A very brief summary of the captain's order. Alexander Pushkinkapitan's daughter
Sergeant of the Guard.
The chapter begins with the biography of Pyotr Grinev: his father served, then retired. There were 9 children in the Grinev family, but 8 of them died in infancy, leaving only Peter. Grinev's father enrolled him in the Semenovsky regiment even before he was born. He was considered on leave until he came of age. The boy's teacher is Uncle Savelich, he supervises Petrusha's development of Russian literacy, and also teaches his pupil to see the merits of a greyhound dog.
After some time, the Frenchman Beaupre was assigned to him to teach French, German languages and other sciences, however, he did not educate Petrusha, but walked around the girls’ rooms and drank. Soon the father discovered this and kicked the teacher out. In his seventeenth year, Peter is sent to serve, but not where he had hoped: instead of St. Petersburg, he goes to Orenburg. The father admonishes his son, telling him to take care of “his dress again, but his honor from a young age.” Arriving in Simbirsk, Grinev meets captain Zurin in a tavern, who taught him to play billiards, got him drunk and won 100 rubles from Peter. Grinev seems to have broken free, he behaves “like a boy.” In the morning, Zurin demands the winnings. Grinev wants to show character and forces the protesting Savelich to give out money, after which he leaves Simbirsk, feeling remorse.
Chapter 2. Counselor
On the way, Grinev asks Savelich to beg him for his stupid behavior. A storm begins. Grinev and Savelich go astray. They meet a man who offers to take them to the inn. Grinev, riding a wagon, sees a dream in which he arrives at the estate and finds his father near death, approaches him to receive a blessing, but instead of his father he sees a man with a black beard. Peter is surprised, but his mother convinces him that this is his imprisoned father. A black-bearded man jumps up, swinging an ax, and the entire room is filled with dead bodies. At the same time, the man smiles at Peter and offers him his blessing. Already at the inn, Grinev examines the guide and sees that this is the man from his dream. He is a forty-year-old man, of average height, broad-shouldered and thin. His black beard is already streaked with gray, his eyes are lively, and you can feel the subtlety and sharpness of his mind in them. The counselor's facial expression is quite pleasant, but roguish. His hair is cut into a circle, he is dressed in Tatar trousers and a tattered overcoat.
The counselor talks with the owner in “allegorical language.” Grinev thanks the counselor, bringing him a glass of wine and giving him a hare sheepskin coat.
Andrei Karlovich R., an old friend of his father, sends Peter from Orenburg to serve in the Belogorsk fortress, located 40 versts from the city.
Chapter 3. Fortress
The Belogorsk fortress resembles a village. Here Vasilisa Yegorovna, the commandant’s wife, a kind and sensible old woman, is in charge of everything. The next morning, Grinev meets the young officer Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin. He was a short man, dark-skinned and extremely ugly, but very lively.
Shvabrin was transferred to the fortress because of the duel. He tells Grinev about how life goes in the fortress, talks about the commandant’s family, and speaks unflatteringly about Masha Mironova, the commandant’s daughter. The commandant invites Shvabrin and Grinev to a family dinner. On the way, Peter sees “exercises” taking place: Ivan Kuzmich Mironov leads a platoon of disabled people. At the same time, he is wearing a cap and a “Chinese robe.”
Chapter 4. Duel
Grinev really likes the commandant’s family. He becomes an officer. Peter communicates with Shvabrin, but this communication gives him less and less pleasure. Shvabrin’s caustic remarks about Masha are especially unpleasant for Grinev. Grinev writes mediocre poems, dedicating them to Masha. Shvabrin speaks harshly about them, insulting Masha at the same time. Peter accuses him of lying, Shvabrin challenges Grinev to a duel. Having learned about this, Vasilisa Yegorovna orders their arrest, and the courtyard girl Palashka deprives them of their swords. Some time later, Grinev learns that Shvabrin wooed Masha, but was refused. Peter understands now why Shvabrin slandered the girl. The duel is scheduled again. Grinev is wounded.
Chapter 5. Love
Masha and Savelich are caring for the wounded. Petr Grinev proposes to Masha. He sends a letter to his parents asking for their blessing. Shvabrin visits Grinev and admits his guilt. Grinev’s father does not give his son his blessing, he already knows about the duel, but it was not Savelich who told him about it. Grinev thinks that Shvabrin did it. Masha does not want to get married without the consent of her parents and avoids Grinev. Peter stops coming to the Mironovs and loses heart.
Chapter 6. Pugachevism
The commandant receives a notification that a bandit gang of Emelyan Pugachev is operating in the vicinity and is attacking the fortresses. Soon Pugachev approached the Belogorsk fortress, he turned to the commandant, calling for surrender. Ivan Kuzmich decides to expel Masha from the fortress. The girl says goodbye to Grinev. Her mother refuses to leave the fortress.
Chapter 7. Attack
The Cossacks leave the Belogorsk fortress at night and go over to Pugachev’s side. His gang attacks the fortress. Captain Mironov with his few defenders defends it, but the forces are unequal. Pugachev, who captured the fortress, organizes a “trial”. The commandant and his comrades are executed on the gallows. When Grinev’s turn comes, Savelich begs Pugachev, throwing himself at his feet, to spare the “master’s child,” and offers a ransom. Pugachev agrees. Garrison soldiers and city residents take the oath to Pugachev. Vasilisa Egorovna is killed by being taken naked onto the porch. Pugachev leaves the Belogorsk fortress.
Chapter 8. Uninvited Guest
Grinev is worried about Masha’s fate. She hides with the priest, who tells Grinev that Shvabrin is now on Pugachev’s side. From Savelich, Grinev learns that Pugachev is their counselor on the way to Orenburg. Pugachev calls Grinev to him, he goes to him. Grinev draws attention to the fact that in Pugachev’s camp everyone behaves with each other like comrades, and does not show special preference to their leader. Everyone brags, expresses their opinions and calmly challenges Pugachev. His men start a song about the gallows. Pugachev's guests disperse. In private, Grinev tells Pugachev that he does not consider him a king, to which he replies that the daring one will have good luck, because Grishka Otrepiev also reigned in the old days. Despite the fact that Grinev promises to fight against Pugachev, he lets him go to Orenburg.
Chapter 9. Separation
Pugachev gives Grinev the order to inform the governor of Orenburg that the Pugachevites will arrive in the city in a week. Leaving the Belogorsk fortress, Pugachev leaves Shvabrin as commandant. Savelich compiles a “register” of his master’s plundered property and gives it to Pugachev, but he, in a “fit of generosity,” does not pay attention to it and does not punish the impudent Savelich. He even gives Grinev a fur coat from his shoulder and a horse. Masha is sick.
Chapter 10. Siege of the city
Pyotr Grinev goes to General Andrei Karlovich in Orenburg. There are no military people at the military council. There are only officials there who talk about the unreliability of troops, about caution, about the unfaithfulness of luck, etc. In their opinion, it was more prudent to remain behind a strong stone wall under the cover of cannons than to “try the luck of weapons” in an open field. Officials propose to put a high price on Pugachev's head and thereby bribe his people. From the Belogorsk fortress, a constable brings Grinev a letter from Masha, in which she reports that Shvabrin is forcing her to become his wife. Grinev turns to the general with a request to give him fifty Cossacks and a company of soldiers to clear the Belogorsk fortress. But the general refuses him.
Chapter 11. Rebel settlement
Grinev and Savelich rush to help Masha. On the way, they are stopped by Pugachev’s people and taken to their leader, who interrogates Grinev in the presence of his confidants about his intentions. Pugachev's men were a frail and hunched old man with a gray beard and a blue ribbon worn over his gray overcoat over his shoulder. The other man was tall, broad-shouldered and portly, about forty-five. He had sparkling gray eyes, a thick red beard and a nose without nostrils, and on his cheeks and forehead there were reddish spots that gave his wide, pockmarked face an inexplicable expression. Grinev tells Pugachev that he came to save the orphan from Shvabrin’s claims. The Pugachevists propose to solve the problem with both Shvabrin and Grinev simply - hang them both. But Pugachev clearly likes Grinev, and he promises to marry him to Masha. The next morning, Grinev travels in Pugachev’s wagon to the fortress. Pugachev, in a confidential conversation, tells him that he would like to go to Moscow, but his comrades are thieves and robbers, and at the first failure they will hand him over, saving their necks. Pugachev tells a Kalmyk fairy tale about an eagle and a raven: the raven lived for 300 years and pecked carrion, and the eagle was ready to starve, but not to eat the carrion, it was better to drink living blood at least once, and then - as God commands.
Chapter 12. Orphan
Arriving at the fortress, Pugachev learns that Masha is being bullied by Shvabrin, who is starving her. “By the will of the sovereign,” Pugachev frees the girl and wants to immediately marry her to Grinev. When Shvabrin reveals that she is the daughter of Captain Mironov, Pugachev, who decided to “favor, so favor,” releases Masha and Grinev.
Chapter 13. Arrest
On the way out of the fortress, soldiers take Grinev under arrest. They take him for a Pugachevite and take him to their boss, who turns out to be Zurin. He advises Grinev to send Masha and Savelich to their parents, and continue the battle himself. Grinev does just that. Pugachev's army was defeated, but he himself was not caught, and he managed to gather new detachments in Siberia. Pugachev is being persecuted. Zurin receives an order to take Grinev under arrest and send him to Kazan under guard, handing him over to the Investigative Commission in the Pugachev case.
Chapter 14. Court
Grinev is suspected of serving Pugachev. Not last role Shvabrin played in this. Grinev is sentenced to exile in Siberia. Masha lives with Grinev’s parents, who are very attached to her. Masha goes to St. Petersburg, where she stops in Tsarskoye Selo, meets the empress in the garden and asks to have mercy on Grinev, saying that because of her he ended up with Pugachev. At the audience, the Empress promises to forgive Grinev and arrange Masha’s fate. Grinev is released from custody. He is present at the execution of Pugachev, who recognizes him in the crowd and nods his head, which a minute later was shown to the people dead and bloody.
Effective preparation for the Unified State Exam (all subjects) - start preparing
Updated: 2013-02-04
Attention!
Thank you for your attention.
If you notice an error or typo, highlight the text and click Ctrl+Enter.
By doing so, you will provide invaluable benefit to the project and other readers.
Pushkin, having written this work, undoubtedly created a masterpiece that is successful even today. The story of valiant warriors defending the honor of the Motherland, despite all the twists of fate, always inspires respect.
You can fully experience the morals that reigned in Imperial Rus' by reading Pushkin's complete work or his short retelling. " Captain's daughter”, retold chapter by chapter, is an opportunity to significantly reduce the time that needs to be spent on reading. In addition, the reader gets to know the work without losing the original meaning of the story, which is an extremely important detail.
Chapter I - Sergeant of the Guard
You can learn about the most significant events from which this story originates by reading its brief retelling. “The Captain's Daughter” (Chapter 1) begins with a story about how the life of the parents of the main character, Pyotr Andreevich Grinev, turned out. It all started with the fact that Andrei Petrovich Grinev (the father of the main character), having retired as a prime minister, went to his Siberian village, where he married a poor noblewoman, Avdotya Vasilyevna. Despite the fact that 9 children were born in the family, all of them, except for the main character of the book, Pyotr Andreevich, died in infancy.
While still in his mother's womb, the child was enrolled by his father in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant, thanks to the goodwill of one influential relative who was a major in the prince's guard. The father hoped that if a girl was born, he would simply announce the death of the sergeant who did not show up for duty, and the issue would be resolved.
From the age of 5, Peter was given to be raised by the eager Savelich, who was granted his uncle for his sobriety. By the age of 12, the boy not only knew Russian literacy, but also learned to understand the dignity of greyhounds. Considering his son old enough to further master the sciences, his father assigned him a French teacher from Moscow, Monsieur Beaupre, who was kind, but had a weakness for women and wine. As a result of this, several girls complained about him to the mistress, and he was expelled in disgrace.
One day, the father of the main character of the book, re-reading the Court Calendar, which he wrote out annually, saw that his subordinates had risen to high ranks, and decided that Peter needed to be sent to serve. Despite the fact that his son was initially enrolled in the Semenovsky regiment in St. Petersburg, his father decided to send him to the army as an ordinary soldier in order to protect him from a wild life. By writing to Peter covering letter, he sent him, accompanied by Savelich, to his friend Andrei Karlovich in Orenburg.
Already at the first stop in Simbirsk, when the guide went shopping, Peter, bored, went to the billiard room, where he met Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, who served with the rank of captain. After it turned out that the young man did not know how to play billiards, Zurin, promising to teach him, declared at the end of the game that Peter had lost and now owed him 100 rubles. Since Savelich had all the money, Zurin agreed to wait for the debt and took his new acquaintance to entertainment venues, getting him thoroughly drunk.
In the morning, Peter was visited by a messenger boy with a letter in which Zurin demanded his money. Frightened by this behavior of his ward, Savelich decided that he needed to be taken away from the tavern as quickly as possible. As soon as the horses were supplied, Peter set off towards Orenburg, without even saying goodbye to his “teacher”.
Chapter II - Counselor
It is noteworthy that even a short retelling fully conveys the essence of the work written by Pushkin. “The Captain's Daughter” (Chapter 2) begins from the moment when Peter realizes the stupidity and recklessness of his behavior. He decides to make peace with Savelich, promising not to spend another penny without his knowledge.
It was necessary to get to Orenburg by snowy desert. After our heroes had covered most of the path, the coachman suggested turning the horses to the place of their previous stop, since a snowstorm was approaching. Considering his fears unnecessary, Peter decided to continue the journey, just speeding up the horses in order to quickly get to the next stop. However, the storm began much earlier than they managed to get there.
Making their way through the snow drifts, they saw a road man in the snow who showed them the way to the nearest village. While they were driving, Peter fell asleep and dreamed horrible dream, as if, having arrived home, he learned that his father was dying. However, approaching the bed, instead of his father, he found a scary man there. Mother persuaded Peter to kiss his hand and receive a blessing, but he refused. Then the terrible man got out of bed, holding an ax in his hand, and the whole room was filled with corpses and blood. He was unable to see the dream through to the end, as he was awakened by Savelich, who reported that they had already arrived at the inn.
Having rested, Peter ordered to give them to yesterday's guide half a ruble, but after Savelich resisted, he did not dare to break the promise given to him and decided to give the guide his new hare sheepskin coat, despite all the dissatisfaction of his senior comrade.
Arriving in Orenburg, the young man went straight to the general, who looked like a real old man. Peter gave him a covering letter and his passport and was assigned to the Belgorod fortress under the command of Captain Mironov, who was supposed to teach him all the wisdom of war.
Analysis of the initial part of the story
Many will agree that one of the best creations that Pushkin created is “The Captain's Daughter”. A brief retelling of the work allows you to fully familiarize yourself with the story. At the same time, you will spend a minimum amount of time reading it.
What does the short retelling tell next? “The Captain’s Daughter” (Chapters 1 and 2) tells about how the gentleman’s son spent his comfortable childhood and youth, who begins to gradually comprehend the world through his own trial and error. Despite the fact that he does not yet have the proper life experience, the young man began to communicate with by different people, recognizing their character traits, which are not always positive.
A brief retelling of the story “The Captain’s Daughter” (Chapter 1) allows us to judge how big influence parents had custody of their offspring, whose decision was unquestioning and not subject to discussion. The second chapter shows the reader that the attitude towards people returns a hundredfold, because an ordinary sheepskin coat given to a poor man will in the future have a great influence on the fate of the main character.
Chapter III - Fortress
A brief retelling of the story “The Captain's Daughter” (Chapter 3) continues. Pyotr Grinev finally arrived at the Belgorod fortress, where, however, he was greatly disappointed due to the lack of large-scale buildings. He saw only a small village, in the middle of which a cannon was installed. Since no one came out to meet him, he decided to ask the nearest old woman about where he needed to go, who, upon closer acquaintance, turned out to be the captain’s wife, Vasilisa Egorovna. She kindly received Peter and, calling the constable, ordered to give him a good room. The hut in which he was to live was located on a high bank of the river. He lived in it together with Semyon Kuzov, who occupied the other half.
Getting up in the morning, Peter was struck by the uniformity of existence in the place where he was to spend many days. However, at this time a young man knocked on his door, who turned out to be officer Shvabrin, discharged from the guard for a duel. The young people quickly became friends and decided to pay a visit to Captain Ivan Kuzmich, who was caught training soldiers. He invited the young people to stay for lunch and invited them to go to his house. There they were kindly met by Vasilisa Egorovna, who introduced them to her daughter Maria Ivanovna, about whom Peter had a negative first impression. You can get a full sense of how these young people's relationship began to form by reading just a short recap.
“The Captain's Daughter” - a chapter-by-chapter retelling of the work - allows you to significantly speed up the time you need to spend reading. Pyotr Grinev immediately became a good candidate for a husband for Maria’s parents, and they in every possible way encouraged the development of such relationships, which initial stage did not fold very smoothly.
Chapter IV - Duel
A brief retelling of Chapter 4 of “The Captain’s Daughter” begins from the moment Peter began to settle into the fortress and received an officer’s rank. In the captain's house he was now accepted as family, and with Marya Ivanovna he began strong friendly relations, strengthening every day against the background of mutual sympathy.
Peter begins to become increasingly irritated by Shvabrin, however, since there was no other suitable interlocutor in the fortress, he continued to see him every day. One day, having heard a song composed by Peter, Shvabrin starts a squabble, as a result of which he imagines Maria as a fallen girl and challenges Peter to a duel. The young people decided to invite Lieutenant Ivan Kuzmich as a second. However, he not only refused, but also threatened to tell everything to the captain. Peter had difficulty in promising him to keep the future duel a secret. Despite this, on the day when the battle was supposed to take place, the young people were waylaid by Vasilisa Yegorovna, who, having taken away their swords, ordered them to make peace.
However, as it turned out, the skirmish did not end there. Maria Ivanovna told Peter that Shvabrin proposed to her several months before his arrival, and she refused him. That is why he tells unpleasant things about her person. The essence of this person can be examined in detail by reading a short retelling. “The Captain's Daughter” is a story in which people show, first of all, their true essence, which in normal times is hidden under the mask of visible goodwill.
Pyotr Grinev, not wanting to put up with this state of affairs, decides to punish the impudent man at all costs. The very next day after the conversation described above, a fight occurs between the former friends on the river bank, as a result of which the main character receives a blow with a sword in the chest, slightly below the shoulder.
Chapter V - Love
In this chapter, the reader can get acquainted with the love story, as far as a brief retelling allows. “The Captain's Daughter” is a work in which the main characters are not so much revolutionaries striving for power, but two young people who are sincerely in love with each other.
The fifth chapter begins from the moment Pyotr Grinev comes to his senses after being wounded just at the moment when the barber was bandaging him. Marya Ivanovna and Savelich did not leave his side until his health returned to normal. On one of these days, left alone with Peter, Mary dared to kiss him on the cheek. Peter, who had not previously hidden his feelings, proposed to her. Maria agreed, but they decided to wait and not tell their parents until the wound young man will not heal completely.
Peter immediately wrote a letter to his parents in which he asked them to give him a blessing. Meanwhile, the wound began to heal, and the young man moved from the commandant’s house to his own apartment. Peter made peace with Shvabrin in the very first days, asking the kind commandant to release him from prison. Shvabrin, when released, admitted he was wrong and apologized.
Peter and Mary have already begun to make plans life together. They had no doubt that the girl’s parents would agree to the marriage, but the letter received from Peter’s father completely ruined their plans. He was categorically against this marriage, and Marya Ivanovna was against marriage without a blessing.
Staying in the commandant’s house after this news became a burden for Pyotr Grinev. The fact that Maria diligently avoided him drove the young man into despair. Sometimes he even thought that Savelich had told his father everything, which caused his displeasure, but the old servant refuted his assumptions by showing angry letter, in which Andrei Petrovich Grinev threatened to subject him to the hardest work for not reporting what happened on time. The good-natured old man tried to soften the anger of Andrei Petrovich Grinev, describing in his response letter not only the seriousness of Peter’s injury, but also the fact that he did not report it only because he was afraid to disturb the hostess, who fell ill after receiving this news.
Reading analysis
Having read the above text, the reader can be convinced that the entire meaning inherent in the work by Pushkin has been absorbed in this brief retelling. “The Captain's Daughter” (Chapter 1-5) completely reveals the world to the reader Russian Empire. For most people at that time, the concepts of honor and courage were inseparable, and Pyotr Andreevich Grinev mastered them to the fullest.
Despite the outbreak of love, the young people did not dare to disobey the will of their parents and tried, if possible, to stop communicating. It is safe to say that if it were not for the rebellion raised by Pugachev, their fate could have turned out completely differently.
Chapter VI - Pugachevism
The political and military situation in the Orenburg province was very unstable. After Ivan Kuzmich received a state letter informing about the escape of the Don Cossack Pugachev, the guards in the fortress became stricter. Rumors began to spread among the Cossacks, which could prompt them to revolt. That is why Ivan Kuzmich began to send scouts to them, informing him about the mood in their ranks.
After a very short period of time, Pugachev’s army began to gain strength, he even wrote a message to Ivan Kuzmich, in which he said that he would soon come to capture his fortress and invited everyone to come over to his side. The unrest was also intensified by the fact that the neighboring Nizhneozersk fortress was taken by Pugachev, and all the commandants who did not submit to him were hanged.
After this message, Ivan Kuzmich insisted that Maria be sent to her godmother in Orenburg under the protection of stone walls and cannons while the remaining people defended the fortress. The girl, who learned about her father’s decision, was extremely upset, and Peter, who saw this, returned after everyone had left to say goodbye to his beloved, promising never to forget her.
Chapter VII - Attack
The events discussed in this chapter are fully described by a brief retelling. “The Captain's Daughter” is a story that shows all the mental torment of the main character, torn between his homeland and his beloved, who is in danger.
The chapter begins with Peter unable to sleep the night before the battle. The news that Pugachev had surrounded the fortress and Maria Ivanovna did not have time to leave it took him by surprise. He hastily joined the people who were preparing to defend the building. Some of the soldiers deserted, and when Pugachev sent the last warning to the defenders of the fortress, there were very few of them left. Ivan Kuzmich ordered his wife and daughter to hide from the battlefield. Despite the fact that the defense of the fortress was heroic, Pugachev captured it without much difficulty, since the forces were unequal.
The face of the rebel taking the oath in the square seemed vaguely familiar to Peter, but he could not remember exactly where he had seen him. He immediately executed everyone who did not want to submit to the leader. What struck the main character most of all was when he saw Shvabrin in the crowd of traitors, who was trying his best to send Peter to the gallows.
Our hero, who was already standing in the noose, was saved by a lucky chance in the form of old man Savelich, who threw himself at Pugachev’s feet and asked for mercy for the master. The rebel pardoned the young man and, as it turned out, not in vain. It was Pugachev who was the very guide who led Peter and Savelich out of the snowstorm, and it was to him that the young man gave his hare sheepskin coat. However, Peter, who had not yet recovered from the first shock, was in for something new: Vasilisa Egorovna, stripped naked, ran out into the square, cursing the invaders, and when she saw her husband killed by Pugachev, she showered him with curses, in response to which he ordered her execution, and the young Cossack hit her saber to the head.
Chapter XIII - Uninvited Guest
You can fully feel the full degree of despair that gripped the main character by reading Pushkin’s complete work or his short retelling. “The Captain's Daughter” chapter by chapter (Pushkin) allows you to significantly speed up the reading time without losing the meaning of the story. This chapter begins with the following moment: Peter stands in the square and watches as the surviving people continued to swear allegiance to Pugachev. After this, the area is empty. Most of all, Pyotr Grinev was worried about the unknown fate of Maria Ivanovna. Inspecting her room, plundered by robbers, he discovered the maid Pasha, who reported that Marya Ivanovna had run away to the priest, where Pugachev was having dinner at that very moment.
Peter immediately went to her house and, having lured the priest, found out that in order to save Mary from the robbers, she called the girl her sick niece. A little reassured, Peter returned home, but was immediately summoned to an appointment with Pugachev. He was still sitting at the priest's side along with his closest officers. Pugachev, like Peter, was amazed at the vicissitudes of fate, which again brought their paths together, because, giving a sheepskin coat to his guide, Peter could not even think that one day he would save his life.
Pugachev asked again whether Peter would swear allegiance to him, but he refused and asked to be released to Orenburg. Since the rebel was in good location spirit and was extremely pleased with Peter’s honesty, he allowed him to leave the next day.
Chapter IX - Separation
In this chapter, the reader can become familiar with the robbery that Pugachev committed in Rus'. Even a short retelling conveys his actions fully. “The Captain's Daughter” is one of the first works that reveals the essence of that era. It shows without embellishment the robbery and devastation that reigned in the cities captured by the gangs of the self-proclaimed sovereign.
The ninth chapter begins with the fact that in the morning Pyotr Grinev comes to the square again. The people hanged the day before are still hanging in nooses, and the commandant’s body was simply carried to the side and covered with matting.
At this time, Pugachev, to the beat of drums, goes out into the street along with all his entourage, in whose ranks Shvabrin stood. Calling Peter to him, he allowed him to leave for Orenburg and announce to the governor that the generals there should prepare for his arrival and surrender in order to avoid bloodshed.
After that, he turned to the people and said that Shvabrin was now appointed commandant of the fortress, he must obey unquestioningly. Peter was horrified, realizing that Maria Ivanovna remained in the hands of a traitor who was angry with her, but so far he could not do anything.
Having made this statement, Pugachev was about to leave, but Savelich approached him with a list of stolen things. The leader, angry, drove him away, however, when Peter said goodbye to Marya Ivanovna, whom he already considered his wife, and he and Savelich moved a sufficient distance away from the fortress, they were caught up by a constable who gave them a horse and a fur coat. He also said that he was also carrying half of the money from their benefactor, which he lost on the road. Despite the fact that neither Peter nor Savelich believed his words, they still gratefully accepted the gift and set off towards Orenburg.
Analysis
The central part of the story allows us to conclude that the life of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev was constantly in danger due to his carelessness. After you analyze the shortest retelling, “The Captain’s Daughter” will no longer be presented as an amusement story, but as a work that should guide young people on the right path and protect them from reckless actions. This is what happened to Pyotr Grinev, who, thanks to his kind and honest disposition, was able to win the respect of even such an unprincipled person as Pugachev.
Chapter X - Siege of the City
After Peter finally arrived in Orenburg, he spoke at a special military meeting about how things were in Pugachev’s army and the Belgorod fortress, and called for the immediate dispatch of troops to disperse the rioters, but his opinion was not supported. It was decided, for the benefit of the safety of the city residents, to withstand the siege, repelling enemy attacks, but the city was completely unprepared for it. Prices immediately rose to the maximum level, there was not enough food for everyone, and famine was brewing in Orenburg.
During this time, Pyotr Andreevich repeatedly made forays into the enemies, exchanging fire with Pugachev’s assistants, but the advantage was almost always on their side, since neither horses nor people experienced a shortage of food. On one of these forays, Peter caught up with a lagging Cossack and was about to kill him, when he recognized him as a police officer who had brought him a horse and a sheepskin coat when he and Savelich were leaving the Belgorod fortress. He, in turn, gave him a letter from Marya Ivanovna, which said that Shvabrin was forcing her to marry and, if she refused, would send her straight to Pugachev. She asked him for 3 days to think and begged Pyotr Andreevich to make every effort to save her, since besides him she no longer had close people. The young man immediately went to the governor of Orenburg, to whom he told about the state of affairs and asked to give him soldiers, promising to release the Belgorod fortress and Maria Ivanovna with them, but the governor refused him.
Chapter XI - Rebellious Freedom
Upset by the governor’s refusal, Peter returned to his apartment and asked Savelich to give him part of the hidden money, and to use the rest without hesitation for his own needs. He prepared to go alone to the Belgorod fortress to save Marya Ivanovna. Despite such a generous gift, Savelich decided to follow him. On the way, they were stopped by Pugachev’s patrolmen, and, despite the fact that Peter managed to slip past them, he could not leave Savelich in their hands and returned back, after which he was also tied up and taken for interrogation to Pugachev.
Left alone with him, Peter asked to release the orphan girl whom Shvabrin was holding captive and demanding that she marry him. The angry Pugachev decided to personally go to the fortress and free the hostage.
Chapter XII - Orphan
When Pugachev drove up to the commandant's house, Shvabrin saw that Peter had arrived with him, he was scared, did not want to show the girl to them for a long time, citing the fact that she was sick and in delirium tremens, and also that he would not allow strangers to enter the house. to his wife.
However, Pugachev quickly curbed his ardor, declaring that as long as he was the sovereign, everything would be as he decided. Approaching the room where Marya Ivanovna was kept, Shvabrin made another attempt to prevent visitors from visiting her, declaring that he could not find the key, but Pugachev simply knocked down the doors.
A sad sight greeted their eyes. Marya Ivanovna, pale and disheveled, was sitting in a simple peasant dress on the floor, and next to her lay a piece of bread and water. It turned out that the girl was not going to give Shvabrin her consent to the marriage, and his deception greatly angered Pugachev, who, however, being in a complacent mood, decided to pardon him this time. Peter, who once again risked resorting to Pugachev’s mercy, asked to be released with Marya Ivanovna on all four sides and, having received approval, began to prepare for the road. And Maria went to say goodbye to her murdered parents.
Chapter XIII - Arrest
A brief retelling of the story “The Captain's Daughter” allows us to assess the strength of Pugachev’s influence at that time. Thanks to safe conduct, which he wrote out to Pyotr Grinev, he and Maria passed through all the oncoming posts without any problems until they were captured by the sovereign’s soldiers, who mistook him for an enemy. Imagine Peter’s surprise when it turned out that the commander of the soldiers turned out to be Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, the same one to whom he lost 100 rubles in billiards. They decided to send Maria along with Savelich to Peter's parents. The young man himself had to stay and continue with Zurin the campaign against the robber Pugachev. Maria immediately agreed with his proposal, and old Savelich, being stubborn, agreed to accompany her and take care of her as his future mistress.
Peter began his duties in Zurin’s regiment and even received his first leave, which he intended to spend with his loved ones. But suddenly Zurin came to his apartment with a letter in which he ordered to arrest Peter, wherever he was, and to transfer him for investigation in the Pugachev case.
Despite the fact that the young man’s conscience was clear, and he was not afraid of being accused of a crime, the thought that he would not see his family and Maria for several more months poisoned his existence.
Chapter XIV - Judgment
A brief retelling of the work “The Captain's Daughter” (Chapter 14) continues with the fact that Peter was taken to Kazan, completely destroyed by Pugachev, in custody. He was put in chains as a criminal and the very next day they began to interrogate him with the participation of a commission. Peter indignantly rejected all the accusations and told the commission his version of the events that happened.
Despite the fact that the judges began to gain confidence in Peter’s story, after the speech of Shvabrin, who was also arrested and told the commission about Peter’s espionage activities for the benefit of Pugachev, his affairs, already unimportant, deteriorated significantly. Peter was taken to a cell and was no longer called in for interrogation.
The rumor of his arrest struck the entire family, who warmed to Marya Ivanovna sincere love. Andrei Petrovich Grinev received a letter from his relative in which he reported that the evidence of his son’s treason against the Motherland turned out to be too thorough, but thanks to his influence, it was decided to replace the execution with exile to Siberia.
Despite the fact that Peter’s relatives were inconsolable, Marya Ivanovna did not lose her presence of mind and decided to go to St. Petersburg in order to seek help from the most influential people. She arrived in Sofia and, stopping near the royal court, told one young lady her story, asking the empress to put in a good word for her. Despite the fact that at first the young lady did not believe her story, the more Maria Ivanovna told her the details, the more favorable the lady became towards her, promising to put in a good word for her before the empress.
As soon as the girl returned to her room, which she was renting, a carriage was brought to the house, and the chamberlain announced that the empress was demanding her to the court. Appearing in front of the empress, the girl recognized her as the same lady with whom she had recently spoken and asked for help, she gave her a letter to her future father-in-law and said that Peter would be completely acquitted. To celebrate, Marya Ivanovna immediately went to the village, not staying in St. Petersburg for a single day.
Let's sum it up
Many will agree that one of the best works, which Pushkin wrote - “The Captain's Daughter”. A brief retelling of the previous chapters fully shows the hopelessness of the protagonist’s situation. Having managed to avoid most of the dangers and deliver his beloved to a safe place, under the protection of his parents, Pyotr Grinev finds himself in a very difficult situation, as a result of which he may be recognized as a traitor to the Motherland and even executed.
If it were not for the dedication of the young girl, who was not afraid to appear before the queen asking for mercy, the current situation for Pyotr Grinev would not have ended in the best way.
Epilogue
Reading a brief retelling of the story “The Captain's Daughter” chapter by chapter, we were able to fully understand the atmosphere of that time.
Despite the fact that the notes of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev end there, it is known that he was completely acquitted and released, was present at the execution of Pugachev and still married Maria Ivanovna, with whom he lived happily until his death, carefully keeping the queen’s letter sent to him to my father.
The whole essence of the story is conveyed regardless of whether you read the whole story or just a short retelling of it. "The Captain's Daughter", conveyed chapter by chapter, allows us to examine in detail how the life of the main character turned out, without prejudice to the meaning of the story. The selfless young man did not bow under the blows of fate, enduring with due courage all the misfortunes that befell him.
Without a doubt, the whole meaning that Pushkin put into his creation can be fully conveyed even in a very short retelling. “The Captain's Daughter” still remains a work that makes people proud. These are the heroes who faithfully serve their Fatherland.
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin
Captain's daughter
Take care of your honor from a young age.
Proverb
CHAPTER I. SERGEANT OF THE GUARD.
If only he were a guard captain tomorrow.
This is not necessary; let him serve in the army.
Well said! let him push...
Who's his father?
Knyazhnin.
My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev in his youth served under Count Minich, and retired as prime minister in 17.. Since then, he lived in his Simbirsk village, where he married the girl Avdotya Vasilyevna Yu., the daughter of a poor nobleman there. There were nine of us children. All my brothers and sisters died in infancy.
Mother was still pregnant with me, as I had already been enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant, by the grace of Major of the Guard Prince B., a close relative of ours. If, beyond all hope, mother had given birth to a daughter, then the priest would have announced the death of the sergeant who had not appeared, and that would have been the end of the matter. I was considered on leave until I finished my studies. At that time, we were not brought up like today. From the age of five I was given into the hands of the eager Savelich, who was granted my uncle status for his sober behavior. Under his supervision, in my twelfth year, I learned Russian literacy and could very sensibly judge the properties of a greyhound dog. At this time, the priest hired a Frenchman for me, Monsieur Beaupré, who was discharged from Moscow along with a year's supply of wine and Provençal oil. Savelich did not like his arrival very much. “Thank God,” he grumbled to himself, “it seems the child is washed, combed, and fed. Where should we spend the extra money, and hire monsieur, as if our people were gone!”
Beaupré was a hairdresser in his homeland, then a soldier in Prussia, then he came to Russia pour Étre outchitel, not really understanding the meaning of this word. He was a kind fellow, but flighty and dissolute to the extreme. His main weakness was his passion for the fair sex; Not infrequently, for his tenderness, he received pushes, from which he groaned for whole days. Moreover, he was not (as he put it) an enemy of the bottle, that is, (speaking in Russian) he loved to drink too much. But since we only served wine at dinner, and then only in small glasses, and the teachers usually carried it around, my Beaupre very soon got used to the Russian liqueur, and even began to prefer it to the wines of his fatherland, as it was much healthier for the stomach. We hit it off immediately, and although according to the contract he was obliged to teach me French, German and all sciences, he preferred to quickly learn from me how to chat in Russian - and then each of us went about our own business. We lived in perfect harmony. I didn't want any other mentor. But soon fate separated us, and for this reason:
The washerwoman Palashka, a fat and pockmarked girl, and the crooked cowwoman Akulka somehow agreed at the same time to throw themselves at mother’s feet, blaming themselves for their criminal weakness and complaining with tears about the monsieur who had seduced their inexperience. Mother didn’t like to joke about this, and complained to the priest. His reprisal was short. He immediately demanded the Frenchman's channel. They reported that Monsieur was giving me his lesson. Father went to my room. At this time, Beaupre was sleeping on the bed in the sleep of innocence. I was busy with business. You need to know that for me she was discharged from Moscow geographic map. It hung on the wall without any use and had long tempted me with the width and goodness of the paper. I decided to make snakes out of it, and taking advantage of Beaupre's sleep, I set to work. Father came in at the same time as I was adjusting the bast tail to the Cape of Good Hope. Seeing my exercises in geography, the priest pulled me by the ear, then ran up to Beaupre, woke him up very carelessly, and began to shower him with reproaches. Beaupre, in confusion, wanted to get up, but could not: the unfortunate Frenchman was dead drunk. Seven troubles, one answer. Father lifted him out of bed by the collar, pushed him out of the door, and on the same day drove him out of the yard, to Savelich’s indescribable joy. That was the end of my upbringing.
I lived as a teenager, chasing pigeons and playing chakharda with the yard boys. Meanwhile, I was sixteen years old. Then my fate changed.
One autumn, my mother was making honey jam in the living room and I, licking my lips, looked at the seething foam. Father at the window was reading the Court Calendar, which he received annually. This book always had a strong influence on him: he never re-read it without special participation, and reading this always produced in him an amazing excitement of bile. Mother, who knew by heart all his habits and customs, always tried to shove the unfortunate book as far away as possible, and thus the Court Calendar did not come into his sight sometimes for entire months. But when he found it by chance, he would not let it out of his hands for hours at a time. So the priest read the Court Calendar, occasionally shrugging his shoulders and repeating in a low voice: “Lieutenant General!.. He was a sergeant in my company!... Knight of both Russian orders!.. How long ago have we been...” Finally, the priest threw the calendar on the sofa , and plunged into reverie, which did not bode well.
Suddenly he turned to his mother: “Avdotya Vasilyevna, how old is Petrusha?”
“Yes, I’ve reached my seventeenth year,” answered my mother. - Petrusha was born in the same year that Aunt Nastasya Garasimovna became sad, and when else...
“Okay,” interrupted the priest, “it’s time for him to go into service. It’s enough for him to run around the maidens and climb dovecotes.”
The thought of imminent separation from me struck my mother so much that she dropped the spoon into the saucepan and tears streamed down her face. On the contrary, it is difficult to describe my admiration. The thought of service merged in me with thoughts of freedom, of the pleasures of St. Petersburg life. I imagined myself as a guard officer, which in my opinion was the height of human well-being.
Father did not like to change his intentions or postpone their implementation. The day for my departure was set. The day before, the priest announced that he intended to write with me to my future boss, and demanded pen and paper.
“Don’t forget, Andrei Petrovich,” said mother, “to bow to Prince B. for me; I say I hope that he will not abandon Petrusha with his favors.”
What nonsense! - answered the priest, frowning. - Why on earth would I write to Prince B.?
“But you said that you would like to write to Petrusha’s boss.”
Well, what's there?
“But the chief Petrushin is Prince B. After all, Petrusha is enrolled in the Semenovsky regiment.”
Recorded by! Why do I care that it’s recorded? Petrusha will not go to St. Petersburg. What will he learn while serving in St. Petersburg? hang out and hang out? No, let him serve in the army, let him pull the strap, let him smell gunpowder, let him be a soldier, not a chamaton. Enlisted in the Guard! Where is his passport? give it here.
Mother found my passport, which was kept in her box along with the shirt in which I was baptized, and handed it to the priest with a trembling hand. Father read it with attention, placed it on the table in front of him, and began his letter.
Curiosity tormented me: where are they sending me, if not to St. Petersburg? I didn’t take my eyes off Father’s pen, which was moving quite slowly. Finally he finished, sealed the letter in the same bag with his passport, took off his glasses, and calling me over, said: “Here is a letter to Andrei Karlovich R., my old comrade and friend. You are going to Orenburg to serve under his command.”
So all my brilliant hopes were dashed! Instead of a cheerful life in St. Petersburg, boredom awaited me in a remote and remote place. The service, which I had been thinking about with such delight for a minute, seemed to me like a grave misfortune. But there was no point in arguing. The next day, in the morning, a road wagon was brought to the porch; they put a chamodan, a cellar with a tea set, and bundles of buns and pies, the last signs of home pampering. My parents blessed me. Father told me: “Goodbye, Peter. Serve faithfully to whom you pledge allegiance; obey your superiors; Don’t chase their affection; don’t ask for service; do not dissuade yourself from serving; and remember the proverb: take care of your dress when it’s new, and take care of your honor when you’re young.” Mother, in tears, ordered me to take care of my health and Savelich to look after the child. They put a bunny sheepskin coat on me, and a fox fur coat on top. I got into the wagon with Savelich and set off on the road, shedding tears.
That same night I arrived in Simbirsk, where I was supposed to stay for a day to purchase the necessary things, which was entrusted to Savelich. I stopped at a tavern. Savelich went to the shops in the morning. I miss you
The novel is based on the memoirs of the fifty-year-old nobleman Pyotr Andreevich Grinev, written by him during the reign of Emperor Alexander and dedicated to the “Pugachevism,” in which the seventeen-year-old officer Pyotr Grinev, due to a “strange combination of circumstances,” unwittingly took part.
Pyotr Andreevich recalls his childhood, the childhood of a noble undergrowth, with slight irony. His father Andrei Petrovich Grinev in his youth “served under Count Minich and retired as prime minister in 17.... Since then he lived in his Simbirsk village, where he married the girl Avdotya Vasilievna Yu., the daughter of a poor nobleman there.” There were nine children in the Grinev family, but all of Petrusha’s brothers and sisters “died in infancy.” “Mother was still pregnant with me,” recalls Grinev, “as I was already enrolled in the Semyonovsky regiment as a sergeant.”
From the age of five, Petrusha is looked after by the stirrup Savelich, who was granted him the title of uncle “for his sober behavior.” “Under his supervision, in my twelfth year, I learned Russian literacy and could very sensibly judge the properties of a greyhound dog.” Then a teacher appeared - the Frenchman Beaupré, who did not understand “the meaning of this word,” since in his homeland he was a hairdresser, and in Prussia he was a soldier. Young Grinev and the Frenchman Beaupre quickly got along, and although Beaupre was contractually obligated to teach Petrusha “French, German and all sciences,” he soon preferred to learn from his student “to chat in Russian.” Grinev's education ends with the expulsion of Beaupre, who was convicted of dissipation, drunkenness and neglect of the duties of a teacher.
Until the age of sixteen, Grinev lives “as a minor, chasing pigeons and playing leapfrog with the yard boys.” In his seventeenth year, the father decides to send his son to serve, but not to St. Petersburg, but to the army to “sniff gunpowder” and “pull the strap.” He sends him to Orenburg, instructing him to serve faithfully “to whom you swear allegiance,” and to remember the proverb: “Take care of your dress again, but take care of your honor from a young age.” All the “bright hopes” of young Grinev for have a fun life in St. Petersburg collapsed, ahead awaited “boredom in the deaf and distant side.”
Approaching Orenburg, Grinev and Savelich fell into a snowstorm. Random person, met on the road, leads the wagon, lost in the blizzard, to the sweep. While the wagon was “quietly moving” towards housing, Pyotr Andreevich had a terrible dream, in which fifty-year-old Grinev sees something prophetic, connecting it with “ strange circumstances" his later life. A man with a black beard lies in Father Grinev’s bed, and his mother, calling him Andrei Petrovich and “the planted father,” wants Petrusha to “kiss his hand” and ask for a blessing. A man swings an ax, the room fills with dead bodies; Grinev stumbles over them, slips in bloody puddles, but his “scary man” “kindly calls out,” saying: “Don’t be afraid, come under my blessing.”
In gratitude for the rescue, Grinev gives the “counselor,” dressed too lightly, his sheepskin coat and brings him a glass of wine, for which he thanks him with a low bow: “Thank you, your honor! May the Lord reward you for your virtue.” The appearance of the “counselor” seemed “remarkable” to Grinev: “He was about forty years old, average height, thin and broad-shouldered. IN black beard his gray hair was showing; the lively big eyes kept darting around. His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression.”
The Belogorsk fortress, where Grinev was sent from Orenburg to serve, greets the young man not with formidable bastions, towers and ramparts, but turns out to be a village surrounded by a wooden fence. Instead of a brave garrison there are disabled people who do not know where the left and where the right side is, instead of deadly artillery there is an old cannon filled with garbage.
The commandant of the fortress, Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, is an officer “from soldiers’ children”, an uneducated man, but honest and kind. His wife, Vasilisa Egorovna, completely manages it and looks at the affairs of the service as her own. Soon Grinev becomes “native” for the Mironovs, and he himself “imperceptibly ‹…› became attached to a good family.” In the Mironovs’ daughter Masha, Grinev “found a prudent and sensitive girl.”
Service does not burden Grinev; he is interested in reading books, practicing translations and writing poetry. At first, he becomes close to Lieutenant Shvabrin, the only person in the fortress close to Grinev in education, age and occupation. But soon they quarrel - Shvabrin mockingly criticized the love “song” written by Grinev, and also allowed himself dirty hints regarding the “character and customs” of Masha Mironova, to whom this song was dedicated. Later, in a conversation with Masha, Grinev will find out the reasons for the persistent slander with which Shvabrin pursued her: the lieutenant wooed her, but was refused. “I don’t like Alexei Ivanovich. He’s very disgusting to me,” Masha admits to Grinev. The quarrel is resolved by a duel and the wounding of Grinev.
Masha takes care of the wounded Grinev. The young people confess to each other “the inclination of their hearts,” and Grinev writes a letter to the priest, “asking for parental blessing.” But Masha is homeless. The Mironovs have “only one soul, the girl Palashka,” while the Grinevs have three hundred souls of peasants. The father forbids Grinev to marry and promises to transfer him from the Belogorsk fortress “somewhere far away” so that the “nonsense” will go away.
After this letter, life became unbearable for Grinev, he falls into gloomy reverie and seeks solitude. “I was afraid of either going crazy or falling into debauchery.” And only “unexpected incidents,” writes Grinev, “which had an important influence on my whole life, suddenly gave my soul a strong and beneficial shock.”
At the beginning of October 1773, the commandant of the fortress received a secret message about the Don Cossack Emelyan Pugachev, who, posing as the “late emperor” Peter III", "gathered a villainous gang, caused outrage in the Yaik villages and had already taken and destroyed several fortresses." The commandant was asked to “take appropriate measures to repel the aforementioned villain and impostor.”
Soon everyone was talking about Pugachev. A Bashkir with “outrageous sheets” was captured in the fortress. But it was not possible to interrogate him - the Bashkir’s tongue was torn out. Any day now, residents of the Belogorsk fortress are expecting an attack by Pugachev,
The rebels appear unexpectedly - the Mironovs did not even have time to send Masha to Orenburg. At the first attack the fortress was taken. Residents greet the Pugachevites with bread and salt. The prisoners, among whom was Grinev, are led to the square to swear allegiance to Pugachev. The first to die on the gallows is the commandant, who refused to swear allegiance to the “thief and impostor.” Vasilisa Egorovna falls dead under the blow of a saber. Grinev also faces death on the gallows, but Pugachev has mercy on him. A little later, Grinev learns from Savelich the “reason for mercy” - the chieftain of the robbers turned out to be the tramp who received a hare sheepskin coat from him, Grinev.
In the evening, Grinev is invited to the “great sovereign.” “I have pardoned you for your virtue,” Pugachev says to Grinev, “Do you promise to serve me with zeal?” But Grinev is a “natural nobleman” and “sworn allegiance to the Empress.” He cannot even promise Pugachev not to serve against him. “My head is in your power,” he says to Pugachev, “if you let me go, thank you, if you execute me, God will be your judge.”
Grinev’s sincerity amazes Pugachev, and he releases the officer “on all four sides.” Grinev decides to go to Orenburg for help - after all, Masha, whom the priest passed off as her niece, remained in the fortress in a severe fever. He is especially concerned that Shvabrin, who swore allegiance to Pugachev, was appointed commandant of the fortress.
But in Orenburg, Grinev was denied help, and a few days later rebel troops surrounded the city. Long days of siege dragged on. Soon, by chance, a letter from Masha falls into the hands of Grinev, from which he learns that Shvabrin is forcing her to marry him, threatening otherwise to hand her over to the Pugachevites. Once again Grinev turns to the military commandant for help, and again receives a refusal.
Grinev and Savelich go to the Belogorsk fortress, but near the Berdskaya settlement they are captured by the rebels. And again, providence brings Grinev and Pugachev together, giving the officer the opportunity to fulfill his intention: having learned from Grinev the essence of the matter for which he is going to the Belogorsk fortress, Pugachev himself decides to free the orphan and punish the offender.
On the way to the fortress, a confidential conversation takes place between Pugachev and Grinev. Pugachev is clearly aware of his doom, expecting betrayal primarily from his comrades; he knows that he cannot expect “the mercy of the empress.” For Pugachev, like an eagle from a Kalmyk fairy tale, which he tells Grinev with “wild inspiration,” “than to feed on carrion for three hundred years, it is better to drink living blood once; and then what God will give!” Grinev draws a different moral conclusion from the fairy tale, which surprises Pugachev: “To live by murder and robbery means for me to peck at carrion.”
In the Belogorsk fortress, Grinev, with the help of Pugachev, frees Masha. And although the enraged Shvabrin reveals the deception to Pugachev, he is full of generosity: “Execute, so execute, favor, so favor: this is my custom.” Grinev and Pugachev part on a friendly basis.
Grinev sends Masha to his parents as a bride, while he himself, out of “duty of honor,” remains in the army. The war “with bandits and savages” is “boring and petty.” Grinev’s observations are filled with bitterness: “God forbid that we see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless.”
The end of the military campaign coincides with the arrest of Grinev. Appearing before the court, he is calm in his confidence that he can justify himself, but Shvabrin slanderes him, exposing Grinev as a spy dispatched from Pugachev to Orenburg. Grinev is convicted, disgrace awaits him, exile to Siberia for eternal settlement.
Grinev is saved from shame and exile by Masha, who goes to the queen to “beg for mercy.” Walking through the garden of Tsarskoye Selo, Masha met a middle-aged lady. Everything about this lady “involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence.” Having found out who Masha was, she offered her help, and Masha sincerely told the lady the whole story. The lady turned out to be an empress who pardoned Grinev in the same way as Pugachev had pardoned both Masha and Grinev.
GUARD SERGEANT
“My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev in his youth served under Count Minich and retired as prime minister in 17.... Since then he lived in his Simbirsk village, where he married the girl Avdotya Vasilyevna Yu., the daughter of a poor nobleman there. There were nine of us children. All my brothers and sisters died in infancy.
Mother was still pregnant with me, as I had already been enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant, by the grace of Guard Major Prince B., a close relative of ours.”
The boy was then hired as a French teacher named Bop-re. He loved to drink, was “fickle and dissolute to the extreme. His main weakness was his passion for the fair sex.” But soon they had to separate.
The washerwoman Palashka complained that Monsieur had seduced her. Andrei Petrovich Grinev immediately kicked him out. “That was the end of my upbringing. I lived as a teenager, chasing pigeons and playing leapfrog with the yard boys. Meanwhile, I was sixteen years old. Then my fate changed."
The father decided to send Petrusha to the service. The boy was very happy. He imagined himself as a guard officer living in St. Petersburg. But Petrusha was sent to Andrei Karlovich R., an old friend of his father, in Orenburg. Savelich went with him.
In Simbirsk, in a tavern, Peter met Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, captain of the hussar regiment. He convinced the boy that a soldier must learn to play billiards and learn to drink punch. Which is what both of them did. At the end of the game, Zurin announced to Peter that he had lost a hundred rubles. But Savelich had the money. Ivan Ivanovich agreed to wait and invited Petrusha to go to Arinushka for now.
We had dinner at Arinushka's. Peter got pretty drunk, then both returned to the tavern. And Zurin only repeated that you need to get used to the service. In the morning, Savelich reproached his owner for starting to walk too early. And then there’s the debt of a hundred rubles...
“Savelich looked at me with deep sorrow and went to collect my debt. I felt sorry for the poor old man; but I wanted to break free and prove that I was no longer a child. The money was delivered to Zurin.”
COUNSELOR
Only on the road did Peter manage to reconcile with Savelich.
And then a snowstorm overtook the travelers. Peter saw some black dot, the coachman drove the horses towards it. It turned out to be a road person. He invited everyone to go to the inn, which was located nearby. The wagon slowly began to move along the high snow. While we were driving, Petrusha had a dream that he could never forget. “It seemed to me that the storm was still raging, and we were still wandering through the snowy desert...
Suddenly I saw a gate and drove into the manor’s courtyard of our estate. My first thought was the fear that my father would be angry with me for my involuntary return to my parents’ roof and would consider it deliberate disobedience. With anxiety, I jumped out of the wagon and saw: my mother met me on the porch with an appearance of deep grief. Hush,” she tells me, “your father is sick and dying and wants to say goodbye to you.” Struck with fear, I follow her into the bedroom. I see the room is dimly lit; there are people with sad faces standing by the bed. I quietly approach the bed; Mother lifts the curtain and says: “Andrei Petrovich, Petrusha has arrived; he returned after learning about your illness; bless him." I knelt down and fixed my eyes on the patient. Well?... Instead of my father, I see a man with a black beard lying in bed, looking at me cheerfully. I turned to my mother in bewilderment, telling her: “What does this mean? This is not father. And why should I ask for a man’s blessing?” “It doesn’t matter, Petrusha,” my mother answered me, “this is your imprisoned father; kiss his hand and may he bless you...” I did not agree. Then the man jumped out of bed, grabbed the ax from behind his back and began swinging it in all directions. I wanted to run... and couldn’t; the room was filled with dead bodies; I stumbled over bodies and slid in bloody puddles... The scary man called me affectionately, saying: “Don’t be afraid, come under my blessing...” Horror and bewilderment took possession of me... And at that moment I woke up; the horses stood; Savelich tugged at my hand, saying: “Come out, sir: we’ve arrived.”
“The owner, a Yaik Cossack by birth, seemed to be a man of about sixty, still fresh and vigorous. The guide “was about forty years old, of average height, thin and broad-shouldered... His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression.” He visited these parts more than once. The guide and the owner began talking in thieves' jargon about the affairs of the Yaitsky army, which at that time had just been pacified after the riot of 1772. Savelich looked at his interlocutors with suspicion. The inn looked very much like a robber influx. Petrusha was only amused by this.
In the morning the storm subsided. They harnessed the horses and paid the owner. And Peter gave the guide his sheepskin coat. The tramp was extremely pleased with the gift.
Arriving in Orenburg, we went straight to the general. Tomorrow was scheduled to move to the Belogorsk fortress to Captain Mironov, a kind and honest man.
FORTRESS
The fortress was a village surrounded by a log fence. From the old captain's wife, Peter learned that officers were transferred here for indecent acts. For example, Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin was transferred for murder. “God knows what sin befell him; As you can see, he went out of town with one lieutenant, and they took swords with them, and, well, they stabbed each other; and Alexey Ivanovich stabbed the lieutenant, and in front of two witnesses! What do you want me to do? There is no master of sin."
The constable, a young and stately Cossack, entered. Vasilisa Yegorovna asked Maksimych to give the officer a cleaner apartment.
Pyotr Andreich was taken to Semyon Kuzov. The hut stood on a high bank of the river, at the very edge of the fortress. Half of the hut was occupied by the family of Semyon Kuzov, the other was given to Peter.
In the morning Shvabrin came to Petrusha. We met. The officer told Peter about life in the fortress. The commandant invited both of them to dinner. He turned out to be a vigorous old man, tall. “A girl of about eighteen entered the room, chubby, ruddy, with light brown hair, combed smoothly behind her ears, which were on fire. At first glance I didn't really like her. I looked at her with prejudice: Shvabrin described Masha, the captain’s daughter, to me as a complete fool. At dinner they talked about how many souls Father Peter had; what do you have captain's daughter Wash just a dowry, that “a fine comb, a broom, and an altyn of money... It’s good if there is a kind person; Otherwise you’ll sit as an eternal bride among the girls.”
Marya Ivanovna blushed all over at this conversation, and even tears dripped onto her plate. Peter felt sorry for her and hastened to change the conversation.
DUEL
Several weeks passed, and Peter got used to life in the Belogorsk fortress. In the commandant's house he was received like family. In Marya Ivanovna, the officer found a prudent and sensitive girl.
Shvabrin had several French books. Peter began to read, and a desire for literature awakened in him.
“Calm reigned around our fortress. But the peace was interrupted by sudden civil strife.”
Peter wrote a song and took it to Shvabrin, who alone in the entire fortress could appreciate such a work.
Destroying the thought of love, I strive to forget the beautiful, And ah, avoiding Masha, I think of getting freedom! But the eyes that captivated me are always before me; They confused my spirit, crushed my peace. You, having recognized my misfortunes, take pity on me, Masha, in vain for me in this fierce part, and that I am captivated by you.
Shvabrin resolutely declared that the song was not good because it resembled “love couplets.” And in the image of Masha, Shvabrin saw the captain’s daughter.
Then Shvabrin said: “...if you want Masha Mironova to come to you at dusk, then instead of tender poems, give her a pair of earrings.” This phrase completely infuriated Peter. We agreed on a duel. But Ivan Ignatich began to dissuade the young officer.
“I spent the evening, as usual, with the commandant. I tried to appear cheerful and indifferent, so as not to give any suspicion and avoid annoying questions; but I confess that I did not have that composure that those in my position almost always boast of. That evening I was in a mood for tenderness and tenderness. I liked Marya Ivanovna more than usual. The thought that maybe I see her in last time, gave her something touching in my eyes.”
Shvabrin and I agreed to fight over the stacks the next day at seven o’clock in the morning.
“We took off our uniforms, remained in only camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatich and about five disabled people suddenly appeared from behind a stack.
He demanded us to see the commandant. We obeyed with annoyance; the soldiers surrounded us, and we went to the fortress following Ivan Ignatich, who led us in triumph, walking with amazing importance.”
Ivan Kuzmich scolded his ardent opponents. When they were left alone, Pyotr Andreich told Shvabrin that this matter would not end there.
“Return to the commandant; as usual, I sat down with Marya Ivanovna. Ivan Kuzmich was not at home; Vasilisa Egorovna was busy with housekeeping. We spoke in low voices. Marya Ivanovna tenderly reprimanded me for the anxiety caused to everyone by my quarrel with Shvabrin.”
Marya Ivanovna admitted that she liked Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin, because he was wooing her. Then Peter realized that Shvabrin noticed their mutual sympathy and tried to distract them from each other. The very next day Alexey Ivanovich came to Peter.
We went to the river and began to fight with swords. But then Savelich’s voice was heard, Peter turned around... “At that very time I was strongly stabbed in the chest below the right shoulder; I fell and fainted.”
LOVE
“When I woke up, I could not come to my senses for some time and did not understand what had happened to me. I lay on the bed, in an unfamiliar room, and felt very weak. Savelich stood in front of me with a candle in his hands. Someone carefully developed the slings with which my chest and shoulder were tied.”
It turned out that Peter lay unconscious for five days. Marya Ivanovna leaned towards the duelist. “I grabbed her hand and clung to her, shedding tears of tenderness. Masha didn’t tear her away... and suddenly her lips touched my cheek, and I felt their hot and fresh kiss.”
Peter asks Masha to become his wife. “Marya Ivanovna did not leave my side. Of course, at the first opportunity, I began the interrupted explanation, and Marya Ivanovna listened to me more patiently. She, without any affectation, admitted to me her heartfelt inclination and said that her parents would certainly be happy about her happiness.” But what will his parents say? Peter wrote a letter to his father.
The officer made peace with Shvabrin in the first days of recovery. Ivan Kuzmich did not punish Pyotr Andreich. And Alexei Ivanovich was put in a bakery store under guard, “until he repents.”
Finally, Peter received an answer from the priest. He was not going to give his son either his blessing or his consent. In addition, my father was going to ask for Peter to be transferred from the Belogorsk fortress somewhere far away.
But Pyotr Andreich didn’t write anything about the fight in his letter! Peter's suspicions focused on Shvabrin.
The officer went to Masha. He asked her to get married without his parents' consent, but she refused.
“Since then, my position has changed. Marya Ivanovna hardly spoke to me and tried in every possible way to avoid me. The commandant's house became hateful to me. Little by little I learned to sit alone at home. At first Vasilisa Yegorovna blamed me for this; but seeing my stubbornness, she left me alone. I saw Ivan Kuzmich only when the service required it. I met Shvabrin rarely and reluctantly, especially since I noticed in him a hidden hostility towards myself, which confirmed my suspicions. My life has become unbearable for me.”
PUGACHEVSHCHINA
At the end of 1773, the Orenburg province was inhabited by many semi-savage peoples, who had recently recognized the dominion of the Russian sovereigns. “Their constant indignation, unaccustomed to laws and civil life, frivolity and cruelty required constant supervision on the part of the government to keep them in obedience. The fortresses were built in places considered convenient and were inhabited for the most part by Cossacks, long-time owners of the Yaik banks. But the Yaik Cossacks, who were supposed to protect the peace and security of this region, for some time were themselves restless and dangerous subjects for the government.
In 1772 there was a disturbance in their main town. The reason for this was the strict measures taken by Major General Traubenberg to bring the army to proper obedience. The consequence was the barbaric murder of Traubenberg, a willful change in government and finally the pacification of the rebellion with grapeshot and cruel punishments.”
One evening, at the beginning of October 1773, Peter was summoned to the commandant. Shvabrin, Ivan Ignatich and the Cossack constable were already there. The commandant read a letter from the general, in which it was reported that the Don Cossack and schismatic Emelyan Pugachev had escaped from the guard, “gathered a villainous gang, caused outrage in the Yaik villages and had already taken and destroyed” several fortresses, carrying out robberies and capital murders everywhere.” It was ordered to take appropriate measures to repel the aforementioned villain and impostor, and, if possible, to completely destroy him if he turns to the fortress entrusted to your care.”
It was decided to establish guards and night watches.
Vasilisa Egorovna turned out to be unaware of the matter. She decided to find out everything from Ivan Ignatich. He let it slip. Soon everyone was talking about Pugachev.
“The commandant sent a constable with instructions to thoroughly reconnoiter everything in the neighboring villages and fortresses. The constable returned two days later and announced that in the steppe, sixty miles from the fortress, he saw many lights and heard from the Bashkirs that an unknown force was coming. However, he could not say anything positive, because he was afraid to go further.”
Yulay, a baptized Kalmyk, told the commandant that the constable’s testimony was false: “on his return, the crafty Cossack announced to his comrades that he had been with the rebels, introduced himself to their leader himself, who allowed him into his hand and talked with him for a long time. The commandant immediately put the constable under guard, and appointed Yulay in his place.” The constable escaped from the guard with the help of his like-minded people.
It became known that Pugachev was going to immediately go to the fortress and was inviting Cossacks and soldiers into his gang. It was heard that the villain had already taken possession of many fortresses.
It was decided to send Masha to Orenburg to her godmother.
ATTACK
At night the Cossacks set out from. fortress, taking Yulay with him by force. And unknown people were driving around the fortress. Marya Ivanovna did not have time to leave: the road to Orenburg was cut off; the fortress is surrounded.
Everyone went to the rampart. Masha also came - it’s worse at home alone. “...She looked at me and smiled forcefully. I involuntarily squeezed the hilt of my sword, remembering that the day before I had received it from her hands, as if to protect my beloved. My heart was burning. I imagined myself as her knight. I longed to prove that I was worthy of her trust, and began to eagerly await the decisive moment.”
Then Pugachev’s gang began to approach. “One of them held a piece of paper under his hat; the other had Yulay's head stuck on a spear, which he shook off and threw over the palisade to us. The poor Kalmyk’s head fell at the commandant’s feet.”
Ivan Kuzmich said goodbye to his wife and daughter and blessed them. The commandant and Masha left.
The fortress was surrendered. “Pugachev was sitting in an armchair on the porch of the commandant’s house. He was wearing a red Cossack caftan trimmed with braid. A tall sable cap with golden tassels was pulled down over his sparkling eyes. His face seemed familiar to me. Cossack elders surrounded him.
Father Gerasim, pale and trembling, stood at the porch, with a cross in his hands, and seemed to silently beg him for the upcoming sacrifices. A gallows was quickly erected in the square. When we approached, the Bashkirs dispersed the people and we were introduced to Pugachev.”
Ivan Kuzmich and Ivan Ignatyich were ordered to be hanged. Shvabrin was already among the rebel elders. His head was cut into a circle, and a Cossack caftan adorned his body. He approached Pugachev and said a few words in his ear.
Pugachev, without even looking at Peter, ordered him to be hanged. The executioners dragged him to the gallows, but suddenly stopped. Savelich threw himself at Pugachev’s feet and began to ask for pardon for the pupil and promised a ransom. Pyotr Andreich was released.
Residents began to swear oaths. And then a woman’s scream was heard. Several robbers dragged Vasilisa Yegorovna onto the porch, disheveled and stripped naked. One of them had already dressed up in her warmer. Others looted the apartment. In the end, the unfortunate old woman was killed.
UNINVITED GUEST
Most of all, Peter was tormented by the unknown about the fate of Marya Ivanovna. Palashka said that Marya Ivanovna was hidden with the priest Akulina Pamfilovna. But Pugachev went there for dinner!
Peter rushed to the priest's house. From the priest he learned that Pugachev had already gone to look at his “niece,” but did nothing to her. Peter Aedreich went home. Savelich remembered why the “murderer’s” face seemed familiar to him. It was the same “drunkard who lured the sheepskin coat from you at the inn! The hare sheepskin coat is brand new; and he, the beast, tore it open, putting it on himself!”
Peter was amazed. “I could not help but marvel at the strange combination of circumstances: a children’s sheepskin coat, given to a tramp, freed me from the noose, and a drunkard, wandering around inns, besieged fortresses and shook the state!”
“Duty demanded that I appear where my service could still be useful to the fatherland in present, difficult circumstances... But love strongly advised me to stay with Marya Ivanovna and be her protector and patron. Although I foresaw a quick and undoubted change in circumstances, I still could not help but tremble, imagining the danger of her position.”
And then one of the Cossacks came with an announcement, “that the great sovereign demands you to come to him.” He was in the commandant's house.
“An extraordinary picture presented itself to me: at a table covered with a tablecloth and set with damasks and glasses, Pugachev and about ten Cossack elders were sitting, in hats and colored shirts, flushed with wine, with red faces and shining eyes. Between them there was neither Shvabrin nor our constable, the newly recruited traitors. “Ah, your honor! - said Pugachev, seeing me. - Welcome; honor and place, you are welcome.” The interlocutors made room. I sat down silently on the edge of the table."
Peter never touched the poured wine. The conversation turned to the fact that now the gang needs to go to Orenburg. The campaign was announced for tomorrow.
Pugachev was left alone with Peter. The chieftain said that “he would not yet favor his acquaintance” if he began to serve him.
“I answered Pugachev: “Listen; I'll tell you the whole truth. Judge, can I recognize you as a sovereign? You are a smart man: you would see for yourself that I am deceitful.”
“Who am I, in your opinion?” - “God knows you; but whoever you are, you are telling a dangerous joke.” Pugachev looked at me quickly. “So you don’t believe,” he said, “that I was Tsar Pyotr Fedorovich? Well, good. Isn't there good luck for the daring? Didn’t Grishka Otrepiev reign in the old days? Think what you want about me, but don’t lag behind me. What do you care about other things? Whoever is a priest is a dad. Serve me with faith and truth, and I will make you a field marshal and a prince. How do you think?"
“No,” I answered firmly. - I am a natural nobleman; I swore allegiance to the Empress: I cannot serve you. If you really wish me well, then let me go to Orenburg.”
Pugachev was struck by Peter’s courage and sincerity. The chieftain released him on all four sides.
PARTING
“Early in the morning a drum woke me up. I went to the meeting place. There the Pugachev crowds were already forming around the gallows, where yesterday’s victims were still hanging. The Cossacks stood on horseback, the soldiers under arms. The banners fluttered. Several cannons, among which I recognized ours, were placed on traveling carriages. All the residents were there, waiting for the impostor. At the porch of the commandant's house, a Cossack held a beautiful woman by the bridle. white horse Kyrgyz breed. I looked for the commandant's body with my eyes. It was moved a little to the side and covered with matting. Finally, Pugachev came out of the entryway. The people took off their hats. Pugachev stopped on the porch and greeted everyone. One of the elders handed him a bag of copper money, and he began to throw handfuls of them. The people rushed to pick them up screaming, and there was some injury.
Pugachev was surrounded by his main accomplices. Shvabrin stood between them.
Our eyes met; in mine he could read contempt, and he turned away with an expression of sincere anger and feigned mockery. Pugachev, seeing me in the crowd, nodded his head and called me to him.”
The ataman advised Peter to immediately go to Orenburg and announce from him to the governor and all the generals to expect Pugachev to come to them in a week. “Encourage them to meet me with childlike love and obedience; otherwise they will not escape cruel execution.”
Pugachev appointed Shvabrin as the new commander. “With horror I heard these words: Shvabrin became the commander of the fortress; Marya Ivanovna remained in his power! God, what will happen to her!
And then Savelich handed Pugachev the paper. All the things stolen by the robbers were listed there. Savelich wanted Pugachev to return the money for all this! Pyotr Andreich was afraid for the poor old man.
But “Pugachev was apparently in a fit of generosity. He turned away and drove away without saying another word. Shvabrin and the elders followed him.”
Peter hurried to the priest's house to see Marya Ivanovna. She developed a severe fever at night. She lay unconscious and delirious. The patient did not recognize her lover.
“Shvabrin tormented my imagination most of all. Invested with power from the impostor, leading the fortress where the unfortunate girl remained - the innocent object of his hatred, he could decide on anything. What was I supposed to do? How can I help her? How to free from the hands of the villain? There was only one remedy left: I decided to immediately go to Orenburg in order to hasten the liberation of the Belogorsk fortress and, if possible, assist in this. I said goodbye to the priest and Akulina Pamfilovna, eagerly entrusting to her the one whom I already considered to be my wife.”
SIEGE OF THE CITY
“Approaching Orenburg, we saw a crowd of convicts with shaved heads, with faces disfigured by the executioner’s tongs. They worked near the fortifications, under the supervision of garrison invalids. Others carried out in carts the rubbish that filled the ditch; others dug the ground with shovels; On the rampart, masons carried bricks and repaired the city wall.
At the gate the guards stopped us and demanded our passports. As soon as the sergeant heard that I was coming from the Belogorsk fortress, he took me straight to the general’s house.”
Peter told the general everything. Most of all, the old man was worried about the captain's daughter.
A council of war was appointed for the evening. "I stood up and in short words Having first described Pugachev and his gang, he said affirmatively that there was no way for the impostor to resist the right weapon.”
But no one agreed to offensive movements. It was decided to repel the siege. Long days of hunger followed.
Peter accidentally met a police officer who gave him a letter. From it, the officer learned that Shvabrin forced Gerasim’s father to hand over Masha to him, “intimidating him with Pugachev.” Now she lives in her father's house under guard. Alexey Ivanovich forces her to marry him.
“Father Pyotr Andreich! you are my only patron; intercede for poor me. Ask the general and all the commanders to send the sikurs to us as soon as possible, and come yourself if you can. I remain your humble poor orphan.
Marya Mironova."
Peter rushed to the general and began to ask for a company of soldiers to clear the Belogorsk fortress. But the old man refused.
REBEL SLOBODA
Peter decided to go to the fortress. Savelich went with him. On the way, the old man was captured by robbers. Again the travelers found themselves in the hands of Pugachev.
“A strange thought occurred to me: it seemed to me that Providence, which had led me to Pugachev for the second time, was giving me an opportunity to put my intention into action.”
Pyotr Andreich said that he wanted to free the orphan who was being abused in the Belogorsk fortress. Pugachev’s eyes sparkled, he promised to judge the offender Shvabrin. Peter said that the orphan was his bride. The chieftain became even more excited.
In the morning we harnessed the wagon and went to the Belogorsk fortress. “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; the embittered Shvabrin could reveal everything to him; Pugachev could have discovered the truth in another way... Then what will happen to Marya Ivanovna? The cold ran through my body, and my hair stood on end...”
ORPHAN
“The carriage drove up to the porch of the commandant’s house. The people recognized Pugachev's bell and ran after us in a crowd. Shvabrin met the impostor on the porch. He was dressed as a Cossack and grew a beard. The traitor helped Pugachev to get out of the wagon, expressing his joy and zeal in vile terms.”
Shvabrin guessed that Pugachev was dissatisfied with him. He cowered in front of him, and looked at Peter incredulously. The conversation turned to Masha. “Sovereign! - he said. - You have the power to demand from me whatever you want; but do not order a stranger to enter my wife’s bedroom.” Pugachev doubted that the girl was his wife. We entered.
“I looked and froze. On the floor, in a ragged peasant dress, sat Marya Ivanovna, pale, thin, with disheveled hair. In front of her stood a jug of water, covered with a slice of bread. Seeing me, she shuddered and screamed. I don’t remember what happened to me then.”
To Pugachev’s question, Marya Ivanovna replied that Shvabrin was not her husband. The chieftain released the girl.
“Marya Ivanovna quickly looked at him and guessed that in front of her was the murderer of her parents. She covered her face with both hands and fell down. feelings. I rushed to her; but at that moment my old friend Pasha very boldly entered the room and began to court her young lady. Pugachev left the room, and the three of us went into the living room.”
“What, your honor? - said Pugachev, laughing. - Rescued the red maiden! Do you think we should send for the priest and force him to marry his niece? Perhaps I will be the imprisoned father, Shvabrin’s friend; Let’s party, drink, and lock the gate!”
And then Shvabrin confessed that Masha was the daughter of Ivan Mironov, who was executed during the capture of the local fortress. But Pugachev forgave Peter for this too. He gave him a pass to all the outposts and fortresses subject to the ataman.
When Marya Ivanovna and Pyotr Andreich finally met, they began to talk about what they should do next. “It was impossible for her to remain in the fortress, subject to Pugachev and controlled by Shvabrin. It was impossible to think about Orenburg, which was undergoing all the disasters of the siege. She didn't have one in the world loved one. I suggested that she go to the village to visit my parents. At first she hesitated: my father’s well-known dislike frightened her. I calmed her down. I knew that my father would consider it a blessing and make it his duty to accept the daughter of an honored warrior who died for the fatherland.”
Pugachev and Peter parted on friendly terms.
“We approached a town where, according to the bearded commandant, there was a strong detachment going to join the impostor. We were stopped by guards. To the question: who is going? - the coachman answered loudly: “The sovereign’s godfather is with his mistress.” Suddenly a crowd of hussars surrounded us with terrible abuse. “Come out, demonic godfather! - the mustachioed sergeant told me. “Now you’ll have a bathhouse, and with your mistress!”
I got out of the tent and demanded that they take me to their boss. Seeing the officer, the soldiers stopped cursing. The sergeant took me to the major. Savelich did not lag behind me, saying to himself: “Here is the sovereign’s godfather for you! Out of the frying pan and into the fire... O Lord! how will this all end? The carriage followed us at a step.
Five minutes later we came to a house, brightly lit. The sergeant left me on guard and went to report on me. He immediately returned, announcing to me that his nobility had no time to receive me, but that he ordered me to be taken to the prison and the hostess to be brought to him.”
Peter flew into a rage and rushed onto the porch. Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, who once beat Peter in the Simbirsk tavern, turned out to be highly honorable! They immediately made up. Zurin himself went out into the street to apologize to Marya Ivanovna in an involuntary misunderstanding and ordered the sergeant to give her the best apartment in the city. Peter stayed overnight with him and told him his adventures.
Zurin advised the old acquaintance to “get rid of” the captain’s daughter, send her to Simbirsk alone, and offered Petra to stay in his detachment.
“Although I did not entirely agree with him, I nevertheless felt that a duty of honor required my presence in the army of the empress. I decided to follow Zurin’s advice: send Marya Ivanovna to the village and stay in his detachment.”
“The next morning I came to Marya Ivanovna. I told her my assumptions. She recognized their prudence and immediately agreed with me. Zurin's detachment was supposed to leave the city on the same day. There was no point in delaying. I immediately parted with Marya Ivanovna, entrusting her to Savelich and giving her a letter to my parents. Marya Ivanovna began to cry."
In the evening we set out on a hike. “Gangs of robbers fled from us everywhere, and everything foreshadowed a quick and prosperous end. Soon, Prince Golitsyn, near the Tatishcheva fortress, defeated Pugachev, scattered his crowds, and liberated Orenburg. But still Pugachev himself was not caught. He appeared at the Siberian factories, gathered new gangs there and again began to commit villainy there with success. News arrived about the destruction of Siberian fortresses.
Soon Pugachev fled. After a while he was completely defeated, and he himself was caught.
“Zurin gave me a vacation. A few days later I was supposed to find myself again in the middle of my family, to see my Marya Ivanovna again... Suddenly an unexpected thunderstorm struck me. On the day appointed for departure, at the very moment when I was preparing to set off on the road, Zurin entered my hut, holding a paper in his hands, looking extremely preoccupied. Something pierced my heart. I was scared without knowing why. He sent my orderly away and announced that he had business with me.”
This was a secret order to all individual commanders to arrest me, wherever I was caught, and immediately send me under guard to Kazan to the Investigative Commission established in the Pugachev case. Probably, rumors about Peter’s friendly relations with Pugachev reached the government.
“I was sure that my unauthorized absence from Orenburg was to blame. I could easily justify myself: not only was horse riding never prohibited, but it was also encouraged by all means. I could have been accused of being too hot-tempered, not of disobedience. But my friendly relations with Pugachev could be proven by many witnesses and should have seemed at least very suspicious.”
In the Kazan fortress, Peter’s legs were chained, and then they took him to prison and left him alone in a cramped and dark kennel. The next day the prisoner was taken for interrogation. They asked about when and how the officer began to serve with Pugachev. Peter told everything as it is. And then they invited the one who accused Grinev. It turned out to be Shvabrin! “According to him, I was sent by Pugachev to Orenburg as a spy; went out every day to shootouts in order to convey written news about everything that was happening in the city; that he had finally clearly given himself over to the impostor, traveled with him from fortress to fortress, trying in every possible way to destroy his fellow traitors in order to take their places and enjoy the rewards distributed from the impostor.”
Meanwhile, Marya Ivanovna was received by the groom's parents with sincere cordiality. They soon became attached to her, because it was impossible to recognize her and not love her. “My love no longer seemed like an empty whim to my father; and mother only wanted her Petrusha to marry the captain’s sweet daughter.”
The news of their son's arrest shocked the Grinev family. But no one believed that this matter could end unfavorably. Soon the priest received a letter from St. Petersburg stating that the suspicions about Peter’s participation “in the plans of the rebels, unfortunately, turned out to be too thorough, that an exemplary execution should have befallen me, but that the empress, out of respect for the merits and old age father, decided to have mercy on his criminal son and, sparing him from a shameful execution, only ordered him to be exiled to the remote region of Siberia for eternal settlement.”
The old man believed that his son was a traitor. He was inconsolable. “Marya Ivanovna suffered more than anyone. Being sure that I could justify myself whenever I wanted, she guessed the truth and considered herself to be the culprit of my misfortune. She hid her tears and suffering from everyone and meanwhile constantly thought about ways to save me.”
Marya Ivanovna, Palasha and Savelich went to Sofia. In the morning, the girl in the garden accidentally met a court lady, who began to question her about why she had come. Masha said that she was the daughter of Captain Mironov, that she had come to ask the Empress for mercy. The lady said that she happens to be at court. Then Marya Ivanovna took a folded paper out of her pocket and handed it to her unfamiliar patron, who began to read it to herself. But when the lady realized that the girl was asking for Grinev, she replied that the empress could not forgive him. But Masha tried to explain to the lady that Peter could not justify himself because he did not want to involve her in the matter. Then the stranger asked not to tell anyone about the meeting, promising that the girl would not have to wait long for an answer.
Soon the empress demanded Masha to come to court. When Masha saw the empress, she recognized her as the lady with whom she had spoken so openly in the garden! The Empress said that she was convinced of Peter’s innocence and gave a letter to his father.
“The notes of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev stop here. From family legends it is known that he was released from prison at the end of 1774, by personal order; that he was present at the execution of Pugachev, who recognized him in the crowd and nodded his head to him, which a minute later, dead and bloody, was shown to the people. Soon afterwards, Pyotr Andreevich married Marya Ivanovna. Their descendants prosper in the Simbirsk province.”