the others fled. I glanced at Marie.
Petrified by horror at the sight of the Kalmouk's head, dizzy from the
noise of the discharge, she seemed lifeless. The Commandant ordered the
Corporal to take the letter from the hand of the dead Cossack. Ignatius
sallied out and returned, leading by the bridle the man's horse. He gave
the letter to Ivan, who read it in a low voice and tore it up. Meantime
the rebels were preparing for an attack. Very soon balls whistled about
our ears, and arrows fell around us, buried deep in the ground.

"Basilia," said the Captain, "women have nothing to do here; take away
Marie; you see the child is more dead than alive." Basilia, whom the
sound of the balls had rendered more yielding, glanced at the steppe
where much movement was visible, and said: "Ivan, life and death are
from God; bless Marie; come, child, to thy father."

Pale and trembling, Marie came and knelt, bending low before him. The
old Commandant made three times the sign of the cross over her, then
raising, kissed her, and said in a broken voice: "Oh! my dear Marie!
pray to God, he will never abandon thee. If an honest man seek thee, may
God give you both love and goodness. Live together as we have lived; my
wife and I. Adieu! my dear Marie! Basilia, take her away quickly."

Marie put her arms around his neck and sobbed. The Captain's wife, in
tears, said: "Embrace us also; adieu, Ivan; if ever I have crossed you,
forgive me."

"Adieu! adieu! my dear," said the Commandant, kissing his old companion.
"Come! enough! go to the house, and if you have time dress Marie in her
best; let her wear a sarafan, embroidered in gold, as is our custom for
burial."

Ivan Mironoff returned to us, and fixed all his attention upon the
enemy. The rebels collected around their chief and suddenly began to
advance. "Be firm, boys," said the Commandant, "the assault begins." At
that instant savage war-cries were heard. The rebels were approaching
the fortress with their accustomed fleetness. Our cannon was charged
with grape and canister. The Commandant let them come within short
range, and again put a light to his piece. The shot struck in the midst
of the force, which scattered in every direction. Only their chief
remained in advance, and he, waving his sabre, seemed to be rallying
them. Their piercing shouts, which had ceased an instant, redoubled
again. "Now, children," ordered the Captain, "open the gate, beat the
drum, and advance! Follow me