I resolved to seize the opportunity, and, without
considering any longer what course I should pursue, I replied to
Pugatchef--
"I was going to Fort Belogorsk, to deliver there an orphan who is being
oppressed."
Pugatchef's eyes flashed.
"Who among my people would dare to harm an orphan?" cried he. "Were he
ever so brazen-faced, he should never escape my vengeance! Speak, who
is the guilty one?"
"Chvabrine," replied I; "he keeps in durance the same young girl whom
you saw with the priest's wife, and he wants to force her to become his
wife."
"I'll give him a lesson, Master Chvabrine!" cried Pugatchef, with a
fierce air. "He shall learn what it is to do as he pleases under me, and
to oppress my people. I'll hang him."
"Bid me speak a word," broke in Khlopusha, in a hoarse voice. "You were
too hasty in giving Chvabrine command of the fort, and now you are too
hasty in hanging him. You have already offended the Cossacks by giving
them a gentleman as leader--do not, therefore, now affront the gentlemen
by executing them on the first accusation."
"They need neither be overwhelmed with favours nor be pitied," the
little old man with the blue ribbon now said, in his turn. "There would
be no harm in hanging Chvabrine, neither would there be any harm in
cross-examining this officer.
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