Page:Pushkin - Russian Romance (King, 1875).djvu/68

56 to which I was a witness, I must say a few words with respect to the condition of the Government of Orenburg, at the close of the year 1773.

This vast and rich government was peopled by a large number of half-savage tribes, who had but recently acknowledged the supremacy of the Russian emperors. Their continual uprisings, their freedom from laws and a state of civilization, their levity and cruelty, necessitated constant watchfulness on the part of the government, in order to keep them in subjection. Fortresses were erected in suitable places, where Cossacks, who were the original possessors of the shores of the Yaïk, were permanently located. But the Cossacks of the Yaïk, whose duty it was to ensure the peace and safety of this territory, had for some time past become turbulent and dangerous subjects of the crown. In 1772 a tumult took place in their chief town. The cause of it originated in the severe measures adopted by Major-general Traubenberg to bring the troops into due submission. The result was, the barbarous murder of Traubenberg, a self-constituted change in the leadership, and finally, the suppression of the revolt by means of grape-shot and the infliction of cruel punishment.

This had happened shortly before my arrival at the fortress of Byĕlogorsk. Everything now was quiet, or appeared to be so. The authorities had too easily believed in the feigned repentance of the wily rebels, who were secretly nursing their hatred, and were only awaiting a fitting opportunity for the renewal of disorders.

I return to my narrative.