Passing the Commandant's house, I saw Alexis, whose face expressed
determined hate.




XIII. THE ARREST.


In two hours we reached the neighboring fortress, which also belonged
to Pougatcheff. We there changed horses. By the celerity with which
they served us, and the eager zeal of the bearded Cossack, whom
Pougatcheff had made Commandant, I perceived that, thanks to the talk
of our postilion, I was supposed to be a favorite with their master.
When we started off again, it was dusk; we were drawing near a town
where, according to the bearded Commandant, there ought to be a very
strong detachment of Pougatcheff's forces. The sentinels stopped us
and to the demand: "Who goes there?" our postilion answered in a loud
voice: "A friend of the Czar, traveling with his wife."

We were at once surrounded by a detachment of Russian hussars, who
swore frightfully.

"Come out," said a Russian officer, heavily mustached; "We'll give you
a bath!"

I requested to be taken before the authorities. Perceiving that I was
an officer, the soldiers ceased swearing, and the officer took me to
the Major's. Saveliitch followed, growling out: "We fall from the fire