The Daughter of the Commandant

Excerpt: ... seated in an armchair on the threshold of the Commandant's house. He wore an elegant Cossack caftan, embroidered down the seams. A high cap of marten sable, ornamented with gold tassels, came closely down over his flashing eyes. His face did not seem unknown to me. The Cossack chiefs surrounded him. Father Garasim, pale and trembling, was standing, cross in hand, at the foot of the steps, and seemed to be silently praying for the victims brought before him. In the square a gallows was being hastily erected. When we came near, some Bashkirs drove back the crowd, and we were presented to Pugatchéf. The bells ceased clanging, and the deepest silence reigned again. Where is the Commandant? asked the usurper. Our ouriadnik came forward and pointed out Iván Kouzmitch. Pugatchéf looked fiercely upon the old man and said to him, How was it you dared to oppose me, your rightful Emperor? The Commandant, enfeebled by his wound, collected his remaining strength, and replied, in a resolute tone- You are not my Emperor; you are a usurper and a robber! Pugatchéf frowned and waved his white handkerchief. Several Cossacks immediately seized the old Commandant and dragged him away to the gallows. Astride on the crossbeam, sat the disfigured Bashkir who had been cross-examined on the preceding evening; he held a rope in his hand, and I saw the next moment poor Iván Kouzmitch swinging in the air. Then Iwán Ignatiitch was brought before Pugatchéf. Swear fidelity, Pugatchéf said to him, to the Emperor, Petr' Fédorovitch!55 You are not our Emperor! replied the lieutenant, repeating his Commandant's words; you are a robber, my uncle, and a usurper. Pugatchéf again gave the handkerchief signal, and good Iwán Ignatiitch swung beside his old chief. It was my turn. Boldly I looked on Pugatchéf and made ready to echo the answer of my outspoken comrades. Then, to my inexpressible surprise, I saw among the rebels Chvabrine, who had found time to cut...