Uncertainty3 with respect to the fate of Maria Ivanovna tortured me more than anything else. Where was she? What had become of her? Had she contrived4 to hide herself? Was her place of refuge safe?
Filled, with these distracting thoughts, I made my way to the Commandant's house. It was empty. The chairs, tables, and chests were broken, the crockery dashed to pieces, and everything in confusion. I ran up the little staircase which led to Maria's room, and which I now entered for the first time in my life. Her bed had been ransacked5 by the robbers; the wardrobe was broken open and plundered6; the small lamp was still burning before the empty image case.[1] There was also left a small mirror hanging on the partition wall.... Where was the mistress of his humble7, virginal cell? A terrible thought passed through my mind; I imagined her in the hands of the robbers.... My heart sank within me.... I wept bitterly, most bitterly, and called aloud the name of my beloved.... At that moment I heard a slight noise, and from behind the ward-robe appeared Palasha, pale and trembling.
"Ah, Peter Andreitch!" said she, clasping her hands, "What a day! what horrors!"
"And Maria Ivanovna?" I asked impatiently. "What has become of Maria Ivanovna?"
"The young lady is alive," replied Palasha; "she is hiding in the house of Akoulina Pamphilovna."
"With the priest's wife!" I exclaimed in alarm. "My God! Pougatcheff is there!"
I dashed out of the room, and in the twinkling of an eye I was in the street and hurrying off to the clergyman's house, without devoting the slightest attention to anything else. Shouts, songs, and bursts of laughter resounded8 from within.... Pougatcheff was feasting with his companions. Palasha had followed me thither9. I sent her to call out Akoulina Pamphilovna secretly. In about a minute the priest's wife came out to me in the vestibule, with an empty bottle in her hand.
"The dear little dove is lying down on my bed behind the partition," replied the priest's wife. "But a terrible misfortune had very nearly happened, Peter Andreitch! Thanks be to God, however, everything has passed off happily. The villain11 had just sat down to dine, when the poor child uttered a moan!... I felt as if I should have died. He heard it. 'Who is that moaning in your room, old woman?'—I bowed myself to the ground, and replied: 'My niece, Czar; she has been lying ill for about a fortnight.'—'And is your niece young?'—'She is young, Czar.' —'Show me your niece then, old woman.' My heart sank within me, but there was no help for it. 'Very well, Czar; but the girl will not have the strength to get up and come before your Grace.'—'Never mind, old woman, I will go and see her myself.' And the villain went behind the partition and, will you believe it?—actually drew aside the curtain and looked at her with his hawk-like eyes—but nothing came of it,—God helped us! Will you believe it? I and the father were prepared for a martyr's death. Fortunately, my little dove did not recognize him. Lord God! what have we lived to see! Poor Ivan Kouzmitch! who would have thought it!... And Vassilissa Egorovna? And Ivan Ignatitch? What was he killed for? And how came they to spare you? And what do you think of Shvabrin? He has had his hair cut, and is now feasting inside along with them! He is a very sharp fellow, there is no gainsaying12 that! When I spoke13 of my sick niece—will you believe it?—he looked at me as if he would have stabbed me; but he did not betray me. I am thankful to him for that, anyway."
At that moment I heard the drunken shouts of the guests and the voice of Father Gerasim. The guests were demanding wine, and the host was calling for his wife.
"Go back home, Peter Andreitch," said the priest's wife, somewhat alarmed; "I cannot stop to speak to you now; I must go and wait upon the drunken scoundrels. It might be unfortunate for you if you fell into their hands. Farewell, Peter Andreitch. What is to be, will be; perhaps God will not abandon us!"
The priest's wife went back inside the house. Somewhat more easy in mind, I returned to my quarters. As I crossed the square I saw several Bashkirs assembled round the gibbets, engaged in dragging off the boots of those who had been hanged. With difficulty I repressed my indignation, feeling convinced that if I gave expression to it, it would have been perfectly14 useless. The brigands15 invaded every part of the fortress16, and plundered the officers' houses. On every side resounded the shouts of the drunken mutineers. I reached home. Savelitch met me on the threshold.
"Thank God!" he exclaimed when he saw me; "I was beginning to think that the villains17 had seized you again. Ah! my little father, Peter Andreitch, will you believe it, the robbers have plundered us of everything—clothes, linen18, furniture, plate—they have not left us a single thing. But what does it matter? Thank God! they have spared your life. But, my lord, did you recognize their leader?"
"No, I did not recognize him. Who is he then?"
"How, my little father! Have you forgotten that drunken scoundrel who swindled you out of the pelisse at the inn? A brand new hareskin pelisse; and the beast burst the seams in putting it on."
I was astounded19. In truth, the resemblance of Pougatcheff to my guide was very striking. I felt convinced that Pougatcheff and he were one and the same person, and then I understood why he had spared my life. I could not but feel surprised at the strange connection of events—a child's pelisse, given to a roving vagrant20, had saved me from the hangman's noose21, and a drunkard, who had passed his life in wandering from one inn to another, was now besieging22 fortresses23 and shaking the empire!
"Will you not eat something?" asked Savelitch, still faithful to his old habits. "There is nothing in the house; but I will go and search, and get something ready for you."
When I was left alone, I began to reflect. What was I to do? To remain in the fortress now that it was in the hands of the villain, or to join his band, was unworthy of an officer. Duty demanded that I should go wherever my services might still be of use to my fatherland in the present critical position of its affairs.... But love strongly urged me to remain near Maria Ivanovna and be her protector and defender24. Although I foresaw a speedy and inevitable25 change in the course of affairs, yet I could not help trembling when I thought of the danger of her situation.
My reflections were interrupted by the arrival of one of the Cossacks, who came to inform me that "the great Czar required me to appear before him."
"Where is he?" I asked, preparing to obey.
"In the Commandant's house," replied the Cossack. "After dinner our father took a bath, but at present he is resting. Ah! your Excellency, it is very evident that he is a distinguished26 person; at dinner he deigned27 to eat two roasted sucking pigs, then he entered the bath, where the I water was so hot that even Tarass Kourotchkin could not bear it; he had to give the besom to Tomka Bikbaieff, and only came to himself through having cold water poured over him. There is no denying it; all his ways are majestic28.... And I was told that in the bath he showed his Czar's signs upon his breast: on one side a two-headed eagle as large as a five-copeck piece, and on the other his own likeness29."
I did not consider it necessary to contradict the Cossack's statement, and I accompanied him to the Commandant's house, trying to imagine beforehand what kind of a reception I should meet with from Pougatcheff, and endeavouring to guess how it would end. The reader will easily understand that I did not by any means feel easy within myself.
It was beginning to get dark when I reached the Commandant's house. The gibbet, with its victims, loomed30 black and terrible before me. The body of the poor Commandant's wife still lay at the bottom of the steps, near which two Cossacks stood on guard. The Cossack who accompanied me went in to announce me, and, returning almost immediately, conducted me into the room where, the evening before, I had taken a tender farewell of Maria Ivanovna.
An unusual spectacle presented itself to my gaze. At a table, covered with a cloth and loaded with bottles and glasses, sat Pougatcheff and some half-a-score of Cossack chiefs, in coloured caps and shirts, heated with wine, with flushed faces and flashing eyes. I did not see among then: Shvabrin and his fellow traitor31, the orderly.
"Ah! your Excellency!" said Pougatcheff, seeing me, "Welcome; honour to you and a place at our banquet."
The guests moved closer together. I sat down silently at the end of the table. My neighbour, a young Cossack, tall and handsome, poured out for me a glass of wine, which, however, I did not touch. I began to observe the company with curiosity. Pougatcheff occupied the seat of honour, his elbows resting on the table, and his broad fist propped32 under his black beard. His features, regular and sufficiently33 agreeable, had nothing fierce about them. He frequently turned to speak to a man of about fifty years of age, addressing him sometimes as Count, sometimes as Timofeitch, sometimes as uncle. All those present treated each other as comrades, and did not show any particular respect for their leader. The conversation was upon the subject of the assault of the morning, of the success of the revolt, and of their future operations. Each one boasted of what he had done, expressed his opinion, and fearlessly contradicted Pougatcheff. And in this strange council of war it was resolved to march upon Orenburg; a bold movement, and which was to be very nearly crowned with success! The march was fixed34 for the following day.
"Now, lads," said Pougatcheff, "before we retire to rest, let us have my favourite song. Choumakoff, begin!"
My neighbour sang, in a shrill35 voice, the following melancholy36 peasants' song, and all joined in the chorus:
"Stir not, mother, green forest of oak,
Disturb me not in my meditation37;
For to-morrow before the court I must go,
Before the stern judge, before the Czar himself.
The great Lord Czar will begin to question me:
'Tell me, young man, tell me, thou peasant's son,
With whom have you stolen, with whom have you robbed?
Did you have many companions with you?'
'I will tell you, true-believing Czar,
The whole truth I will confess to you.
My companions were four in number:
My first companion was the dark night,
My second companion was a steel knife,
My third companion was my good horse,
My messengers were my tempered arrows.'
Then speaks my hope, the true-believing Czar:
'Well done! my lad, brave peasant's son;
You knew how to steal, you knew how to reply:
Therefore, my lad, I will make you a present
Of a very high structure in the midst of a field—
Of two upright posts with a cross-beam above.'"
It is impossible to describe the effect produced upon me by this popular gallows39 song, trolled out by men destined40 for the gallows. Their ferocious41 countenances42, their sonorous43 voices, and the melancholy expression which they imparted to the words, which in themselves were not very expressive44, filled me with a sort of poetical45 terror.
The guests drank another glass, then rose from the table and took leave of Pougatcheff.
I wanted to follow them, but Pougatcheff said to me:
"Sit down; I want to speak to you."
We remained face to face.
For some moments we both continued silent. Pougatcheff looked at me fixedly46, every now and then winking47 his left eye with a curious expression of craftiness48 and drollery49. At last he burst out laughing, and with such unfeigned merriment, that I, too, looking at him, began to laugh, without knowing why.
"Well, your lordship," he said to me, "confess now, you were in a terrible fright when my fellows put the rope round your neck. I do not believe that the sky appeared bigger than a sheepskin to you just then.... You would have been strung up to the crossbeam if it had not been for your servant. I knew the old fellow at once. Well, would your lordship have thought that the man who conducted you to the inn, was the great Czar himself?"
Here he assumed an air of mystery and importance.
"You have been guilty of a serious offence against me," continued he, "but I pardoned you on account of your virtue50, and because you rendered me a service when I was compelled to hide myself from my enemies. But you will see something very different presently! You will see how I will reward you when I enter into possession of my kingdom! Will you promise to serve me with zeal51?"
The rascal's question, and his insolence52, appeared to me so amusing, that I could not help smiling.
"Why do you smile?" he asked, frowning. "Perhaps you do not believe that I am the great Czar? Is that so?—answer plainly."
I became confused. To acknowledge a vagabond as emperor was quite out of the question; to do so seemed to me unpardonable cowardice53. To tell him to his face that he was an impostor was to expose myself to certain death, and that which I was prepared to say beneath the gibbet before the eyes of the crowd, in the first outburst of my indignation, appeared to me now a useless boast. I hesitated. In gloomy silence Pougatcheff awaited my reply. At last (and even now I remember that moment with self-satisfaction) the sentiment of duty triumphed over my human weakness. I replied to Pougatcheff:
"Listen, I will tell you the whole truth. Judge yourself: can I acknowledge you as emperor? You, as a sensible man, would know that it would not be saying what I really thought."
"Who am I, then, in your opinion?"
"God only knows; but whoever you may be, you are playing a dangerous game."
Pougatcheff threw a rapid glance at me.
"Then you do not believe," said he, "that I am the Emperor Peter? Well, be it so. But is not success the reward of the bold? Did not Grishka Otrepieff[2] reign54 in former days? Think of me what you please, but do not leave me. What does it matter to you one way or the other? Whoever is pope is father. Serve me faithfully and truly, and I will make you a field-marshal and a prince. What do you say?"
"No," I replied with firmness. "I am by birth a nobleman; I have taken the oath of fealty55 to the empress: I cannot serve you. If you really wish me well, send me back to Orenburg."
Pougatcheff reflected.
"But if I let you go," said he, "will you at least promise not to serve against me?"
"How can I promise you that?" I replied. "You yourself know that it does not depend upon my own will. If I am ordered to march against you, I must go—there is no help for it. You yourself are now a chief; you demand obedience56 from your followers57. How would it seem, if I refused to serve when my services were needed? My life is in your hands: if you set me free, I will thank you; if you put me to death, God will be your judge; but I have told you the truth."
My frankness struck Pougatcheff.
"Be it so," said he, slapping me upon the shoulder. "One should either punish completely or pardon completely. Go then where you like, and do what you like. Come to-morrow to say good-bye to me, and now go to bed. I feel very drowsy58 myself."
I left Pougatcheff and went out into the street. The night was calm and cold. The moon and stars were shining brightly, lighting59 up the square and the gibbet. In the fortress all was dark and still. Only in the tavern60 was a light visible, where could be heard the noise of late revellers.
I glanced at the pope's house. The shutters61 and doors were closed. Everything seemed quiet within.
I made my way to my own quarters and found Savelitch grieving about my absence. The news of my being set at liberty filled him with unutterable joy.
"Thanks be to Thee, Almighty62 God!" said he, making the sign of the cross. "At daybreak to-morrow we will leave the fortress and go wherever God will direct us. I have prepared something for you; eat it, my little father, and then rest yourself till the morning, as if you were in the bosom63 of Christ."
I followed his advice and, having eaten with a good appetite, I fell asleep upon the bare floor, worn out both in body and mind.
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1
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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5
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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8
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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9
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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gainsaying
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| v.否认，反驳( gainsay的现在分词 ) | |
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13
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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14
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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15
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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16
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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18
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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19
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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21
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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22
besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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23
fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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24
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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25
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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26
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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27
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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30
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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31
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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32
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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37
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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38
taut
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| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
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39
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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40
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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41
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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42
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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43
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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44
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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45
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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46
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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47
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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48
craftiness
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| 狡猾，狡诈 | |
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49
drollery
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| n.开玩笑，说笑话；滑稽可笑的图画（或故事、小戏等） | |
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50
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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51
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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52
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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53
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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54
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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55
fealty
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| n.忠贞，忠节 | |
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56
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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57
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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58
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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59
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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60
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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61
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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62
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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