ntinue to collect the votes. The
College Director will give us his opinion."

The little old man in black silk, a College Director, as well as a
customs officer, swallowed his third cup of tea, well dashed with a
strong dose of rum, and hastened to speak:

"Your Excellency," said he, "I think that we ought to act neither
offensively nor defensively."

"What's that, sir?" said the General, stupefied; "military tactics
present no other means; we must act either offensively or defensively."

"Your Excellency, act _subornatively_."

"Eh! eh! Your opinion is judicious," said the General; "subornative
acts--that is to say, indirect acts--are also admitted by the science
of tactics, and we will profit by your counsel. We might offer for the
rascal's head seventy or even a hundred roubles, to be taken out of the
secret funds."

"And then," interrupted the man in silk, "may I be a Kirghis ram,
instead of a College Director, if the thieves do not bring their chief
to you, chained hand and foot."

"We can think about it," said the General. "But let us, in any case,
take some military measures. Gentlemen, give your votes in legal order."

All the opinions were contrary to mine. All agreed, that it was better
to stay behind a strong stone wall, protected by cannon, than to tempt
fortune in the open field. Finally, when all the opinions were known,
the General shook the ashes from his pipe and pronounced the following
discourse:

"Gentlemen, I am of the Ensign's opinion, for it is according to the
science of military tactics, which always prefers offensive movements to
defensive." He stopped and stuffed the tobacco into his pipe. I glanced
exultingly at the civil service employes, who, with discontented looks,
were whispering to each other.

"But, gentlemen," continued he, giving out with a sigh a long puff of
smoke, "I dare not assume the responsibility. I go with the majority,
which has decided that we await in this city the threatened siege,
and repulse the enemy by the power of artillery, and if possible, by
well-directed sorties."

The council broke up. I could not but deplore the weakness of the worthy
soldier, who, contrary to his own convictions, decided to follow the
opinion of ignorant inexperience.

Some days after this famous council of war, Pougatcheff, true to his
word, approached Orenbourg. From the top of the city walls I made a
reconnaissance of the rebel army. It seemed to me that their number had
in