Pushkin text problem: Kapitanskaya dochka

[paerok]

Dear R.&A.,
1. The only precise version is pod shapkoj.
2. The way of carring smth tucked inside one's cap was quite
widespread, indeed.
3. But here the situation is different. Let's speculate in a logical
way.
3.1. The Cossack was holding (derzhal) the paper.
3.2. Those in the fortress could see the paper.
3.3. The next para. gives us "vzyat list iz ruk ubitigo kazaka" i.e. a
clear indication about holding (in one's hands).
3.4. Thus, the paper IMHO was unlikely to be inside the cap of the
Cossack.
3.5. The preposition "pod" in this context means rather "below" or
"beneath" than "inside". The paper was in the Cossack's hand, he was
holding it (showing to those in the fortress since it was a letter to
them). Besides, as he was galloping, he raised his hand just enough to
demonstrate the very fact of the paper in his hand. Therefore from the
fortress his cap (by the way, they were rather high there and then)
was seen above, and the letter - below.
4. That's what I can say about it.

Dr Naumov.

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