Month to year. Defense of Sevastopol. 1853—1855. Eastern War. Love and death do not know barriers

– I’ll go, my wife will worry, he said, about to bow.

“We’ll send Timoshka. Here you spend the night, Artamon Grigorievich, – Rusov ordered, and immediately rang the bell.

Timothy, a middle-aged man with a big beard, in a Russian caftan, bloomers and chrome boots, quickly entered the room.

– Timothy! Do you know Dr. Nikolaev’s house?

– How not to know…

– Tell his wife that Artamon Grigorievich stayed overnight at the Zalepskys, tomorrow morning it will be, did you understand?

Timothy bowed and went out, and Rusov turned to Artamon Nikolaev..

– You see, everything is in order. Why should you go in such and such bad weather? Come on, a couple more solitaire, and we drive teas, my pies, I know you love.

– Your tea is noble, Mikhail Petrovich, pies are even better, – the doctor agreed, – who will we guess at?

– I think it’s necessary for my grandson, Mishenka…

Ivan Ivanovich frowned, looked at one and the other. Outside the window, yard dogs howled terribly, you can see seeing or sensing something invisible to people. It seemed that candles blinked in the room, heavy curtains slammed from the wind, and here, it was not clear from what, the window window window knocked deafeningly on the frame, almost breaking, so much so that everyone shuddered.

– Timka… – Mikhail Petrovich was angry, – I will ask him… Did not follow the window… Il again the locks broke? The wind is strong… What are you doing? – the old man smiled, however, somehow crooked, – Really scared?

Ivan Ivanovich sat with his face white as snow, Artamon Ilyich squeezed his lips into a thread. Rusov, without losing his composure, got up from the chair, quickly walked to the window, closed the window and straightened the curtains. He took another shandal with three candles, lit it, and put it on the table.

– So it will be more visible… Nevertheless, open the cards, Artamon Grigorievich… I ask you!

“Whatever you say… Let’s start, – the guest suddenly became serious, taking the inevitable.

He opened a new deck, tearing off the wrapper, and began to quickly lay out cards on the table, clicking sheets, one by one, without stopping for a second. Finally, the deed was done. All three did not look up… Rusov turned pale, as did Zalepsky Sr… Nikolaev lowered his eyes to the floor, and tugged at the cufflinks on his shirt, and quietly said:

– Spoke after all…

– They tell the truth about you, sorcerer… Nothing, Artamon, you’re naughty! There is time, we will have time! We will not be left without great-grandchildren, Ivan Ivanovich!

***

The dinner party continued, Rusov communicated with Terentyev with pleasure, Sofya Mikhailovna cheerfully discussed the economy with Elizaveta Vasilyevna, Ivan Ivanovich left the table, sat down in a chair and lit his favorite pipe.

– You, dear neighbor, can enter society. Your wastelands will remain with you, sow them in flax, and earn good money even in the first year. Merchants, flax buyers I have acquaintances. In a year or two we will build scallops and spinners, we will go uphill. You have a couple of streams of fast and rivulets on your estate, we will put water engines.

– Masters are needed for such wise things! Do you want a steam engine? Terentyev asked Rusova with a different expression.

– We’ll go around the world with this thing. What is the price – and he expressively depicted with a gesture of hands – but to repair how, if anything? No, it’s too early. Maybe in ten years you can buy steam, but now – nothing.

And we can handle water engines and mills. So Artamon Ilyich from Vologda, he has acquaintances and faithful people who are knowledgeable in this matter.

– It’s a good thing, – Terentyev answered, after thinking a little, – I trust you, let the solicitor prepare the papers, Mikhail Petrovich.

– Here, you see, it’s good that the young brought us together, Pyotr Fedorovich!

– Yeah… So soon the daughter of the groom needs to look… ‘the guest began.

– It is of course, the young lady will soon be issued, – Rusov supported, – yes, here they are with my grandson, they have known each other for a long time…

“So they are the same age. Mikhail Dmitrievich will go to the service, while the point is yes, he will get married at twenty-five, and maybe even later.

Terentyev looked at the immediately darkened face of the grasping neighbor, and was surprised, however, did not give a look.

– How is Mashenka? – he continued, – It will come out of age…

– Why pull? – Rusov began his speech, – It will not be in the regiment in history to meet, settle down. So, I understand you don’t mind, Pyotr Fedorovich? We need to sweeten this matter, otherwise in a year Mikhail needs to appear in the regiment as a cadet.

– So, – Terentyev sighed pretentiously sadly, – it is necessary to ask Maria Petrovna…

– It is of course, – Mikhail Petrovich nodded, looking at Michel and Masha, who spoke happily to each other, – I think that she will not resist her father’s will. But at least too much.

– But one thing, serious, Mikhail Petrovich… I ask for help. Our neighbor is mischievous, – the landowner Terentyev became serious.

Landowner-breaker

On the outskirts of the forest, branches trembled in dense bushes. Birds, doubtfully looked around the fluffy greens, shook their beaks, and sometimes spread their wings, preparing to take off. They suspected to see that there was someone among the branches, but hiding.

In the morning, early Michel went out into the yard, stretching, and rubbing his eyes. It was still early, the pipe was not smoking over the kitchen, which means that the cook Efrosinya had not yet melted the stove. The estate was still asleep, in a sweet dawn shower. He was rushing on the corner, next to the stable, and saw how Ivan Etskov, Fedor Grigoriev and Evgraf Kolychev, were taking horses out of the stable. And take off the guy – the shepherd, Maksimka. It seems to be nothing like that, but each had a gun with his back, and the pistols were holstered at the saddles. And everyone has old sabers on their belts. With a saber on the wolf went?

Michelle quickly ran to get dressed, but Yakim came to the noise. The young man managed to take a double-barreled gun and pistols, a gift from his grandfather.

– Where are you going, master? – asked the batman.

– So I’m going for a walk.

– I’m with you…

– What am I, young, Yakim?

– No, master, but not one thing…

So we left together, and Michel saw three former cuirassiers on the road, trotting towards the Terentyev estate

– Why are they going there?” the young man asked, thinking of the bad.

– Terentyev asked grandfather Rusov to help against the neighbor. The forest is stolen from him.

– We’re with them. Yakim, – said young Zalepsky in a stern voice and drove the horse.

But after thinking, I decided not to rush, and stay at a distance so that my father would not complain. The young man mastered hunting excitement. Soon the forest began, vacationers dismounted, and Maximka led the horses. Three walked carefully, examined the clearing with stumps from sawn trees, and hid in the bushes. Yakim was left nearby with horses, and Michelle found shelter among the old trees.

I didn’t have to wait long… A dozen carts drove up to the clearing, and there were fifteen men on them. Two had guns in their hands, they sat on stumps, and just talked about something and laughed. They were with saws and axes, and briskly set to work.

– Well, now we will laugh…

But he was ahead of his grandfather’s foresters, Ivan Etskov and Fyodor Grigoriev, with guns aimed at men with weapons, came out of the bushes and ran very close.

“Put it on the ground, and do not spoil it,” Ivan ordered loudly.

The man tried to cock the trigger, but Etskov shot into the air, immediately taking out a pistol. The other immediately threw the gun into the grass, the first was thinking about everything.

– Do you want a bullet in the stomach? – Grigoriev asked gloomily, – you won’t die right away, you will suffer…

Michel also ran up, and became a little from the side, grabbing a cart horse under the bridle, the owner of which tried to escape from the battlefield. The young man took out his loaded colt.

– Tie your hands, men… – he ordered, – we will go to the Terentyev estate.

– What are you, master… Our master. Apollo Zakharchenko, he will ask yours, “said one of the peasants who threw the gun.

“That’s for sure,” another confirmed, “the captain is a police officer, Prokhor Kuzmich, he has teas every day.

– Let’s see… – the young master yelled.

Soon the Terentyev people observed a funny picture – carts tied to carts, several bound peasants in carts, ahead of this caravan a master, and a servant, seemingly neighboring. Behind the carts were still those riders, with guns behind their backs and with sabers, and with them a boy on horseback. The guys enthusiastically ran after the creaking wheels, loudly hooting.

The yard man nimbly opened the gate, and the cavalcade ended up in the estate. The master Terentyev Pyotr Fedorovich personally met, Dressed in a homemade cap, a silk robe and indispensable Turkish shoes.

– Caught men – in batogi, scarb – in a manor pantry, – he sentenced.

– Oh, the master, – one of those who were with weapons spoke, – I would not have to regret… Apollon Sokratovich will not suffer resentment..

Peter Fedorovich sneered unkind, and went closer to the lively adventurer.

– And to this – the whip. Ten strikes.

The serfs of Terentyev drove away the carts, put the horses in the stables, and began to sadly flog the caught. They beat slightly, for the sake of order. But the talking was courted by the blacksmith Silantius under the supervision of Terentyev himself.

Michelle, meanwhile, went to the estate, where Elizaveta Vasilievna fed the dear guest breakfast. Next to the young man sat and joyful Marya Petrovna.

“Thank you, you helped our neighbor’s peasant to cope,” the mistress of the house said, “good fellow, knight.”

– It is more father’s foresters work did, Elizaveta Vasilyevna.

“And thank you father. Yes, you eat, the pies are good, otherwise they will cool down.

Michel was very hungry, but looked more at Masha’s pink cheeks than ruddy pies.

***

After lunch, they drove the Poroty thieves from the estate, and in the evening Apollon Sokratovich Zakharchenko himself appeared in person. The butler, or rather, just an old servant, reported the Terentyevs, and entered the modest living room of the house, no, this nobleman burst in.

Mr. Zakharchenko was above average height, his physique was dense, he was dressed up in the hussar uniform of the Leuchtenberg regiment, and judging by his uniform, he rose to the rank of captain. The face was round, decorated with a mustache. But to say that judging by his appearance, this is a vicious person – it was impossible, on the contrary, rather his appearance aroused sympathy.

– Pyotr Fedorovich, dear neighbor! – he began and laughed loudly, as if with joy, – it’s good that you taught my peasants. So they have nothing to steal someone else’s forest. But return the carts, return… It’s not neighborly.

– Apollon Sokratovich, – the owner answered firmly, – let them pay for the stolen goods, but for the offense – I’ll give the carts.

– After all, people of God, it is necessary to forgive them, as the Lord commands, Peter Fedorovich?

– So at the fair everywhere they demand money for their goods, and not for that they give it away.

– People scold what will happen, God forbid, – Zakharchenko added in a quiet voice, but with a green face with anger. – may burn your estate.

– To all God’s will, – Terentyev also answered with anger in his voice, – by their sins they will be rewarded.

– Such a thing, – and Apollon Ҫ okratovich smiled broadly, – I widowed, I want to marry. If I grab your daughter, Marya Petrovna?

– I don’t know what to answer, – Pyotr Fedorovich, who was taken aback, was not found, – it is necessary to ask Mashenka.

“Think of my suggestions. Well, okay, I’ll go, otherwise the business, the farm cannot be left unattended for a long time.

Terentyev did not go to see off the guest, and Elizaveta Vasilievna did not even bring water to the landowner Zakharchenko.

***

Michelle sat in the corner, and only listened to the conversation, did not interfere. Not the owner here, but the guest. The young man restrained her when he heard the words about the matchmaking of this robber. But as soon as Zakharchenko came out, the young man stood up impetuously and approached Terentyev, who was sitting in a chair.

– The police officer must report, let him punish the villains.

– He won’t be engaged in such trifle. I already applied, but no use. Our police officer is hunting with Zakharchenko, and Apollo regularly loses to him at cards. And I was not the only one to complain – he steals from everyone, the Tartishchevs took the sheep away. Well, your father is afraid – very rich, but influential friends, comrades in the regiment.

– If so, we will guard. Man, judging by the habits, cocky, wants to get even. Here we will grab him.

– It’s not for one day, Mikhail Dmitrievich. At once and do not dare to do this.

And for sure, they sat under the bushes, Michelle and their father’s foresters, four of them every night for a week on the convenient path of the Terentyev forests, but here…

Michelle had already fallen asleep, and barely heard the rustle of the bushes, and a quiet conversation:

– On both sides we will wait, and we will burn the estate, who will run – those knives. Good everything will go to you, and I have a girl, Mary.

“You’ll be lost with her, sir. And how will he tell whom? Do not blow your heads then.

“Don’t be cowardly, Leonty. Robbery requires courage. Everything is sweet, but other silk neighbors will be, everyone will be afraid of me.

– Let’s go, it’s decided… ‘another robber replied.

Michelle grabbed the gun, but Ivan Etskov raised his finger to his mouth, calling for silence, and whispered:

– We’ll finish everyone in the clearing at once. Exterminate the robbers! The police officer will free us, and punish us.

“We’d better not…

Fedor Grigoriev and Evgraf Kolychev, taking the guns, moved to the left, and Zalepsky and Ivan Etskov stood on the right. They did not warn, but immediately began to shoot. Michel fired first from one Colt, then from another. Eight bodies remained on the ground. Olin tried to crawl into the bushes, leaving a bloody trail on the grass, almost black at night. But Evgraf cut the wounded throat with the tip of a saber. The young man removed one revolver and took out another. He looked, as bewitched, at the lying dead body of Zakharchenko, into which he fired four bullets.

– Now the master, we will drown them all in the swamp, – said Fedor Grigoriev, who was silent for the time being, – we will take the weapons and money.

– Do, just faster, Michel said, crouching on a fallen tree.

He looked at his hands, which now seemed sticky, as if they were covered in blood. He turned his palms up and down, clenched his hands into fists, and could not calm down. Well, at least they did not shake, and their knees did not bend.

Marriage of Michael

Mikhail was always a welcome guest with the Terentyevs, however, even Pyotr Fedorovich did not ask about the case with the neighboring landowner, and where he disappeared. The young man denied everything, turned away and did not speak.

– Well, it’s in the swamp, – Terentyev said, laughing.

Zalepsky directly distorted from such words, recalling how former soldiers drowned naked corpses in the swamp, and they did not want to drown. Nearby was a fire that scared away mosquitoes, on which the robbers’ clothes burned out. All of them were smeared with swamp slurry then, just from head to toe…

So, changing anger to mercy, Rusov seized the bride for his grandson. The young man did not know anything about this yet, and studied the photographic camera. The description was in English, but he knew the language, and already began to carry this box on a tripod, and took a photo of all the household, moreover, their portraits took place in the estate hall. Although, of course, the portraits were small in size – several inches, but were processed by young men according to the latest system. Now Mikhail has prepared an apparatus to make a portrait of Maria Petrovna.

– Do you have such a new thing?” I only read about her in the magazine.

– Grandfather wrote out. That I would walk less in the forests. You’ll have to freeze for almost a minute now. So that the picture turns out.

Masha nodded, however, not too hiding pleasure. None of her acquaintances were filmed on a photographic plate. The picture was ready, and Zalepsky was getting ready for himself.

– We must go home, – he made excuses, and quickly got into a heap, putting things there, chasing the horse, went to his estate.

The wagon slipped into the gate, Yakim took the horse under the bridle, and the young man, with a large suitcase, climbed the stairs, where relatives and friends were waiting for him. The mother came forward, for some reason wiping away her tears.

– What happened? Mikhail was a little taken aback.

– We thought, son, marry you,,, What is it? The young one needs to live in happiness, not wait for old age.

– So to serve me until I reach the ranks… That would be a good salary. Yes, and young I still…

– She does not give special income to the generals, if not to steal, of course, – my father said judiciously, – I myself know, I served. Are we going to get poorer? We have a decent income, we will manage.

– Yes, I don’t want to, – I didn’t know what the young man was going to think, – I’m not ready, right word.

– Not anyhow, – Rusov’s grandfather shook, – she is both clever and beautiful. The best bride of our province, in beauty, of course.

– Yes, I love another, – blushing, answered Mikhail, – Maria Petrovna Terentyeva, the daughter of our neighbor. She promised me to wait until I got into the captains.

“That’s how they grabbed her,” the mother smiled, “that’s how it will be better for you.”

– Mamenka, – whispered the son, kissing the woman on the cheek.

So a month later, the wedding was played. The guests were surprised how the Zalepskys decided to intermarry with the Terentyevs, and the only son of Dmitry Ivanovich married so early. But, no one wanted to ask, so as not to quarrel with the hot-tempered owners.

Soon Maria Petrovna was already in a position, having delighted her husband’s family more than himself, who was preparing to take the exam for a cadet in the regiment.

Cavalier Guard Regiment

Service to the sovereign

Mikhail Dmitrievich, presenting documents, and a letter from the regiment commander, Colonel Bezobrazov, to the duty officer, dismounting, walked along the edge of the parade ground, to the central entrance to the regiment barracks. Here, on foot, in full uniform, tall soldiers in shiny bronze cuirasses and the same helmets practiced perestroika. Wahmister kept order in the ranks.

– And, once! ‘he yelled.

Flutes whistled piercingly, drums beat out the rhythm. And the soldiers pulled their foot, practicing the parade step. The cavalry guards marched simply excellently. Michel once again turned to the statues of Mars and Bellona, mentally asking them for patronage in a new place. The horses were led by Yakim, who now returned to his native regiment as the young master’s clerk. Well, the courtyards in the brick at the gate were waiting with things. Yakim could not carry two suitcases, three guns and a camera at once.

There was a sentry at the entrance who called the unter. The tall Fruntovik, above the rather big Zalepsky by a whole head, looked at the documents and said:

“Come after me.

At the office he was met by an officer on duty, whom the non-commissioned officer famously trumped, and left the escort.

– let me introduce myself. Lieutenant Tomin Grigory Ilyich.

– Mikhail Dmitrievich Zalepsky, should introduce himself to the regiment commander and take a junker exam.

– Come on, the commander of the seventh training squadron is just here. He is also the senior over the cadets of the regiment.

Lieutenant Tomin walked the young man to the table, at which sat the colonel, an impressive and fit officer.

– Mikhail Dmitrievich Zalepsky, – the young man called himself, and handed the documents on attestation to the officer, and his father’s letter.

– Colonel Alexander Alexandrovich Esipov, commander of the seventh squadron, – called the owner of the office.

The colonel studied the attestation for a long time, but without much interest, but immediately revived when he saw a letter from a retired captain.

– Dmitry Ivanovich’s son?

– Exactly, the only one.

– Would they have told me what these papers were for? Well, they arrived without hesitation, only two vacancies of cadets remained. You know that after exams not every cadet becomes a cornet of the regiment? – and he looked strictly at Michel, – I don’t ask about funds, I’ve heard about your family. Our service is not easy, and it is not cheap.

– Of course. I hope to be among the best, and stay in the regiment.

– I will be glad and rely on your efforts. The Wahmister will guide you, settle down, – said the headquarters officer, and again buried himself in circulars.

Near the entrance stood a representative non-commissioned officer, with stripes for twenty-five years of service, in a perfectly fitted uniform and cavalier guard forage cap without a visor. A white single-breasted colet, not a gray tunic for work, was on it, and the instrument white buttons simply shone.

– Vakhmister of the seventh squadron Gorshkov Gavrila Prokhorovich, – the servant introduced himself, – let’s go and show you your room.

Michelle just nodded, and followed the guide. The apartment building of the regiment’s chief officers was slightly smaller than the barracks for soldiers. Wahmister walked to the rooms assigned to the Junkers.

“That’s where you’ll be lodging. Two rooms – one for you and cadet Repnin, the other for your employees. It is forbidden to cook food in the room, the samovar on duty puts every hour, you have an alcohol for coffee. The schedule for junkers is posted at the bottom.

And, the wahmister left the room, and Zalepsky went into a large room with two beds, a table, two chairs and two cabinets. There was alcohol on the windowsill. The situation was quite simple, but picturesque – on a bed made with a soldier’s cloth blanket, a young man rested, dressed at home, and read a small book. Velvet cap with a brush, the same color jacket with it, velvet dark pants, of course, barefoot. Suede soft Turkish shoes sat next to the bed.

– Let me recommend – Junker Mikhail Dmitrievich Zalepsky.

Lying smiled with a pleasant half smile, put on his shoes and got up.

– Agree, I couldn’t introduce myself without shoes, – he smiled again and got up, – Nikita Georgievich Repnin, cadet. You’re on time. In three days, classes will begin, will you have time to sew uniforms?

– Yes, everything was sewn on the estate, – Mikhail smiled, – Yakim, bring suitcases and spread out your uniform.

The batman nimbly laid out the master’s things, and put in the corner a suitcase with a camera, a Ramsay nozzle and a hunting nozzle. I put the box with two revolvers on the chest of drawers.

“Thank you,” Zalepski said.

Nikita was now intrigued to death himself, only a brush of a velvet cap, now hanging on the owner’s forehead, gave out excitement. The future officer tried to restrain himself, did not show the appearance that he was so interested..

– I would be glad if we switched to “you,” – Mikhail turned to a new acquaintance, – at home my name is usually Michelle.

– Excellent, – said Nikita, – it’s easier. My name is Nikita, so call it. You look, avid shooter – two great fittings. And this… – and he pointed to the box – revolvers? I brought mine too. Yes, by the way, my batman is called Prokhor.

– My Yakim, he is one of the former soldiers, – Zalepsky boasted.

Then Repnin finally got up and put down his revolver. The model is similar, also Colt, as Michelle immediately saw.