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Before beginning the recital of the strange events of which I itness, I ought to say a feords about the situation of affairs toward the end of the year 1773 The rich and vast province of Orenbourg was inhabited by a nunized the sovereignty of the Russian Czars Their continual revolts, their impatience of law and civilized life, their inconstancy and cruelty, deovernment a constant watchfulness to reduce them to obedience Fortresses had been erected in favorable places, and Cossacks, the former possessors of the shores of the Iaik, in arrisons But these very Cossacks, who should have guaranteed the peace and security of their districts, were restless and dangerous subjects of the empire In 1772 a riot occurred in one of their chief towns This riot was caused by the severity of thethe army to obedience The only result of these e of Irape and canister, the suppression of the riot

This happened shortly before orsk Then all seemed quiet But the authorities had too easily believed in the feigned repentance of the rebels, who nursed their hate in silence, and only awaited a propitious le

I return to , it was in theto the whistling of the Autu rapidly before theme to his presence I went that instant I found there Alexis, Ignatius and the Corporal of the Cossacks, but neither the wife nor daughter of the Co, had the door closed, and every one seated, except the Corporal who re; then he drew a paper from his pocket and said to us: "Gentlemen, important news! Listen to what the General writes" He put on his spectacles and read: "To the Coorsk, Captain Mironoff Confidential I hereby inform you that the deserter and turbulent Cossack of the Don, Iuilty of the unpardonable insolence of usurping the name of the deceased Eands, disturbed the villages of the Iaik, and has even taken and destroyed several fortresses, at the sa everywhere robberies and assassinations Therefore, upon the receipt of this, you will, Captain, bethink you of the measures to be taken to repulse the said robber and usurper; and if possible, in case he turn his arainst the fortress confided to your care, to completely exterminate him"