Peter the Tsar had observed Mazeppa in Moscow, and asked me of him. I did not praise him too highly, for I was anxious to stand higher with this young giant than he, Mazeppa having undoubtedly an understanding with the party in power, Sophia and her satellites. I had now begun to play a part in life—to have my own ambitious ends in view, in gaining which Mazeppa would be an obstruction. For our object, both his and mine, was the Hetmanate, to obtain which he would play Sophia and I should play Peter.
Therefore, desiring to keep my place in the young Tsar’s regard, I did not speak too highly of Mazeppa, though I allowed him to be a shrewd and capable person, of clerkly rather than military attainments.
‘Can he not ride, then, like thee?’ asked Peter; and I replied that all Cossacks are at home on horseback, as young ducks are in water.
‘Devil take it,’ said the young Tsar. ‘Bring him down here, Chelminsky, and we shall see which of you two ducklings swims best!’
I was glad of this, for I knew that in fancy riding I was a better horseman than Mazeppa. Mazeppa knew this also, and was not anxious to accept the Tsar’s invitation.
‘Why should I take this trouble for the pleasure of a young fool that herds with grooms and moujiks and swills beer with his own cook boys?’ he said. And I replied that this young fool, as Mazeppa was pleased to call him, was nevertheless joint-Tsar of Russia, and must therefore be obeyed.
‘A Tsar in name, but without authority!’ he laughed. ‘Do you not know that Sophia is the mare that draws the chariot, and will draw it to the end?’
‘That may very well be true,’ said I, not willing to argue the matter, lest Mazeppa should become impressed with my own conviction that Peter was destined one day to assert his strength. For at present Mazeppa, being an adherent of Sophia and accustomed to the cant of the Regent and her companions as to Peter’s foolishness and worthlessness, was disposed to think little of this lion-cub, and misdoubted his strength and valour.
‘Continue in that opinion, my friend,’ thought I, ‘for therein may lie my advantage if I have any luck!’
Nevertheless Mazeppa did come with me to Preobrajensky, being too much of a courtier, I suppose, to disobey the will of a Tsar, even though he looked upon that Tsar without much respect.