the fortress is surrounded. Peter, this is bad work."

We went to the rampart--a small height formed by nature and fortified
by a palisade. The garrison was there under arms. The cannon had been
dragged there the evening before. The Commandant was walking up and
down before his little troop--the approach of danger had restored to
the old warrior extraordinary vigor. On the steppe, not far from the
fortress, there were some twenty horsemen, who looked like Cossacks;
but amongst them were a few Bashkirs, easily recognized by their caps
and quivers. The Commandant passed before the ranks of his small army
and said to the soldiers: "Come, boys, let us fight today for our
mother the Empress, and show the world that we are brave men and
faithful to our oath."

The soldiers, with loud shouts, testified their good will. Alexis was
standing by me examining the enemy. The people on the steppe, seeing,
no doubt, some movement in our fort, collected in groups and spoke
amongst themselves. The Commandant ordered Ignatius to point the
cannon upon them, he himself applying the light. The ball whistled
over their heads without doing them any harm. The horsemen dispersed
at once, setting off on a gallop, and the steppe became deserted. At
this moment Basilia appeared on the rampart, followed by Marie, who
would not leave her.

"Well," said the Captain's wife, "how is the battle going? Where is
the enemy?"

"The enemy is not far off," replied Ivan, "but if God wills it, all
will be well; and thou, Marie, art thou afraid?"