"
"What rascals?" quoth Pugatchef, in a fierce and terrible manner.
"Beg pardon, my tongue played me false," replied Saveliitch. "Rascals,
no they are not rascals; but still your fellows have well harried and
well robbed, you must agree. Do not get angry; the horse has four legs,
and yet he stumbles. Bid him read to the end."
"Well, let us see, read on," said Pugatchef.
The Secretary continued--
"One chintz rug, another of wadded silk, four roubles; one pelisse fox
skin lined with red ratteen, forty roubles; and lastly, a small hareskin
'_touloup_,' which was left in the hands of your lordship in the wayside
house on the steppe, fifteen roubles."
"What's that?" cried Pugatchef, whose eyes suddenly sparkled.
I confess I was in fear for my poor follower. He was about to embark on
new explanations when Pugatchef interrupted him.
"How dare you bother me with such nonsense?" cried he, snatching the
paper out of the hands of the Secretary and throwing it in Saveliitch's
face. "Foolish old man, you have been despoiled; well, what does it
signify. But, old owl, you should eternally pray God for me and my lads
that you and your master do not swing up there with the other rebels. A
hareskin '_touloup!_' Hark ye, I'll have you flayed alive that
'_touloups_' may be made of your skin.
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