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"There is no need to pardon nor pity," said theAlexis, nor to question this gentlee you as Czar he has no justice to get at your hands; if he acknowledge you, why did he stay at Orenbourg with your enehted there?"

The old rascal's logic seemed plausible even to myself I shuddered when I reatcheff saw , "it seeht What do you think?"

The jesting tone of the chief restored e I replied calatcheff, "tell me now the condition of your city?"

"It is, thank God, in a good state"

"A good condition," repeated the brigand, "when the people are dying of hunger"

The usurper was right, but according to the duty imposed by my oath, I affirmed that it was a false report, and that the fort was sufficiently provisioned

"You see he deceives you," interrupted the man with the riband "All the deserters are unani; that thistles are eaten as dainties there If you wish to hang Alexis, hang on the sa fellow, that they may be equal"

These words seemed to shake the chief Happily the other wretch opposed this view

"Silence," said this powerful fellow "You think of nothing but hanging and strangling It becomes you to play the hero To look at you, no one knohere your soul is"

"And which of the saints are you?" replied the old nity, "an end to your quarrels It would be no great loss if all the s under the saood dogs should bite each other"

Feeling the necessity of changing the conversation, I turned to Pougatcheff with a sot to thank you for the horse and touloup Without your aid I should not have reached the city I would have died froained his good humor

"The beauty of debt is the pay "Tell irl that Alexis persecutes? Has she caught your heart, too?"

"She isthe truth