Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

126THE HISTORY OF THELENEF.

of the aged man was at its height, and his strength was still very great. The unfortunate Fedor knew not how to\ict. Heaven did not aid him.

The troops of Basil, who were lying in wait, heard the cries. Before Fedor could disengage himself from the powerful grasp of the poor senseless being, for whom he felt a respect which induced him to spare his life, though at the risk of his own, six men, furnished with cords and armed with pitch-forks, stakes, and scythes, rushed into the cabin. To lay hold of Fedor, to disarm, and to bind him. was the work of a moment.

" Where are you going to take me ? "

" To the castle of Vologda, to burn you there with Thelenef. You will see that your treason has not saved him."

These words were spoken by the oldest man of the troop. Fedor not replying, the man quietly continued : — " You did not think that our victory would be so complete and prompt: our army has sprung up on all sides; it is an inundation of divine justice. No one escapes us; our enemies are taken in their own snares; God is with us. We suspected you, and watched you narrowly. Thelenef was followed to the hiding-place where you conducted him, and has been there seized; you shall die together; the castle is already on fire."

Fedor, without uttering a word, cast down his head, and followed his executioners. He trusted that their rapid flight from the fatal cabin might yet be the means of saving Xenie.

Six .men carried before him the body of Basil, six others escorted them with torches; the rest followed