I waited a minute; then, sure that they must have seized him, I turned
my horse's head to go and aid him. Approaching the ravine I heard
voices, and recognized that of Saveliitch. Hastening my steps, was
soon within sight of the peasants. They had dismounted the old man,
and were about to garrote him. They rushed upon me; in an instant I
was on foot. Their chief said I should be conducted to the Czar. I
made no resistance. We crossed the ravine to enter the town, which was
illuminated. The streets were crowded and noisy. We were taken to a
hut on the corner of two streets. There were some barrels of wine and
a cannon near the door. One of the peasants said: "Here is the
palace; we will announce you." I glanced at Saveliitch; he was making
signs of the cross, and praying. We waited a long time. At last
the peasant re-appeared and said: "The Czar orders the officers to
his presence."

The palace, as the peasant called it, was lighted by two tallow
candles. The walls were hung with gold paper. But every thing else,
the benches, the table, the basin hung up by a cord, the towel on a
nail in the wall, the shelf laden with earthen vessels, were exactly
the same as in any other cabin. Pougatcheff, wearing his scarlet
cafetan and high Cossack cap, with his hand on his hip, sat beneath
the sacred pictures common to every Russian abode. Around him stood
several of his chiefs. I could see that the arrival of an officer
from Orenbourg had awakened some curiosity, and that they had prepared
to receive me with pomp. Pougatcheff recognized me at once, and his
assumed gravity disappeared.

"Ah! it is your lordship! how are you? What brings you here?"

I replied that I was traveling about my private business, when his