The night passed quickly. I was going out, when my door opened and the corporal came in to tell me that our Cossacks had left the fort during the night, taking away with them by force Joula?, and that around our ramparts unknown people were galloping6. The thought that Marya Ivánofna had not been able to get away terrified me to death. I hastily gave some orders to the corporal, and I ran to the Commandant’s house.
Day was breaking. I was hurrying down the street when I heard myself called by someone. I stopped.
“Where are you going, if I may presume to ask you?” said Iwán Ignatiitch, catching7 me up. “Iván Kouzmitch is on the ramparts, and has sent me to seek you. The ‘pugatch’52 has come.”
“Is Marya Ivánofna gone?” I asked, with an inward trembling.
“She hasn’t had time,” rejoined Iwán Ignatiitch. “The road to Orenburg is blocked, the fort surrounded, and it’s a bad look-out, Petr’ Andréj?tch.”
We went to the ramparts, a little natural height, and fortified8 by a palisade. We found the garrison9 here under arms. The cannon10 had been dragged hither the preceding evening. The Commandant was walking up and down before his little party; the approach of danger had given the old warrior12 wonderful activity. Out on the steppe, and not very far from the fort, could be seen about twenty horsemen, who appeared to be Cossacks; but amongst them were some Bashkirs, easily distinguished13 by their high caps and their quivers. The Commandant passed down the ranks of the little army, saying to the soldiers —
“Now, children, let us do well today for our mother, the Empress, and let us show all the world that we are brave men, and true to our oaths.”
The soldiers by loud shouts expressed their goodwill14 and assent15. Chvabrine remained near me, attentively16 watching the enemy. The people whom we could see on the steppe, noticing doubtless some stir in the fort, gathered into parties, and consulted together. The Commandant ordered Iwán Ignatiitch to point the cannon at them, and himself applied17 the match. The ball passed whistling over their heads without doing them any harm. The horsemen at once dispersed18 at a gallop5, and the steppe was deserted19.
At this moment Vassilissa Igorofna appeared on the ramparts, followed by Marya, who had not wished to leave her.
“Well,” said the Commandant’s wife, “how goes the battle? Where is the enemy?”
“The enemy is not far,” replied Iván Kouzmitch; “but if God wills all will be well. And you, Masha, are you afraid?”
“No, papa,” replied Marya, “I am more frightened alone in the house.”
She glanced at me, trying to smile. I squeezed the hilt of my sword, remembering that I had received it the eve from her hand, as if for her defence. My heart burnt within my breast; I felt as if I were her knight20; I thirsted to prove to her that I was worthy21 of her trust, and I impatiently expected the decisive moment.
All at once, coming from a height about eight versts from the fort, appeared fresh parties of horsemen, and soon the whole steppe became covered with people, armed with arrows and lances. Amongst them, dressed in a red caftan, sword in hand, might be seen a man mounted on a white horse, a conspicuous22 figure. This was Pugatchéf himself.
He stopped, and they closed round him, and soon afterwards, probably by his orders, four men came out of the crowd, and approached our ramparts at full gallop. We recognized in them some of our traitors23. One of them waved a sheet of paper above his head; another bore on the point of his pike the head of Joula?, which he cast to us over the palisade. The head of the poor Kalmuck rolled to the feet of the Commandant.
The traitors shouted to us —
“Don’t fire. Come out to receive the Tzar; the Tzar is here.”
“Children, fire!” cried the Commandant for all answer.
The soldiers fired a volley. The Cossack who had the letter quivered and fell from his horse; the others fled at full speed. I glanced at Marya Ivánofna. Spellbound with horror at the sight of Joula?‘s head, stunned24 by the noise of the volley, she seemed unconscious. The Commandant called the corporal, and bid him go and take the paper from the fallen Cossack. The corporal went out into the open, and came back leading by its bridle25 the dead man’s horse. He gave the letter to the Commandant.
Iván Kouzmitch read it in a low voice, and tore it into bits. We now saw that the rebels were making ready to attack. Soon the bullets whistled about our ears, and some arrows came quivering around us in the earth and in the posts of the palisade.
“Vassilissa Igorofna,” said the Commandant, “this is not a place for women. Take away Masha; you see very well that the girl is more dead than alive.”
Vassilissa Igorofna, whom the sound of the bullets had somewhat subdued26, glanced towards the steppe, where a great stir was visible in the crowd, and said to her husband —
“Iván Kouzmitch, life and death are in God’s hands; bless Masha. Masha, go to your father.”
Pale and trembling, Marya approached Iván Kouzmitch and dropped on her knees, bending before him with reverence27.
The old Commandant made the sign of the cross three times over her, then raised her up, kissed her, and said to her, in a voice husky with emotion —
“Well, Masha, may you be happy. Pray to God, and He will not forsake28 you. If an honest man come forward, may God grant you both love and wisdom. Live together as we have lived, my wife and I. And now farewell, Masha. Vassilissa Igorofna, take her away quickly.”
Marya threw herself upon his neck and began sobbing29.
“Kiss me, too,” said the Commandant’s wife, weeping. “Good-bye, my Iván Kouzmitch. Forgive me if I have ever vexed30 you.”
“Good-bye, good-bye, little mother,” said the Commandant, embracing his old companion. “There, now, enough; go away home, and if you have time put Masha on a ‘sarafan.’"53
The Commandant’s wife went away with her daughter. I followed Marya with my eyes; she turned round and made me a last sign.
Iván Kouzmitch came back to us, and turned his whole attention to the enemy. The rebels gathered round their leader, and all at once dismounted hastily.
“Be ready,” the Commandant said to us, “the assault is about to begin.”
At the same moment resounded32 wild war cries. The rebels were racing31 down on the fort. Our cannon was loaded with grape. The Commandant allowed them to approach within a very short distance, and again applied a match to the touch-hole. The grape struck in the midst of the crowd, and dispersed it in every direction. The leader alone remained to the fore11, brandishing33 his sword; he appeared to be exhorting34 them hotly. The yells which had ceased for a moment were redoubled anew.
“Now, children,” cried the Commandant, “open the door, beat the drum, and forward! Follow me for a sally!”
The Commandant, Iwán Ignatiitch, and I found ourselves in a moment beyond the parapet. But the garrison, afraid, had not stirred.
“What are you doing, my children?” shouted Iván Kouzmitch. “If we must die, let us die; it is our duty.”
At this moment the rebels fell upon us and forced the entrance of the citadel35. The drum ceased, the garrison threw down its arms. I had been thrown down, but I got up and passed helter-skelter with the crowd into the fort. I saw the Commandant wounded in the head, and hard pressed by a little band of robbers clamouring for the keys. I was running to help him, when several strong Cossacks seized me, and bound me with their “kúchaks,”54 shouting —
“Wait a bit, you will see what will become of you traitors to the Tzar!”
We were dragged along the streets. The inhabitants came out of their houses, offering bread and salt. The bells were rung. All at once shouts announced that the Tzar was in the square waiting to receive the oaths of the prisoners. All the crowd diverged36 in that direction, and our keepers dragged us thither37.
Pugatchéf was seated in an armchair on the threshold of the Commandant’s house. He wore an elegant Cossack caftan, embroidered38 down the seams. A high cap of marten sable39, ornamented40 with gold tassels41, came closely down over his flashing eyes. His face did not seem unknown to me. The Cossack chiefs surrounded him. Father Garasim, pale and trembling, was standing42, cross in hand, at the foot of the steps, and seemed to be silently praying for the victims brought before him. In the square a gallows43 was being hastily erected44. When we came near, some Bashkirs drove back the crowd, and we were presented to Pugatchéf.
The bells ceased clanging, and the deepest silence reigned45 again.
“Where is the Commandant?” asked the usurper46. Our “ouriadnik” came forward and pointed47 out Iván Kouzmitch. Pugatchéf looked fiercely upon the old man and said to him, “How was it you dared to oppose me, your rightful Emperor?”
The Commandant, enfeebled by his wound, collected his remaining strength, and replied, in a resolute48 tone —
“You are not my Emperor; you are a usurper and a robber!”
Pugatchéf frowned and waved his white handkerchief. Several Cossacks immediately seized the old Commandant and dragged him away to the gallows. Astride on the crossbeam, sat the disfigured Bashkir who had been cross-examined on the preceding evening; he held a rope in his hand, and I saw the next moment poor Iván Kouzmitch swinging in the air. Then Iwán Ignatiitch was brought before Pugatchéf.
“Swear fidelity49,” Pugatchéf said to him, “to the Emperor, Petr’ Fédorovitch!”55
“You are not our Emperor!” replied the lieutenant50, repeating his Commandant’s words; “you are a robber, my uncle, and a usurper.”
Pugatchéf again gave the handkerchief signal, and good Iwán Ignatiitch swung beside his old chief. It was my turn. Boldly I looked on Pugatchéf and made ready to echo the answer of my outspoken51 comrades.
Then, to my inexpressible surprise, I saw among the rebels Chvabrine, who had found time to cut his hair short and to put on a Cossack caftan. He approached Pugatchéf, and whispered a few words in his ear.
“Hang him!” said Pugatchéf, without deigning52 to throw me a look. The rope was passed about my neck. I began saying a prayer in a low voice, offering up to God a sincere repentance53 for all my sins, imploring54 Him to save all those who were dear to my heart. I was already at the foot of the gallows.
“Fear nothing! Fear nothing!” the assassins said to me, perhaps to give me courage, when all at once a shout was heard —
“Stop, accursed ones!”
The executioners stayed their hand. I looked up. Savéliitch lay prostrate55 at the feet of Pugatchéf.
“Oh! my own father!” my poor follower56 was saying. “What need have you of the death of this noble child? Let him go free, and you will get a good ransom57; but for an example and to frighten the rest, let them hang me, an old man!”
Pugatchéf gave a signal; I was immediately unbound.
“Our father shows you mercy,” they said to me. At this moment I cannot say that I was much overjoyed at my deliverance, but I cannot say either that I regretted it, for my feelings were too upset. I was again brought before the usurper and forced to kneel at his feet. Pugatchéf held out to me his muscular hand. “Kiss his hand! kiss his hand!” was shouted around me. But rather would I have preferred the most cruel torture to such an abasement58.
“My father, Petr’ Andréj?tch,” whispered Savéliitch to me, and nudged me with his elbow, “don’t be obstinate59. What does it matter? Spit and kiss the hand of the rob —, kiss his hand!”
I did not stir. Pugatchéf withdrew his hand and said, smiling —
“Apparently his lordship is quite idiotic60 with joy; raise him.”
I was helped up and left free. The infamous61 drama drew to a close.
The villagers began to swear fidelity. One after another they came near, kissed the cross, and saluted62 the usurper. Then it came to the turn of the soldiers of the garrison. The tailor of the company, armed with his big blunt scissors, cut off their queues. They shook their heads and touched their lips to Pugatchéf’s hand; the latter told them they were pardoned and enrolled63 amongst his troops.
All this lasted about three hours. At last Pugatchéf rose from his armchair and went down the steps, followed by his chiefs. There was brought for him a white horse, richly caparisoned. Two Cossacks held his arms and helped him into the saddle.
He announced to Father Garasim that he would dine at his house. At this moment arose a woman’s heartrending shrieks64. Some robbers were dragging to the steps Vassilissa Igorofna, with dishevelled hair and half-dressed. One of them had already appropriated her cloak; the others were carrying off the mattresses65, boxes, linen66, tea sets, and all manner of things.
“Oh, my fathers!” cried the poor old woman. “Let me alone, I pray you; my fathers, my fathers, bring me to Iván Kouzmitch.” All of a sudden she perceived the gallows and recognized her husband. “Villains!” she exclaimed, beside herself; “what have you done? Oh, my light, my Iván Kouzmitch! Bold soldier heart, neither Prussian bayonets nor Turkish bullets ever harmed you; and you have died before a vile67 runaway68 felon69.”
“Silence the old witch,” said Pugatchéf.
A young Cossack struck her with his sword on the head, and she fell dead at the foot of the steps. Pugatchéf went away, all the people crowding in his train.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
gallop
|
|
| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
galloping
|
|
| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
fortified
|
|
| adj. 加强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
cannon
|
|
| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
fore
|
|
| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
goodwill
|
|
| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
assent
|
|
| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
dispersed
|
|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
conspicuous
|
|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
traitors
|
|
| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
stunned
|
|
| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
forsake
|
|
| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
vexed
|
|
| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
racing
|
|
| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
resounded
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
brandishing
|
|
| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
exhorting
|
|
| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
citadel
|
|
| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
diverged
|
|
| 分开( diverge的过去式和过去分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
embroidered
|
|
| adj．绣花的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
sable
|
|
| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
ornamented
|
|
| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
tassels
|
|
| n.穗( tassel的名词复数 )；流苏状物；（植物的）穗；玉蜀黍的穗状雄花v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须( tassel的第三人称单数 )；使抽穗， （为了使作物茁壮生长）摘去穗状雄花；用流苏装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
gallows
|
|
| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
ERECTED
|
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
reigned
|
|
| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
usurper
|
|
| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
resolute
|
|
| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
fidelity
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
outspoken
|
|
| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
deigning
|
|
| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
repentance
|
|
| n.懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
imploring
|
|
| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
prostrate
|
|
| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
follower
|
|
| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
ransom
|
|
| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
abasement
|
|
| n.滥用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
idiotic
|
|
| adj.白痴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
infamous
|
|
| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
enrolled
|
|
| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
shrieks
|
|
| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
mattresses
|
|
| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
linen
|
|
| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
vile
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
runaway
|
|
| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
felon
|
|
| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |