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