affirmative, exclaimed: "It is a pity so honorable a man should have
a son so unworthy of him!"

I replied that I hoped to refute all charges against me, by a sincere
avowal of the truth. My assurance displeased him.

"You are a bold fellow," said he, frowning; "but we have seen others
like you."

The young officer asked how, and for what purpose I had entered the
rebel service.

I replied indignantly, that being an officer and a noble, I was
incapable of enlisting in the usurper's army, and had never served
him in any way.

"How is it," said my judge, "that the 'officer and noble' is the only
one spared by Pougatcheff? How is it that the 'officer and noble'
received presents from the chief rebel, of a horse and a pelisse?
Upon what is this intimacy founded, if not on treason, or at least
unpardonable cowardice?"

The words wounded me, and I undertook with warmth my own defense,
finally invoking the name of my General who could testify to my zeal
during the siege of Orenbourg. The severe old man took from the table
an open letter, and read:

* * * "With regard to Ensign Griness, I have the honor to declare,
that he was in the service at Orenbourg from the month of October,
1773, till the following February. Since then, he has not presented