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I left the General and hastened to my quarters Saveliitch received me with his usual re these drunken brigands? If they were Turks or Swedes, all right; but these sons of dogs--"

I interrupted him: "How much money have I in all?"

"You have plenty," said he with a satisfied air "I knehisk it out of sight of the rogues" He drew fro knitted purse full of silver coin

"Saveliitch, give me half of what you have there, and keep the rest for yourself I aorsk"

"Oh, Peter!" said the old serf, "do you not fear God? The roads are cut off Have pity on your parents; wait a little; our troops will coo to the four quarters of the world"

"It is too late to reflect I rieve, Saveliitch; I make you a present of that money Buy what you need If I do not return in three days--"

"My dear," said the old o, Ibehind stone walls"

There was never any use disputing with the old man In half an hour I was in the saddle, Saveliitch on an old, half-starved, liiven for nothing to the serf We reached the city gates; the sentinels let us pass, and ere finally out of Orenbourg Night was falling My road lay before the town of Berd, the headquarters of Pougatcheff This road was blocked up and hidden by snow; but across the steppe were traces of horses, renewed fro at a gallop, Saveliitch could scarcely keep up and shouted, "Not so fast! My nag can not follow yours" Very soonthe lights of Berd We were approaching deep ravines, which served as natural fortifications to the town Saveliitch, without however being left behind, never ceased his la safely the eneh the darkness five peasants aratcheff's extre the ord, I was for going on without answering But one of them seized my horse's bridle I drew my sabre and struck the peasant of the head His cap saved his life; he staggered and fell; the others, frightened, let ht have savedback, I saw that Saveliitch was not with me What was I to do? The poor old man, with his lame horse, could not escape from the rascals I waited a minute; then, sure that they o and aid hinized that of Saveliitch Hastening ht of the peasants They had disarrote 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 tohich 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; ill announce you" I glanced at Saveliitch; he wastime At last the peasant re-appeared and said: "The Czar orders the officers to his presence"