ecognize you
as the Czar, as you are a man of intelligence, you would see that I am
lying."

"Then who am I? in your opinion."

"God knows, but whoever you are, you are playing a dangerous game."

Pougatcheff gave me a sharp, quick glance. "You do not believe that I am
the emperor, Peter III? Be it so. Have not bold men succeeded before me
and obtained the crown? Think what you please about me, but stay with
me. What matters it whom you serve? Success is right. Serve under me,
and I will make you a field-marshal, a prince. What say you?"

"No," said I. "I am a nobleman. I have taken an oath to her majesty, the
Empress; I can not serve with you. If truly you wish me well, send me to
Orenbourg."

Pougatcheff reflected. "If I send you there, you will, at least, promise
not to bear arms against me?"

"How can I promise that? If I am ordered to march against you, I must
go. You are now a chief; you desire your subordinates to obey you. No,
my life is in your hand; if you give me liberty, thanks; if you put me
to death, may God judge you."

My frankness pleased him. "Be it so," said he, slapping me on the
shoulders, "pardon or punish to the end. You can go the four quarters of
the world, and do as you like. Come tomorrow, and bid me good-bye. Now
go to bed--I require rest myself."

I went out into the street. The night was clear and cold; the moon and
stars shone out in all their brightness, lighting up the square and the
gibbet. All was quiet and dark in the rest of the fortress. At the inn
some lights were visible, and belated drinkers broke the stillness by
their shouts. I glanced at Accoulina's house; the doors and windows were
closed, and all seemed perfectly quiet there. I went to my room, and
found Saveliitch deploring my absence. I told him of my freedom. "Thanks
to thee, O God!" said he, making the sign of the cross; "tomorrow we
shall set out at daybreak. I have prepared something for you; eat
and then sleep till morning, tranquil as if in the bosom of the Good
Shepherd."

I followed his advice, and after having supped, fell asleep on the bare
floor, as fatigued in mind as in body.

IX. THE SEPARATION.

The drum awoke me early the next morning. I went out on the square.
Pougatcheff's troops were there, falling into rank, around the gibbet,
to which still hung the victims of yesterday. The Cossacks were mounted;
the infantry and artillery, with our single gun, were accoutred ready
for the march