my horse by
the bridle. I drew my sword, and struck the peasant on the head. His
high cap saved his life; still, he staggered, and let go the bridle. The
others were frightened, and jumped aside. Taking advantage of their
scare, I put spurs to my horse, and dashed off at full gallop.
The fast increasing darkness of the night might have saved me from any
more difficulties, when, looking back, I discovered that Saveliitch was
no longer with me. The poor old man with his lame horse had not been
able to shake off the robbers. What was I to do?
After waiting a few minutes and becoming certain he had been stopped, I
turned my horse's head to go to his help. As I approached the ravine I
heard from afar confused shouts, and the voice of my Saveliitch.
Quickening my pace, I soon came up with the peasants of the advance
guard who had stopped me a few minutes previously. They had surrounded
Saveliitch, and had obliged the poor old man to get off his horse, and
were making ready to bind him.
The sight of me filled them with joy. They rushed upon me with shouts,
and in a moment I was off my horse. One of them, who appeared to be the
leader, told me they were going to take me before the Tzar.
"And our father," added he, "will decide whether you are to be hung at
once or if we are to wait for God's sunshine!"