At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from his birth.
“Why did you deign to come to my den?” —
he asked kindly.
A. Sumarokov.
I left the general and hurried to my apartment. Savelich met me with his usual exhortation. “Hunting for you, sir, to go out with drunken robbers! Is this a boyar business? The hour is not even: you will be lost for nothing. And it would be nice if you went to a Turk or a Swede, otherwise it’s a sin to say who. I interrupted his speech with a question: how much money do I have in total? “It will be with you,” he answered with a pleased look. “Scammers, no matter how they rummaged around, but I still managed to hide it.” And with that, he took out of his pocket a long knitted purse full of silver. “Well, Savelich,” I said to him, “give me half now; and take the rest. I am traveling to Belogorsk fortress». - Father Pyotr Andreevich! said the kind uncle in a trembling voice. - Fear God; how can you start on the road at the present time, when there are no roads from the robbers! Have pity on your parents if you don't pity yourself. Where do you want to go? For what? Wait a little: the troops will come, they will catch the swindlers; then go to yourself at least on all four sides. But my intention was firmly accepted. "It's too late to argue," I answered the old man. - I have to go, I can't not go. Do not grieve, Savelich: God is merciful; maybe see you! Look, do not be ashamed and do not be stingy. Buy what you need, at least exorbitantly. I give you this money. If I don't turn back in three days... — What are you, sir? Savelich interrupted me. - So that I let you go alone! Yes, and do not ask for this in a dream. If you have already decided to go, then I will follow you even on foot, but I will not leave you. So that I can sit behind a stone wall without you! Have I gone crazy? Your will, sir, and I will not leave you behind. I knew that there was nothing to argue with Savelich, and I let him get ready for the journey. Half an hour later, I mounted my good horse, and Savelich mounted a skinny and lame horse, which one of the city dwellers gave him for nothing, having no more means to feed it. We arrived at the city gates; the guards let us through; we left Orenburg. It was starting to get dark. My path went past the Berdskaya Sloboda, the refuge of Pugachevsky. The straight road was covered with snow; but horse tracks were visible all over the steppe, renewed daily. I rode at a big trot. Savelich could hardly follow me from a distance and shouted to me every minute: “Be quiet, sir, for God's sake be quiet. My damned nag can't keep up with your long-legged demon. Where are you hurrying? It would be nice to go to a feast, otherwise you’ll be under the butt, and look ... Pyotr Andreevich ... father Pyotr Andreevich! Soon the berd lights flashed. We drove up to the ravines, the natural fortifications of the settlement. Savelich did not lag behind me, without interrupting his plaintive prayers. I was hoping to get around the settlement safely, when suddenly I saw in the twilight right in front of me about five men armed with clubs: this was the advanced guard of the Pugachev refuge. We were called. Not knowing the password, I wanted to silently drive past them; but they immediately surrounded me, and one of them seized my horse by the bridle. I drew my sword and hit the peasant on the head; the cap saved him, but he staggered and let go of the bridle. Others were confused and ran away; I took advantage of this moment, spurred my horse and galloped off. The darkness of the approaching night could have saved me from all danger, when suddenly, looking around, I saw that Savelich was not with me. The poor old man on his lame horse could not ride away from the robbers. What was to be done? After waiting for him a few minutes and making sure that he was detained, I turned the horse and went to rescue him. Approaching the ravine, I heard a noise, shouts and the voice of my Savelitch in the distance. I went faster and soon found myself again between the guard men who had stopped me a few minutes ago. Savelich was between them. They dragged the old man off his nag and got ready to knit. My arrival made them happy. They rushed at me with a cry and immediately dragged me off the horse. One of them, apparently the chief, announced to us that he would now lead us to the sovereign. “And our father,” he added, “is free to order: whether to hang you now, or wait for the light of God.” I didn't resist; Savelich followed my example, and the guards led us in triumph. We crossed the ravine and entered the settlement. Fires were burning in all the huts. Noise and screams were heard everywhere. On the street I met a lot of people; but no one in the darkness noticed us and did not recognize me as an Orenburg officer. We were led straight to the hut, which stood at the corner of the crossroads. Several wine barrels and two cannons stood at the gate. “Here is the palace,” said one of the peasants, “now we will report on you.” He entered the hut. I glanced at Savelich; The old man was baptized, reading a prayer to himself. I waited a long time; Finally, the peasant came back and said to me: "Go: our father ordered to let the officer in." I entered the hut, or the palace, as the peasants called it. It was lit with two tallow candles, and the walls were pasted over with golden paper; however, benches, a table, a washstand on a string, a towel on a nail, a tong in the corner, and a wide pole lined with pots—everything was like in an ordinary hut. Pugachev was sitting under the images, in a red caftan, in a high hat, and importantly akimbo. Near him stood several of his chief comrades, with an air of feigned obsequiousness. It was evident that the news of the arrival of an officer from Orenburg aroused a strong curiosity in the rebels and that they prepared to receive me with triumph. Pugachev recognized me at first sight. His fake importance suddenly vanished. “Ah, your honor! he said to me briskly. - How are you doing? Why did God bring you? I answered that I was driving on my own business and that people stopped me. "What business?" he asked me. I didn't know what to answer. Pugachev, believing that I did not want to explain myself in front of witnesses, turned to his comrades and ordered them to leave. Everyone obeyed, except for two who did not move. “Speak boldly in front of them,” Pugachev told me, “I don’t hide anything from them.” I glanced sideways at the impostor's confidants. One of them, a frail and hunched old man with a gray beard, had nothing remarkable in himself, except for a blue ribbon worn over his shoulder over a gray coat. But I will never forget his friend. He was tall, burly and broad-shouldered, and seemed to me about forty-five years old. A thick red beard, gray sparkling eyes, a nose without nostrils, and reddish spots on his forehead and on his cheeks gave his wide, pockmarked face an inexplicable expression. He was wearing a red shirt, a Kyrgyz robe and Cossack trousers. The first (as I found out later) was the fugitive corporal Beloborodov; the second is Afanasy Sokolov (nicknamed Khlopushy), an exiled criminal who escaped three times from the Siberian mines. Despite the feelings that exclusively agitated me, the society in which I so accidentally found myself, greatly entertained my imagination. But Pugachev brought me to my senses with his question: “Speak: on what business did you leave Orenburg?” A strange thought came into my head: it seemed to me that Providence, which had brought me to Pugachev a second time, was giving me an opportunity to put my intention into action. I decided to take advantage of it and, without having time to think about what I decided on, answered Pugachev's question: “I went to the Belogorsk fortress to save an orphan who is being abused there. Pugachev's eyes sparkled. “Which of my people dares to offend an orphan? he shouted. - If he were seven spans in his forehead, he would not leave my court. Say: who is to blame? “Shvabrin is guilty,” I answered. “He keeps in captivity that girl that you saw, sick, near the priest, and forcibly wants to marry her. "I'll teach Shvabrin a lesson," Pugachev said menacingly. “He will know what it is like for me to be self-willed and offend the people. I'll hang him. "Order the word to be spoken," Khlopusha said in a hoarse voice. “You hurried to appoint Shvabrin as commandant of the fortress, and now you are in a hurry to hang him. You have already offended the Cossacks by placing a nobleman in charge of them; do not frighten the nobles by executing them at the first slander. - There is nothing to pity or complain about them! said the old man in the blue ribbon. - Shvabrin is not a problem to say; and it’s not bad to interrogate the officer in order: why did you deign to welcome. If he does not recognize you as a sovereign, then there is nothing to look for from you and the council, but if he admits that he has been sitting in Orenburg with your adversaries until today? Would you order us to bring him to the command room and light a fire there: it seems to me that his grace was sent to us from the Orenburg commanders. The logic of the old villain seemed to me quite convincing. Frost ran all over my body at the thought in whose hands I was. Pugachev noticed my embarrassment. “Ah, your honor? he said winking at me. “My field marshal seems to be talking business. How do you think?" Pugachev's mockery restored my courage. I calmly replied that I was in his power and that he was free to do with me as he pleased. "Good," said Pugachev. “Now tell me what is the state of your city. “Thank God,” I answered, “everything is all right. - Are you happy? Pugachev repeated. And people are dying of hunger! The impostor spoke the truth; but as a matter of oath, I began to assure that all these were empty rumors and that there were enough supplies in Orenburg. “You see,” the old man picked up, “that he is deceiving you to your face. All the fugitives agree that there is famine and pestilence in Orenburg, that carrion is eaten there, and that is for honor; and his grace assures that there is plenty of everything. If you want to hang Shvabrin, then hang this fellow on the same gallows, so that no one will be envious. The words of the accursed old man seemed to shake Pugachev. Fortunately, Khlopusha began to contradict his friend. “Enough, Naumych,” he told him. - You should strangle and cut everything. What kind of rich man are you? See what the soul is holding on to. You yourself look into the grave, but you destroy others. Isn't there enough blood on your conscience? — What kind of a saint are you? Beloborodov objected. Where did your pity come from? “Of course,” answered Khlopusha, “and I am a sinner, and this hand (here he clenched his bony fist and, rolling up his sleeves, opened his shaggy hand), and this hand is guilty of spilled Christian blood. But I destroyed the enemy, not the guest; at a free crossroads, but in a dark forest, not at home, sitting at the stove; with a flail and a butt, and not with a woman's slander. The old man turned away and muttered the words: "Ragged nostrils!"... "What are you whispering, you old bastard?" Khlopusha shouted. - I'll give you torn nostrils; wait, your time will come; God willing, and you'll sniff the tongs... In the meantime, see that I don't pull out your beards! - Gentlemen of Enaraly! Pugachev announced importantly. - It's enough for you to quarrel. It doesn't matter if all the Orenburg dogs kicked their legs under one crossbar: it's a disaster if our males gnaw among themselves. Well, make peace. Khlopusha and Beloborodov did not say a word and looked at each other gloomily. I saw the need to change the conversation, which could end for me in a very unfavorable way, and turning to Pugachev, I said to him with a cheerful look: “Ah! I did and forgot to thank you for the horse and for the sheepskin coat. Without you, I would not have made it to the city and would have frozen on the road.” My ploy worked. Pugachev cheered up. “Debt by payment is red,” he said, blinking and squinting. "Tell me now, what do you care about that girl whom Shvabrin offends?" Is it not a sweetheart for a brave heart? A?" “She is my bride,” I replied to Pugachev, seeing the favorable change in the weather and finding no need to conceal the truth. - Your bride! shouted Pugachev. "Why didn't you say it before?" Yes, we will marry you and feast on your wedding! - Then, turning to Beloborodov: - Listen, field marshal! We are old friends with his nobility; let's sit down and have dinner; The morning is wiser than the evening. We'll see what we can do with it tomorrow. I was glad to refuse the offered honor, but there was nothing to be done. Two young Cossack women, the daughters of the owner of the hut, covered the table with a white tablecloth, brought bread, fish soup and several shtofs with wine and beer, and for the second time I found myself at the same meal with Pugachev and his terrible comrades. The orgy, of which I was an involuntary witness, continued until late at night. Finally, hops began to overcome the interlocutors. Pugachev dozed off, sitting in his place; his comrades got up and gave me a sign to leave him. I went out with them. On Khlopusha's order, the sentry took me to the command hut, where I found Savelitch as well, and where they left me locked up with him. The uncle was in such amazement at the sight of everything that was happening that he did not ask me any question. He lay down in the darkness and sighed and groaned for a long time; at last he began to snore, and I indulged in reflections that did not allow me to doze off for a single minute all night. In the morning they came to call me on behalf of Pugachev. I went to him. At its gate stood a wagon drawn by a trio of Tatar horses. People crowded the street. In the hallway I met Pugachev: he was dressed like a traveler, in a fur coat and a Kirghiz hat. Yesterday's interlocutors surrounded him, assuming an air of servility, which strongly contradicted everything that I had witnessed the day before. Pugachev greeted me cheerfully and ordered me to get into the wagon with him. We sat down. "To the Belogorsk fortress!" - said Pugachev to the broad-shouldered Tatar, standing to the ruling troika. My heart was beating fast. The horses set off, the bell rang, the wagon flew... Stop! stop!" came a voice all too familiar to me, “and I saw Savelitch running towards us. Pugachev ordered to stop. “Father, Pyotr Andreevich! shouted the uncle. - Do not leave me in my old age in the midst of these frauds ... "-" Ah, the old bastard! Pugachev told him. “God let me see you again. Well, take a seat." Thank you, sir, thank you, dear father! Savelich said as he sat down. “May God give you a hundred years of health for the fact that I looked after the old man and reassured me. I will pray to God for a century for you, but I won’t even mention the hare coat. This bunny sheepskin coat could finally irritate Pugachev in earnest. Fortunately, the impostor either did not catch on, or ignored the inappropriate hint. The horses galloped; people on the street stopped and bowed from the waist. Pugachev nodded his head to both sides. A minute later we left the settlement and rushed along a smooth road. One can easily imagine how I felt at that moment. In a few hours I was to see her, whom I considered already lost to me. I imagined the moment of our union... I also thought of the person in whose hands my fate lay and who, by a strange coincidence, was mysteriously connected with me. I remembered the reckless cruelty, the bloodthirsty habits of the one who volunteered to be the deliverer of my dear! Pugachev did not know that she was the daughter of Captain Mironov; embittered Shvabrin could reveal everything to him; Pugachev could have found out the truth in another way... Then what will become of Marya Ivanovna? Cold ran through my body, and my hair stood on end ... Suddenly Pugachev interrupted my thoughts, turning to me with a question: “What, your honor, did you deign to think about?” “How not to think,” I answered him. - I am an officer and a nobleman; Yesterday I still fought against you, and today I am riding with you in the same wagon, and the happiness of my whole life depends on you. - Well? Pugachev asked. - Are you scared? I answered that, having already been pardoned by him once, I hoped not only for his mercy, but even for help. "And you're right, by God you're right!" the impostor said. - You saw that my guys looked at you askance; and the old man insisted even today that you were a spy and that you should be tortured and hanged; but I didn’t agree,” he added, lowering his voice so that Savelich and the Tatar could not hear him, “remembering your glass of wine and a rabbit coat.” You see that I am not yet such a bloodsucker as your brothers say about me. I remembered the capture of the Belogorsk fortress; but did not consider it necessary to challenge him and did not answer a word. — What do they say about me in Orenburg? asked Pugachev, after a pause. - Yes, they say that it is difficult to cope with you; nothing to say: you let yourself know. The face of the impostor depicted contented pride. - Yes! he said cheerfully. - I fight anywhere. Do you know in Orenburg about the battle near Yuzeeva? Forty enarals were killed, four armies were taken in full. What do you think: could the Prussian king compete with me? The robber's boastfulness struck me as amusing. — What do you think? I said to him, “would you have dealt with Fryderyk? - With Fedor Fedorovich? Why not? After all, I manage with your enarals; and they beat him. So far my weapon has been happy. Give me time, or there will be more, when I go to Moscow. - Do you think to go to Moscow? The impostor thought for a while and said in an undertone: — God knows. My street is cramped; I have little will. My guys are smart. They are thieves. I must keep my ears open; at the first failure, they will redeem their neck with my head. - That's it! I said to Pugachev. “Wouldn’t it be better for you to get behind them yourself, in advance, and resort to the mercy of the Empress?” Pugachev smiled bitterly. “No,” he answered, “it’s too late for me to repent. There will be no pardon for me. I will continue as I started. How to know? Perhaps it will succeed! Grishka Otrepiev, after all, reigned over Moscow. “Do you know how he ended up?” They threw him out of the window, stabbed him, burned him, loaded a cannon with his ashes and fired him! “Listen,” said Pugachev with some wild inspiration. “I’ll tell you a story that an old Kalmyk woman told me as a child. Once an eagle asked a raven: tell me, raven-bird, why do you live in this world for three hundred years, and I'm only thirty-three years old? “Because, father,” the raven answered him, that you drink living blood and I eat carrion. The eagle thought: let's try and we eat the same. Fine. The eagle and the raven flew. Here they saw a fallen horse; went down and sat down. The raven began to peck and praise. The eagle pecked once, pecked again, waved its wing and said to the raven: No, brother raven; than three hundred years to eat carrion, it is better to drink living blood once, and then what God will give! — What is the Kalmyk fairy tale? “Intricate,” I answered him. “But to live by murder and robbery means for me to peck at carrion. Pugachev looked at me with surprise and did not answer. Both of us fell silent, each immersed in our own thoughts. The Tartar sang a sad song; Savelich, dozing, swayed on the irradiation. The wagon flew along the smooth winter path... Suddenly I saw a village on the steep bank of the Yaik, with a palisade and a bell tower, and a quarter of an hour later we drove into the Belogorsk fortress.
At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from birth.
“Why did you deign to come to my den?” -
he asked kindly.
A. Sumarokov
I left the general and hurried to my apartment. Savelich met me with his usual exhortation. “Hunting for you, sir, to go out with drunken robbers! Is this a boyar thing? The hour is not even: you will be lost for nothing. And it would be nice if you went to a Turk or a Swede, otherwise it’s a sin to say who.
I interrupted his speech with a question: how much money do I have for everything? “It will be with you,” he answered with a pleased look. “Scammers, no matter how they rummaged around, but I still managed to hide it.” And with that, he took out of his pocket a long knitted purse full of silver. “Well, Savelich,” I said to him, “give me half now; and take the rest. I'm going to the Belogorsk fortress."
- Father Pyotr Andreevich! – said the kind uncle in a trembling voice. - Fear God; how can you start on the road at the present time, when there are no roads from the robbers! Have pity on your parents if you don't pity yourself. Where do you want to go? For what? Wait a little: the troops will come, they will catch the swindlers; then go to yourself at least on all four sides.
But my intention was firmly accepted.
"It's too late to argue," I answered the old man. I have to go, I can't not go. Do not grieve, Savelich: God is merciful; maybe see you! Look, do not be ashamed and do not be stingy. Buy what you need, at least exorbitantly. I give you this money. If I don't turn back in three days...
- What are you, sir? Savelich interrupted me. - So that I let you alone! Yes, and do not ask for this in a dream. If you have already decided to go, then I will follow you even on foot, but I will not leave you. So that I can sit behind a stone wall without you! Have I gone crazy? Your will, sir, and I will not leave you behind.
I knew that there was nothing to argue with Savelich, and I let him get ready for the journey. Half an hour later, I mounted my good horse, and Savelich mounted a skinny and lame horse, which one of the city dwellers gave him for nothing, having no more means to feed it. We arrived at the city gates; the guards let us through; we left Orenburg.
It was starting to get dark. My path went past the Berdskaya Sloboda, the refuge of Pugachevsky. The straight road was covered with snow; but horse tracks were visible all over the steppe, renewed daily. I rode at a big trot. Savelich could hardly follow me from a distance and shouted to me every minute: “Be quiet, sir, for God's sake be quiet. My damned nag can't keep up with your long-legged demon. Where are you hurrying? It would be nice to go to a feast, otherwise you’ll be under the butt, and look ... Pyotr Andreevich ... father Pyotr Andreevich!
Soon the berd lights flashed. We drove up to the ravines, the natural fortifications of the settlement. Savelich did not lag behind me, without interrupting his plaintive prayers. I was hoping to get around the settlement safely, when suddenly I saw in the twilight right in front of me about five men armed with clubs: this was the advanced guard of the Pugachev refuge. We were called. Not knowing the password, I wanted to silently drive past them; but they immediately surrounded me, and one of them seized my horse by the bridle. I drew my sword and hit the peasant on the head; the cap saved him, but he staggered and let go of the bridle. Others were confused and ran away; I took advantage of this moment, spurred my horse and galloped off.
The darkness of the approaching night could have saved me from all danger, when suddenly, looking around, I saw that Savelich was not with me. The poor old man on his lame horse could not ride away from the robbers. What was to be done? After waiting for him a few minutes and making sure that he was detained, I turned the horse and went to rescue him.
A. S. Pushkin. Captain's daughter. audiobook
Approaching the ravine, I heard a noise, shouts and the voice of my Savelitch in the distance. I went faster and soon found myself between the guard men who had stopped me a few minutes ago. Savelich was between them. They dragged the old man off his nag and got ready to knit. My arrival made them happy. They rushed at me with a cry and immediately dragged me off the horse. One of them, apparently the chief, announced to us that he would now lead us to the sovereign. “And our father,” he added, “is free to order: whether to hang you now, or wait for the light of God.” I didn't resist; Savelich followed my example, and the guards led us in triumph.
We crossed the ravine and entered the settlement. Fires were burning in all the huts. Noise and screams were heard everywhere. On the street I met a lot of people; but no one in the darkness noticed us and did not recognize me as an Orenburg officer. We were led straight to the hut, which stood at the corner of the crossroads. Several wine barrels and two cannons stood at the gate. “Here is the palace,” said one of the peasants, “now we will report on you.” He entered the hut. I glanced at Savelich; The old man was baptized, reading a prayer to himself. I waited a long time; Finally, the peasant came back and said to me: "Go: our father ordered to let the officer in."
I entered the hut, or the palace, as the peasants called it. It was lit with two tallow candles, and the walls were pasted over with golden paper; however, benches, a table, a washstand on a string, a towel on a nail, a tong in the corner and a wide pole lined with pots - everything was like in an ordinary hut. Pugachev was sitting under the images, in a red caftan, in a high hat, and importantly akimbo. Near him stood several of his chief comrades, with an air of feigned obsequiousness. It was evident that the news of the arrival of an officer from Orenburg aroused a strong curiosity in the rebels and that they prepared to receive me with triumph. Pugachev recognized me at first sight. His fake importance suddenly vanished. “Ah, your honor! he said to me with alacrity. - How are you doing? Why did God bring you? I answered that I was driving on my own business and that people stopped me. "What business?" he asked me. I didn't know what to answer. Pugachev, believing that I did not want to explain myself in front of witnesses, turned to his comrades and ordered them to leave. Everyone obeyed, except for two who did not move. “Speak boldly in front of them,” Pugachev told me, “I don’t hide anything from them.” I glanced sideways at the impostor's confidants. One of them, a slender and hunched-over old man with a gray beard, had nothing remarkable in himself, except for a blue ribbon worn over his shoulder over a gray coat. But I will never forget his friend. He was short, stout and broad-shouldered, and seemed to me about forty-five years old. A thick red beard, gray sparkling eyes, a nose without nostrils, and reddish spots on his forehead and on his cheeks gave his wide, pockmarked face an inexplicable expression. He was wearing a red shirt, a Kyrgyz robe and Cossack trousers. The first (as I found out later) was the fugitive corporal Beloborodov; the second is Afanasy Sokolov (nicknamed Khlopushy), an exiled criminal who escaped three times from the Siberian mines. Despite the feelings that exclusively agitated me, the society in which I so accidentally found myself, greatly entertained my imagination. But Pugachev brought me to my senses with his question: “Speak: on what business did you leave Orenburg?”
A strange thought came into my head: it seemed to me that Providence, which had brought me to Pugachev a second time, was giving me an opportunity to put my intention into action. I decided to take advantage of it and, without having time to think about what I decided on, answered Pugachev's question:
- I went to the Belogorsk fortress to save an orphan who is being abused there.
Pugachev's eyes sparkled. “Which of my people dares to offend an orphan? he shouted. - If he were seven spans in his forehead, he would not leave my court. Say: who is to blame?
“Shvabrin is guilty,” I answered. - He keeps in captivity that girl that you saw, sick, near the priest, and forcibly wants to marry her.
"I'll teach Shvabrin a lesson," Pugachev said menacingly. “He will know what it is like for me to be self-willed and offend the people. I'll hang him.
"Order the word to be spoken," Khlopusha said in a hoarse voice. - You rushed to appoint Shvabrin as the commandant of the fortress, and now you are in a hurry to hang him. You have already offended the Cossacks by placing a nobleman in charge of them; do not frighten the nobles by executing them at the first slander.
- There is nothing to pity or complain about them! said the old man in the blue ribbon. - It doesn’t matter to say Shvabrin; and it’s not bad to interrogate the officer in order: why did you deign to welcome. If he does not recognize you as a sovereign, then there is nothing to look for from you and the council, but if he admits that he has been sitting in Orenburg with your adversaries until today? Would you order us to bring him to the command room and light a fire there: it seems to me that his grace was sent to us from the Orenburg commanders.
The logic of the old villain seemed to me quite convincing. Frost ran all over my body at the thought in whose hands I was. Pugachev noticed my embarrassment. “Ah, your honor? he said winking at me. “My field marshal seems to be talking business. How do you think?"
Pugachev's mockery restored my courage. I calmly replied that I was in his power and that he was free to do with me as he pleased.
- Good, - said Pugachev. “Now tell me what is the state of your city.
“Thank God,” I answered, “everything is all right.
- Are you happy? Pugachev repeated. And people are dying of hunger!
The impostor spoke the truth; but as a matter of oath, I began to assure that all these were empty rumors and that there were enough supplies in Orenburg.
“You see,” the old man picked up, “that he is deceiving you to your face.” All the fugitives agree that there is famine and pestilence in Orenburg, that carrion is eaten there, and that is for honor; and his grace assures that there is plenty of everything. If you want to hang Shvabrin, then hang this fellow on the same gallows, so that no one will be envious.
The words of the accursed old man seemed to shake Pugachev. Fortunately, Khlopusha began to contradict his friend.
“Enough, Naumych,” he told him. - You should strangle and cut everything. What kind of rich man are you? See what the soul is holding on to. You yourself look into the grave, but you destroy others. Isn't there enough blood on your conscience?
- What kind of a saint are you? Beloborodov objected. Where did your pity come from?
“Of course,” answered Khlopusha, “and I am a sinner, and this hand (here he clenched his bony fist and, rolling up his sleeves, opened his shaggy hand), and this hand is guilty of spilled Christian blood. But I destroyed the enemy, not the guest; at a free crossroads and in a dark forest, not at home, sitting at the stove; with a flail and a butt, and not with a woman's slander.
The old man turned away and muttered the words: "Ragged nostrils!" ...
"What are you whispering, you old bastard?" Khlopusha shouted. - I'll give you torn nostrils; wait, your time will come; God willing, and you will sniff the tongs... In the meantime, see that I don't pull out your beards!
- Gentlemen of Enaraly! - Pugachev announced importantly. - It's enough for you to quarrel. It doesn't matter if all the Orenburg dogs kicked their legs under one crossbar; the trouble is, if our males gnaw among themselves. Well, make peace.
Khlopusha and Beloborodov did not say a word and looked at each other gloomily. I saw the need to change the conversation, which could end for me in a very unfavorable way, and turning to Pugachev, I said to him with a cheerful look: “Ah! I did and forgot to thank you for the horse and for the sheepskin coat. Without you, I would not have made it to the city and would have frozen on the road.”
My ploy worked. Pugachev cheered up. “Debt by payment is red,” he said, blinking and squinting. - Tell me now, what do you care about that girl whom Shvabrin offends? Is it not a sweetheart for a brave heart? A?"
“She is my bride,” I replied to Pugachev, seeing the favorable change in the weather and finding no need to hide the truth.
- Your bride! shouted Pugachev. Why didn't you say it before? Yes, we will marry you and feast on your wedding! - Then, turning to Beloborodov: - Listen, field marshal! We are old friends with his nobility; let's sit down and have dinner; The morning is wiser than the evening. We'll see what we can do with it tomorrow.
I was glad to refuse the offered honor, but there was nothing to be done. Two young Cossack women, the daughters of the owner of the hut, covered the table with a white tablecloth, brought bread, fish soup and several shtofs with wine and beer, and for the second time I found myself at the same meal with Pugachev and his terrible comrades.
The orgy, of which I was an involuntary witness, continued until late at night. Finally, hops began to overcome the interlocutors. Pugachev dozed off, sitting in his place; his comrades got up and gave me a sign to leave him. I went out with them. On Khlopusha's order, the sentry took me to the command hut, where I found Savelitch as well, and where they left me locked up with him. The uncle was in such amazement at the sight of everything that was happening that he did not ask me any question. He lay down in the darkness and sighed and groaned for a long time; at last he began to snore, and I indulged in reflections that did not allow me to doze off for a single minute all night.
In the morning they came to call me on behalf of Pugachev. I went to him. At its gate stood a wagon drawn by a trio of Tatar horses. People crowded the street. In the hallway I met Pugachev: he was dressed like a traveler, in a fur coat and a Kirghiz hat. Yesterday's interlocutors surrounded him, assuming an air of servility, which strongly contradicted everything that I had witnessed the day before. Pugachev greeted me cheerfully and ordered me to get into the wagon with him.
We sat down. "To the Belogorsk fortress!" - Pugachev said to the broad-shouldered Tatar, standing to the ruling troika. My heart was beating fast. The horses set off, the bell rang, the wagon flew ...
Stop! stop!" came a voice all too familiar to me, “and I saw Savelitch running towards us. Pugachev ordered to stop. “Father, Pyotr Andreevich! - shouted the uncle. - Do not leave me in my old age in the midst of these frauds ... "-" Ah, the old bastard! Pugachev told him. “God let me see you again. Well, take a seat."
Thank you, sir, thank you, dear father! Savelich said as he sat down. - God grant you a hundred years of health for the fact that I looked after the old man and reassured me. I will pray to God for a century for you, but I won’t even mention the hare coat.
This bunny sheepskin coat could finally irritate Pugachev in earnest. Fortunately, the impostor either did not catch on, or ignored the inappropriate hint. The horses galloped; people on the street stopped and bowed from the waist. Pugachev nodded his head to both sides. A minute later we left the settlement and rushed along a smooth road.
One can easily imagine how I felt at that moment. In a few hours I was to see her, whom I considered already lost to me. I imagined the moment of our union... I also thought about the person in whose hands my fate was and who, by a strange coincidence, was mysteriously connected with me. I remembered the reckless cruelty, the bloodthirsty habits of the one who volunteered to be the deliverer of my dear! Pugachev did not know that she was the daughter of Captain Mironov; embittered Shvabrin could reveal everything to him; Pugachev could have found out the truth in another way ... Then what will become of Marya Ivanovna? Cold ran through my body, and my hair stood on end ...
Suddenly Pugachev interrupted my thoughts, turn to me with a question:
“What, your honor, did you deign to think about?”
“How not to think,” I answered him. - I am an officer and a nobleman; Yesterday I still fought against you, and today I am riding with you in the same wagon, and the happiness of my whole life depends on you.
- Well? Pugachev asked. - Are you scared?
I answered that, having already been pardoned by him once, I hoped not only for his mercy, but even for help.
“And you’re right, by God you’re right!” the impostor said. - You saw that my guys looked at you askance; and the old man insisted even today that you were a spy and that you should be tortured and hanged; but I didn’t agree,” he added, lowering his voice so that Savelich and the Tatar could not hear him, “remembering your glass of wine and a rabbit coat.” You see that I am not yet such a bloodsucker as your brothers say about me.
I remembered the capture of the Belogorsk fortress; but did not consider it necessary to challenge him and did not answer a word.
- What do they say about me in Orenburg? asked Pugachev, after a pause.
- Yes, they say that it is difficult to cope with you; nothing to say: you let yourself know.
The face of the impostor depicted contented pride. "Yes! he said cheerfully. - I fight anywhere. Do you know in Orenburg about the battle near Yuzeeva? Forty enarals were killed, four armies were taken in full. What do you think: could the Prussian king compete with me?
The robber's boastfulness struck me as amusing.
– What do you think? - I said to him, - would you manage with Friderik?
- With Fedor Fedorovich? Why not? After all, I manage with your enarals; and they beat him. So far my weapon has been happy. Give me time, or there will be more, when I go to Moscow.
- Do you think to go to Moscow?
The impostor thought a little and said in an undertone: “God knows. My street is cramped; I have little will. My guys are smart. They are thieves. I must keep my ears open; at the first failure, they will redeem their neck with my head.
- That's it! I said to Pugachev. - Wouldn't it be better for you to leave them yourself, in advance, and resort to the mercy of the Empress?
Pugachev smiled bitterly. “No,” he answered, “it’s too late for me to repent. There will be no pardon for me. I will continue as I started. How to know? Perhaps it will succeed! Grishka Otrepiev, after all, reigned over Moscow.
“Do you know how he ended up?” They threw him out of the window, stabbed him, burned him, loaded a cannon with his ashes and fired him!
“Listen,” said Pugachev with some wild inspiration. “I’ll tell you a fairy tale that an old Kalmyk woman told me as a child. Once an eagle asked a raven: tell me, raven bird, why do you live in this world for three hundred years, and I'm only thirty-three years old? - Because, father, the raven answered him, that you drink living blood, and I eat carrion. The eagle thought: let's try and we eat the same. Fine. The eagle and the raven flew. They saw a fallen horse, went down and sat down. The raven began to peck and praise. The eagle pecked once, pecked again, waved its wing and said to the raven: no, brother raven, than to eat carrion for three hundred years, it’s better to drink living blood once, and then what God will give! - What is the Kalmyk fairy tale?
“Crazy,” I answered him. - But to live by murder and robbery means, for me, pecking at the dead.
A village 120 miles from Orenburg, under which Pugachev's troops defeated the government army on November 9, 1773.- Describe Pugachev's "palace".
- Give portraits of the "confidants of the impostor."
- Why did the “logic of the old villain” Beloborodov regarding Grinev seem convincing to Grinev himself, although this logic presupposed his execution?
- How to explain why the dispute between Beloborodov and Khlopushi saved Grinev?
- Describe Grinev's trip with Pugachev from the rebellious Berdskaya Sloboda to the Belogorsk fortress.
- Retell the Kalmyk tale about the eagle and the raven close to the text.
“I entered the hut, or the palace, as the peasants called it. It was lit with two tallow candles, and the walls were pasted over with golden paper; however, benches, a table, a washstand on a string, a towel on a nail, a tong in the corner and a wide pole lined with pots - everything was like in an ordinary hut. It is possible to explain the reasons why this “palace” was decorated in this way: the peasants were not participants in the uprising and could not have imagined the magnificence of the royal choir in any other way.
They need to be described next to Pugachev. “Pugachev sat under the images, in a red caftan, in a high hat and importantly akimbo. Near him stood several of his chief comrades, with an air of feigned subservience ... One of them, a frail and hunched old man with a gray beard, had nothing remarkable in himself, except for a blue ribbon worn over his shoulder over a gray Armenian coat. But I will never forget his friend. He was tall, burly and broad-shouldered, and seemed to me about forty-five years old. A thick red beard, gray sparkling eyes, a nose without nostrils, and reddish spots on his forehead and cheeks gave his wide pockmarked face an inexplicable expression ... The first (as I found out later) was the fugitive corporal Beloborodov; the second is Afanasy Sokolov (nicknamed Khlopushy), an exiled criminal who escaped three times from the Siberian mines.
Of course, any person would come to such a decision. The officer goes from Orenburg to his fortress. What other reasons could there be for such a decision? The assumption of intelligence looks natural, and it is simply impossible to deny it. However, Grinev had other reasons, which he managed to tell Pugachev a little later.
The dispute between Beloborodov and Khlopushi saved Grinev, as he diverted Pugachev's attention from suspicions against him. Pugachev tried to resolve the arguments of his comrades-in-arms, which were boring and irritating to him.
A trip to the Belogorsk fortress was very important for Grinev and helps to learn a lot about Pugachev. During this trip from Berdskaya Sloboda, an important conversation took place between the two heroes of the story. Let us recall one of the episodes of this conversation: “The impostor thought a little and said in an undertone:“ God knows. My street is cramped; I have little will. My guys are smart. They are thieves. I must keep my ears open; at the first failure, they will redeem their neck with my head. material from the site
“Listen,” said Pugachev with some wild inspiration. “I’ll tell you a fairy tale that an old Kalmyk woman told me as a child. Once an eagle asked a raven: tell me, raven-bird, why do you live in this world for three years, and I'm only thirty-three years old? - Because, father, the raven answered him, that you drink living blood, and I eat carrion. The eagle thought: yes, let's try and we eat the same. Fine. The eagle and the raven flew. Here you see a pale horse; went down and sat down. The raven began to peck and praise. The eagle pecked once, pecked again, waved its wing and said to the raven: No, brother raven; than to eat carrion for three hundred years, it is better to drink living blood once, and then what God will give! — What is the Kalmyk fairy tale?
Intricate, I answered him. “But to live by murder and robbery means, for me, pecking at carrion.
Pugachev looked at me in surprise and did not answer. Both of us fell silent, each immersed in our own thoughts.
Let us pay attention to Grinev's remark, which immediately forces us to change our view of the essence of the tale. It turns out that what Pugachev wanted to sing can be perceived as a dull and humiliating consumption of carrion. Perhaps in these words there is a response to the author's statement about "rebellion, senseless and merciless"?
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In 1836, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin wrote the story "The Captain's Daughter", which was a historical description of the Pugachev uprising. In his work, Pushkin was based on real events of 1773-1775, when, under the leadership of Emelyan Pugachev (Liar Tsar Pyotr Fedorovich), the Yaik Cossacks, who took fugitive convicts, thieves and villains as servants, began a peasant war. Pyotr Grinev and Maria Mironova are fictitious characters, but their fates very truthfully reflect the sad time of the brutal civil war.
Pushkin designed his story in a realistic form in the form of notes from the diary of the protagonist Pyotr Grinev, made years after the uprising. The lyrics of the work are interesting in their presentation - Grinev writes his diary in adulthood, rethinking everything he experienced. At the time of the rebellion, he was a young noble loyal to his Empress. He looked at the rebels as if they were savages who fought with particular cruelty against the Russian people. In the course of the story, it is clear how the heartless ataman Pugachev, executing dozens of honest officers, over time, by the will of fate, wins favor in the heart of Grinev and acquires sparks of nobility in his eyes.
Chapter 1. Sergeant of the Guard
At the beginning of the story main character Pyotr Grinev tells the reader about his young life. He is the only survivor of 9 children of a retired major and a poor noblewoman, he lived in a middle-class noble family. The upbringing of the young master was actually engaged in the old servant. Peter's education was low, since his father, a retired major, hired the French hairdresser Beaupré as a tutor, leading an immoral lifestyle. For drunkenness and depraved actions, he was expelled from the estate. And 17-year-old Petrusha, his father decided, through old connections, to send him to serve in Orenburg (instead of St. Petersburg, where he was supposed to go to serve in the guards) and attached an old servant Savelich to him for supervision. Petrusha was upset, because instead of parties in the capital, a dull existence in the wilderness awaited him. During a stopover on the way, the young gentleman made an acquaintance with the rake-captain Zurin, because of whom, under the pretext of training, he got involved in playing billiards. Then Zurin offered to play for money and as a result, Petrusha lost as much as 100 rubles - a lot of money at that time. Savelich, being the keeper of the master's "treasury", is against Peter paying the debt, but the master insists. The servant is indignant, but gives the money back.
Chapter 2
In the end, Piotr is ashamed of his loss and promises Savelich not to gamble again. There is a long road ahead of them, and the servant forgives the master. But because of the indiscretion of Petrusha, they again get into trouble - the impending snowstorm did not embarrass the young man and he ordered the driver not to return. As a result, they lost their way and almost froze. For luck, they met a stranger who helped the lost travelers to go to the inn.
Grinev recalls how then, tired from the road, he had a dream in a wagon, which he called prophetic: he sees his house and his mother, who says that his father is dying. Then he sees an unfamiliar man with a beard in his father's bed, and his mother says that he is her named husband. The stranger wants to give a "father's" blessing, but Peter refuses, and then the man takes up the ax, and corpses appear around. He does not touch Peter.
They drive up to the inn, reminiscent of a thieves' haven. A stranger, frozen in a cold in one Armenian coat, asks Petrusha for wine, and he treats him. A strange conversation took place between the peasant and the owner of the house in the language of thieves. Peter does not understand the meaning, but everything he hears seems very strange to him. Leaving the rooming house, Peter, to Savelich's next displeasure, thanked the escort by granting him a hare sheepskin coat. To which the stranger bowed, saying that the age would not forget such mercy.
When Peter finally gets to Orenburg, his father's colleague, having read the cover letter with the order to keep the young man "in tight rein", sends him to serve in the Belgorod fortress - even more wilderness. This could not but upset Peter, who had long dreamed of a guards uniform.
Chapter 3
The owner of the Belgorod garrison was Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, but his wife, Vasilisa Yegorovna, actually ran everything. Simple and sincere people immediately liked Grinev. The elderly Mironov couple had a daughter, Masha, but so far their acquaintance has not taken place. In the fortress (which turned out to be a simple village), Peter meets a young lieutenant Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin, who was exiled here from the guards for a duel that ended in the death of the enemy. Shvabrin, having a habit of speaking unflatteringly about those around him, often spoke caustically about Masha, the captain's daughter, exposing her as a complete fool. Then Grinev himself gets acquainted with the daughter of the commander and questions the statements of the lieutenant.
Chapter 4
By nature, the kind and benevolent Grinev began to become friends with the commandant and his family more and more, and moved away from Shvabrin. The captain's daughter Masha did not have a dowry, but turned out to be a charming girl. Shvabrin's caustic remarks did not please Peter. Inspired by thoughts of a young girl in quiet evenings, he began to write poems for her, the content of which he shared with a friend. But he ridiculed him, and even more began to humiliate Masha's dignity, assuring that she would come at night to the one who would give her a pair of earrings.
As a result, the friends quarreled, and it came to a duel. Vasilisa Yegorovna, the wife of the commandant, found out about the duel, but the duelists pretended to have reconciled, deciding to postpone the meeting the next day. But in the morning, as soon as they had time to draw their swords, Ivan Ignatich and 5 invalids were led out under escort to Vasilisa Yegorovna. Having reprimanded, as it should, she let them go. In the evening, Masha, disturbed by the news of the duel, told Peter about Shvabrin's unsuccessful matchmaking for her. Now Grinev understood his motives for his behavior. The duel did take place. The confident swordsman Peter, taught at least something worthwhile by the tutor Beaupre, turned out to be a strong opponent for Shvabrin. But Savelich appeared at the duel, Peter hesitated for a second and was eventually wounded.
Chapter 5
The wounded Peter was nursed by his servant and Masha. As a result, the duel brought the young people together, and they were inflamed mutual love to each other. Wanting to marry Masha, Grinev sends a letter to his parents.
Grinev reconciled with Shvabrin. Peter's father, having learned about the duel and not wanting to hear about the marriage, became furious and sent an angry letter to his son, where he threatened to be transferred from the fortress. At a loss as to how his father could find out about the duel, Peter attacked Savelich with accusations, but he himself received a letter with the owner's displeasure. Grinev finds only one answer - Shvabrin reported the duel. Father's refusal to bless does not change Peter's intentions, but Masha does not agree to secretly marry. For a while they move away from each other, and Grinev understands that unhappy love can deprive him of his mind and lead to debauchery.
Chapter 6
Unrest begins in the Belgorod fortress. Captain Mironov receives an order from the general to prepare the fortress for an attack by rebels and robbers. Emelyan Pugachev, who called himself Peter III, escaped from custody and terrified the neighborhood. According to rumors, he had already captured several fortresses and was approaching Belgorod. It was not necessary to count on victory with 4 officers and army "disabled". Alarmed by rumors about the capture of a nearby fortress and the execution of officers, Captain Mironov decided to send Masha and Vasilisa Yegorovna to Orenburg, where the fortress is stronger. The captain's wife speaks out against the departure, and decides not to leave her husband in difficult times. Masha says goodbye to Peter, but she fails to leave the fortress.
Chapter 7
Ataman Pugachev appears at the walls of the fortress and offers to surrender without a fight. Commandant Mironov, having learned about the betrayal of the constable and several Cossacks who joined the rebel clan, does not agree to the proposal. He orders his wife to dress Masha as a commoner and take the priest to the hut, and he himself opens fire on the rebels. The battle ends with the capture of the fortress, which, together with the city, passes into the hands of Pugachev.
Right at the commandant's house, Pugachev perpetrates reprisals against those who refused to take the oath to him. He orders the execution of Captain Mironov and Lieutenant Ivan Ignatich. Grinev decides that he will not swear allegiance to the robber and will accept an honorable death. However, here Shvabrin comes up to Pugachev and whispers something in his ear. The chieftain decides not to ask for the oath, ordering all three to be hanged. But the old faithful servant Savelyich rushes at the feet of the ataman and he agrees to pardon Grinev. Ordinary soldiers and residents of the city take the oath of allegiance to Pugachev. As soon as the oath ended, Pugachev decided to dine, but the Cossacks dragged Vasilisa Yegorovna naked from the commandant's house, where they robbed property, by the hair, who was crying for her husband and cursing the convict. Ataman ordered to kill her.
Chapter 8
Grinev's heart is out of place. He understands that if the soldiers find out that Masha is here and alive, she cannot escape reprisals, especially since Shvabrin took the side of the rebels. He knows that his beloved is hiding in the priest's house. In the evening the Cossacks came, sent to take him to Pugachev. Although Peter did not accept the False Tsar's offer of all honors for the oath, the conversation between the rebel and the officer was friendly. Pugachev remembered the good and now gave Peter freedom in return.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Pugachev, in front of the people, called Peter to him and told him to go to Orenburg and report on his offensive in a week. Savelich began to fuss about the plundered property, but the villain said that he would let him go on sheepskin coats for such impudence. Grinev and his servant leave Belogorsk. Pugachev appoints Shvabrin as a commandant, and he himself goes on another feat.
Pyotr and Savelich are on foot, but one of Pugachev's gang caught up with them and said that His Majesty would grant them a horse and a sheepskin coat, and fifty, but he supposedly lost it.
Masha fell ill and lay delirious.
Chapter 10
Arriving in Orenburg, Grinev immediately reported on the deeds of Pugachev in the Belgorod fortress. A council met, at which everyone except Peter voted for defense, not attack.
A long siege begins - hunger and want. Peter, on another sortie into the camp of the enemy, receives a letter from Masha, in which she prays to save her. Shvabrin wants to marry her and keeps her in captivity. Grinev goes to the general with a request to give half a company of soldiers to save the girl, which is refused. Then Peter decides to help out his beloved alone.
Chapter 11
On the way to the fortress, Pyotr falls into Pugachev's guard and is taken for interrogation. Grinev honestly tells everything about his plans to the troublemaker and says that he is free to do whatever he wants with him. Pugachev's thug-advisers offer to execute the officer, but he says, "pardon, so pardon."
Together with the robber ataman, Peter goes to the Belgorod fortress, on the way they are talking. The rebel says that he wants to go to Moscow. Peter in his heart pities him, begging him to surrender to the mercy of the empress. But Pugachev knows that it is already too late, and says, come what may.
Chapter 12
Shvabrin keeps the girl on water and bread. Pugachev pardons the arbiter, but learns from Shvabrin that Masha is the daughter of an unsworn commandant. At first he is furious, but Peter, with his sincerity, this time also achieves favor.
Chapter 13
Pugachev gives Peter a pass to all outposts. Happy lovers go to their parents' house. They confused the army convoy with the Pugachev traitors and were arrested. In the head of the outpost, Grinev recognized Zurin. He said he was going home to get married. He dissuades him, assuring him to remain in the service. Peter himself understands that duty calls him. He sends Masha and Savelich to their parents.
The fighting of the detachments that arrived in time to rescue broke the robber plans. But Pugachev could not be caught. Then there were rumors that he was rampant in Siberia. Zurin's detachment is sent to suppress another outbreak. Grinev recalls the unfortunate villages plundered by savages. The troops had to take away what people could save. The news came that Pugachev had been caught.
Chapter 14
Grinev, on Shvabrin's denunciation, was arrested as a traitor. He could not justify himself with love, fearing that Masha would also be interrogated. The Empress, taking into account the merits of her father, pardoned him, but sentenced him to life exile. The father was in shock. Masha decided to go to Petersburg and ask the Empress for her beloved.
By the will of fate, Maria meets the Empress in the early autumn morning and tells her everything, not knowing who she is talking to. On the same morning, a cab was sent for her to the house of a secular lady, where Masha got a job for a while, with an order to deliver Mironov's daughter to the palace.
There Masha saw Catherine II and recognized her as her interlocutor.
Grinev was released from hard labor. Pugachev was executed. Standing on the chopping block in the crowd, he saw Grinev and nodded.
The reunited loving hearts continued the Grinev family, and in their Simbirsk province, under glass, was kept a letter from Catherine II pardoning Peter and praising Mary for her intelligence and kind heart.
