"What do they say of me in Orenburg?" asked Pugatchéf, after a short silence.
"Well, it is said that you are not easy to get the better of. You will agree we have had our hands full with you."
The face of the usurper expressed the satisfaction of self-love.
"Yes," said he, with a glorious air, "I am a great warrior. Do they know in Orenburg of the battle of Jouzeïff?[65] Forty Generals were killed, four armies made prisoners. Do you think the King of Prussia is about my strength?"
This boasting of the robber rather amused me.
"What do you think yourself?" I said to him. "Could you beat Frederick?"
"Fédor Fédorovitch,[66] eh! why not? I can beat your Generals, and your Generals have beaten him. Until now my arms have been victorious. Wait a bit—only wait a bit—you'll see something when I shall march on Moscow?"
"And you are thinking of marching on Moscow?"
The usurper appeared to reflect. Then he said, half-aloud—
"God knows my way is straight. I have little freedom of action. My fellows don't obey me—they are marauders. I have to keep a sharp look out—at the first reverse they would save their necks with my head."