said he, having finished the letter, "every thing shall be done
for you. You shall be an officer in the --- regiment, and not to
lose time, go tomorrow to the fort of Belogorsk, where you will
serve under Captain Mironoff, a brave and honest man. There you
will see service and learn discipline. You have nothing to do here
at Orenbourg, and amusements are dangerous to a young man. Today I
invite you to dine with me."

From bad to worse, thought I. What was the use of being a Sergeant
in the Guards almost from my mother's womb? To what has it led? To
the regiment of ---, and an abandoned fortress on the frontier of the
steppes!

I dined at the General's in company with his old Aid-de-camp. Severe
German economy reigned at table, and I think the fear of having an
occasional guest the more had something to do with sending me to a
distant garrison.

The next day I took my leave of the General and set out for Belogorsk.




III. THE FORTRESS.


The fortress of Belogorsk is situated forty versts from Orenbourg. The
route from this city is along the high banks of the river Iaik. The
stream was not yet frozen, and its lead-colored waters took a black
tint between banks whitened by the snow. Before me lay the Kirghis