"What do they say of me in Orenburg?" asked Pugatchef, after a short
silence.
"Well, it is said that you are not easy to get the better of. You will
agree we have had our hands full with you."
The face of the usurper expressed the satisfaction of self-love.
"Yes," said he, with a glorious air, "I am a great warrior. Do they know
in Orenburg of the battle of Jouzeiff?[65] Forty Generals were killed,
four armies made prisoners. Do you think the King of Prussia is about my
strength?"
This boasting of the robber rather amused me.
"What do you think yourself?" I said to him. "Could you beat Frederick?"
"Fedor Fedorovitch,[66] eh! why not? I can beat your Generals, and your
Generals have beaten him. Until now my arms have been victorious. Wait a
bit--only wait a bit--you'll see something when I shall march on
Moscow?"
"And you are thinking of marching on Moscow?"
The usurper appeared to reflect. Then he said, half-aloud--
"God knows my way is straight. I have little freedom of action. My
fellows don't obey me--they are marauders. I have to keep a sharp look
out--at the first reverse they would save their necks with my head."
"Well," I said to Pugatchef, "would it not be better to forsake them
yourself, ere it be too late, and throw yourself on the mercy of the
Tzarina?"
Pugatchef smiled bitterly.
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