ecommence the struggle.

I return to my story. Once evening, it was in the month of October,
1773, I was alone in the house, listening to the whistling of the Autumn
winds, and watching the clouds gliding rapidly before the moon. An
order came from the Commandant, calling me to his presence. I went
that instant. I found there Alexis, Ignatius and the Corporal of the
Cossacks, but neither the wife nor daughter of the Commandant. My chief
bade me good evening, had the door closed, and every one seated, except
the Corporal who remained standing; then he drew a paper from his pocket
and said to us:

"Gentlemen, important news! Listen to what the General writes." He put
on his spectacles and read:

"To the Commandant of the Fortress of Belogorsk, Captain Mironoff.
_Confidential_. I hereby inform you that the deserter and turbulent
Cossack of the Don, Imiliane Pougatcheff, after having been guilty of
the unpardonable insolence of usurping the name of the deceased Emperor
Peter III, has assembled a troop of brigands, disturbed the villages of
the Iaik, and has even taken and destroyed several fortresses, at the
same time committing everywhere robberies and assassinations. Therefore,
upon the receipt of this, you will, Captain, bethink you of the measures
to be taken to repulse the said robber and usurper; and if possible,
in case he turn his arms against the fortress confided to your care, to
completely exterminate him."

"It is easy to talk," said the Commandant, taking off his spectacles,
and folding the paper; "but we must use every precaution. The rascal
seems strong, and we have only 130 men, even adding the Cossacks,
upon whom there is no dependence, be it said without reproach to thee,
Maxim." The Corporal of the Cossacks smiled. "Gentlemen, let us do our
part; be vigilant, post sentries, establish night patrols; in case of an
attack, shut the gates and call out the soldiers. Maxim, watch well your
Cossacks. It is necessary to examine the cannon and clean it; and above
all to keep the secret, that no one in the fortress should know any
thing before the time."

Having given his orders, Ivan Mironoff dismissed us. I went out with
Alexis, speculating on what we had heard. "What do you think of it? How
will this end?" I asked him.

"God knows," he replied, "we shall see. At present there is no danger."
And he began, as if thinking, to hum a French air.

Notwithstanding our precautions the news of the apparition of