troops. My opinion was received by the civil officials with visible
discontent.

They saw in it the headstrong impertinence of youth.

A murmur arose, and I distinctly heard said, half-aloud, the words,
"Beardless boy." The General turned towards me, and smilingly said--

"Mr. Ensign, the early votes in a council of Avar are generally for
offensive measures. Now we will proceed. Mr. College Counsellor, tell us
your opinion?"

The little old man in the watered silk coat made haste to swallow his
third cup of tea, which he had mixed with a good help of rum.

"I think, your excellency," said he, "we must neither act on the
defensive nor yet on the offensive."

"How so, Mr. Counsellor?" replied the General, astounded. "There is
nothing else open to us in tactics--one must act either on the defensive
or the offensive."

"Your excellency, endeavour to suborn."

"Eh! eh! your opinion is very judicious; the act of corruption is one
admitted by the rules of war, and we will profit by your counsel. We
might offer for the rascal's head seventy or even a hundred roubles, and
take them from the secret funds."

"And then," interrupted the head of the Customs, "I'm a Kirghiz instead