carriage with you, and all the happiness of my life depends on you."

"Are you afraid?"

"You have already given me my life!"

"You say truly. You know how my fellows looked upon you; only today
they wanted to try you as a spy. The old one wanted to torture and
then hang you; but I would not, because I remembered your glass of
wine and your touloup. I am not bloodthirsty, as your friends say."
I remembered the taking of our fortress, but I did not contradict him.

"What do they say of me at Orenbourg?"

"It is said there, that you will not be easily vanquished. It must
be confessed that you have given us some work."

"Yes; I am a great warrior. Do you think the King Prussia is as strong
as I?"

"What do you think yourself? Can you beat Frederick?"

"Frederick the Great? Why not? Wait till I march to Moscow!"

"You really intend to march on Moscow?"

"God knows," said he, reflecting; "my road is narrow--my boys do not
obey--they are thieves--I must listen--keep my ears open; at the first
reverse they would save their own necks by my head."