‘Peter has first to become somebody before I can become anybody,’ I said; ‘the Regent and Galitsin have taken a good grip, and are not likely to let go.’
‘The deadliest grip can be loosened if you press tightly enough upon the gripper’s throat,’ said Boutourlin, laughing. ‘Our man is scarcely yet sixteen. Let him grow and think quietly, and big things may yet come of his thinking and growing. You, too, go home and think, but do not talk. Remember that we shall want the Cossacks, and when the Government changes in Moscow a new Hetman will have to be found at Batourin. Remember also that we others are wide awake, even though the lion cub should yawn. All this drilling is not for nothing.’
These words caused me to reflect, as they were meant to do, and I decided that, since Mazeppa was already the Regent’s man, I would be Peter’s; for I could lose nothing and might gain much by entering into an understanding with the young Tsar. If he should come to the front I should certainly profit; in any case, I should be no worse off.
I therefore rode daily to Preobrajensky, and became each day more familiar with the young lion who, as Boutourlin expressed it, lay and yawned there, waiting upon time and opportunity.
Certainly the Tsar could not be said to hold himself timidly towards the Regent, his sister, as some declare that he was too much wont to do; for during the short while that I was in Moscow at this time I saw him twice defy her authority, taking the law into his own hands after a fashion that a timid youth could not have imitated.
The first time that this happened was in consequence of a freak which originated upon the parade ground when I was myself present.
The ‘Pleasure Regiment’ marched past in silence, and someone remarked that there should be a band of drums and whistles (or fifes) to play the men into good step. This would make the parade more lively.
‘The Poutyátine regiment of Streltsi has them,’ laughed one of those who stood by.
‘Oh, oh!’ cried Peter, ‘we will raid them. Come, volunteers! who will help carry off these fifes and drums?’
There were many offers of assistance, and that evening the entire set of drums and fifes used by the Poutyátine regiment of Streltsi found their way in some mysterious fashion to the barracks of the ‘Pleasure Regiment’ at Preobrajensky.