The Daughter of the Commandant

convicts with cropped heads, and faces disfi

n. Some were taking away in wheelbarrows the rubbish which filled the ditch; others were

us at the gates to

we came from Fort Bélogorsk he

utumn had already deprived of their leaves, and, with the help of an old gardener

gan to question me on the terrible event

ttention, and, while listen

was a goot officer! And Matame Mironoff, she was a goot lady and first-ra

d stayed in the fort,

's bad! very bad; it is quite impossible

y far away, and that probably his excellency would not delay dis

his head with an

ill come and take tea with me. This evening there will be a council of war; you can give us

ed me, and where Savéliitch was already install

on my life. I went at the appointed hour to the General's, where I found one of the civil officials of Orenburg, th

if they did not show a man versed in the conduct of war, yet showed that he was possessed of natural wit, and of intelligence. During this time the other gue

e warfare offers more hope of the enemy being speedily crushed; but a defensive war is surer and less dangerous. Consequently we will collect the votes according to the p

I declared that the usurper was not in a state to resist disciplined troo

e headstrong impe

distinctly heard said,

eneral turned towards

e generally for offensive measures. Now we will pro

made haste to swallow his third cup of tea

he, "we must neither act on the d

nded. "There is nothing else open to us in tactics-o

ncy, endeavou

the rules of war, and we will profit by your counsel. We might offer for the ras

Kirghiz instead of a College Counsellor if these robbers

e General. "Still, in any case, we must also take milita

oops, the uncertainty of success, the necessity of prudence, and so forth. All were of opinion that it was better

given, the General shook the ashes out o

vil officials who were whispering among themselves, with an air of disquiet and discontent. "But, gentlemen," resumed the General, with a sigh, and puffing out a cloud of smoke, "I dare not take upon myself such a great responsibility, when the safety is in question of the provinces entrusted to my care by Her Imperial Majesty, my gracious S

I could not help deploring the weakness of the honest soldier who, against his own

t seemed to me that their number had increased tenfold since the last assault I had witnessed. They had also artillery, which had been taken from the little forts which had f

in consequence of the bad arrangements of the authorities, the siege was disastrous for the inhabitants, who were forced to suffer hunger and privation of all kin

excited great disturbance. I was dying of ennui. The time passed but slowly. I could not get any letter from Bélogorsk, for a

ed beyond the ramparts, and I went and fired away against the scouts of Pugatchéf. In these sort of ski

ith any success against the flying cavalry of the enemy. The artillery thundered vainly from the height of the ramparts, and in the field guns could not

r numerous band, I came up with one of the hindmost Cossacks, and I was ab

Andréj?tch; how

dnik." I cannot say how

said I, "is it long sin

etr' Andréj?tch; I only came back

t?" I cried

ed Maximitch, putting h

alashka to gi

aper, and immediately d

ad with emotion th

ways wished me well, and also that you are ever ready to help those in need. I pray God this letter may reach you. Maximitch has promised me he will ensure it reaching you. Pal

in our house. Alexey Iványtch tries to oblige me to marry him. He avers that he saved my life by not exposing Akoulina Pamphilovna's stratagem when she spoke of me to the robbers as her niece, but it would be easier to me

o not become his wife I need expect no more consideration at his hands. Oh! my father, Petr' Andréj?tch, you are my only stay. D

your submis

A MIR

uing the poor girl without being able to decide on any. Arrived in the town I went straight to the General's, and I actually ran into his room. He was walking up and down,

ould to my poor father. Do not reject my request

asked the astounded General.

w me to take a battali

o and clear out

robably, that I was out of my s

ear out Fort Bélogor

ess!" I rejoined, hot

ly block all communication with the principal strategic point, which would quickly e

*

ng involved in a military dissertatio

has just written me a letter asking for help.

nds I'll have him tried in twenty-four hours, and we will shoot him o

ide myself. "Between this and

he wife of Chvabrine, who can now protect her. And when we shall have shot him, then, with heaven's help, the betrothed wi

ied, furiously, "than

n it is another thing. Poor boy! But still it is not possible for me to give you a battalion and

idea flashed across me, and what it was the reader will