ore Pougatcheff.

"Take the oath to the emperor, Peter Fedorovitch."

"You are not our emperor," replied the Lieutenant, repeating his
Captain's words, "you are a brigand and a usurper."

Pougatcheff again made a signal with his handkerchief, and the kind
Ignatius hung beside his ancient chief. It was my turn. I looked boldly
at Pougatcheff, preparing to repeat the words of my brave comrades, when
to my inexpressible astonishment I saw Alexis amongst the rebels. He had
had time to cut his hair round, and exchange his uniform for a Cossack
cafetan. He approached Pougatcheff and whispered to him. "Let him be
hung," said Pougatcheff, not deigning to look at me. A rope was put
around my neck. I uttered a prayer to God in a low voice, expressing
sincere repentance for my sins, and imploring him to save all those dear
to my heart. I was led beneath the gibbet. A shout was heard, "Stop!
Stop!" The executioners paused. I looked. Saveliitch was kneeling at
Pougatcheff's feet. "O my lord and master," said my dear old serf, "what
do you want with that nobleman's child? Set him free, you will get a
good ransom for his life; but for an example, and to frighten the rest,
command that I, an old man, shall be hung."

Pougatcheff made a sign. They unbound me at once. "Our emperor pardons
you," they said. At the moment I did not know that my deliverance was a
cause for joy or for sorrow. My mind was too confused. I was taken again
before the usurper and made to kneel at his feet. Pougatcheff offered me
his muscular hand. "Kiss his hand! Kiss his hand!" cried out all
around me. But I would have preferred the most atrocious torture to a
degradation so infamous. "My dear Peter," whispered Saveliitch, who was
standing behind me, "do not play the obstinate; what does it cost? Kiss
the brigand's hand."

I did not move. Pougatcheff drew back his hand: "His lordship is
stupefied with joy; raise him up," said he. I was at liberty. Then I
witnessed the continuation of the infamous comedy.

The inhabitants began to take the oath. They went one by one to kiss the
cross and salute the usurper. After them came the garrison soldiers.
The company's tailor, armed with his great blunt-pointed shears, cut off
their queues; they shook their heads and kissed the hand of Pougatcheff,
who declared them pardoned and received into his troops. This lasted for
nearly three hours. At last Pougatcheff rose from his arm-chair and went
down the steps, followed b